DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SECRETARY OF STATE MEETS PRESS .............................. 1
+A MOST ENCOURAGING PROSPECT FOR HK+ ........................ 18
20 UNOFFICIALS TO SPEAK ON GREEN PAPER....................... 18
HOUSEHOLD VISITS TO ENCOURAGE VOTING ........................ 18
HK JING YING TO PERFORM IN UK................................ 19
PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL PLACES PROVE POPULAR ................... 20
SEMINAR FOR TUEN MUN INDUSTRIALISTS ......................... 21
NEW ENQUIRY CENTRE FOR YUEN LONG ............................ 21
CONTAINER PARK SITE FOR RENT ................................ 22
FOOTBRIDGE FOR POK FU LAM ROAD .............................. 2J
MAINS WORK ON LANTAU ........................................
1
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1934
SECRETARY OF STATE MEETS PRESS * * X X * *
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON:
♦ WHEN I WAS IN HONG KONG LAST WEEK I SAID THAT I WOULD KEEP YOU INFORMED ABOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS IN PEKING. I KNOW VERY WELL HOW CRUCIAL THEY ARE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. SO I WELCOME THIS CHANCE TO BRING YOU UP TO DATE.
MY VISIT TO PEKING WAS DEVOTED ALMOST ENTIRELY TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. I WAS ABLE TO HAVE LONG DISCUSSIONS WITH FOREIGN MINISTER WU XUEQIAN, PREMIER ZHAO ZIYANG AND CHAIRMAN DENG XIAOPING.
THE PURPOSE OF MY VISIT WAS:
- TO REVIEW PROGRESS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS;
- TO MAKE REAL HEADWAY ON THE REMAINING ISSUES ;
- AND, ABOVE ALL, TO STRIVE FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE RESULT FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THAT IS MY OVERRIDING OBJECTIVE.
I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT VERY SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE. WE HAVE AGREED:
- FIRST, THE FRAMEWORK AND KEY CLAUSES OF AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL PRESERVE HONG KONG’S UNIQUE ECONOMIC SYSTEM AND WAY OF LIFE ;
- SECONDLY, THAT THIS AGREEMENT AND ITS ANNEXES WILL ALL BE LEGALLY BINDING ;
- THIRDLY, SATISFACTORY PROVISIONS FOR LIAISON AND CONSULTATION AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE AGREEMENT.
IN ADDITION, THE ARRANGEMENTS THAT WILL APPLY IN HONG KONG FOR 50 YEARS AFTER 1997 WILL BE PRESCRIBED WITH SUFFICIENT CLARITY AND PRECISION TO COMMAND THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE, WORK, TRADE AND INVEST HERE.
/THIS PROGRESS .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 198A
2
THIS PROGRESS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE UNLESS THE TWO SIDES HAD APPROACHED THEIR TASK WITH STATESMANSHIP AND DL RUINATION TO SUCCEED. THE CONCEPT OF +ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS* IS A FARSIGHTED ONE AND HOLDS TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
A GOOD DEAL STILL REMAINS TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO COVER ALL THE ASPECTS OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SYSTEM AND WAY OF LIFE WHICH I DESCRIBED IN MY STATEMENT IN APRIL. THERE ARE MATTERS OF SUBSTANCE TO BE SETTLED. THE NEGOTIATORS WILL CONTINUE THEIR WORK. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL WANT TO JUDGE THE AGREEMENT AS A WHOLE AT THE END OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. SO TOO WILL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
BUT ALREADY I CAN TELL YOU THAT HONG KONG CAN LOOK FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE TO AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING ESSENTIAL PROVISIONS:
- IT WILL PRESERVE HONG KONG’S FAMILIAR LEGAL SYSTEM AND THE BODY OF LAWS IN FORCE IN HONG KONG. BY THAT I MEAN THE COMMON LAW, RULES OF EQUITY, ORDINANCES, SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION AND CUSTOMARY LAW. WITHIN THAT GENERAL FRAMEWORK, POWER TO MAKE LAWS WILL CONTINUE TO LIE WITH THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITIES OF HONG KONG; AND JUDICIAL POWER, INCLUDING THE RIGHT OF FINAL APPEAL, WILL BE VESTED IN THE COURTS OF HONG KONG.
- THE AGREEMENT WILL ENABLE HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO DECIDE ITS OWN ECONOMIC AND TRADE POLICIES; TO MAINTAIN ITS STATUS AS A FREE PORT AND A MAJOR MANUFACTURING AND TRADING ECONOMY- AND TO PRESERVE THE RIGHTS OF OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY AND FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS.
- IT WILL PROVIDE FOR THE CONTINUATION OF HONG KONG’S STATUS AS A SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY. HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATING IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND TRADE AGREEMENTS SUCH AS THE GATT; TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY EXCLUSIVELY ITS OWN EXPORT QUOTAS AND TARIFF PREFERENCESAND TO ISSUE ITS OWN CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN FOR HONG KONG PRODUCTS.
- IT WILL PROVIDE FOR HONG KONG TO MANAGE ITS OWN FINANCIAL AFFAIRS AND TO USE ITS FINANCIAL REVENUES EXCLUSIVELY FOR ITS OWN PURPOSES.
- IT WILL PROVIDE FOR THE CONTINUING CONVERTIBILITY OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AND THE FREEDOM TO MOVE CAPITAL INTO AND CUT OF HONG KONG.
/- IT WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1984
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- IT WILL CONTAIN ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONTINUITY OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF PENSION RIGHTS.
- IT WILL MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S SYSTEMS OF PORT MANAGEMENT, SHIPPING AND THE FREE OPERATION OF PRIVATE SHIPPING BUSINESS.
- IT WILL ENABLE HONG KONG RESIDENTS TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL AND MOVE FREELY INTO AND OUT OF HONG KONG.
- IT WILL PROVIDE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG’S EDUCATION SYSTEM, WITH ITS WIDE RANGE OF DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. IT WILL PRESERVE THE PRESENT FREEDOM OF CHOICE OF EDUCATION AND THE FREEDOM TO PURSUE EDUCATION OVERSEAS.
- IT WILL PROVIDE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF ALL THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG NOW ENJOY.
THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST. WORK IS STILL IN PROGRESS TO COVER SATISFACTORILY A NUMBER OF MATTERS IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE AND ECONOMY. I HAVE IN MIND, FOR EXAMPLE, LAND, CIVIL AVIATION AND NATIONALITY.
THERE HAS BEEN MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT THE IDEA OF A JOINT ®OUP AND THE ROLE IT MIGHT PLAY IN HONG KONG.
BEFORE I COME TO THIS, LET ME EMPHASISE ONE POINT THAT IS FIRMLY AGREED BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL REMAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG UNTIL 1997. LET THERE BE NO DOUBT THAT WE SHALL FULFIL THAT RESPONSIBILITY RIGHT UP TO THAT DATE.
EVEN AGAINST THAT CLEAR BACKGROUND OF CONTINUING BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO 1997, EVERYONE RECOGNISES THE NEED FOR CLOSE CONSULTATION BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA. IF HONG KONG IS TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE BENEFIT OF ARRANGEMENTS ESSENTIAL TO ITS TRADE AND ITS ECONOMY AND IF IN 1997 THERE IS TO BE A SMOOTH TRANSITION, ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE MADE IN GOOD TIME.
FOR THIS PURPOSE WE HAVE AGREED TO ESTABLISH A JOINT LIAISON GROUP. IT WILL COME INTO BEING WHEN THE AGREEMENT COMES INTO FORCE. IT WILL MEET IN PEKING, LONDON AND HONG KONG. LATER, FOUR YEARS FROM NOW, IT WILL ESTABLISH ITS PRINCIPAL BASE IN HONG KONG. IT WILL CONTINUE TO MEET IN LONDON AND PEKING AS WELL.
/THE GROUP’S .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1984
4
THE GROUP’S TERMS OF REFERENCE HAVE BEEN PRECISELY DEFINED. TFT GROUP WILL HAVE THREE FUNCTIONS: LIAISON, CONSULTATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT, AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION. IT HAS ALSO BEEN AGREED IN THE TERMS OF REFERENCE THAT:
THE GROUP WILL NOT BE AN ORGAN OF POWER ;
IT WILL HAVE NO SUPERVISORY ROLE:
IT WILL PLAY NO PART IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG. THE CHINESE LEADERS HAVE GIVEN ME FIRM AND SPECIFIC ASSURANCES ON THESE POINTS.
L IA ISON AND CONSULTATION WILL CONTINUE TO BE NECESSARY AFTER 1997. THE GROUP WILL, THEREFORE, CONTINUE ITS WORK UP TO THE YEAR 2000.
I SAID IN APRIL THAT WE WERE WORKING TO A PROGRAMME WHICH TAKES ACCOUNT OF CHINA’S WISHES AND OF OUR OWN REQUIREMENTS. UNDER THIS PROGRAMME, W'E AIM TO COMPLETE OUR WORK AND INITIAL AN AGREEMENT BEFORE THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL WANT TO SEE THE FULL TEXT OF THE AGREEMENT AND ANNEXES AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT THEY HAVE TIME TO CONSIDER IT. THERE WILL BE A PERIOD FOR EXPLANATION, DISCUSSION AND DEBATE. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF HONG KONG OPINION WERE ANNOUNCED A FORTNIGHT AGO. THIS IS A VITAL PART OF THE PROGRAMME.
WHEN THIS ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN MADE, IT WILL THEN BE FOR PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE THE AGREEMENT, TAKING FULL ACCOUNT OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN HONG KONG. IF PARLIAMENT AGREES, THE AGREEMENT WILL BE SIGNED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
FROM WHAT I HAVE SAID YOU WILL SEE THAT SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED. I BELIEVE IT HOLDS OUT THE PROSPECT OF AN HISTORIC AGREEMENT: AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL PROVIDE FOR A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY; UNDER WHICH ADMINISTRATION WILL BE IN THE HANDS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE THEMSELVES; AND UNDER WHICH HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS, ITS DISTINCTIVE WAY OF LIFE AND ITS POSITION AS A FINANCIAL TRADING AND INDUSTRIAL CENTRE WILL BE SECURED.
THOUGH THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE, I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE ARE ON COURSE FOR A CONCLUSION WE SHALL BE ABLE TO COMMEND BOTH TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND TO THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.*
QUESTION ONE,
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1984
- 5 -
QUESTION ONE, LOUIE KING BIN, TA KUNG PAO:
♦CHINA’S LEADERS DESCRIBE THE DISCUSSION AS DEMONSTRATING A SPIRIT OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND MUTUAL ACCOMMODATION. WHAT KIND OF ACCOMMODATION DID THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT MAKE DURING THE SINO—BRITISH TALKS? HOW DID IT HELP THE TWO GOVERNMENTS TO REACH WHAT YOU CALL AN HISTORIC AGREEMENT?*
ANSWER:
+WELL, AS I HAVE SAID IN MY STATEMENT, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER IN A SPIRIT OF MUTUAL ACCOMMODATION AND COOPERATION WITH OUR OWN CLEAR OBJECTIVE AND IN A SPIRIT OF GIVE AND TAKE. THAT IS THE PATTERN AND STYLE OF ANY NEGOTIATION AND IT IS ON THAT BASIS WE HAVE REACHED THE POINTS WHICH I HAVE DESCRIBED TO YOU IN MY STATEMENT TODAY.*
QUESTION TWO, LINDA JAIVIN, ASIAWEEK:
+WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS, YOU SAY THAT THIS AGREEMENT AND ITS ANNEXES WILL ALL BE LEGALLY BINDING. UNDER WHAT LAW WILL IT BE LEGALLY BINDING? EXACTLY HOW WILL IT BE LEGALLY BINDING? AND IS IT POSSIBLE, AS SOME RECENT REPORTS HAVE SUGGESTED HERE, THAT SOME OF THE POST-1997 ARRANGEMENTS, THE DETAILS OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS, WILL BE ENSHRINED IN ONE OF THE ANNEXES WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED LESS BINDING THAN THE OTHER PARTS OF THE AGREEMENT?
ANSWER:
♦NOW, I HAVE MADE VERY CLEAR IN MY STATEMENT THAT THE ANNEXES WHICH WILL CONTAIN ALL THE PROVISIONS I HAVE BEEN DESCRIBING WILL BE EQUALLY BINDING IN AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT. AND AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT IS, OF COURSE, THE HIGHEST FORM OF COMMITMENT POSSIBLE BETWEEN SOVEREIGN STATES. +
QUESTION THREE, DINAH LEE, WASHINGTON POST/INTERNATIONAL HERALD TR IBUNE:
♦MANY IN HONG KONG HAVE LOOKED FOR A CONTINUING BRITISH LINK TO ADMINISTRATION AFTER 1997. I NOTE THAT YOU MAKE IT VERY CLEAR IN YOUR SPEECH THAT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL PLAY NO PART IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG. HOWEVER, WOULD YOU SAY THAT THE WORK OF THE GROUP BETWEEN 1997 AND THE YEAR 2000 COULD QUALIFY AS A BRITISH LINK AND IS THERE ANY USEFUL PURPOSE FOR CONTINUING THE GROUP’S WORK AFTER THE YEAR 2000?*
/ANSWER: .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1981*
6
ANSWER:
♦THE YEAR 2000 IS THE YEAR UP TO WHICH IT HAS BEEN AGREED THE GROUP WILL CONTINUE INTO EXISTENCE. IT WILL HAVE THE SAME FUNCTIONS AFTER 1997 AS BEFORE 1997 UP TO THAT DATE. IT wILL ENABLE BOTH SIDES, INCLUDING GREAT BRITAIN AFTER 1997 UNTIL 2300, TO CONTINUE TO CONSULT ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT. I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT FEATURE THAT THE GROUP ,'L' CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME FUNCTION DURING THAT PERIOD AS IT HAS HAD BEFORE.*
QUESTION FOUR, TSUI MING YUEN, WEN WEI PO:
♦DURING YOUR RECENT VISIT TO PEKING, HAVE YOU DISCUSSED THE GREEN PAPER ON MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT FOR HONG KONG WITH THE CHINESE LEADERS? IF YES, THEN WHAT ARE THE OPINIONS OR COMMENTS OF THE CHINESE LEADERS ON THIS ISSUE? MOREOVER, THE GOVERNOR HAS POINTED OUT THAT THE SUGGESTIONS OF THE GREEN PAPER CONSIST OF TWO PRINCIPLES, OF WHICH ONE IS TO ENSURE THAT THE VARIOUS SYSTEMS CARRIED OUT WITHIN THESE 13 YEARS COULD NOT AFFECT THE CONTINUITY AFTER 1997. IN THIS CASE, HOW CAN YOU GUARANTEE THE ABOVE PRINCIPLE CAN BE FULFILLED IN ORDER TO SERVE CHINESE INTERESTS AFTER 1997?+
ANSWER:
♦AS YOU KNOW, THE GREEN PAPER HAS BEEN PUBLISHED AND IS STILL BEING CONSIDERED WITHIN HONG KONG. IT OUTLINES THE CHANGES IN THE ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE VISUALISED DURING THE YEARS IMMEDIATELY AHEAD. THERE HAS BEEN NO DISCUSSION OF THE GREEN PAPER IN PEKING, BUT I HAVE DRAWN ATTENTION IN MY STATEMENT TO THE FACT THAT IT IS VISUALISED THAT AFTER 1997 HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL STILL CONTINUE TO GOVERN HONG KONG.+
QUESTION FIVE, STEPHEN JESSELL, BBC, PEKING:
♦DID YOU DISCUSS WITH CHINESE LEADERS THE POSSIBLE STATIONING OF THE PLA, THE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY, IN THE TERRITORY AFTER 1997? WHAT WAS THEIR POSITION? DID THEY GIVE YOU ANY NUMBERS?*
ANSWER:
+1 KNOW THERE HAS BEEN SOME COMMENT ABOUT THAT. IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR ME, AT THIS STAGE, TO SAY ANYTHING MORE HERE.*
/QUESTION SIX.........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 19&<
7 -
QUESTION SIX, CHAN CHUNG-KWAN, ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS:
+COULD YOU RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY FOR BRITAIN AND CHINA TO MAKE SOME FORM OF ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE FUTURE ARRANGEMENT CF HONG KONG IN SOME INTERNATIONAL OCCASIONS -- SAY THE UNITED NATIONS ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN THE COMING SEPTEMBER -- SO AS TO INCREASE THE INTERNATIONAL STATUS OF THAT LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENT?*
ANSWER:
♦NO. WE ARE WORKING TO CONCLUDE AN INTERNATIONALLY BINDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO SOVEREIGN STATES WITHIN THE PROGRAMME THAT I HAVE SET OUT. AND THAT WILL, AS I SAY, BE A MOST IMPORTANT OBJECTIVE AND CONCLUSION.*
QUESTION SEVEN, THERESA MA, FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW:
+SIR GEOFFREY, COULD YOU PLEASE TELL US IF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN LOOK FORWARD TO AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL CONTAIN AN ESSENTIAL PROVISION TO PRESERVE THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG BEYOND 1997?*
ANSWER:
+AS I HAVE SAID IN MY STATEMENT, WE HAVE ALREADY REACHED AGREEMENT ON MANY IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF CONTINUED HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION AND CONTROL OF MANY IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE OF HONG KONG. ALL THAT IS BEING NEGOTIATED IN THE CONTEXT, AND WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK, OF A SYSTEM WHICH WILL PERMIT THE CONTINUANCE OF A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY FOR HONG KONG.*
QUESTION EIGHT, KAYSER SUNG, TEXTILE ASIA:
+SIR GEOFFREY, IN YOUR STATEMENT YOU HAVE SAID THAT THE FUTURE STATUS OF HONG KONG IN THE GATT WILL BE MAINTAINED AS IN THE PRESENT PATTERN. UNDER THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENT HONG KONG IS UNDER THE BRITISH MEMBERSHIP, AND IF THE TRANSITION IS THROUGH, HOW CAN HONG KONG CONTINUE TO BE REPRESENTED UNDER THE BRITISH MEMBERSHIP? FURTHERMORE, BRITAIN HAS BEEN URGED TO SPONSOR HONG KONG TO BECOME AN INDEPENDENT MEMBER IN Trit GATT. HAS THIS BEEN DISCUSSED DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS?*
/ANSWER: .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1984
- 8
ANSWER:
+WHAT I HAVE SAID IS THAT THE PRESENT STATUS OF HONG KONG IS SOMETHING WHICH IS OF IMPORTANCE BECAUSE IT DOES HAVE, NOT JUST IN THE GATT, BUT IN OTHER INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS, AN rP'RTANT INDEPENDENT POSITION WITH A NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT RIGHTS ALREADY SET OUT FOR HONG KONG. AND THE IMPORTANT THING, WHICH AS I HAVE SAID IN MY STATEMENT THE AGREEMENT WILL SECURE, IS A CONTINUANCE OF THAT SAME DEGREE OF INDEPENDENCE WHICH HONG KONG NOW ENJOYS - ALTHOUGH UNDER DIFFERENT AUSPICES.*
QUESTION NINE, LAI TING YIU, HONG KONG ECONOMIC JOURNAL:
+ IT SEEMS THAT YOU APPRECIATE AND ACCEPT THE CONCEPT OF TWO SYSTEMS WITHIN ONE COUNTRY. I WANT TO ASK ON WHAT GROUNDS YOU BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE ON THIS POLICY AND IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG” AND DO YOU SEE ANY UNSOLVABLE CONFLICT BETWEEN CHINESE COMMUNISM AND HONG KONG CAPITALISM IN THE LONG RUN -- SAY AFTER 2DOO? IF SO, WHY DO YOU ACCEPT THIS CONCEPT?*
ANSWER:
+l THINK THE CONCEPT, AS I SAID IN MY STATEMENT, OF TWO SYSTEMS WITHIN ONE COUNTRY WITH PLAIN, EXPRESS AND CLEAR PROVISION IN THE AGREEMENT, FOR THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF HONG KONG CAPITALIST SYSTEMS IS A MOST IMPORTANT VISION. IT IS A MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF STATESMANSHIP TO HAVE VISUALISED THAT ARRANGEMENT — THE TWO SYSTEMS TO EXIST ALONGSIDE EACH OTHER IN ONE COUNTRY. IT IS FOR THAT REASON THAT IT IS IMPORANT FOR US TO SECURE THE RIGHT CONCLUSIONS IN THE AGREEMENT. I THINK THE BEST ASSURANCE OF THAT PROSPECT, WHICH IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ONE, IS A BINDING, CLEAR, INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT. AND THE FACT IS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR RECENT TALKS IN PEKING MADE VERY SUBSTANTIAL STRIDES TOWARDS ACHIEVING JUST THAT.*
QUESTION 10, SALLY BLYTH, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG:
+YOU HAVE MADE IT QUITE CLEAR, SIR GEOFFREY, THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE JOINT LIA ION GROUP; AND THAT YOU HAVE HAD SOME ASSURANCES FROM CHINA. BUT HAVE YOU HAD ASSURANCES FROM THE CHINESE SIDE THAT THEY WON’T INTERFERE IN THE AFFAIRS CF HONG KONG BEFORE 1997? AND THE FACT THAT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL BE BASED HERE IN 1988 - DO YOU NOT FEEL THAT THIS WILL PSYCHOLOGICALLY UNDERMINE THE AUTHORITY OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG IN THE MINDS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE AND PEOPLE ABROAD?*
/ANSWER:
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1 •»*
- 9 -
ANSWER:
♦IT IS FOR THE REASONS THAT YOU HAVE IN MIND THAT THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE GROUP DO CONTAIN THE PRECISE PROVISIONS I HAVE SET OUT IN MY STATEMENT, THAT THEY HAVE BEEN UNDERWRITTEN BY THE PRECISE ASSURANCES THAT I WAS GIVEN VERY FIRMLY BY THE CHINESE LEADERSHIP. THAT MUST ALSO BE SEEN, OF COURSE, ALONGSIDE THE PLAIN AGREEMENT TO WHICH I REFERRED-THAT BRITISH ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE UP TO 1997 - AND THAT PROPOSITION TOO HAS THE FIRM SUPPORT OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.*
QUESTION 11, WONG YING-WAH, ASIA TELEVISION HONG KONG:
♦SIR GEOFFREY, ACCORDING TO YOUR DISCLOSURES SO FAR, THE WAY FOR YOU TO FULFIL BRITISH COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG PEOPLE IS BY SEEKING AN INTERNATIONALLY BINDING AND DETAILED SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT. WHAT IF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE YOU PROPOSE TO SET UP FINDS OUT THAT MOST HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE AGAINST SOME CONTENTS IN THE AGREEMENT? COULD THE AGREEMENT - COULD THAT CONTENT -BE AMENDED? AND, IF NOT, HOW COULD THE BRITISH SIDE FULFIL THEIR COMMITMENT?*
ANSWER:
♦I THINK IT IS NECESSARY TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THIS - IN ANY INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS OF THIS OR COMPARABLE KIND, BOTH SIDES NEGOTIATE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT AS A WHOLE, WHICH HAS TO BE CONSIDERED AS A WHOLE. IF EITHER SIDE WERE TO SEEK TO RESERVE THE RIGHT, HAVING REACHED THE CONCLUSION OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, AS IT WERE TO START AGAIN, THEN THE OTHER SIDE WOULD, UNDERSTANDABLY, SEEK TO OBTAIN THE SAME RIGHT. AND THE AGREEMENT WOULD NOT BE EVEN AN AGREEMENT THAT COULD BE INITIALLED. SO BOTH SIDES WORK TOWARDS THE CONCLUSION OF AN AGREEMENT AS A WHOLE AND IT THEN HAS TO BE CONSIDERED AS A WHOLE. IT IS BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT THAT WE HAVE BEEN TAKING SO MUCH CARE TO CONSULT WITH HONG KONG, WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, WITH EXCO, WITH MEMBERS OF LEGCO, IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE WHAT WE WANT | WHICH IS AN AGREEMENT WHICH, WHEN CONSIDERED AS A WHOLE, CAN BE HONOURABLY COMMENDED TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. IT IS ON THAT BASIS THAT THE QUESTION WILL HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED - BUT IF I DECIDED TO TRY AND RESERVE THE RIGHT TO START AGAIN THEN IT WOULD BE A MOST INCONCLUSIVE ARRANGEMENT. SO THAT IS NOT THE WAY WE WORK.+
QUESTION 12, MELINDA LIU, NEWSWEEK:
♦YOUR STATEMENT MAKES NO MENTION OF RESPONSIBILITY AFTER 1997 FOR INTERNAL SECURITY OR DEFENCE. IN THE PAST THE CHINESE HAVE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT INTERNAL SECURITY. DOES THIS MEAN THAT CHINA WILL TAKE OVER INTERNAL SECURITY RESPONSIBILITY AND WHAT PROVISIONS WILL BE MADE FOR MEMBERS OF THE CURRENT HONG KONG POLICE FORCE WHO MAY NOT WISH TO REMAIN HERE AFTER 1997?+
/ANSWER: .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1984
10 -
ANSWER:
♦WELL, ON THE FIRST QUESTION THAT YOU RAISED, THAT IS, OF COURSE, AN IMPORTANT ASPECT ON WHICH IT IS PLAIN THAT DEFENCE AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS WOULD BECOME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHINA, BUT THAT THE MATTERS THAT YOU HAVE DISCUSSED AFFECTING INTERNAL AFFAIRS IN HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HONG KONG SAR GOVERNMENT. AND, OBVIOUSLY, THE POINT YOU HAVE RAISED ABOUT THE POSITION OF THOSE SERVING, NOT JUST IN THE POLICE BUT IN OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES, IS AN IMPORTANT ONE WE HAVE VERY MUCH IN MIND.+
QUESTION 13, HUGH DAVIES, DAILY TELEGRAPH:
♦SIR GEOFFREY, CHINA HAS BEEN THE SCENE OF CATACLYSMIC UPHEAVALS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. MR DENG XIAOPING, WHOM YOU MET YESTERDAY, WAS HIMSELF PURGED TWICE, HIS SON WAS REPORTEDLY HURLED OUT OF A WINDOW BY RED GUARDS AT PEKING UNIVERSITY. WHAT SORT OF GUARANTEES HAVE YOU MANAGED TO SECURE TO ENSURE THAT HIS SUCCESSORS SIMPLY WON’T RIP UP THE AGREEMENT?*
ANSWER:
♦I THINK ONE OF THE FEATURES WHICH IS MOST NOTEWORTHY ABOUT THE POSITION OF CHINA AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IS THE RESPECT WHICH IT SHOWS FOR INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS. IT IS FOR THAT REASON THAT WE ARE SEEKING TO ACHIEVE A BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT OF THE KIND THAT I HAVE DESCRIBED AND HAVE MADE SUCH IMPORTANT PROGRESS TOWARDS THAT AND THE PROSPECT OF INCREASING AND CONTINUED PROSPERITY, BOTH IN CHINA ITSELF AND, ON THE FOOTING OF THIS AGREEMENT, IN HONG KONG -- THOSE ARE THE BEST ASSURANCES FOR THE FUTURE IN THE CONTEXT OF A BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT.+
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION, HUGH DAVIES:
♦HAVE YOU HAD ANY WRITTEN GUARANTEES ON THAT7+
ANSWER:
♦HAVE YOU GOT ANY WRITTEN GUARANTEES ABOUT THE FUTURE OF ANY NATION IN THE WORLD THAT FACES THE PROSPECT OF TWO OR THREE ELECTIONS IN THE NEXT 15 YEARS? THERE IS A LIMIT TO THE GUARANTEES THAT ANY STATESMAN, OR ANY COMMENTATOR, CAN GIVE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF ANY KIND. BUT LIVING IN THE REAL WORLD, CONDUCTING NEGOTIATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES IN HONG KONG, THE BEST ASSURANCES WE CAN GET ARE THE ASSURANCES THAT WILL BE CONTAINED IN THE BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT.+
/QDESTION 14: .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1984
11
QUESTION 14: MICHAEL NOBLE, AFP.
♦ IN THE CASE OF RHODESIA THE PEARCE COMMISSION REJECTED, OR FOUND THAT LOCAL PEOPLE REJECTED, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S DEAL. THE THEN BRITISH GOVERNMENT ABANDONED THE DEAL. CAN HONG KONG PEOPLE BE SURE THAT, IF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE FINDS THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE REJECT THE DEAL, THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL REJECT THE DEAL AS IT DID IN RHODESIA?*
ANSWER:
+OBVIOUSLY, THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE, WHICH WILL BE CONSIDERING THE WHOLE RANGE OF HONG KONG OPINIONS FROM HONG KONG PEOPLE, FROM THE HONG KONG MEDIA, AND ASSESSING THEM TOGETHER, WILL BE A MATTER OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU ONCE AGAIN THAT THE OBJECTIVE ID WHICH WE ARE WORKING, THE REASON WHY WE HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING THESE NEGOTIATIONS SO TENACIOUSLY AND WITH SUCH CLEAR OBJECTIVES, IS TO SECURE AN AGREEMENT COVERING ALL THE KEY POINTS I HAVE DESCRIBED WHICH WE CAN HONOURABLY COMMEND TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.+
QUESTION 15 (IN CHINESE), VIVIAN MAK, COMMERCIAL RADIO:
+1 *M FROM COMMERCIAL RADIO. I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE JOINT WORKING GROUP. FIRST OF ALL, HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL SIT ON THE WORKING GROUP AND WILL HONG KONG OFFICIALS BE REPRESENTED? SECONDLY, ON WHAT BASIS HAVE YOU DECIDED THAT THE GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO WORK UNTIL THE YEAR 2000 AND WHY IS THAT AFTER FOUR YEARS THE WORKING GROUP WILL BE BASED IN HONG KONG?+
ANSWER:
♦THAT'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS IN A SHORT TIME. YES, WE HAVE CONSIDERED THE SIZE OF THE GROUP. IT WOULD HAVE FIVE MEMBERS ON EACH SIDE, TO BE APPOINTED BY EACH SIDE, AND IN DOING THAT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT HONG KONG INTERESTS WILL BE FULLY REPRESENTED. THERE’S ALSO AGREEMENT ON A LIMITED NUMBER OF SUPPORTING STAFF .... SECRETARIES AND INTERPRETERS AND DRIVERS AND SO ON. AS TO THE QUESTION ABOUT THE DATES THAT I’VE DESCRIBED, THOSE DATES CLEARLY EMERGE FROM THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATIONS IN WHICH WE’VE BEEN TAKING PART, AND THEY DO, I BELIEVE, REPRESENT A SENSIBLE SET CF COMPROMISES BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT OBJECTIVES.*
/QUESTION 16.........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1984
12
QUESTION 16, SUNG SHUK-WAI, SING TAO JIH PAO:
+SINCE THE AGREEMENT IS LEGALLY BINDING, IF ANY OF THE PARTIES VIOLATES THE AGREEMENT, WHAT WILL THE OTHER PARTY DO?+
ANSWER:
+THE POSITION WILL BE EXACTLY THE SAME AS IN ANY OTHER INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT, THAT EACH SIDE TO A BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT WILL OBVIOUSLY MAKE THE STRONGEST PRESENTATIONS TO THE OTHER BY WAY OF COMPLAINT IN ORDER TO GET IT REMEDIED, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT IS THE FOUNDATION UPON WHICH IT IS BUILT, UPON THE FOUNDATION OF NEGOTIATIONS CONDUCTED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME IN GOOD FAITH IN ORDER TO TRY AND REACH A BALANCE OF THE INTERESTS OF THE NATIONS INVOLVED, BECAUSE IF IT IS AN AGREEMENT THAT MEETS THE BALANCE OF THOSE INTERESTS, THEN IT IS AN AGREEMENT THAT HAS THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE OF BEING UPHELD AND THE INTERESTS, AS I’VE SAID IN MY STATEMENT, WHICH ARE FOREMOST IN OUR MINDS THROUGHOUT ALL THESE NEGOTIATIONS, ARE THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.+
QUESTION 17, JOHN RODGERS, REUTERS:
+SIR GEOFFREY, JOHN RODGERS OF REUTERS. OF THE REMAINING ISSUES THAT ARE STILL TO BE RESOLVED IN THE FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS, WHAT ARE THE MOST DIFFICULT FROM BRITAIN’S POINT OF VIEW?+
ANSWER:
+1 WOULDN’T LIKE TO IDENTIFY IN ADVANCE WHAT QUESTION OR QUESTIONS ARE OR MAY BE THE MOST DIFFICULT. I’VE GIVEN YOU IN MY STATEMENT AN EXAMPLE OF THREE MATTERS THAT ARE CLEARLY MOST IMPORTANT - LAND, CIVIL AVIATION AND NATIONALITY, BUT IF IT WAS POSSIBLE IN ANY NEGOTIATIONS TO PREDICT IN ADVANCE WHICH WAS GOING TO BE THE MOST DIFFICULT, THEY WOULD BE LESS DIFFICULT THAN THEY ARE.+
QUESTION 18, DINAH LEE, WASHINGTON POST/INTERNATIONAL HERALD TR IBUNE:
+WILL PEKING RESERVE THE RIGHT TO APPROVE OR VETO LAWS, NEW LAWS MADE IN HONG KONG? YOU SAY THAT THE POWER TO MAKE LAWS WILL CONTINUE TO LIE WITH THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITIES OF HONG KONG, BUT IT’S NOT CLEAR WHETHER PEKING WILL ACTUALLY HAVE THE FINAL SAY.+
/ANSWER:
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1984
- 13 -
ANSWER:
♦NO, BUT THAT’S THE POINT OF THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE IN ORDER TO SECURE A CONCLUDED AGREEMENT, AND OF THE WORK THAT I’VE DESCRIBED. I’VE DESCRIBED THE ARRANGEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN AGREED, WHICH WILL LEAVE LEGISLATIVE POWER, IN THE FIELDS WE’VE DISCUSSED EARLIER ON, UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITIES. JUST AS, IF I MAY SAY SO, IN THE UNITED STATES, CERTAIN POWERS ARE ASSIGNED TO THE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES AND CERTAIN TO THE STATE AUTHORITIES- IT IS THAT KIND OF ARRANGEMENT, AND WHAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED IS HONG KONG AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WITH POWERS AS DEFINED IN MY STATEMENT, WHICH PLEASE STUDY AGAIN.*
QUESTION 19, SIMON FUNG, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG:
+SIR GEOFFREY, YOU HAVE JUST TOLD US NATIONALITY IS STILL AN ISSUE REMAINING TO BE RESOLVED, BUT TIME AND AGAIN THE CHINESE LEADERS HAVE TOLD US THEY WILL TOLERATE HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVING DUAL NATIONALITY AFTER 1997. DOES IT MEAN THEN IT IS BECAUSE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT REFUSED TO GIVE THE HONG KONG PEOPLE BRITISH STATUS THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM TO REMAIN OUTSTANDING?*
ANSWER:
+1 THINK IT WOULD NOT BE RIGHT FOR ME TO EMBARK HERE ON A DISCUSSION OF THE PRECISE NATURE OF THAT ISSUE, SINCE IT IS STILL THE SUBJECT OF FURTHER NEGOTIATION.*
QUESTION 20, JONATHAN MIRSKY, THE OBSERVER, LONDON:
+1 NOTE THAT THERE ARE 10 PARAGRAPHS IN YOUR STATEMENT OF PARTICULAR ISSUES AND THEY HAPPEN TO HAVE BEEN THE FAMOUS
10 CHINESE POINTS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THE 10 CHINESE OFFERS. YES, EXACTLY 10 IF YOU COUNT UP THE DASHES. I’D LIKE TO KNOW HOW, WHAT HAS BEE'N SETTLED BY BRITAIN, AND THEN IF YOU INCLUDE THE LIAISON GROUP, CAN YOU SAY HOW SUBSTANTIALLY IT HAS VARIED FROM WHAT THE CHINESE HAVE HAD ON OFFER FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS?*
/ANSWER: .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1984
14
ANSWER:
+0N YOU SECOND POINT, AGAIN I’M NOT IN A POSITION TO DISCLOSE THE NATURE AND PATTERN OF THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE, SAVE TO INDICATE TO YOU SIMPLY THE CONCLUSIONS AT WHICH WE HAVE ARRIVED. JUST AS IT WOULD BE UNFRUITFUL TO SPECULATE ABOUT NEGOTIATIONS IN ADVANCE AND WHILE THEY ARE STILL GOING ON, SO IT WOULD BE EQUALLY UNFRUITFUL TO SPECULATE ABOUT NEGOTIATIONS IN RESPECT OF MATTERS ALREADY AGREED, SO I’VE GIVEN YOU THE POSITION THAT HAS BEEN AGREED ON THAT. SO FAR AS THE 10 POINTS CONTAINED IN MY STATEMENT ARE CONCERNED, I THINK THE ONLY SIGNIFICANCE YOU SHOULD READ INTO THAT IS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COUNT THEM AND WE HAVEN’T BOTHERED. THERE IS NO CONNECTION WHATSOEVER BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF PARAGRAPHS THERE AND ANY PREVIOUS STATEMENTS OR PROPOSITIONS BY ANYBODY.*
QUESTION:
+ IT’S NOT THE NUMBER I’M TALKING ABOUT. OF COURSE IT’S NOT THE FACT THERE WERE 10. I JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW THIS VARIES FROM THE 10 POINTS THE CHINESE HAVE HAD ON OFFER, NEVER MIND THE EXACT NUMBER OF YOUR PARAGRAPHS.+
ANSWER:
+WELL, AGAIN I’M NOT PREPARED TO DISCUSS VARIATIONS BETWEEN WHAT DIFFERENT SIDES HAVE SAID AT DIFFERENT TIMES BECAUSE I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THERE IS NO CONNECTION BETWEEN YOUR RECOLLECTION OF 10 CHINESE POINTS AND THE 10 PARAGRAPHS THAT HAPPEN TO APPEAR IN MY STATEMENT. THE POINTS I’VE COVERED ARE THE POINTS WHICH I AM IN A POSITION TO SET OUT AS CLEARLY AS I HAVE NOW AND I SUGGEST THAT FURTHER TEXTUAL ARCHEOLOGY WOULD BE UNREWARD ING.*
QUESTION 21 (IN CHINESE), UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER:
+YOU SAID THAT YOUR VISIT TO CHINA ACHIEVED A LOT OF RESULTS. IS THIS GRADUAL PROGRESS OR HAS THERE BEEN A BREAKTHROUGH WHILE YOU WERE IN CHINA? WHAT SORT OF COMPROMISE DID BRITAIN HAVE TO UNDERGO?*
ANSWER
+ I’M IN THE PRIVILEGED POSITION OF KNOWING THE QUESTION, I’M SORRY. THE QUESTION WAS ABOUT THE NATURE OF THE PROGRESS MADE IN MY NEGOTIATIONS IN PEKING, DOES IT REPRESENT A BREAKTHROUGH WHAT KIND OF CONCESSIONS DID BRITAIN HAVE TO UNDERGO, THE TRANSLATION WAS. THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION, AS I SAID EARLIER ON, IS THAT WE HAVE INDEED MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS, SOME SUBSTANTIAL POINTS REMAIN, CERTAINLY WE’VE BROKEN THROUGH ON THE MAIN PROBLEMS. IN ACHIEVING THAT, WE HAVE, AS I SAID EARLIER ON, BEEN WORKING TOGETHER, AS ANY NEGOTIATORS MUST DO, IN A SPIRIT OF GIVE AND TAKE, AND IN DOING THAT WE HAVE BROKEN THROUGH ON THE MAIN PROBLEMS, BUT SUBSTANTIAL POINTS STILL REMAIN.*
/QUESTION 22, .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 198U
QUESTION 22, JILL HARTLEY, SOUTH CHINA MORNING POSTs
+COULD THE FOREIGN SECRETARY GIVE US AN ASSURANCE THAT ALL THE POINTS IN THE AGREEMENT WILL BE ENSHRINED IN THE BASIC LA* AND CAN WE STILL HAVE AN AGREEMENT IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SEEK A SOLUTION TO THOSE THREE CRUCIAL STICKING POINTS YOU HAVE MENTIONED TO US TODAY IN YOUR STATEMENT?*
ANSWER:
+THOSE THREE POINTS ARE AMONG THOSE ON WHICH WE SHALL HAVE TO REACH CONCLUSIONS BEFORE WE COMPLETE THE NEGOTIATIONS. AND ON YOUR FIRST QUESTION THE ANSWER IS YES.*
QUESTION 23, YAU LUI, TA KUNG PAO ENGLISH WEEKLY:
+SIR GEOFFREY, YOU MENTIONED IN YOUR STATEMENT THAT THERE WAS STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE. CAN YOU MENTION SOME OF IT?+
ANSWER:
♦WELL, I’VE IDENTIFIED THREE OF THEM, ALSO IN THE STATEMENT.*
QUESTION 24, REX MCDONALD, COMMERCIAL RADIO:
+CAN YOU BE A LITTLE BIT MORE ELABORATE, A LITTLE ON THE PHRASE ’A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY’ AFTER 1997. FOR EXAMPLE. HOW WILL THE GOVERNOR BE CHOSEN?*
ANSWER:
+WELL, I’VE ALREADY INDICATED HOW FAR I CAN GO AT THIS STAGE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS IN FILLING OUT THAT PHRASE, BUT I’VE IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF PLACES ON WHICH IT IS ALREADY CLEAR THAT HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE ITS OWN DECISIONS ABOUT ITS OWN POLICIES. I CAN’T GO FURTHER TODAY.*
QUESTION 25: NANCY LEE, TVB:
+HOW MANY ANNEXES WILL THERE BE AND CAN YOU TELL US THE SPECIFIC NATURE OF EACH OF THEM?*
ANSWER:
+1 THINK THAT IF I BEGIN SPECULATING ABOUT THAT I MIGHT LEAD TO ALL SORTS OF CONCLUSIONS. THERE WILL BE ANNEXES: THEY WILL BE OF THE SAME FORCE OF THE AGREEMENT - OF BINDING FORCE AND
VALIDITY.+
/QUESTION 26:
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 1984
16
QUESTION 26: SIU CHOK-KIN, KUNG SHEUNG DAILY NEWS:
+SIR GEOFFREY, YOU SAID JUST NOW THAT AFTER 1997 THE EXTERNAL DIPLOMACY RIGHTS OF HONG KONG WILL GO BACK TO CHINA. WHAT WILL HAPPEN BETWEEN HONG KONG AND TAIWAN THEN? IS THERE A SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT LISTED IN THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT? IN HONG KONG WE KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF WRITERS AND PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM?-*-
ANSWER:
♦THAT IS NOT SOMETHING I THINK I CAN USEFULLY MAKE ANY COMMENT ON AT THIS STAGE.+
QUESTION 27: VIVIAN MAK, COMMERCIAL RADIO:
+THE FIRST QUESTION: WHY IS IT THAT THE GROUP HAS TO BE BASED HERE IN FOUR YEARS’ TIME? THE SECOND QUESTION IS: DURING YOUR VISIT TO BEIJING HAVE YOU DISCUSSED THE QUESTION OF THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD FOR HONG KONG7+
ANSWER:
+THE ANSWER IS THAT THE DATE OF ARRIVAL IN FOUR YEARS’ TIME IS ONE OF THE MATTERS THAT HAS EMERGED FROM THE NEGOTIATIONS. THAT IS THE DATE OF THE LOCATION OF ITS PRINCIPAL BASE IN HONG KONG. AND, YES INDEED, WE HAVE DISCUSSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TRANSITION’ IT IS FOR THAT PURPOSE, AMONGST OTHERS THAT THE GROUP HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED WITH THE THREE FUNCTIONS I HAVE DESCRIBED: LIAISON, CONSULTATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT, AND EXCHANGE CF INFORMATION.+
QUESTION 28, NG SIU-CHUN, COMMERCIAL DAILY:
♦ YOU SAID THAT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG BROUGHT SINO-BRITISH RELATIONSHIPS TO A HIGHER LEVEL. WHAT IS YOUR COMMENT ON THIS?-*-ANSWER:
+1 DON’T THINK I DID SAY THAT, BUT I AM PREPARED TO COMMENT ON THE POINT THAT YOU ATTRIBUTE TO ME. THE POINT, I THINK, THAT IS TO BE TAKEN ACCOUT OF IS THAT THESE NEGOTIATIONS ARE TAKING PLACE BETWEEN TWO SOVEREIGN STATES - BRITAIN AND CHINA - AND PLAINLY IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY SHOULD BE CONDUCTED ON THE BASIS OF MUTUAL RESPECT BETWEEN THOSE TWO STATES. PLAINLY IF THEY ARE SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO AN IMPROVEMENT OF SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS, WHICH MUST BE A GOOD THING, NOT JUST FOR CHINA AND BRITAIN, BUT FOR HONG KONG. THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS, THEREFORE, WHY WE ARE SEEKING TO SECURE, A FULL AND BINDING AND SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT. BUT THE OVER-RIDING PURPOSE OF THOSE NEGOTIATIONS IS TO TAKE ACCOUNT AND SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.+
AUESTION 29, ......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, T">84
QUESTION 29, PATRICIA PENN, AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING COMMISSION:
♦WOULD SIR GEOFFREY SEE ANY USEFUL PURPOSE IN CONTINUATION OF THE LIAISON GROUP AFTER 2000. WOULD YOU SEE ANY USEFUL PURPOSE IN ITS CONTINUATION AFTER 2000?+
ANSWER:
♦ I THINK THAT IF YOU GO BACK TO THE HISTORY OF THE NEGOTIATIONS YOU MAY REMEMBER ALL THE DISCUSSIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE ABOUT WHAT MAY HAPPEN AFTER 1997, ON WHICH I EXPRESSED OUR CONCLUSIONS IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE I GAVE ON APRIL 20, AND IT IS AGAINST THAT BACKGROUND WE HAVE REACHED THE CONCLUSION THAT THE CONTINUATION OF THE LIAISON GROUP BEYOND 1997 TO THE YEAR 2000 CERTAINLY DOES HAVE A USEFUL PART TO PLAY - AND WE HAVE AGREED IT. I THINK THAT BEYOND THAT IS TO SPECULATE BEYOND THAT WHICH I HAVE DESCRIBED, BEYOND THAT WHICH I AM OFFER ING.+
QUESTION 30, LAU CHI-MAN, COMMERCIAL RADIO:
♦ FROM NOW UNTIL REACHING AN AGREEMENT HOW MANY ROUNDS OF TALKS WILL THERE BE?+
ANSWER:
♦ I CAN’T SAY PRECISELY BUT THE NEGOTIATIONS WILL BE GOING ON IN THE SAME BROAD WAY WITH WORK CONTINUING IN THE NORMAL ROUNDS OF DISCUSSION AS WELL AS IN CONTINUING DISCUSSIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP THAT’S BEEN WORKING ALONGSIDE THE NORMAL ROUNDS. I CAN’T SAY PRECISELY HOW MANY THERE WILL BE.+
FINAL STATEMENT BY SIR GEOFFREY HOWE:
COULD I MAKE JUST ONE COMMENT AT THE END OF THIS PRESS CONFERENCE, WHICH IS TO EXPRESS MY THANKS TO THE JOURNALISTS AND NEWSPAPERS AND TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS AND MEDIA OF HONG KONG, BECAUSE DURING MY TWO VISITS WE’VE HAD TO LIVE WITH EACH OTHER, SOMETIMES TALKING TO EACH OTHER FREELY, SOMETIMES TALKING TO EACH OTHER NOT AT ALL. YOU’VE BEEN VERY PATIENT WITH ME AND I’VE MUCH APPRECIATED THE WAY IN WHICH WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO CONDUCT OUR RELATIONSHIPS, IF THAT’S THE RIGHT WAY OF PUTTING IT. MAY I ALSO SAY A WORD OF RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE IN THE YEARS AHEAD, NOT JUST OF THE MEDIA WHICH YOU REPRESENT BUT OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF HONG KONG, AND ALSO TO PAY A TRIBUTE TO THE VALUE OF THE ADVICE WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED FROM MEMBERS OF EXCO AND OF LEGCO, WHO ALL PLAY A VERY CRUCIAL PART IN SHAPING AND REPRESENTING THE OPINION OF HONG KONG AND WHO WILL ALL HAVE A CONTINUING IMPORTANT PART TO PLAY IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG IN THE YEARS AHEAD. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH INDEED.
0 -------
/18........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1. 19^
- 18 -
+A MOST ENCOURAGING PROSPECT FOR HK +
* * * *
AFTER ATTENDING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE THIS EVENING (WEDNESDAY) THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID THAT SIR GEOFFREY HOWE HAD PAINTED A MOST ENCOURAGING PROSPECT FOR HONG KONG.
------0-------
20 UNOFFICIALS TO SPEAK ON GREEN PAPER * * *
TWENTY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO SPEAK IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (THURSDAY) ON THE MOTION BY THE HON ROGER LOBO WELCOMING GOVERNMENT’S PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AND COMMENDING IT TO THE PUBLIC FOR EXAMINATION AND COMMENT.
IN ADDITION, SIX QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED, DEALING WITH A VARIETY OF MATTERS.
AMONG THE QUESTIONS WILL BE ONE ASKING GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER INTRODUCING A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TO SUPPLY BORROWERS WITH INFORMATION RELATING TO THE RATE OF INTEREST REQUIRED TO BE FURNISHED BY MONEY LENDERS.
OTHERS WILL CONCERN +THE CMB BUS CASE AT HAPPY VALLEY+, POLICY REGARDING WAITING AND PARKING ON THE ROAD WITH RESPECT TO STREET LIGHTING, THE COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTRY FOR THE DISABLED, ILLEGAL MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS IN SIGNBOARDS, NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES AND ON TELEVISION, AND HEPATITIS B VACCINE FOR PATIENTS REQUIRING DIALYSIS.
------o-------
HOUSEHOLD VISITS TO ENCOURAGE VOTING * * * *
A SERIES OF DOOR-TO-DOOR PUBLICITY VISITS TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS IS BEING LAUNCHED BY THE ISLANDS DISTR ICT OFF ICE.
STAFF OF THE OFFICE WILL VISIT VILLAGES AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS ON CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU, LANTAU AND LAMMA ISLANDS FROM NOW TILL THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
+DURING THE VISITS, TEMPORARY COMMUNITY ORGANISERS AND LIAISON OFFICERS WILL EXPLAIN TO RESIDENTS THE WORK OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD, AND HELP ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS FILL IN THE REGISTRATION FORMS,+ A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/♦THEY WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1984
- 19 -
+THEY WILL ALSO DISTRIBUTE PAMPHLETS AND SOUVENIRS TO THE RESIDENTS.+
LETTERS, WITH THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE VISITS, WILL BE SENT TO INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS A FEW DAYS IN ADVANCE, WHILE RURAL COMMITTEE LEADERS AND VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES WILL ALSO BE NOTIFIED BEFOREHAND.
THE HOUSEHOLD VISITS FORM PART OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES TO PUBLICISE THE SIX-WEEK VOTERS’ REGISTRATION EXERCISE, WHICH BEGINS ON AUGUST 15, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7.
OTHER PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE AN OPEN FORUM ON AUGUST 12 FOR RESIDENTS TO AIR THEIR VIEWS AND MAKE SUGGESTIONS ON LOCAL ISSUES, VISITS TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, A MOBILE EXHIBITION ON THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE PUBLICATION OF A DIARY TO REMIND RESIDENTS OF THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTION DATES.
POSTERS AND SIGNBOARDS CARRYING THE REGISTRATION MESSAGE WILL ALSO BE PUT UP AT VANTAGE POINTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED RESIDENTS THAT ANYONE OVER 21 YEARS OF AGE WHO HAS RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS, IS ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER AS A VOTER.
HK JING YING TO PERFORM IN UK * * *
FIFTEEN TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS AND DANCERS SELECTED BY THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT WILL BE LEAVING HONG KONG TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) TO PARTICIPATE IN THREE INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL FESTIVALS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THEY WILL REPRESENT THE TERRITORY UNDER THE BANNER OF HONG KONG JING YING, AND GIVE MONTH-LONG PERFORMANCES AT FOLKLORE FESTIVALS IN SIDMOUTH, BILLINGHAM AND MAIDSTONE.
THE TOUR IS AIMED AT WIDENING THE HORIZONS OF LOCAL YOUNG AMATEUR MUSICIANS AND DANCERS, AND AT IMPROVING INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING THROUGH ARTISTIC ENDEAVOUR.
THE GROUP, WHICH WILL BE SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR MRS DORIS HO, WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON AUGUST 28.
-----0------
/2C........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1^
- 20 -
PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL PLACES PROVE POPULAR * * * *
THE NUMBER OF FORM 1 PLACES IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS FOR THE COMING ACADEMIC YEAR HAD BEEN OVERSUBSCRIBED BY 300 PER CENT, _ INDICATING THEIR POPULARITY WITH PARENTS, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, iHc ACTING DIRECTOR OF .EDUCATION, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS YOW KAM YUEN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL, HE SAID THAT MORE THAN 10 400 APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED FOR ABOUT 3 200 PLACto.
AT PRESENT THERE ARE 13 PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING THE CMA CHOI CHEUNG KOK PREVOCAT I ONAL SCHOOL WHICH -ILL OPEN THIS SEPTEMBER IN TUEN MUN. THEY WILL PROVIDE A TOTAL OF OVER 11 500 PLACES FROM FORM 1 TO FORM 5 IN THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR.
MR LEUNG SAID MORE PLACES WOULD BE AVAILABLE WITH THE COMPLETION OF 11 MORE PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS OVER THE NEXT FEw Ycak_.
PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS ARE GOVERNMENT-AIDED SCHOOLS PROVIDING FIVE YEARS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION.
THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION AI-'5 AT PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE CRAFT APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME* AND Thx T.-YEARS OF SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION, AT PREPARING STUDENTS aITh BETTER RESULTS FOR THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION AND FOR TECHNICIAN PROGRAMMES.
+1 HOPE PARENTS CAN NOTE THEIR CHILDREN’S INTERESTS SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE IN CHOOSING A SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR THEIR CHILDREN. IN THIS WAY STUDENTS WITH POTENTIAL CAN FULLY DEVELOP THEIR TALENTS IN THE INDUSTRIAL FIELD,+ MR LEUNG SAID.
LOCATED IN SHA TIN, THE YOW KAM YUEN PREVOCAT IONAL SCHOOL ..III BE A CO-EDUCATIONAL ONE, PROVIDING 16 CLASSROOMS, NINE WORKSHOPS AND SEVEN SPECIAL ROOMS, AND ACCOMMODATING 1 000 STUDENTS.
ITS CURRICULUM WILL INCLUDE TECHNICAL-PRACTICAL SUBJECTS SUCH AS LIGHT METALWORK AND FINISHING, AND PRINTING.
MR LEUNG COMMENDED THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN PROMOTING EDUCATION.
THE GROUP RUNS OVER 30 PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND SPECIAL SCHOOL ■>, AND K INDERGARTENS.
o--------
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1934 - 21 -
SEMINAR FOR TUEN MUN INDUSTRIALISTS * * * X
FACTORY OPERATORS IN TUEN MUN WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE DISTRICT FROM A SEMINAR TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THEY WILL ALSO BE INFORMED OF THE POTENTIALS OF THE NEW TOWN DURING THE THREE-HOUR SEMINAR, STARTING AT 2 PM.
THE SEMINAR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE, AND SPONSORED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD.
GUEST SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE THE SENIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER OF HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE, MR ANDY NG- THE MANAGER OF YKK ZIPPER COMPANY (HK) LIMITED, MR CHAN WU-CHING AND THE MANAGER OF TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (TSUEN WAN OFFICE), MR PETER CHING.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RICKY FUNG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, YIP HING-CHUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT AN OPENING CEREMONY.
APART FROM TRADE ASSOCIATIONS’ REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE ALSO BEEN INVITED TO THE SEMINAR, WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE DANCE STUDIO OF YAN Ol TONG COMMUNITY AND INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE IN TUEN MUN.
------0-------
NEW ENQUIRY CENTRE FOR YUEN LONG
* X * *
A SECOND PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE WAS OPENED IN FAIRVIEW PARK TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
LOCATED AT UNIT 4C, BLOCK D IN THE TOWN CENTRE OF FA IRV IE* PARK, THE CENTRE IS OPEN FROM 8.45 AM TO 5.15 PM FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM'TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS.
SERVICES PROVIDED AT THE CENTRE INCLUDE HANDLING OF GENERAL ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS, EXPLANATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES, DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT FORMS AND PUBLICITY LEAFLETS, AND REFERRAL OF CLIENTS WHO REQUIRE LEGAL ADVICE.
/SPEAKING AT .......
4
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 19&1*
22 -
SPEAKING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES WILSON, SAID WITH THE GROWING POPULATION IN THE NEW TOWN, MORE ENQUIRY CENTRES WOULD BE SET UP IN OTHER PARTS OF THE DISTRICT IN FUTURE.
HE NOTED THAT THE AIMS OF THESE CENTRES WERE TO PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS AND TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNICATION LINK BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT.
+IN FACT, WITH THE SETTING UP OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS TWO YEARS AGO, RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO CHANNEL THEIR VIEWS TO THE GOVERNMENT,+ HE SAID.
THROUGH THE BOARD’S MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME, MEMBERS WERE ABLE TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF TH-RESIDENTS AND HELP SOLVE THEIR GRIEVANCES, HE SAID.
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CONTAINER PARK SITE FOR RENT * * *
A KOWLOON BAY SITE WHICH IS TO BE USED FOR PARKING CONTAINER VEHICLES IS BEING OFFERED ON SHORT-TERM TENANCY BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE SITE, AT THE JUNCTION OF KAI CHEUNG ROAD AND WANG KWONG ROAD, MEASURES 9 500 SQUARE METRES.
THE INITIAL 18-MONTH TENANCY IS RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS AUGUST 17.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG- AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON EAST), YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THE TENDER PLAN CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE PLACES.
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/23........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1984
23
FOOTBRIDGE FOR POK FU LAM ROAD * * *
A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE IS TO BE BUILT ACROSS POK FU LAM ROAD NEAR HONG KONG UNIVERSITY TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IN THE AREA.
THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $1.92 MILLION CONTRACT TO EXCEL ENGINEERING COMPANY LTD FOR THE PROJECT WHICH IS PART OF THE FIFTH STAGE OF THE POK FU LAM ROAD WIDENING PROGRAMME.
THE SECTION OF POK FU LAM ROAD NEAR THE UNIVERSITY HAS RECENTLY BEEN WIDENED TO THREE LANES AND THE 24-METRE-LONG FOOTBRIDGE WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING SIGNAL-CONTROLLED CROSSING NEAR CHIU SHEUNG MIDDLE SCHOOL. IT WILL BE TWO METRES WIDE AND WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN PRESTRESSED CONCRETE.
THE FOOTBRIDGE IS EXPECTED TO BE READY BY APRIL NEXT YEAR.
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MAINS *ORK ON LANTAU * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES ON LANTAU ISLAND a ILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 3) FOR .-.ATER MAINS WORK.
ALL PREMISES IN TAI 0 WILL BE AFFECTED.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1?84 CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
20 UNOFFICIALS SPEAK ON GREEK PAPER.......................... 1
SPEAK UP ON GREEN PAPER, SIR PHILIP URGES ................... 6
NO KNOWN CASE OF DTC'S FAILING TO PROVIDE RATE INFO....... 11
RESPONSIBLE PERSON COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED ................. 12
NSV PARKING RULES TO BE Bi FORCE SOON ...................... 13
MULTI-MILLION DOLLARS SPENDING ON REGISTRY FOR DISABLED .. 14
ILLEGAL MEDICAL ADS: SOME PROSECUTIONS ..................... 14
USE OF HEPATITIS VACCINE STUDIED ........................... 15
HARBOUR TUNNEL BY-LAWS AMENDED.............................. 15
LET PEOPLE DO THINGS THEIR WAY — BRAY ......................... 16
NINE NOMINATED FOR LABOUR BOARD ELECTION ...................... 17
VALUE OF READBJG STRESSED...................................... 1$
MP'S PRESS CONFERENCE.......................................... 18
DRIVING TEST PAPERS TO BE REVISED ............................. 19
TIN SHUT WAI CLEARANCE STARTS AUGUST 8 ........................ 19
FIRE PREVENTION FOR +BEDSPACEF LODGERS ........................ 21
OPEN FORUM FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS .............................. 22
WORK ON ARTS COUNCIL UNDER WAY................................. 22
NSV MAXICAB SERVICE IN SHAM SHUI PO ............................. 2 3
JOGGING TRACK TO BE BUILT ...................................... 2 3
SITTING-OUT AREA FOR CHEUNG CHAU ................................ 2 4
WATER MAINS WORK............................................. 24
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1984
- 1 -
20 UNOFFICIALS SPEAK ON GREEN PAPER
******
iHE HON ROGER LOBO, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TODAY SUGGESTED THAT THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT SYSTEM SHOULD BE EXAMINED FIRST, ITS STRENGTHS IDENTIFIED AND THEN A WAY FOUND TO BUILD ON THESE STRENGTHS.
HE WAS LEADING A DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON A MOTION WHICH READ: +THAT THIS COUNCIL WELCOMES GOVERNMENT’S PUBl:CATION OF THE GREEN PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AND COMMENDS IT TO THE PUBLIC FOR EXAMINATION AND COMMENTS.+
HE CONSIDERED THE ADMINISTRATION AS A VERY RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT, DEVOTING A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND RESOURCES TO FINDING WHAT PEOPLE WANTED.
HE STRESSED THAT THE PEOPLE MUST NOT OVERLOOK ’STABILITY’ AS THEY FACED THE FUTURE WITH CONCERN AND APPREHENSION AND AMID CRIES FOR DEMOCRACY AND DIRECT ELECTIONS.
NEITHER SHOULD ONE LOSE SIGHT THAT HONG KONG WAS BUILT ON THE PEOPLE’S DETERMINATION AND THEIR CONFIDENCE, HE ADDED.
A TOTAL OF 19 UNOFFICIALS SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION. THEY WERE THE HON ALEX WU, THE HON LYDIA DUNN, THE HON PETER C. WONG, THE HON WONG LAM, THE HON CHARLES YEUNG, DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, THE HON WONG PO-YAN, THE HON BILL BROWN, THE HON K.C. CHAN, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW, THE HON MARIA TAM, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, THE HON CHAN YING-LUN, THE HON MRS RITA FAN, THE HON MRS PAULINE NG, THE HON PETER POON AND THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN.
THE HON ALEX WU SAID THAT PEOPLE HAD NOT BEEN INTERESTED IN POLITICS IN THE PAST BUT THEY MUST CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDE NOW.
HE STRESSED THAT THEY MUST PREPARE THEMSELVES WELL, LEARN AND UNDERSTAND THE REAL MEANING OF DEMOCRACY IN ORDER TO SET UP A SOUND SYSTEM.
+THE PROPOSALS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION ARE THE BEST MEANS TO ESTABLISH THIS SYSTEM,+ HE SAID.
HE BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS NO LACK OF ABLE MEN AMONG THE 5.5 MILLION PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
THE HON LYDIA DUNN STRESSED IT MUST BE RECOGNISED THAT REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT A PANACEA.
SHE BELIEVED THAT IN THE NEW STYLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MEMBERS SHOULD BE ENDOWED WITH EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY, TAKING OVER RESPONSIBILITY FOR CERTAIN PORTFOLIOS FROM SECRETARIES AND BECOMING ANSWERABLE FOR THOSE PORTFOLIOS IN THE COUNCIL.
/MISS DUNN .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1984
2
MISS DUNN POINTED OUT THAT PEOPLE MUST BE CONVINCED THAT THEIR FUTURE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES WOULD HAVE REAL INFLUENCE AND THIS COULD BEST BE ACHIEVED VIA EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITY.
+IT IS SURELY SELF-EVIDENT THAT IF PEOPLE ARE NOT CONVINCED THAT THEIR VOTES MATTER, THEY WON’T BOTHER TO EXERCISE THEM, WHATEVER PERSUASIVE CAMPAIGNS ARE MOUNTED TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO SO,+ SHE SAID.
THE HON PETER C. WONG SAID THAT ON THE WHOLE, THE VARIOUS DATES SUGGESTED IN THE GREEN PAPER CONSTITUTED A REASONABLE AND WORKABLE PROGRAMME.
ON DIRECT ELECTIONS, HE SAID THAT WHEN THE TIME WAS RIPE, THEY SHOULD BE ADOPTED.
ON THE CONCEPT OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, HE SAID THAT IN THE MONTHS AHEAD, MUCH THOUGHT AND CONSULTATION WOULD HAVE TO BE DEVOTED TO THE FORMULATION OF AN ACCEPTABLE FRAMEWORK WHICH WOULD FORM THE BASIS OF SUCH CONSTITUENCIES.
THE HON WONG LAM SAID THAT ALTHOUGH HE SUPPORTED THE GRADUAL PACE AND THE INDIRECT ELECTIONS PROPOSED IN THE GREEN PAPER, HE FOUND THAT THERE WERE INSUFFICIENT DETAILS.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT APART FROM THE CONVENTIONAL CONSULTATION CHANNELS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO MAKE THE SILENT MAJORITY EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.
+FOR EXAMPLE, IT CAN ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION WITH EACH AREA COMMITTEE AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE. VARIOUS PUBLIC FORUMS CAN BE HELD AT DISTRICT LEVEL TO ENSURE THE POOLING OF IDEAS, SO THAT THE FORTHCOMING WHITE PAPER CAN INCLUDE MORE VALUABLE OPINIONS OF THE PEOPLE,+ HE SAID.
THE HON CHARLES YEUNG SAID THAT IF DIRECT ELECTIONS WERE TO BE INTRODUCED, THE ULTIMATE SHAPE AND MACHINERY OF A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT MUST BE MAPPED UP AND A PROGRAMME FOR IMPLEMENTATION FORMULATED.
NOTING THAT THERE WAS NOT MUCH TIME, HE SAID THAT A
+MORE SENSIBLE APPROACH* WOULD BE TO CONDUCT THE CONSIDERATION AND PLANNING OF THE DEMOCRAT I SAT I ON PACKAGE AS A SEPARATE EXERCISE.
IN THE MEANTIME, HE ADDED, THE EVOLUTIONARY STEPS OF THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT SYSTEM, AS PROPOSED IN THE GREEN PAPER, COULD BE CARRIED OUT WITHOUT DELAY.
DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI WAS AGAINST THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS NOW.
HE STRESSED THAT CONSCIOUS, SUSTAINED EFFORTS MUST BE MADE RIGHT NOW TO EDUCATE THE MASSES ON THE MEANING OF DEMOCRACY AND THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM, TO HEIGHTEN THEIR CIVIC CONSCIOUSNESS AND TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVOLVEMENT IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
/HE SUGGESTED........
THURSDAY, AUGUST A, 1^64
- 3 -
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE SYSTEM OF ELECTIONS BY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY BE ABOLISHED ALTOGETHER'.
THE REASON HE GAVE WAS THAT THE APPOINTED SYSTEM, WHICH CO-EXISTED WITH INDIRECT ELECTIONS, COULD SERVE PRECISELY THE SAME PURPOSE OF HARNESSING THE MUCH-NEEDED SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE AND VALUABLE EXPERTISE IN THE INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE HON WONG PO-YAN SHARED THE VIEW THAT IT WAS STILL TOO EARLY TO HAVE DIRECT ELECTIONS. HE POINTED TO THE LOW RATES OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND TURNOUT AT PREVIOUS ELECTIONS.
HE SUGGESTED THAT FOR ANY ELECTIONS TO BE MEANINGFUL AND REPRESENTATIVE, AT LEAST 50 PER CENT OF THE POTENTIAL VOTERS SHOULD BE REGISTERED AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST A TWO-THIRDS TURNOUT OF REGISTERED VOTERS.
EXPRESSING A SIMILAR VIEW, THE HON BILL BROWN SAID, +HOWEVER GOOD A REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM MAY APPEAR IN THEORY, IT SIMPLY WILL NOT WORK UNLESS THE ELECTORATE PLAYS ITS PART THROUGH PARTICIPATING IN ELECTIONS.+
ON THE QUESTION OF CANDIDATES, HE SAID THAT PUBLIC DEBATE ON THE GREEN PAPER HAD HIGHLIGHTED CORRECTLY THE NEED FOR REPRESENTATIVES TO COME FROM ALL WALKS OF SOCIETY, AND NOT ONLY FROM THE MIDDLE AND UPPER SOCIAL STRATA.
BUT HE ADDED THAT WHATEVER THE METHOD OF SELECTION, CANDIDATES FROM THE ’GRASS ROOTS’ WOULD FIND IT DIFFICULT TO PARTICIPATE UNLESS PROPER FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE FOR THEM.
THE HON K.C. CHAN POINTED OUT THAT AS LONG AS IT WAS DEMOCRATIC, DIRECT ELECTIONS AND INDIRECT ELECTIONS THROUGH AN ELECTORAL COLLEGE WERE JUST BOTH ROADS THAT LED TO THE SAME DESTINATION.
ON THE TIMING OF THE CHANGES, HE BELIEVED THAT A CAUTIOUS STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH WAS BETTER THAN A BIG LEAP FORWARD, WHICH MIGHT LEAD Ta DISASTROUS RESULTS.
THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID THE TIME FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS WOULD BE WHEN THE SILENT MAJORITY HAD BEEN EDUCATED TO BE MORE CIVIC-MINDED AND POLITICALLY RESPONSIBLE.
ON THE CONCEPT OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE, HE SAID THAT IT MIGHT NOT BE A BAD IDEA TO CONSIDER EXCLUDING APPOINTED MEMBERS FROM THE COLLEGE FOR THE 1988 ELECTIONS, IF THERE WOULD STILL BE A PROVISION FOR 16 MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1988 TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
/he also ......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 19&4
HE ALSO ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO PUBLISH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE '.MORE DETAILS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONCEPT OF FUNCTIONAL •CONSTITUENCIES FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS AND DEBATE.
t
THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER, A STABLE FOUNDATION COULD BE LAID FOR THE FUTURE SYSTEM OF +PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ADMINISTERING HONG KONG+.
HE ALSO CALLED UPON THE GOVERNMENT TO FURTHER PROMOTE CIVIC AND POLITICAL EDUCATION.
while there were merits in indirect elections, other equally IMPORTANT ISSUES IN THE GREEN PAPER SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED, THE HON SELINA CHOW SAID.
SHE EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE GREEN PAPER HAD LEFT THREE EXTREMELY VITAL ISSUES UNTACKLED: THE ROLE AND FUNCTION OF EXCO AND LEGCO, PARTICULARLY THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ADMINISTRATION THE APPOINTMENT OF UNOFFICIALS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS- AND THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE IS SELECTED OR ELECTED, AND IF AND HOW HIS POWER DIFFERS FROM THAT OF THE PRESENT GOVERNOR.
SHE BELIEVED THAT THESE KEY ISSUES NEEDED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND THERE SHOULD BE SOME OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR FURTHER THOUGHT AND DEBATE WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO.
THE HON MARIA TAM OUTLINED THE REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY A NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS TO UMELCO OVER THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER.
SHE POINTED OUT THEIR VIEWS WERE IMPORTANT REFERENCE MATERIAL FOR GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER CAREFULLY.
ON DIRECT ELECTIONS, SHE HOPED THAT THE ADVOCATES WOULD CONSIDER WHETHER THEY WERE THINKING OF ELECTIONS ON A CONSTITUENCY BASIS OR ON A SINGLE LIST BASIS AND HOW ’FREE LUNCH POLITICAL PARTIES OR ORGANISATIONS COULD BE AVOIDED.
SHE CALLED ON OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.
DR THE HON HENRIETTA' IP DESCRIBED THE GREEN PAPER AS + A WELL THOUGHT-OUT PACKAGE WHICH OFFERS THE LESSER OF ALL EVILS AND THAT IT CAN WORK TO MEET The ASPIRATIONS OF The PEOPLE OF HONG KONG+.
+l BELIEVE, IT IS NOT SO MUCH THE METHOD WE USE TO CHOOSE WHO REPRESENT US, BUT THAT THE PERSON CHOSEN PERFORMS EFFICIENTLY ON OUR BEHALF AND FOR OUR INTEREST AT HEART,* SHE SAID.
+SO WHILE WE EVOLVE INTO A MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, LET US NOT GO OVERBOARD WITH CRITICISMS BUT RATHER CONCENTRATE ON POSITIVE ACHIEVEMENT OF OUR OBJECTIVES,* SHE ADDED.
/the bon .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST L, 19&4
- 5 -
THE HON CHAN YING-LUN NOTED THAT THE GRADUAL CHANGE FROM THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM TO THE INDIRECT ELECTION SYSTEM BY AN ELECTORAL COLLEGE WAS TO TAKE THE ADVANTAGES OF BOTH.
AS FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS, HE BELIEVED THAT THEY SHOULD 3E IMPLEMENTED AT A LATER STAGE.
TO ENSURE A SOUND ELECTION, THE PEOPLE MUST BE CIVIC-MINDED, THEY SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEM OF THE GOVERNMENT. THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS AND KNOW THEY MUST NOT BE USED AS POLITICAL WEAPONS BY OTHERS, HE ADDED.
THE HON MRS RITA FAN SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD USE VARIOUS MEANS TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE THE 'SILENT MAJORITY’ TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.
SHE SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT OFFICES, NEW MEANS, SUCH AS SURVEYS OF ATTITUDE TOWARDS HOUSING, SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED.
AT THE SAME TIME, SHE CALLED ON THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO BREAK THEIR SILENCE.
+TO REMAIN SILENT IS TANTAMOUNT TO GIVING UP THEIR RIGHTS AND MAY THUS GIVE OTHER PEOPLE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO CARRY OUT AS THEY wish, policies which may not be COMPATIBLE WITH The WILL OF THE PUBLIC,* SHE WARNED.
THE HON PAULINE NG SAID THAT OVERALL REVIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE ADVANCED TO 1987 AS BY THEN HONG KONG WOULD HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF TWO ELECTIONS - THE DISTRICT BOARDS ELECTION IN 1985 AND THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTION IN 1986.
LIKE MRS NG AND MANY OTHER MEMBERS, THE HON PETER POON SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE CIVIC EDUCATION STEPPED UP AND MORE PEOPLE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER AS VOTERS AND TO VOTE AT ELECTIONS.
THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER EXTENDING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ON THE GREEN PAPER FROM THE PRESENT TWO MONTHS TO FOUR MONTHS.
- - _ - 0 - - - - .
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1984
" ° '
SPEAK UP ON GREEN PAPER, SIR PHILIP URGES * * * *
IT WAS MOST IMPORTANT THAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE SPEAK UP THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER AND THAT ON THIS OCCASION WE DID NOT HAVE A +SILENT MAJORITY*, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY.
+ TO THIS END,* HE SAID, +THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN DOING ITS UTMOST TO STIMULATE PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND DEBATE ON THE PROPOSALS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.+
SIR PHILIP SAID THAT 14-5 000 COPIES OF THE GREEN PAPER HAD TEEN DISTRIBUTED AND ANY NUMBER COULD BE -- AND WOULD BE — MADE AVAILABLE ON DEMAND.
H£ WAS SPEAKING ON THE MOTION BY THE HON ROGER LOBO WELCOMING GOVERNMENT’S PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AND COMMENDING IT TO THE PUBLIC FOR EXAMINATION AND COMMENT.
SIR PHILIP WELCOMED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS’ SUPPORT FOR THE GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF THE GREEN PAPER WHICH, HE SAID, WAS ENSHRINED IN ITS TITLE.
SUPPORTING THE MOTION, SIR PHILIP SAID, +1 CERTAINLY BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG CAN BE COMMENDED TO THE PUBLIC FOR EXAMINATION AND COMMENT.*
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S SPEECH:
+THIS DEBATE HAS BEEN TIMELY. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE PRESENT STATE OF MEMBERS’ THINKING ON THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
+THEIR THOUGHTFUL COMMENTS WILL BE TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT WHEN THE WHITE PAPER COMES TO BE DRAFTED FOR SUBMISSION TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR ADVICE AND I HOPE THAT THIS DEBATE * ILL ENCOURAGE THOSE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE NOT YET EXPRESSED THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER TO DO SO NOW.
+AS DR HO KAM-FAI, MRS RITA FAN AND SEVERAL OTHER MEMBERS HAVE STRESSED, IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE SPEAK UP ON THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER AND THAT ON THIS OCCASION WE DO NOT HAVE A ’SILENT MAJORITY’.
+T0 THIS END, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN DOING ITS UTMOST TO STIMULATE PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND DEBATE ON THE PROPOSALS AND wIll CONTINUE TO DO SO. TODAY, 145 000 COPIES OF THE GREEN PAPER HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED. THIS IS A VERY LARGE, EVEN AMAZING, NUMBER FOR AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION AND I’M ADVISED THAT THE LOCAL SHORTAGES - AND THEY WERE SHORT LIVED - HAVE BEEN OVERCOME. CERTAINLY ANY NUMBER CAN BE - AND WILL BE - MADE AVAILABLE ON DEM«^ AT ALL THE USUAL CONTACT POINTS.
/+THE GOVEHNKSJT........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1984
+THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, RADIO TELEVISION
HCNG KONG AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAVE EEcN TALKED TO ENSURE THAT THE PROPOSALS ARE EXPLAINED TO AS * I DE AN AUDIENCE AS POSSIBLE INCLUDING, I CAN ASSURE MR WONG LAM, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND AREA COMMITTEES. AT THE SAME TIME, THE GOVERNMENT’S MACHINERY HAS BEEN TASKED TO FEED BACK ALL COMMENTS RECEIVED AND HEARD FOR CENTRAL COLLATION AND ANALYSIS.
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE GREEN PAPER
+l WELCOME IN PARTICULAR MEMBERS’ SUPPORT FOR THE GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF THE GREEN PAPER WHICH IS, IN FACT, ENSHRINED IN ITS TITLE, NAMELY, THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG. MEMBERS HAVE ALSO ENDORSED, IT SEEMS TO l^, THE UNDERLYING APPROACH ADOPTED, THAT IS TO SAY, TO BUILD PROGRESSIVELY ON EXISTING INSTITUTIONS AND WELL-ESTABLISHED PRACT ICES.
+CERTAINLY, MEMBERS SEEMED TO AGREE THAT SUCH DEVELOPMENT REQUIRES A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WHICH IS FIRMLY ROOTED IN OUR COMMUNITY, ON WHICH THE VIEWS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE FULLY REPRESENTED, AND WHICH IS MORE DIRECTLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE CF HONG KONG. AS THE MOVER OF THE MOTION, MR ROGER LOBO AND NR STEPHEN CHEONG AND OTHER MEMBERS STRESSED, IT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO PROCEED IN A MANNER WHICH WILL MAINTAIN THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG AT THIS VERY CRUCIAL PERIOD IN OUR HISTORY.
COMMENTS ON THE GREEN PAPER
+ALTHOUGH I THINK IT IS TRUE TO SAY THAT THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER HAVE BEEN FAVOURABLY RECEIVED, SOME CRITICISMS THERE HAVE BEEN, NATURALLY, AND THEY FALL INTO FIVE GROUPS: THE PROPOSALS ARE TOO CAUTIOUS} NO PROVISION HAS BEEN MADE FOR EARLY DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL* THE CONCEPT CF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES HAS NOT BEEN EXPLAINED CLEARLY ENOUGH J A TRULY REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT REQUIRES NOT ONLY AN ELECTIVE SYSTEM, BUT ALSO THE DIRECT ASSOCIATION OF ELECTED MEMBERS WITH THE EXECUTIVE PROCESS; AND THE PERIOD ALLOWED FOR PUBLIC CONSIDERATION AND COMMENT IS TOO SHORT.
THE PROPOSALS
+IT IS TRUE THAT THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER ARE FAIRLY CAUTIOUS, ALTHOUGH IT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN THAT THEY DO REPRESENT A VERY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE METHOD OF SELECTING THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS - FROM A SYSTEM OF APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR TO ONE OF INDIRECT ELECTIONS BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, MIXED WITH APPOINTMENTS BY THE GOVERNOR. IN MY OPINION, NO APOLOGY IS NECESSARY FOR PROCEEDING CAUTIOUSLY AND PRAGMATICALLY. AND AS MR STEPHEN CHEONG POINTED OUT, WE MUST BE REALISTIC IN WHAT WE DO.
/direct jLa3no-;s........
THUBSDAY, ai-JUST 1%4
8
DIRECT ELECTIONS
+ AS REGARDS THE QUESTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS, I DO NOT INTEND T h^EAT ALL THE VERY VALID AND COGENT REASONS WHICH HAVE BEEN SET OUT IN THE GREEN PAPER AND WHICH YOU, SIR, REHEARSED COMPREHENSIVELY IN YOUR ADDRESS TO THIS COUNCIL ON JULY 18, AND WHICH HAVE BEEN REINFORCED BY THE REMARKS OF MANY MEMBERS THIS
AFTERNOON, AS TO WHY IT WOULD NOT BE WISE TO INTRODUCE SUCH
------ BUT I SHOULD MAKE IT CLEAR THAT DIRECT
ELECTIONS IMMEDIATELY.
Lections have not been ruled out forever, the time for them IF STRONG POPULAR SUPPORT FOR THE IDEA
MAY COME IN DUE COURSE, .. ------ - - „ T11„
DEVELOPS J AND IT IS MADE CLEAR IN THE GREEN PAPER THAT TH IS =0SSIBILITY COULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE REVIEW WHICH IT IS PROPOSED
SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN 1989.
♦ IT WAS IN THIS CONTEXT THAT MR CHAN YING-LUN, MRS PAULINE NG AND SOME OTHER MEMBERS ARGUED THAT THE REVIEW SHOULD TAKE PLACE EARLIER THAN 1989. THERE MAY BE A CASE FOR THIS, BUT WE MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE POSSIBLE RISK OF ANY DISHARMONY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY WHICH THE EARLY INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MIGHT CAUSE? AND I NOTE THAT MOST MEMBERS HAVE TAKEN A SIMILAR VIEW THIS AFTERNOON.
+HERE I MUST MAKE A PASSING COMMENT ON MISS DUNN’S POINT THAT THERE IS WHAT SHE CALLS A ’DISADVANTAGE’ IN THOSE ELECTED TO DISTRICT BOARDS AND REGIONAL COUNCILS FORMING AN ELECTORAL COLLEGE FOR PART OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+1 WOULD REMIND HER THAT ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND OF DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY SAT IM THIS CHAMBER FOR SOME YEARS. SO I THINK WE MAY HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THIS ELECTORAL COLLEGE PROPOSAL AND, PERSONAL QUALITIES AND EXPERIENCE ASIDE, THERE IS A CERTAIN LOGIC IN THE IDEA TOO, AS IN THIS GEOGRAPHICALLY COMPACT TERRITORY, THERE IS A CLOSE AFFINITY BETWEEN LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
♦ AT THE SAME TIME, I SHOULD LIKE TO ECHO THE REMARKS MADE BY YEUNG PO-KWAN, MR WONG PO-YAN AND MR BROWN, AMONG OTHERS, AND STRONGLY URGE EVERYONE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN DIRECT ELECTIONS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL IN 1985, AND THE REGIONAL LEVEL IN 1986.
♦ SO I, TOO, WOULD CALL UPON THEM TO REGISTER AS VOTERS DURING THE FORTHCOMING REGISTRATION EXERCISE, WHICH COMMENCES ON AUGUST 15 AND GOES ON UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
+MISS DUNN AND DR HO KAM-FAI RIGHTLY POINTED OUT THAT AN UNREPRESENTATIVE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM WOULD BE A MOST UNFORTUNATE OUTCOME OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GREEN PAPER’S PROPOSALS.
♦ THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY CANDIDATES COMING FORWARD WAS ALSO MENTIONED BY SEVERAL MEMBERS. I ENDORSE MR WONG LAM’S AND DR HENRIETTA IP’S CALL FOR A GREATER WILLINGNESS ON THE PART OF THOSE WITH A PROVEN RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO STAND FOR ELECTED OFFICE? AND I AGREE WITH MRS PAULINE NG AND MR BROwN THAT APPROPRIATE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS NEED TO BE DEVISED TO ENABLE POTENTIAL CANDIDATES FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TO COME FORWARD AND PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1984
9
+l ALSO HEARTILY ENDORSE THE CALLS MADE BY MR PETER POON, MR WONG LAM, AND MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG AND OTHERS FOR MORE CIVIC EDUCATION TO BE PROVIDED ALTHOUGH, HOWEVER APATHETIC HONG KONG PEOPLE MAY BE THOUGHT TO BE BY MISS DUNN AND MR ALEX WU AND £ POON ABOUT POLITICS AS SUCH, IT IS NOT MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE -AND I AM SURE IT IS NOT THEIRS EITHER AS UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS - THAT THERE IS A LACK OF INTEREST IN HOW OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS ARE MANAGED. NEVERTHELESS, I AM SURE THAT THE PLANS FOR DEVELOPING CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS DESCRIBED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IN THIS COUNCIL ON JULY 25 WILL ULTIMATELY IMPROVE WHAT MR PETER WONG DESCRIBED AS CIVIC AWARENESS.
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
+AS REGARDS FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, TO WHICH MRS RITA FAN, DR HO KAM-FAI AND SEVERAL OTHER MEMBERS REFERRED, I AGREE THAT THIS CONCEPT IS DESCRIBED IN GENERAL TERMS ONLY IN THE GREEN PAPER AND THAT MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN TO BE ANSWERED AS TO HOW TO DEFINE THE CONSTITUENCIES AND THE ELECTORAL RULES TO BE APPLIED. WE WERE DELIBERATELY SUGGESTIVE AND SUGGESTIVE ONLY IN THE GREEN PAPER. THE PURPOSE OF A GREEN PAPER, AFTER ALL, IS TO STIMULATE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
+CLEARLY, WE NEED ADVICE AS TO WHICH SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE REPRESENTED BY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. SOME EXAMPLES ARE GIVEN IN THE GREEN PAPER OF WHICH SECTORS SHOULD PERHAPS BE REPRESENTED, INCLUDING THE LEGAL AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONS, THE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND FINANCIAL SECTORS, LABOUR ORGANISATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. BUT THESE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY AND, I MUST ADMIT, TEND TO REFLECT THE CONSTITUENCIES TRADITIONALLY REPRESENTED ON THE COUNCILS UNDER THE NOMINATED SYSTEM.
+THE CASE FOR OTHER SECTORS, SUCH AS SOCIAL SERVICES AND TRADITIONAL ORGANISATIONS, WILL NOT BE OVERLOOKED AND ALL IDEAS FORTHCOMING WILL BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED. THE AIM IS TO IDENTIFY ALL THOSE SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHICH PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR AFFAIRS, WHATEVER THEY MAY BE, AND THEN DECIDE HOW TO CATER FOR THEM.
+WHEN A DEFINITIVE LIST OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES HAS BEEN COMPILED, IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO SELECT THOSE WHICH SHOULD PROVIDE THE FIRST SIX MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO BE ELECTED ON THIS BASIS IN 1985 AND, LATER ON, THOSE WHICH WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL SIX MEMBERS IN 1988.
♦WE SHALL NEED TO DEFINE THESE CONSTITUENCIES CAREFULLY AS WELL AS DETERMINE HOW THE ELECTORAL ROLLS FOR EACH OF THESE CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE DRAWN UP. AS HAS BEEN INDICATED IN THE GREEN PAPER, SOME FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WILL PROBABLY CONSIST OF THE LEADING ORGANISATIONS WITHIN THAT SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY: OTHERS WILL CONSIST OF THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSION CONCERNED. IT WILL ALSO BE NECESSARY TO CONSIDER SUCH QUESTIONS AS HOW THE ELECTIONS BY THESE VARIOUS FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE CONDUCTED, AND WHAT THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTERS AND CANDIDATES SHOULD BE.
/+CAREFUL CONSIDERATION
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1984
10 -
■►CAREFUL CONSIDERATION IS NOW BEING GIVEN TO ALL THESE COMPLEX MATTERS AND PROPOSED SOLUTIONS WILL BE PUT FORWARD FOR DEBATE IN THE WHITE PAPER. THEN, DETAILED PROPOSALS WILL BE LAID BEFORE THIS COUNCIL IN THE NORMAL WAY.
A MINISTERIAL SYSTEM
+MISS DUNN ARGUED THAT, ONLY BY LINKING THE PEOPLE’S ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES WITH THE ADMINISTRATION VIA A MINISTERIAL SYSTEM WOULD REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT HAVE REAL MEANING- AND MR PETER WONG AND MR STEPHEN CHEONG ALSO TOUCHED ON THE POSSIBILITY THAT, IN DUE COURSE, SOME UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MIGHT ASSUME EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CERTAIN PORTFOLIOS.
■►ALTHOUGH THERE ARE VALID ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF INTRODUCING SUCH A SYSTEM, AND THE LINK BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS ON ONE HAND AND THE ADMINISTRATION ON THE OTHER, PRESENTLY PROVIDED BY EX-OFFICIO AND OFFICIAL MEMBERS COULD JUST AS LOGICALLY BE PROVIDED BY APPOINTING SOME UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO EXECUTIVE POSTS, IT WOULD REPRESENT A RADICAL CHANGE IN THE PRESENT CONSTITUTIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM IN HONG KONG. THAT IS NO CONTRARY ARGUMENT IN ITSELF AND I CAN ASSURE MISS DUNN AND MRS SELINA CHOW THAT OUR MINDS ARE NOT CLOSED TO THIS POSSIBLE VIEWPOINT.
+HOWEVER, WE MUST AVOID OVERLOADING THE SYSTEM WITH TOO MANY SIMULTANEOUS REFORMS AND WE MUST BE QUITE CLEAR AS TO THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH APPOINTMENTS FOR THE COLLECTIVE POLICY-MAKING ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. EQUALLY, THE IMPLICATIONS OF A MINISTERIAL SYSTEM FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE WOULD HAVE TO BE CLEARLY AND CAREFULLY THOUGHT THROUGH. HOWEVER, AS WITH DIRECT ELECTIONS, THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING SOME VARIANT OF A MINISTERIAL SYSTEM LATER ON COULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN THE OVERALL POSITION IS REVIEWED IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME.
+MRS SELINA CHOW SUGGESTED THAT EARLY ATTENTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE IS SELECTED AND HOW HIS POWERS SHOULD BE DEFINED. AS YOU, SIR, SAID IN YOUR ADDRESS TO THIS COUNCIL ON JULY 18, THESE ARE MATTERS REQUIRING FURTHER AND CAREFUL REFLECTION.
PERIOD FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION
■►FINALLY, AS REGARDS THE PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS WHICH HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR PUBLIC CONSIDERATION AND COMMENT ON THE GREEN PAPER, I AGREE WITH MR BROWN THAT, IDEALLY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IF A RATHER LONGER PERIOD COULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED BUT, AS WE ALL KNOW, EVENTS ARE MOVING VERY FAST THESE DAYS.
■►BEARING IN MIND THAT THE NEXT DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WILL oi HELD IN MARCH 1985 AND ALL THE LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE PREPARATIONS WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE MADE TO MEET THE AIM OF HOLDING THE FIRST ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN JULY 1985, THE SOONER WE CAN REACH A FIRM DECISION ON THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER, THE BETTER.
/+IN ANY.........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 19&4
11
+ IN ANY CASE, THE VOLUME OF PUBLIC COMMENT WHICH HAS ALREADY SEEN FORTHCOMING, SOME OF WHICH WAS REFLECTED THIS AFTERNOON EY MISS TAM AND MRS FAN, CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG DO NOT NEED VERY LONG TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS ON IMPORTANT MATTERS OF THIS SORT. I AM CONFIDENT THAT BY MID-SEPTEMBER WE SHALL HAVE OBTAINED A VERY CLEAR IDEA OF THE VIEWS OF THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION ON THE PROPOSALS.
+ l CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT ALL THESE VIEWS AND, OF COURSE, THE VIEWS THEY HAVE EXPRESSED THIS AFTERNOON, WILL BE CONSIDERED MOST CAREFULLY AND WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE PREPARATION CF THE DRAFT PAPER, WHICH, IN ITS TURN, WILL BE PLACED BEFORE THIS COUNCIL FOR DEBATE LATER THIS YEAR.
CONCLUS ION
+SIR, I CERTAINLY BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNS 7 IN HONG KONG CAN BE COMMENDED TO THE PUBLIC FOR EXAMINATION AND COMMENT AND I HAVE, THEREFORE, MUCH PLEASURE IN SUPPORTING THE MOTION.*
-----o------
NO KNOWN CASE OF DTC’S FAILING TO PROVIDE RATE INFO *****
THERE IS NO NEED TO INTRODUCE A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT THAT A DEPOSIT-TAK ING COMPANY SHOULD SUPPLY A BORROWER WITH THE INFORMATION RELATING TO THE RATE OF INTEREST WHICH MUST BE FURNISHED BY A MONEY LENDER.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DOUGLAS BLYE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PAULINE NG, MR BL YE EXPLAINED THAT UNDER A SECTION OF THE MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE. A MONEY LENDER IS REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE TO A BORROWER THE RATE OF INTEREST CHARGED ON THE LOAN.
+THIS MUST BE DONE IN ONE OF TWO WAYS, EITHER AS A SIMPLE INTEREST RATE (THAT IS, IN EFFECT, INTEREST COMPUTED SOLELY 0N_ THE PRINCIPAL, EXPRESSED AS A PER CENT PER ANNUM) OR AS A 'TRUE’ RATE, WHICH TAKES ACCOUNT OF ANY DECREASE IN THE BALANCE OF PRINCIPAL OUTSTANDING IF, FOR EXAMPLE, REPAYMENT IS BY INSTALMENTS,* SAID.
MR BLYE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY INSTANCES OF A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY FAILING TO PROVIDE A BORROWER WITH INTEREST RATE INFORMATION WHICH MATCHES THAT REQUIRED OF MONEY LENDERS.
+l THEREFORE SEE NO NEED TO INTRODUCE A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT,* MR BLYE SAID.
-----o------
/1k ........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1934
12
RESPONSIBLE PERSON COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED
* * * *
DESPITE THOROUGH ENQUIRIES, THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CMB BUS ACCIDENT IN HAPPY VALLEY COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR THOMAS WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARIA TAM AS TO WHY THERE HAD BEEN NO PROSECUTION IN THE CASE WHICH RESULTED IN A CORONER’S VERDICT OF MANSLAUGHTER.
MR THOMAS SAID THAT THE DIFFICULTY IN THIS CASE STEMMED FROM THE FACT THAT THE CORONER’S VERDICT WAS ♦ INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER BY A PERSON OR PERSONS UNKNOWN, BUT WITHIN THE CHINA MOTOR BUS CO. LTD*.
+AFTER AN INQUEST LASTING SEVEN DAYS IN WHICH EVIDENCE WAS GIVEN BY ABOUT 30 WITNESSES, THE JURY STILL COULD NOT SAY WHO IT WAS THAT WAS CRIMINALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCIDENT,* HE SAID.
IT WAS CLEAR ENOUGH THAT A WRONG SIZED BOLT, SLIGHTLY SMALLER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN, FAILED TO RESTRAIN A MOVING ANCHOR PIN, AS IT SHOULD HAVE DONE — AND THE DIRECT RESULT WAS THAT THE NEAR SIDE FRONT WHEEL JAMMED, CAUSING THE BUS TO VEER SUDDENLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY TO THE LEFT ONTO THE PAVEMENT,* MR THOMAS SAID.
BUT AS THE EVIDENCE SHOWED, THE BOLT COULD HAVE BEEN FITTED AT ANY TIME IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS OR LONGER BY ANY ONE OF A LARGE NUMBER OF MECHANICS AND FITTERS EMPLOYED BY CMB, HE SAID.
+IF THE CULPRIT COULD BE IDENTIFIED AND HIS RECKLESSNESS ESTABLISHED, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO BRING THE CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER AGAINST THAT PERSON.
+BUT DESPITE THE THOROUGH ENQUIRIES BY THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION UNIT BEFORE THE INQUEST, AND OTHER ENQUIRIES MADE BY THE POLICE, THE RESPONSIBLE PERSON CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED,* MR THOMAS SAID.
NOR WAS THERE ANY EVIDENCE THAT ANY OF THE SENIOR EMPLOYEES OR DIRECTORS OF THE CMB HAD BEEN PERSONALLY INVOLVED. CHARGES OF MANSLAUGHTER COULD ONLY BE BROUGHT AGAINST A COMPANY OR ITS DIRECTORS OR MANAGERS IF THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF RECKLESSNESS ON THEIR PART.
+S0 FAR, THE INVESTIGATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN PURSUED AS FAR AS THEY CAN, HAVE REVEALED NOTHING TO JUSTIFY SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS BEING MADE AGAINST THEM,* MR THOMAS SAID.
HE SAID HE WAS WELL AWARE OF THE SENSE OF GRIEVANCE OF THE DISTRESSED RELATIVES AND THOSE WHO WERE ARTICULATING A CRY FOR JUSTICE. BUT IT WOULD NOT BE JUST TO BRING CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST SOMEONE WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY MERELY TO SATISFY A CALL FOR A SCAPEGOAT.
/+IT IS .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1984
- 13 -
♦IT IS UNFORTUNATELY NOT INFREQUENTLY THE CASE THAT CULPRITS CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED AND THAT CRIMES GO UNPUNISHED. THIS IS SUCH A CASE,* MR THOMAS SAID.
THESE MATTERS HAD BEEN EXPLAINED AT GREAT LENGTH TO THE RELATIVES AND THEIR ADVISORS BY HIS ASSISTANT DURING LENGTHY SESSIONS MANY WEEKS AGO. IT HAD ALSO BEEN EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THE ABSENCE OF CRIMINAL CHARGES DID NOT PREVENT THEM FROM TAKING CIVIL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE BUS COMPANY TO RECOVER COMPENSATION.
+MY ASSISTANT HAS ALREADY EXPRESSED TO THEM MY SYMPATHY FOR THE DISTRESS THIS DREADFUL ACCIDENT HAS CAUSED THEM.
+ | AM SURE THAT MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WILL SHARE THAT SENTIMENT,* MR THOMAS SAID.
-----0-----
NEW PARKING RULES TO BE IN FORCE SOON *****
AMENDMENTS TO THE FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) ORDINANCE REGARDING PARKING WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 25, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTlOfi FROM DR THE HON HARRY FANG, HE SAID THAT UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION, THE CONCEPT OF +PARKING* HAD BEEN REDEFINED TO EXCLUDE VEHJCLES ENGAGED IN LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS, OR PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS.
ANOTHER CHANGE AFFECTS’THE PRESENT PROVISION THAT IF THERE IS NO SIGN PROHIBITING PARKING ON A ROAD WITH A STREET LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH LAMPS NOT MORE THAN 200 YARDS APART, PARKING IS PERMITTED EVEN IF THERE ARE NO DESIGNATED PARKING SPACES, l£ POINTED OUT.
+THE NEW LEGISLATION PROVIDES THAT PARKING IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES WILL NO LONGER BE PERMITTED UNLESS THERE IS AN AUTHORISING SIGN OR ROAD MARKING,* MR SCOTT SAID.
ANOTHER CHANGE IS THE CONVERSION OF 200 YARDS TO 200 METRES, t£ ADDED.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1984
14
MULTI-MILLION DOLLARS SPENDING ON REGISTRY FOR DISABLED * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS SPENT $4.7 MILLION ON CAPITAL COSTS OF THE COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTRY FOR THE DISABLED, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON J.N. HENDERSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE ANNUAL RECURRENT COSTS OF THE REGISTRY AMOUNT TO Sl.l MILLION, MR HENDERSON SAID, IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON HENRIETTA IP.
A TOTAL OF 7 973 MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS BETWEEN THE AGES OF FOUR AND 20 ARE REGISTERED WITH THE REGISTRY. THEY INCLUDE 1 211 SEVERE, 2 727 MODERATE AND 1 914 MILD CASES.
THE RATIOS BY AGE OF THE NUMBER OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS TO THE ESTIMATED POPULATION IN HONG KONG RANGE FROM 39.50 PER 10 000 PERSONS AT THE AGE OF FOUR TO 59.31 PER 10 000 PERSONS AT THE AGE OF 14, HE SAID.
FOR THE SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, THE HIGHEST RATIO, 10.75 PER 10 000 PERSONS, IS RECORDED FOR THE AGE OF 19.
AT 20.19 PER 10 000 PERSONS, THE 12 YEARS OLD GROUP HAS THE HIGHEST RATIO OF MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.
THE HIGHEST RATIO OF MILDLY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS, 17.68 PER 10 000 PERSONS, IS FOUND AT THE SEVEN YEARS OLD LEVEL.
WHILE NO COMPARABLE RATIOS FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE UNITED STATES OR OTHER COUNTRIES ARE AVAILABLE, APPROACHES WILL BE MADE TO OBTAIN SUCH FIGURES, MR HENDERSON SAID.
-----0--------
ILLEGAL MEDICAL ADSi SOME PROSECUTIONS M * * * *
SOME PROSECUTIONS FOR UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS WERE BROUGHT IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THOUGH NONE OF THE CASES INVOLVED REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS SAID TODAY.
MR THOMAS WAS REPLYING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO QUESTIONS BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP CONCERNING ♦ ILLEGAL MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS* ON DISPLAYED SIGNBOARDS, IN NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES AND TELEVISIONS BROADCASTS.
THE INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY THE SECRETARY TO THE bEDICAL COUNCIL, MR THOMAS SAID.
STATISTICS OF PROSECUTIONS UNDER THE UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS ORDINANCE WERE NOT MAINTAINED IN A SEPARATE FORM BY THE POLICE, HE SAID.
/THB UNDESXJUBLE........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1984
15
THE UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS ORDINANCE, MR THOMAS SAID, PLACED NO SPECIFIC DUTY ON ANY PERSON OR BODY TO REPORT BREACHES.
♦ IN ENFORCING THESE PROVISIONS, THE POLICE ONLY ACT ON COMPLAINTS REFERRED TO THEM BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DIRECTLY OR THROUGH THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT OR THE MEDICAL COUNCIL.
♦ IT IS NOT PRACTICABLE TO EXAMINE ALL ADVERTISEMENTS ON A REGULAR BASIS.
♦ THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW THEREFORE DEPENDS UPON THE CO-OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC IN LODGING COMPLAINTS THAT CAN BE ACTED UPON,+ MR THOMAS SAID.
AS FULL STATISTICS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO CATEGORISE THOSE WHO WERE PROSECUTED, HE SAID.
------0-------
USE OF HEPATITIS VACCINE STUDIED
* * X *
THE HEPATITIS B VACCINE HAS NOT BEEN USED IN GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT SUBVENTED HOSPITALS FOR PATIENTS REQUIRING HAEMODIALYSIS, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR THE HON RUDY KHOO SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, HE SAID A SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THIS SUBJECT CONSISTING OF EXPERTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND BOTH UNIVERSITIES HAD BEEN SET UP TO ADVISE ON THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE STRATEGY OF IMMUNISATION AND TO IDENTIFY THE HIGH RISK GROUPS WHICH SHOULD RECEIVE PRIORITY FOR VACCINATION.
♦IN THE LAST MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, IT WAS DECIDED THAT VACCINATION OF HAEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS SHOULD BE FURTHER STUDIED IN THE LIGHT OF LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA,+ HE SAID.
> -----0--------
4URBOUR TUNNEL BY-LAWS AMENDED
*****
THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL (AMENDMENT) BY-LAWS 1984, MADE BY THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY, WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT, EXPLAINED THAT THE AMENDMENT MADE THE COMPANY’S EXISTING BY-LAWS CONSONANT WITH THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION SO THAT ITS PROVISION WILL ALSO APPLY IN THE TUNNEL AREA.
THE NEW LEGISLATION WILL COME INTO FORCE ON AUGUST 25.
-------0
/16........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1984
16
LET PEOPLE DO THINGS THEIR WAY — BRAY ******
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY, TODAY (THURSDAY) DREW ATTENTION TO SOME OF THE FINER FEATURES OF HONG KONG’S SOCIETY WHICH MIGHT BE LOST TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FAMILAR WITH THE TERR I TORY.
SPEAKING AT THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER THIS EVENING, MR BRAY GAVE AS EXAMPLES IMPRESSION OF DISORDER AND SCUFFLE ON THE SOCIETY’S TRADING FLOOR AND THE APPARENT CHAOS AT A HAWKER MARKET.
+OFTEN, WE SEEM TO BE JOSTLING EACH OTHER IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN UNCIVILISED WAY BUT WE ARE DOING IT WITH A VIEW TO GETTING BUSINESS DONE AND WITHOUT ANY INTENTION TO HURT ANYBODY,* HE SAID.
HE ASKED THOSE NOT FAMILIAR WITH HONG KONG TO REMEMBER ONE IMPORTANT THING.
+ |T IS THAT THEY MUST LET HONG KONG PEOPLE DO THE THINGS THEMSELVES IN THE WAY THEY SEE FIT. NOTHING COULD BE MORE DISASTROUS THAN FOR A KIND-HEARTED PASSER-BY TO DASH INTO THE TRADING FLOOR AND TRY TO PUT A STOP TO A SCUFFLE OR TO PUT HIS BODY OVER THE ’VICTIM’ IN ORDER TO PROTECT HIM. JUST LEAVE THE SYSTEM ALONE. IT WORKS,* HE SAID.
+TODAY WE ARE FACING CHANGE. THERE WILL BE UNACCUSTOMED SIGHTS, THERE WILL BE CONCERN AND WORRIES WHICH BLUR OUR VISION FROM TIME TO TIME SO THAT THINGS MAY APPEAR TO US TO BE SOMEWHAT DI SORDERED.
+1 AM SURE THAT WITH OUR USUAL SENSE OF MUTUAL TRUST AND FAITH WE SHALL BE ABLE TO SEE ORDER IN DISRUPTION, DISCIPLINE IN FREEPLAY AND ABOVE ALL, SUCCESS IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS,* HE SAID.
MR BRAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE TRUST AND FAITH DISPLAYED IN THE WAY BUSINESS IS TRANSACTED IN THE TRADING FLOOR OF THE EXCHANGE SOCIETY.
+IT IS VERY MUCH IN THE CHINESE STYLE FOR A DEAL TO BE STRUCK BY A GLANCE, A TOUCH OF HAND, OR AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF A GESTURE. IT IS EVEN QUICKER AND MORE RELIABLE THAN BUSINESS TRANSACTED THROUGH A COMPUTER.*
+IJ IS THROUGH TRUST AND FAITH THAT THE SOCIETY HAS GROWN FROM A. LOCAL MARKET, TO AN INTERNATIONAL 'ON-E AND I BELIEVE THE SAME TRUST AND F/CTTH- HAVE ALSO'■'A'E.LP£D’"’H®N'9:'1KO.N'.G -TO BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCE AND TRADING CEN TRE,+ HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1984
- 17 -
NINE NOMINATED FOR LABOUR BOARD ELECTION
* X * *
NINE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR ELECTION ON AUGUST 30 AS EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES TO THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE 1985 - 1986 YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT LETTERS TO ALL REGISTERED EMPLOYEES’ UNIONS WERE ISSUED ON JULY 12 INVITING THEM TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES.
AS NOMINATIONS CLOSED AT 5 PM TODAY (THURSDAY), THERE WERE ALTOGETHER NINE NOMINATIONS:
(1) MR WONG WAI-HUNG OF ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT LAND
AND ENGINEERING SURVEYING OFFICERS
(2) MR MAK HOI-WAH OF HK SOCIAL WORKERS’ GENERAL UNION
(3) MR LUK TUNG-CHING OF HK CIVIL SERVANTS GENERAL UNION
(4) MR LEUNG YING-TONG OF HK AND K ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES’ GENERAL UNION
(5) MR SEZTO WAH OF HK PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS’ UNION
(6) MR TAM YIU-CHUNG OF HK AND K DEPARTMENTAL STORE WORKERS ASSOCIATION
(7) MR LEE SHING-CHU OF HK STEVEDORES UNION (CHAP YIU)
(8) MR LEUNG CHAU-TING OF ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT CLERICAL OFFICERS, CLERICAL ASSISTANTS AND OFFICE ASSISTANTS
(9) MR LEE KAI-MING OF HK STOREHOUSES AND TRANSPORTATION STAFF ASSOCIATION.
OUT OF THE NINE CANDIDATES, FOUR WILL BE ELECTED TO BE EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD BY SECRET BALLOT ON AUGUST 30.
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD IS A NON-STATUTORY BODY WHICH ADVISES THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR ON LABOUR MATTERS, INCLUDING LEGISLATION AND THE APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE BOARD COMPRISES SIX EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES AND SIX EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AS CHAIRMAN.
-----o-----
/18 .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1934
18
VALUE OF READING STRESSED XXX
FACILITY IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH IS A VITAL FACTOR IN HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY BUT THE UTILITARIAN ASPECTS OF LANGUAGE FACILITY IS ONLY PART OF THE VALUE OF READING, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR NEIL HENDERSON, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE 1OTH WORLD CONGRESS ON READING THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, MR HENDERSON ADDED THAT READING ALSO PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL AND SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT AND REFRESHMENT.
HE SAID THE PROMOTION OF GOOD READING HABITS IS CENTRAL TO OUR EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY AND THE HONG KONG READING ASSOCIATION, ALTHOUGH IN ITS FORMATIVE YEARS, IS MAKING A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROMOTION OF LITERACY IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH.
+BUT LET US REMEMBER THAT READING IS ULTIMATELY A MEANS TO AN END - TO GIVE ACCESS TO THE WORLD OF INFORMATION AND THE WORLD OF LITERATURE. THE TREASURY OF THE HUMAN MIND AND SPIRIT THAT LIES IN THE BOOKS OF THE WORLD - THAT IS THE PRIZE CF BEING ABLE TO READ,* MR HENDERSON NOTED.
+THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS MAKING STRENUOUS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE LANGUAGE-TEACHER EDUCATION THROUGH TRAINING COURSES IN THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION.
♦IN ADDITION, SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH EXTRA LANGUAGE TEACHERS TO STRENGTHEN REMEDIAL TEACHING PROGRAMMES, NEW TEACHING SYLLABUSES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED, PROVISION IS BEING MADE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF CLASS LIBRARIES, WIRE-FREE INDUCTION LOOP SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN SCHOOLS TO FACILITATE LANGUAGE TEACHING, AND THE BRITISH COUNCIL HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED TO PROVIDE IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS,* HE NOTED.
REITERATING THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD TEACHER TRAINING, W HENDERSON PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE CONGRESS IN THIS FIELD.
- - 0 - -
MP’S PRESS CONFERENCE XXX
THE RT HON DAVID HOWELL, CONSERVATIVE MP FOR GUILDFORD, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 4 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICERS’ MESS, 3RD FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
MR HOWELL IS VISITING HONG KONG AND WILL LEAVE TOMORROW
x 'EVENING < •
- - o -
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1934
19
DRIVING TEST PAPERS TO BE REVISED
* * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S DRIVING TEST SECTION WILL REVISE ALL ITS WRITTEN TEST PAPERS ACCORDING TO THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS FROM LATE THIS MONTH WHEN THE NEW REGULATIONS COME INTO EFFECT.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT, THE DRIVING TEST SECTION IS DISTRIBUTING FREE INFORMATION PAMPHLETS TO HELP CANDIDATES, WHOSE WRITTEN TEST APPOINTMENT FALLS ON OR AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF THE NEW LEGISLATION, PREPARE FOR THE REVISED TESTS.
THE PAMPHLETS ARE +A GUIDE FOR DRIVERS* AND +LANGUAGE OF THE ROAD*.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE REVISED TESTS MAY BE MADE BY DIALLING 3-317716, 3-317723 OR 5-263523.
------o-------
TIN SHUI WAI CLEARANCE STARTS AUGUST 8
* * * *
THE CLEARANCE AT TIN SHUI WAI IN THE NORTH-WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO STAGES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE FIRST STAGE WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 8 AND INVOLVE CHIU KAR YUEN VILLAGE AND THE AREA AROUND THE TAI RIVER, AFFECTING ABOUT 140 FAMILIES.
THE SECOND STAGE WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS AT PAK SHA TSAI, WHERE 100 FAMILIES LIVE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT HAD BEEN DECIDED TO SPLIT THE CLEARANCE INTO TWO PHASES AS THERE WERE STILL SOME OUTSTANDING PROBLEMS TO BE RESOLVED WITH THE PAK SHA TSAI VILLAGERS.
+WE HOPE THESE CAN BE SETTLED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE LAND AT TIN SHUI WAI IS NEEDED FOR HOUSING,* HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A GREAT DEAL OF PROGRESS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED IN REACHING AGREEMENT WITH THE FAMILIES INVOLVED IN THE AREA TO BE CLEARED NEXT WEEK.
MANY HAD ALREADY COLLECTED THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES WHICH GOVERNMENT HAD AGREED TO PAY AND LEFT THE AREA TO GO INTO PUBLIC OR TEMPORARY HOUSING.
/+WE EXPiDT........
THURSDAY, AUGUST c, 1984
- 20 -
+WE EXPECT THE OTHERS TO DO LIKEWISE BEFORE AUGUST 8,+ HE SAID.
THE REMAINING CHEQUES WERE AVAILABLE AT YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE SPOKESMAN URGED THOSE ELIGIBLE TO COLLECT THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
HE ALSO APPEALED TO FARMERS WHO HAD NOT YET DISPOSED OF THEIR LIVESTOCK, FISH AND POULTRY TO ARRANGE TO SELL THEM BEFORE THE CLEARANCE DATE.
ON HOUSING ENTITLEMENTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID GOVERNMENT HAD OFFERED FLATS IN TWO OF THE MOST MODERN ESTATES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES - BUTTERFLY ESTATE AND WU KING ESTATE AT TUEN MUN - AND AT LEAST TWO THIRDS OF THE ELIGIBLE FAMILIES HAD ALREADY MOVED THERE.
THE OTHERS WERE EXPECTED TO DO SO SHORTLY.
THOSE FAMILIES ELIGIBLE FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING HAD BEEN OFFERED ACCOMMODATION AT PAKKOK, TUEN MUN, AND MANY OF THESE FAMILIES HAD ALSO MOVED IN.
NINE FAMILIES HAD ASKED FOR A FARM RESITE AND ALL THE APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN APPROVED BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DONE A GREAT DEAL TO HELP THE FAMILIES TO BE CLEARED AND HAD AGREED TO PAY EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES TOTALLING MORE THAN $8 MILLION.
THESE WERE PAID FROM PUBLIC FUNDS AND WERE +MORE THAN FAIR+.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REVIEWED THE RATES REGULARLY ON A TERRITORY-WIDE BASIS AND HAD RECENTLY APPROVED INCREASES.
HE SAID THE CLEARANCE WAS ESSENTIAL AS THE LAND WAS REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR 135 000 PEOPLE.
AFTER THE CLEARANCE HAS BEEN COMPLETED WORK WILL START ON SITE. A CULVERT WILL BE CONSTRUCTED FOR FUTURE DIVERSION OF THE TAI RIVER AND A THREE-HECTARE WORKS AREA WILL BE FORMED.
- 0 -
/21
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1934
- 21 -
FIRE PREVENTION FOR +BEDSPACE+ LODGERS * * * *
MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES FOR +BEDSPACE+ APARTMENTS IN THE DISTRICT AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY WILL STUDY A REPORT PREPARED BY A WORKING GROUP FORMED EARLY THIS YEAR TO CONSIDER PROVIDING FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND FORMING FIRE-FIGHTING TEAMS FOR BEDSPACE APARTMENTS AND SIMILAR HOSTELS.
THE WORKING GROUP WAS CHAIRED BY THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER AND COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FIRE SERVICES AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE RECENTLY-PUBLISHED GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AND A PAPER ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARDS, AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
THEY WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE LATEST POSITION REGARDING THE SEARCH FOR A PROPER CAR-PARK SITE AND ON HAWKER ACTIVITIES IN MONG KOK.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 3 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF TUNG PING BUILDING, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
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/22 .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 193-
22
OPEN FORUM FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS
* * *
EASTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE WORK OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD AND GIVE SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN AN OPEN FORUM ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 5) AFTERNOON.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE EASTERN DISTRICT FORUM IS AIMED AT PUBLICISING NEXT YEAR’S DB ELECTIONS AND ENABLING RESIDENTS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
SPEAKERS ON THE PANEL WILL INCLUDE THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR LUI HAU-TUEN; DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MADAM ANITA CHAN, MR CHOI WING-ON AND MR WONG TIN-JOE; AND THREE REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
THEY WILL TALK ON TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT MATTERS, MEDICAL SERVICES, FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS, AND THE BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING EFFORTS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO SQUATTER VILLAGES IN THE DISTRICT.
THE 90-MINUTE FORUM WILL START AT 3 PM AT THE PAVILION IN VICTORIA PARK. IT WILL BE RECORDED AND BROADCAST ON RTHK RADIO I AT 8 AM THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY (AUGUST 11).
EASTERN IS THE FIFTH DISTRICT TO HOLD THE FORUM. THE OTHER 13 DISTRICTS WILL HOLD SIMILAR FORUMS ON THE FOLLOWING SUNDAYS UNTIL EARLY NOVEMBER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT FORUM TO BE FELD AT 3 PM ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 4) AT THE PAVILION IN VICTORIA PARK.
-----o------
WORK ON ARTS COUNCIL UNDER WAY
* * * *
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE IS LOOKING FOR MEMBERS TO FORM AN ARTS COUNCIL TO PROMOTE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
+STUDENTS, RESIDENTS, MEMBERS OF CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS, AND ANYONE WORKING IN THE DISTRICT ARE WELCOME,+ A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
+THE AIMS OF HAVING A COUNCIL ARE TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF ARTS AND CULTURE IN THE DISTRICT AND TO STRENGTHEN THE TIES BETWEEN LOCAL ARTS OR CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT.*
HE SAID THERE WOULD BE NO LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS, AND MEMBERSHIPS COULD BE FOR GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS.
/INTERESTED parties .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST k, 1984
- 23 -
INTERESTED PARTIES ARE BEING INVITED TO A PREPARATORY MEETING TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 9 DURING WHICH MEMBERS FOR THE COUNCIL’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE WILL BE SELECTED FROM AMONG THOSE PRESENT.
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (CHAI WAN), MR STEPHEN NG, WILL CHAIR THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR, 884-886 KING’S ROAD.
FURTHER DETAILS ON THE ARTS COUNCIL AND THE MEETING CAN BE OBTAINED FROM MISS YVONNE YIP AT 5-573265.
------0-------
NEW MAXICAB SERVICE IN SHAM SHU I PO
* * * *
A NEW MAXICAB ROUTE RUNNING FROM SHAM SHU I PO FERRY PIER TO MONG KOK KCR STATION WILL BE INTRODUCED ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 4).
THE ROUTE, NO. 32K, WILL START AT SHAM SHU I PO FERRY PIER AND OPERATE VIA YEN CHOW STREET, YEE KUK STREET, LAI CHI KOK ROAD, BOUNDARY STREET, TAI KOK TSUI ROAD, FUK TSUN STREET, MONG KOK ROAD, SAI YEE STREET AND BUTE STREET.
THE RETURN JOURNEY WILL BE VIA BUTE STREET, SAI YEE STREET, MONG KOK ROAD, SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET, ARGYLE STREET, CHERRY STREET, TAI KOK TSUI ROAD, BOUNDARY STREET, HAI TAN STREET AND YEN CHOW STREET.
THE ROUTE WILL OPERATE FROM 6.30 AM TO 11.05 PM, AND THE FARE WILL BE $1.50.
------0-------
JOGGING TRACK TO BE BUILT * * * *
A JOGGING AND FITNESS TRACK WILL BE BUILT ON TOP OF THE MAGAZINE GAP ROAD SERVICE RESERVOIR ON HONG KONG ISLAND. >
IT WILL BE 130 METRES LONG AND LINKED TO MAGAZINE GAP ROAD BY AN EXISTING PATH.
THE TRACK WILL BE BUILT IN CONCRETE AND A VARIETY OF FITNESS EQUIPMENT WILL BE PROVIDED.
WORK IS DUE TO START IN MID-OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED IN FOUR MONTHS.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TO BE SUBMITTED BY AUGUST 24.
-----0------
/24........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1984
- 24 -
SITTING-OUT AREA FOR CHEUNG CHAU * * * *
AN 850-SQUARE-METRE LOCAL OPEN SPACE WHICH WILL BE USED AS A SITTING-OUT AREA IS TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN FRONT OF THE PAK TAI TEMPLE ON CHEUNG CHAU.
THE AREA ALREADY HAS A MINI-SOCCER PITCH AND THE LOCAL OPEN SPACE WILL BE BUILT NEXT TO IT.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH INCLUDES LANDSCAPING THE SITTING-OUT AREA AND BUILDING A PAVILION, A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA AND AN ELECTRICITY METER ROOM.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE WORK, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO TAKE FIVE MONTHS, IS THE PROVISION OF LIGHTING AND COURT-MARKINGS FOR THE MINI-SOCCER PITCH.
-----o-----
WATER MAINS WORK * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT 2-24 AND 3-45 REPULSE BAY ROAD, ALL PREMISES ALONG SHOUSON HILL ROAD, SHOUSON HILL ROAD EAST, SHOUSON HILL ROAD WEST AND DEEP WATER BAY ROAD, AND 2 ISLAND ROAD, INCLUDING HONG KONG COUNTRY CLUB.
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TRIBUNAL TO JUDGE SHAREHOLDERS CLAIMS ON BANK ............... 1
SITE FORMATION FOR HOSPITAL TO START SOON ................... 1
KAI TAK TO GET NEW BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM................... 2
CLP ACCEPTS RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT POWER FAILURE ............. 3
TWO OVERSEAS BANKS GST HK LICENCES .......................... 4
ROAD ACCIDENTS COST iSJCH TO COMMUNITY....................... 5
MP TO VISIT HONG KONG ....................................... 6
RESIDENTS URGED TO HELP RECOVERED MENTAL PATIENTS ........... 6
LAW COURTS FOR SHA TIN ...................................... 1
SEMINAR TO AIR VIEWS ON GREEN PAPER.......................... 8
SAFETY SEMINAR FOR SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY .................... 8
LiqpiD MEDICINE GOES METRIC .................................
DB CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES REVISED .......................... 10
DB TO DISCUSS SEWAGE TREATMENT IN KWUN TONG.................. 11
JOBS FOUND FOR REDUNDANT TEACHERS ........................... 1«
NEW FIXED PENALTY FORMS ..................................... 12
ROAD SAFETY DAY IN KHUN TONG ................................ 12
FUN FAIR FOR YUEN LONG....................................... 13
TOEN MUN SITE FOR SALE....................................... 13
AIRPORT SHOP SPACES FOR RENT ................................ M
TSUN FAT STREET TO BE RESUMED................................ 14
WATER CUT IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND SHAU KEI WAN .................. 15
i-RIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1984
1
TRIBUNAL TO JUDGE SHAREHOLDERS CLAIMS ON BANK *******
REGULATIONS PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRIBUNAL WHICH WOULD JUDGE ANY CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION BY FORMER SHAREHOLDERS OF THE HANG LUNG BANK ARE GAZETTED TODAY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT, WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE HANG LUNG BANK (ACQUISITION) BILL LAST SEPTEMBER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD SAID THAT HE WANTED TO PRESERVE THE INTERESTS OF THE DEPOSITORS AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE HANG LUNG BANK STAFF, AND TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENCE IN THE BANKING SECTOR. HE ALSO SAID THAT IN DUE COURSE WHATEVER COMPENSATION WAS FAIR WOULD BE PAYABLE TO FORMER SHAREHOLDERS.
THE HANG LUNG BANK (COMPENSATION OF FORMER SHAREHOLDERS) REGULATIONS 1984 PUBLISHED TODAY PROVIDE FOR THE SETTING UP OF A COMPENSATION TRIBUNAL, WHICH WOULD COMPRISE A JUDGE AS CHAIRMAN AND TWO MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT PUBLIC OFFICERS.
THEY ALSO SET OUT THE MECHANICS OF APPLYING FOR, DETERMINING AND PAYING, ANY COMPENSATION TO FORMER SHAREHOLDERS.
UNDER THE REGULATIONS, THE TRIBUNAL MAY BE SET UP BY THE GOVERNOR OR WILL BE SET UP BY HIM IF REQUESTED IN WRITING BY ANY FORMER SHAREHOLDER.
IF, AFTER THREE MONTHS FROM THE PUBLICATION OF THE REGULATIONS, NO REQUEST IN WRITING HAS BEEN MADE AND THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT SET UP THE TRIBUNAL, FORMER SHAREHOLDERS WILL BE REMINDED INDIVIDUALLY BY WRITING OF THEIR RIGHT.. UNDER THE REGULATIONS. AT THE END OF A FURTHER THREE MONTHS AND IF NO REQUEST IN WRITING HAS BEEN MADE, THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION WILL BE DEEMED TO BE NIL,
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE REGULATIONS CARRY NO IMPLICATION THAT COMPENSATION WILL OR WILL NOT BE PAYABLE AS THIS WOULD BE A MATTER FOR THE TRIBUNAL.
♦THEY MERELY FULFIL A STATUTORY AND INDEED A MORAL OBLIGATION TO ALLOW SOMEONE WHOSE SHARES HAVE BEEN EXPROPRIATED A RIGHT TO FAIR COMPENSAT ION,♦ HE SAID.
------0-------
SITE FORMATION FOR HOSPITAL TO START SOON * * * *
WORK ON FORMING A NINE-HECTARE SITE FOR A HOSPITAL AT SHAU KEI WAN WILL START IN OCTOBER.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECENTLY APPROVED A SUM OF $43.45 MILLION FOR THE SITE FORMATION WORK TO GO AHEAD.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE 22-MONTH CONTRACT.
/coNsraucTiON of .......
raLDAY, AUGUST 3, 19&4
CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOSPITAL’S SUPERSTRUCTURE WILL BEGIN AFTER THE SITE FORMATION WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN JULY 1986.
MEANWHILE, DESIGN WORK IS UNDER WAY TO DEVELOP A FULLY-EQUIPPED GENERAL HOSPITAL TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE GROWING POPULATION OF EASTERN DISTRICT.
IT IS BEING PLANNED ON THE BASIS OF AN ACUTE HOSPITAL PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SPECIALIST TREATMENT FACILITIES, INCLUDING PSYCHIATRY, A ROUND-THE-CLOCK ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE, A NURSES’ TRAINING SCHOOL AND A SPECIALISTS’ OUTPATIENT CL IN IC.
THE HOSPITAL IS SCHEDULED TO BE READY TOWARDS THE END OF THE DECADE.
- - 0 - -
KAI TAK TO GET NEW BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM *****
A SOPHISTICATED BAGGAGE HANDLING EQUIPMENT IS TO BE INSTALLED AT KAI TAK UNDER STAGE V OF THE AIRPORT’S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
IT WILL INCLUDE A SEMI-AUTOMATIC DEPARTURE HANDLING SYSTEM COMPLETE WITH COMPUTER CONTROL, A TWO-RACETRACK-TYPE ARRIVAL BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM AND AN OUTSIZE BAGGAGE HOIST.
IT WILL BE INSTALLED IN AN EXTENDED TERMINAL BUILDING NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
CONTRACTORS OF INTERNATIONAL STANDING WITH EXPERIENCE IN THIS SPECIALIST FIELD ARE BEING INVITED BY THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO BE INCLUDED IN A LIST.
THOSE IN THE LIST WILL RECEIVE, EARLY NEXT YEAR, FORMAL TENDER DOCUMENTS TO DESIGN SUPPLY, MANUFACTURE, INSTALL, TEST AND COMMISSION THE SYSTEM.
A BROCHURE CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE PROJECT AND OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF PROSPECTIVE TENDERERS IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE QUANTITY SURVEYING BRANCH, 13TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
PROSPECTIVE TENDERERS SHOULD DEPOSIT THEIR SEALED REPLY, WITH DETAILS OF INFORMATION CALLED FOR, IN THE TENDER BOX IN THE LOBBY OF MURRAY BUILDING BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1984.
- - 0
3
CLP ACCEPTS RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT POWER FAILURE
* * * *
A BOARD OF INQUIRY SET UP BY THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE POWER FAILURE ON MARCH 4 THIS YEAR HAS MADE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE COMPANY.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED A COPY OF THE TECHNICAL REPORT COMPILED BY THE BOARD.
THE BOARD WAS SET UP TO CONSIDER THE CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF THE BLACKOUT, TO REVIEW THE PROCEDURES FOR THE RESTORATION OF ELECTRICITY, AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT A RECURRENCE CF SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN FUTURE.
IN ARRIVING AT ITS CONCLUSIONS, THE BOARD DREW ON THE ADVICE CF AN INDEPENDENT U.S. CONSULTANT SPECIALISING IN POWER SYSTEM ANALYSIS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE REPORT CONFIRMED THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT THAT THE POWER FAILURE HAD BEEN CAUSED BY AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO DAMP OUT A POWER OSCILLATION OCCURRING IN THE INTERCONNECTOR BETWEEN THE SYSTEMS OF CLP AND THE GUANGDONG POWER COMPANY.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT SUCH POWER OSCILLATIONS ARE A NORMAL FEATURE OF INTERCONNECTED SYSTEMS AND, LIKE ELECTRICITY UTILITIES ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD, CLP HAS AN ESTABLISHED PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH THEM.
+UNFORTUNATELY, ON MARCH 4, A SERIES OF TECHNICAL COINCIDENCE^ LED TO THIS PROCEDURE BEING INEFFECTIVE,* HE SAID.
THE REPORT NOTES THAT RESTORATION PROCEDURES STARTED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SYSTEM SHUTDOWN AND THAT MORE THAN HALF OF CLP’S CONSUMERS HAD THEIR SUPPLY RESTORED WITHIN 90 MINUTES.
RESTORATION OF THE WHOLE SYSTEM WAS COMPLETED AFTER 4-1/2 HOURS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REPORT WAS A THOROUGH AND PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THE MARCH 4 INCIDENT, IN WHICH ALL THE CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS AND CIRCUMSTANCES WERE FRANKLY SET OUT.
+ IT CONTAINS A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL RECOMMENDATIONS, DESIGNED TO ENHANCE CLP’S PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH POWER OSCILLATIONS AND TO REDUCE FURTHER THE ALREADY VERY INFREQUENT OCCURRENCE OF SIGNIFICANT BLACKOUTS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THESE RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY CLP, AND IMPLEMENTATION HAS ALREADY BEGUN. IN ADDITION, CLP HAS PLACED AN ORDER FOR POWER SYSTEM STABILISERS TO BE INSTALLED IN tACH GENERATING UNIT AT ITS CASTLE PEAK POWER STATION.
/+N0 ELiETaiCITY
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1984
- 4 -
+ N0 ELECTRICITY SYSTEM CAN REMAIN COMPLETELY IMMUNE FROM UNFORESEEABLE TECHNICAL BREAKDOWNS OR ACTS OF GOD. BUT THE bEASURES NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED BY CLP, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HIGH TECHNICAL STANDARDS ALREADY MAINTAINED BY THE COMPANY, WILL ENSURE THAT THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF SUCH INCIDENTS IS REDUCED TO THE MINIMUM,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN EMERGENCY SERVICES AND TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY DURING POWER BLACKOUTS AND HAD CONDUCTED A REVIEW OF THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS.
+EVEN THOUGH MAJOR POWER BLACKOUTS SUCH AS THAT ON MARCH 4 ARE VERY RARE, MINOR LOCALISED BLACKOUTS INEVITABLY OCCUR FROM TIME TO TIME. THE EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE THUS FAMILIAR WITH THIS KIND OF SITUATION AND CAN RESPOND QUICKLY TO DEAL WITH KNOWN TROUBLE SPOTS. /
+ THIS WAS DEMONSTRATED CLEARLY IN THE RECORDED EVENTS OF MARCH 4 IN THAT ALTHOUGH SOME TRAFFIC PROBLEMS WERE EXPERIENCED, DUE TO THE FAILURE OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS, THE EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORTED NO MAJOR INCIDENTS ARISING FROM THE BLACKOUT.
-----o------
TWO OVERSEAS BANKS GET HK LICENCES * * * *
TWO MORE OVERSEAS BANKS HAVE BEEN GRANTED LICENCES TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
THEY ARE THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK LIMITED, THE LARGEST BANK IN JAPAN AND THE EIGHTH LARGEST IN THE WORLD, AND THE TOYO TRUST AND BANKING CO LTD, WHICH ALREADY HAS A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN HONG KONG AND A WHOLLY OWNED REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY SUBSIDIARY, TOYO TRUST ASIA LTD.
+BOTH BANKS ARE INCORPORATED IN JAPAN AND HAVE SATISFIED THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE,* A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THE CONTINUING INTEREST BY FOREIGN BANKS IN ESTABLISHING BRANCHES IN HONG KONG IS A DEMONSTRATION OF OVERSEAS CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY AS A MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRE,* HE ADDED.
WITH THE APPROVAL OF THESE TWO APPLICATIONS, THERE ARE NOW 139 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG.
---0------
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1934
5
ROAD ACCIDENTS COST MUCH TO COMMUNITY *****
THE LATEST ESTIMATES PUT THE AVERAGE COST TO THE COMMUNITY AT $38 OOO FOR A ROAD ACCIDENT AND AT $633 000 FOR A FATAL CASE.
THESE ESTIMATES ARE CONTAINED IN A STRATEGY PAPER ISSUED BY THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL RECENTLY.
♦WHATEVER THE FINANCIAL COST TO THE COMMUNITY OR TO INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES, THERE CAN BE NO REAL RECOMPENSE FOR THE LOSS OF A HUMAN LIFE FOR THE IMPAIRMENT OF A LIFE AND CAREER THROUGH DISABLEMENT, OR FOR THE MENTAL TRAUMA CAUSED BY EACH INJURY ACCIDENT,* THE PAPER
SAYS.
THE ROUNDED-OFF NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS CAUSING DEATH AND INJURY WAS 22 000 LAST YEAR, DOWN FROM 24 300 IN 1982 AND 23 600 IN 1981.
WHILE WELCOMING THE DROP, THE REPORT POINTS OUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THERE WILL NOT BE AN INCREASE IN THE FUTURE.
♦THE ANSWER IS FOR AN INCREASED EFFORT TO BUILD ON RECENT IMPROVEMENTS AND TO ENSURE THAT ROAD SAFETY IS DEALT WITH ON A FULLY INTEGRATED AND CO-ORDINATED BASIS,* IT SAYS.
NOR IS IT THE
+ROAD SAFETY IS NOT A SUBJECT IN ITSELF RESPONSIBILITY OF ONE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT, FOR IT INCLUDES ASPECTS OF TRANSPORT POLICY, ROAD BUILDING, TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, LAW PREPARATION, DRAFTING AND ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATION, PUBLICITY, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT,* THE PAPER STATES.
IT POINTS OUT THAT EFFECTIVE ROAD SAFETY WORK WILL REQUIRE A MULT I-FACTOR AND MULTI-DISCIPLINE APPROACH, CO-ORDINATED BY A CENTRAL BODY.
THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL WAS SET UP IN 1983 FOR THIS PURPOSE, REPLACING THE STANDING CONFERENCE ON ROAD SAFETY.
THE COUNCIL IS CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, OPERATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, AND HAS REPRESENTATIVES FROM TRANSPORT BRANCH AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION I TRANSPORT, EDUCATION, INFORMATION SERVICES AND ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS; BRITISH FORCES, HONG KONG; THE HONG KONG ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION! THE HONG KONG AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION; AND THE INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED MOTORISTS, AS WELL AS OTHER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE.
THE AIM OF THE STRATEGY PAPER IS TO REVIEW PRESENT EFFORTS IN EACH FIELD, ESTABLISH STRATEGY PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE SO THAT THE PERFORMANCE OF EACH PROGRAMME CAN BE PERIODICALLY EVALUATED.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1984
- 6 -
MP TO VISIT HONG KONG * * * *
MR IVAN LAWRENCE, OC CONSERVATIVEHP, WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM AUGUST 5 TO 13 AT THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNMENT.
,.UI1 c HERE MR LAWRENCE WILL CALL ON THE HONG KONG GENERAL S^rN^A^E^P^O^KS^J^V^T^cS^Rl’AN'irTSFS^ir^U^.L, PR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.
W.TK « ^bsim ^^NS'si^^rASS-HA^as6 WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
uiq OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE VISITS TO THE CHI MA WAN V^TWAMese^ePUGee^AHP^^HOUSIHG^STATe^AND SQUATTER
IN WONG
MR
LEAVING
LAWRENCE WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON AUGUST 13 BEFORE HONG KONG.
- - - - 0 --------
RESIDENTS URGED TO HELP RECOVERED MENTAL PATIENTS
* * *
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, TODAY (FRIDAY) APPEALED TO EVERY RESIDENT FOR CO-OPERATION IN ASSISTING RECOVERED MENTAL PATIENTS AND IN PROVIDING THEM WITH .A RECEPTIVE ENVIRONMENT.
HE MADE THE APPEAL DURING A VISIT TO THE KWAI SHING SHELTERED WORKSHOP RUN BY THE NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION.
♦AS LACK OF SOCIAL LIFE, LONELINESS AND ISOLATION ARE LATENT FACTORS LEADING TO MENTAL ILLNESS, WE MUST TRY TO INTEGRATE THE RECOVERED MENTAL PATIENTS INTO THE COMMUNITY,* MR LAW SAID.
HE SAID THAT MENTAL PATIENTS WHO HAD RECOVERED AFTER A PERIOD OF HOSPITALISATION MUST BE DISCHARGED.
MANY OF THEM COULD GO HOME DIRECT AND LEAD A NORMAL LIFE WITH THEIR FAMILIES AGAIN. HOWEVER, THERE WERE OTHERS WHO COULD NOT RETURN HOME IMMEDIATELY OR WHO HAD NO SUITABLE HOME TO RETURN TO.
IT MIGHT BE THAT THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT WAS VERY ADVERSE, OR THERE WERE NO FAMILY MEMBERS TO LOOK AFTER THEM OR THE FAMILY SITUATION WHICH HAD ORIGINALLY PRECIPITATED THE ILLNESS WERE UNCHANGED.
♦FOR THE WELFARE OF THE RECOVERED MENTAL PATIENTS AND FOR THE GENERAL INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY, IT IS NECESSARY TO SET UP HALF-WAY HOUSES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THIS SPECIFIC GROUP OF DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS,* HE EXPLAINED.
/he emphasised
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1984
7
HE EMPHASISED THAT *ALL THE DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS WHO ARE ADMITTED TO HALF-WAY HOUSES MUST CERTIFIED BY THE PSYCHIATRISTS THAT THEY ARE MENTALLY STABLE AND DO NOT REQUIRE HOSPITAL CARE*.
WITH THE ADVANCE OF MODERN MEDICINE, MR LAW SAID, MENTAL PATIENTS WHO HAD RECEIVED TREATMENT FOR SOME TIME AND WERE CONSIDERED TO HAVE RECOVERED WOULD BE FIT TO RETURN HOME TO LEAD A NORMAL LIFE.
+THEY WILL BE ABLE TO LIVE AND TO WORK LIKE OTHER PEOPLE, BUT THEY NEED ASSISTANCE TO RE-ESTABLISH THEIR CONFIDENCE AND ABILITIES,* HE SAID.
MR LAW SAID TRAINED STAFF IN A HALF-WAY HOUSE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE TO NEWLY DISCHARGED RECOVERED MENTAL PATIENTS. ASSISTANCE WAS RENDERED TO THEM IN FINDING JOBS AND IN STRENGTHENING THEIR ABILITY TO ADAPT TO THE VARIOUS DEMANDS OF DAILY LIVING.
SINCE THE FIRST HALF-WAY HOUSE WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION IN ^64, EIGHT OTHERS HAVE BEEN SET UP IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS AND MOST OF THEM ARE CENTRALLY LOCATED.
♦IN THE PAST YEARS.* HE SAID, +THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY INCIDENT INDICATING THAT THE RESIDENTS OF THE HALF-WAY HOUSES HAVE DONE ANYTHING HARMFUL TO THEIR NEIGHBOURS.*
MR LAW SAID THAT FOLLOWING A RECENT REVIEW, MORE STAFF WOULD BE EMPLOYED FOR HALF-WAY HOUSES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT EXPERIENCE ELSEWHERE HADSHOWNTHAT - SELDOM SUFFERED RELAPSES AFTER THEY
RECOVERED MENTAL PATIENTS HAD BEEN GIVEN ASSISTANCE
AT HALF-WAY HOUSES.
- - 0 - -
LAW COURTS FOR SHA TIN
* * *
SHA TIN WILL HAVE ITS OWN LAW COURTS IN 18 MONTHS’ TIME.
TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTING THEM ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE EIGHT-STOREY BUILDING WILL OCCUPY A 3 51O-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT PAK HOK TING STREET NEAR THE TOWN PARK AND THE CULTURAL COMPLEX, BOTH OF WHICH ARE CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF EIGHT COURTS: TWO DISTRICT COURTS, FOUR MAGISTRATES’ COURTS, ONE JUVENILE COURT AND ONE SMALL CLAIMS COURT.
/thkrk WILL ..
fRDMY, AUGUST 3, 1984
- 8 -
THERE WILL ALSO BE A PRESS ROOM, TWO LIBRARIES, JUDGES’ AND MAGISTRATES’ CHAMBERS, A LEGAL-A ID REGISTRY, A SOLICITORS’ ROOM, A TEMPORARY CUSTODIAL AREA AND A CANTEEN.
CAR PARKING SPACES WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE GROUND FLOOR AREA WHICH WILL BE LANDSCAPED.
THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF THE COURTS’ BUILDING WILL BE 12 550 SQUARE METRES.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1986.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS AUGUST 31.
- - - - 0 ----
SEMINAR TO AIR VIEWS ON GREEN PAPER * * *
WAN CHAI RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO AIR THEIR VIEWS ON THE RECENTLY-PUBLISHED GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AT AN OPEN SEMINAR TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE SEMINAR IS BEING ORGANISED BY A CIVIC EDUCATION WORKING GROUP UNDER THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE LOCAL DI STR ICT BOARD. THE GROUP WAS FORMED IN MAY TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WORK.
AMONG THE SPEAKERS AT TOMORROW’S SEMINAR WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG; THE GROUP’S CHAIRPERSON SISTER MARGARET WONGJ EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MISS MARIA TAMI URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR SAMUEL WONGl AND A SENIOR LECTURER OF HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, MR LEE MING-KWAN.
AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS AT THE STARTING AT 2 PM, IN THE AUDITORIUM SERVICE BUILDING.
THERE WILL ALSO BE OPEN TWO-AND-A-HALF-HOUR SEMINAR, OF THE DUKE OF WINDSOR SOCIAL
----0-----
SAFETY SEMINAR FOR SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY * * *
AN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SEMINAR FOR THE SHIPBUILDING AND SHIPREPAIRING INDUSTRY WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 17 (FRIDAY), AT THE CHINESE YMCA, 23 WATERLOO ROAD.
THE ONE-DAY SEMINAR, WHICH IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE SHIPBUILDING AND SH IPREPA IRI NG INDUSTRY SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, IS AIMED AT MAKING THE PARTICIPANTS MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK SAFETY.
/MR SETO ........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1984
MR SETO FAI, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF A FAI ENGINEERS AND REPAIRERS LTD, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
THE SEMINAR WILL INCLUDE TALKS ON WORK SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, BY OFFICERS FROM THE LABOUR, MARINE AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS BY SAFETY PROFESSIONALS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
A SAFETY FILM ON +TOX IC HAZARDS IN INDUSTRY* WILL ALSO BE SHOWN.
BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE INDUSTRY ARE URGED TO TAKE PART IN THE SEMINAR. THE REGISTRATION FEE IS $50 PER PERSON, WHICH INCLUDES TEA AND LUNCH.
THOSE WISHING TO JOIN THE SEMINAR SHOULD CONTACT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 3-688111, EXT 454.
-----o------
LIQUID MEDICINE GOES METRIC *****
THE GOVERNMENT’S METRICATION PROGRAMME HAS TAKEN ANOTHER STEP FORWARD THIS MONTH (AUGUST), WITH THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT PRESCRIBING LIQUID MEDICINE IN MILLILITRES.
IN ALL GOVERNMENT CLINICS AND HOSPITALS, NOW PRESCRIBED IN 5ML UNITS, AND PATIENTS ARE 5ML SPOONS.
LIQUID MEDICINE IS ISSUED WITH STANDARD
IN THE PAST, LIQUID MEDICINE WAS PRESCRIBED IN TEASPOONFULS.
THE NEW UNIT IS MORE ACCURATE AND CONVENIENT FOR THE PATIENTS.
THE PRIVATE MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL PROFESSIONS HAVE ALSO PLEDGED THEIR SUPPORT TO THE CHANGE-OVER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE METRICATION COMMITTEE SAID, +MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAVE AGREED THAT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, THEY WILL FOLLOW THE GOVERNMENT’S PRACTICE IN PRESCRIBING LIQUID MEDICINE IN 5ML UNITS AND IN ISSUING 5ML SPOONS TO THEIR PATIENTS.*
TO PUBLICISE THIS CHANGE-OVER, A BILINGUAL POSTER ENTITLED
. ... all GOVERNMENT MEDICAL
NOW ON DISPLAY
’MED IC INE GOES METRIC’ IS INSTITUTIONS.
COPIES OF THE POSTER CL IN ICS, D ISPENSARIES AND
HAVE ALSO BEEN SENT TO PRIVATE DOCTORS, NON-GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.
0 --------
/10 .......
FR I DAY, AUGUST 3, 1984
10 -
DB CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES REVISED * * * *
TwO ORDERS DECLARING THE INCREASE OF 23 ADDITIONAL DISTRICT BOARD CONSTITUENCIES AND THE CREATION OF KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl AS AN EXTRA DISTRICT WERE GAZETTED TODAY.
MAPS DELINEATING THE NEW DB ELECTORAL CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS ARE NOW ON DISPLAY AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID.
HE SAID THE DECLARATION OF DISTRICTS ORDER 1984 AND THE DECLARATION OF CONSTITUENCIES (DISTRICT BOARDS) ORDER 1984 WOULD ENABLE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SOME OF THE CHANGES FOR THE DB ELECTIONS IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
+ TRANS ITIONAL PROVISIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE THROUGH AN AMENDMENT TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS ORDINANCE IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE DECLARATION TO BE MADE WITHOUT AFFECTING THE CONTINUANCE OF THE PRESENT DISTRICTS AND DISTRICT BOARDS UP TO MARCH 31 NEXT YEAR AND ANY BY-ELECTION THAT MAY BE NECESSARY,+ HE SAID.
+THE DECLARATIONS WILL BRING THE NUMBER OF DISTRICTS FROM 18 TO 19, AND THE NUMBER OF DB CONSTITUENCIES FROM 122 TO 145 — COMPRISING 83 IN THE URBAN AREAS AND 62 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+THE CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES HAVE BEEN REVISED AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE NEED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ELECTED DB MEMBERS; GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT; POPULATION GROWTH AND MOVEMENT; SENSE OF BELONGING; MIX OF HOUSING TYPES; AND SPREAD OF COMMUNITY FAC IL ITIES.
+AS A RESULT, MINOR ADJUSTMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE TO EXISTING BOUNDARIES IN SOME DISTRICTS BECAUSE OF, FOR EXAMPLE, NEW DEVELOPMENTS.+
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES HAD RESULTED FROM A RECENTLY COMPLETED REVIEW OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM.
♦THESE CHANGES, APART FROM THE NUMBER OF DISTRICTS AND CONSTITUENCIES, INCLUDE A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ELECTED DB MEMBERS, THE SELECTION OF THE DB CHAIRMAN AMONG THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, AND THE CONTINUED PRESENCE OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT BOARD MEETINGS BUT WITHOUT VOTING RIGHTS,* HE SAID.
♦ ALL THESE AIM AT ENHANCING THE REPRESENTATIVE STATUS OF THE BOARDS AND PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIRECT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
+POTENTIAL ELECTORS ARE URGED TO REGISTER AS VOTERS. AND THIS SHOULD BE FOLLOWED UP BY GOING TO THE POLLS IN THE FIRST TERRITORY-WIDE DB ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR.*
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1934
11
DB TO DISCUSS SEWAGE TREATMENT IN KWUN TONG * * * *
KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL IN THE DISTRICT AT THEIR MEETING ON MONDAY (AUGUST 6) AFTERNOON.
ThEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS POLLUTION AND REMEDIAL MEASURES RELATED TO STORM WATER IN THE KAI TAK NULLAH AND THE KOWLOON BAY TYPHOON SHELTER.
THE BRIEFINGS WILL BE GIVEN BY MR K.S. WAT, ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER (PLANNING) OF THE LIQUID AND SOLID WASTES DIVISION OF THE ENG I NEER I NG DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, AND MR C.H. YAU, ENGINEER (POLLUTION CONTROL), OF THE DEPARTMENT.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO COMMENT ON THE RECENTLY-PUBLISHED GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
A PAPER ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARDS, AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WILL BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION.
NOTE TO EDITORS*.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 6) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH IN TUNG YAN STREET.
OFF ICES BUILD ING
- - 0 - -
ALL OF THE
JOBS FOUND FOR REDUNDANT TEACHERS * * *
382 REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS, WHO REGISTERED WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PLACEMENT SERVICE IN MAY, HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PLACED IN VARIOUS SCHOOLS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
+THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO THE MANY SCHOOL AUTHORITIES FOR THEIR COOPERATION TO BRING THIS ABOUT,+ HE SAID.
THE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1975 TO ASSIST REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN SEEKING ALTERNATIVE JOBS AS A RESULT OF THE DROPPING POPULATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE AS WELL AS A POPULATION SHIFT FROM THE URBAN AREAS TO THE NEW TOWNS.
- - 0 -
FR IDAY, AUGUST 3, 1984
- 12 -
NEW F IXED PENALTY FORMS * * *
TWO FIXED PENALTY FORMS WHICH ARE PRESCRIBED BY LAW HAVE BEEN REVISED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGES TO THE FIXED PENALTY LEGISLATION.
' THESE FORMS WILL BE USED FROM AUGUST 25 WHEN THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE COMES INTO FORCE.
THE REVISED FORMS TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGES TO THE LIST OF OFFENCES RECENTLY APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNDER A FIXtu PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL ENACTED ON JUNE 14, AND A RESOLUTION UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE MADE ON JUNE 27.
-----o------
ROAD SAFETY DAY IN KWUN TONG * * *
A ROAD SAFETY DAY WILL BE HELD IN THE HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND IN KWUN TONG ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 5) AFTERNOON.
IT WILL FEATURE A DRAMA ON SAFE DRIVING, A VARIETY SHO* AS WELL AS CYCLING AND FIRST-AID DEMONSTRATIONS.
CYCLING FANS CAN ALSO TAKE PART IN A SKILL TEST OR CYCLE THROUGH A ROAD SAFETY TOWN TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.
A VITALITY TEAM FROM A LOCAL TELEVISION STATION WILL BE PRESENT TO TEACH PARTICIPANTS ON HOW TO DEVELOP STRONG AND GRACEFUL BODIES THROUGH EXERCISES.
BEFORE THE ROAD SAFETY DAY STARTS AT 2.15 PM, A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS WILL SELECT FROM AMONG FOUR DECORATED COACHES, THE BEST DECORATIONS WHICH CAN CONVEY THE ROAD SAFETY MESSAGES.
FORTY MEMBERS FROM LOCAL SCHOOL PATROL TEAMS WILL LATER TRAVEL IN THE COACHES AROUND THE DISTRICT AND DISTRIBUTE PUBLICITY LEAFLETS TO PASSERS-BY.
THE ROAD SAFETY DAY AND THE COACH PARADE ARE PART OF A SEVENWEEK KWUN TONG DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WHICH STARTED IN MID-JUNE.
THE CAMPAIGN IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE POLICE.
OFFICIATING AT THE ROAD SAFETY DAY OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE ACTING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CLAYMON LAI; THE ACTING DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR S.C. WU; THE SENIOR STAFF OFFICER OF TRAFFIC KOWLOON, MR R.M.A. HARPER; AND A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, NR WONG LAM.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1984
- 13 -
FUN FAIR FOR YUEN LONG
XXX
YUEN LONG RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A THREE-HOUR FUN FAIR TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON DURING WHICH THEY WILL ALSO LEARN ABOUT THE WORK OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD.
THE FUN FAIR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL AS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S CURRENT VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE.
TWELVE GAMES STALLS AND AN EXHIBITION WILL BE PUT UP AT THE FAIR TO BE HELD AT THE MINI-SOCCER PITCH OUTSIDE THE TOWN HALL.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES WILSON, WILL OFFICIATE AT AN OPENING CEREMONY AT 2.30 PM.
- - - - 0 -----------
TUEN MUN SITE FOR SALE
* * X *
A TUEN MUN SITE IS TO BE SOLD FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE 7 791-SQUARE-METRE LOT NEAR WONG FUNG LEK.
SALES CONDITIONS STIPULATE THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO BUILD AT LEAST 17 000 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1988.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS AUGUST 31.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES I
X LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONGl
X DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES (KOWLOON EAST AND WEST), YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON J AND
X THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
THE TENDER PLAN CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE LOCATIONS.
- - 0 ---------
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1984
- 14 -
AIRPORT SHOP SPACES FOR RENT 1IX
FIVE SHOP SPACES ARE BEING DEPARTURE HALL OF THE PASSENGER AIRPORT.
OFFERED FOR RENT IN THE WEST TERMINAL, HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL
THESE SHOPS ARE FOR THE SALE OF TOBACCO AND CIGARETTES, RADIO AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, CONFECTIONERY, PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT AND JEWELLERY.
THE TENANCIES OF THE PREMISES ARE FOR THREE YEARS FROM LATE SEPTEMBER.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY THE TREASURY ACCOUNTANT OF THE CIVIL AVIATION FLOOR, UNITED CENTRE, 95 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG AIRPORT COMMERCIAL MANAGER AT KAI TAK.
BE OBTAINED FROM DEPARTMENT, 1OTH OR FROM THE
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS MUST BE PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 24.
TSUN FAT STREET TO BE RESUMED * * *
TSUN FAT STREET IN TO KWA WAN IS THE LATEST STREET TO BE RESUMED UNDER A GOVERNMENT PILOT SCHEME TO RESUME STREETS IN PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL AREAS WHICH ARE IN A DILAPIDATED STATE.
IT WILL REVERT TO THE CROWN AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
A RESUMPTION NOTICE APPEARED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) AND HAS BEEN POSTED AT THE SITE.
ANYONE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE SHOULD SUBMIT A CLAIM IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS.
A PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT«
# CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG,
/♦ DISTRICT LANDS .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1984
- 15 -
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR BUILDING, WTH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON I
PARK AND
* KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
THE PILOT SCHEME IS AIMED AT REPAIRING STREETS IN PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL AREAS WHICH, DUE TO LACK OF ^^R MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE, HAVE CREATED ENVIRONMENTAL, TRAFFIC AND SAFETY PROBLEMS.
A TOTAL OF SEVEN STREETS ARE INVOLVED IN THE SCHEME.
-------Q-----------
WATER CUT IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND SHAU KEI WAN * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 6) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY ELECTRIC ROAD, LAU SIN STREET, HING FAT STREET, KING MING ROAD AND WATSON ROAD, INCLUDING VICTORIA PARK.
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO VARIOUS PREMISES IN SHAU ALSO BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 PM ON MONDAY TO 6 AM THE FOR MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES ALONG SHAU WAN MAIN STREET EAST, MING UN LANE, TUNG HI NG LANE, KENG SHAN LANE, TO WAN LANE,SA I YUEN LANE, TAI WONG
KEI WAN WILL FOLLOWING DAY
KEI
YUEN HING LANE, LANE AND
BASEL ROAD.
------o-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER U.S. ACTION CW TEXTILES ..... 1
AREA GROUPS TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER ........................... 3
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS RISE .................................... 4
WOMEN REMINDED ABOUT I.D. CARDS .............................. 5
NO LET-UP IN ANTI-DRUG DRIVE ................................. 5
CURTAIN FALLS ON YOUTH MUSIC CAMP ............................ 6
LABOUR LAW OFFENDERS FINED ................................... 7
FIJI CUSTOMS OFFICERS COMPLETE TRAINING IN HK ................ 7
FUN FAIR TO ENCOURAGE VOTING ................................. 8
AUXILIARY LITTER WARDENS HELP KEEP BEACHES CLEAN ............. 9
FUN DAY FOR KOWLOON CITY ..................................... 10
POK FU LAM, TAI PO WATER MAINS WORK .......................... 10
ROAD CLOSURE .................................-............... 11
LEFT TURN ONLY ............................................... 11
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1984
1
HONG KONG EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER U.S. ACTION ON TEXTILES
* * X *
HONG KONG HAS EXPRESSED ITS DEEP CONCERN TO THE UNITED STATES ON THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS PUBLISHED YESTERDAY REGARDING THc. COUNTRY OF origin OF TEXTILE IMPORTS.
COMMENTING ON THE REGULATIONS, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID THAT IF THEY WERE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT AMENDMENT HONG KONG’S TEXTILES EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
HE SAID THAT THE ORIGIN RULES WERE DISCRIMINATORY IN THAT THEY ONLY APPLIED TO TRADE IN TEXTILES UNDER BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WITH THE UNITED STATES. SIMILAR TRADE FROM UNRESTRAINED SOURCES WOULD BE UNAFFECTED.
UNDER THE REGULATIONS ALL IMPORTS OF TEXTILES AND TEXTILE PRODUCTS INTO THE UNITED STATES COVERED BY BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WHICH WERE NOT WHOLLY MANUFACTURED IN THE EXPORTING COUNTRY MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A DECLARATION WHICH MAY BE PREPARED BY THE MANUFACTURER, PRODUCER, EXPORTER OR IMPORTER OF THE PRODUCTS CONCERNED.
FURTHERMORE, THE REGULATIONS MAKE NEW PROVISIONS AS REGARDS ORIGIN 0- TEXTILE PRODUCTS. THE IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG ARE THAT SOME OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES IN THE TERRITORY WOULD NO LONGER CONFER HONG KONG ORIGIN. THIS IS PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO THE KNITWEAR AND FABRIC INDUSTRIES.
MR SZE SAID THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ASSESS THE FULL IMPLICATIONS OF THE REGULATIONS BEFORE THEY HAD BEEN DISCUSSED WITH THE UNITED STATES. BUT A PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION INDICATED THAT THERE COULD BE SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR HONG KONG EXPORTERS.
ELABORATING ON THE IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG, MR SZE SAID: ♦ IT SEEMS THAT, WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 7, 1984, HONG KONG EXPORTERS CAN NO LONGER BE SURE THAT THEIR GOODS WILL BE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN LICENSED PROPERLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE US-HONG KONG BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT.+
HE ADDED THAT ANY UNILATERAL IMPOSITION OF THE REGULATIONS WAS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT OR THE US-HONG KONG BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT.
♦WE WILL NOW SEEK EARLY CONSULTATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES WITH A VIEW TO RESOLVING THE PROBLEMS POSED BY THE REGULATIONS,+ HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS BRIEFING LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, MR SZE, SAID HE WELCOMED THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE BACKGROUND TO THE NEW REGULATIONS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER IN WASHINGTON.
/HE SAID .......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1984
2 -
HE SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ASSESS THE FULL IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW MEASURES WITHOUT HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THEM WITH THE UNITED STATES. NEVERTHELESS, THEY WERE OF DEEP CONCERN TO HONG KONG AS PUBLISHED, AND HE HOPED THE BRIEFING WOULD ENABLE THE MEDIA TO UNDERSTAND SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS MORE FULLY.
MR ROBERT FOOTMAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE, EXPLAINED THAT TWO OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE NEW REGULATIONS WERE OF DEEP CONCERN TO HONG KONG.
HE SAID FIRSTLY, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS WERE REQUIRED FOR TEXTILE PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO THE BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES. THE DOCUMENTATION, IN CERTAIN INSTANCES, WOULD BE DIFFICULT AND SUBSTANTIAL.
MR FOOTMAN SAID THE NEW PROVISIONS AS REGARDS ORIGIN RULES WERE NOT ENTIRELY CLEAR. BUT THE REGULATIONS WERE SPECIFIC IN EXCLUDING CERTAIN PROCESSES WHICH IN THEMSELVES WOULD NOT CONFER ORIGIN STATUS.
SPECIFICALLY NO ARTICLE WOULD BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSFORMED MERELY BY ANY OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR PROCESSES:
(I) SIMPLE COMBINING OR PACKAGING OPERATIONS;
(II) JOINING TOGETHER BY SEWING, LOOPING, LINKING OR OTHER MEANS OF ATTACHING OTHERWISE COMPLETED COMPONENT PARTS;
(III) CUTTING OR OTHERWISE SEPARATING OF ARTICLES FROM MATERIALS WHICH HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN MARKED WITH CUTTING LINES, ETC ; AND
(IV) DYEING, PRINTING, SHOWERPROOFING, SUPERWASHING OR OTHER FINISHING OPERATIONS.
MR FOOTMAN SAID THAT THE REGULATIONS IMPLIED THAT THE CARRYING OUT OF THESE FOUR PROCESSES WOULD NOT IN THEMSELVES BE ORIGIN-CONFERRING.
MR SZE, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE,EMPHAS ISED HONG KONG’S FEAR THAT THERE WOULD BE SEVERE DISRUPTION TO EXISTING LEGITIMATE TRADE AS THE REGULATIONS WOULD COME INTO FORCE ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1984.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION, MR SZE SAID: +THE PROBLEM IS THAT FOR ORIGIN PURPOSES WE CAN ONLY MAKE ASSUMPTIONS AS TO WHAT IS EXCLUDED BUT WE SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS INCLUDED.*
HE SAID THAT THE PROPOSED NEW ORIGIN RULES + SEEM TO POSE A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE KNITWEAR, DYEING AND FINISHING INDUSTRY. IN 1983 TERMS, $2 200 MILLION WORTH OF TRADE COULD BE AFFECTED.*
MR SZE SAID THAT THE PRESENT ORIGIN RULES WERE BASED ON INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED PRACTICE AND WERE LONG-STANDING. THE NEW RULES, HE SAID, APPEARED TO CONFLICT WITH THE EXISTING ONES.
/THE TRADE .......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1984
- 3 -
THE TRADE EFFECT FOR HONG KONG OF THESE NEW RULES COULD BE SUBSTANTIAL. IN 1983, HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) PRODUCTS COVERED BY BILATERAL AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES WERE VALUED AT $14 146 MILLION, AND ONE-SEVENTH OF THIS COULD BE AFFECTED.
MR SZE EXPRESSED THE HOPE TO HOLD CONSULTATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES VERY SHORTLY AND IT WAS EXPECTED THAT DISCUSSIONS WOULD TAKE PLACE LATER THIS MONTH.
HE SAID THAT WHEN THE TRADE DEPARTMENT LEARNED ABOUT THE PROPOSED NEW REGULATIONS SOME TIME IN JULY, THE OPPORTUNITY WAS TAKEN ON JULY 12, WHEN HONG KONG HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE AMERICA|I NEGOTIATORS, TO EXPRESS HONG KONG’S DEEP CONCERN.
MR SZE ADDED: +WE HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY FOLLOWED UP WITH TALKS WITH OFFICIALS AT THE UNITED STATES CONSULATE GENERAL.
+WE HAVE ALSO HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KNITWEAR INDUSTRY, THE DYEING AND FINISHING INDUSTRY AND THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD (TEXTAB) WHICH HELD AN EMERGENCY MEETING THIS MORNING.
+WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR EVENTS IN WASHINGTON, NEW YORK AND GENEVA AND WILL SEEK EARLY CONSULTATIONS,+ HE SAID.
----o------
AREA GROUPS TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER
* * *
FOUR AREA COMMITTEES IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT WILL HOLD SPECIAL MEETINGS IN THE COMING FORTNIGHT TO DISCUSS THE GREEN PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
THEY
(A)
(B)
(O
ARE:
QUARRY BAY AREA COMMITTEE AT 8 PM ON AUGUST 6 IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE
ON THE FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD I
NORTH POINT WEST AREA COMMITTEE AT 6.30 PM, ON AUGUST 6
IN THE CAUSEWAY BAY SUB-OFFICE AT 9-11 WING HING STREET;
SAI WAN HO AREA COMMITTEE AT 8 PM ON AUGUST 13 IN YMCA WONG CHUEN KIN CENTRE ON THE FIRST FLOOR
44 SAI WAN HO STREET। AND
(D) A KUNG NGAM AREA COMMITTEE AT 8 PM ON AUGUST 15 IN THE SHAU KEI WAN SUB-OFFICE AT 243 SHAU KEI WAN ROAD.
-----o------
/4
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1934
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS RISE K K K X
THFPE «ERE MORE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF
- ; -E« tSn liJ THE FIRST QUARTER, IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY.
uRiNG THE PERIOD, 1 384 COMPLAINTS WERE MADE TO THE TRANSPORT
•qrov rHMMlTTPF’S TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT - AN INCREASE OF
330 CASES OVER THE 1 084 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT, QUARTERLY REPORT RELEASED TODAY, STILL THE MAIN SUBJECT OF
THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE M3 STEPHEN PANG, SAID IN THE LATEST THAT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WERE COMPLAINTS.
A TOTAL OF 618 COMPLAINTS WERE OF THESE CASES WERE DIRECTED TOWARDS FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES, HE SAID.
OF THIS NATURE. ABOUT TWO-THIRDS THE SERVICES OF THE TWO MAJOR
Mf? °ANG SAID COMPLAINTS CONCERNING CMB HAD MARGINALLY DECREASED FROM -REVIOUS QUARTER’S 116 TO 111. CASES AGAINST ITS STAFF STILL (HADE UP THE LARGEST PROPORTION OF THE COMPLAINTS. THERE WERE 32 SUCH CASES, REPRESENTING 29 PER CENT OF THE COMPLAINTS LEVELLED AGAINST CMB.
+COMPLAINTS CONCERNING KMB SHOWED A NEARLY 60 PER CENT INCREASE FROM 191 IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER TO 305,+ MR PANG SAID.
♦THE UPWARD TREND WAS MAINLY DUE TO MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT INADEQUATE KMB SERVICES IN THE NEW TOWNS. BUT IMPROVEMENTS ARE EXPECTED AS THE 1984-86 ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR KMB ARE NOW BEING FINALISED.*
+COMPLAINTS ABOUT KMB STAFF, HOWEVER, REMAINED LOW (25 CASES) AS IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTERS (23 CASES),+ HE SAID.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON TRAFFIC ENGINEERING MATTERS WAS ALSO ON THE INCREASE. OF THE 360 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN THE QUARTER, 54 PER CENT WERE ABOUT ROAD CONGESTION, 24 PER CENT ABOUT PARKING FACILITIES AND 20 PER CENT ABOUT TRAFFIC AIDS OR PEDESTRIAN FACIL IT IES.
MR PANG SAID COMPLAINTS ABOUT ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS ROSE FROM 157 IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER TO 205. MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ABOUT ILLEGAL PARKING AND OBSTRUCTION CAUSED BY PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES OR TAXIS.
+A NOTABLE CHANGE IS THAT THERE WERE FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT ABANDONED VEHICLES. ONLY THREE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED,* HE SAID.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT TAXI DRIVERS’ MALPRACTICE^ DROPPED FROM 30 IN THE LAST QUARTER TO 25. NO COMPLAINT ABOUT INADEQUATE TAXI SERVICE HAD BEEN RECORDED. SINCE APRIL 1982, TCU HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS IN THIS CATEGORY.
- - 0 -
/5
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1934
5
WOMEN REMINDED ABOUT I.D. CARDS
* * * *
WOMEN BORN IN 1959 AND I960 WERE TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED TO APPLY FOR NEW I.D. CARDS BEFORE THE 13TH PHASE CLOSES ON AUGUST 18.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT SINCE THE START OF THIS PHASE ON JULY 16, 67 OOO APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED, LEAVING 52 000 MORE TO COME IN THE REMAINING TWO WEEKS.
APPLICANTS WERE REMINDED TO BRING ALONG THEIR OLD I.D. CARDS WHEN THEY VISIT ANY OF THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES WHICH ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY.
+THE ISSUE OFFICES USUALLY GET BUSIER AFTER OFFICE HOURS. THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE TO WORK IN DAY TIME ARE ADVISED TO COME BEFORE 5 PM, SO THAT THEIR APPLICATIONS CAN BE PROMPTLY PROCESSED,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PROCESSING NORMALLY TAKES 30 MINUTES.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
+ONCE DETECTED, THEY ARE REPATRIATED IMMEDIATELY,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
0
NO LET-UP IN ANTI-DRUG DRIVE
* * *
THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) WILL BE KEEPING UP ITS PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY EFFORTS, THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN A DROP IN THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED IN DRUGS.
TOWARDS THIS END, ACAN WILL BE JOINING RTHK TO PRODUCE A 13-EPISODE DRUG EDUCATION RADIO PROGRAMME AIMED AT YOUNG PEOPLE.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
EACH 30-MINUTE EPISODE WILL DRAMATICALLY DESCRIBE THE ILL EFFECTS OF DRUGS, AND WILL HAVE THE SAME NAME OF THE 1984-85 ANTI-NARCOTICS THEME SONG : +P ICKING A STAR*.
/the series .......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1984
6
THE SERIES WILL BE BROADCAST ON RTHK (RADIO 2) FROM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FOR 13 CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS, BtTWEEN 3 PM AND 5 PM, DURING THE YOUNGER GENERATION PROGRAMME.
+ IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE PROGRAMME, THE DANGERS AND ®AVE CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG ABUSE W>. BE CONVEYED TO YOUNG PEOPLE, WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO DRUG ABUSE, <■ THE SPOKESMAN
SA ID.
+THE PROGRAMME WILL PROVIDE THE AUDIENCE WITH A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE LOCAL DRUG PROBLEM AND THE MEASURES TAKEN TO DEAL WITH IT,+ HE SAID.
-----o-----
CURTAIN FALLS ON YOUTH MUSIC CAMP
* * * *
A GRAND CONCERT WAS HELD AT THE CITY HALL THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING MARKING THE CLOSE OF THE 1984 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP HELD AT THE PO LEUNG KUK PAK TAM CHUNG HOLIDAY CAMP IN SAI KUNG FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY; THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR GUS CHUI; AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS, DR BASIL DEANE, ATTENDED THE CONCERT PERFORMED BEFORE A FULL-HOUSE BY ABOUT 350 LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MUSICIANS, INCLUDING SOME FROM MALAYSIA, THE PHILIPPINES AND MACAU.
DR DEANE SAID HE REGARDED THE MUSIC CAMP AS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TRAINING EVENT IN HONG KONG’S MUS IC I AL CALENDAR.
HE SAID THE RESULTS OF THE CAMP WERE IMPRESSIVE AND WOULD HAVE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS NOT ONLY FOR Ti.L PARTICIPATING YOUNG MUSICIANS BUT ALSO FOR THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
COMMENTING ON THE FINALE CONCERT, THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR CLIVE OXLEY, SAID THAT IT CROWNED TWO WEEKS OF HARD WORK BY INSTRUCTORS AND CAMPERS.
THE CONCERT ALSO PROVIDED BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND DAY CAMPERS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM IN PUBLIC.
THE AUDIENCE COULD SEE HOW THE PARTICIPANTS HAD BENEFITED FROM THE INTENSIVE MUSIC TRAINING, ESPECIALLY FROM THE PROFESSIONALISM OF THE INSTRUCTORS FROM OVERSEAS, MR OXLEY SAID.
THE TWO-HOUR CONCERT INCLUDED FIVE CHINESE PIECES AS WELL AS PERFORMANCES OF BEETHOVEN’S STH SYMPHONY AND BRUCKNER’S +TE DEUM+.
-----0------
/7........
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1934
7
LABOl' LAW OFFENDERS FINED * * * *
A TOTAL OF 686 CONVICTIONS - WITH FINES AMOUNTING TO $666 □□□ - RESULTED FROM 698 PROSECUTIONS TAKEN OUT BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR BREACHES OF LABOUR LAWS IN JUNE.
MOST OF THE CASES RELATED TO BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS VARIOUS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS.
THERE WERE 245 CASES CONCERNING VIOLATIONS OF SAFETY REGULATIONS, WITH $357 950 IN FINES, INCLUDING 117 CASES (WITH $175 350 IN FINES) FOR BREACH OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS, AND 40 CASES (WITH $100 850 IN FINES) FOR BREACH OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.
ANOTHER 369 CASES RELATED TO BREACHES OF THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS, RESULTING IN $245 550 IN FINES.
OF THE OTHER PROSECUTIONS, THREE CASES CONCERNED FAILURE TO KEEP RECORD OF EMPLOYEES, LEADING TO $1 500 IN FINES.
- - 0 - -
FIJI CUSTOMS OFFICERS COMPLETE TRAINING IN HK * * *
MR ASHRAF A. SUBEDAR AND MR PASIKALI BALE FROM THE FIJI ISLANDS CUSTOMS SERVICE WILL SOON BE RETURNING HOME WITH NEW IDEAS FOR THEIR JOB AFTER ATTENDING A SIX-WEEK TRAINING COURSE IN HONG KONG.
THE TWO SENIOR CUSTOMS OFFICERS CAME TO HONG KONG IN JUNE UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE COMMONWEALTH FUND FOR TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION (CFTC) WHICH IS AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL MULTI-LATERAL DEVELOPMENT FUND ADMINISTERED BY THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT.
+WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT DURING THE TWO-WEEK ATTACHMENT IN VARIOUS DIVISIONS AND IN THE FOUR-WEEK INTENSIVE TRAININGS ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR US BY THE CUSTOMS INVESTIGATION BUREAU’S TRAINING UNIT. WE ARE VERY IMPRESSED BY THE EFFICIENCY AND SOPHISTICATION OF OUR HONG KONG COUNTERPARTS,+ MR SUBEDAR REMARKED.
HE SAID THAT THE FIJI ISLANDS CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION IS PLANNING TO SET UP A SPECIAL SQUAD RESPONSIBLE MAINLY FOR SUPPRESSING DRUG TRAFFICKING - A PROBLEM CALLING FOR MORE ATTENTION IN THE COUNTRY.
/+WE SHALL
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1984
8
+ WE shall bring home many useful techniques on intelligence COLLECTION, SURVEILLANCE AND INVESTIGATION,* HE SAID.
CFTC, ESTABLISHED IN 1971, IS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COMMONWEALTH DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO ASSIST THEM IN MEETING THEIR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES. ALL COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENTS SUPPORT THE FUND BY MAKING ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.
IT IS THE SECOND TIME THAT OFFICERS FROM FIJI ISLANDS HAVE BEEN SPONSORED BY THE CFTC’S FELLOWSHIP AND TRAINING PROGRAMME TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE.
IN ADDITION, HONG KONG HAS ALSO OFFERED TRAINING ON CORRUPTION PREVENTION, SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES AND FISHERIES TO OVERSEAS GOVERNMENT OFFICERS FROM COMMONWEALTH COUNTIRES, SUCH AS SINGAPORE AND JAMAICA.
HONG KONG ALSO BENEFITS FROM CFTC’S SCHEME. EVERY YEAR, FOUR TO FIVE GOVERNMENT OFFICERS WORKING IN THE MARINE, LABOUR AND EDUCATION FIELDS ARE SPONSORED BY THE FUND TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN SOUTH-EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES.
-----0-----
FUN FAIR TO ENCOURAGE VOTING
* * *
SIXTY PIGEONS WERE SET FREE AND A HOT-AIR BALLOON WAS FLOWN AT A FUN FAIR IN YUEN LONG THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON TO PUBLICISE THE DISTRICT’S VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN.
THE PIGEONS WERE SPECIALLY USED IN THE CAMPAIGN TO SYMBOLISE HOPE AND PEACE.
AT THE FUN FAIR, ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 3 000 CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS, THERE WERE 12 GAMES STALLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO EDUCATE PARTICIPANTS ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
THE FAIR ALSO FEATURED A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION ON THE WORK OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
THE EVENT, HELD AT A MINI-SOCCER PITCH OUTSIDE THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL, WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE TOWN HALL.
SPEAKING AT AN OPENING CEREMONY, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES WILSON, SAID THE FINE WORK BY THE DISTRICT BOARD FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS HAD SET A GOOD FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
+BOARD MEMBERS WILL NOT BE COMPLACENT, BUT RATHER THEY WILL CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE RESIDENTS,* HE SAID.
/COMMENTING ON .......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1984
9
COMMENTING ON THE RECENTLY-PUBLISHED GREEN PAPER, MR WILSON SAID THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AT THE CENTRAL LEVEL WOULD BE OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND MAKE .THE GOVERNMENT MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
♦REGISTERING AS A VOTER AND PARTICIPATING IN THE
DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IS A DIRECT WAY TO TAKE PART IN THE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT,+ HE SAID.
♦THIS WILL ALSO MEAN GIVING A MORE DIRECT SUPPORT TO THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND CASTING A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG,+ HE ADDED.
-----0-----
AUXILIARY LITTER WARDENS HELP KEEP BEACHES CLEAN
XXX
TEAMS OF AUXILIARY LITTER WARDENS ARE PATROLLING SEVEN POPULAR PUBLIC BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO HELP KEEP THEM CLEAN.
THEY WILL HELP PICK UP REFUSE AT THESE BEACHES ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS THROUGHOUT THIS MONTH.
THE AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME IS AN ANNUAL PROGRAMME STARTED SIX YEARS AGO.
TAKING PART IN THIS YEAR’S SCHEME ARE ABOUT 500 STUDENTS FROM HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND EIGHT OTHER TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
THE SEVEN BEACHES ARE LIDO AND CASAM BEACH IN TSUEN WAN, OLD CAFETERIA BEACH, NEW CAFETERIA BEACH AND KADOORIE BEACH IN TUEN MUN, CLEAR WATER BAY SECOND BEACH AND SILVERSTRAND BEACH IN SAI KUNG, AND TUNG WAN BEACH ON CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND.
THE VOLUNTARY WORKERS WILL ADVISE BEACHGOERS ON HOW TO DISPOSE REFUSE PROPERLY.
THEY WILL ALSO ASSIST STAFF OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN ENFORCING ANTI-LITTER LAWS ON THE BEACHES.
AN NTSD SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT LITTERING IS AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF UP TO $5 003 AND IMPRISONMENT OF UP TO SIX MONTHS.
/10.........
SATURDAY, AUGUST A, 193A
10 -
FUN DAY FOR KOWLOON CITY
* * * *
RESIDENTS OF KOWLOON CITY WILL BE TREATED TO VARIOUS -ECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD AT DIFFERENT VENUES TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
STARTING AT 10 AM, A KITE-FLYING COMPETITION AMONG 45 YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES NINE AND 20 WILL BE HELD AT PO LO CHE IN SAI KUNG. x
THE CRITERIA WILL INCLUDE DESIGNS OF THE KITES, FLYING TECHNIQUES AS WELL AS THE DURATION OF FLYING.
A GIANT KITE-FLYING DEMONSTRATION WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE COMPETITION.
STARTING AT 3 PM IN THE AFTERNOON, 24 CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES SIX AND 12 WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE UP HORSE-RIDING LESSONS IN THE POK FU LAM PUBLIC RIDING SCHOOL.
OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE A TABLE TENNIS SESSION FOR THE BLIND, AN INTER-AREA TELEMATCH, A SOFT-BALL DEMONSTRATION AND A VOLLEY-BALL MATCH.
THESE ACTIVITIES ARE PART OF A TWO-WEEK KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS FESTIVAL WHICH STARTED ON JULY 29.
THE FESTIVAL, COSTING $120 000, IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
------o-------
POK FU LAM, TAI PO WATER MAINS WORK * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN POK FU LAM AND TAI PO WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR NINE HOURS - FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 7) FOR MAINS WORK.
IN POK FU LAM THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT AREAS BOUNDED BY CONSORT RISE, BISNEY ROAD, CROWN TERRACE, MOUNT DAVIS ROAD AND A SECTION OF VICTORIA ROAD'BETWEEN SECTION 3 KUNG MAN TSUEN AND HOUSE NO. 200 OF VICTORIA ROAD, INCLUDING KUNG MAN TSUEN, HOI PONG TSUEN AND WAH KWONG COTTAGE.
IN TAI PO THE AFFECTED AREAS ARE ALL PREMISES ALONG TAI PO ROAD FROM KAU LUNG HANG TO TAI PO KAU, INCLUDING TAI PO MARKET, KAM SHAN TSUEN, PUN CHUNG, PUN CHUNG SAN TSUEN, MA WO, PAr. KIU TSUEN, TO YUEN TUNG, YIU TSZ KIN, LAI CHI SHAN, TAI PO RAILWAY STATION, KWONG FUK ESTATE AND WANG FUK COURT.
/ALSO AFFECTED .......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1984
11
ALSO AFFECTED ARE ISLAND HOUSE, WONG Yl AU, MEI WOON SAN TSUEN, YIN TSZ LANE, TAI PO KAU, TAI PO KAU SAN WAI, LOOKOUT LANE, ST. CHRISTOPHER’S HOME, RURAL ESTATE AND STRAFFORD HOUSE.
AT THE SAME TIME, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO THE ABOVE AREAS IN TAI PC a ILL ALSO BE TURNED OFF FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
MEANWHILE WATER PRESSURE TO ALL PREMISES ALONG LAM KAM ROAD FROM SAM TAO HANG TO PAK NGAU SHEK, INCLUDING KAU LUNG HANG, NAM .Ah PO, TAI WO, TAI HANG AND HONG LOK YUEN MAY BE AFFECTED.
-----0------
ROAD CLOSURE * * *
THE SECTION OF WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS BETWEEN CHATHAM ROAD AND GILLIES AVENUE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM FROM MONDAY (AUGUST 6) TO AUGUST 12 TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK.
DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE, MOTORISTS FROM TSIM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WISHING TO PROCEED TO HUNG HOM AREa ARE ADVISED TO USE EITHER CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHEONG WAN ROAD, ON >vAN 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.
LEFT TURN ONLY X * *
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 6), NORTHBOUND VEHICLES ON CAROLINE HILL ROAD OPPOSITE TO PENNINGTON STREET WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED TO TURN LEFT INTO LEIGHTON ROAD WESTBOUND.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
EXPORT PRICES RISE ............................................. q
MORE APARTMENT SALE AGREEMENTS REGISTERED ...................... 4
DB MEMBERS BACK TOUGH STANCE ON HAWKER ACCIDENTS ............... 6
EXTRA ENQUIRY HOURS FOR FORM FIVE LEAVERS ...................... 9
APPROVED GAS TUBING ON DISPLAY ................................. 9
WORK LAWS UPDATED IN CHINESE................................... 10
PROMOTING CIVIC SPIRIT ......................................... H
KWUN TONG TO HAVE INDOOR GAMES HALL............................ 11
LANTERN DESIGN COMPETITION .................................... 12
FOOTBRIDGE FOR WAN CHAI........................................ ^2
DUCT NETWORK FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM ....................... 1J
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR KIOSK ...................................... 13
SHA TIN MARKET STALLS FOR LEASE ............................... 14
TAPS BRIEFLY OFF ............................................. -|4
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1984
1
EXPORT PRICES RISE ft ft ft ft
MAY 1984 PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE, ON AVERAGE, BY 16 PER CENT AND 15 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, PRICES WERE UP BY 15 PER CENT AS-COMPARED WITH MAY 1983, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. - •
THE PRICES OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 16 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, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 27 PER CENT AND 36 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, SO THAT THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 30 PER CENT.
MEANWHILE, THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT.
COMPARING FIGURES FOR THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1984 WITH THOSE FOR THE SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR, DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 27 PER CENT AND 34 PER CENT.RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME TERMS. THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT. AFTER ALLOWING FOR THE EFFECT CF AN INCREASE OF 17 PER CENT IN PRICES, IMPORTS GREW BY 20 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
A COMPARISON OF FIGURES FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDING MAY THIS YEAR WITH THOSE FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDING MAY 1983, SHOWED THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH ROSE, ON AVERAGE, BY 14 PER CENT, AND THOSE OF IMPORTS BY 16 PER CENT. THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 22 PER CENT AND 27 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THUS GIVING A 24 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. MEANWHILE, THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 16 PER CENT.
♦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 SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
. AS SEEN FROM TABLE 1, THE EXPORT PRICES OF ALL COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED, FROM FOUR PER CENT FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS TO 28 PER CENT f6r TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES.
/THE DOMESTIC
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1984
2
THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF ALL COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+86%), FOOTWEAR (+42%), DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (•*38%), TEXTILE FABRICS (+25%), RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+22%), CLOTHING (+20%) AND TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+16%).
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 10 PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS TO 21 PER CENT FOR RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES.
MANY OF THE MAJOR IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS DECLINED IN VOLUME TERMS, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING WHEAT AND FLOUR, SOYA EEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD, CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR, LIVE POULTRY AND ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES. HOWEVER, SLIGHT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS AND SWINE.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ALL CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING TOBACCO MANUFACTURES, PASSENGER MOTOR CARS, MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS, RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS, CLOTHING AND WATCHES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST OF THE RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES ROSE, AMONG WHICH MAN-MADE FIBRES, THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS, YARN OF MAN-MADE FIBRES, SILK FABRICS, LEATHER AND DRESSED FUR SKINS, CHEMICAL ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS, WOVEN COTTON FABRICS, SPECIAL TEXTILE FABRICS FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE, FABRICS OF MAN-MADE FIBRES AS WELL AS WATCH AND CLOCK MOVEMENTS, CASES AND PARTS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY. HOWEVER, THE IMPORT VOLUME CF WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK AS WELL AS YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY.
IMPORTS OF FUELS ROSE BY 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF NEARLY ALL COMMODITIES INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, THE MORE REMARKABLE ONES BEING OFFICE MACHINES AND INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY. HOWEVER, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY.
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; RANGING FROM SIX PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS TO 65 PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS.
. FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE MAY 1984 ISSUE OF THE +HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS*, WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$2 PER COPY LATER THIS MONTH.
/TABLE 1: .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1984
5
TABLE it COMPARISON OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BETWEEN MAY 1984 AND BY COMMODITY MAY 1983 GROUP
COMMODITY GROUP EXPORT VALUE EXPORT UNIT VALUE EXPORT VOLUME
CLOTHING +49% +24% +20%
TEXTILE FABRICS +52% +22% ♦25%
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD +33% +15% + 16%
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES +25% ♦ 19% + 5%
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS +39% +13% +22%
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS +93% + 4% +86%
FOOTWEAR +58% +11% +42%
PETAL MANUFACTURES +36% +20% + 13%
METAL ORES AND SCRAP + 9% + 7% + 2%
WATCHES AND CLOCKS +23% + 7% +15%
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES +32% +28% + 3%
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES +51% + 9% ♦38%
ALL COMMODITIES +46% +16% +27%
TABLE 2s COMPARISON OF BETWEEN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY MAY 1984 AND MAY 1983
END-USE CATEGORY IMPORT VALUE IMPORT UNIT VALUE IMPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS + 12% +16% - 4%
CONSUMER GOODS +35% +13% +20%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES +45% +21% +20%
FUELS +26% +15% + 10%
CAPITAL GOODS +29% +10% + 17%
ALL COMMODITIES +35% ♦ 16% +16%
/TABLE J:
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 19^4
COMPARISON OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY BETWEEN MAY 1984 AND MAY 1983
TABLE 3s
END-USE CATEGORY RE-EXPORT VALUE RE-EXPORT UNIT VALUE RE-EXPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS +24% +18% + 6%
CONSUMER GOODS +40% +12% +24%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES +71% +19% +44%
FUELS +30% +18% +10%
CAPITAL GOODS +85% +12% +65%
ALL COMMODITIES +56% +15% +36%
-----o------
MORE APARTMENT SALE AGREEMENTS REGISTERED * * * *
THE NUMBER OF SALE AGREEMENTS ON FLATS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1983, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE LAND OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.
A TOTAL OF 15 548 SUCH AGREEMENTS WERE REGISTERED, UP 40 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR-EARLIER FIGURE.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, 27 003 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS WERE REGISTERED, COMPARED WITH 22 371 IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1983.
A TOTAL OF 4 419 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS WERE COMPLETED BY THE LAND OFFICE ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME. THE YEAR-EARLIER FIGURE WAS 4 910.
TWENTY-NINE BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 22 083 OTHER MORTGAGES WERE REGISTERED, COMPARED WITH 29 AND 18 437 RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1983.
• THERE WERE 213 ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS, 13.8 PER CENT LESS THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
SEARCHES IN THE LAND OFFICE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE 348 148, UP BY 8.8 PER CENT.
/THE TOTAL
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1984
5
THE TOTAL VALUE OF CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS DECLINED BY 72 PER CENT FROM $3,205 BILLION TO $0,893 BILLION, WHILE THAT FOR THE ASSIGNMENT OF FLATS DROPPED BY 1.4 PER CENT FROM $11,910 BILLION TO $11,741 BILLION.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER BUILDING MORTGAGES REGISTERED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1984 FELL BY ABOUT 62 PER CENT, FROM $481 MILLION TO $181 MILLION.
THE AMOUNT UNDER MORTGAGES OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES DECREASED BY 70.5 PER CENT, FROM $28,224 BILLION TO $8,336 BILLION.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY REASSIGNMENTS AND CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION, WERE UP BY 14.8 PER CENT, FROM $5,716 BILLION TO $6,562 BILLION.
BUT THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, CAUTIONED THAT THE VARIOUS FIGURES CITED DID NOT INCLUDE TRANSACTIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THUS DID NOT COVER THE TOTAL PROPERTY MARKET.
OF THE EIGHT NT DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES, ONLY THREE HAVE BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT. IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE OVER THE REST BY STAGES.
SIGNIFICANT GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSACTIONS COMPLETED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1984 INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:
* THE GRANT OF THE 16-HECTARE SITE AT KORNHILL TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION THROUGH LAND EXCHANGE WITH A PREMIUM OF $292 015 000 FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
* THE SALE OF THE ADMIRALTY II SITE AT QUEENSWAY TO FIRST PROFIT INVESTMENT LTD AT A PREMIUM OF $380 000 000 FOR COMMERCIAL-HOTEL PURPOSES.
* THE GRANT BY PRIVATE TREATY OF A SITE AT QUEENSWAY TO THE BANK OF CHINA AT A PREMIUM OF $1 000 MILLION.
IN ALL, 124 LAND GRANTS AND MODIFICATIONS OF LEASE CONDITIONS WERE COMPLETED, UP FROM 117 IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1983, WHILE THE TOTAL PREMIUM INVOLVED ROSE BY 240 PER CENT FROM $593 MILLION TO $2 015 MILLION.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, SURRENDERS AND RESUMPTIONS OF LAND DROPPED BY 41.4 PER CENT FROM 186 TO 109, WITH THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION DECREASING BY 68.9 PER CENT FROM $213 MILLION TO $66 MILLION.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROPERTY OWNERS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG ROSE BY 49 365, FROM 653 422 IN DECEMBER 1982 TO 702 787 IN DECEMBER 1983, AND AGAIN BY 25 155 TO 727 942 IN JUNE 1984.
- 0 - -
/6 ........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1934
6
DB MEMBERS BACK TOUGH STANCE ON HAWKER ACCIDENTS X X X *
URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS CONSULTED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL’S WORKING PARTY TO REVIEW HAWKER AND RELATED POLICIES ARE ALL CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISING NUMBER OF HAWKER ACCIDENTS, IN PARTICULAR THE DEATH OF AN 30-YEAR-0LD WOMAN KNOCKED DOWN IN SHAM SHU I PO AND THE DANGER CAUSED BY COOKED-FOOD HAWKERS USING BOILING COOKING fat.
AND WHLE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS HAVE A LARGE RANGE OF VIEWS ON THE HAWKER PROBLEM, AND HOW TO AMELIORATE IT, THEY ARE IN WIDE BUT NOT OF COURSE UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT THAT THE COUNCIL IS RIGHT TO CONTINUE TO ORDER STEPPED-UP ACTION AGAINST HAWKERS.
VIEWS EXPRESSED BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT RECENT MEETINGS WITH THE COUNCIL’S WORKING PARTY WERE DISCUSSED AT THE LAST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL’S DISTRICT RELATIONS SELECT COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY MISS CECILIA YEUNG.
SOME OF THESE VIEWS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:
X THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN +TOO LENIENT* WITH HAWKERS. STRINGENT CONTROLS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO +DRIVE THEM BACK TO THE FACTORIES.* IN THIS RESPECT, HONG KONG SHOULD FOLLOW THE TOUGH EXAMPLE OF SINGAPORE.
X HAWKING NOT ONLY DISCOURAGED YOUNG PEOPLE FROM TAKING UP WORK IN FACTORIES, BUT ALSO ENCOURAGE THEM NOT TO PURSUE A PROPER EDUCATION BECAUSE IN THE SHORT TERM HAWKERS COULD MAKE AN EASY LIVING.
X IT WAS GENERALLY ACCEPTED THAT HAWKERS CREATED NUISANCES AND OBSTRUCTIONS AND AFFECTED LEGITIMATE TRADERS* THEREFORE THEY SHOULD BE +DRIVEN OFF THE STREETS.*
X DRASTIC ACTION HAD TO BE TAKEN URGENTLY AGAINST COOKED-FOOD HAWKERS NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE DANGER TO PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE MENACE TO PUBLIC HEALTH.
X HAWKERS PROVIDE UNFAIR COMPETITION AGAINST TAX-PAYING AND RATE-PAYING SHOPKEEPERS. IN NO WAY SHOULD THE AUTHORITIES CONSIDER GIVING ILLEGAL HAWKERS ANY LEGITIMATE STANDING BECAUSE OF THE LENGTH OF TIME THEY HAD BEEN ILLEGAL HAWKERS.
X BESIDES TOTALLY BANNING COOKED-FOOD HAWKERS, THE COUNCIL SHOULD BAN ALL HAWKERS SELLING CUT FRUIT, FOR HEALTH REASONS. AND MORE ACTION SHOULD ALSO BE TAKEN AGAINST HAWKERS SELLING MEAT.
X PEOPLE WHO PATRONISED ILLEGAL HAWKERS, PARTICULARLY COOKED-FOOD HAWKERS, SHOULD BE PENALISED FOR AIDING AND ABETTING OBSTRUCTION AND ILLEGAL TRADING.
/• HAWKER OFFENDERS ......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1984
7 -
X HAWKER OFFENDERS SHOULD BE COMPUTERISED IN THE SAME WAY AS LITTERBUGS. THE COURTS SHOULD BE GIVEN FULL INFORMATION ON PREVIOUS OFFENCES SO THAT A SUITABLE PENALTY COULD BE IMPOSED.
X THE PRESENT PENALTIES WERE TOO LIGHT. OFFENCES SHOULD BE CATEGORISED AND A SLIDING SCALE OF PENALTIES IMPOSED WITH REGARD TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENCE, VIS A VIS OPERATING WITH A WOK FULL OF BOILING FAT.
X HEAVIER FINES AND EVEN IMPRISONMENT SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON ILLEGAL HAWKERS WHOSE TRADE POSED A DANGER TO PEDESTRIANS.
X THERE SHOULD BE FIXED PENALTIES FOR HAWKING OFFENCES, WHILE LICENCES SHOULD BE ISSUED DAILY, ON A TEMPORARY BASIS.
X BOTH FINES ON ILLEGAL HAWKERS AND LICENCE FEES PAID BY LEGAL HAWKERS SHOULD BE INCREASED BECAUSE IN EACH CASE THE HAWKER WAS NOT PAYING ANY TAX, AND HAWKING WAS A LUCRATIVE BUSINESS.
X HAWKERS SHOULD PAY BUSINESS REGISTRATION AND INCOME TAX. THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SHOULD DEVISE A MEANS TO IMPOSE TAX ON HAWKERS TO MAKE THEIR BUSINESS LESS ATTRACTIVE.
X THE EXISTING LEGISLATION SHOULD BE AMENDED TO EMPOWER THE STAFF TO ARREST HAWKERS HAVING IN THEIR POSSESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF SALE ANY COMMODITY INTENDED FOR HAWKING.^
X THE GDT’S SHOULD BE MADE A DISCIPLINED FORCE AND THEIR WORKING HOURS SHOULD BE MORE FLEXIBLE TO SPREAD THEIR ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
X BECAUSE HAWKERS WERE A +FURIOUS BREED* WHEN APPROACHED BY OFFICIALS, MEMBERS OF GD TEAMS SHOULD BE ARMED WITH BATONS.
X SURPRISE RAIDS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE CONDUCTED, OTHERWISE HAWKERS WOULD FIND WAYS TO EVADE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION. THE USD SHOULD CONTINUE TO CONFISCATE THE BARROWS AND PARAPHERNALIA OF ILLEGAL HAWKERS.
X PROGRESS ON SOLVING THE HAWKER PROBLEM IS TOO SLOW. WORK ON MARKET PROJECTS TO GET HAWKERS OFF THE STREETS SHOULD BE SPEEDED UP.
ON COOKED-FOOD HAWKERS LIABLE TO SCALD PASSERS-BY IF THEY RAN AWAY SUDDENLY ALONG A CROWDED FOOTPATH, SOME DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS SUGGESTED THAT:
X THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHOULD RECOGNISE THAT BY CONTINUING TO PATRONISE SUCH HAWKERS THEY WERE PERPETUATING THIS DANGER; THEREFORE THE PUBLIC SHOULD HENCEFORTH BOYCOTT ALL COOKED-FOOD HAWKERS.
/• EVEN IF
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1984
8
X EVEN IF A COOKED-FOOD HAWKER HAD COVERED UP HIS BARROW WITH A PIECE OF CLOTH, THE USD STAFF SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO ARREST THE HAWKER AND SEIZE HIS BARROW.
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WHO TOOK OTHER LINES OF THOUGHT EXPRESSED THESE VIEWS:
X RATHER THAN ARRESTING HAWKERS ON THE SPOT AND CONFISCATING THEIR BARROWS, THEY SHOULD BE SERVED WITH SUMMONSES AND SUBSEQUENTLY GIVEN A HEAVY PENALTY.
X ILLEGAL HAWKERS SHOULD BE TREATED LENIENTLY SINCE THEY WERE MERELY TRYING TO EARN A DECENT LIVING IN TIMES OF ECONOMIC RECESSION. EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO ORGANISE ILLEGAL HAWKERS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO DISCIPLINE THEMSELVES.
X ALL ILLEGAL HAWKERS, APART FROM COOKED-FOOD HAWKERS, SHOULD BE LI CENSED.
X HAWKER LICENCES SHOULD ONLY BE GIVEN TO THE AGED OR HANDICAPPED, OR OTHER WORTHY VULNERABLE GROUPS.
X HAWKERS SHOULD BE LICENSED AND CONTROLLED ON A DISTRICT BASIS. THE SCALE OF LICENCE FEES SHOULD REFLECT THE LIKELY BUSINESS IN THAT PARTICULAR DISTRICT. HAWKERS SO LICENSED SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CROSS THE +BORDERS+ FROM ONE DISTRICT TO ANOTHER.
X LONG-ESTABLISHED ILLEGAL HAWKERS SHOULD BE LICENSED, PROVIDED THEY WERE AGED OVER 40. YOUNG HAWKERS SHOULD BE REFUSED LICENCES.
X SINCE HAWKING WAS A SOCIAL PROBLEM, THE SOLUTION LAY WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO CREATE MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND PROVIDE MORE SERVICES TO THE AGED.
X HAWKERS WOULD NOT EXIST IF THERE WERE NOT A DEMAND FOR THEM. THEREFORE A THOROUGH STUDY SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO FIND OUT THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF HAWKING.
X THE COUNCIL SHOUL-D EDUCATE THE PUBLIC NOT TO BUY FROM ILLEGAL HAWKERS, RATHER THAN TAKING DIRECT ACTION AGAINST THEM.
X THE DESIGN OF MARKETS WAS GENERALLY UNSATISFACTORY. RATHER THAN LEASING STALLS, PEOPLE PREFERRED TO HAWK ILLEGALLY IN ♦THE VICINITY.
X GD TEAMS WERE GENERALLY INEFFICIENT AND INEFFECTIVE. THEY SHOULD BE BETTER CONTROLLED.
-------0----------
/9........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1984
9
EXTRA ENQUIRY HOURS FOR FORM FIVE LEAVERS
*****
THE CAREERS EDUCATION CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL EXTEND ITS OFFICE HOURS FROM AUGUST 9 TO 15 TO MEET THE ANTICIPATED SURGE OF ENQUIRIES FROM STUDENTS FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATIONS RESULTS ON AUGUST 9.
THE CENTRE WILL BE OPEN ON WEEKDAYS DURING THIS PERIOD FROM 8.30 AM TO 6 PM WITHOUT LUNCH BREAKS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAY. IT WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAY.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE MAJORITY OF FORM 5 LEAVERS WILL BE SEEKING INFORMATION ON SCHOOLS FOR THEIR FURTHER STUDIES OR ADVICE ON CAREERS.
THEY ARE WELCOME TO USE THE FACILITIES AT THE CENTRE LOCATED AT ROOM 405, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8392538 OR 5-8392540.
A NEW HANDBOOK CONTAINING A LIST OF SCHOOLS WITH FORM 6 OR MIDDLE 6 CLASSES AND THEIR ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS WILL BE PARTICULARLY USEFUL. PAMPHLETS EXPLAINING OTHER EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
FOR THOSE IN NEED OF PERSONAL COUNSELLING, SPECIAL COUNSELLING SESSIONS WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AT WHICH TEACHER-COUNSELLORS WILL MEET WITH STUDENTS.
THESE SESSIONS WILL BE HELD FROM 3 PM TO 5 PM ON AUGUST 9 AND 10 AT TWO CENTRES.
ONE OF THESE CENTRES IS LOCATED AT ROOM 431, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, AND THE OTHER, AT LOK SIN TONG WONG CHUNG MING SECONDARY SCHOOL, LOK SIN ROAD, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON.
- - 0 -
APPROVED GAS TUBING ON DISPLAY * * * *
LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS’CONSUMERS IN HONG KONG WILL SOON HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT THE RUBBER TUBING THEY ARE USING IS THE SAFE TYPE.
SAMPLES OF GOVERNMENT APPROVED GAS TUBING WILL BE DISPLAYED IN 164 HOUSING ESTATES’ MANAGEMENT OFFICES AND 65 DISTRICT OFF l-CES FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
RUBBER TUBING IS USED FOR L.P.G. APPLIANCES, WHETHER PIPED OR CYLINDERED. IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT ALL CONSUMERS SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THE TYPE OF TUBING BEING USED MEETS THE REQUIRED STANDARD.
/A SPOKESMAN
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1984
10
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GAS ADVISER’S OFFICE SAID, +SUB-STANDARD OR DEFECTIVE TUBING MAY LEAD TO GAS LEAKAGE OR EVEN EXPLOSION.
♦TO AVOID SUCH ACCIDENTS, CONSUMERS SHOULD LEARN HOW TO IDENTIFY THE SAFE TYPES OF RUBBER TUBING.+
VISITORS TO THE DISPLAY WILL ALSO BE GIVEN COPIES OF A COMPREHENSIVE EXPLANATORY PAMPHLET ON GAS TUBING SAFETY.
TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS, A TELEVISION API (ANNOUNCEMENT OF PUBLIC INTEREST), A POSTER AND RADIO MESSAGES ON THE SAFETY CF RUBBER TUBING ARE BEING PRODUCED AS PART OF THIS YEAR’S GAS SAFETY PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN.
IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE GAS ADVISER’S OFFICE *ILL ALSO PROVIDE LPG DEALERS WITH A LIST OF MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS FROM WHOM APPROVED GAS TUBING CAN BE PURCHASED.
- - 0 - -
WORK LAWS UPDATED IN CHINESE * * *
AN UPDATED CHINESE VERSION OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, AT 312.5 EACH.
IT INCLUDES AMENDMENTS MADE TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE UP TO THE END OF MAY THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WAS LAST TRANSLATED INTO CHINESE AND PUBLISHED IN 1968. SINCE THEN, HOWEVER, THERE HAD BEEN A NUMBER CF MAJOR AMENDMENTS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF THE WORKING FORCE.
+THE DEPARTMENT HAS, FOR QUITE SOME YEARS, BEEN UNDER CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE FROM TRADE UNIONS, WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS FOR A MORE UP-TO-DATE CHINESE VERSION OF THE ORDINANCE,* HE SAID.
IN ITS PRESENT FORM, THE ORDINANCE APPLIES TO ALL MANUAL WORKERS AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS EARNING UP TO $8 500 A MONTH AND COVERS ABOUT 98 PER CENT OF ALL SALARIED EMPLOYEES AND WAGE EARNERS IN HONG KONG.
IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE PUBLICATION OF THE NEW CHINESE VERSION, MORE WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS WILL COME TO KNOW THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
+THE NEW PUBLICATION MAY ALSO BE USEFUL IN HELPING TO IMPROVE LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
- - 0 - -
/11
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1984
11
PROMOTING CIVIC SPIRIT
* * * *
FOUR HUNDRED KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS REPRESENTING THE EIGHT AREA COMMITTEES OF KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING COMPETED IN A FUN-FILLED TELEMATCH HELD AT THE KO SHAN ROAD PARK IN TO KWA WAN.
THE GAMES DAY WAS A MAJOR EVENT IN THE TWO-WEEK LONG KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS FESTIVAL LAUNCHED LAST SUNDAY (JULY 29).
THE FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS COUNCIL, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR CLIVE OXLEY WAS AMONG THE OFFICIATING GUESTS, WHO INCLUDED THE CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT OF THE FESTIVAL’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR TANG TAI-CHUEN AND MR HUI IN-YING AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA.
ADDRESSING THE GATHERING, MR OXLEY SAID THAT HE BELIEVED THAT COMPETITION WOULD HELP FOSTER COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATION AMONG THE RESIDENTS.
THIS WOULD PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES TO COME TOGETHER AND TO WORK TOWARDS BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY, hR OXLEY SAID.
THE 400 PARTICIPANTS, DIVIDED INTO EIGHT TEAMS, TOOK PART IN A VARIETY OF TELEMATCH GAMES, SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO HIGHLIGHT THE THEME OF COMMUNITY BUILDING.
------0-------
KWUN TONG TO HAVE INDOOR GAMES HALL
* * * *
AN INDOOR GAMES HALL IS TO BE BUILT ON AN 8 OOO-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF HIP WO STREET AND HIU KWONG STREET, KWUN TONG.
IT WILL HAVE A GAMES AREA MEASURING 36 SQUARE METRES, THREE SQUASH COURTS, A STAND FOR 400 SPECTATORS AND CHANGING FACILITIES, AS WELL AS A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND AND REST GARDEN.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
BUILDING WORK WILL START IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED IN ONE YEAR.
THE INDOOR GAMES HALL WILL BE THE THIRD IN KWUN TONG DISTRICT WHICH HAS A POPULATION OF 660 000. THE OTHER TWO ARE AT NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
------o-------
/12......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1984
12
LANTERN DESIGN COMPETITION
* * *
RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS IN KWUN TONG ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A LANTERN-DESIGN COMPETITION.
THE IDEA IS TO PROMOTE RESIDENTS’ INTEREST IN THE FORTHCOMING MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE COMPETITION MAY BE COLLECTED FROM THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE OR ITS SUB-OFFICES.
THE WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT A MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL LANTERN CARNIVAL IN TSUI PING ROAD PLAYGROUND ON SEPTEMBER 8.
------o-------
FOOTBRIDGE FOR WAN CHAI
* * *
A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE IS TO BE BUILT ALONG O’BRIEN ROAD BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND THE NORTHERN SIDE OF GLOUCESTER ROAD.
IT WILL PROVIDE A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN THE ENTRANCE TO WAN CHAI MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION AND WAN CHAI RECLAMATION.
ESCALATORS WILL BE INSTALLED AT THE STATION ENTRANCE AND AT BOTH THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN SIDES OF GLOUCESTER ROAD.
AS PART OF THE PROPOSAL, THE SECTION OF O’BRIEN ROAD BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND LOCKHART ROAD WILL BE TURNED INTO A LANDSCAPED PEDESTRIAN AREA, WHILE THE SECTION BETWEEN LOCKHART ROAD AND GLOUCESTER ROAD WILL BE REDUCED TO TWO-LANE TRAFFIC.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORK IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG ;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (HONG KONG NORTH), HARBOUR CENTRE, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
M WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, TUNG WAH MANSION, GROUND FLOOR, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
ANY OBJECTION SHOULD BE IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE OCTOBER 2.
0--------
/13........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1984
13
DUCT NETWORK FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM
* * *
TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTING A DUCT NETWORK FOR THE AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM ON HONG KONG ISLAND ARE BEING INVITED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
THE NETWORK, RUNNING FROM KENNEDY TOWN TO CAUSEWAY BAY, WILL HOLD CABLES LINKING TRAFFIC CONTROL EQUIPMENT TO A CONTROL CENTRE AT RUMSEY STREET, CENTRAL.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT 11 MONTHS.
TENDERS MUST REACH THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD BY AUGUST 24.
ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS: BUILDING, CIVIL ENGINEERING AND WATER WORKS LIST I IN GROUPS B AND C FOR ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS WILL BE PERMITTED TO TENDER.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
------o-------
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR KIOSK
KM*
TENDERS ARE NOW BEING INVITED FOR THE OPERATION OF A LIGHT REFRESHMENT KIOSK AT THE ROOF-TOP PLAYGROUND OF SAN HUI MARKET IN TUEN MUN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE ROOF-TOP PLAYGROUND IS A CONVENIENT AMENITY AREA FOR NEARBY RESIDENTS, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
FACILITIES AT THE PLAYGROUND INCLUDE BENCHES, CHESS TABLES, TABLE-TENNIS TABLES AND PLAY EQUIPMENT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
BUSINESS MAY BE STARTED FOR TWO YEARS FROM OCTOBER 1.
TENDER FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE (AUSTIN CENTRE), 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI, OR TUEN MUN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF ’TOP COURT’, 60-70 TAK CHING COURT, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES.
INTERESTED PERSONS MAY CONTACT THE TUEN MUN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 0-820800 EXT. 301 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
-----o------
/14 .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1934
14
SHA TIN MARKET STALLS FOR LEASE * * *
SEVEN STALLS AT SHA TIN MARKET IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE PUT UP FOR THREE-YEAR LEASE BY AUCTION AT 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 8), AT THE LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL AT LEK YUEN ESTATE IN SHA TIN, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
OF THE STALLS TO BE LEASED, TWO ARE FOR FISH, FOUR FOR WET GOODS AND ONE FOR DRY GOODS. THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTAL RANGES FROM $2 300 TO $5 000.
BUSINESS MAY BE STARTED ON SEPTEMBER 1.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE HAWKERS AND MARKETS SECTION OF SHA TIN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 0-6065745.
- - 0 - -
TAPS BRIEFLY OFF * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM TO 3 PM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 8) FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY KOWLOON CITY ROAD, TO KWA WAN ROAD, SAN SHAN ROAD, SHEUNG HEUNG ROAD, LOK SHAN ROAD, HA HEUNG ROAD AND CHEUNG NING STREET.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
U.S. TOLD OF FEARS OVER TEXTILE MOVE ............................ 1
FOREIGN FIRMS KEEP COMING ....................................... 2
VILLAGERS URGED TO COLLECT MONEY ................................ 3
PROGRESS IN WAR AGAINST CRIME ................................... 3
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR PEKING ..................................... 5
MP TO MEET PRESS TOMORROW ....................................... 5
INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY SHIFTS REVIEWED ............................. 5
REP THEATRE FOR KWUN TONG RESIDENTS ............................. 6
FINAL PHASE OF TSING YI HOS SOON ................................ 7
STORY BEHIND A STREET NAME ...................................... 8
TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM .......................................... 8
JURY LIST TO BE POSTED........................................... 9
PLATFORMS AND FOOTPATHS ......................................... 9
WATER WORKS IN TWO AREAS ....................................... 10
WATER FIGURES ................................................... 10
EARLY MORNING ROAD WORK ........................................ 10
ROAD CLOSURE .................................................... 1°
MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1984
1
U.S. TOLD OF FEARS OVER TEXTILE MOVE * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, TOLD THE ACTING U.S. CONSUL-GENERAL, MR RICHARD WILLIAMS, TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1984 BY THE UNITED STATES AGAINST TEXTILE IMPORTS WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY DISRUPT TRADE AND CAUSE GREAT HARDSHIP IN HONG KONG.
DURING A MEETING WITH MR WILLIAMS, MR HO GAVE THE CONSUL-GENERAL A DIPLOMATIC NOTE DRAWING THE ATTENTION OF THE RELEVANT UNITED STATES AUTHORITIES TO THESE MATTERS WITH A VIEW TO ADDRESSING AND RELIEVING THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS CONFRONTING HONG KONG.
MR HO UNDERLINED THE FACT THAT HONG KONG’S ORIGIN PRACTICE WAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH LONG-STANDING INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE WHICH HAD NOT BEEN QUESTIONED BY HONG KONG’S TRADING PARTNERS.
THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS AS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER IN WASHINGTON ON AUGUST 3 CAME AS A SURPRISE AND WAS, AS MR HO DESCRIBED IT, +A SERIOUS BLOW TO WHAT IS LEGITIMATE TRADE IN A SECTOR THAT IS ALREADY SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS*.
HE SAID THE NEW RULES APPEARED TO BE AIMED SPECIFICALLY AT TERRITORIES WITH LIMITED RESOURCES. SUCH AS HONG KONG, WHERE THE EFFECT ON TRADE WOULD BE MOST KEENLY FELT.
THE PROPOSED NEW ORIGIN RULES SEEMED TO POSE A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE KNITWEAR, DYEING AND FINISHING INDUSTRIES. IN 1983 TERMS, $2 2OQ MILLION WORTH OF EXPORTS COULD BE AFFECTED OR IN VALUE TERMS ABOUT ONE-SEVENTH OF TOTAL EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES UNDER THE BILATERAL AGREEMENT.
THERE WAS ALSO UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHETHER OTHER EXPORTS PROPERLY LICENSED AND DOCUMENTED UNDER THE BILATERAL AGREEMENT WOULD BE ADMITTED INTO THE UNITED STATES, AND THIS MIGHT CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL DELAYS TO SHIPMENTS.
IN ADDITION TO ASKING THE UNITED STATES AUTHORITIES TO ADDRESS AND RELIEVE THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS CONFRONTING HONG KONG, MR HO SAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD SEEK EARLY CONSULTATIONS ON THE NEW ORIGIN RULES WITH THE UNITED STATES UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BILATERAL AGREEMENT.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1934
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VILLAGERS URGED TO COLLECT MONEY * * * X
A TOTAL OF 196 CHEQUES AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $2.66 MILLION IN EX-GRAT1A PAYMENTS FOR TIN SHUI WAI VILLAGERS ARE READY FOR COLLECTION FROM THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY URGED THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAD NOT YET COLLECTED THEIR CHEQUES TO DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
HE REFUTED ALLEGATIONS BY A HANDFUL OF VILLAGERS THAT THEIR CHEQUES WERE NOT READY OR THAT THE AMOUNTS WERE NOT BASED ON FAIR ASSESSMENTS.
+ ALL PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN CALCULATED ON THE MOST UP TO DATE RATES APPLICABLE TO ALL DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCES, AND IN EACH CASE THEY HAVE BEEN MOST CAREFULLY ASSESSED,* HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REFUTED CLAIMS THAT SOME VILLAGERS HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED HOUSING.
+THE VAST MAJORITY HAVE BEEN OFFERED AND HAVE ACCEPTED REHOUSING. ONLY 18 FAMILIES HAVE BEEN FOUND NOT TO BE ELIGIBLE EITHER BECAUSE THEY ALREADY HAVE alternative ACCOMMODATION OR ARE SIMPLY IMPOSTORS.*
PROGRESS IN WAR AGAINST CRIME X X X X
.MUCH PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE WAR AGAINST CRIMP avpr tup ^SU° ^ARS’ AND 1983 WAS NO EXCEPTION, SAID COMMISSIONER 0? POLICE, MR ROY HENRY, IN HIS ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE REVIEW 1983.
’’WITH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, GOOD INTELLIGENCE AND WISELY DEPLOYED MANPOWER, POLICE WILL PREVENT THE CRIMINAL FROM ACHIEVING HIS AIM, AND WILL DETECT AND BRING TO JUSTICE THOSE WHO RESORT TO CRIME,” MR HENRY SAID.
DIVISIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE UPGRADED TO DISTRICT STATUS.
THERE WAS ALSO THE COMPLETION OF AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF UNIFORM BRANCH DEPLOYMENT, RESULTING IN A DECISION TO IMPROVE AND ENHANCE POLICE COVERAGE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL BY FURTHER REFINING THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING CONCEPT.
/"THE APPROACH........
M3NDAY, AUGUST 6, 1984
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’’THE APPROACH has been to expand community liaison work and, AT THE SAME TIME, PROVIDE A MORE EVEN-HANDED AND VISIBLE POLICE PRESENCE IN AREAS AND AT TIMES WHEN IT IS MOST NEEDED,’’ MR HENRY ADDED.
OTHER TASKS UNDERTAKEN BY THE FORCE WERE THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL AND IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES IN THE COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT BRANCH WHICH WAS SPLIT INTO ITS TWO COMPONENT PARTS OF COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY.
ON HIGH TECHNOLOGY, CONSULTANTS WERE APPOINTED TO CONDUCT A SYSTEM SPECIFICATION STUDY FOR A SOPHISTICATED REPLACEMENT FOR THE EXISTING BUT RATHER BASIC COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH WILL REACH THE END OF ITS USEFUL LIFE LATER THIS DECADE.
MR HENRY ALSO NOTED THAT THE POLICE OPERATIONAL NOMINAL INDEX COMPUTER SYSTEM (PON ICS) HAS PROVED A MOST SUCCESSFUL AID TO OPERATIONAL POLICE OFFICERS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME. \
THE SYSTEM, COMMISSIONED LAST AUGUST, IS ACCESSIBLE THROUGH 44 TERMINALS.
ON THE ANTI-CRIME FRONT, THE YEAR’S PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN CONTINUED TO BE AIMED AT LOWERING THE INCIDENCE OF JUVENILE CRIME. POLICE EFFORT HAS STARTED TO PAY OFF IN THE FORM OF A SIX PER CENT REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF YOUTHS INVOLVED IN CRIME.
OVERALL CRIME IN 1983 SHOWED A SLIGHT INCREASE OF TWO PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR BUT ROBBERIES AND BURGLARIES WENT DOWN BY 2.8 PER CENT AND 1.9 PER CENT.
ON DRUG ACTIVITIES, THE THIRD SUCCESSIVE YEAR OF BUMPER OPIUM HARVEST IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE RESULTED IN INCREASING QUANTITIES OF ILLICIT NARCOTICS BEING IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG FROM ALL
DIRECTIONS.
” IT IS, HOWEVER, PLEASING TO NOTE THAT DURING THE YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-NARCOTICS AGENTS HAVE MAINTAINED AND REINFORCED THEIR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE BARRIER AGAINST THE SMUGGLING OF DANGEROUS DRUGS AND THE TOTAL SEIZURE WAS A RECORD-BREAKING 730 KG,” MR HENRY REPORTED.
TURNING TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA, MR HENRY WELCOMED A DOWNWARD TREND IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INTERCEPTED AND IN CHILDREN BEING SMUGGLED INTO HONG KONG BY SNAKEHEADS.
HE ATTRIBUTED THIS DEVELOPMENT TO THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPUTERISED ID CARD CHECKING AND THE COMPLETION OF THE BORDER FENCE WHICH HAVE ENABLE THE FORCE TO TAKE MORE EFFECTIVE ACTION.
ON TRAFFIC, THE YEAR SAW THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SEAT BELT LAW WHICH HAS HAD SOME BEARING ON THE REDUCED TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CASUALTY RATE BY 8.2 PER CENT.
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS WORTH NOTING WERE IMPROVEMENTS TO FORCE MANAGEMENT, STAFF CONSULTATIVE PROCESS, WELFARE BENEFITS AND, ABOVE ALL, A CONTINUING STEADY INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF REQUESTS FOR POLICE ASSISTANCE.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1984
5
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR PEKING
* * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL LEAVE FOR PEKING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO TAKE PART IN ANOTHER ROUND OF SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
SIR EDWARD WILL BE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT CA 106, ETD 1.50 PM.
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MP TO MEET PRESS TOMORROW
XXX
A LABOUR MP, DR JEREMY BRAY, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 10.30 AM IN THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH, ROOM 2012, 20TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
DR BRAY WILL LEAVE TOMORROW EVENING AFTER A 12-DAY VISIT TO HONG KONG.
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INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY SHIFTS REVIEWED
XXX
A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ABOUT SHIFTS IN THE *NpUSTRIAL ACTIV(TIES OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IS INCLUDED IN THE Sy ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS NOW ON SALE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS FOR YEARS BEEN CONDUCTING A SURVEY OF ESTABLISHMENTS IN VARIOUS SECTORS AND INDUSTRIES TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND ON EXISTING VACANCIES.
SINCE 1980, THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN COLLECTED THROUGH AN INTEGRATED SURVEY ENTITLED THE +SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL+.
THIS SURVEY HE SAID, IS CONDUCTED QUARTERLY TO PROVIDE STATISTICS FOR MONITORING SHORT-TERM CHANGES OF THE ECONOMY IT ALSO PROVIDES DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS ANNUALLY.
+THESE ARE USEFUL FOR STUDYING THE STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY AND ITS CHANGES OVER TIME,+ HE SAID.
/ONE OF........
M3NDAY, AUGDST 6, 1984
ONE OF THE RECENT AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT OF THE SURVEY IS THE REGULAR AND COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE SHIFT IN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES OF ON-GOING ESTABLISHMENTS, ACHIEVED THROUGH AN INDUSTRY UPDATING SURVEY CONDUCTED ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS FOR EACH ECONOMIC SECTOR.
IN THIS UPDATING SURVEY, INFORMATION ON THE LATEST ACTIVITIES OF EACH FIRM IN THAT SECTOR IS COLLECTED.
HE SAID THAT AN INDUSTRY UPDATING SURVEY FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS CONDUCTED CONCURRENTLY WITH THE SEPTEMBER 1982 ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL AND ITS FINDINGS HAVE BEEN USED TO COMPILE THE STATISTICS AS FROM SEPTEMBER 1983.
+SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SUCH AN EXERCISE WAS CONDUCTED, IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE ARTICLE TO DEPICT THE SHIFT IN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS OVER THE PAST YEARS SO AS TO INDICATE HOW MANUFACTURERS ADAPT TO CHANGING MARKET CONDITIONS,+ HE SAID.
FURTHER DETAILS ON THE FINDINGS OF THIS INDUSTRY UPDATING SURVEY FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE CONTAINED IN THE REVIEW ARTICLE. THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOw ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG AT $25 PER COPY.
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REP THEATRE FOR KWUN TONG RESIDENTS * * * *
A REPERTORY THEATRE FOR DRAMA ENTHUSIASTS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE OFFICIALLY INAUGURATED TOMORROW (TUESDAY) EVENING.
+THE 92-MEMBER KWUN TONG REPERTORY THEATRE HAS BEEN ORGANISING ACTIVITIES SINCE LAST OCTOBER TO PROMOTE LOCAL PEOPLE’S INTEREST IN DRAMA,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LOCAL DISTRICT FOARD SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
FOR INSTANCE, A DRAMA CLASS FOR 52 YOUNG PEOPLE WAS HELD. THE STUDENTS HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING, AND WILL BE STAGING THREE CANTONESE PLAYS AS THEIR GRADUATION PERFORMANCE TOMORROW, AFTER THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY.
+A NEW CLASS WILL BE HELD FROM NOVEMBER TO NEXT MARCH FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AND WORKERS INTERESTED IN DRAMA,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THOSE WHO WISH TO JOIN THE DRAMA CLASS MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS FROM THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE OR ITS SUB-OFFICES BEFORE OCTOBER 1. ANY FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 3-416315 (EXTENSION 261).
/the rspertcby
MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1984
THE REPERTORY THEATRE IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ORGAN ISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION.
OFFICIATING AT TOMORROW’S INAUGURATION CEREMONY WILL
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD MR CLAYMON LAI, THE PRESIDENT CF KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREAT JON PROMOT 'O[J ^SOCIATION, NRS FANCY NG, AND THE HONORARY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE REPERTORY THEATRE, MR CHUNG KING-FAI.
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FINAL PHASE OF TSI NG Yl HOS SOON ******
WORK WILL START SOON TO CONSTRUCT FOUR MORE RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS FOR HOME OWNERSHIP CHING WAH COURT ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND TO PROVIDE MODERN HOMES FORsANOTHER 6 000 PEOPLE.
THE GO-AHEAD SIGNAL WAS GIVEN AFTER A BUILDING TENDER WORTH $U3.8 MILLION HAD RECENTLY BEEN APPROVED FOR THE SECOND, AND FINAL, PHASE OF THE PROJECT.
APART FROM THE FOUR 32-35-STOREY CRUCIFORM BLOCKS WITH 1 340 FLATS, THE TENDER ALSO INCLUDED THE BUILDING OF A THREE-STOREY CARPARK, CHILDREN PLAYGROUNDS AND COVERED WALKWAYS, PLUS LANDSCAPING AND ASSOCIATED EXTERNAL WORKS.
SITUATED ON A SITE OPPOSITE TO THE CHEUNG HONG RENTAL ESTATE, CHING WAH COURT IS THE SECOND HOS PROJECT ON TSING Yl ISLAND.
♦IT IS BEING DEVELOPED IN TWO PHASES AND WILL PROVIDE ALTOGETHER 2 456 FLATS FOR SOME 11 000 PEOPLE ON FULL COMPLETION BY 1986,♦ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY.
HE SAID CONSTRUCTION OF THE TWO 36-STOREY BLOCKS IN THE FIRST PHASE WAS WELL UNDERWAY.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1934 •
8
STORY BEHIND A STREET NAME * * X
CHICO TERRACE IS A QUIET LITTLE STREET RUNNING OFF PEEL STREET IN ONE OF THE LESSER KNOWN PARTS OF THE MID-LEVELS. BUT THERE IS A HIGHLY INTERESTING STORY BEHIND HOW IT GOT ITS NAME - A STORY CONNECTED WITH PIRACY IN HONG KONG WATERS IN 1864 IN WHICH THE SKIPPER OF THE BRIG CHICO AND SOME CREWMEN WERE KILLED.
SIMILARLY, THE EARLY-DAY HISTORY OF ELLIOT CRESCENT, GUTZLAFF STREET TIT HONG LANE AND SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND IS ALSO TOLD IN THE URBAN COUNCIL’S LATEST PUBLICATION, +HONG KONG STREET NAMES AND THEIR ORIGINS*, WHICH HAS JUST BEEN PUBLISHED.
THE BOOK IS WRITTEN BY FRENA BLOOMFIELD WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF RESEARCHER BRENDA EATON WHO SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS THUMBING THROUGH THE DUSTY DEPTHS OF MANY LOCAL RECORDS AND ARCHIVES.
IT CONTAINS 100 NAMES OF STREETS WHICH ARE ILLUSTRATED EITHER BY PRESENT-DAY OR OLD-DAY PICTURES.
BUT READERS WILL SEE THAT A COUPLE OF NAMES HAVE CREPT IN WHICH ARE NOT THOSE OF STREETS. THAT WAS EITHER BECAUSE A PARTICULARLY INTERESTING STORY IS ATTACHED TO THEM, AS IN THE SAD TALE OF RENNIE’S MILL, OR BECAUSE THEY ARE PROMINENT IN USAGE, SUCH AS KAI TAK.
A LIST OF SOURCES HAS ALSO BEEN APPENDED WHEREVER POSSIBLE TO ENABLE INTERESTED READERS TO FOLLOW UP THE FASCINATING HISTORY OF THE PLACES.
THE BOOK, AT $25 A COPY, IS NOW ON SALE FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL’S PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN ICE HOUSE STREET, AND THE COUNCIL’S BOOKSHOP IN THE LOBBY OF THE CITY HALL LOW BLOCK.
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TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM
* * * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR PETER LEEDS, WILL SIGN A CONTRACT WITH GEC TRAFFIC AUTOMATION LIMITED, U.K. FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A COMPUTERISED TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HONG KONG ISLAND COVERING THE ENTIRE NORTH SHORE FROM KENNEDY TOWN TO SHAU KEI WAN.
A SIGNING CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 8) AT 11 AM AT TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE DIVISION, 16TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1934
9
JURY LIST TO BE POSTED
* * * *
THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, MR NICHOLAS JOHN BARNETT, . ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS WILL BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARD OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING AT NO. 38, QUEENSWAY HONG KONG ON AUGUST 13, 1984.
THIS LIST WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 14 DAYS, DURING WHICH PERIOD ANY PERSON MAY APPLY BY NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE REGISTRAR REQUIRING THAT HIS NAME OR THE NAME OF SOME OTHER PERSON BE POSTED OR REMOVED UPON CAUSE DULY ASSIGNED IN SUCH NOTICE.
THE REGISTRAR SHALL IN HIS DISCRETION, POST OR REMOVE SUCH NAME ACCORDINGLY AND SHALL IF NECESSARY ALTER THE LIST.
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PLATFORMS AND FOOTPATHS * * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO FORM A NUMBER OF PLATFORMS FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND TO PROVIDc. FOOTPATH LINKS BETWEEN TAI WO HAU ROAD AND KWAI SHING CIRCUIT IN THE KWAI CHUNG AREA OF TSUEN WAN.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORK IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY? AT tHE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, TbUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, OR AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, FOU WAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
THE NOTICE CAN BE SEEN POSTED ON THE SITE.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSED WORK MUST WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY OCTOBER 2.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1984
10 -
WATER WORKS IN TWO AREAS XXX
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO TAI HANG AND SAN PO KONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 9) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
IN TAI HANG, THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY TAI HANG ROAD FROM WANG FUNG TERRACE TO TAI HANG DRIVE, INCLUDING TAI HANG DR IVE AND CHUN FA I ROAD.
IN SAN PO KONG, THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES IN TSEUK LUK STREET, SHEUNG HEI STREET, TAI YAU STREET, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD, INCLUDING KING FUK STREET.
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WATER FIGURES X X X
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 79.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 468.583 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 507.753 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 86.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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EARLY MORNING ROAD WORK
XXX
HARBOUR VIEW STREET IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 4 AM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 8) TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK AT EXCHANGE SQUARE.
DURING THE CLOSURE, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES MAY STILL ENTER OR LEAVE THE PLB TERMINUS UNDER THE EXCHANGE SQUARE BUILDING VIA CONNAUGHT PLACE.
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ROAD CLOSURE XXX
THE KOWLOON BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD BETWEEN CHE KUNG MIU ROAD AND HUNG MUI KUK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM FROM TUESDAY TO FRIDAY (AUGUST 7-10).
MOTORISTS HEADING FOR KOWLOON AREA ARE ADVISED TO USE CHE KUi.u MIU ROAD AND HUNG MUI KUK ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
8 UNOFFICIALS TO SPEAK ON ACCORD .................................. 1
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR PEKING ........................................ 1
NEW TRAFFIC LAWS START AUGUST 25 .................................. 1
PORT TRAFFIC SAFETY SYSTEM DESIGNED ............................... 3
CARTOON CHARACTERS TO PROMOTE VOTING ............................. **
NEW OUTLET FOR GREEN PAPER ........................................ 5
USE OF WORD PROCESSORS ENCOURAGED ................................. 6
+SAFETY AT WORK+ GALA NIGHT ....................................... 6
BOARD TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER ...................................... 7
SHEK LEI HAWKERS MOVED ............................................ 7
SHARE DISCLOSURE .................................................. 7
85.6M TO IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY ................................... 8
KITE-FLYING CONTEST ............................................... 8
FANLING TRAFFIC CHANGES .........................•................. 9
HAPPY VAI,LEY WATER WORK .......................................... 9
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1934
1
8 UNOFFICIALS TO SPEAK ON ACCORD
* * * *
AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER’S MOTION BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN, WELCOMING THE GOVERNMENT’S INITIATIVE TO TEST THE ACCEPTABILITY OF THE SI NO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WILL BE THE MAIN ITEM ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AGENDA TOMORROW.
EIGHT UNOFFICIALS ARE EXPECTED TO SPEAK ON IT.
1984, MADE BY
2 TO ALIGN THEM LEGISLATION DUE
THE OTHER ITEM OF BUSINESS WILL BE A MOTION BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT THE HON ALAN SCOTT, SEEKING APPROVAL OF THE_ _ CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BY-LAWS THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LTD. ON AUGUST IN MATTERS OF METRICATION WITH THE ROAD TRAFFIC
TO COME INTO FORCE ON AUGUST 25.
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GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR PEKING
XXX
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LEFT FOR PEKING THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON TO TAKE PART IN ANOTHER ROUND OF SI NO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
SIR EDWARD 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 UNOFF ICI AL MEI-.bcn CF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ROGER LOBO» AND THE VICE-CHIEF EDITOR OF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY (HONG KONG BRANCH), MR TAN GAN.
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NEW TRAFFIC LAWS START AUGUST 25 * X X
MOTORISTS WILL BE GIVEN A FOUR-WEEK GRACE PERIOD FOR Nt* OFFENCES IN THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS WHICH WILL BE tNFORCcD FROM AUGUST 25, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR/TRAFFIC, MR ERIC MCCOSH, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING IN HIS REVIEW OF THE SECOND QUARTER STATISTICS Uh TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, MR MCCOSH SAID THAT ACTION DURING THE GRACE PERIOD "WILL NORMALLY BE BY WAY OF ADVICE.”
"BUT WHERE AN OFFENCE EXISTS NOW AND WILL CARRY FOR*ARD IN THE NEW LEGISLATION, POLICE WILL CONTINUE TO ENFORCE AT THE LEVEL AND WITH THE PRIORITY THEY GIVE NOW,” HE SAID.
PARKING, HE SAID, WILL GENERALLY REMAIN UNCHANGED. ”WHAT ATTRACTS A TICKET NOW WILL CONTINUE TO ATTRACT A TICKET AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW LAW.”
/BE EAID .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1984
- 2
HE SAID THAT ALL ROADS FROM AUGUST 25 WILL BE SUBJECT TO A 5?-K ILOMETRE AN HOUR SPEED LIMIT UNLESS THERE ARE SIGNS INDICATING A "IGHER OR LOWER LIMIT.
BUT WHEN THE NEW LEGISLATION IS INTRODUCED ON AUGUST 25, A BLANKET SPEED OF 50 KILOMETRES AN HOUR FOR ALL ROADS WILL COME INTO EFFECT FOR THREE DAYS.
’’DURING THIS THREE-DAY PERIOD ALL EXISTING SPEED SIGNS WILL BE REMOVED AND REPLACED BY THE NEW METRIC SIGNS,” MR MCCOSH SAID.
UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION, 70 KILOMETRES (43 MPH) IS THE HIGHEST SDEED PERMITTED AND ONLY ON ROADS WITH SIGNS INDICATING THIS, HE ADDED.
INTRODUCED AT THE SAME TIME WILL BE THE NEW DRIVING OFFENCE POINTS SYSTEM UNDER WHICH CERTAIN OFFENCES, INCLUDING SPEEDING, CROSSING DOUBLE wHITE LINES AND FAILING TO COMPLY WITH TRAFFIC SIGNALS, ALL OF WHICH REFLECT BAD DRIVING AND ARE ACCIDENT CAUSATION FACTORS, WILL ATTRACT PENALTY POINTS.
TURNING TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, MR MCCOSH SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE A CONTINUAL DECREASE FOR THE EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE QUARTER.
THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS FOR THE PERIOD WAS 4 054, REPRESENTING A 5.6 PER CENT DROP OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
CASUALTIES FOR THE QUARTER AGAINST THE SAME PERIOD IN 1983 DROPPED FROM 5 828 TO 5 477, A DECREASE OF SIX PER CENT OVERALL.
THE MOST MARKED AND WELCOME DECREASE WAS IN THE SERIOUS CATEGORY WITH A 21.4 PER CENT DROP IN ACCIDENTS AND A 24.4 PER CENT DROP IN CASUALTIES, MR MCCOSH NOTED.
BUT THE NUMBER OF FATAL ACCIDENTS HAS INCREASED BY THREE TO 80. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INCREASE WAS IN KOWLOON wITH 13 MORE ACCIDENTS AND 15 MORE FATALITIES.
THE PEDESTRIAN REMAINED MOST AT RISK AMONG OTHER ROAD USERS. THEY MADE UP 33.8 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL CASUALTIES AND 67.1 PER CENT OF THE FATALITIES, MR MCCOSH REPORTED.
REFERRING TO CASUALTIES BY AGE GROUP, HE SAID THE 20-30 YEARS RECORDED THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE AT 35.4 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL.
MR MCCOSH NOTED THAT DRIVERS WERE NOT DRIVING WITH DUE CARE AND CONSIDERATION FOR OTHER ROAD USERS.
’’DRIVERS MUST MAKE ALLOWANCE FOR THE PEDESTRIAN, ESPECIALLY THE ELDERLY AT THE KERBSIDE - THEIR MOVEMENTS ARE NOT ALWAYS PREDICTABLE AND SOMETIMES THEIR REACTIONS ARE SLOW. LESS AGGRESSION AND MORE CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE THE ORDER OF THE DAY.”
/ON WSARING ........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1984
- 3 -
ON WEARING SEAT BELTS IN PRIVATE CARS, MR MCCOSH SAID THERE wAS A 44 PER CENT DROP IN PRIVATE CAR DRIVERS AND A 75 PER CENT DROP IN "PONT SEAT PASSENGERS FATALITIES BY COMPARISON WITH THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR WHEN SEAT BELTS WERE NOT COMPULSORY.
ALSO, SERIOUS INJURIES DECREASED BY 28.9 PER CENT FOR DRIVERS AND 41.4 PER CENT FOR FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS, A GOOD INDICATOR THAT SEAT BELTS DO SAVE LIVES AND LESSEN INJURIES, MR MCCOSH SAID.
---0------
PORT TRAFFIC SAFETY SYSTEM DESIGNED
* * * *
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS DEVELOPED A PRELIMINARY DESIGN FOR A VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO IMPROVE SAFETY IN HONG KONG HARBOUR.
THIS FOLLOWS A RECENTLY-COMPLETED STUDY OF ROUTES AND VESSEL MOVEMENTS IN HONG KONG WATERS, WHICH SHOWED THAT A HIGH RISK OF COLLISIONS, STRANDINGS OR GROUNDINGS EXISTED IN CERTAIN AREAS.
THE STUDY, THE FIRST OF THREE PHASES, WAS DONE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CANADIAN COMMERCIAL CORPORATION. IT AIMED TO REDUCE THE RISK TO VESSELS, LIVES AND THE ENVIRONMENT, AND TO IMPROVE 7RAFF IC FLOW.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THE RISK FACTOR HAD BEEN CALCULATED FROM HISTORICAL SHIPPING DATA, A STUDY OF SHIP MOVEMENTS, HAZARDS IN THE WATERWAYS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS. THE SOLUTION ALSO HAD TO BE COST-EFFECTIVE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE EARLIER APPROACH TO VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT HAD BEEN TO INSTALL ELECTRONIC MONITORING EQUIPMENT WITHOUT A STUDY OF PRECISE NEEDS.
THIS HAD LED TO TECHNOLOGICAL OVERKILL IN SOME PORTS, WHERE THE EQUIPMENT WAS NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE TRAFFIC FLOW. HOWEVER, IT WAS NOW COMMON PRACTICE TO MAKE STUDIES AND DEVELOP A MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF TRAFFIC FLOW AND USE THIS TO DEVELOP COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS BEFORE INSTALLING EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ELECTRONIC AIDS WOULD INCREASE SAFETY BY OFFERING SHIPMASTERS ADVICE ON TRAFFIC FLOW, WHICH SHOULD ALSO REDUCE DELAYS AT BERTHS, ANCHORAGES AND PILOT STATIONS. THE PROPOSED SYSTEM WOULD ALSO HAVE A VALUABLE ROLE IN SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS.
HONG KONG HAD BEEN AMONG THE WORLD LEADERS IN THIS MORE RATIONAL APPROACH, BUT WAS NOW ALONE AMONG THE WORLD’S LEAD INb PORTS IN NOT OPERATING A SOPHISTICATED VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAbEMEN.
SYSTEM.
/LAST YEAR, .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1984
4
LAST YEAR, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SURVEYED TRAFFIC NUMBERS OF VESSELS ON THE MAIN APPROACHES TO THE PORT. CF THIS SURVEY WERE CONSIDERED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RISK.
PATTERNS AND THE RESULTS
I DENT IF IED
THE MOST EFFECTIVE LOCATIONS AT WHICH RADAR EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE BASED TO MONITOR HIGH-RISK AREAS WERE: NORTH EAST LANTAU5 SHEK KWU CHAU? BLUFF HEAD; WAGLAND ISLAND AND THE REDEVELOPED MACAU FERRY TERMINAL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR THE VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WOULD INCLUDE RADAR, VERY HIGH FREQUENCY RADIO, VERY HIGH FREQUENCY RADIO/DI RECT ION FINDING EQUIPMENT, AND COMPUTERS TO ANALYSE THE DATA AND PRESENT IT ON MONITORS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN 1975, 15 061 OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERED AND CLEARED HONG KONG. IN 1983, THIS INCREASED TO 22 959. THE TONNAGE OF CARGO IN THE SAME PERIOD ROSE FROM 17.7 MILLION TO 37.9 MILLION TONS.
PROJECTIONS FOR 1994 INDICATED THAT SOME 33 000 OCEAN-GOING VESSELS WOULD ENTER AND CLEAR THE PORT, WITH ALL THAT IMPLIED FOR THE USE OF EXISTING WATERWAYS.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS NOW EVALUATING THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY. THE GOVERNMENT WILL THEN DECIDE WHETHER TO INSTALL THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM.
-----0-----
CARTOON CHARACTERS TO PROMOTE VOTING
*****
MEMBERS OF THE +DRAGON FAMILY* WILL BE OUT IN FULL FORCE TO ENCOURAGE KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS AND WORKERS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS FOR THE COMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
+MR AND MRS DRAGON+, TOGETHER WITH +GRANDFATHER+ AND +BABY DRAGON+, WILL BE SELLING THE MESSAGE THROUGH LEAFLETS, STICKERS AND POSTERS TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND HOUSEHOLDS.
THE CARTOON CHARACTERS ARE BEING USED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE FOR ITS VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE UNTIL OCTOBER 1.
♦THROUGH THE DAILY ACTIVITIES OF THE ’DRAGON’ FAMILY
WHICH ARE ILLUSTRATED IN AN EIGHT-PANEL LEAFLET, RESIDENTS WILL BE TOLD WHAT DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM IS, WHAT THE DISTRICT BOARD IS AND DOES, AND WHY AND HOW PEOPLE SHOULD VOTE,* THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA, SAID.
♦THE LEAFLET IS AIMED AT PUTTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS IN A SIMPLE, CLEAR AND LIGHT-HEARTED MANNER.*
/IN THE........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 198^
5
IN THE LEAFLET, + BABY DRAGON+ IS SEEN UNTANGLING HIMSELF FROM A RED TAPE - A SYMBOL THAT DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IS NOT ANOTHER FORM OF GOVERNMENT RED TAPE BUT A YOUNG AND GROWING SYSTEM WHICH GIVES THE PUBLIC A DIRECT SAY IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
ANOTHER ILLUSTRATION FEATURES +MRS DRAGON+ DANCING IN BALLET TUTU, +MR DRAGON+ PLANTING A TREE, ^GRANDFATHER DRAGON+ SLEEPING CONTENTEDLY AND +BABY DRAGON+ RIDING A BMX BICYCLE.
♦ THIS SHOWS THAT THE DISTRICT BOARDS ARE CONCERNED WITH THE WELL-BEING OF THE RESIDENTS,+ SAID MR GARCIA.
A PICTURE OF +MR DRAGON+ EXERCISING HIS CIVIC RIGHT BY PUTTING A VOTING CARD IN THE BALLOT BOX IS ALSO FEATURED IN THE LEAFLET.
4 000 STICKERS AND ICT OFFICE AT $36 000.+
+ABOUT 150 000 COPIES OF THE LEAFLETS, 8000 POSTERS HAVE BEEN PRINTED BY THE DISTR
-----0------
NEW OUTLET FOR GREEN PAPER
* * * *
MORE THAN 145 000 COPIES OF THE GREEN PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
IN ADDITION, COPIES HAVE BEEN SENT DIRECTLY TO SEVERAL HUNDRED ORGANISATIONS AND GROUPS COVERING ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE DOCUMENT MAY NOW ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE 18 TV WEEK CONSUMER SERVICE CENTRES AT MTR STATIONS.
COMMENTS BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE SENT DIRECTLY 70s DIRECTOR, COUNCILS AND ADMINISTRATION BRANCH, ROOM 513, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THOSE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC REQUIRING BULK QUANTITIES OF THE GREEN PAPER, TOTALLING 10 COPIES OR MORE, SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR REQUESTS IN WRITING TO THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, SPECIFYING THEIR REQUIREMENTS.
-----o-----
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1934
6
USE OF WORD PROCESSORS ENCOURAGED
*****
THE FINANCE BRANCH TODAY STARTED A SERIES OF SEMINARS TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF WORD PROCESSORS THROUGHOUT GOVERNMENT, AS A MEASURE TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND TO CONTAIN THE GROWTH OF THE SECRETARIAL OR CLERICAL STAFF ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THE SEMINARS BEING HELD FOR DIRECTORATE OFFICERS WILL ALSO EXPLAIN HOW THE WORD PROCESSOR CAN BE ACQUIRED UNDER A SIMPLIFIED FINANCIAL PROCEDURE.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE SLIDE PRESENTATIONS AND A DEMONSTRATION OF THE NEW MODEL APPROVED FOR USE IN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE FIRST SEMINAR WAS OPENED TODAY BY THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT 62 WORD PROCESSORS HAD SO FAR BEEN INSTALLED IN 26 DEPARTMENTS, RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCTIVITY AND SAVINGS IN STAFF TIME.
THE WORD PROCESSOR IS USED FOR HANDLING LENGTHY REPORTS, CONTRACT AGREEMENTS, AND STANDARD PAPERS FOR COMMITTEES WHERE ACCURACY AND PRESENTATION ARE VERY IMPORTANT OR WHERE CONSIDERABLE REDRAFTING IS REQUIRED AND ONLY LIMITED TIME IS AVAILABLE FOR PRODUCING FAIRED COPIES, HE SAID.
-------0---------
+SAFETY AT WORK+ GALA NIGHT
* * *
A GALA NIGHT TO MARK THE CONCLUSION OF THIS YEAR’S +SAFETY AT WORK+ TV SERIES WILL BE HELD IN THE AUDITORIUM OF TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, TSUEN WAN, AT 8 PM FRIDAY (AUGUST 10).
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, THE ONE-AND-A-HALF HOUR SHOW WILL FEATURE AN ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME OF SINGING, BREAKDANCE, A MINI-OPERA AS WELL AS AN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY QUIZ, WITH ATTRACTIVE PRIZES AND A LUCKY DRAW FOR THE AUDIENCE.
WELL-KNOWN TELEVISION PERSONALITIES MR TANG YING-MAN AND MISS HAPPY CHAN HOI-SUM WILL BE COMPERES OF THE GALA NIGHT.
A NUMBER OF POPULAR SINGERS AND OTHER ARTISTES WILL BE PERFORMING. THEY INCLUDE! MISS ROWENA CORTES, MR PANG KIN-SUN, MR ROY CHIAO, MISS ANNABELLE LOUIE, THE YOUNG TIGERS GROUP, AND THE TWO FORMER MISS HONG KONGS, MISS ROWENA LAM AND MISS ANGLIE LEUNG.
- - - - 0 ----
/7......
TUESDAY, AUGUST , 1934
7
BOARD TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER * * * *
NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AT A SPECIAL MEETING AT 9.30 AM ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 9) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL BUILDING, KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
-----o------
SHEK LEI HAWKERS MOVED * X X
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS ARRANGED REPROVISIONING FOR A GROUP OF RESITED HAWKERS AT SHEK LEI ESTATE (lI) IN CONNECTION WITH AN IMPROVEMENT SCHEME TO REINFORCE WATER AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO THE ESTATE.
♦ UNDER THE SCHEME, THE HAWKER SITE BETWEEN BLOCKS 10 AND 11 IS NEEDED FOR A PUMP HOUSE/TRANSFORMER ROOM PROJECT,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY.
HE SAID ALTOGETHER 75 HAWKERS WERE ELIGIBLE FOR AN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE OF S3 000 EACH.
♦ IN ADDITION, THEY ARE ENTITLED TO PARTICIPATE IN RESTRICTED TENDERS FOR SHOPSTALLS OR COOKED FOOD STALLS IN THE SAME ESTATE.
♦ ONE SUCH TENDER WAS HELD IN JUNE WHEN 23 HAWKERS SUCCESSFULLY BID STALLS TO CONTINUE THEIR BUSINESS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------ 0 -----
SHARE DISCLOSURE 3E XX
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS UNDER RULE 29 OF THE HONG KONG CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS ADVISES THAT, IN CONNECTION WITH THE CURRENT OFFER BY FIRST PACIFIC HOLDINGS LIMITED TO ACQUIRE THE ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL OF FIRST PACIFIC FINANCE LIMITED, THE FOLLOWING DISCLOSURcS
HAVE BEEN
(1)
(2)
MADE TO HIMs
JARDINE FLEMING (SECURITIES) LTD. SOLD ON 6 AUGUST 1984 FOR THE ACCOUNT OF INVESTMENT CLIENTS 10 000 SHARES AND 50 000 SHARES IN FIRST PACIFIC HOLDINGS LTD. AT $2,525 PER SHARE AND $2.55 PER SHARE RESPECTIVELY.
JARDINE FLEMING (SECURITIES) LTD. SOLD ON 6 AUGUST 1984 FOR THE ACCOUNT OF INVESTMENT CLIENTS 1 000 SHARES IN FIRST PACIFIC FINANCE LTD. AT SI.35 PER SHARE.
------o--------
/8
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1934
8
S5.6M TO IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY * * *
ABOUT 3 100 METRES OF FRESH WATER MAINS ARE TO BE LAID ALONG LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, WONG TAI SIN ROAD, SHATIN PASS ROAD AND YUK *AH STREET IN EAST KOWLOON.
A WORKS CONTRACT, VALUED AT $5.6 MILLION, HAS BEEN AWARDED TO EXCEL ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START LATER THIS WEEK AND BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT A YEAR.
THE PROJECT IS PART OF A SCHEME TO BOOST THE CAPACITY OF THE FRESH WATER TRUNK FEED SYSTEM IN EAST KOWLOON TO COPE WITH INCREASING DEMAND.
THE SYSTEM IS AT PRESENT FED FROM THE LION ROCK HIGHER LEVEL FRESH WATER RESERVOIR, AND WILL LATER BE CONNECTED TO THE PAK KONG PUMPING STATION NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
- - 0 - -
KITE-FLYING CONTEST , * * * *
FORTY-FIVE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM KOWLOON CITY WILL TAKE PART IN A KITE FLYING COMPETITION AT PO LO CHE IN SAI KUNG TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE PARTICIPANTS, AGED BETWEEN NINE AND 20, WILL BE FLYING KITES MADE BY THEMSELVES.
JUDGING WILL BE ON THE DESIGN OF THE KITES AND FLYING TECHNIQUE.
THE COMPETITION IS PART OF A CURRENT KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS FESTIVAL JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
- - 0 -
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1934
9
FANLING TRAFFIC CHANGES * * * *
FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 9), TRAFFIC DIVERSION WILL BE INTRODUCED ON THE FOLLOWING STREETS IN LUEN WO HUI, FANLING, TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
* THE SECTION OF LUN HING STREET BETWEEN LUEN WO ROAD AND SHA TAU KOK ROAD WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
* ON THE SECTION OF LUEN WO ROAD BETWEEN LUEN HING STREET AND LUEN SHING STREET, THE SOUTHERN BUS LANE WILL BE REOPENED FOR WESTBOUND TRAFFIC, WHILE THE MIDDLE LANE WILL BE PROHIBITED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES.
* THE SECTION OF WO FUNG STREET BETWEEN LUEN HING STREET AND LUEN SHING STREET WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
-----0------
HAPPY VALLEY WATER WORK * * *
IN HAPPY VALLEY WILL TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 10) DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
BE
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE
VILLAGE, CHING MAN VILLAGE, SO POOL ROAD (BETWEEN CHEONG MING
BOUNDED BY BROADWOOD ROAD, WESLY KON PO COTTAGE RESETTLEMENT AREA, BLUE STREET AND TAI HANG ROAD) GREEN
LANE, BRIAR AVENUE, BROOM ROAD, HOLLY ROAD, HAPPY VIEW TERRACE AND HOUSE NUMBER 148-150 TAI HANG ROAD.
-----o-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE KO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING
RIGHT FOR PEOPLE TO COMMENT ON ACCORD — BRAY ............. 1
GOVERNMENT TOLD TO +REACH OUT FOR REACTION+ .............. 10
THANKS FOR MEMORABLE SESSION, SAYS SIR PHILIP ............ 15
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW ................................. 17
HK ACTS FURTHER ON U.S. TEXTILE MOVE ........................ 17
TEXTILE TALKS WITH U.S....................................... 18
EPCOM BACKS POLLUTION CONTROL PLANS ......................... 18
MEETING HELD WITH CONTAINER TRACTOR OWNERS, DRIVERS ......... 19
CAMP FUN, HELP FOR 'YOUTHS ON BRINK' ........................ 20
BOARDS TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER ............................. 20
COMPUTERS TO CONTROL AREA TRAFFIC ........................... 21
PLB LICENCES READY FOR COLLECTION ........................... 22
JOB AGENCIES REMINDED ABOUT FEES ............................ 25
MORE TIME FOR MARRIAGES................................-..... 23
LICENSING OF SWIMMING POOLS ................................. 24
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1934
1
RIGHT FOR PEOPLE TO COMMENT ON ACCORD -- BRAY * * * *
IT WAS RIGHT THAT THE HONG OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT FORMALLY •NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED OF HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SAID TODAY.
KONG PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE AN ON THE FINAL OUTCOME OF THE KINGDOM AND CHINA ON THE FUTURE HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON DENIS BRAY,
+PARLIAMENT, AND THE HONG KONG PEOPLE THEMSELVES WOULD EXPECT NO LESS,* HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR BRAY WAS SPEAKING ON THE MOTION BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON LYDIA DUNN — WHICH HE SAID OFFICIAL MEMBERS SUPPORTED — WELCOMING GOVERNMENT’S INITIATIVE TO TEST THE ACCEPTABILITY OF THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNMENT, MR BRAY SAID, WOULD DO ITS PART TO ENSURE THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE AGREEMENT WERE WIDELY KNOWN AND WOULD CREATE AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.
+IT IS UP TO THEM TO DO SO. THEREAFTER A CAREFUL AND IMPARTIAL ASSESSMENT WILL BE PREPARED AND PUBLISHED FOR ALL TO SEE,* HE SAID.
A DRAFT AGREEMENT WOULD BE FIRST PUT TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG
KONG +WITH A CLEAR EXPLANATION OF ITS IMPLICATIONS*, AT THE SAME
TIME THAT IT IS PUBLISHED IN THE U.K. AS A WHITE PAPER.
IT WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE GOVERNOR, WITH A STATEMENT, AND WOULD BE OPEN TO DEBATE.
MR BRAY SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S WIDE-RANGING AND SYSTEMATIC MECHANISM FOR MAINTAINING CLOSE AND CONSTANT TOUCH WITH OPINION WOULD BE BROUGHT INTO PLAY +TO ASSESS CURRENT VIEWS ON KNOWN PROPOSALS.*
REFERRING TO THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE, WHICH HE SAID WOULD OPERATE ENTIRELY INDEPENDENTLY OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND ITS ORGANISATION, MR BRAY SAID IT WOULD ACT AS A RECEIVER OF VIEWS.
+WHEREAS THE GOVERNMENT MACHINE WILL BE ACTIVE, TRANSMITTING INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC AND STIMULATING COMMENT AND DISCUSSION, THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE WILL BE PASSIVE, ACTING AS A RECEIVER FOR THE VIEWS THAT WILL EMERGE.
+ITS PRIME FUNCTION WILL BE TO RECEIVE AND ANALYSE ALL EXPRESSIONS OF VIEWS UPON THE INITIALLED AGREEMENT.
THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE, MR BRAY SAID, WOULD +COLLATE, SUMMARISE, ANALYSE AND ASSESS ALL THOSE VIEWS.*
/♦BUT IT........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1984
- 2 -
+BUT IT WILL NOT REACH OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY TO OBTAIN OR SOLICIT THEM,* HE SAID.
THE OFFICE WOULD BE MANNED BY EXPERIENCED CIVIL SERVANTS AND ITS HEAD WOULD REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR.
WHEN THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE HAD COMPLETED ITS VIEWS, IT WOULD BE REQUIRED BY A GIVEN DATE TO REPORT IN WRITING TO THE GOVERNOR UPON THE VIEWS IT HAD RECEIVED, MR BRAY SAID.
THESE VIEWS WOULD BE IN A FORM THAT COULD READILY BE ASSIMILATED BY THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IN LONDON TO WHOM IT WOULD BE PRESENTED BY MINISTERS.
THE COLLATION OF THE VIEWS WOULD BE IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG IN A WAY NO REFERENDUM COULD BE.
+THE METHODS PROPOSED WILL MAKE POSSIBLE NOT ONLY AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ACCEPTABILITY OF THE AGREEMENT BUT WILL ALSO POINT TO AREAS WHICH CAUSE CONCERN.
+ALTHOUGH THE AGREEMENT ITSELF WILL NOT BE OPEN TO AMENDMENT THESE CONCERNS WILL PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE FUTURE,* MR BRAY SAID.
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS’S SPEECH!
+l AM GRATEFUL TO MISS DUNN FOR GIVING THIS COUNCIL A CHANCE TO DEBATE THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT. THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SUPPORT THE MOTION WHICH SHE HAS SO ABLY ARGUED WITH THE SUPPORT OF OTHER (“EMBERS. I THOUGHT MR SO’S PARABLE OF THE ANXIOUS GARMENT BUYER PARTICULARLY SUITABLE FOR THE WORLD’S LARGEST GARMENT EXPORTING TERRITORY.
+AS HONG KONG MOVES TOWARDS A CRUCIAL DECISION ON ITS FUTURE IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT WE DO SO WITH SOME TREPIDATION. SOMETIME LATER THIS YEAR WE EXPECT TO SEE THE PUBLICATION OF AN INITIALLED AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. HMG HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT IS SEEKING AN AGREEMENT THAT IS ALSO ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THE AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE SIGNED UNTIL PARLIAMENT HAS AGREED AND BEFORE THEY TAKE A DECISION PARLIAMENT WILL WISH TO KNOW WHETHER THE AGREEMENT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
+IT IS TO ASSIST PARLIAMENT TO COME TO A CONCLUSION ON THIS MATTER THAT SPECIAL MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN IN HONG KONG BETWEEN THE PUBLICATION OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE DECIDING DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT.
/♦TO THOSE
WEDNESDAY, AUGDST 8, 1984
HONG KONG THE TASK SEEMS TO BE NOT ELECTED BY T'Jf --OPLF OF HONG
+TO THOSE UNFAMILIAR WITH IMPOSSIBLE. THE GOVERNMENT IS KONG BUT DERIVES ITS AUTHORITY CAN ACCEPTABILITY BE MEASURED I . tuc
UNIVERSAL FRANCHISE FOR TWO YEARS, WHERE ONLY A THIRD OF THE ELECTORATE IS ON THE ELECTORAL ROLL AND ONLY ONE THIRD OF THIS VOTED WHEN LOCAL ELECTIONS WERE HELD? TO THOSE UNFAMILIAR WITH HONG KONG THE QUESTION IS UNANSWERABLE.
FROM APPOINTMENT BY BRITAIN. HOw N A PLACE WHICH HAS ONLY HAD
+TO THOSE WHO LIVE HERE THE ABSENCE OF FORMAL ELECTOkAL INSTITUTIONS IS LESS WORRYING. GOVERNMENTS EVERYWHERE HAVE TO ACT TO A GREATER OR LESSER DEGREE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WISHES OF THEIR PEOPLE. THE MORE OPEN THE SOCIETY, THE GREATER THt ARRAY OF FREEDOMS, THE CLOSER MUST GOVERNMENT ACTIONS CONFORM WITH THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE. IF THEY DEPART FROM THESE WISHES DISSENT EMERGES. THE VOLUME OF DISSENT DEPENDS ON THE DEGREE TO WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS GONE WRONG BUT ALSO ON THE FREEDOM WITH WHICH THE PEOPLE FEEL THEY CAN EXPRESS THEMSELVES.
♦ANYONE WHO HAS FOLLOWED RECENT DEBATES IN THIS COUNCIL WILL BE IN NO DOUBT AS TO THE FREEDOM WITH WHICH DISSENT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN HONG KONG. THE MEANS ARE AVAILABLE AND, WHEN REQUIRED, THEY ARE USED. IF THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN PURSUING POLICIES WHICH WERE GENERALLY UNACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THEN THE MAKE UP OF HONG KONG SOCIETY IS SUCH THAT IT WOULD HAVE PRODUCED CONTINUOUS TURMOIL. THIS WE HAVE NOT HAD. OUR POLICIES HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED. WHEN THEY HAVE DEVELOPED UNACCEPTABLE TRENDS THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT OUT AND CORRECTED.
+NOW THIS SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT POLICIES HAS NOT HAPPENED BY ACCIDENT. IT HAS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF RETAINING PUBLIC CONSENT IN SUCH AN OPEN SOCIETY. BUT PUBLIC CONSENT CANNOT BE RETAINED WITHOUT AN INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF PUBLIC OPINION ITSELF. THE GOVERNMENT HAS THEREFORE OVER THE YEARS DEVELOPED A WIDE RANGING AND SYSTEMATIC MECHANISM FOR MAINTAINING CLOSE AND CONSTANT TOUCH WITH OPINION. WITHOUT SUCH A MECHANISM IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO FRAME POLICIES TO MEET PEOPLE’S NEEDS.
♦THIS MECHANISM IS REQUIRED TO SERVE TWO DISTINCT PURPOSES. FIRST IT IS REQUIRED TO HELP IN FORECASTING OPINION ON POLICY OPTIONS - GREAT AND SMALL. SECOND IT IS REQUIRED TO ASSESS CURRENT OPINION ON THE IMPACT OF POLICIES ALREADY IN TRAIN.
/♦THPOUGHOUT THE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1984
+THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG THIS OPINION SOUNDING MECHANISM HAS BEEN CARRYING OUT ITS FIRST ROLE, THAT OF JUDGING REACTIONS TO POSSIBLE OPTIONS. THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE TALKS - ALTHOUGH JUSTIFIED IN THE INTEREST CF PROMOTING CONSTRUCTIVE NEGOTIATION - HAS INEVITABLY LIMITED THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE HONG KONG PEOPLE. BUT THE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAVE BEEN FULLY CONSULTED. THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY, IN HIS STATEMENTS IN THE TERRITORY ON APRIL 20 AND AUGUST 1, HAS ALSO DONE ALL HE JUDGED POSSIBLE TO EXPLAIN THE APPROACH OF HMG TO THE NEGOTIATIONS AND THEIR LIKELY OUTCOME. MOREOVER MANY OF THE ISSUES TO WHICH PEOPLE ATTACH IMPORTANCE HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF MUCH DISCUSSION BOTH PUBLICLY IN THE MEDIA AND PRIVATELY. POINTS HAVE EVEN BEEN MADE TODAY BY MFS CHOW AND MR YEUNG PO KWAN: BOTH MRS CHOW AND MR PETER C. WONG EMPHASISED THE NEED TO SPEAK UP WITHOUT DELAY. IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE, ULTIMATELY THROUGH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, TO FORMULATE ADVICE ON WHAT IS AND WHAT IS NOT THOUGHT TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO HONG KONG. ALL MANIFESTATIONS OF THE VIEWS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE FULLY AND SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED BY HMG AND TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE NEGOTIATIONS.
♦ BUT IT IS RIGHT THAT THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION SHOULD NOT END THERE, AND THAT THE HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT FORMALLY ON THE FINAL OUTCOME OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. PARLIAMENT, AND THE HONG KONG PEOPLE THEMSELVES WOULD EXPECT NO LESS.
+IT IS AT THIS POINT THAT THE SECOND FUNCTION OF OUR MECHANISM FOR ASSESSING OPINION IS BROUGHT INTO PLAY - THAT IS THAT PART WHICH ASSESSES CURRENT VIEWS ON KNOWN PROPOSALS. FROM THE SPEECHES OF MR PETER WONG, MR BILL BROWN AND MRS PAULINE NG OUR OBJECTIVES AND REASONS ARE UNDERSTOOD THOUGH PERHAPS WE HAVE NOT EXPLAINED THE DIVISION OF WORK PRECISELY ENOUGH. ON THIS OCCASION IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE TASKS OF STIMULATING AND ASSESSING COMMENT BE SPLIT INTO FOUR PARTS. THESE FOUR PARTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* THE GOVERNMENT WILL DISSEMINATE AND EXPLAIN THE AGREEMENT, URGING THE PUBLIC TO EXPRESS ITS VIEWS.
* IT WILL BE UP TO THE PEOPLE TO EXPRESS VIEWS.
* THE VIEWS WILL BE ASSESSED IN THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE.
M THE OPERATION OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE WILL BE SCRUTINISED BY MONITORS.
/♦THE FIRST
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1981*
- 5 -
+THE FIRST PART OF THIS OPERATION 'WHICH FALLS TO THE GOVERNMENT IS TO PUT A DRAFT AGREEMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WITH A CLEAR EXPLANATION OF ITS IMPLICATIONS. THE AGREEMENT wILL fcE PUBLISHED IN THE U.K. AS PART OF A WHITE PAPER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER IT HAS BEEN INITIALLED. THE AGREEMENT WILL BE PUBLISHED SIMULTANEOUSLY HERE. THE ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION «ILL INCLUDE AN ACCOUNT OF THE BACKGROUND TO THE NEGOTIATIONS LEADING TO THE DRAFT AGREEMENT, AN EXPLANATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE DRAFT AGREEMENT AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS. THE GOVERNOR WILL INTRODUCE IT TO THIS COUNCIL WITH A STATEMENT.
+THESE DOCUMENTS - THAT IS TEXT OF HMG’S WHITE PAPER, INCORPORATING THE AGREEMENT AND THE TEXT OF GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT -WILL THEN BE VERY WIDELY DISTRIBUTED BY THE GOVERNMENT HERE. THIS COUNCIL WILL BE FREE TO DEBATE THE MATTER. THE PAPERS wILL BE SENT TO THE URBAN COUNCIL AND TO DISTRICT BOARDS wITH AN INVITATION TO THEM TO MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN. COPIES WILL BE SENT TO SELECTED REPRESENTATIVE BODIES INCLUDING TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS, PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC BODIES AND OTHER GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS OF STANDING IN THE COMMUNITY wI TH AN INVITATION TO COMMENT. IF ANY ORGANISATION IS MISSED OUT IT WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THE DOCUMENTS AT NUMEROUS OUTLETS. *E SHALL DO OUR BEST TO PUBLICISE THE TEXTS IN THE MEDIA - «HO HAVE ACTED VERY RESPONSIBLY IN THESE MATTERS IN THE PAST - AND COPIES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN MANY GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
+WHEREVER THE GOVENMENT CAN IT WILL URGE PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS. NO DOUBT MANY VIEWS WILL ALSO BE EXPRESSED SPONTANEOUSLY THROUGH THE MEDIA. DURING THIS DEBATE SEVERAL SUGGESTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE BY MR CHAN YING LUN, MRS PAULINE NG AND PR YEUNG PO KWAN AS TO HOW THE EXPRESSION OF VIEWS CAN BE STIMULATED. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THESE PROPOSALS. RATHER THAN MAKE IMMEDIATE COMMENTS I SHALL UNDERTAKE THAT THEY wILL BE EXAMINED CLOSELY DURING OUR DETAILED PLANNING.
+1 TURN NOW TO THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE WHICH WILL OPERATE ENTIRELY INDEPENDENTLY OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND ITS ORGANISATION. WHEREAS THE GOVERNMENT MACHINE WILL BE ACTIVE, TRANSMITTING INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC AND STIMULATING COMMENT AND DISCUSSION, THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE WILL BE PASSIVE, ACTING AS A RECEIVER FOR THE VIEWS THAT WILL EMERGE. ITS PRIME FUNCTION wILL BE TO RECEIVE AND ANALYSE ALL EXPRESSIONS OF VIEWS UPON THE INITIALLED AGREEMENT. IT * ILL TAKE NOTE OF THE VIEWS OF THE PED I A. IT WILL TAKE NOTE OF THE VIEWS OF ANY ORGANISATION OR INDIVIDUAL THAT WRITES TO IT. IT WILL TAKE NOTE OF ANY VIEwS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT MAY RECEIVE THROUGH ITS ORDINARY PROCESSES OF CONSULTATION AND *H ICH ARE HANDED OVER TO THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE. IT WILL TAKE NOTE OF ANY SURVEYS OF OPINION THAT MAY BE COMMISSIONED IN HONG KONG BY ANY INDEPENDENT ORGANISATION. ITS JOB WILL BE TO COLLATE, SUMMARISE, ANALYSE AND ASSESS ALL THOSE VIEWS. BUT IT WILL NOT REACH OUT INTO ThE COMMUNITY TO OBTAIN OR SOLICIT THEM. ITS EARS AND ITS EYES wILL BE OPEN TO ALL VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE COMMUNITY.
/+THE ASSESSMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 198L
6
+THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE W ILL BE MANNED BY EXPERIENCED CIVIL SERVANTS. ITS HEAD WILL REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR. GIVEN THE TIME CONSTRAINTS UNDER WHICH IT WILL BE OPERATING, AND THC NOVELTY AND COMPLEXITY OF ITS TASK, IT IS OBVIOUSLY PREFERABLE THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO HEAR VIEWS ORALLY FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OR FROM GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO MIGHT WISH TO ATTEND AT THE OFFICE. COMMUNICATIONS IN WRITING WILL BE FAR EASIER TO ASSIMILATE. IF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEwS ORALLY, THEN THERE ARE OTHERS IN GOVERNMENT SUCH AS DISTRICT OFFICERS WHO CAN BE RELIED UPON TO TAKE NOTE OF THEIR VIEwS AND TO PASS THEM ON TO THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE. SIR, WITH YOUR CONSENT I PROPOSE THAT THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE, WHICH HAVE NOW BEEN DECIDED, BE INCLUDED IN THE RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THIS COUNCIL.
+MISS DUNN AND MR CHAN YING LUN HOPE THAT EVEN AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE INITIALLED AGREEMENT THERE wILL BE SCOPE FOR FURTHER AMENDMENT IN DETAIL. I AM AFRAID I CANNOT HOLD OUT ANY HOPE OF THIS. AS THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAID ONLY A WEEK AGO IN THIS CHAMBER IN ANY INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS OF THIS KIND BOTH SIDES NEGOTIATE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WHICH HAS TO BE CONSIDERED AS A WHOLE. IF EITHER SIDE WERE TO SEtK TO RESERVE THE RIGHT, HAVING REACHED THE CONCLUSION OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, AS IT WERE TO START AGAIN, THEN THE OTHER SIDE WOULD, UNDERSTANDABLY, SEEK TO OBTAIN THE SAME RIGHT. THE AGREEMENT WOULD NOT BE EVEN AN AGREEMENT THAT COULD BE INITIALLED. SO BOTH SIDES ARE WORKING TOWARDS THE CONCLUSION CF AN AGREEMENT AS A WHOLE AND IT THEN HAS TO BE CONSIDERED AS A WHOLE.
+MR YEUNG PO KWAN HAS SPOTTED THE D IFFICULTIES WE HAVE HAD WITH THE CHINESE NAME FOR THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE. MY ADVISERS HAVE EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO ME AND I SHALL TRY TO RETAIL THEIR WISDOM. THE FIRST SUGGESTION AS MR YEUNG SAYS wAS (MAN JI PING GU TSY). (MAN JI) IS A PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE PHASE FOR PEOPLE’S WISHES, PEOPLE’S VIEWS. THIS IS WHAT WE ARE AFTER. (PING GU) IS ALSO A PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE CHINESE WORD WITH NO REALLY UNDESIRABLE OVERTONES. IT IS USED FOR ASSESSING RATEABLE VALUES OR INCOME, FOR GIVING OF AN OPINION OR FOR JUDGING A BEAUTY CONTEST. BUT WE ARE A CANTONESE CITY AND CANTONESE USAGE CAN TURN THE MOST SOLEMN PHRASES INTO RIBALDRY. THE WORD (GU) CAN INVOLVE THE CONNOTATION OF GUESS WORK AND SPECULATION. WE CERTAINLY WOULD NOT WISH THE REPORT OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE TO BE DESCRIBED AS A (KAU GU) OR WILD GUESS. SO THE PREFERABLE WORD (SAM HAT) HAS BEEN DECIDED ON - (SAM) BEING THE WORD USED FOR JUDGEMENT EXERCISED IN COURTS AND (HAT) IMPLYING A CAREFUL SCRUTINY OF DATA AS IN AUDITING OR TAKING AN INVENTORY. ALAS NOTHING IS PERFECT AND EVEN THIS DIGNIFIED PHRASE IMPLYING THE EXERCISE OF JUDGEMENT AFTER A METICULOUS EXAMINATION OF DATA COULD BE DESCRIBED AS BEING SLIGHTLY AUTHORITARIAN - AS IF THE OFFICE WAS JUDGING WHAT OPINION SHOULD BE RATHER THAN GIVING A BALANCED ACCOUNT OF THE REPRESENTATIONS ACTUALLY RECEIVED - THE POINT MADE BY MISS DUNN AND MR YEUNG. I AM ADVISED BY THE BEST AUTHORITIES THAT WHILE THERE MIGHT BE A MINUTE AMOUNT OF FORCE IN SUCH AN OBJECTION IT SHOULD NOT OUTWclGH THE NEED TO AVOID OUR CANTONESE WAGS FROM MOCKING THE wORK OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE AS A GUESSING GAME. SO (MAN JI SAM HAT DZYN JYN BAN SI TSY) IT IS.
/♦WHEN THE .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1984
+WHEN THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE HAS COMPLETED ITS WORK, IT WILL BE REQUIRED BY A GIVEN DATE TO REPORT IN WRITING TO THE GOVERNOR UPON THE VIEW'S IT HAS RECEIVED. THIS WILL NOT CONSIST OF A SHORT STATEMENT OF THE ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO THE NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT. RATHER IT WILL GATHER THE EXPRESSIONS OF VIEWS IN A FORM THAT CAN READILY BE ASSIMILATED BY THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IN LONDON TO WHOM IT WILL BE PRESENTED BY MINISTERS AND WHO WILL FORM THEIR OWN VIEW UPON THE ACCEPTABILITY OF THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS.
+IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH BEYOND ANY DOUBT THE IMPARTIALITY OF THE WORK OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE. IT IS PROPOSED THAT A MONITORING TEAM SHOULD BE APPOINTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE. THIS IS LIKELY TO CONSIST OF TWO MONITORS, ONE A DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC FIGURE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE OTHER A DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC FIGURE IN HONG KONG. IT IS NOT THOUGHT THAT A THIRD MEMBER FROM SOME OTHER COUNTRY AS SUGGESTED BY MR YEUNG PO KWAN IS NECESSARY. THEIR TASK wILL BE TO OBSERVE THE WORK OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE IN ALL ITS ASPECTS. IT WILL SUBMIT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE ITS OWN REPORT INDEPENDENTLY OF THE REPORT OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE, STATING WHETHER IT IS SATISFIED THAT THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE HAS PROPERLY, ACCURATELY AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGED ITS DUTIES AND FAITHFULLY FOLLOWED THE PROCEDURES PRESENTED IN ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE. THIS REPORT TOO WILL BE PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT BY MINISTERS.
+THE MONITORS WILL NOT COLLECT OR ASSESS OPINION THEMSELVES. THEY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO ALL MATERIAL USED IN THE ASSESSMENT AND BE FREE TO WITNESS SUCH ASPECTS OF THE EXERCISE OF CONSULTATION AND OF THE WORK OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE AS THEY MAY WISH. AGAIN WITH YOUR HONOUR’S CONSENT I PROPOSE THAT THE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE MONITORING TEAM BE INCLUDED IN THE RECORD OF THE PROCEED IN33 CF THIS COUNCIL AS THESE TOO HAVE JUST BEEN APPROVED.
+THESE METHODS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT THEY WILL GIVE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN THAN ANY OF THE MORE MECHANICAL WAYS OF REFERENDUM OR SURVEY. THE ASSESSMENT OF OPINION CAN NEVER BE MECHANICAL. THE RESULTS OF ANY SURVEY OR REFERENDUM ALTHOUGH PRESENTED IN A TIDY STATISTICAL FORM ARE BOUND TO BE OPEN TO QUESTION. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED BY MISS DUNN, MR BROWN AND MR PETER WONG THAT IF THE REPORT OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE IS INCONCLUSIVE A REFERENDUM COULD BE CONSIDERED. I AM AFRAID THIS WOULD NOT HELP. A REFERENDUM COULD NOT BE CONDUCTED FOR MONTHS FOR FIRST IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER THOSE NOT ON THE ELECTORAL ROLL. TwO THIRDS OF THOSE ELIGIBLE NOW ARE NOT REGISTERED AND THERE IS NO KNOWING HOW MANY WOULD REGISTER. IN THE INTERVENING PERIOD FACTIONAL DISPUTE WOULD BE CERTAIN TO DEVELOP. AT THE END OF THE DAY NOBODY COULD BE CONFIDENT WHAT THE OUTCOME wOULD MEAN, DIVIDED AS IT WOULD BE BETWEEN +YES+, +NO+, +DON’T KNOw+, DID NOT VOTE, AND DID NOT REGISTER TO VOTE.
/+MUCH HAS .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 19&A
8
♦MUCH HAS BEEN SAID IN THIS DEBATE ABOUT THE WISHES OF THE ILENT MAJORITY. IF THEY REALLY WISH TO REMAIN SILENT THAT IS E IR PREROGATIVE. THE GOVERNMENT WILL, AS I HOPE I HAVE J'JN, GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE ' XP: ESS VIEWS. BEYOND THIS IT CANNOT GO. PEOPLE MUST EXPRESS EWS THEMSELVES. IF THEY HESITATE TO EXPRESS VIEWS IT IS OUR JEF THAT THEY ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO DO SO TO PEOPLE THEY KNOW IN THEIR MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE, THEIR RESIDENT’S ASSOCIATION, THEIR TRADE ASSOCIATION, THEIR DISTRICT BOARD, THEIR TRADE UNION Ai j SO FORTH RATHER THAN MAKE USE OF THE UNFAMILIAR BALLOT BOX. JES SUCH AS THE URBAN COUNCIL WARD OFFICES AND, INDEED, THE JMELCO OFFICE ITSELF ARE CHANNELS WELL KNOWN AND WELL USED BY MANY. VIEWS CAN ALSO BE MADE KNOWN DIRECTLY TO THE ASSESSMENT CFF ICE.
■•■THE COLLATION OF VIEWS WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE CF HONG KONG IN A WAY NO REFERENDUM COULD BE. THE METHODS PROPOSED WILL MAKE POSSIBLE NOT ONLY AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ACCEPTABILITY OF THE AGREEMENT BUT WILL ALSO POINT TO AREAS WHICH CAUSE CONCERN. ALTHOUGH THE AGREEMENT ITSELF WILL NOT BE OPEN TO AMENDMENT THESE CONCERNS WILL PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE FUTURE.
+ON PUBLICATION OF THIS AGREEMENT THE GOVERNMENT WILL DO ITS PART. IT WILL ENSURE THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE AGREEMENT ARE WIDELY KNOWN AND IT WILL CREATE AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ■EOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS. ONLY THE PEOPLE CAN EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS. IT IS UP TO THEM TO DO SO. THEREAFTER A CAREFUL AND IMPARTIAL ASSESSMENT WILL BE PREPARED AND PUBLISHED FOR ALL TO SEE.+
TERMS OF REFERENCE
FOR THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE * * * *
THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE HAS BEEN SET UP UNDER THE AUTHORITY CF THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG. IT IS SEPARATE FROM THE ORDINARY ■MACHINERY OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND IS UNDER THE CHARGE OF A SENIOR CFFICIAL, TO BE KNOWN AS THE COMMISSIONER, ASSESSMENT OFFICE, wHO WILL REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR.
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE IS TO PROVIDE HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT, THROUGH THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONu, « I TH AN ACCURATE ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF OPINION IN HONG KONG ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT, AND ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WHICH IT WILL SET OUT.
TO THIS END THE FUNCTIONS OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS: AFTER PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION IN HONG KONG BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OF A WHITE PAPER CONTAINING THE DRAFT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT, AND OF AN INVITATION TO COMMENT ON ITS CONTENTS, THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE WILL:
/(A) RECEIVE .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 198A
9
(A) RECEIVE ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT IN WRITING DIRECTLY TO THE OFFICE, OR INDIRECTLY THROUGH WELL ESTABLISHED AND FAMILIAR CONSULTATIVE CHANNELS IN HONG KONG AND THE MEDIA;
(B) COLLATE, SUMMARISE, ANALYSE AND ASSESS ALL SUCH VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT;
(C) SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNOR A REPORT WHICH WILL INCLUDE FACTUAL SUMMARIES OF ALL VIEwS EXPRESSED AND AN OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF THE EXTENT OF ACCEPTANCE BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG OF THE DRAFT AGREEMENT ;
(D) CARRY OUT SUCH DIRECTIONS AS THE GOVERNOR MAY FROM TIME TO TIME GIVE TO EFFECT THESE PURPOSES.
THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE SHALL ALLOW ACCESS TO EVERY ASPECT OF ITS WORK BY THE MONITORING TEAM APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY OF STAT-FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE MONITORING TEAM * * * *
THE INDEPENDENT MONITORING TEAM HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS. ITS ROLE IS TO MONITOR THE WORK OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG TO ASSESS AND REPORT ON THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
THE TASKS OF THE MONITORING TEAM ARE:
(A) TO OBSERVE THE WORK OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE IN ALL ITS ASPECTS
(B) TO SUBMIT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE A REPORT INDEPENDENTLY OF THE REPORT OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE, STATING WHETHER IT IS SATISFIED THAT THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE HAS PROPERLY, ACCURATELY AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGED ITS DUTIES AND FAITHFULLY FOLLOwED THE PROCEDURES PRESENTED IN ITo TlR.-.u OF REFERENCE.
THE MONITORING TEAM wILL NOT ITSELF RECEIVE EXPRESSIONS OF PUBLIC VIEWS OR SEEK IN ITS REPORT TO ASSESS PUBLIC OPINION.
’ TO ENABLE IT TO CARRY OUT ITS TASK THE MONITORING TEA’ .. I--AT ALL TIMES:
(A) HAVE ACCESS TO ALL MATERIAL USED IN THE ASSESSMENT; Ai«D
(B) BE FREE TO WITNESS SUCH ASPECTS OF THE EXERCISE Of CONSULTATION AND OF THE aORK OF THE ASSESSMENT OFF I Ct AS IT MAY w ISH.
------o ------
/1O......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1934
10
GOVERNMENT TOLD TO +REACH OUT FOR REACTION* * * * *
AN APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT TO ACTIVELY SEEK TO INFORM AND EXPLAIN THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND REACH OUT FOR REACTION RATHER THAN WAIT FOR VIEWS TO FILTER UP WAS MADE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE MOTION STANDING IN HER NAME - THAT THE COUNCIL WELCOMED GOVERNMENT’S INITIATIVE TO TEST THE ACCEPTABILITY CF THE AGREEMENT - THE HON MISS LYDIA DUNN STRESSED SHE WAS NOT SUGGESTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SEEK TO INFLUENCE OPINION.
+ IT WOULD BE DISASTROUS IF THERE WAS THE SLIGHTEST SUGGESTION OF THAT,* SHE TOLD COUNCILLORS, +BUT WHAT I AM SUGGESTING IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE MULTIPLICITY OF CONTACT POINTS AVAILABLE TO IT, MUST MAKE SURE THAT THE WIDEST POSSIBLE CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY HAS DIRECT ACCESS TO THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS AND EXPLANATORY MATERIAL AND IS MADE AWARE CF THEIR RIGHT - I WOULD SAY THEIR DUTY - TO MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN TO THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE AND IS ENCOURAGED TO DO S0.+
MISS DUNN SAID SHE ALSO BELIEVED THAT THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE SHOULD CONSIDER COMMISSIONING SOME INDEPENDENT SURVEYS WHICH WOULD AT LEAST VALIDATE OR CAST SOME - +1 REPEAT SOME* - DOUBT ON THE SUBJECTIVE JUDGEMENTS OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE.
SHE SAID SHE UNDERSTOOD THE POINT MADE BY THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, THAT ONCE THE AGREEMENT WAS PUBLISHED IT COULD NOT BE CHANGED, BUT SHE URGED THAT IF AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAD RESERVATIONS ABOUT A CRITICAL ELEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT BOTH THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS MUST BE PREPARED TO RECONSIDER IT.
ON THE HOLDING OF A REFERENDUM, MISS DUNN SAID WE WERE ALL AWARE OF THE DRAWBACKS OF THIS TECHNIQUE AND OF THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES OF USING IT IN HONG KONG’S SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED BY SOME THAT IF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE WAS UNABLE TO ARRIVE AT A DEFINITIVE VIEW AS TO PUBLIC REACTION TO THE AGREEMENT AS A WHOLE OR, WORSE, THERE APPEARED TO BE A SERIOUS DIVISION OF OPINION THEN THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER HOLDING ONE ON A SIMPLE +YES+ OR +N0+ BASIS.
+1 HOPE THAT THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE SUCH AS TO RESULT IN AN AMBIGUOUS LET ALONE SPLIT REACTION, FOR ALL OF US IN HONG KONG WANT AN AGREEMENT,* MISS DUNN STRESSED.
+BUT IT MUST BE SEEN TO BE CLEARLY AN ACCEPTABLE AGREEMENT, BRINGING A NEW CHAPTER IN OUR HISTORY, PRESENTING NEW CHALLENGES AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES.*
/EARLIER, MISS .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1984
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EARLIER, MISS DUNN SAID LIKE THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMUNITY SHE WELCOMED GOVERNMENT’S INITIATIVE IN SETTING UP THE INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OFFICE, NOT ONLY AS EVIDENCE OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO ITS UNDERTAKING THAT ANY AGREEMENT MUST BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BUT ALSO BECAUSE IT PROVIDED ONE FOCAL POINT TO WHICH ALL OPINIONS COULD BE CHANNELLED.
HOWEVER, SOME VALID QUESTIONS HAD BEEN RAISED ABOUT THE PURPOSE AND WORK OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE AND MISS DUNN HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN EXACTLY HOw IT WOULD OPERATE.
MANY PEOPLE HAD ASKED WHAT WAS THE POINT OF TESTING ACCEPTABILITY IN VIEW OF THE FOREIGN SECRETARY’S STATEMENT THAT THE AGREEMENT, ONCE INITIALLED, COULD NOT BE ALTERED AND wAS THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE SIMPLY A MEANS OF ENABLING THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO SAY THAT IT HAD KEPT ITS PLEDGE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG? SOME CYNICS HAD GONE EVEN FURTHER TO SUGGEST THAT THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE WOULD SEEK TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC OPINION AND INTERPRET THAT OPINION IN SUCH A WAY AS TO ENABLE PARLIAMENT TO APPROVE IT, THUS ENABLING THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO PROCEED TO RATIFICATION.
+l DO NOT SHARE THESE DOUBTS AND AM CONFIDENT THAT THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE WILL BE QUITE INDEPENDENT EVEN OF THE OPINION-COLLECTING MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT, BUT IN THE LIGHT OF THE MISGIVINGS WHICH HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD EXPLAIN PRECISELY THE ARRANGEMENT ENVISAGED FOR EXPRESSIONS OF PUBLIC OPINION TO BE SOUGHT BY THE ADMINISTRATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, AND THEN FED INTO THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE AGAIN; DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FOR COLLATION AND ANALYSIS,* MISS DUNN SAID.
+ALTHOUGH I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE WILL FAITHFULLY REPORT ITS FINDINGS NO MATTER HOW EMBARRASSING OR CONTROVERSIAL THEY MAY TURN OUT TO BE A MONITORING TEAM IS TO EXERCISE SURVEILLANCE OVER THE WAY IN WHICH THE MATERIAL FLOWING INTO THE OFFICE IS HANDLED AND THAT WILL BE REASSURING BOTH TO THE HONG KONG PUBLIC AND PARLIAMENT,* SHE SAID.
SEVEN OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF MISS DUNN’a MOTION.
THE HON PETER C. WONG SAID HONG KONG HAD A WELL-ESTABLISHED AND EFFECTIVE SYSTEM OF DISCOVERING AND ASCERTAINING THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE WHICH WAS EVEN MORE EFFECTIVE THAN AN ELECTORAL SYSTEM WHICH COULD ONLY REALLY TEST PUBLIC OPINION EVERY FEW YEARS.
IN FINDING OUT WHAT THE HONG KONG PEOPLE THOUGHT OF THE AGREEMENT FULL USE SHOULD BE MADE OF THE CONSULTATIVE SYSTEM AND THE FEEDBACK FROM THIS, PLUS ALL THE SUBMISSIONS MADE DIRECTLY TO THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE.
/IT WOULD .......
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IT WOULD THEN BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SPECIAL AND INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OFFICE TO PUT TOGETHER ALL THESE MATERIALS AND PRESENT THEM IN THE FORM OF A REPORT, ACCURATELY AND IMPARTIALLY.
+THIS SHOULD DEMONSTRATE TO THE WORLD, AND PARTICULARLY TO PARLIAMENT, THAT OUR FAIRLY COMPREHENSIVE MULTI-CHANNELLED CONSULTATIVE SYSTEM CAN FULLY AND IMPARTIALLY FIND OUT AND REFLECT WHAT HONG KONG PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE,* MR WONG SAID.
HE SAID AN ASSESSMENT OFFICE WAS PERHAPS A GOOD ALTERNATIVE TO A REFERENDUM, BEARING IN MIND THAT THE ISSUE *AS EXTREMELY COMPLEX.
HE SAID A SIMPLE +YES+ OR +NO+ ANSWER WOULD NOT REALLY BE HELPFUL.
IN HIS VIEW A REFERENDUM SHOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED WHEN ALL ELSE HAD FAILED TO PRODUCE SATISFACTORY RESULTS.
THE HON ANDREW SO, IN SUPPORTING THE MOTION, LIKENED THE SITUATION FACING HONG KONG TO A MAN HAVING TO CHANGE HIS APPAREL.
THE HON W.C.L. BROWN SAID ALL SIGNS AT THE MOMENT POINTED TO THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG CONTAINI^ ALL THE ELEMENTS TO MAKE IT ACCEPTABLE.
HE SAID THE NEED FOR THE AGREEMENT TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WAS NOT IN DISPUTE, BOTH CHINA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM HAVING EXPRESSED THIS REQUIREMENT TO BE ONE OF THEIR COMMON OBJECTIVES.
HOW TO TEST ACCEPTABILITY, HOWEVER, WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES ON WHICH TO REACH AGREEMENT - NOT PERHAPS AS BETWEEN CHINA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, BUT RATHER Ao BETWEEN THOSE PARTIES AND HONG KONG.
MR BROWN ASKED WERE WE WASTING OUR TIME WORRYING ABOUT HOW THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THEIR AGREEMENT - PARTICULARLY BEARING IN MIND THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF THE AGREEMENT BEING CHANGED AS A RESULT OF ANY FURTHER VIEWS THE PEOPLE HERE MAY WISH TO PUT FORWARD?
HE DID NOT THINK WE WERE WASTING OUR TIME FOR TWO REASONS.
FIRSTLY, THE NEED TO HONOUR THIS COMMITMENT WAS IMPORTANT TO THE NEGOTIATIONS AND IT WAS A REASONABLE ASSUMPTION THAT THc NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WAS KEEPING BOTH NEGOTIATING TEAMS ON THEIR TOES, AND PREVENTING AN AGREEMENT WHICH MERELY REFLECTED THE INTERESTS OF THE UNITEi> KINGDOM AND CHINA.
SECONDLY, THE NEED FOR TANGIBLE EVIDENCE OF ACCEPTANCE BY THE HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD BE IMPORTANT WHEN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT WAS CALLED UPON TO RATIFY THE AGREEMENT.
/SO THnrtE .........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1984
- 13 -
SO THERE WAS A +BACK STOP*, THAT WAS TO SAY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG MAY NOT BE IN A POSITION TO INSIST ON CHANGES IN THE AGREEMENT, BUT THEY ALWAYS HAD THE OPTION OF REJECTING IT AND ACCEPTING THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES.
HE SAID THE NEED TO HAVE THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WAS PROBABLY MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PROCESS OF ACTUALLY GETTING IT.
THE HON SELINA CHOW SAID IT WAS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO SPEAK UP NOW ON WHAT ELEMENTS THEY REGARDED AS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO CONSTITUTE AN ACCEPTABLE AGREEMENT AS THEY HAD BEEN TOLD THAT ONCE THE DRAFT AGREEMENT WAS ANNOUNCED IN SEPTEMBER THERE WOULD BE NO CHANCE OF AMENDING ANY PART OF IT AND HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO EXPRESS ITS ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF THE AGREEMENT AS AN ENTIRE PACKAGE.
SHE CONSIDERED IT OF VITAL IMPORTANCE FOR HONG KONG TO BE ASSURED OF THE CONTINUITY OF THE GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM, THE CENTRAL CORE OF ALL HONG KONG’S SYSTEMS.
SHE SAID IT SHOULD BE STATED IN THE AGREEMENT AND EVENTUALLY ENSHRINED IN THE BASIC LAW THAT THE GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM WHICH WOULD BE IN PLACE BY 1997 WOULD CONTINUE TO BE ADOPTED BY THE AUTONOMOUS HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION AND WOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN OR BEYOND 1997 WITHOUT THE INITIATION AND APPROVAL OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE.
THE HON CHAN YING-LUN SAID EVERY CITIZEN HAD THE OBLIGATION TO TAKE UP THE ISSUE OF THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
+IF WE WANT THE CONCLUSION TO BE DRAWN BY THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE TO BE ACCURATE AND REPRESENTATIVE, WE MUST ADOPT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE,* HE SAID.
AS, AT THIS STAGE, WE DEFINITELY COULD NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AMENDING SOME OF THE CONTENTS OF THE ANNEXES, wE SHOULD, THEREFORE, GRASP THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK OUT.
NOT ONLY SHOULD WE STUDY THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT, BUT WE SHOULD ALSO LOOK INTO THE DETAILS OF THE ANNEXES.
WITH THE BELIEF THAT +NO DIFFICULTY IS INSURMOUNTABLE IF ONE SETS ONE’S MIND ON IT+, WE SHOULD POINT OUT BOTH THE GOOD POINTS AND THE BAD ONES.
OTHERWISE, IF WE WERE TO CHOOSE ONLY BETWEEN THE OPTION OF +YES+ AND +NO+, IT WOULD BE FAR MORE CLEAR-CUT TO HOLD A REFERENDUM.
/+THEREFORE, I
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1984
♦THEREFORE, I CONSIDER IT ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A COMPREHENSIVE CONSULTATION IN RESPECT TO EVERY DETAIL OF THE ANNEXES, TO SUM UP ALL THE V IEVwS, AND TO MAKE AN HONEST REPORT, BEFORE IT CAN JUSTIFY ITS WORK BEFORE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,+ MR CHAN SAID.
HE THOUGHT IF IT TURNED OUT THAT THE PUBLIC HAD RESERVATIONS ABOUT CERTAIN DETAILS OF THE ANNEXES, IT WOULD BE SENSIBLE FOR THE CHINESE AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE APPROPRIATE AMENDMENTS ACCORDING TO THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
THE HON MRS PAULINE NG SAID THAT THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE WAS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR EXISTING CHANNELS FOR REFLECTING PUBLIC OPINION.
SHE EMPHASISED THAT THE WORK OF THE OFFICE MUST BE SEEN TO BE OPEN AND UNBIASED IN ORDER TO CONVINCE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, ESPECIALLY THE SILENT MAJORITY, AND PARLIAMENT THAT IT TRULY REPRESENTED THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
SHE SUGGESTED THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO COLLECT THE OPINIONS OF PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT LEVELS, IN PARTICULAR THE WISHES OF THE SILENT MAJORITY.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY EVERY CITIZEN SHOULD BE RESPECTED AND THEY SHOULD BE TREATED AS CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL, SHE ADDED.
THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN SAID THE PRUDENT ARRANGEMENTS MADE TO GET TO KNOW THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE WERE BENEFICIAL AND CONSTRUCTIVE IN SO FAR AS THE LINK AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA WERE CONCERNED, AND DESERVED THE SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC.
THE SUCCESS OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE, HE SAID, DEPENDED ON THE SUPPORT OF SOCIETY AS A WHOLE AND TO OBTAIN THE SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC WE MUST FIRST HAVE GOOD PUBLICITY.
HE SUGGESTED THAT BEFORE THE OFFICE STARTED COLLECTING VIEWS "ROM THE PUBLIC THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT, THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA, GIVE A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE TERMS OF THE DRAFT AGREEMENT, ANNOUNCE THE METHODS AND CRITERIA TO BE ADOPTED IN TESTING AND ASSESSING VIEWS RECEIVED AND EXPLAIN THE WAYS AND PROCEDURES OF COLLECTING OPINIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1984
ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT MONITORING TEAM, I-ift YEUNG DESCRIBED IT AS +ESSENTIAL AND A POSITIVE STEP+ AS IT WOULD ENSURE THE FAIRNESS AND IMPARTIALITY OF THE ASSESSMENT
OFF ICE.
HE ENVISAGED THAT THE TEAM SHOULD COMPRISE TENTATIVELY THREE MEMBERS TO BE APPOINTED FROM AMONG INDEPENDENT, DETACHED AND WIDELY RESPECTED PERSONS, ONE RESPECTIVELY FROM BRITAIN, HONG KONG AND ANOTHER ADVANCED COUNTRY.
REPORTS OF THE
HE ALSO BELIEVED THAT AFTER THE RESPECTIVE
OFFICE AND THE TEAM WERE PUBLISHED THERE WOULD BE PUBLIC RESPONSE AND THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE SHOULD CONTINUE TO COLLECT RELEVANT OPINIONS FOR REFERENCE IN THE LATER STAGES.
THANKS FOR MEMORABLE SESSION, SAYS SIR PHILIP * * * *
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, PRESIDING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY, THANKED'ALL MEMBERS AT THE CLOSE FOR THEIR WORK IN +A MOST THOUGHT-PROVOKING* 1983-84 SESSION.
MEMBERS, HE ALSO SAID, COULD PROCEED ON THEIR ANNUAL RECESS TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR +A SESSION TO COME WHICH IS UNLIKELY TO BE LESS INTERESTING OR LESS DEMANDING* THAN THE ONE WHICH CLOSED TODAY.
SIR PHILIP SAID:
+HONOURABLE MEMBERS, THAT ENDS THE FORMAL BUSINESS OF THIS SESSION.
+IT HAS BEEN A SESSION FULL OF INTEREST THROUGHOUT: FROM ITS DRAMATIC START IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR TO DEAL WITH THE HANG LUNG BANK CRISIS THROUGH TO THIS AFTERNOON’S DEBATE ON WHAT ONLY CAN BE DESCRIBED AS A SUBJECT OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE.
+THIS SESSION HAS CONSISTED OF 27 SITTINGS, AN INCREASE OF FIVE OF OVER THE 22 SITTINGS OF THE LAST SESSION AND DURING THIS SESSION 86 BILLS HAVE BEEN PASSED AND 37 RESOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE- MEMBERS ASKED 181 QUESTIONS, AND THESE WERE FOLLOWED UP WITH 279 SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS.
/+THESE NUMBERS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1984
16 -
♦THESE NUMBERS - AND I CAN QUOTE OTHERS, FOR INSTANCE OF THE 86 BILLS PASSED 24 WERE SUBJECT TO 175 AMENDMENTS, 91 OF WHICH WERE MOVED BY UNOFFICIALS - THESE NUMBERS DO NOT ADEQUATELY REFLECT THE WORK WHICH THE COUNCIL HAS TAKEN UPON ITSELF THIS SESSION.
♦THIS SESSION MUST RANK AMONG THE MOST THOUGHT-PROVOKING SESSIONS THIS COUNCIL HAS EVER HAD, AND INNOVATORY TOO IN THAT THE SESSIONS OF FINANCE COMMITTEE DEVOTED TO AN EXAMINATION OF THE DRAFT ESTIMATES WERE HELD, SUCCESSFULLY I THINK, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PUBLIC.
♦APART FROM DEALING WITH THE BUSINESS OF THE PRESENT, THE ISSUE OF THE FUTURE, BOTH IN THE SHORT AND LONG TERM, HAS BEEN A MAJOR PRE-OCCUPATION. WE HAVE SEEN AND DISCUSSED IMPORTANT PROPOSALS WHICH WOULD CHANGE THE COMPOSITION OF THIS COUNCIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE. WE HAVE ALSO HELD SIGNIFICANT DEBATES AS WE HAVE TODAY OVER THE QUESTIONS RAISED IN THE MINDS OF THE PUBLIC BY 1997.
♦ TO BEGIN WITH THERE WAS THE MOTION MOVED BY MR LOBO ON MARCH 14. FOLLOWED SUCCESSIVELY BY DEBATES ON THE UMELCO VISITS TO LONDON, ON THE LEGAL SYSTEM, ON THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM, ON THE SOCIAL SYSTEM, ON FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND FINALLY, TODAY’S DEBATE ON THE TEST OF ACCEPTABILITY.
♦ IT HAS BEEN A VINTAGE YEAR FOR DEBATES, AND NO ONE CAN DENY IN MY VIEW THAT THE EFFORT PUT INTO THEM REFLECTS MEMBERS’ PERCEPTION OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND DOES THEM CREDIT.
♦ SO WE CAN NOW PROCEED TO OUR ANNUAL RECESS TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR A SESSION TO COME WHICH IS UNLIKELY TO BE LESS INTERESTING OR LESS DEMANDING THAN THE ONE WHICH NOW DRAWS TO A CLOSE.
♦ ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNOR, ON MY OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF THE STAFF OF COUNCIL’S BRANCH, IT IS MY PLEASANT DUTY TO THANK NEMBERS FOR THIS, DARE I SAY IT, USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE SESSION, AND TO WISH THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE GOING ABROAD HAPPY ’HOLS’.
♦ I NOW DECLARE THE 1983-84 SESSION OF THE COUNCIL TO BE AT AN END.
♦THE FIRST SITTING OF THE 1984-85 SESSION WILL BE ON THURSDAY 4TH OF OCTOBER NEXT, WHEN THE GOVERNOR WILL ADDRESS COUNCIL.+
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/17
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1934
- 17 -
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW
* * X *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL RETURN FROM PEKING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTER ATTENDING THE LATEST ROUND OF SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
SIR EDWARD WILL BE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT BA 20, ETA 7.45 PM.
- - 0 - -
HK ACTS FURTHER ON U.S. TEXTILE * * *
MOVE
WILLIAM DORWARD, HAS ABOUT THE PROPOSED
HONG KONG’S COMMISSIONER IN NEW YORK, MR GONE TO WASHINGTON FOR TALKS WITH CONGRESSMEN AMERICAN ORIGIN RULES ON TEXTILES IMPORTS WHICH, IF IMPLEMENTED ON SEPTEMBER 7, WILL CAUSE GREAT HARDSHIP IN HONG KONG.
WHILE IN WASHINGTON, MR DORWARD WILL ALSO HAVE TALKS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE RETAIL INDUSTRY TRADE ACTION COALITION, AN ORGANISATION OF THE RETAIL TRADE GROUPS FORMED TO PRESS FOR FREER INTERNATIONAL TRADE. THE COALITION COMPRISES CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF RETAIL FIRMS AND NATIONAL RETAIL ASSOCIATIONS.
MR DORWARD WILL PRESENT HONG KONG’S CASE AND SEEK TO OBTAIN THEIR SUPPORT.
HE WILL ALSO MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER ORGANISATIONS, AND WILL SPEND JUST OVER A WEEK IN WASHINGTON.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR ROBERT FOOTMAN THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON CHAIRED A BRIEFING SESSION FOR FIVE ORGANISATIONS WHICH ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF HONG KONG ORIGIN.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, THE CHINESE MANUFACT6rERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, THE INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WERE BRIEFED ON THE PROPOSED U.S. ORIGIN RULES AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS.
SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT LATER MET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION TO BRIEF THEM ABOUT THE POSITION.
THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD (TEXTAB) WILL HOLD A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON TO REVIEW DEVELOPMENTS AND TO ADVISE ON THE FORTHCOMING CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG TRADE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS AND AMERICAN TEXTILE NEGOTIATORS.
/18
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1934
18
TEXTILE TALKS WITH U.S.
* * *
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CONFIRMED THAT HONG KONG’S DELEGATION TO TEXTILE CONSULTATIONS IN WASHINGTON WILL BE LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WHO IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN ON AUGUST 15.
THE DELEGATION WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON AUGUST 18 FOR THE TWO-DAY CONSULTATIONS BEGINNING ON AUGUST 20.
THE TALKS WILL BE ON OUTSTANDING MATTERS ON EXPORT AUTHORISATION CALLS AND THE NEW ORIGIN RULES PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THIS DID NOT RULE OUT CONSULTATIONS ON THE NEW RULES AT AN EARLIER DATE.
------0 - - - -
EPCOM BACKS POLLUTION CONTROL PLANS *****
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) INDICATED THEIR SUPPORT FOR A BUSY PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES IN THE COMING YEAR TO CONTROL POLLUTION.
AT THEIR FIRST MEETING IN THE CURRENT SESSION TODAY, EPCOM MEMBERS ENDORSED A PROGRAMME OF WORK TO TACKLE THE FOUR MAJOR AREAS OF AIR, NOISE, WATER, AND SOLID WASTE POLLUTION. DETAILED PROPOSALS WILL BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE FOR ITS FURTHER ADVICE IN THE COMING MONTHS.
IN THE AREA OF LEGISLATIVE CONTROL, THE COMMITTEE’S ADVICE WILL BE SOUGHT ON REGULATIONS PREPARED UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE FOR THE CONTROL OF POLLUTION IN THE TOLO HARBOUR WATER CONTROL ZONE. LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS ON THE STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OF TOXIC, HAZARDOUS AND DIFFICULT WASTES, AND REGULATIONS TO CONTROL INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES WHICH CONSTITUTE POTENTIAL MAJOR SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION AS WELL AS SPECIFIC AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES, WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE.
THE NOISE CONTROL BILL, WHICH WILL REPLACE EXISTING CONTROLS AND EXPAND THEIR SCOPE, IS ALSO EXPECTED TO BE SUBMITTED TO EPCOM FOR ADVICE IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
EPCOM WILL BE CONSULTED ON ACTION PLANS TO REDUCE POLLUTION IN STREAMS WHICH FEED INTO COASTAL WATERS, ON A REVIEW OF SEWAGt TREATMENT STANDARDS, AND ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE, TERRITORY-WIDE POLICY FOR DETERMINING THE LEVELS OF SEWAGE TREATMENT. THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO SEEK THE COMMITTEE’S ADVICE ON ANIMAL WASTE DISPOSAL PROPOSALS AND ON AN ACTION PLAN TO ATTACK THE PROBLEM OF FLOATING REFUSE.
/IN THEIR ........
WEEKESDAI, AUGUST 8, 1984
19
IN THEIR MEETING TODAY, EPCOM MEMBERS STUDIED REPORTS ON POLLUTION LEVELS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR AND ON THE QUALITY OF WATER MONITORED IN VICTORIA HARBOUR. THEY WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN WATERCOURSE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT, EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN DEEP BAY, AND DETAILS OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR DREDGING SEDIMENTS FROM THE KOWLOON BAY TYPHOON SHELTER.
THEY NOTED A PAPER ON THE GOVERNMENT’S INTERNAL ORGANISATION FOR THE TASK OF POLLUTION CONTROL. AT THE TOP OF THIS ORGANISATION IS A HIGH LEVEL POLLUTION CONTROL POLICY COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND ATTENDED BY HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS. IT IS REQUIRED, UNDER THE FIRST OF ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE, TO OVERSEE, COORDINATE AND ENSURE PROGRESS ON THE POLLUTION CONTROL PROGRAMME.
MEMBERS CONFIRMED THE VIEW OF THE PREVIOUS COMMITTEE THAT, WHILE IT WOULD BE RECEIVING REPORTS ON THE RESULTS OF BACKGROUND RADIATION MONITORING IN HONG KONG, IT WAS NOT EPCOM’S BUSINESS TO MONITOR OR APPRAISE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PROPOSED NUCLEAR POWER STATION AT DAYA BAY IN CHINA.
-----o------
MEETING HELD WITH CONTAINER TRACTOR OWNERS, DRIVERS *****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED THAT GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT OFFICIALS MET YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF CONTAINER TRACTOR OWNERS AND DRIVERS.
THE INCREASE IN THE LICENCE FEE FOR TRAILERS WAS DISCUSSED AT LENGTH. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO THE REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE FEE HAD NOT BEEN REVIEWED SINCE TRAILERS WERE FIRST INTRODUCED INTO HONG KONG IN THE LATE 196O’S AND THAT THE SCALE OF THE INCREASE WAS LOWER THAN INCREASES IN LICENCE FEES FOR OTHER TYPES OF GOODS VEHICLES OVER THE SAME PERIOD. THE REPRESENTATIVES NEVERTHELESS REQUESTED THE GOVERNMENT TO PHASE THE IMPLEMENTATION CF THE NEW FEE OR TO REDUCE THE RATE OF INCREASE. OFFICIALS UNDERTOOK TO REVIEW TO GIVE A REPLY TO THE REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE AUGUST 14.
THE NEW PARKING REGULATION THAT REQUIRES TRAILERS TO BE PARKED IN PARKING PLACES DESIGNATED SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT PURPOSE UNLESS ATTACHED TO A TRACTOR WAS ALSO DISCUSSED DURING THE MEETING. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO THE REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE NEW REGULATION WAS TO PREVENT UNATTACHED TRAILERS BEING PARKED INDISCRIMINATELY ON THE ROAD IN SUCH A WAY AS TO CAUSE SERIOUS OBSTRUCTION OR DANGER TO OTHER ROAD USERS. THE POLICE CAN BE RELIED UPON TO USE THEIR COMMON SENSE TO ENFORCE THE NEW REGULATION.
THE REPRESENTATIVES RAISED THEIR CONCERN ABOUT THE GENERAL SHORTAGE OF LEGAL PARKING SPACES FOR CONTAINER VEHICLES. THEY WERE ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT APPRECIATED THE PROBLEM AND WOULD BE CONTINUING ALL ITS EFFORTS TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY CF PARKING SPACES BY MAKING VACANT CROWN LAND AVAILABLE FOR THIS PURPOSE. IT WAS STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT BECAUSE OF THE ACUTE SHORTAGE OF LAND AND COMPETING DEMANDS ON IT, THE PROBLEM COULD
NOT BE SOLVED QUICKLY.
- - 0 - -
/ao
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1984
20
CAMP FUN, HELP FOR ’YOUTHS ON BRINK’ * * * *
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR G.L. MORTIMER TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED A TRAINING CAMP FOR +ADOLESCENTS ON THE BRINK+ HELD IN SHA TIN.
THE CAMP IS AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH SOCIAL SERVICE FOR A SELECTED GROUP OF BOYS BETWEEN THE AGE OF 13 AND 16 AS PART OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
THE AIM OF THE CAMP IS TO HELP THE YOUNGSTERS, THROUGH GROUP GAMES, OUTINGS, GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND CO-OPERATIVE WORK SESSIONS, TO UNDERSTAND THEMSELVES BETTER, TO ACQUIRE SOCIAL SKILLS, AND TO LEARN ABOUT INTER-PERSONAL RELATIONS.
ARRIVING AT THE SHA TIN YOUTH CENTRE RECREATION CAMP SITE AT TAI SHU I HANG NEAR THE FOOTHILL OF MA ON SHAN AT 11.30 AM, MR MORTIMER WAS MET BY MR CHEUNG CHI-YUEN, DIRECTOR OF SHA TIN CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE} MR CHOY KAN-PUI, ACTING CHAIRMAN, SHA TIN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE” MR NG TSE-LEUNG, OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE SHA TIN YOUTH CENTRE RECREATION CAMP AND MRS JESSIE HAU OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE. f
MR MORTIMER WAS TOLD BY THE CAMPERS THAT DURING THE THREE-DAY CAMP, THEY WOULD HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES TO DISCUSS THEIR PROBLEMS AND SPECIAL NEEDS WITH SOCIAL WORKERS.
THEY WILL ALSO HAVE THE CHANCE TO TAKE PART IN HEALTHY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BALL GAMES, ARCHERY, CHINESE BILLIARDS, TABLE-TENNIS, OUTINGS, HANDICRAFT WORK AND COOKING.
MR MORTIMER LATER WATCHED YOUNGSTERS TAKING PART IN A HANDICRAFT COMPETITION AND PRESENTED PRIZES TO THE WINNERS, BEFORE LEAVING THE CAMP AT 12.30 PM.
MORE THAN 10 000 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME FROM A TOTAL BUDGET OF $13 MILLION, OF WHICH $5 MILLION WAS CONTRIBUTED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
------o-------
BOARDS TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER * * * *
TUEN MUN AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AT THEIR MEETINGS ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 10).
IN THE MORNING, TUEN MUN DB MEMBERS WILL STUDY THE FINDINGS OF A REVIEW OF THE PROVISION OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
/THE REVIEW .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1984
21
THE REVIEW IS UNDERTAKEN BY THE PLANNING SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT’S WORKS PROGRESS COMMITTEE IN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER TO ASSESS THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND BASED ON THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CATCHMENT AREAS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE WORK DONE ON THE AINTENANCE OF RIVERS IN THE DISTRICT.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS DEPARTMENTAL PROVISIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS FOR TUEN MUN IN 1984-85, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A STEEL FOOTBRIDGE AT TO YUEN WAI.
IN THE AFTERNOON, SOUTHERN DB MEMBERS WILL STUDY A REVIEW ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARDS, AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ALLOCATION OF DB FUNDS FOR MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS, AND PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES.
------0------
COMPUTERS TO CONTROL AREA TRAFFIC * * *
A $34.5—MILL ION CONTRACT FOR THE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A COMPUTERISED AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, COVERING THE ENTIRE NORTH SHORE FROM KENNEDY TOWN TO SHAU KEI WAN, HAS BEEN AWARDED TO GEC TRAFFIC AUTOMATION LIMITED.
A CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY WAS HELD TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BETWEEN THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR PETER LEEDS, AND MR JOHN HOWITT, COMPANY DIRECTOR.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE SYSTEM WOULD TAKE ABOUT 2-1/2 YEARS TO BE COMPLETED.
THE PROJECT IS BASED ON GEC TRAFFIC AUTOMATION’S LATEST PRODUCT CALLED +TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM* (TMS) AND WHEN COMPLETED, WILL PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERING FACILITIES FOR URBAN TRAFFIC CONTROL.
A NEW CONTROL CENTRE MANNED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE DIVISION, WILL BE ESTABLISHED AT HARBOUR BUILDING IN CENTRAL TO TAKE OVER CONTROL OF THE 90 SIGNAL JUNCTIONS IN THE EASTERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND WHICH ARE AT PRESENT UNDER COMPUTER CONTROL FROM THE KOWLOON CENTRE.
UNDER THE CONTRACT, 115 SETS OF NEW COMPUTERISED TRAFFIC LIGHTS WILL BE INSTALLED IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS AND OTHER COMPATIBLE CONTROLLERS WILL BE CONNECTED ONTO THE SYSTEM.
/THE SYSTEM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1984
22
THE SYSTEM HAS AN ULTIMATE CAPABILITY OF CONTROLLING ABOUT .30 SIGNALLED ROAD JUNCTIONS. IT WILL PROVIDE PRIORITY FACILITIES F’3R FIRE ENGINES AND OTHER EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND WILL 'BSEQUENTLY BE SUPPLEMENTED BY A CLOSED-CIRCUIT TV SYSTEM NDER A SEPARATE CONTRACT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HONG KONG BECAME THE FIRST USER OF COMPUTERISED TRAFFIC CONTROL IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA WHEN THE WEST KOWLOON TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM CAME INTO OPERATION IN 1977, CONTROLLING ABOUT 80 UNCTIONS IN THE WESTERN CORRIDOR BETWEEN TSIM SHA TSUI AND LAI CHI KOK.
THE SYSTEM HAS SINCE BEEN EXPANDED AND NOW CONTROLS OVER 330 JUNCTIONS IN KOWLOON AND THE NORTH-EASTERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
-----o------
PLB LICENCES READY FOR COLLECTION * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (AUGUST 8) THAT PASSENGER SERVICE LICENCES AND CERTIFICATES FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES (NON-SCHEDULED SERVICE) ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION.
NOTIFICATION LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS BY BATCHES. APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO PAY THEIR FEES EITHER AT THE HONG KONG LICENSING OFFICE, 2 MURRAY ROAD, HONG KONG OR THE KOWLOON LICENSING OFFICE, 9TH FLOOR, PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE.
AFTER PAYMENT, THEY SHOULD APPROACH THE PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION TOGETHER WITH THE PAYMENT RECEIPT FOR COLLECTION OF THEIR LICENCES AND CERTIFICATES.
+PLB OPERATORS WHO HAVE NOT YET RETURNED THEIR APPLICATION FORMS FOR PASSENGER SERVICE LICENCE SHOULD DO SO BEFORE AUGUST 15, OTHERWISE IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO ISSUE THEM WITH PASSENGER SERVICE LICENCES BEFORE THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION COMES INTO FORCE LATER THIS MONTH,+ A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
+NEW PLB OPERATORS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ISSUED WITH ANY APPLICATION FORMS FOR PASSENGER SERVICE LICENCE SHOULD IMMEDIATELY APPROACH THE HONG KONG PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION AT ROOMS 906-909, HUTCHISON HOUSE, BRINGING THEIR REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS OF THEIR PLBS,+ HE SAID.
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, CALL TEL. NO. 5-249418 OR 5-228624.
_ _ 0 - -
/23
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1984
23
JOB AGENCIES REMINDED ABOUT FEES * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY REMINDED OPERATORS OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES THAT FEES AND COMMISSIONS THEY CHARGE ARE PRESCRIBED BY THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS.
THIS FOLLOWED A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH THE LICENSEE OF AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY WAS FINED BY A MAGISTRATE FOR CHARGING A JOB-SEEKER MORE THAN THE PRESCRIBED FEE AND COMMISSION.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS, THE FEE PAID BY JOB-SEEKERS FOR FIRST REGISTRATION AND FOR RENEWAL AFTER THREE MONTHS IS LIMITED TO S3 ON EACH OCCASION, AND THAT THE COMMISSION FOR A SUCCESSFUL JOB PLACEMENT IS LIMITED TO 13 PER CENT OF THE FIRST MONTH’S RECEIVED SALARY.
THE REGULATIONS ALSO LIMIT THE FEE THAT CAN BE CHARGED BY AN AGENCY TO AN EMPLOYER TO A MAXIMUM OF $10 FOR EACH TYPE OF VACANCY REGISTERED ON FIRST REGISTRATION AND $5 FOR RENEWAL OF SUCH REGISTRATION. THE COMMISSION TO BE PAID BY AN EMPLOYER ON SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINING FOR HIM AN EMPLOYEE BY AN AGENCY IS A MATTER OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT CHARGING MORE THAN THE PRESCRIBED FEES AND COMMISSIONS IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS AND THE LICENSEE OF THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY CONCERNED IS LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, TO A FINE OF $10 OQO.
ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS RELATED TO THE OPERATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES MAY BE MADE TO THE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OF THt LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE NUMBERS 5-767420 AND 5-767311.
- - 0 - -
MORE TIME FOR MARRIAGES * * * *
THE MARRIAGE REGISTRY AT RAWLINSON HOUSE, VICTORIA BARRACKS, COTTON TREE DRIVE, CENTRAL, WILL BE EXTENDING ITS SERVICE HOURS TO SUNDAY AFTERNOONS, FROM 2 PM TO 4.45 PM.
THIS WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM THE COMING SUNDAY (AUGUST 12).
THE ARRANGEMENT IS TO MEET POPULAR DEMAND FOR MARRIAGE SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
FROM SUNDAY, THE WORKING HOURS OF THE REGISTRY WILL BE:
/Monday
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1984
24
MONDAY - FRIDAY
8.45 AM - 12.45 PM AND
2.00 PM - 4.45 PM
SATURDAY
9.00 AM - 11.45 AM
SUNDAY
9.00 AM - 1.00 PM AND
2.00 PM - 4.45 PM
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES MAY TELEPHONE 3-73331H.
- - 0 - -
LICENSING OF SWIMMING POOLS * * *
A SWIMMING POOL WHICH IS BEING MANAGED OR OPERATED BY A COMPANY, CLUB, ASSOCIATION OR OTHER ORGANISATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE TENANTS IN BUILDINGS IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A LICENCE ISSUED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL OR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
A CIRCULAR LETTER TO THIS EFFECT WILL SHORTLY BE SENT TO MANAGEMENT COMPANIES OF ALL UNLICENSED SWIMMING POOLS.
UPON RECEIPT OF THE LETTER, THE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES SHOULD APPLY FOR A SWIMMING POOL LICENCE WITHIN THREE MONTHS, FAILING WHICH LEGAL ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST THEM.
THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS WITHIN SIX MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF THE LETTER OF REQUIREMENTS.
THE ANNUAL FEE OF A SWIMMING POOL LICENCE FOR BOTH THE URBAN AREAS AND THE NEW TERRITORIES IS $1 680.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE SWIMMING POOLS BY-LAWS AND THE SWIMMING POOLS (NEW TERRITORIES) REGULATIONS CAP. 132, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE NTSD ARE RESPECTIVELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HYGIENE AND SAFETY ASPECTS OF SWIMMING POOLS IN THE URBAN AREAS AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
♦IMPROPERLY DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED SWIMMING POOLS ARE LIABLE TO BECOME NUISANCES, ACCIDENT-PRONE OR EVEN POTENTIAL SOURCES FOR THE SPREAD OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES PARTICULARLY IF THEY ARE IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED,* HE SAID.
APPLICATIONS FOR SWIMMING POOL LICENCES SHOULD EITHER BE SENT TO THE COUNCIL’S LICENSING OFFICE AT NO. 59 JARDINE’S BAZAAR, TANG LUNG CHAU MARKET BUILDING, CAUSEWAY BAY, OR TO THE NTSD’S LICENSING OFFICE ON THE 7TH FLOOR OF GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING, NO. 136-138 AUSTIN ROAD, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 198*+
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR RETURNS FROM PEKING .................................... 1
U.S. AGREES TO TALK ON TEXTILE RULES ............................ 1
•HOT' LINES SET UP FOR TEXTILES TRADERS ......................... 2
INFORMAL GROUP ISSUES STATEMENT IN GENEVA ....................... 3
CRACKDOWN ON LAGGARD COMPANIES ................................ 4
IT'S DANGEROUS TO EAT PUFFER FISH ............................... 7
GREEN PAPER OPEN FORUMS BEING HELD .............................. 8
NAM SHAN ESTATE GETS FACELIFT ................................... 8
FIRE SERVICES SEEKS RECRUITS .................................. 9
LIBERAL MP ARRIVING ......................................... 9
ONE MORE FLOOR FOR HOSPITAL..................................... 10
BOARD MEMBERS SEE POLICE AT WORK ............................... 10
CHILDREN URGED TO TAKE UP TENNIS ............................... 11
VEHICLE GROSS WEIGHT DISPLAY REQUIRED .......................... 11
FIRE FITTINGS FOR PIK UK PRISON .............................. 12
SCHOOL WATER PUMP WORK STARTS ................................ 1?
NEW TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS IN TSIM SHA TSUI ...................... 1?
1
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1984
GOVERNOR RETURNS FROM PEKING
* * *
THE FOLLOWING IS THE STATEMENT MADE BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, TO WAITING JOURNALISTS UPON HIS RETURN FROM PEKING THIS EVENING.
+WE’VE HAD ANOTHER TWO DAYS WORKING ON THOSE ISSUES WHICH THE SECRETARY OF STATE INDICATED NEEDED FURTHER DISCUSSION, AND I SHALL BE GOING BACK TO PEKING AGAIN IN JUST OVER TEN DAYS TO CONTINUE THAT PROCESS OF THE NEXT ROUND.
+NEXT WEEK WE WILL HAVE DR. DAVID WILSON AND SOME OF HIS TEAM HERE TO PREPARE FOR A RESUMPTION OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE WORKING GROUP, AND I’M SURE THEIR ACTIVITIES IN THE NEXT PHASE WILL BE AS PRODUCTIVE AS THEY WERE IN THE LAST ONE.
+IN THE MEANWHILE, AS USUAL, I HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT TO CATCH UP I I WANT TO GO ABOUT THE SPEECHES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY ON THE TEST OF ACCEPTABILITY, AND ALSO THE VIEWS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED ON THE GREEN PAPER.
+WE DO OF COURSE WANT AS WIDE AN EXPRESSION OF VIEWS AS WE CAN GET ON THE GREEN PAPER, AS A BASIS FOR THE DECISIONS WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE MADE ON IT.
+AND SO I’D BETTER GO BACK AND DO A LITTLE READING. WITH THAT I WISH YOU ALL GOOD NIGHT.+
THE GOVERNOR WAS MET AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ROGER LOBO, AND THE VICE-CHIEF EDITOR OF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY (HK BRANCH), MR TAN GAN.
- 0 --------
U.S. AGREES TO TALK ON TEXTILE RULES * * * *
AS A RESULT OF REQUESTS BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THE UNITED STATES AUTHORITIES HAVE AGREED TO HOLD INITIAL CONSULTATIONS IN WASHINGTON TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FOLLOWED BY TWO DAYS OF CONSULTATIONS BEGINNING ON AUGUST 20 ON THE PROPOSED NEW U.S. ORIGIN RULES ON TEXTILE IMPORTS.
MRS EMMELINE MOK, ACTING COUNSELLOR (HONG KONG COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS) IN WASHINGTON, WILL LEAD THE HONG KONG TEAM IN THE TALKS ON AUGUST 10 WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE AND OTHER AGENCIES. THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WILL LEAD THE HONG KONG TEAM FOR THE CONSULTATIONS ON AUGUST 20 AND 21.
/the objective ....
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1984
2
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE INITIAL DISCUSSIONS IS TO SEEK CLARIFICATION ON THE INTENDED APPLICATION OF THE PROPOSED RULES AND TO CLARIFY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S POSITION AS REGARDS THE RELEVANCE OF THE RULES TO HONG KONG UNDER THE BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT.
IN ANNOUNCING THIS, A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REAFFIRMED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S STAND THAT THE PROPOSED RULES WERE IN BREACH OF THE BILATERAL AGREEMENT AND WERE CLEARLY UNACCEPTABLE.
HE SAID: +THE RULES ALSO VIOLATE TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) AND CONFLICT OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA).
THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON WITH THE BASIC PRINCIPLES
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD (TEXTAB) WAS FULLY APPRAISED OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AT ITS MEETING THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
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’HOT’ LINES SET UP FOR TEXTILES TRADERS X * X X
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAD ALLOCATED THREE TELEPHONE +HOT+ LINES TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS WHICH HONG KONG’S TEXTILES TRADE ARE EXPERIENCING FOLLOWING THE PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER OF NEW UNITED STATES RULES OF ORIGIN ON TEXTILE IMPORTS. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE FOLLOWING A TEXTILE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE NUMBERS OF THE THREE LINES ARE :
NAME TEL NO
MR H. M. LAI 3-7222446
MR L. K. W. LAM 3-7222351
MISS A. C. H. LIN 3-7222343
FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) THE TELEPHONES WILL BE MANNED BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND 9 AM AND NOON ON SATURDAYS.
ALL INFORMATION GIVEN TO TRADE OFFICERS MANNING THE +HOT+ LINES WILL BE LOGGED. WRITTEN INFORMATION WILL ALSO BE WELCOMED AND CAN BE SENT TO MISS A.C.H. LIN, TRADE DEPARTMENT, 15TH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, 5 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
/ANNOUNCING THE .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 198A
5
ANNOUNCING THE SETTING UP OF THE SERVICE, A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE MAIN INTENTIONS OF THE SCHEME WERE TO PROVIDE A READY CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION FOR THE TRADE, AND TO GATHER DETAILED INFORMATION CONCERNING PROBLEMS FACING HONG KONG ORDER TO DEVELOP A FULL PICTURE WHICH WOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE UNITED STATES. HE ENCOURAGED ALL PARTIES AFFECTED TO MAKE THEIR CONCERNS KNOWN TO THE DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID THAT SINCE MANY PROVISIONS OF THE REGULATIONS REMAINED UNCLEAR IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO GIVE IMMEDIATE ANSWERS TO A LOT OF QUESTIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED : +WE ARE INTERESTED IN ANY PROBLEMS THE TRADE MAY BE EXPERIENCING OR EXPECTING, SUCH AS CONTRACT PROBLEMS, WORRIES ABOUT THE DETAILED PROVISIONS OF THE NEW REGULATIONS, ETC.
- ♦THIS DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS IN ANY WAY THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGULATIONS WHATSOEVER.*
♦ IT IS SIMPLY A PRUDENT STEP TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE FULLY AWARE OF PROBLEMS WHICH MAY ARISE OR WHICH MAY ALREADY HAVE TAKEN PLACE, SUCH AS LOSS OF ORDERS, CANCELLATION OF CONTRACTS AND SO ON,+ HE SAID.
IN THE MAEANTIME HE confirmed THAT CERTIFICATES OF HONG kong ORIGIN WOULD CONTINUE TO BE ISSUED IN THE NORMAL WAY.
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INFORMAL GROUP ISSUES STATEMENT IN GENEVA X * * X X
HONG KONG HAS JOINED WITH OTHER DEVELOPING EXPORTERS OF textiles and clothing in geneva in issuing the following STATEMENT CONCERNING RECENT TEXTILE EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES:
♦ THE INFORMAL GROUP OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAMME OF CO-OPERATION AMONG DEVELOPING EXPORTERS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING MET IN GENEVA ON 7 AND <3 AUGUST TO REVIEW RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN RESPECT OF TWO SETS OF PROTECTIONIST MEASURES CURRENTLY CONTEMPLATED IN THE UNITED STATES:
- COUNTERVAILING DUTY PETITIONS AGAINST TEXTILES AND TEXTILE PRODUCTS FROM DEVELOPING EXPORTERS; AND
- COUNTRY OF ORIGIN REGULATIONS.
♦ THE GROUP CONDEMNED THESE MEASURES AS DISCRIMINATORY AND DESIGNED TO HARASS AND RESTRAIN LEGITIMATE TRADE FOR DOMESTIC POLITICAL REASONS.
/+THE GROUP .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1984
u
♦ THE GROUP CALLED ON THE UNITED STATES AUTHORITIES TO RESIST THE COUNTERVAILING DUTY PETITIONS; TO WITHHOLD IMPLEMENTATION OF The country of origin regulations and to afford adequate opportunity FOR °RIOR BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS WITH AFFECTED TRADING PARTNERS xl TH A VIEW TO SEEKING SATISFACTORY SOLUTIONS TO SUCH PROBLEMS AS
IGHT EXI ST.
+IN THE MEANTIME, AND BECAUSE OF THE IMMINENCE OF THESE MEASURES AND THEIR POTENTIALLY DEVASTATING EFFECT ON LEGITIMATE TRADE the GROUP HAS CALLED FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE GATT TEXTILES COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THESE MEASURES NO LATER THAN THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1984.+
the statement focuses on two actions within the united STATES : THE FIRST ACTION CONCERNS PETITIONS MADE AGAINST THE IMPORT INTO the UNITED STATES FROM TWELVE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (NOT INCLUDING HONG KONG) OF A WIDE RANGE OF TEXTILE GOODS: THE SECOND ACTION IS THE NEW REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE IMPORT OF TEXTILES INTO THE UNITED STATES AS HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED IN THE MEDIA RECENTLY.
COMMENTING ON THE DEVELOPMENT, A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT WAS A WELCOME MOVE WHICH CLEARLY REFLECTED THE EXTENT OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE U.S. ACTIONS FOR MANY TERRITORIES. AS REGARDS THE NEW REGULATIONS, HONG KONG WAS CLEARLY NOT ALONE IN FINDING THEM OBJECTIONABLE AND A THREAT TO LEGITIMATE TRADE.
-----o------
CRACKDOWN ON LAGGARD COMPANIES * * * *
A MUCH TOUGHER APPROACH TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE HAS SEEN A BIG JUMP IN THE NUMBER OF CONVICTIONS OBTAINED.
FROM JANUARY TO JULY LAST YEAR 13 CHARGES WERE LAID UNDER THE ORDINANCE WITH 13 CONVICTIONS. FOR THE SAME PERIOD THIS YEAR 1D6 CHARGES HAVE BEEN LAID, WITH 49 CONVICTIONS OBTAINED AND 57 CASES PENDING.
THE MORE ROBUST APPROACH TO ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE IS TO CONTINUE. SAYS THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON. THE NUMBER CF COMPANIES PROSECUTED FOR FAILING TO FILE ANNUAL RETURNS AND ACCOUNTS, AND OTHER OFFENCES, IS LIKELY TO GROW FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN PROCEDURES.
♦THE COMPANIES REGISTRY HAS IN THE PAST PUBLISHED PRESS NOTICES REMINDING COMPANIES TO FILE ANNUAL RETURNS, INCLUDING THE BALANCE SHEET, AUDITED ACCOUNTS AND DIRECTORS’ REPORT BEFORE DEADLINE,+ SAID MR GLEESON.
/♦HOWEVER, THIS .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1984
- 5 -
+HOWEVER, THIS HAS OFTEN LED TO PROLONGED CORRESPONDENCE WITH COMPANIES SEEKING TO BUY TIME. THIS PROCEDURE INCREASINGLY HAS BECOME THE SUBJECT OF ABUSE BY MANY COMPANIES AND THEIR DIRECTORS.*
IN FUTURE, REMINDERS WILL NO LONGER BE PUBLISHED IN THE PRESS AND COMPANIES WILL NOT BE INDIVIDUALLY FOREWARNED OF THE IMPENDING TIME LIMIT FOR COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
+FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE COULD BE PARTICULARLY SERIOUS IN THE CASE OF PUBLIC LISTED COMPANIES WHERE OBVIOUSLY THERE MUST BE CONSIDERABLE PUBLIC INTEREST AND INVOLVEMENT,* SAID MR GLEESON. THERE ARE 527 PUBLIC COMPANIES LIMITED BY SHARE ON THE COMPANIES REGISTER OF WHICH 257 ARE LISTED ON THE STOCK EXCHANGES.
+COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE IS A MATTER FOR THE COMPANIES THEMSELVES AND THEIR DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS - ALTHOUGH THEY CAN HAVE RECOURSE TO THEIR PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS.
+UNFORTUNATELY, THE STANDARD OF COMPANY DIRECTORSHIP AND COMPANY ADMINISTRATION IN MANY CASES IN HONG KONG IS NOT HIGH AND A ROBUST APPROACH TO ENFORCEMENT IS REQUIRED,* SAID MR GLEESON.
♦THIS IS PARTICULARLY THE CASE IN THE LIGHT OF SEVERAL RECENT COMPANY FAILURES - A NUMBER OF WHICH WERE OF SUBSTANTIAL PUBLIC LISTED COMPANIES.*
UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, FINES OF UP TO $500 A DAY CAN BE IMPOSED FOR CONTINUING DEFAULTS, FIXED FINES CAN RUN UP TO $10 000 AND FINES OF $25 PER COPY FOR EVERY INCORRECT COPY DOCUMENT ISSUED CAN BE IMPOSED. IN ADDITION, HYBRID PENALTIES CAN BRING FINES OF UP TO $10 000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
+IN FUTURE THE REGISTRY WILL NOT ENTER INTO CORRESPONDENCE WITH COMPANIES ON THE SUBJECT. THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF MONITORING PUBLIC COMPANIES LIMITED BY SHARES, WHETHER LISTED OR NOT, WILL CONTINUE, AND WHEN A BREACH OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WITH RESPECT TO THE FILING OF RETURNS IS IDENTIFIED A PROSECUTION OF THE COMPANY AND ITS DIRECTORS WILL FOLLOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR REFERENCE TO THE COMPANY,* SAID MR GLEESON.
THE COMPANY AND ITS DIRECTORS COULD THEN MAKE THEIR CASE, SUCH AS IT MIGHT BE, TO THE COURT. MR GLEESON SAID THAT THIS *AS, IN ANY CASE, THE CORRECT PROCEDURE SINCE THE ORDINANCE DID NOT CONFER ANY SPECIAL DISCRETION ON THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES. THE PROPER FORUM FOR DETERMINING THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENCE AND THE DEGREE OF CULPABILITY INVOLVED WAS THE COURT.
I
/IN THE J.........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1984
6
IN THE CASE OF PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANIES, FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE MAY NOT BE AS SERIOUS AS IN THE CASE OF PUBLIC COMPANIES, AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE WERE DIFFERENT. HE SAID THERE WERE AT PRESENT OVER 120 000 PRIVATE COMPANIES ON THE REGISTER AND IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO MONITOR THEM AS STRICTLY AS PUBLIC COMPANIES. NEVERTHELESS, PRIVATE COMPANIES AND THEIR DIRECTORS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PROSECUTED WHEN FILING OFFENCES UNDER THE ORDINANCE CAME TO LIGHT.
MR GLEESON NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT IN SOME CASES A PUBLIC COMPANY MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH ONE OR MORE PRIVATE COMPANIES OWNED BY ONE OR MORE OF THE SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS OF THE PUBLIC COMPANY. IN SUCH CASES IT CAN, AND DOES, HAPPEN THAT THE ASSOCIATION OR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PUBLIC COMPANY AND THE PRIVATE COMPANY OR COMPANIES COULD SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT, SOMETIMES ADVERSELY, THE POSITION OF THE PUBLIC COMPANY. FOR THIS REASON, WHERE THIS RELATIONSHIP IS SEEN BETWEEN A PUBLIC COMPANY AND A PRIVATE COMPANY THE LATTER WOULD BE TREATED PROCEDURALLY FOR ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES AS IF IT WERE A PUBLIC COMPANY.
MR GLEESON ALSO DREW ATTENTION TO THE POSITION OF THE +NON-EXECUT IVE+ DIRECTOR.
+IN HONG KONG THERE IS A POPULAR, ALTHOUGH ENTIRELY MISTAKEN, BELIEF THAT A NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS AS AN ’EXECUTIVE’ DIRECTOR. NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ARE SUPPOSED ONLY TO HAVE PRIVILEGES. THIS PLEA IN MITIGATION IS SOMETIMES MADE BY PEOPLE WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER.
+THERE IS NO SUCH CREATURE KNOWN TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AS AN ’NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’ AND THE COURTS HAVE SHOWN NO SYMPATHY WITH THIS TYPE OF PLEA,* HE SAID.
ON PENALTIES MR GLEESON SAID THAT IN HIS OPINION SOME OF THESE WERE NOT SUFFICIENT TO ACT AS A DETERRENT IN THIS DAY AND AGE. THE STAKES, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF PUBLIC COMPANIES, WERE OFTEN VERY HIGH. THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES, BOTH FINANCIAL AND CUSTODIAL, PRESCRIBED IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE NEEDED THEREFORE BE REVISED UPWARDS, AND HE WAS GLAD TO SAY THAT THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM HAD AGREED TO DISCUSS THE LEVEL OF SUCH PENALTIES. THERE WOULD ALSO BE CONSULTATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON THIS.
+1 HOPE THAT THE NEW PROCEDURE WILL SECURE GREATER COMPLIANCE WITH THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AND THAT IT WILL HAVE A BENEFICIAL EFFECT ON COMPANY ADMINISTRATION GENERALLY.
+IT IS ENTIRELY CONSISTENT WITH THE PROPOSALS NOW BEING CONSIDERED BY THE SECURITIES COMMISSION FOR A NEW SET OF LISTING RULES WHICH, IF INTRODUCED, WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE DISCLOSURE OF COMMERCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION IN RESPECT OF PUBLIC LISTED COMPANIES,* HE SAID.
------o-------
/7......
Thursday, august 9, 1984
7
IT’S DANGEROUS TO EAT PUFFER FISH * * *
THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY WARNED AGAINST EATING PUFFER FISH - WHICH CAN RESULT IN FATAL CASES OF FOOD POISONING.
THE WARNING WAS ISSUED FOLLOWING A FATAL INCIDENT IN WHICH A WOMAN DIED AFTER EATING THIS TYPE OF FISH LAST MONTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT DESPITE REPEATED WARNINGS, SOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE STILL RISKING THEIR LIVES BY INDULGING IN THE DANGEROUS HABIT OF EATING SUCH FISH.
♦ THE POISON IN THE FISH CONCENTRATES IN THE INTERNAL ORGANS AND DIFFUSES INTO THE FLESH,+ HE EXPLAINED.
♦ THE POISON IS MORE CONCENTRATED IN SUMMER AND THE MORE COLOURFUL THE SPECIES ARE, THE MORE POISONOUS THE FISH IS LIKELY TO BE.
♦ AS THE TOXIN LEVEL PRESENT IN PUFFER FISH VARIES FROM FISH TO FISH AND FROM SEASON TO SEASON, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO GUARANTEE OF SAFETY FOR ANY PERSON WHO EATS SUCH FISH.+
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED THAT ANYONE FEELING UNWELL AFTER EATING FISH OR FISH-MEAT SHOULD CONSULT A DOCTOR AT ONCE.
MEANWHILE, CIRCULAR LETTERS HAVE ALSO BEEN SENT TO FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS ADVISING THEM NOT TO OFFER THE FISH AS A DISH.
UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE, HE WARNED, ANY PERSON WHO SELLS PUFFER FISH FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IS LIABLE TO BE PROSECUTED.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, PUFFER FISH MIGHT BE IMPORTED AND SOLD SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
X THAT THEY ARE ACCOMPANIED BY AN OFFICIAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE COMPETENT HEALTH AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, certifying that THE FISH DO NOT CONTAIN ANY HARMFUL SUBSTANCES.
X THAT THEY ARE FIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.
X THAT THEY ARE PERMITTED TO BE SOLD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IN THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.
0 -
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1984
8
GREEN PAPER OPEN FORUMS BEING HELD
* * * *
RESIDENTS'OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AT THREE OPEN FORUMS FROM SATURDAY (AUGUST 11).
THE FORUMS, TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 11, 12 AND 14, ARE BEING ORGANISED TO COLLECT PUBLIC VIEWS ON THE PAPER FOR DETAILED DISCUSSION AT THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON AUGUST 16.
WITH DISTRICT BOARD SPONSORSHIP, THE FORUMS ARE BEING ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE AND A WORKING GROUP ON THE GREEN PAPER.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG? THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIM SALKELD? THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE AND THE WORKING GROUP, MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG? AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL BE SPEAKERS AT THE FORUMS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE FORUMS TO BE HELD AT:
A) 8 PM ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 11) AT
YMCA BRIDGES STREET CENTRE,
B) 4.30 PM ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 12) AT KENNEDY TOWN KA IFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION, AND
C) 8 PM ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 14) AT CHIU CHOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 81-85 DES VOEUX ROAD WEST, 10TH FLOOR, HONG KONG.
------o - - --
NAM SHAN ESTATE GETS FACELIFT * * X X
NAM SHAN ESTATE IS TAKING ON A NEW LOOK WITH REFRESHING COLOURS.
A REDECORATION PROJECT IS UNDERWAY TO BRIGHTEN UP SEVEN DOMESTIC BLOCKS AND THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE-CARPARK ON THE ESTATE.
COSTING $680 000, THE PROJECT INVOLVES REPAINTING THE EXTERNAL WALLS, CORRIDORS, STAIRCASES, TOILETS AND OTHER PUBLIC AREAS OF THE BUILDINGS, AND WILL BE COMPLETED NEXT MONTH.
+THIS FORMS PART OF OUR ESTATE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME AIMED AT KEEPING A GOOD LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR TENANTS AT ALL TIMES,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TODAY.
UNDER THE ON-GOING PROGRAMME, HE SAID PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WERE GIVEN A FACELIFT ONCE EVERY FOUR YEARS.
------o-------
/9......
I
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1934
9
FIRE SERVICES SEEKS RECRUITS * * * *
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING A CHALLENGING CAREER TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE FORM FIVE GRADUATES OR ABOVE.
THE STARTING SALARY FOR A STATION OFFICER RANGES FROM 85 920 TO 87 340, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS, AND RISES TO $13 080.
+AN APPLICANT MUST BE ACTIVE, INTELLIGENT AND UNDER 30 YEARS OF AGE, HAVE GOOD PHYSIQUE AND NORMAL EYESIGHT,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES SAID TODAY.
+HE SHOULD BE ABOVE 168 CM TALL AND WEIGH AT LEAST 55 KILOGRAMS. HIS CHEST MEASUREMENT SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN 86 CM DEFLATED, WITH AN EXPANSION OF AT LEAST 5 CM,+ HE ADDED.
THE ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED ARE FIVE PASSES, INCLUDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B) AT GRADE E IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
APPLICATION FORMS (GF 340) MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE RECRUITMENT UNIT, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 323 JAVA ROAD, NORTH POINT.
-----o-----
LIBERAL MP ARRIVING
* * X
LIBERAL MP, MR J.J.D. (’PADDY’) ASHDOWN WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 11) FOR A NINE-DAY VISIT AT THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNMENT.
MR ASHDOWN WILL TOUR EASTERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND HAVE LUNCH WITH MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD. HE WILL ALSO VISIT A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AND A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN SHA TIN, AND CALL ON THE ESTATE’S MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN AS WELL AS A FAMILY LIVING IN ONE OF THE HOUSING BLOCKS.
MR ASHDOWN WILL ALSO MEET UMELCO AND MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND WILL BE BRIEFED BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. HIS ITINERARY INCLUDES VISITS TO A KWUN TONG FACTORY AND CHI MA WAN CLOSED CENTRE AND A BRIEFING WITH THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
HE WILL MEET THE PRESS ON AUGUST 18 BEFORE HE LEAVES HONG KONG THE FOLLOWING DAY.
-----o------
/10........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1934
10
ONE MORE FLOOR FOR HOSPITAL * * * *
AN ADDITIONAL FLOOR IS TO BE BUILT ABOVE THE TWO-STOREY CLINICAL BUILDING AT QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL TO PROVIDE OFFICE SPACE AND LECTURE FACILITIES.
BESIDES BEING THE REGIONAL HOSPITAL FOR HONG KONG, QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL IS ALSO A TEACHING HOSPITAL FOR THE MEDICAL FACULTY OF HONG KONG UNIVERSITY.
IT PROVIDES CLINICAL TEACHING FACILITIES FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS, INCLUDING LECTURE THEATRES, SEMINAR ROOMS, LABORATORIES AND OFFICES IN THE PROFESSIONAL BLOCK AND THE CLINICAL BUILDING WITHIN THE HOSPITAL COMPOUND.
AS A RESULT OF siAFF INCREASES IN RECENT YEARS, BOTH BUILDINGS HAVE BECOME OVERCROWDED.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT 12 MONTHS.
A $2.42 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT, WHICH WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 720 SQUARE METRES OF FLOOR SPACE, HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
-----o------
BOARD MEMBERS SEE POLICE AT WORK
* X * *
FOURTEEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED TWO BRANCHES OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE TO LEARN ABOUT THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THE FORCE.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, MR FUNG KWOK-KEUNG, MEMBERS FIRST WENT TO THE NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTRE AT KWAI CHUNG POLICE STATION, WHERE THEY WERE MET BY THE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR B. ELEY.
THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE SET-UP OF THE CENTRE AS WELL AS THE OPERATION OF THE POLICE BEAT RADIO SCHEME AND THE ’999’ SYSTEM.
LATER, AT THE FORCE’S CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU AT EMPIRE CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI, MEMBERS ATTENDED A BRIEFING ON THE ORGANISATION AND WORK OF THE BUREAU AND VISITED A DISPLAY ROOM WITH CRIME PREVENTION AND SECURITY EQUIPMENT.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1984
11 CHILDREN URGED TO TAKE UP TENNIS * * *
CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 12 WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN TO PLAY TENNIS BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR STARTS.
THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE (RSS) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG TENNIS ASSOCIATION ARE JOINTLY ORGANISING A SERIES OF ELEMENTARY TENNIS COURSES LATER THIS MONTH AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.
♦EIGHT CLASSES WILL BE OFFERED ACCOMMODATING 288 CHILDREN WHO WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN THE BASIC SKILLS OF TENNIS,* AN RSS SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOUR CLASSES WILU BE HELD IN THE MORNING FROM AUGUST 18 TO 23 AND THE REST IN THE AFTERNOON, FROM AUGUST 25 TO 30. EACH CONSISTS OF SIX SESSIONS.
+THROUGH TENNIS, BOYS AND GIRLS CAN IMPROVE THEIR PHYSICAL FITNESS AND MAKE FRUITFUL USE OF THEIR LEISURE DURING SUMMER,* HE SAID. HE URGED PARENTS TO ENCOURAGE THEIR CHILDREN TO TAKE PART.
INTERESTED PERSONS SHOULD APPLY NOW, HE SAID.
THE COURSE FEE IS $20.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE HEAD OFFICE AT WING ON CENTRE, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, ITS 19 DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE HONG KONG TENNIS ASSOCIATION AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, WAN CHAI.
ENROLMENT IS ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS AND TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 5-458511 AND 5-741546.
-----o------
VEHICLE GROSS WEIGHT DISPLAY REQUIRED * * * * *
ALL GOODS VEHICLES, SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES AND TRAILERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY THE PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT INSTEAD OF THE UNLADEN WEIGHT WHEN THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS COME INTO EFFECT LATE THIS MONTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT STRESSED TODAY THAT, UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS, THE PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE HEIGHT, ALONG WITH THE OWNER’S NAME AND ADDRESS AND THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED AXLE WEIGHT, MUST BE DISPLAYED ON SOME CONSPICUOUS PLACE ON TRAILERS, AND ON BOTH SIDES OF GOODS VEHICLES AND SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES.
/♦THESE MARKINGS .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1984
12
+THESE MARKINGS SHOULD BE AND SHOULD BE PAINTED IN WHITE AND FIGURES SHOULD NOT BE LESS SA ID.
IN ENGLISH ON A BLACK THAN 25 MM
AND IN CHINESE CHARACTERS BACKGROUND. CHARACTERS IN HEIGHT,* THE SPOKESMAN
THE PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT DISPLAYED SHOULD BE IN METRIC TERMS.
+GOODS VEHICLE OWNERS WHO DO NOT KNOW THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF THEIR VEHICLES SHOULD CALL THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ON 5-260979 OR 5-264860,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----o------
FIRE FITTINGS FOR PIK UK PRISON *****
A $399 639 CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR INSTALLING FIRE SERVICES FITTINGS IN A WORKSHOP BEING BUILT ON A 1 080 SQUARE-METRE SITE WITHIN PIK UK PRISON.
INSTALLATION STARTED LAST MONTH AND WILL TAKE 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE FOUR-STOREY WORKSHOP WILL PROVIDE A TOTAL AREA OF 2 880 SQUARE METRES FOR 500 MALE PRISONERS IN A FACTORY SETTING.
THE WORK AREAS WILL BE FOR CARPENTRY, TAILORING. THERE WILL ALSO BE OFFICES AND CF MATERIALS AND FINISHED GOODS.
DOOR-MAKING AND FACILITIES FOR STORAGE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE WORKSHOP IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN JUNE NEXT YEAR.
-------o---------
/13........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1984
13
SCHOOL WATER PUMP WORK STARTS
* * *
WORK HAS STARTED ON INSTALLING THREE SEWAGE AND FLUSH WATER PUMPS IN A PRIMARY SCHOOL NOW BEING BUILT AT HIRAM’S HIGHWAY, HO CHUNG, SAI KUNG.
THE WORK, WHICH WILL INCLUDE ASSOCIATED VALVE AND PIPEWORK, IS TO BE COMPLETED IN SEVEN WEEKS.
THE FIVE-STOREY SCHOOL, OCCUPYING AN AREA OF 3 921 SQUARE ICTRES WILL HAVE 24 CLASSROOMS, SPECIAL ROOMS, TEACHING FACILITIES AND ADA IN (STRATI VE OFFICES ON TflE UPPER FLOORS, AND A COVERED PLAY AREA AND CHANGING ROOMS ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SCHOOL IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER. ,
A $60 700 CONTRACT ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF
FOR THE JOB WAS AWARDED BY THE
THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
-----o------
NEW TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS IN TSIM SHA TSUI * * * *
FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 11), HAIPHONG ROAD BETWEEN CANTON ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 14 METRES TO THE EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CANTON ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM 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.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CANTON ROAD WILL BE PROHIBITED TO U-TURN ONTO THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CANTON ROAD AT THE JUNCTION OF HAIPHONG ROAD.
VEHICLES EXITING FROM THE HARBOUR CITY ARE ONLY PERMITTED TO TURN LEFT ONTO THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CANTON ROAD.
ON THE SAME DAY, THE CUL-DE-SAC OF SAU LAI STREET NEAR BLOCK 3 CF LOWER SAU MAU PING ESTATE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, FROM 6 PM TO 10 PM.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 198'+
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TEXTILE 'HOT LINE' KEPT BUSY.................-................. 1
BILL PROVIDES FOR SHARING OF DAMAGES .......................... 1
+OSPREY+ INQUIRY REPORT STUDIED ............................... 3
MINISTER TO SEE WORK FOR DISABLED HERE........................ 3
WARNING LETTERS SERVED ON LICENSEE .......................... 4
TOXIN FOUND IN UNCOOKED FISH .................................. 5
MP TO MEET PRESS .............................................. 5
TAX CERTIFICATE INTEREST REDUCED .............................. 5
WOMEN'S I.D. CARD SCHEME - PHASE 14- .......................... 7
ISLANDERS TO AIR VIEWS THROUGH FORUM .......................... 8
NEW MAXICAB SERVICES FOR SHA TIN .............................. 8
SUMMER PROJECT HELPS YOUTHS INTEGRATE ......................... 9
YOUTHS TO REPAIR VILLAGE FOOTPATH.............................. 10
NEW FEATURE AT POST OFFICE OPENING ............................ 10
PART-TIME EVINING COURSES OFFERED ......................... 11
SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS FOR JUNK BAY ........................... 12
SHA TIN ROAD BUILDING CONTINUES ............................... 12
MORE LAND FOR TAI PO ESTATE ................................... 13
TAPS OFF IN TWO HK AREAS....................................... 15
GOOD RESPONSE TO SALES OF TRIDENT FLATS ................ 14
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1984
1
TEXTILE ’HOTLINE’ KEPT BUSY
* * *
THIRTY-THREE CALLS WERE RECEIVED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY TRADE OFFICERS MANNING THE +HOT+ LINE TELEPHONE SERVICE TO ANSWER QUERIES ON THE PROPOSED NEW AMERICAN RULES ON TEXTILE IMPORTS INTO THE UNITED STATES.
THE GENERAL TREND OF THE CALLS WAS ONE OF CONFUSION AS TO WHAT THE ORIGIN RULES MEANT. THE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS WERE ALSO SEEN AS COMPLICATED AND CONFUSING.
THERE WERE WORRIES OVER LOSS OF BUSINESS WITH SOME OF THE CALLERS, PARTICULARLY IN THE KNITWEAR INDUSTRY, EXPRESSING FEARS THERE MIGHT BE SUBSTANTIAL CUTBACKS IN ORDERS.
SOME REPORTED THAT ORDERS HAD ALREADY BEEN HELD UP.
OTHERS REPORTED THAT THEY THEMSELVES WERE HESITANT IN ACCEPTING NEW ORDERS FROM THE UNITED STATES.
A FEW ASSUMED THAT THE ORIGIN RULES WOULD HAVE LIMITED EFFECTS ON THEM.
COMMENTING ON THE CALLS, A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SA IDs ♦THIS FEEDBACK GENERALLY CONFIRMS THE SORT OF ANXIETIES WE HAD EXPECTED AND THE UNCERTAINTY AND DISRUPTION THAT THE NEW REGULATIONS HAVE ALREADY INTRODUCED INTO LEGITIMATE TRADE.
+IT IS CLEAR THAT SOME BUSINESS ARE ALREADY EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS, EVEN ONE MONTH BEFORE THE REGULATIONS ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE EFFECT.+
BILL PROVIDES FOR SHARING OF DAMAGES * * * *
A BILL SEEKING TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION ON THE SHARING OF DAMAGES BETWEEN WRONGDOERS IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WAS TO WIDEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A PERSON WHO SHARES LIABILITY WITH ANOTHER PERSON IS OELIGED TO CONTRIBUTE A SHARE OF THE DAMAGES.
IN OTHER WORDS, DEFENDANTS WILL HAVE A WIDER RIGHT TO RECEIVE-CONTRIBUTION FROM OTHERS WHO WERE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE,
bE SAID.
/AN IMPORTANT .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1984
2
AN IMPORTANT PROPOSAL SET OUT IN THE BILL ABOLISHES AN EXISTING RULE WHICH RELEASES A SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT DEFENDANTS FROM PAYING DAMAGES ONCE A JUDGMENT HAS BEEN OBTAINED AGAINST THE FIRST DEFENDANT.
AMONG OTHER PROVISIONS, THE BILL ENTITLES A DEFENDANT TO CLAIM A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE DAMAGES FROM ANOTHER DEFENDANT REGARDLESS OF THE LEGAL BASIS OF HIS LIABILITY TO THE INJURED PARTY, WHETHER TORT, BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TRUST OR OTHERWISE.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF A PURCHASER BUYS A KETTLE FROM A SHOP AND THE KETTLE EXPLODES THE FIRST TIME IT IS USED, THE PURCHASER MAY SUE THE SHOP FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT. THE SHOP WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RESIST THE CLAIM AS BY LAW THERE IS AN IMPLIED CONDITION IN SUCH CONTRACTS THAT THE KETTLE IS FIT FOR ITS PURPOSE. THE PURCHASER MAY CHOOSE TO SUE THE MANUFACTURER OF THE KETTLE WHOSE FAULT CAUSED THE EXPLOSION BUT THE PURCHASER WOULD HAVE TO PROVE NEGLIGENCE, WHICH MAY BE DIFFICULT SO HE SUES THE SHOP AND WINS. UNDER THE PRESENT LAW THE SHOP CANNOT CLAIM CONTRIBUTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER (WHICH MAY BE 100 PER CENT) TOWARDS THE DAMAGES IT MUST PAY THE PURCHASER AS THE ACTION BROUGHT BY THE PURCHASER WAS FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT. THIS BILL WILL ENABLE THE SHOP TO CLAIM CONTRIBUTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT A DEFENDANT IS ENTITLED TO CONTRIBUTION TO THE DAMAGES EVEN THOUGH HE HAS CEASED TO BE LIABLE TO THE INJURED PARTY, FOR EXAMPLE, BY HAVING AGREED TO PAY DAMAGES AND THUS SETTLED THE ACTION. HE IS ALSO ENTITLED TO CONTRIBUTION, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER HE WAS IN FACT LIABLE, IF HE HAS MADE A BONA FIDE SETTLEMENT WITH THE INJURED PARTY, PROVIDED THAT THE OTHER DEFENDANT FROM WHOM CONTRIBUTION IS SOUGHT WAS HIMSELF LIABLE TO THE INJURED PARTY.
+THESE TWO PROVISIONS REFLECT THE POLICY OF THE LAW TO ENCOURAGE SETTLEMENTS OF DISPUTES WITHOUT RECOURSE TO LITIGATION,* THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THE COURT WILL DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF CONTRIBUTION IN THESE CASES, WHICH WILL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT THE CONTRIBUTOR WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY IF THE INJURED PARTY HAD SUED HIM.
THE CIVIL LIABILITY (CONTRIBUTION) BILL 1984 IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 10 AND TO RECEIVE ITS THIRD READING ON NOVEMBER 21.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON ITS PROVISIONS MAY WRITE TO UMELCO AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
------0-------
Z5........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1964
5
+0SPREY+ ENQUIRY REPORT STUDIED * * * *
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD RECEIVED AN ADVANCE COPY OF THE REPORT BY THE MARINE COURT OF ENQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE OSPREY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED TODAY.
HE SAID THAT THE REPORT WAS ALREADY BEING STUDIED BY THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS.
SAY WHAT ACTION THE
WHILE EXPLAINING THAT IT WAS TOO EARLY TO GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE IN RESPONSE TO SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY HAD ALREADY SET UP A WORKING GROUP TO REVIEW EXISTING OFFSHORE SEARCH AND RESCUE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. THE GROUP COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES OF SECURITY BRANCH, ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT AND MARINE DEPARTMENT, AND WOULD CO-OPT REPRESENTATIVES FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND SERVICES - SUCH AS THE RAF, ROYAL NAVY, ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE, AND MARINE POLICE - TO ATTEND AS NECESSARY. AT AN EARLY STAGE IN ITS WORK THE GROUP WOULD BE CONSIDERING THE COURT’S RECOMMENDATIONS ON POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENT’S EXISTING SEARCH AND
RESCUE ORGANISATION VERY CAREFULLY.
MADE BY THE COURT REGARDING IMPROVEMENTS AND EQUIPPING OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THESE MATTERS THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO REGISTRATION, LICENSING, VESSELS IN HONG KONG WATERS, WERE NOW BEING CONSIDERED BY
MINISTER TO SEE WORK FOR DISABLED HERE
THE UK MINISTER FOR THE DISABLED, MR ANTONY NEWTON WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 12) FOR A 15-DAY VISIT.
DURING THE FIRST WEEK HE WILL SEE A CROSS-SECTION OF HONG KONG’S REHABILITATION SERVICES UNDER A PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
MR NEWTON WILL ALSO ATTEND A MEETING OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND MEET HONG KONG’S DISABLED ATHLETES AT A DINNER TO BE HOSTED BY DR HARRY FANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
THE MINISTER WILL BE BRIEFED BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND WILL MEET UMELCO AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD DURING A VISIT TO EASTERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
HE WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON AUGUST 17 AND LEAVE HONG KONG ON AUGUST 26.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1984
WARNING LETTERS SERVED ON LICENSEE
******
WRITTEN WARNINGS HAVE BEEN SERVED ON THE OPERATOR OF A KIOSK AT REPULSE BAY BEACH THAT HE MUST COMPLY WITH URBAN COUNCIL REGULATIONS CONCERNING PRICES.
AND SURPRISE INSPECTIONS OF ALL COUNCIL-OWNED KIOSKS AT BEACHES ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT THE REGULATIONS ARE BEING COMPLIED WITH.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY BY A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN WHO WAS REPLYING TO CRITICISM OF OVER-CHARGING AT BEACH KIOSKS DURING THE CURRENT HEAT-WAVE.
The SPOKESMAN SAIDt +AS PART OF THE LEASE CONDITIONS, LICENSEES OF COUNCIL-OWNED KIOSKS MUST PROMINENTLY DISPLAY AN APPROVED LIST OF PRICES OF REFRESHMENTS, INCLUDING BEER AND SOFT DRINKS, AND MUST ABIDE BY THESE PRICES.
♦ALLEGATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE THAT KIOSK STAFF OVER-CHARGING FOR DRINKS GIVE AS AN EXCUSE, ’THIS IS THE AFTERNOON PRICE’ OR ’THAT’S THE PRICE FOR THE DRINKS -- THIS IS THE PRICE FOR THE CHILLED DRINKS.’
♦THERE IS ONLY ONE PRICE, AND THAT IS THE PRICE GIVEN ON THE PRICE LIST.
♦MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD ALWAYS INSPECT THE PRICE LISTS AND PAY THE EXACT PRICE GIVEN FOR WHATEVER THEY ARE PURCHASING.
♦IF THERE IS NO PRICE LIST ON DISPLAY, OR IF AN ATTEMPT IS STILL MADE TO OVER-CHARGE THEM, THEY ARE URGED TO GO TO THE OFFICE OF THE BEACH STAFF AND LODGE A COMPLAINT WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED UP ON THE SPOT.
♦WE NEED THE PUBLIC’S HELP IN THIS WAY TO STAMP OUT ANY FURTHER ATTEMPTS AT OVER-CHARGI NG.+
IF AN OPERATOR CONTINUED TO OVER-CHARGE DESPITE WRITTEN WARNINGS, THE CASE WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE COUNCIL ITSELF AND LEGAL ADVICE TAKEN ON ENDING THE LEASE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-----0------
/5........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1984
- 5 -
TOXIN FOUND IN UNCOOKED FISH
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY EXPLAINED THAT TESTS MADE ON MINCED UNCOOKED FISH EATEN BY A WOMAN WHO DIED OF FOOD POISONING LAST MONTH HAD REVEALED PUFFER-FISH TOXIN.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: + THE VICTIM’S MEAL COMPRISED MINCED UNCOOKED FISH WITH CHILLI AND OTHER SEASONING, TINNED SARDINE, PORK AND BEEF, AND RICE.
♦FOLLOWING THE WOMAN'S DEATH, TESTS WERE MADE OF THE REMAINS OF THE MINCED UNCOOKED FISH, AND THESE PROVED THAT PUFFER-FISH TOXIN WAS PRESENT IN THE FISH.+
THE STATE OF THE MINCED FISH PREVENTED ANALYSTS FROM DETERMINING WHAT TYPE OR TYPES OF FISH HAD BEEN USED TO MAKE THE MINCE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS WELL KNOWN THAT FISHERFOLK SOLD VARIOUS TYPES OF FISH TO THE PUBLIC AFTER RETURNING TO SHAU KEI WAN WITH THEIR CATCHES.
------o-------
MP TO MEET PRESS * * *
MR IVAN LAWRENCE. QC, CONSERVATIVE MP, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY (AUGUST 13) AT 10.30 AM AT THE AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICERS’ MESS, 3RD FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
MR LAWRENCE WILL THEN LEAVE HONG KONG IN THE EVENING AFTER A NINE-DAY VISIT.
- 0 - -
TAX CERTIFICATE INTEREST REDUCED * * *
A DECREASE IN THE RATE OF INTEREST ^JABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES HAS BEEN AUTHORISED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND IS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
AS FROM TODAY (FRIDAY) THE NEW ANNUAL *J[jJERATE OF WILL BE 10.8 PER CENT (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT KAlt 12.84 PER CENT (TAX FREE).
interest on TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN ^rSBEN?RlSlTED“.RSABEFjRbL|SERESPE?TPO? "KetC SlS BETNEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX, A SPOKESMAN FOR TH INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID.
/INTEREST IS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1984
6
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED TODAY OR AFTER.
CERTIFICATES ISSUED BEFORE TODAY WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWSi-
12% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 4 DECEMBER 1981 AND BEFORE 4 JUNE 19821
10.8% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 4 JUNE 1982 AND BEFORE 27 AUGUST 19821
9% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 27 AUGUST 1982 AND BEFORE 3 DECEMBER 19821
7.8% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 3 DECEMBER 1982 AND BEFORE 27 MAY 1983;
10 2% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 27 MAY 1983 AND BEFORE 28 OCTOBER 1983;
12% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 28 OCTOBER 1983 AND BEFORE 7 NOVEMBER 19831
9.6% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 7 NOVEMBER 1983 AND BEFORE 10 FEBRUARY 1984;
7.8% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 10 FEBRUARY 1984 AND BEFORE 23 MARCH 1984 ;
5.16% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 23 MARCH 1984 AND BEFORE 18 MAY 1984;
8.4% LER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 18 MAY 1984 AND BEFORE
6 JULY 19841
10.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 6 JULY 1984 AND BEFORE 13 JULY 19841 AND
A.
LER .....
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1984
- 7 -
12.84% LER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 13 JULY 1984 AND BEFORE 10 AUGUST 1984
BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETED MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
EXAMPLES $1 000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON 10 AUGUST 1984, 10 SEPTEMBER 1984 AND 10 OCTOBER 1984 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON 10 NOVEMBER 1984 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:-
ON $1 000, 10 AUGUST 1984 TO 10 NOVEMBER 1984
3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $9.00 PER MONTH - $27.03
ON $2 000, 10 SEPTEMBER 1984 TO 10 NOVEMBER 1984
2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $9.00 PER MONTH - $18.00
ON $1 000, 10 OCTOBER 1984 TO 10 NOVEMBER 1984
1 COMPLETE MONTH AT $9.00 PER MONTH = $ 9.00
$54.33
0
> WOMEN’S I.D. CARD SCHEME - PHASE 14 * * * K
THE 14TH WOMEN BORN IN AND SEPTEMBER
PHASE OF THE I 1957 AND 1958, 22.
.D. CARD ISSUE SCHEME, TARGETTED AT WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN AUGUST 20
+AN ESTIMATED 106 000 WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUPS, INCLUDING GREEN-SEAL CARD HOLDERS, WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW CARDS DURING THE FIVE-WEEK PERIOD,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THOSE WHO ARE AWAY FROM HONG KONG AND ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE BACK BEFORE THE END OF THE PHASE MAY APPLY WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THEIR RETURN.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
♦ ANY PERSON WHO ENTERS HONG KONG ILLEGALLY WILL BE REPATRIATED ONCE HE OR SHE IS DETECTED AND CONVICTED,* HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, WOMEN BORN IN 1959 AND I960 WERE REMINDED THAT THERE ARE ONLY SEVEN WORKING DAYS LEFT FOR THEM TO APPLY FOR NEw I.D. CARDS.
------o-------
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1934
8
ISLANDERS TO AIR VIEWS THROUGH FORUM
M * * **
THE PROVISION OF SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES AS WELL AS TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SERVICES ON THE ISLANDS DISTRICT WILL BE SOME OF THE TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION AT THE DISTRICT’S OPEN FORUM ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 12) AFTERNOON.
ISLANDS IS THE SIXTH DISTRICT TO HOLD THE FORUM, WHICH IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE 18 DISTRICT OFFICES AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG TO ENABLE RESIDENTS TO AIR THEIR VIEWS AND MAKE SUGGESTION^ ON LOCAL ISSUES.
ON SUNDAY, SPEAKERS ON THE PANEL WILL INCLUDE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RAYMOND WONG; DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MR KWONG PING-YAU, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, AND MR YIU KAI-HANG; AND THREE REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
THE 90-MINUTE FORUM WILL START AT 3 PM IN TUNG WAN PLAYGROUND ON CHEUNG CHAU. IT WILL BE RECORDED AND BROADCAST ON RTHK RADIO 1 AT 8 AM THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY (AUGUST 18).
THE OTHER 12 DISTRICTS WILL HOLD SIMILAR FORUMS ON THE FOLLOWING SUNDAYS UNTIL EARLY NOVEMBER.
-------o---------
NEW MAXICAB SERVICES FOR SHA TIN * * * *
FOUR NEW MAXICAB ROUTES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN NEXT WEEK.
ROUTE NO. 65 RUNNING FROM SIU LEK YUEN TO FO TAN VIA NGAU PEI SHA STREET, SIU LEK YUEN ROAD, FO TAN ROAD AND MIN FONG STREET WILL START ON MONDAY (AUGUST 13), OPERATING FROM 6 AM TO 11 PM, AT A FARE OF $1.50.
ROUTE NO. 63K WILL START TO OPERATE FROM TUESDAY (AUGUST 14), PLYING BETWEEN TAI WAI KCR STATION AND MUI LEE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA VIA TSUEN NAM ROAD, TAI WAI AND MEI TIN ROAD. IT WILL RUN FROM 6.30 AM TO 11.30 PM, CHARGING $1.
ROUTE NO. 64K, RUNNING FROM TAI WAI KCR STATION TO LOWER SHING MUN T.H.A. VIA TSUEN NAM ROAD, TAI WAI AND LOWER SHING MUN ROAD, WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED ON TUESDAY. HOURS OF OPERATION WILL BE FROM 6.25 AM TO 11.25 PM. THE FARE WILL BE $1.
NO. 65R, FROM SHA TIN KCR STATION TO SHA TIN MEI SHA FERRY TERMINAL VIA TAI PO ROAD, WILL START TO OPERATE FROM WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 15), RUNNING DAILY FROM 8.15 AM TO 7.15 PM. FARE WILL BE $1.50.
- - - - 0 ----
/9......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1984
9
SUMMER PROJECT HELPS YOUTHS INTEGRATE *****
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR CHAN YING-LUN, TODAY (FRIDAY) WENT TO SEE HOW NEW ARRIVALS IN HONG KONG BENEFIT FROM THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
DURING A VISIT TO THE +HONG KONG 123+ SERVICES PROJECT ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG RED CROSS AT THE CHONG GENE HANG COLLEGE IN CHAI WAN, HE SAW NEWLY-ARRIVED YOUNGSTERS PLAYING AND LEARNING TOGETHER WITH CHILDREN BORN AND RAISED HERE.
ACCOMPANYING MR CHAN ON THE VISIT WERE MRS PEGGY WONG, PRINCIPAL YOUTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER OF THE HONG KONG RED CROSS? MR CHOI WING-ON, MEMBER OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND MISS ALICE CHAN CF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE AIM OF THE PROJECT IS TO HELP RECENT ARRIVALS FROM CHINA, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, FIT INTO THE NEW ENVIRONMENT AND TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO MIX WITH THE LOCAL RESIDENTS.
OVER 100 YOUNGSTERS, RANGING FROM THE AGE OF EIGHT TO 14, TOOK PART IN THE PROJECT.
FIFTY OF THEM WERE NEW ARRIVALS FROM CHINA AND THE REST WERE FROM THE YUE WAN TEMPORARY HOUSING ESTATE.
THE TWO-WEEK PROGRAMME CONSISTS OF SUCH ACTIVITIES AS FILM SHOWS, PICNICS, SPEECH COMPETITIONS, BALL GAMES, AND VISITS TO FACTORIES AND THE SPACE MUSEUM.
VOLUNTEER WORKERS WHO HELPED WITH WORK ON THE PROJECT ARE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM CANNOSIAN CONVENT SCHOOL, CHONG GENE HANG COLLEGE, SALES IAN SCHOOL, PRECIOUS BLOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL AND CLEMENTI MIDDLE SCHOOL.
MR CHAN SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE BOTH THE VOLUNTEERS AND PARTICIPANTS ENJOYING THEMSELVES AND BENEFITING FROM THE EXPERIENCE.
ACTING AS A JUDGE IN A SPEECH COMPETITION, HE SAID HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE ELOQUENCE OF THE CONTESTANTS.
TODAY’S VISIT IS ONE OF THE VISITS ARRANGED THIS SUMMER FOR SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICERS AND UMELCO MEMBERS TO LEARN ABOUT THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
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/1O
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1984
10
YOUTHS TO REPAIR village FOOTPATH
K if *
ABOUT 100 KWUN TONG YOUTHS AND LOCAL VILLAGERS WILL TOGETHER REPAIR A FOOTPATH IN LEI YUE MUN VILLAGE ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 12).
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES WILL SHOVEL THE FIRST SPADE OF CONCRETE TO START OFF THE EXERCISE.
HE WILL ALSO UNVEIL A PLAQUE BEARING THE NEW NAME FOR THE FOOTPATH - +YOUTH PATH+ - TO COMMEMORATE THE EFFORTS OF THE YOUNG VOLUNTEERS.
APART FROM REPAIRING THE 130-METRE FOOTPATH, THE YOUTHS WILL ALSO WEED THE OVERGROWN GRASS NEARBY TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE VILLAGE.
THE YOUTH AMBASSADOR TRAINING SCHEME - PART OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME - WAS HELD FOR ABOUT 90 YOUNG PEOPLE IN LATE JULY TO ENABLE THEM TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEIR ROLE IN THE COMMON ITY.
SUNDAY’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT EXERCISE AT LEI YUE MUN VILLAGE IS TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO PUT TO PRACTICE WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNT THROUGH A SERIES OF TALKS AND A TRAINING CAMP.
THE EXERCISE IS ORGANISED BY THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LEI YUE MUN RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION.
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NEW FEATURE AT POST OFFICE OPENING * K * fc
LOCAL PHILATELISTS MAY BE INTERESTED IN A NEW FEATURE MARKING THE OPENING NEXT WEEK OF A NEW POST OFFICE ON LAMMA ISLAND, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE POST OFFICE AT 2 MAIN STREET, YUNG SHUE WAN, LAMMA ISLAND ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 16), UNREGISTERED +FIRST DAY+ COVERS PREPARED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND BEARING A LOCAL ADDRESS WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER, IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATE-STAMP AND HANDED BACK, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NEW POST OFFICE WILL PROVIDE THE NORMAL RANGE OF COUNTER SERVICES AS WELL AS 100 PRIVATE POST BOXES FOR RENTAL.
/WITH THE .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1984
11
WITH THE OPENING OF THE POST OFFICE, THERE WILL BE 96 POST OFFICES IN HONG KONG ALTOGETHER, HE SAID.
THE POST OFFICE WILL BE OPENED AT 11 AM ON THAT DAY BY
FONG LOI, CHAIRMAN OF THE LAMMA AREA COMMITTEE, ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, TOGETHER WITH THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DAVID H.T. LAN, AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER (ISLANDS), MR WILLIAM C.C. YAP.
THE POST OFFICE WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS AT NOON.
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PART-TIME EVENING COURSES OFFERED K * X
THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES UNDER THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) ARE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SOME VACANCIES IN 25 PART-TIME EVENING COURSES DUE TO START IN SEPTEMBER.
A TOTAL OF 96 EVENING COURSES WILL BE OFFERED BY THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IN THE COMING ACADEMIC- YEAR AND 71 OF THEM WERE FILLED IN MAY.
♦COURSES IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF GENERAL STUDIES, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, PRINTING, DESIGN, MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERING, TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES ARE FULLY SUBSCRIBED,+ A VTC SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
♦APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED AGAIN FOR ENTRY TO A SMALL NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN THE OTHER 25 COURSES IN THE DEPARTMENTS CF HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM STUDIES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANCIAL ENGINEERING, AND MARINE AND FABRICATION,* HE ADDED.
THE EVENING COURSES ARE MAINLY AT CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN LEVELS TO PROVIDE ONE TO THREE YEARS COMPLEMENTARY EDUCATION FOR PEOPLE WORKING IN THE INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, NAMELY, MORRISON HILL, KWUN TONG, HAKING WONG, KWAI CHUNG AND LEE WAI LEE AND SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE CONCERNED ON OR BEFORE NOON ON SATURDAY WEEK (AUGUST 18).
DETAILS OF THESE COURSES WILL BE ADVERTISED IN TOMORROW’S NEWSPAPERS.
THOSE WHO HAVE APPLIED IN MAY, INCLUDING THOSE WHO SAT FOR THE CURRENT HKCEE NEED NOT RE-APPLY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1984
12
SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS FOR JUNK BAY * * * *
A SEwAGE TREATMENT WORKS WILL BE BUILT AT SUI CH IK SHA IN JUNK BAY TO SERVE THE NEW TOWN’S TARGETTED POPULATION OF 175 000.
THE JUNK BAY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT, WHICH INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 300-METRE LONG, 2,-5-METRE DIAMETER SEWER, A MAIN WORKS BUILDING, TWO PUMPING STATIONS, A GENERATOR HOUSE AND SUBSTATION, SCREENING EQUIPMENT AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES.
THE WORKS WILL BE ABLE TO TREAT 54 000 CUBIC METRES OF RAW SEWAGE DAILY AND DISCHARGE THE TREATED SEWAGE THROUGH A 3.4 KILOMETRE SUBMARINE OUTFALL INTO TATHONG CHANNEL.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN NOVEMBER AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN 30 MONTHS.
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SHA TIN ROAD BUILDING CONTINUES
* * * *
A NUMBER OF NEW ROADS ARE TO BE BUILT IN SHA TIN AS PART OF THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE NEW TOWN.
THE NEW ROADS WILL SERVE RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS OPPOSITE THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB RACE COURSE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SHING MUN RIVER.
IN ADDITION, A SECTION OF A NEW TRUNK ROAD WILL ALSO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AT MA ON SHAN.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORK IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
THE RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (SHA TIN),
2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN ; AND
* SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE,
KCR HOUSE, 6TH FLOOR, SHA TIN STATION, SHA TIN.
OBJECTIONS IN WRITING SHOULD REACH THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE OCTOBER 9.
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/13......
FR I DAY, AUGU3’ i ,
15
MORE LAND FOR TAI PO ESTATE * * *
ANOTHER 16 HECTARES OF RECLAIMED LAND wILl BE FORMED -> TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE FOLLOWING THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TOLA" (FRIDAY) BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE $81.2-MILL ION CONTRACT *AS SIGNED BY THE GOVERN -NT CIVIL ENGINEER (GENERAL), MR AU CHI-LAU, AND THE DIRECTOR (ENGINEERING SERVICES) OF LEIGHTON CONTRACTORS PTY. LIMITED, NR JACK BRAZIER.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT, WHICH IS THE FINAL PHASE OF STmoE II FOR PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL 2D HECTARES OF LAND FOR THE E-T-T;-wILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 76O-METRE SEAaAlL AT T._. HARBOUR. IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE AND -DAL ..
UNDER THE FIRST TWO STAGES OF THE ESTATE, 45 HECTARES LAND HAD BEEN FORMED SINCE EARLY 1976.
- - 0
TAPS OFF IN TWO HK AREAS
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TAI HANG AND NORTH -WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON MONDAY (AUGUST 13) EVEN IN .
IN TAI HANG, THE SUPPLY WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM ID PM ON ' .»DA • TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
AFFECTED WILL BE PREMISES ALONG TAI HANG ROAD BETWEEN _T.-j COLLEGE AND TAI HANG DRIVE, YIK KWAN AVENUE, LI KwAN AVENUE, - ur KwAN AVENUE, LAI TAK TSUEN ROAD, WANG FUNG TERRACE, CHUN FAI TERRACE, TAI HANG DRIVE AND CHUN FAI ROAD.
IN NORTH POINT, THE SUSPENSION WILL BE FROM 11 PM ON .1 -r T 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY, FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY MERCURY STREET, KINO’S LAU SIN STREET AND ELECTRIC ROAD.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 198u
14
GOOD RESPONSE TO SALES OF TRIDENT FLATS
******
ABOUT 1 300 HOME OWNERSHIP FLATS ON THE TWO TRIDENT BLOCKS AT MAY SHING COURT IN SHA TIN HAVE BEEN SOLD TO ELIGIBLE GREEN-FORM APPLICANTS OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS.
♦ they represent about bo per cent of the 1 632 trident flats WHICH ARE BEING SOLD FIRST TO APPLICANTS FROM PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS UNDER THE CURRENT PHASE VIA SALES EXERCISE,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY.
♦ THE REMAINING FUATS ARE EXPECTED TO BE SOLD OUT WITHIN NEXT WEEK,* HE ADDED.
HE SAID SELECTION WOULD ALSO BEGIN NEXT WEEK OF FLATS ON ANOTHER BLOCK AT MAY SHING COURT AS WELL AS THOSE AT CHOI PO COURT IN SHEUNG SHU I, TAI PO PLAZA IN TAI PO AND SIU HONG COURT PHASE IV IN TUEN MUN.
THE PHASE VIA FLATS ARE PRICED FROM J98 100 TO «248 800 WITH GROSS AREAS BETWEEN 41.3 AND 64.3 SQUARE METRES.
♦ TO ENABLE PURCHASERS OF THE PHASE VIA FLATS TO PERSONALLY assess the value of the flats before making their selections, SHOW FLATS AT CHOI PO COURT AND SIU HONG COURT WILL AGAIN BE OPEN FOR PUBLIC VIEWING IN WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO AUGUST 27.
♦THEIR OPENING HOURS WILL BE FROM 9.00 AM TO 5.00 PM,+ HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, SAMPLE FLATS AT TAI PO PLAZA ARE OPEN DAILY FOR PUBLIC VIEWING UNTIL AUGUST 31 TO GIVE HOME-PURCHASERS another chance to see for themselves the flat designs and The ENVIRONMENT OF THE FIRST PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME PROJECT IN TAI PO.
♦they are open daily from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 3.00 PM TO 4.00 PM BETWEEN MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS AND FROM 9.00 AM TO 5.00 PM ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PAVING THE WAY FOR GREATER PEOPLE’S ROLE........................ 1
TEXTILE TALKS - FIRST ROUND HELD................................ 2
HOUSING PLANS FOR TIN SHUI WAI.................................. 3
GROUP TO LOCK INTO C?® MAINTENANCE WORK......................... 4
PRISONERS GIVE TO OXFAM......................................... 5
’BO BO’ TO HELP GET VOTERS ..................................... 6
MORE PLANNED FOR KOWLOON CITY FOLK.............................. 6
HOW LOCAL STAMPS ARE PRODUCED................................
BASIC LAW COURSE OFFERED TO PRESS .............................. 8
ROAD WORKS TO BENEFIT SQUATTERS ................................ 8
AUDITORIUM SEATING FOR CULTURAL COMPLEXES ...................... 9
PROMOTING BOARD WORK THE FUN WAY............................... <0
SHAU KEI WAN TRAFFIC PLAN ..................................... 10
CINTRAL WATER WORK............................................. 11
TAI KOK TSUI TAPS OFF ......................................... 11
FIRING PRACTICE WARNING........................................ 11
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1Q8A
1
PAVING THE WAY FOR GREATER PEOPLE’S ROLE * * * *
THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THE NEW REGIONAL COUNCIL AND PROPOSAL^ IN THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT ALL SERVE TO ENABLE PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR C.M. LEUNG, IN A IMESSAGE TO THE SEMI-FINAL OF THE 18-DISTRICT AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST HELD TONIGHT (SATURDAY).
AND THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, HE SAID, WOULD PROVIDE A FIRM BASE FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM.
IN THIS CONNECTION, MR LEUNG URGED THE PUBLIC TO SUPPORT THE SYSTEM BY REG ISTERI NG’AS VOTERS AND GOING TO THE POLLS AT NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE SIX-WEEK REGISTRATION WILL START ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, AND HE SAID: +YOUR SUPPORT IS INDISPENSABLE FOR ITS SUCCESS. IT IS ONLY THROUGH PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT THAT wE CAN BUIL. u-A BETTER COMMUN ITY.+
HE NOTED THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SONG CONTEST, APART FRO-DEVELOPING THE CONTESTANTS’ INTEREST AND POTENTIAL IN SINGlNo, WAS TO PROMOTE DISTRICT SPIRIT AND FOSTER PARTICIPATION IN DISTRICT EVENTS.
+IN FACT, AN EVEN MORE POSITIVE WAY TO SUPPORT YOUR DIS’ IS TO TAKE PART IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
+ THE SETTING UP OF DISTRICT BOARDS HAS ENABLED LOCAL -^LEi.T. TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE PROVISION AND USE OF LOCAL FACILITIES AND SERVICES.+
AFTER TWO YEARS’ WORK, MR LEUNG SAID THE BOARDS HAD PROVE-EFFECTIVE IN REFLECTING THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC ON GOVERNMEi.’ POLICIES AND HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE BETTER MANAGEMENT OF DiSTR T AFFA IRS.
+AFTER THE ELECTION NEXT YEAR, THE DISTRICT BOARDS wILL EE GIVEN AN EVEN MORE REPRESENTATIVE STATUS BY HAVING UNOF-ICIAL CHAIRMEN AND AN INCREASED NUMBER OF ELECTED MEMBERS,* HE sAID.
+THE SETTING UP OF REGIONAL COUNCIL IN 1985 WILL «IT.ESS ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARDS GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPAT IN THE FORMULATION OF REGIONAL POLICIES.
+THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, WHICH WILL BE THE COUNTERPART URBAN COUNCIL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, wILL HAVE A MAJORITY NUMBER OF ELECTED MEMBERS AND WILL PERFORM A VALUABLE ROLE I PROVIDING AND CO-ORDINATING POLICIES AND SERVICES.*
/u; additic..........
SATUK1MI, avUua.' 11, 1>04
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IN ADDITION, MR LEUNG SAID THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WOULD INTRODUCE AN INDIRECTLY ELECTED ELEMENT INTO Trie CENTRAL LEVEL OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS.
+IT IS HOPED THAT THE PROPOSED CHANGES CAN PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE CHANNEL FOR THE AUTHORITATIVE EXPRESSION OF THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE AND TO MAKE THE GOVERNMENT MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY CNTA, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE SING TAO NEWSPAPERS LIMITED, THE SINGING CONTEST IS PART CF A SERIES OF PUBLICITY EFFORTS TO PROMOTE THE VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPA IGN.
NINE SEMI-FINALISTS WERE SELECTED TO COMPETE IN THE GRAND FINAL ON SEPTEMBER 1 ^T THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM.
CHEERING TEAMS FROM THE 18 DISTRICTS CHANTED SLOGANS TO SUPPORT THEIR RESPECTIVE SINGERS.
SOUVENIRS WILL BE AWARDED TO THE BEST CHEERING TEAM AND THt BEST SLOGAN DURING THE GRAND FINAL.
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TEXTILE TALKS - FIRST ROUND HELD * * * *
THE FIRST ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND AMERICAN OFFICIALS ON THE PROPOSED NEW U.S. RULES ON TEXTILE IMPORTS TOOr-PLACE IN WASHINGTON YESTERDAY (FRIDAY).
THE HONG KONG TEAM, LED BY MRS EMMELINE MOK, ACTING COUNSELLOR (HONG KONG COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS), WASHINGTON, RE-STATED HONG KONO’S POSITION THAT THE REGULATIONS WERE UNACCEPTABLE AND WERE IN VIC-ATIs., CF THE BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT.
HONG KONG’S CASE WAS NOTED BY SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE AND OTHER AGENCIES WHO WILL NO-STUDY HONG KONG’S VIEWS PRIOR TO THE RESUMPTION OF CONSULTATIONS ON AUGUST 20 AND 21 WHEN THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD WILL LEAD THE HONG KONG DELEGATION.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 193
- 3 -
HOUSING PLANS FOR TIN SHU I WAI * * * *
TWO LAYOUT PLANS FOR A PUBLIC AND A PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATE AT TIN SHU I WAI WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ DISCUSSION AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON MONDAY (AUGUST 13) MORNING.
WORK ON THE TIN YIU PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, COVERING 15 HECTARES, WILL START IN EARLY 1987 AND BE COMPLETED BY LATE 1989. THE ESTATE WILL HAVE A FULL RANGE OF COMMERCIAL, RECREATIONAL, WELFARE, EDUCATIONAL AND TRANSPORT FACILITIES FOR A POPULATION OF 35 OOO.
AN AREA OF 12.5 HECTARES WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO A PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATE FOR 28 700 PERSONS.
THE GOVERNMENT ENGINEER OF NEW TERRITORIES, MR GEORGE CHIEN, AND A SENIOR TOWN PLANNER, MR PETER MUNZ WILL BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PLANS.
DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE EASTERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF YUEN LONG TOWN, TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA AND LONG PING PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
THE SAME MORNING, SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL STUDY AN ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR ’PACKAGE 5’ DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT, AT THEIR MEETING.
THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT OVER 11 HECTARES OF LAND BE FORMED BETWEEN SAI KUNG OLD TOWN AND TUI MIN HOI WITHIN A NARROW INLET CF INNER PORT SHELTER TO ACCOMMODATE MORE THAN 3 000 PEOPLE IN RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL AND VILLAGE HOUSING.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF SITES FOR LIGHT INDUSTRY, COMMERCIAL AND BOATYARD WILL TAKE PLACE AT A LATER STAGE, PROVIDING OVER 2 000 JOBS IN THE AREA.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS MEASURES TO ASSIST BOAT-DWELLERS IN CHUNG MEI TUK, WHERE A CLEARANCE WILL TAKE PLACE IN EARLY 1986.
THE GREEN PAPER ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE TWO BOARD MEETINGS AS WELL AS AT THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT BOARD SPECIAL MEETING IN THE AFTERNOON.
/t
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1984-
- 4 -
GROUP TO LOOK INTO CMB MAINTENANCE WORK * * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A WORKING GROUP THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE W ILL BE SET UP TO INVESTIGATE THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY’S MAINTENANCE PROGRAMMES FOLLOWING JANUARY’-HAPPY VALLEY BUS TRAGEDY. THE WORKING GROUP WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
ON MARCH 27 A JURY OF THE CORONER’S COURT RETURNED A VERDICT JF INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER ON THE WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD BUS ACCIDENT ON JANUARY 28, WITH 18 RIDERS, WHICH INCLUDE CALLING FOR THE SETTING UP OF A BOARD OF INQUIRY TO EXAMINE FULLY CURRENT PRACTICES, METHODS AND PROCEDURES OF THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT RELATING TO THE RUNNING, REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE AND CERTIFICATION OF PASSENGER FLEET VEHICLES.
>
THE GOVERNMENT HAS EXAMINED VARIOUS WAYS IN WHICH AN INQU I COULD BE CARRIED OUT, INCLUDING APPOINTMENT OF AN OUTSIDE FIRM OF CONSULTANTS OR THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY bY THE GOVERNOR.
ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN, A FORMAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY WAS CONSIDERED INAPPROPRIATE BECAUSE THE INTENTION wAS NCT TO RE-EXAMINE THE CAUSES OF THE ACCIDENT; NOR WOULD THE APPOi TMENT OF AN OUTSIDE FIRM OF CONSULTANTS BE APPROPRIATE BECAUSE IT w,jL.. BE MORE PRODUCTIVE FOR PEOPLE DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG TO BE INVC_<1J.
IT WAS THEREFORE DECIDED THAT A COMMITTEE OF REVIEW, TC B-_ CALLED THE +WORK ING GROUP OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE . CMB MAINTENANCE*, SHOULD BE APPOINTED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WITH THE FOLLOWING TERMS OF REFERENCE:
+ IN THE LIGHT OF THE RECOMMENDATION OF CORONER’S COURT OF MARCH 27, 1984, TO EXAMINE THE PRACTICES, METHODS AND PROCEDURES OF THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY LIMITED FOR THE RUNNING, REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF ITS PASSENGER BUS FLEET, TO EXAMINE THE PRACTICES, METHODS AND PROCEDURES OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR ITS ROAD-WORTHINESS AND FITNESS INSPECTIONS OF OMNIBUSES, AND TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WITHIN THREE MONTHS.*
THE WORKING GROUP WILL BE CHAIRED BY MR STEPHEN CHEONG, WHl I-BOTH AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND A '•EM--OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
TWO OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTING ON THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL ALS SIT Cu T ■-WORKING GROUP - MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN, AND MR F.K. ., - E THE TAC MAINTENANCE SUB-GROUP.
/OTHljxi A.O 2—.'t— .......
oATURD.-i _, Av/uLc.11
OTHER MEMBERS Oft THE TAC MAINTENANCE SUB-GROUP TO SERVE ON THE WORKING GROUP ARE\MR M.J. HUTTON, GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND FECHANICAL ENGINEER AND MR T.C. POON, A CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, wHO wILL BE THE SECRETARY TO THE WORKING GROUP.
V
TO BROADEN THE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR EDWARD YOUNG CHEUK-KIN, BSC, FHKIE, Fl MECn. z, MANAGER OF HONG KONG SHIPYARD AND MR EDWARD ARTHUR BRUGES, Fl MECH. E, RECENTLY PROFESSOR OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AT HKL, HAVE ALSO BEEN INVITED TO SERVE.
MEETINGS OF THE WORKING GROUP WILL NOT BE HELD IN PUBLIC, BUT ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISHES TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS MAY DO SO, EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR GENERALLY. A REPORT WILL ULTIMATELY BE PUBLISHED.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY HAS AGREED TO CO-OPERATE IN EVERY RESPECT w I TH THE wOkr.l^ GROUP, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE ITS REVIEW WITHIN TwO WEEK;.
ANNOUNCING THE ABOVE, THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED ’ • " THE WORKING GROUP IS NOT A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. IT wILL NT RE-EXAMINE THE CAUSES OF THE ACCIDENT, NOR WILL IT GO INTO Tn£ QUESTION OF HOW AND AGAINST WHOM CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES SHOULD BE PURSUED BY THE VICTIMS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS.
IT IS HOPED HOWEVER THAT THE RESULTS OF THIS REVIEw wOULl. ASSIST IN ENSURING THAT THERE IS NO REPETITION OF THE KIND OF t. TRAGEDY WHICH OCCURRED LAST JANUARY.
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PR ISONERS GIVE TO OXFAM * * *
A GROUP OF TEN PRISONERS TODAY VOLUNTARILY CONTRIBUTED THEIR MONTHLY EARNINGS IN PRISON TO OXFAM.
THEY DONATED THE $544 THEY EARNED FOR WORKING IN VARIOUS WORKSHOPS AND ON DOMESTIC SERVICES IN STANLEY PRISON LAST MONT-.
AT A CEREMONY HELD AT STANLEY PRISON, A REPRESENTAT V£ THE PRISONERS PRESENTED A CHEQUE FOR THE AMOUNT TO THE CHAI RwuTm . CF THE HONG KONG OXFAM GROUP, MRS ANNE ELLIS.
MRS ELLIS THANKED THE PRISONERS FOR THEIR DONATION ..HlCH, SHE SAID, REPRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT SACRIFICE ON THEIR -ART..
INSTEAD OF SPENDING THEIR EARNINGS ON CANTEEN PURCHASE;, THEY DONATED IT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE POOR AND UNDEPPRU V ILEGr.L OVERSEAS.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 193L '
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’BO BO’ TO HELP GET VOTERS * * *
COLOURING COMPETITIONS TO FIND YOUNG TALENT AND TO ENCOURAGz. RESIDENTS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS WILL BE HELD IN TSIM SHA TSUI tAo i TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE COMPETITIONS, ORGANISED BY THE TSIM SHA TSUI AREA COMMITTAL AND THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE, ARE FOR CHILDREN BELOW THc AGc CF EIGHT AND THOSE BETwEEN EIGHT AND 12.
PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO COLOUR CARTOON CHARACTER EO BO, WHO IS HELPING THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO PROMOTE VOTER REG ISTRATION.
DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF WILL BE PRESENT TO HELP PASSERS-BY REGISTER.
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MORE PLANNED FOR KOWLOON CITY FOLK
X X X
THOUGH THE TWO-WEEK RECREATION AND SPORTS FESTIVAL IN KOWLOON CITY HAD ENDED, MORE LARGE-SCALE DISTRICT ACTIVITIES WOULD BE LAUNCHED LATER IN THE YEAR, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
PLANS WERE IN HAND TO ORGANISE THREE WELFARE SCHEMES FOR THc ELDERLY BETWEEN OCTOBER AND DECEMBER, AND AN ARTS FESTIVAL AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
+ALL THESE ACTIVITIES ARE AIMED AT CREATING A SENSE OF BELONGING AND ENHANCING DISTRICT IDENTITY AMONG RESIDENTS,+ SAID MR GARCIA AT THE FESTIVAL’S CLOSING CEREMONY.
HE SAID A LOW-COST MEDICAL SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY WOULD BE LAUNCHED IN DECEMBER, TO ENCOURAGE SENIOR CITIZENS TO PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR HEALTH.
A HOME HELP SCHEME WOULD BE HELD BETWEEN OCTOBER AND DECEMBER DURING WHICH 50 VOLUNTEERS WOULD HELP THE ELDERLY BY COOKING, CLEANING, SHOPPING AND DOING MINOR REPAIR WORK IN THEIR FLATS.
+TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE VOLUNTEERS AND TWO GATHERINGS FOR THE VOLUNTEERS AND OLD PEOPLE WILL BE ORGANISED,* SAID NR GARCIA.
IN NOVEMBER, DISCOUNT BENEFITS WOULD BE OFFERED TO OLD PEtJLE SHOPPING AT RETAIL SHOPS AND SUPERMARKETS, DINING AT RESTAURANT AND GOING TO CINEMAS.
/+A.SIDD i’R'-U.......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1984
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+ASIDE FROM ORGANISING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL ALSO SPONSOR MEANINGFUL SERVICE SCHEMES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS,* MR GARCIA SAID.
+WE HOPE, WITH OUR LIMITED RESOURCES, TO TAKE CARE OF THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT SECTORS AND AGE GROUPS IN THE DISTRICT.*
THE RECREATION AND SPORTS FESTIVAL, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, FEATURED 26 OUTDOOR AND INDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG AND OLD IN THE DISTRICT.
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HOIf LOCAL STAMPS * * * *
ARE PRODUCED *
THE POST OFFICE SELLS SOME 180 MILLION POSTAGE STAMPS EVERY YEAR AND HOW LOCAL STAMPS ARE PRODUCED IS A SUBJECT OF INTEREST TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND SEASONED PHILATELISTS ALIKE.
IN THE +A STAMP IS BORN* EXHIBITION, NOW BEING MOUNTED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL at the hong kong museum OF HISTORY IN KOWLOON PARK, VISITORS WILL BE TOLD THE STORY FROM THE TIME WHEN A PARTICULAR THEME HAS BEEN CHOSEN, THROUGH THE DESIGN AND PRINTING STAGES, TO THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE.
ON DISPLAY ARE SELECTIONS OF THE ACTUAL ARTWORKS SUBMITTED BY STAMP DESIGNERS, BOTH THE SUCCESSFUL AND THE UNSUCCESSFUL ONES, AT FOUR TIMES THE SIZE OF THE REAL STAMP} THE ORIGINAL PROOFS AND IMPERFORATE SHEETS OF FINISHED STAMPS STRAIGHT FROM THE PRINTING PRESS! PLUS A STEP-BY-STEP PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR OF THE WORKSHOP OF ONE OF THE BEST-KNOWN PRINTERS OF MODERN POSTAGE STAMPS IN THE
WORLD.
ANOTHER SECTION OF THE EXHIBITION FEATURES IN COMPARISON STAMP PRODUCTION MORE THAN A CENTURY AGO, WITH THE FOCUS ON THE QUEEN VICTORIA 16 CENTS ISSUE OF HONG KONG AND FULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH RARE ORIGINAL ARTWORKS AND DIE PROOFS.
IN ADDITION, A COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTION OF HIGHLY-PRIZED SPECIMEN STAMPS OF HONG KONG IS ON DISPLAY, STARTING WITH THE FIRST STAMPS IN 1862.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL AUGUST 20 (MONDAY) AND ADMISSION IS FREE. THE OPENING HOURS OF THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY IS FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 1 PM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. THE MUSEUM IS CLOSE ON
FRIDAYS.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1984
8
BASIC LAW COURSE OFFERED TO PRESS * * * *
WORKING JOURNALISTS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR AN INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN LAW TO BE OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTRA MURAL STUDIlo OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IN OCTOBER.
THE COURSE, ORGANISED AT THE REQUEST OF THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, COVERS BASIC CONCEPTS OF LAW AND LEGISLATION.
THE AIM IS TO BROADEN LOCAL JOURNALISTS’ PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVES.
THE COURSE COMPRISES 17 LECTURES, 90 MINUTES EACH, AND WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAYS, STARTING FROM OCTOBER 10.
TOPICS SUCH AS COURT PROCEDURE AND REPORTING, ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW AND THE POWERS OF THE POLICE AND ICAC ARE TO BE COVERED.
WITH SUBSIDY FROM THE COUNCIL, EACH PARTICIPANT WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY A NOMINAL COURSE FEE OF $100 ONLY.
ENROLMENT IS LIMITED TO 45 AND THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS SEPTEMBER 20.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO MR FRANK NG, SECRETARY OF THE BOARD ON 5-8932341 EXT. 283 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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ROAD WORKS TO BENEFIT SQUATTERS * * * *
GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT ROAD WORKS AT SHA TAU KOK IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE SETTING UP OF A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA EXPECTED TO IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS OF SQUATTERS LIVING IN YIM LIU HA.
THE SCHEME INVOLVES THE CLOSURE OF FOOTPATHS WHICH CROSS THE SELECTED SITE, THE PROVISION OF PERMANENT ALTERNATIVE PATHS, THE CONSTRUCTION OF VEHICULAR ACCESS AND FACILITIES FOR PARKING CARS AND LORRIES, AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE.
A 400-YEA^-0LD FOOTPATH USED BY TAM SHIU HANG VILLAGERS wILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE ROAD WORKS.
/MEANWHILE, THE........
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 19&4
- 9 -
MEANWHILE, THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE FORMATION AND SERVICING OF THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA SITE AND A SPORTS GROUND.
WORK COMPRISES THE FORMATION BY EARTH FILLING OF AN AREA OF 40 000 SQUARE METRES FOR THE T.H.A. SITE AND A 14 OOO-SQUARE-METRE SPORTS GROUND.
WORK, WHICH INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE tAR PARK FOR 73 VEHICLES. IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
0
AUDITORIUM SEATING FOR CULTURAL COMPLEXES * * *
AUDITORIUM SEATING WILL SOON BE INSTALLED IN TWO CULTURAL COMPLEXES NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICANTS TO BE INCLUDED ON A LIST OF PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF 1 450 SEATS IN EACH OF THE CULTURAL COMPLEXES.
THE SHA TIN CULTURAL COMPLEX AND LIBRARY IS BEING BUILT ON A 20 OOO-SQUARE-METRE SITE BETWEEN THE RAILWAY STATION AND THE SHING MUN RIVER.
BESIDES THE MULTI-PURPOSE AUDITORIUM, THE COMPLEX WILL CONSIST OF A PUBLIC LIBRARY AND A RESTAURANT. THERE WILL ALSO BE A MARRIAGE REGISTRY BELOW THE RESTAURANT AND OUTDOOR TERRACES, EXTENDING TO AN ADJACENT TOWN PARK.
THE TUEN MUN CIVIC AND CULTURAL COMPLEX IS CENTRALLY-LOCATED AND WILL INCLUDE A NEW BUS STATION WITH SIX LANES.
THE COMPLEX, BEING BUILT IN THREE STAGES ON A FOUR-HECTARE SITE, WILL COMPRISE THE AUDITORIUM, GOVERNMENT OFF CES, LAW COURTS, A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK, A LIBRARY, A POST OFFICE AND A MARRIAGE REGISTRY, ALL WITHIN A LANDSCAPED GARDEN.
APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT DETAILS INCLUDING LATEST AUDITED ACCOUNTS AND INFORMATION ON ANY RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS TO THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT (MARKED FORATTENTION OF CHIEF ARCHITECT 3), BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 12TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1984.
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/1O
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1984
10
PROMOTING BOARD WORK THE FUN WAY XXX
RESIDENTS OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORK OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD THROUGH FUN AND GAMES AT A VARIETY SHOW TOMORROW (SUNDAY) EVENING.
THE VARIETY SHOW, TO BE STAGED AT ABERDEEN SQUARE IN ABERDEEN CENTRE, STARTING AT 5 PM, IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO PUBLICISE VOTERS REGISTRATION.
AT THE SHOW, REPRESENTATIVES FROM DISTRICT WILL TALK ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS COMPETE IN A TALENT QUEST.
SIX CONSTITUENCIES OF THE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND
THERE WILL ALSO BE SINGING, DANCING AND INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCES, A PUPPET SHOW, GAMES AND A QUIZ.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDIE CHAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT AN OPENING CEREMONY.
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SHAU KEI WAN TRAFFIC PLAN
* * *
TO ALLOW FOR WORK ON THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN FORCE IN SHAU KEI WAN FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 13) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:
M THE SECTION OF ALDRICH STREET BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND NAM ON STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC"
* VEHICLES INCLUDING BUSES ON CMB ROUTES 2, 20, 20M AND 720 HEADING FOR NAM ON STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHAU KEI WAN ROAD, FACTORY STREET, ALDRICH STREET, AND THE TEMPORARY VEHICULAR ACCESS LEADING TO NAM ON STREET.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1984
CENTRAL WATER WORK * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE TJRNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 14) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOP LEAKAGE TESTS.
BOUNDED BY POTTINGER STREET, , GAGE STREET AND LYNHURST TERRACE,
THE -AFFECTED PREMISES ARE HOLLYWOOD ROAD, ABERDEEN STREET INCLUDING KAU U FONG.
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TAI KOK TSUI TAPS OFF
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TAI KOK TSUI WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10.30 AM TO 5.30 PM ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 14) FOR MAINS WORK.
AFFECTED WILL BE THE AREA BOUNDED BY TAI KOK TSUI ROAD, WAI ON STREET, KA SHIN STREET AND THE SEAFRONT OF TAI KOK TSUI.
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FIRING PRACTICE WARNING K * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT TH*E HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON FOUR DAYS NEXT WEEK.
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
THE PRACTICE WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 15), THURSDAY (AUGUST 16), FRIDAY (AUGUST 17), AND SATURDAY (AUGUST 18).
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GREEN PAPER 'HAS SET PEOPLE THINKING’ .......................... 1
TSUEN WAN TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER................................ 3
HELPING TO GET VOTERS........................................... 3
SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE FULLY REDEVELOPED .......................... 3
1 000-A-M3NTH SUCCESS IN TRAFFIC TICKET APPEALS ................ 4
ENDANGERED DUCKS REARED IN HONG KONG............................ 6
MORE WORKS FOR TOWN GROWTH PLAN .............................. 7
TWO NT SPORTS GROUNDS RE-OPEN SUNDAY ........................... 7
TEENAGERS TASTE ARMY LIFE....................................... 8
LANE TO BE PARTLY CLOSED ...................................... 9
TSUEN WAN ROAD WORKS .......................................... 9
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 1934
1
GREEN PAPER ’HAS SET PEOPLE THINKING’ * * * *
THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE SOME PRACTICAL AND PRAGMATIC SUGGESTIONS TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF EVOLUTION IN THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
+ IT HAS PROVIDED A PLATFORM FROM WHICH WE CAN BEGIN TO BUILD A STABLE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT WITH THE CONFIDENCE PROVIDED BY THE DETAILED AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENTS OF CHINA AND GREAT BRITAIN,+ HE SAID.
MR AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING ON +THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OF HONG KONG; ITS DEVELOPMENT AND 1997+ AT A SYMPOSIUM ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG AFFAIRS SOCIETY.
+CLEARLY THE SYSTEM WE DEVELOP IN HONG KONG MUST BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE OVERALL STRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC,* HE SAID.
+IT MUST BE STRONG IN ITS CONSTRUCTION, WITH ITS OWN SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS, AND YET FRIENDLY ENOUGH SO THAT IT CAN LIVE COMFORTABLY AS ONE OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CONCEPT OF ’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’.
+THAT IS THE LONG TERM OBJECTIVE WHICH WE MUST RETAIN AS A BASIS FOR OUR OWN SYSTEM.*
+THE LARGER QUESTION BEFORE US IS HOW TO TRANSFER RESPONSIBILITY FROM THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, TO PRESERVE HARMONY AND STABILITY IN THE COMMUNITY, AND TO ENSURE THAT OUR ECONOMY CONTINUES TO EXPAND AND OUR INDUSTRY PROSPER FOR WITHOUT THESE BASIC CONTRIBUTIONS, THE SOCIAL PROGRESS, WHICH IS THE FERVENT WISH OF ALL OUR PEOPLE, WILL NOT TAKE PLACE.
+THE GREEN PAPER IS NOT AN END BUT A BEGINNING OF
A PROCESS OF CHANGE. IT HAS BEEN CHALLENGED BECAUSE IT CONTAINS NO BROAD VISION OF THE FUTURE. NO SET OF ANSWERS TO ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT ARE IN PEOPLE’S MINDS.*
MR AKERS-JONES NOTED THAT THE PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER HAS STIMULATED THINKING ABOUT OTHER ASPECTS OF THE POLITICAL STRUCTUREi ABOUT DIRECT ELECTIONS, ABOUT A +MINISTfRI AL* SYSTEM, ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS AND ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNOR.
+BUT IT HAS ALREADY DONE ONE THING; IT HAS FOCUSED ATTENTION ON THE ISSUES WHICH NEED TO BE ADDRESSED; IT HAS SET THE PEOPLE THINK ING,+ HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER WERE THE CULMINATION AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL OF A PROCESS *rilCn STARTED SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
/AND TiU........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 1984
2
AND THE SETTING UP OF THE 18 DISTRICT BOARDS HAD +FORTUNATELY ENABLED US TO THINK ABOUT CHANGES OF A MORE IMPORTANT NATURE AT THE SUMMIT OF THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT*.
+WITHOUT THE DISTRICT BOARDS OUR PROGRESS NOW WOULD BE MUCH SLOWER AND LESS CERTAIN.
+THE BOARDS WITH THEIR FAR-REACHING TERMS OF REFERENCE HAVE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT, IF NOT VITAL, ROLE IN THE MAINTENANCE OF CONFIDENCE; AS AN AVENUE FOR THE EXPRESSION OF OPINION-A STABILISING FACTOR; AND A CHANNEL OF ADVICE.
+THEY HAVE GIVEN A COHESION TO THE COMMUNITY AT A CRUCIAL TIME IN OUR HISTORY.*
FURTHERMORE, HE SAID THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD ALSO CHANGED DURING THE PAST YEARS.
+MORE PROCEEDINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC; MORE QUESTIONS ARE ASKED; AND ITS ROLE HAS GENERALLY BECOME MORE RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE.
+ON MAJOR MATTERS OF POLICY, AS WELL AS A MULTITUDE OF OTHER ISSUES OF PUBLIC CONCERN AND LOCAL SOURCES OF IRRITATION AND DISSATISFACTION, UMELCO MEMBERS HAVE PLAYED A PROMINENT ROLE; ENQUIRING, PERSUADING, ADVISING AND DECIDING.
+THIS, TOO, HAS UNDOUBTEDLY BEEN A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE LONG PERIOD OF STABILITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH WE HAVE ENJOYED AND THAT WE HAVE SURVIVED, WITHOUT SERIOUS AND LASTING EFFECT, THE CONSEQUENCES OF A PROTRACTED WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS.*
MR AKERS-JONES NOTED THAT IF THE GREEN PAPER PROPOSALS WERE TO BE IMPLEMENTED WITH OR WITHOUT MODIFICATION, THE FOLLOWING CHANGES WOULD TAKE PLACE NEXT YEAR; A TWO-THIRD MAJORITY OF ELECTED MEMBERS IN MOST DISTRICT BOARDS; UNOFFICIAL DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN; NO OFFICIAL MEMBERS ON THE BOARDS; THE SETTING UP OF A NEW REGIONAL COUNCIL! AND INDIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+THE IMPACT OF THESE CHANGES ON THE POLITICAL LIFE OF HONG KONG WILL BE FAR-REACHING,* HE SAID.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 1^84
3
TSUEN WAN TO DISCUSS * * *
GREEN PAPER
RESIDENTS IN TSUEN WAN WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AT AN OPEN -ORUM TOMORROW (MONDAY) EVENING.
THE FORUM, TO BE HELD AT 8 PM AT THE TSU^N WAN TOWN HALL, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THREE AREA COMMITTcto.
IT WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ANGUS MIU AND THE THREE AREA COMMITTEES’ CHAIRMEN.
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> HELPING TO GET VOTERS K X X X
ABOUT 25 TEMPORARY COMMUNITY ORGANISERS, TOGETHER WITH AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF, WILL CALL ON FAMILIES IN CAUSEWAY BAY SOUTH AREA TOMORROW (MONDAY) EVENING TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO REGISTER AS VOTERS.
THE HOUSEHOLD VISITS, LED BY THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, NR STEPHEN NG, ARE PART OF A CURRENT VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE IN THE DISTR ICT.
THEY WILL VISIT ABOUT 200 HOUSEHOLDS IN NGAR CHOI HANG VILLAGE 100 HOUSEHOLDS IN LIN FA KUNG VILLAGE, AND 60 HOUSEHOLDS IN EVELYN TOWER.
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SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE FULLY REDEVELOPED
SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, ONE OF THE OLDEST PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS, HAS BEEN FULLY REDEVELOPED, MARKING A MILESTONE FOR THE MASSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR OLDER ESTATES.
+ REDEVELOPMENT WORKS ARE CONTINUING ON 11 OTHER MARK I-I I ESTATES TO UPGRADE LIVING STANDARDS AND RELIEVE OVERCROWDING UNDER THE MULT I-MILLI ON DOLLAR PROGRAMME,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
HE SAID THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD.
/+AT SHEK........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 1984
- 4 -
+ AT SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, THE LAST THREE NEW BLOCKS WITH 920 SELF-CONTAINED FLATS WERE COMPLETED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
OVERCROWDING IS NOW A THING OF THE PAST IN THE ESTATE WHERE THE POPULATION HAS DROPPED BY ALMOST HALF FROM 62 400 TO 32 000 PEOPLE.
+ALTOGETHER 11 OLD BLOCKS ON THE ESTATE WERE DEMOLISHED AND QUICKLY REPLACED WITH MODERN DOMESTIC BLOCKS AS WELL AS COMMUNITY, RECREATION AND OTHER FACILITIES.
OTHER BLOCKS WERE CONVERTED IN-SITU TO PROVIDE LARGER LIVING UNITS COMPLETE WITH INDIVIDUAL KITCHENS, TOILETS AND BALCONIES.*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE WAS AMONG THE ORIGINAL 12 OLD ESTATES BUILT IN THE 195OS AND EARLY 1960S AS EMERGENCY REHOUSING FOR VICTIMS,OF NATURAL DISASTERS AND SQUATTERS FROM DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCE.
+SINCE THE ON-GOING REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME BEGAN IN 1972, THE POPULATION ON THE PREVIOUSLY OVERCROWDED ESTATES HAS BEEN HALVED, AND MANY OF THE ORIGINAL RESIDENTS HAVE MOVED OUT TO NEW ESTATES.*
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1 OOO-A-MONTH SUCCESS IN TRAFFIC TICKET APPEALS * * X *
A MOTORIST FACED WITH A FIXED PENALTY TRAFFIC TICKET MAY FEEL HE IS IN THE GRIP OF A FACELESS BUREAUCRACY GIVING HIM NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY UP OR GO TO COURT.
BUT DESPITE HAVING TO COPE WITH A MOUNTAIN OF PAPER WORK WHICH ONLY THE LIGHT-SPEED EFFICIENCY OF COMPUTERS CAN SCALE, THE POLICE CENTRAL TRAFFIC PROSECUTION BUREAU, DOES HAVE A HEART.
MOTORISTS WHO THINK THEY HAVE BEEN HARSHLY TREATED IN BE I NG HANDED A TICKET CAN APPEAL — AND THEIR APPEALS ARE SUCCESSFUL AT THE RATE OF 1 000 A MONTH.
THE STAFF OFFICER AT THE CENTRAL TRAFFIC PROSECUTIONS UNIT, SUPERINTENDENT NORMAN HUMPHREYS SAID WHILE WE CAN’T CONDONE BLATANT TRAFFIC OFFENCES WE ALWAYS LOOK AT ANY SITUATION FROM THE PUBLIC POINT OF VIEW.
’’WE TRY TO APPLY A JUDICIOUS BLEND OF POLICE ACTION AND TOLERANCE.’’
/HO'.VJVSR, 3UPT............
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 1984
- '5 -
HOWEVER, SUPT HUMPHREYS DOES ADVISE TRAFFIC TICKET RECIPIENTS TO PAY UP FIRST AND THEN APPEAL, THE REASON BEING THAT IT TAKES LONGER FOR THE APPEAL TO BE CONSIDERED THAN THE TIME ALLOWED FOR A TICKET RECIPIENT TO pay HIS FIXED
WITHIN THE STATED TIME THEN A SUMMONS AGAINST THE MOTORIST.
THE CENTRAL TRAFFIC PROSECUTIONS UNIT HANDLES 120 000 TICKETS A MONTH — THAT’S 1.4 MILLION A YEAR, BESIDES HAVING OTHER WORK SUCH AS COURT PROSECUTIONS TO DEAL WITH.
TO COPE THEY HAVE TO RESORT TO COMPUTERS AND THE UNIT HAS SOME OF THE FASTEST DATA PROCESSORS IN THE TERRITORY. SUPT HUMPHREYS SAID THAT SOME OF HIS GIRLS ARE CAPABLE OF 20 000 KEY DEPRESSIONS PER HOUR WHEN OPERATING THEIR MACHINES,
HE COMMENTED s "»IT’S A FANTASTIC RATE REALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT THEY ARE WORKING FROM HASTILY WRITTEN TICKETS THAT IN SOME CASES ARE ALMOST ILLEGIBLE.”
DESPITE THE HIGH RATE OF INPUT THE GIRLS HAVE A VERY LOW PERCENTAGE OF ERROR.
WITH SUCH A MOUNTAIN OF WORK THE UNIT COULD BE FORGIVEN FOR IGNORING APPEALS BY MOTORISTS, BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE.
”WE GET ABOUT 3 000 PHONE CALLS A MONTH AND UP TO 2 500 LETTERS FROM PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GIVEN A TICKET. MANY OF THEM CONCERN PARKING METERS WHICH ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY.
"CHECKING UP ON THEM MEANS A LOT OF WORK AND TAKES TIME SO IT MAY BE SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE A DECISION IS REACHED. WE HAVE SEVEN INSPECTORS AND SENIOR INSPECTORS WORKING FULL TIME CHECKING UP ON THESE COMPLAINTS."
SUPT HUMPHREYS’S ADVICE TO MOTORISTS RECEIVING TRAFFIC
TICKETS IS "IF YOU KNOW IN YOUR HEART OF HEARTS YOU HAVE COMMITTED AN OFFENCE THEN PAY UP WITHIN DUE TIME.
"IF YOU WISH TO DISPUTE THE FACTS THEN FILL IN THE SLIP ON THE TICKET AND RETURN IT TO US AND A SUMMONS TO APPEAR IN COURT WILL FOLLOW.
"BUT IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN HARSHLY TEATED AND THERE IS SOMETHING NOT QUITE FAIR ABOUT THE TICKET, SEND IN YOUR TICKET, WITH A CHEQUE FOR THE FIXED PENALTY AMOUNT AND A LETTER OUTLINING THE FACTS.
"YOUR CASE WILL BE LOOKED INTO AND IF THE FACTS WARRANT IT THE TICKET WILL BE CANCELLED AND YOUR MONEY WILL BE REFUNDED."
SUPT HUMPHREYS SAID THAT ABOUT 6 000 COMPLAINTS AND ENQUIRIES EACH MONTH RESULTED IN ABOUT 1 000 TICKETS BEING CANCELLED.
BUT AS HE EXPLAINED i "VERY FEW OF THOSE PEOPLE WHOSE TICKETS WE CANCEL EVER BOTHER TO SAY THANK-YOU."
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 1984
6
ENDANGERED DUCKS REARED IN HONG kong * * *
THE HONG KONG ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS HAS SUCCEEDED IN PRODUCING DUCKLINGS FROM TWO PAIRS OF THE RARE WHITE-WINGED WOOD DUCK CAIRINA SCUTULATA ON BREEDING LOAN FROM THE INTERNATIONALLY FAMOUS WILDFOWL TRUST AT SLIMBRIDGE, WHOSE HONORARY DIRECTOR IS SIR PETER SCOTT.
THE BREEDING LOAN IS PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL EFFORT (WORLD WILDLIFE FUND PROJECT 406) TO SAVE THIS RARE DUCK FROM EXTINCTION.
ATTEMPTS ARE BEING MADE TO BUILD UP CAPTIVE-BRED STOCKS FOR RE-1NTRODUTION INTO ADEQUATELY PROTECTED SANCTUARIES WITHIN THE SPECIES’ FORMER AND PRESENT RANGE.
THIS TECHNIQUE HAS ALREADY BEEN USED SUCCESSFULLY IN REHABILITATING THE HAWAIIAN GOOSE BRANTA SANDVICENSIS AND THE NORTH AMERICAN WOOD DUCK AIX SPONSA.
THE NATURAL RANGE OF THE WHITE-WINGED WOOD DUCK IS FROM ASSAM AND BURMA, THROUGH THAILAND AND INDO-CHlNA TO SUMATRA AND JAVA. THE BIRDS INHABIT SHELTERED POOLS AND SLOW STREAMS IN PRIMARY RAIN FOREST.
HABITAT DESTRUCTION ON A MASSIVE SCALE, COUPLED WITH POLLUTION OF AVAILABLE WATERS AND HUNTING, HAS LED TO A STEEP DECLINE IN NUMBERS, AND THIS SPECIES IS NOW EXTINCT OVER MUCH OF ITS FORMER RANGE.
TWO BROODS OF DUCKLINGS HAVE BEEN HATCHED THIS YEAR AT THE ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS. THE FIRST SIX ARE NOW SEVEN WEEKS OLD AND THE SECOND BROOD OF SIX WAS HATCHED ON JULY 29-30.
THE DUCKLINGS WERE HATCHED BY DOMESTIC CHICKEN ACTING AS FOSTER PARENTS, BECAUSE BY REMOVING THE FIRST CLUTCH OF EGGS THE DUCKS ARE STIMULATED TO BREED AGAIN.
IT IS PROBABLE THAT WHEN THEY ARE OLD ENOUGH THE YOUNG DUCKS WILL BE SENT TO A BREEDING CENTRE IN PRACHIN BURI PROVINCE, THAILAND, WHERE PREPARATIONS ARE UNDER WAY TO REINTRODUCE WHITEWINGED WOOD DUCKS TO THE WILD.
HONG KONG IS ONE OF ONLY FIVE CENTRES OUTSIDE THE UNITED KINGDOM TO WHICH THE WILDFOWL TRUST HAS SENT THIS SPECIES ON BREEDING LOAN. THE PAIR THAT BRED THIS YEAR AT THE ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS ARRIVED IN HONG KONG IN 1982.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 1984
- 7 -
MORE WORKS FOR TOWN GROWTH PLAN * * *
HE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO CARRY OUT A NUMBER OF ROAD •HJ DRAINAGE WORKS ON THE SAI KUNG RECLAMATION AS PART OF THE ULTIMATE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN.
wORK will INCLUDE THE BUILDING OF A CAR PARK AT THE MA IK GATE OF THE SAI KUNG SPORTS GROUND, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BUS TERMINAL, A MAXICAB AND A TAXI STAND NEAR THE SPORTS □ROUND, WIDENING OF A NEARBY CIRCUIT ROAD TO PROVIDE LOADING AND UNLOADING BAYS FOR ADJACENT DEVELOPMENTS, IMPROVEMENT OF PO TUNG ROAD, AND THE EXTENSION OF A ROAD LEADING TO THE FUTURE RECLAMATION AREA.
ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORK AND LANDSCAPING wILL ALSO BE INCLUDED. ,
MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO PROVIDE LORRY PARKING AREAS AT MAN NIN STREET AND Yl CHUNG STREET AND CONSTRUCT A ROAD AND NECESSARY FOOTWAYS TO CONNECT THE TWO STREETS.
THE PROPOSAL ALSO REQUIRES THE CLOSURE OF PART OF MAN NIN STREET WHICH FRONTS THE SEA AND ADJOINS HOUSES NOS 79 AND 93.
NOTICES CONCERNING THE PROPOSALS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST .vING MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONGj THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE, 1ST FLOOR, 692 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOONj AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG BRANCH OFFICE, 63 MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG.
ALL OBJECTIONS MUST REACH THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS IN WR IT ING BY OCTOBER 9.
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TWO NT SPORTS GROUNDS RE-OPEN SUNDAY * * *
TWO OF THE EIGHT SPORTS GROUNDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE RE-OPENED TO THE PUBLIC NEXT SUNDAY (AUGUST 19) ON COMPLETION OF ANNUAL MAINTENANCE WORK.
THEY ARE THE TSUEN WAN SPORTS GROUND AND SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THE OTHER SIX SPORTS FACILITIES WILL BE RE-OPENED AS FOLLOWS: THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND ON AUGUST 31, FANLING RECREATION GROUND, YUEN LONG STADIUM AND SAI KUNG TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND ON SEPTEMBER 1, AND WO Yl HOP ROAD SPORTS GROUND AND TUEN MUN TANG bH I u KIN SPORTS GROUND ON OCTOBER 1.
/THE STANDARD .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 1984
8
AT THESE SPORTS GROUNDS , WHILE FIRST DIVISION YUEN LONG STADIUM AND TSUEN
THE STANDARD TURFED SOCCER PITCHES WILL EE OPENED FOR ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL FOOTBALL MATCHES CAN ALSO BE PLAYED AT WAN SPORTS GROUND, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TRACK AND FIELD FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL THE SPORTS rROUNDS THERE ARE ALL-WEATHER 400-METRE RUNNING TRACKS AT THE S SEVEN GROUNDS, EXCEPT AT THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO BOOK ANY SPORTS GROUNDS FOR EXCLUSIVE USE SHOULD CONTACT SERVICES OFFICES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ONE OF THE ABOVE
THE URBAN
- - 0 - -
Teenagers taste army life
* * * *
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY YOUNG MEN TOOK PART IN A PASSING OFF PARADE OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (VOLUNTEERS) AT THE REGIMENT’S HEADQUARTERS IN HAPPY VALLEY TODAY (SUNDAY).
THESE YOUNGSTERS, ALL AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 18, HAD SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A 220-H0UR MILITARY AND PHYSICAL TRAINING PROGRAMME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, AND GRADUATED AS MEMBERS OF THE JUNIOR LEADERS CORPS.
MOST OF THE TRAINING COURSES TOOK PLACE OVER WEEKENDS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TWO MAJOR TRAINING CAMPS WHICH WERE HELD DURING EASTER AND SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
THE NEW RECRUITS WILL JOIN THE 180 EXISTING MEMBERS OF THE JUNIOR LEADERS CORPS IN A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING DRILLING, RADIO OPERATION, FIRST AID, MAP READING, BAND TRAINING, SHOOTING AND LAND AND WATER. SPORTS ETC.
INSPECTING THE PARADE WAS COL. J.R. HEYWOOD, THE HONORARY COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT. OTHER GUESTS INCLUDED HEADS OF AUXILIARY SERVICES AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM YOUTH ORGANISATIONS AND PARENTS OF THE JUNIOR LEADERS.
MORE THAN 1 000 YOUNGSTERS HAVE JOINED THE CORPS SINCE ITS FORMATION IN 1970, AND HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING TRAINED AS A SOLDIER.
THE CORPS CONDUCTS ITS RECRUITMENT EXERCISE IN APRIL AND NOVEMBER EVERY YEAR. BOYS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 16 WHO HAVE THEIR PARENTS’ APPROVAL AND HEADMASTERS’ RECOMMENDATION ARE WELCOME TO APPLY.
THOSE LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ARE GIVEN PRIOR CONSIDERATION. ONCE ACCEPTED, MEMBERS WILL BE SUBSIDISED WITH FREE MEALS AND NECESSARY UNIFORM FITTINGS DURING TRAINING PERIODS.
/? .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 1984
- 9 -
LANE TO BE PARTLY CLOSED * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO CLOSE PERMANENTLY PART OF THE LANE BEHIND GILLIES MANSION IN HUNG HOM, TO FACILITATE THE REDEVELOPMENT GF A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AND PUBLIC TOILET.
HOWEVER, PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY OVER THE REMAINING PART OF THE LANE WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
THE LANE IS BOUNDED BY COOKE STREET, GILLIES AVENUE, BAKER STREET AND WALKER ROAD.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE.
»
A PLAN OF THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE:
* KOWLOON WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE,
1OTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET,
KOWLOON » AND
ft KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, NO. 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, 1ST FLOOR, KOWLOON.
OBJECTIONS SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE OCTOBER 9.
------0 - - - -
TSUEN WAN ROAD WORKS
* * *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR A NUMBER OF ROAD AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS WORKS IN CENTRAL TSUEN WAN.
WORK WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SINGLE-CELL BOX CULVERT ALONG TAI HO ROAD BETWEEN HOI PA STREET AND SHA TSUI ROAD, ANCILLARY WORKS IN TAI LEK HO CULVERTS, AND SITE FORMATION wORK IN THE EXISTING HOI PA VILLAGE AREA.
THE TWO-HECTARE SITE FORMED WILL BE USED FOR AN OPEN SPACE, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS, REDEVELOPING PART OF HOI PA VILLAGE, AND EXTENSION OF YAN CHAI HOSPITAL AND TSUEN WAN MARKET STREET.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1?84
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PEOPLE URGED TO SIGN UP AS VOTERS ........................... 1
SIX-MONTH TRADE SHOWS BIG RISE............................... 3
RECORD JOB PLACEMENTS IN JULY................................ 9
SEIZED GOODS YIELD HIGH PROCEEDS ............................ 10
BOARD TO DISCUSS ISLANDS' DEVELOPMENTS ...................... 11
RESERVOIR FISHING SEASON STARTING SOON ...................... 12
COUNCIL GRANTS SUBSIDY FOR TENNIS CLASSIC ................... 12
NEW POST OFFICE FOR SHA TIN ................................. 13
CAS WORK RECOGNISED ......................................... 14
PRESS CONFERENCE ON TRAFFIC REGULATIONS ..................... 14
BRIDGES TO BE REPLACED ...................................... 14
PARKING METERS FOR YUEN LONG ................................ 15
TRAFFIC MEASURES IN CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI .................... 15
WATER FIGURE.................................................
LEAKAGE TEST IN NORTH POINT .................................
MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1984
1
PEOPLE URGED TO SIGN UP AS VOTERS * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY (MONDAY) CALLED ON EVERY ELIGIBLE PERSON TO SIGN UP AND VOTE IN THE COMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
+THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS HONG KONG’S INTERESTS AT HEART TO VISIBLY DEMONSTRATE HIS SUPPORT AND CONCERN FOR THE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY.
+THE SIMPLEST WAY OF DOING SO IS TO REGISTER AND TO VOTE,* HE SAID.
MR AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE MARKING THE START OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION PERIOD WHICH OFFICIALLY OPENS ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 15) AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL OCTOBER 1.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CONFERENCE WERE THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR PETER NG, THE ACTING DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR LUI HAU-TUENj THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE, MR LEE LAP-SUN; AND THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (GENERAL) OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, NR LEUNG CHIN-MAN.
ANYONE WHO IS 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AND WHO HAS LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR SEVEN YEARS OR MORE IS ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER AS AN ELECTOR.
REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES, IMMIGRATION OFFICES, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES, AND SOME 400 BRANCHES OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AND THE HANG SENG BANK.
THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 7 NEXT YEAR. IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THAT ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD SIMULTANEOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
MR AKERS-JONES NOTED THAT JUST OVER ONE MILLION OF THE 2.9 MILLION PEOPLE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER HAD ALREADY DONE SO. ABOUT 150 000 OF THEM PUT DOWN THEIR NAMES DURING THE LAST TWO MONTHS.
MR AKERS-JONES DESCRIBED THIS AS AN +ENCOURAGING START* BUT URGED THOSE WHO HAVE NOT REGISTERED YET NOT TO WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT.
HE WAS CONFIDENT OF A STRONG RESPONSE FROM POTENTIAL VOTERS.
PEOPLE WERE NOW MORE AWARE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AS CITIZENS, AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS HAD MORE THAN PROVED THEIR NETTLE IN THE SHORT SPAN OF THEIR EXISTENCE, HE SAID.
/+ THS SiiiiluU * ESS ............
MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 19U
2
♦THE SERIOUSNESS AND DEDICATION WITH WHICH THEY HAVE GONE ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS, NOT JUST IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR DISTRICTS, BUT ALSO IN TAKING THE INITIATIVE IN SEEKING TO DISCUSS MAJOR POLICY ISSUES, HAS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED THE BOARDS AS AN IMPORTANT STRAND IN THE POLITICAL FABRIC OF HONG KONG.
+IN ADDITION, PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER GIVE AN ADDED DIMENSION TO THE ROLE OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS,* HE SAID.
IN THE COMING ELECTIONS, VOTERS WILL BE SELECTING A TOTAL OF 236 REPRESENTATIVES - NEARLY DOUBLE THE EXISTING NUMBER.
MR AKERS-JONES REMINDED YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WILL BE REACHING THE AGE OF 21 BY THE END OF THIS YEAR THAT THEY TOO ARE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER.
POINTING OUT THAT REGISTRATION IS VERY SIMPLE, MR AKERS-JONES SAID, +ALL A PERSON HAS TO DO IS FILL IN HIS NAME, IDENTITY CARD NUMBER AND HOME ADDRESS AND SIMPLY DROP THE COMPLETED FORM IN A POST BOX FOR FREE DELIVERY.*
TO ENCOURAGE POTENTIAL VOTERS TO REGISTER, A SERIES OF POSTERS WILL BE DISPLAYED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, SUPPLEMENTED BY SPECIAL RADIO AND TELEVISION MESSAGES AND PROGRAMMES.
IN THE DISTRICTS, A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN ARRANGED, INCLUDING TALKS, SEMINARS AND EXHIBITIONS ON THE WORK AND ACTIVITIES OF THE BOARDS.
DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF ARE ALSO CONDUCTING DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS IN THE CONSTITUENCIES, EXPLAINING THE WORK OF THE BOARDS, ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND ASSISTING RESIDENTS IN COMPLETING THE REGISTRATION FORMS.
VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES AND OTHER RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND SERVICE ORGANISATIONS, HAVE OFFERED TO ASSIST IN THE REGISTRATION EXERCISE.
A SPECIAL FEATURE THIS YEAR IS A DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION THEME SONG — COMPOSED AND SUNG BY POPULAR SINGER MICHAEL KWAN — WHICH CRYSTALLISES THE OVERALL THEME +A VOTE IS A VOICE*.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1984
3
SIX-MONTH TRADE SHOWS BIG RISE ******
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR JANUARY - JUNE 1984, VALUED AT $205 426 MILLION, INCREASED BY 43 PER CENT OVER THE TRADE FOR THE SAME PERIOD IN 1983, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 45 PER CENT TO $62 641 MILLION, IMPORTS BY 39 PER CENT TO $105 554 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY 55 PER CENT TO $37 231 MILLION. DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 49 PER CENT.
A COMPARISON OF FIGURES FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1984 WITH THOSE FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, SHOWED DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. ROSE BY 60 PER CENT IN VALUE.
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $4 008 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $1 213 MILLION OR 88 PER CENT) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1 199 MILLION OR 63 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TRANSISTORS AND DIODES (BY $39 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT) AND METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $6 MILLION OR 61 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $524 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $365 MILLION OR 555 PER CENT), AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $133 MILLION OR 91 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND. DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $254 MILLION OR 62 PER CENT) AND GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS (BY $3 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT).
MOST COMMODITIES EXPORTED TO CHINA INCREASED IN VALUE, INCLUDING TEXTILES (BY $377 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $368 MILLION OR 122 PER CENT) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $161 MILLION OR 157 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR FEEDING STUFF FOR ANIMALS (BY $70 MILLION OR 61 PER CENT), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $6 MILLION OR 4 PER CENT).
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY OF CLOTHING (BY $703 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT) AND OF OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $158 MILLION OR 161 PER CENT); AND IN DOMESTIC EXPOnTo TO JAPAN OF CLOTHING (BY $334 MILLION OR 80 PER CENT).
MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1584
4
DEMAND FOR IMPORTED GOODS FROM CHINA REMAINED STRONG. INCREASES WERE RECORDED MAINLY IN TEXTILES (BY $3 416 MILLION OR 103 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY $1 595 MILLION OR 60 PER CENT), TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $701 MILLION OR 235 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $348 MILLION OR 145 PER CENT) AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD (BY $149 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT).
AS FOR IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1 371 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT), AND TEXTILES (BY $1 120 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $18 MILLION CR 8 PER CENT), AN& FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATION THEREOF (BY $15 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM THE U.S.A. WERE MOSTLY OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $917 MILLION OR 69 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $472 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT), AND TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $339 MILLION OR 268 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $175 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT), AND MANUFACTURES OF METal. (BY $53 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT).
DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN OF OFFICE, AND STATIONERY SUPPLIES (BY $16 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT) AND IN IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $102 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT). HOWEVER, IMPORTS OF TEXTILES FROM TAIWAN INCREASED (BY $948 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT), AS DID IMPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS FROM SINGAPORE (BY $254 MILLION OR ID PER CENT).
INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA (BY $5 960 MILLION OR 139 PER CENT), U.S.A. (BY $2 275 MILLION OR 68 PER CENT), TAIWAN (BY $999 MILLION OR 70 PER CENT), JAPAN (BY $876 MILLION OR 67 PER CENT), REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) (BY $594 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (BY $327 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (BY $313 MILLION OR 88 PER CENT) AND MACAU (BY $279 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECLINES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS TO NIGERIA (BY $249 MILLION OR 74 PER CENT) AND PHILIPPINES (BY $101 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT).
MOST COMMODITIES RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG EXHIBITED STRONG GROWTH, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING TEXTILES (BY $2 424 MILLION OR 74 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1 898 MILLION OR 98 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY $1 122 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT) AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $798 MILLION OR 62 PER CENT). DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS OF OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $97 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT), OTHER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (BY $43 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT AND METALLIFEROUS AND METAL SCRAP (EY $31 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT). THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 6.
/THE JUNE........
MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1984
THE JUNE 1984 ISSUE OF THE +HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS -SUMMARY* WILL BE ON SALE LATER THIS MONTH 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 JUNE 1984 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY SEPTEMBER AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$12 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG (TEL. NO.: 5-214375). ENQUIRIES CONCERNING TRADE STATISTICS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO.: 5-444436).
FOLLOWING ARE STATISTICAL TABLES:
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKETS JAN.-JUNE 1984 (S MN.) JAN.-JUNE PERCENTA CHANGE (%)
1983 ($ MN.) INCREASE ($ MN.)
U.S.A. 27 927 17 465 +10 462 + 60
U.K. 4 633 3 469 + 1 164 + 34
CHINA 4 533 2 497 + 2 036 + 82
F.R. OF GERMANY 4 468 3 302 + 1 166 * 35
JAPAN 2 308 1 590 + 718 * 45
CANADA 2 039 1 512 + 526 + 35
AUSTRALIA 1 731 1 086 * 645 + 59
SINGAPORE 1 324 988 + 337 * 34
NETHERLANDS 1 088 867 + 221 + 26
SWITZERLAND 973 746 + 227 * 30
/TABLS 2s ......
MONDAY, AJOTST 13, 196-4
6 -
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
JAN.-JUNE JAN.-JUNE 1983 ($ MN.) INCREASE ($ MN.) PERCENTA CHANGE (%)
COMMODITY DIVISIONS < 1984 ($ MN.)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 20 981 14 276 ♦ 6 705 4- 47
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS, JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES, AND ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS) 9 326 6 694 + 2 632 + 39
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE APPLIANCES) 5 485 3 509 4- 1 976 + 56
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 4 855 3 169 + 1 686 + 53
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 4 631 3 959 4- 673 4- 17
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 4 399 3 * 021 + 1 378 + ^6
TABLE 3j IMPORTS FROM TEN MAJOR SOURCES
MAJOR SOURCES JAN.-JUNE 1984 (S MN.) JAN.-JUNE 1983 (S MN.) INCREASE ($ MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (7)
CHINA 26 911 17 776 + 9 135 51
JAPAN 24 553 17 519 + 7 033 4- 40
/U • S. A.
MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1984
U.S. A. 11 559 8 732 + 2 827 * 32
TAIWAN 8 OOI 5 320 *2 680 + 50
SINGAPORE 5 294 4 423 ♦ 871 + 20
U.K. 4 378 3 551 + 828 + 23
REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) 3 369 2 114 + 1 255 + 59
F.R. OF GERMANY 2 427 1 989 + 438 + 22
SWITZERLAND 1 679 1 454 + 225 ♦ 15
AUSTRAL I A 1 649 1 167 + 481 ♦ 41
TABLE 4: IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY SECTIONS
COMMOD1TY SECTIONS JAN.-JUNE 1984 ($ MN.) JAN.-JUNE 1983 ($ MN.) INCREASE ($ MNJ PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS. DIAMONDS, IRON AND STEEL, AND PAPER) 31 458 21 062 +10 396 + 49
MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 25 807 17 194 + 8 613 + 50
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 18 100 13 713 + 4 387 + 32
FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 9 775 8 448 + 1 326 + 16
CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 7 396 5 558 + 1 838 + 33
MINERALS FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 5 754 5 221 + 532 + 10
/TA3L£ 5- .......
MUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 1584
- 8
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKETS JAN.-JUNE 1984 ($ MN.) JAN.-JUNE 1983 ($ MN.) INCREASE/ DECREASE ($ MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
CHINA IQ 260 4 301 + 5 960 + 139
U.S.A. 5 617 3 342 + 2 275 + 68
TA IWAN 2 430 1 432 + 999 + 70
SINGAPORE 2 333 2 005 + 327 + 16
JAPAN 2 185 1 309 + 876 + 67
INDONESIA 1 954 2 036 81 - 4
REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) 1 731 1 137 + 594 + 52
MACAU 1 157 878 + 279 + 32
AUSTRAL IA 671 357 + 313 + 88
PH ILIPP INES 643 744 101 - 14
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISIONS JAN.-JUNE 1984 ($ MN.) JAN.-JUNE 1983 ($ MN.) INCREASE ($ MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 5 704 3 280 + 2 424 + 74
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES 3 832 1 934 + 1 898 * 98
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSOR IES 3 059 1 937 + 1 122 + 58
/photographic apparatus, .......
MONDAY, AUGUSP 13, 1$&4
- 9 -
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, 2 315 1 848 + 46/
EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS
MISCELLANEOUS 2 083 1 285 + 798
MANUFACTURED ARTICLES
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND 1 443 887 +
SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT
-----o------
RECORD JOB PLACEMENTS IN JULY
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT PLACED 5 010 PEOPLE IN EMPLOYMENT LAST (JULY) MONTH, AN ALL-TIME RECORD SINCE THE INCEPTION OF ITS LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) IN 1964.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT A TOTAL OF 61 533 JOB VACANCIES WERE NOTIFIED TO THE LES FROM JANUARY TO JJLY THIS YEAR, UP 18.5 PER CENT OVER THE 51 908 VACANCIES IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THEY INCLUDED 28 680 MANUFACTURING AND 21 385 CLERICAL POSITIONS WHICH REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF SEVEN PER CENT AND 48 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
FOR THE TWO COMPARATIVE PERIODS, THE LES ALSO RECORDED A 14 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL JOB PLACEMENTS, FRO.-' 21 242 TO 24 254.
THE LES PROVIDES A FREE SERVICE TO HELP EMPLOYERS RECRUIT STAFF AND JOB-SEEKERS OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT.
THERE ARE 15 LES OFFICES OPERATING IN THE VARIOUS DISTRICTS, ALL LINKED BY A FACSIMILE SYSTEM TO SPEED UP THE DISSEMINATION O’7 INFORMATION ON JOB VACANCIES.
EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS WHO WISH TO OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATIJ;. AND ASSISTANCE MAY CONTACT THE BRANCH OFFICES IN THEIR DISTRICTS.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1984
10 -
SEIZED GOODS YIELD HIGH PROCEEDS
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT DOES NOT SPEND MONEY ON NEW PURCHASES ONLY, BUT IT IS ALSO ACTIVE IN GENERATING REVENUE.
DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1983-84, THE DEPARTMENT REALISED $27 789 000 FROM THE SALES OF CONFISCATED AND UNCLAIMED GOODS, AS WELL AS OF SURPLUS GOVERNMENT ITEMS OR THOSE CONSIDERED NO LONGER SERVICEABLE.
THE SALES OF SURPLUS AND UNSERVICEABLE ITEMS ACCOUNTED'FOR OVER $25 000 000, FIVE TIMES THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S $5 278 000.
THIS HEFTY INCREASE WAS DUE MAINLY TO THE SALE OF FUEL ORIGINALLY PURCHASED FOR THE OPERATION OF THE DESALTING PLANT IN LOK ON PAI.
+WE SOLD SOME 12 000 TONNES OF IT FOR OVER $13 000 000 AS THE DESALTER WAS SHUT DOWN DUE TO FAVOURABLE WATER STORAGE IN OUR RESERVOIRS,* THE CONTROLLER OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, MR WILFRED WONG, SAID.
+ITEMS BEYOND ECONOMICAL REPAIR, SUCH AS RUN-DOWN VEHICLES, MARINE CRAFT, TYPEWRITERS, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND MACHINES, ARE SOLD FOR THEIR USABLE PARTS,* MR WONG SAID.
CONFISCATED GOODS GENERALLY YIELD SUBSTANTIAL PROCEEDS. IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, THEY FETCHED $2 601 000, UP 57 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
+THEY COMPRISE ARTICLES SEIZED FROM UNLICENSED HAWKERS, SMUGGLED GOODS CAPTURED FROM BOATS AND VEHICLES, COUNTERFEITS, COURT EXHIBITS AND ABANDONED AUTOMOBILES,* MR WONG SAID.
UNCLAIMED ARTICLES CONSIST MAINLY OF UNDELIVERED POSTAL PARCELS. MANY OF THEM WERE SENT TO CHINA BUT ENDED UP IN THE POST OFFICE DUE TO WRONG OR UNCLEAR ADDRESSES, HE SAID.
THESE POSTAL ARTICLES, RANGING FROM TOYS, CLOTHES AND TOWELS TO BOOKS, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND COMMERCIAL SAMPLES, YIELDED $60 000 LAST FISCAL YEAR.
ALL THE GOODS ARE SOLD EITHER BY TENDER OR BY AUCTION.
+GENERALLY, MORE VALUABLE GOODS LIKE VEHICLES, VESSELS AND X-RAY FILMS ARE SOLD BY TENDER. THEY ARE ADVERTISED THROUGH GOVERNMENT GAZETTES AND USUALLY ATTRACT MORE PUBLIC ATTENTION AND HIGHER PRICES,* MR WONG SAID.
AUCTIONS ARE CONDUCTED ON ALTERNATE THURSDAYS AT THE HONG KONG AUCTIONEERS AND ESTATE AGENCY LTD.
/2H3 PUBLIC .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1984
11
THE PUBLIC CAN OBTAIN SALES INFORMATION FROM THE AUCTION LISTS AND CAN INSPECT THE GOODS AT DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT STORES ON THE TWO DAYS BEFORE THE AUCTION.
♦ALSO, MEDICINES, FOODSTUFFS AND WEAPONS ARE DESTROYED FOR HEALTH OR SECURITY REASONS. WOODEN VESSELS USED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND COUNTERFEITS WITH FORGED BRAND NAMES ARE DESTROYED AS WELL.
+THEIR DESTRUCTION MUST BE WITNESSED AND CERTIFIED. SOMETIMES PHOTOGRAPHS ARE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THE ARTICLES HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN PROPERLY DISPOSED OF,+ HE ADDED.
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BOARD TO DISCUSS ISLANDS’ DEVELOPMENTS * * * *
ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL STUDY THE LAYOUT PLANS FOR CHEUNG CHAU EAST AND PUI 0 VILLAGE ON SOUTH LANTAU AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
ON CHEUNG CHAU EAST, PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT FA PENG AND CHI MA HANG, UPGRADING OF EXISTING FOOTPATHS TO FACILITATE ACCESS FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, AND MORE INSTITUTIONAL AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS NEAR THE CARITAS MING FAI CAMP AND SOUTH OF THE FA PENG VALLEY.
THE PUI 0 VILLAGE LAYOUT PLAN IS FOR REDEVELOPMENT IN THREE VILLAGESj PUI 0 SAN TSUEN, PUI 0 KAU TSUEN AND LO UK TSUEN. ITS MAIN OBJECTIVES ARE TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND TO ENHANCE PUI O’S ATTRACTIVENESS AS A POPULAR RESORT.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE NAMING OF 15 NEW ROADS ON THE RECLAIMED AREA ON NORTH CHEUNG CHAU.
THE GREEN PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AND THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
MEMBERS WILL ENDORSE THE ALLOCATION OF $12 500 FOR TWO SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS AND $9 000 FOR STAGING NINE EXHIBITIONS AS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1984-
12
RESERVOIR FISHING SEASON STARTING SOON * * * *
HONG KONG’S RESERVOIR FISHING SEASON STARTS ON SEPTEMBER 1, AND RESIDENT ANGLERS MAY APPLY FROM WEDNESDAY FOR A LICENCE FROM THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT ONLY LICENCE HOLDERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO FISH IN THE 16 RESERVOIRS OPEN FOR THE SPORT THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY UNTIL MARCH 31, 1985.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE IS SIMPLE AND THAT THOSE WHO APPLY IN PERSON WILL BE ISSUED WITH LICENCES IMMEDIATELY.
APPLICANTS HAVE ONLY TO SHOW THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS GIVE THEIR NAMES, ADDRESSES AND AGE, AND PAY A $20 FEE AT EITHER ONE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSUMER ENQUIRY CENTRES.
THE CENTRE ON HONG KONG ISLAND IS ON THE 11TH FLOOR OF LEIGHTON CENTRE, LEIGHTON ROAD, WHILE THE CENTRE IN KOWLOON IS ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE MAINLAND DEPOT, ARGYLE STREET, MONG KOK.
WHEN APPLYING BY POST, APPLICANTS SHOULD GIVE THEIR NAMES, ADDRESSES, AGE AND IDENTITY CARD NUMBERS, TOGETHER WITH A $20 CROSSED CHEQUE MADE PAYABLE TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND SENT TO THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, 11TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE, LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG. FISHING LICENCES WILL BE MAILED DIRECT TO APPLICANTS.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED ANGLERS OF THE NEED TO ABIDE BY THE RULES WHICH ARE STATED AT THE BACK OF THE LICENCE.
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COUNCIL GRANTS SUBSIDY FOR TENNIS CLASSIC
* * * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL IS TO WAIVE 50 PER CENT OF THE HIRING CHARGES FOR THE USE OF THE VICTORIA PARK CENTRE COURT FOR THE COMING HONG KONG TENNIS CLASSIC, A SUBSIDY EXPECTED TO TOTAL ABOUT $100 000.
♦THE COUNCIL HAS always been a generous supporter of tennis, AND IN PARTICULAR SPENT $5 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPECTATOR STANDS AT THE CENTRE COURT FOR THE CLASSIC,* SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN.
*ADDITIONALLY IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY REDUCED VENUE CHARGES FOR THE CLASSIC FROM $350 000 TWO YEARS AGO TO «2O2 000 LAST YEAR.
/♦however, with........
MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1984
♦HOWEVER, WITH TENNIS GROWING IN POPULARITY IN HONG KONG, The COUNCIL BELIEVES IT SHOULD FURTHER HELP FOSTER THIS PRESTIGEOUS COMPETITION, AND SO HAS DECIDED TO WAIVE HALF OF THE VENUE CHARGES FOR THE 1984 CLASSIC.
♦OVER THE YEARS, MANY OF THE WORLD’S FINEST TENNIS PLAYERS HAVE TAKEN PART IN THE CLASSIC, ENABLING YOUNG HONG KONG PLAYERS AND LOCAL ENTHUSIASTS IN GENERAL TO SEE THE STYLES OF SOME OF THE RECOGNISED CHAMPIONS.
♦ARGUABLY THIS HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE IMPROVING STANDARD OF TENNIS IN HONG KONG AMONG OUR YOUNGER PLAYERS.+
the spokesman added that THE COUNCIL BELIEVED that the hong KONG TENNIS PATRONS’ ASSOCIATION DESERVED ENCOURAGEMENT FOR ITS ATTEMPTS TO IMPROVE THE GAME IN HONG KONG, AND AFTER DUE CONSIDERATION HAD DECIDED TO GRANT THE SUBSIDY.
THE CLASSIC IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE TOWARDS THE END OF OCTOBER AT VICTORIA PARK TENNIS COURTS.
- - 0 - -
NEW POST OFFICE FOR SHA TIN * * * *
A NEW SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE LOCATED ON THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS OF KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION WILL BE OPENED AT 9 AM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 20).
OPERATING IN LARGER PREMISES WITH IMPROVED FACILITIES, THE NEW POST OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE DELIVERY, FRANKING MACHINE RESETTING AND P.O. BOX FACILITIES CURRENTLY PROVIDED IN THE SHA TIN POST OFFICE IN LEK YUEN ESTATE. IT WILL ALSO OFFER A FULL RANGE OF COUNTER SERVICES.
THE NEW OFFICE’S BUSINESS HOURS WILL BE 9 AM TO 5 PM FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY, AND ITS TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 0-6979813.
THE EXISTING SHA TIN POST OFFICE IN LEK YUEN ESTATE, WHICH WILL BE RENAMED WO CHE STREET POST OFFICE, WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE AS A COUNTER OFFICE OFFERING THE NORMAL RANGE OF COUNTER SERVICES.
IT WILL ALSO REMAIN AS A PAYING OFFICE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCES AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES.
BUSINESS HOURS OF THE WO CHE STREET POST OFFICE WILL BE 9 AM TO 5 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAY. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER REMAINS UNCHANGED (0-611501).
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/14......
MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1984
14
CAS WORK RECOGNISED
* * *
TWO POWER CHAIN SAWS FOR USE IN ROAD CLEARANCE WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE CIVIL AID SERVICES ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 15) AT THE CAS KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE.
THE SAWS HAVE BEEN DONATED BY THE HUNG SHU I KIU RESIDENTS’ WELFARE ASSOCIATION AND THE KAM TIN RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION IN APPRECIATION OF THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS RENDERED BY THE CAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THE PASSAGE OF TYPHOON ELLEN IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
MR CHAN YUEN-WAH, DISTRICT COMMANDER, NEW TERRITORIES WEST, WILL RECEIVE THE SAWS ON BEHALF OF THE CAS.
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NOTE TO ED I TORSi
PRESS CONFERENCE ON TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
* * * *
A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 16) AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 6TH FLOOR, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
--------0 ----------
BRIDGES TO BE REPLACED * * *
TWO ROAD BRIDGES ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR TAI LAM CHUNG WILL BE REBUILT AS THEY ARE CONSIDERED TO BE SUBSTANDARD.
THE BRIDGES WERE BUILT BEFORE THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND HAVE A LOAD-CARRYING CAPACITY LOWER THAN THAT IMPOSED BY HEAVY VEHICLES NOW IN USE.
THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES WIDENING AND RESURFACING 200 METRES OF APPROACH ROAD LEADING TO THE BRIDGES.
WORK WILL START IN OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1984
15
PARKING METERS FOR YUEN LONG * * * *
PARKING METERS WILL BE INSTALLED IN YUEN LONG AT MA MIU ROAD, PING WUI ROAD, PING SHUN STREET, PO LOK SQUARE, KIK YEUNG ROAD AND ON NING ROAD ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 15).
OTHERS WILL BE INSTALLED AT TUNG LOK STREET, PAU CHEUNG SQUARE, WANG CHAU ROAD, TAI HANG STREET, TAI FUNG STREET, TAI CHEUNG STREET, TUNG TAI STREET ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 17).
THE PARKING FEE FOR EVERY 30 MINUTES WILL BE $1 FOR PRIVATE CARS AND 50 CENTS FOR GOODS VEHICLES.
- - 0 - -
TRAFFIC MEASURES IN CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI * * * *
FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 15), LAN KWAI FONG IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS FOR ROAD WORKS.
ALSO FROM 10 AM THE SAME DAY, THOMSON ROAD IN WAN CHAI BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH LUARD ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 65 METRES WEST OF THIS JUNCTION WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC UNDER A PEDESTRI AN I SAT I ON SCHEME.
- - 0 - -
WATER FIGURE * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 83 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 486.738 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR, THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 502.884 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 85.8 PER CENT OF CAPCITY.
- - 0 - -
LEAKAGE TEST IN NORTH POINT * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 16) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF KING’S ROAD FROM NORTH VIEW STREET TO COMFORT TERRACE.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY' GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VOTER REGISTRATION PUBLICITY IN FULL SUING ..................... 1
SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR NEXT YEAR’S ELECTIONS ..............
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPS ........................................ 3
TRIDENT FLATS PROVE POPULAR..................................... 4
SUNNIEST MONTH ON RECORD ...................................... 5
STATISTICS ON BANKRUPTCIES RELEASED .........................
MOBILE REGISTRATION CENTRES FOR KRAI CHUNG...................... 8
HANDY PAMPHLET ON KWUN TONG .................................
YUEN LONG PLAYS MAJOR FARMING ROLE ............................. 9
TAI PO PRIME SITE AWARDED....................................
STAIRLIFTS FOR THE DISABLED ................................... 1°
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1934
1 -
VOTER REGISTRATION PUBLICITY IN FULL SWING *****
THE TERRITORY-WIDE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO URGE MORE PEOPLE TO REGISTER AS ELECTORS FOR THE MARCH 1985 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IS ENTERING ITS SECOND PHASE THIS WEEK.
THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PHASE IS TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE THAT THEY MUST REGISTER BETWEEN NOW AND OCTOBER 1 IN ORDER TO VOTE AT THE ELECTIONS.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID, +THE SIMPLEST WAY OF DEMONSTRATING ONE’S SUPPORT AND CONCERN FOR THE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY IS TO REGISTER AND VOTE.+
ANYONE WHO IS 21 YEARS OF AGE OR ABOVE AND WHO HAS LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR SEVEN YEARS ARE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER.
IT IS ESTIMATED THERE ARE 2.9 MILLION ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN HONG KONG, OF WHICH MORE THAN ONE MILLION HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED. THE PUBLICITY DRIVE IS AIMED AT DRAWING AT LEAST 1.5 MILLION MORE.
PUBLICITY MATERIALS FOR THE REGISTRATION PERIOD INCLUDE API’S (ANNOUNCEMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST) ON TELEVISION AND IN CINEMAS; RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS; POSTERS AT MTR AND KCR STATIONS, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, GOVERNMENT POSTER SITES AND DISTRICT OFFICE WINDOWS; ADVERTISEMENTS ON BUSES AS WELL AS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS IN NEWSPAPERS.
REGISTRATION MESSAGES ARE ALSO BEING SPREAD THROUGH GIS MOBILE STREET THEATRE AT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND OTHER VENUES.
TOWARDS THE END OF SEPTEMBER, THE PUBLIC WILL BE REMINDED THROUGH A SERIES OF COUNT-DOWN TELEVISION API’S, RADIO MESSAGES AND PRESS RELEASES THAT REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON OCTOBER 1.
MEANWHILE, WIDE-RANGING ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE REGISTRATION AT DISTRICT LEVEL, INCLUDING DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS DURING WHICH THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS ARE EXPLAINED AND ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO RESIDENTS IN COMPLETING THE REGISTRATION FORMS, ARE BEING CONDUCTED BY THE D ISTRICT OFF ICES.
REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES, IMMIGRATION OFFICES, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES, AND SOME 400 BRANCHES OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AND THE HANG SENG BANK.
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/2 .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1984
2
SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR NEXT YEAR’S ELECTIONS O * X *
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS CHOSEN FROM NEXT YEAR’S ELECTIONS WILL HAVE A TWO-FOLD RESPONSIBILITY : TO THE DISTRICT’S PARTICULAR \EEDS AND TO THE GENERAL AFFAIRS OF THE TERRITORY AS A WHOLE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA, IN A LETTER TO LOCAL RESIDENTS URGING THEM TO REGISTER AS VOTERS AND TO VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS.
HE SAID NEXT YEAR’S ELECTIONS WOULD TAKE ON A SIGNIFICANT DIMENSION AS A RESULT OF THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
+IF THE GREEN PAPER’S PROPOSALS ARE AGREED, THEN ALL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE, AND STAND FOR SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,* HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, HE SAID, THE NUMBER OF ELECTED SEATS ON THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD WOULD BE DOUBLED FROM EIGHT TO 16.
MR GARCIA SAID THE IMPACT OF DISTRICT BOARDS ON THE COMMUNITY HAD BEEN FAR REACHING ALTHOUGH THEY HAD BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR ONLY A SHORT TIME.
♦FOR THIS SYSTEM TO BE A SUCCESS, AND TO GIVE OUR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS THE SUPPORT THEY DESERVE, THE ELECTIONS MUST ALSO BE SUCCESSFUL AND THAT IS WHERE YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT,* HE SAID.
THOSE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THE 1982 URBAN DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS OR THE 1983 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS ARE AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERED TO VOTE IN 1935.
HE URGED THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED TO DO SO NOW.
ALL THAT THEY NEED TO DO IS TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE REGISTRATION FORM.
+UPON RECEIPT OF YOUR FORM, YOUR NAME WILL BE ENTERED INTO THE ELECTORAL ROLL AND, SHORTLY BEFORE ELECTION DAY ON MARCH 7, YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR POLLING CARD AND THE ADDRESS OF THE POLLING STATION AT WHICH YOU SHOULD CAST YOUR VOTE,* HE EXPLAINED.
MR GARCIA ADDED THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD ALREADY BEGUN DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS AND WOULD START WITH MOBILE COUNTERS TO HELP WITH THE REGISTRATION.
+WE HAVE REACHED AN IMPORTANT STAGE IN THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR GOVERNMENT SYSTEM. YOUR VOTE IS FUNDAMENTAL TO ITS SUCCESS,* HE SAID.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1934
- 3 -
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPS * * * *
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE SECOND QUARTER, COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR APRIL -JUNE 1984 WAS 3.5 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 4.0 PER CENT FOR JANUARY - MARCH 1984 AND 4.4 PER CENT FOR THE SAME QUARTER OF 1983.
THE DECREASES OF 0.5 PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND OF 0.9 PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF LAST YEAR WERE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT (THAT IS, THE DECREASES WERE GREATER THAN COULD BE EXPLAINED BY SAMPLING ERROR).
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 1984 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 91 900, COMPARED WITH 102 000 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 1984 AND 110 900 FOR THE SAME QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN COMMENTED THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 3.5 PER CENT FOR THE SECOND QUARTER THIS YEAR WAS VERY LOW, SUGGESTING THAT THE LABOUR FORCE MIGHT HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVELY FULLY EMPLOYED.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR APRIL - JUNE 1984 WAS 1.0 PER CENT WHILE THAT FOR JANUARY - MARCH 1984 WAS 1.5 PER CENT. THE DROP WAS ALSO STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE SAME QUARTER OF 1983 WAS 1.9 PER CENT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS 25 600 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 1984, COMPARED WITH 37 800 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 1984.
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.
COMMENTING UPON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS, SUCH AS 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.
♦BASED ON A SYSTEM OF MANUAL EXTRACTION OF INFORMATION FROM SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES FOR THE LATEST MONTH, PROVISIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST MOVING THREE-MONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY,+ HE SAID.
/THE PBOVISICKAL .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 19&4
- 4 -
THE PROVISIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) FOR MAY - JULY 1984 WAS 3.7 PER CENT, AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 0.9 PER CENT. THE UNADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR APRIL - JUNE 1984 WAS 3.6 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-INSTITUTIONAL 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 JUNE 1984 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE LATE IN SEPTEMBER.
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TRIDENT FLATS PROVE POPULAR
X * X X
THE 1 632 HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS ON THE FIRST TWO TRIDENT BLOCKS WERE SOLD OUT TODAY UNDER .PHASE V IA OF THE SCHEME.
♦LOCATED AT MAY SHING COURT IN SHA TIN, THE FLATS WERE GREATLY WELCOMED BY APPLICANTS FROM PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS TO WHOM PRIORITY WAS GIVEN IN SELECTING THE FLATS,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
HE SAID THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE HAD INDICATED THE POPULARITY OF The OPEN-PLAN DESIGN AND OTHER FEATURES OF THE TRIDENT BLOCKS.
+THE RELATIVELY LOW PRICES OF THE FLATS, RANGING FROM $99 800 TO $174 700, ARE ALSO AN ADDITIONAL ATTRACTION.
+FLATS OF OTHER STANDARD DESIGNS AT THE FOUR PHASE VIA PROJECTS OF MAY SHING COURT, CHOI PO COURT IN SHEUNG SHU I, TAI PO PLAZA IN TAI PO AND SIU HONG COURT PHASE IV IN TUEN MUN WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION FROM THURSDAY (AUGUST 16).
♦SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FROM BOTH PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR MAY SELECT THEIR FLATS IN THE ORDER OF THEIR PRIORITY GIVEN,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
0
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1934
5
SUNNIEST MONTH ON RECORD * * * *
JULY 1984, WITH 301.4 HOURS OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE, WAS THE SUNNIEST MONTH SINCE RECORDS BEGAN IN 1884, ACCORDING TO THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY’S MONTHLY REPORT JUST PUBLISHED.
THE MONTH’S MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 29.0 DEGREE CELSIUS WAS THE SEVENTH HIGHEST AND ITS MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 27.2 DEGREE CELSIUS, THE FOURTH HIGHEST FOR JULY.
THE MONTH, WITH 125.9 MM OF RAIN, OR 40 PER CENT OF THE NORMAL AMOUNT, WAS THE FOURTH DRIEST JULY ON RECORD.
HOWEVER, THE CUMULATIVE RAINFALL FOR THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THE YEAR, AT 1 274.6 MM, WAS ONLY THREE PER CENT BELOW AVERAGE.
THE MONTHLY MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 78 PER CENT WAS THE THIRD LOWEST FOR THE MONTH.
ON THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF THE MONTH, THE WEATHER WAS FINE APART FROM SOME ISOLATED SHOWERS. IT BECAME UNSETTLED WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS FROM JULY 3 TO 5, BUT TURNED FINE AGAIN WITH A FEW LIGHT SHOWERS ON JULY 6 AND 7.
SEVERE TROPICAL STORM BETTY MOVED ACROSS THE NORTHERN PART CF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA ON JULY 8 AND 9, BRINGING 84.2 MM OF RAIN, OR 67 PER CENT OF THE MONTH’S TOTAL RAINFALL.
ON JULY 8, THERE WERE OCCASIONAL SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. WINDS VEERED FROM THE NORTHEAST TO THE EAST AND BECAME GENERALLY STRONG DURING THE DAY. THERE WERE ALSO GALES OVERNIGHT IN SOME EXPOSED PLACES.
SHOWERS BECAME HEAVY AND WIDESPREAD ON JULY 9 WHILE WINDS TURNED SOUTHEASTERLY AND MODERATED DURING THE DAY.
FINE WEATHER PREVAILED FROM JULY 10 TO THE END OF THE MONTH, WITH ONLY A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS.
ON THE LAST FOUR DAYS, THE WEATHER BECAME VERY HOT IN THE AFTERNOON, WITH THE TEMPERATURE EXCEEDING 33 DEGREE CELSIUS. THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE OF THE MONTH, 33.8 DEGREE CELSIUS, WAS RECORDED ON JULY 31.
FIVE TROPICAL CYCLONES DEVELOPED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING THE MONTH.
TYPHOON ALEX FORMED NEAR LUZON ON JULY 1 AND CROSSED TAIWAN ON JULY 3. IT RECURVED AND BECAME AN EXTRATOROPI CAL CYCLONE NEAR SHANGHAI ON JULY 4 AND DISSIPATED OVER KOREA THE NEXT DAY.
/severe tropical .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1984
6 -
SEVERE TROPICAL STORM BETTY FORMED ABOUT 220 NAUTICAL MILES EAST OF MANILA ON JULY 5. IT PASSED ABOUT 120 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTHWEST OF HONG KONG EARLY ON JULY 9 AND DISSIPATED OVERLAND NEAR ZHANJIANG IN THE EVENING.
TYPHOON CARY ORIGINATED NEAR THE MARIANA ISLANDS ON JULY 7. IT RECURVED ABOUT 270 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTHEAST OF IWO JIMA ON JULt 10, THEN MOVED NORTHEASTWARDS AND DISSIPATED OVER THE PACIFIC EAST OF JAPAN ON JULY 14.
TYPHOON DINAH DEVELOPED ABOUT 900 NAUTICAL MILES NORTHEAST OF GUAM ON JULY 24. IT RECURVED ON JULY 26 AND WAS MOVING NORTHEASTWARDS OVER THE PACIFIC TO THE EAST OF JAPAN AT THE END CF THE MONTH.
TYPHOON ED FORMED ABOUT 250 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTHEAST OF KAGOSHIMA ON JULY 25. IT MOVED WESTWARDS AND PASSED ABOUT 100 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF KAGOSHIMA LATE ON JULY 29.
ON THAT DAY, A 1 200-T0NNE SOUTH KOREAN SHIP ’ ILSIN GLORY’ SANK IN THE KOREAN STRAIT NEAR NAGASAKI, RESULTING IN ONE PERSON KILLED AND 11 MISSING.
A 4 800—TONNE SINGAPOREAN CONTAINER SHIP, 'GLORIA EXPRESS’, RAN AGROUND IN SOUTHERN KYUSHU AND ONE PERSON WAS MISSING.
DUE TO TYPHOON ED, THE LAUNCHING OF THE JAPANESE WEATHER SATELLITE GMS-3 WAS POSTPONED.
ON JULY 31, ED PASSED ABOUT 60 NAUTICAL MILES NORTHEAST OF SHANGHAI AND WAS MOVING NORTHWESTWARDS ALONG THE COAST DURING THE NIGHT.
DURING THE MONTH, ONE AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON JULY 3 AND 31.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL DATE AND TIME OF HOISTING DATE AND TIME OF LOWERING
SEVERE 1 JULY 7 JULY 8
TROPICAL 11.15 AM 9.40 AM
STORM 3 JULY 8 JULY 9
BETTY 9.40 AM 3.40 PM
/THE MONTH'S........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1984
7 -
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE-.
SUNSHINE 301.4 HOURS - 70.5 HOURS ABOVE NORMAL
RAINFALL 125.9 MM - 190.9 MM BELOW NORMAL
CLOUDINESS 60% - 6% LESS THAN NORMAL
RELATIVE HUMIDITY 78% - 3% LOWER THAN NORMAL
MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 31.7 DEGREE C - 0.1 DEGREE C ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN TEMPERATURE 29.0 DEGREE C - 0.4 DEGREE C ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE 27.2 DEGREE C - 0.9 DEGREE C ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 24.6 DEGREE C - 0.4 DEGREE C BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 188.6 MM - 10.1 MM ABOVE NORMAL
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 33.8 DEGREE CELSIUS WAS RECORDED ON
JULY 31
MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 23.8 DEGREE CELSIUS WAS RECORDED ON
JULY 9
- 0---------
STATIST FCS ON BANKRUPTCIES RELEASED * * * *
IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE HANDLED 79 BANKRUPTCIES OF INDIVIDUALS AND 155 WINDING-UP CASES OF COMPANIES, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.
THESE FIGURES REPRESENTED A COMBINED INCREASE OF 8.8 PER CENT OVER THE 63 BANKRUPTCIES OF INDIVIDUALS AND 152 WINDING-UP CASES IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1983.
BY COMPARISON, THERE WAS AN 85.4 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1983 OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF 1982.
NOTABLE COMPANY FAILURES IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR INCLUDED: EACA GROUP OF COMPANIES, BYLAMSON AND ASSOCIATES (ENTERPRISES) LTD, GOODYEAR GROUP OF COMPANIES, N. AND J. INTERNATIONAL LTD AND BEDFORD INSURANCE CO LTD.
IN THE CASE OF BEDFORD INSURANCE, REGISTRAR GENERAL MR NOEL GLEESON, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY, PRESENTED A WINDING-UP PETITION ON GROUND OF THE COMPANY’S FAILURE TO MEET STATUTORY SOLVENCY REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE 1983. A WINDING-UP ORDER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MADE AGAINST THE COMPANY BY THE HIGH COURT.
0 -------
/8........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1934
8
MOBILE REGISTRATION CENTRES FOR KWAI CHUNG * K * *
THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TAM WING-PONG, WILL VISIT MOBILE VOTER REGISTRATION CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) MORNING TO HELP LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH THEIR REG ISTRATION.
THE MOBILE CENTRES FORM PART OF THE DISTRICT’S PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES DURING THE SIX-WEEK REGISTRATION EXERCISE WHICH OFFICIALLY BEGINS TOMORROW.
-----o-----
HANDY PAMPHLET ON KWUN TONG
X X * X
+KWUN TONG IN FOCUS* - AN INFORMATION PAMPHLET ON THE DISTRICT AND THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD - WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
+APART FROM GIVING BASIC INFORMATION ON THE DISTRICT’S POPULATION, EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY, COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, THE PAMPHLET LISTS THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OFFICES AND CONTACT NUMBERS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY*, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
+THE STRUCTURE OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD, AND THE POLLING STATIONS IN THE 12 LOCAL CONSTITUENCIES FOR THE MARCH 7 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ARE ALSO MENTIONED*.
THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAS SPENT $16 000 TO PRODUCE 30 000 COPIES OF THE PAMPHLET AS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE.
+WE HOPE THE RESIDENTS WILL BE MORE READY TO REGISTER AS VOTERS WHEN THEY GET TO KNOW THEIR DISTRICT AND DISTRICT BOARD BETTER*, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FREE COPIES OF THE PAMPHLET WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTERS IN THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS FIVE SUB-OFFICES IN NGAU TAU KOK, SHUN LEE, LAM TIN, YAU TONG AND SAU MAU PING ESTATES.
0 --------
/9........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1984
9
YUEN LONG PLAYS MAJOR FARMING ROLE * X X X
YUEN LONG CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCER DESPITE URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW TOWNS THERE, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
DR RIDDELL-SWAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S NEW DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL OFFICE IN THE TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN YUEN LONG.
♦THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES, ESPECIALLY YUEN LONG, HAS FOR A LONG TIME BEEN THE MOST IMPORTANT AND MOST PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURAL AREA IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
OVER 11 OOO FARMERS, OR ABOUT 45 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL AGRICULTURAL WORK FORCE IN HONG KONG, ARE WORKING IN THE REGION.
OUT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL PRODUCTION OF FRESH VEGETABLES, LIVE PIGS AND POULTRY WHICH HAS VALUED AT Si 425 MILLION IN 1983, OVER 50 PER CENT CAME FROM YUEN LONG.
HE ATTRIBUTED THIS TO THE HARD WORK OF THE FARMERS, COUPLED WITH THEIR READY ADOPTION OF UP-TO-DATE EQUIPMENT AND THE USE OF THE LATEST AGRICULTURAL TECHNIQUES.
♦TO HELP THESE FARMERS TO MAINTAIN THEIR PRODUCTIVITY IN THE FACE OF VARIOUS DIFFICULTIES, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT PROVIDES THEM WITH A WIDE RANGE OF TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES AND CREDIT FACILITIES THROUGH ITS EXTENSION SERVICE,* HE SAID.
DR RIDDELL-SWAN EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT WITH THE IMPROVED FACILITIES AT THE NEW OFFICE, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO SERVE THE REGION’S FARMING NEEDS EVEN BETTER.
- - 0 - -
TAI PO PRIME SITE AWARDED * * * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A PRIME SITE IN TAI PO NEW TOWN AT A PREMIUM OF $105 MILLION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH-RISE COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX UNDER THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME.
THE 1.579-HECTARE SITE, LOCATED WITHIN THE TOWN CENTRE, HAS BEE. AWARDED TO EARNTRADE LTD, A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN HYSAN DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD, HSIN CHONG CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LTD AND WONG AND OUYANG (HK) LTD.
ITLL3 A G-RExg. . uZI'i
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1984
10 -
THE AGREEMENT WAS S'GNED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER, TAI PO, MR VICTOR LEUNG, AND MR H.C. LEE AND MR JOSEPH M. LAI, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMPANY.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT OF THE 10 TENDER APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, THE PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY EARNTRADE WERE CONSIDERED THE MOST ACCEPTABLE AND THAT THE PREMIUM TENDERED WAS REALISTIC AND REASONABLE.
HE SAID THAT UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF SALE, THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO BUILD A COMMERCIAL PODIUM WITH HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS ON TOP OF IT.
+THE PROPOSALS BY THE DEVELOPER SHOW THAT THERE WILL BE FIVE RESIDENTIAL TOWERS WITH 1 460 UNITS RANGING IN SIZES FROM 39.2 SQUARE METRES TO 54.33 SQUARE METRES,+ MR LEUNG SAID.
THE DEVELOPMENT, EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1936, WILL PROVIDE AMPLE LANDSCAPED OPEN SPACES AT BOTH THE GROUND AND PODIUM LEVELS.
MR LEUNG SAID THE KEEN RESPONSE SHOWN BY DEVELOPERS INDICATED THERE WAS CONFIDENCE IN THE PROPERTY MARKET IN TAI PO.
- 0 ----------
STAIRLIFTS FOR THE DISABLED * X * *
THE INSTALLATION OF STAIRLIFTS IN THREE CULTURAL COMPLEXES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL ENABLE WHEELCHAIR-USERS TO ENJOY THE MANY ACTIVITIES THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE.
THE STAIRLIFTS, THE FIRST OF THEIR KIND TO BE PUBLICLY USED IN HONG KONG. WILL ALLOW A HANDICAPPED PERSON TO GAIN ACCESS TO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ENTERTAINMENT IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, AND THE SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN CULTURAL COMPLEXES NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
THE ELECTRICALLY-DRIVEN STAIRLIFTS, EACH COMPRISING A FOLDABLE PLATFORM LARGE ENOUGH FOR A WHEELCHAIR, WILL BE ATTACHED TO A CABLt INSTALLED ON STAIRWAYS WITHIN THE COMPLEXES.
TENDERS FOR SUPPLYING AND INSTALLING THE STAIRLIFTS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
WORK WILL START IN MARCH AND BE COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY, 1986.
TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY SEPTEMBER 7.
0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15. 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COLLEGE SEP TO MAKE GREATER CONTRIBUTION ....................... 1
ORDERS-QN-HAND STAY HIGH ....................................... 2
LABOUR MP DUE TOMORROW ......................................... 5
$87 MILLION MA ON SEAN CONTRACT AWARDED ........................ 6
FINAL PHASE OF REDEVELOPMENT UNDERWAY .......................... 6
FINANCIAL SECRETARY VISITS FACTORY ............................. 7
MORE BOARDS TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER.............................. 7
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS CLAIM MORE LIVES THAN CRIMES ................. 8
LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD MEETS .................................... 9
SHIPBUILDING MANPOWER SURVEY TO START' SOCK .................... 9
FISHERMEN DELEGATION TO VISIT GUANGZHOU ....................... 10
SEMINARS ON WIREFREE INDUCTION LOOP SYSTEM..................... 10
BOARD MEMBERS LEARN ABOUT HOUSING.............................. 11
METRIC WEIGHT DISPLAY FOR VEHICLES ............................ 12
WATER SUPPLY FOR SOUTH LANTAU ................................. 12
WATER SPORTS GETTING POPULAR................................... 13
PARKING METERS FOR CHAI WAN ................................... 13
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1*34
1
COLLEGE SET TO MAKE GREATER CONTRIBUTION
*****
THE SHUE YAN COLLEGE, WITH ITS NEW CAMPUS AND FACILITIES, IS NOW SET FAIR TO MAKE AN EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE TOPPING-OUT CEREMONY OF THE COLLEGE’S NEw CAMPUS IN NORTH POINT, SIR PHILIP SAID THAT THE ROLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE HONG KONG OF TOMORROW COULD NOT BE OVER-EMPHASISED.
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF SIR PHILIP’S SPEECH:
+1 AM VERY GLAD TO BE HERE THIS AFTERNOON TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF THIS BUILDING LONG CHERISHED BY THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF SHUE YAN COLLEGE.
♦SINCE ITS FOUNDATION IN 1971, SHUE YAN COLLEGE HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO THE TASK OF FOSTERING POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG. OVER THE YEARS, MORE THAN 3 OOO STUDENTS HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE COLLEGE. THEY HAVE MOVED INTO MANY FIELDS: EDUCATION, BUSINESS, SOCIAL WELFARE AND MASS COMMUNICATION. THEY HAVE CONFIRMED THE COLLEGE’S REPUTATION AS AN INSTITUTION DEVOTED TO SERVING THE COMMUNITY’S NEEDS. THE COLLEGE HAS ALSO WON RECOGNITION ABROAD. IT IS A MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIA INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING (ASAIHL) AND OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF SOCIAL WORK. THROUGH ACADEMIC CO-OPERATION WITH A NUMBER OF UNIVERSITIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, CREDITS EARNED BY STUDENTS FROM SELECTED COURSE AT SHUE YAN ARE RECOGNISED BY THESE UNIVERSITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF FURTHER STUDIES.
♦SINCE 1971, THE COLLEGE HAS GROWN BOTH IN STUDENT NUMBERS AND IN THE VARIETY OF COURSES OFFERED. TODAY, IT HAS 12 DEPARTMENTS AND A TOTAL ENROLMENT OF ABOUT 3 000 STUDENTS. THIS EXPANSION HAS GENERATED A NEED FOR PURPOSE-BUILT PREMISES ON A PERMANENT CAMPUS. THIS NEED IS TO BE FULFILLED BY THIS FINE BUILDING WHICH WE SEE TODAY.
+1 SHOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF SHUE YAN COLLEGE AND DR HU ON THIS ACHIEVEMENT. WITHOUT THEIR FORESIGHT, ENTHUSIASM AND DETERMINATION, THIS PROJECT WOULD NOT HAVE COME TO FRUITION. THE COLLEGE, WITH ITS NEW CAMPUS AND FACILITIES, IS NOW SET FAIR TO MAKE AN EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG- AND I BELIEVE THAT THE ROLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE HONG KONG OF TOMORROW CANNOT BE OVER-EMPHASISED.
♦I WISH THE COLLEGE, ITS FOUNDERS, STAFF AND STUDENTS EVERY SUCCESS.+
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/2 .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1^84
2
ORDERS-ON-HAND STAY HIGH * * * *
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN TERMS OF MONTHS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR REMAINED AT A HIGH LEVEL IN JUNE THIS YEAR, ACCORDING TO SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MANUFACTURERS IN MOST INDUSTRIES REPORTED INCREASES IN -THE VOLUME OF ORDERS, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY SHOWED THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INCREASE AS SEVERAL FIRMS RECEIVED MORE NEW ORDERS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE TEXTILES AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES REPORTED DECLINES IN ORDERS.
INCREASES IN EMPLOYMENT WERE RECORDED IN MOST INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, MAINLY DUE TO THE RECRUITMENT OF SUMMER WORKERS.
HOWEVER, THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY REPORTED NO CHANGE IN THE LEVEL CF EMPLOYMENT.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE SERVICES SECTOR ALSO SHOWED NO CHANGE FROM THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, THE NUMBER OF OPERATIVES INCREASED AS A FEW FIRMS STARTED NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, PAYROLL FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS A WHOLE ROSE. HOWEVER, THERE WAS A DECREASE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS MAINLY BECAUSE OF LOWER WAGE RATES OFFERED TO THE SUMMER WORKERS.
FOR THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY, BOTH PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FELL SIGNIFICANTLY AFTER THE INCREASE IN MAY.
WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT RECORDED INCREASES IN BOTH PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN JUNE.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR DECREASED, DUE TO LESS PAYMENTS FOR OVERTIME WORK.
ON THE OTHER HAND, BOTH PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE SERVICES SECTOR AS A WHOLE WAS STABLE.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS ARE SHOWN IN TWO TABLcj BELOW.
/'.VHK'J RELEASING.....
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1^4
- 3 -
WHEN RELEASING THE SURVEY RESULTS, THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 2OQ 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 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, AT $1.5 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION AT 3-7212579.
THE TWO STATISTICAL TABLES ARE:
(A) ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
(% CHANGE OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH) ORDERS-ON-HAND
(IN TERMS OF
INDUSTRY APR. 1984 MAY 1984 JUNE 1984 MONTHS) FOR JUNE 1984
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR -1 1 1 5.14
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL -2 -4 -3 2.40
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 1 1 7 4.43
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 2 -1 1 3.60
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 1 * -1 5.72
OTHERS 1 * 1 4.43
ALL ABOVE INDUSTRIES * * * 4.77
/(B) gKPLOYM£HT_AKD.........
4WNESDAI, AUGUST 15, 19^4
(B) EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/ SERVICE PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED PER CAPITA EARNINGS PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR JUNE 1984
(% APR. 1984 CHANGE OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH) JUNE 1984
MAY 1984 JUNE 1984 APR. 1984 MAY 1984
MANUFACTURING * 2 5 * 3 -3 2 654
— — — — - - ■
FOOD AND DRINKS 1 1 1 6 2 3 3 597
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR * * 2 -2 5 * 2 368
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL * -1 * -1 19 -11 2 877
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 4 9 15 2 2 -8 2 369
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4 4 5 * -1 -2 2 144
ELECTRICAL * AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 3 6 * * -1 2 447
OTHERS * 2 3 2 * -2 3 621
CONSTRUCTION 2 1 2 -4 3 -2 3 930
/services .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1.5, 19&4
- 5 -
SERVICES * * * 2 -1 K 4 768
BANKS * * % 5 1 % 4 325
HOTELS 1 * % 10 -10 -1 3 141
PUBLIC UTILITIES * * * 3 -1 1 4 754
OTHERS * * CHANGES WITHIN * ♦ 0.5% 1 -3 2 -2 6 103
** PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ONLY? SITE WORKERS NOT INCLUDED.
-----o------
LABOUR MP DUE TOMORROW
*****
LABOUR MP, MR DENNIS CANAVAN, WILL ARRIVE (THURSDAY) FOR A NINE-DAY VISIT.
IN HONG KONG TOMORROW
OF THE PUBLIC AND
MR CANAVAN WILL MEET A WIDE CROSS-SECTION
VISIT VARIOUS PLACES, INCLUDING SOUTHERN DISTRICT, HOUSING ESTATE^, A FACTORY AND A VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CLOSED CENTRE.
HE WILL ATTEND AN URBAN COUNCIL RECEPTION AS WELL AS DINNERS MCGOVERN AND YOUNG LOCAL BUSINESSMEN.
HOSTED BY THE REV PATRICK
MR CANAVAN WILL ALSO MEET UMELCO, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE TRADE UNIONS, MAC CHAIRMEN, SOCIAL WORKERS AND INTEREST GROUPS.
HE WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON AUGUST 24 (FRIDAY) AND LEAVE HONG KONG THE SAME DAY.
-----o------
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1934
6
$87 MILLION MA ON SHAN CONTRACT AWARDED * * * *
A NETWORK OF ROADS AND ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES TO SERVE MA ON SHAN WILL BE READY WHEN RESIDENTS MOVE INTO THE FIRST HOUSING ESTATE AT THE END OF 1986.
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AWARDED THE WORKS CONTRACT TO MARPLES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED FOR THE PROJECT WHICH INCLUDES BUILDING ROADS, FORMING LAND AND CONSTRUCTING A SEAWALL.
THE $87 MILLION CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE SHA TIN PROJECT MANAGER, MR KEITH AUSTIN, AND THE DIRECTOR OF MARPLES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, MR GRAHAM BATES.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 3.8-KILOMETRE TWO-LANE SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY AND ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS AND CYCLETRACKS.
IT ALSO INCLUDES THE RECLAMATION AND FORMATION OF ABOUT 16 HECTARES OF LAND TO PROVIDE SITES FOR A FIRE STATION, AN AMBULANCE DEPOT AND OTHER FACILITIES.
A 180-METRE-L0NG SEAWALL WILL ALSO BE BUILT, IN ADDITION TO STORM-WATER DRAINS AND SEWERS AND EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPING.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH AND TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
- - 0 - -
FINAL PHASE OF REDEVELOPMENT UNDERWAY * * * *
THE THIRD, AND LAST, PHASE OF REDEVELOPMENT FOR CHAI WAN (WEST) ESTATE, NOW RE-NAMED WAN TSUI ESTATE, HAS JUST STARTED FOLLOWING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A $110.6 MILLION BUILDING TENDER RECENTLY BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
UNDER THE TENDER, TWO HIGH-RISE DOUBLE-H BLOCKS WITH A TOTAL OF 1 546 MODERN SELF-CONTAINED FLATS WILL BE BUILT TO ACCOMMODATE 7 000 PEOPLE.
ALSO TO BE BUILT ARE A THREE-STOREY MULTI-PURPOSE MARKET BUILDING AND A SINGLE-STOREY LORRY PARK OF WHICH THE ROOF WILL BE LANDSCAPED AND TURNED INTO A RECREATION PODIUM.
THE MARKET BUILDING WILL FORM THE EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING WAN TSUI COMMERCIAL CENTRE TO PROVIDE EXTRA SHOPPING AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES, INCLUDING SOME 57 MARKET STALLS, FIVE COOKED FOOD STALLS, A CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE AND OVER 100 PARKING SPACES.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1?84
- 7 -
REDEVELOPMENT W0»K ON CHAI WAN (WEST) ESTATE WAS FIRST STARTED IN 1976 TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS AND RELIEVE OVERCROWDING ON THE ESTATE.
SINCE THEN SIX NEW RENTAL BLOCKS AND TWO HOS BLOCKS TOGETHER WITH A MODERN SHOPPING CENTRE HAVE BEEN BUILT, AND TWO ORIGINAL BLOCKS HAVE BEEN CONVERTED TO PROVIDE SELF-CONTAINED FLATS.
UPON FULL COMPLETION OF REDEVELOPMENT BY 1986, WAN TSUI ESTATE WILL HAVE A TOTAL OF 3 947 FLATS IN 10 RENTAL BLOCKS WITH A POPULATION OF MORE THAN 18 000 PEOPLE.
------q ------
FINANCIAL SECRETARY VISITS FACTORY * * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BEGAN A PROGRAMME OF VISITS TO LOCAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES BY TOURING A GARMENT FACTORY IN KWUN TONG.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR PETER JOHNSON, SIR JOHN WENT TO WING TAI GARMENT INDUSTRIAL HOLDINGS LTD AND WAS SHOWN AROUND THE PRODUCTION FLOORS BY THE COMPANY’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR CHRISTOPHER CHENG.
WING TAI GARMENT, ESTABLISHED IN 1957 AS A LOCALLY-OWNED PRIVATE COMPANY, PRODUCES MAINLY COTTON JEANS FOR EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE FACTORY HAS A COMPUTERISED PLOTTER-MARKER SYSTEM WHICH ENABLES NOT ONLY MAXIMUM UTILISATION OF FABRICS BUT ALSO CONSIDERABLE SAVINGS IN TIME AND MANPOWER.
-----o--------
MORE BOARDS TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER * * * * *
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE GREEN PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEIR VIEWS, TOGETHER WITH OPINIONS COLLECTED AT VARIOUS PUBLIC FORUMS HELD IN THE DISTRICT DURING THE PAST WEEKS, wILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE BUILDING OF A PUBLIC TOILET AND A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AT LAN KwAI FONG.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSED PROVISION OF AMENITIES FACILITIES IN TWO PICNIC AREAS, A REVIEW ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARDS, AREA COMMITTEE AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AND PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES.
------o-------
/£......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1984
8
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS CLAIM MORE LIVES THAN CRIMES * * * *
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE KILLED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS LAST YEAR WAS FOUR TIMES MORE THAN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE KILLED DURING THE COURSE OF CRIMES IN HONG KONG.
THE NUMBER OF INJURED WAS THREE AND A HALF TIMES THE FIGURE FOR VICTIMS OF SERIOUS ASSAULT CASES.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER OF' YAU MA TEI, MR BEN MUNFORD, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF YAU MA TEI ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THERE WERE NEARLY 17 OOO ROAD ACCIDENTS IN 1983, RESULTING IN 340 PEOPLE KILLED AND SOME 22 000 INJURED.
MR MUNFORD SAID THAT WHILE PEOPLE WERE SHOCKED AND INDIGNANT ABOUT A VIOLENT CRIME AND SYMPATHISED WITH THE VICTIM, THEY RARELY HAD THE SAME FEELING TOWARDS A ROAD ACCIDENT.
HE SAID," THIS LACK OF CONCERN CAN PERHAPS BE ATTRIBUTED TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING THE SOMEWHAT SELFISH ATTITUDE THAT IT DOES NOT AFFECT ME OR MY FAMILY.
"BUT IT DOES. ANY LOSS TO THE COMMUNITY MUST AFFECT YOU EVEN IF ONLY INDIRECTLY, AND NEXT TIME IT COULD BE YOUR LITTLE BOY OR YOUR AGED MOTHER WHO IS INJURED BECAUSE EITHER THEY DO NOT HEED THE BASIC SAFETY RULES OR AN INCONSIDERATE DRIVER HAPPENS TO BE IN A HURRY TO GET FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER."
IT WAS NOT JUST THE DRIVERS WHO WERE THE ONES TO BLAME IN MOST ROAD ACCIDENTS, MR MUNFORD EMPHASISED. POLICE INVESTIGATIONS SHOWED THAT IN ABOUT HALF OF ALL CASES IT WAS THE PEDESTRIANS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR OWN DEATH OR INJURIES THROUGH SHEER NEGLIGENCE, OR BY CROSSING THE ROAD AT THE WRONG TIME OR IN THE WRONG PLACE.
TO SAFEGUARD LIVES, HE URGED ALL ROAD USERS TO OBSERVE THIS MOTTO: "DO NOT DRIVE TOO FAST, AND STOP AND LOOK BEFORE YOU CROSS THE ROAD."
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE POLICE SENIOR STAFF OFFICER OF KOWLOON TRAFFIC, MR MIKE HARPER- THE PRESIDENT OF THE CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR YANG TZE-KIANG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR NG MAN-KEUNG.
STARTING FROM TOMORROW, THERE WILL BE AN EDUCATION FORTNIGHT. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER TWO-WEEK POLICE ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN, POLICE STREET EDUCATION TEAMS WILL BE DEPLOYED TO LOCAL TRAFFIC BLACKSPOTS AND PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM AREAS TO EDUCATE LOCAL RESIDENTS ON HOW TO USE THE ROADS.
IN ADDITION, OTHER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS QUIZ AND SEMINARS ON ROAD SAFETY WILL BE HELD.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1984
9
LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD MEETS * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD MET TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS PROPOSALS TO ALLOCATE THE SURPLUS FUNDS OF THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION FUND BOARD FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
THE SURPLUS HAS RESULTED FROM A STEADY DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PNEUMOCONIOSIS CASES, AND SO FAR THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY CLAIM FOR COMMON LAW DAMAGES.
THE BOARD ALSO DISCUSSED SOME PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS LAST AMENDED IN 1982. THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AIMED TO REMOVE CERTAIN MINOR DEFICIENCIES EXPERIENCED IN OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES.
ON THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, THE BOARD SUGGESTED THAT THE CURRENT WAGE CEILING FOR NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES BE RAISED FROM $8 509 TO $9 500, SO AS TO KEEP IN STEP WITH WAGE INCREASES.
IT WAS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT A DEATH GRANT SCHEME BE INTRODUCED FOR BURIAL EXPENSES INCURRED BY DEPENDENTS OF DECEASED EMPLOYEES.
THE BOARD ALSO REVIEWED PROGRESS OF SEVERAL PIECES OF PROPOSED LABOUR LEGISLATION ON WHICH PREVIOUS ADVICE HAD BEEN GIVEN, AND THE WORK DONE BY THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF LABOUR STANDARDS.
THE MEETING WAS CHAIRED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, M? RON BRIDGE, AND WAS ATTENDED BY FIVE EMPLOYERS AND FOUR EMPLOYEES REPRESENTATIVES.
- - 0 - -
SHIPBUILDING MANPOWER SURVEY TO START SOON * X X *
THE BIENNIAL MANPOWER SURVEY OF HONG KONG’S SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP REPAIR INDUSTRY WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN AUGUST 28 AND SEPTEMBER 12 BY THE SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP REPAIRS INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE SURVEY WILL COVER SOME 700 ESTABLISHMENTS, INCLUDING SHIPYARDS, BOATYARDS, REPAIR PONTOONS, SHIP SURVEYORS AND CONSULTANT FIRMS, SHIPPING FIRMS WHICH EMPLOY LOCAL SHORE-BASED TECHNICAL STAFF, MARINE ENGINES AND ELECTRICAL REPAIRS AND SERVICING COMPANIES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
♦UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION IS VITAL TO THE TRAINING BOARD TO FORMULATE TRAINING PLANS. THUS EMPLOYERS ARE REQUESTED TO CO-OPERATE BY SUPPLYING ACCURATE INFORMATION,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID.
/he stressed
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 19&4
10
HE STRESSED THAT THE DATA COLLECTED WILL BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL BE RELEASED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY NOTES WILL BE SENT TO EMPLOYERS THIS WEEK. OFFICERS FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT THEM TO HELP COMPLETE THE FORMS.
ALSO ASSISTING IN THE SURVEY ARE THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT DATA PROCESSING AGENCY.
-----o------
FISHERMEN DELEGATION TO VISIT GUANGZHOU
* * * *
A DELEGATION OF 12 HONG KONG FISHERMEN WILL LEAVE ON MONDAY (AUGUST 20) FOR GUANGZHOU ON AN EIGHT-DAY STUDY TOUR ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION.
DURING THEIR STAY, THE DELEGATES WILL VISIT THE INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES AND PROCESSING EXHIBITION BEING HELD THERE.
PRIOR TO THEIR DEPARTURE, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, WILL PRESENT A BANNER TO THE DELEGATION AT A CEREMONY TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
--------0 ---------
SEMINARS ON WIREFREE INDUCTION LOOP SYSTEM
* * * *
TEACHERS OF ENGLISH IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN SEMINARS ON THE USE OF THE WIREFREE INDUCTION LOOP SYSTEM TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH.
THE SEMINARS ARE ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE.
FOUR SEMINARS WILL BE HELD FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM SEPTEMBER 20 TO SEPTEMBER 25, AND ANOTHER FOUR FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM SEPTEMBER 17 TO SEPTEMBER 27.
AT EACH OF THE TWO-HOUR SEMINARS, TALKS WILL BE GIVEN ON THE DIFFERENT MODES OF UTILISING THE WIREFREE INDUCTION LOOP SYSTEM TO PROMOTE PUPILS’ LISTENING SKILLS ON MAINTENANCE OF THE EQUIPMENT AND ON THE ADMINISTERING OF A TAPED PROGRAMME IN AN ENGLISH LESSOW.
/there will .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 19&4
11 -
THERE WILL BE PLACES FOR 40 TEACHERS AT EACH SEMINAR AND APPLICATIONS WILL BE TREATED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
HEADS OF SCHOOLS ARE REQUESTED TO SEND THEIR NOMINATIONS TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG BY SEPTEMBER 6, 1984.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SEMINARS CAN BE MADE WITH THE CENTRE ON 5-482537.
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BOARD MEMBERS LEARN ABOUT HOUSING
* * * *
FOURTEEN KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON LEARNED MORE ABOUT PUBLIC HOUSING POLICIES THROUGH A SEMINAR AND A TOUR TO A LOCAL HOUSING ESTATE.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CLAYMON LAI, MEMBERS FIRST VISITED THE LOK WAH ESTATE WHERE CONSTRUCTION OF PHASES III AND IV IS TAKING PLACE.
UPON COMPLETION EARLY NEXT YEAR THE ESTATE WILL HAVE A POPULATION OF 43 000.
LATER, AT THE ESTATE’S OFFICE, MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED BY A HOUSING DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ON THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND THE CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES IN APPOINTING DECORATION CONTRACTORS FOR WORKS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
TODAY’S SEMINAR AND TOUR WERE INITIATED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD AND ORGANISED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO ENABLE MEMBERS TO UNDERSTANDING BETTER THE GOVERNMENT’S HOUSING POLICIES.
MORE THAN 70 PER CENT OF KWUN TONG’S 460 000 POPULATION LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
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/12 .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1934.
- 12 -
METRIC WEIGHT DISPLAY FOR VEHICLES
*****
OWNERS OF GOODS VEH ICLES, SPEC IAL-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND TRAILERS MUST HAVE THE UNLADEN WE IGHT, DISPLAYED ON BOTH SIDES OF THEIR VEHICLES, CONVERTED INTO METRIC GROSS WEIGHT WHEN THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS COME INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 25.
+GOODS VEHICLE OWNERS WHO DO NOT KNOW THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF THEIR VEHICLES SHOULD CALL THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ON 5-260979 OR 5-264860,+ A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
ANYONE WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THIS NEW REQUIREMENT IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $10 000 AND TO SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
+APART FROM THE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES, GOODS VEHICLE AND TRAILER OWNERS WHO FAIL TO DO SO MAY ALSO EXPERIENCE UNNECESSARY DELAY AT THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL AS WELL AS THE HYF VEHICULAR FERRY TOLL BOOTHS WHERE CHARGES WILL BE DETERMINED BY GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
--------o----------
WATER SUPPLY FOR SOUTH LANTAU
* * *
RESIDENTS OF SOUTH LANTAU WILL BE PROVIDED WITH TREATED WATER WHEN AN OVERALL WATER SUPPLY SCHEME FOR THE AREA IS COMPLETED BY EARLY 1986.
AS PART OF THE SCHEME, A $4.9 MILLION CONTRACT FOR LAYING 7 200 METRES OF WATER MAINS HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO HOI SING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED.
THE MAINS, RANGING FROM 200 TO 400 MILLIMETRES IN DIAMETER, WILL BE LAID ALONG SOUTH LANTAU ROAD BETWEEN PUI 0 AND SHU I HAU.
WORK WILL START NEXT WEEK AND BE COMPLETED IN 15 MONTHS.
THE SCHEME WILL ALSO INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF A SERVICE-RESERVOIR AND A TREATMENT PLANT NEAR CHEUNG SHA VILLAGE.
TENDERS FOR PILING AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUPERSTRUCTURE FOR THE RESERVOIR AND PLANT WILL BE INVITED LATER THIS YEAR.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1934
- 13 -
WATER SPORTS GETTING POPULAR * * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR CLIVE OXLEY, THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING VISITED THE TAI MEI TUK WATER SPORTS CENTRc LOCATED ON THE HEADLAND BESIDE THE MAIN DAM OF THE PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR IN TAI PO.
THE CENTRE, MANAGED BY THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, LAST MONTH (JULY) SAW ONE OF ITS BUSIEST PERIODS OF THE YEAR, WITH ABOUT 4 5OO VISITORS MAKING USE OF THE FACILITIES THERE, MR OXLEY WAS TOLD BY THE CENTRE MANAGER, MR THOMSON CHAN.
♦ THE BOOKS ARE PRETTY FULL FOR THE COMING FEW MONTHS. IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THE GROWING POPULARITY OF WATER SPORTS IN HONu KONG,+ MR CHAN SAID.
MR OXLEY WAS SHOWN VARIOUS FACILITIES THERE, INCLUDING A DORMITORY FOR MORE THAN 100 CAMPERS, A BOAT-SHED FOR CANOES, DINGHIES AND WINDSURFING BOARDS, A SLIPwAY AND A RECENTLY BUILT LADDER FOR TRANSPORTING BOATS INTO AND OUT OF THE SEA.
THE CENTRE IS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE PAT SIN RANGE TRAILS, AND HAS A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE TOLO HARBOUR AND A VAST
PICNICKING AREA.
- - 0 ----------
PARKING METERS FOR CHAI WAN * * *
THIRTY-TWO PARKING METERS WILL BE INSTALLED ALONG CHAI WAN ROAD TOMORROW (AUGUST 16) AND PARKING FEES WILL BE CHARGED FROM 8 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE NEW METERS ARE OF THE TWO-HOUR TYPE, AND THE CHARGE IS $1 FOR HALF AN HOUR.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1b, 1984
CONTESTS PAGE NO.
NSV TRAFFIC LAWS TO BE IN FORCE SOON ......................... 1
AG GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE..................................... 3
TCTTAB REVIEWS DEVELOPMENTS ON U.S. TEXTILES RULES............ 5
BUS AND TRAM PARADES TO PROMOTE VOTER REGISTRATION ........... 6
MARITIME REGULATIONS VIGOROUSLY ENFORCED ..................... 7
HONG KONG'S POSTAL SERVICE KEEPS EXPANDING.................... 8
FISHERMEN BROADEN KNOWLEDGE THROUGH TOURS .................... 9
TENDERS FOR HOUSING PROJECTS APPROVED ........................ 10
REMINDER ON PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT ............................. 10
ANOTHER INLAND REVENUE SUB-OFFICE OPENED ..................... 11
SAI YING PUN CLINIC TO BECOME COOLER.......................... 11
PLAY AREAS FOR QUARTERS
12
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 1934
1
NEW TRAFFIC LAWS TO BE IN FORCE SOON
* * * * *
A NEW ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE WITH SEVEN SETS OF REGULATIONS WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 25 THIS YEAR.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (AUGUST 16), THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR PETER LEEDS, SAID THE NEW LAWS WERE THE RESULT OF THE FIRST COMPLETE REVISION OF ROAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION SINCE 1959.
+ THE REVISION WAS NOT ONLY TO BRING THE LEGISLATION UP-TO-DATE, BUT ALSO TO HAVE IT RESTRUCTURED IN A WAY THAT MAKES IT EASIER TO UNDERSTAND BOTH TO THOSE WHO HAVE TO APPLY IT AND TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC,* MR LEEDS SAID.
♦THIS IS NOT AN EXERCISE TO INTRODUCE NEW PENALTIES AGAINST DRIVERS, BUT ONE TO CREATE A SAFER ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL ROAD USERS,* HE STRESSED.
+NO CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE JUST FOR THE SAKE OF CHANGE; AND AS FAR AS THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS CONCERNED, MANY OF THE FAMILIAR RULES WILL CONTINUE AS BEFORE.*
THE PREVIOUS 13 SETS OF REGULATIONS HAVE NOW BEEN COMBINED INTO SEVEN SETS, DEALING WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES, REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES, DRIVING LICENCES, TRAFFIC CONTROL, PARKING, PUBLIC SERVICES VEHICLES AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
ONE OF THE MOST NOTICEABLE EFFECTS OF THE NEW REGULATIONS WOULD BE THE REPLACEMENT OF A NUMBER OF EXISTING SIGNS BY NEW SIGNS BASED ON INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED SYMBOLS RATHER THAN WORDS. THE NEW SIGNS WILL BE METRIC.
IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF EXISTING SIGNS, THE REPLACEMENT HAS TO BE CARRIED OUT OVER SEVERAL YEARS, BUT THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL 30 MPH SPEED LIMIT SIGNS BY 50 KM/H SIGNS AND 40 MPH SIGNS BY 70 KM/H SIGNS WILL BE THE FIRST TO TAKE PLACE, FROM AUGUST 25 TO AUGUST 27.
IT WAS ANNOUNCED AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE THAT, TO AVOID CONFUSION DURING THE CHANGEOVER OF SPEED LIMIT SIGNS, THE SPEED LIMIT FOR ALL ROADS IN THE TERRITORY WILL BE FIXED AT 50 KM/H FROM MIDNIGHT ON AUGUST 24 TO MIDNIGHT ON AUGUST 27, REGARDLESS OF WHAT SIGNS ARE DISPLAYED.
AS FROM AUGUST 28, MOTORISTS SHOULD CONTINUE TO OBSERVE A GENERAL SPEED LIMIT OF 50 KM/H, UNLESS SIGNS ARE ERECTED SHOWING A DIFFERENT SPEED LIM IT.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF ISSUING DRIVING LICENCES, GOODS VEHICLES WILL BE CLASSIFIED INTO:
* LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES UP TO 5.5 TONNES GROSS.
/* XSDIUL GCCLc .......
THUxtSDai , AUGUST 16, 1^6 4
2
* MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLES OVER 5.5 TONNES BUT NOT EXCEEDING 24 TONNES GROSS.
* HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES OVER 24 TONNES GROSS.
* ARTICULATED VEHICLES (E.G. CONTAINER LORRIES).
* SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES (E.G. ROAD SWEEPERS).
GOODS VEHICLE DRIVERS HOLDING FULL LICENCES MAY DRIVE ARTICULATED GOODS VEHICLES FOR THREE YEARS FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION, AFTER WHICH THESE DRIVERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE PASSED OR BEEN EXEMPTED FROM THE APPROPRIATE TEST FOR ARTICULATED VEHICLES.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NEW REGULATIONS ARE:
* PEDESTRIANS MUST NOT CLIMB THROUGH OR OVER RAILINGS AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NOR SHOULD THEY CROSS A ROAD WITHIN 15 METRES OF A CROSSING FACILITY, INCLUDING SUBWAYS AND FOOTBRIDGES, OTHER THAN AT THE CROSSING.
* +PARKING+ WILL BE REDEFINED AS THE STANDING OF A VEHICLE, WHETHER OCCUPIED OR NOT, EXCEPT WHEN STANDING TEMPORARILY FOR THE PURPOSE OF LOADING AND UNLOADING GOODS OR PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS. THE CONCEPT OF +WAITING+ WILL BE ABANDONED.
* PARKING IS GENERALLY PROHIBITED ON ANY ROAD ON WHICH THERE IS A SYSTEM OF STREET LIGHTING FURNISHED BY MEANS OF LAMPS NOT MORE THAN 200 METRES APART, OTHER THAN IN A DESIGNATED PARKING PLACE.
* THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE PARKED IN A METERED PARKING SPACE IS PRESUMED TO HAVE COMMITTED AN OFFENCE WHEN THE PARKING METER IS FOUND TO HAVE AN OBJECT OTHER THAN THE APPROPRIATE COIN UNLESS THE CONTRARY IS PROVED.
* A MINIMUM TYRE TREAD DEPTH OF 1 MM IS REQUIRED.
TYRES OF DIFFERENT STRUCTURES, FOR EXAMPLE RADIAL PLY AND CROSS PLY TYPES, MUST NOT BE USED ON THE SAME AXLE.
* ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT MOTOR CYCLES, MOTOR BICYCLES AND INVALID CARRIAGES MUST BE FITTED WITH AT LEAST TWO REAR-VIEW MIRRORS, ONE OF WHICH MUST BE ON THE RIGHT.
* THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE VEHICLE OWNER, PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT AND THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED AXLE WEIGHT MUST BE PAINTED ON SOME CONSPICUOUS PLACE ON TRAILERS AND ON BOTH SIDES OF GOODS VEHICLES.
THURSDAY, ATITUST 16, 19&4
* TRAILERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE ROISTERED AND I ICFNSED LIKE MOTOR VEHICLES. HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY REGISTRATION NUMBERj Pj-ATES AT THE FRONT OR HAVE SEPARATE THIRD PARTY INSURANCE.
M OPERATORS OF NON-FRANCHISED PUBLIC BUS SERVICES, PRIVATE BUS SERVICES AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUS SERVICES, AND LICENCEES OF MAXICAB SERVICES, MUST APPLY FOR A PASSENGER SERVICE LICENCE. ALL V^ICLES OPERATED UNDER THE LICENCE SHOULD DISPLAY A PASSENGER SERVICE LICENCE CERTIFICATE AT THE FRONT AND PASSENGER SERVICE LICENCE PLATE AT THE REAR.
EFFORTS TO PUBLICISE THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS WILL BE STEPPED UP OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. TELEVISION API S (ANNOUNCEMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST) WILL BE SCREENED ON TV CHANNELS, RADIO MESSAGES WILL BE BROADCAST AND POSTERS WILL BE DISPLAYED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
ASPECTS OF THE NEW LEGISLATION THAT REQUIRE DETAILED EXPLANATION ARE BEING PUBLICISED THROUGH PRESS RELEASES AND ON RADIO AND TV PROGRAMMES.
A SET OF SUMMARIES OF THE NEW LEGISLATION HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND COP IES WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM DISTRICT OFFICES, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE FROM TOMORROW.
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AG GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE * * *
FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT THOMAS, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE
BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, TODAY (THURSDAY)t
MR MICHAEL
+TODAY I AM RELEASING A CONSULTATIVE PAPER ENTITLED ’THE PROBLEM OF THE TRIAL OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES’ WHICH ADDRESSES A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN HONG KONG, WHICH IS ALSO CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
+THE TRIAL BY JURY HAS A LONG TRADITION IN ENGLISH LAW AND IN THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG IT HAS BEEN WITH US SINCE 1841. IT IS GENERALLY REGARDED AS A BULWARK OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM ESTABLISHED TO ENSURE FAIRNESS IN THE TRIAL OF PERSONS ACCUSED OF SERIOUS CRIMINAL OFFENCES.
+THE JURY SERVES THE LEGAL SYSTEM WELL IN ORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES. WHEN THE FINDING TO BE MADE BY THE JURY REQUIRES THE STRAIGHTFORWARD COMMON SENSE APPROACH THAT THE MAN IN THE STREET CAN READILY APPLY TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING A CASE, THE JURY IS A WELL REGARDED SERVANT OF JUSTICE. IT CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT BE REPLACED FOR THOSE MATTERS WHERE IT SERVES US WELL.
THCTSDAY, ACCUST 16, 1°84
+HOWEVER IN RECENT TIMES THERE HAVE BEEN A SPATE OF UNFORTUNATE COLLAPSES OF DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANIES AND OTHER CORPORATE FAILURES, SOME OF WHICH HAVE INVOLVED COMPLICATED COMMERCIAL CRIMES.
-PROSECUTIONS OF THESE CRIMES MAY REQUIRE INTRICATE UNDERSTANDING OF PARTICULAR COMMODITY MARKETS, BANKING, INSURANCE AND IN NEARLY ALL CASES DEALINGS BETWEEN MANY COMPANIES INVOLVING SHARES AND OTHER ASSETS. THESE ASSETS WILL OFTEN BE HIDDEN, OVER-VALUED OR UNDER-VALUED AND PRESENT A RIDDLE EVEN TO SKILLED ACCOUNTANTS. ON TOP OF ALL THIS, THERE MAY BE ADDED ELEMENTS OF INTERNATIONAL DEALINGS WHICH COMPLICATE AN ALREADY COMPLEX -STATE CF AFFAIRS.
+ORDINARY BUSINESS PRACTICES MAY PRESENT THE MAN IN THE STREET WITH TRANSACTIONS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW AND TO UNDERSTAND. WHEN THESE PRACTICES HAVE BEEN EXPLOITED BY A DISHONEST BUSINESSMAN, HE WILL HIDE THEM BEHIND A SEEMINGLY RESPECTABLE FRONT IN ORDER TO DEFRAUD OTHER BUSINESSMEN AND THEIR ADVISERS. IN SUCH A CASE, THE ISSUES INVOLVED IN THE PROSECUTION OF THAT PERSON BECOME SO MUCH MORE HARD TO UNRAVEL AND SO MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE ORDINARY MAN IN THE STREET TO UNDERSTAND. IT WILL ALSO TAKE UP A LOT OF HIS TIME IF HE FINDS HIMSELF A MEMBER OF A JURY AT THE TRIAL OF A COMPLICATED FRAUD.
+THOSE WHO ADVOCATE THE USE OF JURIES IN SUCH CASES SAY THAT WITH CAREFUL HANDLING, THROUGH THE EXERCISE OF PROPER SKILL AND CARE BY COUNSEL AND THE JUDGE AND THE EXPLANATION BY EXPERT WITNESSES, THE MAN IN THE STREET WILL BE ABLE TO GRASP THE COMPLEXITIES AND FIND HIS WAY THROUGH A MAZE OF TRANSACTIONS. EVERYDAY EXPERIENCE CALLS THIS INTO QUESTION. APART FROM THE INHERENT DIFFICULTIES OF THE TASK OF JURIES, THERE IS SOME EVIDENCE THAT WHEN A PERSON DISCUSSES AN UNFAMILIAR TOPIC HIS CONCENTRATION SPAN IS LESS THAN AN HOUR. THE TRIALS I AM DESCRIBING WILL GO ON DAY AFTER DAY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER WHICH A JUROR IS EXPECTED TO REACH A REASONABLE VERDICT. MANY OF US THINK THAT IT IS TOO HEAVY A BURDEN TO PLACE UPON THE ORDINARY JUROR.
+FOR THESE REASONS, WHICH ARE ARGUED IN GREATER DETAIL IN THE PAPER, I HAVE DECIDED TO RELEASE A DISCUSSION DOCUMENT WHICH OUTLINES THE OPTIONS AS I SEE THEM. THE OPTIONS CONSIDERED IN THE PAPER ARE TO REPLACE THE JUDGE AND JURY TRIAL IN THIS SPECIAL LIMITED CATEGORY OF TRIALS WITH -
A) TRIAL BY A JUDGE SITTING ALONE; OR
B) TRIAL BY A JUDGE AND A JURY COMPOSED OF BUSINESSMEN (A SPECIAL JURY); OR
C) TRIAL BY A JUDGE AND ADVISORY ASSESSORS; OR
D) TRIAL BY A JUDGE AND COMMERCIAL ADJUD ICATORS.
/+THE PAPER.......
THQHSDAY, AUGUST 16, 19Ba
5
♦THE PAPER REACHES A CONCLUSION IN FAVOUR OF THE LAST OPTION, THAT IS, TRIAL BY JUDGE AND COMMERCIAL ADJUDICATORS. THE PROPOSAL IS THAT wVHEN THE CHIEF JUSTICE RULES THAT IT IS AN APPROPRIATE CASE, BOTH IN THE HIGH COURT AND IN THE DISTRICT COURT, THE JUDGE WHO TRIES THE CASE SHOULD SIT WITH TWO COMMERCIAL ADJUDICATORS. THEY WILL TOGETHER FORM A THREE-MAN TRIBUNAL TO DECIDE QUESTIONS OF FACT AND REACH THE VERDICT OF GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY. QUESTIONS OF LAW WILL BE FOR THE JUDGE ALONE TO DECIDE AND, LIKE THE JURY, THE ADJUDICATORS WILL BE BOUND TO ACCEPT HIS DIRECTION.
+PREL IM INARY DISCUSSIONS WITHIN THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR SHOW THAT BUSINESS LEADERS ARE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE CONCEPT. NO DIFFICULTY IS ENVISAGED IN FINDING EXPERIENCED MEN AND WOMEN OF COMMERCE AND BUSINESS TO SERVE AS COMMERCIAL ADJUDICATORS.
+l MUST EMPHASISE THAT THIS WILL NOT MEAN, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT BANKERS WILL BE TRIED BY BANKERS, ACCOUNTANTS BY ACCOUNTANTS AND SC ON. THE TYPE OF ADJUDICATOR WOULD BE SELECTED BY THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CHIEF JUSTICE FROM A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS WHOSE BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE WOULD ENABLl HIM TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE INTRICACIES OF THE EVIDENCE. THEY WOULD BE BUSINESSMEN ACCUSTOMED TO DEALING WITH THE TYPE OF MATTERS LIKELY TO BE BROUGHT IN EVIDENCE RATHER THAN EXPERTS FROM A PARTICULAR PROFESSION.
+WHICHEVER SYSTEM IS FINALLY DECIDED UPON, IT WOULD BE CLOSELY MONITORED AND REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE.
♦THE PAPER HAS ANNEXED TO IT A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE WHICH WOULD SEEM SUITABLE IF THE OPTION I SUPPORT IS PROCEEDED WITH, AS WELL AS EXTRACTS FROM COMMENTS BY JUDGES AND ACADEMICS, WHICH . ILLUSTRATE SOME OF THE POINTS MADE IN THE PAPER.
+l HOPE THAT THE PERSONS CONSULTED AND ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WITH VIEWS UPON THE MATTERS DISCUSSED WILL COMMENT PREFERABLY IN WRITING TO ME THROUGH MR J.K. FINDLAY, A SENIOR OFFICER IN MY CHAMBERS.+
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TEXTAB REVIEWS DEVELOPMENTS ON U.S. TEXTILES RULES * * * *
THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD (TEXTAB) HELD A MEETING THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON TO DISCUSS AND REVIEW, AMONG OTHER THINGS, LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON THE PROPOSED U.S. RULES ON TEXTILE IMPORTS.
THE MEETING, CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, E.P. HO, AGREED ON THE APPROACH WHICH THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WOULD TAKE AT THE CONSULTATIONS IN WASHINGTON WITH UNITED STATES AUTHORITIES ON AUGUST 20 AND 21. ...
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AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED, THE DELEGATION WILL BE LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD. HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY TWO OTHER OFFICIALS - DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR ROBERT FOOTMAN, AND PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN - AND TWO INDUSTRIAL ADVISERS, MR STEPHEN CHEONG AND MR KENNETH FANG, BOTH OF WHOM ARE MEMBERS OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD.
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID, +THE PRESENCE OF THE TWO INDUSTRIAL ADVISERS UNDERLINES THE DEEP CONCERN WHICH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE TRADE ATTACH TO THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.
♦THE OFFICIAL NEGOTIATORS CAN SEEK IMMEDIATE TRADE ADVICE FROM MR CHEONG AND MR FANG ON ANY MATTERS OF SUBSTANCE RAISED BY THE UNITED STATES DURING THE CONSULTATIONS.+
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED HONG KONG’S WELL KNOWN POSITION THAT THE NEW U.S. RULES ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT AND ARE THEREFORE UNACCEPTABLE.
BEFORE LEAVING FOR WASHINGTON ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 18), THE DELEGATION WILL MEET THE MgDlA IN THE VIP PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
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BUS AND TRAM PARADES TO PROMOTE VOTER REGISTRATION * * * * *
FOUR DOUBLE-DECK BUSES AND A TRAM WILL HELP PROMOTE THE CURRENT DISTRICT BOARD VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE IN KWAI CHUNG ANL WAN CHAI.
FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), THE FOUR DOUBLE-DECKERS ON ROUTES BETWEEN KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl WILL CARRY REGISTRATION AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION MESSAGES TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS FOR NEXT YEAR’S DB ELECTIONS.
SEVERAL ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GENERAL MANAGER OF KMB, MR LAWRENCE E. LOUEY, AND THE ACTING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GREGORY LEUNG, WJLL JOINTLY OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE JOURNEY TOMORROW MORNING AT KMB’S KWAI CHUNG DEPOT.
IN WAN CHAI, A SPECIALLY DECORATED TRAM WILL TRAVEL BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY, HAPPY VALLEY AND WAN CHAI FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 18), BROADCASTING SIMILAR MESSAGES.
TO MARK THE OCCASION, A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE SHARP STREET EAST TRAM DEPOT SHORTLY BEFORE THE PARADE.
AMONG THE OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL BE THE MANAGER OF HONG KC'.S TRAMWAYS LTD, MR JOHN CAREY? THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWO^G THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RAYMOND YOUNG; AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 1984
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MARITIME REGULATIONS VIGOROUSLY ENFORCED * * * *
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS VIGOROUSLY ENFORCING REGULATIONS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF SHIPPING, PORT FACILITIES, THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND COASTAL ZONES WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS.
THE RECENTLY PASSED REGULATIONS GIVE EFFECT TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO BE EXTENDED TO HONG KONG IN OCTOBER.
UNDER THE CONVENTION, MEMBER COUNTRIES MUST MEET MINIMUM PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS PRESCRIBED FOR SEAFARERS.
THE CONVENTION HAS COME INTO FORCE AFTER ITS ACCEPTANCE BY 25 COUNTRIES WHOSE MERCHANT FLEETS REPRESENT HALF OF THE WORLD’S GROSS TONNAGE.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ISSUES WATCH RATINGS CERTIFICATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONVENTION TO QUALIFIED SEAMEN TO ENHANCE THEIR EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS IN THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING COMMUNITY.
THIS ALSO ENSURES THAT HONG KONG SEAMEN MEET INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE STANDARD OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION, WATCHKEEPING AND SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS.
♦STANDARDS OF COMPETENCY AND CERTIFICATION OF MASTERS AND OFFICERS FOR HONG KONG-REGISTERED SHIPS HAVE FOR MANY YEARS BEEN HIGHER THAN THOSE STIPULATED IN THE CONVENTION,* A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
AND A LARGE NUMBER OF LOCALLY REGISTERED SEAMEN ALREADY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONVENTION, HE ADDED.
AS FOR UNQUALIFIED SEAMEN, A SIX-WEEK RESIDENTIAL COURSE IS PROVIDED AT A TRAINING CENTRE TO GIVE THEM PRACTICAL AND THEORETICAL TRAINING.
THE CENTRE WAS SET UP IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR AT LITTLE SAI WAN UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
♦THE COURSE, WHOSE STANDARDS EXCEED THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONVENTION, CONSISTS OF TRAINING IN PERSONAL SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES, PERSONAL SAFETY, PROFICIENCY IN HANDLING SURVIVAL CRAFT, FIRST AID AT SEA, FIRE FIGHTING, BASIC TANKER SAFETY, NAVIGATIONAL WATCHKEEPING KNOWLEDGE AND ENGINE ROOM WATCHKEEPING KNOWLEDGE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SPECIAL LEGISLATION WAS ENACTED RECENTLY, IN PREPARATION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION.
REGULATIONS UNDER THIS LEGISLATION INCLUDE:
/♦ MERCHANT SHIPPING........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 19&4
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* MERCHANT SHIPPING (CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING) REGULATIONS, REQUIRING ADEQUATE WATCHKEEPING ARRANGEMENT FOR NAVIGATIONAL AND ENGINE ROOM WATCHES.
* MERCHANT SHIPPING (NAVIGATIONAL WATCH RATINGS) REGULATIONS, PROVIDING THAT ONLY QUALIFIED RATINGS OR RATINGS TRAINING UNDER QUALIFIED SUPERVISION MAY FORM PART OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH.
* MERCHANT SHIPPING (ENGINE ROOM WATCH RATINGS) REGULATIONS, PROVIDING THAT ONLY QUALIFIED RATINGS OR RATINGS TRAINING UNDER QUALIFIED SUPERVISION MAY FORM PART OF AN ENGINE-ROOM WATCH.
* MERCHANT SHIPPING (TANKERS-OFFICERS AND RATINGS) REGULATIONS, PROVIDING THAT ONLY OFFICERS AND QUALIFIED RATINGS OR RATINGS TRAINING UNDER QUALIFIED SUPERVISION MAY PERFORM DUTIES IN CONNECTION WITH CARGO AND CARGO EQUIPMENT OF ANY TANKER.
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HONG KONG’S POSTAL SERVICE KEEPS EXPANDING * M *
THE NEED OF EFFICIENT POSTAL SERVICE IN HONG KONG’S LESS URBANISED COMMUNITIES HAD NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN, SAID THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DAVID H.T. LAN, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A POST OFFICE ON LAMMA ISLAND TODAY (THURSDAY).
♦AS A LEADING FINANCIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CENTRE IN THE FAR EAST, HONG KONG DEPENDS ON EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE COMMUNICATION SERVICE BOTH WITHIN THE TERRITORY AND INTERNATIONALLY,* HE SAID.
WHILE MUCH EFFORT HAD BEEN PUT INTO PROVIDING A FIRST CLASS POSTAL SERVICE TO MEET DEMANDS IN THE MORE BUILT UP URBAN AREAS, EFFORT WAS ALSO BEING MADE TO ACHIEVE A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT IN THE SETTING UP OF POST OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ON OUTLYING ISLANDS, HE SAID.
♦HONG KONG HAS EARNED A GOOD REPUTATION BOTH LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY FOR ITS EFFICIENT POSTAL SERVICE AND IT IS OUR FIRM DETERMINATION THAT THIS GOOD NAME SHOULD REMAIN,* HE SAID.
THE POST OFFICE HANDLES ALMOST 1-1/2 MILLION ITEMS DAILY, INCLUDING LOCAL LETTERS AND PARCELS, AIR MAIL ITEMS AND INCOMING MAIL. OVER 98 PER CENT OF LOCALLY POSTED LETTERS CAN BE DELIVERED WITHIN 24 HOURS.
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A FIRST-CLASS AIR MAIL LETTER POSTED TO THE U.K., THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD FOR $1.30 COULD REACH ITS HSTINATION WITHIN THREE TO FIVE WORKING DAYS, MR LAN SAID.
TO CATER TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY THE BUSINESS SECTOR, THE POST OFFICE PROVIDES SERVICES SUCH AS SPEEDPOST AND INTELPOST.
LETTERS AND MERCHANDISE SENT BY SPEEDPOST CAN REACH THEIR DESTINATION IN 25 OVERSEAS COUNTRIES WITHIN 24 TO 36 HOURS, WHILE iNTELPOST ITEMS CAN BE DELIVERED WITHIN A FEW HOURS.
+THE POST OFFICE IS CONSTANTLY SEEKING WAYS AND MEANS TO MAINTAIN THE FIRST CLASS POSTAL SERVICE HONG KONG NOW ENJOYS DESPITE LARGE ANNUAL INCREASES IN TRAFFIC,* HE SAID.
IT HAS JUST INTRODUCED A PHONE-IN PICK-UP SERVICE FOR SLEEDPOST ITEMS AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.
IT HAS RECENTLY ENGAGED A CONSULTANT FROM THE BRITISH POST OFFICE TO GIVE ADVICE ON THE DESIRABILITY OF USING NEW MECHANISED SORTING TECHNIQUES INVOLVING OPTICAL CHARACTER READING EQUIPMENT.
♦OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WE PL^N TO PROVIDE NO LESS THAN 17 NEW POST OFFICES IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY, IN
ADDITION TO THE REPROVISIONING OF MANY EXISTING ONES,* HE SAID.
BY THE END OF MARCH 1985, HONG KONG WILL HAVE 100 POST
OFFICES. IN ADDITION, THREE EXISTING POST OFFICES WILL BE
RE-PROVISIONED IN NEW PREMISES WITH BETTER FACILITIES AND IN MORE SUITABLE LOCATIONS.
THE NEW POST OFFICE OPENED TODAY IS THE FIRST ON LAMMA ISLAND AND THE 96TH IN HONG KONG.
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FISHERMEN BROADEN KNOWLEDGE THROUGH TOURS X * * X
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN TODAY (THURSDAY) PRESENTED A BANNER TO A DELEGATION OF FISHERMEN WHO WILL LEAVE FOR GUANGZHOU ON MONDAY ON AN EIGHT-DAY STUDY TOUR.
THE TOUR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION.
THE DELEGATION OF 12 FISHERMEN WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A FISHERIES OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT AND A MARKET MANAGER OF THE ORGANISATION.
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SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, DR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THAT SINCE 1981 THE DEPARTMENT AND THE ORGANISATION HAD BEEN
•AM SI NG STUDY TOURS FOR LOCAL FISHERMEN TO SEE ADVANCED FISHING TECHNOLOGY IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
MT IS HOPED THAT THESE VISITS BROADEN THEIR OUTLOOK ON FISHERIES AND ENABLE THEM TO EXCHANGE THEIR VIEWS AND EXPER lENCEs wITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS AS WELL AS INCREASE THEIR TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE,+ HE SAID.
WHILE IN GUANGZHOU, THE GROUP WILL VISIT VARIOUS SELECTED SHIPBUILDING YARDS AND FISH-PROCESSING PLANTS.
THE VISIT WILL ALSO COINCIDE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES AND PROCESSING EXHIBITION BEING HELD THERE.
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TENDERS FOR HOUSING PROJECTS APPROVED
* * *
TENDERS TOTALLING $275.8 MILLION WERE APPROVED TODAY AT A MEETING OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S BUILDING COMMITTEE FOR VARIOUS HOUSING PROJECTS.
THEY COVER CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOUSING BLOCKS AS WELL AS LIFT AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS.
THE MEETING WAS CHAIRED BY MR H.M.G. FORSGATE.
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REMINDER ON PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT
* * * *
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED FACTORY PROPRIETORS THAT WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 17 EMPLOYED IN INDUSTRY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WORK OUTSIDE THEIR FIXED PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT.
THE REMINDER WAS ISSUED AFTER A KWUN TONG FACTORY HAD BEEN FINED A TOTAL OF $15 000 BY THE COURT RECENTLY ON THREE COUNTS OF EMPLOYING WOMEN WORKERS BEYOND THEIR FIXED PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT, IN BREACH OF THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS.
THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR THIS OFFENCE IS $5 000.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE REGULATIONS, EMPLOYERS EMPLOYING WOMEN OR YOUNG PERSONS IN INDUSTRY SHOULD FIX THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH DAY OF THE WEEK AND INFORM THEM BY A NOTICE POSTED CONSPICUOUSLY AT THE WORK PLACE.
ANY EMPLOYER WISHING TO CHANGE A FIXED EMPLOYMENT PERIOD MUST NOTIFY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN WRITING BEFORE SUCH CHANGE TAKES PLACE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 1984
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ANOTHER INLAND REVENUE SUB-OFFICE OPENED * * * *
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT OPENED A SUB-OFFICE IN YUEN LONG TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE NEW UNIT IS LOCATED AT YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 5TH FLOOR, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
ITS OFFICE HOURS FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES ARE FROM 8.30 AM TO 12.30 PM AND FROM 1.30 PM TO 4.30 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND FROM 8.15 AM TO 12.15 PM ON SATURDAY.
COLLECTION TIMES ARE FROM 9 AM TO 12.30 PM AND FROM 1.30 PM TO 4 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND FROM 9 AM TO 11.30 PM ON SATURDAY.
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SAI YING PUN CLINIC TO BECOME COOLER * * * *
A S3.6 MILLION CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL CFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF AN AIR-CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM AT THE SAI YING PUN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC.
THE NINE-STOREY CLINIC, LOCATED AT QUEEN’S ROAD WEST, WAS OPENED IN I960 AND IS ONLY PARTIALLY AIR-CONDITIONED.
THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO GILMAN ENGINEERING LTD.
THE CONTRACTOR HAS BEEN ASKED TO ENSURE THAT MINIMUM DISTURBANCE IS CAUSED DURING INSTALLATION WHICH STARTS LATER THIS MONTH.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT NORMAL MEDICAL SERVICE AT THE CLINIC WILL NOT BE DISRUPTED.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 1984
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PLAY AREAS FOR QUARTERS * * *
-AYGROUND FACILITIES WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE COMPOUNDS OF vO GOVERNMENT QUARTERS TO ALLOW CHILDREN TO PLAY IN A SAFER ENVIRONMENT.
THESE FACILITIES INCLUDE A WHIRL, A SPIRAL SLIDE, A +SNAIL+ CLIMBING FRAME, AND SAFETY MATTING.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THESE FACILITIES AT THE KWAI CHUNG POLICE MARRIED QUARTERS AT KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND THE BORRETT ROAD NON-DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
WORK, WHICH INCLUDES PAVING OF THE TWO SITES AND PROVISION OF SEATING, FENCING, GATES AND ARBOURS, IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED IN FOUR MONTHS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, aUGUST 17, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS ............................ 1
EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION IMPORTANT FOR FUTURE...... 2
GENERAL SIPPORT FOR GRADUAL CHANGE........................... 4
NEW CHAIRMAN FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION ......................... 5
MORE SHIPS CALL AT HONG KONG ................................ 6
MINISTER LOOKS AT SPOilTS WORK FOR THE DISABLED ............. 8
STEPS TO COMBAT COMPUTER-RELATED CRIMES ..................... 9
NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS DOWN ........................ 10
HOTLINE TO HELP POTENTIAL VOTERS ........................... 11
PUBLIC SUPPORT ESSENTIAL TO DB SUCCESS ..................... 12
MANPOWER SURVEY TO HELP WITH TRAINING PROGRAMMES ........... 13
THEN MUN TO HAVE ANOTHER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE.............. 14
FIREMEN TOLD TO KEEP UP GOOD 'WORK.......................... 14
OPEN FORUM FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS .......................... 15
NEW ROAD PROPOSED FOR HUNG HOM.............................. 15
MAJOR PLAYGROUND REDEVELOPMENT FOR WONG TAI SIN ............ 16
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT BUTTERFLY BEACH ................. 17
SHEK KIP MEI OUTLINE -'ON NG PLAN AMENDED - ............... 17
BIDS INVITED FOR AIRPORT ADVERTISING COTCESSION ............ 18
TRAFFIC MEASURES IN SHAU KEI WAN ........................... 19
NEW MAXICAB SERVICES FOR TUEU MUN .......................... 19
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT AT KING'S ROAD ......................... 20
RE-ROUTING OF NORFOLK ROAD ................................. 20
LEAKAGE TEST IN NORTH POINT ..............................
FR IDAY, AUGUST 17, 1984
1
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY ANNOUNCED THREE NEW APPOINTMENTS TO THE legislative council, these will take effect from September i, FOLLOWING THE PUBLICATION IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (AUGUST 17) OF AMENDING ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS INCREASING THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO CAN BE APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL. THREE ('EMBERS, ONE UNOFFICIAL AND TWO OFFICIAL, ARE TO STEP DOWN FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ALL OTHER SERVING MEMBERS OF BOTH •HE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS WHOSE APPOINTMENTS EMPIRE THIS SUMMER HAVE BEEN RE-APPOINTED. THE APPOINTMENTS HAVE BEEN ’ADE PY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
LEAVING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AFTER SEVEN YEARS’ SERVICE IS MR CHARLES YEUNG SIU-CHO. MR YEUNG, A SOLICITOR, IS A LEADING PUBLIC FIGURE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. HE IS A COUNCILLOR OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND A MEMBER OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AMONG MANY OTHER PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS. A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN PAID TRIBUTE TO MR YEUNG’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, NOTING IN PARTICULAR HIS INTEREST IN THE WELFARE OF RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND HIS SIX YEARS’ SERVICE ON THE IMPORTANT PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE.
THE NEW MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE MR KEITH LAM HON-KEUNG, MR KIM CHAM YAU-SUM AND MR CARL TONG KA-WING. THEIR APPOINTMENT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL TO 31.
MR KEITH LAM, AGED 44, IS AN ELECTED MEMBER OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD. MR LAM WAS BORN AND EDUCATED IN HONG KONG, AND IS THE SENIOR PARTNER IN A FIRM OF STOCKBROKERS. IN HIS COMMUNITY SERVICE MR LAM HAS SHOWN A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN REHABILITATION WORK.
MR KIM CHAM, AGED 38, BORN IN HONG KONG AND EDUCATED HERE AND IN CANADA, ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA, HAS BEEN AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE URBAN COUNCIL SINCE 1976, ON WHICH HE IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE. HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF THE HONG KONG COMMODITIES EXCHANGE. AMONG HIS OTHER APPOINTMENTS MR CHAM IS A MEMBER OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
MR CARL TONG, AGED 34, IS AN ELECTED MEMBER OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. BORN AND EDUCATED IN HONG KONG, MR TONG HAS AN ACTIVE INTEREST IN THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION. HE IS A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT.
COMMENTING ON THESE APPOINTMENTS THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE NEW MEMBERS ALL HAD STRONG LINKS WITH LOCAL AND REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION, CONSIDERABLE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ARE HONG KONG CITIZENS BY BIRTH.
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THE TWO OFFICIAL MEMBERS STEPPING DOWN FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MARTIN ROWLANDS, AND THE LAW DRAFTSMAN, MR G.P. NAZARETH. THEIR DEPARTURE FROM THE COUNCIL DOES NOT AFFECT THEIR POSTS WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION. THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ■ CLUDING THE THREE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, WILL THUS BE REDUCED FROM 13 TO 16, GIVING THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS A NEARLY 2:1 MAJORITY. THE GREEN PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT ENVISAGES THAT BY 1985 THERE SHOULD BE 13 OFFICIAL MEMBERS, AND BY 1988 TEN OFFICIAL MEMBERS.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN COMMENTED THAT THE CHIEF SECRETARY, AS PERMANENT HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, COULD BE EXPECTED HENCEFORTH TO SPEAK ON CIVIL SERVICE MATTERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SIMILARLY COULD SPEAK ON ALL MATTERS RELATING TO LEGISLATION. THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP OF THE LAW DRAFTSMAN WITH THE COUNCIL HAD KEN RECOGNISED IN HIS APPOINTMENT AS COUNSEL TO THE LEGISLATURE, A ROLE INTRODUCED IN AN AMENDMENT MADE TO STANDING ORDERS AT THE END OF THE LAST SESSION.
THE RE-APPOINTMENTS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ARE MR O.V. CHEUNG AND MR LI FOOK-WO, WHO HAVE SERVED ON THE COUNCIL SINCE 1974 AND 1978 RESPECTIVELY} AND MR D.C. BRAY, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, AND MR D. AKERS-JONES, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION. MR CHEUNG AND MR AKERS-JONES ARE RE-APPOINTED FOR TWO YEARS, MR LI FOR ONE YEAR, AND MR BRAY UNTIL DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR, AFTER WHICH HE IS DUE TO RETIRE FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
THE RE-APPOINTMENTS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE MR FRANCIS TIEN YUAN-HAO, MR ALEX WU SHU-CHIH, MR PETER C. WONG, MR WONG LAM, DR HO KAM-FAI, MR ALLEN LEE PENG-FEI, MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING, NR HU FA-KUANG, MR WONG PO-YAN AND MR J.J. SWA INE. THESE RE-APPOINTMENTS ARE ALL FOR ONE YEAR, SO THAT ALL CURRENT APPOINTMENTS TO THE COUNCIL, AND THE THREE NEW APPOINTMENTS, WILL EXPIRE IN THE SUMMER OF 1985. THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER ARE THAT THE FIRST MEMBERS TO BE ELECTED BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE MADE UP OF MEMBERS OF REGIONAL COUNCILS AND DISTRICT BOARDS AND BY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD TAKE THEIR SEATS IN 1985, FOLLOWING THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN THAT YEAR.
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EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION * * * *
IMPORTANT FOR FUTURE
FEW DAY-TO-DAY ISSUES FACING THE GOVERNMENT ARE MORE IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE THAN THE CONTROLLED EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
+THE DECISION TO GO AHEAD WITH THE CITY POLYTECHNIC AT A TIME WHEN REVENUE WAS UNDER PRESSURE WAS A MAJOR INDICATION OF LONG-TERM POLICY. YOU MAY BE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT WE NOW HAVE OVER 27 300 STUDENTS IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, AT A COST TO THE TAXPAYER OF NO LESS THAN $1 570 MILLION PER YEAR,* HE SAID.
/SPBAKING a.2.......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17. 19&4
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SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF SHUE YAN COLLEGE THIS EVENING, SIR JOHN NOTED THAT THE COLLEGE WAS CONFERRING MBA DEGREES, AND EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF MANAGEMENT EDUCATION TO HONG KONG.
♦ HONG KONG CONSISTS OF A BARREN ROCK AND 5.3 MILLION PEOPLE. OUR GNP IS ENTIRELY DEPENDENT ON OUR TRADE. PER CAPITA GDP THIS YEAR SHOULD BE ABOUT US$ 5 700, WITH AN ESTIMATED GDP OF ABOUT $240 BILLION.
♦TRADE REPRESENTS NO LESS THAN 163 PER CENT OF GDP. WE. CANNOT TRADE SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT EDUCATED MANAGERS, THE SUPPLY CF WHOM IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR FUTURE,+ HE SAID.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR JOHN’S SPEECH:
+1 AM HONOURED TO BE ASKED TO SPEAK THIS EVENING. AS DR HU KNOWS, TERTIARY EDUCATION HAS LONG BEEN AN AREA OF GREAT INTEREST TO ME. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE SOME YEARS AGO, AND I BELIEVE THAT I CAN CLAIM TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AND ISSUES. NOTHING IS MORE DIFFICULT THAN AN ASSESSMENT OF PRIORITIES. THERE IS NO ABSOLUTE PRIORITY IN LIFE EXCEPT LIVELIHOOD ITSELF. BUT AMONGST THE DAY TO DAY ISSUES FACING THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG AT PRESENT FEW ARE MORE IMPORTANT FOR OUR FUTURE THAN THE CONTROLLED EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION. THE DECISION TO GO AHEAD WITH THE CITY POLYTECHNIC AT A TIME WHEN REVENUE WAS UNDER PRESSURE WAS A MAJOR INDICATION OF LONG-TERM POLICY. YOU MAY BE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT WE NOW HAVE OVER 27 300 STUDENTS IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, AT A COST TO THE TAXPAYER OF NO LESS THAN $1 570 MILLION PER YEAR. THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND THUS THE COST TO THE COMMUNITY ARE BOTH RISING. I HAVE THUS ALWAYS BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE WAY SHUE YAN COLLEGE ALMOST UNIQUELY HAS MANAGED TO GROW VIGOROUSLY WITHOUT DIRECT RECOURSE TO GOVERNMENT MONEY. LONG MAY IT CONTINUE. I KNOW THAT IT IS NOT EASY. EQUALLY I KNOW THAT IT IS THE BEST WAY IN WHICH TO REMAIN AUTONOMOUS AND INDEPENDENT.
♦TONIGHT WE WITNESS AND CELEBRATE THE CONFERRING OF MBA DEGREES. MANAGEMENT EDUCATION IS OF CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE NORTHEAST LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY. HONG KONG CONSISTS OF A BARREN ROCK AND 5.3 MILLION PEOPLE. OUR GNP IS ENTIRELY DEPENDENT ON OUR TRADE. PER CAPITA GDP THIS YEAR SHOULD BE ABOUT US$5 700, WITH AN ESTIMATED GDP OF ABOUT $240 BILLION. TRADE REPRESENTS NO LESS THAN 163% OF GDP. WE CANNOT TRADE SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT EDUCATED MANAGERS, THE SUPPLY OF WHOM IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR FUTURE. TONIGHT I SEE BEFORE ME THE MANAGERS OF TOMORROW, WHO WILL BE GRATEFUL TO THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEM THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT LIE AHEAD. SO IS HONG KONG.+
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1984
- 4 -
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR GRADUAL CHANGE
* * H *
THERE SEEMS TO BE GENERAL SUPPORT FOR GRADUAL CHANGE AND NO SUDDEN SHOCK TO HONG KONG’S ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM, THE SECRETARY r 9 DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (CR IDAY).
HE SAID THAT NEVERTHELESS, THE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT ON THE POLITICAL LIFE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE FAR-REACHING.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE TUNG WAH ASSOCIATION OF PAST AND PRESENT DIRECTORS, HE POINTED OUT THAT A NEW ELECTORAL CYCLE OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD BEGIN NEXT YEAR.
♦ IF WE ARE TO INTRODUCE A SYSTEM WHEREBY SOME (LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL) MEMBERS ARE TO BE ELECTED, WE SHOULD BEGIN THE PROCESS IN 198r RATHER THAN WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTORAL CYCLE OF 1988.
♦HENCE THE START NEXT YEAR SO AS TO ALLOW TIME FOR CHANGES TO BE GRADUAL, AND TIME ALSO TO REVIEW THE SITUATION AS IT UNFOLDS,+ HE ADDED.
HE SAID THAT IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE DISTRICT BOARDS, WITH THEIR FAR-REACHING TERMS OF REFERENCE, HAD PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE MAINTENANCE OF CONFIDENCE, AND AS AN AVENUE FOR THE EXPRESSION OF OPINION, A STABILISING FACTOR, AND A CHANNEL OF ADVICE.
♦ IN THIS PERIOD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TOO, HAS CHANGED, AND WHILE ITS SYSTEM OF APPOINTED MEMBERS CONTINUES, IT HAS GROWN IN SIZE TO A TOTAL OF 48 MEMBERS,* HE SAID.
♦ THE GREEN PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, THEN, DEALS PRINCIPALLY WITH THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS A STEP IN THE PROCESS OF EVOLVING OUR OWN STYLE OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
♦ THE GREEN PAPER TOUCHES ON THE QUESTIONS OF DIRECT ELECTIONS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MINISTERIAL SYSTEM, BUT IT IS CONCERNED WITH THE PRACTICAL AND THE POSSIBLE IN TERMS OF THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
♦ IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT IT POINTS THE THINKING OF HONG KONG PEOPLE TOWARDS A PRACTICAL WAY IN WHICH THEIR LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS COULD MOST READILY DEVELOP A MORE DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAN IN THE STREET; WITH THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SECTORS; WITH THE HOPES, ASPIRATIONS AND FEARS OF THE ORDINARY MAN; AND WITH THE SKILLS, IMAGINATION AND ACUMEN THAT HAVE ENABLED US AS A COMMUNITY TO SURVIVE AND PROSPER WITHOUT ANY NATURAL RESOURCES AT OUR DISPOSAL.+
/MR AKERS-JONES........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1984
- 5 -
MR AKERS-JONES SAID THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH REGARD TO THE REPLACING OF THE APPOINTED MEMBERS REPRESENTING VARIOUS IMPORTANT SECTORS OF SOCIETY WITH MEMBERS ELECTED BY THOSE GROUPS THEMSELVES - THE SO-CALLED FUNCTIONAL GROUPS.
♦ WE HAVE TO DECIDE WHICH GROUPS SHOULD BE REPRESENTED IN THIS WAY; HOW MANY REPRESENTATIVES THERE SHOULD BE; WE HAVE TO DEFINE THE BOUNDARIES OF EACH PARTICULAR GROUP; AND DECIDE HOW TO CONDUCT THE ELECTIONS. BUT THESE ARE PROBLEMS WHICH CAN BE RESOLVED.
♦ INDEED THE PROPOSALS HAVE ALREADY LED SOME GROUPS TO BEGIN TO THINK MORE POSITIVELY ABOUT THE ROLE THEY HAVE TO PLAY IN THE AFFAIRS OF HONG KONG IN THE YEARS AHEAD. THIS AWAKENING SENSE OF POLITICAL AWARENESS CAN ONLY BE GOOD FOR HONG KONG.
♦ AT THE END OF THE DAY HONG KONG HAS NO RESOURCES BUT ITS PEOPLE AND THE MOBILISATION OF THOSE RESOURCES, THEIR UNIFICATION, THE SEARCH FOR A COMMON GOAL AND THE COMMON GOOD, AND THE ORGANISATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS NEEDED TO DEVELOP OUR PARTICULAR AND PECULIAR GENIUS, I SUBMIT, NEED NOT BE, PROBABLY IN THE ORDEk OF THINGS SHOULD NOT BE, THE SAME AS THOSE DEVISED AND EXPERIMENTED WITH, OFTEN WITHOUT SUCCESS, IN PLACES WHERE THERE WERE RESOURCES OF GREAT NATURAL WEALTH TO BE DISPOSED AND DISTRIBUTED.
♦ WE SHOULD NOT HESITATE, THEREFORE, TO INVENT AND EVOLVE OUR OWN SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT HERE IN HONG KONG, wITH ITS OWN DISTINCTIVE FEATURES, FOR OUR SITUATION IS UNIQUE.
♦ LET US LOOK, NOT BE AFRAID OF SOLUTIONS AND NOT NECESSARILY COPY THE SYSTEMS, AND, IN SOME CASES, THE MISTAKES OF OTHERS, SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE TEXT BOOK PATTERNS.
♦ OUR OBJECTIVE IS CLEAR; TO MAINTAIN THOSE CONDITIONS OF STABILITY WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO INCREASE OUR PROSPERITY FOR THt BENEFIT OF ALL OUR PEOPLE AND TO BRING INTO BEING A RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT WHICH IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,+ SAID.
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NEW CHAIRMAN FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION X * * *
THE HON PETER C. WONG, AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HAS BEEN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR A TERM OF ONE YEAR, EFFECTIVE FROM JULY 1, 1984.
MR WONG IS A MEMBER OF A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, INCLUDING THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE, THE TEXTILE ADVISORY BOARD AND THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND OF THE COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
r'HUn., AUGUST 17, 1984
6
THREE NEW MEMBERS HAVE ALSO BEEN APPOINTED TO THE BOARD FOR
M.A. BRIMER AND MR HENRY LIM.
THESE APPOINTMENTS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
THE TERMS OF THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD HAVE ALSO BEEN EXTENDED FOR ONE YEAR.
they ARE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WHO IS ALSO THE
M? A principal assistant secretary for education and manpower.
o - -
MORE SHIPS CALL AT HONG KONG * * *
IN THE FIRST QUARTER THIS YEAR, 2 832 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 16.8 MILLION NRT (NET REGISTERED TONS) ARRIVED IN HONG KONG, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 194 SHIPS AND FOUR PER CENT IN CAPACITY OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM THE INCOMING OCEAN-GOING SHIPS INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD, AND THE NUMBER OF CONTAINERS (MEASURED IN TEU’S) DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT.
WHEN ANALYSED BY SHIP TYPE, NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONTAINER VESSELS (+73) AND SEMI-CONTAINER VESSELS (+59), WHILE THE NUMBER OF CONVENTIONAL VESSELS DROPPED (-44).
CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN NUMBER WERE ALSO NOTED FOR SHIPS REGISTERED IN CHINA (+95) AND IN PANAMA (+66), BUT A DECLINE WAS REGISTERED IN LIBERIAN SHIPS (-32).
THE NUMBER OF SHIPS OF CAPACITY UNDER 10 000 DWT (DEADWEIGHT TONS) INCREASED CONSIDERABLY (+162).
IN THE SAME QUARTER, THERE WERE 2 871 DEPARTING SHIPS, WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 16.95 MILLION NRT REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 221 IN NUMBER AND FIVE PER CENT IN CAPACITY OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983.
/ON ffiE............
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1984
- 7 -
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS ROSE BY 19 PER CENT AND THE NUMBER OF CONTAINERS (MEASURED IN TEU’S) LOADED IN HONG KONG ALSO ROSE, BY IQ PER CENT. ABOUT 54 PER CENT OF THE DEPARTING VESSELS HAD STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR LESS THAN 1-1/2 DAYS.
BASED ON INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE OCEAN CARGO MANIFESTS, 39 PER CENT OF THE INWARD SEABORNE CARGO IN TERMS OF GROSS WEIGHT WAS IMPORTS AND 11 PER CENT WAS FOR TRANSHIPMENT? WHILE 62 PER CENT OF THE OUTWARD SEABORNE CARGO WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING RE-EXPORTS} AND 38 PER CENT WAS FOR TRANSHIPMENT.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS WERE JAPAN (23 PER CENT IN TERMS OF GROSS WEIGHT), SINGAPORE (16 PER CENT) AND CHINA (14 PER CENT), AND THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE THE U.S.A. (19 PER CENT), TAIWAN (15 PER CENT) AND CHINA (11 PER CENT).
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED FROM CHINA (33 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (29 PER CENT). AND TRANSHIPPED TO THE U.S.A. (17 PER CENT), TAIWAN (10 PER CENT) AND CHINA (SEVEN PER CENT).
COMPARISON OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984 WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983 SHOWS SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM AUSTRALIA (+139 PER CENT IN TERMS OF GROSS WEIGHT), JAPAN (+80 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (+43 PER CENT).
THE TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA DECLINED BY 62 PER CENT AND FROM THE U.S.A. BY 32 PER CENT.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORTS OF CHEMICAL MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS (+262 PER CENT); PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD (+53 PER CENT)? AND COAL, COKE AND BRIQUETTES (+47 PER CENT).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CHINA ROSE RAPIDLY, BY 15 TIMES IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, WHILE SEABORNE EXPORTS TO JAPAN AND TAIWAN ROSE BY 43 PER CENT AND 32 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, SEABORNE EXPORTS OF PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS (ALL BEING RE-EXPORTS) ROSE BY 230 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, WHILE THOSE OF METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP ROSE BY 104 PER CENT, AND THOSE OF TOYS BY 47 PER CENT.
SHIPPING STATISTICS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIP MASTERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS, AND COVER ALL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS ARE COMPILED FROM OCEAN CARGO MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
/LJJAUSi. OF.........
FHIDAY, AUGUST 17, 19«4
- 8
BECAUSE OF RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, A SAMPLE OF ALL CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE MANIFEST IS USED FOR COMPILING THE STATISTICS. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES OF THE LATEST QUARTERLY REPORT ON + HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS*.
MORE DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT, WHICH IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $12 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, AT TELEPHONE 5-452701 OR 5-455422.
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MINISTER LOOKS AT SPORTS WORK FOR THE DISABLED
* * * K
THE UK MINISTER FOR THE DISABLED, MR ANTONY NEWTON, HAD A BUSY AFTERNOON TODAY (FRIDAY) LOOKING AT PROMOTION WORK ON RECREATION AND SPORTS FOR THE DISABLED.
MR NEWTON, WHO IS ON A 15-DAY VISIT HERE, WENT TO THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE HEADQUARTERS WHERE HE WAS MET BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR CLIVE OXLEY,AND THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER,MR DICKEN YUNG.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE PROVIDED FOR THE DISABLED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK DONE IN THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED IN HONG KONG.
THE MINISTER LATER PROCEEDED TO THE LADY MACLEHOSE POKFULAM PHAB CENTRE WHERE HE SAW A VARIETY OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES PROVIDED FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, THE MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIED.
AFTER STAYING AT THE CENTRE FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES, MR NEWTON WENT TO THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE IN SHAT IN WHERE HE MET THE PARTICIPANTS OF A CONFERENCE ON SPORTS AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES FOR THE MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED. THE MINISTER ALSO CHATTED WITH SOME htMBERS OF THE HONG KONG TEAMS TO THE 1984 INTERNATIONAL GAMES FOR THE DISABLED IN NEW YORK, THE SEVENTH WORLD WHEELCHAIR GAMES AT STOKE MANDEVILLE IN ENGLAND AND THE 1983 SPECIAL OLYMPIC FOR THE DISABLED.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1994
9
STEPS TO COMBAT COMPUTER-RELATED CRIMES
X X X X *
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING STEPS TO COMBAT COMPUTER-RELATED CRIMES.
+OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE RELIANCE ON COMPUTERS OR COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN BANKING, INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND A WIDE-RANGING VARIETY OF OTHER BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ALSO NOW MAKE EXTENSIVE USE OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS OR NETWORKS,+ THE ACTING CHIEF STAFF OFFICER OF THE POLICE COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU (CCB), MR RUSSELL MASON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
+DUE TO HONG KONG’S POSITION AS THE WORLD’S THIRD LARGEST FINANCIAL CENTRE, THIS TREND WILL UNDOUBTEDLY CONTINUE.
♦ THUS THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPUTER-RELATED CRIMES INVOLVING SUBSTANTIAL LOSSES OF CASH, PROPERTY, OR VALUABLE AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION MAY BE CONSIDERED AS VERY REAL,* HE SAID.
MR MASON’S COMMENTS FOLLOWED ONE OF THE FIRST COMPUTER CRIME CASES INVESTIGATED BY THE CCB, IN WHICH A 29-YEAR-OLD MAN GAINED UNAUTHORISED ACCESS TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS OF A PUBLIC COMPANY AND OBTAINED RESTRICTED INFORMATION.
IN THE ABSENCE OF COMPUTER CRIME-RELATED LEGISLATION, THE MAN WAS CHARGED WITH ABSTRACTING ELECTRICITY BELONGING TO THE COMPANY.
THE MAN WHO PLEADED NOT GUILTY, WAS CONVICTED BUT GIVEN AN ABSOLUTE DISCHARGE WITH NO CONVICTION RECORDED IN CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY RECENTLY.
MR MASON EXPLAINED THAT POSSIBLY ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS BEHIND THE APPARENT SLOW PROCESS IN THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION IN RESPECT OF ILLEGAL AND SPECIFIED UNAUTHORISED ACTS COMMITTED AGAINST COMPUTERS OR COMPUTER SYSTEMS, WAS THAT REPORTS TO POLICE OF COMPUTER-RELATED CRIMES IN HONG KONG HAD SO FAR BEEN NEGLIGlBLE.
♦ BUT THIS DOES NOT REFLECT THE TRUE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM AS A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS ARE NOT REPORTED BY VICTIMS FOR REASONS OF EMBARRASSMENT OR SECURITY,* HE SAID.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF SOMEONE GAINS ACCESS OR MISUSES THE COMPUTER OF A LARGE CORPORATION, THE MANAGEMENT WOULD WANT TO SORT THIS OUT ITSELF RATHER THAN REPORT IT TO POLICE. FOR IN THt PROCESS OF INVESTIGATIONS AND THE CHARGING OF THE OFFENDER IN THE COURT, THIS COULD LEAD TO ADVERSE PUBLICITY RESULTING IN LOSS OF STOCKHOLDER CONFI DENCE.
+THIS ASSESSMENT IS SUPPORTED BY STATISTICS AND REPORTS FROM OOMPUTER-ORIENTED COUNTRIES LIKE THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA,* HE SAID.
/MR MASON .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1SM
10
MR MASON SAID THE COMMERCIAL CRIME UNIT OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND CCB WERE ACTIVELY STUDYING LEGISLATION IN RESPECT OF COMPUTER-RELATED CRIMES WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN ENACTED IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE CCB IS IN THE PROCESS OF SEEKING INFORMATION ON PROBLEMS WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF THESE OFFENCES AS GUIDELINES IN SUBMITTING PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG.
AS EARLY AS IN 1976, SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS FROM THE CCB ATTENDED THE MUCH SOUGHT-AFTER FIVE-WEEK COMPUTER CRIME COURSE RUN BY THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI) IN WASHINGTON DC. THREE POLICE SUPERINTENDENTS FROM HONG KONG, ONE OF WHOM IS NOW A SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT, HAVE SO FAR ATTENDED THE COURSE.
MOREOVER, A SENIOR INSPECTOR OF THE CCB WILL BE THE FIRST POLICE OFFICE/? FROM HONG KONG TO ATTEND A COMPREHENSIVE MONTH-LONG COMPUTER CRIME COURSE ORGANISED BY THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE (RCMP) IN OTTAWA SHORTLY.
MR MASON ALSO POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE EVIDENCE (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1934 ENACTED IN JUNE THIS YEAR, AUTHENTICATED COMPUTER RECORDS AND PRINT-OUTS CAN NOW BE ACCEPTED AS DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.
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NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS DOWN * * * *
THERE HAS BEEN AN ENCOURAGING DOWNWARD TREND IN THE NUMBER OF SERIOUS INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN RECENT YEARS AS A RESULT OF EFFORTS TO PROMOTE WORK SAFETY BY BOTH THE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AND THE GOVERNMENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING GENERAL MANAGER OF A-FAI ENGINEERS AND SHIPREPAIRERS LTD., MR CHAN TAK-CHUNG, AT THE OPENING OF THE +SH IPBUILDI NG AND SHIPREPAIRING INDUSTRY SAFETY SEMINAR+ THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
THE ONE-DAY SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED BY THE SHIPBUILDING AND SHIPREPAIRING INDUSTRY SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST, THE SAFETY OF WORKERS HAD OFTEN BEEN NEGLECTED IN THE WORK PROCESS, HOWEVER, THE SITUATION HAD BEEN GREATLY IMPROVED AS A RESULT OF THE JOINT EFFORTS BY ALL PARTIES CONCERNED.
HE SAID THAT IN THE PROMOTION OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, IT WAS NECESSARY NOT ONLY TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF PRACTICAL REGULATIONS AND ITS STRICT ENFORCEMENT, BUT ALSO TO PROVIDE TRAINING, EDUCATION AND WIDE PUBLICITY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY AT WORK.
/IN THE .......
PHLDAY, AUGUST 17, 1?U
11 -
IN THE SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP-REPAIRING INDUSTRY, MR CHAN SAID THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK SAFETY WAS EVER MORE EVIDENT BECAUSE OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT AND THE COMPLEXITY OF THE WORK PROCESS.
HE SAID IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, THERE HAD BEEN 457 INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN THE INDUSTRY, COMPARED WITH 471 IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. HOWEVER, THIS FIGURE WAS ONLY SECOND TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS RECORDED.
MR CHAN CALLED ON THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE SEMINAR TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WIDELY ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SO THAT A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND OF ITS IMPORTANCE COULD BE ACHIEVED.
+1 BELIEVE THAT THE MOTTO ’SAFETY AS AN INSEPARABLE PART OF WORK’ WILL EVENTUALLY BE ACCEPTED BY EVERYBODY AND BE TAKEN AS A WAY OF LIFE.*
AFTER THE OPENING, OFFICERS FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM PRIVATE COMPANIES GAVE TALKS ON WORK SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH.
A SAFETY FILM ON +TOXIC HAZARDS IN INDUSTRY* WAS ALSO SHOWN AT THE SEMINAR.
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HOTLINE TO HELP POTENTIAL VOTERS
* * * X
A TELEPHONE HOTLINE - 3-688062 - HAS BEEN INSTALLED AT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION FOR PEOPLE WHO WISH TO REGISTlK AS VOTERS FOR NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO PICK UP REGISTRATION FORMS FROM DISTRICT OFFICES OR OTHER DISTRIBUTION POINTS CAN CALL THE NUMBEn AND ASK FOR FORMS TO BE MAILED TO THEM. ENQUIRIES CONCERNING VCi_n REGISTRATION CAN ALSO BE MADE AT THE NUMBER.
THE HOTLINE WILL BE MANNED DURING OFFICE HOURS THROUGHOUT THE SIX-WEEK VOTER REGISTRATION PERIOD WHICH ENDS ON OCTOBER 1.
+THE CALLER ONLY NEEDS TO GIVE HIS NAME AND ADDRESS,* A CNK SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES, IMMIGRATION OFFICES, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES, AND FROM SOME 400 BRANCHES OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AND THE HANG SENG BANK, INCLUDING THOSE AT MTR oTATIUJs.
REGISTRATION IS VERY SIMPLE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 19^4
12
♦ALL A PERSON HAS TO DO IS TO FILL IN HIS NAME, IDENTITY CARD NUMBER AND HOME ADDRESS AND SIMPLY DROP THE COMPLETED FORM IN A POST BOX FOR FREE DELIVERY.*
ANYONE WHO IS 21 YEARS OR OLDER AND WHO HAS LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR SEVEN YEARS OR MORE IS ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER AS AN ELECTOR.
THE ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 7 NEXT YEAR - THE FIRST TIME WHEN ELECTIONS WILL TAKE PLACE SIMULTANEOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE TERR ITORY.
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PUBLIC SUPPORT ESSENTIAL TO DB SUCCESS * * * *
PUBLIC SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDY CHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
♦THE EXPANSION OF ELECTED DISTRICT BOARD SEATS FROM NEXT YEAR AND PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT ARE TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TO HELP BUILD UP A BETTER COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.
MR CHAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A VARIETY SHOW WHICH IS PART OF THE ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT’S VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE MANY WAYS IN WHICH THE PUBLIC COULD SUPPORT THEIR DISTRICT BOARDS.
+SOME COULD STAND FOR DB ELECTIONS OR BECOME MEMBERS OF ARE* COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES OR KAIFONG ORGANISATIONS TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
+FOR THE MAJORITY WHO CANNOT AFFORD TIME TO TAKE UP THIS KIND OF RESPONSIBILITIES, THEY CAN REGISTER AS VOTERS AND VOTE FOR THOSE WHO WOULD SPEAK FOR THEM,* HE SAID.
MR CHAN REPORTED THAT ABOUT 10 000 REGISTRATION FORMS HAD BEEN RETURNED TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE DURING THE PAST THREE WEEKS OF THE CAMPAIGN.
APART FROM TONIGHT’S VARIETY SHOW, STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD BEEN VISITING HOUSING ESTATES, FACTORIES, SHOPS, SCHOOLS AND THE BOATING SQUATTERS IN ABERDEEN TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1984
- 13 -
MANPOWER SURVEY TO HELP WITH TRAINING PROGRAMMES * * * *
A SURVEY OF THE MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING INDUSTRY’S MANPOWER SITUATION WILL BE CONDUCTED FROM AUGUST 29 TO SEPTEMBER 19.
ABOUT 1 200 EMPLOYERS, SELECTED RANDOMLY FROM SOME 10 000 ESTABLISHMENTS, ARE TO BE COVERED IN THE SURVEY PLANNED BY THE MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE SURVEY WILL COVER THE BASIC METAL INDUSTRY, THE MANUFACTURE OF FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS EXCEPT MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, THE MANUFACTURE OF NON-ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, THE MANUFACTURE OF CLOCKS AND WATCHES AND THE PLANT MAINTENANCE SECTION OF FOOD PROCESSING, BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO PROCESSING INDUSTRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ■TRAINING BOARD SAID.
♦EMPLOYERS ARE REQUESTED TO SUPPLY ACCURATE INFORMATION ON THE CURRENT EMPLOYMENT, THE NUMBER OF WORKERS UNDER TRAINING, EXISTING VACANCIES AND A FORECAST OF THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦MANPOWER INFORMATION IS VITAL TO THE TRAINING BOARD FOR FORMULATING TRAINING PROGRAMMES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY,* HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE DATA COLLECTED WILL BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENT.
QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY NOTES WILL BE SENT TO THE SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
OFFICERS FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CALL AT THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO COLLECT THE QUESTIONNAIRES AND ASSIST IN COMPLETING THEM.
THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT DATA PROCESSING AGENCY ALSO WILL ASSIST IN THE SURVEY.
- 0 -
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1984
TUEN MUN TO HAVE ANOTHER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE
X 4 4
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS INVITING TENDERS TO BREAK GROUND FOR THE INITIAL PHASE OF ANOTHER PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING PROJECT IN TUEN MUN.
WORK WILL COMPRISE THE PILING TO FOUNDATIONS FOR THREE 35-STOREY TRIDENT III BLOCKS AND TWO PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO BE BUILT UNDER THE FIRST PHASE.
THE THREE MODERN BLOCKS WILL CONTAIN 2 448 FLATS TO ACCOMMODATE 11 840 PEOPLE ON COMPLETION BY 1987.
NAMED LEUNG TIN ESTATE, THE PROJECT IS THE NINTH PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE BURGEONING NEW TOWN.
WELL-EQUIPPED WITH WIDE-RANGING COMMERCIAL, COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, THE ESTATE WILL BE DEVELOPED IN FIVE PHASES TO PROVIDE MODERN HOMES FOR 54 000 PEOPLE WHEN FULLY COMPLETED BY 1989.
- - 0 - -
FIREMEN TOLD TO KEEP UP GOOD WORK * * *
CHIEF FIRE OFFICER MR LAM LOK-BUN TODAY (FRIDAY) CALLED ON FIREMEN TO KEEP UP THEIR EFFICIENT WORK IN ORDER TO REMAIN AS THE COMMUNITY’S FRIENDS IN NEED.
MR LAM, WHO IS FIRST COMMANDANT OF THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL, WAS SPEAKING AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE OF ONE SQUAD OF STATION OFFICERS AND TWO SQUADS OF FIREMEN AT THE TRAINING SCHOOL IN PAT HEUNG.
+CONTRARY TO SOME LAYMEN’S BELIEF, LIFE RESCUE AND FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS IN THIS AGE ARE NO SIMPLE MATTERS. INDEED THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN SIMPLE.
+THEY CALL FOR HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES AND DEVOTION TO DUTIES,+ HE SAID.
IN A CROWDED TERRITORY LIKE HONG KONG, WITH ITS BUSTLING TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND HIGH-RISE ENVIRONMENT, THE WORK OF A FIREMAN WAS PARTICULARLY DEMANDING, MR LAM SAID.
AFTER THE PARADE, MR LAM PRESENTED THE BEST RECRUIT AwARDS TO PROBATIONARY STATION OFFICER MR CHEUNG KAM-WAH AND RECRUIT FIREMAN PR MOK HON-WAH.
TODAY’S GRADUATES INCLUDE THREE FIRE OFFICERS FROM BRUNEI, WILL RETURN TO THEIR COUNTRY SHORTLY.
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1984
- 15 -
OPEN FORUM FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS
ASK
MONG KOK RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO AIR THEIR VIEWS AND DISCUSS PROBLEMS IN THE DISTRICT DURING AN OPEN FORUM TO BE HELD AT THE MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 19).
THE CITY FORUM IS ORGANISED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG TO PROMOTE THE CURRENT DISTRICT BOARD VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE.
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION WILL INCLUDE PROBLEMS FACING ELDERLY PEOPLE IN MONG KOK, MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT, STREET MANAGEMENT AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF YOUTH AND SOCIETY.
PANELISTS ON THE FORUM INCLUDE THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BOWEN LEUNG; TWO DB MEMBERS, MR TAO KWOK-LAU AND MR LAU TAK-KI; CHAIRMAN OF THE MONG KOK KAIFONG ASSOCIATION, MR CHO SHIU-CHUNG; A SOCIAL WORKER, MR YIM KWOK-ON; AND TWO MEMBERS OF OWNERS INCORPORATIONS, MR LAI SHIU-NIN AND MR WONG HON-KEUNG.
-----o------
NEW ROAD PROPOSED FOR HUNG HOM * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO CONSTRUCT A NEW ROAD BETWEEN PO LOI STREET AND GILLIES AVENUE ALONG THE HUNG HOM SEAFRONT.
WHEN COMPLETED IN 1986, THE ROAD IN FRONT OF HUNG HOM BAY CENTRE WILL SERVE TRAFFIC GENERATED FROM THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHAMPOA DOCKYARD AREA. THE EASTERN END OF THE ROAD WILL LATER BE EXTENDED TO LINK WITH A PROPOSED HIGHWAY LEADING TO TO KWA WAN.
A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE, WHICH WILL LINK UP WITH THE HUNG HOM FERRY PIER AND ITS TRANSPORT TERMINUS THROUGH AN EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING COVERED WALKWAY, WILL ALSO BE BUILT ACROSS THE NEW ROAD AT WHAMPOA STREET.
THE FOOTBRIDGE AND WALKWAY WILL PROVIDE A SAFE GRADE-SEPARATED CROSSING AND A CONTINUOUS ALL-WEATHER PROTECTED ROUTE FOR BUS AND FERRY USERS.
MINOR ROAD MODIFICATION AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS, AND LANDSCAPING WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSAL IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
/a related........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1?
A RELATED PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 1OTH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, 1ST FLOOR, KOWLOON.
OBJECTIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY OCTOBER 16.
- 0 - -
MAJOR PLAYGROUND REDEVELOPMENT FOR WONG TAI SIN * * * *
A FOUR-HECTARE SITE MADE UP OF THE EXISTING CHOI HUNG ROAD PLAYGROUND AND THE FORMER KAI TAI AMUSEMENT PARK WILL SHORTLY BE REDEVELOPED TO PROVIDE A MIXTURE OF ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT.
THE PROJECT, TO BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO STAGES, IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $49 MILLION.
STAGE I INVOLVES THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 1.9-HECTARE KAI TAI AMUSEMENT PARK SITE, ON WHICH SITE FORMATION WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN completed.
THE EXISTING HUGE CONICAL ROCK LYING IN THE CENTRE OF THE PARK WILL FORM A MAIN FEATURE OF THE PROJECT.
IT MEASURES ABOUT 60 METRES IN DIAMETER AND 7.5 METRES IN HEIGHT. THE HIGHER PART OF THE ROCK WILL BE DEVELOPED FOR PASSIVE RECREATIONAL USE WITH SUITABLE LANDSCAPING AND PLANTING.
OTHER FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE TWO FIVE-A-SIDE SOCCER PITCHES, A JOGGING TRACK AND SITTING-OUT AREAS.
WORK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THESE FACILITIES WILL START IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN MID-1985.
STAGE II COVERS THE 2.1-HECTARE CHOI HUNG ROAD PLAYGROUND. UNDER THIS STAGE, A COMPLEX INCORPORATING A COOKED FOOD CENTRE FOR 80 STALLS AND AN INDOOR GAMES HALL, A FITNESS STATION, SIX BADMINTON COURTS, A HANDBALL COURT, A VOLLEYBALL COURT, TWO BASKETBALL COURTS, FIVE TENNIS COURTS, TWO CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS AND A CHILDREN’S LIBRARY WILL BE CONSTRUCTED.
PILING WORK IS DUE TO START IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR WHILE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1985 AND MARCH 1987.
/17
FR IDAY, AUGUST 17, 1934
- 17 -
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT BUTTERFLY BEACH * * * *
rfORK ON DEVELOPING A 9.2-HECTARE SITE AT BUTTERFLY BEACH IN TUEN YUN INTO A MAJOR RECREATIONAL AREA WILL START IN OCTOBER.
THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR WORK ON PHASE ONE OF THE PROJECT.
IT WILL INVOLVE CONSTRUCTING THE MAIN ENTRANCE, FOOTWAYS AND THE CENTRAL PART OF AN EXTENSIVE BEACH-SIDE PROMENADE.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED WILL INCLUDE AN OPEN-AIR FOOD CENTRE, A REFRESHMENT KIOSK, A GARDEN, A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA, SITTING-OUT AREAS PLUS AN AMPHITHEATRE-TYPE VENUE FOR OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A BUS TERMINUS AND PARKING AREAS FOR CARS AND COACHES.
A SERVICE BUILDING, A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AND A TOILET BLOCK WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED.
THE FACILITIES WILL ALL BE INTERCONNECTED BY A COMPREHENSIVE FOOTWAY SYSTEM WHICH WILL BE LIGHTED AND LANDSCAPED.
PHASE ONE OF THE PROJECT WILL COVER ABOUT A THIRD OF THE PROPOSED RECREATION AREA AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY LATE 1985.
PHASE TWO WILL INCLUDE A BARBECUE AREA, A BUTTERFLY GARDEN, A PALM GARDEN, CAMP SITES AND A SOCCER PITCH.
WORK ON THE SECOND PHASE IS EXPECTED TO START IN 1986.
ON COMPLETION OF THE WHOLE PROJECT BY THE END OF 1987, THE BUTTERFLY BEACH RECREATION AREA WILL BE A MAJOR RECREATIONAL CENTRE IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN PART OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AND WILL MELODY GARDENS, SIU SHAN COURT, wU KING
SERVE MAINLY RESIDENTS OF AND BUTTERFLY ESTATES.
SHEK KIP MEI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED * * *
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT SHEK KIP MEI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT INVOLVES REZONING PART OF THE ^RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B)* SITE AND PART OF THE +GREEN BELT+ SITE TO THE EAST OF TAT CHEE AVENUE EXTENSION AS A SITE FOR +OTHER USES+.
/TxilS SIPE...........
FBIMY, AUGUST 17 > 19^4
18 -
THIS SITE IS MARKED FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL USES, INCLOSING THE PROVISION OF A PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINUS, A MULTISTOREY CARPARK AND A POST-OFFICE.
AS A RESULT, THE +GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY* SITE AND THE +OTHER USES* SITE PREVIOUSLY EARMARKED FOR THIS PROVISION HAVE BEEN REZONED AS +RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B) + .
PART OF THE +OPEN SPACE* SITE WEST OF TAI HANG TUNG RECREATION GROUND IS REZONED FOR +GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY* USE AND a ILL BE USED FOR AN ELECTRICAL SUB-STATION.
THE AMENDMENT PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD? THE DISTRICT OFFICE CENTRAL AND WESTERN) PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT CFF ICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE; AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHU I PO), 37-39 TONKIN STREET, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD BEFORE SEPTEMBER 6.
THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN IS ALSO ON SALE AT THE MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, AT $10 FOR AN UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 FOR A COLOURED ONE.
-----o------
BIDS INVITED FOR AIRPORT ADVERTISING CONCESSION * * * *
ADVERTISING AGENTS ARE BEING INVITED TO BID FOR THE OPERATION CF THE GENERAL ADVERTISING CONCESSION AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN ADVERTISING DISPLAY SYSTEMS IN ALL DISPLAY AREAS AT THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE LEVELS OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL.
THE CONCESSION WILL BE FOR THREE YEARS FROM DECEMBER 1984.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TREASURY ACCOUNTANT OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, 10TH FLOOR, UNITED CENTRE, 95 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG, OR FROM THE AIRPORT COMMERCIAL MANAGER AT HONG KONG AIRPORT.
COMPLETED FORMS WITH THE TENDER DEPOSIT RECEIPT FOR $200 000 AS A PLEDGE OF THEIR BONA FIDES MUST BE PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOON ON SEPTEMBER 7 (FRIDAY).
--------0 -
/19 .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1984
- 19 -
TRAFFIC MEASURES IN SHAU KEI WAN X X X X
THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAU KEI WAN ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 19) TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE IN THE AREA:
*
*
*
THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHAU KEI WAN ROAD BETWEEN TAI KOO SHING ROAD AND TAI CHEONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 3 AM. TRAFFIC HEADING FOR NORTH POINT WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WHICH WILL BE RE-ROUTED FOR TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHAU KEI WAN ROAD BETWEEN TAI KOO SHING ROAD AND TAI CHEONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 3 AM TO 7 AM. TRAFFIC HEADING FOR CHAI WAN WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WHICH WILL BE RE-ROUTED FOR TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
TRAM SERVICES WILL START LATER THAN USUAL. THE FIRST WESTBOUND TRAMS WILL LEAVE SHAU KEI WAN FOR WESTERN MARKET AT 7.12 AM, AND SHAU KEI WAN FOR HAPPY VALLEY AT 7.14 AM. THE FIRST EASTBOUND TRAMS WILL LEAVE WESTERN MARKET FOR SHAU KEI WAN AT 6.30 AM, AND HAPPY VALLEY FOR SHAU KEI WAN AT 6.40 AM.
0 - -
NEW MAXICAB SERVICES FOR TUEN MUN
# * K *
NEW MAXICAB ROUTE NOS 45 AND 46 WILL BE INTRODUCED ON MONDAY (AUGUST 20) FOR TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
NO. 45 WILL OPERATE FROM SHAN KING ESTATE TO THE TUEN MUN FERRY PIER VIA SHEK PAI TAU ROAD, KIN WING STREET AND TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD.
NO. 46 WILL RUN FROM AREA 4B TO THIS PIER VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD, ROAD D8 AND TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD.
THE FARE FOR EITHER ROUTE IS $1.50.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1984
20
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT AT KING’S ROAD * * *
FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 18). THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY CF KING'S ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 9*5 AND ITS JUNCTION W TH Fl NN IE STREET WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY.
WITHIN THE ZONE, NO VEHICLES °™ER ™AN FRANCH ISED BUSES STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS DURING THE
WILL BE ALLOWED TO RESTRICTED PERIOD.
- - 0 - -
RE-ROUTING OF NORFOLK ROAD * * *
FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 18), NORFOLK ROAD IN KOWLOON TONG WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
0 - - - -
LEAKAGE TEST IN NORTH POINT
x x X
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 20) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY SHU KUK STREET, KING’S ROAD. NORTH POINT ROAD AND WHARF ROAD, INCLUDING PROVIDENT CENTRE, WEST MAIN BLOCK AND WEST POINT BLOCK OF NORTH POINT ESTATE AND GOVERNMENT PRESS.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ILLEGALS FLUSHED OUT IN BIG DRAGNET ......................... 1
REVIEW OF ACTION ON RESCUE OPERATIONS CONDUCTED.............. 2
TRADE CHIEF GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE........................... 5
RENT INCREASE NECESSARY TO COVER RISING COST................. 6
VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE IN SHA TIN ......................... 7
SEMINAR ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION .......................... 8
NEW I.D. CARD PHASE FOR WOMEN ............................... 8
PUBLIC VIETS SOUGHT ABOUT TV AND RADIO ...................... 9
MORE WOMEN SEEK BIRTH CONTROL ADVICE......................... 10
SEMINAR CN SPORTS FOR THE DISABLED .......................... 1°
DON’T LITTER BEACHES, BATHERS TOLD .......................... 11
FOOD CENTRE FOR MUI WO ...................................... 12
TRAFFIC MEASURES IN CAUSEWAY BAY ............................ 12
STADIUM TO HAVE EMERGENCY GENERATOR ......................... 13
HK FIREMEN VISIT MACAU....................................... 13
PAT HEUNG TAPS OFF .......................................... 14
FOOTBRIDGE FOR KING'S ROAD .................................. 14
TRAFFIC DIVERSION ........................................... 14
15
STRICT CLOSURE EXTENDED .....................................
15
FIRING PRACTICE WARNING .....................................
SATURDAY, AUGUS" 13, 1’34
1
ILLEGALS FLUSHED OUT IN BIG DRAGNET
* * * *
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HIDING IN HONG KONG AGAIN FELT THE HEAT THIS WEEK AS THE POLICE, LABOUR, AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS STEPPED UP OPERATIONS TO FERRET THEM OUT.
THIS TIME, THE DRAGNET WAS CAST EVEN WIDER AS POLICE CONCENTRATED ON CONSTRUCTION SITES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY IN ADDITION TO OTHER LOCATIONS.
A TOTAL OF 42 PEOPLE SUSPECTED OF BEING HERE ILLEGALLY WERE ARRESTED IN THE LATEST BLITZ, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ON-GOING EFFORTS TO FLUSH OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HIDING HERE.
ALL THE ARRESTED PERSONS HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY AGAIN STRESSED THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED AT THE BORDER IN RECENT MONTHS BECAUSE SNAKEHEADS ARE AGAIN SPREADING RUMOURS THAT THERE WOULD BE AN AMNESTY AFTER AN AGREEMENT IS REACHED ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG IN SEPTEMBER.
+ THIS IS OF COURSE TOTALLY UNTRUE,* HE SAID.
+OUR POLICY ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS VERY CLEAR. WHENEVER AND WHEREVER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE FOUND IN HONG KONG, THEY WILL BE SENT BACK.*
+OUR LATEST OPERATION SHOULD SHOW THEM THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THIS POLICY,* HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT APART FROM CONTINUOUS CHECKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THERE WAS ALSO NO QUESTION OF ANY SLACKENING OF ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS AT THE BORDER.
+THE POLICE AND THE SECURITY FORCES WILL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A HIGH STATE OF VIGILANCE BOTH AT THE LAND AND SEA BORDER,* HE SAID.
DURING THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL OPERATION, POLICE STEPPED UP THEIR IDENTIFICATION SPOT CHECKS IN PUBLIC PLACES IN ADDITION TO CHECKING CONSTRUCTION SITES AND OTHER SUSPECT LOCATIONS.
BESIDES THE 42 PEOPLE ARRESTED, THE POLICE SUMMONSED 91 PEOPLE FOR FAILING TO PRODUCE PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY, AND WARNED A FURTHER 46 IN RESPECT OF THE OFFENCE, WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF Si OOO.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 9 953 ESTABLISHMENTS TO WEED OUT ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO MAY BE WORKING, AND TO CHECK THAT EMPLOYERS FULFIL THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION OF KEEPING PROPER RECORDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
A TOTAL ........
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 19&4
2
A TOTAL OF 13 PERSONS IN 11 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND WITHOUT PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY AND HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
ANOTHER 81 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND TO BE KEEPING either NO RECORD OR IMPROPER RECORDS OF EMPLOYEES.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY COULD BE FINED UP TO S5O 000 AND JAILED FOR UP TO A YEAR IF THEY WERE FOUND TO BE EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
------o-------
REVIEW OF ACTION ON RESCUE OPERATIONS CONDUCTED * * * *
SINCE THE SINKING OF THE BARQUENTI NE OSPREY LAST SEPTEMBER, THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONDUCTED ITS OWN REVIEW OF ACTION TAKEN BY RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF AREAS WHERE THE NEED FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN SEARCH AND RESCUE PROCEDURES HAD ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED AND HE SUMMARISED BOTH THE ACTION THAT HAD BEEN TAKEN IN THESE AREAS AND THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS.
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO BEING GUIDED IN THIS MATTER BY THE FINDINGS OF THE MARINE COURT OF INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE OSPREY, PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 10.
FIRSTLY, AT THE LEVEL OF OVERALL SEARCH AND RESCUE RESPONSIBILITIES, HE EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT’S STANDING INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ORGANISATION OF SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS HAD BEEN REVISED.
THE NEW INSTRUCTIONS CLARIFIED THE RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO DIRECT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS FOR VESSELS EITHER LOST OR IN DISTRESS, AND FOR THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION TO ACT SIMILARLY IN RESPECT OF AIRCRAFT.
THE RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION TO ASSIST THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE BY DEPLOYING AIRCRAFT IN SEARCH OF A LOST VESSEL, AND OF THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO ASSIST THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION BY DEPLOYING SHIPS IN SEARCH CF A LOST AIRCRAFT, WERE ALSO CLARIFIED.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE NEED FOR FURTHER ORGANISATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS WAS NOW BEING CONSIDERED BY A GOVERNMENT WORKING GROUP SET UP TO EXAMINE CURRENT SEARCH AND RESCUE PROCEDURES.
/SPSfclFIC AREaj .........
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1E, 1964
SPECIFIC AREAS WHICH THE WORKING GROUP WOULD BE EXAMINING CRITICALLY WOULD BE THE POSSIBLE NEED FOR AN INDEPENDENT SEARCH AMD RESCUE COORDINATION CENTRE MANNED PERMANENTLY, PROCEDURES TO ENSURE A QUICKER RESPONSE TO TRANSMISSIONS RELEASED FROM EMERGENCY POSITION INDICATING RADIO BEACONS, THE NEED FOR AN IMPROVED N GHT-TJME SEARCH AND RESCUE CAPABILITY, WAYS TO IMPROVE EXISTING COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE VARIOUS SEARCH AND RESCUE AGENCIES, AND THE NEED. FOR FURTHER STAFF TRAINING IN SEARCH AND RESCUE PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQUES.
ONE AREA WHERE ACTION TO IMPROVE CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS HAD ALREADY BEEN TAKEN CONCERNED LIAISON BETWEEN THE HONG KONG SEARCH AND RESCUE AGENCIES AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN GUANGDONG.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT WITH THE GROWTH IN SEA AND AIR TRAFFIC AROUND HONG KONG AND IN NEIGHBOURING CHINESE WATERS, IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT THE AUTHORITIES ON BOTH SIDES KNEW EACH OTHER’S PROCEDURES AND CAPABILITIES IN AN EMERGENCY, AND WERE READY IF NECESSARY TO RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO ANY INCIDENT OCCURRING NEAR THE BOUNDARIES OF HONG KONG AND CHINESE WATERS.
TO THIS END THE WORKING GROUP HAD, AS A FIRST STAGE, VISITED CANTON EARLY THIS MONTH TO DISCUSS WITH THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES, STANDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS IN THE AREA OF' THE PEARL RIVER ESTUARY BETWEEN HONG KONG AND MACAU, AND IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG SEARCH AND RESCUE AGENCIES. FURTHER MEETINGS AND VISITS WERE ENVISAGED.
MEANWHILE, AT THE OPERATIONAL LEVEL ALL THE HONG KONG AGENCIES DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS - MARINE AND CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENTS, MARINE POLICE, THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE, ROYAL AIR FORCE AND ROYAL NAVY - NOW MEET ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO COORDINATE PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS ON SEARCH AND RESCUE MATTERS AND TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF MUTUAL CONCERN.
THIS LIAISON MACHINERY WOULD BE ABLE TO ENSURE FULL COOPERATION IN FUTURE BETWEEN THE VARIOUS AGENCIES AT WORKING LEVEL.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THIS LIAISON GROUP WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY ANY OTHER AREAS WHERE ITS MEMBERS FELT THAT INADEQUACIES EXISTED OR IMPROVEMENTS WERE REQUIRED.
FOLLOWING THE OSPREY TRAGEDY, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAD IMPROVED ITS OWN CAPABILITIES TO REACT EFFECTIVELY TO SIMILAR EMERGENCIES IN THE FUTURE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
DETAILED PLANNING WAS IN HAND TO MOVE THE PORT COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE FROM ATOP THE RUMSEY STREET MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK BUILDING TO NEW ACCOMMODATION AT THE NEW MACAU FERRY TERMINAL IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
/THE EXI - TING......
SATURDAY, AUGUST' 18, 1984
THE EXISTING MARITIME RESCUE COORDINATION CENTRE AT RUMSEY STREET WOULD THEN EXPAND INTO THE VACATED PREMISES AS A SEPARATE UN.IT.
THIS SEPARATION OF PORT CONTROL AND SEARCH AND RESCUE COORDINATION ACTIVITIES SHOULD ENSURE THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. SUCH AS A TYPHOON, COINCIDING WITH A SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION, ACTION ON BOTH EMERGENCIES COULD PROCEED INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT CONFUSION.
MARINE OFFICERS WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PORT OF HONG KONG AND SURROUNDING WATERS WOULD NOT HAVE ALSO TO DEAL WITH SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS OCCURRING ELSEWHERE.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT RESPONSE TO CALLS FROM VESSELS IN DISTRESS WOULD HENCEFORWARD BE COORDINATED SPECIFICALLY BY THE MARITIME RESCUE COORDINATION CENTRE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO ENSURE THAT THE STAFF SELECTED TO MAN THE CENTRE IN AN EMERGENCY WERE FULLY CONVERSANT WITH UP-TO-DATE SEARCH AND RESCUE PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQUES, THE DEPARTMENT WAS NOW ARRANGING FOR THE FORMAL TRAINING OF THOSE OFFICERS IDENTIFIED TO PERFORM SUCH DUTIES, IN ORDER TO COMPLEMENT THEIR EXISTING PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS.
TO THIS END, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE INTENDED TO SEND SUITABLE OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPERVISING MARINE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS TO ATTEND TRAINING ATTACHMENTS WITH SPECIALIST SEARCH AND RESCUE ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS THE UNITED STATES COASTGUARD AND THE UNITED KINGDOM COASTGUARD SERVICE.
THESE SENIOR STAFF WOULD THEN BE RESPONSIBLE BOTH FOR THE TRAINING OF MORE JUNIOR PERSONNEL TO A HIGH STANDARD OF PROFICIENCY AND FOR MAINTAINING THIS STANDARD THROUGHOUT THEIR ASSIGNMENT TO THE RESCUE COORDINATION CENTRE.
THE SPOKESMAN CONCLUDED THAT WHAT HAD BEEN DESCRIBED SO FAR WERE IMPORTANT BUT INTERIM IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING SEARCH AND RESCUE MACHINERY.
THE WORKING GROUP SET UP UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY WOULD TAKE THESE IMPROVEMENTS INTO ACCOUNT IN ITS OVERALL REVIEW OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM, AND SUBMIT TO THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY ANY PROPOSALS FOR FURTHER OR MORE RADICAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT IT FELT NECESSARY.
THAT THERE WERE FAILINGS IN THE SEARCH AND RESCUE ORGANISATION HAD BEEN RECOGNISED BY ALL THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES CONCERNED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, AND MUCH HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE TO IMPROVE MATTERS AND ENSURE THAT - AS FAR AS WAS HUMANLY POSSIBLE - ADEQUATE ARRANGEMENTS EXISTED TO SEARCH FOR, FIND, AND RESCUE ANY MARINER IN DISTRESS IN THE SEAS AROUND HONG KONG.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1984
5
TRADE CHIEF GIVES * *
PRESS CONFERENCE * *
A STATEMENT GIVEN BY THE DIRECTOR
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF .. --------
OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE AIRPORT THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE AT THE HEAD OF A DELEGATION FOR WASHINGTON D.C. TO HOLD CONSULTATIONS WITH U.S. AUTHORITIES ON THE PROPOSED AMERICAN RULES ON TEXTILE IMPORTS:
♦THANK YOU FOR COMING TO THIS PRESS CONFERENCE. I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY INTRODUCING THE TEAM WHICH WILL BE GOING TO WASHINGTON WITH ME THIS MORNING. I AM HONOURED TO HAVE WITH ME AS ADVISERS EXPERIENCED MEMBERS OF THE INDUSTRY AND OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY. BOARD, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG AND MR KENNETH FANG. IN ADDITION I HAVE TWO COLLEAGUES FROM THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, W ROBERT FOOTMAN AND MRS MAUREEN CHAN.
+WE HAVE ABOUT 40 MINUTES BEFORE WE NEED TO GO TO OUR PLANE. I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY MAKING A BRIEF STATEMENT. I WILL THEN ASK MR CHEONG AND MR FANG IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ANY OPENING REMARKS, AND THEN INVITE QUESTIONS.
♦THE FACT THAT WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY TWO ADVISERS, AND THAT WE ARE HAVING THIS PRESS CONFERENCE BEFORE OUR DEPARTURE, UNDERLINES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROBLEM WE NOW FACE. A PROBLEM WHICH STEMS FROM UNILATERAL ACTION BY THE USA, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE BILATERAL AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR CONSULTATION AND MUTUAL AGREEMENT BEFORE CHANGES TO OUR BILATERAL TEXTILE TRADE ARE MADE.
+SINCE THE 10TH OF AUGUST, WHEN MY DEPARTMENT SET UP THREE ’HOT’ LINES, MORE THAN 200 TELEPHONE CALLS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY TRADE OFFICERS OPERATING THE SERVICE.
♦ THIS SHOWS THE WORRIES AND CONCERN WHICH MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS HAVE ABOUT THE NEW RULES WHICH, IF IMPLEMENTED, WOULD CAUSE SERIOUS HARDSHIP IN HONG KONG.
♦ I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASISE THAT HONG KONG’S ORIGIN REQUIREMENTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE AND THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED CRITERION OF SUBSTANTIAL TRANSFORMATION. THEY HAVE BEEN THE BASIS OF EXPORTS OF HONG KONG ORIGIN GOODS UNDER THE BILATERAL AGREEMENT FOR MANY YEARS. ANY CHANGES TO THESE PRACTICES CONSTITUTE AMENDMENTS TO THE BILATERAL AGREEMENT AND SHOULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT MUTUAL AGREEMENT.
♦ MOREOVER, THE NEW DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE PROPOSED NEW RULES ARE ONEROUS AND UNREASONABLE. THEY ARE ADDITIONAL BARRIERS TO TRADE AND REQUIRE THE DISCLOSURE OF TRADE SECRETS WHICH NO TRADER WOULD WILLINGLY REVEAL.
/+THERE HAS .......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1£, 1984
6
+THERE HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLE ADVERSE REACTION TO THE PROPOSED NEW REGULATIONS BOTH DOMESTICALLY IN THE USA AND AMONG OTHER
----- USA. THUS OUR BILATERAL EFFORTS
COUNTRIES WHICH EXPORT TO THE VITH THE USA ARE ONLY PaRT OF THE USA AND ELSEWHERE, AND IN WILL ALSO AFFECT THE OUTCOME. THAT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
THE PICTUREi DEVELOPMENTS IN A MULTILATERAL CONTEXT IN GENEVA, IN THIS CONTEXT I CAN NOW REPORT
TEXTILES COMMITTEE OF THE GATT WILL
BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 4TH IN GENEVA AT THAT MEETING.
I WILL REPRESENT HONS KONG
♦REGARDING OUR BILATERAL EFFORTS, DURING THE CONSULTATIONS IN WASHINGTON WE WILL RE-STATE HONG KONG’S POSITION THAT THE US RULES ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT - WE SHALL ALSO OF COURSE LISTEN
NEW AND AND
ARE THEREFORE UNACCEPTABLE. REACT TO ANYTHING THE US HAS
TO SAY.*
- - 0
RENT INCREASE NECESSARY TO COVER RISING COST XXX*
AN INCREASE IN RENTS FROM SEPTEMBER 1 FOR DOMESTIC FLATS IN 38 POST-1973 ESTATES IS NECESSARY TO MEET RISING OPERATING EXPENSES AND COST OF MAINTAINING THE ESTATES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SAID TODAY.
♦AND PART OF THE INCREASE WILL BE OFFSET BY THE NEW INCREASED RATES AS A RESULT OF THE GENERAL RATES REVALUATION. IN THIS AND THE FOLLOWING FINANCIAL YEARS THE AUTHORITY WILL HAVE TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL RATE OF $39.8 MILLION FOR THESE FLATS UNDER REVIEW,* HE SAID.
OF THE 104 686 FLATS AFFECTED, OVER 88 PER CENT WOULD HAVE THEIR RENTS INCREASED ONLY BETWEEN $51 AND $130 PER MONTH, HE SAID.
♦EVEN AFTER THE REVIEW, THE NEW RENTS FOR THESE ESTATES WILL RANGE FROM $11 TO $15 PER SQUARE METRE, AND WILL STILL BE LOWER THAN THE $19 PER SQUARE METRE RENT LEVEL FOR FLATS IN NEW ESTATES.*
HE SAID THE ESTATES INVOLVED IN THE RECENT RENT REVIEW WERE AMONG THE BEST OF THE AUTHORITY’S ESTATES, WITH THEIR LIVING STANDARD AND FACILITIES COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF NEWLY COMPLETED ONES.
+FOR EXAMPLE AT MEI TUNG ESTATE IN URBAN KOWLOON, THE NEW RENT FOR A FIVE-PERSON FLAT OF 24.3 SQUARE METRES, WHICH HAS SELF-CONTAINED FACILITIES AND A PRIVATE BALCONY, WILL ONLY BE $315.
*ALSO AT SHUN ON ESTATE, THE NEW RENT FOR A 24.5 SQUARE-METRE modern flat is $345 per month.
+THE EXISTING RENTS FOR THESE ESTATES ARE LOW. IT IS THEREFORE NOT REALISTIC TO JUDGE THE BIENNIAL INCREASE IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGE INCREASE,* THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
/+THE MEN ........
SATOHBAY, AUGUST 18, 1984
- 7 -
♦ THE MAIN CRITERIA SHOULD BE WHETHER THE NEW RENTS REPRESENT GOOD VALUE TO THE TENANTS WHO OCCUPY THE ACCOMMODATIONS, AND WHETHER THE RENTS, AFTER THE INCREASE, ARE AFFORDABLE BY THEM.+
EVEN WITH THE REGULAR INCREASES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS ESTIMATED THE DEFICIT ON THE DOMESTIC PROPERTY ACCOUNT WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW IN THE YEARS TO COME.
♦AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN THE AUTHORITY’S INTENTION TO BRING ITS DOMESTIC RENT LEVEL CLOSE TO MARKET LEVEL ALTHOUGH THE GAP BETWEEN THE TWO IS STILL QUITE CONSIDERABLE,* HE ADDED.
-----o------
VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE IN SHA TIN
* * * *
♦IMMEDIATELY REGISTER AS A VOTER+ WILL BE THE MAIN THEME OF A SPORTS CARNIVAL TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE YUEN CHAU KOK TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN SHA TIN.
THE MAJOR ATTRACTION WILL BE PONY RIDES FOR YOUNGSTERS AGED BETWEEN FOUR AND 14 — +0N HORSEBACK+ LITERALLY MEANS +IMMEDIATELY+ IN CHINESE.
THE EVENT, MARKING THE BEGINNING OF THE REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN IN SHA KOK CONSTITUENCY, WILL ALSO FEATURE TRAMPOLIN ING, DARTS AND SHUTTLECOCK COMPETITIONS, AND A PERFORMANCE BY THE GURKHA BRIGADE BAND.
DURING THE CARNIVAL, A BOOTH WILL BE SET UP TO HELP RESIDENTS REGISTER AS VOTERS FOR NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE THEME SONG OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION - +ONE VOICE+ -WILL BE PLAYED AND PUBLICITY LEAFLETS ON THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD DISTRIBUTED.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG, THREE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MR NG CHAN-LAM, MR WAI HON-LEUNG AND MR WONG PO-MING, TOGETHER WITH SOME 100 STAFF MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, WILL ALSO MAKE DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS TOMORROW TO ENCOURAGE MORE
PEOPLE TO REGISTER.
-— - o - - - -
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1984
8
SEMINAR ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION *****
ABOUT 300 RESIDENTS IN WONG TAI SIN WILL TAKE PART IN A SEMINAR TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO DISCUSS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
THE SEMINAR, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE AREA COMMITTEES OF TUNG TAU, LOK FU AND WANG TAU HOM, AIMS AT ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS FOR NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
PANELISTS WILL INCLUDE AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS PAULINE NG; A LECTURER OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, WONG KU I HUNG5 THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL WONG;
AND LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES.
THEY WILL TALK ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENS, THE ROLES OF AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AND ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD.
THE EVENT WILL INCLUDE A SLIDE SHOW AND AN EXHIBITION ILLUSTRATING THE WORK OF THE BOARD.
-----0------
NEW I.D. CARD PHASE FOR WOMEN *****
WOMEN BORN IN 1957 AND 1958 WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW I.D. CARDS WHEN THE FOURTEENTH PHASE OF THE NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE SCHEME STARTS ON MONDAY (AUGUST 20).
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT EXPECTS TO PROCESS MORE THAN 106 000 APPLICATIONS FROM THE ABOVE TWO AGE GROUPS DURING THE FIVE WEEKS ENDING SEPTEMBER 22.
APPLICANTS ARE REMINDED TO BRING ALONG THEIR OLD I.D. CARDS WHEN THEY APPROACH ANY OF THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES WHICH ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY, ♦TO FACILITATE PROCESSING, APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE THEIR PERSONAL PARTICULARS READY, INCLUDING THEIR RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS ADDRESSES IN FULL.
+IF ANYONE WISHES TO CHANGE HER LAST NAME AS A RESULT OF A CHANGE IN MARITAL STATUS, SHE MUST PRODUCE HER MARRIAGE OR DIVORCE CERTIFICATE,* HE SAID.
/those who ......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1c, 1?E4
- 9 -
THOSE WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF THE MAIL-IN APPOINTMENT SERVICE CAN OBTAIN AN APPLICATION FORM FROM ANY DISTRICT OFFICE OR IMMIGRATION OFFICE. COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE THE END OF THE PHASE.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
+ONCE DETECTED AND CONVICTED, THEY WILL BE REPATRIATED,* HE SAID.
------0-------
PUBLIC VIEWS SOUGHT ABOUT TV AND RADIO *****
A TERRITORY-WIDE SAMPLE SURVEY WILL BE LAUNCHED TOMORROW TO SOLICIT PUBLIC VIEWS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF TV AND RADIO BROADCASTING.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD WHICH WAS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR EARLIER THIS YEAR TO CONDUCT A WIDE RANGING REVIE* CF BROADCASTING.
INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE SURVEY WILL BE USEFUL REFERENCE FOR THE BOARD TO ASSESS THE NEEDS OF THE POPULATION WITH REGARD TO BROADCASTING SERVICES IN HONG KONG, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
OVER 4 000 HOUSEHOLDS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY HAVE BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED FOR THE SURVEY. A PERSON AGED 15 OR ABOVE WILL BE INTERVIEWED FROM EACH HOUSEHOLD.
QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED TO OBTAIN VIEWS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF TELEVISION AND RADIO BROADCASTING, SUCH AS NEWS BULLETINS, CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES, DRAMAS, ADVERTISING, CENSORSHIP, AND GOVERNMENT BROADCASTING.
THE SURVEY WILL LAST FROM AUGUST 20 TO SEPTEMBER 3.
ENUMERATORS, WHO WILL IDENTIFY THEMSELVES WITH OFFICIAL IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WILL VISIT THE SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS DURING THIS PERIOD. FOR OPERATIONAL REASONS, THEY WILL ALSO WORK OUTSIDE NORMAL OFFICE HOURS AND ON HOLIDAYS.
THE SECRETARY TO THE BOARD, MR A.G. COOPER, URGED THE PUBLIC TO SUPPORT THE SURVEY.
+ALL FINDINGS WILL ONLY BE PRESENTED IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WHICH WILL NOT REVEAL ANY INFORMATION ABOUT INDIVIDUALS,* HE SAID.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TEL: 5-438344, DURING OFFICE HOURS.
-----0------
/10 ..
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1984
10
MORE WOMEN SEEK BIRTH CONTROL ADVICE * * * *
THE 47 FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT DEALT WITH 132 206 VISITS BY WOMEN SEEKING ADVICE ON BIRTH CONTROL METHODS DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1984.
THIS WAS EIGHT PER CENT MORE THAN THE 121 898 VISITS MADE DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS LAST YEAR.
OF THE VISITS, 17 091 WERE NEW CASES.
COMMENTING ON THE FIGURES TODAY, THE DOCTOR IN CHARGE OF THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES SAID HONG KONG WOMEN ARE NOW MORE INCLINED TO SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE ON BIRTH CONTROL.
+USERS OF CONTRACEPTIVES IN OUR CLINICS ARE GIVEN A THOROUGH NEDICAL EXAMINATION BEFORE THEY TAKE UP ANY FORM OF BIRTH CONTROL CONTRACEPTION, SO THAT DOCTORS CAN ADVISE ON THE BEST METHOD TO USE,+ SHE SAID.
+WE ARE CONSTANTLY REMINDING USERS OF CONTRACEPTIVES THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE A MEDICAL CHECK UP AT OUR FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR,+ SHE SAID.
+WHAT IS MORE ESSENTIAL AFTER ADOPTING A CERTAIN METHOD OF CONTRACEPTION IS AN ANNUAL MEDICAL CHECK UP. THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO BODILY OR HABIT CHANGE THAT WOULD ENTAIL A RECONSIDERATION OF THE CONTRACEPTIVE METHOD BEING USED,* SHE SAID.
ALL FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES AND BIRTH-CONTROL METHODS ARE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE AT FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS THROUGHOUT THE TERR ITORY.
FOR ENQUIRIES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN CONTACT THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES ON 5-7900521.
-----o------
SEMINAR ON SPORTS FOR THE DISABLED
* * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR CLIVE OXLEY, THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A SEMINAR.
THE SEMINAR WAS DESIGNED TO ENABLE THE PARTICIPANTS TO OPTIMISE THE USE OF EXISTING SPORTS AND RECREATION FACILITIES FOR BETTER PROGRAMMES FOR THE DISABLED.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR OXLEY SAID THAT PEOPLE WERE CONSTANTLY SEEKING SITUATIONS IN WHICH THEY COULD GAIN RECOGNITION AND BE ASSURED OF THEIR OWN ADEQUACY.
/+PHYSICAL EbCHEATIcN .......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1984
~ 11
♦PHYSICAL RECREATION AND PLAY ARE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE IN THIS SEARCH FOR ACCEPTANCE AND PROOF OF ADEQUACY,+ HE SAID.
♦THIS IS AS TRUE, IF NOT TRUER, FOR THE PHYSICALLY AND f€NTALLY HANDICAPPED AS FOR ALL OF US,+ MR OXLEY ADDED.
ABOUT 200 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE SEMINAR WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED AND THE RECREATION MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, THE SEMINAR WAS CONDUCTED BY DR JULIAN STEIN, A PROFESSOR IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION OF GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY IN VIRGINIA, USA.
-----0------
DON’T LITTER BEACHES, BATHERS TOLD * * *
BEACHGOERS ARE URGED AGAIN TO KEEP THE BEACHES CLEAN AND TO PRESERVE THEIR NATURAL BEAUTY.
A NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT CLEANSING STAFF WERE REGULARLY AT WORK AT ALL 27 PUBLIC BATHING BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, BUT COULD NOT PICK UP ALL THE RUBBISH CONSTANTLY BEING DUMPED BY BEACHGOERS.
GIVING AN EXAMPLE, HE SAID THAT SOME 640 000 BATHERS HAD GONE TO CLEARWATER BAY (SECOND BEACH) LAST MONTH AND LEFT BEHIND MORE THAN 7 500 BASKETS OF RUBBISH.
THE REFUSE COLLECTED FROM THE BEACH HAD INCREASED GREATLY FROM 3 000 BASKETS OF RUBBISH LEFT BY 220 000 BATHERS IN JULY LAST YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
MORE WORKERS WERE THEREFORE REQUIRED TO CLEAR THE RUBBISH, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST LITTERBUGS WAS BEING STEPPED UP.
+A LITTERING OFFENCE COULD RESULT IN A FINE OF $5 000,+ HE SAID.
HE URGED PEOPLE TO TAKE PLASTIC BAGS ALONG WITH THEM TO DISPOSE OF THEIR LITTER, AND TO USE THE LITTER BINS PROVIDED ON THE BEACHES FOR THEM.
- - 0----------
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1984
- 12
FOOD CENTRE FOR MUI WO
* * *
A COOKED FOOD CENTRE AND A LOCAL OPEN SPACE ARE TO BE CONSTRUCTED AT MUI WO FERRY CONCOURSE ON LANTAU ISLAND.
CONTRACTS FOR BOTH PROJECTS, VALUED AT ABOUT $4 MILLION, HAVE BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE CENTRE WILL HAVE 20 COOKED FOOD STALLS, FIVE FRUIT STALLS, FIVE MINI-STALLS, AN OFFICE, A STOREROOM AND A SITTING-OUT AREA.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
THE OPEN SPACE WILL INVOLVE CONSTRUCTION AT FIVE SITES WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 1.1 HECTARES.
THEY INCLUDED A REST GARDEN WHICH WILL CONTAIN TWO STONES OF THE SUNG DYNASTY FOUND AT MUI WO, AMENITY PLANTING AND A SITTING-OUT AREA.
WORK WILL START AT THE SAME TIME AND FINISH IN ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.
------0 - - - -
TRAFFIC MEASURES IN CAUSEWAY BAY
X « K
FROM 6 AM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 20), THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CAUSEWAY BAY FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO FACILITATE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION WORKS:
* THE JUNCTION OF KAI CHIU ROAD AND LEE GARDEN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC
* KAI CHIU ROAD BETWEEN YUN PING ROAD AND ITS JUNCTION WITH LEE GARDEN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR LOCAL ACCESS. THE SAME ROAD SECTION WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC
* YUN PING ROAD BETWEEN KAI CHIU ROAD AND PAK SHA ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC
* LEE GARDEN ROAD BETWEEN PAK SHA ROAD AND RUSSELL STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND
* THE EXISTING PLB ’MAXICAB’ STANDS AT YUN PING ROAD wILL BE RESITED TO THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF PAK SHA ROAD
* MAXICAB ROUTE NO. 4 FROM CAUSEWAY BAY TO ABERDEEN WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PAK SHA ROAD, LEE GARDEN ROAD, LAN FONG ROAD AND YUN PING ROAD
/* IZkXICAB ROUTE...........
SATUBDAY, AUGUST 18, 1?84
* MAXICAB ROUTE NO. 5 FROM CAUSEWAY BAY TO ABERDEEN WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PAK SHA ROAD, LEE GARDEN ROAD AND RUSSELL STREET
* MAXICAB ROUTE NO. 25 FROM UPPER BRAEMAR HILL TO ADMIRALTY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA YUN PING ROAD, PAK SHA ROAD, LEE GARDEN ROAD AND RUSSELL STREET
* MAXICAB ROUTE NO. 28 FROM CAUSEWAY BAY TO BAGUIO VILLA WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PAK SHA ROAD, LEE GARDEN ROAD AND RUSSELL STREET
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF YUN PING ROAD BETWEEN KAI CHIU ROAD AND PAK SHA ROAD AND THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF PAK SHA ROAD WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY. WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS DURING THE RESTRICTED PERIODS
* ALL PARKING SPACES ALONG PAK SHA ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED.
- - 0 - -
STADIUM TO HAVE EMERGENCY GENERATOR
X X X
AN EMERGENCY GENERATOR IS TO BE CONSTRUCTED AT MONG KOK STADIUM WHICH WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN AN ELECTRICAL SUPPLY TO EXISTING FLOODLIGHTS AND LIGHTING ALONG EXIT ROUTES.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN NOVEMBER AND BE COMPLETED BY MARCH NEXT YEAR.
THE GENERATOR WILL BE HOUSED IN A SINGLE-STOREY BUILDING IN FLOWER MARKET ROAD, WHICH RUNS ALONG ONE SIDE OF THE STADIUM.
- _ o - -
HK FIREMEN VISIT MACAU * X * *
TWENTY HONG KONG FIREMEN, LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR ROBERT HOLMES, HAS JUST LEFT FOR MACAU TO ATTEND THE MACAU FIREMEN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS.
THEY WILL ALSO BE PLAYING A MINI-SOCCER MATCH WITH THEIR MACAU COUNTERPARTS, AND WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON MONDAY.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 193^4
14
PAT HEUNG TAPS OFF ft ft ft FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES AT PAT HEUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 PM ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 21) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE PREMISES AFFECTED ARE ALONG KAM TIN ROAD FROM SHEK KONG CAMP TO PAT HEUNG POLICE STATION, AND FAN KAM ROAD FROM PAT HEUNG POLICE STATION TO PAT HEUNG FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TRAINING SCHOOL, INCLUDING WANG TOI SHAN TSUEN AND LO UK TSUEN.
- - 0 ---------
FOOTBRIDGE FOR KING’S ROAD ft ft ft
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 20), A NEW FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS KING’S ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH TONG SHUI ROAD WILL BE OPENED FOR PEDESTRIANS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT KING’S ROAD EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TONG SHUI ROAD WILL BE CANCELLED.
-----o------
TRAFFIC DIVERSION ft ft ft
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 20), TRAFFIC ON LUEN WO HUI, FANLING, WILL BE DIVERTED TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS, AS FOLLOWS: ft THE SECTION OF LUEN WO ROAD BETWEEN LUEN HING STREET AND LUEN SHING STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
ft THE SECTION OF LUEN SHING STREET BETWEEN LUEN WO ROAD AND SHA TAU KOK ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
0 - -
715
SATURDAY, AUGUST If, 1934
- 15 "
STREET CLOSURE EXTENDED * X *
THE EXISTING TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WU NAM STREET OF TUNG SING ROAD BETWEEN WU PAK STREET AND WU NAM EXTENDED TO FACILITATE ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
AND THE SECTION STREET w ILL BE
--------o-----------
F IR ING PRACTICE WARNING * * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PcAK RANGE ON THREE DAYS NEXT WEEK.
THE PRACTICE WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 22), THURSDAY (AUGUST 23), AND FRIDAY (AUGUST 24).
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLATS ARE HOISTED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR PEKING ..................................... 1
SEWAGE TUNNEL FOR JUNK BAI ...................................... 1
HONG KONG TO HAVE NEW-TYPE SWIMMING POOLS ....................... 2
VALUABLE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON POSTAL MATTERS .................... 3
AIR-CONDITIONING FOR HOSPITAL ................................... 3
EYE-SORE TURNED INTO REST AREA ...............................
TENDERS INVITED FOR CLEANSING CONTRACT .......................
NEW OFFICE FOR LABOUR DEPARTMENT UNIT ........................... 5
CHINESE LANTERNS LIGHT NEW STAMPS ............................... 5
MAKING KNOWN NEW MATHS SYLLABUS ................................. 7
URBAN CLEARWAY IN ADMIRALTY ..................................... 7
TRAFFIC CHANGE
7
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 1934
1
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR PEKING * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL LEAVE FOR PEKING TOMORRO* (SUNDAY) TO TAKE PART IN ANOTHER ROUND OF SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON iH-FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
SIR EDWARD WILL BE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT CA 102, ETD 12.30 PM.
SEWAGE TUNNEL FOR JUNK BAY * * *
A SEWAGE TUNNEL IS TO SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES
BE BUILT IN JUNK BAY AS PART OF THE FOR THE NEW TOWN.
cnNTRACTORS WITH SPECIAL EXPERTISE HAVE BEEN INVITED BY THE JUNK BAY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR INCLUSION ON A LIST OF PREQUALIFIcD TENDERERS FOR THE PROJECT.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-KILOMETRE LONG TiiNNFi OF 2 4 METRES IN DIAMETER, A 175-METRE-LONG, 2.4-METRE-WIDE INSPECTION ACCESS, A DEEP GRIT INLET CHAMBER LOCATED NEXT TO HANG HAU ROAD, AND ASSOCIATED WORKS.
THE TUNNEL WILL FOLLOW AN ALIGNMENT FROM HANG HAU ROAD IN THE NORTH TO SIU CHIK SHA IN THE SOUTH AND CATER FOR THE -EWAbE FLOWS FROM THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JANUARY 1985 AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT 20 MONTHS.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 198^
2
HONG KONG TO HAVE NEW-TYPE SWIMMING POOLS
*****
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S KOWLOON PARK SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX WILL HERALD A NEW GENERATION OF PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES AIMED AT PROVIDING A WIDER RANGE OF FACILITIES IN SPORTS, RECREATION AND LEISURE.
THE FUTURE DESIGNS OF SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES WILL, IN ADDITION TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARD-SIZED POOLS, INCLUDE SPECIAL FEATURES SUCH AS + FUN POOLS+.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID SUCH IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE KOWLOON PARK SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX TARGETED FOR COMPLETION IN 1989-
FUN POOLS ARE ALSO BEING PLANNED FOR SHUN LEE TSUEN IN KWUN TONG, SHEK KIP MEI PARK STAGE III AND HO MAN TIN. THEY ARE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BETWEEN 1988 AND 1990.
EACH WILL COMPRISE A SLIDE POOL WITH SLIDES OF DIFFERENT DESIGNS, AND A FREE-FORM POOL WITH VARIOUS FEATURES SUCH AS WATERFALLS, SPRAY JETS AND TOYS FOR CHILDREN AT THE POOLSIDE. FOR SOME POOLS, THERE WILL BE AN ADDED ATTRACTION OF A WAVEACTION POOL WITH WAVES GENERATED BY MECHANICAL MEANS AT REGULAR INTERVALS.
MEANWHILE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, CONSTRUCTION ON THE SHAM SHUI PO SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX IS UNDERWAY AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN MID-1985.
AT PRESENT THE URBAN COUNCIL OPERATES 11 SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES CONTAINING 75 POOLS OF VARIOUS SIZES AND DEPTHS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS AND AGES.
EACH OF THE EXISTING COMPLEXES HAS A SPECTATOR STAND FOR ABOUT 800 PEOPLE WHILE ELECTRONIC TIMING AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT IS INSTALLED IN SIX MAJOR POOL COMPLEXES WHICH HOST TERRITORYWIDE OR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS.
TURNING TO THE CLEANLINESS OF THESE POOLS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID WATER IN THE POOLS IS CONSTANTLY RE-CIRCULATED FOR TREATMENT DURING OPERATING HOURS.
CHLORINE AND SUITABLE CHEMICALS SUCH AS ALUM AND SODA ASH ARE ALSO ADDED DURING THE PROCESS OF WATER TREATMENT.
♦ THE OBJECT OF THE WATER TREATMENT IS TO REMOVE BACTERIA AND ALGAE IN THE WATER TO MAKE IT HYGIENIC FOR SWIMMING, TO REMOVE SUSPENDED MATTER TO RENDER THE WATER CLEAN, AND TO MAINTAIN SUITABLE ALKALINITY IN THE WATER SO THAT CHLORINE CAN EFFECTIVELY COMBAT ANY DISEASES IN THE WATER,+ HE SAID.
o
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 1^84
- 3 -
VALUABLE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON POSTAL MATTERS * * * *
OFFICIALS OF THE POST OFFICE HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH A DELEGATION CF SENIOR POSTAL OFFICIALS FROM GUANGZHOU ON VARIOUS OPERATIONAL MATTERS DURING THEIR SIX-DAY VISIT TO HONG KONG.
THE DELEGATION, HEADED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF GUANGDONG (POSTAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS) ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAU, MR HUANG LIAN-MAO, HAS JUST LEFT HONG KONG.
THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DAVID LAN, DESCRIBED THE DISCUSSIONS AS +VALUABLE EXCHANGES OF VIEWS+. THEY COVERED OPERATIONAL MATTERS AFFECTING THE EXCHANGE OF MAIL BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GUANGZHOU AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW POSTAL FACILITIES.
IT WAS THE NINTH EXCHANGE VISIT BETWEEN OFFICIALS OF THE TWO POSTAL ADMINISTRATIONS, HE ADDED.
♦THE DISCUSSIONS WERE CONDUCTED IN A VERY FRIENDLY AND CO-OPERATIVE MANNER WHICH HAD CHARACTERISED ALL PREVIOUS MEETING^ OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS,+ MR LAN SAID.
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AIR-CONDITIONING FOR HOSPITAL
X * *
THE 1 336-BED KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL, WHICH HAS BEEN SERVICING THE PUBLIC SINCE 1980, WILL BECOME FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED WHEN AN ADDITIONAL PLANT ROOM IS COMPLETED BY EARLY 1986.
THE TWO-STOREY ROOM WILL BE BUILT ON A 450 SQUARE-METRE SITE NEXT TO THE EXISTING MEDICAL STAFF QUARTERS.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTING THE PLANT ROOM WHICH WILL PROVIDE SPACE FOR THE COOLING EQUIPMENT, AN ELECTRICITY SUB-STATION, A SWITCH ROOM, TWO STOREROOMS AND TOILETS.
WORK WILL START IN OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 1984
EYE-SORE TURNED INTO REST AREA * * * *
A FORMER EYE-SORE ALONG A SECTION OF THOMSON ROAD IN WAN CHAI HAS BEEN CONVERTED INTO A PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT DECORATED WITH FLOWER POTS AND GARDEN BENCHES.
THE SECTION, BETWEEN JOHNSTON ROAD AND LUARD ROAD, WAS FORMERLY PACKED WITH VEHICLES AND ON-STREET HAWKERS, A CAUSE OF FREQUENT COMPLAINTS FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS.
BOLLARDS WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED AT BOTH ENDS OF THE PRECINCT TO PREVENT VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.
A WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROJECT, A JOINT VENTURE OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, WAS AIMED AT PROVIDING MORE OPEN SPACE WHERE RESIDENTS COULD RELAX AND WORKERS IN THE DISTRICT COULD HAVE THEIR LUNCH.
+THE PEDESTRIANISATION PROJECT IS A TRIAL SCHEME LASTING FOR SI;. MONTHS, AT THE END OF WHICH A FULL EVALUATION WILL BE MADE WITH regard TO PUBLIC REACTION, HAWKER MANAGEMENT, AND REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF FACILITIES,+ HE SAID.
♦ THE PRECINCT, WHICH WILL REMAIN OPEN 24 HOURS EACH DAY, WILL BE MADE A PERMANENT FEATURE IF THE GENERAL RESPONSE IS GOOD,+ HE ADDED.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR CLEANSING CONTRACT * * * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A 12-MONTH CONTRACT TO PROVIDE CLEANSING SERVICES AT SHEK WU HUI IN NORTH DISTRICT.
THE CONTRACT FORMS PART OF A PILOT SCHEME AIMED AT PROVIDING EFFICIENT, COST-EFFECTIVE CLEANSING SERVICES AT CERTAIN AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AN NTSD SPOKESMAN SAID.
SHEK WU HUI HAD BEEN CHOSEN ON THE BASIS OF ITS SIZE, ITS LOCATION AND THE EXTENT OF EXISTING RESOURCES, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THE PILOT SCHEME HAS WORKED WELL AT SEVEN VILLAGES IN THE NEW TERR(TORIES.
+AS THE CONTRACT FOR SHEK WU HUI IS ON A LARGE SCALE, TENDERS ARE OPEN TO ALL PRIVATE FIRMS,+ HE SAID.
/pote:: . ±al
SUNDAY, aUGUST 19, 1984
- 5 -
POTENTIAL BIDDERS ARE ADVISED TO MAKE SITE INSPECTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTING THEIR TENDERS OR CONTACT THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF NORTH ON TELEPHONE O-657O666 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
TENDER FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SECTION IN THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE (AUSTIN CENTRE), 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON.
TENDERS MUST BE PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX AT THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD BEFORE NOON ON SEPTEMBER 14.
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NEW OFFICE FOR LABOUR DEPARTMENT UNIT * * * *
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS DIVISION AT YUEN LONG MAIN ROAD WILL MOVE TO JHl FOURTH FLOOR, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI KIU MARKt2 a lu LOK SQUARE, ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 22).
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE NEW OFFICE ARE 0-775343 FOR THE SENIOR LABOUR INSPECTOR AND 0-774855 FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES.
ANYONE WHO HAS QUERIES ABOUT THE EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS IN INDUSTRY MAY CONTACT THE OFFICE FOR ADVICE.
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CHINESE
THE POST OFF ICE WILL LANTERNS+ ON SEPTEMBER 6.
LANTERNS LIGHT NEW STAMPS * * * *
ISSUE FOUR STAMPS WITH THE THEME +CHINESE
merinqiNC THIS TODAY A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID: +THIS ^^SHyp^Li:HTfSHFS%r4^i;^ro5LTH,^e‘^Us7?NFEWHliHALARE SAID TO CARRY AUSPICIOUS MEANINGS.+
THF FESTIVAL - WHICH FALLS ON THE 15TH DAY OF THE 8TH MOON -IS THE TIME WHEN FAMILIES HOLD REUNIONS, MARKED BY THE Ea NG MOON CAKES.
/TiU .'•’OUR
SUNDAY, AUGUST 1?, 1984
THE FOUR STAMPS TO BE ISSUED ARE:
THE PHOENIX - 40 CENTS - A LEGENDARY KIND-HEARTED BIRD WITH FIVE COLOURS, THE MALE BEING KNOWN AS +FENG+ AND THE FEMALE +HUANG+. WHENEVER IT APPEARED, THERE wAS PEACE IN THE WORLD; WHENEVER IT FLEW, OTHER BIRDS FOLLOWED. ANCIENT CHINESE PEOPLE REFERRED TO THE PHOENIX AS AN AUSPICIOUS BIRD WHICH APPEARED WHEN A SAGE KING WAS BORN.
THE UNICORN - $1.00 - A DEER-LIKE MYTHICAL ANIMAL WITH THE BODY OF A HORSE AND THE TAIL OF AN OX. IT HAD A LONG HORN ON THE HEAD AND FIVE LEGS. IT IS AN AUSPICIOUS BEAST WHICH, LIKE THE PHOENIX, APPEARED AT THE BIRTH OF A SAGE KING OR A VIRTUOUS RULER. THE UNICORN, TOGETHER WITH THE PHOENIX, THE TORTOISE AND THE DRAGON ARE CALLED THE FOUR SUPERNATURAL CREATURES. ANCIENT CHINESE PEOPLE CONSIDERED IT AS A SACRED ANIMAL WITH A LIFE-SPAN OF 1 000 YEARS.
THE BUTTERFLY - $1.30 - PORTRAYED BY CHINESE ARTISTS IS NEARLY ALWAYS ON THE MOVE AND FULL OF LIFE. IT IS TAKEN AS A SYMBOL OF LONGEVITY FOR IT CONVEYS THE WISH THAT THE RECIPIENT REACH THE AGE OF 70 TO 80.
THE FISH - $5.00 - A SYMBOL OF WEALTH ON ACCOUNT OF THE SIMILARITY OF ITS NAME WITH THE PRONUNCIATION OF THE CHARACTER +YU+ MEANING ABUNDANCE. OWING TO ITS REPRODUCTIVE POWER, IT IS ALSO A SYMBOL OF REGENERATION.
DESIGNED BY MR JOHNNY YAM, THE STAMPS WILL BE ON DISPLAY ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE AND IN THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, MIDDLE ROAD, DAILY FROM AUGUST 30 TO SEPTEMBER 5 FROM 9.30 AM TO 4.30 PM.
THE OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE PUT ON SALE ON AUGUST 23 AT 50 CENTS EACH.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE STAMPS IS PRINTED ON THE BACK OF THE COVERS. ADVANCE ORDERS FOR SERVICING FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM AUGUST 23 TO SEPTEMBER 3 AT ALL POST OFFICES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO LANTERNS+ ISSUE WILL BE ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 21 TO
REMINDED COLLECTORS THAT THE +CHINESE
FOLLOWED BY A SET OF SPECIAL STAMPS TO
COMMEMORATE THE CENTENARY OF THE ROYAL
BE
HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 1934
MAKING KNOWN NEW MATHS SYLLABUS
* * * *
AN EXHIBITION AND THREE SEMINARS WILL BE HELD FROM AUGUST 21 TO 23 AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN KOWLOON TO ACQUAINT SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS WITH THE NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL MATHEMATICS SYLLABUS.
ORGANISED BY THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEDARTMENT, THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE RESOURCE MATERIALS AND MATHEMATICS EQUIPMENT SUPPORTING THE NEW SYLLABUS.
VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION CAN ALSO TAKE PART IN THE SEMINARS, WHICH WILL BE HELD FROM 9.30 AM TO 11.30 AM EACH DAY.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO TEL: 5-8392488.
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URBAN CLEARWAY IN ADMIRALTY * * *
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 21), THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE OF THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF DRAKE STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAMAR STREET AND ITS JUNCTION WITH RODNEY STREET WILL BE MADE A DAILY 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY.
WITHIN THE ZONE, NO MOTOR VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS DURING THE RESTRICTED PERIOD.
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TRAFFIC CHANGE * * *
SHIM LUEN STREET AND YIN ON STREET AT KOWLOON CITY WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY NORTHBOUND, FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (AUGUS i 21)
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED .......................... 1
TEST OF ACCEPTABILITY - MONITORING TEAM...................... 5
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR PEKING................................... 6
MACAU GOVERNOR TO VISIT HK OFFICIALLY........................ 7
JULY CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES RISE............................. 7
PROPOSAL GOING LONG WAY TOWARD MEETING SCALE OF INCREASE .... 9
SCHOOL MEDICAL SCHEME FEE UP ................................ 15
METROPOLITAN GROriTH SEEN AS MANAGEABLE...................... 15
SEMINARS ON GREEN PAPER...................................... 18
RESTAURANT CHECKS BY HEALTH STAFF UP ........................ 18
SURVEY ON NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY COMPLETED..................... 19
FLOATING HOLIDAY REMINDER.................................... 19
WORKSHOP ON CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY.............................. 20
MORNING JOGGING FOR YUEN LONG RESIDENTS ..................... 21
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS COMMENDED .............................. 22
POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HOLIDAYS............................. 22
142 PEOPLE FINED FOR OFFENCES IN PARKS ...................... 23
NEW POST OFFICE FOR TSUEN JAN ............................... 23
NEW SURFACE FOR TENNIS COURTS ............................... 24
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL ............................. 24
WATER FIGURE................................................. 25
TAPS OFF TN NORTH POINT, YUEN LONG AND TAI HANG TUNG......... 25
SALT WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN ................................. 25
MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1984
DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY A FURTHER SERIES OF SENIOR DIRECTORATE PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWSs-
MR PETER WILLIAMS TO SUCCEED MR LEWIS DAVIES AS SECRETARY (GENERAL DUTIES) ON THE LATTER’S RETIREMENT IN FEBRUARY 1985. MR WILLIAMS IS CURRENTLY COMMISSIONER, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
MR GEOFFREY BARNES TO SUCCEED MR WILLIAMS AS COMMISSIONER, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION IN JANUARY 1985.
MR BARNES IS. CURRENTLY DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE.
MR PETER TSAO TO SUCCEED MR DENIS BRAY AS SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS ON THE LATTER’S RETIREMENT IN DECEMBER 1984. MR TSAO IS CURRENTLY DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES.
MISS CHEUNG MAN-YEE TO SUCCEED MR PETER TSAO AS DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES IN JANUARY 1985. SHE IS CURRENTLY SECONDED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES.
MRS IRENE YAU LEE CHE-YUN TO SUCCEED MISS CHEUNG MAN-YEE AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES IN JANUARY 1985. MRS YAU HAS BEEN AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES SINCE FEBRUARY 1984.
MR LI KWAN-HA PROMOTED SUBSTANTIVELY TO THE RANK OF SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.
MR PATRICK MOSS PROMOTED SUBSTANTIVELY TO OF LEGAL AID. MR MOSS HAS BEEN ACTING IN PAST 15 MONTHS.
THE RANK OF DIRECTOR THE POST FOR THE
AS DEPUTY
YUE
MR KEITH BROADBRIDGE TO SUCCEED MR JUSTIN SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT ON THE LATTER’S RESIGNATION IN DECEMBER 1984. MR BROADBRIDGE IS CURRENTLY DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE.
MR ROBERT SAUNDERS TO SUCCEED MR FRANK AU SHIU-WAI AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES ON THE LATTER o RETIREMENT IN NOVEMBER 1984. MR SAUNDERS IS CURRENTLY A DEPUTY SECRETARY IN THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
MRS ELIZABETH WONG TO SUCCEED MR SAUNDERS AS DEPUTY SECRETARY IN THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN NOVEMBER 1984. MRS WONG IS CURRENTLY DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS.
/MR CLIVE.......
MCWDAY, AUGUST 20, 1984
2
MR CLIVE OXLEY TO SUCCEED MR HAROLD KWOK AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING ON THE LATTER’S TRANSFER IN SEPTEMBER 1984 TO A POST DEALING SPECIFICALLY WITH THE COMMONWEALTH BROADCASTING CONFERENCE. MR OXLEY IS CURRENTLY ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE.
MR DONALD TSANG TO BE APPOINTED AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE IN SEPTEMBER 1984. MR TSANG WAS DISTRICT OFFICER (SHA TIN) PRIOR TO THIS APPOINTMENT.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THESE OFFICERS FOLLOW:
MR LEWIS DAVIES, CMG, CBE, JP
AGED 61. AFTER MANY YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN OTHER TERRITORIES, HE WAS APPOINTED TO THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IN NOVEMBER 1973 AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A. HE SERVED AS SECRETARY FOR SECURITY BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1974 AND OCTOBER 1982. SINCE NOVEMBER 1982, HE HAS SERVED AS SECRETARY (GENERAL DUTIES). HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN JANUARY 1975.
MR PETER WILLIAMS, CBE
AGED 58. JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IN FEBRUARY 1953 AS A CADET OFFICER CLASS II AND ROSE THROUGH A SERIES OF PROMOTIONS TO THE RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A IN AUGUST 1975. HE RETIRED FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE IN AUGUST 1978. DURING THE PERIOD 1979 AND 1980, HE SERVED AS SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE. SINCE OCTOBER 1980, HE HAS BEEN COMMISSIONER, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
MR GEOFFREY BARNES, JP
AGED 51. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN MAY 1970 AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AFTER SERVICE IN OTHER TERRITORIES. HE HAS SERVED IN A VARIETY OF POSTS, INCLUDING DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY AND, SINCE JANUARY 1981, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B IN APRIL 1980. HE WILL BE GIVEN LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE DURING THE TENURE OF HIS OFFICE AS COMMISSIONER, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
/KH DHilS........
MCN2AY, AUGUST 20, 1984
- 3 -
MR DENIS BRAY, CMG, CVO, JP
AGED 58. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN JULY 1950 AS A CADET OFFICER CLASS II AND SERVED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF ADMINISTRATIVE POSTS, INCLUDING THREE YEARS AS COMMISSIONER, LONDON FROM 1977 TO 1980. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS IN NOVEMBER 1973. HAS ACTED AS CHIEF SECRETARY AND DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. MR BRAY WILL RETIRE FROM THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IN DECEMBER 1984 AFTER 34-1/2 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE WITH HONG KONG.
MR PETER TSAO KWANG-YUNG, CPM, JP
AGED 50. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN FEBRUARY 1955 AS A COMPUTER CLASS III. HE WAS APPOINTED AS AN ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER IN FEBRUARY 1966 AND, THROUGH A SERIES OF PROMOTIONS, ADVANCED TO THE RANK OF COMMISSIONER OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS IN JANUARY 1979. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN JULY 1982. SINCE FEBRUARY 1983, HE HAS BEEN DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICE^. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE • OFFICER STAFF GRADE A IN JULY 1983.
MISS CHEUNG MAN-YEE
AGED 37. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN MARCH 1972 AS A PROGRAMME OFFICER. PROMOTED TO HER PRESENT RANK OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING IN JULY 1984. CURRENTLY ON SECONDMENT TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES.
MRS IRENE YAU LEE CHE-YUN
AGED 41. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN JULY 1964 AS A HOUSING ASSISTANT. PROMOTED TO HER PRESENT RANK OF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES IN FEBRUARY 1984.
MR LI KWAN-HA, CPM
AGED 47. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN OCTOBER 1957 AS A PROBATIONARY SUB-INSPECTOR GRADE II. PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN AUGUST 1979.
MR PATRICK MOSS, JP
AGED 42. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN MARCH 1977 AS A LEGAL AID OFFICER. PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID IN SEPTEMBER 1983.
/MB JUSTH.......
4
MR JUSTIN YUE KWOK-HUNG, MBE
AGED 42. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN MAY 1968 AS AN ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER. HE HAS SERVED MAINLY IN THE FORMER TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO ITS DEFEDERALISATION AND WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER IN 1977 AND DEPUTY COMMISSIONER IN 1979. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B IN 1982 AND HAS BEEN DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT SINCE 1983.
MR KEITH BROADBRIDGE
AGED 49. APPOINTED AS CONTROLLER, PAY INVESTIGATION UNIT IN 1971 AND PAY ADVISER IN 1973. JOINED THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE AS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE C IN 1975. SINCE 1979, HE HAS BEEN DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B IN 1981.
MR FRANK AU SHIU-WAI, ISO
AGED 60. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER IN DECEMBER 1959. PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES IN AUGUST 1982. HAS SERVED IN VARIOUS SENIOR POSTS IN THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. WILL PROCEED ON LEAVE PRIOR TO RETIREMENT IN NOVEMBER 1984. FELLOW OF INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS.
MR ROBERT SAUNDERS
AGED 52. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN MAY 1963. PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ENGINEER IN JUNE 1984. HAS SERVED IN VARIOUS SENIOR POSTS IN THE FORMER PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. SINCE JULY 1, 1983, HE HAS BEEN DEPUTY SECRETARY (WORKS) IN THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT. FELLOW OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS AND FELLOW OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS.
MRS ELIZABETH WONG CHIEN CHI-LIEN, JP
AGED 46. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN MAY 1969 AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER. HAS SERVED MAINLY IN FINANCE BRANCH AND IN THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT. SINCE FEBRUARY 1983, SHE HAS BEEN DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS. SHE WAS PROMOTED TO HER PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B IN APRIL 1982.
/MR HAROLD
MONDAY, A'JGUST 20, 1984
5
MR HAROLD KWOK WAI-HONG, JP
AGED 49. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN AUGUST 1961 AS AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER II. HE HAS SERVED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF ADMINISTRATIVE POSTS INCLUDING THE FINANCE BRANCH, THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION. SINCE MAY 1982, HE HAS BEEN DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B IN APRIL 1981.
MR CLIVE OXLEY
AGED 48. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN JUNE 1969 AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER. HE HAS SERVED MAINLY IN THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH. SINCE MARCH 1984, HE HAS BEEN DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE C IN MARCH 1978.
MR DONALD TSANG YAM-KUEN, JP
AGED 39. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN JANUARY 1967 AS AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER II. HE HAS HAD WIDE EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION. SINCE AUGUST 1982, HE HAS BEEN DISTRICT OFFICER, SHA TIN. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE C IN APRIL 1979.
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TEST OF ACCEPTABILITY - MONITORING TEAM X * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN THIS EVENING WELCOMED THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN LONDON TODAY OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE RT HON SIR PATRICK NAIRNE, GCB, MC, AND MR JUSTICE SIMON LI FOOK-SEAN TO BE THE MEMBERS OF THE INDEPENDENT MONITORING TEAM TO MONITOR THE WORK OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE SET UP BY THE GOVERNOR TO ASSESS AND REPORT ON THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT. THE FULL TEXT OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT IS AS FOLLOWS:
+0N JULY 18, THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY DESCRIBED IN A STATEMENT TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS THE ARRANGEMENTS THAT WOULD BE MADE TO TEST THE ACCEPTABILITY IN HONG KONG OF ANY AGREEMENT REACHED WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY. HE EXPLAINED THAT A SMALL, INDEPENDENT TEAM WOULD BE APPOINTED TO MONITOR THE WORK OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE SET UP FOR THIS PURPOSE, AND TO CONFIRM IN A PUBLISHED REPORT WHETHER IT HAD CARRIED OUT ITS DUTIES PROPERLY, ACCURATELY AND IMPARTIALLY. ON AUGUST 7 COPIES OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE MONITORING TEAM, TO BE APPOINTED BY THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY, WERE PLACED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS LIBRARY.
MONDAY, AUGUST - , 19&
6 -
♦ THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY HAS NOW APPOINTED THE FOLLOWING TO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE MONITORING TEAM:
* THE RT HON SIR PATRICK NAIRNE, GCB, MC, MASTER OF ST. CATHERINE’S COLLEGE, OXFORD AND FORMERLY PERMANENT SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY.
* MR JUSTICE SIMON LI, A JUSTICE OF APPEAL OF THE HONG KONG SUPREME COURT.
♦ THE MONITORING TEAM IS EXPECTED TO START WORK AT ABOUT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, AND TO COMPLETE ITS TASK DURING NOVEMBER.+
COMMENTING ON THE APPOINTMENTS, THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE COMBINATION OF THE TALENTS AND EXPERIENCE OF TWO SUCH DISTINGUISHED INDIVIDUALS WOULD DEFINITELY ENSURE THAT THE TASK OF THE MONITORING TEAM WAS EFFECTIVELY CARRIED OUT. MR JUSTICE LI, HE SAID, IS WELL KNOWN IN HONG KONG AS A PROMINENT AND RESPECTED MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY BOTH IN HIS JUDICIAL CAPACITY AND BECAUSc CF HIS MANY OTHER INTERESTS. SIR PATRICK BRINGS WITH HIM A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE GAINED DURING A DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM CIVIL SERVICE AND SUBSEQUENTLY AS MASTER OF ST. CATHERINE’S COLLEGE, OXFORD, AND CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX.
THE COST OF THE MONITORING TEAM WOULD BE MET BY HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT, HE ADDED.
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GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR PEKING
* * * X
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LEFT FOR PEKING THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON TO TAKE PART IN ANOTHER ROUND OF SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
SIR EDWARD WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE; AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, MR OSWALD CHEUNG; 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.
MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1934
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MACAU GOVERNOR TO VISIT HK OFFICIALLY X * X * X
THE GOVERNOR OF MACAU, HIS EXCELLENCY REAR-ADMIRAL ALMEIDA E COSTA, HAS ACCEPTED AN INVITATION FROM SIR EDWARD YOUDE TO PAY AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO HONG KONG ON AUGUST 31. HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MADAM ALMEIDA E COSTA.
REAR-ADMIRAL ALMEIDA E COSTA WILL RECEIVE BRIEFINGS ON HONG KONG, TOUR THE TERRITORY BY HELICOPTER AND VISIT SHA TIN. THERE WILL BE AN OFFICIAL LUNCHEON AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
o --------
JULY CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES RISE XXX
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR JULY 1984 WERE 155.6 AND 155.4 RESPECTIVELY, ACCORDING TO FIGURES PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, CP 1(A) INCREASED BY 0.1 POINT OR 0.1 PER CENT AND CPI(B), BY 0.2 POINT OR 0.2 PER CENT.
COMPARED WITH JULY 1983, CP I (A) ROSE BY 13.5 POINTS OR 9.5 PER CENT AND CP 1(B), BY 13.6 POINTS OR 9.6 PER CENT.
THE AVERAGE CP 1(A) AND AVERAGE CP 1(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS TO JULY 1984, AT 151.4 AND 150.9 RESPECTIVELY, WERE BOTH 10.4 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGES FOR THE 12 MONTHS TO JULY 1933.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD TO JULY 1984, BOTH THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CP 1(A) AND CP 1(B) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.4 PER CENT EACH MONTH.
DURING JULY, RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND ADMISSION CHARGES FOR CINEMAS WENT UP. ON THE OTHER HAND, RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH FRUIT AND LIVE POULTRY DECREASED.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(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 CPI(A) REFERRED TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $1 000 AND S3 499 A MONTH, AND THE CP 1(B) TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $3 500 AND $6 499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME.
THE INDEXES FOR JULY 1984 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITYSERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE GIVEN BELOW, TOGETHER WITH THOSE FOR JUNE 1984 AND JULY 1983.
/(CGTCLLd ‘
MONDAY, AUGUST 1?t4
8'
(OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980 AVERAGE-100) CPI(A) CPI(B)
SECTION JUL. 83 JUN. 84 JUL. 84 JUL. 83 JUN. 84 JUL. 84
FOODSTUFFS 143.0 157.4 156.5 143.5 157.8 156.9
HOUS ING 137.5 143.8 146.1 137.4 144.1 147.0
FUEL AND LIGHT 144.2 148.7 148.7 144.8 148.4 148.4
ALCOHOL IC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 183.8 208.4 208.5 177.4 201.2 201.3
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 140.1 156.5 155.8 141.3 158.0 156.7
DURABLE GOODS 112.7 125.6 125.3 115.9 129.4 129.2
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 132.2 150.9 150.7 131.2 148.2 147.6
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 155.7 170.2 170.1 157.9 172.9 173.0
SERV ICES 152.3 167.6 170.3 150.1 165.9 167.9
ALL ITEMS 142.1 155.5 155.6 141.8 155.2 155.4
COMPARED WITH JUNE 1984 , THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS DECREASED
BY 0.9 POINT IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPl(B).
THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH FRUIT DECLINED AS A RESULT OF LOWER PRICES OF ORANGES, HONEYDEW MELONS, LYCHEES AND WATER hELONS.
THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF LIVE POULTRY ALSO DECREASED DUE TO LOWER PRICES OF CHICKEN.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES WENT UP.
THE EFFECT OF MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS INSIGNIFICANT.
THE INDEX FOR HOUS I AND 2.9 POINTS IN CP 1(B) RATES FOR PRIVATE DWELL I
NG INCREASED BY 2.3 POINTS IN CPI(A) AS A RESULT OF INCREASED RENTS AND
NGS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1984.
LOWER PRICES OF MEN’S AND WOMEN’S OUTER CLOTHING CAUSED THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR TO DROP BY 0.7 POINT IN CP I(A) AND 1.3 POINTS IN CP 1(B).
- 9 -
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES ROSE BY 2.7 POINTS IN CP I(A) AND 2.0 POINTS IN CP 1(B), REFLECTING THE FULL IMPACT OF THE RISE IN ADMISSION CHARGES FOR CINEMAS AND HIGHER FEES CHARGED FOR PASSPORTS, CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY AND RE-ENTRY PERMITS.
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
(FIGURES PRESENTED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TO 2 DECIMAL PLACES.)
DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE +CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT* FOR JULY 1984, AVAILABLE AT $3 A COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG, OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, ROOM 1904, 19TH FLOOR, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 317 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
THE REPORT IS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS. FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE 3-7216512.
PROPOSAL GOING LONG WAY TOWARD * * * *
MEETING SCALE OF INCREASE
IN A LETTER TO THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTAINER TRACTOR OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, MR L.H. KWAN, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAIL TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE LATEST TRAILER LICENCE FEES PROPOSAL BY THE DEPARTMENT GOES MOST OF THE WAY TOWARDS MEETING THE SCALE OF INCREASE WHICH THE CONTAINER VEHICLE OWNERS THEMSELVES PROPOSED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S PROPOSAL WOULD MEAN THAT SOME TRAILER OWNERS MIGHT PAY $150 LESS THAN AT PRESENT, BUT EACH OWNER WOULD PAY ACCORDING TO THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF HIS OWN VEHICLES.
+MOST OWNERS WOULD PROBABLY PAY BETWEEN $450 AND $600 MORE THAN AT PRESENT. THE AVERAGE INCREASE WOULD BE ABOUT 61 PER CENT. SO IT IS APPARENT THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S PROPOSAL NOT ONLY SECURES TRAILER OWNERS A MUCH LOWER INCREASE THAN WAS FIRST MOOTED BUT IT ALSO ACHIEVES A FAIR MEANS OF CHARGING IN RESPECT OF GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT. UNDER THE REVISED PROPOSAL THE ANNUAL LICENCE FEES FOR Trit MOST COMMON TYPES OF CONTAINER TRAILERS WILL AVERAGE ABOUT Si 380.
+THE DEPARTMENT URGES THE CONTAINER VEHICLE OWNERS TO RECONSIDER THE DEPARTMENT'S PROPOSAL AS TO THE TRAILER LICENCE FEE. OFFICIALS OF THE DEPARTMENT ARE AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME FOR DETAILED DISCUSSION AND EXPLANATION,* HE SAID.
iuCl\x)n * j ‘-'z J
10 -
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER SENT TC THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTAINER TRACTOR OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION:
DEAR SIR,
FOLLOWING OUR RECENT TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
.ON 16TH AUGUST, 1984, I SET OUT BELOW FOR CLARIFICATION THE VARIOUo PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE BEEN RAISED BY THE CONTAINER VEHICLE OWNERS Aiw DRIVERS AND THE WAY IN WHICH IT IS CONSIDERED THEY CAN BEST EE SOLVED.
THE PROBLEMS
LICENCE FEES FOR TRAILERS
THE CURRENT ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS WERE MADE UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 220) IN 1956 AND THE THIRD SCHEDULE TO THOSE REGULATIONS SETS OUT THE LICENCE FEE FOR A TRAILER AS $50 FOR EACH 5 HUNDRED WEIGHT (CWT) OR PART THEREOF OF THE UNLADEN WEIGHT OF ThE TRAILEk.
WHEN LICENCE FEES WERE REVIEWED IN 1974 THE TRAILER LICENCE FEE WAS NOT INCREASED, AND THE SAME FEE OF $50 STILL APPLIES TODAf, 28 YEARS AFTER ITS INTRODUCTION.
BY WAY OF COMPARISON THE LICENCE FEE FOR A TRACTOR HAS MUCH MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE CONTAINER TRAILERS WERE INTRODUCED INTO HONG KONG IN 1969.
IN 1982 A NEW ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 374) WAS ENACTED AND IT IS DUE TO BE BROUGHT INTO FORCE ON 25TH AUGUST THIS YEAR. UNLIKE THE CURRENT ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND USE) REGULATIONS WHICH EXPRESS THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT OF VEHICLES IN TERMS OF THEJR UNLADEN WEIGHT, THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THE NEW ORDINANCE IN 1983, AND DUE TO TAKE EFFECT ON THE SAME DATE, SPECIFY THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT OF VEHICLES ACCORDING TO PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT. CONSEQUENTLY, THE LICENCE FEES FOR GOODS VEHICLES AS *ELL AS FOR TRAILERS ARE BASED, IN THE NEW LEGISLATION, ON THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHTS OF THOSE CLASSES OF VEHICLE.
THIS PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT IS IN EFFECT THl TOTAL WEIGHT TO WHICH THE VEHICLE MAY OPERATE INCLUDING ITS UNLADEN WEIGHT AND THE WEIGHT OF ANY LOAD IT MAY LEGALLY CARRY.
AFTER THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING VEHICLES) REGULATIONS WERE GAZETTED ON 9TH SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR THE CONTAINER VEHICLE OWNERS COMPLAINED THAT THE NEW TRAILER LICENCE FEE OF $50 FOR EACH 250 KG OR PART THEREOF OF A TRAILER’S PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WOULD INVOLVE EXTREMELY LARGE INCREASES IN LICENCE FEES FOR SOME TRAILERS. THE LEVEL OF THE FEl WAS THEN REVIEWED AND REVISED DOWNWARDS TO A PROPOSED LEVEL GF FOR EACH 250 KG OR PART THEREOF OF THE PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER, AND THE REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN AMENDE: ACCORDINGLY.
THERE IS NO DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN THE UNLADEN WEIGHT OF A VEHICLE AND THE PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF THAT VEHICLE. VEHICLES OF IDENTICAL UNLADEN WEIGHT CAN HAVE VERY DIFFERENT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHTS AND VEHICLES WITH THE SAME GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT CAN HAVE VERY DIFFERENT UNLADEN WEIGHTS. AS EXAMPLES, TWO TRAILERS LICENSED IN HONG KONG HAVE THE SAME UNLADEN WEIGHT OF 5.25 CWT BUT THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF ONE IS 24 029 KG WHILE THAT OF THE OTHER IS 26 981. SIMILARLY TWO TRAILERS LICENSED IN HONG KONG HAVE THE SAME GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF 32 581 KG BUT THEIR UNLADEN WEIGHTS ARE 73.8 CWT AND 144.8 CWT. THE DIFFERENCES ARISE FROM THE FACT THAT THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE TWO TRAILERS IN EACH CASE ARE NOT THE SAME.
IT FOLLOWS THEREFORE THAT THE FIRST-MENTIONED TWO TRAILERS OF IDENTICAL WEIGHT PAY THE SAME LICENCE FEE UNDER THE CURRENT REGULATIONS, AS THEIR FEES ARE ASSESSED ON THE BASIS OF THEIR UNLADEN WEIGHT. THOSE SAME TWO TRAILERS WOULD, HOWEVER, PAY DIFFERENT LICENCE FEES UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS AS THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF THE ONE TRAILER IS MORE THAN 250 KG HIGHER THAN THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF THE OTHER. IN CONVERTING THE BASIS OF THE FEE PAYMENT FROM UNLADEN WEIGHT TO GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT, WHATEVER THE LEVEL OF THE LICENCE FEE IT WILL EITHER INCREASE OR REDUCE THE FEE PAYABLE BY VARIOUS VEHICLES TO A DIFFERENT EXTENT.
IN SETTING THE NEW TRAILER LICENCE FEE AT $20 FOR EACH 250 KG OR PART THEREOF THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE THE OPPORTUNITY WAS TAKEN TO INCORPORATE INTO THE LEVEL OF THE FtE A RECOMMENDED INCREASED OF 150 PER CENT SEEING THAT THERE HAD BEtN NO INCREASE IN THE FEE SINCE 1956. THE FEE OF $20 ACTUALLY REPRESENTS AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF 168 PER CENT. AS JUST EXPLAINEu THE INCREASE CAN ONLY BE AN AVERAGE BECAUSE THE CHANGED BASIS OF PAYMENT TO PAYMENT ON GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WILL AFFECT DIFFERENT TRAILERS TO A DIFFERING EXTENT. FIGURES SHOW THAT THE RESULTANT INCREASE IN THE FEE WOULD RANGE FROM FIVE PER CENT TO 332.7 PER CENT DEPENDING UPON THE TYPE OF TRAILER IN QUESTION.
SOME CONTAINER VEHICLE OWNERS AND OWNER/DR I VERS CONSIDERED THIS PROPOSED FEE LEVEL TO BE TOO HIGH AND SEVEN OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES MET WITH OFFICIALS OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ON 7TH AUGUST, 1984 TO NEGOTIATE A LOWER FEE. THEIR FINAL POSITION AT THE MEETING WAS THAT THE FEE SHOULD NOT RESULT IN AN INCREASE FOR ANY TRAILER OF MORE THAN ABOUT $400 IN THE FIRST INSTANCE BUT THAT PHASED INCREASES LATER ON MIGHT BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE TRADE DEPENDENT UPON THE PREVAILING ECONOMIC SITUATION. THEY CONSIDERED THAT THE $20 FEE WAS UNREASONABLE AND THEY COULD NOT ABSORB THE FINANCIAL BURDEN. THE GOVERNMENT SIDE WAS ASKED TO REPLY WITHIN SEVEN DAYS. THE GOVERNMENT SIDE UNDERTOOK TO GIVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO THE PROPOSAL.
/PAjKxUJ —.. .................
19.84
12
PARK ING RESTR ICT IONS
AT THE SAME MEETING THE REPRESENTATIVES ALSO OBJECTED TO NEW ROAD TRAFFIC (PARKING) REGULATION 7 WHICH REQUIRES TRAILERS TO BE A’-'CHED TO TRACTORS IF PARKED ON ANY ROAD. THEY COMPLAINED THAT INSUFFICIENT PARKING SPACE WAS PROVIDED FOR CONTAINER VEHICLES AND AS THERE ARE MORE TRAILERS THAN TRACTORS SOME TRAILERS WOULD ALWAYS HAVE TO BE PARKED ON THEIR OWN. THE GOVERNMENT SIDE EXPLAINED THAT THE NEW REGULATION WAS DIRECTED AT ALL TRAILERS, NOT JUST CONTAINER TRAILERS AND THAT ITS OBJECT WAS TO PREVENT THE INDISCRIMINATE PARKING OF TRAILERS WHICH NOT INFREQUENTLY POSED A HAZARD TO PUBLIC SAFETY WHEN THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE MEANS OF TOWING THEM AWAY. IN ADDITION, EXPLANATION WAS PROVIDED OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO MAKE MORE LAND AVAILABLE FOR CONTAINER VEHICLE PARKING.
CONTAINER PORT ROAD
THE REPRESENTATIVES ASKED THAT THE RECENTLY IMPOSED URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON THE CONTAINER PORT ROAD BE RESCINDED AS SOME DRIVERS NEEDED TO STOP THEIR VEHICLES IN THE ROAD TO COLLECT SHIPPING DOCUMENTS FROM THE CONTAINER TERMINALS. THE GOVERNMENT SIDE EXPLAINED WHY THE RESTRICTION HAD BEEN INTRODUCED AND NOTED THE REPRESENTATIVES’ SUGGESTION THAT SEVERAL PARKING SPACES FOR PRIVATE CARS AND TAXIS BE DESIGNATED NEAR THE TERMINAL ENTRANCES SO THAT SPECIAL DELIVERY MESSENGERS COULD GAIN EASY ACCESS TO THE TERMINALS FOR COLLECTING SHIPPING DOCUMENTS. THEY UNDERTOOK TO SEEK A PRACTICAL SOLUTION WITH ALL CONCERNED.
VEHICLE EXAMINATION
THE REPRESENTATIVES ASKED WHETHER THE RE-EXAMINATION OF CONTAINER VEHICLES BY THE VEHICLE EXAMINATION DIVISION OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR LICENSING PURPOSES COULD BE CARRIED OUT AT TWO YEAR INTERVALS INSTEAD OF ANNUALLY AS THE LACK OF GARAGE FACILITIES IN HONG KONG MEANT THAT THE PREPARATION OF THE CONTAINER VEHICLES FOR INSPECTION OFTEN TOOK THE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD FOR AS LONG AS TWO MONTHS AT A TIME. THE GOVERNMENT SIDE REPLIED THAT THE REQUEST WOULD BE CONSIDERED.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
THE REPRESENTATIVES ALSO COMPLAINED THAT LOADED CONTAINER VEHICLES WERE SOMETIMES DETAINED BY THE POLICE FOR MINOR INFRINGEMENTS OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND USE) REGULATION^ WITHOUT ALLOWING THE GOODS BEING CARRIED TO BE UNLOADED. THE GOVERNMENT SIDE AGREED TO AND HAS ALREADY PASSED ON THIS COMPLAINT TO THE POL ICE.
/ X'xtCPC ^n.M. j'Cxl
>'OIDAT, AuGt’oT 2j, 19&4
13
->R0P0SALS FOR THE SOLUTIONS
LICENCE FEES
ON 13TH AUGUST, 1984, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT PROPOSED TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTAINER VEHICLE OWNERS THAT THE $20 TRAILER FEE SHOULD BE PAYABLE ONLY ON THAT PORTION OF THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER WHICH IS ACTUALLY BORNE BY THE TRAILER, ON THE GROUNDS THAT A FEE IN RESPECT OF THE PORTION OF THE TRAILER’S GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT BORNE BY THE TRACTOR MAY BE SAID TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LICENCE FEE FOR THE TRACTOR WHICH IS ALSO PAYABLE ON A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT BASIS.
ON 16TH AUGUST, 1984, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPRESENTATIVES FOUND THE DEPARTMENT’S PROPOSAL UNACCEPTABLE AND HAD COUNTER-PROPOSED AN INCREASE IN FEES WHICH WOULD AFFECT NO TRAILER BY MORE THAN 45 PER CENT IN 1984 WITH A FURTHER INCREASE OF 15 PER CENT IN 1985, AS LONG AS THERE WAS NO ACCOMPANYING INCREASE IN THE LICENCE FEE FOR TRACTORS. THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WAS ASKED TO GIVE A REPLY BY 18TH AUQUST, 1984.
THE LATEST PROPOSAL ABOUT THE TRAILER LICENCE FEE MADE BY THE CONTAINER VEHICLE OWNERS AND OPERATORS HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT BUT THE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERS THAT ITS OWN PROPOSAL TO LEVY THE LICENCE FEE ON MOST PART OF A TRAILER’S GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT BORNE EXCLUSIVELY BY THE TRAILER IS BOTH FAIR AND REASONABLE ON ITS OWN, AND FURTHERMORE THAT IT GOES MOST OF THE WAY TOWARDS MEETING THE SCALE OF INCREASE IN LICENCE FEES WHICH THE CONTAINER VEHICLE OWNERS’ REPRESENTATIVES THEMSELVES PROPOSE.
THE FEES UNDER THE REVISED METHOD OF CALCULATION ARE AS SHOWN IN THE ATTACHED TABLE. IN TERMS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S PROPOSAL NO TRAILER OWNER WOULD PAY MORE IN LICENCE FEES THAN HE SHOULD IN RELATION TO ANY OTHER TRAILER OWNER. SOME MIGHT PAY AS MUCH AS $150 LESS THAN AT PRESENT, OTHERS AS MUCH AS $850 MORE BUT EACH CWNER WOULD PAY ACCORDING TO THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF HIS OWN VEHICLES. MOST OWNERS WOULD PROBABLY PAY BETWEEN $450 AND $600 MORE THAN AT PRESENT. THE AVERAGE INCREASE WOULD BE ABOUT 61 PER CENT SO IT IS APPARENT THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S PROPOSAL NOT ONLY SECURES TRAILER OWNERS A MUCH LOWER INCREASE THAN AT FIRST MOOTED BUT IT ALSO ACHIEVES A FAIR MEANS OF CHARGING IN RESPECT OF GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT. TO ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE A GENERAL 45 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE FEES AS THE CONTAINER VEHICLE OWNERS’ REQUEST WOULD, UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, NOT BE DIFFICULT TO ARRANGE, BUT AT THIS JUNCTURE WHEN THE BASIS OF CHARGING IS MOVING FROM A FEE BASED ON UNLADEN WEIGHT TO THE FAIRER BASIS OF CHARGING (ON GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT) FOR WHAT THE CONTAINER VEHICLE CAN ACTUALLY CARRY, SUCH A MOVE WOULD DEFEAT THE OBJECT OF THE NEW LEGISLATION.
/CCNSBQUJNTLY, TH- ........
MQNLa-, At Jb ST ^0 , 1954
u
CONSEQUENTLY, THE DEPARTMENT URGES THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTAINER VEHICLE OWNERS TO RECONSIDER THE DEPARTMENT’S POPOSAL AS TO THE TRAILER LICENCE FEE. OFFICIALS OF THE DEPARTMENT AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME FOR DETAILED DISCUSSION AND EXPLANATION.
CONTAINER PORT ROAD
AT A MEETING BETWEEN GOVERNMENT OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTAINER VEHICLE OWNERS/ DRIVERS ON SITE IN THE CONTAINER PORT ROAD ON 1OTH AUGUST, 1984, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL EXPLAINED THAT IF PARKING SPACES WERE DESIGNATED IN THE CONTAINER PORT ROAD, IT WAS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THEY WOULD BE PERMANENTLY OCCUPIED BY VEHICLES LOADING AND UNLOADING AND WOULD NOT THUS SOLVE THE PROBLEM THEY WERE CREATED TO SOLVE. THE REPRESENTATIVES RELUCTANTLY ACCEPTED AN ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL MADE BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT THAT A SECTION OF THE CLEARWAY BE DERESTRICTED TO ALLOW TAXIS TO STOP AND THAT WRITTEN AGREEMENT BE OBTAINED FROM THE THREE TERMINAL OPERATORS PERMITTING PRIVATE CARS TO ENTER THE TERMINALS FOR THE COLLECTION OF NECESSARY SHIPPING DOCUMENTS. THE DEPARTMENT ALSO COUNSELS THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTAINER VEHICLE OWNERS AND DRIVERS TO RECONSIDER THE DEPARTMENT’S SUGGESTED SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF PARKING ON THE CONTAINER PORT ROAD. WHILE THAT PROPOSED BY THE REPRESENTATIVES IS CAPABLE OF PHYSICAL IMPLEMENTATION, THE DEPARTMENT NOT ONLY DOUBTS THAT IT WOULD IN PRACTICE SOLVE THE PROBLEM FACED BY CONTAINER VEHICLE DRIVERS BUT ALSO CONSIDERS THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY GENERATE A DIFFERENT BUT SERIOUS TRAFFIC PROBLEM LEADING TO THE INTERMITTENT BLOCKING CF THE ROAD.
ONCE AGAIN MAY I SAY THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS WILLING TO DISCUSS THESE ISSUES IN DETAIL AT ANY TIME WHICH MAY BE CONVENIENT EITHER TO YOU OR TO THE CONTAINER VEHICLE OWNERS AND DR IVERS.
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
(R.J. POLE-EVANS)
FOR COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 198^
15
SCHOOL MEDICAL SCHEME FEE UP
XX*
THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE STUDENT’S PARTICIPATION FEE FOR ITS MEDICAL SCHEME WILL BE RAISED FROM $5 TO $10 A YEAR.
THE FEE INCREASE, APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT, WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD EXPLAINED THAT THE PRESENT 35 ANNUAL FEE HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1971.
+WITH INCREASED COSTS IN GENERAL, AND OF MEDICINE IN PARTICULAR, DURING THE PAST 13 YEARS, IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY TO BRING THE STUDENT’S CONTRIBUTION MORE INTO LINE WITH THE OVERALL COST OF A SCHEME WHICH IS HEAVILY SUBSIDISED BY THE GOVERNMENT,+ IE ADDED.
AT THE SAME TIME THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTRIBUTION WILL ALSO BE RAISED FROM $50 TO $65 PER STUDENT ENROLLED. THIS MEANS THAT EACH DOCTOR WILL RECEIVE $75 PER STUDENT A YEAR.
THE SCHEME IS AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS FROM PRIMARY I 'TO FORM III.
ENROLMENT IS VOLUNTARY AND STUDENTS SHOULD ENROL THROUGH THEIR SCHOOLS.
FOR AN ANNUAL FEE OF $10 A STUDENT MAY VISIT THE DOCTOR AS MANY TIMES AS HE WISHES FOR CONSULTATION AND MEDICATION.
AS AT MARCH 31, 1984 THERE WERE 308 444 PARTICIPATING STUDENTS, AND 262 DOCTORS REGISTERED WITH THE BOARD.
ONE IN EVERY THREE ELIGIBLE SCHOOL CHILDREN IS NOW PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME.
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METROPOLITAN GROWTH SEEN AS MANAGEABLE X X X X X
SPECIALISTS IN THE FIELDS OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADING THEIR SOCIETY IN DISENTANGLING ITSELF FROM PAST THEORIES FORMULATED ON PAST CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, DR N.K. CHAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
DR CHAN WAS SPEAKING ON THE OPENING DAY FOR THE NINTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE EASTERN REGIONAL ORGANISATION FOR PLANNING AND HOUSING. MORE THAN 240 DELEGATES ARE ATTENDING THE FIVE-DAY CONGRESS BEING HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
/+u’E Stiv’JLJ...........
MONBAY, AUGUST 2C, 1b&4
- 16 -
+WE SHOULD REGARD THE FUTURE TO BE IN OUR HANDS. I HOLD THE CONVICTION THAT METROPOLITAN AREAS COULD BE PLANNED AND DEVELOPED TO BE ENVIRONMENTALLY DESIRABLE AND SOCIALLY SATISFYING PLACES TO LIVE IN,+ HE ADDED.
HE SAID THAT THE HYPOTHESIS THAT LARGE CITIES WERE THE CRADLES OF SINS SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A FALLACY OF THE DEFEATIST AND THE PESSIMIST.
+UNSATISFACTORY METROPOLITAN AREAS WHICH WE SEE AND EXPERIENCE TODAY ARE THE PRODUCTS OF PAST UNPLANNED AND IMPROPERLY MANAGED URBANISATION WHICH CAUGHT PLANNERS, DECISION-MAKERS AND DEVELOPERS UNPREPARED.
+WE MUST NOT FORGET THAT A SOCIETY IS CHANGEABLE. WHAT WAS CORRECT (EVEN IF WE ASSUME IT WAS CORRECT) IN THE PAST MAY NOT BE TRUE FOR THE PRESENT AND WILL BECOME UNTRUE FOR THE FUTURE.*
DR CHAN SAID THAT LIKE ANY OTHER FORM OF HUMAN SETTLEMENT, A CITY HAD-SUCH PROBLEMS AS TRAFFIC CONGESTION, ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, CROWDED LIVING CONDITIONS, UNDER-PROVISION OF INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES AND PRESSURE DUE TO KEEN COMPETITION.
♦I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT, IF WE MANAGE TO FREE OURSELVES FROM THE BONDAGE OF HISTORY, WE CAN MORE READILY FIND THE NECESSARY TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS TO THE LARGE CITY PROBLEMS.
+1 ALSO HOLD THE CONVICTION THAT IT IS NOT THE SCALE OF DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS THE CAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, IT IS THE WAY DEVELOPMENT IS ALLOWED TO TAKE PLACE AND HOW IT IS MANAGED,* IE SAID.
TAKING HONG KONG AS AN EXAMPLE, DR CHAN SAID THAT THE URBAN AREA HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPAND VERTICALLY AND HORIZONTALLY ACCORDING TO WELL-THOUGHT-OUT PLANS.
♦THE HONG KONG RESIDENT AND OUR PLANNERS DO NOT MERELY ACCEPT HIGH-RISE DEVELOPMENT, THEY ALSO HAVE DEVELOPED WAYS TO MAKE THE BEST OF THE SITUATION, AS EVIDENT FROM THE HIGHER ACCOMMODATION VALUE OF THE HIGHER FLATS FROM WHERE THE RESIDENTS MAY ENJOY BETTER VIEWS AND LESS NOISE DISTURBANCE FROM THE!STREETS,* HE SAID.
THIS HIGH-RISE APPROACH, TOGETHER WITH THE ADOPTION OF MODERN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SKILLS, ENABLED HONG KONG TO MAXIMISE THE USE AND BENEFITS FROM VERY SCARCE LAND RESOURCES.
DR CHAN SAID THE MAIN URBAN AREA IN HONG KONG MIGHT GROW YET FURTHER.
IN A RECENTLY ANNOUNCED TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR HONG KONG UP TO THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, FURTHER EXPANSION OF THE URBAN AREA HAD BEEN PROPOSED AS ONE OF THE PREFERRED STRATEGICS.
/FURTHJ2H S •••••••
MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1^84
FURTHER RECLAMATIONS WERE RECOMMENDED ALONG THE EXISTING SHORELINE WHICH WOULD HAVE A CAPACITY FOR ACCOMMODATING AN ADDITIONAL POPULATION OF MORE THAN ONE MILLION.
♦THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FORMULATION PROCESS WAS BASED ON FINDINGS OF THOROUGH STUDIES WHICH SHOW, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT SUCH RECLAMATIONS FOR FURTHER URBAN GROWTH WOULD NOT ONLY BE PHYSICALLY PRACTICABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE BUT WILL ALSO GENERATE FEWER TRANSPORT PROBLEMS THAN CONTINUOUS DECENTRALISATION INTO THE COUNTRY AREAS.
♦THE HONG KONG EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT WE MUST ACCEPT THE REALITY WHICH WE FACE AND TAKE POSITIVE ACTION TO FIND SOLUTIONS.+
DR CHAN SAID ONE REASON FOR HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENT WAS ITS FLEXIBLE APPROACH, WHICH PROMOTED EFFICIENCY AND ENCOURAGED MEMBERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO CONTRIBUTE THE MOST TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT.
♦ALMOST HALF OF THE HONG KONG POPULATION LIVE IN GOVERNMENT-BUILT SUBSIDISED HOUSING AND ENJOY ALL THE ADVANTAGES OFFERED BY WELL-PLANNED ESTATE LAYOUT IN A GOOD ENVIRONMENT INCLUDING NECESSARY RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
♦THESE HOUSING ESTATES ARE MANAGED BY PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED HOUSING MANAGERS. IN THIS WAY, ABOUT HALF OF HONG KONG’S POPULATION LIVE UNDER PROPERLY MANAGED CONDITIONS.*
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, MANAGEMENT WAS ALSO PROVIDED IN MANY PRIVATE HOUSING AREAS.
THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG COULD THEREFORE BE SAID TO BE LIVING IN PROPERLY MANAGED HOUSING BLOCKS.
ON RAPID URBANISATION, DR CHAN SAID THIS NEEDED GOOD ADMINISTRATION. ONE APPROACH WAS TO DECENTRALISE PARTS OF THE DECISION-MAKING MACHINERY.
♦HONG KONG, FOR ONE, IS ALREADY MOVING IN THIS DIRECTION. EIGHTEEN DISTRICT BOARDS WITH ELECTED LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS OF INTEREST CONCERNING THEIR INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT AND TO MAKE DECISIONS AND TAKE ACTION ON LOCAL ENVIRONMENT',-ISSUES,* DR CHAN SAID.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1934
18
SEMiNARS ON GREEN PAPER * * *
RESIDENTS OF HUNG HOM AND TO KWA WAN WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT THROUGH TWO SEMINARS TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AND THE FOLLOWING (WEDNESDAY) EVENINGS.
BOTH SEMINARS, ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, WILL START AT 8 PM IN THE C.C.C.NIM TSI COLLEGE AT 170 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
CHAIRED BY AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CLEMENT CHEUNG, GUEST SPEAKERS AT TOMORROW’S SEMINAR WILL INCLUDE AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR PAO PING-WING; A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR KONG PAK-KEUNG; CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE TO KWA WAN AREA COMMITTEE, MR PATRICK L.T. WONG AND MRS MABEL CHOW'; AND A SOCIAL WORKER, MISS CHENG HAU-YEE.
AT WEDNESDAY’S SEMINAR, THE CHAIRMEN OF FOUR AREA COMMITTEES WILL ALSO BE PRESENT. THEY ARE MR PATRICK WONG OF TO KWA WAN SOUTH, MR LEUNG HOI OF TO KWA WAN NORTH, MR WOO WING-KI OF HUNG HOM SOUTH AND MR WONG WING-PIU OF HUNG HOM NORTH.
-------- o --------
RESTAURANT CHECKS BY HEALTH STAFF UP * * * *
MORE THAN 380 RESTAURANT OPERATORS, LICENSED AND UNLICENSED, WERE PROSECUTED LAST MONTH COMPARED WITH 288 IN JULY LAST YEAR -AN INCREASE OF 32 PER CENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT FINES FOR THE MONTH, RANGING FROM $100 TO OVER $2 000, AMOUNTED TO SOME $325 000. THIS COMPARED WITH $250 910 COLLECTED IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS, 147 WERE INITIATED AGAINST LICENSED RESTAURANT OPERATORS WHO WERE IN BREACH OF VARIOUS HEALTH LAWS OR LICENSING CONDITIONS.
THESE INCLUDED THE USE OF OPEN SPACE FOR SCULLERY, STORAGE OR PREPARATION OF FOOD; DIRTY FOOD PREMISES; FOOD NOT STORED IN A SUITABLE CONTAINER; AND DEVIATION FROM APPROVED LAYOUT.
OF THE REMAINING CASES, 143 WERE CHARGED FOR OPERATING FOOD BUSINESSES WITHOUT LICENCES AND 91 FOR CARRYING OUT BUSINESSES IN BREACH OF COURT ORDERS.
•••••••
MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1984
the spokesman said regular inspections are made by health INSPECTORS ON FOOD BUSINESSES TO ENSURE THAT THE HEALTH LAWS AND THE LICENSING CONDITIONS ARE OBSERVED AND THE REQUISITE HYGIENE STANDARDS MAINTAINED.
+ANY CONTRAVENTION OF THE LAW IS LIABLE TO LEAD TO PROSECUTION OR SUSPENSION OF THE LICENCE,* HE WARNED.
+UNLICENSED FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS ARE DEALT WITH BY SUMMONSES AND IN PERSISTENT CASES, BY SUMMARY ARRESTS.*
0 - -
SURVEY ON NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY COMPLETED * * *
DETAILS OF A RECENTLY-COMPLETED SURVEY ON THE NEEDS OF OLD PEOPLE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY IS TO FIND OUT THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY AND REVIEW EXISTING SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THEM IN THE DISTR ICT.
IT IS HOPED THAT FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY WILL BRING ABOUT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DAILY LIVES, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, FINANCIAL SITUATION AND HEALTH CONDITIONS TO SENIOR RESIDENTS.
THE PROJECT IS SPONSORED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE.
THE SURVEY RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, CHOW WAI-KEUNG.
ALSO ATTENDING THE NEWS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIM SALKELD, AND THE FIELD INSTRUCTOR OF HONG KONG UNIVERSITY’S SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT, MR LAW CHI-KWONG.
- - 0 - -
FLOATING HOLIDAY REMINDER * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE SECOND FLOATING HOLIDAY WILL FALL ON AUGUST 27, THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST.
A SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IF EMPLOYERS HAVE NOT ALREADY FIXED THE DATE OF THE SECOND FLOATING HOLIDAY FOR THIS YEAR AND THEIR EMPLOYEES HAVE NOT REQUESTED THAT THE HOLIDAY BE ADDED TO THEIR PAID ANNUAL LEAVE, THEY SHOULD GIVE EMPLOYEES THE HOLIDAY ON AUGUST 27.
MCNDAY, AUGUST 20, 1984
- 20 -
HE SAID UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, EMPLOYERS HAVE TO FIX THE TWO FLOATING HOLIDAYS AND NOTIFY EMPLOYEES BY A NOTICE PLACED AT A CONSPICUOUS PLACE BEFORE THE END OF THE PRECEDING YEAR.
ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES AND THOSE NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $8 500 A MONTH ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAYS AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY-OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING THE PERIOD OF 28 DAYS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY. PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE ON THE NORMAL PAY DAY.
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY-OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
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WORKSHOP ON CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY
*****
A 12-SESSION WORKSHOP ON CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY WILL BE ORGANISED FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL ART TEACHERS IN THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.
THE AIM OF THE WORKSHOP IS TO ENHANCE TEACHERS’ KNOWLEDGE OF THIS FORM OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION THROUGH STUDIO PRACTICE.
THE WORKSHOP IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ART SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTRA-MURAL STUDIES OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD ON 12 CONSECUTIVE SATURDAYS FROM OCTOBER 6 AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY $190 TO THE UNIVERSITY’S DEPARTMENT OF EXTRA-MURAL STUDIES. THIS FEE WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION WILL BE CANTONESE. THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS WILL BE LIMITED TO 25.
•••••••
MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1984
- 21 -
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE THROUGH PRINCIPALS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO THE ART SECTION AT THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE BY SEPTEMBER 7.
CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE ISSUED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO PARTICIPANTS WITH SATISFACTORY ATTENDANCE.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE ART SECTION ON 5-621006.
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MORNING JOGGING FOR YUEN LONG RESIDENTS M * * *
THE RUNNING TRACK AT YUEN LONG STADIUM WILL BE OPEN TO LOCAL RESIDENTS FOR JOGGING FROM SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER.
DURING THE PERIOD, THE TRACK WILL BE OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 8 AM FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY.
PARTICIPANTS MAY ALSO USE THE EIGHT-LANE ALL-WEATHER TRACK FOR OTHER PHYSICAL EXERCISES.
THEY ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR RUBBER SHOES AND TO KEEP AWAY FROM THE TURFED AREA OF THE STADIUM, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
SOUVENIRS WILL BE GIVEN TO PARTICIPANTS AT THE END OF THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE MORNING JOGGING ARE AVAILABLE AT YUEN LONG STADIUM, TAI YUK ROAD, OR THE YUEN LONG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE, KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
COMPLETED FORMS, TOGETHER WITH A SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED ENVELOPE AND TWO PHOTOGRAPHS, SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE STADIUM OR THE YUEN LONG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE BEFORE AUGUST 31 (FRIDAY).
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/22 ........
MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1934
22
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS COMMENDED * * * * *
THIRTY-TWO OFFICERS OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT RECEIVED THEIR COMMENDATION CERTIFICATES FROM THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, NR ALAN CARTER, TODAY (MONDAY) AT A CEREMONY IN THE DEPARTMENT S HEADQUARTERS.
THE OFFICERS, INCLUDING SIX GENERAL GRADE STAFF, WERE COMMENDED FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE LAST YEAR.
ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS, MR WAN TAK-MING, WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS ALERTNESS AND INITIATIVE IN DETECTING AND ARRESTING FOUR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ON TWO OCCASIONS.
REGISTRIES WERE AuSO IN DETECTING ILLEGAL OTHER PERSONS’ REGISTRATION FORMALITIES.
FOUR CLERICAL OFFICERS OF THE BIRTHS COMMENDED FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ALERTNESS IMMIGRANTS USING FORGED IDENTITY CARD AND IDENTITY CARDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF BIRTHS
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POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HOLIDAYS * * * *
THERE WILL BE ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 25) AND NO DELIVERY ON MONDAY (AUGUST 27), BOTH OF WHICH ARE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
ON SATURDAY, 36 POST OFFICES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL POST OFF ICc KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICES, AND TSUEN WAN AND TAI PO POST OFFICES, WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON.
ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY.
DETAILS OF THE POST OFFICES WHICH WILL BE OPEN ON SATURDAY CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE LOCAL POST OFFICE OR FROM THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU AT 5-231071 OR 5-231072.
- - 0
MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1984
- 23 -
142 PEOPLE FINED FOR OFFENCES IN PARKS
* * * *
MOTORISTS DRIVING INTO COUNTRY PARKS WITHOUT PERMISSION HAVE BECOME THE SECOND LARGEST GROUP OF PEOPLE FINED FOR OFFENCES IN THE PARKS AFTER LITTERBUGS.
LAST MONTH 22 PEOPLE WERE FINED FOR SUCH AN OFFENCE.
TwO OTHER PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED FOR RIDING BICYCLES INTO THE COUNTRY PARKS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAf STRESSED THAT ROADS IN COUNTRY PARKS WERE NOT BUILT FOR USE BY VEHICLES.
IN JULY, 142 PEOPLE WERE FINED FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES IN THE PARKS. OF THESE, 104 WERE FINED FOR LITTERING.
SEVEN OTHERS WERE PROSECUTED FOR USING FIRES IN NON-DESIGNATED SITES DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
OTHER OFFENCES INCLUDED CAMPING IN NON-DESIGNATED SITES, DAMAGING PROPERTY AND POLLUTING WATER.
- - 0 - -
NEW POST OFFICE FOR TSUEN WAN * * *
A NEW POST OFFICE PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES WILL BE OPENED IN TSUEN WAN NEXT TUESDAY (AUGUST 28).
THE OFFICE, LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 18-32 TSUEN WING STREET, WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING POST OFFICE AT 73 HAM TIN STREET WHICH WILL BE CLOSED DOWN THE SAME DAY.
IT WILL ALSO TAKE OVER REGISTERED MAIL AND PARCEL COLLECTION SERVICES AS WELL AS P.O. BOX FACILITIES NOW PROVIDED IN THE POST OFFICES AT 407 AND 455-457 CASTLE PEAK ROAD. THE NEW OFFICE WILL ACCEPT SPEEDPOST POSTINGS AS WELL.
ITS BUSINESS HOURS WILL BE 9 AM TO 5 PM FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY, AND ITS TELEPHONE NUMBER WILL BE 0-4998888.
ALSO FROM NEXT TUESDAY, THE PRESENT POST OFFICE AT 455-457 CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED DOWN.
THE OFFICE AT 407 CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER NORMAL COUNTER SERVICES, AND WILL ACCEPT SPEEDPOST POSTINGS.
BUT ITS BUSINESS HOURS WILL BE CHANGED TO: 9 AM - 5 PM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND 9 AM - 1 PM ON SATURDAY. ITS TELEPHONE NUMBER (0-4934028) REMAINS UNCHANGED.
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/24........
MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 1984
- 24 -
NEW SURFACE FOR TENNIS COURTS
* * *
TENNIS COURTS FOR A PLAYGROUND UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT THE JUNCTION OF CARPENTER ROAD AND SHEK KU LUNG ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE SURFACED WITH SYNTHETIC MATERIAL.
TENDERS FOR SUPPLYING THE RUBBER-LIKE MATERIAL AND FOR CARRYING OUT THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
BESIDES THE FOUR TENNIS COURTS, THE PLAYGROUND WILL HAVE IWO VOLLEYBALL-CUM-BADMINTON COURTS AND TWO MINI-SOCCER PITCHES.
OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDE A TWO-STOREY SERVICE BUILDING WITH CHANGING ROOMS, TOILETS AND A REFRESHMENT KIOSK.
THE WHOLE SITE AREA, COVERING ABOUT 1.35 HECTARES, WILL BE LANDSCAPED.
THE PLAYGROUND WILL BE READY FOR USE ON COMPLETION OF THE SURFACING WORK EARLY NEXT YEAR.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL * * *
THE EXISTING CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS FOR GOODS VEHICLES ON A SECTION OF THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE LIFTED FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 22).
THE SECTION IS BETWEEN PEDDER STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES WEST OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL’S JUNCTION WITH PEDDER STREET. AND THE EXISTING RESTRICTIONS ARE FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY, THE EXISTING CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY ON CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WESTBOUND BETWEEN MURRAY ROAD AND PEDDER STREET WILL BE EXTENDED TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH PEDDER STREET.
WITHIN THIS ZONE, NO MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS DURING THE RESTRICTED PERIODS.
o---------
MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 19-4
- 25 -
WATER FIGURE K * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 83.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 489.532 MILLION CUbIC METREo.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 86.7 PER CENT
508.026 MILL ION OF CAPACITY.
TAPS OFF IN NORTH POINT, YUEN LONG AND TAI HANG TUNG * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN NORTH POINT, YUEN LONG AND TAI HANG TUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 23) AND FRIDAY (AUGUST 24).
IN NORTH POINT, THE SUPPLY WILL BE OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS, AFFECTING PREMISES BOUNDED BY TIN CHIU STREET, KING’S ROAD, TONG SHU I ROAD AND .JAVA ROAD, INCLUDING NORTH POINT FERRY PIER AS WELL AS CENTRAL MAIN BLOCK, EAST MAIN BLOCK AND EAST POINT BLOCK OF THE NORTH POINT ESTATE.
IN YUEN LONG, THE SUPPLY WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR 11 HOURS FROM 8 PM THE SAME DAY TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES AND VILLAGES ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM SHU I BIN WAI ROAD TO AU TAU, INCLUDING POK 01 HOSPITAL, AND TAI TONG ROAD.
IN TAI HANG TUNG, WATER SUPPLY WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM THE SAME DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE THOSE ALONG TAI HANG TUNG ROAD AND TONG YAM STREET, INCLUDING TUNG FU HOUSE, TUNG WO HOUSE, TUNG WAN HOUSE, TUNG WING HOUSE AND BLOCK NOS. 3 TO 6 OF TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE.
-----o------
SALT WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR 24 HOURS FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 23) FOR WATER MAINS CONNECTION.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT KWAI SHING EAST AND WEST ESTATES, BLOCKS 1 TO 19 OF TAI WO HAU ESTATE, AS WELL AS PREMISES ALONG KWAI HOP STREET AND THOSE BOUNDED BY CHUNG ON STREET, MA TAU PA ROAD, YEUNG UK ROAD, TEXACO ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSTRUCTION WORK VALUE PUBLISHED ............................... 1
PROVIDENT FUND FOR THE ELDERLY RECOMMENDED ...................... 3
IMPORTANCE OF ARTS SPONSORSHIP STRESSED ......................... 4
TEXTILES TALKS USEFUL BUT INCONCLUSIVE — MCLEOD ................. 5
TRAINING KEY TO CLOTHING INDUSTRY'S GRO'.TTH .................... 6
SIR JOHN VISITS FACTORY........................................ 6
PUBLIC REMINDED ABOUT NEW TRAFFIC LAWS .......................... 7
VEHICLE SERVICING FACILITIES IN MONG KOK......................... 8
MAN FINED FOR STEALING FRONDS ................................
HOUSING APPLICATIONS SECTION MOVES ...........................
archery SEMINAR IN SAI KUNG ..................................... 9
FORUMS ON GREEN PAPER........................................... 10
KOWLOON CITY DB TO HOLD MEETING ................................ 1°
MAINS WORK IN TUEN MUN.......'.................................. 11
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1984
1 -
CONSTRUCTION WORK VALUE PUBLISHED * * *
THE TOTAL GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY ALL BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS (INCLUDING MAIN CONTRACTORS AND SUB-CONTRACTORS) WAS $8 557 MILLION IN THE FIRST QUARTER THIS YEAR, ACCORDING TO SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.
THE
THIS REPRESENTED DECREASES OF SEVEN PER CENT FROM THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND TWO PER CENT FROM THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
SINCE SUB-CONTRACTING IS A COMMON PRACTICE IN CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY, THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DOUBLE-COUNTING IN THE TOTAL GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY ALL CONTRACTORS, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
FOR THIS REASON, THE SURVEY RESULTS GIVE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN OUTPUT VALUES OF MAIN CONTRACTORS AND SUB-CONTRACTORS.
FOR MAIN CONTRACTORS, AN INDEX OF VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED WAS COMPUTED WITH THE QUARTERLY OUTPUT AVERAGE OF 1982 TAKEN AS 100.
ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS, THE INDEX OF VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS WAS 94.4 IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983, DROPPING TO 89.1 AND 87.6 IN THE SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS RESPECTIVELY. THE DROP WAS HALTED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER AS THE INDEX REBOUNDED TO 94.9. HOWEVER, THE UPTURN DID NOT LAST LONG AND THE INDEX FELL BACK TO 91.9 IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984.
THE DEPARTMENT INTRODUCED A NEW SERIES OF QUARTERLY SURVEYS OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT IN EARLY 1983 WITH THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING A PROMPT INDICATOR OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS AND OUTPUT TRENDS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. BESIDES ANNOUNCING THE RESULTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984, THE DEPARTMENT TODAY RELEASED, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE FINDINGS FOR THE FOUR QUARTERS OF 1983.
AS IN THE PAST, THE LATEST SURVEY DISTINGUISHES CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES, AT OTHER MINOR NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK LOCATIONS, AND AT ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES.
IN THE CASE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES, FURTHER BREAKDOWN INTO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROJECTS, AND ANALYSIS BY END USE OF BUILDING OR STRUCTURE, BY NATURE OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY AND BY GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF SITE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
THE OUTPUT VALUE OF PUBLIC PROJECTS IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS CF 1983 AVERAGED AROUND $2 300 MILLION, RISING BY 16 PER CENT TO $2 628 MILLION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
IT DROPPED, HOWEVER, TO $2 489 MILLION IN THE FIRS’ QUARTER OF 1984, WHICH WAS STILL EIGHT PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
/on aii;...........
TTreSTUY, AUGUST 21, 1984
2
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE OUTPUT VALUE OF PRIVATE PROJECTS HAD BEEN IN GENERAL DECLINING GRADUALLY SINCE THE START OF THE SURVEY. THE OUTPUT VALUES IN THE FOUR QUARTERS OF 1983 WERE $3 062 MILLION, $2 674 MILLION, $2 611 MILLION, AND $2 631 MILLION RESPECTIVELY, FURTHER FALLING TO $2 549 MILLION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984.
THE SURVEY ALSO PROVIDES STATISTICS ON OUTPUT VALUES IN RESPECT OF END-USE OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES. RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND TRANSPORT STRUCTURES WERE THE MOST IMPORTANT CATEGORIES OF NEW CONSTRUCTION.
A SHARP DROP IN THE CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT VALUE OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS OCCURRED IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1983 AS OUTPUT SLIPPED FROM THE FIRST QUARTER BY 36 PER CENT TO $897 MILLION. QUARTERLY OUTPUT IN THE REST OF 1983 REMAINED AT A LOW LEVEL BUT THEN FELL FURTHER TO $692 MILLION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984.
AS FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, THE CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT VALUE SHOWED SOME INCREASE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1983 AND AGAIN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984, WITH INCREASES OF EIGHT PER CENT AND FOUR PER CENT RESPECTIVELY FROM THE PRECEDING QUARTER ALTHOUGH, AT »1 334 MILLION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984, IT WAS STILL THREE PER CENT BELOW THAT IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1983.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON TRANSPORT STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES REMAINED AT A RELATIVELY HIGH LEVEL IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984, AT $1 340 MILLION WHICH WAS MORE OR LESS UNCHANGED FROM THE PREVIOUS QUARTER BUT 21 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
INFORMATION IN GREATER DETAIL AND OTHER STATISTICS, SUCH AS VALUE OF WORK IN TERMS OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES LIKE SITE FORMATION AND ERECTION OF SUPER-STRUCTURES, AND VALUE OF WORK PERFORMED BY GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION, ARE CONTAINED IN A SURVEY REPORT. THE CURRENT ISSUE OF THIS REPORT COVERS RESULTS OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983 TO THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984. SUBSEQUENT ISSUES WILL BE PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS TO UPDATE THE FIGURES.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE QUARTERLY SERIES OF DATA WAS TO PROVIDE A QUICK INDICATOR ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND THIS SUPPLEMENTED THE SERIES OF ANNUAL SURVEYS WHICH PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE PERFORMANCE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND COST STRUCTURE OF THE INDUSTRY.
THE SURVEY REPORT IS ON SALE AT $2 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT CENTRE, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 317 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STAT IS, ICS SECTION AT TELEPHONE 3-7224490.
0
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1984
3
PROVIDENT FUND FOR THE ELDERLY RECOMMENDED * * *
A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND SYSTEM SHOULD BE SET UP TO ENSURE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE ELDERLY.
THIS IS RECOMMENDED BY A STUDY ON THE NEEDS OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN.
IT SAYS THE SYSTEM WILL HELP REDUCE DIRECT PAYMENTS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO PAY TO ELDERLY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CASES IN FUTURE.
THE STUDY REPORT, MADE PUBLIC AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY). ALSO SUGGESTS THAT FOUR SOCIAL CENTRES AND A DAY-CARE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY BE OPENED IN THE DISTRICT, PREFERABLY IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE EASTERN END OF KENNEDY TOWN AND THE 'WESTERN END OF SHEUNG WAN.
ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY, MOST OF THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT USE BUS OR TRAM AS THEIR MAJOR MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. IT PROPOSE^ THAT SEATS BE DESIGNATED ON BUSES AND TRAMS AND THAT OFF-PEAK-HOUR CONCESSION FARES BE GIVEN TO OLD PEOPLE.
IT ALSO RECOMMENDS THAT THE HOUSING NEED OF SINGLE OLD PEOPLE ---------------------------- REVIEWING THE PRESENT HOUSING
AND ELDERLY COUPLES BE CONSIDERED IN POLICIES, AND GREATER EFFORT BE MADE OF SOCIAL AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.
SPEAKING AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE
TO PUBLICISE THE AVAILABILITY
TODAY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE,
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ___
MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG, SAID THE SURVEY FINDINGS WOULD HELP PROMOTE THE ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO ACCOUNT FOR ONE-EIGHTH
THE WELL-BEING OF OF THE DISTRICT’S
SPONSORED BY THE COMMITTEE AND CF HONG KONG.
TOTAL POPULATION.
THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK OF THE UNIVERSITY
ABOUT 700 PEOPLE AT THE AGE OF 60 AND ABOVE WERE INTERVIEWED BY MORE THAN 200 VOLUNTEERS AND SECONDARY AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS.
0
/4
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1984
- 4 -
IMPORTANCE OF ARTS SPONSORSHIP STRESSED * * * *
SPONSORSHIP IS OF GROWING IMPORTANCE TO THE ARTISTIC WORLD AND OFFERS CONSIDERABLE SCOPE FOR EXPANSION IN HONG KONG, THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR CLIVE OXLEY, SAID TODAY.
HE SAID THERE WAS PERHAPS A NEED IN HONG KONG TO CONSIDER AFRESH THE POSSIBILITY OF CREATING A HONG KONG BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP ASSOCIATION ALONG THE LINES OF SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA.
MR OXLEY, WHO IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL FOR PERFORMING ARTS, WAS SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTHWEST.
HE SAID THAT SUCH AN ASSOCIATION COULD PROVIDE A SERVICE TO POTENTIAL SPONSORS BY, FOR EXAMPLE, SEEKING EVENTS FOR THEM.
+IT COULD ALSO ACT AS A CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION FOR BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS WITH ARTS BODIES AND GROUPS,+ HE ADDED.
+COULD I SUGGEST THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY MIGHT BE THE DRIVING FORCE IN THIS VENTURE? IF IT THINKS THE FORMATION OF SUCH AN ASSOCIATION WOULD BE USEFUL, I AM SURE THE COUNCIL FOR PERFORMING ARTS WOULD EXPLORE WAYS OF GETTING IT UP AND RUNNING,+ MR OXLEY SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS AS A MEANS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD BOTH FOR ARTISTIC ORGANISATIONS AND FOR THE COMPANIES OFFERING THE SPONSORSHIP.
+THE EXTENT TO WHICH SPONSORSHIP CONTRIBUTES TO THE OVERALL FUNDING OF THE ARTS VARIES MARKEDLY FROM TERRITORY TO TERRITORY,* HE POINTED OUT.
IN BRITAIN, FOR EXAMPLE, ARTISTIC ORGANISATIONS RELY HEAVILY ON PUBLIC SECTOR FINANCING. ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF ARTS FUNDING COMES FROM THE PUBLIC PURSE AND 10 PER CENT IS DERIVED PRIVATELY, SOME BY DONATION BUT MOST OF IT BY SPONSORSHIP.
NOTING THAT THE REVERSE IS TRUE IN THE UNITED STATES, MR OXLEY SAID, +THE FIGURES I HAVE TO HAND INDICATE THAT ONLY SEVEN PER CENT OF ARTS FUNDING IS DERIVED FROM THE PUBLIC PURSE WITH 93 PER CENT BEING DERIVED FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, VERY LARGELY THROUGH SPONSORSHIP.+
HE SAID THAT IN HONG KONG, FIGURES INDICATED TOO GREAT A RELIANCE ON PUBLIC FUNDING.
+IF WE EXCLUDE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, CURRENTLY ONLY SOME THREE PER CENT OF THE FUNDING OF THE ARTo COMES FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE FORM OF DONATIONS AND BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP, WITH THE REMAINING 97 PER CENT COMING FROM PUBLIC FUNDS.
TO3SDAY, AUGUST 21, 1984
5
♦I REGARD THIS AS SLIGHTLY ALARMING AS THE CUSHIONING PROVIDED BY PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP IS SO VERY THIN.
+ALL IS NOT GLOOMY, HOWEVER, FOR IN RECENT YEARS, MORE AND MORE COMPANIES BASED IN HONG KONG HAVE BEGUN JO JAKE AN INTEREST IN SPONSORSHIP NOT JUST IN THE ARTS BUT IN A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES WHICH BEST FIT THE IMAGE WHICH THE COMPANY WISHES TO PROJECT.
+SOME BUSINESSMEN WILL NEVERTHELESS NEED CONVINCING THAT SPONSORSHIP IS NOT ONLY OF BENEFIT TO THE RECIPIENT BUT ALSO JO HIS COMPANY. BUT FOR MANY BUSINESSMEN THE SUPPORT OF A WIDE RANGE CF ARTISTIC PERFORMANCES IS ITS OWN REWARD AND MANY WOULD ASK FOR NOTHING MORE,* HE SAID.
MR OXLEY EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT MORE COMPANIES WOULD SPONSOR ARTISTIC VENTURES.
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TEXTILES TALKS USEFUL BUT INCONCLUSIVE -- MACLEOD X X X X
A HONG KONG TRADE DELEGATION YESTERDAY (MONDAY) MET WITH THE UNITED STATES OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED PROPOSED AMERICAN TEXTILE IMPORT REGULATIONS.
MR HAMISH MACLEOD, DIRECTOR OF TRADE AND LEADER OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION, SAID THAT THE SESSION HAD BEEN USEFUL BUT INCONCLUSIVE AND THAT THE TALKS WOULD RESUME TODAY (TUESDAY) WHEN A US RESPONSE TO SOME OF THE POINTS RAISED BY HONG KONG WAS EXPECTED.
+IT WOULD NOT BE PROPER AT THIS STAGE FOR ME TO COMMENT ON THE SUBSTANCE OF THE TALKS, OTHER THAN TO SAY THAT HONG KONG’S CONCERNS HAVE BEEN MADE VERY CLEAR.
+THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT ABOUT OUR POSITION THAT THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS VIOLATE THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT AND OUR BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES, AND THAT THE REGULATION^ SHOULD BE RESCINDED,* HE SAID.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1934
- 6 -
TRAINING KEY TO CLOTHING INDUSTRY’S GROWTH * * * *
THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY SHOULD IMPROVE ITS ORGANISED MANPOWER TRAINING IN ORDER TO REMAIN VIABLE AND COMPETITIVE IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.
THIS IS THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATION PUT FORTH IN THE 1983 MANPOWER SURVEY REPORT OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY JUST PUBLISHED BY THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
♦PROVIDING ITS WORKERS WITH PROPER TRAINING, THE INDUSTRY WILL NOT ONLY BE ABLE TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF ITS PRODUCT BUT ALSO BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO ATTRACT NEW AND RETAIN ITS EXISTING WORKERS,* DR FRANCIS Y.H. TIEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAINI NG-BOARD, SA ID.
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, SHOWED THAT THE INDUSTRY WOULD NEED AN ADDITIONAL 160 TECHNOLOGISTS, 670 TECHNICIANS, 460 CRAFTSMEN AND 15 300 OPERATIVES A YEAR TO MEET ITS GROWTH FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THE INDUSTRY’S TOTAL EMPLOYMENT HAD INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT TO ABOUT 271 000 SINCE THE PREVIOUS STUDY IN SEPTEMBER 1981.
THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWED THERE HAD BEEN SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES OF , EMPLOYMENT AT THE TECHNICIAN LEVEL.
+TH-IS IS DUE TO THE GROWTH IN BUSINESS REQUIRING A LARGE NUMBER OF SUPERVISORY AND FLOOR PRODUCTION PERSONNEL,* DR TIEN SAID.
+THE GROWTH MAY ALSO BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INCREASING USE OF MODERN, SOPHISTICATED MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT,* HE ADDED.
TO ENSURE A STEADY SUPPLY OF WELL-TRAINED TECHNICAL WORKFORCE IN THE INDUSTRY, DR TIEN URGED EMPLOYERS TO EMBARK ON THE TRAINING PROGRAMMES SET OUT IN THE REPORT.
THE REPORT, PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $9.50 A COPY.
---0------
SIR JOHN VISITS FACTORY
* X X X
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TODAY (TUESDAY) TOURED A COMPUTER COMPONENT FACTORY IN TSUEN WAN AS PART OF HIS PROGRAMME OF VISITS TO LOCAL INDUSTRIES.
ACCOMPANIED BY MR PETER JOHNSON, ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, SIR JOHN ARRIVED AT THE CHINA DYEING WORKS FACTORY OF ASTEC COMPONENTS LTD, AND WAS WELCOMED BY MF WILLIAM WYLLIE, CHAIRMAN OF BSR INTERNATIONAL PLC, THE PARENT COMPANY, AND OTHER SENIOR EXECUTIVES.
/XST£D COMPONENTS.........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1984
ASTEC COMPONENTS, ESTABLISHED IN 1971, PRODUCES SWITCH I NG □ou/pp qiippi Y UNITS — A KEY COMPONENT FOR CONVERTING NORMAL DOMESTIC ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) TO D IR^T CURRENT (DC) REQU PY ALL COMPUTERS COMPUTER PERIPHERALS, TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, RAD IO*FREQUENCY PRODUCTS, AND APPLICATION SOFTWARE.
THE FACTORY IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING MANUFACTURERS OF SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY UNITS.
* I ND ING MACH INES
IT IS HIGHLY AUTOMATED WITH ITS INSTALLATION OF COMPUTERISED .iiwinG MACniNES, AUTO-INSERTION ^CH INES COMPUTER ISED SEQUENCERS AND OTHER GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND VARIOUS KINDS OF ELECTRONIC TESTERS
--------o ---------
PUBLIC REMINDED ABOUT NEW TRAFFIC LAWS
* * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 25).
THE COMMENCEMENT DATE FOR THE NEW LEGISLATION WITH SEVEN SETS OF REGULATIONS WAS ANNOUNCED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE PUBLISHED TODAY.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE SEVEN SETS, CONDENSED FROM THE 13 SETS IN THE OLD ORDINANCE, DEALS WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES; REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES? DRIVING LICENCES; TRAFFIC CONTROL? PARKING? PUBLIC SERVICES VEHICLES; AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
TO AVOID CONFUSION DURING THE CHANGEOVER OF SPEED LIMIT SIGNS THE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT ON ALL ROADS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WILL BE RESTRICTED TO 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR FROM MIDNIGHT ON AUGUST 24 TO MIDNIGHT ON AUGUST 27.
DIFFERENT SPEED LIMITS FOR CERTAIN ROADS, AS ANNOUNCED IN THE +ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE VARIATION OF SPEED LIMITS NOTICE 1984+ GAZETTED TODAY, WILL TAKE EFFECT ON AUGUST 28.
THE REMAINING OF 13 LEGAL NOTICES IN THE GAZETTE DESIGNATED AUGUST 25 TO BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS) ORDINANCE, THE FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS)(AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS 1984 AND THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE 1984.
SUMMARIES OF THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION, PREPARED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM DISTRICT OFFICES, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
o --------
/8 .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1934
8
VEHICLE SERVICING FACILITIES IN MONG KOK * * * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL DEPOT AT SAI YEE STREET, MONG KOK, WILL HAVE ITS OWN VEHICLE SERVICING FACILITIES.
TWO CONTRACTS, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF $1.5 MILLION, HAVE BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROJECT.
THE FIRST CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO HUNG KEE COMPANY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE VEHICLE FACILITIES, AND THE SECOND, INVOLVING ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION WITHIN THE FACILITIES, TO MANDARIN ENGINEERING COMPANY (HONG KONG) LTD.
WORK ON THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE BUILDING OF A SINGLE-STOREY EXTENSION TO THE COMPOUND OF THE EXISTING DEPOT TO PROVIDE TWO REPAIR BAYS, THREE SERVICE PITS, A BATTERY ROOM, A TYRE-REPAIR WORKSHOP AND AN OFFICE.
THE DEPOT WILL THEN BE CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING THE URBAN COUNCIL’S FLEET OF SERVICE VEHICLES OPERATING IN KOWLOON, THUS REDUCING THE TIME TAKEN ON MINOR SERVICING.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT WILL START TOWARDS THE END OF THIS MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN A YEAR’S TIME.
-------o----------
MAN FINED FOR STEALING FRONDS * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY WARNED NOT TO CUT OR DAMAGE ANY PLANTS WHEN THEY VISIT THE URBAN COUNCIL’S PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS.
THE WARNING WAS ISSUED FOLLOWING A 64-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS CAUGHT REB-HANDED RECENTLY FOR CUTTING FRONDS FROM SOME BAMBOO PALMS AT THE ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS.
THE OFFENDER WAS LATER FINED $150 AT THE WESTERN MAGISTRACY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THIS PARTICULAR OFFENCE OCCURRED ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON WHEN THE OFFENDER PRESUMABLY BELIEVED STAFF WOULD NOT BE ON DUTY.
+OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE CONSTANTLY ON THE LOOK-OUT FOR PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY CAN CUT AND STEAL FLOWERS OR SHRUBBERY FROM OUR PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS,* HE SAID.
♦SELFISH ACTIONS SUCH AS THESE SPOIL THE PLEASURE OF THE MANY PEOPLE VISITING THE PARKS, IN PARTICULAR THE ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS, AND WE WILL REMAIN ON THE ALERT FOR FUTURE OFFENDERS, EVEN ON SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS.*
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/9.......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1984
- 9 -
HOUSING APPLICATIONS SECTION MOVES * * *
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S APPLICATIONS SECTION AT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS IN HO MAN TIN WILL MOVE TO a NEW OFFICE AT 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD IN TO KWA WAN FROM NEXT TUESDAY (AUGUST 28).
THE NEW OFFICE WILL OCCUPY A SIX-STOREY BUILDING ADJACENT TO THE MA TAU WAI ESTATE.
♦IT WILL PROVIDE MORE SPACE AND IMPROVED WAITING FACILITIES FOR ATTENDING APPLICANTS AS WELL AS A BETTER WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL UNITS OF THE SECTION,* SAID A HOUSING SPOKESMAN TODAY.
HE SAID APPLICANTS WISHING TO MAKE ENQUIRIES IN PERSON SHOULD IN FUTURE CALL AT THE SECTION’S NEW ENQUIRY COUNTER ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING.
HOWEVER, THE CURRENT ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NO. 3-7129229 WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AND THE KOWLOON CITY POST BOX NO. 89192 WILL CONTINUE TO BE USED.
THE SECTION DEALS WITH ALL MATTERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE WAITING LIST, LETTING AND REHOUSING OF PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS; AS WELL AS TRANSFER AND MUTUAL EXCHANGE OF ESTATE FLATS FOR EXISTING
TENANTS.
-----o-----
ARCHERY SEMINAR IN SAI KUNG * * * *
ARCHERY ENTHUSIASTS ARE BEING INVITED TO A SEMINAR CAMP TO BE HELD IN SAI KUNG NEXT MONTH.
THE TWO-DAY CAMP, ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ARCHERY ASSOCIATION, WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 22 AND 23 (SATURDAY AND SUNDAY) AT THE LADY MACLEHOSE HOLIDAY VILLAGE.
THE CAMP’S PROGRAMMES WILL CONSIST OF A SEMINAR CONDUCTED BY COACHES AND EXPERIENCED ARCHERS, GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND PRACTICAL SESSIONS.
♦CAMPERS WILL BE ABLE TO EXCHANGE THEIR 'DEAS AND EXPERIENCE O.i ARCHERY AND SHARPEN THEIR SKILLS DURING THESE TWO DAYS,+ AN RSS SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENROLMENT IS LIMITED TO 130 PERSONS AND THE CAMP FEE IS S30 PLUS ANOTHER $22 FOR MEALS.
/THOSE WHO .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1984
10 -
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED AND HAVE EXPERIENCE IN ARCHERY MAY APPLY NOW.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE HEAD OFFICE IN WING ON CENTRE, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL OR FROM ITS 19 DISTRICT OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS SEPTEMBER 7.
------OX - - -
TUEN ORGANISED PROPOSALS
FORUMS ON GREEN PAPER * * * *
MUN RESIDENTS ARE BEING INVITED TO ATTEND FOUR OPEN FORUMS BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO COLLECT PUBLIC OPINIONS ON CONTAINED IN THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
LEADERS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, RURAL COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND SCHOOL HEADMASTERS WILL ALSO ATTEND THE FORUMS WHICH WILL BE HELD AT DIFFERENT VENUES FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RICKY FUNG, AND THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER WONG, WILL BE THE SPEAKERS AT THE FORUMS.
TOMORROW’S MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 8 PM AT THE CASTLE PEAK CATHOLIC SCHOOL.
THE OTHERS WILL BE HELD AT 8 PM ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 23) AT BUDDHIST WONG SE WAI MEMORIAL SCHOOL, AT 8 PM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 24) AT THE ON TING-YAU 01 COMMUNITY CENTRE, AND AT 2.30 PM ON SEPTEMBER 1 (SATURDAY) AT THE DANCE STUDIO OF THE YAN 01 TONG COMMUNITY AND INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE.
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KOWLOON CITY DB TO HOLD MEETING
* * * *
THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE NEXT KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 23).
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARDS, AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE ALLOCATION OF DB FUNDS TO BUILD 10 BUS PASSENGER SHELTERS AND TO ORGANISE A DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN.
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/11 ........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1984
11 -
MAINS WORK IN TUEN MUN
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME AREAS IN TUEN MUN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 PM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 24) TO 8 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM PUI TO ROAD TO TAI LAM CHUNG, INCLUDING PEROWNE CAMP, GORDON HARD, PEARL ISLAND, SO KWUN WAT, SO KWUN TAN, THE DESALTING PLANT, SIL LAM AND SAM SHING ESTATE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROPOSED LEGCO ELECTIONS BY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES EXPLAINED .................................................. 1
MACLEOD DISAPPOINTED WITH OUTCOME OF TALKS ................... 3
TRADE BALANCES FOR FIRST TIME IN YEARS........................ 5
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTIONS INDEX UP .............................. 7
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW .............................. 10
$593 MTT.T.TON CONTRACT FOR TUEN MUN HOSPITAL ............... 10
$187M PUBLIC HOUSING CONTRACTS SIGNED ....................... 11
5.5 MILLION ENQUIRIES IN SIX MONTHS .........•>.............. 12
HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, TOO, CAN EXPLORE UNDERWATER WORLD ....... 13
LOGO FOR YIN NGAI SOCIETIES ................................. 1^
ARTS FESTIVAL ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL .................. 15
COURSE FOR ART TEACHERS ..................................... 16
JUDO COURSES FOR CHILDREN ................................... 16
PUBLIC REMINDED TO PREVENT MOSQUITO NUISANCE ................ 17
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE ...................................... 18
PLB PROHIBITED ZONE IN YUEN LONG ............................ 18
KWUN TONG SITE FOR LEASE .................................... 19
TRAFFIC MEASURES IN SHEUNG WAN .............................. 19
NEW MAXICAB SERVICES IN YUEN LONG ........................... 20
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1934
1 -
PROPOSED LEGCO ELECTIONS BY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES EXPLAINED
* * * *
THE PROPOSAL FOR SIX MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO BE _£CTED BY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IS A SORT OF HALFWAY HOUSE ETWEEN UNRESTRICTED DISCRETION IN APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR ND ELECTION BY A MORE CONVENTIONAL GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY, SAID THIS WHEN ^'DRESSING THE ROTARY CLUB KOWLOON WEST LUNCHEON MEETING TODAY TO STIMULATE PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON WHETHER APPOINTED MEMBERS SHOULD BE RETAINED IN 1991.
MR BRAY EXPLAINED THAT THE EXISTING APPOINTED SYSTEM-IS NOT ARBITRARY.
+THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY IS REPRESENTATIVE OF A VERY BROAD CROSS SECTION OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY EVEN THOUGH THE SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY REPRESENTED AND THE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY THE GOVERNOR. THEY ARE TYPICAL HONG KONG PEOPLE,+ HE SAID.
THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY IS CONCEIVED AS A CONSTITUENCY WHICH COMPRISES A SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY WHICH IS NOW REPRESENTED IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE CHANGE FROM THE APPOINTED SYSTEM IS THAT THE CONSTITUENCY WILL BE DEFINED IN LAW — THAT IS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - NOT BY THE GOVERNOR,* HE SAID.
*THIS HAVING BEEN DONE, THEN THOSE COMPRISING THE CONSTITUENCY WILL ELECT THEIR OWN REPRESENTATIVE INSTEAD OF THE SELECTION BEING MADE BY THE GOVERNOR. THOSE PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY NOT INCLUDED AMONG THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WILL CONTINUE TO BE REPRESENTED THROUGH THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM - AT LEAST FOR THE PRESENT,* HE ADDED.
ALTHOUGH WORK ON THE DETAILED PROVISIONS OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WAS NOT COMPLETE, MR BRAY OUTLINED THE POSSIBILITIES BEING EXAMINED.
+IT SEEMS PROBABLE THAT THERE WILL BE TWO SORTS OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY - NAMELY ONE COMPOSED OF INDIVIDUALS AND ONE COMPOSED OF CORPORATE BODIES,* HE EXPLAINED.
TO ILLUSTRATE THE KIND OF ARRANGEMENT THAT EXISTS TODAY TO ENABLE A LARGE NUMBER OF CORPORATE BODIES TO PRODUCE A SMALL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATIVES, MR BRAY REFERRED TO THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF ELECTION ADOPTED BY THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
THIS HON-STATUTORY BODY PROVIDES SIX SEATS FOR LABOUR REPRESENTATIVES, FOUR OF WHICH ARE SELECTED BY ELECTION AND THE REMAINING TWO BY DIRECT APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR. EACH OF THE 385 REGISTERED EMPLOYEE TRADE UNIONS IS ENTITLED TO ONE VOTE IRRESPECTIVE OF SIZE.
/NOMINATIONS from........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1984
2
NOMINATIONS FROM ALL ELIGIBLE UNIONS ARE CALLED FOR TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE ELECTION AND THE NOMINEES NEED NOT BE FROM THE NOMINATING UNION BUT MUST BE A PAID-UP MEMBER, PAID STAFF, OR OFF ICE-JE AR ER OF ANY OF THE ELIGIBLE UNIONS. ALL THE UNIONS ARE THEN NOTIFIED BY LETTER OF THE ELECTION DETAILS.
+ON ELECTION DAY, THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNIONS WILL HAVc TO PRODUCE THE LETTER FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND A LETTER OF ------------------------------ BEING ALLOWED TO VOTE. VOTING IS
ATTORNEY FROM HIS UNION BEFORE BY SECRET BALLOT. LAST YEAR’S HE SAID.
TURNOUT RATE WAS ABOUT 45 PER CENT.+
MR BRAY SAID THAT ANOTHER WAY IN WHICH A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY MIGHT BE DEFINED WAS BY REFERENCE TO A STATUTORY REGISTER, SUCH AS A REGISTER OF TEACHERS MAINTAINED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION UNDER THE EDUCATkON ORDINANCE.
♦ THEY WOULD, HOWEVER, PROBABLY NEED TO BE MORE THAN JUST TEACHERS. THEY SHOULD ALSO BE REGISTERED VOTERS FOR THE ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THIS DOES HAVE CERTAIN AGE AND RESIDENCE QUALIFICATIONS,+ HE ADDED.
HE RECOGNISED THAT THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY WAS NOT AN EASY AREA, AND EXPECTED MUCH DISCUSSION WHEN DETAILED PROPOSALS WERE MADE.
ON THE SUGGESTION THAT THE GOVERNOR AS PRESIDENT OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BE REPLACED BY A PRESIDING OFFICER ELECTED FROM AMONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS BY THE MEMBERS THEMSELVES, MR BRAY CLARIFIED A MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH SEEMED TO HAVE CAUSED SOME CONFUSION.
♦ IN FACT HIS ROLE IS VERY LIMITED,+ MR BRAY SAID, +THE PRESIDENT’S ROLE IS VERY MUCH MORE LIKE THAT OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.+
+HE IS THERE TO SEE FAIR PLAY. HE IS NOT THERE AS AN ADVOCATE OF ONE VIEW OR ANOTHER BUT AS A PERSON WHO ENSURES THAT THE RULES ARE FOLLOWED, THAT VOTES ARE PROPERLY TAKEN AND SO FORTH. HIS FUNCTION IS CLOSER TO THE ROLE OF A REFEREE IN A FOOTBALL MATCH THAN THAT OF THE CAPTAIN OF THE WINNING TEAM,+ MR BRAY SAID.
IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, THE SPEAKER IS NOT OPPOSED IN HIS CONSTITUENCY AT ELECTION TIME AND DOES NOT VOTE WHEN VOTES ARE TAKEN AND HIS PARTY CANNOT COUNT ON HIS SUPPORT IN CONTROVERSIAL DEBATES.
♦ QUITE THE REVERSE, HE DOES HIS BEST TO ENSURE THAT ALL SHADES OF OPINION ARE BROUGHT OUT IN DEBATE AND IN BRITAIN HE DOES THIS BY CALLING THE NAMES OF MEMBERS TO SPEAK WHEN THERE ARE SEVERAL WANTING TO SPEAK AT ONCE.+ HE SAID.
ALTHOUGH THE ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT PRESENT IS NOT VERY ONEROUS, MR BRAY NOTED THAT IF PROCEEDINGS BECOME MORE CONTROVERSIAL IN YEARS TO COME, THIS MIGHT NOT BE SO.
/+C T HI S
WEDNESDAY, Au OUS? 22, 1984
- 3 -
♦IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN THE PRESIDENT WILL HAVE TO BECOME MORE ACTIVE - MORE ACTIVE NOT IN PUSHING THE VIEWS OF THE GOVERNMENT BUT IN REGULATING THE PROGRESS OF DEBATE IN A FAIR WAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDING ORDERS,+ HE SAID.
REFERRING TO SOME CRITICISM THAT THE TIME OF TWO MONTHS PLANNED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE GREEN PAPER WAS INADEQUATE, W BRAY SPOKE AT LENGTH ON THE NUMEROUS STEPS REQUIRED FOR PLANNING AND EXECUTION TO BE IN TIME FOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN JULY 1985.
THESE STEPS INVOLVE SUCH HUMDRUM ACTIVITIES AS TRANSLATION AND PRINTING OF DOCUMENTS, AND COMPLIANCE WITH LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TIMETABLES. THEY ALSO INVOLVE CHANGES TO HONG KONG ORDINANCES AND SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION AND TO THE LETTERS PATENT AND ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE DONE BY THE QUEEN IN COUNCIL IN LONDON. FURTHERMORE IT WILL BE A LENGTHY PROCcSS TO PREPARE THE ELECTORAL ROLLS AFTER THE LAW HAS BEEN IN PLACE.
♦THIS IS A VERY TIGHT TIMETABLE. THERE IS VERY LITTLE ROOM FOR UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTIES OR PROLONGED ARGUMENT OVER DETAILS OF POLICY OR LAW.
♦TOO MUCH RUSH WILL LEAD TO MISTAKES YET TIME SIMPLY WILL NOT ALLOW FOR PROLONGED DEBATE. THERE IS JUST TIME FOR DELIBERATE THOUGHTFUL PROGRESSION BUT NOT MUCH MORE.
♦SO THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ANOTHER TWO OR THREE MONTHS OVER DISCUSSIONS ON THE GREEN PAPER ARE IN FACT ASKING FOR A DELAY OF ONE YEAR IN THE START OF REFORM OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THIS IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE,+ MR BRAY SAID.
-----o------
MACLEOD DISAPPOINTED WITH OUTCOME OF TALKS
X X X X X
TALKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES ON THE NE* AMERICAN TEXTILE IMPORT REGULATIONS ENDED YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON, THE SECOND DAY OF THE TALKS, WITHOUT ANY POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM THE U.S.
ANNOUNCING THIS, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, DIRECTOR OF TRADE AND LEADER OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION, EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE OUTCOME OF THE TALKS.
♦WE STATED CLEARLY AND FIRMLY THE REASONS WHY THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS ARE IN BREACH OF BOTH THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT AND THE 1982-1987 BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE U.S. WE FORMALLY REQUESTED THAT THE U.S. RESCIND THE REGULATIONS.
/♦DESPITE T:IE.......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1984
+DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED AS TAMNG EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 7, WE WERE TOLD THAT AT THIS POINT THE U.S. WAS UNABLE TO RESPOND TO OUR MAIN ARGUMENTS BECAUSE OF THiZ NEED TO CONSIDER FURTHER THESE AND OTHER POINTS OF VIEW.
♦ALTHOUGH CERTAIN QUESTIONS OF CLARIFICATION WERE ANSWERED THERE STILL APPEARS TO BE SOME CONFUSION ABOUT THE REGULATIONS. APPARENTLY DISCUSSIONS ARE GOING ON WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION AS TO THE FINAL FORM AND CONTENT OF THE REGULATIONS IN THE LIGHT OF THE COMMENTS BEING RECEIVED.
♦WE WERE ASSURED THAT THE POINTS WE HAD MADE WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THIS REVIEW. NEVERTHELESS THE UNITED STATES STATED THAT IT WAS THE INTENTION AT THIS POINT IN TIME THAT THE INTERIM REGULATIONS WOULD GO INTO EFFECT AS PUBLISHED.+
HOWEVER, MR MACLEOD SAID THAT THE BROADER PICTURE GAVE RATHER MORE GROUNDS FOR HOPE THAN THE OUTCOME OF THE BILATERAL CONSULTATION ITSELF MIGHT SUGGEST.
♦THE FACT IS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WHICH WILL AFFECT MANY EXPORTING COUNTRIES, NOT JUST HONG KONG, AND NOT JUST THE DEVELOPINo COUNTRIES.
♦PERHAPS AT LEAST AS IMPORTANTLY, MANY INFLUENTIAL GROUPS IN THE U.S. ITSELF ARE AGAINST THE NEW REGULATIONS, AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT PRESSURES FROM MANY SOURCES ARE BEING EXERTED TO REVERSE THIS DECISION. THUS I HAVE CERTAINLY NOT GIVEN UP HOPE THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN,+ HE SAID.
♦FOR OUR PART THE NEXT FORUM IN WHICH WE SHALL BE FORMALLY INVOLVED IN PRESSING OUR VIEWS IS THE GATT TEXTILES COMMITTEE, SCHEDULED TO MEET IN GENEVA ON SEPTEMBER 4 TO DISCUSS THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE, A SIGN IN ITSELF OF THE WIDESPREAD DISMAY WHICH THIS MEASURE HAS CAUSED.
♦FURTHERMORE, WE HAVE NOT YET EXHAUSTED THE AVENUE OF BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS, THE DOOR REMAINS OPEN TO RESUME DISCUSSIONS ONCE THE U.S. IS READY TO RESPOND TO OUR MAIN ARGUMENTS, OR IN THE LIGHT OF OTHER DEVELOPMENTS,♦ MR MACLEOD SAID.
THE DELEGATION’S ADVISERS, MR STEPHEN CHEONG AND MR KENNETH FANG, TOGETHER WITH MR BILL DORWARD, THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN NEW YORK, APART FROM ADVISING THE DELEGATION, HAVE MET A CROSSSECTION OF PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON WHO CAN HELP TO COUNTER THE TIDE OF PROTECTIONISM.
THE ADVISERS ARE HOPEFUL THAT A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME WOULD EVENTUALLY BE ACHIEVED. THEY WILL BE TRAVELLING TO NEW YORK WHERE THEY INTEND TO CONTINUE LIAISON WITH OTHER U.S. GROUPS WHICH WOULD PROVIDE COUNTER PRESSURES TO THE PROTECTIONIST FORCES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROMULGATION OF THESE REGULATIONS.
- 0
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1984
5
TRADE BALANCES FOR FIRST TIME IN YEARS
X * * *
HONG KONG’S TRADE IN GOODS AND SERVICES HAS IMPROVED TO THE EXTENT WHERE IT MAY NOW BE IN BALANCE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEVEN YEARS, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR ANTHONY LATTER, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCH GIVEN BY THE YOUNGER MANAGERS’ CLUB OF THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, MR LATTER NOTED THAT THE DEFICIT IN 1982 WAS $7 BILLION.
HE FELT THAT SINCE THAT YEAR, THERE HAD BEEN A FAVOURABLE SHIFT IN THE BALANCE OF INTEREST, PROFITS AND DIVIDENDS BECAUSE OF RELATIVELY DEPRESSED EARNINGS IN HONG KONG AND THE DEPRECIATION OF THE LOCAL CURRENCY. THIS DEPRECIATION AUTOMATICALLY ENHANCES THE HONG KONG DOLLAR VALUE OF, FOR EXAMPLE, A GIVEN AMOUNT OF US DOLLAR INTEREST RECEIPTS.
+THUS THERE HAS ALMOST CERTAINLY BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN HONG KONG’S CURRENT ACCOUNT WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS,* MR LATTER SAID.
ON THE OVERALL CAPITAL ACCOUNT, MR LATTER CONCEDED THERE WAS +REASONABLY CLEAR EVIDENCE* OF INCREASED OUTFLOWS FROM HONG KONG.
FOR INSTANCE, EXPORTERS APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN RETAINING MORE EARNINGS OVERSEAS THAN FORMERLY, WHILE THE INCREASE IN FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH BANKS AND DTC’S HAD RESULTED IN SOME OVERALL OUTFLOW EVEN THOUGH PART OF THE INCREASE HAD BEEN MET BY BANKS FROM THEIR OWN SOURCES AND PART SIMPLY REPRESENTED A SHIFT INTO HONG KONG OF EXISTING FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS FROM ELSEWHERE.
+EVEN SO, THE EXTENT OF ANY OUTFLOWS SHOULD NOT BE EXAGGERATED. THERE ARE, FOR EXAMPLE, LIMITS ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH DISINVESTMENT MAY HAVE TAKEN PLACE: LOCAL ASSET VALUES HAVE BEEN DEPRESSED AND MAY HAVE DISCOURAGED REALISATIONS, AND THE SHARP FALL IN THE EXCHANGE RATE UP TO LAST SEPTEMBER AND OCCASIONAL SHARP INCREASES IN INTEREST RATES SINCE THEN HAVE ON BALANCE BEEN DETERRENT FORCES,* HE SAID.
BUT HE ADDED THAT ON THE OTHER SIDE, OVERSEAS INVESTMENT wAS SURELY STILL COMING INTO HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS.
♦GIVEN THE LEVEL OF OVERSEAS INVOLVEMENT IN THESE SECTORS AND THE PROSPECT OF PRIVATE SECTOR CAPITAL FORMATION RUNNING AT SOME S45 BILLION THIS YEAR, THERE MUST SURELY STILL BE A CONSIDERABLE INFLOW OF CAPITAL ON THIS SCORE, WHETHER VIA REINVESTMENT OF EARNINGS OR NEW MONEY,* MR LATTER SAID.
♦IN SUM, THOSE WHO CLAIM THAT THERE IS A FLIGHT OF CAPITAL FROM HONG KONG OF DESPERATE AND SEVERELY DAMAGING PROPORTIONS SHOULD BE VERY CRITICALLY CROSS-EXAMINED.
WEEN3SDAY, AUGUST 22, 19E4
6 -
♦AT THE VERY LEAST, THEY ARE GUILTY OF OVERLOOKING THE FACTS OF OUR RECENT ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND OF FOCUSING ON SELECTED ELEMENTS IN THE BALANCE OF PAYMENTS, WITHOUT PROPER REGARD TO THE MANY DIFFERENT PLUSES AND MINUSES WHICH FORM THE OVERALL PICTURE,+ HE SAID.
ON THE HONG KONG ECONOMY AS A WHOLE, MR LATTER POINTED OUT THAT IT HAD PERFORMED IMPRESSIVELY, IN A MANNER WHICH CONTINUES TO BE THE ENVY OF THE TERRITORY’S COMPETITORS.
SOME SCARS OF A CONFIDENCE CRISIS WERE BORN BY THE FINANCIAL AND PROPERTY MARKETS, AND A WAIT-AND-SEE ATTITUDE HAD TO A DEGREE AFFECTED INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT.
♦WHATEVER ANXIETIES THERE HAVE BEEN, HONG KONG HAS BY AND LARGE GOT ON WITH THE JOB OF BEING HONG KONG.+ HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT OVERALL LIVING STANDARDS IN HONG KONG, AS MEASURED BY PER CAPITA GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN REAL TERMS, HAD ADVANCED BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.
♦IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1982 UNEMPLOYMENT WAS 3-1/2 PER CENT AND RISING RAPIDLY? TODAY IT IS BACK AT ABOUT 3-1/2 PER CENT AND STEADY -- A FIGURE WHICH ANYWAY PROBABLY REPRESENTS VIRTUALLY FULL EMPLOYMENT.
♦IN AUGUST 1982, THE ANNUAL INFLATION RATE WAS STEADY AT AROUND 10 PER CENT; TODAY IT IS NINE PER CENT AND DECLINING.
♦TODAY DOMESTIC EXPORTS ARE RUNNING SOME 35 PER CENT HIGHER IN VOLUME THAN TWO YEARS AGO. THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP HAS SHRUNK FROM NINE PER CENT TO FIVE PER CENT OF THE IMPORT BILL, AND, TAKING ACCOUNT OF OUR HABITUAL SURPLUS ON TRADE IN SERVICES, IT SEEMS PROBABLE THAT TRADE IN GOODS AND SERVICES TOGETHER IS ACHIEVING ROUGH BALANCE FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR SEVEN YEARS,* HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT FIXED INVESTMENT WAS NOT SO BUOYANT AS IT SHOULD BE AT THIS POINT IN THE ECONOMIC CYCLE: AS PROPORTION OF GDP IT HAD DROPPED FROM 32 PER CENT IN 1982 TO PERHAPS 27-28 PER CENT THIS YEAR.
♦BUT THIS IS STILL A HIGH FIGURE BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS. MOREOVER, MUCH OF THE DECLINE HAS BEEN IN THE PROPERTY SECTORINVESTMENT IN INDUSTRIAL PLANT AND MACHINERY THIS YEAR WILL IN ALL PROBABILITY TURN OUT TO BE HIGHER IN REAL TERMS THAN IN 1982,+ HE SAID.
MR LATTER ALSO ELABORATED ON THOSE AREAS WHERE THE RECORD WAS LESS IMPRESSIVE.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1%4
♦THUS, COMPARED WITH TWO YEARS AGO, THE HONG KONG DOLLAR NOW BUYS 24 PER CENT FEWER US DOLLARS, 27 PER CENT FEWER YEN AND ID PER CENT FEWER DEUTSCHEMARKS. ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE NET CHANGE AGAINST STERLING, AND ALTHOUGH I COULD QUOTE A NUMBER OF CURRENCIES AGAINST WHICH OURS HAS ACTUALLY STRENGTHENED, THE OVERALL POSITION IS BEST SUMMARISED BY THE TRADE-WEIGHTED INDEX, WHICH NOW STANDS SOME 19 PER CENT LOWER THAN IN AUGUST 1982.
+TWO YEARS AGO, A REDUCTION IN BEST LENDING RATE TO 12-1/2 PER CENT HAD JUST BEEN ANNOUNCED; TODAY IT STANDS AT 15 PER CENT. THEN THE HANG SENG INDEX STOOD AT 1 035; TODAY IT IS AROUND THE 900 MARK. AND IF THERE WAS A SUITABLE SUMMARY INDICATOR OF THE PROPERTY MARKET, I AM SURE THAT IT WOULD EXHIBIT A SUBSTANTIAL SETBACK,+ HE SAID.
-----o------
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTIONS INDEX UP * * * *
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN THE FIRST QUARTER THIS YEAR WAS 109.1, WHICH WAS 19.2 PER CENT ABOVE THAT IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.
THIS INDICATED THAT INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY WAS MAINTAINED AT A RELATIVELY HIGH LEVEL, ALTHOUGH THE INDEX WAS 13 PER CENT BELOW THAT OF THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1983 AND 4.2 PER CENT BELOW THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE OF 1983, AS A RESULT OF SEASONAL FACTORS.
THERE WERE SEVERAL INDUSTRIES WHOSE OUTPUT IN THE FIRST QUARTER THIS YEAR WAS EVEN HIGHER THAN THEIR QUARTERLY AVERAGES IN 1983. THESE INCLUDED THE TOBACCO, PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTR IES.
THE SURVEY RESULTS ALSO ENABLE ANALYSIS TO BE MADE OF THE PRODUCTION TRENDS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
ACCORDING TO THE INDEX SERIES IN 1982, THE VOLUME OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR WAS 9.5 PER CENT LOWER THAN THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE OF 1981. CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT WAS EXPERIENCED IN THE SECOND QUARTER WHEN THE INDEX ROSE BY 7.8 POINTS OR 8.6 PER CENT OVER THE PRECEDING QUARTER. THE TREND OF INCREASE CONTINUED INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR, ENDING IN AN AVERAGE INDEX OF 100.2 FOR 1982.
THE YEAR 1983 STARTED OFF WITH AN INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION OF 91.5 IN THE FIRST QUARTER. THE SECOND QUARTER SAW A VERY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF PRODUCTION, WITH THE INDEX RISING TO 116.0, AND FURTHER TO 122.5 AND 125.4 IN THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS RESPECTIVELY. THIS RESULTED IN AN OVERALL INDEX OF 113.9 FOR 1983.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1984
- 8 -
SINCE 1977, THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PUBLISHING THE QUARTERLY INDEXES OF TEXTILE PRODUCTION COVERING THE SPINNING AND WEAVING INDUSTRIES. IN 1982, A NEW QUARTERLY SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WAS INITIATED WITH THE PURPOSE OF PRODUCING AN INDEX CF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR THE WHOLE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
THE INDEX, WITH THE QUARTERLY OUTPUT AVERAGE OF 1981 TAKEN AS 100, IS AIMED AT PROVIDING AN UP-TO-DATE INDICATOR OF THE LEVELS AND TRENDS OF NET OUTPUT AT CONSTANT PRICES FOR INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES AS WELL AS FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS A WHOLE.
IT ALSO SUPPLEMENTS THE STATISTICS COMPILED FROM THE ANNUAL ECONOMIC SURVEYS WHICH PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE PERFORMANCE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND COST STRUCTURE OF DIFFERENT MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION COVERED ALL MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING 500 OR MORE PERSONS, AND A SAMPLE OF THOSE ENGAGING FEWER THAN 500 PERSONS. THE TOTAL SAMPLE SIZE FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984 AMOUNTED TO 4 000 ESTABLISHMENTS.
A SUMMARY TABLE OF THE QUARTERLY INDEXES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION BY BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP, COVERING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1982 TO THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984, IS GIVEN BELO*.
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION IS CONTAINED IN THE +REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, FIRST QUARTER 1982 -FIRST QUARTER 1984+.
THIS PUBLICATION IS ON SALE AT $2 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATION SALES COUNTER, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 317 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE M ARRANGED.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 3-7224504.
■41
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1984
- 9 -
Summary tabxe of quarterly indexes of industrial production by broad industry group, 1st quarter 1982 to 1st quarter 1984
(1981 . 100)
-rose industry group height 1982 1983 1982 1983 1984
1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q -0
1. food, beverages and tobacco 34.8 100.7 110.9 87.4 96.1 112.5 106.7 94.5 105.0 121.5 122.’ *
2. searing apparel, except knitwear and footwear 251.3 99.to 106.0 93.4 95.7 95.6 113.5 39.6 109.8 108.8 115.6 •0*.
3. Textiles {including knitting) 127.4 94.6 103.5 79.4 95.1 105.3 98.5 76.6 109.3 117.1 110.8 ?9.t
4. Paper products and printing 61.3 111.7 133.1 92.3 105.5 125.2 123.9 110.5 132.3 148.0 141.7
5* Chealeal, rubber, plastic and nonset allic sineral products 110.0 106.9 120.8 90.0 110.9 120,2 106.6 92.9 129.5 138.3 122.6
6. Basic metals, fabricated metal products and nonelectrical machinery 104.1 101.4 • 105.1 88.6 107.5 105.4 104.0 90.3 106,6 112.1 -.11.2 •• •
7. Electrical and electronic products, professional equipment and optical goods 216.2 99.7 1 123.2 95.1 92.7 101.3 109.5 93.6 123.5 133.5 142.2 ' 9.^
8. Miscellaneous manufacturing industries 94.9 95.9 117.6 90.4 93.6 95.7 95.8 98.0 112.4 118.4 1*1.6 119.1
All manufacturing industries 1 000.0 100.2 113.9 90.5 98.5 104.2 107.7 91.5 116.C 122.5 125.4 •C9.i
/10 .......
JEDN3SDAY, AlOL’Sl 22,
10
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW * * * *
THE TOMORROW TALKS ON
GOVERNOR, SIR EDwARD YOUDE, WILL RETURN FROM PEKING ODITI (THURSDAY) AFTER ATTENDING THE LATEST ROUNb OF S INO-BR।TI on THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
SIR EDWARD WILL BE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT CA 101, ETA 11.15 AM.
------0 ------
$593 MILLION CONTRACT FOR TUEN MUN HOSPITAL * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AWARDED A $593 MILLION CONTRACT TO AOKI CORPORATION TO BUILD A REGIONAL HOSPITAL AT THEN MUN.
WORK WILL START AT THE END OF THIS MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN 42 MONTHS.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, MR CHAMSON CHAU, AND THE SENIOR MANAGING DIRECTOR OF AOKI CORPORATION, MR SUNAO HORII.
THE NEW 1 600-BED HOSPITAL WILL BE LOCATED NEAR CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL IN THE NORTHERN PART OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
IT WILL COMPRISE FOUR 10-STOREY MAIN WARD BLOCKS, A 10-ST0REY OPERATING THEATRE BLOCK, A THREE-STOREY PATHOLOGY BLOCK AND A FOUR-STOREY BLOCK TO HOUSE VARIOUS SPECIAL FACILITIES.
THE GROSS AREA OF THE BUILDINGS WILL BE ABOUT 116 000 SQUARE METRES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A TRAINING SCHOOL FOR 400 NURSES AND STAFF QUARTERS. WORK ON THESE WILL BE CARRIED OUT UNDER SEPARATE CONTRACTS.
THE PRESENT CONTRACT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOSPITAL BLOCKS, SERVICES INSTALLATIONS INCLUDING AIR-CONDITIONING, VENTILATION, FIRE PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.
THE WHOLE PROJECT SHOULD BE READY BY EARLY 1988 AND IT WILL BECOME A REGIONAL HOSPITAL SERVING THE GROWING POPULATION OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AS WELL AS THE NORTH-WESTERN PART OF THE NE/. TERR ITORIES.
AT PRESENT, TUEN MUN 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 1990’S.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, '984
11 -
J187M PUBLIC HOUSING CONTRACTS SIGNED X * * X
The HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY AWARDED YET ANOTHER THREE PUBLIC HOUSING CONTRACTS TOTALLING MORE THAN $137 MILLION TO PROVIDE ■MODERN HOMES .FOR 13 OOO PEOPLE BY 1986.
SIGNED BY. THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FRED PANG, THE LARGEST CONTRACT, OF $149.6 MILLION, IS FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF TIN PING ESTATE IN FANLING-SHEK WU HUI NEW TOWN.
• l ~ ■ 4", : ■ ;
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE 35-STOREY TRIDENT M BLOCKS, A STANDARD SEVEN-STOREY PRIMARY SCHOOL AND A LORRY PARKING AREA, PLUS ASSOCIATED ROADS, DRAINAGE AND EXTERNAL WORKS.
UPON COMPLETION BY 1936, THE RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS WILL PROVIDE A TQTAL OF-2,443 SELF-CONTAINED FLATS FOR 11 330 PEOPLE.
’ '1 7 . ; i •J ■'•/!1 • •-<•/_» -'lx' - zi :i ’
tin PING ESTATE, THE THIRD PUBLIC RENTAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TQWN, IS BEING DEVELOPED IN TWO PHASES AND WILL EVENTUALLY HOUSE 22 700 PEOPLE WHEN FULLY COMPLETED BY 1937.
THE SECOND CONTRACT, WORTH $13.9 MILLION, IS FOR THE BUILDIN -OF A MODERN BLOCK AT TUNG TAU ESTATE AS THE PHASE I IB OF ITS REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TO UPGRADE THE LIVING CONDITIONS AND RELIEVE OVERCROWDING FOR TENANTS.
THE' 26-STOREY SINGLE-H BLOCK, TO BE COMPLETED BY EARLY 1936, WILL CONTAIN 366, SELF-CONTAINED FLATS FOR 1 680 PEOPLE.
UNDER THE PREVIOUS PHASES OF REDEVELOPMENT, THREE NEW BlOC<5'’ HAVE ALREADY-BEEN B^ILT ON THE ESTATE, PROVIDING IMPROVED ACCOMMODATION FOR-7 100 PEOPLE.
THE THIRD CONTRACT, VALUED AT OVER $13.5 MILLI ON, IS FOR T-ii. CONSTRUCTION OF CAISSON FOUNDATION AND SUPERSTRUCTURES FOR -PRIMARY-SCHOOL AND- A TWO-STOREY CAR PARK AT CHUN SHEK ESTATE IL SHA TIN.
ALSO TO BE BUILT IS A PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE WHICH WILL . THE CAR PARK WITH THE ADJOINING SUN TIN WAI ESTATE,
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, ’
5.5 MILLION ENQUIRIES IN SIX MONTHS * * * *
ABOUT 5.5 MILLION ENQUIRIES AND CASES wERE HANDLED AT ThE 63 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION DURING THE FIRST-HALF OF THE CALENDAR YEAR.
A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 15 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
OF THE 2 267 □□□ ENQUIRIES, HE SAID THE MOST POPULAR SUBJECT^ INCLUDED TELEPHONE NUMBERS, LOCATIONS AND OPENING HOURS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICES, JOB VACANC IES, APPLICATIONS FOR HOUSING AND MATTERS RELATING TO PROPERTY RATES.
+ALSO, SOME 3 231 OOO GOVERNMENT FORMS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS WERE DISTRIBUTED DURING THE PERIOD. THE MOST POPULAR ONES wERE APPLICATION FORMS FOR GOVERNMENT JOB VACANCIES, EVENING COURSES AND PROGRAMMES, HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS ANU SPONSOR • FORMS FOR WALK FOR A MILLION.
+ IN ADDITION, MORE THAN 94 PER CENT OF THE 197 000 CASES HANDLED WERE REQUESTS FOR STATUTORY DECLARATION SERVICE — MAINLY FOR DECLARATION OF TRUE COPIES AND MATTERS CONCERNING APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND EXAMINATIONS -- APPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, ALLOWANCES, COMPENSATION AND RELIEF,* HE SAID.
UNDER THE +FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME* ADMINISTERED BY THE HONG KONG LAW SOCIETY, 1 558 CASES WERE DEALT WITH DURING THE PERIOD BY THE SOCIETY’S SOLICITORS IN EIGHT DISTRICT OFFICES IK WAN CHAI, EASTERN, YAU MA TEI, MONG KOK, WONG TAI SIN, KWUN TOK., TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN.
THE +RENT OFFICER SCHEME* IS ANOTHER SERVICE WHICH AIMED AT ASSISTING LANDLORDS, TENANTS AND SUB-TENANTS WISHING TO DISCUSS THEIR TENANCY PROBLEMS.
DURING THE HALF YEAR, 6 774 CALLERS MADE USE OF THIS SERVICE AND DISCUSSED THEIR PROBLEMS WITH RENT OFFICERS AT THE 13 UfcbA.V DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE OFFICES IN TSUEN WAN AND KwAI CHUNG.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE 63 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES, LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AT DISTRICT OFFICES AND THEIR ERANCH OFFICES, ALSO PROVIDED OTHER SERVICES.
+ THESE INCLUDE ADVISING AND OFFERING INFORMATION ON SERVICE.-PROVIDED BY ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, HELPING TO SOLVE PERSONAL PROBLEMS, DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS AND ARRANGING REFERRALS WHERE THE PROBLEM IS DIFFICULT AND COMPLEX AND REQUIRES ADVICE FRC' AN EXPERT.
+MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO APPROACH THE PUBLIC ENQUi?'-SERVICE CENTRE IN THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS AT WORLD SHIPPING CE ■ T? - , 7 CANTON ROAD, 13TH FLOOR. THIS CENTRE OPERATES A 24-r.CJ.-HOTLINE -- TELEPHONE NUMBER 3-692255 — DURING TYPHOONS,* -t - -
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1994
13
HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, TOO, CAN EXPLORE UNDERWATER WORLD X X X X X
A GROUP OF HANDICAPPED PERSONS ARE NOW ABLE TO EXPLORE THE ■ DERWATER WORLD AFTER COMPLETING A SKIN AND SCUBA DIVING COURSE.
THE ONE-MONTH PILOT SCHEME, DESIGNED TO TRAIN THEM IN BASIC DIVING SKILLS, WAS LAUNCHED RECENTLY, FOLLOWING A SEMINAR ON SKIN AND SCUBA DIVING FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIED IN MAY THIS YEAR.
+SKIN AND SCUBA DIVING REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE SKILLS, NOT EASILY MASTERED EVEN BY THE ABLE-BODIED,* SAID MRS POLLY LAI, WO HEADS THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE SPECIAL GROUPS UNIT OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
+TRAINEES WHb HAVE JUST COMPLETED THE SCHEME PROVED THAT, GIVEN THE RIGHT FORM OF INSTRUCTION AND ASSISTANCE, THEY COULD DO JUST AS WELL AS THE ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE,* MRS LAI SAID.
+MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE BELIEVE THAT THE TRAINING HAS HELPED BUILD UP THEIR CONFIDENCE,* SHE SAID.
INITIALLY, THEY WERE BEING TAUGHT ELEMENTARY SKIN AND SCUBA DIVING TOGETHER WITH SOME ABLE-BODIED PARTICIPANTS.
THE SCHEME WAS ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, WITH THE CO-ORDINATION OF THE HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG UNDERWATER FEDERATION.
UNDER THE SCHEME WHICH WAS FREE, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS AGED 16 OR ABOVE WERE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A SERIES OF LECTURES AND PRACTICAL TRAINING CONDUCTED IN THE SHAM SHU I PO PHAB CENTRE AND THE LAI CHI KOK PARK SWIMMING POOL. «•
TO BE ELIGIBLE, THEY HAD TO PASS A SWIMMING TEST AND PRODUCE A FITNESS CERTIFICATE FROM A DOCTOR.
THE SCHEME COMPRISED SIX LECTURES AND 10 PRACTICAL SESSIONS.
THE HANDICAPPED TRAINEES PAIRED UP WITH THEIR ABLE-BODIED COUNTERPARTS THROUGHOUT THE TRAINING.
♦BESIDES BASIC DIVING TECHNIQUES, THEY ALSO LEARNT UNDERWATER SIGN LANGUAGE, THE USE OF UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS AND RELATED KNOWLEDGE*, MRS LAI SAID.
THERE WERE 16 PARTICIPANTS AND SOME WILL BE SELECTED TO UNDERGO FURTHER TRAINING BY THE HONG KONG UNDERWATER FEDERATION.
+FOR THE PILOT SCHEME, ONLY THOSE WITH ONE LIMB AMPUTATED WERE ELIGIBLE. . WITH MORE FUNDS AND MANPOWER, WE PLAN TO EXTEND THE SCHEME TO COVER OTHER CATEGORIES OF HANDICAPPED PERSONS AS l€LL,+ MRS LAI SAID.
/apart from........
WEDNESDAY, AUG'JST 22, 1984
- 14 "
APART FROM ORGANISING DIVING COURSES, THE SPECIAL GROUPS UNIT ALSO CONDUCTS OTHER PILOT SCHEMES SUCH AS SKATING FOR THE (MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, WHEELCHAIRED TENNIS, CANOEING FOR PHABERS mND SOCCER COMPETITIONS FOR THE DEAF.
THE UNIT, ESTABLISHED IN DECEMBER 1982, IS PLANNING TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR HANDICAPPED PERSONS, TO MODIFY VARIOUS GAMES TO SUIT THEIR DISABILITY, AND TO TRAIN VOLUNTEERS TO HELP THE UNIT.
SO FAR, OVER 10 000 HANDICAPPED PERSONS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN 150 PROJECTS ORGANISED BY THE UNIT.
THESE PROJECTS RANGE FROM SWIMMING, PONY RIDING AND ARCHERY TO ANGLING, BALL. GAMES AND ROLLER SKATING.
THE UNIT ALSO WORKS CLOSELY WITH VARIOUS ASSOCIATIONS FOR THE DISABLED, SUCH AS THE SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION.
--------o----------
LOGO FOR YIN NGA I SOCIETIES * * *
THE GROWING NUMBER OF YIN NGA I SOCIETIES IN FORMED MAINLY BY HOUSEWIVES TO ENCOURAGE WOMEN’S DISTRICT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS, WILL HAVE A LOGO OF TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HONG KONG, GROUPS PARTICIPATION IN THEIR OWN FROM
THE LOGO IS THE WINNING ENTRY OF A DESIGN COMPETITION ORGANISED EARLIER THIS YEAR BY THE SOCIETIES.
IT WILL BE USED BY THE SOCIETIES AS THEIR OFFICIAL LOGO IN LETTER HEADS, MEMBERSHIP CARDS AND POSTERS.
AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY, THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE LEI MUK SHUE YIN NGAI SOCIETY, MRS L.B. YUEN, PRESENTED A SHIELD AND A CASH PRIZE OF $500 TO THE WINNER OF THE CONTEST, MR Y.Y. KONG.
THERE ARE 23 YIN NGAI SOCIETIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WITH A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF MORE THAN 3 000.
SINCE 1980, THE SOCIETIES HAVE ORGANISED A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES TO FOSTER IN WOMEN THE SPIRIT OF GOOD CITIZENSHIP AND NEIGHBOURLINESS.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1984
- 15 -
ARTS FESTIVAL ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL
*****
HE NINTH FESTIVAL OF ASIAN ARTS TO BE HELD FROM OCTOBER 18 TO NOVEMBER 4 WILL PRESENT A GREAT VARIETY OF ENTERTAINING AND DUCAT1ONAL PROGRAMMES, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S CULTURAL ACTIVITIES SUB-COMMITTEE, DR PHILIP KWOK, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, DR KWOK SAID 11 OVERSEAS AND UNE LOCAL GROUPS WILL OFFER 54 INDOOR PERFORMANCES DURING THE FESTIVAL. MOST OF THE VISITING GROUPS WILL ALSO GIVE FREE OUTDOOR SHOWS.
+SOME OF THE PERFORMING GROUPS AIM TO ENTERTAIN, WHILE SOME OF THE ARTISTS ARE DEVOTED TO TRADITIONAL AESTHETICS WHICH GO BACK CENTURIES OR MORE; STILL OTHERS ARE CONSCIOUSLY PRESERVING OR RE-CONSTRUCTING IMPORTANT PARTS OF THEIR CULTURAL HERITAGE,* DR KWOK NOTED.
HE SAID IT WAS FITTING THAT HONG KONG, BEING AN IMPORTANT MEETING GROUND BETWEEN THE WEST AND THE VARIOUS CULTURES OF THE EAST, SHOULD BE THE LOCATION OF THE ANNUAL GATHERING OF ASIAN ARTISTS.
OVERSEAS GROUPS WILL INCLUDE THE GRAND BALLET OF TAHITI, THE r|RST REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE ISLAND TO TAKE PART IN THE FESTIVAL? THE MANILA METROPOLITAN THEATRE, WHICH WILL PRESENT THE FESTIVAL’S OPENING PERFORMANCE; CHINA’S SHAANXI CLASSICAL ARTS TROUPE, WHICH WILL OFFER A STAGE PRODUCTION ENTITLED +RE-CREATED TANG DYNASTY DANCE AND MUSIC*; AND THE AINU TRADITIONAL CULTURE GROUP FROM HOKKAIDO.
OTHER PARTICIPATING ARTISTS WILL BE AUSTRALIA’S POPULAR FOLK MUSIC GROUP, SIROCCO; SUMATRA’S MINANG DANCE GROUP; MALAYSIA’S SUKTRA GAMELAN DANCE GROUP OF TERENGGANU; SIAMESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE FROM THAILAND; THE KOREA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA; THE INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC AND DANCE TROUPE; AND VIOLINIST L. SUBRAMANIAM FROM INDIA.
LOCALLY, THE URBAN COUNCIL’S FOUR PERFORMING COMPANIES --THE HONG KONG CHINESE ORCHESTRA, THE HONG KONG REPERTORY THEATRE, THE HONG KONG DANCE COMPANY AND THE HONG KONG CHORUS — WILL BE JOINED BY THE CITY CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY, THE CHOR FUNG MING CANTONESE OPERA TROUPE, THE HONG KONG CHILDREN’S CHOIR, THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AND THE MELODY QUINTETE.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE FESTIVAL, THERE WILL BE 19 LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS AND THREE EXHIBITIONS — +QING CERAMICS* AT THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF ART, +HONG KONG DESIGN 1984* AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL AND +TUNG LUNG FORT - A FIRST LOOK* AT THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF HISTORY.
/BvOKT. FCLJSFiS...........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1984
- 16 -
BOOKING FOLDERS CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMMES adc aqtaimari p FROM THE CITY HALL, QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, oPACE MUSEUM, HONG KONG COLISEUM AND URBAN COUNCIL PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
WILL START TOMORROW . COUNTER BOOKING AND ON SEPTEMBER 13.
POSTAL BOOKING FOR THE PERFORMANCES ■THURSDAY) UNTIL SEPTEMBER 5 (WEDNESDAY) TELEPHONE BOOKING (5-739595) WILL BEGIN
SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SCHOOLS, COMMERCIAL COMMUNITY GROUPS FROM TOMORROW AT 3-7216175.
BLOCK BOOKING ORGANISATIONS AND
COURSE FOR ART TEACHERS
* * * *
A FOUR-SESSION COURSE ON THE TEACHING OF ART AND DESIGN APPRECIATION IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL ART TEACHERS.
THE COURSE WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY MORNINGS FROM SEPTEMBER 29 TO OCTOBER 20 AT THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE OF THE DEPARTMENT AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION WILL BE CANTONESE.
THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IS LIMITED TO 30. APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT THROUGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO THE DEPARTMENT’S ART SECTION BY SEPTEMBER 14.
CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE ISSUED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO PARTICIPANTS WITH SATISFACTORY ATTENDANCE.
-----o------
JUDO COURSES * *
FOR CHILDREN *
A SERIES OF JUDO COURSES FOR AND 14 WILL BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER.
CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 10
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE (RSS) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG JUDO ASSOCIATION, A TOTAL OF FIVE ELEMENTARY JUDO COURSES WILL BE GIVEN AT VARIOUS INDOOR GAMES HALLS AND THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE IN SHA TIN.
THE FIRST COURSE WILL START ON SEPTEMBER 14 AND THE LAST, ON SEPTEMBER 20. EACH COURSE WILL LAST FOR SIX WEEKS, WITH TEACHING SESSIONS HELD TWICE A WEEK IN THE EVENINGS.
Z+izaffiEHs c?...........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1984
+MEMBERS OF THESE ELEMENTARY COURSES CAN JOIN A FURTHER TRAINING COURSE TO BE OFFERED BY THE RSS IN DECEMBER AND ON COMPLETION OF THESE TWO COURSES, THE CHILDREN WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE FIFTH GRADE JUDO (YELLOW BELT) EXAMINATION,* AN RSS SPOKESMAN SAID.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED CAN APPLY NOW. THE ENROLMENT, LIMITED TO 40 FOR EACH COURSE, IS ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. THE FEE IS $5 PER COURSE.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE HEAD OFFICE ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF WING ON CENTRE, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, AND ITS 19 DISTRICT OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY DIALLING 5-458511.
- 0 - -
PUBLIC REMINDED TO PREVENT MOSQUITO NUISANCE X X X X *
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC NOT TO RELAX THEIR VIGILANCE AGAINST MOSQUITOES AS THE SECOND PEAK OF MOSQUITO BREEDING IS ABOUT TO SET IN.
THE DEPARTMENT PLANS TO LAUNCH AN EDUCATION CAMPAIGN NEXT MONTH.
LEAFLETS AND POSTERS WITH THE THEME +MOSQUITOES BREED ONLY IN WATER*. WILL BE WIDELY DISTRIBUTED, ADVISING THE PUBLIC ON VARIOUS WAYS TO PREVENT MOSQUITOES FROM BREEDING.
HEALTH STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO GIVE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE ON WAYS TO ELIMINATE POTENTIAL MOSQUITO BREEDING GROUNDS.
IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE TO ALLOW MOSQUITO BREEDING. OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10 000.
LAST MONTH. 26 PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR MOSQUITO BREEDING OFFENCES, RESULTING IN A TOTAL FINE OF $31 850. THE FINES RANGED FROM $900 TO $3 000.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ADVISED BUILDING CONTRACTORS TO INSPECT THEIR SITES REGULARLY AND TO APPLY LIGHT DIESEL ON THE SURFACE OF STAGNANT WATER.
/he suggested
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1984
- 18 -
HE SUGGESTED THE FOLLOWING MEASURES TO PREVENT MOSQUITO NUI SANCE:
* DISPOSE ALL USELESS TINS, JARS, BOTTLES AND OLD TYRES PROPERLY.
X COVER ALL WATER STORAGES AND TANKS.
* ENSURE WINDOW-SHADES ARE CLEAR OF REFUSE AND WASTE WATER.
* UNBLOCK CHOKED DRAINS AND KEEP ALL INLETS CLEAR OF REFUSE.
X CHANGE WATER IN FLOWER VASES EVERY WEEK AND SEE THAT NO WATER ACCUMULATES IN THE TRAYS OF FLOWER POTS.
-----o------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE * * *
THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD EAST OF THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO TEXACO ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 24).
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THIS SLIP ROAD, TSUEN FU STREET AND TSUEN WAH STREET BEFORE REJOINING CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
-----o------
PLB PROHIBITED ZONE IN YUEN LONG *****
FROM 8 AM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 24), A NUMBER OF ROADS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE PROHIBITED TO ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
THESE ROADS ARE:
* THE SECTION OF SAU FU STREET BETWEEN TUNG LOK STREET AND FOOK HONG STREET.
* THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING OFF FAIRVIEW PARK BOULEVARD TO MAN YUEN CHUEN.
* NGAU TAM MEI ROAD.
* THE ACCESS ROAD TO CHUK YUEN.
* NULLAH-BUND ROAD LINKING MA TIN AND WONG NAI TUN.
* PING WUI STREET.
------o-------
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1984
19
KWUN TONG SITE FOR LEASE * * *
A SITE IN KWUN TONG IS BEING OFFERED ON SHORT-TERM TENANCY Y THE LANDS DEPARTMENT.
LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF WAI YIP STREET AND SHUN YIP STREET, THE SITE MEASURES 1 150 SQUARE METRES.
IT CAN EITHER BE USED FOR THE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF CARS OR AS AN OPEN STORAGE AREA.
THE INITIAL TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
CLOSING DATE FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS SEPTEMBER 7.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON EAST), YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE TENDER PLAN CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE PLACES. .
0
TRAFFIC MEASURES IN SHEUNG WAN * * * *
THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHEUNG WAN FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 24):
* WING LOK STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY. WITHIN THE ZONE, NO MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS DURING THE RESTRICTED PERIOD.
* THE EXISTING WESTBOUND TRAM-ONLY LANE OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH WING LOK STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE RE-OPENED TO ALL VEHICLES.
---0------
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1984
20
NEW MAXICAB SERVICES IN YUEN LONG X * * * *
NEW MAXICAB ROUTE NOS. 36, 37, 38 »ND ” WIL1- BE INTR0DUCEI> IN YUEN LONG FROM FRIDAY (AUGUST 24).
lead .ww. 5^'^
YUEN AND NO. 39 TO PAK SHA TSUEN.
FARE WILL BE FROM SI TO S2, DEPENDING ON THE DISTANCE TRAVELLED.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GETTING ON WITH THE JOB - GOVERNOR .............................. 1
TRADE CHIEF TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE ............................ 1
•REFUGE' CENTRE TO BE SET UP FOR WOMEN, GIRLS.................... 2
BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED ............................
JING YING PERFORMANCES HIGHLY RATED ............................. 7
POPULATION FIGURES RELEASED ..................................... 8
INVESTMENT IN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY RISING ....................... 8
COMPULSORY PILOTAGE EXPECTED SOON ............................... 9
KOWLOON RAILWAY STATION TO BE IMPROVED ......................... 10
DELEGATES TOUR HOUSING ESTATES ................................. 10
LATEST TAXI TENDER RESULTS ANNOUNCED ........................... 11
8750 000 FINES FOR LITTERBUGS .................................. 12
SPEED LIMIT REMINDER FOR MOTORISTS.............................. 12
LANTERN CARNIVAL FOR EASTERN ................................... 1?
COURSES AND WORKSHOPS FOR ART TEACHERS ......................... 14
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1934
1
GETTING ON WITH THE JOB - GOVERNOR
* * * *
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, ON RETURN FROM PEKING TODAY:
+WELL, NOTHING DRAMATIC FOR YOU THIS MORNING I’M AFRAID.
+OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS WE’VE HAD QUITE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT CF INFORMAL AS WELL AS FORMAL DISCUSSION. AND IN THE MEANTIME THE WORKING GROUP ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS. THEY ARE WORKING THROUGH THE DOCUMENTS THAT WE HAVE REMITTED TO THEM, AND I’M SURE THEY WILL HAVE MADE A LOT MORE PROGRESS BY THE TIME I GO BACK TO PEKING, WHICH IS, AS YOU KNOW, ON THE FIFTH AND SIXTH OF SEPTEMBER, WHEN WE SHALL BE CONTINUING TO WORK THROUGH THE REMAINING ISSUES.
+SO NO DRAMATIC NEWS, BUT WE’RE GETTING ON WITH THE JOB.+
SIR EDWARD WAS MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, MR OSWALD CHEUNG, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR HARRY FANG, AND THE VICE-CHIEF EDITOR OF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY (HK BRANCH), MR TAN GAN.
-----o------
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TRADE CHIEF TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE * * * *
MR HAMISH MACLEOD, DIRECTOR OF TRADE AND LEADER OF HONG KONG’S DELEGATION TO THE WASHINGTON TEXTILES TALKS, ACCOMPANIED BY MR ROBERT FOOTMAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE, AND MRS MAUREEN CHAN, PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER, WILL RETURN ON FLIGHT PAN AM 21 WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AT 7.35 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY). TWO OTHER MEMBtRS OF THE DELEGATION^ MR STEPHEN CHEONG AND MR KENNETH FANG, HAVE GONc TO NEW YORK. V
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED TO BE l£LD IN THE VIP PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, 1ST FLOOR, HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING, 40 MINUTES AFTER MR MACLEOD’S ARRIVAL. TELEVISION AND RADIO CREWS ARE ADVISED TO HAVE THEIR EQUIPMENT SET UP BY 8 PM.
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/2.......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1984
- 2
’REFUGE’ CENTRE TO BE SET UP FOR WOMEN, GIRLS
******
A +REFUGE* CENTRE WILL SOON BE SET UP BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID TODAY.
THE CENTRE, THOUGH NOT EXCLUSIVELY FOR SO CALLED +BATTERED WIVES*, WILL PROVIDE A SHELTER FOR THOSE WHO ARE AFRAID OF GOING BACK TO THEIR MATRIMONIAL HOMES BUT HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO, HE SAID.
SPEAKING ON THE SUBJECT +WOMEN AND THE LAW*, AT THE KWUN TONG LIONESS CLUB THIS EVENING, MR THOMAS SAID THAT THE LAYOUT PLANS FOR THE PREMISES HAD BEEN PREPARED AND DETAILS OF FINANCE ARRANGEMENTS WERE BEING WORKED OUT.
HE UNDERSTOOD THAT ANOTHER CENTRE FOR BATTERED WIVES WOULD SOON BE SET UP BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, PARTICULARLY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR WOMEN.
MR THOMAS MENTIONED ALSO THAT THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD SOON BE SOUGHT ON LEGISLATION DEALING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
+THE PROPOSALS WILL AFFORD READY ACCESS TO THE COURTS TO OBTAIN FURTHER PROTECTION FROM A SPOUSE WHO IS VIOLENT, WHERE NO DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS ARE IN BEING,* THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID.
OFFERING THOUGHTS ON SOME TOPICS WHICH, HE SAID, WOULD NEED ♦A GOOD DEAL OF CONSIDERATION AND PUBLIC DEBATE BEFORE ANY CHANGES IN THE LAW COULD BE INTRODUCED,* MR THOMAS REFERRED FIRST TO THE AREA OF DIVORCE.
HE SAID ONE ASPECT OF DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS OF GREAT CONCERN TO WOMEN WAS THE FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCE OF THE BREAKDOWN OF MARRIAGE. THIS ASPECT, HE SAID, WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT WHEN THE INCIDENCE OF DIVORCE WAS INCREASING AT THE SAME TIME AS THE TREND OF LEGISLATION AND SOCIAL POLICY WAS TO PROMOTE A GREATER DEGREE OF EQUALITY BETWEEN THE SEXES.
REFERRING TO RECENT PRESS COMMENT ABOUT THE INCREASE IN THE DIVORCE RATE IN HONG KONG, MR THOMAS QUOTED A FAMILY COURT JUDGE AS HAVING PLACED THE INCREASE FROM 2 497 IN 1980 TO 3 754 IN 1983 — AN ANNUAL AVERAGE INCREASE OF 14 PER CENT.
HE SAID THAT GIVEN THESE FIGURES, THE FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF DIVORCE WERE *CLEARLY A MATTER OF CONTINUING AND GROWING IMPORTANCE.*
/T'LE FINANCIAL
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2J, 1984
THE FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF DIVORCE, TOGETHER WITH THE MOVEMENT TOWARDS EQUALITY, HAD BEEN CONSIDERED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HAD RESULTED IN THE MATRIMONIAL AND FAMILY PROCEEDINGS BILL 1984.
REFERRING TO ONE ASPECT OF THE BILL, HE SAID IT SEEKS TO INTRODUCE A +CLEAN BREAK,* FINANCIALLY BETWEEN DIVORCED PARTIES AND TO TREAT THE PARTIES TO A MARRIAGE EQUALLY IN THAT REGARD. THE +CLEAN BREAK* PHILOSOPHY ALREADY FORMED PART OF FAMILY LAW OF SOME OF THE SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES AND HAD COME INTO LAW IN AUSTRALIA IN THE AUSTRALIAN FAMILY LAW ACT 1975.
THIS, HOWEVER, DID NOT AFFECT THE ONGOING OBLIGATION OF THE PARTIES TO MAINTAIN THE CHILDREN OF THEIR MARRIAGE.
♦THE EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE DESIRABILITY OF THE PARTIES BECOMING SELF-SUFFICIENT SO FAR AS IS POSSIBLE. THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL TREND TOWARDS EQUALITY,+ MR THOMAS SAID.
THERE WERE, HOWEVER, MANY CONSIDERATIONS WHICH HAD TO BE PONDERED BEFORE SUCH LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG.
MR THOMAS SAID SOME CONSIDERATIONS ARE:
* IS IT APPROPRIATE IN HONG KONG, WHERE, HE WAS TOLD, CUSTOM AND TRADITION MAKE THE PROSPECTS OF A WOMAN REMARRYING AFTER DIVORCE MORE DIFFICULT THAN IN THOSE COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE INTRODUCED SUCH LEGISLATION?
* IS THERE A NEED FOR THIS TYPE OF LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG WHERE THE EXTENDED FAMILY (INVOLVING GRANDPARENTS AND RELATIVES) IS QUITE COMMON?
* IF SUCH LEGISLATION OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION IS APPROPRIATE, SHOULD IT, IN OUR COMMUNITY, PROVIDE FOR PERIODIC SPOUSE MAINTENANCE FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO SAY, FIVE YEARS, AFTER DIVORCE TO ENABLE THE WIFE, FOR EXAMPLE TO UNDERTAKE A COURSE OF EDUCATION OR TRAINING TO ESTABLISH HERSELF IN A BUSINESS OR OTHERWISE TO OBTAIN AN ADEQUATE INCOME?
* IS THE CONCEPT OF ONGOING PERIODIC SPOUSE MAINTENANCE, IN CONTRAST TO THIS +CLEAN BREAK* TYPE OF LEGISLATION, ONE THAT IS PARTICULARLY SUITED AND APPLICABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY, BEARING IN MIND OUR COMMUNITY, SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUND?
MR THOMAS SAID THAT HE WAS NOT AT PRESENT ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS.
♦I AM PUTTING THEM FORWARD AT THIS STAGE TO AN AUDIENCE CF WOMEN TO INITIATE DEBATE,* HE SAID
/PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATION
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1984
4
PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN TO THESE ISSUES IN CHAMBERS, BUT IT WAS FAR TOO EARLY FOR HIM TO SEE WHETHER CHANGES IN THE LAW SHOULD BE MADE, OR IS IF SO, WHAT FORM THESE CHANGES SHOULD TAKE, MR THOMAS SAID.
TOUCHING ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORK, AS THE LAST MATTER IN HIS TALK, MR THOMAS SAID IT WAS +A FORM OF BEHAVIOUR WHICH MUST BE DISCOURAGED.+
♦CERTAIN ACTS WHICH ARE PROBABLY OFFENCES WITHIN THE CRIMINAL LAW, QUESTIONING WOMEN ABOUT ASPECTS OF THEIR PRIVATE LIFE, AND REQUESTS FOR SEXUAL FAVOURS IN EXCHANGE FOR ADVANCEMENT ARE ALL SEEN AS SEXUAL HARASSMENT,* MR THOMAS SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF WOMEN WAS UNDERTAKING A SURVEY OF THE MATTER.
HE WAS INTERESTED TO KNOW THE RESULT OF THE SURVEY AND THAT IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM, HE WOULD CONSIDER WHAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT.
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BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED
******
FIRMS IN THE ’MANUFACTURING’ SECTOR EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1984, ACCORDING TO SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS ACCORDS WITH THEIR EXPECTATIONS REFLECTED IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER SURVEY.
FIRMS IN THE ’CONSTRUCTION’ SECTOR WHICH HAD EXPECTED SOME RECOVERY IN BUSINESS IN THE LAST SURVEY REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
THE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE OF FIRMS IN THE ’WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS’ SECTOR VARIED AMONG DIFFERENT TRADES BUT ON BALANCE, A STABLE BUSINESS SITUATION WAS EXPERIENCED IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
AS REGARDS FIRMS IN THE ’OTHER SERVICES’ SECTOR, A GENERAL IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS WAS EXPERIENCED BY FIRMS ACROSS DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES.
RESPONDENTS IN THE ’MANUFACTURING’, ’WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS’ AND ’OTHER SERVICES’ SECTORS ARE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 198*.
/Favourable business .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1984
5
FAVOURABLE BUSINESS CLIMATE CONTINUES TO PREVAIL IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN BUSINESS IS anticipated by firms.
RESPONDENTS IN THE 'WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS’ BUSINESS ARE ALSO CONFIDENT OF AN IMPROVED BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
HOWEVER, COMPANIES IN THE ’CONSTRUCTION’ SECTOR CONTINUE TO HOLD A PESSIMISTIC VIEW ABOUT THE BUSINESS PROSPECT. FURTHER DETERIORATION IN BUSINESS IS EXPECTED FOR THE THIRD QUARTER.
A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS SITUATION WAS EXPERIENCED BY FIRMS ACROSS ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN THE SECOND QUARTER, WITH THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT ACHIEVED BY FIRMS IN THE ’PLASTICS’, ’ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES’ AND ’ELECTRONICS’ INDUSTRIES. THEY EXPECT THE FAVOURABLE SITUATION TO CONTINUE IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
FIRMS IN THE ’TEXTILES’ INDUSTRY REPORTED SOME IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE SECOND QUARTER BUT THEY EXPECT THAT THE BUSINESS GROWTH WILL BE STABILISED IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
AS FOR THE OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, NAMELY ’FOOD, BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO’, ’WEARING APPAREL’, ’PRINTING’, 'FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS’ AND 'WATCHES AND CLOCKS’ INDUSTRIES, RESPONDING FIRMS EXPERIENCED IMPROVEMENTS IN BUSINESS IN THE SECOND QUARTER AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER ARE FAVOURABLE, PARTICULARLY FOR FIRMS IN THE 'WATCHES AND CLOCKS’ INDUSTRY.
DURING THE SECOND QUARTER, RESPONDENTS IN THE ’WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE’ BUSINESS EXPERIENCED A STABLE BUSINESS SITUATION, AND THEY PREDICT SOME IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS FOR THE COMING QUARTER.
A SEASONAL DOWNTREND IN BUSINESS IN THE SECOND QUARTER WAS REPORTED BY FIRMS IN THE 'RESTAURANTS’ BUSINESS BUT THE BUSINESS IS EXPECTED TO IMPROVE FOR THE THIRD QUARTER.
FIRMS IN THE ’HOTELS’ BUSINESS REPORTED A RISE IN BUSINESS IN THE SECOND QUARTER BUT ANTICIPATE A DECLINE FOR THE THIRD QUARTER, DUE MAINLY TO SEASONAL FACTORS.
FIRMS IN TH8..’BANKING’ AND ’TRANSPORTATION’ BUSINESSES EXPERIENCED AN IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE SECOND QUARTER WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE MUCH MORE SUBSTANTIAL THAN HAD BEEN EXPECTED IN THE PREVIOUS SURVEY. RESPONDENTS PREDICT THAT THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK IS EXPECTED TO FURTHER IMPROVE IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
/FOR THE .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1984
6
FOR THE ’MANUFACTURING’ SECTOR, THE INTENSITY OF THE PROBLEM OF HIGH MATERIALS PRICES FURTHER EASED OFF IN THE SECOND QUARTER BUT THE PROBLEM OF HIGH INTEREST RATES EMERGED.
AS FOR THE ’CONSTRUCTION’ SECTOR, THE PERSISTENT PROBLEMS OF INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS CONTRACTS AND PRICE COMPETITION FROM FIRMS IN HONG KONG WERE INDICATED BY RESPONDENTS AS THE PROMINENT PROBLEMS FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS.
PRICE COMPETITION STILL REMAINED AS THE MAJOR PROBLEM FOR FIRMS IN THE ’WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE’ BUSINESS IN THE SECOND QUARTER AND THIS PROBLEM IS EXPECTED TO PERSIST IN THE COMING QUARTER.
THE PROBLEM OF HIGH INTEREST RATES WAS REPORTED BY AN INCREASING PROPORTION OF FIRMS IN THE ’WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE’ BUSINESS, ’MANUFACTURING’ AND ’CONSTRUCTION’ SECTORS IN THE SECOND QUARTER AND IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN AS A PROMINENT PROBLEM IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS AND PRICE COMPETITION CONTINUED TO BE THE PREDOMINANT PROBLEMS CONFRONTING FIRMS IN THE ’RESTAURANTS’ BUSINESS IN THE SECOND QUARTER WITH LITTLE PROSPECT OF EASING IN THE NEXT QUARTER. HOWEVER, THE INTENSITY OF THE PROBLEM" OF HIGH STAFF TURNOVER EASED IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
AS REGARDS THE ’HOTELS’ BUSINESS, PRICE COMPETITION WAS AGAIN REGARDED AS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN BOTH THE SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED THE LATEST QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY IN JULY 1984.
ABOUT 800 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES AND BUSINESSES, FORMING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1984, AND THEIR BUSINESS EXPECTATIONS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 198-.
THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE SURVEY RESULTS, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, WERE BASICALLY INTENDED TO PROVIDE ONE SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF HONG KONG.
PARTICIPATING FIRMS WERE ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINIONS, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND LEVEL OF CAPACITY UTILISATION HAD ’IMPROVED’, ’REMAINED THE SAME’ OR ’DETERIORATED’ IN THE IMMEDIATELY PAST QUARTER AS COMPARED WITH THE QUARTER BEFORE.
FOR THE FORTHCOMING QUARTER, THEY WERE ALSO ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER THE SITUATION WILL ’IMPROVE’, ’REMAIN THE SAME’ OR ’DETERIORATE’.
/THE BALANCE........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2J, 1984
7
THE BALANCE OF OPINIONS OF RESPONDENTS WERE TABULATED AND ANALYSED.
THE SURVEY REPORT ALSO CONTAINS A SECTION ON BUSINESS PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED AND EXPECTED BY FIRMS IN DIFFERENT ECONOMIC SECTORS AND A BREAKDOWN OF VIEWS OF FIRMS BY SIZE GROUPS.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT FOR A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, THE RESULTS SHOULD BE INTERPRETED WITH CARE AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH PRECISELY THE EXTENT TO WHICH RESPONDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS.
COPIES OF THE REPORT, CONTAINING AN ANALYSIS OF THE SURVEY FINDINGS AND STATISTICAL TABLES, HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO FIRMS TAKING PART IN THE SURVEY AND TO OTHER BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY OBTAIN COPIES FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, AT $3 PER COPY.
FURTHER DETAILS ON THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S NATIONAL INCOME BRANCH AT 5-423401.
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JING YING PERFORMANCES HIGHLY RATED * * * *
FIFTEEN YOUNG MUSICIANS AND DANCERS OF THE HONG KONG HAVE EARNED HIGH PRAISE FOR THEIR CURRENT PERFORMANCES IN KINGDOM.
JING YIN THE UNIT
CO I ’J
THE GROUP, COMPRISING SEVEN MUSICIANS, EIGHT DANCERS AND FOUR OFFICIALS, LEFT ON AUGUST 1 TO REPRESENT THE TERRITORY AT INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVALS IN SIDMOUTH, BILLINGHAM AND MAIDSTONE.
THEY HAVE SO FAR COMPLETED TWO-THIRDS OF THEIR MONTH-LONG ITINERARY AND ARE DUE TO RETURN NEXT WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 29).
AN OFFICIAL OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON SAID, ♦THE MEMBERS ARE RATHER EXHAUSTED BUT THEIR SPIRITS ARE HIGH.
HONG KONG SHOULD BE PROUD OF THEM.+
NEWSPAPERS COVERING THE FOLKLORE FESTIVALS ALSO GAVE PROMINENT HEADLINES SUCH ASt +CHINESE STEAL FESTIVAL HEARTS*, +JING YING -THE VERY BEST IN FOLK+ AND +CHINESE LION STEALS THE SHOW*.
THE DIRECTOR OF THE SIDMOUTH FOLKLORE FESTIVAL, MR JOHN DOWELL DESCRIBED THE PERFORMANCES OF THE HONG KONG JING YING AS ♦ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT*.
MEMBERS OF THE TEAM, ALL SELECTED BY THE RECREATION AND _ CULTURE DEPARTMENT, ARE PERFORMING AT MAIDSTONE THIS WEEK - THz LAST STOP OF THEIR U.K. TOUR - AND THE LONDON COMMISSIONER Or TH HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE, SIR JACK CATER, AND LADY CATER WILL ATTEND ONE OF THEIR SHOWS.
-----o------
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1934
8
POPULATION FIGURES RELEASED * * *
THE ESTIMATED POPULATION OF HONG KONG AT THE END OF JUNE 1984 WAS 5 364 OOO, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THAT ESTIMATE REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 19 578 PEOPLE OR 0.4 PER CENT OVER END-1983.
THE BALANCE OF MIGRATION, I.E. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TOTAL NUMBERS OF ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1984, SHOWED A NET LOSS OF 1 858 PEOPLE.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BIRTHS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1984 WAS 35 165, AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS WAS 13 729. NATURAL INCREASE, I.E. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BIRTHS AND DEATHS, AMOUNTED TO 21 436 AND WHOLLY ACCOUNTED FOR THE POPULATION GROWTH. THIS FACTOR HAS DOMINATED THE TOTAL POPULATION GROWTH EVER SINCE 1981.
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INVESTMENT IN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY RISING
* * *
THE CONTINUING GROWTH OF INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY WAS WELCOMED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR PETER JOHNSON.
A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS GROWTH WAS THE OPENING THIS MORNING OF AN EXTENSION OF THE PRODUCTION AND FACILITIES OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES LTD.
+ THIS SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT BY THE COMPANY IS WELCOME EVIDENCE OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE, AND OF THE PRESENT HIGH LEVEL OF INTEREST AND ACTIVITY IN THE ELECTRONICS SECTOR,* SAID MR JOHNSON.
AND THE COMPANY IS PLANNING FURTHER EXPANSION OF ITS FACILITIES IN ABERDEEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
MR JOHNSON SAID THAT DURING RECENT VISITS TO ELECTRONICS FACTORIES, HE AND HIS STAFF HAD NOTICED CONSIDERABLE INVESTMENT IN NEW MACHINERY AND AUTOMATED PROCESSES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF OVERSEAS MARKETS AND KEEP HONG KONG AHEAD OF OTHER MANUFACTURING CENTRES IN THE REGION.
HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR TOTALLED S13 805 MILLION, UP 4C PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1983.
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/9......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1984
9
COMPULSORY PILOTAGE EXPECTED SOON X * X *
LEGISLATION WILL SHORTLY BE INTRODUCED REQUIRING COMPULSORY PILOTAGE OF VESSELS IN HONG KONG HARBOUR.
THE REQUIREMENT WILL BE PUT INTO EFFECT IN THREE STAGES, FOLLOWING WHICH ALL VESSELS OF 1 □□□ GROSS REGISTERED TONS AND ABOVE, NAVIGATING IN HONG KONG WATERS, WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF A HONG KONG PILOT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE PRESENT PILOTAGE ORDINANCE WILL BE AMENDED TO BRING IT UP TO DATE AND MORE IN LINE WITH PRACTICE IN OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PILOT’S JOB, HE EXPLAINED, IS TO GUIDE A SHIP IN A SAFE AND EFFICIENT MANNER BETWEEN THE BOARDING STATION AND THE WHARF, TERMINAL AND BUOY.
+THE PURPOSE OF PILOTAGE IS TO SATISFY TWO SIMILAR SETS OF CRITERIA — ONE BEING THE REQUIREMENT OF THE SHIPOWNER TO HAVE ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AVAILABLE, AND THE OTHER BE-ING THAT OF THE NAVIGATION AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE IN ENSURING SAFE NAVIGATIONAL ENVIRONMENT.
+BOTH COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER IN THE PURSUIT OF OVERALL NAVIGATIONAL SAFETY,+ HE SAID.
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE IS THE PILOTAGE AUTHORITY IN HONG KONG AND ALL LICENSED PILOTS ARE MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG PILOTS ASSOCIATION, WHICH ORGANISES THE PROVISION OF PILOTAGE SERVICES ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS. THE FEES CHARGED ARE GOVERNED BY STATUTE.
AS INDICATED IN A REPLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES ID A QUESTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN NOVEMBER 1981, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE INTENDS TO INTRODUCE COMPULSORY PILOTAGE IN THREE STAGES — EARLY 1985, IN 1987 AND IN 1989.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS, MEANWHILE, ALSO REVIEWING THE PILOTAGE (DUES) ORDER, WHICH GOVERNS THE CHARGES FOR STANDARD PILOTAGE DUES FOR THE PILOTAGE OF SHIPS IN HONG KONG.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, A STUDY IS BEING UNDERTAKEN TO UPDATE THE PILOTAGE ORDER WHICH CONTROLS THE TRAINING, EXAMINATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR CLASSES OF PILOTAGE AND FOR THE AMENDMENT OF A LICENCE TO A HIGHER CLASS OF PILOTAGE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/10........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1934
10
KOWLOON RAILWAY STATION TO BE IMPROVED
X X X X
WORK ON EXTENDING THE PODIUM AT KOWLOON RAILWAY STATION WILL START EARLY NEXT MONTH.
A $18.56 MILLION CONTRACT FOR PART OF THE PROJECT HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO KWAN ON BUILDING CONTRACTORS LTD.
WORK INCLUDES CONSTRUCTING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR THE EXTENSION AND RE-LAYING 1 600 METRES OF TRACK AT THE STATION’S GOODS YARD.
IT FORMS THE FIRST STAGE OF A PLAN TO ENHANCE THE TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE FACILITIES AT THE STATION. UPON COMPLETION OF THE DEVELOPMENT, THE AREA OF THE PODIUM WILL BE INCREASED BY ONE HECTARE TO ABOUT 6.5 HECTARES.
THE CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO AWARDED A $3.9 MILLION CONTRACT FOR IMPROVING THE INTERCHANGE FACILITIES AT THE STATION.
IT INVOLVES INSTALLING TWO ESCALATORS AND IMPROVING THE COVERED WALKWAYS UNDER THE STATION PODIUM.
THIS WILL INCLUDE LAYING NEW FLOOR COVERINGS, PAINTING WALLS, INSTALLING ADVERTISING PANELS AND IMPROVING THE LIGHTING SYSTEM.
I. •.
THE WORK WILL BE COMPLETED BY EARLY NEXT YEAR.
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DELEGATES TOUR HOUSING ESTATES X X X X
ABOUT 120 DELEGATES FROM 16 COUNTRIES ATTENDING THE NINTH EASTERN REGIONAL ORGANISATION FOR PLANNING AND HOUSING INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS TOOK TIME OUT TODAY TO VISIT SOME OF THE HOUSING ESTATEo IN HONG KONG.
ACCOMPANIED BY OFFICIALS FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT THE VISITORS SET OFF IN FOUR COACHES AND HEADED FOR THE MEI FOO oUN CHUEN IN LAI CHI KOK.
THEY LATER TOURED THE TWO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES OF LUNG HANG AND SUN CHUI IN SHA TIN.
/The visitors .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1984
11
THE VISITORS TOOK GREAT INTEREST IN THE HIGH-RISE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND WERE FASCINATED BY THE GREAT HEIGHTS OF THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
ONE OF THE DELEGATES, A PROFESSOR OF KINKI UNIVERSITY, JAPAN, MR HARUO NAGAMINE, SAID: +l AM IMPRESSED BY THE TREMENDOUS IMPROVEMENTS MADE SINCE I LAST VISITED HONG KONG 15 YEARS AGO.
+HOWEVER, DESPITE THE VARIOUS FAVOURABLE ARRANGEMENTS, THE PRICE FOR PURCHASING A FLAT IS STILL EXPENSIVE, AND HAS ALMOST REACHED THE JAPANESE STANDARD.+
AFTER SPENDING MORE THAN ONE-AND-A-HALF HOURS SEEING THE VARIOUS FACILITIES AT THE TWO ESTATES, INCLUDING THE HOME OWNERSHIP KING TIN COURT, THE VISITORS WENT TO LUNCH AT A RESTAURANT IN THE WO CHE COMMERCIAL CENTRE.
AFTER LUNCH, THE PARTY WAS TAKEN TO THE LIONS PAVILION IN SHA TIN WHERE THEY HAD A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW TOWN.
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LATEST TAXI TENDER RESULTS ANNOUNCED * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS COMPLETED PROCESSING THE LATEST TENDERS FOR 300 URBAN AND 150 NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES.
A TOTAL OF 448 TENDERS FOR URBAN TAXI LICENCES WERE RECEIVED WHEN THE OFFER CLOSED ON JULY 20, 1984.
THE HIGHEST TENDER ACCEPTED WAS $168 800 AND THE LOWEST, $163 699.
THE AVERAGE PREMIUM OF $164 886 REPRESENTED A 4.9 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE AVERAGE OF THE PREVIOUS TENDERS.
A TOTAL OF 138 TENDERS WERE LODGED FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS RANGED FROM $19 980 TO $500, GIVING AN AVERAGE OF $8 866, AN INCREASE OF 17.7 PER CENT ON THE PREVIOUS TENDERS.
DETAILS OF SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS AND THE AMOUNTS OFFERED WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
_ _ o - -
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1984
12
8750 000 FINES FOR LITTERBUGS
* * *
MORE THAN 4 300 PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED FOR VARIOUS LITTER OFFENCES LAST MONTH, AN INCREASE OF 21 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 3 509 IN JUNE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE FINES, RANGING FROM 825 TO $1 000, TOTALLED 8750 000 IN JULY, COMPARED WITH 8599 545 COLLECTED IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
OF THE PROSECUTIONS, 2 839 PERSONS WERE CHARGED FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING OF LITTER, 1 209 FOR SPITTING IN STREETS AND PUBLIC PLACES AND 318 FOR CAUSING OBSTRUCTION TO SCAVENGING AND CONSERVANCY OPERATIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO DISPOSE OF ANY LITTER IN BINS PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT ON PAVEMENTS.
♦ THOSE WHO WANT TO CLEAR THEIR THROATS WHILE IN THE STREETS SHOULD USE TISSUE PAPER WHICH IS TO BE DEPOSITED IN THE BINS PROPERLY.
♦IN SO DOING, THEY WILL NOT ONLY AVOID BEING CHARGED AND FINED, BUT WILL ALSO HELP KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN,+ HE ADDED.
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SPEED LIMIT REMINDER FOR MOTORISTS
* * * *
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT THE SPEED LIMIT THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WILL EE FIXED AT 50 KM/H FOR THREE DAYS FROM AUGUST 25 TO AUGUST 27 TO FACILITATE THE CHANGEOVER TO METRIC SPEED LIMIT SIGNS.
HE STRESSED THAT NO MOTORIST ON ANY ROAD IN THE TERRITORY SHOULD DRIVE IN EXCESS OF 50 KM/H FROM MIDNIGHT ON AUGUST 24 TO MIDNIGHT ON AUGUST 27, WHATEVER THE SIGNS INDICATE.
♦HOWEVER, FROM AUGUST 28, MOTORISTS SHOULD CONTINUE TO OBSERVE A GENERAL SPEED LIMIT OF 50 KM/H, UNLESS THE SIGNS ERECTED SHOW A DIFFERENT SPEED LIMIT.+
HE ALSO ADVISED MOTORISTS TO DRIVE EXTRA CAREFULLY OVER THE THREE DAYS AS WORKMEN WOULD BE PUTTING UP NEW METRIC SPEED LIMIT SIGNS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
- 0 ---------
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1984
13
LANTERN CARNIVAL FOR EASTERN * * * *
A LANTERN DESIGN COMPETITION WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES IN EASTERN DISTRICT NEXT MONTH.
ENTRIES ARE NOW BEING INVITED FROM STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT AS WELL AS PEOPLE WORKING THERE.
THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7.
AN EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE COMPETITION WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING THE TRADITIONAL HANDICRAFT AND AT ENABLING MORE PEOPLE TO SHARE THE FESTIVE FUN.
+THERE WILL BE NO RESTRICTIONS ON THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES OR ON THE COLOUR, SHAPE AND MATERIALS USED.+ HE SAID.
♦HOWEVER, ANY ONE OF THE LANTERN’S DIMENSIONS SHOULD BE BETWEEN 30 CENTIMETRES AND 120 CENTIMETRES.
♦ALSO, EACH LANTERN MUST HAVE A TITLE RELATED TO THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL, AND THE NAME OF THE CONTESTANT.+
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR SECTIONS FOR DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS: THOSE BELOW SIX YEARS OLD; SIX TO 12 ; 12 TO 18, AND THOSE OVER 18.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AT 880-886 KING’S ROAD; ITS CAUSEWAY BAY SUB-OFFICE AT 9-11 WING HING STREET ; THE SHAU KEI WAN SUB-OFFICE AT 243 SHAU KEI WAN ROAD! OR THE CHAI WAN SUB-OFFICE AT BLOCK 2 OF HING WAH ESTATE.
WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES AT A LANTERN CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE KING’S ROAD PLAYGROUND ON SEPTEMBER 11, STARTING AT 8 PM. ALL ENTRIES WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE PLAYGROUND FROM 3 PM THE SAME DAY.
THE CARNIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS THREE AREA COMMITTEES IN CAUSEWAY BAY NORTH, NORTH POINT WEST, AND NORTH POINT EAST, AND SPONSORED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1934
14
COURSES AND WORKSHOPS FOR ART TEACHERS * * * *
A NUMBER OF COURSES AND WORKSHOPS WILL BE HELD FOR ART AND CRAFT TEACHERS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.
THERE WILL BE TWO IDENTICAL COURSES ON THE TEACHING OF PICTURE-MAKING IN UPPER PRIMARY CLASSES.
TEACHERS MAY ATTEND EITHER A FOUR HALF-DAY SESSIONS TO BE HELD EVERY TUESDAY AFTERNOON FROM OCTOBER 2 TO 23, OR A TWO-DAY SESSION ON OCTOBER 18 AND 25.
THERE WILL ALSO BE SEVERAL WORKSHOPS ON THE TEACHING OF ART AND CRAFT WITH THE OBJECTIVE TO PROVIDE FURTHER TRAINING IN CURRENT THEORIES AND PRACTICES IN THIS FIELD.
EACH WORKSHOP WILL CONSIST OF TWO SESSIONS ON SATURDAYS IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER.
ALL COURSES AND WORKSHOPS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE.
HEADS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE REQUESTED TO NOMINATE ART AND CRAFT TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE COURSES AND WORKSHOPS.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE INSPECTOR (ART), CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG BEFORE SEPTEMBER 15.
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Il ' I '* *1 ‘ I 111 ’ I , I I
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
LABOUR MP'S DUE ......................................... 1
45 INSURANCE COMPANIES WITHDRAWN ........................ 1
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY GRAND FINAL TOMORROW................... 2
TEXTILES AGREEMENT WITH NORWAY SIGNED ................... 3
LADY BREMRIDGE VISITS AGED FOLK ......................... 3
GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN HOUSING PROGRAMME URGED .......... 4
UNCERTAINTY PRELUDE TO GREATER PROSPERITY - LUO ......... 6
PHOTO CONTEST ON LIVING CONDITIONS IN PUBLIC HOUSING .... 7
JOINT EFFORTS TO PROMOTE VOTER REGISTRATION ............ 8
NEW PUPPETS TO HELP GET MORE VOTERS ..................... 8
CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION YOUTHS DO WELL IN EXAMS ........ 9
NEW FEES FOR NT POOLS ................................... 10
CHAMPIONS TO PERFORM AT FOLK VARIETY CONCERT ............ 11
RUNNERS TO VIE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP ......................... 12
POT FLOWER GROWING COMPETITION FOR SCHOOLS .............. 12
SITE AND HOUSES FOR SALE ................................ 13
AMENDMENTS TO TUEN MUN PLAN ANNOUNCED.................... 14
MORE SAFETY ON ROADS .................................... 15
TRAFFIC MEASURES IN SHAU KEI WAN ........................ 15
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1934
1
LABOUR MP’S DUE * * * *
TwO LABOUR MP’S WILL ARRIVE ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 26) TO OBTAIN FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ABOUT HONG KONG.
THEY ARE MR ERIC DEAKINS AND MR KEN EASTHAM. WHILE IN HONG KONG, THEY WILL MEET A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING LOCAL BUSINESSMEN, SOCIAL WORKERS, MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, CHAIRMEN OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, TSUEN WAN DB MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF ASSOCIATIONS.
MR DEAKINS AND MR EASTHAM WILL ATTEND RECEPTIONS TO BE HOSTED BY URBAN COUNCIL AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.
THEY WILL ATTEND BRIEFINGS BY UMELCO, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE MADE FOR THE TWO MP’S TO VISIT TSUEN WAN DISTRICT, A SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE, A FACTORY, A VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CAMP AND HOUSING ESTATES.
THEY WILL GIVE LEAVING THAT DAY.
A PRESS CONFERENCE ON SEPTEMBER 4 BEFORE
-------0----------
45 INSURANCE COMPANIES WITHDRAWN * * * *
A TOTAL OF 45 INSURANCE COMPANIES AUTHORISATION WITHDRAWN BETWEEN JUNE 30 INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE CAME INTO
IN HONG KONG HAD THEIR LAST YEAR, WHEN THE FORCE, AND JUNE 30 THIS
YEAR.
FOUR OF THESE COMPANIES WERE WOUND UPON THE PETITION OF THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT SAID.
UP BY THE HIGH COURT
A SPOKESMAN FOR
THE REST WERE EITHER DORMANT OR UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW LEGISLATION AND HAD THUS LET THEIR AUTHORISATION LAPSE, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THEIR BUSINESS WOULD BE RUN OFF AND THE COMPANIES WOUND DOWN IN AN ORDERLY MANNER.
/HIE NEW........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1984
2
THE NEW LEGISLATION PRESCRIBES REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FITNESS CF DIRECTORS AND CONTROLLERS OF INSURANCE COMPANIES AND PROVIDES MORE STRINGENT FINANCIAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS ON INSURERS.
IT ALSO CONFERS MUCH WIDER POWERS OF INVESTIGATION AND INTERVENTION ON THE REGISTRAR GENERAL IN HIS CAPACITY AS INSURANCE AUTHORITY FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF POLICY HOLDERS.
AS AT JUNE 30 THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 277 INSURANCE COMPANIES AUTHORISED TO CARRY ON THE INSURANCE BUSINESS -- INCLUDING 15 NEW ONES — COMPARED WITH A TOTAL OF 307 COMPANIES AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE.
OF THESE 277 COMPANIES, 130 WERE INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG.
THE REMAINING 147 COMPANIES CAME FROM 26 COUNTRIES, THE MAJORITY CF THEM FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM (50), AND THE UNITED STATES (30), FOLLOWED BY EIGHT COMPANIES EACH FROM BERMUDA AND JAPAN, SIX EACH FROM SINGAPORE AND SWITZERLAND, AND FIVE EACH FROM CANADA AND FRANCE.
-------0---------
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY GRAND FINAL TOMORROW * * *
+SAFETY AT WORK+ SERIES IV TELEVISION SAFETY GALA NIGHT* WILL BE SCREENED ON PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE FINAL EPISODE OF THE PROGRAMME AND AN +INDUSTR’AL HK-TVB’S JADE CHANNEL AT 9.30
TELEVISION PERSONALITIES MR TANG YING-MAN AND MISS HAPPY CHAN HOI-SUM WILL BE COMPERES OF THE GALA NIGHT.
A NUMBER OF POPULAR SINGERS AND ARTISTES WILL BE PERFORMING. THEY INCLUDE: MISS ROWENA CORTES, MR PANG KIN-SUN, MISS ANNABELLE LOUIE, MR ROY CHIAO, THE YOUNG TIGERS GROUP, AND TWO FORMER MISSES HONGKONG ROWENA LAM AND ANGLIE LEUNG.
COMPETING IN THE FINAL FOR THE GRAND PRIZE — AN H-DAY ALL-EXPENSES-PAID HOLIDAY IN THE UNITED STATES — ARE LA SUN GARMENT COMPANY LTD, GARDEN COMPANY LTD AND HONG KONG UNITED DOCKYARDS LTD. THEY BEAT 24 OTHER TEAMS IN THE PRELIMINARIES AND SEMI-FINALS SCREENED ON THE SAME CHANNEL IN THE PAST 12 WEEKS.
THE WINNING TEAM IS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE FOR UNITED STATES ON SEPTEMBER 12.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, RAD 10 TELEVJSION HONG KONG AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIE^, THt ONE-HOUr SHOW WILL FEATURE AN ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME OF SINGING, BREAKDANC A MINI-OPERA AS WELL AS AN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY QUIZ -1 TH ATTRAC IVE PRIZES.
/OVER 5J0C 000 .......
WlDta, august 24, 1984
-5
OVER S300 000 IN PRIZES, INCLUDING COLOUR TV SETS, VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDERS, RADIO CASSETTE RECORDERS, KITCHEN APPLIANCES, WASHING MACHINES, ELECTRONIC TV GAMES AND WRIST WATCHES WERE AWARDED TO MEMBERS OF THE PARTICIPATING TEAMS AND HOME VIEWERS SINCE THE FIRST EPISODE WAS SCREENED ON JUNE 3 THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT FEEDBACK INFORMATION INDICATED THAT BESIDES BEING ENTERTAINING, THE TV PROGRAMME HAD HELPED AROUSE SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS AND THE HOME VIEWERS.
-------0---------
TEXTILES AGREEMENT WITH NORWAY SIGNED *****
THE NEW HONG KONG-NORWAY TEXTILES AGREEMENT WAS RATIFIED TODAY (FRIDAY) IN HONG KONG.
IT WAS SIGNED BY MR LEIF E. HALVORSEN, CONSUL-GENERAL OF NORWAY, AND MR E.P. HO, SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
THE NEW AGREEMENT WAS CONCLUDED AND INITIALLED IN OSLO IN JANUARY. IT COVERS A THREE-YEAR PERIOD STARTING FROM JULY 1, 1984.
NORWAY HAS JULY 1, 1984.
ACCEDED TO THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT AS FROM
-------0--------
LADY BREMRIDGE VISITS AGED FOLK *****
LADY BREMRIDGE, WIFE OF THE FINANCIAL (FRIDAY) MORNING VISITING THE ST. JOSEPH’S THE SHUN LEE ADULT TRAINING CENTRE IN NGAU
SECRETARY, SPENT THIS HOME FOR THE AGED AND CHI WAN.
DURING THE VISIT, LADY BREMRIDGE SAW SOME 30 HANDICAPPED TRAINEES FROM THE SHUN LEE ADULT TRAINING CENTRE GIVING SERVICE TO AND PLAYING WITH SOME 40 ELDERLY PERSONS OF ST. JOSEPH’S HOME FOR THE AGED IN A SPECIAL ONE-DAY PROJECT ORGANISED BY THE SOCIETY OF HOMES FOR THE HANDICAPPED.
YESTERDAY LADY BREMRIDGE HAD VISITED THE PO LEUNG KUK PAK TAM CHUNG HOLIDAY CAMP IN SAI KUNG, TO SEE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES PROVIDED FOR MEMBERS OF AN INTEGRATED CAMP COMPRISING STUDENTS FROM SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND PARTICIPANTS OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD. THE CAMP WAS ORGANISED BY THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS PART OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1984
- 4 -
GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN HOUSING PROGRAMME UR-GED X * * X
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PERHAPS CONSIDER OFFERING MORE RENTAL BLOCKS OF GOOD QUALITY WITH A PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT FOR SALE TO BETTER-OFF PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S HOME OWNERSHIP COMMITTEE, MR CHARLES SIN, SAID THIS DURING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF The PENINSULA LION’S club of HONG KONG today.
HE SAID THE RECENT EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME OF OFFERING RENTAL TRIDENT II BLOCKS FOR SALE AT MUCH LOWER PRICES HAD PROVED TO BE A SUCCESS AMONG EXISTING ESTATE TENANTS.
MR SIN ALSO SAID THE STRONG AND PERSISTENT DEMAND FOR HOS FLATS INDICATED THAT HOME OWNERSHIP WAS STILL A DESIRED OBJECTIVE AMONG THE LOWER-MIDDLE INCOME GROUPS.
+SOCIOLOGICAL STUDIES HAVE LENDED SUPPORT TO THE VIEW THAT HOME OWNERSHIP IS CONDUCIVE TO A MORE STABLE SOCIETY AS HOME-OWNERS ARE COMMITTED TO THE PLACE IN WHICH THEY HAVE A STAKE.
+IT IS THEREFORE IN THE INTEREST AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO PROMOTE HOME OWNERSHIP AMONG THE POPULATION AND HOS IS INSTRUMENTAL IN PURSUING THIS OBJECTIVE,+ HE ADDED.
+THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS PLANS FOR INCREASING THE PRODUCTION OF FLATS FOR SALE FROM THE CURRENT ANNUAL TARGET OF 5 OOO TO 10 000 IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, WITH THE ADDITION OF 4 000 TO 5 000 FLATS UNDER THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME.
+BUT THE DEMAND FROM BOTH TENANTS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING INDICATES THAT THE PRODUCTION FIGURES STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO MEET THE EXPECTATION OF THE PROSPECTIVE BUYERS.+
HE SAID THAT ANY INCREASE IN THE PRODUCTION OF HOS-PSPS FLATS SHOULD NOT HAVE SERIOUS EFFECT ON THE PRIVATE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY WHILE EXPANSION OF THE PSPS WOULD, ON THE CONTRARY, PROVIDE MORE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPERS.
REFERRING TO THE RECENT DISCUSSIONS BY THE PUBLIC AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ON THE SUBJECT OF WELL-OFF TENANTS IN HOUSING ESTATES, HE SAID THERE WAS WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR A GENTLE, PERSUASIVE APPROACH TO ENCOURAGE THESE TENANTS TO PURCHASE HOS FLATS.
/♦NEVERTHELESS, .......
FBIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1954
- 5 -
♦nevertheless, there could be many reasons which may prevent a
PUBLIC HOUSING TENANT FROM BUYING HOS FLATS.
♦FOR EXAMPLE, THERE MAY BE UNCERTAINTY ABOUT HIS FUTURE HOUSEHOLD INCOME, AND HOS FLAT PURCHASERS ARE DEBARRED FROM RErENTRY INTO RENTAL HOUSING. OR, THE TENANT MAY NOT WISH TO COMMIT TO A LONG-TERM FINANCIAL OUTLAY.+
HE SUGGESTED THAT SOME OF THE HOS-PSPS FLATS BE TRANSFERRED TO THE RENTAL HOUSING PROGRAMME TO BE LET TO WELL-OFF TENANTS WHO ASPIRED TO BETTER LIVING STANDARDS AND COULD WELL AFFORD HIGHER RENTS.
♦ RENTS COULD BE CHARGED AT A LEVEL TO RECOVER COSTS, BUT WOULD STILL BE BELOW THE MARKET RENTS.
♦ IN THIS WAY, GOVERNMENT WILL REDUCE SUBSIDY TO WELL-OFF TENANTS AND DIVERT RESOURCES TO HELPING THOSE WHO ARE IN GREATER NEED. PURCHASERS OF HOS FLATS WHO, BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, CANNOT COMPLETE THE MORTGAGE REPAYMENT COULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED FOR SUCH ’EXPENSIVE’ RENTAL HOUSING TO HELP THEM TO TIDE OVER THEIR DIFFICULTIES.
♦ THERE WOULD THEN BE TWO LEVELS OF RENTAL HOUSING, CHARGED AT SUBSIDISED AND COST-RECOVERY RENTS. AND TWO LINES OF HOS FLATS, ONE BEING CHEAPER AND MORE AKIN TO RENTAL HOUSING.
♦ WITH THIS SCENARIO, THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME WOULD BE MORE COMPREHENSIVE, CATERING FOR LOWER-MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES WITH DIFFERENT NEEDS AND ASP IRAT IONS.+
MR SIN SAID IT WOULD BE A GOOD POLICY OF THE AUTHORITY TO MAINTAIN FLEXIBILITY IN ITS PROGRAMME SO THAT IT COULD QUICKLY RESPOND TO CHANGES IN THE PROPERTY MARKET.
♦ IF AT ANY TIME PRIVATE DEVELOPERS ARE CAPABLE OF PROVIDING SUFFICIENT FLATS TO CATER FOR THE DEMAND OF HOUSE-OWNERS AT LOWER-MIDDLE INCOME LEVELS, THE AUTHORITY SHOULD HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO CONVERT ITS FLATS FOR SALE INTO FLATS FOR RENTS.+
-----o-----
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1984
6
UNCERTAINTY PRELUDE TO GREATER PROSPERITY - LIAO * * * *
THE POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY HONG KONG IS NOW FACING IS ONLY A TEMPORARY PHENOMENON AND THE TERRITORY’S ADVANCEMENT WILL CONTINUE UNABATED TOWARDS EVEN GREATER PROSPERITY AND CONTENTMENT.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR DONALD LIAO, SAID THIS WHEN ADDRESSING THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE NINTH EAROPH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS THIS AFTERNOON.
FOR ALL THOSE WHO LIVE HERE AND WHOSE FUTURE IS HERE, NR LIAO SAID, THE UNCERTAINTY IS THE PRELUDE TO AN IMPORTANT MOMENT IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY.
♦IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT CHANGES ARE SOON TO BE ANNOUNCED WHICH WILL AFFECT THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO BELONG HERE.
♦BUT DESPITE THESE CHANGES LIFE MUST GO ON FOR THIS UNIQUE CITY-STATE, THE FACILITIES AND AMENITIES OF WHICH ARE PLANNED AND PROVIDED, NOT FOR A METROPOLIS BUT RATHER ON THE SCALE OF NATIONAL PROVISION ELSEWHERE.+
MR LIAO SAID HONG KONG, BLESSED WITH AN INDUSTRIOUS WORK FORCE AND BUSINESSMEN OF HIGH ENTREPRENEURIAL ACUMEN, HAD DEVELOPED A SOPHISTICATED COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
♦AND FREEENTERPRISE HAS ENABLED IT TO BECOME A LEADING MANUFACTURING AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE AS WELL AS A LEADING TRADING NATION.
♦THESE, COUPLED WITH THE SIMPLICITY OF THE TERRITORY’S LAND TENURE SYSTEM, LOW TAXATION AND GOOD PLANNING AND THE PROVISION OF QUALITY FACILITIES SUCH AS HOUSING, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND SOUND HEALTH, SECURE A CONTENTED COMMUNITY.+
ON LOCAL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR LIAO SAID THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WHICH OPERATED ON THE BASIS OF CONSULTATION AND CONCENSUS HAD SERVED THE PEOPLE WELL.
♦THIS UNIQUE SYSTEM OF GATHERING THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC HAS ALLOWED TIME AND OPPORTUNITY FOR DEBATE AND DISSENT, BUT IT USUALLY RESULTS IN A POLICY ACCEPTABLE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMUNITY.
♦DERIVED FROM THIS IS THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY WHICH HONG KONG ENJOYS.♦
IN REGARD TO THE PROPOSALS FOR MORE +CITIZEN PARTICIPATION*, bE SAID ITS DESIRE WAS TO ENSURE THE CONTINUATION OF STABILITY AND PROSPERITY FOR ALL HONG KONG CITIZENS.
♦THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION WILL BE DEVELOPED BUT AT A MEASURED PACE SO THAT THE CITIZEN’S ENJOYMENT OF THEIR PROSPERITY IS UNINTERRUPTED.*
------o-------
/7
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1984
PHOTO CONTEST ON LIVING CONDITIONS IN PUBLIC HOUSING
******
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS HOLDING A PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST ON THE SUBJECT OF THE LIFE STYLE AND IMPROVED LIVING CONDITIONS OF RESIDENTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
THE COMPETITION, WHICH IS ENTITLED +LIFESTYLE+, IS OPEN TO ALL HONG KONG RESIDENTS.
PRIZES FOR THE CONTEST INCLUDE TWO BRITISH AIRWAYS RETURN TICKETS TO LONDON WITH SEVEN NIGHTS HOTEL ACCOMMODATION AND A PHILIPS COMPACT DISC PLAYER FOR THE OVERALL BEST PHOTOGRAPH.
THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 60 OTHER PRIZES OF VARIOUS PHILIPS PRODUCTS, FOR WINNERS IN THE TWO CATEGORIES OF THE CONTEST - ONE ON 'BUILDING' AND THE OTHER ON 'PEOPLE'.
THE CONTEST IS BEING ORGANISED AS PART OF THE ANCILLARY PUBLICITY FOR A LARGE SCALE EXHIBITION - +BETTER LIVING IN ESTATES* - WHICH WILL BE STAGED IN NOVEMBER.
ANNOUNCII I ING THE CONTEST, AN AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY: ♦THE 30 YEARS OF PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG WHICH HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT CHANGES IN LIFE STYLES AND LIVING CONDITIONS HAVE NOT ONLY CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF LOCAL RESIDENTS BUT HAVE ALSO WON FOR HONG KONG A COMMENDABLE REPUTATION OVERSEAS.
+T0 HELP MARK THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS IMPORTANT SOCIAL SERVICE, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS ORGANISING AN EXHIBITION TO CLEARLY REFLECT ESTATE RESIDENTS’ LIVING STYLES AND STANDARDS TOGETHER WITH THEIR EVER IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE.*
THE PHOTOGRAPHS CAN BE EITHER COLOUR OR BLACK AND WHITE, ANE EACH PARTICIPANT CAN ENTER UP TO SIX PHOTOGRAPHS.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS SEPTEMBER 28.
FULL DETAILS AND ENTRY FORMS FOR THE CONTEST ARE AVAILABLE FROM ALL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES, THE CORAL PHOTO COMPANY IN MTR STATIONS, AND THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS AT 101, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN OCTOBER AND WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED INDIVIDUALLY.
-----o------
/8........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1934
8
JOINT EFFORTS TO PROMOTE VOTER REGISTRATION * * *
MEMBERS OF THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE AND THE AREA COMMITTEE IN WAH FU ARE JOINING SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF FOR DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS TO ENCOURAGE POTENTIAL ELECTORS TO REGISTER.
LED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDY CHAN, AND A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR LAM KWOK-KWONG, THE 5O-STRONG TEAM HAS JUST STARTED ITS 10-DAY VISITING PROGRAMME TO THE WAH FU PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE.
+WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE ABOUT 16 □□□ COMPLETED REGISTRATION FORMS FROM THE 25 000 ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN WAH FU,+ SAID MR CHAN.
+S0 FAR, ABOUT HALF OF THE 125 000 POTENTIAL VOTERS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED.
+APART FROM VISITING FAMILIES AND FACTORIES TO PROMOTE THE REGISTRATION DRIVE, WE HAVE ORGANISED SEMINARS AND SLIDE SHOWS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS. WE INTEND TO VISIT OVER 40 PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND A COLLEGE OF EDUCATION NEXT MONTH WHEN THE NEW TERM STARTS,+ HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THAT IN ADDITION, THE MONTHLY *MEET-THE-TARGET SEMINAR+, HELD BETWEEN DB MEMBERS AND PEOPLE FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, HAD ENCOURAGED MORE ELIGIBLE VOTERS TO COME FORWARD.
-----o------
NEW PUPPETS TO HELP GET MORE VOTERS * * * *
DEBUT ON TELEVISION TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
TOGETHER WITH THE SIX ‘®^AL MEMBERS OF THEpPUPPET^AM IL^
KpREi^TT?RHiEYa^‘itcNirAsT,oNs,?sRiHrFDAH!L‘i.Mui AND D0GG¥'
/THE SIX .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1984
9 -
THE SIX OLDER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY - BA Bl, MA Ml, GRANDPA, GRANDMA, MUI TAU AND THE CAT - JUST TURNED SIX LAST MONTH. ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE BECOME FAMILIAR FIGURES TO MANY CHILDREN, THEY HAVE NO INTENTION TO RETIRE FROM THE SCENE. JOINED BY THE NEWCOMERS, THEY WILL EMBARK ON MORE EDUCATIONAL AND PROMOTIONAL MISSIONS.
EVER SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1978, THE PUPPET THEATRE HAS PROVED A POPULAR FEATURE OF THE GIS MOBILE UNIT, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE YOUNG.
OVER THE YEARS, THE PUPPETS HAVE HELPED TO SPREAD CAMPAIGN MESSAGES TO THE GRASS-ROOTS, RANGING FROM ANTI-NARCOTICS, ROAD SAFETY, CLEAN HONG KONG, INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, FIRE PREVENTION AND FIGHT CRIME, TO THE MORE RECENT VOTER REGISTRATION.
A GIS SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY« +AFTER YEARS OF EXPOSURE, THE EFFECT OF THE OLD PUPPETS IS BEGINNING TO WEAR OFF.
♦WE DECIDED TO CREATE SOME NEW CHARACTERS TO MAINTAIN AUDIENCE INTEREST AND ENSURE BETTER RETURNS FOR OUR PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS.+
THE FAMILY OF NINE WILL SET OFF ON THEIR TERRITORY-WIDE JOURNEYS NEXT WEEK TO SPREAD INFORMATION AND BRING FUN AND LAUGHTER TO THE PEOPLE.
♦ IF YOU WANT TO CATCH A FIRST-HAND GLIMPSE OF THE NEW PUPPETS, DON’T MISS THE 'HONG KONG TONIGHT’ TV PROGRAMME AT 7.30 PM TOMORROW,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----o------
CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION YOUTHS DO WELL IN EXAMS * * * *
TEN YOUTHS AT THE PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION WHO HAD DONE WELL IN EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS WERE AWARDED CERTIFICATES TODAY.
THEY SAT IN THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNICIANS COURSE LEVEL ONE EXAMINATION Ao HIlSs THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES EXAMINATION ON INTERMEDIATE BOOKKEEPING LAST YEAR.
AMONG THEM, THEY EARNED 12 DISTINCTIONS, TWO CREDITS AND SIX PASSES.
/THE TEN
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 19^
10
THE TEN YOUTHS, SERVING SENTENCES OF THREE TO NINE YEARS, ARE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 25. THREE OF THEM HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISCHARGED.
MR CHENG CHI-LEUNG, SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, PRESENTED THE CERTIFICATES AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE INSTITUTION.
MR CHENG SAID THAT BOTH COURSES HAD BEEN INTRODUCED AS PART OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S CONTINUOUS EFFORTS TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO YOUNG OFFENDERS.
MORE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSES WERE BEING ORGANISED WITH A VIEW TO OBTAINING EXTERNAL ACCREDITATION, HE SAID.
TODAY’S CEREMONY WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY PARENTS AND RELATIVE^ OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES AS WELL AS OFFICERS AND MASTERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
- - - - 0----------
NEW FEES FOR NT POOLS
* X * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED AN INCREASE IN FEES FOR THE RESERVED USE OF PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WIH EFFECT FROM TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NEW FEES COVER ALL SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES IN SHA TIN, KWAI CHUNG, YUEN LONG AND NORTH DISTRICT UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE FEES HAVE BEEN REVISED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS (NEW TERRITORIES) REGULATIONS TO BRING THEM IN LINE WITH THOSE IN THE URBAN AREA WHICH CAME INTO FORCE EARLY tH|5 YEAR, AN NTSD SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NEW CHARGES ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT INCREASING ADMINISTRATIVE AND MAINTENANCE COSTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CHARGES FOR SCHOOLS TO HOLD SWIMMING LESSONS FOR 60 PEOPLE DURING SCHOOL HOURS AT A TEACHING POOL, A TRAINING POOL, A CHILDRENS POOL AND TWO LANES OF A 50-METRE MAIN POOL AT ANY OF THE NT PUBLIC SWIMMING COMPLEXES HAVE BEEN RAISED FROM $14 TO $18 PER HOUR.
FEES FOR THE USE OF A TRAINING OR TEACHING POOL FOR A FREE SWIMMING CLASS' FOR 50 PEOPLE BY SCHOOLS OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS AND BY REGISTERED WELFARE AGENCIES, SWIMMING AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS ARE NOW $38 AN HOUR, COMPARED WITH THE OLD RATE OF $29.
/FEES FOR .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1-84
11
FEES FOR SPECIAL WATER POLO AND CANOE POLO TRAINING FOR 50 PEOPLE DURING THE LAST SESSIONAL BREAK ARE $190, COMPARED WITH $144 PREV IOUSLY.
FEES FOR DIVING AND SWIMMING TRAINING DURING THE LAST SESSIONAL BREAK HAVE BEEN INCREASED FROM $14 TO $18 AND THOSE FOR SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING TRAINING IN A 50-METRE POOL, FROM $18 TO $23.
THE HOURLY RATE FOR A FEE-CHARGING SWIMMING CLASS FOR A MAXIMUM OF 50 PEOPLE AT A TRAINING OR TEACHING POOL IS $165, UP FROM $126.
CHARGES FOR THE RESERVED USE OF EACH LANE IN A 50-METRE POOL BY SWIMMING ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS HAVE BEEN INCREASED FROM $36 TO $48 AN HOUR, WHILE SCHOOLS AND REGISTERED WELFARE AGENCIES ARE CHARGED $32 AN HOUR.
THE NEW FEE FOR HOLDING LIFE-SAVING TRAINING AND EXAMINATIONS FOR 25 PEOPLE BY LIFE-SAVING CLUBS AT A RESERVED LANE IS $33 AN HOUR, COMPARED WITH THE OLD RATE OF $29. 00? MAhT = 90M
•••' ■ 3MMA5TDOH9HTU0Y H3MMU6 3HT 3WI 8 3J9039 DJiUOY 33
THERE IS NO INCREASE IN ADMISSION FEES FOR INDIVIDUAL SWIMMERS, THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
THE ADMISSION FEE FOR CHILDREN NT PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS REMAINS AT HE ADDED.
UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE AT ALL
$2, AND THAT
FOR'ADULTS AT $5,
0 -
CHAMPIONS TO PERFORM AT * * * *
FOLK VARIETY
• " HO 10.- .HOO
-iDRuM Ml QJ3H 39
CONCERT
T|?8M>>3
2
ABOUT 30 CHAMPIONS OF VARIOUS SINGING CONTESTS HELD WITHIN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS WILL PERFORM AT A +FOLK VARIETY CONCERT* ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 26) J
ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD.^TOE CENTRAL AND WESTERN CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION AND THE MUSIC ■■ OFFICE, THE CONCERT WILL START AT 8 ?,M AT THE COMMUNITY HALL OF THE HONG KONG CARITAS CENTRE, CAINE ROAD. - •
BOTH GROUP AND SOLO WINNERS WILL JOIN THE CONCERT.
OTHER PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN YOUTH CHOIR WHICH WILL PERFORM CHORAL PIECES.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS AT THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, 9TH FLOOR, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AND ALL OFFICES OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED BY DIALLING 5-450868.
------o-------
FR IDAY, AUGUST 24, 1984
12
RUNNERS TO VIE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP * * *
ABOUT 200 MEN AND WOMEN, AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 32, WILL TAKE PART IN A 4 OOO-METRE RUN IN KWUN TONG ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 26) TO MARK THE CONCLUSION OF THE MONTH-LONG SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
THE RUNNERS, FROM 20 SCHOOLS AND LOCAL YOUTH CENTRES, WILL VIE FOR THE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE JUNIOR AND OPEN DIVISIONS.
THEY WILL START FROM THE TSUI PING ROAD PLAYGROUND, FOLLOW THE BOUNDARY OF THE TSUI PING AREA AND BACK TO THE PLAYGROUND.
THE ACTING KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CLAYMON LAI, AND THE ACTING REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (EAST KOWLOON), M? K.K. CHENG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY ON SUNDAY WHEN WINNERS OF THE DAY WILL BE PRESENTED WITH PRIZES.
MORE THAN 500 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN HELD FOR THOUSANDS CF YOUNG PEOPLE SINCE THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME BEGAN LAST MONTH.
------o-------
POT FLOWER GROWING COMPETITION FOR SCHOOLS
* * X
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL ARE JOINTLY ORGANISING A SCHOOL CHILDREN POT FLOWER GROWING COMPETITION IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUAL URBAN COUNCIL FLOWER SHOW WHICH WILL BE HELD IN MARCH NEXT YEAR AT THE CITY HALL.
THE COMPETITION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS: ONE FOR URBAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND THE OTHER FOR RURAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
ITS AIM IS TO GIVE SCHOOL CHILDREN AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANTS.
SCHOOLS WISHING TO JOIN THE COMPETITION SHOULD APPLY TO THE INSPECTOR PRIMARY SCIENCE), SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY BEFORE SEPTEMBER 13.
THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL SUPPLY SEEDS TO THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS.
/A SEMINA?........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1984
A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT A LATER DATE WITH TALKS ON
■•FLOWER GROWING AND THE PRIMARY SCIENCE CURRICULUM* AND +PLANTING TECHNIQUES* BY OFFICERS FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THREE POTS OF FLOWERS OF THE SAME SPECIES WILL FORM ONE UNIT AND EACH SCHOOL MAY ONLY PRESENT A MAXIMUM OF THREE UNITS.
PRIZES WILL BE GIVEN TO THE BEST THREE ENTRIES FOR EACH SPECIES AS WELL AS TO THE WINNER OF EACH SECTION. AN OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP WILL ALSO BE AWARDED TO THE BEST ENTRY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE COMPETITION CAN BE MADE WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT 5-8392466 OR WITH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT 5-95741.
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SITE AND HOUSES FOR SALE * * *
A SITE IN YUEN LONG AND FOUR HOUSES AT NGAU KOWLOON, ARE BEING OFFERED FOR SALE BY TENDER BY DEPARTMENT.
CHI WAN VILLAGE, THE LANDS
THE 707 SQUARE-METRE SITE IN TAI TONG ROAD, YUEN LONG IS FOR BUILDING A PETROL-FILL ING STATION.
THE HOUSES, EACH WITH A SITE AREA OF 56 SQUARE METRES, ARE FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USES WHICH, HOWEVER, EXCLUDE THEIR USE AS GODOWNS, CINEMAS AND REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE WORKSHOPS FOR MOTOR
VEHICLES.
A TOTAL OF 18 HOUSES AT NGAU CHI WAN VILLAGE HAVE ALREADY BEEN SOLD EITHER BY PUBLIC AUCTION OR TENDER.
THE FOUR HOUSES ARE THE LAST BATCH TO BE PUT UP FOR SALE.
DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS SEPTEMBER 21.
THE TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES:
M LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON), YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON ; AND
DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN, SA
TAI PO, NORTH, I KUNG AND ISLANDS.
THE TENDER PLANS CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THESE PLACES.
-------o----------
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1984
14
AMENDMENTS TO TUEN MUN PLAN ANNOUNCED
*****
TWO AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR TUEN MUN NEW TOWN WERE ANNOUNCED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE FIRST AMENDMENT INVOLVES REZONING 4.4 HECTARES OF INDUSTRIAL LAND TO THE SOUTH OF TAI HING ESTATE AS A COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT AREA.
THE SITE IS CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY A COTTON MILL. THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN PLANNING PERMISSION FROM THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD BEFORE ANY REDEVELOPMENT WORK CAN TAKE PLACE.
THE OTHER AMENDMENT CONCERNS REZONING A 1.9-HECTARE INDUSTRIAL SITE, ALSO TO THE SOUTH OF TAI HING ESTATE, FOR RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A) DEVELOPMENT.
HIGHER DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WITH COMMERCIAL FACILITIES WILL BE PERMITTED ON THE LOWER THREE FLOORS.
THE AMENDMENT PLAN CAN BE SEEN ATs
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICES, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG;
* TOWN PLANNING DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 4TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
* TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, 201 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, AND THE MAP SALE SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD AT $10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 PER COLOURED COPY.
OBJECTIONS IN WRITING MUST REACH THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 4TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BY SEPTEMBER 7.
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FR IDAY, AUGUST 24, 1984
15
MORE SAFETY ON ROADS * * *
A NEW FOOTBRIDGE IS TO BE BUILT ACROSS KING’S ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN CHIU STREET, NORTH POINT.
IT IS ONE OF THE FOOTBRIDGES WHICH WILL PROVIDE GREATER TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IN THE NORTH POINT AND QUARRY BAY AREAS.
THE WORK WILL INCLUDE EXTENDING AN EXISTING TRAM ISLAND.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSAL IS PUBLISHED UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A RELATED PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN LOBBY, HONG KONG- THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG NORTH, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG- AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 884-886 KING’S ROAD, HONG KONG.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY OCTOBER 23.
- - 0 - -
TRAFFIC MEASURES IN SHAU KEI WAN * * X X
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAU KEI WAN ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 26) FROM 1 AM TO 7 AM FOR WORK ON A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS SHAU KEI WAN ROAD NEAR TAI KOO SHING ROAD.
THE ARRANGEMENTS AREs
* THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHAU KEI WAN ROAD BETWEEN TAI KOO SHING ROAD AND TAI CHEONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC. THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE SAME ROAD SECTION WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO WAYS.
* MORNING TRAM SERVICES IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL NOT START UNTIL AFTER 7 AM.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE LAND TO BE FORMED IN TAI PO ............................ 1
LIBERATION DAY CEREMONY ..................................... 1
CULTURAL CENTRE FOR UC COMPLEXES ............................ 2
KAM TIN FOLKS URGED TO REGISTER ............................. 3
DB FORUM IN WAN CHAI ........................................ **
FORUM FOR YOUTHS ............................................ 5
MARTIAL ARTS WAY TO FITNESS ................................. 5
PLAYGROUND KIOSK FOR LEASE .................................. 6
FIRING PRACTICE WARNING ..................................... 6
WORK ON TUNNEL ROAD ......................................... 7
HOK LING STREET TO BE RESUMED ............................... 7
NORTH POINT WATER WORKS ..................................... 8
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1984
1
MORE LAND TO BE FORMED IN TAI PO * * * *
ABOUT 28 HECTARES OF LAND IS TO BE FORMED IN TAI PO, NEAR THE OLD MARKET AND TAI PO KAU, AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT’S NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.
THE LAND WILL BE FOR RECREATIONAL, RESIDENTIAL, EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER USES.
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 780 METRES OF A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY DISTRIBUTOR ROAD WITH THREE
PEDESTRIAN-CYCLISTS SUBWAYS.
IT WILL ALSO INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 745 METRES OF SINGLE-CELL BOX CULVERTS AND ASSOCIATED ROADWORKS, DRAINAGE AND LANDSCAPING WORK.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN NOVEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT 30 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
IT IS PLANNED THAT A SPORTS COMPLEX, A SWIMMING POOL, A SOCCER PITCH AND TENNIS COURTS WILL BE BUILT ON THE LAND.
THERE ARE ALSO PLANS TO BUILD A PRIMARY SCHOOL AND A SECONDARY SCHOOL AND TO PROVIDE SITES FOR RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS.
- - 0 - -
LIBERATION DAY CEREMONY * * *
HONG KONG WILL OBSERVE THIS YEAR’S LIBERATION DAY WITH A WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY AT THE CITY HALL ON MONDAY (AUGUST 27).
DURING THE CEREMONY, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10.45 AM IN THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG BRITISH FORCES, HONG KONG PRISONERS OF WAR ASSOCIATION, ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS), THE MIDDLESEX REGIMENT AND HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE WILL LAY WREATHS AT THE SHRINE IN MEMORY OF MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS WHO DIED IN THE BATTLE OF HONG KONG IN DECEMBER 1941 OR LATER AS PRISONERS OF WAR.
/CAPTAIN I.A. COLLINS, ......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2$, 1984
2
CAPTAIN F.A. COLLINS, R.N. WILL LAY A WREATH ON BEHALF OF THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES.
THE WREATH OF THE PRISONERS OF WAR ASSOCIATION WILL BE LAID BY ITS HONORARY SECRETARY, MR F.M. CASTRO.
REGIMENTAL WREATHS OF THE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE LAID BY ITS COMMANDING OFFICER, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL T.C. VILLIERS, AND THAT CF THE MIDDLESEX REGIMENT BY WARRANT OFFICER SECOND CLASS G. FRANCE.
THE MIDDLESEX REGIMENT AND THE VOLUNTEERS FOUGHT SIDE BY SIDE IN THE BATTLE OF HONG KONG.
THE WREATH OF THE HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE WILL BE LAID BY ITS CHAIRMAN, SIR ALBERT RODRIGUES.
THE WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE SOUNDING OF THE LAST POST, A TWO-MINUTE SILENCE AND REVEILLE, AND THE FIRING OF THREE VOLLEYS OF SALUTE.
THE FIRING PARTY, BUGLER AND SENTRIES, WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE VOLUNTEERS.
REMEMBRANCE CEREMONIES FOR MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG POLICE RESERVE WILL BE HELD AT LITTLE SAI WAN AND STANLEY CEMETERIES.
PARADES WILL BE HELD AT BOTH CEMETERIES BY MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE AND WREATHS WILL BE LAID ON BEHALF OF THE COMMANDANT AND OFFICERS.
CONTINGENTS WILL ARRIVE AT LITTLE SAI WAN CEMETERY AT 1D.3O AM AND AT STANLEY AT 11.30 AM.
CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT HONG KONG ISLAND (AUXILIARY), MR CHENG YIU-KWONG, WILL GIVE A BRIEF ADDRESS.
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CULTURAL CENTRE FOR UC COMPLEXES X * * X
CULTURAL FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED IN FIVE COMPLEXES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF URBAN COMMUNITIES.
THEY ARE THE COMPLEXES IN NGAU CHl WAN, SHAM YEE STREET AND HUNG HOM IN KOWLOON AND IN WESTERN
THIS WAS DECIDED BY THE COUNCIL FOLLOWING AN ON THE PROVISION OF CULTURAL FACILITIES CONDUCTED APRIL THIS YEAR.
URBAN COUNCIL
SHU I PO, SAI ON THE ISLAND.
OVERALL REVIEW IN MARCH AND
/ALL THE .......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1984
ALL THE FIVE COMPLEXES WILL HAVE THE STANDARD FACILITIES OF A SMALL CULTURAL CENTRE. THESE INCLUDE A 460-SEAT FULLY EQUIPPED, MULTI-PURPOSE AUDITORIUM WHICH SERVES BOTH AS A CONCERT HALL AND A THEATRE; A 140-SEAT LECTURE-RECITAL HALL; ROOMS FOR REHEARSAL AND MUSIC PRACTICE OR ARTISTS’ STUDIOS; AN EXHIBITION HALL;
A FOYER; AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES.
the first of the complexes to have such a cultural centre WILL BE THE NGAU CHI WAN COMPLEX. CONSTRUCTION ON THE PROJECT HAS STARTED AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1986.
THE SUBSTRUCTURE FOR THE WESTERN COMPLEX HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND WORK ON THE SUPERSTRUCTURE, DUE TO START IN EARLY 1985, IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1987.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SHAM SHU I PO AND SAI YEE STREET COMPLEXES ARE NOW UNDER REVIEW. BOTH PROJECTS ARE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1989.
PRELIMINARY PLANNING FOR THE HUNG HOM COMPLEX IS BEING MADE AND THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1989 OR 1990,
-----0----------
KAM TIN FOLKS URGED TO REGISTER * * *
RESIDENTS OF KAM TIN WERE TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED TO PREPARE FOR NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS BY FIRST REGISTERING AS VOTERS.
THE CALL WAS MADE BY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES WILSON, WHEN HE CONDUCTED DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS IN FUNG KUT, MOU FAN, WING GEI AND WAH SHING VILLAGES TO BOOST THE VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE.
SIMILAR VISITS HAVE BEEN STARTED IN THE YUEN LONG TOWN CENTRE SINCE JUNE AND ARE BEING EXTENDED TO THE RURAL AREAS OF THE NEW TOWN.
MR WILSON POINTED OUT THAT PRESENT RURAL EAST CONSTITUENCY COVERING THE BOUNDARIES OF KAM TIN AND PAT HEUNG WOULD BE SPLIT INTO TWO CONSTITUENCIES NEXT YEAR.
KAM TIN WILL BE UNDER THE RURAL CENTRAL WHILE PAT HEUNG wILL REMAIN WITH THE RURAL EAST. EACH CONSTITUENCY WILL HAVE AN ELECTED SEAT.
/♦AS KAK
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1984
4
♦ AS KAM TIN WILL HAVE ITS OWN REPRESENTATIVE ON THE DISTRICT e.ARD, KAM TIN RESIDENTS SHOULD NOW REGISTER SO THAT THEY CAN VOTE OR THE CANDIDATE WHO WILL BEST REPRESENT THEM,* HE SAID.
♦ FURTHERMORE, PEOPLE WHO WISH TO STAND AS CANDIDATES MUST ALSO REGISTER AS VOTERS.
♦ THE POPULATION IN KAM TIN IS EXPECTED TO REACH 12 500 NEXT MARCH. WITH MORE PEOPLE REGISTERING TO VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS, THE STATUS OF THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE MORE IMPORTANT,♦ HE ADDED.
ACCOMPANYING THE DISTRICT OFFICER ON THE VISIT WAS THE KAM TIN RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR TANG CHI-LEUNG.
MEANWHILE, THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ARRANGED A THREE-DAY PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION ON THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD FOR DISPLAY IN FUNG KUT HEUNG TO ENABLE PEOPLE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE BOARD.
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DB FORUM IN WAN CHAI * * *
WAN CHAI RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO COMMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE CF THE DISTRICT BOARD AT AN OPEN FORUM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
SERIES +DISTRICT FORA+ BY RADIO
VOTERS TO REGISTER FOR NEXT PUBLIC AWARENESS OF BOARD WORK.
THE EVENT IS PART OF A RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG TO ENCOURAGE YEAR’S DB ELECTIONS AND TO PROMOTE
THE FORUM WILL BE RECORDED FOR BROADCAST THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 1) MORNING WHEN THERE WILL ALSO BE A PHONE-IN SESSION FOR LISTENERS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.
PANELISTS FOR TOMORROW’S FORUM WILL INCLUDE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG; DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS: MR ALBERT CHEUNG, MRS GRACE WAN AND MRS PEGGY LAM; AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS: MR TAM YUK-KEUNG, MR CHEUNG HO-YIN AND MR FANG KWONG-CHUNG.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TWO-AND-A-HALF HOUR FORUM STARTING AT 4.TO PM AT SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND IN WAN CHAI.
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/5.......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1984
5
FORUM FOR YOUTHS * * *
A FORUM ON DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FOR MORE THAN 100 YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED A SIX-WEEK YOUTH VOLUNTEERS TRAINING SCHEME ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
FOUR DB MEMBERS, MR CHAN KING-WONG, MR CHAN CHI-KWAN, MR KONG PAK-KEUNG AND MR CHENG WOO-YICK, WILL DISCUSS WITH THEM THE ROLE AND FUNCTION OF THE BOARDS, PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER AND COMMUNITY PROBLEMS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE FORUM WILL BE HELD AT 2 PM AT THE YWCA ANNE BLACK CENTRE AT 5 MAN FUK ROAD, HO MAN TIN.
AT 10 AM, O’CLOCK, A CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE YOUTH VOLUNTEERS TRAINING SCHEME WILL BE HELD AT THE SAME CENTRE. AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA, WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO THE PARTICIPANTS.
- - o - -
MARTIAL ARTS WAY TO FITNESS * * *
A TERRITORY-WIDE CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS AWARD SCHEME WILL BE LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER.
THE SCHEME, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE (RSS) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION, PROVIDES A FORUM FOR KUNG FU LOVERS TO DISPLAY THEIR SKILLS.
THE CONTEST WILL BE HELD AT MACPHERSON STADIUM, MONG KOK, WITH THE SEMI-FINALS ON OCTOBER 21 (SUNDAY) AND THE FINALS ON OCTOBER 27 (SATURDAY).
+THE SCHEME IS AIMED AT PROMOTING CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS AND AROUSING PUBLIC INTEREST IN FITNESS,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISERS SAID.
+IT CAN ALSO HELP RAISE THE STANDARD OF CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS BY ENCOURAGING THE PARTICIPANTS TO PURSUE EXCELLENCE.+
THE CONTEST IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS: MEN’S ADULT (AGED 18 OR ABOVE), MEN’S JUNIOR (BELOW 18) AND WOMEN’S. ABOUT 350 CONTESTANTS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART.
/GOLD, SILVL’R -
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1984
6 -
GOLD, SILVER OR BRONZE MEDALS WILL BE AWARDED TO THE BEST PERFORMERS, AND SOUVENIRS TO THE OTHERS.
PEOPLE WISHING TO TAKE PART SHOULD APPLY NOW. THE DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 5.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE HEAD OFFICE IN WING ON CENTRE AND ITS 19 DISTRICT OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
FOR ENQUIRIES PLEASE TELEPHONE 5-458511 OR 3-944803.
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PLAYGROUND KIOSK FOR LEASE
* * *
TENDERS ARE BEING CALLED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR OPERATION OF A LIGHT REFRESHMENT KIOSK AT THE TSUEN KING CIRCUIT PLAYGROUND IN TSUEN WAN.
THE PLAYGROUND, WHICH INCLUDES FOUR FLOODLIT TENNIS COURTS, A REST GARDEN WITH A FOUNTAIN AND A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA WITH MODERN PLAY EQUIPMENT, IS A POPULAR RECREATION CENTRE.
THE TENDER CONTRACT WILL BE FOR THREE YEARS, STARTING NOVEMBER.
TENDER FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE TSUEN WAN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF FAR EAST BANK BUILDING AT 135 CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TSUEN WAN. THE DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 28.
------o-------
FIR ING PRACTICE WARNING * * # *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON FOUR DAYS NEXT WEEK.
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
THE PRACTICE WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 11 PM ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 23), AND FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 29), THURSDAY (AUGUST 30), AND FRIDAY (AUGUST 31).
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/7......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1934
- 7 -
WORK ON TUNNEL ROAD * * * *
FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS FROM MONDAY (AUGUST 27), THE SECTION OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD BETWEEN HUNG MUI KUK ROAD AND TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY FROM 9 PM TO 5 AM OF THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE, ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRING ACCESS TO KAK TIN VILLAGE WILL BE DIVERTED TO HUNG MUI KUK ROAD AND CHE KUNG MIU ROAD FOR ACCESS TO SHA TIN AND TAI PO.
FRANCHISED BUSES, MAXICABS AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL STILL BE PERMITTED TO USE THIS SECTION OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD FROM 9 PM TO 1 AM.
HOK LING STREET TO BE RESUMED * X * *
HOK LING STREET IN MA TAU KOK WILL BE THE LAST STREET TO BE RESUMED BY THE GOVERNMENT UNDER A PILOT SCHEME TO RESUME STREETS IN PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL AREAS WHICH ARE IN A DILAPIDATED STATE.
IT WILL REVERT TO THE CROWN ON SEPTEMBER 21.
A RESUMPTION NOTICE APPEARS IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE AND HAS BEEN POSTED AT THE SITE.
ANYONE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE SHOULD SUBMIT A CLAIM IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS.
• THE RESUMPTION PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
X DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 1OTH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
X KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
/FOLLOWING RESUMPTION, ........
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 198^
FOLLOWING RESUMPTION, THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE WILL CARRY OUT REPAIR WORK.
THE PILOT SCHEME IS AIMED AT REPAIRING STREETS IN PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL AREAS WHICH, DUE TO LACK OF PROPER MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE, HAVE CREATED ENVIRONMENTAL, TRAFFIC AND SAFETY PROBLEMS.
A TOTAL OF SEVEN STREETS ARE INVOLVED IN THE SCHEME.
THEY ARE: SAM PAN STREET IN WAN CHAI, YUET YUEN STREET AND COMFORT TERRACE IN NORTH POINT AND SHIM LUEN STREET YIN ON STREET, TSUN FAT STREET AND HOK LING STREET IN KOWLOON.
- 0 - -
NORTH POINT WATER WORKS * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 28) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY NORTH POINT ROAD, KING’S ROAD, BOAT STREET, ELECTRIC ROAD AND JAVA ROAD.
- - o - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 198L-
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VOLUNTARY WORKERS' VITAL ROLE STRESSED ...................... 1
ACTIVITY CENTRES DRAW YOUNG AND OLD.......................... 1
MORE BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JULY ........................ 3
MORE MARRIED COUPLES BENEFIT FROM +ADVANCE BOOKING+ ......... 5
LABOUR LAW OFFENDERS FINED .................................. 6
TWO NT MARKETS OPEN NEXT MONTH .............................. 6
NEW BUS TERMINUS FOR NORTH POINT ............................ 8
TAI PO TAPS OFF ............................................. 8
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 1984
1
VOLUNTARY WORKERS’ VITAL ROLE STRESSED * * * *
VOLUNTARY WORKERS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PREVENTING SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF KOWLOON CITY, MR ROGER GARCIA, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE YOUTH VOLUNTEERS TRAINING SCHEME, HE SA IDs +HONG KONG HAS DEVELOPED FROM A SMALL FISHING VILLAGE TO A MODERN AND INTERNATIONAL CITY WITHIN JUST OVER 100 YEARS.
♦BESIDES THE HARD WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROSPERITY OF THE SOCIETY, THE EFFORTS OF THE VOLUNTARY WORKERS SHOULD NOT BE NEGLECTED.
♦THEY HAVE DEVOTED THEIR TIME AND EFFORT TO HELP OTHERS AND SERVE THE SOCIETY. THEIR WORK HAS HELPED TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY LIFE AND STABILISE THE SOCIETY,* HE ADDED.
MR GARCIA PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO 100 VOLUNTEERS WHO COMPLETED THE SIX-WEEK TRAINING COURSE ENDING YESTERDAY (SATURDAY).
THE TRAINING SCHEME WAS ONE OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
PARTICIPANTS WERE ABLE TO LEARN MORE OF THEIR DISTRICT THROUGH TALKS, SEMINARS AND VISITS. THEY ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET INVOLVED IN ORGANISATIONAL WORK OF DISTRICT FUNCTIONS THROUGH FIELD PRACTICES.
------0-------
ACTIVITY CENTRES DRAW YOUNG AND OLD * * * *
MORE YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS ARE MAKING GOOD USE OF THEIR FREE TIME BY ATTENDING CLASSES RUN BY THE ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES (AERC’S) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
WHEN THE FIRST CENTRE WAS SET UP IN 1955, IT STARTED WITH EDO MEMBERS. TODAY, THERE ARE 17 CENTRES WHERE ABOUT 24 000 MEN AND WOMEN, AGED OVER 18, ARE TAKING PART IN WIDE-RANGING ACTIVITIES.
RECORDS SHOW THAT OVER THE PAST 28 YEARS, MORE THAN 130 000 PEOPLE HAVE ENJOYED THE FREE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES PROVIDED BY THE AERC’S.
/+OVEH 40 .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2b, 1984
2 -
♦OVER 40 COURSES ARE HELD ON WEEKDAY EVENINGS. THEY COVER SINGING, DANCING, MUSIC, MARTIAL ARTS, LANGUAGES, ART AND CRAFTS, PHOTOGRAPHY, DOMESTIC SCIENCE AND BUSINESS SUBJECTS,* SAID THE COURSE OFFICER OF THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION, MR TO CHO-KUNG.
♦ON MONDAYS OUTSIDE SPEAKERS ARE INVITED TO GIVE TALKS ON EDUCATIONAL TOPICS SUCH AS FAMILY PLANNING, CONSUMER RIGHTS, LABOUR LEGISLATION AND ANT I-CORRUPT I ON, TO MEMBERS AT INDIVIDUAL CENTRES,+ HE SAID.
ACTIVITIES INVOLVING SEVERAL CENTRES ARE HELD ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO PROVIDE CHANCES FOR AERC MEMBERS TO MEET EACH OTHER, TO SHARE EXPERIENCE AND TO CULTIVATE A COOPERATIVE SPIRIT.
AERC’S WERE SPECIALLY DESIGNED
MR TO SAID PROGRAMMES IN THE ____
TO ENABLE MEMBERS TO FULFIL THEMSELVES IN CREATIVE ACTIVITIES OF MANY KINDS, TO CULTIVATE SKILLS IN RECREATIONAL PURSUITS AND TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH EDUCATION AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR_ SELF-DISCOVERY AND SELF-EXPRESSION IN GROUPS WITH COMMON l\'TZ"_-
INTERESTS.
♦THE AERC’S ORIGINALLY CATERED FOR WORKERS WHO LEFT SCHOOL EARLY TO ENGAGE IN HEALTHY SPARE TIME ACTIVITIES. AFTER YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT, THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION HAS BUILT ON THIS INITIAL OBJECTIVE BY ENLARGING THE SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES TO EMBRACE THE INTERESTS AND ASPIRATIONS OF PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, WITH AGES RANGING FROM 18 TO 60.
♦THIS IS BEING ACHIEVED THROUGH THE DEDICATED COMMITMENT OF OUR ’FRONTLINE WORKERS’ - THE ORGANISERS, ASSISTANT ORGANISERS, HOBBY INSTRUCTORS AND VOLUNTARY HELPERS,♦ HE SAID.
♦THEY ALL DEMONSTRATE A HIGH DEGREE OF PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT, PROFESSIONALISM, AND A HIGHLY DEVELOPED SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY IN PROMOTING THE CENTRES’ ACT IV IT IES,+ MR TO SAID.
HE GAVE SPECIAL CREDIT TO THE 300 VOLUNTARY HELPERS WHO ARE SO KEENLY INTERESTED IN THE CENTRE’S WORK AND PLAY A DIRECT PART IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AERC’S.
MR TO SAID THESE VOLUNTARY HELPERS WERE AMONG THOSE wHO CAME TO REALISE THEIR LEADERSHIP POTENTIALS AFTER JOINING THE AERC’S.
TO UPGRADE THE STANDARD OF ADULT EDUCATION WORKERS, CERTIFICATE COURSES ARE ORGANISED, FROM TIME TO TIME, TO EQUIP POTENTIAL ASSISTANT ORGANISERS AND VOLUNTARY HELPERS WITH EXPERTISE AND FIELD EXPER IENCE.
/+WHAT DISTINGUISHES
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 1984
3
*wHAT DISTINGUISHES THE AERC’S FROM OTHER PRIVATE ADULT EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IS THAT ALL THE AERC PROGRAMMES ARE
•INISTERED BY TRAINED STAFF AND ARE FULLY-FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT,* HE SAID.
FREE EDUCATION THROUGH RECREATION IS ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE AERC’S.
+IN FACT, WE OFFER SOMETHING MORE THAN AN INTEREST GROUP. ALL COURSES ARE CAREFULLY SELECTED, SYSTEMATICALLY PLANNED AND ORGANISED BY TRAINED STAFF. CLASSES FOLLOW A SYLLABUS UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF QUALIFIED HOBBY INSTRUCTORS AND ARE SUPPLEMENTED BY AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATIONS AND REFERENCES. APART FROM LEARNING PRACTICAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE, MEMBERS ARE GIVEN THE THEORETICAL BACKGROUND OF THE SUBJECT THEY PURSUE,* HE SAID.
+WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS TO INTEGRATE EDUCATION WITH RECREATION AND TO ORIENT MEMBERS TOWARDS A FULLER LIFE,* MR TO SAID.
ON AVERAGE, THE AERC’S HAVE A HIGH PARTICIPATION RATE. TOPPING THE LIST IS SHAM SHU I PO CENTRE WITH AN AVERAGE NIGHTLY ATTENDANCE OF 327 MEMBERS.
THE COURSES OF THE AERC’S ARE UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION. FOR EXAMPLE, AT THE END OF A TERM, QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE ISSUED TO MEMBERS TO ASSESS THEIR OPINIONS OF THE COURSES AND IDENTIFY THEIR PREFERENCES, WHICH WILL FORM THE BASIS FOR FUTURE PROGRAMME PLANNING.
LOOKING AHEAD, MR TO SAID, TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION, MORE CENTRES WOULD BE SET UP, WITH AT LEAST ONE CENTRE IN EACH OF THE 18 DISTRICTS. AND OTHER NEW COURSES LIKE COMPUTER STUDIES WOULD BE INCORPORATED IN THE AERC PROGRAMME IN RESPONSE TO CHANGING NEEDS OF THE SOCIETY.
0 -------
MORE BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JULY * * * *
A THREE-STOREY YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION CENTRE AT KWAI SHING CIRCUIT, KWAI CHUNG WAS AMONG 30 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN JULY.
OTHER PLANS APPROVED INCLUDED TWO CAMERA TOWERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AT HAPPY VALLEY; A CHURCH, A KINDERGARTEN AND A STAFF QUARTERS AT AP LEI CHAU FOR THE HONG KONG HARBOUR MISSION CHURCH LIMITED; AN 18-STOREY STAFF QUARTERS BUILDING AT SHA TIN FOR THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ; A FOOTBRIDGE AT TAI PO FOR TUXEDOS COMPANY LIMITED AND THREE FACTORY BLOCKS.
/OF THE .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 1984
OF THE PLANS APPROVED, NINE W£RE ON HONG KONG ISLAND; THREE IN KOWLOON AND 18 IN‘THE NEW TERRITORIES.
AT THE SAME TIME THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO GAVE THE GREEN LIGHT FOR WORK TO START ON 29 PROJECTS, NINE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, EIGHT IN KOWLOON AND THE REST IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY INCLUDED A STAFF QUARTERS AT VICTORIA ROAD FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ;A FOOTBRIDGE LINKING THE PODIUM OF THE CHAI WAN DEPOT’S MAIN BUILDING TO THE FUTURE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AT PAK CHAI WAN STATION ; THREE FACTORY BLOCKS AT TO KWA WAN AND TUEN MUN; A WORKSHOP FOR KAI TAK AIRPORT;
A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS SHA KOK STREET, SHA TIN; AND AN ELECTRICITY SUB-STATION AT HONG LOK YUEN, TAI PO.
THE FLOOR AREA OF THESE 29 PROJECTS TOTALLED 207 634 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 128 318.7 SQUARE METRES WERE FOR NON-DOMESTIC, AND THE REMAINDER FOR DOMESTIC USE.
A TOTAL OF 33 OCCUPATION PERMITS WERE ISSUED FOR NEWLY-COMPLETED BUILDINGS DURING THE MONTH.
THEY INCLUDED A FIVE-STOREY CLUB HOUSE AND QUARTERS AT TUNG LO WAN ROAD FOR THE CHINESE RECREATION CLUB; AN ANIMAL HOUSE FOR THE OCEAN PARK! A SPORTS AND RECREATION CENTRE AT THE JUNCTION OF IVY STREET AND BEECH STREET, TAI KOK TSUI FOR MONG KOK DISTRICT CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION LIMITED, AND A SHIPYARD AND FACTORY BUILDING AT FUK LEE STREET, TAI KOK TSUI FOR THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY LIMITED.
OTHER BUILDINGS INCLUDED A 17-STOREY SALVATION ARMY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING AT WING SING LANE, MONG KOK; A CONTROL CENTRE AND A MANAGEMENT TRAINING CENTRE AT TAI PO, AND AN ELECTRICITY SUB-STATION AT LOK KWAN STREET, SHAM SHU I PO FOR THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED, AND A STAFF QUARTERS FOR POK 01 HOSPITAL AT YUEN LONG.
THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF THE NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN JULY WAS 139 161 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 123 450.7 SQUARE METRES FOR NON-DOMESTIC AND THE REMAINDER FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
THE COST OF THESE BUILDINGS WAS ABOUT $363.7 MILLION.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ISSUED 14 DEMOLITION ORDERS IN RESPECT OF 21 BUILDINGS.
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/5........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 1984
5
MORE MARRIED COUPLES BENEFIT FROM +ADVANCE BOOKING* * * *
MORE ELIGIBLE MARRIED COUPLES HAVE MADE USE OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S +ADVANCE BOOKING* SCHEME AS A QUICKER MEANS OF APPLYING FOR PUBLIC HOUSING.
THE SCHEME, DESIGNED TO HELP SOLVE THE HOUSING NEED OF TWO-MEMBER FAMILIES, GIVES THEM PERMANENT PUBLIC HOUSING UPON NATURAL FAMILY GROWTH AND WHEN THEIR TURN MATURES ON THE WAITING LIST.
+IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, 8 289 TWO-MEMBER FAMILIES LODGED THEIR HOUSING BID UNDER THE SCHEME, REPRESENTING A 85 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE 4 467 IN 1977 WHEN IT WAS FIRST INTRODUCED,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY TODAY.
ALTHOUGH PUBLIC HOUSING IS NORMALLY ALLOCATED TO FAMILIES OF AT LEAST THREE PERSONS, THE SCHEME ALLOWS THOSE OF HUSBAND AND WIFE TO REGISTER ON THE WAITING LIST IN ANTICIPATION OF NATURAL growth.
+THESE APPLICANTS WILL BECOME INITIALLY QUALIFIED WHEN THEY HAVE GIVEN BIRTH TO CHILDREN.
+WHEN THEIR TURN COMES UP ON THE WAITING LIST, APART F«OM HAVING A MINIMUM OF THREE MEMBERS, THESE FAMILIES WILL ALSO HAVE TO MEET THE INCOME AND SPACE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA UPON ALLOCATION OF ESTATE FLATS.*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS ARRANGEMENT HAD ALREADY BENEFITED THOUSANDS OF MARRIED COUPLES, MOST OF THEM NEWLY WEDS, AS ADVANCE APPLICATION MEANT EARLY ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING.
+IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THE SCHEME HAS BECOME POPULAR AND AN INCREASING NUMBER OF SMALL FAMILIES HAVE BENEFITED.
+SINCE THE START OF THE SCHEME, A TOTAL OF 52 149 FAMILIES HAVE APPLIED, AND MOST OF THEM HAVE SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINED AND MOVED INTO ESTATE FLATS.
+AT PRESENT, THERE ARE STILL 18 630 SUCH VALID APPLICATIONS,* HE SAID.
0
/6........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 1964
6
LABOUR LAW OFFENDERS FINED * * * * *
LAST MONTH, FINES TOTALLING $573 200 WERE IMPOSED BY COURTS CW 485 CASES OF LABOUR LAW VIOLATIONS.
THESE CONVICTIONS WERE AMONG THE 508 PROSECUTIONS BROUGHT BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN CONNECTION WITH LABOUR LAWS.
MOST OF THE CONVICTIONS RELATED TO BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS VARIOUS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS.
THERE WERE 207 CONVICTIONS FOR VIOLATIONS OF SAFETY REGULATIONS, WITH $367 050 IN FINES. INCLUDED WERE 99 CASES (WITH $163 800 IN FINES) FOR BREACH OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS AND 35 CASES (WITH $113 450 IN FINES) FOR BREACH OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.
THERE WERE 230 CONVICTIONS FOR BREACHES OF THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS, RESULTING IN $173 200 IN FINES.
OF THE OTHER PROSECUTIONS, FOUR CASES WERE RELATED TO FAILURE TO KEEP RECORD OF EMPLOYEES, LEADING TO $1 850 IN FINES.
- - 0 - -
TWO NT MARKETS OPEN NEXT MONTH * * * *
TWO NEW MARKETS WILL TSENG.
THEY ARE THE TAI KIU TEMPORARY MARKET AT TSUEN
BE OPENED NEXT MONTH AT YUEN LONG AND SHAM
MARKET IN YUEN LONG AND SHAM TSENG WAN.
TAI KIU MARKET IS LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE 15-STOREY YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING AT SAU FU STREETIN THE CENTRE CF THE NEW TOWN. OCCUPYING A FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 4 300 SQUARE METRES THE MARKET PROVIDES SPACE FOR 422 STALLS - 100 FOR MEAT, FISH AND POULTRY, AND THE REST FOR VEGETABLES, FRUITS, GROCERY AND HABERDASHERY.
/ALL 240
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 1984
7
ALL 240 STALLS AT PAL CHEUNG STREET TEMPORARY MARKET AND HAWKER BAZAAR HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN UP THEIR STALLS IN THE TAI KIU MARKET, A NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
I
THE MARKET WILL START OPERATING FROM SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1.
STALLS NOT YET TAKEN UP AT THE NEW MARKET WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR RESITING ELIGIBLE ON-STREET UNLICENSED HAWKERS PLYING AT PAU CHEUNG SQUARE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ALL ELIGIBLE HAWKERS WILL BE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A RESTRICTED AUCTION TO BE HELD EARLY NEXT MONTH TO ENABLE THEM TO CONTINUE THEIR TRADES LEGALLY AT THE MARKET.
MEANWHILE, CONSTRUCTION OF THE SHAM TSENG TEMPORARY MARKET UNDER THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY FLYOVER AT SHAM TSENG HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
AT ONE SECTION OF THE MARKET, THERE ARE 29 STALLS FOR SALE OF HEAT, FISH, POULTRY AND VEGETABLES. THE OTHER SECTION WILL HOUSE EIGHT COOKED FOOD STALLS.
THE EXISTING STALL HOLDERS CARRYING OUT THEIR TRADES AT SHAM TSENG RESITE MARKET AND SHAM TSENG COOKED FOOD BAZAAR HAVE BEEN' ’ INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A RESTRICTED AUCTION NEXT WEEK, THE '' *
SPOKESMAN SAID.
6 • SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE ABLE TO START BUSINESS ALSO ON SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 1).
+THE AUCTION OF THE STALL SITES IS MAINLY FOR THE ALLOCATION OF THE STALLS AT VARIOUS RANGES OF NEW RENTS,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
HE SAID A NUMBER OF FACTORS HAD BEEN CONSIDERED IN FIXING RENTS FOR THE MARKET AND COOKED FOOD STALLS.
THESE FACTORS INCLUDE THE ASSESSMENTS OF CURRENT MARKET RENTS OF THE STALLS MADE BY THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT, THE FACILITIES PROVIDED IN THE MARKET, AS WELL AS ITS VIABILITY AND LOCATION.
+THE UPSET RENTS OF MARKET STALLS IN RESTRICTED AUCTIONS, IN MOST CASES, ARE SET BELOW THE LEVEL OF CURRENT MARKET RENTS ASSESSED BY THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT.
♦WHILE IN OPEN AUCTIONS, THE UPSET RENTS WOULD BE SET AT 100 PER CENT OF THE CURRENT MARKET RENTS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 1934''
- 8 -
NEW BUS TERMINUS FOR NORTH POINT * * * *
A BUS TERMINUS, CONSISTING OF THREE lOO-METRE-LONG BAYS, TWO PASSENGER PLATFORMS AND A REGULATOR’S KIOSK, IS TO BE BUILT ON BRAEMAR HILL ROAD NEAR THE SHOPPING CENTRE AT BRAEMAR HILL MANSIONS, NORTH POINT.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS IN THE BRAEMAR HILL AND TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD AREAS IN RECENT YEARS HAS LED TO A BIG INCREASE IN POPULATION.
IN ADDITION, A NUMBER OF NEW SCHOOLS WILL SOON BE OPENED AND THERE WILL BE A NEED FOR BUS SERVICES TO TERMINATE IN THE AREA.
I
AT PRESENT TWO CIRCULAR ROUTES STARTING FROM CENTRAL AND NORTH POINT SERVE THE AREA.
THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE TERMINUS.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN NOVEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
------0 -------
.•£ ■ * ■ ■
TAI PO TAPS OFF
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TAI PO WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR NINE HOURS FROM 9 AM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 29) FOR MAINS .
WORK, < .**•.* •
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL VILLAGES ALONG LAM KAM ROAD FROM SAM TAO HANG TO PAK NGAU SHEK. ALSO AFFECTED WILL,. BE PREMISES IN YUEN LENG, NAM WA PO, TAI WO, TAI HANG AND HONG LOK YUEN.
______0-_______ ■
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
;-------1--------:---------------------
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KOfclG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1984
I i x CONTENTS ■'• PAGE NO.
I DRIVERS INVITED TO APPLY FOR TEST EXEMPTION ...................... 1
TRAILING COURSES FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIANS ........................... 2
SHIPBUILDING MANPOWER SURVEY BEGINS .............................. 3
EQUIPMENT FOR PRISON WORKSHOP .................................... 3
I FIRM4 TO BUILD OWN RIER ........................................ 4
new Crematorium for sha tin ...................................... 5
MID-JWTUMN FESTIVE FUN PLANNED.................................... 6
DISTRICT BOARD'S WORK ON DISPLAY .......................-......... 6
SALT-WATER MAINS WORK ............................................ 7
LEAKAGE TEST IN KOWLOON CITY .................................... 8
I RESTRICTED ZONE .................................................. 8
FLYOVER CLOSURE
8
MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1934
1
DRIVERS INVITED TO APPLY FOR TEST EXEMPTION * * * *
ARTICULATED VEHICLE DRIVERS ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR EXEMPTION FROM THE APPROPRIATE DRIVING TEST REQUIRED UNDER THE NEw ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT APPLICATION FORMS FOR EXEMPTION WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES FROM TOMORROW (AUGUST 28).
♦GOODS VEHICLE DRIVERS HOLDING FULL LICENCES MAY DRIVE ARTICULATED GOODS VEHICLES FOR THREE YEARS AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW LAW.+ THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
+BUT AFTER THIS TRANSITION PERIOD, THESE DRIVERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE PASSED OR BEEN EXEMPTED FROM THE APPROPRIATE TEST FOR ARTICULATED VEHICLES,* HE SAID.
DRIVERS APPLYING FOR TEST EXEMPTION SHOULD FULFIL ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
* THEY SHOULD BE CURRENT DRIVERS OF ARTICULATED VEHICLES OR HAVE DRIVEN SUCH VEHICLES WITHIN THE 12 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW LEGISLATION.
X THEY SHOULD HAVE A YEAR’S DRIVING EXPERIENCE ON ARTICULATED VEHICLES. IN THE CASE OF AN INTERRUPTED EXPERIENCE, NO BREAKS SHOULD EXCEED THREE MONTHS, AND THE EXPERIENCE MUST BE ACCUMULATED WITHIN A TWO-YEAR PERIOD.
* THEY MUST HAVE AT LEAST A YEAR’S EXPERIENCE IN DRIVING GOODS VEHICLES.
M THEY MUST NOT HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF ANY SERIOUS TRAFFIC OFFENCES DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS DULY ENDORSED BY THE EMPLOYERS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S DRJVING TEST SECTION, 19 PUI CHING ROAD, KOWLOON FOR VERIFICATION. SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED IN WRITING WHEN AND WHERE TO HAVE
THEIR LICENCES ENDORSED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ANY DRIVER ENGAGED IN DRIVING ARTICULATED VEHICLES ON OR BEFORE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW LEGISLATION BUT DOES NOT HAVE A FULL YEAR’S ARTICULATED VEHICLE EXPER IENC& COULD APPLY FOR EXEMPTION WHEN HE HAS GAINED THE REQUIRED EXPERIENCE.
HE ALSO SAID THAT DRIVERS WHO WISH TO SIT FOR AN ARTICULATED VEHICLE TEST MAY APPLY FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1984 BY WRITING TO THE DEPARTMENT’S SHAT IN DRIVING TEST OFFICE, 5/F, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING APPLICATIONS FOR TEST EXEMPTION MAY BE MADE ON 0-6061676.
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/2......
MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1984
2
TRAINING COURSES FOR * * *
SCHOOL LIBRARIANS *
SCHOOL LIBRARIANS OF GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH 18 OR MORE CLASSES ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AN INTRODUCTORY COURSE AND AN ADVANCED COURSE IN LIBRARIANSHIP OFFERED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
♦ THIS REQUIREMENT REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE WHICH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ATTACHES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOL LIBRARY SERVICES,+ A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
PRINCIPALS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE EXPECTED TO RELEASE THEIR SCHOOL LIBRARIANS AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO ATTEND THE COURSES AND NO FEES WILL BE CHARGED, HE ADDED.
APPLICATIONS FROM SCHOOL LIBRARIANS WORKING FULL TIME IN CAPUT AND ASSISTED PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS MAY BE CONSIDERED IF THEY MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE OF CERTIFICATED MASTER-MISTRESS AND HAVE TWO YEARS’ RECOGNISED TEACHING EXPERIENCE.
THE INTRODUCTORY COURSE IS ORGANISED FOR NEWLY-APPOINTED SCHOOL LIBRARIANS OR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A SIMILAR INTRODUCTORY COURSE HELD IN PREVIOUS YEARS. IT WILL BE HELD ON MONDAYS FROM OCTOBER THIS YEAR TO MAY 1985.
THE ADVANCED COURSE, TO BE HELD ON THURSDAYS FROM NOVEMBER THIS YEAR TO MAY 1985, IS DESIGNED FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIANS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A PREVIOUS INTRODUCTORY COURSE, OR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A PREVIOUS ADVANCED COURSE.
THE AIMS OF THE COURSES ARE TO INTRODUCE SCHOOL LIBRARIANS TO THE BASIC PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUES OF LIBRARY MANAGEMENT, AND CURRICULUM SUPPORT ACTIVITIES ; AND TO ACQUAINT THEM WITH INFORMATION SKILLS FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING PURPOSES.
BOTH COUSES WILL CONSIST OF LECTURES, PRACTICAL WORK, TUTORIALS AND VISITS, THE MAIN MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION WILL BE CANTONESE.
CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE AWARDED TO PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED AN INTRODUCTORY COURSE, AND COURSE CERTIFICATES WILL BE ISSUED TO THOSE WHO HAVE SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED AN ADVANCED COURSE.
ALL CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT THE EXTRA-MURAL TOWN CENTRE, THE UNIVERSITY OF JiONG KONG, 8TH FLOOR, WING ON CENTRE, 111 CONNAUGHT ROAu CENTRAL, HONG KONG. CLASSES WILL MEET FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM.
REGISTRATION FORMS SHOULD REACH THE LIBRARY SECTION, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 5TH FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, BY SEPTEMBER 10.
- o —
/3........
MONDAY, AUGUST 27, lq84
- 3 -
SHIPBUILDING MANPOWER SURVEY BEGINS * * *
FIELD WORK FOR A 16-DAY MANPOWER SURVEY ON THE SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP REPAIRING INDUSTRY WILL START TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE BIENNIAL SURVEY, ORGANISED BY THE SHIPPING AND SHIP REPAIRS INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, WILL UPDATE THE INDUSTRY’S EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS AND IDENTIFY ITS FUTURE MANPOWER AND TRAINING NEEDS.
+SUCH INFORMATION IS VITAL FOR THE BOARD IN DRAWING UP TRAINING PLANS TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE INDUSTRY,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRAINING BOARD SAID.
HE URGED EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE ACCURATE FIGURES ON WORKERS EMPLOYED AND UNDER TRAINING, EXISTING VACANCIES AND A FORECAST OF ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES NEEDED FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
THE SURVEY WILL COVER ABOUT 7OO ESTABLISHMENTS, INCLUDING SHIPYARDS, REPAIR PONTOONS, SHIP SURVEYORS, CONSULTANT FIRMS, SHIPPING FIRMS WHICH EMPLOY LOCAL SHORE-BASED TECHNICAL STAFF, MARINE ENGINES AND ELECTRICAL REPAIRS, SERVICING COMPANIES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
THE DATA COLLECTED IN THIS SURVEY WILL BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, AND THEY WILL BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT DATA PROCESSING AGENCY WILL BE HELPING WITH THE SURVEY.
0 -------
EQUIPMENT FOR PRISON WORKSHOP * * * *
THF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL SHORTLY BE INVITING TFhinFRS FOR THE PROVISION OF WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT FOR THE CARPENTRY°WORKSHOP°AT THE Sew WORKSHOP COMPLEX OF PIK UK PRISON NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
THE NEW CARPENTRY WORKSHOP IS DESIGNED MAINLY FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GOVERNMENT FURNITURE.
/COMPANIES INTERESTED ......
MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1984
COMPANIES INTERESTED IN THIS TENDER SHOULD ADDRESS THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT AND PLACE THEM IN THE PUBLIC WORKS TENDER BOX SITUATED AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE 12 NOON ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7.
THE NEW WORKSHOP COMPLEX IS BEING BUILT ON A 1 080 SQUARE NETRES SITE WITHIN PIK UK PRISON.
THE FOUR-STOREY WORKSHOP WILL PROVIDE A TOTAL AREA OF 2 880 SQUARE METRES FOR 500 MALE PRISONERS IN A FACTORY SETTING.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE WORKSHOP, COMPRISING WORK AREAS FOR CARPENTRY, DOOR MAKING AND TAILORING, IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN JUNE NEXT YEAR. THERE WILL ALSO BE OFFICES AND FACILITIES FOR STORAGE OF MATERIALS AND FINISHED GOODS.
- - 0 - -
FIRM TO BUILD OWN PIER * * *
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO GRANT THE SHELL COMPANY OF HONG KONG LIMITED A PRIVATE TREATY LEASE OF AN 80-SQUARE-METRE AREA OF SEA BED OFF WAI YIP STREET AT KWUN TONG.
THE AREA WILL BE USED BY THE COMPANY TO BUILD A PIER FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING NON-DANGEROUS GOODS AND MATERIALS IN CONNECTION WITH ITS OIL OPERATIONS NEARBY.
THE LEASE IS FOR FIVE YEARS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AFFECTED AREA IS DESCRIBED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
NOTICE OF THIS CAN BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG-AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, 3RD FLOOR, KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET, KWUN TONG, KOWLOON, AND ON BOARDS NEAR THE SITE.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1984
- 5 -
NEW CREMATORIUM FOR SHA TIN * * * *
A NEWLY-BUILT CREMATORIUM WITH FOUR COMPUTER ISED CREMATORS WILL BE PUT INTO PUBLIC SERVICE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS IN SHA TIN.
THE 26-MILLION FU SHAN CREMATORIUM AND COLUMBARIUM IS LOCATED AT A 2.5-HECTARE SITE AT LOWER SHING MUN ROAD AND IS THE SECOND PUBLIC CREMATORIUM IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
CREMATION IS GAINING WIDER ACCEPTANCE. SO FAR THIS YEAR, 62 PER CENT OF THE DEAD WERE CREMATED. IN THE SIMILAR PERIOD, TEN YEARS AGO, THE FIGURE WAS LESS THAN 30 PER CENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE MAIN FEATURE OF THE FU SHAN CREMATORIUM, WHICH WAS DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, IS ITS FOUR COMPUTERISED -CREMATORS.
MANUFACTURED BY A BRITISH COMPANY, THE CREMATORS ARE GAS-OPERATED AND A SMOKELESS, ODOURLESS AND DUST-FREE.
AT THE SINGLE-STOREY CREMATORIUM BUILDING, TWO CEREMONIAL HALLS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR MEMORIAL AND RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES.
ADJACENT IS A SEVEN-STOREY COLUMBARIUM WHICH HAS 9 700 NICHES FOR ASHES.
THERE IS ALSO A GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE FOR THE PUBLIC TO DISPOSE OF ASHES ON THE GRASS PLOTS, OR TO PLANT TREES.
THE LAWNS WILL BE KEPT GREEN ALL YEAR ROUND, WITH COLOURFUL FLOWERS BLOOMING AT CHING MING AND CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVALS.
-----0---------
MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1984
6
MID-AUTUMN FESTIVE FUN PLANNED
* * * *
THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL WHICH FALLS ON SEPTEMBER 10 THIS YEAR WILL BE CELEBRATED IN TSUEN WAN WITH TWO CARNIVALS, FEATURING LANTERN RIDDLES, CANTONESE OPERAS, PUPPET SHOWS, SINGING PERFORMANCES, AND CHINESE ORCHESTRAL CONCERTS.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION), THE CARNIVALS WILL BE HELD AT KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND AND SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND.
DETAILS OF THE CELEBRATION PROGRAMMES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 3 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR HO TUNG-CHING; THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF TSUEN WAN, MR ANGUS MIU; THE CHIEF MANAGER (N.T.) OF THE CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR HO KA-KWONG, AND MANAGER (CULTURAL PRESENTATION N.T.), MR CHUNG LING-HOI WILL BE PRESENT.
NOTE TO ED I TORS«
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
------0-------
DISTRICT BOARD’S WORK ON DISPLAY ******
A TWO-WEEK EXHIBITION ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN WAN CHAI TO PROMOTE THE CURRENT VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE.
OPEN BETWEEN 9 AM AND 9 PM DAILY AT THE HENNESSY CENTRE, THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHS, CHARTS AND EXPLANATORY NOTES ON DISTRICT DEVELOPMENTS, WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND CHANNELS TO PARTICIPATE IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A 20-MINUTE VIDEO PRESENTATION ON THE BOARD’S WORK. A COUNTER WILL BE SET UP DURING EXHIBITION HOURS TO REGISTER VOTERS.
/THE DISTRICT .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1984
7
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG; THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RAYMOND YOUNG ; THREE DB MEMBERS, MRS PEGGY LAM, MR CHAM SIU-LEUN, AND MRS GRACE WAN; AND A REPRESENTATIVE CF HYSAN DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED, MR EDDIE TANG, WILL JOINTLY OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 4 PM TOMORROW.
PRIOR TO THE OPENING, A MOBILE REGISTRATION TEAM FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE WILL VISIT THE STAFF CANTEEN OF MITSUKOSHI DEPARTMENT STORE AT BASEMENT 3 OF HENNESSY CENTRE, AT 3.30 PM TO HELP REGISTER EMPLOYEES OF THE STORE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MOBILE REGISTRATION TEAM’S VISIT TO THE STAFF CANTEEN AT 3.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AND THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION AT 4 PM AT THE MAIN LOBBY OF HENNESSY CENTRE, WAN CHAI.
-----0------
SALT WATER MAINS WORK ******
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 30) TO 10 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES IN SHEUNG KWAI CHUNG, KWAI CHUNG AND HA KWAI CHUNG, INCLUDING KWAI CHUNG ESTATE KWAI
ESTATE, KWAI FONG ESTATE, LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE, CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE, SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE, SHEK LEI ESTATE, SHEK YAM ESTATE LO WAI AND CONTAINER TERMINAL.
- 0
MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1934
8
LEAKAGE TEST IN K.OWLOQN CITY
******
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 30) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES ALONG TUNG LUNG ROAD AND TUNG WOR ROAD, INCLUDING BLOCK 5 AND BLOCKS 14 TO 20 OF TUNG TAU ESTATE.
- - 0 - -
RESTRICTED ZONE * * *
FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 29), TAI HANG TUNG ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH WOH CHAI STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 110 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR RESTRICTED ZONE.
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.
- 0 - -
FLYOVER CLOSURE * * * *
THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM FROM WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY (AUGUST 29-31) TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS FROM PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD HEADING FOR WATERLOO ROAD AND VICE VERSA SHOULD PROCEED ON GROUND LEVEL ROADS.
- - o - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXPORT-LED ECONOMIC RECOVERY SUSTAINED ...................... 1
DB ELECTIONS - FOUNDATIONS OF NEW STRUCTURE.................. 4
COMPUTER SYSTEM HELPS WITH FUNDS CONTROL .................... 6
TEXTILES BOARD BRIEFED ON OUTCOME OF WASHINGTON TALKS........ 8
TAG CONSIDERS ADVERTISING PROPOSAL .......................... 9
TEMPORARY RECREATION GROUND FOR WESTERN DISTRICT ............ 10
FINANCIAL SECRETARY VISITS FACTORIES ........................ 11
DELEGATION MEETS TRADE AND INDUSTRY CHIEF ................... 11
VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE IN LAI TAK TSUEN ................... 12
ELECTION DAY FOR EMPLOYEES' REPRESENTATIVES ................. 12
METAL WORKING INDUSTRY SURVEY STARTING ...................... 13
AUSTRALIAN AND LOCAL STUDENTS TO MAKE MUSIC ................. 14
DB TO DISCUSS PARK DEVELOPMENT SCHEME........................ 14
NEW AIRPORT TRANSPORT TERMINUS .............................. 15
NIGHT CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD............................... 15
WATER FIGURE................................................. 16
LEAKAGE TEST IN CENTRAL ..................................... 16
MAINS WORK IN WESTERN ....................................... 16
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1934
1
EXPORT-LED ECONOMIC RECOVERY SUSTAINED * * * *
THE EXPORT-LED ECONOMIC RECOVERY WAS WELL SUSTAINED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1984, ACCORDING TO THE HALF-YEARLY ECONOMIC REPORT 1984 PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE GOVERNMENT.
REFLECTING THE CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN THE ECONOMIES OF SEVERAL OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR EXPORT MARKETS, DOMESTIC EXPORTS GRE* BY 45 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS OR ABOUT 25 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
NOTWITHSTANDING PREDICTIONS OF A GRADUAL SLOWING DOWN IN THE GROWTH RATE OF THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY, THE REPORT SAYS THAT THE SHORT-TERM PROSPECTS FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS ARE LIKELY TO REMAIN ENCOURAGING, IN VIEW OF THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN REAL TERMS IN RETAINED IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES AND THE STRONG ORDER-BOOK POSITIONS OF MANY INDUSTRIES IN THE FIRST HALF.
FOLLOWING THE IMPROVEMENTS IN EXPORT ACTIVITIES AND IN THE LABOUR MARKET SITUATION, DOMESTIC DEMAND RECOVERED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1984.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST HALF OF 1983, RETAINED IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS AND OF CAPITAL GOODS GREW BY ABOUT EIGHT PER CENT AND 24 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN REAL TERMS. THESE INCREASES COMPARE FAVOURABLY WITH THE CORRESPONDING DECLINES OF ONE PER CENT AND FIVE PER CENT IN 1983.
THE REPORT SAYS THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION FOR THE LABOUR FORCE AS A WHOLE IMPROVED FURTHER IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, AFTER CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT IN THE MIDDLE OF 1983 AND RELATIVE STABILITY IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984. WITH THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AT 3.5 PER CENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER, THE LABOUR FORCE WAS EFFECTIVELY FULLY EMPLOYED.
THE RATE OF INFLATION (AS MEASURED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX A) SLOWED DOWN TO NINE PER CENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER CF 1984, FROM A YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE OF 11 PER CENT 4N THE FIRST QUARTER.
IN ANNUALISED TERMS, THE RATE OF INCREASE WAS 5.1 PER CENT DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1984, COMPARED WITH 13.2 PER CENT DURING THE SECOND HALF OF 1983.
THIS DECELERATION IN THE RATE OF INCREASE IN CONSUMER PRICES SUGGESTS THAT THE SHARP DEPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR UP TO SEPTEMBER 1983 IS NO LONGER HAVING AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE RATE OF INCREASE OF RETAIL PRICES.
/tee report .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 19&4
2
THE REPORT REVIEWS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1984 USING SUCH STATISTICS AS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. IT ALSO UPDATES THE ANALYSIS OF THE ECONOMY IN THE FIRST QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT 1984 PUBLISHED IN MAY. APART FROM GIVING AN OVERALL VI EVm , THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINS INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS ON THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, THE LABOUR SECTOR, ACTIVITY IN SELECTED SECTORS AND PRICES.
ON THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, THE REPORT POINTS OUT THAT THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 25 PER CENT IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1984, FROM NINE PER CENT IN THE FIRST HALF AND 19 PER CENT IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1983.
IN PARTICULAR, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA GREW BY ABOUT 57 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, WITH THE RESULT THAT CHINA HAS OVERTAKEN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AS HONG KONG’S THIRD LARGEST EXPORT MARKET (AFTER THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM).
IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ALSO ROSE RAPIDLY, BY ABOUT 19 PER CENT AND 34 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST HALF CF THIS YEAR. THESE GROWTH RATES WERE AGAIN HIGHER THAN THOSE RECORDED IN THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1983.
THE REPORT POINTS OUT THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF THE VALUf OF TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS) IN THE FIRST HALF, AT 49 PER CENT, WAS FASTER THAN THAT OF IMPORTS, AT 39 PER CENT. THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP THUS NARROWED TO FIVE PER CENT IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, COMPARED WITH 12 PER CENT IN THE FIRST HALF CF 1983.
ON THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, THE REPORT NOTES THE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1984.
FIRST, THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, IN TERMS CF ITS LINKED RATE WITH THE US DOLLAR, REMAINED LARGELY STABLE UNDER THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM. HOWEVER, IN TERMS OF THE TRADE-WEIGHTED EXCHANGE RATE INDEX, THERE WAS AN APPRECIATION, REFLECTING THE GLOBAL STRENGTH OF THE US DOLLAR.
SECOND, THE GROWTH RATE OF THE MONEY SUPPLY SLOWED DOWN DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1984, AFTER THE ACCELERATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER, LARGELY DUE TO THE SLOWER GROWTH IN LOANS AND ADVANCES. BUT THE FOREIGN CURRENCY COMPONENT OF THE MONEY SUPPLY GREW AT A FASTER RATE THAN ITS HONG KONG DOLLAR COUNTERPART.
THIRD, LARGELY IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN THE DEMAND FOR, AND THE SUPPLY OF, FINANCIAL CAPITAL IN THE LOCAL MONEY MARKET AS WELL AS TO MOVEMENTS IN US DOLLAR INTEREST RATES, LOCAL ADMINISTERED INTEREST RATES WERE ADJUSTED DOWNWARDS ON FOUR OCCASIONS AND SUBSEQUENTLY UPWARDS ON FIVE OCCASIONS, SO THAT AT THE END OF JUNE, THEY WERE LITTLE CHANGED FROM THE LEVELS PREVAILING AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1983.
/ON THE ........
TVJSDAY, AUGUST 28, 1964
ON THE LABOUR SECTOR, THE REPORT OBSERVES THAT THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE BOTH FELL IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, TO 3.5 PER CENT AND ONE PER RESPECTIVELY. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER WERE FOUR PER CENT AND 1.5 PER CENT.
AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF THE CONTINUED STRONG PERFORMANCE OF THE EXPORT SECTOR, MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT INCREASED DURING THE 12 MONTHS TO MARCH 1984.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE TERTIARY SERVICES SECTOR, PARTICULARLY IN RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS, ALSO SHOWED SOME INCREASE.
EMPLOYMENT ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES, ON THE OTHER HAND, SHOWED A FURTHER DECLINE DURING THE SAME PERIOD, ALTHOUGH A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT WAS RECORDED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
THE REPORT ALSO MENTIONS THAT DURING THE 12 MONTHS TO MARCH 1984, EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, IN TERMS OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED, INCREASED BOTH IN MONEY AND REAL TERMS.
EARNINGS IN THE TERTIARY SERVICES SECTOR IMPROVED IN MONEY TERMS BUT WERE UNCHANGED IN REAL TERMS.
REFLECTING THE DEPRESSED STATE OF THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, CONSTRUCTION WAGE RATES FELL IN REAL TERMS, ALTHOUGH IN MONEY TERMS THEY SHOWED A SLIGHT INCREASE.
THE REPORT FURTHER OBSERVES THAT MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY CONTINUED TO EXPAND IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, AS EVIDENCED BY THE LATEST STATISTICS ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS, RETAINED IMPORTS GF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES, OUTWARD CARGO MOVEMENTS BY SEA AND BY AIR, AND THE QUANTITY OF ELECTRICITY CONSUMED BY THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
ALTHOUGH NO DIRECT MEASURE OF PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH IS POSSIBLE, THE REPORT POINTS OUT THAT THE HIGH LEVEL OF MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY AND MANUFACTURING EXPORTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1984 WAS PROBABLY ACCOMPANIED BY A FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY, . f-EASURED IN TERMS OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS PER PERSON ENGAGED IN MANUFACTURING. SUCH IMPROVEMENT WAS DUE IN PART TO AN INCREASE IN OVERTIME WORK.
ON THE PROPERTY SECTOR, THE REPORT NOTES THAT APART FROM SMALL RESIDENTIAL FLATS, THE DEMAND FOR PROPERTY GENERALLY REMAINED WEAK.
THE SUPPLY OF NEW PRIVATE-SECTOR PROPERTY, IN TERMS OF TOTAL USABLE FLOOR AREA OF ALL BUILDINGS COMPLETED, FELL BY 43 PER CENT IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1984, COMPARED WITH THE FIRST HALF OF 1983.
PRICES AND RENTALS OF FINISHED PROPERTY IN GENERAL EITHER STABILISED OR EASED SLIGHTLY.
/IN CV2BALL .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1J&4
- 4 -
IN OVERALL TERMS, THE BUILDING INTENTIONS OF PRIVATE DEVELOPED RECOVERED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1984, AS EVIDENCED BY AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF BUILDING PLANS WITH CONSENT TO COMMENCE WORK OVER Trit SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. THE SITUATION, HOWEVER, VARIED WITH THE TYPE OF PROPERTY, WITH A VERY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY BEING OFFSET BY DECREASES FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY.
ON PRICES, THE REPORT SAYS THAT THE RATE OF INFLATION EXHIBITED A FALLING UNDERLYING TREND.
THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM NOW IN OPERATION, TOGETHER WITH SEVERAL FAVOURABLE FACTORS, SUCH AS THE MODERATE RATE OF INFLATION IN THE ECONOMIES OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS AND MODEST RATE OF CREDIT EXPANSION, SHOULD AUGUR WELL FOR A FURTHER SLOWING DOWN IN THE RATE OF INFLATION IN THE COMING MONTHS.
THE ENGLISH EDITION OF THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $12 A COPY. THE CHINESE EDITION WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY.
-----0-----
DB ELECTIONS - FOUNDATIONS OF NEW STRUCTURE * X * * *
THE CONCEPT AND OBJECTIVE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE GOVERNING THEMSELVES IS ONE TO WHICH THE TERRITORY MUST WORK WITH REALISM, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ARE A STEP TOWARDS THIS PROCESS, HE TOLD A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG.
+WE CANNOT SAY NOW EXACTLY ALL THE CHANGES THAT WILL TAKE PLACE AS THE CONCEPT DEVELOPS, BUT TO BE PART OF THAT DEVELOPING SCENE AND TO HAVE A SHARE IN THE SYSTEM AS IT DEVELOPS, PEOPLE MUST REGISTER AS VOTERS NOW,+ HE SAID.
♦ IN THE YEARS AHEAD WE HAVE TO BUILD A NEW STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT; GENTLY AND GRADUALLY TO TRANSFER THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR GOVERNMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG; TO MAINTAIN THE BOARD AGREEMENTS AND CONSENSUS TO MANAGE OUR ECONOMY; TO INCREASE OUR PROSPERITY AND IMPROVE OUR LIVING STANDARD.
+WE WANT NO SUDDEN EXCITEMENTS, NO CONFLICTS AND NO CONFRONTATIONS.
♦ THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE STRUCTURE WE HAVE TO BUILD.+
SPEAKING ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DB ELECTIONS, HE SAID THE BOARDS WERE THE VOICE OF THE MAN IN THE DISTRICT: +KWUN TONG SPEAKING TO LOWER ALBERT ROAD+.
/♦IF FHOM.........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1984
- 5 -
+ IF FROM INDIFFERENCE OR NEGLECT ONLY A FEW REGISTER, ONLY
A FEW STAND AS CANDIDATES, ONLY A FEW VOTE? IF WE LET THE SITUATION GO BY DEFAULT, WE HAVE ONLY OURSELVES TO BLAME IF IN FUTURt YEARS THE ADVICE GIVEN AND WORK DONE BY DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES IS NOT WHAT WE WISH TO HEAR OR BEAR.
+ THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ARE DIRECT ELECTIONS ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT DIRECT ELECTIONS TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. DIRECT ELECTIONS TO LEGCO ARE A DISTINCT AND SEPARATE MATTER, NEED TO BE SEPARATELY ARGUED WITH DIFFERENT REASONS.*
ALTHOUGH MR AKERS-JONES APPRECIATED THAT IT WAS NOT ALWAYS EASY FOR PEOPLE TO RELATE A VOTE IN ELECTIONS TO MATTERS AFFECTING THEIR PERSONAL LIVES, HE DID NOT AGREE WITH THE UNIVERSAL TENDENCY OF +LEAVING IT TO THE NEXT MAN*.
THE MORE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE COULD SPEAK WITH THE AUTHORITY OF A PERSON WHO HAD EMERGED FROM AN ELECTION WHICH WAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED AND PARTICIPATED IN BY THE PUBLIC, THE MORE AUTHORITY HE WOULD HAVE.
+H0W MUCH BETTER THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY CAN SAY ’HERE ARE THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THEY SPEAK FOR THE GRASSROOT.’
+HOW MUCH BETTER IF WE IN HONG KONG STAND UP IN THE NEXT ELECTIONS WITH A MILLION PEOPLE VOTING, AND THE REPRESENTATIVES ARE ELECTED AND CAN SPEAK WITH THAT DEGREE OF AUTHORITY,* HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT ALL THE BOARDS WERE ALREADY PERFORMING AN EXTREMELY USEFUL FUNCTION.
+THEY INCREASE AWARENESS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS OF LOCAL NEEDS? THEY HAVE ADDED STRENGTH TO THE VITAL WORK OF CLEANING UP OUR CITY? THEY INCREASE CIVIC PRIDE AND BEGIN TO PUSH BACK THE FEELING OF HELPLESSNESS AS URBAN BLIGHT SETTLES ON THE CITY? THEY INCREASE A SENSE OF INVOLVEMENT AND BELONGING.
+THEY BRING SENSE OF PURPOSE, UNITY, CONCERN AND ENTHUSIASM,* HE ADDED.
AFTER NEXT YEAR’S ELECTIONS, HE SAID THE MAJORITY OF DB MEMBERS WOULD BE ELECTED, WITH EACH BOARD HAVING AN UNOFFICIAL AS ITS CHAIRMAN.
+THERE WILL BE 19 CHAIRMEN OF DISTRICT BOARDS WALKING THE STREETS OF THE DISTRICTS, FAMILIAR FIGURES, KNOWN TO THE MAN IN THE STREET. THE BOARDS AND THEIR CHAIRMEN WILL SPEAK a I TH GREATER AUTHORITY, GREATER INDEPENDENCE.
+MOREOVER THEY WILL BECOME PART OF A PROCESS OF ELECTING MEMBERS TO LEGCO ANNOUNCED IN THE GREEN PAPER.*
MR AKERS-JONES DESCRIBED AS *NOT TRUE* CRITICISMS THAT Dr AMBERS WERE IRRESPONSIBLE +POLITICAL ACTIVISTS, PRESSURE GROUPERS, FREE-LUNCHERS+.
/HE POINTED........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 2E, 1984
6
HE POINTED OUT THAT AT THE LAST DB ELECTIONS, 132 PEOPLE aiERE ELECTED, COMPRISING 58 BUSINESSMEN, 22 TEACHERS, FIVE PROFESSIONALS, FOUR SOCIAL WORKERS AND 43 OTHERS.
LAST TIME 900 000 PEOPLE REGISTERED AND 300 000 VOTED. + IT WAS A SMALL PROPORTION BUT A BIG STEP FOR HONG KONG.*
IN RESPONSE TO REMARKS THAT THE DISTRICT BOARDS HAD NO +EXECUTIVE POWERS*, HE SAID THE BOARDS WERE NOT INTENDED AS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY IN ARCHETYPE WESTERN STYLE SINCE THE URBAN COUNCIL WAS ALREADY PERFORMING NECESSARY MUNICIPAL FUNCTIONS SUCH AS STREET SWEEPING AND CONTROL OF HAWKERS.
+SIMILARLY WE CANNOT EXPECT BOARDS TO HAVE POWERS TO OVERRIDE AND FRUSTRATE CENTRALLY-DECIDED POLICIES FOR THE PUBLIC AND GENERAL BENEFIT. HONG KONG IS TOO SMALL TO HAVE 18 SEPARATE LOCAL AUTHORITIES,* HE ADDED.
SO WHAT HAVE THE BOARDS ACHIEVED? MR AKERS-JONES CITED WAN CHAI AS AN EXAMPLE.
DURING THE LAST THREE MONTHS, THE BOARD HAS WORKED TO IMPROVE THE PROVISION OF STUDY ROOMS IN THE DISTRICT; SURVEYED THE NEEDS CF THE AGED AND DRAWN UP A PROGRAMME PLAN; PROMOTED DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AS A BASIS FOR CIVIC EDUCATION AND ARRANGED DISCUSSION FORUMS OF PUBLIC INTEREST, INCLUDING THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT; AND CARRIED OUT ENVIRONMENTAL-IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
------o-------
COMPUTER SYSTEM HELPS WITH FUNDS CONTROL * * * *
GOVERNMENT FUNDS ARE NOW BETTER MANAGED AND CONTROLLED BOTH AT THE CENTRAL AND DEPARTMENTAL LEVEL THROUGH THE USE OF A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM.
THE NEW PROJECT, KNOWN AS THE LEDGER ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM, OR LAF1S, IS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN STAGES TO PEET THE NEED FOR FINANCIAL CONTROL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
+IN THE PAST, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAD TO RELY HEAVILY ON MANUAL SYSTEMS TO MAINTAIN BUDGET CONTROL AND TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT,* A CHIEF TREASURY ACCOUNTANT, MR PAUL EVANS, SAID.
+NOW, DEPARTMENTS CAN ACHIEVE THIS THROUGH THE USE OF VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINALS LOCATED IN THEIR OFFICES. THESE TERMINALS, WHICH ALLOW BOTH DATA ENTRY AND INFORMATION RETRIEVAL, ARE LINKED TU THE CENTRAL LAFIS DATABASE INSTALLED IN THE TREASURY,* SAID PR EVANS, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIVISION AT THE TREASURY.
/LAFIS, WHICH ........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1984
- 7 -
LAFIS, WHICH USES THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE T&HN I QUES, IS ALSO USED BY VARIOUS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND BY ORGANISATIONS IN AUSTRALIA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
IN HONG KONG, DESIGNING OF THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM STARTED IN JANUARY 1982, AND THE FIRST STAGE WAS INTRODUCED IN APRIL 1983 IN THE FINANCE BRANCH AND THREE DEPARTMENTS: MEDICAL AND HEALTH, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES AND PRINTING.
IN APRIL THIS YEAR, THE SYSTEM WAS EXTENDED TO THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH AND SEVEN MORE DEPARTMENTS: AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, EDUCATION, ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, FIRE SERVICES, MARINE, NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT AND WATER SUPPLIES.
GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSPORT AGENCY, CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING CENTRE, IMMIGRATION, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL BE LINKED TO THE SYSTEM FROM APRIL 1985.
EXPLAINING THE USES OF LAFIS, MR EVANS SAID, +IT ENABLES DEPARTMENTS TO MONITOR AND CONTROL EXPENDITURE AGAINST THEIR BUDGETS, UNDERTAKE BETTER FINANCIAL PLANNING, AND IDENTIFY HOW MUCH THE SERVICES THEY OFFER ARE COSTING THEM.*
AS FOR TREASURY, LAFIS REPLACES THE OLD GENERAL LEDGER SYSTEM IN PROVIDING BALANCE SHEETS, STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE AND OTHER CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTING REPORTS.
MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR TREASURY, ON-LINE ACCESS TO THE CENTRAL DATABASE EXPEDITES THEIR CLOSING OF MONTHLY ACCOUNTS AND ALLOWS THEM TO INSPECT DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE ACCOUNTS AT ANY TIME.
HE SAID IMMEDIATE RETRIEVAL OF UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION FROM LAFIS ALSO HELPS THE FINANCE BRANCH ANALYSE TRENDS AND PROJECT EXPENDITURE OUTTURNS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR. THIS ASSISTS PLANNING AND THE MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS.
+THE SYSTEM ALSO HELPS IN BUDGET PREPARATION. WORKING FIGURES ARE ENTERED AND CAN BE AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTED BEFORE THE OVERALL ANNUAL BUDGET IS FINALISED,* HE SAID.
SO FAR THE GOVERNMENT HAS SPENT $1 MILLION ON SOFTWARE FOR THE SYSTEM, AND $3.25 MILLION ON ADDITIONAL HARDWARE.
DESIGN WORK IN TREASURY HAS INVOLVED 230 MAN MONTHS OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANCY AND DATA PROCESSING STAFF.
+LAFIS,* HE EXPLAINED, + IS CONTINUALLY BEING EXTENDED.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE SYSTEM IS TO DEAL WITH THE COMPLEX REQUIREMENTS CF THE GOVERNMENT’S CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME.*
/+5*UTUxL£ PLzv«o, + ••••••.
TbESDAf, AuGUST 28, 1984
- 8 -
♦ FUTURE PLANS,* HE SAID, +ALSO INCLUDE NEW FEATURES TO BE DEVELOPED TO ASS I st IN OTHER ASPECTS OF DEPARTMENTAL, TREASURY AMD FINANCE BRANCH ACTIVITIES.*
♦ THESE INCLUDE COSTING, FORECASTING AND A MORE SOPHISTICATED BUDGET PREPARATION SYSTEM. WE ALSO PLAN TO INTRODUCE A LAFIS VIEWDATA SERVICE SO THAT INFORMATION IS MADE AVAILABLE ON TVS IN PLACES WHERE INSTALLATION OF A TERMINAL IS NOT COST-JUSTIFIED.
♦ IT IS ENVISAGED THAT LAFIS WILL GRADUALLY BE EXTENDED TO MOST DEPARTMENTS, AND THAT BETTER FINANCIAL CONTROL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION WILL THEREFORE BE ACHIEVED THROUGHOUT GOVERNMENT,+ HE SAID.
------0-------
TEXTILES BOARD BRIEFED ON OUTCOME OF WASHINGTON TALKS * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING BRIEFED THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD (TEXTAB) ON THE OUTCOME OF THE RECENT CONSULTATIONS IN WASHINGTON.
THE TWO INDUSTRIAL ADVISERS, MR STEPHEN CHEONG AND MR KENNETH FANG, ALSO BRIEFED TEXTAB ON THEIR ACTIVITIES IN WASHINGTON AND NEW YORK.
SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA AFTER THE MEETING, MR MACLEOD SAID: + THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE NEXT STEPS TO TAKE. WE ARE CLEARLY IN A SITUATION WHICH IS STILL VERY FLEXIBLE. THERE COULD BE FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE U.S. OVER THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO. AND HENCE PRECISELY WHAT HAPPENS IN TERMS OF, FOR EXAMPLE, BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS, REMAIN TO BE SEEN IN THE LIGHT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SHORT TERM.
♦BUT CLEARLY THE NEXT FORMAL FORUM FOR PRESSURE, INFLUENCE, DISCUSSION, IS THE TEXTILE COMMITTEE MEETING IN GENEVA ON SEPTEMBER 4. APART FROM THAT, AS I HAVE SAID PREVIOUSLY, LOBBYING EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE NOT ONLY IN THE U.S. BUT THROUGH OUR OTHER OVERSEAS OFFICES IN LONDON, IN BRUSSELS AND, IN PARTICULAR, IN GENEVA.+
MR MACLEOD SAID HE WAS KEEPING UNDER REVIEW WHEN TO REVIVE THE BILATERAL DISCUSSIONS.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION, MR MACLEOD SAID THE LOBBYING HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME, PARTICULARLY THROUGH MR WILLIAM DORWARD, THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN NEW YORK, WHO WAS VERY ACTIVE.
ON THE REACTION OF TEXTAB TO THE EFFORTS IN WASHINGTON BY THE HONG KONG DELEGATION, MR STEPHEN CHEONG SAID THAT WHILE THE BOARD WAS VERY CONCERNED, IT WAS +EXTREMELY PLEASED THAT THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DISCHARGE THEIR NEGOTIATING BRIEF FULLY AND COMPETENTLY*.
/CN THE........
TU3SDAY, A'jUST 2£, 19&4
9
ON THE LACK OF POSITIVE RESULTS FROM THE UNITED STATES, NR CHEONG SAID THE AMERICAN AUTHORITIES WERE SO CONFUSED THAT THEY COULD NOT MAKE UP THEIR MINDS WHAT TO DO. HE ADDED THAT, ON TH; OTHER HAND, HONG KONG’S POSITION WAS VERY CLEAR.
+THE UNITED STATES’ UNILATERAL ACTION IS AGAINST BOTH THE SPIRIT AND THE LETTER OF THE BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS wHICH GOVERN NORMAL AND LEGAL TRADE BETWEEN THE TWO TERRITORIES.
+THERE ARE PROVISIONS WITHIN THESE AGREEMENTS THAT EITHER SIDE CAN REQUEST CONSULTATIONS IF THEY SEE ANY PROBLEMS ON ANY TRADE BETWEEN THE TWO TERRITORIES IN RESPECT OF TEXTILES. THERc IS NO ROOM FOR COMPROMISE AS FAR AS THAT IS CONCERNED,* MR CHEONG STRESSED.
AS TO WHEN HE WOULD BE GOING BACK TO WASHINGTON FOR FURTHER TALKS, MR MACLEOD SAID: +l DON’T HAVE ANY PARTICULAR DATE IN MIND BECAUSE IT VERY MUCH DEPENDS ON WHAT HAPPENS IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO.*
ASKED WHAT COULD THE GATT DO TO HELP OUT IN THE SITUATION, NR MACLEOD SAID, + AT THIS STAGE THE GATT REALLY MEANS THE TEXTILES COMMITTEE. AND THE TEXTILES COMMITTEE BASICALLY IS A FORUM FOR BRINGING OUT THE STRONG VIEWS OF A LARGE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES, HOPEFULLY TO INFLUENCE THE U.S. POSITION AND AGAIN HOPEFULLY T? GET SOME SORT OF ASSURANCES OR STATEMENTS FROM THE U.S. WHICH wILL HEu? TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM.*
------o-------
TAC CONSIDERS ADVERTISING PROPOSAL
*****
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TODAY (TUESDAY) CONSIDERED A PROPOSAL BY OPERATORS OF TAXIS, PLB’S AND MAXICABS FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THEIR VEHICLES.
SIMILAR PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN MADE ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS IN THE PAST BUT WERE NOT PURSUED FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY AND AESTHETIC REASONS AND LIKELY CONTROL PROBLEMS.
THE LATEST PROPOSAL BY THE OPERATORS WAS SCRUTINISED BY Th; TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS SUBSEQUENTLY FOR PERMITTING A CONTROLLED FORM OF ADVERTISING ON THESE PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES WAS ENDORSED BY THE STANDING CONFERENCE ON ROAD USE LAST MONTH. ■ j . .. > ' J ;
IN A PAPER PRESENTED TO THE TAC MEETING TODAY, THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED HOW THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED PREVIOUSLY COULD BE OVERCOME.
IT EXPLAINED THAT THERE WERE STILL GOOD REASONS FOR NOT ALLOWING ILLUMINATED ROOF-TOP AND BOOT-TOP SIGNS TO BE INSTaLu;-. HOWEVER, IT ACCEPTED THAT LIMITED DISPLAY OF ADVERTISEMENTS ON BOTH FRONT, DOOR PANELS OF TAX, IS AND ON J.HE TWO SIDES OF PLB’S AND MAXICABS BELOW THE WAIST BAND WOULD NOT CAUSE SUCH DISTRACTION,” ROAD USERS AS TO GIVE RISE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1?84
10 -
FOR THE SAME REASON, THE DEPARTMENT AGREED THAT LIMITED EXTERNAL ADVERTISEMENTS WOULD BE UNLIKELY TO BE AESTHETICALLY OBJECTIONABLE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC.
AS REGARDS CONTROL PROBLEMS, THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE MAIN INSTRUMENT OF ENFORCEMENT WOULD BE THE ANNUAL VEHICLE EXAMINATION AND THE HALF-YEARLY CHECKS. FURTHERMORE, ANY OFFENDING VEHICLE COULD BE CALLED UP FOR EXAMINATION AT ANY TIME.
TAC MEMBERS WERE INFORMED OF THE DETAILED STEPS WHICH THE DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE TO IMPLEMENT THE PROPOSAL, BEGINNING WITH A SET OF STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES TO STIPULATE ITS REQUIREMENTS BEFORE APPROVAL WOULD BE GIVEN.
IT IS HOPED THAT THE SCHEME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY OCTOBER. THE SITUATION WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORED AND WILL BE REVIEWED IN 12 MONTHS TO SEE IF ADJUSTMENTS ARE WARRANTED.
AMONG OTHER TRANSPORT MATTERS DISCUSSED BY TAC MEMBERS TODAY WAS AN ITEM ON THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM PROPOSED FOR THE WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES. DISCUSSION OF THIS PROJECT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A PRESENTATION. A JOINT PRESENTATION WILL BE MADE TO THE YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARDS ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 31).
------o-------
TEMPORARY RECREATION GROUND FOR WESTERN DISTRICT
******
A 2 500-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT IS TO BE TURNED INTO A TEMPORARY RECREATION GROUND PENDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX.
LOCATED AT THE HEART OF THE EVER BUZZLING SHEK TONG TSUI, the SITE AT CHUN SING STREET WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO A SITTING-OUT AREA WITH A CYCLING GROUND.
OTHER FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE CHILDREN’S PLAYBOARDS BENCHES AND FLOWER POTS.
+THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE TO SHOW THAT THE COUNCIL MAKES THE BEST USE OF AVAILABLE LAND RESOURCES TO THE BENEFIT OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AS AND WHEN POSSIBLE,* SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN.
+IN VIEW OF A SERIOUS SHORTFALL IN THE PROVISION OF OPEN
SPACE IN WESTERN DISTRICT, THE TEMPORARY RECREATION PLAYGROUND WILL SURELY BE WELCOMED AND EXTENSIVELY USED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS UPON COMPLETION.*
WORK ON THE SITE WILL BEGIN EARLY NEXT MONTH AND THE WHOLE PROJECT, ESTIMATED TO COST $840 000, IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
0 --------
/11
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1934
11
FINANCIAL SECRETARY VISITS FACTORIES * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED TWO FACTORIES IN KWAI CHUNG.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, Hi PETER JOHNSON, SIR JOHN FIRST VISITED THE MELITTA ELECTRIC (HONG KONG) LTD WHERE HE WAS WELCOMED BY THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR VON DER LUEHE AND OTHER SENIOR EXECUTIVES.
THE COMPANY, ESTABLISHED IN 1978, IS A SUBSIDIARY OF MELITTA-WERKE BENTZ AND SOHN OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY. THE COMPANY, WITH OVER 340 EMPLOYEES HERE, PRODUCES ELECTRIC COFFEE-MAKERS AND AIR CLEANERS FOR EXPORT TO EUROPE, AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED STATES.
SIR JOHN NEXT VISITED THE G.P. ELECTRONICS LTD AND WAS SHOWN ROUND THE PRODUCTION FLOORS BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GOLD PEAK INDUSTRIES GROUP, MR KEVIN LO, AND THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF G.P. ELECTRONICS, MR PAUL LO.
G.P. ELECTRONICS LTD, ESTABLISHED IN 1974, IS A SUBSIDIARY OF GOLD PEAK INDUSTRIES (HOLDINGS) LTD. IT PRODUCES CAR AUDIO EQUIPMENT FOR MARKETS IN THE UNITED STATES, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA AND AS I A.
THE COMPANY WITH OVER 1 000 EMPLOYEES HAS RECENTLY INSTALLED AUTOMATIC ASSEMBLY EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING A MODERN MICROCHIP COMPONENTS ASSEMBLY ROBOT.
-----o-----
DELEGATION MEETS TRADE AND INDUSTRY CHIEF
X * X
A VISITING TOP-LEVEL SWEDISH TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL DELEGATION, LED BY THE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN TRADE, MR MATS HELLSTROEM, TODAY (TUESDAY) CALLED ON THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.r>. hO.
BOTH SIDES EXCHANGED VIEWS ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS, INCLUDING TRADE RELATIONS AND INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SWEDEN.
---------o---------
/12 ........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1984
12
VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE IN LAI TAK TSUEN
* * * *
FORTY VOLUNTEERS FROM THE LAI TAK YOUTH CENTRE IN CAUSEWAY BAY aILL join a voter registration drive in eastern district this ‘(TUESDAY) EVENING.
DRESSED IN WHITE T-SHIRTS, PRINTED WITH REGISTRATION MESSAGES AND THE PICTURE OF A MAIL BOX TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO POST COMPLETED REGISTRATION FORMS, THE YOUTHS WILL SET OUT TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO REGISTER.
THEY WILL TEAM UP WITH OVER 80 MEMBERS FROM SIX MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, THE LAI TAK YIN NGA I SOCIETY, THE CAUSEWAY BAY SOUTh AREA COMMITTEE, TEMPORARY COMMUNITY ORGANISERS AND DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF TO CONDUCT DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS TO RESIDENTS IN LAI TAK TSUEN.
THE GROUP, WHICH WILL BE LED BY MR STEPHEN NG, ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, WILL VISIT ABOUT 2 000 FAMILIES IN LAI KIT, TAK TSUEN AND TSUEN WING HOUSES, WHICH HAVE A POPULATION OF OVER 13 000.
MR NG SAID THEY WOULD COVER THESE HOUSEHOLDS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW EVENING.
MR NG COMMENDED THE VOLUNTEERS, LOCAL AND KAIFONG LEADERS FuR THEIR COMMUNITY SPIRIT, THEIR KEEN INTEREST IN DISTRICT MATTERS, AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO COMMUNITY BUILDING.
+THEIR PARTICIPATION IS A GOOD ILLUSTRATION OF CO-OPERATION AND CONCERTED EFFORTS BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT. THEIr SUPPORT FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT L.rtr.. ELECTIONS IS HIGHLY APPRECIATED,* HE ADDED.
-----o------
ELECTION DAY FOR EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES K * K
THE ELECTION OF EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES TO THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD WILL TAKE PLACE BY SECRET BALLOT AT THE SCHOOL OF QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL AT 10.30 AM ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 30).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID THAT NINE CANDIDATE^ HAD BEEN NOMINATED FOR ELECTION AND THEIR NAMES HAD BEEN SENT ' . i. REGISTERED EMPLOYEES’ UNIONS FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD IS A NON-STATUTORY BODY 1 j-
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR ON LABOUR MATTERS INCLUDING LEGISLAil AND THE APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. IT COMPRISES SIX EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES^.^ SIX EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES, WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR Lho<jc CHA IRMAN.
/THE SFCK33LL-
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT STARTING FROM 1985» FOUR OF THE fmpi nvPFV REPRESENTATIVES wILL BE ELECTED BY REGISTERcD LOftno UNIONS AND t"ot5eR^»|Jl BE DIRECTLY APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR
HE REMINDED ALL REGISTERED EMPLOYEES’ UNIONS THAT IF THEY * I Sri TO VOTE, THEY MUST SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO THc ELECTION.
THE REPRESENTATIVE MUST BRING WITH HIM H|S HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD, A LETTER OF AUTHORISATION FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF HIS UNION AND A COPY OF THE CIRCULAR LETTER DATED AUGUST 9, 1934 FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON THE SUBJECT.
-------D -
METAL WORKING INDUSTRY SURVEY STARTING * * * *
A MAJOR SURVEY TO UPDATE MANPOWER STATISTICS AND IDENTIFY FUTURE TRAINING NEEDS OF THE METAL WORKING INDUSTRY BEGINS TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE BIENNIAL STUDY, ORGANISED BY THE MACHINE SHOP AND,METAL WORKING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, COVERS THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRIES: TIMEPIECES, BASIC NETAL, NON-ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS OTHER THAN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT.
THE PLANT MAINTENANCE SECTIONS OF THE BEVERAGE, FOOD AND TOBACCO PROCESSING INDUSTRIES ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY.
♦THE INFORMATION TO BE COLLECTED IS CRUCIAL IN DRAWING UP TRAINING PLANS,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRAINING BOARD SAID, ■►EMPLOYERS ARE REQUESTED TO SUPPLY THE LATEST FIGURES ON EMPLOYcto, WORKERS UNDER TRAINING, EXISTING VACANCIES AND A PROJECTION OF ADDITIONAL STAFF NEEDS IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.+
ALL INFORMATION WILL BE TREATED IN STRICTEST CONFIDENCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, AND WILL BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL ABSTRACTS WITHOUT REFERRING TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS. ASSISTING IN THE SURVEY ARE THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT, THE CENSUS ANj STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT DATA PROCESSING AGENCY.
- 0 - -
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1984
AUSTRALIAN AND LOCAL STUDENTS TO MAKE MUSIC * * * *
AUSTRALIAN AND HONG KONG MUSIC STUDENTS WILL GIVE A LUNCH-TIME CONCERT IN THE LANDMARK ON MONDAY.
PERFORMING WILL BE 87 STUDENTS FROM THE PERTH MODERN SCHOOL -ONE OF TWO SPECIAL MUSIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE CITY - AND TRAINEES OF HONG KONG’S MUSIC OFFICE.
THE CONCERT WILL RUN FOR AN HOUR STARTING AT 12.30 PM ON MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 3).
THF PERTH GROUP, COMPRISING A BAND, A STRING ENSEMBLE AND A CHOIR ARRIVED LAST FRIDAY NIGHT ON A TOUR OF HONG KONG AND CHINA AIMED AT FOSTERING FRIENDSHIP THROUGH MUSIC.
UNDER THE BATON OF THEIR CONDUCTOR, MR JOHN EMBLETON, THE PERTH STUDENTS WASTED NO TIME AND SPENT LAST SUNDAY (AUGUST 26) REHEARSING WITH YOUNG HONG KONG MUSICIANS AT A PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP HELD AT THE YAU MA TEI MUSIC CENTRE.
THE GROUP LEFT FOR CHINA YESTERDAY (AUGUST 27) TO GIVE THREE CONCERTS AT THE CHILDREN’S PALACE IN KWEILIN, THE ACADEMY OF ART IN CANTON AND THE CANTON TRADE FAIR HALL. IT WILL RETURN HERE FOR THE LANDMARK CONCERT AND WILL ALSO GIVE THREE SCHOOL CONCERTS, ONE EACH IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID MOST OF THE PERTH STUDENTS HAVE NOT TRAVELLED OVERSEAS BEFORE AND THE TOUR IS REGARDED AS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR CULTURAL, MUSICAL AND EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN YOUNG PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT NATIONS.
- - 0
DB TO DISCUSS PARK DEVELOPMENT SCHEME * * * *
A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME FOR KOWLOON PARK WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE 14 HECTARES OF OPEN SPACE IMMEDIATELY WEST OF NATHAN ROAD, STRETCHING FROM HAIPHONG ROAD TO AUSTIN ROAD, IS THE ONLY SITE IN YAU MA TEI LARGE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE A COMBINATION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
A REPORT ON THE FINDINGS REGARDING THE CANTON ROAD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME WILL ALSO BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE GREEN PAPER 0-REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, PROGRESS REPORT ON THE *■EET-TH--PUBLI"+ SCHEME AS WELL AS REPORTS OF THE BOARD’S VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
- 0 - -
TUESDAY, AUbuST 28, 1904
15
NEW AIRPORT TRANSPORT TERMINUS * * * *
A NEW TRANSPORT TERMINUS IS TO BE BUILT ON A 2 500 SQUARE-METRE SITE NEXT TO THE KAI TAK AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING UNDER STAGE V OF THE AIRPORT’S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
A $3.5 MILLION CONTRACT FOR DESIGNING, SUPPLYING AND ERECTING THE ROOF SUPPORTING SYSTEM FOR THE TERMINUS HAS BEEN AWARDED TO ASSOCIATED ENGINEERS LTD BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE SYSTEM WILL BE MADE OF GALVANISED MILD STEEL BARS, AND A METAL ROOF DECK WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
WORK STARTED LAST WEEK AND WILL TAKE SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE TRANSPORT TERMINUS WILL HAVE TAXI STANDS, HIRE CAR STANDS, AIRPORT BUS STOPS, SERVICING AREAS AND A KIOSK.
THE AREA WILL BE EXTENSIVELY LANDSCAPED.
TENDERS FOR BUILDING THE SUPERSTRUCTURE FOR THE TERMINUS WILL BE INVITED LATER THIS YEAR.
-----o------
NIGHT CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD * * * *
THE KOWLOON-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUEN MUN ROAD BETWEEN TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE AND SIU LAM INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 10 30 PM AND 5.30 AM FROM THURSDAY (AUGUST 30) TO SEPTEMBER 5, AND FROM SEPTEMBER 13 TO 19.
MOTORISTS WISHING TO GO TO TSUEN WAN OR KOWLOON WILL HAVE TO USE CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND THEN PROCEED TO TUEN MUN ROAD.
THE TUEN MUN-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE SAME SECTION OF TUEN MUN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE SAME HOURS FROM SEPTEMBER 6 TO 12.
MOTORISTS HEADING FOR TUEN MUN OR YUEN LONG WILL BE DIVERTED ONTO CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
--------0 ----------
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1984
WATER FIGURE
XXX
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 85.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 502.382 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 523.476
MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 89.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- 0 - -
LEAKAGE TEST IN CENTRAL X X X X
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 31) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY SHING WONG STREET, HOLLYWOOD ROAD, LADDER STREET AND CIRCULAR PATHWAY.
- - 0 - -
MAINS WORK IN WESTERN
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN WESTERN DISTRICT wILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 PM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 31) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST, WILMER STREET, QUEEN’S ROAD WEST, EASTERN STREET, HIGH STREET, POK FU LAM ROAD AND HILL ROAD, INCLUDING SOUTH LANE AND WO HOP STREET.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JULY 1984 ........................ 1
NEW POLICE COMMISSIONER......................................... 3
NEW COMPANY ORDINANCES GAZETTED ................................ 4
AGREEMENT ON U.S. EXPORT LIMITS................................. 4
LAV/ ON SAFETY OFFICERS BEING PREPARED .. ...................... 5
HELPING TO GET VOTERS .......................................... 5
HOSPITAL FOR TSING YI RECLAMATION .............................. 6
AMERICA'S OLDEST ORCHESTRA VISITS HK ........................... 6
BRIEFING FOR BOARD MES5BEP.S.................................... 7
JING YING RETURNS FROM U.K...................................... 8
REFRESHER COURSE FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH ....................... 8
INDUSTRIAL SITE FOR RENT ....................................... 9
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS in western DISTRICT.............. 9
DEATH SENTSNCES COMMUTED ....................................... 9
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1934
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JULY 1984 * * * *
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN JULY 1984 ROSE BY 33 PER CENT OR $3 242 MILLION OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, TO REACH $13 095 MILLION, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL FIGURES PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ALSO INCREASED, BY 49 PER CENT, OR $2 324 MILLION, TO $7 042 MILLION. TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT $20 137 MILLION, WAS 38 PER CENT, OR $5 566 MILLION, HIGHER THAN A YEAR AGO.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS REACHED $19 816 MILLION IN JULY 1984, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 31 PER CENT, OR $4 632 MILLION, OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS GREATER THAN THAT OF IMPORTS, THE VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT RECORDED A SURPLUS OF $321 MILLION. THIS IS THE FIRST JULY SURPLUS SINCE 1976.
PUTTING THE MONTH’S TRADE FIGURES INTO CONTEXT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1984 WAS $120 009 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $75 736 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $44 273 MILLION. COMPARED WITH THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1983, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS HAD INCREASED BY $38 303 MILLION OR 47 PER'CENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY $22 722 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT, AND RE-EXPORTS BY $15 581 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS HAD INCREASED BY $34 112 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT, TO $125 370 MILLION. AS THE GROWTH RATE OF THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS FASTER THAN THAT OF IMPORTS, THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP NARROWED TO FOUR PER CENT IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1984 FROM 10 PER CENT IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
COMMENTING ON THESE COMPARATIVE FIGURES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE STRONG TRADE PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN SUSTAINED. EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JULY 1984, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE INCREASES IN VALUE WERE 40 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 50 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS, 44 PER CENT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS AND 37 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR JULY 1984:-
MERCHAND1SE:
DOMESTIC EXPORTS $13 095 MILL ION
RE-EXPORTS • $ 7 042 MILLION
TOTAL EXPORTS 2 $20 137 MILLION
IMPORTS 2 $19 816 MILLION
TRADE BALANCE X $ 321 MILLION (IN SURPLUS)
/C01PAKAriy£_?ISlJRES........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 19&4
- 2
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
MAY - JULY MAY - JULY INCREASE OR
LATEST 3 MONTHS 1984 1983 DECREASE
$ MN. S MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 37 172 26 772 *10 400 +38.3
RE-EXPORTS 20 462 13 370 + 7 092 +53.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 57 634 40 142 + 17 492 +43.6
IMPORTS 58 058 43 590 +14 468 +33.2
TRADE BALANCE 424 - 3 448 + 3 024 INCREASE OR
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR JULY 1984 JULY 1983 DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 13 095 (65.0%) 9 853 (67.6%) + 3 242 +32.9
RE-EXPORTS 7 042 4 718 + 2 324 +49.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 20 137 14 571 + 5 566 +38.2
IMPORTS 19 816 15 184 + 4 632 +30.5
TRADE BALANCE + 321 - 613 + 934 INCREASE OR
LAST MONTH JULY 1984 JUNE 1984 DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 13 095 (65.0%) 12 366 (64.6%) ♦ 729 + 5.9
RE-EXPORTS 7 042 6 775 + 267 + 3.9
TOTAL EXPORTS 20 137 19 141 ♦ 996 + 5.2
IMPORTS 19 816 19 378 + 438 + 2.3
TRADE BALANCE + 321 - 237 + 558
/CALENDAB_YEAB .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2$, 1984
3
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JANUARY -JULY 1984 JANUARY -JULY 1983 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. 3 MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (4 OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 75 736 (63.1%) 53 014 (64.9%) +22 722 +42.9
RE-EXPORTS 44 273 28 692 +15 581 +54.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 120 009 81 706 +38 303 +46.9
IMPORTS 125 370 91 258 +34 112 +37.4
TRADE BALANCE - 5 361 - 9 552 + 4 191
LAST 12 MONTHS AUG 1983 TO JULY 1984 AUG 1982 TO JULY 1983 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 127 127 90 548 +36 579 +40.4
RE-EXPORTS 71 875 48 056 +23 819 +49.6
TOTAL EXPORTS 199 002 138 604 +60 398 +43.6
IMPORTS 209 555 153 087 +56 468 ' +36.9
TRADE BALANCE - 10 553 - 14 483 + 3 930
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NEW POLICE COMMISSIONER
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THE APPOINTMENT OF MR RAY ANN I NG AS THE NEXT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, TO SUCCEED MR ROY HENRY WHO WILL RETIRE IN APRIL 1985.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
MR ROY HENRY, CBE, MVO, QPM, CPM
AGED 57. SERVED IN MALAYA, SARAWAK AND FIJI BEFORE COMING TO HONG KONG. JOINED THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE IN JANUARY 1973 AS SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE. PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN MARCH 1979. WILL PROCEED ON LEAVc 1985 AFTER A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED
PRIOR TO RETIREMENT IN APRIL CAREER.
MR RAY ANN ING, CBE, QPM
AGED 54. SERVED AS ONE OF HER MAJESTY’S INSPECTORS OF CONSTABULARY FOR ENGLAND AND WALES AT THE HOME OFFICE BEFORE JOINING THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE IN JULY 1983 AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1984
- 4 -
NEW COMPANY ORDINANCES GAZETTED * * *
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1984 TOGETHER WITH THE COMPANIES (FEES) REGULATIONS 1984, THE COMPANIES (FORMS) REGULATIONS 1984 AND THE COMPANIES (W I ND ING-UP)(AMENDMENT) RULES 1984 WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 31, 1984).
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1984, PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON JANUARY 27, 1984, INTRODUCES A LARGE NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE COVERING AREAS SUCH AS THE INCORPORATION OF COMPANIES, SHARE CAPITAL AND DEBENTURES, REGISTRATION OF CHARGES, MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION, WINDING-UP, RECEIVERS AND MANAGERS, AND OVERSEAS COMPANIES.
THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE (CAP. 6) AND THE BANKRUPTCY RULES HAVE ALSO BEEN AMENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1984, AND THE AMENDED ORDINANCE AND RULES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON THE SAME DATE.
THE REPRINT OF THE PRINCIPAL COMPANIES ORDINANCE (CAP. 32) INCLUDING THE AMENDMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRES FROM AUGUST 31, 1984.
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AGREEMENT ON U.S. EXPORT LIMITS * * * *
RESUMED CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND UNITED STATES OFFICIALS ON THREE OUTSTANDING EXPORT AUTHORISATION (EA) CALLS HAVE RESULTED IN AGREEMENT ON EXPORT LIMITS IN 1984 FOR TWO OF THE CATEGORIES.
THE TALKS ON ALL THREE CATEGORIES TOOK PLACE IN WASHINGTON ON AUGUST 22.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT, DURING THE ONE-DAY TALKS, HONG KONG AGREED TO A LIMIT OF 950 DOO LBS FOR EXPORTS IN 1984 IN PART OF CATEGORY 359 (COTTON COVERALLS, ETC) AND ALSO ON A LIMIT OF 1 050 000 LBS FOR EXPORT IN 1984 IN PART OF CATEGORY 659 (MAN-MADE FIBRE COVERALLS, ETC).
ON PART OF CATEGORY 659 (MAN-MADE PULLOVER JACKETS), THE SPOKESMAN SAID DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD-OVER PENDING FURTHER CONSIDERATION BY HONG KONG OF PROPOSALS TABLED BY THE U.S. DELEGATION.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1984
- 5 -
LAW ON SAFETY OFFICERS BEING PREPARED * * * *
LEGISLATION IS NOW BEING PREPARED WHICH, IF ENACTED, WILL REQUIRE ALL THE LARGER FIRMS JN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO EMPLOY TRAINED AND QUALIFIED SAFETY OFFICERS.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR RON BRIDGE, AT THE OPENING OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY’S SAFETY OFFICERS COURSE.
MR BRIDGE SAID THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION, AND OTHER BODIES REPRESENTING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, HAD ENDORSED THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IN PRINCIPLE BUT WERE CONCERNED THAT THERE SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT QUALIFIED SAFETY OFFICERS AVAILABLE BY THE TIME THE LEGISLATION COMES INTO EFFECT.
HE SAID THE CITA COURSE, WHICH OFFERED 80 PLACES IN ONE-YEAR EVENING AND DAY-RELEASE COURSES, WAS INTENDED TO HELP FILL THIS hEED, AND WOULD BE A MOST WELCOME ADDITION TO THE COURSES ALREADY BEING PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
+THE POLYTECHNIC COURSES, WHICH STARTED IN 1979, ORIGINALLY PROVIDED PLACES FOR 40 PEOPLE, BUT THEY HAVE EXPANDED OVER THE YEARS AND THIS YEAR’S COURSE HAS THREE CLASSES PROVIDING A TOTAL OF 120 PLACES,+ MR BRIDGE ADDED.
+TAKING INTO ACCOUNT BOTH COURSES, WE ESTIMATE THAT A TOTAL OF ABOUT 430 SAFETY OFFICERS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE BY JULY 1985, AND ABOUT 140 SHOULD COME AVAILABLE EACH YEAR AFTER THAT.+
MR BRIDGE THANKED THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY AND ITS CHAIRMAN, DR GEOFFREY YEH, FOR TAKING THE INITIATIVE IN PROVIDING MORE SAFETY OFFICERS. HE ALSO COMMENDED THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION FOR ITS SUPPORT FOR THE COURSE AND FOR ALLOWING PARTICIPANTS TO USE BCA PREMISES.
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HELPING TO GET VOTERS * * * *
SEVERAL LAUNCHES WILL TOUR THE ABERDEEN HARBOUR TOMORROW (THURSDAY) MORNING TO HELP THE FLOATING POPULATION TO REGISTtR AS DISTRICT BOARD VOTERS.
ON BOARD THE LAUNCHES WILL BE THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE MOBILE REGISTRATION TEAM AND A NUMBER OF CIVIC-MINDED LEADERS OF THE FISHING POPULATION, WHO WILL APPEAL TO THE BOAT PEOPLE TO REGISTER FOR NEXT YEAR’S DB ELECTIONS.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE EVENT ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT 10 AM (SHARP) AT THE JUMBO PIER ON THE ABERDEEN WATERFRONT (OPPOSITE THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AT ABERDEEN CENTRE).
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1984
- o -
HOSPITAL FOR TSI NG Yl RECLAMATION * * * *
THIRTY HECTARES OF LAND ARE TO BE FORMED FOR A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE AND A DISTRICT HOSPITAL AT TSING Yl ISLAND FOLLOWING THE AWARD OF A $45.5 MILLION CONTRACT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE CHIEF ENGINEER (SOUTH) OF THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MR DIAN MITCHELL, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MR NICOLAS YEUNG
THE CONTRACT WILL INVOLVE THE EXCAVATION AND FORMATION OF PLATFORMS WEST OF FUNG SHUE WO TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA. THESE WILL PROVIDE SITES FOR A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE FOR 12 OOO PEOPLE AND A DISTRICT HOSPITAL.
tAND W,LL ALS0 BE FORMED TO THE EAST OF THE TEMPORARY HOUSING A^t^tc°?aPHASE 11 0F TS,NG Yl ESTATE and for a housing society ESTATE TO ACCOMMODATE 17 800 PEOPLE.
THE EXCAVATED MATERIAL WILL BE USED TO RECLAIM LAND AT TSING Yl BAY ON WHICH TSING Yl TOWN CENTRE, A SPORTS GROUND AND A DISTRICT OPEN SPACE WILL BE BUILT.
THE MOON TSAI TONG TYPHOON SHELTER, WHERE THE SECOND AND THIRD PHASES OF CHEUNG ON ESTATE FOR 30 000 PEOPLE IS TO BE CONSTRUCTED, WILL BE RECLAIMED AS WELL.
PHASE II OF CHEUNG ON ESTATE WILL TAKE ITS FIRST RESIDENTS BY THE END OF 1988, WHILE PHASE III WILL BE READY FOR OCCUPATION IN MAY, 1989.
WORK UNDER THE CONTRACT WILL START AT THE END OF THIS WEEK AND TAKE 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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AMERICA’S OLDEST ORCHESTRA VISITS HK * * * *
THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC, THE OLDEST ORCHESTRA IN AMERICA, ARRIVED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO GIVE FOUR PERFORMANCES AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL AND HONG KONG COLISEUM — FROM THIS EVENING TO SEPTEMBER 1 (SATURDAY).
THE 115-MEMBER ORCHESTRA INCLUDES MUSIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR ZUBIN MEHTA, MANAGING DIRECTOR ALBERT WEBSTER, AND VIOLIN SOLOIST CHO-LIANG LIN. THE VISIT TO HONG KONG BY THE 142-YEAR-OLD ORCHESTRA MARKS A NUMBER OF +FIRSTS+ IN LOCAL MUSICAL HISTORY.
/THIS IS .......
■ffEDNSSDAY, AUGUST 2°, 1?S4
THIS IS THE ORCHESTRA’S FIRST APPEARANCE IN HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH IT HAS GIVEN MORE THAN 10 000 CONCERTS ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD, AND ITS PERFORMANCE AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM IS THE FIRST CLASSICAL CONCERT EVER HELD THERE.
IN ORDER TO CREATE AN ACOUSTIC EFFECT IN THE COLISEUM SIMILAR TO THAT ACHIEVED IN A CONCERT AUDITORIUM, AN ARRAY OF PLASTIC SOUND REFLECTORS, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WILL BE INSTALLED ABOVE THE STAGE. THE EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN DONATED BY CITIBANK.
WHEN TICKETS FOR THE ORCHESTRA’S PERFORMANCES WENT ON SALE IN JUNE, THEY WERE THE FIRST TICKETS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE URBAN COUNCIL’S TELEPHONE BOOKING SERVICE.
TICKETS FOR THE CITY HALL PERFORMANCES TONIGHT, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY ARE SOLD OUT BUT A SMALL QUANTITY OF TICKETS FOR THE COLISEUM CONCERT ON FRIDAY IS STILL AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICES OF THE CITY HALL, QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, HONG KONG COLISEUM AND SPACE MUSEUM.
DURING THEIR STAY IN HONG KONG, MEMBERS OF THE ORCHESTRA WILL GIVE THREE MASTER CLASSES ON TRUMPET, CLARINET AND DOUBLE BASS FOR THE BENEFIT OF LOCAL STUDENTS. THESE FREE CLASSES ARE FULL.
THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC IS PRESENTED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HONG KONG. ITS ASIAN TOUR IS SPONSORED BY CITIBANK.
THE MASTER CLASSES ARE PRESENTED JOINTLY BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE CITIBANK, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HONG KONG.
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BRIEFING FOR BOARD MEMBERS
*****
NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE WORKING PROGRESS OF A PROPOSED RURAL CENTRE IN TA KWU LING AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) MORNING.
A POSSIBLE SITE HAS BEEN FOUND AT PING CHE FOR THE CENTRE, WHICH WILL INCLUDE PLANS FOR EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL AND HOUSING FACILITIES.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS CLEANSING SERVICES IN SHEK WU HUI THROUGH A CONTRACT-OUT SYSTEM BY THE NEw TERRITORIE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE MEET I.-AT 9.30 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT OFFICE IN KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1984
- 8
JING YING RETURNS FROM U.K. * * * *
DANCERS OF THE HONG KONG
FIFTEEN DELIGHTED YOUNG MUSICIANS AND
JING YING RETURNED TODAY AFTER THEIR MONTH-LONG PERFORMING TOUR IN
THE UNITED K INGDOM.
THE GROUP COMPRISING SEVEN MUSICIANS, EIGHT DANCERS AND FOUR OFFICIALS WERE GREETED ON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MRS DORIS HO, AND OTHER SENIOR STAFF MEMBERS OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
MRS HO CONGRATULATED THE JING YING ON THEIR SUCCESS AND, IN PARTICULAR ON THE HIGH PRAISE THEY EARNED FROM THE BRIT SH PRESS FOR THEIR ^MAGNIFICENT* PERFORMANCES AT FOLKLORE FESTIVALS IN SIDMOUTH, BILLINGHAM AND MAIDSTONE.
THE OVERSEAS TOUR WAS AIMED AT WIDENING THE HORIZONS OF THE YOUNG AMATEUR MUSICIANS AND DANCERS AS WELL AS IMPROVING INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING THROUGH ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS.
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REFRESHER COURSE FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH I
* * * * ?
A
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED THE BRITISH COUNCIL TO RUN A SERIES OF REFRESHER COURSES FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH IN ‘ PRIMARY SCHOOLS. |
THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE 90-H0UR COURSES WILL BE TO INTRODUCE TEACHERS TO THE REVISED PRIMARY ENGLISH SYLLABUS; TO ACQUAINT THEM WITH A RANGE OF TEACHING TECHNIQUES AND TO IMPROVE TEACHERS’ FLUENCY AND ACCURACY IN SPOKEN ENGLISH.
THE FIRST COURSE WILL BE CONDUCTED FROM SEPTEMBER 24 TO DECEMBER 13, AND WILL CATER FOR 25 TEACHERS.
LESS IONS WILL BE HELD ON MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS IN TWO ALTERNATIVE SESSIONS. THE MORNING SESSIONS WILL BE HELD FROM 9 AM TO 11.30 AM, AND THE AFTERNOON SESSIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED FROM 2 PM TO 4.30 PM.
HEADS OF GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE REQUESTED TO NOMINATE TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE COURSES.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (ENGLISH), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG ON, OR BEFORE, SEPTEMBER 14.
ALL CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT THE BRITISH COUNCIL, EASEY COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 255 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON 5-8392442.
0
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1934
a
INDUSTRIAL SITE FOR RENT * * * *
A YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL SITE IS TO BE OFFERED FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 440 3QUARE METRES IS IN THE TUNG TAU_ INDUSTRIAL AREA AND MAY BE USED FOR THE STORAGE AND/OR REPAIR OF THc TENANT’S GOODS AND/OR THE REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE (INCLUDING PAINT SPRAYING), OF MOTOR VEHICLES NOT EXCEEDING AN UNLADEN WEIGHT OF TWO TONNES.
THE INITIAL TENANCY WILL BE FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS SEPTEMBER 14.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM: THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG; THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG? OR THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT
*****
VEHICLES EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES GROSS wILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WATER STREET BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 31), FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH. THE RESTRICTION WILL BE IN FORCE TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY, THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE SAME ROAD SECTION wILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
- 0 - -
DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED * * *
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE CF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCES PASSED ON LAM CHIU-LAU, TSANG KAM-HUNG AND LAM KOR-wAN ON JUNE 9, 1982, SEPTEMBER 1, 1983 AND APRIL 8, 1984, RESPECT IvllY, SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
LAM CHIU-LAU WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF WONG I'.u-ci ON AUGUST 2, 1979.
TSANG KAM-HUNG wAS FOUND GUILTY IF THE MURDER IF TA SIR-Lm.. AND TAM LAI-HING ON JANUARY 16, 1982.
LAM KOR-WAN WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF CHA.. FUNG-LAj, CHAN wAN-KIT, LEUNG SAU-WAN AND LEUNG wAI-SUi- N rcLRlu. MAY 29, JUNE 16 AND JULY 2, RESPECTIVELY, IN 12.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VOTER REGISTRATION REACHES 1.2 MILLION ...................... 1
TEXTILE PROBLEMS TO BE DISCUSSED ............................ 2
COURTESY CALL ............................................... 3
LABOUR ADVISERS ELECTED ..................................... 3
KMB FRANCHISE EXTENDED TWO YEARS ............................ 4
CROSS-HARBOUR LORRY FARES TO CHANGE ......................... 5
BROADCASTING REVIES WILL BE EXHAUSTIVE....................... 6
LI TO REPLACE LEONARD ....................................... 7
HOSPITAL STAFF REGISTER TO VOTE.............................. 8
TEXTBOOKS ASSISTANCE FOR PUPILS ............................. 8
TAX CERTIFICATE INTEREST REDUCED ............................ 9
SPORTS COACHING FOR THE DEAF ................................ 11
RRMTOTAT. TEACHING WORKSHOPS ................................ 12
FOCUS ON YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS ................................ 13
WORK ON KWAI CHUNG SLOPES ................................... 13
URBAN CLEARWAY IN WAN CHAI .................................. 14
FIRING PRACTICE WARNING ..................................... 14
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 1934
1 -
VOTER REGISTRATION REACHES 1.2 MILLION * * * *
THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS FOR NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS HAS PASSED THE 1.2 MILLION MARK, WITH MORE PEOPLE FROM VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY SIGNING UP.
THOSE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP INCLUDE HOUSEWIVES, FISHERMEN, WORKERS, BUSINESSMEN AND PROFESSIONALS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
+IT IS SPECIALLY ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT MORE AND MORE PUBLIC-SPIRITED EMPLOYERS AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS ARE RESPONDING TO THE CAMPAIGN AND ARRANGING BULK REGISTRATION FOR THEIR STAFF MEMBERS,+ HE SAID.
THE LATEST GROUP TO ADD THEIR NAMES TO THE GROWING LIST OF VOTERS WILL BE THE 4 500 STAFF MEMBERS OF THE FIVE TUNG WAH GROUP HOSPITALS.
TO HELP THEM COMPLETE THEIR FORMS, REGISTRATION TEAMS FROM VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES WILL CALL AT THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL, TUNG WAH EASTERN HOSPITAL, SANDY BAY SANATORIUM, KWONG WAH HOSPITAL AND WONG TAI SIN SANATORIUM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MR MOK WAH-CHIU. HAS ISSUED A PERSONAL LETTER TO HOSPITAL STAFF MEMBERS, URGING THEM TO REGISTER FOR NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
APART FROM TUNG WAH, THE CNTA SPOKESMAN ADDED, OTHER MAJOR EMPLOYERS WERE ALSO DISPLAYING THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE REGISTRATION DRIVE BY MAKING SIMILAR APPEALS AND HELPING TO DISTRIBUTE REGISTRATION FORMS TO THEIR EMPLOYEES.
THEY INCLUDE THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, JARDINE MATHESON AND COMPANY LIMITED, THE HONG KONG LAND GROUP, HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LIMITED, THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED AND AMOY INDUSTRIES (INTERNATIONAL) LIMITED.
EVERYONE WHO IS 21 YEARS OR OVER, AND HAS LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR SEVEN YEARS OR MORE, IS ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER AS AN ELECTOR.
REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES, IMMIGRATION OFFICES, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES, AND SOME 400 BRANCHES OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AND THE HANG SENG BANK.
THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO PICK UP REGISTRATION FORMS PERSONALLY CAN TELEPHONE THE CNTA HOTLINE AT 3-688062, AND ASK FOR FORMS TO BE MAILED TO THEM.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 1934
- 2 -
TEXTILE PROBLEMS TO BE DISUCSSED * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WILL CHAIR A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) BETWEEN SENIOR OFFICERS OF HIS DEPARTMENT AND REPRESENTATIVES OF FIVE CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN ISSUING ORGANISATIONS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE PROPOSED U.S. RULES OF ORIGIN ON TEXTILES EXPORTS TO AMERICA, AND TO DISCUSS ANY OTHER STEPS TO BE TAKEN.
ALSO PRESENT WILL BE THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION, THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE HONG KONG.JAPANESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. '
THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE TRADE DEPARTMENT’S CONFERENCE ROOM IN OCEAN CENTRE.
♦ THE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS WILL BE VERY USEFUL SINCE MR MACLEOD WILL HAVE THE LATEST THINKING OF THESE ORGANISATIONS TO BRING WITH HIM TO THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TEXTILES COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) IN GENEVA ON SEPTEMBER 4 TO BE ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF MORE THAN 20 COUNTRIES,* A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
MR MACLEOD WILL LEAVE HONG KONG BY AIR TOMORROW NlgHT FOR GENEVA.
THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, MR MACLEOD MET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG KNITWEAR ASSOCIATIONS, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN, MR KENNETH FANG, AND THE VICE-CHAIRMAN, NR FRANK LIN.
HE BROUGHT THEM UP TO DATE ON DEVELOPMENTS, AND THEY EXPLAINED THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE INDUSTRY.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTERWARDS, MR MACLEOD COMMENTED THAT HE WAS STILL HOPEFUL THAT PRESSURES EXERTED BOTH DOMESTICALLY AN' INTERNATIONALLY WOULD BRING ABOUT A RESOLUTION OF THE ISSUE.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 1984
- 3 -
COURTESY CALL * * *
MR DENG PUFANG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN CHIEF OF THE CHINA WELFARE FUND FOR THE HANDICAPPED, PAID A COURTESY CALL TODAY ON THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, MR MARTIN LEWIS.
MR DENG, WHO IS WHEELCHAIR-BOUND, WILL BE VISITING REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG AND ATTENDING AN EXHIBITION OF DONATED PAINTINGS OF CHINESE ARTISTS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHINA’S HANDICAPPED.
MR LEWIS EXPLAINED HIS ROLE IN COORDINATING REHABILITATION SERVICES WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES THROUGH THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PLAN, AND EXCHANGED VIEWS ON REHABILITATION MATTERS WITH MR DENG. MR LEWIS WAS ASSISTED IN INTERPRETATION BY MR BASIL WONG, SENIOR ACCOUNTING OFFICER (AG) WHO IS ALSO CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR.
AFTER THEIR DISCUSSION, MR LEWIS HOSTED A LUNCHEON IN MR DENG’S HONOUR.
LABOUR ADVISERS ELECTED X * * *
FOUR EMPLOYEES’ UNION MEMBERS WERE ELECTED TODAY (THURSDAY) AS EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES, TO BE FORMALLY APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, TO THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE YEARS 1985 AND 1986.
THEY ARE THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS’ UNION MR SZETO WAH (159 VOTES); A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND WELFARE OFFICER OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON DEPARTMENTAL STORE WORKERS ASSOCIATION, MR TAM YIU-CHUNG (135 VOTES)I THE AUDITOR OF THE HONG KONG STEVEDORES UNION, MR LEE SHING-CHU (126 VOTES); AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVANTS GENERAL UNION, MR LUK TUNG-CHING (118 VOTES).
THE ELECTION TOOK PLACE BY SECRET BALLOT AT QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL HALL AND WAS SUPERVISED BY OFFICERS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
OF THE 385 REGISTERED EMPLOYEES’ UNIONS, 249 TOOK PART IN THE ELECTION AND CAST VOTES.
THE BOARD IS A NON-STATUTORY BODY WHICH ADVISES THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR ON LABOUR MATTERS, INCLUDING LABOUR LEGISLATION AND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
IT COMPRISES SIX EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES AND SIX EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES, WITH THE COMMISSIONER AS CHAIRMAN.
FOUR OF THE EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES ARE ELECTED BY THE REGISTERED EMPLOYEES’ UNIONS AND THE OTHER TWO ARE DIRECTLY APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
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/4
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 1934
4
KMB FRANCHISE EXTENDED TWO YEARS * * * *
THE FRANCHISE FOR THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY HAS BEEN EXTENDED BY TWO YEARS TO AUGUST 31, 1989.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT IT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR THE BUS COMPANY TO PLAN SUFFICIENTLY AHEAD TO PROVIDE A SATISFACTORY SERVICE. HE ALSO NOTED THAT IN THE TWO YEARS SINCE THE AUGUST 1982 BUS REVIEW, THE COMPANY HAD IMPROVED ITS PERFORMANCE IN COMPLYING WITH SERVICE SCHEDULES AND ROUTE DEVELOPMENT.
THE COMPANY HAD ALSO BEEN DEVELOPING NEW DEPOT SITES AND HAS EXPANDED ITS PASSENGER ENQUIRY HOT-LINE SERVICE TO IMPROVE ITS RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PUBLIC, HE SAID.
ITS TRAINING UNIT, SET UP IN 1965, HAD BEEN ENLARGED AND RE-EQUIPPED. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HK POLYTECHNIC, FULL-TIME INTENSIVE TRAINING WAS BEING GIVEN TO NEW DRIVERS AND AN ’ADVANCED COURSE’ PROVIDED FOR EXPERIENCED DRIVERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦ THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT IS OF THE OPINION THAT THE COMPANY IS CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING A PROPER AND EFFICIENT SERVICE AND HAS RECOMMENDED THE FRANCHISE EXTENSION,* HE SAID.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT A NEW SET OF REGULATIONS HAD COME INTO FORCE YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) TO PROVIDE FOR THE DUTIES OF A FRANCHISED BUS COMAPNY AND ITS EMPLOYEES, AND TO ALLOW THE COMPANY TO HAVE APPROPRIATE AND ADEQUATE POWERS TO GOVERN THE CONDUCT OF PASSENGERS.
THESE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES REGULATIONS 1984, PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE YESTERDAY, ARE BASICALLY AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE PREVIOUS ROAD TRAFFIC (PUBLIC OMNIBUS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUS AND PUBLIC CAR) REGULATIONS, WHICH HAVE BEEN REVOKED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 1984
5
CROSS-HARBOUR LORRY FARES TO CHANGE * * * *
CHARGES FOR GOODS VEHICLES USING THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL AND THE VEHICULAR FERRY WILL BE ADJUSTED FROM SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 1) FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE ADJUSTMENT IN CHARGES WAS BROUGHT ABOUT BY A RECLASSIFICATION OF GOODS VEHICLES UNDER NEW ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS.
AT PRESENT, GOODS VEHICLES ARE CLASSIFIED BY THEIR UNLADEN WEIGHT. THEY ARE CHARGED IN THREE STEPS FOR USING VEHICULAR FERRIES: UNDER 40 CWT ($7), BETWEEN 40 AND 100 CWT ($11), AND ABOVE 100 C*T ($16 IF NOT EXCEEDING 10.976 METRES IN LENGTH, OTHERWISE $75). FOR THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL, THE RESPECTIVE CHARGES FOR THESE THREE STEPS ARE $15, $20 AND $25 (INCLUDING TAX).
UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS, GOODS VEHICLES WILL BE CLASSIFIED BY THEIR PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT, WHICH MUST BE PAINTED OR MARKED CONSPICUOUSLY ON THEIR SIDES.
+IT IS NOT PRACTICAL, HOWEVER, TO DEVISE WEIGHT STEPS WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO APPLY THE EXISTING LEVEL OF CHARGES TO THE SAME GROUPS OF VEHICLES, SINCE THERE IS NO DIRECT CORRELATION BETwEEN UNLADEN WEIGHT AND PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
INSTEAD, A CLOSE APPROXIMATION WILL BE ADOPTED AND GOODS VEHICLES WILL BE CHARGED UNDER THE THREE CORRESPONDING CATEGORIES: NOT EXCEEDING 5.31 TONNES, NOT EXCEEDING 12.73 TONNES, AND EXCEEDING 12.73 TONNES.
AS A RESULT OF THIS CONVERSION, ABOUT 3 700 OUT OF NEARLY 20 700 VEHICLES AT PRESENT IN THE MEDIUM GROUP WILL MOVE TO THE LIGHTER GROUP AND ONLY 12 WILL MOVE TO THE HEAVIER GROUP, HE SAID.
THE ADJUSTMENT IN CHARGES FOR GOODS VEHICLES USING THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL WILL BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE UNDER THE VARIATION OF CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TOLLS NOTICE 1984 AND, IN RESPECT OF VEHICULAR FERRIES, UNDER THE FERRY SERVICES (HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY CO., LTD.) (DETERMINATION OF FARES) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1984.
THE FERRY SERVICES ORDER ALSO DETERMINES THE EXISTING MAXIMUM FARES FOR THE REMAINING YAUMATI FRANCHISED FERRY SERVICES, PUBLISHED PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY WAS OPERATING UNDER A TEMPORARY LICENCE PENDING THE NEw FRANCHlbt WHICH HAS NOW TAKEN EFFECT.
0 -
6
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 1934
6
BROADCASTING REVIEW WILL BE EXHAUSTIVE
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO CONDUCT THE MOST THOROUGH LAMINATION OF BROADCASTING EVER UNDERTAKEN IN HONG KONG. THIS IS EMONSTRATED BY THE EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF TASKS THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTS /HE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD TO CARRY OUT, THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD, MR A. G. COOPER, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) AT A Y’S MEN’S CLUB LUNCHEON.
BEFORE SUBMITTING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, MR COOPER SAID, THE BOARD WHICH WAS APPOINTED IN FEBRUARY, THIS YEAR, WILL THOROUGHLY REVIEW ALL ASPECTS OF BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG, PAYING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE LONG-TERM NEEDS OF THE LOCAL POPULATION CONCERNING THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF RADIO AND TELEVISION IN THE 199O’S, AND BEYOND.
THE RELEVANCE TO HONG KONG OF THE MANY TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN BROADCASTING WORLDWIDE, SUCH AS CABLE SYSTEMS, DIRECT BROADCASTING BY SATELLITE AND TELETEXT, WILL ALSO BE STUDIED.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST WHICH ARE WITHIN THE REVIEW FRAMEWORK INCLUDE THE FINANCIAL AND MANPOWER RESOURCES IN THE INDUSTRY; THE CONDITIONS OF ADVERTISING CONTROL AND THE POSSIBILITY OF BANNING CERTAIN ADVERTISEMENTS, AS WELL AS REVIEWING THE ADVERTISING AND PROGRAMME CODES OF PRACTICE; THE FUTURE OF RTHK AND THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY; ETV AND THE CENSORSHIP AND MONITORING ARRANGMENTS.
MR COOPER CONSIDERED THE BOARD WAS WELL QUALIFIED TO CARRY OUT ITS WORK, HAVING A HIGH COURT JUDGE AS CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS DRAWN FROM A WIDE SECTION OF INTERESTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR INCLUDING THE ELECTRONICS AND ADVERTISING INDUSTRIES, EDUCATION AND THE UNIVERSITIES, SOCIAL WORK AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION.
TO ASSIST IN ITS WORK, THE BOARD HAD FORMED 10 SUB-COMMITTEES TO LOOK INTO SPECIFIC AREAS.
THE SOLICITING OF PUBLIC OPINION WAS ANOTHER IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE REVIEW, MR COOPER POINTED OUT, AND THE BOARD HAD SPECIFICALLY INVITED THE PUBLIC TO SUBMIT VIEWS. IN RESPONSE TO AN ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED EARLIER THIS MONTH (AUGUST), LETTERS AND PROPOSALS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND INTERESTED PARTIES WERE COMING IN AT A GOOD RATE.
IN ADDITION, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WAS CONDUCTING A TERRITORY-WIDE SURVEY TO ASSESS PUBLIC OPINION AND TO IDENTIFY NEEDS, IN TERMS OF QUANTITY AND QUALITY, OF BOTH TELEVISION AND RADIO BROADCASTING.
PUBLIC HEARINGS WOULD BE HELD IN NOVEMBER AND INTERESTED PARTIES WOULD BE INVITED TO DISCUSS WITH THE BOARD THEIR WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS AND ANY OTHER ITEMS OF MUTUAL CONCERN. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE URGED TO FORWARD THEIR VIEWS TO THE BOARD AT G.P.O. BOX 7000.
0 --------
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 1984
7
LI TO REPLACE LEONARD
* * X *
THE CHIEF JUSTICE HAS DESIGNATED MR JUSTICE LI AS VICE-PRESIDENT TO PRESIDE OVER THE THIRD DIVISION OF THE COURT OF APPEAL IN SUCCESSION TO MR JUSTICE LEONARD WHO IS DUE TO RETIRE IN MARCH, 1985.
MR JUSTICE LI WILL TAKE UP HIS NEW APPOINTMENT ON SEPTEMBER 30, THIS YEAR WHEN MR JUSTICE LEONARD COMMENCES PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE.
MR JUSTICE LI WAS BORN IN HONG KONG IN 1922. HE RECEIVED HIS EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, CHINA AND BRITAIN. HE WAS AWARDED AN LL.B. BY LONDON UNIVERSITY IN 1950 AND WAS CALLED TO THE ENGLISH BAR IN 1951. HE IS A MEMBER OF LINCOLN’S INN.
MR JUSTICE LI JOINED THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS AS A CROWN COUNSEL IN 1953 AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL IN 1962. DURING THAT PERIOD, HE SAT AS A MAGISTRATE FOR EIGHT MONTHS.
HE WAS APPOINTED AS A DISTRICT JUDGE IN 1966, A PUISNE JUDGE IN 1971 AND A JUSTICE OF APPEAL IN 1980.
MR JUSTICE LI WILL JOIN MR JUSTICE HUGGINS AND MR JUSTICE MCMULLIN AS VICE-PRESIDENTS OF THE COURT OF APPEAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JUDICIARY SAID: + AT PRESENT, THE COURT OF APPEAL SITS IN THREE DIVISIONS — COMPRISING ONE CIVIL DIVISION, ONE CRIMINAL DIVISION AND ONE MIXED DIVISION. EACH DIVISION CONSISTS OF THREE JUDGES.
♦NORMALLY, BUT not NECESSARILY, THE THREE SENIOR JUSTICES OF APPEAL PRESIDE OVER THE THREE DIVISIONS AND THEY ARE APPOINTED ’VICE-PRESIDENTS’. THE PRESIDENT, BEING EX-OFFICIO, IS THE CHIEF JUSTICE WHO FOR MUCH OF THE TIME SITS AS A JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT, AND NOT IN THE COURT OF APPEAL.
♦ A VICE-PRESIDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPERVISING THE WORK OF HIS DIVISION. HE PRESIDES OVER THE DIVISION IN COURT AND PLAYS THE LEADING ROLE IN THE HEARING OF CASES. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, HE DELIVERS THE JUDGEMENT OF COURT OR, WHERE ALL THREE JUDGES DELIVER JUDGEMENTS, WILL DELIVER THE LEADING JUDGEMENT,+ HE SAID.
♦IN CRIMINAL CASES, IT IS THE USUAL PRACTICE TO DELIVER ONLY ONE JUDGEMENT. IN EXCEPTIONAL CRIMINAL CASES AND IN CIVIL CASES, THREE JUDGEMENTS ARE COMMONLY DELIVERED TO INDICATE HOW EACH JUDGE ARRIVES AT HIS CONCLUSION. THE LEADING JUDGEMENT IS THE FIRST ONE TO BE DELIVERED AND HAS TO DEAL AT LENGTH WITH THE MATERIAL FACTS. WHERE THE THREE JUDGES ARE NOT UNANIMOUS IN THEIR CONCLUSIONS, THE DECISION OF THE MAJORITY IS BINDING,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 1934
8
HOSPITAL STAFF REGISTER TO VOTE * * * *
VOTER REGISTRATION IS A VERY SIMPLE ACTION BUT IT LEADS TO VERY BIG BENEFITS, THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GORDON JONES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR JONES MADE THE COMMENT WHEN HE LED A MOBILE REGISTRATION TEAM TO ST. TERESA’S HOSPITAL TO ASSIST SOME 500 STAFF MEMBERS THERE TO REGISTER.
+ IF THE DISTRICT BOARD IS TO CONTINUE TO DO ITS GOOD WORK FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, IT WILL NEED YOUR SUPPORT — EXPRESSED THROUGH VOTING AT NEXT YEAR’S DB ELECTIONS,* MR JONES TOLD THE PROSPECTIVE VOTERS.
HE SAID DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF MEMBERS WERE ALSO CONDUCTING HOME VISITS EVERY NIGHT TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO REGISTER.
+ IN ADDITION, PUBLICITY LEAFLETS, PERSONAL APPEAL LETTERS FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND REGISTRATION FORMS HAVE BEEN WIDELY DISTRIBUTED. RESIDENTS CAN ALSO COMPLETE THEIR FORMS AT MOBILE REGISTRATION COUNTERS SET UP IN VARIOUS CONVENIENT LOCATIONS,* HE ADDED.
0 - - - -
TEXTBOOKS ASSISTANCE FOR PUPILS * * * *
THE SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS ASSISTANCE SCHEME, INTRODUCED TWO YEARS AGO, WILL CONTINUE TO BE ADMINISTERED IN THE 1984/85 SCHOOL YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
UNDER THE SCHEME, THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY, BY DIRECT BANK TRANSFER, A CASH GRANT TO THE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS OF ELIGIBLE PUPILS STUDYING IN PRIMARY AND JUNIOR SECONDARY CLASSES IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS, AND TO THOSE OCCUPYING BOUGHT PLACES IN PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ALTHOUGH THOSE RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCE ARE NOT REGARDED AS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A FULL GRANT WILL BE $135 PER PUPIL, PER ANNUM, FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS AND $325 PER PUPIL, PER ANNUM, FOR JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL -PUPILS.
/the fkal .......
THUBSDAY, AUGUST 30, 19&4
- 9 -
THE FINAL DATE FOR APPLICATIONS FOR A GRANT IN THE 1934/85 SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE SEPTEMBER 15, 1984. THIS MEANS THAT ANY NEW PUPIL JOINING A SCHOOL AFTER THAT DATE WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE GRANT THIS YEAR.
SCHOOLS MAY AWARD FULL OR HALF GRANTS BASED ON A POINTS SYSTEM SET OUT IN THE TEXTBOOKS ASSISTANCE RECKONER.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT SCHOOLS MAY AWARD GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE PUPILS NUMBERING UP TO 25 PER CENT OF THEIR TOTAL ENROLMENT. FOR SCHOOLS WITH BOUGHT PLACES, THE CEILING IS CALCULATED AT 25 PER CENT OF THE NUMBER OF BOUGHT PLACES IN THE CLASSES.
HE SAID HEADS OF SCHOOLS MAY, AT THEIR DISCRETION, AWARD FULL GRANTS OR HALF GRANTS FOR CASES OF EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING HARDSHIP NOT COVERED BY THE RECKONER.
♦THESE DISCRETIONARY GRANTS, HOWEVER, MUST BE WITHIN THE SCHOOL’S OVERALL 25 PER CENT ENTITLEMENT AND ARE SUBJECT TO AN OVERALL MAXIMUM NUMBER CALCULATED AT THE RATE OF THREE FULL GRANTS PER CLASS,+ HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS MAY, IN EXCEPTIONAL CASES, SEEK APPROVAL FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO AWARD AN ADDITIONAL NUMBER OF GRANTS OVER THE 25 PER CENT CEILING.
PUPILS WHO WISH TO BENEFIT FROM THE SCHEME MUST APPLY THROUGH THEIR SCHOOLS USING THE STANDARD FORM, TO BE COMPLETED BY THEIR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS.
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TAX CERTIFICATE INTEREST REDUCED * * * *
FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), THE ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES WILL BE REDUCED TO 9.6 PER CENT (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 10.8 PER CENT.
NOTICE OF THIS WILL APPEAR IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TOMORROW.
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.80 PER MONTH PER $100. INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETED MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED TODAY.
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE, HE SAID.
/TH3 KJ.
THURSDAY, AUiiJST 3C, 19&4
10 -
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED TOMORROW OR AFTER.
CERTIFICATES ISSUED BEFORE AUGUST 31 WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWSs-
10.8% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JUNE 4, 1982 AND BEFORE AUGUST 27, 1982;
9% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 27, 1982 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 3, 1982;
7.8% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER 3, 1982 AND BEFORE MAY 27, 1983;
10.2% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 27, 1983 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 28, 1983;
12% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 28, 1983 AND BEFORE NOVEMBER 7, 19835
9.6% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 7, 1983 AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 10, 1984;
7.8% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 10, 1984 AND BEFORE MARCH 23, 1984;
5.16% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MARCH 23, 1984 AND BEFORE MAY 18, 1984;
8.4% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 18, 1984 AND BEFORE JULY 6, 1984;
10.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 6, 1984 AND BEFORE JULY 13, 1984;
12.84% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 13, 1984 AND BEFORE AUGUST 10, 1984; AND
10.8% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 10, 1984 AND BEFORE AUGUST 31, 1984
BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETED MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
/EXAHPL.3 : -1 .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 19&4
11
EXAMPLE : $1 000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON SEPTEMBER 5, 1984,
OCTOBER 5 1984 AND NOVEMBER 5, 1984 Rto. ECTIVcLY, SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON DECEMBER 5, 1984 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS
ON $1 000, SEPTEMBER 5, 1984 TO DECEMBER 5, 1984
3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $8 PER MONTH
ON $1 000, OCTOBER 5, 1984 TO DECEMBER 5, 1984 '
2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $8 PER MONTH
ON $1 000, NOVEMBER 5, 1984 TO DECEMBER 5, 1984
ONE COMPLETE MONTH AT $8 PER MONTH
- $24.00
- $16.00
- $ 8.00
$48.00
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SPORTS COACHING FOR THE DEAF * * * *
DEAF YOUNGSTERS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE FUN OF SOME POPULAR SPORTS AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, SHA TIN THIS SUNDAY (SEPTEMBER 2).
A SPECIAL SPORTS COACHING SESSION, INTENDED TO INTRODUCE THE BASIC SKILLS OF SQUASH, BADMINTON AND TENNIS TO THE DEAF, HAS BEEN CO-ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE (RSS) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF AND THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.
DEAF PERSONS AND THOSE WITH IMPAIRED HEARING, AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 30, ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART.
+THE AIM OF THIS PROJECT IS TO STIMULATE THE INTEREST OF THE DEAF IN THE THREE SPORTS, AND TO TEST THEIR ABILITY IN THEM,+ AN RSS SPOKESMAN SAID.
+IT IS IMPORTANT TO HELP THE DEAF BUILD CONFIDENCE AND WE BELIEVE THAT, GIVEN ADEQUATE TRAINING, THEY CAN DO AS WELL IN SPORTS AS OTHERS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT SOME ELEMENTARY TRAINING COURSES IN SQUASH, BADMINTON AND TENNIS WERE BEING PLANNED FOR THOSE PLAYERS WHO DEMONSTRATED POTENTIAL IN THE THREE SPORTS.
/TH£ SESSIOK
THUaSDAY, AUGUST 30, ’984
12 -
THE SESSION ON SUNDAY WILL BE HELD FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM AND INTERESTED PLAYERS MAY ENROL AS LATE AS 1 PM AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.
EXPERIENCED COACHES, ASSISTED BY SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS, WILL BE ON HAND TO SUPERVISE THE ACTIVITIES.
PARTICIPANTS ARE REMINDED TO WEAR SUITABLE CLOTHES AND BRING THEIR OWN RACKETS.
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REMEDIAL TEACHING WORKSHOPS * * * X
TWO REMEDIAL TEACHING WORKSHOPS WILL BE CONDUCTED FOR CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS BY THE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE WORKSHOPS WILL INCLUDE SHORT TALKS, GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND PRACTICE AND PLENARY SESSIONS. REFERENCE MATERIALS WILL ALSO BE ON DISPLAY.
THE AIM OF THE FIRST WORKSHOP WILL BE TO DISCUSS THE PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUES OF REMEDIAL TEACHING, WHILE THE SECOND WORKSHOP WILL CENTRE ON THE TEACHING OF READING. EACH WORKSHOP WILL CONSIST OF TWO SESSIONS ON THE SAME DAY.
THE FIRST WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 25, 26 AND 28, AND ON OCTOBER 1, 2 AND 5, AT TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 7TH FLOOR, 165 MA TAU WAI ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE SECOND WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 30 AND 31, AND ON NOVEMBER 2, 5, 7, AND 9, AT 9A BONHAM ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, HONG KONG.
THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN EACH WORKSHOP WILL BE LIMITED TO 24 AND APPLICATIONS WILL BE TREATED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
PRINCIPALS WHO WISH THEIR STAFF TO ATTEND SHOULD SUBMIT A LIST CF TEACHERS, NAMES, IN ORDER OF PRIORITY, WITH APPLICATION FORMS, TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE ON, OR BEFORE, SEPTEMBER 13 FOR THE FIRST WORKSHOP AND BEFORE OCTOBER 13 FOR THE SECOND WORKSHOP.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE AT 3-7128476 AND 5-488230.
- - 0 -
THURSDAY, AUGUST 33, 1984
13
FOCUS ON YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS * * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR C.W.B. OXLEY TODAY (THURSDAY) HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT SUMMER LIFE WAS LIKE IN THE EYES OF LOCAL YOUNGSTERS.
HE WAS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF A SUMMER LIFE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION IN THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL.
THE PHOTO SHOW, ORGANISED BY THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL AND SPONSORED BY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE IS AIMED AT FOSTERING THE INTEREST OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN PHOTOGRAPHY. IT HAS ATTRACTED MORE THAN 103 ENTRIES FROM YOUNGSTERS BETWEEN THE AGE OF 15 AND 24.
DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR OXLEY PRESENTED SOUVENIR PENNANTS TO PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORT.
OUTSTANDING ENTRIES IN THE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION WERE ALSO ANNOUNCED THIS AFTERNOON AND THE WINNERS RECEIVED THEIR PRIZES FROM THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR J.K. WILSON.
THE EXHIBITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 1) AND IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT 3 333 VISITORS.
- - 0 - -
WORK ON KWAI CHUNG SLOPES * * *
WORK IS TO BE CARRIED OUT ON A NUMBER OF SLOPES IN THE KWAI CHUNG AREA OF TSUEN WAN AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR DEVELOPING THE NEW TOWN.
THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE RECONSTRUCTION, STABILISATION AND PROTECTION WORK ON THE SLOPES. WHEN COMPLETED, THE SLOPES WILL BE HYDROSEEDED AND REPLANTED TO PROVIDE A MORE ACCEPTABLE ENVIRONMENT.
ALSO PART OF THE PROJECT WILL BE THE FORMATION OF PLATFORMS FOR RECREATIONAL USE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTPATHS TO LINK TAI WO HAU ROAD AND KWAI SHING CIRCUIT.
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS NOW INVITING TENDERS FOR THE WORK ON THE SLOPES, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN NOVEMBER AND TAKE 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 33, 1984 .
- 14 -
URBAN CLEARWAY IN WAN CHAI X K K
FROM SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 1), THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF HENNESSY ROAD, BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBERS 57 TO 71, WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM. THE CLEARWAY RESTRICTION WILL THEN REMAIN IN FORCE FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY, FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS TO FACILITATE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
DURING THE RESTRICTION PERIODS, NO MOTOR VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
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FIRING PRACTICE WARNING X X *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN - CASTLE PEAK RANGE NEXT MONTH, BETWEEN 8 AM AND 5 PM ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS: SEPTEMBER 1, 3-8, 12-15, 17-22, 24 AND 26-29.
ON SEPTEMBER 25 (TUESDAY) FIRING PRACTICE WILL BE HELD FRO:-8 AM TO 11 PM.
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 1984
CONTB4TS
PAGE NO.
CONCERN GROWING OVER U.S. RULES OF ORIGIN ........................ 1
BANK SIZE LIMITS UNCHANGED.................................... 2
JULY MONEY SUPPLY DECLINES....................................... 3
TEXTILES-RELATED FEES REVISED ................................. 6
NEW ROADS FOR NEW TOWN .......................................... 7
COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED ............................... 9
FORUM ON YUEN LONG PROBLEMS..................................... 10
LANTAU FORT TO BE REPAIRED ..................................... 10
MANPOWER SURVEY OK ACCOUNTANCY ................................ 11
WATER FUN FOR FIREMEN....................................... 11
PEDESTRIAN OASIS FOR WAN CHAI ................................ 12
TRAFFIC FLAN FOR FOOTBALL SEASON ............................. 13
TRAFFIC DETOUR AT ALBANY ROAD .................................. 14
NORTH POINT WATER CUT
14
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 1984
1
CONCERN GROWING OVER U.S. RULES OF ORIGIN M * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT NEXT WEEK’S MEETING IN GENEVA OF THE TEXTILES COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) SHOULD HELP TO DEMONSTRATE THE LARGE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES, BOTH DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING, WHO WERE SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROPOSED U.S. RULES OF ORIGIN ON TEXTILES EXPORTS TO AMERICA.
HE SAIDt +1 DON’T THINK YOU SHOULD JUDGE IT BY WHETHER IT SUCCEEDS IN GETTING THE U.S. RIGHT AWAY TO WITHDRAW THE REGULATIONS. THAT WOULD BE AN UNFAIR TEST.+
MR MACLEOD, WHO WILL LEAVE HONG KONG BY AIR FOR GENEVA TONIGHT, WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FIVE CERT IF ICATE-OF-ORIGIN ISSUING ORGANISATIONS, TOGETHER WITH THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG JAPANESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AS WELL AS THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT THE SEPTEMBER A MEETING IN GENEVA WOULD PROVIDE A CHANCE FOR A DEMONSTRATION OF THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF ADVERSE REACTIONS TO THE AMERICAN PROPOSALS TO BE MADE EVIDENT.
♦ INDEED,* HE SAID, *IT WILL BE QUITE APPARENT THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES HAVE OBJECTIONS FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER TO THESE PROPOSALS. I THINK IT WILL ALSO ENABLE THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST THEM TO BE AIRED, TO BE MADE MOREQPOINTED AND IT WILL CERTAINLY BE ONE MEANS OF INFLUENCING THE EVENTUAL OUTCOME -- IN OTHER WORDS, INFLUENCING THE U.S. ATTITUDE ON THE REGULATIONS.
♦BUT I DON’T THINK THAT WILL BE THE END OF THE STORY. I THINK WE HAVE TO KEEP PURSUING THE MULTILATERAL AVENUE, WE HAVE TO KEEP PURSUING THE BILATERAL AVENUE, WE HAVE TO KEEP PURSUING THE PRESSURE THROUGH LOBBYING, THROUGH PRESSURE GROUPS AND SO ON. THERE IS A WHOLE RANGE OF THINGS GOING ON AND NO ONEOCCURRENCE, NO ONE TEXTILE COMMITTEE MEETING, NO ONE NEGOTIATION WILL BE THE FINAL ANSWER.*
I
MR MACLEOD SAID THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SUBJECT COULD IF NECESSARY CONTINUE TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE TEXTILE COMMITTEE AT FUTURE MEETINGS OR IT COULD GO INTO SOME OTHER MULTILATERAL FORUM, SUCH AS THE GATT COUNCIL.
THE DIRECTOR DESCRIBED AS +VERY USEFUL* THE MEETING HE HAD WITH THE CERTIFICATE-OF-ORIGIN ISSUING ORGANISATIONS, THE EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION, AND THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.
/+! THINK .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST JI, 1984
2
+ | THINK WE HAVE AGREED THAT WE SHOULD PROBABLY HAVE REGULAR CONSULTATIONS OR DISCUSSIONS WITH THESE ORGANISATIONS, PERHAPS GOING BEYOND THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE,+ HE ADDED.
SPEAKING FOR MANY OF THE ORGANISATIONS, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR J.D. MCGREGOR, SAID THAT, FOLLOWING THIS MORNING’S MEETING, THE ORGANISATIONS WOULD HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS IN SETTING UP SOME FORM OF DIRECT SYSTEM OF LIAISON BETWEEN THE MAIN ORGANISATIONS NOT ONLY TO DEAL WITH THIS MATTER BUT MANY OTHER MATTERS, WHICH, AS HE PUT IT, +WE ARE GOING TO FACE IN TIME TO COME.*
IN EMPHASISING THE NEED FOR CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN ORGANISATIONS WHICH HAD SIMILAR MOTIVES, MR MCGREGOR SAID: +WE HAVE VERY MANY MAJOR ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG, SOME OF WHICH ARE REPEATING OR CROSSING PATHS OCCASIONALLY.*
+THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, THE C.M.A., AND OURSELVES (THE HONG KONGjGENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE) HAVE ALREADY ESTABLISHED A TRIUMVIRATE OF MAJOR ORGANISATIONS.*
MR MCGREGOR SAID THAT THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WAS DIRECTLY INVOLVED AND SO WERE MANY OF THE OTHER EXPORTERS ASSOCIATIONS, THE INDIAN CHAMBER AND THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER.
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION, R.J.N. SIDNEY-WOOLLETT, SAID THE TRADE ASSOCIATIONS FELT THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD ACTED QUICKLY AND HAD RESPONDED TO THIS THREAT TO HONG KONG’S TRADE IN A VERY GOOD WAY.
+WE HAVE BEEN VERY IMPRESSED,* HE SAID.
MR SIDNEY-WOOLLETT, WHO ENDORSED MR MCGREGOR’S REMARKS, SAID THE SITUATION HAD CRYSTALLISED A MOVEMENT FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT TRADE ASSOCIATIONS, WHO HAD SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT INTERESTS IN DIFFERENT WAYS, TO GET TOGETHER AND FORM A VERY UNITED FRONT IN WHAT COULD BE THE FIRST OF POSSIBLY MANY THREATS TO HONG KONG’S TRADE IN THE FUTURE.
-----0------
BANK SIZE LIMITS UNCHANGED * * * *
THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES THIS YEAR IN THE SIZE CRITERIA FOR BANKING LICENCE APPLICATIONS.
THE DECISION WAS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL FOLLOWING THE ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE CRITERIA, WHICH ARE:
FOR FOREIGN BANKS -
TOTAL ASSETS, LESS CONTRA ITEMS, OF AT LEAST US$12 OOO MILLION OR EQUIVALENT; AND
/FOR COMPANIES .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST J1, 1984
FOR COMPANIES INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG -
TOTAL ASSETS, LESS CONTRA ITEMS, OF AT LEAST HK$2 500 MILLION? AND DEPOSITS FROM THE PUBLIC (I.E. EXCLUDING THOSE FROM BANKS, DTCS OR CONNECTED PARTIES) OF AT LEAST HKS1 750 MILLION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE THRESHOLDS FOLLOWING THE 1982 REVIEW WHEN THE CRITERIA WERE LAST REVISED, AND THAT THE U.S. DOLLAR HAS STRENGTHENED SIGNIFICANTLY AGAINST MOST OTHER CURRENCIES SINCE THEN.
KEEPING THE THRESHOLD AT THESE LEVELS WOULD MAINTAIN THE QUALITY, IN TERMS OF SIZE, OF POTENTIAL APPLICANTS, HE SAID.
REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE THRESHOLD IS SET, ASSUMING IT IS NOT ACTUALLY LOWERED, THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN APPLICANTS WILL TEND TO DWINDLE NOW THAT THE SURGE AFTER THE LIFTING OF THE MORATORIUM IN 1981 HAS PASSED, HE ADDED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE SIZE CRITERIA ARE ONLY A PRE-CONDITION FOR APPLICATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED. THERE ARE OTHER LICENSING CRITERIA, SUCH AS RECIPROCITY AND ADEQUATE HOME COUNTRY SUPERVISION, AND UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS COMPLETE DISCRETION OVER THE GRANTING OF BANKING LICENCES.
-----0---------
JULY MONEY SUPPLY DECLINES
* * * *
BOTH THE HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY AND THE TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY DECLINED ON ALL DEFINITIONS IN JULY, REFLECTING MAINLY A DECREASE IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH THE MONETARY SECTOR, ACCORDING TO MONETARY STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE CONTINUED TO GROW AT A MODERATE RATE 5 OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG AGAIN REGISTERED ONLY A MARGINAL INCREASE.
(A TABLE SETTING OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR JULY AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS, WILL BE TRANSMITTED BY FACSIMILE NETWORK AND ALSO BOXED FOR COLLECTION.)
/DEPOSITS .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST J1, 1984
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS FELL BY ONE PER CENT IN JULY, AGAINST A RISE OF 1.7 PER CENT IN JUNE. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JULY, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS DECREASED MARGINALLY, BY 0.4 PER CENT, BUT INCREASED BY 23.8 PER CENT OVER THE 12 MONTHS. FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS CONTINUED TO RISE, BY ONE PER CENT. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JULY, THE INCREASE WAS NINE PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS THE INCREASE WAS 31.0 PER CENT.
DURING THE THREE MONTHS TO JULY, WHILE TOTAL DEPOSITS WITH BANKS FELL SLIGHTLY BY 0.2 PER CENT, THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 23.0 PER CENT. THIS SHIFT LARGELY REFLECTED A MOVEMENT OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS FROM BANKS TO DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BECAUSE THE INTEREST RATES OFFERED BY THE LATTER, WHICH CLOSELY REFLECT MONEY MARKET RATES, WERE WELL ABOVE THE DEPOSIT RATES SET BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS DURING THIS PERIOD.
THIS DISPARITY OF INTEREST RATES ALSO MADE SWAP DEPOSITS ATTRACTIVE, AND THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THtS MAY EXPLAIN THE SHIFT FROM HONG KONG DOLLAR TO FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS.
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS DECREASED, WITH HK$M1 (THE NARROWEST DEFINITION) FALLING BY 5.7 PER CENT, H<$M2 BY 3.6 PER CENT AND HK$M3 BY 1.3 PER CENT. THESE WERE IN CONTRAST TO THEIR RESPECTIVE INCREASES OF 0.7 PER CENT, 1.1 PER CENT AND 1.6 PER CENT IN JUNE.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JULY, HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 FELL BY 10.3 PER CENT, 6.0 PER CENT AND 0.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, OVER THE 12 MONTHS, THEY RECORDED INCREASES OF 6.2 PER CENT, 14.2 PER CENT AND 21.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY
WHILE TOTAL Ml DROPPED BY 4.6 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 FELL BY
TWO PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 0.1 PER CENT, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF ONE PER CENT, 1.2 PER CENT AND 2.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN JUNE. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JULY, TOTAL Ml FELL BY 8.6 PER CENT AND TOTAL M2 BY 0.4 PER CENT BUT TOTAL M3 GREW BY 3.7 PER CENT.
OVER THE 12 MONTHS, THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE 8.7 PER CENT, 17.6 PER CENT AND 26.0 PER CENT.
/LOANS AND
FRIDAY, AUGUST *'i, 1984
- 5 -
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES INCREASED BY 1.2 PER CENT FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 0.4 PER CENT IN JUNE. THE INCREASE IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JULY WAS 2.4 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS, 12.1 PER CENT.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE ROBUST EXPORT PERFORMANCE, LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE INCREASED FOR THE SIXTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH, BY 1.5 PER CENT.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JULY THE INCREASE WAS 9.4 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS 22.0 PER CENT. OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG CONTINUED TO GROW ONLY MODESTLY, WITH A RISE OF 0.8 PER CENT, THE SAME AS IN JUNE. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JULY THE INCREASE WAS 1.9 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS THE INCREASE WAS 6.1 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
THE NET SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY LIABILITIES OF THE MONETARY SECTOR, ROSE TO $12.2 BILLION AT THE END OF JULY FROM $11.3 BILLION AT THE END OF JUNE. STATISTICS COLLECTED' (ON THE BASIS OF SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS) BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES SHOW A SHARP INCREASE, OF $4.0 BILLION, MORE THAN MATCHED BY A RISE OF $4.6 BILLION, TO $37.1 BILLION, IN NET FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS OF THE MONETARY SECTOR. THESE FIGURES ARE SUGGESTIVE OF RENEWED ACTIVITY IN SWAP DEPOSITS IN JULY.
LIQUIDITY RATIO
JUNE.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
NUMBER 0F LICENSED BANKS AND LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING
COMPANIES IN OPERATION EACH ROSE BY ONE TO 135 AND 90 roMPANH^EAiYcn IaccNUtaEo °F REP0RT,NG REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ALSO ROSE, TO 317. THERE WERE TWO NEW REG 1gtr at i am im WE MONTH, WHILE ONE COMPANY CHANGED TO LICENSED STATUS^
-----o------
/6........
FR IDAY, AUGUST 31, 1934-
6
TEXT ILES-RELATED FEES REVISED *****
THE FEES CHARGED UNDER THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM WILL BE REVISED UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (FEES) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1984 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
FROM OCTOBER 1, FEES FOR TEXTILE-RELATED APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVISED AS FOLLOWSt-
FEES
TYPES OF APPLICATIONS CURRENT REVISED
NON-RESTRAl NED EXPORT LICENCES $ 10 $ 20
RESTRAINED EXPORT LICENCES $ 30 $ 60
QUOTA TRANSFERS $100 $100
APPLICATIONS FOR SWING OF QUOTA ' $ 30 $100
FREE QUOTA EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS $100 $200
IMPORT LICENCES NIL $ 20
NON-QUOTA EXPORT AUTHORISATION NIL $130
THE ANNUAL TEXTILE CONTROL REGISTRATION FEE WILL BE ADJUSTED FROM $200 TO $1 000 FROM NOVEMBER 1 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DATE OF ANNUAL REGISTRATION.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT STRESSED THAT THE INCREASE IS NECESSARY TO RECOVER COSTS AND THE REVISED FEES WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS.
+THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD HAS BEEN CONSULTED ON THE REVISION AND HAS EXPRESSED ITS FULL SUPPORT.+
HE EXPLAINED THAT ALTHOUGH IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S ESTABLISHED POLICY THAT FEES SHOULD RECOVER THE FULL COST OF OPERATING THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM, IT WAS FEARED, WHEN FEES WERE LAST REVIEWED IN 1982, THAT TO MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO FULL COST RECOVERY MIGHT PLACE AN EXCESSIVE BURDEN ON THE TEXTILES TRADE. THE FEES SET IN 1982 ACCORDINGLY ENABLED ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF THE COST OF OPERATING THE SYSTEM, AS ESTIMATED IN 1981/82, TO BE RECOVERED.
/trade •••>•••
FRIDAY, AUGUST ; , 1984
7
♦THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS NOW ASSESSED THE UP-TO-DATE COSTS OF THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM. THE TOTAL COST FOR 1984/85 IS 584 MILLION. HOWEVER, THE PRESENT SCALE OF FEES IS ESTIMATED TO YIELD AN ANNUAL REVENUE OF ABOUT $35 MILLION, OR 42 PER CENT OF THE 1984/85 COST OF THE SYSTEM,+ HE ADDED.
ON THE FIVE-FOLD INCREASE FROM $200 TO $1 000 FOR THE TEXTILE CONTROL REGISTRATION FEE, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT FIRSTLY, THIS IS AN ANNUAL FEE, AND AS SUCH IT IS NOT UNREASONABLE3 SECONDLY. IT WOULD SERVE TO DETER THE SETTING UP OF FRONT COMPANIES, THAT IS. COMPANIES WHICH DO NOT CARRY ON GENUINE BUSINESS BUT ARc ONLY SET UP TO EXPLOIT THE SCHEMES FOR ALLOCATION OF FREE QUOTAS, ETC.
THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD HAS STRONGLY ADVISED THAT AN IMPORT LICENCE FEE OF $20 BE INTRODUCED AS IMPORT LICENSING FOR TEXTILES IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM AND $20 IS THE APPROXIMATE COST OF SUCH SERVICE.
THE $100 FOR NON-QUOTA EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS REPRESENT THE COST OF THIS SERVICE.
THE QUOTA TRANSFER FEE OF $100, REPLACING THE OLD FEE OF *33, WAS INTRODUCED ON JUNE 1, PENDING COMPLETION OF THIS REVIEW. THE FEE FOR APPLICATION FOR SWING OF QUOTA INCREASING FROM $30 TO $133, WILL BE THE SAME AS FOR QUOTA TRANSFERS BECAUSE BOTH PROVIDE SIMILAR FLEXIBILITY TO THE TRADE.
+THE REVISED SCALE OF FEES WOULD RECOVER, FULLY, THE COST OF THE SYSTEM PLUS A SMALL MARGIN FOR INCREASE IN COST. IT WILL THEREFORE NOT BE NECESSARY TO ADJUST FEES AGAIN FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
BETWEEN 1981/82 AND 1984/85 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF STAFF INVOLVcD IN ADMINISTRATION OF THE TEXTILES CONTROL SYSTEM, HAS BEEN REDUCED BY 15 POSTS IN SPITE OF A 40 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE TOTAL NUMBER CF APPLICATIONS TO BE PROCESSED IN 1984/85 BY COMPARISON WITH 1981/82. +THIS REPRESENTS A SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN PRODUCTIVITY,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----0------
NEW ROADS FOR NEW TOWN
* * * *
THREE ROADS TO SERVE HONG KONG’S LATEST NEW TOWN AT JUNK BAY ARE TO BE BUILT ALONG THE ORIGINAL WESTERN COASTLINE OF AP TSAI PENINSULA.
ONE OF THESE ROADS, A 95O-METRE-LONG DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY, WILL CONNECT TWO OTHERS ALREADY UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE AREA -THE PO LAM ROAD EXTENSION AND A NEW ROAD LEADING INTO HANG HAL.
/BRANCHING OUT .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST J1, 19&4
8
BRANCHING OUT FROM THIS NEW ROAD WILL BE TWO SHORTER ONES. THAT IN THE NORTH WILL SERVE THE FUTURE VILLAGE OF YAU YUE WAN AND ITS COMMUNITY FACILITIES WHILE THE ONE IN THE SOUTH WILL REACH A HOUSING ESTATE FOR 20 000 PEOPLE WHICH WILL BE BUILT ON A RECLAMATION SITE.
FOUR SUBWAYS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED AT THE JUNCTIONS OF THE THREE NEW ROADS.
THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN STAGES AND WILL INCLUDE ANCILLARY WORKS SUCH AS FOOTPATHS, CYCLE TRACKS AND CARPARKS. THE WHOLE AREA WILL BE LANDSCAPED.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A RELATED PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG 5 THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 1ST FLOOR, 692 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, SAN PC KONG, KOWLOONj AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG BRANCH OFFICE, 63 MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
OBJECTIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY OCTOBER 30.
MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PROPOSES TO RECLAIM AN AREA OF 2.3 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED OFF YAU YUE WAN AT THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF AP TSAI PENINSULA.
THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL BE USED FOR A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, ROADS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE EXTENT GF THE AFFECTED AREA WAS ALSO PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
A PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG 5 THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR, ©2 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON ; AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG BRANCH OFFICE, 63 MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE NOTICE AND THE PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL AND CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
0
/9
FR I DAY, AUGUST 31, 1984
9
COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED * * * *
A LIMITED NUMBER OF COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDY OR RESEARCH AT UNIVERSITIES ARE BEING OFFERED TO RESIDENTS IN HONG KONG.
THESE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OFFERED UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP PLAN, AND ARE INTENDED FOR PERSONS WHO ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO LIFE IN HONG KONG ON THEIR RETURN FROM STUDY ABROAD.
COUNTRIES OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS ARE THE UNITED KINGDOM, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, NIGERIA, MALAYSIA, JAMAICA, GHANA AND SRI LANKA.
THE COURSE OF STUDY NORMALLY EXTENDS OVER A PERIOD OF TWO
YEARS
ACADEMIC
THE EMOLUMENTS WILL COVER APPROVED EXPENSES FOR TRAVEL, LIVING AND STUDY DURING THE TENURE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS NORMALLY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG AND NOT MORE THAN 35 YEARS OF AGE AT THE TIME THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMENCES. THEY SHOULD ALSO BE GRADUATES OF RECOGNISED UNIVERSITIES OR HOLDERS OF EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATIONS.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WHO ARE RECOMMENDED FOR THE AWARDS MUST SATISFY CERTAIN LANGUAGE, HEALTH AND IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS.
APPLICATION FORMS AND OTHER PARTICULARS CONCERNING THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, ROOM 1522, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 15TH FLOOR, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED FORMS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SECTION NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 29.
LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
- 0 - -
•if;
FR IDAY, AUGUST 31, 1P84
10
FORUM ON YUEN LONG PROBLEMS
YUEN LONG PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON LOCAL PROBLEMS AND DISCUSS IMPROVEMENTS WITH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT AN OPEN FORUM ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON (SEPTEMBER 2).
THE DISTRICT FORUM IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT CFFICE AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG. IT WILL BE HELD AT THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL FROM 3 PM UNTIL 4.30 PM.
THE TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION WILL INCLUDE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, EDUCATION, SOCIAL SERVICES, THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
SPEAKERS WILL BE THE SENIOR ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RICHARD YUENj THREE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS — MR TANG CHI-LEUNG, MR NATHAN MA AND MR TERRY TANG ; AND THREE REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS — MR TAM MAN-KWAN, MR TAI KUEN-CHING AND MR TSANG HOI-HANG.
- 0 -
LANTAU FORT TO BE REPAIRED * * *
A HISTORIC FORT AT THE SOUTHERN TIP OF LANTAU ISLAND IS TO BE REPAIRED AND CONSOLIDATED AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT EFFORT TO PRESERVE HISTORICAL MONUMENTS.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE RESTORATION OF FAN LAU FORT. WORK INVOLVES REPAIRING AND CONSOLIDATING THE WALLS OF THE FORT, PARTS OF WHICH ARE COLLAPSING.
THE FORT, MEASURING ABOUT 21 METRES BY 46 METRES, IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN BUILT DURING THE LATE 17TH AND EARLY 13TH CENTURIES. IT WAS ABANDONED DURING THE 183O’S.
IN NOVEMBER 1981 THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD DECLARED THE FORT A MONUMENT. REPAIR WORK WILL START IN OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
- - 0 -
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 1984
11
MANPOWER SURVEY ON ACCOUNTANCY
K X X -X X
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL BEGIN A MANPOWER SURVEY ON ACCOUNTANCY IN HONG KONG ON SEPTEMBER 14.
THE TWO-WEEK SURVEY, ORGANISED BY THE COUNCIL’S ACCOUNTANCY TRAINING BOARD, WILL COVER 1 200 RANDOMLY-SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS AND IS AIMED AT UPDATING FIGURES ON EMPLOYMENT, TRAINEES AND EXISTING VACANCIES, IN ADDITION TO IDENTIFYING THE TRAINING NEEDS OF EMPLOYEES AND JOB QUALIFICATIONS PREFERRED BY EMPLOYERS.
QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY NOTES HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE SELECTED INTERVIEWEES.
+1 HOPE THE EMPLOYERS WILL GIVE US THEIR FULLEST SUPPORT DURING THE SURVEY AS THIS INFORMATION IS VITAL IN FORWARDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT AND TO INDUSTRY, AS WELL AS IN DRAW ING UP TRAINING PROGRAMMES,♦ SAID THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAINING BOARD, MR A.R. HAMILTON.
HE ASSURED PARTICIPANTS THAT THE DATA COLLECTED WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND RELEASED ONLY IN THE FORM CF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY SINGLE
ANY SINGLE
ESTABLISHMENT.
ASSISTING IN THE SURVEY ARE THE TECHNICAL INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT, THE CENSUS AND DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT DATA PROCESSING
EDUCATION AND STATISTICS AGENCY.
- - 0 - -
WATER FUN FOR FIREMEN
* * *
THE FINAL OF THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES SPORTS AND WELFARE CLUB SWIMMING GALA WAS HELD TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE VICTORIA PARK SWIMMING POOL.
THE ANNUAL EVENT WAS OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR ROBERT HOLMES, AND WAS ATTENDED BY SOME 500 OFFICERS AND MEN AND THEIR FAMILIES.
MORE THAN 200 DISCIPLINED AND CIVILIAN STAFF TOOK PART INI THE 23 FINAL EVENTS, THE HIGHLIGHT OF WHICH WAS AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL INVITATION RELAY TEAMS FROM THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, C$RR^TIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, HOUSING DEPARTMENT, LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH, IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE.
0 -------
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 1934
12
PEDESTRIAN OASIS FOR WAN CHAI * * * *
THE SECTION OF O’BRIEN ROAD BETWEEN JOHNSTON ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD IN WAN CHAI WILL BE TURNED INTO A LANDSCAPED PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT TO ACCOMMODATE THE EXPECTED PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC GENERATED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION IN THE AREA.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE WHOLE WIDTH OF THE ROAD FROM HENNESSY ROAD TO THOMSON ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, EXCEPT FOR A SIX-METRE WIDE EMERGENCY ACCESS PATH FOR FIRE ENGINES.
THE CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN THOMSON ROAD AND JOHNSTON ROAD WILL REMAIN.
THE PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT WILL BE LANDSCAPED WITH COLOURED PAVING BLOCKS, TREES AND SHRUBS, SEATING AND GAMES TABLES.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING PLACESt
ft CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING ENTRANCE), HONG KONG ;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (HONG KONG NORTH), HARBOUR CENTRE, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG ; AND
ft WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, TUNG WAH MANSION, GROUND FLOOR, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
OBJECTIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE OCTOBER 30.
-----o ----------
/13........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 1934
13
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR FOOTBALL SEASON * * * *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN HAPPY VALLEY FROM SUNDAY (SEPTEMBER 2) THROUGHOUT THE FORTHCOMING FOOTBALL SEASON, WHENEVER THERE IS A FOOTBALL MATCH AT HONG KONG STADIUM.
TWO HOURS PRIOR TO THE START OF EACH MATCH, THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WILL COME INTO EFFECTi
* CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN HOI PING ROAD AND STADIUM PATH WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY, SOUTHBOUND.
M CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD AND COTTON PATH WILL BE RESTRICTED TO VEHICLES REQUIRING LOCAL ACCESS.
* EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD BETWEEN STADIUM PATH AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY, NORTHBOUND, BUT VEHICLES WILL STILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE CAR PARK OF ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL FROM TUNG LO WAN ROAD.
« LINK ROAD, BETWEEN CAROLINE HILL ROAD AND HAPPY VIEW TERRACE, WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY, UPHILL. VEHICLES LEAVING THE UPPER SECTION OF BROADWOOD ROAD, HAPPY VIEW TERRACE AND LEIGHTON HILL SHOULD PROCEED TO WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD.
* WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON HYSAN AVENUE WILL HAVE TO TURN LEFT INTO LEIGHTON ROAD, EASTBOUND.
* SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON SUN WUI ROAD WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING RIGHT INTO LEIGHTON ROAD, WESTBOUND.
* CMB ROUTE 17 ON JOURNEYS TO SO KON PO WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TUNG LO WAN ROAD, MORETON TERRACE, CAUSEWAY ROAD AND LEIGHTON ROAD.
* MAXICABS ON ROUTES 5 AND 14, BOUND FOR CAUSEWAY BAY, WILL HAVE TO PROCEED VIA WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND MORRISON HILL ROAD.
/FIFTEJU MINUTES........
FRIDAY, AUGUST J1, 1984
14
FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE THE END OF THE MATCH, CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN STADIUM PATH AND HOI PING ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY, NORTHBOUND. CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN LEIGHTON ROAD AND COTTON PATH WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
MATHESON STREET, RUSSELL STREET, SHARP STREET EAST AND THE SECTION OF LEIGHTON ROAD SOUTH OF IRVING STREET WILL BE PROHIBITED TO LEARNER DRIVERS BETWEEN 2 PM AND 4.30 PM IN THE CASE OF DAY MATCHES, AND BETWEEN 7.30 PM AND 8.30 PM IN THE CASE OF NIGHT MATCHES.
PARKING SPACES ON SUN WUI ROAD, STADIUM PATH AND THE UNNAMED ROAD AROUND THE STADIUM WILL BE SUSPENDED ABOUT FOUR HOURS BEFORE A MATCH.
ALL SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, WILL REMAIN IN FORCE UNTIL CROWDS HAVE DISPERSED AFTER THE MATCH.
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TRAFFIC DETOUR AT ALBANY ROAD * * *
FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (SEPTEMBER 2) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ALBANY ROAD IN THE MID-LEVELS WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY, SOUTHBOUND, FOR ROAD WORKS.
DURING THE RESTRICTION PERIOD, VEHICLES ON ROBINSON ROAD AND OLD PEAK ROAD HEADING FOR CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED VIA GARDEN ROAD.
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NORTH POINT WATER CUT * * *
THE FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 3) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO ENABLE LEAKAGE TESTS TO BE CARRIED OUT.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF KING’S ROAD FROM SHU KUK STREET TO NORTH VIEW STREET.
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