©
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NErf ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS ................................... 1
NOISE HAZARD IN TEXTILES INDUSTRY ...........................
RESIDENTS URGED TO SUPPORT DB ELECTIONS ......................... 3
MORE BUILDING PROJECTS APPROVED ................................. 5
ATHLETES TRAINING SCHEME FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT .................. 6
PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS SIMPLIFIED ........................... 7
NEW ROADS FOR TSUPN WAN BYPASS .................................. 8
ANTI-MOSQJJITO CAMPAIGN BEING LAUNCHED .......................... 9
TAI PO SITE FOR TINDER.......................................... 10
CLINIC SERVICES DURING CHING MING HOLIDAY ...................... 11
POLICE STATIC® TO UNDERGO ALTERATIONS .......................... 11
ANOTHER DISTRICT TO OFFER FREE LEGAL ADVICE..................... 12
MORE PARKING METERS ............................................ 12
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1934
- 1 -
NEW ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
XXX
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) REGULATIONS, WHICH IS ONE OF SEVEN SETS OF NEW ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS EXPECTED TO COME INTO FORCE IN LATE AUGUST, MAKE IT AN OFFENCE FOR PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS WITHIN 15 METRES OF A CROSSING FACILITY.
THE REGULATIONS ALSO MAKE IT AN OFFENCE TO CLIMB OVER OR THROUGH RAILINGS AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. OFFENDERS WILL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $2 OOO.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE SEVEN SETS OF REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE MOVEMENT OF TRAFFIC AND USE OF VEHICLES ON HONG KONG ROADS HAD TAKEN MANY YEARS TO REVISE, CONSOLIDATE AND UPDATE. THEY WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING 13 SETS OF REGULATIONS.
COPIES OF THE REGULATIONS ARE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
THEY ARE :
X ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS, •
X ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING LICENCES) REGULATIONS,
X ROAD TRAFFIC (PARKING) REGULATIONS,
X ROAD TRAFFIC (PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES) REGULATIONS,
X ROAD TRAFFFC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS,
X ROAD TRAFFIC (SAFETY EQUIPMENT) REGULATIONS, AND
X ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) REGULATIONS.
EXPLANATORY LEAFLETS ON EACH OF THE SEVEN REGULATIONS ARE BEING PREPARED FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION.
SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS OF THE NEW LEGISLATION WILL BE GIVEN ADEQUATE PUBLICITY.
EXAMPLES OF OTHER SECTIONS OF THE TRAFFIC CONTROL REGULATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN EXPANDED ARE :
(A) A BAN FOR MOTOR CYCLISTS TO WEAR ANY RADIO OR CASSETTE,
(B) PROHIBITION FOR AN ENGINE TO RUN WHEN THE FUEL CAP IS REMOVED,
/(G) REQUIREM3JT 2W..........
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1984'
2
(C) REQUIREMENT THAT CYCLISTS SHOULD RIDE SINGLE FILE UNLESS *HEN THEY ARE OVERTAKING, AND A BAN ON A BICYCLE PILLION RIDER,
(D) REQUIREMENT FOR DRIVING LIGHTS DURING POOR VISIBILITY, AND
(E) RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WHEN A VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
CONTRAVENTION OF (A) TO (C) IS PUNISHABLE BY $2 000 FINE, WHILE A BREAK OF (D) AND (E) COULD INCUR A FINE OF UP TO $5 000 OR THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
ONE OF THE MOST VISIBLE EFFECTS OF THE NEW TRAFFIC CONTROL REGULATIONS WILL BE THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW SETS OF TRAFFIC SIGNS WHICH HAVE BEEN DESIGNED ON THE SYMBOLIC PRINCIPLE ELIMINATING AS FAR AS POSSIBLE WORDS AND CHARACTERS, AND WHERE WEIGHTS, DIMENSIONS OR SPEEDS ARE NECESSARY, ONLY METRIC UNITS ARE EMPLOYED.
ALTOGETHER THERE WILL BE 156 SIGNS, 66 OF WHICH WILL BE COMPLETELY NEW TO HONG KONG’S ROADS. THERE WILL ALSO BE 38 ROAD MARKINGS WITH 15 NEW ONES.
SPEED LIMIT SIGNS WILL BE THE FIRST TO BE CHANGED FROM 30 MPH TO 50 KM/H AND 40 MPH TO 70 KM/H. OTHER SIGNS WILL BE PHASED IN TO REPLACE EXISTING ONES.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE, DOUBLE YELLOW LINES WILL INDICATE WHERE STOPPING IS COMPLETELY PROHIBITED AND SINGLE YELLOW LINES WILL INDICATE RESTRICTION ON STOPPING.
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NOISE HAZARD IN TEXTILES INDUSTRY
* * * *
EMPLOYERS IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY WERE URGED TODAY (SUNDAY) TO TAKE MORE POSITIVE STEPS TO PROTECT THEIR WORKERS FROM THE HAZARD OF INDUSTRIAL NOISE.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY SAFETY SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION, FOLLOWING A RECENT SURVEY ON NOISE CONDUCTED BY THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY REVEALED THAT THE SOUND LEVEL RECORDED IN SOME WEAVING SHEDS WAS AS HIGH AS 104 DB(A) (A-WEIGHTED SOUND LEVEL IN UNITS OF DECIBELS), COMPARED WITH THE LEGAL LIMIT OF 93 DB(A) FOR EIGHT HOURS OF EXPOSURE.
/PROLONGED EXPOSURE........
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 19&4
3 -
PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO SUCH A HIGH LEVEL OF NOISE wOULD DAMAGE THE HEARING OF WORKERS WITHOUT SUITABLE EAR PROTECTORS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SUB-COMMITTEE SAID.
HOWEVER, THE SURVEY NOTED THAT SOME EMPLOYERS OF THE TEXTILES TRADE, PARTICULARLY IN SMALLER FACTORIES, DID NOT OBSERVE THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF PROVIDING THEIR WORKERS WITH EAR PROTECTORS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1982, WHERE AN EMPLOYEE IS LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED CONTINUOUSLY FOR EIGHT HOURS TO A SOUND LEVEL OF 90 DB(A), THE PROPRIETOR OF AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING SHOULD:
X MAINTAIN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT PROPERLY TO MINIMISE THE EMANATION OF SOUNDS
* PROVIDE SUITABLE EAR PROTECTORS TO WORKERS; AND
X POST A NOTICE IN THE WORKPLACE WARNING THE DANGER TO HEALTH OF A FAILURE TO MAKE USE OF EAR PROTECTORS.
THE REGULATIONS ALSO REQUIRE WORKERS TO USE EAR PROTECTORS PROVIDED DURING THE WHOLE PERIOD WHEN THEY ARE EXPOSED TO SUCH A SOUND LEVEL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SHOULD FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE PROTECTION OF HEARING IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS PUBLISHED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THEY MAY ALSO CONSULT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE DEPARTMENT IF THEY HAVE ANY INQUIRIES.
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RESIDENTS URGED TO SUPPORT DB ELECTIONS
X X X X
REGISTERING AS VOTERS AND PARTICIPATING IN NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS SUPPORTING DEMOCRATIC REFORM, THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.
HE SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN CALLS FOR A MORE OPEN GOVERNMENT AND EXPANSION OF THE JURISDICTION OF DISTRICT BOARDS.
♦ IN RESPONSE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS INCLUDING INCREASING THE ELECTED ELEMENT ON THE BOARDS AND HAVING UNOFFICIALS AS CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDS.
/♦ALL THSS3 .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1984
- 4 -
+ALL THESE POINT TOWARDS THE DIRECTION OF DEMOCRACY AND RESIDENTS SHOULD DISPLAY THEIR SUPPORT WITH ACTION,* HE SAID.
MR TSANG WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF A SINGING COMPETITION, THE FIRST OF THE 18-DISTRICT AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE 18 DISTRICT OFFICES, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND A NEWSPAPER ORGANISATION, THE CONTEST IS AIMED AT RAISING LOCAL PEOPLE’S INTEREST IN SINGING AND MUSIC IN GENERAL.
IT ALSO FORMS PART OF THE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN FOR THE VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE IN AUGUST.
HE POINTED OUT THAT PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT NEEDS AND BACKGROUNDS WERE MOVING INTO THE RAPIDLY-DEVELOPING SHA TIN NEW TOWN BY THE THOUSANDS EACH MONTH.
+THROUGH THE DISTRICT BOARD SYSTEM, THESE PEOPLE CAN BE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE MORE IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS. THEY CAN EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON SUCH MATTERS AS ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND TRANSPORT SERVICES,* HE SAID.
+THE JOINT EFFORT OF BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE IN HANDLING VARIOUS PROBLEMS 13 ESSENTIAL IN BUILDING A HEALTHY SOC IETY.
♦REGISTERING AS A VOTER AND CASTING A VOTE SHOWS A CITIZEN’S RIGHT IN PARTICIPATING GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS. IT ALSO REFLECTS A VOTER’S LOVE AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
TWELVE AMATEURS, SELECTED FROM 255 CONTESTANTS THROUGH A SERIES OF AUDITIONS, COMPETED FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE SHA TIN CARITAS CENTRE.
THE WINNER WILL REPRESENT SHA TIN IN A SEMI-FINAL TO BE HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL ON AUGUST 11 WHEN NINE FINALISTS wILL BE CHOSEN FOR THE GRAND FINAL ON SEPTEMBER 8 AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM.
THE BEST PERFORMER IN THE GRAND FINAL WILL WIN A CONTRACT *ITH A LOCAL RECORDING COMPANY AND OTHER WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES WORTH MORE THAN $40 000.
THIS EVENING’S CONTEST WILL BE TELEVISED ON ATV AT 10.30 PM ON MAY 7.
THE OTHER 17 DISTRICTS WILL HOLD THEIR CONTEST IN THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS.
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Z5 .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1934
- 5 -
MORE BUILDING PROJECTS APPROVED * * * *
FOUR SCHOOL PROJECTS WERE AMONG 29 PLANS APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN FEBRUARY.
THEY WERE EXTENSIONS TO THE HONG KONG SEA SCHOOL AT STANLEY AND TO ST. PAUL’S CO-EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE, MCDONNELL ROAD? A NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL AT DISCOVERY BAY; AND A PRE-VOCATIONAL SCHOOL FOR THE TEXTILE INSTITUTE OF THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AT TSUEN WAN.
ALSO APPROVED WERE A CATHOLIC CENTRE AT BROADWOOD ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY; A RAIN SHELTER AT CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, CHAI wAN» AND A CAR PARK AND RADIOTHERAPY CENTRE FOR THE HONG KONG BAPTIST HOSPITAL AT WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON TONG.
APPROVAL WAS ALSO GIVEN FOR A FOOTBRIDGE AT SHA TIN AND TwO FOOTBRIDGES AT TAI PO; A KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY STATION OFFICE AT SHA TINJ A REFUSE COLLECTION CENTRE AT HO CHUNG MARINA, SAI KUNG I AND AN OIL TANK AND A BRIDGE LINK TO A JETTY FOR THE CASTLE PEAK *B* POWER STATION.
OF THE PROJECTS APPROVED, 13 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, FIVE IN KOWLOON AND 11 IN THE N^W TERRITORIES.
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO AGREED TO WORK STARTING ON 50 NEW BUILDING PROJECTS DURING THE MONTH.
FIFTEEN WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, NINE IN KOWLOON AND 26 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY INCLUDED TWO CH INESE-STYLE PAVILIONS AND A GARAGE AT CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, CHAI WAN J A NEW ROAD LINKING THE HONG KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR WITH TAIKOO WAN ROAD, TAIKOO SHING; A MOTOR SERVICE CENTRE AT CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD; A FACTORY AT TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE; SCHOOLS AT SHA TIN, WAN CHAI AND KWUN TONG; A HOSTEL AT PAK SHA 0, SAI KUNG; AN ELECTRIC POWER STATION AT PO LO TSUI ON LAMMA ISLAND; AN UNDERGROUND OIL TANK AT POK 01 HOSPITAL, YUEN LONG I A FUEL VEHICLE LOADING POINT ON TSING Yl ISLAND! AND A NOVITIATE AT YIN KONG, SHEUNG SHUI.
THE FLOOR AREA OF THESE 50 PROJECTS TOTAL 223 148 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 169 556.8 SQUARE METRES ARE FOR NON-DOMESTIC AND THE REMAINDER FOR DOMESTIC USES.
A TOTAL OF 28 OCCUPATION PERMITS WERE ISSUED IN RESPECT OF NEWLY-COMPLETED BUILDINGS IN FEBRUARY.
/THEY INCLUDE .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1984
- 6 -
THEY INCLUDE SIX BLOCKS OF SCHOOL AND STAFF QUARTERS AT PRICE ROAD, JARDINE’S LOOKOUT, FOR THE FRENCH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ASSOCIATION LIMITED; TWO SCHOOLS AT wONG MA KOK ROAD, STANLEY, FOR ST. STEPHEN’S COLLEGE AND AT POLICE SCHOOL ROAD, WONG CHUK HANG, FOR HONG KONG SHUE YAN COLLEGE; A PUMP HOUSE AT KwONG wAH HOSPITAL, DUNDAS STREET, MONG KOK 5 A COMPRESSOR HOUSE AND BOILER HOUSE AT MA TAU KOK SOUTH WORKS OF THE HONG KONG AND CHINA GAS COMPANY LIMITED} AN AIR CARGO TERMINAL AT KAI TAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR HONG KONG AIR CARGO TERMINALS LIMITED; A CINEMA AT LAI CHI KOK AMUSEMENT PARK; AND A RADIO PAGING STATION AT TAI 0, LANTAU ISLAND. FOR HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LIMITED.
THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY WAS 198 190.9 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 171 809.2 SQUARE METRES FOR NON-DOMESTIC AND THE REMAINDER FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
THE COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY WAS $517.4 MILL ION.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ISSUED SEVEN DEMOLITION ORDERS IN RESPECT OF NINE BUILDINGS.
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ATHLETES TRAINING SCHEME FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT ******
A 10-M0NTH ATHLETIC TRAINING SCHEME ORGANISED FOR RESIDENTS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND WAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING AT THE ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND.
ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE (RSS) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS COUNCIL, AND SPONSORED BY SAN MIGUEL, THE SCHEME IS AIMED AT IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL TRACK-AND-FIELD STARS.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MISS MARIA TAM, WHO WAS THE GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, SAID THE SCHEME WAS UNIQUE IN THAT IT PROVIDED COACHING TO A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO GO THROUGH A SERIES OF TRAINING AND COMPETITIONS.
SHE HOPED THAT SIMILAR SCHEMES COULD BE INTRODUCED IN OTHER DISTRICTS AS WELL.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY WERE THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON; THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KWONG KE I-CHI; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS COUNCIL; MR YUNG CHEK-CHOW, AND THE PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER OF SAN MIGUEL AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR CHAN YING-LUN.
SUNDAY, APHID 1, 1^4
MR YUNG ESTIMATED THAT THE TRAINING SCHEME HAD ATTRACTED SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE FROM THE DISTRICT.
+WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO RECEIVE SPORTS TRAINING TO ENHANCE THEIR PHYSICAL WELL-BEING AND IMPROVE THEIR STANDARD CF SKILLS,* MR YUNG SAID.
THE RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE CF THE RSS, MR LEE SHEK-YUE, DESCRIBED THE SCHEME AS A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME.
IT INCLUDES TRAINING SESSIONS AND PERSONAL EVALUATION OF PROGRESS TO ENSURE THAT ATHLETES HAVE UNDERGONE CONTINUOUS TRAINING BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN COMPETITIONS.
MR LEE SAID THAT THOSE WITH GOOD RESULTS WOULD BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE OF MERIT.
TRAINING WILL COVER 100- AND 800-METRE RUNS, LONG JUMP, HIGH JUMP, SHOT PUT AND AEROBIC EXERCISES.
PARTICIPANTS wILL BE DIVIDED INTO SIX GROUPS ACCORDING TO THEIR AGE AND SEX.
MR LEE SAID THAT FOLLOWING INTENSIVE TRAINING, THE TOP 10 FROM EACH GROUP WOULD MEET IN OPEN COMPETITION AT A STADIUM EARLY NEXT YEAR FOR THE SUPER ATHLETE TITLES, DUBBED THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT + IRON MAN* AND +IRON WOMAN*.
+IN ADDITION TO A TROPHY, THE CHAMPION OF EACH GROUP WILL BE RECOMMENDED FOR ADVANCED TRAINING AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE,* MR LEE SAID.
0 - -
PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS SIMPLIFIED
* M * * *
A SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURE FOR PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENCES AND PERMITS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON MONDAY (APRIL 2).
+MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY IN FUTURE LODGE APPLICATIONS WITH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR BOTH LICENCES AND PERMITS IN RESPECT OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENTS.
+THIS WILL SAVE THEM FROM HAVING TO FILE SEPARATE APPLICATIONS WITH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ISSUING THE LICENCES, AND THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ISSUING THE PERMITS,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE U.S.D. AND THE AUTHORITY.
/THE LICENCE •••••••«
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1964
- 8 -
THE LICENCE IS ISSUED UNDER SECTION 4 (1) OF THE PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT ORDINANCE CAP. 172 AND GOVERNS THE SAFETY CF THE PREMISES WHERE THE PROPOSED PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENTS ARE TO TAKE PLACE.
THE PERMIT IS ISSUED UNDER SECTION 8 (1) OF THE SAME ORDINANCE AND RELATES TO THE TYPE OF ENTERTAINMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW PROCEDURE DID NOT IMPLY ANY SHIFT IN RESPONSIBILITY.
+THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY WILL CONTINUE TO ISSUE THE PERMIT, BUT THE U.S.D. WILL RECEIVE, CHECK AND PASS ON PERMIT APPLICATIONS. THE SOLE AIM IS TO SAVE THE PUBLIC FROM HAVING TO LODGE APPLICATIONS AT TWO PLACES,* HE EXPLAINED.
+THE TIME REQUIRED FOR PROCESSING AN APPLICATION FOR A LICENCE OR PERMIT WILL REMAIN 18 WORKING DAYS,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
- - - - 0
NEW ROADS FOR TSUEN WAN BYPASS
* * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TO BUILD NEW ROADS TOTALLING 1.5 KILOMETRES IN LENGTH ON RECENTLY RECLAIMED LAND IN TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN NEAR THE CARGO WORK ING AREA.
THEY WILL SERVE EXISTING AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE RECLAMATION AND PROVIDE AN ESSENTIAL LINK WITH STAGE II OF TSUEN WAN BYPASS AND THE EXISTING ROAD NETWORK IN THE AREA.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL BEGIN IN MAY AND BE FINISHED IN ONE YEAR.
THE SECOND STAGE OF TSUEN WAN BYPASS, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION. IS AN ELEVATED ROAD RUNNING FROM TEXACO ROAD TO TUEN MUN ROAD.
IT IS EXPECTED TO BE FULLY COMPLETED IN THE FIRST HALF OF NEXT YEAR.
IT WILL LINK TSUEN WAN BYPASS STAGE I IN TEXACO ROAD AT ONE END TO TUEN MUN ROAD AT CHAI WAN KOK AT THE OTHER AND PROVIDE A MUCH-NEEDED THROUGH ROUTE FOR TRAFFIC TO TUEN MUN AND THE NORTH-WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES.
0 ---------
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1984
- 9 -
ANTI-MOSQUITO CAMPAIGN BEING LAUNCHED H * * *
WITH THE APPROACH OF SUMMER, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT AN ANT I-MOSQUI TO CAMPAIGN OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
FROM MONDAY (APRIL 2), THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SHA TIN, KWAI CHUNG, NORTH DISTRICT AND OTHER AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, A NTSD SPOKESMAN SAID.
DISTRICT PEST CONTROL STAFF WILL PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO POTENTIAL MOSQUITO-BREEDING PLACES IN RURAL AREAS, STREAM COURSES, COMMON PARTS OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION SITES.
LAST YEAR, NTSD PEST CONTROL OFFICERS INSPECTED ABOUT
76 OOO LOCATIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND DEALT wI TH MORE THAN
14 000 IDENTIFIED MOSQUITO-BREEDING PLACES.
MEANWHILE, AN EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IS BEING CARRIED OUT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE PREVENTION OF MOSQUITO BREEDING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CAMPAIGN INCLUDES DISTRIBUTION OF POSTERS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS.
AS MOSQUITOES BREED ONLY IN STAGNANT WATER, THE SPOKESMAN URGEj THE PUBLIC TO:
* PROPERLY DISPOSE OF ALL TINS, BOTTLES, RECEPTABLES AND OLD TYRES.
* KEEP WATER STORAGE TANKS WELL COVERED AND IN GOOD CONDITION.
* ENSURE DRAINAGE IS IN ORDER TO PREVENT BLOCKAGE?
4 CHANGE WATER IN VASES AT LEAST ONCE WEEKLY, AND
4 MAKE SURE THAT NO WATER ACCUMULATED IN TRAYS AND FLOWER BEDS.
NT RESIDENTS WHO NEED ASSISTANCE MAY CONTACT THEIR URBAN SERVICES OFFICES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
0 --------
/10 .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1984
10 -
TAI PO SITE FOR TENDER
* * *
A 1.6-HECTARE SITE OFF TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO, IS BEING OFFERED FOR SALE BY TENDER BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME DEVELOPMENT.
UNDER SALE CONDITIONS, THE DEVELOPER WILL BE REQUIRED TO BUILD 1 450 TO 1 550 FLATS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM 35 TO 55 SQUARE METROS.
THE RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS WILL BE BUILT ON A TWO-STOREY PODIUM WHICH WILL CONTAIN A SHOPPING MALL AND CAR PARK.
A 0.57-HECTARE OPEN SPACE WITH A LANDSCAPED DECK WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE PODIUM.
THE DEVELOPMENT * ILL INCLUDE A CHILD CARE CENTRE FOR AT LEAST 35 CHILDREN AND A KINDERGARTEN WITH A MINIMUM OF FOUR CLASSROOMS.
THE BUILDING COVENANT IS $125 MILLION.
TENDERS WILL CLOSE ON MAY 25.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT:
* LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON WEST), YAU MA TEI CAR
PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250, SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
* 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.
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✓ 11 ..........
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1984
- 11 -
CLINIC SERVICES DURING CHING MING HOLIDAY * * * *
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT EIGHT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL STAY OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON APRIL 4, WHICH IS THE CHING MING FESTIVAL.
THEY ARE: VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB POLYCLINIC IN KOWLOON; LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE AND SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALL OTHER OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED THAT DAY.
BUT EMERGENCY CASES WILL BE ATTENDED TO AT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IN HOSPITALS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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POLICE STATION TO UNDERGO ALTERATIONS
* * * *
TAI PO POLICE STATION, WHICH WAS BUILT BEFORE THE WAR, WILL UNDERGO ALTERATION AND IMPROVEMENT WORK TO MEET PRESENT-DAY OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
THE STATION, A SINGLE-STOREY BUILDING, IS LOCATED AT TAI PO ROAD NEAR ISLAND HOUSE.
THE FRONT VERANDA OF THE MAIN BLOCK WILL BE CONVERTED INTO ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION FOR A REPORT ROOM AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT OFFICES.
AN AREA OF 150 SQUARE METRES BETWEEN THE MAIN AND REAR BLOCKS WILL BE TURNED INTO BARRACK ACCOMMODATION.
THERE WILL ALSO BE RENOVATIONS TO THE STATION BUILDING.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
WORK IS TO COMMENCE IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
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/12 .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1984
- 12 -
another district to offer free legal advice
K « X
free legal advice service will be available FROM APRIL 18 .T THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE.
THIS WILL BRING TO SEVEN THE NUMBER OF DISTRICT OFFICES WHICH PROVIDE SUCH SERVICE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS THROUGH ASSISTANCE FRO&THE HONG KONG LAW SOCIETY.
THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT SIX DISTRICT OFFICES — EASTERN, WAN CHAI, MONG KOK, WONG TAI SIN, TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN.
IN YAU MA TEI, THE DUTY LAWYERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM
6.30 PM TO 8.30 PM EVERY WEDNESDAY TO OFFER FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION ON CIVIL MATTERS FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE PRIVATE LAWYERS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SEEK FREE LEGAL ADVICE MAY APPROACH THE DISTRICT OFFICE IN PERSON AT 490-492 NATHAN ROAD, HOP FAT COMMERCIAL CENTRE, FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DUTY LAWYER.
AN APPOINTMENT WILL BE ARRANGED WITHIN SEVEN DAYS, AND APPLICANTS MAY CHOOSE A PES CENTRE IN ANY OF THE SEVEN DISTRICT OFFICES.
DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF WILL TAKE DOWN A SUMMARY OF THE CASE AND FORWARD TO THE LAW SOCIETY SO THAT DUTY LAWYERS CAN CARRY OUT RESEARCH AND MAKE PREPARATION.
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MORE PARKING METERS
* * *
A TOTAL OF 25 PARKING METERS WILL BE INSTALLED IN STIRLING ROAD TO REGULATE THE USE OF ON-STREET PARKING SPACES.
THESE TWO-HOUR PARKING METERS WILL BE OPERATIONAL FROM IQ AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 3), AND WILL CHARGE $1 FOR EVERY 30 MINUTES.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDaY, APRIL 2, 1984
PAGE NO
CONTENTS
PLASTICS INDUSTRY NEEDS MORE SKILLED MANPOWER
URBAN AREA LaND LICENSEES TO PAY RENT
9 000 HOUSEHOLDS SURVEYED
PRESS VISIT TO SEAMEN’S TRAINING TEMPORARY CENTRE
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR SECURITY SERVICE
SEWaGF TREATMENT PLANT TO SERVE PENG CHAU
CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS COMPLETE HOSPITAL TRAINING
YOUNG SCHOOL ARTISTS TO GET PRIZES
SEMINAR ON MORAL EDUCATION
WATER FIGURES
WATER LEAKAGE TESTS
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
GOVERNOR, EXCO LEAVING FOR UK
KOWLOON STUDENTS TO PUT ON CONCERT
FESTIVAL TRAFFIC PLAN ON ISLAND
MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1984
- 1 -
FESTIVAL TRAFFIC PLAN ON ISLAND * * *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON HONG KONG ISLAND ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 4) IN CONNECTION WITH THE CHING MING FESTIVAL.
THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM i
* PEEL RISE FROM ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD TO THE WESTERN BOUNDARY OF ABERDEEN CHINESE CEMETERY, ALONG WITH THE SLIP ROAD FROM SHEK PAI WAN ROAD LEADING TO THE SAME CEMETERY, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
* MT. AUSTIN ROAD WILL BE RESTRICTED TO VEHICLES REQUIRING LOCAL ACCESS.
* ONLY VEHICLES REQUIRING LOCAL ACCESS WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER CAPE COLLINSON ROAD EAST OF LIN SHING ROAD.
M THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM CAPE COLLINSON ROAD TO THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE AND CREMATORIUM WILL BE RESTRICTED TO HEARNES AND VEHICLES CARRYING PASSENGERS TO SERVICES AT THE CREMATORIUM.
* THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO CHAI WAN CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
* CONSORT RISE BETWEEN VICTORIA ROAD AND BISNEY ROAD WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
* CAPE COLLINSON ROAD BETWEEN LIN SHING ROAD AND SHEK 0 ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY WESTBOUND; LIN SHING ROAD BETWEEN WAN TSUI ROAD AND CAPE COLLINSON ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND AND WAH HA STREET BETWEEN LIN SHING ROAD AND CHAI WAN ROAD ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
* WAN TSUI ROAD WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE.
X CAPE COLLINSON ROAD WILL ALSO BE CLOSED IF NECESSARY.
THE PARKING SPACES NEAR THE BUS TERMINUS FOR CMB ROUTE 15 AND THE PUBLIC OMNIBUS PARKING SPACES NEAR THE UPPER PEAK TRAM TERMINUS WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 7 AM AND 9 PM. DURING THE PERIOD, NO PARKING WILL BE PERMITTED ALONG CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, LIN SHING ROAD, WAH HA STREET AND THE SECTION OF SHEK 0 ROAD BETWEEN CAPE COLLINSON TRAINING CENTRE AND TAI TAM ROAD.
CMB WILL OPERATE A COUPLE OF SPECIAL SERVICES. ROUTE 57 BETWEEN CENTRAL BUS STATION AND CHINESE CHRISTIAN CEMETERY WILL RUN FROM 7 AM TO 5.52 PM AT SEVEN-MINUTE INTERVALS, WHILE ROUTE 89 BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN AND CHAI WAN CEMETERY WILL OPERATE FROM 7 AM TO 6 PM AT A FREQUENCY OF EVERY FIVE MINUTES.
/THE BUS ....
MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1984
- 2
THE BUS STOPS OUTSIDE BLOCK 27 ON WAN TSUI ROAD WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ROUTE 89.
BUSES ON CMB ROUTES 80, 82, 83, 83A, 84 AND CROSS HARBOUR ROUTE 106 BOUND FOR CHAI WAN WILL USE CHAI WAN ROAD INSTEAD GF WAN TSUI ROAD.
CMB ROUTES 82 AND 84 WHICH NORMALLY PROCEED SOUTHWARD ON THE PRIVATE ACCESS ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WAN TSUI ROAD.
ROUTE 81 AND 81M BUSES FROM HING WAH ESTATE TERMINUS WILL USE THE WESTERN INSTEAD OF EASTERN SECTION OF WAN TSUI ROAD BETWEEN FEI TSUI ROAD AND CHAI WAN ROAD.
CONGESTION IS EXPECTED ON APPROACH ROADS TO CEMETERIES AND MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID THESE AREAS IF POSSIBLE.
IF NECESSARY, SIMILAR TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON SUNDAY (APRIL 8).
- - 0 - -
PLASTICS INDUSTRY NEEDS MORE SKILLED MANPOWER *****
THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY, PARTICULARLY THE TOYS SECTOR, IS BECOMING MORE SOPHISTICATED AND ITS DEMAND FOR SKILLED MANPOWER IS EXPECTED TO GROW.
THIS WAS AMONG THE FINDINGS CONTAINED IN THE 1983 MANPOWER SURVEY REPORT JUST RELEASED BY THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE REPORT POINTS OUT THAT DESPITE THE UNFAVOURABLE ECONOMY IN THE RECENT PAST, DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF PLASTIC PRODUCTS HAD CONTINUED TO GROW IN REAL TERMS.
THE REPORT SAYS THAT MOREOVER, THE INDUSTRY IS MOVING UP MARKET TO MANUFACTURE MORE SOPHISTICATED, PRECISION AND HIGHER VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY WILL REQUIRE AN ANNUAL INCREASE OF SEVEN PER CENT OF TECHNOLOGISTS, ONE PER CENT OF TECHNICIANS AND SIX PER CENT OF CRAFTSMEN.
THE REPORT ALSO MENTIONS THE EXPANSION OF THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY.
/+ HIDIRECTLY, THIS........
MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1984
- 3 -
+INDIRECTLY, THIS EXPANSION WILL CREATE ADDITIONAL DEMAND FOR SKILLED MANPOWER IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY, BECAUSE MOST ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS HAVE SIGNIFICANT PLASTIC CONTENTS,* MR DENNIS TING, CHAIRMAN OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, SAID.
BUT MR TING ADDED THAT THE CURRENT TRAINING EFFORTS WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH TO MEET THE FUTURE MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS OF THE INDUSTRY.
THE TRAINING BOARD URGED EMPLOYERS TO START A TRAINING PROGRAMME SET OUT IN THE REPORT TO ENSURE A STEADY SUPPLY OF TECHNICAL WORKFORCE.
THE TRAINING CENTRE FOR THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY NOW BEING SET UP WILL HAVE A CAPACITY FOR TRAINING 100 CRAFTSMEN AND 400 OPERATIVES EACH YEAR WHEN IT BECOMES OPERATIONAL LATER THIS YEAR.
THE SURVEY REPORT, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, IS NOW ON SALE AT $9 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
------o-------
URBAN AREA LAND LICENSEES TO PAY RENT
X X * X X .
HOLDERS OF CROWN LAND LICENCES IN THE URBAN AREA WILL START PAYING RENT FROM NEXT YEAR - JUST AS THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAVE BEEN DOING FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
A LANDS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AS A RESULT ABOUT 350 CROWN LAND LICENCES WOULD BE CONVERTED INTO SHORT-TERM TENANCIES.
AT PRESENT, THE LICENCES ARE ISSUED TO INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS, WHO PAY MINIMAL FEES FOR THE LICENCES ON SITES WHICH ARE NOT REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY FOR DEVELOPMENT.
+THE FEES DO NOT REFLECT THE VALUE OF THE LAND BEING OCCUPIED,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID CHARGING RENT IN THE URBAN AREA HAD BEEN DELAYED DUE TO STAFF SHORTAGES, BUT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT NOW ENVISAGED THAT IT WOULD BE ABLE TO UNDERTAKE THE WORK INVOLVED IN THE CONVERS IONS.
+IN ORDER TO ENSURE EQUITABLE TREATMENT FOR LICENSEES, ALL CONVERSIONS WILL START FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦LICENSEES WILL BE GIVEN AT LEAST SIX MONTHS1 NOTICE BEFORE THIS HAPPENS,* HE ADDED.
/TO AVOID ....
MOWDAY, APRIL 2, 1984
4
TO AVOID AN IMMEDIATE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE A SYSTEM OF PHASED PAYMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED.
ANNUAL RENTALS PER SQUARE METRE WILL BE $40 IN THE FIRST YEAR, $60 IN THE SECOND YEAR, AND $85 IN THE THIRD YEAR.
THESE RATES WILL APPLY TO BOTH OPEN STORAGE AND BUILT OVER AREAS.
FROM THE FOURTH YEAR THE RATES WILL BE $85 FOR OPEN STORAGE SITES AND $150 FOR BUILT OVER AREAS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID AT THE SAME TIME GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO REGULARISE THE ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF CROWN LAND IN THE URBAN AREA BY ISSUING SHORT-TERM TENANCIES.
HE SAID THERE WERE MANY CASES WHERE CROWN LAND HAD BEEN ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL PURPOSES AND IT WAS VERY DESIRABLE THAT THESE SHOULD BE PUT ON THE SAME FORM OF TENURE AS EX-LICENSEES WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE AN ACCURATE ASSESSMENT OF THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL OCCUPATIONS SUITABLE FOR CONVERSION TO SHORTTERM TENANCIES, ALTHOUGH IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT THE PROPOSED REGULAR ISATION EXERCISE COULD RESULT IN SEVERAL THOUSAND NEW TENANCIES.
AT LEAST SIX YEARS WOULD BE NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE EXERCISE.
-------0 -
NOTE TO EDITORS:
GOVERNOR, EXclo LEAVING FOR UK
* * * X
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YCJUDE, AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL LEAVE FOR LONDON TOMORROW (TUESDAY) EVENING FOR FURTHER CONSULTATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
• THEY WILL BE LEAVING ON FLIGHT CX 201, ETD 10.50 PM.
A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED TO COVER THEIR DEPARTURE. PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN ASSIGNED TO COVER THE EVENT SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING NOT LATER THAN 9.30 PM TOMORROW.
GIS OFFICERS WILL ASSIST.
0
/5........
MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1984
- 5 -
5 000 HOUSEHOLDS SURVEYED ♦ « *
A CONTINUOUS MONTHLY GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IS BEING CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.
A RANDOM SAMPLE OF SOME 5 000 HOUSEHOLDS IS SELECTED THROUGHOUT ALL DISTRICTS IN HONG KONG FOR PARTICIPATION IN EACH SURVEY.
AN OFFICIAL LETTER IS SENT TO THE SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND TO SEEK THEIR CO-OPERATION.
ASSISTANT CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, EACH IDENTIFYING HIMSELF WITH A DEPARTMENTAL IDENTITY CARD ISSUED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WILL VISIT THE SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS TO COLLECT THE INFORMATION.
QUESTIONS ASKED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDE THE AGE, SEX AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF INDIVIDUALS, THEIR ACTIVITY STATUS, HOURS OF WORK, INDUSTRY, AND OCCUPATION.
FOR THE MONTHS OF APRIL TO JUNE, THERE WILL ALSO BE QUESTIONS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLICITY ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE DISABLE PARTICIPATION IN PART-TIME EDUCATION, AND ON STUDENTS STUDYING OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY WILL BE TREATED CONFIDENTIALLY AND WILL NOT BE REVEALED TO ANY PERSON OR ORGANISATION OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
------o-------
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PRESS VISIT TO SEAMEN’S TRAINING TEMPORARY CENTRE # K # fc
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR A PRESS VISIT TO THE SEAMEN’S TRAINING TEMPORARY CENTRE RUN BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AT LITTLE SAI WAN, CHAI WAN, ON FRIDAY (APRIL 6).
INSTRUCTORS AND TRAINEES WILL PUT ON DEMONSTRATIONS OF SURVIVAL TRAINING, LIFE BOAT DRILL AND FIRE FIGHTING. THERE WILL ALSO BE A CONDUCTED TOUR OF THE VARIOUS LECTURING AND PRACTICAL WORK FACILITIES.
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE VISIT SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, NOT LATER THAN 10.15 AM TO BOARD COACH. THE VISIT *ILL BE FROM 11 AM TO 1 PM. THOSE GOING ON THEIR OWN SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE MAIN GATE OF THE CENTRE BY 11 AM. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST. LUNCH WILL BE .PROVIDED.
-.--0-------- ,,
MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1984
- 6 •
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR SECURITY SERVICE *****
THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY AWARDED A $400 000 CONTRACT FOR THE PROVISION OF SECURITY GUARDS AT NINE VENUES FOR A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS STARTING APRIL 1.
THE FACILITIES ARE TAI PO VEHICLE DEPOT, SHA TIN VEHICLE DEPOT, KWAI SHING CIRCUIT VEHICLE DEPOT, SAI KUNG VEHICLE DEPOT, TAI PO TEMPORARY MARKET, SHA TIN TEMPORARY MARKET, TSUEN WAN MARKET, TSO KUNG TAM NURSERY IN TSUEN WAN AND TUNG LUNG FORT ON TUNG LUNG ISLAND AT SAI KUNG.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONG KONG SECURITY LIMITED AT NTSD HEADQUARTERS.
THE SECURITY COMPANY WILL PROVIDE NORMAL WATCH-KEEPING SERVICE RANGING FROM SEVEN TO 24 HOURS A DAY AT NINE VENUES MANAGED BY THE NTSD TO ENSURE THE SECURITY OF THE PREMISES AND THE PROPERTY STORED THERE.
AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY TODAY, MR HEYWOOD SAID THE AIM OF EMPLOYING CONTRACT SECURITY FIRMS WAS TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF THE SECURITY SERVICE BY PLACING THE MATTER IN PROFESSIONAL HANDS.
THESE CONTRACT ARRANGEMENTS HAD ALSO PROVED TO BE A MORE COST EFFECTIVE WAY OF MAINTAINING THE SECURITY OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, MR HEYWOOD SAID.
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT TO SERVE PENG CHAU
* * *
AS PART OF ITS PROGRAMME TO DEVELOP PENG CHAU, THE GOVERNMENT IS TO BUILD A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ON NEARBY TAI LEI ISLAND.
WORK WILL START AT THE END OF THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN 18 MONTHS.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROJECT, A 32O-METRE-LONG SUBMARINE PIPE OUTFALL IS TO BE BUILT ON THE FORESHORE AND SEABED OFF TAI LEI ISLAND.
IT WILL BE USED TO DISCHARGE SEWAGE FROM THE TREATMENT PLANT
WORK ON LAYING THE PIPE WILL START IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN MARCH, 1986.
THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT IS 1.61 HECTARES.
/PENG CHAU ....
MONDAI, APRIL 2, 1984
- 7 -
PENG CHAU HAS A POPULATION OF 16 OOO.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED BY CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUBMARINE PIPE OUTFALL HAS BEEN DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON:
* NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITEF
* AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY DIVISION, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROADl AND AT
* ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, SINCERE BUILDING, 16TH FLOOR, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL AND CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD REACH THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
-------o
CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS COMPLETE HOSPITAL TRAINING ‘ * X * *
TWENTY-FOUR ASSISTANT OFFICERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE COMPLETED A HOSPITAL IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE AND PASSED THE FIRST AID AND HOME NURSING EXAMINATIONS, WERE PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES TODAY.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE WAS SUPERINTENDENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR BAILEY SHEK.
THE 10-WEEK CONDENSED COURSE, CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AND THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE, INCLUDED THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL TRAINING IN FIRST AID, HOME NURSING AND GENERAL NURSING.
THE OFFICERS WILL BE POSTED TO HOSPITALS AND SICK BAYS AT THE DEPARTMENT’S VARIOUS INSTITUT10M&-
•------o
MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1984
8
YOUNG SCHOOL ARTISTS
< « * *
TO GET PRIZES * *
A GROUP AWARDED BOOK WITH A PAINT
OF 14 STUDENTS OF THE TOKENS ON FRIDAY (APR ING COMPETITION.
BEACON HILL SCHOOL WILL BE
IL 6) AT A CEREMONY IN CONNECTION
THE PAINTING COMPETITION WAS JOINTLY HELD BY THE SCHOOL AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AS A RESULT OF COMPLAINTS BY THE STUDENTS ABOUT THE POLLUTION OF THE RIVER INDUS
THE STUDENTS HAD EARLIER SPENT A WEEK CAMPING AT THE SUEN DOUGH CAMP IN NORTH DISTRICT AND HAD BECOME CONCERNED ABOUT THE CLEANLINESS OF THE RIVER IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE THEME OF THE PAINTING CONTEST IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND WAS DIVIDED PRIMARY 3 TO PRIMARY 6.
WAS ABOUT THE POLLUTION INTO FOUR SECTIONS -
THE RESPONSE WAS VERY ENCOURAGING
WERE SUBMITTED BY THE STUDENTS
AS MORE THAN 120 ENTRIES
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID
THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD. WHO IS ALSO ONE OF THE JUDGES OF THE COMPETITION, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL OF THE SCHOOL ON FRIDAY MORNING.
OTHER JUDGES ARE THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, MR ROBERT LYDEN AND THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL, MISS MARGARET FISHER.
- 0
SEMINAR ON MORAL EDUCATION * * * *
TWO IDENTICAL HALF-DAY SEMINARS ON MORAL EDUCATION FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL BE ORGANISED NEXT MONTH BY THE RELIGIOUS-ETHICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD IN CANTONESE ON TWO SATURDAY MORNINGS (MAY 5 AND 12) AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION -TO ACQUAINT TEACHERS WITH SOME POSSIBLE APPROACHES IN INCULCATING MORAL VALUES IN CHILDREN.
TOPICS WILL INCLUDE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND PARENTS, AND THE ROLES OF STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICERS AND CLASS MASTERS-MI STRESSES IN MORAL EDUCATION.
SCHOOL HEADS WISHING TO NOMINATE TEACHERS FOR PARTICIPATION SHOULD SEND THEIR APPLICATION FORMS TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, RELIGIOUS-ETHICAL EDUCATION SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY NOT LATER THAN APRIL 16.
ACCEPTANCE WILL BE ON A
DETAILS OF THE SEMINARS ETHICAL EDUCATION SECTION ON
FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE RELIGIOUS-5-8392483.
- - 0 -
/9
MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1984
- 9 -
KOWLOON STUDENTS TO PUT ON CONCERT
1 * * * *
NINETY STUDENTS WILL BE PERFORMING IN A ’KOWLOON REGION STUDENTS CONCERT’ AT THE KOWLOON CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE ON SATURDAY (APRIL 7) AT 3.30 PM.
ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT THE CONCERT WILL GIVE THE STUDENTS A CHANCE TO PERFORM IN PUBLIC AND TO EXCHANGE MUSICAL EXPERIENCES AND IDEAS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID TODAY.
THE CHINESE AND WESTERN MUSICAL PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE VIOLIN, PIPA, HARP, LIU-CHIN, SUO-NA, AND XYLOPHONE PERFORMANCES.
AMONG THE SOLO AND GROUP PERFORMERS WILL BE THE KOWLOON REGION YOUTH STRING ORCHESTRA AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CHILDREN CHOIR.
THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE CONCERT, AND MAY OBTAIN FREE ADMISSION COUPONS FROM ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE IN KOWLOON. FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE TELEPHONE 3-7149255, 3-7226240 AND 3-7561328. ‘
------o - - - -
WATER FIGURES * X *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 73.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 429.075 MILLION CU^IC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 446.599 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 76.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0-------
I WATER LEAKAGE TESTS * * X
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN AREAS IN WONG CHUK HANG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON APRIL 5 (THURSDAY) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREAS AFFECTED ARE ALONG WONG CHUK HANG ROAD FROM ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND TO SHOUSON HILL ROAD, OCEAN PARK ROAD INCLUDING THE OCEAN PARK, NAM FUNG ROAD AND WONG CHUK HANG PATH
------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL J, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR, EXCO MEMBERS LEAVE FOR LONDON ....................... 1
THREE NEW MEMBERS FOR TEXTAB .................................. 1
YOUNG MUSICIAN OFFERED OVERSEAS TRIP .......................... 2
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES GIVES TO CHARITY ........................ 2
SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS CONTRACT AWARDED ....................... 3
FIRE EQUIPMENT CONTRACT SIGNED ................................ 3
REPORT ON WAN CHAI ELDERLY FOLK ............................... 4
NORTH POINT TaPS OFF .......................................... 4
SALT WATER MAINS WORK .........................................
TUESDAY, APR IL 3, 1984
1
GOVERNOR, EXCO MEMBERS LEAVE FOR LONDON * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND 10 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LEFT FOR LONDON THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING FOR FURTHER CONSULTATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
THE UNOFFICIALS ACCOMPANYING THE GOVERNOR ON THE TRIP ARE SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, MR OSWALD CHEUNG, MR ROGER LOBO, MR LI FOOK-WO, MR MICHAEL SANDBERG, MR LO TAK-SHING, MISS LYDIA DUNN, W LEE QUO-WEI, MR CHEN SHOU-LUM AND MISS MARIA TAM.
THEY WERE SEEN ONN AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE.
------0 - - - -
THREE NEW MEMBERS FOR TEXTAB
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, HAS APPOINTED THREE NEW MEMBERS TO THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1.
THEY ARE DR JAMES S.W. WONG, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CHINA DYEING WORKS LTD. MR JOHN W. CHOW, DIRECTOR OF WINNER COMPANY (GARMENTS) LTD, AND MR WILLIAM K.L. FUNG, DIRECTOR OF LI AND FUNG (TRADING) LTD.
THE OTHER APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ARE: MR S.K. CHAN, MISS BEATRICE P.T. CHEN, MR SAM T.S. CHEN, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, NR KENNETH FANG, MR NELSON SOUZA, MR P.L.K. TAM, MISS ELEANOR WONG AND MR LINCOLN YUNG.
APPOINTED AS A NEW EX-OFFICIO MEMBER IS THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR D.A. JORDAN.
THE OTHER OFFICIALS ARE THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, l*R E P. HO WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, NR N.W.H. MACLEOD AND THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR J.F. YAXLEY.
UNDER THE TERMS OF REFERENCE THE BOARD ADVISES THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY ON ANY MATTER, OTHER THAN LABOUR MATTERS, WHICH AFFECTS THE TEXTILE AND GARMENT INDUSTRIES.
SINCE THE BOARD WAS FORMED ON APRIL 1, 1979, IT HAS HELD MEETINGS ONCE EVERY FORTNIGHT OR MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN REQUIRED.
-----0-------
/2
TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1934
- 2 -
YOUNG MUSICIAN OFFERED OVERSEAS TRIP
*****
A YOUNG LOCAL MUSICIAN WILL BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE ABROAD.
HE WILL BE AMONG YOUNG MUSICIANS BETWEEN 14 AND 18 YEARS OF AGE BEING INVITED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR THE OVERSEAS TRIP.
THE CHOSEN CANDIDATE WILL BE-GIVEN INTENSIVE TRAINING IN SYMPHONIC MUSIC PERFORMANCE, AND WILL BE A MEMBER OF THE WORLD YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF THE 1984 NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP TO BE HELD IN INTERLOCHEN, MICHIGAN, U.S.A. FROM JUNE 24 TO AUGUST 20.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID TODAY THAT THE APPLICANTS MUST HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS, AND MUST HAVE ATTAINED GRADE EIGHT (PRACTICAL) IN THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC EXAMINATION OR EQUIVALENT.
PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WITH ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE, APPLICANTS WILL ALSO HAVE TO PASS AN AUDITION ARRANGED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TOWARD? THE END OF APRIL.
THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL MEET SUCH EXPENSES AS RETURN AIR PASSAGE AND INSURANCE FOR THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.
THE CHOSEN CANDIDATE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR HIS OR HER PERSONAL INSURANCE ABROAD, AND PLACE A SUM OF US$170 IN THE CANDIDATE’S PERSONAL ACCOUNT WITH THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP, INTERLOCHEN TO MEET MINOR PERSONAL EXPENSES.
APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE, 9TH FLOOR, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, 2 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE APRIL 12.
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES GIVES TO CHARITY
* * * *
NEARLY $50 000, RAISED IN CHARITY DRIVES BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT,WAS PRESENTED TODAY TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
THE MONEY WAS THE LARGEST AMOUNT RAISED BY THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH RAFFLE TICKET SALES, A CHARITY WALK, AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OVER 90 PER CENT OF THE SERVICES STAFF.
A CHEQUE FOR THE SUM WAS PRESENTED THIS AFTERNOON BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHOW CHUN-CHOW, TO THE VICE-PATRON OF THE CHEST, MR YU LOOK-YAU AT THE PIK UK STAFF teSS.
------0-------
/3........
TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1984
3
SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS CONTRACT AWARDED
* I I
A $32.7 MILLION CONTRACT IN CONNECTION WITH THE SECOND STAGE CF SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
UNDER THE CONTRACT, DODWELL-EMTECH LIMITED WILL SUPPLY POWER GENERATION EQUIPMENT TO OPERATE THE WORKS.
A UNIQUE FEATURE OF THE EQUIPMENT IS THAT IT CAN RUN EITHER ON DIESEL OR METHANE GAS.
THIS MEANS THAT PART OF THE ENERGY REQUIREMENT FOR THE PLANT WILL BE PRODUCED DURING THE TREATMENT PROCESS.
WORK 1982, AND SHA TIN’S
ON STAGE II OF THE TREATMENT WORKS STARTED IN OCTOBER, WILL BE COMPLETED TOWARDS THE END OF NEXT YEAR, WHEN POPULATION WILL HAVE FURTHER EXPANDED.
WHEN
STAGE I I
WILL BE CAPABLE OF
IS COMPLETED, THE TREATMENT FACILITIES COPING WITH A POPULATION OF OVER HALF A MILLION.
THE PLANT HAS
BEEN DESIGNED TO THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS AND IS PART OF THE ONGOING MEASURES TO CONTROL THE QUALITY OF WATER IN TOLO HARBOUR.
- - 0 - -
FIRE EQUIPMENT CONTRACT SIGNED * * * *
two CONTRACTS TOTALLING $676 000 HAVE BEEN AWARDED FOR INSTALLING FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT, AIR-COND^IONING AND A VENTILATION SYSTEM IN THE ANNEX TO THE HAKI NG WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT LAI CHI KOK ROAD.
THE CONTRACTS WERE AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THF FIRST INVOLVES INSTALLING A FIRE HYDRANT AND HOSE REEL SYSTEM AND A MANUAL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM IN THE MAIN ANNEX BLOCK, AN AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN THE WORKSHOP AREA, AND AUTOMATIC FIRE DETECTION EQUIPMENT IN THE LIFT MACHINE ROOM.
IT WAS AWARDED TO GILMAN ENGINEERING LIMITED.
THE SECOND WENT TO KERVIN ENGINEERING CO. LTD, AND INCLUDES INSTALLING AIR-CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS IN THE LECTURE THEATRE, LANGUAGE LABORATORY, FOOD SERVICE CENTRE AND TRAINING KITCHEN.
WORK ON BOTH CONTRACTS WILL START IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN 10 MONTHS.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIVE-STOREY ANNEX BLOCK STARTED IN FEBRUARY.
TUESDAY, APRIL J, 1984
4
IT WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR NINE CLASSROOMS. TWO TECHNICAL DRAWING ROOMS AND A LECTURE THEATRE.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE ANNEX WILL BE ELECTRICAL AND WELDING WORKSHOPS, A MECHANICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY, A LANGUAGE LABORATORY AND FACILITIES FOR HOTEL AND CATERING TRAINING COURSES.
THE ANNEX BLOCK WILL BE COMPLETED NEXT FEBRUARY.
------o - - - -
NOTE TO EDITORS i
REPORT ON WAN CHAI ELDERLY FOLK
* * * *
DETAILS OF A REPORT ON ELDERLY PEOPLE IN WAN CHAI WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS BRIEFING AT 11 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 5).
THE REPORT, PREPARED BY THE +CONCERN FOR THE AGED+ WORKING GROUP WAS BASED ON A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY STUDENTS OF SHUE YAN COLLEGE TO FIND OUT ABOUT “THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ELDERLY POPULATION IN THE DISTRICT AND THEIR NEEDS.
ATTENDING THE BRIEFING WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FRANCIS HO- AND THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE WORKING GROUP, MRS ADA CHUNG.
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE BRIEFING IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR OF TUNG WAH MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
------0-------
NORTH POINT TAPS OFF
* * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 6) FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY KAI YUEN TERRACE (INCLUDING UPPER AND LOWER KAI YUEN LANES), 44-60 TANNER ROAD, 510-612 KING’S ROAD AND 151-171 TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD.
- - - - 0 ----
SALT WATER MAINS WORK * * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND CHAI WAN KOK, EXCLUDING LAI KING, LAI YIU AND CHO YIU ESTATES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 6) FOR MAINS WORK --------------------------------<J ------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JANUARY EXPORT, RE-EXPORT PRICES RISE ........................ 1
STEADY DECLINE IN UNDEREMPLOYMENT............................. 5
CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR KAI TaK RADAR TOWER .................... 6
ARMY ACCOMMODATION TO BE BUILT AT BORDER...................... 7
PARK WITH AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION ............................... 7
ROWiJiS INVITED TO DKaGUN BOAT RACE........................... 8
MARATHON TO BE STAGED IN TAI PO .............................. 8
YUEN LONG MARKET STALLS FOR BIDDING .......................... 9
TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FOR ROAD SECTION ............................. 9
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON TAI WO HAU ROAD.......................... 10
RESTRICTED ZONE IN TUEN MUN .................................. 10
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1984
- 1
JANUARY EXPORT, RE-EXPORT PRICES RISE * * * * *
JANUARY 1984 PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH ROSE, ON AVERAGE, BY 15 PER CENT SO THAT, FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, PRICES WERE UP BY 15 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1983, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MEANWHILE, THE PRICES OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 17 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 1 PER CENT.
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 45 PER CENT AND 40 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, SO THAT THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 44 PER CENT. MEANWHILE, THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT.
COMMENTING ON THESE COMPARATIVE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TRADE STATISTICS FOR THE BEGINNING MONTHS OF THE YEAR ARE INFLUENCED BY THE TIMING OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN EXPORTS IN JANUARY IS ATTRIBUTABLE, AT LEAST IN PART, TO INCREASED SHIPMENTS PRIOR TO THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
THIS POINT SHOULD BE BORNE IN MIND IN INTERPRETING SUCH STATISTICS, HE SAID.
EXTENSION OF THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY THIS YEAR WITH THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1983, SHOWS THAT THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS ROSE, ON AVERAGE, BY 10 PER CENT, 11 PER CENT AND 13 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT, THUS GIVING AN 18 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS.
MEANWHILE, THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 10 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 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 8 PER CENT FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS TO 27 PER CENT FOR METAL ORES AND SCRAP.
/THE DOMESTIC.....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1984
- 2 -
THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF NEARLY ALL COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+64 PER CENT), DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+60 PER CENT), TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+56 PER CENT), TEXTILE FABRICS (+48 PER CENT), TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES, RADIOS OF ALL KINDS AS WELL AS CLOTHING (+47 PER CENT FOR EACH CATEGORY). HOWEVER, THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS REMAINED AT THE LEVEL OF JANUARY 1983.
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 8 PER CENT FOR FUELS TO 19 PER CENT FOR RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES.
MORE THAN HALF OF THE MAJOR IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS DECLINED IN VOLUME TERMS, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS, RICE, SUGAR, ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES AS WELL AS SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD.
HOWEVER, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FRUIT, MILK, BUTTER, CHEESE AND EGGS, CEREALS, AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS, OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR, AND SWINE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.
IN THE CONSUMER GOODS CATEGORY, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND CLOTHING. HOWEVER, SIGNIFICANT DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR WATCHES AND PASSENGER MOTOR CARS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE.
AMONG THEM, MAN-MADE FIBRES, FABRICS OF WOOL AND MIXTURES, YARN OF MAN-MADE FIBRES, SILK FABRIC, THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS, YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES, SPECIAL TEXTILE FABRIC FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE, CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS AS WELL AS RAW COTTON INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY.
HOWEVER, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR, AND BASE METALS, EXCLUDING IRON AND STEEL, DROPPED SLIGHTLY.
IMPORTS OF FUELS DROPPED BY 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF NEARLY ALL COMMODITIES INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND OFFICE MACHINES.
/THE CHANGES .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1984
THE CHANGES IN BY END-USE CATEGORY
THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS
AS DEPICTED IN END-USES CATEGORIES RANGING FROM 31 PER FUELS.
VOLUME OF NEARLY ALL
TABLE 3 THE RE-EXPORT INCREASED EXCEPT FOODSTUFFS (-6 PER CENT)
CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS TO 365 PER CENT FOR
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE JANUARY 1984 ISSUE OF InE + HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS*, AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK $2 PER COPY.
TABLE 1
CHANGES COMPARING JANUARY 1984 WITH JANUARY 1983
OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP
COMMODITY GROUP
CLOTHING
TEXTILE FABRICS
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
FOOTWEAR
l*ETAL MANUFACTURES
METAL ORES AND SCRAP
WATCHES AND CLOCKS
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
ALL COMMODITIES
EXPORT VALUE EXPORT UNIT VALUE EXPORT 1 VOLUME 1
+76% +20% +47% 1
+73% + 17% +48% I
+86% + 19% + 56% 1
♦47% + 11% +33% 1
+65% + 12% +47% 1
+77% + 8% +64% 1
+61% +20% +34% 1
+43% + 10% +30% 1
+64% +27% +29% 1
+ 9% + 9% INSIGNIFICANT 1
+64% + 11% +47% 1
+84% + 15% +60% 1
♦68% + 15% +45% 1
/TABLE 2 :
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1984
4
TABLE 2 * CHANGES COMPARING JANUARY 1984 WITH JANUARY 1983
OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY 1
END-USE CATEGORY IMPORT VALUE IMPORT UNIT VALUE IMPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS + 15% + 17% - 1%
CONSUMER GOODS + 35% + 17% +16% 1
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES + 55% + 19% +30% 1
FUELS + 1% + 8% - 6% 1
CAPITAL GOODS +38% + 14% +22% 1
ALL COMMODITIES +38% + 17% + 18% 1
TABLE 3 : CHANGES COMPARING JANUARY 1984 WITH JANUARY 1983 1
OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY i
END-USE CATEGORY RE-EXPORT VALUE RE-EXPORT UNIT VALUE RE-EXPORT 1 VOLUME 1
FOODSTUFFS + 11% + 19% - 6% 1
CONSUMER GOODS + 46% ♦ 11% + 31% 1
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES + 90% +20% + 59% 1
FUELS +420% + 12% +365% 1
CAPITAL GOODS + 57% + 11% + 42% 1
ALL COMMODITIES + 61% + 15% + 40% 1
0 -
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1984
- 5 -
STEADY DECLINE IN UNDEREMPLOYMENT * * * *
THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED WORKERS IN HONG KONG DECLINED STEADILY THROUGHOUT LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE FIGURE DROPPED FROM ABOUT 63 OOO IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR TO ABOUT 39 000 IN THE FOURTH, ACCOUNTING FOR 2.5 AND 1.4 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL LABOUR FORCE.
IN ITS ESTIMATION OF UNDEREMPLOYMENT, THE DEPARTMENT IS FOLLOWING CRITERIA CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION, WHICH DEFINES UNDEREMPLOYED PEOPLE AS THOSE WORKING LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FIND MORE WORK OR ARE NOT SEEKING MORE WORK IN THE BELIEF THAT NONE IS AVAILABLE.
♦THIS QUALIFICATION IS NECESSARY AS AT ANY GIVEN TIME, THERE WILL BE A PROPORTION OF THE LABOUR FORCE WHO ARE ON LEAVE OR ENGAGED IN PART-TIME JOBS VOLUNTARILY, OR WHO ARE SICK, UNAVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL WORK OR UNWILLING TO WORK LONGER HOURS,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES WORKING SHORT HOURS BECAUSE OF SLACK WORK ALSO,DIPPED SHARPLY, FROM ABOUT 60 000 IN THE FIRST QUARTER TO ABOUT 40 000 IN THE FOURTH, REPRESENTING ONLY 20 TO 25 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE WORKING LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK.
♦THESE NUMBERS ARE CLOSE TO THOSE COMPILED ON THE BASIS OF THE ILO DEFINITION AND MAY BE SEEN AS AN ALTERNATIVE INDICATOR OF UNDEREMPLOYMENT,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ABOUT 90 000 WORKERS REPORTED THAT THEIR USUAL WORK HOURS WERE BELOW 35 A WEEK, AND ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF THESE WORKERS WERE FEMALES, 80 PER CENT OF WHOM EITHER WERE OR HAD BEEN MARRIED.
FOR VARIOUS REASONS, NOTABLY VACATION, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES WORKING SHORT HOURS LAST YEAR VARIED FROM ABOUT 252 000 IN THE FIRST QUARTER TO 180 000 IN THE FINAL QUARTER.
+THUS THE SURVEY SHOWS THAT FROM ABOUT 20 000 TO 100 000 PEOPLE DEPENDING ON THE TIME OF THE YEAR, WORKED SHORT HOURS LAST YEAR BECAUSE THEY WERE ON HOLIDAY,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ABOUT 85 000 PEOPLE, A FAIRLY STABLE NUMBER OVER THE YEAR, WORKED SHORT HOURS FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
* BEING TOO BUSY WITH HOUSEWORK, SCHOOLWORK OR OTHER PERSONAL PREOCCUPATIONS;
M FULL-TIME WORK REQUIRING LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK; OR
* PERMANENT SICKNESS, DISABLEMENT, OLD AGE OR PARTIAL RETIREMENT.
/OTHER REASONS ...
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1984
nTHFR REASONS GIVEN BY RESPONDENTS FOR SHORT HOURS WORK INCLUDED BAD WEATHER, MATERIAL SHORTAGE, MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT, ILLNESS AND INJURY.
THE BREAKDOWN FIGURES WERE OBTAINED THROUGH AiM0^1(O_Ljni _ COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONNAIRE PREPARED FOR THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY.
IN THE FACE OF THE WORLD RECESSION IN 1?82 THE DEPARTMENT INTRODUCED MORE QUESTIONS THAT YEAR FOR THE SURVEY. FURTHER QUESTIONS WERE ADDED IN JANUARY 1983 BECAUSE DOUBTS HAD BEEN EXPRESSED ABOUT WHY PEOPLE WOULD WORK SHORT HOURS VOLUNTARILY DURING RECESSION.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED IT WAS CLEAR FROM THE JjATA COLLECTED THAT THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES WORKING LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK COULD NOT BE TAKEN AS AN INDICATOR OF THE SI ZE OF UNDEREMPLOYMENT
- - 0 - -
CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR KAI * * * * *
TWO CONTRACTS TO SUPPLY EQUIPMENT RADAR TOWER NOW BEING BUILT AT KAI TAK HAVE BEEN AWARDED.
TAK RADAR TOWER
TO BE INSTALLED IN THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
ONE, VALUED AT ALMOST $102 000, IS FOR LIGHTING THE TOWER AND HAS BEEN AWARDED TO TAI HING ELECTRICAL COMPANY LIMITED.
THE OTHER, VALUED AT ABOUT $108 000, HAS BEEN AWARDED TO THORN EMI SECURITY (HONG KONG) LIMITED WHICH WILL INSTALL A FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR THREE OF THE EQUIPMENT ROOMS.
IN FEBRUARY, CHUNG HING CONSTRUCTION
AWARDED A CONTRACT VALUED AT MORE THAN 4O-METRE-HIGH TOWER.
$4
COMPANY LIMITED WAS
MILLION TO BUILD THE
THE FUNCTION OF THE TOWER WILL BE AND SHOW THE POSITION AND MOVEMENTS OF
TO
CONTINUOUSLY MONITOR
OTHER POTENTIAL OBSTRUCTIONS ON THE AIRFIELD
ALL AIRCRAFT, VEHICLES AND
IT WILL ALSO MONITOR THE MOVEMENTS OF SHIPS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN APPROACHES TO HONG KONG.
WORK ON BUILDING THE TOWER STARTED LAST MONTH AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT ONE YEAR.
- - 0 - -
/7
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1984
- 7 -
ARMY ACCOMMODATION TO BE BUILT AT BORDER
* * *
TWO SINGLE-STOREY BLOCKS ARE TO BE BUILT AT THE BORDER TO ACCOMMODATE SOLDIERS ON ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DUTIES.
THEY WILL BE LOCATED AT MA TSO LUNG AND PAK FU SHAN.
A $3.4 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE TWO PROJECTS HAS BEEN AWARDED TO PING KEE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE BLOCK AT MA TSO LUNG WILL BE BUILT ON A 4 5OO-SQUARE-METRE SITE NEAR LOK MA CHAU POLICE STATION, WHILE THE PAK FU SHAN BLOCK WILL OCCUPY ABOUT 4 OOO SQUARE METRES AT LIN MA HANG ROAD.
FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE OPERATIONS ROOMS, DINING ROOMS, KITCHENS, TOILETS, DRYING ROOMS, STOREROOMS, SLEEPING ACCOMMODATION AND BASKET BALL AND VOLLEY BALL COURTS.
THE BASKET BALL COURT AT MA TSO LUNG WILL ALSO SERVE AS A HELIPAD.
WORK ON BOTH PROJECTS WILL START THIS WEEK AND BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT‘NINE ACCOMMODATION BLOCKS FOR THE MILITARY ALONG THE BORDER.
0
PARK WITH AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION
* * * *
THE CENTRAL PARK IN SHA TIN, WHICH IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT A COST OF $50 MILLION, WILL BE WATERED AUTOMATICALLY WHEN IT IS OPENED EARLY NEXT YEAR.
A $1.24 MILLION CONTRACT TO DESIGN, SUPPLY AND INSTALL AN AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO PATERSON SIMONS (HONG KONG) LIMITED.
WORK WILL INCLUDE LAYING WATER PIPES AND INSTALLING PUMPS, FILTERS AND SPRINKLER HEADS THROUGHOUT THE PARK.
THE PARK IS SITUATED BETWEEN SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE AND THE SHING MUN RIVER AND WILL PROVIDE A RANGE OF FACILITIES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.
MAJOR FEATURES WILL INCLUDE A PAVED PLAZA PROVIDING A SETTING FOR THE CULTURAL COMPLEX, FOUNTAINS AND AN OPEN-AIR BANDSTAND THEATRE WHICH WILL BE SHADED BY AN AWNING AND TREES.
OTHER FEATURES WILL BE A PROMENADE AND A CYCLE TRACK ALONG THE 800-METRE RIVER FRONTAGE, A LARGE ARTIFICIAL HILL AND WATERFALL A TROPICAL GARDEN, ADVENTURE PLAY AREAS, PONDS AND PAVILIONS.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PARK BEGAN IN MAY LAST YEAR.
------0-------
/8......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1^04
- 8 -
ROWERS INVITED TO DRAGON BOAT RACE * * * *
ENROLMENT FOR THIS YEAR’S DRAGON BOAT RACE IN TAI PO WILL BE FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) UNTIL APRIL 27.
THERE WILL BE A MAXIMUM OF 50 TEAMS, AND EACH TEAM WILL HAVE 27 MEMBERS COMPRISING A PADDLING CREW OF 24, A DRUMMER, A GONG-BEATER AND A STEERSMAN.
TEN TEAMS WILL COMPETE IN EACH OF FIVE PRELIMINARY HEATS, AND THE FIRST TWO WINNERS OF EACH HEAT WILL ENTER THE FINAL.
THIS YEAR’S RACE, TO BE HELD ON TUEN NG FESTIVAL (JUNE 4), WILL COVER 1 000 METRES ALONG THE MAIN DAM OF THE PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE OFFICES OF THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND MUST BE RETURNED BY APRIL 27 WITH AN ENTRY FEE OF $500.
TRAINING SESSIONS WILL BE ARRANGED FOR PARTICIPATING TEAMS LATER.
FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AT A COST OF $232 000, THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY A COMMITTEE COMPRISING THE LOCAL RURAL- COMM ITTEES, TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION, THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE AT 0-656266 OR THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 0-6577111.
- - - - 0-----
MARATHON TO BE STAGED IN TAI PO * * * *
A NINE-KILOMETRE MARATHON WILL BE HELD IN TAI PO IN LATE APR IL.
THE RUN, TO BE HELD ON APRIL 29 (SUNDAY), IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT ABOUT 1 000 PEOPLE.
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
THE MARATHON WILL START AT THE PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR AREA.
PARTICIPANTS, WHO MUST BE OVER 12 YEARS OF AGE, WILL BE DIVIDED INTO FIVE CATEGORIES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE 19 DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE AND THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED BY DIALLING 0-657711, EXT 137, OR 0-6568661.
------o'------
/9......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1984 - 9 -
YUEN LONG MARKET STALLS FOR BIDDING * * * *
FOUR STALLS AT THE KIK YEUNG ROAD COOKED FOOD MARKET IN YUEN LONG WILL BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC BIDDING ON TUESDAY (APRIL 10), THE BIDDING WILL BE HELD AT THE OFFICE OF THE PING SHAN RURAL COMMITTEE AT ON NING ROAD IN YUEN LONG AT 10 AM, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTAL IS $2 100 EACH.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MAY START BUSINESS ON MAY 1 ON A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT, AND SHOULD PAY THE RENTAL QUARTERLY.
BIDDERS ARE REQUESTED TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND FIVE PHOTOGRAPHS.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE HAWKERS AND MARKETS SECTION OF THE YUEN LONG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 0-792261, EXT. 112.
------o-------
TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FOR ROAD SECTION
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 6), THE SECTION OF SHUN ON ROAD BETWEEN SAU MAU PING ROAD AND LEE ON ROAD WILL BE OPEN TO TWO-WAY TRAFF IC.
WITH THIS ARRANGEMENT, BUSES ON KMB ROUTE NOS. 23 AND 26M WILL TRAVEL TO SHUN LEE VIA HIP HO STREET, SAU MAU PING ROAD, SHUN ON ROAD AND LEE ON ROAD FROM APRIL 15.
FROM THE SAME DAY, BUSES ON ROUTE 26M WILL TRAVEL TO KWUN TONG VIA LEE ON ROAD, SHUN ON ROAD, SHUN TIN ESTATE BUS TERMINUS, SHUN ON ROAD, SAU MAU PING ROAD, HIP WO STREET AND YUET WAH STREET.
------0-------
/10......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1984
- 10 -
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON TAI WO HAU ROAD * * * *
THE SECTION OF TAI WO HAU ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH TAI HA STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 6) TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, EAST-BOUND TRAFFIC ON TAI WO HAU ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI HA STREET.
THE CLOSED SECTION OF TAI WO HAU ROAD WILL BE OPEN TO WEST BOUND TRAFFIC AT HALF-HOURLY INTERVALS.
0
RESTRICTED ZONE IN TUEN MUN
* * * *
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 6), THE SECTION OF PUI TO ROAD BETWEEN TSING WUN ROAD AND TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD IN TUEN MUN WILL BE MADE A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT 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 FROM LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
- - - - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIR PHILIP LOOKS INTO HK HISTORY.............................. 1
1983 RE-EXPORT TRADE UP 27 PER CENT .......................... 2
RATEPAYERS RE3WDED OF DEADLINE................................ 5
PUBLIC HELP SOUGHT IN +CLEAN AND GREEN EFFORTi- .............. 6
MORE EFFORT NEEDED TO PUBLICISE SERVICES FOR ELDERLY.......... 7
DB TO DISCUSS LOK MA CHAU CROSSING............................ 8
ANOTHER PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR TUEN MJN .......................... 9
SINGING CONTEST IN TUEN MJN .................................. 10
CONTRACT SIGNING ............................................. 11
CAR PARK SITE TO LET.......................................... 11
TRAM-ONLY LANES IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY..................... 12
NEW PLAN TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ............................. 13
NEJW PROHIBITION HOURS FOR LEARNER DRIVERS ................... 13
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1984
- 1 -
SIR PHILIP LOOKS INTO HK HISTORY * * * * *
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY (THURSDAY) TOOK A DETAILED LOOK AT HONG KONG'S EARLY HISTORY WHEN HE VISITED THE PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE IN CENTRAL.
THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF HONG KONG LIFE HELD BY THE OFFICE DATES BACK TO 1841, THE GOVERNMENT ARCHIVIST, MR |AN DIAMOND, TOLD SIR PHILIP.
THE SERIES OF RECORDS OF PRE-WAR SIGNIFICANCE WHICH SURVIVED THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION INCLUDE BONDS EXECUTED BY INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF CONTRACTS AND SERVICES, COURT RECORDS OF WILLS SUBMITTED FOR PROBATE IN THE SUPREME COURT, JUDGES' NOTE BOOKS AND ADMINISTRATION BONDS.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST BELONGING TO THE 184O'S INCLUDE RECORDS RELATING TO LAND MATTERS SUCH AS CROWN RENT ROLLS, CROWN LEASE REGISTERS AND SURRENDERED TITLE DEEDS.
THE PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE COLLECTION WAS ENRICHED BY THE TRANSFER OF RECORDS FROM PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS AND AMONG THESE ARE MARRIAGE, BIRTH AND BURIAL REGISTERS SUBMITTED BY ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL, MR DIAMOND ADDED'.
MANY OF THE DOCUMENTS OR MAPS TRANSFERRED ARE IN A POOR STATE OF REPAIR AND THE DOCUMENT REPAIR SECTION RESTORES THEM SO THAT THEY CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR REFERENCE, HE SAID.
SIR PHILIP LATER VISITED THE DEPOSITORY WHERE RECORDS TO BE RETAINED PERMANENTLY ARE KEPT UNDER STRICT TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CONTROL AND PROTECTED BY AN AUTOMATIC FIRE PREVENTION SYSTEM.
THE PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE ALSO RUNS TWO SUB-OFFICES IN ABERDEEN FOR PERMANENT AS WELL AS SEMI-ACTIVE RECORDS, MR DIAMOND SAID.
A REFERENCE LIBRARY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED FOR STAFF AND PUBLIC USE, WITH EMPHASIS ON A COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTION OF HONG KONG'S OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS.
PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE AND FREQUENTLY USED REFERENCE SOURCES IS THE NEWSPAPER COLLECTION CONSISTING OF FILES OF LOCAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPERS, DATING FROM 1842, MR DIAMOND SAID.
BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS TOUR, SIR PHILIP VISITED THE PHOTO-COPYING UNIT WHERE RECORDS CONSIDERED SUITABLE FOR RETENTION AND STORAGE ARE MICROFILMED.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1984
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1983 RE-EXPORT TRADE UP 27 PER CENT * * * * *
HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORT TRADE REACHED $56 294 MILLION IN 1983, AN INCREASE OF $11 941 MILLION - OR 27 PER CENT - OVER THE 1982 FIGURE, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
RE-EXPORTS BY MARKET
GIVING A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF RE-EXPORTS BY MARKET AND BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN FOR 1983, THE DEPARTMENT REPORTED THAT CHINA WAS AGAIN THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS, WITH AN INCREASE OF $4 191 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT.
INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILES (BY $495 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT) AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $428 MILLION OR 220 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN DYEING, TANNING AND COLOURING MATERIALS (BY $37 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT) AND CORK AND WOOD (BY $22 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT).
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. (BY $2 413 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT), THE SECOND LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS.
THE COMMODITIES WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE CLOTHING (BY $851 MILLION OR 60 PER CENT) AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, MAINLY BASKET WORK, WICKERWORK AND WORK OF PLAITING MATERIALS (BY $392 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT), AND TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS (BY $192 MILLION OR 114 PER CENT). NOTABLE DECREASES IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. WERE RECORDED FOR FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATIONS (BY $24 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT) AND POWER GENERATING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (BY $5 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT).
AN OVERALL INCREASE OF $875 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT IN RE-EXPORTS WAS REGISTERED FOR SINGAPORE. COMMODITIES WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS (BY $124 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT) AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $124 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT). A DECREASE OF $27 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT WAS RECORDED FOR PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS.
INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS TO INDONESIA OF CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $111 MILLION OR 241 PER CENT), TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $68 MILLION OR 160 PER CENT), AND IRON AND STEEL (BY $36 MILLION OR 42 PER CENT). A DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR ROAD VEHICLES (INCLUDING AIR CUSHION VEHICLES) (BY $712 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT).
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS (BY $377 MILLION OR 60 PER CENT) AND TEXTLES (BY $62 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT) TO TAIWAN. A DECREASE OF $24 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT WAS RECORDED FOR NON-FERROUS METALS.
(CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1).
/re-exports by....
THURSDAY, APRIL 5. 1984
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RE-EXPORTS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
CHINA REMAINED THE LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS. INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS WERE NOTED FOR CLOTHING (BY $1 381 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT), TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS (BY $299 MILLION OR 80 PER CENT), WOVEN FABRICS OF MAN-MADE FIBRES f’Y $279 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT), WOVEN TEXTILE FABRICS OTHER THAN OF COTTON OR MAN-MADE FIBRES (BY $215 MILLION OR 106 PER CENT), MADE-UP ARTICLES, WHOLLY OR CHIEFLY OF TEXTILE MATERIALS (BY $160 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT) AND BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $139 MILLION OR 75 PER CENT).
JAPAN WAS THE SECOND MAJOR SOURCE OF RE-EXPORTS. INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $538 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $351 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT), THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND PARTS (BY $349 MILLION OR 94 PER CENT) AND OFFICE MACHINES (BY $173 MILLION OR 91 PER CENT).
OVERSEAS PURCHASES OF U.S.A. PRODUCTS THROUGH HONG KONG REMAINED ACTIVE IN 1983. INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODES AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND PARTS (BY $210 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT), MANUFACTURED TOBACCO (BY $124 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT), AND AIR-CRAFT AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT, AND PARTS (BY $118 MILLION OR 98 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS OF TAIWAN ORIGIN SLIGHTLY INCREASED. COMMODITIES WITH INCREASES WERE THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND PARTS (BY $105 MILLION OR 112 PER CENT), TEXTILE YARN (BY $30 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT) AS WELL AS WOVEN COTTON FABRICS (BY $25 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) ORIGIN DECLINED, PARTICULARLY FOR WOVEN FABRICS OF MAN-MADE FIBRES (BY $75 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
RE-EXPORTS BY ORIGIN AND DESTINATION
WHEN ANALYSED BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND THEN BY DESTINATION, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO THE U.S.A. (BY $1 936 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT), CHINA (BY $437 MILLION OR 79 PER CENT), SAUDI ARABIA (BY $316 MILLION OR 64 PER CENT) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) (BY $270 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT). INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS OF JAPAN ORIGIN WERE MAINLY TO CHINA (BY $1 733 MILLION OR 105 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (BY $360 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (BY $224 MILLION OR 76 PER CENT). SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE ALSO NOTED IN RE-EXPORTS OF U.S.A ORIGIN TO CHINA (BY $440 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (BY $159 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT).
/TABLE 1 s .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1984
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I TABLE 1 • RE- EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
1983 (HKD MN.) 1982 (HKD MN.) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
1 C INA 12 183 7 992 +4 191 +52
1 U.S.A. 8 028 5 615 +2 413 +43
1 SINGAPORE 4 523 3 648 + 875 +24
1 INDONESIA 3 884 4 615 - 731 -16
I TAIWAN 3 454 2 662 + 793 +30
1 JAPAN 3 176 2 566 + 610 +24
I REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1 (SOUTH KOREA) 2 440 1 699 + 741 +44
1 MACAU 1 885 1 588 ♦ 297 + 18 1
I PHILIPPINES 1 632 1 485 * 147 + 10 1
1 SAUDI ARABIA 1 335 941 ♦ 394 +42 1
TABLE 2 : RE -EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN
1983 (HKD MN.) 1982 (HKD MN. INCREASE/ DECREASE ) (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE 1 CHANGE 1 (%)
CHINA 19 680 14 694 +4 987 +34 1
JAPAN 11 629 9 084 +2 545 +28 1
U.S.A. 6 038 4 940 ♦ 1 097 +22 1
TAIWAN 2 573 2 500 + 74 + 3 1
REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) 1 360 1 363 - 3 INSIGNIFICANT 1
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY 1 221 820 + 401 +49 1
SWITZERLAND 1 161 1 075 + 86 + 8 1
UNITED KINGDOM 871 694 + 177 +26 1
SINGAPORE 720 527 + 194 +37 1
MALAYSIA, WEST 716 538 + 178 +33 I
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THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1984
5
RATEPAYERS REMINDED OF DEADLINE
*****
RATEPAYERS ARE REMINDED THAT RATES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1984 MUST BE PAID BY 4 PM ON APRIL 30.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT LATE PAYMENTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE AND A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT ON ACCOUNTS STILL OUTSTANDING SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.
HE SAID RATEPAYERS SHOULD HAVE BY NOW RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES.
THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES SHOULD APPLY FOR A COPY AT THE RATES SECTION OF THE TREASURY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), NINTH FLOOR, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG; THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD* OR THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD (CORNER OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD), KOWLOON.
+WHETHER OR NOT THE DEMAND NOTE IS RECEIVED, IT DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RATES SHOULD BE PAID BEFORE THE DUE DATE,+ HE POINTED OUT.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PREMISES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE RATING ORDINANCE.
HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES, UNLESS IT IS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT.
TO AVOID QUEUEING, RATEPAYERS ARE URGED TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE.
RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED THEIR AUTOPAY FORMS SHOULD READ THEIR DEMAND NOTES CAREFULLY TO SEE IF THEY CONTAIN THE WORDING ’PAYMENT BY AUTOPAY AS AUTHORISED’.
THE ABSENCE OF SUCH WORDING MEANS THEIR FORMS HAVE NOT YET BEEN PROCESSED, IN WHICH CASE THEY SHOULD CONTINUE TO PAY THEIR RATES IN THE NORMAL WAY — IN PERSON OR BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1984 •
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PUBLIC HELP SOUGHT IN +CLEAN AND GREEN EFFORT* * * * *
THE CONTINUING EFFORT TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN AND GREEN WOULD BE FUTILE WITHOUT PUBLIC SUPPORT, THE HONOURABLE CHARLES YEUNG SAID TODAY.
MR YEUNG WAS SPEAKING AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG DRIVE, AFTER INSPECTING Cleaning and planting work in kwai chung.
SPEAKING OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN, WHICH WAS LAUNCHED IN 1981, MR YEUNG SAID JOINT EFFORTS BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC HAD ACHIEVED THE AIM OF RAISING THE STANDARD OF CLEANLINESS AND IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT.
BUT THE CAMPAIGN HAD YET TO RESOLVE ALL LITTER PROBLEMS, DESPITE THE GOVERNMENT’S ON-GOING EFFORTS, SAID MR YEUNG.
CONTINUOUS SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC WAS THE KEY TO SUCCESS, HE SAID.
TODAY’S VISIT STARTED AT THE CONSTRUCTION SITE FOR A PUBLIC TOILET AT SHING MUN ROAD, NEAR THE APPROACH ROAD TO THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK.
WITH MR YEUNG ON THE VISITS WERE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (HEADQUARTERS) OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR LI TIN-MING, AND THE DEPUTY URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF KWAI CHUNG, MR NG SHUI-LUN.
MR YEUNG WAS TOLD THAT THE SITE HAD ONCE BEEN OCCUPIED ILLEGALLY BY THE OPERATOR OF AN UNLICENSED PIG-ROASTING WORKSHOP, RESULTING IN A SERIOUS POLLUTION PROBLEM AND CAUSING GREAT INCONVENIENCE TO COUNTRY PARK VISITORS.
THE PUBLIC TOILET UNDER CONSTRUCTION WOULD BE COMPLETED IN TWO MONTHS AND SERVE VISITORS TO THE COUNTRY PARK.
THE PARTY NEXT WENT TO AN AMENITY PLOT AT KWAI FUK ROAD, WHICH WAS ONCE USED BY RESIDENTS AS A DUMPING GROUND FOR WASTE.
SHRUBS AND FLOWERS HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE ONCE RUBBISH-RIDDEN SPOT.
AT THE SITTING OUT AREA ADJACENT TO KWAI SHING SWIMMING POOL AT KWAI SHING CIRCUIT, MR YEUNG SAW THE FLOURISHING YOUNG TREES PLANTED DURING LAST YEAR’S MA FA PHASE OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN.
ANOTHER 35 OOO PLANTS WOULD BE PLANTED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO BEAUTIFY KWAI CHUNG DURING THE COMING MA FA PHASE STARTING IN MAY, MR YEUNG LEARNED.
THE PARTY THEN WENT TO KAU WAN KEUNG VILLAGE TO SEE THE RESULT OF A CLEAN-UP OPERATION AND TO SEE FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE NTSD FOR SOME 3 500 RESIDENTS.
BEFORE LEAVING, THE GROUP STOPPED AT THE REFUSE TRANSFER POINT AT CHEUNG WAN ROAD AT TSI NG Yl TO WATCH THE UNLOADING OF 10 TONNES OF REFUSE BARGED OVER FROM CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND FOR FINAL DISPOSAL AT THE KWAI CHUNG INCINERATION PLANT. I
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THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1984
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MORE EFFORT NEEDED TO PUBLICISE SERVICES FOR ELDERLY * * * *
GREATER EFFORT SHOULD EE MADE TO PUBLICISE THE AVAILABILITY OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND TO INTEGRATE THEM MORE COHESIVELY INTO SOCIETY, ACCORDING TO RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY A +CONCERN FOR THE AGED* WORKING GROUP IN WAN CHAI.
THE GROUP ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT DISTRICT ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE THE WELLBEING OF THE ELDERLY SHOULD BE BETTER COORDINATED AND EXPANDED AS AN ON-GOING PROCESS WITH MORE ACTIVE DISTRICT BOARD PARTICIPATION.
THE WORKING GROUP, FORMED EARLY LAST YEAR UNDER THE wAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, BASED ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY CONDUCTED RECENTLY.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS BRIEFING TODAY (THURSDAY), THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG, SAID THE FINDINGS WOULD HELP THE BOARD ON ITS FUTURE PLANNING AND PROVISIONS OF ELDERLY SERVICES IN THE DISTR ICT.
+THE ELDERLY POPULATION ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN 13 PER CENT OF THE DISTRICT’S TOTAL POPULATION, AND THIS IS SIGNIFICANTLY GRlaTck THAN THE CORRESPONDING OVERALL HONG KONG PERCENTAGE OF 10 AND TriE NEW TERRITORIES AVERAGE OF 8.9,+ HE SAID.
A TOTAL OF 332 PEOPLE, AGED 55 AND ABOVE, WERE INTERVIEWED FOR THE SURVEY CONDUCTED BY STUDENTS OF THE SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF SHUE YAN COLLEGE EARLY THIS YEAR.
THE SURVEY FOUND THAT MOST OF THE ELDERLY WERE NOT AwARl GF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
+IN THIS CONNECTION, THE WORKING GROUP HAS LOOKED INTO ThE DEGREE OF WILLINGNESS AND READINESS OF THE OLD PEOPLE TO TAKc. HART IN COMMUNITY SERVICE,* MR LAM SAID.
+HOWEVER, ONLY A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE (11 PER CENT) SHOwED ANY INTEREST.*
SIXTY-ONE PER CENT OF THE OLD PEOPLE INTERVIEWED WERE LIVING PRIMARILY WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THEIR SPOUSES AND CHlLDRc., WHILE 20 PER CENT EARNED THEIR LIVING MAINLY THROUGH SALARIES ANl INTEREST FROM SAVINGS.
ON FAMILY RELATIONSHIP, THE MAJORITY OF THE RESPONDENTS SAlu THFY PREFERRED TO LIVE WITH THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS AND wERE uUJlTE CONTENTED wITh THEIR PRESENT STATE Or SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP. Tnc FEELING OF BEING LONELY AND ISOLATED DID NOT SEEM TO BE ACUT- .. I i MOST OF THEM.
/the survey .......
THURSDAY, APBIL 5i 1984
8 -
THE SURVEY FOUND THAT MORE THAN 70 PER CENT OF THEM WERE LIVING WITH THEIR SPOUSES AND CHILDREN.
ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT, ABOUT 50 PER CENT SAID THEY WOULD SEEK HELP FROM FRIENDS, RELATIVES AND NEIGHBOURS WHILE ANOTHER 40 PER CENT SAID THEY COULD MANAGE WITH AN EFFORT.
ON HEALTH, WHILE IT WAS COMMON FOR OLD PEOPLE TO SUFFER FROM RHEUMATISM AND HEARING AND VISUAL INABILITY, ABOUT HALF OF THE RESPONDENTS SAID THEY HAD NOT CONSULTED A DOCTOR WITHIN THE PAST THREE MONTHS AND 25 PER CENT SAID THEY DID SO ONLY ON ONE OR TWO OCCASIONS.
+FROM THE FINDINGS, WE CAN SAY THE ELDERLY POPULATION IN THE DISTRICT ARE IN GENERAL ENJOYING A SATISFACTORY STANDARD OF LIVING AND THEREFORE RELIANCE ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AS WELL AS RESIDENTIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES IS NOT PARTICULARLY STRONG,+ SAID MR LAM.
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DB TO DISCUSS LOK MA CHAU CROSSING * * *
YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE LOK MA CHAU BORDER LINK AND THE YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN CORRIDOR OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING.
THE BORDER LINK IS LOCATED NEAR THE LOK MA CHAU ROAD AND WILL CROSS SHENZEN RIVER TO THE WEST OF HA WAN TSUEN.
IT WILL BE A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY, 1.8 KILOMETRES LONG AND WILL JOIN THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD AT ITS SOUTHERN END.
THE CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO BE $260 MILLION. WORK WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED BY 1986.
THE YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN CORRIDOR OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN IS TO PROVIDE AN ORDERLY FRAMEWORK FOR NEW URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA AND TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT.
ACCORDING TO THE PROPOSALS, MOST OF THE DEVELOPMENT WORKS WILL TAKE PLACE AT HUNG SHIU KIU. THESE WILL INCLUDE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO ELECT CHAIRMEN OF FIVE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMITTEES, TO HOLD OFFICE FOR ONE YEAR FROM APRIL 1.
/THE FIVE ....
THURSDAY, APRIL >, 1984
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THE FIVE COMMITTEES ARE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORT, SOCIAL SERVICES AND TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BU ILD ING.
A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 8.30 AM SHARP FOR YUEN LONG.
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ANOTHER PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR TUEN MUN * * *
A STANDARD PRIMARY SCHOOL IS TO BE CONSTRUCTED AT TUEN MUN TO TAKE IN STUDENTS BY SUMMER NEXT YEAR.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFF ICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
THE SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT ON A 5 220-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT
CASTLE PEAK ROAD, CLOSE TO TUEN MUN POLYCLINIC.
THE SIX-STOREY BUILDING WILL HAVE 24 CLASSROOMS AND AN ASSEMBLY HALL.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A COVERED AND EXTERNAL PLAY AREA, AS WELL AS A BASKETBALL AND A VOLLEYBALL COURT.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT WILL START IN MAY AND TAKE ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE.
THE SCHOOL IS ONE OF SIX PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHICH WILL BE BUILT
IN TUEN MUN BY THE GOVERNMENT WITHIN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF EXISTING PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE NEw TOwN IS 33.
TUEN MUN’S PRESENT POPULATION IS 190 □□□, AND IS FORECAST TO GROW TO OVER 500 303 BY 1990.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1934
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SINGING CONTEST IN TUEN MUN * * * *
TWELVE YOUNG AMATEURS IN TUEN MUN WILL BE ABLE TO SHOW THEIR SINGING TALENT AT THE DISTRICT’S CONTEST ON SATURDAY (APRIL 7) EVENING.
TUEN MUN IS THE SECOND OF THE 18 DISTRICTS TO HOLD THE PRELIMINARY SINGING CONTEST, THE FIRST BEING SHA TIN WHICH HELD THE PRELIMINARY LAST SUNDAY.
THE 18-DISTRICT AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND SING TAO NEWSPAPERS LIMITED AS PART OF A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN FOR THE REGISTRATION EXERCISE FOR NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
PRELIMINARY SINGING CONTESTS IN OTHER DISTRICTS WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS.
IN TUEN MUN, MORE THAN 100 ENTRIES WERE RECEIVED.
THE CHAMPION OF THE SATURDAY CONTEST WILL REPRESENT TUEN MUN TO COMPETE WITH WINNERS OF .17 OTHER DISTRICTS IN A SEMI-FINAL ON AUGUST 11.
A GRAND FINAL WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM ON SEPTEMBER 8 WHEN NINE FINALISTS WILL COMPETE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
THE BEST PERFORMER IN THE GRAND FINAL WILL WIN A RECORDING CONTRACT WITH A LEADING LOCAL COMPANY, WHILE OTHER WINNERS WILL RECEIVE PRIZES WORTH MORE THAN $40 000.
MORE THAN 2 500 COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED FOR SATURDAY’S SHOW TO BE HELD AT THE YAN 01 TONG COMMUNITY AND INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE, STARTING AT 8 PM.
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER WONG j THE CHAIRMAN OF YAN 01 TONG, MR YIP HING-CHUNGI AND THE CHAIRMAN OF TUEN MUN ARTS PROMOTION ASSOCIATION, MR TANG TUNG-CHIU WILL BE THE OFFICIATING GUESTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST TO BE HELD aT 8 PM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 7) AT THE YAN 0 1 TONG COMMUNITY AND INDOOR SPORTS CENTF.l IN TUEN MUN.
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11 ...........
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1984
CONTRACT SIGNING * * *
A $49.5 MILLION CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTING A GENERAL NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL AND QUARTERS FOR PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL AT HA KWAI CHUNG WILL BE AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE SIGNING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10.30 AM IN ROOM 1506 OF
MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD. YOU ARE INVITED EVENT.
TO COVER THE
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CAR PARK SITE TO LET * * *
A 6 300-SQUARE-METRE AS A FEE-PAYING CAR PARK.
SITE AT LAI CHI KOK
IS TO BE LET
FOR THE SHORT-TERM CHEUNG SHA WAN
IS INVITING TENDERS
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT
TENANCY OF THE SITE LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF ROAD AND TAI LAM WEST STREET.
THE INITIAL TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE AT MONTHLY INTERVALS.
TENDERS MUST BE SENT IN BY APRIL 27 AT THE LATEST.
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 WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250, SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THE TENDER PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THESE LOCATIONS.
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1984
- 12 -
TRAM-ONLY LANES IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY * * * *
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TRAM-ONLY LANES NEAR THE TRAMWAY ISLANDS HAS PROVED TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S ROAD SAFETY DIVISION SHOW THAT AT FIVE SITES WHERE TRAM-ONLY LANES WERE DESIGNATED, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING PEDESTRIANS HAD DROPPED FROM 72 DURING THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE IMPLEMENTATION TO LESS THAN 10 DURING THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
TRAM-ONLY LANES WERE FIRST IMPLEMENTED IN MID-1981 AT DES VOEUX ROAD WEST NEAR EASTERN STREET, AND THE MEASURE PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING ACCIDENTS.
SINCE THEN OTHER SITES ON THE TRAMWAY NETWORK HAVE BEEN MADE TRAM-ONLY LANES.
INVESTIGATIONS AND ANALYSIS BY THE ROAD SAFETY DIVISION SHOw THAT ACCIDENTS INVOLVING PEDESTRIANS OFTEN OCCUR WHEN PEDESTRIANS STEP OUT OF THE TRAM ISLAND ONTO THE TRAM LANE.
♦PEDESTRIANS CROSSING THE ROAD FROM A TRAM ISLAND TEND TO LOOK ONLY TO THE LEFT AND DO NOT EXPECT VEHICLES ON THE TRAM LANE COMING FROM THE RIGHT,+ SAID MR Y.C. YEUNG, THE DIVISION’S SENIOR ENGINEER.
♦THE SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF A PEDESTRIAN ON THE TRAM TRACKS MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR MOTORISTS TO AVOID THEM,+ HE SAID.
ONE CRITICISM AGAINST THE TRAM-ONLY MEASURE, AS EXPRESSED IN THE LETTERS PAGE OF A CHINESE NEWSPAPER, IS THAT IT SLOWS DOWN 7RAFF IC.
WHILE EXPRESSING SYMPATHY WITH MOTORISTS EXPERIENCING SUCH INCONVENIENCE, MR YEUNG SAID THAT THE SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS MUST TAKE PRIORITY.
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/13 .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, lq8^
- 13 -
NEw PLAN TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW * * *
FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 7), SPECIAL MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AT JUNCTION ROAD ANL KAM SHING ROAD.
FOR THIS PURPOSE, CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IMPOSED FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY AT THE FOLLOW ING:
* JUNCTION ROAD BETWEEN DUMBARTON ROAD AND TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD.
M JUNCTION ROAD BETWEEN WATERLOO ROAD AND BROADCAST DRIVE.
* THE EASTERN SECTION OF KAM SHING ROAD FROM ITS EASTERN JUNCTION WITH JUNCTION ROAD TO THE OPEN AIR CARPARK AT THE CUL-DE-SAC.
* THE WESTERN SECTION OF KAM SHING ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE EASTERN SECTION OF THE ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES WESTWARDS.
THE WESTERN SECTION OF KAM SHING ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY TOWARDS ITS WESTERN JUNCTION WITH JUNCTION ROAD.
NEW PROHIBITION HOURS FOR LEARNER DRIVERS
* * *
FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 7), PROHIBITION HOURS ON LEARNER DRIVERS AT TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD, EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD, STADIUM PATH AND MOUNT BUTLER ROAD WILL BE CHANGED.
THE NEW HOURS WILL BE 7.30 AM TO 7.30 PM DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
0
I
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FEBRUARY MONETARY STATISTICS OUT ................................ 1
WELFARE WORK TO COST $2.4 BILLION ............................... J
GOVERNOR RETURNING .TOMORROW ............................. , 5
WARNING ABOUT SMOKING TO BE EXTENDED ............................ 5
HONG KONG TO REFER TWO U.S. TEXTILES CALLS ...................... 7
TEXTILE TALKS WITH FINLAND START MONDAY ......................... 7
EMPLOYMENT SURVEY UNDERWAY ...................................... 8
PAWNBROKERS’ LICENCE RULES GAZETTED ............................. 8
TREE PUNTING SCHEME TO BE UUNCHED ............................... 9
NEW NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL TO BE BUILT ......................... 10
YOUNG PEOPLE TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ................................. 10
TRANSPORT FORUM SEEKS RESIDENTS' VIEWS ......................... 11
ANOTHER CLINIC FOR EAST KOWLOCN ................................ 12
UK TOUR OFFER TO YOUNG MUSICIANS ............................... 12
ESTATE RECLAMATION IN FINAL STAGE .............................. 1?
CHILDREN URGED TO HELP KEEP HK CLEAN ........................... 13
FOOTBRIDGE FOR PING SHEK RESIDENTS ............................. 14
TUNNEL APPROACH ROAD WORK ...................................... 14
WAN CHAI WATER WORKS ........................................... 14
SURVEY ON ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING ........................... 15
DB MEMBERS TO SEE VOLUNTEERS IN TRAINING ....................... 15
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
1
FEBRUARY MONETARY STATISTICS OUT
* * *
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS CONTINUED TO GROW FOR THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH FOLLOWING THE STABILISATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE LAST OCTOBER, ACCORDING TO MONETARY STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY 1984 RELEASED TODAY.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS FELL MODESTLY DURING THE MONTH.
THE TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY ON THE NARROWEST DEFINITION FELL SUBSTANTIALLY, REFLECTING MAINLY A REDUCTION IN THE PUBLIC’S CASH HOLDING AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
THE TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY ON BROADER DEFINITIONS RECORDED MODERATE INCREASES, WITH THE INCREASE IN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR COMPONENTS MORE THAN OFFSETTING THE DECLINE IN THE FOREIGN CURRENCY COMPONENTS.
LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING THOSE FOR FINANCING VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG, SHOWED SOME INCREASE DURING THE MONTH.
A TABLE WHICH SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1984 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS, WILL BE TRANSMITTED BY FACSIMILE AND BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS CONTINUED TO GROW RAPIDLY BY 6.5 PER CENT FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 5.1 PER CENT IN JANUARY. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO FEBRUARY, THEY INCREASED BY 16.5 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS TO FEBRUARY, THE INCREASE WAS BY 26.4 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS FELL BY 1.2 PER CENT FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 0.9 PER CENT IN JANUARY. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO FEBRUARY, THEY ROSE BY 2.1 PER CENT AND THE INCREASE OVER THE 12 MONTHS WAS 33.7 PER CENT.
THEHESE FIGURES SHOW CONTINUED CONFIDENCE IN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR.
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY
THE NARROWEST DEFINITION OF HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY, HK&M1, FELL BY 8.2 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, AGAINST THE 17.8 PER CENT RISE IN JANUARY. THIS CONTRACTION REFLECTED A REDUCTION IN THE PUBLIC’S CASH HOLDING AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
HK$M2 AND HKSM3 CONTINUED TO GROW RAPIDLY, BY 5.6 PER CENT AND 4.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, FOLLOWING THE CORRESPONDING GROwTH RATES IN JANUARY OF 7.6 PER CENT AND 6.8 PER CENT.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO FEBRUARY, HKSM1 ROSE BY 10.6 PER CENT I-KSM2 AND HKSM3 ROSE BY 17.8 PER CENT AND 15.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE 12 MONTHS, THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES wERE 10.6 PER CENT, 27.3 PER CENT AND 23.9 PER CENT. ________________________________ /TOTAL MONEY .....................
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
- 2 -
TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY
TOTAL Ml FELL BY 8.1 PER CENT COMPARED WITH AN INCREASE OF 16.4 PER CENT IN JANUARY. THE FALL REFLECTED CONTRACTIONS IN BOTH THE PUBLIC’S HONG KONG DOLLAR CASH HOLDING AND FOREIGN CURRENCY DEMAND DEPOSITS.
TOTAL M2 AND TOTAL M3 GREW BY 1.5 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECT IVELY. THEIR CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN JANUARY WERE HIGHER, AT 4.3 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO FEBRUARY, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 9.1 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 GREW BY 9.3 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 9.6 PER CENT. THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES OVER THE 12 MONTHS WERE 11.8 PER CENT, 26.8 PER CENT AND 27.8 PER CENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES GREW BY 0.4 PER CENT, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 0.2 PER CENT IN JANUARY. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO FEBRUARY, THESE FELL BY 0.1 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS, A RISE OF 16.4 PER CENT WAS RECORDED.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG ROSE BY 0.3 PER CENT AFTER A CONTRACTION OF 1 PER CENT IN JANUARY. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO FEBRUARY, THE GROWTH WAS 1.3 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS,THE GROWTH WAS 11.2 PER CENT.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG ROSE BY 0.6 PER CENT, SLIGHTLY FASTER THAN THE 0.1 PER CENT RECORDED IN JANUARY. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO FEBRUARY, THESE'FELL BY 1.7 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS, THESE ROSE BY 9 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY POSITION
BOTH THE SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF THE MONETARY SECTOR INCREASED IN FEBRUARY.
BUT AS THERE WAS A LARGER INCREASE IN SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS, THE NET FOREIGN CURRENCY POSITION OF THE MONETARY SECTOR SHOWED A SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE DURING THE MONTH FROM A NET LIABILITY OF $12.5 BILLION AT THE END OF JANUARY TO $4.1 BILLION AT THE END OF FEBRUARY.
BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES HAD NET SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY LIABILITIES OF $0.6 BILLION AND $3.5 BILLION RESPECTIVELY.
STATISTICS COLLECTED (ON THE BASIS OF SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS) BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES SHOW A SIMILAR REDUCTION IN NET SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY LIABILITIES FROM $11.9 BILLION AT THE END OF JANUARY TO $3.5 BILLION AT THE END OF FEBRUARY.
THE MONETARY SECTOR’S FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY POSITION SHOWS NET ASSETS OF $34.4 Bl’1 >0N.
/LIQUIDITY RATIOS ...
F. IDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
- 3 -
LIQUIDITY RATIOS
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S. 18 OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE) FOR ALL BANKS FELL TO 48.6 PER CENT FROM 49.6 PER CENT IN JANUARY.
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S. 24A OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE) FOR ALL DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL TO 54.5 PER CENT FROM 57.6 PER CENT IN JANUARY.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF INSTITUTIONS REPORTING MONETARY STATISTICS REMAINED UNCHANGED IN FEBRUARY WITH 134 LICENSED BANKS, 30 LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND 317 REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
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WELFARE
OVER $2 400 MILLION IN 1984/85, THE DIRECTOR
WORK TO COST $2.4 BILLION * * * * *
WILL BE SPENT ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID
this amounts to about five and a half per cent of the total BUDGET AND IS AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 19 PER CENT OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR LAST YEAR, MR CHAMBERS SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE SEVENTH GATHERING OF SCOUT OFFICIALS AT THE AMBASSADOR HOTEL THIS EVENING, HE SAID: + WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT THE OVERALL INCREASE IN THE BUDGET IS ONLY ABOUT NINE AND A HALF PER CENT, WE CERTAINLY CANNOT COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PROVISION FOR OUR WELFARE SERVICES.*
+NOT ONLY HAS OUR SHARE OF THE TOTAL BUDGET INCREASED BUT ALLOWING FOR INFLATION, WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT REAL INCREASE IN OUR BUDGET ALLOCATIONS.
+NOT BAD FOR WHAT IS GENERALLY ADMITTED TO BE NOT A VERY GOOD YEAR,* HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT OF THE $2 400 MILLION, ABOUT $1 300 MILLION, - BY FAR THE BIGGEST ELEMENT - WOULD BE IN SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS.
HE SAID THAT +WELFARE SERVICES PROPER* WAS AN AREA +WHERE THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES’ CONTRIBUTION BECOMES VITALLY IMPORTANT.*
/THERE ARE.......
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
4 -
THERE ARE SIX SPECIFIC AREAS OF WELFARE SERVICE - SERVICES FOR OFFENDERS, family WELFARE SERVICES, SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY CENTRES AND OTHER COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES, SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, AND REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED.
THE DEPARTMENT’S CONTRIBUTION IN THESE AREAS WAS CONCENTRATED MAINLY IN SERVICES WHERE THERE WAS A STATUTORY LEGAL ELEMENT, SUCH AS THE PROBATION SERVICE, REMAND HOMES AND REFORMATORY SCHOOLS, THE OVERSEAS ADOPTION SERVICE AND SOME FAMILY CASEWORK CENTRES WHICH DEALT WITH CHILD ABUSE AND CARE AND PROTECTION CASES.
+IN SOME AREAS WHERE THERE IS NO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT, THE DEPARTMENT UNDERTAKES TO PROVIDE SOME SERVICES SO THAT, AS IT WERE, WE CAN KEEP OUR HAND IN AND NOT LOSE TOUCH WITH DEVELOPMENTS,* HE SAID.
+ |T IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THIS, SINCE AN IMPORTANT DEPARTMENTAL FUNCTION IS THE EVALUATION OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AS A BASIS FOR THE ALLOCATION OF SUBVENTIONS, AND WE CAN HARDLY DO THIS EFFECTIVELY IF WE HAVE NO DIRECT EXPERIENCE IN OPERATING SUCH SERVICES,* HE ADDED.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE PARTICULARLY ACTIVE IN PROVIDING SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, BOTH RESIDENTIAL HOMES AND HOSTELS OF VARIOUS TYPES AND OTHER SERVICES SUCH AS HOME HELP AND SOCIAL CENTRES.
IN 1984-85, THE DEPARTMENT EXPECTED TO PROVIDE RECURRENT SUBVENTIONS FOR 12 NEW SOCIAL CENTRES, THREE CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES AND SIX HOSTELS FOR THE ELDERLY, PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL 1 200 RESIDENTIAL PLACES. ,
MR CHAMBERS GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT +WE SHALL BE MOVING AHEAD IN THE COMING YEAR WITH EXPANSION PLANS IN MOST SERVICES.*
MR CHAMBERS SAID ALSO THAT THE SHORTAGE OF TRAINED STAFF WAS A PROBLEM FACED BY WELFARE SERVICES.
THE VERY RAPID EXPANSION OF SERVICES HAD MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE TRAINING INSTITUTIONS TO MATCH THE DEMAND FOR TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS.
MOST OF THE INSTITUTIONS ARE EXPANDING THE NUMBERS ON THEIR COURSES AND THE NEW CITY POLYTECHNIC WILL ALSO BE STARTING A DIPLOMA COURSE IN SOCIAL WORK THIS AUTUMN.
+T0 TRY TO TAP A NEW SOURCE OF GRADUATE SOCIAL WORKERS, WE HAVE RECENTLY DECIDED TO TAKE IN GRADUATES IN SUBJECTS OTHER THAN SOCIAL WORK, ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY WILL TAKE PARTTIME COURSES LEADING TO POST-GRADUATE SOCIAL WORK QUALIFICATIONS,* HE SAID.
/THE FIRST .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
5
The FIRST ADVERTISEMENTS PRODUCED over 7OO APPLICANTS FOR INTERVIEW.
ANOTHER PROBLEM WAS THAT of SPACE. + |T IS VERY HARD TO FIND SUITABLE SITES FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS,* HE SAID.
+ 3UT WE ARE HELPED A GREAT DEAL BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S POLICY OF PROVIDING SPACE IN THEIR NEW HOUSING ESTATES FOR A VARIETY OF WELFARE SERVICES.*
EACH NEW ESTATE NOW CONTAINS A SELECTION OF PREMISES EARMARKED FOR SUCH SERVICES AS DAY NURSERIES, HOSTELS FOR THE ELDERLY, YOUTH CENTRES AND A VARIETY OF REHABILITATION CENTRES.
----o------
NOTE TO EDITORS:
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW
XXX#
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL RETURN FROM LONDON TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING.
THEY WILL BE ARRIVING ON FLIGHT BR 382, ETA 6.20 PM.
A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED TO COVER THEIR ARRIVAL. PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN ASSIGNED TO COVER THE EVENT SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING NOT LATER THAN 5.20 PM TOMORROW.
GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-----0 - - - -
WARNING ABOUT SMOKING TO BE EXTENDED X X X X X
THE GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING AGAINST SMOKING WILL BE CARRIED MORE WIDELY IN CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS UNDER PROPOSED LEGISLATION PUBLISHED TODAY.
AT PRESENT, A LOCALLY-PRINTED NEWSPAPER OR MAGAZINE IS EXEMPTED FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO CARRY THE GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING ON ITS CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS, PROVIDED THAT NOT LESS THAN 80 PER CENT OF ITS CIRCULATION IS OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
UNDER THE PERCENTAGE CRITERION, A LOCALLY PRINTED PUBLICATION COULD BE EXEMPTED FROM CARRYING THE HEALTH WARNING DESPITE A WIDE CIRCULATION IN HONG KONG. IN ORDER TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION, IT IS INTENDED THAT EXEMPTION SHOULD BE GRANTED ONLY TO THOSE LOCALLY PRINTED PUBLICATIONS WHOSE CIRCULATION IS 80 PER CENT OR MORE OUTSIDE HONG KONG, AND LOCAL CIRCULATION IS BELOW AN ABSOLUTE NUMERICAL LIMIT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
/UNDER THE ....
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
6
UNDER THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, A LOCALLY PRINTED PUBLICATION WILL ONLY BE EXEMPTED FROM THE HEALTH WARNING REQUIREMENT IF ITS CIRCULATION IN HONG KONG IS LESS THAN 20 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL AND DOES NOT EXCEED A LIMIT TO BE SET BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.
THIS LIMIT WILL BE SET AT 10 000 COPIES AND WILL TAKE EFFECT THREE MONTHS AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL. THIS WILL ALLOW PUBLISHERS SUFFICIENT TIME TO NOTIFY ADVERTISERS ABOUT THE NEW REQUIREMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT FURTHER RESTRICTIONS WOULD BE IMPOSED ON THE PRESENT LIST OF EXEMPTIONS FROM THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS TO CARRY THE HEALTH WARNING.
CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS WITHOUT THE GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING WILL NO LONGER BE ALLOWED IN OR UPON THE PREMISES OF CIGARETTE RETAILERS, OR ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES BELONGING TO A MANUFACTURER, DISTRIBUTOR OR A WHOLESALE DEALER OF CIGARETTES OR CIGARETTE TOBACCO. ADDITIONALLY CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS IN OR UPON THE PREMISES OF A MANUFACTURER OR WHOLESALE DEALER OF CIGARETTES OR CIGARETTE TOBACCO WILL IN FUTURE HAVE TO CARRY THE GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING IF THE ADVERTISEMENTS ARE VISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE THE PREMISES.
THESE MEASURES ARE PROPOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BASIC PRINCIPLE THAT CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS WHICH ARE DISPLAYED TO THE PUBLIC MUST CARRY THE HEALTH WARNING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR MODIFICATIONS, THE REMOVAL OF EXEMPTION FOR ADVERTISEMENTS ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES WILL TAKE EFFECT SIX MONTHS AFTER LEGISLATION IS ENACTED, AND THE MORE RESTRICTIVE REQUIREMENT ON ADVERTISEMENTS ON THE PREMISES OF RETAILERS, MANUFACTURERS AND WHOLESALERS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TWELVE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF ENACTMENT.
ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE HEALTH WARNING, FOR ADVERTISEMENTS ON SMALL PORTABLE OBJECTS, CLOTHING AND UMBRELLAS, WHICH CONSIST ONLY OF A BRAND NAME OR LOGO, WILL BE RETAINED. THIS EXEMPTION HOWEVER IS TO BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO REGULATIONS TO BE MADE IF THE BILL IS PASSED, TO FACILITATE ANY FUTURE AMENDMENT.
THE BILL IS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 2 AND IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE ITS THIRD READING ON MAY 16.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON ITS PROVISIONS MAY WRITE TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
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/7 -°.....
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
7
HONG KONG TO REFER TWO U.S. TEXTILES CALLS
* * X
HONG KONG HAS ASKED THE TEXTILES SURVEILLANCE BODY (TSB) IN GENEVA TO CONSIDER THE UNITED STATES’ IMPOSITION OF EXPORT RESTRAINT LIMITS ON TWO GARMENT CATEGORIES (CAT.652 AND 637) CALLED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT HONG KONG WAS EXERCISING ITS RIGHTS UNDER THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT AND THE HK-US BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT.
DURING INCONCLUSIVE CONSULTATIONS IN WASHINGTON LAST MONTH WITH THE UNITED STATES, THE HONG KONG DELEGATION DID NOT AGREE THAT THE U.S. HAD MADE A CASE OF MARKET DISRUPTION OR THREAT THEREOF IN EITHER CATEGORY AND REQUESTED THAT BOTH CALLS BE LIFTED.
SINCE THE UNITED STATES ADMINISTRATION DISAGREED WITH HONG KONG’S ARGUMENT, IT IMPOSED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT HK-US TEXTILES AGREEMENT, RESTRAINT LIMITS ON EXPORTS IN 1984 OF 3 513 103 DOZEN ON CAT. 652 (MAN-MADE FIBRE UNDERWEAR) AND 45 502 DOZEN ON CAT. 637 (MAN-MADE FIBRE PLAYSUITS ETC).
MR MACLEOD SAID THAT THE DECISION TO REFER THE MATTER TO THE TSB WAS MADE AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, AND AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE U.S. BEFORE AND DURING THE MARCH CONSULTATIONS.
HE SAID THAT THIS INFORMATION INCLUDED U.S. INDUSTRY PRODUCTION DATA, STATISTICS RELATING TO HONG KONG IMPORTS, AND COMPARATIVE PRICE DATA. IN HONG KONG’S VIEW THERE WAS NO CASE FOR RESTRAINT IN EITHER CATEGORY AND IT HAD THEREFORE BEEN DECIDED TO REFER THE U.S. ACTION TO THE TSB FOR CONSIDERATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS. IT WAS LIKELY TO BE DISCUSSED BY THE TSB IN EARLY MAY.
--------0 - - - -
TEXTILE TALKS WITH FINLAND START MONDAY
X X X *
CONSULTATIONS WITH FINLAND WITH A VIEW TO REACHING A BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENT WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY (APRIL 9) IN HELSINKI.
THE CURRENT TWO-YEAR AGREEMENT WHICH EXPIRES ON JULY 31, PROVIDES FOR EXPORT RESTRAINT ON THREE CATEGORIES OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND AN EXPORT AUTHORISATION ARRANGEMENT COVERING ANOTHER SIX CATEGORIES.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION, LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, |wr HAMISH MACLEOD, WILL LEAVE FOR FINLAND THIS EVENING (FRIDAY).
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/8......
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
- 8 -
EMPLOYMENT SURVEY UNDERWAY * * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS NOW CONDUCTING A SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 83 OOO ESTABLISHMENTS DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS.
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS AT THE END OF MARCH, AND REMINDERS ARE NOW BEING SENT TO ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH HAVE NOT YET RESPONDED.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982 (LEGAL NOTICE NO. 69 OF 1982, GAZETTED ON MARCH 5, 1982), ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
INFORMATION IS BEING SOUGHT ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON MARCH 30, 1984 FROM EACH ESTABLISHMENT.
RECIPIENTS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRES MAY CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE AT TELEPHONE 5-436551, 5-444301, 5-455661 OR 5-455668.
-----0------
PAWNBROKERS’ LICENCE RULES GAZETTED
* * * * *
REGULATIONS FOR THE ISSUE AND RENEWAL OF PAWNBORKERS’ LICENCES ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
THEY REPLACE THREE SETS OF EXISTING REGULATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN REVOKED BY THE PAWNBROKERS ORDINANCE WHICH WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 15.
THE NEW REGULATIONS PRESCRIBE THE FORMS, FEES, CONDITIONS AND METHODS OF APPLICATION FOR LICENCES AND RENEWAL OF LICENCES.
ONE OF THE CONDITIONS IS A REQUIREMENT ON THE PAWNBROKER TO DISPLAY A WARNING NOTICE STATING THAT HIS FINANCIAL LIABILITY IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PAWNED GOODS RESULTING FROM HIS NEGLIGENCE SHALL NOT EXCEED, IN RESPECT OF ANY ONE ARTICLE, THE MAXIMUM LOAN LIMIT SPECIFIED IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH WILL BE $25 000.
THE ANNUAL PAWNBROKING LICENCE FEE OF $2 500 FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON AND $1 000 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, LAST REVISED IN 1960, WILL BE INCREASED TO $4 000.
-------o - - - -
/9........
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
- 9 -
TREE PLANTING SCHEME TO BE LAUNCHED
* * * *
THE 1984 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL BE LAUNCHED AT A SPECIAL CEREMONY TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
DURING THE CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, WILL LEAD A PARTY OF GUESTS TO PLANT THE FIRST TREES IN THE PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK IN TA I PO.
THE GUESTS WILL INCLUDE TWO UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHARLES YEUNG AND MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, AND THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, MR LIU CHING-LEUNG.
ABOUT 120 CIVIL AID SERVICES CADETS, POLICE CADETS, SCOUTS, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB AND A SCHOOL INVOLVED IN A FOREST PROJECT AT BRIDE’S POOL IN TAI PO WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO PLANT TREES.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO PLANT THEIR OWN TREES IN SIX OF THE COUNTRY PARKS ON THREE CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS, STARTING ON APRIL 8.
TREE SEEDLINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FOR PLANTING IN COUNTRY PARKS AT TWISK, BRIDE’S POOL, CLEAR WATER BAY AND PAK TAM CHUNG IN SAI KUNG, NAM SHAN ON LANTAU ISLAND AND QUARRY BAY ON HONG KONG ISLAND ON APRIL 8, 15, 22.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LAUNCHING OF THE 1984 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME IN THE PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK TOMORROW (SATURDAY). THE CEREMONY WILL START AT 10.30 AM.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND WILL LEAVE THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 393 CANTON ROAD IN KOWLOON AT 9 AM SHARP TOMORROW (SATURDAY). INFORMATION UNIT OFFICERS WILL ASSIST MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.
---------o
/IO........
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
10 -
NEW NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL TO BE BUILT
* * * *
WORK ON BUILDING A GENERAL NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL IN LAI KING HILL ROAD WILL START LATER THIS MONTH.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $49.5 MILLION CONTRACT TO CHEUNG HING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED FOR THE PROJECT.
THE NEW SCHOOL, WHICH IS FOR 400 STUDENT NURSES, WILL OCCUPY TWO LOWER STOREYS OF A 16-STOREY BUILDING.
THE REMAINING FLOORS WILL BE USED AS QUARTERS FOR 750 GENERAL AND STUDENT NURSES TO RELIEVE THE DEMAND FOR QUARTERS IN PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL.
THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF THE BUILDING WILL BE 22 800 SQUARE METRES.
THERE WILL BE DINING, COMMUNAL AND CAR PARKING FACILITIES.
THE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED TOWARDS THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
-----0------
YOUNG PEOPLE TO EXCHANGE VIEWS
* X *
FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) 40 YOUNG MONG KOK MEN AND WOMEN WILL BE EXCHANGING VIEWS ON COMMUNITY MATTERS IN A SIX-MONTH PROJECT SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CLEMENT TAO, SAID THE AIM OF THE +COMMUNITY IN PERSPECTIVE* PROJECT IS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO ENGAGE MORE ACTIVELY IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
+IT WILL ALSO ENABLE THE DISTRICT BOARD TO KNOW THE VIEWS OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE SO THAT THE BOARD CAN PLAY ITS ROLE MORE EFFECTIVELY AND BE TRUELY REPRESENTATIVE OF PUBLIC OPINIONS,* HE ADDED.
TOMORROW, A TWO-DAY ORIENTATION CAMP WILL BE HELD AT THE SILVERMINE BEACH HOTEL FOR THE 42 PARTICIPANTS TO HOLD GROUP ACTIVITIES, TALKS AND DEBATES.
FROM APRIL 10, 10 SEMINARS WILL BE HELD IN THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE ONCE A WEEK UNTIL JUNE 10.
GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINARS WILL INCLUDE LECTURERS FROM THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, AN ACCOUNTANT, A BARRISTER AND A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST.
/DISCUSSION TOPICS
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
11
DISCUSSION TOPICS WILL INCLUDE SMALL BUSINESS, URBAN RENEWAL, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, POLITICAL SCIENCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.
THE FINDINGS OF THE STUDY GROUPS WILL BE DISCUSSED IN AN OPEN FORUM IN LATE SEPTEMBER.
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STANLEY WONG, SAID!
♦THE SEMINARS AND STUDY GROUPS ARE AIMED AT FINDING OUT
HOW DIFFERENT GROUPS OF LOCAL PEOPLE VIEW MONG KOK AS A COMMUNITY, THE PROBLEMS THEY ARE MOST CONCERNED WITH AND WHAT THEY CAN DO TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY.
♦THE RESULTS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION.+
- - - - o----------
TRANSPORT FORUM SEEKS RESIDENTS* VIEWS * * * *
AN OPEN FORUM TO COLLECT RESIDENTS’ VIEWS ON THE STUDY OF TRAFFIC REQUIREMENTS IN THE MID-LEVELS AND CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (APRIL 8).
CONDUCTED BY A WORKING GROUP OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, THE FORUM WILL BE HELD AT THE COMMUNITY HALL OF CARITAS IN CAINE ROAD, STARTING AT 2.30 PM. ‘
THE TWO-HOUR FORUM WILL FEATURE A BRIEFING ON THE STUDY BY THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND A QUEST ION-AND-ANSWER SESSION.
ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
VIEWS COLLECTED WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE DISTRICT BOARD AT THE COMING MEETING ON APRIL 19 AND THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR CONSIDERATION.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE FORUM WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, MR VINCENT KO, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FORUM AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 8) AT THE COMMUNITY HALL OF CARITAS IN CAINE ROAD.
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/12........
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
12 -
ANOTHER CLINIC FOR EAST KOWLOON
* * * *
RESIDENTS OF EAST KOWLOON WILL BE PROVIDED WITH ADDITIONAL MEDICAL SERVICES NEXT WEEK WHEN ANOTHER GOVERNMENT CLINIC OPENS ON TUESDAY (APRIL 10).
THE SHUN TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION LEUNG KAU KU I CLINIC, LOCATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 165 MA TAU WAI ROAD, WILL PROVIDE GENERAL OUTPATIENT SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW CLINIC, THERE WILL BE 11 GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND HEALTH CENTRES IN THE AREA.
THE LEUNG KAU KUI CLINIC OCCUPIES 600 SQUARE METRES AND HAS SIX CONSULTATION ROOMS. IT WILL BE OPEN FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS BETWEEN 9 AM AND 1 PM AND FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM, AND ON SATURDAYS FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM, AND WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
0
UK TOUR OFFER TO YOUNG MUSICIANS
* X * *
YOUNG LOCAL CHINESE MUSICIANS ARE NOW INVITED TO APPLY TO JOIN THE 1984 HONG KONG JING YING CONCERT TOUR OF THE UNITED KINGDOM IN SUMMER, ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
THE GROUP WILL PERFORM AT THE BILLINGHAM INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL, ARTS FESTIVALS AT SIDMOUTH AND MAIDSTONE, AND POSSIBLY IN CONCERTS IN LONDON BETWEEN AUGUST 1 AND 28.
HOWEVER, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID TODAY THE PROPOSED TOUR MAY ONLY PROCEED ON RECEIPT OF THE NECESSARY APPROVAL AND THE VOTING OF FUNDS BY THE GOVERNMENT.
APPLICANTS ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT THE PROGRAMME AND PLACES OF PERFORMANCES IN THE ITINERARY ARE SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION BY OVERSEAS AUTHORITIES, HE ADDED.
THE MUSIC OFFICE, UNDER WHOSE AUSPICES THE GROUP WILL TRAVEL, UNDERTAKES TO MEET ALL NECESSARY EXPENSES AND THE SELECTION OF APPLICANTS.
YOUNG MUSICIANS AGED 23 OR BELOW BUT NOT YOUNGER THAN 14 PLAYING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS MAY APPLY: DI-ZI, SIU, SHENG, ER-HU, BAN-HU, GAO-HU, ZHONG-HU, YANG CHIN, CHENG, PI-PA, ZHONG-RUAN, DI-RUAN AND CHINESE PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS.
PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WITH A MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS’ CHINESE ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE.
/Meanwhile, application ...
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
- 15 -
MEANWHILE, APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND ALL OFFICES OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 16. AUDITION WILL BE ARRANGED TOWARDS THE END OF APRIL.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED BY CALLING TEL: 5-283257
- - 0 -
ESTATE RECLAMATION IN FINAL STAGE * * * *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE FINAL RECLAMATION CONTRACT AT TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
• >
UNDER THE CONTRACT 17.3 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE FORMED, BRINGING THE TOTAL FOR THE ESTATE TO ALMOST 81 HECTARES.
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS CALLING FOR TENDERS FOR THE WORK WHICH WILL ALSO INCLUDE CONSTRUCTING 550 METRES OF RUBBLE MOULD, 210 METRES OF SEAWALL AS WELL AS ASSOCIATED ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
THE CONTRACT WILL COMMENCE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY MARCH , 1987.
RECLAMATION AT TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE HAS BEEN DIVIDED INTO FOUR PHASES. IT STARTED EARLY IN 1976.
-----o-------
CHILDREN URGED TO HELP KEEP HK CLEAN
*****
SCHOOL CHILDREN WERE URGED TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD, TO HELP KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN. ■ a
PRESENTING PRIZES FOR A PAINTING COMPETITION AT BEACON HILL SCHOOL, MR HEYWOOD URGED THE CHILDREN, WHO HAD SHOWN CONCERN flBOUT POLLUTION OF THE RIVER INDUS, TO MAINTAIN THEIR INTEREST IN POLLUTION CONTROL.
MR HEYWOOD ALSO SAID THAT NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT CLEANSING STAFF COLLECTED A DAILY 1 000 TONNES OF LITTER IN THE NEW TERRITORIES EACH DAY. HOWEVER PIGS DAILY DISCHARGED SOME 2 000 TONNES OF WASTE WHICH HAD YET TO BE COLLECTED.
THE PAINTING COMPETITION, WITH POLLUTION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AS ITS THEME, HAD BEEN ORGANISED BY THE SCHOOL AND THE NTSD TO FURTHER ENCOURAGE THE STUDENTS INTEREST IN HELPING KEEP HONG KONG FREE FROM REFUSE.
FOURTEEN PRIMARY 3 TO PRIMARY 6 WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION FROM AMONG 120 PARTICIPANTS WERE TODAY AWARDED BOOK TOKENS FOR THEIR WORK.
-----0-------
/14......
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
14
FOOTBRIDGE FOR PING SHEK RESIDENTS
* * *
A STEEL FOOTBRIDGE IS TO BE BUILT ACROSS CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD NEAR PING SHEK ESTATE.
THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH WILL BE PAID FOR BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.
THE BRIDGE WILL LINK PING SHEK ESTATE WITH THE NEW NGAU CHI WAN MARKET COMPLEX AT ITS FIRST-FLOOR LEVEL.
THE TOTAL SPAN OF THE BRIDGE IS 40.5 METRES.
WORK WILL START IN MAY AND TAKE 10 MONTHS TO FINISH.
TUNNEL APPROACH ROAD WORK M M N *
FROM 11 PM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 8) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE APPROACH ROAD LEADING FROM CANAL ROAD FLYOVER TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED FOR ROAD RESURFACING WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO NORTH POINT, VICTORIA PARK ROAD EASTBOUND, GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND AND THE FLYOVER LEADING TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
THE MEASURES WILL BE REPEATED ON THE NIGHTS OF APRIL 9, IQ, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 AND 21.
WAN CHAI WATER WORKS M * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 9) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY LOCKHART ROAD, CANAL ROAD EAST, HENNESSY ROAD AND EAST POINT ROAD.
/15........
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1984
- 15 -
NOTE TO EDITORS:
SURVEY ON ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING *****
THE COMMITTEE ON ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING TRAINING OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 10.30 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 9) AT ROOM 1405, 14/F., HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
AT THE CONFERENCE MR B.F.R. LEWIS, COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN, WILL PRESENT THE FINDINGS OF THE 1983 MANPOWER SURVEY ON THE ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING INDUSTRY.
-------o----------
NOTE TO EDITORS:
DB MEMBERS TO SEE VOLUNTEERS IN TRAINING *****
FOURTEEN MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL VISIT THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE'VOLUNTEERS) SPRING CAMP IN SAP SZE HEUNG, NEW TERRITORIES ON MONDAY (APRIL 9) TO SEE THE VOLUNTEERS BEING TRAINED IN HELICOPTER TROOP MOUNT AND FIRING OPERATIONS.
THE ANNUAL 10-DAY CAMP IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR’S TRAINING FOR THE REGIMENT.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VISIT. TWO 14-SEATER VANS WILL LEAVE THE REGIMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY AT 8.30 AM FOR THE CAMP AND WILL RETURN AT 12.30 PM. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED.
GIS OFFICERS AND REGIMENT PR STAFF WILL ASSIST THE PRESS.
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I
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VISIT TO LONDON USEFUL - GOVERNOR............................ 1
MEN REMINDED ABOUT NEJ7 I.D. CARDS ..........................
600 000 TREE SEEDLINGS BEING PLANTED ........................ 2
MORE PARKS AND GARDENS FOR NT RESIDENTS ..................... 4
93 000 OBJECTIONS TO RATEABLE VALUES RECEIVED................ 5
STUDENTS TO BE TOLD ABOUT DRUG DANGER........................ 6
PUBLIC URGED TO SUPPORT DB’S ................................ 6
IN SI® LA FOR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC ........................ 7
KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS INVITED TO JOIN COURSES ............... 8
BETTER SERVICES FOR ELDERLY ................................. 9
EDUCATORS’ COMMUNITY ROLE STRESSED .......................... 9
NORTH POINT TRAFFIC CHANGES ................................. 11
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF FLYOVER................................. 11
TRAFFIC RESTRICTION LIFTED .................................. 11
FIRING DRILL AT HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK ........................ 12
SATURDAY, APR IL 7, 198A
1 VISIT TO LONDON USEFUL - GOVERNOR * * X *
SPEAKING ON HIS RETURN FROM LONDON THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING TOGETHER WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL; THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID:
♦GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. SORRY TO BRING YOU K THE AIRPORT A LITTLE EARLY. THEY WILL GIVE YOU SOME TIME OFF LATER IN THE EVENING, I EXPECT.
♦THIS WAS A SHORT BUT VERY USEFUL VISIT TO LONDON. IT WAS THE FOURTH IN THE SERIES OF CONSULTATIONS WITH MINISTERS TO WH) CP BOTH THEY AND' WE ATTACH’"^ EAT IMPORTANCE.
♦AND AS YOU KNOW ON THIS OCCASION WE SAW MR LUCE, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, AND THE PRIME MINISTER — IN THAT ORDER. ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE VERY BUSY SCHEDULES, THEY DID ALLOCATE A VERY CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO ThE DISCUSSIONS WITH US, AND WE OF COURSE SPENT QUITE A LOT OF TIME IN PREPARATION FOR THE MEETINGS WITH THEM. AND THAT ENABLED US TO HAVE A VERY FULL REVIEW OF THE SITUATION, PARTICULARLY WITH SIR GEOFFREY HOWE IN PREPARATION FOR HIS VISIT TO PEKING WHICH IS IN JUST OVER A WEEK’S TIME. THAT WAS A VERY USEFUL REVIEW AND AS ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, WE REACHED A CLOSE IDENTITY OF VIEWS. •
♦ AS FOR ME, I AM ONLY GOING TO BE HERE FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS BEFORE I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF SEEING YOU AGAIN AT THE AIRPORT ON TUESDAY WHEN I AM GOING TO PEKING. I SHALL STAY UP THERE. I WON’T BE COMING BACK AFTER THE NEXT ROUND. I SHALL STAY IN PEKING AND WAIT FOR SIR GEOFFREY TO ARRIVE. WE WILL BE THERE FOR HlS VISIT AND WE WILL THEN COME BACK TO HONG KONG WITH HIM.
♦AND I KNOW THAT HE WANTED ME TO SAY THAT HE IS LOOKING FORWARD VERY MUCH TO HlS VISIT AND TO MEETING AS MANY PEOPLE AS HE CAN WHILE HE IS HERE.
+THAT IS ALL WE HAVE FOR YOU AT THE MOMENT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.+
ARRIVING BACK TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNOR THIS EVENING WERE NINE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. THEY ARE SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, MR OSWALD CHEUNG, MR ROGER LOBO, MR LI FOOK-WO, MR LO TAK-SHING, MISS LYDIA DUNN, MR LEE QUO-WEI, MR CHEN SHOU-LUM AND MISS MARIA TAM.
the party was met at the airport by the chief secretary,
SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE.
0 -------
/2 .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1984
2
MEN REMINDED ABOUT NEW I.D. CARDS * * *
MEN BORN IN 1948, 1949 AND 1965 ARE REMINDED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THEY HAVE 12 MORE DAYS TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS.
AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SINCE THE iH PHASE OF THE NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE SCHEME BEGAN ON MARCH 12, . -IE 124 100 MEN IN THE AGE GROUPS HAVE APPLIED FOR THE CARDS, LEAVING ABOUT 25 100 YET TO APPLY BY APRIL 19.
THE END OF THE TENTH PHASE ALSO MARKS THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST MALE CYCLE OF THE SCHEME. BY THEN, ALL MEN BORN BETWEEN 1948 AND 1965, INCLUDING GREEN-SEAL CARD HOLDERS, SHOULD HAVE APPLIED FOR NEW CARDS.
ANYONE FOUND WITH AN INVALID CARD WILL BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
♦HOWEVER, THOSE WHO MISSED THEIR TURN TO APPLY FOR NEW CARDS BECAUSE THEY WERE AWAY FROM HONG KONG DURING THE SPECIFIED PERIODS MAY APPROACH ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THEIR RETURN,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NEXT PHASE OF THE 4IEW I.D. CARD ISSUE SCHEME WILL BE TARGETED AT WOMEN BORN IN 1963, 1964 AND 1965.
MEN BORN IN 1947 OR BEFORE WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THEIR TURN WHEN THE SECOND MALE CYCLE BEGINS NEXT YEAR.
-----o------
600 000 TREE SEEDLINGS BEING PLANTED
X X X X
MORE THAN 600 000 TREE SEEDLINGS WILL BE PLANTED THIS YEAR IN COUNTRY PARKS, NEW TOWNS, HOUSING ESTATES AND ALONG HIGHWAYS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
THE SEEDLINGS HAVE BEEN PRODUCED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO MAKE HONG KONG A NICER AND GREENER PLACE, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY IN THE PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK TO LAUNCH THIS YEAR’S COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME, BEFORE LEADING A PARTV qf GUESTS TO PLANT THE FIRST BATCH OF SEEDLINGS.
/RECALLING THAT........
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1904
- 3 -
RECALLING THAT THE FIRST COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING DAY WAS HELD IN SHING MUN PLANTATION MORE THAN 25 YEARS AGO, DR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID: ^COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING DAY IS NOW A WIDELY ACCEPTED ANNUAL EVENT AND IN 1982, DESPITE INCLEMENT WEATHER, 1 700 PARTICIPANTS PLANTED 3 500 TREES AND LAST YEAR 2 500 PARTICIPANTS PLANTED 3 800 TREES.+
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE EVEN MORE PEOPLE WILL JOIN IN PLANTING T cES.
TREE SEEDLINGS WILL ^E MADE AVAILABLE FOR PLANTING BY VISITORS IN SIX OF THE COUNTRY PARKS - AT TWISK, BRIDE’S POOL IN TAI PO, CLEAR WATER BAY AND PAK TAM CHUNG IN SAI KUNG, NAM SHAN ON LANTAU ISLAND AND QUARRY BAY ON HONG KONG ISLAND - ON THREE SUNDAYS FROM TOMORROW (APRIL 8 , AND ON APRIL 15 AND 22) BETWEEN 9 AM AND 3 PM.
DR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THAT TREE PLANTING WAS ONLY THE FIRST STEP, AND THAT PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE WERE NECESSARY FOLLOWUP MEASURES.
HE SAID THAT FIRES WERE THE BIGGEST MENACE, AND BECAUSE OF THE EXCEPTIONALLY DRY WINTER FOUR COUNTRY PARKS HAD TO BE CLOSED FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
HE SAID THE PUBLIC ACCEPTED THIS CLOSURE +WITH GOOD GRACE AND UNDERSTAND ING+, AND I THANKED THEM FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING OF THIS NECESSARY MEASURE.
TREE PLANTING, HE SAID, WAS ALSO REQUIRED OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE +CLEAN AND GREEN+ SCHEME, A COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION EDUCATION COMPETITION STARTED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
HE REMINDED THE YOUNG PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED PART ONE OF THIS SCHEME TO TAKE PART IN THE SECOND STAGE, WHICH INCLUDES TREE PLANTING AS PART OF THE COMPETITION.
AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHARLES YEUNG AND THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, MR LIU CHING-LEUNG JOINED DR RIDDELL-SWAN AND OTHER GUESTS IN PLANTING THE FIRST TREES DURING THE CEREMONY.
ABOUT 120 CIVIL AID SERVICES CADETS, POLICE CADETS, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB, THE SCOUTS AND A SCHOOL INVOLVED IN A FOREST PROJECT AT BRIDE’S POOL ALSO TOOK PART IN TREE PLANTING TODAY.
--------o
/4 .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1984
- 4 -
MORE PARKS AND GARDENS FOR NT RESIDENTS
* * * * *
RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE MAY NOW ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF MORE THAN 140 PARKS AND GARDENS AND HUNDREDS OF LANDSCAPED ROADSIDE AMENITY PLOTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THESE ATTRACTIVE SETTINGS OF COLOURFUL PLANTS AND WELL-LAID LAWNS CAN BE FOUND IN MANY LOCATIONS IN THE NEW TOWNS AND COUNTRYSIDE AND ARE THE WORK OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
PLANTING AND LANDSCAPING ARE ON-GOING ACTIVITIES TO CREATE A MORE BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID.
MORE THAN 470 000 PLANTS, MANY OF EXCEPTIONAL BEAUTY OR FRAGRANCE, WERE PLANTED IN 1983 AND NOW ADD COLOUR TO THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE EFFORTS OF THE NTSD GARDENING STAFF, AND TO HELP RAISE THEIR STANDARD OF WORK A GARDEN COMPETITION WAS HELD RECENTLY AMONG THEM. AWARDS FOR THE CONTEST WERE PRESENTED TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD, AT A BRIEF CEREMONY AT THE .NTSD HEADQUARTERS.
THE WINNERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
BEST KEPT PARK OF THE NTSD:
1. SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND IN TSUEN WAN;
2. TAI PO KAU PARK? AND
3. YUEN WO PLAYGROUND IN SHA TIN.
BEST KEPT LARGE ROADSIDE AMENITY PLOT:
1. AMENITY PLOT IN FRONT OF THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SQUASH COURT;
2. TAI HO ROAD ROUNDABOUT IN TSUEN WAN; AND
3. TAI PO MEI ROADSIDE AMENITY PLOT.
--------0 -
/5........
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1984
- 5 -
93 000 OBJECTIONS TO RATEABLE VALUES RECEIVED *****
THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED ABOUT 93 000 OBJECTIONS TO THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES IN THE VALUATION LISTS FOR 19K-6
THIS COMES TO ABOUT 12.6 PER CENT OF PREMISES ASSESSED COMPARED WITH 10.2 PER CENT IN 1977 WHEN THE PREVIOUS REVALUATION WAS MADE.
THE GENERAL INCREASE IN RATEABLE VALUES IN 1977 WAS MUCH LESS, SO THAT AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF OBJECTIONS THIS TIME IS NOT UNEXPECTED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE EXACT NUMBER OF VALID PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE KNOWN FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AS REGISTRATION IS STILL NOT COMPLETED EVEN THOUGH THE PERIOD FOR SERVING THEM HAS EXPIRED.
OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE INVESTIGATING ALL THE PROPOSALS MADE AND WILL NOTIFY RATEPAYERS OF THE DECISION TAKEN.
RATEPAYERS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE DECISION CAN APPEAL TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL.
THE SPOKESMAN RE-AFFIRMED THAT THE REVALUATION HAS NOT AFFECTED THE STATUS OF ANY PROPERTY IN RELATION TO THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE.
THE RATEABLE VALUE EXCLUSION POINT ($50 000) FOR PART II OF THE ORDINANCE IS THAT IN THE VALUATION LIST ON JUNE 10, 1983, AND THE RECENT CHANGES DO NOT AFFECT ANY PROPERTY'S STATUS FOR THIS PURPOSE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID,+THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES ARE BASED ON AN ESTIMATE OF THE ANNUAL RENTAL VALUE OF THE PREMISES AS AT JULY 1, 1983 ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THEY WERE VACANT AND TO LET.
♦THUS IF A DOMESTIC PROPERTY IS LET AT A CONTROLLED RENT THE RATEABLE VALUE WILL USUALLY BE HIGHER THAN THE RENT PASSING BECAUSE THIS WOULD NOT USUALLY REPRESENT THE RENT WHICH COULD BE OBTAINED FOR THE PREMISES IF VACANT AND TO LET.*
HE SAID HE FELT THAT A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS MAY HAVE BEEN MADE AS A RESULT OF A MISUNDERSTANDING ON THIS POINT.
+RATEABLE VALUES WILL NOT BE REDUCED MERELY BECAUSE THEY EXCEED THE CONTROLLED RENT PASSING,* HE ADDED.
- 0 ----------
/6........
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1984
- 6 -
STUDENTS TO BE TOLD ABOUT DRUG DANGER * * *
ACAN - THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS - WILL LAUNCH A PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY DRIVE THIS YEAR AIMED PARTICULARLY AT YOUNG PEOPLE.
SPEAKING TO ABOUT 100 FRONTLINE SOCIAL WORKERS AT A SEMINAR ENTITLED +DRUG PROBLEMS: ITS PRESENT TREND AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES* TODAY (SATURDAY), MR ISSAC CHOW, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, SAID THAT NARCOTICS DIVISION STAFF WERE VISITING SECONDARY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO TALK ABOUT DRUG ABUSE TO CHILDREN IN FORMS I, II AND III.
SEMINARS WOULD ALSO BE HELD FOR PARENTS, TEACHERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS ON THE PREVENTION OF DRUG ABUSE, HE SAID.
TODAY’S SEMINAR, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, AIMED AT PROVIDING SOCIAL WORKERS WITH KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DRUG ABUSE.
SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR, MR K.L. STUMPF, CHAIRMAN OF THE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE OF ACAN, STRESSED THAT ALL SOCIAL WORKERS AND ALL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN MAKING HONG KONG A DRUG-FREE COMMUNITY.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR WERE DR C.Y. SAM, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, MR Y.F. HUI, DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND MRS VIRGINIA LO, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SOCIAL SERVICE, SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS.
- - - - 0 ----
PUBLIC URGED TO SUPPORT DB’S * * *
SUCCESS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN PROMOTING DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION DEPENDS GREATLY ON WHETHER THEY CAN REFLECT THE WISHES AND VIEWS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF TUEN MUN, MR CHRISTOPHER WONG, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
HE SAID WHILE THE PUBLIC WERE AWARE OF THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEIR DAILY LIFE AND WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THEY SHOULD ALSO GIVE THEIR SUPPORT AND VOTE IN THE BOARD ELECTIONS.
♦REGISTERING AS VOTERS IS THE FIRST STEP TO MOTIVATE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION,* HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE SIX-WEEK REGISTRATION EXERCISE WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 15 AND ANY RESIDENTS OVER THE AGE OF 21 WHO HAVE LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS SHOULD REGISTER.
MR WONG WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT PRELIMINARY SINGING CONTEST - THE SECOND OF THE 18 DISTRICTS’ COMPETITIONS. THE FIRST WAS HELD IN SHA TIN ON APRIL 1.
/FOR THE .......
- 7 -
FOR THE FOLLOWING SATURDAYS UNTIL JULY 28, PRELIMINARY COMPETITIONS WILL BE HELD IN THE OTHER 16 DISTRICTS.
THE 18-DISTRICT AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND SING TAO NEWSPAPERS LIMITED.
♦ THE CONTEST IS TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL RESIDENTS TO TAKE ACTIVE anticipation in district activities so as to strengthen their .ENSE OF BELONGING AND CONCERN TOWARDS LOCAL AFFAIRS,* MR WONG SAID
IN TUEN MUN, HE SAID, THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD HAD MADE GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BY SUPPORTING WELFARE SERVICES AND ORGANISING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
TWELVE YOUNG AMATEURS, SELECTED FROM ABOUT 100 CONTESTANTS THROUGH A SERIES OF AUDITIONS, COMPETED FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE YAU 01 TONG COMMUNITY AND INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE TONIGHT.
THE WINNER WILL REPRESENT TUEN MUN TO COMPETE WITH WINNERS OF 17 OTHER DISTRICTS IN A SEMI-FINAL ON AUGUST 11 WHEN NINE FINALISTS WILL BE CHOSEN FOR THE GRAND FINAL ON SEPTEMBER 8.
THE BEST PERFORMER IN THE GRAND FINAL WILL WIN A RECORDING CONTRACT AND OTHER WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES WORTH MORE THAN $40 000.
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INSIGNIA FOR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC
* * *
SIXTY-EIGHT PEOPLE DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC WILL RECEIVE THEIR INSIGNIA FROM THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDwAKD YOUDE, AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE AT 6 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 9).
HEADING THE LIST OF RECIPIENTS ARE MR CHEN SHOU-LUM, UNOFFICIAL l*EMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, AND MR PETER WILLIAMS, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, BOTH OF WHOM WILL RECEIVE THE CBE.
NOTE TO EDITORS i
A LIST OF THE RECIPIENTS AT THE INSIGNIA PRESENTATION MAY BE COLLECTED FROM THE GIS NEWS DIVISION AT 4 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 9).
ONLY PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WITH SPECIAL PASSES WILL BE ADMITTED TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE. THEY SHOULD MEET GIS OFFICERS IN THE GUARD ROOM NOT LATER THAN 5.30 PM.
NEWSPAPERS WITHOUT SUCH PASSES WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN PHOTOGRAPHS BY MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OF PRINTS WITH MING YUEN STUDIO, 22 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, TEL. 5-224310.
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/8 .....
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1984
- 8 -
KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS INVITED TO JOIN COURSES * * * *
KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WHO ARE PROFESSIONALLY UNTRAINED ARE BEING INVITED TO ENROL IN ONE OF TWO PART-TIME IN-SERVICE COURSES TO BE RGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN THE 1984-85 ACADEMIC YEA- .
ONE OF THE COURSES WILL START IN SEPTEMBER 1984 AND THE OTHER IN MARCH 1985.
THE 12-WEEK COURSES ARE ORGANISED IN ACCORDANCE WITH A RECOMMENDATION OF THE 1981 WHITE PAPER ON PRIMARY EDUCATION AND PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES.
♦KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE COURSE AND A SIX-MONTH POST-COURSE PERIOD OF SUPERVISED TEACHING WILL BE DESIGNATED ’QUALIFIED ASSISTANT KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS’,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN TO ALL FULL-TIME KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WITH A MINIMUM OF TWO-YEARS’ TEACHING EXPERIENCE IN A REGISTERED KINDERGARTEN.
KINDERGARTEN SUPERVISORS OR HEAD-TEACHERS, WHO ARE FULLY TRAINED TEACHERS OR ARE UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE GRADUATES BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED SPECIALISED TRAINING IN KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION, MAY ALSO APPLY.
+FOR THIS GROUP OF TRAINEES, PART OF THE COURSE CONTENTS WILL INCLUDE ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT, AND THE POST-COURSE TEACHING PRACTICE REQUIREMENT WILL BE WAIVED,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW. SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE RESULT BEFORE THE END OF JULY 1984.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, AND ITS KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED BY MAY 18 TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR, KINDERGARTEN SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT LEE GARDENS.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE WITH THE KINDERGARTEN SECTION ON 5-8392487 OR 5-8392489.
/9 .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1934
- 9 -
BETTER SERVICES FOR ELDERLY * * * *
SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY HAVE IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY IN BOTH QUALITY AND QUANTITY, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR ALFRED CHUI, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR CHUI WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SHAN KING ESTATE .jTEl AND SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY IN TUEN MUN, RUN BY THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT PLANNED TO OPEN NINE HOSTELS, TWO CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES AND ONE NEW HOUSING SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY THIS YEAR, PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL 1 700 RESIDENTIAL PLACES. AT PRESENT, THERE ARE MORE THAN 6 700 RESIDENTIAL PLACES.
+THESE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FULL SUPPORT OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND PUBLIC-SPIRITED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY,+ HE SAID.
+COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, LIKE SOCIAL CENTRES, WILL ALSO BE GREATLY EXPANDED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THOSE ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING AT HOME.+
THERE ARE NOW 80 SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY AND ANOTHER 15 ARE PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR.
THESE CENTRES PROVIDED SENIOR CITIZENS WITH A VENUE FOR CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO HELP THEM BECOME ACTIVE AMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, MR CHUI SAID.
SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY PROVIDED BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES INCLUDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, HEALTH SERVICES, RESIDENTIAL CARE, HOUSING, HOME HELP, COUNSELLING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIV ITIES.
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EDUCATORS’ COMMUNITY ROLE STRESSED * * * *
DEMOCRACY REQUIRES PROPER CIVIC EDUCATION AND SOCIAL AWARENESS, WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
+IN AN ERA WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ELECTIONS, REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND DEMOCRACY, IT IS PERHAPS IMPORTANT FOR THE EDUCATION SECTOR TO EMPHASISE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS,+ HE SAID.
KNOWLEDGE OF THE POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND OF CURRENT AFFAIRS WILL FOSTER A STRONG SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AMONG STUDENTS, SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE REAL OBJECTIVES OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MORE BROADLY REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND DEMOCRACY AS A WHOLE, SAID MR LAM.
/HE WAS .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1984 - 10 -
HE WAS SPEAKING ABOUT ’DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION FROM THE EDUCATION SECTOR’ AT THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT HEADMASTERS’ SEMINAR.
ONE WAY TO CULTIVATE A SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY IS FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION TO LEARN TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY AND 0" SR PEOPLE, THEREBY DEVELOPING A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND S I AL AWARENESS.
MR LAM ALSO TOUCHED ON THE OTHER WAYS IN WHICH EDUCATION COULD PROMOTE AND DEVELOP DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
HE SAID HEADMASTERS AND TEACHERS SHOULD NOT FORGET THEIR . RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS IN SHARING IN, AND CONTRIBUTING THEIR IDEAS TO, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
+THEREFORE I WOULD EXPECT THEM TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AS VOTERS AND TO CAST THEIR VOTES, + HE SAID. +1 HOPE THEY WILL ENCOURAGE THEIR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO FOLLOW THEIR OWN GOOD EXAMPLES.
+FURTHERMORE, GIVEN THEIR ACQUAINTANCE WITH PARENTS FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE, THEIR INTERACTION WITH THE YOUNGER GENERATION AND THEREFORE THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE NEEDS, ASPIRATIONS AND DESIRES OF'STUDENTS AND PARENTS GENERALLY, THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE EDUCATION SECTOR IS NOT NECESSARILY CONFINED NARROWLY TO EDUCATION MATTERS.
+BEING EQUIPPED WITH CRITICAL AND ANALYTICAL MINDS, HEADMASTERS AND TEACHERS HAVE A FAR MORE IMPORTANT AND BROADER ROLE TO PLAY IN COMMUNITY AND DISTRICT AFFAIRS.+
MR LAM SAID THAT THE SETTING UP OF DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS THE HEADMASTERS’ CONFERENCE, HELPED IN THE PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND GREATLY ENHANCED SOCIAL COHESION WITHIN THE DISTRICT.
+IN ADDITION, THEY INDIVIDUALLY PROVIDE A COLLECTIVE BASE ON WHICH THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND DISTRICT BOARD CAN PROMOTE THEIR ACTIVITIES AND SOLICIT FEEDBACK ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, EITHER GENERALLY OR SPEC IF ICALLY,+ HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE RECENT PROPOSALS ANNOUNCED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO FURTHER DEVELOP DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR LAM SAID: +IF THESE PROPOSALS WERE EVENTUALLY ACCEPTED, THE MORE REPRESENTATIVE STATUS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THEIR GREATER RESPONSIBILITIES WOULD MAKE THEM BETTER ABLE TO DEAL WITH LOCAL ADMINISTRATION MORE RESPONSIVELY AND EFFECT IVELY.+
TODAY’S SEMINAR, ATTENDED BY HEADMASTERS OF ALL KINDERGARTENS, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT, WAS THE FIRST PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT HEADMASTERS’ CONFERENCE SINCE ITS FORMATION L^ST SEPTEMBER.
THE OTHER GUEST SPEAKER AT THE SEMINAR WAS THE PRINCIPAL OF CNEC CHRISTIAN COLLEGE, MR LAU YAN-TAK, WHO TALKED ON ’SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND MORAL EDUCATION’.
0 - .-----
/11 .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1984
11
NORTH POINT TRAFFIC CHANGES * * * *
NEW TRAFFIC MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE IN NORTH POINT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 9).
HE MEASURES ARE:
*
VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM JAVA ROAD INTO TONG SHU I ROAD SOUTHBOUND.
*
WHARF ROAD BETWEEN JAVA ROAD AND NORTH POINT ROAD WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
*
NORTH POINT ROAD BETWEEN WHARF ROAD AND JAVA ROAD WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
HOWEVER THE SECTION OF TONG SHU I ROAD BETWEEN JAVA ROAD AND KING’S ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY (APRIL 10 AND 11) TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS FOR WORK ON THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS WILL HAVE TO USE KAM HONG STREET TO PROCEED TO KING’S ROAD.
- 0 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF FLYOVER * * *
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 9), THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE FLYOVER CONNECTING PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST AND MA TAU CHUNG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT A MONTH TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS FROM PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST CHUNG ROAD ARE ADVISED TO PROCEED ON GROUND
HEADING FOR MA TAU LEVEL ROADS.
- - 0 - -
TRAFFIC RESTRICTION LIFTED
* *
* *
FROM 10 AM ON WAN ROAD EASTBOUND
MONDAY (APRIL BETWEEN HOUSE
9), THE BUS-ONLY LANE ON SHAU KEI NO. 193 AND HOI AN STREET w ILL BE
SUSPENDED FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO FACILITATE CABLE LAYING wORK IN THE AREA.
— o -
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1984
- 12 -
FIRING DRILL AT HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK * * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON FIVE DAYS NEXT WEEK.
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS At.l HOISTED.
THE PRACTICE WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 11 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 9), TUESDAY (APRIL 10), WEDNESDAY (APRIL 11) AND THURSDAY (APRIL 12), AND FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 13).
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©
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE FUNDS FOR DISTRICT BOARDS ................................ 1
REPORT ON YOUTH CENTRES COMPLETED.............................. 2
EUROPEAN MPS' TOUR TO SHA TIN ................................. 3
EMPLOYERS ASKED TO SUPPORT + SAFETY AT W0RK+ .................. 3
ST. JOHN HOSPITAL ON CHEUNG CHAU TO GET LIFT .................. 4
BEAUTIFYING THE SHA TIN ENVIRONMENT ........................... 5
SLOPE WORK AT KWAI CHUNG CREMATORIUM........................... 5
SEAWALL FOR JUNK BAY CONTROLLED TIP ........................... 6
POSTERS TELL OF FIRE HAZARD ................................... 7
REFRESHER COURSES ON MATHEMATICS TEACHING ..................... 7
MARKET STALLS IN KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI FOR RENT.............. 8
MAINS WORK IN SHAU KEI WAN .................................... 8
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF NAM CHEONG STREET? ....................... 8
It
SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 1984
- 1 -
MORE FUNDS FOR DISTRICT BOARDS K K H
A SUM OF $34.13 MILLION HAS BEEN PROPOSED FOR THE 18 DISTRICT BOARDS TO CARRY OUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (GENERAL) OF CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR C.M. LEUNG, SAID TODAY.
THE AMOUNT, IF APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WOULD MEAN AN INCREASE OF $2.43 MILLION OR 7.67 PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR’S FIGURE.
MR LEUNG SAID THE INCREASED AMOUNT WOULD BE SHARED BETWEEN 18 BOARDS, AVERAGING AN INCREASE OF THREE PER CENT FOR THE EIGHT NT BOARDS AND 15 PER CENT FOR THE IQ URBAN BOARDS.
+THIS WILL HELP URBAN BOARDS EXPAND THEIR ACTIVITIES AND BRING THEM MORE INTO LINE WITH ALLOCATIONS FOR NT BOARDS,* HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT THERE WOULD BE NO HEADQUARTERS RESERVE THIS YEAR IN ORDER TO MAXIMISE, FROM THE VERY START, THE RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO THE BOARDS. ♦
OF THE TOTAL, $19.65 MILLION WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THE EIGHT NT BOARDS AND $14.48 MILLION TO THE 10 URBAN BOARDS.
FOR THE NT REGION, TSUEN WAN WILL GET THE BIGGEST SHARE OF $5.54 MILLION, FOLLOWED BY YUEN LONG WITH $2.99 MILLION, SHA TIN WITH $2.59 MILLION AND TUEN MUN WITH $2.49 MILLION.
BOTH THE ISLANDS AND NORTH DISTRICTS WILL GET $1.55 MILLION EACH, WHILE TAI PO WILL HAVE $1.49 MILLION AND SAI KUNG $1.45 MILL ION.
IN THE URBAN AREAS, KWUN TONG WILL HAVE $2.1 MILLION AND WONG TAI SIN $2.08 MILLION.
EASTERN, KOWLOON CITY AND SHAM SHU I PO WILL EACH GET $1.65 MILLION, FOLLOWED BY SOUTHERN WITH $1.35 MILLION.
THE REMAINING FOUR DISTRICTS - CENTRAL AND WESTERN, MONG KOK, YAU MA TEI AND WAN CHAI - WILL EACH HAVE $1 MILLION.
MR LEUNG SAID THE ALLOCATIONS WERE MAINLY DETERMINED BY THE SIZE OF THE POPULATION AND THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR ACTIVITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DISTRICTS.
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/2........
SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 1934
- 2 -
REPORT ON YOUTH CENTRES COMPLETED * * *
A REPORT CONTAINING PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE PHYSICAL ARRANGEMENTS AND THE STANDARD OF SERVICE IN YOUTH CENTRES HAS RECENTLY BEEN COMPLETED, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE HOPED IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT SOME OF THE PROPOSALS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE METHODIST AP LEI CHAU YOUTH CENTRE AT AP LEI CHAU ESTATE, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE REPORT, PRODUCED BY A COMMITTEE ON A RESEARCH PROJECT ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES, WAS THE RESULT OF +A GREAT DEAL OF WORK AND CAREFUL THOUGHT.+
HE SAID IT WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT THAT ESTATES WITH YOUNGER POPULATIONS, LIKE AP LEI CHAU, SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH YOUTH CENTRES TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP THEIR PERSONALITIES AND CHARACTER, A SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND SOCIAL APTITUDES.
♦AFTER ALL, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE OUR INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE,+ HE SAID, ADDING THAT THEY MUST BE GUIDED TO DIRECT THEIR ENERGIES TOWARDS POSITIVE GOALS. .
ON THE NEW CENTRE, HE SAID: +FROM NOW ON THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN ■THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD WILL HAVE A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN MEET THEIR FRIENDS AND SPEND THEIR LEISURE TIME CONSTRUCT IVELY.+
SOCIAL WORKERS WERE ALSO ON HAND TO HELP THOSE WITH PROBLEMS, HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WAS TO PROVIDE ONE YOUTH CENTRE FOR EVERY 20 000 POPULATION, MR CHAMBERS SAID.
THIS MEANT ANOTHER SIMILAR CENTRE WOULD BE PROVIDED AT LEI TUNG ESTATE IN THE SAME DISTRICT.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO CHRISTIAN CHURCHES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.
0 -
/3........
SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 1984
- 3 -
EUROPEAN MPS' Tnijp to SHA TIN
* * * *
A DELEGATION OF MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) VISITED SHA TIN FOR A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE NEW TOWN.
THE VISITORS, COMPRISING 10 MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FROM BRITAIN, FRANCE, WEST GERMANY, ITALY AND NETHERLANDS, WERE ALSO BRIEFED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DONALD TSANG, AT THE LION'S PAVILION.
THEY WERE TOLD THAT SINCE 1973 SHA TIN’S POPULATION HAS GROWN FROM 20 000 PEOPLE LIVING IN A RURAL VILLAGE SETTING TO ABOUT 250 000 AT PRESENT.
THE TARGET POPULATION OF ABOUT 800 000 IS EXPECTED TO BE REACHED BY THE MIDDLE OF THE NEXT DECADE.
AT PRESENT, 275 HECTARES OF LAND IN SHA TIN ARE FOR RESIDENTIAL USE, WITH VARIED TYPES AND SIZES OF BUILDINGS TO SUIT THE WIDE RANGE OF DIFFERENT INCOME GROUPS AND HOUSING ASPIRATION.
THERE ARE NOW 20 000 FAM ILIES L IV I NG IN PRIVATE HOUSING AND 34 000 IN PUBLIC HOUSING WHICH ROUGHLY CORRESPONDS WITH THE 40:60 HOUSING MIX SUGGESTED BY THE PLANNING GUIDELINES.
THE PARTY ALSO TOURED THE LUNG HANG PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE.
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EMPLOYERS ASKED TO SUPPORT ^SAFETY AT WORK*
M M M K M
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED EMPLOYERS IN THE MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES TO GIVE THEIR SUPPORT TO THE +SAFETY AT WORK* TELEVISION PROGRAMME BY SENDING WORKERS TO TAKE PART IN IT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS AND POPULARITY OF THE FIRST THREE SERIES OF THE +SAFETY AT WORK* TV PROGRAMME, A NEW PROGRAMME FORMAT AND NEW IDEAS WOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO THE FOURTH SERIES TO MAKE IT EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE.
THE PROGRAMME, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, AND CO-SPONSORED BY MR LAM KIN-MING OF LAI SUN GARMENT COMPANY LTD., IS AIMED AT PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AMONG WORKERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PROGRAMME WOULD CONSIST OF 13 HALF-HOUR EPISODES, WITH THE FIRST NINE EPISODES BEING PRELIMINARY ROUNDS, THE 10TH TO 12TH EPISODES SEMI-FINALS, AND THE 13TH EPISODE THE GRAND FINAL.
/A TOTAL........
SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 1984
- 4 -
A TOTAL OF 27 TEAMS FROM BOTH THE MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES WILL BE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE 13 EPISODES.
THE TEAMS, EACH COMPRISING FIVE CONTESTANTS AND 20 +SUPPORTERS+, WILL COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER IN THE PRELIMINARY ROUNDS. THE NINE WINNING TEAMS WILL THEN CONTEST IN THE SEMIFINALS.
THE THREE FINALISTS WILL THEN COMPETE FOR THE HONOUR OF OVERALL WINNER IN THE GRAND FINAL WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE AUDITORIUM OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL ON AUGUST 10, 1984.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY. THE DEADLINE FOR RETURNING THE FORMS IS APRIL 19, 1984.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 5-7907020.
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ST. JOHN HOSPITAL ON CHEUNG CHAU TO GET LIFT ******
TWO CONTRACTS, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF $1 252 000, HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AT ST. JOHN HOSPITAL ON CHEUNG CHAU.
ONE CONTRACT, VALUED AT $867 000 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LIFT SHAFT, HAS BEEN AWARDED TO TAI KONG CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED BY THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THIS CONTRACT ALSO INCLUDES CONSTRUCTING A 37-METRE-LONG COVERED WALKWAY. WORK BEGAN ON MONDAY (APRIL 2).
THE DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED THE OTHER CONTRACT, WORTH $385 000, TO OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY (HONG KONG) LIMITED TO INSTALL THE LIFT.
THE LIFT, CAPABLE OF CARRYING BEDS AS WELL AS PATIENTS, WILL BE READY FOR USE IN 14 MONTHS.
THE 90-BED DISTRICT HOSPITAL SERVES RESIDENTS OF TAI 0, PENG CHAU, LAMMA ISLAND AND CHEUNG CHAU.
IT PROVIDES GENERAL MEDICAL SERVICES, MATERNITY CARE, VARIOUS SPECIALIST SERVICES AS WELL AS A 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE.
THE HOSPITAL HAS UNDERGONE VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PAST, INCLUDING THE ADDITION OF A DENTAL SURGERY, AN X-RAY FACILITY, STAFF QUARTERS AND A METHADONE DETOXIFICATION CLINIC, AND IMPROVEMENT TO THE OUT-PATIENTS’ CLINIC.
IN ADDITION, THE NUMBER OF MEDICAL STAFF HAS BEEN INCREASED.
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/5......
SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 1984
- 5 -
BEAUTIFYING THE SHA TIN ENVIRONMENT * * *
AN ATTRACTIVELY DESIGNED AMENITY PLOT HAS RECENTLY BEEN ADDED TO SHA TIN.
THE AMENITY PLOT ALONGSIDE THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SQUASH COURTS AND SWIMMING POOL CONSISTS OF FOUR LARGE FLOWERING BEDS OF SELECTIVE PLANTING AND TURFING AREAS, ON A 680 SQUARE-rcTRE-SITE AT YUEN WO ROAD, OPPOSITE THE WO CHE ESTATE.
THE EYE-CATCHING PLOT HAS WON TWO AWARDS IN TWO INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMPETITIONS ORGANISED BY BOTH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD.
THE DISPLAY BY STAFF OF THE SHA TIN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE STOLE THE SHOW AT THIS YEAR’S USD GARDEN COMPETITION FOR LARGE GARDEN PLOTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL FLOWER SHOW, AND WON THE AWARD IN THE NTSD GARDEN COMPETITION AS THE BEST KEPT ROADSIDE AMENITY PLOT.
MORE THAN 20 000 SEASONAL FLOWERS AND GROUND COVERS WERE PLANTED TO FORM A NUMBER OF BEAUTIFUL FLOWER BEDS AT THE PLOT.
ONE FLOWER BED WAS DESIGNED TO SHOW THE SMILING FACE OF A BOY HOLDING TWO SPADES FOR PLAYING SAND, AND ANOTHER ONE SHOWS A GIRL PLAYING ON A SLIDE.
THESE FEATURES WERE AIMED AT CREATING A HARMONIOUS ATMOSPHERE RELATING WITH YOUNGSTERS PLAYING IN THE ADJACENT SAND PIT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A TOPIARY CORNER AND STONE DISPLAY OF TWO BIRDS STROLLING ON A SHORE FORMED BY A SAND PIT ADDED COLOUR TO THE PLOT.
-----0------
SLOPE WORK AT KWAI CHUNG CREMATORIUM
XXX
SLOPE PROTECTION WORK WILL START SOON AROUND THE CREMATORIUM AT WING HAU STREET, KWAI CHUNG.
IT WILL INCLUDE IMPROVEMENT TO DRAINAGE AND IS INTENDED TO BRING THE SLOPES UP TO CURRENT SAFETY STANDARDS.
WHEN THE WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED THE SLOPES WILL BE REPLANTED TO PROVIDE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT.
WHILE THE WORK IS IN PROGRESS THE CREMATORIUM WILL REMAIN OPEN.
/also, access ........
SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 1984
- 6 -
ALSO, ACCESS BY THE PUBLIC TO THE COLUMBARIUM AND GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE WILL BE MAINTAINED.
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR'THE PROJECT WHICH WILL START IN JULY AND FINISH IN 12 MONTHS.
TENDERS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST a ING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE 12 NOON ON FRIDAY, APRIL 27.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS ARE AVAILABLE FROM SCOTT WILSON KIRKPATRICK AND PARTNERS, 1720, OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
- - - - 0 - -
SEAWALL FOR JUNK BAY CONTROLLED TIP
*****
A 93O-METRE-LONG SEAWALL IS TO BE CONSTRUCTED OFF SAN SHEK WAN, SAI KUNG, AS PART OF THE FIRST STAGE OF WORK ON THE JUNK BAY CONTROLLED TIP.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
WORK WILL START IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT 16 MONTHS.
CONTROLLED TIPPING AT JUNK BAY BEGAN IN EARLY 1979 AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN MID-1987.
ON COMPLETION, THE TIP WILL PROVIDE ABOUT 58 HECTARES OF LAND.
IT WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO A PUBLIC OPEN SPACE TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE GROWING POPULATION LIVING AT JUNK BAY NEW TOWN CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
0 -------
/? .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 1984
- 7 -
POSTERS TELL OF FIRE HAZARD
* * *
FURTHER EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO REMIND RESIDENTS OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS TO KEEP THEIR SMOKE LOBBY DOORS CLOSED AT ALL TIMES.
A BILINGUAL POSTER PRODUCED BY THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP TO SHOW THE DANGER OF LEAVING SMOKE LOBBY DOORS OPEN, HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, MAJOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL COMPLEXES AS WELL AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY (SUNDAY), +SMOKE LOBBY DOORS ARE DESIGNED TO STOP SMOKE AND FIRE FROM SPREADING AND TO SECURE A SAFE MEANS OF ESCAPE IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE.
+TO PROTECT YOUR LIFE AND PROPERTY, YOU MUST MAKE SURE THAT THESE DOORS ARE KEPT CLOSED.+
HE URGED BUILDING MANAGEMENTS TO DISPLAY THE POSTERS PROMINENTLY IN THEIR BUILDINGS.
THE POSTER CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE MARKETING SECTION OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 2/F, BASKERVILLE HOUSE, ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG.
------0-------
REFRESHER COURSES ON MATHEMATICS TEACHING
XXX-
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A SERIES OF REFRESHER COURSES FREE OF CHARGE FOR MATHEMATICS TEACHERS OF JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS IN MAY AND JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE COURSES WILL FOCUS ON INTERNAL ASSESSMENT INCLUDING SHORT TEST, EXAMINATION, BLUE PRINT, MARKING SCHEME AND MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS, AND WILL BE USEFUL TO TEACHERS WITH SHORT TEACHING EXPERIENCE OR WHO WISH TO UPDATE THEIR PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE.
A TOTAL OF SIX CLASSES WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE AT THE MATHEMATICS TEACHING CENTRE, LI CHENG UK GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL.
SUCH CLASS WILL ACCOMMODATE A MAXIMUM OF 30 TEACHERS, AND APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A F IRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
PRINCIPALS ARE INVITED TO NOMINATE ONE OR TWO TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE COURSE.
APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (MATHEMATICS), ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, CAUSEWAY BAY BEFORE APRIL 20.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR (MATHEMATICS TEACHING CENTRE) ON 5-8392479.
------ 0 -----
/8......
SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 1984
- 8 -
MARKET STALLS IN KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl FOR RENT * * * * *
SIXTEEN MARKET STALLS IN KWAI CHUNG AND ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND WILL BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC BIDDING ON FRIDAY (APRIL 13).
THE BIDDING WILL START AT 10 AM AT THE KWAI CHUNG COMMUNITY HALL, A SPOKESMAN OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
ELEVEN OF THE STALLS ARE LOCATED AT TAI YUEN STREET COOKED FOOD MARKET AND FOUR AT WING FONG STREET MARKET IN KWAI CHUNG. THE REMAINING ONE IS LOCATED AT TSING Yl MARKET.
THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTALS FOR THE STALLS IN KWAI CHUNG RANGE FROM $600 TO $6 7 50.
THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTAL FOR THE STALL ON TSI NG YI IS $200.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MAY START BUSINESS ON MAY 1 ON A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT.
BIDDERS ARE REQUESTED TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE^OBTAINED FROM THE KWAI CHUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 0-253624.
MAINS WORK IN SHAU KEI WAN
* * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME AREAS IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 4 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 11) FOR MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT THE LOWER AREAS OF HOLY CROSS PATH VILLAGE, FA YUEN VILLAGE, SHING ON VILLAGE AND WANG HANG TUNG VILLAGE.
- - - - 0 ----
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF NAM CHEONG STREET * * * *
FROM APRIL 10 (TUESDAY) TO APRIL 24, THE SECTION OF NAM CHEONG STREET BETWEEN BERWICK STREET AND WOH CHAI STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM, TO FACILITATE THE SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS HEADING FOR LUNG CHEUNG ROAD ARE ADVISED TO USE BERWICK STREET, SHEK KIP MEI STREET AND WOH CHAI STREET.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1?84
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIXTY-EIGHT PEOPLE RECEIVE INSIGNIAS............................ 1
ISSUE PRICE OF GOVERNMENT BONDS ANNOUNCED ...................... 5
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR PEKING TOMORROW............................. 5
IB MEMBERS TO DISCUSS PLANNING STANDARDS ........................ 6
1 * l * * * * * *.
IMPROVEMENT WORK................................................ 6
J I
MODERN LOOK FOR POLICE STATION ................................. 7
REFRESHMENT KIOSK AT POPULAR PLAYGROUND......................... 7
CLEARANCE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN KWUN TONG.................. 8
MID-LEVELS MAINS WORK............................................ 8
plb Restricted zcne.............................................. 9
TAPS OFF FOR MAINS WORK.......................................
WATER STORAGE.................................................... 9
MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1984
— f
SIXTY-EIGHT PEOPLE RECEIVE INSIGNIAS
*****
SIXTY-EIGHT PEOPLE DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC RECEIVED THEIR INSIGNIA FROM THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
THE RECIPIENTS WERE :
CBE (COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)
THE HON CHEN SHOU-LUM
PROFESSOR MATTHEW MACMILLAN
. MR PETER BARRY WILLIAMS
OBE (OFFICER ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)
THE HON ANDREW SO KWOK-WING
MR LESLIE LOTHIAN SUNG
MR TANG HSIANG-CHIEN
ISO (IMPERIAL SERVICE ORDER)
MR CHAN PAK
MBE (MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)
MR CHAU HOW-CHEN
MRS CHOY PUN SIU-FUN
MR ARTHUR IAN DIAMOND
MR HU I IN-YI NG
MR STEPHEN LAU KA-MEN
MR ERNEST RICHARD MAYCOCK
MR PAUL TSANG WHAN
/MBE (MIL)
MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1984
- 2 -
MBE (MIL) (MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE) (MILITARY)
MAJOR IP TAI-TUNG
WARRANT OFFICER DENNIS KERRISON SMITH
BEM (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL)
MRS JEAN BOLTON
MR CHAN PUI-KWAN
MR CHAU YIU-HUNG
MR CHEUNG PING-LEUNG
MR CHIK KWAI-TIN
MR FAN NAI-FUEN
MR FUNG SHIU-KIT
MRS LUCY HO LAI PUI-YEE
MR LEE PO-MING
MR LEE SHl-CHl
MR LEUNG YEE-KAU
MR LIN TEH-MIN
MR LO KAM-SHING
MR WONG MANG-KUEN
BEM (MIL) (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL) (MILITARY DIVISION)
STAFF SERGEANT RICHARD MELVILLE HORLOR
MR LIN HUNG-YEE
ISM (IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL)
MR KU CHl-KEUNG
QUEEN’S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT
MR CHAN CHUNG-HING
/^FSM ......
MONDAY, APRIL 9, 19^
- 3 -
QFSM (QUEEN’S FIRE SERVICE MEDAL)
MR LAM LOK-BUN
CPM (COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL)
MR CHRISTOPHER JOHN WESTAWAY BAGLEY MR CHAN YIP-KUN
MR PETER CHAU CHAM-CHIU
MR FUNG YIU-WING
MR NGAl KI-SHUN MR MICHAEL GEORGE FRITH PREW ‘ MR TSUNG YUNG-MIN
MR WONG TSAN-KWONG
CPM (FIRE) (COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL) (FIRE SERVICES)
MR CHAN SHING-CHEONG
MR CHEUNG PING
MR LI SIK-TIM
MR WONG SHIU-KWAN
BADGE OF HONOUR
MR CHAN KANG-CHOW MR CHENG PO-HONG MR CHOW KWAN—SI NG MR CHOY WING-ON MR LEE KAE-BUN DR LEUNG DING-BONG MR MAN FOR-TAI MR TANG PO-SANG MR TONfi KWOK-WAH MR WAN HON-CHEUNG
MONDAY, APRIL 9, 19^
ORDER OF ST. JOHN
KNIGHT
MR J.L. MARDEN
COMMANDER :
MR LEONARD K.P. CHIU
SERVING BROTHER I
MR CHAN KOON-PING
MR PHILIP CHAN-WING
MR LAM TIN-SI NG
DR PETER C.Y.LEE
DR ROLAND D.B. LEUNG
MR NG CHUNG-YEE
MR TANG TUNG-WAH
MR WONG CHUNG-CHUEN
MR WONG HOK-YEE
MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1984
- 5 -
ISSUE PRICE OF GOVERNMENT BONDS ANNOUNCED
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED THIS (MONDAY) EVENING THAT THE ISSUE PRICE OF THE 10 PER CENT PER ANNUM GOVERNMENT BONDS HAD BEEN FIXED AT $50 250.
+ ALL VALID TENDERS PRICED ABOVE $50 250 WILL RECEIVE THE NUMBER OF BONDS THEY APPLIED FOR,+ HE NOTED.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE BOND ISSUE WAS OVERSUBSCRIBED BY ABOUT TWO AND A HALF TIMES IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT TENDERED.
TENDERS PRICED AT $50 250 EXCEEDED THE NUMBER OF BONDS AVAILABLE AT THE PRICE, AND THEREFORE THE ALLOCATION OF THESE TENDERS WILL BE APPROXIMATELY 60 PER CENT OF THE NUMBER OF BONDS APPLIED FOR.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPECTED THAT THE LETTERS OF ALLOTMENT WILL BE SENT TO THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 11).
ALL SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS WILL PAY $50 250 FOR EACH BOND. WHERE THE AMOUNT SUBMITTED WITH THE TENDER EXCEEDS THE AMOUNT DUE, THE BALANCE WILL BE REFUNDED BY CHEQUE.
THE CHEQUES OF TENDERERS WHO OFFERED LESS THAN $50 250 FOR EACH BOND WILL BE RETURNED TO THEM BY POST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR PEKING TOMORROW
* * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LEAVES HONG KONG TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO CONTINUE TO TAKE PART IN THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
SIR EDWARD WILL BE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT CA 106, ETD 1.50 PM.
A FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER SIR EDWARD’S DEPARTURE. THOSE ASSIGNED TO COVER THE EVENT SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 12.30 PM.
GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-----0------
DB MEMBERS TO DISCUSS *
A REPORT ON GOVERNMENT’S PLAN
6
MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1984
PLANNING STANDARDS * *
TO REVISE THE PLANNING STANDARDS
FOR COMMUNITY CENTRES WILL BE DISCUSSED BY ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE PLANNING STANDARDS BEING PROPOSED ARE
*
*
*
AT
A NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE FOR AN AREA WITH 15 000 TO POPULATION,
AN AREA CENTRE FOR
A COMMUNITY CENTRE
THE MEETING, BOARD
40 000
40 000 TO 80 000 PEOPLE, AND
FOR 80 000 TO 120 000 PEOPLE
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED
COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION’S LIAISON ACTIVITIES FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS WHETHER TO CONTINUE PUBLIC* SCHEME ON CHEUNG CHAU.
ON THE IN THE
INDEPENDENT DISTRICT
THE +MEET-THE-
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE THE SETTING UP OF DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES FOR 1984/85, THE NAMING OF STREETS ON CHEUNG CHAU, AND THE ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR DRAGON BOAT RACES, THE BUN FESTIVAL' PARADE, AND SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE 16TH FLOOR OF SINCERE BUILDING, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
IMPROVEMENT WORK * * X
WORK HAS STARTED ON IMPROVING LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE AT WA TAI ROAD NEAR LAI KING ESTATE.
A $343 000 CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO HO YIP CONSTRUCTION COMPANY BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO EXTEND THE MAIN GATE BUILDING AND PROVIDE A NEW ROOF.
THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES PROVIDING A COVER FOR THE BASKET BALL COURT STAND. IT WILL BE COMPLETED IN FOUR MONTHS.
„ni( LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE, WHICH IS PART OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CAN ACCOMMODATE 300 MALES AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 17.
- 0 -
MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1984
7
MODERN LOOK FOR * *
POLICE STATION *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO SPEND MONG KOK POLICE STATION.
$1.4 MILLION ON MODERNISING
A CONTRACT FOR THIS SUM HAS BEEN AWARDED TO PING KEE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE 10—STOREY-HIGH POLICE STATION AT THE JUNCTION OF NATHAN ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST WAS COMPLETED IN 1965.
THE WORK WILL INCLUDE PARTITIONING, INSTALLING NEW TOILETS, AND RENOVATING AND MODERNISING THE CANTEEN AND KITCHEN.
THE BUILDING’S INTERIOR WILL ALSO BE REFURBISHED.
WORK WILL START AFTER THE EASTER HOLIDAYS AND BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
0 - -
REFRESHMENT KIOSK
X
AT POPULAR PLAYGROUND
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED
TO RUN A LIGHT REFRESHMENT KIOSK AT THE TSUEN KING CIRCUIT PLAYGROUND IN TSUEN WAN.
THE PLAYGROUND HAS BECOME A POPULAR RECREATIONAL CENTRE FOR RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TOWN SINCE ITS OPENING LAST DECEMBER. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
DURING THE LAST THREE MONTHS, MORE THAN 10 000 PEOPLE HAVE USED THE FOUR TENNIS COURTS IN THE PLAYGROUND.
THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER MAY START BUSINESS ON JUNE 1 ON A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT.
TENDER FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TSUEN WAN URBAN SERVICES
OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF FAR EAST BANK BUILDING AT 135 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE (AUSTIN CENTRE), 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI, BEFORE 9 AM ON APRIL 27 (FRIDAY).
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE TSUEN WAN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 0-444281.
- - 0 - -
/8
MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1984
- 8 -
NOTE TO EDITORS:
CLEARANCE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN KWUN TONG * * *
ABOUT 40 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE REAR AND SIDE LANES OF SHUNG YAN STREET IN KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE WILL BE CLEARED ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 11) AND THURSDAY (APRIL 12).
THE TWO-DAY OPERATION IS PART OF A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME, CODE-NAMED +OPERATION FAR FLING+, INITIATED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE LAST DECEMBER WITH FULL SUPPORT FROM THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD.
CO-ORDINATED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE CLEARANCE WILL BE JOINTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE POLICE AND THE HOUSING, LANDS, FIRE SERVICES, CITY SERVICES, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS AND THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE CLEARANCE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT 9.30 AM ON'WEDNESDAY (APRIL 11) OUTSIDE 7-13A SHUNG YAN STREET IN KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE.
- - 0 -
MID-LEVELS MAINS WORK
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN MID-LEVELS AREA WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 12) FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AREA AFFECTED WILL INCLUDE 1-55, 2-70 CONDUIT ROAD, 7-12 MAY ROAD, 5-11 BREW IN PATH, 1-17, 2-10 OLD PEAK ROAD, 2-10 GARDEN TERRACE, 23-25 ROBINSON ROAD AND CANOSSA HOSPITAL.
- 0
/«-...........
MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1934
- 9 -
PLB RESTRICTED ZONE * * *
FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 11), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF HING FONG ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AS PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY:
* THE NORTH-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF HING FONG ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO KWAI HING MTR STATION TO A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES TO THE NORTH.
* THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF HING FONG ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI HING ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 300 METRES TO THE NORTH.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS.
-.--0----
TAPS OFF FOR MAINS WORK
III
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN WONG CHUK HANG wILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY(APR IL 12) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THIS WILL AFFECT THE AREA BOUNDED BY HEUNG YIP ROAD AND NAM LONG SHAN ROAD TO WONG CHUK HANG ROAD, INCLUDING HOUSE NO. 2-40 WONG CHUK HANG ROAD.
----0----
WATER STORAGE * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 71.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 418.087 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 455.430 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 77.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR PEKING ...................................... 1
BRITONS URGED TO INVEST MORE HERE ............................... 1
OUTBOARD MARINE EXPANDS IN HUNG KONG ............................ 3
DECEMBER 1983 EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS .. 4
KWUN TONG JOINS FREE LEGAL SCHEME ............................... 8
DB MEMBERS VISIT KCR ............................................ 9
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED ......................................... 9
SCIENCE TEACHING RESOURCES TO BE SHOWN ......................... 10
CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR ARMY BORDER BLOCKS ....................... 11
MONG KOK DB MEETS THURSDAY ..................................... 12
CONTRACT FOR ROAD WORK ......................................... 12
LIFT CONTRACT AWARDED .......................................... 1J
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1994
- 1 -
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR PEKING
MI****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LEFT FOR PEKING THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON TO CONTINUE TO TAKE PART IN THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
HE WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ROGER LOBO, AND THE VICE-CHIEF EDITOR OF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY (HONG KONG BRANCH), MR TAN GAN.
ACCOMPANYING THE GOVERNOR WERE THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR ROBIN MCLAREN, AND THE GOVERNMENT CHIEF INTERPRETER, MR Y.P. CHENG.
-------0---------
BRITONS URGED TO INVEST MORE HERE * X * *
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR JOHN YAXLEY HAS INVITED BRITISH INDUSTRIALISTS TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT HONG KONG TO SEE WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER AS AN OFF-SHORE MANUFACTURING BASE.
ADDRESSING A SEMINAR IN LONDON YESTERDAY (MONDAY) ORGANISED BY THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, MR YAXLEY, WHO IS LEADING AN INDUSTRIALIST MISSION TO BRITAIN, TOLD BRITISH BUSINESSMEN THAT IT IS VERY MUCH ♦BUSINESS AS USUAL+ IN HONG KONG.
♦ HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS ARE CONTINUING TO INVEST, PARTLY TO bEET THE CURRENT UPSURGE IN ORDERS, THOUGH WITH PERHAPS A LITTLE MORE CAUTION THAN PREVIOUSLY. BUT THE INVESTMENT CONTINUES. WE IN THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT KNOW OF SOME 50 LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MANUFACTURERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY EXPANDING THEIR OPERATIONS, SOME OF THEM AT A COST RUNNING INTO TENS OF MILLIONS OF HONG KONG DOLLARS.+ .
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG IS NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF AN EXPORT, AND A MANUFACTURING BOOM.
♦ DURING 1983, EXPORTS ROSE BY 26 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS AND 14 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS COMPARED WITH 1982. IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR THEY WERE HIGHER BY 46.7 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
♦ WE HAVE THEREFORE BEGUN TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THE UPTAKE OF INDUSTRIAL SPACE AND SOME FIRMING OF PRICES.
♦ NOW, THEREFORE, IS THE TIME TO GET IN,+ MR YAXLEY SAID.
/ON THE .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1984
2 -
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BRITAIN AS A BUSINESS PARTNER FOR HONG KONG, MR YAXLEY NOTED THAT TWO-WAY TRADE IN 1983 AMOUNTED TO 1 515 MILLION POUNDS STERLING OR FIVE PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL TRADE. MANY BRITISH COMPANIES, SOME OF THEM HOUSEHOLD NAMES, ARE REPRESENTED IN HONG KONG. MORE THAN 50 OF THEM ARE INVOLVED IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR WITH A TOTAL INVESTMENT OF AROUND 40 MILLION POUNDS STERLING.
+ IMPRESS IVE THOUGH THESE FIGURES MAY SOUND, HOWEVER, IN OUR VIEW THEY ARE NOT ENOUGH. THE INVESTMENT FIGURES, FOR EXAMPLE, REPRESENT LESS THAN SIX PER CENT OF TOTAL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY. BY COMPARISON, JAPAN HAS ABOUT 30 PER CENT, OR INVESTMENT WORTH SOMETHING LIKE 200 MILLION POUNDS STERLING, AND THE UNITED STATES, OUR MAJOR SOURCE OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT HAS 46 PER CENT, OR ABOUT 350 MILLION POUNDS STERLING WORTH.
OUTLINING HONG KONG’S POTENTIAL INDUSTRIES FOR OVERSEAS INVESTORS, MR YAXLEY SAID THAT ELECTRONICS OFFERED THE GREATEST PROMISE AND WIDEST RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES.
♦ WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY IN THIS INDUSTRY DATING BACK TO THE EARLY 196O’S. WE HAVE HOWEVER COME A LONG WAY SINCE THEN. PPERSONAL, MICRO AND MINI COMPUTERS AND PERIPHERALS ARE NOW BEING MADE IN HONG KONG, AS WELL AS A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER PRODUCTS, WE HAVE THREE WAFER FABRICATION PLANTS OPERATING AT THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN TAI PO.
♦ WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS CONSIDERABLE POTENTIAL IN THE LIGHT TO MEDIUM ENGINEERING AND METALS INDUSTRIES, FOR WHICH WE HAVE A STRONG BASE IN OUR LONG ESTABLISHED SHIP AND BOAT YARDS. THE GROWING PACE OF EXPLORATION OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA OIL RESOURCES CAN BE EXPECTED TO OPEN UP FURTHER POSSIBILITIES IN THIS AND OTHER FIELDS.+
♦OTHER INDUSTRIES OFFERING POSSIBILITIES ARE DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, FOOD AND DRINK PACKAGING AND PROCESSING, BUILDING MATERIALS AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY RELATED PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING.
♦THERE IS ALSO A CONTINUING NEED FOR THE EXPANSION OF OUR LINKAGE AND SUPPORT INDUSTRIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE INVOLVING PRECISION METAL WORKING IN ITS VARIOUS FORMS,♦ HE SAID.
0 -
/3........
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1984
- 3 -
OUTBOARD MARINE EXPANDS IN HONG KONG * * * *
THE INVESTMENT BY OUTBOARD MARINE ASIA LTD TO EXPAND ITS PRODUCTION FACILITIES ON TSING Yl ISLAND IS FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT HONG KONG CONTINUES TO BE AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS DESPITE STRONG COMPETITION FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES.
IT WAS STATED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, WHEN HE OPENED THE COMPANY’S $20 MILLION REGIONAL PRODUCT SUPPORT CENTRE ON TSING Yl ISLAND.
♦OUTBOARD MARINE, AS ONE OF MANY EXAMPLES OF PROFITABLE INVESTMENT BY OVERSEAS COMPANIES IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY. IS ONE OF THE FIRST MAJOR OVERSEAS COMPANIES TO APPRECIATE WHAT HONG KONG HAS TO OFFER AS AN OFFSHORE MANUFACTURING BASE,+ SAID MR HO.
THE COMPANY, OWNED BY AMERICAN INTEREST, STARTED TO PRODUCE OUTBOARD MOTORS ON TSING YI NINE YEARS AGO.
TODAY, THE PLANT NOT ONLY PRODUCES COMPLETE OUTBOARD ENGINES FOR OUTBOARD MARINE’S INTERNATIONAL MARKETS BUT IS ALSO ENGAGED IN VOLUME PRODUCTION OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR SUPPLY TO THE COMPANY’S OTHER PLANTS WORLDWIDE.
♦THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SUBSTANTIAL EXTENSION TO THE COMPANY’S EXISTING PLANT IS, I BELIEVE, FURTHER EVIDENCE OF HONG KONG’S CONTINUED ATTRACTION TO FOREIGN INVESTORS, DESPITE STRONG COMPETITION FROM ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION,+ MR HO REMARKED.
HONS KONG NOW HAS OVER 500 OVERSEAS ESTABLISHMENTS MANUFACTURING A WIDE RANGE OF GOODS. WITH A TOTAL INVESTMENT OF NEARLY HK$8 BILLION, EMPLOYING ABOUT 11 PER CENT OF THE LOCAL INDUSTRIAL LABOUR FORCE.
OF THESE, 132 COMPANIES ARE WHOLLY OR PARTLY OWNED BY UNITED STATES INTERESTS AND HAVE INVESTED ABOUT HKJ3.6 BILLION.
♦WELCOME AS THOSE QUANTIFIABLE FIGURES ARE, WE CONSIDER IT MORE IMPORTANT THAT OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER HAS CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS INTO HONG KONG.
♦THE TRAINING PROVIDED AT THIS CENTRE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT CAN HELP HONG KONG'S WORK FORCE TO UPGRADE ITS TECHNICAL SKILLS, AND ACQUIRE THE MORE SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY WHICH IS VITAL TO OUR INDUSTRIAL GROWTH,+ W HO SAID.
0
/*........
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1984
ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYMENT ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES DECREASED BY 13.9 PER CENT. AT 161 700, EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR DECREASED BY 2.7 PER CENT.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1983, AN INCREASE OF 0.9 PER CENT WAS RECORDED FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR.
HOWEVER, MARGINAL DECREASES OF 1.1 PER CENT, 0.8 PER CENT AND 0.6 PER CENT WERE REGISTERED FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES, AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR RESPECTIVELY.
TOGETHER WITH THE EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS, THE SURVEY ALSO PROVIDED VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THESE SECTORS, OTHER THAN FOR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION. THE OVERALL FIGURES BY MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1982 AND SEPTEMBER 1983, ARE AS FOLLOWS •.
SELECTED
NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN
PERCENTAGE CHANGE *
MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY
DEC. 82 SEPT. 83 DEC. 83
DEC. 83 ON
DEC. 82
DEC. 83 ON
SEPT. 83
MANUFACTURING 23 780
41 130
32 530
+36.8
-20.9
WHOLESALE
AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND AND EXPORT, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
3 860
4 050
4 820
+25.1
+ 19.2
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
1 790
1 540
1 780
- 0.8
+ 15.5
M BASED ON UNROUNDED VACANCY FIGURES
COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1982, INCREASES OF 36.8 PER CENT AND 25.1 PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES WERE RECORDED FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR REGISTERED A MARGINAL DECLINE OF 0.8 PER CENT.
/RELATIVE TO
HOTELS SECTOR
IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN
HK$ MN
HK$ MN
MANUFACTURING
953
530
□30
267
BASED ON UNROUNDED
PAYROLL FIGURES
/HOMINAL INDEX
BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS ARE SHOWN
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY
4TH QTR 1982
4TH QTR 1983
ASES OF 19.2 PER WHOLESALE AND .&TELS SECTOR 1NESS SERVICES IfT WAS RECORDED
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
TJJESDAY, APRIL 10, 1984
iOR, THE IANTS AND fcTE AND 6 OF THESE
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
RELATIVE TO SEPTEMBER 1983, HOWEVER, CENT AND 15.5 PER CENT WERE REGISTERED FOR TH! RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT AND RESTAURANTS AN> AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND B SECTOR RESPECTIVELY. A DECREASE OF 20.9 PER । FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY ARE STATIST! ON MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE MANUFACTURING^ WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RES
RELATIVE TO THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED BY 16.5 PER .CENT, 14.2 PER CENT AND 12.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
BY ADJUSTING FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL PAYROLL OUTLAYS ARISING FROM CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT, A NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS OBTAINED. TO ALLOW FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES, THE NOMINAL INDEX IS DEFLATED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED. VALUES OF THESE TWO INDICES ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLES BELOW s-
AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL SECTOR. QUARTERLY TOTALS FOR
4TH QTR? 1983 ON
4TH QTR >1982
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1984
1 - 7 -
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL P- PSON ENGAGED (JUNE ■= 100) DEC. 82 DEC. 83 % CHANGE DEC. 83 ON DEC. 82
MANUFACTURING 150.7 171.9 + 14.1
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 168.7 190.0 + 12.6
FINANCE, INSURANCE, 194.9 REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 231.2 + 18.6
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY REAL PAYROLL PER (JUNE DEC. 82 INDEX OF PERSON ENGAGED 1980 » 100) DEC. 83 % CHANGE 1 DEC. 83 ON 1 DEC. 82
MANUFACTURING 113.1 116.3 +2.8 1
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 126.7 128.6 + 1.5
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 146.3 156.4 +6.9
/OuHPaRD:.’ rflTH 1
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 19$4
8
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1982, INCREASES OF 14.1 PER CENT, 12 6 PER CENT AND 18.6 PER CENT WERE REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR RESPECTIVELY. OVER ™E SAME PERIOD, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED SHOWED INCREASES J 2.8 PER CENT, 1.5 PER CENT AND 6.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE ABOVE SECTORS.
TABLES GIVING EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR SELECTED INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES WITHIN THE FOUR SECTORS ARE BEING TRAMSMITTED BY FACSIMILE. THE TABLES WILL ALSO BE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS OF THE EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. MR AU HOO-KIT, 5-434185- MR NG KUNG-TAK 5-455661, AND MR CHIU FOOK-CHING, 5-439398.
- - 0 - -
KWUN TONG JOINS * *
FREE LEGAL SCHEME * * *
RESIDENTS IN KWUN TONG WILL
BE ABLE TO RECEIVE FREE LEGAL
ADVICE IN THEIR OWN DISTRICT, STARTING ON APRIL 18.
THREE VOLUNTEER LAWYERS, ARRANGED THROUGH THE HONG KONG LAW SOCIETY, WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM 6.30 PM TO 8.30 PM EVERY WEDNESDAY IN THE MAIN OFFICE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE
TO
INTERVIEW RESIDENTS WITH LEGAL PROBLEMS.
THE THE
THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE CENTRE IN KWUN TONG IS A RESULT OF EFFORT OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD WHICH FIRST PUT FORWARD REQUEST TO THE LAW SOCIETY IN MID-1983.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SEE A DUTY LAWYER CAN COME TO ANY PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTERS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT
OFFICE OR ITS MAIN OFFICE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS.
AN APPOINTMENT WILL BE ARRANGED
DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF
CASE AND FORWARD IT MAKE PREPARATION.
TO THE
WILL ALSO TAKE DOWN A SUMMARY OF THE LAW SOCIETY SO THAT DUTY LAWYERS CAN
THE FREE LEGAL TO OFFER FREE LEGAL
ADVICE
SCHEME WAS INITIATED BY THE LAW SOCIETY
HIR ING PRIVATE LAWYERS
CONSULTATION FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD
THE OTHER DISTRICTS WHICH HAVE JOINED THE SCHEME ARE EASTERN, WAN CHAI, MONG KOK, WONG TAI SIN, TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN AND YAU MA TEI.
---O-----
/9
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1984
- 9 -
DB MEMBERS VISIT KCR
* * *
SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WERE TOLD TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT MARKET SURVEYS WOULD BE CONDUCTED BY THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS TO FIND WAYS TO BOOST PATRONAGE IN THE DISTRICT.
A TOTAL OF 20 BOARD MEMBERS VISITED THE CORPORATION THIS MORNING DURING WHICH THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE COMPANY'S PLAN TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO STRENGTHEN FEEDER BUS SERVICES IN SHA TIN.
ACCORDING TO THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE CORPORATION, W PETER QUICK, THESE SERVICES WOULD AIM AT AREAS, SUCH AS TIN SUM VALLEY, WITH HEAVY POPULATION IN-TAKE.
♦WE WILL TRY OUR BEST TO PROVIDE RESIDENTS IN TIN SUM VALLEY WITH SUFFICIENT FEEDER BUS ROUTES TO EITHER SHA TIN OR TAI WAI STATION,* HE SAID.
BOARD MEMBERS WERE ALSO TOLD THAT CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE FO TAN AND TAI WAI PERMANENT STATIONS WOULD BE COMPLETED IN 1985.
FO TAN STATION IS DESIGNED TO HANDLE 30 000 PASSENGERS DAILY AND TAI WAI PERMANENT STATION 90 000 DAILY.
THIS MORNING, BOARD MEMBERS, ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DONALD TSANG, FIRST VISITED THE CONTROL CENTRE AT KOWLOON STATION TO SEE ITS DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A BRIEF DISCUSSION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CORPORATION AT THE KCR HOUSE ON SHA TIN STATION.
- 0 - -
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON A 20-YEAR-0LD MAN, CHUNG FOON-HEI, SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO 25 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
CHUNG WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF HIS 51-YEAR-OLD UNCLE IN THE HIGH COURT IN MAY 1982.
0
/10........
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1984
- 10 -
SCIENCE TEACHING RESOURCES TO BE SHOWN
* * * *
A FOUR-DAY EXHIBITION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHING RESOURCES WILL BE HELD AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TEACHING CENTRE FROM THURSDAY (APRIL 12).
THE AIM OF THE EXHIBITION IS TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS TO PREVIEW PRIMARY SCIENCE TEXTBOOKS DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEW PRIMARY SCIENCE SYLLABUS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT NATURE STUDIES TEXTBOOKS IN MOST PRIMARY SCHOOLS wERt BASED ON A SYLLABUS INTRODUCED SOME 17 YEARS AGO.
TO COPE WITH CHANGES OVER THE YEARS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS DESIGNED A NEW PRIMARY SCIENCE SYLLABUS TO REPLACE THE PRESENT ONE FOR NATURE STUDIES IN SEPTEMBER.
SHOW AT THE EXHIBITION WILL BE PRIMARY SCIENCE TEXTBOOKS DESIGNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NEW SYLLABUS, REFERENCE MATERIALS AND SIMPLE LABORATORY EQUIPMENT.
PRIMARY SCIENCE EDUCATION TELEVISION PROGRAMMES AND AUDIOVISUAL AIDS WILL ALSO BE ON DISPLAY.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION AT 10.30 AM WILL BE THE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR (OPERATION AND SUPPORTING SERVICES), MRS RUBY LAU, AND DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR (CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT), MR JOHN DUNN.
THE PRINCIPAL CURRICULUM PLANNING OFFICER (PRIMARY), MR K.C. KAN, WILL GIVE AN OPENING ADDRESS.
THE EXHIBITION wILL BE OPEN FROM 9.30 AM TO 4.33 PM AT THE TEACHING CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PRIMARY SCIENCE TEACHING RESOURCES EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT 10.30 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 12) AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TEACHING CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
o
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1984
11 -
CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR ARMY BORDER BLOCKS * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AWARDED FOUR CONTRACTS, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF $492 988, FOR INSTALLING FIRE SERVICE SYSTEMS AND CATERING EQUIPMENT IN TWO BORDER BLOCKS BEING BUILT AT MA TSO LUNG AND PAK FU SHAN.
THE TWO SINGLE-STOREY BLOCKS ARE TO ACCOMMODATE SOLDIERS ON ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DUTIES.
THE FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATION CONTRACT, AMOUNTING TO #83 389, HAS BEEN AWARDED TO SOUTH CHINA ENGINEERING COMPANY.
THE SECOND CONTRACT FOR $310 410 HAS BEEN AWARDED TO CHUNG SHING COMMERCIAL CATERING EQUIPMENT LIMITED AND IS TO SUPPLY AND INSTALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE BLOCKS.
THE NEXT CONTRACT, VALUED AT $37 589, IS FOR PROVIDING AND INSTALLING LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS CYLINDERS AND ASSOCIATED PIPES TO CONNECT THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. THIS WENT TO HONG KONG L.P. GAS COMPANY LIMITED.
THE FINAL CONTRACT FOR INSTALLING THE KITCHEN EXHAUST EQUIPMENT, VALUED AT $61 600, HAS BEEN AWARDED TO DARR ID ENGINEERING LIMITED.
THE FOUR CONTRACTS WERE AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
WORK WILL START NEXT WEEK AND BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR WHEN THE BLOCKS ARE DUE TO BE READY FOR USE.
A $3.4 MILLION CONTRACT FOR BUILDING THE BLOCKS WAS AWARDED TO PING KEE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY BY THE SAME OFFICE AT THE END OF LAST MONTH (MARCH).
THE BLOCK AT MA TSO LUNG, BEING BUILT ON A 4 500-SQUARE-METRE SITE, IS SITUATED NEAR LOK MA CHAU POLICE STATION, WHILE THE PAK FU SHAN BLOCK, OCCUPYING AN AREA OF ABOUT 4 000 SQUARE METRES, IS AT LIN MA HANG ROAD.
C -
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1984
- 12 -
MONG KOK DB MEETS THURSDAY
*****
MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE WIDENING OF A SECTION OF FUK TSUN STREET IN TAI KOK TSUI AT THEIR MEETING ON THURSDAY (APRIL 12) AFTERNOON.
THE SECTION, BETWEEN WALNUT STREET AND LIME STREET, HAS NO PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY AND IS A BOTTLE-NECK FOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC. THE WIDENING WILL BE CARRIED OUT ON TRAFFIC, PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUNDS.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL REVIEW THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD IN 1983-84 AND DISCUSS ITS WORK PLAN AND BUDGET FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE REVISED PLANNING STANDARDS FOR AND FACILITIES OF COMMUNITY CENTRES, AND THE FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF AN OFF-STREET REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AT NULLAH ROAD.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE THE ELECTION OF CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES, DISCUSSION ON THE LITTER HOT-LINE AND THE PROGRESS REPORTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 3 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 12) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF TUNG PING BUILDING AT 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
--------o-----------
NOTE TO EDITORS:
CONTRACT FOR ROAD WORK
* * * *
A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTING A SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD FROM PAK SHEK AU TO FAN KAM ROAD WILL BE SIGNED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
SIGNING THE $99 MILLION CONTRACT WILL BE GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER-MANAGEMENT, MR S.A.W. BOWMAN, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTRACTOR, MARPLES-EXPRESS JOINT VENTURE.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONTRACT SIGNING AT ROOM 911, 9TH FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, AT 3 PM.
--------o----------
/13........
TUESDAY, APR IL ID, 1984
- 13 -
LIFT CONTRACT AwARDED * * * *
A CONTRACT FOR INSTALLING LIFTS AT THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING IN EAST TSIM SHA TSUI HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE $2.7 MILLION CONTRACT, FOR SUPPLYING AND INSTALLING FOUR PASSENGER LIFTS AND ONE GOODS LIFT, HAS GONE TO OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY (HONG KONG) LIMITED.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEw 14-STOREY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 'wHICH WILL INCLUDE A SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION, STARTED LAST MONTH ON A 2 6OO-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF HONG CHONG ROAD AND SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD.
IT WILL BE READY BY EARLY 1986 AND PROVIDE 16 40Q SQUARE METRES OF OFFICE SPACE.
THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES A DRILL YARD.
THE NEW BUILDING WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT .JAVA ROAD, NORTH POINT, wHICH wILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE GOVERNMENT.
0------
4
I
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE JOB CHANCES URGED FOR DISABLED .......................... 1
WORK TO IMPROVE N.T. CIRCULAR ROAD STARTS .................... 3
LION ROCK TUNNEL SPEED LIMIT ................................. 4
TWO SITES OFFERED FOR RENT ................................... 4
LOWEST RAINFALL FOR FIVE MONTHS .............................. 5
SINGING CONTEST ENTERS THIRD WEEK ............................ 7
CAS CADETS TO GET AWARDS ................................... 8
YUEN LONG TRAFFIC CHANGES .................................... 8
CANTON ROAD TRAFFIC CHANGE ................................... 9
WAI HANG STREET CLOSED ....................................... 9
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1984
1
MORE JOB CHANCES URGED FOR DISABLED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAVE THE JOINT RESPONSIBILITY OF ENSURING THE FULLEST POSSIBLE INTEGRATION OF THE DISABLED INTO EMPLOYMENT.
HEAD OF THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, MR MARTIN LEWIS, SAID THIS TODAY AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF THE PEAK.
AS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION IN REHABILITATION, HE APPEALED TO ALL EMPLOYERS TO DO AWAY WITH THEIR PREJUDICE AGAINST THE DISABLED.
MR LEWIS ASKED THEM TO CONSCIOUSLY ADOPT A POLICY OF EMPLOYING AS MANY DISABLED PERSONS AS POSSIBLE AND TO FURTHER PROMOTE THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE DISABLED TO OTHER EMPLOYERS AND ORGAN I SAT IONS.
+HONG KONG AS A TERRITORY CANNOT YET CLAIM TO BE ONE OF THE BEST EMPLOYERS OF THE DISABLED IN THE WORLD.
+TRUE, THERE ARE MANY FIRMS AND ORGANISATIONS THAT DO MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT, BUT WE HAVE GOT TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE IT IS NORMAL, RATHER THAN EXCEPTIONAL, TO EMPLOY A DISABLED PERSON,* HE SAID.
HIGHLIGHTING THE STRENGTHS OF THE HANDICAPPED IN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT, MR LEWIS SAID, + FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED, PROVIDED that they are relatively mobile, or in places where there is suitable access, they can work in certain jobs just like ANY OTHER PERSONS.
+ANY SITTING JOB CAN OBVIOUSLY BE UNDERTAKEN BY A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR, AND THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF THOSE, IN BOTH OFFICES AND FACTORIES.*
ON JOBS FOR THE BLIND, J4R LEWIS POINTED OUT THAT ONCE THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THEIR FACTORY TASKS, THEY COULD OUT-PRODUCE those with normal eye-sight.
+A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER OR FACTORY BOSS COULD WELL EXAMINE SOME OF HIS JOBS, AND SEE WHICH PARTS A BLIND PERSON COULD DO. HE MIGHT BE SURPRISED, PARTICULARLY IF HE IS IN THE ASSEMBLY OR PACKING BUSINESS,* HE SAID.
+DEAF PEOPLE ALSO MAKE GOOD WORKERS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT EASILY DISTRACTED FROM THEIR WORK, SO THEIR CONCENTRATION IS BETTER AND THEY DO NOT MIND WORKING IN A NOISY ENVIRONMENT.
/♦EMPLOYERS OR........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1984
2
♦employers or bosses do not need to learn sign language to employ deaf people, many partially deaf have hearing aids, and for the completely deaf simple signs will be enough to enable them to perform adequately,+ he pointed out.
MR LEWIS SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED MIGHT HAVE TROUBLE INTELLECTUALLY, THEY COULD WORK HARD JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
DRAWING ON EXPERIENCE IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS, HE SAID THAT ONCE A DISABLED PERSON HAD SETTLED INTO A JOB AT THE RIGHT LEVEL HE WOULD BE LIKELY TO BE MORE LOYAL TO HIS EMPLOYER THAN ANY OF HIS ABLE-BODIED COLLEAGUES.
THE GOVERNMENT, BEING HONG KONG’S LARGEST EMPLOYER, PLAYS A LEADING ROLE IN PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED BY TAKING ON SOME 1 428 SUCH WORKERS - OVER TWICE AS MANY AS THREE YEARS AGO.
MR LEWIS SAID THAT DISABLED PERSONS APPLYING FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE ARE CONSIDERED ON EQUAL TERMS AS OTHER APPLICANTS AND IF FOUND SUITABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT, THEY WOULD BE GIVEN AN APPROPRIATE DEGREE OF PREFERENCE FOR APPOINTMENT OVER OTHER APPLICANTS.
♦AS FOR PROMOTION, ALL ELIGIBLE OFFICERS, INCLUDING DISABLED OFFICERS, ARE CONSIDERED ON EQUAL TERMS, AND SELECTION FOR PROMOTION IS DECIDED ON THE CRITERIA OF CHARACTER, ABILITY, QUALIFICATIONS OR EXPERIENCE PRESCRIBED FOR THE PROMOTION RANK.+ hE SAID.
CALLING ON ALL EMPLOYERS TO HELP ACHIEVE THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE OF INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT, MR LEWIS SAID THEY SHOULD UTILISE THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE SERVICE PROVIDES EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED JOB-SEEKERS AND .WILL SOON COVER THE MENTALLY RETARDED AND THE EX-MENTALLY ILL AS WELL.
IT IS CURRENTLY OPERATING FROM TWO OFFICES, ONE IN DOMINION CENTRE IN WAN CHAI AND THE OTHER IN AMOY PLAZA IN NGAU TAU KOK, AND WILL HAVE A THIRD OFFICE SHORTLY IN TSUEN WAN.
MR LEWIS OUTLINED THE DUTIES OF THE PLACEMENT OFFICERS WHICH INCLUDE JOB-MATCHING, ACCOMPANYING QUALIFIED AND INTERESTED DISABLED PERSONS AT SELECTION INTERVIEWS AND REGULAR FOLLOW-UP VISITS TO KEEP TRACK OF NEW APPOINTEES’ PROGRESS IN THEIR JOBS AND TO HELP BOTH parties clear any misunderstanding which may arise during the initial employment period.
/5........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1984
- 3 -
WORK TO IMPROVE N.T. CIRCULAR ROAD STARTS
* * * *
WORK STARTS THIS WEEK ON A 3.3~KILOMETRE SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD FROM PAK SHEK AU TO FAN KAM ROAD NEAR FANLING.
A S99-MILLI0N CONTRACT FOR THE WORK WAS SIGNED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENG INEER/MANAGEMENT, MR S.A.W. BOWMAN, AND MESSERS. GRAHAM BATES, BERKLEY SHEEN AND GREGORY MAK OF THE CONTRACTOR, MARPLES-EXPRESS JOINT VENTURE.
THE CONTRACT IS THE FIRST PHASE OF A PROJECT TO IMRPOVE A 12-KILOMETRE-LONG SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD RUNNING FROM AU TAU TO FAN KAM ROAD VIA MAI PO AND SAN TIN.
THE NEW ROAD WILL GENERALLY FOLLOW THE ALIGNMENT OF THE EXISTING CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND BE BUILT TO TRUNK ROAD STANDARDS WITH NO FRONTAGE ACCESS.
ALTHOUGH THIS CONTRACT IS TO BUILD A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY, ALLOWANCE HAS BEEN MADE IN THE DESIGN FOR FUTURE WIDENING OF THE ROAD TO DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY.
SERVICE ROADS WITH PEDESTRIAN FOOTPATHS WILL BE PROVIDED TO ALLOW ACCESS TO PRESENT AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS ALONG THE ROUTE.
THE EXISTING CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE ONE OF THE SERVICE ROADS TO MAINTAIN TRAFFIC FLOW DURING CONSTRUCTION.
THE SERVICE ROADS WILL BE LINKED TO THE TRUNK ROAD AT PAK SHEK AU BY A GRADE SEPARATED INTERCHANGE AND AN OVERPASS WILL LINK SERVICE ROADS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRUNK ROAD AT KWU TUNG.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF FIVE FOOTBRIDGES AND THREE COMBINED VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN GRADE SEPARATED CROSSINGS.
UNDER A SEPARATE CONTRACT, A NEW MARKET WILL BE BUILT TO ACCOMMODATE SHOP OPERATORS AT KWU TUNG WHOSE PREMISES ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE NEW ROAD.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION AT THIS LOCATION WILL BEGIN AFTER THE MARKET HAS BEEN COMPLETED. EMERGENCY TELEPHONES WILL BE INSTALLED ALONG THE TRUNK ROAD.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S HIGHWAY OFFICE BY JOINT ENGINEERS BINNIE AND PARTNERS (HONG KONG), WILBUR SMITH AND ASSOCIATES AND HARRIS AND SUTHERLAND (FAR EAST), WHO WILL SUPERVISE THE WORK WHICH IS DUE TO BE COMPLETED TOWARDS THE END OF 1986.
THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD LINKING THE NEW TOWNS IS BEING BUILT FOR ABOUT $1,112 BILLION.
IT WILL BE 68.5 KILOMETRES LONG.
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A......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1984
- -
LION ROCK TUNNEL SPEED LIMIT * * * *
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 13), THE SPEED LIMIT IN LION ROCK TUNNEL WHEN THE TWO TUBES ARE IN OPERATION WILL BE 40 MILES PER HOUR.
DURING A SINGLE TUBE IS IN OPERATION, THE SPEED LIMIT WILL BE 33 MILES PER HOUR.
FROM THE SAME DAY, THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES SOUTHWEST OF FANLING ROUNDABOUT AND A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES EAST OF THE SHEUNG SHUI MINI-ROUNDABOUT, WHICH IS SITUATED AT THE JUNCTIONS OF FAN KAM ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, ROAD D4 AND TAI PO ROAD, SHALL BE A RESTRICTED ROAD SUBJECT TO A SPEED LIMIT OF 30 MILES PER HOUR.
-----o------
TWO SITES OFFERED FOR RENT MM*
TWO SITES ARE BEING OFFERED ON SHORT TERM TENANCY BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE FIRST SITE, COVERING 7 808 SQUARE METRES, IS ON KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION AND IS FOR OPEN STORAGE PURPOSES. ITS INITIAL TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR.
THE OTHER IS AT TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, YUEN LONG.
IT MEASURES 440 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR STORING OR REPAIRING GOODS, INCLUDING THE REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND PAINT-SPRAYING OF MOTOR VEHICLES. ITS INITIAL TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS.
BOTH TENANCIES CAN BE RENEWED FOR THREE-MONTH PERIODS.
TENDERS MUST BE SENT IN BY APRIL 27.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG- THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF KOWLOON EAST AND KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250, SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON- AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG, FOR THE YUEN LONG SITE.
TENDER PLANS CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE ABOVE LOCATIONS.
MEANWHILE, THE LANDS DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS FOR TWO SHORT TERM TENANCY SITES IN SHA TIN HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO APRIL 27.
THE SITES ARE FOR STORAGE AND MAINTENANCE OF PLANT OWNED BY BUILDING CONTRACTORS.
THEY MEASURE 10 000 AND 2 100 SQUARE METRES.
ORIGINALLY, TENDERS WERE TO HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED BY APRIL 13.
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/5......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1984
- 5 -
lowest rainfall for five months
* * *
THE RAINFALL from LAST NOVEMEBR TO MARCH WAS THE LOWEST ON RECORD FOR THE CORRESPONDING F VE-MONTH PERIOD AND THE SECOND LOWEST FOR ANY FIVE CONSECUTIVE MONTHS, ACCORDING TO THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY’S MONTHLY REPORT.
THIS RAINFALL TOTALLED 27.2 MM WHILE THAT FOR MARCH WAS 13.6 MM, ONLY ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE NORMAL LEVEL FOR THE M?NTH.
THE MEAN CLOUDINESS OF 91 PE ' CENT IN MARCH WAS 15 DER CENT ABOVE AVERAGE WHILE THE TOTAL DURATION OF SUNSHINE, 52.4 HOURS, WAS ONLY 52 PER CENT OF THE NORMAL AMOUNT.
AFTER A COLD DAY ON MARCH 1, COOL AND CLOUDY WEATHER PREVAILED FROM MARCH 5 TO 12 WITH OCCASIONAL LIGHT R-'N.
WITH CONDITIONS BECOMING INCREASINGLY HUMID, FOo --REPORTED DAILY AT WAGLAN ISLAND FR';M MARCH 12 TO 20 AND AFFECTED THE VICTORIA HARBOUR AS .ELL.
AS A RESULT, 21 AIRCRAFT WER DIVERTED FROM HONG *ONG AND FERRY SERVICES ON SEVERAL ROUTF ERE SUSPENDED FRO>- I ■_ TO TIME.
THE FOG ALSO CAUSED A JETFOIL TO RUN AGROUND ON MARCH 13 AS WELL AS COLLISIONS BETWEEN A F।SHI NG BOAT AND A CARGO SH|P THE SAME DAY, BETWEEN A MACAU-BOUND FERRY AND A LAUNCH ON MARCH 14, AND BETWEEN A MARINE °0 ICE LAUNCH AND A CARGO BOAT ON MARCH 15.
WARM WEATHER PREVAILED FROM MARCH 14 TILL 16 WHEN A WEAK COLD FRONT PASSED THROUGH HONG KONG AROUND MIDNIGHT.
THERE WERE PERIODS OF LIGHT RAIN ON MARCH 17 AND 18, FOLLOWED BY THE FIRST THUNDERSTORMS OF THE YEAR ON MARCH 19.
ANOTHER COLD FRONT ARRIVED IN THE MORNING OF MARCH 20, BRINGING MORE RAIN AND DISPERSING THE FOG.
MIST AND COASTAL FOG RETURNED IN THE EVENING OF MARCH 24 BUT DISSIPATED THE FOLLOWING MORNING WHEN COOL AIR ARRIVED FROM THE EAST.
the cloudy weather with occasional light rain from march
25 TO 29 WAS FOLLOWED BY SUNNY PERIODS ON MARCH 30.
BUT WIDESPREAD FOG OCCURRED AGAIN EARLY ON MARCH 31, CAUSING THE DIVERSION OF THREE AIRCRAFT FROM HONG KONG AND THE SUSPENSION OF SERVICES ON SEVERAL FERRY ROUTES.
THE FOG TEMPORARILY DISPERSED IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN THE TEMPERATURE ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 27.5 DEGREES CELSIUS, THE HIGHEST OF THE MONTH.
/TK3RE WAS .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1984
6
THERE WAS NO TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING THE MONTH.
A THUNDERSTORM WARNING WAS ISSUED ON MARCH 19. THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM MARCH 1 TO 4.
SIGNALS
HOISTED DURING
THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL DATE OF HO AND TIME 1 STING DATE AND TIME OF LOWERING
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON MARCH 3.20 4 AM MARCH 4 8.00 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON MARCH 7.00 6 PM MARCH 7 6.00 AM
winter MONSOON STRONG MONSOON MARCH 9.15 20 AM MARCH 20 2.25 PM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON MARCH 6.30 21 AM MARCH 22 8.40 AM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
SUNSHINE 52.4 HOURS ■ 49.0 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
RAINFALL 13.6 MM : 41.2 MM BELOW NORMAL
CLOUDINESS 91$ : 15$ MORE THAN NORMAL
RELATIVE HUMIDITY 80$ : 2$ LOWER THAN NORMAL
MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 20.4 DEGREES CELSIUS : 0.9 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN TEMPERATURE 18.0 DEGREES CELSIUS : 0.5 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE 16.2 DEGREES CELSIUS ■ 0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 14.2 DEGREES CELSIUS : 0.8 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 62.7 MM : 40.3 MM BELOW NORMAL
MAX 1 MUM ON MARCH TEMPERATURE 1 31. OF 27.5 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED
MINIMUM ON MARCH TEMPERATURE 1 2. OF 10.8 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS 0 - RECORDED
Z7
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1984
7 -
SINGING CONTEST ENTERS THIRD WEEK
* * * *
THE 18-DISTRICT AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST WILL ENTER ITS THIRD WEEK ON SATURDAY (APRIL 14) WHEN TAI PO HOLDS ITS PRELIMINARY COMPETITION.
TWELVE CONTESTANTS, CHOSEN FROM OVER 150 ENTRIES THROUGH A SERIES OF AUDITIONS, WILL COMPETE AT THE TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE STARTING AT 8 PM.
THE BEST SINGER OF THE NIGHT WILL REPRESENT TAI PO IN A SEMI-FINAL ON AUGUST 11 AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL.
A GRAND FINAL, WITH NINE PERSONS COMPETING FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP, WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM ON SEPTEMBER 8.
THE BEST PERFORMER IN THE GRAND FINAL WILL WIN A RECORDING CONTRACT, WHILE OTHER WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES WORTH MORE THAN $40 000.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND SING TAO NEWSPAPERS LIMITED, THE CONTEST IS AIMED AT BOOSTING REGISTRATION OF VOTERS FOR NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE SIX-WEEK REGISTRATION EXERCISE WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 15. ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF 21 AND HAS RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR SEVEN YEARS CAN REGISTER.
ON SATURDAY, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR THOMAS CHAN, AND A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR HUNG CHEUNG-HO, WILL BE OFFICIATING GUESTS FOR THE SHOW.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TAI PO DISTRICT AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST STARTING AT 8 PM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 14) AT THE TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE IN HEUNG SZE WUI STREET.
0
/8........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1984
- 8 -
CAS CADETS TO GET AWARDS * * * *
A TOTAL OF 130 CIVIL AID SERVICES CADETS WILL RECEIVE THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARDS AT A PARADE TO BE HELD AT THE CABLE AND WIRELESS SPORTS CLUB AT CAROLINE HILL ROAD ON SATURDAY (APRIL 14).
THIRTY-EIGHT OF THEM WILL RECEIVE THE SILVER AWARDS AND 92 THE BRONZE AWARDS.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR HENRY CHING, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY AND PRESENT THE SILVER AWARDS.
THE BRONZE AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED BY MR ALEXANDER FUNG, PANEL CONVENER OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARDS SCHEME SERVICE SECTION, MR NELSON LEE CHUEN-YAN, PANEL CONVENER OF THE SCHEME’S PHYSICAL RECREATION SECTION, AND MR PAUL HUNG, PANEL CONVENER OF THE SCHEME’S RESIDENTIAL PROJECT SECTION.
MUSIC WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE CAS BAND.
NOTE TO EDITORS s
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 7 PM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 14) AT THE CABLE AND WIRELESS SPORTS CLUB AT CAROLINE HILL ROAD.
- 0
YUEN LONG TRAFFIC CHANGES * * * X
THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN YUEN LONG TOWN FROM FRIDAY (APRIL 13):
X THE PLB STAND AT KUK TING STREET WILL BE EXTENDED. A NEW PLB STAND WILL BE PROVIDED ON TAI CHEUNG STREET. THE EXISTING PLB STAND AT SAI TAI STREET AND PART OF THE PLB STAND AT THE SECTION OF KUK TING STREET SOUTH OF HOP YICK STREET WILL BE CANCELLED.
* FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY, SAI TAI STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A PLB PROHIBITED ZONE.
X AND FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY, THE EASTERN KERBSIDE OF KUK TING STREET SOUTH OF HOP YICK STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24—HOUR RESTRICTED ZONE. DRIVERS OF ALL MOTOR VEHICLES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE.
O -------
/9........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1984
- 9 -
CANTON ROAD TRAFFIC CHANGE ft ft ft ft ft
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 13), TRAFFIC ON THE SECTION OF CANTON ROAD BETWEEN KOWLOON PARK DRIVE AND HAIPHONG ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO TWO-WAY.
WITH THIS RE-ROUTING, CANTON ROAD WILL SERVE AS AN ALTERNATIVE EXIT ROUTE FOR VEHICLES HEADING FOR YAU MA TEI AND WEST KOWLOON AREAS.
THE JUNCTION OF CANTON ROAD AND HAIPHONG ROAD WILL BE CONTROLLED BY TRAFFIC SIGNALS.
0 -------
WAI HANG STREET CLOSED ft ft ft ft
WAI HANG STREET BETWEEN TAI LOK STREET AND TAI FOO STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 13) FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS FOR SLOPE STABILISATION WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI NING STREET, SAI WAN HO STREET AND TAI CHEONG STREET.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
SIR PHILIP LEARNS ABOUT TEL-LAW SERVICE......................... 1
BE MORE ORIGINAL, ERIC HO URGES INDUSTRY ....................... 2
HK-FINNISH TEXTILE PACT INITIALLED ............................. 3
PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR SIR GEOFFREY HOWE'S VISIT................ 3
TWO TORY MPS COMING ............................................ 7
SMALL-SCALE TEST PRECEDES HOUSEHOLD SURVEY...................... 7
OWNERS REQUIRED TO FILE PROPERTY TAX RETURNS.................... 8
SPORTS AND RECREATION FOR KWUN TONG FOLK........................ 9
FOOTBRIDGE TO REPLACE POK FU LAM CROSSING....................... 9
FLUSHING MAINS TO BE LAID IN SHA TIN .......................... 10
YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR TO PERFORM........................... 10
SUNDAY TREE-PLANTING FOR PARK VISITORS ........................ 11
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1984
- 1 -
SIR PHILIP LEARNS ABOUT TEL-LAW SERVICE ft ft ft ft
THE TEL-LAW SERVICE, WHICH PROVIDES LEGAL INFORMATION BY TELEPHONE, RECEIVED 10 870 CALLS DURING ITS FIRST MONTH OF OPERATION IN MARCH THIS YEAR, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE WAS TOLD WHEN HE VISITED THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE LAW SOCIETY LEGAL ADVICE AND DUTY LAWYER SCHEME TODAY.
ON ARRIVAL AT THE OFFICE IN SWIRE HOUSE, CENTRAL, SIR PHILIP WAS MET BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY, MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE, MR BRIAN TISDALL- THE ADMINISTRATOR, ffi JOHN MILLER AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SOCIETY.
UNDER THE TEL-LAW SERVICE, CALLERS CAN LISTEN TO ANY OF THE 26 TWO-AND-A-HALF-MINUTE TAPES ON TOPICS RANGING FROM MATRIMONIAL RIGHTS DURING MARRIAGE, DIVORCE AND SEPARATION, LANDLORDS AND TENANTS RIGHTS, CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURES TO MONEY BORROWING.
THE NUMBER OF TAPES WOULD SOON BE INCREASED TO 50, AS VOLUNTEER LAWYERS IN THE SCHEME WERE WORKING HARD ON SCRIPTS, W TISDALL SAID.
AFTER IDENTIFYING THEJR LEGAL PROBLEMS, THE CALLERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME OFFERED AT EIGHT DISTRICT OFFICES DURING THE EVENING, MR TISDALL ADDED.
A TOTAL OF 13 000 DEFENDANTS INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL CASES OR SERIOUS CASES IN JUVENILE COURTS WERE REPRESENTED BY LAWYERS IN THE DUTY LAWYER SCHEME LAST YEAR, AND THERE WAS A HIGH ACQUITTAL RATE, SIR PHILIP WAS TOLD.
SINCE THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS RULES COMMITTEE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WAS SET UP IN MAY LAST YEAR, THE SOCIETY HAS SUCCESSFULLY HELPED 17 HAWKERS IN APPEALS AGAINST URBAN COUNCIL REFUSAL TO ISSUE HAWKER LICENCES, MR TISDALL SAID.
BEFORE LEAVING THE SOCIETY, SIR PHILIP WENT INTO THE OPERATORS’ ROOM OF THE TEL-LAW SCHEME AND LISTENED TO SOME OF THE TAPES ON LEGAL ADVICE.
0
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1984
- 2 -
BE MORE ORIGINAL, ERIC HO URGES INDUSTRY * * * *
THE NEED FOR HONG KONG TO CREATE NEW PRODUCTS WAS STRESSED TODAV BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO.
THIS WAS BECAUSE OTHER INDUSTRIAL CENTRES IN THE REGION WERE BECOMING AVAILABLE TO TAKE ON THE ROLE OF SUBCONTRACTOR IN OFFSHORE MANUFACTURING, HE SAID.
MR HO WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1984 NEW PRODUCTS COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES, HE SAID, HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY HAD BECOME RENOWNED AS AN OFFSHORE SUBCONTRACTING CENTRE FOR MANUFACTURING PRODUCTS TO THE DESIGN AND SPECIFICATIONS OF BUYERS. AT THE SAME TIME, HONG KONG HAD SOMETIMES BEEN CRITICISED OVERSEAS FOR COPYING OTHER PEOPLE’S DESIGNS, AND FOR FAILING TO PRODUCE ORIGINAL IDEAS.
+INDEED, WHILE OUR DEXTERITY AND EFFICIENCY HAVE BEEN PRAISED, ORIGINALITY AND INNOVATION SEEM ALL TOO OFTEN TO HAVE BEEN MISSING IN APPRAISALS OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT THOUGH SUCH OBSERVATIONS WERE SOMETIMES EXAGGERATED, THERE WAS UNQUESTIONABLY A NEED FOR HONG KONG INDUSTRY TO DEVOTE MORE OF ITS RESOURCES TO PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT, SO THAT LOCAL MANUFACTURERS COULD CREATE THEIR OWN NEW PRODUCTS AND GENERATE SUBSEQUENT DEMAND FOR THEM.
+1N ADDITION, IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN AND IMPROVE FURTHER UPON THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF OUR WORK FORCE, WE MUST RAISE THE HONG KONG VALUE ADDED TO OUR MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS AS WE HAVE NO RAW MATERIALS OF OUR OWN,+ SAID MR HO.
CONGRATULATING THE CMA FOR ITS UNFAILING EFFORTS IN ENCOURAGING PRODUCTION INNOVATION, MR HO SAID HE WAS GLAD TO HEAR IT NOW PLANNED TO TAKE A FURTHER INITIATIVE BY SPONSORING A PRODUCT CONSULTANCY SERVICE FOR MANUFACTURERS.
+1 LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE OF THIS WHEN THE DETAILS ARE ANNOUNCED AND I URGE CMA MEMBERS TO MAKE FULL USE OF THIS NEW SERVICE WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE,+ MR HO SAID.
- — - o - - - -
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1984
- 3 -
HK-FINNISH TEXTILE PACT INITIALLED M K M M
HONG KONG AND FINLAND INITIALLED A NEW TEXTILE AGREEMENT YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY), FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS IN HELSINKI EARLIER THIS WEEK.
THE NEW AGREEMENT, EFFECTIVE FROM AUGUST 1, 1984 TO DECEMBER 31, 1986, WILL COVER BROADLY THE SAME PRODUCTS ON TERMS SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE EXISTING AGREEMENT.
DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AFTER RATIFICATION BY BOTH GOVERNMENTS.
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NOTE TO EDITORS:
PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR SIR GEOFFREY HOWE’S VISIT * * *
A NUMBER OF PRESS FACILITIES ARE BEING ARRANGED FOR THE INFORMATION MEDIA TO COVER THE VISIT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, WHO IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE FROM CHINA NEXT WEDNESDAY (APRIL 18).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL NEED SPECIAL ACCREDITATION TO COVER SIR GEOFFREY’S PUBLIC FUNCTIONS. PRESS LAPEL BADGES WILL BE ISSUED BY GIS TO ACCREDITED JOURNALISTS.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR ACCREDITATION FOR EACH FUNCTION HAVE BEEN BOXED FOR COLLECTION. EDITORS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORMS AND RETURN THEM TO THE DUTY OFFICER, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, 6TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, BY 12 NOON ON MONDAY, APRIL 16 AT THE LATEST.
EDITORS ARE REQUESTED TO NOTE THAT NOMINATIONS DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN THAT LAPEL BADGES WILL BE ISSUED TO EVERY REPRESENTATIVE. UNLIMITED SPACE CANNOT ALWAYS BE MADE AVAILABLE AND SOME POOLING WILL BE NECESSARY OCCASIONALLY. EVERY EFFORT WILL HOWEVER BE MADE TO MEET REQUESTS FROM THE INFORMATION MEDIA TO ASSIST THEM IN COVERING PARTICULAR EVENTS.
BECAUSE OF CROWD CONTROL AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS, THERE WILL BE FIXED PRESS POSITIONS TO COVER MOST OF SIR GEOFFREY’S PUBLIC FUNCTIONS. WHERE PRESS POSITIONS CANNOT BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL, PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE PROVIDED BY GIS AND FILM FOOTAGE MADE AVAILABLE BY RTHK.
WHERE APPROPRIATE, TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR ACCREDITATED MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO ASSIST THEM IN MOVING FROM ONE LOCATION TO ANOTHER. BECAUSE OF PARKING LIMITATIONS AND SIR GEOFFREY’S TIGHT SCHEDULE, PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO USE THEIR OWN TRANSPORT.
/WEDNESDAY, APRIL l£ ........
THUBSDAY, APRIL 12, 1984
4 -
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18
ARRIVAL AT KAI TAK
SIR GEOFFREY IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON AN
RAF VC 10 IN THE AFTERNOON OF WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18. A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE PARKING PIER. DETAILED TIMINGS WILL BE ISSUED IN DUE COURSE.
THURSDAY, APRIL 19
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING
ON THURSDAY MORNING, SIR GEOFFREY WILL ATTEND A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES. THERE WILL BE A FIXED PRESS POSITION AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO CGO FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO FILM SIR GEOFFREY’S ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE.
LUNCH WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS
AFTER THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, SIR GEOFFREY WILL ATTEND A LUNCH HOSTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AT THE GRAND BALLROOM OF THE HILTON HOTEL. THERE WILL BE FIXED PRESS POSITIONS BOTH AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE HOTEL TO COVER HIS ARRIVAL AND INSIDE THE BALLROOM FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE OF THE COCKTAIL RECEPTION FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE LUNCH. PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WILL HAVE TO LEAVE THE BALLROOM BEFORE THE LUNCH STARTS.
VISIT TO SHA TIN
IN THE AFTERNOON, SIR GEOFFREY WILL VISIT SHA TIN NEW TOWN AND TOUR A HOUSING ESTATE. HE WILL ARRIVE BY HELICOPTER AT THE LION’S PAVILION WHERE HE WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN. THERE WILL BE A FIXED PRESS POSITION IN THE PAVILION FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VISIT.
FROM THE PAVILION, SIR GEOFFREY WILL PROCEED BY CAR TO WO CHE ESTATE WHERE HE WILL TOUR THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE AND VISIT A FAMILY. BECAUSE OF THE TIGHT SCHEDULE, THE GIS PRESS BUS WILL LEAVE THE PAVILION FOR WO CHE ESTATE ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE SIR GEOFFREY DEPARTS.
/AT WO .......
rHQHSMT, APRIL 12, 1984
5
AT WO CHE ESTATE, THERE WILL BE A PRESS POSITION ON THE first floor of the commercial centre where sir geoffrey will see AN EXHIBITION ON THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME. SIR GEOFFREY WILL THEN TAKE A SHORT WALK THROUGH THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE AND PROCEED TO VISIT A FAMILY LIVING IN ONE OF THE ESTATE'S UNITS.
PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WILL HAVE TO ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AHEAD OF SIR GEOFFREY POSITION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE commercial TAKE PICTURES OF SIR GEOFFREY LOOKING AT SIR GEOFFREY HAS PASSED, THEY WILL GO TO
AN OPEN SPACE OUTSIDE THE UNIT
BECAUSE OF LIMITED SPACE SIR GEOFFREY IS VISITING, POOL
GIS WHILE rthk STATIONS.
WHICH HE
INSIDE THE
LEAVE THE EXHIBITION AREA AND PROCEED TO A SECOND CENTRE WHERE THEY CAN THE SHOPS. AFTER A THIRD POSITION AT
IS VISITING.
PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE
HOUSING UNIT WHICH
WILL MAKE AVAILABLE SPECIAL FOOTAGE
PROVIDED BY FOR TELEVISION
TRANSPORT FOR THE WHOLE VISIT TO SHA TIN WILL BY GIS AND DETAILED TIMINGS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER
VISIT TO THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION
BE PROVIDED
AFTER SHA TIN, SIR GEOFFREY WILL GO TO THE OFFICE OF THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION AT THE BANK OF AMERICA TOWER FOR
DISCUSSIONS WITH COMMISSION OFFICIALS
there will be a fixed
PRESS POSITION AT THE LAMBETH WALK ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER HIS ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE.
RECEPTION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE
IN THE EARLY EVENING
SIR GEOFFREY WILL ATTEND A RECEPTION
FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN GOVERNMENT
HOUSE
BECAUSE OF SPACE LIMITATIONS, ONLY TELEVISION CAMERAMEN
WILL BE ALLOWED TO FILM INSIDE GOVERNMENT HOUSE. THIS WILL BE DONE FROM A FIXED PRESS POSITION AND WILL BE LIMITED TO A FEW
minutes
PHOTOGRAPHS
TO THE PRINT MEDIA
OF THE RECEPTION
WILL BE ISSUED BY GIS
MEETING AND DINNER AT
UMELCO
ON THURSDAY EVENING, SIR GEOFFREY AND HAVE DINNER WITH UMELCO MEMBERS IN WILL BE A FIXED POSITION AT THE PEDDER
WILL ATTEND A MEETING
THE UMELCO OFFICE
THERE
STREET ENTRANCE OF SWIRE
HOUSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER HIS ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE.
/FRIDAY, APRIL 2Q
THUHSDAY, APBIL 12, 1984
6
FRIDAY, APRIL 20
PRESS CONFERENCE
SIR GEOFFREY IS SCHEDULED TO GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT 11 AM. EDITORS SHOULD NOTE THAT ADMISSION WILL BE BY LAPEL BADGE HOLDERS ONLY AND REQUESTS FOR THESE MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ADVANCE. ALL PERSONS ENTERING THE CHAMBER WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE PROOF OF IDENTITY AND OF THE ORGANISATION WHICH THEY REPRESENT.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER WILL BE OPENED FROM 8 AM ONWARDS FOR THE SETTING UP OF EQUIPMENT. THIS MUST BE COMPLETED BY 10.30 AM AT THE LATEST. TV CAMERA CREWS CAN EITHER FILM FROM FIXED POSITIONS INSIDE THE CHAMBER OR OPERATE FROM INSIDE THE BOOTHS AT THE BACK OF THE CHAMBER.
ALL OTHER MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE SEATED BY 10.50 AM. THERE WILL BE TWO MINUTES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY BEFORE THE CONFERENCE STARTS AND NO PHOTOGRAPHY WILL BE ALLOWED ONCE THE CONFERENCE HAS STARTED.
ALL RECORDING WILL BE DONE INSIDE THE BOOTHS AND NO MICROPHONES OR HAND-HELD RECORDERS WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE DIAS. JOURNALISTS CAN, IF THEY WISH, RECORD THE PROCEEDINGS BY PLUGGING INTO THEIR SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION RECEIVERS. ADDITIONAL CLEAN SOUND OUTLETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR USE BY TV AND RADIO STATIONS.
A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE, TOGETHER WITH A FULL CHINESE TRANSLATION, WILL BE ISSUED BY GIS.
DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG
SIR GEOFFREY WILL LEAVE HONG KONG IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON OF APRIL 20 SHORTLY AFTER THE PRESS CONFERENCE. A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE AIRPORT. DETAILED TIMINGS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
0 - -
Thursday, april 12, 1984
- 7 -
TWO TORY MPS COMING * * * *
TWO CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, THE RT. HON.
SIR HUMPHREY ATKINS AND MR JOHN COPE, WILL BE VISITING HONG KONG AT THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNMENT.
SIR HUMPHREY IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE TOMORROW (FRIDAY), WHILE W COPE, WHO IS THE DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY, WILL ARRIVE ON SATURDAY.
THE MP'S WILL MEET SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, AND VISIT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND THE CHI MA WAN CLOSED CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
THEY WILL ALSO MEET UMELCO AND MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, AND VISIT THE GARRISON.
THEIR OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE VISITS TO THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION, THE PO LEUNG KUK AND LOCAL FACTORIES.
SIR HUMPHREY IS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE NEXT THURSDAY AND MR COPE ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
- - 0 ---------
SMALL-SCALE TEST PRECEDES HOUSEHOLD SURVEY * * *
A HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY WILL BE LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
BEFORE THAT A SMALL-SCALE PRE-TEST WILL BE HELD FROM MID-APRIL TO EARLY JUNE, COVERING ABOUT 500 LIVING QUARTERS SCATTERED OVER THE URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT A LETTER HAS BEEN SENT TO EACH SELECTED LIVING QUARTERS INFORMING THE HOUSEHOLDS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FOR THE PRE-TEST.
ASSISTANT CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS CARRYING GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT THESE HOUSEHOLDS IN THE COMING SEVERAL WEEKS TO EXPLAIN THE SURVEY TO THEM IN DETAIL AND TO INVITE THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PRE-TEST.
THE RESULTS OF THE PRE-TEST WILL BE USED TO FINALISE THE SURVEY PLAN AND PROCEDURES OF THE COMING HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
/a spokesman........
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 19«4
8
A SPOKESMAN FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT STRESSES THAT ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED IN THE PRE-TEST WILL BE KEPT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND USED ONLY FOR STATISTICAL ANALYSIS.
IT IS HOPED THAT ALL HOUSEHOLDS SELECTED FOR THE PRE-TEST WILL SUPPORT THIS EXERCISE AND CO-OPERATE WITH THE OFFICERS WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
ANY HOUSEHOLD REQUIRING FURTHER INFORMATION OR HAVING QUERIES ON THE SURVEY CAN RING UP THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NO. 3-7216558 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
- - o - - - -• *
OWNERS REQUIRED TO FILE PROPERTY TAX RETURNS *****
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT IS SENDING OUT PROPERTY TAX RETURN FORMS REQUIRING PROPERTY OWNERS TO DECLARE WITHIN ONE MONTH THE ACTUAL RENT THEY HAVE RECEIVED DURING THE TAX YEAR ENDING ON MARCH 31, 1984.
THIS ISSUE OF PROPERTY TAX RETURN FORMS, WHICH SHOULD REACH OWNERS NEXT WEEK, IS A FUNDAMENTAL STAGE IN THE CHANGE-OVER FROM CHARGING PROPERTY TAX ON A NOTIONAL FIGURE REPRESENTING THE ANNUAL RENT THAT A PREMISES MIGHT REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE, TO ASSESSING TAX ON THE BASIS OF THE RENT THAT A LANDLORD ACTUALLY OBTAINED.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE RENTAL INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE RETURNS WOULD FORM THE BASIS FOR FINAL PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1984 AND FOR PROVISIONAL PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR THE NEXT TAX YEAR.
THESE PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS WILL BE ISSUED LATER THIS YEAR
PROVISIONAL PROPERTY TAX ALREADY PAID FOR 1983-84 WOULD BE USED IN SETTLEMENT OF THE FINAL LIABILITY, WHILE ANY OVERPAYMENT WOULD BE APPLIED IN REDUCTION OF PROVISIONAL PROPERTY TAX PAYABLE FOR 1984-85.
ANY OWNER WHO HAS DIFFICULTY IN COMPLETING THE RETURN MAY CONTACT HIS PROPERTY TAX ASSESSOR AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER PRINTED ON THE RETURN FORM.
- - - - 0 -----------
/9........
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1984
- 9 -
SPORTS AND RECREATION FOR KWUN TONG FOLK * * * *
TWO RECREATION AND SPORTS SCHEMES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN KWUN TONG BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
ONE, FOR FACTORY WORKERS OF BOTH SEXES WHO MUST BE OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE, WILL START ON APRIL 29 AND GO ON FOR TWO MONTHS.
IT IS TO PROVIDE WORKERS IN THE DISTRICT WITH HEALTHY RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SERVICE SAID.
♦A WORKER WHO JOINS THE SCHEME WILL AUTOMATICALLY BECOME A MEMBER AND WILL BE ISSUED WITH A MEMBERSHIP CARD,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦THIS WILL ALLOW THE MEMBER TO TAKE PART IN VARIOUS SPORTS AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES.♦
THE OTHER SCHEME, STARTING EARLY NEXT MONTH, IS FOR MEN AND WOMEN OVER 50 YEARS OF AGE.
KNOWN AS +RECREATION AND SPORTS SCHEME FOR PEOPLE BEFORE AND AFTER RETIREMENT+, IT WILL GIVE FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS TO THOSE TAKING PART.
IN ADDITION, SPORTS AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING WALKS AND SEA CRUISES WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR THEM.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE RSS KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING.
FOR ENQUIRIES TELEPHONE 3-436123. - - - - 0 --------------------------------
FOOTBRIDGE TO REPLACE POK FU LAM CROSSING X X X * %
A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE IS TO BE BUILT ACROSS POK FU LAM ROAD NEAR HONG KONG UNIVERSITY.
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE WORK.
THE SECTION OF POK FU LAM ROAD NEAR THE UNIVERSITY HAS RECENTLY BEEN WIDENED TO THREE LANES.
THE 24-METRE-LONG FOOTBRIDGE WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING SIGNAL-CONTROLLED CROSSING NEAR CHIU SHEUNG MIDDLE SCHOOL AND IS INTENDED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.
IT WILL BE TWO METRES WIDE AND CONSTRUCTED OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE.
WORK WILL COMMENCE IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED IN ONE YEAR.
TENDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BEFORE MAY 11.
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1984
10
FLUSHING MAINS TO BE LAID IN SHA TIN * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TO LAY ABOUT 1 160 METRES OF FLUSHING WATER MAINS ALONG A SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD, NEAR HO TUNG LAU, SHA TIN.
THE MAINS, OF 700 AND 800 MILLIMETRES DIAMETER, WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE EXISTING FLUSHING WATER MAINS SYSTEM.
THEY FORM PART OF A SCHEME TO EXTEND FLUSHING WATER SUPPLIES TO THE WHOLE OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN, WHICH HAS A RAPIDLY EXPANDING POPULATION.
WORK WILL START IN JUNE AND TAKE FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY MAY 4.
- - 0 - -
YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR TO PERFORM * * *
THE DEAN OF MUSIC OF'THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING
ARTS, MR ANGUS WATSON WILL BE GUEST CONDUCTOR AT A CONCERT THE FIRST TIME SINCE TAKING UP HIS POST IN HONG KONG.
HE WILL SHARE THE PODIUM WITH TWO OTHER CONDUCTORS AT COMBINED CONCERT BY THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND THE MUSIC OFFICE YOUTH CHOIR IN TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AUDITORIUM ON APRIL 29, AT 8 PM.
FOR
A
(B)
MR WATSON, FORMERLY MASTER OF MUSIC AT WINCHESTER COLLEGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, WILL CONDUCT TWO ITEMS - TE DEUM LAUDAMUS AND PARRY’S PAIR OF SIRENS - WHILE THE OTHER TWO CONDUCTORS, M? FUNG WING-KIT AND MR TO MUNG-TAN OF THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL COMPLETE THE REST OF THE 0NE-H0UR-AND-40-MINUTE PROGRAMME.
THE CONCERT WILL BE JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (N.T. DIVISION).
THE EVENING’S PROGRAMME WILL ALSO INCLUDE ROSSINI’S LA GAZZA LADRA, HAYDN’S SYMPHONY, BRITTEN'S SOIREES MUSICALES.
THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (B) WAS FORMED BY THE MJSIC OFFICE IN 1978 WITH THE PRIMARY AIM OF PROVIDING ORCHESTRAL TRAINING TO YOUNG INSTRUMENTALISTS.
IT HAS 105 MEMBERS, MOSTLY STUDENTS, WHO REHEARSE REGULARLY ON SUNDAYS AT THE MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE.
THE ORCHESTRA WILL JOIN THE 120-V0ICE STRONG MUSIC OFFICE YOUTH CHOIR TO PERFORM THE TWO PIECES UNDER THE BATON OF MR WATSON.
TICKETS AT $5 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES CF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL BOX OFFICE.
------0-------
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1984
- 11 -
SUNDAY TREE-PLANTING FOR PARK VISITORS * * * * *
VISITORS TO SIX OF THE COUNTRY PARKS HAVE TWO MORE SUNDAYS TO PLANT TREES.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE SEEDLINGS TO VISITORS TO PLANT AT THE COUNTRY PARKS ON APRIL 15 AND 22.
THE SEEDLINGS CAN BE COLLECTED BETWEEN 9 AM AND 3 PM ON THESE DAYS IN THE COUNTRY PARKS AT TWISK, BRIDE’S POOL IN TAI PO, CLEAR WATER BAY AND PAK TAM CHUNG IN SAI KUNG, NAM SHAN ON LANTAU ISLAND AND QUARRY BAY ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
LAST SUNDAY, MORE THAN 1 100 TREE SEEDLINGS WERE PLANTED BY VISITORS IN THESE COUNTRY PARKS, THE DAY AFTER THE OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF THIS YEAR’S COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN.
ALTOGETHER 300 000 SEEDLINGS WILL BE PLANTED THIS SEASON BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTRY PARKS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT REMINDED PARTICIPANTS IN THE CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME THAT THIS SUNDAY (APRIL 15) IS ALSO THE LAST DAY FOR THEM TO PLANT TREES AS PART OF STAGE TWO OF THS SCHEME.
THE SCHEME, IN THE FORM OF A COMPETITION, AIMS TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION.
--------0
©
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
flexibility sought in special training cases .................. 1
HO LEAVES FOR TALKS ON TRADING ................................ 2
UNEMPLOYMENT SITU ATI CM STABLE................................ 3
YOUNG WOMEN’S TUEN TO GET NEW I.D. CARDS .................... 4
RECLAMATION FOR CORRIDOR WORK PLANNED ......................... 4
NEW TRAFFIC PLAN FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT ........................ 5
KODALY COURSE FOR MUSIC TEACHERS .............................. 6
TSING Yl ZONING PLAN AMENDMENT PUBLISHED ...................... 7
TWO NEW ROADS TO BE BUILT IN FANLING........................... 8
REFRESHER COURSE............................................... 8
WAN CHAI WATER WORKS .......................................... 9
FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1904
- 1 -
FLEXIBILITY SOUGHT IN SPECIAL TRAINING CASES
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES EMPOWERING THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, TO GRANT EXEMPTIONS FROM THE APPRENTICESHIP REGULATIONS.
THE APPRENTICESHIP (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY SEEKS TO PROVIDE FOR THIS BY AMENDING THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE.
THE ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS WERE ENACTED IN 1976 TO PROMOTE AND REGULATE THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OF APPRENTICES IN DESIGNATED TRADES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PROPOSAL WILL ALLOW SOME FLEXIBILITY IN DEALING WITH EXCEPTIONAL SITUATIONS.
IT HAD BEEN FOUND, FOR INSTANCE, THAT THE REGULATIONS COVERING EMPLOYMENT HOURS OF REGISTERED APPRENTICES WERE PREVENTING APPRENTICES UNDER THE AGE OF 18 IN THE HOTEL COOK TRADE FROM RECEIVING TRAINING IN DINNER AND BANQUET PREPARATION.
SUCH TRAINING WAS CONSIDERED INDISPENSABLE BY EMPLOYERS, BUT IN MOST CASES WOULD HAVE TO TAKE PLACE IN THE EVENING, AFTER 7 PM.
THE APPRENTICESHIP REGULATIONS PRESCRIBE THAT THE HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT OF APPRENTICES AGED 16 AND 17 SHOULD BE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM. ONLY THOSE AGED 18 -AND ABOVE MAY, SUBJECT TO THE COMMISSIONER’S APPROVAL, WORK LATER HOURS.
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AGREED THAT TRAINING IN DINNER AND BANQUET PREPARATION WAS AN INDISPENSABLE PART OF APPRENTICE COOKS’ TRAINING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO ENABLE THEM TO RECEIVE ALL NECESSARY TRAINING, THE COUNCIL CONSIDERED THAT, WHILE ALL OTHER CONDITIONS REMAINED UNCHANGED, THEIR HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT SHOULD BE EXTENDED.
ALTHOUGH SO FAR NO DIFFICULTIES HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED WITH ANY OF THE OTHER APPRENTICESHIP REGULATIONS, UNFORESEEN PROBLEMS MIGHT ARISE IN FUTURE, AND IT WAS FELT THAT THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE SHOULD CONTAIN THE POWER TO ENABLE EXCEPTIONAL CASES TO BE TREATED FLEXIBLY.
+1 SHOULD MAKE IT CLEAR HOWEVER THAT THERE IS NO INTENTION TO RELAX THE PRESENT APPRENTICESHIP REGULATIONS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/♦THE HEGULATICNS .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1984
2
+THE REGULATIONS CONFORM TO INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION STANDARDS AND ARE A REFLECTION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO PROTECT YOUNG PEOPLE IN EMPLOYMENT.+
THE BILL IS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 25 AND TO GO THROUGH THE REMAINING LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES ON MAY 2.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON THE BILL MAY WRITE TO THE UMELCO IN SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER IN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING).
-----0------
HO LEAVES FOR TALKS ON TRADING H H K M
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO LEFT FOR SEOUL THIS MORNING (FRIDAY) TO ATTEND A THREE-DAY CONFERENCE CONVENED BY THE TRADE POLICY RESEARCH CENTRE (TPRC) STARTING TODAY.
THE CONFERENCE WHICH FOCUSES ON THE PARTICIPATION OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN THE INTERNATIONAL TRADING SYSTEM, IS BEING ATTENDED BY GOVERNMENT MINISTERS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS, BUSINESS LEADERS AND INDEPENDENT EXPERTS FROM AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI, CANADA, EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, INDONESIA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, MALAYSIA, NEW ZEALAND, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, THAILAND AND THE UNITED STATES.
MR ARTHUR DUNKEL, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE CONFERENCE.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION INCLUDED DR VICTOR FUNG, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LI AND FUNG LTD AND MR CHRISTOPHER CHENG, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF WING TAI EXPORTERS LTD.
-----0 - -
/3........
FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1984
- 3 -
UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION STABLE * * * *
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION REMAINED LARGELY STABLE, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FO« DECEMBER 1983 -FEBRUARY 1984 WAS 4.0 PER CENT, WHICH COMPARES WITH THE RATE OF 4.1 PER CENT RECORDED FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER ENDING NOVEMBER 1983, AND 3.7 PER CENT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JANUARY 1984.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THESE CHANGES ARE, HOWEVER, NOT STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE RATE FOR THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1983 WAS 4.5 PER CENT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1984 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 100 900, AS COMPARED WITH 106 300 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING NOVEMBER 1983, AND 112 700 FOR THE CORRESPONDING QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR DECEMBER 1983 - FEBRUARY 1984 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 1.6 PER CENT, THE SAME AS THAT RECORDED FOR THE QUARTER ENDING NOVEMBER 1983.
THE ESTIMATE OF THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS 41 400 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1984, AS COMPARED WITH 40 000 FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER ENDING NOVEMBER 1983.
CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION, PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE SEEKING MORE WORK OR WERE NOT SEEKING MORE WORK BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED MORE WORK WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
IN COMMENTING UPON THESE FIGURES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (E.G. PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES WHICH HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED FOR THE VARIATION IN FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME. THE UNADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1984 WAS ALSO 4.0 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 HOUSEHOLDS 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 MARCH 1984 WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN LATE JUNE.
FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1984
- 4 -
YOUNG WOMEN'S TURN TO GET NEW I.D. CARDS
*****
WOMEN BORN IN 1963, 1964 AND 1965, INCLUDING GREEN-SEAL IDENTITY CARD HOLDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW I.D. CARDS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE EASTER HOLIDAYS.
PHASE 11 OF THE NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE SCHEME, TARGETED AT THE THREE AGE GROUPS, WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN APRIL 24 AND JUNE 2 THIS YEAR.
♦APPLICANTS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR OLD I.D. CARDS TO ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES,+ AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
♦THOSE WHO WISH TO CHANGE THEIR LAST NAMES AS A RESULT OF A CHANGE IN MARITAL STATUS MUST ALSO BRING THEIR MARRIAGE OR DIVORCE CERTIFICATES WITH THEM.+ HE ADDED.
THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES WILL BE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM, MONDAYS THROUGH SATURDAYS.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO MAKE USE OF THE MAIL-IN APPOINTMENT SERVICE CAN OBTAIN AN APPLICATION FORM FROM ANY DISTRICT OFFICE OR IMMIGRATION OFFICE.
APPOINTMENTS CAN BE MADE FOR ANY TIME FROM 10 AM TO 5.30 PM, EXCEPT MONDAYS.
THE COMPLETED FORM MUST REACH THE OFFICE OF ONE’S CHOICE 10 DAYS BEFORE THE CLOSE OF THE PHASE.
------0-------
RECLAMATION FOR CORRIDOR WORK PLANNED
* * *
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO CONSTRUCT AN 80-METRE-L0NG SEAWALL AND RECLAIM ABOUT 1.28 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT ALDRICH BAY, QUARRY BAY.
THE RECLAMATION WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR THE THIRD STAGE OF ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, A CONCOURSE TO SERVE A KUNG NGAM FERRY PIER AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY UNDER THE PUBLIC RECLAMATIONS AND WORKS ORDINANCE.
/THE NOTICE........
TODAY, APRIL 13, 1?84
5 -
THE NOTICE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN, CAN BE SEEN ON :
* NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE?
* AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY DIVISION, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONGi AND AT
* EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 884-886, KING’S ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL AND CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD REACH THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
THE FIRST SECTION OF ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, RUNNING BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND TA I KOO SHING, WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, ON JUNE 7.
THE SECOND SECTION RUNNING FROM TAIKOO SHING TO SHAUKIWAN, WHICH IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, IS EXPECTED TO BE OPENED IN MID-1985.
STAGE I I I OF THE PROJECT WILL RUN FROM SHAUKIWAN TO CHAI WAN.
WHEN THE CORRIDOR IS FULLY COMPLETED IT WILL PROVIDE A CONTINUOUS DUAL CARRIAGEWAY FROM CAUSEWAY BAY TO CHAI WAN, RELIEVING TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON KING’S ROAD, SHAUKIWAN ROAD AND CHAI WAN ROAD.
------. 0 - - - -
NEW TRAFFIC PLAN FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT
X * * *
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN FORCE IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT FROM 9 AM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 15) IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPENING OF OCEAN PARK’S SECOND ENTRANCE, WHICH IS IN TAI SHUE WAN.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, URBAN CLEARWAY HOURS WILL BE CHANGED AT THE FOLLOWING ROAp SECTIONS:
* NAM LONG SHAN ROAD NORTHBOUND FROM WONG CHUK HANG ROAD TO 123 METRES SOUTH OF HEUNG YIP ROAD.
* WONG CHUK HANG ROAD WESTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH NAM LONG SHAN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* HEUNG YIP ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH NAM LONG SHAN ROAD TO A POINT 45 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
THE NEW RESTRICTION WILL BE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY, WHEN ONLY FRANCHISED BUSES MAY STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE ROAD SECTIONS.
/learners drivers .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1984
6
LEARNERS DRIVERS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING NAM LONG SHAN ROAD AND HEUNG YIP ROAD BETWEEN 6 AM AND 7.30 PM DAILY.
THE NEW ENTRANCE WILL BE SERVED BY TWO CMB ROUTES ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
ROUTE 97 FROM ABERDEEN WILL OPERATE FROM 9-20 AM TO 7.40 PM AT 10-MlNUTE INTERVALS, CHARGING $1 EACH WAY.
ROUTE 99 FROM CENTRAL BUS STATION WILL RUN FROM 9 AM TO 7.37 PM VIA ABERDEEN TUNNEL AT EVERY SEVEN MINUTES. THE FULL FARE WILL BE $2.7, BUT A SECTIONAL FARE OF $1 WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE DISTANCE BETWEEN OCEAN PARK’S MAIN AND SECOND ENTRANCES.
IN ADDITION, MAXICAB ROUTE 29 WILL BE EXTENDED TO OPERATE BETWEEN AP LEI CHAU ESTATE AND THE NEW OCEAN PARK ENTRANCE. THE MAXICABS WILL RUN FROM 9 AM TO 6.30 PM AT 30-MINUTE INTERVALS, CHARGING $1.5.
THERE WILL BE NO PARKING SPACE ON SHUM WAN ROAD WITHIN ONE KILOMETRE FROM THE NEW ENTRANCE. MOTORISTS PROCEEDING TO THE NEW ENTRANCE SHOULD USE THE CAR PARK ON OCEAN PARK ROAD NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE AND INTERCHANGE FOR CMB ROUTE 99.
' -----0--------
KODALY COURSE FOR MUSIC TEACHERS
* * * *
A COURSE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHERS INVOLVING A MODERN CHORAL TEACHING METHOD WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT NEXT MONTH.
KNOWN AS THE KODALY CHORAL METHOD, THE TEACHING TECHNIQUE AIMS AT DEVELOPING MUSIC PERCEPTION AND UNDERSTANDING THROUGH SINGING BY USING A STRUCTURED SYSTEM OF TRAINING DEVISED BY KODALY, THE WELL-KNOWN HUNGARIAN COMPOSER AND MUSIC EDUCATIONIST.
♦THIS APPROACH TO MUSIC TRAINING IS NOW WIDELY ADOPTED IN MANY COUNTRIES AND HAS EARNED WIDESPREAD INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
ALTHOUGH ATTENDANCE AT THE COURSE IS NOT A QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE ISSUED TO TEACHERS WHO COMPLETE THE COURSE SATISFACTORILY, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE KODALY CHORAL METHOD WAS INTRODUCED TO HONG KONG IN 1980 WHEN A PUPIL OF KODALY, MISS CECILIA VAJDA, CAME TO CONDUCT COURSES ON THE METHOD TO LOCAL MUSIC TEACHERS. SHE WAS INVITED TO MAKE A SIMILAR VISIT IN 1982.
/FOLLOWING HhjR ••••»••
TODAY, APHIL 13, 1984
- 7 -
FOLLOWING HER VISITS, THE MUSIC SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE STARTED A PILOT PROJECT ON THE ADOPTION OF THIS TEACHING METHOD IN SELECTED SCHOOLS WITH TEACHERS WHO ATTENDED THE KODALY COURSES.
THE PROJECT, NOW IN ITS THIRD YEAR, STARTED WITH PRIMARY ONE AND WILL COVER PRIMARY ONE TO SIX IN SIX YEARS’ TIME.
THE COURSE WILL BEGIN ON MAY 22 AND CONSISTS OF TEN CLASSES TO BE HELD EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY UNTIL JUNE 21.
TEACHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD APPLY TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (MUSIC) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S MUSIC SECTION, FIFTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD REACH THE DEPARTMENT ON OR BEFORE MAY 1.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MRS T.T. CHOY OF THE MUSIC SECTION AT 5-8392430.
------0 - - - -
TSI NG Yl ZONING PLAN AMENDMENT PUBLISHED X * * *
NOTICE OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR TSING Yl IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
IT INVOLVES INCLUSION OF A PROPOSED RECLAMATION ON THE EASTERN COAST OF THE ISLAND.
THE ONE HECTARE AREA IS ZONED FOR INDUSTRIAL USE.
THE AMENDED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT i
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG;
*
M TOWN PLANNING DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, 4TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
* TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOU WAH CENTRE, 2ND FLOOR, 210, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
ANYONE AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT SHOULD OBJECT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382, NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, AT $10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 PER COLOURED COPY.
Jr -----------------------o-------
/8 .....
FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1984
- 8 -
TWO NEW ROADS TO BE BUILT IN FANLING
* * *
TWO ROADS ARE TO BE BUILT TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO NEW DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN FANLING ROUNDABOUT AND FANLING WAI.
ONE WILL LINK JOCKEY CLUB ROAD WITH A NEW ROAD RUNNING PARALLEL WITH IT TO THE SOUTH.
THE OTHER WILL BE A SHORT ROAD LEADING TO EXISTING SCHOOLS IN THE AREA AND A PROPOSED NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL. IT WILL ALSO RUN PARALLEL WITH JOCKEY CLUB ROAD.
THE TOTAL LENGTH OF THE NEW ROADS IS 350 METRES. THE ROADS WILL BE BUILT BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND ALSO PROVIDE ACCESS TO A TEMPORARY GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED ROADS IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE TODAY.
THE PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT:
X CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE;
X NORTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, OLD DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING, TAI PO MARKET, NEW TERRITORIES;
AND
X NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, FANLING SUB-OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE JUNE 12, 1984.
---------0 - -
REFRESHER COURSE
X X
A REFRESHER COURSE FOR TABLE TENNIS INSTRUCTORS WILL BE HELD FROM MAY 10 AT THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT’S NEW SPORTS CENTRE IN TO KWA WAN NEXT MONTH.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE AND THE HONG KONG TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION, THE COURSE OFFERS 10 TRAINING SESSIONS TO BE HELD ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, FROM 7 PM TO 9 PM.
THOSE INTERESTED SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS ONLY 30 PERSONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. THE ENTRY FEE IS $20 PER PERSON.
- 0 --------
/9 ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1984
- 9 -
WAN CHAI WATER WORKS
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES AT WAN CHAI WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 16) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THESE PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, ANTON STREET, HENNESSY ROAD, LUARD ROAD AND TAI WONG STREET WEST INCLUDING 1-31 AND 4-10 THOMSON ROAD.
-.--0----
©
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SOCIAL WORKERS PRAISED FOR DEDICATION ......................... 1
RESIDENTS CAN HELP BUILD BETTER COMMUNITY...................... 2
ADVANCE PAYMENT OF WELFARE ALLOWANCES ......................... 3
PUBLIC URGED TO KEEP BEACHES CLEAN ............................ 3
JOURNALISTS TO RECEIVE CERTIFICATES ........................... 4
HK PHILHARMONIC TO PLAY IN KWAI CHONG.......................... 4
HEALTH COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN ............................... 5
CLUB HOUSE FOR ARTS COUNCIL ................................... 6
LANE TO BE CLOSED FOR SLOPE WORK............................... 6
PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN KWAI CHUNG ............................. 6
TRAFFIC BAN LIFTED ............................................ 7
FIRING PRACTICE................................................ 7
SALT WATER MAINS WORK ......................................... 7
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1984
- 1 -
SOCIAL WORKERS PRAISED FOR DEDICATION * M * *
THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG’S WELFARE PROGRAMMES, WHICH COMPARE WELL WITH THOSE IN ANY COUNTRY IN THE REGION, IS DUE TO THE DEDICATION AND RESOURCEFULNESS OF ITS SOCIAL WORKERS.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER (HONG KONG), MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF LEI FOOK CHURCH SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY. LOCATED AT AP LEI CHAU, THE CENTRE IS RUN BY THE HONG KONG CHINESE CHRISTIAN AND MISSIONARY ALLIANCE.
♦THE QUALITY AND DIRECTION OF OUR SERVICES DO NOT ALWAYS DEPEND ON THE NUMBER OF STAFF WE HAVE OR THE RESOURCES GIVEN TO US,+ SHE SAID, ADDING THAT THE DEDICATION OF THE SOCIAL WORKERS WAS ALSO VITAL.
SHE CALLED ON SOCIAL WORKERS TO TAKE A MORE DYNAMIC AND IMAGINATIVE APPROACH IN PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
SHE SAID THAT SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY FORMED THE LARGEST NETWORK OF WELFARE SERVICES FOR THESE PEOPLE AND WERE PLANNED IN ADVANCE ON BOTH THE POPULATION AND THE GEOGRAPHIC BASE.
TWELVE CENTRES ARE TO BE SET UP EACH YEAR AND, ACCORDING TO PRESENT PLANS, THERE WILL BE ABOUT 160 SUCH CENTRES BY 1989.
BUT MRS GOODSTADT FELT THAT SOCIAL WORKERS SHOULD BE MORE AGGRESSIVE IN THEIR APPROACH AND THAT THERE WAS STILL ROOM FOR FRESH INITIATIVES AND INNOVATION.
BY WAY OF EXAMPLE, SHE SAID THEY COULD MAKE SPECIAL EFFORTS IN RECRUITING THOSE ELDERLY PERSONS WITH EXPERIENCE AND TALENTS TO ACT AS VOLUNTEERS.
♦WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO THINK OF THE ELDERLY AS JUST A GROUP OF UNDERPRIVILEGED PERSONS WHO ARE PASSIVE RECIPIENTS OF WELFARE SERVICES,* SHE STRESSED.
+WE SHOULD CHANGE OUR STEREOTYPED IMAGE OF THE ELDERLY AND START THINKING OF THEM AS RESOURCEFUL AND EXPERIENCED PERSONS.*
SHE SUGGESTED THAT SOCIAL CENTRES COULD BE USED TO PROMOTE HEALTH EDUCATION FOR THE ELDERLY, TO MONITOR THE GENERAL WELFARE OF THE MORE VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF THIS GROUP, AND TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE A MORE HEALTHY AND MEANINGFUL LIFE.
THEY COULD ALSO BE USED AS A BASE TO REACH OUT TO THE ELDERLY WHO WERE ISOLATED, SHE SAID.
THE POPULATION OF THOSE AGED OVER 60 HAS RISEN FROM ABOUT 300 000 IN 1965 TO 500 000 TODAY, AND THE NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO RISE FURTHER TO 850 000 IN TEN YEARS’ TIME.
- - - - 0 ----
/2 .....
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1984
2
RESIDENTS CAN HELP BUILD BETTER COMMUNITY * * * *
RESIDENTS CAN HELP BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY THROUGH THEIR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, A TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR HUNG CHEUNG-HO, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
HE SAID THE DISTRICT BOARD HAD CONTRIBUTED MUCH IN IMPROVING THE WELFARE FOR ITS RESIDENTS AND BUILDING AN IDEAL COMMUNITY, BUT IT COULD NOT HAVE DONE SO WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE RESIDENTS.
CEREM0NY 0F THE ™ P°
+THE CONTEST IS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AS WELL AS STRENGTHEN THEIR SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENTITY AND BELONGING,+ HE SAID.
MR HUNG, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF A WORKING GROUP ON THE DISTRICT’S CONTEST, POINTED OUT THAT THE EVENT WAS ONE OF MANY ACTIVITIES BEING ORGANISED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD FOR THE BENEFITS OF THE RESIDENTS.
♦ANYTHING THAT CONCER-NS THE WELL-BEING OF THE RESIDENTS, SUCH AS ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, PUBLIC TRANSPORT, LAW AND ORDER, NEDICAL SERVICES, HOUSING PROVISIONS AND EDUCATION ARE OF GREAT CONCERN TO THE BOARD,+ HE SAID.
THE BOARD, HE ADDED, HAD BEEN CLOSELY MONITORING THE SITUATION IN JWfcSG FIELDS AND tUAfc .NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS.
HE SAID RESIDENTS COULD GIVE THE BOARD SUPPORT BY REGISTERING AS VOTERS SINCE MORE VOTES WOULD MEAN GREATER REPRESENTATIVENESS OF THE BOARD.
MR HUNG ALSO URGED THOSE WHO WANTED TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY TO STAND FOR NEXT YEAR'S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE SIX-WEEK REGISTRATION OF VOTERS WILL BEGIN IN MID-AUGUST.
ALL 18 DISTRICTS WILL HOLD THE DB ELECTIONS TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
TWELVE YOUNG AMATEURS COMPETED IN TONIGHT’S CONTEST AND THE WINNER. MR CHOI SHUE-HA, WILL REPRESENT TAI PO IN A SEMI-FINAL ON AUGUST 11. THE FIRST RUNNER-UP IS MR KWOK SAI-ON AND THE second Runner-up mr kam wing-chiu.
A GRAND FINAL WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 8.
THE 18-DISTRICT AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND SING TAO NEWSPAPERS LIMITED.
------o - - - -
/3 .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1984
ADVANCE PAYMENT OF WELFARE ALLOWANCES
* * * * *
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE HOLDING CASH COUPONS MAY RECEIVE THEIR ALLOWANCES EARLIER IF THEIR PAYMENT DATES FALL ON THE EASTER HOLIDAYS.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THOSE WHO ARE TO RECEIVE PAYMENT ON APRIL 20, 21, 22 AND 23 CAN CASH THEIR COUPONS ON APRIL 16, 17, 18 AND 19 RESPECTIVELY OR THEREAFTER, AT THE DESIGNATED POST OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES OR TREASURY SUB-OFFICES.
RECIPIENTS OF OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCE UNDER THE BANK PAYMENT SYSTEM WITH PAYMENT FALLING ON APRIL 20 CAN ALSO RECEIVE THEIR ALLOWANCES A DAY EARLIER (APRIL 19), THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
- - - - 0 ----------
PUBLIC URGED TO KEEP BEACHES CLEAN
* * * *
AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG COMMITTEE, MR NGA I YAU-KI, TODAY CALLED ON BEACHGOERS TO HELP KEEP THE TERRITORY’S BEACHES CLEAN.
MR NGAI MADE THE APPEAL WHILE VISITING LIDO BEACH DURING A TOUR OF TSUEN WAN TO SEE THE STATE OF CLEANLINESS IN THE DISTRICT.
ACCOMPANYING MR NGAI ON THE VISIT WERE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (OPERATIONS) OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR DAVID WEEKS, AND THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF TSUEN WAN, MR CHAN YIU-CHEUNG.
AT LIDO BEACH MR NGAI WAS TOLD THAT NTSD STAFF MUST CLEAN IT DAILY AS REFUSE IS BEING REGULARLY WASHED ASHORE OR ABANDONED BY VISITORS.
LIDO BEACH IS AMONG THE MORE POPULAR BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT MORE THAN ONE MILLION PEOPLE VISITED THE BEACH LAST YEAR.
EARLIER, THE PARTY VISITED HEUNG CHE STREET TO INSPECT A PURPOSE-BUILT REFUSE COLLECTION POINT CAPABLE OF HANDLING 14 TONNES OF REFUSE A DAY.
THEY LATER CALLED AT THE TSUEN WAN TRANSPORT COMPLEX WHERE A MODERN REFUSE COLLECTION POINT IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN TWO MONTHS.
THEY ALSO INSPECTED VARIOUS CLEANSING FACILITIES AT OTHER LOCATIONS IN TSUEN WAN.
--------0----------
/4 .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1984 - 4 -
NOTE TO EDITORS:
JOURNALISTS TO RECEIVE CERTIFICATES * * * *
TWENTY-EIGHT WORKING JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED A MONTH-LONG + NEWS TRANSLATION WORKSHOP* CONDUCTED BY THE COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT OF THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, WILL BE PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE BY DR JOSEPH WONG, MEMBER OF THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD.
THE WORKSHOP IS ONE OF THE COURSES SUBSIDISED BY THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD UNDER THE +JOURNALISM TRAINING COURSE SUBSIDY SCHEME*.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD IN ROOM S-1O1, HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, 224 WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON AT 12 NOON ON MONDAY (APRIL 16).
- - - - 0 - -
HK PHILHARMONIC TO PLAY IN KWAI CHUNG
* * *
MUSIC LOVERS IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY BOTH CLASSICAL AND POPULAR SONGS BY THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA IN THEIR DISTRICT NEXT WEEK.
THE +FROM BEETHOVEN TO JOSEPH KOO* CONCERT, JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (NT), WILL BE HELD IN THE DEACON’S HALL OF JU CHING CHU COLLEGE ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 18), STARTING AT 7.30 PM.
THE CONDUCTOR OF THE CONCERT WILL BE MR MIRAN KOJI AN AND THE PROGRAMME FOR THE NIGHT WILL INCLUDE BEETHOVEN’S OVERTURE LEONORA NO. 3, STRAUSS’S BLUE DANUBE, FUKIEN AND HENAN FOLK SONGS, AND JOSEPH KOO’S FREE AS THE WIND.
FREE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL BOX OFFICE, AND THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl SUB-DISTRICT OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE
- - - - 0------------
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 198*
- 5 -HEALTH COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN * * * * *
FORTY-FIVE CHILDREN IN KOWLOON CITY WILL COMPETE BEFORE A PANEL OF JUDGES AT THE DISTRICT’S HEALTHY CHILDREN COMPETITION TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE EVENT WILL BE HELD IN 01 MAN ESTATE COMMUNITY HALL. STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
THE YOUNG CONTESTANTS, BETWEEN THE AGES OF SIX MONTHS AND SIX YEARS, WERE CHOSEN FROM AMONG 160 ENTRIES AFTER BEING GIVEN CHECKUPS BY DOCTORS LAST MONTH.
THE CHILDREN WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE AGE GROUPS.
CONTESTANTS FROM THREE YEARS OF AGE TO SIX WILL MAKE A BRIEF INTRODUCTION, SING OR DANCE, AND ANSWER SIMPLE QUESTIONS.
THE COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY THE 01 MAN YIN NGAI SOCIETY AND THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD, IS TO DRAW PARENTS’ ATTENTION TO THEIR CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE.
TWELVE WINNERS, FOUR FROM EACH AGE GROUP, WILL BE AWARDED CASH COUPONS AND GIFTS. >
THEY WILL ALSO REPRESENT THE DISTRICT IN A TERRITORY-WIDE GRAND FINAL ON MOTHER’S DAY (MAY 13).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT HEALTHY CHILDREN COMPETITION AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN THE 01 MAN ESTATE COMMUNITY HALL.
-----o------
/6........
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1984
6
NOTE TO EDITORS:
CLUB HOUSE FOR ARTS COUNCIL X * *
A NEW CLUB HOUSE OF THE WONG TAI SIN ARTS COUNCIL WILL BE OPENED ON MONDAY (APRIL 16).
THE ARTS COUNCIL IS FORMED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD TO PROVIDE VARIOUS TYPES OF TRAINING CLASSES AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS.
AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MRS SELINA CHOWi THE DISTRICT OFFICER, l*R PHILIP CH0K1 AND OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE ARTS COUNCIL WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
QN DISPLAY AT THE CLUB HOUSE WILL BE WINNING ENTRIES OF AN INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S DRAWING COMPETITION AND TWO WALL MURALS PAINTED BY STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL START AT 4.30 PM ON THE GROUND FLOOR, BLOCK 30 OF LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE.
- - 0 - -
LANE TO BE CLOSED FOR SLOPE WORK * * *
YAT FU PUN WILL BE ABOUT THREE
DURING
LANE BETWEEN HOUSE NO 12 AND SOUTH LANE IN SAI YING CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 16) FOR MONTHS FOR SLOPE WORK.
THE CLOSURE, YAT FU LANE BETWEEN HOUSE NO 12 AND
QUEEN’S ROAD WEST WILL BE CONVERTED INTO A CUL-DE-SAC WITH ACCESS VIA QUEEN’S ROAD WEST ONLY.
- - 0 - -
PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN * * *
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 16). A STREET IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE DESIGNATED BUS RESTRICTED ZONE.
KWAI CHUNG
SECTION OF SHEK LEI A 24-HOUR PUBLIC LIGHT
THE SECTION IS FROM THE STREET’S JUNCTION WITH ua i k-ciz STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES TO THE NORTHEAST
WITHIN THE ZONE, ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BF PROHiRiTm FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS PROHIBITED
- 0 -
/7
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1984
7
TRAFFIC BAN LIFTED
ill
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 16), THE BUS-ONLY LANE ON SHAU KEI WAN ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN TAI CHEONG STREET AND TAI ON STREET WILL BE CANCELLED.
- - 0 - -
FIRING PRACTICE * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE RANGE ON FOUR DAYS NEXT WEEK.
PLACE AT THE
HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT ARE HOISTED.
TO ENTER THE
AREA WHEN RED FLAGS
THE PRACTICE WILL BE FROM
8 AM TO 5 PM
WEDNESDAY (APRIL 18) AND THURSDAY (APRIL 19) 11 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 17).
ON MONDAY (APRIL 16) , AND FROM 8 AM TO
- 0 - -
SALT WATER MAINS WORK * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO KWUN TONG, SAU MAU PING, NGAU TAU KOK NGAU CHI WAN AND SHAN PO KONG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 30 AM TO 10 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 17) FOR MAINS WORK.
0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROPERTIES TO BE RESUMED FOR ROAD PROJECT ................... 1
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION EFFORTS PAY OFF ....................... 2
WAGE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 198}............................... 4
PRISONERS CAN mLSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY............... 8
STREET LIGHTING PROGRAMME FOR SQUaTTER AREAS ................ c,
GO METRIC AND WIN A PRIZE ................................... 10
COURSE OFFERED FOR TEACHERS IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS .............. 11
ILLEGAL HaWKERS CLEARED FROM STREETS ........................ 12
CLEARANCE IN KOWLOON CITY ................................... 12
NEW ROAD IN LAI CHI KOK ..................................... 1j
RESTRICTED ZONE IN KWAI CHUNG ............................... 14
COLLEGE TO GET SECOND LABORATORY ............................ 14
RECREATION FACILITIES FOR POLICE OFFICERS ................... 15
SECURITY IMPROVEMENT AT TAI LaM CENTRE ...................... 15
WATER CUT ON AP LEI CHAU .................................... 16
WATER CUT AT SHEK TONG TSUI ................................. 16
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
1
PROPERTIES TO BE RESUMED FOR ROAD PROJECT
* * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME A NUMBER OF PROPERTIES IN TUNG CHAU STREET AND TONG Ml ROAD, TAI KOK TSUI, SO THAT IT CAN GO AHEAD WITH CONSTRUCTION OF A VITAL SECTION OF THE FOURTH STAGE OF THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECTION OF THE ELEVATED ROAD IS IN CATEGORY A OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AND WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN OCTOBER.
THE PROPERTIES ARE AT 79-81B, TONG Ml ROAD, AND 1-25, TONG CHAU STREET.
IT IS EXPECTED ABOUT 75 FAMILIES WILL BE REHOUSED UNDER HOUSING DEPARTMENT POLICY AND 39 SHOPS AND WORKSHOPS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION.
A LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID THE-SECTION -IN WHICH THE PROPERTIES TO BE RESUMED WERE SITUATED WAS REQUIRED EARLY TO ENABLE THE STAGE II SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY TO BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC AND TO ACCOMMODATE THE INCREASED VOLUME OF TRAFFIC EXPECTED WHEN STAGE III WAS COMPLETED.
HE SAID THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR PROJECT WAS OF LONG-TERM BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY AS IT WOULD PROVIDE A HIGH STANDARD PRIMARY DISTRIBUTOR ROUTE SERVING MAJOR LONG-DISTANCE MOVEMENTS IN THE TRAFFIC CORRIDOR IN WEST AND NORTH-WEST KOWLOON.
THE CORRIDOR, AN ELEVATED DUAL CARRIAGEWAY, WILL BE
EIGHT KILOMETRES LONG, RUNNING FROM THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TO LAI CHI KOK AND BEYOND.
STAGE IV WILL RUN FROM KANSU STREET ALONG FERRY STREET, TONG Ml ROAD AND TUNG CHAU STREET TO MAPLE STREET AND ACROSS THE YAU MA TEI RECLAMATION TO POK MAN STREET.
THIS STAGE ALSO INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY ACROSS FERRY STREET NEAR SHAN TUNG STREET, RECONSTRUCTION AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXISTING ROADS BENEATH THE ELEVATED STRUCTURES AND CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED ROAD WORKS AND DRAINAGE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE RESUMPTION OF PROPERTIES IN STAGE IV WAS BEING CARRIED OUT UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE.
--------o-----------
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
2 -
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION EFFORTS PAY OFF
* * * *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS.
AS A RESULT, THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS AGAINST VIOLATIONS OF CONSERVATION LEGISLATION DECLINED FROM THE AVERAGE 200 A YEAR BETWEEN 1980 AND 1982 TO 52 LAST YEAR.
+THIS DECLINE IS PROBABLY DUE TO THE HEAVY FINES IMPOSED AND THE INCREASING AWARENESS AMONG MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC REGARDING CONSERVATION OF RARE SPECIES,* SAID MR S.P. LAU, SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT.
+FINES AVERAGING $300 FOR IMPORTED ’SOUVENIR ITEMS’ HAVE BEEN A SIGNIFICANT DETERRENT. BUT ADDITIONALLY PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS ARE REGULARLY LAUNCHED AND PRESS RELEASES ISSUED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE SUBJECT,* HE SAID.
+POACHING AND THE LOSS OF HABITAT HAVE THREATENED A NUMBER OF SPECIES TO THE POINT OF. EXTINCTION IN SOME COUNTRIES PREVIOUSLY RICH IN WILDLIFE AND THERE HAS BEEN GROWING WORLDWIDE CONCERN ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN RECENT YEARS,* MR LAU SAID.
+T0 BE EFFECTIVE, CONSERVATION HAS TO BE AN INTERNATIONALLY CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT,* HE ADDED.
THE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION CF THE CONVENTION ON THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES CF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES), WHICH IS ENFORCED AT INTERNATIONAL BORDER CROSSINGS AND TO WHICH OVER 80 COUNTRIES ARE SIGNATORIES.
+ALTHOUGH HONG KONG ITSELF IS NOT RICH IN WILDLIFE, THE LARGE VOLUME OF TRADE IN WILDLIFE PRODUCTS PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG HAS MADE IT IMPORTANT IN THE WORK OF THE CONSERVATION OF RARE SPECIES,* MR LAU EXPLAINED.
THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE IS THE LOCAL LEGISLATION GIVING EFFECT TO THE CITES.
+THE POSSESSION, IMPORT AND EXPORT OF ENDANGERED SPECIES LISTED UNDER THE ORDINANCE WITHOUT AUTHORISATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES IS A CONTRAVENTION OF THE LAW,* MR LAU SAID.
LICENSING POLICY FOLLOWS THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CONVENTION AND THE ISSUE OF AN IMPORT LICENCE REQUIRES THAT SHIPMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A VALID PERMIT GRANTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE EXPORTING COUNTRY.
+IN CASE OF A LIVING SPECIMEN, IT SHOULD BE SHIPPED IN A MANNER TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF INJURY,* HE SAID.
/THE LAW
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
- 5
THE LAW PROVIDES FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 OOO ON CONVICTION CF FIRST OFFENCE AND UP TO $10 003 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENCES. THE ILLEGAL ARTICLES ARE FORFEITED.
MR LAU SAID ITEMS COMMONLY SEIZED INCLUDE STUFFED SEA TURTLES AND CROCODILES BROUGHT BACK BY TRAVELLERS AS SOUVENIRS FROM SOME SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES AS WELL AS OWLS, EAGLES AND LIVE PANGOLINS FROM CHINA.
♦PLANTS ONLY ACCOUNT FOR A SMALL PORTION OF THE ARTICLES SEIZED. AMONG THEM ARE AMERICAN GINSENG AND WILD ORCHIDS,* HE SAID.
CAMPAIGNS LIKE THE +LET THEM LIVE - PROTECT THE ENDANGERED SPECIES* EXHIBITION HELD IN 1981 BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ARE PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S EFFORT TO PROMOTE GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.
+ THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IS TO ENSURE THAT RARE SPECIES WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO FLOURISH IN SUITABLE ENVIRONMENTS,* MR LAU SAID.
+IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONVENTION, HONG KONG HAS BEEN NEGOTIATING WITH THE OTHER SIGNATORIES OF THE CITES FOR LIVING SPECIES SEIZED HERE TO BE SENT BACK TO THEIR HOMELAND OR TO SUITABLE ORGANISATIONS WHICH HOLD BREEDING GROUPS OF THEIR KIND,* HE SAID.
A CONSIGNMENT OF 57 RADIATED TORTOISES WAS SENT TO THE JERSEY ZOOLOGICAL PARK IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR BREEDING IN 1982.
CLOSE LIAISON BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND CHINA HAS ALSO RESULTED IN THE RECENT DESPATCH OF AN UNUSUAL CONSIGNMENT OF ENDANGERED ANIMALS INCLUDING A BROWN BEAR, MONKEYS, CAIMANS, PYTHONS AND RADIATED TORTOISES.
+A NUMBER OF LIVE PANGOLINS, TURTLES AND WILD BIRDS HAVE BEEN RELEASED IN HONG KONG,* MR LAU SAID.
+CONFISCATED LIVE ANIMALS ARE USUALLY ACCOMMODATED IN GOVERNMENT KENNELS PENDING RELOCATION FOR BREEDING OR ADOPTION BY LOCAL ZOOS,* MR LAU SAID.
DEAD SPECIMENS ARE SENT TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES AND MUSEUMS, OR MADE AVAILABLE TO OTHER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES FOR REFERENCE OR FOR TRAINING WORK, HE SAID.
-------0 - - - -
A....
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
4 .
WAGE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1983
X X X *
THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX, AT 112 IN DECEMBER 1983, SHOWS INCREASES OF 1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SEPTEMBER 1983 FIGURE AND OF 7 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE DECEMBER 1982 FIGURE, ACCORDING TO WAGE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1983 PUBLISHED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE DECEMBER 1983 WITH THE SEPTEMBER 1983 FIGURES SHOWS THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR AND THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR EACH INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT,AND FOR THE WHOLESALE-RETAIL, IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 2 PER CENT, WHILE THAT FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR REMAINED UNCHANGED.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 3.
A COMPARISON OF THE DECEMBER 1983 FIGURE WITH THE DECEMBER 1982 FIGURE SHOWS THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR EACH INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT, AND FOR THE WHOLESALE-RETAIL, IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 6 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR AND THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT AND 8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD DECEMBER 1982 TO DECEMBER 1983 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1.
THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX STOOD AT 95 IN DECEMBER 1983. THE INDEX DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1983 AND BY 4 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1982.
A COMPARISON OF THE DECEMBER 1983 WITH SEPTEMBER 1983 FIGURES SHOWS THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR EACH DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT, AND FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 1 PER CENT, BUT THAT FOR THE WHOLESALE-RETAIL, IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR SHOWS NO CHANGE.
A COMPARISON OF THE DECEMBER 1983 WITH DECEMBER 1982 FIGURES SHOWS THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR EACH DECLINED BY 4 PER CENT AND FOR THE WHOLESALE-RETAIL, IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 5 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR AND THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR EACH DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT.
THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD DECEMBER 1982 TO DECEMBER 1983 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
THESE WAGE .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
- 5 -
THESE WAGE INDEXES ARE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED EVERY QUARTER BY THE DEPARTMENT COVERING BOTH MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING WORKERS AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE-RETAIL, IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR, THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR.
SUCH WAGE INDEXES MEASURE CHANGES IN WAGE RATES BY HOLDING THE STRUCTURAL PATTERN OF THE LABOUR FORCE WITH RESPECT TO INDUSTRY, OCCUPATION, SEX AND MODE OF PAYMENT THE SAME AS THAT OF MARCH 1982, WHICH IS THE BASE PERIOD OF THE WAGE INDEXES.
WHILE THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX MEASURES CHANGES IN WAGE RATES IN MONEY TERMS, THE REAL WAGE INDEX, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY [DEFLATING THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE klNDEX (A), MEASURES CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF IMAGES (ALTHOUGH THE SAME DEFLATOR IS USED FOR EACH INDUSTRY iTO DERIVE THE REAL WAGE INDEX FROM ITS NOMINAL COUNTERPART, •'THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MOVEMENTS OF THE NOMINAL WAGE ilNDEX AND THE REAL WAGE INDEX BETWEEN ANY TWO TIME PERIODS |MAY VARY SLIGHTLY FROM INDUSTRY TO INDUSTRY DUE TO ROUNDING).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAGE INDEXES AND THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH ARE ALSO PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE WAGE RATES PROVIDE A MEASURE OF THE PRICE OF LABOUR, PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS A MEASURE OF PER CAPITA EARNINGS. WAGE RATES REPRESENT THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION FOR NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, AND ARE DEFINED TO INCLUDE BASIC wAGES AND SALARIES, COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE, MEAL BENEFITS, COMMISSIONS AND TIPS, GOOD ATTENDANCE BONUS AND NIGHT SHIFT ALLOWANCE.
IN ADDITION, YEAR-END BONUS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES THAT ARE PAID LESS FREQUENTLY THAN MONTHLY ARE CONVERTED TO AN EQUIVALENT MONTHLY RATE WHEN COMPILING THE WAGE RATE INDEXES.
TOTAL PAYROLL, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS THE AMOUNT OF DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE FROM EMPLOYERS.
APART FROM THE ABOVE MENTIONED CASH RECEIPTS, IT ALSO INCLUDES OVERTIME PAY AND OTHER NON-GUARANTEED AND IRREGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
HENCE, STATISTICS ON PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED TEND TO BE SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS ACTUALLY FORKED, THE TIMING OF THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY, AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE. AS A RESULT, MOVEMENTS IN wAGE RATES DO NOT NECESSARILY CONFORM WITH THOSE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
THE ABOVE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE REPORT OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STATISTICS VOL. I, DECEMBER 1983 WHICH IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION SALES CENTRE.
/THE VOL.........
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 19»4
THE VOL. II ISSUE OF THE REPORT CONTAINING DETAILED OCCUPATIONAL STATISTICS, SUCH AS WAGE RATES, NUMBER OF NORMAL HOURS OF WORK AND NUMBER OF STANDARD WORKING DAYS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION SALES CENTRE IN EARLY MAY 1984. FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDEXES, PLEASE CONTACT
THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NOS. 5-455774
THE CENSUS AND OR 5-416062.
ECONOMIC SECTORS
TABLE 1: NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS INDEXES (MARCH 1982 - 100)
DEC. 1982 MAR. 1983 JUNE 1983 SEPT. 1983 DEC. 1983
MANUFACTURING 105 108 110 111 112
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, 1MPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 104 106 107 108 110
TRANSPORT SERVICES 110 114 118 119 120
BUSINESS SERVICES 103 108 109 110 111
PERSONAL SERVICES 104 107 106 111 111
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 105 108 110 111 112
TABLE 2s REAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 - 109)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS DEC. MAR. JUNE SEPT. DEC.
1982 1983 1983 1983 1983
MANUFACTURI NG
98
97
98
96
94
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, I MPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
98
96
95
93
93
/transport
SERVICES
8 * H • TRANSPORT SERVICES BUSINESS SERVICES PERSONAL SERVICES - 7 - 103 96 98 SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
133 97 96 105 97 95 103 95 96 101 94 94
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 99 97 98 96 95
TAELE 3: NOMINAL WAGE INDUSTRIES IN THE INDEXES FOR MAJOR MANUFACTURING SECTOR INDEXES (MARCH 1982 - 100)
INDUSTRY DEC. MAR. JUNE SEPT. DEC.
1982 1983 1983 1983 1983 |
GARMENTS 105 106 108 109 110
GLOVES 105 107 107 107 110
HANDBAGS 102 105 106 107 107
COTTON SP INN ING/WEAV ING 102 108 111 111 111
KNITTING 106 108 112 113 115
BLEACHING AND DYEING 103 107 109 111 112 1
PRINTING 106 108 113 113 112
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 105 107 110 111 112
f-ETAL PRODUCTS 133 107 110 113 113
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 102 106 109 113 115
ELECTRONICS 105 109 110 112 113
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 136 111 112 113 113 1
MANUFACTURING 105 108 110 111 112 I
o - - — — /8
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
8
PRISONERS CAN ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY
* * * *
RESIDENTS OF SO KWUN WAT VILLAGE NOW FEEL MORE SECURE WHEN USING THE SINGLE-TRACK ROAD LEADING TO THE VILLAGE.
THEY USED TO BE WORRIED ABOUT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS OVER THE
3.2- KM-LONG ROAD WITH ITS MANY BENDS WHERE LONG GRASS AND HEAVY UNDERGROWTH ON BOTH SIDES TENDED TO OBSTRUCT THE VIEW OF PEDESTRIANS AND MOTORISTS.
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ORGANISED A WORK FORCE OF 22 PRISONERS FROM TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION TO CLEAR THE UNDERGROWTH A FEW MONTHS AGO.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANCE, THE VILLAGERS RECENTLY PRESENTED A BANNER TO THE INSTITUTION.
THIS WAS BUT ONE OF THE 57 COMMUNITY PROJECTS COMPLETED BY PRISONERS LAST YEAR, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES, MR RAYMOND LAI, SAID TODAY.
HE SAID SPECIALLY SELECTED PRISONERS SERVING SHORT
SENTENCES OR NEAR THE END OF A LONGER SENTENCE WERE OFTEN EMPLOYED ON COMMUNITY PROJECTS SPONSORED BY THE GOVERNMENT, DISTRICT BOARDS AND VARIOUS SUBVENTED, CHARITABLE OR VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS.
LAST YEAR, OVER 210 000 MAN-DAYS WERE SPENT ON SUCH PROJECTS WHICH INCLUDED CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF ROADS AND FOOTPATHS, BEACH CLEANING, MAINTENANCE OF GARDENS AND AFFORESTATION.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORK AT SAN TIN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS CITED BY MR LAI AS ANOTHER IMPORTANT PROJECT . UNDERTAKEN BY PRISONERS LAST YEAR.
+BEFORE THEY STARTED A THREE-MONTH CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN FEBRUARY, THE STREAM COURSE IN SAN TIN WAS POLLUTED, OVERGROWN WITH WEEDS AND BLOCKED BY REFUSE.
+AT THE REQUEST OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DEPARTMENT MOBILISED 40 PRISONERS TO CARRY OUT THE OPERATION,* HE SAID.
THE LARGEST PROJECT WAS THE ERECTION OF PARTS OF THE
FRONTIER FENCE AND THE CLEARING OF UNDERGROWTH IN THE VICINITY. REGULAR MAINTENANCE TEAMS NOW CHECK AND REPAIR THE FENCE FROM SHA TAU KOK TO LOK MA CHAU.
MR LAI POINTED OUT THAT BY PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS, PRISONERS COULD ALSO REGAIN SELF-CONFIDENCE AND FOSTER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY BELONGING.
- - 0 --------
/9.........
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
• 9 -
STREET LIGHTING PROGRAMME FOR SQUATTER AREAS
* * M X
ELEVEN STREET LIGHTS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INSTALLED IN NAM FUNG SHEUNG VILLAGE UNDER A PILOT SCHEME OF A STREET LIGHTING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IN SQUATTER AREAS IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
INSTALLATION COST FOR THE LIGHTS WAS ABOUT $19 OOO, OF WHICH $16 000 WAS CONTRIBUTED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REST BY THE LOCAL MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE.
A DISTRICT BOARD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT ANOTHER 100 STREET LIGHTS WERE BEING PLANNED FOR FIVE OTHER SQUATTER AREAS IN THE DISTRICT THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
THESE AREAS ARE IN UPPER KAI LUNG WAN VILLAGE, KAU WAI VILLAGE, TAI SHUI HANG VILLAGE, TAI HAU WAN AND TIN WAN HILL VILLAGE I.
+IN SETTING OUT THE PRIORITY OF EACH OF THE SQUATTER AREAS FOR THE SCHEME, WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE WILLINGNESS AND ABILITY OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, THEIR EXPERIENCE IN CARRYING OUT SIMILAR PROJECTS, INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, POPULATION, LAW AND ORDER, ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION AND LAND STATUS ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT,+ HE SAID.
+F INANCI ALLY, IT HAS BEEN AGREED THAT THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONTRIBUTE 80 PER CENT OF THE INSTALLATION COST AND THE LOCAL MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES 20 PER CENT,+ HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT SINCE NAM FUNG SHEUNG VILLAGE WAS THE FIRST SQUATTER AREA TO HAVE STREET LIGHTING, ITS FUNCTIONING WOULD BE MONITORED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE FOR SIX MONTHS TO SEE WHETHER THERE WERE PROBLEMS OF FEE COLLECTION AND ILLEGAL TAPPING OF ELECTRICITY.
ON TUESDAY (APRIL 17), A SWITCH-ON CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 5 PM AT THE ENTRANCE TO NAM FUNG SHEUNG VILLAGE.
GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR K.C. KWONG ; CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, MR HO CHUN-TUNG j AND BOARD MEMBERS MR KAN MAN-LEE AND MR LAM HON-KEUNG.
STREET LIGHTING AT NAM FUNG SHEUNG VILLAGE, WITH A POPULATION OF 820, WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE URBAN AREAS DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION (SOUTHERN DIVISION) AND THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC COMPANY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE SWITCH-ON CEREMONY AT 5 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 17) AT THE ENTRANCE TO NAM FUNG SHEUNG VILLAGE IN NAM FUNG ROAD, WONG CHUK HANG.
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/10........
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
10 -
GO METRIC AND WIN A PRIZE
* * * * *
CONSUMERS WHO PURCHASE ’METRICATED’ PRODUCTS IN SUPERMARKETS WILL STAND A GOOD CHANCE OF WINNING VALUABLE PRIZES THIS MONTH (APRIL).
A TERRITORY-WIDE METRIC FAMILY LUCKY DRAW IS BEING STAGED BY THE METRICATION COMMITTEE IN CONJUNCTION WITH OVER 30 MAJOR SUPERMARKETS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF METRIC MEASUREMENTS.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE SCHEME ARE REQUIRED TO FILL IN AN ENTRY FORM AND COLLECT 10 METRIC CONTENTS MARKINGS FROM PACKS OF PRODUCTS THEY HAVE BOUGHT.
THEY SHOULD PUT THE COMPLETED FORMS AND CLIPPINGS IN AN ENVELOPE, AND DROP IT INTO ONE OF THE COLLECTION BOXES AT THE SPECIFIED SUPERMARKETS OR MAIL IT TO THE METRICATION COMMITTEE SECRETARIAT, 31/F, UNITED CENTRE, 95 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
♦ONE CAN SEND IN AS MANY ENTRIES AS ONE LIKES, BUT ONE MUST MAKE SURE THAT THE ENTRIES.ARE IN BY APRIL 30,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE METRIC FAMILY LUCKY DRAW WORKING PARTY SAID.
PRIZES WILL INCLUDE FREE SUPERMARKET SHOPPING VOUCHERS, A COMPACT DISC PLAYER, TAPE RECORDERS, GIFT COUPONS OF $1 000 EACH AND A BANK ACCOUNT WI TH A DEPOSIT OF $10 000. -
THE SCHEME STARTED ON APRIL 1 AND SO FAR, PUBLIC RESPONSE HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING.
+WE HAVE RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF ENTRIES IN THE FIRST FEW DAYS,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN. + AND A LOT MORE ARE EXPECTED TO COME IN BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE,+ HE ADDED.
ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE 10 CONSUMER ADVICE CENTRES, G. I.S. MARKETING OFFICE AND AT SUPERMARKETS WHERE THE METRIC FAMILY LUCKY DRAW IDENTITY SIGN IS DISPLAYED.
RESULTS OF THE LUCKY DRAW WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THREE MAJOR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS ON MAY 17 AND THE WINNERS WILL ALSO BE NOTIFIED BY MAIL.
0------
........ - SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
- 11
COURSE OFFERED FOR TEACHERS IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS
MX**
APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FROM NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS OR SPECIAL-RESOURCE CLASSES TO ATTEND A TWO-YEAR, PART-TIME TRAINING COURSE OFFERED BY THE SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN SEPTEMBER.
APPLICANTS MUST BE QUALIFIED TEACHERS WITH RECOGNISED TEACHER TRAINING AND BE RECOMMENDED BY THE SUPERVISORS OR HEADS OF THEIR SCHOOLS. PART-TIME TEACHERS IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS MAY ALSO APPLY FOR THE COURSE, ALTHOUGH PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO FULL-TIME TEACHERS.
IF ADMITTED TO THE IN-SERVICE COURSE, FULL-TIME TEACHERS OR HEAD TEACHERS WILL BE AWARDED SPECIAL EDUCATION ALLOWANCES IN THE FORM OF ONE PAY INCREMENT.
UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, ANOTHER SPECIAL EDUCATION ALLOWANCE WILL BE AWARDED AT A RATE OF TWO PAY INCREMENTS, TOGETHER WITH A ^CERTIFICATE FOR TEACHERS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS+.
THE COURSE WILL INCLUDE STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL ASPECTS OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, LEARNING AND BEHAVIOUR, THE NEEDS CF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND THE ORGANISATION AND OPERATION OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND SPEC I AL-RESOURCE CLASSES.’—
THE COURSE WILL ALSO INCLUDE TUTORIALS, SEMINARS AND EDUCATIONAL VISITS. TEACHERS ATTENDING THE COURSE WILL BE SUPERVISED AND ADVISED IN THEIR OWN SCHOOLS.
IN ADDITION, TRAINEES WILL HAVE TO STUDY ONE OF SEVEN AREAS OF SPECIALISATION IN DEPTH.
THE SEVEN AREAS OF SPECIALISATION OFFERED ARE: THE EDUCATION CF SLOW LEARNING CHILDREN, MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, VISUALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN, MALADJUSTED AND SOCIALLY DEPRIVED CHILDREN, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND CHILDREN WITH SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PROBLEMS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG ; THE DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON . AND THE SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT 6 CALDECOTT ROAD, KOWLOON AND ITS ANNEXE AT 8 YUEN CHAU KOK ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERR ITOR IES.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED THROUGH SUPERVISORS OR HEADS OF SCHOOLS TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION JOINT SELECTION BOARD, CARE OF THE SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ANNEXE IN SHA TIN, ON OR BEFORE MAY 31, 1984.
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/12.........
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
- 12 -
ILLEGAL HAWKERS CLEARED FROM STREETS
* * * *
PEDESTRIANS AND VEHICLES ARE MOVING SMOOTHLY AGAIN ON + FOOD STREET+ IN TAI PO, FOLLOWING THE RECENT CLEARANCE OF HAWKERS FROM THE AREA.
THE CLEARANCE EXERCISE HAD THE TWO-FOLD AIM OF FACILITATING TRAFFIC FLOW AND IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
♦RESIDENTS AND DRIVERS ARE NOW SATISFIED, AS PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON THE STREET AND IN THE AREA IS RUNNING SMOOTHLY,* HE SAID.
AND LICENSED COOKED FOOD STALL OPERATORS IN THE TAI PO TEMPORARY MARKET, NEAR WHAT IS UNOFFICIALLY KNOWN AS ’FOOD STREET’ AS WELL AS OPERATORS OF LICENSED FOOD PREMISES IN THE VICINITY ARE ALSO PLEASED ABOUT THE CLEARANCE WORK.
IN FACT, THE CLEARANCE WAS CARRIED OUT ALSO IN THE ADJACENT STREETS, TO PREVENT THE UNLICENSED ON-STREET HAWKERS FROM ESTABLISHING THEMSELVES IN THE DISTRICT AGAIN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO ENSURE THAT THE STREETS ARE FREE OF UNLICENSED HAWKERS, MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL DUTIES TEAM OF THE NTSD PATROL THE AREA BETWEEN 7 AM AND 10 PM DAILY IN_.THE AREA.
THE ACTION TAKEN AGAINST ILLEGAL HAWKING IN THE AREA WAS IN THE GENERAL INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THAT THERE WERE EMPLOYMENT
■PPORTUNITIES IN THE VARIOUS FACTORIES IN TAI PO FOR "ME UNLICENSED HAWKERS.
— o
CLEARANCE IN KOWLOON CITY * * * * *
NINETEEN ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON A BACKLANE AT NOS 31-91 TAK KU LING ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE PULLED DOWN ON TUESDAY (APRIL 17) MORNING.
THE STRUCTURES COMPRISE SEVEN DOMESTIC UNITS, NINE STORES, TWO STALLS AND A CANOPY.
THE CLEARANCE IS PART OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT EXERCISE INVOLVING ABOUT 100 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN 'RED ZONE SIX’ BOUNDED BY CARPENTER ROAD ON THE NORTH, NGA TSIN WAI ROAD ON THE SOUTH, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD ON THE EAST, AND NGA TSIN LONG ROAD ON THE WEST.
/SO FAR...........
SUNDAI, APRIL 15, 1984
- 13 -
SO FAR, 35 STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN DEMOLISHED THROUGH JOINT EFFORT BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE POLICE AND THE FIRE SERVICES, CITY SERVICES, LANDS AND HOUSING DEPARTMENTS.
THE 'RED ZONE’ CLEARANCE EXERCISE, WHICH BEGAN IN MID-1982, IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN TWO MONTHS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE CLEARANCE SHOULD ARRIVE AT NO. 31 TAK KU LING ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY AT 9 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 17).
-----0
NEW ROAD IN LAI CHI KOK
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO BUILD A NEW APPROACH ROAD IN THE KAU WAH KENG VALLEY, LAI CHI KOK, TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO EXISTING AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS THERE.
THE NEW ROAD WILL LINK LAI KING HILL ROAD WITH LAI WAN ROAD, BOTH OF WHICH WILL BE WIDENED AS PART OF THE PROJECT.
ALSO INCLUDED WILL BE A SHORT STRETCH OF ROAD GIVING ACCESS TO CHUNG SHAN TERRACE, FOOTPATHS AND A TWIN BOX CULVERT TO IMPROVE DRAINAGE IN THE AREA WHICH IS PRONE TO FLOODING IN THE RAINY SEASON.
SLOPE PROTECTION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN CONNECTION WITH THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION. A SHORT SECTION OF LAI KING HILL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED AFTER THE NEW ROAD HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
SOME AGRICULTURAL AND BUILDING LAND WILL NEED TO BE RESUMED.
A NOTICE OF THE PROJECT IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE.
A PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
M CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY ?
* TSUEN WAN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 1OTH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN; AND
* TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR, FOU WAH CENTRE, 210, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROJECT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE JUNE 12.
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
14 -
RESTRICTED ZONE IN KWAI CHUNG
* X *
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 17), A SECTION OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7. 'AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
THE SECTION IS FROM THE ROAD’S JUNCTION WITH KWAI ON ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES TO THE NORTH.
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 FROM LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
FROM THE SAME TIME THAT DAY, YUEN LONG NEW STREET AND HOP CHOI STREET NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH MAU TAN STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT 3-1/2 MONTHS TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK.
MOTORISTS HEADING FOR MAU TAN STREET SHOULD USE HOP YICK ROAD, HOP CHOI STREET AND MAU TAN STREET AND EXIT VIA MAU TAN STREET AND TAI TONG ROAD.
ALSO FROM 10 AM THE SAME DAY, THE SECTION OF SHEUNG FOO STREET BETWEEN FAT KWONG STREET AND SHEUNG SHING STREET IN KOWLOON WILL BE MADE A PROHIBITED ZONE TO ALL LEARNER DRIVERS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
--------0 - - - -
COLLEGE TO GET SECOND LABORATORY * M
GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN KOWLOON WILL EXPAND ITS FACILITIES FOR TEACHING SCIENCE.
ONE OF THE COLLEGE’S TWO ART STUDIOS IS TO BE CONVERTED INTO A SCIENCE LABORATORY TO ACCOMMODATE 30 STUDENTS.
THE EXISTING LABORATORY HAS 40 STUDENTS.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TO CARRY OUT THE CONVERSION WORK WHICH WILL BEGIN DURING THE SUMMER VACATION AND TAKE THREE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
GRANTHAM COLLEGE WAS FOUNDED IN 1951 AND MOVED TO ITS PRESENT LOCATION THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
A NEW WING WAS ADDED IN 1973 TO MEET THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR QUALIFIED TEACHERS AND THE NEW LABORATORY WILL BE HOUSED THERE.
THE COLLEGE HAS 686 FULL-TIME STUDENTS AND 596 PART-TIME STUDENTS THIS ACADEMIC YEAR. -
------o-------
/15
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
- 15 -
RECREATION FACILITIES FOR POLICE OFFICERS *****
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED TO BUILD RECREATION FACILITIES FOR POLICE OFFICERS AT CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE CONTRACT IS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SPORTS AND RECREATION COMPLEX ON A ONE-HECTARE SITE NEXT TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL PORTAL.
IT WILL BE FOR USE BY OFFICERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE, THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE AND THEIR CIVILIAN COUNTERPARTS
FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A COVERED AND HEATED SWIMMING POOL, A MULTI-PURPOSE INDOOR GAMES HALL, FOUR SQUASH COURTS, A BOWLING ALLEY, ONE GYMNASIUM WITH FITNESS ROOMS, A LOUNGE AND BAR, AND CHANGING AND DINING ROOMS.
SOME EXISTING OUTDOOR FACILITIES IN THE AREA INCLUDING A BOWLING GREEN AND THREE TENNIS COURTS WILL BE RETAINED OR RELOCATED.
WORK WILL START IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR
TENDERS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE 12 NOON ON FRIDAY, MAY 11.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 13TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
- 0
SECURITY IMPROVEMENT AT TAI LAM CENTRE
* * *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE FOR IMPROVING SECURITY AT TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN.
THE WORK INVOLVES BUILDING A 6.1-METRE HIGH SECURITY WALL AND TWO GUARD TOWERS.
THE CENTRE, WHICH WAS OPENED IN 1969, SERVES AS A PRISON FOR ADULT FEMALES AND AS A TREATMENT CENTRE FOR FEMALE DRUG DEPENDANTS.
IT HAS A CAPACITY FOR 247 PRISONERS.
WORK WILL START IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
------o-------
/16......
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1984
16
WATER CUT ON *
AP LEI CHAU * *
FRFSH WATER SUPPLY TO AP 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 18) FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
LEI CHAU WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO
- - 0 - -
WATER CUT AT SHEK TONG TSUI M * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES AT SHEK TONG TSUI WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 18) FOR MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES AT 65-97 HILL ROAD 470-496 QUEEN'S ROAD WEST AND CLARENCE TERRACE.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1984
CONTENTS gAGE NO.
SIR GEOFFREY INTERVIEWED ON PEKING VISIT ....................... 1
MERCHANDISE TRADE RISES SHARPLY ................................ 3
PUBLIC URGED TO FIGHT COMMUNICABLE DISEASES ................... 10
RECREATIONAL AREA PLANNED FOR TAI PO .......................... 11
SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE FORMED ............................... 12
ARTS COUNCIL PRAISED FOR WORK.................................. 12
RECREATION AREA FOR THEN MUN .................................. 13
DB TO DISCUSS STREET SLEEPERS ISSUE............................ 14
U.K. MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED ................................ 15
FURTHER JURY LIST TO BE POSTED ................................ 15
FIRE STATION FOR DISCOVERY BAY ................................ 16
PRESS CONFERENCE ON STUDY TOUR................................. 16
TWO ROADS TO BE CLOSED FOR CORRIDOR WORK....................... 17
DB MEMBERS TO VISIT SITES ..................................... 17
TWO HOLIDAY KAIL DELIVERIES ................................... 18
WATER FIGURES ................................................. 18
TAPS OFF IN WO AREAS........................................... 18
FLYOVER MAINTENANCE WORK....................................... 19
PRESS CONFERENCE............................................... 19
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1934
1
SIR GEOFFREY INTERVIEWED ON PEKING VISIT
* * * *
FOLLOWING IS AN INTERVIEW WITH THE FOREIGN SECRETARY BY GEORGE YEATMAN OF THE CENTRAL OFFICE OF INFORMATION, BEFORE HE LEFT LONDON:
G YEATMAN: SIR GEOFFREY WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR VISIT NOW TO PEKING AND HONG KONG?
SIR GEOFFREY HOWE: I AM GOING TO PEKING AT THE INVITATION OF THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER TO DISCUSS A NUMBER OF MATTERS WITH HIM, OF COURSE INCLUDING HONG KONG. THIS BREAK IN PARLIAMENTARY TIMETABLE, THE EASTER RECESS HERE, DOES GIVE ME A VERY GOOD CHANCE TO GET UP TO DATE WITH THE PROGRESS OF THE TALKS ON ALL THOSE MATTERS THERE AND THEN. I AM GOING ON TO HONG KONG IN ORDER TO TAKE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY OF BRINGING MYSELF UP TO DATE ON THE GROUND WITH OPINION AND FACT IN HONG KONG ITSELF. I THINK PEOPLE PERHAPS DO NOT REALISE THE IMPORTANCE THAT THE PRIME MINISTER AND I ATTACH TO THESE NEGOTIATIONS AND TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, WHICH IS ONE OF OUR TOP FOREIGN POLICY PREOCCUPATIONS.
I HAVE SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME KEEPING VERY CLOSELY IN TOUCH ABOUT IT, TALKING TO EVERYONE AND ANYONE I CAN LAY MY HANDS ON, wHO OBVIOUSLY CAN LAY THEIR HANDS ON ME, ABOUT THE FUTURE FOR HONG KONG BECAUSE IT IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE.
G YEATMAN: WHAT ARE BRITAIN’S AIMS IN CONTINUING NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC?
SIR GEOFFREY: WELL OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO SECURE A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAT WILL ASSURE THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG, THAT IS ONE OF THE AGREED COMMON AIMS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, ON A BASIS THAT wILL BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, TO PARLIAMENT AS WELL AS TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
I KNOW VERY MUCH HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ATTACH TO THE NEED FOR STABILITY AND CONTINUITY OF THE FREEDOMS AND SYSTEMS WHICH HAVE EXISTED THERE THUS FAR AND IT WILL BE MY JOB TO EXPLORE WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT EVERY FEASIBLE OPTION WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO CONTINUE THAT STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.
G YEATMAN: MAY WE KNOW HOW THESE NEGOTIATIONS ARE GOING SIR GEOFFREY?
SIR GEOFFREY: wELL IT HAS BEEN AGREED THROUGHOUT THAT THESE NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD BE CONFIDENTIAL BUT YOU WILL HAVE SEEN THAT THE TALKS HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS AS USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE AND THAT IS FOR REAL. THEY HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE IN A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE AND OUR OBJECTIVE MUST BE TO CONTINUE THEM ON THAT BASIS, ON THE SEARCH FOR DETAIL WHICH * I_L ENABLE US TO REACH A SATISFACTORY NEGOTIATION........
G YEATMAN: HOw DO YOU PROPOSE TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH HONG KONG OP INION?
/SIH GWFFRSY; ......
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1?84
- 2 -
SIR GEOFFREY: WELL THAT HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE AS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS EVER SINCE I CAME INTO THIS JOB LAST SUMMER. wE HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS CONSULTATION WITH THE WIDEST POSSIBLE RANGE OF OPINION IN HONG KONG, THROUGH THE GOVERNOR OF COURSE, THROUGH A SERIES OF MEETINGS, I THINK FOUR NOW ALTOGETHER, WITH MEMBERS OF EXCO, AND MY OWN VISIT THIS TIME, WHICH WILL GIVE ME A CHANCE TO RENEW ACQUAINTANCESHIP WITH HONG KONG, WILL BRING ME UP TO DATE ON MY OWN KNOWLEDGE OF CONDITIONS AND ANXIETIES THERE. IN MY PREVIOUS EXISTENCE WHEN I WAS LANGUISHING IN OPPOSITION I WAS ASSOCIATED, I THINK, WITH THREE DIFFERENT COMPANIES THAT HAD BUSINESS INTERESTS OF AN INTERESTING AND ENCOURAGING KIND IN HONG KONG - ONE OF THOSE COMPANIES ACTUALLY MOVED INTO HONG KONG FOR THE FIRST TIME DURING THAT PERIOD, AND THIS WILL BE MY THIRD VISIT. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN THERE TWICE BEFORE, THE FIRST TIME NOW MORE THAN TEN YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS MINISTER FOR TRADE AND I KNOW THAT I SHALL SEE, AS I DID LAST TIME, TREMENDOUS SIGNS OF THE ENTERPRISE AND SUCCESS THAT HONG KONG HAS ACHIEVED, SO I DO KNOW THE SCENE, TO SOME EXTENT, AS WELL AS SOMEONE AS FAR AWAY AS I CAN DO. THAT DOES NOT PREVENT ME DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO TOP UP ON MY KNOWLEDGE IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.
G YEATMAN: WHERE DOES THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT COME INTO ALL THIS? WHAT ROLE WILL IT PLAY?
SIR GEOFFREY: WELL IT HAS A VERY IMPORTANT PART TO PLAY. THERE IS OF COURSE A GREAT DEAL OF INFORMED INTEREST AMONGST AMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ABOUT HONG KONG AND ABOUT ITS FUTURE” A SPECIAL GROUP OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT VISITS HONG KONG QUITE FREQUENTLY, AND MAINTAINS A CLOSE WATCH ON IT, AND IT WILL BE FOR PARLIAMENT TO DECIDE AT THE END OF THE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE ACCEPTABILITY OF THE CONCLUSION TO PARLIAMENT ITSELF, TAKING VERY CLOSE ATTENTION OF COURSE OF THE OPINIONS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
G YEATMAN: WHEN LORD CARRINGTON VISITED CHINA IN 1981 DENG XIAOPING GAVE A RARE INTERVIEW WITH WESTERN CORRESPONDENTS, HE WAS PRESSED ABOUT THE POSITION OF INVESTORS IN HONG KONG AND HE SAID AND I QUOTE - I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS MATTER MANY TIMES, IN SIXTEEN YEARS TIME, EVEN IF THAT..THERE ARE CHANGES, INVESTORS’ INTERESTS WILL NOT BE HARMED. NOW IN VIEW OF THE NEGOTIATIONS SINCE THEN, SIR GEOFFREY, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT INVESTORS’ INTERESTS IN HONG KONG WILL NOT BE HARMED?
SIR GEOFFREY: THAT MUST BE ONE OF OUR OBJECTIVES, THIS IS ONE OF THE AGREED OBJECTIVES OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, I THINK THAT THE REMARKABLE THING IS THE EXTENT TO WHICH HONG KONG HAS BEEN SEEN NOW FOR MANY YEARS AS A STRIKING EXAMPLE, A GROWING EXAMPLE, OF A SUCCESSFUL ECONOMY. WHEN I WAS CONCERNED WITH ECONOMIC POLICY IN THIS COUNTRY AS CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, I PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ENTERPRISE ZONES TO TRY AND PROMOTE THE ACTIVITY OF OUR OWN ECONOMY AND PEOPLE SAID THAT I WAS TRYING TO PROMOTE HONG KONG IN BRITAIN. IN A SENSE THAT IS AN ILLUSTRATION OF HOW MUCH HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IS ADMIRED. THE OBJECT OF THE EXERCISE IS TO ENSURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF THAT KIND INTO THE FUTURE.AS THE COMMON OBJECTIVE, WE MUST BE WORKING TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH INVESTMENT REMAINS AS ATTRACTIVE AS IT HAS BEEN TODAY - THAT IS THE OBJECTIVE WE ARE SHARING IN THESE TALKS.
G YEATMAN: SIR GEOFFREY THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
/3 ......
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1984
- 3 -
MERCHANDISE TRADE RISES SHARPLY
*****
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR JANUARY - FEBRUARY 1984, VALUED AT $59 328 MILLION, INCREASED BY 45 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1983, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 47 PER CENT TO $17 613 MILLION, IMPORTS BY 41 PER CENT TO $30 647 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY 55 PER CENT TO $11 068 MILLION.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER INCREASED BY 50 PER CENT.
(CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.)
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. ROSE BY 63 PER CENT IN VALUE.
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $1 195 MILLION OR 67 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $356 MILLION OR 107 PER CENT) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $348 MILLION OR 68 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $58 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT) AND TRANSISTORS AND DIODES (BY $24 MILLION OR 70 PER CENT).
MOST COMMODITIES EXPORTED TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY INCREASED IN VALUE, INCLUDING CLOTHING (BY $262 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $32 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT) AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $28 MILLION OR 136 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WERE REGISTERED FOR OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $166 MILLION OR 1 510 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY $160 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $37 MILLION OR 90 PER CENT) AND TEXTILES (BY $37 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT).
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA OF TEXTILES (BY $113 MILLION OR 66 PER CENT) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $96 MILLION OR 144 PER CENT)* AND IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN OF CLOTHING (BY $78 MILLION OR 71 PER CENT).
(CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS ARE PRESENTED IN TABLE 2. CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM THE TEN MAJOR SOURCES ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.)
jSdANj A)R........
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1984
4 -
DEMAND FOR IMPORTED GOODS FROM CHINA REMAINED STRONG. INCREASES WERE RECORDED MAINLY IN TEXTILES (BY $1 202 MILLION OR 138 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY $522 MILLION OR 77 PER CENT), TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $188 MILLION OR 239 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $89 MILLION OR 173 PER CENT) AND VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $85 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT).
AS FOR IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, INCREASES WERE NOTED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $445 MILLION OR 80 PER CENT), AND TEXTILES (BY $345 MILLION OR 60 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATION THEREOF (BY $8 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT), AND FURNITURE AND PARTS THEREOF (BY $7 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM THE U.S.A. WERE MOSTLY OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $328 MILLION OR 108 PER CENT), TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $113 MILLION OR 333 PER CENT) AND ORGANIC CHEMICALS (BY $69 MILLION OR 101 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS OF CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $11 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT), AND GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS (BY $9 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT).
DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN OF NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES (BY $5 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT) AND IN IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $53 MILLION OR 5 PER CENT). HOWEVER, IMPORTS OF TEXTILES FROM TAIWAN INCREASED (BY $293 MILLION OR 63 PER CENT); AND IMPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF FROM SINGAPORE ALSO INCREASED (BY $85 MILLION OR 75 PER CENT).
(TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY SECTIONS.)
INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA (BY $1 797 MILLION OR 159 PER CENT), U.S.A. (BY $719 MILLION OR 76 PER CENT), TAIWAN (BY $354 MILLION OR 102 PER CENT), JAPAN (BY $334 MILLION OR 95 PER CENT), REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) (BY $208 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (BY $103 MILLION OR 90 PER CENT), MACAU (BY $66 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT) AND FED. REP. OF GERMANY (BY $66 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECLINES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS TO INDONESIA (BY $199 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT) AND NIGERIA (BY $165 MILLION OR 81 PER CENT).
(CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR MALETS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 5.)
/MOST COiAIODITIES.........
APjUL 1o, 19o4
5
MOST COMMODITIES RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG EXHIBITED STRONG GROWTH, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING TEXTILES (BY $757 MILLION OR 87 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $552 MILLION OR 138 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY $405 MILLION OR 70 PER CENT) AND TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (NOT MANUFACTURED INTO YARN OR FABRIC) (BY $187 MILLION OR 175 PER CENT). DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN THE RE-EXPORTS OF OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $74 MILLION OR 77 PER CENT), METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $21 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT) AND ROAD VEHICLES (INCLUDING AIR-CUSHION VEHICLES) (BY $19 MILLION OR 5 PER CENT).
(CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 6.)
THE FEBRUARY 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 FEBRUARY 1984 WILL BE ON SALE IN EARLY MAY,, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$1O PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT BASKERVILLE
HOUSE, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. : 5-214375). TRADE STATISTICS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 5-444436).
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING CENSUS AND STATISTICS
FOLLOWING ARE THE TABLES
TEN MAJOR MARKETS
i DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY
TABLE
1
MAJOR MARKETS JAN.-FEB. 1984 ($ MN) JAN.-FEB. 1983 (S MN) INCREASE (S MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
U.S.A. 7 542 4 627 +2 914 +63
F.R. OF GERMANY 1 441 1 035 + 405 +39
U.K. 1 338 922 + 416 +45
CH INA 1 199 635 + 564 +89
JAPAN 609 425 + 184 +43
CANADA 583 412 + 171 +42
AUSTRAL 1 A 556 357 + 199 + 56
/SINGAPORE
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1984
• 6 -
1 SINGAPORE 373 279 + 95 +34
1 NETHERLANDS 351 273 + 78 +28
1 SWITZERLAND 281 221 + 61 +27
I TABLE 2 s DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
I COMMOD1TY 1 DIVISIONS JAN.-FEB. 1984 ($ MN) JAN.-FEB. 1983 ($ MN) INCREASE ($ MN) PERCENTAGE ' CHANGE (%) |
1 ARTICLES OF 1 APPAREL AND I CLOTHING 1 ACCESSORIES 6 211 4 195 +2 017 +48 I
1 MISCELLANEOUS 1 MANUFACTURED I ARTICLES 1 (MAINLY I PLASTIC TOYS I AND DOLLS, 1 JEWELLERY, 1 GOLDSMITHS’ I AND 1 SILVERSMITHS’ 1 WARES, AND I ARTIFICIAL I FLOWERS) 2 315 1 751 + 564 +32 1
1 ELECTRICAL I MACHINERY, 1 APPARATUS 1 AND I APPLIANCES 1 (MAINLY 1 TRANSISTORS 1 AND DIODES I AND I HOUSEHOLD 1 TYPE 1 APPLIANCES) 1 470 956 + 515 + 54 1
I TELECOMMUNICATIONS 1 AND SOUND 1 RECORDING AND 1 REPRODUCING 1 APPARATUS | AND EQUIPMENT 1 358 806 + 553 +69 1
/photographic apparatus, 1
MONDAY, APRIL
i6
1984
7
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1 312 1 184 + 128 + 11
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1 277 830 + 447 + 54
TABLE 3 s IMPORTS FROM TEN MAJOR SOURCES
MAJOR SOURCES JAN.-FEB. 1984 ($ MN) JAN.—FEB. 1983 (S MN) INCREASE (S MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE M
CHINA 8 060 5 130 +2 930 + 57
JAPAN 6 730 4 689 +2 041 +44
U.S. A. 3 207 2 300 + 907 +39
TAIWAN 2 200 1 469 + 731 + 50
SINGAPORE 1 721 1 557 + 164 + 11
U.K. 1 415 998 + 417 +42
REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) 905 598 + 307 +51
F.R. OF GERMANY 732 577 + 155 +27
SWITZERLAND 491 406 + 85 +21
AUSTRAL 1A 486 300 + 186 +62
/TABLE 4 :
MONDAY, APRIL 1b, 1984
8
TABLE 4
IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY SECTIONS
COMMODITY SECTIONS
JAN.-FEB 1984 ($ MN)
JAN.-FEB 1983 (S MN)
INCREASE/ DECREASE ($ MN)
PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS, DIAMONDS, IRON AND STEEL, AND PAPER)
MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL)
FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD
CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.
MINERAL FUELS LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS
8
5
3
2
1
987
198 '
081
189
197
799
5
4
3
2
1
424
799
820
659
518
908
+2
+ 1
563
398
261
530
679
109
/table 5 i
+66
+ 50
+33
+20
+45
6
1 MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1984
TABLE 5 : RE-EXPORTS 9 -
BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKETS JAN.-FEB. 1984 ($ MN) JAN.-FEB. 1983 ($ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE ($ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
CHINA 2 931 1 134 + 1 797 + 159
U.S.A. 1 671 952 + 719 + 76
SINGAPORE 720 656 + 64 + 10
TAIWAN 701 347 + 354 +102
JAPAN 686 352 + 334 + 95
INDONESIA 636 835 - 199 - 24
REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) 492 285 + 208 + 73
MACAU 311 245 + 66 + 27
AUSTRAL I A 218 115 + 103 + 90 1
THAILAND 211 153 + 59 + 38 1
TABLE 6 : RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS 1
COMMOD1TY DIVISIONS JAN.-FEB. 1984 (S MN) JAN.-FEB. 1983 ($ MN) INCREASE ($ MN) PERCENTAGE 1 CHANGE 1 W
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1 630 874 + 757 + 87 1
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES 1 061 509 + 552 + 108 1
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 980 575 + 405 + 70 1
/photographic apparatus,
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1984
10 -
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND %
CLOCKS MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED 663 529 ♦ 135 + 25
ARTICLES NON-METALLIC MINERAL 573 417 + 156 + 37
MANUFACTURES 473 310 + 163 + 53 o-
PUBLIC URGED TO FIGHT COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
*****
A SENIOR DOCTOR OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) CALLED ON THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO JOIN IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.
DR S.C. LEUNG, COMMUNITY PHYSICIAN OF THE NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL OFFICE, MADE THE CALL WHEN SHE SPOKE AT THE WEEKLY FETING OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ROTARY CLUB.
DR LEUNG SAID HONG KONG WAS CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO VARIOUS FACTORS WHICH COULD CAUSE COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.
SOME OF THESE FACTORS, SHE SAID, WERE POPULATION DENSITY, CLIMATIC CONDITIONS AND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.
DR LEUNG SAID THAT IN THE EARLY HALF OF THIS CENTURY, COMMUNICABLE DISEASES WERE RAMPANT.
BUT WITH THE IMPROVEMENT IN SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, THE INCIDENCE OF THESE DISEASES HAS BEEN GREATLY REDUCED.
+TODAY WE NO LONGER SEE PLAGUE AND SMALLPOX, AND WE ONLY HAVE ISOLATED CASES OF CHOLERA,+ SHE SAID.
MANY INFECTIOUS DISEASES, SUCH AS WHOOPING COUGH, POLIOMYELITIS, DIPHTHERIA, TUBERCULOSIS AND MEASLES, HAD BEEN ERADICATED OR THEIR INCIDENCE DRASTICALLY REDUCED, SHE ADDED.
SHE ATTRIBUTED THESE ACHIEVEMENTS MAINLY TO THE MANY PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMMES CARRIED OUT by The MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPAR"M£4t.
/ONE IMPORTANT .......
LCNDAY, APRIL 16, 1?b4
11 -
ONE IMPORTANT CONTROL MEASURE AGAINST THESE DISEASES, DR LEUNG SAID, WAS ACTIVE IMMUNISATION.
♦ GOOD PERSONAL HABITS ARE ALSO IMPORTANT IN PREVENTING DISEASES SPREAD BY THE ORAL ROUTE.
♦ ATTENTION TO PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE IS A SOUND MEASURE WHICH ONE SHOULD ADOPT TO PREVENT CHOLERA, VIRAL HEPATITIS, TYPHOID, DYSENTERY AND FOOD POISONING,+ DR LEUNG SAID.
NOWADAYS, SHE ADDED, THE CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES WAS MUCH LIKE A MINIATURE WAR-GAME WHICH COULD NOT BE WON BY THE EFFORTS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ALONE.
♦ THE CO-OPERATION AND INVOLVEMENT OF ALL CONCERNED IS NECESSARY FOR ITS SUCCESS.
♦ IT IS ONLY THROUGH THE CONTINUOUS AND LONG-TERM CONCERTED EFFORT BY ALL THAT THE RESULT OF OUR WORK IN THE CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES CAN BE MAINTAINED,+ DR LEUNG SAID.
0 - -
RECREATIONAL-AREA PLANNED FOR TAI PO *****
A CONTROLLED TIP BEING FORMED AT TAI PO WILL BE CONVERTED TO A RECREATIONAL AREA WHEN FILLED IN 30 MONTHS’ TIME.
A $20-MILLION CONTRACT TO FORM THE TIP HAS BEEN AWARDED TO KIN SHING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE
THE TIP IS AT SHEUN WAN, OFF TING KOK ROAD.
ABOUT ONE MILLION TONNES OF RUBBISH WILL BE DEPOSITED THERE FOR TREATMENT BY THE SANITARY LANDFILL METHOD OVER THE 30 MONTHS.
THE CONTRACT ALSO INVOLVES CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED SHORE PROTECTION AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
ABOUT FIVE HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE PROVIDED FOR RECREATION.
- - 0---------
/12 .......
MONDAY, AP*IL 16, 1984
- 12
SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE FORMED * * *
A SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SET UP IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT TO HELP PROMOTE WIDER PARTICIPATION BY SCHOOLS IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS.
FORMED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, THE COMMITTEE WILL SERVE AS A LINK BETWEEN LOCAL SCHOOLS AND THE DISTRICT BOARD, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE COMMUNITY.
THE COMMITTEE, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE DISTRICT, COMPRISES ABOUT 30 HEADS FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
TWO SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, MR FONG CHAI-MAN, AND MADAM WU YUET-NUEN, HAVE BEEN ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN RESPECTIVELY.
EIGHT CONVENERS WERE ALSO CHOSEN TO CARRY OUT CONVENING AND LIAISON WORK IN THE DISTRICT’S EIGHT AREAS' NAMELY CHEUNG CHAU, TAI 0, TUNG CHUNG, MUI WO, SOUTH LANTAO, NORTH LAMMA, SOUTH LAMMA, AND PENG CHAU. THEIR TERM OF OFFICE WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF MARCH NEXT YEAR.
THE COMMITTEE WILL MEET THREE TIMES A YEAR TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS OF MUTUAL CONCERN. THE FIRST MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MAY 28.
----0-------
ARTS COUNCIL PRAISED FOR WORK
Ilii
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL WAS PRAISED TODAY (MONDAY) FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROMOTION OF ARTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
+SINCE IT WAS FORMED THREE YEARS AGO, THE COUNCIL HAS ORGANISED A SERIES OF LARGE-SCALE ARTS AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES WHICH INCLUDED THE FIRST DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL, AN ARTS FESTIVAL FOR CHILDREN, AND THE 1983 DISTRICT FESTIVAL,+ THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PHILIP CHOK, SAID.
+ALL THESE PROGRAMMES HAVE PROVIDED GREAT FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT TO THE RESIDENTS.*
MR CHOK WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ARTS COUNCIL’S CLUB HOUSE AT LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE.
/+! BELIEVE ......
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1984
- 13 -
+l BELIEVE WITH THE PROVISION OF A FULLY-EQUIPPED PERMANENT BASE, THE COUNCIL CAN LOOK FORWARD TO A MORE PROMISING FUTURE IN ITS WORK,* MR CHOK SAID.
ACCORDING TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, MR ALBERT LI, THE COUNCIL WILL SHORTLY LAUNCH A NUMBER OF TRAINING CLASSES ON CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY AND PAINTING, WESTERN PAINTING, AND DANCING.
IT WILL ALSO PRESENT A SECOND CHILDREN’S ARTS FESTIVAL JOINTLY WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
OTHER GUESTS AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, NRS SELINA CHOW, AND OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL.
------0-------
u RECREATION AREA FOR TUEN MUN
* * * *
A 9.2 HECTARE SITE AT BUTTERFLY BEACH, TUEN MUN, IS TO BE DEVELOPED AS A MAJOR RECREATIONAL AREA FOR THE NEW TOWN.
THE WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO PHASES, THE FIRST STARTING IN SEPTEMBER.
THE SECOND WILL BEGIN IN 1986 AND THE WHOLE PROJECT WILL BE READY BY THE END OF 1987.
IT IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
PHASE I WORK COVERING ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE SITE INCLUDES A LAGOON GARDEN, FOOD CENTRE, REFRESHMENT KIOSK, PAVILIONS AND A PLAY AREA FOR CHILDREN.
AN AMPHITHEATRE SUITABLE FOR OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES WILL ALSO BE BUILT.
THERE WILL BE A SINGLE-STOREY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING, PARKING SPACES FOR CARS AND COACHES AS WELL AS A BUS TERMINAL AND TAXI STAND.
WITHIN THE RECREATION AREA, A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF WALKWAYS AND THREE FOOTBRIDGES WILL BE BUILT.
THE WHOLE OF PHASE I WILL BE EXTENSIVELY LANDSCAPED.
WORK WILL TAKE ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE.
PHASE II DEVELOPMENT WILL INCLUDE A BARBEQUE AREA, A BUTTERFLY GARDEN, A PALM GARDEN, CAMP SITES AND A MINISOCCER PITCH.
/WCBK ON .......
MONDAY, APBIL 1o, 1984
- 14 -
*ORK ON THE SECOND PHASE WILL ALSO TAKE A YEAR TO COMPLETE. IT IS SCHEDULED TO START IN 1986.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED ROAD WORK IN PHASE I DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG} AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, TUEN MUN, TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TJEN MUN.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSAL MUST BE IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY JUNE 12.
--------0-----------
DB TO DISCUSS STREET SLEEPERS ISSUE
*****
wAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS wILL DISCUSS MEASURES TO HELP STREET SLEEPERS AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
ONE PROPOSAL IS TO IDENTIFY POSSIBLE PREMISES IN THE DISTRICT FOR USE BY VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AS CENTRES FOR STREET SLEEPERS.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF ABOUT 1 103 PEOPLE IN THE 14 SQUATTER AREAS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THESE AREAS.
A REVIEW OF COMMUNITY CENTRE FACILITIES AND A PROPOSED ID-MONTH PROGRAMME OF VISITS TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ DISCUSSION.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE DISTRICT’S PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS AS WELL AS VARIOUS REPORTS BY THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 4 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR OF TUNG WAH MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
- - - - 0 -------------
/IS .......
MONDAY, APRIL lb, 1984
- 15 -
U.K. MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED
X < £
MUSICALLY GIFTED STUDENTS ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR A TwO-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY MUSIC AT THE WELLS CATHEDRAL SCHOOL IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE RESIDENTIAL COURSE COVERS INSTRUMENTAL TRAINING AS WELL AS OTHER SCHOOL SUBJECTS.
IT WILL START IN SEPTEMBER 1984, LEADING TO THE G.C.E. ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION IN AT LEAST TWO SUBJECTS, ONE OF WHICH WILL BE MUSIC.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID TODAY THE SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE SPONSORED BY THE CHARLES RAYNER EDUCATIONAL TRUST ADMINISTERED BY THE HONG KONG BANK TRUSTEE LIMITED. IT WILL COVER TUITION, SUBSISTENCE AND AIR FARES FOR THREE ROUND TRIPS EACH YEAR BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
♦HOWEVER, PARENTS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE ACCORDING TO THEIR MEANS TOWARDS SUBSISTENCE AND AIR FARES,+ HE ADDED.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 16 AND 18 AND HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS.
THEY SHOULD PREFERABLY HAVE ATTAINED AT LEAST GRADE VIII IN A ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC PRACTICAL EXAMINATION OR EQUIVALENT AND SIX PASSES AT GRADE C OR ABOVE IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE) OR EQUIVALENT BY SEPTEMBER 1984.
STUDENTS PREPARING TO SIT FOR THE HKCEE THIS YEAR MAY APPLY AND QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AN AUDITION EARLY NEXT MONTH.
APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE YAUMATEI MUSIC CENTRE, THIRD FLOOR, GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 138 AUSTIN ROAD, KOWLOON (TEL. 3-7226240) BY APRIL 30, 1984.
------0-------
FURTHER JURY LIST TO BE POSTED
* * *
A FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS WILL BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARD OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING AT JACKSON ROAD ON APRIL 24. THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, MR NICHOLAS JOHN BARNETT, ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE LIST WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 14 DAYS WHEN 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.
------o-------
/16......
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1^84 .
- 16 -
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FIRE STATION FOR DISCOVERY BAY
*****
ONE OF THE FEW FIRE STATIONS CONSTRUCTED BY A PRIVATE DEVELOPER FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE DISCOVERY BAY FIRE STATION, WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED ON THURSDAY (APRIL 19) AT 11.30 AM.
THE OPENING WILL BE PERFORMED BY MR CHA CHI-MING, CHAIRMAN CF THE HONG KONG RESORT COMPANY LTD, THE DEVELOPER.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
A FIRE BOAT WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PIER AT 10.15 AM SHARP ON THURSDAY, WITH THE PRESS PARTY FOR DISCOVERY BAY.
-----0-------
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PRESS CONFERENCE ON STUDY TOUR
* * * *
MEMBERS FROM THE EASTERN AND KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARDS WILL REPORT ON THEIR RECENT 10-DAY STUDY TOUR IN AUSTRALIA AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
TWENTY-THREE MEMBERS FROM THE TWO DISTRICT BOARDS LEFT FOR AUSTRALIA ON APRIL 7 TO LEARN ABOUT THE WORK AND FUNCTIONS OF THE CITY COUNCILS AND SEE HOW LOCAL ADMINISTRATION OPERATES IN THE COUNTRY.
THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM, AND THE TWO BOARDS’ CHAIRMEN, MR LUI HAU-TUEN OF EASTERN AND MR GORDON JONES OF KOWLOON CITY.
DURING THEIR STAY IN AUSTRALIA, THE GROUP VISITED SYDNEY, CANBERRA AND MELBOURNE.
PRESENT AT TOMORROW’S PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE TWO BOARDS’ CHAIRMEN AND SIX BOARD MEMBERS.
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD.
0-------
/17 .......
17
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1984
TWO ROADS TO BE CLOSED FOR CORRIDOR WORK * * * *
TWO ROADS ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 18) NIGHT FOR WORK ON THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.
IN CAUSEWAY BAY, VICTORIA PARK ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN ITS FLYOVER AND HING FAT STREET WILL BE CLOSED FROM MIDNIGHT ON WEDNESDAY TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY. AT THE SAME TIME, THE NORTH POINT EXIT FROM CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
TRAFFIC ON VICTORIA PARK ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA VICTORIA PARK ROAD FLYOVER, GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND, CLEVELAND STREET, KINGSTON STREET, GLOUCESTER ROAD SOUTHBOUND AND CAUSEWAY ROAD.
IN NORTH POINT, KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN HEALTHY STREET CENTRAL AND HEALTHY STRERT WEST WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM SdNIGHT ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 18) TO 4 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
DUR ING THE CLOSURE, STREET CENTRAL, TSAT TZE
NOTE TO EDITORS:
DB
TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HEALTHY MUI ROAD AND HEALTHY STREET WEST.
_ _ 0 - -
MEMBERS TO VISIT SITES * * *
KWUN TONG DI STRICT
BOARD MEMBERS WILL VISIT A NUMBER OF VACANT
CROWN LAND SITES IN KOWLOON BAY TOMORROW (TUESDAY) MORNING.
BOARD MEMBERS WILL FIRST VISIT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON EAST) AND BE BRIEFED ON THE PROPOSED USE OF THE SITES BY THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER, MR A.L.A. ALEXANDER-WEBBER.
THEY WILL THEN PROCEED TO KOWLOON BAY
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE BRIEFING AND SITE VISIT SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT 9.15 AM AT THE CARPARK OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1984
- 18 -
TwO HOLIDAY MAIL DELIVERIES
X K X
THERE wILL BE MAIL DELIVERY ON TWO DAYS - SATURDAY (APRIL 21) AND MONDAY (APRIL 23) - DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY.
AND ON SATURDAY AND MONDAY 36 POST OFFICES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI IN KOWLOON, AND TSUEN WAN AND TAI PO POST OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO NOON.
NAMES OF THE OTHER POST OFFICES WHICH WILL BE OPEN DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE LOCAL POST OFFICE OR FROM THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU AT 5-2671222.
-----0-------
WATER FIGURES
* * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S'RESERVO I RS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 69.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 406.838 MILLION CUBIC YE TRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 452.647 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 77.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------o-------
TAPS OFF IN TWO AREAS * * * *
WATER MAINS WORK AND LEAKAGE TESTS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN KENNEDY TOWN AND NORTH POINT ON THURSDAY (APRIL 19).
AS A RESULT IN KENNEDY TOWN. WATER SUPPLY WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 19) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY 12-12T SMITHFIELD, FORBES
STREET, CADOGAN STREET, KA WAI MAN ROAD AND 1-61 VICTORIA ROAD, INCLUDING SAI WAN ESTATE AND SAI NING STREET.
AT NORTH POINT, THE WATER SUPPLY WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM
TO 4 PM ON THURSDAY.
PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE AT 8-56 AND 11-49 CLOUD VIEw ROAD, 88-142 TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD AND YEE KING ROAD.
/19 .......
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1984
- 19 -
FLYOVER MAINTENANCE WORK * * *
THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6 AM ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY (APRIL 19 AND 19) TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK.
----0-----
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PRESS CONFERENCE * * *
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON ON THE WORK OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD.
PRESENT WILL BE THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, THE HON MR JUSTICE POWER, BOARD MEMBER MR T.L. TSIM, ‘AND BOARD SECRETARY MR A.G. COOPER.
THE CONFERENCE WILL START AT 3.45 PM IN THE GIS THEATRE, STH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
----0----
I
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR SIR GEOFFREY HOWE’S VISIT ............... 1
UK TRANSPORT OFFICIAL SEES KAI TAK.............................. 4
BROADCASTTNG BOARD SEEKS PUBLIC VIEWS .......................... 5
CANTON MAYOR VISITS SHA TIN .................................... 6
LADY YOUDE MEETS SCHOOL DANCERS ................................ 7
REVISED SAFETY OFFICER SCHEME DISCUSSED ........................ 8
PUBLIC URGED TO USE APPROVED GAS TUBING......................... 8
SWEDISH GROUP SEES ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR...................... 9
HYGIENE COURSES HELD FOR NT FOOD WORKERS....................... 10
BOARD TO DISCUSS PUBLICITY PLANS .............................. 10
FREE LEGAL ADVICE OFFERED ..................................... 11
1983 TRADE REVIEW ON SALE...................................... 12
FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT FOR QUARTERS........................... 14
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICES ....................................... 14
SITES FOR AUCTION ............................................. 14
TRAFFIC CHANGES................................................ 15
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1984 1
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR SIR GEOFFREY HOWE’S VISIT *****
THE FOLLOWING ARE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR ACCREDITED MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER SIR GEOFFREY HOWE’S PUBLIC FUNCTIONS DURING HIS VISIT TO HONG KONG. SPECIAL LAPEL BADGES FOR EACH FUNCTION ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS DUTY OFFICER BY THOSE WHO HAVE SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS FOR THEM.
PLEASE NOTE THAT BECAUSE OF CROWD CONTROL AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS, THERE WILL BE FIXED PRESS POSITIONS TO COVER MOST CF SIR GEOFFREY’S PUBLIC FUNCTIONS. TELEPHOTO LENSES WILL BE USEFUL FOR SOME OCCASIONS.
GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND AT ALL LOCATIONS TO ASSIST.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18
ARRIVAL AT KAI TAK
SIR GEOFFREY IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG FROM PEKING ON AN RAF VC 13 FLIGHT AT 3.10 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY). MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER HIS ARRIVAL SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE ARRIVAL HALL NOT LATER THAN 1.45 PM. THEY SHOULD BRING WITH THEM THEIR LAPEL BADGES FOR THE OCCASION AS WELL AS THEIR ID CARDS OR PASSPORTS.
THURSDAY, APRIL 19
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING
SIR GEOFFREY WILL ARRIVE BY CAR AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES FOR A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AT 9.30 AM. THERE WILL BE FIXED PRESS POSITIONS BOTH OUTSIDE THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE CGO AND INSIDE THE GROUND FLOOR LOBBY FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER HIS ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BRING WITH THEM THEIR LAPEL BADGES FOR THE OCCASION.
LUNCH WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS
AFTER THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, SIR GEOFFREY WILL PROCEED BY CAR TO THE GRAND BALLROOM OF THE HILTON HOTEL TO ATTEND A LUNCn HOSTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS. THE EXACT TIMING OF HIS ARRIVAL WILL DEPEND ON THE DURATION OF THE EXtCUTIVn COUNCIL MEETING BUT HE IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE AT ABOUT 12.45 PM.
/there «ill .......
TUESDAY, APHID 1?» 1984
- 2 -k
THERE WILL BE A FIXED PRESS POSITION AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE HOTEL AND ANOTHER FIXED POSITION INSIDE THE GRAND BALLROOM FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE FOR THE COCKTAIL RECEPTION BEFORE THE LUNCH. AS THE WHOLE FACILITY WILL ONLY LAST FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO PROCEED DIRECT TO THE GRAND BALLROOM WITHOUT WAITING AT THE ENTRANCE FOR SIR GEOFFREY’S ARRIVAL. ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WILL HAVE TO LEAVE THE GRAND BALLROOM BEFORE LUNCH STARTS AT 1 PM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BRING WITH THEM THEIR LAPEL BADGES FOR THE OCCASION.
VISIT TO SHA TIN
GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE FOR SHA TIN FROM THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK AT 1.15 PM SHARP. SIR GEOFFREY WILL ARRIVE BY HELICOPTER AT THE LION’S PAVILION AT ABOUT 2.40 PM. HE WILL STAY IN THE PAVILION FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THERE WILL BE A FIXED PRESS POSITION IN THE PAVILION FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VISIT. FROM THE PAVILION, SIR GEOFFREY WILL PROCEED BY CAR TO WO CHE ESTATE WHERE HE WILL TOUR THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE AND VISIT A FAMILY FLAT.
BECAUSE OF THE TIGHT SCHEDULE, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL HAVE TO LEAVE THE PAVILION AT LEAST 10 MINUTES AHEAD OF SIR GEOFFREY. GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT, WITH SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS, WILL TAKE THEM TO WO CHE WHERE' THEY WILL BE IN POSITION BEFORE SIR GEOFFREY’S ARR IVAL.
AT WO CHE, THERE WILL BE A PRESS POSITION ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE WHERE SIR GEOFFREY WILL SEE AN EXHIBITION ON THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME. SIR GEOFFREY WILL THEN TAKE A SHORT WALK THROUGH THE CENTRE AND PROCEED TO VISIT A FAMILY LIVING IN ONE OF THE ESTATE'S UNITS. PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WILL HAVE TO LEAVE THE EXHIBITION AREA FIVE MINUTES AHEAD OF SIR GEOFFREY AND GO TO A SECOND POSITION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE WHERE THEY CAN TAKE PICTURES OF SIR GEOFFREY LOOKING AT THE SHOPS. AFTER SIR GEOFFREY HAS PASSED, THEY WILL GO TO A THIRD POSITION AT AN OPEN SPACE OUTSIDE THE UNIT WHICH HE IS VISITING.
BECAUSE OF LIMITED SPACE INSIDE THE UNIT, POOL PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE PROVIDED BY GIS WHILE RTHK WILL MAKE AVAILABLE SPECIAL FOOTAGE TO TELEVISION STATIONS.
THE VISIT WILL FINISH AT 3.40 PM AND PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE WO CHE FOR THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. NEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD WEAR APPROPRIATE LAPEL BADGES THROUGHOUT THE VISIT.
/VISIT TO .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1984
- 3 -
VISIT TO BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION
SIR GEOFFREY WILL ARRIVE AT THE OFFICE OF THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION AT THE BANK OF AMERICA TOWER AT 4 PM FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH COMMISSION OFFICIALS. THERE WILL BE A FIXED PRESS POSITION AT THE LAMBETH WALK ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER HIS ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE. SIR GEOFFREY IS EXPECTED TO LEAVE THE COMMISSION AT ABOUT 4.30 PM.
APPROPRIATE LAPEL BADGES FOR THE OCCASION SHOULD BE WORN BY f-EDIA REPRESENTATIVES.
RECEPTION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE
SIR GEOFFREY WILL ATTEND A RECEPTION FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE FROM 5.30 PM TO 6.30 PM. BECAUSE OF SPACE LIMITATIONS, ONLY TELEVISION CAMERAMEN ISSUED WITH SPECIAL LAPEL BADGES FOR THE FUNCTION WILL BE ALLOWED TO FILM INSIDE GOVERNMENT HOUSE. THIS WILL BE DONE FROM A FIXED POSITION AND WILL BE LIMITED TO ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE RECEPTION WILL BE ISSUED BY GIS TO THE PRINT MEDIA.
ACCREDITED TELEVIS ION. CAMERAMEN SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE MAIN GATE OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE AT 5 PM WHEN THEY WILL BE ESCORTED INTO THE BALLROOM BY GIS OFFICERS.
MEETING AND DINNER WITH UMELCO
SIR GEOFFREY WILL ARRIVE AT THE UMELCO OFFICE AT ABOUT 7 PM FOR A MEETING AND DINNER WITH UMELCO MEMBERS. THERE WILL BE A FIXED POSITION OUTSIDE THE PEDDER STREET ENTRANCE OF SWIRE HOUSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER HIS ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE APPROPRIATE LAPEL BADGES SHOULD BE WORN.
FRIDAY, APRIL 20
SIR GEOFFREY WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT 11 AM. ADMISSION TO THE COUNCIL PREMISES WILL BE BY LAPEL BADGE ONLY. REPORTERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH GREEN BADGES WHICH WILL ENABLE THEM TO STAY IN THE CHAMBER THROUGHOUT THE PRESS CONFERENCE. PHOTOGRAPHERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH ORANGE BADGES (MARKED +PHOTOGRAPHER+) AND THEY MUST LEAVE THE CHAMBER AFTER A TWO-MINUTE PHOTO-CALL. PURPLE BADGES (MARKED +BOOTH+) HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THOSE WHO WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED IN THE BOOTHS.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER WILL BE OPENED FROM 8 AM ONWARDS FOR THE SETTING UP OF EQUIPMENT. THIS MUST BE COMPLETED BY 10.30 AM AT THE LATEST. TV CAMERA CREWS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED FIXED POSITIONS EITHER INSIDE THE BOOTHS OR THE CHAMBER. THOSE ALLOCATED SPACE INSIDE THE CHAMBER SHOULD NOTE THAT NO POWER POINTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THEIR CAMERAS.
/all other .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1984
4
ALL OTHER MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE SEATED BY 10.50 AM. THERE WILL BE TWO MINUTES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY BEFORE THE CONFERENCE AND NO PHOTOGRAPHY WILL BE ALLOWED ONCE THE CONFERENCE IS UNDER WAY. PHOTOGRAPHERS ISSUED WITH ORANGE BADGES WILL HAVE TO LEAVE THE CHAMBER AFTER THE FIRST TWO MINUTES.
ALL RECORDING WILL BE DONE INSIDE THE BOOTHS AND NO MICROPHONES OR HAND-HELD RECORDERS WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE DAIS. REPORTERS CAN, IF THEY WISH, RECORD THE PROCEEDINGS BY PLUGGING INTO THEIR SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION RECEIVERS. ADDITIONAL CLEAN SOUND FOR USE BY TV AND RADIO STATIONS.
OUTLETS WILL BE AVAILABLE
THE PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT, TOGETHER WITH BY GIS.
DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG
IS EXPECTED TO LAST FOR ONE HOUR. A FULL A CHINESE TRANSLATION, WILL BE ISSUED
SIR GEOFFREY IS EXPECTED TO LEAVE HONG KONG FOR OKINAWA ON AN RAF VC 10 AT 1 PM. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING HIS DEPARTURE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE ARRIVAL HALL AT 11.45 AM. THEY SHOULD BRI NG WI TH THEM THEIR LAPEL BADGES FOR THE OCCASION AS WELL AS THEIR ID CARDi CR PASSPORTS.
0 - -
UK TRANSPORT OFFICIAL SEES KAI TAK * * *
MR DAVID MITCHELL, PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT, WHO IS IN HONG KONG ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT, MADE A COMPREHENSIVE TOUR OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
HE WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON THE PRESENT AIR TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND THE PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR TREVOR THORPE, l*R MITCHELL SAW VARIOUS ASPECTS OF AIRPORT OPERATION AND PASSENGER FACILITIES, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING THE NEW COMPUTERISED AUTOMATIC MESSAGE DISTRIBUTION CENTRE COMMISSIONED LAST MONTH.
HE THEN TOURED THE PASSENGER TERMINAL TO SEE PASSENGER PROCESSING, BAGGAGE HANDLING AND SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS.
MR MITCHELL CONCLUDED HIS AIRPORT TOUR WITH A VISIT TO OTHER AIRPORT ORGANISATIONS.
_ - 0 - -
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1984
- 5 -
BROADCASTING BOARD SEEKS PUBLIC VIEWS * * *
INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANISATIONS WITH AN INTEREST IN BROADCASTING ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT REPRESENTATIONS TO THE BROADCASTING REVIEW .BOARD.
THE 16-MEMBER BOARD, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR IN FEBRUARY 1984, IS CONDUCTING AN OVERALL REVIEW OF TELEVISION AND SOUND BROADCASTING TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO PREPARE AN OVERALL POLICY FOR BROADCASTING IN LINE WITH THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, THE HON MR JUSTICE POWER, SAID THE BOARD WAS INVITING PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS SET OUT IN THE TERMS OF REFERENCE.
HE SAID REPRESENTATIONS MAY BE MADE IN RESPECT OF ANY OR ALL OF THE MATTERS REFERRED TO IN THE TERMS OF REFERENCE, WHICH INCLUDE:
* ASSESSMENT OF THE LONG-TERM NEEDS OF THE LOCAL POPULATION AFTER 1988 FOR BOTH TELEVISION AND SOUND BROADCAST;
* EXAMINATION OF TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN RELATED FIELDS AND ASSESSMENT OF THE OPTIONS FOR ORGANISING COMMERCIAL TELEVISION AND RADIO BROADCASTS;
* ASSESSMENT OF THE FINANCIAL AND MANPOWER RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE LOCAL BROADCASTING INDUSTRY;
* CONSIDERATION OF THE CHANGES REQUIRED IN THE CONDITIONS OF ADVERTISING CONTROL;
* ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF RTHK AND GOVERNMENT BROADCASTS AND ASSESSMENT OF THE FUTURE CENSORSHIP AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS.
WITH REGARD TO THE TERM OF REFERENCE CONCERNING THE LONG-TERM NEEDS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AFTER 1988 FOR TELEVISION AND SOUND BROADCAST, MR JUSTICE POWER STRESSED THAT INTERESTED PARTIES REPRESENTING MINORITY GROUPS, FOR EXAMPLE THOSE WITH IMPAIRED FEARING, ARE PARTICULARLY INVITED TO SUBMIT REPRESENTATIONS.
+IT IS LIKELY THAT THE BOARD MAY WISH, AFTER CONSIDERING INITIAL REPRESENTATIONS, TO HAVE SOME OF THOSE REPRESENTATIONS, PARTICULARLY THOSE MADE BY PERSONS OR ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY, SUPPLEMENTED ORALLY OR IN WRIT I NG.
+THE BOARD WILL COMMUNICATE ITS DESIRE TO RECEIVE SUPPLEMENTARY REPRESENTATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER AUGUST 10, 1984, AND REPRESENTATIONS WILL BE MADE TO A HEARING COMMITTEE WHICH WILL COMMENCE SITTING FOR THIS PURPOSE IN MID-NOVEMBER,♦ HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT INVITATIONS TO APPEAR BEFORE THE BOARD IN SUPPORT OF REPRESENTATIONS WOULD BE ISSUED BY THE BOARD AT ITS SOLE DISCRETION AND ALL WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS WOULD, UPON RECEIPT, BE TABLED BEFORE THE HEARING COMMITTEE.
/+THE HEAJUNG ...
TUSSDA.Y, APRIL 17, 1984
6 -
+THE HEARING COMMITTEE MAY GIVE LEAVE TO INTERESTED PARTIES TO INSPECT AND COPY ANY WRITTEN SUBMISSION AND THE COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD MAY PUBLISH ANY SUBMISSION MADE TO IT IN WHOLE OR IN PART.
+ANY PART OF A SUBMISSION DEALING WITH THE CURRENT FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE SUBMITTOR MAY BE SUBMITTED SEPARATELY UNDER SEALED COVER AND WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL.
+ANY OTHER SUBMISSION MARKED CONFIDENTIAL, WHERE THE BOARD CONSIDERS IT JUSTIFIED, WILL BE TREATED WITH CONFIDENTIALITY. MATERIAL THAT IT DECIDES DOES NOT MERIT CONFIDENTIALITY WILL BE RETURNED AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED OR COPIED OR PUBLISHED. SUCH MATERIAL MAY BE RE-SUBMITTED AS OPEN MATERIAL,* HE SAID.
REPRESENTATIONS MAY BE IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH AND SHOULD GENERALLY FOLLOW THE FORMAT OF A PROFORMA OBTAINABLE FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD. THEY SHOULD BE LEGIBLY WRITTEN OR TYPEWRITTEN ON SIZE A4 PAPER, BE RELATED AS CLOSELY AS POSSIBLE TO THE TERMS OF REFERENCE TO WHICH THEY REFER AND INCLUDE, WHERE PRACTICABLE, ANY DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE REFERRED TO OR RELIED UPON.
REPRESENTATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE SECRETARY AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, ROOM 135, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND IN ANY EVENT NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 10, 1984.
- - 0
CANTON MAYOR VISITS SHA TIN * * * *
THE MAYOR OF CANTON, MR YE XUANPING, VISITED SHA TIN THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING TO LOOK AT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DONALD TSANG, HE FIRST WENT TO THE LIONS PAVILION FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE NEW TOWN.
MR YE WAS TOLD THAT SHA TIN WOULD BE A SOCIALLY BALANCED AND MAINLY SELF-SUPPORTING COMMUNITY WITH HOUSING, SHOPPING, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE LOCAL POPULATION BY THE END OF THE 1980S.
THE MAYOR ALSO SHOWED INTEREST IN THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY’S ELECTRIFIED TRAINS WHICH PASS THROUGH SHA TIN FROM HUNG HOM TO THE CHINESE BORDER.
NEW STATIONS ARE BEING BUILT AT FO TAN AND TAI WAN TO SUPPLEMENT THE EXPANDED CENTRAL, UNIVERSITY AND RACE-COURSE STATIONS.
LATER IN THE MORNING, THE MAYOR VISITED THE KOWLOON POLICE HEADQUARTERS TO SEE THE MONITORS OF THE WEST KOWLOON TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE.
------o-------
/7 .....
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1984
- 7 -
LADY YOUDE MEETS SCHOOL DANCERS * * * * *
LADY YOUDE, GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE OPENING OF THE 2OTH SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL AND PRIZE-WINNERS PERFORMANCE AT THE CITY HALL, THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING PRESENTED PRIZES TO THE ELEVEN WINNING SCHOOLS.
OVERALL CHAMPIONS AT THE FESTIVAL WERE BISHOP HALL JUBILEE SCHOOL (SECONDARY SECTION) AND ST. PAUL’S CONVENT SCHOOL (PRIMARY).
SPEAKING AT THE FUNCTION, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, SAID THE SCHOOLS DANCE TEAMS, FORMED FROM THE BEST DANCERS OF THE SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVALS EACH YEAR, HAD REPRESENTED HONG KONG OVERSEAS ON MANY OCCASIONS AND HAD BEEN ENORMOUSLY SUCCESSFUL AS CULTURAL AMBASSADORS.
THESE OCCASIONS INCLUDED THE EXPO’ 70 IN JAPAN, THE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF YOUTH ORCHESTRAS 1976, THE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS IN BRITAIN 1977, THE COMMONWEALTH CARNIVAL, EDMONTON, CANADA 1978, THE COMMONWEALTH FILM AND TELEVISION FESTIVAL IN CYPRUS AND THE ISRAEL ARTS FESTIVAL, 1980- AND HONG KONG/MACAU SCHOOL DANCE PERFORMANCES, IN MACAU, 1981 AND 1982.
MR HAYE SAID WHEN THE FESTIVAL STARTED IN 1965, ONLY 240 CHILDREN FROM 24 SCHOOLS TOOK PART. BUT THIS YEAR 3 867 CHILDREN FROM 280 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN FOUR CATEGORIES OF EVENTS - WESTERN FOLK AND NATIONAL DANCE, CHINESE DANCE, ORIENTAL DANCE AND CREATIVE DANCE.
+THIS REMARKABLE GROWTH IS, I THINK, A SPLENDID TRIBUTE TO THE DEDICATION AND CREATIVE TALENT OF SUCCESSIVE PARTICIPANTS AND ORGANISERS,* MR HAYE SAID.
SEVEN PRIZE-WINNERS PERFORMANCES ARE BEING HELD BETWEEN APRIL 17 AND 28 THIS YEAR — SIX IN THE CITY HALL AND ONE IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
THE EVENTS ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION), THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SCHOOL SPORTS ASSOC I AT I ON.
--------0
/8 .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1984
- 8 -
REVISED SAFETY OFFICER SCHEME DISCUSSED
XXX
MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD MET TODAY (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS A REVISED SCHEME FOR THE COMPULSORY EMPLOYMENT OF SAFETY OFFICERS AND SAFETY SUPERVISORS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
THEY ADVISED THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SHOULD PROCEED WITH DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE PROPOSALS.
THE BOARD CONSIDERED AGAIN A NUMBER OF MINOR AMENDMENTS TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND GENERALLY REAFFIRMED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THESE PROPOSALS.
THESE AMENDMENTS DO NOT INVOLVE ANY SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE IN THE LAW BUT ARE ONLY INTENDED TO CLARIFY A NUMBER OF POINTS THAT HAVE CAUSED DISPUTES.
THE MEETING ALSO ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO BUILD INTO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE PROVISIONS TO PREVENT THE MISUSE OF EMPLOYEES’ CONTRIBUTION TO STAFF RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
THE BOARD REVIEWED PROGRESS WITH SEVERAL PIECES OF PROPOSED LABOUR LEGISLATION ON WHICH IT HAD PREVIOUSLY GIVEN ADVICE, 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, RON BRIDGE, AND WAS ATTENDED BY SIX EMPLOYEE AND FOUR EMPLOYER REPRESENTATIVES.
THE LAB COMPRISES THE COMMISSIONER OR THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER AS THE EX-OFFICIO CHAIRMAN AND SIX EMPLOYER REPRESENTATIVES AND SIX EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVES AS MEMBERS. IT ADVISES THE COMMISSIONER ON SUCH MATTERS, INCLUDING LEGISLATION, AS HE MAY REFER TO IT.
-----0------
PUBLIC URGED TO USE APPROVED GAS TUBING * * * *
THE GAS ADVISER, MR KENNETH TUNNAH, TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE DANGERS OF USING SUB-STANDARD RUBBER TUBING FOR DOMESTIC GAS APPLIANCES.
+FAULTY TUBING MAY LEAD TO GAS LEAKS AND FIRES WHICH CAN RESULT IN FATAL ACCIDENTS LIKE THE ONE THAT HAPPENED LAST DECEMBER IN TUEN MUN, WHERE A 27-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS KILLED,* HE SAID.
MR TUNNAH POINTED OUT THAT CONTINUOUS TV AND RADIO PUBLICITY HAS BEEN GIVEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO THE NEED FOR CAREFUL MAINTENANCE OF LP GAS CYLINDERS AND RUBBER TUBING. NEW POSTERS DEPICTING THE TYPICAL DEFECTS TO BE FOUND IN SUB-STANDARD TUBING ARE CURRENTLY DISPLAYED IN HOUSING ESTATES, DISTRICT OFFICES, GOVERNMENT POSTER SITES AND GAS DEALERS’ SHOPS.
/GAS SAFETY .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 17. 1984
9 -
GAS SAFETY IS ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S MAJOR PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS THIS YEAR, AND A NEW TV ANNOUNCEMENT ON RUBBER TUBING HAS ALREADY BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PLAN.
♦ONLY TWO TYPES OF TUBING HAVE GOVERNMENT APPROVAL, AND UNDER VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS WE REACHED LAST YEAR WITH THE GAS AND OIL COMPANIES AND THE GAS APPLIANCE IMPORTERS, THESE SHOULD BE THE ONLY ONES ON SALE IN THE LOCAL MARKET,* SAID MR TUNNAH.
A PERSONAL LETTER WILL BE SENT TO ALL LP GAS DEALERS AND TUBING IMPORTERS TO REMIND THEM OF THE VOLUNTARY AGREEMENT.
♦MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH GAS APPLIANCES CONNECTED BY RUBBER TUBING SHOULD CHECK ITS CONDITION REGULARLY. IF IN DOUBT, THEY SHOULD CONTACT THEIR AUTHORISED DEALER IMMEDIATELY,* MR TUNNAH SAID.
------0 - - - -
SWEDISH GROUP SEES ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR * * * *
A 14-MEMBER SWEDISH BUILDING INDUSTRY DELEGATION TODAY (TUESDAY) TRAVELLED THE LENGTH OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR - FROM CAUSEWAY BAY TO CHAI WAN - BY BOAT.
LED BY THE MINISTER OF HOUSING AND PHYSICAL PLANNING, MR HANS GUSTAFSSON, THE GROUP WAS BRIEFED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY (WORKS) OF THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH, MR ROBIN SAUNDERS, ON PROGRESS BEING MADE ON THE DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WHICH IS DUE TO BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, ON JUNE 7.
THE PARTY DISEMBARKED AT THE NEW PUBLIC PIER CONSTRUCTED IN NORTH POINT TO INSPECT THE FIRST 3.7-KI LOMETRE SECTION OF THE NEW ROAD, RUNNING FROM CAUSEWAY BAY TO TAIKOO SHING.
ITS OPENING IN TWO MONTHS SHOULD HELP REDUCE PRESSURE ON THE ROAD NETWORK CURRENTLY SERVING EASTERN AREAS OF THE ISLAND.
MR SAUNDERS TOLD THE VISITORS THAT FROM TAIKOO SHING THE NEW ROAD WOULD CONTINUE ACROSS RECLAIMED LAND TO SHAU KEI WAN.
THIS SECTION, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AS PART OF THE WORK FOR THE ISLAND LINE, IS DUE TO BE COMPLETED BY MID-1985.
THE GROUP ALSO SAW THE CHAI WAN END OF THE CORRIDOR, PART OF THE THIRD STAGE OF CONSTRUCTION WHICH WILL LINK SHAU KEI WAN AND CHAI WAN BY 1987.
THE SWEDISH DELEGATION, HERE ON A THREE-DAY VISIT, YESTERDAY (MONDAY) TOURED THE SITE OF THE 47-STOREY GOVERNMENNT OFFICE BUILDING NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT QUEENSWAY.
THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, W CHAMSON CHAU.
------0-------
/10......
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1984
- 10 -
HYGIENE COURSES HELD FOR NT FOOD WORKERS * * *
A SERIES OF FOOD HYGIENE TRAINING COURSES IS BEING HELD FOR OPERATORS AND WORKERS OF NEW TERRITORIES FOOD PREMISES.
ORGANISED BY THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE SERIES COVERS INSTRUCTION IN A WIDE RANGE OF MATTERS - FROM PERSONAL HYGIENE AND FOOD HANDLING TO THE CARE AND CLEANLINESS 0' UTENSILS, BASICS OF MICROBIOLOGY, AND FOOD BUSINESS LAWS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
MORE THAN 30 RESTAURANT LICENSEES, MANAGERS, CHEFS AND SUPERVISORS WILL BE ATTENDING THE COURSES, HE SAID.
THE FIRST FOUR-SESSION COURSE BEGAN YESTERDAY AT THE SHA TIN HEALTH EDUCATION CENTRE.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THOSE TAKING THE COURSE WILL PASS ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE TO OTHER WORKERS IN THEIR FOOD PREMISES, HE SAID.
FILM AND SLIDE SHOWS WILL ALSO BE USED DURING THE INSTRUCTION
♦THROUGH VISUAL DISPLAY, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE VIVIDLY SOME OF THE TYPES OF BACTERIA WHICH CAUSE HEALTH HAZARD,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SIMILAR TRAINING COURSE'S WILL ALSO BE HELD IN OTHER NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, HE ADDED.
0 --------
BOARD TO DISCUSS PUBLICITY PLANS *****
MEASURES TO PUBLICISE THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD ACTIVITIES WILL BE DISCUSSED BY MEMBERS AT THEIR MEETING ON THURSDAY (APRIL 19) AFTERNOON.
MEMBERS WILL ENDORSE THE ALLOCATION OF $42 000 FOR SEVEN SIGNBOARDS AND $45 000 FOR 100 000 PUBLICITY PAMPHLETS.
A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION’S SOONVAR OFFICE, MR MICHAEL TONG, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE OFFICE’S LIAISON WORK IN THE DISTRICT IN THE COMING YEAR.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE A REVIEW ON COMMUNITY CENTRE FACILITIES AND PROGRESS REPORTS OF THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES.
MEANWHILE, NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS AT THEIR MEETING IN THE MORNING.
’S
/A SUM........
TUBSDAY, APRIL 17, 1984
- 11 -
A SUM OF $1.55 MILLION HAS BEEN PROPOSED FOR THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, TO BE SPENT ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, ARTS AND CULTURAL, AND RECREATIONAL AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER:
(A) THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 9.30 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 19) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE IN KWONG FUK ROAD; AND
(B) THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 4 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF WYLLIE BUILDING, 222-224 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
-----0 -
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FREE LEGAL ADVICE OFFERED
* * *
THE KWUN TONG FREE LEGAL ADVICE BUREAU WILL BE OPEN FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
THREE VOLUNTEER LAWYERS FROM THE HONG KONG LAW SOCIETY WILL BE ON DUTY IN THE BUREAU EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 6.30 PM TO 8.30 PM.
THE SETTING UP OF A FREE LEGAL ADVICE CENTRE IN KWUN TONG IS A RESULT OF THE EFFORT OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD WHICH PUT FORWARD THE REQUEST TO THE LAW SOCIETY IN MID-1983.
TOMORROW, AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MRS ELSIE ELLIOTT, AND A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR CARSON WEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT AN OPENING CEREMONY.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY AT 6 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET.
----0-----
/12........
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1984
12 -
1983 TRADE REVIEW ON SALE * * *
THE + HONG KONG REVIEW OF OVERSEAS TRADE IN 1983+ IS ON SALE TODAY.
PREPARED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE REVIEW CONTAINS A BRIEF TEXT ON HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE PERFORMANCE, 18 GRAPHS AND 35 STATISTICAL APPENDICES WITH COMPARATIVE FIGURES FOR THE PREVIOUS YEARS.
IT PRESENTS A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE DIRECTION AND COMPOSITION OF HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS TRADE IN 1983, INCLUDING A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF TRADE BY MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS AND BY COMMODITY CATEGORIES, AS WELL AS STATISTICS ON HONG KONG’S PERFORMANCE IN WORLD TRADE AND IN PRINCIPAL OVERSEAS MARKETS, COMPARED WITH THOSE OF MAJOR COMPETITORS.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PUBLICATION ARE STATISTICS ON EXCHANGE RATES OF PRINCIPAL FOREIGN CURRENCIES AND THE EFFECTIVE (TRADE-WEIGHTED) EXCHANGE RATE INDEX FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AS AGAINST THE CURRENCIES OF 15 PRINCIPAL TRADING PARTNERS.
AS FROM JANUARY 1983, A REVISED WEIGHTING SYSTEM DERIVED FROM THE TRADE PATTERN IN 1981 WAS USED IN COMPILING THE EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE INDEX.
ACCORDING TO THE REVIEW, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN VALUE WERE NOTED IN IMPORTS FROM CHINA (BY $9 886 MILLION OR 30%) AND FROM JAPAN (BY $8 793 MILLION OR 28%).
AMONG THE OVERSEAS MARKETS WITH THE HIGHEST GROWTH IN VALUE CF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE THE U.S. (BY $12 578 MILLION OR 40%) AND CHINA (BY $2 417 MILLION OR 63%). HOWEVER, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO PANAMA AND THE NIGERIA DROPPED CONSIDERABLY IN VALUE (BY $303 MILLION OR 39%, AND BY $474 MILLION OR 53%, RESPECTIVELY).
FOR COMMODITY CATEGORIES, SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN VALUE WAS REGISTERED IN IMPORTS OF TEXTILES (BY $5 864 MILLION OR 32%) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS, APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $5 830 MILLION OR 56%), WHEREAS THE COMMODITIES WITH THE HIGHEST GROWTH IN VALUE IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE CLOTHING (BY $5 541 MILLION OR 19%) AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $2 874 MILLION OR 127%).
/the value .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1CO4
- 13 -
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORT TRADE ROSE BY 27% IN 1983. CHINA WAS ONCE AGAIN THE LARGEST SUPPLIER OF GOODS FOR SUBSEQUENT RE-EXPORT. RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN INCREASED BY $4 987 MILLION OR 34%, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASE REGISTERED IN CLOTHING (BY Si 381 MILLION OR 51%). RE-EXPORTS OF JAPAN ORIGIN ALSO GREW (BY $2 545 MILLION OR 41%), PARTICULARLY FOR WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY S538 MILLION OR 27%). THE U.S. WAS THE LARGEST MARKET FOR RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN, ACCOUNTING FOR 28% OF ALL RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN THROUGH HONG KONG. THE COMMODITY WITH SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS CLOTHING (BY $813 MILLION OR 58%). NEARLY ONE THIRD OF THE RE-EXPORTS OF JAPAN ORIGIN WENT TO CHINA WITH THE HIGHEST GROWTH IN ROAD VEHICLES (BY $243 MILLION OR 25%). RE-EXPORTS TO INDONESIA FELL BY $731 MILLION OR 16% BUT RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA ROSE BY $4 190 MILLION OR 52%.
THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE TRADE IN 1983, REPRESENTING 24% CF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE, INCREASED BY $19 851 MILLION OR 31% OVER 1982. IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, AIRBORNE TRADE CONSTITUTED LESS THAN 1% OF TOTAL TRADE. AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM JAPAN ROSE BY $2 812 MILLION OR 45% AND AIRBORNE EXPORTS TO THE U.S. ROSE BY $5 283 MILLION OR 53%. ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, IMPORTS OF THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES TUBES, PHOTOCELLS, TRANSISTERS AND PARTS SHIPPED BY AIR EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST GROWTH (BY $3 300 MILLION OR 71%), WHILST IN THE CASE OF EXPORTS BY AIR, CLOTHING RECORDED THE HIGHEST GROWTH (BY $3 534 MILLION OR 50%).
THE REVIEW ALSO PUBLISHES UNIT VALUE AND QUANTUM INDEXES WHICH ARE OFTEN USED TO ASSESS THE MOVEMENTS IN COMMODITY PRICES AND CHANGES IN TRADE VOLUME. COMMENCING FROM MARCH 1983, PRICES CF SELECTED IMPORTS (C.I.F.) AND EXPORTS (F.O.B.) COLLECTED FROM PRICE SURVEYS WERE USED TO COMPILE PRICE INDEXES. THESE PRICE INDEXES, WHICH ARE BASED ON COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS, HAVE REPLACED THOSE UNIT VALUE INDEXES WHICH ARE MOST LIABLE TO PROBLEMS DUE TO CHANGES IN QUALITY, PRODUCT MIX, MARKETS AND SOURCES, ETC. IN ADDITION, A NEW SERIES OF TRADE INDEXES BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUPS FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA AND JAPAN WERE INTRODUCED IN APPENDIX 3. DURING 1983, THE TRADE VOLUMES FOR IMPORTS, DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 10%, 14% AND 15%, RESPECTIVELY, OVER 1982. SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN THE EXPORT VOLUME OF METAL ORES AND SCRAP (BY 142%), AND IN THE IMPORT AND RE-EXPORT VOLUMES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (BY 20% AND 17% RESPECTIVELY).
HONG KONG WAS THE LARGEST EXPORTER OF CLOTHING, TOYS, DOLLS, GAMES, AND ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS IN THE WORLD IN 1982. HONG KONG WAS ALSO THE SECOND LARGEST EXPORTER OF COMPLETE WATCHES AFTER SWITZERLAND, RADIO-BROADCAST RECEIVERS AFTER JAPAN, AND FANS, DOMES IC TYPE AFTER TAIWAN.
THIS REVIEW IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $12 A COPY.
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/14........
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1984
- 14 -
FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT FOR QUARTERS * * *
THE POLICE RANK AND FILE MARRIED QUARTERS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT OLD BAILEY STREET IN CENTRAL WILL BE PROVIDED WITH STANDARD FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT.
A CONTRACT TO SUPPLY THE EQUIPMENT, VALUED AT $169 OOO, HAS BEEN AWARDED TO CHUBB (HONG KONG) LIMITED BY THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
UNDER THE CONTRACT WATER PIPES, PUMPS AND A HOSEREEL WILL BE INSTALLED.
WORK ON BUILDING THE QUARTERS STARTED LATE LAST YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY JUNE 1985, PROVIDING 144 UNITS OF STANDARDDESIGN TWO-BEDROOM QUARTERS.
0---------
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICES
X « *
EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM DAILY DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS - FROM APRIL 20 TO 23.
THE EIGHT CLINICS ARE : VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB POLYCLINIC IN KOWLOON; LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE AND SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALL OTHER OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED DURING THIS PERIOD.
------0-------
NOTE TO EDITORS:
SITES FOR AUCTION
* * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT WILL OFFER THREE SITES FOR SALE BY AUCTION TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE SHOUSON THEATRE OF THE ARTS CENTRE.
THE SITES ARE AT ABERDEEN, CHAI WAN AND SHA TIN.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AUCTION WHICH BEGINS AT 2.30 PM.
------0--------
/15 .....
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1984
- 15 -
TRAFFIC CHANGES * * *
CHAI WAN ROAD BETWEEN ITS TWO JUNCTIONS WITH WAN TSUI ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM MIDNIGHT TOMORROW AND THURSDAY (APRIL 18 AND 19) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAYS FOR WORK ON A FOOTBRIDGE.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WAN TSUI ROAD AND HONG MAN STREET.
AND FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY, THE TRAFFIC LANE ON THE EASTBOUND TRAM TRACK OF KING’S ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 501 AND TIN CHIU STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AS TRAM-ONLY LANE.
-----0------
©
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PEOPLE'S WELFARE OF PRIME CONCERN - SIR GEOFFREY................. 1 ■
MARCH GONSUMER PRICE INDEXES DECREASE .......................... 2
NEW GROWTH STRATEGY PROPOSED FOR ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY .......... 4
FEBRUARY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND ORDERS-ON-HAND ... 5
MP VISITS SHA TIN .............................................. 7
THREE CROWN SITES SOLD ......................................... 8
GERMAN GROUP VISITS AIRPORT .................................... 8
LADY HOWE TO VISIT COMMUNITY CENTRE............................. 9
TWO SITES FOR RENT.............................................. 9
BONSAI SHOW FEATURES 400 EXHIBITS ............................. 10
EASTER FAIR AT PARKING LOT .................................... 11
UNDERPASS MAINTENANCE.......................................... 11
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1984
1 PEOPLE’S WELFARE OF PRIME CONCERN - SIR GEOFFREY
* * * *
THE FUTURE WELFARE AND PROSPERITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IS THE PRIME CONCERN OF HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT, THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON ARRIVAL AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FROM PEKING, SIR GEOFFREY SAID HE HAD SPENT THE PAST THREE DAYS IN DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINESE LEADERS UP TO AND INCLUDING CHAIRMAN DENG.
♦ THE TALKS HAVE BEEN FRIENDLY, SERIOUS AND PRODUCTIVE.
♦ WE’VE SPENT ABOUT NINE HOURS ACTUALLY ENGAGED IN TALKS TOGETHER, AND MOST OF THAT TIME HAS RIGHTLY BEEN CONCENTRATED ON WHAT IS NECESSARY TO SECURE THE FUTURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG.
♦ THE FORMAL NEGOTIATIONS START AGAIN ON APRIL 27, AND THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF WORK STILL TO BE DONE IF WE ARE TO SECURE THE COMMON OBJECTIVE OF REACHING THE AGREEMENT THAT WE ALL WANT.
♦ THE TALKS THAT I’VE HAD IN PEKING HAVE CERTAINLY HELPED US ALONG THAT ROAD.
♦ WE INTEND TO CONTINUE WORKING AS HARD AS WE CAN FOR THAT OUTCOME,♦ HE SAID.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID HE WAS GLAD TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG.
♦ I WILL BE SPENDING THE NEXT THREE DAYS MEETING AGAIN WITH MEMBERS OF EXCO AND LEGCO, AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE LEADERS OF OPINION IN HONG KONG.
♦ I AM GLAD TO BE HERE BECAUSE AS YOU MUST KNOW, THE FUTURE WELFARE AND PROSPERITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IS THE PRIME CONCERN OF HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT,♦ HE SAID.
ARRIVING IN HONG KONG TOGETHER WITH SIR GEOFFREY WAS THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE. OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PARTY INCLUDED LADY HOWE, SIR PERCY CRADOCK, DEPUTY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, SIR RICHARD EVANS, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO PEKING, DR DAVID WILSON, ASSISTANT UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, AND MR P.J. GOULDEN, HEAD OF THE NEWS DEPARTMENT OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.
THE PARTY WAS MET AT THE AIRPORT BY LADY YOUDE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE. THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. « ROGER LOBO, THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR CHRISTIAN ADAMS, AND MR LI CHUWEN OF THE NCNA.
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/2......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1984
- 2 -
MARCH CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES DECREASE * * *
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR MARCH 1984 WERE 153 AND 152 RESPECTIVELY, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, CP I(A) DECREASED BY 1 POINT OR 0.6 PER CENT AND CP 1(B), BY 1 POINT OR 0.7 PER CENT.
COMPARED WITH MARCH 1983, CP 1(A) ROSE BY 13 POINTS OR 9.3 PER CENT AND CP 1(B), BY 13 POINTS OR 9.4 PER CENT.
THE EQUIVALENT PERCENTAGES FOR JANUARY 1984 WERE 12.6 PER CENT AND 11.9 PER CENT, SUGGESTING THAT THERE WAS A SLOWING DOWN IN THE RATE OF PRICE INCREASE DURING THE FIRST QUARTER.
THE AVERAGE CP I (A) AND AVERAGE CP 1(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING IN MARCH 1984 WERE 147.1 AND 146.2 RESPECTIVELY, WHICH WERE 10.5 PER CENT AND 10.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGES FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING IN MARCH 1983.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDING IN MARCH 1984, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CP I(A) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.2 PER CENT EACH MONTH AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CP 1(B), AT 0.3 PER CENT.
DURING MARCH, FOOD PRICES, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF LIVE POULTRY, FRESH VEGETABLES AND SALT-WATER FISH, WERE LOWER.
THE CPI(A) AND CP 1(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG. WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1979-80 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY. THE CP I(A) REFERRED TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN Si 000 AND $3 499 A MONTH, AND THE CP 1(B) TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN S3 500 AND $6 499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME.
THE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1984 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/ SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE GIVEN BELOW, FOR FEBRUARY 1984 AND MARCH 1983.
TOGETHER WITH
(OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980 AVERAGE - 100)
CPI(A) CPI(B)
SECTION
FOODSTUFFS
HOUSING FUEL AND LIGHT
MAR. 83 FEB. 84 MAR. 84 MAR. 83 FEB. 84 MAR. 84
144 156 154 144 156 155
133 142 142 132 143 143
143 151 149 144 151 148
/ALCOHOLIC DRINKS .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1984
- 3 -
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
AND TOBACCO
(FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 190 208 208 182 200 200
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 135 149 150 135 149 151
DURABLE GOODS 109 124 124 111 127 127
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 129 148 149 128 144 147
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 149 167 168 152 169 170
SERVICES 146 165 165 144 164 163
ALL ITEMS 140 154 153 139 153 152
COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1984, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 2 POINTS IN CP 1(A) AND 1 POINT IN CP I(B). THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF LIVE POULTRY, FRESH VEGETABLES, SALT-WATER FISH, PORK AND FRESH-WATER FISH DECLINED. THE EFFECT OF MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS INSIGNIFICANT.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT DECREASED BY 2 POINTS IN CP I(A) AND 3 POINTS IN CP 1(B) AS A RESULT OF LOWER FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT IN ELECTRICITY CHARGES.
HIGHER PRICES OF OUTERCLOTHING CAUSED THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR TO RISE BY 1 POINT IN CP I(A) AND 2 POINTS IN CP 1(B).
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS ROSE BY 1 POINT IN CP I(A) AND 3 POINTS IN CP 1(B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF JEWELLERY, MEDICINES, SOFT FURNISHINGS, TOILET REQUISITES AND COSMETICS.
THE 1-POINT INCREASE IN THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES IN BOTH CP I (A) AND CP 1(B) WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER PRICES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AS WELL AS THE FULL IMPACT OF THE RISE IN TAXI FARES.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES FELL BY 1 POINT IN CPI(B) DUE TO LOWER CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING AND PACKAGE TOURS AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
(FIGURES PRESENTED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED)
DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE ♦CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT* FOR MARCH 1984, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES MAY BE MADE WITH THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE 3-7216512.
- - 0 -
A....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1984
4 -
NEW GROWTH STRATEGY PROPOSED FOR ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY *****
A NEW STUDY HAS PROPOSED A DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY TO ASSIST THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY TO DIVERSIFY INTO HIGHER VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS.
OF TEN SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS, THREE ARE CONCERNED WITH THE PROVISION OF INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT FACILITIES:
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, OF A PRECISION METAL WORKING INSTITUTE AND OF A COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE.
THE REPORT +STUDY OF THE HONG KONG ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY* WAS PREPARED BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE. IT IS ON SALE AT $26 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, WHICH IS CHAIRED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, DECIDED, AT ITS MEETING ON MARCH 30, TO CONSULT THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY AND MAJOR TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STUDY, AND ON THE FINDINGS OF AN AD HOC WORKING GROUP PREVIOUSLY APPOINTED BY THE BOARD TO CONSIDER IT.
THE WORKING GROUP SUPPORTED, IN PRINCIPLE, THE RECOMMENDATIONS BUT FELT THAT THE COMPUTER PROPOSAL SHOULD BE PURSUED IN THE CONTEXT OF AN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION PROPOSAL SEPARATELY PREPARED BY HKPC.
THE WORKING GROUP ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE FUNDING OF THE ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AND THE PRECISION METAL WORKING INSTITUTE COULD BE DONE ON THE BASIS OF AN AD VALOREM LEVY ON ELECTRONICS EXPORTS WHICH COULD BE AT A RATE OF 0.03 PER CENT -AS IN THE CASE OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING LEVY.
THE VIEWS OF THE INDUSTRY ON THESE PROPOSALS ARE BEING SOUGHT. THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAS FORWARDED COPIES OF BOTH REPORTS TO ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED FOR THEIR COMMENTS. THE ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS, WITHIN THREE MONTHS TO THE BOARD’S SECRETARIAT.
(THE WORKING GROUP’S REPORT IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE. REQUESTS FOR COPIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE IDB SECRETARIAT, C/0 INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, 14/F., OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.)
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO FORWARD ANY COMMENTS THEY MAY HAVE ON THE TWO REPORTS AND THE PROPOSED LEVY TO THE IDB SECRETARIAT AT THE SAME ADDRESS BEFORE JULY 16, 1984.
0
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1984
- 5 -
FEBRUARY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND ORDERS-ON-HAND * * * *
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND (IN TERMS OF MONTHS) IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS A WHOLE REMAINED STABLE AT A HIGH LEVEL IN FEBRUARY 1984, ACCORDING TO THE MONTHLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.
SOME INCREASES WERE REPORTED BY RESPONDENTS IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, TEXTILES AND THE ’OTHERS’ CATEGORY OF INDUSTRIES.
THE ORDERS POSITION OF THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY SHOWED NO CHANGE, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH. HOWEVER, A SLIGHT DECLINE IN THE VOLUME OF ORDERS WAS RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY.
THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN MOST OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED EITHER STABILISED OR DECLINED SLIGHTLY AS SOME WORKERS LEFT THEIR JOBS AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE EXCEPTION WAS THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY WHERE EMPLOYMENT SHOWED A SLIGHT INCREASE.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE SERVICES SECTOR SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE FROM THE PREVIOUS MONTH, APART FROM A SMALL DECLINE RECORDED IN HOTELS.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES INCREASED SLIGHTLY AS A FEW FIRMS STARTED SOME NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
SUBSTANTIAL DECREASES IN BOTH PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH WERE REPORTED BY ALL THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED, DUE TO THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND DOUBLE PAY IN JANUARY.
PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION SECTORS ALSO DECREASED FOR THE SAME REASON.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS ARE SHOWN IN THE ACCOMPANYING TABLES.
THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICES SECTORS CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT IN MARCH 1983.
AS THE SAMPLE WAS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, IT 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 WILL SOON BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, AT $1.5 PER COPY.
/ENQUIRIES ON .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, I98A
6
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 3-7212832.
A.
ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING
(PERCENTAGE CHANGE OVER
THE
PRECEDING MONTH)
INDUSTRY
DEC 1983
JAN
1984
FEB 1984
ORDERS-ON-HAND ( IN TERMS OF MONTHS) FOR FEBRUARY 1984
WEARING APPAREL
EXCEPT FOOTWEAR
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL
PLASTIC PRODUCTS
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC . PRODUCTS
OTHERS
ALL ABOVE INDUSTRIES
EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS
3
5
2
3
1
1
2
-1
-1
4.98
*
2
2.60
1
2
3
1
*
*
2
1
*
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
3.89
3.37
5.45
4.21
4.56
ENGAGED
BY
PERSONS
THE COMPANIES SURVEYED
(PERCENTAGE CHANGE OVER THE PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR FEB 1984 (HKS)
INDUSTRY/SERVICE PRECEDING MONTH) DEC 1983 JAN 1984 FEB 1984
DEC 1983 JAN 1984 FEB 1984
MANUFACTURING K 1 1 1 »-» 1 -1 8 37 -29 2 523
FOOD AND DRINKS X 24 18 -28 3 311
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR * -1 * 9 22 -27 2 146
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL * -1 * 14 43 -40 2 401
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -2 1 2 47 -34 2 203
/FABRICATED METAL
WEDNESDAY, APRIL
18, 1984
7
FABRICATED METAL -1 4 47 -33 2 097
PRODUCTS 1 -1
ELECTRICAL ELECTRONIC AND PRODUCTS -1 -1 -2 4 43 -29 2 405
OTHERS * * * 7 40 -26 3 607
CONSTRUCTION ** -1 -1 1 8 21 -26 3 711
SERVICES * * K 28 26 -34 4 618
BANKS * * * 69 -6 -35 4 128
HOTELS * -1 -1 28 38 -37 3 172
PUBLIC UTILITIES * * * 10 45 -35 4 524
OTHERS * * * 23 33 -30 6 131
CENT
* CHANGES WITHIN
M* PERSONS ENGAGED
COVER COMPANY
EMPLOYEES
EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY 'SUB-CONTRACTORS
ONLY; SITE WORKERS NOT INCLUDED.
- - 0 - -
MP VISITS SHA TIN
M * * *
A VISITING MEMBER OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT, MR JOHN COPE SPENT THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON IN SHA TIN TO SEE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
HE ALSO HAD A MEETING WITH SEVEN MEMBERS FROM THE SHA TIN KWUN TONG AND WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARDS.
MR COPE WAS BRIEFED ON DEVELOPMENTS IN VARIOUS NEW TOWNS BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON
HE THEN WENT TO THE LIONS PAVILION FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF SHA TIN AND A BRIEFING ON THE DISTRICT BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, FR DONALD TSANG.
MR COPE WAS TOLD THAT ABOUT 23 PER CENT OF SHA TIN’S TOTAL AREA OF 800 HECTARES WERE USED FOR HOUSING, AND THAT MOST OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WERE BUILT ON RECLAIMED SITES.
AFTER A VISIT TO LUNG HANG ESTATE, MR COPE RETURNED TO THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND MET THE BOARD MEMBERS.
THE MEMBERS WERE MR LAM HUNG-CHUI, MISS FANNY CHEUNG, ROGER LAU AND MR YEUNG SUI-WAH OF SHA TIN! MR TSOI LOK-KEUNG AND MR CHENG KWAN-SUEN OF KWUN TONG » AND MR LI SZE-BAY OF WONG TAI SIN.
— o -
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1984
8 -
THREE CROWN SITES SOLD
* * * *
A SITE AT ABERDEEN WAS SOLD FOR MORE THAN DOUBLE ITS OPENING BID OF $25 MILLION AT AN AUCTION AT THE ARTS CENTRE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT WAS ONE OF THREE CROWN LAND SITES WHICH PRODUCED $88.85 MILLION IN REVENUE.
THE ABERDEEN SITE, WHICH IS FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL DEVELOPMENT, MEASURES 1 579 SQUARE METRES AND WAS SOLD TO KIN FUNG GARMENTS AND INVESTMENT LIMITED AT $56 MILLION ($35 465.48 PER SQUARE NETRE).
UNDER SALES CONDITIONS, THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO BUILD A POST OFFICE AND A MULTI-STOREY CARPARK IN THE DEVELOPMENT.
THE BUILDING COVENANT FOR THE SITE IS $26 MILLION, TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE JUNE 30, 1988.
THE SECOND SITE, LOCATED IN SHA TIN, IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
IT WAS PURCHASED BY KWAN CHUN AT $850 000 ($581.39 PER SQUARE t€TRE). BIDDING OPENED AT-$550 000.
THE SITE MEASURES 1 462 SQUARE METRES AND CARRIES A BUILDING COVENANT OF $1.4 MILLION TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN 36 MONTHS.
AN INDUSTRIAL AND GODOWN SITE OF 3 690 SQUARE METRES, AT KUT SHING STREET, CHAI WAN, WAS SOLD FOR $32 MILLION ($8 672.09 PER SQUARE METRE) TO SPRADO COMPANY LIMITED.
BIDDING OPENED AT $20 MILLION.
THE BUILDING COVENANT, TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE JUNE 30, 1988, IS $38 MILLION.
COMMENTING ON THE SALE, THE AUCTIONEER, GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR C.M. MO, SAID HE WAS VERY SATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS.
------0-------
GERMAN GROUP VISITS AIRPORT * * * *
A 17-MEMBER DELEGATION FROM THE TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE NORTHRHINE WESTPHALIAN PROVINCIAL DIET, DUSSELDORF, MADE A STUDY TOUR OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TODAY.
THE GROUP CAME HERE SPECIALLY TO SEE THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE AIRPORT, WHICH IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST IN THE REGION.
FOLLOWING A BRIEFING BY MR W.C. HUTCHINGS, DEPUTY AIRPORT GENERAL MANAGER, THE DELEGATES TOOK A CLOSE LOOK AT THE PASSENGER FACILITIES, PROCESSING AND BAGGAGE HANDLING, AS WELL AS CONTROL TOWER AND CONTROL CENTRE OPERATIONS.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1984
- 9 -
NOTE TO EDITORS:
LADY HOWE TO VISIT COMMUNITY CENTRE
* * *
LADY HOWE AND LADY YOUDE WILL VISIT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) MORNING.
THEY WILL SEE THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, INCLUDING A CLUB FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS, A NURSERY AND A SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY.
THEY WILL ALSO VISIT THE GROUP WORK UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AND THEN DROP IN TO SEE CHILDREN AT AN EASTER PARTY AND A COOKING CLASS FOR WOMEN.
LADY HOWE AND LADY YOUDE WILL ARRIVE AT THE COMMUNITY
CENTRE AT 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, YAU MA TEI, AT 10 AM TOMORROW.
THEY WILL BE MET BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, ^S ANSON CHAN, THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (WEST KOWLOON), W ALEXANDER FUNG, AND THE WARDEN OF THE CENTRE, MISS CHUNG WOON-CHEUNG.
THE VISIT IS EXPECTED TO END AT ABOUT 12 NOON.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE VISIT.
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TWO SITES FOR RENT
* X * *
TWO PIECES OF CROWN LAND ARE BEING OFFERED ON SHORT TERM TENANCIES BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE LARGER OF THE SITES, MEASURING 7 494 SQUARE METRES, IS IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
IT IS TO BE USED FOR PARKING GOODS VEHICLES, INCLUDING MINOR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE, OR FOR OPEN STORAGE OF GOODS.
THE OTHER SITE IS AT KWEI CHOW STREET, TO KWA WAN.
IT HAS AN AREA OF 1 700 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR STORAGE OF GOODS AND VEHICLES, BUT EXCLUDING CEMENT, SAND AND AGGREGATE.
THE INITIAL TENANCY FOR THE SHA TIN SITE IS THREE YEARS AND FOR THE KOWLOON SITE ONE YEAR. BOTH CAN BE RENEWED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
/TENDERS FOR .......
10
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1984
TENDERS FOR THE TWO SITES SHOULD BE SENT IN BY MAY 4.
FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT:
*
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG ;
*
DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
*
DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN FOR THE SHA TIN SITE. TENDER
PLANS
CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE ABOVE LOCATIONS.
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BONSAI SHOW FEATURES 400 EXHIBITS *****
A 12-DAY OPEN AT CHING
BONSAI SHOW, FEATURING MORE THAN 400 EXHIBITS, WILL CHUNG KOON IN TUEN MUN FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
the EXHIBITS WILL INCLUDE a VARIETY OF RARE AND VALUABLE MINIATURE TREES AND POTTED PLANTS COLLECTED BY THE KOON, A TAOIST ORGANISATION.
WINNING ENTRIES OF A BONSAI COMPETITION HELD RECENTLY FOR LOCAL STUDENTS AND THE PUBLIC WILL ALSO BE ON DISPLAY.
tuc AkiMHAi SHOW IN ITS FIFTH YEAR, IS ORGANISED BY CHING CHUNG KOON AND’IS JO’INTLY SPONSORED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON, WILL OFFICIATE AT AN OPENING CEREMONY AT 10 AM TOMORROW.
ALSO PRESENT WILL BE THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RICKY FUNG THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, m? YIP SHUI-MING THE STAFF OFFICER (GARDENS) OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTM^NK MR FARLEY MA, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHOW’S
MR HAU BO-WUN.
THE SHOW WILL BE IS FREE.
OPEN DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM. ADMISSION
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ’84 BONSAI SHOW AT 10 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT CHING CHUNG KOON, KEI LUN WAI IN TUEN MUN.
- C -
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1984
11
EASTER FAIR AT PARKING LOT M * * *
A TOTAL OF 178 PARKING SPACES AT MURRAY BARRACKS OPEN-AIR CAR PARK WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 20) TO 8 AM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 22) TO ALLOW AN EASTER FAIR TO BE HELD.
UNDERPASS MAINTENANCE * * * *
THE UNDERPASS AT KWUN TONG MTR DEPOT WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY (APRIL 20 AND 21), TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VALUABLE DISCUSSIONS, SAYS FOREIGN SECRETARY ................. 1
SHA TIN GROWTH SEEN AS 'TRIBUTE TO HK ENTERPRISE’ ............ 1
SIR GEOFFREY VISITS WO CHE ESTATE............................. 2
MORE CONTROL OVER BUS SERVICES PROPOSED........................ 3
TRAFFIC HERE SURPRISES UK TRANSPORT CHIEF .................... 4
FURTHER STEP TO IMPROVE NULLAH WATER.......................... 5
TRADE, INDUSTRY CHIEF ON VISITS .............................. 5
WARNING ABOUT ENDANGERED SPECIES.............................. 6
MAXICAB HOTLINE SERVICE....................................... 7
NURSING DIPLOMA COURSE - 'A MILESTONE' ....................... 7
TAOIST GROUP PRAISED FOR ’WORK................................ 8
WATER STREET TO BE RECONSTRUCTED.............................. 8
KOWLOON STATION PODIUM TO BE EXTENDED......................... 9
EASTER TREAT FOR 2 500 ....................................... 10
BADMINTON UMPIRING COURSE..................................... 10
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR WAN CHAI FOOTBRIDGE WORK..................... 11
HOLIDAY NEWS SERVICE.......................................... 11
THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1934
- 1 -
VALUABLE DISCUSSIONS, SAYS FOREIGN SECRETARY * * * *
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, TODAY HAD A ♦ VERY VALUABLE AND COMPREHENSIVE+ DISCUSSION WITH MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
SPEAKING AFTER MEETING WITH EXCO SIR GEOFFREY SAID! ♦ALTHOUGH THIS IS THE FIRST MEETING I HAVE HAD WITH EXCO HERE IN HONG KONG, IT IS IN FACT THE FIFTH MEETING I HAVE HAD WITH THEM IN THE COURSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE.
♦THIS MORNING WE HAVE HAD A VERY VALUABLE AND COMPREHENSIVE DISCUSSION. IT FORMS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CONTINUING PROCESS OF CONSULTATION IN WHICH I AM, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, ENGAGED.*
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SHA TIN GROWTH SEEN AS ’TRIBUTE TO HK ENTERPRISE’
* * * *
THE TREMENDOUS DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN IS A REAL TRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS AND ENTERPRISE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
♦THIS WOULD BE IMPRESSIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,* HE TOLD REPORTERS AFTER A TOUR OF WO CHE ESTATE IN SHA TIN.
+THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE ARE SO CONCERNED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ENSURE THE PROSPECT OF CONTINUED STABILITY AND PROSPERITY FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
SIR GEOFFREY SAID HIS FIRST VISIT TO HONG KONG WITH LADY HOWE WAS IN 1973 AND THAT SHA TIN HAD NOT BEEN STARTED AT THAT TIME.
NOW IT IS A TOWN WHICH PROVIDES HOMES FOR 300 000 PEOPLE WITH A MARVELLOUS SELECTION OF SHOPS, SCHOOLS AND FACILITIES, HE SAID.
♦WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE A CHANCE OF SEEING IT TODAY. MY WIFE TOO HAS BEEN VERY PLEASED TO HAVE A CHANCE OF SEEING AROUND,♦ HE SAID.
THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1984
2
SIR GEOFFREY VISITS WO CHE ESTATE
M M M M
DURING HIS VISIT TO WO CHE ESTATE IN SHA TIN THIS AFTERNOON, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, TOURED THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE AND VISITED A FAMILY.
HE WAS GREETED ON ARRIVAL BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, W DAVID FORD.
A SELF-CONTAINED ENTITY COMPLETED IN 1979, WO CHE WAS THE SECOND OF NINE PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING ESTATES TO OPEN IN SHA TIN, WITH 6 075 FLATS ON 12 BLOCKS ACCOMMODATING MORE THAN 32 700 PEOPLE.
SIR GEOFFREY NEXT VISITED THE FAMILY OF MR YEUNG LAU-MAN, A HAWKER WHO LIVES WITH HIS WIFE, SIX DAUGHTERS AND A SON IN A 52.2 SQUARE-METRE FLAT ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF HIP WO HOUSE.
HE CHATTED WITH MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY WHO HAD MOVED FROM THE LOWER NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE UNDER THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S RELIEF-OF-OVERCROWD I NG SCHEME FOUR YEARS AGO.
SIR GEOFFREY FIRST INSPECTED AN EXHIBITION ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE WHERE MR FORD EXPLAINED THE FEATURES AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE POPULAR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
SIR GEOFFREY THEN TOOK A WALK THROUGH THE MODERN COMMERCIAL CENTRE WHERE SHOPS OF VARIOUS TRADES CATERED FOR THE NEEDS OF THE ESTATE COMMUNITY.
EARLIER IN THE AFTERNOON, SIR GEOFFREY TOURED SHA TIN FOR A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE NEW TOWN’S DEVELOPMENT.
HE ALSO MET FOUR UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD.
-ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MS- DAVID AKERS-JONES, SIR GEOFFREY FIRST ARRIVED AT THE LIONS PAVILION WHERE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DONALD TSANG, BRIEFED HIM ON THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN.
THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT, MR BRYAN O’RORKE, AND THE PROJECT MANAGER OF SHA TIN, MR C.K. CHOW, WERE ALSO ON HAND TO TALK ABOUT DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS IN THE NEW TOWN AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
SIR GEOFFREY THEN HAD A BRIEF SESSION WITH FOUR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MR WAI HON-LEUNG, MR NG CHAN-LAM, MR CHOY KAN-PUI AND MRS CHAN LO YIN-BING.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1984
3
MORE CONTROL OVER BUS SERVICES PROPOSED
M * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS SEEKING TO AMEND THE PUBLIC OMNIBUS SERVICES ORDINANCE TO IMPROVE ITS CONTROL OVER THE OPERATION AND PLANNING OF FRANCHISED BUS SERVICES.
THESE AMENDMENTS WOULD PROVIDE THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN THE STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE OF THE TWO FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT ONE OF THE MAJOR PROPOSALS, UNDER THE AMENDMENT BILL PUBLISHED TODAY, IS A CLEARER DEFINITION OF A +PROPER AND EFFICIENT BUS SERVICE*. WHICH WILL ALLOW BETTER SUPERVISION OVER THE OPERATIONS OF A FRANCHISE GRANTEE AND ENABLE WARNING SIGNS OF LIKELY FAILINGS TO BE IDENTIFIED AT AN EARLY STAGE SO THAT REMEDIAL ACTION CAN BE TAKEN IN GOOD TIME.
UNDER THIS DEFINITION, THE BUS SERVICE HAS TO BE PROVIDED NOT ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FRANCHISE AND THE ORDINANCE AND ANY DIRECTIONS OR REQUIREMENTS UNDER THEM, IT HAS ALSO TO BE MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PROGRAMME AGREED BETWEEN THE GRANTEE AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
IN ORDER THAT PLANNING MAY ROLL FORWARD, THE GRANTEE WILL HAVE TO PREPARE A FIVE-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME EACH YEAR. I MAY BE REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING ACCORDING TO THIS PROGRAMME AND IT WILL HAVE TO KEEP RECORDS OF BUS ORDERS AND EXPECTED AVAILABLE DATES SO THAT ITS ABILITY TO hEET FUTURE ROUTE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE ASSESSED.
THE GOVERNMENT’S SUPERVISION OVER THE ADEQUACY OF BUSES WILL ALSO BE ENHANCED BY PROVISIONS TO COVER THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW OR TEMPORARY ROUTES OR TEMPORARY CHANGES TO EXISTING SERVICES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
UNDER THESE PROVISIONS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL HAVE TO BE SATISFIED THAT THE GRANTEE HAS ADEQUATE BUSES FOR THE NEW OR TEMPORARY ROUTE AND STILL PROVIDE A PROPER AND EFFICIENT SERVICE ON ALL EXISTING ROUTES BEFORE THE ROUTE IS INTRODUCED.
ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT PROPOSED BY THE BILL CLARIFIES THAT FRANCHISES ARE SUBJECT TO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE AS WELL AS TO ITS AMENDMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS CLARIFICATION IS REQUIRED BECAUSE THE FRANCHISES GRANTED TO THE TWO BUS COMPANIES REFER SPECIFICALLY TO THE PUBLIC OMNIBUS SERVICES ORDINANCE 1975 INTERPRETED AS EXEMPTING THEM FROM ANY SUBSEQUENT
AND THIS MIGHT BE AMENDMENTS TO THE
ORDINANCE
BEFORE EXTENDING A FRANCHISE, THE GOVERNOR IN TO BE SATISFIED THAT THE GRANTEE IS CAPABLE OF
FURTHERMORE, COUNCIL WILL HAVE ________________
MAINTAINING A PROPER AND EFFICIENT SERVICE, BUT WILL NO LONGER REQUIRE IT TO HAVE MAINTAINED SUCH A SERVICE THROUGHOUT THE
FRANCHISE PERIOD
AIT WOULD
.ttuHSDAY, AP8IL 19, 1984
♦IT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE THAT AN APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION SHOULD BE ASSESSED ON THE GRANTEE’S CURRENT PERFORMANCE AND FUTURE CAPABILITY RATHER THAN ITS HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT UNDER ANOTHER PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS, CERTAIN BUS SERVICES WHICH COMPLEMENT RATHER THAN COMPETE WITH T.<E FRANCHISED SERVICES WILL BE EXEMPT FROM CONTROL UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND INSTEAD BE SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS AS TO THE TYPE OF PASSENGERS TO BE CARRIED, THE LOCATIONS TO BE SERVED AND THE SYSTEM OF CHARGING TO BE ADOPTED.
THESE ARE ’RESIDENTS’ SERVICE’, NORMALLY A ROUTE DESIGNED TO SERVE A PARTICULAR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT? ’INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER SERVICE’, WHICH COVERS AIRPORT AND HOTEL SERVICES, CROSS-BORDER SERVICES, AND SERVICES TO MAJOR RAILWAY STATIONS AND FERRY TERMINALS? 1ND ’MULTIPLE TRANSPORT SERVICE’, WHICH IS ONE WHERE A SINGLE FARE WOULD BE PAYABLE FOR A JOURNEY ON MORE THAN ONE MODE OF TRANSPORT.
THE PUBLIC OMNIBUS SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 2 AND IS EXPECTED ID COMPLETE ITS THIRD READING ON MAY 16.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO, COMMENT ON ITS PROVISIONS MAY WRITE TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, AT ST JOHN’S BUILDING, 8TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
TRAFFIC HERE SURPRISES UK TRANSPORT CHIEF X X X X X
MR DAVID MITCHELL, PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT, TODAY (THURSDAY) MET SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING THE COMMISSIONER, MR JAMES SO.
DURING THE MEETING, MR SO BRIEFED MR MITCHELL ON HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT SYSTEM.
MR MITCHELL EXPRESSED SURPRISE AT THE INTENSITY OF TRAFFIC AND THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS CARRIED BY THE HIGHLY INTEGRATED MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN THE TERRITORY.
EARLIER, ACCOMPANIED BY MRS DOROTHY CHAN, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR MITCHELL WAS GIVEN A CONDUCTED TOUR OF ABERDEEN TUNNEL, THE CENTRAL BUS STATION AND THE HONG KONG YAUMATEI FERRY PIERS.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1984
- 5 -
FURTHER STEP TO IMPROVE NULLAH WATER
* * * *
GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY AT KAI TAK NULLAH HAVE TAKEN A STEP FORWARD WITH THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO BUILD A BOX CULVERT AT KWUN TONG ROAD.
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED THE Si.4 MILLION CONTRACT TO GAR WING HUNG KEE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY TO CARRY OUT THE WORK.
THE 50-METRE LONG BOX CULVERT WILL BE LAID ACROSS JORDAN NULLAH, BETWEEN CHOI HUNG, WONG TAI SIN AND TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATES AND KWUN TONG.
WORK ON THE PROJECT COMMENCED THIS WEEK AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN ONE YEAR.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE BOX CULVERT FORMS PART OF STAGE I OF IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT THE NULLAH.
THIS STAGE CONSISTS OF MODIFYING THE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS IN SOME OF THE OLD RESETTLEMENT ESTATES UPSTREAM OF KAI TAK NULLAH AND DIVERTING THE POLLUTED FLOW FROM THE NULLAH TO THE PROPER SEWERAGE SYSTEM.
THIS STAGE IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY MID-1985.
WORK IN THE SECOND STAGE INVOLVES DREDGING ORGANIC SEDIMENT WHICH HAS ACCUMULATED AT KOWLOON BAY TYPHOON SHELTER AND INSTALLING OXYGEN-INJECT I ON EQUIPMENT NEAR THE OUTFALL FROM KAI TAK NULLAH TO INCREASE THE OXYGEN CONTENT OF THE WATER.
DREDGING WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND THE OXYGEN INJECTION EQUIPMENT WILL BE INSTALLED TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE SECOND STAGE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1986.
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TRADE, INDUSTRY CHIEF ON VISITS
XXX
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON SUNDAY (APRIL 22) ON A PROGRAMME OF VISITS TO EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES.
HE WILL VISIT THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO BEFORE PROCEEDING TO NEW YORK. WHERE HE WILL VISIT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN NEW YORK. WHILE IN WASHINGTON, MR HO WILL MEET SENIOR U.S. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
/he will .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1984
6
HE WILL THEN FLY TO LONDON FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICIALS AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENTS OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
AT THE END OF MAY, MR HO WILL MAKE A TWO-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO VIENNA, AT THE INVITATION OF AUSTRIAN VICE-CHANCELLOR AND FEDERAL MINISTER OF TRADE, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, DR NORBERT STEGER, WHO VISITED HONG KONG IN 1983.
DURING MR HO’S ABSENCE, MR JOHN YAXLEY, DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, WILL BE ACTING AS THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
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WARNING ABOUT ENDANGERED SPECIES
* * * *
RESIDENTS VISITING NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS ARE REMINDED NOT TO BRING BACK ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS OR PLANTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID STUFFED SEA TURTLES AND CROCODILES AS WELL AS OWLS AND PANGOLINS ARE STILL BEING IMPORTED ILLEGALLY BY SOME RESIDENTS.
LAST YEAR MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED FOR ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF SPECIES OF ANIMALS OR PLANTS UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.
THIS ORDINANCE GIVES EFFECT TO THE CONVENTION ON THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES).
THE LAW PROVIDES FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 ON CONVICTION FOR FIRST OFFENCES, AND $10 000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENCES. THE ILLEGAL IMPORTS ARE GENERALLY CONFISCATED.
SUCH GOODS SEIZED LAST YEAR WERE VALUED AT SI.5 MILLION. AMONG THEM WERE 5 977 PIECES OF PYTHON SKINS, 25 STUFFED SEA TURTLES, FIVE LIVE OWLS, ONE LIVE SEA TURTLE AND 71 OUNCES OF AMERICAN GINSENG.
♦THERE HAS BEEN GROWING CONCERN WORLDWIDE OVER SOME SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS FACING THE DANGER OF EXTINCTION DUE TO POACHING AND LOSS OF HABITAT.
♦CONSERVATION THUS IS AN INTERNATIONALLY CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT.+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1904
7
MAXICAB HOTLINE SERVICE
* * * *
A TELEPHONE HOTLINE PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES MAX I CAB OPERATORS ASSOCIATION IS NOW IN SERVICE FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRIES.
THE HOTLINE OPERATES FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM, AND FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAY.
FOR ENQUIRIES CONCERNING MAXICAB ROUTES AND SERVICES, PLEASE CALL 3-2811160.
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NURSING DIPLOMA COURSE - ’A MILESTONE’ * * M
THE NEW DIPLOMA COURSE IN NURSING ADMINISTRATION DEVELOPED BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG’S EXTRA MURAL DEPARTMENT WAS A MILESTONE IN HEALTH CARE EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES (ADMINISTRATION), MR JOHN BAMFORTH, SAID TODAY.
OFFICIATING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE COURSE, MR BAMFORTH SAID IT WAS THE FIRST LOCALLY-DEVELOPED COURSE OF SUCH DEPTH AND SCOPE.
IT MARKED AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT IN THE PROVISION OF MANAGEMENT TRAINING BASED ON HIGH ACADEMIC PRINCIPLES AND STANDARDS. HE ADDED. '
THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY’S EXTRA MURAL DEPARTMENT, HE SAID, HAD RECOGNISED THE PROBLEMS AND THE NEED TO PROVIDE A COURSE OF HIGH STANDARD TO TRAIN NURSES IN MANAGEMENT THEORY AND PRACTICE.
MR BAMFORTH ALSO SAID THE NURSING PROFESSION WAS ALWAYS IN THE FOREFRONT OF THE BATTLE TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN HEALTH, AND WAS ONE OF THE MOST VISIBLE OF ALL THE PROFESSIONS DEVOTED TO HEALTH CARE.
THE THREE-TERM COURSE IS OFFERED ON A PART-TIME, DAYRELEASE BASIS OVER 18 MONTHS. IT HAS AN ENROLMENT OF 23 NURSES AND PARAMEDICS FROM VARIOUS MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
- - 0 ---------
/8 ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1984
8
TAOIST GROUP PRAISED * * * *
FOR WORK
TUEN MUN RESIDENTS OWED A DEBT OF
______________________________________ GRATITUDE TO THE CHING CHUNG KOON’S BENEFACTORS FOR THEIR GENEROSITY IN MANY FIELDS, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON SAID THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
HE NOTED THAT THE KOON, A TAOIST ORGANISATION IN TUEN MUN WAS PLANNING TO BUILD A PRIMARY SCHOOL LATER THIS YEAR AND A FOLKLORE MUSEUM IN 1986.
♦FROM A TRADITIONAL PROVIDER Ofir SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, THE KOON HAS BRANCHED OFF OVER THE YEARS INTO A CORPORATE BODY PROVIDING AT PRESENT TWO MUCH-NEEDED KINDERGARTENS AND TWO MEDICAL CLINICS ON TOP OF THE TWO HOMES FOR THE AGED IN THE OPERATION OF WHICH THE KOON EXCELS,♦ HE SAID.
MR MACPHERSON WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 12-DAY BONSAI SHOW AT CHING CHUNG KOON IN TUEN MUN.
♦CHING CHUNG KOON IS PARTICULARLY COMMENDED FOR ITS CONTINUING ENDEAVOUR AND SUPPORT WITHOUT WHICH THIS SHOW, NOW RUNNING INTO ITS FIFTH YEAR, WOULD NOT HAVE BECOME SUCH AN IMPORTANT EVENT IN TUEN MUN’S CALENDAR OF ANNUAL FESTIVITIES,+ HE SAID.
♦FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE SUBJECT EVERY DAY TO THE RUSH AND COMMERCIAL HUSTLE OF CITY
LIFE, THIS SHOW OFFERS AN EXCELLENT
PLACE TO HIDE AWAY FOR A WHILE, TO RELAX AND ENJOY OURSELVES.
♦IN HONG KONG WHERE SO MANY OF US LIVE IN SUCH VERY CROWDED CONDITIONS, BONSAI AND THE KEEPING OF HOUSE PLANTS ARE PARTICULARLY WORTH PURSUING AS AN INEXPENSIVE PASTIME TO BEAUTIFY AND BRIGHTEN UP OUR LIVING ENVIRONMENT.♦
THERE ARE MORE THAN AOO EXHIBITS AT THE SHOW.INCLUDINGA VARIETY OF RARE AND VALUABLE MINIATURE TREES *NJPOJJED'’LANTS COLLECTED BY THE KOON AND WINNING ENTRIES OF A BONSAI COMPETITION.
THE SHOW
IS OPEN DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
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WATER STREET TO BE RECONSTRUCTED * * X M *
A SECTION ROAD WEST WILL
OF WATER STREET BETWEEN THIRD STREET AND CONNAUGHT
BE RECONSTRUCTED TO
TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE AREA.
RELIEVE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN
WORK WILL START IN AUGUST AND IT WILL INCLUDE WIDENING A SECTION
TAKE 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE. OF THE FOOTPATH FOR EXISTING
COOKED FOOD STORES, SO THAT A TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY CAN BE PROVIDED.
THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1984
9
AFTER THE WORK, THE SECTION OF CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN THIRD STREET AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE 7.3 METRES WIDE AND THE SECTION BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST AND CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST 10.3 METRES WIDE.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THESE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD. AND PLACED IN THE SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE 12 NOON ON FRIDAY, MAY 11.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER, HIGHWAYS OFFICE (HK)
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 9TH FLOOR, HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
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KOWLOON STATION PODIUM TO BE * X X *
THE PODIUM AT KOWLOON STATION IS TO BE TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE FACILITIES.
CENTRE
ENGINEERING 500 HENNESSY
EXTENDED
EXTENDED TO ENHANCE ITS
TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR THE EXTENSION -INVOLVING CONSTRUCTION OF CAISSONS TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED GROUND BEAMS AND CAISSON CAPS - ARE BEING INVITED BY THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED IN 12 MONTHS.
OTHER WORK WILL INCLUDE RE-LAYING 1 600 METRES OF TRACK AT THE STATION’S GOODS YARD.
TENDERS FOR BUILDING THE SUPERSTRUCTURE OF THE EXTENSION WILL TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE, ARE TO BE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
WHICH
CALLED FOR IN THE
THE AREA OF THE PODIUM WILL BE INCREASED BY ABOUT 6.5 HECTARES AT THE COMPLETION OF WORK.
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ONE HECTARE TO
THURSDAY, APRIL 19,' 1984
10
NOTE TO EDITORS I
EASTER TREAT FOR K K # K
2 500
500 RESIDENTS OF WALDORF (FRIDAY).
AN EASTER CARNIVAL FOR MORE THAN 2 GARDEN IN TUEN MUN WILL BE HELD TOMORROW
THE THREE-HOUR PROGRAMME, STARTING AT 1 PM AT THE OPEN SPACE OF THE GARDEN WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCE BY TELEVISION ARTISTES, LION DANCE, MAGIC, ACROBATICS, SINGING, STALL-GAMES, A VARIETY SHOW AND A LUCKY DRAW.
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RICKY FUNG J DISTRICT COMMANDER (TUEN MUN), MR MARTIN BROWN? THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF GUARDIAN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LIMITED, MR DAVID THOMAS? AND A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR WONG HOK-Y^E WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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BADMINTON UMPIRING COURSE MM*
A SIX-SESSION TRAINING COURSE ON THE UMPIRING OF BADMINTON GAMES WILL START ON MAY 18.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG BADMINTON ASSOCIATION, THE COURSE WILL BE HELD AT THE MEI WAN SPORTS CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN ON TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS FROM 7.30 PM TO 9.30 PM.
APPLICANTS MUST BE OVER 18 YEARS OLD. THE ENTRY FEE IS |20 EACH.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE RSS OFFICE IN WING ON CENTRE, CENTRAL, AND FROM THE BADMINTON ASSOCIATION’S OFFICE IN QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1984
11
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR WAN CHAI FOOTBRIDGE WORK ft ft ft ft
TRAFFIC CHANGES WILL BE IN FORCE IN WAN CHAI FROM MIDNIGHT TOMORROW (APRIL 20) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WORK ON A FOOTBRIDGE. THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE I
ft THE JUNCTION OF FLEMING ROAD WITH THE UNNAMED ROAD IN FRONT OF THE CHINA RESOURCES BUILDING WILL BE CLOSED.
ft THE SAME UNNAMED ROAD BETWEEN THE CAR PARK ENTRANCE OF THE CHINA RESOURCES BUILDING AND HARBOUR ROAD WILL BE REROUTED IWO WAYS.
ft VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM HARBOUR ROAD INTO TONNOCHY ROAD.
DURING THE CLOSURE, SOUTHERN VEHICLES FROM THE NORTHERN END OF FLEMING ROAD SHOULD USE HARBOUR ROAD AND TONNOCHY ROAD TO ENTER GLOUCESTER ROAD.
THE MEASURES WILL BE REPEATED ON THE NIGHTS OF APRIL 21, 22 AND 23. -------------------------------o--------
NOTE TO EDITORSi
HOLIDAY NEWS SERVICE ft ft ft ft
THE DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS — FROM APRIL 20 TO 23.
HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE NO INTERRUPTION OF THE DAILY NEWS SERVICE, WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO BE TRANSMITTED AS USUAL BY TELEPRINTER AND FACSIMILE NETWORK THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAYS.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN—SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE HONG KONG TEL 5 233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1984
SECRETARY OF STATE MEETS PRESS
*****
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 CHAMBERS TODAY (FRIDAY):
SIR GEOFFREY:
♦AS YOU KNOW, I HAVE JUST COME FROM THREE DAYS OF MEETINGS WITH CHINESE LEADERS IN PEKING. I SPENT MOST OF MY TIME THERE IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. BEFORE ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS, I SHOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE WAY IN WHICH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS APPROACHING THESE IMPORTANT NEGOTIATIONS.
♦LET ME SAY, RIGHT AT THE START, THAT I AM VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS AND ANXIETIES FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHICH ARISE FROM THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE NEGOTIATIONS I GREATLY APPRECIATE THE PATIENCE WHICH THEY HAVE SHOWN. THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE STILL IN PROGRESS. AND CONFIDENTIALITY IS IMPORTANT FOR THEIR SUCCESS. SO I DO NOT PROPOSE TODAY TO GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT WHAT IS BEING DISCUSSED. A NUMBER CF IMPORTANT POINTS STILL HAVE TO BE SETTLED. BUT I SHOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU HOW I SEE THE SITUATION AND THE LIKELY WAY AHEAD.
♦FORMAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WERE STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 1982, WHEN THE PRIME MINISTER VISITED PEKING. WE THEN AGREED WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO ENTER INTO TALKS THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS, WITH THE COMMON AIM OF MAINTAINING THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG. WHEN WE STARTED THOSE TALKS, IT WAS OUR INTENTION TO REMOVE THE UNCERTAINTY OVER THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY. THAT REMAINS OUR INTENTION. THE UNCERTAINTY ARISES FROM THE FACT THAT THE LEASE ON 92 PERCENT OF THE TERRITORY IS DUE TO EXPIRE IN 1997. IT WAS AND STILL IS OUR INTENTION TO WORK OUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE THAT WILL BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THE EXPIRY OF THE LEASE I S.A FACT WE COULD NOT AND CANNOT IGNORE.
Ai wAirr.............
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 19^
- 2 -
* 1 WANT TO EMPHASISE THAT THROUGHOUT THE TALKS WE HAVE KEPT IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE GOVERNOR AND WITH MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. THROUGH THEM, THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND THROUGH VISITS TO HONG KONG BY BRITISH MINISTERS (MOST RECENTLY BY MR. LUCE), WE HAVE KEPT IN TOUCH WITH A WIDE RANGE OF OPINION HERE. THE HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE BEEN VERY MUCH IN OUR MINDS. OUR CHIEF CONCERN HAS BEEN TO PRESERVE THE WAY OF LIFE OF HONG KONG, A WAY OF LIFE WHICH LIES AT THE HEART OF THE TERRITORY’S SUCCESS. WE KNOW THAT THE PRESERVATION OF THAT WAY OF LIFE DEPENDS UPON CONTINUITYi CONTINUITY IN THE ESSENTIALS OF THE LEGAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS, AND MAINTENANCE CF THE FREEDOMS THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG NOW ENJOY.
♦ I SPOKE ABOUT THIS IN A DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ONLY A FEW WEEKS AGO. I POINTED OUT THEN THAT CONTINUITY IN HONG KONG IS AT PRESENT ASSURED BY BRITISH ADMINISTRATION. THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS STILL HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT. BUT IT IS RIGHT FOR ME TO TELL YOU NOW THAT IT WOULD NOT BE REALISTIC TO THINK OF AN AGREEMENT THAT PROVIDES FOR CONTINUED BRITISH ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997. FOR THAT REASON, WE HAVE BEEN CONCENTRATING ON OTHER WAYS OF SECURING THE- ASSURANCES NECESSARY FOR THE CONTINUITY OF HONG KONG’S STABILITY, PROSPERITY AND WAY OF LIFE.
♦ I BELIEVE THERE IS A BASIS ON WHICH THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE MADE IT CLEAR PUBLICLY THAT THEY RECOGNISE THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG, AND THAT THEY WANT ITS SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS AND LIFESTYLE - IN MANY WAYS SO DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF MAINLAND CHINA - TO REMAIN UNCHANGED. WE SHARE WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE COMMON INTEREST IN THAT OBJECTIVE. OUR APPROACH TO THE TALKS HAS, THEREFORE, BEEN TO EXAMINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF CHINA HOW IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO ARRIVE AT ARRANGEMENTS THAT WOULD SECURE FOR HONG KONG, AFTER 1997, A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY UNDER CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY, AND THAT WOULD PRESERVE THE WAY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG, TOGETHER WITH THE ESSENTIALS OF THE PRESENT SYSTEMS.
♦ WITH THIS IN MIND, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVES ARE CLEARt A FRAMEWORK OF ARRANGEMENTS THAT WILL PROVIDE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG AS A FLOURISHING AND DYNAMIC SOCIETY; AND AN AGREEMENT IN WHICH THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE FORMALLY RECORDED.
/+ I 3ZLIEVE .......
PHLDAY, APRIL 20, 1984
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♦I BELIEVE THAT THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS SHARE A DESIRE TO SEE THE CONTINUATION IN HONG KONG OF A SOCIETY WHICH ENJOYS ITS OWN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS AND DISTINCT WAY OF LIFE, AND WHICH OFFERS A SERVICE TO THE WORLD AS AN INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL CENTRE. AGAINST THAT BACKGROUND, IT IS POSSIBLE TO FORESEE A SITUATION IN WHICH HONG KONG WOULD, AS PART OF CHINA, ENJOY A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY. IN SUCH A SITUATION THAT AUTONOMY WOULD EXTEND TO ADMINISTRATION, THE MAKING CF LAWS, THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG’S OWN FAMILIAR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE, AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC ORDER IN THE TERRITORY. UNDER SUCH ARRANGEMENTS, THE LAWS OF HONG KONG, INCLUDING THE WRITTEN AND COMMON LAW, WOULD BE BASED UPON THE PRESENT SYSTEM; EXISTING FREEDOMS WOULD BE MAINTAINED - FREEDOM FROM ARBITRARY ARREST, FREEDOM CF RELIGION, ASSEMBLY AND SPEECH, FREEDOM OF TRAVEL, AND FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. HONG KONG WOULD MANAGE ITS OWN PUBLIC FINANCES, WITHIN WHICH TAXES LEVIED IN HONG KONG WOULD, AS NOW, BE EMPLOYED IN HONG KONG FOR THE BENEFIT CF HONG KONG PEOPLE. AND, UNDER SUCH ARRANGEMENTS, HONG KONG’S EXTENSIVE AND DIRECT ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE WORLD WOULD CONTINUE. HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN AN IMPORTANT PARTICIPANT IN REGIONAL AND WORLD ECONOMIC ORGANISATIONS. AND THERE WOULD BE A PLACE FOR OUTSIDE PEOPLE, FROM BRITAIN AND ELSEWHERE, TO GO ON MAKING A CONTRIBUTION TO LIFE IN HONG KONG. HONG KONG WOULD MAINTAIN ITS CULTURAL LIFE AND LINKS WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD.
♦THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE MADE IT CLEAR PUBLICLY THAT THEY SEE THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG, AFTER 1997, AS BEING IN THE HANDS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE THEMSELVES. THIS WOULD FOLLOW A PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT WHICH I AM GLAD TO SAY IS ALREADY UNDER WAY, AND WHICH I EXPECT TO EVOLVE FURTHER. DURING THE YEARS IMMEDIATELY AHEAD, THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG WILL BE DEVELOPED ON INCREASINGLY REPRESENTATIVE LINES.
♦I RECOGNISE AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROSPECT OF CHANGE CAUSES REAL CONCERN. MY CONTACTS HERE IN THE LAST TWO DAYS HAVE BORNE THIS IN UPON ME VERY CLEARLY. IT IS NATURAL THAT PEOPLE ARE ANXIOUS TO KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE WILL HOLD. WE LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE AND TAKE FULL ACCOUNT OF THOSE VIEWS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS. MY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE LEADERS HAVE CONVINCED ME THAT THEY WANT THE HONG KONG SYSTEMS TO REMAIN FUNDAMENTALLY AS THEY ARE. WE HAVE STRESSED ALL ALONG THE NEED FOR FIRM ASSURANCE THAT ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG’S CONTINUING PROSPERITY AND STABILITY BASED ON EFFECTIVE AUTONOMY, WILL CONTINUE. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE MADE IT CLEAR PUBLICLY THAT THEY INTEND SUCH ARRANGEMENTS TO LAST FOR AT LEAST FIFTY YEARS FROM 1997. WE ARE WORKING FOR AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL ENSHRINE THAT PRINCIPLE OF CONTINUITY FOR THIS UNIQUE SOCIETY.
/+AS I .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1984
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♦AS I SAID, WE ARE STILL NEGOTIATING. SEVERAL POINTS OF SUBSTANCE REMAIN TO BE RESOLVED. I CANNOT ANTICIPATE THE DETAILS OF AN EVENTUAL AGREEMENT. WE ARE WORKING TO A PROGRAMME WHICH TAKES ACCOUNT BOTH OF CHINESE WISHES AND OF ALL OUR OWN REQUIREMENTS. THE AGREEMENT WHICH IS REACHED MUST BE SUCH THAT WE CAN COMMEND IT TO PARLIAMENT. I KNOW VERY WELL THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WILL NEED TO KNOW THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT AND HAVE TIME TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS. AND PARLIAMENT ITSELF WILL NEED TIME TO REFLECT AND TAKE ACCOUNT OF THOSE VIEWS.
♦LET ME THEN SUM UP. THESE ARE COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT NEGOTIATIONS. WE ARE STILL SOME WAY FROM AN AGREEMENT. BUT A GOOD DEAL OF PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE. AND THERE IS A WILL ON BOTH SIDES TO BRING OUR WORK TO FRUITION IN AN AGREEMENT, WHICH WILL ENSURE THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT, FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, THIS REMAINS A PRIME OBJECTIVE.♦
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS :
QI. RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG - STEVE JOHNSON
CAN THE FOREIGN SECRETARY GIVE ANY KIND OF GUARANTEE THAT WHATEVER IS EVENTUALLY WORKED OUT, AT PEKING, WILL ACTUALLY STICK, THAT IT WILL NOT BE RE-NEGOTIATED, AMENDED OR OVERTURNED, IF THERE IS A CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT, EITHER IN PEKING OR IN WESTMINSTER?
A. THE OBJECT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS AS I HAVE SAID, IS TO SECURE AGREEMENT OF A FRAMEWORK OF ARRANGEMENTS THAT WILL PROVIDE FOR WHAT WE WANT, THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG AS FLOURISHING AND DYNAMIC SOCIETY, AND FOR THOSE ARRANGEMENTS TO BE INCORPORATED IN AN AGREEMENT THAT IS FORMALLY RECORDED, AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO GOVERNMENTS OF CHINA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, WHICH WOULD THEREAFTER BE BINDING MUTUALLY UPON BOTH SIDES.
02. FAR EAST ECONOMIC REVIEW - PHILIP BOWRING DURING YOUR DISCUSSINGS IN PEKING, DID CHINA GIVE ANY INDICATION AT ALL THAT IT IS WILLING TO AGREE TO FORMAL DETAILED RECORDING OF THE ITEMS YOU MENTIONED IN PARAGRAPH 8, OF YOUR TEXT HERE, OR TO AGREE TO ANY COMMITMENT TO LINK THESE, OR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THESE, TO THE CONTINUATION OF THESE TO HONG KONG’S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS?
/A. I AK...........
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1984
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A. I AM NOT READY TO DISCLOSE THE CONTENT OF OUR DISCUSSIONS IN THE COURSE OF NEGOTIATIONS IN PEKING, BUT I HAVE, IN MY STATEMENT, SET OUT THE OBJECTIVES WHICH WE BELIEVE COULD, AND WE WANT TO, ACHIEVE UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS THAT WE HAVE IN MIND, AND THOSE DO, OF COURSE, INCLUDE CONTINUED PARTICIPATION OF HONG KONG IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE KIND YOU HAVE IN MIND.
03. DIANA LIN, ATV
IN RECENT YEARS THE HONG KONG GOVERAMENT HAS TAKEN IN MANY THOUSANDS OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES. BRITAIN AND OTHER COUNTRIES FELT A MORAL OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE PERMANENT HOMES FOR THESE PEOPLE WHO WERE FLEEING FROM COMMUNISM. WILL YOUR GOVERNMENT FEEL A SIMILAR OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE RE-SETTLEMENT FOR PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG, IF THEY DECIDE THAT THEY CANNOT STAY ON HERE UNDER A COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT?
A. OUR OBJECTIVES ARE TO SECURE AGREEMENT FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, WHICH TAKES ACCOUNT OF ALL THE OBJECTIVES THAT WE HAVE IN MIND; CONTINUED STABILITY AND PROSPERITY FOR THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG, AT LEAST FOR THE PERIOD THAT I HAVE IN MIND, AND, IN SEEKING THOSE OBJECTIVES, OUR. PURPOSE IS TO GET AGREEMENT ON THE WAY OF ACHIEVING THAT. I THINK THAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO HAVE IN MIND THROUGHOUT THESE NEGOTIATIONS BECAUSE IF WE ACHIEVE THAT THEN WE ACHIEVE THE CONCLUSIONS THAT WE WANT, A CONTINUATION OF HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE, A CONTINUATION OF THE LEGAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES THAT HELP MAKE UP THAT WAY OF LIFE, IN THAT WAY WE BELIEVE WE SHOULD DO THE BEST WE POSSIBLY CAN TO ACHIEVE THE RESULTS THAT EVERYONE WOULD LIKE IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Q<>. DIANA LEE - INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE, WASHINGTON POST AND ECONOMIST SHOULD THE HONG KONG PEOPLE EXPRESS THE VIEW THAT THE AGREEMENT WAS PARTIALLY OR TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE, WHAT WILL THE FOREIGN OFFICE DO THEN?
A. ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE ARE SO ANXIOUS TO CONTINUE AND EXTEND THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKING PLACE THROUGH THE METHODS I HAVE DESCRIBED, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE WANT TO ENSURE - THAT THAT IS FULL AND EFFECTIVE, IS TO ENSURE THAT, AS WE APPROACH THE FINAL STAGES OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS, WE DO SO HAVING FULLY IN MIND THE VIEWS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, THE LIKELY VIEWS OF PARLIAMENT, SO THAT WE SHALL REACH AN AGREEMENT, IF WE ARE ABLE TO DO SO, THAT WE CAN CONFIDENTLY COMMEND TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND TO PARLIAMENT. THAT MUST BE OUR OBJECTIVE. WE WANT TO REACH A CONCLUSION THAT WE CAN COMMEND AND THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND PARLIAMENT, WILL REGARD AS ACCEPTABLE.
f'
/ /Q5. TA KUNG PAO, .....
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1984
6 -
05. TA KUNG PAO, LEE WAI HING
DURING YOUR VISIT IN BEIJING YOU HAD A CHANCE TO TALK WITH CHINESE LEADERS INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN DENG, PREMIER ZHAO, WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF THOSE CHINESE LEADERS YOU HAVE MET, AND IN WHAT WAY YOU FEEL THE CHINESE LEADERS ARE SINCERE TO SOLVE THE 1997 ISSUE, WITH THE AIM OF MAINTAIN THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY FOR HONG KONG?
A. AGAIN, IT WOULD NOT BE RIGHT FOR ME TO GIVE IMPRESSIONS OF PERSONALITIES, ANY MORE THAN IT WOULD BE RIGHT FOR ME TO GIVE IMPRESSIONS OR DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SUBSTANCE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, BUT ALL MY MEETINGS IN PEKING WERE VERY BUSINESS-LIKE, CONDUCTED IN A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE DIRECTED TO TRYING TO SECURE AGREEMENT OF THE KIND WE BOTH WANT AND THE THING THAT IMPRESSED ME MOST WAS THE JOINT DETERMINATION TO TRY TO REACH THE RIGHT ANSWER TO THIS VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION.
06. RADIO HONG KONG, NICK BEACROFT
IT IS A TWO SIDED QUESTION. ONE IS1 HOW EXACTLY ARE YOU GOING TO TEST.THE OPINION OF HONG KONG PEOPLE? AND, IF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE REJECT YOUR AGREEMENT, WHAT WILL YOU DO THEN?
A. WELL, WE ARE STILL CONSIDERING WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS IN THE FINAL STAGE AFTER THE AGREEMENT IS PRESENTED TO THE REST OF THE WORLD, INCLUDING OF COURSE HONG KONG, WHAT WILL BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF TAKING THE OPINION OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AT THAT STAGE. I EMPHASISE, OF COURSE, AS I HAVE SAID ALREADY, THE IMPORTANCE IN THIS CONTEXT OF THE CONTINUING CONSULTATIONS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE, WELL AHEAD OF THE AGREEMENT, BECAUSE THE OBJECTIVE THAT WE MUST HAVE IN MIND IS TO KNOW THE ASPIRATIONS AND THE ANXIETIES AND THE DESIRES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG NOL. THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS I AM HERE NOW, THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY MY MEETING WITH EXCO YESTERDAY, WHICH WAS NOT THE FIRST BUT THE FIFTH, IN ORDER THAT WE CAN TAKE FULL ACCOUNT OF WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT IN THE NEGOTIATIONS AND BEFORE WE COME TO THE AGREEMENT. THAT IS THE BASIS ON WHICH WE WILL THEN PRESENT THE AGREEMENT, BELIEVING BY THEN WE HAVE GOT OUT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY WANT.
Q7. LUK HON TAK, WEN WEI PO, BRITAIN ALWAYS STRESSED THERE IS NO TIME TABLE FOR THE TALKS, BUT YOU AGREE THAT IT IS HELPFUL FOR KEEPING HONG KONG’S PEOPLE’S CONFIDENCE IF AN AGREEMENT CAN BE MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND DO YOU THINK THERE IS A POSSIBILITY TO HAVE A PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT BEFORE SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR?
/a. AS I ..........
FBIDAY, APRIL 20, 1984
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A. AS I HAVE SAID, WE ARE WORKING TO A PROGRAMME WHICH TAKES ACCOUNT BOTH OF CHINESE WISHES AND OF ALL OF OUR OWN REQUIREMENTS, AND I BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THOSE REQUIREMENTS, IS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE MENTIONED, NAMELY THE NEED TO REACH AN AGREEMENT AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO RUSH THE NEGOTIATIONS, THAT WOULD BE WRONG. IT MEANS WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING THE RIGHT AGREEMENT, IT HAS GOT TO HAVE SUFFICIENT CONTENT, AND THE RIGHT CONTENT AND THAT ON THAT BASIS, I AM QUITE CERTAIN THAT IN ORDER TO REMOVE UNCERTAINTY TO ESTABLISH CONFIDENCE ON THE BEST BASIS, WE SHOULD STRIVE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT AS SOON AS WE SENSIBLY CAN.
QB. JILL HARTLEY - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, AT THE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOUR OF YOUR STATEMENT YOU SAY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THEY INTEND ARRANGEMENTS TO LAST FOR AT LEAST 50 YEARS FROM 1997, THEN YOU SAY WE ARE WORKING FOR AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL ENSHRINE THAT PRINCIPLE. DOES THAT MEAN THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A 50 YEAR AGREEMENT?
A. INDEED THE PRINCIPLE OF CONTINUITY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT. CONTINUITY IS THE NECESSARY FOUNDATION OF CONFIDENCE AND I REFER THERE TO THE CHINESE PUBLIC INDICATION OF THE PROSPECT OF 50 YEARS CONTINUATION OF PRESENT SYSTEMS AND SO ON, FROM 1997. CLEARLY, THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE SHOULD WANT TO SEE EMBODIED IN ANY INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT.
09. NICK GOWING - ITN LONDON
IS THERE ANY DOUBT IN YOUR MIND, FOREIGN SECRETARY, THAT WHAT YOU NEGOTIATE IN THE COMING MONTHS WILL SIMPLY BE IRRELEVANT TO WHATEVER THE POLITICAL SITUATION MIGHT BE, BOTH IN BRITAIN AND CHINA 13 YEARS FROM NOW.
A. WHAT WE NEGOTIATE DURING THE COMING MONTHS, WHAT WE HAVE NEGOTIATED IN THE MONTHS PASSED, IS ABOUT THE POINS HAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ARRANGEMENTS OF WHICH I SPOKE, WHICH NEEDS TO BE SPELT OUT IN THE AGREEMENT, OF WHICH I SPOKE. THAT IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO SECURE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS, ENTERED INTO AS AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT THAT IS INTENDED TO BE BINDING. THAT IS THE BEST ASSURANCE OF THE CONTINUITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE MATTERS WE ARE DISCUSSING AND SEEKING TO AGREE.
/Q.10........
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1984
8
Q10. JAMES STERNGOLD, AP DOW-JONES
IN THE FORM OF THE AGREEMENT WHICH YOU HAVE DESCRIBED HERE. WHICH WOULD BE AN AUTONOMOUSLY ADMINISTERED HONG KONG, UNDER CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY, CAN YOU YOU FORESEE - MY QUESTION REFERS TO THE MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING LINKS INTERNATIONALLY WITH HONG KONG -DO YOU THINK THAT INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS WOULD RECOGNISE A SOMEWHAT AUTONOMOUS HONG KONG, INDEPENDENT OF CHINA, IN TERMS OF MONETARY FACTORS, SUCH AS TEXTILE QUOTAS AND THAT SORT OF THING?
A. THAT IS ONE OF THE VERY IMPORTANT FEATURES THAT WE DO NEED TO ACHIEVE. I BELIEVE THAT UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS WE HAVE IN MIND IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE, JND CERTAINLY DESIRABLE, TO SECURE AGREEMENT ON THE CONTINUATION OF HONG KONG’S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE WIDE NETWORK OF INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS IN WHICH IT ALREADY PLAYS A PART, AND ITS MEMBERSHIP OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS OF THE KIND YOU HAVE IN MIND IS IMPORTANT IN THE SAME CONTEXT TO ENSURE THAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WILL CONTINUE TO CIRCULATE FREELY AND AS AN INDEPENDENT CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY. I BELIEVE THAT ALL THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE PART OF THE ESSENTIAL ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK 0F‘ HONG KONG WOULD BE ACHIEVABLE IN THE FRAMEWORK THAT WE HAVE IN MIND.
Oil. REPORTER, NEW EVENING POST WOULD YOU TELL US WHAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL DO IN THE 13 YEARS BEFORE 1997 TO MAINTAIN THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG?
A. IN THE 13 YEARS UP TO 1997, IT WOULD CERTAINLY BE THE INTENTION OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG IN EXACTLY THE PRESENT WAY. WE ARE CONCERNED, AS I AM SURE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE CONCERNED, TO MAINTAIN CONTINUING PROSPERITY AND STABILITY ON EXACTLY THE PRESENT LINES. WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE IS A CHANGE IN 1997 WITH THE LEAST POSSIBLE DISTURBANCE FROM NOW ON UP TO 1997, THE MAINTENANCE OF ALL THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE THE FOUNDATION OF HONG KONG’S PRESENT PROSPERITY, AND AFTER 1997, THE LEAST POSSIBLE CHANGE SO PEOPLE CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT THE WAY OF LIFE WHICH THEY KNOW TO BE THE FOUNDATION OF THEIR SUCCESS WILL CONTINUE.
/Q12.........
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1984
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Q12. HARVEY STOCKWIN, TIMES OF INDIA
SIR, REGARDING YOUR STATEMENT THATi +IT IS RIGHT FOR ME TO TELL YOU NOW THAT IT WOULD NOT BE REALISTIC TO THINK OF AN AGREEMENT THAT PROVIDES FOR CONTINUED BRITISH ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997.+ THE STATEMENT DOES NOT RECORD ON WHAT GROUNDS IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED REALISTIC. WAS IT REALISTIC BECAUSE BRITAIN DID NOT SEEK SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT, OR BECAUSE CHINA REJECTED IT? HOW FAR DID THE BRITISH SIDE PUSH FOR AN ARRANGEMENT UNDER WHICH CHINA WOULD HAVE HAD SOVEREIGNTY RESTORED, MIXED WITH SOME CONTINUING DEGREE OF BRITISH ADMINISTRATION? A SOLUTION WHICH MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG FEEL IS THE BEST GUARANTEE OF CONTINUITY OF WHICH YOU SPEAK.
A. WHAT WE ARE DOING IS CONDUCTING NEGOTIATIONS ON A REALISTIC BASIS WITH THE INTENTION OF SECURING THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME ON THE MOST ASSURED BASIS FOR THE FUTURE, IN THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND IN DOING THAT, OF COURSE, AT EACH STAGE AND IN EACH WAY, WE PRESS ALL THE POINTS WHICH ARE REGARDED AS IMPORTANT, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER HOW THE AGREEMENT COMES TOGETHER AS A WHOLE. WE HAVE TO CONSIDER, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER, PARLIAMENT WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER, AT THE END OF THE NEGOTIATIONS HOW ALL THE ELEMENTS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS COME TOGETHER, AND WE BELIEVE THAT IT HAS BEEN RIGHT TO EXPLORE HOW IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO ARRIVE AT ARRANGEMENTS THAT WOULD SECURE FOR HONG KONG AFTER 1997 A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY UNDER CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY THAT WILL PRESERVE THE WAY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG, TOGETHER WITH THE ESSENTIALS OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM. WHAT WE ARE DOING IS TO EXPLORE ALL THE WAYS IN WHICH THAT IS BEST LIKELY TO BE ASSURED AND IT IS IN THAT CONTEXT WE HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION TO WHICH YOU REFER
013. MICHAEL EVANS, DAILY EXPRESS
TWO YEARS AGO THE PRIME MINISTER, IN PEKING, SEEMED UNWILLING TO TOTALLY RELINQUISH ALL BRITISH RIGHT TO SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG. ARE YOU NOW TODAY SAYING THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DOES JUST THAT?
A. AT THE END OF THE DAY, ONLY PARLIAMENT CAN CONCEDE SOVEREIGNTY, AND WHEN PARLIAMENT CONSIDERS THIS MATTER IT WILL HAVE TO SEE THE AGREEMENT AS A WHOLE AND SEE HOW FAR ALL THE ELEMENTS I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, HOW FAR ALL THE COMPONENTS WE DESIRE CAN BE JUDGED TOGETHER AT THE END OF THE NEGOTIATION, IT IS IN THAT CONTEXT WE SHALL REACH THAT CONCLUSION.
/Q14.........
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1984
10 -
Q14. KAYSER SUNG, TEXTILE ASIA
SIR GEOFFREY, HONG KONG HAS BEEN ENJOYING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF AUTONOMY IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE THROUGH GATT ORGANISATIONS AND THROUGH MEMBERSHIP OF THE U.K., HOW THIS WILL CONTINUE AFTER 1997 BECAUSE CHINA IS NOT A GATT MEMBER YET?
A. NO, AND OF COURSE HONG KONG HAS BEEN ENJOYING A SUBSTANTIAL DEGREE OF AUTONOMY IN THAT RESPECT, NOT ALWAYS THROUGH BRITISH PARTICIPATION BUT FROM HONG KONG’S DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN A NUMBER OF SUCH ORGANISATIONS. NOW IT IS CLEARLY RECOGNISED IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS ALL THOSE INTERNATIONAL LINKS, INCLUDING PARTICIPATION IN GATT AND ARRANGEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT, WILL CONTINUE, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE MATTERS WHICH WE SHALL BE WANTING TO SOLVE AND CARRY THROUGH INTO EFFECTIVE CONTINUITY BEYOND 1997. IT IS A POINT WELL UNDERSTOOD. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE WHOLE RANGE OF INTERNATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS, INCLUDING THE ONE YOU HAVE IN MIND.
Q. WILL HONG KONG BECOME A MEMBER OF GATT?
A. WE CAN’T YET WORK OUT. THE PRECISE MECHANICS. THE
OBJECTIVE FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF HONG KONG WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY IN GATT ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS OF THAT KIND IS CLEAR. WE BELIEVE IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE THAT OBJECTIVE UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS WE HAVE IN MIND.
Q15. JOHN DICKIE, DAILY MAIL
MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED TO US FEARS THAT DESPITE YOUR SINCERITY AND DESPITE THE GOOD INTENTIONS TO ACHIEVE YOUR OBJECTIVES SUCH AS YOU HAVE SET OUT TODAY, IN SPITE ALL OF THAT, THEY MIGHT IN THE END BE FACED WITH A SELL OUT. WHAT CAN YOU SAY TO THEM, TO ASSURE THEM THAT THAT WON’T HAPPEN, AND THAT YOU WILL NOT IN THE END BE OBLIGED TO ACCEPT SOMETHING WHICH IS JUST THE BEST THAT CAN BE NEGOTIATED?
A. THE FACT IS THAT THE CONCEPT OF A SELL OUT, THE IDEA OF A SELL OUT, IS QUITE UNTRUE, IT IS NOT AN OBJECTIVE WE HAVE IN MIND, OR COULD POSSIBLY HAVE IN MIND. OUR COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG IS TO DO OUR UTMOST TO SECURE THROUGH THESE NEGOTIATIONS THE FOUNDATIONS THAT I HAVE DESCRIBED AND THERE IS NO QUESTION OF HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT COMMENDING TO OUR PAR I AMENT OR TO HONG KONG, AN AGREEMENT THAT WOULD NOT OFFER PROSPECTS, ASSURED PROSPECTS, OF PRESERVING THAT WAY OF LIFE.
Q16. THERESA MA, FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL WHY THE TERMS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, AS OPPOSED TO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS BEEN CALLED FOR BY VARIOUS GROUPS IN HONG KONG?
/A. THE DEVELOPMENT.........
PHZDAY, APRIL 20, 1984
11
A. THE DEVELOPMENT OF INCREASINGLY REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, IS OF COURSE, CURRENTLY DIRECTLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. STEPS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN TAKEN IN THAT DIRECTION. FURTHER PROGRESS IN THAT DIRECTION IS, AS I SAID IN MY STATEMENT, CLEARLY IN MIND, AND PROGRESS OF THAT KIND WHICH MAY TAKE DIFFERENT FORMS IS NOT FOR THE U.K. GOVERNMENT TO DECIDE, IS SOMETHING WHICH THE U.K. GOVERNMENT WOULD CERTAINLY COMMEND BUT IT WILL BE FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO DECIDE PRECISELY THE TIME SCALE AND WAY IN WHICH PROGRESS TOWARDS INCREASINGLY REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WILL BE MADE.
017. MARK BAKER, THE MELBOURNE AGE SIR GEOFFREY, DO YOU ACCEPT CHINA’S STATED DEADLINE OF SEPTEMBER, AND DO YOU REGARD THAT AS BEING A REALISTIC TIME FRAME FOR AN AGREEMENT.
A. WELL, AS I SAID IN THE STATEMENT, WE ARE WORKING TO A PROGRAMME WHICH TAKES ACCOUNT OF CHINESE WISHES ON THE ONE HAND AND ALL OF OUR OWN REQUIREMENTS ON THE OTHER HAND. BEYOND THAT, AS I SAID IN ANSWER TO AN EARLIER QUESTION, WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS CLEARLY IN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG FOR US TO REACH A GOOD AGREEMENT AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. THERE IS A MANIFEST INTEREST IN CONCLUDING THE NEGOTIATIONS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, IN ORDER TO LAY A FOUNDATION FOR CONFIDENCE AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE STAGE BUT THE PROGRAMME TO WHICH WE ARE WORKING TAKES ACCOUNT OF THE CHINESE WISHES AND OF ALL OUR OWN REQUIREMENTS.
Q18. ROBERT COTTRELL, FINANCIAL TIMES
SIR GEOFFREY, YOU DWELL. IN YOUR STATEMENT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CERTAIN SPECIFIC FREEDOMS FOR HONG KONG. NOW THE TYPES OF FREEDOMS THAT YOU DESCRIBED ARE ALREADY PROMISED TO THE CHINESE PEOPLE, IN THE CHINESE CONSTITUTION. ARE YOU GOING TO ENSURE THAT FREEDOMS PROMISED TO HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE WILL MEAN MORE IN PRACTICE THAN THOSE WHICH HAVE BEEN PROMISED IN CHINA IN THE PAST.
A. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURES, WHICH IS ALSO REFERRED TO IN MY STATEMENT, IS THE NEED TO SECURE CONTINUATION OF THE PRESENT LEGAL SYSTEM, THE PRESENT FAMILIAR PATTERN OF JUSTICE, THE FAMILIAR SYSTEM FOR THE ADMINISTRATION, OF JUSTICE AND THE PRESENT FRAMEWORK OF LAW OF HONG KONG BASED UPON PRESENT SYSTEMS. AND IT IS ALL THOSE THINGS, THE LAWS THAT ARE ENFORCED, THE WAY IN WHICH THEY ARE ADMINISTERED, AND THE COURTS BY WHICH THEY ARE ADMINISTERED, WHICH OF COURSE IN HONG KONG, PROVIDE THE ASSURANCE OF THOSE FREEDOMS, AND IT IS IN ORDER TO SECURE THE CONTINUATION OF THE FRAMEWORK WHICH WILL UPHOLD THOSE FREEDOMS IN THE WAY THAT IS FAMILIAR TO PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. BUT WE DO WANT TO SECURE ASSURANCE ON THOSE OTHER THINGS AS WELL.
/Q19.........
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1984
- 12 -
019. C.B. LAU, RADIO HONG KONG
SIR, WILL THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN HONG KONG WAIT UNTIL A FINAL AGREEMENT BEFORE WE CAN KNOW MORE ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS.
A. WHAT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO, WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS, IS TO CONSULT AS FULLY AS WE CAN CONSISTENT WITH CONFIDENTIALITY SURROUNDING THE NEGOTIATIONS THEMSELVES. I AM QUITE CERTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY ABOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE SUCCESS OF THOSE NEGOTIATIONS. IT IS MY EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS THAT THE ACTUAL NEGOTIATING PROCESS HAS TO BE CONDUCTED IN CONFIDENCE. BUT ALONGSIDE THAT, WE SHALL CONTINUE TO CONSULT, IN THE WAY THAT I HAVE DESCRIBED. THIS PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY IS A FURTHER STEP IN THAT PROCESS IN WHICH I HAVE TOLD QUITE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT ABOUT WHAT OUR OBJECTIVES ARE IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS. WE SHALL CONTINUE TO PERFORM IN THIS FASHION. AND OF COURSE, AT THE END OF THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS THEN THE AGREEMENT WILL BE PUBLISHED. IT WILL BE PUBLISHED FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO CONSIDER, FOR PARLIAMENT TO CONSIDER, FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO CONSIDER. AS I SAID/ TIME WILL BE ALLOWED FOR THAT CONSIDERATION, FOR PARLIAMENT TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
Q20. BETTY LIU - TVB
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF AGREEMENT IS REACHED AND ONE SIDE DOES NOT LIVE UP TO ITS PROMISES.
A. THAT IS THE QUESTION THAT COULD BE ASKED ABOUT EVERY AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT IS GOING TO HAVE PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE - NAMELY IT IS A FORMULATION AND EMBODIMENT IN AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES THAT HAVE GOT GOOD BILATERAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH EACH OTHER, BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES EACH OF WHICH WILL HAVE AN INTEREST IN UPHOLDING ITS OWN SIDE OF THE AGREEMENT^ INTEREST ARISING FROM WHAT IT ACTUALLY WANTS TO SECURE, ARISING FROM ITS CONCERN FOR ITS OWN REPUTATION BEFORE THE WORLD, AND INTERNATIONAL OPINION. THOSE ARE THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE ASSURANCE THAT INTERNATIONALLY BINDING AGREEMENTS IS THE RIGHT WAY CF CONCLUDING THIS MATTER.
021. BETTY LIU, TVB
IF ONE SIDE FAILS TO KEEP ITS PROMISES, OR TO LIVE UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS, IS IT POSSIBLE FOR ANOTHER SIDE TO TAKE ACTION?
/a. in any ..........
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1984
- 13
A. IN ANY AGREEMENT, IF EITHER SIDE IS FAILING TO FULFIL ITS OBLIGATIONS, OBVIOUSLY THE OTHER PARTY WOULD WANT TO RAISE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT. THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES TO AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT, AND THAT IS WHY, AS I SAID IN MY STATEMENT, IT IS IMPORTANT NOT JUST TO SECURE AGREEMENT ON THE FRAMEWORK OF ARRANGEMENTS THAT IS NECESSARY, BUT ALSO TO HAVE THE COMPONENTS OF THAT FRAMEWORK SPELT OUT CLEARLY IN AN AGREEMENT THAT WOULD BE INTERNATIONALLY BINDING BETWEEN TWO STATES.
022. ANDY IP, KUNG SHEUNG DAILY NEWS
SIR, DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME FORM OF GUARANTEE SO THAT THE AGREEMENT WOULD NOT BE CHANGED IN THE FUTURE?
A. THE GUARANTEES THAT WE ARE SEEKING, THE BEST ASSURANCE FOR ALL THOSE MATTERS IN THE FUTURE, IS THAT THE AGREEMENT, BEFORE WE CONSIDER IT IS SATISFACTORY, SHOULD DESCRIBE AS CLEARLY AND AS FULLY AS POSSIBLE ALL THE COMPONENTS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO IDENTIFY THE FOUNDATIONS OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE. THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PURPOSES OF THE NEGOTIATIONS - TO SECURE AS FULL AS POSSIBLE, AND AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE, A SPECIFICATION OF THE COMPONENTS THAT WILL ASSURE THAT FUTURE.
023. NIGEL HAWKS, OBSERVER
SIR GEOFFREY, IN YOUR STATEMENT YOU SEEMED TO BE SUGGESTING THAT UNDER CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY, HONG KONG WILL ENJOY GREATER AUTONOMY, MORE DEMOCRACY, MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS OWN FUTURE, THAN IT HAS DONE FOR 100 YEARS UNDER BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY. IS THIS A REALISTIC POSITION, AND WHY SHOULD THE CHINESE ACCEPT IT?
A. I THINK ONE OF THE IMPORTANT FEATURES FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND, ALL THOSE CONSIDERING THIS MATTER, IS THE EXTENT TO WHICH HONG KONG AT PRESENT DOES ENJOY A VERY HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY IN THE MANAGEMENT AND CONDUCT OF ITS OWN AFFAIRS. IT IS A VERY CRUCIAL COMPONENT FOR IN THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS NOT MANAGING HONG KONG, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS NOT GOVERNING HONG KONG, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS NOT INTERFERING IN HONG KONG. ALL THE MATTERS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT INCLUDING THE MANAGEMENT OF HONG KONG CURRENCY AND ECONOMY ARE GOVERNED BY DECISIONS TAKEN WITHIN HONG KONG ITSELF. AND IF THERE IS THE PROSPECT OF FURTHER ADVANCES TOWARDS MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT NOW, THAT IS A PROSPECT WHICH BECOMES INCREASINGLY LIKELY AND DESIRABLE IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES. AND THAT IS WHY I HAVE SAID IN MY STATEMENT, I DO LOOK FORWARD TO AN INCREASINGLY REPRESENTATIVE FRAMEWORK OF GOVERNMENT.
/Q24.........
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1?c4
- 14 -
Q24. ROSALIND MAK, SING TAO EVENING POST
IS THERE ANY POSSIBLE WAY FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL NEGOTIATION?
A. I THINK THAT WOULD BE RATHER A CROWDED NEGOTIATION. THE NEGOTIATION DOES HAVE TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THOSE WHO HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT, AND I AM VERY DEEPLY CONSCIOUS OF THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF MY RESPONSIBILITY IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS. THE WAY IN WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN PARTICIPATE IS BY EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS. I HAVE NOT FOUND THEM UNWILLING TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS, I HAVE MET VERY MANY HONG KONG PEOPLE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, THEY CAN EXPRESS THEM DIRECTLY, THEY CAN EXPRESS THEM THROUGH THE REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS, THROUGH EXCO, THROUGH LEGCO, THROUGH THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THE REGIONAL COUNCILS, THEY CAN EXPRESS THEM THROUGH BRITISH MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. I AM VERY ANXIOUS THAT THIS PROCESS OF CONSULTATION, WHEREBY I KNOW WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT, SHOULD CONTINUE AND OF COURSE WHEN WE COME TO THE CONCLUSION OF THE AGREEMENT, IF WE DO, THEN THERE WILL BE PUBLICATION OF THAT, AND THEY WILL HAVE A FRESH OPPORTUNITY OF MAKING THEIR VIEWS KNOWN.
025. KEVIN TOOL IS, IRISH NEWS
HOW MUCH CONTROL WILL CHINA HAVE OF HONG KONG’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN THE FUTURE, HOW WILL IT AFFECT HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER COUNTRIES?
A. WELL, THE TWO PARTS IN YOUR QUESTION ARE OF COURSE, DISTINCT AND IMPORTANTLY DISTINCT. BECAUSE PLAINLY, THE SOVEREIGN COUNTRY DOES HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FOREIGN AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS IN THE BROADEST SENSE. ONE OF THE IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF THE HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY THAT WE ARE SEEKING, IS AUTONOMY IN RELATION TO THE MANAGEMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, SUCH AS THE ONES WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, MEMBERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ORGANISATIONS, LIKE GATT, LIKE THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AND SO ON, AND MANAGEMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT, CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY CONTINUING TO CIRCULATE FREELY THE HONG KONG DOLLAR.
Q26. STEVEN JESSEL, BBC
IN ASSESSING THE OPINION OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, WOULD YOU EXCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF A REFERENDUM?
A. WE HAVE NOT COME TO A CONCLUSION ABOUT THE BEST OF SEVERAL ALTERNATIVE WAYS OF ASSESSING THE OPINION OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND IT MUST BE STATED THERE ARE SOME VERY REAL DRAWBACKS TO THE IDEA OF A REFERENDUM.
/Q27.........
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1984
15 -
027. IRENE SUNG, SING TAO JIH PAO
YOU HAVE MENTIONED IN YOUR SPEECH ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG AFTER 1997 AS BEING IN THE HANDS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE THEMSELVES AND THERE WILL FOLLOW A PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS ALREADY UNDER WAY. UNDER THE DEVELOPMENT, WILL THERE BE A HONG KONG PERSON APPOINTED AS A VICE-GOVERNOR LEARNING HOW TO ADMINISTER THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS?
A. IT IS NOT FOR ME TO ANSWER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS OF THAT KIND, AT THIS STAGE. I SEE SOME OF THE PAPERS TODAY SAY THAT I WAS EXPRESSING AN OPINION ABOUT THAT, IN FACT I WASN’T DOING THAT, ALTHOUGH ONE LADY I THINK EXPRESSED AN OPINION TO ME ABOUT THAT. OF COURSE I TAKE MOST OPINIONS OFFERED BY MOST LADIES. BUT IN ANSWER TO YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTION, IT WILL BE FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO DETERMINE IN WHAT WAY THERE WILL BE FURTHER MOVEMENT TOWARDS MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, AND ON WHAT TIME SCALE.
---0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
UNITED STATES MAKES +CALLS+ ON TWO MORE CATEGORIES ............. 1
1983 AIRBORNE MERCHANDISE TRADE STATISTICS RELEASED..........
OFFICIALS TO SPEAK AT RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE..................... 5
VALUE OF PREVOCATIONAL CLASSES STRESSED......................... 6
SAFETY DRIVE AIMS AT PEDESTRIANS, CYCLISTS ..................... 7
MORE LOCAL FIRMS URGED TO BID FOR SUPPLIES CONTRACTS ........... 8
NEW PRISON TO BE OPINED ON LANTAU ...........................
PROPER JE7ELLERY INDUSTRY TRAINING URGED........................ 9
TUEN MUN INDUSTRIAL SURVEY RESULTS ............................ 10
COOLING FACILITIES FOR BORDER CONTROL POINT ................... 11
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR SHA TIN TENNIS COURTS .................... 11
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE PULLED DOWN .......................... 12
WATER FIGURES ................................................. 12
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1984
- 1 -
UNITED STATES MAKES +CALLS+ ON TWO MORE CATEGORIES * * * *
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE UNITED STATES HAD MADE EXPORT AUTHORISATION (EA) CALLS ON CATEGORY 433 (WOOL SUIT-TYPE COATS MEN AND BOYS) AND PART OF CATEGORY 369 (COTTON WIPING CLOTH).
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME HONG KONG RECEIVED CALLS FROM THE UNITED STATES SO FAR THIS YEAR.
PENDING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, THE DEPARTMENT HAS SUSPENDED THE ISSUE OF FURTHER EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS FOR THESE CATEGORIES.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO APPROVE AND ISSUE EXPORT LICENCES FOR THESE CATEGORIES AGAINST VALID EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS APPROVED PRIOR TO THE SUSPENSION.
MEANWHILE, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, LEFT HONG KONG TODAY FOR GENEVA. HE WILL LEAD A DELEGATION TO ATTEND THE GATT TEXTILES SURVEILLANCE BODY MEETING ON MAY 3-4, WHICH WILL EXAMINE, AT HONG KONG’S REQUEST, THE CASE OVER THE +CALLS+ IN FEBRUARY BY THE UNITED STATES ON CATEGORIES 637 (MAN-MADE FIBRE PLAYSUITS) AND 652 (MAN-MADE FIBRE UNDERWEAR).
DURING CONSULTATIONS REGARDING CAT. 637 AND CAT. 652 IN MARCH, HONG KONG REJECTED THE UNITED STATES REQUEST FOR RESTRAINT ON THESE CATEGORIES DUE TO LACK OF JUSTIFICATION. THE UNITED STATES EXERCISED ITS RIGHTS TO IMPOSE LIMITS ON THESE TWO CATEGORIES. AS HONG KONG DISAGREES WITH THE UNITED STATES ACTION, HONG KONG HAS DECIDED TO REFER THE CASE TO TEXTILES SURVEILLANCE BODY FOR RECOMMENDATION.
ON HIS WAY TO GENEVA, MR MACLEOD WILL STOP OVER IN WASHINGTON, TO DISCUSS WITH UNITED STATES OFFICIALS VARIOUS TEXTILE MATTERS, INCLUDING THE RECENT UNITED STATES ANNOUNCEMENT ON CLASSIFICATION OF GARMENT PARTS LEADING TO A CHANGE IN CATEGORISATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES-HONG KONG TEXTILES AGREEMENT.
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/2........
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1984
2 -
1983 AIRBORNE MERCHANDISE TRADE STATISTICS RELEASED * * * *
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE BY AIR IN 1983 WAS VALUED AT $81 915 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 32 PER CENT OVER 1982, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE VALUED AT $30 843 MILLION (UP 40 PER CENT), AIRBORNE IMPORTS AT $37 262 MILLION (UP 26 PER CENT) AND AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS AT $13 809 MILLION (UP 31 PER CENT).
IN 1983, 30 PER CENT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 21 PER CENT OF IMPORTS AND 25 PER CENT OF RE-EXPORTS, BY VALUE, WERE CARRIED BY AIR. IN TERMS OF WEIGHT, AIRBORNE IMPORTS AMOUNTED TO 144 890 TONNES, REPRESENTING 0.4 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL IMPORT TONNAGE, AND TOTAL AIRBORNE EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO 223 276 TONNES OR 1.7 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL EXPORT TONNAGE.
THE CHANGES IN 10 MAJOR MARKETS FOR HONG KONG’S AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1.
BY COMMODITY, INCREASES IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED MAINLY IN CLOTHING (BY $3 534 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT); PARTS AND ACCESSORIES OF OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $1 729 MILLION OR 116 PER CENT), ORES AND CONCENTRATES OF PRECIOUS METALS; WASTE, SCRAPS AND SWEEPINGS CF PRECIOUS METALS (OTHER THAN OF GOLD) (BY $769 MILLION OR 776 PER CENT) AND MISCELLANEOUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, PARTS AND ACCESSORIES (BY $585 MILLION OR 178 PER CENT).
DECREASES IN VALUE WERE RECORDED.FOR AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF OFFICE AND STATIONERY SUPPLIES (BY $175 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT), PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $43 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT) AND BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $40 MILLION OR 4 PER CENT).
FURTHER ANALYSIS OF COMMODITY BY COUNTRY REVEALED GROWTH IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING TO THE U.S. (BY $2 547 MILLION OR 76 PER CENT) AND WEST GERMANY (BY $303 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT)? IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF PARTS AND ACCESSORIES OF OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES TO THE U.S. (BY $1 552 MILLION OR 117 PER CENT) AND WEST GERMANY (BY $129 MILLION OR 757 PER CENT}; IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS CF ORES AND CONCENTRATES OF PRECIOUS METALS; AND IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF WASTE, SCRAPS AND SWEEPINGS OF PRECIOUS METALS (OTHER THAN OF GOLD) TO THE U.K. (BY $610 MILLION OR 752 PER CENT) AND WEST GERMANY (BY $97 MILLION OR 1007 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF OFFICE AND STATIONERY SUPPLIES (BY $53 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT) AND PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMl-PRECI OUS STONES (BY $25 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT) TO THE U.S.
THE CHANGES IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
/TNCEE4.SES WERE.........
TUESDAY, APHIL 24, 1984
- 3
INCREASES VvERE REGISTERED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS, TRANSISTORS AND PARTS (BY $3 300 MILLION OR 71 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1 385 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR MAKING AND BREAKING OR FOR PROTECTING ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS (BY $378 MILLION OR 90 PER CENT), PARTS AND ACCESSORIES OF OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $326 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT), AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPARATUS (BY $289 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT).
IN CONTRAST, DECREASES WERE NOTED IN THE SUPPLY BY AIR OF PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $796 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT), AND JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES (BY $102 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT).
GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS AND TRANSISTORS FROM JAPAN (BY $1 356 MILLION OR 134 PER CENT) AND THE U.S. (BY $1 274 MILLION OR 135 PER CENT), AS WELL AS IN WATCHES AND CLOCKS FROM JAPAN (BY $650 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT) AND SWITZERLAND (BY $328 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE ALSO REGISTERED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES FROM THE U.S. (BY $373 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT), FROM BELGIUM (BY $102 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT) AND FROM SWITZERLAND (BY $80 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT)
AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS EXPERIENCED CONSIDERABLE GROWTH IN 1983. CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN VALUE WERE REGISTERED FOR THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES 'AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS, TRANSISTORS AND PARTS (BY $1 276 MILLION OR 77 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $597 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT), AND CLOTHING (BY $406 MILLION OR 115 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS OF PEARLS. PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY (BY $431 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT).
THE U.S. WAS THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS, WITH A VALUE OF $2 360 MILLION (AN INCREASE OF $509 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT). NOTABLE INCREASES WERE ALSO REGISTERED IN AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE (BY $645 MILLION OR 48 PER CENT) TAIWAN (BY $453 MILLION OR 34 PER CENT), CHINA (BY $450 MILLION OR 124 PER CENT), AND REPUBLIC OF KOREA (BY $327 MILLION OR 100 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO BELGIUM AND ISRAEL DECREASED CONSIDERABLY (BY $106 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT AND $76 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY).
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE COMPREHENSIVE DECEMBER 1983 ISSUE OF +HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE+ NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE.
/TABLE 1 : .......
1 TABLE 1 : CHANGES BY MAJOR TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1984
4 - IN AIRBORNE MARKET DOMESTIC EXPORTS
INCREASE PERCENTAGE
1983 1982 CHANGE
(S MN.) ($ MN.) (S MN.) (%)
1 U.S.A. 15 169 9 886 +5 283 +53 • r>
1 F.R. OF GERMANY 2 648 1 957 + 691 +35
1 U.K. 2 261 1 278 + 983 +77 1
I JAPAN 1 893 1 427 + 466 +33 1
I CANADA 1 118 786 + 332 +42 1
1 SWITZERLAND 766 589 + 177 +30 1
1 NETHERLANDS 715 521 + 194 +37 1
I FRANCE 568 433 + 135 +31 1
1 SINGAPORE 547 516 +30 +6 1
1 AUSTRALIA 521 409 ♦ 112 +27 1
TABLE 2 i CHANGES IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS BY L
MAJOR SUPPLIER 1
INCREASE PERCENTAGE 1
1983 1982 CHANGE 1
(* MN.) ($ MN.) ($ MN.) (%) |
I JAPAN 9 110 6 298 +2 812 +45 1
I U.S.A. 7 966 5 799 ♦2 167 +37 1
SWITZERLAND 2 300 1 980 + 319 +16 1
U.K. 2 121 2 104 +17 +1 1
TAIWAN 2 060 1 964 +95 +5 1
SINGAPORE 1 882 1 388 + 494 +36 1
REP. OF KOREA 1 535 1 196 + 340 +28 I
F.R. OF GERMANY 1 414 1 008 + 406 +40 1
ITALY 1 117 1 000 + 117 +12 1
FRANCE 976 802 + 174 +22 1
“ w 0
/5 I
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1984
- 5 -
OFFICIALS TO SPEAK AT RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE * * * *
TEN OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, DELIVERING THE CONCLUDING SPEECH.
THEY ARE, IN ORDER OF SPEAKERS:
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON JUSTIN YUE,
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY,
THE HON JOHN YAXLEY,
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON HENRY CHING,
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON COLVYN HAYE,
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON,
THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO,
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON NICKY CHAN,
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DAVID AKERS-JONES,
THE SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON MARTIN ROWLANDS, AND
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE.
A NEW BILL, THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL (PASSAGE TAX) BILL 1984, WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL TOMORROW. IT SEEKS TO TAX VEHICLES USING THE TUNNEL IN ORDER TO REDUCE CONGESTION. DEBATE ON THIS BILL WILL BE ADJOURNED TO MAY 2.
AND A MOTION WILL BE MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY LIMITING THE CONTINGENT LIABILITY OF THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION UNDER CONTRACTS OF INSURANCE TO $3 500 MILLION AT ANY TIME.
-------0 - -
/6........
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1934
- 6 -
VALUE OF PREVOCATIONAL CLASSES STRESSED * * * *
RECENT IMPROVEMENTS IN PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION ARE AN INDICATION OF THE IMPORTANCE WHICH THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES TO THIS TYPE OF EDUCATION, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING OF THE CMA CHOI CHEUNG KOK PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL AT TUEN MUN.
THESE IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH MR HAYE OUTLINED, INCLUDE THE INTRODUCTION OF FORM IV AND V CLASSES TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR TECHNICIAN PROGRAMMES IN THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND PROVISION OF GRADUATE TEACHER POSTS TO THE SCHOOL ESTABLISHMENT.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE EXPANSION OF THE CURRICULUM TO INCLUDE MORE NEW SUBJECTS SUCH AS COMPUTER STUDIES, MARINE ENGINEERING AND LIGHT METALWORK AND FINISHING- AND IMPROVEMENT IN THE DESIGN OF THE NEW PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE BETTER FACILITIES.
MR HAYE RECALLED THAT PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION WAS INTRODUCED IN 1970, WITH A TECHNICALLY BIASED CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO ASSIST THE DEVELOPMENT AND DIVERSIFICATION OF INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG. IT WAS SUITED TO STUDENTS WITH AN APTITUDE FOR PRACTICAL SUBJECTS.
♦THIS TYPE OF EDUCATION HAS PROVED VERY POPULAR TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS, AS CAN BE SEEN FROM THE FACT THAT EVERY YEAR, THE FORM I PLACES IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS ARE HEAVILY OVER-SUBSCRI BED,+ HAYE SAID.
IN THE CURRENT YEAR, 10 452 PRIMARY 6 LEAVERS ARE BIDDING FOR ABOUT 3 000 FORM I PLACES IN THESE SCHOOLS. BUT MR HAYE EXPRESSED HOPE THAT THE SHORTAGE WOULD BE EASED WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE 12 PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS.
THE CMA CHOI CHEUNG KOK PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IS NAMED AFTER THE HONORARY PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION, WHO HAS MADE A BIG DONATION TOWARDS THE CAPITAL COSTS AND IS THE SUPERVISOR-DESIGNATE OF THE SCHOOL.
THIS SCHOOL WILL BE THE FIRST OF FOUR SUCH PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS PLANNED FOR TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
IT WILL HAVE 16 CLASSROOMS, NINE WORKSHOPS FOR TECHNICAL AND PRACTICAL SUBJECTS AND SEVEN SPECIAL ROOMS INCLUDING A TYPING ROOM, A SCHOOL LIBRARY AS WELL AS LABORATORIES FOR SPECIAL SUBJECTS SUCH AS LIGHT METALWORK AND FINISHING AND AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION.
IN THE FIRST YEAR, THE NEW SCHOOL WILL OPERATE NINE CLASSES, SEVEN CLASSES OF FORM I AND TWO CLASSES OF FORM IV. WHEN THE SCHOOL IS FULLY DEVELOPED IN 1986, THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 25 FORM I TO V CLASSES, MR HAYE SAID.
- - 0 - - - -
/?.........
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1984
- 7 -
SAFETY DRIVE AIMS AT PEDESTRIANS, CYCLISTS *****
PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS SHOULD BE THE MAJOR TARGET GROUPS FOR THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN 1984-85, MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE SAID TODAY.
TAC MEMBERS AT THEIR MEETING TODAY FELT THAT THE TWO GROUPS ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, AND ENDORSED THE PROPOSALS SET OUT IN A PAPER OUTLINING THE STRATEGY OF THIS MAJOR GOVERNMENT PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
ON THE BASIS OF RESEARCH AND ADVICE FROM THE ROAD SAFETY DIVISION, THE $600 000 CAMPAIGN WILL EMPHASISE THE CORRECT WAY TO USE THE ROADS.
MESSAGES WILL AIM AT PROMOTING THE ROAD CROSSING CODE, FEATURING THE POPULAR ’CAPTAIN SAFETY’ IN PUBLICITY DIRECTED AT YOUNG CHILDREN- ENCOURAGING PEDESTRIANS TO PAUSE BEFORE CROSSING THE ROAD- ENCOURAGING DEFENSIVE DRIVING TO AVOID ACCIDENTS, ESPECIALLY PEDESTRIAN-RELATED ACCIDENTS- AND ADVISING CYCLISTS TO OBEY TRAFFIC RULES.
THE TAC ALSO AGREED THAT, AS IN THE PAST, THE CAMPAIGN SHOULD PROCEED ON THREE MAIN FRONTS - MEDIA PUBLICITY, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND EDUCATION.
DISTRICT CAMPAIGNS INVOLVING THE DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE ORGANISED, CULMINATING IN AN ANNUAL TERRITORY-WIDE EVENT.
THIS PROPOSED CAMPAIGN PROGRAMME HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL, AND TAC MEMBERS TODAY ENDORSED THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET ALLOCATION.
MEMBERS ALSO REVIEWED THE 1983-84 ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN AT TODAY’S MEETING AND NOTED THE CONTINUING DOWNWARD TREND IN ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES FROM THE SECOND HALF OF 1982.
WHILE THIS TREND, TOGETHER WITH THE SEAT-BELT WEARING LEGISLATION COMPLIANCE RATE OF OVER 95 PER CENT, IS ENCOURAGING, THE TAC CONSIDERED THE LEVEL OF ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES, AT 16 838 AND 22 000 IN 1983, WAS MUCH TOO HIGH.
THEY THEREFORE CONSIDERED IT ESSENTIAL THAT ROAD SAFETY SHOULD BE FURTHER PROMOTED.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS ENDORSED THE PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS REVIEW 1983 WHICH COVERED ALL LOCATIONS WITH SIX OR MORE PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS A YEAR.
COMPILED BY THE ROAD SAFETY DIVISION, THIS REVIEW HAS BEEN BROKEN DOWN BY DISTRICT AND DISTRIBUTED TO DISTRICT BOARDS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE TAC LAST YEAR.
/THE SCOPE .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1$84
- 8 -
THE SCOPE OF THE REVIEW HAS ALSO BEEN EXTENDED TO INCLUDE PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF REMEDIAL MEASURES.
THE COMMITTEE APPRECIATED THAT FURTHER PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE DURING THE PAST YEAR IN THE PROVISION OF PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES AND OF THE REMEDIAL MEASURES UNDERTAKEN AT ACCIDENT SITES.
THEY WERE PLEASED TO SEE A MAJOR REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS AT PROBLEM SPOTS WHERE REMEDIAL MEASURES HAD BEEN IN EFFECT FOR 12 MONTHS OR MORE.
------o-------
MORE LOCAL FIRMS URGED TO BID FOR SUPPLIES CONTRACTS * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, MR ROY KILVERT, TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED MORE LOCAL MANUFACTURERS TO BID FOR CONTRACTS FOR SUPPLIES REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
WHILE HONG KONG WAS A MAIN SOURCE FOR THESE SUPPLIES, THERE COULD BE MORE BIDS FROM LOCAL FIRMS, HE ADDED.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE ASSOCIATION, HE SAID EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES WERE GIVEN TO ALL INTERESTED TENDERERS WHO MEET THE CRITERIA AND SPECIFICATIONS LAID DOWN IN THE TENDER DOCUMENTS.
TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN OVER Si BILLION A YEAR SINCE 1981-82.
HE SAID THAT OTHER MAIN SOURCES OF SUPPLIES WERE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, CHINA, THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND SINGAPORE.
+WHEN SELECTING TENDERS, THE CONTRACT IS NORMALLY AWARDED TO THE BIDDER OFFERING BEST VALUE FOR MONEY AND THIS IS NORMALLY BUT NOT INVARIABLY, THE LOWEST BID MEETING THE REQUIREMENT.
+DEPENDING ON THE INDIVIDUAL CASE, THE CONSIDERATION WILL INCLUDE, APART FROM PRICE, LIFE IN SERVICE, SERVICING ARRANGEMENTS, COST OF REPLACEMENT PARTS AND THE DELIVERY,* HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTED DEPARTMENTS TO AWARD CONTRACTS TO THE BEST PUBLIC ADVANTAGE WITH DUE REGARD TO NORMAL COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATIONS, HE ADDED.
FOR OPEN TENDERS, INVITATIONS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE AND THE LEADING ENGLISH AND CHINESE NEWSPAPERS.
FOR SELECTIVE TENDERS, INVITATIONS ARE SENT TO REGISTERED SUPPLIERS ON THE APPROVED LIST FOR EACH CLASS OF GOODS.
RESPONSES TO INVITATIONS ARE NORMALLY SUBMITTED IN STRICT PRIVACY AND UNSUCCESSFUL TENDERERS WILL BE NOTIFIED WHY THEIR OFFERS HAVE NOT BEEN ACCEPTED.
+ALL CONTRACTING PROCESSES ARE SUBJECT TO MONITORING TO ENSURE THAT THE CONTRACTS ARE AWARDED PROPERLY AND FAIRLY,* HE SAID.
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1984
- 9 -
NOTE TO EDITORS:
NEW PRISON TO BE OPENED ON LANTAU
X I X
THE NEWLY-BUILT MAXIMUM SECURITY SHEK PIK PRISON ON LANTAU ISLAND, ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST MODERN PRISONS, WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, ON SATURDAY (APRIL 28) AT 3 PM.
YOU ARE INVITED TO NOMINATE A REPORTER OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE CEREMONY.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, A TOUR WILL BE CONDUCTED ROUND THE VARIOUS FACILITIES OF THE INSTITUTION.
NO PHOTOGRAPHING OF FACILITIES INSIDE THE INSTITUTION WILL BE ALLOWED. THE PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE ISSUED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
A LAUNCH WITH 25 AVAILABLE SEATS WILL TAKE THE PRESS TO LANTAU ISLAND TO COVER THE EVENT.
DUE TO LIMITED SEATING., MEDIA ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO COVER THE EVENT SHOULD TELEPHONE THE NAME AND IDENTITY CARD NUMBER OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT (5-757195 EXTENSION 24 OR 25) DURING OFFICE HOURS, BUT NOT LATER THAN 5 PM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 27). SEATS WILL BE RESERVED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
NOMINATED MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT QUEEN’S PIER BEFORE 12.45 PM ON SATURDAY, WHEN THE LAUNCH WILL LEAVE FOR LANTAU ISLAND.
SPECIAL LAPEL BADGES WILL BE ISSUED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLACE.
- 0
PROPER JEWELLERY INDUSTRY TRAINING URGED * * *
JEWELLERY MANUFACTURERS WERE URGED RECENTLY TO START PROPER APPRENTICE TRAINING SCHEMES TO ENSURE THAT THE INDUSTRY WILL HAVE ENOUGH WELL-TRAINED MANPOWER IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
MAKING THE CALL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JEWELLERY INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, MR HUI CHECK-WING SAID, +THE TRAINING BOARD STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT PROPER APPRENTICESHIP IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND ECONOMIC WAY TO TRAIN CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS FOR THE JEWELLERY INDUSTRY.+
PROPER APPRENTICESHIP REQUIRED A TRAINEE TO UNDERGO THREE TO FOUR YEARS ORGANISED ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND TO ATTEND RELATED PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSE OFFERED AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, HE SAID
/ACCORDING TO .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 19&4
- 10 -
ACCORDING TO THE JUST-PUBLISHED 1983 MANPOWER SURVEY OF THE JEWELLERY INDUSTRY, MOST JEWELLERY APPRENTICES LEARN THEIR SKILLS WHILE ON THE JOB. VERY FEW APPRENTICES ARE GIVEN ORGANISED TRAINING AND COMPLEMENTARY TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
+THE LACK OF ORGANISED TRAINING WILL AFFECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE JEWELLERY INDUSTRY IN THE LIGHT OF THE STEADY GROWTH OF ITS EXPORT TRADE IN RECENT YEARS,+ MR HUI SAID.
TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THE WORLD MARKET, TECHNICIANS AND CRAFTSMEN SUCH AS JEWELLERY DESIGNERS AND GOLDSMITHS SHOULD BE WELL-TRAINED AND PREPARED FOR THE APPLICATION OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY IN JEWELLERY MAKING, HE ADDED.
THE REPORT ALSO POINTS OUT THAT THE SHORTAGE OF SKILLED CRAFTSMEN HAS LED TO +POACHING+ IN THE INDUSTRY.
AT THE TIME OF THE SURVEY THERE WERE 134 VACANCIES AT CRAFT LEVEL.
THE FORECAST ANNUAL GROWTH RATES OF MANPOWER AT TECHNICIAN AND CRAFT LEVELS ARE FOUR PER CENT FOR THIS YEAR AND SIX PER CENT FOR 1985.
THE SURVEY REPORT ALSO CONTAINS OTHER MANPOWER DATA OF THE ----------------------------- ------ GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS
IS ON SALE AT THE
JEWELLERY INDUSTRY. CENTRE AT $10 A COPY
- - 0 - -
NOTE TO EDITORS;
TUEN MUN
INDUSTRIAL SURVEY ft ft ft ft
RESULTS
DETAILS OF A SURVEY ON INDUSTRIES IN
TUEN MUN WILL BE ANNOUNCED
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 10.30 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 26)
THE TUEN MUN INDUSTRIAL SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY A WORKING GROUP OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE.
PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR YAU HON-TIM; THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, 14? CHRISTOPHER WONG; THE CHIEF TOWN PLANNER OF NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR RICHARD CHENG; THE PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER OF INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, MR PATRICK LAU; THE MANAGER OF HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MR PETER CHING; AND THE SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR OF LANDS OFFICE, MR VICTOR CHAN.
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE BOARD’S SECRETARIAT ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF FOO YICK COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN SAN ON CIRCUIT.
A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE, AM 5797, WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 9.30 AM SHARP ON THURSDAY FOR TUEN MUN.
- o - -
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1984
11
COOLING FACILITIES FOR BORDER * * * *
A $688 000 AIR-CONDITIONING CONTRACT A BORDER CONTROL POINT NOW BEING BUILT AT
CONTROL POINT
HAS BEEN AWARDED FOR SHA TAU KOK.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT, AWARDED TO CARRIER HONG KONG LIMITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED BY THE END CF THE YEAR.
THE CONTROL POINT, OCCUPYING 12 500 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED BETWEEN LIN MA HANG ROAD AND SHA TAU KOK ROAD.
IT WILL HAVE A ONE-STOREY MAIN TERMINAL BUILDING PROVIDING OFFICE ACCOMMODATION FOR THE POLICE AND THE IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENTS, AN ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE HALL AND A CANTEEN, ALL COOLED BY THE CENTRAL AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A CARGO EXAMINATION PLATFORM, A VEHICLE INSPECTION PIT AND A TRANSFORMER ROOM.
THE CONTROL POINT IS BEING BUILT IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE VEHICLE BORDER LINK AT SHA TAU KOK NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION. THIS 800-METRE LONG, TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WILL PROVIDE ANOTHER BORDER CROSSING FACILITY IN ADDITION TO THE ONE AT MAN KAM TO.
A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUED AT $8.3 MILLION FOR BUILDING THE CONTROL POINT WAS AWARDED TO YEU SHING COMPANY LIMITED IN FEBRUARY. WORK ON THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
- - 0 -
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR SHA TIN TENNIS COURTS
* * * *
A CONTRACT FOR WORK ON SIX TENNIS COURTS AT TSANG TAI UK PLAYGROUND IN SHA TIN HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE CF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE PLAYGROUND IS BEING BUILT ON A 2.5 HECTARE SITE, AND BOUNDED BY SHA KOK ROAD, TAI CHUNG KIN ROAD AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD.
OTHER FACILITIES IN THE PLAYGROUND WILL INCLUDE THREE BASKETBALL COURTS, TOILET AND CHANGING ROOMS, A REFRESHMENT KIOSK, A TABLE-TENNIS PLAYING AREA, A SITTING OUT AREA AND A PLAY AREA FOR CHILDREN.
THE $500 000 CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO WING WAH COMPANY. WORK WILL TAKE FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
0
TUESDAY. APRIL 24, 1934
12
NOTE TO ED ITORSi
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE
*****
PULLED DOWN
SIDE LANES OF NOS. 2-5
EIGHTEEN ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE
AND 9-11 MONG LUNG STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE PULLED DOWN ON THURSDAY (APRIL 26) MORNING.
THE STRUCTURES WERE USED FOR STORAGE, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE OPERATION, CO-ORDINATED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, IS PART OF A SIX-MONTH CLEARANCE PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE DISTRICT.
STAFF FROM THE HOUSING, LANDS AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS AND THE POLICE WILL TAKE PART IN THE OPERATION STARTING AT 10 AM.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE CLEARANCE OPERATION.
- - 0 - -
WATER FIGURES
* * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 69.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY, OR 405.141 MILLION CUBIC hETRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 446.001 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 76.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
CONTaJTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING;
BALANCED BUDGETS POSSIBLE FROM 1986 — SIR JOHN ............... 1
SALARIES TAX INCREASE AFFECTS MINORITY ....................... 2
DEFICIT REVISED DOW TO $3.1 BILLION .......................... 5
SIR JOHN POINTS TO UPTURN IN PRIVATE INVESTMENT............... 6
PROPOSALS TO DEVELOP LOCAL ADMINISTRATION WELCOMED ........... 7
SECOND TUNNEL MAY BE BEST SOLUTION, LEGCO TOLD............... 11
CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL CONGESTION 'INTOLERABLE' - YUE........ 12
ECIC CONTINGENT LIABILITY RAISED ............................ 13
PUBLIC VIEWS BEING SOUGHT ON HOUSING ALLOCATION.............. 14
QUOTA TRANSFER SUBJECT TO MORE RULES ........................ 15
$20 MILLION SPENT DAILY ON PUBLIC WORKS ..................... 16
COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME STRESSED.............. 19
INVESTMENT SEEN LINKED TO EXPORT GROWTH...................... 20
CIVIL SERVANTS APPRECIATE ROLE IN ECONOMY.................... 21
EDUCATION COMMISSION PLAYS VALUABLE ROLE..................... 23
MORE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS PLANNED ........................... 25
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR PEKING.................................... 28
KAIFONG GROUP PRAISED FOR WORK-................................ 28
TEACHERS CAN NEVER BE REPLACED BY MACHINES : HAYE.............. 29
FRANCE SETS THREE-YEAR QUOTA ON WATCHES........................ 30
$24-MILLION CONTRACT TO BE SIGNED ............................. 31
PROPERTY REVIEW 1984 .......................................... 31
BELILIOS STAR FOR BRAVE YOUTH................................. 32
INTERNATIONAL DRAWING CONTEST.................................. 32
LONGER CLEARWAY HOURS ......................................... 32
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
1
BALANCED BUDGETS POSSIBLE FROM 1986 — SIR JOHN * * * *
GOVERNMENT BUDGETS COULD BE BALANCED OVER A CYCLE OF YEARS FROM 1986, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
+1 DO NOT ACCEPT THAT AN ENDEMIC BUDGETARY DEFICIT EXISTS IN HONG KONG. THOUGH THIS IS NOT THE GENERAL EXPERIENCE ELSEWHERE, WE SEEK TO PRESENT A UNIQUE EXAMPLE,+ SIR JOHN SAID AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS THUS SET ON A +MEASURED AND CALM ADJUSTMENT* MADE NECESSARY BY THE COLLAPSE OF LAND REVENUES, HE SAID.
THE LAST TWO ANNUAL DEFICITS HAVE BEEN $3.5 BILLION AND $3.1 BILLION, AND A DEFICIT OF $2.1 BILLION IS FORECAST FOR 1984-85.
+THERE WILL PROBABLY BE A DEFICIT IN 1985-86, BUT IT SHOULD AGAIN BE WELL UNDER ONE PER CENT OF GDP. THIS IS RELATIVELY VERY SMALL - IN FACT ARGUABLY WITHIN ACCEPTABLE MARGINS OF COMBINED ESTIMATED REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FLUCTUATION,* HE SAID.
THE IMPROVING TREND, HE ADDED, WAS OBVIOUS AND MORE MARKED WHEN RECKONED IN PERCENTAGE TERMS - A LOWER DEFICIT ON RAPIDLY GROWING GDP.
+NOR DOES IT ARISE BY CHANCE. HAVING TAKEN AN UNEXPECTED 25 PER CENT DROP IN REVENUE, THIS CALM AND DELIBERATE ADJUSTMENT SEEMS MORE INTELLIGENT THAN WIELDING A FUNDAMENTALIST AXE,* HE SAID.
ON THE POSSIBLE RETURN TO BUDGET EQU IL IBRI UM FROM 1986, SIR JOHN SAID, +BUT LET US NOT COUNT OUR CHICKENS YET. ADDITIONALLY THERE CAN BE NO OBJECTION TO MODERATE BORROWING FOR CLEARLY PROFITABLE CAPITAL INVESTMENT, AS LONG AS RECURRENT REVENUE COMFORTABLY EXCEEDS RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.*
AS HONG KONG’S ECONOMY IS ENTIRELY SUBJECT TO UNCONTROLLABLE EXTERNAL EVENTS, SIR JOHN SAID, THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCES MUST ALWAYS BE CONSERVATIVELY DIRECTED.
+IT IS FOR THIS REASON, WITH TRADE REPRESENTING 163 PER CENT OF GDP, THAT LONG-TERM DETAILED BUDGETARY PLANNING IS QUITE IMPRACTICABLE. WE MUST STAY QUICK ON OUR FEET AND QUICK TO REACT TO SITUATIONS THAT CANNOT BE FORESEEN,* HE ADDED.
ON CURRENCY ISSUES, SIR JOHN TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE HON ALLEN LEE’S SUGGESTION TO FLOAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAIN DID NOT MERIT CONSIDERATION AT THIS JUNCTURE.
WHILE SHARING MR LEE’S CONCERN OVER INFLATION, SIR JOHN SAID THE STABILISATION MEASURES FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR HAD BEEN +MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN I DARED HOPE.*
+TO SUGGEST THAT A PATIENT RESTORED INTO GOOD HEALTH SHOULD DELIBERATELY AGAIN BE EXPOSED TO RISK SEEMS EXUBERANT LATERAL THINK ING,+ HE ADDED.
/W VARIOUS.........
WEDNESDAY, APHIL 25, 1984
2
ON VARIOUS POSSIBLE NEW TAX MEASURES +CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT* BY THE HON S.L. CHEN AND THE HON K.C, CHAN, SIR JOHN SAID, ♦I INTEND, HOWEVER, TO KEEP OUR TAX AMBIT RELATIVELY SIMPLE, TO BE RESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC OPINION, TO LIMIT THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION ON THE LESS WELL OFF, AND TO MATCH POSSIBLE REVENUE YIELD AGAINST COST AND COMPLICATION.*
ON THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TAX, SIR JOHN MADE THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS:
* THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF $139 MILLION THOUGH IT IS NOT THE PRIME REASON FOR THE TAX.
* THE SHARES OF THE COMPANY ARE PUBLICLY QUOTED. ON THE FIRST QUOTATION DAY OF JULY 30, 1974, THE PRICE CLOSED AT $4.60 WHILE NOW IT IS SELLING AT ABOUT $12.30.
* THERE IS AN ORCHESTRATED PRIVATE CAR DEFENCE LOBBY.
SIR JOHN ASKED WHETHER THE CRITICS COULD MAKE A COMPARISON OF TAXATION IN THIS AREA-WITH THAT OF SINGAPORE WHOSE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF HONG KONG. PERHAPS, THE GOVERNMENT DESERVES CONGRATULATIONS RATHER THAN UNBALANCED ATTACKS.
ON PROPERTY RATE ARRANGEMENTS, SIR JOHN EXPRESSED THE BELIEF THAT THEY WERE ACCEPTED BY THE MAJORITY AS +BEARABLE IN THE LIGHT OF THE SERVICES THEY RECEIVE.*
+IT IS OUR INTENTION THAT IN FUTURE REVALUATION WILL NORMALLY BE CONDUCTED ON A THREE-YEAR CYCLE, ALTHOUGH IT MAY NOT BE FEASIBLE TO ACHIEVE THIS FOR THE NEXT EXERCISE,* HE SAID.
-------0
SALARIES TAX INCREASE AFFECTS MINORITY * * X M M
ONLY ABOUT 30 OQO SALARIES TAXPAYERS, OUT OF A POPULATION OF 5.3 MILLION, WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED TWO PER CENT INCREASE IN THE SALARIES TAX, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, ESTIMATED TODAY.
SIR JOHN BASED THIS ESTIMATE ON A TYPICAL HONG KONG FAMILY OF MAN, WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN.
*MY EXAMPLE WILL PAY NO INCREASE TAX WHATSOVER UNTIL MONTHLY SALARY EXCEEDS $18 650 PER MONTH, NOR FALL INTO THE 17 PER CENT BRACKET UNTIL HIS, HER OR THEIR COMBINED SALARY EXCEEDS $23 300 PER MONTH,* HE SAID.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE IN HONG KONG OR ELSEWHERE TO INCREASE TAX REVENUE WITHOUT INVOLVING SOME PEOPLE IN PAYING MORE TAX.
+1 HAVE CONSEQUENTLY SOUGHT TO SHAPE THE BUDGET AS BEST I CAN TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY THOSE PAY MORE WHO ARGUABLY CAN SO AFFORD. SALARIES TAX IS PROGRESSIVE,* HE SAID.
/TO THE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
- 3 -
TO THE OPINION THAT $23 300 A MONTH WAS +NOT A PARTICULARLY HIGH INCOME*, SIR JOHN SAID, +IT IS A MILD REJOINDER THAT OPINIONS FROM A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE ARE LIKELY TO BE DIFFERENT. NOR CAN I ACCEPT A DEFINITION OF THE SANDWICH CLASS AS BEING ANYONE WHO DOES NOT WANT TO PAY MORE TAX.*
QUOTING FROM HIS OWN SPEECH MADE A YEAR AGO, SIR JOHN SAID, +THE REAL ’SANDWICH CLASS’ ARE THOSE MIDDLE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WHO EITHER PURCHASED THEIR OWN HOMES IN RECENT YEARS OR ARE PAYING THE FAIR MARKET RENT OR SOMETHING CLOSE TO IT FOR PRIVATE RENTED ACCOMMODATION.
♦THE NUMBERS INVOLVED ARE RELATIVELY SMALL, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN FOUR PER CENT AND 10 PER CENT OF ALL HOUSEHOLDS, BUT PROBABLY NEARER TO FOUR PER CENT.*
NOTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THIS SANDWICHED CLASS, SIR JOHN SAID THAT FOUR PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLDS IS 54 600 AND 10 PER CENT IS 132 500.
+OUT OF A WORKING POPULATION OF ABOUT 2.5 MILLION ONLY SOME 18 500 MEN AND WOMEN WILL PAY SALARIES TAX OF 17 PER CENT, A VERY LOW LEVEL BY MOST INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS,* HE SAID.
+THE VAST MAJORITY IN HONG KONG DOES NOT AND WILL NOT EARN A SALARY ABOVE $18 650 PER MONTH. THIS SEEMS TO ME A NOT UNREASONABLE LEVEL ABOVE WHICH A MODERATE INCREASE SHOULD BE BEARABLE.
+NOR AM I MORE THAN SYMPATHETIC TO A BACHELOR EARNING $10 400 PER MONTH, OUT OF WHICH HE WILL BE ASKED TO PAY ANOTHER $40,+ SIR JOHN POINTED OUT.
HE SAID THAT HIS CONCERN HAD TO FOCUS AT LEAST EQUALLY ON THE VAST MAJORITY WHICH FORMS THE LOWER INCOME EARNERS.
+1 ACCEPT THAT, AS A RESULT OF INFLATION CREEP PLUS UNCHANGED THRESHOLDS AND ALLOWANCES FOR TWO YEARS, MORE PEOPLE ARE FALLING INTO THE TAX NET AT THE LOWER PAY LEVELS AND THAT THOSE IN THE TAX NET ALREADY ARE PAYING MORE IN REAL TERMS.
+1 RECOGNISED THIS PROBLEM IN MY BUDGET SPEECH AND I HAVE PROMISED TO DO WHAT I CAN NEXT YEAR, SUBJECT ALWAYS TO THE BUDGETARY POSITION AT THAT TIME,* HE STATED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THIS CONSIDERATION WAS A CONSTRAINT THIS YEAR AS CONCESSIONS IN THIS AND ANALOGOUS AREAS WERE EXPENSIVE AND WOULD HAVE NECESSITATED EVEN HIGHER COMPENSATORY TAX INCREASES ELSEWHERE.
ON PROFITS TAX, SIR JOHN SAID THAT OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL, THERE HAD BEEN A +DELIBERATE EXAGGERATION* OF THE PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT ACCOMPANY THE PROPOSED TWO PER CENT INCREASE WITH A CHANGED AMBIT.
IT WAS USEFUL FOR NEW LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS TO BE CRITICISED, HE SAID.
/+IF, HOWEVER........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 19&4
- 4 -
* IF, HOWEVER, THOSE WHO DENY THE NEED FOR INCREASED OR NEW TAX MEASURES ALTOGETHER, OR OPPOSE THE FORM PROPOSED, WISH TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, IT WOULD BE MORE PERSUASIVE IF THEY SIMULTANEOUSLY SUBMITTED EQUALLY PRODUCTIVE ALTERNATIVES,* HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THERE HAD BEEN ATTACKS ON THE PROFITS TAX INCREASE, ON MEASURES TO SAFEGUARD THE REVENUE YIELD AFTER THE WIDELY ADVOCATED REMOVAL OF INTEREST TAX, AND ON NEW ARRANGEMENTS TO BRING SO-CALLED OFFSHORE INTEREST INTO THE TAX NET.
+VESTED INTERESTS MUST HAVE THEIR FAIR SAY, BUT THE BUDGET CONCERNS THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
♦IF MY PROPOSALS ARE ACCEPTED, TAX REVENUE WILL STILL REPRESENT ONLY ABOUT 11.3 PER CENT OF GDP. THIS IS THE LOWEST FIGURE THAT I KNOW OF IN INDUSTRIAL ECONOMIES,* HE SAID, ADDING THAT HONG KONG WOULD ALSO RETAIN LOWER CORPORATE TAXATION RATES THAN ANY OF ITS ASIAN COMPETITORS.*
ON THE GROWING COMPLICATION OF TAX LAW AND THE WASTE OF RESOURCES THAT COULD RESULT, SIR JOHN POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS NO DESIGN OF THE GOVERNMENT BUT AN INEVITABLE AND PROPER REACTION.
+IT SHOWS OUR DETERMINATION TO PROTECT THE REVENUE IN THE INTERESTS OF THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY WHEN CONFRONTED WITH PRIOR SKILFUL TAX AVOIDANCE MEASURES,* HE ADDED.
SIR JOHN TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT HE WAS ALSO STUDYING WITH HIS ADVISORS THE ANT I-AVOIDANCE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE ORDINANCE WITH A VIEW TO MAKING THEM MORE EFFECTIVE AND RELEVANT TO HONG KONG’S NEEDS.
BUT HE ADDED THAT NO PROPOSALS THAT HE MIGHT MAKE TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD INCLUDE CHANGE TO THE BASIC TERRITORIAL SOURCE CR ITER ION.
+THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS WEDDED TO THE PRINCIPLE THAT TAXATION SHOULD ONLY BE APPLIED TO INCOME ARISING FROM HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
+1 SEE NO PERSUASIVE REASON WHY, IN THE INTERESTS OF THE GREAT BULK OF OUR PEOPLE, WE SHOULD NOT TAKE FAIR AND PRINCIPLED STEPS TO CATCH THOSE COMPANIES WHO, WHILE PROFITING FROM OUR ENVIRONMENT YET SEEK TO AVOID OUR LOW TAXATION AND THUS THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S. INFRASTRUCTURE.
+THE FACTS MUST BE FACED. ON ONE SIDE IS A SAFEGUARD TO PROTECT AN EXISTING PROFITS TAX YIELD OF ABOUT $400 MILLION PER YEAR ($500 MILLION HAVING ALREADY BEEN LOST WITH THE REMOVAL OF INTEREST TAX), PLUS A MEASURE TO ACQUIRE ANOTHER $350 MILLION PER YEAR FROM OFFSHORE INTEREST - ON THE OTHER, THE CONTINUATION OF OUR REASONABLE SOCIAL PROGRAMMES. FEW SERIOUSLY PROPOUND OTHER POSSIBLE COURSES OF ACTION,* SIR JOHN STATED.
HE POINTED TO THE LACK OF BALANCE OF THOSE WHO CRITICISED THE DETAIL OF PROPOSED NEW LEGISLATION LONG BEFORE THE ACTUAL AMENDMENT HAD BEEN GAZETTED AS AN ADJUNCT TO THE NECESSARY REVENUE PROTECTION ORDER.
/he explained........
WEDNESDAY, APHIL 25, 1984
- 5 -
HE EXPLAINED THAT ONCE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD APPROVED IT, THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD DISCUSS THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT BILL WITH THE WORKING GROUP OF UNOFFICIALS.
♦HAVING FAIRLY CONSIDERED ALL REPRESENTATIONS, OF WHICH THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL, I AM SURE THAT THEY WILL ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED EFFECTS WITHOUT UNFAIR RETROACTIVITY, DISTORTION OR INEQUITY.
♦IT WILL BE UNUSUAL IF SOME CHANGES FOR THE BETTER ARE NOT AGREED FOR COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENT BEFORE FINAL READING,* SIR JOHN SAID.
ON THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC SECTOR SPENDING, SIR JOHN SAID THAT RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WAS THE MAJOR TARGET.
HE SAID THAT FAIR-MINDED CRITICS WOULD NOTE THE FORECAST DROP OF 1.1 PERCENTAGE POINTS, OR A CUT OF OVER $2.6 BILLION, ON THE RELATIVE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
+OUR LIKELY PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE THIS FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE ABOUT 18.3 PER CENT OF GDP. THE AVERAGE FIGURE FOR EEC MEMBERS IN 1982 WAS 50.8 PER CENT,* HE POINTED OUT.
ON THE SUGGESTION BY AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER THAT EXPENDITURE BE CUT TO 15 PER CENT OF GDP, SIR JOHN SAID THAT THIS WOULD REPRESENT A CUT OF MORE THAN $7 BILLION.
THE GOVERNMENT’S TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION WILL BE $7.1 BILLION, ON MEDICAL SERVICES $3.5 BILLION AND ON THE POLICE $2.1 BILLION.
+A CUT OF THE SIZE SUGGESTED, HOWEVER SPREAD, WOULD HAVE TRULY RESOUNDING REPERCUSSIONS,* SIR JOHN SAID.
------0-------
DEFICIT REVISED DOWN TO $3.1 BILLION
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TODAY REVISED THE OVERALL DEFICIT FOR FISCAL 1983-84 DOWN TO $3.1 BILLION.
IN HIS RECENT BUDGET SPEECH, SIR JOHN HAD GIVEN THE ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1983-84 AS $30.3 BILLION AND $33.6 BILLION RESPECTIVELY, THUS PRODUCING A DEFICIT OF $3.3 BILL ION.
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE PERFORMANCE OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS, HE SAID THAT THE LATEST ASSESSMENT OF TOTAL REVENUE WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER, WHILE TOTAL EXPENDITURE WAS LOWER.
+BECAUSE OF THIS IMPROVED SITUATION, FOLLOWING LAST YEAR’S PATTERN, THE OPPORTUNITY HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TRANSFER A FURTHER $200 MILLION TO THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND AND $180 MILLION TO THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND,* HE SAID.
/SIfi JOHN ..........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
6
SIR JOHN POINTED OUT THAT THESE TRANSFERS WOULD LEAVE BOTH FUNDS WITH IMPROVED SURPLUSES AT THE END OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR AND WOULD ENABLE HIM, IF NECESSARY, TO REDUCE TRANSFERS AND CONSEQUENTLY EXPENDITURE ON THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT IN THE 1985-86 BUDGET.
♦WITH RECURRENT REVENUE FOR 1983-84 NOw EXPECTED TO BE $27.23 BILLION AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE $22.94 BILLION, OUR GUIDELINE RATIO OF NOT MORE THAN 85 PER CENT FOR THE LATTER IS WELL SATISFIED. THE FIGURE IS 84 PER CENT,+ HE SAID.
-----0-----
SIR JOHN POINTS TO UPTURN IN PRIVATE INVESTMENT * * *
THERE ARE GROUNDS FOR OPTIMISM ABOUT PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY AS WELL AS SIGNS OF LONG-TERM INVESTMENT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
AFTER DECLINING GENERALLY SINCE THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1981, RETAINED IMPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY FIVE PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1983, DUE LARGELY TO AN INCREASE IN RETAINED IMPORTS OF TEXTILE AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, SIR JOHN POINTED OUT.
HE ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH FIGURES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE, INDICATIONS WERE THE IMPROVEMENT HAD CONTINUED.
INDUSTRIALISTS WERE ALSO LOOKING FOR FACTORY PREMISES TO EXPAND THEIR OPERATIONS, WITH THE FALL IN PROPERTY PRICES AND THE EXPORT-LED ECONOMIC RECOVERY RESULTING IN SOME INCREASE IN THE TAKE-UP OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1983, SIR JOHN SAID.
+IT IS AGAIN GOOD NEWS THAT SIGNS OF LONG-TERM INVESTMENT ARE REAPPEAR ING,+ HE SAID.
THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE INCREASED TAKE-UP, WHICH HAS REDUCED THE VACANCY RATES FOR MOST TYPES OF PROPERTY, WERE BEGINNING TO BE SEEN IN TERMS OF INCREASES IN FLOOR AREAS FOR WHICH CONSENTS TO COMMENCE CONSTRUCTION WERE BEING SOUGHT, HE SAID.
♦ALTHOUGH THE FIGURES ARE VERY VOLATILE, THEY ARE INDICATIVE OF SLOWLY RETURNING CONFIDENCE IN THE AREA OF PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT, + HE ADDED.
IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1983, AND THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE FLOOR AREA FOR WHICH CONSENTS WERE GIVEN TO START CONSTRUCTION EXCEEDED THE FLOOR AREA OF COMPLETED PROJECTS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1982.
/♦BUT BECAUSE........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
7
+BUT BECAUSE THE LEVEL OF STARTS HAS BEEN SO LOW IN RECENT QUARTERS AND BECAUSE IT TAKES TIME FOR AN IMPROVEMENT IN STARTS TO BE REFLECTED IN ADDITIONAL WORK DONE, I DO NOT PROPOSE TO
------- FURTHER SLIGHT FALL IN PRIVATE
ALTER MY FORECAST OF A INVESTMENT IN BUILDING
AND CONSTRUCT ION,+ HE EXPLAINED
ON INFLATION, SIR BEEN SLOWING DOWN FROM IN JANUARY TO SLIGHTLY
JOHN SAID THAT SO FAR THIS YEAR, IT HAD A YEAR ON YEAR RATE OF ABOUT 12.5 PER CENT OVER NINE PER CENT IN MARCH.
AND HE EXPECTED THAT THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WOULD BRING INFLATION DOWN FURTHER.
+THE SPEED AT WHICH THIS OCCURS DEPENDS LARGELY ON THE RATE AT WHICH THE RESIDUAL ADVERSE IMPACT OF LAST YEAR'S DEPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WORKS ITS WAY THROUGH OUR ECONOMY PLUS THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE US DOLLAR MAY DEPRECIATE AGAINST OTHER CURRENCIES THIS YEAR.
♦THE LATTER IS SHEER GUESSWORK AT PRESENT. FURTHER FALL IS PROBABLE, I PERSONALLY WOULD NOT STRENGTH OF THE U.S. ECONOMY,+ SIR JOHN SAID.
THOUGH SOME
UNDERESTIMATE THE
HIS FORECAST
FOR THESE REASONS, HE SAID HE WOULD HOLD TO ---
CF INFLATION COMING DOWN TO SEVEN PER CENT BY THE END OF THE YEAR DESPITE SUGGESTIONS BY SOME MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THAT
IT WAS OVER-OPTIMISTIC.
WITH THE DEPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR STOPPED
IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, PRICE INCREASES STEMMING DIRECTLY FROM TH Io SOURCE SHOULD SOON BE OVER, HE ADDED. ‘
♦THE MAIN DANGER NOW IS INTERNALLY GENERATED COST
ARE SIGNIFICANT THEY WILL TEND TO DELAY THE
INCREASES. IF THESE
DOWNWARD TREND WHICH
I HAVE FORECAST,+ HE ADDED.
- - 0 -
PROPOSALS TO
DEVELOP LOCAL ADMINISTRATION WELCOMED * it * *
THERE WAS BROAD
AND GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED CHANGES
IN LOCAL ADMINISTRATION, AND A CONSOLIDATED REPORT WOULD SHORTLY BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.
THE REPORT, BASED ON EXTENSIVE PUBLIC CONSULTATION OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS, WOULD SOON BE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, +SO THAT ACTUAL DECISIONS MAY BE MADE IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO INTRODUCE WHATEVER LEGISLATION IS NECESSARY, AND TO MAKE THE REQUISITE FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WHATEVER THEY MAY BE, BEFORE THE MARCH 1985 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.+
/SPEAKING IN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
8
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR AKERS-JONES SAID THE WIDE PUBLIC REACTION TO THE PROPOSALS OUTLINED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY IN MID-FEBRUARY WAS BOTH A REFLECTION OF AN INCREASING PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE BENEFITS ARISING FROM IMPROVED LOCAL ADMINISTRATION AND OF THE DESIRE THAT THERE SHOULD BE MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TO PLAY A PART IN GOVERNMENT.
HE REFERRED TO A RECENT CALL BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN THAT HONG KONG MUST ADVANCE TOWARDS A MORE REPRESENTATIVE FORM OF GOVERNMENT INVOLVING A GRADUAL TRANSFER OF REAL POWER FROM OFFICIALS TO THE UNOFFICIALS.
THE PROPOSED MEASURES, HE SAID, MARKED AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THIS DIRECTION AND THE SYSTEM WAS BEING ADAPTED BY REFORMING AND STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE REPRESENTATIVE STRUCTURE.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID DISTRICT BOARDS PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ENTHUSIASTIC AND DEDICATED CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF LOCAL AFFAIRS. THEY ALSO PROVIDED A USEFUL EXPERIENCE FOR POTENTIAL LEADERS BEFORE THEY MOVE ON TO HIGHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION.
+THE APPOINTMENT OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, INCLUDING THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS HAS NOW BECOME A FEATURE OF OUR ADMINISTRATION AND THIS TREND WILL NO DOUBT CONTINUE,+ HE SAID.
MR AKERS-JONES NOTED THAT WHILE THE PROPOSAL RELATING TO THE SETTING UP OF A NEW REGIONAL COUNCIL TO COVER THE AREAS NOT UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL HAD ATTRACTED MOST PUBLIC COMMENT, THE OTHER THREE PROPOSALS WERE OF NO LESS SIGNIFICANCE.
THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE RATIO OF ELECTED TO APPOINTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO 2 s 1 HAD SIGNIFICANT IMPLICATIONS AND RECEIVED GENERAL SUPPORT. THIS WOULD MARK A MAJOR STEP FORWARD FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, FOR IT WOULD MEAN THAT FROM 1985 THE DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD HAVE AN ELECTED MAJORITY.
WITH REGARD TO THE GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, HE SAID, THE CONSENSUS APPEARED TO FAVOUR NO CHANGE EXCEPT IN TSUEN WAN, WHERE TWO BOARDS WERE FAVOURED — ONE COVERING TSUEN WAN ITSELF AND THE OTHER KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl
ISLAND.
WAN WERE
THE DETAILED IMPLICATIONS OF HAVING TWO BOARDS IN TSUEN BEING EXAMINED, HE SAID.
THE THIRD PROPOSAL, INVOLVING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE USE AND RUNNING OF LOCAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES OTHER THAN SPECIALISED FACILITIES, WAS ANOTHER IMPORTANT PROPOSAL WIDELY WELCOMED.
PARTICIPATION BY LOCAL PEOPLE IN THE RUNNING OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES SUCH AS TOWN HALLS IN YUEN LONG AND TSUEN WAN HAD PROVED VALUABLE IN PROMOTING THE USE OF THESE BUILDINGS, HE NOTED.
/+TH3 PROPOSAL
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
- 9 -
♦THE PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THIS PARTICIPATION TO OTHER DISTRICTS, AND TO COVER OTHER RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL FACILITIES WOULD PROVIDE A FURTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO HAVE A SAY IN MAKING THE BEST USE OF LOCAL RESOURCES, WITHOUT, HOWEVER, BURDENING THEM WITH DIRECT STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY AND DAY TO DAY MANAGEMENT DETAILS,+ HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THIS FUNCTION OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS COULD BE EXPANDED WITH RELATIVE EASE FOR APPROPRIATE FACILITIES IN THE NEw TERRITORIES. DIFFERENT CONSIDERATIONS APPLY IN THE URBAN AREAS BUT IT WAS A POSSIBILITY WHICH THE URBAN COUNCIL MAY WISH TO EXPLORE.
ON THE PROPOSED NEW REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR AKERS-JONES EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TRIED TO PUT FORWARD AN ARRANGEMENT WHICH WAS MOST ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE IN THE AREAS, AND WHICH PROVIDED THE MOST OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUAL EXPRESSION AND DEVELOPMENT, SO THAT THEY WOULD BENEFIT AS A COMMUNITY FROM DIVERSITY AND COMPAR ISON.
HE SAID DUE WEIGHT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE FACT THAT THE AREA COVERED BY THE EIGHT NT DISTRICTS HAD A GROWING POPULATION WHICH BY 1988 WOULD BE OVER TWO MILLION. EACH OF THE EIGHT DISTRICTS HAS ITS OWN INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS, ITS OWN FACILITIES, ITS OWN PROBLEMS, AND AS A WHOLE THE REGION DIFFERED VERY CONSIDERABLY FROM THE HOMOGENEOUS DOWNTOWN AREAS OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON.
+IN ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, SUCH AN AREA AND SUCH A POPULATION WOULD JUSTIFY ITS OWN LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PROVISION OF LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES,* HE SAID.
NEITHER WAS IT UNREASONABLE TO SUPPOSE THAT THE EIGHT DISTRICTS, BOTH THE RURAL AND NEW TOWN POPULATIONS, EXPECT THAT THE SERVICES THAT AFFECT THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES, AND IN PARTICULAR THE PRIORITIES IN THE PROVISION OF THOSE SERVICES SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY AN ORGANISATION MADE UP OF RESIDENTS OF THE AREA RATHER THAN AS NOW BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, OR BY A CENTRAL COUNCIL PERCEIVED TO BE REMOTE AND LESS LIKELY TO UNDERSTAND THEIR OWN REQUIREMENTS.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID THE PROPOSED NEW REGIONAL COUNCIL COULD SERVE AS AN UMBRELLA STATUTORY ORGANISATION, LEAVING THE RUNNING OF MANY OF ITS FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICTS TO BE DIRECTED BY DISTRICT COMMITTEES LINKED TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
+AS A WHOLE THE REGION IS IN THE THROES OF DRAMATIC CHANGE AS EACH OF THE NEW TOWNS GROWS IN SIZE AND IT WILL ACCEPT AN INFLOW OF ABOUT A MILLION PEOPLE IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS. THIS, TOO, IS CREATING AND WILL CREATE ITS OWN SPECIAL PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES AND REQUIRE SPECIAL AND KNOWLEDGEABLE ATTENTION,* HE SAID.
ON THE COUNCIL’S POSSIBLE MEMBERSHIP, MR AKERS-JONES SAID CAREFUL CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN! TO SUGGESTIONS THAT DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD SIT ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
/IT WOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
10 -
IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE, HE SAID, TO CREATE A REGIONAL COUNCIL COMPOSED OF MEMBERS ELECTED BY DISTRICT CONSTITUENCIES AND REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED BY DISTRICT BOARDS FROM AMONGST THEIR OWN NUMBER. THEY, TOGETHER WITH THE APPOINTED MEMBERS AND SOME SEATS RESERVED FOR THE HEUNG YEE KUK, COULD PROVIDE A WELL BALANCED REPRESENTATIVE BODY.
♦CERTAINLY, THERE IS CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT FOR A LINK BETWEEN THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE PROPOSED REGIONAL COUNCIL WITH THE FORMER EACH SENDING A MEMBER TO SERVE ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.*
THIS WOULD CONTRAST WITH THE SYSTEM IN THE URBAN AREA WHEREBY URBAN COUNCILLORS HAVE SEATS RESERVED FOR THEM ON THE DISTRICT BOARDS, BUT DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS DO NOT SIT ON THE URBAN COUNC IL.
RESPONDING TO COMMENTS ON THE UNNECESSARY COST OF HAVING A SECOND COUNCIL, MR AKERS-JONES SAID A REGIONAL COUNCIL WOULD NATURALLY HAVE ITS COST AS WOULD AN ENLARGED CENTRAL COUNCIL. ♦ IT IS A QUESTION OF WEIGHING THIS ADDITIONAL COST AGAINST THE VARIOUS OTHER FACTORS I HAVE MENTIONED.*
HE SAID THAT ONE COUNCIL LARGE ENOUGH TO COVER THE WORK INVOLVED AND TO BE SUFFICIENTLY REPRESENTATIVE OF SUCH A DISPERSED AREA WOULD HAVE TO BE 60 OR 70 STRONG.
+T0 FORM ONE COUNCIL WOULD IN ANY CASE REQUIRE THE DISSOLUTION OF THE EXISTING URBAN COUNCIL AND ACCEPTING, MOREOVER, THE DISRUPTION THAT THIS WOULD CAUSE. IT WOULD MEAN CALLING FOR FRESH ELECTIONS AND WORKING OUT A HOST OF FRESH ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.
+THERE SEEMS NO DOUBT THAT THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS IN SUCH A LARGE BODY WOULD BE COMPLEX, AND THAT IT MIGHT ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING ITS GRIP ON THE DETAILED PROBLEMS IN EACH CORNER OF THE WORK OF HONG KONG AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.*
MR AKERS-JONES SAID THE DISTRICT BOARDS HAD PROVED NOT ONLY VALUABLE AT DISTRICT LEVEL, BUT ALSO AN IMPORTANT LINK IN THE BROAD CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY THAT THE GOVERNMENT DEPENDED UPON IN PURSUING ITS AIM OF GOVERNMENT BY CONSENSUS.
IT WAS NOT WITHOUT SIGNIFICANCE, HE SAID, THAT THE BOARDS EITHER HAD DISCUSSED OR WOULD BE DISCUSSING POLICIES WITH REGARD TO EDUCATION, HOUSING AND BROADCASTING.
+AND ALL DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE BEEN ASSURED THAT, IF THEY WISH TO DO SO, THEY MAY DISCUSS AND GIVE THEIR ADVICE ON THE SUBJECT WHICH IS OF GREAT CONCERN TO US ALL — THE FUTURE.*
-----0------
/11 .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
- 11 -
SECOND TUNNEL MAY BE BEST SOLUTION, LEGCO TOLD * * *
A TUNNEL LINKING TAI KOO SHING AND CHA KWO LING APPEARED TO BE THE BEST LONG-TERM MEANS OF REDUCING CONGESTION IN THE CROSS.-HARBOUR TUNNEL AND ON THE APPROACHES TO IT, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON JUSTIN YUE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
BUT THIS WAS STILL A +PRELIMINARY VIEW+, TO BE CONFIRMED BY DETAILED ASSESSMENTS NOW UNDERWAY OF THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL VIABILITIES OF THE VARIOUS OPTIONS, HE STRESSED.
+EVEN IF A FIRM DECISION COULD BE TAKEN LATER THIS YEAR TO CONSTRUCT A SECOND FIXED HARBOUR CROSSING, IT WILL TAKE AT LEAST FOUR YEARS TO COMPLETE,+ MR YUE SAID,
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL (PASSAGE TAX) BILL 1984, MR YUE EXPLAINED THAT PRESENT INDICATIONS WERE THAT THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED LEI YUE MUN BRIDGE WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO OVERCOME,
MR YUE SAID THERE WAS LITTLE SCOPE IN THE SHORT TERM FOR IMPROVING FURTHER THE EXISTING TUNNEL OPERATIONS AND THE TRAFFIC CONTROLS AROUND THE APPROACH ROADS AND EXITS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DAILY FLOW THROUGH THE TUNNEL REMAINED IN EXCESS OF 100 000 VEHICLES.
♦ THIS IS WELL ABOVE THE CARRYING CAPACITY THAT THE TUNNEL WAS DESIGNED FOR,+ HE SAID.
THE STEERING GROUP EXAMINING THE OPTIONS WAS MAKING STEADY PROGRESS AND WOULD BE ABLE TO SUBMIT A FINAL REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, HE SAID.
MR YUE SAID THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE BILL WAS TO IMPOSE A TAX ON CERTAIN CLASSES OF VEHICLES TO REDUCE CROSS-HARBOUR CONGESTION.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE OMNIBUSES, HE SAID, WOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM THE TAX.
+IN THIS WAY, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC WHICH TRAVELS THROUGH THE TUNNEL ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT SHOULD REMAIN UNAFFECTED AND SHOULD, AS A RESULT OF REDUCED CONGESTION, ENJOY SHORTER JOURNEY TIMES,+ HE SAID.
THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE CHARGING OF DIFFERENT RATES OF TAX ON DIFFERENT CLASSES OF MOTOR VEHICLES USING THE TUNNEL.
THE HIGHER RATE OF TAX OF $5 WOULD APPLY TO PRIVATE CARS AND TAXIS WHICH TOGETHER ACCOUNT FOR 70 PER CENT OF THE TRAFFIC FLOW THROUGH THE TUNNEL.
/GOODS VEHICLES .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
- 12 -
GOODS VEHICLES WOULD PAY THE SAME TAX AS PRIVATE CARS AND TAXIS. THIS WAS NOT EXPECTED TO ADD SIGNIFICANTLY TO TRANSPORT COST, AS OVER 90 PER CENT OF THE DAILY GOODS VEHICLE TRIPS DID NOT INVOLVE CROSSING THE HARBOUR.
MOTOR-CYCLES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES, WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A $2 TAX, MR YUE SAID.
CONSULAR CORPS STAFF WERE EXEMPTED FROM THE TAX, WHILE GOVERNMENT VEHICLES WERE NOT EXEMPTED, EXCEPT IN THE SPECIAL CIRSUMSTANCES OF OFFICIALS CARRYING OUT DUTIES IN THE TUNNEL AREA.
THE TAX WOULD APPLY THROUGHOUT THE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF EACH DAY, HE SAID.
THE BILL WAS INTENDED TO TAKE EFFECT ON JUNE 1 TH IS YEAR, AND EXPECTED TO BRING $140 MILLION A YEAR OF REVENUE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TO MAY 2.
- 0
CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL CONGESTION ’INTOLERABLE* - YUE * X * * *
THE PRESENT LEVEL OF CONGESTION AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WAS INTOLERABLE, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON JUSTIN YUE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE SAID THAT THE 1983 DECLINE OF 0.47 PER CENT IN CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TRAFFIC COMPARED WITH THE 1982 FIGURE REFERRED TO BY REV THE HON FR PATRICK MCGOVERN WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH, AND WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY PHENOMENON.
MR YUE SAID THE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC FOR 1982 WAS 39.78 MILLION VEHICLES- AND FOR 1983, IT WAS 39.59 MILLION — A DROP OF 0.47 PER CENT. BUT FOR THE LATEST 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDING MARCH 1984, IT WAS 39.79 MILLION.
+S0 ALREADY WE ARE BACK TO WHERE WE WERE,+ HE SAID.
MR YUE SAID THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WAS CONSIDERING htANS TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT PUBLIC TRANSPORT WOULD BE PROVIDED SO AS NOT TO DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED TAX — WHICH HE HAD EARLIER EXPLAINED, IN MOVING THE CROSS-HARBOUR (PASSAGE TAX) BILL 1984 WAS TO IMPOSE A TAX ON CERTAIN CLASSES OF VEHICLES TO REDUCE CONGESTION IN THE TUNNEL.
HE SAID THAT A SUGGESTION THAT THE PROPOSED CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL TAX SHOULD NOT APPLY DURING NON-PEAK HOURS HAD BEEN EXAMINED.
+AS A CONCEPT, IT HAS CONSIDERABLE MERITS. BUT AS I HAVE SAID, THERE ARE ALSO CONSIDERABLE ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS, THE MAIN ONE OF WHICH IS THAT THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY’S EXISTING COMPUTER CANNOT COPE WITH SUCH A REQUIREMENT.
/+LF AND .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
- 13 -
+IF AND WHEN THE COMPANY SHOULD SWITCH TO A NEW COMPUTER WITH ADDITIONAL CAPABILITIES, I WOULD CERTAINLY ASK FOR THIS TO BE RE-EXAMINED,* HE SAID.
REFERRING TO A REQUEST THAT THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL TOLL SHOULD NOT BE FURTHER INCREASED, HE SAID THAT THE COMPANY’S APPLICATION FOR A TOLL INCREASE WAS BEING EXAMINED WITH CARE BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
+TO THE EXTENT THAT THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY’S REVENUE IS REDUCED AS A RESULT OF RESISTANCE TO THE TUNNEL TAX, A SMALL INCREASE MAY BE JUSTIFIED, AND, IF SO, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT SUCH AN INCREASE CAN BE OFFSET WITHIN THE TUNNEL TAX.
♦HOWEVER, IT WILL BE SOME TIME BEFORE THE EFFECT OF THE TUNNEL TAX CAN BE CLEARLY ESTABLISHED. UNTIL THEN, NO FIRM VIEW CAN BE REACHED,* HE SAID.
MR YUE SAID ALSO THAT EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS WERE GOING ON WITH THE TAXI ASSOCIATIONS AND WITH ALL THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND HE HOPED TO REPORT ON THIS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN JUNE.
------ o ------
ECIC CONTINGENT LIABILITY RAISED * * * *
A MOTION TO INCREASE THE CONTINGENT LIABILITY OF THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION BY $500 MILLION TO $3 500 MILLION WAS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MOVING THE MOTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID THAT WITH EXPORTS GOING WELL, THE CONTINGENT LIABILITIES OF THE CORPORATION WERE INCREASING AT THE RATE OF ABOUT $50 MILLION A QUARTER.
THIS RATE MIGHT ALSO ACCELERATE, AS A RESULT OF NEW AND EXPANDED BUSINESS, INCLUDING THAT GENERATED BY THE LAUNCHING OF A COMPREHENSIVE SHIPMENTS POLICY, HE SAID.
♦IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES THE CORPORATION’S ADVISORY BOARD CONSIDERS THAT THE EXISTING STATUTORY LIMIT MAY BE REACHED DURING THE SECOND HALF OF 1984. IT HAS THUS ADVISED .THAT THE MAXIMUM CONTINGENT LIABILITY SHOULD BE INCREASED BY $500 MILLION TO $3 500 MILLION,* HE SAID.
FAILURE TO RAISE THE LIMIT COULD RESULT IN THE CORPORATION HAVING TO TURN AWAY FURTHER BUSINESS. ON THE BASIS OF THE USUAL GEARING OF THREE, UP TO $167 MILLION WILL HAVE TO BE SET ASIDE FROM THE FREE FISCAL RESERVES AS COVER FOR THE ADDITIONAL CONTINGENT LIABILITY,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
HE STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT THIS MAXIMUM LIABILITY WAS A THEORETICAL AMOUNT, AND WAS NEVER LIKELY TO BE AT RISK AT ANY ONE TIME.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
14 -
PUBLIC VIEWS BEING SOUGHT ON HOUSING ALLOCATION * * * *
A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING ALLOCATION POLICIES WILL BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LIAO STRESSED THAT THIS WAS A DISCUSSION DOCUMENT +IN THE TRUEST SENSE OF THE WORD+ AND THE OPTIONS CONTAINED IN IT WERE NOT YET AGREED POLICIES.
MR LIAO EXPLAINED THAT THE STABILISATION OF POPULATION GROWTH AND THE SUSTAINED AND INCREASING LEVEL OF PUBLIC HOUSING PRODUCTION HAD ENABLED THE AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT A FURTHER REVIEW OF ITS ALLOCATION POLICIES.
HE SAID THE AREAS WHICH WERE THE SUBJECT OF THAT REVIEW WERE THE ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING FOR SMALL HOUSEHOLDS, THE REHOUSING OF SQUATTERS AND TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA RESIDENTS, THE ISSUE OF WELL-OFF PUBLIC RENTAL TENANTS, MEASURES TO PROMOTE HOME OWNERSHIP, AND THE ADDITION OF MARRIED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO PUBLIC HOUSING TENANCIES.
♦SINCE ANY CHANGE OF POLICY COULD HAVE AN IMPACT NOT ONLY ON THE 2.5 MILLION PUBLIC LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING BUT ALSO ON PROSPECTIVE TENANTS AND HOME OWNERS, THE AUTHORITY WILL SEEK THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC ON A RANGE OF OPTIONS BEFORE IT DECIDES WHETHER CHANGES OF POLICY SHOULD BE RECOMMENDED TO THE GOVERNMENT.
♦COPIES OF THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS AND HAVE NO DOUBT THAT VARIOUS DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD WISH TO DISCUSS THESE SUBJECTS,+ HE SAID.
REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY THE HON F.K. HU, MR LIAO SAID TOTAL PUBLIC HOUSING PRODUCTION IN 1983-84 TOTALLED 38 681 FLATS, OF WHICH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CONTRIBUTED A RECORD 36 441.
HE SAID THE AUTHORITY INTENDED TO MAINTAIN SUCH PRODUCTION LEVELS FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
INDEED, WHEN THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME REACHED ITS FULL TARGET OF 5 OOO A YEAR IN 1985-86, THE TOTAL PUBLIC HOUSING PRODUCTION WOULD RISE TO AN AVERAGE OF 40 000 FLATS PER YEAR, HE SAID.
AS TO THE SUGGESTION THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD PURSUE A RENTAL POLICY AIMED AT REDUCING THE GAP BETWEEN ACTUAL COSTS AND RENTAL INCOME SO THAT GRADUALLY THE AUTHORITY COULD CONTRIBUTE MORE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF RENTAL ESTATES AND BE LESS DEPENDENT ON PUBLIC FUNDS, MR LIAO AGREED THAT THIS WAS DESIRABLE, IT WAS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE AUTHORITY THAT RENTAL INCOME SHOULD COVER RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
/+HOWEVER, SINCE.........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
- 15 -
♦HOWEVER, SINCE RENTS FOR THE OLDER ESTATES ARE STILL AT A VERY LOW LEVEL, WE CONTINUE TO OPERATE AT A DEFICIT. MOREOVER, THE INFLATION RATE IN RECENT YEARS HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE AUTHORITY TO KEEP PACE WITH RISING RECURRENT COSTS AND A SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION TO THIS DEFICIT HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE.
♦ A MAJOR PROBLEM REMAINS THE HEAVY LEVEL OF SUBSIDY FOR THE OLDEST HOUSING BLOCKS, AS RENT INCREASES MUST BE A GRADUAL PROCESS AND WE NEED TO HAVE REGARD TO GENERAL ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS TENANTS’ ABILITY TO PAY.
♦THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THESE MARK l-lI BLOCKS, WHICH IS GATHERING MORE TIME, WILL NOT ONLY SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVE THE LIVING CONDITIONS FOR THE 200 000 TENANTS IN THE REMAINING BLOCKS. BUT WILL ALSO SERVE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OLD DEFICITINCURRING ESTATES AND INCREASE THE NUMBER OF NEW ESTATES WHICH ARE ABLE TO PAY THEIR WAY.+
-----0-----
QUOTA TRANSFER SUBJECT TO MORE RULES * * *
A SUGGESTION THAT SOME QUOTA HOLDERS WERE WHOLLY ENGAGED IN +QUOTA FARMING+ WAS REFUTED TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON JOHN YAXLEY.
HE DID NOT BELIEVE THIS WAS POSSIBLE, SINCE THERE WAS AN ALLOCATION RULE WHICH PENALISED PERSISTENT TEMPORARY TRANSFERORS WHO TRANSFERRED OUT 50 PER CENT OR MORE OF THEIR TOTAL ALLOCATION IN TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS AND THE RULE HAD BEEN IN FORCE FOR SOME TIME, MR YAXLEY SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR YAXLEY WAS REPLYING TO A CALL BY THE HON PETER C. WONG FOR +A FRESH LOOK+ AT THE TEXTILE QUOTA ALLOCATION SYSTEM.
♦EVEN S0,+ MR YAXLEY SAID, +l WOULD POINT OUT THAT OF THE 14 CHANGES TO THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM INTRODUCED AFTER THE 1983 REVIEW, FOUR CHANGES APPLY SPECIFICALLY TO THE TRANSFER RULES WHILE ANOTHER FOUR INDIRECTLY AFFECT THOSE WHO HAVE TRANSFERRED QUOTAS.
♦FURTHERMORE, THESE CHANGES ONLY TAKE EFFECT FROM THE CURRENT YEAR, AND ONLY TIME WILL SHOW THEIR EFFECTIVENESS. NEVERTHELESS, THESE CHANGES CLEARLY INDICATE THAT THERE IS NO COMPLACENCY IN THIS REGARD! BUT WE MUST TAKE CARE NOT TO THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER.+
MR YAXLEY SAID THAT THE NEED FOR TEXTILE EXPORT QUOTAS WAS NOT OF HONG KONG’S CHOOSING.
/+WE MJCH........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
- 16 -
+WE MUCH PREFER FREE TRADE IN TEXTILES. THE QUOTAS HAVE ARISEN BECAUSE WE HAVE TO RESTRAIN OUR EXPORTS OF CERTAIN TEXTILE AND CLOTHING PRODUCTS WITHIN LIMITS AGREED WITH OUR VARIOUS TRADING PARTNERS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE MULTIFIBRE ARRANGEMENT. THIS MEANS THAT THE DEMAND FOR THESE PRODUCTS IS OFTEN HIGHER THAN THE AGREED AND RESTRICTED SUPPLY FROM HONG KONG.
+THE HIGH QUOTA PREMIA MR WONG HAS HEARD OF CLEARLY RELATE TO THE RECENT CONDITIONS IN THE UNITED STATES MARKET WHERE THERE APPEARS TO BE AN EXTREMELY STRONG DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS WHICH FAR EXCEEDS OUR AVAILABLE QUOTA.
+OUR 1983 SHIPMENT PERFORMANCE OF 99.9 PER CENT AGAINST OUR UNITED STATES RESTRAINT LIMIT GIVES AN INDICATION OF THIS. FROM PRESENT TRENDS, QUOTAS FOR THE UNITED STATES MARKET THIS YEAR WILL LIKEWISE BE FULLY USED,+ MR YAXLEY SAID.
0 --------
$20 MILLION SPENT DAILY ON PUBLIC WORKS
THE GOVERNMENT WAS SPENDING $20 MILLION A DAY ON PUBLIC WORKS, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR CHAN SAID IN THE PAST 10 YEARS $36.4 BILLION HAD BEEN SPENT ON PUBLIC WORKS, EXCLUDING THE COST OF PUBLIC HOUSING, BUT INCLUDING THE COST OF LAND ACQUISITION.
THIS COMPARED WITH A TOTAL OF $5.35 BILLION SPENT IN THE PREVIOUS 10 YEARS, WHEN ANNUAL EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL WORKS VARIED BETWEEN LESS THAN $300 MILLION AND $800 MILLION PER YEAR.
+OVER THE PAST THREE FINANCIAL YEARS EXPENDITURE HAS AVERAGED ABOUT $7.4 BILLION PER YEAR OR $20 MILLION A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR,+ MR CHAN TOLD THE COUNCIL.
EVEN ALLOWING FOR INCREASES IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS, HE SAID, THERE HAD BEEN VERY SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION IN GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME OF CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS, BUT A GREAT DEAL STILL REMAINED TO BE DONE TO COMPLETE THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME ALREADY IN HAND, AND TO FULFIL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE VARIOUS PROGRAMMES ADOPTED BY GOVERNMENT.
IT WAS ESTIMATED AT MARCH 31 THAT THE OUTSTANDING VALUE OF WORKS FINANCED FROM THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND (EXCLUDING LAND COSTS) CURRENTLY IN HAND OR ALREADY AUTHORISED TO BEGIN AMOUNTED TO ABOUT $22.5 BILLION. WITH EXPENDITURE RUNNING AT BETWEEN $6.5 BILLION AND $7 BILLION A YEAR THIS REPRESENTED OVER THREE YEARS’ WORKS, IGNORING ANY POSSIBLE ESCALATION IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS OR THE INJECTION OF URGENT ITEMS WHICH WOULD INEVITABLY OCCUR.
/MH CHAN .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
- 17 -
MR CHAN SAID HE WAS ACUTELY AWARE OF THE NEED TO REVIEW THE PRESENT SITUATION AND HAD GIVEN A GREAT DEAL OF THOUGHT RECENTLY TO WAYS AND MEANS OF ENSURING THAT PROJECTS MOST DESERVING OF PRIORITY WERE ALLOCATED PLANNING RESOURCES AND CONSIDERED FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
WHETHER INDIVIDUAL ITEMS SHOULD BE RETAINED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME WAS ALREADY A MATTER OF CONSTANT SCRUTINY.
THE VALUE OF ITEMS IN THE PROGRAMME FOR WHICH A START HAD NOT YET BEEN AGREED STILL REPRESENTED ABOUT 10 YEARS’ INJECTIONS OF NEW PROJECTS AT THE CURRENT RATE OF ABOUT 3.5 BILLION DOLLARS* WORTH ANNUALLY.
REFERRING TO THE QUESTION OF LAND PRODUCTION RAISED BY MR STEPHEN CHEONG, HE SAID THE GENERAL POSITION WAS KEPT UNDER REVIEW BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND SUPPLY.
THE COMMITTEE’S CURRENT VIEW WAS THAT OVER THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS THERE SHOULD BE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL USE AND PRIVATE HOUSING.
HOWEVER, THERE WOULD REMAIN A NEED TO SUPPLY ABOUT 70 HECTARES A YEAR FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, INCLUDING HOME OWNERSHIP AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEMES.
IT HAD BEEN ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 1 000 HECTARES OF NEW LAND WAS LIKELY TO BE NEEDED IN THE 1990’S TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF POPULATION GROWTH UP TO THE YEAR 2001, MR CHAN SAID.
AT 1982 PRICES, THIS COULD COST ABOUT $10 BILLION FOR SITE FORMATION ALONE, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, RECENT STUDIES HAD SHOWN THAT FOR THE 1990’S GREATER EMPHASIS WOULD NEED TO BE GIVEN TO TRANSPORT AND OTHER KEY INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES.
THESE WERE BEING CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. PRELIMINARY RESULTS INDICATED THAT THE DEMAND FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND ADDITIONS TO THE TRANSPORT NETWORK COULD HEAVILY OUTWEIGH THE COST OF LAND PRODUCTION, THAT IN FUTURE MORE WORKS COULD BE +TRANSPORT-ORIENTED+ AND THAT THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE A SATISFACTORY BALANCE BETWEEN LAND USES AND TRANSPORT FACILITIES WOULD GREATLY INFLUENCE DECISIONS ON FURTHER LAND PRODUCTION FOR HOUSING AND OTHER USES.
MR CHAN AGREED WITH MR CHEONG THAT MUCH HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE AND THAT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE CURRENT LEVEL OF CONSTRUCTION COSTS GOVERNMENT’S CAPITAL WORKS PRODUCTION WAS RUNNING AT A HIGHER RATE THAN EVER BEFORE.
HOWEVER, THE DEMANDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE GROWING POPULATION WOULD ALLOW NO RELAXATION OF EFFORTS. INDICATIONS WERE THAT TO MAKE WAY FOR MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL ITEMS FOR THE 1990’S, AN URGENT NEED EXISTED TO ASSESS THE PRIORITIES OF PROJECTS ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, HE SAID.
/+I CAN ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
- 18 -
+l CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THIS WILL BE ACTIVELY PURSUED WITH A VIEW TO ENSURING THAT IN THE PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF WORKS (INCLUDING LAND PRODUCTION) WE CONCENTRATE ON THOSE PROJECTS WHICH DESERVE HIGH PRIORITY WHICH ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALREADY-APPROVED GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES AND WHICH CAN BE ACCOMMODATED WITHIN AVAILABLE RESOURCES,* MR CHAN SAID.
REFERRING TO A POINT MADE BY MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG ON LAND ADMINISTRATION, MR CHAN SAID A CASE COULD BE MADE FOR A NEW SURVEY OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, BUT THIS WOULD BE A MASSIVE AND DIFFICULT UNDERTAKING.
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT WAS TACKLING THE PROBLEM MAINLY BY WORKING ON RECTIFICATION IN AREAS AS NEW GRANTS WERE MADE AND THIS WOULD RESULT IN THE GRADUAL EXTENSION OF MUCH MORE ACCURATE RECORDS.
ON MR CHEUNG’S OTHER POINT THAT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT SHOULD MAINTAIN FLEXIBILITY IN ITS APPROACH, MR CHAN SAID THIS WAS CERTAINLY THE INTENTION AND,HE THOUGHT IT WAS BEING ACHIEVED.
MR CHAN SAID FLEXIBILITY MUST HAVE ITS LIMITS, OTHERWISE THERE WAS A RISK OF ABUSE.
LAND OWNERS HELD THEIR LAND UNDER LEASE CONDITIONS WHICH MUST BE ADHERED TO.
WITHIN THESE CONDITIONS, LEGAL RIGHTS WOULD BE MAINTAINED AND EVERY EFFORT WOULD BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT SENSIBLE SOLUTIONS WERE FOUND TO ANY PROBLEMS HICH MAY ARISE.
ON MRS PAULJNE NG’S SUGGESTION THAT PROVISION UNDER THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S STREET LIGHTING VOTE SHOULD INCLUDE THE LIGHTING OF SQUATTER AREAS, MR CHAN SAID LIGHTING IN THESE AREAS WAS BEING PROVIDED WITHIN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME AND BOTH THE CAPITAL AND RECURRENT COSTS OF THIS WERE BEING PAID FOR BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL EARLY LAST YEAR AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $300 MILLION, WAS A +ROLLING+ PROGRAMME OF WORKS AND OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS IMPROVEMENTS TO ABOUT 80 AREAS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT, INCLUDING THE PROVISIONING OF PUBLIC LIGHTING.
-----0 - - - -
/19........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
- 19 -
COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME STRESSED *****
THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME AND RELATED SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE SHOULD REMAIN THE CENTRAL PILLAR OF HONG KONG’S SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON HENRY CHING, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR CHING SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS FULLY COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR THIS PURPOSE AND THAT THIS WAS REFLECTED IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES WHICH SHOWED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PROVISION FOR PAYMENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE.
HE ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME WAS DESIGNED SO THAT THE INCENTIVE TO WORK WAS NOT ERODED AND SO THAT HELP WAS DIRECTED TOWARDS THOSE MOST IN NEED.
+THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE LEVELS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO DEPEND ON SOCIAL SECURITY-INDEED THE GREAT MAJORITY OF RECIPIENTS ARE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED.*
ON THE NEED TO MAINTAIN A BALANCE BETWEEN SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL SECURITY, MR CHING POINTED OUT THAT ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE IN 1984-85 ON RELIEF AND WELFARE PAYMENTS, ON THE ONE HAND, AND ON ALL OTHER RECURRENT EXPENDITURE BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING SUBVENTIONS, ON THE OTHER, IN EACH CASE REFLECTED AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 26 PER CENT PER ANNUM SINCE 1980-81.
A BALANCE IS THEREFORE BEING MAINTAINED, HE SAID.
+THESE TWO ELEMENTS OF OUR PROGRAMMES ARE COMPLEMENTARY TO EACH OTHER, AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE BOTH THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF SOCIAL WORK SERVICES AS FAR AS RESOURCES PERMIT.*
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF OUTPATIENT CLINICS HOLDING SESSIONS IN THE EVENINGS AND HOLIDAYS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF WORKERS, MR CHING POINTED OUT THAT THE PURPOSE OF SUCH SESSIONS WAS BASICALLY TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON DAY SESSIONS AND ON THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS.
+WITHIN LIMITED RESOURCES, IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO EXPAND EVENING AND HOLIDAY SESSIONS PURELY ON THE GROUNDS OF CONVENIENCE, WITHOUT UNDULY AFFECTING THE SERVICES PROVIDED DURING DAY SESSIONS,* HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO A CLAIM THAT GOVERNMENT SUBVENTED HOSPITALS GOT LESS FUNDING THAN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS OF THE SAME NATURE, MR CHING POINTED OUT THAT THE AVERAGE STAY OF A PATIENT IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS TENDED TO EE SHORTER THAN IN SIMILAR SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.
+A SUBVENTED HOSPITAL, THEREFORE, WHICH GETS LESS FUNDING PER BED THAN A GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL MAY WELL BE GETTING MORE FUNDING °ER PATIENT TREATED.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
- 20 -
+AND IT IS SURELY THE FUNDING PER PATIENT TREATED THAT IS THE MEASURE OF THE EFFECTIVE UTILISATION OF THE FUNDS,+ HE SAID.
TURNING TO POLLUTION CONTROL, MR CHING SAID AN INTERNAL REVIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ORGANISATION FOR THE CONTROL OF POLLUTION WAS INSTITUTED IN THE MIDDLE OF 1983.
+THIS EXERUSE IS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE, AND IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO FORMULATE DETAILED PROPOSALS LATER THIS YEAR,+ HE SAID.
------0-------
INVESTMENT SEEN LINKED TO EXPORT GROWTH * X *
THE GOVERNMENT WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE CENTRAL IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC WELL BEING, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON JOHN YAXLEY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLY TO UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS’ CONCERN ABOUT THE APPARENT FAIL IN PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN MANUFACTURING, MR YAXLEY SAID THAT FIGURES FOR RETAINED IMPORTS OF INDUSTRIAL PLANT AND MACHINERY DID SHOW A DECLINE IN INVESTMENT BY MANUFACTURERS IN 1982 AND THE FIRST HALF OF 1983. FOLLOWING THE RECOVERY IN EXPORTS DURING 1983, RETAINED IMPORTS OF INDUSTRIAL PLANT AND MACHINERY BEGAN TO TURN UPWARDS AGAIN IN THE LAST QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
+EXPORT ORDERS ARE CONTINUING AT A HIGH LEVEL, SO WE EXPECT THIS TREND TO CONTINUE,+ HE SAID.
ON THE TASK OF DISSEMINATING TECHNOLOGICAL INFORMATION, 14? YAXLEY SAID THAT IT WAS CURRENTLY UNDERTAKEN BY A NUMBER OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE, THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES.
+EQUALLY IMPORTANT HOWEVER IS THE IDENTIFICATION, AND INTRODUCTION, OF TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY USEFUL IN HONG KONG’S CIRCUMSTANCES. AS EXAMPLES OF WORK TOWARDS THAT GOAL I MIGHT PERHAPS DRAW MEMBERS’ ATTENTION TO RECENT STUDIES COMMISSIONED BY THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD ON THE METAL AND LIGHT ENGINEERING INDUSTRY, THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.
+ARISING FROM THESE STUDIES, MEASURES HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED WHICH WILL FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO HELP INDUSTRY TO MOVE TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY-INTENSIVE PRODUCTION,+ HE SAID.
/KR YAXLSY .......
flEMIESDAY, APRIL 196
- 21 -
MR YAXLEY SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID RECOGNISE THE NEED FOl CO-ORDINATION OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE VARIOUS BODIES.
+THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD DISCUSSED THIS RECENTLY AND ITS CONSENSUS WAS THAT EXISTING RESOURCES SHOULD BE USED FAR AS PRACTICABLE.
+SPECIFIC PROPOSALS ON HOW THIS SHOULD BE DONE, AND HOW DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES COULD BE FUNDED, ARE BEING EXAMINED. THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF INDUSTRY WILL BE TAKEN FULLY INTO IN THAT EXAMINATION,* MR YAXLEY SAID.
------0--------
THE
AS
VARIOUS
ACCOUNT
WORK
THAT
TWO
AND
CIVIL SERVANTS APPRECIATE ROLE IN ECONOMY *****
CIVIL SERVANTS OF ALL RANKS APPRECIATE THEIR ROLE IN THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG, IN TERMS OF THEIR OWN COST TO THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION IN RETURN, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON MARTIN ROWLANDS SAID AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR ROWLANDS SAID THAT THIS YEAR THE CIVIL SERVICE WOULD AGAIN BE MAKING ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY BY TAKING ON ADDITIONAL
WITHOUT A PROPORTIONATE INCREASE IN STAFF.
IN LAST YEAR’S BUDGET DEBATE, MR ROWLANDS TOLD THE COUNCIL
OF THE 60 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, 35 (58 PER WOULD BE EXPERIENCING ZERO OR CLOSE-TO-ZERO GROWTH IN
STAFF DURING 1983-84.
DURING FISCAL 1984-85, THIS NUMBER WILL BE 34 (57 PER CENT), WHILE 16 OF THEM ARE EXPECTED TO SHOW SAVINGS IN STAFF.
+1 DO NOT BELIEVE WE COULD ACHIEVE RESULTS OF THIS ORDER FOR YEARS IN SUCCESSION WITHOUT THE COOPERATION OF STAFF ASSOCIATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF STAFF,* HE SAID.
THE HON PETER POON HAD QUESTIONED WHETHER THE CIVIL SERVICE MIGHT BE +T00 LARGE FOR OUR NEEDS*, AND HAD URGED AN +IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF THE WHOLE CIVIL SERVICE STRUCTURE*.
IN REPLY, MR ROWLANDS SAID, +BUT THE SIZE AND STRUCTURE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IS A FUNCTION OF PUBLIC POLICY AND HAS EVOLVED IN RESPONSE TO DECISIONS MADE IN THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
+T0 ACHIEVE ANY REALLY SUBSTANTIAL STAFF SAVINGS IN THE SHORT TERM, OR TO FORESTALL FURTHER SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN THE LONGER TERM, I BELIEVE IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REVIEW THE UNDERLYING PUBLIC POLICIES THEMSELVES, PARTICULARLY AS THE DEMAND FOR PUBLIC SERVICES CONTINUES TO GROW IN BOTH SCOPE AND AMOUNT. +
/.'.3 IOTUSO6 ...
WEDNESDAY. APRIL 25, 1984
- 22 -
MR ROWLANDS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO CREATE POSTS OF TREASURY ACCOUNTANT IN ALL DEPARTMENTS TO IMPROVE EXPENDITURE CONTROL AS SUGGESTED BY MR POON.
IN RESPONSE TO A POINT RAISED BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG ON PERFORMANCE MEASURES, MR ROWLANDS TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT SUCH MEASURES WERE WIDELY USED IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, THERE WAS SCOPE FOR EXTENDING THE USE OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES, PARTICULARLY TO ADMINISTRATIVE AND GENERAL OFFICE WORK.
MR ROWLANDS ALSO TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF STUDIES AIMING AT EXPENDITURE REDUCTION AND IMPROVED SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC HAD BEEN COMPLETED DURING THE PAST YEAR WHILE SOME WERE STILL IN PROGRESS.
THEY INCLUDE VALUE-FOR-MONEY STUDIES, PRODUCTIVITY STUDIES AND CORRUPTION PREVENTION STUDIES.
UNDER THE VALUE-FOR-MONEY STUDIES, ACHIEVED SAVINGS TO DATE TOTAL ABOUT $120 MILLION AND POTENTIAL SAVINGS OF SEVERAL HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.
MR ROWLANDS ALSO SAID THAT A GREAT DEAL HAD BEEN DONE IN RECENT YEARS ON MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISORY TRAINING AND THERE WAS A NEED TO DO MORE.
ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF OVERSEAS CONSULTANTS, MR ROWLANDS SAID THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD ASSURED HIM A DECISION TO EMPLOY THEM WAS NEVER TAKEN LIGHTLY AND THAT APPROVAL WAS NOT GIVEN WITHOUT GOOD REASON.
IN ADDITION, MR ROWLANDS SAID THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WOULD BE KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF CONSULTANTS IN THE ENGINEERING AND PLANNING FIELDS, WITH MORE WORK EXPECTED TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN-HOUSE NOW THAT THE STAFFING SITUATION IN THE WORKS DEPARTMENTS HAD IMPROVED.
MR ROWLANDS ALSO EXPLAINED THAT PERSONNEL-RELATED EXPENSES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COVER THE COSTS OF RECRUITING, TRAINING, HOUSING AND PROVIDING FOR PENSIONS AND GRATUITIES.
HE SAID, +0F THE TOTAL PROVISION OF $2.15 BILLION, ABOUT 46 PER CENT IS FOR PENSIONS AND GRATUITIES WHILE 43 PER CENT IS FOR THE PROVISION OF ACCOMMODATION IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER.
+THE PROVISION FOR PENSIONS IS A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT, WHILE THE PAYMENT OF GRATUITIES IS A CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION.
+AS REGARDS ACCOMMODATION, THE PROVISION IN THE ESTIMATES IS NO MORE THAN IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE FOR VARIOUS ALLOWANCES AND PAYMENTS APPROVED BY FINANCE COMMITTEE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICIES APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.+
*THE SAME CAN BE SAID OF EDUCATION, PASSAGE AND OTHER ' ALLOWANCES PROVIDED FOR UNDER THIS COMPONENT OF EXPENDITURE,* HE SAID.
/as for ....
.VEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
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AS FOR THE IDEA OF REWARDING EXCELLENCE WITH ADDITIONAL SALARf INCREMENTS, MR ROWLANDS SAID THERE WOULD BE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES TO BE OVERCOME.
ON THE QUESTION OF REWARDING GOOD PERFORMANCE, HE SAID, ♦FOR THE MAIN CAREER GRADES THE BEST WAY OF REWARDING EXCELLENCE IS ALMOST CERTAINLY THROUGH CAREER ADVANCEMENT.*
ON THE HON CHAN YING-LUN'S REMARKS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING A COHESIVE CIVIL SERVICE IN THE YEARS AHEAD, MR ROWLANDS SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS WERE IN CLOSE AND REGULAR TOUCH WITH ALL GROUPS OF STAFF.
+THESE ARRANGEMENTS, BOTH FORMAL AND INFORMAL, ENABLE US TO UNDERSTAND IN DEPTH THE CONCERNS OF STAFF ABOUT THE FUTURE AND TO TAKE THEM FULLY INTO ACCOUNT IN OUR PLANNING.
+ THE TASK OF ENSURING CONTINUITY OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE
UP TO AND BEYOND 1997 MUST NOW BE TACKLED WITH CARE AND THOROUGHNESS, FOR AN EFFECTIVE AND CONTINUING PUBLIC SERVICE WILL BE ONE OF THE KEYSTONES ON WHICH THE FUTURE RESTS,* HE SAID.
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EDUCATION COMMISSION PLAYS VALUABLE ROLE *****
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN ITS PRESENT FORM IS SUFFICIENTLY FLEXIBLE TO ALLOW ITS RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER BODIES TO EVOLVE AND GUIDELINES TO BE SET UP IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THESE BODIES ARE THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNC IL.
+1 HAVE NO DOUBT THAT UNDER THE ABLE AND EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP OF ITS CHAIRMAN, THE HON Q.W. LEE, IT WILL PLAY AN EFFECTIVE AND VALUABLE ROLE IN OFFERING CONSOLIDATED ADVICE ON THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AS A WHOLE, AND THAT A HARMONIOUS WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OTHER THREE BODIES WILL BE BUILT UP AND MAINTAINED,* MR HENDERSON SAID.
IT HAD BEEN ACCEPTED THAT THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’S NEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IN TUEN MUN AND SHA TIN SHOULD BE BUILT TO HIGHER STANDARDS THAN THE EXISTING ONES, WHICH IS TO ACKNOWLEDGE A GREATER BUILDING COST PER STUDENT PLACE, HE POINTED OUT.
+HOWEVER, THE LATEST PROJECT ESTIMATE PUTS THE COST OF PROVIDING EACH STUDENT PLACE IN THE NEW TIS AT ABOUT 80 PER CENT MORE THAN THAT OF BUILDING ONE OF THE EXISTING TIS AT TODAY’S PRICES,* HE SAID.
WITH THE DECLINE IN THE TENDER PRICE INDEX, CONSTRUCTION COSTS SHOULD BE CHEAPER SO THAT THE INCREASE WAS DUE TO DESIGN, HE POINTED OUT.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
- 24 -
♦ AN ANALYSIS OF COST ESTIMATES AND PROJECT PLANS ENABLES COSTS DUE TO AGREED IMPROVEMENTS IN QUALITY TO BE SEPARATED FROM THOSE ARISING OUT OF THE DESIGN FEATURES.
♦ THE FORMER CAN BE ACCEPTED AS REASONABLE BUT THE LATTER MAY HAVE TO BE REJECTED AS BEING LESS THAN ESSENTIAL IN THIS TIME CF STRINGENCY,* MR HENDERSON SAID.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAD THEREFORE ASKED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE TWO NEW INSTITUTIONS TO BE AMENDED ACCORDINGLY, HE ADDED.
♦ TO AVOID RECURRENCE OF THIS KIND OF SITUATION IN FUTURE, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT, FROM THE START, DESIGN AND FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS ARE MORE CLOSELY RELATED,* HE SAID.
ON THE INCREASING DIFFICULTY OF ENFORCING THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE, MR HENDERSON SAID THAT THE REDUCTION IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSPECTORATE FROM 72 IN 1981-82 TO 53 IN 1983-84 REFLECTED A SERVICE-WIDE POLICY TO DELETE ALL ESTABLISHMENT POSTS NOT CURRENTLY FILLED.
DUE TO RECRUITING DIFFICULTIES AS A RESULT OF THE HIGH STANDARDS REQUIRED, THE STRENGTH OF THE INSPECTORATE HAS STAYED FAIRLY CONSTANT.
EVEN SO THE INSPECTORATE MANAGED TO ACHIEVE AN +ENCOURAGINGLY HIGH LEVEL OF COVERAGE* OF INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE DESIGNATED TRADES, WITH EACH INSPECTOR CARRYING OUT ABOUT 1 OOO VISITS A YEAR, HE SAID.
MR HENDERSON ADDED THAT THE INSPECTORATE’S PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES WERE BEING EXAMINED TO DETERMINE WHETHER ITS STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS COULD BE DISCHARGED EVEN MORE EFFECTIVELY.
+IT MAY, FOR EXAMPLE, BE POSSIBLE TO REORDER INSPECTION PRIORITIES TO GIVE GREATER COVERAGE TO THE WORST OFFENDERS,* HE SUGGESTED.
ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, MR HENDERSON TOLD THE COUNCIL THIS WAS A MATTER OF HIGH PRIORITY FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
THE PLANNED EXPANSION OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE WOULD BE CONTINUED AS SOON AS CIRCUMSTANCES PERMITTED, HE SAID.
+HOWEVER, REGARDLESS OF THEIR NUMBER OR EFFECTIVENESS, FACTORY INSPECTORS CANNOT BE EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME.
+IF WE ARE TO REDUCE ACCIDENT RATES AND LOSS OF LIFE, IT IS VITAL THAT INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES BECOME MORE SAFETY CONSCIOUS. SAFETY EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ARE THE KEY,* HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT, HE ADDED, WOULD ALSO CONTINUE TO SEEK IMPROVErOT THROUGH SAFETY LEGISLATION.
MR HENDERSON ALSO TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT IT WAS NOW TIME TO INTRODUCE A POST OF COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION IN PLACE OF THE PRESENT PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
- 25 -
MORE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS PLANNED * M * *
THERE WILL BE MORE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE HON COLVYN HAYE, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR HAYE SAID THAT TWO ADDITIONAL NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR EACH STANDARD GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOL IN 1986 AND 1987.
FINANCIAL APPROVAL HAD BEEN GIVEN FOR AN EXPANSION PROGRAMME FOR THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION TO TRAIN THE ADDITIONAL TEACHERS, AT A COST OF $123 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
AS FOR TEACHER RETRAINING, MR HAYE SAID THAT THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION WERE SUPPLYING SYSTEMATIC RETRAINING COURSES FOR BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION OFFERED INTENSIVE PROGRAMMES FOR CHINESE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS, THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE RAN SHORT COURSES FOR SERVING TEACHERS, AND THE BRITISH COUNCIL HAD BEEN COMMISSIONED TO RUN REFRESHER COURSES FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS.
WHILE A DECISION ON THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT SYSTEM HAD YET TO BE MADE, HE SAID, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS NOT PROPOSING TO FRREEZE THE SECONDARY SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME.
♦IN FACT, WE HAVE RECENTLY SOUGHT AND OBTAINED APPROVAL TO BUILD AS MANY AS 36 ADDITIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS BETWEEN 1987 AND 1991 AT A COST OF NEARLY $570 MILL'ION.+
WHEN COMPLETED, THESE SCHOOLS WOULD CONTRIBUTE VERY SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE PHASING OUT OF THE LESS SATISFACTORY BOUGHT PLACES IN FORMS I TO III AND THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL PLACES IN FORMS IV TO VI, WHICH WOULD RAISE THE PERCENTAGE OF SUBSIDISED FORM IV PLACES FROM THE PRESENT 62 PER CENT TO 74 PER CENT OF THE 15-YEAR-OLD AGE GROUP.
EFFORTS WERE ALSO BEING MADE TO BRING THE QUALITY OF PLACES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR CLOSER TO THAT OF THE GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SECTOR BY ALLOWING INCREASES IN THE COST OF BOUGHT PLACES THROUGH HIGHER FEE LEVELS WHEREVER THESE WERE CONSIDERED JUSTIFIED.
+A SYSTEM OF CONTROL HAS ALSO BEEN INTRODUCED WHEREBY THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS CONCERNED MUST SHOW PROOF THAT A SPECIFIED PROPORTION OF THE INCREASED FEE INCOME IS ACTUALLY SPENT ON IMPROVING TEACHERS’ SALARIES. THIS SYSTEM OF CONTROL WILL BE KEPT UNDER CONSTANT AND CAREFUL REVIEW,+ MR HAYE SAID.
wITH REGARD TO THE CALL BY THE HON SELINA CHOW FOR PROVISION OF MORE PLACES IN LONGER FULL-TIME CRAFT COURSES IN THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AS RECOMMENDED IN THE HELMORE REPORT, MR HAYE SAID HE AGREED FULLY WITH THE PROPOSAL, AND HAD DISCUSSED THE MATTER WITH THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.
iUiii
■ IIEEDA.Y, APiilL 25, 1984
♦THIS WAS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE GENERAL REVIEW OF THE SENIOR S=CONDARY CURRICULUM AND EXAMINATION wHICH THE EDUCATION DtPARTMENT IS NOW CONDUCTING WITH THE HELP OF COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, SCHOOLS COUNCILS, THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, AND SHORTLY, THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY.*
MR HAYE SAID HE FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT IF THE AIM OF PROVIDING A GOOD AND RELEVANT EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN, WERE TO BE ACHIEVED, IT WAS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THERE WOULD BE SUITABLE PROVISION FOR THOSE CHILDREN FOR WHOM AN ACADEMIC EDUCATION IN FORMS IV AND V MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST ANSWER.
♦THIS MUST BE ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN THE WORLD WHERE IT IS POSSIBLE FOR CHILDREN TO PROGRESS FROM THE HUMBLEST OF ORIGINS TO THE PROUDEST POSITIONS IN SOCIETY BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY WHICH IS NOT ONLY GOOD BUT RELEVANT FOR THEM,* HE SAID.
DEALING WITH DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP’S POINT THAT THERE WAS A SHORTFALL OF 6 OOO SCHOOL PLACES FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, frfl HAYE SAID THIS FIGURE DERIVED FROM THE PREVALENCE RATE USED IN THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PLAN WAS AN ESTIMATE OF DEMAND WHICH EXPERIENCE SHARED TO BE UNREALISTICALLY HIGH.
+THE ACTUAL SITUATION, ASSESSED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, IS THAT THE NUMBER OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WHO, FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, ARE STILL AWAITING A SPECIAL SCHOOL PLACE, STANDS AT ONLY 630,+ HE SAID.
EVEN IF THIS FIGURE WERE DOUBLED FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, THE RESULTANT THEORETICAL DEMAND WOULD BE 'ABOUT 1 200. THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT COORDINATING COMMITTEE HAD YET TO ENDORSE A REALISTIC FIGURE FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, BUT MR HAYE GAVE ASSURANCE THAT IT WOULD NOT EXCEED 1 200.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HE SAID, *AS STRIVING TO REMEDY THE SHORTFALL OF PLACES FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED THROUGH A SPECIAL SCHOOLS BUILDING PROGRAMME AND OTHER EMERGENCY MEASURES.
AN ADDITIONAL 242 PLACES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN HAD BEEN PLANNED FOR 1984/85 AND THREE NEW PURPOSE-BUILT SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WOULD COME ON STREAM IN THE 1986/87 ACADEMIC YEAR, PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL 330 PLACES IF BUILDINGS PROCEED TO SCHEDULE.
TO COVER THE SHORTAGE IN THE INTERIM PERIOD, MR HAYE SAID THAT AN EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME HAD BEEN IN.TlATED THIS YEAR PROVIDING A HOME-BASED RESOURCES TEACHING SERVICE FOR CHILDREN ON THE WAITING LIST FOR SPECIAL SCHOOL PLACES.
VISITING TEACHERS CONDUCT HOME-TEACHI NG AND TRAIN PARENTS TO CARRY ON TEACHING PROGRAMMES AT HOME. THE PUPILS GO TO SCHOOL AT LEAST ONE DAY A WEEK FOR SPECIALISED TRAINING AND SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
/+rhE P.tOGHAJJllE............
•BDK3SDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
27 -
♦THE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED, AND IF AN EVALUATION THIS MAY CONFIRMS ITS SUCCESS, THE SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME WILL BE EXPANDED TO CATER FOR MANY MORE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AWAITING SCHOOL PLACES,* MR HAYE SAID.
TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION HAD ALSO BEEN ADAPTED TO OPERATE SPECIAL SCHOOLS UNTIL NEW SCHOOLS COULD BE BUILT. THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED HAD BEEN GIVEN SPECIAL PERMISSION TO USE TEMPORARY GOVERNMENT PREMISES UNTIL IT BUILT A NEW SPECIAL SCHOOL, AND 13 OTHER SETS OF PREMISES HAD BEEN ADAPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP MEET THE PROBLEM.
+IT IS WORTH ADDING THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN ANOTHER DOZEN SPECIAL SCHOOL PROJECTS IN THE PLANNING STAGE,* THE DIRECTOR ADDED.
THERE HAD BEEN CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROVISION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION IN GENERAL, AND ADDITIONAL ALLOCATIONS HAD BEEN APPROVED TO PROVIDE A HIGHER TEACHER TO CLASS RATIO, THE PROVISION OF MORE GRADUATE TEACHERS AND REPLACEMENT STAFF, MORE PROMOTION POSTS, ADDITIONAL PARA-MEDICAL STAFF AND IMPROVED CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR THOSE ENGAGED IN SPECIAL EDUCATION.
ON THE SUGGESTION BY DR IP THAT THE GOVERNMENT PRACTISED POSITIVE DISCRIMINATION IN FAVOUR OF THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION (ESF), MR HAYE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH DISCRIMINATION.
THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING SCHOOLS SYSTEM EXISTED BECAUSE THE COURSES FOLLOWED IN THE LOCAL +ANGLO-CHINESE+ SCHOOLS WERE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR ENGLISH-SPEAKING CHILDREN, AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE WIDER CHOICE OF SCHOOL PLACEMENT AS SUGGESTED BY DR IP. THE ABILITY OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING CHILDREN TO STUDY OVERSEAS WITH ALLOWANCES PAID BY THE GOVERNMENT RESULTED FROM THEIR PARENTS’ CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT, AND NOT BECAUSE OF THEIR ABILITY TO SPEAK ENGLISH, AS HAD BEEN SUGGESTED.
IN SUBVENTING ESF SCHOOLS, THE PRINCIPLE OF PARITY WAS STRICTLY ADHERED TO. +THE GRANTS PAID TO THE ESF SCHOOLS ARE BASED ON THE NOTIONAL SUBSIDY PER PLACE PAID TO LOCAL AIDED SCHOOLS. THE HIGHER COST PER PLACE RESULTS FROM THE APPROVED FORMULA WHICH RECOGNISES THE GREATER MOBILITY AMONG THE STUDENT POPULATION FOR WHICH IT IS THE ESF’S RESPONSIBILITY TO CATER, AND THE INEVITABLE FLUCTUATIONS IN ENROLMENTS WHICH CAN OCCUR,* M? HAYE SAID.
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/28 .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
28 -
NOTE TO EDITORS:
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR PEKING * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LEAVES HONG KONG TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO CONTINUE TO TAKE PART IN THE SI NO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
SIR EDWARD WILL BE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT BA 03, ETD 1.40 PM
A FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER SIR EDWARD’S DEPARTURE. THOSE ASSIGNED TO COVER THE EVENT SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 12.30 PM. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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KAIFONG GROUP PRAISED FOR WORK * * *
THE TSIM SHA TSUI DISTRICT KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION HAD RESPONDED TO THE RAPIDLY CHANGING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THE WELFARE OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
+ONE VERY GOOD MEANS EMPLOYED BY THE ASSOCIATION TO ENSURE THAT IT IS KEPT INFORMED OF LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG IS TO ORGANISE REGULAR LUNCHEON MEETINGS,+ HE SAID.
MR WIGGHAM WAS SPEAKING AT THE ASSOCIATION’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF MONTHLY LUNCHEON MEETINGS.
HE NOTED THAT A WIDE VARIETY OF SUBJECTS HAD BEEN THOROUGHLY COVERED AT THESE MEETINGS.
THESE RANGED FROM PRIVATE BUILDING TO HOUSING ESTATE MANAGEMENT, STRUCTURE OF THE INTEREST RATE SYSTEM TO THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, DEVELOPMENT OF KOWLOON PARK AS WELL AS OTHER GENERAL SUBJECTS, LIKE ROAD SAFETY AND TRAINING OF DRAMATISTS.
♦ AT THESE MEETINGS, PROMINENT LOCAL LEADERS, UNIVERSITY LECTURERS, AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE INVITED TO TALK ON SUBJECTS OF COMMON CONCERN TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
♦ USEFUL EXCHANGES OF VIEWS BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION AND THE SPEAKERS ARE ALSO MADE POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.
MR WIGGHAM ALSO PRAISED THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS ACHIEVEMENTS AND SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
♦ THE DISTRICT COMMUNITY HAS NO DOUBT BENEFITED A GREAT DEAL FROM THE WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES CURRENTLY PROVIDED, WHICH INCLUDE A NON-PROFIT-MAKING KINDERGARTEN, MEDICAL AND DENTAL CLINICS, A VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE AS WELL AS RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES,+ HE SAID.
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/29......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984 - -
TEACHERS CAN NEvER BE REPLACED BY MACHINES : HAYE ******
TEACHERS WERE TOLD TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, R COLVYN HAYE, THAT THEY MUST MASTER AND CONTROL TECHNOLOGY.
wHILE HE INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF COMPUTERS IN SCHOOLS, HE STRESSED THAT TEACHERS COULD +NEVER BE • REPLACED BY MACHINES.*
MR HAYE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE MICROCOMPUTERS IN EDUCATION CONFERENCE AT THE FAR EAST FINANCE CENTRE.
THERE HAD BEEN OTHER TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS WHICH SEEMED DESTINED AT THE TIME TO CHANGE THE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT OF THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM, BUT wHICH IN THE EVENT HAD HAD ONLY AN INDIRECT OR PERIPHERAL INFLUENCE ON THE PROCESS OF TEACHING. AND LEARNING, HE SAID.
MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, MR HAYE ADDED, THE FUNDAMENTAL ROLE CF TEACHERS HAD LARGELY REMAINED UNCHANGED, ALTHOUGH THEY NOW HAD VARIOUS KINDS OF TEACHING AIDS - FROM THE CASSETTE RECORDER TO THE OVERHEAD PROJECTOR - TO ENLIVEN THEIR LESSONS.
HOWEVER, HE RECOGNISED THE NEEft FOR PUPILS TO BE COMPUTERLITERATE AND TO HAVE ACCESS TO LEARNING IN COMPUTER-LITERATE SCHOOLS, HE SAID.
AS A STEP ALONG THIS ROAD, THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE INTRODUCED +COMPUTER STUDIES* IN TH£ SENIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM IN 1980, ARGUING THAT ACCEPTANCE OF(TH IS NEW SUBJECT WAS MORE LIKELY IF IT COULD. BE SEEN TO LEAD TO RECOGNITION IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION. !
+THIS ASSUMPTION PROVED CORRECT AND OVE,R 90 SCHOOLS APPLIED TO JOIN THE FIRST PHASE OF THE, COMP. TER STUDIES PILOT SCHEME, WHICH BEGAN UN SEPTEMBER^ 1982. FUNDS *ERE APPROVED TO ADMIT 30 PUBLIC-SECTOR SCHOOLS AND THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE SET ABOUT MONITORING THE PROGRESS OF THE SCHEME ^ND STEPPING UP THE PROGRAMME OF IN-SERVICE TRAINING. . ’’ -•
1 '! f!
+PUBLISHERS WERE QUICK TO RESPOND TO TH IS „ INITI AT IVE AND WITHIN TWO YEARS A NUMBER OF SUITABLE BOOK,S,’IWERE AVAILABLE ON / THE LOCAL MARKET AND A WEALTH OF RESOURCES! LEARNING MATERIAL WAS' AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOL USE.
I ■ i . .
+ENCOURAGED BY THE CLEAR SUCCESS OF THE SCHEME SO FAR AND THE INTEREST GENERATED IN THOSE SCHOQLS NOT DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE FIRST PHASE, ADD PT IONAL FUNDS *ERE SOUGHT TO EXPAND THE PROJECT TO A FURTHER 75 PUBLIC-SECTOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.
MR HAYE ALSO SAID THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD SHORTLY BE SETTING UP A SEPARATE SECTION WITHIN THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TO STRENGTHEN ADVISORY SERVICES IN COMPUTER STUDIES AND TO PLAN DEVELOPMENTS IN COMPUTER EDUCATION AND MICROELECTRONICS.
THERE WAS A STRONG GROUNDSWELL OF ENTHUSIASM FOR THE USE OF COMPUTERS IN SCHOOLS, PARTICULARLY AMONG TEACHERS, AND IT WAS HIS DEPARTMENT'S AIM TO BUILD ON THIS INTEREST , HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
- 30 -
FRANCE SETS THREE-YEAR QUOTA ON WATCHES * * * * *
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED CONFIRMATION TODAY THAT THE_ EEC COMMISSION HAD FORMALLY ANNOUNCED ITS DECISION TO AUTHORISE FRANCE TO INTRODUCE A TEMPORARY QUOTA GOVERNING THE IMPORT OF . DIGITAL QUARTZ WATCHES. THIS DECISION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE EEC OFFICIAL JOURNAL ON APRIL 19 AND TOOK EFFECT ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE QUOTA ARRANGEMENT WILL APPLY FOR THREE YEARS TO ALL SUPPLIERS EXCEPT THOSE COVERED BY A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH THE EEC. THE LIMIT FOR THE FIRST YEAR, 1984, IS 6 793 000 PIECES. IT a ILL GROW BY FIVE PER CENT PER ANNUM. WITHIN THE ANNUAL QUOTA, LIMITS ARE SET FOR MAJOR SUPPLIERS. THE LIMIT FOR HONG KONG FOR 1984 IS 4.4 MILLION PIECES. THIS WILL ALSO GROW BY FIVE PER CENT PER YEAR. THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL SUPERSEDE THE EXISTING DISCRIMINATORY RESTRICTIN ON IMPORTS OF HONG KONG QUARTZ WATCHES MAINTAINED BY FRANCE.
COMMENTING ON THE EEC’S DECISION, A SPOKESMAN OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT EXPRESSED REGRET THAT THE COMMISSION CONSIDERED PROTECTION NECESSARY FOR FRANCE’S WATCH INDUSTRY. HE NOTED, HOWEVER THAT THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WERE NOT AS DISCRIMINATORY AGAINST HONG KONG AS THE RESTRICTIONS MAINTAINED BY FRANCE AGAINST HONG KONG SINCE OCTOBER 1981. THERE HAD ALSO BEEN AN ATTEMPT BY THE COMMISSION TO HAVE REGARD TO GATT PROVISIONS IN REACHING ITS DECISION, ALTHOUGH THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE QUOTA ARRANGEMENT WAS FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE GATT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL A MORE THOROUGH EXAMINATION HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT.
IN THIS CONNECTION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THE COMMISSION’S DECISION WOULD HAVE TO BE NOTIFIED SHORTLY TO THE GATT COUNCIL AND CONSIDERED BY ITS MEMBERS. HONG KONG WOULD FOLLOW CLOSELY AND PARTICIPATE IN SUCH CONSIDERATIONS.
TURNING TO THE REMAINING RESTRICTIONS STILL BEING MAINTAINED BY FRANCE ON IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG OF TOYS, RADIOS AND UMBRELLAS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PRESS FOR THE EARLY TERMINATION OF THESE RESTRICTIONS.
HE SAID THAT HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATIVE HAD RAISED THIS ISSUE AT A NUMBER OF MEETINGS OF THE GATT COUNCIL - ON OCTOBER 3, NOVEMBER 1, 1983 AND FEBRUARY 7, 1984 - AND THE DEPARTMENT WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE SUPPORT RECEIVED WITHIN THE COUNCIL.
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/31 ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1934
NOTE TO EDITORS:
S24-MILLI0N CONTRACT TO BE SIGNED K * * * *
A S24-MILLI0N CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTING PROMENADES ALONG THE BANKS OF THE SHING MUN RIVER IN SHA TIN WILL BE SIGNED TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
SIGNING WILL BE SHA TIN PROJECT MANAGER, MR C.K. CHOW, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTRACTOR, CHINA CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CORPORATION.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SIGNING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 3 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM AT SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1ST FLOOR, 6 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN.
------0
NOTE TO EDITORS :
PROPERTY REVIEW 1984 * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR RAYMOND FRY, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE FINDINGS OF THE +PROPERTY REVIEW 1984+ AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE GIS THEATRE, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, MR HUI MAN-SHING, WILL ALSO BE PRESENT.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
/32 .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1984
32
NOTE TO EDITORS :
BEL IL IOS STAR FOR BRAVE YOUTH * * *
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT WAN FIRE STATION TO PRESENT THE BEL IL IOS STAR TO AN BOY, LEE WING-KEE, FOR HIS COURAGEOUS ACTION DURING LAST YEAR.
THE SHEUNG 18-YEAR-OLD TYPHOON ELLEN
THE BEL IL IOS STAR, WHICH IS AWARDED FOR ACTS OF CONSPICUOUS VALOUR OR SELF DENIAL WITHIN HONG KONG, WILL BE PRESENTED BY A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT MISS MARIA TAM AT 11 AM.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY.
0 - -
NOTE TO EDITORS
INTERNATIONAL DRAWING CONTEST
K * K
LOCAL CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERNATIONAL DRAWING CONTEST ON SUNDAY, MAY 6, AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL.
THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL HONG KONG SINCE 1978, IS OPEN 13.
CHILDREN DRAWING CONTEST, HELD IN
TO CHILDREN
AGED BETWEEN FOUR AND
SPONSORED BY THE CENTRAL EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY CFF ICE.
AND WESTERN
THE HARBOUR
DISTRICT BOARD, THE JAYCEES AND THE DISTRICT
DETAILS OF THIS YEAR’S CONTEST WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM CF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR, 222-224 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE
- - 0 - -
LONGER CLEARWAY HOURS * * * *
TMF xiUPJv (APR,L URBAN CLEARwAY HOURS ON
THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN DAILY°FOR ^MONTHS.PEDDER STREET WILL BE EXTENDED TO 24 HOURS
-rn e-rU? MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE ROAD SECTION. ALL0WtD
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
’STRONG INHERENT DEMAND’ SEEN FOR ACCOMMODATION ............. 1
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR PEKING................................... 5
HK CALLS FOR FREE TRADE AT ADE MEETING ...................... 5
CUSTOMS ORGANISATION'S PLACE IN A FREE PORT ................. 6
VEHICLE SMOKE CONTROL DRIVE ................................. 7
TWO DISTRICT BOARDS TO MEET TOMORROW ........................ 8
MORE STUDY ROOMS FOR KWUN TONG STUDENTS...................... 9
FIRE HAZARD CHECK............................................ 10
NO EMERGENCY SERVICE IN FIRST PHASE.......................... 10
BIGGER OFFICE GEARED FOR MORE WORK........................... 10
CONTRACT FOR PROMENADES PROJECT ............................. 11
SINGING CONTEST ............................................. 12
SUPPLY CONTRACT TO BE SIGNS) ................................ 12
SAI KUNG SITE TENANCY OFFERED................................ 13
RESTRICTED ZONE IN MONG KOK ROAD ............................ 13
THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1984
1
'STRONG INHERENT DEMAND’ SEEN FOR ACCOMMODATION * * * *
THE INCREASED TAKE-UP OF ACCOMMODATION IN ALL SECTORS DUR ING 1983 INDICATED STRONG INHERENT DEMAND, THE COMMISSIONER FOR RATING AND VALUATION, MR R.A. FRY, SAID TODAY.
CONFIRMING PRELIMINARY FINDINGS ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS YEAR, HE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE MORE REALISTIC ATTITUDES OF DEVELOPERS, AS REFLECTED IN THEIR MARKETING POLICIES AND THE REVISED FORECASTS OF SUPPLY IN 1984, WOULD LEAD TO A FURTHER DECREASE IN VACANCIES IN MOST SECTORS AND PROMOTE A MORE BALANCED MARKET SITUATION.
MR FRY WAS SPEAKING ON THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT’S 1984 PROPERTY REVIEW, WHICH IS AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT S65 A COPY,
THE REVIEW COVERS THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1983 AND PROVIDES A SUMMARY OF SUPPLY, VACANCIES, TAKE-UP, RENTAL AND PURCHASE PRICE MOVEMENTS IN THE MAJOR SECTORS OF THE PROPERTY MARKET.
MR FRY SAID THAT THE FURTHER SOFTENING OF RENTALS AND PRICES
IN ALL SECTORS OVER THE YEAR TAKE-UP.
HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCREASED
♦BY THE END OF THE YEAR FOR SMALL DOMESTIC UNITS AND
A MORE STABLE POSITION WAS EMERGING WELL-SITUATED FACTORY UNITS WHILE
THE GENERALLY IMPROVED OUTLOOK SEEMED ELSEWHERE,+ HE SAID.
LIKELY TO
MODERATE FALLS
DOMESTIC (ALL PREMISES)
SUPPLY (NO. OF UNITS) VACANCY AS A % OF STOCK
TAKE-UP VACANCY
1982 23 900 19 600 31 700 6.0
1983 23 900 27 800 25 500 4.7
1984 20 200
♦WHILE THE FORECAST SUPPLY FOR 1984 HAD BEEN REVISED DOWNWARD
JUST OVER 35 OOO UNITS
TO SOME 20 000 UNITS, A RECORD SUPPLY OF WAS ANTICIPATED IN 1985.
♦TAKE-UP IN 1983 AT NEARLY 28 000 UNITS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY AND VACANCIES FELL TO 4.7 PER CENT OF STOCK COMPARED WITH SIX PER CENT A YEAR EARLIER.
/♦THE RSNTAL
TEDHSDAY, APHIL 26, 1984
- 2 -
♦ THE RENTAL INDEX SHOWS A FALL OF 15 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR GENERALLY, HOWEVER, SMALLER UNITS SHOWED A DEGREE OF STABILITY DURING THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR. THE PRICE INDEX FELL A FURTHER 21 PER CENT.
9
DOMESTIC (LARGER UNITS OF 100 M AND ABOVE)
(NO. OF UNITS)
VACANCY SUPPLY TAKE-UP VACANCY AS A % OF STOCK
1982 2 500 1 200 3 800 9.1
1983 2 600 1 800 4 400 9.9
1984 2 100
♦DESPITE A RECORD TAKE-UP IN 1983 OF SOME 1 800 UNITS, THE HIGH LEVEL OF SUPPLY IN THE YEAR RESULTED IN AN INCREASE IN VACANCIES TO ALMOST 10 PER CENT OF STOCK.
♦SUPPLY IN 1984 AND 1985 IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN HIGH WITH THE REVISED FORECASTS INDICATING IN EXCESS OF 2 000 UNITS IN EACH YEAR.
♦ THE RENTAL INDEXES FOR, RESPECTIVELY, D AND E UNITS FELL BY 20 PER CENT AND 15 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR WHILE THE COMBINED PRICE INDEX SHOWED A FALL OF 28 PER CENT.
COMMERCIAL
o
(’000 M“)
VACANCY
SUPPLY TAKE-UP VACANCY AS A % OF STOCK
1982 368 198 545 10.7
1983 270 243 541 10.1
1984 175
♦ AS IN MORE RECENT YEARS, MUCH OF THE SUPPLY IN 1983 WAS OF ARCADED SHOP DEVELOPMENT. SUPPLY IN 1984 IS NOW LIKELY TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY DOWN ON THE PREVIOUS FORECAST.
♦ A MUCH IMPROVED TAKE-UP IN 1983 RESULTED IN A SLIGHT DROP IN VACANCIES COMPARED WITH THE POSITION A YEAR EARLIER. IN THIS RESPECT, IT IS OF NOTE THAT THE GREATER PROPORTION OF VACANCIES IS NOW WITHIN OLDER BUILDINGS.
/♦THE SHOP .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1984
- 3 -
♦ THE SHOP RENTAL INDEX FELL BY 12 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR AND THE PRICE INDEX BY 15 PER CENT.
OFFICES
2
(’OQO M )
VACANCY
SUPPLY TAKE-UP VACANCY AS A % OF STOCK
1982 546 253 573 17.6
1983 591 371 793 20.6
1984 233
♦ SUPPLY IN 1983 SET A NEW RECORD AND, ALTHOUGH TAKE-UP OVER THE YEAR WAS ALSO THE HIGHEST EVER RECORDED, VACANCIES INCREASED TO NEARLY 800 000 M2 OR THE EQUIVALENT OF 20 PER CENT OF THE YEAR END STOCK.
♦ SUPPLY IN 1984 IS NOW PUT AT 233 000 M2 WITH A FURTHER 447 000 M2 FORECAST FOR 1985. IN RESPECT OF THE LATTER, JUST OVER HALF IS EXPECTED TO BE GRADE A ACCOMMODATION OF WHICH OVER 95 PER CENT WILL BE ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
♦ THE RENTAL INDEX FELL BY 16 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR. THE PRICE INDEX SHOWED A CONSIDERABLE FALL OF ABOUT 43 PER CENT WHICH, ALTHOUGH CORRECT IN SO FAR AS IT ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE FEW RECORDED TRANSACTIONS TABULATED, SHOULD PROBABLY BE PARTLY RELATED BACK TO 1982 WHEN A FALL OF ONLY TWO PER CENT WAS RECORDED.
FLATTED FACTORIES
(’000 M2)
VACANCY
SUPPLY TAKE-UP VACANCY AS A % OF STOCK
1982 1 041 571 1 219 10.5
1983 621 727 1 089 8.9
1984 533
♦ SUPPLY IN 1983 WAS WELL BELOW THAT OF RECENT YEARS AND THE FORECASTS FOR 1984 AND 1985 SUGGEST A SUBSTANTIAL RESCHEDULING OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
♦ AS A RESULT OF INCREASED TAKE-UP AND SMALLER SUPPLY, VACANCIES FELL TO JUST UNDER NINE PER CENT OF TOTAL STOCK COMPARED WITH 10.5 PER CENT A YEAR EARLIER.
/♦THE RENTAL........
TEUHSDAY, APRIL 26, 1?84
- 4 _
♦ THE RENTAL INDEX FOR THE URBAN AREA FELL BY 21 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR AND THE PRICE INDEX BY 15 PER CENT.
♦ THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN SECTORS OF THE PROPERTY MARKET IN 1983 BODES WELL FOR THE FUTURE AND SUGGESTS THAT A REVIVAL COULD BE IN SIGHT. THIS IS PARTICULARLY SO FOR SMALLER DOMESTIC UNITS, WHERE CONTINUED LOW INTEREST RATES AND THE REALISTIC APPROACH OF DEVELOPERS HAVE BEEN IMPORTANT FACTORS.*
MR FRY SAID THAT IN CONTRAST, THE IMMEDIATE OUTLOOK FOR LARGER UNITS REMAINED LESS BRIGHT DESPITE THE REDUCED FORECASTS FOR 1984 AND 1985. A CONTINUED HIGH LEVEL OF TAKE-UP AND ANY SIGNIFICANT POLITICAL OR ECONOMIC SHIFTS COULD, HOWEVER, QUICKLY CHANGE THE BALANCE OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND SINCE THE NUMBER OF UNITS INVOLVED WAS COMPARATIVELY SMALL.
THE INCREASE IN TAKE-UP OF BOTH COMMERCIAL AND FLATTED FACTORY ACCOMMODATION WAS ENCOURAGING, WITH LOWER RENTALS AND PRICES STIMULATING DEMAND.
♦THERE REMAIN, HOWEVER, WEAKNESSES IN BOTH SECTORS, NOTABLY THE LESS WELL-MANAGED ARCADED SHOP DEVELOPMENTS AND OLDER POORLY SERVICED FLATTED FACTORIES, WHICH SEEM LIKELY TO DIMINISH EARLY RECOVERY PROSPECTS.
♦THE HIGH LEVEL OF VACANCIES IN THE OFFICE SECTOR AND THE FORECAST SUPPLY FOR 1984 AND 1985 ALSO SEEMS LIKELY TO PRECLUDE ANY EARLY UPTURN. A PROBLEM AREA HERE IS THE INCREASING VACANCY POSITION IN LESS WELL-MANAGED BUILDINGS IN THE OLDER COMMERCIAL CENTRES AND BUILDINGS OUTSIDE THE ESTABLISHED COMMERCIAL CENTRES.
♦WITH A MORE STABLE RENTAL MARKET AND THE FURTHER SOFTENING CF PRICES OVER THE YEAR, GENERALLY, PROPERTY YIELDS ARE NOW FAIRLY ATTRACTIVE AS AGAINST OTHER FORMS OF LOCAL INVESTMENT,* HE SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
FURTHER FACTUAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MR STEPHEN WILCOX ON 5-7957614 OR MR YEUNG CHE-KEUNG ON 5-7957629.
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/5 ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1984 - 5 -
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR PEKING * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LEFT FOR PEKING THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON TO TAKE PART IN THE 13TH ROUND OF THE SI NO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
HE WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ROGER LOBO, AND THE VICE-CHIEF EDITOR CF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY (HONG KONG BRANCH), MR TAN GAN.
ACCOMPANYING THE GOVERNOR WERE THE POLITICAL ADVISER, W ROBIN MCLAREN, AND THE GOVERNMENT CHIEF INTERPRETER, NR Y.P. CHENG.
---0------
HK CALLS FOR FREE TRADE AT ADB MEETING * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR D.W.A. BLYE, TODAY URGED DEVELOPED COUNTRIES TO HONOUR THEIR +OFTEN REPEATED* COMMITMENTS TO FREE TRADE TO ENABLE DEVELOPING MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK TO CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM THE CURRENT RECOVERY IN THE WORLD ECONOMY.'
MAKING THE PLEA AT THE 17TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BANK’S BOARD OF GOVERNORS IN AMSTERDAM, HE POINTED OUT THAT DESPITE THE RECOVERY. THERE WERE ALSO DANGEROUS SIGNS OF A RESURGENCE OF TRADE PROTECTIONIST MEASURES.
♦THIS IS DESPITE A GENERAL RECOGNITION. BY COUNTRIES IMPOSING OR CONSIDERING IMPOSING SUCH MEASURES. THAT FREE TRADE IS NECESSARY FOR SECURING BOTH THE FINANCIAL STRUCTURE FOR, AND A SUSTAINED RECOVERY IN, THE WORLD ECONOMY, AND DESPITE DECLARATIONS AT HIGH LEVEL GATHERINGS THAT HAVE REAFFIRMED COMMITMENTS TO HALT AND REVERSE PROTECTION ISM,> HE SAID.
THE TRADE POLICIES OF SOME DEVELOPED COUNTRIES DID NOT MATCH THESE COMMITMENTS, MR BLYE SAID. RESTRICTIONS WERE MANY AND THERE WAS A WORRYING TENDENCY FOR RESTRICTIONS ONCE CONFINED TO THOSE SECTORS OF TRADE TRADITIONALLY ^PROTECTED* TO SPREAD TO OTHER SECTORS.
/OVEE THE........
THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1984
- 6 -
OVER THE YEARS, THE NET OF RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON IMPORTS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES HAD BEEN CAST PROGRESSIVELY WIDER, AND THE MEASURES HAD TENDED TO BECOME MORE STRINGENT AND INCREASINGLY DISCRIMINATORY, HE ADDED.
SPEAKING ON THE FINANCIAL MARKETS IN HONG KONG, MR BLYE SAID CONFIDENCE HAD RETURNED SINCE THE GOVERNMENT LINKED THE H3NG KONG DOLLAR TO THE U.S. DOLLAR AT A FIXED EXCHANGE RATE LAST OCTOBER. THIS WAS EVIDENCED BY THE STABILITY OF THE HK DOLLAR SINCE LAST OCTOBER, A TWO-AND-A-HALF TIMES OVERSUBSCRIPTION IN THE RECENT GOVERNMENT BOND ISSUE AND A 24 PER CENT INCREASE IN HK DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH THE MONETARY SECTOR IN THE FOUR MONTHS FROM THE END OF LAST OCTOBER TO THE END OF FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
- - - - 0
CUSTOMS ORGANISATION’S PLACE IN A FREE PORT
*****
FOR ALL THE FREEDOM HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL TRADE ENJOYS UNDER ITS +FREE PORT STATUS+, THE TERRITORY NEEDS A LARGE AND EFFICIENT CUSTOMS ORGANISATION, THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR DOUGLAS JORDAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ADDRESSING THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SHIPBROKERS, MR JORDAN POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG'S UNIQUE +FREE PORT STATUS* IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND IMPORTANT TO ITS TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
+WE DO NOT HAVE A CONVENTIONAL TARIFF WITH DUTIES CHARGEABLE RIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD. BUT WE DO CHARGE DUTY ON FOUR COMMODITIES, THREE OF WHICH ARE IMPORTANT AS SOURCES OF REVENUE, NAMELY LIQUOR IN ALL ITS VARIATIONS, TOBACCO AND ROAD VEHICLE FUELS.
+THE FOURTH DUTIABLE COMMODITY IS METHYL ALCOHOL WHICH IS MADE DUTIABLE SOLELY TO CONTROL IT AND AVOID ITS ABUSE WITH ASSOCIATED HEALTH HAZARDS IN THE ADULTERATION OF OTHERWISE PERFECTLY SAFE LIQUOR.
+ANOTHER FEATURE - PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT - OF HONG KONG'S ’FREE PORT STATUS’ IS THE ABSENCE OF ALL THE RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO MOVEMENT OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS WHICH ARE A CONCOMITANT OF CONVENTIONAL CUSTOMS CONTROL.
♦RESTRICTIONS IN MOVEMENT OF GOODS INEVITABLY LEAD TO A PROFUSION OF OFFICIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DOCUMENTATION AND AGAIN HAPPILY FOR OUR IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS SUCH REQUIREMENTS ARE KEPT TO A MINIMUM HERE IN HONG KONG,* MR JORDAN SAID.
THE IMPORTANCE OF DUTIABLE COMMODITIES TO HONG KONG’S OVERALL REVENUE HAS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN RECENT YEARS.
/the heavy........
THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1984
- 7 -
THE HEAVY INCREASES IN LIQUOR AND TOBACCO DUTIES IMPOSED BY THE 1983 BUDGET AND THE INTRODUCTION OF AD VALOREM LIQUOR DUTIES THIS YEAR HAD ALTERED THE ROLE OF CUSTOMS IN THIS FIELD, bE POINTED OUT.
♦ NOT ONLY HAS OUR CONTRI BUI ION TO THE OVERALL REVENUE BEEN INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 15 PER CENT OF ITS TOTAL BUT CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT HAVE ASSUMED A NEW IMPORTANCE,* HE ADDED.
BEFORE THE 1982 DUTY INCREASES, EVASION OF DUTY HAD BEEN RARE, WHILE THE INCREASES HAD LED TO GREATER INDUCEMENT TO SMUGGLE OR EVADE CONTROLS, HE SAID.
+ BUT I AM HAPPY TO RECORD THAT OUR COUNTER-MEASURES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN MEETING THE PROBLEM,* MR JORDAN ADDED.
APART FROM ITS REVENUE RESPONSIBILITIES, THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS HAS WIDE FUNCTIONS UNDER SOME 20 ORDINANCES.
MOST OF THEM ARE TO DO WITH PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS ON SPECIFIC IMPORTS AND EXPORTS WHICH HONG KONG MAINTAINS EITHER FOR ITS OWN BENEFIT TO SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ITS POPULATION OR IN SUPPORT OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS WITH ITS TRADING PARTNERS.
+FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF LAW-ABIDING DECENT HONC KONG BUSINESSMEN WE PERFORM OUR WORK IN THIS CONNECTION IN SUCH A WAY AS TO FACILITATE RATHER THAN HINDER HONG KONG’S TRADE. BASICALLY THE RESTRICTIONS ARE NOT OF HONG KONG’S MAKING.
+IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HONG KONG CUSTOMS TO ENSURE THEY ARE APPLIED EFFECTIVELY BUT THAT THE INCIDENCE OF THESE UNAVOIDABLE CONTROLS ENSURES COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS RATHER THAN UNNECESSARY INTERFERENCE WITH TRADE,* MR JORDAN CONCLUDED.
-----0-----
NOTE TO EDITORS:
VEHICLE SMOKE CONTROL DRIVE * * * *
A MONTH-LONG VEHICLE SMOKE CONTROL CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE, WILL BE LAUNCHED ON MAY 1 (TUESDAY).
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, SPOT CHECKS OF VEHICLES EMITTING EXCESSIVE SMOKE WILL BE STEPPED UP BY THE DEPLOYMENT OF ADDITIONAL ♦SMOKEMETER* TEAMS.
APART FROM BEING SERVED WITH FIXED PENALTY TICKETS, VEHICLE OWNERS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO SEND THEIR VEHICLES FOR CHECKS.
THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1984
- 8 -
LEGISLATION SEEKING TO RAISE THE AMOUNT OF THE FIXED PENALTY FOR THIS OFFENCE IS ALSO WELL IN PROGRESS.
DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A PRESS VISIT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ON MONDAY, APRIL 30.
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD GATHER AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE ELEVENTH FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST BY 2.15 PM.
A BRIEFING WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (AIR), MR MICHAEL CHAN WHO WILL ALSO SPEAK ABOUT VEHICLE SMOKE NUISANCE AND HAZARDS.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL ALSO BE TAKEN ON A VISIT TO THE VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE IN KOWLOON BAY AND A SMOKEMETER TEAM AT WORK NEARBY AFTER THE BRIEFING.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED DURING THE TOUR.
-------- 0 -------
TWO DISTRICT BOARDS TO MEET TOMORROW
X X * * *
THE USE OF A VACANT SITE BOUNDED BY HAMILTON STREET AND DUNDAS STREET WILL BE DISCUSSED BY-THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER ALLOCATING THE 2 400-SQUARE-METRE SITE TO THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR USE AS A TENNIS COURT.
A PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE THE SITTING-OUT AREA AT MARKET STREET AND TO BUILD A LANDSCAPED AREA AT THE JUNCTION OF WATERLOO ROAD AND WYLIE ROAD WILL BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION. THE TWO PROJECTS ARE ESTIMATED TO COST $90 000 AND $50 000 RESPECTIVELY.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE REVISED PLANNING STANDARDS FOR COMMUNITY CENTRES, THE WORK PLAN OF ICAC’S CHAK FUNG OFFICE, A LITTER HOT LINE AND THE BOARD’S BUDGET FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
IN THE MORNING, TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE PROVISION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES IN THE DISTRICT AT THEIR MEETING.
THEY WILL ALSO COMMENT ON A REPORT, COMPILED BY THE BOARD’S WORKING GROUP, ON THE EDUCATION PROBLEMS OF FISHERMEN’S CHILDREN IN TUEN MUN.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED POLLING STATIONS IN THE'D I STR I CT FOR NEXT YEAR’S BOARD ELECTION, THE NAMING OF LOCAL PLACES AND THE ALLOCATION OF DB FUNDS.
SOUP qg-ATS...........
THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1984
- 9 -
SOME SEATS WILL BE RESERVED FOR THE PUBLIC ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS, AND ANYONE WISHING TO ATTEND SHOULD TELEPHONE THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT AT 0-843801.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER:
(A) THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE BOARD’S SECRETARIAT ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF FOOK YICK COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN SAN ON CIRCUIT] AND
(B) THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 3 PM THE SAME DAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF HOP FAT COMMERCIAL CENTRE AT 490-492 NATHAN ROAD
A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE, AM 5797, WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 8.50 AM FOR TUEN MUN.
------0-------
MORE STUDY ROOMS FOR KWUN TONG STUDENTS
* K K
FIVE MORE STUDY ROOMS IN KWUN TONG, WITH 500 PLACES, WILL BE OPEN FOR STUDENTS FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING.
THEY ARE IN ZION YOUTH CENTRE IN KO CHIU ROAD ESTATE, JORDAN VALLEY KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION, CHRISTIAN FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE ON TSUI PING ROAD, THANKS GIVING CHURCH ON KWUN TONG ROAD, AND THE PEACE OF LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HONG KONG IN SAU MAU PING.
THE STUDY ROOMS WILL BE OPEN BETWEEN 7 PM AND 10 PM FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY, UNTIL JUNE 26.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 4 021 STUDY ROOM PLACES IN KWUN TONG PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE OPENING OF 500 MORE STUDY ROOM PLACES FOR STUDENTS WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE ALLOCATION OF $19 000 FROM THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD.
AS ABOUT 75 PER CENT OF KWUN TONG’S POPULATION LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, THERE WAS NEED FOR A QUIET PLACE FOR LOCAL STUDENTS TO STUDY, ESPECIALLY DURING THE EXAMINATION PERIOD, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD SAID TODAY.
THE DISTRICT BOARD THUS DECIDED, THROUGH ITS SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, TO GRANT THE FUNDS TO PROVIDE STUDY ROOM PLACES FOR STUDENTS, HE SAID.
HE SAID THE CENTRES AND CHURCHES WERE CHOSEN BECAUSE THEY COULD EASILY BE CONVERTED INTO STUDY ROOMS AND THE VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS WERE WILLING TO MANAGE THEM.
THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1984
FIRE HAZARD CHECK * * *
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT A FIRE HAZARD INSPECTION OF TWO COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN TSIM SHA TSUI TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE OPERATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT JOINTLY BY THE KOWLOON FIRE COMMAND AND FIRE PROTECTION BUREAU AND WILL START AT 10.15 AM, AT CHUNG KING MANSIONS AND MIRADOR MANSION, NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPERATION. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE MOBILE COMMAND UNIT AT NATHAN ROAD NEAR CHUNG KING MANSIONS AT 10.15 AM, WHERE THEY WILL BE MET BY THE FIRE SERVICES INFORMATION OFFICER.
- - 0 - -
NO EMERGENCY SERVICE IN FIRST PHASE
&II
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE NEW PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL IN SHA TIN OPENS ON MONDAY (APRIL 30).
HOWEVER A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SECTION OF THE HOSPITAL WILL NOT BE IN OPERATION UNTIL THE SECOND PHASE OPENS IN SEPTEMBER.
NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS REQUIRING URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION SHOULD GO TO OTHER GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL'S AND CLINICS IN THE DISTRICT, SUCH AS FANLING HOSPITAL, PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, POK 01 HOSPITAL IN YUEN LONG, THE LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC IN TSUEN WAN AND THE TAI PO JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC, HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
BIGGER OFFICE GEARED FOR MORE WORK * * *
A NEW BRANCH OFFICE OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE WAS OPENED TODAY (THURSDAY) AT NOS. 81 - 85 BULKELEY STREET, TO COPE WITH THE GREATLY INCREASED WORK-LOAD.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TWO-STOREY OFFICE, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GORDON JONES, SAID IT HAD THE BUSIEST PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTER, AND HANDLED MORE THAN 300 ENQUIRIES A DAY.
♦ IN ADDITION, THE BRANCH OFFICE STAFF ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LIAISING WITH THE 84 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND 52 OWNERS INCORPORATIONS IN HUNG HOM, HELPING TO ORGANISE MANY COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES AND IDENTIFYING AND SOLVING AREA PROBLEMS,* HE SAID.
/HR SUL
11
THURSDAY, APHTL 26, 1984
HE SAID THE AREA AROUND THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTER WAS MORE SPACIOUS, AND THERE WAS A MUCH-IMPROVED WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
THE OFFICE NOW HAS ITS OWN CONFERENCE ROOM FOR 35 PERSONS;
THEREBY FACILITATING LIAISON WORK WITH THE PUBLIC. ME
SAID.
THE OFFICE HAD BEEN OPERATING AT 32, WUHU STREET MORE THAN 10 YEARS.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY, WHICH WAS PRECEDED DANCE, WERE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MR WONG WING-PIU, SHING-SHUEN AND MR PAO PING-WING.
FOR
BY A LION MR WU
- U
CONTRACT FOR PROMENADES PROJECT . M K *
A $24 MILLION CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTING PROMENADES ALONG THE BANKS OF THE SHING MUN RIVER IN SHA TIN WAS AWARDED TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT WAS SIGNED BY THE SHA TIN PROJECT MANAGER, MR C.K. CHOW, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF CHINA CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CORPORATION
THE PROMENADES WILL STRETCH OVER FOUR KILOMETRES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER FRONTAGE FROM JAT MIN CHUEN TO THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE AND THEIR WIDTH WILL VAtfY FROM SEVEN TO 20 METRES.
EACH WILL CONSIST OF A FOOTPATH AND A CYCLE TRACK, FORMING PART OF AN EXTENSIVE PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE TRACK SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE NEW TOWN.
THERE WILL BE CYCLE PARKING AND SITTING AREAS AT CONVENIENT LOCATIONS, EXTENSIVE TREE AND SHRUB PLANTING AS WELL AS A SERIES OF OPEN SPACES.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE REFRESHMENT KIOSKS,,CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS AND PUBLIC TOILETS, ALL IN AN ATTRACTIVE LANDSCAPED SETTING.
PROVISION WILL ALSO BE MADE FOR MOORING ROWING BOATS ON THE PART OF THE RIVER OPPOSITE SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK.
CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL START SOON AND BE COMPLETED IN ONE YEAR.
- - 0 -
12
NOTE TO EDITORSJ
SINGING CONTEST * * *
THURSDAY, APRIL 26t 1984
KOK HAVE BEEN CHOSEN ON SATURDAY (APRIL 28) FUK TSUEN STREET,
YOUNG PEOPLE IN MONG IN A SINGING CONTEST
TWELVE OUT OF 200
BY AUDITION TO COMPETE
AT THE CHAN HING COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTRE IN
STARTING AT 8 PM.
MONG KOK IS THE FIFTH DISTRICT TO HOLD THE 18-DISTRICT AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST ORGANISED AS PART OF A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN JO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS’ PARTICIPATION IN THE COMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
ADJUDICATORS FOR THE MONG KOK DISTRICT SINGING CONTEST WILL BE A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR HO FEI-CHI, A DISC HOCKEY FROM RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, MISS TAM WAI-WAH, AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE POLYGRAM RECORDS COMPANY.
THE CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE 18 DISTRICT OFFICES RTHK AND SING TAO NEWSPAPERS LIMITED.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT SINGING CONTEST.
- - 0 -
NOTE TO EDITORSi
SUPPLY CONTRACT TO BE SIGNED
XXX
THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, I* GRAHAM OSBORNE, WILL SIGN AN $8.3 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF HIGH VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT FOR A POWER SUB-STATION AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SIGNING CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. 98. CAROLINE HILL ROAD. STH FLOOR. AT 2.30 PM.
THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1984
- 13
SAI KUNG SITE TENANCY OFFERED
* * * *
A SITE IN SAI KUNG IS BEING OFFERED FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT,
THE SITE, FOR OPEN STORAGE, HAS AN AREA OF 3 231 SQUARE METRES AND IS LOCATED AT SAI KUNG TUK.
IT HAS AN INITIAL TENANCY OF ONE YEAR WHICH CAN BE RENEWED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS MAY 11.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT s
* LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG?
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 1OTH FLOOR, 250, SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SAI KUNG, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 692, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON.
--------o-----------
RESTRICTED ZONE IN MONG KOK ROAD
X X X
FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 28), THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF MONG KOK ROAD BETWEEN TONG MEI ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 50 bETRES TO THE EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TONG MEI ROAD WILL BECOME A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE AUTHORIZED IN WRITING BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS AND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
- 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MARCH EXPORT FIGURES RISE SHARPLY..........i.......J..* 1
TWO KOWLOON OUTLINE ZONING PLANS AMENDED ................. 4
ELECTRICAL CONTRACT AWARDED FOR AIRPORT EXPANSION ........ 5
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OFFER EVENING COURSES ............... 5
MEDICAL FEES REVISED ..................................... 6
FINANCIAL SCHEME TO HELP SQUATTER RESIDENTS .............. 7
LADY YOUDE TO OPEN LIBRARY................................ 8
TUEN MUN SITE FOR eaLE ................................... 8
NEW VILLAGE OEFICE ....................................... 9
SPORTS CENTRE TO BE OPENED ............................... 9
200 ENTER SIX-KILOMETER RACE ............................ 10
NEW OFFICE FOR OLD VILLAGE .............................. 11
YOUNG MARTINS VIE FOR BASEBALL TITLE .................... 11
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1984
1 -
MARCH EXPORT FIGURES RISE SHARPLY * * *
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN MARCH 1984 ROSE BY 59 PER CENT OR $3 883 MILLION, OVER THE MARCH 1983 FIGURE, TO REACH $10 503 MILLION, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ALSO INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 66 PER CENT OR $2 653 MILLION, TO $6 653 MILLION.
THE TOTAL VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TAKEN TOGETHER, AT $17 156 MILLION, WAS 62 PER CENT OR $6 536 MILLION HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS REACHED $18 144 MILLION IN MARCH 1984, AN INCREASE OF 46 PER CENT OR $5 704 MILLION OVER THE CORRESPONDING MONTH LAST YEAR.
THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT FOR MARCH THIS YEAR WAS $988 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $1 820 MILLION IN MARCH LAST YEAR.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED AT A MUCH FASTER RATE THAN THAT OF IMPORTS,' THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP, THAT IS THE PROPORTION OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS, NARROWED CONSIDERABLY TO FIVE PER CENT IN MARCH 1984, FROM 15 PER CENT IN MARCH 1983.
PUTTING THE MONTH’S TRADE FIGURES INTO CONTEXT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984 WAS 54 PER CENT OR $16 057 MILLION HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
THIS OVERALL INCREASE WAS MADE UP OF AN INCREASE OF 51 PER CENT OR $9 487 MILLION FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND AN INCREASE OF 59 PER CENT OR $6 570 MILLION FOR RE-EXPORTS. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, ON THE OTHER HAND, WAS 43 PER CENT OR $14 651 MILLION HIGHER. AS A RESULT, THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP IN THE FIRST QUARTER CF THIS YEAR WAS ONLY SIX PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 13 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983.
COMMENTING ON THESE COMPARATIVE FIGURES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE LARGE GROWTH RATES IN MONEY TERMS PARTLY REFLECTED THE WEAK TRADE PERFORMANCE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983, SINCE THE EXPORT RECOVERY DID NOT REALLY BEGIN UNTIL THE SECOND QUARTER OF THAT YEAR.
♦NEVERTHELESS, EVEN AFTER ALLOWING FOR PRICE INCREASES, THE GROWTH RATES IN REAL TERMS WOULD STILL BE SUBSTANTIAL, INDICATING THAT THE STRONG TRADE PERFORMANCE HAS CONTINUED,+ HE SAID.
/THE FOLLOWING
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE
TRADE F IGURES
MERCHANDISE:
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1984
PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE
FOR MARCH 1984:-
DOMESTIC EXPORTS i $10 503 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS • ■ $ 6 653 MILLION
TOTAL EXPORTS • $17 156 MILLION
IMPORTS • • $18 144 MILLION
TRADE BALANCE • ■ $ 988 MILLION
( IN DEFICIT)
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
JAN.-MAR
LATEST 3 MONTHS 1984
$ MN.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) % 28 116 (61.3%)
RE-EXPORTS 17 722
TOTAL EXPORTS 45 838
IMPORTS 48 791
TRADE BALANCE -2 953
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR MARCH 1984
$ MN
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS)
RE-EXPORTS
TOTAL EXPORTS
IMPORTS
TRADE BALANCE
JAN.-MAR 1983
INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ h 1N. %
18 (62 629 '. 6%) + 9 437 +50.9
11 152 + 6 570 +58.9
29 781 +16 057 +53.9
34 140 + 14 651 +42.9
-4 359 * 1 4Q6
MARCH 1983
INCREASE OR DECREASE
%
$ MN
$ MN
10 503 (61.2%) 6 620 (62.3%) + 3 883 +58.7
6 653 4 000 + 2 653 ♦66.3
17 156 10 620 ♦ 6 536 ♦61.5
18 144 12 440 + 5 704 +45.9
- 988 -1 820 + 832
LAST
mon™
FRIDAY, APRIL
27, 19W
LAST MONTH
MARCH 1984
FEBRUARY 1984
INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 10 503 6 822 ♦ 3 681 ♦54.0
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (61.2%) (57.3%)
RE-EXPORTS 6 653 5 093 ♦ 1 560 +30.6
TOTAL EXPORTS 17 156 11 915 ♦ 5 241 +44.0
IMPORTS 18 144 14 748 ♦ 3 396 +23.0
TRADE BALANCE - 988 -2 833 * 1 845
LAST 12 MONTHS
APRIL 1983 TO MARCH 1984
APRIL 1982 TO MARCH 1983
INCREASE OR DECREASE
• $ MN. $ MN. S MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 113 892 84 157 ♦29 735 +35.3
RE-EXPORTS 62 864 44 878 ♦17 986 +40.1
TOTAL EXPORTS 176 756 129 035 +47 721 +37.0
IMPORTS 190 094 143 621 +46 473 ♦ 32.4
TRADE BALANCE -13 338 -14 586 + 1 248
- - 0 -
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1984
4 -
TWO KOWLOON OUTLINE ZONING PLANS AMENDED
*****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) GAVE DETAILS OF AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLANS FOR TS|M SHA TSUI AND HUNG HOM.
ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE TSIM SHA TSUI PLAN INVOLVES TWO SITES AT THE JUNCTION OF SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD AND MODY ROAD WHICH HAVE BEEN REZONED FOR COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE SITES, MEASURING 5 600 AND 2 800 SQUARE METRES, ARE TO BE SOLD FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT.
A FURTHER AMENDMENT INVOLVES ADJUSTING THE PLANNING BOUNDARIES FOR THE AREA UNDER WHICH THE NORTH-EASTERN CORNER HAS BEEN SHIFTED SOUTHWARDS SO THAT IT ACCORDS WITH THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BOUNDARIES.
AS A RESULT OF THIS AMENDMENT THE HUNG HOM FERRY CONCOURSE AREA HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE TSIM SHA TSUI PLANNING AREA AND IS NOW INCLUDED AS AN EXTENSION TO THE DRAFT HUNG HOM OUTLINE ZONING PLAN WHICH IS DULY AMENDED.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT TO THE TSIM SHA TSUI PLAN INVOLVES REZONING AN EXISTING WATER PUMPING STATION OFF HARBOUR CITY DEVELOPMENT FROM +GOVERNMENT-INST I TUT I ON-COMMUNITY USES* TO +SALT WATER PUMPING STATION*.
THE AMENDED PLANS CAN BE INSPECTED AT:
* THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, 4TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONGj
* THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE;
* THE DISTRICT OFFICE (YAU MA TEI), 490-492, NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, FOR THE TSIM SHA TSUI PLAN; AND
* THE DISTRICT OFFICE (KOWLOON CITY), 141-143, KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, 1ST FLOOR, KOWLOON, FOR THE HUNG HOM PLAN.
ANYONE AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS CAN OBJECT BY WRITING TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 LANDS DEPARTMENT, KJRRAY BUILDING, 4TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR. AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, AT $10 FOR EACH UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 FOR EACH COLOURED COPY.
0 ------
/5........
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1934
- 5 -
ELECTRICAL CONTRACT AWARDED FOR AIRPORT EXPANSION * * * *
THE FIRST GOVERNMENT ELECTRICITY SUB-STATION USING GAS TURBINE GENERATORS TO SUPPLY STANDBY POWER IS TO BE BUILT AT KAI TAK AIRPORT AS PART OF ITS EXPANSION.
THE SUB-STATION IS ONE OF THREE TO BE INSTALLED THERE.
AN $8.3 MILLION CONTRACT TO SUPPLY AND INSTALL THE EQUIPMENT WAS SIGNED TODAY (FRIDAY), WITH CHINA ENGINEERS LIMITED.
THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM OSBORNE, SIGNED FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND MR C.K. TSANG SIGNED FOR THE CONTRACTOR.
CHINA ENGINEERS WILL SUPPLY AND INSTALL 11 KV EQUIPMENT AND TWO SETS OF GAS TURBINE GENERATORS UNDER THE CONTRACT.
MR OSBORNE SAID STANDBY POWER AT THE AIRPORT MAKES UP A MUCH LARGER ELEMENT OF SUPPLIES THAN IN OTHER TYPES OF BUILDINGS.
THE CONTRACT IS PART OF THE AIRPORT'S STAGE V DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WHICH WILL BOOST EXISTING HANDLING CAPACITY OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BY MORE THAN 50 PER CENT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT STAGE V WILL BE FULLY COMMISSIONED BY 1987.
SITE WORK FOR THE PRESENT CONTRACT WILL START IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
--------o----------
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OFFER EVENING COURSES * * X *
THE FIVE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ARE NOW INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR PART-TIME EVENING COURSES DUE TO START IN SEPTEMBER.
THE MORRISON HILL, KWAI CHUNG, KWUN TONG, HAKING WONG AND LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WILL OFFER 96 PART-TIME EVENING COURSES IN 13 DISCIPLINES.
♦THE COURSES OFFERED ARE MAINLY AT CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN LEVELS, PROVIDING ONE TO THREE YEARS COMPLEMENTARY EDUCATION FOR POEPLE WORKING IN THE INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID.
THE 13 DISCIPLINES COVER HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM STUDIES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, GENERAL STUDIES, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, PRINTING, TEXTILE INDUSTRIES, CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, MARINE AND FABRICATION, DESIGN AND MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERING.
/+IN ADDITION......
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1984
6 -
♦IN ADDITION, THIS YEAR WE WILL OFFER A NEW PREPARATORY CRAFT COURSE FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT POSSESS THE MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS TO CRAFT COURSES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS COURSE IS TO ENABLE MATURE PERSONS TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED TO STUDY CRAFT COURSES, HE ADDED.
APPLICANTS FOR THIS COURSE SHOULD BE OVER 25 YEARS OF AGE AND HAVE AT LEAST FIVE YEARS OF WORKING EXPERIENCE.
DETAILS OF ALL PART-TIME EVENING COURSES WILL BE ADVERTISED IN THE LOCAL PRESS TOMORROW (SATURDAY). APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND DISTRICT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS SATURDAY (MAY 12). CURRENT FORM FIVE STUDENTS MAY ALSO APPLY.
0------
MEDICAL FEES REVISED
* * *
CHARGES AT GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND OUTPATIENT CLINICS WILL BE REVISED FROM MAY 1, THE'MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PATIENT STAYING IN A GENERAL WARD WILL BE CHARGED $15 A DAY INSTEAD OF THE EXISTING $10. THE DAILY RATE FOR SPECIAL ASIAN DIET WILL BE INCREASED TO $30 AND FOR EUROPEAN DIET TO $45.
CONSULTATION FEES AT A GENERAL CLINIC WILL BE REVISED FROM $5 TO $7 A VISIT AND FROM $6 TO $10 AT A SPECIALIST CLINIC.
HOWEVER, CHARGES AT FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS AND METHADONE CLINICS WILL REMAIN AT $1.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID THAT EVEN WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW FEES, THE GOVERNMENT STILL HAS TO PROVIDE A HEAVY SUBSIDY FROM PUBLIC FUNDS FOR EACH PATIENT ATTENDING A HOSPITAL OR A CLINIC.
♦FOR EXAMPLE, THE INCREASED RATE OF $15 A BED IN THE GENERAL WARD ONLY REFLECTS THE COST OF PROVIDING THREE MEALS A DAY IN THE HOSPITAL BUT DOES NOT COVER THE COSTS OF DRUGS, SURGERY, LABORATORY TEST AND X-RAYS,+ HE SAID.
IN CASES OF GENUINE HARDSHIP, THERE ARE ALSO PROVISIONS TO REDUCE OR WAIVE THE CHARGES, HE ADDED.
•THE FULL DAILY MAINTENANCE COST FOR EACH BED FOR 1982-83 RANGED FROM $450 IN QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL TO $720 IN QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL.
THE AVERAGE COST FOR EACH ATTENDANCE WORKED OUT TO ABOUT $40 AT A GENERAL CLINIC AND TO ABOUT $90 AT A SPECIALIST CLINIC.
THE LAST REVISION OF HOSPITAL AND CLINIC FEES WAS IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
------o-------
/7......
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1 >84
- 7 -
FINANCIAL SCHEME TO HELP SQUATTER RESIDENTS
*****
RESIDENTS IN SQUATTER AND TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS IN SHAM SHU I PO CAN APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND SQUATTERS ASSISTANCE SCHEME HAS RECENTLY BEEN SET UP BY A GROUP OF COMMUNITY LEADERS IN SHAM SHU I PO TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE 14 OOO SQUATTER RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
UNDER THE SCHEME, RESIDENTS CAN APPLY THROUGH THE LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICE FOR FUNDS TO CARRY OUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORKS, RECREATION AND SPORTS FACILITIES, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES OR FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF.
AN INITIAL SUM OF $100 000 HAS BEEN RAISED FOR THE SCHEME.
ACCORDING TO THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER TSE, HONORARY ADVISER OF THE SCHEME, THE PROJECT WILL REINFORCE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THE SQUATTERS.
♦THERE IS ALWAYS A LIMIT TO WHAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN PROVIDE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE SQUATTER RESIDENTS,* HE SAID.
+THIS MEANINGFUL PROJECT WILL APTLY COMPLEMENT ANY AREAS OF INADEQUACY OR INFLEXIBILITY ARISING FROM THE RIGID CONSTRAINT ON GOVERNMENT SPENDING.*
THERE ARE 26 SQUATTERS AND FIVE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS IN SHAM SHU I PO.
A CEREMONY TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF THE SCHEME WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE PAK TIN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
NOTE TO ED I TORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE CARPARK OF THE PAK TIN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN SHAM SHUI PO.
0
/8........
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1984
- 8 -
NOTE TO EDITORS:
LADY YOUDE TO OPEN LIBRARY * * * *
LADY YOUDE WILL OPEN THE YAU SIN STUDY LIBRARY IN YUEN LONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING.
THE 15O-YEAR-OLD STUDY LIBRARY HAS RECENTLY UNDERGONE ITS SECOND RENOVATION, PRESERVING MOST OF THE EXTERNAL APPEARANCE AND THE STYLE OF THE BUILDING.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE CEREMONY AT 11 AM AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE LIBRARY AT SAN WAI VILLAGE IN HA TSUEN,YUEN LONG.
A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE, AM5797, WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 9.45 AM FOR HA TSUEN.
-----o-------
TUEN MUN SITE FOR SALE * * * *
A 6 802-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN TUEN MUN FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH THE FISHING INDUSTRY IS BEING OFFERED FOR SALE BY TENDER.
UNDER THE SALES CONDITIONS, THE DEVELOPER WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED TO CARRY OUT MARINE-ORIENTED INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES ON THE SITE, LOCATED AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE NEW TOWN, NEXT TO THE EXISTING SEAWALL.
THE BUILDING COVENANT IS $12 MILLION TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1988.
ALL TENDERS ARE TO BE SENT IN BY MAY 25.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT:
* THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250, SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON ; AND
M THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS
THE TENDER PLAN CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE ABOVE LOCATIONS
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1984
- 9 -
NOTE TO EDITORS:
NEW VILLAGE OFFICE * * *
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP, WILL OPEN A NEW VILLAGE OFFICE AT SHUI HAU ON SOUTH LANTAU TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING.
THE OFFICE WAS BUILT BY LOCAL VILLAGERS, WITH PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION COST CONTRIBUTED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 10.30 AM. A MARINE LAUNCH +CLEMENTI+ WILL LEAVE THE MARINE DEPARTMENT PIER, NEXT TO THE OUTLYING ISLANDS FERRY PIER, AT 9 AM SHARP.
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NOTE TO EDITORS:
SPORTS CENTRE TO BE OPENED % *****
HONG KONG’S NEW SPORTS CENTRE AT TO KWA WAN WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING BY THE ICAC COMMISSIONER, MR PETER WILLIAMS.
THE TO KWA WAN SPORTS CENTRE, COVERING 7 000 SQUARE FEET, IS THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE HUNG HOM CARPARK SPORTS CENTRE WHICH WAS RETURNED TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AT THE END OF 1982.
THE NEW CENTRE, RUN BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, IS THE LARGEST AND OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES - FROM FITNESS CLASSES TO BALLET LESSONS FOR CHILDREN.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE CENTRE SITUATED ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF THE TO KWA WAN MARKET COMPLEX AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, AT 10.45 AM TOMORROW.
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/1O........
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1984
- 10 -
200 ENTER SIX-KILOMETER RACE * * * *
ABOUT 200 MEN AND WOMEN WILL TAKE PART IN A SIX-KILOMETER RACE ON SOUTH LANTAU ON SUNDAY (APRIL 29), STARTING AT 9 AM.
THE CONTESTANTS WILL START FROM THE MUI WO POLICE STATION, RUN ALONG SOUTl. LANTAU ROAD, AND FINISH AT THE YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION YOUTH CAMP IN SAN SHEK WAN.
THE RACE IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE (ISLANDS), RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICE, ISLANDS DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION, AND THE YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION YOUTH CAMP.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN INVITATION RACE FOR TEAMS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS AND SCHOOLS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP; DIVISIONAL SUPERINTENDENT (ISLANDS), MR M.J. HARRIS; SENIOR RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER, MR MARCUS LEEJ CHAIRMAN OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR S.K. YUEN; AND THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF HK Y.W.C.A. CAMP COMMITTEE, MISS MAY CHAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY AT 11.45 AM.
BEFORE THAT, AT 10.45 AM, MR YAP WILL OPEN A MINI-SOCCER PITCH FOR RESIDENTS OF SHU! HAU ON SOUTH LANTAU.
THE MINI-SOCCER PITCH WAS BUILT AT A COST OF $230 000, OF WHICH $200 000 WAS FROM THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION AND THE REST FROM THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE’S LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS VOTE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE MIN I-SOCCER PITCH AT SHU I HAU ON SOUTH LANTAU AT 10.45 AM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 29) AND A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF A LONGDISTANCE RACE AT 11.45 AM AT THE YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION YOUTH CAMP AT SAN SHEK WAN.
THE LAUNCH +CLEMENTI+ WILL LEAVE THE MARINE DEPARTMENT PIER, NEXT TO THE OUTLYING ISLANDS FERRY PIER IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, AT 9 AM SHARP FOR SOUTH LANTAU.
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/11 .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1984
- 11
NOTE TO EDITORS:
NEW OFFICE FOR OLD VILLAGE * * * *
A NEW OFFICE FOR THE TAI HANG OLD VILLAGE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE WILL BE OPENED ON SUNDAY (APRIL 29) AFTERNOON BY THE ASSISTANT EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG.
LOCATED IN TAI HANG ROAD, THE 23-SQUARE-METRE OFFICE WAS BUILT THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORT OF THE LOCAL VILLAGERS AND THE DISTRICT BOARD, WHICH CONTRIBUTED $10 000 TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION COST.
THE TAI HANG OLD VILLAGE MAC WAS SET UP IN 1980, AND HAS BEEN PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE 700 VILLAGERS.
OTHER GUESTS ATTENDING THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL INCLUDE BOARD MEMBERS, MR CHOY WING-ON, MR PAUL YIN AND MR YUE HEI-KWONG, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI HANG OLD VILLAGE MAC, MR WONG CHUN-HING.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 2 PM IN THE PUBLIC CAR PARK OUTSIDE THE TIGER BALM GARDEN IN TAI HANG ROAD.
-----0------
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOUNG MARTINS VIE FOR BASEBALL TITLE * * * *
THE SHA TIN MARTINS, A BASEBALL TEAM FORMED LAST SEPTEMBER BY THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD, WILL BE PLAYING IN THE ALL HONG KONG CHAMPIONSHIPS ON SUNDAY (APRIL 29) AFTERNOON, AT THE KGV SPORTSGROUND IN TIN KWONG ROAD, KOWLOON.
THOUGH IN ITS FIRST SEASON,THE TEAM WON ITS WAY INTO THE FINALS AND WILL BE COMPETING WITH THE ’BUFFALOES’ - A JAPANESE TEAM.
THE TEAM IS MADE UP OF 30 MEMBERS WHO ARE BETWEEN SEVEN AND 11 YEARS OF AGE.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GAME, WHICH STARTS AT 1 PM.
A GOVERNMENT VAN WILL LEAVE FOR THE VENUE FROM OUTSIDE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE IN CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT 12 NOON.
------o-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, APRIL
CONTBITS SIR PHILIP OPENS +ONE OF WORLD'S MOST MODERN PRISONS+ ........
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY NEEDS MORE TECHNICIANS .................
LOCAL LEADERS PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY EFFORT ...................
RESIDENTS URGED TO SUPPORT DB ELECTIONS ......................
GOVERNOR RETURNING SUNDAY ....................................
150-YEAR-OLD STUDY LIBRARY RE-OPENED..........................
PUBLIC URGED TO HELP KEEP NULLAH CLEAN .......................
RECLAMATION PLANNED AT SHA TAU KOK HOI .......................
TO KWA WAN SPORTS CENTRE OPENED ..............................
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT OFFICE IN SHA TIN .....................
ROLE OF VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES STRESSED .....................
HOME SAFETY COMPETITION - A GREAT COMMUNITY SERVICE.........J.
LONG-DISTANCE RUN IN TaI PO ..................................
TWO MORE TENNIS COURTS IN FANLING ............................
FIRING DRILL IN HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK .........................
28, 1984
PAGE NO.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1984
1
SIR PHILIP OPENS +ONE OF WORLD’S MOST MODERN PRISONS* * * *
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY (SATURDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED THE SHEK PIK PRISON, A MODERN, PURPOSE-BUILT, MAXIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTION ON LANTAU ISLAND.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, SIR PHILIP SAID THAT OWING TO THE POPULATION GROWTH AND THE RECENT RISE IN SERIOUS CRIME, PARTICULARLY VIOLENT CRIME, THERE WAS A +SIGNIFICANT INCREASE* IN THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS SERVING SENTENCES OF OVER SIX YEARS.
*THE NUMBERS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, FROM 662 IN 1979 TO 1 358 THIS YEAR. DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS SERVING IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE ROSE FROM 58 TO 92,* HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE LAST MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON TO BE BUILT WAS STANLEY PRISON, WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION 47 YEARS AGO, HE SAID THAT THE ADDITION OF SHEK PIK PRISON WAS TIMELY.
SIR PHILIP STATED THAT THE NEW SHEK PIK PRISON HAD BEEN BUILT FOR PRISONERS WHO HAVE TO BE IN MAXIMUM SECURITY CONDITIONS, HAVING REGARD TO THE LENGTH OF THEIR SENTENCES, THE DEGREE OF SOPHISTICATION THEY USED IN COMMITTING THEIR CRIMES, AND THEIR GENERAL PATTERN OF BEHAVIOUR.
THE PRISON CAN TAKE IN 482 PRISONERS. IT IS USED FOR THOSE SERVING MEDIUM TO LONG SENTENCES, INCLUDING LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
WORK ON THE MAIN BUILDING OF THE S135-MILLION PRISON PROJECT STARTED IN OCTOBER 1980. THE STRUCTURE COMPRISES STAFF QUARTERS, AS WELL AS A COMPLEX OF MULTI-STOREY PRISON BUILDINGS, INCORPORATING WORKSHOPS, DINING HALLS, A KITCHEN, A GYMNASIUM, A LIBRARY, A CHAPEL, VISITING FACILITIES AND CELLULAR ACCOMMODATION FOR PRISONERS AND AN 18-BED HOSPITAL.
IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL UNIT IS ALSO BEING SET UP FOR PRISONERS WHO REQUIRE PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT.
AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST MODERN PRISONS, IT IS INSTALLED WITH HIGH TECHNOLOGY ELECTRONIC SECURITY AIDS, INCLUDING AN INFRA-RED PERIMETER ALARM, A SOPHISTICATED RADIO NETWORK, AND A COMPREHENSIVE CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEM WHICH CONSISTS OF OVER 160 CAMERAS SET UP ALL OVER THE PRISON AND 36 TELEVISION MONITORS AT THE CONTROL ROOM.
IT IS ALSO INSTALLED WITH A SOLAR ENERGY WATER HEATING SYSTEM PROVIDING HOT WATER FOR KITCHEN, LAUNDRY AND FOR BATHING. WITH A SOLAR PANEL AREA OF 480 SQUARE METRES, IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S LARGEST SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM.
/PRISONERS THERE .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1984
2 -
PRISONERS THERE ARE ENGAGED IN USEFUL WORK, EITHER ON DOMESTIC SERVICES OR IN VARIOUS WELL-EQUIPPED WORKSHOPS MANAGED BY SPECIALIST INDUSTRIAL STAFF. A VARIETY OF TRADES ARE UNDERTAKEN INCLUDING GARMENT MAKING, CARPENTRY, PRINTING, LEATHER WORK, KNITTING AND LAUNDERING. IN ADDITION, EDUCATION CLASSES, RECREATION PROGRAMMES, PHYSICAL EDUCATION AS WELL AS COUNSELLING ARE ALSO PROVIDED FOR THEM
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE LADY HADDON-CAVEI THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS | THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MICHAEL THOMASi THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR DAVID
JEAFFRESON, AND THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR THOMAS GARNER.
IN HIS WELCOMING SPEECH, MR GARNER SAID THAT THE WORK OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CONFORMED WITH ALL LOCAL PROVISIONS AS WELL AS WITH THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD MINIMUM RULES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.
HE SAID THAT HONG KONG DID CARE ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS, AS REFLECTED IN THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH PRISONERS ARE CONFINED AND THE ATTITUDE OF THE STAFF.
HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT IMPLY THAT ONE COULD SERVE IMPRISONMENT SENTENCE VERY EASILY.
THE IMPOSITION AND SERVING OF A SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT WAS A PUNISHMENT AND NOTHING ELSE, HE SAID.
MR GARNER SAID THAT THE CORRECT SUPERVISION OF OFFENDERS CALLED FOR DISCIPLINE, WHICH STARTED WITH THE STAFF.
DUE RECOGNITION AND STATUS HAD BEEN GIVEN BY THE COMMUNITY TO THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF WHO PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER, WHICH HAD SET HONG KONG APART FROM MOST OTHER COUNTRIES SO FAR AS CORRECTIONS WERE CONCERNED, HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE SAME CEREMONY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS SUPPORTED THE COMMISSIONER’S VIEW THAT HIGH STANDARDS OF PRISON CARE WERE A YARDSTICK FOR A CARING COMMUNITY, AND THAT THE LOSS OF LIBERTY WITHIN A DISCIPLINED ENVIRONMENT WAS A VERY REAL PUNISHMENT, AND WAS ENOUGH.
IT WAS A PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE PRISON CONDITIONS, HOWEVER DISCIPLINED THEY MAY BE, TOLERABLE AND HUMANE AND NOT A DEGRADING OR HUMILIATING EXPERIENCE WHICH WILL DEFEAT THE REHABILITATION OF THE OFFENDER, MR THOMAS SAID.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1984
3
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY NEEDS MORE TECHNICIANS * * * * *
DESPITE THE SLUGGISH PROPERTY MARKET, THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WILL NEED AN ADDITION OF AT LEAST 400 TECHNOLOGISTS, 650 TECHNICIANS AND 1 800 CRAFTSMEN EACH YEAR FROM 1984 TO 1988.
THESE ESTIMATES ARE AMONG THE FINDINGS IN THE REPORT ON THE
1983 MANPOWER SURVEY JUST PUBLISHED BY THE ENGINEERING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE COUNCIL.
BUILDING AND CIVIL VOCATIONAL TRAINING
THE SURVEY SHOWED THAT THE TOTAL WORK
FORCE OF THE INDUSTRY
HAD DECLINED FROM ABOUT 103 000 IN APRIL 1981 TO 89 000 IN APRIL 1983, REPRESENTING AN ANNUAL DROP OF ABOUT SEVEN PER CENT.
+THE CURRENT SET-BACK OF THE INDUSTRY IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE
ECONOMIC OVER THE TRAINING
RECESSION, THE SLUGGISH PROPERTY MARKET AND THE UNCERTAINTY FUTURE OF HONG KONG+, MR JOHN H.P. LOK, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, SAID.
BUT
MR LOK ADDED, +THE TRAINING BOARD EXPECTS THAT A SIGNIFICANT
NUMBER OF EXISTING VACANT UNITS IN THE PROPERTY MARKET WILL BE TAKEN UP BY NEXT YEAR AND THERE WILL BE A REVIVED DEMAND FOR RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESI DENT I AL PREMISES*, HE SAID.
NOW WAS THE TIME FOR EMPLOYERS TO STEP UP STAFF TRAINING TO hEET FUTURE DEMANDS, HE ADDED.
ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A DROP IN INDUSTRY OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, GROWN BY ABOUT NINE PER CENT OVER FOUND.
THE TOTAL WORK FORCE OF THE THE NUMBER OF TECHNICIANS HAD THE SAME PERIOD, THE SURVEY
THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE DEMAND FOR, MORE SUPERVISORY STAFF, RESULTING FROM THE INCREASING APPLICATION OF COMPLEX AND SOPHISTICATED CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MORE STRINGENT CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS.
THE BOARD STRESSED THE NEED FOR EMPLOYERS TO START OR IMPROVE PRACTICAL TRAINING SCHEMES TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF THE WORK FORCE IN ORDER TO COPE WITH MECHANISATION AND COMPLEX CONSTRUCTION METHODS BEING INTRODUCED.
THE REPORT, PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $15.00 A COPY.
- - 0 -
SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1984
4
LOCAL LEADERS PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY EFFORT
* * * *
THE 14 OOO RESIDENTS IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AND SQUATTER AREAS IN SHAM SHU I PO CAN NOW APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM A VOLUNTARY SCHEME TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
A SHAM SHU I PO TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND SQUATTERS ASSISTANCE SCHEME HAS BEEN FORMED BY A GROUP OF COMMUNITY LEADERS IN THE DISTRICT, AND AN INITIAL SUM OF $150 000 HAS BEEN RAISED FOR THE SCHEME.
SPEAKING AT AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY TODAY (SATURDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHEME’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MR TAI TUNG NGOK SAID THE MAIN AIM WAS TO AROUSE PUBLIC CONCERN FOR THE NEEDS OF THE LESS FORTUNATE.
HE SAID FUNDS FOR THE SCHEME WOULD BE OBTAINED FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC DONATIONS.
UNDER THE SCHEME, RESIDENTS CAN APPLY FOR FUNDS TO CARRY OUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS, COMMUNITY BUILDING, SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OR FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF.
MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, FIRE WATCH TEAMS AND OTHER CIVIC BODIES OF THE SQUATTER AND 'TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS ARE WELCOME TO APPLY THROUGH THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUBOFFICES.
ALSO ADDRESSING THE GATHERING, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, SYLVESTER TSE, PRAISED THE SCHEME’S ORGANISERS FOR THEIR PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS AND INITIATIVENESS IN.PROMOTING THE WELL-BEING OF THE RESIDENTS.
+THIS REFLECTS AN ENCOURAGING RESPONSE TO THE CALL FOR DISTRICT INTEGRITY WHICH HAS BEEN THE MAIN THEME OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM,+ HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THERE WERE THREE SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
♦ FIRSTLY, THIS IS PURELY A DISTRICT-BASED ASSISTANCE SCHEME WHICH HAS APTLY EMBODIED THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT,* HE SAID.
• ♦■SECONDLY, IT IS A FUND SET UP VOLUNTARILY BY CIVIC-MINDED PERSONALITIES IN THE DISTRICT TO HELP THE POOR AND THE NEEDY, HENCE DEMONSTRATING A HIGH SPIRIT OF MUTUAL ASSISTANCE AND CONCERN AMONG RESIDENTS.
♦ LASTLY, IT IS A POSITIVE STEP IN PROMOTING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN IMPROVING THE LIFE OF THE UNDERPRIVILEGED.
♦ I LOOK FORWARD TO A WIDER LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN THE SCHEME AND A FURTHER EXPANSION OF THE SCOPE OF ITS SERVICES IN THE YEARS TO COME,* MR TSE ADDED.
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/5....
SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1984
5
RESIDENTS URGED TO SUPPORT DB ELECTIONS * * * *
MONG KOK RESIDENTS WERE TONIGHT (SATURDAY) ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WORK BY REGISTERING AS VOTERS OR CANDIDATES FOR NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE APPEAL CAME FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S COMMUNITY WHILE SPEAKING AT THE DISTRICT’S
BUILDING COMMITTEE, MR CLEMENT TAO, PRELIMINARY SINGING CONTEST.
MR TAO REMINDED RESIDENTS THAT EXERCISE WOULD BEGIN IN MID-AUGUST.
THE SIX-WEEK REGISTRATION
THE FIRST STEP: A GOOD VOTER
♦ REGISTERING AS VOTERS IS ONLY .... at
TURNOUT RATE AT THE MARCH DB ELECTIONS IS WHAT WE ARE AIMING AT,*
HE SAID.
MR TAO NOTED THAT THE FORMAT OF THE SINGING CONTEST - WHOSE WINNER IS TO REPRESENT HIS OR HER DISTRICT TO COMPETE wITH OTHER^ IN A SEMI-FINAL ON AUGUST 11 - COULD.HELP BUILD A SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENTITY AND BELONGING AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS.
♦TAKING PART IN THE SINGING CONTEST IS ALSO ONE WAY CF GETTING YOURSELVES INVOLVED IN DISTRICT ACTIVITIES,* HE SAID.
TWELVE YOUNG AMATEURS WERE CHOSEN FROM AMONG 200 ENTRANTS BY AUDITION TO COMPETE IN TONIGHT’S SHOW.
THE CONTEST, ALSO BEING HELD IN OTHER DISTRICTS UNTIL THE END OF JULY, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE 18 DISTRICT OFFICES, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND SING TAO NEWSPAPERS LIMITED.
_ _ 0 - -
NOTE TO EDITORS :
GOVERNOR RETURNING SUNDAY * * * *
THE TOMORROW TALKS ON
SIR
GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG (SUNDAY) AFTER ATTENDING ANOTHER TWO DAYS OF SINO-bRITI an THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
EDWARD WILL BE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT CA 135, ETA 12.25 P”.
A FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER SIR EDWARD’S RETURN. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO USE THE FACILITY SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM BY 11.25 AM.
GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, APR IL 28, 1^34
- 6 -
150-YEAR-OLD STUDY LIBRARY RE-OPENED * * * *
A 150-YEAR-OLD STUDY LIBRARY IN YUEN LONG, WHICH UNDERWENT RENOVATION RECENTLY, WAS RE-OPENED BY LADY YOUDE THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
THIS WAS THE SECOND RECONSTRUCTION FOR THE YAU SIN LIBRARY IN HA TSUEN. THE RENOVATION WAS CARRIED OUT 70 YEARS AGO.
THE RENOVATION COST OF $1.8 MILLION WAS PAID BY THE TANG CLAN,
MOST OF THE BUILDING MATERIALS USED FOR THE LIBRARY WERE SHIPPED TO HONG KONG FROM CHINA AND THE BEAUTIFULLY ENGRAVED STONE PILLARS AND ORIGINAL WOODEN PANELS WERE HAND-MADE BY CRAFTSMEN FROM CHINA.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID THE HISTORIC AND ARTISTIC BUILDING WAS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED STUDY HALLS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+IT IS A TIMELY REMINDER TO US, WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR FUTURE, THAT THE PAST SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN NOR THE TRADITIONS WHICH IT HAS HANDED DOwim TO US AND THE LESSONS WHICH IT CAN TEACH US,+ HE SAID.
+FOR THESE ARE THE BRICKS AND MORTAR WITH WHICH TO BUILD STRONG FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE.+
MR AKERS-JONES SAID WHILE IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO INCLUDE SOME OF THE ORIGINAL WOOD CARVINGS IN THE RE-CONSTRUCTION, MOST OF THE EXTERNAL APPEARANCE AND THE STYLE OF THE BUILDING HAVE BEEN PRESERVED IN THEIR ORIGINAL FORM SO THAT THE STRUCTURAL FORM AND ARTISTIC STYLE OF A CENTURY AGO COULD STILL BE APPRECIATED.
♦FILIAL PIETY AND UNITY ARE CHINESE VIRTUES; AND IT IS IN KEEPING WITH THESE TO LOVE ONE’S BROTHER AND FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ONE’S FATHER,+ HE SAID.
+DEMONSTRATING THESE VIRTUES, THE TANG CLAN HAS INVESTED A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND EFFORT IN BRINGING THE GLORY BACK TO THIS HISTORIC AND ARTISTIC BUILDING. THEY SHOULD BE PROUD OF IT,* HE SAID.
0
ATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1984
PUBLIC URGED TO HELP KEE=> • LLAH CLEAN
* * * *
GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO CLEAN UP THE P< LUTED TUEN MUN NULLAH WOULD BE FUTILE WITHOUT PUBLIC SUPPORT, A UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF HE CLEAN HONG KONG DRIVE, MR AUGUSTINE NG, SAID TODAY.
MR NG MADE THE REMARK AFTER SEEING A LEAN-UP OPERATION AT THE NULLAH DURING A TwO-HOUR VISIT TO TUE' MUN.
ACCOMPANYING MR NG ON THE TOUR WERE E SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT (OPERATIONS) OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVK S DEPARTMENT, MR AUTHOR JOHNSON, AND THE DEPUTY URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF TUEN MUN, MR CHAii CHA I-CH I.
MR NG WAS TOLD THAT INDISCRIMINATE D IP I NG OF AGRICULTURAL AND HOUSEHOLD REFUSE OVER THE YEARS HAD S IOUSLY POLLUTED THE NULLAH.
TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM, THE GOVERN NT HAD SET UP A WORKING PARTY COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES ■ VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND HAD RECENTLY SPENT S55O OOO TO REMOVE EFUSE AT A SECTION OF THE NULLAH.
IN ADDITION, A NEW PUMPING STATION H: BEEN BUILT AT ITS UPPER STREAM TO CHANNEL POLLUTED WATER TO HE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AT PILLAR POINT.
THE PARTY NEXT VISITED KAI FAT PATH TO INSPECT A NEW REFUSE COLLECTION POINT CAPABLE OF HANDLING ABOU' 10 TONNES OF REFUSE A DAY.
THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO TUEN MUN CENTRE WHERE MR NG SAID HE WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE GENERAL CLEANLINES' OF THE COMMON PARTS OF THE MULTI-STOREY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING.
AT CHING CHUNG KOON, A POPULAR TOUR I ' SPOT, MR NG INSPECTED A NEWLY-BUILT FIBRE-GLASS REFUSE COLLECTION FACILITY,
BEFORE LEAVING, THE PARTY VISITED YE IG SIU HANG VILLAGE TO SEE CLEANSING FACILITIES PROVIDED FOR SOME 1 200 RESIDENTS THERE.
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/8
SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1984
- 8 - t .
RECLAMATION PLANNED AT SHA: TAU KOK HOI
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO RECLAIM ABOUT 1.46 HECTARES QF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT SHA TAU KOK HOI CLOSE TO THE TYPHOON SHELTER, FOR USE AS A PUBLIC SPORTS GROUND.
IT IS ALSO PLANNING TO DREDGE A NEw NAVIGATION CHANNEL TO REPLACE THE ONE WHICH WILL DISAPPEAR AS A RESULT OF THE RECLAMATION,
THE EXISTING CHANNEL IS USED BY FISHING BOATS TO GET TO THE TYPHOON SHELTER.
THE AREA TO BE DREDGED IS 1.26 HECTARES.
WORK ON THE RECLAMATION AND DREDGING, WHICH WILL BE CARRIED^ OUT UNDER THE PUBLIC RECLAMATIONS AND WORKS ORDINANCE, IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED IN SIX MONTHS.
THE CHANNEL LEADING TO THE TYPHOON ANCHORAGE wILL REMAIN NAVIGABLE DURING WORK ON THE RECLAMATION AND PRECAUTIONS wILL BE TAKEN TO PREVENT WATER POLLUTION IN T/iE NEARBY FISH CULTURE • ZONES DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
THE EXTENT OF THE AFFECTED AREA IS DESCRIBED IN THE LkTcST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
X LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONGJ
* TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES?
* NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, OLD DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING TAI PO MARKET, NEW TERRITORIES; AND
* NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE’S FANLING SUB-OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING, NEw TERRITORIES.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS PLAN CAN ALSO Bt SEEN POSTE^ NEAR THE SITE.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL AND CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN FwO MONTHa
- o -
/9........
SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1984
- 9 -
TO KwA wAN SPORTS CENTRE OPENED * fc *
HO>IG KONG’S NEWEST SPORTS CENTRE wAS OPENED IN TO KWA wAN TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, MR PETER WILLIAMS.
IN HIS ADDRESS, MR WILLIAMS SAID HE wAS SURE THAT THE SPECIALLY DESIGNED FITNESS CENTRE WOULD EE WELL PATRONISED BY PEOPuE OF THIS CROWDED COMMUNITY.
+THE GOOD WORK OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY IS WELL KNOwN TO ALL, AND AS THE COMMISSIONER OF ICAC, I WOULD TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE SERVICt FOR THE CO-OPERATION AND ASSISTANCE THEY HAVE GIVEN TO ICAC IN THE PAST IN ORGANISING A NUMBER OF RECREATION FUNCTIONS TO PROMOTE OU" CONCEPTS,+ HE SAID.
OTHERS wHO ATTENDED THE OPENING OF THE TO KWA WAN SPORTS CENTRE ON THE 1OTH FLOOR OF THE TO KwA WAN MARKET COMPLEX wERE THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR PATRICK wILlIAMoDW AND KOWLOON CITY’S COMMUNITY LEADERS.
MR WILLIAMSON SAID THE DEPARTMENT SOUGHT TO PROVIDE HEALTHY ACTIVITIES FOR PEOPLE. •
SINCE TRAINING CLASSES STARTED AT THE CENTRE AT THE BEGINNING OF APRIL, SOME 90 SESSIONS OF VARIOUS ACTIVITIES wERE HELD, ATTRACTING MORE THAN 2 000 PERSONS, HE SAID.
THE TO KWA WAN CENTRE IS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE HUNG HOM CAR PARK SPORTS CENTRE, WHICH WAS HANDED BACK TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN 1982.
IT COVERS 7 000 SQUARE FEET AND HAS THE LATEST EQUIPMENT FOR SPORTS AND KEEP-FIT ACTIVITIES.
THE CENTRE IS OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 10 PM DAILY, AND PEOPLt WISHING TO TAKE PART IN THE COURSES OFFERED BY IT SHOULD ^END IN THEIR APPLICATIONS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM ALL THE 19 DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE.
0
/10........
SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1984
- 10 -
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT OFFICE IN SHA TIN * * * *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE OPENING A SHA TIN OFFICE ON TUESDAY (MAY 1) FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF RESIDENTS THERE.
THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE ON THE 2ND FLOOR OF KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, NEW TERRITORIES, AND WILL PROVIDE SERVICES IN SUCH THINGS AS TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND RE-ENTRY PERMITS.
THE OFFICE HOURS WILL BE BETWEEN 9 AM AND 12.45 PM AND 2 PM AND 4.30 PM FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND BETWEEN 9 AM AND U.30 PM ON SATURDAYS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALSO THAT FROM TUESDAY, THE MOBILE BIRTHS AND MARRIAGES REGISTRATION SERVICES PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED ON WEDNESDAY^ AT THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE NEW OFFICE EVERY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY, FROM 10 AM TO 12.30 PM AND FROM 2 PM TO 3.30 PM.
HE SAID THAT AFTER THE OPENING OF THIS NEW OFFICE, THE DEPARTMENT’S MOBILE REGISTRATION TEAM wILL NOT CALL AT THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC wHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES MAY TELEPHONE 3-7333111.
0 -
ROLE OF VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES STRESSED
* * * *
A NEW VILLAGE OFFICE AT SHU I HAU ON SOUTH LANTAU WAS J-’ENED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YaP.
THE 63-SQUARE-METRE VILLAGE OFFICE WAS BUILT BY THE VILLAGERS AT $82 000, OF WHICH $15 000 WAS FROM THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE’S LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS VOTE.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR YAP SAID THE SETTING Uh OF A VILLAGE OFFICE COULD HELP IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AMONGTnt VILLAGERS AND PROVIDE A VENUE FOR MORE WELFARE AND RECREATIONAL ACTIV ITIES.
HE ALSO SPOKE ON THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY VILLAGE ElLE-.S AND LOCAL DIGNITARIES wHO HAD HELPED GOVERNMENT I .M IDENTIFY! THE NEEDS AND SOLVING VILLAGERS’ PROBLEMS.
♦VILLAGES ARE GRASS-ROOT ORGANISATIONS IN THE NE* TERnIIxo, HE SAID.
♦FOR YEARS, VILLAGERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REFLECT THEIR vIEao AND PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT, EDUCATION -imD SOCIAL WELFARE TO THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THEIR VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES AND RURAL COMMITTEE LEADERS.+
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTH LANTAU RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAU YUNG-FUK, AND A VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVE OF SHU I HAU, MR CHAN SAU.
------0-------
/II .....
SATURDAY, aPhIL Eo, 1?84
- 11 -
HOME SAFETY COMPETITION - A GREAT COMMUNITY SERVICE * * * *
THE HOME SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION wAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND AND A GREAT SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE COMPETITION WAS ORGANISED BY THE ZONTA CLUB OF HONG KONG FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO MAKE STUDENTS Aa/ARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HOME SAFETY.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE COMPETITION, MR HAYE DESCRIBED THE CONTEST AS A +VERY WELCOME SUPPLEMENTARY WORK + TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S EFFORTS IN DRAWING CHILDREN’S ATTENTION TOWARDS SAFETY IN SCHOOLS.
A LARGE NUMBER OF ART CONTESTS AND EXHIBITIONS ON MEANINGFUL THEMES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED IN RECENT YEARS BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT^, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SERVICE CLUBS, PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND SCHOOL GROUPS.
APART FROM GIVING HELP, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO ORGANISED SIMILAR FUNCTIONS, BOTH FOR LEARNING AND APPRECIATION PURPOSES, MR HAYE SAID.
HE URGED SCHOOLS TO ENCOURAGE THEIR PUPILS TO TAKE ACTIVE PART IN SUCH ACTIVITIES.
THE RESPONSE TO THE HOME SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION WAS EXTREMELY GOOD AND THE STANDARD OF THE ENTRIES *AS HIGH, l*fi HAYE SAID.
------C------. -
NOTE TO EDITORS :
LONG-DISTANCE RUN IN TAI PO
X * * X
MORE THAN 700 PEOPLE WILL TAKE PART IN TOMORROW’S (SUNDAY) TAI PO LONG-DISTANCE RUN ALONG THE PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR MA IN DAM.
THE RUN WILL BE FROM THE FRONT GATE OF THE DAM TO TUN\a TAu CHAU AND BACK TO THE STARTING POINT, COVERING A DISTANCE OF 9 000 METRES.
THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF FIVE RACES IN TOMORROW’S EVENT.
FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION, THE NEw TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPhRTi'cnT AND THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE (TAI PO OFFICE).
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR THOMAS CHAN, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LONG-DISTANCE RUN, WHICH WILL START AT 13 AM.
------O-------
/V.......
SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1934
- 12 -
TwO MORE TENNIS COURTS IN FANLING H * * *
TwO MORE TENNIS COURTS wILL BE OPEN IN NORTH DISTRICT FROM TUESDAY (MAY 1).
THEY ARE LOCATED NEXT TO THE TwO EXISTING TEMPORARY COURTS OPPOSITE THE FANLING PUBLIC SwIMMING POOL.
BUILT BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE COURTS WILL BE MANAGED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
ADMISSION IS FREE AND THE OPENING HOURS WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM DAILY, AN NTSD SPOKESMAN SAID.
ADVANCE BOOKING MUST EE MADE wI TH IN ONE WEEK AND THE COURTS WILL BE ALLOCATED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
BOOKING FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICE OF THE FANLING NEW TOWN SQUASH COURTS LOCATED NEXT TO THE FANLING PUBLIC Swimming pool.
-----o--------
FIRING DRILL IN HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK 4 4 4
FIRING PRACTICE wILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE FOR THREE DAYS NEXT MONTH (MAY).
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING.
THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE PRACTICE ARE :
DATE TIME
MAY 2 (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM - 11 PM
MAY 18 (FRIDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
MAY 30 (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM - 11 PM
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LONGER MEETINGS HELD IN PEKING: GOVERNOR ....................... 1
AG STRESSES PUBLIC ROLE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME ................. 1
INSPECTIONS MAKE LIFE TOUGH FOR SMUGGLERS ...................... 3
INDUSTRIAL, BUILDING SURVEYS UNDERWAY .......................... 4
KINDERGARTENS TO CLOSE ON NO. 3 STORM SIGNAL.................... 6
FINAL WORK DUE ON CHA KWO LING ROAD............................. 8
PRIVATE CLEANSING FOR SQUATTER AREA ON THE WAY ................. 9
FAITH AND WILL BEHIND PROSPERITY .............................. 10
DB TO DISCUSS TAXI, HOUSING REVIEWS ........................... 11
SEVENTH PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR ESTATES ............................ 11
FOOTBRIDGE FOR SHA TAU KOK .................................... 12
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE ........................................ 12
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 1984
1 -
LONGER MEETINGS HELD IN PEKING: GOVERNOR * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SPEAKING AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN FROM PEKING TODAY (SUNDAY), SAID:
♦ GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I AM SORRY TO BRING YOU OUT ON A SUNDAY MORNING. BUT SINCE IT IS RAINING SO HARD, PERHAPS YOU DON'T MIND TOO MUCH.
♦ WELL, THIS WAS The FIRST ROUND OF TALKS FOLLOWING THE VISIT TO PEKING BY SIR GEOFFREY HOWE AND WE HAD PLENTY TO DO IN FOLLOWING UP THE TALKS WITH THE CHINESE LEADERS WHICH HE HAD THERE
♦ YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT SOME OF OUR MEETINGS RAN ON A LITTLE LONGER THAN USUAL, AND WE ALSO CONTINUED OUR INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS OVER THE DINNER WHICH SIR RICHARD GAVE LAST NIGHT.
♦ ON THE CONTENT OF THE TALKS AND THE WAY AHEAD, YOU ALL HAVE SEEN SIR GEOFFREY’S STATEMENT AND PRESS CONFERENCE, AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN ADD TO THAT AT THIS STAGE.
♦ BUT THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF WORK TO BE DONE, AND FOR THAT PURPOSE I SHALL BE GOING BACK TO PEKING IN ABOUT 10 DAYS’ TIME.
♦ IN THE MEANTIME, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ANOTHER GUEST, ANOTHER MINISTER — MR JOHN STANLEY — WHO ARRIVED FROM CHINA THIS MORNING SO IF YOU WILL EXCUSE ME, I WILL GO AND CATCH UP AND SEE IF I CAN MEET HIM.+
SIR EDWARD WAS MET AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ROGER LOBO, AND THE VICECHIEF EDITOR OF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY (HONG KONG BRANCH), MR TAN GAN.
---.0-----
AG STRESSES PUBLIC ROLE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME
X X X *
HONG KONG IS WELL SERVED BY ITS POLICE FORCE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME AND IN COMPARATIVE TERMS SHOWS UP FAVOURABLY WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER MODERN CITIES AND TERRITORIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS IN HIS ADDRESS AT THE GOOD CITIZEN AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
♦BUT IF THE POLICE ARE TO BE AT THEIR MOST EFFECTIVE THEY MUST HAVE THE OTHER AGENCIES OF GOVERNMENT AND THE WHOLE COMMUNITY BEHIND THEM.+ HE SAI D.
/♦THIS IS .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 19^4
2 -
+THIS IS WHERE THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IS A VITAL INSTRUMENT IN THE COMMUNITY,* HE ADDED.
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SET UP FOR MANY YEARS AND ONLY ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE COMMITTEE’S STATUS AND MEMBERSHIP WERE UPGRADED WITH ITS CHAIRMANSHIP BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE.
+IT IS A POWERFUL INSTRUMENT IN THE BATTLE AND MUCH WORK AND RESEARCH IS BEING DONE BY |T,+ MR THOMAS SAID.
♦ IN THE DISTRICTS, TOO, THE FIGHT IS BEING EFFECTIVELY PURSUED BY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES,* HE CONTINUED.
MR THOMAS NOTED THAT THE FCC WAS A VITAL INSTRUMENT IN THE COMMUNITY BY DEVISING SCHEMES TO PROMOTE AND ASSIST POLICE IN THEIR ALREADY VERY EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY RELATIONS WORKS.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO SETS UP WORKING PARTIES TO PROMOTE SOLUTIONS TO LAW AND ORDER PROBLEMS AS WELL AS ENSURES THAT THE LAWS NEEDED BY THE COMMUNITY ARE IN PLACE, EFFECTIVE AND UP-TO-DATE.
WHILE HE HOPED THE FCC WOULD SPAWN MANY NEW SUCCESSFUL INNOVATIONS, MR THOMAS DISCLOSED THAT THE GOOD CITIZEN AWARD SCHEME SINCE ITS INCEPTION ‘IN 1973 HAD AWARDED 1 516 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR PERSONAL ASSISTANCE IN Fl GHTI NG CRIME.
♦ IT IS A SUCCESS STORY BECAUSE IN TEN YEARS OR SO THE SCHEME HAS BEEN IN OPERATION, THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS DIRECTLY RELATED TO HELP RECEIVED FROM PRIVATE CITIZENS HAS SHOT UP FROM 3.4 PER CENT TO 12.9 PER CENT,+ HE SAID.
♦ POLICE FORCES FROM OVERSEAS ENVY THIS ACHIEVEMENT AND STUDY THE SCHEME IN ORDER TO ADOPT IT IN THEIR TERRI TORIES,+ HE ADDED.
AS NO ONE IS ENCOURAGED TO RISK ONE’S LIFE OR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS IN FIGHTING CRIME, MR THOMAS SUGGESTED OTHER WAYS OF HELPING THE POLICE.
♦THERE IS MUCH THAT CAN BE DONE IN REPORTING CRIME, IN RAISING THE ALARM AND INFORMING POLICE WHEN ACTS OF CRIME OR SUSPICIONS OF CRIME ARE OBSERVED, AND ALSO IN THE VITAL ROLE OF BEING PREPARED TO COME FORWARD AS A WITNESS,* HE EXPLAINED.
PAYING RESPECT TO THE INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 21 AWARD WINNERS, MR THOMAS NOTED THAT THEY DID NOT DO IT TO RECEIVE A MONEY REWARD.
’♦THE MONEY REWARD IS MERELY SOCIETY’S RECOGNITION OF THEIR ACTIONS,* HE SAID, HOPING THAT MANY MORE IN SOCIETY WOULD BE INSPIRED TO SIMILAR ACHIEVEMENTS BY THEIR EXAMPLES.
THE 21 RECIPIENTS, SHARED CASH AWARDS TOTALLING S3B 500. AMONG THEM, THREE WERE EACH ADDITIONALLY PRESENTED WITH +ATV GOLDEN WHISTLE AWARD* BY MR LEE SIL-HONG, REPRESENTATIVE OF ASI A TELEVISI ON LIMITED.
- - - - 0----4.
/3......
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 1964
- 3 -
INSPECTIONS MAKE LIFE TOUGH FOR SMUGGLERS * * * *
STRICT CARGO INSPECTIONS AND STRINGENT NEW LEGISLATION ARE MAKING LIFE TOUGH FOR DRUG SMUGGLERS.
LAST YEAR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT EXAMINED MORE THAN ONE MILLION AIR CARGO PACKAGES AND A SIMILAR NUMBER OF SEABORNE ITEMS.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN JANUARY 1983, ENABLES LEGAL ACTION TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THE OWNERS OF SHIPS INVOLVED IN THE SMUGGLING CF NARCOTICS.
DRUG SMUGGLERS OBVIOUSLY GOT THE MESSAGE, AND LAST YEAR ONLY SMALL QUANTITIES OF DANGEROUS DRUGS WERE DISCOVERED IN TwO AIR CARGO CONSIGNMENTS AND NONE IN SEA CARGO.
’ACTION IS TAKEN SELECTIVELY TO INSPECT THE CARGO OF INCOMING VESSELS, OTHER THAN THOSE BERTHED AT THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL,’ ACCORDING TO MR DUDLEY LEONARD SHAW, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SEA CARGO EXAMINATION DIVISION. CONTAINER GOODS AT THE CONTAINER TERMINAL ARE INSPECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S CONTAINER CARGO EXAMINATION DIVISION.
’CARGO EXAMINATIONS ARE ALSO CARRIED OUT ON MACAU TRADING VESSELS AND CHINA COASTAL VESSELS AT VARIOUS CARGO HANDLING BASINS ON HONG KONG ISLAND,’ HE SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, GOODS COMING IN BY PASSENGER FLIGHTS AND AIR FREIGHTERS ARE EXAMINED BY THE AIR CARGO EXAMINATION DIVISION.
’AS HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS THE ONLY ENTRANCE BY AIR INTO HONG KONG, TIGHT CONTROL CAN BE EXERCISED OVER AIR CARGO,’ SAID MR YUEN KING-TONG, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF THE DIVISION. ’AS A RESULT, FEWER PEOPLE WILL TAKE THE RISK OF SMUGGLING IN DANGEROUS DRUGS BY AIR.’
THOUGH HONG KONG IS A FREE PORT, CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS HAVE TO BE IMPOSED TO PROTECT PUBLIC INTERESTS AND TO COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS.
NARCOTICS ARE AMONG PROHIBITED IMPORTS AND DETECTION OF ILLICIT DRUGS IS THE PRINCIPAL TASK OF THE SEA AND AIR CARGO EXAMINATION DIVISIONS.
OFFICERS ARE ON THE ALERT PARTICULARLY FOR AIR AND SEA CARGO FROM SUSPECT PORTS - PLACES WHICH ARE KNO*N DRUG PRODUCERS OR EXPORTERS.
BESIDES NARCOTICS, THEY ALSO WATCH OUT FOR ITEMS SUCH AS FIREARMS, DUTIABLE COMMODITIES, ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES, COUNTERFEIT GOODS AND UNMANIFESTED CARGO.
/THRIR UPEfiATIONS.........
SUNDAY, APfilL 2?, 1?84
4
THEIR OPERATIONS WITH THE HELP OF METAL DETECTORS AND DETECTOR DOGS WERE FURTHER ENHANCED BY THE INSTALLATION OF X-RAY MACHINES EARLY LAST YEAR. THESE ADVANCED ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE IN THE DETECTION OF NARCOTICS AND FIREARMS.
WHERE NECESSARY, ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY AND ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES IS ALSO ENLISTED. THEIR EXPERTISE AND ADVICE ARE OFTEN REQUIRED FOR EXAMINATION OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND MACHINERY.
THE LARGEST SEIZURE MADE BY THE SEA CARGO EXAMINATION DIVISION LAST YEAR WAS A CASE OF 43 UNMANIFESTED SILVER INGOTS. WEIGHING 398.6 KILOGRAMS, THE INGOTS HAD A MARKET VALUE OF OVER $700 000, MR SHAW SAID.
COUNTERFEIT GOODS, ITEMS INFRINGING COPYRIGHT OR BEARING FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS AND OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS ARE AMONG THE PRINCIPAL ILLICIT AIR CARGOES SEIZED.
'HOWEVER, THE ACTION CANNOT BE COUNTED AS COMPLETE AT THE TIME OF SEIZURE AS MOST CASES ARE REFERRED TO OTHER UNITS OR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION WHICH OFTEN LEADS TO FURTHER SEIZURES AND ARRESTS,’ MR YUEN POINTED OUT.
'WE ALSO PERFORM AGENCY DUTIES FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS, SUCH AS AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, IN DETECTING AND DETAINING PROHIBITED ITEMS UNDER THEIR BAILIWICK,’ MR YUEN SAID.
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE ALSO WORKS CLOSELY WITH SOME 33 OVERSEAS CUSTOMS AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THIS COOPERATION ENABLES A SPEEDY EXCHANGE OF INTELLIGENCE ON DRUG TRAFFICKING, SMUGGLING AND IMPORT AND EXPORT VIOLATIONS AND “ROVIDES TIP-OFFS IN SEA AND AIR CARGO EXAMINATION OPERATIONS.
-------- 0 --------
INDUSTRIAL, BUILDING SURVEYS UNDERWAY
* * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS NOW CONDUCTING TwO SEPARATE SURVEYS — ONE OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, AND THE OTHER OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE — FOR INFORMATION RELATING TO THE YEAR 1983.
BOTH SURVEYS FOLLOW SIMILAR ONES HELD FOR THE YEAR 1982.
THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME TO COLLECT ECONOMIC STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SA ID.
+THE AIM IS TO OBTAIN DATA FOR UPDATING THE ESTIMATES OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR’S CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND ASCERTAINING THE OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES,* HE ADDED.
/about 8 000 .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 1984
- 5 -
ABOUT 8 OOO ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE SECTORS OF MINING AND QUARRYING, MANUFACTURING, AND ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
INFORMATION SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OF INVESTMENT, FLOOR AREA, EMPLOYMENT, MAN-HOURS WORKED, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES (I.E. WAGES, SALARIES AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS), CONTRACT AND COMMISSION WORK, PURCHASES OF MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES, OTHER EXPENSES, SALES AND WORK DONE. OTHER RECEIPTS, STOCKS AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
REFERRING TO THE SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID ITS AIM IS TO COLLECT STATISTICS FOR ASCERTAINING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS TO HONG KONG’S GDP, FOR STUDYING THE COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTPUT LEVELS OF DIFFERENT TRADES IN THE SECTOR, AND FOR ANALYSING THE COST AND OUTPUT IN CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
♦ THESE STATISTICS ARE REQUIRED BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISES IN THE FORMULATION OF THEIR DECISIONS.+ HE SAID.
THE SURVEY COVERS ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN THE FOLLOWING TRADES:
* BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION;
* REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT;
* ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING; AND
* REAL ESTATE LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT
ABOUT 5 300 CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE SURVEY, COMPRISING A FULL COVERAGE OF THE PROMINENT CONCERNS AND A RANDOM SAMPLE OF THE SMALLER ESTABLISHMENTS.
FOUR VERSIONS OF THE SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES ARE USED TO COULECT ESTABLISHMENT STATISTICS OF DIFFERENT TRADES.
IN ADDITION, THERE ARE TWO PROJECT RETURNS TO OBTAIN DATA ON INDIVIDUAL CONSTRUCTION SITES AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
INFORMATION SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES : THE TYPE OF OWNERSHIP; NUMBER OF DIRECT EMPLOYEES; LABOUR COSTS; CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES FOR CONSTRUCTION; PAYMENTS FOR SUBCONTRACT WORK; OPERATING EXPENSES; VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION wORK PERFORMED; VALUE OF PROPERTY UNDER DEVELOPMENT AND ITS ASSOCIATED PROJECT OUTLAYS (INCLUDING LAND VALUE); OTHER FORMS OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS; CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BY THE ESTABLISHMENTS SURVEYED AND FLOOR AREA OCCUPIED FOR BUSINESS OPERATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE QUESTIONNAIRES FOR BOTH SURVEYS ARE SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED.
/+MANAG3GUTS ARE
SUNDAY, APRIL 2% 1984
MANAGEMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE JND RETURN THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT PROMPTLY. UPON REQUEST, CENSUS OFFICERS MAY VISIT ESTABLISHMENTS AND ASSIST IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRE,* HE SAID.
HP APPEALED TO MANAGEMENTS TO CO-OPERATE WITH CENSUS OFFICERS IN THE COURSE OF ENUMERATION.
INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL ONLY BE USED IN AN AGGREGATE
TREATED FORM FOR
STATISTICAL PURPOSES, HE SAID.
- 0 - -
KINDERGARTENS TO CLOSE ON NO. 3 STORM SIGNAL * * * *
ALL
KINDERGARTENS WILL IN FUTURE CLOSE AT THE HOISTING OF
THE NO. 3 STORM WARNING SIGNAL
THIS INSTRUCTION IS GIVEN TOGETHER WITH OTHER PRECAUTIONARY t€ASURES TO BE TAKEN DURING STORMS, IN A CIRCULAR RECENTLY SENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO ALL SCHOOLS.
THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS NEW MEASURE IS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF VERY YOUNG CHILDREN WHO NEED EXTRA PROTECTION UNDER POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS CONSULTED KINDERGARTEN OPERATORS WHO FULLY SUPPORT THE DECISION.
THE NEW MEASURE SHOULD ALSO HELP REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY ALLOWING KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN TO RETURN HOME AHEAD OF OTHER PUPILS, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦BESIDES ANNOUNCING THIS CHANGE, CIRCULARS SENT TO SCHOOLS ALSO GIVE DETAILED ADVICE ON ACTION TO BE TAKEN WHEN TROPICAL CYCLONES, PERSISTENT HEAVY RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS AFFECT HONG KONG,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN GENERAL THE FOLLOWING
APPLY:
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
SITUATION
HOISTING OF NO. 1 SIGNAL
HOISTING OF NO. 3 SIGNAL
ALL KINDERGARTENS AND SCHOOLS WILL OPERATE AS NORMAL.
ALL KINDERGARTENS WILL CLQSE. OTHER SCHOOLS WILL OPERATE AS NORMAL.
/hoisting of
SUNDAY, APRIL 2% 1984
- 7 -
HOISTING OF NO. 8 OR HIGHER ALL SCHOOLS WILL CLOSE.
SIGNAL
LOWERING TO NO. 3 SIGNAL ALL SCHOOLS TO RESUME WITH THE NEXT SESSION. KINDERGARTENS TO REMAIN CLOSED.
LOWERING TO NO. 1 SIGNAL ALL KINDERGARTENS AND SCHOOLS OR LOWERING OF ALL SIGNALS WILL RESUME WITH THE NEXT
SESSION.
IF SCHOOLS ARE NOT IN SESSION WHEN A TROPICAL CYCLONE IS APPROACHING HONG KONG, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WILL, IF THE CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT IT, MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT OVER ALL RADIO AND TELEVISION CHANNELS, ADVISING PARENTS WHETHER OR NOT TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE IN THE EVENING OR THE EARLY MORNING, AND WILL BE TIMED, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, BEFORE CHILDREN SET OUT FROM THEIR HOME.
THE FIRST RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE MORNING FOR A.M. AND WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLS WILL BE NOT LATER THAN 6.15 AM, AND FOR P.M. SCHOOLS (INCLUDING P.M. SESSIONS) NOT LATER THAN 11.00 AM.
THESE ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE REPEATED AT REGULAR AND FREQUENT INTERVALS THROUGH RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS.
IN THE CASE OF PERSISTENT HEAVY RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS, THE SAME PROCEDURES WILL APPLY IF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION CONSIDERS THAT A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT IS WARRANTED.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE DIRECTOR RESERVES THE DISCRETION TO CLOSE ALL SCHOOLS IF THERE IS DANGER FROM EXCESSIVE RAIN AND STORM CONDITIONS.
SEPARATE ANNOUNCEMENTS CONCERNING PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS WILL BE MADE BY THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ANY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT WILL ONLY CONCERN KINDERGARTENS, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS INCLUDING ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION SCHOOLS, BRITISH FORCES SCHOOLS, EVENING SCHOOLS, POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES (LINGNAN AND SHUE YAN), TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AND THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION.
TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS (THE UNIVERSITIES, POLYTECHNICS AND BAPTIST COLLEGE) WILL MAKE THEIR OWN ARRANGEMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS,
0
/8........
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 198^
8
FINAL WORK DUE ON CHA KWO LING ROAD
* * * *
WORK WILL START IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR ON THE FINAL SECTION OF CHA KWO LING ROAD, FROM SHELL OIL DEPOT TO CHA KWO LING QUARRY.
THE PROJECT, WHICH WILL BE UPGRADED TO CATEGORY ’A’ OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME IN MAY, INVOLVES CONSTRUCTION OF AN 1 1OO-METRE-LONG STRETCH OF DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WITH FOOTPATHS AND BUS BAYS ON EACH SIDE.
A LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID THE REMAINING SECTION OF CHA KWO LING ROAD HAD YET TO BE PROVIDED WITH PROPER SURFACE AND DRAINAGE.
WHEN COMPLETED, IT WOULD SERVE AS AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE BETWEEN THE KWUN TONG AND YAU TONG AREAS, FOR WHICH LEI YUE MUN ROAD WAS NOW THE ONLY LINK, HE SAID.
IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE LOCAL ACCESS TO CHA KWO LING VILLAGE AND THE FUTURE CARGO HANDLING AREA ALONG THE WATERFRONT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DRAINAGE ASPECTS OF THE ROAD PROJECT WOULD HELP TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE AREA, WHICH WAS PRONE TO FLOODING DURING HEAVY RAIN.
HE SAID BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF PROPER ROAD SURFACE, THE ACCESS TO PREMISES ALONG THIS STRETCH OF THE ROAD WAS OFTEN MUDDY AFTER RAIN AND THIS HAD BEEN THE CAUSE OF FREQUENT LOCAL COMPLAINT.
+AS A RESULT OF THESE CONDITIONS KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD STRONGLY SUPPORTS EARLY COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT ON ENVIRONMENTAL GROUNDS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID SOME TEMPORARY HOUSES AND OTHER STRUCTURES ERECTED WITHIN THE PROJECT LIMITS WOULD HAVE TO BE CLEARED.
A TOTAL OF 1 313 PEOPLE, 428 OF THEM VICTIMS OF A FIRE WHICH OCCURRED IN THE AREA LAST DECEMBER, WOULD REQUIRE REHOUSING AND 72 BUSINESSES WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION.
-►ELIGIBILITY FOR REHOUSING AND COMPENSATION WOULD BE HANDLED ACCORDING TO EXISTING POLICY,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT WAS HOPED THAT CLEARANCE COULD BE EFFECTED IN SEPTEMBER.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS VITAL THAT THE PROJECT SHOULD PROCEED AS PLANNED OR ELSE THERE WOULD BE DELAY IN BRINGING RELIEF TO THE INCREASING VOLUME OF TRAFFIC USING LEI YUE MUN ROAD.
/ALSO, WITH ........
SUNDAY, APRIL 2g, 1984
- 9 -
ALSO, WITH MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS, INCLUDING LAM TIN ESTATE EXTENSION AND JUNK BAY AND SAM KA TSUEN DEVELOPMENTS, ALL OF wHICH wERE PLANNED FOR COMPLETION IN STAGES FROM 1986 ONWARDS, LEI YUE MUN ROAD WOULD REACH FUL CAPACITY IN 1986-87.
+EARLY COMPLETION OF CHA KWO LING ROAD, BESIDES PROVIDING ANOTHER DIRECT LINK BETWEEN THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS OF KWUN TONG AND YAU TONG AND SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVING THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT, WOULD ALSO BE OF LONG-TERM BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - - 0 --------
PRIVATE CLEANSING FOR SQUATTER AREA ON THE WAY * * * * *
SIXTY-FOUR CLEANSING FIRMS HAVE BEEN INVITED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL TO TAKE PART IN RESTRICTED TENDER FOR THE COUNCIL’S TRIAL SCHEME TO PRIVATISE CLEANSING OPERATIONS IN SHAU KEI WAN SQUATTER AREAS.
THE CONTRACTORS ON THE SHORT LIST ARE THOSE KNOWN TO THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WILL PROVIDE CLEANSING SERVICES IN KAU FU, NAM ON FONG AND MA SHAN VILLAGES FOR A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS FROM JULY ON A TRIAL BASIS.
IF ITS PERFORMANCE IS CONSIDERED SATISFACTORY, THE CONTRACT WILL BE EXTENDED TO A FULL YEAR WITH POSSIBLE RENEWAL FOR TWO MORE YEARS.
THE FULL CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE FOR CLEANSING SERVICE IN ALL SHAU KEI WAN SQUATTER AREAS.
A CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT IS TO UPGRADE STANDARDS OF CLEANSING SERVICE IN SQUATTER AREAS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL WAS NOT OBLIGED TO ACCEPT THE LOWEST TENDER AND THAT IT HAD THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE THE CONTRACT AT 14 DAYS’ NOTICE IF THE CONTRACTOR FAILED TO FULF IL HIS OBLIGATIONS.
+THE CONTRACT ALSO SPELLS OUT CLEARLY ALL THE DUTIES INVOLVED AS WELL AS THE FREQUENCY OF PERFORMING THOSE DUTIES,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THESE DUTIES INCLUDE KEEPING THE DRAINS, STREAMS, NULLAHS, PUBLIC TOILETS, AND REFUSE BIN SITES CLEAN AND PROVIDING REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICES.
/+WHILE ON .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 1984
- 10 -
♦WHILE ON DUTY. THE CLEANERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR AN ARMBAND, BADGE OR APRON FOR IDENTIFICATION, AND TO ACT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF A SUPERVISOR AND FOUR ASSISTANT SUPERVISORS.*
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER OF THE FULL YEAR CONTRACT MUST INDICATE IN WRITING 120 DAYS BEFORE THE CONTRACT EXPIRES WHETHER OR NOT HE WISHES TO CONTINUE HIS SERVICE FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CLAUSE IS TO ENSURE CONTINUATION IN THE PROVISION OF CLEANSING SERVICES WITHOUT INTERRUPTION, HE POINTED OUT.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS MAY 11.
-----0------
FAITH AND WILL BEHIND PROSPERITY * * *
FAITH AND AN ENDURING WILL ARE TWO ESSENTIAL FACTORS FOR A SOCIETY’S CONTINUED PROSPERITY, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, NR WILLIAM YAP, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MANY OF HONG KONG’S PAST SUCCESSES HAD BEEN BUILT ON THESE TWO FACTORS, HE ADDED.
+IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH OF US TO ADOPT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE, AND TO CONTRIBUTE IN PROMOTING THE CONTINUED PROSPERITY OF OUR SOCIETY,* HE SAID.
MR YAP WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF A LONG DISTANCE RACE HELD ON SOUTH LANTAU THIS MORNING.
HE SAID TAKING ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND LOCAL AFFAIRS, AND GIVING CONSTRUCTIVE VIEWS WOULD HELP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT.
+1 HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU WILL PERFORM YOUR CIVIC DUTY AND REGISTER AS VOTERS WHEN THE REGISTRATION EXERCISE BEGINS IN AUGUST, AND VOTE IN NEXT YEAR’S ELECTION,* HE SAID.
MORE THAN 200 ATHLETES TOOK PART IN THIS MORNING’S SIX-KILOMETRE RUN, WHICH WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE (ISLANDS), RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICE, ISLANDS DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION YOUTH CAMP.
-----0------
/11 ........
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 1984
- 11 -
DB TO DISCUSS TAXI, HOUSING REVIEWS * * * *
TWO RECENTLY PUBLISHED REVIEWS ON TAXI AND HOUSING POLICIES WILL BE DISCUSSED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT THEIR MEETING ON TUESDAY (MAY 1) AFTERNOON.
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR CHRISTOPHER WONG, AND THE ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE 1983 TAXI REVIEW, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (ADMINISTRATION), MISS ELAINE CHUNG, ON THE REVIEW OF HOUSING POLICY.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE TWO REVIEWS ARE BEING DISCUSSED AT AN OPEN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING.
AT THE MEETING, BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE GUIDELINES FOR THE SETTING UP OF FLATS OWNERS INCORPORATIONS BY THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (GENERAL) OF CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR C.M. LEUNG.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE THE REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN FOR NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION, THE RECENT ELECTRICITY BLACKOUT, THE ICAC’S LIAISON WORK PLAN FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, AND THE BOARD’S FUNDING POLICY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2 PM ON TUESDAY (MAY 1) AT THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
-------0 ---------
SEVENTH PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR ESTATES
* * * *
A SEVENTH PRIMARY SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT FOR ON TING AND YAU 01 ESTATES, TUEN MUN, WHICH HAVE A COMBINED POPULATION OF 63 333.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE WORK.
THE SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT ON A 0.39-HECTARE SITE ON RECLAIMED LAND IN THE VICINITY OF YAU 01 ESTATE AND THE TEMPORARY HOVERFERRY PIER.
THE SIX-STOREY BUILDING WILL HAVE 24 CLASSROOMS AND AN ASSEMBLY HALL.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A COVERED AND AN EXTERNAL PLAY AREA * I TH BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL COURTS.
/WORK WILL .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 19^4
12 -
WORK WILL COMMENCE IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED IN ONE YEAR.
THERE ARE 33 PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AT PRESENT.
TUEN MUN’S POPULATION IS 190 000, AND IS FORECAST TO GROW. TO OVER 500 000 BY 1990.
------0-------
FOOTBRIDGE FOR SHA TAU KOK * * * *
A 15-METRE-LONG FOOTBRIDGE IS TO BE BUILT ACROSS SHA TAU KOK ROAD BETWEEN GALLIPOLI LINES AND BURMA LINES, FANLING.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED IN FOUR MONTHS.
THE FOOTBRIDGE WILL BE FOR USE BY SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES LIVING AT THE TWO CAMPS. '
TENDER FORMS MUST REACH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC WORKS TENDER BOARD IN MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, NOT LATER THAN NOON ON MAY 18.
-----0------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE * * * *
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MAY 1), THE JUNCTION OF CARPENTER ROAD AND SOUTH WALL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH, TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE CONSTRUCTION.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECTION OF SOUTH WALL ROAD, BETWEEN CARPENTER ROAD AND NGA TSIN WAI ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TWO-*AY TRAFF IC.
DURING CLOSURE, MOTORISTS FROM CARPENTER ROAD HEADING FOR LOK SIN ROAD SHOULD PROCEED VIA LUNG KONG ROAD, NGA TSIN wAl ROAD, TAK KU LING ROAD AND LOK SIN ROAD.
ON THE SAME DAY, THE SECTION OF ROAD L2 BETWEEN ROAD D5 ANU THE FANLING ROUNDABOUT WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 4.30 PM FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING BETWEEN FANLING KCR STATION AND LUEN *0 HUI SHOULD GO VIA ROAD D5 AND ROAD DI.
------0-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SMALL INCREASE IN BUILDING PLANS APPROVED ...................... 1
PUBLIC REMINDED ABOUT TAX LAW .................................. 2
MRS JOHN STANLEY SEES WELFARE WORK.............................. 3
EDUCATORS’ SOCIAL ROLE TO BE DISCUSSED ......................... 3
VOCATIONAL TRAINING COMPLEX OFFERS SEMINAR ..................... 4
OFFICE, SHOP TENANCIES OFFERED ................................. 5
MORE TREES FOR NEW TERRITORIES ................................. 5
WATER IN STORAGE................................................ 6
TAI 0 TAPS OFF.................................................. 6
ROAD CLEARANCE................................................
MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1984
1 -
SMALL INCREASE IN BUILDING PLANS APPROVED * * *
THIRTY FOUR PLANS wERE APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN MARCH, SLIGHTLY MORE THAN THE 29 APPROVED IN FEBRUARY AND 28 IN JANUARY .
HOWEVER, THE AVERAGE OF JUST OVER 30 APPROVALS A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 1984 wAS BELOW THE 1983 MONTHLY AVERAGE OF 42.
PLANS APPROVED IN MARCH INCLUDED 11-STOREY WORKSHOP-GODOwN AT KOWLOON BAY FOR CITY-SPACE INVESTMENT LIMITED AND A SEVENSTOREY wORKSHOP-GODOWN BLOCK AT YUEN LONG FOR PAI YUEN COMPANY LIMITED.
ALSO APPROVED WERE A STAFF RECREATION CLUB BUILDING FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AT CHAI WAN DEPOT AND A FOOTBRIDGE LINKING THE PODIUM OF THE DEPOT’S MAIN BUILDING TO THE FUTURE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AT PAK CHAI WAN STATION, A FACTORY AT FO TAN INDUSTRIAL AREA, AN ACADEMIC BUILDING AND A SUB-STATION SWITCH ROOM FOR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. AN EXTENSION TO YAN CHAI HOSPITAL AT THE JUNCTION OF YAN CHAI STREET AND TSUEN wAN MARKET STREET AND A TELEPHONE EXCHANGE AT CHEUNG SHA ON LANTAU ISLAND.
OF THE PLANS APPROVED, 16 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THREE WERE IN KOWLOON AND 15 WERE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO AGREED TO WORK STARTING ON 45 NEW BUILDING PROJECTS DURING THE MONTH.
FIFTEEN ARE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, FIVE IN KOwLOON AND 25 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY INCLUDE A SWIMMING POOL AT TAIKOO SHING, A CHURCH AND STAFF QUARTERS AT KUNG LOK ROAD, KWUN TONG, A HOME FOR THE AGED AT KO CHIU ROAD, YAU TONG, TwO FACTORIES AT TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND KOWLOON BAY AND A PREVOCATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND QUARTERS AT SHA TIN.
THIRTY FIVE OCCUPATION PERMITS WERE ISSUED FOR NEwLY-COMPLETED BUILDINGS IN MARCH.
THE COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN MARCH wAS S489.4 MILLION.
- - 0---------
/2 .......
MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1984
2
PUBLIC REMINDED ABOUT TAX LAW
* * *
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND EMPLOYERS OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT UNDER THE ORDINANCE, EVERY PERSON CHARGEABLE TO TAX FOR ANY YEAR OF ASSESSMENT MUST NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE IN WRITING NOT LATER THAN FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE END OF THE BASIS PERIOD OF THE YEAR IN WHICH HE IS SO CHARGEABLE UNLESS HE HAS ALREADY BEEN REQUIRED TO FURNISH A RETURN FOR THAT YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ANY PERSON WHO CEASED TO CARRY OUT A TRADE, PROFESSION OR BUSINESS. TO HOLD AN OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT IN RESPECT OF WHICH SALARIES TAX IS CHARGEABLE? OR TO HAVE A SOURCE OF INCOME IN RESPECT OF WHICH HE IS PERSONALLY ASSESSED, MUST ADVISE THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING WITHIN ONE MONTH OF SUCH CESSATION.
ANY PERSON CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES, PROFITS OR PERSONAL TAX AND IS ABOUT TO LEAVE HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN ONE MONTH MUST NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE, HE SAID.
+THIS DOES NOT APPLY to PERSONS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO LEAVE HONG KONG FREQUENTLY IN THE COURSE OF BUSINESS OR EMPLOYMENT,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ALSO REMINDED TAXPAYERS WHO HAVE CHANGED THEIR ADDRESS TO NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING WITHIN ONE MONTH OF THE PARTICULARS OF THE CHANGE.
EMPLOYERS ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO INFORM THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING THE PARTICULARS OF ANY NEW EMPLOYEE LIKELY TO BE CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF HIS EMPLOYMENT.
AN EMPLOYER WHO IS ABOUT TO CEASE TO EMPLOY IN HONG KONG ANY PERSON LIKELY TO BE CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX MUST ADVISE THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE THE TERMINATION OF SUCH EMPLOYMENT.
IT IS ALSO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF AN EMPLOYER TO NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER WHENEVER AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX IS ABOUT TO LEAVE HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN A MONTH AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE.
/the spokesman .......
MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1984
3
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WHEN AN EMPLOYER HAS INFORMED THE COMMISSIONER THAT HE IS ABOUT TO CEASE TO EMPLOY A PERSON CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX, HE MUST NOT MAKE ANY PAYMENT TO THAT EMPLOYEE WITHIN A MONTH FROM THE DATE OF GIVING SUCH NOTICE, EXCEPT WITH THE CONSENT IN WRITING OF THE COMM ISSI ONER.
+THE EMPLOYER MAY HOWEVER, DURING THAT MONTH PAY TO THE
COMMISSIONER OUT OF THE MONEYS DUE TO THE AS THE EMPLOYEE MAY DIRECT HIM TO PAY.+
EMPLOYEE SUCH SUM
FORMS FOR INLAND REVENUE WINDSOR HOUSE,
GIVING SUCH NOTICES MAY BE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICE ON THE
OBTAINED AT THE EIGHTH FLOOR,
311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
MRS JOHN STANLEY SEES WELFARE WORK * * *
THE WIFE OF THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR THE ARMED FORCES, H?S JOHN STANLEY, HAD A LOOK AT LOCAL WELFARE SERVICES THIS MORNING
VISITING THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S HENRY 6. LEONG YAU ma TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE. SHE SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND THE GOVERNMENT IN THIS DENSELY POPULATED DISTRICT.
THE SERVICES INCLUDE A CLUB FOR EX-MENTAL P^TJENTS, GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK, A DAY NURSERY AND A SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY.
MRS STANLEY WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (WEST KOWLOON), MR ALEXANDER FUNG, AND THE WARDEN CF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, MISS MAY CHUNG.
- - 0 - -
EDUCATORS’ SOCIAL ROLE TO BE DISCUSSED * ft ft *
A SEMINAR ON ’THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN ENHANCING SOCIAL CONSCIENCE IN HONG KONG’ WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICERS’ MESS IN BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MISS MARIA TAM, WILL BE A GUEST SPEAKER AT THE TWO-HOUR SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE ^COUNCIL OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN SCHOOL HEADS*.
THE COUNCIL WAS FORMED LAST APRIL UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT BOARD WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING COMMUNICATION AND STRENGTHENING TIES AMONG EDUCATIONISTS.
/THE seminar
MONDAY, APHID 30, 1984
THE SEMINAR IS OPEN TO ALL 82 SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN THE DISTR ICT.
THE COUNCIL WILL BE INAUGURATED TOMORROW PRIOR TO THE SEMINAR.
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FRANK YUE, AND THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, MR TSE KAM-SHING, WILL BE PRESENT.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE INAUGURATION OF THE COUNCIL OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SCHOOL HEADS AND THE SEMINAR ON ’THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN ENHANCING SOCIAL CONSCIENCE IN HONG KONG’ AT 3 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICERS’ MESS IN BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
VOCATIONAL TRAINING COMPLEX OFFERS SEMINAR' X M M
CAREERS MASTERS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL TO ATTEND A SEMINAR INTRODUCING THE FACILITIES AND COURSES OFFERED BY ITS KOWLOON BAY TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX.
THE TWO-HOUR SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (MAY 12) AT THE HANG SENG BANK AUDITORIUM, 20TH FLOOR, HANG SENG BANK BUILDING, CENTRAL, FROM 9.30 AM TO 11.30 AM.
♦FIVE TRAINING CENTRES WILL BE HOUSED IN THE KOWLOON BAY TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX AND WILL START TO TRAIN TECHNICAL MANPOWER FOR THE ELECTRONICS, HOTEL, MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING, PLASTICS AND PRINTING INDUSTRIES THIS OCTOBER,♦ A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID.
FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME COURSES AT TECHNICIAN, CRAFT AND OPERATIVE LEVELS WILL BE OFFERED IN THE CENTRES.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THESE CENTRES IS A MILESTONE IN INDUSTRIAL TRAINING IN HONG KONG, ENSURING THAT LOCAL INDUSTRIES WILL GET ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF WELL-TRAINED PERSONNEL THEY REQUIRE, « SAID.
♦THE SIMINAR WILL PROVIDE CAREERS MASTERS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRAINING OBJECTIVES, FACILITIES, THE NATURE OF COURSES AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS OF THE CENTRES.
♦CAREERS MASTERS WILL THEN BE ABLE TO GIVE COUNSEL AND GUIDANCE TO FORM THREE AND FORM FIVE SCHOOL LEAVERS ON CAREERS PROSPECTS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN INDUSTRIES,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ADMISSION TO THE SEMINAR IS FREE AND RESERVATION MAY BE MADE BY CONTACTING THE SEMINAR SECRETARY ON 5-8932341 EXT. 254 DURING OFFICE HOURS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1984
- 5 -
OFFICE, SHOP TENANCIES OFFERED
* * * *
three floors of tsuen wan station multi-storey carpark are to be let for commercial purposes.
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE TENANCY OF THE FIRST FLOOR (2 020 SQUARE METRES), THE SECOND FLOOR (2 140 SQUARE METRES) AND A PORTION OF THE THIRD FLOOR (190 SQUARE METRES) OF THE CARPARK.
THE INITIAL TENANCY WILL BE FOR SEVEN YEARS, RENEWABLE FOR A TERM UP TO JUNE 27, 1997.
THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL BE REQUIRED TO FIT OUT AND MANAGE THE COMMERCIAL FLOORS FOR USE AS RETAIL SHOPS, BANKS, RESTAURANTS, SHOWROOMS AND OFFICES.
HOWEVER, ONLY THE SECOND FLOOR CAN BE USED AS RESTAURANTS.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT :
* THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD;
* PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SECTION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, 405, NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON; AND
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TSUEN WAN, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK, 174-208, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE COMMERCIAL FLOORS WILL BE OPEN FOR VIEWING FROM APRIL 30 TO MAY 4, BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM.
TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 12 NOON ON JUNE 8.
------0--------
MORE TREES FOR NEW TERRITORIES
* * * *
SOME 600 000 SEEDLINGS WILL BE PLANTED THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES THIS SEASON TO HELP BEAUTIFY THE ENVIRONMENT.
AS PART OF THIS WORK, WHICH IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, A NUMBER OF TREE-PLANTING DAYS WILL BE ORGANISED INVOLVING A COMMUNITY EFFORT, IN CONNECTION WITH .THE CLEAN HONG KONG DRIVE.
THE FIRST TREE-PLANTING DAY WILL BE HELD AT THE ROADSIDE OPEN SPACE ADJACENT TO FANLING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AT NORTH DISTRICT ON FRIDAY (MAY WHEN 60 STUDENTS FROM FIVE LOCAL SCHOOLS WILL PLANT 30 SEEDLINGS
/THE OVEBALL........
MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1984
6
THE OVERALL SEASONAL EFFORT WILL INVOLVE PLANTING OF TREES, SHRUBS CREEPERS, GROUND COVERS AND SEASONAL FLOWERS IN PARKS, REST GARDENS, AMENITY PLOTS, PLAYGROUNDS AND ROADSIDES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID TODAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS :
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT TREE PLANTING DAY AT THE ROADSIDE OPEN SPACE ADJACENT TO FANLING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (MAY 4).
- - 0 - -
WATER IN STORAGE
M M M
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 68.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 400.533 MILLION CUBIC IE TRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 439.466 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 75.0 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 - -
TAI 0 TAPS OFF
III
FRESH WATER SUPPLY OFF ON THURSDAY (MAY 3) RENEWAL WORK.
TO SEVERAL FROM 10 AM
PLACES IN TAI 0 WILL BE TURNED
TO 5 PM, FOR
WATER MAINS
THE AFFECTED AREA,
BOUNDED BY
SHEK TSAI PO
TAI 0 POLICE STATION, TAI 0 FIRE STATION, TAI 0 TAI 0 SCHOOL AND TAI 0 PUBLIC SCHOOL.
STREET, INCLUDES
JOCKEY CLINIC,
- - 0 - -
ROAD CLEARANCE * *
FROM 8 AM TO 2 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 2), THE SECTION OF SOCIAL AVENUE BETWEEN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND HAMMER HILL ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE CLEARANCE WORK.
0 - -