DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL. 5-233191
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DISABLED PEOPLE NEED EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES ..................... 1
COMMITTEES FOR PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION SUGGESTED ........... 2
YAXLEY ON OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION VISITS ............... J
TWO +FIRSTS+ IN REC^TTON- FACILITIES ......................... 3
NEW ROADS PROPOSED FOR DIAMOND HILL........................... 5
ANOTHER PARK FOR NORTH POINT ................................. 6
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES TO TAP TALENTS ........................... 6
CHINA’S METEOROLOGISTS VISIT OBSERVATORY ..................... 7
PROMOTIONS AT CORRECTIONAL SERVICES .......................... 8
INTELPOST EXTENDED TO DENMARK ................................ 8
ZODIAC SIGNS TO GIVE FACELIFT TO ESTATE....................... 9
TALKS ON CHINESE SUPPLEMENTARY READING ....................... 9
CARNIVAL TO START OFF DISTRICT FESTIVAL....................... 10
DANCE CONTEST FOR THE ELDERLY ................................ 10
48 000 RATS IN NT ELIMINATED ................................. 11
MARKET STALLS TO LET ......................................... 11
ROAD CLOSURE FOR RESURFACING WORK ............................ 12
TRAFFIC MEASURES FOR YAU MA TEI .............................. 12
SALT WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG ................................. 13
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1984
1
DISABLED PEOPLE NEED EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES * * * *
DISABLED PEOPLE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED, ASSISTED AND GIVEN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS), MRS EVELYN DOE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF A YOUTH AWARD SCHEME HELD AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, SHE STRESSED THAT THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE REHABILITATION SERVICES WAS TO HELP DISABLED PEOPLE TO DEVELOP THEIR PHYSICAL, CENTAL AND SOCIAL CAPABILITIES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT.
A COMMITTEE, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WAS SET UP IN 1982 TO PROMOTE PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMES ON REHABILITATION, SHE SAID.
+IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES, PEOPLE MAY ELIMINATE MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE DISABLED,* SHE SAID.
THE YOUTH AWARD SCHEME, SHE SAID, WAS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING YOUTH ORGANISATIONS AND DISABLED PEOPLE TO WORK TOGETHER IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
♦IT IS ALSO INTENDED TO PROMOTE SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS, A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS,* MRS DOE SAID.
+RESPONSE TO THE SCHEME HAS BEEN VERY ENCOURAGING,* SHE SAID, ADDING THAT 19 GROUPS WERE FOUND ELIGIBLE OUT OF THE 26 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED.
MORE THAN 330 YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN, INCLUDING 135 DISABLED PEOPLE, TOOK PART IN VARIOUS SERVICE PROJECTS BY ORGANISING SEMINARS, CAMPS, SPORTS COMPETITIONS, VARIETY SHOWS AND A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION FOR THE COMMUNITY.
SUBSIDIES TOTALLING $28 000 WERE GIVEN FOR THESE PROJECTS.
THE YOUTH AWARD SCHEME, FORMING PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S SERIES OF PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMES ON REHABILITATION THIS YEAR, WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE PENINSULA JAYCEES AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AND SPONSORED BY THE SHELL COMPANY.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1984
2
COMMITTEES FOR PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION SUGGESTED
* * * *
AFTER THE ELECTIONS IN MARCH, DISTRICT BOARDS SHOULD SET UP COMMITTEES TO HELP PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION AMONG THE RESIDENTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS, KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A JOINT SCHOOL ACTIVITY ON +DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN KWUN TONG+ ORGANISED BY THE LOCAL SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE.
AS THE ONLY POLITICAL BODY WITH A DIRECTLY ELECTED ELEMENT AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, DISTRICT BOARDS SHOULD PLAY THEIR ROLE IN EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND THE EXISTING POLITICAL SYSTEM, HE SAID.
♦WITH THE INCLUSION OF MORE ELECTED MEMBERS IN THE BOARDS NEXT YEAR, I AM SURE DISTRICT BOARDS’ ROLE IN THIS PARTICULAR RESPECT WILL BECOME EVEN GREATER,* HE ADDED.
MR MAK POINTED OUT THAT ONLY WITH A CIVIC-MINDED, INFORMED PUBLIC COULD DISTRICT BOARDS MAKE FULL USE OF THEIR FUNCTIONS CF REFLECTING PUBLIC VIEWS.
+IF THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND THE MECHANISM AND CHARACTERISTICS CF THE EVOLVING REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM, THEY WILL BE IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION TO MAKE USE OF VARIOUS CHANNELS AVAILABLE TO AIR THEIR VIEWS,* HE SAID.
HE ALSO CALLED ON THE TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS TO JOIN IN THIS +MEANINGFUL TASK* OF CIVIC EDUCATION BY AROUSING INTEREST AMONG THEIR STUDENTS IN PUBLIC AND CIVIC AFFAIRS.
+THE KWUN TONG SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE OR SIMILAR BODIES WILL ALSO HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE BECAUSE THEY CAN ALWAYS EXPRESS THEIR COLLECTIVE VIEWS TO THE AUTHORITIES ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS.
+BY PARTICIPATING IN DISTRICT CAMPAIGNS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES, THE COMMITTEE PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOL STAFF AND STUDENTS TO GET TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DISTRICT AND ITS AFFAIRS BETTER, AND THIS IN ITSELF IS A VERY GOOD CIVIC EDUCATION LESSON,* MR MAK SAID.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1984
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YAXLEY ON OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION VISITS ■K * X--K *
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, BY AIR THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING VISITS TO SWITZERLAND AND WEST
MR JOHN YAXLEY, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG FOR ZURICH TO BEGIN PROMOTIONAL GERMANY.
THE VISITS FORM PART OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S ON-GOING CAMPAIGN TO ATTRACT OVERSEAS INDUSTRIALISTS TO HONG KONG.
MR YAXLEY WILL ADDRESS SWISS BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL LEADERS ON THE CURRENT STATE OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES. HE WILL HOLD TALKS WITH BANKERS IN ZURICH AND MEET THE SWISS FINANCIAL MEDIA.
HE WILL LEAVE ZURICH ON DECEMBER 4 FOR COLOGNE WHERE HE WILL ADDRESS A SEMINAR ON +OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG+.
MR YAXLEY WILL ALSO GIVE INTERVIEWS TO LEADING MEMBERS OF THE WEST GERMAN MEDIA BEFORE GOING ON TO STUTTGART TO VISIT THE HONG KONG INDUSTRY DEPARMENT’S OFFICE THERE.
IN SWITZERLAND AND WEST GERMANY, MR YAXLEY AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PRINCIPAL INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION CONSULTANT BASED IN STUTTGART, MR JOHN WHITE, WILL MEET A NUMBER OF LEADING INDUSTRIALISTS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO INVEST IN HONG KONG.
MR YAXLEY’S ITINERARY INCLUDES VISITS TO LEADING FACTORIES IN WEST GERMANY.
HE IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE BACK IN HONG KONG ON DECEMBER 10.
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TWO +FIRSTS+ IN RECREATION FACILITIES * * X * * *
URBAN COUNCILLORS WERE HIGHLY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT A NEW RECREATIONAL BOATING FACILITY AND A HEATED TRAINING POOL — BOTH THE FIRST OF THEIR KIND IN HONG KONG -- FOLLOWING A SITE INSPECTION VISIT TODAY (SATURDAY).
MEMBERS OF THE CAPITAL WORKS SELECT COMMITTEE, LED BY VICE CHAIRMAN MR SAMUEL WONG, VISITED A NUMBER OF UC PROJECTS INCLUDING THE WONG NAI CHUNG RESERVOIR PARK AND THE WAN CHAI TRAINING POOL.
/MR WONG........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1984
4 -
MR WONG DESCRIBED THE 6.2-HECTARE RESERVOIR PARK AS +THE FIRST OF ITS KIND THAT WILL GIVE A NEW DIMENSION TO THE MANY AND VARIED RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ALREADY PROVIDED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.*
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL’S RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, lvR KENNETH LO, ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE PARTY, SAID THE NEW BOATING PARK WAS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT COULD BE DONE TO EXPAND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN HONG KONG.
+THE WONG NAI CHUNG RESERVOIR PARK IS BEING BUILT BY CONVERTING A DISUSED RESERVOIR, AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY SIMILAR FACILITIES CANNOT BE BUILT IN EXISTING RESERVOIRS,* HE SAID.
+IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, IT IS NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE RESERVOIRS BEING USED FOR FISHING AND RECREATIONAL BOATING.*
FROM THERE THE PARTY DROVE TO THE WAN CHAI TRAINING POOL WHICH IS THE FIRST PURPOSE-BUILT AND HEATED TRAINING POOL BUILT IN HONG KONG. MEASURING 50 M BY 25 M, THE 10-LANE POOL IS EQUIPPED WITH UNDERWATER FLOODLIGHTS AND VIEWING BAYS.
+THESE SPECIAL FEATURES WILL BE A BIG BOOST TO SERIOUS COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS WHO NEED TO TRAIN ALL-YEAR ROUND,* SAID >R LO.
+ALSO, UNDERWATER VIEWING BAYS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO A MORE EFFECTIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR SWIMMERS AND ATHLETES IN VARIOUS AQUATIC SPORTS.*
THE POOL WHICH IS PART OF THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION RECREATION CENTRE, WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED TODAY FOR ORGANISED TRAINING.
THE COUNCILLORS LATER INSPECTED TWO OTHER PROJECTS -- THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE PUBLIC TOILET AND SITTING-OUT AREA AT LAN KWAI FONG IN CENTRAL AND THE CHUN SING STREET TEMPORARY RECREATION GROUND IN WESTERN.
ALSO TAKING PART IN TODAY’S VISIT WAS MR TONG KAM-BIU. THE COUNCILLORS WERE ACCOMPANIED ON THE TOUR BY THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR MICHAEL SUEN, AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1984
5
NEW ROADS PROPOSED FOR DIAMOND HILL
* * * M
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT TWO ROADS WITHIN THE PRESENT DIAMOND HILL QUARRY SITE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIAMOND HILL.
ONE OF THEM WILL BE A ONE-WAY SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY ESTATE ROAD OF ABOUT 340 METRES LONG AND 14.3 METRES WIDE FROM PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD TO FUNG TAK ROAD EXTENSION.
THE OTHER WILL BE ABOUT 270 METRES LONG AND 14.3 METRES WIDE. IT WILL BE A TWO-WAY SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY ACCESS ROAD OFF PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD.
FOOTPATHS ON BOTH SIDES OF THESE ROADS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
IN ADDITION, A PEDESTRIAN PATH OF ABOUT 230 METRES LONG AND SEVEN METRES WIDE AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS ARE ALSO PLANNED. THE PATH WILL FORM PART OF THE PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY SYSTEM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
WHEN COMPLETED, THESE ROADS WILL PROVIDE VEHICULAR ACCESS FROM PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD TO THE FUTURE DIAMOND HILL NORTH PUBLIC RENTAL ESTATE.
A NOTICE ABOUT THE PROPOSAL IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME CAN BE SEEN AT;
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON ;
* WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, KING FUK STREET, KOWLOON 1 AND
* WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, CHOI WAN SUB-OFFICE, CHOI WAN ESTATE, BLOCK 8 (CHEUNG BOR HOUSE), GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ANY OBJECTION SHOULD BE IN WRITING AND SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE JANUARY 29, 1985.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1984
6
ANOTHER PARK FOR NORTH POINT
* * *
A 2.45-HECTARE PARK IS TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN CHOI SAI WOO IN NORTH POINT TO MEET THE RECREATIONAL NEEDS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE PARK WILL STRETCH ALONG THE NORTHERN EDGE OF BRAEMAR HILL AND WILL BE SURROUNDED BY FOOTPATHS AND STAIRS LINKED BY ER IDGES.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE TWO PAVILIONS, A POND WITH A CASCADING WATERFALL, ARBOURS, A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA EQUIPPED WITH PLAY EQUIPMENT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A REFRESHMENT KIOSK, TOILETS AND A STOREROOM.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY MAY 1986.
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CULTURAL ACTIVITIES TO TAP TALENTS
* * * *
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL ARE IMPORTANT AS THEY HELP TO DEVELOP TALENTS THAT MAY BE TRAINED AT A PROFESSIONAL LEVEL LATER ON.
THIS WAS SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL, MR WIGGHAM SAID, +CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL CAN BE SEEN AS PART OF A WIDER PATTERN FOR CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE TERRITORY.*
HE SAID THAT THE ARTS FESTIVAL SERVED TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE LIFE OF THE DISTRICT.
+AS MORE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ARE ORGANISED, THE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC INTEREST AND INVOLVEMENT WILL ALSO INCREASE.
+PEOPLE WILL SEE THEY ARE PART OF A DISTRICT AND DEVELOP A STRONG SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENTITY,* HE ADDED.
/MR WIGGHAM .......
SATURDAY, DECiMBER 1, 1984
MR WIGGHAM PRAISED THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE COUNCIL AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHORUS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION IN PROMOTING CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
TONIGHT’S PROGRAMME INCLUDED PERFORMANCES BY THE HONG KONG CHINESE ORCHESTRA, THE HONG KONG DANCE COMPANY AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHORUS.
ALSO ATTENDING THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GORDON JONES- URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR PETER C.K. CHAN-THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR DICKEN YUNG- AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, HUI IN—YING.
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CHINA’S METEOROLOGISTS VISIT OBSERVATORY * * * *
A FIVE-MEMBER DELEGATION OF THE CHINESE STATE METEOROLOGICAL ADMINISTRATIONS HAS JUST COMPLETED A FIVE-DAY VISIT TO HONG KONG.
HEADED BY MR NIU XUKAI, DIRECTOR OF THE FUJIAN PROVINCIAL WEATHER BUREAU, THE DELEGATION VISITED THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY FROM NOVEMBER 26 TO 30.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION WERE: MR LI GOUWEN, DIRECTOR CF THE GUIZHOU PROVINCIAL WEATHER BUREAU- MR ZHU YUNHE, DIRECTOR OF THE YUNNAN PROVINCIAL WEATHER BUREAU- MISS LI SHUFANG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE SICHUAN PROVINCIAL WEATHER BUREAU- AND MR HU SHENGLI, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE GUANGXI ZHUANG AUTONOMOUS REGION WEATHER BUREAU.
THE DELEGATES VISITED ALL THE TECHNICAL AND RESEARCH SECTIONS AT THE OBSERVATORY'S HEADQUARTERS, THE AIRPORT METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE, TATE’S CAIRN WEATHER RADAR STATION AND SOME OF THE RAIN GAUGE AND SEISMOLOGICAL STATIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID THE DELEGATES HAD BEEN DEEPLY IMPRESSED WITH ITS FACILITIES AND HAD EXPRESSED KEEN INTEREST IN ITS METEOROLOGICAL AND OCEANOGRAPHIC WORK AS WELL AS ITS SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING ASPECTS.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1984
8
PROMOTIONS AT CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
*****
FORTY ASSISTANT OFFICER I OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WERE APPOINTED OFFICER CADETS TODAY.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR BARRY HIGGINBOTTOM, PRESENTED RANK INSIGNIAS AND APPOINTMENT LETTERS TO THEM AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
THE NEWLY APPOINTED OFFICER CADETS, AGED BETWEEN 26 AND 39, HAVE BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR AN AVERAGE OF NINE YEARS.
+THEY WILL RECEIVE FURTHER TRAINING IN VARIOUS PENAL INSTITUTIONS AND IN THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE FOR ONE YEAR.+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
+SUCH TRAINING WILL ENABLE THEM TO COPE WITH HIGHER DEMANDS IN THE WAY OF TACTFULNESS, INITIATIVE AND DECISION MAKING.
+IF THEY PASS THE REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS AND WORK HARD, THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR PROMOTION TO THE OFFICER RANK.+ HE SAID.
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INTELPOST EXTENDED TO DENMARK * * * *
HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONIC POST (INTELPOST) NETWORK WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER DENMARK FROM MONDAY (DECEMBER 3).
INTELPOST ITEMS POSTED IN HONG KONG BEFORE 6 PM WILL BE DELIVERED THE SAME DAY ANYWHERE IN DENMARK.
THE CHARGE FOR THE SERVICE TO DENMARK WILL BE:
$65 FOR THE FIRST SIDE OF AN A4 SHEET OF PAPER AND
$30 FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT A4 SIDE SENT TO THE SAME
ADDRESSEE AT THE SAME TIME.
BESIDES DENMARK, INTELPOST COVERS THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE UNITED STATES, ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, BELGIUM, BRAZIL, FRANCE, WEST GERMANY, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, LUXEMBOURG, MACAU, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, qatar and Sweden.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INTELPOST REPRESENTATIVE ON TELEPHONE 5-2671148.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1984
9
ZODIAC SIGNS TO GIVE FACELIFT TO ESTATE * * * *
CALANDAR WILL BE IN KAI YIP ESTATE BY THE KWUN TONG
THE 12 ANIMAL ZODIAC SIGNS OF THE LUNAR PAINTED ON THE WALLS AROUND A BADMINTON COURT AS PART OF A BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT ORGANISED
DISTRICT OFFICE.
ABOUT 25 VOLUNTEERS OF THE SHU I ON SEAGULL CLUB, A COMMUNITY SERVICES GROUP, WILL BE PAINTING THE SIGNS TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE ZODIAC SIGNS WERE SELECTED AS THE BEST DESIGN FOR THE PROJECT IN A RECENT COMPETITION OF THE SEAGULL CLUB.
THE SECOND PART OF THE BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT, ALSO TO BE HELD TOMORROW, INVOLVES A DRAWING COMPETITION BY MORE THAN 200 PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE CHILDREN WILL TRANSLATE THEIR IDEAS OF A CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT INTO PICTURES.
THE PING SHEK-KAI YIP BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT IS SPONSORED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD.
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TALKS ON CHINESE SUPPLEMENTARY READING * * * *
A SERIES OF TALKS BY GUEST SPEAKERS ON CHINESE SUPPLEMENTARY READING IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE GIVEN ON SATURDAY MORNINGS IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
THE TALKS. ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, WILL BE HELD AT THE CENTRE’S HONG KONG OFFICE IN BONHAM ROAD.
THE TOPICS WILL INCLUDE +CHILDREN LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE TEACHING* +LIBRARY SERVICES OF THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS' CLUBS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG*, *HOW TO SELECT SUITABLE LIBRARY BOOKS FOR CHILDREN* AND +MY EXPERIENCE IN GUIDING PUPILS IN SUPPLEMENTARY READING*.
SCHOOL HEADS WHO WISH TO SEND THEIR TEACHERS TO THE TALKS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN NOMINATION FORMS TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, 9A BONHAM ROAD, 1/F, HONG KONG BY DECEMBER 18.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 5-488230.
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/IO........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1984 •
10
CARNIVAL TO START OFF DISTRICT FESTIVAL
* « *
A SPORTS CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT BURMA LINES CAMP IN FANLING TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE FIFTH NORTH DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
THE SEVEN-HOUR CARNIVAL WILL INCLUDE A PARACHUTING PERFORMANCE, A TAEKWONDO SHOW, AND LAND AND SEA RESCUE DEMONSTRATIONS BY THE MILITARY FORCES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE GAMES STALLS, ARCHERY, DART GAMES AND TELEMATCHES ORGANISED BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
FREE SHUTTLE BUS SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED FROM 8 AM TO 11 AM AND FROM 3 PM TO 6 PM BETWEEN THE CAMP AND THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: TSUI KENG, KWU TUNG, CHOI YUEN ESTATE, SHEK WU HUI, LUEN WO HUI, CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, TA KWU LING AND SHA TAU KOK.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
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DANCE CONTEST FOR THE ELDERLY * * * *
MORE THAN 250 ELDERLY PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER HONG KONG WILL CONVERGE ON KO SHAN THEATRE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON TO COMPETE IN THE FOURTH HONG KONG DANCE COMPETITION FOR THE ELDERLY.
SPLIT INTO 23 TEAMS, THEY WILL PERFORM ORIENTAL CLASSICAL DANCES, WESTERN AND CHINESE FOLK DANCES AND MODERN AEROBIC DANCES.
THE COMPETITION IS PART OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL WHICH RUNS FROM DECEMBER 1 TO 13.
ABOUT 3 000 ELDERLY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INVITED AS GUESTS TO THE FUNCTION WHICH WILL INCLUDE A DEMONSTRATION PERFORMANCE BY THE SPRING DANCING TROUPE.
OFFICIATING AT TOMORROW’S CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE AND RECREATION OF THE ELDERLY, MR HUI IN-YING; AND ITS PRESIDENT, MR WONG SIK-KONG; AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA; AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MRS HENRIETTA CHAN; THE CHAIRMAN CF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE HOLY CARPENTER MULT I-SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, THE REV. L.K. LEUNG 5 AND THE VICECHAI <MAN OF THE LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, MR LAU TAK.
/11 ........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1984
11
48 000 RATS IN NT ELIMINATED
* * * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT EXTERMINATED MORE THAN 48 000 RATS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THE FIRST 10 MONTHS CF THIS YEAR.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, ITS PEST CONTROL STAFF CARRIED OUT DISINFESTATION IN VARIOUS NEW TOWNS AND RURAL AREAS.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT’S HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT LAUNCHED A MONTH-LONG ANTI-RAT EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TODAY (SATURDAY).
POSTERS WILL BE PUT UP AND PAMPHLETS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH RATS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.
COOPERATION F.ROM RESTAURANTS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND BUILDING MANAGEMENTS IS ALSO BEING ENLISTED.
PEOPLE WHO ENCOUNTER RATE NUISANCE MAY CONTACT THEIR LOCAL URBAN SERVICES OFFICE FOR ASSISTANCE.
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MARKET STALLS TO LET
* * *
FIVE STALLS AT THE KIK YEUNG ROAD COOKED FOOD MARKET IN YUEN LONG WILL BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC BIDDING ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 5).
THE BIDDING WILL BE HELD IN YUEN LONG TOWN HALL, TAI YUK ROAD, STARTING AT 10.30 AM.
EACH STALL MEASURES 18.5 SQUARE METRES. THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTALS RANGE FROM $2 100 TO $2 800.
THE CONTRACTS ARE FOR THREE YEARS, STARTING ON JANUARY 1, 1985.
FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM MR KONG WAN-FEE, SENIOR HEALTH INSPECTOR OF THE HAWKERS AND MARKETS SECTION, YUEN LONG URBAN SERVICE OFFICE, ON TELEPHONE 0-753941.
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£•. V 1 .t-'t |.:? 1 •% '•
y.oj& -*• ' ‘5 ?t.'- •’• --*■? '^i!'
-■..^' SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1984
12 -
ROAD CLOSURE FOR RESURFACING WORK
X * *
INNER GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN PERCIVAL STREET AND CANAL ROAD EAST IN WAN CHAI WILL BE CLOSED TO iRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 3) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR ROAD RESURFACING WORK.
however' VEH ICL^’rEQ^^G’XCCESS TO THE ELIZABETH HOUSE CAR PARK MAY STILL ENTER THE ROAD SECTION FROM CANAL ROAD EAST.
DURING THE CLOSURE, CANAL ROAD EAST WILL BE ROAD EAST BETWEEN JAFFE
JAFFE ROAD BETWEEN PERCIVAL STREET AND RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND, AND CANAL ROAD AND INNER GLOUCESTER ROAD WILL BE
RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON GLOUCESTER ROAD HEADING FOR INNER_ GLOUCESTER ROAD OR'THE ELIZABETH HOUSE CAR PARK SHOULD PROCEED VIA PERCIVAL STREET, JAFFE ROAD WESTBOUND AND CANAL ROAD EAST NORTHBOUND.
THE MEASURES WILL BE REPEATED ON THE NIGHTS OF TUESDAY (DECEMBER 4), WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 5) AND THURSDAY (DECEMBER 6).
ALL PARKING SPACES ON JAFFE ROAD BETWEEN PERCIVAL STREET AND CANAL ROAD EAST WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 3) UNTIL 6 AM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 7).
TRAFFIC MEASURES FOR YAU MA TEI * * * * *
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 3), SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN YAU MA TEI FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.
* LEFT-TURN MOVEMENT FROM WATERLOO ROAD WESTBOUND INTO SHANGHAI STREET SOUTHBOUND WILL BE BANNED TO ALL TRAFFIC.
* GENERAL TRAFFIC ON WATERLOO ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR SHANGHAI STREET SOUTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WATERLOO ROAD, YUNNAN LANE, SHEK LUNG STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET.
/"ID...........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1984
13
SALT WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG * * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 4) TO 4 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF WO Yl HOP ROAD BETWEEN CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD, INCLUDING LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE, SHEK YAM ESTATE AND SHEK LEI ESTATE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FIRST STEP TO TAP WATER RESOURCES ............................ 1
SEAWALL FOR RECLAMATION PROJECT .............................. 2
EVERY LITTER BIN TELLS A STORY ............................... 2
I.D. CARD RIMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1951, 1952 .............. 4
SEMINAR ON CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS......................... 5
NET TO TRAP SEA-BORNE REFUSE.................................. 6
COMMUNITY CHEST GETS DISTRICT SUPPORT ........................ 6
SECOND CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL STARTS ......................... 7
FESTIVAL OFF TO GOOD START ................................... 8
TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL CLOSES ............................. 8
CANOE COMPETITION FOR POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS ................ 9
MURALS FOR KAI YIP ESTATE .................................... 10
SCHOOL SPEECH DAY ............................................ 10
PUBLIC TOILET FOR TSING YI ................................... 11
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1984
1
FIRST STEP TO TAP WATER RESOURCES * * * M
EVERY DROP OF WATER COLLECTED IN HONG KONG FOR DRINKING PURPOSES IS OWED IN PART TO THE HYDROLOGICAL UNIT OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
HYDROLOGY IS A SCIENCE DEALING WITH THE MOVEMENT, OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF WATER ON AND BENEATH THE LAND SURFACE.
+IN THE PLANNING OF WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT, IT IS NECESSARY TO COLLECT HYDROLOGICAL DATA ON THE POTENTIAL CATCHMENT AREAS,+ SAID MR WONG SHIU-MING, A- HYDROLOG I ST IN CHARGE OF THE UNIT.
♦THEN, ON THE BASIS OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND HYDROLOGICAL STUDIES, AS WELL AS ECONOMIC ANALYSIS, RESERVOIRS ARE CONSTRUCTED TO STORE ’RAW WATER’ COLLECTED FROM VARIOUS CATCHMENT AREAS.
+THE 'RAW WATER’, AFTER PASSING THROUGH THE TREATMENT WORKS PROCESS, IS STORED IN SERVICE RESERVOIRS AND EVENTUALLY DISTRIBUTED TO CONSUMERS.+
THE HYDROLOGICAL UNIT, THOUGH LOW-PROFILED, THUS PERFORMS THE INITIAL AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS IN WATER RESOURCES PLANNING.
IT ANALYSES DATA ON RAINFALL, RUNOFF, GROUND WATER LEVEL AND SEDIMENTS COLLECTED THROUGH A NETWORK OF SOME 60 HYDROLOGICAL STATIONS AND 120 RAINFALL STATIONS DISTRIBUTED IN VARIOUS CATCHMENT AREAS.
THE UNIT ALSO CONDUCTS HYDROLOGICAL STUDIES ON PARTICULAR NEEDS OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT BASED ON THE COLLECTED DATA.
THESE STUDIES COVER, FOR INSTANCE, THE ESTIMATED YIELDS OF EXISTING AND POTENTIAL RESERVOIRS AND CATCHMENTS, AS WELL AS THE RELIABILITY AND ADEQUACY OF THE EXISTING SYSTEMS IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, SAID MR WONG.
+THE TOTAL TAPPED CATCHMENT AREAS IN HONG KONG COMPRISE ONE-THIRD OF ITS LAND AREA. A SMALL PORTION OF CATCHMENTS HAVE NOT YET BEEN EXPLOITED ON ECONOMICAL GROUNDS AS WE NOW HAVE ADEQUATE SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPLY FROM CHINA,* HE SAID.
THESE UNTAPPED CATCHMENTS INCLUDE AREAS ON LANTAO ISLAND AND IN THE NORTH-WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS ONLY CARRIED OUT LIMITED STUDIES ON THE USE OF GROUND WATER RESOURCES.
/HR WONG..........
SUNDAY, DECIXBER 2, 1984
2
MR WONG EXPLAINED THAT LARGE AREAS OF FLAT LAND ARE REQUIRED FOR STORING GROUND WATER AND THE TOPOGRAPHY OF HONG KONG IS SUCH THAT THERE ARE FEW SUCH AREAS LARGE ENOUGH TO PRODUCE ANY APPRECIABLE. YIELD.
♦EVEN WHERE FLAT LAND EXISTS IN PLACES LIKE FANLING AND YUEN LONG, CARE WOULD BE NEEDED TO EXTRACT GROUND WATER, BECAUSE WITHOUT GOOD RE-CHARGING FROM RAIN WATER OR RIVER FLOW THE SOIL STRUCTURE ON WHICH SETTLEMENTS ARE FOUNDED COULD BE AFFECTED,+ HE SAID.
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SEAWALL FOR RECLAMATION PROJECT
* * * *
WORK WILL START SHORTLY ON THE FINAL 12O-METRE SECTION OF A SEAWALL FOR THE CHEUNG SHA WAN RECLAMATION STAGE II PROJECT.
THREE EXISTING PIERS AT THE LOCATION WILL BE DEMOLISHED AND A 240-METRE BOUNDARY WALL WILL BE BUILT TO SEPARATE THE PRESENT CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET AND ABATTOIR FROM THE RECLAMATION PROJECT.
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SCHEME. WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JANUARY 1985 AND TAKE EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
WHEN FINISHED, THE STAGE II RECLAMATION PROJECT WILL FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN KOWLOON CORRIDOR AND PROVIDE A SITE FOR THE FUTURE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE MARKET.
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EVERY LITTER BIN TELLS A STORY * * *
HOUSEHOLD REFUSE IS, SURPRISINGLY, AN ECONOMIC INDICATOR, ACCORDING TO MR POON YUE-HOO, STAFF OFFICER (CLEANSING), OF THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
COMMENTING ON THE WORK OF THE CSD’S REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICE, MR POON EXPLAINED: +EVERY YEAR WE DISPOSE OF ABOUT ONE MILLION TONNES OF DOMESTIC REFUSE AND JUNK BUT THE EXACT AMOUNT COLLECTED EACH MONTH SEEMS TO FLUCTUATE WITH THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE. WHEN TIMES ARE GOOD, WE USUALLY GET TO COLLECT MORE REFUSE AS PEOPLE TEND TO BUY MORE AND THROW AWAY MORE. CONVERSELY, WHEN TIMES ARE HARD, PEOPLE BECOME MORE THRIFTY AND THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO DISCARD THINGS BECAUSE OF THEIR LOWERED PURCHASING POWER.+
/WEATHER ALSO .......
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1984
3
WEATHER ALSO AFFECTS THE WEIGHT OF THE REFUSE THE 790 CSD DUSTMEN HAVE TO HANDLE. A HEAVY DOWNPOUR, FOR INSTANCE, COULD EASILY ADD MORE THAN A HUNDRED EXTRA TONNES OF RAINWATER TO THE 2 600 TONNES CARTED AWAY DAILY BY THE CSD’S FLEET OF 303 REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLES.
BUT NEITHER ECONOMIC NOR METEOROLOGICAL FACTORS ARE THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FOR MR POON AND HIS MEN. +OUR BIGGEST HEADACHE IS CAUSED BY THE INCONSIDERATE PEOPLE WHO DUMP THEIR DOMESTIC AND TRADE REFUSE INTO SOME OF OUR 17 188 LITTER BINS, INSTEAD OF LEAVING IT AT THE DESIGNATED REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS (RCPS),+ HE SAID.
+WORSE YET, SOME PEOPLE DON’T EVEN BOTHER TO PUT THEiR REFUSE INSIDE THE BINS, BUT JUST SCATTER IT AROUND THE BINS.
+IT SEEMS THAT THE ROOT OF SUCH UNHYGIENIC PRACTICES IS SELFISHNESS AND A LACK OF CIVIC PRIDE AMONG SOME PEOPLE.
♦WE DO NOT ENJOY PROSECUTING PEOPLE FOR IMPROPER DUMPING OF REFUSE, BUT SUCH PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT LEAVING HOUSEHOLD REFUSE OUTSIDE LITTER BINS CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT, WHILE DUMPING DOMESTIC AND TRADE REFUSE INTO PUBLIC LITTER BINS COULD INCUR A FINE OF $1 000. +
♦THE LITTER BINS ARE MAINLY INTENDED FOR USE BY PEDESTRIANS AND PEOPLE WHO FREQUENT URBAN COUNCIL PARKS TO DEPOSIT THEIR SMALL ITEMS OF INCIDENTAL REFUSE,+ MR POON ADDED.
WHILE THE DEPARTMENT’S 1 266 STAFF WHO ARE INVOLVED IN REFUSE MANAGEMENT ARE VESTED WITH THE POWER OF ARREST OVER LITTERERS, THEY AND MR POON ARE SLIGHTLY ENCOURAGED BY RECENT DEVELOPMENTS.
IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, 34 654 CASES OF LITTERING WERE RECORDED COMPARED WITH 37 994 CASES IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1983.
♦WE ARE HAPPY BUT NOT TOTALLY SATISFIED WITH THIS IMPROVEMENT, + SAID MR POON. +BUT IF OFFENDERS CANNOT B-. PERSUADED BY OUR ONGOING PUBLICITY, WE WOULD WELCOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC REPORTING OFFENCES TO US BY CALLING THE LITTERING HOTLINE OF 5-95555,+ MR POON SAID.
ANOTHER PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE THOUGHTLESSNESS OF A FEW, SAYS MR POON. IS THE FAILURE OF PRIVATE REFUSE COLLECTORS TO DELIVER REFUSE TO DESIGNATED RCPS ON TIME. BECAUSE OF THE VOLUME OF REFUSE AND JUNK THAT MUST BE COLLECTED THROUGH THE NETWORK OF RCPS AND THEIR LIMITED CAPACITY, REFUSE MAY BE DELIVERED ONLY 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE SCHEDULED ARRIVAL TIME OF CSD COLLECTION VEHICLES AT THE RCPS.
HAPPILY, MOST OF THE NUISANCES GENERALLY ASSOCIATED WITH RCPS HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED OR SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED IN RECENT YEARS THROUGH EFFECTIVE INNOVATIONS, MR POON REPORTED.
/♦FOR 11AMPLE, ........
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, I98A
+FOR EXAMPLE, OF THE 52 PERMANENT OFF-STREET RCPS NOW IN SERVICE, 11 HAVE BEEN FITTED WITH A CARBON FILTRATION SYSTEM WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES OFFENSIVE SMELL AND DUST NUISANCE.
+ALSO, MOST OF THE 15 ADDITIONAL PERMANENT RCPS TO BE BUILT NEXT YEAR AT A COST OF ABOUT $1 MILLION EACH, WILL BE FITTED WITH A CARBON FILTRATION SYSTEM,+ SAID MR POON.
LESS COSTLY ARE THE FIBREGLASS SHIELD RCPS WHICH COST AN AVERAGE OF $10 000 EACH. OF THE 52 TEMPORARY OFF-STREET RCPS NOW IN OPERATION, '+1 ARE MADE UP OF FIBREGLASS SHIELDS WHICH PROVIDE A STURDY WALLED-IN ENCLOSURE THAT MINIMISES THE SCATTERING OF REFUSE AND COVERS UP THE UNSIGHTLY PILES OF REFUSE AWAITING DISPOSAL. ADDITIONALLY, 22 NEW TYPE FIBREGLASS RCPS WITH ROOFS WILL BE INSTALLED THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
+WITH PUBLIC CO-OPERATION, OUR RCPS AND LITTER BINS NEED NOT BE EYESORES,* SAID MR POON. +1 HOPE THE CYNICS WHO SAY THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE NO CIVIC PRIDE WILL BE PROVED WRONG.*
- 0 - -
I.D. CARD REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1951, 1952 * * * X X
WOMEN BORN IN 1951 AND 1952 ARE REMINDED OF THEIR TURN TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BETWEEN TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND SATURDAY (JANUARY 5).
THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ARE LOCATED IN WAN CHAI, TSIM SHA TSUI, NGAU TAU KOK, TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN, YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN AND SHEUNG SHU I. THEY ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID, +T0 AVIOD LONG QUEUES ON WEEKDAY EVENINGS, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO COME BEFORE 5 PM.+
+ANYONE WHO WISHES TO VISIT A PARTICULAR ISSUE OFFICE AT A PRE-ARRANGED TIME SHOULD MAKE USE OF THE MAIL-IN APPOINTMENT SERVICE,* HE ADDED.
APPOINTMENT FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND IMMIGRATION OFFICES. THEY MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE SPECIFIED ISSUE OFFICE AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE THE END OF THE RENEWAL PERIOD.
APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG THEIR OLD I.D. CARDS AND HAVE THEIR PERSONAL PARTICULARS READY, INCLUDING OFFICE AND HOME ADDRESSES IN FULL, WHEN THEY VISIT THE ISSUE OFFICES.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1984
5
SEMINAR ON CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS K * * *
ABOUT 240 HEADS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL ATTEND A ONE-DAY SEMINAR ON +CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS* ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 7) AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN KOWLOON.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, WILL SPEAK AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SEMINAR, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, WILL DELIVER THE CLOSING REMARKS.
GUEST SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS AT THE SEMINAR WILL BE MR ANDREW WONG FROM THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG- THE REV SISTER MARGARET WONG, PRINCIPAL OF ST PAUL’S SECONDARY SCHOOL, AND
NATHAN MA FROM THE YUEN LONG LUTHERAN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
THERE WILL BE GROUP DISCUSSIONS, PLENARY SESSIONS AND AN OPEN FORUM. SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION WILL BE PROVIDED.
QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED AT THE GROUP DISCUSSIONS INCLUDE:
* HOW DOES THE GROUP INTERPRET +CIVIC EDUCATION*.
* HOW CAN CIVIC EDUCATION BE PROMOTED THROUGH THE FORMAL CURRICULUM, THE INFORMAL CURRICULUM, AND THE GENERAL ETHOS OF THE SCHOOLS.
* WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT CAN BE GIVEN BY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOL.
K WHAT ARE THE GROUP’S RECOMMENDATION ON CIVIC EDUCATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A ONE-DAY SEMINAR ON +CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS* FOR HEADS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 7) AT 9 AM AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON,
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
-----o------
/6........
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1984
6
NET TO TRAP SEA-BORNE REFUSE * * *
A BOOM TO TRAP SEA-BORNE REFUSE HAS JUST BEEN INSTALLED AS A TRIAL SCHEME AT SILVERSTRAND BEACH IN SAI KUNG.
+ IF THE SCHEME PROVES SUCCESSFUL, IT WILL BE EXTENDED TO OTHER PUBLIC BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ON OUTLYING ISLANDS,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
A DAILY AVERAGE OF 150 BASKETS OF REFUSE WAS COLLECTED LAST MONTH BY NTSD CLEANSING WORKERS.
THE BOOM, SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR USE AT BEACHES, WOULD REDUCE MANPOWER EMPLOYED TO KEEP BEACHES CLEAN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT ALSO SERVES TO DEMARCATE THE SAFETY BOUNDARY FOR SWIMMERS.
THE $65 000 BOOM IS MADE OF NYLON NETTING AND HAS 1 100 PLASTIC BALLS TO KEEP IT AFLOAT.
A NUMBER OF GALVANISED IRON PIPES ARE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER PORTION TO KEEP THE NET IN POSITION.
THE TRAPPED REFUSE WILL BE COLLECTED REGULARLY BY CLEANSING WORKERS.
- - 0 - -
COMMUNITY CHEST GETS DISTRICT SUPPORT * * * * *
A DISTRICT-BASED COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE THE COMMUNITY CHEST HAS BEEN FORMED IN SHAM SHU I PO.
THE COMMITTEE, CALLED +SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR COMMUNITY CHEST*, IS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE AUSPICES CF THE LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICE. IT COMPRISES DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS LOCAL BODIES.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER TSE, SAID THE COMMITTEE WAS CHARGED WITH TWO OBJECTIVES.
+FIRST, IT AIMS TO BETTER COORDINATE ENTHUSIASTIC PERSONALITIES AND ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT TO SUPPORT AND TAKE PART IN FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES OF THE CHEST.
+SECOND, IT WILL SERVE AS AN ADDITIONAL PLATFORM WHERE RESIDENTS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS CAN MEET TO FOSTER COMMUNITY COHESION,* HE SAID.
/IN RESPONSE
SUNDAY, DEC1MBEH 2, I98U
7
IN RESPONSE TO THE INVITATION OF THE COMMITTEE, MORE THAN 7DO RESIDENTS FROM 19 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WILL TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR’S KOWLOON WALK FOR A MILLION, SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 2) MORNING IN KWUN TONG.
DONATIONS RAISED BY THE WALKERS WILL BE COLLECTED BY THE COMMITTEE AND PRESENTED TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST LATER.
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SECOND CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL STARTS * * * *
THE SECOND CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL, ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, STARTED TODAY WITH AN OPENING CONCERT AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL.
THE FESTIVAL, DECLARED OPEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, WILL LAST TILL NEXT SUNDAY (DECEMBER 9).
IN A BRIEF WELCOME SPEECH, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE SAID THE PROGRAMME WOULD INCLUDE THREE CONCERTS, EIGHT SEMINARS AND 18 MASTER CLASSES.
♦TAKING PART WILL BE LOCAL ARTISTES AS WELL AS FIVE MUSICIANS FROM CHINA, THE HONG KONG CHINESE ORCHESTRA, AMATEUR GROUPS AND THE MUSIC OFFICE’S OWN INSTRUCTORS AND TRAINEES,* HE SAID.
THE CONCERT THIS EVENING INCLUDED PERFORMANCE BY THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA, DRUM SOLO, BA-WU SOLO, PIPA SOLO AND SHENG SOLO.
IT ENDED WITH THE ORCHESTRA PLAYING +GLIDING IN THE SKY+, CONDUCTED BY TONG LEUNG-TAK.
DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD, THE MUSIC OFFICE INSTRUCTORS’ ORCHESTRA WILL GIVE A DEMONSTRATION CONCERT AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL ON DECEMBER 7 AT 8 PM.
ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 8), THE HONG KONG CHINESE ORCHESTRA WILL PRESENT A CONCERT AT THE KO SHAN THEATRE AT 8 PM AS AN URBAN COUNCIL PRESENTATION IN SUPPORT OF THE FESTIVAL.
NINE WELL-ESTABLISHED LOCAL AMATEUR CHINESE ORCHESTRAS, TOGETHER WITH MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA, WILL APPEAR IN THE FINALE CONCERT TO THE HELD AT 8 PM AT THE TSUEN
WAN TOWN HALL ON THE FINAL DAY OF THE FESTIVAL.
TICKETS FOR THE DEMONSTRATION CONCERT AND THE FINALE CONCERT AT $5 EACH ARE ON SALE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE WHERE FREE ADMISSION TICKETS FOR A CANTONESE OPERA PERFORMANCE CN WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 5) MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR ENQUIRIES IS 0-428127.
TICKETS FOR THE CONCERT BY THE HONG KONG CHINESE ORCHESTRA, AT $10, $20, $30 AND $40 ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL URBAN COUNCIL COMPUTERISED BOX OFFICES.
THE NUMBER FOR ENQUIRIES IS 3-7213283.
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/8.......
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1984
8
FESTIVAL OFF TO GOOD START X * X
THE FIFTH NORTH DISTRICT FESTIVAL GOT OFF TO A GRAND START TODAY (SUNDAY) AS LARGE CROWDS FLOCKED TO THE BURMA LINES CAMP IN FANLING FOR A DAY-LONG CARNIVAL.
THE CARNIVAL BEGAN WITH LION AND UNICORN DANCES, FOLLOWED BY ORIENTAL DANCES, A PARACHUTING DISPLAY AND MUSIC PERFORMANCES.
OTHER EVENTS INCLUDED HORSE-RIDING, ARCHERY, DART GAMES AND TELEMATCHES.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, SAID THE FESTIVAL HAD BEEN ORGANISED FOR EVERYONE IN THE NORTH DISTRICT.
+AT A TIME OF DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE IN NORTH DISTRICT, I HOPE THIS FESTIVAL WILL'HELP INSTILL A SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMMON IDENTITY AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY MOVED INTO THE DISTRICT AND THOSE WHO HAVE LIVED HERE FOR MANY YEARS,+ HE SAID.
A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR THE TWO-WEEK FESTIVAL. THEY INCLUDE A CANTONESE OPERA, A CHINESE ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE, A FOLK SONG CONCERT, VARIETY SHOWS, AN EXHIBITION SOCCER MATCH, A DISCO NIGHT AND A ROLLER-SKATING NIGHT.
TICKETS FOR THE CANTONESE OPERA, THE CHINESE ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE AND THE DISCO NIGHT ARE ON SALE AT THE NORTH DISTRICT TOWN HALL. ADMISSION TO ALL THE OTHER EVENTS ARE FREE.
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TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL CLOSES
X X X X
THE SIXTH TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL CLOSED THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING WITH A MOTOR-CYCLING DEMONSTRATION BY THE 29TH SQUADRON ROYAL CORPS OF TRANSPORT.
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, SAID: ♦THE FESTIVAL IS NOT A MERE DISTRICT EVENT, BUT AN ANNUAL GRAND OCCASION IN THE SPORTS CIRCLE OF HONG KONG.+
WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF INTERNATIONAL SPORTS GROUPS, THE STANDARD OF THE FESTIVAL HAD BEEN RAISED, HE SAID.
/♦OUTSTANDING SPORTSMEN .......
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1984
- 9 -
♦OUTSTANDING SPORTSMEN IN HONG KONG HAVE ALSO JOINED THE FESTIVAL TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS AND YOUNG SPORTSMEN, INSTILLING IN THEM A SENSE OF SPORTSMANSHIP,* HE SAID.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FESTIVAL’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, POINTED OUT THAT THE ACTIVITIES OVER THE PAST MONTH HAD BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS.
♦THE FESTIVAL ATTRACTED A RECORD HIGH OF MORE THAN 60 000 SPECTATORS THIS YEAR,* HE SAID.
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CANOE COMPETITION FOR POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS
* * * *
THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE (RSS) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG CANOE UNION ARE JOINTLY ORGANISING A CANOE COMPETITION IN TAI PO FOR POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS.
THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S WATER SPORTS CENTRE AT TAI MEI TUK ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 9).
PARTICIPANTS WILL COMPETE UNDER FIVE SECTIONS - MEN’S SINGLES AND DOUBLES, WOMEN’S SINGLES AND DOUBLES AND MIXED. AND THERE WILL BE 250-METRE, 500-METRE AND 3 OOO-METRE MATCHES.
’STUDENTS CAN FORM INTO TEAMS AND COMPETE FOR THEIR COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES,’ SAID AN RSS SPOKESMAN.
APPLICANTS MUST BE EXPERIENCED IN CANOEING.
THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO 300 PARTICIPANTS AND APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE RSS HEAD OFFICE AT WING ON CENTRE IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL OR ITS DISTRICT OFFICES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 5-458511.
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/1O .......
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1984
- 10 -
MURALS FOR KAI YIP ESTATE
* * *
TWENTY-FIVE VOLUNTEERS TODAY (SUNDAY) TURNED FIVE BRICK-WALLS IN KAI YIP ESTATE INTO PICTURESQUE MURALS OF THE 12 ANIMAL ZODIAC SIGNS OF THE LUNAR CALENDAR.
A DROWSY SNAKE COILING ITSELF FOR A WINTER SLEEP, A COCKEREL WITH MULTI-COLOURED FEATHERS, A CONTENTED MOTHER PIG FEEDING HER FIVE PIGLETS AND OTHER ZODIAC SIGNS WERE PAINTED ON THE WALLS SURROUNDING A BADMINTON COURT NEXT TO KAI YUE HOUSE.
TODAY’S WALL-PAINTING EXERCISE FORMED PART OF THE +PING SHEK-KAI YIP BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT+ ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE AND THE SHU I ON SEAGULL CLUB - A VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY SERVICES GROUP.
MEANWHILE, MORE THAN 200 PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN WERE BUSY
WITH THEIR OWN BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS AT A NEARBY COVERED PLAYGROUND IN THE ESTATE.
THEY WERE TAKING PART IN A DRAWING COMPETITION WITH A CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT AS THEIR THEME.
SPONSORED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD, THE DRAWING CONTEST WAS ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT OF TODAY’S BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT IN KAI YIP ESTATE.
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SCHOOL SPEECH DAY
* X *
THE TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL WILL HOLD ITS FIRST ANNUAL SPEECH DAY ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 5).
MR LAU WONG-FAT, CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK, WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AND MRS LAU WILL PRESENT THE CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES.
GUESTS WILL LATER BE ENTERTAINED TO PERFORMANCES BY THE SCHOOL’S FOLK DANCE CLUB, CHOIR AND PIANO DUETTISTS.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1934
11
PUBLIC TOILET FOR TSI NG Yl * * * *
THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUBLIC TOILET AT CHEUNG CHING ESTATE BUS TERMINUS ON TSI NG Yl.
IT WILL BE A SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURE WITH CUBICLES FOR THE DISABLED.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY 1985 AND BE COMPLETED IN SIX MONTHS.
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 NOON ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HOSPITAL WITH CENTRAL ROLE IN DINTISTBY........................ 1
DB TO LOOK INTO PROPOSED MEDICAL SCHEME......................... 2
U.S. MAKES EA CALL ............................................ 3
99 FLATS SOLD ON FIRST DAY .................................... 3
CHINA DELEGATES SEE HOUSING DISPLAY ............................ 4
70-K1L0METRE LANTaU TRAIL READY ................................ 4
TENDERS INVITED TO PROVIDE BOAT HIRING SERVICES ................ 5
CAS HOLDING BIENNIAL INSPECTION ................................ 5
MAINS WORK TO RAISE WATER SUPPLY ............................... 6
WATER FIGURE.................................................... 6
SALT WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG.................................... 6
TRAFFIC BAN TO BE LIFTED ....................................... 6
MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1984
1 -
HOSPITAL WITH CENTRAL ROLE IN DENTISTRY * * * *
HONG KONG’S FIRST LOCALLY TRAINED DENTISTS WILL QUALIFY FOR PRACTICE IN JANUARY, 1985.
SIXTY-EIGHT DENTAL UNDERGRADUATES HAVE BEEN UNDERGOING TRAINING FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS AT THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL, THE TEACHING HOSPITAL FOR HONG KONG UNIVERSITY’S FACULTY OF DENTISTRY.
THE 5200-MILLION HOSPITAL, WHICH TOOK LESS THAN FIVE YEARS TO COMPLETE, IS ONE OF THE BEST DESIGNED IN THE WORLD.
♦THE HOSPITAL WILL PRODUCE ABOUT 60 QUALIFIED DENTISTS A YEAR AND A NUMBER OF ANCILLARY WORKERS, THUS INJECTING NEW BLOOD INTO THE LOCAL DENTAL PROFESSION,* SAID PROFESSOR EDWARD RENSON, HEAD OF THE UNIVERSITY’S DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATIVE DENTISTRY.
PROFESSOR RENSON CAME TO HONG KONG IN 1978 AFTER A DISTINGUISHED DENTAL CAREER IN BRITAIN AND HAS SINCE PLAYED A LEADING ROLE IN SETTING UP AND RUNNING THE HOSPITAL.
+ITS FACILITIES FOR DENTAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH ARE SECOND TO NONE AND THE DESIGN IS UNIQUE.
♦THERE ARE OVER 200 CLINICAL CHAIRS WITH ASSOCIATED BACKUP FACILITIES, SOME 50 INDIVIDUAL SURGERIES, NINE SPECIAL DEMONSTRATION SURGERIES AND TWO OPERATING THEATRES,* HE SAID.
THE SPECIALLY DESIGNED CLINICAL CHAIRS ENSURE THAT THE CLINICIAN CAN WORK LEFT-HANDED OR RIGHT-HANDED WITH THE PATIENT SITTING UP OR LYING DOWN.
BESIDES FACILITATING CLOSE SUPERVISION BY TEACHING STAFF, THIS FLEXIBILITY ALLOWS MAXIMUM PRIVACY FOR THE PATIENTS BEING TREATED. .
TO MINIMISE FLOOR-TO-FLOOR TRAFFIC, CLINICAL DEPARTMENTS WITH THE LARGEST PATIENT ATTENDANCE ARE HOUSED ON THE LOWER FLOORS AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER OFFICES ON THE UPPER ONES.
THERE ARE ALSO A DENTAL LIBRARY AND RESEARCH LABORATORIES, WITHOUT WHICH A TEACHING HOSPITAL IS INCOMPLETE.
♦TEACHING IS BY SMALL GROUP. IN MOST CASES A CLINICAL TEACHER TAKES CARE OF EIGHT STUDENTS.
♦TO MEET TEACHING NEEDS TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON A ’WALK-IN’ BASIS. CLINICAL ATTENTION IS PROVIDED BY, OR UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF, DENTALLY QUALIFIED STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG,* PROFESSOR RENSON SAID.
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MONDAY, DSCEMBEH 3, 1984
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AT PRESENT THE HOSPITAL IS TREATING ABOUT 250 PATIENTS A WEEK FOR A FULL RANGE OF DENTAL DISEASES, TO GIVE ITS STUDENTS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING.
THE HOSPITAL, THEREFORE, PROVIDES INEXPENSIVE TREATMENT TO THOSE WITH LOW INCOME WHO ARE DEEMED TO BE SUITABLE FOR TEACHING. THE HOSPITAL DOES NOT HAVE A SERVICE COMMITMENT.
THE HOSPITAL HAS INTRODUCED ORGANISED TRAINING FOR ANCILLARY WORKERS LIKE DENTAL HEALTH INSTRUCTORS, DENTAL SURGERY ASSISTANTS AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS.
♦PRINCE PHILIP IS ONE OF THE FEW TEACHING HOSPITALS IN THE WORLD WHERE DENTAL UNDERGRADUATES AND SUPPORT STAFF ARE TRAINED UNDER THE SAME ROOF.
+THIS WILL BUILD UP THE TEAM SPIRIT INDISPENSABLE TO THE PROVIDING OF EFFICIENT SERVICES,* HE SAID.
THE HOSPITAL ALSO RESEARCHES INTO DENTAL DISEASES IN HONG KONG.
♦EXTENSIVE STUDIES HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT TO IDENTIFY MUCH DISEASES AND THEIR RELATION TO A CHINESE COMMUNITY BY THE STAFF CF ALL THE DENTAL DEPARTMENTS.
♦THIS WILL PROVIDE VALUABLE INFORMATION TO SUPPLEMENT THE STUDENTS’ TEXTBOOK KNOWLEDGE AND TO ASSESS DENTAL MANPOWER NEEDS FOR HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE,♦ SAID PROFESSOR RENSON, WHO ALSO CHAIRS THE RESEARCH COMMITTEE OF THE FACULTY OF DENTISTRY.
IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1933-84, GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION FOR THE OPERATION OF THE HOSPITAL TOTALLED ABOUT $23 MILLION.
♦WITH SUCH EXCELLENT FACILITIES, WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO MANY WELL-TRAINED DENTISTS TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY IN THE YEARS TO COME,* HE SAID.
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DB TO LOOK INTO PROPOSED MEDICAL SCHEME
X X X X X
WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT A COMMUNITY MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME IN THE DISTRICT AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
JOINTLY INITIATED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION ASSOCIATION, THE SCHEME AIMS TO ENLIST REGISTERED DOCTORS IN THE DISTRICT TO PROVIDE LOW-COST PRIVATE bEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND NEEDY RESIDENTS.
/to be .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1984
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TO BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ COMMENTS ARE A REPORT ON THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SYSTEM AND THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED WHITE PAPER ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
MEMBERS WILL THEN REVIEW THE STUDY ROOM EXTENSION SCHEME FINANCED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD WITH A VIEW TO CONTINUING ITS OPERATION UNTIL MARCH NEXT YEAR.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO REVISE THE LAW ON THE DEED OF MUTUAL COVENANT SO THAT THE MANAGEMENT OF NEW MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS CAN BE IMPROVED.
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U.S. MAKES EA CALL * * *
THE UNITED STATES MADE AN EXPORT AUTHORISATION (EA) CALL ON PART OF CATEGORY 359 (COTTON INFANTS’ SETS) AT 3.40 PM TODAY (MONDAY), THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THIS IS THE 16TH EA CALL BY THE UNITED STATES SO FAR THIS YEAR.
PENDING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THE DEPARTMENT HAS SUSPENDED THE ISSUE OF FURTHER EXPORT AUTHORISATION FOR THIS CATEGORY.
HOWEVER, THE DEPARTMENT WILL, AS USUAL, CONTINUE TO APPROVE AND ISSUE EXPORT LICENCES FOR THIS CATEGORY AGAINST VALID EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS APPROVED BEFORE THE SUSPENSION.
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99 FLATS SOLD ON FIRST DAY
* * *
A TOTAL OF 99 FLATS WERE SOLD TODAY AT THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE IN HO MAN TIN AT THE START OF SALES FOR THE 4 272 FLATS IN THE FIRST 16 BLOCKS AT RICHLAND GARDENS IN KOWLOON BAY.
+THEY WERE SELECTED BY APPLICANTS FROM THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S MARK l/lI ESTATE TENANTS WHO ARE GIVEN PRIORITY IN THE SELECTION OF FLATS UNDER PHASE VIB OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY.
OTHER SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WOULD BE INVITED TO SELECT THEIR FLATS AFTER THE 365 MARK l/lI ESTATE TENANT APPLICANTS HAD MADE THEIR CHOICE.
/♦THOSE ON ......
■KD1Y, DECEMBER 3, 1984
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+THOSE ON THE RESERVE LIST MAY ALSO HAVE A CHANCE TO ACQUIRE A FLAT AS THE REMAINING 1 632 FLATS ON THE LAST SIX BLOCKS AT THE ESTATE MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION IF THERE IS SUCH A DEMAND.
+FLAT PURCHASERS WILL ONLY HAVE TO PAY A NOMINATION FEE OF TEN PER CENT OF THE PURCHASE PRICE WHEN SELECTING THEIR FLATS AT THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE.
+THE BALANCE WILL BE PAID UP WHEN THE FLATS ARE READY FOR OCCUPATION,+ HE ADDED.
RICHLAND GARDENS IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN MID-1985.
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CHINA DELEGATES SEE HOUSING DISPLAY
*****
THREE DELEGATES FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SOCIETY OF CHINA TODAY LEARNED OF THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S PUBLIC HOUSING DURING A VISIT TO A HOUSING FESTIVAL EXHIBITION AT THE CITY HALL.
LED BY PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY, MR DAI NIANCI, THEY ARE STUDYING URBAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG.
THE DELEGATES SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN THE VARIOUS DISPLAYS WHICH FOCUSED ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF HONG KONG’S PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME.
THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR DONALD LIAO.
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70-KIL0METRE LANTAU TRAIL READY * * * *
THE LANTAU TRAIL, A 70-KIL0METRE CIRCULAR ROUTE THROUGH THE FINE SCENERY OF THE LANTAU COUNTRY PARKS, WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, AND TSANG LIN, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF HEUNG YEE KUK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT NAM SHAN AT 10.20 AM. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A WALK ALONG PART OF THE NEW TRAIL.
A GOVERNMENT LAUNCH FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE BLAKE PIER IN CENTRAL FOR MUI WO AT 9 AM SHARP. IT WILL LEAVE MUI WO ABOUT 12 NOON.
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1984
5
TENDERS INVITED TO PROVIDE BOAT HIRING SERVICES XXX
THE URBAN COUNCIL IS INVITING TENDERS TO PROVIDE BOAT HIRING SERVICES AT THE WONG NAI CHUNG RESERVOIR PARK WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE TERRITORY, THE BOATING PARK IS CONVERTED FROM THE NOW DEFUNCT WONG NAI CHUNG RESERVOIR.
APART FROM THE PARK PROPER WHICH MEASURES SOME 6.2 HECTARES, THERE WILL ALSO BE TWO SITTING-OUT AREAS WITH A fitness Station, a look-out area housing a refreshment kiosk, OFFICES AND SHEDS FOR STORING CANOES AND LIFE-SAVING BOATS.
THE SUCCESSFUL. BIDDER WILL’BE AWARDED A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT AND REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM OF 25 BOATS FOR HIRE.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 233 ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD, 4TH FLOOR, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN DUPLICATE AND PLACED BY HAND IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT RECEPTION COUNTER, 12TH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), ICE HOUSE STREET, BEFORE 9 A.M. ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
CAS HOLDING BIENNIAL INSPECTION X X * X *
THE CIVIL AID SERVICES MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT IS CARRYING OUT A SERIES OF EXERCISES IN HILLY AND COUNTRYSIDE AREAS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
THE EXERCISES, FROM NOVEMBER 28 TO DECEMBER 8, ARE BEING HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE BIENNIAL INSPECTION CONDUCTED BY SQUADRON LEADER GORDON BLACKBURN, INSPECTOR OF LAND RESCUE FROM THE BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE.
THE AIM OF THE INSPECTION IS TO MAKE A PROFESSIONAL APPRAISAL CF THE ABILITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT, AND TO SUGGEST FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS.
AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXERCISES WILL BE A 1-1/2-HOUR MOCK CLIFF RESCUE AT BEACON HILL, KOWLOON TONG TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
OTHER EXERCISES WILL INCLUDE A CROSS-COUNTRY EXPEDITION AND CASUALTY EVACUATION IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS.
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1984
6
MAINS WORK TO RAISE WATER SUPPLY III
IMPROVEMENT WORK ON THE TRUNK FEED SYSTEM TO SERVICE RESERVOIRS IN THE EAST KOWLOON DISTRICT WILL START NEXT WEEK FOLLOWING THE AWARD OF A $9.34 MILLION CONTRACT BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
THE CONTRACT INVOLVES THE LAYING OF ABOUT 4 600 METRES OF MILD-STEEL FRESH WATER MAINS WITH DIAMETERS RANGING FROM 700 MM TO 1 200 MM IN NGAU TAU KOK, KWUN TONG AND LAM TIN AREAS.
WHEN WORK IS COMPLETED IN ABOUT A YEAR, THE WATER MAINS WILL BE PART OF THE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME TO COPE WITH GREATER DEMANDS FOR FRESH WATER GENERATED BY NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
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WATER FIGURE X X * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 76.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 450.629 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 551.587 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 94.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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SALT WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG X. i X
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 6) FOR MAINS
WORK
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES ON THE EAST SIDE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN FU UK ROAD AND LEI PUI STREET, INCLUDING LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE, SHEK YAM ESTATE AND SHEK LEI ESTATE.
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TRAFF IC BAN TO BE LIFTED X X * *
THE BAN ON THE RIGHT-TURN MOVEMENT FROM AUSTIN ROAD EASTBOUND INTO NATHAN ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BE LIFTED FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 5).
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL; 5-233191
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIR PHILIP CONDEMNS SNaKEHEADS' ACTIONS ................. 1
MORE IMPETUS GIVEN TO ANTI-CRIME EFFORT ................. 2
UMELCO DOCUME'iT ON FUTURE TO BE TABLED ................. 6
THIRD QUARTER EXPORT STATISTICS RELEASED ................ 6
70 KM LANTAU HIKERS TRAIL OPENED ........................ 10
NEW SUPRIME COURT DESIGN WINS AWARD ..................... 11
NEW LAW OFFICERS .........................•.............. 1J
LIFE SAVING SOCIETY PRAISED FOR SERVICE ................. 15
FIREWORKS DISPLAY SET FOR SUNDAY ........................ 14
32M BONSAI SHOW SET FOR SUNDAY .......................... 15
TEACHING KIT TO PROMOTE MORAL EDUCATION ................. 15
SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAMS TO PLAY ABROAD .................. 16
FIRE CHIEF TO MEET MEDIA ................................ 16
TSING YI BRIDGE IN TENTH YEAR............................ 16
FINAL EARTH COVER FOR CONTROLLED TIP .................... 17
PEAK TRAM MAINTENANCE
17
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1984 1
SIR PHILIP CONDEMNS SNAKEHEADS’ ACTIONS * * * *
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE REITERATED CATEGORICALLY TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PROSPECT WHATSOEVER OF AN AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OF ANY AGE OR SEX.
HE WAS COMMENTING ON THE SMUGGLING OF CHILD ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHEN HE TALKED TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING.
+THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IS DISGUSTED WITH THIS TRADE, AND DISTRESSED TOO+, HE SAID.
+l CANNOT CONDEMN TOO STRONGLY THE ACTION OF THESE SNAKEHEADS WHO SO HEARTLESSLY MISLED THE PARENTS OF THESE CHILDREN- AND INDEED ARE PREPARED TO EXPLOIT ANY SITUATION FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT.
♦ THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT .HAS CONVEYED TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON A NUMBER OF OCCASSIONS ITS CONCERN TO SEE THIS DANGEROUS AND INHUMAN PRACTICE STOPPED. THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES SHARE THIS CONCERN.+
SIR PHILIP REAFFIRMED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING IT COULD TO STOP THIS PRACTICE.
+IN THIS CONNECTION I SHOULD LIKE TO RESTATE CATEGORICALLY THAT THERE IS NO PROSPECT WHATSOEVER OF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OF ANY AGE OR SEX AND NO-ONE SHOULD BELIEVE THE RUMOURS OF AN AMNESTY PUT ABOUT BY THE SNAKEHEADS IN AN ATTEMPT TO INCREASE THEIR DISREPUTABLE TRADE.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT PENALTIES FOR SNAKEHEADS WERE SEVERE INDEED, AND HOPED THAT THE AUTHORITIES WOULD MANAGE TO ARREST THOSE RESPONSIBLE AND BRING THEM TO COURT.
+CHILDREN CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF COMING INTO HONG KONG ARE AUTOMATICALLY RETURNED,* HE SAID.
+IF THEY HAVE BEEN HERE FOR SOMETIME, THEN OBVIOUSLY OTHER CONSIDERATIONS APPLY,* HE ADDED.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1984
2
MORE IMPETUS GIVEN TO ANTI-CRIME EFFORT * * * *
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, IS CONTINUING TO CONSIDER WAYS OF COMBATTING CRIME.
AREAS INVOLVED RANGE FROM TRIADS AND ORGANISED CRIME, ARMED ROBBERIES AND THE USE OF IMITATION FIREARMS TO CRIME AND UNRULY BEHAVIOUR BY YOUTHS, COMMERCIAL CRIME, VICE ESTABLISHMENTS, THE SECURITY OF HIGH RISK PREMISES SUCH AS GOLDSMITH SHOPS AND CRIME PREVENTION.
THIS IS REVEALED IN THE THIRD SIX-MONTHLY REPORT WHICH THE COMMITTEE HAS JUST SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR. IT COVERS THE PERIOD FROM MAY TO OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
SIR PHILIP SAID TODAY (TUESDAY), +THE COMMITTEE WAS RECONSTITUTED IN MAY LAST YEAR TO GIVE ADDED IMPETUS TO THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME AND TO PULL TOGETHER THE WORK OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.
+WE HAVE SET UP A NUMBER COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
OF ACTIVE AND RESOURCEFUL SUB-TO PROBE INTO SPECIFIC AREAS OF
♦GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES ARE NOW WORKING IN A MUCH MORE CO-ORDINATED WAY IN TACKLING THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY CRIME. WHAT WE NEED NOW IS ALL-OUT PUBLIC CO-OPERATION TO SUPPORT THOSE EFFORTS AND TO HELP THE POLICE ON THE GROUND.+
APART FROM THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF FOUR UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, MR CHARLES YEUNG, DR HO KAM-FAI, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN AND MRS SOPHIA HO, TOGETHER WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE SECRETARIES FOR SECURITY, DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, HEALTH AND WELFARE, AND EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES.
SIR PHILIP ALSO PRAISED THE WORK DONE BY THE 343 MEMBERS OF THE 19 DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
♦DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES HAVE A MOST IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN IDENTIFYING LOCAL CRIME BLACK-SPOTS? IN PUTTING FORWARD CONSTRUCTIVE IDEAS TO HELP THE POLICE CONTROL CRIME IN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS; AND IN PROVIDING FEED-BACK TO THE MAIN COMMITTEE.
+1 HAVE BEEN MOST IMPRESSED BY THE WAY THEY HAVE SUPPORTED THIS YEAR’S MAJOR CRIME PREVENTION CAMPAIGN AND BY THE ENTHUSIASTIC WAY THEY HELP TO FIGHT CRIME IN DISTRICTS,+ HE SAID.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1984
THE MAIN SUBJECTS COVERED BY THE REPORT INCLUDE:-
USE OF FIREARMS IN CRIME
THE WORKING GROUP ON THE USE OF FIREARMS IN CRIME WILL SHORTLY PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO THE FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION ORDINANCE TO BAN THE MANUFACTURE, IMPORT, SALE AND POSSESSION OF A +PRESCRIBED CLASS OF IMITATION FIREARMS*. THIS MEANS IMITATION GUNS WHICH, IN THEIR EXTERNAL APPEARANCE, HAVE A CLOSE RESEMBLANCE TO REAL FIREARMS. IT IS PROPOSED THAT POSSESSION OF SUCH IMITATIONS SHOULD BE AN OFFENCE.
THE GROUP HAS ALSO MONITORED AND ENCOURAGED EFFORTS TO COMBAT THE SMUGGLING OF GENUINE FIREARMS INTO HONG KONG.
ON JULY 3, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ENDORSED THE WORKING GROUP’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION AND USE OF GENUINE AND IMITATION FIREARMS IN THE FURTHERANCE OF CRIME. THEY BECAME LAW LATER THAT MONTH.
SECURITY OF HIGH RISK PREMISES
THE WORKING GROUP ON THE SECURITY OF GOLDSMITH AND JEWELLERY SHOPS IS STUDYING THE QUESTION OF SUCH PREMISES BEING REQUIRED TO KEEP RECORDS OF PURCHASES OF GOLD, JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND OTHER HIGH VALUE ITEMS. A DRAFT BILL IS BEING PREPARED AND THE VARIOUS TRADE ASSOCIATIONS WILL BE INVITED TO OBTAIN THE VIEWS OF THEIR MEMBERS.
THE GROUP REPORTED IT WAS ALSO RECEIVING GOOD CO-OPERATION FROM GOLDSMITH ASSOCIATIONS IN ITS EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE SHOPS WITH INADEQUATE SECURITY MEASURES TO MAKE THE NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS. A PILOT SCHEME INVOLVING MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION AND OF THE POLICE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU WAS BEING ORGANISED WITH A VIEW-TO VISITING SHOPS TO ENCOURAGE OWNERS TO TAKE THE MEASURES NECESSARY TO PROTECT THEIR PROPERTY.
COMMERCIAL CRIME
THE EVIDENCE (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN JUNE THIS YEAR TO ENABLE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES TO GATHER EVIDENCE ABROAD AND TO HAVE IT ADMITTED IN LOCAL COURTS. AMENDING BILLS TO RELAX SECRECY PROVISIONS IN THE SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE WILL SHORTLY BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
THE STANDING LIAISON COMMITTEE ON COMMERCIAL CRIME IS ALSO CONSIDERING THE PROBLEMS OF COMPUTER CRIME, FREEZING OF THE PROCEEDS OF CRIME AND +INERTIA SELLING* WHEREBY LOCAL COMPANIES OBTAIN MONEY BY ISSUING INVOICES TO OVERSEAS COMPANIES WHICH RESEMBLE BILLS AND MISLEAD THEM INTO MAKING PAYMENTS.
/JUVQJILE DELINQUENCY
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1984
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND CRIME
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS.TAK ING ACTION TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEMATIC PROGRAMME OF IN-SERVICE TRAINING ON MORAL EDUCATION-TO GIVE SCHOOLS MORE ADVICE ON ORGANISING GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING SYSTEMS- TO PREPARE A PAMPHLET ON THE SOCIAL SERVICES AVAILABLE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS” TO ENCOURAGE TEACHERS TO ADOPT A WIDER PERSPECTIVE OF THEIR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND TO GET UNIVERSITIES TO RUN MORE PART-TIME IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES ON STUDENT GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING.
IN JUNE AND JULY ABOUT 1 100 HEADS AND TEACHERS OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS ATTENDED ANOTHER SERIES OF DISTRICT SEMINARS ON UNRULY AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR, AND THE DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING A SECOND SURVEY ON THE SAME SUBJECT TO SUPPLEMENT THE ONE CARRIED OUT IN 1982.
IT HAS ALSO BEEN SUGGESTED THAT MORE IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATIONS BE CONDUCTED INTO FOUR MAJOR AREAS OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR -PHYSICAL VIOLENCE, STEALING, GAMBLING AND SUSPECTED INVOLVEMENT BY STUDENTS IN TRIAD ACTIVITIES.
TRIAD AND GANG ACTIVITIES
THE WORKING GROUP ON GANGS, SET UP IN MARCH THIS YEAR, IS CURRENTLY IDENTIFYING AREAS OF TRIAD OR GANG ACTIVITIES, AND ASCERTAINING THE EXTENT TO WHICH TRIADS ARE INVOLVED IN ORGANISED CRIME.
THE GROUP IS DISCUSSING THOSE PROBLEMS WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND HOPES TO SUBMIT ITS REPORT, AND RECOMMENDATIONS, TO THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE NEXT YEAR.
MEANWHILE, THE POLICE ARE CONTINUING THEIR TERRITORY-WIDE OPERATIONS TO DISRUPT BLATANT TRIAD ACTIVITIES.
VICE-ASSOCIATED ESTABLISHMENTS
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IS NOW CONSULTING DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES TO ASCERTAIN THEIR VIEWS ON A PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO MAKE PROVISIONAL CLOSURE ORDERS ON PREMISES WHERE NUISANCE CAUSED BY VICE ESTABLISHMENTS IS PROVED BY A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS, AND BY ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS.
/THE WOBKING .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1984
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THE WORKING GROUP ON VICE-ASSOCIATED ESTABLISHMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE CONCLUDED THAT SUCH AN APPROACH WOULD PLACE LESS STRESS ON INDIVIDUALS AND THAT IT WOULD OFFER LESS SCOPE FOR INTIMIDATION ON THE PART OF THE PROTECTORS OF THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANISED VICE. IT IS HOPED THAT A DRAFT BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED EARLY IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
PREVENT CRIME CAMPAIGN
EARLY INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE CAMPAIGN, LAUNCHED IN JULY, IS HAVING SOME EFFECT. REPORTED BURGLARIES IN THE THREE MONTHS BETWEEN JULY AND SEPTEMBER DROPPED BY 7.3 PER CENT TO 2 985. THE CAMPAIGN, USING THE THEMES +POLICE AND THE PEOPLE FIGHTING CRIME TOGETHER* AND +LOCK UP AND BEAT THE CRIMINALS* IS AIMED TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO TAKE SIMPLE, SENSIBLE AND INEXPENSIVE SECURITY PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR PROPERTY.
RESEARCH
THE RESEARCH SUB-COMMITTEE HAS IDENTIFIED TWO GROUPS TOWARDS WHICH IT CONSIDERS IT PRACTICAL TO DIRECT CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMMES! FIRST OFFENDERS AND RECENT LEGAL ARRIVALS. THE SUBCOMMITTEE IS ALSO STUDYING SHOPLIFTING, RECIDIVISTS, JUVENILE CRIME, LEGISLATION ON GAMBLING AND CRIME IN NEW TOWNS.
OTHER AREAS
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IS EDUCATING OCCUPANTS OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS TO MAKE THEM MORE SECURITY CONSCIOUS, AND IS CONSIDERING BETTER TRAINING FOR WATCHMEN, TO PREVENT ROBBERIES IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS. IT HAS ALSO PROPOSED A CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM WHICH, IT IS HOPED, WILL PREVENT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ENTERING CINEMAS TO SEE PORNOGRAPHIC AND VIOLENT FILMS.
+CRIME, AND THE EFFECTS OF CRIME, REACH INTO ALL AREAS OF SOCIETY AND-WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO CURB AND CONTAIN IT,* SIR PHILIP SAID.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1984
6
UMELCO DOCUMENT ON FUTURE TO BE TABLED * * * *
A STATEMENT WILL BE MADE BY DR THE HON HARRY FANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW ON THE UMELCO DOCUMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, WHICH WAS ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 29.
THE DOCUMENT WILL ALSO BE TABLED AT THE MEETING.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A STATEMENT BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, ON CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE.
TWELVE QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON A VARIETY OF MATTERS. THESE QUESTIONS WILL INCLUDE THE USE OF STEROID INJECTIONS BY ACUPUNCTURISTS. THE KCR TRAIN INCIDENTS, WARNING ON THE USE OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES, THE STATUS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF CHIROPRACTORS, AND THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS FOR HALF-WAY HOMES FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS AND DISCHARGED PRISONERS IN HOUSING ESTATES.
A NEW BILL, THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, WILL BE READ A SECOND TIME. IT SEEKS TO REMOVE A LIMITATION ON HOUSING AUTHORITY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP.
AND DEBATE WILL RESUME ON THE MEDICAL CLINICS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, WHICH IS DUE FOR COMMITTEE STAGE AND FINAL READING.
- - o - -
THIRD QUARTER EXPORT STATISTICS RELEASED X X X X
IN TERMS OF THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, THE SIX MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY GROUPS WERE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, WEARING APPAREL, TEXTILES, PLASTIC PRODUCTS, PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT, AND METAL PRODUCTS, ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.
TOGETHER THEY ACCOUNTED FOR 87 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
THESE SIX INDUSTRIES ALSO RECORDED THE LARGEST EXPORT INCREASES IN ABSOLUTE VALUE OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1983: WEARING APPAREL ROSE BY $2 274 MILLION, ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS BY $2 135 MILLION, TEXTILES BY $1 909 MILLION, PLASTIC PRODUCTS BY $1 607 MILLION, PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT BY $369 MILLION, AND METAL PRODUCTS BY $291 MILLION.
/IN RELATIVE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER A, 1984
- 7 -
IN RELATIVE TERMS, INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASES OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1983 WERE MINING AND QUARRYING (+188 PER CENT), AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PRODUCTION (+97 PER CENT), NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS (+84 PER CENT), PLASTIC PRODUCTS (+65 PER CENT), MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+57 PER CENT), AND FOOTWEAR (+57 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, SIGNIFICANT DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FROM THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1983 WERE RECORDED FOR TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (-$142 MILLION OR -75 PER CENT) AND LEATHER AND LEATHER PRODUCTS (-$23 MILLION OR -14 PER CENT).
THE ABOVE ARE SOME OF THE STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1984. THIS SERIES IS DERIVED BY RE-GROUPING ALL SIX-DIGIT MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS UNDER THE PRESENT EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE MERCHANDISE ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED. TRANSACTIONS IN GOLD AND SPECIE ARE EXCLUDED.
THE CLASSIFICATION OF MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN IS STRUCTURED UPON THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION OF ALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES (I.S.I.C.), AS DISTINCT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (S.l.T.C.) WHICH IS ADOPTED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
WHEN INTERPRETING THE RE-CLASSIFIED FIGURES, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE OVERALL VALUE OF A MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEM REQUIRING SEVERAL INTERMEDIATE PROCESSING STAGES IS WHOLLY ALLOCATED TO THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH IT IS FINALLY PRODUCED, ALTHOUGH THE INDUSTRY IS NOT REALLY THE SOLE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE VALUE.
BESIDES, THE CLASSIFICATION OF A MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEM TO A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE ENTIRE VALUE OF THE ITEM IS' ACTUALLY PRODUCED BY ESTABLISHMENTS OF THAT INDUSTRY, SINCE SOME MAY BE SECONDARY PRODUCTS PRODUCED BY ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED UNDER OTHER INDUSTRIES.
MORE STATISTICAL DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
/I• • « • • • •
TUESDAY, DECJXBER 4, 1984
8
VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR MERCHANDISE, RE-CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1983 AND OF 1984
(HKS’OOO)
MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS
INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN OF THE COMMODITIES EXPORTED 3RD QTR. 83 3RD QTR. 84 VALUE CHANGE % CHANGE
AGRICULTURAL, FORESTRY
AND FISHING
AGRICULTURAL, LIVESTOCK AND 1 887 3 709 1 822 97
POULTRY PRODUCTION •
OCEAN AND COASTAL FISHING 41 262 52 764 11 502 28
MINING AND QUARRYING 472 1 359 887 188
MANUFACTURING
FOOD 283 527 307 398 23 871 8
BEVERAGES 32 257 42 343 10 086 31
TOBACCO 68 136 98 982 30 846 45
TEXTILES (INCLUDING 5 294 393 7 203 873 1 909 480 36
KNITTING)
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT 6 713 425 8 987 329 2 273 904 34
FOOTWEAR AND KNITWEAR
LEATHER AND LEATHER PRODUCTS 159 003 136 319 -22 684 -14
FOOTWEAR 93 726 147 136 53 410 57
WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS, 154 583 198 575 43 992 28
FURNITURE AND FIXTURES
PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING 462 235 600 777 138 542 30
CHE ICALS AND CHEMICAL 271 663 410 941 139 278 51
PRODUCTS
/products :- .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 19^4
PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM AND COAL 9 64 63 -1 -2
RUBBER PRODUCTS 32 125 43 867 11 742 37
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2 476 150 4 082 953 1 606 803 65
NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS 94 630 173 837 79 207 84
BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 1 568 322 1 859 018 290 696 19
MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL 292 372 459 629 167 257 57
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 6 977 958 9 113 127 2 135 169 31
TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT .190 521 48 383 - 142 138 -75
PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT 2 609 410 2 978 817 369 407 14
OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 1 589 204 2 222 683 633 479 4Q
ELECTR ICITY 47 054 60 696 13 642 29
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
(E.G. DEVELOPED PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATES AND FILM, ANTIQUES, AND WORKS OF ART) 20 458 13 591 -6 867 -34
TOTAL 29 474 835 39 248 170 9 773 335 33 sz a
(INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES OF A COLUMN MAY CORRESPONDING TOTAL DUE TO ROUNDING.) NOT ADD UI 3 EXACTLY TO THE
FURTHER DETAILS OF DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS RE-CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY BE OBTAINED INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STAT (AT TELEPHONE 3-7224504). FOR MERCHANDISE FROM THE ISTICS DEPARTMENT
----C - -
/10
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1984
10
70 KM LANTAU HIKERS TRAIL OPENED * * * X
THE LANTAU TRAIL, A 70-KILOMETRE-LONG HIKERS’ ROUTE WHICH TRAVERSES THE LANTAU COUNTRY PARKS WHERE PICNICKERS CAN SEE AND ENJOY THE FINEST SCENERY ON THE ISLAND WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR J.M. RIDDELL-SWAN, AND THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF HEUNG YEE KUK, MR TSANG LIN.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY HELD AT NAM SHAN, ER RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD STARTED PLANNING ON THE LANTAU TRAIL AND ANOTHER ON HONG KONG ISLAND IN LATE 1983 TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR MORE CHALLENGING OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES.
♦ NOW, THE LANTAU TRAIL IS READY FOR USE AND THE HONG KONG TRAIL WILL BE COMPLETED SHORTLY,* HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT HE WAS SURE THE LANTAU TRAIL WOULD PROVE TO BE AS POPULAR AS THE MACLEHOSE TRAIL IS WITH HILL WALKERS.
HOWEVER, HE CAUTIONED:
+IT IS NO EASY WALK AND SOME OF THE MORE PRECIPITOUS SECTIONS SHOULD BE ATTEMPTED ONLY BY VERY EXPERIENCED HILL WALKERS,* HE SAID.
MR TSANG LIN, WHO JOINTLY OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, SAID THAT LANTAU ISLAND HAD BECOME VERY POPULAR WITH VISITORS SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNTRY PARKS IN 1978 AND THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
VISITORS HAD HOWEVER TENDED TO CONCENTRATE ON THE AREAS MOST EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT, PARTICULARLY ALONG BOTH SIDES OF SOUTH LANTAU ROAD AND THE BEACHES. AS A RESULT OTHER MORE SCENIC, BUT LESS EASILY ACCESSIBLE, AREAS HAD NOT BEEN FULLY REALISED.
+THE OPENING OF THIS LONG-DISTANCE TRAIL WILL NO DOUBT IMPROVE THIS SITUATION AND WILL MAKE OUR VISITORS MORE AWARE CF THE SCENIC BEAUTIES OF THIS LOVELY ISLAND,* MR TSANG SAID.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, MEMBERS OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD TOURED THE LANTAU COUNTRY PARKS TO SEE THE RECREATIONAL AMENITIES IN THE AREA.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE LANTAU TRAIL IS DIVIDED INTO TWELVE STAGES OF DIFFERENT LENGTHS.
/THE TRAIL .......
TUESDAY, DECB4BEH 4, 1984
11
THE TRAIL LINKS MANY POPULAR SCENIC PLACES ON LANTAU ISLAND -THE MATURE TREE PLANTATIONS AT NAM SHAN, THE SUNRISE SCENERY FROM LANTAU PEAK, THE TEMPLES AT NGONG PING, THE SHEK PIK RESERVOIR, THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE GARDEN OF NG YUEN AT LUNG TSAI, THE FISHING VILLAGE AT TAI 0, THE SPECTACULAR VIEW OF TIDAL WAVE AT FAN LAU, AND THE LONG BEACH AT CHEUNG SHA.
THE SHORTER STAGES ARE MORE SUITABLE FOR A LEISURELY DAY’S OUTING- AND THE LONGER ONES FOR WEEKEND CAMPING TRIPS.
THE SHORTER STAGES, SUITABLE FOR A FAMILY DAY-TRIP ARE FROM MUI WO TO NAM 3HAN, FROM SHEK PIK TO SHU I HAU, FROM SHU I HAU TO TUNG CHUNG ROAD, AND FROM TUNG CHUNG ROAD TO PUI 0.
THE TWO MOST DIFFICULT SECTIONS ARE FROM NAN SHAN VIA SUNSET PEAK TO PAK KUNG AU AND FROM PAK KUNG AU VIA LANTAU PEAK TO NGONG PING.
THESE ARE MOST-CHALLENGI NG AND COULD BECOME MORE DIFFICULT AND EVEN DANGEROUS IN POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS. HIKERS ON THESE SECTIONS SHOULD THEREFORE BE WELL EQUIPPED AND BE WELL EXPERIENCED IN MOUNTAIN WALKING.
A COLOURFUL PAMPHLET, ILLUSTRATING THE LANTAU TRAIL AND GIVING DETAILS OF ITS TWELVE STAGES WITH THE HELP OF A MAP TOGETHER WITH INFORMATION ON TRANSPORT FACILITIES HAS BEEN PRODUCED WITH THE SPONSORSHIP OF CAFE-DE-CORAL, FAST FOODS CHAIN.
THIS IS AVAILABLE FREE-OF-CHARGE FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, AND FROM ALL CAFE-DE-CORAL OUTLETS FROM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7.
A MAP OF THE LANTAU TRAIL TO THE SCALE OF Is 20 000 IS AVAILABLE AT $10 A COPY FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND AT THE MAP SALES OFFICE OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING.
------0 ------
NEW SUPREME COURT DESIGN WINS AWARD *****
THF DESIGN FOR THE NEW SUPREME COURT BUILDING WAo CHOSEN TODAY^CTUESDAY) AS THE WINNER IN THE -MAJOR WORKS SECT ION. OF THIS YEAR’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE A.'NUAL AWARDS SCHEME.
THE SCHEME, WHICH WAS FIRST HELD LAST YEAR AIMS TO IMPROVE DESIGN QUALITY OF THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
/THE PANEL........
TUESDAY, JECD'iBER 4, 19&4
12 -
THE PANEL OF ASSESSORS, COMPRISING THE CHAIRMAN OF'THE •JRfcAN COUNCIL MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, PROFESSOR SHIH HSIO-YEN, ^ROFrSSOR OF FINE ARTS, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, AND MR JACKSON WONG S WONG AND OUYANG AND ASSOCIATES’, WAS CHAIRED BY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT, MR JOSE LEI.
THE AWARD IN THE +MINOR WORKS SECTION* WENT TO THE DESIGN FOR SHEUNG YIU FOLK MUSEUM IN NORTH SAI KUNG.
THE DESIGN FOR THE*KING’S PARK HOCKEY GROUND, WHICH CAN BE USED UNDER ANY WEATHER CONDITIONS WAS-GIVEN A SPECIAL AWARD.
THERE WERE NINE ENTRIES COMPETING FOR THE AWARDS AND THE WINNERS wILL BE PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES LATER.
ACCORDING TO THE JUDGES, THE NEW SUPREME COURT BUILDING IN QUEENSwAY PROVIDED -A CHALLENGE TO THE DESIGNERS.
THE SITE DIFFICULTIES, SUCH AS THE STEEP SLOPE AT THE REAR, MAIN ACCESS FROM V CTOR IA BARRACKS AND THE PROBLEM OF HAVING ONE COURT ON TOP OF ANOTHER, WERE SATISFACTORILY RESOLVED BY THE DESIGN TEAM.
*c FOR THE MUSEUM’ THE PANEL COMMENDED THE DESIGNERS FOR THE REUSE OF SALVAGED MATERIALS AND FOR CARRYING OUT EXTENSIVE RENOVATION WORK AND YET RETAINING THE ORIGINAL APPEARANCE - ALL DONE WITH A VERY LIMITED BUDGET OF $700 000.
THf PANEL AGREED THAT THE KING’S PARK HOCKEY GROUND DESIGN DID NOT“FIT INTO ANY PARTICULAR CATEGORY. IT DESERVED A SPECIAL AWARD BECAUSE OF THE SIMPLE, YET FUNCTIONAL AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF THE EXTERIOR.
MR LEI SAID THAT IN 1983-84 190 MAJOR BUILDING PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, WITH THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE TOTALLING ABOUT $2 BILLION.
LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 12 PROJECTS COMPETING FOR THE AWARDS. THE HONG KONG COLISEUM AND THE AMENITIES BUILDING AT OSBORN BARRACKS W^RE THE WINNERS.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1984
NEW LAW OFFICERS
* * *
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS HAS APPROVED THE PROMOTION OF MR JOSEPH DUFFY, Q.C. AND MR JAMES FINDLAY TO THE RANK OF LAW OFFICER.
MR DUFFY HAS BEEN FILLING THE POST OF CROWN PROSECUTOR IN PLACE OF THE LATE MR MAX LUCAS, Q.C. SINCE AUGUST 1984.
MR FINDLAY HAS BEEN FILLING THE POST OF SOLICITOR GENERAL IN, PLACE OF MR RAYMOND ASTIN WHO WAS APPOINTED COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING IN OCTOBER 1984.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THESE OFFICERS FOLLOW:
MR J.M. DUFFY, Q.C.
AGED 47. JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN APRIL 1972 AS A CROWN COUNSEL AFTER SEVEN YEARS’ PRIVATE PRACTICE IN SCOTLAND. LEFT THE CIVIL SERVICE IN NOVEMBER 1976 FOR PRIVATE PRACTICE. REAPPOINTED CROWN COUNSEL IN APRIL 1978. PROMOTED TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL IN APRIL 1979 AND TO PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN APRIL 1980. THROUGHOUT HIS SERVICE IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, HE HAS SERVED IN THE PROSECUTIONS DIVISION. HE HAS ACTED AS CROWN PROSECUTOR ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.
MR J.K. FINDLAY
AGED 48. FOLLOWING A PERIOD OF PRIVATE PRACTICE IN RHODESIA, HE WORKED IN THE CROWN OFFICE OF EDINBURGH AND THE LORD ADVOCATE’S DEPARTMENT IN LONDON SPECIALISING IN LAW DRAFTING. HE JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN FEBRUARY 1981, AND WAS PROMOTED TO PRINICPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN FEBRUARY 1982. HE HAS ACTED AS SOLICITOR GENERAL PREVIOUSLY.
-------c ---------
LIFE SAVING SOCIETY PRAISED FOR SERVICE H * X X X
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY (TUESDAY) PRAISED THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE ROYAL life Saving society for its work and service to the community.
IN OPENING THE FIFTH ASIA PACIFIC LIFE SAVING CONFERENCE AND LIFE SAVING CHAMPIONSHIPS AT THE LORD MOUNTBATTEN YOUTH RECREATION CENTRE, MR AKERS-JONES SAID., +COMMITMENT TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IS A DISTINCTIVE FEATURE OF THE LIFE-GUARD .MOVEMENT. +
/+IT IS .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1984
14
+IT IS INDEED A GREAT HONOUR FOR HONG KONG TO BE ASKED TO THE CONFERENCE FOR A SECOND TIME, AND THIS IS NO DOUBT IN RECOGNITION OF THE SUCCESS AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY OF THE ROYAL LIFE SAV I NG SOCIETY’S HONG KONG BRANCH, FOR IT IS NO SMALL ACHIEVEMENT TO RECORD THAT 17 OOO PEOPLE OWE THEIR LIVES TO THE WORK OF THE LIFEGUARDS IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
♦JUST AS THERE IS A CONTINUING AND GROWING EMPHASIS ON RECREATION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN ALL THE COUNTRIES REPRESENTED AT THIS CONFERENCE, THERE MUST ALSO BE A COMMENSURATE EFFORT TO INTENSIFY TRAINING AND IMPROVE TECHNIQUES BY REGULAR INSTRUCTION TRAINING COURSES, SO AS TO ENSURE THAT STANDARDS OF SAFETY MAINTAINED AND IMPROVED,+ HE ADDED.
AND ARE
MR AKERS-JONES ALSO READ MESSAGES FROM THE QUEEN WHO IS THE PATRON OF THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY AND FROM THE COMMONWEALTH PRESIDENT, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE MICHAEL OF KENT.
THE QUEEN SENT HER BEST WISHES TO ALL THE DELEGATES FOR A MOST SUCCESSFUL CONFERENCE.
IN HIS MESSAGE, PRINCE MICHAEL SAID THAT THE FIRST ASIA PACIFIC LIFE SAVING CONFERENCE WAS CONVENED IN HONG KONG IN 1978 IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN THE BONDS BETWEEN SOCIETY BRANCHES IN THE YEARS BETWEEN THE QUINQUENNIAL CONFERENCES IN LONDON.
♦I BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN TAKE JUSTIFIABLE PRIDEIN THE RECORD OF FIVE GATHERINGS IN YOUR REGION, AND DERIVE MUCH BENEFIT FROM THIS PRESENT MEETING FOR THE CHALLENGE OF
“ -- ALL COMMITTED,+ THE MESSAGE READ.
LIFESAVING TO WHICH WE ARE
- - 0 -----------
FIREWORKS DISPLAY SET FOR SUNDAY * * * *
COORDINATING (WEDNESDAY) TO THE FIREWORKS NEW YEAR SEASON.
LIGHTING TOMORROW
AND FESTIVE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT FOR DISPLAY ON DECEMBER 9 TO MARK THE CHRISTMAS AND
THE SHA TIN FIREWORKS
SENIOR TRANSPORT OFFICER, MR PETER LAU AND OF POLICE, MR STEPHEN VERRALS WILL SPEAK AT THE 3 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF SHA TIN DISTRICT SIXTH FLOOR OF KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
SENIOR INSPECTOR CONFERENCE, AT OFFICE ON THE
ALSO ATTENDING WILL BE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM WOO-KWONG, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR WONG PO-MING, THE JAPANESE FIREWORKS MASTER, MR OGATS’J OF THE MA L’™MAYA PYROTECHNICS COMPANY AND THE DIRECTOR OF YAOHAN DEPARTMENT STORE LIMITED, MR HIDE ICHI TOKUHISA.
/15........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1984
15
$2M BONSAI SHOW SET FOR SUNDAY M * M *
PRECIOUS COLLECTIONS OF STALAGMITE AND PLANTS WORTH OVER
*2 MILLION WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN A BONSAI AND HORTICULTURAL SHOW TO BE OPENED ON SUNDAY AT SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE, TSUEN WAN.
THERE WILL BE MORE THAN 140 PIECES OF PLANTS, SOME OF THEM RARE SPECIES, IN THE SHOW, ORGANISED AS A HIGHLIGHT OF THE ESTATE’S +OPEN DAY+ CELEBRATING THE HOUSING FESTIVAL '84.
AMONG THE PLANTS WILL BE AN 100-YEAR-0LD TREE, BELIEVED TO HAVE COME FROM A PALACE COLLECTIONS GOING BACK TO THE CHING DYNASTY. OTHERS INCLUDE VARIOUS COLLECTIONS OF STRANGELY-SHAPED STALAGMITE.
THE SHOW, PRESENTED WITH THE- ASSISTANCE OF THE YUEN YUEN INSTITUTE, WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOLLOWING AN OPENING CEREMONY AT THE ESTATE’S OPEN CARPARK NEAR THE SHEK LAN HOUSE. IT WILL REMAIN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM’ 10 AM TO 5 PM DAILY UNTIL DECEMBER 13.
OTHER EVENTS OF THE DAY WILL INCLUDE A GAMES DAY FOR CHILDREN AND A VARIETY SHOW.
-----o-----
TEACHING KIT TO PROMOTE MORAL EDUCATION
* * *
A TEACHING KIT FOR THE PROMOTION OF MORAL EDUCATION IS BEING GIVEN TO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR A TRIAL PERIOD.
TEACHERS USING THE KIT IN THEIR CLASSES WILL BE ASKED TO COMPLETE AN EVALUATION FORM AFTER SEVEN MONTHS, AND RETURN IT BY JULY 10, NEXT YEAR, TO THE RELIGIOUS-ETHICAL EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 5/F., LEE GARDENS, HONG KONG.
THE KIT, WHICH HAS THE TITLE +QUOTABLE QUOTES FROM NATIONAL,+ COMPRISES A VIDEO-CASSETTE TAPE AND A TEACHERS’ GUIDE.
SCHOOL HEADS SHOULD COMPLETE A COLLECTION SLIP AND OBTAIN THE TEACHING KIT ON DECEMBER 12 OR 13 FROM THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SECTION, ROOM 515, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT THE SECTION ON 5-8392481.
-------0----------
/16........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1984
16
SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAMS TO PLAY ABROAD *****
THE 1984 SCHOOL BASKETBALL TRAINING SCHEME WILL END TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AND FOUR TEAMS COMPRISING OUTSTANDING PLAYERS SELECTED THROUGH THE PROGRAMME WILL BE PLAYING MATCHES ABROAD.
A TEAM WITH BOYS UNDER THE AGE OF 14, AND ANOTHER WITH GIRLS UNDER 17, WILL BE IN MACAU FROM DECEMBER 7 TO 9 TO PLAY SCHOOL TEAMS THERE.
TWO OTHER TEAMS MADE UP OF BOYS BETWEEN 16 AND 18 WILL BE PLAYING IN TOKYO FROM DECEMBER 19 TO 24.
THE ANNUAL TRAINING SCHEME IS IMPLEMENTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT SPORTS DEVELOPMENT SCHEME FOR YOUTH PROPOSED IN 1983.
A CLOSING CEREMONY FOR THE SCHEME WILL BE HELD TOMORROW, TO BE FOLLOWED BY A SEND-OFF PARTY FOR THE TEAMS.
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR DICKEN YUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE FUNCTIONS.
------0-------
FIRE CHIEF TO MEET MEDIA * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR ROBERT HOLMES, WILL MEET THE MEDIA ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 6) AT 4 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
-----0------
TSI NG Yl BRIDGE IN TENTH YEAR * * * *
THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TSI NG Yl BRIDGE WILL BE CELEBRATED NEXT WEEK WITH A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES.
DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl, MR TAM WING-PONG AT 3 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KWAI CHUNG SUB-DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS ON THE 1QTH FLOOR OF THE KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES (NEXT TO THE KWAI HING MTR STATION), AT 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN CF THE TSI NG Yl RURAL COMMITTEE, MR CHAN TIN-SUNG, THE CHAIRMAN CF THE PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE CELEBRATIONS ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR LEUNG HUNG, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONSORTIUM THAT BUILT THE BRIDGE.
------0-------
/1?........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1984
17
FINAL EARTH COVER FOR CONTROLLED TIP * * * *
WORK HAS STARTED ON THE FINAL EARTH COVER FOR THE SIU LANG SHU I CONTROLLED TIP OFF LUNG MUN ROAD, TUEN MUN.
A $7.2 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ASSOCIATED STORMWATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM, HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE PROJECT FORMS THE LAST PHASE OF THE CONTROLLED TIP AND WILL TAKE ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE, PROVIDING ABOUT 1.6 HECTARES OF OPEN SPACE FOR RECREATIONAL AND AMENITY USE.
IN THE FIRST PHASE, A ROADWAY FROM PILLAR POINT TO SIU LANG SHU I WAS CONSTRUCTED BETWEEN MARCH' 1976 AND NOVEMBER 1977.
WORK ON THE SECOND PHASE, COMPRISING SITE PREPARATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN ACCESS ROAD, STARTED IN MAY 1978 AND WAS COMPLETED IN JANUARY 1980.
IN THE THIRD AND FOURTH PHASES, FILLING OF THE CONTROLLED TIP BY THE SANITARY LANDFILL METHOD CONTINUED TOGETHER WITH THE ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS.
SANITARY LANDFILL CONSISTS OF THE SPREADING OF REFUSE IN LAYERS, COVERING EACH LAYER WITH EARTH AS TIPPING PROCEEDS, AND SEALING OFF ALL WORKING FACES AT THE CONCLUSION OF EACH DAY’S WORK TO PREVENT NOXIOUS SMELL, TO CONTROL VERMIN AND TO ELIMINATE HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARDS.
- 0 -
PEAK TRAM MAINTENANCE * * *
PEAK TRAM SERVICES WILL t CURTAILED ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 6) EVENING FOR MAINTENANCE WORK, WITH THE LAST DEPARTURES FROM BOTH TERMINI BEING AT 10 PM.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
UMELCO PAPER ON DRAFT AGREEMENT TABLED .....<•............. 1
FULL STATEMENT ON KCR INCIDENT DUE ........................ 2
CARE FOR THE ELDERLY EXPLAINED ............................ 5
MORE FLEXIBILITY SOUGHT ................................... 4
S1 294.&1 SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION APPROVED ................ 5
action taken on taxi problem .............................. 6
'CHIROPRACTORS n6t DEEMED'REGISTERED DOCTORS' ............. 6
66 CAUGHT FOR ILLEGAL DRUG SALES .......................... 7
THOUGHT GIVEN TO LIGHTS FOR CROSSING ...................... 7
ILLEGAL MEDICAL PRACTICES REPORTED .’...................... 8
PILL USERS WARNED OF SIDE EFFECTS ......................... 8
LAND BENEATH FLYOVERS PUT TO GOOD USE ..................... 9
PLANS TO MEET' 'SHORTFALL OF HALF-WAY HOUSES .............. 9
/78 PER...........
78 PER CENT OF PROPOSALS REVIEWED............................ 10
NO EFFECT FROM CHANGEOVER ................................... 10
ONE BILL PASSED, ANOTHER INTRODUCED.......................... 10
HK GROUP MEETS PRIME MINISTER ................................... 11
PATIENCE URGED IN ’A UNIQUE SITUATION’ .......................... 12
STUDENT SPORTSMEN NEED SUPPORT .................................. 14
OX GOLD COINS GOING ON SALE................................. 15
LIFEGUARDS KEEP SWIMMING CASUALTIES DOWN.....................- 15
BRIGHT* 'CHRISTMAS IN KWUN TONG................................ 16
LABOUR LAW OFFENDERS FINED ...................................... 17
CHINESE DELEGATES STUDY HK HOUSING .............................. 17
MORE PLACES FOR TECHNICAL STUDENTS .............................. 17
YUEN LONG SITE TO ’LET .......................................... 18
SAFETY AWARDS FOR WORKERS ...................................... '18
DB TO HEAR ABOUT HOUSING PLANS .................................. 19
TRAFFIC MEASURES FOR SHA TIN FIREWORKS DISPLAY................... 19
EARLY MORNING ROAD WORK ......................................... 22
N.T. TAXI RESTRICTED, PROHIBITED ZONES IN SHA TIN................ 22
NEW MEASURES IN CAUSEWAY BAY FOR PLB’S .......................... 24
FORMER GOVERNOR TO MEET PRESS ................................... 24
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
UMELCO PAPER ON DRAFT AGREEMENT TABLED
* * *
THE UMELCO LONDON DELEGATION’S POSITION PAPER, SENT TO MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IN LONDON AND ALSO DISTRIBUTED LOCALLY, WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE 1 200-WORD STATEMENT WAS PUBLISHED ON NOVEMBER 29, THE DAY BEFORE THE DELEGATION LEFT FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM.
IT LISTS FEARS AND ANXIETIES HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED OVER THE DRAFT AGREEMENT.
DR THE HON HARRY FANG TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE PRESENT DELEGATION WAS THE SECOND TO LONDON WITHIN A YEAR TO REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE HERE BEFORE THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
ITS MAIN PURPOSE WAS TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF BOTH HOUSES
TO UNDERSTAND THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY THE VARIOUS CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS OF DETAIL WHICH HAD BEEN RAISED SINCE PUBLICATION OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON SEPTEMBER 26.
HE SAID THE STATEMENT SET OUT THE POSITION OF UMELCO ON THIS JOINT DECLARATION.
IT REFLECTED VIEWS EXPRESSED BY VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY ON THE FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG AFTER 1997 AS PRESENTED IN THE DRAFT AGREEMENT.
DR FANG SAID WHEN THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE HON SIR S.Y. CHUNG, RETURNED FROM UMELCO’S LAST MISSION TO LONDON IN MAY HE STATED THAT THE VISIT WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING* UMELCO AND ALL IN HONG KONG HAD A GREAT DEAL OF WORK AHEAD IF THEY WERE TO SECURE A GOOD FUTURE NOT ONLY FOR THE PRESENT GENERATION BUT ALSO FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
♦LATER THIS MONTH, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL WITNESS THE FORMAL CONCLUSION OF THE SINO-BRITISH NEGOTIATIONS,* DR FANG SAID.
♦HOWEVER, THIS IS STILL BY NO MEANS THE END OF THE PROCESS OF SECURING A STABLE AND PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR HONG KONGl BUT RATHER IT IS THE END OF THE BEGINNING AND MARKS THE OPENING OF A NEW CHAPTER IN OUR HI STORY.+
HE SAID THE UMELCO PAPER STATED THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WERE READY AND WILLING TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE OF THE NEW CIRCUMSTANCES THEY FACED.
IT ALSO SAID, GIVEN THE UNDERSTANDING AND SENSITIVITY OF THE TWO SIGNATORY GOVERNMENTS AND THEIR FIRM COMMITMENT TO ELEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION IN BOTH LETTER AND SPIRIT, IXtY WOULD SUCCEED NOT ONLY IN MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, BUT ALSO IN MAKING THE DRAFT AGREEMENT WORK.
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/2......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1934
2 -
FULL STATEMENT ON KCR INCIDENT DUE * * *
AFTER CONSIDERING THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY REPORT ON THE RECENT TRAIN INCIDENTS, THE GOVERNOR WILL DECIDE WHETHER A PUBLIC ENQUIRY IS NEEDED AND WHAT FORM IT MAY TAKE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
♦WHATEVER HIS DECISION MAY BE, THERE WILL IN ANY CASE BE A FULL PUBLIC STATEMENT, BECAUSE THE KCRC AND THE GOVERNMENT ARE MOST FULLY AWARE THAT IN SUCH MATTERS, THE MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IS ESSENTIAL,+ MR SCOTT SAID.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION ON THE SUBJECT FROM THE HON PAULINE NG.
MR SCOTT TOLD THE COUNCIL THE PROCEDURES FOR INFORMING PASSENGERS OF THE LIKELY EFFECTS OF DISRUPTION IN KCRC SERVICES WERE UNDER REVIEW.
♦A BALANCE HAS TO BE FOUND BETWEEN INCONVENIENCING PASSENGERS ON THE SYSTEM BY KEEPING THEM WAITING WHILE THE LIKELY LEVEL OF SERVICE DISRUPTION IS ASSESSED, AND FRUSTRATING INTENDING PASSENGERS BY ANNOUNCING THAT SERVICES ARE DISRUPTED
FOR INDEFINITE PERIODS.
♦THE KCRC HAS ALREADY DECIDED TO STRENGTHEN THE EMERGENCY PASSENGER SERVICE TEAMS WHICH ARE SENT OUT TO STATIONS AFFECTED BY DISRUPTED SERVICE,+ HE REPORTED.
MR SCOTT SAID THAT LIKE THE COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DISRUPTIONS IN TRAIN SERVICES AND HAD BEEN OBSERVING THE MATTER CLOSELY.
UNDER THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE, THE KCRC IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EFFICIENT AND SAFE OPERATION OF ITS SERVICES.
INSPECTORS MAY BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. UNDER THE ORDINANCE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENSURING THE SAFETY OF THE RAILWAY AND OF INVESTIGATING ANY ACCIDENT ON ANY PART OF THE RAILWAY.
♦INSPECTORS HAVE BEEN SO APPOINTED FOR THE FORMER PURPOSE FOR MANY YEARS, THE MOST RECENT BEING THE FINAL INSPECTION IN MID-1983 BY AN INSPECTOR OF RAILWAYS OF THE UK MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT BEFORE THE PUBLIC OPENING OF THE FINAL STAGE OF ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KCR.
♦THE INSPECTOR HAS BEEN INVITED TO RETURN EARLY IN 1985, SOMEWHAT EARLIER THAN WAS ENVISAGED FOR HIS REGULAR VISIT,+ MT SCOTT SAID.
/THE ORDINANCE .......
WEDNESDAY, DECIMBEE 5, 1984
5
THE ORDINANCE FURTHER PROVIDES THAT THE CHIEF SECRETARY MAY DIRECT THE CORPORATION TO CARRY OUT SUCH WORKS OR TAKE SUCH STEPS AS MAY BE NECESSARY IN REGARD TO PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND METHODS OF OPERATION.
AN INTERNAL COMMITTEE WAS SET UP BY THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE CORPORATION TO INVESTIGATE INCIDENTS WHICH HAD OCCURRED SINCE ELECTRIFICATION OF THE RAILWAY, MR SCOTT SAID.
IT WILL REPORT FULLY WITH RECOMMENDATIONS IN MID-JANUARY 1985.
♦ IN ANY CASE, WHENEVER A BREAKDOWN HAS OCCURRED, THE FAULT HAS BEEN CHECKED THROUGH THE WHOLE SYSTEM AND NECESSARY CORRECTIONS MADE.
♦ A COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION OF THE OVERHEAD CABLE SYSTEM IS IN PROGRESS AND ANY RESULTANT MEASURES WHICH ARE FOUND TO BE NECESSARY WILL BE TAKEN.
+THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE WILL BE FORWARDED TO GOVERNMENT,* HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE DERAILMENT ON NOVEMBER 25, THE KCRC MANAGEMENT HAD HELD AN ENQUIRY INTO THE INCIDENT AND WAS ABOUT TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS TO THE BOARD. THIS REPORT HAD BEEN SENT TO THE GOVERNMENT.
♦ THE FINDINGS OF THE ENQUIRY INDICATE THAT THE INCIDENT WAS DUE TO HUMAN ERROR, AND NOT DUE TO ANY SYSTEM FAILURE.
♦ IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS HAS AT NO TIME BEEN IN QUESTION,* HE SAID.
--------o---------
CARE FOR THE ELDERLY EXPLAINED
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVE OF PROMOTING THE WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY THROUGH CARE IN THE COMMUNITY AND BY THE COMMUNITY APPLIED TO THE WHOLE TERRITORY INCLUDING THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID THIS TODAY, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE OBJECTIVE WAS SET OUT IN THE 1979 SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER +SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1980’S*.
HE SAID THERE WERE TWO MAIN ELEMENTS IN THE GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING THIS OBJECTIVE.
/♦FIRST, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 19B4
4
♦FIRST, THE PROVISION OF A RANGE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CASH BENEFITS TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO LOOK AFTER THEIR ELDERLY MEMBERS, OR TO ENABLE OLD PEOPLE ON THEIR OWN TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, AND IN DIGNITY, IN THE COMMUNITY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
♦SECOND, THE PROVISION OF RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES FOR THOSE WHO, FOR HEALTH OR OTHER REASONS, CAN NO LONGER LIVE WITH THEIR FAMILIES OR ON THEIR OWN IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.+
THIS TERRITORY-WIDE STRATEGY ALSO APPLIED TO THE OUTLYING ISLANDS, MR CHAMBERS SAID, ALTHOUGH BECAUSE THE POPULATION IN THESE AREAS WAS SCATTERED, THERE WERE PROBLEMS IN PLANNING SERVICES IN SUCH A WAY AS TO MAKE THEM ACCESSIBLE TO THE ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO NEEDED THEM.
MR YEUNG ALSO ASKED ABOUT THE SITUATION IN TAI 0. +TAI 0 IS A PARTICULARLY ISOLATED SETTLEMENT, BUT IT DOES HAVE A LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TEAM WHICH ORGANISES VARIOUS PROGRAMMES FOR THE ELDERLY,+ MR CHAMBERS SAID.
PLANS WERE ALSO IN HAND TO PROVIDE A 40-PLACE HOME FOR THE AGED IN TAI 0 BY 1986, HE ADDED.
----0------
MORE FLEXIBILITY SOUGHT
******
THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 AIMED AT ALLOWING MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR CO-OPTING MEMBERS TO HOUSING AUTHORITY COMMITTEES, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID IT SOUGHT TO REMOVE THE LIMITATION THAT THE MAJORITY OF ANY COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY MUST BE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY.
♦ SECTION 7 OF THE HOUSING ORDINANCE EMPOWERS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO APPOINT COMMITTEES FOR THE BETTER DISCHARGE OF ITS FUNCTION UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
♦ A COMMITTEE SO APPOINTED MAY INCLUDE PERSONS WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY PROVIDED THAT AT LEAST TWO-THIRDS OF ITS btMBERS ARE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY.
♦ WHILE THIS PROVISO ENSURES THAT MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY HAVE A MAJORITY PARTICIPATION IN THE DELIBERATION OF ITS COMMITTEES, IT NNECESSARILY RESTRICTS THE NUMBER OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS ON EACH COMMITTEE.+
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/5......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
- 5 -
$1 294.6M SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION APPROVED * * * *
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1984-85 AMOUNTED TO $1 294.6 MILLION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
OF THIS SUM, $1 004.5 MILLION WAS FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE ISSUE OF GOVERNMENT BONDS TO THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND TO REFLECT GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION OF APPLYING SUCH PROCEEDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRODUCTIVE CAPITAL INVESTMENT.
♦OTHER MAJOR PROVISIONS WERE $92.7 MILLION AND 889.9 MILLION FOR THE RESPECTIVE PAYMENT OF INCREASED GRANTS TO THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE UNIVERSITIES, POLYTECHNICS AND THE BAPTIST COLLEGE AS A RESULT OF THE 1984 CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES REVISION; $50.1 MILLION FOR THE PAYMENT OF INTEREST TO BOND HOLDERS AND SERVICE CHARGES TO THE PAYMENT AGENT; $11.4 MILLION FOR A GRANT FOR THE FITTING OUT OF TEMPORARY PREMISES FOR THE CITY POLYTECHNIC,+ HE SAID.
OTHER ITEMS INCLUDE $10.4 MILLION FOR THE PAYMENT TO THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL AS A RESULT OF REVISED RATES FOR THE USE OF FACILITIES AT THE HOSPITAL; $8.6 MILLION TO MEET EXPEND ITURt FOR THE CONTINUED APPOINTMENT OF INSPECTORS TO INVESTIGATE THE AFFAIRS OF EDA INVESTMENTS LIMITED AND THE CARRIAN GROUP; AND $8.1 MILLION TO MEET AN INCREASED DEMAND FOR REFUND OF REVENUE.
♦THE TRANSFER OF THE BOND PROCEEDS TO THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND IS COUPLED BY THE RESERVATION OF AN EQUIVALENT AMOUNT IN THE ORIGINAL PROVISION FOR PAYMENT TO THE FUND,* SIR JOHN SAID.
♦THE OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION APPROVED HAVE BEEN OFFSET EITHER BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME OR OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE OR BY DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS VOTES,* HE ADDED.
■••DURING THE QUARTER, A NET INCREASE OF 1 405 POSTS WAS APPROVED, INCLUDING POSTS FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE URBAN COUNCIL,* SIR JOHN SAID.
HE NOTED THAT APPROVED COMMITMENTS HAD BEEN INCREASED BY $51.5 MILLION AND NEW COMMITMENTS OF $104 MILLION HAD BEEN APPROVED. THESE REPRESENTED A 10.6 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE TOTAL COMMITMENT OF $3 044.9 MILLION IN THE 1984-85 ESTIMATES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ITEMS IN THE SUMMARY HAD BEEN APPROVED EITHER BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY.
0 -
/6
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
6
ACTION TAKEN ON TAXI PROBLEM * * K *
THERE HAD BEEN NO PROSECUTIONS OF TAXI DRIVERS FOR REFUSING TO ACCEPT A HIRE ACTUALLY IN THE VICINITY OF TAI KOK TSUI PIER ITSELF DURING THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
AND THERE HAD BEEN NO REPORTS TO THE POLICE ALLEGING THIS OFFENCE, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, EARLIER THIS YEAR, TAXIS IN THIS AREA, WHEN THE TAXI METRES FROM THE PIER, HE ADDED.
THERE HAD BEEN PROBLEMS WITH
STAND WAS SITUATED ABOUT 100
ACTION HAD THEN BEEN TAKEN FIRST, BY THE RHKPF THROUGH ENFORCEMENT ACTION INCLUDING THE PROSECUTION ON AUGUST 13 OF A TAXI DRIVER FOR SOLICITING FOR HIRE, AND SECOND, BY MOVING THE TAXI STAND NEARER TO THE PIER.
+1 AM INFORMED THERE HAS NOT BEEN FURTHER TROUBLE SINCE THEN, BUT THE POLICE ARE MONITORING THE SITUATION AND WILL TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AS NECESSARY.
♦IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED IF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO SUFFER FROM SUCH ILLEGAL BEHAVIOUR WOULD REPORT THE MATTER PROMPTLY TO THE POLICE, WITH APPROPRIATE DETAILS,* HE SAID.
- - 0 ---------
'CHIROPRACTORS NOT DEEMED REGISTERED DOCTORS’ * * * *
CHIROPRACTORS WERE NOT DEEMED REGISTERED DOCTORS, AND CHIROPRACTIC WAS NOT RECOGNISED AS A PARAMEDICAL SERVICE IN HONG KONG, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR THE HON K.L. THONG SAID TODAY.
AS THERE WAS NO LEGISLATION GOVERNING CHIROPRACTIC IN HONG KONG, THERE WAS NO NEED FOR CHIROPRACTORS TO HAVE CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO PRACTISE HERE, HE SAID.
NO MEDICAL OR PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONS IN HONG KONG WERE REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, FE SAID. THESE PROFESSIONS WERE GOVERNED BY INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODIES WHICH PROVIDED THE PROCEDURES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF THE RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONS.
HE QUOTED SECTION 28 OF THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION ORDINANCE, WHICH STATES: +ANY PERSON WHO WILFULLY AND FALSELY PRETENDS TO BE QUALIFIED, OR TAKES OR USES ANY NAME OR TITLE IMPLYING THAT HE IS QUALIFIED, TO PRACTISE MEDICINE OR SURGERY... SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE.*
+THUS, IT FOLLOWS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE NO OBJECTION TO ANY TITLE OR CHINESE TRANSLATION OF THAT TITLE USED BY ANY PERSON AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT IMPLY THAT HE IS QUALIFIED TO PRACTISE MEDICINE OR SURGERY IN HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
- 0------------
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
7
66 CAUGHT FOR ILLEGAL DRUG SALES
* * *
SIXTY-SIX CASES OF ILLEGAL SALE OF POTENT DRUGS ON THE POISONS LIST CLASSIFIED AS PART 1 SCHEDULE 3 POISONS WERE BROUGHT TO COURT BETWEEN JANUARY AND DECEMBER LAST YEAR - AND ALL WERE SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY DR THE HON K.L. THONG, DIRECTOR OF hFDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CARL TONG AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THESE POISON DRUGS WERE REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE SOLD BY AUTHORISED SELLERS UNDER SUPERVISION OF REGISTERED PHARMACISTS AND ONLY AGAINST PRESCRIPTIONS ISSUED BY AUTHORISED PERSONS SUCH AS DOCTORS.
DR THONG TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT RECORDS SHOWED THAT 6 638 INSPECTIONS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT, LEADING TO DISCOVERY OF THE 66 CASES.
AND STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS, HE SAID.
-----o------
THOUGHT GIVEN TO LIGHTS FOR CROSSING
* * X
THE NEED FOR A LIGHT-CONTROLLED CROSSING AT A ZEBRA CROSSING ON POK FU LAM ROAD WAS BEING CONSIDERED, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THERE HAD BEEN FATAL ACCIDENTS AT THIS PEDESTRIAN CROSSING, ICAR HOUSE 140-142.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HARRY FANG, MR SCOTT SAID THE CONSIDERATION WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE PEDESTRIAN AND TRAFFIC FLOWS AT THE LOCATION AND THE SAFETY OF USERS.
A SURVEY TO RECORD THE PRESENT TRAFFIC FLOWS WOULD BE FINISHED THIS WEEK, HE SAID.
MR SCOTT REPORTED THAT IN THE 24 MONTHS TO SEPTEMBER, THERE WAS ONE SLIGHT AND ONE SERIOUS PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT AT OR NEAR THE CROSSING.
HOWEVER, ON OCTOBER 25, IN ONE INCIDENT, A GOODS VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A FAMILY OF THREE ON THE CROSSING. ONE PERSON DIED AND THE OTHER TWO WERE INJURED.
MR SCOTT SAID CHARGES AGAINST THE DRIVER WERE BEING CONSIDERED.
THERE HAD BEEN TWO OTHER FATALITIES, ONE BEING 120 METRES NORTH AND THE OTHER 120 METRES SOUTH OF THE CROSSING, HE SAID.
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/8......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
- 8 -
ILLEGAL MEDICAL PRACTICES REPORTED
* * *
ALTOGETHER NINE CASES OF PERSONS WHO WERE ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN PRACTISING WESTERN MEDICINE ILLEGALLY BY USING STEROID INJECTIONS ON PATIENTS HAD BEEN REPORTED BY DOCTORS.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR THE HON K.L. THONG, IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS RAISED “BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
DR THONG INFORMED THE COUNCIL THAT ALL NINE CASES HAD BEEN REFERRED IMMEDIATELY BY HIS DEPARTMENT TO THE POLICE FOR ACTIONS.
TO DATE, THE POLICE HAD CARRIED OUT RAIDS ON SIX PREMISES AND ACTION WAS STILL PENDING ON THE REMAINING THREE CASES, HE SAID.
+PRESUMABLY, WHEN INVESTIGATIONS ARE COMPLETED AND IF THE EVIDENCE SO JUSTIFIES, APPROPRIATE CHARGES UNDER THE RELEVANT ORDINANCES WILL BE LAID AGAINST THEM IN THE LAW COURTS,+ DR THONG SAID.
+ALL THESE CASES ARE STILL SUBJUDICE AND NO ONE IS DEEMED GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN TO BE SO,+ HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, THESE PRACTITIONERS WERE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE THEIR PRACTICE WITHIN THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAW.
WITH REGARD TO THE MONITORING AND PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL PRACTICE, DR THONG SAID THAT THIS WAS DONE THROUGH SURVEILLANCE AND GATHERING OF EVIDENCE, EITHER FROM COMPLAINTS BY THE PUBLIC OR FROM REPORTS BY PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND CLINICS.
THESE CASES WERE THEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE SO THAT THEY MIGHT BE SUBJECTED TO THE FULL PROCESS OF THE LAW, HE SAID.
- - 0 ----------
PILL USERS WARNED OF SIDE EFFECTS K * * *
ALL BRANDS OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES SOLD IN HONG KONG HAVE WARNINGS ABOUT THEIR SIDE EFFECTS, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. THE HON K.L. THONG SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CARL TONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR THONG SAID THAT MANUFACTURERS OF DRUGS NORMALLY PROVIDED ACCOMPANYING LITERATURE WHICH INCLUDED WARNINGS ON SIDE EFFECTS TO THE END-USERS.
ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO SPECIFIC LAWS REQUIRING ACCOMPANYING LITERATURE ON SIDE EFFECTS OF DRUGS, MANUFACTURERS HAD BEEN MOST CO-OPERATIVE IN THIS RESPECT, AS IT WAS ALSO IN THEIR OWN INTEREST TO DO SO, HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
9
LAND BENEATH FLYOVERS PUT TO GOOD USE *****
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR N.K. CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY IT WAS GOVERNMENT POLICY TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF LAND BENEATH FLYOVERS.
THE USE WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT LOCAL NEEDS, COMPATIBILITY WITH SURROUNDING AREAS AND THE VIEWS OF DISTRICT BOARDS, HE SAID.
ANSWERING A QUESTION FROM THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN, HE SAID TYPICAL USES INCLUDED LOCAL OPEN SPACE, REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS, PUBLIC TOILETS, VEHICLE PARKING, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
♦ IN THE CASE OF THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, USE OF THE SPACE BENEATH WAS CONSIDERED AT THE PLANNING STAGE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED,+ ffi CHAN SAID.
PROPOSED FACILITIES INCLUDED LOCAL AND DISTRICT OPEN SPACES, REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS, TOILETS AND CAR PARKING SPACES, HE ADDED.
PLANS TO MEET SHORTFALL OF HALF-WAY HOUSES *****
THERE WAS AT PRESENT AN ESTIMATED SHORTFALL OF 830 HALF-WAY HOUSE PLACES, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON IL HENDERSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
CURRENT PLANS PROVIDED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 20 HALF-WAY HOUSES, WHICH WILL OVERCOME THE PROJECTED SHORTFALL BY THE EARLY 1990’S, MR HENDERSON SAID, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI.
OF THESE 20 HALF-WAY HOUSES, AT LEAST 14 WERE PLANNED FOR HOUSING ESTATES.
OVER HALF OF THE EXISTING HALF-WAY HOUSE PLACES WERE SITED IN A HOUSING ESTATE ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE THIS IS THE SORT OF ENVIRONMENT THAT PEOPLE ARE USED TO.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF A HALF-WAY HOUSE WAS TO REINTEGRATE THE PATIENT INTO SOCIETY AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, BY ELIMINATING HOSPITAL DEPENDENCY, AND ASSISTING THE RESIDENTS TO TAKE UP DOMESTIC RESPONSIBILITY, LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES, AND DEVELOP WORK HABITS, MR HENDERSON SAID.
♦ IT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO CARRY OUT THESE FUNCTIONS IN THE SORT OF ENVIRONMENT A PATIENT WILL EVENTUALLY LIVE.
♦ WE THEREFORE HAVE LITTLE ALTERNATIVE TO ESTABLISHING MOST HALF-WAY HOUSES ON HOUSING ESTATES,♦ HE EXPLAINED.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
10
78 PER CENT OF PROPOSALS REVIEWED * * *
UP TO THE END OF NOVEMBER, THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT HAS REVIEWED 78 PER CENT OF ALL PROPOSALS OBJECTING TO THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES, AND THE CONCERNED RATEPAYERS HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE DECISIONS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID TODAY.
THE REMAINING PROPOSALS WOULD BE DEALT WITH BY THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH, HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PAULINE NG.
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NO EFFECT FROM CHANGEOVER
* * *
WHEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUBVENTING AN AGENCY WAS TRANSFERRED FROM ONE DEPARTMENT TO ANOTHER, THE CHANGEOVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE TREATMENT OF THE STAFF FOR PROVIDENT FUND PURPOSES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR. THE HON HENRIETTA IP AS TO HOW EMPLOYEES WERE TREATED FOR PROVIDENT FUND PURPOSES WHERE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A SUBVENTED AGENCY PASSED FROM ONE DEPARTMENT TO ANOTHER.
-----o------
ONE BILL PASSED, ANOTHER INTRODUCED *****
THE MEDICAL CLINICS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
ANOTHER BILL — THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 — WAS INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME, AND DEBATE ON IT WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 -
/11
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5,
11
hk group meets prime minister
* * * *
ALL 11 MEMBERS OF UMELCO VISITING LONDON,AND THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, MET THIS MORNING (WEDNESDAY) WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE. also present were the minister at the foreign and commonwealth OFFICE RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG, MR RICHARD LUCE, UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, DR DAVID WILSON, THE HEAD OF THE HONG KONG AND GENERAL DEPARTMENT OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, MR ANTHONY GALSWORTHY AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS.
AFTERWARDS THE GROUP MET WITH THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER, AT DOWNING STREET. AFTER THE MEETING, WHICH WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE PRIME MINISTER’S SPECIAL ADVISER ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SIR PERCY CRADOCK, THE FOLLOWING PRESS STATEMENT WAS ISSUED:
+A DELEGATION REPRESENTING THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS OF HONG KONG, LED BY SIR S.Y. CHUNG ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR CALLED ON THE PRIME MINISTER THIS MORNING. THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AND MR LUCE WERE PRESENT.
THE DELEGATION TOLD THE PRIME MINISTER THE VIEWS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HDNG KONG, AS REFLECTED IN THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON NOVEMBER 29.
THE PRIME MINISTER THANKED THE DELEGATION FOR THE ENDORSEMENT WHICH HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE DRAFT AGREEMENT. SHE STATED THAT THE CONCERNS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD BE FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ITSELF AND IN ITS FUTURE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
THE PRIME MINISTER EMPHASISED THE WHOLEHEARTED COMMITMENT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO THE AGREEMENT AND ITS RESOLVE TO FULFIL ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG UP TO 1997, SO AS TO ASSURE THE CONTINUING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF THE TERRITORY.+
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
12
PATIENCE URGED IN ’A * * *
UNIQUE SITUATION’ *
THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO THE GRADUAL EVOLUTION AND PEACEFUL TRANSFORMATION CF HONG KONG CANNOT BE UNDERESTIMATED, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY).
♦ IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WHILE CHANGES ARE TAKING PLACE THAT ELECTED MEMBERS WHO ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PRINCIPAL PROFESSIONS, BUSINESS, INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER INTERESTS, SHOULD BE MEMBERS CF THE LEGISLATURE SO AS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A DIRECT INPUT INTO THE MANY DIFFICULT ISSUES THAT HAVE TO BE DECIDED,* HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION ANNUAL FELLOWSHIP DINNER, MR AKERS-JONES SAID, +THE FACT THAT OUR SYSTEM CANNOT BE FOUND IN-THE TEXT BOOKS OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS SHOULD NOT DISCOURAGE US.
♦ WE HAVE A UNIQUE SITUATION REQUIRING UNIQUE SOLUTIONS.
♦ WE NEED TIME, PATIENCE AND DETERMINATION TO WORK THEM OUT,* f£ SAID.
MR AKERS-JONES POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE MANY TASKS THAT CONFRONTED HONG KONG AS THE TERRITORY GRADUALLY CHANGED FROM THE PRESENT STATUS TO A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY WHEN IT BECAME A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATION REGION OF CHINA AFTER 1997.
+THERE IS THE NEED TO LOCALISE MANY OF OUR PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS, AND TO OBTAIN INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR THEM,* HE SAID.
+THERE IS THE SOLID AND HEAVY TASK OF ADAPTING AND TRANSLATING THE LAWS; AND EXAMINING THE MANY HUNDREDS OF INTERNATIONAL TREATIES AND OBLIGATIONS WHICH NOW EXTEND TO HONG KONG SO THAT THEY CAN SERVE OUR NEW STATUS AFTER 1997.
+LAND ADMINISTRATION AND LEASES WILL NEED TO BE ADJUSTED; AND THE BENEFITS OF VARIOUS TRADE AGREEMENTS WHICH NOW APPLY TO HONG KONG WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE RECOGNISED FOR THE FUTURE,* HE ADDED.
+WE MUST HAVE THE PHYSICAL FACILITIES, WE MUST HAVE THE SOCIAL POLICIES AND WE NEED TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY CF LIFE,* MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
/+IN A........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER J, 1984
+ IN A SENSE, EVERYONE IN HONG KONG IS A MEMBER OF THAT GREAT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG PEOPLE ---- FIVE MILLION
PEOPLE --- WHO ARE CHARGED COLLECTIVELY WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THE EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE OF OUR ECONOMY, THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR SOCIAL PROGRESS, OUR PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND OUT POLITICAL EVOLUTION.
+FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES WE HAVE NO OTHER RESOURCES BUT PEOPLE, AND IT IS PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE HONG KONG WHAT IT IS TODAY, HE ADDED.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID THAT IN THE PAST YEAR, MUCH HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED WITH CHANGES TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE CREATION OF A REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER ON DEVELOPING A STRUCTURE OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, VISITS BY THE FOREIGN SECRETARY TO HONG KONG AND BEIJING. THERE HAD ALSO BEEN THE VISITS TO LONDON, THE COMPLETION OF MANY ROUND OF TALKS IN BEIJING, THE INITIALLING AND ANNOUNCING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE FORMAL ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC OPINION; AND, AT THE YEAR’S END, THE VISIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER TO BEIJING TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT.
+ IT HAS NOT BEEN l*R AKERS-JONES.
A PARTICULARLY TRANQUIL YEAR,* SAID
+WHERE, THEN, DO WE GO FROM HERE,* HE SAID.
+FOR LAST YEAR’S WORDS BELONG TO LAST YEAR’S LANGUAGE, AND NEXT YEAR’S WORDS AWAIT ANOTHER VOICE,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID THERE WAS THE CONTINUING GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO DEVELOP THE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND SERVICES NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND PRESENT PROGRAMMES AND POLICIES.
+WITH THE EXPANSION OF THE METROPOLITAN AREA, RISING LIVING STANDARDS AND INCREASED EXPECTATIONS, WE HAVE BECOME AWARE OF NEW AND EMERGING SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE NEED TO SHOW MORE CONCERN FOR THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED, MORE CARE FOR OUR INCREASING NUMBER OF OLD PEOPLE AND MORE ATTENTION TO THE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THIS RAPIDLY CHANGING SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT,* MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
+THERE IS ALSO THE MORE INTANGIBLE FACTOR OF THE CHANGING AND IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL OUR CITIZENS AND NOT MERELY FOR THE PRIVILEGED FEW.
♦ IN RECENT YEARS HONG KONG HAS BECOME A CLEANER AND A GREENER PLACE AND THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT BLOSSOMING OF CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC ACTIVITY.*
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
14
STUDENT SPORTSMEN NEED SUPPORT * * * *
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR DICKEN YUNG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CALLED ON PARENTS, SCHOOLMASTERS AND PRINCIPALS TO REFER POTENTIAL STUDENT SPORTSMEN TO THE SCHOOLS SPORTS COUNCIL (SSC) SO THAT ARRANGEMENT COULD BE MADE TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL.
+THROUGH THE SSC, STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONAL POTENTIAL ARE INTRODUCED TO SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS, CLUBS AND THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE TO ENABLE THEM TO TAKE PART IN MORE ADVANCED TRAINING AND TO BE EXPOSED TO HIGHER LEVEL OF COMPETITION,* HE SAID.
MR YUNG STRESSED THIS REFERRAL ARRANGEMENT ENABLED POTENTIAL STUDENT ATHLETES TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL FURTHER.
+MANY OF OUR OUTSTANDING YOUNG HONG KONG SPORTSMEN ARE DISCOVERED AND DEVELOPED THROUGH THIS CHANNEL,* HE ADDED.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE CLOSE OF THE SCHOOLS BASKETBALL TRAINING SCHEME 1984 AND THE SENDING-OFF OF THE SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAMS FOR GOODWILL VISITS TO MACAU AND TOKYO.
+GOVERNMENT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING OF YOUNG SPORTSMEN*, HE SAID.
THREE AREAS - TENNIS, SWIMMING AND SCHOOL SPORTS — HAD BEEN CHOSEN IN THE YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, MR YUNG SAID.
THE SCHEME INCORPORATES REGULAR INTENSIVE TRAINING AND RESIDENTIAL TRAINING AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE AS WELL AS LOCAL AND OVERSEAS COMPETITIONS IN ASIA. THROUGH COMPETITIONS, THE YOUNG SPORTSMEN CAN SHARPEN THEIR SKILLS AND BE EXPOSED TO INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENTS.
THE YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR STUDENTS IN BASKETBALL IS ORGANISED BY SSC AND SUPPORTED BY THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG AMATEUR BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION AND THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.
A TOTAL OF 630 STUDENTS WERE REFERRED BY SCHOOLS TO TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR’S TRAINING PROGRAMME WHICH COMMENCED IN JUNE. TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR BOYS UNDER 18, 16 AND 14 AND GIRLS UNDER 17 WERE ORGANISED THIS YEAR.
ABOUT 20 OUTSTANDING PARTICIPANTS WERE SELECTED FROM EACH AGE GROUP AFTER INITIAL TRAINING IN THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE IN AUGUST. THE OUTSTANDING PARTICIPANTS RECEIVED FURTHER TRAINING AND HAVE TAKEN PART IN LOCAL COMPETITIONS DURING THE PAST MONTHS.
MEMBERS OF THE BOYS TEAM UNDER 14 AND THE GIRLS TEAM WILL PLAY HIGH-SCHOOL TEAMS IN MACAU BETWEEN DECEMBER 7 AND 9. THE TEAMS WITH BOYS UNDER 18 AND 16 WILL BE PLAYING IN TOKYO DURING THEIR SIX-DAY VISIT FROM DECEMBER 19.
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/15......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
15
OX GOLD COINS GOING ON SALE * * *
APPLICATIONS FOR THE YEAR OF THE OX GOLD COINS ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO COMMEMORATE THE COMING LUNAR NEW YEAR WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE LIMITED QUANTITY OF $1 OOO GOLD COINS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION BRANCHES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
+TIIE PROOF VERSION OF THE COIN IS PRICED AT $3 300 AND THE BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED COIN IS AT $2 200,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
COMPLETED FORMS, TOGETHER WITH CROSSED CHEQUES DRAWN ON PERSONAL ACCOUNTS MADE PAYABLE TO +HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 1985 SPECIAL COIN ACCOUNT* OR CASHIER’S ORDERS MUST REACH ANY OF THE TEN HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION BRANCHES LISTED IN THE APPLICATION FORM BEFORE 12.30 PM ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22,
1984
+THE YEAR OF THE OX GOLD COIN IS THE TENTH IN A SERIES TO COMMEMORATE THE CYCLE OF 12 LUNAR YEARS, EACH REPRESENTED BY AN ANIMAL, WHICH FALL IN THE WESTERN CALENDAR YEARS 1976 - 1987. APPLICATIONS NOW BEING INVITED ARE RESTRICTED TO RESIDENTS WITH A HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
- 0 - -
LIFEGUARDS KEEP SWIMMING CASUALTIES DOWN
*****
LIFEGUARDS THIS YEAR HAVE RESCUED 1 112 SWIMMERS WHO GOT INTO DIFFICULTIES AT BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ADDRESSING A CIVIC RECEPTION FOR THE ASIA PACIFIC LIFE SAVING COUNCIL HELD AT THE CITY HALL, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID: +THE URBAN COUNCIL, WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE LOCAL BRANCH OF THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY, IS COMMITTED TO THE TRAINING OF LIFEGUARDS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THOSE WHO TAKE TO THE WATER, WHETHER AT A BEACH OR IN A SWIMMING POOL.
+THIS YEAR, 660 SWIMMERS LEARNT THE VERY VITAL WATER RESCUE TECHNIQUES THROUGH THE 22 LIFE SAVING CLASSES ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. OUR FACILITIES ARE ALSO MADE AVAILABLE TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS WHICH OFFER SIMILAR TRAINING.+
URBAN COUNCIL SWIMMING FACILITIES NOW COMPRISE 11 SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES CONTAINING A TOTAL OF 76 SWIMMING POOLS, PLUS 12 BEACHES IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
/to CHE0NG-LE34
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBE3 5, 1984
16
MR CHEONG-LEEN ADDED THAT TRAGICALLY SEVEN PERSONS HAD BEEN DROWNED IN SWIMMING ACCIDENTS THIS YEAR BUT POINTED OUT THAT THIS FIGURE COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH HIGHER BUT FOR THE VIGILANCE AND SKILLS OF THE 54-7 PROFESSIONAL LIFEGUARDS EMPLOYED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT. ADDITIONALLY, 188 VOLUNTARY LIFEGUARDS FROM THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY ALSO CONTRIBUTED THEIR SERVICES.
THIRTEEN DELEGATIONS FROM 12 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES ARE TAKING PART IN THE 5TH ASIA PACIFIC LIFE SAVING CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE ASIA PACIFIC LIFE SAVING COUNCIL.
THE FIVE-DAY CONFERENCE, ENDING ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 8) WILL PROVIDE THE FORUM FOR AN EXCHANGE OF NEW TECHNIQUES AND TECHNOLOGY IN LIFE SAVING AND OTHER ADVANCES IN WATER SAFETY AMONG DELEGATIONS FROM AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, UNITED KINGDOM, UNITED STATES, CHINA, MACAU, INDONESIA, SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA, JAPAN, CANADA AND HONG KONG.
THE 4TH ASIA PACIFIC LIFE SAVING CHAMPIONSHIPS HAVE ATTRACTED CONTESTANTS FROM AUSTRALIA, SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA, HONG KONG AND MACAU. THE ONE-DAY COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AT THE MORRISON HILL SWIMMING POOL ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 7), STARTING AT 3 P.M.
THERE WERE NO LIFE SAVING COMPETITIONS DURING THE FIRST ASIA PACIFIC LIFE SAVING CONFERENCE WHICH WAS ALSO HELD IN HONG KONG IN 1978.
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BRIGHT CHRISTMAS IN KWUN TONG
* X * *
A LASER EXTRAVAGANZA AND DISCO NIGHT WILL BE STAGED AT CHRISTMAS EVE AT TSUI PING ROAD PLAYGROUND IN KWUN TONG.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN EXHIBITION THE SAME EVENING AT THE PLAYGROUND. APART FROM DISPLAY BOARDS, 14 TELEVISION SETS WILL BE INSTALLED TO SHOW A THREE-HOUR VIDEO PRODUCTION ON THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD AND THE CONCEPT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
THE EXHIBITION WILL START AT 6 PM AND ADMISSION IS FREE, WHILE THE LASER EXTRAVAGANZA AND DISCO NITE WILL BEGIN AT 8.15 PM.
ADMISSION TICKETS FOR THE DISCO PARTY, AT $15, WILL BE ON SALE FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-404855.
THIS CHRISTMAS EVE FESTIVITY IS SPONSORED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD AND THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
17
LABOUR LAW OFFENDERS FINED * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TOOK OUT 479 PROSECUTIONS FOR BREACHES OF LABOUR LAWS IN OCTOBER.
OF THESE, 458 CASES RESULTED IN CONVICTION, WITH FINES TOTALLING $523 300.
MOST OF THE CASES RELATED TO BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS VARIOUS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS.
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CHINESE DELEGATES STUDY HK HOUSING
* * * *
THREE DELEGATES FROM ThE ARCHITECTURAL SOCIETY OF CHINA WERE TODAY GIVEN AN INSIGHT INTO HOW HONG KONG’S PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WERE PLANNED, BUILT AND MANAGED.
HEADED BY PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY, MR DAI NIANCI, THEY ATTENDED A SEMINAR RUN BY SENIOR HOUSING DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME.
AMONG THE ITEMS DISCUSSED WERE PRODUCTION TARGETS, PLANNING PROCEDURES, COST CONTROL, DESIGN STANDRDS AND CONCEPTS, TENDER PROCEDURES, MAINTENANCE AND ESTATE MANAGEMENT.
THE group are in hong kong on a study tour of urban planning AND DEVELOPMENT.
BEFORE The seminar, THEY HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH The secretary FOR HOUSING, Mr DONALD LIAO, AND SAW DISPLAYS ON PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S EXHIBITION HALL.
TOMORROW, THEY WILL SEE SOME OF THE AUTHORITY’S LATEST ESTATE PROJECTS IN THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN, AS PART OF THEIR STUDY TOUR.
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MORE PLACES FOR TECHNICAL STUDENTS * * * *
PROJECT OF THE LEE WAI TRAINING COUNCIL HAS MORE FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT
THE S35-MILLI0N PHASE II DEVELOPMENT LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OF THE VOCATIONAL KEN COMPLETED, PROVIDING PLACES FOR 830
STUDENTS.
THE EXPANSION, CONSISTING OF AN ADDITIONAL STOREY AND A SIX-STOREY ANNEX, WAS PUT INTO USE IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, HOUSING THE DEPARTMENTS OF DESIGN, MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERING GENERAL STUDIES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY.
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/1<S..........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
18
YUEN LONG SITE TO LET
* * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A SITE IN YUEN LONG.
THE SITE, LOCATED AT THE TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, MEASURES ABOUT 440 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR THE STORAGE OR REPAIR OF THE TENANT'S GOODS, THE REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE (INCLUDING PAINT-SPRAYING) OF MOTOR VEHICLES NOT EXCEEDING TWO TONNES (UNLADEN), OR FOR OPERATING A FOUNDRY OR METAL WORKSHOP.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 21, 1984.
TENDER FORMS, CONDITIONS AND THE NOTICE ARE AVAILABLE FROM, AND THE TENDER PLAN INSPECTED ATs
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG ;
* LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, FIFTH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
K DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
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SAFETY AWARDS FOR WORKERS X * * *
PRIZES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AWARD SCHEME WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS AT THE +RAFFLES+ IN THE BANK OF AMERICA TOWER, AT 3.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MR CHAN NAI-KEONG, SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
THE AWARD SCHEME. SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR WORKERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, IS ORGANISED BY THE CONTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD TO REMIND EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY AT WORK.
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/19
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
- 19 -
DB TO HEAR ABOUT HOUSING PLANS
* * *
PROPOSALS FOR THE SECOND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN THE TIN SHU I WAI DEVELOPMENT WILL BE TABLED AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE FACILITIES PLANNED FOR THE ESTATE WHICH WILL HAVE A POPULATION OF 32 500 WHEN COMPLETED IN THE EARLY 1991.
AND A REPORT ON THE +MEET THE PUBLIC+ SCHEME COVERING A 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDING AUGUST 1984 WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD AMBERS FOR DISCUSSION.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SCHEME, WHICH WILL BE EXPLAINED TO MEMBERS BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALAN SCOTT.
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TRAFFIC MEASURES FOR SHA TIN FIREWORKS DISPLAY ******
A SWITCH-ON CEREMONY OF FESTIVE LIGHTING AND A FIREWORKS DISPLAY WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 9) IN SHA TIN.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 6.30 PM AND THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY WILL BEGIN AT 8.30 PM FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES.
SPECIAL TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CONNECTION WITH THESE EVENTS.
THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC:
FROM 6 PM TO 10.30 PM:
* THE SECTION OF SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD BETWEEN YUEN WO ROAD AND TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD (SAND MARTIN BRIDGE).
FROM 7.30 PM TO 10.30 PM:
* SHA TIN ROAD.
* YUEN WO ROAD.
* FO TAN ROAD BETWEEN TAI PO ROAD AND TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD INCLUDING BANYAN BRIDGE.
* TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD.
/• SIU LEK
WEDNESDAY, DECD4BER 5, 1984
20
* SIU LEK YUEN ROAD BETWEEN TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD AND SHA TIN WAI ROAD.
* SHA TIN WAI ROAD BETWEEN TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD AND SHA KOK STREET.
* SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD BETWEEN TAI PO ROAD AND YUEN WO ROAD.
THE FOLLOWING KMB BUS SERVICES WILL BE TEMPORARILY DIVERTED DURING THE ROAD CLOSURES:
STARTING AT 6 PM:
* ROUTES 48 AND 81K WILL BE.DIVERTED VIA TAI PO ROAD, OMITTING SHA KOK.
* ROUTE 69 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHA TIN WAI ROAD, SHA KOK STREET AND TAI PO ROAD, OMITTING LEK YUEN, WO CHE AND FO FAN.
* ROUTE 70 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI PO ROAD AND SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE, OMITTING SHA KOK.
* ROUTE 72A WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI PO ROAD, OMITTING SHA KOK, LEK YUEN AND WO CHE.
* ROUTE 86 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHA TIN WAI ROAD AND SHA KOK STREET, OMITTING CITY ONE, LEK YUEN AND WO CHE.
STARTING AT 7.30 PM:
* ROUTES 70M AND 88K WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI PO ROAD AND SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE, OMITTING LEK YUEN AND WO CHE.
* ROUTES 72 AND 72B WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI PO ROAD.
* ROUTE 74 A WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI PO ROAD.
* THE NORTHERN TERMINAL POINTS OF ROUTES 80K AND 81K WILL BE TRUNCATED AT SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE.
* ROUTE 82K WILL BE TRUNCATED SO THAT BUSES WILL PLY BETWEEN MEI LAM AND YUEN CHAU KOK.
* ROUTES 82M, 85A, AND 89A WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHA TIN WAI ROAD, OMITTING CITY ONE.
* ROUTE 87A WILL BE DIVERTED, OMITTING SHA TIN WAI ROAD.
/TWC SHUTTLE .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
TWO SHUTTLE BUS SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED BY KMB:
* ROUTE 888 WILL OPERATE AT FIVE-MINUTE INTERVALS FROM 7 PM TO 8 PM FROM SHA TIN KCR STATION TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE AND IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM 9.15 PM TO 10 PM. THIS BUS SERVICE WILL ONLY SERVE PASSENGERS WITH ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE SHA TIN RACE COURSE GRANDSTAND.
* SPECIAL ’K’ ROUTE BETWEEN SHA TIN KCR STATION AND YUEN CHAU KOK WILL SERVE THE PUBLIC BEFORE AND AFTER THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY.
* AFTER THE EVENT, EXTRA BUSES WILL BE DEPLOYED TO FOR ROUTES 48, 70, 74A, 82M, S5A, 86, 87A, 89A AND THE SPECIAL ’K’ ROUTE.
THE FOLLOWING N.T. MAXICAB ROUTES WILL BE DIVERTED:
* ROUTE 60K WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI PO ROAD.
* ROUTE 65 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHA TIN WAI ROAD, SHA KOK STREET, LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND TAI PO ROAD.
KCR SERVICES WILL BE STRENGTHENED BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN WITH ADDITIONAL TRIPS BETWEEN 7 PM AND 10.30 PM.
MTR SERVICES WILL BE STRENGTHENED TO 3.5-MINUTE INTERVALS FROM 7 PM TO 11 PM.
FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND EDINBURGH PLACE WILL OPERATE AT 20-MINUTE INTERVALS AND BE EXTENDED TO 10.30 PM.
FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND WAN CHAI WILL RUN AT 20-MINUTE INTERVALS FROM 7 PM TO 10 PM. ADDITIONAL SERVICES MAY BE OPERATED TO MEET DEMAND.
THE GRANDSTAND OF SHA TIN RACE COURSE WILL ONLY BE OPEN TO SPECTATORS WITH ADMISSION TICKETS. ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND PRIVATE CARS EXCEPT THOSE WITH PARKING LABELS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE RACE COURSE.
TRAFFIC CONGESTION MAY OCCUR AT TAI PO ROAD AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD BEFORE AND AFTER THE EVENT. SPECTATORS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT. TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE INSTALLED AND POLICE WILL BE ON SITE TO GUIDE MOTORISTS WHO ARE REQUESTED TO DRIVE WITH UTMOST CARE AND PATIENCE.
ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES WILL BE TOWED AWAY BY THE POLICE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
22
EARLY MORNING ROAD WORK * * *
INNER GLOUCESTER ROAD BETWEEN CANAL ROAD WEST AND MARSH ROAD IN WAN CHAI WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 7) UNTIL 6 AM ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 8) TO ALLOW ROAD WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR INNER GLOUCESTER ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PERCIVAL STREET, LOCKHART ROAD AND TONNOCHY ROAD NORTHBOUND.
THE CLOSURE WILL BE REPEATED FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS STARTING SATURDAY (DECEMBER 8).
ALL PARKING SPACES ON INNER GLOUCESTER ROAD BETWEEN CANAL ROAD WEST AND MARSH ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 7 UNTIL 6 AM ON DECEMBER 12.
- - 0 -
N.T. TAXI RESTRICTED, PROHIBITED ZONES IN SHA TIN * * *
THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS IN SHA TIN WILL BE DESIGNATED 24-HOUR NEW TERRITORIES TAXI RESTRICTED ZONES FROM MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 7), IN LINE WITH THE EXTENSION OF THE OPERATING BOUNDARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS TO THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL.
* THE SECTION OF SHA TIN WAI ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND AND ITS JUNCTION WITH NGAN SHING STREET.
* THE SECTION OF NGAN SHING STREET BETWEEN SHA TIN WAI ROAD AND CHAP WAI KON STREET.
* THE SECTION OF SOUTHBOUND CHAP WAI KON STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH NGAN SHING STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 150 METRES SOUTH OF THAT JUNCTION.
# THE SECTION OF NORTHBOUND CHAP WAI KON STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH NGAN SHING STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 135 METRES SOUTH OF THAT JUNCTION.
I *
/WITHIN THE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
23
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, DRIVERS OF ALL NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS OR LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
FROM THE SAME DAY AND TIME, THE FOLLOWING ROADS IN SHA TIN WILL BE PROHIBITED TO ALL NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT:
* KAU TO SHAN ROAD.
* THE SLIP ROAD LINKING THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF ROAD T1 WITH SHA TIN RACE COURSE.
* THE SLIP ROAD LINKING THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI PO ROAD (HO TUNG LAU SECTION) WITH SHA TIN RACE COURSE.
* THE SECTION OF TAI PO R.OAD SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SHA TIN ROAD.
* YUEN WO ROAD EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM SHA TIN ROAD SOUTHBOUND.
M YUEN WO ROAD WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND.
- -IP
* SHA TIN ROAD SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE SLIP ROADS LINKING WITH SHA TIN WAI ROAD.
K SHA TIN WAI ROAD WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE SLIP ROAD LINKING WITH SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND.
* THE SLIP ROAD LINKING SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND WITH TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD.
M THE SOUTHBOUND SLIP ROAD LINKING SHA TIN WAI ROAD WITH THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHA TIN ROAD.
* SHA TIN WAI ROAD EAST OF NGAN SHING STREET.
* CHAP WAI KON STREET NORTH OF NGAN SHING STREET.
* NGAN SHING STREET NORTH OF CHAP WAI KON STREET.
* THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO THE TAXI STAND INSIDE THE YUEN CHAU KOK BUS TERMINUS.
THE EXTENT OF THE PROHIBITED ZONE WILL BE SHOWN BY TRAFFIC SIGNS.
-----o------
/24........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984
24
NEW MEASURES IN CAUSEWAY BAY FOR PLB’S * * *
NEW TRAFFIC MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES IN CAUSEWAY BAY FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 7).
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, PLB’S WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER PENNINGTON STREET BETWEEN IRVING STREET AND YEE WO STREET, AND THE WESTBOUND SECTION OF YEE WO STREET BETWEEN PENNINGTON STREET AND HENNESSY ROAD.
HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS WITHIN THESE ROAD SECTIONS.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE MEASURES WOULD PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FOR WESTBOUND PLB’S TO REACH HENNESSY ROAD AND RELIEVE CONGESTION AT JARDINE’S BAZAAR.
- - 0 - -
FORMER GOVERNOR TO MEET PRESS H K M
THE FORMER GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID TRENCH, IS VISITING HONG KONG AS A GUEST OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TO ATTEND THE CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS.
SIR DAVID IS STAYING AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 198*1
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, IN HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE ON HONG KONG'S FUTURE .................. 1
MOVE TO ENSURE HK'S SHIPPING ROLE.............................. 1A
HK GROUP TO SEE SHENZHEN WATER WORKS .......................... 16
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY EFFORTS PAY OFF ........................... 17
PROMOTING THE 'PLAY SAFE' MESSAGE ............................. 18
UK ENERGY MINISTER TO MEET PRESS .............................. 19
WEST GERMANS URGED TO INVEST IN HK ............................ 19
FIRE PREVENTION SEMINAR IN KWUN TONG .......................... 20
TUNNEL TICKETS - A REMINDER ................................... 21
TECHNICAL INSTITUTE EXPANDS CAPACITY .......................... 21
STATEMENT BY BANKING COMMISSIONER ............................. 22
ATHLETICS HELPS BUILD CHARACTER — CHEONG-LEEN ................. 22
TV TO HELF TEACH ABOUT DISTRICTS .............................. 2k
ANTI-NARCCTICS CONCERT ON SATURDAY ........................... 2*1
SECOND AMBULANCE DEPOT FOR TUEN MUN ........................... 25
LIGHTING UP FOR CHRISTMAS ..................................... 25
NORTH DISTRICT SINGING CONTEST ................................ 25
NEW ROAD SECTION OPENING ...................................... 26
VEHICLE RESTRICTION ........................................... 26
ROAD WORKS
26
1
Thursday, December 6, 198^
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, IM HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE ********
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL-TEXT OF A STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE:
H? SPEAKER,
I BEG TO MOVE THE MOTION WHICH STANDS ON THE ORDER PAPER IN THE NAME OF MY RIGHT HONOURABLE AND HONOURABLE FRIENDS AND MYSELF. THE DRAFT AGREEMENT WHICH IS COMMENDED BY THE MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE HOUSE IS A DOCUMENT OF HISTORIC IMPORTANCE. IT HAS A SIGNIFICANCE WHICH GOES WELL BEYOND HONG KONG ITSELF. BUT IT IS WITH THE UNIQUE AND THRIVING COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG THAT THE HOUSE IS RIGHTLY CONCERNED TODAY.
HONG KONG OWES ITS SUCCESS TO THE SPIRIT OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND RESOURCESFULNESS, WHICH HAS FOR GENERATIONS BEEN DISPLAYED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG OF ALL RACES. IT IS THAT SPIRIT THAT HAS CREATED HONG KONG’S UNIQUE WAY OF LIFE.
AND IT IS THE PRESERVATION OF THAT WAY OF LIFE, AND ITS RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY ON WHICH IT HAS BEEN BUILT, THAT HAS BEEN OUR FIRM OBJECTIVE. WE SOUGHT THAT THROUGHOUT ALL THE WORK THAT HAS PRODUCED THE AGREEMENT. THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF TODAY’S DEBATE. AND IN THAT WORK I HAVE BEEN MOST GRATEFUL TO THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION AND TO HONOURABLE MEMBERS IN ALL PARTS OF THE HOUSE FOR THE UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT THAT THEY HAVE GIVEN ME IN A TASK WHICH I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FEEL I HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKING ON BEHALF OF THE WHOLE HOUSE.
THE AGREEMENT THAT HAS RESULTED MUST OF COURSE BE JUDGED AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF THE HISTORICAL REALITIES THAT CREATED THE PROBLEM WITH WHICH WE ARE CONCERNED TODAY. IN MAY 1898 THE SECOND CONVENTION OF PEKING WAS SIGNED IN PEKING BY THE BRITISH MINISTER RESIDENT THERE, SIR CLAUDE MACDONALD. I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT AT THE TIME WHEN HE SIGNED THAT DOCUMENT HE HAD ANY IDEA OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT HE WOULD BE BEQUEATHING TO THE PRESENT GENERATION.
BUT UNDER THAT CONVENTION, THE AREA WHICH LATER BECAME KNOWN AS THE NEW TERRITORIES OF HONG KONG WAS LEASED TO BRITAIN FOR A PERIOD OF 99 YEARS. THESE TERRITORIES WERE THUS ADDED TO THE RELATIVELY SMALL AREAS OF KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND, WHICH HAD BEEN CEDED TO BRITAIN DURING THE PREVIOUS HALF CENTURY. THIS 1898 LEASE COVERS 92 PERCENT OF THE LAND TERRITORY OF HONG KONG AS IT IS TODAY. IT IS THAT LEASE THAT EXPIRES ON 30 JUNE 1997, AND THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL THEN REVERT TO CHINA. THE CEDED TERRITORIES, WHICH CONSTITUTE THE OTHER 8 PERCENT, HAVE IN THE PAST EIGHTY YEARS BECOME COMPLETELY INTEGRATED WITH THE LEASED TERRITORIES. THEY WOULD NOT BE VIABLE ON THEIR OWN.
/IT IS .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 198^
2 -
IT IS THESE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAKE A SPECIFIC AGREEMENT NECESSARY AT THIS TIME. AND YET THE NEED FOR ACCOMMODATION WITH CHINA IS NOT NEW TO HONG KONG. THROUGH MOST OF ITS YEARS OF EXISTENCE HONG KONG HAS BEEN DEPENDENT ON COOPERATION WITH ITS GIANT NEIGHBOUR. IN RECENT YEARS THIS HAS DEVELOPED INTO A STRONG AND COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP. THAT THEN IS THE BACKGROUND TO THE LONG AND AT TIMES VERY DIFFICULT NEGOTIATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. THEY HAVE HAD TO BE CONDUCTED IN CONFIDENCE. AND I KNOW THAT THE NEED FOR CONFIDENTIALITY HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING BOTH FOR PARLIAMENT AND FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
BOTH HAVE SHOWN GREAT UNDERSTANDING AND BOTH, I HOPE MAY TAKE SOME COMFORT FROM MY JUDGEMENT THAT CONFIDENTIALITY WAS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. I SHOULD LIKE, hfc SPEAKER, TO GIVE WARM THANKS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, WHO PLAYED A VITAL PART IN ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE GOVERNOR, THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS. AND I GIVE THANKS AS WELL TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE NEGOTIATIONS POSED PARTICULAR PROBLEMS FOR THEM.
THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG HAS BORNE THE DUAL BURDEN OF CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG AND OF CONTINUOUS INVOLVEMENT IN THE NEGOTIATIONS. HE HAS BORNE THAT HEAVY BURDEN WITH GREAT DISTINCTION.
OUR AMBASSADORS AT PEKING, SUCCESSIVELY SIR PERCY CRADOCK AND SIR RICHARD EVANS, HAVE LED THE NEGOTIATING TEAM WITH GREAT SKILL. THEY AND ALL THE OFFICIALS INVOLVED, FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS FROM OUR OWN DIPLOMATIC SERVICE, WELL DESERVE THE TRIBUTE THAT WAS PAID TO THEM BY THE FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW WHICH SPOKE OF THE +SHEER PROFESSIONALISM* OF THE BRITISH TEAM. I HAVE NO DOUBT THE WHOLE HOUSE WILL WISH TO JOIN ME IN THANKING AND CONGRATULATING THEM ALL.
THROUGHOUT ALL OUR WORK, WE HAVE AIMED, OF COURSE, TO REACH AGREEMENT ON ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONGs ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WOULD ENABLE THEM AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY.
FROM THE OUTSET IT WAS CLEAR THAT SUCH ARRANGEMENTS WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. THAT IS JUST ANOTHER REFLECTION OF THE FACT THAT HONG KONG COULD NEVER HAVE BECOME THE PLACE THAT IT IS TODAY WITHOUT ESTABLISHING A PRACTICAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
/IN THE .......
THURSDAY, DECJM3ER 6, 1?84
5
IN THE EARLY PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WE LOOKED FOR WAYS WHICH MIGHT ALLOW A BRITISH ADMINISTRATION TO CONTINUE IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997, ON THE BASIS THAT BRITAIN WOULD RECOGNISE CHINA’S SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG. THIS COURSE WOULD HAVE MEANT THE MINIMUM OF CHANGE, AND THE HONG KONG PEOPLE CERTAINLY EXPECTED THAT WE WOULD, AS A FIRST STEP SEE IF THAT WAS POSSIBLE. AND SO WE TRIED OVER 12 MONTHS NEGOTIATION. IT BECAME APPARENT THAT A SOLUTION ALONG THESE LINES WOULD NOT EE ACCEPTABLE TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, AND THAT IF WE HAD PERSISTED IN SEEKING IT, THE TALKS WOULD HAVE BROKEN DOWN. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE ALTERED THE FACT THAT 92 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY WOULD REVERT TO CHINA UNDER THE LEASE IN 1997. BUT IT WOULD THEN HAVE DONE SO WITHOUT ANY AGREEMENT ON ITS FUTURE.
WE CONCLUDED THAT A BREAKDOWN IN NEGOTIATIONS, WITH ALL THE UNCERTAINTIES THAT WOULD HAVE CREATED, COULD NOT IN THE LONG VIEW OFFER SATISFACTORY PROSPECTS FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THE FUTURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF THE TERRITORY. WE THEREFORE DECIDED, WITH THE AGREEMENT OF THE GOVERNOR AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG, TO SEEK TO NEGOTIATE ARRANGEMENTS UNDER WHICH BRITISH ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG WOULD CEASE AFTER 1997 AND HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH BECOMING A PART OF CHINA, WOULD RETAIN HER DISTINCT WAY OF LIFE AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA.
THE DRAFT AGREEMENT BEFORE THE HOUSE TODAY IS THE RESULT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WHICH BROUGHT TO A CONCLUSION ON THAT BASIS. IF THE MOTION ON THE ORDER PAPER IS CARRIED MY RT HON FRIEND THE PRIME MINISTER AND I WILL TRAVEL TO PEKING LATER THIS MONTH TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT. WE SHALL ALSO VISIT HONG KONG. THE VISIT TO PEKING WILL BE MY THIRD VISIT IN 12 MONTHS. IT WILL GIVE MY RT HON FRIEND AND ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO RENEW THE CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE ENJOYED WITH OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES. IT MUST BE SAID THAT THIS AGREEMENT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE VISION AND REALISM WHICH HAS CHARACTERISED THE APPROACH OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA TO THESE NEGOTIATIONS. AND I SHOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY PERSONAL APPRECIATION OF THE PART PLAYED BY MY OPPOSITE NUMBER, PR WU XUEQIAN, IN BRINGING OUR NEGOTIATIONS TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION.
following signature we shall bring forward legislation EARLY NEXT YEAR TO PROVIDE FOR TERMINATION OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997, AND TO PROVIDE POWERS TO MAKE OTHER CHANGES TO THE LAW, INCLUDING THE NATIONALITY LAW, WHICH WILL BE NECESSARY IN CONNECTION WITH THE AGREEMENT AND TERMINATION OF SOVEREIGNTY.
THE AGREEMENT, MR DEPUTY SPEAKER, IS BOTH COMPREHENSIVE AND DETAILED. SINCE ITS PUBLICATION ON 26 SEPTEMBER, MEMBERS WILL HAVE HAD MORE THAN TWO MONTHS TO STUDY IT. I SET OUT THE MAIN PROVISIONS OF IT IN MY STATEMENT OF 25 OCTOBER. TODAY I WANT ONLY TO STRESS ONLY A FEW OF ITS SIGNIFICANT FEATURES.
/FIRST, THE........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
4
FIRST, THE JOINT DECLARATION AND ITS ANNEXES CONSTITUTE A LEGALLY BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT. AS THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER RECENTLY TOLD THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS IN PEKING, THE JOINT DECLARATION IS A FORM OF INTERNATIONAL TREATY, IT HAS THE SAME FORCE IN INTERNATIONAL LAW AND IS LEGALLY BINDING.
SECOND, THE POLICIES SET OUT IN THE AGREEMENT WILL, UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT, BE STIPULATED IN A BASIC LAW WHICH WILL BE PASSED BY THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA AND WHICH WILL ESTABLISH THE SPECIAL CONSTITUTIONAL STATUS OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.
THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES THAT THESE POLICIES WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED FOR 50 YEARS. THE CONTENT OF THE BASIC LAW, AND THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ITS DRAFTING, ARE RIGHTLY OF GREAT INTEREST TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THEY ARE OF CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE. THE LAW WILL BE PASSED BY THE CHINESE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS UNDER THE POWERS CONFERRED ON IT BY ARTICLES 31 AND 62 OF THE CHINESE CONSTITUTION. THESE ARTICLES PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS WITH SYSTEMS DIFFERENT FROM THOSE IN OTHER PARTS OF CHINA. IT IS, OF COURSE, THE CHINESE WHO MUST UNDERTAKE THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW, BUT THE JOINT DECLARATION STATES THAT THE BASIC POLICIES FOR HONG KONG SET OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION ITSELF AND ELABORATED IN ANNEX 1 WILL BE STIPULATED IN THE BASIC LAW. THE AGREEMENT THUS PROVIDES CLEAR GUIDELINES FOR THE DRAFTING OF THAT LAW.
I KNOW THAT THE CHINESE LEADERS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS SUBJECT. I AM CONFIDENT TOO THAT THEY WILL HAVE NOTED THE HOPE THAT HAS BEEN WIDELY EXPRESSED IN RECENT WEEKS, THE WIDELY EXPRESSED HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL BE FULLY CONSULTED ABOUT THE DRAFTING OF THE LAW. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE INDICATED THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL BE CONSULTED, THOUGH THE EXACT FORM OF THAT CONSULTATION HAS YET TO BE MADE CLEAR. I WELCOME THAT INDICATION. HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT STAND READY TO EXTEND TO THE CHINESE OUR FULLEST CO-OPERATION, IN THAT AND OTHER RESPECTS.
THE THIRD POINT I WISH TO STRESS ABOUT THE AGREEMENT IS THAT IT INCLUDES SUFFICIENT DETAIL ABOUT THE MANY FIELDS IT COVERS TO GIVE CONFIDENCE BOTH IN HONG KONG AND INTERNATIONALLY THAT THE FUTURE IS A SECURE ONE.
* IT PROVIDES A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY FOR HONG KONG AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
M IT PROVIDES A FIRM GUARANTEE THAT SOCIALIST POLICIES PURSUED ON THE MAINLAND WILL NOT BE PRACTISED IN HONG KONG.
/• IT PROVIDES ........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 19&A-
- 5 -
* IT PROVIDES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG TO BE IN LOCAL HANDS, AND FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE.
* IT PROVIDES FOR JUDICIAL POWER TO BE EXERCISED INDEPENDENTLY AND FOR A PUBLIC SERVICE IN WHICH APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTION WILL DEPEND ON QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY.
THE PRESERVATION OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND COURTS TO WHICH HONG KONG IS ACCUSTOMED IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE CONTINUATION OF HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE. THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR THIS.
APPEALS TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL WILL CEASE. INSTEAD THERE WILL BE A COURT OF FINAL APPEAL IN HONG KONG.
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE EQUAL VALIDITY WITH CHINESE IN THE COURTS.
THE WORK OF TRANSLATING THE LAWS OF HONG KONG INTO CHINESE IS NOW GOING AHEAD. THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR HONG KONG TO CONTINUE AS A WORLD, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL AND COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE. IT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING ITS OWN EXTERNAL TRADE, HAVE ITS OWN FREELY CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY, AND ENJOY FREE FLOW OF CAPITAL WITHOUT EXCHANGE CONTROL. ALTHOUGH THE CENTRAL PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT IN CHINA WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS EXTERNAL RELATIONS, HONG KONG WILL HAVE CONSIDERABLE AUTONOMY IN CONDUCTING RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES IN MANY IMPORTANT FIELDS. THERE ARE ARRANGEMENTS PERMITTING HONG KONG TO CONTINUE ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE GATT AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS, AND TO PARTICIPATE IN RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.
THERE ARE PROVISIONS FOR HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO BE AN IMPORTANT CENTRE FOR SHIPPING AND CIVIL AVIATION.
THERE ARE FULL AND EXPLICIT PROVISIONS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, INCLUDING THOSE SPECIFIED IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENANTS ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS.
FINALLY, SECURE ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE BOTH FOR THE RECOGNITION OF EXISTING LAND LEASES AFTER 1997, AND FOR THE EXTENSION OF LEASES EXPIRING BEFORE 1997, AND FOR THE GRANTING OF NEW LEASES FOR TERMS OF UP TO FIFTY YEARS BEYOND 1997.
THESE ARE ONLY THE BROAD OUTLINES. THERE IS MUCH MORE DETAIL IN THE AGREEMENT.
SO FAR I HAVE DEALT WITH THE FUTURE AFTER 1997. BUT THE NEXT TWELVE YEARS ARE ALSO CRUCIAL FOR HONG KONG.
/INTERJECTION:
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
INTERJECTION: (LABOUR MP): WHOSE TASK IS IT TO SECURE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND ITS TERMS IN RESPECT OF THE PERIOD AFTER 1997? IS IT FOR CHINA TO DO SO, OR FOR BRITAIN, OR FOR A COMBINATION OF BOTH, AND IF THIS IS SO, IS THERE AN ADEQUATE MACHINERY SET OUT FOR THAT PURPOSE?
HOWE: THERE ARE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THAT QUESTION, BUT IF THE HON MEMBER REFERS TO THE NEED TO SECURE, FOR EXAMPLE, CONTINUED RECOGNITION OF HK’S PLACE IN THE GATT AND IN OTHER INTERNATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS, THAT IS SOMETHING ON WHICH BOTH COUNTRIES WILL BE CO-OPERATING TOGETHER AND IT IS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED FOR AS ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES FOR THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, WHICH I’LL REFER TO IN A MOMENT. AS I WAS SAYING, THE NEXT 12 YEARS ARE ALSO CRUCIAL TO HONG KONG. IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THIS ENTERPRISE, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT ARE PUT INTO PRACTICE THERE WILL BE A NEED FOR CLOSE COOPERATION BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA IN THE PERIOD BETWEEN NOW AND 1997, ESPECIALLY IN THE LATER YEARS. THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP IS THE BEST MEANS OF ACHIEVING THIS AND THROUGH IT OF AVOIDING ABRUPT SHIFTS IN 1997 WHICH MIGHT DISTURB THE CONTINUITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG.
THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL BE CHARGED WITH THE TASKS OF CONSULTING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND DISCUSSING MATTERS RELATING TO THE SMOOTH TRANSFER OF GOVERNMENT IN 1997, AS WELL AS EXCHANGING INFORMATION. IT WILL THEREFORE CONTINUE IN BEING UNTIL THE YEAR 2000. IT IS OUR FIRM INTENTION THAT THE GROUP SHOULD CARRY OUT ITS FUNCTIONS SO AS TO BUILD CONFIDENCE BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS ON ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THE AGREEMENT, AS WELL AS CONFIDENCE AMONG THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WE SHALL GIVE THE GROUP OUR FULL CO-OPERATION TO THAT END. I DO REGARD ITS WORK AS OF THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE.
MR ALF MORRIS (LABOUR): IS THE RIGHT HON. GENTLEMAN FAMILIAR WITH THE CONCERN OF SOME PEOPLE IN HONG KONG THAT THEY COULD BECOME STATELESS PERSONS ... IS THIS NOT AN IMPORTANT MATTER?
HOWE: THAT IS A MATTER WHICH COULD ARISE IN CERTAIN CASES ... IT WILL BE DEALT WITH TO ENSURE THAT STATELESSNESS DOES NOT HAPPEN AND THAT WILL BE A MATTER REFERRED TO IN THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WHICH WE WILL BE INTRODUCING IN THE NEW YEAR. I’M GLAD TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF DEALING WITH THE POINT.
DAVID HOWELL (LABOUR): WOULD MY FRIEND ALLOW ME ... ON THE QUESTION OF THE JOINT LIAISON COMMITTEE, IF I UNDERSTAND FROM HIS REPLY THAT THIS COMMITTEE WILL PLAY A LEADING PART IN UNDERPINNING THE INTERNATIONAL STATUS OF THE SAR AFTER 1997, WILL THAT JOINT LIAISON COMMITTEE HAVE ON IT PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG?
/HOWE: PERHAPS .......
THURSDAY, DECDiBER 6, 198L
HOWE: PERHAPS YOU WOULD ALLOW ME TO DEAL WITH THIS AT THE APPROPRIATE PLACE. WE TOOK PAINS TO ENSURE FIRST OF ALL, AND I’LL COME TO THIS POINT IN A SECOND, THAT THERE COULD BE NO POSSIBLE AMBIGUITY ABOUT WHAT THE GROUP’S FUNCTIONS WILL BE. IT WILL BE IN NO SENSE A SHADOW GOVERNMENT. THE AGREEMENT MAKES PLAIN THAT THE GROUP SHALL BE AN ORGAN OF LIAISON AND NOT AN ORGAN OF POWER THAT THE GROUP SHALL BE, IN THE CHINESE PHRASEOLOGY, AN ORGAN OF LIAISON AND NOT AN ORGAN OF POWER AND THAT THE GROUP SHALL TAKE NO PART IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG. THE AGREEMENT ALSO STATES EXPLICITLY THAT BRITAIN WILL REMAIN FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG UNTIL 1997. AND LET US ASSURE THE HOUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S WHOLE-HEARTED COMMITMENT TO THE FULL EXERCISE OF THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES THROUGHOUT THAT PERIOD.
I COME BACK TO THE POINT RAISED BY MY RIGHT HONOURABLE FRIEND THE MEMBER FOR GUILDFORD, OF COURSE THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG WILL NEED TO BE PROPERLY REPRESENTED ON THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. THE EXACT COMPOSITION OF THE GROUP HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED, BUT I SHOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT SURE THAT THE BRITISH DELEGATION WILL INCLUDE OFFICIALS FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. THAT THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE FULLEST CONSULTATION WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND I KNOW SO WITH OTHER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT THE GROUP SHOULD BE ABLE TO CARRY THE KIND OF CONFIDENCE THAT IS ESSENTIAL IF IT IS TO CARRY OUT ITS ROLE PROPERLY.
RUSSELL JOHNSON (LIBERAL) : ARE YOU SAYING THAT WHILE THERE WILL BE OFFICIALS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON THE BRITISH SIDE OF THE LIAISON GROUP, THERE WILL BE NO UNOFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVES ? IS THAT CORRECT ?
HOWE s IF THE HON. GENTLEMAN WOULD LOOK AT THE PROVISIONS ABOUT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP ITSELF IS A DIPLOMATIC GROUP - I’M LOOKING AT ANNEXE TWO TO THE JOINT DECLARATION, PAGE 25 OF THE WHITE PAPER ... THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP SHALL ENJOY DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES. IT IS IN FACT A DIPLOMATIC G?OUP AND THERE IS PROVISION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES dF that kind to the group, but of course it is important that AS THE GROUP DOES ITS WORK, NO DOUBT WORKING THROUGH A VARIETY OF METHODS AS TIME GOES BY, THERE IS FULL REPRESENTATION OF THE VIEWPOINT OF THE HK PEOPLE. IT’S A POINT THAT HAS OF COURSE BEEN RAISED WITH ME IN A NUMBER OF PLACES. THE GROUP ITSELF IS AS I’VE DESCRIBED IT, BUT IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD TAKE SUFFICIENT ACCOUNT, AS I HOPE WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO DO, DURING OUR NEGOTIATIONS THUS FAR, THAT AS THE GROUP’S WORK INTENSIFIES, OF COURSE THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT.
MR ROBERT ADLEY (CONSERVATIVE) : IS HE SAYING THAT THE JLG WILL REMAIN AS IT IS PRESENTLY INTENDED TO REMAIN THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD OF 12 YEARS OR SO, THAT IT IS NOT IN FACT IN ANY WAY GOING TO EVOLVE ... IT WILL REMAIN, IN HIS OWN WORDS, A PURELY DIPLOMATIC BODY.
/HOWE : THE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
- 8
HOWE : THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP MAY, BY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES, SET UP SEPARATE GROUPS TO DEAL WITH PARTICULAR SUBJECTS .... (UNCLEAR) MEMBERS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND SUBGROUPS MAY BE ATTENDED BY EXPERTS OTHER THAN THE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, AND SO ON. IN OTHER WORDS, THERE IS . PROVISION FOR A STEADY DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORKING OF THE (£OUP IN A PRACTICAL FASHION. BUT IT IS THE GROUP ITSELF THAT REMAINS ONE ON WHICH OFFICIALS OF EITHER SIDE WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF IT. THAT IS PART OF THE NATURE OF THE GROUP AND, OF COURSE, THE OFFICIALS WILL INCLUDE THOSE FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ITSELF. THE MATTERS ARE VERY PRECISELY SET OUT IN THE AGREEMENT,
ROBERT PARRY (LABOUR) : REGARDING THE LIAISON GROUP, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY WILL BE AWARE THAT UMELCO HAVE IN FACT MADE THIS POINT THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD SIT ON IT. IS THAT THE DECISION?
HOWE: I MUST EXPLAIN THAT OFFICIALS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL BE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP, AND BEYOND THAT WILL BE PROVISION FOR INPUT FROM THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BECAUSE IT IS PLAINLY IMPORTANT THAT THAT SHOULD BE SO. BUT LET ME JUST SAY THIS TO THE HOUSE, MR SPEAKER, I HAVE GOT QUITE A LONG SPEECH TO MAKE IN INTRODUCING THIS MATTER AND MY HONOURABLE FRIEND WILL BE ABLE TO PICK UP THESE QUESTIONS IN A LITTLE MORE DETAIL WHEN HE COMES TO WIND-UP. BUT THE POINTS THAT HONOURABLE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN RAISING DO RELATE TO ONE THAT I WANT TO UNDERLINE. OUR AIM THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS WAS TO SECURE AN AGREEMENT THAT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN IN NO DOUBT FROM THE START THAT THIS HOUSE WOULD DEMAND NOTHING LESS. THAT IS WHY WE DECIDED THAT AN ASSESSMENT OFFICE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG TO COLLATE AND ANALYSE THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HDNG KONG ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT. THEIR REPORT, TOGETHER WITH THE REPORT OF THE TWO MONITORS WHOM I APPOINTED TO OBSERVE THEIR WORK, WAS PUBLISHED AS A WHITE PAPER ON 29 NOVEMBER. THAT WHITE PAPER IS THE SECOND DOCUMENT THAT IS BEFORE THE HOUSE TODAY, ALONGSIDE THE DRAFT AGREEMENT ITSELF.
THE PERIOD OF ASSESSMENT IN HONG KONG ENDED ON 15 NOVEMBER. IT WAS A CONSIDERABLE ACHIEVEMENT THAT A CLEAR AND COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT REPORT, AND THE MONITORING TEAM’S REPORT ON IT, SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPILED, FORWARDED AND PUBLISHED IN THE BARE THREE WEEKS THAT HAVE PASSED SINCE THEN. I SHOULD LIKE TO THANK THE HEAD OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE, MR IAN MACPHERSON, THE TWO MONITORS, SIR PATRICK NAIRNE AND MR JUSTICE LI AND EVERYONE ELSE CONCERNED, FOR COMPLETING THEIR WORK IN TIME FOR THE HOUSE TO RECEIVE THEIR REPORTS IN THAT WAY.
I AM GLAD TO DRAW TO THE HOUSE’S ATTENTION THE CONCLUSION OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE, ENDORSED BY THE MONITORS, AND I QUOTE: THAT +MOST OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FIND THE DRAFT AGREEMENT ACCEPTABLE.+
/THAT IS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
- 9 -
THAT IS AN AUTHORITATIVE, AND MOST IMPORTANT, CONCLUSION.
IT IS BASED ON CAREFUL ANALYSIS OF THE WHOLE RANGE OF SUBMISSIONS AND STATEMENTS RECEIVED. ALL THE PRINCIPAL REPRESENTATIVE BODIES IN HONG KONG, ALONG WITH THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF ORGANISATIONS AND GROUPS AND MOST OF THE INDIVIDUALS EXPRESSING A VIEW, ACCEPTED THE DRAFT AGREEMENT.
THE OVERALL PICTURE FROM REPORTS BY AND THROUGH THE MEDIA WAS FOUND TO BE ONE OF GENERAL ACCEPTANCE. THE SAME VIEW EMERGED FROM VARIOUS INDEPENDENT OPINION SURVEYS.
THE INDEPENDENT MONITORS, WHO WATCHED THE WORK OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE AT EVERY STAGE, CONFIRMED THAT THE OFFICE HAD PERFORMED ITS FUNCTIONS PROPERLY AND IMPARTIALLY.
OVER THREE AND A HALF MILLION COPIES OF THE AGREEMENT WERE DISTRIBUTED IN HONG KONG AND THE FACT THAT MORE THAN A MILLION OF THOSE WERE DISTRIBUTED BY THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY SAYS SOMETHING, I SUPPOSE, ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP IN WHICH THE ASSESSMENT WAS CONDUCTED. THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE RECEIVED NEARLY TWO AND A HALF THOUSAND DIRECT SUBMISSIONS, MANY FROM ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTING A HUGE MEMBERSHIP.
THIS COMPARES VERY FAVOURABLY WITH PREVIOUS EXERCISES OF CONSULTATION IN HONG KONG.
THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE TOOK INTO ACCOUNT 273 REPORTS OF DISCUSSIONS, DEBATES, SEMINARS, PUBLIC SPEECHES AND INTERVIEWS, AS WELL AS THE RESULTS OF 23 OPINION SURVEYS OF VARIOUS KINDS. BUT BY ANY STANDARDS IT WAS A MOST THOROUGH EXERCISE IN INFORMATION AND CONSULTATION.
ONE POINT ON WHICH A NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMMENTED IN THE COURSE OF THIS PROCESS WAS THE FACT THAT THE DRAFT AGREEMENT COULD NOT IN ANY CASE BE AMENDED AND I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING DIRECTLY ABOUT THAT.
THE NORMAL PRACTICE IN NEGOTIATING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS IS THAT ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN INITIALLED THEY ARE NOT OPEN TO AMENDMENT. AND THERE IS GOOD REASON FOR THAT. IT IS THAT IN SUCH CASES ANY ATTEMPT TO CHANGE THE DRAFT AGREEMENT WOULD RISK DISTURBING THE WHOLE DELICATE BALANCE THAT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AND SO IT WAS IN THE PRESENT CASE. IT IS FOR THAT REASON THAT WE TOOK SUCH TROUBLE TO CONSULT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AT EVERY TURN DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS. IT IS FOR THAT REASON THAT I MADE STATEMENTS ON MY TWO VISITS TO HONG KONG IN APRIL AND JULY. AND, IN THAT WAY, WE OFFERED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMENT ON THE LIKELY SHAPE OF THE EMERGING AGREEMENT AND RIGHTLY, THEY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.
/SUBSEQUENTLY, THE........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
10 -
subsequently, the assessment exercise has enabled people in HONG KONG TO SAY WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE ABOUT THE COMPLETED DRAFT AGREEMENT. THE REPORT GIVES A CLEAR ACCOUNT OF THESE CONCERNS. THIS WILL BE OF ENORMOUS VALUE TO US DURING THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING THE AGREEMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD AND DURING THE DISCUSSIONS WE SHALL HAVE IN THE FUTURE WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. THAT HAS BEEN AN ADDED ADVANTAGE OF THE WHOLE EXERCISE.
I’D LIKE JUST NOW TO DEAL WITH ONE OR TWO OTHER MATTERS WHICH HAVE ATTRACTED ATTENTION. FIRST, NATIONALITY. IT IS WIDELY RECOGNISED THAT THIS IS THE ASPECT OF THE AGREEMENT WHICH MANY PEOPLE HAVE FOUND LEAST SATISFACTORY. THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICUL SUBJECTS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS. BECAUSE IT IS ALSO A MATTER WHICH AFFECTS PEOPLE IN THEIR PERSONAL LIVES, IT GIVES RISE TO VERY STRONG EMOTIONS. IT WAS NOT EASY TO RECONCILE THE CONFLICTING INTERESTS INVOLVED.
NEVERTHELESS I DO BELIEVE THAT WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IS A REASONABLE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEMS. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WERE NOT PREPARED TO AGREE THAT ANYONE BORN IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997 SHOULD ACQUIRE BRITISH NATIONALITY BY VIRTUE OF THEIR CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG.
WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED IS AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON MEASURES WHICH WILL MEAN THAT THOSE WHO ARE BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS BEFORE 1 JULY 1997 CAN RETAIN DURING THEIR LIFETIME AN APPROPRIATE STATUS, WHICH BY DEFINITION WILL BE A FORM OF BRITISH NATIONALITY. AS WITH THEIR PRESENT STATUS, THIS WILL NOT ENTITLE THEM TO SETTLE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. BUT IT WILL ENABLE THEM TO USE A BRITISH PASSPORT AND SO TO AVAIL THEMSELVES EXCEPT, OF COURSE, HONG KONG AND CHINA OF BRITISH CONSULAR PROTECTION.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN SET OUT IN A DRAFT EXCHANGE OF MEMORANDA WHICH ARE NOT PART OF THE AGREEMENT. HOWEVER THE TERMS OF THESE MEMORANDA AND THEIR PUBLICATION HAVE BEEN AGREED BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES: AND NATURALLY EACH SIDE WILL ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS OWN MEMORANDUM WITHOUT ANY OBJECTION BEING RAISED BY THE OTHER.
WE WERE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT THOSE PERSONS WHO HAD BEEN BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS BEFORE 1997 SHOULD TRANSMIT THAT STATUS TO THEIR CHILDREN FOR ONE GENERATION THEREAFTER. I RECOGNISE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENT TO MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
ANDREW FAULDS (LABOUR): ... THIS IS IN AN ANNEX ... (QUESTION UNCLEAR) WOULD BE OPEN TO RECONSIDERATION IN THE LEGISLATION THAT MUST FOLLOW ON BRITISH NATIONALITY.
/HCWE: I ........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 198A
HOWE: I WOULD NOT LIKE TO GIVE THE HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN THE IMPRESSION THAT THAT COULD BE A CONSIDERATION. I KNOW FROM OBSERVATIONS THAT HE HAS MADE IN THE PAST AND, INDEED, THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BY MANY OTHERS, THAT IT IS A MATTER WHICH WAS REGARDED, UNDERSTANDABLY, AS BEING OF SOME IMPORTANCE.- BUT THE FACT IS THAT IN THE COURSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS TRANSMISIBILITY WAS UNOBTAINABLE. THE COMPROMISE WHICH WAS ARRIVED AT, BUT I MUST SAY I HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT THIS, WAS THE BEST THAT COULD BE ACHIEVED.
THE SECOND ISSUE I WANT TO DEAL WITH VIS THE STATIONING OF CHINESE FORCES IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997. UNDER THE AGREEMENT, DEFENCE IS A MATTER FOR THE CENTRAL PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT.
HOWEVER THE AGREEMENT CLEARLY PROVIDES THAT THE SAR GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR'THE MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER AND THAT FORCES SENT BY CHINA FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFENCE SHALL NOT INTERFERE IN ITS INTERNAL AFFAIRS. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE SENSITIVITIES IN HONG KONG ON THIS MATTER, AND THAT THEY WILL ACT PRUDENTLY.
THERE IS ONE LAST POINT ON THE AGREEMENT. SOME HAVE ASKED WHETHER THERE CAN BE ANY GUARANTEE THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WILL KEEP THE AGREEMENT. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN ABSOLUTE GUARANTEE IN RELATIONS BETWEEN SOVEREIGN STATES. BUT I BELIEVE THAT THIS AGREEMENT OFFERS THE MOST SOLID GUARANTEES WHICH ARE POSSIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS.
THE BEST GUARANTEE OF A COUNTRY’S PERFORMANCE IS ITS OWN SELF INTEREST. CHINA HAS A VERY STRONG INTEREST BOTH IN ADHERING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND MAKING SURE THAT IT WORKS:
- IN THE FIRST PLACE, CHINA HAS AND IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE TO HAVE STRONG ECONOMIC REASONS FOR WISHING TO SEE HONG KONG REMAIN STABLE AND PROSPEROUS.
- SECONDLY, AND PERHAPS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, THE WHOLE COURSE OF CHINESE REUNIFICATION, WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CENTRAL POLICY OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, IS LIKELY TO BE CONNECTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS AGREEMENT.
BOTH COUNTRIES HAVE GIVEN THEIR COMMITMENT TO THIS AGREEMENT. BOTH COUNTRIES WILL WISH TO MAINTAIN THEIR REPUTATIONS BY UPHOLDING THE AGREEMENT IN THE SPIRIT IN WHICH IT WAS MADE.
IT WOULD BE TOO MUCH TO EXPECT THAT THIS DOCUMENT, WHICH HAS EMERGED FROM EXTREMELY COMPLEX AND SOMETIMES DIFFICULT NEGOTIATIONS, COULD PROVIDE THE WHOLE ANSWER TO EVERY PROBLEM. IN SOME AREAS IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO ELABORATE THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES SET OUT IN THE AGREEMENT. ONE SUCH AREA, IS THE CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE HUNG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.
/IN THAT .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
12
IN THAT CONNECTION I WELCOME THE WHITE PAPER ON CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT WHICH HAS JUST BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. IT PROVIDES FOR SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS REPRESENTATIVE INSTITUTIONS IN THE 1985 ELECTIONS, AND FOR- THE PROSPECT OF FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN THIS DIRECTION FOLLOWING A FURTHER REVIEW IN 1987, WHICH WILL CONSIDER ALSO THE QUESTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS. AT THE SAME TIME IT RIGHTLY AVOIDS SUDDEN AND DRAMATIC CHANGES WHICH COULD UNSETTLE THE VERY STABILITY WHICH ALL OUR EFFORTS ARE DESIGNED TO SECURE. I HAVE ALREADY TOLD THE HOUSE THAT WE REGARD THIS NEXT 12 YEARS AS CRUCIAL. WE SHALL NEED TO ACHIEVE PROGRESS AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. AT THE SAME TIME, WE SHALL NEED TO KEEP CONSTANTLY IN MIND THE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG AND THEIR (SIC) FUTURE POSITION AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
INTERJECTION (NAME UNCLEAR) : THERE IS ONE IMPORTANT MATTER TO WHICH MY RIGHT HONOURABLE FRIEND HAS NOT REFERRED AND WHICH IS REFERRED TO ONLY BRIEFLY IN THE WHITE PAPER, AND THAT IS THE POSITION OF THE BRITISH EXPATRIATE STAFF IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF HK. WILL MY RIGHT HONOURABLE FRIEND BEAR IN MIND THAT ON ALL PREVIOUS OCCASIONS WHEN A COLONY HAS ACHIEVED ITS INDEPENDENCE THERE HAS BEEN A PUBLIC OFFICERS’ AGREEMENT UNDER WHICH PROVISION HAS BEEN MADE FOR THE FUTURE CAREER PROSPECTS, FOR THE PENSIONS, AND FOR COMPENSATION FOR LOSS OF OFFICE ARISING OUT OF CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES, TO BE MADE FOR ALL SUCH PEOPLE. WILL MY RIGHT HONOURABLE FRIEND GIVE AN UNDERTAKING THAT SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE, THE MEMBERS OF HER MAJESTY’S OVERSEAS CIVIL SERVICE IN HK?
HOWE: I AM GRATEFUL TO MY HONOURABLE AND LEARNED FRIEND FOR RAISING THAT POINT. AS HE POINTED OUT, THE DRAFT AGREEMENT IN ANNEX ONE PART FOUR DOES PROVIDE SATISFACTORILY FOR CONTINUITY OF SERVICE BY SERVING OFFICERS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF HONG KONG ON TERMS AND CONDITIONS, INCLUDING PAY AND PENSIONS, NO LESS FAVOURABLE THAN BEFORE THE FIRST OF JULY 1997. AND THOSE PROVISIONS APPLY TO MEMBERS OF HER MAJESTY’S OVERSEAS CIVIL SERVICE SERVING IN HONG KONG AS WELL AS (UNHEARD) CIVIL SERVANTS. RESUMPTION CF SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG BY THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA DOES RAISE SIMILAR (UNCLEAR) IN RESPECT OF THE, OF HER MAJESTY’S OVERSEAS CIVIL SERVICE (UNCLEAR). IT IS NOT POSSIBLE, HOWEVER TO DEFINE NOW TWELVE AND A HALF YEARS IN ADVANCE OF CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE - ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL APPLY TO MEMBERS OF hWOCS SERVING IN HONG KONG AND THE PAYMENT OF THEIR PENSIONS BY THE HONG KONG SAR AFTER THE FIRST OF JULY 1997; AT THIS STAGE I DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO WHAT IS IN THE AGREEMENT. YOU HAVE SEEN THAT..... (UNCLEAR PHRASE).
/INTERJECTION .......
THURSDAY, DECfXBER 6, 1984
INTERJECTION (NAME UNCLEAR) s THERE IS ONE OTHER PERIPHERAL BUT VERY IMPORTANT MATTER WHICH WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF HE WOULD SAY SOMETHING ABOUT AND THAT IS THE QUESTION OF THE LONG-TERM FATE OF THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HK.
MY RIGHT HONOURABLE FRIEND WILL BE AWARE OF THE DIFFICULTIES THAT THE HK ADMINISTRATION IS HAVING IN GETTING THOSE REFUGEES PLACED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, AND OF THE RELUCTANCE OF HM GOVERNMENT, HAVING DONE A GREAT DEAL, TO TAKE ANY MORE REFUGEES NOW. AND I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF MY RIGHT HONOURABLE FRIEND COULD CONFER WITH MY OTHER RIGHT HONOURABLE FRIEND THE HOME SECRETARY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO TAKE SOME REFUGEES OURSELVES AND THAT WE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE OTHER COUNTRIES TO DO SO ALSO.
HOWE s AGAIN THAT THANKS TO MY HONOURABLE FRIEND FOR RAISING THAT POINT. IT DOES, OF COURSE, GO OUTSIDE THE FRAME OF THE PARTICULAR DEBATE I AM CONCERNED WITH NOW, THE COMMENDING TO THE HOUSE THIS AGREEMENT. AND IN SO FAR AS IT IS WITHIN THE SCOPE CF TODAY’S DEBATE I AM SURE OUR HONOURABLE FRIEND WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT IT IN HIS SPEECH AT THE END, BUT IT DOES TAKE US ON TO RATHER DIFFERENT TERRITORY.
INTERJECTION (NAME UNCLEAR) s MY RIGHT HONOURABLE FRIEND HAS SET AT REST THE WORRY ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY WITHIN THE REGION, THAT IT WILL NOT BE INVOLVED IN INTERNAL SECURITY, BUT THERE IS ANOTHER WORRY AND THAT IS THAT CONSCRIPTION MIGHT BE APPLIED. MIGHT I SUGGEST TO HIM THAT THAT IS A WORRY THAT SHOULD BE SET AT REST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND WOULD IT NOT BE A GOOD IDEA TO ESTABLISH SOME INTERNAL SECURITY FORCE FOR POLICING THE FRONTIER WITH THE REST OF CHINA SO THAT YOUNG PEOPLE IN HK CAN SERVE IN THAT BODY AND NOT BE IN ANY WAY SUBJECT TO THE POSSIBILITY OF CONSCRIPTION INTO THE PLA ?
HOWE t IT IS OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE TO BE IN PLACE AFTER 1997 WHEREBY PUBLIC ORDER IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AND DEVELOPED SO FAR AS NECESSARY. ON THE PARTICULAR POINT OF CONSCRIPTION, THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS RAISED, THAT IS NOT MENTIONED IN THE AGREEMENT. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT SUGGESTED THAT THERE WOULD BE CONSCRIPTION AND THIS IS THEREFORE - THERE IS NO REASON TO ASSUME THAT THERE WOULD BE SUCH A THING. I CAN’T SAY MORE THAN THAT AT THIS STAGE.
HOWE I I MUST TRY AND DRAW TO A CLOSE. I BELIEVE, MY DEPUTY SPEAKER, THAT THERE HAS EMERGED FROM THESE NEGOTIATIONS A BOLD AND IMAGINATIVE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. THE CONCEPT CF MAINTAINING TWO SEPARATE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS WITHIN ONE COUNTRY IS A FAR-SIGHTED ONE, WHICH IS CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH CHAIRMAN DENG XIAOPING HIMSELF. AS A MEANS OF RECONCILING THE APPARENTLY IRRECONCILABLE, IT COULD HAVE IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR PROBLEMS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. I AM GREATLY ENCOURAGED BY THE FAVOURABLE RECEPTION OF THIS DRAFT AGREEMENT INTERNATIONALLY, AND PARTICULARLY BY THE MAJOR INDUSTRIALISED NATIONS WHO CAN PLAY SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE PROSPERITY.
/Nineteen .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
14
NINETEEN NINETY-SEVEN WILL NOT ONLY MARK THE END OF AN ERA IN HONG KONG : MORE IMPORTANTLY IT WILL MARK THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA.
THE SUCCESS OF THIS AGREEMENT WILL DEPEND NOT ONLY ON CH I NA AND THE UK, BUT IN LARGE PART ON THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO MAKE IT WORK. AS THE HOUSE KNOWS VERY WELL THEY ARE RESOURCEFUL AND RESILIENT AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS EVERY CHANCE THAT IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE STRIKING FINANCIAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SUCCESS THAT IT IS TODAY.
CERTAINLY, WE SHALL CONTINUE FULLY, RESPONSIBLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO DISCHARGE OUR OBLIGATIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG UNTIL 1997. AND THEREAFTER WE SHALL FOLLOW THE FORTUNES OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WITH THE UTMOST ATTENTION AND INTEREST.
MY DEPUTY SPEAKER, THIS IS A DEBATE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND ABOUT THE DRAFT AGREEMENT THAT IS BEFORE THE HOUSE TODAY. AND I CLOSE BY SAYING THAT THIS IS AN HONOURABLE AGREEMENT. IT IS AN AGREEMENT THAT IS GOOD FOR BRITAIN, AN AGREEMENT THAT IS GOOD FOR CHINA. BUT FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN EITHER OF THOSE STATEMENTS, IT IS AN AGREEMENT WHICH IS GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT I WARMLY AND STRONGLY COMMEND IT TO THE HOUSE.
-----0 - -
MOVE TO ENSURE HK’S SHIPPING ROLE *****
THAT THE
NECESSARY
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO ENSURE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK IS IN PLACE TO ENABLE 1Tlrtll
ON THEIR BUSINESS IN A CLIMATE OF INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION.
SHIPOWNERS TO CARRY
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR PIERS JACOBS, WHEN HE ADDRESSED A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE SHIPPING COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
MR JACOBS SAID THAT CHANGES HAD TO BE MADE TO THE PRESENT SET-UP AS PROVISIONS HAD BEEN MADE UNDER THE SINO-BRITISH DRAFT AGREEMENT THAT THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION SHALL BE AUTHORISED BY THE CENTRAL PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A SHIPPING REGISTER AND ISSUE RELATED CERTIFICATES UNDER ITS OWN LEGISLATION IN THE NAME OF HONG KONG, CHINA.
/+AT THE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
15
+AT THE MOMENT HONG KONG OPERATES AS A BRITISH PORT OF REGISTRY. THIS CANNOT CONTINUE BEYOND 1997. WE THEREFORE HAVE TO ADDRESS SOME QUITE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES, INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF THE FUTURE OF OUR SHIPPING REGISTER,+ HE SAID.
IN RECENT YEARS THE FOCUS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING REGISTER DEBATE HAS BEEN ON WHETHER TO DO AWAY WITH FLAGS OF CONVENIENCE.
+IF FLAGS OF CONVENIENCE ARE EVENTUALLY PHASED OUT, THEN THIS COULD HAVE A PROFOUND EFFECT ON THE PATTERN OF SHIPPING IN HONG KONG BECAUSE AT THE PRESENT TIME A LARGE NUMBER OF HONG KONG BENEFICIALLY OWNED SHIPS FLY FLAGS OF CONVENIENCE,* HE SAID.
MR JACOBS DISCLOSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD INITIAL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HONG KONG SHIPOWNER’S ASSOCIATION AND CERTAIN OBJECTIVES HAD BEEN SUGGESTED TO THE GOVERNMENT. THEY INCLUDE:-
* THE NEED FOR HONG KONG TO HAVE ITS OWN MODERN MERCHANT SHIPPING LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND CONVENTIONS TO BE HONOURED;
* THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AUTONOMOUS HONG KONG REGISTRY ATTRACTIVE TO SHIPOWNERS AND OTHERS, WHICH COULD BE FINANCIALLY SELF-SUFFICIENT ;
* THE DEVELOPMENT AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NECESSARY SUPPORTING CERTIFICATION, SURVEY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES ;
* THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL TRAINING FACILITIES TO ENSURE THE AVAILABILITY OF SKILLED PERSONNEL TO MAN HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS;
* THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DISTINCT SHIPPING POLICY FOR HONG KONG, AND HONG KONG REPRESENTATION (AS AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER) IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION AND OTHER MAJOR SHIPPING POLICY MAKING BODIES; AND
* THE DEVELOPMENT OF PORT SERVICES TO MATCH THE NEEDS OF AN EXPANDING PORT AND HK’S INCREASINGLY VARIED AND DEVELOPING FLEET.
ON A PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A SHIPPING BUREAU WHICH WOULD PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE COMMERCIAL SIDE OF SHIPPING AND DEAL WITH TRADE DIFFICULTIES AND OTHER MATTERS OF THE SORT HANDLED IN THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT, MR JACOBS SAID HE WAS ATTRACTED BY THIS IDEA.
/♦THE COKCEPT........
THURSDAY, DECIMBER 6, 1984
16 -
+THE CONCEPT HAS SUFFICIENT MERIT TO DEMAND FURTHER EXAMINATION. OF COURSE, THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING ANY FUTURE REGISTER AND MONITORING ADHERENCE TO INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND SO ON, AND THE MAKING AND ENFORCEMENT OF REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE SAFETY OF SHIPS AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL MUST REST WITH THE GOVERNMENT,+ HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S AIR TRANSPORT, MR JACOBS NOTED THAT MUCH COULD BE DONE TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY AND ABILITY OF KAI TAK TO HANDLE MORE PASSENGERS AND CARGO.
EXPANSION OF THE AIRPORT IS TAKING PLACE. A DEVELOPMENT PLAN KNOWN AS STAGE V WILL START IN APRIL 1985.
THE DESIGN OBJECTIVE OF STAGE V IS TO INCREASE THE HOURLY CAPACITY OF THE TERMINAL BUILDING TO A LEVEL WHICH BROADLY MATCHES THE RUNWAY CAPACITY OF 30 AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS AN HOUR.
THE HOURLY THROUGHPUT IN BUSY PERIODS HAS ALREADY REACHED THE AIRPORT’S DESIGN CAPACITY OF 3 400 PASSENGERS.
STAGE V WILL CATER FOR 5 300 PASSENGERS PER HOUR, WHICH IS EQUIVALENT TO AN ANNUAL TOTAL OF BETWEEN 17 AND 18 MILLION PASSENGERS. THE LEVEL OF PASSENGERS FOR 1983 WAS ALMOST 9 MILL ION.
WHEN STAGE V IS COMPLETED IN MID-1987 IT SHOULD PROVIDE CAPACITY AT AN ADEQUATE STANDARD OF SERVICE TO MEET DEMAND FOR QUITE A NUMBER OF YEARS.
♦WHAT WILL HAPPEN THEREAFTER IS, OF COURSE, NOT EASY TO ANSWER. WE WILL HAVE TO WATCH THE TRAFFIC VERY CAREFULLY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT WE DO NOT FALL BEHIND IN TERMS OF QUALITY OF SERVICE,* MR JACOBS SAID.
-------0----------
HK GROUP TO SEE SHENZHEN WATER WORKS * * *
A GROUP OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE OF FINANCE COMMITTEE TOGETHER WITH SENIOR GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL STAFF WILL VISIT SHENZHEN TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE GROUP WILL LOOK AT WORKS PROJECTS IN SHENZHEN AND HONG KONG CONNECTED WITH THE AGREEMENT SIGNED IN MAY 1980 BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLES GOVERNMENT OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE TO SUPPLY WATER TO HONG KONG AND KOWLOON.
/THE HONG
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1?8U
- 1? -
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO CAP*™L PROJECTS TO A TOTAL VALUE OF ALMOST $2 OOO MILLION DIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH THC i960 AGREEMENT. UNDER THE AGREEMENT, HONG KONG WILL ACCEPT 255 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER IN THE TEN MONTHS FROM MAY 1, 1984 TO FEBRUARY 28, 1985, AND THIS OFF-TAKE WILL INCREASE ANNUALLY TO 500 MILLION CUBIC METRES IN THE TEN MONTHS FOLLOWING MAY 1, 1990.
THE GROUP WILL BE BRIEFED IN SHENZHEN TOMORROW MORNING ON THE EAST RIVER SCHEME AND THE WORKS THAT HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN TO PUMP WATER SUPPLIES TO HONG KONG. THE GROUP WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG IN THE AFTERNOON TO VISIT SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, INCLUDING THE RECENTLY COMPLETED MUK WU PUMPING STATION, WHICH IS DUE TO BE OPENED THIS MONTH.
THE GROUP, WHICH WILL BE LED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE, WILL INCLUDE SEVEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE. THEY WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE DEPUTY FINANC!AL SECRETARY AND THE DIRECTORS OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, TJjE,_NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TOGETHER WITH OTHER OFFICIALS OF THE FINANCE BRANCH AND LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
-------c - - - -
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY EFFORTS PAY OFF * * * *
REMARKABLE RESULTS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN CONTAINING THE GROWTH OF ACCIDENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR CHAN NAI-KEONG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THIS, HE ADDED, WAS A RESULT OF THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF GOVERNMENT, EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS OVER THE YEARS IN PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY THROUGH IMPROVED LEGISLATION AND INTENSIFIED TRAINING AND PUBLICITY.
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFETY AWARD SCHEME ORGANISED BY CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AT +RAFFLES+, NR CHAN SAID IT WAS HEARTENING TO NOTE THAT THIS YEAR THE NUMBER OF FATALITIES RECORDED CONTINUED TO SHOW A STEADY DOWNWARD TREND SINCE 1981.
♦COMPARED WITH THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1983, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS HAD DROPPED FROM 12 118 CASES TO 11 342 CASES IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD THIS YEAR, WHILE FATAL ACCIDENTS HAVE DECLINED FROM 46 TO 3'3 CASES.*
/However, mr .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
- 18
HOWEVER, MR CHAN STRESSED THAT THERE WAS NO CAUSE TO JUSTIFY SELF-COMPLACENCY AND EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY STANDARDS OF OUR WORKING ENVIRONMENT COULD NOT BE SLACKENED.
BECAUSE OF THE RELATIVELY MORE DANGEROUS WORKS BEING CARRIED OUT ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, WITH ALL THE ASSOCIATED PHYSICAL STRESSES AND STRAINS IMPOSED ON A WORKER, THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS STILL THE MOST HAZARDOUS INDUSTRY IN WHICH TO WORK,* HE SAID.
REFERRING AGAIN TO THE ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, MR CHAN SAID THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ACCOUNTED FOR 33 PER CENT CF THE TOTAL FOR ALL INDUSTRIES, WHILE THE NUMBER OF FATALITIES ACCOUNTED FOR 60 PER CENT.
+CONTINUOUS EFFORTS TO PRESERVE THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF OUR WORKERS IS THEREFORE A MATTER OF CONCERN TO US ALL,* HE ADDED.
MR CHAN SAID THE SAFETY AWARD SCHEME WAS YET ANOTHER PROGRAMME ORGANISED FOR THE EFFECTIVE PROMULGATION OF THE IMPORTANT MESSAGE OF SAFETY AT WORK.
+ IT SHOULD BE EMPHASISED, HOWEVER, THAT THE AWARDS GIVEN OUT ARE NOT AN END IN THEMSELVES BUT SERVE AS A STIMULUS TO OUR EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE OF WORK SAFETY,* HE SAID.
THE SCHEME CONSISTED OF FOUR AWARDS: +SAFETY WORKER*, +SAFETY SUB-CONTRACTOR*, +SAFETY SITE* AND +SAFETY QUIZ*.
THE +SAFETY WORKER* AWARD WAS WON BY MR LEE KWOK-KEUNG OF KUMAGAI GUMI (HK) LTD.; THE +SAFETY SITE* AWARD BY THE J908, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN SITE OF THE GAMMON (HK) LTD.; WHILE THE +SAFETY SUB-CONTRACTOR* AND +SAFETY QUIZ* AWARDS WERE WON BY MR TSANG KIN-SHING AND MR WONG CHU-KWONG RESPECTIVELY.
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PROMOTING THE ’PLAY SAFE’ MESSAGE * * * *
LAND SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO TEST THEIR SKILLS AND SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 9).
A +LAND SPORTS DAY*, ORGANISED ANNUALLY BY THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PRIVATE SPORTS GROUPS TO PROMOTE THE +PLAY SAFE* MESSAGE, WILL BE HELD AT THE GUN CLUB HILL BARRACKS, GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON FROM 9.30 AM TO 5 PM.
IT WILL BE OPENED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR WONG LAM, IN THE COMPANY OF DR S.F. LAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS, AND MR P.E. BIRNEY, CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY ON THE 1984 LAND SPORTS SAFETY CAMPAIGN.
/T'Q’EERS of..........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER fe, 1984
- 19 -
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO JOIN AND SHARE IN THE FUN. ADMISSION IS FREE.
THEY WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN PLAY-IN SESSIONS ON A VARIETY OF SPORTS INCLUDING ARCHERY, RIFLE SHOOTING, CYCLING, ROLLER-SKATING, TENT CAMPING AND HIKING.
PROGRAMMES FOR SPECTATORS WILL INCLUDE DEMONSTRATIONS OF SPORTING SKILLS, DISPLAYS OF SPORTS EQUIPMENT AND PHOTOGRAPHS, A TALK SHOW BY FAMOUS TV ARTISTES, BAND MUSIC AND VIDEO FILM SHOWS.
A QUIZ ON LAND SPORTS SAFETY WAS ORGANISED BY THE COUNCIL LAST MONTH AS AN INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY TO THE SAFETY DAY. SOME 2 OOO ENTRANTS, WHO HAD SUBMITTED ACCURATE ANSWERS, WILL BE INVITED TO COLLECT THEIR SOUVENIRS AND TAKE PART IN THE SAFETY DAY.
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UK ENERGY MINISTER TO MEET PRESS * * * *
THE MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, THE RT HON ALICK BUCHANAN-SMITH, MP, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 4.45 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM.
HE IS STOPPHTC OVER IN HONG KONG FOR A DAY ON HIS WAY BACK TO LONDON AFTER AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO CHINA.
WEST GERMANS URGED TO INVEST IN HK * * * *
DIRECT INVESTMENT INDUSTRY REMAINED AT A YAXLEY, SAID TODAY.
BY WEST GERMANY IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING LOW LEVEL, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR JOHN
MR YAXLEY, WHO IS ON AN INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION TOUR CF WEST GERMANY, WAS SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR IN COLOGNE.
HE SAID THAT WEST GERMANY RANKED TENTH IN OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG. THE MAJOR SOURCES OF OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT CAME FROM the UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND THE UNITED KINGDOM FOLLOWED BY THE NETHERLANDS, THE PHILIPPINES AND SWITZERLAND.
OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN MANUFACTURING IN HONG KONG WAS MAINLY IN ELECTRONICS, TEXTILES AND GARMENTS, AND ELECTRICAL GOODS.
/MR YAXLEY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
20
MR YAXLEY SAID HE SHIFT IN THE CENTRE OF TO THE PACIFIC.
BELIEVED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A FUNDAMENTAL GLOBAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FROM THE ATLANTIC
IN ALL THIS ACTIVITY, HE SAID, WESTERN EUROPE PLAYED A VERY SMALL PART.
IT WAS TIME THAT MORE PEOPLE IN WESTERN EUROPE WOKE UP TO THE OPPORTUNITIES AND POSSIBILITIES BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE, HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, MR YAXLEY SAID THE DRAFT AGREEMENT BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA PROVIDED A FRAMEWORK IN WHICH HONG KONG WOULD BE ABLE TO PRESERVE ITS LEGAL, SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC SYSTEM.
+IN SHORT, THE DRAFT AGREEMENT PROVIDES ADEQUATELY FOR A CONTINUATION OF LIFE IN HONG KONG AS WE KNOW IT, AND OF ALL THOSE FACTORS WHICH HAVE MADE HONG KONG A SUCCESS.
+IT HAS BEEN WELL-RECEIVED NOT ONLY IN HONG KONG ITSELF, BUT MORE WIDELY BY GOVERNMENTS ABROAD AND IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.
+l AM CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE WITH ITS SUCCESS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH WHICH WILL ACCELERATE WITH CHINA’S MODERNISATION PROGRAMMES,* MR YAXLEY SAID.
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FIRE PREVENTION SEMINAR IN KWUN TONG
*****
A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO EDUCATE OFFICEBEARERS OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AND FACTORY BUILDING CARETAKERS IN KWUN TONG ON FIRE PREVENTION IN FACTORY BUILDINGS.
SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR WILL BE THE OFF ICER-1N-CHARGE OF THE KWUN TONG FIRE STATION, MR K.K. TSANG, AND THE ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER OF THE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS CO LTD, MR K.C. CHEUNG.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A QUEST ION-AND-ANSWER SESSION AFTER THEIR TALKS.
ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA COMMITTEE AND THE LOCAL INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE ASSOCIATION, THE SEMINAR WILL START AT 3.30 PM AT TELFORD RESTAURANT IN TELFORD GARDENS, KOWLOON BAY.
TOMORROW’S MEETING IS PART OF A SERIES OF SEMINARS INITIATED BY THE AREA COMMITTEE TO IMPROVE FACTORY BUILDING MANAGEMENT IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA OF THE DISTRICT.
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' /21 .....
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
- 21 -
TUNNEL TICKETS - A REMINDER * * *
AS FROM JANUARY 1, NEXT YEAR, THE OLD TYPE PREPAID CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL TICKETS WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED AS PAYMENT OF TOLL FEES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE REMINDED HOLDERS OF THE OLD TYPE PREPAID TICKETS, WHICH DO NOT INCLUDE THE TUNNEL PASSAGE TAX, TO EXCHANGE THEM FOR THE NEW TYPE INCLUSIVE OF THE TAX.
THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE UP FOR ANY DIFFERENCE IN VALUE BY PAYMENT OF CASH OR CHEQUE, HE SAID.
OLD TICKETS MAY BE EXCHANGED AT THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY’S ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AT THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE TOLL PLAZA, HUNG HOM, DURING OFFICE HOURS OR BY REGISTERED POST.
A NOTICE OF THE CHANGEOVER WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
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TECHNICAL INSTITUTE EXPANDS CAPACITY * * *
WITH THE COMPLETION OF ITS PHASE TWO DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL NOW HAS 2 300 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENT PLACES.
+THE $35 MILLION PROJECT, WHICH CONSISTS OF AN ADDITIONAL FLOOR IN THE MAIN BUILDING AND A SIX-STOREY ANNEX, IS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE 850 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENTS,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID.
WITH THE INCREASED CAPACITY THE INSTITUTE IS NOW THE LARGEST OPERATED BY THE COUNCIL.
IT COST A FURTHER $9 MILLION TO EQUIP THE 14 SPECIAL ROOMS AND WORKSHOPS AND 18 GENERAL-PURPOSE CLASSROOMS IN THE NEW EXTENSION AND ANNEX, WHICH WAS OPENED IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, HE SAID.
THE ADDITIONAL SPACE IS MAINLY TO PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR TECHNICIAN COURSES TRANSFERRED FROM THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
SINCE 1981, 28 DIPLOMA AND CERTIFICATE COURSES, INVOLVING ABOUT 5 800 STUDENTS, HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, AND THE COUNCIL IS BUILDING ANOTHER ANNEX AT THE HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE TO COPE WITH THE EXPANSION OF THE STUDENT POPULATION.
/MEANWHILE, A.........
THURSDAY, DECBffiER 6, 1984
22 -
MEANWHILE, A MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE TO INCREASE THE PROVISION OF COURSES, ESPECIALLY IN THE FIELD OF HEAVY VEHICLE WORK, TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR TECHNICAL PERSONNEL IN THESE TRADES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT FOR THE TEACHING OF VEHICLE BODY REPAIRING, MOTOR VEHICLE MECHANICS AND ENGINE TESTING HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE NEW WORKSHOPS, HE SAID.
THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ALSO OFFERS CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN COURSES IN ITS OTHER FIVE TEACHING DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCIAL STUDIES, DESIGN, GENERAL STUDIES, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING.
----o------
STATEMENT BY BANKING COMMISSIONER * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING STATED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT CONTINENTAL PACIFIC BANK AND TRUST COMPANY INC, A COMPANY INCORPORATED IN THE REPUBLIC OF NAURU, APPLIED TO HIS OFFICE EARLY THIS YEAR FOR APPROVAL TO MAINTAIN A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN HONG KONG UNDER SECTION 12C(1) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
UPON KNOWING THAT THE APPLICATION WOULD BE REFUSED, THE COMPANY WITHDREW ITS APPLICATION.
HE UNDERSTANDS THAT AN ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRE OF THE COMPANY UNDER THE NAME OF CONPAC HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THAT COMPANY IN HONG KONG.
THE COMMISSIONER WISHES TO STATE THAT HE HAS NEVER GIVEN APPROVAL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH AN OFFICE, AS INDEED HIS APPROVAL WAS NOT REQUIRED SINCE THE WORD +BANK+ IS NOT USED IN THE NAME CONPAC.
------0-------
ATHLETICS HELPS BUILD CHARACTER — CHEONG-LEEN * * * * *
ATHLETICS IS MORE THAN JUST FUN AND GAMES. IT TEACHES SELF-DISCIPLINE, FAIR PLAY, PERSEVERANCE AND IT ALSO PROMOTES PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING - ALL QUALITIES THAT ARE NEEDED TO ATTAIN SUCCESS IN WHATEVER ONE CHOOSES TO DO IN LIFE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, M? HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE FOURTH JOINT SCHOOLS ATHLETIC MEET FOR THE PRIMARY SECTION ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG CATHOLIC DIOCESAN SCHOOLS COUNCIL, AT THE HONG KONG STADIUM TODAY (THURSDAY).
/MH CHEONG-LEHi
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
- 23 -
MR CHEONG-LEEN TOLD SOME 1 700 CONTESTANTS FROM 72 SCHOOLS THAT ONE OF THE PRIMARY GOALS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL IS TO PROMOTE SPORTS ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH.
DESPITE FINANCIAL AND LAND CONSTRAINTS, HE SAID, THE COUNCIL ALLOCATES A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF ITS RESOURCES TO PROVIDING BETTER AND MORE RECREATION AND SPORTS FACILITIES - A COMMITMENT WHICH HAS BEEN STEPPED UP IN RECENT YEARS.
*BUT IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT THE COUNCIL CAN FIND SUCH SUITABLE SITES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE, PURPOSE-BUILT SPORTS COMPLEXES,* MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID.
+ IN CONSEQUENCE THE COUNCIL ADOPTS A FLEXIBLE APPROACH AND LAND RESOURCES ALREADY ALLOCATED TO THE COUNCIL ARE PUT TO MAXIMUM USE BY THE INCLUSION OF SPORTS FACILITIES IN EXISTING AND FUTURE MULTI-PURPOSE COMPLEXES.
+IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT YOU WILL SOMETIMES FIND UNDER ONE ROOF AN INDOOR GAMES HALL, A LIBRARY, SOME MARKET STALLS AND VARIOUS URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICES.
+1 AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT THIS APPROACH HAS ENABLED US TO BUILD RECREATION AND SPORTS FACILITIES THAT ARE COMPARABLE IN QUALITY AND QUANTITY WITH MOST OF THE MAJOR CITIES ELSEWHERE.*
APART FROM PROVIDING BASIC FACILITIES, THE COUNCIL ALSO PRESENTED IN 1983/84 A TOTAL OF 275 SPORTS AND RECREATION PROGRAMMES FOR YOUNGSTERS IN COLLABORATION WITH VARIOUS NATIONAL SPORTS BODIES, COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, DISTRICT BOARDS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
AND IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR ALONE, IT ORGANISED 28 YOUTH SPORTS PROJECTS, ONE OF WHICH ATTRACTED SOME 3 600 SCHOOL CHILDREN AS COMPARED WITH 2 500 IN 1983.
♦THIS TREND NO DOUBT AUGURS WELL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WHAT MAY BE TERMED HONG KONG’S ONLY NATURAL RESOURCE AND A PRECIOUS ONE IT IS AT THAT, TOO ... AND THAT IS, OUR YOUTH — FOR WITHOUT THEM, WHERE IS OUR FUTURE?* MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID.
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/24........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
24
TV TO HELP TEACH ABOUT DISTRICTS * * * *
A SERIES WILL BE AIRED VIEWERS ABOUT
OF LIVELY AND INTERESTING TELEVISION PROGRAMMES
ON TVB JADE AT NOON EVERY SUNDAY TO TEACH
THEIR OWN DISTRICT AND ABOUT DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
THE FIRST OF THE +INTER-DISTRICT GAMES SHOWS+ WILL BE SCREENED ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 9).
THE PROGRAMME, COMPRISING 13 EPISODES, IS JOINTLY PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE 18 DISTRICT OFFICES TO PROMOTE DISTRICT SPIRIT AND TO PUBLICISE THE ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS.
+THE SHOWS ARE INFORMATIVE AND ENTERTAINING, AND WILL FEATURE DOCUMENTARIES ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TWO DISTRICTS,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
+SOME OF THE STORIES IN THE EPISODES INCLUDE THE LOVER ROCK OF WAN CHAI, PROBLEMS RELATING TO PRIVATE STREETS IN KOWLOON CITY, TRAFFIC AND MEDICAL FACILITIES PLANNED FOR EASTERN, THE DESCRIPTION OF SAI KUNG AS THE BACKYARD OF HONG KONG, AND HOW THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD TACKLE PROBLEMS IN THE DENSELY POPULATED DISTRICT,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+IN BETWEEN THE DOCUMENTARIES WILL BE SOME EXCITING TELEMATCH GAMES, WITH THEMES THAT RELATE TO CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS,* HE ADDED.
+CLOSER TO THE TIME OF THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN MARCH ►EXT YEAR, THE DOCUMENTARIES WILL INTRODUCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE REPRESENTATIVE ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS.* HE SAID.
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ANT I-NARCOTICS CONCERT ON SATURDAY * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR G.L. MORTIMER, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1984 SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CONCERT ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 8).
THE CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL, STARTING 8 PM.
TWO LOCAL SINGERS, MR JOHNNY IP AND MISS CONNIE MAK, WILL PERFORM AT THE STAGE AND PUT ACROSS THE ANT I-NARCOTICS MESSAGE.
- - o -
/25
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
- 25 -
SECOND AMBULANCE DEPOT FOR TUEN MUN * * * *
A SECOND AMBULANCE DEPOT WILL SOON BE BUILT IN TUEN MUN.
A $3.5 MILLION CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR THE WORK, WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-STOREY STANDARD AMBULANCE DEPOT WITH FOUR APPLIANCE BAYS, BARRACK ACCOMMODATION, OFFICES, A RECREATIONAL AREA AND A DRILL YARD.
THE DEPOT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER NEXT YEAR.
-----0------
LIGHTING UP FOR CHRISTMAS * * *
THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST CHRISTMAS LIGHT WILL BE SWITCHED ON AT 6 PM ON DECEMBER 14 (FRIDAY).
A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE THE DESIGN, BUDGET AND TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EVENT WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 3 PM IN THE ACADEMIC ROOM, HARBOUR VIEW HOLIDAY INN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST PROPERTY DEVELOPERS’ ASSOCIATION, MR LUI CHE-WOO, AND THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICER, W BOWEN LEUNG WILL ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
NOTE TO ED I TORSt
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
-----0------
NORTH DISTRICT SINGING CONTEST
* * * * *
PEOPLE IN THE NORTH DISTRICT ARE BEING INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A SINGING CONTEST TO BE HELD DURING THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.
THE CONTEST IS OPEN TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES LIVING, WORKING CR STUDYING IN THE DISTRICT. IT AIMS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO JOIN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND TO DISSEMINATE THE MESSAGE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING AWAY FROM CRIME AND DRUGS.
FOR THE PRELIMINARIES, CONTESTANTS MAY CHOOSE THEIR OWN SONG, BUT FOR THE FINALS, THEY MUST PERFORM AN ADDITIONAL SONG DESIGNATED BY THE ORGA INSERS.
/prizes for
< THURSDAY, DECUtBER 6, 1984
- 26 -
WUM W3UT J 'H rOHxlt: '.'UjAJUP’i
PRIZES FOR THE TOP THREE WINNERS INCLUDE AN ELECTRONIC ORGAN, A RAD bOxCASSETTE RECORDER AND A PERSONAL COMPUTER, WITH CONSOLATION PRIZES FOR SEVEN OTHER CONTESTANTS.
■'Entry-forms are available at the north district office and ITS SUB-rOFFICES, THE LOCAL RURAL COMMITTEES AND THE NORTH' DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RETURNED TO THESE PLACES BY DECEMBER 14 (FRIDAY).
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED'BY THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS.
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NEW ROAD SECTION OPENING
* * * *
HU G3H9TIW£ 3Q J. IW TH^• pamt-
A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED SECTION OF PO LAM ROAD BETWEEN SAU MAU PING ROAD AND ANDERSON ROAD WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFr IC FROM' 10 AM WWRWXFRjy>^)..i!M - 3HT 30r : CF 1 R .00 i A A
MS € V i.YA' iR-i) WOPTQJ ' Q =1|-' ii tv r
HlrtlS^aiit-ON OF ROAD..TS PROHIBITED TO N.T., TAXIS AND::WAiL*Fd LIGHT BUSES EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY’THE* COMMISSIONER FOR TRANS^RV:.c • . M|? (
MOTOR I STS WISHING aACCtSS FROM XWUN TONG fo! RENNIE^ <L > VICE VERSA MAY USE THIf ROAD. 3 ■■d'-
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s 8 ROTi 4_ OT 3T0W VEHICLE RESTRICTION
' • •«<•* a *-*.« .-‘i oxa coy
FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 8), ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING FOUR TONNES GROSS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO USE POWER STREET IN f (?
THIS IS TO ENABLE WATER A'life WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT.
’ ’• a O'1 ' iO '■ 41T • IR02®
0. <3l' ----1 - o------ < • ' " . 'Ml - a <|
JflOV .07;.: j . ROAD--WORKS C T 03<K '>! .. , 3J
-LPC" ScA’bO'w' CT *Di‘ r,l 1 3HT I 'C
•-'AfS'M'PT ?:rr ■ ' c: ' 33IT|' i a r
WELL INGTOH''-STREET BETWEEN D^GU IL’AR' STREET AND WYNDHAM STREET IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 2 PM ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER ^ TO 7 AM ON 'MONDAY (DECEMBER 10) FOR ROAD WORK.
t 10c JAHOI।IGGA '
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WYNDHAM STREET, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND D’AGUILAR STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
- ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7. 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BILL SEEKS MORE CONTROL ON MONEY CHANGERS ................... 1
WIDER CONCERN NOW FOR HANDICAPPED — LADY YOUDE .............. 2
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW ................................. 3
ARBITRATION LAW ANOMALIES TO BE REMOVED ..................... 3
TRADE MARKS CRITERIA TO BE REVISED .......................... 4
REGISTRATION SUSPENDED ...................................... 5
CHILD ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS REPATRIATED ........................ 5
600 FLATS SOLD AT RICHLAND GARDENS .......................... 6
HOUSING DISPLAY MOVING TO NEW WORLD PLAZA ................... 6
BONSAI AND HORTICULTURAL SHOW ............................... 7
REDEVELOPMENT AT TUNG TAU ESTATE ............................ 7
TAXI LICENCE FEES UP NEXT YEAR .............................. 8
MORE WELFARE WORK URGED FOR NEW TOWNS ....................... 8
IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC EDUCATION STRESSED ...................... 9
CLEAR INSTRUCTION ON WORK METHODS URGED ..................... 10
TSIM SHa TSUI EAST SET FOR BIG LIGHT UP ..................... 11
MAIL CHRISTMAS CARDS EARLY, PUBLIC URGED .................... 12
NO CHRISTMAS AEROGRAMMES..................................... 12
NEW SAI KUNG FIRE STATION ................................... 13
NEWSPAPERS EMPLOY FEWER STAFF ............................... 13
WOMEN REMINDED ABOUT IDENTITY CARDS ......................... 15
VARIETY SHOW STARTS OFF FIGHT CRIME DRIVE ................... 15
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS ON SHOW ................................. 16
HOME SAFETY DAY AT TAI PO ................................... 17
'PHAB' WALK SET FOR SUNDAY ................................. 17
/CHINA .......
CHINA MUSICIANS GIVE CONCERT ................................... 18
CHILDREN TAKE PART IN MURAL PAINTING ........................... 18
•TA CHIU1 CUSTOM TO BE OBSERVED ................................ 19
AMS TEAMS TO COMPETE............................................ 19
CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURE ................................... 20
FOOTBRIDGE OVER O’BRIEN ROAD.................................... 20
SHA TIN ROAD WORKS CONTINUE..................................... 21
REPULSE BAY TAPS OFF .......................................... 22
TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR FIREWORKS SHOW.............................. 22
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
1
BILL SEEKS MORE CONTROL ON MONEY CHANGERS
* * *
THE MONEY CHANGERS (DISCLOSURE OF RATES, CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS) BILL 1984 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY SEEKS TO PROVIDE A MEASURE OF PROTECTION TO PERSONS WHO GO TO A MONEY CHANGER IN HONG KONG TO EXCHANGE CURRENCY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THERE HAD BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS FROM TOURISTS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS ABOUT THE INADEQUATE ADVANCE NOTICE GIVEN BY SOME MONEY CHANGERS ABOUT COMMISSION CHARGES.
THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIME CONCERN WAS TO ENSURE THAT CUSTOMERS WERE GIVEN A FAIR CHANCE OF KNOWING THE TERMS OFFERED BEFORE ENTERING INTO THE EXCHANGE TRANSACTION, HE SAID.
THE BILL, THEREFORE, SEEKS TO REQUIRE A MONEY CHANGER, BEFORE ENTERING INTO AN EXCHANGE TRANSACTION WITH A CUSTOMER, TO GIVE TO THE CUSTOMER A NOTE SETTING OUT CERTAIN DETAILS OF THE TRANSACTION, INCLUDING THE RATE OF EXCHANGE AND THE AMOUNT OF ANY CHARGE OR COMMISSION, TO DRAW THE CUSTOMER’S ATTENTION TO THOSE DETAILS, AND TO OBTAIN THE CUSTOMER’S CONSENT IN THE FORM OF HIS SIGNATURE.
A MONEY CHANGER WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE COMMITTING AN OFFENCE AND WILL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF 32 000 IN THE CASE OF A FIRST OFFENCE AND TO A FINE OF 35 003 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS IN THE CASE OF A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENCE. IN ADDITION, A CUSTOMER MAY RESCIND THE TRANSACTION WITHIN THREE DAYS, IF THE MONEY CHANGER COMMITS THIS OFFENCE.
TO ENSURE FULL DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSIONS OR CHARGES IMPOSED ON EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS, A MONEY CHANGER WHO MAINTAINS A BOARD OR SCREEN DISPLAYING THE RATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO STATE CLEARLY ON THE BOARD OR SCREEN THE NATURE OF ANY CHARGE OR COMMISSION AND THE AMOUNT OR THE METHOD OF CALCULATION OF THE AMOUNT. CONTRAVENTION WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE WILL BE AN OFFENCE CARRYING A FINE OF 35 030 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
THE REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED UPON A MONEY CHANGER WILL NOT APPLY TO A LICENSED BANK OR A LICENSED OR REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY, OR TO A TRANSACTION FOR A SUM EXCEEDING 100 003 HONG KONG DOLLARS OR ITS EQUIVALENT. HOTELS SELLING HONG KONG CURRENCIES PRIMARILY AS A SERVICE TO THEIR GUESTS ARE ALSO EXCLUDED.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 19, AND IS EXPECTED TO PASS ITS THIRD READING ON JANUARY 23, 1985.
/THE GOVERNMENT........
FRIDAY, DECIXBER 7, 1984
2 -
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IF THE BILL IS ENACTED, A PERIOD OF ONE MONTH WILL BE GIVEN TO THE MONEY CHANGERS TO ADJUST THEIR BUSINESS PROCEDURE AND FORMS BEFORE THE LEGISLATION BECOMES OPERATIVE.
ANYONE WHO HAS ANY COMMENT TO MAKE CAN WRITE TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
------0-------
WIDER CONCERN NOW FOR HANDICAPPED — LADY YOUDE * * * *
THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE HAD GRADUALLY BECOME MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO UNDERTAKE THE TASK OF CARING FOR THE HANDICAPPED, LADY YOUDE, WIFE OF THE GOVERNOR, SAID TODAY.
THIS TASK HAD FORMERLY BEEN LEFT LARGELY TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE FAMILY, SHE SAID.
LADY YOUDE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MACLEHOSE MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE AND THE SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION.
THE GOVERNMENT, SHE SAID, HAD RESPONDED TO THIS GROWING SOCIAL AWARENESS WITH ITS PLANS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FULLY EQUIPPED MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRES ON A REGIONAL BASIS TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THERE WERE AT PRESENT THE MARGARET TRENCH REHABILITATION CENTRE IN EAST KOWLOON, ALSO UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION, AND THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL PHYSICAL MEDICINE UNIT, SERVING THE EAST NEW TERRITORIES.
AND PLANS WERE ON HAND TO ESTABLISH A REHABILITATION UNIT AT THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL FOR THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES, AND ANOTHER AT ARGYLE STREET FOR WEST KOWLOON.
SHE SAID THE MACLEHOSE MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE, WHICH WOULD NOW SERVE HONG KONG ISLAND, WAS NAMED FOR THE FORMER GOVERNOR WHOSE UNFAILING SUPPORT FOR THE SOCIETY WAS WELL-KNOWN.
THE CENTRE HAS 150 BEDS AND PROVIDES AN INTENSIVE, INTEGRATED AND MULTI-DISCIPLINARY SERVICE FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED. IT ALSO SERVES AS A CLINICAL TRAINING INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AND FOR TRAINEE PHYSIOTHERAPISTS AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS FROM HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
/A +:<EHABUS+ ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
5
A +REHABUS+ DEPOT HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF ITS BUSES, AND A +REHABAID+ CENTRE PROVIDED A COUNSELLING SERVICE FOR THE DISABLED AND THEIR FAMILIES, SHE SAID. LADY YOUDE CONGRATULATED ALL WHO HAD WORKED +SO HARD FOR MANY YEARS TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT.+
NOTING THAT THE SOCIETY WAS CELEBRATING ITS SILVER JUBILEE, SHE ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE IT ON ITS ■►EXCELLENT WORK IN PROVIDING FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED.+
+IT IS WORK THAT HAS WON THE SOCIETY THE REGARD AND DEEP APPRECIATION OF BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,+ SHE SAID.
EARLIER, LADY YOUDE HAD WELCOMED SIR DAVID TRENCH, A FORMER GOVERNOR, WHO WAS A GUEST AT THE CEREMONY, AND THANKED HIM AND LADY TRENCH FOR ALL THAT THEY HAD DONE TO ENCOURAGE THE PROVISION OF CARE FOR THE HANDICAPPED.
- - 0 - -
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL RETURN FROM LONDON TOMORROW (SATURDAY) ON FLIGHT CX 200, ETA 9.05 AM.
ALSO TRAVELLING ON THE FLIGHT WILL BE THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL NEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG.
- - 0 -
ARBITRATION LAW ANOMALIES TO BE REMOVED * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS SEEKING TO AMEND THE ARBITRATION ORDINANCE UNDER AN ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1984 PUBLISHED TODAY.
UNDER THE BILL, THE COURT OF APPEAL AND NOT, AS AT PRESENT, THE HIGH COURT, WILL HEAR APPEALS IF THE AWARD WAS MADE BY A JUDGE ACTING AS AN ARBITRATOR OR UMPIRE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE AMENDMENT BILL WOULD REMOVE THE PRESENT ANOMALY WHERE THE APPEAL IS HEARD BY THE COLLEAGUES OF THE JUDGE IN THE HIGH COURT.
THE BILL ALSO REMOVES THE ANOMALY WHEREBY THE HIGH COURT CAN TERM I NE A PRELIMINARY POINT OF LAW FOR THE BENEFIT OF A FELLOW J GE ACTING AS AN ARBITRATOR OR UMPIRE.
/THE BILL
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST READING ON DECEMBER 19 AND TO GO THROUGH THE REMAINING LEGISLATIVE STAGES ON JANUARY 9, 1985.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL MAY WRITE TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12/F, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
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TRADE MARKS CRITERIA TO BE REVISED
******
THE CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF TRADE MARKS ARE TO BE REVISED TO REMOVE THE PRESENT INHIBITION ON LOCAL MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS OF FOREIGN GOODS FROM INVESTING IN THE PROMOTION OF A NEW TRADE MARK.
THE PROPOSED REVISION, UNDER THE TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 PUBLISHED TODAY, ALSO BRINGS THE CRITERIA INTO LINE WITH THE CURRENT BRITISH REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE TRADE MARKS ACT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT THE REGISTER OF TRADE MARKS IN HONG KONG IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS.
FOR REGISTRATION IN PART A, THE TRADE MARKS MUST BE +DI ST INCTI VE-r, THAT IS, ADAPTED TO DISTINGUISH THE GOODS TO WHICH IT APPLIES FROM OTHER GOODS.
FOR REGISTRATION IN PART B, THE TEST IS LESS STRINGENT, AND THE TRADE MARK ONLY HAS TO BE +CAPABLE OF D1ST INGUISHING+ THE GOODS IN QUESTION AND HAS TO HAVE BEEN USED FOR TWO YEARS.
UNDER THE AMENDMENT BILL, FOR PART B REGISTRATIONS, THE TWO-YEAR REQUIREMENT WOULD BE ABOLISHED AND A TRADE MARK COULD BE CONSIDERED +CAPABLE OF DISTINGUISHING* THE GOODS BY REASON CF USE OR ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES. FURTHERMORE, THE REGISTRAR CF TRADE MARKS WOULD HAVE DISCRETION, AS HE NOW HAS FOR PART A REGISTRATION, TO.ACCEPT OR REFUSE APPLICATIONS FOR PART B REGISTRATION.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 19 AND IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE ITS THIRD READING ON JANUARY 9, 1985.
ANYONE WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON ITS PROVISIONS MAY WRITE TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG.
------o-------
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
5
REGISTRATION SUSPENDED * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAS TODAY SUSPENDED THE REGISTRATION OF DEAK-PERERA FINANCE LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY, ON THE GROUND THAT THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY IS BEING CARRIED ON IN A MANNER DETRIMENTAL TO THE INTERESTS OF ITS DEPOSITORS.
- - 0 --------
CHILD ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS REPATRIATED * K * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT OF THE 74 CHILD ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INTERCEPTED WHILE TRYING TO ENTER HONG KONG IN THE PAST WEEK, 47 HAVE SO FAR BEEN REPATRIATED.
♦ THE REMAINING 27 ARE EITHER BEING PROCESSED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT OR ARE ASSISTING POLICE ENQUIRIES,* HE SAID.
♦ THIS GROUP INCLUDE TWO CHILDREN WHO WERE INJURED WHEN THEIR SPEEDBOAT COLLIDED WITH A ROYAL MARINE INFLATABLE BOAT IN TOLO HARBOUR ON DECEMBER 1.
♦ THEY ARE NOW IN FAIR CONDITION IN QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL.*
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ALL 27 OF THEM WILL BE REPATRIATED ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN PROCESSED.
+THE TWO WHO ARE NOW IN HOSPITAL WILL BE REPATRIATED ONCE THEY ARE CONSIDERED MEDICALLY FIT,* HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN AGAIN REITERATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROSPECT WHATSOEVER OF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OF ANY AGE AND SEX. +CHILDREN CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF COMING INTO HONG KONG ILLEGALLY ARE AUTOMATICALLY RETURNED TO CHINA,* HE SAID.
+THE REPATRIATION OF THE GROUPS INTERCEPTED IN THE PAST WEEK SHOULD MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR.*
- - 0 -
/6........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
6
600 FLATS SOLD AT RICHLAND GARDENS
* * * *
MORE THAN 600 FLATS AT RICHLAND GARDENS IN KOWLOON BAY HAVE BEEN SOLD TO ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS OVER THE WEEK SINCE THE SALES BOOK WAS OPEN ON MONDAY.
+THE GOOD RESPONSE TO THE CURRENT SALES CLEARLY INDICATES THAT HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS CONTINUE TO BE WELCOMED BY ASPIRING HOME-OWNERS,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY.
HE SAID THE 4 272 FLATS ON THE FIRST 16 BLOCKS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION WOULD BE SOLD EQUALLY BETWEEN THE TWO CATEGORIES OF GREEN-FORM AND WHITE-FORM APPLICANTS.
♦ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED TO CALL AT THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE IN HO MAN TIN IN TURNS TO MAKE THEIR CHOICE ACCORDING TO THEIR ORDER OF PRIORITY.
♦THOSE ON THE RESERVE LIST MAY, HOWEVER, STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO ACQUIRE A FLAT AS THE REMAINING 1 632 FLATS ON THE LAST SIX BLOCKS AT THE ESTATE MAY ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION IF THERE IS SUCH A DEMAND,* HE ADDED.
FLATS WITH TWO BEDROOMS ARE PRICED FROM $188 300 EACH AND THOSE WITH THREE BEDROOMS, FROM $251 100. THEY HAVE GROSS AREAS BETWEEN 43.7 AND 57.9 SQUARE METRES.
ALL UNITS WILL BE READY FOR OCCUPATION BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
------o-------
HOUSING DISPLAY MOVING TO NEW WORLD PLAZA * * * *
AND
A LARGE-SCALE EXHIBITION FOCUSING ON THE DEVELOPMENT ACHIEVEMENTS OF HONG KONG'S PUBLIC HOUSING WILL BE MOVED TO THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI, TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOLLOWING ITS SUCCESS AT THE CITY HALL.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM 2.30 PM TO 4 PM TOMORROW AFTERNOON WHEN A CELEBRATION CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE THERE TO MARK THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME.
AT THE CELEBRATION CEREMONY, LADY HADDON-CAVE, WIFE OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY, WILL CUT A BIRTHDAY CAKE WHICH WILL BE IN THE SHAPE OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S LOGO.
LADY HADDON-CAVE WILL THEN PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO THE MAJOR SPONSORS OF HOUSING FESTIVAL COMPETITIONS, AFTER WHICH SHE WILL TOUR THE EXHIBITION ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR DAVID FORD.
/P IOR TO .......
FRIDAY, DEChMBER 7, 1984
- 7 -
PRIOR TO THE BIRTHDAY CAKE CEREMONY, PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE WINNERS OF FOUR HOUSING FESTIVAL COMPETITIONS, ON PHOTOGRAPHS, DRAWINGS, ESSAYS AND ARCHITECTURAL PLANS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL REOPEN AFTERWARDS AT 4 PM UNTIL 6 PM, AND WILL THEN BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM UNTIL DECEMBER 16.
USING ULTRA MODERN SOUND AND VISUAL TECHNIQUES, THE EXHIBITION DEPICTS THE MODERN LIFESTYLE TO BE FOUND IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND PLACES SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE EVER-IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE OF ESTATE RESIDENTS.
ENTITLED +BETTER LIVING IN ESTATES*, IT IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AS ONE OF THE MAJOR EVENTS OF THE HOUSING FESTIVAL ’84.
------0 ------
BONSAI AND HORTICULTURAL SHOW
* X M
LADY BREMRIDGE, WIFE OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WILL BE AMONG THE GUESTS TO OFFICIALLY OPEN A BONSAI AND HORTICULTURAL SHOW ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 9) AS A HIGHLIGHT OF THE HOUSING FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS AT SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE, TSUEN WAN.
THE SHOW WILL EXHIBIT PRECIOUS COLLECTIONS OF STALAGMITE AND PLANTS WORTH OVER $2 MILLION, INCLUDING AN 100-YEAR-0LD TREE BELIEVED TO HAVE COME FROM A PALACE COLLECTION DATED BACK TO THE QING DYNASTY.
-----o-----
REDEVELOPMENT AT TUNG TAU ESTATE M * X *
ANOTHER OLD BLOCK AT TUNG TAU ESTATE IN CENTRAL KOWLOON IS TO BE DEMOLISHED SHORTLY TO MAKE WAY FOR A NEW BLOCK WHICH WILL PROVIDE MODERN HOMES FOR 1 100 PEOPLE.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY INVITED TENDERS FOR THE DEMOLITION WORK WHICH WOULD FORM PART OF AN ON-GOING REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME TO UPGRADE LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE ESTATE.
ON THE SITE OF THE OLD BLOCK WILL BE BUILT AN 11-STOREY LINEAR BLOCK WITH 200 SELF-CONTAINED FLATS.
UPON FULL REDEVELOPMENT BY THE EARLY 1990’S, SOME 8 200 MODERN FLATS WILL HAVE BEEN PROVIDED AT THE ESTATE FOR 38 000 PEOPLE.
------c-------
/8........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
8
TAXI LICENCE FEES UP NEXT YEAR
* * *
THE ANNUAL LICENCE FEES FOR TAXIS WILL GO UP FROM $1 600 TO $2 000 FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
REFERRING TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID:
+THE INCREASE IS IN LINE WITH A DECISION MADE BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN JULY 1984 WHEN REVIEWING THE TAXI POLICY.*
IT WAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE NUMBER OF TAXI LICENCES FOR THE URBAN AREA, THE NEW TERRITORIES AND LANTAU WILL CONTINUE TO BE FROZEN AT 14 000, 2 638 AND 40 RESPECTIVELY FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF GAZETTING.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE GAZETTING OF THESE PROPOSALS +MERELY PUT INTO EFFECT* THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S DIRECTIVE OF JULY 17, 1984.
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MORE WELFARE WORK URGED FOR NEW TOWNS # * M *
WITH THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, THERE WAS A NEED FOR WELFARE AGENCIES TO EXPAND THEIR ACTIVITIES IN THE NEW TOWNS, THE NEW DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE RED CROSS YOUTH AND WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION HEADQUARTERS AT SHEK LEI ESTATE, KWAI CHUNG.
SHE SAID THE MUCH NEEDED HEADQUARTERS PROVIDED THE RED CROSS WITH A BASE FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF YOUTH AND ADULT MEMBERS IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG.
THIS NOT ONLY HELPED TO FILL GAPS IN THE OVERALL PATTERN OF COMMUNITY WELFARE SERVICES, BUT ALSO ENABLED THE BEST USE TO BE MADE OF PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL IN OTHER AREAS, MRS CHAN SAID.
PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, SHE ADDED, HELPED MEMBERS UNDERSTAND OTHERS’ PROBLEMS, AND ENCOURAGED THEM TO WORK TOGETHER CONSTRUCTIVELY AND TO ASSIST THE LESS FORTUNATE.
IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING PROGRAMMES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, THE HEADQUARTERS HOUSES A FIRST AID TRAINING CENTRE TO SERVE LOCAL INDUSTRIAL WORKERS AND A DEPOT FOR THE RED CROSS’ HOSPITAL LIBRARY SERVICE WHICH PROVIDES LIGHT READING MATERIAL TO HOSPITAL PATIENTS.
/MRS CHAN .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
9
MRS CHAN SAID THE NEW CENTRE HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND AND THE BRADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST FUND TOWARDS ITS CAPITAL COST OF SI MILLION.
SHE NOTED THAT THE MEMBERSHIP UNDER THE RED CROSS YOUTH PROGRAMME HAD GROWN FROM 57 IN 1956 TO OVER 6 600 NOW.
MEMBERS HAD BEEN GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO BE TRAINED IN A WIDE RANGE OF SKILLS AND TO HELP THE SICK, THE FRAIL AND THE LESS FORTUNATE.
-----o-----
IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC EDUCATION STRESSED ******
CIVIC EDUCATION HAD A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY IN PROMOTING AN UNDERSTANDING OF AND CONCERN FOR THE NEW SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER CHANGES LIKELY TO OCCUR IN HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SEMINAR FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS ON CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS HELD AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN KOWLOON THIS MORNING.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT IN CONSIDERING CIVIC EDUCATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, ONE MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE NEED FOR HONG KONG TO PRESERVE THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS WHICH HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO ITS STABILITY AND STEADY PROGRESS.
MR LEUNG EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS PROPOSED TO DEVELOP CIVIC EDUCATION IN THREE WAYS.
WITH REGARD TO THE FORMAL CURRICULUM, A CROSS-CURRICULAR APPROACH WAS ADVOCATED.
+INSTEAD OF REINSTATING THE SUBJECT OF CIVICS, WE BELIEVE IT WOULD BE MORE DESIRABLE TO ENCOURAGE TEACHERS OF ALL RELEVANT SUBJECTS TO HIGHLIGHT THE ELEMENTS OF CIVIC EDUCATION AND WHAT MIGHT BE CALLED POLITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS IN THEIR TEACHING WHEREVER APPROPRIATE,* MR LEUNG SAID.
IN PARTICULAR, HE MENTIONED THE TEACHING OF SOCIAL STUDIES, HISTORY, CHINESE HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, ECONOMICS, ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, AND THE PROPOSED NEW SUBJECT GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
/AS FOR .......
FRIDAY, DECM4BER 7, 198L
10 -
AS FOR THE INFORMAL CURRICULUM, INCLUDING EXTRA-CURRICULAR AND RELATED ACTIVITIES, THERE WAS GROWING RECOGNITION IN HONG KONG THAT THESE OFFERED STUDENTS PRACTICAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITIZENSHIP.
AS EXAMPLES, MR LEUNG LISTED SUCH WELL-ESTABLISHED ORGANISATIONS AS THE GUIDES, SCOUTS, ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE, JUNIOR POLICE CALL, THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION AND THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB.
THE THIRD CONCERN WAS THE +ETHOS+ OF THE SCHOOL, WHICH WAS STRONGLY INFLUENCED BY THE RELATIONSHIPS EXISTING BETWEEN SCHOOL MANAGERS, ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, PUPILS AND SUPPORTING STAFF, AS WELL AS PARENTS.
♦IN LEARNING ABOUT THE GIVE-AND-TAKE OF LIFE, OF SENSIBLE WAYS OF LIVING, OF RIGHTS AND DUTIES, PUPILS GAIN MORE FROM ACTUAL SCHOOL LIFE THAN FROM MERE BOOK LEARNING. WHAT SCHOOLS CAN AND OUGHT TO DO IN THIS RESPECT IS WORTH CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, FOR IT IS IN THE CORPORATE LIFE OF THE SCHOOL THAT ITS ESSENTIAL CHARACTER LIES,+ HE SAID.
MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS CONSULTING THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ON THE PROPOSED APPROACH TO CIVIC EDUCATION AND WAS PREPARING GUIDELINES AND TEACHING MATERIALS TO SUPPORT IT.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY HEADS AT THE SEMINAR WOULD BE OF GREAT VALUE IN THIS PREPARATORY WORK, HE SAID.
-----o------
CLEAR INSTRUCTION ON WORK METHODS URGED
M * * * *
FACTORY PROPRIETORS WERE REMINDED TODAY BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT THAT THEY MUST ENSURE THAT CLEAR AND ADEQUATE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN TO WORKERS ON JOB METHODS.
THIS WAS ESPECIALLY ESSENTIAL WHERE CHEMICALS WERE HANDLED AND USED AND WHEN WORKERS WITH LANGUAGE BARRIER WERE INVOLVED, A SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE FOLLOWING A RECENT INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT IN WHICH A VIETNAMESE WORKER WAS SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY CYANIDE GAS. ’’
THE GAS HAD BEEN GENERATED WHEN CERTAIN CHEMICALS WERE WRONGLY MIXED AS A RESULT OF HIS PERSONAL IGNORANCE OF THE SUBSTANCES BEING HANDLED AND THE LACK OF PROPER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HIM AND HIS SUPERVISOR.
/THE SPOKESMAN ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
11
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH IT DID NOT TAKE LONG FOR THE AFFECTED WORKER TO RECOVER FROM THE GASSING, ACCIDENTS OF THIS NATURE COULD BE VERY SERIOUS AND MIGHT EVEN BE FATAL.
IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT CLEAR AND SIMPLE IDENTIFICATION AND WARNING LABELS SHOULD BE PLACED ON ALL VESSELS USED FOR KEEPING AND TRANSFERRING CHEMICALS, HE STRESSED.
FACTORY PROPRIETORS WHO REQUIRE FURTHER ADVICE SHOULD CONTACT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, HE SAID.
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TSIM SHA TSUI EAST SET FOR BIG LIGHT UP * * * *
AT THE PRESS OF A BUTTON NEXT FRIDAY (DECEMBER 14) EVENING, LADY YOUDE, WIFE OF THE GOVERNOR, WILL BE SWITCHING ON THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
LADY YOUDE WILL PERFORM THE SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY AT 6 PM IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY PARK, OPPOSITE THE SOUTH SEA CENTRE.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTINGS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION, MR LUI CHE-WOO SAID THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS FOR THE AREA, WILL HAVE THE THEME: +1 LOVE HONG KONG*.
+THE THEME SYMBOLISES THE WISH OF EVERYONE IN HONG KONG — THEIR LOVE AND TRUST IN THE TERRITORY,* MR LUI SAID.
+WITH DESIGNS OF SANTA CLAUS, PIGEONS AND THE WORDS ’I LOVE HONG KONG’, THE LIGHTINGS WILL BE MOUNTED ON BUILDINGS, HOTELS AND LAMPPOSTS ALONG THE STREETS IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST,* HE ADDED.
+THERE WILL BE ABOUT 100 000 BULBS LIGHTING UP THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AREA,* HE SAID.
THE FULL $1 MILLION SPENT ON THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTINGS HAS BEEN BORNE BY DEVELOPERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BOWEN LEUNG, WHO ALSO ATTENDED THE PRESS CONFERENCE, GAVE DETAILS OF SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.
MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTINGS WOULD BE SWITCHED ON FOR MANY DAYS BEFORE AND AFTER THE HOLIDAYS FROM DECEMBER 14 TO JANUARY 6.
+THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF TIME TO ENJOY THE FESTIVE LIGHTINGS,* HE SAID.
/THE FESTIVE .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 19B*+
12 -
THE FESTIVE LIGHTINGS WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED TO THE LUNAR NEW YEAR SEASON.
+THE FIRST PHASE OF THE FESTIVE LIGHTINGS WILL BE FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AND THE SECOND PHASE, WHICH RUNS FROM FEBRUARY 8 TO MARCH 6 NEXT YEAR, WILL BE FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR,* MR LEUNG SAID.
DURING THE WEEKDAYS, THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WILL BE ON FROM 6 PM TO 10.30 PM AND ON WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS THEY WILL BE ON FROM 6 PM UNTIL MIDNIGHT.
------0-------
MAIL CHRISTMAS CARDS EARLY, PUBLIC URGED X * * *
CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR LOCAL DELIVERY SHOULD BE POSTED BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
♦DELIVERY BEFORE CHRISTMAS CANNOT BE GUARANTEED IF CARDS ARE POSTED AFTER THAT DATE,* HE SAID.
♦POST EARLY TO AVOID THE LAST MINUTE RUSH,* HE URGED.
BUSINESS WOULD BE CONDUCTED AS USUAL ON CHRISTMAS EVE, AND NEW YEAR’S EVE, BUT ALL POST OFFICES WOULD BE CLOSED DURING THE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, EXCEPT ON BOXING DAY, DECEMBER 26, WHEN 38 POST OFFICES WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM 9 AM TO NOON.
THESE 38 POST OFFICES INCLUDE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI IN KOWLOON AND TSUEN WAN AND TAI PO IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE SPECIAL DELIVERIES OF LETTERS AND PARCELS ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, AND ALSO ON BOXING DAY.
THERE WILL BE NO DELIVERIES ON CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEAR’S DAY.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM INDIVIDUAL POST OFFICES OR FROM THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU AT 5-231071.
------o-------
NO CHRISTMAS AEROGRAMMES K * * *
THERE WILL BE NO SALE OF SPECIAL CHRISTMAS AEROGRAMMES THIS YEAR, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
HE SAID THAT THIS WAS DUE TO A CONTINUED DECLINE IN DEMAND FOR THE AEROGRAMMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
-------o ---------
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
- 13 -
NEW SAI KUNG FIRE STATION * * *
THE $6.7 MILLION SAI KUNG FIRE STATION WAS OFFICIALLY COMMISSIONED TODAY BY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, KOWLOON COMMAND, M. K INGDOM.
THE NEW STATION IS OF A SUB-DIVISIONAL STANDARD DESIGN, CONSISTING OF A FOUR-STOREY STATION BUILDING WITH SPACE FOR FOUR FIRE APPLIANCES ON THE GROUND FLOOR, A DRILL YARD AND A DR ILL TOWER.
THE STATION IS HEADED BY AN ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICER, AND 35 OFFICERS AND MEN, AND HAS THREE FIRE APPLIANCES AND TWO AMBULANCES.
-----0------
NEWSPAPERS EMPLOY FEWER STAFF
*****
THE NUMBER OF STAFF EMPLOYED BY THE LOCAL MASS MEDIA DROPPED FROM ABOUT 4 800 IN 1981 TO 4 300 IN 1983 AS A RESULT CF THE ECONOMIC RECESSION.
THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL EXPECTED THIS TREND TO CONTINUE.
THE FINDINGS OF A MANPOWER SURVEY CONDUCTED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR BY THE BOARD ON THE MASS MEDIA INDUSTRY REVEALED THAT THE ’ AHT NEWSPAPER SECTOR LOST MORE THAN 500 JOBS, FROM 3 000 IN 1981 TO '*< 2 500 IN 1983, REPRESENTING A 17 PER CENT DROP, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, SAID.
IT WAS THE TRAINING BOARD’S OPINION THAT THE MAGAZINE SECTOR WOULD HAVE BEEN FAIRLY VULNERABLE TO THE RECESSION. HOWEVER, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN THIS SECTOR INCREASED BY 2.6 PER CENT TO 1 412.
THE TELEVISION AND RADIO SECTOR ALSO REGISTERED A MANPOWER INCREASE OF 17 PER CENT AND THE NEWS AGENCIES SECTOR, 23 PER CENT.
+THE INCREASE IN THESE SECTORS IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HONG KONG’S GROWING ROLE AS A REGIONAL MAGAZINE CENTRE AS WELL AS AN ASIAN NEWS CENTRE,+ HE SAID.
/THE 1983 .......
FRIDAY, DECJMBER 7, 1984
14
THE 1983 SURVEY ALSO PROBED THE STAFFING QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING NEEDS IN 363 MEDIA ENTERPRISES WHICH COMPRISE 84 NEWSPAPERS, 254 MAGAZINES, FIVE TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS AND 29 NEWS AGENCIES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT EMPLOYERS PREFERRED TO RECRUIT BETTER-EDUCATED STAFF WITH POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, ALTHOUGH AT PRESENT A SIZEABLE PROPORTION OF THE STAFF HAD FORM 5 EDUCATION BACKGROUND.
HOWEVER, THE BOARD NOTED THAT REPORTERS, WHO FORMED THE BACKBONE OF A JOURNALISTIC TEAM, WERE GENERALLY UNDERPAID AND YET THEY WERE EXPECTED TO BE WELL QUALIFIED, HE ADDED.
THE SURVEY ALSO REVEALED THAT AS FEW EMPLOYERS PROVIDED IN-HOUSE TRAINING FOR THEIR STAFF, THERE WOULD BE A STRONG DEMAND FOR JOURNALISM COURSES ORGANISED BY OUTSIDE BODIES AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
THE TRAINING BOARD THEREFORE RECOMMENDED:
* THE PROMOTION OF MORE SHORT PART-TIME COURSES AND SEMINARS FOR IN-SERVICE JOURNALISTS AS WELL AS FOR NEW ENTRANTS TO THE INDUSTRY.
* THE ORGANISATION OF A ONE- OR TWO-YEAR PART-TIME DIPLOMA JOURNALISM COURSE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.
# ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR THE TRANSLATION INTO CHINESE OF KEY TEXTS IN JOURNALISM AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF COURSES MATERIALS BEST SUITED TO HONG KONG.
+THE BOARD BELIEVES THAT IT IS IN THE INDUSTRY’S INTERESTS THAT THESE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES BE SUBSIDISED AS IN THE PAST.+ HE SAID.
SINCE THE FIRST MANPOWER SURVEY IN DECEMBER 1981, THE BOARD HAS OFFERED A NUMBER OF SUBSIDISED TRAINING COURSES AND SEMINARS ON TOPICS RANGING FROM LAW, NEWS TRANSLATION TO ENGLISH AND PUTONGHUA COMMUNICATION SKILLS. ALTOGETHER, 1 OOO PEOPLE HAVE BENEFITED.
+THE 1983 MANPOWER SURVEY REPORT ON THE MASS MEDIA+, PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $20.50 A COPY.
-------o -
/15........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1934
- 15 -
WOMEN REMINDED ABOUT IDENTITY CARDS ******
A TOTAL OF 610 000 OLD HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED TO WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1955 AND 1965 WILL CEASE TO BE LEGAL DOCUMENTS ON DECEMBER 16 THIS YEAR.
THIS WILL BE THE FIRST BATCH OF I.D. CARDS FOR WOMEN TO BE DECLARED INVALID.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID, +ANYONE IN THE ABOVE AGE GROUPS, INCLUDING GREEN-SEAL CARD HOLDERS, WHO IS STILL HOLDING AN OLD IDENTITY CARD MUST HAVE IT REPLACED BY A NEW ONE BY DECEMBER 15. +
THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM MONDAYS THROUGH SATURDAYS, AND THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE NORMALLY TAKES ONLY 33 MINUTES.
SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE WOMEN’S CYCLE OF THE NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE SCHEME LAST APRIL, 98 PER CENT OF WOMEN IN THE ABOVE AGE GROUPS HAVE OBTAINED NEW CARDS.
THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD WITHIN THE PERIOD SPECIFIED IN THE GOVERNOR’S ORDER WAS AN OFFENCE, LEADING TO POSSIBLE PROSECUTION AND A FINE UP TO $3 000.
+THEY WILL ALSO SUFFER A LOT OF INCONVENIENCE. FOR INSTANCE, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMIT WITH THEIR OLD I.D. CARDS AFTER THE INVALIDATION DATE,* HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF AGE AND SEX.
+ONCE DETECTED AND CONVICTED, THEY WILL BE REPATRIATED IMMEDIATELY,* HE SAID.
-----0------
VARIETY SHOW STARTS OFF FIGHT CRIME DRIVE
*****
A VARIETY SHOW AT CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL WILL MARK THE OPENING OF THIS YEAR’S CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN.
THE SHOW. TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 9), STARTS AT 1.45 PM AND WILL FEATURE LION DANCES; SINGING, DANCING, BAND PERFORMANCES; MAGIC AND ACROBATIC SHOWS ; DRAMA PRESENTATIONS AND GAMES STALLS.
/TEE CAMPAIGN .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
- 16 -
THE CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE GOVENMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICES OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS.
ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR THE YEAR-LONG CAMPAIGN INCLUDE SEMINARS FOR JEWELLERS, BUILDING CARETAKERS AND WATCHMEN, AS WELL AS FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH THE AIM OF ENHANCING CRIME PREVENTION KNOWLEDGE AMONG FAMILIES, JEWEL AND GOLD SHOP OPERATORS, AND MEMBERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG; THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIN SALKALD ; THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (CENTRAL) MR LAU TO-YEE ; THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (WESTERN) Jr D DEPTFORD ;SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER, MR DAVID ROBERTS; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME VARIETY SHOW ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR WU CHOR-NAM; AND THE VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR WONG CHUNG-YING.
-------o---------
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS ON SHOW * * * *
MORE THAN 100 COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS OF A SAND SCULPTURING COMPETITION AT THE BEACH OF CLEARWATER BAY IN SAI KUNG WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE LANDMARK IN CENTRAL FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE THE WINNING ENTRIES OF A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, THE CHAMPION CLUB, AND THE UNITED ARTIST PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATION.
THEY HAD BEEN SELECTED FROM SOME 3 000 ENTRIES, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD.
TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION, THE SAI KUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICER, MR CHIN YIU-CHEUNG, THE PROGRAMME SUPERVISOR CF RTHK, MR HO KAM-KONG, THE PRESIDENT OF UNITED ARTIST PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATION, MR NG WAI-CHUNG AND THE MANAGER OF CHAMPION SPORTS GOODS LTD., MR LEUNG MUN-CHUEN WILL OFFICIATE AT A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AT 3 PM ON SATURDAY.
-----0----------
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
17
HOME SAFETY DAY AT TAI PO * * * *
A HOME SAFETY DAY, THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS YEAR'S TAI PO COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT, WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 9) AFTERNOON.
THERE WILL BE FIRST-AID DEMONSTRATIONS BY THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE GAMES STALLS, AND A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR*SINGERS, MAGICIANS AND ACROBATS.
THE COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD TO AROUSE RESIDENTS’ CONCERN ABOUT FAMILY HEALTH AND HOME SAFETY.
WITH THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE LIONS CLUB OF NEW TERRITORIES, THE COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT WORKING GROUP HAS PUBLISHED A PAMPHLET CONTAINING INFORMATION ON HOME SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, THE SAFE USE OF ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND FIRST AID GUIDELINES.
AT THE OPENING OF THE HOME SAFETY DAY, DESIGNERS OF THE BEST GAMES STALLS AND WINNERS OF A SPOT-THE-PHOTOGRAPHIC-ERROR COMPETITION WILL BE PRESENTED WITH PRIZES.
OFFICIATING AT THE FUNCTION WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, THOMAS CHAN- THE PRESIDENT OF THE LIONS CLUB OF NEW TERRITORIES, MR YIP WAH- THE CHAIRMAN OF TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG WAI-LAM- AND THE CHAIRMAN OF SAI KUNG NORTH RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAM PAK-PING.
- - 0
’PHAB’ WALK SET FOR SUNDAY
*****
MORE THAN 700 HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED PERSONS WILL BE TAKING PART IN THE 11TH PHAB (PHYSICAL-HAND(CAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED) WALK TO BE HELD AT SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 9).
THE WALK, AN ANNUAL EVENT ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE PHAB ASSOCIATION, ENABLES PARTICIPANTS TO ENJOY THE FUN OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES TOGETHER.
THIS YEAR’S ROUTE IS A ROUND-TRIP BETWEEN KEI LING HA AND YUNG SHUE AU. THE PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE A ID-KILOMETRE JOURNEY BEFORE NOON.
UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS PAULINE NG, WILL START-OFF THE WALK AT 10.30 AM ON THAT DAY.
/ «C
- 0 -
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
18
CHINA MUSICIANS GIVE CONCERT
* * *
FIVE NOTED MUSICIANS FROM CHINA GAVE A DEMONSTRATION CONCERT BEFORE A FULL-HOUSE AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL THIS EVENING, AS THE SECOND CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL ENTERED ITS SIXTH DAY.
THE CONCERT, JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (N.T. DIVISION).
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDED SOLO PERFORMANCES BY XIANG ZU-HUA (YANG-CHIN), ZHANG SHAO (ER-HU), ZUO Jl-CHENG (SOU-NA), LI XIANG-TING (GU-CHIN) AND LIN SHI-CHENG (PI-PA).
IN SUPPORT OF THE FESTIVAL, THE HONG KONG CHINESE ORCHESTRA CF THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL PRESENT A CONCERT AT THE KO SHAN THEATRE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 8 PM.
THE FESTIVAL WILL END ON SUNDAY WITH A CONCERT AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, AT 8 PM.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, WILL BE THE OFFICIATING GUEST.
-----0------
CHILDREN TAKE PART IN MURAL PAINTING * * * *
MORE THAN 200 CHILDREN WILL BE TAKING PART IN A LARGE-SCALE ’CITYSCAPE’ MURAL PAINTING EXERCISE AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ARTS FAIR IN THE KO SHAN ROAD PARK THIS SUNDAY (DECEMBER 9).
THE ARTS FAIR IS PART OF THE CURRENT TWO-WEEK KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL.
THE CHILDREN WILL BE PAINTING SOME OF THE UNIQUE FEATURES CF THE DISTRICT ON THREE PIECES OF CLOTH, EACH MEASURING 1.2 NETRES BY 2.4 METRES. SOME OF THE INTERESTING SUBJECTS INCLUDE THE SUNG WONG TOI GARDEN, THE KAI TAK AIRPORT AND THE TELEVISION STATIONS ON BROADCAST DRIVE.
THERE WILL ALSO BE FORTUNE-TELLING AND PALM READING, ACROBATIC AND PUPPET SHOWS, TRADITIONAL CHINESE HANDICRAFT AND FLOWER ARRANGEMENT DEMONSTRATIONS, CHESS COMPETITION, COMPUTER GAMES AND AN EXHIBITION ON CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY AND PAINTINGS, AS WELL AS MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT, FEATURING FOLK SINGING, CHINESE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC AND CANTONESE OPERA.
ADMISSION TO THE ARTS FAIR IS FREE.
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GORDON JONES, THE CHAIRMAN AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR HUI IN-YING AND MR WONG SIK-KONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING. --------------------------------o ------
/V)........
' FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
- 19 -
'TA CHIU’ CUSTOM TO BE OBSERVED
* * * \
TRADITIONAL ’TA CHIU’ CELEBRATIONS WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED IN YUEN LONG BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, NR DAVID AKERS-JONES ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 9).
THE HA TSUEN TA CHIU, WHICH HAS A HISTORY OF MORE THAN TWO CENTUR ES, WILL LAST UNTIL NEXT FRIDAY (DECEMBER 14).
’TA CHIU’ IS A TRADITIONAL CHINESE CUSTOM THAT IS STILL BEING PRACTISED AMONG TYPICAL CHINESE COMMUNITIES TO REFLECT ON PAST ACHIEVEMENTS AND TO REAFFIRM FRIENDSHIP, MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND COMMUNITY TIES IN PREPARATION FOR THE FUTURE.
THERE WILL BE RELIGIOUS RITES, STORY TELLING, A CANTONESE OPERA AND VEGETARIAN FOOD FESTIVALS.
THE PROGRAMME FOR THE OPENING DAY WILL START AT 4 PM, WHEN THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES WILSON DOTS THE EYES OF A GOLDEN DRAGON.
AT 5.30 PM, MR AKERS-JONES WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING AND OFFER THE FIRST JOSS STICK.
-----0------
AMS TEAMS TO COMPETE
* * * *
THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES WILL HOLD ITS BIENNIAL REGIONAL COMPETITION FINALS ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 9), AT THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, OIL STREET, NORTH POINT, STARTING AT 8.30 AM.
+THE AIM OF THE COMPETITION IS TO INSTILL A SENSE OF TEAM WORK AMONG ALL AMS MEMBERS AND TO RAISE THEIR STANDARD OF PROFICIENCY,* AN AMS SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE COMMISSIONER, AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES, DR K.L WILL PRESENT THE TROPHIES.
THONG,
0 - -
/20........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
20 -
CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURE ******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY DECLARED THAT AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE AT THE SIDE LANE OF THE BUILDING AT 38-4OA HILLWOOD ROAD, KOWLOON SHOULD BE CLOSED TO ENABLE DEMOLITION WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT, WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURE, WHICH HAD BEEN USED AS A STORE, WAS OBSTRUCTING PUBLIC THOROUGHFARE.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID A RECENT INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE DEMOLITION ORDER WHICH HAD BEEN SERVED TO THE OWNER HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH. IT WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO CLOSE THE STRUCTURE FOR THE INTENDED WORK.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN THE KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT ON JANUARY 7, 1985 AT 9.30 AM WAS POSTED TODAY.
-------0---------
FOOTBRIDGE OVER O’BRIEN ROAD
*****
A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE IS TO BE CONSTRUCTED OVER O’BRIEN ROAD IN WAN CHAI, TO PROVIDE THE MAIN PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC LINK BETWEEN WAN CHAI RECLAMATION AND ENTRANCES OF THE WAN CHAI STATION OF THE M.T.R.
WITH RAPID DEVELOPMENT TAKING PLACE ON WAN CHAI RECLAMATION AND THE EXPECTED OPENING IN MID-1985 OF THE ISLAND LINE, PEDESTRIAN FLOW BETWEEN THE RECLAMATION AREA AND THE STATION’S ENTRANCES, LOCATED IN O’BRIEN ROAD BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND LOCKHART ROAD, IS EXPECTED TO BE HEAVY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT PROVISION WOULD BE MADE AT THE NORTHERN END OF THE FOOTBRIDGE FOR A DIRECT LINK TO A GOVERNMENT OFFICE BLOCK NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON THE NORTHERN SIDE OF GLOUCESTER ROAD.
♦THE SECTION OF O’BRIEN ROAD BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND LOCKHART ROAD, WHERE THE STATION’S ENTRANCES ARE LOCATED, WILL BE PEDESTRIANISED WHILE THE SECTJSN BETWEEN GLOUCESTER ROAD AND LOCKHART ROAD WILL BE REDUCED Tir TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC,* HE SAID.
/THE PEDESTRIAN
FRIDAY, DECJMBJR 7, 1984
21
THE PEDESTRIAN AREAS WOULD BE LANDSCAPED, HE ADDED.
ESCALATORS WOULD BE PROVIDED AT THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES OF GLOUCESTER ROAD AND AT THE ENTRANCES OF THE MTR STATION IN O’BRIEN ROAD.
THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FOOTBRIDGE.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MARCH 1985 AND TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----o-------
SHA TIN ROAD WORKS CONTINUE * * * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT A SERIES OF ROAD WORKS ADJACENT TO SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS AND SHA TIN RACE COURSE, AS PART OF THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 350 METRE LONG, 7.3 hETRE WIDE ACCESS ROAD ADJACENT TO SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS; CONSTRUCTION OF 2 400 METRES OF FOOTPATHS AND CYCLE TRACKS ADJACENT TO SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS AND SHA TIN RACE COURSE; AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE WITH CYCLE TRACKS ACROSS SHING MUN RIVER FROM SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS TO AH KUNG KOK.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE FOOTPATHS, CYCLE TRACKS AND THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE WILL FORM AN INTEGRAL LINK IN THE COMPREHENSIVE FOOTPATH AND CYCLE TRACK NETWORK BETWEEN SHA TIN, MA ON SHAN AND TAI PO.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE.
PLANS CAN BE SEEN AT:
* CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY;
* THE SHA TIN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN ; AND
* THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFJ^E, 6TH FLOOR, K.C.R. HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
-----o--------
/22......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1984
REPULSE BAY TAPS OFF it 3E X
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN REPULSE BAY WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 10) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES WILL BE ALONG ODD NUMBERS 37-45 AND EVEN NUMBERS 4-24A ON REPULSE BAY ROAD.
- 0
TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR FIREWORKS SHOW
THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 9) FOR THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY IN SHA TINs
* FROM 5 PM TO 9.30 PM, FEI NGO SHAN ROAD AND THE SECTION OF SHAT IN PASS ROAD NORTH OF TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR LOCAL ACCESS;
* FROM 4 PM TO MIDNIGHT, THE PARKING SPACES ON KENT
ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 16 AND SOMERSET ROAD IN KOWLOON TONG WILL BE SUSPENDED.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WIDE SUPPORT FOR ACCORD, GOVERNOR SaYS ....................... 1
GOVERNOR LEAVING TOMORROW WITH HK ECONOMIC MISSION ........... 2
CALL ON GOVERNOR.............................................. 2
BLITZ AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS LAUNCHED..................... 3
+CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES NO IVORY TOWERS+ ................. 4
REMINDER ON COMPULSORY INSURANCE ............................. 6
15 indoor games halls planned for housing estates ............ 7
LADY HADDON-CAVE VISITS HOUSING DISPLAY ...................... 8
ANTI-DRUGS FIGHT GETS RESULTS ................................ 8
YOUTHS’ VITAL CIVIC ROLE STRESSED ............................ 9
LUNAR NEW YEAR FaIRS IN NT.................................... 10
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL FOR ISLANDERS ........................... 11
FOOTBRIDGE FOR WONG CHUK HANG ROAD ........................... 11
FESTIVE EASTERN LIGHTS ....................................... 12
GAMES HALL FOR TUEN MUN ...................................... 12
REFRESHMENT KIOSKS TO LET .................................... 15
HK CHINESE ORCHESTRA GIVES CONCERT ........................... 15
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR MONG KOK ..................... 14
RESTRICTED ZONE IN TaI PO..................................... 14
MAINS WORK IK SHEUNC WAN ..................................... 14
FIRING PRACTICE .............................................. 15
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1984
1
WIDE SUPPORT FOR ACCORD, GOVERNOR SAYS
* * * *
THE SUPPORT BY ALL SIDES OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG INDICATED A VERY WIDE COMMITMENT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE SAID THIS WAS ONE OF THE POINTS WHICH STRUCK HIM VERY FORCIBLY DURING THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS WHICH HE HAD JUST ATTENDED.
SIR EDWARD WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON HIS RETURN TO HONG KONG FROM WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS +A VERY USEFUL AND EVENTFUL TRIP TO LONDON+.
+THE SECOND ONE WAS THE DETERMINATION OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT TO MAINTAIN A CONTINUING INTEREST IN HONG KONG, AND THE READINESS OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO CONTEMPLATE SOME SYSTEM OF REGULAR ACCOUNTABILITY ON HONG KONG MATTERS,+ HE SAID.
+THERE WAS ALSO AMONG THE GREAT MAJORITY OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AN UNDERSTANDING THAT IN DEVELOPING REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, HONG KONG MUST BE ALLOWED TO PROCEED AT ITS OWN PACE AND TO DEVISE A SYSTEM WHICH TAKES INTO ACCOUNT OUR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE NEED TO MAINTAIN STABILITY.
+ALL THOSE WERE IMPORTANT POINTS,+ HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD POINTED OUT THAT THE DEBATE ITSELF WAS VERY WELL PREPARED.
+IT HAD BEFORE IT REALLY QUITE IMPRESSIVE DOCUMENTATION, NOT ONLY IN THE AGREEMENT ITSELF, BUT IN THE REPORT OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE, AND OF COURSE THE MEMORANDUM WHICH THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HAD PREPARED BEFORE THEY WENT TO LONDON.
+THESE DOCUMENTS DID MEAN THAT MEMBERS WERE VERY WELL AWARE OF THE CONCERNS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE WIDELY EXPRESSED DURING THE DEBATE.
+AND OF COURSE THE PRIME MINISTER HERSELF GAVE THE UNDERTAKING THAT THESE CONCERNS WOULD BE TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ITSELF AND IN FUTURE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
/+AND fib'ALLY..........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1984
2
+AND FINALLY LET ME SAY, SINCE I’VE GOT SIR S.Y. WITH ME --I’VE ALREADY SAID THIS IN LONDON BUT I WILL SAY IT AGAIN — THAT A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT HAVE SAID TO ME HOW VALUABLE IT WAS TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG — NOT ONLY TO READ IT IN DOCUMENTS BUT TO TALK DIRECTLY WITH MEMBERS OF UMELCO ABOUT THE CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
+A DIRECT CONVERSATION IS A VERY VALUABLE THING AND THEY WERE GRATEFUL TO MEMBERS OF UMELCO FOR GOING FOR THAT PURPOSE,+ HE SAID.
RETURNING TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNOR WAS THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG.
THEY WERE MET AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE.
GOVERNOR LEAVING TOMORROW WITH HK ECONOMIC MISSION
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND LADY YOUDE, WILL DEPART FOR JAPAN TOMORROW (SUNDAY) WITH THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC MISSION.
THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC MISSION WILL BE LED BY SIR S.Y. CHUNG IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG-JAPAN BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEE.
THE GROUP WILL BE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT JL Q02, ETD 11.50 AM.
- 0 - -
CALL ON GOVERNOR * * *
THE GOVERNOR OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE, MR LIANG LINGGUANG CALLED ON THE GOVERNOR SIR EDWARD YOUDE AT 10.30 THIS MORNING.
THEY REVIEWED WITH SATISFACTION THE EXCELLENT RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG PROVINCE, AND EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT THIS WOULD CONTINUE TO DEVELOP IN ALL FIELDS IN THE FUTURE.
0 - -
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1984
3
BLITZ AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS LAUNCHED * * * *
THE HEAT IS ON AGAIN FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HIDING KONG AS THE POLICE, LABOUR, AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS ’OF BLITZ OPERATIONS TO FLUSH THEM
IN HONG THIS OUT.
WEEK MOUNTED A SERIES
THESE STEPPED-UP OPERATIONS RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF 18 SUSPECTED UNDERGROUND CITIZENS.
ALL THE ARRESTED PERSONS HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REITERATED TODAY CF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
THERE WAS NO QUESTION
+OUR LATEST OPERATION SHOULD DRIVE HOME THE POINT THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THIS POLICY. ANYONE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE IS ONLY CHEATING HIMSELF,+ HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT APART FROM CONTINUOUS CHECKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THERE WAS NO LET-UP IN ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS AT THE BORDER.
+A HIGH STATE OF VIGILANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE POLICE AND THE SECURITY FORCES BOTH AT THE LAND AND SEA BORDERS,+ HE SAID.
DURING THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL OPERATION, POLICE INCREASED THEIR IDENTIFICATION SPOT CHECKS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND CARRIED OUT CHECKS AT SUSPECT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THEY ARRESTED ONE SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WITH A FORGED IDENTITY CARD. ANOTHER 147 PEOPLE WERE SUMMONSED FOR FAILING TO PRODUCE PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY, AND A FURTHER 95 WERE WARNED IN RESPECT OF THIS OFFENCE, WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE CF $1 OOO.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 10 857 ESTABLISHMENTS TO WEED OUT ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO MAY BE WORKING, AND TO CHECK THAT EMPLOYERS FULFIL THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION OF KEEPING PROPER RECORDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
A TOTAL OF 13 PERSONS IN 12 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND WITHOUT PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY AND HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
ANOTHER 74 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND TO BE KEEPING EITHER NO RECORD OR IMPROPER RECORDS OF EMPLOYEES.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY COULD BE FINED UP TO $50 000 AND JAILED FOR UP TO A YEAR IF THEY WERE FOUND TO BE EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1984
4
♦CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES NO IVORY TOWERS*
*****
THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN LOWER ALBERT ROAD ARE NO IVORY TOWERS AND PUBLIC CRITICISM INFLUENCES THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISIONS TO A GREATER EXTENT THAN MOST PEOPLE SEEM TO APPRECIATE, SAID THE DIRECTOR DESIGNATE, OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MISS CHEUNG MAN-YEE, TODAY.
SPEAKING ON THE SUBJECT OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MASS MEDIA AT A SEMINAR OF THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, SHE SAID THAT OFFICERS MIGHT NOT LIKE WHAT THEY HEAR BUT POLICY IS INFLUENCED NONETHELESS.
+FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND*FREEDOM OF THE PRESS MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE THE GOOD WITH THE BAD,* SAID MISS CHEUNG. +GIVEN THAT WE IN GOVERNMENT DO RECEIVE THIS CONSTANT FLOW OF CRITICAL COMMENT, TO WHAT EXTENT DOES CRITICISM INFLUENCE THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS DECISIONS? THE ANSWER IS: TO AN EXTENT GREATER THAN MOST PEOPLE SEEM TO APPRECIATE.*
+THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES ARE NO IVORY TOWER AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE, PEOPLE WHO FORMULATE AND IMPLEMENT GOVERNMENT POLICIES ARE NOT, AND SHOULD NOT, BE INSULATED FROM THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS OF THE PUBLIC.*
AS THE MOST RECENT EXAMPLE OF HOW MEDIA CRITICISM CAN INFLUENCE THE GOVERNMENT MISS CHEUNG CITED THE RECENT WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. +EVEN SOME OF OUR HARSHEST CRITICS HAVE ADMITTED THAT THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FROM THE PROPOSALS OUTLINED IN THE GREEN PAPER.*
♦SIMILAR EXAMPLES OCCUR REGULARLY, IF ON A SMALLER SCALE. WE MAY NOT ALWAYS LIKE WHAT WE READ OR HEAR, BUT IT DOES INFLUENCE OUR JUDGEMENT AND FREQUENTLY HAS A BEARING ON OUR POLICIES.+
EXPLAINING THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, MISS CHEUNG SAID THAT ITS PRIMARY ROLE WAS TO PROVIDE A COMMUNICATION LINK BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE THROUGH THE MEDIA.
♦ONE QUESTION THAT HAS OFTEN BEEN ASKED IS WHETHER GIS IS IN FACT JUST A PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT, EMPLOYED TO FOIST THE GOVERNMENT’i VIEWS ONTO THE PUBLIC, VIA THE MEDIA. THE ANSWER TO THIS IS: NO.
♦THERE IS A VERY REAL AND IMPORTANT DISTINCTION BETWEEN INFORMATION AND PROPAGANDA. EVERYDAY WE PUT OUT, ON OUR TELEPRINTER NETWORK, THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF WORDS. BUT, AND THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT BUT, THERE IS NO OBLIGATION AT ALL FOR THE PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE THAT INFORMATION TO USE IT, IN PR I NT OR IN THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA. THEY ARE ENTIRELY FREE TO USE IT OR NOT USE IT, JUST AS THEY SEE FIT.
/♦THEIR .-IJEDOH ................
SATURDAY, DECiXB’iR 8, 198U
- 5 -
+THEIR FREEDOM TO MAKE THAT DECISION IS ONE OF THE FACTORS WHICH DISTINGUISHES INFORMATION FROM PROPAGANDA.*
MISS CHEUNG EMPHASISED THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MEDIA IN HONG KONG WAS A TWO-WAY AFFAIR. GIS ISSUED INFORMATION TO THE MEDIA AND REFLECTED OPINION EXPRESSED IN THE MEDIA BACK TO THE GOVERNMENT. +TO BE SUCCESSFUL, SUCH A RELATIONSHIP HAS TO BE RATHER LIKE A MARRIAGE - THERE HAS TO BE GIVE AND TAKE AND A CERTAIN DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY ON BOTH SIDES.
+BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MEDIA HAVE SPECIFIC TASKS TO PERFORM AND SPECIFIC INTERESTS TO PURSUE. THOSE TASKS AND INTEREST DO NOT ALWAYS NECESSARILY COINCIDE, AND IT IS NOT TO THE ADVANTAGE CF EITHER PARTY THAT THEY SHOULD.+
SHE SAID THAT THE TERM +A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN* OR +THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN* IMPLIED THERE WAS A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL CONCERNED. +IN FACT, THE STATEMENT PRESENTED BY ONE PERSON, OR IN ONE MEDIA RELEASE, REPRESENTS THE COLLECTIVE WISDOM DISTILLED FROM MANY SOURCES AT VARIOUS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.*
THE USE OF A SPOKESMAN PRESENTED PROBLEMS, SHE SAID. *WE MUST ALSO BEAR IN MIND THE FACT THAT HONG KONG IS IN A UNIQUE SITUATION IN THAT CIVIL SERVANTS AT MANY LEVELS HAVE TO PERFORM A DUAL ROLE. ON THE ONE HAND THEY ARE CIVIL SERVANTS, ON THE OTHER THEY HAVE TO FUNCTION AS POLITICIANS.*
BUT THEY WERE NOT, NOT BEING ELECTED, POLITICIANS IN THE ACCEPTED SENSE OF THE WORLD AND THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS AND THE NEED NOT TO CONFUSE THE TWO ROLES AND THE NEED TO LISTEN AS MUCH AS THEY SPEAK. +IT IS NOT A HAPPY TASK, NOR IS IT AN EASY ONE. AND, WITH THE MOVE TOWARDS A MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, IT IS NOT LIKELY TO BECOME ANY EASIER.*
IN CLOSING, MISS CHEUNG SAID THAT A NON-ELECTED GOVERNMENT WHICH DID NOT HAVE THE IN-BUILT CHECKS AND BALANCES OF AN ELECTED GOVERNMENT HAD TO BE EVEN MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED FOR SUCH CONSIDERATIONS TO BE TAKEN TO ACCOUNT.
+THE EXPRESSION AND REFLECTION OF PUBLIC OPINION THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA IS AN INTEGRAL AND VITAL PART OF THAT SYSTEM. IT SUPPLEMENTS THE INFORMATION WE RECEIVE FROM OTHER SOURCES AND PROVIDES US WITH ALTERNATIVE ANGLES AND PERSPECTIVES.*
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/6
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1984
6
REMINDER ON COMPULSORY INSURANCE *****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES FOR ALL THEIR EMPLOYEES.
HE WARNED THAT ANY EMPLOYER WHO FAILS TO DO SO COMMITS AN CFFENCE PUNISHABLE BY A MAXIMUM $50 000 FINE AND TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE OWNER OF A GARMENT WORKSHOP WAS FINED $1 000 RECENTLY FOR THE OFFENCE.
HE SAID THE INSURANCE POLICY TAKEN OUT BY AN EMPLOYER IN RESPECT OF HIS EMPLOYEES MUST COVER THE FULL AMOUNT OF HIS LIABILITIES FOR BOTH COMPENSATION UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND COMMON LAW DAMAGES FOR INJURIES AND DEATH AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT AT WORK.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE INSURANCE POLICY MUST BE ISSUED BY AN INSURER AUTHORISED BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO CARRY ON ACCIDENT INSURANCE BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
+THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE INJURED EMPLOYEE CAN RECOVER IN HIS OWN NAME DIRECTLY FROM THE INSURERS ANY AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION WHICH HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENTITLED TO CLAIM AGAINST HIS EMPLOYER,+ HE SAID.
EMPLOYERS MUST ALSO DISPLAY THEIR NOTICES OF INSURANCE AT A CONSPICUOUS PLACE ON THEIR WORK PREMISES. THE PENALTY FOR FAILING TO PUT UP THE NOTICE IS A $10 000 FINE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID AUTHORISED OFFICERS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ARE EMPOWERED TO ENTER AND INSPECT PREMISES, OTHER THAN DOMESTIC PREMISES, TO ENSURE THAT EMPLOYERS HAVE TAKEN OUT INSURANCE POLICIES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AND THAT NOTICES CF INSURANCE ARE DISPLAYED AS REQUIRED.
HE URGED EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE ANY ENQUIRIES ON THE LEGISLATION ON COMPULSORY INSURANCE OR OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT’S EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION UNIT.
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/7.......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1994
’5 INDOOR GAMES HALLS PLANNED FOR HOUSING ESTATES
*****
THE MOUSING AUTHORITY PLANS TO BUILD 15 INDOOR GAMES HALLS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES OVER ThE NEXT FIVE YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY.
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A $18.8 MILLION ESTATE PARK NEAR BUTTERFLY ESTATE IN TUEN MUN, HE SAID THE SIZE AND FACILITIES OF T-< CAMPS HALLS WOULD DEPEND ON THE POPULATION IN THE ESTATE.
♦GENERALLY SMALLER GAMES HALLS WILL HAVE ROOMS FOR SQUASH, GYMNASTICS, DANCING, TABLE-TENNIS AND BADMINTON, WHILE BIGGER ONES jILL EVEN HAVE BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL PITCHES.+
MR LIAO SAID THAT IN DEVELOPING PUBLIC HOUSING, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO BOTH QUANTITY AND QUALITY.
♦SPEAKING OF QUANTITY, THIS YEAR WILL BE THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN WHICH PUBLIC HOUSING PRODUCTION EXCEEDS THE ANNUAL TARGET OF 95 003 FLATS.
♦AS REGARDS QUALITY, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS BEEN IMPROVING FACILITIES AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN ESTATES, APART FROM BUILDING DESIGNS AND STANDARDS.+
MR LIAO SAID THE ESTATE PARK SPECIFICALLY FOR RESIDENTS IN THE
WAS BUILT BY THE AUTHORITY BUTTERFLY BEACH AREA.
♦OF COURSE NOT EVERY ESTATE CAN HAVE SUCH A LARGE PARK, BUT NEW ESTATES WILL DEFINITELY HAVE BETTER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
♦IN LINE WITH HIGHER ASPIRATIONS RESULTED FROM SOCIAL PROGRESS, WE MUST HAVE REGARD TO THE MANY VARIOUS NEEDS WHILST PLANNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.+
COVERING 2.5 HECTARES, THE PARK IS BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED WITH BALL GAMES PITCHES, CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS, AN AMPHITHEATRE, A FITNESS TRAIL AND THREE GARDENS, EACH HAVING ITS OWN FEATURES.
ONE IS A a ATER GARDEN FEATURING A PERGOLA AND WATERFALLS OF DIFFERENT DESIGNS. THE OTHER TWO FEATURE VARIOUS SPECIES OF PLANTS.
HOUSING AUTHORITY MEMBER, MR GERALD FORSGATE, AND CHAIRMA; OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAU WONG-FAT, ALSO OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR CUT THE RIBBON TO HERALD A SERIES OF PROGRAMMES OPENING OF ThE PARK.
DAVID FORD, THEY COMMEMORATING THE
The PROGRAMMES INCLUDED a FIVE-A-SIDE FOOTBALL EXHIBITIO-J ATCH BETWEEN T.V. ARTISTES AND DISCJOCKEYS cOLLOa I NG A KICK-OFF CE-EMONY, AS WELL AS A SHOW BY THE TVB VITALITY TEAM.
SOUVENIRS WERE PRESENTED BY MR LAU, MP FORSGATE AND MR FORD Tl PA^tIC1 pat I ng TEAMS AND GROUPS WHO HAD HELPED IN THE CEREMONY.
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/8.......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1984 '
- 8 -
LADY HADDON-CAVE VISITS HOUSING DISPLAY
* * *
LADY HADDON-CAVE, WIFE OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY, VISITED THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S +3ETTER HOMES IN ESTATES* EXHIBITION AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI, TODAY.
SHE ALSO CUT A BIRTHDAY CAKE IN THE SHAPE OF THE AUTHORITY’S LOGO TO CELEBRATE THE 3OTH ANNIVERSARY OF PUBLIC HOUSING IN HONG KONG’S AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD TO COINCIDE WITH the re-staging of the exhibition in kowloon.
The EXHIBITION OPENS TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM DAILY UNTIL DECEMBER 16.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MP DAVID FORD, SAID THE +HOUSING FESTIVAL ’8^+ WAS NOT ONLY A SUCCESS IN THE EYES OF THE PUBLIC BUT HAD ALSO SUCCEEDED IN HELPING TO -OSTER THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT AMONG INDIVIDUAL ESTATE RESIDENTS.
+WE ARE DELIGHTED IN THE WAY IN WHICH THE WHOLE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN RECEIVED BOTH WITHIN HOUSING ESTATES AND BY THE PUBLIC AT LARGE,* HE ADDED.
SPEAKING OF THE EXHIBITION, MR FORD UAD NOT IMAGINED THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FESTIVAL.
- - 0 - -
ANTI-DRUGS FIGHT GETS * * * *
SAID The HOUSING department The +CENTRE PIECE* OF THE
RESULTS
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR G.L. MORTIMER, THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING APPEALED TO THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP UP THEIR FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTICS.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE AT THE OPENING OF THE 1984 SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CONCERT HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL.
HE SAID THE COMBINED EFFORTS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY IN THE ANTI-NARCOTICS FIGHT WERE ACHIEVING RESULTS.
+THERE WAS A 17 PER CENT REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS CF ALL AGES AND A 24 PER CENT REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PERSONS UNDER 21 NEWLY REPORTED TO THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG SuK IN THE FIRST NI NE MONTHS OF 1984, COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1983,+ MR MORTIMER SAID.
+THIS EVENING’S CONCERT SIGNIFIES THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT ALONE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS,* HE SAID, +*JANY PEOPLE N THE SHAM SHU I PO COMMUNITY HAVE CONTRIBUTED A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND EFFORT IN ORGANISING THIS CAMPAIGN IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN).+
/FOLLOWING THE .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1984
- 9 -
FOLLOWING THE NORTH AND WONG TAI SIN DISTRICTS, SHAM SHU I PO IS THE THIRD DISTRICT TO MOUNT THE DISTRICT ANT I-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY KWUN TONG DISTRICT IN JANUARY, 1985.
DISTRICT CAMPAIGNS ARE HELD EVERY YEAR AS PART OF ACAN’S PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES. THE OBJECTIVES ARE NOT ONLY TO CREATE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE DRUG MENACE, BUT ALSO TO HELP IN PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEAD MEANINGFUL LIVES FREE FROM THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS.
THE ANT I-NARCOTICS CONCERT, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ACAN AND THE SHAM SHUI PO ANTI-NARCOTICS COMMITTEE, WAS PRODUCED BY COMMERCIAL RADIO 2 AND BROADCAST LIVE.
TONIGHT’S CONCERT WAS PERFORMED BY THE LOCAL SINGERS, JOHNNY IP AND MISS CONNIE MAK, AND ATTRACTED AN AUDIENCE OF 1 300.
THE ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGES WERE EXPECTED TO REACH A LARGE AUDIENCE THROUGH THE RADIO.
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YOUTHS' VITAL CIVIC ROLE STRESSED * * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE AND THOSE ENGAGED IN YOUTH WORK HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THE COMMUNITY, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, W STEPHEN LAW, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SUN CHUI YOUTH CENTRE IN SHA TIN, RUN BY THE CHURCH OF UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST, HE SAID THAT YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE GOOD CHARACTER, A HEALTHY BODY AS WELL AS A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
+YOUTH WORKERS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS, TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND TO WORK FOR THE PROGRESS CF THE COMMUNITY,+ HE SAID.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SUN CHUI YOUTH CENTRE, HE SAID, WAS IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF SETTING UP ONE YOUTH CENTRE FOR EVERY DISTRICT WITH A POPULATION OF 20 000.
HE SAID THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SUPPORTED THE ALLOCATION OF WELFARE PREMISES FOR THIS PROJECT.
MR LAW STRESSED THE OBJECTIVE AND FUNCTION OF A YOUTH CENTRE WAS TO FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE HELP OF SOCIAL WORKERS AND ORGANISED ACTIVITIES.
THE SUCCESS OF YOUTH WORK AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, LIKE OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES, DEPENDED ON THE CO-OPERATION OF THE RESIDENTS AND THEIR PARTICIPATION, HE SAID.
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/10......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1934
10
LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS IN NT *****
SEVEN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS WILL BE HELD IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THEY WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 20, AND THEIR LOCATIONS WILL BEi TUEN MUN, TAI PO, TSUEN WAN, NORTH DISTRICT, KWAI CHUNG, SHA TIN AND YUEN LONG, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
ORGANISED BY THE NTSD, THE FAIRS WILL PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 981 STALL SITES FOR THE SELLING OF LUNAR NEW YEAR FLOWERS, TOYS AND REFRESHMENTS.
ALL THE SITES WILL BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC BIDDING NEXT MONTH, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
OF THE SEVEN FAIRS, THE LARGEST WILL BE IN TSUEN WAN. A TOTAL OF 208 STALL SITES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND.
IN YUEN LONG, THE FAIR, WITH 200 STALLS, WILL BE HELD AT THE PEDESTRIAN MALL OPPOSITE YUEN LONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AT TAI YUK ROAD.
IN TAI PO, THERE WILL BE 80 STALLS AT TAI PO PLAYGROUND.
THE TUEN MUN FAIR WITH 120 STALLS WILL BE HELD AT TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND.
THE NORTH DISTRICT FAIR WILL HAVE 113 STALLS AT SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND IN SHEUNG SHU I.
THE KWAI CHUNG FAIR, WITH 112 STALLS, WILL BE STAGED AT KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND.
THE SHA TIN FAIR WILL BE HELD AT YUEN WO ROAD PLAYGROUND. THERE WILL BE 100 FLOWER STALLS AND 48 DRY GOODS STALLS.
THE DATES FOR THE SEPARATE BIDDINGS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1984
11
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL FOR ISLANDERS * * * *
ABOUT 500 ISLANDERS WILL TAKE PART IN A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE CHI YAN PUBLIC SCHOOL ON PENG CHAU.
THE CARNIVAL, HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH-LONG ISLANDS DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN, WILL FEATURE AN EXHIBITION OF CRIME PREVENTION DEVICES, PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAYS OF ICAC OPERATIONS, A FILM SHOW ABOUT THE EVILS OF CORRUPTION, AND GAMES STALLS.
WINNING ENTRIES OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME DRAWING, PAINTING AND POSTER DESIGN COMPETITIONS WILL ALSO BE PUT ON DISPLAY.
THE CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN THE DISTRICT AND AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP; THE DIVISIONAL SUPERINTENDENT (ISLANDS), MR M. HARRIS; REPRESENTATIVES OF ICAC AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR W.P. TONG AND MR S.N. LAU ; THE PRESIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR W.Y. YOUNG AND MR P.Y. CHAN, TOGETHER WITH THE DISTRICT’S EIGHT RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CARNIVAL’S OPENING CEREMONY TOMORROW AT 10 AM.
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FOOTBRIDGE FOR WONG CHUK HANG ROAD * * * * *
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS WONG CHUK HANG ROAD NEAR VITA TOWER IN ORDER TO SEGREGATE THE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC.
THE FOOTBRIDGE, 26 METRES LONG AND TWO METRES WIDE, WILL PROVIDE SAFE CROSSING FOR PEDESTRIANS AND REDUCE INTERRUPTION TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ALONG THIS SECTION OF THE ROAD.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSAL IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATIONS) ORDINANCE.
A PLAN OF THE PROJECT CAN BE SEEN ATs
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG
/• THE DISTRICT .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1984
12
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG SOUTH, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG? AND
* THE SOUTH DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND AND SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, HONG KONG.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS NOT LATER THAN FEBRUARY 5, 1985.
- - 0 - -
FESTIVE EASTERN LIGHTS * * * *
WITH THE APPROACH OF THE FESTIVE SEASON, THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, TODAY WISHED LOCAL RESIDENTS A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.
SPEAKING AT A SWITCH-ON CEREMONY OF DECORATIVE LIGHTING AT TAIKOO SHING, HE SAID THAT CHRISTMAS IS A TIME WHEN FAMILIES GATHER TO CELEBRATE IN PEACE AND HARMONY.
MR LUI THANKED THE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS IN THE DISTRICT WHO HAD VOLUNTARILY PUT UP +SUCH BEAUTIFUL DECORATIONS FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT.+
THE FESTIVE LIGHTING AT TAIKOO SHING, FEATURING ANGELS AND STARS, WILL BE ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH.
0 - -
GAMES HALL FOR TUEN MUN *****
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GAMES HALL IN TUEN MUN TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE NEW TOWN.
THE GAMES HALL, TO BE BUILT NEAR TAI HING ESTATE, WILL PROVIDE ABOUT 2 500 SQUARE METRES OF GAMES AREA FOR BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, BADMINTON, GYMNASTICS, JUDO AND DANCING.
THE CONTRACT ALSO INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF CHANGING ROOMS, TOILETS, GAMES ROOMS AND OFFICES.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN FEBRUARY 1985 AND BE COMPLETED IN ONE YEAR’S TIME.
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 WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1984
- 15 -
REFRESHMENT KIOSKS TO LET * * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING SEPARATE TENDERS FOR THE OPERATION OF TWO REFRESHMENT KIOSKS IN KWAI CHUNG.
ONE OF THE KIOSKS IS AT HING FONG ROAD PLAYGROUND AND THE OTHER AT WO Yl HOP ROAD SPORTS GROUND.
THE CONTRACTS ARE FOR THREE YEARS, STARTING ON FEBRUARY 1.
tfndfr FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KWAI CHUNG URBAN SERVICES CFFICE ON~THE NINTH FLOOR OF KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 16o-17 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE PLACED NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR (AUSTIN CENTRE), 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE DECEMBER 28 (FRIDAY).
N THE TENDER BOX AT THE OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE IN KOWLOON BEFORE 9 AM ON
FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED AT
TELEPHONE O-2O92O4.
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HK CHINESE ORCHESTRA GIVES CONCERT * * * *
THE HONG KONG CHINESE ORCHESTRA OF THE URBAN COUNCIL GAVE A CONCERT AT THE KO SHAN THEATRE THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING IN SUPPORT CF THE SECOND CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
ANNIE CHAN, A LOCAL SOPRANO, SANG GAI WENJI WITH THE ACCOMPANIMENT OF LAU CHING-YU (HARP), WONG KUEN (XIAO) AND SHU I WAN-KWAN (GU-ZHENG).
THE ORCHESTRA ALSO PLAYED NG TAI-KONG’S CELEBRATIONS AT ZHOUSHAN, LO LEUNG-FAI’S AUTUMN, Al HUA’S DANCE MUSIC OF THE ZANG NATIONALITY AND LADY GENERAL MU GUI-YANG.
TO MARK THE CLOSE OF THE FESTIVAL, A FINALE CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT 3 PM.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1984
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR MONG KOK X * *
A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO LAUNCH A THREE-MONTH LONG MONG KOK DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN.
THE SEMINAR WILL START AT 10 AM AT THE SAI YEE STREET QUEEN ELIZABETH SECONDARY SCHOOL HALL.
PANELISTS AT THE SEMINAR ARE MR K.H. LI, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE; MR T.K. CHOY, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (KOWLOON WEST) OF THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT; MR T.D.C. GARDINER, CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT-l"R W.D. CHENG, GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR OF THE BUILDING ’ DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT; AND THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER MR BOWEN LEUNG.
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RESTRICTED ZONE IN TAI PO *****
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 10), A SECTION OF PLOVER COVE ROAD IN TAI PO WILL BE MADE A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
THE SECTION IS BETWEEN PO HEUNG STREET AND TUNG MAU SQUARE.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS, AND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
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MAINS WORK IN SHEUNG WAN * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHEUNG WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 PM ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 11) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY 1-71 WING LOK STREET, WING SING STREET, KWONG YUEN STREET EAST, KWONG YUEN STREET WEST, 1-27 BONHAM STRAND AND 175-187 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1984
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FIRING PRACTICE * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY (DECEMBER 10 TO 15) BETWEEN 8 AM AND 5 PM.
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR JAPAN ....................................... 1
HONG KONG ECONOMIC MISSION TO JAPAN ............................. 2
CONTAINER PORT TO BE EXPANDED ................................... 4
EXCO ENDORSES LANTAU VEHICLE REPORT ............................ 5
SHA TIN LIGHTS UP FOR FESTIVE SEhSON ............................ 6
IMPORTANT TASK FOR THIS GENERATION .............................. 7
MORE BUILDING PLANS APPROVED .................................... 8
'PLAY SAFE’ - KEY WORDS FOK LaND SPORTS LOVERS .................. 9
UK OFFICIAL TO SPEaK ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ...................... 10
STEPPING TOWARDS BETTER UNDERSTANDING .......................... 10
COUNCILLORS TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON WHITE PAPER .................... 11
LADY BREMRIDGE OPENS BONSAI SHOW ............................. 11
DUAL CARRIAGEWAY IN HUNG HOM ................................. 12
KWUN TONG DB TO DISCUSS POLLUTION PR0BL1MS ..................... 13
SAI KUNG RESIDENTS VIEWS SOUGHT ON DB .......................... 13
FIELD STUDY DAY FOR GEOGRAPHY TEACHERS ......................... 14
DANCERS PERFORM TO FULL HOUSE................................... 14
DISCO ON ROLLER SKATES AT NORTH DISTRICT ....................... 15
MUSIC FESTIVAL CLOSES .......................................
MAKE LIFE MORE DIFFICULT FOR RATS, PUBLIC URGED ................ 17
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR MUI WO .............................. 18
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
1
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR JAPAN MX*
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LEFT HONG KONG THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING AS GUEST OF HONOUR OF A HIGH LEVEL ECONOMIC MISSION TO JAPAN.
THE MISSION IS LED BY SIR S.Y. CHUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG/JAPAN BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEE.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR EDWARD’S REMARKS TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT BEFORE HIS DEPARTUREi
♦GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TRIP FOR US AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD VERY MUCH TO OUR VISIT TO JAPAN.
♦IT WILL HAVE A NUMBER OF PURPOSES. THE MAIN ONE, OF COURSE, IS TO PROMOTE THE ECONOMIC AND TRADING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN WHICH WE THINK CAN BE FURTHER DEVELOPED.
♦THE SECOND ONE, OF COURSE, IS THAT IT WILL GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE IN JAPAN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RECENT AGREEMENT.
♦BOTH OF THESE WILL BE INCLUDED AMONG OUR OBJECTIVES. WITH ME, OF COURSE, IS SIR S.Y. WHO HAS A GREAT DEAL OF EXPERIENCE IN THESE BUSINESS MISSIONS, AND A NUMBER OF VERY DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC COMMUNITY. SIR S.Y.+
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR S.Y.’S REMARKS:
♦LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING TO SEE US OFF. AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE GOVERNOR FOR ACCEPTING OUR INVITATION AS OUR GUEST OF HONOUR. HE IS ALSO THE OFFICIAL GUEST OF THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT.
♦WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD A GREAT DEAL TO MEET THE PRIME MINISTER IN JAPAN AND A NUMBER OF LEADING BUSINESS LEADERS IN JAPAN.
♦WE SHALL BE COMING BACK TO REPORT WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED THERE ON OUR RETURN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD DAY.+
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
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HONG KONG ECONOMIC MISSION TO JAPAN * * *
A TOP LEVEL ECONOMIC MISSION DEPARTS HONG KONG TODAY ON A FOUR-DAY VISIT TO TOKYO (DECEMBER 9-12) TO PROMOTE BILATERAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION.
THE MISSION IS LED BY SIR S.Y. CHUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG-JAPAN BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEE, AND PERSONALLY SUPPORTED BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WHO IS ACCOMPANYING THE DELEGATION AS GUEST OF HONOUR.
THE MISSION TEAM COMPRISES PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE TERRITORY’S BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT, INDUSTRY AND THE FINANCIAL AND SHIPPING SECTORS. ALL ARE MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG-JAPAN BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEE.
they include the hon mchael sandberg, chairman of the HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORP.- THE HON LYDIA DUNN, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL? THE HON ERIC HO, SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY?- SIR Y.K. PAO, CHAIRMAN OF THE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING GROUP? MR JAMES WU, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF WEATHERITE INDUSTRIES LTD. ? MR JACK TANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE? MR S.K. NGA I, PRESIDENT OF THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG? MR DENNIS TING, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF KADER INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD.? MISS PAULINE CHAN, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF W. HAKI NG INDUSTRIES LTD.j AND MR LEN DUNNING, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE H.K.T.D.C.
MEMBERS OF THE MISSION ARE SCHEDULED TO MEET WITH PRIME MINISTER MR Y. NAKASONE, FINANCE MINISTER MR N. TAKESHITA, MR M. ESAKI, CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC MEASURES OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY, FOREIGN MINISTER MR S. ABE AND MITI MINISTER MR K. MURATA ON DECEMBER 1OTH. ON THE FOLLOWING DAY, THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING AT THE KEIDANREN, ATTENDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG-JAPAN AND JAPAN-HONG KONG BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEES AND OTHER KEIDANREN MEMBERS, AT WHICH H.E. THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG WILL MAKE A MAJOR ADDRESS.
THE HONG KONG TEAM WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE INAUGURATION OF THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL'S MAJOR TOY EXHIBITION, CALLED THE +GREAT HONG KONG TOY EXPOSITION OF 1984 - A TOY FANTASY IN JAPAN+,-WHICH WILL BE STAGED AT THE LAFORET MUSEUM IN AKASAKA FROM/DECEMBER 12-14TH.
/DURING THE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
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DURING The MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH SENIOR JAPANESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND BUSINESSMEN, MEMBERS OF THE ECONOMIC MISSION WILL DISCUSS WAYS AND MEANS OF COMPLEMENTING AND HARMONISING THE COMMON OBJECTIVES OF THE HONG KONG-JAPAN AND JAPAN-HONG KONG COMMITTEES WHICH ARE +TO FOSTER FRIENDSHIP AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITIES OF HONG KONG AND JAPAN, AND TO SEEK TO PROMOTE AND/OR ASSIST IN PROMOTING TRADE, INVESTMENT AND OTHER ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION*.
MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG SAID IN 1981 THAT THE COMMITTEE SHOULD ENCOURAGE A MORE BALANCED EXPANSION OF THE TWO-WAY TRADE BETWEEN JAPAN AND HONG KONG.
IN 1983, HONG KONG'S TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC AND RE-EXPORTS)' TO JAPAN AMOUNTED TO HK$7.O9 BILLION WHILE IMPORTS AMOUNTED TO HK$40.3 BILLION, GIVING JAPAN A SURPLUS OF HKS33.25 BILLION.
IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1984, HONG KONG’S TRADE DEFICIT WITH JAPAN AMOUNTED TO HK$30.73 BILLION AGAINST HK$23.O2 BILLION FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1983.
LAST YEAR, HONG KONG RANKED AS JAPAN’S FIFTH LARGEST EXPORT MARKET IN THE WORLD, ABSORBING ABOUT 3.6 PER CENT OF ITS TOTAL EXPORTS IN 1983. ITS IMPORTANCE AS A MARKET FOR JAPAN IS GREATER THAN ALL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES OTHER THAN F.R. GERMANY. IN THE CURRENT YEAR, HONG KONG’S SIGNIFICANCE AS A MARKET FOR JAPAN HAS GROWN AND THE TERRITORY HAS OVERTAKEN SAUDI ARABIA TO BECOME THAT COUNTRY’S 4TH BIGGEST MARKET.
BESIDES SEEKING TO EXPAND HONG KONG'S MARKET SHARE IN JAPAN, THE MISSION ALSO HOPES TO ATTRACT MORE JAPANESE INVESTMENTS, ESPECIALLY IN HIGH-TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS, IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
SIR EDWARD YOUDE’S VISIT MAKES THIS THE SECOND TIME THAT A HONG KONG GOVERNOR HAS ACCOMPANIED AN ECONOMIC MISSION DESIGNED TO ENHANCE BILATERAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN.
IN NOVEMBER 1978, THE FORMER GOVERNOR, SIR (NOW LORD) MURRAY MACLEHOSE, ACCOMPANIED A SIMILAR HIGH LEVEL HONG KONG ECONOMIC MISSION WHICH WAS LED BY SIR Y.K. KAN, THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. ON THAT OCCASION, IT WAS A PROPOSAL BY THE THEN FOREIGN MINISTER OF JAPAN, MR SONAO SONADA, THAT RESULTED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG-JAPAN AND JAPAN-HONG KONG BUSINESS COj-OPERATION COMMITTEES WHICH HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO FURTHERING THE BILATERAL ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JAPAN AND HONG KONG.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
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CONTAINER PORT TO BE EXPANDED
* X * X
THE KWAI CHUN J CONTAINER TERMINAL IS TO BE EXPANDED TO COPE WITH GROWING DEMAND FOR ADDITIONAL FACILITIES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE EXPANSION HAD TO BE CARRIED OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE CONTAINER PORT’S PRESENT LEVEL OF TRAFFIC ALREADY EXCEEDED THE DESIGNED OPERATIONAL CAPACITY
IN VIEW OF THE I IPORTANCE AND NEED OF MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC WELL-BEING, THE GOVERNOR, ON THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS GRANTED A LEASE OF OVER 17 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED TO THE SOUTH OF THE TERMINAL AS PART OF THE PROGRAMME TO EXPAND THE TERMINAL.
THE LESSEE WILL BE PERMITTED TO RECLAIM THE AREA AND CONSTRUCT AND USE A CONTAINER TERMINAL. THE LEASE WILL BE GRANTED UNDER THE FORESHORES AND SEABED ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNOR, ALSO ON THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS APPROVED PLANS FOR THE RECLAMATION OF MORE THAN 15 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT THE MOUTH OF LAI CHI KOK BAY.
THE ADDITIONAL L- D WILL BE MA INLY FOR TRADES RELATED TO THE CONTAINER INDUSTRY. IT WILL ALSO BE USED TO BUILD ACCESS ROADS AND DRAINAGE.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT RECLAMATION BE CARRIED OUT BY PUBLIC DUMPING UNDER THE PUBLIC RECLAMATIONS AND WORKS ORDINANCE.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN THE PAST 20 MONTHS THERE HAD BEEN AN 8.5 PER CENT PER ANNUM INCREASE IN THE THROUGHPUT OF CONTAINERS AND THIS RATE OF GROWTH WAS LIKELY TO CONTINUE.
HE SAID THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT PROVIDING ADDITIONAL RECLAIMED LAND FOR ADDITIONAL FACILTIES AT THE MOUTH OF LAI CHI KOK BAY WOULD MEAN THAT AN ALTERNATIVE LOCATION FOR EXPANSION WOULD HAVE TO BE FOUND.
* *AT PRESENT THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE SITE WHICH OFFERS THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE AND SATISFIES THE OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF CONTAINER SHIPS, AS WELL AS TERMINAL FACILITIES AND CARGO HANDLING,* HE SAID.
♦UNLESS THE PRESENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IS PURSUED, THE EFFICIENCY OF CONTAINER OPERATES AT KWAI CHUNG WILL DETERIORATE.
+AS A DIRECT RESULT, THE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS WILL SUFFER PROPORTIONATELY DUE TO HIGHER FREIGHT RATES AND HANDLING COSTS.
/+THIS WOULD
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
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♦THIS WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF THE TERRITORY, AND TO ITS ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT.+
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ASSURED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC LIVING NEARBY THAT MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN TO MINIMISE NOISE AND DUST NUISANCES.
IN ADDITION, THERE WOULD BE AN OPEN SPACE BUFFER TO THE SOUTH AND WEST OF MEI FOO SUN CHUEN.
FORMAL AND INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS WOULD BE HELD WITH THE AFFECTED RESIDENTS AT DISTRICT BOARD AND LAI WAN AREA COMMITTEE NEETINGS.
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EXCO ENDORSES LANTAU VEHICLE REPORT X * H H
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD ENDORSED THE REPORT OF A WORKING GROUP SET UP TO REVIEW THE POLICY OF LIMITING THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES ON LANTAU.
IN JUNE 1973 THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT CLOSED ALL ROADS ON LANTAU AND SINCE THEN, ANYONE WISHING TO DRIVE A MOTOR VEHICLE ON THE ISLAND HAS HAD TO OBTAIN A CLOSED ROAD PERMIT.
PERMANENT PERMITS ARE ISSUED ONLY TO FULL-TIME RESIDENTS OR PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS WHILE TEMPORARY PERMITS ARE ISSUED MAINLY TO CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES CARRYING OUT BUILDING WORK ON THE ISLAND.
THE WORKING GROUP ADVISED THAT IT WAS STILL NECESSARY TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES THROUGH A SYSTEM OF CLOSED ROAD PERMITS. OTHERWISE, ANY MAJOR, UNCONTROLLED INCREASE IN VEHICLE NUMBERS WOULD CONGEST CERTAIN AREAS, AGGRAVATE THE PRESSURE ON PARKING FACILITIES AND DETRACT FROM THE QUIET COUNTRYSIDE AND RECREATIONAL ROLE OF THE ISLAND.
HOWEVER, A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING SYSTEM WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF ABUSES. IN FUTURE, THE RESPONSE ILITY FOR PRODUCING PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY WILL REST WITH THE APPLICANT WHO WILL NEED TO POSSESS A VALID DRIVING LICENCE IN ADDITION TO BEING A FULL-TIME RESIDENT OR PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER.
A PERMIT HOLDER’S CONTINUED ELIGIBILITY WILL BE CHECKED BEFORE A PERMIT IS RENEWED.
TO ENSURE THAT THE ROAD NETWORK IS NOT OVERLOADED, A CEILING CF ABOUT 10 PER CENT WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE NUMBER OF NEW PERMITS ISSUED EACH YEAR.
/THE WORKING .......
SUNDAY, DECD4BER 9, 1984
6
THE WORKING GROUP NOTED THAT LONG DELAYS HAD OCCURRED IN THE ISSUE OF PERMITS BECAUSE OF THE PRACTICE OF STOCKPILING APPLICATIONS BEFORE SUBMITTING THEM TO THE STANDING CONFERENCE ON ROAD USE FOR APPROVAL IN PRiNCIPLE THIS PRACTICE WILL BE DISCONTINUED AND IN FUTURE THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL ISSUE PERMITS ON A FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED BASIS UP TO THE LIMIT OF A 10 PER CENT ANNUAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NEW PERMITS.
THE WORKING GROUP’S RECOMMENDATIONS HAD BEEN DISCUSSED AND ENDORSED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD BEFORE BEING SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
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SHA TIN LIGHTS UP FOR FESTIVE SEASON
* X * *
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND A SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY LIT UP SHA TIN NEW TOWN THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING, HERALDING THE FESTIVE SEASON.
MRS JANE AKERS-JONES, WIFE OF THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, OFFICIATED AT THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY ON SAND MARTIN BRIDGE.
AT THE FLICK OF A SWITCH, THE 200-METRE BRIDGE ACROSS SHING MUN RIVER, WAS LIT UP WITH A DAZZLING DISPLAY OF DECORATIVE CHRISTMAS LIGHTINGS.
THE LIGHTS INCLUDE SANTA CLAUS AND HIS SLEIGH BEING PULLED BY REINDEERS, CHRISTMAS TREES AND A SPECIAL DESIGN IDENTIFYING SHA TIN — AMAH ROCK.
THIS CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY MARKING THE OPENING OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA COMMERCIAL COMPLEX.
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, AND LADY HADDON-CAVE JOINED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WATCHING THE COLOURFUL DISPLAY.
AT A BR EF CEREMONY HELD AT THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB TO MARK THE OCCASION, SIR PHILIP SAID THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY MARKED AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN THE GROWTH OF THE NEW TOWN — TEN YEARS AFTER DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN BEGAN.
SIR PHILIP SAID: +IN ITS LONG HISTORY SHA TIN HAS BEEN FAMOUS FOR MANY THINGS: FOR ITS RICE, ITS SPLENDID NATURAL SETTING IN A RING OF HILLS, AND^NOT LEAST ITS ROAST PIGEON AND BEAN CURD.
+NOW THE NEW TOWN, WHICH ALREADY HAS A POPULATION OF 300 000, WITH ITS SPACIOUS LAYOUT, RIVERSIDE PARKS, ITS RACECOURSE AND ITS IMAGINATIVE TOWN CENTRE IS BECOMING A NEW CENTRE OF ATTRACTION FOR HONG KONG’S PEOPLE AND OVERSEAS VISITORS ALIKE.
/h-AND WORK
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
- 7
♦ AND WORK IS ALREADY PROCEEDING ON A FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE TOWN, NORTHWARDS JO MA ON SHAN, WHERE THE FIRST HOUSING ESTATE IS BEING BUILWO CARRY THE POPULATION UPWARDS TO OVER 700 000.
+ T0 THE MANY FACILITIES PROVIDED AND PLANNED FOR SHA TIN IS ADDED A MAJOR SHOPPING FACILITY - THE YAOHAN DEPARTMENT STORE.
♦ I SHOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD FOR ORGANISING FIREWORKS DISPLAY AND WISH THEM - AND YOU ALL -THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON.+
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IMPORTANT TASK FOR THIS GENERATION
* * * *
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW POLITICAL STRUCTURE FOR HONG KONG WILL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT TASK FOR THIS GENERATION OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS AND BEYOND, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
♦THIS IS A TASK WHICH REQUIRES ALL THE MEMBERS OF THIS GENERATION TO UNDERTAKE IN THE SAME SORT OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT, UNITY OF PURPOSE, STRENGTH OF COMMITMENT, DETERMINATION AND CIVIC PRIDE WHICH IS EVIDENT IN THE TA CHIU CELEBRATIONS,* HE SAID.
MR AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HA TSUEN TEN YEARS TA CHIU CELEBRATIONS IN YUEN LONG.
♦THE HA TSUEN TA CHIU HAS A HISTORY OF OVER TWO CENTURIES-ITS CELEBRATION GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK BACK OVER THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PAST, AND TO REMIND THIS GENERATION TO REFLECT ON THE CUSTOMS, TRADITIONS AND PRACTICES WHICH HAVE MADE OUR COMMUNITY STABLE AND PROSPEROUS,* MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
♦DURING THE TA CHIU, VILLAGERS OF THE ’HEUNG’ RE-AFFIRM THEIR FRIENDSHIP, MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND COMMUNITY TIES IN PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS,+ HE SAID.
♦AND WHILE THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE HAS DECLINED, A NEW CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF THE ’HEUNG’ OPENS AND THERE ARE PROJECTS UNDER WAY WHICH WILL BRING ABOUT MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS AND BENEFITS TO THE RESIDENTS OF THIS AREA.
♦WORK HAS ALREADY STARTED THIS YEAR ON A NEW TOWN AT TIN SHUI WAI, AND WORK WILL START NEXT YEAR ON A NEW REGIONAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM, THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT,+ HE SAID.
PROGRAMMES FOR THE WEEK-LONG HA TSUEN TEN YEARS’ TA CHIU INCLUDE RELIGIOUS RITES, STORY TELLING, CANTONESE OPERA, AND VEGETARIAN FOOD FESTIVALS.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
8
MORE BUILDING PLANS APPROVED * * * X
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE APPROVED 42 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN OCTOBER, TWO MORE THAN THE SEPTEMBER FIGURE.
ALTHOUGH THE RISE WAS MARGINAL, IT REPRESENTED THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE INCREASE SINCE JUNE.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDE A SCHOOL FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AT CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, A COVERED WALKWAY AT INVERNESS ROAD, EIGHT BLOCKS OF HOUSING ESTATES AT THE JUNCTION OF MA TAU WAI ROAD AND FAT KWONG STREET FOR THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY, A SQUASH COURT BUILDING AT TAI PO, AND A JETTY EXTENSION AND BREAKWATER AT PO LO TSUI ON LAMMA ISLAND.
OF THE APPROVED PROJECTS, 13 ARE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 12 IN KOWLOON AND 17 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MEANWHILE, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 39 PROJECTS, 19 OF THEM ON HONG KONG ISLAND, FOUR IN KOWLOON AND 16 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THESE INCLUDE TWO HOTELS - ONE AT CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND THE OTHER IN TSIM SHA TSUI - 58 RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS AT SHOUSON HILL ROAD, A FOOTBRIDGE AT TAI PO, A YOUTH HOSTEL AT PAK SHA 0 IN SAI KUNG, AN ACADEMIC BUILDING FOR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND A CAR PARK AT TSI NG LUNG TAU.
THESE 39 PROJECTS HAVE A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 139 502 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 76 598 SQUARE METRES ARE FOR NON-DOMESTIC PURPOSES AND THE REMAINDER FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
DURING THE MONTH, 41 OCCUPATION PERMITS WERE ISSUED FOR NEWLY COMPLETED BUILDINGS.
THEY INCLUDED THREE APARTMENT BLOCKS AT VENTRIS ROAD, A 44-STOREY APARTMENT BLOCK AT KING’S ROAD - COMFORT TERRACE, A 27-STOREY CINEMA-APARTMENT-COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT SOY STREET, TWO BUS STATION-CINEMA-COMMERCIAL BLOCKS IN SHA TIN, AN ACADEMIC BUILDING AND AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING FOR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.
THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF NEWLY COMPLETED BUILDINGS FOR THE MONTH WAS 194 724 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 124 08Q SQUARE METRES WERE FOR NON-DOMESTIC PURPOSES AND THE REMAINDER FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
THE COST OF THESE BUILDINGS WAS ABOUT $835 MILLION.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ISSUED NINE DEMOLITION ORDERS IN RESPECT OF 13 BUILDINGS.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
9
•PLAY SAFE’ - KEY WORDS FOR LAND SPORTS LOVERS
*****
LAND SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS WERE TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO SAFETY RULES WHEN ENGAGING IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS.
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS COMPILED BY THE POLICE, 15 FATAL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LAND SPORTS AND LAND-ORIENTED ACTIVITIES WERE RECORDED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR AS COMPARED WITH ONLY SEVEN IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR.
OF THE 15 FATAL CASES RECORDED, 13 OR 70 PER CENT WERE CONNECTED WITH CYCLING.
TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS, A LAND SPORTS SAFETY DAY WAS HELD TODAY AT THE GUN CLUB HILL BARRACKS IN KOWLOON.
THIS IS AN ANNUAL PROMOTIONAL EVENT ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS AND CO-ORDINATED BY THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR WONG LAM EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISING COMMON SENSE AND OBSERVING THE BASIC SIMPLE RULES WHEN TAKING PART IN VARIOUS TYPES OF LAND SPORTS, SUCH AS THE USE OF APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT AND AWARENESS OF CHANGING ENVIRONMENT.
MR WONG SAID THE COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS HAD COMPLETED A RESEARCH ON CYCLING SAFETY THIS YEAR, AND MOST OF ITS RECOMMENDATIONS HAD RECEIVED POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING RESPONSE FROM THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED. THE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED EDUCATING STUDENTS ON ASPECTS OF CYCLING SAFETY, STEPPING UP MEDIA PUBLICITY THROUGH THE PRODUCTION OF A TV API (ANNOUNCEMENT OF PUBLIC INTEREST) ON RECREATIONAL CYCLING AND INCREASING THE PROVISION OF CYCLING FACILITIES.
TODAY’S EVENT, WHICH ATTRACTED MORE THAN 2 000 SPECTATORS AND PARTICIPANTS, INCLUDED DEMONSTRATIONS, PLAY-IN SESSIONS, STATIC DISPLAYS, FILM-SHOWS, TALK SHOW BY TV ARTISTES AND BAND PERFORMANCE.
WINNERS OF A QUIZ COMPETITION ON LAND SPORTS SAFETY WERE ALSO INVITED TO SHARE THE FUN AND RECEIVE THEIR SOUVENIRS.
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/1O........
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
10
UK OFFICIAL TO SPEAK ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY * * * *
THE UK CHIEF INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE, MR J.D.G. HAMMER, WILL BE THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT A SAFETY SEMINAR FOR TOP MANAGEMENT TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 13) AT THE SHANGRI-LA HOTEL.
MR HAMMER ARRIVED IN HONG KONG YESTERDAY (SATURDAY).
DURING HIS 31 YEARS IN THE UK FACTORY INSPECTORATE, MR HAMMER HAS SERVED IN VARIOUS KEY POSITIONS AND HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR MAJOR PROJECTS SUCH AS THE PREPARATION OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ACT AND THE REORGANISATION OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE.
HE BECAME CHIEF INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES IN 1975 AND HAS BEEN THE THIRD MEMBER OF THE UK HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE SINCE 1982.
THE SAFETY SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD OF HONG KONG.
THE THEME OF THE SEMINAR THIS YEAR IS +COST EFFECTIVENESS IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH*. IT WILL ADVISE MANAGEMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RESPONSIBLE, YET COST-CONSCIOUS, APPROACH TO THEIR SAFETY AND HEALTH OBLIGATIONS.
- - 0 - -
STEPPING TOWARDS BETTER UNDERSTANDING * * * *
SOME 700 PHYSICALLY-HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED PERSONS JOINED HANDS AND COMPLETED A 10-KIL0METRE TRIP IN SAI KUNG THIS (SUNDAY) MORN ING.
THEY WERE TAKING PART IN THE 11TH PHAB WALK, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE PHAB ASSOCIATION.
THE WALKATHON WAS STARTED OFF BY MRS PAULINE NG, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN A BRIEF ADDRESS, SHE SAID THE WALK WAS UNIQUE IN FOSTERING THE INTEGRATION AND UNDERSTANDING.
+THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE AND THE PHAB ASSOCIATION HAVE ORGANISED VARIOUS ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE PHYSICALLY-HANDICAPPED BY OTHER MEMBERS OF SOCIETY,* SHE SAID.
PARTICIPANTS, HAVING COMPLETED A ROUND-TRIP BETWEEN KEI LING HA AND YUNG SHUE AU, THEN STAYED BEHIND TO ENJOY VARIOUS GAMES STALLS.
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/11
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
11
COUNCILLORS TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON WHITE PAPER
* * *
URBAN COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL PUBLICLY DEBATE THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 11).
THE CHAIRMAN, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, WILL MOVE A MOTION TO +URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO PREPARE CLEAR AND CONCRETE PLANS FOR DIRECT ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AFTER 1987*.
THERE WILL BE TWO OTHER MOTIONS — ONE ON THE DECLARATION OF MARKETS IN THE URBAN AREAS AND THE OTHER ON The HIRING CHARGES FOR AIR-CONDITIONED SQUASH COURTS.
DURING QUESTION TIME, DR RONALD LEUNG WILL ENQUIRE ABOUT THE EXTENT OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S PARTICIPATION IN THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR. HE WILL ALSO ASK WHETHER The COUNCIL WILL ENCOURAGE DISTRICT BOARDS TO TAKE PART IN THE IYY EVENTS.
THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN EDINBURGH PLACE STARTING FROM 2.3C P.M.
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LADY BREMRIDGE OPENS BONSAI SHOW * * *
LADY BREMRIDGE, WIFE OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, TODAY OPENED A BONSAI AND HORTICULTURAL SHOW AS A HIGHLIGHT OF HOUSING FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS AT SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE, TSUEN WAN.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MISS ELAINE CHUNG? ASSISTANT TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ANGUS MIU? TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, DR CHEUNG SAU-CHING; AND TSUEN WAN EAST AREA COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW DICK-HIN.
ADDRESSING THE CEREMONY, MISS CHUNG SAID THAT OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD SPENT MORE THAN $50 MILLION IN PROVIDING A LOT OF GREENERY IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
+PICTURESQUE LANDSCAPE CERTAINLY AND SERENITY, WHICH IS MOST CHER I SHED ARE SO MANY CONCRETE BUILDINGS.
BRINGS ABOUT A FEELING OF EASE IN HONG KONG WHERE THERE
+APART FROM MAKING UTMOST EFFORTS TO PRODUCE LARGE NUMBERS OF PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS TRIED ITS BEST IN RECENT YEARS TO PLANT TREES IN HOUSING ESTATES TO GIVE ESTATE TENANTS A MORE COMFORTABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT.*
/MISS CHUNG
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
12
MISS CHUNG SAID NEWLY-BUILT ESTATES WERE FULL OF GREENERY AND BLOOMING FLOWERS, SOME OF THEM WERE EVEN ADORNED WITH PAVILIONS OR PONDS WITH BRIDGES ACROSS THEM.
+THE LANDSCAPING OF THESE ESTATES HAVE WON MUCH PRAISE.+
ORGANISED BY THE YUEN YUEN INSTITUTE AT THE INVITATION OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, THE BONSAI SHOW EXHIBITS PRECIOUS COLLECTIONS OF STALAGMITE AND PLANTS WORTH OVER $2 MILLION.
THE SHOW, STAGED AT SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE’S OPEN CARPARK NEAR SHEK LAN HOUSE, WILL REMAIN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN 10 AM AND 5 PM DAILY UNTIL DECEMBER 13.
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DUAL CARRIAGEWAY IN HUNG HOM ******
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW DUAL TWO-LANE ROAD FROM THE EXISTING WATERFRONT AT HUNG HOM BAY TO THE TO KWA WAN RECLAMATION.
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE ASSOCIATED JUNCTION CONNECTIONS AND BRANCH ROAD EXTENSIONS TO LINK UP WITH THE EXISTING OR FUTURE ROAD NETWORK IN THE HUNG HOM AND TO KWA WAN AREAS.
A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY WILL ALSO BE BUILT ACROSS THE NEW ROAD AT THE JUNCTION WITH TAI WAN ROAD. BUS BAYS WILL BE PROVIDED ALONG THE ROAD, AND ASSOCIATED ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED.
THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN MID-1985 AND BE COMPLETED BY LATE 1988.
THE NEW ROAD WILL SERVE AS A DISTRICT DISTRIBUTOR FOR TO KWA WAN AND HUNG HOM INCLUDING THE FUTURE WHAMPOA DOCKYARD REDEVELOPMENT.
A NOTICE ABOUT THE PROPOSAL IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROJECT CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG ; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON ; AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, 1ST FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSAL MUST BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS NOT LATER THAN FEBRUARY 5, 1985.
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/13......
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
13
KWUN TONG DB TO DISCUSS POLLUTION PROBLEMS « * X
KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON AIR POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN THE DISTRICT AT THEIR hEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
A REPORT WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION ON AIR POLLUTION IN KWUN TONG COLLECTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY BETWEEN APRIL 1983 AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR WILL BE TABLED AT THE MEETING.
THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR MICHAEL CHAN, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO ASSIST MEMBERS IN THEIR DISCUSSIONS.
BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SCHEME PRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALAN SCOTT.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA WILL BE RECOMMENDATIONS BY A STANDING COMMITTEE ON MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT, DEALING WITH DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT.
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SAI KUNG RESIDENTS VIEWS SOUGHT ON DB X X X *
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD HAS LAUNCHED A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY AMONG 1 600 LOCAL RESIDENTS TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY KNOW AND HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THE WORK OF THE BOARD.
SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, HR KEVIN HO, SA IDs + IT HAS BEEN IWO YEARS SINCE THE BOARD WAS FORMED IN APRIL 1982, AND BEFORE THE NEXT ELECTION IN MARCH NEXT YEAR, THE BOA?D WANTS TO REVIEW ITS PAST ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUNCTIONS.+
+RESULTS OF THE SURVEY WILL BE VERY USEFUL FOR OUR FUTURE REFERENCE AND I HOPE THOSE INCLUDED IN EXERCISE WILL RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15,+ HE SAID.
THE QUESTIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND ITS FOUR COMMITTEES, DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF THE 12 000 REGISTERED VOTERS AND 300 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
IN ADDITION, MORE THAN 30 STUDENTS HAVE BEEN RECRUITED TO INTERVIEW 160 RESIDENTS AT RANDOM.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
FIELD STUDY DAY FOR GEOGRAPHY TEACHERS ******
GEOGRAPHY TEACHERS FOR FORMS 1 TO 3 ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A GEOGRAPHY FIELD STUDY DAY TO BE HELD IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S FIELD STUDIES CENTRE IN SAI KUNG.
THE FIELD STUDY DAY, WHICH AIMS TO FAMILIARISE TEACHERS WITH FIELD STUDY TECHNIQUES IN LOWER SECONDARY FORMS, WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 19 (SATURDAY), FROM 9.30 AM TO 4.30 PM.
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG GEOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION AND THE GEOGRAPHY SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
MR K.Y. TO, OF TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS CHANG MING THIEN COLLEGE, WILL TALK ON +LANDF.ORM FEATURES AND MAPWORK: SOME ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES IN THE FIELD+.
MR P.K. CHAN, OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY, NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, WILL SPEAK ON +SAI KUNG TOWN REVISITED: AN ILLUSTRATION OF FIELD STUDIES IN URBAN SOCIAL GEOGRAPHY*.
FIELD STUDY TRIPS WILL BE ORGANISED FOR PARTICIPANTS AFTER THE BRIEFINGS.
HEADS OF SCHOOLS ARE REQUESTED TO NOMINATE GEOGRAPHY TEACHERS FOR THE FIELD STUDY DAY. NOMINATION FORMS SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 20 TO THE INSPECTOR, FIELD STUDIES CENTRE, SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, PAK KONG, N.T.
THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IS LIMITED AND APPLICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS WHO HAVE NOT PARTICIPATED PREVIOUSLY IN THE GEOGRAPHY FIELD COURSES ORGANISED BY THE CENTRE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT THE FIELD STUDIES CENTRE ON 3-2814009.
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DANCERS PERFORM TO FULL HOUSE
* * * *
A VARIETY OF ORIENTAL AND WESTERN DANCES WERE PERFORMED BEFORE A FULL HOUSE AT LUT SAU HALL, YUEN LONG THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.
THE DANCE PERFORMANCE EVENING WAS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG DANCE FEDERATION.
/Taking part
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1981*
15 -
TAKING PART IN THE PROGRAMME WERE 14 DANCE TROUPES, INCLUDING 1HE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE CHINESE DANCE TROUPE, THE HONG KONG DANCI COMPANY, THE HONG KONb ACADEMY OF BALLET AND THE YUEN LONG ARTS COMMITTEE DANCE TROUPE.
DURING THE INTERMISSION, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE YUEN LONG ARTS COMMITTEE, DR TANG SIU-TONG, PRESENTED SOUVENIRS TO THE DANCERS AND THANKED THEM FOR AN ENJOYABLE EVENING.
ADDRESSING THE GATHERING, DR TANG SAID THE PERFORMANCES HELPED PROMOTE PUBLIC INTEREST IN DANCE AND IMPROVE ITS GENERAL STANDARD.
’DANCE WAS IN THE PAST ONLY A FORM OF PERFORMING ARTS PURSUED BY A FEW. BUT IT HAS BECOME A COMMUNITY RECREATION ENJOYED BY PEOPLE OF ALL AGES,’ HE ADDED.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE PERFORMANCE TONIGHT WERE A NUMBER CF COMMUNITY LEADERS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
DISCO ON ROLLER SKATES AT NORTH DISTRICT
* * * *
•lRl WILw BL A LOT OF FUN AT THE FREE ♦DISCO ROLLER SKATING NIGHT+ FOR TH YOUNGSTERS AT F-’NLiKG RECREATION GROUND ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 15), * CELEBRATION OF NOR'-I DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
YOUNG ROLLLR—SKATERS ARE INVITED TO JOIN r-E 'DISCO ROLLER SKATING NIC-HT+ AT THE RECREATION GROUND BETWEEN 7 PM AND 10 PM, SAID A SPOKES' A‘ FOR THE NEW TERR ITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE OF THE NORTF DISTRICT FESTIVAL. THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE NTSD FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE PUBLIC.
APART FROM NON-STOP DISCO MUSIC, MORE THAN 30 VETERAN ROLLEk-SKATERS FROM THE SEA BIRD AND -UNG NGAN AMi't. ►‘Oi.Lt.R—SKA" ND GROUPS WILI DEMONSTRATE THEIR SKILLS.
WE MB: SS OF THE PUB; IC ARE WELCOME TC 'DU n THE FPFE
oot. -;Mt sfss o* ■ v ;l c0uL0v
'.i LIMITED
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1984
16
A LIMITED NUMBER OF ROLLER SKATES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR USE FREE OF CHARGE, SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE OF NORTH DISTRICT FESTIVAL, MR CHAN WAH-CHUN, THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF NORTH, MR IAN WOTHERSPOON, THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF NORTH, M? MA IU-KI, AND THE RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER OF NORTH, NR CHENG CHEUK-PING, WILL JOINTLY OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AT THE ROLLERSKATING RINK OF THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND AT 7 PM ON DECEMBER 15 (SATURDAY).
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MUSIC FESTIVAL CLOSES
* * M * *
THE SECOND CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL ENDED TODAY (SUNDAY) AFTER EIGHT DAYS OF PROGRAMMES FEATURING A SERIES OF CONCERTS, SEMINARS AND MASTER CLASSES.
A FINALE CONCERT WAS HELD THIS EVENING AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL MARKING THE CLOSE OF THE FESTIVAL, ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST HELD LAST YEAR.
A BRIEF CEREMONY WAS HELD AT INTERMISSION DURING WHICH THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG PRESENTED SOUVENIRS TO REPRESENTATIVES OF NINE LOCAL PERFORMING GROUPS.
THE CONCERT REACHED ITS CLIMAX WHEN A COMBINED ORCHESTRA, CONDUCTED BY THOMAS WANG, PLAYED +SPRING DRIZZLE ON RIVER LI + .
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/17.......
SUNDAY, DECEMBER Q, 1984
17
MAKE LIFE MORE DIFFICULT FOR RATS, PUBLIC URGED
*****
the urban council has launched a territory-wide
ANTI-RAT EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
DURING the month-long campaign, anti-rat posters, pamphlets and advisory letters will be distributed to all BUILDING MANAGEMENTS, HOUSEHOLDERS, SCHOOLS RESTAURANTS AND FOOD BUSINESS OPERATORS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN services department said today.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT RATS ARE SELDOM HUNGRY AND SHORT OF LIVING SPACE.
+THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO STOP RATS FROM MULTIPLYING IS TO STARVE THEM BY ELIMINATING THEIR SOURCES AND TO EV l-T T»EM FROM HIDING PLACES,+ HE SAID.
♦FOR DESPITE THE ADVANCE OF SCIENCE, THERE IS STILL NO EFFECTIVE METHOD TO CURB RAT REPRODUCTION.+
The SPOKESMAN SAID A BUILDING THAT IS CLEAN AND '^LI-MAINTAINED KEEPS RATS AWAY AND BUILDING MANAGEMENTS SHOUL; therefore regularly clear all junk and disused articles from COMMON PARTS OF THEIR BUILDINGS.
A NEST OF RATS IN ANY COMMON PARTS OF BUILDINGS SUCH AS YARDS STAIR LANDINGS AND ROOF SPACE MAY BECOME THE SOURCE OF RATS FOR MANY UNITS IN THE BUILDING, HE WARNED.
HE ALSO CALLED ON ThE PUBLIC TO TAKE ThE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO MAKE LIFE MORE DIFFICULT FOR
REMOVE SCRAPS AND REFUSE REGULARLY AT THE END OF THE DAY BECAUSE RATS USUALLY COME OUT TO FEED at night.
STORE ROOD IN RAT-PROOF CONTAINERS AS FOOD CONTAMINATED BY RATS IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH AND CREATES WASTAGE.
REPAIR ALL CRACKED PAVINGS, HOLES IN WALLS, EXCCSSIVE THRESHOLD CLEARANCE UNDER DOORS AND OTHER STRUCTURAL DEFECTS IN BUILDINGS TO STOP RAT I NFILTRATIONS.
DURING THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT HAD ELIMINATED MORE ThAN 50 000 RATj II 1 100 ANTI-RODENT OPERATIONS IN ThE URBAN AREAS.
SOME
♦ SHOULD THE PUBLIC NEED ANY ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE 0; RODENT CONTROL, THEY CAN CONTACT ThE STAFF Of ThE PcS CONTROL SECTION AT VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE URBAN Services department,* the spokesman added.
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/18........
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1934
i8
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR MUI WO
* * * *
A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT CAPABLE OF SERVING A POPULATION OF 10000 WILL BE BUILT IN MUI WO TO IMPROVE THE W*TER QUALITY OF THE SEA IN THE VICINITY OF SILVER MINE BAY.
THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF AN INLET PUMPING STATION, GRIT TRAPS, A SEDIMENTATION TANK, A SLUDGE TANK, A SLUDGE DEWATERING HOUSE, ANCILLARY STRUCTURES, ASSOCIATED PIPEWORKS AND ROADWORKS AND A 150-METRE-L0NG SUBMARINE OUTFALL.
THE PLANT WILL TREAT SEWAGE FROM MUI WO SEWERAGE DISTRICT AT SILVER MINE BAY BEFORE IT IS DISCHARGED INTO THE SEA THROUGH A SUBMARINE OUTFALL.
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT. THE CLOSING DATE IS DECEMBER 28, 1984.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JANUARY 1985 AND TAKE 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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■
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPEECH BY BARONESS YOUNG ..................................... 1
HK GROUP MEETS JAPaN PREMIER ................................. 8
EDUCATION SYSTEM TO BE MAINTAINED ............................ 9
PEOPLE, GOVERNMENT LINK SPELLS SUCCESS ....................... 10
NT GAS SUPPLY PROJECT WELCOMED ............................... 10
ONE ID CARD TO A PERSON ONLY ................................. 11
INQUIRY ORDERED INTO FIRE ON LIGHTERS ........................ 12
NEED SEEN FOR SIMPLER TALL BUILDING LAW ...................... 12
HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME - A PROVEN SUCCESS ..................... 14
DB TO LEARN ABOUT HOUSING PLaNS .............................. 15
SOUTH KOREA aND HONG KONG STRENGTHEN CULTURAL aND YOUTH TIES .................................................. 16
STALLS OFFERED AT FIVE TUEN MUN MARKETS ...................... 16
MAINS LAYING TO IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY ......................... 17
WATER FIGURES ................................................ 17
EARLY MORNING ROAD WORKS ..................................... 18
MONDAY, DSCB-IBER 1C, 1984
1
SPEECH BY BARONESS YOUNG
******
FOLLOWING IS A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SPEECH BY BARONESS YOUNG IN OPENING THE HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONGs-
BARONESS YOUNG (CON)i I DO NOT NEED TO REMIND THE HOUSE OF THE HISTORIC IMPORTANCE OF THE DRAFT AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KCNG. WE ARE PROVIDING FOR THE FUTURE OF THE FIVE AND A HALF MILLION PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY AND ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST FINANCIAL CENTRES INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE 21ST CENTURY. IT IS A UNIQUE ARRANGEMENT TO DEAL WITH A UNIQUE PROBLEM BEQUEATHED TO US BY HISTORY. IT IS RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEBATE IT IN FULL AND, AS ALWAYS IN YOUR LORGBGIPS’ HOUSE, WE HAVE IN THE CHAMBER MANY NOBLE LORDS WHO KNOW THE TERRITORY WELL INCLUDING ONE AS GOVERNOR. WE SHALL ALL LISTEN WITH GREAT INTEREST TO THE MAIDEN SPEECH OF THE NOBLE EARL, LORD BIRKENHEAD. I AM SURE WE WILL HAVE A THOROUGH AND WELL-INFORMED DEBATE.
THE AGREEMENT IS THE OUTCOME OF TWO YEARS OF COMPLICATED AND OFTEN DIFFICULT NEGOTIATIONS. THE GOVERNMENT ENTERED INTO THESE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IN 1982, AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF THE HISTORICAL REALITIES WHICH DETERMINE HONG KONG’S POSITION TODAY. IN 1997 THE LEASE ON THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL RUN OUT. UNDER THAT LEASE, UNLESS OTHER ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE, 92 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S LAND AREA WOULD REVERT TO CHINA. THE CEDED TERRITORIES MAKING UP THE REMAINING EIGHT PER CENT COULD NOT SURVIVE AS AN ENTITY IN THEIR OWN RIGHT. THEY HAVE, OVER THE YEARS, BEEN COMPLETELY INTEGRATED WITH THE REST OF HONG KONG. IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES THERE WAS NO REAL CHOICE FOR THE GOVERNMENT. TO DO NOTHING WOULD HAVE, IN PRACTICE, HAVE MEANT THE REVERSION OF THE TERRITORY TO CHINA IN 1997 WITHOUT AGREED ARRANGEMENTS - WHICH WAS NOT REALLY AN OPTION. THE UNCERTAINTY IN THE MEANTIME WOULD HAVE DESTROYED HONG KONG.
IT WAS CLEAR THAT WE HAD TO SEEK, BY NEGOTIATION WITH CHINA, ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WOULD PERMIT THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY AND TO SEEK TO ENSHRINE THESE ARRANGEMENTS IN A FORMAL AGREEMENT WITH CHINA.
IN SEPTEMBER 1982, DURING THE PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT TO PEKING, AGREEMENT WAS REACHED TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH THIS PURPOSE. IT WAS CLEAR FROM THE START THAT ANY AGREEMENT MUST BE ONE THAT WE COULD HONOURABLY COMMEND TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND TO PARLIAMENT, AND ONE WHICH THEY WOULD FIND ACCEPTABLE.
/ir; r .............
MONDAY, DECQffiJR 10, 1?8A
2
IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE TALKS WE EXPLORED WHETHER IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE, IN THE INTERESTS OF MINIMUM CHANGE, TO SECURE A MEANS OF AGREEMENT FOR CONTINUED BRITISH ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997 ON THE BASIS OF OUR RECOGNITION OF CHINA’S SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE WHOLE TERRITORY. IT BECAME CLEAR, HOWEVER, THAT A SOLUTION ALONG THESE LINES WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. WE CONCLUDED THAT A BREAKDOWN IN THE TALKS, WITH ALL THE UNCERTAINTY THAT THIS WOULD HAVE CREATED, WOULD NOT HAVE SERVED THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. INDEED, IT WOULD HAVE HAD VERY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR PROSPERITY AND STABILITY.
WE THEREFORE DECIDED, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN HONG KONG, TO EXPLORE CHINESE IDEAS FOR HONG KONG AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA- ENJOYING A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY AND THE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE DEGREE OF CONTINUITY IN ITS SYSTEMS AND WAY OF LIFE.
MY LORDS, THE DRAFT AGREEMENT LAID BEFORE THIS HOUSE AS A WHITE PAPER IS THE OUTCOME OF THOSE NEGOTIATIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE NEGOTIATORS, ON BOTH SIDES, FOR THE REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT WHICH IT REPRESENTS — IN PARTICULAR, TO THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY FOR HIS DETERMINED AND PATIENT DIPLOMACY WHICH PLAYED SUCH A GREAT PART IN THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG, FOR THEIR WISE ADVICE AND FOR THE COURAGE WITH WHICH THEY HAVE FACED MANY DIFFICULT DECISIONS. THE MANY OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN THE TALKS FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, AS WELL AS FROM OUR OWN DIPLOMATIC SERVICE, SHOWED DEDICATION AND GREAT RESOURCEFULNESS.
THE AGREEMENT IS BOTH COMPREHENSIVE AND DETAILED. IT PROVIDES A FIRM BASIS FOR THE FUTURE AND WILL, I BELIEVE, GIVE CONFIDENCE BOTH TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
I WILL NOT BORE YOU WITH THE AGREEMENT, POINT-BY-POI NT, AS NOBLE LORDS WILL HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY IT IN DETAIL SINCE IT WAS PUBLISHED ON THE 26TH OF SEPTEMBER. THERE ARE, HOWEVER, CERTAIN ASPECTS WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASISE.
THE FIRST IS THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION AND ITS ANNEXES, TOGETHER, CONSTITUTE A LEGALLY-BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT. AS THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER RECENTLY SAID, THE JOINT DECLARATION IS A FORM OF INTERNATIONAL TREATY AND HAS THE SAME FORCE IN INTERNATIONAL LAW.
/SECONDLY, IB.jEK........
MONDAY, DECSXBijR 10, 1984
- 3 -
SECONDLY, UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT ITSELF, THE POLICY SET OUT IN THE AGREEMENT WILL BE STIPULATED IN THE BASIC LAW TO BE PROMULGATED BY THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND THEY WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED FOR 50 YEARS FROM THE FIRST OF JULY 1997.
THIRDLY, THE AGREEMENT CONTAINS A SUFFICIENT DEGREE OF DETAIL TO REASSURE OPINION IN HONG KONG, AND INTERNATIONALLY, ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY. IT PROVIDES FOR HONG KONG TO ENJOY A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND MAKES CLEAR THAT THE SOCIALIST SYSTEM AND POLICIES PRACTISED IN THE MAINLAND WILL NOT BE APPLIED TO THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION. THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES THAT IT WILL BE SERVED BY AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE- THAT THE EXECUTIVE WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THAT LEGISLATURE- AND SUPPORTS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE IN THE HANDS OF LOCAL PEOPLE.
IT GUARANTEES THAT HONG KONG’S PRESENT SYSTEM OF LAW, INCLUDING THE COMMON LAW, WILL BE MAINTAINED. THE PRESENT INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL SYSTEM WILL BE CONTINUED BUT WITH A COURT OF FINAL APPEAL SITTING IN HONG KONG. THE PUBLIC SERVICE, IN WHICH APPOINTMENT DEPENDS ON QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY, WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION AS IT HAS LOYALLY SERVED HONG KONG IN THE PAST. THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY THEIR EXISTING RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS UNDER THE HONG KONG LAW AND THE CONTINUED APPLICATION TO HONG KONG OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS.
THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR HONG KONG TO RETAIN AND STRENGTHEN ITS POSITION AS A WORLD COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL AND COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE. THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WILL BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE AGREEMENTS AND PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS IN APPROPRIATE FIELDS, SUCH AS THE GATT AND THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT. IT WILL HAVE AUTONOMY IN THE ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND MONETARY FIELDS. THERE WILL BE NO EXCHANGE CONTROL AND THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WILL BE FREELY CONVERTIBLE. INVESTORS WILL BE ABLE TO PUT IN, OR WITHDRAW, THEIR CAPITAL FREELY. THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WILL BE ABLE TO DETERMINE ITS OWN SHIPPING POLICIES AND TO NEGOTIATE ITS OWN AIR SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS WHICH DO NOT TOUCH ON THE MAINLAND OF CHINA.
EXISTING LAND RIGHTS WILL BE RECOGNISED AFTER 1997 AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL BE ABLE TO GRANT NEW LEASES EXTENDING UP TO THE YEAR 2047. THE INHABITANTS OF HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE RIGHT OF FREE ENTRY TO, AND FREE EXIT FROM, THE ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.
/TdSRE IS.........
MONDAY, DSCtXBSR 10, 1?L4
THERE IS ALL THIS DETAIL, AND MUCH MORE. I THINK THAT YOUR LORDSHIPS WILL AGREE THAT THIS ADDS UP TO AN IMPRESSIVELY THOROUGH DOCUMENT.
MY LORDS, I REFERRED EARLIER TO OUR OBJECTIVE OF AN AGREEMENT ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. SINCE THE PUBLICATION CF THE AGREEMENT ON THE 26TH OF SEPTEMBER, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS TO AN ASSESSMENT OFFICE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND CHARGED WITH PREPARING AN ACCURATE ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF OPINION IN HONG KONG. THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE REPORT, TOGETHER WITH THAT OF THE INDEPENDENT MONITORS APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY CF STAT FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS TO OVERSEE THEIR WORK, WAS PUBLISHED AS A WHITE PAPER AND LAID BEFORE PARLIAMENT ON THE 29TH OF NOVEMBER.
AS ANYONE WHO HAS FOLLOWED THE HONG KONG PRESS IN THIS PERIOD WILL KNOW, THE DEBATE IN HONG KONG ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT HAS BEEN BOTH SERIOUS AND INTENSIVE. I AM STRUCK BY HOW REALISTIC AND LEVEL-HEADED MUCH OF THIS COMMENT HAS BEEN. SOME THREE AND A HALF MILLION COPIES OF THE DRAFT AGREEMENT WERE DISTRIBUTED IN HONG KONG AND TWO AND A HALF THOUSAND DIRECT SUBMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE --MANY FROM ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTING LARGE MEMBERSHIPS.
YOUR LORDSHIPS WILL HAVE NOTED THE CONCLUSION OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE REPORT THAT, AND I QUOTE: +MOST OF THE PEOPLE CF HONG KONG FIND THE AGREEMENT ACCEPTABLE*.
THIS MESSAGE WAS BORNE OUT ACROSS THE WHOLE RANGE OF EVIDENCE RECEIVED BY THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE. THE AGREEMENT WAS ENDORSED BY ALL THE PRINCIPAL REPRESENTATIVE BODIES INCLUDING THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND URBAN COUNCILS, THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND ALL 18 DISTRICT BOARDS. THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE ORGANISATIONS AND GROUPS, WHICH EXPRESSED THEIR VIEWS, FOUND THE AGREEMENT ACCEPTABLE. OF THE JUST OVER ONE THOUSAND INDIVIDUALS WHO EXPRESSED A CLEAR VIEW TO THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE, 677 FOUND THE AGREEMENT ACCEPTABLE AND 364 REJECTED IT. I FIND THIS FIGURE OF SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE EVEN THOUGH THE SAMPLE IS SMALL. IT IS NORMALLY THOSE WHO DO NOT AGREE TO SOMETHING WHO ARE THE FIRST TO WRITE ABOUT IT.
THESE FINDINGS ARE REINFORCED BY OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE MEDIA AND ALSO BY THE EVIDENCE OF INDEPENDENT OPINION POLLS. ONE OF THESE, PERHAPS THE LARGEST AND MOST SCIENTIFIC, SHOWS THAT 81 PER CENT OF THOSE QUESTIONED THOUGHT THE AGREEMENT VERY GOOD OR QUITE GOOD. THE CONCLUSION OF THE ASSSESSMENT OFFICE IS UNRESERVEDLY CONFIRMED BY THE INDEPENDENT MONITORS. THEY ALSO REPORTED THAT THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE HAD FULFILLED ITS REMIT PROPERLY, ACCURATELY AND IMPARTIALLY.
/MY LORDS,
MONDAY, DECZJffiLK 10, 1984
- 5 -
MY LORDS, THE REPORT SETS OUT CLEARLY THE VARIOUS VERY NATURAL CONCERNS WHICH HONG KONG PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT THE FUTURE. THIS WILL BE OF ENORMOUS VALUE TO THE GOVERNMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD DURING THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING THE AGREEMENT AND DURING OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
I SHOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS ONE OR TWO OF THESE CONCERNS NOW. ONE OF THESE WHICH HAS BEEN BROUGHT OUT IN THE STATEMENT OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS ISSUED ON THE 29TH OF NOVEMBER, IS THE NATURAL WISH CF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO BE INVOLVED IN THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW. THE BASIC LAW WILL BE PASSED BY THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF THE PRC. AND IT IS FOR THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO UNDERTAKE THE DRAFTING OF IT. I AM SURE, HOWEVER, THAT CHINESE LEADERS WILL HAVE NOTED THE CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ON THIS SCORE. INDEED, CHINESE SPOKESMEN HAVE INDICATED PUBLICLY THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL BE CONSULTED, THOUGH THE EXACT FORM OF CONSULTATION HAS YET TO BE MADE CLEAR. WE WELCOME THIS.
ANOTHER CONCERN, RAISED IN THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE REPORT, IS ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. FEARS HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED THAT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP MIGHT INTERFERE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG. IN MY VIEW THIS FEAR, THOUGH UNDERSTANDABLE, IS UNFOUNDED. THE AGREEMENT STATES EXPLICITLY THAT THE GROUP WILL BE AN ORGAN OF LIAISON AND NOT AN ORGAN OF POWER. IT WILL TAKE NO PART IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG. THE TWO GOVERNMENTS ARE AGREED THAT IT IS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WHICH WILL REMAIN FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG UP TO THE FIRST OF JULY 1997. WE ARE DETERMINED TO CARRY OUT THAT COMMITMENT. THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE TO THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AS A MEANS OF ACHIEVING THE NECESSARY CLOSE CO-OPERATION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT OVER HONG KONG IN THE NEXT 12 YEARS. I CAN ALSO ASSURE NOBLE LORDS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL ENSURE THAT THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG ARE PROPERLY REPRESENTED IN THE GROUP BY INVOLVING OFFICIALS FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN THE BRITISH DELEGATION.
MANY PEOPLE HAVE ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT NATIONALITY. THIS WAS WITHOUT QUESTION, ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT SUBJECTS TO NEGOTIATE. EACH SIDE HAD CONFLICTING INTERESTS THAT WERE NOT EASILY RECONCILABLE. NEVERTHELESS, THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THE SOLUTION EVENTUALLY ACHIEVED GOES A LONG WAY TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
ARRANGEMENTS ON NATIONALITY ARE SET OUT IN JHE DRAFT EXCHANGE OF MEMORANDA ASSOCIATED * I TH THE AGREEMENT. THE TERMS OF THESE MEMORANDA HAVE BEEN AGREED BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES AND THEY WERE INITIALLED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE AGREEMENT ITSELF.
/ri.E effects.......
MONDAY, DECJKBER 10, 1984
THE EFFECTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM MEMORANDUM IS THAT THOSE WHO WERE, ON THE 30TH OF JUNE 1997, BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS BY VIRTUE OF A CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO RETAIN, IF THEY WISH, A STATUS WHICH WILL BE A FORM OF BRITISH NATIONALITY AFTER 1997 AND FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. THIS STATUS CAN BE RETAINED BY SUCH ALL BDTCS WHATEVER THEIR ETHNIC ORIGIN. IT WILL ENABLE THEM TO CONTINUE TO USE A BRITISH PASSPORT AND TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF CONSULAR PROTECTION MEN IN THIRD COUNTRIES. I REALISE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENT THAT WE WERE NOT ABLE TO OBTAIN TRANSMISSIBILITY OF BRITISH NATIONAL STATUS BY DESCENT AFTER THE FIRST OF JULY 1997. WE FOUGHT VERY HARD TO RETAIN THIS BENEFIT WHICH IS, OF COURSE, ONE CURRENTLY ENJOYED BY BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS. BUT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WERE NOT PREPARED TO AGREE THAT ANYONE BORN AFTER 1997 SHOULD ACQUIRE BRITISH NATIONALITY BY VIRTUE OF A CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG.
DESPITE THE FIERCE STATEMENTS WHICH WERE MADE WHEN THIS MATTER WAS DEBATED IN ANOTHER PLACE, THERE MAY BE SOME CONTINUING MISAPPREHENSION ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW BRITISH NATIONALS COULD BE MADE STATELESS BY THESE ARRANGEMENTS. I AM GLAD TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REASSURE NOBLE LORDS THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN. WE INTEND FULLY TO COMPLY WITH OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE 1961 CONVENTION OF THE REDUCTION OF STATELESSNESS. THEREFORE, THE DRAFT LEGISLATION WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WILL IN DUE COURSE BRING BEFORE THE HOUSE WILL INCLUDE PROVISION WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO ENSURE THAT ANY BRITISH NATIONAL IN HONG KONG, WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BECOME STATELESS AS A RESULT OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS, WILL RETAIN A FORM CF BRITISH NATIONALITY. IT WILL ALSO ENABLE PROVISION TO BE MADE FOR ANY CHILDREN OF EX-BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE BORN STATELESS TO ACQUIRE BRITISH NATIONALITY. THOSE EX-BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS WHOM THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT DO NOT REGARD AS THEIR OWN NATIONALS, AND WHO HAVE NO OTHER NATIONALITY, WILL NOT BE LEFT STATELESS. AND NEITHER WILL THEIR CHILDREN.
CONCERN HAS ALSO BEEN EXPRESSED ON THE COMMITMENT OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT. WHILE NO ABSOLUTE GUARANTEES CAN BE GIVEN ABOUT THE FUTURE, THERE IS NO REASON TO DOUBT THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WILL FULFIL THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FREELY ENTERED INTO THE AGREEMENT AND THEY ARE JUSTIFIABLY PROUD OF THEIR GOOD RECORD IN OBSERVING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS. THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER HAS PUBLICLY RECOGNISED THAT THIS IS A LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENT. MOREOVER, BOTH ECONOMIC INTEREST AND THE COURSE OF CHINESE REUNIFICATION WILL BE SERVED BY ADHERENCE TO THE AGREEMENT. TO MY MIND, THESE ADD UP TO VERY STRONG INCENTIVES TO OBSERVANCE OF ITS LETTER AND ITS SPIRIT.
/THE AGKEEMEt/T.........
MONDAY, DEC!HB-JR 1C, 19^4
7 -
THE AGREEMENT IS THE PRODUCT OF LONG AND SOMETIMES DIFFICULT NEGOTIATIONS. NEGOTIATIONS, BY DEF INITI ON, REQUIRE GIVE AND TAKE. THE AGREEMENT GOES A LONG WAY, BUT IT DOES NOT AND CANNOT PROVIDE ANSWERS TO ALL QUESTIONS TO WHICH IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO PROVIDE ANSWERS OVER THE NEXT 63 YEARS. I RECOGNISE THAT IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO ELABORATE FURTHER ON SOME OF THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES SET OUT IN THIS AGREEMENT. ONE SUCH AREA IS OF CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION. THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT FRAMEWORK TO WHICH THE DETAILS WILL HAVE TO BE ADDED.
IN THIS CONNECTION I KNOW THAT MANY NOBLE LORDS WILL HAVE READ WITH INTEREST THE WHITE PAPER ON CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT WHICH HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. THIS PROVIDES FOR SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENTS TOWARDS REPRESENTATIVE INSTITUTIONS IN THE 1985 ELECTION AND THE PROSPECT OF FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN THIS DIRECTION AFTER A REVIEW IN 1987. THAT REVIEW WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE GENERAL DESIRE, EXPRESSED THROUGH THE CONSULTATIVE PROCESS, FOR THE PROPOSALS TO AVOID ANY SUDDEN AND DRAMATIC CHANGES WHICH COULD PROVE UNSETTLING TO THE TERRITORY. THE SUCCESS OF THE AGREEMENT WILL DEPEND NOT ONLY ON THE GOVERNMENTS OF CHINA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM BUT, IN A LARGE PART, ON THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO MAKE IT WORK. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THEY WILL RISE TO THIS CHALLENGE AND THAT THEY WILL MAKE THE TERRITORY EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN IT IS TODAY. WE, FOR OUR PART, WILL REMAIN UTTERLY COMMITTED TO HONG KONG UP TO 1997 AS THE ADMINISTERING POWER. THEREAFTER, I AM SURE THAT HONG KONG AND BRITAIN WILL REMAIN CLOSELY CONNECTED THROUGH A COMPLEX OF ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND PERSONAL TIES AS THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES.
MY LORDS, THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY PLAN TO TRAVEL TO PEKING LATER THIS MONTH FOR THE SIGNATURE OF THE AGREEMENT. THEY WILL ALSO VISIT HONG KONG. FOLLOWING SIGNATURE, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BRING FORWARD LEGISLATION EARLY IN 1985 TO PROVIDE FOR THE TERMINATION OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997 AND TO PROVIDE POWERS TO MAKE OTHER NECESSARY CHANGES TO THE LAW IN CONNECTION WITH THIS.
MY LORDS, I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR LORDSHIPS’ VIEWS ON THIS AGREEMENT. FOR THEIR PART THE GOVERNMENT REGARD IT AS A VERY SATISFACTORY OUTCOME OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. WE BELIEVE THAT IT PROVIDES A SOUND BASIS ON WHICH A STABLE AND PROSPEROUS HONG KONG CAN CONTINUE INTO THE NEXT CENTURY. I WARMLY COMMEND IT TO THE HOUSE.
- 0 - -
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 19&+
- 8 -
HK GROUP MEETS JAPAN PREMIER t K it
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND A TOP LEVEL HONG KONG ECONOMIC MISSION LED BY SIR S.Y. CHUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG -JAPAN BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEE, WERE TODAY RECEIVED IN TOKYO BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN, MR YASUHIRO NAKASONE.
THE COURTESY CALL AT THE PREMIER’S RESIDENCE WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF A FULL PROGRAMME OF MEETINGS WITH TOP GOVERNMENT, POLITICAL AND INDUSTRY LEADERS ON THE FIRST FULL DAY OF A FOUR-DAY MISSION TO THE JAPANESE CAPITAL.
THE PRIME MINISTER EXPRESSED GREAT INTEREST IN THE SINO-BRI TISH JOINT DECLARATION AND STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, NOT ONLY TO HONG KONG ITSELF BUT TO THE ASIAN-PACIFIC REGION AS A WHOLE.
HE ADDED THAT THE REGION WAS THE MOST RAPIDLY DEVELOPING AREA OF THE WORLD AND EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG AS A CATALYST FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION ALSO RECEIVED ASSURANCES OF JAPAN’S WILLINGNESS TO OPEN ITS MARKET TO HONG KONG EXPORTS.
AT A MEETING WITH MR MASUMI ESAKI, CHAIRMAN OF THE RULING LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S INFLUENTIAL SPECIAL COMMITTEE FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC MEASURES, THE HONG KONG MISSION WAS TOLD OF THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION OF EXPEDITING MARKET OPENING MEASURES IN A NUMBER OF AREAS.
THE MISSION’S MEETING WITH MR ESAKI, WHO ALSO HOSTED A LUNCHEON FOR THE DELEGATION, WAS SEEN AS HIGHLY ENCOURAGING FOR HONG KONG’S TRADE PROSPECTS IN JAPAN.
THE MISSION’S PROGRAMME FOR TODAY ALSO INCLUDED VISITS TO THE MAJOR JAPANESE MINISTRIES RESPONSIBLE FOR ECONOMIC AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT, WHERE SIR EDWARD AND THE HONG KONG DELEGATES HELD TALKS WITH THE FINANCE MINISTER, MR NOBORU TAKESHITA, THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR KE IJI RO MURATA, AND THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE ECONOMIC PLANNING AGENCY, MR IPPEI KANEKO.
SIR EDWARD AND THE HONG KONG TEAM TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THESE MEETINGS TO EXPLAIN THE DETAILS OF THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT TO THE JAPANESE SIDE, AS WELL AS DISCUSSING A WIDE RANGE OF BILATERAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES.
THE DELEGATES EMPHASISED THE MUTUAL BENEFITS TO BE GAINED THROUGH EXPANDING BUSINESS COOPERATION AND THE OPPORTUNITIES WH'CH HONG KONG PROVIDES JAPANESE BUSINESS INVESTORS, °ARTICULARLY AS A BASE FOR HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY.
/TODAY'S PROGRAM .E ...
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 19&A
- 9 -
DINNER IN THE BRITISH
TODAY'S PROGRAMME ENDED WITH A RECEPTION AND HONOUR OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE MISSION HOSTED BY AMBASSADOR TO JAPAN, SIR SYDNEY GIFFARD.
’HE HIGH LEVEL GROUP CONTINUES ITS PROGRAMME TOMORROW WITH A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE HONG KONG/JAPAN AND JAPAN/HONG KONG BUSINESS COOPERATION COMMITTEES AT KEIDANREN, WHERE SIR EDWARD WILL DELIVER A KEYNOTE ADDRESS ON + HONG KONG: PRESENT h-a I TIES AND FUTURE PROSPECTS* TO an AUDIENCE OF INFLUENTIAL JAPANESE BUSINESS LEADERS. THE DELEGATES WILL ALSO TAKE PART THE OPENING OF THE TDC’S MAJOR PRODUCT PROMOTION IN TOKYO, +T'HE GREAT HONG KONG TOY EXPOSITION OF 1984*.
-----o-------
EDUCATION SYSTEM TO BE MAINTAINED
*****
THE PRESENT EDUCATION SYSTEMS WOULD BE MAINTAINED AND INSTITUTIONS of ALL KINDS, INCLUDING THOSE RUN BY RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS WOULD RETAIN THEIR AUTONOMY, l*R MORRIS MORGAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, SAID TODAY.
HE TOLD THE GRADUATES OF THE KI ANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE AT ITS 25TH GRADUATION CEREMONY THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WOULD DECIDE ITS OWN POLICIES IN THE FIELDS OF CULTURE, EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
HE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED SOON IN BEIJING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENTS OF CHINA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, WOULD GIVE HONG KONG PEOPLE CONFIDENCE FOR THE FUTURE.
+LIKEWISE, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO FACE THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE AND TO LEARN TO COPE WITH CHANGES,* SAID MR MORGAN.
HE SAID THEY HAD TO BE RESILIENT TO COPE WITH CHANGING TECHNOLOGY. HONG KONG NEEDED THE WEALTH-GENERATING EFFECT OF NEW TECHNOLOGY TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT AND TO RAISE LIVING STANDARDS, HE SAID.
+IF HONG KONG DOES NOT ADOPT NEW TECHNOLOGIES AT LEAST AT THE RATE OF OUR TRADE COMPETITORS, THE EFFECTS WILL BE PROFOUND AND LONG LASTING,* MR MORGAN ADDED.
TO BRING ABOUT CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY, THERE MUST BE CHANGES IN DEMAND FOR SKILLS, WHICH MEANT EMPLOYERS AND INDIVIDUALS HAD T' UNDERSTAND THAT EDUCATION AND TRAINING WERE NOT CONCENTRATED I’.'TO A FEW YEARS BEFORE WORKING LIFE BEGAN OR AT THE START OF I" BUT WOU'D NEED TO CONTINUE UNTIL RETIREMENT, MR MORGAN SAID.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1984
10
PEOPLE, GOVERNMENT LINK SPELLS SUCCESS * * * *
ONE OF THE SECRETS OF THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG IS THE SPECIAL CO-OPERATION BETWEEN PEOPLE WITH GOOD HEARTS AND GENEROSITY AND THE GOVERNMENT, SAID MRS JANE AKERS-JONES, WIFE OF THE SECRETARY COR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
SHE WAS SPEAKING TODAY AT THE OPENING OF THE PO LEUNG KUK 1983 BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ COLLEGE ON TSING Yl ISLAND.
+PROM THIS SCHOOL, I AM SURE, WILL GRADUATE WELL-EDUCATED, WELL-BALANCED CITIZENS OF THE FUTURE HONG KONG,* MRS AKERS-JONES SAID.
♦AND I HOPE THAT THEY WILL DISCOVER AND LEARN THAT ONE OF THE SECRETS OF THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG IS THE SPECIAL CO-OPERATION BETWEEN PEOPLE WITH GOOD HEARTS AND GENEROSITY AND THE GOVERNMENT,
WHICH TOGETHER CAN ACCOMPLISH MUCH,+ SHE ADDED.
+THIS IS ALSO WELL ILLUSTRATED IN THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PO LEUNG KUK AND THIS FINE NEW COLLEGE,+ SHE SAID.
MRS AKERS-JONES SAID THE NEW COLLEGE MARKED ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY BY THE PO LEUNG KUK IN EDUCATION.
IT WAS THE SIXTH SECONDARY COLLEGE FOUNDED BY THE KUK. THERE WERE ALSO 16 PRIMARY SCHOOLS, FOUR KINDERGARTENS, TWO CHILDREN’S TRAINING CENTRES AND A SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN, AND MANY OTHER PROJECTS.
-------o --------
NT GAS SUPPLY PROJECT WELCOMED ** *
A MAJOR PROJECT TO EXTEND GAS SUPPLIES TO TOWNSHIPS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS WELCOMED TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES.
+THE PROVISION OF A RELIABLE GAS SUPPLY IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT CF NEW TOWNS,+ HE SAID.
MR AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE COMMISSIONING OF THE HONG KONG AND CHINA GAS COMPANY’S PIPELINE THROUGH BEACON HILL.
+1 WELCOME THE FAR-SIGHTED DECISION OF THE COMPANY TO IMPROVE FURTHER THE SUPPLY OF TOWN GAS TO THE NEW TOWNS,* HE SAID.
/+THE COH'ISSIOMI.G .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1C, 19*&
11
♦the commissioning of this pipeline is but one stage in an AMBITIOUS UNDERTAKING TO EXTEND THE GAS SUPPLY TO TOWNSHIPS IN TriE NEW TERRITORIES, BY MEANS OF A PIPELINE FROM KOWLOON TO TUEN MUN, VIA SHA TIN, TAI PO, FANLING, SHEUNG SHU I AND YUEN LONG, AND TO BUILD A NEW GAS PLANT AT TAI PO,+ HE ADDED.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID THE HONG KONG AND CHINA GAS COMPANY WAS THE FIRST PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANY TO BE ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG IN 1862.
♦IT IS INDEED ENCOURAGING FOR THE FUTURE THAT THEY HAVE HAD THE CONFIDENCE TO EMBARK ON SUCH A MAJOR INVESTMENT AND LONG TERM PROGRAMME,♦ HE SAID.
-------0----------
ONE ID CARD TO * * *
A PERSON ONLY * * *
RESIDENTS WERE WARNED TODAY BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT THAT
they must not possess more than one hong kong identity card.
♦IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS REGULATIONS FOR A PERSON TO APPLY FOR, OBTAIN OR HAVE POSSESSION OF MORE THAN ONE HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR THE OFFENCE, HE POINTED OUT, IS A FINE OF 820 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
THREE PERSONS HAD BEEN FINED BY THE COURTS FOR THE OFFENCE LAST MONTH.
THEY HAD BEEN FOUND TO BE IN POSSESSION OF IDENTITY CARDS WHICH THEY HAD EARLY REPORTED LOST. HOWEVER, AFTER RECEIVING REPLACEMENT CARDS, THEY HAD NOT REPORTED THE RECOVERY OF THEIR LOST CARDS. INSTEAD THEY HAD RETAINED THOSE CARDS AND USED THEM ALTERNATIVELY WITH THEIR REPLACEMENT CARDS FOR CONVENIENCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE OFFENCES WERE DETECTED THROUGH COMPUTER CHECKS, WHICH THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN STEPPING UP.
♦ANYONE WHO PRESENTS AN IDENTITY CARD WHICH HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPORTED LOST IS LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED,* HE SAID.
WHENEVER A LOST IDENTITY CARD IS RECOVERED BY THE HOLDER, IT MUST BE RETURNED TO THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE IMMEDIATELY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0 ------
/12........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1984
12
INQUIRY ORDERED INTO FIRE ON LIGHTERS * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR CHAN YUE-YAN, HAS ORDERED A LOCAL MARINE INQUIRY INTO A FIRE AND EXPLOSION WHICH OCCURRED LAST WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 5) IN THE WESTERN DANGEROUS GOODS ANCHORAGE.
A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE ORDER HAD BEEN MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE POWERS GRANTED UNDER ECTION 5° OF THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE (CAP. 313).
THE SEVERE FIRE, WHICH INVOLVED SEVEN DUMB STEEL AND LOCALLY LICENSED LIGHTERS, RESULTED IN LOSS OF LIFE AND SERIOUS INJURY.
- - 0 - -
NEED SEEN FOR SIMPLER TALL BUILDING LAW * * * *
CONSIDERATION WAS CURRENTLY BEING GIVEN TO THE REVISION OF LEGISLATION CONTROLLING THE DESIGN OF TALL BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
IT HAD BEEN RECOGNISED THAT THE BUILDING REGULATIONS HAD TO BE SIMPLIFIED AND MADE MORE READILY USABLE BY PRACTIONERS BY REMOVING THE EXISTING DETAILED TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS, HE SAID.
MR CHAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE THIRD INTERNATIONA'. CONFERENCE ON TALL BUILDINGS.
CODES OF PRACTICE REFERRED TO IN THE REGULATIONS AS +DEEMED-TO-SATISFY DOCUMENTS* WOULD BE ONE WAY TO SATISFY STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS, AND ANY DESIGN METHOD WHICH COULD BE SHOwN TO ACHIEVE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY WOULD ALSO EE CONSIDERED, HE SAID.
+THE CONSTRUCTION OF TALL BUILDINGS HAS LONG BEEN THE SOLUTION TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR MORE SPACE FROM AN EVER GROWING URBAN POPULATION,* HE SAID.
+THIS HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE IN RECENT YEARS IN THE URBAN SCENE IN HONG KONG. DUE TO THE SCARCITY OF LAND, ECONOMIC PRESSURES HAVE MADE IT NECESSARY TO OBTAIN MAXIMUM DEVELOPMENT ON OUR BUILDING SITES BY EMPLOYING THE MOST EFFICIENT BUILDING FORM.
+ALTHOUGH TALL BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN CRITICISED AS BEING SOCIALLY UNDESIRABLE AS FAMILY DWELLINGS, ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS dTH IN CITIES OFTEN MAKE SUCH LIVING UNAVOIDABLE.
MONDAY, DEChNBSR 10, 1984
- 13 -
+ THE IMPACT OF HIGHRISE LIVING VARIES FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY. wE HAVE LEARNT OF THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED cY SOME PEO°LE IN THE U.K. WHEN HOUSED IN TALL BUILDINGS, BUT IN HONG KONG THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION HAVE ADAPTED REASONABLY wELL TO HIGHRISE LIVING, AND EXHIBIT FEW OF THE PREJUDICES TOWARDS IT, SUCH AS THOSE FOUND IN THE U.K..+ HE SAID.
MR CHAN ALSO SAID IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT SERVICES COULD BE FULLY EXPOSED TO PERMIT ROUTINE SERVICING, INSPECTION AND REPAIR AND THAT ACCESS TO THEM BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WAS AVAILABLE, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, WITHOUT DISTURBING THE BUILDING’S OCCUPANTS.
DESIGNERS HAD TO SHOULDER GREATER RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE SAFE-AND-EASY-TO-USE ACCESS TO EXTERNAL ELEVATIONS AND SERVICE DUCTS, BECAUSE THERE WAS A NATURAL TEMPTATION ON THE PART OF WORKERS TO IGNORE SAFETY MEASURES IN PREFERENCE TO EXPEDIENCE.
ACCESS ROUTES TO PERMIT REFUSE TO BE CLEARED QUICKLY AND WITH MINIMUM INCONVENIENCE AND NOISE HEADED THE LIST OF NEEDS FOR EFFICIENT BUILDING MANAGEMENT. THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE ACCOMMODATION FOR STORAGE AND SERVICE STAFF SHOULD ALSO EE CONSIDERED.
♦ TOO OFTEN THIS ACCOMMODATION IS INADEQUATE RESULTING IN MATERIALS BEING STORED IN INAPPROPRIATE PLACES AND MAINTENANCE WORK, WHICH SHOULD BE DONE IN AN AREA WELL AWAY FROM THE NORMAL OCCUPANTS AND USERS OF THE BUILDING, BEING CARRIED OUT WHERE NOISE AND DIRT CAUSE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS,+ W CHAN SAID.
AN IMPORTANT PROCESS WHICH MIGHT BE EASILY NEGLECTED WAS THE LIAISON BETWEEN THE DESIGNER AND THE FUTURE MAINTENANCE AUTHOR ITY.
MAINTENANCE WOULD BE QUICKER AND EASIER IF MAINTENANCE MANUALS WERE PROVIDED WITH COMPLETE SETS OF +AS-EUILT+ DRAWINGS NOT ONLY FOR THE BUILDING STRUCTURE BUT FOR ALL THE SERVICES, ALONG WITH DETAILS OF THE SUPPLIERS OF SPECIAL MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT INSTALLED.
+EARLY CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE DESIGNER AND THE MAINTENANCE STAFF WILL BE PROFITABLE IN TERMS OF FUTURE CONVENIENCE TO THE BUILDING USERS AND KEEPING DOWN THE COST OF MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT,* HE SAID.
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS, BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEMS, LIFTS AND ESCALATORS WHICH WERE BECOMING INCREASINGLY COMPLEX, WERE INFLUENCING ACTUAL BUILDING FORMS, MR CHAN SAID.
THIS WAS PARTICULARLY SO WHEN THE DESIGNER WAS CONSIDERING THE THERMAL ENVIRONMENT FOR THE WORKING COMFORT OF THE OCCUPANTS.
/APPRA^nLL OF.......
MONDAY, DECBXBSR 10, 198A
14
APPRAISALS OF BUILDING SERVICES SYSTEMS, IN BOTH TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC TERMS, AND THEIR PROPER CO-ORDINATION AND INTEGRATION INTO BUILDING STRUCTURE NOW DEMANDED EXPERIENCED ENGINEERING INPUT AS WELL AS SOPHISTICATED COMPUTER DESIGN AIDS.
+THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE BUILDING SERVICES SYSTEMS ARE NOW ENHANCED BY BUILDING AUTOMATION AND IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR SOPHISTICATED ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING AND CONTROL EQUIPMENT TO BE EMPLOYED,* HE SAID.
+ l WOULD EXPECT THIS TECHNOLOGY TO ADVANCE RAPIDLY AND FORTHCOMING GENERATIONS OF TALL BUILDINGS WILL, I AM SURE, INCLUDE MORE AND MORE AUTOMATION,* HE SAID.
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HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME - A PROVEN SUCCESS K K K K
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MISS ELAINE CHUNG, SAID TODAY THAT A PUBLIC ENTERPRISE SYSTEM COULD WELL COMBINE THE MERITS OF BOTH PLANNING AND MARKETING.
+IT USED TO BE THOUGHT THAT MARKETING AND PLANNING ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE, BUT THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME PROVES THAT A PLANNED, MARKET-ORIENTED PUBLIC ENTERPRISE SYSTEM CAN SUCCEED,* MISS CHUNG SAID.
ADDRESSING A MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN ROTARY CLUB, SHE SAID THE SUCCESS WAS CLEARLY REFLECTED BY THE FACT THAT ALL HOS SALES EXERCISES HAD SO FAR BEEN OVERSUBSCRIBED.
+THIS VERY SUCCESS ALSO ENSURES THE CONTINUITY OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP FUND AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE HOS FLATS FOR OUR TARGET CLIENTS.*
USING THE SUCCESS OF HOS TO ILLUSTRATE THE CONCEPT OF A PLANNED, MARKET-ORIENTED PUBLIC ENTERPRISE SYSTEM, MISS CHUNG SAID THE STRATEGY IN PLANNING WAS TO IDENTIFY A SPECIFIC SEGMENT OF THE MARKET WHICH WOULD ENABLE A UNIQUE POSITIONING AND MARKET SHARE.
+IN THE CONTEXT OF HOS, PLANNING MEANS UTILISING RESOURCES TO DEVELOP A PROGRAMME TO PRODUCE A PRODUCT FOR A CERTAIN SEGMENT OF THE MARKET.
+THE QUANTITATIVE CONSIDERATIONS OF THE SCHEME, NAMELY THE SIZE OF THE PRODUCTION PROGRAMME, WERE BASED ON STANDARD ECONOMIC ANALYSES SUCH AS ESTIMATED SALES VOLUME, CASH FLOW AND PAYBACK.*
IN MARKETING, MISS CHUNG SAID THE STRATEGIES WERE TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCT TO PROVIDE A COMPETITIVE EDGE, OFFER A PRICE ADVANTAGE IN RETURN FOR RESALE RESTRICTIONS, ESTABLISH SPECIAL CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION, AND TO INCREASE MARKETING SUPPORT THROUGH SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES.
/+THE PrtUjucT..........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1984
+ THE PRODUCT IS A RESULT OF RESEARCH, FOR INSTANCE FROM SURVEYS ON LIVING STYLES, AND EXPERIENCE OF OUR OWN AND THAT OF PRIVATE DEVELOPERS.
♦THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ADOPTS LINE PROCESSES WITH STRINGENT QUALITY CONTROL WHICH PRODUCE A FAIRLY STANDARDISED PRODUCT AT A STEADY PACE TO A FINISHED GOODS INVENTORY KEPT AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE LEVEL FOR THE SHORTEST PERIOD.
+THE AUTHORITY ALSO UNDERTAKES TO MANAGE THE FLATS PROFESSIONALLY FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD.*
ON PRICES, SHE SPOKE OF THE DEVELOPMENT WHICH LED TO A NEW PRICING POLICY INTRODUCED IN 1981 WHEREBY THE COST OF LAND FORMATION WAS INCLUDED BUT LAND PREMIUM WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE PRICE OF THE FLATS TO BE SOLD.
■►UNDER THIS NEW ARRANGEMENT, HOS FLATS ARE PRICED ABOUT 20 TO 25 PER CENT BELOW THE MARKET VALUE OF COMPARABLE FLATS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.*
AS FOR PROMOTION, MISS CHUNG SAID THIS WAS ACHIEVED THROUGH SALES LITERATURE AND DIRECT MAIL, ADVERTISING, EXHIBITIONS AND TRADE SHOWS VISITS TO SHOW-FLATS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE TENAN AND PULBIC RELATIONS AND ENQUIRY SERVICE.
+EACH SALES CAMPAIGN IS UNIFIED BY A CENTRAL THEME WHICH IS THEN GIVEN BOTH ’HARD SELL’ AND 'SOFT SELL’ TREATMENT, AND THE GENERAL IMAGE OF HOS IS ALSO IMPORTANT AND CAREFULLY NURTURED.*
- 0 -
DB TO LEARN ABOUT HOUSING PLANS * * * *
ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW ON PLANS TO BUILD A RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN MUI WO.
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS BY A STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES ON IMPROVING MULTI-STOREY BUIDLING MANAGEMENT.
THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR W.J. CLANCY WILL ALSO ATTEND THE MEETING TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SCHEME.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE ALLOCATION OF $35 000 FOR A NUMBER OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
0 - -
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1984
16
SOUTH KOREA AND HONG KONG STRENGTHEN CULTURAL AND YOUTH TIES * * *
THE SOUTH KOREAN YOUTH AND CULTURAL AUTHORITIES ARE WORKING OUT A PROGRAMME OF YOUTH AND CULTURAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN SOUTH KOREA AND HONG KONG FOLLOWING A VISIT THERE BY W HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.
+THE COUNCIL IS KEEN TO EXPAND HONG KONG’S TIES WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS IN THE FIELDS OF SPORTS AND CULTURE, AND AMONG YOUTH GENERALLY,+ SAID MR CHEONG-LEEN TODAY.
+WE HOPE THAT THESE FRESH CONTACTS WITH THE SOUTH KOREAN AUTHORITIES WILL BEAR FRUIT IN DUE COURSE, TO THE MUTUAL ADVANTAGE OF BOTH TERR I TOR IES.+
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STALLS OFFERED AT FIVE TUEN MUN MARKETS
* * *
A TOTAL OF 47 STALLS AT THREE MARKETS AND TWO COOKED FOOD MARKETS IN TUEN MUN WILL BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 13), AT TAI HING COMMUNITY HALL, TAI HING ESTATE, TUEN MUN, STARTING 10 AM.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID, OF THE STALLS. 18 ARE AT KWONG CHOI MARKET, FIVE AT YAN 01 MARKET, FOUR AT SAN HUI MARKET, 15 AT TSING YEUNG COOKED FOOD MARKET, AND FIVE AT HUNG CHEUNG COOKED FOOD MARKET.
AT THE KWONG CHOI MARKET, 16 STALLS ARE FOR WET GOODS, ONE FOR FROZEN MEAT AND THE REMAINING ONE IS FOR ICE. THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTAL RANGES FROM $300 TO $800.
THREE OF THE FIVE STALLS AT YAN 01 MARKET ARE FOR WET GOODS, ONE IS FOR DRY GOODS, AND THE OTHER FOR ICE. THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTAL RANGES FROM $450 TO $750.
AT SAN HUI MARKET, THREE VACANT STALLS ARE FOR WET GOODS AND ONE IS FOR ICE. THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTAL RANGES FROM $1 100 TO $1 400.
THERE ARE FIVE STALLS AT THE HUNG CHEUNG COOKED FOOD MARKET, AND THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTAL IS S5 000 EACH.
THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTAL FOR 13 COOKED FOOD STALLS AND TWO FRUIT STALLS IN TSING YEUNG COOKED FOOD MARKET RANGES FROM $1 200 TO $6 250.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MAY START BUSINESS ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR ON A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT.
DETAILS OF THE AUCTION ARE AVAILABLE AT THE HAWKERS AND MARKETS SECTION OF TUEN MUN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE OR TELEPHONE 0-820800 EXT. 231 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
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/17.......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10’, 1984
17
MAINS LAYING TO IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS MAINS LAYING CONTRACTS TO IMPROVE SUPPLIES TO A NUMBER
FOR TWO OF AREAS.
THE FIRST CONTRACT INVOLVES THE LAYING OF ABOUT 2 400 METRES GF 90Q-MILL(METRE DIAMETER MILD STEEL FRESH WATER TRUNK MAIN IN VICTORIA ROAD, WESTERN.
THIS FORMS PART OF A PROJECT TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM TO POKFULAM, ABERDEEN, AP LEI CHAU AND LAMMA ISLAND.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN 16 MONTHS.
IN THE SECOND CONTRACT, ABOUT 800 METRES OF 1 OOO-MILLI METRE DIAMETER FRESH WATER AND 700-MILLI METRE DIAMETER FLUSHING WATER MAINS ARE TO BE LAID IN KAM SHAN ROAD IN TAI PO.
THE MAINS PARTLY OF DUCTILE IRON AND PARTLY OF MILD STEEL CONSTRUCTION, FORM PART OF THE PROJECT TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY CF EXISTING FRESH WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM AND TO IMPLEMENT A NEw FLUSHING WATER SYSTEM TO MEET THE DEMAND OF THE EXPANDING NEW TOWN.
WORK ON THIS PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH AND TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
-----o-----
WATER FIGURES * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 75.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 444.673 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 546.091 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 93.2 PER CENT CF CAPACITY.
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/18........
MONDAY, DECEMBER.10, 1984
18
EARLY MORNING ROAD WORKS
*****
THE ACCESS ROAD CONNECTING EASTBOUND GLOUCESTER ROAD WITH THE UP RAMP LEADING TO SOUTHBOUND CANAL ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 0.30 AM AND 6 AM DAILY, FROM DECEMBER 13 TO DECEMBER 18, TO ALLOW ROAD RESURFACING WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA VICTORIA PARK ROAD FLYOVER, INNER GLOUCESTER ROAD, WESTBOUND GLOUCESTER ROAD AND CANAL ROAD FLYOVER.
- - o -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EVERY PROSPECT OF PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR HONG KONG, GOVERNOR SAYS IN JAPAN ............................................... 1
IMPORTANCE OF ACCORD STRESSED ............................... 6
JOINT EFFORTS HELP TRADE LINKS WITH JAPAN ................... 7
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW ................................. 8
CHANGES IN PRICE AND VOLUME OF SEPTEMBER EXTERNAL TRnDE...... 8
U.S. IS BIGGEST FOREIGN INVESTOR............................. 13
KCRC DERAILMENT: NO FURTHER ENQUIRY.......................... 14
PRE-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS......................... 14
NOVEMBER WARMER THAN USUAL .................................. 15
MEET THE MEDIA .............................................. 18
TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER TO MEET MEDIA ........................ 18
YOUTH YEAR 1985 DETAILS ..................................... 18
A RUNNING START TO THE NEW YEAR.............................. 19
MONG KOK DB TO DISCUSS VICE DENS ............................ 19
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SEMINAR.................................... 20
FIRST SOCCER EVENT FOR DEAF ................................. 21
MUSIC, DANCE SHOWS FOR 250 000 .............................. 21
FLYOVER CLOSURE FOR ROAD WORK................................ 22
TRAFFIC CHANGE FOR ROAD WORK................................. 23
HUNG HOM WATER WORKS ........................................ 2 3
TAPS OFF OVERNIGHT .......................................... 24
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
1
EVERY PROSPECT OF PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR HONG KONG, GOVERNOR SAYS IN JAPAN ******
HONG KONG HAS EVERY PROSPECT OF A PROSPEROUS FUTURE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, TOLD A GATHERING OF PROMINENT JAPANESE BUSINESSMEN IN TOKYO TODAY.
THE SI NO-BRITISH DRAFT AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE HAD REMOVED MUCH OF THE UNCERTAINTY WHICH HAD AFFECTED CONFIDENCE AND INVESTMENT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE REACTION TO THE DRAFT AGREEMENT HAD INDICATED THAT, ALTHOUGH THEY STILL HAD SOME UNDERSTANDABLE CONCERNS, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ACCEPTED IT AS A BASIS ON WHICH THEY COULD BUILD A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
+OTHER COUNTRIES, IN PARTICULAR HONG KONG’S MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS SUCH AS JAPAN, HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN HELPING TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE AGREEMENT,+ SIR EDWARD SAID.
THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING AT THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE HONG KONG-JAPAN AND JAPAN-HONG KONG BUSINESS COOPERATION COMMITTEES IN THE KEIDANREN, THE FEDERATION OF ECONOMIC ORGANISATIONS, IN TOKYO THIS MORNING. HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES EXISTED FOR STRENGTHENING THE PRESENT ECONOMIC LINKS BETWEEN JAPAN AND HONG KONG IN TRADE, IN INVESTMENT, IN BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOTH SIDES.
SPEAKING ON +PRESENT REALITIES AND FUTURE PROPECTS+, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA HAD REMOVED MUCH OF THE UNCERTAINTY ABOUT HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
+THE PRESENT STATE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY IS HEALTHY. OUR CURRENCY IS STABLE. OUR EXPORT PERFORMANCE IS STRONG. UNEMPLOYMENT IS LOW AND INVESTMENT IS REVIVING,+ SIR EDWARD TOLD HIS AUDIENCE.
+HONG KONG’S CONTINUED HEALTH IS VITALLY DEPENDENT ON TRADE. SOME 90 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING OUTPUT IS EVENTUALLY EXPORTED AND THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL TRADE IN GOODS AMOUNTS TO OVER 180 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF ITS GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.+
HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR SAID, WAS THEREFORE ALWAYS VULNERABLE TO EXTERNAL FACTORS, AND ITS ECONOMY HAD TO ADJUST CONSTANTLY TO THE CHANGING WORLD TRADING ENVIRONMENT WITHIN WHICH IT HAD TO OPERATE.
ITS SUCCESS IN DOING SO WAS CLEARLY SHOWN BY THE HIGH RATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH WHICH IT HAD ACHIEVED — ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD.
OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, HONG KONG’S GDP HAD GROWN BY AN AVERAGE OF SEVEN PER CENT IN REAL TERMS AND PER CAPITA GDP HAD GROWN BY AN AVERAGE OF FIVE PER CENT PER YEAR. THE GDP IN 1984 WAS EXPECTED TO BE EIGHT PER CENT IN REAL TERMS, HE SAID.
/INVESTMENT IN .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
2
INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY HAD ALSO PICKED UP SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.
+TO A CERTAIN EXTENT THIS REFLECTS A LAGGED RESPONSE TO THE EXPORT RECOVERY. BUT IT ALSO REFLECTS GREATER INVESTMENT CONFIDENCE,* THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SPEAKING OF INFLATION, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT HONG KONG’S INFLATION RATE HAD BEEN FALLING STEADILY, FROM A YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF JUST UNDER 11 PER CENT FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR TO UNDER SEVEN PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING IN OCTOBER. IT MIGHT WELL FALL FURTHER BY THE END OF THIS YEAR. THE CONTINUING STABILITY OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, IN TERMS OF ITS LINK WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR, REMAINED A FAVOURABLE FACTOR.
REFLECTING THE EXPORT-LED RECOVERY, THERE HAD BEEN A SHIFT IN THE SOURCES OF GROWTH IN OUTPUT AND IN EMPLOYMENT FROM REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT BACK TO MANUFACTURING IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
HONG KONG’S ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT FOR CHINA, WHICH HAD RE-EMERGED IN THE LATE 1970’S HAD ALSO STRENGTHENED, HE SAID.
SPEAKING OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT 17 JAPANESE BANKS WERE LICENSED IN HONG KONG, AND ALL THE MAJOR JAPANESE SECURITIES HOUSES ALSO HAD A PRESENCE HERE.
THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID, HAD NO POLICIES DIRECTED SPECIFICALLY AT NURTURING THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, BUT NONE TO RESTRICT IT EITHER.
HE SAID THAT ABOUT 14 MONTHS AGO HONG KONG REVISED THE FRAMEWORK OF MONETARY POLICY -- SPECIFICALLY THE NOTE-ISSUE ARRANGEMENTS -- WITH A VIEW TO GIVING PRIORITY TO A STABLE EXCHANGE RATE. THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS HAD ACHIEVED THAT OBJECTIVE.
WHILE AVOIDING REGULATION UNLESS THERE WAS A STRONG CASE FOR IT, HONG KONG WAS VERY CONCERNED TO MAINTAIN A SYSTEM OF SUPERVISION AND REGULATION OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND MARKETS WHICH WOULD INSPIRE INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE, AND WHICH WOULD GIVE A MEASURE OF PROTECTION TO DEPOSITORS AND INVESTORS.
SIR EDWARD SAID THAT MANY FACTORS HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE RESILIENCE AND ADAPTABILITY OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, AND HENCE ITS ABILITY TO REBOUND SUCCESSFULLY FROM THE SET-BACKS WHICH AFFECT ALL ECONOMIES FROM TIME TO TIME. THESE INCLUDED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE, THE WORKERS AND THEIR SKILLS, GEOGRAPHICAL ADVANTAGES, GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO A FREE MARKET ECONOMY AND VIGOROUS INVESTMENT, THE LEGAL AND JUDICIAL SYSTEMS, THE ABSENCE OF EXCHANGE CONTROLS AND THE PRUDENT MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES.
/+THE NEW .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
- 3
♦THE NEW AND VITALLY IMPORTANT FACTOR IS THE DRAFT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
+THIS PROVIDES THAT THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SYSTEMS IN HONG KONG AND ITS LIFE-STYLE WILL IN ALL ESSENTIAL RESPECTS REMAIN FOR AT LEAST 50 YEARS AFTER 1997,+ SIR EDWARD SAID.
+THE FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM, FREE TRADE POLICIES AND FREE PORT WILL CONTINUE, AS WILL INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS IN ECONOMIC MATTERS, INCLUDING FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT OF CAPITAL AND THE RIGHT TO OWN AND DISPOSE OF PROPERTY,+ HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG WOULD ALSO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE TERRITORY AND IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS HUMAN RESOURCES.
SPEAKING OF BILATERAL TRADE, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT THE VALUE OF TRADE BETWEEN JAPAN AND HONG KONG HAD ALMOST DOUBLED IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
ON A PER CAPITA BASIS, HONG KONG PROBABLY BOUGHT MORE FROM JAPAN THAN ANY ONE OF JAPAN’S OTHER TRADING PARTNERS. IN 1983, HONG KONG BOUGHT OVER 230 000 YEN’S WORTH OF JAPANESE GOODS PER CAPITA, WHILE PURCHASES BY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES ON A PER CAPITA BASIS WERE UNDER A THIRD OF THAT FIGURE.
THE BALANCE OF TRADE HAD, HOWEVER, BEEN VERY MUCH IN JAPAN’S FAVOUR. IN 1983, THE RATIO OF HONG KONG IMPORTS FROM JAPAN TO DOMESTIC EXPORT TO JAPAN WAS TEN TO ONE.
+IT HAS NEVER BEEN OUR POLICY TO SEEK TO BALANCE TRADE BILATERALLY! NONETHELESS THE TRADE GAP IS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN,* THE GOVERNOR SAID.
+LOOKING AT IT POSITIVELY, THE SITUATION CALLS FOR INCREASED EFFORTS ON OUR PART TO PROMOTE EXPORTS TO JAPAN AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING BY OUR MANUFACTURERS OF THE REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERENCES OF THE JAPANESE MARKET.*
THIS WAS AN AREA IN WHICH HE HOPED THAT JAPAN-HONG KONG BUSINESS COOPERATION COMMITTEE COULD GIVE HONG KONG EVERY ASSISTANCE POSSIBLE.
SIR EDWARD SAID THAT HE WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN APRIL THIS YEAR THAT THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO ADOPT A POLICY OF OPENING ITS MARKET FURTHER TO FOREIGN IMPORTS.
THERE WAS PARTICULARLY WELCOME NEWS FROM THE JAPAN TOY ASSOCIATION YESTERDAY THAT HONG KONG TOY PRODUCTS WOULD HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE +ST+ (SAFETY TOY) MARK AND THAT THE TEST RESULTS OF RECOGNISED LABORATORIES IN HONG KONG WOULD ALSO BE ACCEPTED BY THE JAPAN TOY ASSOCIATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ISSUING THE +ST+ MARK.
/THESE ARRANGEMENT S.......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
- 4 -
THESE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD, NO DOUBT, FACILITATE THE MARKETING CF HONG KONG TOYS IN JAPAN, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, SIR EDWARD SAID, THE CONTINUED EXCLUSION OF THREE HONG KONG PRODUCTS FROM JAPAN’S GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES DID REMAIN OF CONCERN. BUT HE WAS APPRECIATIVE OF THE EFFORTS OF JAPANESE FRIENDS WHO HAD BEEN WORKING TOWARDS AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE PRESENT SITUATION.
HONG KONG TOY EXPORTS TO JAPAN HAD BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT SINCE APRIL LAST YEAR. JAPAN WAS A VERY LARGE MARKET FOR TOYS AND HONG KONG WAS THE WORLD’S LARGEST EXPORTER OF TOYS. YET HONG KONG HAD SO FAR BEEN ABLE TO CAPTURE ONLY A TINY FRACTION OF THE TOTAL JAPANESE DOMESTIC MARKET FOR TOYS.
+THIS IS ONE AREA WHERE I WOULD HOPE HONG KONG CAN ACHIEVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED SALES TO JAPAN,+ HE SAID.
SPEAKING OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG, SIR EDWARD SAID WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT JAPANESE INVESTMENT HAD BEEN GROWING
MORE SLOWLY THAN THAT FROM OTHER SOURCES DURING THE PAST TWO OR THREE YEARS.
AS A RESULT THE JAPANESE SHARE OF TOTAL OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG HAD DECLINED TO JUST OVER 21 PER CENT, AS COMPARED WITH OVER 31 PER CENT THREE YEARS AGO. IN MONEY TERMS, JAPANESE INVESTMENT HAD INCREASED BY ONLY NINE PER CENT WHILE TOTAL OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT HAD INCREASED BY 63 PER CENT.
SIR EDWARD URGED JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS TO LOOK AGAIN AT HONG KONG AS A POSSIBLE LOCATION FOR OFF-SHORE MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES.
OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND COMPETITIVENESS.
IN PARTICULAR, THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY FROM JAPAN, INCLUDING THE DIRECT SPREAD OF NEW TECHNOLOGY IN HONG KONG THROUGH THE PARTICIPATION OF JAPANESE COMPANIES IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, WAS IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG’S QUEST TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND VALUE OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS, SIR EDWARD SAID.
REFERRING TO RAPID AND FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IN THE FINANCIAL WORLD, SIR EDWARD SAID HONG KONG FAVOURED LIBERALISM IN TRADING PRACTICES, +WHETHER IN GOODS OR SERVICES*.
HONG KONG, HE SAID, WAS ONE OF THE MOST OPEN FINANCIAL CENTRES IN THE WORLD, AND ITS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WERE AS KEEN AS ITS MANUFACTURERS TO SEE UNNECESSARY RESTRICTIONS REMOVED.
\
/SIR EDWARD .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
SIR EDWARD SAID THAT THOUGH HONG KONG MIGHT NOT HAVE +THE hEGOTIATING MUSCLE OF THE MAJOR ECONOMIES,* HE HOPED THAT HONG KONG INTERESTS WOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED BY THE JAPANESE AUTHORITIES AS THEIR DOORS WERE OPENED WIDER.
♦I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT JAPAN WOULD STAND TO BENEFIT FROM HONG KONG’S EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE IN THE SAME WAY AS HONG KONG HAS BENEFITED FROM THE PRESENCE OF JAPANESE FINANCIAL CONCERNS IN HONG KONG,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
HONG KONG, HE SAID, WAS NOT AFRAID OF INCREASED COMPETITION IN FINANCIAL SERVICES. THIS REGION WOULD, HE WAS SURE, CONTINUE TO BE ONP OF THE WORLD’S MAIN GROWTH AREAS FOR A LONG TIME TO COME, AND THE ASSOCIATED DEMAND FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES SHOULD CREATE AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANY.
+l BELIEVE, THEREFORE, THAT HONG KONG CAN LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE. THE DRAFT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA SIGNIFIES A BINDING COMMITMENT ON THE PART OF BOTH GOVERNMENTS TO IMPLEMENT ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT.
+l HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THEY WILL DO SO, AS I ALSO HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN BUILD A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE ON ITS FOUNDATION,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
IT WAS ALSO IN THE WIDER INTERNATIONAL INTERESTS THAT THE AGREEMENT SHOULD BE A SUCCESS.
+IN A WORLD WHERE PROBLEMS BETWEEN NATIONS OFTEN PROVE SO INTRACTABLE AND INCAPABLE OF NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT, THE AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED BY NEGOTIATION WHEN THERE IS THE NEED AND THE WILL TO SUCCEED,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
THERE WAS SCOPE FOR DEVELOPING FURTHER THE ECONOMIC LINKS BETWEEN JAPAN AND HONG KONG, AND FOR BOTH TO BENEFIT FROM THE FUTURE GROWTH IN THE ECONOMIES OF CHINA AND THE COUNTRIES IN THE PACIFIC RIM.
+HONG KONG FOR ITS PART IS DETERMINED TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE CF THESE OPPORTUNITIES,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
----0------
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984'
- 6 -
IMPORTANCE OF ACCORD STRESSED ******
THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WAS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG PEOPLE AND OF CONSIDERABLE SIGNIFICANCE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TONIGHT.
THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING AT A DINNER HE HOSTED AT HOTEL OKURA IN TOKYO ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC MISSION TO JAPAN.
BY PROVIDING FOR CONTINUITY IN HONG KONG’S LEGAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS FOR 50 YEARS BEYOND 1997, THE AGREEMENT OFFERED INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS — FROM JAPAN AND ELSEWHERE — THE PROSPECT OF STABILITY FROM WHICH THEY COULD, WITH CONFIDENCE PARTICIPATE IN ITS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, IN THE DEVELOPMENT TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND IN CHINA’S MODERNISATION, SIR EDWARD SAID.
+THIS PROSPECT, TOGETHER WITH THE ATTRACTIONS OF HONG KONG’S FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM AND ITS EXCELLENT COMMERCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, WILL, I HOPE LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN THE TERRITORY, THUS STRENGTHENING THE CLOSE AND MUTUAL BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIP WHICH HAS LONG EXISTED BETWEEN OUR TWO ECONOMIES,+ HE SAID.
TRADE, THE GOVERNOR SAID, WAS IMPORTANT TO THIS RELATIONSHIP, AND IT WAS GRATIFYING TO NOTE THAT BILATERAL TRADE BETWEEN JAPAN AND HONG KONG HAD GROWN AT A RATE OF 39 PER CENT IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
HONG KONG RANKED AS JAPAN’S FOURTH LARGEST EXPORT MARKET IN THE WORLD -- A REMARKABLE STATISTIC IF HONG KONG’S SIZE WAS CONSIDERED COMPARED WITH SOME OF JAPAN’S OTHER MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS, SIR EDWARD SAID.
JAPAN WAS LIKEWISE, VITALLY IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG, NOT ONLY AS HONG KONG’S FIFTH LARGEST EXPORT MARKET, BUT ALSO AS THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE OF EXPORTS.
+IN SHORT, THE TWO ECONOMIES HAVE A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP, AND IT IS CLEARLY IN OUR COMMON INTEREST TO WORK TOGETHER TO NURTURE AND DEVELOP THIS RELATIONSHIP IN THE FUTURE,+ HE SAID.
THE JAPAN-HONG KONG AND HONG KONG-JAPAN BUSINESS COOPERATION COMMITTEES HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THIS, HE SAID, PAYING TRIBUTE TO THEM FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.
WHILE PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE IN EASING ACCESS FOR HONG KONG EXPORTS TO JAPAN, HONG KONG’S SHARE OF THE JAPANESE MARKET WAS STILL ONLY 0.5 PER CENT.
+ THIS FIGURE IS EXCEEDINGLY LOW AND WE MUST CONTINUE TO TAKE •POSITIVE ACTION TO IMPROVE IT,+ SIR EDWARD SAID.
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
- 7 -
HONG KONG DID NOT NECESSARILY SEEK A BALANCE IN TRADE WITH JAPAN, AND HAD NO INTENTION OF REDUCING THE ESSENTIAL IMPORTS SO VITAL TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. BUT THE FACT THAT HONG KONG’S BILATERAL TRADE DEFICIT INCREASED FROM 767 BILLION YEN IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF LAST YEAR TO 1 024 BILLION YEN IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1984 HIGHLIGHTED HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO INCREASE HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO JAPAN.
HONG KONG, SIR FOR JAPAN’S RAPIDLY
EDWARD SAID, ACTED IN MANY RESPECTS AS A CATALYST EXPANDING TRADING RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
LAST YEAR, IT RE-EXPORTED SOME 113 BILLION YEN WORTH OF JAPANESE PRODUCTS INTO CHINA — 85 TIMES MORE THAN IT DID IN 1978. AND IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR RE-EXPORTS OF JAPANESE 'GOODS TO CHINA HAD REACHED 180 BILLION YEN, ALMOST 170 PER CENT MORE THAN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR.
+IN OTHER WORDS, THERE IS A NEW DIMENSION TO OUR TRADE RELATIONSHIP. INCREASINGLY, HONG KONG WILL BE VIEWED BY JAPAN NOT JUST AS A MAJOR MARKET IN ITS OWN RIGHT, BUT ALSO AS ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES OF YOUR TRADE DEVELOPMENT IN THIS REGION. THIS COUPLED WITH THE NEED TO ADDRESS THE BILATERAL TRADE BALANCE, LEADo l*E TO HOPE THAT THE WORK OF THE JAPAN-HONG KONG AND HONG KONG-JAPAN COMMITTEES WILL COMMAND EVER GREATER ATTENTION IN THE FUTURE,+ SIR EDWARD SAID.
HE WAS SURE THAT THE CLOSE ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN WOULD CONTINUE TO GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, HE SAID.
-----0------
JOINT EFFORTS HELP TRADE LINKS WITH JAPAN
*****
JOINT EFFORTS BY GROUPS FROM BOTH SIDES HAD HELPED BRING ABOUT FRUITFUL TRADE COOPERATION BETWEEN JAPAN AND HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY IN TOKYO.
SIR EDWARD WAS SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE JAPANESE VICE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MR NOBUO MATSUNAGA, AT THE IIKURA KAIKAN.
THE GOVERNOR IS AMONG A GROUP OF HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN WHO ARE ON A FOUR-DAY ECONOMIC MISSION TO JAPAN.
THE HONG KONG GROUP, HE SAID, GREATLY APPRECIATED THE SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE GIVEN BY THE JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTRY AND THE CONSULATE GENERAL IN HONG KONG IN HELPING TO SET UP +AN EXCELLENT PROGRAMME FOR THE MISSION.*
/+IN PAHTICUUUi, .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
- 8 -
+IN PARTICULAR, THE OPPORTUNITY YOU HAVE PROVIDED FOR US TO "EET AND TALK WITH LEADERS OF YOUR GOVERNMENT WILL, I AM SURE, PROVE MOST VALUABLE IN STRENGTHENING THE EXISTING EXCELLENT RELATIONS BETWEEN JAPAN AND HONG KONG,+ SIR EDWARD SAID.
THIS CLOSE RELATION OWED MUCH TO THE FORMER JAPANESE MINISTER, M? SONAO SONODA, AT WHOSE SUGGESTION THE JAPAN-HONG KONG AND HONG KONG-JAPAN BUSINESS COOPERATION COMMITTEES HAD BEEN BROUGHT INTO BEING.
♦THE WORK OF THESE COMMITTEES HAS, I BELIEVE, HELPED TO PROMOTE A GREATER UNDERSTANDING AND AWARENESS OF HONG KONG’S ASPIRATIONS AMONG THE JAPANESE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
+IT HAS LED TO TANGIBLE RESULTS IN EASING ACCESS FOR HONG KONG PRODUCTS IN THE JAPANESE MARKET,+ THE GOVERNOR SAID.
GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF BILATERAL TRADE TO BOTH ECONOMIES, HE HAD HIGH HOPES THAT THIS FRUITFUL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE COMMITTEES AND BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENTS WOULD BE STRENGTHENED FURTHER, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
------o-------
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND LADY YOUDE, WILL RETURN FROM JAPAN TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WITH SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC MISSION AFTER A FOUR-DAY VISIT.
THE GROUP WILL BE ARRIVING ON FLIGHT JL 001, ETA 10.50 PM.
-------o ---------
CHANGES IN PRICE AND VOLUME OF SEPTEMBER EXTERNAL TRADE *****
DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 15 PER CENT AND RE-EXPORTS BY 25 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1983, SO THAT TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 19 PER CENT, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IMPORTS INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 11 PER CENT AND 13 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, PRICES WERE UP BY 12 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER 1984 COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1933. PRICES OF IMPORTS ROSE BY SEVEN PER CENT.
/AS A .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
- 9 -
AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF THE TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO THE IMPORT PRICE INDEX) ROSE BY FOUR PER CENT.
A COMPARISON OF FIGURES FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1984 WITH THOSE FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, SHOWED THAT DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 22 PER CENT AND 31 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME T-RMS, WHILE IMPORTS GREW BY 17 PER CENT. OVER THE PERIOD, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS ALL ROSE BY 15 DER CENT.
A COMPARISON OF FIGURES FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1983, SHOWED THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 22 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, THUS GIVING A 24 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE VOLU’E OF TOTAL EXPORTS. MEANWHILE, THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS ROSt BY 17 ’ER CENT. PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS ALL ROSE, ON AVERAGE, BY 16 PER CENT.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED. CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE ARE DERIVED FROM CHANGES IN TRADE VALUES, AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
THE 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 NEARLY ALL COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED, FROM EIGHT PER CENT FOR BOTH FOOTWEAR AND DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES TO 24 PER CENT FOR TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES. HOWEVER, DECREASES IN EXPORT PRICES WERE REGISTERED FOR METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-16 PER CENT), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-8 PER CENT).
THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MOST OF THE COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING METAL. ORES AND SCRAP (-57 PER CENT), ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+50 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+26 PER CENT), DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+25 PER CENT), RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+24 PER CENT), FOOTWEAR (+17 PER CENT) AND CLOTHING (+15 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (_35 per CENT), TEXTILE FABRICS (-12 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-5 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORT PRICES OF NEARLY ALL END-USE CAT-GORIES INCREASED AS COMPARED VI TH SEPTEMBER 1983, RANGING FROM THR-E PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS TO 11 PER CENT FOR RAw MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES.
/many o?........
TUESDAY, DECEMBEB 11, 1984
10
MANY OF THE MAJOR IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS DECLINED IN VOLUME TERMS THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING SUGAR, CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR, VEGETABLES, MILK, BUTTER, CHEESE AND EGGS AS WELL AS FRUIT. HOWEVER, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR WHEAT AND FLOUR, MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS AS WELL AS FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MAJOR CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING PASSENGER MOTOR CARS, RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS, HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, CLOTHING AS WELL AS CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY. HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE■REG ISTERED FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS, WATCHES, TOBACCO MANUFACTURES AND FOOTWEAR.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST OF THE RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES ROSE, AMONG WHICH WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR, THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS, WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK, MAN-MADE FIBRES, CLAY AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, BUILDING MATERIALS ETC., EXCEPT GLASS, FABRICS OF WOOL AND MIXTURES, YARN OF MAN-MADE FIBRES, IRON AND STEEL, SPECIAL TEXTILE FABRIC FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE, PAPER AND PAPERBOARD AS WELL AS CHEMICAL ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS, INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY. HOWEVER, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SILK FABRICS, COTTON YARN AND THREAD, CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS AS WELL AS DYEING, TANNING AND COLOURING MATERIALS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY.
IMPORTS OF FUELS ROSED BY EIGHT PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF NEARLY ALL COMMODITIES INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, THE MORE NOTEWORTHY ONES BEING OFFICE MACHINES AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT. HOWEVER, A DECREASE IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEXTILE MACHINERY WAS RECORDED.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF NEARLY ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, RANGING FROM 15 PER CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS TO 70 PER CENT FOR FUELS. HOWEVER, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS DROPPED iY 22 PER CENT.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE SEPTEMBER 1984 ISSUE OF THE +HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS*, AVAILABLE SOON AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HKS2 PER COPY.
/TABLE 1 : .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBEE 11, 1984
TABLE 1 : COMPARISON OF DOMESTIC EXPORT CHANGES BY COMMODITY GROUP BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1984 AND SEPTEMBER 1983
COMMODITY GROUP EXPORT VALUE EXPORT UNIT VALUE EXPORT VOLUME
CLOTHING + 38% + 20% * 15%
TEXTILE FABRICS + 2% + 16% - 12%
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD - 28% + 11% - 35%
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES + 30% + 24% + 5%
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS ♦ 36% + 9% + 24%
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS + 50% INSIGNIFICANT + 50%
FOOTWEAR + 27% + 8% + 17%
hETAL MANUFACTURES + 26% + 20% ♦ 5%
NETAL ORES AND SCRAP + 32% - 16% + 57%
WATCHES AND CLOCKS + 17% - 8% + 26%
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES + 17% ♦ 23% - 5%
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES + 35% + 8% + 25%
ALL COMMODITIES + 28% + 11% ♦ 15%
/TABLE 2 : .......
TUESDAY, DK EMBER 11, 1984
- 12 -
TABLE 2 : COMPARISON OF IMPORT CHANGES BY END-USE CATEGORY BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1984 AND SEPTEMBER 1983
END-USE CATEGORY IMPORT VALUE IMPORT UNIT VALUE IMPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS INSIGNIFICANT + 7% - 6%
CONSUMER GOODS RAW MATERIALS AND + 17% + 5% + 11%
SEMI-MANUFACTURES + 24% + 11% * 11%
FUELS + 7% - 1% + 8%
CAPITAL GOODS + 36% + 3% + 32%
ALL COMMODITIES + 20% + 7% + 12%
TABLE 3 : COMPARISON OF RE-EXPORT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER CHANGES BY END-USE 1984 AND SEPTEMBER CATEGORY 1983
END-USE CATEGORY RE-EXPORT VALUE RE-EXPORT UNIT VALUE RE-EXPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS - 14% + 11% - 22%
CONSUMER GOODS + 30% + 13% + 15%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES + 50% + 13% + 33%
FUELS + 83% ♦ 7% + 70%
CAPITAL GOODS + 78% + 15% + 54%
ALL COMMODITIES + 41% + 13% + 25%
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
- 13 -
U.S. is biggest foreign investor * * * *
THERE WERE 472 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS EITHER WHOLLY OR PARTLY OWNED BY OVERSEAS INTERESTS IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, A SURVEY HAS SHOWN.
OF THESE COMPANIES, 442 PROVIDED FULL DETAILS TO QUESTIONS REFERRING TO THEIR INVESTMENT AND OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG. THESE RETURNS SHOWED A TOTAL INVESTMENT FIGURE OF $11 448 MILLION, A 63 PER CENT INCREASE COMPARED WITH THE FIGURE IN AUGUST 1981.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY OF OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT, CONDUCTED FROM JULY TO SEPTEMBER 1984 WERE RELEASED TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR JOHN YAXLEY.
+THE LAST SIMILAR SURVEY WAS CARRIED OUT THREE YEARS AGO, AND THE PRINCIPAL OBJECT THIS TIME WAS TO UPDATE THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION ABOUT FACTORIES WITH OVERSEAS INTERESTS, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE A CLEARER PICTURE OF OVERSEAS PARTICIPATION IN OUR MANUFACTURING SECTOR, AND OF THE VIEWS OF OVERSEAS MANUFACTURERS ON CERTAIN ASPECTS OF OPERATING IN HONG KONG,+ SAID MR YAXLEY.
+FOR EXAMPLE, WE ASKED THEM - WHAT THEY LIKE ABOUT THE PLACE, AND ALSO WHAT THEY SEE AS THE DRAWBACKS,+ HE SAID.
THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND THE UNITED KINGDOM CONTINUE TO LEAD AS THE MAJOR SOURCES OF OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT, ACCOUNTING FOR 53.7 PER CENT, 21.1 PER CENT AND 6.9 PER CENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENT RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE FOLLOWED BY THE NETHERLANDS (2.8 PER CENT), THE PHILIPPINES (2.6 PER CENT) AND SWITZERLAND (2.5 PER CENT).
OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IS CONCENTRATED IN THE ELECTRONICS, TEXTILES AND GARMENTS AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS SECTORS, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR 35.5 PER CENT, 9.8 PER CENT AND 8.0 PER CENT OF TOTAL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT RESPECTIVELY. OTHER SIGNIFICANT SECTORS INCLUDE NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS SUCH AS BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND FIBRE GLASS PRODUCTS (7.6 PER CENT), FOOD AND BEVERAGE (7.2 PER CENT) AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (7.0 PER CENT).
MR YAXLEY SAID: +WHILE THE NUMBER OF FACTORIES WITH OVERSEAS INVESTMENT MAY BE RELATIVELY SMALL, BETWEEN ONE PER CENT AND ONE-AND-A-HALF PER CENT OF ALL FACTORIES HERE, THEY EMPLOY 89 033 WORKERS, OR ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL WORKFORCE, AND THEIR TOTAL SALES WERE OVER $27 000 MILLION IN 1983, OF WHICH 68 PER CENT WERE FOR DIRECT EXPORT - EQUIVALENT TO 17.8 PER CENT CF HONG KONG’S TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
/+IN ADDITION .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
+ IN ADDITION WE BELIEVE THAT A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE PRODUCTION SHOWN AS LOCAL SALES IN FACT CONSISTS OF GOODS, SUCH AS ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, TEXTILE YARNS AND FABRICS AND SOME ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, WHICH ARE INCORPORATED LOCALLY INTO OTHER PRODUCTS WHICH ARE EXPORTED.
+THE TRUE CONTRIBUTION OF THEIR OUTPUT TO OUR EXPORTS IS THEREFORE ALMOST CERTAINLY EVEN HIGHER THAN SUGGESTED BY THE FIGURES. WHEN ONE ALSO TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE OTHER BENEFITS THEY BRING IN SUCH AREAS AS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, MODERN MANAGEMENT SKILLS, AND TECHNICAL TRAINING, THEY PLAY A SIGNIFICANT PART IN OUR MANUFACTURING SECTOR,+ MR YAXLEY SAID.
- - 0 -
KCRC DERAILMENT: NO FURTHER ENQUIRY
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TODAY DECIDED THAT A FURTHER ENQUIRY IS NOT REQUIRED INTO THE NOVEMBER 25 DERAILMENT OF A KCRC EMPTY TRAIN IN THE SIDINGS OF SHEUNG SHU I STATION. A FULL STATEMENT ON THE INCIDENT WAS MADE TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE KCRC, DISCLOSING THE FINDINGS OF ITS ENQUIRY.
THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED THAT THE KCRC HAS FULLY INVESTIGATED THE INCIDENT AND HAS TAKEN EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT RECURRENCE. A PUBLIC ENQUIRY THEREFORE IS NOT NECESSARY.
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL NOTED THAT THE CORPORATION ACTED SWIFTLY AND RESPONSIBLY IN INVESTIGATING THE ACCIDENT, AND THAT THE INVESTIGATION INDICATES CONCLUSIVELY THAT THE INCIDENT WAS DUE TO ERROR BY THE STAFF CONCERNED, AND NOT DUE TO ANY SYSTEM FAILURE OR TO MISMANAGEMENT. MOST IMPORTANT, PUBLIC SAFETY IS NOT AT STAKE.
PRE-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (TUESDAY) DECLARED NOS. 9 AND 13 TSUNG SAU LANE WEST AND NO. 4 TSUNG SAU LANE EAST, HONG KONG TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.
IN ADDITION, IT DECLARED NOS. 7, 11, 15, 17, 19, 21 AND 23 TSUNG SAU LANE WEST AND NOS. 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 AND 16 TSUNG SAU LANE EAST, HONG KONG LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
/IN A
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
- 15 -
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THESE THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED WITH LOAD-BEARING BRICK WALLS AND MAINLY TIMBER FLOORS AND ROOFS HAD BEEN UNDER OBSERVATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
A RECENT INSPECTION HAS SHOWN THAT THE WALLS OF THESE BUILDINGS WERE FRACTURED AND THE BRICKS VERY WEAK.
IN THE CASE OF NOS. 9 AND 13 TSUNG SAU LANE WEST AND NO. 4 TSUNG SAU LANE EAST, THE FRACTURES WERE MOST SEVERE AND THERE WAS A RISK OF COLLAPSE. IN ADDITION, MOST OF THE TIMBER SUPPORTS TO THE FLOORS AND ROOFS WERE DECAYED. IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THESE BUILDINGS.
AS THE COMMON WALLS TO NOS. 7, 11. 15, 17, SAU LANE WEST AND NOS. 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 AND 16 TSUNG SAU LANE EAST WERE ALSO FRACTURED AND THEIR TIMBER SUPPORTS TO FLOORS AND ROOFS DECAYED THESE BUILDINGS BEING IN THE SAME GROUP AND GAINING SUPPORT FROM NOS 9 AND 13 TSUNG SAU LANE WEST AND NO. 4 TSUNG SAU UNE EAST WERE UNLIKELY TO WITHSTAND THE PROCESS OF DEMOLISHING THE LATTER THREE BUILDINGS. IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH ALL THE 16 BUILDINGS AT THE SAME TIME.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON JANUARY 29, 1985 WERE POSTED TODAY, ON ALL BUILDINGS EXCEPT NOS. 7 TSUNG SAU LANE WEST AND 12 {SUNG SAU LANE EAST WHICH ARE CROWN PROPERTIES. IN THESE CASES A NOTICE TO QUIT WILL BE SERVED.
-----o------
NOVEMBER WARMER THAN USUAL * K *
NOVEMBER WAS WARMER THAN USUAL, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY REPORTS. THE MONTHLY MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 22.3 DEGREES CELSIUS AND THE MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 20.3 DEGREES CELSIUS BOTH RANKED SEVENTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR ANY NOVEMBER.
THE MONTH’S 4.5 MM OF RAINFALL, REPRESENTED A MERE 13 PER CENT OF THE NORMAL VALUE OF 34.7 MM.
IT WAS FINE AND SUNNY FROM NOVEMBER 1 TO 11, APART FROM SOME LIGHT RAIN PATCHES ON NOVEMBER 2 AND 9.
WEATHER BECAME CLOUDY WITH PATCHES OF LIGHT RAIN ON NOVEMBER 12, AS A COLD FRONT DEVELOPED OVER SOUTHERN CHINA. THE COLD FRONT DISSIPATED NORTH OF HONG KONG ON NOVEMBER 13 BUT CLOUDY CONDITIONS CONTINUED UP TO NOVEMBER 15 WITH LIGHT RAIN FROM TIME TO TIME.
/IT was .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
- 16 -
IT WAS SUNNY AGAIN IN THE AFTERNOON OF NOVEMBER 16. THE WEATHER REMAINED FINE THE NEXT DAY WITH SOME CLOUDY INTERVALS. IT WAS SUNNY AND WARM ON NOVEMBER 18 WITH A MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE CF 28 DEGREES CELSIUS, THE MONTH’S HIGHEST.
NORTHERLY WINDS SET IN ON NOVEMBER 18 AND BECAME STRONG EARLY ON NOVEMBER 19 UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE WINTER MONSOON. TEN ADVERTISEMENT BOARDS OUTSIDE A CINEMA IN MONG KOK FELL DOWN ONTO THE STREET BUT FORTUNATELY NOBODY WAS HURT DURING THE INCIDENT.
IT WAS GENERALLY FINE AND DRY UP TO NOVEMBER 29 AND THE DAILY MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY WAS 70 PER CENT OR LESS. THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO A MINIMUM OF 15.2 DEGREES CELSIUS ON NOVEMBER 21, THE MONTH’S LOWEST. HOWEVER, ON NOVEMBER 27 AND 29, THERE WERE SOME CLOUDY PERIODS. IT WAS CLOUDY WITH SOME LIGHT RAIN ON NOVEMBER 30.
FOUR TROPICAL CYCLONES OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING THE MONTH.
SEVERE TROPICAL STORM WARREN, WHICH STAYED OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING THE LAST WEEK OF OCTOBER, DISSIPATED AFTER CROSSING VIETNAM ON NOVEMBER 2.
TYPHOON AGNES DEVELOPED NEAR THE CAROLINE .ISLANDS ON NOVEMBER 1. IT HIT THE CENTRAL PHILIPPINES ON NOVEMBER 5, BRINGING A DEATH TOLL OF AT LEAST 727. SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE WERE REPORTED MISSING AND ABOUT 600 000 WERE MADE HOMELESS. AGNES LANDED OVER VIETNAM ON NOVEMBER 7 AFTER CROSSING THE SOUTH CHINA SEA. IT WEAKENED INTO AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OVER THAILAND ON NOVEMBER 8.
TYPHOON BILL DEVELOPED TO THE EAST OF THE MARIANA ISLANDS ON NOVEMBER 9. IT MOVED TOWARDS THE PHILIPPINES AT FIRST BUT TURNED NORTHWESTWARDS ON NOVEMBER 14. BILL BECAME SLOW-MOVING NORTHEAST CF LUZON ON NOVEMBER 17 AND 18. IT WEAKENED ON NOVEMBER 19 AND MOVED SOUTHEASTWARDS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ANOTHER TYPHOON, CLARA. BILL DISSIPATED ABOUT 360 NAUTICAL MILES EAST OF MANILA ON NOVEMBER 22.
ON NOVEMBER 14, TYPHOON CLARA FORMED NEAR THE CAROLINE ISLANDS AND MOVED WEST-NORTHWESTWARDS. IT RECURVED TO THE NORTHEAST ABOUT 640 NAUTICAL MILES EAST OF MANILA ON NOVEMBER 19. IT BECAME AN EXTRATROPICAL CYCLONE ABOUT 620 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTHEAST OF TOKYO LATE ON NOVEMBER 21.
DURING THE MONTH ONE AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 18 - 22, 25, 27 AND 30 WHILST THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 3, 4, 11, 18, 24 AND 25.
/signals hoisted .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
- 17 -
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE AND TIME
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL OF HOISTING
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON NOVEMBER 19
4.15 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON NOVEMBER 25
11.50 PM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORM
SUNSHINE 186.9 HOURS- 4.6 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
RAINFALL 4.5 MM- 30.2 MM BELOW NORMAL
CLOUDINESS 48%- 4% LESS THAN NORMAL
RELATIVE HUMIDITY 71%- 2% HIGHER THAN NORMAL
MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 24.7 DEGREES C- 0.3 DEGREES C ABOVE NORMAL
KAN TEMPERATURE 22.3 DEGREES C- 1.0 DEGREES C ABOVE NORMAL
KAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE 20.3 DEGREES C- 1.4 DEGREES C ABOVE NORMAL
KAN DEW POINT 16.4 DEGREES C- 1.5 DEGREES C ABOVE NORMAL
EVAPORATION 107.7 MM- 33.2 MM BELOW NORMAL
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 28.0 DEGREES C WAS RECORDED ON NOVEMBER
MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 15.2 DEGREES C WAS RECORDED ON NOVEMBER
OF LOWERING
NOVEMBER 20
6.00 AM
NOVEMBER 26
6.00 AM
WERE:
i
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
- 16 -
MEET The media
* # *
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR JOHN- YAXLEY, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DIRECTORATE WILL MEET THE MEDIA AT 3 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DEPARTMENT’S CONFERENCE ROOM, 14/F., OCEAN CENTRE, TS|M SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
. I q UMA Au 'i i'A’-j
THEY WILL PROVIDE BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON VARIOUS INDUSTRY-RELATED MATTERS DURING THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS.
» ♦ • = I
NOTE TO EDITORS: OH 02 HOM
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
:3R3W JAMA014 MORH 83HUTRAA3G Ca.-U C3HUOI3 S’HTMOM 3HT
-----0-------
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• *’< Trt4NSP0'RTcC0ftM ISS IONER TO MEET MEDIA JJATHIAh
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THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR PETER LEEDS, WILL MEET THE MEDIA ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 13)^t 4 PM IN THE G ISiiPRCSS > J3R CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
W V. r/H3 .. IXAM .
AMROH j ' , 0 2 13833': . t T ~ —-WT#~~~437
iN!f,c"! +x Y0UTH YEAR 1985 DETAILS J13T Mt IMIM
X X X
AMROS-, jvuca U bdo i.i -3 83’8030 4.St THIOA W3Q
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR WILL BE OFFICIALLY OBSERVED IN HONG KONG WILL BEHELD FROM JANUARY”! NEXT YEAR. . „ 'rtnOHAV3 JATOT
DETAILS ,OF THE OPENING CEREMONY AND OTHER IYY ACTIVITIES '"'ORGANISED BY THE +CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING 00MMH3BB3<DNMIll8$SAHlYY+ -(CCCIYY) - THROUGHOUT THE YOUTH YEAR WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD THIS FRIDAY (DECEMBER 14), AT 3 PM IN THE GIS PRESS ■ CONNERENCE'A'ROOM. qf) - FA! 4IM
SPEAKING AT THE CONFERENCE WILL BE MRS SELINA CHOW LIANG SHUK-YEE, CHAIRPERSON OF THE CCCIYY? MR LO KING-MAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTIVITIES SUB-COMMITTEE AND MR HOWARD YOUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLICITY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE. TV CREWS SHOULD ARRIVE EARLY.
- - 0
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
19
A RUNNING START TO THE NEW YEAR * * *
LONG-DISTANCE RUNNERS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE NEW YEAR INTERNATIONAL HARRIER ROAD RACE TO BE HELD IN KOWLOON TONG ON JANUARY 1.
THE ANNUAL SPORT EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS COUNCIL AND THE KOWLOON LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY TO PROMOTE SPORTSMANSHIP AND TO DEVELOP INDIVIDUAL ATHLETIC SKILLS.
participants will start from the kowloon tsai park sports
GROUND AND RUN ABOUT 9 KILOMETRES AROUND THE KOWLOON TONG AREA.
THERE WILL BE AN OPEN DIVISION FOR PARTICIPANTS OVER 16 YEARS AND A STUDENTS’ DIVISION FOR PEOPLE OVER 14.
PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO SIX WINNERS OF EACH DIVISION AND ALL COMPETITORS WHO COMPLETE THE COURSE WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE CF MERIT.
INFORMATION SHEETS, ROUTE MAPS AND ENTRY FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES IN HUNG HOM AND HO MAN TIN AND THE KOWLOON CITY OFFICE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO ANY OF THESE OFFICES BEFORE DECEMBER 24, 1984.
-----o------
MONG KOK DB TO DISCUSS VICE DENS
X X X
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 13) TO DISCUSS A SCHEME TO PROVIDE A LEGAL MEANS OF REDRESS AGAINST NUISANCES CAUSED BY VICE ESTABLISHMENTS TO OTHER OCCUPANTS IN THE SAME BUILDING.
MEMBERS’ VIEWS WILL BE SOUGHT ON THE SCHEME DEVISED BY A WORKING GROUP SET UP UNDER THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
THE BOARD’S ^COMMUNITY IN PERSPECTIVE* PROJECT WILL ALSO BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION AT THE MEETING.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALAN SCOTT, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SCHEME.
/OTHER ITEMS........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PAPERS ON MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT DEALING WITH DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT, AND THE TEMPORARY DEVELOPMENT OF A SITE EARMARKED FOR A MULTI-PURPOSE URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 13) AT 3 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE AT TUNG PING BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, MONG KOK.
- - 0 - -
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SEMINAR * X * *
AN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SEMINAR FOR TOP MANAGEMENT IN HONG KONG WILL BE OPENED IN THE GRAND BALLROOM OF THE SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, AT 9 AM ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 13).
MR J.N. HENDERSON, SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
THE CHIEF INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE, MR J.D.G. HAMMER WILL BE THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT THE SEMINAR.
OTHER GUEST SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE MR ALLEN LEE PENG-FEI, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND MR MICHAEL N. SOMERVILLE, CHAIRMAN OF THE INSURANCE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG.
THE SEMINAR IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PROMOTION ORGANISING SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD’S COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE FUNCTION.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1934
FIRST SOCCER EVENT FOR DEAF * * *
AN INTERNATIONAL SOCCER TOURNAMENT FOR THE DEAF WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG FROM DECEMBER 17 TO 23.
IT WILL BE THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL SPORTING COMPETITION FOR THE DEAF AND TEAMS WILL COME FROM AUSTRALIA, INDONESIA, JAPAN, KOREA, KUWAIT, MALAYSIA FOR THE EVENT.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 18 AND WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE FIRST MATCH AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE IN SHA TIN.
THE FINAL MATCH WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 23.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEAF, ASSISTED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE THE DETAILS OF THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICERS’ MESS, 3RD FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AT 4 PM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 14).
- - 0 - -
MUSIC, DANCE SHOWS FOR 250 000 * * *
A MAJOR MUSIC AND DANCE FORTNIGHT WILL BE LAUNCHED IN TUEN MUN ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 15), PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES FOR ABOUT 250 000 RESIDENTS.
THE FORTNIGHT WILL RUN FROM DECEMBER 15 TO 29. IT IS ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE WITH THE HELP OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, THE CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION) AND THE TUEN MUN ARTS PROMOTION ASSOCIATION.
THERE WILL BE 12 INDOOR AND FIVE OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES IN 10 DIFFERENT VENUES IN THE DISTRICT, CATERING FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCES INCLUDE A CONCERT BY THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, A CANTONESE OPERA, PERFORMANCE BY THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN CHOIR, POPULAR MUSIC BY THE MELODY QUINTETTE AND A FISHERMEN’S CONCERT.
/thsre will
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
22
THERE WILL ALSO BE A FAMILY FOLK DANCE DAY, A CHINESE DANCE PERFORMANCE, A BALLET PERFORMANCE, AN ENGLISH FOLK DANCE AND A MILITARY BAND PERFORMANCE DURING THE FORTNIGHT.
OTHER ENTERTAINMENT WILL INCLUDE AN ALL-STAR SHOW IN WU KING ESTATE SOCCER PITCH AND A DISC-JOCKEY SHOW AT THE SPORTSGROUND IN SIU HONG COURT.
SCHOOL CHILDREN IN TUEN MUN WILL TAKE PART IN A MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ COMPETITION AND A JOINT SCHOOL MUSIC PERFORMANCE DURING THE EVENT.
THE PAN ASIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WILL PROVIDE THE ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE SPECTACULAR ’FORTNIGHT’ OPENING CEREMONY AT THE YAN 01 TONG CENTRE ON SATURDAY. CONDUCTED BY THE MUSIC DIRECTOR, MR YIP WAI-HONG, THE ORCHESTRA WILL PERFORM EASTERN AND WESTERN MUSIC.
ADMISSION TO THE MUSIC AND DANCE PERFORMANCES IS FREE. HOWEVER, TICKETS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR SOME OF THE INDOOR SHOWS.
TICKETS AND INFORMATION ON THE PERFORMANCES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AND SUB-OFFICES, THE TAI HING CHRISTIAN YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S SERVICE CENTRE, THE YAN 01 TONG CENTRE AND THE TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE.
-----o------
FLYOVER CLOSURE FOR ROAD WORK * * * *
FROM THURSDAY (DECEMBER 13), THE FLYOVER LEADING FROM TAI PO ROAD ONTO CHING CHEUNG ROAD NEAR SO UK ESTATE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6 AM DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS UNTIL DECEMBER 31.
THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.
TRAFFIC ON TAI PO ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR KWAI CHUNG AREA WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, NAM CHEONG STREET, CORNWALL STREET ROUNDABOUT, NAM CHEONG STREET AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD BEFORE REJOINING CHING CHEUNG ROAD.
-------o ---------
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1934
23
TRAFFIC CHANGE FOR ROAD WORK * * * *
TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK, THE SECTION OF ROAD P3 BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND THE ACCESS ROAD TO TUEN MUN FERRY IN TUEN MUN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 11.40 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO 5 AM THE NEXT DAY.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS SHOULD USE PUI TO ROAD AND ROAD D8 ON THEIR JOURNEYS BETWEEN SAM SHING ESTATE AND BUTTERFLY ESTATE.
FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY, SHEK KU STREET BETWEEN SHEUNG SHING STREET AND KING TAK STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD REPAIRS.
DURING THE ABOVE PERIOD, VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON PERTH STREET AND SHEK KU STREET HEADING FOR SHEUNG SHING STREET WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE PERTH STREET, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, SHEUNG HING FAT KWONG STREET TO REJOIN SHEUNG SHING STREET.
STREET AND
-----o------
HUNG HOM WATER WORKS K « X
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN HUNG HOM WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 PM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 14) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, COOKE STREET, GILLIES AVENUE AND *INSLO* STREET.
--------o-----------
/24........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1984
24
TAPS OFF OVERNIGHT * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN CHAI WAN, TUEN MUN AND LAMMA ISLAND WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS BETWEEN FRIDAY (DECEMBER 14) AND SATURDAY FOR MAINS WORK.
IN CHAI WAN, SUPPLY WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM ON FRIDAY TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES BOUNDED BY CHAI WAN ROAD, SAN HA STREET, HONG PING STREET, SUN ON STREET, FUNG YIP STREET, SHEUNG ON STREET, WING TAI ROAD AND YEE SHING STREET, INCLUDING YUE WAN AND CHAI WAN ESTATES, CHAI WAN AND YUE WAN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, AND CAPE COLLINSON.
IN TUEN MUN, SUPPLY TO PREMISES ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM PUI TO ROAD TO TAI LAM CHUNG, INCLUDING PEARL ISLAND, TAI LAM CHUNG AND SO KWUN WAT WILL BE STOPPED FROM 10 PM ON FRIDAY TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY.
IN LAMMA ISLAND, SUPPLY WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM ON FRIDAY.
AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY YUNG SHUE WAN MAIN STREET, PO WAH YUEN, NGE KAU WAN TSUEN AND YUE MAN SUN TSUEN.
----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984 CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXCO, LEGCO APPOINTMENTS .................................... 1
CONFIDENCE RETURNING TO HK, CBI TOLD ........................ 1
INDUSTRIAL CAPACITY EXPANDING................................ 3
OCTOBER EXTERNAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED ..................... 4
EPA ISSUES REPORT ON HONG KONG AIR QUALITY .................. 12
'90 PER CENT OF DEPOSITORS REPAID1 .......................... 13
NEW PLAN TO BEAT TRIADS STARTS .............................. 15
PRIMARY ONE PLACES OUT ON FRIDAY............................. 16
VALUE OF FAMILY PLANNING STRESSED............................ 17
CHINA LAWYERS VISIT REGISTRAR GENERAL ....................... 19
EXTENDED PERIOD FOR 1985 LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS ............... 19
SWITCHING-ON OF URBAN COUNCIL CHRISTMAS TREE IN CENTRAL...... 20
BOARD TO VISIT SPECIAL SCHOOL................................ 20
PRIVATE MEDICAL SCHEME FOR OLD FOLKS ........................ 21
MEDICAL PLAN FOR KWUN TONG ELDERLY.......................... 21
PLB RESTRICTION ............................................. 22
PUMPING STATION TO BE OPENED................................ 22
MUSIC QUIZ .................................................. 22
MORE RECREATIONAL AREAS FOR TSUEN WAN ....................... 23
FIRE HAZARD CHECKS .......................................... 2 3
ROAD LINK READY ............................................. 23
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
1
EXCO, LEGCO APPOINTMENTS * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR E.P. HO, SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AS AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AND THAT OF MR PETER K.Y. TSAO, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (DESIGNATE), AS AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE APPOINTMENTS FOLLOW RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE.
BOTH APPOINTMENTS ARE TO TAKE EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1985 WHEN THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY, RETIRES FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
MR HO’S APPOINTMENT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IS FROM JANUARY 1, 1985 TO AUGUST 31, 1986. MR TSAO’S APPOINTMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS FROM JANUARY 1, 1985 TO THE END OF THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
IT WAS ANNOUNCED ON AUGUST 26, 1983 THAT THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WOULD CEASE TO BE AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, ALTHOUGH MR BRAY WOULD CONTINUE TO SERVE ON THE COUNCIL IN HIS PERSONAL CAPACITY. IT WAS ALSO ANNOUNCED AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WOULD IN FUTURE BE A NOMINATED MEMBER RATHER THAN AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
-----o------
CONFIDENCE RETURNING TO HK, CBI TOLD * * * *
A MEASURE OF CONFIDENCE HAD BEEN RETURNING SINCE LAST AUGUST WHEN THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, ANNOUNCED IN HONG KONG THE MAIN POINTS OF THE DRAFT SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT, MR Q.W. LEE, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TOLD THE CONFEDERATION OF BRITISH INDUSTRY CONFERENCE IN LONDON TODAY.
THERE HAD EARLIER BEEN ANXIETY AND SPECULATION OVER THE LONGTERM FUTURE OF HONG KONG, RESULTING IN SOME PEOPLE MIGRATING TO OTHER COUNTRIES, MOVING THEIR MONEY AWAY AND BECOMING EXCEEDINGLY CAUTIOUS TOWARDS INVESTMENT AND RE-INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL GOODS, HE SAID.
BUT THE SITUATION HAD CHANGED SINCE THEN, WITH DEPOSIT GROWTH TURNING IN FAVOUR OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, AND THE HANG SENG INDEX RISING FROM A LOW OF 746 IN JULY TO 1 115 ON DECEMBER !□.
/RETAINED imports........
WEDKESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
2
RETAINED IMPORTS OF INDUSTRIAL AND OFFICE MACHINERY HAD INCREASED BY 26 PER CENT FOR THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1984 COMPARED WITH A DROP OF FIVE PER CENT IN 1983. AND THE PROPERTY MARKET HAD ALSO INCREASED IN ACTIVITY.
MR LEE SAID THAT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE SUPPORTED THE AGREEMENT, NOT JUST BECAUSE THEY ACCEPTED THE POLITICAL REALITY BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, BECAUSE THEY REALISED THAT UPON FAITHFUL IMPLEMENTATION, THE AGREEMENT PROVIDED A VIABLE FRAMEWORK BASICALLY LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE THEY NOW HAD.
MR LEE NOTED THE EXPRESSED CONCERN AND ANXIETY ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT, BUT AGREED WITH SIR GEOFFREY THAT THE BEST GUARANTEE OF A COUNTRY’S PERFORMANCE WAS ITS OWN SELF-INTEREST.
HE REFERRED TO CHINA’S RECENTLY ANNOUNCED ECONOMIC REFORMS, DESIGNED TO INJECT FREE ENTERPRISE, COMPETITION AND MARKET FORCES INTO ITS HIGHLY CENTRALISED ECONOMY.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE FEATURES OF THESE REFORMS WERE CHARACTERISTIC OF HONG KONG’S SYSTEM. HIS VIEW WAS THAT THE ROLE WHICH CHINA ENVISAGED FOR HONG KONG WOULD FIT IN NEATLY WITH THE COUNTRY’S OVERALL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES.
ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER CHINA MIGHT ONE DAY REVERT TO ITS FORMER CLOSED DOOR POLICY, MR LEE SAID THAT THE COUNTRY’S PRESENT ECONOMIC DRIVE HAD BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN BRINGING FASTER GROWTH AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE. CHINA WOULD HAVE NOTHING TO GAIN, POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY, BY DEPARTING FROM A POLICY WHICH HAD BEEN SO WELL RECEIVED BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD.
THE MAJOR CHALLENGE TO THE TERRITORY IN THE NEXT 12 YEARS WOULD BE THE BUIDLING UP OF AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE CAPABLE OF EFFECTING SELF-ADMINISTRATION AND RESPONDING TO THE REAL NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE, HE SAID.
+IN THIS EVOLUTION WE FORESEE THREE PROBLEMS!
FIRST, HONG KONG HAS LITTLE EXPERIENCE IN ELECTIONS,
SECOND, WE HAVE NO TRADITION OF SELECTING OUR LEADERS
THROUGH PARTY POLITICS, AND
THIRD, WE LACK A GROUP OF EXPERIENCED INDIVIDUALS WITH
PROVEN EXPERTISE TO RUN HONG KONG ON A MINISTERIAL
BASIS,+ MR LEE SAID.
THE WHITE PAPER ON +THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG+ HAD SET OUT THE FIRST PHASE OF POLITICAL RESTRUCTURING WHICH TOOK ACCOUNT OF THOSE PROBLEMS. THE ARRANGEMENT WOULD HELP OVERCOME THE LACK OF ESTABLISHED POLITICAL PARTIES AND ACHIEVE A COMBINATION OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE POPULACE AND FROM THE EXPERT TALENTS FOR THE LEGISLATURE.
/THE PEOPLE ......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 19&4
THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, HE SAID, APPRECIATED THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS POLITICAL EVOLUTION. T^EY WERE ADAPTABLE AND HAD NEVER FAILED TO RISE AND FACE ANV CHALLENGE. HE THEREFORE EXPECTED THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS AND THAT, WITH ADEQUATE DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL TECHNIQUES AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERTISE, A REPRESENTATIVE ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE IN PLACE AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER WELL BEFORE 1997.
+OUR FUTURE LEADERS WILL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE HONG KONG PEOPLE AND THAT IS, TO FURTHER HONG KONG’S SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT.
♦AT PRESENT WE HAVE A SYSTEM WHICH HAS CONTRIBUTED SUBSTANTIALLY TO OUR PAST SUCCESS. THAT SYSTEM FEATURES ALL THE VIRTUES OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM, INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, THE RULE OF LAW, FREEDOM IN CAPITAL MOVEMENT, FREE ENTERPRISE, LOW AND SIMPLE TAX STRUCTURE AND A BALANCED SOCIAL SYSTEM.+
MR LEE FURTHER STRESSED THAT THESE BASIC ELEMENTS HAD TO BE RETAINED SO THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG COULD WORK TOGETHER WITH THEIR USUAL TALENT AND DETERMINATION TO ACHIEVE NEW SUCCESSES.
HE URGED BRITISH INVESTORS NOT TO FALL BEHIND IN SEIZING THE NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG AND CHINA AND, THROUGH HONG KONG, WITH THE CHINA MARKET.
-----0------
INDUSTRIAL CAPACITY EXPANDING
* * * *.
THERE WERE ALREADY SIGNS THAT MANUFACTURERS IN GENERAL HAD BEEN EXPANDING THEIR PRODUCTION CAPACITY IN RESPONSE TO MARKET DEMAND, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR JOHN YAXLEY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY ’84 EXHIBITION, HE SAID DURING THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER, RETAINED IMPORTS OF ALL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY WERE VALUED AT $4 489 MILLION. THIS WAS 41 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE LEVEL IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
RETAINED IMPORTS OF TEXTILE MACHINERY AT $349 MILLION INCREASED BY 34 PER CENT.
MR YAXLEY SAID THESE FIGURES WERE VERY ENCOURAGING AND HE EXPECTED THAT RETAINED IMPORTS OF MACHINERY WOULD BE EVEN HIGHER IN THE MONTHS TO COME.
IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, ALMOST 300 000 WORKERS OR 32.3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL WORKFORCE WERE EMPLOYED IN THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY.
/THE VALUE ......
WEDNESDAY, DEES4BKE 12, 1984 '
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING ITEMS ROSE FROM $7.5 BILLION IN 1973 TO $34.4 BILLION IN 1983, AN INCREASE OF 360 PER CENT.
DURING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED NEARLY 44 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
♦SUCH AN IMPRESSIVE GROWTH RECORD BEARS WITNESS TO THE INGENUITY OF OUR ENTERPRISING MANUFACTURERS AMID THE GROWING PRESSURES AND RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON US BY OUR MAJOR IMPORTING COUNTRIES,* MR YAXLEY SAID.
FACED WITH INCREASINGLY KEEN COMPETITION FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES AND INCREASING MATERIAL COSTS, LABOUR SHORTAGES AND RISING WAGES, THE LOCAL CLOTHING INDUSTRY HAD SOUGHT TO MOVE UP-MARKET BY MAKING HIGHER VALUE AND MORE FASHION-ORIENTED PRODUCTS.
THE PROCESS OF TRADING UP HAD BEEN SUCCESSFUL, MR YAXLEY SAID.
+T0 MAINTAIN THIS GROWTH AND SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE WE MUST CONTINUE TO EXCEL IN THE PRODUCTION OF HIGHER QUALITY GOODS AND IN THE PURSUIT OF GREATER PRODUCTIVITY.
+T0 ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES INCREASING EMPHASIS MUST BE GIVEN FIRSTLY TO ORIGINAL DESIGN AND FINE WORKMANSHIP, AND SECONDLY TO THE ADOPTION OF ADVANCED MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.
-.--0----
OCTOBER EXTERNAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED X X * * X X
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR JANUARY-OCTOBER 1984, VALUED AT $363 533 MILLION, INCREASED BY 36 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH TRADE FOR THE SAME PERIOD IN 1983, ACCORDING TO TRADE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 38 PER CENT TO $114 362 MILLION, IMPORTS BY 31 PER CENT TO $182 693 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY 50 PER CENT TO $66 478 MILLION. DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 42 PER CENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE FIRST TEN MONTHS OF 1984 WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, SHOWED DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. ROSE BY 48 PER CENT IN VALUE.
/SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES........
SDNSSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $6 889 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT), PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY $1 992 MILLION OR 80 PER CENT) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1 695 MILLION OR 48 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TRANSISTORS AND DIOUEi (BY $23 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT) AND METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $7 MILLION OR 65 PER CENT).
MOST COMMODITIES EXPORTED TO CHINA INCREASED IN VALUE, INCLUDING TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND-EQUIPMENT (BY $936 MILLION OR 163 PER CENT). TEXTILES (BY MILLION OR 34 PER CENT) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $292 MILLION OR 130 . PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR FEEDING STUFF FOR ANIMALS (BY $88 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT), AND OFFICE AND STATIONERY SUPPLIES (BY $20 MILLION OR 79 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $928 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $659 MILLION OR 312 PER CENT), AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $129 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $369 MILLION OR 55 PER CENT) AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND PARTS AND ACCESSORIES THEREOF (BY $6 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT).
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY OF CLOTHING (BY M.LL10N OR 2 o 4
PER CENT) AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $214 MILLION OR 113 PER CENT)I AND IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN OF CLOTHING (BY $690 MILLION OR 65 PER CENT).
DEMAND FOR IMPORTED GOODS FROM CHINA REMAINED STRONG. INCREASES WERE RECORDED MAINLY IN TEXTILES (BY $4 230 MILLION OR 63 PER CENT), (
CLOTHING (BY $2 589 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT), TEXTILE FI BRBS_^THER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $1 140 MILLION OR 196 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY 646 MILLION OR 121 PER CENT) AND BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $582 MILLION OR 181 PER CENT).
t
AS FOR IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2 188 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT), AND TEXTILES (BY $1 347 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED
•’ ------------ -... -- AND AIR-CUSHION VEHICLES
FOR TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN R(X:
(BY $28 MILLION OR AND SPORTING GOODS
86 PER CENT) AND BAB (BY $11 MILLION OR 3
CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES PER CENT).
:s IN .
[Typographical
errors in the original document]
WEINESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM THE U.S.A. WERE MOSTLY OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1 187 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $832 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT), AND TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $427 MILLION OR 218 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $249 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT), AND MANUFACTURES OF >ETAL (BY $80 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT).
DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN OF OFFICE AND STATIONERY SUPPLIES (BY $25 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT) AND IN IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $183 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT). HOWEVER, IMPORTS OF TEXTILES FROM TAIWAN INCREASED (BY $1 527 MILLION OR 48 PER CENT), AS DID IMPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS FROM SINGAPORE (BY $600 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT).
INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA (BY $11 510 MILLION OR 128 PER CENT), U.S.A. (BY $3 648 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT), TAIWAN (BY $1 351 MILL 10^ OR 49 PER CENT), JAPAN (BY $1 285 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) (BY $924 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (BY $464 MILLION OR 65 PER CENT), MACAU (BY $401 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT) AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (BY $314 MILLION OR 55 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECLINES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS TO NIGERIA (BY $296 MILLION OR 67 PER CENT) AND PHILIPPINES (BY $173 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT).
MOST COMMODITIES RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG EXHIBITED STRONG GROWTH, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING TEXTILES (BY $4 065 MILLION OR 66 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2 999 MILLION OR 79 PER CENT), MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $1 757 MILLION OR 71 PER CENT) AND CLOTHING (BY $1 571 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT). DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS OF OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $123 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT), TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD AND AIR-CUSHION VEHICLES (BY $43 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT) AND METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $32 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT).
THE OCTOBER 1984 ISSUE OF THE +HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS -SUMMARY* WILL BE AVAILABLE LATER THIS MONTH AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $5 PER COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, + HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE*. WITH A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN OCTOBER 1984 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JANUARY 1985 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $12 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. : 5-214375).
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING TRADE STATISTICS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 5-444436).
/STATISTICAL tables .......
WEMESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
STATISTICAL TABLES FOLLOW ;-
TABLE 1 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
»
MAJOR MARKETS JAN.-OCT. 1984 (« MN) JAN.-OCT. 1983 ($ MN) INCREASE (• MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
U.S.A. 51 980 35 061 ♦16 918 + 48
CHINA 8 609 4 809- ♦ 3 799* + 79
U.K. 8 511 6 746 + 1 764 + 26
F.R. OF GERMANY 7 667 6 211 + 1 456 + 23
JAPAN 4 331 3 102 + 1 229 + 40
CANADA 3 774 3 028 + 746 + 25
AUSTRALIA 3 188 2 231 + 957 + 43
SINGAPORE 2 200 1 783 + 417 + 23
NETHERLANDS 1 964 1 530 + 434 + 28
SWITZERLAND 1 593 1 305 + 288 + 22
TABLE 2 8 DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
JAN.-OCT. JAN.-OCT. PERCENTAGE
COMMOD1TY 1984 1983 INCREASE CHANGE
DIVISIONS (S MN) ($ MN) ($ MN) (%)
ARTICLES OF 38 728 27 351 +11 377 + 42
APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSOR IES
/miscellaneous manufactured........
WEUiESDlY, DBS EMBER 12, 1984
8
MISCELLANEOUS 18 384 13 487 + 4 897 + 36
MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS, JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES, AND ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS)
ELECTRI CAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY HOUSEHOLD TYPE APPLIANCES AND TRANSISTORS AND DIODES) 9 639 6 527- + 3 112 ' + 48
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 9 105 6 617 + 2 488 + 38
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 8 610 7 535 + 1 076 + 14
TEXTILE YARN, FABR ICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 7 239 5 576 + 1 663 + 30
/TABLE 3 >
WEENESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
TABLE 3 : IMPORTS FROM TEN MAJOR SOURCES
MAJOR SOURCES .I.,,, JAN.-OCT. 1984 (S MN) JAN.-OCT. 1983 ($ MN) INCREASE ($ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
CH INA 46 035 33 198 +12 837 + 39
JAPAN 42 679 32 034 +10 645 + 33
U.S.A. 19 792 15 542 + 4 250 + 27
TAIWAN 14 038 9 869 + 4 170 + 42
SINGAPORE 10 096 8 432 + 1 664 + 20
U.K. 7 211 6 051 + 1 160 + 19
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 5 839 3 991 + 1 847 + 46
(SOUTH KOREA)
F.R. OF GERMANY 4 440 3 726 + 714 + 19
AUSTRAL 1A 2 874 2 197 + 677 + 31
SWITZERLAND 2 727 2 571 + 156 + 6
TABLE 4 : IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY SECTIONS
COMMODITY SECTIONS
JAN.-OCT. 1984 ($ MN)
JAN.-OCT. 1983 ($ MN)
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATER I AL (MAINLY IBKTSI^E DIAMONDS, IRON AND STEEL, AND PAPER)
MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT
53 027
38 992
INCREASE ($ MN)
+14 034
PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
+ 36
45 924
31 534 +14 390
+ 46
/MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
10 -
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 32 176 25 247 + 6 929 + 27
FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 16 563 14 958 ♦ 1 605 + 11
CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 12 889 10 299. + 2 590 + 25
MINERALS FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 10 341 9 583 + 759 + 8
TABLE 5 : RE-EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKETS JAN.-OCT. 1984 ($ MN) JAN.-OCT. 1983 ($ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE ($ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
CHINA 20 514 9 004 +11 510 +128
U.S.A. 9 921 6 273 + 3 648 + 58
TAIWAN 4 085 2 734 + 1 351 + 49
SINGAPORE 3 841 3 643 , + 197 + 5
JAPAN 3 740 2 455 + 1 285 + 52
INDONESIA 3 082 3 231 148 - 5
REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) 2 897 1 973 + 924 + 47
MACAU 1 916 1 515 + 401 + 26
PHILIPPINES 1 220 1 393 - 173 - 12
AUSTRAL 1 A 1 181 717 + 464 + 65
/TABLE 6 : .......
WEBJESDAY, DJDEMBEB 12, 1984
TABLE 6 t RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISIONS JAN.-OCT. 1984 ($ MN) JAN.-OCT. 1983 ($ MN) INCREASE ($ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 10 182 6 118 + 4 065 • + 66
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES 6 792 3 792 + 2 999 + 79
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 5 209 3 638 + 1 571 + 43
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES 4 247 2 490 + 1 757 + 71
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 4 097 3 377 + 720 + 21
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3 151 * 1 712 + 1 439 * + 84
0 --------
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
- 12 -
EPA ISSUES REPORT ON HONG KONG AIR QUALITY * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TODAY RELEASED ITS FIRST MAJOR REPORT ON AIR QUALITY IN HONG KONG.
THE REPORT IS A MASSIVE AND DETAILED DOCUMENT WHICH PRESENTS RESULTS FOR 1983-84 FROM THE AGENCY’S NETWORK OF SIX AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS - AT KWUN TONG, JUNK BAY, CENTRAL-WESTERN, TSIM SHA TSUI, CAUSEWAY BAY AND SHAM SHU I PO.
THE NETWORK HAD BEEN SET UP 18 MONTHS AGO TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON AIR POLLUTION LEVELS IN THE TERRITORY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGENCY SAID TODAY.
+THIS INFORMATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF STATUTORY REGULATIONS AND OTHER MEASURES FOR CONTROLLING POLLUTANT EMISSIONS TO THE ATMOSPHERE.
+AIR QUALITY DATA FROM THE EPA MONITORING NETWORK HAVE ALREADY PROVIDED INVALUABLE INPUT FOR POLICY DEVELOPMENT, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO IN THE FUTURE,* HE SAID.
+THE PRESENT REPORT PROVIDES A FEW SHOCKS. ALTHOUGH LEVELS CF NOXIOUS SULPHUR DIOXIDE GAS ARE GENERALLY LOW AT MOST LOCATIONS, CONSIDERABLY HIGHER VALUES HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN KWUN TONG.
+IN FACT, LEVELS OF THIS POLLUTANT DURING 1983-84 EXCEEDED THE WELL-RECOGNISED AIR QUALITY STANDARDS IN FORCE IN THE UNITED STATES.
+THE HIGHEST VALUES OBSERVED MAY POSE HEALTH RISKS TO ESPECIALLY SUSCEPTIBLE GROUPS SUCH AS THE VERY YOUNG, ELDERLY OR INFIRM.*
THE REPORT SHOWS THAT THESE HIGH SULPHUR DIOXIDE LEVELS ARE THE DIRECT RESULT OF INDUSTRIAL EMISSIONS. IT ALSO CONCLUDES THAT EVEN HIGHER POLLUTION LEVELS MAY EXIST WITHIN THIS AND SIMILAR INDUSTRIAL AREAS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
OBSERVED LEVELS OF PARTICULATE MATTER IN HONG KONG ALSO PROVIDE SOME CAUSE FOR CONCERN. THESE ARE GENERALLY HIGH THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, AND ESPECIALLY SO DURING THE DRY WINTER MONTHS. LEVELS AT TWO STATIONS, KWUN TONG AND CAUSEWAY BAY, EXCEEDED WELL-RECOGNISED AIR QUALITY STANDARDS FOR HEALTH PROTECTION. THESE STANDARDS WERE ALSO APPROACHED AT OTHER STATIONS IN THE NETWORK DURING 1983-84.
EARTH-MOVING, CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY AND FUEL-BURNING ARE IDENTIFIED IN THE REPORT AS MAJOR SOURCES OF PARTICULATES IN HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH LARGE CONTRIBUTIONS ALSO ARISE FROM NATURAL BACKGROUND SOURCES SUCH AS SOIL BLOW-OFF AND SEA AEROSOL.
/THE EPA .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
- 13 -
THE EPA HAS NOW LAUNCHED MORE INTENSIVE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE PARTICULATE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG. IN PARTICULAR, THIS WORK WILL ASSESS POSSIBLE HEALTH RISKS RESULTING FROM THE FORM CF POLLUTION, AS WELL EXAMINING THE IMPLICATIONS FOR VISIBILITYREDUCING HAZES IN THE URBAN AREAS.
MEASUREMENTS OF POLLUTANTS SUCH AS OZONE AND NITROGEN OXIDES SHOW THAT PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG DOES NOT AT PRESENT POSE A PROBLEM IN THE MAIN URBAN AREAS. HOWEVER, THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT OZONE LEVELS MAY BE HIGHER IS RURAL REGIONS SOME DISTANCE DOWNWIND OF THE MAIN CITY AREAS. PLANS CALL FOR THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM TO BE STUDIED IN THE COMING YEAR, USING EPA’S MOBILE AIR QUALITY MONITORING LABORATORY WHICH IS TO BE COMMISSIONED IN MARCH.
+THE MONITORING WORK CARRIED OUT BY EPA WILL CONTINUE AND FURTHER REPORTS ON AIR QUALITY WILL BE RELEASED IN THE FUTURE.
♦FURTHER INFORMATION WILL ALSO BE FORTHCOMING FROM EPA’S ONGOING MONITORING EFFORT IN INVESTIGATING AIR POLLUTION FROM MOTOR VEHICLES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
--------o ----------
'90 PER CENT OF DEPOSITORS REPAID’
X X * * *
DEPOSITORS OF DEAK-PERERA FINANCE LIMITED WERE QUITE SAFE, AND IN FACT, UP TO MID-DAY YESTERDAY (TUESDAY), ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF THEM HAD BEEN REPAID, THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, MR ROBERT FELL, SAID THIS MORNING.
IN REPLY TO CALLS MADE TO THE RTHK OPEN LINE PROGRAMME SINCE THE DTC’S SUSPENSION LAST FRIDAY, MR FELL CLARIFIED THE CONFUSION AMONG INVESTORS OVER THE OPERATIONS OF THE DTC AND THE PARENT COMPANY.
♦WHAT IS BEING CONFUSED HERE IS THE OPERATION OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY, WHICH IS REGISTERED WITH US AND IS SUPERVISED BY US, AND DEAK-PERERA FAR EAST LIMITED, WHICH IS QUITE A SEPARATE ENTITY.
♦THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY WHICH WAS THE ONE THAT I SUSPENDED HASN’T GOT THE DEPOSITS PLACED OVERSEAS IN THE SAME WAY. IT’S RUN ON QUITE DIFFERENT LINES AND THAT PART IS QUITE SAFE,+ HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE TROUBLE WAS IN THE OPERATIONS OF DEAK-PERERA FAR EAST, WHICH DID PUT DEPOSITS OVERSEAS ON THE INSTRUCTIONS OF ITS CLIENTS.
♦THAT’S WHERE THE TROUBLE AREA IS, BUT THAT’S QUITE OUTSIDE THE REGISTERED DTC, THE HONG KONG ENTITY,4- HE STRESSED.
/TURNING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
- 14 -
TURNING TO QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE COMMISSIONER’S POWERS TO ARREST OR MANIPULATE THE OVERSEAS DEPOSITS IN PRECIOUS METALS AND CURRENCY OF DEAK-PERERA FAR EAST LIMITED, MR FELL NOTED THAT HIS TEAM OF EXAMINERS HAD IN FACT GONE DOWN TO THE SHELL HOUSE OFFICE OF THE DTC TO LOOK AT THINGS LONG BEFORE ITS SUSPENSION.
+WE WERE FIRST INTERESTED IN HOW WAS THE DTC, THAT WAS OUR PRIME CONCERN, OPERATING. THEN WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE GOLD DEPOSITS WHICH HAVE BEEN SUPERVISED BY THE SECURITIES COMMISSION, AND THEN WE WERE CONCERNED IN THE GENERALITY.
♦ACTION WAS TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO FIND OUT WHERE THE GOLD WAS AND TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT IT HAD BEEN HELD IN SAFE-KEEPING. THAT WAS TAKEN VERY, VERY QUICKLY INDEED.
+WE HAD ALL THE ASSURANCES FROM THE MANAGEMENT THAT THAT WAS VERY SECURE. THE DIFFICULTY INVOLVES MONEY THAT HAD GONE CFF-SHORE ALREADY AND QUITE CLEARLY THAT IS OUTSIDE OUR JURISDICTION ALTOGETHER, + HE' SAID.
ASKED BY RTHK’S FINANCIAL EDITOR, MR ALAN HARGREAVES, AS TO WHAT A LOCAL DEPOSITOR SHOULD DO IF HIS FUNDS HAD BEEN TRANSFERRED IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF BUSINESS, TO INSTITUTIONS IN THE DEAK EMPIRE IN THE UNITED STATES, MR FELL GAVE HIS PERSONAL ADVICE:
♦THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL LEGAL QUESTION, BUT IT HINGES ON WHERE HE HAS MADE HIS DEPOSITS, AND THE FORM OF ADVICE THAT HE HAS GIVEN TO THE DEAK-PERERA GROUP AS TO WHAT THEY SHOULD DO WITH HIS MONEY.
EMPHASISING THAT THIS WAS NOT OFFICIAL ADVICE, AS ONE HAD TO MAKE UP HIS OWN MIND AND SEE THE LEGALITY OF HIS OWN POSITION, M? FELL NONETHELESS NOTED THAT AS A MATTER OF PRUDENCE, A DEPOSITOR SHOULD MAKE HIS CLAIM ACCORDING TO THE ADDRESSES ON HIS RECEIPTS, AND MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT THE CLAIM WAS REGISTERED.
HE ADDED THAT THE MATTER WAS STILL BEING SORTED OUT, BUT THE MANAGERS OF THE COMPANY IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN WORKING HARD TO TRY TO GET THE POSITION CLEAR.
+ l WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT, HOPEFULLY, BY THE END OF THE WEEK WE SHOULD BE IN A MUCH CLEARER POSITION. WHAT WE HAVEN’T GOT YET IS THE UNITED STATES POSITION,+ MR FELL SAID.
AS A GENERAL PIECE OF ADVICE, MR FELL URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAD ANY DOUBTS OF WHETHER THEY WERE WORKING WITH A REGISTERED OR LICENSED DTC, TO CHECK AGAINST A PUBLIC REGISTER PLACED AT HIS OFFICE.
+A LITTLE WALK UP TO OUR OFFICE MIGHT SAVE THEM A LOT OF MONEY IN THE LONG RUN,+ HE SAID.
-----o------
/15........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
NEW PLAN TO BEAT TRIADS STARTS * * *
A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME TO COUNTER A RESURGENCE IN TRIAD SOCIETY ACTIVITIES IS BEING SPEAR HEADED AT DETECTIVE TRAINING WING BY A NEW TRAINING SCHEME TO INSTRUCT OFFICERS TO BECOME EXPERTS IN ANTI-TRIAD OPERATIONS.
IN HOUSE INSTRUCTION ON TRIAD METHODS AND STRUCTURE IS BEING STEPPED UP ALSO AT POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL, IN CONTINUATION TRAINING AND IN JUNIOR AND SENIOR COMMAND COURSES.
"WE ARE LOOKING INTO EVERY ASPECT OF TRIAD AND ORGANISED CRIME," SAID MR BRIAN WEBSTER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, CRIME.
THE FIRST THREE-WEEK TRIAD EXPERT COURSE ENDED ON NOVEMBER 24, HAVING BEEN ATTENDED BY FOUR INSPECTORS, 14 JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS AND A POLICE INTERPRETER. A SECOND COURSE STARTED ON DECEMBER 3 WITH FIVE VOLUNTEER INSPECTORS AND 15 JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS.
THE INSTRUCTION TEAM IS HEADED BY SUPERINTENDENT ROBERT CHENG.
"THE COURSE IS VERY CAREFULLY WORKED OUT AND COVERS THE ENTIRE RANGE OF TRIAD MATTERS," SAID MR WEBSTER. "IT GOES INTO TRIAD HISTORY, ITS MYTHS, STRUCTURE, POEMS AND WRITINGS, HANDSIGNS, AND RECOGNITION OF MEMBERSHIP.
"IT ALSO GOES INTO THE CHARACTERISTICS OF 26 INDIVIDUAL TRIAD SOCIETIES, INCLUDING THE LATEST TRIAD SOCIETY KNOWN IN HONG KONG, THE CHUK LUEN BONG, A TAIWAN BASED SOCIETY.
"THE FEEDBACK FROM PERSONS ATTENDING THE COURSE HAS INDICATED THAT THERE IS MORE RESPONSE TO ATTENDING THE COURSE THAN WE HAD ENVISAGED, WHICH IS MOST WELCOME, AND THE DEMAND FOR ATTENDING IS ALREADY MORE THAN WE CAN OFFER."
MR WEBSTER ADMITTED THAT THE COURSE ALONE DID NOT QUALIFY THOSE ATTENDING AS EXPERTS.
"IT IS REALISED AND APPRECIATED THAT THE NEXT STEP IS TO BE ACCEPTED BY THE COURTS AND HERE AGAIN WE ARE GIVING ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN RELATION TO EVIDENCE IN COURT. IT IS TO BE HOPED THAT ALL THOSE ATTENDING THE COURSE WILL IN DUE COURSE BECOME ACCEPTED AS EXPERTS BY THE COURTS.
"WE DON’T INTEND TO LET PEOPLE DO THE COURSE AND THEN LEAVE THEM ALONE. WE INTEND TO RECALL, THEM AT 12 MONTHLY INTERVALS TO UPDATE THEM AND REFRESH THEM qjKTR I AD MATTERS."
FOLLOWING A SERIOUS OUTBREAK OF GANG VIOLENCE IN KOWLOON IN EARLY 1983 THE FORCE HAD CONDUCTED AN IN DEPTH REVIEW AND PRESENTED A REPORT TO THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
/the repost
WKEHESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
- 16
THE REPORT CONCLUDED THAT THE TRIAD SOCIETIES WERE WELL ORGANISED AND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A REVIVAL OF THEIR ACTIVITIES.
PRESENTING CERTIFICATES TO OFFICERS AT THE END OF THE FIRST COURSE, MR WEBSTER TOLD THEM : ’’THE TRIAD PROBLEM IS A REAL PROBLEM AND WILL NOT GO AWAY OF ITS OWN RACCORD. WE ARE FACING UP TO A PERIOD OF TIME WHEN WE IN THE POLICE ARE THE SHARP EDGE OF THE SWORD TO CUT THIS CANCER FROM.OUR SOCIETY.
’’MAKE NO MISTAKE, IT IS A VERY REAL BATTLE AND IS ALSO GOING TO BE A LONG ONE. HOWEVER, BY APPLICATION, DEDICATION AND A LOT OF HARD WORK IT’S A BATTLE THAT CAN AND WILL BE WON BY US ALL.
’’YOU ALL HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY AND I LOOK TO YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR YOU TO GUIDE THE LESS ENLIGHTENED. LET’S GO FORWARD IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE SHALL WIN.”
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PRIMARY ONE PLACES OUT ON FRIDAY
*****
RESULTS OF ALLOCATION OF DISCRETIONARY PLACES FOR SEPTEMBER 1985 UNDER THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION SYSTEM WILL BE RELEASED ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 14) BY ALL GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
WHETHER THEIR CHILDREN HAD BEEN INTERVIEWED BY THE SCHOOL OR NOT, PARENTS SHOULD GO BACK TO THE SCHOOL TO WHICH THEY HAD APPLIED FOR A PRIMARY ONE PLACE ON THAT DAY, BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM, OR ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 15) BETWEEN 9 AM AND 12 NOON TO FIND OUT THE RESULTS OF THEIR APPLICATION, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
MORE THAN 45 000 OUT OF 78 000 APPLICANTS WERE EXPECTED TO BE OFFERED DISCRETIONARY PLACES BY THE SCHOOLS.
REGISTRATION OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WOULD TAKE PLACE DURING SCHOOL HOURS ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY (DECEMBER 17 AND 18).
PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN HAD BEEN OFFERED PRIMARY ONE PLACES SHOULD NOTE CAREFULLY THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURES. THEY SHOULD ALSO BRING ALONG ANY REQUIREMENT BY INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS, SUCH AS PARENT’S COPY OF THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION APPLICATION FORM, AND THE NUMBER OF PHOTOGRAPHS.
REGISTRATION OF THE CHILDREN WITH THE SCHOOLS WOULD BE REGARDED AS BINDING ON BOTH THE SCHOOLS AND THE PARENTS.
PARENTS WHO FOR PERSONAL REASONS CANNOT REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN WITH THE SCHOOL WITHIN THE SPECIFIED TWO-DAY PERIOD SHOULD NOTIFY THE SCHOOLS CONCERNED OR THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT (5-724383), FOR ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS. THOSE WHO FAIL TO DO SO WOULD BE DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN UP THE PLACES OFFERED TO THEM.
/THE SPOKESMAN ........
ffELNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION SYSTEM, A GOVERNMENT OR AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL COULD ACCEPT CHILDREN TO FILL UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 65 PER CENT OF ITS TOTAL PRIMARY ONE PLACES AS DISCRETIONARY PLACES. THE REMAINING 35 PER CENT OF PRIMARY ONE PLACES WOULD BE RESERVED FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION AT A LATER STAGE.
AS DISCRETIONARY PLACES IN SOME SCHOOLS WERE OVERSUBSCRIBED SOME CHILDREN HAD NOT BEE. SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR APPLICATION, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD BE CONTACTING THEM IN MARCH ABOUT ALLOCATION OF A PRIMARY ONE PLACES TO THEIR CHILDREN WITHIN THEIR HOME DISTRICTS, ACCORDING TO THEIR CHOICE.
DETAILS OF THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION WOULD BE ANNOUNCED LATER,
l£ SAID
- - 0 -
VALUE OF FAM IL PLANNING STRESSED * * *
FAMILY PLANNING WAS hN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF PLANS FOR PROVIDING VARIOUS SERVICES AND FACILITIES TO THE COMMUNITY, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
♦KNOWLEDGE OF OUR POPULATION GROWTH AND ACCURATE FORECASTING NOT ONLY ENABLES US TO Pl ‘ AND PROVIDE SENSIBLY FOR HONG KONG’S h£EDS, A DECLINE IN THE RATE OF INCREASE IN OVERALL POPULATION HAS HAD, AND WILL HAVE A MARKED EFFECT ON THE QUANTUM OF OUR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES,* HE SAID.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION AT THE LAD' TRENCH AUDITORIUM IN THE DUKE OF WINDSOR SOCIAL SERVICE BUILDING.
♦WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE AND ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE LIKELY NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN EACH AGE GROUP, WE WILL BE UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE SYSTEMATIC PROVISION OF SERVICES SUCH AS NURSERIES, KINDERGARTENS, SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, HOSPITALS AND HOMES FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND ELDERLY.
+WIHTOUT CONTROLLED POPULATION GROWTH, WE WILL BE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE SCOURGE OF SQUATTERS FROM OUR HILLSIDES AND ACHIEVE OUR OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING A SELF-COtffAI NED HOME FOR EVERY FAMILY IN HONG KONG,+ MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
/♦FAMILY PLANNING
WEIHESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984 .
- 18 -
♦FAMILY PLANNING IS HONG KONG PLANNING IN EVERY SENSE OF THE TERM,+ HE ADDED.
MR AKERS-JONES PRAISED THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY.
♦IT IS NOT ONLY IN LIMITING THE SIZE OF THE FAMILY THAT THE ASSOCIATION PERFORMS SUCH VALUABLE SERVICE, IT IS PLANNING FOR THE FAMILY IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAS MADE AND WILL MAKE A VITAL CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIAL WELL-BEING,* HE SAID.
♦THE NEW EMPHASIS YOU HAVE GIVEN TO YOUR WORK BY DIRECTING YOUR EFFORTS AT YOUNG PEOPLE, WHO HAVE NOT YET MARRIED AND STARTED A FAMILY, WILL BE OF GREAT VALUE IN CULTIVATING UNDERSTANDING AND RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDES AMONG THE RISING GENERATION AND LEADERS OF TOMORROW,+ HE ADDED.
MUCH HAD CHANGED IN THE PAST 20 YEARS SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF CONCEPTS TO PLAN FAMILY SIZE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHICH WAS A BOLD INITIATIVE IN AN ENVIRONMENT GOVERNED VERY LARGELY BY VILLAGE TRADITION.
♦THERE HAS INDEED BEEN A SOCIAL REVOLUTION IN HONG KONG, RURAL HONG KONG HAS GIVEN WAY TO URBAN HONG KONG, EVERY CHILD NOW RECEIVES A SECONDARY EDUCATION, THERE HAS BEEN A PROGRESSIVE EXPANSION OF OUR ECONOMY, AND, OF THE TOTAL WORK FORCE, OVER ONE-THIRD ARE WOMEN,+ KE SAID.
♦WITH WOMEN AT SCHOOL AND WOMEN AT WORK, AND THE IMPACT OF NEW CONCEPTS OF FAMILY LIFE, FAMILY SIZE HAS DECREASED DRAMATICALLY IN THE PAST TEN YEARS, FROM 3.4 CHILDREN PER FAMILY IN 1971 TO 2.5 1981, ♦ HE SAID.
♦URBANISATION, INDUSTRIALISATION, RISING LIVING STANDARDS, UNIVERSAL SECONDARY EDUCATION AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE WORK OF THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION HAVE ENABLED HONG KONG TO ACHIEVE A HIGH DEGREE OF POPULATION CONTROL AND TO REDUCE OUR RATE OF NATURAL INCREASE TO 1.6 PER CENT PER ANNUM IN 1983,+ MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
♦EXCESSIVE GROWTH AT VARIOUS TIMES IN THE PAST HAS PLACED ENORMOUS ADDITIONAL STRAINS ON THE ECONOMY TO PROVIDE HOUSING, SCHOOLS, MEDICAL FACILITIES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS^ HE ADDED.
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/19........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
19
CHINA LAWYERS VISIT REGISTRAR GENERAL * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION FROM THE INSTITUTE OF LAW UNDER THE CHINESE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, LED BY MR WANG SHU-WEN, DIRECTOR AND RESEARCHER, TODAY VISITED THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL M. GLEESON, OUTLINED THE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT TO THE VISITING LAWYERS AND CONDUCTED THEM ON A TOUR OF THE REGISTRATION SECTION OF THE LAND OFFICE.
THE VISITORS DISPLAYED PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE LAW RELATING TO COMPANIES, CONVEYANCING, LAND REGISTRATION, TRADE MARKS AND PATENTS.
THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED ON THEIR VISIT BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
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EXTENDED PERIOD FOR 1985 LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS * * *
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS FOR STALLS AT THE FORTHCOMING LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS IN THE URBAN AREAS WILL BE GIVEN TWO MORE DAYS TO OPERATE THEIR BUSINESSES.
THIS WAS DECIDED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION REQUESTS FROM THE HONG KONG FLOWERS DEALERS AND WORKERS ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON FLOWER AND PLANT WORKERS GENERAL UNION TO EXTEND THE TRADITIONAL EIGHT-DAY FAIR PERIOD TO 10 DAYS.
THE 1985 LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN FEBRUARY 11 AND 20 AT THE VICTORIA PARK, FA HUI PARK, KOWLOON PARK AND KAI TAK EAST PLAYGROUND. THE LATTER IS A NEW VENUE REPLACING THE POPULAR CHOI HUNG ROAD PLAYGROUND WHICH IS NOW UNDER REDEVELOPMENT.
MORE THAN 1 300 STALLS FOR THE SALE OF DRY OR WET GOODS WILL BE PROVIDED AT THESE LOCATIONS. OF THE TOTAL, 568 STALLS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT THE VICTORIA PARK, 312 AT FA HUI PARK, 260 AT KAI TAK EAST PLAYGROUND AND 164 AT KOWLOON PARK.
THE UPSET PRICE FOR A DRY GOODS STALL RANGES FROM $225 TO $510 AND THAT FOR A WET GOODS STALL, FROM $450 TO $1 013. TWO FAST-FOOD CENTRES, EACH CARRIES AN UPSET PRICE CF $20 250, WILL BE ACCOMMODATED AT VICTORIA PARK.
AUCTIONING OF THE STALLS IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE IN EARLY JANUARY. DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE.
0 --------
/20........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984
- 20 -
SWITCHING-ON OF URBAN COUNCIL CHRISTMAS TREE IN CENTRAL * * * *
CHRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. AND TO SHARE THE JOY OF THE FESTIVE SEASON WITH THE PUBLIC, THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL LIGHT UP A CHRISTMAS TREE AT A SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY TO BE PERFORMED BY URBAN COUNCILLOR FREDERICK FUNG ON FRIDAY:
THE SIX-METRE DOUGLAS FIR TREE, PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BY THE PEOPLE OF CANADA, IS DECORATED WITH SOME 1 000 BULBS. IT WILL BE PLACED IN THE CHATER GARDEN THIS YEAR INSTEAD OF STATUE SQUARE WHERE DEVELOPMENT WORK IS NOW UNDERWAY.
ALSO ATTENDING THE EVENT WILL BE MR MAURICE B. COPITHORNE, THE COMMISSIONER OF CANADIAN COMMISSION IN HONG KONG, AND MR H. HARGADON, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF CANADIAN PACIFIC AIR WHICH FLEW THE TREE TO HONG KONG.
THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL CENTRAL CHILDREN CHOIR AND THE CALVIN WONG’S CHILDREN WIND BAND WILL SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS DURING THE CEREMONY.
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BOARD TO VISIT SPECIAL SCHOOL * * * *
THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL VISIT A SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND A HOME FOR THE BLIND TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY WILL ARRIVE AT THE MORNING LIGHT SCHOOL AT 2.30 PM TO ATTEND AN ’INTEREST CLASS’ SESSION WHICH HELPS CHILDREN TO DEVELOP INTEREST IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS DANCE AND MUSIC.
THE MEMBERS WILL ALSO VISIT THE HOME FOR THE AGED BLIND TO SEE THE FACILITIES THERE AND TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LIFE IN THE HOME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VISIT TO THE MORNING LIGHT SCHOOL AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT UNITS 7-16 AND 40-46, BLOCK 5, G/F, YUEN LONG ESTATE AND THE HOME FOR THE AGED BLIND AT 3.45 PM AT LOT 49, ON NING ROAD, YUEN LONG.
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/21 .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1934
21
PRIVATE MEDICAL SCHEME FOR OLD FOLKS
* * * *
DETAILS OF THE +PRIVATE MEDICAL SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT* WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE SCHEME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND SEVEN ELDERLY CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT.
ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIM SALKELDl THE CHAIRMAN AND THE SECRETARY OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG AND MR LAM MAN-HO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE, TO BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF WILLIE BUILDING, 222-224 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
-----o-----
MEDICAL PLAN FOR KWUN TONG ELDERLY * * * *
DETAILS OF A +LOW COST PRIVATE MEDICAL SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY IN KWUN TONG+ WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 11 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
ATTENDING THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, MR EDDIE LAMB, AND THE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE CONCERN FOR THE MEDICAL AND TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, MISS MONA LO.
THE WORKING GROUP WAS SET UP UNDER THE COMMITTEE IN SEPTEMBER TO EXPLORE WAYS TO PROVIDE MEDICAL AND TRANSPORT SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT 11 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN TUNG YAN STREET.
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/22 .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1934
22
PLB RESTRICTION * * * *
FROM FRIDAY (DECEMBER 14), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF NORTHBOUND CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TUEN MUN WILL BE DESIGNATED AS PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILYs
* CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN KADOORIE BEACH CAR PARK AND A POINT ABOUT 330 METRES NORTH OF THE CAR PARK.
M CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 360 METRES NORTH OF KADOORIE BEACH CAR PARK AND A POINT ABOUT 370 METRES NORTH OF CASTLE PEAK POLICE STATION.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS.
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PUMPING STATION TO BE OPENED
I<I
THE MUK WU PUMPING STATION WITHIN THE BORDER AREA WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, AT 10.30 AM ON DECEMBER 20.
PRESS, RADIO-TV REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE STATION ARE REQUIRED TO FORWARD THEIR NAMES AND ID CARD NUMBERS FOR THE ISSUE OF SPECIAL BORDER PASSES.
THOSE INTERESTED SHOULD TELEPHONE MRS MAZY LEE AT 5-26702701 OR MISS YVONNE CHIN AT 5-262527 OF LANDS AND WORKS INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT BY NOON ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 14).
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND A COACH WILL LEAVE FROM MURRAY BUILDING CAR PARK IN GARDEN ROAD AT 8.30 AM ON THAT DAY.
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MUSIC QUIZ * * *
THIRTEEN TUEN MUN DISTRICT PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE TAKING PART IN A MUSIC QUIZ FROM DECEMBER 14 TO 18.
THE QUIZ IS ONE OF MANY ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT FOR THE TUEN MUN MUSIC AND DANCE FORTNIGHT.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1934
23 -
MORE RECREATIONAL AREAS FOR TSUEN WAN *****
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REST GARDEN AND A RECREATIONAL AREA IN TSUEN WAN.
THE GARDEN, AT TSUEN FU STREET, WILL COVER ABOUT 1 OOO SQUARE f€TRES. IT WILL INCLUDE A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA.
THE RECREATIONAL AREA WILL BE IN TSUEN WING STREET. AND WILL SPREAD OVER 2 OOO-SQUARE METRES. IT INCLUDES TWO BASKETBALL COURTS WITH FLOOD LIGHTING, A PUBLIC TOILET, CHANGING ROOMS, AND A SITTING OUT AREA.
WORKS IS EXPECTED TO START IN JANUARY AND TAKE SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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FIRE HAZARD CHECKS
* *
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE CARRYING OUT A FIRE HAZARD INSPECTION OF DOMESTIC BUILDINGS IN THE CAUSEWAY BAY AREA ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 14).
THE OPERATION, A JOINT EFFORT OF THE HONG KONG FIRE COMMAND AND THE FI^E PROTECTION BUREAU, WILL BE THE FIRST SUCH INSPECTION FOLLOWING THE LAUNCHING OF THIS YEAR’S FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.
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ROAD LINK READY *****
OF PAK FUK ROAD, BETWEEN THE CUL-DE-SAC AT
THE NEW SECTION OF PAK FUK ROAD, BETWEEN THE CUL-DE-bAU Al BRAEMAR TERRACE AND THE POLICE MARRIED QUARTERS IN NORTH POINT, WILL BE OPENED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 14).
THE NEW AND EXISTING SECTIONS OF PAK FUK ROAD WILL PROVIDE A LINK BETWEEN HEALTHY STREET AND TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD NEAR BRAEMAR HILL ROAD.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
•THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TRADE MISSION RETURNS FROM JAPAN ......................... 1
COST-EFFECTIVENESS IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY URGED............. 2
TRAFFIC WORRIES NOT OVER - LEEDS ...................... 5
OUR CRIME FIGHTERS ARE TOPS............................... 5
BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS ........ 6
MEDICAL SCHEME SET UP FOR ELDERLY......................... 7
CHINA GROUP VISITS PRISONS ............................... 8
MORE DISABLED PEOPLE LEARN TO DRIVE ...................... 9
HEALTH INSPECTOR’S WEEK AS AN AMBASSADOR ................. 10
DB MD4BERS VISIT THE LESS FORTUNATE ...................... 11
WAN CHAI SPREADS ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE ..................... 12
RECREATIONAL CAMPS FOR WORKING YOUTHS .................... 15
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR RETAIL TRADE COURSE ............. 15
LEARNING MORE ABOUT EASTERN DISTRICT ..................... 14
ATHLETIC MEET FOR YOUTHS ................................. 14
BOARD TO DISCUSS WHITE PAPER, ERP SCHEME.................. 15
COMMENDATIONS FOR CUSTOMS MEN............................. 15
FOOD FOR THOUGHT AT DISTRICT BOARD ....................... 15
DEGIGN CONTEST TO BOOST METRICATION ...................... 16
NEW BUS TERMINUS FOR NORTH POINT ......................... 17
CUSTOMS SUB-OFFICE MOVING ................................ 17
ROAD SECTION CLOSURE ..................................... 17
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1984
1
TRADE MISSION RETURNS FROM JAPAN * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LADY YOUDE AND SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC MISSION RETURNED TO HONG KONG LATE LAST (WEDNESDAY) NIGHT AFTER A FOUR-DAY VISIT TO JAPAN.
THE GROUP, INCLUDING SIR S.Y. CHUNG, MISS LYDIA DUNN, MR ERIC HO, MR JAMES WU AND MR S.K. NGAI, WAS MET BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT:
♦WE HAD A VERY GOOD VISIT TO JAPAN, AS YOU PROBABLY HAVE SEEN. WE SAW MOST OF THE SENIOR JAPANESE LEADERS, INCLUDING THE PRIME MINISTER, THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, FINANCE MINISTER, THE MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AND THE MINISTER AND DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE ECONOMIC PLANNING AGENCY, AND WE ALSO HAD USEFUL DISCUSSIONS WITH MR ESAKI, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LDP SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC MEASURES.
THIS VISIT ENABLED US TO DISCUSS WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENTAL LEADERS AND A WIDE RANGE OF BUSINESS LEADERS THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPANDING THE ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN JAPAN AND HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG AND EXPANSION OF HONG KONG EXPORTS TO JAPAN. AND THROUGHOUT THESE DISCUSSIONS, WE FOUND A GREAT DEAL OF GOOD WILL TOWARDS HONG KONG AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF THAT ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIP.
WHILE WE WERE THERE OF COURSE, WE WERE ENGAGED IN SOME MORE SPECIFIC MATTERS AND PARTICULARLY THROUGH THE HONG KONG AND JAPAN BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEE OF WHICH SIR S.Y. IS THE CHAIRMAN. SO I’LL LET HIM TELL YOU A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT FRONT. SIR S.Y.+
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR S.Y. CHUNG’S REMARK:
♦WE HAVE MADE VERY STRONG REPRESENTATIONS TO THE SENIOR GOVERNMENT MINISTERS ABOUT THE REMOVAL OF THE THREE REMAINING ITEMS OF THE GSP AND WE HAVE INDICATIONS FROM THEM, IN PARTICULAR FROM THE FOREIGN SECRETARY THAT THEY WILL SERIOUSLY LOOK INTO THE NATTER AND HOPEFULLY WILL GIVE US AN ANSWER IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
WE HAVE ALSO HAD A VERY FRUITFUL DISCUSSION WITH THE JAPAN TOY ASSOCIATION, SEEKING THE INTERNALIZATION OF THEIR SAFETY TOY MARK, GENERALLY KNOWN AS THE ST MARK, SO THAT OUR TOY PRODUCTS NEED NOT BE SENT TO JAPAN FOR TESTING AND CERTIFICATION. INSTEAD LICENCE AND TESTING FACILITIES IN HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN HONG KONG. THIS WILL CERTAINLY FACILITATE THE SALE OF THE HONG KONG TOY PRODUCTS IN JAPAN.
/WE ALSO .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1$, 19S1*
2 -
WE ALSO HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE JAPANESE BUSINESS LEADERS ABOUT FURTHER INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG IN THE LIGHT OF THE SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION OF THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE CF HONG KONG.
WE ARE VERY GLAD THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS WITH US. HIS PRESENCE IN THE MISSION HAS GIVEN US AN ADDED PRESTIGE AND HAS ALSO ATTRACTED GREATER ATTENTION FROM THE JAPANESE COMMUNITY AND WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS HELP IN THIS DIRECTION. THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.+
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COST-EFFECTIVENESS IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY URGED *****
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER. MR NEIL HENDERSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID THAT NOW WAS THE RIGHT TIME TO INTRODUCE THE CONCEPT OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS IN INDUSTRIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY.
THIS WAS PARTICULARLY SO IN THE FACE OF RISING EXPECTATIONS CF IMPROVEMENT IN THE STANDARD OF INDUSTRIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY BROUGHT ABOUT CHIEFLY BY THE JOINT EFFORTS OF EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES AND THE GOVERNMENT, HE ADDED.
MR HENDERSON WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE FIFTH INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SEMINAR FOR TOP MANAGEMENT IN HONG KONG ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AT THE SHANGRI-LA HOTEL.
IN THE PREVIOUS SEMINARS, HE SAID, THE MAIN EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON AROUSING GENERAL AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY AT WORK, AND THE TOPICS FOR PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION WERE OF A GENERAL NATURE.
+THIS YEAR, THE SEMINAR CONCERNS THE MORE SPECIFIC THEME CF COST-EFFECTIVENESS IN INDUSTRIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, WHICH IS CF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO TOP MANAGEMENT.*
MR HENDERSON SAID THE DOMINANT THEME OF THE SEMINAR WAS THE NEED TO PLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE REAL WORLD RATHER THAN TO VIEW IT AS AN ABSTRACT IDEAL.
+THE SEMINAR HAS THEREFORE STRUCTURED TO OFFER SOME PRACTICAL ADVICE TO MANAGEMENT WISHING TO DEVELOP A RESPONSIBLE, YET COST CONSCIOUS APPROACH TO THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY OBLIGATIONS.*
HE SAID THE SEMINAR WOULD EXAMINE THE PROPOSITION THAT HEALTH AND SAFETY EXPENDITURE, PROPERLY ADMINISTERED, WOULD PAY OFF IN THE LONG RUN.
/TO BRING ........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1J, 1984
- 3 -
TO BRING HOME THIS THEME, MR HENDERSON ADDED, THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE HAD INVITED MR JIM HAMMER, HEAD OF THE UNITED KINGDOM FACTORY INSPECTORATE, TO BE THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER.
MR HALMER WOULD DISCUSS THE MANAGER’S ROLE IN ENSURING ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY, NOT AS AN OPTIONAL EXTRA RESPONSIBILITY BUT AS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT IN WHICH COST CONTROL WAS A KEY FACTOR.
AISO SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR WERE MR ALLEN LEE, AN INDUSTRIALIST AND CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, AND MR MICHAEL SOMERVILLE, CHAIRMAN OF THE INSURANCE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG.
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TRAFFIC WORRIES NOT OVER - LEEDS * * * * *
ALTHOUGH THE GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE VEHICLES HAS BEEN CURBED BY FISCAL RESTRAINTS SINCE 1982, IT WOULD BE WRONG TO ASSUME THAT ALL THE WORRIES ABOUT THE POTENTIAL TRAFFIC CONbESTION IN THE FUTURE HAVE DISAPPEARED, MR PETER LEEDS, COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR LEEDS WAS REVIEWING TRANSPORT POLICY AT A +MEET THE MED IA+ SESSION.
+THE INCREASED FEES AND TAX HAVE INFLUENCED THE LEVELS OF CAR OWNERSHIP BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A CORRESPONDING REDUCTION IN ITS USE,* MR LEEDS EXPLAINED.
♦FUEL TAX IS RELATED TO USE, BUT AS JOURNEYS IN HONG KONG ARE NOT LONG THE COST OF FUEL IS UNLIKELY TO BE A MAJOR RESTRAINT,* HE SAID.
+NONE OF THE FISCAL MEASURES CAN BE REGARDED AS THE BEST SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF RELIEVING CONGESTION AT PARTICULAR PLACES AT PARTICULAR TIMES.*
MR LEEDS SAID THAT TRANSPORT ECONOMISTS HAD LONG SEEN THE SOLUTION IN A SELECTIVE PRICING SYSTEM THAT COULD RESTRICT THE MOST CONGESTED ROADS TO THOSE TO WHOM THE BENEFITS WERE GREATEST, MEASURED BY THEIR WILLINGNESS TO PAY.
+THIS SYSTEM WOULD REMOVE THE LEAST VALUABLE JOURNEYS SO THAT GOODS VEHICLES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND HIGHER-VALUE PRIVATE CAR JOURNEYS COULD BE MADE MORE QUICKLY, GIVING AN OVERALL NET COMMUNITY BENEFIT IN THE REDUCTION OF TRAVELLING TIME, LOWER FUEL CONSUMPTION, LOWER OPERATING COSTS AND LESS POLLUTION,* HE SAID.
/+THERE IS.......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1J, 1984
♦THERE IS NOTHING NEW IN THE THEORY BUT APART FROM INDIRECT NETHODS OF USING PARKING CHARGES AND ZONAL PRICING SYSTEMS, IT HAS NEVER BEEN PUT INTO PRACTICE. HOWEVER, IN RECENT YEARS, PROGRESS IN TECHNOLOGY IS SUCH THAT IT IS NOW A PRACTICAL PROPOSITION RATHER THAN A THEORIST’S DREAM AND IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT GOVERNMENT IS NOW CARRYING OUT THE TRIAL SCHEME FOR ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING.
+IF THE TRIAL IS SUCCESSFUL A PRICING SCHEME OF THIS KIND COULD PROVIDE A MORE EFFECTIVE AND CERTAINLY FAIRER SYSTEM OF CONTROL THAN THE PRESENT CRUDE RESTRAINTS WHICH RELY ON EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH FIRST REGISTRATION TAX AND ANNUAL LICENCE FEES+.
THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SCHEME IS AIMED AT ACHIEVING A MORE ECONOMIC USE OF THE ROAD SYSTEM. OTHER MEASURES WITH THE SAME OBJECTIVE INCLUDE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES, PUBLIC TRANSPORT PRIORITY SCHEMES AND THE EXTENSION OF COMPUTERISED TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROLS.
MR LEEDS SAID THE ECONOMIC ROAD USE PRINCIPLE WAS ONE OF THREE BASIC PRINCIPLES IN GOVERNMENT’S CURRENT POLICY TO MAINTAIN AN IMPROVING TRAFFIC MOBILITY. THE OTHER TWO PRINCIPLES ARE THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE ROAD SYSTEM AND EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
HE SAID THE PRINCIPLES WERE IN LINE WITH POLICY GUIDELINES SET DOWN IN THE 1979 WHITE PAPER ON INTERNAL TRANSPORT POLICY, ♦KEEPING HONG KONG MOVING+, ADDING THAT GREATER EMPHASIS HAD NOW BEEN GIVEN TO THE ECONOMIC ROAD USE PRINCIPLE, AS ROAD ADDITIONS IN DEVELOPED AREAS HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY EXPENSIVE.
NEVERTHELESS, INVESTMENT IN THE ROAD SYSTEM HAD CONTINUED TO INCREASE DURING THE LAST FEW YEARS, WITH ANNUAL EXPENDITURE RISING FROM $440 MILLION IN 1979 TO ABOUT $1 400 MILLION IN 1984.
THE PRINCIPLE TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT HAS ALSO BEEN PUT INTO PRACTICE, THE MOST OBVIOUS EXAMPLES BEING THE EXTENSION OF THE MTR AND ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KCR.
ALTHOUGH THE RAILWAYS NOW CARRY 1.3 MILLION PASSENGERS A DAY, THE OVERALL NUMBER OF PASSENGERS CARRIED ON OTHER TRANSPORT MODES HAS NOT BEEN REDUCED. BUS SERVICES STILL CARRY THE BULK OF THE PASSENGERS, AND PATRONAGE HAS INCREASED BY 20.4 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1979.
♦■LOOKING BACK OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS IT IS PROBABLY TRUE THAT HONG KONG WAS SLOW IN TACKLING ITS TRANSPORT PROBLEMS TO BEGIN WITH BUT ONCE THE PROBLEMS WERE IDENTIFIED RAPID PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK AND IN THE OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF ROAD TRAFFIC.
♦THERE IS STILL MUCH TO BE DONE BOTH IN TERMS OF MEETING THE PREDICTED FUTURE DEMANDS AND IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF WHAT WE HAVE,+ HE SAID.
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/5......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1984
5
OUR CRIME FIGHTERS ARE TOPS * * * *
HONG KONG’S LAW AND ORDER COMPARES VERY FAVOURABLY WITH OTHER MAJOT CITIES IN THE WORLD GIVEN ALL THE FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCB CR1ME, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, CRIME, MR BRIAN WEBSTER, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG, SOUTH DISTRICT 345, MR WEBSTER SAID AMERICAN MAJOR CITIES EXPERIENCED ABOUT 400 PER CENT MORE CRIME THAN HONG KONG, JAPAN 30 PER CENT AND SINGAPORE 10 PER CENT.
IN LONDON, 150 000 BURGLARIES OCCURRED IN 1983,'COMPARED WITH 11 300 BURGLARIES IN HONG KONG.
ON VEHICLE CRIME, LONDON HAD 205 000 COMPARED WITH HONG KONG’S 12 000.
MR WEBSTER SAID THAT HONG KONG’S DETECTION RATE WAS ABOUT 40 PER CENT, LONDON 17 PER CENT AND THE USA ABOUT 21 PER CENT.
HE ALSO SAID THAT OVERALL REPORTED CRIME IN THE TERRITORY WAS GOING DOWN AT ABOUT TWO PER CENT.
’’SPECIFICALLY THERE HAS BEEN A DOWNWARD TREND IN ROBBERIES. WE ARE NOW AT THE LEVEL WHICH PERTAINED IN MID-1979 — NOT MANY CITIES IN THE WORLD CAN CLAIM THAT AS A FACT,” HE SAID.
HE SAID ONE MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN WAS THE INCREASE IN BURGLARIES, AND THE FACT THAT 24 PER CENT OF THE CRIME INVOLVED NO BREAKING-IN UNDERLINED THE NEED FOR MORE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN CRIME PREVENTION.
ANOTHER CONCERN TO MR WEBSTER IS TRIAD INVOLVEMENT IN ORGANISED CRIME, VICE, ILLEGAL BOOKMAKING AND MONOPOLIES.
HE SAID THE GANGS ARE WELL ORGANISED AND HAVE BECOME MUCH MORE EXPERT AND BUSINESSLIKE THAN BEFORE.
”WE HAVE REVISED OUR STRATEGIES TO COUNTER TRIAD AND GANG ACTIVITY AND WITHOUT GOING INTO DETAIL FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, THEY ARE PROVING EFFECTIVE,” MR WEBSTER SAID.
ON COMMERCIAL CRIME, MR WEBSTER NOTED THAT INVESTIGATION HAS CONTINUED OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND PUBLIC COMPANIES WHOSE COLLAPSE IN 1982 AND 1983 EXPOSED MUCH FRAUDULANT TRADING.
HE SAID THAT FRAUDS IN GENERAL TERMS CONTINUED TO INCREASE AND AS HONG KONG BECAME MORE ORIENTATED TOWARDS THE USE OF CREDIT CARDS, CREDIT CARD SWINDLES ALSO BECAME MORE PREVALENT.
/"THE COMMERCIAL .......
THURSDAY, DECIXBER 15, 1984
6
’’THE COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU HAS BEEN EXPANDED AND IS GEARED TO MEET THIS SCENE. ONE OF THE DEVELOPMENTS WAS THE SETTING UP OF TASK FORCES TO HANDLE A PARTICULAR CRIME COMPRISING ALL BODIES INTERESTED IN THE CASE WITH THE ADDITION OF THE NECESSARY EXPERTISE TO WORK TOGETHER IN CONSULTATION AND MAKE THE OPTIMUM USE OF ALL RESOURCES,” MR WEBSTER SAID.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1973 AND LAST RECONSTITUTED IN MAY 1983 TO CO-ORDINATE FIGHT CRIME EFFORTS.
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE COMMITTEE IS INVALUABLE IN HELPING POLICE MEET THE EVER CHANGING CRIME SITUATION.
MR WEBSTER HOPED THAT IN THE ROTARIANS’ THEME FOR 1984-85 ’’DISCOVER A NEW WORLD OF SERVICE”, THEY WILL FIND PART OF THEIR SERVICE IN HELPING POLICE FIGHT CRIME.
-------o----------
BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS K * * * *
THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD IS TO OPEN-UP ITS DELIBERATIONS AND MAKE ITSELF AVAILABLE IN PUBLIC TO HEAR IN MORE DETAIL THE VIEWS CF THOSE WHO HAVE COMMENTED ON THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF HONG KONG’S BROADCASTING SERVICES.
FROM MONDAY (DECEMBER 17), THE BOARD WILL HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT EDINBURGH PLACE TO CONSIDER.THE PUBLIC COMMENTS IT HAS RECEIVED. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO LISTEN IN AT THESE OPEN HEARINGS, WHICH WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 9 AM AND 1 PM ON WEEKDAYS UP TO THE END OF JANUARY. HEARINGS WILL NOT BE HELD ON DECEMBER 27, 28 AND 31.
ALL THOSE WHO HAVE MADE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE BOARD AND INDICATED A WILLINGNESS TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARINGS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO APPEAR TO ELABORATE ON THEIR ORIGINAL SUBMISSIONS AND TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH BOARD MEMBERS.
REPRESENTATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE TELEVISION AND RADIO LICENSEES, EDUCATIONAL BODIES, RELIGIOUS GROUPS, WELFARE ORGANISATIONS, DISTRICT BOARDS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, INTEREST GROUPS, AS WELL AS CONCERNED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE REVIEW BOARD PANEL WILL COMPRISE THE CHAIRMAN, THE HON hfl JUSTICE POWER; THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, MR ROBERT SUN, JP; THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE BOARD, MR PETER ALLAN; AND THE SECRETARY, MR ANTHONY COOPER. OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WILL SIT ON THE HEARINGS PANEL IN ROTATION.
/THE' uiwADCA STING......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1984 %
- 7 - ।
THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD WAS SET UP IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF TELEVISION AND SOUND BROADCASTING, AND TO RECOMMEND AN OVERALL POLICY FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG.
IN APRIL, IT INVITED INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS WITH AN INTEREST IN BROADCASTING TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS IN WRITING. SOME 233 REPRESENTATIONS, TOTALLING OVER 2 OOO PAGES, INCLUDING 173 FROM INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, WERE RECEIVED.
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MEDICAL SCHEME SET UP FOR ELDERLY * * * *
SENIOR CITIZENS LIVING IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN, AND IN KWUN TONG WILL SOON BENEFIT FROM LOW-COST PRIVATE MEDICAL TREATMENT SCHEMES RECENTLY WORKED OUT FOR THEM.
A LARGE NUMBER OF PRIVATE DOCTORS, DENTISTS, HERBALISTS, CLINICS AND HERBALIST STORES HAVE JOINED THE SCHEME, WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH SERVICES AT REDUCED CHARGES.
RESIDENTS WHO ARE 60 AND ABOVE ARE ELIGIBLE TO JOIN THE SCHEME TO BE LAUNCHED IN THE TWO DISTRICTS SOON.
THE SCHEME WILL BE LAUNCHED IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FROM MONDAY, DECEMBER 17 WHILE THE ONE IN KWUN TONG WILL START ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHEME’S CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WORKING GROUP, MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG SAID THAT IN SOME CASES SENIOR CITIZENS MAY EVEN OBTAIN FREE MEDICAL CONSULTATION, DEPENDING ON THE DISCRETION OF INDIVIDUAL DOCTORS.
♦ABOUT 40 PRIVATE DOCTORS, DENTISTS AND HERBALISTS AS WELL AS OPERATORS OF SIX HERBALIST STORES HAVE JOINED THE SCHEME, AND MORE THAN 2 500 SENIOR CITIZENS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ISSUED REGISTRATION CARDS,+ MR CHOW SAID.
THE REGISTRATION CARDS WILL ENABLE THE ELDERLY TO BUY HERBS AND MEDICINE AT A DISCOUNT FROM THE SIX HERBALIST STORES LISTED UNDER THE SCHEME.
MR CHOW SAID THE SCHEME, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND SEVEN ELDERLY CENTRES, WILL BE REVIEWED IN SIX MONTHS.
MISS MONA LO, CHAIRWOMAN OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S ■♦WORKING GROUP ON CONCERN FOR THE MEDICAL AND TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY+ SAID THAT SO FAR 39 PRIVATE DOCTORS, 21 DENTISTS AND EIGHT CLINICS IN KWUN TONG HAD AGREED TO JOIN THE SCHEME.
/+TriE CONCESSIONS
THURSDAY, DEC JUBER 1J, 1984
8
+THE CONCESSIONS THEY OFFER RANGE FROM 20 TO 100 PER CENT DISCOUNT IN CONSULTATION FEES AND CHARGES FOR MEDICINE AND INJECTIONS, AND IN THE CASE OF DENTAL PROBLEMS, THE PROVISION OF DENTURES FOR THE ELDERLY,+ MISS LO SAID.
+ONOE REGISTERED, THE ELDERLY WILL BE ISSUED A CARD AND A CONTACT LIST OF THREE DOCTORS AND TWO DENTISTS WHOSE CLINICS ARE CLOSEST TO WHERE THEY LIVE.
+BESIDES PROVIDING CHEAPER MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES TO SENIOR CITIZENS, THE SCHEME IS MEANT TO BE A GESTURE OF RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY.+
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE SCHEME WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, ITS SUB-OFFICES AND LOCAL ESTATE OFFICES FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-416315.
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CHINA GROUP VISITS PRISONS
* * * *
A VISITING DELEGATION FROM THE CHINESE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES TOURED THE MAXIMUM SECURITY STANLEY PRISON AND THE NEDIUM SECURITY TUNG TAU CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN STANLEY TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE FIVE-MEMBER DELEGATION WAS LED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR CF THE ACADEMY'S INSTITUTE OF LAW, MR WU JIAN FAN.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR GARTH HYDES, THEY SAW THE VARIOUS FACILITIES PROVIDED FOR PRISONERS, AND WATCHED THEM AT WORK IN THE WORKSHOPS.
AFTERWARDS, THEY PROCEEDED TO THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE, WHERE THEY HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR THOMAS GARNER, ON THE DEPARTMENT’S CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES.
THE DELEGATION CONCLUDED THEIR VISIT BY TOURING ROUND THE INSTITUTE AND SAW HOW A PROFESSIONAL CORRECTIONAL OFFICER IS TRAINED.
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/9........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1984
9
MORE DISABLED PEOPLE LEARN TO DRIVE
* * * *
BECOMING POPULAR WITH THE DISABLED, OF THE PRIVILEGES GRANTED THEM BY THE
LEARNING TO DRIVE IS AS MORE OF THEM ARE AWARE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
THE PRIVILEGES INCLUDE EXEMPTION FROM FEES FOR DRIVING TESTS, DRIVING AND VEHICLE LICENCES, AND FIRST REGISTRATION TAX ON CARS.
THE NEW TREND IS KEEPING MR LAU SIU-WING BUSY. MR LAU, WHO IS PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED HIMSELF, IS ONE OF THE EIGHT LOCAL DRIVING INSTRUCTORS FOR THE DISABLED.
HE OBTAINED HIS DRIVING INSTRUCTOR LICENCE LAST'YEAR, AND IS NOW WORKING WITH THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF HANDICAPPED YOUTH, WHICH FOUNDED THE DISABLED DRIVERS’ SCHOOL IN 1979.
MR LAU LOST THE LOWER PART OF HIS RIGHT LEG AFTER A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT SEVEN YEARS AGO, AND HAD AN ARTIFICIAL LIMB FITTED.
NOT SURPRISINGLY, HE UNDERSTANDS THE PROBLEMS OF DISABLED LEARNER-DR IVERS.
+SOME MAY NOT BE PHYSICALLY STRONG ENOUGH, IN WHICH CASE, I WOULD TEACH THEM TO DEVELOP STRENGTH THROUGH SIMPLE EXERCISE,+ SAID MR LAU WHO HAS OVER SEVEN YEARS’ DRIVING EXPERIENCE, AND TOOK PART IN THE 1980 HANDICAPPED OLYMPICS IN HOLLAND.
GENERALLY, HANDICAPPED PEOPLE LEARN TO DRIVE FOR A PRACTICAL REASON -- TO OVERCOME THEIR TRANSPORT PROBLEMS — WHILE SOME OF THE ABLE-BODIED MAY DO IT FOR FUN, HE SAID.
♦THIS EXPLAINS WHY THE DISABLED ARE MORE PERSEVERING AND ATTENTIVE DURING THE LESSONS. THEY ARE CONFIDENT THEY CAN DRIVE AS WELL AS ANY ABLE-BODIED PERSON.*
MR LAU HAS MORE THAN 60 STUDENTS IN THE FEDERATION, AND ABOUT HALF OF THEM HAVE PASSED THE DRIVING TEST IN THEIR FIRST ATTEMPT.
HIS STUDENTS ARE FROM 20 TO 50 YEARS OF AGE, AND THREE OUT CF 10 ARE WOMEN. THE INSTRUCTION FEE CHARGED BY THE FEDERATION IS $45 PER HOUR.
THOSE WITH A PARTIALLY DISABLED LEG USUALLY HAVE TO ATTEND ABOUT 30 DRIVING SESSIONS BEFORE THE TEST, AND THOSE PARALYSED FROM THE WAIST DOWN, 40 TO 50 SESSIONS, MR LAU SAID.
SENIOR DRIVING EXAMINER (GENERAL) OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, NR AU PO-NAM, SAID, ^STARTING FROM LAST AUGUST, THE DISABLED CAN APPLY TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR EXEMPTION OF FEES FOR DRIVING TESTS AND PROVISIONAL AS WELL AS FULL DRIVING LICENCES.
/+THLT CAN .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1J, 1984
10 -
+THEY CAN ALSO BE EXEMPTED FROM THE VEHICLE LICENCE FEE FOR A PRIVATE CAR WITH ENGINE CAPACITY NOT EXCEEDING 1 500 C.C., AS WELL AS THE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX ON A CAR WITH A TAXABLE VALUE OF UP TO $30 000, PROVIDED THEY HAVE NOT PURCHASED ANY CAR WITHIN THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS.+
BUT BEFORE APPROVAL IS GIVEN, THE DISABLED MUST TAKE A MEDICAL CHECK-UP AND OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE FROM THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT STATING THEY HAVE CONSIDERABLE WALKING DIFFICULTY.
THEY MUST ALSO ATTEND A SIMULATOR TEST CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, WHICH DETERMINES THEIR FITNESS TO DRIVE AND THE TYPE OF VEHICLE MODIFICATION REQUIRED TO SUIT THEIR DRIVING ABILITY, SAID MR AU.
THE TEST AIMS TO ASSESS THE CANDIDATE’S REACTION, RANGE OF MOVEMENT, STRENGTH OF LIMBS, AND WRIST AND NECK CONTROL.
TO PROCESS LICENSING AND DRIVING TEST FORMALITIES FOR THE DISABLED, A SPECIAL COUNTER HAS BEEN SET UP AT THE DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICE IN DUNDAS STREET, MONG KOK.
DISABLED CAR-OWNERS, MR AU SAID, CAN APPLY FOR PRIVILEGED PARKING LABELS WHICH ALLOW THEM FREE PARKING AT METERED PLACES.
HE SAID THAT BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER, 272 PRIVILEGED PARKING LABELS HAD BEEN ISSUED, AND THERE WERE NOW 425 DISABLED PEOPLE POSSESSING FULL DRIVING LICENCES IN HONG KONG.
BUT NOT ALL OF THEM CAN AFFORD TO BUY A CAR. MR LAU SIU-WING HAS COME ACROSS CASES IN WHICH THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE OF SIMILAR DISABILITY, LIVING OR WORKING NEAR EACH OTHER, OWN AND SHARE A CAR.
MR LAU SAID HE HAD CHOSEN DRIVING INSTRUCTION AS HIS LIFETIME CAREER.
+1 AM INTERESTED IN DRIVING, AND I ENJOY TRAINING DISABLED PEOPLE INTO GOOD DRIVERS,* HE SAID.
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HEALTH INSPECTOR’S WEEK AS AN AMBASSADOR
* * * *
PUBLIC HEALTH PRESENTS A WORLDWIDE CHALLENGE, AND THOSE DEDICATED TO PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH TEND TO ESTABLISH WORLDWIDE CONTACTS.
THIS HELPS TO EXPLAIN WHY MR LAM KAM-KONG, THE MAN IN CHARGE OF CLEANSING SERVICES IN MONG KOK, KEEPS IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS AND PROFESSIONAL CONTACTS IN DETROIT. IT WAS IN THIS AMERICAN CITY THAT HE SPENT A WEEK LAST YEAR ACTING AS AN UNOFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND FOR HONG KONG.
/MP LAM,
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1J, 1984
11
MR LAM, AGED 29, RECENTLY FOUND HIMSELF BEING LOUDLY APPLAUDED IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE WHEN THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, PRESENTED HIM WITH A SPECIAL PRIZE FOR A WORLD-BEATING PERFORMANCE IN THE DIPLOMA EXAMINATION CONDUCTED BY THE LONDON-BASED INSTITUTE OF WASTES MANAGEMENT.
THE PLAQUE WHICH THE YOUNG HEALTH INSPECTOR RECEIVED FROM MR BARNES ON NOVEMBER 23 WAS A TRIBUTE TO AN EXCEPTIONAL FEAT BY W LAM, SINCE IN THE 1983 EXAMINATION HE TOPPED THE LIST OF CANDIDATES FROM MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD. ONE RESULT WAS THAT IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR HE WAS INVITED TO DETROIT AS HONG KONG’S DELEGATE AT AN INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS CONGRESS ON WASTES MANAGEMENT ORGANISED BY THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION.
+THAT WEEK WAS A HIGHLY STIMULATING EXPERIENCE,+ SAYS M? LAM. +1 WENT TO DETROIT TO LISTEN AND TO OBSERVE,- BUT IN FACT I WAS PERSUADED TO TELL THE CONGRESS ABOUT THE WAYS WE TACKLE REFUSE DISPOSAL IN HONG KONG -- AND I FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT WAS OF GREAT INTEREST TO AMERICAN AND OTHER DELEGATES.
+THEY RECOGNISED THAT WE’VE GOT SPECIAL PROBLEMS HERE, BECAUSE OF OUR HIGH POPULATION DENSITIES, AND THEY WANTED TO KNOW HOW WE COPE WITH THESE PROBLEMS. I LEARNED A LOT FROM THE CONGRESS, AND I BELIEVE THAT OTHERS THERE LEARNED SOMETHING ABOUT OUR CITY.*
SINCE HE GRADUATED AS A HEALTH INSPECTOR IN 1978 MR LAM HAS HANDLED A VARIETY OF WORK ASSIGNMENTS IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, INCLUDING A TWO-YEAR SPELL AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN ABATTOIR. AS CLEANSING INSPECTOR FOR MONG KOK, HE HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR STAFF NUMBERING ABOUT 400.
A KEEN PROFESSIONAL HIMSELF, HE SAYS HE WOULD RECOMMEND A CAREER IN PUBLIC HEALTH TO ANY YOUNG PERSON LOOKING FOR A CHALLENGING LIFE.
+IF ONE WORKS HARD AT IT,+ HE SAYS, +THERE ARE MANY REWARDS — INCLUDING, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHANCE OF OCCASIONAL TRAVEL OVERSEAS.*
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DB MEMBERS VISIT THE LESS FORTUNATE
*****
MEMBERS OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TODAY (THURSDAY) LEARNED MORE ABOUT EXISTING SOCIAL SERVICES PROVIDED IN THE DISTRICT THROUGH VISITS TO INSTITUTIONS
FOP THE LESS FORTUNATE.
THEY VISITED THE YUEN LONG MORNING LIGHT SCHOOL AND THE HOME FOR THE"AGED BLIND TO STUDY THE FACILITIES PROVIDED. THEY ALSO PRESENTED CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO THE CHILDREN AND THE OLD FOLKS.
/niiL SCHOOL........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1j, 1984
12
THIS SCHOOL FOR MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN HAS 70 PLACES, FROM PR|MARY 1 TO 6, FOR STUDENTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF SIX AND 16.
AMONG OTHER SUBJECTS, THE CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT SELF CARE, COORDINATION, PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS, AND COMMUNICATION ABILITY.
DURING THEIR VISIT TO THE HOME FOR THE AGED BLIND, THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS GAINED A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE RESIDENTS’ LIFE THERE.
THE 122 RESIDENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH 24-HOUR SPECIAL CARE SERVICES, FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION. THERE ARE VARIOUS GROUP ACTIVITIES TO HELP THEM ACQUIRE A SENSE OF USEFULNESS.
AT THE END OF THE VISIT, THE MEMBERS EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE DISTRICT BOARD WOULD ARRANGE MORE VISITS IN THE FUTURE.
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WAN CHAI SPREADS ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE * * * *
THIS YEAR’S WAN CHAI DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY DAY WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 15) AT SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND, STARTING AT 2 PM.
THE DAY’S EVENTS, COMBINING FUN WITH INSTRUCTION, WILL INCLUDE A VARIETY SHOW, STALL GAMES, COMPUTER GAMES, AN INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ COMPETITION, A MINI-ROAD SAFETY TOWN, A ROAD SAFETY BUS DISPLAY, AND SINGING AND ACROBATIC PERFORMANCES.
THE OCCASION WILL START OFF A MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN WHICH WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO STAGES - FIRST THROUGH EDUCATION AND THEN THROUGH ENFORCEMENT.
THE CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
FROM MONDAY (DECEMBER 17), PAMPHLETS EMPHASISING EDUCATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE DISTRIBUTED IN BUSY STREETS, WHILE THE POLICE WILL BE MOBILISED TO ADVISE RESIDENTS ABOUT THE PROPER WAY TO CROSS ROADS.
TWO WEEKS AFTER, ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST JAYWALKERS AND CARELESS DRIVERS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY ON SATURDAY WILL BE THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG; THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RAYMOND YOUNG; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, MR CHAM SIU-LEUN; THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (WAN CHAI), MR CHING KWOK-HOO ; THE POLICE SENIOR STAFF OFFICER, MR LIONEL LAM? THE PRESIDENT OF tfAN CHAI KAI FONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION, MR HERBERT LIANG; THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG DIAMARU COMPANY, MR HIROMU ONOG ; AND A SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER, MR JOHN TAM.
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/13......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1984
13
RECREATIONAL CAMPS FOR WORKING YOUTHS
* * *
THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE BRITISH FORCES HAVE JOINED HANDS IN PRESENTING A SERIES OF RECREATIONAL CAMPS FOR WORKING YOUTHS.
THE +FLY-CAMP-CRUISE+ CAMPS ARE DESIGNED TO TAKE THESE YOUTHS AWAY FROM THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT FOR THREE DAYS OF ADVENTUROUS PURSUITS AT THE DEPARTMENT’S CHONG HING WATER SPORTS CENTRE IN SAI KUNG.
THE BRITISH FORCES ARE PROVIDING PATROL CRAFTS TO TAKE THE CAMPERS TO THE CENTRE AND HELICOPTERS TO TAKE THEM BACK AFTER CAMPING.
A TOTAL OF 12 CAMPS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR THE 1984-85 FINANCIAL YEAR AND THE FIFTH CAMP, WITH ABOUT 48 PARTICIPANTS FROM TUEN MUN, WILL BE HELD BETWEEN DECEMBER 17 TO 19.
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APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR RETAIL TRADE COURSE *****
STAFF IN THE RETAILING SECTOR ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR A COURSE IN THE FUNDAMENTALS OF RETAILING TO BE OFFERED BY THE BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
THE COURSE WILL BE HELD FROM JANUARY 5 TO MARCH 17, 1985, AT THE REQUEST OF THE WHOLESALE-RETAIL AND IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
CONTENTS OF THE COURSE INCLUDE TOPICS ON RETAILING, STORE DEVELOPMENT, MERCHANDISING, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RETAILING ACCOUNTING SYSTEM.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND 15 TWO-HOUR LECTURES, ON TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS, STARTING JANUARY 5, 1985.
THE FEE IS $500. BUT WITH SUBSIDY FROM THE COUNCIL, EACH PARTICIPANT NEEDS ONLY PAY HALF OF THE AMOUNT PROVIDED HE ATTENDS AT LEAST 80 PER CENT OF THE LECTURES, AND PASSES THE FINAL EXAMINATION.
AS THE COURSE IS LIMITED TO 25 PERSONS, THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD APPLY EARLY.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD, MR H. HUNG, ON 5-8932341, EXT 261 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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/14
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1984
14
LEARNING MORE ABOUT EASTERN DISTRICT * K * *
A MODEL-MAKING CONTEST AND A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED TO HELP RESIDENTS AND THE PUBLIC TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EASTERN DISTRICT.
ENTITLED 'EASTERN DISTRICT IN PERSPECTIVE’, BOTH COMPETITIONS WILL FOCUS ON THE CHANGING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISTRICT. IN ADDITION, THE MODEL-MAKING CONTEST WILL BE THE DISTRICT’S PREPARATION FOR THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
THE COMPETITIONS ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, WITH THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AS THE SPONSOR. THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS JANUARY .15, 1985.
THE MODEL-MAKING CONTEST IS RESTRICTED TO YOUTHS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 6 AND 18 WHO STUDY, LIVE OR WORK IN THE DISTRICT. IT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH SECTIONS AND ENTRIES CAN BE MADE ON AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP BASIS.
THE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. ALL ENTRY PRINTS MUST BE 5R COLOUR, WITH THE PARTICIPANT’S NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND IDENTITY CARD NUMBER AND THE TITLE OF THE SUBJECT WRITTEN ON THE BACK OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AT 880-886 KING’S ROAD AND ITS SUB-OFFICES IN CAUSEWAY BAY, SHAU KEI WAN AND CHAI WAN.
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ATHLETIC MEET FOR YOUTHS
* * *
MORE THAN 450 YOUNG ATHLETES WILL COMPETE IN ABOUT 60 TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS IN THE 10TH ATHLETIC MEET OF THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI DISTRICT AT THE MONG KOK STADIUM ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 16).
THE COMPETITION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SECTIONS IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS.
IT IS SPONSORED BY THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD. THE ANNUAL ATHLETIC MEET IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS SUSAN LOK, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY. LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, MISS LOK, WITH SENIOR RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER, MR WONG KIN-FAI? PRESIDENT OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION, W CHAN YUM-TONG, AND ITS CHAIRMAN, MR CHIU YU-HEI, AND OTHER DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS.
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/15 .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1984
15
BOARD TO DISCUSS WHITE PAPER, ERP SCHEME * * * X
TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE WHITE PAPER ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AND THE PROPOSED ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SYSTEM AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING.
THREE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TRANSPORT BRANCH WILL BRIEF BOARD MEMBERS ON THE DETAILS OF THE ERP SCHEME AND THE OPTIMUM USE OF THE ROAD NETWORK.
BOARD MEMBERS WILL DiSCUSS RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT-FORMED STANDING COMMITTEE ON MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT ON EXISTING PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF MUL~l-STOREY BUILDINGS.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN SPEEDING UP THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A YOUTH CENTRE IN SIU HONG COURT AND, THE LAYOUT PLAN OF AREA 18 (EXISTING SAWMILLS AND BOATYARDS IN SOUTH-WESTERN PART OF TUEN MUN).
- - 0 -
COMMENDATIONS FOR CUSTOMS MEN * * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, MR KEITH BROADBRIDGE, AND ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, MR J.C. PRISK, WILL PRESENT COMMENDATIONS TO CUSTOMS OFFICERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE RECENT LARGE SEIZURE OF ARMS, AMMUNITION AND DANGEROUS DRUGS ON BOARD A TRAWLER OFF CHEUNG CHAU.
THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE’S SENIOR OFFICERS’ MESS, 9/F, RUMSEY STREET MULTISTOREY CARPARK BUILDING, HONG KONG, AT 5.30 PM ON DECEMBER 14.
- 0 -
FOOD FOR THOUGHT AT DISTRICT BOARD * * *
LUNCHTIME CATERING FACILITIES FOR FACTORY WORKERS WILL BE REVIEWED AT TOMORROW’S (FRIDAY) SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING.
CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN WILL ATTEND THE MEETING AND BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PRESENT SITUATION OF FAST FOOD VANS AND COOKED FOOD CENTRES OPERATING IN THE DISTRICT.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE MEETING WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALAN SCOTT WHO WILL INTRODUCE THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SCHEME TO THE BOARD.
/DISTRICT "CARD
THURSDAY, DECillBER 1J, 1?84
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXPRESS THEIR VIWS ON THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF CROWN LAND AND THE MUTUAL COVENANT FOR MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
A SCHEME TO PROVIDE A LEGAL MEANS OF REDRESS AGAINST NUISANCES CAUSED BY VICE-ESTABLISHEMENTS TO OTHER OCCUPANTS IN THE SAME BUILDING WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING.
- 0 -
DESIGN CONTEST TO BOOST METRICATION * * X
A POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION WILL BE ORGANISED AMONG SCHOOLS BY THE METRICATION COMMITTEE TO HELP PROMOTE THE USE OF METRIC WEIGHING MACHINES IN DAILY TRADING ACTIVITIES.
A CIRCULAR HAS BEEN SENT BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS INVITING PARTICIPATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE METRICATION COMMITTEE SAID THAT THE COMPETITION IS AIMED AT ACQUAINTING STUDENTS WITH METRIC WEIGHTS AND ALSO MAKING METRICATION KNOWN TO VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION CF DESIGN WORK THAT WILL FOLLOW.
STUDENTS WERE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT AS MANY ENTRIES AS THEY WISHED TO THE METRICATION UNIT AT 31/F. UNITED CENTRE, 95 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG BY JANUARY 31, 1985 THE LATEST.
FIRST PRIZE WILL BE A $2 OOO SCHOLARSHIP, AND RUNNER-UP PRIZES WILL BE STATIONERY TOKENS WORTH $1 500 AND $1 000.
THERE WILL ALSO BE TEN MERIT PRIZES IN THE FORM OF $200 BOOK OR STATIONERY TOKENS.
JUDGES WILL BE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, METRICATION COMMITTEE AND THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1984
17
NEW BUS TERMINUS FOR NORTH POINT * * *
A BUS TERMINUS WILL BE BUILT ON BRAEMAR HILL ROAD IN NORTH POINT, TO PROVIDE FOR THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT THERE AND IN TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD.
in Addition to the big population growth, a number of new
SCHOOLS WILL SOON BE OPENED THERE.
AT PRESENT, TWO CIRCULAR ROUTES STARTING FROM CENTRAL AND NORTH POINT SERVE THE AREA.
THE NEW TERMINUS, CONSISTING OF THREE 1OO-METRE-LONG BAYS, IWO PASSENGER PLATFORMS AND A REGULATOR’S KIOSK, WILL BE BUILT NEAR THE SHOPPING CENTRE AT BRAEMAR HILL MANSIONS.
WORK ON THE $1.35 M ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START SOON AND BE COMPLETED IN SEVEN MONTHS.
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CUSTOMS SUB-OFFICE MOVING
*****
- THE KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE OF THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES OFFICE OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WILL MOVE FROM TUNG YING BUILDING, 100 NATHAN ROAD, TO CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, SOUTH WING, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, FROM NEXT MONDAY (DECEMBER 17).
THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE SUB-OFFICE WILL BE THE SAME AS BEFORE - 9 AM TO 4 PM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAY.
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR ENQUIRIES IS 3-666065.
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ROAD SECTION CLOSURE * * *
TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK, THE SECTION OF TUEN MUN-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUEN MUN ROAD, BETWEEN SIU LAM INTERCHANGE AND ROAD D8 WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 10.30 PM AND 5 AM ON FRIDAY AND ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 14-15).
TRAFFIC HEADING FOR TUEN MUN OR YUEN LONG WILL BE DIVERTED TO CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT ............ 1
ACCORD REACHED ON WHAMPOA DOCK PROJECT ....................... 5
CONTINUED FINANCIAL ROLE SEEN FOR HK ......................... 6
DECISION SOON ON BAPTIST COLLEGE DIPLOMA, GOVERNOR SAYS ...... 8
RESULTS OF TEXTILES ISSUES WITH U.S. ANNOUNCED ............... 9
PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL GAZETTED ................... 10
QUARTERLY LABOUR FORCE FIGURES RELEASED ...................... 11
INCOME ELIGIBILITY LIMIT FOR PUBLIC HOUSING REVISED .......... 13
TENDERS INVITED FOR NEW HOUSING PROJECT ...................... 14
NEW YEAR'S DAY START FOR YOUTH YEAR .......................... 15
CUSTOMS OFFICERS COMMENDED FOR SEIZURE OF ARMS AND DRUGS ..... 16
THE COST OF FILTH ............................................ 1?
SCHOOLS' VITAL ROLE IN CIVIC EDUCATION STRESSED .............. 18
STATUTORY HOLIDAY RIMINDER ................................... 19
BILLS CLARIFY RESPONSIBILITY ................................. 20
MORE HELP URGED FROM VOLUNTARY GROUPS ........................ 21
BANQUET, FUN FOR 1 000 ELDERLY FOLKS ......................... 22
SEMINAR ON DEVELOPMENT ....................................... 22
CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES ......................................... 23
PLAN TO IMPROVE CHECKPOINT TRAFFIC ........................... 23
TSING YI BRIDGE CEREMONY ..................................... 24
PARTY FOR THE HANDICAPPED .................................... 24
ACTIVE WIND-UP TO FESTIVAL ................................... 24
SAI KUNG GETS SPORTS BOOST ................................... 25
POST OFFICE 99 ............................................... 26
BRINGING NEIGHBOURS TOGETHER ................................. 26
TRAFFIC PLaN FOR TSUEN WAN WALK ........................... 26
CENTRAL WATER MAINS WORK ..................................... 27
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
1
NOTE TO EDITORS
PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT * * * *
A NUMBER OF FACILITIES ARE BEING ARRANGED FOR THE INFORMATION ^EDIA TO COVER THE VISIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER, AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, WHO ARE DUE TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG FROM CHINA ON DECEMBER 20.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL NEED SPECIAL ACCREDITATION TO COVER ALL PUBLIC FUNCTIONS. PRESS LAPEL BADGES WILL BE ISSUED BY GIS TO ALL ACCREDITED JOURNALISTS.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR ACCREDITATION AT EACH POSITION 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, BY 12 NOON, DECEMBER 17, 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 AND SEATS CANNOT ALWAYS BE MADE AVAILABLE. EVERY EFFORT, HOWEVER, WILL 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 ALL OF MRS THATCHER’S AND SIR GEOFFREY’S PUBLIC FUNCTIONS. WHERE PRESS POSITIONS CANNOT BE MADE AVAILABLE AT ALL, POOL PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE ISSUED BY GIS.
PRIME MINISTER’S PUBLIC FUNCTIONS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20
12.20 PM - ARRIVAL AT KAI TAK
THE PRIME MINISTER AND HER PARTY ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON AN RAF VC 10 AT 12.20 PM ON DECEMBER 20. A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE ARRIVAL HALL +FINGER+. NED IA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING HER ARRIVAL SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 11.30 AM. THEY SHOULD BRING WITH THEM PROOF OF IDENTITY.
1 PM TO 2.10 PM - LUNCH WITH UMELCO
THERE WILL BE FIXED POSITIONS AT THE PEDDER STREET ENTRANCE OF SWIRE HOUSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER THE PRIME MINISTER’S ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE.
/2.4? Ft-i TO
FRIDAY, DECEV.BSK 14, 19&4
- 2 -
POSITION A ■
POSITION B i
POSITION C t
POSITION D i
2.45 PM TO 3.45 PM - VISIT TO AP LEI CHAU
THERE WILL BE FOUR FIXED PRESS POSITIONS AT VARIOUS VANTAGE POINTS TO COVER THE PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT TO THE AP LEI CHAU HOUSING ESTATE.
THE PRIME MINISTER WILL FIRST GO TO THE WATERFRONT PROMENADE NEXT TO LEI FOOK HOUSE IN AP LEI CHAU ESTATE WHERE SHE WILL BE BRIEFED ON DEVELOPMENTS IN ABERDEEN. THE PRESS POSITION WILL BE ON THE PROMENADE, GIVING A GOOD VIEW OF THE ESTATE’S WATERFRONT AREA WITH ABERDEEN’S DWELLING BOATS IN THE BACKGROUND.
AFTER THE BRIEFING, THE PRIME MINISTER WILL WALK ALONG THE WATERFRONT AREA TO THE HO YAN KINDERGARTEN IN A NEIGHBOURING BLOCK. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES FROM POSITION A SHOULD PROCEED TO THE KINDERGARTEN VIA A DIFFERENT ROUTE THROUGH THE ESTATE BLOCKS AND ENTER THE KINDERGARTEN THROUGH A SEPARATE ENTRANCE.
AFTER VISITING THE KINDERGARTEN, THE PRIME MINISTER WILL WALK PAST A PLAYGROUND AND PROCEED TO THE ESTATE’S COMMUNITY HALL. THE PRESS POSITION WILL BE INSIDE THE PLAYGROUND. PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WISHING TO COVER THIS PART OF THE PRIME MINISTER’S PROGRAMME WILL HAVE TO BE IN. POSITION IN ADVANCE. BECAUSE OF THE TIGHT SCHEDULE, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES FROM POSITION B WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GO TO POSITION C TO COVER THE WALK.
INSIDE THE COMMUNITY HALL, THE PRIME MINISTER WILL MEET MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND WATCH VARIOUS HANDICRAFT CLASSES IN PROGRESS. SHE WILL ALSO HAVE TEA WITH MEMBERS OF THE AP LEI CHAU YIN NGA I SOCIETY. THE PRESS POSITION WILL BE ON ONE SIDE OF THE COMMUNITY HALL. AFTER THE PRIME MINISTER HAS ENTERED THE HALL, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES FROM POSITION C AND B WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER THE HALL VIA A SEPARATE ENTRANCE.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE AP LEI CHAU VISIT. TWO COACHES WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK FOR AP LEI CHAU AT 1.30 PM SHARP.
5 PM TO 6 PM - RECEPTION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE
THE RECEPTION IS FOR ABOUT 500 PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY. BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE, ONLY TELEVISION CAMERAMEN AND TECHNICIANS WILL BE ALLOWED TO FILM THE RECEPTION INSIDE GOVERNMENT HOUSE. THIS WILL BE DONE FROM A FIXED POSITION AND WILL BE LIMITED TO A FEW MINUTES.
POOL PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE ISSUED BY GIS FOR THE PRINT MEDIA.
/6.J0 PE .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 198U
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6.30 PM - EXCO MEETING
THE PRIME MINISTER WILL ATTEND A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AT 6.30 PM. THERE WILL BE FIXED POSITIONS AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE OF HER ARRIVAL.
7 PM - ADDRESS TO EXCO AND LEGCO
THERE WILL BE FIXED PRESS POSITIONS AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE OF THE PRIME MINISTER’S DEPARTURE.
ADMISSION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER TO COVER THE ADDRESS WILL BE BY LAPEL BADGE HOLDERS ONLY AND REQUESTS FOR THESE MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ADVANCE. BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED NUMBER OF SEATS. ONLY ONE REPORTER FROM EACH NEWS ORGANISATION WILL BE ADMITTED. ALL PERSONS ENTERING THE CHAMBER WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE PROOF OF IDENTITY AND OF THE ORGANISATION WHICH THEY REPRESENT.
THE WHOLE ADDRESS WILL BE TELEVISED +LIVE+ BY RTHK. OTHER TELEVISION CREWS MAY FILM THE ADDRESS FROM THE TV BOOTHS BEHIND THE CHAMBER. RTHK WILL MAKE AVAILABLE ADDITIONAL FEEDS FOR OTHER TELEVISION STATIONS.
ALL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE SEATED BY 6.50 PM. THERE WILL BE A THREE-MINUTE PHOTO-CALL FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AFTER THE PRIME MINISTER HAS ARRIVED AND BEFORE SHE BEGINS HER ADDRESS. ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS MUST LEAVE THE CHAMBER BEFORE THE PRIME MINISTER STARTS HER ADDRESS.
ALL RECORDINGS SHOULD BE DONE INSIDE THE BOOTHS AND NO MICROPHONES OR HAND-HELD RECORDERS WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE DIAS. RADIO BROADCASTERS AND COMMENTATORS WILL OPERATE FROM THE RADIO BOOTHS BEHIND THE CHAMBER.
A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE ADDRESS, TOGETHER WITH A CHINESE TRANSLATION, WILL BE ISSUED BY GIS.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21
8.30 AM - PRESS CONFERENCE, LEGCO CHAMBER
THERE WILL BE FIXED PRESS POSITIONS OUTSIDE THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE OF THE PRIME MINISTER’S ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE.
/like the .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER U, 198U
LIKE THE ADDRESS TO THE JOINT EXCO AND LEGCO MEETING, ADMISSION INTO THE COUNCIL CHAMBER TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE BY LAPEL BADGE HOLDERS ONLY. AGAIN, ONLY ONE REPORTER FROM EACH NEWS ORGANISATION WILL BE ADMITTED. ALL PERSONS ENTERING THE CHAMBER WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE PROOF OF IDENTITY AND OF THE ORGANISATION WHICH THEY REPRESENT.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE TELEVISED +LIVE+ BY RTHK. OTHER CAMERA CREWS CAN EITHER FILM FROM FIXED POSITIONS INSIDE THE CHAMBER OR FROM THE BOOTHS. ADDITIONAL FEEDS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR USE FOR TV AND RADIO STATIONS BY RTHK.
TV CREWS ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE IN GOOD TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT. ALL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE SEATED BY 8.20 AM. THERE WILL BE A THREE-MINUTE PHOTO-CALL AFTER THE PRIME MINISTER HAS ARRIVED AND BEFORE THE PRESS CONFERENCE BEGINS. PHOTOGRAPHERS MUST LEAVE THE COUNCIL CHAMBER BEFORE THE PRESS CONFERENCE GETS UNDERWAY.
ALL RECORDINGS SHOULD BE DONE INSIDE THE BOOTHS AND NO MICROPHONES OR HAND-HELD RECORDERS WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE DIAS. RADIO BROADCASTERS AND COMMENTATORS WILL OPERATE FROM THE RADIO BOOTHS BEHIND THE CHAMBER.
A FULL TRANSCRIPT, TOGETHER WITH A CHINESE TRANSLATION, WILL BE ISSUED BY GIS.
10 AM - DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG
THE PRIME MINISTER WILL LEAVE HONG KONG FOR THE UNITED STATES SHORTLY AFTER THE PRESS CONFERENCE. A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL EE AVAILABLE AT THE DEPARTURE HALL +FINGER+. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING HER DEPARTURE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 9.10 AM. THEY MUST BRING WITH THEM PROOF OF IDENTITY.
SIR GEOFFREY HOWE’S PROGRAMME
SIR GEOFFREY HOWE WILL HAVE THE SAME PROGRAMME AS THE PRIME MINISTER EXCEPT THAT AT 2.45 PM ON DECEMBER 20, HE WILL BE ATTENDING A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WHILE THE PRIME MINISTER IS VISITING AP LEI CHAU. THERE WILL BE FIXED PRESS POSITIONS OUTSIDE THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE OF HIS ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE.
ON DECEMBER 21, SIR GEOFFREY WILL GO ON A HARBOUR CRUISE AND BE BRIEFED ON DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE HARBOUR AREA. BECAUSE OF SPACE LIMITATIONS ON THE BOAT, A POOL PHOTOGRAPH WILL BE ISSUED BY GIS.
AT 8.50 PM IN THE SAME EVENING, SIR GEOFFREY WILL DEPART HONG KONG FOR THE UK ON FLIGHT BR 381.
FRIDAY, DECH-1BER 14, 1984
- 5 -
THERE WILL BE A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY AT THE DEPARTURE HALL +F INGER* TO COVER HIS DEPARTURE. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 8 PM. THEY SHOULD BRING WITH THEM PROOF OF IDENTITY.
LADY HOWE’S PROGRAMME
AT 3 PM ON DECEMBER 20, LADY HOWE WILL OPEN THE PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUPS ASSOCIATION AT BLOCK F, 1ST FLOOR, VICTORIA BARRACKS. THERE WILL BE A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FUNCTION. THOSE COVERING THE FUNCTION SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE ASSOCIATION’S PREMISES AT 2.30 PM. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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ACCORD REACHED ON WHAMPOA DOCK PROJECT
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED WITH THE HONG KONG AND WHAMPOA DOCK COMPANY ON THE TERMS NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE COMPANY TO COMPREHENSIVELY REDEVELOP ITS HUNG HOM DOCKYARD.
THE 19-HECTARE AREA WILL BE REDEVELOPED IN PHASES OVER SEVERAL YEARS TO PROVIDE UP TO 11 224 FLATS AT AN AVERAGE FLAT SIZE OF 63 SQUARE METRES, AND 157 000 SQUARE METRES OF SHOPS AND OFFICE ACCOMMODATION SPACE.
AS PART OF THE +PACKAGE+, AND IN PHASE WITH THE PROVISION OF THE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL ACCOMMODATION, THE DOCK COMPANY WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE EDUCATION FACILITIES, A MARKET, COMMUNITY FACILITIES, A PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINUS AND INDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES TO CATER FOR THE ANTICIPATED POPULATION OF 45 000.
THE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE INTERSPERSED WITH OVER SIX HECTARES OF OPEN SPACE, MORE THAN HALF OF WHICH WILL BE AT GROUND LEVEL AND THE REMAINDER AT PODIUM LEVEL.
+ A PREMIUM OF $390 MILLION HAS BEEN AGREED, AND IN ADDITION THE DOCK COMPANY WILL BE ENTRUSTED WITH, AND WILL FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION OF MAJOR ROADWORKS AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS OUTSIDE THE REDEVELOPMENT AREA AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $250 MILLION,* A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THE EXISTING GODOWN ACCOMMODATION TO THE EAST OF THE SITE WILL REMAIN, BUT THE AGREED TERMS DO NOT ALLOW FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN ACCOMMODATION WITHIN THE REDEVELOPMENT AREA.
*THIS IS PROBABLY THE LAST LARGE PRIVATELY OWNED SITE WITHIN THE URBAN AREA CAPABLE OF COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT ON THIS SCALE, AND DEMONSTRATES A HIGH DEGREE OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE ON THE PART OF HONG KONG AND WHAMPOA DOCK COMPANY.*
THE PREMIUM WAS PAID, AND FORMAL DOCUMENTATION COMPLETED TODAY.
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A ......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
6
CONTINUED FINANCIAL ROLE SEEN FOR HK *****
THE DRAFT AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG PROVIDED THE INGREDIENTS FOR MAINTAINING THE STATUS OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, NR DOUGLAS BLYE SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1984 FINANCIAL WORKSHOP ORGANISED BY THE ECONOMICS SOCIETY AT HK UNIVERSITY, MR BLYE SAID THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF BANKERS AND BUSINESSMAN WOULD HAVE TO EE ENCOURAGED TO USE HONG KONG AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE, FOR AT THE END CF THE DAY, IF THAT COMMUNITY WAS NOT PREPARED TO DO SO, HONG KONG WOULD CEASE TO FLOURISH.
THE CONDITIONS FOR ENCOURAGEMENT INCLUDED!
* THE MAINTENANCE OF A FINANCIAL SYSTEM GEARED TO FREE MARKET ECONOMIC POLICIES,
* AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH WILL PERMIT THE FREE OPERATION OF FINANCIAL BUSINESSES AND THE FREE FLOW OF CAPITAL INTO AND OUT OF HONG KONG,
* A FREELY CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY WITH AN EFFICIENT FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,
* A WELL-KNOWN AND HIGHLY DEVELOPED SYSTEM OF LAW BUTTRESSED BY AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY WHICH INSPIRES INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE.
+THE DRAFT AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR THESE INGREDIENTS. IT ALSO PROVIDES FOR HONG KONG TO MAINTAIN ITS STATUS AS THE CENTRE OF INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL AVIATION AND FOR THE FREEDOM OF TRAVEL AND CORRESPONDENCE TO BE MAINTAINED.
+THERE IS EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE TERRITORY WILL MAINTAIN ITS UNRIVALLED NETWORK OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE REST CF THE WORLD - PHYSICAL AND ELECTRONIC - WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ANY INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
+SO THE GROUNDWORK HAS BEEN LAID FOR HONG KONG TO CONTINUE AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE FOR 50 YEARS AFTER 1997,+ MR BLYE SAID.
HE ALSO TOLD THE STUDENTS AT THE WORKSHOP THAT THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG WOULD BE IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE LIKE THEM, BECAUSE ONE OTHER ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT WAS A WELL-TRAINED AND WELL-MOTIVATED WORKFORCE IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR.
COMMENTING ON THE DESCRIPTION OF HONG KONG AS THE THIRD LARGEST FINANCIAL CENTRE IN THE WORLD, MR BLYE SAID HE WOULD NOT CHALLENGE THE RATING SINCE HE WAS CYNICAL ENOUGH TO REALISE THAT STATISTICS COULD BE USED TO ’PROVE’ OR ’DISPROVE’ ALMOST ANYTHING. HOWEVER, « OBSERVED THAT HONG KONG WAS CERTAINLY CLOSE TO THE TOP OF THE b-IRST DIVISION OF THE WORLD LEAGUE.
/Di THU.........
FRIDAY, DECLHBER 14, 1984
IN THE PAST DECADE, THE FINANCIAL SECTOR IN HONG KONG HAS OUTGROWN THE REST OF THE ECONOMY AND BY THE EARLY EIGHTIES ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT HAD GROWN FROM 15 PER CENT IN 1970 TO AROUND 23 PER CENT, COMPARED TO 21 PER CENT BY THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
IN THE EARLY 197O’S, THE FINANCIAL SECTOR PROVIDED EMPLOYMENT FOR ABOUT 2.5 PER CENT OF THE LABOUR FORCE. THERE WERE THEN 73 LICENSED BANKS, ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF SO-CALLED FINANCE COMPANIES WAS ON THE INCREASE. AT PRESENT. THERE ARE SOME 167 000 PEOPLE WORKING IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR (6.6 PER CENT OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT). A TOTAu OF 485 INSTITUTIONS ARE PERMITTED BY LAW TO TAKE DEPOSITS, COMPRISING 139 LICENSED BANKS WHICH OPERATE OVER 1 400 BRANCHES, 33 LICENSED, AND 313 REGISTERED DTCS.
♦THESE 485 INSTITUTIONS NOW HAVE TOTAL HONG KONG BALANCE SHEETS OF ABOUT HK$1 000 BILLION, NET OF CONTRA POSITIONS BETWEEN THEMSELVES. TOGETHER THEY EMPLOY NEARLY 60 000 PERSONS AND CONTRIBUTE TO ABOUT SEVEN PER CENT OF THE GDP,+ MR BLYE SAID.
EXPLAINING THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FINANCIAL SECTOR AND OTHER SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY, MR BYLE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S CONCERN WAS TO PROVIDE A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT, AS FAR AS IT COULD, FOR DEVELOPMENT, RATHER THAN TO DIRECT THAT DEVELOPMENT IN ANY PARTICULAR WAY.
IT COULD BE THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S PRESENCE AS REGARDS THE FINANCIAL SECTOR WAS MORE NOTICEABLE, BECAUSE IT HAD A MACRO RESPONSIBILITY IN MONETARY POLICY AND A MICRO RESPONSIBILITY IN THE SUPERVISION AND REGULATION OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND MARKETS.
MR BLYE STRESSED HOWEVER THAT IT WAS NOT REGULATION FOR THE SAKE OF REGULATION, ADDING THAT OUR SYSTEM OF SUPERVISION AND REGULATION WAS EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE AND COMPARED WITH THE BEST IN THE WORLD.
INDEED OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITIES HAD LEARNT FROM HONG KONG, HE SAID, +AND AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE ALWAYS LEARNING LESSONS.+
♦ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO IMPROVE THE FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH BANKS AND DTCS OPERATE HAVE BEEN, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE INTRODUCED.
♦THIS IS PARTLY BECAUSE THE BUSINESS OF SUPERVISION AND REGULATION OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND MARKETS IS CONTINUOUSLY EVOLVING AROUND THE WORLD TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS WHICH HAVE IN THE LAST DECADE MOVED AT A STAGGERING PACE.
♦GREAT STRIDES HAVE BEEN MADE AND WE HAVE EVERY INTENTION TO KEEP PACE WITH THESE ADVANCES IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR PARTICULAR l£EDS,+ HE SAID.
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
8
DECISION SOON ON BAPTIST COLLEGE DIPLOMA, GOVERNOR SAYS *******
A DECISION WOULD BE REACHED SOON ON THE SUBJECT OF RECOGNITION CF THE BAP!1ST COLLEGE HONOURS DIPLOMA FOR APPOINTMENTS TO THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY.
THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID, WAS CONSCIOUS OF, AND UNDERSTOOD, THE CONCERN ON THE SUBJECT AND HAD BEEN DISCUSSING IT.
+THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE WILL BE CONSULTED ON THIS SUBJECT SOON. A DECISION ON THE STANDING OF THE DIPLOMA SHOULD BE REACHED BEFORE LONG.+ SIR EDWARD SAID. 4
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE COLLEGE’S FONG SHU CHUEN LIBRARY THIS AFTERNOON, SIR EDWARD SAID ALSO THAT EDUCATION WAS AN ISSUE OF THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
WITHOUT A WELL-EDUCATED WORKING POPULATION POSSESSING THE NECESSARY INDUSTRIAL, TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, HONG KONG WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ITS PLACE IN THIS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE WORLD, HE SAID.
IT MUST ALSO MAINTAIN THE GREAT ADVANTAGE IT ENJOYED OF BILINGUALISM IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
+THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR HUMAN RESOURCES THROUGH EDUCATION IS SOMETHING TO WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY COMMITTED AND WILL REMAIN SO IN THE FUTURE,+ SIR EDWARD SAID.
WELCOMING THE COLLEGE’S AIM OF ENCOURAGING +SELF-LEARNING+, AND ■H. IFE-LEARNING+, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT THEY WERE WORTHY OBJECTIVES. +WE ARE LIVING IN A FAST CHANGING WORLD. IF THERE IS NOT A CONSTANT EFFORT BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM, AND INDEED BEYOND FORMAL EDUCATION, TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF MODERN KNOWLEDGE, STUDENTS IN OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WILL LAG BEHIND THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE REST OF THE WORLD.
♦THOSE WHO GO THROUGH THE PORTALS OF HIGHER EDUCATION MUST THEREFORE BE ENCOURAGED TO CONTINUE TO LEARN AND IMPROVE FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES,+ HE SAID.
A GOOD LIBRARY, HE SAID, WAS AN ESSENTIAL FEATURE OF ANY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, AND HE WAS GLAD THAT THE BAPTIST COLLEGE HAD BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE SUCH A LIBRARY THROUGH SOME VERY GENEROUS DONATIONS FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ONE FROM THE FONG SHU FOOK TONG FOUNDATION, AFTER WHOSE FOUNDER THE LIBRARY WAS NAMED, HE SAID.
/9........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
9
RESULTS OF TEXTILES ISSUES WITH U.S. ANNOUNCED
******
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS OF THE TWO ISSUES REFERRED TO THE TEXTILE SURVEILLANCE BODY IN GENEVA FOR ITS MEETING ON DECEMBER 12 TO 14.
THE FIRST ISSUE CONCERNED FOUR UNITED STATES +CALLS + MADE ON HONG KONG DURING 1984. +CALLS+ ARE REQUESTS FOR CONSULTATIONS WITH A VIEW TO BRINGING PARTICULAR PRODUCTS UNDER RESTRAINT IN A PARTICULAR YEAR, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CRITERIA SET OUT IN THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT BEING MET.
A-TER HEARING PRESENTATIONS BY BOTH THE U.S. AND HONG KONG, THE TSB RECOMMENDED THAT THE U.S. RESCIND THE RESTRICTIONS ESTABLISHED ON CATEGORIES 637 (MAN-MADE FIBRE PLAYSUITS), 650 (MAN-MADE FIBRE DRESSING GOWNS) AND 651 (MAN-MADE FIBRE PYJAMAS).
AS REGARDS CATEGORY 652 (MAN-MADE FIBRE UNDER-WEAR), THE TSB FOUND THAT THERE WAS A CASE OF REAL RISK OF MARKET DISRUPTION, AND THE RESTRAINT WILL THEREFORE REMAIN IN FORCE, AT LEAST UNTIL THE END OF 1984.
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR. HAMISH MACLEOD, WHO LED THE HONG KONG DELEGATION IN GENEVA, CONSIDERED THE OUTCOME A +CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS* FOR HONG KONG.
♦THESE CASES HAVE A WIDER SIGNIFICANCE THAN JUST RELATING TO THE PRODUCTS AFFECTED; THESE UNAMBIGUOUS RULINGS HELP TO REINFORCE THE DISCIPLINES WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO GOVERN THE USE OF THE CALL MECHANISM TO INTRODUCE NEW RESTRAINTS.
♦SOME OF THESE CALLS HAVE BEEN QUITE UNJUSTIFIABLE.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN ONE OF THESE CATEGORIES, THE U.S. HAD 97 PER CENT OF THE MARKET. TO SEEK RESTRAINT IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES IS SIMPLY NOT REASONABLE,* HE SAID.
THE OTHER ISSUE CONSIDERED BY THE TSB CONCERNED THREE SWEATER SHIPMENTS FROM HONG KONG TO THE U.S. WHICH WERE DENIED ENTRY INTO THE COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THE NEW U.S. IMPORT REGULATIONS ANNOUNCED ON AUGUST 3 WHICH ESTABLISHED NEW CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING ORIGIN.
THE ESSENCE OF THE HONG KONG CASE WAS THAT THE U.S. HAD FRUSTRATED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT BY DENYING ENTRY TO PROPERLY LICENSED SHIPMENTS WHICH IN EARLIER YEARS OF THE AGREEMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED ENTRY AS HONG KONG ORIGIN SWEATERS. HONG KONG THEREFORE ASKED THE TSB TO RECOMMEND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.
/THE OUTCOME .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
10
THE OUTCOME OF THE TSB DELIBERATIONS, AFTER HEARING PRESENTATIONS BY BOTH PARTIES AND A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION, WAS AS FOLLOWS:
* THE TSB NOTED THAT THE REGULATIONS WERE INTERIM ONES WITH SOME MODIFICATIONS TO THEM BEING POSSIBLE, AND THAT THEY HAD BEEN INTRODUCED BY THE U.S. WITHOUT FIRST SEEKING BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS.
* THE ;SB WAS OF THE OPINION THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE REGULATIONS HAD UPSET THE BALANCE OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE HONG KONG-U.S. BILATERAL AGREEMENT, THUS AFFECTING ITS ECONOMIC CONTENT AND CREATING UNCERTAINTY.
* THE TSB RECOMMENDED THAT HONG KONG AND THE U'.S. SHOULD HOLD CONSULTATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WITH A VIEW TO RESTORING THE BALANCE OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE AGREEMENT, AND THAT IN THE MEANTIME, THE PARTIES SHOULD CO-OPERATE TO AVOID DISRUPTION TO THE ORDERLY AND EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S TRADE.
THE RESULTS ARE TO BE REPORTED BY BOTH PARTIES TO THE TSB BY FEBRUARY 20, 1985.
COMMENTING ON THE OUTCOME, MR MACLEOD SAID: +THE RESULT IS EXCELLENT AND CONTAINS ALL THAT WE COULD HAVE HOPED FOR. IT CONFIRMS THAT OUR VIEW OF THESE INTERIM REGULATIONS AS BEING CONTRARY TO THE BILATERAL AGREEMENT WAS CORRECT.
+THE TSB CONCLUSION ALSO REFERS TO THE NEED, NOT ONLY TO CHANGE THE REGULATIONS, BUT ALSO TO FIND A WAY OF AVOIDING CONTINUED DISRUPTION IN THE MEANTIME.
+1 SHALL NOW BE CONSULTING THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD IN HONG KONG ON THE NEXT STEP, BUT CLEARLY WE SHALL BE CONTACTING THE U.S. VERY SOON ON FOLLOW-UP ACTION.+
-------0 --------
PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL GAZETTED *****
A BILL ENABLING THE SETTING UP OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL NEXT YEAR TO COVER AREAS NOT WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WOULD ALLOW SOME WORKING EXPERIENCE TO BE GAINED BEFORE THE FULL COUNCIL COMES INTO BEING IN 1986, WHEN IT WOULD INCLUDE DIRECTLY ELECTED CONSTITUENCY-BASED MEMBERS.
/DESCRIBING THE .......
FRIDAY, DECiMBER 14, 1984
11
DESCRIBING THE BILL AS A SIGNIFICANT STEP IN THE DEVELOPMENT CF LOCAL ADMINISTRATION, HE SAID THE FUNCTION OF THE COUNCIL WOULD BE TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR ON THE PLANNING, INAUGURATION AND OPERATIONAL MATTERS RELATING TO THE FORMATION OF THE FULL COUNCIL.
+ IT W i.L ALSO ADVISE ON FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, PUBLIC HEALTH, SANITATION, HYGIENE, AND RECREATION AND CULTURE IN NON-URBAN AREAS.
+THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE 24 MEMBERS — 12 TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, THREE FROM THE HEUNG YEE KUK NAMELY ITS CHAIRMAN AND TWO VICE-CHAIRMEN, AND NINE MEMBERS WHO WILL BE ELECTED AMONG MEMBERS OF THE NINE DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+THE ELECTION OF ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH OF THE NINE NT DISTRICT BOARDS WILL TAKE PLACE IN APRIL NEXT YEAR, SHORTLY AFTER THE DB ELECTIONS, SO THAT THE COUNCIL WILL BE FULLY CONSTITUTED BY MAY 1.
+THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR FROM AMONG MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL,* MR HSU ADDED.
EXTRA RESOURCES NEEDED FOR THE PROVISION OF STAFF FOR THE COUNCIL SECRETARIAT, OFFICE ACCOMMODATION, ALLOWANCES FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION SERVICES REQUIRED DURING THE TERM OF THE COUNCIL ARE ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $9 MILLION.
THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL 1984 WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 19) FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING.
------o-------
QUARTERLY LABOUR FORCE FIGURES RELEASED *****
THE UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION SHOWED A SLIGHT DETERIORATION IN THE QUARTER AUGUST - OCTOBER 1984 COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION REMAINED STABLE, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR AUGUST - OCTOBER 1984 WAS 3.8 PER CENT, AS COMPARED WITH THE RATE OF 3.4 PER CENT FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER MAY - JULY 1984.
THE INCREASE OF 0.4 PERCENTAGE POINT IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT - THAT IS, IT IS GREATER THAN MIGHT BE EXPECTED TO ARISE FROM SAMPLING ERROR - BUT ONLY MARGINALLY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE RATE FOR AUGUST - OCTOBER 1983 WAS 4.1 PER CENT.
/THE NUMBER
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
12 -
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN THE QUARTER ENDING OCTOBER 1984 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 99 900, AS COMPARED WITH 90 200 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JULY 1984 AND 104 600 FOR THE SAME QUARTER OF 1983.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR AUGUST - OCTOBER 1984 WAS ONE PER CENT, AS COMPARED WITH THE RATE OF 0.9 PER CENT FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. THE RATE FOR THE SAME QUARTER OF 1983 WAS 1.6 PER CENT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS 26 500 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING OCTOBER 1984, WHICH COMPARES WITH 23 200 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JULY 1984 BUT WAS MUCH LOWER THAN THE AO 900 FOR THE SAME QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
THE DECREASES IN THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE AND I ft THE NUMBER CF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS OVER THE YEAR WERE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID. CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS CF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION, PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE SEEKING MORE WORK OR WERE NOT SEEKING MORE WORK BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED MORE WORK WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
COMMENTING UPON THESE FIGURES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (E.G. PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIED FROM MONTH TO MONTH, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES WHICH HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED FOR THE VARIATION IN THE FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS, SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
BASED ON A SYSTEM OF MANUAL EXTRACTION OF INFORMATION FROM SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES FOR THE LATEST MONTH, PROVISIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST MOVING THREE-MONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY, HE SAID.
THE PROVISIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) FOR SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1984 WAS 4.1 PER CENT, AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS ONE PER CENT. HOWEVER, IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WOULD BE LOWER AFTER SEASONAL ADJUSTMENT. THE UNADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR AUGUST - OCTOBER 1984 WAS 4.1 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 CF SOME 14 000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 53 000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-1NSTI TUT IONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG. PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER IN THE HOUSEHOLD SAMPLED.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR. THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 1984 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE LATER THIS MONTH.
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/13......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
13
INCOME ELIGIBILITY LIMIT FOR PUBLIC HOUSING REVISED ******
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS REVISED THE INCOME LIMITS FOR PEOPLE APPLYING FOR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING AND AT THE SAME TIME REMOVED ALTOGETHER THE SPACE LIMIT CRITERION.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), AN AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE REVIEW WAS CARRIED OUT ANNUALLY.
+FOLLOWING THE LATEST REVIEW THE AUTHORITY’S MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HAS DECIDED ON THE UPWARD ADJUSTMENT IN VIEW OF THE CHANGES IN THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE AND PRIVATE SECTOR RENT LEVEL,+ HE SAID.
HE GAVE THE FOLLOWING NEW EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 1:
INCOME LIMITS WHICH TOOK RETROSPECTIVE
HOUSEHOLD SIZE
HOUSEHOLD INCOME ELIGIBILITY LIMIT
1 PERSON 32 700 PER MONTH
2 PERSONS 34 000 PER MONTH
3 PERSONS 34 500 PER MONTH
4 PERSONS 34 800 PER MONTH
5 PERSONS 35 200 PER MONTH
6 PERSONS 35 600 PER MONTH
7 PERSONS 36 000 PER MONTH
8 PERSONS 36 400 PER MONTH
9 PERSONS 36 800 PER MONTH
10 PERSONS 37 000 PER MONTH
SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT OVER 88 PER CENT OF THE
HAVE A FAMILY SI ZE OF 2 TO 5
THE APPLICANTS ON THE WAITING LIST PERSONS.
COMMENTING ON THOSE APPLICATIONS CANCELLED SINCE SEPTEMBER 1 BECAUSE OF OVER-INCOME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +THEY WILL BE REVIEWED AND REINSTATED IF THEY NOW QUALIFY UNDER THE NEW LIMITS.
+AS FOR THOSE APPLICATIONS CANCELLED FOR THE SAME REASON BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, THEY CAN BE REGISTERED ON A RESERVE WAITING LIST 12 MONTHS AFTER CANCELLATION OF THEIR APPLICATIONS.
/♦THIS AVOIJS .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
14
+THIS AVOIDS THE NEED FOR FAMILIES CONCERNED TO SUBMIT FRESH APPLICATIONS IN CASES WHERE THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE GENUINELY CHANGED MAKING THEM ELIGIBLE FOR HOUSING AGAIN.
+APPLCATIONS PREVIOUSLY CANCELLED FOR OVER-SPACE CAN ALSO REGISTER ON THE RESERVE WAITING LIST 12 MONTHS AFTER CANCELLATION OF THEIR APPLICATIONS.+
REFERRING TO THE REMOVAL OF THE SPACE LIMIT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS MADE IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THE ALLOCATION STANDARD HAD BEEN GRADUALLY RAISED OVER THE YEARS.
HE SAID THE CURRENT SPACE STANDARD WAS EQUIVALENT TO 4.8 SQUARE METRES PER PERSON OF LIVING AREA AND ONLY A VERY SMALL PROPORTION OF APPLICANTS ON THE WAITING LIST OCCUPIED ACCOMMODATION EXCEEDING THIS SPACE STANDARD. THEREFORE, IT WAS CONSIDERED NOT NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT HOME VISITS TO VERIFY THE SPACE THEY OCCUP IED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THOSE WHO OWN DOMESTIC PROPERTY WOULD STILL BE DEBARRED FROM REGISTERING ON THE WAITING LIST.
-----o------
TENDERS INVITED FOR NEW HOUSING PROJECT
******
PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON TSING Yl ISLAND IS TO GET A BOOST AS BUILDING TENDERS ARE INVITED TODAY FOR A SIXTH ESTATE THERE.
THREE 35-STOREY TRIDENT III BLOCKS AND ONE 21-STOREY SLAB BLOCK WILL BE BUILT UNDER THE FIRST PHASE OF THE NEW RENTAL HOUSING PROJECT, CHEUNG ON ESTATE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING BLOCKS WOULD HOUSE 14 800 PEOPLE BY 1988.
AUTHORITY SAID THESE MODERN IN 3 426 SELF-CONTAINED FLATS
+WORK WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO SCHOOLS A FOUR-STOREY CAR PARK WI TH A LANDSCAPED PODIUM AND TWO FOOTBRIDGES.
+CHEUNG ON ESTATE, TO BE DEVELOPED IN PROVIDE HOMES FOR ALTOGETHER 32 000 PEOPLE BY LATE 1988.+
TWO PHASES, WILL WHEN FULLY COMPLETED
ALSO INVITED TODAY ARE PILING TENDERS FOR THE THIRD PHASE OF LONG PING ESTATE IN YUEN LONG.
/+WOHK WILL .......
FRIDAY, DECB-iBER 14, 1984
- 15 -
+WORK WILL COVER PILING TO FOUNDATIONS FOR TWO 22-STOREY SLAB BLOCKS, TWO SCHOOLS, A CAR PARK AND ELEVATED WALKWAYS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE TWO DOMESTIC BLOCKS WOULD HAVE A TOTAL OF 1 976 UNITS FOR MORE THAN 6 OOO PEOPLE ON COMPLETION BY 1987.
♦LONG PING ESTATE IS BEING DEVELOPED IN THREE PHASES AND WILL HOUSE ALTOGETHER 35 000 PEOPLE BY 1987.+
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NEW YEAR’S DAY START FOR YOUTH YEAR * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR (IYY) TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM ON JANUARY 1.
ABOUT 8 000 YOUNGSTERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY WILL BE ATTENDING THE 90-MINUTE PROGRAMME AND ENJOYING PERFORMANCES BY MORE THAN 2 000 YOUTHS FROM 40 ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG.
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY), ffiS SELINA CHOW, CHAIRPERSON OF THE CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR (CCCIYY) SAID, +A SERIES OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO HIGHLIGHT THE IYY THEME OF ’PARTICIPATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE’.+
DISCLOSING THE DETAILS OF THE OPENING EVENT, MR LO KING-MAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTIVITIES SUB-COMMITTEE SAID, +THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY, FOCUSING ON PARTICIPATION, ONE OF THE THEMES OF IYY WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY SCHOOL CHOIRS, THE MUSIC OFFICE COMBINED YOUTH BAND, THE HONG KONG SCHOOL DANCE TEAM, AND A FLIP-TORCH DISPLAY, AEROBICS AND A MASS DANCE.+
POPULAR YOUNG ARTISTES - MISS RUTH CHEN, MR MICHAEL KWAN, MISS ANNABELLE LOUIE AND MR TERENCE TSOI - WILL DEDICATE THEIR SONGS TO THE YOUTH YEAR.
TICKETS FOR THE OPENING WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH ALL DISTRICT OFFICES FROM MONDAY (DECEMBER 17), ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
MRS CHOW SAID ALSO FOLLOWING THE LAUNCH, A TWO-PART YOUTH CONFERENCE WOULD BE HELD IN MARCH AND AUGUST NEXT YEAR, WHERE YOUTH WORKERS AND YOUNGSTERS THEMSELVES WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO EXAMINE THE EXISTING YOUTH PROBLEMS, POLICIES AND SERVICES FOR THE BENEFIT OF FUTURE PLANNING.
/TEIS WOULD........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 19&4
- 16 -
THIS WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY A CIVIC DAY LATER IN THE YEAR TO EDUCATE YOUNGSTERS ON THE CONCEPT OF DEMOCRACY AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES.
THESE EVENTS WERE AIMED AT CONVEYING THE SECOND ELEMENT IN THE IYY THEME - DEVELOPMENT.
TO HIGHLIGHT THE THIRD ELEMENT OF THE THEME - PEACE, A ♦PEACE RALLY+ INVOLVING YOUNGSTERS WOULD BE STAGED AT THE END OF THE YEAR TO MARK THE OFFICIAL CLOSE OF IYY.
THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WAS ABOUT $1.5 MILLION, OF WHICH $750 000 WAS CONTRIBUTED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND $300 000 WAS GIVEN BY THE GOVERNMENT.
+WE WILL HAVE TO RELY ON DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIP FROM PRIVATE BODIES FOR THE REST, AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAL TO THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT,* MRS CHOW SAID.
IN SUPPORT OF THE YOUTH YEAR, SOME 300 EVENTS ARE BEING ORGANISED BY ABOUT 40 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PRIVATE BODIES.
+WE HOPE THAT MORE PEOPLE AND MORE ORGANISATIONS WILL FOLLOW SUIT AND COME UP WITH CREATIVE IDEAS TO PROMOTE THE YOUTH YEAR,* tfiS CHOW SAID.
+THE CCCIYY IS ONLY A CO-ORDINATING BODY,* SHE SAID.
+THE PRINCIPAL IMPETUS OF THE IYY SHOULD COME FROM YOUTH-ORIENTED ORGANISATIONS, CIVIC BODIES, COMMERCIAL SET-UPS AND PUBLIC-SPIRITED INDIVIDUALS.*
-----o------
CUSTOMS OFFICERS COMMENDED FOR SEIZURE OF ARMS AND DRUGS
X * X X
THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, TODAY (FRIDAY) AWARDED HIS COMMENDATION TO PROBATIONARY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN CHING-YUEN, COMMANDER OF CUSTOMS LAUNCH NO. 6.
THE LAUNCH INTERCEPTED A TRAWLER OFF CHEUNG CHAU ON NOVEMBER 26 DURING A ROUTINE STOP-AND-SEARCH OPERATION, SEIZING A LARGE QUANTITY OF ARMS, AMMUNITION AND DANGEROUS DRUGS.
MR GREWAL ALSO PRESENTED HIS COMMENDATION TO SENIOR CUSTOMS OFFICER, MR CHAN CHUNG-LING, FOR THE PART HE PLAYED IN THE SEIZURE.
BOTH OFFICERS WERE PRAISED FOR THEIR PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE, LEADERSHIP AND FINE JUDGEMENT.
/ThE DEPUTY .......
FRIDAY, DECJXEER 14, 1984
- 17 -
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, MR KEITH BROADBRIDGE, AWARDED HIS COMMENDATION TO SENIOR INSPECTOR, MR WONG SHIU-MING, FOR THE LEADERSHIP AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY HE DISPLAYED THROUGHOUT THE OPERATION.
SEVEN OTHER CUSTOMS OFFICERS ON BOARD THE LAUNCH - SENIOR CUSTOMS OFFICERS HO WAI-MING AND CHAN MING-KIN AND CUSTOMS OFFICERS YEUNG LAM, LUI YUN-KIN, YUE LAP-FA I, YEUNG YUK-KEI AND WONG KAM-FAI - WERE ALL AWARDED COMMENDATIONS BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, NR J.C. PRISK.
SIXTEEN HANDGUNS WITH THREE SILENCERS AND MORE THAN 1 400 ROUNDS CF AMMUNITION PLUS 120 KILOGRAMMES OF HEROIN BASE VALUED AT $36 MILLION WERE SEIZED. SEVEN CREW MEMBERS ON BOARD THE TRAWLER WERE ARRESTED.
IN ADDITION, THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, MR J.C. PRISK, ALSO AWARDED HIS COMMENDATION TO SENIOR INSPECTOR, MR CHAN CHUN-WAI, FOR THE SEIZURE OF TWO REVOLVERS WITH SEVEN ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION AND THE ARREST OF TWO PERSONS AT KAI TAK AIRPORT ON NOVEMBER 28.
AT ANOTHER EVENT TODAY AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE’S SENIOR OFFICERS’ MESS, THE UNITED STATES CUSTOMS PRESENTED A SOUVENIR TO THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, MR KEITH BROADBRIDGE, IN APPRECIATION OF HIS SERVICE.
MR BROADBRIDGE WILL LEAVE THE DEPARTMENT ON TRANSFER TO THE TRANSPORT BRANCH, THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, ON DECEMBER 17 AS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT.
THE COST OF FILTH * * *
AN URBAN COUNCILLOR TODAY (FRIDAY) PROPOSED A WAY IN WHICH RATES COULD BE KEPT DOWN DESPITE THE UC’S IMPENDING $180 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT.
IN HIS ADDRESS AT A LIONS CLUB LUNCHEON ENTITLED +THE COST CF FILTH+, MR HOWARD YOUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE UC’S CLEAN HONG KONG COMMITTEE, SUGGESTED THAT BOTH THE UC AND THE RATEPAYER COULD SAVE MONEY IF PEOPLE STOPPED LITTERING.
+WHAT IF I COULD PROVE TO YOU THAT WHEN SOMEONE ELSE LITTERS, HE IS TAKING MONEY OUT OF YOUR POCKET?* MR YOUNG ASKED THE AUDIENCE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE UC BEATSWEEPERS CLEANED EACH METRE CF PAVEMENT THREE TIMES A DAY, AND THE TOTAL ANNUAL COST OF THIS OPERATION WAS ABOUT $130 MILLION.
/+WHAT THE
FRIDAY, DECEKEDR 1L, 1?8L
- 18 -
+WHAT THE BEATSWEEPERS SWEEP IS PURE AND UNADULTERATED LITTER,* HE SAID.
+ YOU ARE, THEREFORE, SUBSIDISING THE LITTERBUG,* HE SAID, +AND IF THAT DOESN’T MAKE YOU ANGRY, IT SHOULD.+
MR YOUNG POINTED THAT THE UC COULD SAVE AS MUCH AS $87 MILLION ANNUALLLY IF THE FREQUENCY OF BEATSWEEPING IN ANY GIVEN PATCH OF URBAN STREET OR PAVEMENT WERE REDUCED FROM THE CURRENT AVERAGE OF THREE TIMES A DAY TO ONCE A DAY.
+IF PEOPLE LITTERED LESS, THE STREETS WOULD BE CLEANER- IF THE STREETS WERE CLEANER, WE COULD SWEEP THEM LESS OFTEN- IF WE SWEPT THEM LESS OFTEN, WE WOULD ALL SAVE MONEY.*
HE ADDED THAT POTENTIAL LITTERBUGS MUST ALSO BE MADE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THEY, TOO, WERE PAYING DIRECTLY FOR THEIR ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR.
+OF COURSE, IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME FOR THIS CONSCIOUSNESS TO SINK IN,* MR YOUNG CAUTIONED, +BUT THE PROCESS CAN BE ACCELERATED IF WE KEEP POUNDING HOME THE MESSAGE.+
TO ALLAY FEARS THAT THE REDUCTION OF WORK-LOAD MIGHT LEAD TO LAY-OFFS, MR YOUNG SAID THAT STAFF REDUCTION COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH ATTRITION RATHER THAN DISMISSAL. •
+ABOUT 200 OF OUR 6 000 BEATSWEEPERS RETIRE EACH YEAR,* HE SAID. + AND IF THE STREETS ARE CLEANER WE SIMPLY WILL NOT REPLACE THEM.*
+AS A RESULT NO ONE WILL SUFFER.*
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SCHOOLS’VITAL ROLE IN CIVIC EDUCATION STRESSED * * * *
THE SCHOOL WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT UNIT IN THE PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY OR SOCIAL OR CIVIC EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE IN SHA TIN.
ONE OF THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF EDUCATION PROMOTED IN HONG KONG SCHOOLS WAS TO HELP PUPILS UNDERSTAND THEIR COMMUNITY AND TO ASSOCIATE THEMSELVES WITH PROBLEMS AND ISSUES WITHIN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD OR COMMUNITY.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 19&4
- 19 -
+IT IS ONLY THROUGH GREATER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION CF LOCAL PROBLEMS AND ISSUES THAT PUPILS CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT A COMMUNITY MEANS AND HOW BEST TO HELP BETTER THEIR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT,* MR LEUNG SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL PART OF THIS EDUCATION PROCESS LAY WITHIN THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM THROUGH A WIDE VARIETY OF SUBJECTS TAUGHT AND THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
IT ALSO LAY ON HOW THE SCHOOL WAS MANAGED AND HOW THE SCHOOL AND PARENTS COOPERATED TO MAKE THE SCHOOL PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE PROMOTION OF A COMMUNITY SPIRIT COULD BEST BE ACHIEVED IN A NEW COMMUNITY SUCH AS SHA TIN, WHERE NEW ESTATES WERE BUILT AND PEOPLE MOVED IN FROM ALL OVER HONG KONG.
+THE FACT THAT THEY ARE STRANGERS TO EACH OTHER IS A GREAT ADVANTAGE. IT GIVES THE BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING CF EACH OTHER AND TO HELPING EACH OTHER TO IMPROVE THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND TO MANAGE MANY LOCAL AFFAIRS,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.
HE SAID MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES AND DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN COMMUNITY LIFE IN THE NEW TOWNS, AND URGED ALL SCHOOLS TO CONSIDER HELPING IN THIS PROCESS OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND SERVICE.
THE SUCCESS OF A COMMUNITY DEPENDED UPON THE EFFORTS PUT INTO IT BY ALL ITS MEMBERS.
+SCHOOLS PLAY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS IN THIS PROCESS AND THIS IS WHERE CIVIC EDUCATION IS ACHIEVED, NOT THROUGH A SEPARATE SUBJECT BUT THROUGH THE ACTUAL PARTICIPATION OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOLS IN THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE COMMUNITY,* bfi LEUNG SAID.
HE PRAISED THE KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE IN SHA TIN FOR PROMOTING SOCIAL AND CIVIC EDUCATION.
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STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER
* * *
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE EITHER THE CHINESE WINTER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL, WH'£H FALLS ON DECEMBER 22, OR CHRISTMAS DAY SHOULD PE APPOINTED AS A STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
HE SAID ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES AND THOSE NON—MANUAL Et LOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $8 500 A Af?c TuJyTLED
ID THE HOLIDAY AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY—OFF *F 'HEY M5.VE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
/HOLIDAY PAY .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
20 -
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS, SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING THE PERIOD OF 28 DAYS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, FE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY-OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE CR AFTER THAT DAY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
------o-------
BILLS CLARIFY RESPONSIBILITY
* * * *
PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY ARE THREE BILLS WHICH SEEK TO CLARIFY THAT THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS THE RESPONSIBLE BODY FOR ENSURING THAT BUILDINGS HAVE ADEQUATE MEANS OF ESCAPE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT PROVISIONS RELATING TO FEANS OF ESCAPE FROM BUILDINGS, PRESCRIBED IN A CODE OF PRACTICE ADMINISTERED BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY, ALSO APPEAR IN THE FIRE SERVICES ORDINANCE, THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE AND THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE.
TO REDUCE THIS OVERLAP OF LEGAL AUTHORITY AND TO CLEARLY DEFINE THE AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED, AMENDMENTS TO THE THREE ORDINANCES ARE NOW PROPOSED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR LICENCES UNDER THE RELEVANT ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED.
+FURTHERMORE, PUBLIC SAFETY WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THESE AMENDMENTS,* HE SAID.
THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 AND THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 ARE EXPECTED TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
ANY COMMENT SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO UMELCO AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, CENTRAL OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
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/21 ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1934
21
MORE HELP URGED FROM VOLUNTARY GROUPS * * * *
KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR ROLE IN PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY OF A COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE, MR MAK SAIDt +THIS ROLE IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO A COMMUNITY LIKE KWUN TONG AS A LARGE PROPORTION OF ITS POPULATION COME FROM THE WORKING CLASS.
♦WHILE MOST OF THE PEOPLE WORK VERY HARD THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS ARE USUALLY CONGESTED, AND FAMILY PROBLEMS, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE YOUNGER MEMBERS, MUST BE WELL LOOKED AFTER TO HELP BUILD A STABLE AND HARMONIOUS COMMUNITY,* HE ADDED.
MR MAK URGED LOCAL VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR FAMILY AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO RESIDENTS, AS THE DISTRICT’S POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO ABOUT 870 000 BY 1988.
♦DUE TO THE HEAVY PRESSURE OF LIVING, IT IS QUITE UNDERSTANDABLE THAT PEOPLE IN THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL ARE NOT REALLY INTERESTED IN POLITICS, THEREFORE, SOCIAL WORKERS HAVE TO ASSUME ANOTHER IMPORTANT ROLE, THAT IS, TO AROUSE INTEREST AMONG THE ’MAN IN THE STREET’ IN OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM,+ HE SAID.
♦THROUGH THEIR DAILY CONTACT WITH RESIDENTS, SOCIAL WORKERS CAN EXPLAIN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES IN HONG KONG’S POLITICAL STRUCTURE AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO PARTICIPATE.+
MR MAK SAID SUCH A PROCESS WOULD TAKE TIME AND THE FIELD WORKERS HAD TO BE WELL EQUIPPED WITH THE SPIRIT AND OBJECTIVES OF THE POLITICAL CHANGES TO GUIDE THE PEOPLE TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
♦TO PREPARE FOR THESE POLITICAL CHANGES, I CAN SEE THAT VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS CAN OFFER MUCH ASSISTANCE IN EDUCATING THE PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR CIVIC DUTIES AND RIGHTS IN THE GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT IN OUR FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM,+ HE SAID.
♦THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE WILL BE PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS IN THE COMING YEAR.+ HE ADDED.
MR MAK ALSO PRAISED THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY SERVICE FOR ITS GOOD WORK IN PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY BUILDING DURING THE CENTRE’S 30-YEAR HISTORY.
- C - -
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
22
BANQUET, FUN FOR 1 OOO ELDERLY FOLKS
*****
ABOUT 1 000 SENIOR RESIDENTS OF SAI KUNG WILL ATTEND A WHOLE-DAY FUNCTION ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 16) TO MARK THE CLOSING OF THE THREE-WEEK FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
A GROUP OF SENIOR CITIZENS WILL ENTERTAIN THE AUDIENCE WITH TAI CHI DEMONSTRATIONS AND LION DANCE PERFORMANCES. THERE WILL ALSO BE AN EXHIBITION OF CALLIGRAPHY AND CHINESE PAINTING BY THE ELDERLY.
AN ORTHOPAEDIC EXHIBITION WILL ALSO BE STAGED TO EDUCATE THE ELDERLY ON SIMPLE AND PROPER MEDICAL CARE.
AS A MARK OF RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY, PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO SIX ELDEST PERSONS FROM SAI KUNG, HANG HAU AND RENNIE’S MILL.
THE ELDERLY WILL ALSO BE TREATED TO A BANQUET AND A VARIETY SHOW.
THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT CFFICE AND VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT, AND IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN HO, A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR WONG KWOK-YEE, AND THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (EAST KOWLOON OFFICE), MR KWOK KA-CHI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY.
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SEMINAR ON DEVELOPMENT * * *
DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR TONY EASON, WILL BE MAKING THE OPENING ADDRESS AT A SEMINAR ON TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PLANNERS, WILL BE THE DEPUTY PROJECT MANAGER FOR TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN, DR EDWARD PRYOR, THE GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER, DR Y.L. CHOI, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE,
NR B. TANG.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
23
CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES * * *
DETAILS OF THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES AND FESTIVE LIGHTINGS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AND SPECIAL TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 17) AT 3 PM IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF CNTA HEADQUARTERS ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, HARBOUR CITY, KOWLOON.
PLAN TO IMPROVE CHECKPOINT TRAFFIC * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO IMPROVE THE WHOLE STRETCH OF SHA TAU KOK ROAD TO HELP RELIEVE CONGESTION AT THE PRESENT MAN KAM TO CHECKPOINT.
THIS WILL INVOLVE CONSTRUCTING 30 BUS BAYS, 15 OF WHICH WILL BE PROVIDED WITH LOADING AND UNLOADING BAYS, AND A TOTAL OF SEVEN KILOMETRES OF FOOTPATHS ALONG THE EXISTING CARRIAGEWAY.
IMPROVEMENTS TO TWO BENDS AT MA MEI HA AND WO HANG, AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A BOX CULVERT NEAR SHEK CHUNG AU WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED.
THE PROPOSED WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE. NORMAL TRAFFIC WILL BE MAINTAINED DURING WORK.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSAL WAS PUBLISHED UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
RELATED PLANS CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG- AND THE NORTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, OLD DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING, TAI PO MARKET, NEW TERRITORIES.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSED WORK SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY FEBRUARY 12, 1985.
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/24 .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
- 24 -
TSI NG Yl BRIDGE CEREMONY * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE TSI NG Yl BRIDGE 1OTH ANNIVERSARY AT 10 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE EASTERN APPROACH, KWAI CHUNG END, OF THE BRIDGE.
SPONSORED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, THE FUNCTION IS PART OF THE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL DECEMBER 23.
THE CELEBRATION PROGRAMME INCLUDES A TSI NG Yl HISTORIAL EXHIBITION, A PHOTO COMPETITION, A VARIETY SHOW, CHINESE OPERA AND FILM SHOWS.
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PARTY FOR THE HANDICAPPED
X X * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE AND KAI CHI CHILDREN’S CENTRE WILL JOINTLY HOLD A CHRISTMAS PARTY TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR THEIR 300 HANDICAPPED TRAINEES AND RESIDENTS.
THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MISS CHAN JOY-YIN, WILL BE THE GUEST OF HONOUR.
THE DAY’S PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A MAGIC SHOW, SINGING AND PERFORMANCES BY THE TRAINEES AND YOUTH GROUPS, A LUCKY DRAW AND DINNER RECEPTION.
ROUND TABLE NO. 3 (VICTORIA) HAS CONTRIBUTED $12 000 TOWARDS THE DINNER.
THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE PROVIDES SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE, AND THE KAI CHI CHILDREN’S CENTRE SERVES AS A RESIDENTIAL CENTRE FOR htNTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN UNDER 16.
-----0------
ACTIVE WIND-UP TO FESTIVAL
X X X *
A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS TO WIND-UP THE ANNUAL NORTH DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 15) MORNING, TWO CONCERTS WILL BE STAGED AT THE SHA TSUI PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SHA TAU KOK AND THE LING YING PRIMARY SCHOOL IN TAI KWU LING.
/IK THE........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
- 25 -
IN THE AFTERNOON, THERE WILL BE AN EXHIBITION SOCCER MATCH BETWEEN TUNG SING AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG’S SOCCER STAR TEAM AT 3.30 PM IN THE FANLING PLAYGROUND.
IN THE EVENING AT 7 PM, A ROLLER-SKATE DISCO SHOW WILL BE HELD IN THE FANLING PLAYGROUND, WHILE THE CHINESE ORCHESTRA WILL PERFORM AT NORTH DISTRICT TOWN HALL AT 7.30 PM.
ON THE CLOSING DAY OF THE FESTIVAL ON DECEMBER 16 THERE WILL BE A CHINESE FOLK SONG SEMINAR AND DEMONSTRATION AT 10.30 AM IN NORTH DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND A POP SONG CONCERT IN THE EVENING AT THE FANLING PLAYGROUND WILL CONCLUDE THE FESTIVAL.
THE FINAL WILL START AT 7.30 PM FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL ARTISTES, DANCES AND DRAMAS.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR IAN WOTHERSPOON, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY.
ADMISSION TO THESE PROGRAMMES, EXCEPT THE CHINESE ORCHESTRA, IS FREE. TICKETS FOR THE CHINESE ORCHESTRA ARE ON SALE AT NORTH DISTRICT TOWN HALL.
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SAI KUNG GETS SPORTS BOOST
* * * *
THE NEW OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE (RSS) IN SAI KUNG WAS OPENED THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING, MR WILLIAMSON SAID THAT LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS AND RESIDENTS HAD FOR MANY YEARS BEEN SUPPORTING THE DEPARTMENT’S PROMOTIONAL WORK IN RECREATION AND SPORT IN THE DI STR ICT.
+THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE MORE CONVENIENT FOR LOCAL PEOPLE,+ HE SAID.
IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS, ABOUT 3 000 PEOPLE HAD TAKEN PART IN SOME 70 RECREATIONAL AND SPORTING EVENTS ORGANISED BY SAI KUNG OFF ICE.
THE OFFICE, LOCATED ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF THE SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, IS OPEN FROM 8.30 AM TO 5.30 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO 2 PM ON SATURDAYS. PUBLIC ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 3-2814149.
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/26........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
26
POST OFFICE 99 H * *
A NEW POST OFFICE WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS AT SHOP NO.8 ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE, SUN CHUI ESTATE, SHA TIN, AT 9 AM ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 17).
IT WILL PROVIDE THE NORMAL RANGE OF COUNTER SERVICES, EXCEPT THE ACCEPTANCE OF INSURED LETTERS. THIS WILL BE THE FIFTH POST OFFICE PROVIDED IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POST OFFICES IN HONG KONG TO 99.
TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE NEW POST OFFICE, UNREGISTERED ■•FIRST DAY+ COVERS TENDERED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, AND BEARING A LOCAL ADDRESS WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER. THE COVERS WILL BE IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATESTAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSONS PRESENTING THEM.
THEM.
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BRINGING NEIGHBOURS TOGETHER * * * *
THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION IN NORTn DISTRICT WILL BE OPENED TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
ORGANISED BY THE RESIDENTS OF YUK PO COURT, A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ESTATE, WITH THE HELP OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE ASSOCIATION IS AIMED AT PROMOTING A SENSE OF NEIGHBOURLINESS AND ORGANISING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE 5 000 RESIDENTS IN THE BLOCK OF BUILDINGS.
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR NG, THE POLICE COMMANDER OF SHEUNG SHU I DIVISION, MR NG HON-KWAN AND THE HOUSING MANAGER OF THE CHOI YUEN ESTATE, MR LEE KA-HIM, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
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TRAFFIC PLAN FOR TSUEN WAN WALK * * # *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE PUT INTO OPERATION ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 16) FOR THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT WALK ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG.
THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 11 AM, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, MAXICABS AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT:
/• SAM TUNG .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1984
- 27 -
* SAM TUNG UK ROAD.
* SHING MUN ROAD BETWEEN SAM TUNG UK ROAD AND THE SHING MUN RESERVOIR.
* LO WAI ROAD BETWEEN SAM TUNG UK ROAD AND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME ON SUNDAY, THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC:
* THE KERBSIDE LANE OF WO YI HOP ROAD SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY, BETWEEN CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND WO Yl HOP ROAD SPORTS GROUND.
* THE KERBSIDE LANE OF CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY, BETWEEN WO Yl HOP ROAD AND LO WAI ROAD.
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CENTRAL WATER MAINS WORK
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN CENTRAL DISTRICT AND SHEUNG WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS BETWEEN MONDAY (DECEMBER 17) AND TUESDAY FOR MAINS WORK.
IN CENTRAL DISTRICT, SUPPLY WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 PM ON MONDAY TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES BOUNDED BY 5-29C WYNDHAM STREET, 10-54 WELLINGTON STREET, WO ON LANE, WING WAH LANE, LAN KWAI FONG, 13-41 AND 20-56 D’AGUILAR STREET AND WAI TAK LANE.
IN SHEUNG WAN, SUPPLY WILL BE STOPPED FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY SHING WONG STREET, HOLLYWOOD ROAD, LADDER STREET AND CIRCULAR PATHWAY, INCLUDING 270-276 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND 1-2 TSUI ON LANE.
C - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT FOR TSING YI ................................ 1
STRATEGY TO COVER LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT PLANNING .............. 2
HILL FIRES DESTROY 20 000 TREES ............................... 5
HOUSEHOLDS URGED TO HELP WITH SURVEY .......................... 6
BUS TERMINUS AT TIN WAN NEW STREET ............................ 7
COUNCILLORS INSPECT PROJECTS .................................. 7
HISTORIC PRINTING PRESS ON DISPLAY ............................ 9
NEW ARRIVALS ADD TO ZOO ATTRACTIONS ........................... 10
1 300 RICHLAND GARDENS FLATS SOLD IN TWO WEEKS ............... 11
TRAFFIC SCHEME IN LUEN WO HUI ................................. 12
TUEN MUN MUSIC AND DANCE FORTNIGHT STARTS .................... 14
ANTI-RAT OPERATION BEING STAGED IN SHA TIN .................... 15
SAI KUNG TO HAVE MORE SEWAGE FACILITIES ....................... 15
MAINS WORK IN KOWLOON TONG, KOWLOON CITY ...................... 15
MAINS WORK IN NORTH POINT, CAUSEWAY BAY ....................... 16
MARKET STALLS FOR LEASE ....................................... 16
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1984
1
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT FOR TSI NG Yl * * * *
THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSING Yl ISLAND PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE ECONOMIC LIFE OF HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS, IT WOULD BECOME A MAJOR AND WELL-PLANNED NEW TOWN WITH BALANCED FACILITIES FOR 220 000 PEOPLE, HE ADDED.
+011 THE ISLAND, WE NOW HAVE SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT HEAVY INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG, A POWER STATION WHICH SUPPLIES OVER A MILLION CONSUMERS, THE LARGEST DOCKYARD, OIL DEPOTS, SHIPYARDS AND INDUSTRIAL PLANTS WITH ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.* HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE TSING Yl BRIDGE 10TH ANNIVERSARY' CELEBRATION, MR AKERS-JONES PRAISED THE SIX COMPANIES INVOLVED IN BUILDING THE BRIDGE FOR THEIR FORESIGHT, IMAGINATION AND GENEROSITY.
+ONCE BUILT, THE BRIDGE IMMEDIATELY OPENED UP POSSIBILITIES FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT, AND TODAY, TSING Yl HOUSES OVER 60 000 PEOPLE IN PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND VILLAGE HOUSING,* HE SAID.
+IT IS ALSO A PRIVILEGE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE VISION OF LORD KADOORIE WHO WAS LARGELY INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THE BRIDGE CONSTRUCTED.* HE ADDED.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID THE TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY ON TSING Yl HAD ADAPTED ITSELF TO RAPID URBANISATION AND THE INFLUX OF NEW ARRIVALS TO THE ISLAND.
BOTH THE ISLAND’S RURAL COMMITTEE AND AREA COMMITTEE HAD PROVIDED A MEANS TO DISCUSS AND RESOLVE COMMON PROBLEMS AND TO INSTILL A COMMUNITY SPIRIT AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS, HE SAID.
♦IN THE PAST YEAR, TSING Yl HAS HIT THE HEADLINES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
♦RESIDENTS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE STRUCTURAL STABILITY OF THE TSING Yl BRIDGE, THE SAFETY STANDARD OF OIL INSTALLATIONS, THE PROGRESS OF DEVELOPMENT WORKS AND °™ER PROBLEMS CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE, AND ALL THEIR CONCERNS HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED UP BY GOVERNMENT ACTION,* HE SAID.
♦THE GOVERNMENT MAY NOT HAVE A READY SOLUTION TO EVERY PROBLEM, BUT A FREE-FLOW COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL F°R THE _ EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE GOVERNMENT,* HE ADDED.
MR AKERS-JONES NOTED THAT A NEW DISTRICT BOARD WOULD BE ESTABLISHED NEXT YEAR TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl.
/♦TSING Yl .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1984
2 -
♦TSING Yl WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO CONSTITUENCIES WHICH WILL RETURN THREE ELECTED MEMBERS TO THE DISTRICT BOARD,* HE SAID.
+THIS WIL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE 12 OOO REGISTERED VOTERS IN TSING Yl TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO CHOOSE THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO SERVE THEM ON THE DISTRICT BOARD,+ HE ADDED.
MP AKERS-JONES ALSO NOTED THAT THE SECOND TSING Yl BRIDGE WAS EXPECTED TO COME INTO BEING BY MID-1987.
-----o------
STRATEGY TO COVER LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT PLANNING *****
THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDIES HAD BROUGHT TOGETHER MOST OF THE BEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE ABOUT HONG KONG’S FUTURE NEEDS, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE CF PLANNERS, HE SAID THE LONG-TERM STRATEGY WAS BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF THE FIVE EXHAUSTIVE SUB-REGIONAL STUDIES WHICH LOOKED INTO EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY FOR POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ESTABLISHED THAT THE POSSIBILITIES WEREFAR GREATER THAN PREVIOUSLY IMAGINED.
THE STUDIES COVERED NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES, NORTH-EAST NEW TERRITORIES, NORTH LANTAU, JUNK BAY-SAI KUNG AND THE METROPOLITAN AREA.
+MUCH OF THE WORK - THE DEVELOPMENT OF .THE METHODOLOGY, THE SUB-REGIONAL SEARCHES - HAVING ONCE BEEN DONE, WILL NEVER NEED TO BE DONE AGAIN,* HE SAID.
+THUS WE HAVE CREATED A LONG-TERM PLANNING TOOL, WELL HONED AFTER FOUR YEARS OF INTENSE ACTIVITY, WHICH CAN BE KEPT SHARP BY CONSTANT MONITORING AND WHICH WILL BE READY FOR RE-APPLICATION FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN THE EFFECT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES NEEDS RE-EXAM I NATION,* HE ADDED.
EXPLAINING HOW THE STUDIES FIRST BEGAN, MR EASON SAID THAT IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE 1970’S, WITH THE NEW TOWNS PROGRAMMES PUSHING AHEAD IN MANY PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT THE CHOICE AS TO WHERE PRESSURES SHOULD BE ACCOMMODATED AND WHERE THEY SHOULD BE RESISTED HAD TO BE MADE IN AN INTELLIGENTLY ORGANISED FASHION.
+OVER THE PERIOD OF ABOUT FOUR YEARS OCCUPIED BY THE STUDIES, THE TARGET HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY MOVING.
/+WE HAVE
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1984
- t> -
+WE HAVE HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN STICKING TO ASSUMPTIONS FOR THE DURATION OF THE STUDIES AND RE-EXAMINING THE EFFECT OF CHANGES AT A LATER STAGE OR SOMEHOW TRYING TO RECONCILE DIFFERENT ASSUMPTIONS MADE FOR THE PURPOSE OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STUDIES AT DIFFERENT TIMES AS WE WENT ALONG,+ HE SAID.
EITHER APPROACH HAD ITS DISADVANTAGES! THE FIRST ATTRACTED CRITICISMS ABOUT +OUT-OF-DATE+ ASSUMPTIONS, WHILE THE SECOND LED TO DOUBTS ABOUT +INCONSISTENCIES+.
MR EASON SAID THAT RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM OF TIME AND THE DURABILITY OF ASSUMPTIONS WAS THAT OF HOW MUCH TIME TO ALLOW FOR PLANNING STUDIES.
♦TOO SHORT A PERIOD LEADS TO HASTE AND SHORT CUTS; TOO LONG CREATES DIFFICULTIES OVER THE VALIDITY OF ASSUMPTIONS AND FINDINGS. F£NCE, WE WERE CONSCIOUS OF BOTH DANGERS IN CONDUCTING SUB-REGIONAL STUDIES AT WHAT SEEMED A CRACKING PACE TO SOME BUT TO TAKE TOO LONG TO OTHERS.+
MR EASON SAID THAT THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH’S STRATEGIC PLANNING UNIT HAD ADOPTED THE OPTIMISATION PROCESSES USING COMPUTERS TO SELECT CONFIGURATIONS OF LAND USE AND TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FROM WHICH POSSIBLE PATTERNS OF STRATEGIC GROWTH COULD BE CHOSEN.
HE SAID THAT OPTIMISATION ENABLED THE HANDLING OF THE QUANTITIES OF STATISTICAL DATA WHICH IT WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO DEAL WITH.
A LARGE NUMBER OF OTHER PEOPLE, REPRESENTING MANY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND SECRETARIAT BRANCHES, AS WELL AS PROFESSIONAL STAFF FROM CONSULTANT FIRMS, HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FORMULATION PROCESS.
OVER THE FOUR-YEAR PERIOD, NUMEROUS REPORTS WERE MADE TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT POLICY COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY.
IN SOME INSTANCES DISTRICT BOARDS WERE BRIEFED ON THE SUBREGIONAL STUDIES. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND UMELCO WERE ALSO BRIEFED ANNUALLY ON PROGRESS.
♦DETAILED FEASIBILITY STUDIES OF POTENTIAL HARBOUR RECLAMATIONS WILL BE UNDERTAKEN OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR SO, SO THAT THE MOMENTUM CF DEVELOPMENT CAN BE MAINTAINED ON THE SCALE NECESSARY WHEN THE hEW TOWNS PROGRAMMES BEGIN TO RUN DOWN IN THE EARLY 1990’S.+ KR EASON SAID.
THE DEPUTY PROJECT MANAGER OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN, DR EDWARD PRYOR, WHO WAS AMONG THE FOUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SPEAKING, THEN GAVE A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE FIVE SUB-REGIONAL STUDIES, FROM WHICH TWO ALTERNATIVE GROWTH PATTERNS HAD EMERGED.
/DR PRYOR.........
SATURDAY, DECQ4BER 15, 19^
4
DR PRYOR, PREVIOUSLY GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING UNIT, SAID THAT THE CONTINUED ROLE OF HONG KONG AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR FINANCE AND BUSINESS AND MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AND AS AN ENTREPOT WOULD PROMOTE ITS FURTHER GROWTH IN THE LONG TERM.
+STRATEGIC PLANNING IS SEEN TO BE AN ON-GOING PROCESS AND, TAKING ACCOUNT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, DEVELOPMENT POSSIBILITIES UP TO AND BEYOND THE TURN OF THE CENTURY WILL BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW WITH THE CONTINUED INTENTION TO MAKE SOUNDLY-BASED INVESTMENT DECISIONS TO SUSTAIN HONG KONG’S LONG-TERM GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT,* HE SAID.
THE THIRD SPEAKER WAS GOVERNMENT ENGINEER DR Y.L. CHOI WHO DESCRIBED THE LAND USE-TRANSPORTATION OPTIMISATION TECHNIQUE AND ITS APPLICATION IN HONG KONG.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE TECHNIQUE WAS A NEW ONE DEVELOPED FOR SELECTING DEVELOPMENT AREAS AND TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURES FROM THE PROPOSALS MADE IN THE SUB-REGIONAL STUDIES.
+THE SPECIAL FEATURE OF THIS NEW TECHNIQUE IS THAT IT ENABLES THE INTEGRATION OF LAND USE PLANNING AND TRANSPORT PLANNING.
+IN URBAN PLANNING, USUALLY SEVERAL PLANNING OBJECTIVES HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED WHICH ARE NOT GENERALLY COMPATIBLE WITH EACH OTHER.
♦THIS GIVES RISE TO DIFFICULTY IN SELECTING THE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WHICH HAS TO BE APPROPRIATE TO ALL OBJECTIVES,* HE SAID.
ANOTHER DIFFICULTY IN LONG-TERM PLANNING WAS THE INEVITABLE UNCERTAINTY OF SUCH DATA AS GDP GROWTH AND CAR OWNERSHIP. THE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY TO BE FORMULATED HAD TO BE VALID UNDER A WIDE RANGE OF INPUT CONDITIONS.
DR CHOI SAID THAT USING A SPECIAL MODEL AND THE +COMMON-COMPONENT* APPROACH, BOTH THESE DIFFICULTIES COULD BE EASILY OVERCOME AND AN INTEGRATED, FLEXIBLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY DEV ISED.
HE SAID THAT THE TECHNIQUE WAS BEING FURTHER APPLIED TO REFINE THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE BETTER COORDINATION OF THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES FOR THE EFFICIENT UTILISATION OF LIMITED RESOURCES.
THIS WAS PARTICULARLY RELEVANT IN A CONSTANTLY CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, HE ADDED.
-------0---------
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1984
5
HILL FIRES DESTROY 20 000 TREES * * * *
STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) SHOWS THAT 273 FIRES HAVE BROKEN OUT IN THE COUNTRY PARK AREAS SINCE SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, DESTROYING 331 HECTARES OF GRASSLAND AND 20 000 TREES.
FCR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR THERE WERE 656 FIRES, CAUSING DAMAGE TO 2 147 HECTARES OF GRASSLAND AND 103 000 TREES.
A FIRE PROTECTION OFFICER, MR PAUL CHEUNG, EXPLAINED THAT ONE REASON FOR THE SIGNIFICANT DECREASE WAS THAT THE WEATHER THIS YEAR WAS NOT AS DRY AS LAST YEAR.
♦ALSO, MORE PEOPLE ARE TAKING HEED OF OUR FIRE PREVENTION ADVICE AND ARE MORE AWARE OF THE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES OF HILL FIRES,+ HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR CHEUNG WARNED THAT FIRE RISKS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WERE EXPECTED TO BE MUCH HIGHER WITH THE COMING OF THE COLD DRY SEASON.
♦ALL IT TAKES IS ONE OR TWO DAYS OF NORTHERLY WINDS TO DRY UP THE VEGETATION AND MAKE THEM INFLAMMABLE,+ HE SAID.
FOR COUNTRYSIDE LOVERS, 1983 WAS A PARTICULARLY BAD YEAR. A TOTAL OF 1 316 HILL FIRES WERE RECORDED - THE HIGHEST FIGURE IN FIVE YEARS - DESTROYING 220 000 TREES AND LARGE AREAS OF GRASSLAND.
♦THE SITUATION WAS SO BAD THAT WE HAD TO CLOSE A NUMBER OF COUNTRY PARKS AND A NATURE RESERVE FOR EIGHT WEEKS,+ MR CHEUNG RECALLED.
ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF HILL FIRES OCCUR DURING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WHEN THERE ARE MORE VISITORS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE, 20 TO 30 PER CENT ARE CAUSED BY FARMERS AND VILLAGERS WHILE BURNING FIELD WEEDS AND RUBBISH; AND TWO PER CENT BY GRAVE SWEEPERS.
MR CHEUNG ADVISED COUNTRYSIDE VISITORS TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY RULES I
K EXTINGUISH CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES BEFORE DISPOSAL;
* LIGHT BARBECUE FIRES ONLY IN DESIGNATED PITS; AND
* BRING PRE-COOKED FOOD WHEN THE WEATHER IS EXTREMELY DRY.
HE ALSO REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE ILLEGAL USE OF FIRE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE IS PUNISHABLE BY A $5 000 FINE AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT. IN 1983, 141 PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED AND CONVICTED, WITH FINES TOTALLING $20 850.
/THIS TEAM*6 .......
SATURDAY, DECJXBER 15, 1984
6
THIS YEAR’S COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WAS LAUNCHED ON SEPTEMBER 28 TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF FIRE RISKS DURING THE DRY SEASON.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S 12 FIRE LOOKOUTS ARE MANNED 24 HOURS A DAY.
WITH THE HELP OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG AIR FORCE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONDUCTING A HELICOPTER FIRE-FIGHTING TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR ITS 5OO-MEMBER FIRE CREW.
------0-------
HOUSEHOLDS URGED TO HELP WITH SURVEY * * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CALLING ON SOME 6 500 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR SUPPORT IN THE 1984-85 HOUSEHOLD
EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
A LETTER HAS RECENTLY BEEN ISSUED TO ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, LABOUR UNIONS AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS, DISTRICT BOARDS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND MAJOR TRADE ORGANISATIONS, ASKING THEM TO PUBLICISE THE SURVEY AND ENCOURAGE THEIR MEMBERS TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE ENUMERATORS.
THIS 12-MONTH SURVEY WHICH BEGAN LAST OCTOBER, IS JOINTLY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE HANG SENG BANK.
THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY WILL BE USED TO UPDATE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES TO REFLECT THE REALISTIC PRICE MOVEMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES CONSUMED. THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES WILL BE PUBLISHED AROUND APRIL 1986.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY), +PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THE SURVEY IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS HAS BEEN VERY ENCOURAGING-THE SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS HAVE BEEN MOST CO-OPERATIVE IN SUPPLYING US WITH THE NECESSARY INFORMATION.*
SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS ARE ASKED TO KEEP A DAILY RECORD OF THEIR EXPENDITURE FOR TWO WEEKS AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON OTHER HOUSEHOLD PARTICULARS.
♦AS A TOKEN OF APPRECIATION, A CHEQUE FOR $50 WILL BE GIVEN TO HOUSEHOLDS UPON COMPLETION OF THE RECORDS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT ALL INFORMATION WILL BE KEPT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND BE USED SOLELY FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES.
INTERVIEWERS WILL CONTINUE TO VISIT SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS IN THE NEXT 10 MONTHS. THEY WILL BE CARRYING SPECIAL IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR THE BANK.
ANYONE WISHING TO ENQUIRE ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY CALL THE DEPARTMENT AT 3-7216558 OR 3-7216534.
------0-------
/7
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1934
7
BUS TERMINUS AT TIN WAN NEW STREET
* * * *
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO MODIFY THE CLOSED END OF TIN WAN NEW STREET IN ABERDEEN TO PROVIDE A BUS TERMINUS.
THE TERMINUS WILL CONSIST OF TWO BUS BAYS, TWO PASSENGER PLATFORMS AND ASSOCIATED FOOTWAYS.
AT PRESENT, TIN WAN ESTATE IS SERVED BY THREE BUS ROUTES, ALL OF WHICH TERMINATE AT THE CLOSED END OF THE STREET.
THE BUSES HAVE TO PARK IN THE CUL-DE-SAC, TURN ROUND AND ALLOW PASSENGERS TO EMBARK AND ALIGHT IN A CONGESTED AREA. THERE ARE NO PASSENGER PLATFORMS.
THE TERMINUS WILL IMPROVE THE SITUATION AND ALLOW FOR A GREATER FREQUENCY OF BUS SERVICES.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSAL IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
A PLAN ABOUT THE PROJECT CAN BE SEEN AT:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE:
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (HONG KONG SOUTH), 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
* DISTRICT OFFICE (SOUTHERN), SHOP 25, GROUND AND SECOND FLOORS, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS IN WRITING NOT LATER THAN FEBRUARY 12, 1985.
-----o-------
COUNCILLORS INSPECT PROJECTS
*****
FOUR URBAN COUNCILLORS TOOK TIME OFF THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING TO INSPECT NEARLY S1O3 MILLION WORTH OF COUNCIL WORKS PROJECTS IN KOWLOON.
LED BY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, THE PARTY INCLUDED THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE CAPITAL WORKS SELECT COMMITTEE, MESSRS AUGUSTINE CHUNG AND SAMUEL WONG, AND NR TONG KAM-BIU.
/THEY FIRST.........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, VJ84
8
THEY FIRST VISITED THE TWO-STOREY COOKED FOOD MARKET IN TSUN YIP STREET WHICH ACCOMMODATES 56 STALLS. IT IS THE RESULT OF A REDEVELOPMENT OF AN EXISTING COOKED FOOD BAZAAR TO PROVIDE MORE LUNCHING FACILITIES FOR SOME 14-0 000 WORKERS IN THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA. SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN EARLY 1985 AT A COST OF $10.4 MILLION, IT WILL ALSO HAVE A REST GARDEN BUILT ON THE ROOFTOP - PROVIDING A CONVENIENT SPOT FOR RELAXATION TO WORKERS.
MR CHUNG SAID THE COOKED FOOD MARKET IS ONE POSITIVE RESULT OF THE 1981 +TORCH OPERATION+ TO CLEAR THE DISTRICT OF ILLEGAL COOKED FOOD STALLS, HAWKERS AND OTHER UNLICENSED FOOD CATERERS FROM THE DISTRICT.
+THE MARKET WILL NOT ONLY HELP ALLEVIATE THE SHORTAGE OF LUNCHING SPACES IN THE DISTRICT, BUT ALSO GREATLY IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF THE AREA,* HE SAID.
+EQUALLY IMPORTANT, IT WILL ENABLE WORKERS TO PATRONISE FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS THAT WOULD MEET THEIR EATING HABITS AS WELL AS THEIR INCOME LEVEL.*
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 12 RESTAURANTS, FIVE FOOD FACTORIES FOUR COOKED FOOD BAZAARS, FOUR MOBILE FAST FOOD SHOPS AND 89 FACTORY CANTEENS IN KWUN TONG.
FROM THERE THE PARTY WENT TO THE SHEK KU LUNG ROAD PLAYGROUND WHICH OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTING FACILITIES FOR DAY AND NIGHT-TIME USE. OCCUPYING AN AREA OF SOME 13 000 SQUARE METRES THE PLAYGROUND INCLUDE THE FIRST TENNIS COURTS IN WONG TAI SIN AND THE FIRST OUTDOOR FIVE-A-SIDE SOCCER PITCHES IN THE URBAN AREAS. WHEN IT IS COMPLETED IN MID-MARCH 1985, IT WILL ALSO HAVE ON ITS GROUNDS TWO VOLLEYBALL-CUM-BADMINTON COURTS A SITTING-OUT AREA AND A SERVICE BUILDING.
NOTING THAT THE $4.9 MILLION LANDSCAPED PLAYGROUND IS LOCATED JUST OPPOSITE THE KAI TAK AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING, MR CHUNG SAID: + THIS WILL GIVE OVERSEAS VISITORS A FIRST GOOD IMPRESSION OF OUR CITY UPON ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG.+
THE PARTY NEXT VISITED THE NEWLY COMPLETED REFUSE COLLECTION POINT ON DUNDAS STREET. IN ADDITION TO A CARBON FILTRATION SYSTEM, IT IS ALSO THE FIRST RCP TO BE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC WINDOW SHUTTER THUS PREVENTING SMELL FROM ESCAPING DURING THE LOADING OF REFUSE.
THE $1.3 MILLION RCP HAS BEEN PUT INTO OPERATION SINCE LAST MONTH TO REPLACE A FORMER ON-STREET RCP AT THE JUNCTION OF DUNDAS STREET AND FA YUEN STREET.
/ThL LAST .......
SATURDAY, DECODER 1^84
9
THE I AST STOP FOR THE COUNCILLORS WAS THE $83 MILLION URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX IN PO ON ROAD. PILING WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED 2S Sork oh the superstructure is expected to be completed by EARLY 1986.
THF PROJECT A JOINT DEVELOPMENT WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, WILL HOUSE * MARKET, A COOKED FOOD CENTRE, LIBRARIES AND INDOOR SPORTS AND RECREATION FACILITIES.
THE COUNCILLORS WERE ACCOMPANIED ON THE n-uco"
DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, AND OTHER OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT.
DEPUTY SENIOR
-----0------
HISTORIC PRINTING PRESS ON DISPLAY
*****
A 1.5-TON REPLICA OF A HISTORIC PRINTING PRESS WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN THE KOWLOON CENTRAL LIBRARY FROM JANUARY 12 TO FEBRUARY 3.
THE ORIGINAL PRESS WAS INVENTED BY JOHANNES GUTENBERG (1400-1468) WHO ALSO INVENTED PRINTING WITH MOVABLE TYPES AND PRODUCED THE GUTENBERG BIBLE — THE FIRST PRINTED BOOK IN THE WOR LD.
OWNED BY THE GUTENBERG MUSEUM OF GERMANY, THE PRESS IS THE STAR ATTRACTION AT THE +EXHIBITION ON THE GUTENBERG PRESS+ WHICH IS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND GOETHE INSTITUTE. OTHER EXHIBITS WILL INCLUDE A FACSIMILE GUTENBERG BIBLE IN TWO VOLUMES, 50 FRAMED PHOTOGRAPHS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRINTING IN EUROPE AND SOME 20 RARE BOOKS.
DURING THE EXHIBITION, THERE WILL BE PRINTING DEMONSTRATION AND FILM-SHOWS ON GUTENBERG.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EXHIBITION, TWO SEMINARS WILL BE GIVEN BY DR ADOLF WILD OF THE GUTENBERG MUSEUM AND DR THOMAS LEE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE FIRST SEMINAR WILL BE HELD SPECIALLY FOR TEACHERS TO BRIEF THEM BEFORE THEY BRING SCHOOL GROUPS TO THE EXHIBITION. IT WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10 AM ON JANUARY 12 (SATURDAY) IN THE KOWLOON CENTRAL LIBRARY. THE SECOND SEMINAR, TO BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, IS SCHEDULED FOR 4.30 PM ON JANUARY 15 (TUESDAY) AT THE SAME VENUE.
TEACHERS WISHING TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR AND SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY BODIES WISHING TO ARRANGE GROUP VISITS TO THE EXHIBITION MAY CALL 3-7157611-2.
THE LIBRARY’S OPENING HOURS ARE FROM 9 AM TO 8 PM ON WEEKDAYS, FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON SATURDAYS AND 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. IT WILL BE CLOSED EVERY MONDAY.
------o-------
/10......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1984
10
NEW ARRIVALS ADD TO ZOO ATTRACTIONS
*****
THERE HAVE KONG ZOOLOGICAL SOME BY NATURAL
BEEN SEVERAL IMPORTANT NEW ARRIVALS AT THE HONG AND BOTANICAL GARDENS IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS -INCREASE AND SOME NEW ACQUISITIONS FROM OTHER
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
+PRIMATES HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY PRODUCTIVE,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL. +YOUNG HAVE BEEN BORN TO COMMON MARMOSETS (CALLITHRIX JACCHUS), GOLDEN-HEADED LION TAMARINS (LEONTOPI THECUS CHRYSOMELAS), CELEBES BLACK APE (CYNOPI THECUS NIGER) AND RED-CHEEKED CRESTED GIBBON (HYLOBATES CONCOLOR GABRIELLAE).
+0F THESE THE LION TAMARIN AND GIBBON BABIES ARE- PARTICULARLY WELCOME AS BOTH ANIMALS ARE EXTREMELY RARE, BOTH IN THE WILD AND IN CAPTIVITY. THE BABY GIBBON IS THE FIFTH BIRTH IN THE HONG KONG BREEEDING GROUP WHILE THE LION TAMARIN MAY WELL BE THE FIRST CAPTIVE BIRTH OUTSIDE ITS NATIVE BRAZIL.*
THE YOUNG BORNEAN ORANG-UTAN (PONGO PYGMAEUS PYGMAEUS) BORN ON JULY 4 IS STILL BEING ADMIRABLY REARED BY ITS MOTHER. IT HAS PROVED TO BE A MALE AND IN VIEW OF ITS BIRTH DATE HAS BEEN GIVEN THE NAME +MERDEKA+.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID TWO CONSIGNMENTS OF NEW ACQUISITIONS ARRIVED AT KAI TAK AIRPORT FROM OTHER ZOOS ON DECEMBER 6.
FIRST TO ARRIVE WAS A FINE MALE RED-CROWNED CRANE (GRUS JAPONENSIS) FROM THE PEKING ZOO. +THIS BIRD WAS RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE TO PROVIDE A MATE FOR THE FEMALE RECEIVED IN 1983+, HE SAID. +THE ORIGINAL MALE WAS LOST AFTER IT ESCAPED AND WAS PRESUMED DROWNED IN THE HARBOUR. IT IS HOPED THAT THIS PAIR OF VERY RARE CRANES WILL BREED AS HAS THE OTHER ENDANGERED CRANE SPECIE IN THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS -- THE WHITE-NAPED CRANE (GRUS VIP 10).+
THIS YEAR’S YOUNG WHITE-NAPED CRANE WILL SHORTLY BE SENT TO WUPPERTAL ZOO IN GERMANY FOR FUTURE CAPTIVE PROPAGATION. PREVIOUS YOUNG REARED BY THIS PAIR HAVE GONE TO THE NATIONAL ZOO WASHINGTON AND THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. THE MALE OF THE BREEDING PAIR WAS ALSO RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE FROM THE PEKING ZOO IN 1976.
LATER IN THE SAME EVENING A PAIR OF SHORT-BEAKED ECHIDNAS (TACHYGLOSSUS ACULEATUS) ARRIVED AS A GIFT FROM THE ROYAL MELBOURNE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. ECHIDNAS ARE FASCINATING ANIMALS BELONGING TO THE ORDER MONOTREMATA, WHICH ARE EGG-LAYING MAMMALS. THE ORDER CONSISTS OF TWO SPECIES OF ECHIDNAS PLUS THE DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS.
+IN THE WILD, ECHIDNAS SUBSIST ENTIRELY ON ANTS AND OTHER INSECTS AND FOR THIS REASON THEY ARE ALSO KNOWN AS SPINY ANTEATERS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/+IN CAPTIVITY .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1984
11
♦ IN CAPTIVITY THEY THRIVE ON A ’SOUP’ MADE FROM MANY DIFFERENT INGREDIENTS. THIS GIFT WAS IN APPRECIATION OF HELP GIVEN TO MELBOURNE BY THE HONG KONG ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS STAFF OVER MANY YEARS, IN ASSISTING THE TRANSHIPMENT OF ANIMALS THROUGH HONG KONG ON BEHALF OF THE MELBOURNE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.+
SADLY, THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN SOME DEPARTURES.
THE NOTORIOUSLY NOISY BREEDING MALE ARGUS PHEASANT (ARGUSIANUS ARGUS ARGUS) DIED OF OLD AGE. THIS BIRD ARRIVED IN 1964 AT WHICH TIME HE WAS ALREADY IN ADULT PLUMAGE. THIS MEANS THAT THE MINIMUM AGE AT DEATH WAS 22 YEARS. ONE OF HIS PROGENY IS NOW PART OF A SUCCESSFUL BREEDING PAIR IN THE KOWLOON PARK AVIARY AND MANY OTHER YOUNG BIRDS BRED AT THE HONG KONG ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS HAVE BEEN SENT TO OVERSEAS ZOOS AND BIRD COLLECTIONS.
THE THREE YOUNG JAGUARS (PANTHERA ONCA) WHICH G/tVE SO MUCH PLEASURE TO MANY VISITORS TO THE GARDENS DURING THE PAST SUMMER HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE GUANGZHOU ZOO AS PART OF AN EXCHANGE AGREEMENT.
THE HONG KONG ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS, LIKE MANY OTHER ZOOS, DOES NOT PART PERMANENTLY WITH ITS SURPLUS RARE ANIMALS BUT SENDS THEM TO OTHER FACILITIES ON A BREEDING LOAN AGREEMENT. A FEMALE GOODFELLOW’S TREE KANGEROO (DENDROLAGUS GOODFELLOWI) WAS SENT ON BREEDING LOAN TO FRANKFURT ZOO AND A MALE GOELDI’S MONKEY (CALLIMICO GOELDIl) TO JERSEY.
+NEWS HAS RECENTLY BEEN RECEIVED THAT BOTH ANIMALS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY BRED. THIS KIND OF COOPERATION BETWEEN ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS PLAYS AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED SPEC IES,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
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1 300 RICHLAND GARDENS FLATS SOLD IN TWO WEEKS M M M
THE CURRENT SALES OF RICHLAND GARDENS FLATS AT THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE IN HO MAN TIN CONTINUED TO RECEIVE ENCOURAGING RESPONSE FROM HOME-BUYERS, WITH ANOTHER 710 FLATS SOLD OUT OVER THE WEEK.
♦THESE HAVE SO FAR BROUGHT TO A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 1 300 FLATS SELECTED BY ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS UNDER PHASE VIB OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF SALES ON DECEMBER 3,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY.
IN ADDITION TO THE 4 272 FLATS BEING SOLD, HE SAID THE REMAINING SIX BLOCKS ON THE ESTATE WITH 1 632 FLATS MIGHT ALSO BE OFFERED FOR SELECTION AT A LATER STAGE IF THERE WAS SUCH A DEMAND.
♦ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED IN TURNS TO SELECT THEIR FLATS AT THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE ACCORDING TO THEIR ORDER OF PRIORITY,* HE ADDED.
/Meanwhile, .......
SATURDAY i DECQffiER 15, 1984
12
MEANWHILE, ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF THE 1 408 FLATS AT TAI PO PLAZA IN TAI PO HAVE ALREADY BEEN SOLD TO ASPIRING HOME-OWNERS.
+THE REMAINING FLATS ARE NOW ON SALE AT THE CENTRE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦ THEY ARE PRICED FROM $159 900 WITH GROSS AREAS BETWEEN
41.3 AND 53.4 SQUARE METRES EACH.
♦SAMPLE FLATS WILL ALSO BE OPEN AT THE ESTATE FOR PUBLIC VIEWING TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM.+
0 --------
TRAFFIC SCHEME IN LUEN WO HUI
X * *
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 17), A NEW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN LUEN WO HUI, FANLING, TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC.
TRAFFIC LIGHTS WILL BE INSTALLED AT THE JUNCTION OF SHA TAU KOK ROAD AND LUEN SHING STREET, AND THE EXISTING LEFT-TURN MOVEMENT FROM SHA TAU KOK ROAD EASTBOUND INTO LUEN SHING STREET WILL BE BANNED.
OTHER MEASURES UNDER THE SCHEME ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF LUEN WO ROAD BETWEEN LUEN HING STREET AND LUEN SHING STREET WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
X THE SECTION OF WO FUNG STREET BETWEEN LUEN HING STREET AND LUEN SHING STREET WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
X THE SECTION OF LUEN SHING STREET BETWEEN WO TAI STREET AND WO FUNG STREET WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
X THE SECTION OF LUEN WO ROAD BETWEEN LUEN CHEONG STREET AND LUEN ON STREET WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
X THE SECTION OF LUEN WO ROAD BETWEEN LUEN FAT STREET AND LUEN HING STREET WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
X THE SECTION OF LUEN HING STREET BETWEEN SHA TAU KOK ROAD AND LUEN WO ROAD WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
/• THE NORTHERN ......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1984
- U -
* THE NORTHERN SECTION OF LUEN WO ROAD BETWEEN LUEN HING STREET AND LUEN SHING STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A BUS-ONLY ROAD.
* PLB STANDS WILL BE DESIGNATED AT THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF LUEN WO ROAD NEAR LUEN SHING STREET, THE NORTHERN SECTION OF LUEN WO ROAD BETWEEN LUEN FAT STREET AND LUEN HING STREET, AND THE EASTERN SECTION OF LUEN FAT STREET NEAR LUEN WO ROAD.
# A TAXI STAND WILL BE ERECTED ON THE WESTERN SECTION OF LUEN HING STREET BETWEEN WO FUNG STREET AND LUEN WO ROAD.
A GOODS VEHICLE LOADING BAY WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF WO FUNG STREET BETWEEN LUEN PING STREET AND LUEN SHING STREET.
A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY SYSTEM LINKING LUEN WO HUI AND ON LOK TSUEN ACROSS SHA TAU KOK ROAD WILL BE OPENED.
THESE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPENING OF THE DUAL CARRIAGEWAY SECTION OF SHA TAU KOK ROAD FROM LUEN WO HUI TO FANLING ROUNDABOUT.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME, FROM
10 AM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 21), THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE MADE RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY:-
* THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE SECTION OF LUEN WO ROAD BETWEEN LUEN HING STREET AND LUEN SHING STREET.
* BOTH SIDES OF THE SECTION OF LUEN HING STREET BETWEEN LUEN WO ROAD AND SHA TAU KOK ROAD.
* BOTH SIDES OF THE SECTION OF LUEN SHING STREET BETWEEN LUEN WO ROAD AND SHA TAU KOK.
ALSO FROM FRIDAY, THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE DESIGNATED RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY
M THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE SECTION OF LUEN FAT STREET BETWEEN LUEN 17U STREET AND LUEN wO ROAD.
THE EASTERN
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 19^
X THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE SECTION OF LUEN HING STREET BETWEEN WO TAI STREET AND LUEN WO ROAD.
* THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE SECTION OF LUEN SHING STREET BETWEEN WO TAI STREET AND WO FUNG STREET.
* BOTH SIDES OF THE SECTION OF LUEN SHING STREET BETWEEN WO FUNG STREET AND LUEN WO ROAD.
* THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE SECTION OF LUEN CHEONG STREET BETWEEN WO FUNG STREET AND LUEN WO ROAD.
* THE NORTHERN SIDE OF THE SECTION OF WO FUNG STREET BETWEEN LUEN HING STREET AND LUEN SHING STREET.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS- OR LOADING AND UNLOADING GOODS.
TUEN MUN MUSIC
AND DANCE FORTNIGHT STARTS * * * X
THE TUEN MUN MUSIC AND DANCE FORTNIGHT IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE JOINT EFFORT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, THE COMMISSIONER ^OR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1984 TUEN MUN MUSIC AND DANCE FORTNIGHT, MR WILLIAMSON SAID: +THE FORTNIGHT DEMONSTRATES CLEARLY THE RECOGNITION OF ALL PARTIES CONCERNED TO MEET THE CULTURAL ASPIRATION OF RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TOWN.+
HE HOPED THAT THE FORTNIGHT WOULD REASSURE THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY MOVED TO TUEN MUN THAT IT IS A TOWN WITH A LIFE AND VITALITY OF ITS OWN.
OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, MORE THAN 12 INDOOR AND FIVE OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES WILL BE HELD IN DIFFERENT VENUES IN THE DISTRICTS TO CATER TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND CULTURAL TASTES.
THE FORTNIGHT, WHICH
WILL RUN
FROM DECEMBER 15 TO 29, IS
DISTRICT OFF.CE WITH THE HELP OF THE
ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE WITH THE HELP Oh IHE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, THE CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION), THE TUEN MUN ARTS PROMOTION ASSOCIATION AND LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S FUNCTION WERE THE TUEN MUN ASSISTANT D STRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER WONG: THE CHAIRMAN OF HEUNG YEE KI K MR LAU WONG-FAT; THE REGIONAL CULTURAL SERVICES OFFICER (NT), '■ l’o ''IU-CHUNG; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF YAN 01 TONG, MR HO SUN-WING.
------o -------
/15.......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1934
- 15 -
ANTI-RAT OPERATION BEING STAGED IN SHA TIN * * * *
AN INTENSIVE ANTI-RAT OPERATION IS BEING LAUNCHED IN SHA TIN, PARTICULARLY AT TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
PEST CONTROL OFFICERS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN CLEANING UP POSSIBLE BREEDING PLACES.
HEALTH INSPECTORS OF THE DEPARTMENT HAVE CONDUCTED HOUSE-TO-HOUSE INSPECTIONS AND DISTRIBUTED INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST RATS.
RESIDENTS ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND SIMPLE WAY TO ELIMINATE RATS IS BY KEEPING SURROUNDINGS CLEAN.
- - 0-----------
SAI KUNG TO HAVE MORE SEWAGE FACILITIES * * * *
THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEWERS, A SEDIMENTATION TANK AND A PUMPING STATION ON RECLAIMED LAND IN SAI KUNG.
THE 7OO-METRE SEWERS WILL BE BUILT FROM TAI MONG TSAI ROAD TO THE SEAFRONT OF THE RECLAMATION.
WORK ON THE PROJECT, WHICH WILL SERVE THE SAI KUNG TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AND SAI KUNG TOWN, IS EXPECTED TO START IN MARCH NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN NINE MONTHS.
WILBUR SMITH AND ASSOCIATES HAS DESIGNED THE PROJECT AND WILL SUPERVISE THE WORK ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE.
MAINS WORK IN KOWLOON TONG, KOWLOON CITY * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN KOWLOON TONG AND KOWLOON CITY WILL BE TURNED OFF BETWEEN MIDNIGHT TO 3 AM ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 18) FOR MAINS WORK.
IN KOWLOON TONG, THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY, CORNWALL STREET, BEACON HILL ROAD, EDE ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EXCLUDING BROADCAST DRIVE, MARCONI ROAD AND FESSENDER ROAD.
IN KOWLOON CITY, THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES BOUNDED UNG MO STREET, TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD, TAI SHING STREET CHOI HUNG ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST, STERLING ROAD, ARGYLE STREET LCIOND ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST, LA SALLE ROAD AND BOUNDARY’ STREET, INCLUDING ST. TERESA’S HOSPITAL.
- 0 - -
/16
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1984
- 16 -
MAINS WORK IN NORTH POINT, CAUSEWAY BAY * * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO THE WHOLE OF NORTH POINT AND PART OF CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 18) FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED AREA IN CAUSEWAY
STREET, THE SEA HILL ROAD.
FRONT, MODEL LANE
BAY IS KING’S
BOUNDED BY HING FAT ROAD, AND FORTRESS
-----o------
MARKET STALLS FOR LEASE * * *
THIRTY-ONE LEASE BY PUBLIC
MARKET STALLS IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 18).
THESE STALLS ARE LOCATED AT NORTH KWAI CHUNG MARKET. WING FONG STREET MARKET, TAI YUEN STREET COOKED FOOD MARKET A^ID WO Yl HOP ROAD COOKED FOOD MARKET.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT THE KWAI FONG COMMUNITY HALL AT LAI FONG STREET, KWAI CHUNG, STARTING AT 10 AM, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTALS RANGE FROM $600 TO $3 000.
THE CONTRACTS ARE FOR THREE YEARS, STARTING ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HAWKERS AND MARKETS SECTION OF THE KWAI CHUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE AT TELEPHONE 0-253624.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, iTONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR PEKING.................................. 1
HK GROUP INVITED TO C3REN0NY ................................ 1
OLD ID'S FOR WOMEN AGED 19 T6 29 DECLARED INVALID............ 3
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON BROADCASTING DEVELOPMENT ................. 3
APPLICATIONS FOR ESTATE FLATS BEGIN MONDAY .................. 4
CHANGEOVER OF INSULIN STRENGTH............................... 5
VOLUNTEERS HELP BOOST SOCIAL SERVICES ....................... 6
VILLAGE TO BECOME LARGEST FOLK MUSEUM........................ 7
FUNDS TO IMPROVE FACILITIES ................................. 8
INDUSTRIAL TRAINING COURSES FOR WORKERS ..................... 9
TSUEN WAN NEW YEAR RACE...................................... 10
KENDO COURSE AND FENCING COMPETITION FOR YOUNGSTERS.......... 10
MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS GROUND IN SHA TIN READY SOON............ 11
BOOKLET ON HK PORT OUT ...................................... 12
FOOTBRIDGES PROPOSED FOR DIAMOND HILL ....................... 12
FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME ENTERS SECOND PHASE.............. 13
FITNESS TRAIL FOR KOWLOON PARK............................... 14
MOUNT DAVIS PICNIC AREA OPENS ............................... 14
TAI PO SOCCER PITCH TO HAVE ARTIFICIAL TURF ................. 15
MEASURES TO IMPROVE KOWLOON TONG, YAU MA TEI TRAFFIC ........ 15
RESTRICTED ZONES IN KOWLOON ................................. 16
MORE PARKING METERS IN THEN MUN ............................. 16
TRAFFIC DIVERSION IN TAI PO ................................. 16
TAPS OFF IN SHIU FAI TERRACE................................. 16
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1984
1 -
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR PEKING * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL LEAVE FOR PEKING TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY OF THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
SIR EDWARD WILL BE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT CA 102, ETD 1 PM.
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON HIS TRIP TO PEKING BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR ROBIN MCLAREN AND THE GOVERNMENT CHIEF INTERPRETER, MR Y.P. CHENG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER THE DEPARTURE. THOSE ASSIGNED TO COVER THE EVENT SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM BY 12.10 PM.
- 0 -----------
HK GROUP INVITED TO CEREMONY £ X X
THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE RT. HONOURABLE MRS MARGARET THATCHER, AND THE PREMIER OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, MR ZHAO ZIYANG, WILL FORMALLY SIGN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG ON DECEMBER 19, 1984. THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA HAS INVITED A GROUP OF WELL-KNOWN PERSONS FROM ALL CIRCLES IN HONG KONG TO BE PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY IN BEIJING.
THE GROUP WILL DEPART HONG KONG ON DECEMBER 18 AND RETURN ON DECEMBER 20. THE LIST OF THOSE INVITED WAS DECIDED AFTER CORDIAL CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS. A TOTAL OF 101 PERSONS HAVE ACCEPTED THE INVITATION TO ATTEND. THE LIST IS AS FOLLOWS :
(IN ORDER OF THE NUMBER OF STROKES IN THE CHARACTER FOR EACH PERSON’S SURNAME.)
/MH WONG KWAN-CHEHG .......
SUNDAY, DHEEMBKR 16, 1984
2
MR WONG KWAN-CHENG DR HARRY FANG MR SZETO WAH SIR Y. K. PAO MR A. DE 0. SALES MR HO SAI CHU MR EDWARD HO MR STANLEY HO MR LI TSE CHUNG MR P. C. LEE MR LI LIAN SHENG MRS LEE YIP WAI KAY MR LI KA SHING MR J. P. LEE MR Q. W. LEE MISS WANG MING QUAN MR DEACON CHIU MR WU HON FAI MR GORDON WU MR T. G. FRESHWATER MR JACK TANG MR NGA I SHIU KIT MISS LIANG JIU MAO MR MAK HOI WAH MR ZHANG Yl FAN MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN MR ZHANG SHENG GUO MR N. K. CHAN MR PERCY CHEN MR JOHN CHAN
MR ROBERT H.C. CHAN MR PHILIP KWOK MR WILSON TUET MR HUANG KE LI MR WONG WAI HONG MR WONG LAI CHUEN MISS FENG RUO TING MR FEI Yl MIN FR YEUNG MRS ELSIE ELLIOTT MR LIU LIT MAN MR LAU WONG FAT MR CHENG KAR SHUN MR DENG TONG YUAN MR H. M. G. FORSGATE MR HUO WEI ZHAO SIR S. Y. CHUNG MR KAN FOOK YEE MISS MARIA TAM MR ROGER LOBO REV JUE GUANG
MR PETER C. WONG MR FRANCIS TIEN MR BILL BROWN MR HENRY LITTON MR HO MAN FAT MR GEORGE HO MR HO HUNG CHIU MR E. P. HO MR LI SHAO KEE MR MARTIN LEE MR LI QI MING MR JUSTICE SIMON LI MRS LEE LO YUK SIM MR M. G. R. SANDBERG MRS LI WONG YIU PIK MRS SELINA CHOW MR ALBERT LAM MR HU HUNG LICK MR CHA CHI MING DR MA LIN MS SUN FANG ZHONG MR HA WING 0 MR ANTHONY LUK MR MICHAEL MILES PROF ZHANG WU CHANG MR CHEUNG KIN CHUNG MR STEPHEN CHEONG MRS ANSON CHAN MR ROBERT CHAN MRS WINNIE CHAN MR KWOK YUEN HON MR MOK WAH CHIU MR WONG WAN TIN MR HUANG DING FANG MR WONG SIU CHEUK DR Y. K. CHING SIR KENNETH FUNG MR YANG GUANG DR HENRIETTA IP DR RAYMOND WU MISS LIU YIU CHU MR LAU NAI KEONG MR TANG KWOK YUNG MR D. C. BRAY MR HENRY FOK DR DANIEL TSE THE RT REV KWONG KONG KIT MR L. M. DAVIES MR TAM YIU CHUNG MR LO KWEE SEONG
A NUMBER OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE INVITED WERE UNABLE TO ACCEPT, OWING TO PREVIOUS ENGAGEMENTS.
PRESS FACILITIES FOR THE DEPARTURE OF THE GROUP AT THE AIRPORT ON TUESDAY WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW (MONDAY).
------o - - - -
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1934
3
OLD ID’S FOR WOMEN AGED 19 TO 29 DECLARED INVALID
* * * *
DURING THE WEEK TO DECEMBER 13, MORE THAN 400 WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1955 AND 1965 RESPONDED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S FINAL CALL TO APPLY FOR NEW ID CARDS.
THIS BRINGS TO 603 040 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF WOMEN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 19 AND 29 WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR NEW CARDS. THE FIGURE REPRESENTS 98 PER CENT OF THE ESTIMATED FEMALE POPULATION IN THESE AGE GROUPS.
+WE BELIEVE THAT THE REMAINING TWO PER CENT WERE AWAY FROM HONG KONG WHEN THEIR TURNS CAME AND HAVE NOT RETURNED SINCE THEN,* AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
A TOTAL OF 610 000 OLD IDENTITY CARDS BELONGING TO WOMEN AGED 19 TO 29 WERE DECLARED INVALID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THIS WAS THE FIRST BATCH OF FEMALE ID CARDS THAT WERE DESTROYED SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW ID CARD ISSUE SCHEME IN MAY LAST YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN DESCRIBED THE RESPONSE SO FAR TO THE WOMEN’S CYCLE AS BEING MORE THAN SATISFACTORY.
+WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE EACH PHASE ON SCHEDULE. MOST APPLICANTS COULD PROVIDE THEIR PERSONAL PARTICULARS ACCURATELY AND IN FULL, WHICH MADE OUR WORK THAT MUCH EASIER,* SAID.
THE FIRST WOMEN’S CYCLE IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY MARCH NEXT YEAR, AFTER WHICH THE SECOND MEN’S CYCLE WILL BEGIN.
- - 0
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON BROADCASTING DEVELOPMENT * X *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO LISTEN IN AT THE PUBLIC HEARINGS OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD WHICH WILL COMMENCE TOMORROW (MONDAY).
AT THE HEARINGS, THOSE ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MADE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE BOARD WILL ELABORATE ON THEIR VIEWS ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF BROADCASTING.
THE HEARINGS WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE MORNING FROM 9 AM ON WEEKDAYS UP TO THE END OF JANUARY, EXCEPT ON DECEMBER 24, 27, 28 AND 31. THEY WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT EDINBURGH PLACE.
- 0 - -
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1984
- 4 -
APPLICATIONS FOR ESTATE FLATS BEGIN MONDAY
* * *
APPLICATION WILL BE INVITED TOMORROW (DECEMBER 17) FROM TWO-MEMBER FAMILIES ALREADY LIVING IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, TO MOVE INTO PERMANENT PUBLIC HOUSING.
NOTICE OF THE APPLICATION PROCEDURES WILL BE PUT UP IN ALL 47 THAS.
♦THE SCHEME IS IMPLEMENTED UNDER THE RECENTLY-APPROVED NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ALLOCATION POLICIES WHICH AMONG MANY OTHER CHANGES ALLOW TWO-MEMBER FAMILIES TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PERMANENT PUBLIC HOUSING,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SAID TODAY.
+ IT GIVES PRIORITY TO THE 9 OOO TWO-MEMBER FAMILIES ALREADY LIVING IN THAS, INCLUDING THOSE IN HOSTELS FOR THE ELDERLY, WITH A TARGET TO HAVE THEM REHOUSED BY 1 990 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR LENGTH OF STAY IN THAS.
+IT WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE THESE FAMILIES WITH IMPROVED ACCOMMODATION, BUT CAN ALSO HELP RELIEVE OVERCROWDING AMONG TENANTS.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICATIONS WOULD BE LIMITED TO RELATED TWO-MEMBER FAMILIES SUCH AS HUSBAND AND WIFE, PARENT AND CHILD, GRANDPARENT AND GRANDCHILD, BROTHER AND SISTER, AND APPLICANT AND A DEPENDANT RELATIVE.
TO QUALIFY FOR APPLICATION, HE SAID, APPLICANTS SHOULD INITIALLY MEET THE RELEVANT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INCLUDING:
* APPLICANT SHOULD BE OVER 21 YEARS OF AGE,
* APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADMITTED INTO THA BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1985,
* BOTH APPLICANT AND THE FAMILY MEMBER SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS,
* HAVING A FAMILY INCOME NOT EXCEEDING $4 000 A MONTH, AND
* NEITHER THE APPLICANT NOR THE FAMILY MEMBER IS OWNER OF ANY DOMESTIC PROPERTY.
+APPLICATION WILL BE INVITED PERIODICALLY WHEN SUITABLE FLATS BECOME AVAILABLE IN ESTATES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+AFTER EACH INVITATION, A PRIORITY LIST WILL BE COMPILED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LENGTH OF STAY IN THAS OF THE APPLICANTS FOR ALLOCATION REFERENCE.
+IN CASE OF COMPETING APPLICATIONS, ALLOCATION WILL BE MADE TO THOSE FAMILIES WITH THE LONGER STAY IN THAS.+
/IN THIS .......
SUNDAY, DfflJSfBLn 1o, 1$c4
THIS A=PLICATION, HE SAID THE ESTATE FLATS AVAILABLE WERE ‘‘A’ I' VARIO.' DISTRICTS OF HONG KONG, KOWLOON EAST, CENTRAL K.D .£'.’r, TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG.
♦APPLICANTS CAN INDICATE IN THEIR APPLICATIONS A PREFERENCE OF TWO DISTRICTS COR TRANSRER.
♦CHOICE OF LOCAL I tv is ALSO AN IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR EARLY ALLOCATION WHICH DEPENDS VERY MUCH ON THE AVAILABILITY OF FLATS II. EACH D ISTR ICT.
♦APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM AND ENQUIRIES REGARDING -PLICATION CAN BE '•■ADE AT ALL THA MANAGEMENT OFFICES DURING
THE APPLICATIO’ PERIOD WHICH WILL CLOSE ON UANUARY 11, 1985.+
A SIMILAR EXERCISE FOR SINGLE PERSONS ALREADY LIVING li. THA'. WOULD BE ANNOUNCED IN EARLY JANUARY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- 0 - -
CHANGEOVER OF INSULIN STRENGTH * * * *
DIABETIC PATIENTS ARE ADVISED THAT FROM JANUARY 1, 1985, THE STRENGTH OF INSULIN WILL BE CHANGED TO U-1OO.
THE CHANGEOVER PERIOD WILL LAST FOR SIX MONTHS DURING wHICH DOCTORS WILL GRADUALLY INTRODUCE THE U-1OO INSULIN TO THEIR PATIENTS TO REPLACE THE U-40 AND U-80 INSULIN CURRENTLY USED IN HONG KONG.
THIS wAS ANNOUNCED TODAY BY A COMMITTEE SPECIALLY FORMED TO PLAN THE CHANGEOVER PROGRAMME. MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES CROM THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, SUBVENTED HOSPITALS, THE MEDICAL FACULTIES OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS.
A COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CHANGEOVER WAS BEING INTRODUCED TO SIMPLIFY AND STANDARDISE INSULIN PREPARATION FOR PATIENTS IN HONG KONG. AFTER THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD, THE U-40 AND U-80 INSULINS WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE.
HE SAID THE CHANGE WOULD HELP TO PREVENT THE RISK OF DOSAGE ERROR, wHICH SOMETIMES OCCURS WHEN PATIENTS USE THE TWO CURRENTLY AVAILABLE INSULIN STRENGTHS AT HOME.
HE EXPLAINED THAT U-1OO INSULIN IS NOT A NEW TYPE OF INSULIN. IT IS - MORE CONCENTRATED FORM, wITh ONE UNIT HAVING EXACTLY THE SAME EFFECT AS ONE l .IT Op U-80 OR U-40 INSULIN. CONSEQUE: TLr. PATIENTS DO NOT NEED ’0 CHANGE THE DAILY REQUIREMENT OF INSULIN WHEN THE CHANGEOVE- IS IMPLEMENTED.
/♦TO PREPARE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1b, 1984
6
+T0 PREPARE FOR THE CHANGE, EACH PATIENT WILL ONLY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL HIS FIRST SCHEDULED VISIT TO THE DOCTOR DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD WHEN HE WILL BE GIVEN THE U-1OO INSULIN,* HE SAID.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED PATIENTS THAT THEY MUST USE A U-1OO INSULIN SYRINGE FOR THE NEW U-1OO INSULIN TO AVOID DOSAGE ERROR.
HE SAID IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR PATIENTS TO KEEP AN EXTRA STOCK OF U-40 AND U-80 INSULIN AND THE APPROPRIATE SYRINGES.
+PATIENTS SHOULD LEARN HOW TO MEASURE THE DOSAGE USING THE NEW U-1OO INSULIN AND SYRINGE AND CONSULT THEIR DOCTORS IN CASE OF DOUBT,* HE SAID.
TO EDUCATE THE PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES ABOUT THE CHANGEOVER, POSTERS WILL BE PUT UP IN ALL HOSPITALS AND CLINICS. A LEAFLET EXPLAINING THE CHANGEOVER WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FROM DOCTORS UPON REQUEST.
------o-------
VOLUNTEERS HELP BOOST SOCIAL SERVICES
* * *
THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF VOLUNTEER WORKERS COULD GREATLY HELP BOOST HONG KONG’S SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE VOLUNTEER DAY 1984, NR BRAY SAID ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS OF GOVERNMENT POLICY WAS THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL SECURITY" SERVICES FOR THOSE MOST IN NEED.
+THE GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING OVER $1 000 MILLION ON THESE SERVICES THIS YEAR BUT RESOURCES ARE LIMITED AND THE SERVICE CAN BE GREATLY EXTENDED BY THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE VOLUNTEER WORKERS,* HE SAID.
MR BRAY URGED THOSE WHO DEPLOYED THE VOLUNTEERS NOT TO REGARD THEM AS CHEAP LABOUR BUT AS A SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL RESOURCE FOR NEEDS THAT SHOULD BE MET URGENTLY.
+THE VOLUNTEERS THEMSELVES CAN REASONABLY EXPECT TO RECEIVE APPROPRIATE TRAINING. AT THE SAME TIME THE VOLUNTEERS SHOULD USE THEIR INITIATIVE TO DO EVEN MORE THAN THE MINIMUM EXPECTED OF THEM.
+THEY OWE A DUTY NOT ONLY TO THE PEOPLE DIRECTLY BENEFITING FROM THEIR WORK BUT ALSO TO THE AGENCIES CONDUCTING THE OPERATION,* MR BRAY SAID.
- - - - 0------------
/7 ........
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1b, 1964
- 7 -
VILLAGE TO BECOME LARGEST FOLK MUSEUM * * * *
AN 18TH CENTURY WALLED VILLAGE IN TSUEN WAN WILL BECOME HONG KONG’S LARGEST FOLK MUSEUM AND A SHOWPLACE OF LIFE IN THE TERRITORY TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
COVERING ABOUT 2 OOO SQUARE METRES, SAM TUNG UK, AS THE VILLAGE IS CALLED, WAS CONSTRUCTED BY A CHAN FAMILY IN THE QING DYNASTY.
A 510-MILLI0N RENOVATION PROJECT NOW IN PROGRESS WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1987.
+THE VILLAGE PROVIDES A GOOD EXAMPLE OF TRADITIONAL HAKKA BUILDINGS WITH HORIZONTAL ROWS OF HOUSES LINKED TOGETHER BY AN ANCESTRAL HALL,* SAID MR GERARD TSANG, A CURATOR OF THE CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN CHARGE OF MUSEUM ACTIVITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+SAM TUNG UK* IN FACT MEANS +THREE ROWS OF HOUSES*.
QING DYNASTY HAKKA HOUSES BUILT ON HILLS OR IN REMOTE REGIONS ARE THE ONLY ONES EXTANT IN HONG KONG. THE OTHERS HAVE BEEN DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
+THESE HOUSES ALSO ENABLE US TO GAIN AN INSIGHT INTO HONG KONG’S LIFE STYLE IN THE DISTANT YEARS,* MR TSANG SAID.
FOR INSTANCE, THE LACK OF WINDOWS ON OUTER WALLS AND THE NARROW CORRIDORS INSIDE THE VILLAGE ARE EVIDENCE THAT IT WAS BUILT AT A TIME WHEN BANDITS WERE RAMPANT. •
THIS IS ONLY ONE OF THE MANY INTERESTING POINTS THE VISITORS WILL LEARN WHEN THIS VILLAGE-MUSEUM IS READY BY 1987.
ALL THE HISTORICALLY HOMOGENOUS PARTS OF THE VILLAGE WILL BE PRESERVED, MISSING FRAGMENTS REPLACED AND LATER ADDITIONS REMOVED TO RETAIN ITS ORIGINAL FLAVOUR.
LIGHTING AND MECHANICAL SYSTEMS WILL BE CONCEALED TO ENHANCE THE HISTORICAL CHARACTER OF THE COMPLEX.
THE EXISTING ANCESTRAL HALL AT THE HEART OF THE VILLAGE WILL BE KEPT. FOUR OF THE HOUSES SURROUNDING IT WILL BE DECORATED AND STOCKED WITH DIFFERENT COLLECTIONS OF FARMING IMPLEMENTS TO REFLECT THE VARYING LIFE STYLES OF THE VILLAGE IN THE FOUR SEASONS.
AT THE BACK, A MULTI-PURPOSE EXHIBITION HALL WITH MODERN EQUIPMENT WILL BE CONSTRUCTED. ITS EXTERIOR DESIGN WILL BE IN HARMONY WITH THE EXISTING VILLAGE.
/♦THE HALL .......
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1o, 19&4
- 8
+THE HALL WITH ITS NOSTALGIC ATMOSPHERE WILL BE AN EXCELLENT VENUE FOR EXHIBITIONS OF ANTIQUES,* MR TSANG SAID.
THE EASTERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF THE VILLAGE ARE TO HOUSE THE PERMANENT COLLECTION OF THE MUSEUM, ILLUSTRATING DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF LIFE AND CULTURE OF A RURAL VILLAGE.
*WE'ARE ALSO CONSIDERING RENTING SOME OF THE ROOMS TO CHINESE TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMEN SO THEY MAY DEMONSTRATE VARIOUS TYPES OF HANDICRAFT ONCE PREVALENT IN THIS VILLAGE,* HE SAID.
SHEUNG YIU IN SAI KUNG IS THE FIRST HAKKA VILLAGE TO HAVE BEEN TURNED INTO A MUSEUM. THIS MUCH SMALLER VILLAGE ATTRACTS OVER FIVE THOUSAND VISITORS A MONTH.
AS SAM TUNG UK OFFERS MORE HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS AND IS SITUATED NEAR AN MTR STATION, MR TSANG WAS CONFIDENT IT WOULD EE AN EVEN STRONGER DRAWING CARD.
PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC HOUSES IS A FORMIDABLE SPECIALIST TASK, REQUIRING THOROUGH RESEARCH INTO THEIR SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDS.
+THEN THERE IS THE PROBLEM OF GETTING MATCHABLE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS. FOR EXAMPLE, GREEN TILES FOR ROOFTOPS ARE NOT PRODUCED IN HONG KONG OR CHINA ANYMORE. WE HAVE TO FIND THE NEXT BEST MATERIALS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ROOFTOP FOR SAM TUNG UK.
+COLLECTING EXHIBITS IS A TIME-CONSUMING JOB. WE HAVE TO MAKE DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS TO GATHER INFORMATION AND ASK FOR DONATION OF OLD FURNITURE, FARMING TOOLS, HOUSEHOLD UTENSILS AND CLOTHES WHICH ARE GETTING RARER.
+WE HOPE RESIDENTS IN TSUEN WAN WILL COME FORWARD AND DONATE THESE OLD ARTICLES TO ENRICH THE COLLECTION OF THE SAM TUNG UK MUSEUM,* HE SAID.
- - .... o ------------
FUNDS TO IMPROVE FACILITIES
* * * *
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL SPEND $360 000 ON A NUMBER OF PROJECTS TO PROVIDE MORE FACILITIES AND BETTER SERVICES TO THE LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A JOGGING TRACK AND THREE SITTING-OUT AREAS, AND THE INSTALLATION OF GROUP LETTER BOXES FOR RESIDENTS OF SAU ON VILLAGE AT SAU MAU PING ROAD.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG SHEK-FU, SAID PLANS TO DEVELOP A HILLSIDE BEHIND SHUN LEE ESTATE INTO A JOGGING TRACK AND A SITTING-OUT AREA WERE INITIATED BY THE LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE.
/+TIMB3H BAILINGS.........
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1984
- 9 -
♦TIMBER RAILINGS, STAIRWAYS, BENCHES AND OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WILL BE BUILT TO TURN THE AREA INTO AN ATTRACTIVE RECREATIONAL SPOT FOR RESIDENTS IN THE NEARBY ESTATES,+ HE SAID.
A VACANT LAND SITE NEXT TO THE BUS TERMINUS IN KO CHIU ROAD ESTATE WILL BE TURNED INTO A SITTING-OUT AREA TO PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED RECEREATIONAL FACILITIES TO THE ESTATE RESIDENTS AND SQUATTERS IN THE NEARBY VILLAGES.
♦ANOTHER SITTING-OUT AREA WILL BE BUILT AT THE JUNCTION OF SAU MAU PING ROAD AND SAU ON ROAD TO SERVE RESIDENTS OF SAU ON VILLAGE, AS THERE ARE NO RECREATIONAL FACILITIES OR OPEN SPACES AT THE VILLAGE,* MR CHEUNG SAID.
IN ADDITION, RESIDENTS AT SAU ON VILLAGE WILL BE PROVIDED WITH IMPROVED POSTAL SERVICES SOON.
THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS AGREED TO PAY HALF OF THE EXPENSES FOR THE SETTING UP OF 120 LETTER BOXES.
THE REST OF THE EXPENSES WILL BE BORNE BY THE RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE PROJECT.
ALL THE PROJECTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 1985.
-----o------
INDUSTRIAL TRAINING COURSES FOR WORKERS X * X
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVITED FOR SIX FULL-TIME AND TWO PART-TIME COURSES OFFERED AT THE ELECTRONICS, PLASTICS AND PRINTING INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING
COUNCIL.
♦THE COURSES WILL PROVIDE BASIC TRAINING AT CRAFT AND OPERATIVE LEVELS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO JOIN, OR ARE WORKING IN, THE RELATED INDUSTRIES,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID.
THE COURSES, WHICH WILL LAST FROM FOUR TO EIGHT WEEKS, WILL START EARLY NEXT MONTH (JANUARY) WHEN THE KOWLOON BAY TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX IS READY FOR OCCUPATION.
THE SHO-MILLION COMPLEX wILL HOUSE FIVE TRAINING CENTRES FOR ELECTRONICS, PLASTICS, PRINTING, METAL WORKING AND HOTEL.
THE CENTRES WILL ORGANISE A TOTAL OF 20 FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME COURSES WHEN THEY ARE FULLY OPERATIONAL IN TWO MONTHS’ TIME.
/TRAINEES ADMITTED........
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1984
10 -
TRAINEES ADMITTED TO FULL-TIME COURSES WILL BE GIVEN ALLOWANCES OF $100 A WEEK, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PLACEMENT SERVICE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE TO HELP TRAINEES TO FIND EMPLOYMENT IN RELATED INDUSTRIES ON COMPLETION OF THE TRAINING, HE ADDED.
DETAILS OF THE COURSES WILL BE ADVERTISED IN TOMORROW’S CH INESE-LANGUAGE NEWSPAPERS OR CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE RECRUITMENT OFFICE AT THE COMPLEX AT 46, TAI YIP STREET, KOWLOON BAY, TELEPHONE 3-7506818.
------o-------
TSUEN WAN NEW YEAR RACE
* * * *
RUNNERS ARE BEING INVITED TO COMPETE IN THE 9TH TSUEN WAN NEW YEAR LONG-DISTANCE RUN TO BE HELD ON NEW YEAR’S DAY.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ORGANISED BY THE FEDERATION OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT SPORTS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATIONS, THE RACE WILL BE DIVIDED INTO GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL SECTIONS.
THE ROUTE, ABOUT 6 KILOMETRES LONG, WILL TAKE RUNNERS AROUND THE SHING MUN RESERVOIR.
ENTRY FORMS FOR THE RACE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ALL PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN PERSON TO THE FEDERATION CF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT SPORTS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATIONS IN rE I WAN STREET, TSUEN WAN, BY DECEMBER 28.
------0-------
KENDO COURSE AND FENCING COMPETITION FOR YOUNGSTERS XXX
YOUNG PEOPLE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN THE ART OF JAPANESE FENCING - KENDO - WHILE THOSE EXPERIENCED IN FOIL FENCING CAN SOON COMPETE IN AN OPEN CONTEST.
BOTH EVENTS ARE BEING ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG KENDO ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG AMATEUR FENCING ASSOCIATION RESPECTIVELY.
THE ELEMENTARY COURSE IN KENDO WILL OFFER INSTRUCTIONS AND PRACTICAL SESSIONS ON RITUALS AND BASIC SKILLS OF KENDO TO 30 YOUNGSTERS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 16.
/♦KENDO IS........
SUNDAY, DECEMBBH 16, 1984
11
♦KENDO IS A SWORDSMANSHIP WHICH IS GOOD TO HEALTH AND CAN HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP PATIENCE AND CHARACTER,* SAID AN RSS SPOKESMAN.
CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT NGAU TAU KOK INDOOR GAMES HALL FROM 8 TO 10 PM ON MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS, STARTING ON JANUARY 3, 1985.
YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECEIVED TRAINING IN FENCING (FOIL) OFFERED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE, THE HONG KONG AMATEUR FENCING ASSOCIATION OR OTHER RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE 1985 FOIL FENCING NOVICE COMPETITION.
THE COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AT THE BOUNDARY STREET INDOOR GAMES HALL ON FEBRUARY 3, 1985.
THE CONTEST WILL BE LIMITED TO 60 PERSONS AT THE AGE OF 16 OR ABOVE.
BOTH EVENTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE. THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED ARE URGED TO APPLY NO*.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-458511.
------0 ------
MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS GROUND IN SHA TIN READY SOON * * * * *
A RECREATIONAL GROUND WITH THE FIRST ARTIFICIALLY TURFED SOCCER PITCH IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE READY EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE 2.47-HECTARE TSANG TAI UK RECREATION GROUND, LOCATED NEXT TO THE HISTORICAL TSANG TAI UK WALLED VILLAGE IN SHA TIN, IS BEING BUILT AT A COST OF $12.8 MILLION.
ITS OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDE A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, A SITTING-OUT AREA, THREE BASKETBALL-CUM-VOLLEYBALL COURTS, SIX TENNIS COURTS, EIGHT TABLE-TENNIS TABLES AND A SINGLE-STOREY SERVICE BUILDING WITH A REFRESHMENT KIOSK.
THE STANDARD-SIZE SOCCER PITCH WITH ITS ARTIFICIAL TURF PERMITS SIX GAMES A DAY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
BY COMPARISON, A GRASS PITCH ALLOWS ONLY TWO GAMES A DAY AND MUST BE CLOSED FOR TWO TO THREE MONTHS EACH YEAR FOR RETURFING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES DEPARTMENT SAID.
/FLOODLIGHTS ARE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1984
- 12
FLOODLIGHTS ARE INSTALLED AT THE SPORTS VENUE FOR EVENING ACTIVITIES.
THE TSANG TAI UK RECREATION GROUND IS DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. ON COMPLETION, IT WILL BE HANDED OVER TO NTSD FOR MANAGEMENT.
NTSD IS NOW INVITING TENDERS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE REFRESHMENT KIOSK. THE CONTRACT WILL BE FOR THREE YEARS, STARTING ON MARCH 1 NEXT YEAR.
TENDER FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SHA TIN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE AT LEVEL 4, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX SITUATED 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 JANUARY 18 (FRIDAY).
0 --------
BOOKLET ON HK PORT OUT
* * *
A NEW EDITION OF +THE PORT OF HONG KONG+ PRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES HAS JUST BEEN PUBLISHED.
RICHLY ILLUSTRATED WITH COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS, THIS BOOK SHOWS THE RECENT DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S MAGNIFICENT HARBOUR WITH ITS MODERN FACILITIES.
THE 52-PAGE BOOKLET, COMPLETELY REVISED, CONTAINS UPDATED FEATURES ON THE PORT ADMINISTRATION, FACILITIES AND SERVICES. A BRIEF HISTORY ON THE PORT AND A SECTION ON MARINE INDUSTRIES ARE ALSO INCLUDED.
THE PUBLICATION IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $28 A COPY.
------o-------
FOOTBRIDGES PROPOSED FOR DIAMOND HILL * * *
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT TWO COVERED FOOTBRIDGES, ONE SPANNING PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND THE OTHER ACROSS FUNG TAK ROAD EXTENSION IN DIAMOND HILL, KOWLOON.
FUNG TAK ROAD EXTENSION IS A NEW ROAD WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO BE IN USE WHEN PHASE I OF LUNG POON COURT UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME IS COMPLETED IN OCTOBER 1986.
/LUNG POON .......
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1984
- 13 -
LUNG POON COURT IS BEING BUILT AT THE JUNCTION OF PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND FUNG TAK ROAD EXTENSION.
THE FOOTBRIDGES, EACH ABOUT 40 METRES LONG, WILL BE BUILT ON REINFORCED CONCRETE.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED PROJECTS IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THEIR PLANS CAN BE SEEN AT:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG,
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST, 9TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, AND
* WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 4TH AND 5TH FLOORS, KING FUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD REACH THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS IN WRITING NOT LATER THAN FEBRUARY 12, 1985.
FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME ENTERS SECOND PHASE * * * * *
THE SECOND PHASE OF THE 1984-85 YOUTH FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME STARTED TODAY (SUNDAY) WITH A KICK-OFF BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR DICKEN YUNG.
A SERIES OF SOCCER MATCHES WILL BE HELD IN THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS TO SHARPEN THE SKILLS OF THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE INTERMEDIATE TRAINING PROGRAMME ORGANISED UNDER THE SCHEME.
A TOTAL OF 63 TEAMS WILL BE TAKING PART. THE FIRST MATCH WAS HELD TODAY AND THE FINALS WILL BE IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
SPEAKING AT THE KICK-OFF CEREMONY AT THE SOUTH CHINA STADIUM, MR YUNG DESCRIBED THE SCHEME AS +THE CRADLE FOR LOCAL FOOTBALLERS+.
THE SCHEME FOR 1984-85, WHICH STARTED IN OCTOBER, OFFERED
AN ELEMENTARY TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR ABOUT 3 000 YOUNGSTERS UNDER THE AGE OF 19. THOSE WITH POTENTIAL WERE SELECTED FOR TRAINING AT INTERMEDIATE LEVEL.
THE SCHEME IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1984
U
FITNESS TRAIL FOR KOWLOON PARK * * * *
A FITNESS TRAIL WILL BE CONSTRUCTED AT KOWLOON PARK.
THE 1 000 METRES LONG TRAIL WILL BE BUILT ALONG THE WESTERN SLOPE OF KOWLOON PARK FACING CANTON ROAD.
THERE WILL BE SEVEN FITNESS STATIONS ALONG THE TRACK WITH EQUIPMENT, CONCRETE BENCHES AND DRINKING FOUNTAINS. LIGHTS WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TRAIL.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MARCH 1985 AND BE COMPLETED IN SIX MONTHS.
--------0 ----------
MOUNT DAVIS PICNIC AREA OPENS
* * * *
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD HAS SPENT ABOUT $90 □□□ TO TURN A VAST PIECE OF BARREN LAND AT MOUNT DAVIS INTO A BEAUTIFUL PICNIC SITE.
THE SITE ON THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT DAVIS MEASURES MORE THAN 2 009 SQUARE METRES.
FACING THE SULPHUR CHANNEL, THE MOUNT DAVIS PICNIC AREA COMMAND; A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE WESTERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PICNIC AREA IS BEING CARRIED OUT IN TWO PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, MR TSUI MAI-LAM.
MR TSUI SAID THAT THE PICNIC AREA SHOULD BE A WELCOMED PROJECT IN VIEW OF THE ACUTE SHORTAGE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPEN SPACE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT, ESPECIALLY IN KENNEDY TOWN.
THE AREA PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES, INCLUDING BARBECUE PITS, PICNIC TABLES AND BENCHES, ARBOURS, A PAVILION AND PLAY EQUIPMENT. WATER SUPPLY, PLANTING AND PUBLIC TOILETS WILL BE BUILT AS THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROJECT.
SAFETY MEASURES, SUCH AS GUARD RAILINGS AND WARNING SIGNS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN SOME AREAS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF VISITORS.
0 -------
/15
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1984
- 15 -
TAI PO SOCCER PITCH TO HAVE ARTIFICIAL TURF
SK*
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY AND LAYING CF ARTIFICIAL TURF FOR A SOCCER PITCH IN TAI PO.
THE SOCCER PITCH, MEASURING 52 METRES BY 91 METRES, WILL BE BUILT AT TAI PO ROAD NEAR WONG SHIU CHI MIDDLE SCHOOL. IT WILL HAVE FLOOD LIGHTING.
OTHER FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE CHANGING ROOMS, TOILETS, STOREROOMS AND A LANDSCAPED AREA.
THE TURFING WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JANUARY 1985 AND BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER 1985.
------0-------
MEASURES TO IMPROVE KOWLOON TONG, YAU MA TEI TRAFFIC
*****
NEW MEASURES TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY WILL BE INTRODUCED IN KOWLOON TONG AND YAU MA TEI FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 18).
IN KOWLOON TONG, A SIGNAL-CONTROLLED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING WILL BE PROVIDED AT LA SALLE ROAD, NORTH OF BOUNDARY STREET.
EARL STREET BETWEEN BOUNDARY STREET AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
LEFT TURNS FROM BOUNDARY STREET EASTBOUND INTO LA SALLE ROAD NORTHBOUND AS WELL AS, RIGHT TURNS FROM LA SALLE ROAD NORTHBOUND INTO BOUNDARY STREET EASTBOUND WILL BE BANNED.
TRAFFIC ALONG BOUNDARY STREET HEADING FOR LA SALLE ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA EARL STREET AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST.
LA SALLE ROAD NORTHBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH BOUNDARY STREET TO ABOUT 35 METRES NORTH OF THE JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY, WITHIN WHICH NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY.
IN YAU MA TEI, WING SING LANE FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH NATHAN ROAD TO ABOUT 10 METRES EAST OF THE JUNCTION WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY.
A TAXI STAND AND TWO METERED GOODS-VEHICLE PARKING SPACES WILL BE PROVIDED AT WING SING LANE EAST OF THIS CLEARWAY ZONE.
0
/16........
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1984
16 RESTRICTED ZONES IN KOWLOON * * *
FROM TUESDAY (DECEMBER 18), TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN KOWLOON WILL BE MADE RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
THEY ARE: THE NORTHBOUND SECTION OF LA SALLE ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH BOUNDARY STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES NORTH OF THE JUNCTION, AND WING SING LANE FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH NATHAN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 13 METRES EAST OF THE JUNCTION.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBI TED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS; OR LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
- 0
MORE PARKING METERS IN TUEN MUN
* * *
TO REGULATE THE UTILISATION OF ON-STREET PARKING SPACES, 127 TWO-HOUR GOODS VEHICLE PARKING METERS WILL BE INSTALLED IN TUEN MUN TOWN AT YAN CHING CIRCUIT, KIN FUNG CIRCUIT, HUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND SAN ON STREET ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 18).
THE PARKING FEE WILL BE $0.50 FOR 30 MINUTES.
------o-------
TRAFFIC DIVERSION IN TAI PO * M * *
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 18), THE SECTION OF LAM KAM ROAD NEAR KAU LIU HA IN TAI PO WILL BE CLOSED FOR ABOUT A MONTH FOR ROAD WORKS.
TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO A NEW ROAD PARALLEL TO THE CLOSED ROAD.
0
TAPS OFF IN SHIU FAI TERRACE
* * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN SHIU FAI TERRACE AND TO FRENI MEMORIAL CONVALESCENT HOME WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 13 PM ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 19) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ACCORD IS COMMITMENT TO SUCCESS: GOVERNOR................... 1
GUESTS TO LEAVE FOR PEKING.................................. 1
TRTAT) BUREAU DISBANDED +FOR SOUND REASONSf ................ 2
ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL FIGURES OUT ............ 4
CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR TRANSPORT EXTENDED ..................... 7
GROUP TO SEE PRODUCTIVITY WORK.............................. 8
SCHOOL PLACES SHORTAGE DISCUSSED............................ 9
190 000 SEE PUBLIC HOUSING DISPLAY ......................... 9
WELFARE PAYMENTS........................................... 1°
MORE ROOM FOR CARGO HANDLING ............................... 10
RICH ACTIVITIES FOR HOLIDAY SEAS® .......................
ROYAL OBSERVATORY CALENDAR................................. 12
mi CHUNG SCHOOLS SET FOR QUIZ FINAL........................ 12
SITTING-OUT ® LAMMA ISLAND ................................ 13
ROAD TO SERVE FACTORY AREA ................................ 14
WATER FIGURES ............................................. 14
HUNG HOM WATER WORK........................................ 14
PLB RESTRICTED ............................................ 15
GAS SAFETY WORK..........................................
MEET THE MEDIA ..........................................
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1984
1 -
ACCORD IS COMMITMENT TO SUCCESS: GOVERNOR * * *
THE FACT THAT THE AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WILL BE SIGNED BY THE TWO PRIME MINISTERS WILL BE TAKEN AS A SYMBOL CF A COMMITMENT ON EVERYBODY’S PART TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THE AGREEMENT, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE TO PEKING THIS AFTERNOON TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY OF THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF HIS REMARKS AT THE AIRPORT:
+WELL THIS TIME WE ARE VISITING PEKING FOR WHAT WILL BE, I AM SURE, A HISTORIC EVENT - THE SIGNATURE OF THE AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. THE FACT THAT THE AGREEMENT WILL BE SIGNED BY THE TWO PRIME MINISTERS WILL, I AM SURE, BE TAKEN AS A SYMBOL CF A COMMITMENT ON EVERYBODY’S PART TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THE AGREEMENT AND THAT WILL CERTAINLY BE OUR OBJECTIVE, AND SO WITH THOSE FEW WORDS, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON MY RETURN.+
THE GOVERNOR 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 AND THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ROGER LOBO.
ACCOMPANYING THE GOVERNOR WERE THE POLITICAL ADVISER, ROBIN MCLAREN, AND THE GOVERNMENT CHIEF INTERPRETER, W Y.P. CHENG.
-----o------
GUESTS TO LEAVE FOR PEKING
* * *
THE GROUP OF HONG KONG PEOPLE INVITED TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY CF THE SIGNING OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION WILL DEPART FOR PEKING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY WILL BE TRAVELLING ON A CAAC CHARTERED FLIGHT CA1012, ETD 1 PM.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1984
2
TRIAD BUREAU DISBANDED +FOR SOUND REASONS*
* * *
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR DAVID JEAFFRESON STRESSED TODAY THAT THE DECISION TO DISBAND THE TRIAD SOCIETY BUREAU BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WAS TAKEN FOR SOUND OPERATIONAL REASONS AND WAS NOT AS A RESULT OF ANY BELIEF THAT TRIADS NO LONGER HAD THE CAPACITY TO CONSTITUTE A SERIOUS POTENTIAL THREAT TO LAW AND ORDER.
MR JEAFFRESON EXPLAINED THE BACKGROUND TO THE DECISION AND PUT THE PROBLEM OF TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN PERSPECTIVE, IN COMMENT ON SOME OF THE MORE SENSATIONAL STATEMENTS PUBLISHED IN THE PRESS RECENTLY WHICH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE PUBLIC UNNECESSARY CONCERN.
ON THE DECISION TO DISBAND THE TRIAD SOCIETY BUREAU, M? JEAFFRESON SAID THE POLICE HAD AT NO TIME CONSIDERED IT SAFE TO RELAX THEIR VIGILANCE.
+THE COMMISSIONER DECIDED THAT FRONT-LINE POLICE ACTION SHOULD BE CONCENTRATED WHERE IT MATTERED MOST — ON THE STREETS AT REGIONAL AND DISTRICT COMMAND LEVEL.
+THE LEVEL OF COMMAND THERE, THE RESOURCES TO GATHER TRIAD INTELLIGENCE AND THE NUMBER OF TRAINED OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO COMBAT TRIAD ACTIVITIES WERE ALL INCREASED. THE POLICE HAVE NO CAUSE TO DOUBT THE VALIDITY OR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THAT DECISION,* HE SAID.
+ALTHOUGH THE BUREAU WAS DISBANDED, THE LEVEL OF CENTRAL CONTROL AND THE ABILITY TO GATHER AND ASSESS INFORMATION AND INTELLIGENCE ON TRIADS WAS IN FACT INCREASED. WHILE THE BUREAU HAD A LIMITED CHARTER AND WAS HEADED BY A SUPERINTENDENT, THE NEW ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES GROUP WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING POLICE ACTION AGAINST TRIADS, IS COMMANDED BY A CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT ASSISTED BY SEVERAL SENIOR SUPERINTENDENTS IN CHARGE OF SPECIALISED BUREAUX ALL TASKED TO CONCENTRATE MUCH OF THEIR EFFORTS AGAINST TRIADS AND ORGANISED CRIME.
+IN ADDITION, BOTH THE NARCOTICS AND COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAUX, EACH HEADED BY CHIEF SUPERINTENDENTS, DEVOTE MUCH OF THEIR TIME TO DEALING WITH TRIAD INVOLVEMENT IN THE AREAS OF THEIR IMMEDIATE RESPONSIBILITY. THE POLICE COMMITMENT TO COMBATTING TRIADS CONTINUES TO FORM A LARGE PART OF THE FORCE’S OVERALL ANTI-CRIME EFFORT,* MR JEAFFRESON SAID.
+THE 1976-77 ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION ACCURATELY REFLECTED THE FACT THAT TRIADS HAD BECOME TEMPORARILY DISORGANISED AND FRAGMENTED AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME.
+IT IS THE FACT THAT THERE HAS RECENTLY BEEN A RATHER SUDDEN REVIVAL OF TRIAD STRENGTH THAT HAS CAUSED THE CURRENT CONCERN. THE POLICE HAVE ALWAYS CONTINUED TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THEM.
/+WHAT IS........
MONDAY, DECBKBER 17, 1984
+WHAT IS NOW A MATTER OF CONCERN IS THAT, IN SPITE OF THIS EFFORT, THE TRIADS SEEM TO HAVE STRENGTHENED RECENTLY AND IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THROUGH ITS WORKING GROUP ON GANGS, IS CONSIDERING WHAT SPECIAL MEASURES MAY BE REQUIRED TO COMBAT THIS NEW THREAT,+ HE SAID.
MR JEAFFRESON POINTED OUT THAT THIS WORKING GROUP WAS NOT JUST A +TALKING-SHOP+.
+IT HAS BEEN TASKED WITH ANALYSING THE PROBLEM AND WITH RECOMMENDING SOLUTIONS TO THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE. THE LATTER IS CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND INCLUDES IN ITS \
(MEMBERSHIP THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY.
+IT IS AN INFLUENTIAL BODY AND IF IT ENDORSES THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GROUP, IT IS LIKELY THAT THE HIGHEST PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THEIR IMPLEMENTATION. THERE ARE NO EASY SOLUTIONS. WHATEVER THE STRATEGY ULTIMATELY RECOMMENDED, ITS EFFECTIVENESS WILL REMAIN IN LARGE PART DEPENDENT UPON THE WILLINGNESS OF THE PUBLIC TO CO-OPERATE BY REPORTING CRIME AND AGREEING TO GIVE EVIDENCE IN COURT,* HE SAID.
WITH REGARD TO TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS, MR JEAFFRESON SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST ANY MASSIVE TRIAD INFILTRATION OR +REIGN OF TERROR* IN HONG KONG’S SCHOOLS AS WAS CLAIMED IN A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE.
+THERE IS EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, TO INDICATE AN INCREASE IN GANG OR BULLY-BOY ACTIVITIES IN CERTAIN SECONDARY SCHOOLS — SOME OF IT UNDER THE NAME OF TRIADS,* HE SAID.
+THIS IS A PROBLEM FOUND BY EDUCATION AUTHORITIES IN MOST MAJOR POPULATION CENTRES IN THE WESTERN WORLD, OFTEN ON A MUCH WORSE SCALE THAN ANYTHING EXPERIENCED HERE IN HONG KONG. A MASSIVE EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION. IN JUNE AND JULY OF THIS YEAR ALONE THE POLICE ORGANISED A SERIES OF SEMINARS SUPPORTED BY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON THIS PROBLEM. THE SEMINARS WERE ATTENDED BY 1 100 SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, HEADMASTERS AND TEACHERS. JUNIOR POLICE CALL CLUBS HAVE NOW BEEN FORMED IN 257 SECONDARY AND 103 PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND THE EXISTENCE OF THESE CLUBS HAS BEEN SEEN TO HELP REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF SUCH GANG BEHAVIOUR.
+THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AS THE RESULT OF A FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE INITIATIVE, IS ALSO WORKING ON A PLAN TO INTRODUCE IN-SERVICE TRAINING ON MORAL EDUCATION- GIVE MORE ADVICE TO SCHOOLS ON GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING SYSTEMS- PRODUCE A PAMPHLET ON SOCIAL SERVICES AVAILABLE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS AND TO GET UNIVERSITIES TO RUN MORE TRAINING COURSES ON STUDENT GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING,* HE SAID.
MR JEAFFRESON POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE HAD ALREADY TAKEN NEW OPERATIONAL MEASURES WHICH HAD HAD SOME SUCCESS} IT WAS NOT SIMPLY A QUESTION OF WAITING FOR THE WORKING GROUP TO REPORT.
/+IT IS........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1984
- 4 -
+ IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNISE THE THREAT TO LAI* AND ORDER THAT TRIADS REPRESENT, BUT LET US BE CAREFUL TO KEEP THAT THREAT IN PERSPECTIVE. IT DOES THE PUBLIC A GRAVE DISSERVICE TO EXAGGERATE THE PRESTIGE AND POWER OF THE TRIADS AND CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF UNNECESSARY ALARM.
+THERE IS A PROBLEM. IT IS NOT A NEW ONE, BUT RATHER A RESURGENCE OF AN OLD ONE. THE POLICE ARE ALREADY TAKING EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL IT AND THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WILL SHORTLY PROPOSE WHAT ADDITIONAL MEASURES MAY BE NECESSARY,+ RE SAID.
-----o------
ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL FIGURES OUT * * *
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN TERMS OF MONTHS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECLINED IN OCTOBER 1984 FROM THE PREVIOUS MONTH, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
WHILE SIGNIFICANT DECREASES IN ORDERS WERE REPORTED BY THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, A SLIGHT INCREASE WAS RECORDED BY THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY.
COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR REMAINED STABLE. A SLIGHT INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT WAS REPORTED IN THE TEXTILES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. HOWEVER, DECLINES WERE REPORTED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
INCREASES IN PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE REPORTED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES BECAUSE OF MORE OVERTIME WORK.
ALTHOUGH EMPLOYMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR CONTINUED TO FALL, BOTH PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ROSE DUE TO SALARY ADJUSTMENTS AND SEVERANCE PAYMENTS BY SOME FIRMS.
IN THE SERVICES SECTORS, THE EMPLOYMENT LEVEL WAS EFFECTIVELY UNCHANGED. HOWEVER, PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FELL.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS ARE SHOWN IN THE TABLES BELOW.
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 ........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17. 1984
- 5 -
AS THE SAMPLE WAS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT RESULTS ON MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE MIGHT NOT REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE, ALTHOUGH THEY SHOULD GIVE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR OCTOBER 1984 WILL BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, AT $1.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT 3-7212768.
A. ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
(% CHANGE OVER THE ORDERS-ON-HAND PRECEDING MONTH) (IN TERMS OF
INDUSTRY AUG. 1984 SEPT. 1984 OCT. 1984 MONTHS) FOR OCTOBER 1984
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR -2 -2 -1 4.78
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL -1 -1 1 2.31
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -2 -5 4.08
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS -1 -1 -8 3.25
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS -2 2 -2 5.47
OTHERS * -1 -1 4.35
ALL ABOVE INDUSTRIES -2 * -2 4.52
/B. EMPLOYMENT AND........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1984
- 6
B. EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS
PERSONS ENGAGED BY
INDUSTRY/SERVICES THE COMPANIES SURVEYED (% CHANGE OVER THE PER CAPITA EARNINGS PRECEDING MONTH) PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR OCTOBER 1984 HK$
AUG. 1984 SEPT. 1984 OCT. 1984
AUG. 1984 SEPT. 1984 OCT. 1984
MANUFACTURING -3 -4 % 5 -2 2 2 752
— —— — — — — _ _
FOOD AND DRINKS 2 -4 -2 2 4 -5 3 613
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR -1 -2 * 4 -4 4 2 442
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL -1 -2 1 2 -6 4 2 755
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -10 -12 2 11 3 1 2 654
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS -6 -3 -2 7 2 -2 2 336
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS -4 -5 * 4 . -1 3 2 575
OTHERS -4 -3 * 3 -2 2 3 749
CONSTRUCTIONS -4 -1 -1 -3 -3 4 4 354
—————————— ——— —— —- — —— —— — ““ — — ——
SERVICES * * * -2 3 -3 5 343
——————— — — — —— — —— ——— — —
BANKS * * * -3 -1 * 4 416
HOTELS * 1 1 * * * 3 182
PUBLIC UTILITIES * * * -4 10 -5 5 293
OTHERS * * 1 2 -4 -2 6 377
* CHANGES WITHIN +
-0.5%
* % PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS NOT INCLUDED.
- 0
/7
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1984
CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR TRANSPORT EXTENDED
* * * * *
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WILL BE EXTENDED OVER CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
APART FROM ADDITIONAL BUSES, THE FREQUENCY OF RUNNING SCHEDULES FOR BUSES, TRAMS, TRAINS, MAXICABS AND FERRIES WILL BE INCREASED ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND NEW YEAR’S EVE UNTIL EARLY THE FOLLOWING MORNINGS, THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
DETAILS OF THE EXTRA SERVICES ARE:
* THE STAR FERRY’S KOWLOON POINT TO EDINBURGH PLACE ROUTE WILL RUN ALL NIGHT.
* HYF’S CENTRAL TO JORDAN ROAD FERRY SERVICE WILL OPERATE UNTIL 1 AM.
* THE MTR’S CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES WILL BE OPERATED THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. ITS NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICES WILL FINISH BY 12.30 AM ON NEW YEAR’S DAY.
* KCR SERVICES ON DECEMBER 24, 25, 31 AND JANUARY 1 WILL BE EXTENDED UNTIL 1 AM.
* PEAK TRAM SERVICES WILL BE EXTENDED TO 1.30 AM ON DECEMBER 25 AND TO 1 AM ON JANUARY 1.
* TRAM SERVICES, EXCEPT AROUND THE HAPPY VALLEY LOOP AND BETWEEN WHITTY STREET AND KENNEDY TOWN, WILL OPERATE ALL NIGHT ON CHRISTMAS EVE. ON NEW YEAR’S EVE, IT WILL RUN UNTIL 3 AM.
* CMB WILL EXTEND SERVICES ON EIGHT MAJOR ROUTES - NOS. 2, 4, 7, 10, 23, 38, 70 AND 72.
THE LAST DEPARTURES OF ROUTE 2 FROM SHAU KEI WAN AND MACAU FERRY WILL BE AT 1.15 AM AND 2 AM RESPECTIVELY? NO. 4 FROM WA FU AND CENTRAL WILL BE AT 0.30 AM AND 1 AM? NO. 7 FROM SHEK
PAI WAN AND CENTRAL AT 2 AM AND 2.30 AM? NO. 10 FROM NORTH POINT
FERRY AND KENNEDY TOWN AT 1 AM AND 2 AM? NO. 23 FROM NORTH
POINT FERRY AND POKFIELD ROAD AT 0.30 AM AND 1.15 AM? NO. 38 FROM
NORTH POINT AND CHI FU FA YUEN AT MIDNIGHT AND 1 AM? NO. 70 FROM ABERDEEN AND CENTRAL AT 0.24 AM AND 1 AM AND NO. 72 FROM ABERDEEN AND CAUSEWAY BAY AT 0.50 AM AND 1.30 AM.
/* KMB WILL........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1984
8
* KMB WILL ALSO BE EXTENDING SERVICES.
THE LAST DEPARTURES OF ROUTE 1A FROM SAU MAU PING JO STAR FERRY WILL BE AT 0.43 AM AND 1.40 AM RESPECTIVELY? NO. 5 FROM CHOI HUNG AND TSIM SHA TSUI AT 2.20 AM AND 3 AM? NO. 5C FROM TSZ WAN SHAN AND TSIM SHA TSUI AT 1.20 AM AND 2 AM? NO. 6 FROM LAI CHI KOK AND STAR FERRY AT 2.18 AM AND 3 AM? NO. 9 FROM PING SHEK AND STAR FERRY AT 0.16 AM AND 1 AM? AND NO. 66M FROM TAI HING AND TSUEN WAN MTR STATION AT 0.30 AM AND 1.15 AM.
* MANY MAXICAB ROUTES WILL ALSO FINISH LATER THAN USUAL? SUCH AS NO. 1 (PEAK TO HMS TAMAR) AT 4 AM? 30 (CAUSEWAY BAY TO ADMIRALTY MTR STATION) AT 3 AM? 32 (NORTH POINT TO CENTRAL) AT 2.30 AM? 3 (TSIM SHA TSUI TO TAI TUNG SUN CHUEN) AT 1.30 AM? 7 (KOWLOON CITY TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST) AT 3 AM? ( 31M (ARGYLE MTR STATION TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST) AT 2 AM.
- 0
GROUP TO SEE PRODUCTIVITY WORK * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO INDUSTRIAL LIAISON COMMITTEE WILL VISIT THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO STUDY THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES.
THIS WILL BE THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF VISITS PLANNED BY THE COMMITTEE.
THE COMMITTEE WAS FORMED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE WITH THE AIM OF PROMOTING DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND TACKLING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
THE VISIT WILL BEGIN WITH DISCUSSIONS AT THE PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE HEAD OFFICE AT 2 PM, AND WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A TOUR OF THE MICROPROCESSOR LABORATORY.
THE PARTY WILL THEN PROCEED TO THE CENTRE’S METAL DEVELOPMENT BRANCH AT FREDER CENTRE IN TO KWA WAN TO LOOK AT VARIOUS PRODUCTION METHODS IN LOW-COST AUTOMATION, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, METAL FINISHING, HEAT TREATMENT AND DIE-CASTING.
-----o-----
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1984
- 9 -
SCHOOL PLACES SHORTAGE DISCUSSED
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) HELD A MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF A GROUP CONCERNED WITH THE SHORTAGE OF SCHOOL PLACES IN TUEN MUN.
THE MEETING WAS CHAIRED BY MR ROBERT LO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PLANNING AND BUILDING), AND ATTENDED BY OTHER SENIOR
STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT.
AT THE MEETING THE REPRESENTATIVES DISCUSSED A REPORT THEY RECENTLY COMPILED CONCERNING THE SHORTAGE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES IN TUEN MUN. THE DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT A SHORTAGE WAS EXPECTED IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, AND ASSURED THE GROUP THAT EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WOULD BE DONE TO REMEDY THE SITUATION.
REPRESENTATIVES RELATING TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD COURSE.
OTHER POINTS RAISED BY THE THEIR REPORT WERE ALSO NOTED AND GIVE THEM A WRITTEN REPLY IN DUE
-------- o -------
190 000 SEE PUBLIC HOUSING DISPLAY III
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S +BETTER HOMES IN ESTATES* EXHIBITION, WHICH CLOSED AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI NEW WORLD CENTRE YESTERDAY (SUNDAY), ATTRACTED 190 000 VISITORS.
ENCOURAGED BY THE SUCCESS OF THE EXHIBITION, THE AUTHORITY IS NOW THINKING OF STAGING IT AGAIN ELSEWHERE, IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
♦JUDGING FROM THE WAY THE EXHIBITION WAS RECEIVED BY VISITORS, IT WAS A GOOD MEDIUM BY WHICH WE COULD INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN PROVIDING PERMANENT HOUSING AND EXPLAINING ITS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY TODAY.
THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR DAVID FORD, SAID: +WE IN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ARE VERY MUCH INDEBTED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WHO ENCOURAGED US NOT ONLY TO DESIGN AN EXHIBITION TO CARRY THE HOUSING MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND ALSO FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN DOING SO IN A REALLY INTERESTING AND EXCITING WAY. FURTHERMORE, IT WAS THEIR IDEA TO EXTEND THE CELEBRATION TO THE ESTATES AND FROM THAT IDEA THE CONCEPT OF OUR HOUSING FESTIVAL EMERGED.*
THE EXHIBITION HAD BEEN STAGED EARLIER IN THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL, AND HAD DRAWN FAVOURABLE COMMENTS FROM THE PRESS AND VISITORS, BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS.
-----0------
/10 .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1984
10
WELFARE PAYMENTS
* * M
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES MAY RECEIVE THEIR ALLOWANCES EARLIER IF THEIR PAYMENT DATES FALL ON THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THOSE WHO ARE TO RECEIVE PAYMENT ON DECEMBER 25 AND 26 CAN CASH THEIR COUPONS ON DECEMBER 20 AND 21 RESPECTIVELY, OR AFTER AT THE DESIGNATED POST OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES OR TREASURY SUB-OFFICES.
RECIPIENTS OF OLD AGE ALLOWANCES AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCE UNDER THE BANK PAYMENT SYSTEM WITH PAYMENT DATE FALLING ON DECEMBER 25, MAY ALSO COLLECT THEIR ALLOWANCES ONE DAY EARLIER, ON DECEMBER 24, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
- - - - 0 ----
MORE ROOM FOR CARGO HANDLING
X X X
AN ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY CARGO HANDLING AREA WILL BE BUILT AT A SITE TO THE EAST OF BUTTERFLY ESTATE IN TUEN MUN.
IT WILL EXTEND FOR 270 METRES ALONG THE WATERFRONT TO PROVIDE 6000 SQUARE METRES OF MUCH-NEEDED SPACE. TENDERS FOR THE WORK, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE, ARE BEING INVITED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE EXISTING TEMPORARY CARGO HANDLING AREA, SOUTH OF THE SITE, IS PROVING INADEQUATE TO MEET AN INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR SUCH FACILITIES AS TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG CONTINUE THEIR DEVELOPMENT.
- - - - 0 -----------
RICH ACTIVITIES FOR HOLIDAY SEASON x a x
APART FROM FESTIVE DECORATIONS, A VARIETY OF ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED THROUGHOUT HONG KONG FOR THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS.
♦RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE THE JOY AND GOODWILL OF THE FESTIVE SEASON WITHOUT HAVING TO TRAVEL TOO FAR FROM THEIR HOMES,+ THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM, TOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY).
/♦THERE WILL .......
MONDAY, D^IEMBER 17, 19&4
11
+THERE *ILL BE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN THE CHRISTMAS PACKAGE OF MORE THAN 100 ACTIVITIES ORGANISED OR SPONSORED BY VARIOUS DISTRICT BOARDS, THE URBAN COUNCIL, COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND COMMERCIAL FIRMS,+ HE SAID.
LARGE-SCALE EVENTS INCLUDE FUN FAIRS AND CARNIVALS FOR ALL AGES, PARTIES FOR THE ELDERLY, VARIETY SHOWS, DISCO NIGHTS AND A LASER SHOW.
DETAILS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES.
HE SAID THE FESTIVE LIGHTS IN CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST WOULD REMAIN ON VIEW UNTIL JANUARY.
+AS LARGE CROWDS ARE EXPECTED IN THESE TWO AREAS ON CHRISTMAS EVE, IT WOULD BE ADVISABLE FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND ELDERLY MEMBERS TO VISIT THEM BEFORE OR AFTER DECEMBER 24 TO AVOID THE CONGESTION+, MR LAM SAID.
SPECIAL LIGHTINGS AND OTHER DECORATIONS WILL ALSO BE PUT UP IN OTHER DISTRICTS, INCLUDING CHAI WAN, SHAU KEI WAN, TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WAS CHIEF TRANSPORT OFFICER, MR ALAN LUI, WHO GAVE DETAILS OF SPECIAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE HOLIDAY PERIOD.
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, WHEN DEMAND FOR TRANSPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE HEAVIEST, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WILL PROVIDE SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, UP TO 1 AM, AND THE PEAK TRAM, UP TO 1.30 AM. THE HONG KONG TRAMWAYS WILL BE RUNNING ALL-NIGHT SERVICES BETWEEN WHITTY STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN.
FERRIES, BUSES AND MAXICABS WILL ALSO BE RUNNING EXTENDED SERVICES.
SPECIAL PEDESTRIAN SCHEMES IN CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AND TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT BY THE POLICE TO ENSURE MAXIMUM CONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC DURING THE HOLIDAY PER IOD.
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/12 .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1984
ROYAL OBSERVATORY CALENDAR * * * *
USEFUL METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION AND FULL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS ARE CONTAINED IN THE 1985 EDITION OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY CALENDAR NOW ON SALE AT $27 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
THE CALENDAR CAN ALSO BE PURCHASED FROM THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HEADQUARTERS IN NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
IT INCLUDES THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE CALENDAR, AND PROVIDES INFORMATION ON TIMES OF DAILY SUNRISE, SUNSET, MOONRISE, MOONSET, HIGH AND LOW TIDES, AND THE DURATION OF LUNAR ECLIPSES IN 1985.
CLIMATOLOGICAL INFORMATION SUCH AS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF DAYS WITH FOG IS TABULATED TOGETHER WITH THE MEAN VALUES OF TEMPERATURE, RAINFALL, RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND CLOUD AMOUNT.
THE COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATE THE SUBTLE INFLUENCE FROM WEATHER ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF DAILY LIFE.
THE PUBLICATION IS THE LATEST IN THE LONG LINE OF BILINGUAL CALENDARS PRODUCED JOINTLY BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, AND THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER.
APART FROM THE NEW CALENDAR, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY ALMANAC IS ALSO ON SALE, AT $12 A COPY.
- - 0 - -
KWAI CHUNG SCHOOLS SET FOR QUIZ FINAL
*****
THE GRAND FINAL OF THE KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE QUIZ IS SPONSORED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, AND ORGANISED BY THE KWAI CHUNG SUB-DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE HEADMASTERS OF VARIOUS SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
IT AIMS TO HELP PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING AND AWARENESS OF THE FUNCTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
THE CONTEST ATTRACTED 27 TEAMS FROM 19 SCHOOLS IN KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl DISTRICT.
THREE SCHOOLS, LAM WOO MEMORIAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, LAI KING CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL AND SHUNG TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION LEE SHIU KEE COLLEGE, HAVE SUCCEEDED IN GETTING THROUGH TO THE FINALS.
/AT TOMDHKOW'S
MONDAY, DBOrMBEH 17, 19&4
AT TOMORROW’S GRAND FINAL, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER 0F ™^EGISLATI V.
5?^^iRTH?oSN^-T^l^^sm5^SAD^
TO THE WINNERS.
YIP DURING THE
THERE « ILL ^SO BE A MINI-CONCERT FEATURING THE^HON^XONG^ PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA ANu POPULAR blNGER, JOHNNY ... --SECOND HALF OF THE PROGRAMME.
- 0 ----------
SITTING-OUT ON LAMMA ISLAND * * * *
A NEW SITTING-OUT AREA FOR RESIDENTS IN SOK KWU WAN ON LAMMA ISLAND WILL BE OPENED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE 140 SQUARE-METRE AREA, FEATURES FLOWER POTS, ARBORS, BENCHES AND CONCRETE CHESS TABLES. IT WAS BUILT BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD AT A COST OF ABOUT $79 000.
+THIS SITTING-OUT AREA IS FOR RESIDENTS, FISHERMEN LIVING IN THE VICINITY, AS WELL AS VISITORS WHO COME TO THE ISLAND OVER THE WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
♦THE ENVIRONMENT HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A FAR MORE PLEASANT AREA TO COMPLEMENT THE ADJACENT BASKETBALL COURTS AND MINI-SOCCER PITCHES, AND THE SOUTH LAMMA PUBLIC LIBRARY,* HE SAID.
+ THE SPOT ON WHICH THIS SITTING-OUT AREA WAS BUILT, WAS AN EYESORE FULL OF UNDERGROWTH, HEDGES, AND CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS DUMPED THERE BY IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE,* HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PROJECT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORKS CARRIED OUT BY THE COMMITTEE, WHICH INCLUDES CLEARING OBSTRUCTIONS FROM BACKLANES, BUILDING PAVILIONS, HANDRAILS, BRIDGES, AND REPAIRS TO FOOTPATHS AND OTHER PROJECTS.
OTHER GUESTS OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY ARE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR YOUNG WING-YAU= AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTH LAMMA RURAL COMMITTEE, MR CHOW YUK-TONG.
/14........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1984
- 14 -
ROAD TO SERVE FACTORY AREA * * * *
A SINGLE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE BUILT IN CHEUNG SHA WAN IN KOWLOON.
THE 55O-METRE-LONG ROAD WILL CIRCUMSCRIBE A FLATTED FACTORIES AREA BEING DEVELOPED NEAR THE WHOLESALE POULTRY MARKET THERE.
THE ROAD WILL PROVIDE VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE TWO BLOCKS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
WORK ON THE ROAD PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ASSOCIATED FOOTWAY AND ANCILLARY DRAINAGE, IS EXPECTED TO START IN FEBRUARY 1985 AND BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.
THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
--------o - - - -
WATER FIGURES
* * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 74.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 439.099 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 540.741 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 92.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
o ---------
HUNG HOM WATER WORK
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN HUNG HOM WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 PM ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 20) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY MA TAU wAI ROAD, HOK YUEN STREET, KAI MING STREET AND THE SEAFRONT.
- 0 ----------
/15 .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1934
PLB RESTRICTED ZONE * * *
FROM WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 19), PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE RESTRICTED ALONG A SECTION OF HING FONG ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG, AT THE ROAD BEND OUTSIDE BLOCK 5, KWAI HING ESTATE.
THE RESTRICTIONS ON PLB WILL APPLY FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS.
- - 0
GAS SAFETY WORK * * *
THE GAS ADVISER. MR K. TUNNAH, WILL BE HOLDING A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) ON THE ACHIEVEMENT MADE IN GAS SAFETY IN HONG KONG AND THE WORK DONE BY HIS OFFICE SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT TWO YEARS AGO.
NOTE TO EDITORS
MEET THE MEDIA * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, AND OTHER MEMBERS CF HIS DEPARTMENT’S DIRECTORATE WILL MEET THE MEDIA AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE 15TH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
THEY WILL PROVIDE BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TRADE MATTERS ARISING DURING THE LAST 12 MONTHS.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRIME MINISTER'S PRESS CONFERENCE ............................... 1
+ 1984 - A GOOD YEAR FOR HK TRaDEf .............................. 1
WRE EXCLUDED FROM PART II RENT CONTROL........................... 2
ASSESSMENT OFFICE REPORT FOR LEGCO .............................. 4
TAG ENDORSES KMB ROUTE GROWTH PLAN .............................. 4
BOARD TO DISCUSS WHITE PAPER..................................... 5
HISTORY IN THE MAKING............................................ 6
WARNING AGAINST IMPORTING ENDANGERED SPECIES .................... 6
CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME GOES ON .................................. 7
BOOK ON COUNTRY PARKS PUBLISHED ................................. 8
CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL AT VICTORIA PARK............................. 9
CHILDREN'S PARK FOR ............................................. 10
YOUTH CHOIR CONCERT ............................................. ’ll
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED.......................................... 11
REMINDER ON REFUSE STORAGE CHAMBER............................... 11
FRESH, SALT WATER CUTS .......................................... 12
TRAFFIC CHANGE................................................... 12
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1934
PRIME MINISTER’S PRESS CONFERENCE
* * * *
IT HAS NOW BEEN DECIDED THAT THE PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER, WILL BE HELD AT 8 AM ON DECEMBER 21, 1984 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER (INSTEAD OF 8.30 AM AS EARLIER ANNOUNCED).
ALL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ATTENDING THE PRESS CONFERENCE SHOULD BE SEATED BY 7.50 AM. THERE WILL BE A THREE-MINUTE PHOTO-CALL AFTER THE PRIME MINISTER ARRIVES AND BEFORE THE PRESS CONFERENCE BEGINS. ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS MUST LEAVE THE COUNCIL CHAMBER BEFORE THE PRESS CONFERENCE GETS UNDERWAY.
ALL OTHER ARRANGEMENTS, INCLUDING THOSE FOR +LIVE+ TELEVISION AND RADIO COVERAGE, REMAIN UNCHANGED.
-----o------
+1984 - A GOOD YEAR FOR HK TRADE*
* * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT 1984 WAS A BUSY YEAR, BUT A GOOD YEAR FOR HONG KONG IN TRADE MATTERS.
SPEAKING AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION, MR MACLEOD STATED THAT THE MAJOR EXTERNAL PROBLEM HONG KONG CARRIED FORWARD INTO 1985 wAS THE U.S. ORIGIN RULES ISSUE.
+1 WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT WE NEED TO KEEP OUR PROBLEMS WITH THE UNITED STATES IN PERSPECTIVE. CERTAINLY THE CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF ’CALLS’, RESULTING IN EVER MORE CATEGORIES OF TEXTILES COMING UNDER RESTRAINT, HAVE CAUSED US CONCERN.
+CERTAINLY WE HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS OVER THE NEW ORIGIN RULES. BUT THESE DO NOT ALTER THE FACT THAT THE UNITED STATES IS OUR GREATLY VALUED, LARGEST TRADING PARTNER; AND THAT IT IS ALSO THE LARGEST INVESTOR IN HONG KONG INDUSTRY, A CONCRETE EXPRESSION OF CONFIDENCE.
+MOREOVER, THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION WAS MOST HELPFUL IN PERSUADING CONGRESS TO CONTINUE TO INCLUDE HONG KONG AND OTHERS IN THE TARIFF PREFERENCE SCHEME.*
MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT THE MAIN, MOST VISIBLE ROLE OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS AFFECTING, OR LIKELY TO AFFECT, HONG KONG’S TRADE.
HE ADMITTED THERE ALWAYS HAD BEEN PROBLEMS AND THERE PROBABLY ALWAYS WOULD BE PROBLEMS. +THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE REAL WORLD,* bfi MACLEOD SAID.
HE CAUTIONED IT WAS IMPORTANT AT THE SAME TIME NOT TO BE MISLED BY THIS.
/+THE OUTSTANDING........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1984
2
+THE OUTSTANDING FACT OF LIFE AS REGARDS TRADE IS THAT WE HAVE RELATIVELY FEW PROBLEMS, AND THAT OUR TRADE IS SO BUOYANT. LET US NOT FORGET THE DRAMATIC TRADE FIGURES WHICH HAVE BEEN REVEALED MONTH AFTER MONTH, WITH TOTAL EXPORTS UP AROUND 40 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
+AND LET US NOT FORGET THAT WHILE WE HAVE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS, IN RELATION TO TEXTILES, TARIFF PREFERENCES, WATCHES EXPORTED TO FRANCE, FOR EXAMPLE, WE ALSO HAVE GREAT AREAS OF TRADE WHERE THERE ARE VIRTUALLY NO SUCH PROBLEMS,* MR MACLEOD SAID.
LOOKING AHEAD, MR MACLEOD SAID THAT THE MAJOR TOPIC WHICH WOULD BECOME OF INCREASING IMPORTANCE IN 1985 AND 1986 WAS THE QUESTION OF WHAT WAS TO HAPPEN AFTER THE CURRENT EXTENSION OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (M.F.A.) EXPIRES IN 1986.
THIS WAS LINKED TO THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE GATT WORKING PARTY ON TEXTILES, AND WOULD IN TURN LEAD INTO THE QUESTION OF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WHEN HONG KONG’S BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENTS WITH THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY AND THE UNITED STATES EXPIRE AT THE END CF 1986 AND 1987 RESPECTIVELY.
+ IN ALL THIS, CONTINUED CO-ORDINATION WITH OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IS VITAL. THIS IS ACHIEVED ON A DAILY BASIS IN GENEVA, BUT SPECIAL MEETINGS TO DEAL WITH MAJOR ISSUES LIKE THE M.F.A. EXPIRY WILL INCREASE NEXT YEAR.
+THERE WAS A USEFUL DEVELOPING COUNTRIES MEETING WHICH HONG KONG ATTENDED IN KARACHI THIS SUMMER. THERE WILL BE A CRUCIAL MEETING IN APRIL NEXT YEAR IN MEXICO WHICH I HOPE TO ATTEND.
+CONTINUED ACTIVITY BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OVERSEAS OFFICES, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN GENEVA AND WASHINGTON, WILL BE VITAL, TO SAFEGUARD OUR INTERESTS, GIVE ADVANCED WARNING OF DEVELOPMENTS, AND TO SEEK TO INFLUENCE DECISION-MAKERS,* MR MACLEOD SAID.
0 --------
MORE EXCLUDED FROM PART I I RENT CONTROL *****
FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), DOMESTIC TENANCIES OF PREMISES WITH A RATEABLE VALUE OF OR ABOVE $35 000 AS AT JUNE 10, 1983 ARE EXCLUDED FROM PART II OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE, AND THE REVISED SYSTEM REGULATING RENT INCREASES BECOMES OPERATIVE.
THESE AMENDMENTS WERE ENACTED IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT ABOUT 2 000 DOMESTIC TENANCIES OF PREMISES WITH A RATEABLE VALUE OF OR ABOVE $35 000 AS AT JUNE 10, 1983 (I.E. THE OLD RATEABLE VALUE BEFORE THE 1984 REVALUATION) WERE EXCLUDED FROM RENT INCREASE CONTROL UNDER PART II. THEY WOULD, HOWEVER, BE PROTECTED UNDER PART IV, WHICH AFFORDS SECURITY OF TENURE AT THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT.
/UNDER PART .......
TU3SDAY, DKOffiER 18, 1984
- 3 -
UNDER PART IV, A SIX-MONTH NOTICE MUST BE GIVEN BY THE LANDLORD BEFORE HE MAY TERMINATE A TENANCY BUT THE TENANT CAN ■SEEK A RENEWAL IF HE DOES NOT INTEND TO LEAVE. IF AGREEMENT CANNOT BE REACHED BETWEEN THE PARTIES, THE TENANT CAN APPLY TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL FOR THE GRANT OF A NEW TENANCY.
AS REGARDS THE SYSTEM REGULATING RENT INCREASES OF DOMESTIC TENANCIES OF POST-WAR PREMISES PROTECTED UNDER PART II OF THE ORDINANCE, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT PRIOR TO DECEMBER 19 THE PERMITTED INCREASE IN RENT WAS HALF OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT AND THE CURRENT RENT, LIMITED TO 30 PER CENT OF THE CURRENT RENT BUT, IN ANY EVENT, THE RESULTANT NEW RENT HAD TO REACH AT LEAST 30 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT.
FROM DECEMBER 19, THE PERMITTED INCREASE IS DETERMINED BY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT AND THE CURREN-RENT, STILL LIMITED TO 30 PER CENT OF THE CURRENT RENT. BUT, IF THE INCREASE SO DETERMINED, WHEN ADDED TO THE CURRENT RENT, RESULTS IN A RENT LESS THAN 45 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT, THE PERMITTED INCREASE WILL BE AN AMOUNT NECESSARY TO BRI»G THE CURRENT RENT UP TO 45 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET PENT.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT OF A FLAT IS S3 33-' AND THE CURRENT RENT IS $1 000, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO WOULD BE $2 000| BUT THE INCREASE IS LIMITED TO 30 PER CENT OF THE CURRENT RENT WHICH IS $300. HOWEVER AS THE RESULTANT NEW RENT ($1 000 + 3300 = $1 300) IS LESS THAN 45 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT WHICH IS EQUAL TO $1 350, THE PERMITTED INCREASE IS THEREFORE $350, I.E. THE AMOUNT NECESSARY TO BRING THE CURRENT RENT UP TO 45 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT APPLICATIONS FOR A CERTIFICATE OF RENT INCREASE RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE DECEMBER 1? WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE REVISED SYSTEM. THE REVISION WOULD AFFECT LESS THAN 16 PER CENT OF PROTECTED TENANCIES, BEING THOSE WHERE THE TENANTS WERE PAYING RELATIVELY LOW RENTS.
QUESTIONS CONCERNING THESE AMENDMENTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE RENT OFFICERS OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT OR THE STAFF AT ANY OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
- - 0 - -
/4........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1984
4
ASSESSMENT OFFICE REPORT FOR LEGCO XXX
THE REPORT OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE AND THE REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT MONITORING TEAM ON THE ACCEPTABILITY OF THE SINO-BRITISH DRAFT AGREEMENT WILL BE TABLED AT TOMORROW’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.
NINE QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON A VARIETY OF MATTERS. THESE QUESTIONS WILL INCLUDE PLANS TO IMPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION IN NEW TOWNS, MEASURES TO MINIMISE FIRE HAZARDS IN DOMESTIC AND FACTORY PREMISES, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND WHETHER A PUTONGHUA DEPARTMENT WILL BE SET UP IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION.
SEVEN NEW BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME TOMORROW.
THEY ARE:
* ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1984,
X PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL 1984,
X MONEY CHANGERS (DISCLOSURE OF RATES, CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS) BILL 1984,
X TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984,
X FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984,
X PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, AND
X EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984.
AND DEBATE WILL RESUME ON THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 198^, PRIOR TO FINAL READING.
-----0------
TAC ENDORSES KMB ROUTE GROWTH PLAN
XXX
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TODAY ENDORSED THE ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY FOR 1984 TO 86.
UNDER THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, THE COMPANY wOULD ENLARGE SUBSTANTIALLY ITS BUS FLEET TO CATER FOR THE PUBLIC HOUSING AND NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENTS IN SHA TIN AND EASTERN AND WESTERN NEW TERR ITOR IES.
/THE PR0G-UM1E........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 19&4
THE PROGRAMME WOULD REQUIRE AN INCREASE IN DOUBLE DECKERS ON THE ROAD, FROM THE PRESENT NUMBER OF 2 281 TO 2 569 BY THE END OF 1985, AND 2 755 BY THE END OF 1986. KMB IS EXPECTED TO SPEND $212 MILLION IN 1985 AND ABOUT $204 MILLION IN 1986 TO FINANCE THE EXPANSION OF ITS FLEET.
THE MEETING ALSO EXAMINED THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE CONTRACT HIRE CAR SCHEME INTRODUCED IN 1982. THE NUMBER OF HIRE CAR PERMITS HAD CONTINUED TO DECLINE, MOST OF THE CANCELLATIONS AND SURRENDERS BEING IN THE PRIVATE HIRE CAR AND SCHOOL HIRE CAR CATEGOR IES.
A TOTAL OF 867 PERMITS WERE IN EFFECT, OUT OF A GAZETTED LIMIT OF 3 460.
THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT THE POLICE FORCE WAS CONTINUING TO MONITOR REPORTED AND SUSPECTED PAK PAI ACTIVITIES IN THE NE»a TERRITORIES, AND WOULD BE TAKING ENFORCEMENT ACTION TO ENSURE THAT PRIVATE HIRE CARS WHOSE PERMITS HAD BEEN CANCELLED DID NOT REVERT TO ILLEGAL PAK PAI OPERATIONS.
- 0 -
BOARD TO DISCUSS WHITE PAPER * * * *
NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AT THEIR MEETING ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 20).
REPRESENTATIVES FROM RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PROPOSED ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SYSTEM AND THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT SCHEME.
AT THE MEETING, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION WILL ALSO EXPLAIN THE PROVISION OF THE TRAIN SERVICES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS OF THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES AND A BIMONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
- 0 - -
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1984
- 6 -
HISTORY IN THE MAKING * * X X
THE URBAN COUNCIL’S MUSEUM OF HISTORY WILL ORGANISE A +HISTORY IN THE MAKING+ PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION NEXT SPRING FOR RESIDENTS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 25. THE EVENT IS A CONTRIBUTION TO THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR DESIGNATED BY THE UNITED NATIONS.
ENTRIES TO THE COMPETITION SHOULD BE PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN LOCALLY AND DEPICTING OCCASIONS AND EVENTS OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE. THEY MAY COVER VARIOUS ASPECTS OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS TRADE AND INDUSTRY, CONSTRUCTION AND GROWTH, CRAFTS AND PROFESSIONS, LIFE AND CUSTOMS, AND CELEBRATIONS AND FESTIVALS.
ENTRIES MAY BE COLOUR OR BLACK-AND-WHITE PRINTS MOUNTED ON A CARDBOARD OF THE SAME SIZE. THE SI ZE OF THE PRINT MAY RANGE FROM 20 CM BY 25 CM TO 40 CM BY 50 CM. SLIDES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
IN ADDITION TO TROPHIES, THERE WILL BE CASH PRIZES OF $2 000, ?1 200 AND 5800 FOR THE FIRST THREE WINNERS. TWELVE OUTSTANDING ENTRIES WILL ALSO BE SELECTED FOR A CASH AWARD OF 5300 EACH.
ENTRY FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE EARLY JANUARY AT THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF HISTORY IN KOWLOON PARK. CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES WILL BE MARCH 31, 1985.
-----o------
WARNING AGAINST IMPORTING ENDANGERED SPECIES K X X
PEOPLE GOING ABROAD FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR ARE ADVISED NOT TO BRING BACK ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS OR PLANTS.
THESE INCLUDE LIVE OR STUFFED SPECIMENS OF SEA TURTLES, CROCODILES, OWLS AND PANGOLINS AS WELL AS WILD AMERICAN GINSENG, WILD ORCHIDS AND WILD CACTUS.
SO FAR THIS YEAR, OVER 50 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED FOR ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF ITEMS BANNED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.
THE ITEMS SEIZED INCLUDED STUFFED SPECIMENS OF SEA TURTLES, EGGS, SHELLS AND SCALES, ELEPHANT SKINS AND TUSKS, RHINO HORNS, LIVE AND STUFFED SPECIMENS OF CROCODILES AND SKINS, PYTHON SKINS, STUFFED SPECIMENS OF PANGOLINS AND SKINS, OWLS AND CIVETS.
/TRE ORDINANCE, ........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1984
- 7 "
THE ORDINANCE, WHICH GIVES EFFECT TO THE CONVENTION ON THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA, PROVIDES FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 OOO ON CONVICTION FOR FIRST OFFENCES, AND $10 000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENCES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS GRATIFYING THAT MORE PEOPLE WERE BECOMING AWARE OF THE NEED TO PROTECT CERTAIN ANIMALS AND PLANTS WHICH FALL INTO THE ENDANGERED SPECIES AND THE BAN ON THEIR IMPORTATION.
RECORDS SHOW THAT PREVIOUSLY ABOUT 200 PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED EACH YEAR FOR IMPORTING ITEMS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES.
-----o------
CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME GOES ON * * * *
THIRTY-SIX YEAR OLD LAI SING-HIN IS AN OUTDOOR MAN - AND ON HOLIDAYS LIKES TO TAKE HIS FAMILY TO THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR THE CLEAN, FRESH AIR.
BECAUSE OF HIS LIKING FOR OPEN SPACES, HE IS TAKING PART ONCE AGAIN, IN THE CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME.
HE WAS A WINNER IN LAST YEAR’S SCHEME.
THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR TO ENABLE NATURc. LOVERS TO HAVE FUN WHILE LEARNING HOW TO CARE FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE.
THIS YEAR’S SCHEME, WHICH STARTED YESTERDAY, IS DIVIDED INTO TWO STAGES - LITTER PICKING AND TREE PLANTING.
THE FIRST STAGE WILL LAST UNTIL FEBRUARY 28 NEXT YEAR.
IT IS OPEN TO ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF 12, BUT IS LIMITED TO 8000 ENTRIES ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. THE PARTICIPANTS MAY VISIT ANY OF THE COUNTRY PARKS IN SHING MUN, TAI MO SHAN, TAI LAM, PLOVER COVE, PAT SIN LENG, KAM SHAN, SAI KUNG WEST, SAI KUNG EAST, CLEAR WATER BAY, ABERDEEN, QUARRY BAY OR LANTAU SOUTH WHERE THEY WILL BE GIVEN A LITTER BAG AT THE REPORTING POST.
ANYONE WHO HANDS IN A FULL BAG OF REFUSE WILL BE ISSUED wITH A PASS CARD VERIFIED WITH A MERIT STAMP, TOGETHER WITH A +CLEAN Aimj GREEN+ CLOTH BADGE AS A SOUVENIR.
THOSE WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE STAGE ONE MAY ENTER STAGE TWO, DURING WHICH THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO PLANT A TREE AT ANY COUNTRY PARK ON THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING DAY, IN LATE MARCH OR MID APRIL.
/PABTICIPANTS, HAVING........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 19
- 8 -
PARTICIPANTS, HAVING COMPLETED STAGE TWO, WILL ENTER A LUCKY DRAW, OUT OF WHICH 250 WILL BE SELECTED TO ATTEND A PICNIC AT CHEUNG SHEUNG IN SAI KUNG ON SUNDAY, APRIL 28.
A LEAFLET GIVING DETAILS OF THE SCHEME MAY BE OBTAINED AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IN CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
-----o--------
BOOK ON COUNTRY PARKS PUBLISHED
XXX
A DETAILED BOOK ON HONG KONG’S COUNTRY PARKS HAS JUST BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.
THE AUTHOR OF THIS DEFINITIVE BOOK, DR STELLA THROWER, IS A BIOLOGIST, TEACHER AND CONSERVATIONIST.
MANY OF THE SEVERAL MILLION PEOPLE WHO VISIT THE COUNTRY PARKS EACH YEAR ARE KEEN ON LEARNING MORE ABOUT THEIR TOPOGRAPHY AND ECOLOGY.
+AS ECOLOGICAL STUDIES ARE NOW INCLUDED IN THE CURRICULUM CF MANY SCHOOLS, A DESIRE FOR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE HAS BEEN GROWING AMONG THE YOUNG VISITORS.
+THE NEW PUBLICATION, AVAILABLE AT $48 A COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, G.P.O. BUILDING, HONG KONG, FULFILS THIS NEED,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
INTRODUCTORY CHAPTERS DESCRIBE THE HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL PARKS PHILOSOPHY, THE BACKGROUND TO THE COUNTRY PARKS IN HONG KONG AND THE NEED FOR THEIR MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PARKS AND THEIR TOPOGRAPHY AND ECOLOGY ARE GIVEN, LINKED TOGETHER BY +SEASONAL INTERLUDES* WHICH SUMMARISE SEASONAL CHANGES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE IN TERMS CF SIMPLE FEATURES EASILY DISCERNED BY ANY OBSERVANT VISITOR.
+TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WILL FIND THIS PUBLICATION A UNIQUE AND USEFUL SOURCE MATERIAL TOGETHER WITH ITS CLEAR AND PRACTICAL NOTES FOR FIELD EXPEDITIONS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAI.
-----o------
/9........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1984
3
CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL AT VICTORIA PARK
* * *
A CARNIVAL WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES WILL BE STAGED AT VICTORIA PARK ON CHRISTMAS EVE TO CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON.
+CHRISTMAS EVE AT VICTORIA PARK+ WILL BE THE FIRST REGIONAL CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH. THREE OTHER DISTRICT BOARDS - WAN CHAI, SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN - ARE ALSO HELPING.
DETAILS OF THE CARNIVAL WERE ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MADAM CHRISTINA TING.
BESIDES PROVIDING FREE ENTERTAINMENT, THE CARNIVAL SHOULD HELP FOSTER COMMUNITY SPIRIT AMONG LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, SHE SAID.
THE CARNIVAL WILL START OFF WITH A CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME AT 6.30 PM. POPULAR TV CARTOON CHARACTERS WILL BE ON HAND TO PLAY WITH CHILDREN AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR WILL BE PERFORMING.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A DRAMA PERFORMANCE BY A GROUP FROM THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT.
THE OPENING CEREMONY, AT 8 PM, WILL BE PRESIDED OVER BY THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM, AND URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR SHUM CHO I-SANG, TO BE FOLLOWED BY A LION DANCE ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD.
THERE WILL ALSO BE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS AND DEMONSTRATIONS OF AEROBIC DANCES AND BREAK DANCES.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT’S PROGRAMME WILL BE A TWO-HOUR ALL-STAR EXTRAVAGANZA FEATURING SOME OF HONG KONG’S WELL-KNOWN ARTISTES. PRODUCED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE SHOW WILL CONCLUDE WITH CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGING AT MIDNIGHT.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER. MR LUI HAU-TUEN, SAID THE HING FAT STREET CAR PARK WILL BE CLOSED THAT DAY, AND ONLY AUTHOR I StJ VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED INTO VICTORIA PARK THAT EVENING.
HE SAID TRAMS AND BUSES WILL BE RUNNING UNTIL AFTER THE CARNIVAL AND URGED THE PUBLIC TO MAKE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
/HE ALSO .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 19&4
10
HE ALSO CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO CO-OPERATE WI TH THE ORGANISERS AND TO MAINTAIN ORDER DURING AND AFTER THE CARNIVAL. EIGHT GATES IN THE PARK WILL BE OPENED TO PROVIDE A BETTER FLOW OF VISITORS TO THE CARNIVAL.
A COMMAND POST WILL ALSO BE SET UP IN FOOTBALL PITCH NUMBER 6 TO PROVIDE FIRST AID TREATMENT AND FOR REPORTING LOST CHILDREN.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD HAS CONTRIBUTED ABOUT $30 000 TOWARDS THE TOTAL COST OF MORE THAN $72 000 TO STAGE THE CARNIVAL.
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CHILDREN’S PARK FOR LAMMA * * *
A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND WILL BE BUILT IN SOK K*U WAN ON LAMMA NEXT YEAR TO COMPLEMENT EXISTING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES THERE, ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A NEW SITTING-OUT AREA AT SOK KWU WAN, MR YAP SAID A NUMBER OF OTHER FACILITIES WERE ALSO BEING PLANNED FOR THE AREA.
♦WITH DISTRICT BOARDS DEVELOPING INTO FULL MATURITY OVER THE COMING YEARS, THERE WILL BE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES AND IN BETTER MANAGEMENT OF DISTRICT AFFAIRS,* HE SAID.
♦SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD IN 1982, MUCH HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORK,+ HE ADDED.
MR YAP CALLED ON THOSE INTERESTED IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY TO RUN AS CANDIDATES FOR THE FORTHCOMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN MARCH. THE NOMINATION PERIOD FOR CANDIDATES WILL BE FROM JANUARY 4 TO 31.
HE ALSO URGED REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE DISTRICT TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1084
11
YOUTH CHOIR CONCERT * * * * *
THE 7O-STRONG MUSIC CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT ST. (DECEMBER 21) AT 8 PM.
FORMED IN 1980, THE AND WORKED WITH RENOWNED wILLCOCKS, GEORG TINTNER
OFFICE YOUTH CHOIR WILL BE GIVING A JOHN’S CATHEDRAL, GARDEN ROAD ON FRIDAY
CHOIR HAS PERFORMED ON MANY OCCASIONS MUSICIANS AND GROUPS, SUCH AS SIR DAVID AND THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA.
ADMISSION IS FREE.
LIMITED ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE MUSIC OFFICE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE AT THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTREl YAUMATI MUSIC ™E AT THE GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 138 AUSTIN ROAD THIRD FLOOR? MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE, CAMBRIDGE COURT, 84 WATERLOO R$AD, FIRST FLOOR! MD 111 OFFICES OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND .•.ESTERN).
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 5-283257.
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DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED *****
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON LEE KOON-YUK ALIAS LEE KOON-WO ON MAY 14, 1982 SHOULD BE COMMUTEj TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
LEE WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF MR LAM KAI-YUEN ON OCTOBER 6, 1981.
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REMINDER ON REFUSE STORAGE CHAMBER * * * *
REGULATIONS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE REQUIRING DEVELOPERS TO PROVIDE REFUSE STORAGE CHAMBERS IN CERTAIN NEW BUILDINGS WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON JANUARY 1, 1985.
THESE REGULATIONS WERE PUBLISHED IN JUNE 1984, ALLOWING A GRACE PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS BEFORE COMING INTO FORCE.
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WILL ENSURE THAT PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED REFUSE STORAGE CHAMBERS AND REFUSE CHUTES ARE PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS, WHILE STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVlUEo DEPARTMENT WILL INSPECT THESE FACILITIES AND WILL TAKE ACTION TC ABATE ANY NUISANCES.
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/12 ......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 195^
FRESH, SALT WATER CUTS * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN WANG TAU HOM WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 20) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY JUNCTION ROAD, FU MEI STREET, FU KEUNG STREET, WANG TAU HOM CENTRAL ROAD, WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD AND WANG TAU HOM SOUTH ROAD, INCLUDING FU WAN STREET, WANG TAU HOM TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, WANG LOK HOUSE, WANG YUK HOUSE AND BLOCKS 21 TO 24 OF WANG TAU HOM ESTATE.
MEANWHILE, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME ESTATES IN KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 9 AM AND 9 PM ON THURSDAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THEY ARE: LAM TIN, SAU MAU PING, CHOI WAN, SHUN LEE, SHUN TIN AND SHUN ON, INCLUDING AN AREA BOUNDED BY HONG LEE ROAD, HONG NING ROAD AND KUNG LOK ROAD IN KWUN TONG.
- - 0 - -
TRAFFIC CHANGE * * *
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT TSZ WAN SHAN FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS FROM THURSDAY (DECEMBER 20), TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THEY ARE:
* ONE-LANE ALTERNATE-WAY TRAFFIC WILL BE MAINTAINED ON LOK WAH STREET WITH ONE OF ITS CARRIAGEWAYS CLOSED.
M NO RIGHT-TURN WILL BE ALLOWED FROM THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD INTO LOK WAH STREET.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES . . .BEACONSFIELD-HOUSE, HONGKONG TEL:5-233191
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19. 1984 CONTENTS.....................PAGE NO.
AN HISTORIC OCCASION: PRIME MINISTER.......................... 1
+HK PEOPLE WILL RISE TO. CHALLENGED- ......................... 3
PRESS DETAILS FOR PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT ..................... 5
ACCREDITATION FOR MEDIA. REPRESENTATIVES ..................... 7
CALL FOR ELECTION CANDIDATES.................................. 7
BOARD TO HEAR ABOUT CATTLE DEPOT.............................. 8
I5M COMPUTER STUDIES. CENTRE. PLANNED......................... 8
PUMPING EQUIPMENT CCNTRAQT .SIGNED............................ 9
CHAI WAN LIGHTS UP ........................................... 10
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC PLAN FQR .ABERDEEN ......................... 10
WAN CHAI TRAFFIC CHANGE....................................... 12
PARKING SITE TO LET .......................................... 13
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL INTRODUCED ................ 14
ACTION AGAINST TRIADS STEPPED UP ......................... 15
WAGE CEILING RAISED....................................... 15
WORKING PEOPLE IN NEW TOWNS .............................. 16
TRIBUTE TO MR DENIS BRAY ................................. 1$
HIGHER FINES APPROVED .................................... 17
/HIGHER CHARGES ......
HIGHER CHARGES FOR OFFENDING MOTORISTS........................ 18
MORAL EDUCATION ON COURSE..................................... 18
NO PUTONGHUA DEPARTMENT YET FOR COLLEGES ..................... 19
HEAVY DEMAND FOR MR........................................... 20
STEPS TAKEN TO TIGHTEN LAW ON FIRE HAZARDS ................ 21
BILLS CLARIFY' MEANS OF' ESCAPE RESPONSIBILITY ............... 22
BILL ON MONEY CHANGERS INTRODUCED ............................ 22
BILL TO RELAX- TRADE MARKS CRITERIA .......................... 24
POISONS LIST UPDATED ......................................... 24
COPYRIGHT' SIMILAR TO' THAT IN UK............................. 25
RULES TO PRESCRIBE' NEW FORMS FOR LEGaL PROCEDURE............. 25
BILL TO CORRECT ARBITRATION' aNOMALY.......................... 26
DESALTING PUNT KEPT' JS 'STANDBY ............................. 26
NOT MANY' COMPLAINTS RECEIVED .lBOUT FALSE ALARMS............. 27
legco Bill's ............................................... 27
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1984
1
AN HISTORIC OCCASION: PRIME MINISTER * * * *
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF A SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER, WS MARGARET THATCHER, AT THE CEREMONY OF THE SIGNING OF THE-SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WHICH TOOK PLACE IN PEKING TODAY (DECEMBER 19): ‘
♦ YOUR EXCELLENCY CHAIRMAN DENG XIAOPING, YOUR EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT LI XIANNIAN, YOUR EXCELLENCY PREMIER ZHAO ZI YANG, YOUR EXCELLENCIES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
♦THIS IS AN HISTORIC TO SEE THAT CHAIRMAN DENG DECLARATION ON THE FUTURE
OCCASION
AND I AM PARTICULARLY PLEASED
XIAOPING IS ABLE TO BE PRESENT
THE JOINT
OF HONG KONG, WHICH WE HAVE JUST SIGNED
ON BEHALF OF OUR TWO GOVERNMENTS, IS A LANDMARK IN THE LIFE OF THE TERRITORY: IN THE COURSE OF ANGLO-CHINESE RELATIONS: AND IN THE HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY. THE AGREEMENT ESTABLISHES A FIR-BASIS FOR CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG UP TO 1997 AND BEYOND, AND FOR ITo CONTINUED STABILITY, PROSPERITY AND GROWTH.
+1 REMEMBER WITH PLEASURE MY LAST VISIT TO CHINA IN SEPTEMBER 1982 AND MY DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINESE LEADERS. AT MY MEETING WITH CHAIRMAN DENG XIAOPING ON THAT OCCASION WE AGREED TO OPEN TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. OUR COMMON AIM WAS TO MAINTAIN THE TERRITORY’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY. IT IS IN A SPIRIT OF PRIDE AND OF OPTIMISM ABOUT THE FUTURE THAT I NOW RETURN TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT WHICH IS THE RESULT OF THESE TALKS.
+1 KNOW YOU WILL AGREE THAT THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE NOT ALWAYS EASY. AT CERTAIN POINTS THERE WERE D IFFICULT'DEC IS IONS TO BE MADE ON BOTH SIDES. THERE WERE MOMENTS OF TENSION. TO OVERCOME THESE DIFFICULTIES WE NEEDED TO DRAW ON A SHARED FUND OF GOODWILL: ON FRIENDSHIP: AND ON A COMMON COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE. THIS WAS WHAT MADE SUCCESS POSSIBLE. AND I SHOULD LIKE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE DEDICATION OF THE TWO NEGOTIATING TEAMS AND ALL THEIR SUPPORTING STAFF, UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF SIR GEOFFREY HOWE AND STATE COUNCILLOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER WU XUEQIAN. IT IS THANKS TO THE IMAGINATION AND RESOURCE WHICH THEY SHOWED THAT WE CAN SIGN THE AGREEMENT TODAY.
♦THE AGREEMENT FULLY MEETS THE POLITICAL REQUIREMENTS OF BRITAIN AND CHINA, AS WELL AS THE INTERESTS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE. IT PROVIDES THE FRAMEWORK IN WHICH, AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, HONG KONG WILL MAINTAIN ITS ECONOMIC SYSTEM AND WAY OF LIFE FOR 50 YEARS AFTER THE FIRST OF JULY 1997. IT GIVES HONG KONG A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY: HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL ADMINISTER HONG KONG AND THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WILL PASS ITS OWN LEGISLATION. IT ALLOWS HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO DECIDE ITS OWN ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND TRADE POLICIES AND TO PARTICIPATE AS APPROPRIATE IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND AGREEMENTS. IT PRESERVES HONG KONG’S FAMILIAR LEGAL SYSTEM AND THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS ENJOYED THERE. IN SHORT IT PROVIDES THE ASSURANCES FOR THE FUTURE WHICH HONG KONG NEEDS, IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO PLAY ITS UNIQUE ROLE IN THE WORLD AS A TRADING AND FINANCIAL CENTRE.
/♦THESE qualities .......
WEDNESDAY, DECQ1BER 19, 1984
2
+THESE QUALITIES IN THE AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN RECOGNISED BY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT AND BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA, WHICH HAVE APPROVED THE INTENTION OF OUR GOVERNMENTS TO PROCEED TO SIGNATURE. THE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO A THOROUGH PUBLIC DEBATE AMONG THOSE WHOSE FUTURE IT WILL DETERMINE - THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE EXPRESSED SOME RESERVATIONS AND SOUGHT CLARIFICATION ON PARTICULAR POINTS, THEY HAVE CLEARLY JUDGED IT TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO THEM AS A WHOLE. THE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN WIDELY PRAISED BY OTHER GOVERNMENTS, IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND IN FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CIRCLES. THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS HAS DESCRIBED IT AS AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER COUNTRIES OF THE WAY IN WHICH DIFFICULT INTERNATIONAL PROBLEMS CAN BE SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVED. INTERNATIONAL GOODWILL AND SUPPORT WILL BE VITAL FOR HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE, AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IT WILL BE FORTHCOMING.
+l SHOULD LIKE TO PAY A TRIBUTE TO THE LEADERS OF CHINA FOR THE VISION AND FAR-SIGHTEDNESS OF THEIR APPROACH TO THE NEGOTIATIONS. THE CONCEPT OF ’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’ - PRESERVING TWO DIFFERENT POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS WITHIN ONE NATION HAS NO PRECEDENT. IT OFFERS AN IMAGINATIVE RESPONSE TO THE SPECIAL HISTORICAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG. THE CONCEPT IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW APPARENTLY INTRACTABLE PROBLEMS CAN, AND SHOULD BE RESOLVED.
♦THE AGREEMENT IS A BASIS ON WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL BUILD. THEY WILL BRING TO THE TASK THE ENERGY, PERSISTENCE AND DETERMINATION FOR WHICH THEY ARE RIGHTLY FAMOUS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT THEY WILL MAKE HONG KONG AN EVEN MORE FLOURISHING PLACE THAN IT IS TODAY.
+BRITAIN AND CHINA SHARE A CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN THE CONDITIONS WITHIN WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN REALISE THIS GOAL. WE HAVE LAID THE FOUNDATION IN THIS SOLEMN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT. WE HAVE CREATED IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, A FORUM FOR COOPERATION OVER ITS IMPLEMENTATION. WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMITMENT TO IT TODAY BY THE SIGNATURES THAT YOU, MR PREMIER, AND I HAVE SET UPON IT. AND I AM HEARTENED BY THE ASSURANCE WHICH YOUR GOVERNMENT HAS REPEATEDLY GIVEN THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG CONTAINED IN THE AGREEMENT ARE NOT MEASURES OF EXPEDIENCY. THEY ARE LONG TERM POLICIES, WHICH WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE BASIC LAW FOR HONG KONG AND PRESERVED INTACT FOR 50 YEARS FROM 1997.
+FOR MY PART I PLEDGE THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL DO ALL IN ITS POWER TO MAKE THE AGREEMENT A SUCCESS. IT WILL BE OUR PRIDE AND OUR PLEASURE TO ADMINISTER HONG KONG UP TO THE 30 JUNE 1997 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HIGHEST PRINCIPLES OF BRITISH ADMINISTRATION. WE SHALL ADMINISTER IT PRUDENTLY WITH FORESIGHT AND IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE.
+IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT, WE SHALL EE READY TO CONSULT WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND WE ARE PLEASED THAT THIS CONSULTATION WILL EXTEND BEYOND 1997 TO THE YEAR 2333.
/♦THE NEGOTIATION .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 198^
- 3 -
+THE NEGOTIATION ITSELF HAS BROUGHT OUR COUNTRIES CLOSER TOGETHER. IT HAS INCREASED OUR MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING , RESPECT AND TRUST. I AM CONVINCED THAT AS WE WORK TOGETHER IN THE FUTURE WE SHALL BE LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR AN EVEN CLOSER AND DEEPER RELATIONSHIP. THAT IS GOOD FOR BRITAIN: GOOD FOR CHINA: AND GOOD FOR THE WORLD. ABOVE ALL IT IS GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
+WE ARE PRIVILEGED TODAY TO TAKE PART WITH OUR CHINESE FRIENDS IN A UNIQUE OCCASION. THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNIQUE, THE AGREEMENT IS UNIQUE. IT IS RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD FEEL A SENSE OF HISTORY, CF PRIDE AND OF CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE.+
- - 0-------
+HK PEOPLE WILL RISE TO CHALLENGE+ * * *
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF A SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER MRS MARGARET THATCHER, AT THE BANQUET AT THE GREAT HALL OF THE PEOPLE IN PEKING THIS (DECEMBER 19) EVENING:
♦YOUR EXCELLENCY, PREMIER ZHAO ZIYANG, YOUR EXCELLENCIES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. IT IS A PRIVILEGE AND GREAT PLEASURE FOR ME TO BE VISITING CHINA FOR THE THIRD TIME IN SEVEN YEARS. EACH VISIT HAS BEEN ALL TOO SHORT. BUT EACH VISIT HERE ALSO MADE A DEEP IMPRESSION ON ME. THIS VISIT HAS A SPECIAL IMPORTANCE BECAUSE IT MARKS AN HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT.
+THAT ACHIEVEMENT WAS OUR SIGNATURE THIS AFTERNOON OF THE JOINT DECLARATION ON HONG KONG. IN MY SPEECH AT THE SIGNATURE CEREMONY I DESCRIBED THE SIGNIFICANCE WHICH WE ATTACH TO THE JOINT DECLARATION: OUR DETERMINATION TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF IT: AND THE FIRM BASIS WHICH IT LAYS DOWN FOR THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG’S UNIQUE SOCIETY INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE 21ST CENTURY. I EXPRESSED MY CONVICTION THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD RISE TO THE CHALLENGE THAT LIES AHEAD OF THEM.
+THE WORLD CAN DRAW A LESSON FROM THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF OUR JOINT ENTERPRISE:
X DETERMINED NEGOTIATION CAN SUCCEED WHERE CONFRONTATION WOULD SURELY LEAD TO DISASTER: j
* GOOD WILL AND FRIENDSHIP CAN OVERCOME MISUNDERSTANDING:
* AN INTRACTABLE PROBLEM INHERITED FROM THE PAST CAN BE SOLVED THROUGH AN IMAGINATIVE APPROACH TO THE FUTURE:
* DIVISIONS IN INTERNATIONAL LIFE CAN BE OVERCOME IN WAYS WHICH PRESERVE THE AUTONOMY AND INDIVIDUALITY OF THE SOCIETIES AFFECTED.
/+BOTH OU;<.......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1981*
4
+BOTH OUR COUNTRIES HAVE CHANGED IN THE SEVEN YEARS SINCE MY FIRST VISITS HERE. AND CHANGED FOR THE BETTER. IN CHINA, A NEW ATMOSPHERE OF CONFIDENCE AND DYNAMISM HAS BEEN REFLECTED IN STEADY ECONOMIC GROWTH OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND INCREASED OPENING TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD. IN AGRICULTURE, YOU HAVE HAD CONSECUTIVE RECORD HARVESTS FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS: CHINA IS NOW THE WORLD’S FOREMOST GRAIN PRODUCER. THESE ARE THE FIRST FRUITS OF THE PROCESS OF REFORMS WHICH YOU HAVE INSTIGATED.
YOU ARE NOW EMBARKING ON AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME OF INDUSTRIAL REFORM. WE WATCH THIS PROCESS OF CHANGE WITH ADMIRATION AND INTENSE INTEREST. IN BRITAIN, WE HAVE SUCCEEDED IN CONTROLLING INFLATION, INCREASING INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY AND OUTPUT AND, MOST IMPORTANT, CHANGING ATTITUDES. WE TOO ARE CREATING A BRIGHTER AND MORE CHALLENGING FUTURE FOR OUR PEOPLE. THE MOST BASIC PRINCIPLE WHICH BOTH OUR GOVERNMENTS ARE APPLYING IS COURAGE TO BE OBJECTIVE IN ANALYSING PROBLEMS - AS YOU WOULD PUT IT, TO SEEK THE TRUTH FROM FACTS.
+WHEN I LAST CAME TO CHINA, THE QUESTION OF THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WAS A PROBLEM TO BE RESOLVED BETWEEN US. THE NEGOTIATIONS WHOSE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION WE MARKED TODAY HAVE NOT ONLY ACHIEVED THIS AND HAVE GIVEN SOLID GROUNDS FOR CONFIDENCE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THEY HAVE ALSO BROUGHT BRITAIN AND CHINA CLOSER TOGETHER. THEY HAVE GIVEN FRESH IMPETUS TO THE EFFORTS OF BOTH COUNTRIES TO DEVELOP STRONG AND WIDE-RANGING RELATIONS BETWEEN US. EXCELLENT PROSPECTS FOR STRENGTHENING CULTURAL LINKS ALREADY EXIST. AND THE POTENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION IS NOW GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. IN MANY OF THE AREAS WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO YOUR MODERISATION PLANS BRITAIN HAS A GREAT DEAL OF EXPERIENCE. I BELIEVE WE IN BRITAIN CAN MAKE AN ENORMOUS CONTRIBUTION TO HELPING YOU BUILD A STRONG AND PROSPEROUS CHINA. WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING SO.
+STRENGTH AND PROSPERITY AT HOME REQUIRE PEACE AND STABILITY ABROAD. AS CHAIRMAN DENG HAS SAID: ’LIKE THE REST OF THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD, WE REALLY NEED A PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT.’ HOW TRUE THAT IS. BOTH BRITAIN AND CHINA HAVE SHOWN THEMSELVES CAPABLE AND WILLING TO WORK FOR A MORE STABLE WORLD FREE OF THE THREAT POSED BY ARMED MIGHT. WITH OUR SHARED GOOD WILL AND OUR CONSTRUCTIVE ATTITUDE TO INTERNATIONAL ISSUES, WE SHOULD NOW REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO CONTRIBUTE JOINTLY TO WORLD PEACE AND PROSPERITY. THE SPIRIT SHOULD BE THAT OF TENNYSON’S RINGING CALL: ’TO STRIVE, TO SEEK, TO FIND AND NOT TO YIELD’.
+MR PREMIER, IT HAS BEEN A GREAT PERSONAL PLEASURE FOR ME TO RENEW THE FRIENDLY CONTACT WE HAD ON MY LAST VISIT. WE HAVE HAD EXCELLENT TALKS AGAIN TODAY. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO LONDON NEXT YEAR. FOR NOW, IN THANKING YOU FOR THIS MAGNIFICENT BANQUET, MAY I USE THE WORDS OF A CHINESE PROVERB TO DESCRIBE THE RELATIONSHIP WHICH WE ARE FORGING BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES: ’HAVING ADVANCED SO FAR, LET US STRIVE TO MOVE FURTHER STILL.’+
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1984
- 5 -
PRESS DETAILS FOR PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT
******
THE FOLLOWING ARE DETAILS OF PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE VISIT CF THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER, THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, AND LADY HOWE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BEAR IN MIND THAT THEY WILL NEED SPECIAL ACCREDITATION TO COVER ALL PUBLIC FUNCTIONS, AND THAT SPECIFIC LAPEL BADGES FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL FUNCTION MUST BE WORN.
PRIME MINISTER’S PROGRAMME
ARRIVAL AT KAI TAK — 12.20 PM
A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE ARRANGED AT THE ARRIVAL HALL 4FINGER+. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE ARRIVAL OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND HER PARTY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 11.30 AM. THEY SHOULD BRING WITH THEM PROOF OF IDENTITY.
LUNCH WITH UMELCO — 1.00 PM
THERE WILL BE FIXED POSITIONS AT THE PEDDER STREET ENTRANCE CF SWIRE HOUSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER THE PRIME MINISTER’S ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE IN POSITION BY 12.45 PM.
VISIT TO AP LEI CHAU —- 2.45 PM TO 3.45 PM
THERE WILL BE FOUR FIXED PRESS POSITIONS AT VARIOUS VANTAGE POINTS TO COVER THE PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT TO THE AP LEI CHAU HOUSING ESTATE. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES. TWO COACHES WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK FOR AP LEI CHAU AT 1.30 PM SHARP.
RECEPTION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE -- 5.00 PM TO 6.00 PM
ABOUT 500 PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY WILL ATTEND THE RECEPTION. ONLY TELEVISION CAMERAMEN AND TECHNICIANS WILL- BE ALLOWED TO FILM THE RECEPTION INSIDE GOVERNMENT HOUSE BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE. THIS WILL BE DONE FROM A FIXED POSITION AND WILL BE CONFINED TO A FEW MINUTES. THOSE COVERING THE RECEPTION SHOULD REPORT TO THE GUARD ROOM AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE BY 4.30 PM.
POOL PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE ISSUED BY GIS FOR THE PRINT MEDIA.
/iXCO EEBTIIKi .........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 10gU
6 -
EXCO MEETING — 6.30 PM
THERE WILL BE FIXED POSITIONS AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE OF THE PRIME MINISTER’S ARRIVAL. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO BE IN POSITION BY 6.15 PM.
ADDRESS TO EXCO AND LEGCO -- 7.00 PM
ADMISSION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER TO COVER THE ADDRESS WILL BE BY LAPEL BADGE HOLDERS ONLY. ALL PERSONS ENTERING THE CHAMBER WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE PROOF OF IDENTITY AND OF THE ORGANISATION WHICH THEY REPRESENT.
ALL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE SEATED BY 6.50 PM. THERE WILL BE A THREE-MINUTE PHOTO-CALL FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AFTER THE PRIME MINISTER HAS ARRIVED AND BEFORE SHE BEGINS HER ADDRESS. ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS MUST LEAVE THE CHAMBER BEFORE THE PRIME MINISTER STARTS HER ADDRESS.
ALL RECORDINGS SHOULD BE DONE INSIDE THE BOOTHS AND NO MICROPHONES OR HAND-HELD RECORDERS WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE DAIS. RADIO BROADCASTERS AND COMMENTATORS WILL OPERATE FROM THE RADIO BOOTHS BEHIND THE CHAMBER.
THE WHOLE ADDRESS WILL BE TELEVISED LIVE BY RTHK, WHICH WILL ALSO MAKE AVAILABLE ADDITIONAL FEEDS FOR OTHER CREWS.
THE FULL TEXT OF THE ADDRESS, TOGETHER WITH A CHINESE TRANSLATION, WILL BE ISSUED BY GIS.
THERE WILL BE FIXED PRESS POSITIONS AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE OF THE PRIME MINISTER’S DEPARTURE. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE IN POSITION 15 MINUTES IN ADVANCE.
SIR GEOFFREY HOWE’S PROGRAMME
SIR GEOFFREY HOWE WILL HAVE THE SAME PROGRAMME AS THE PRIME MINISTER EXCEPT THAT AT 2.45 PM. HE WILL ATTEND A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. THERE WILL BE FIXED PRESS POSITIONS OUTSIDE THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE OF HIS ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE IN POSITION 15 MINUTES IN ADVANCE.
LADY HOWE’S PROGRAMME
LADY HOWE WILL OPEN THE PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUPS ASSOCIATION AT BLOCK F, 1ST FLOOR, VICTORIA BARRACKS, AT 3.00 PM. A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE ARRANGED FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES. THOSE COVERING THE OPENING SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE ASSOCIATION’S PREMISES AT 2.30 PM.
------c ------
/7........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1984
- 7 -
ACCREDITATION FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES * X-X X *
SPECIAL LAPEL BADGES FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER VARIOUS PUBLIC FUNCTIONS OF THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER, THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, AND LADY HOWE, WILL BE READY FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS PRESS ROOM FROM 3 PM TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PERSONS COLLECTING THESE LAPEL BADGES MUST PRODUCE PROOF OF IDENTITY AND OF THE ORGANISATIONS THEY REPRESENT.
SPECIFIC LAPEL BADGES FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL FUNCTION MUST BE WORN BY MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THAT FUNCTION. NORMAL MEDIA IDENTIFICATION ALONE WILL NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO GAIN ACCESS TO OFFICIAL PRESS POSITIONS.
BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED NUMBER OF SEATS INSIDE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER NOT ALL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR SEATS TO COVER THE PRIME MINISTER’S ADDRESS TO THE JOINT MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS TOMORROW (THURSDAY) EVENING HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED SEATS.
THOSE WITHOUT SEATS ARE WELCOME TO COME TO THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, WHERE TELEVISION MONITORS WILL BE SET UP FOR THEM TO WATCH THE ADDRESS.
TELEVISION CREWS AND RADIO REPORTERS WILL BE ABLE TO GET 4FEEDS+ FROM THE BROADCAST VAN OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
-----o------
CALL FOR ELECTION CANDIDATES
X X X X
THE NEWLY-APPOINTED SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN HO, TODAY CALLED ON ALL CAPABLE PERSONS IN THE DISTRICT TO STAND AS CANDIDATES FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION ON MARCH 7.
THE NOMINATION PERIOD STARTS FROM JANUARY 4 UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH.
♦I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY COMMUNITY LEADERS AND PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE WORKED HARD AND MADE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DISTRICT, AND NOW IS THE TIME FOR THEM TO COME OUT AND TAKE THE CHALLENGE CF BECOMING REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL RESIDENTS,+ MR HO SAID.
HE SAID THE REPRESENTATIVENESS OF UNOFFICIALS, ELECTED AND APPOINTED, WOULD BE GREATLY INCREASED AS, UNLIKE THE EXISTING PRACTICE, THERE WOULD BE AN UNOFFICIAL DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, WHILE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES WOULD ONLY ACT AS OBSERVERS.
/+IH ADDITION, ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1984
8
+IN ADDITION, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WOULD ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF BEING ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SERVING THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS ON A TERRITORY-WIDE BASIS,+ HE SAID.
MR HO MADE THE APPEAL DURING COURTESY CALLS TO THE HANG HAU AND SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEES TODAY.
HE COMMENDED RURAL LEADERS WHO HAD DEVOTED MUCH TIME IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS AND REFLECTED THE WISHES OF FELLOW VILLAGERS.
- - 0 - -
BOARD TO HEAR ABOUT CATTLE DEPOT * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE LATEST SITUATION ON THE TSI NG Yl CATTLE QUARANTINE DEPOT PROJECT AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE PROJECT WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO REPLACE THE EXISTING CATTLE DEPOTS AT MA TAU KOK ROAD AND KENNEDY TOWN.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALAN SCOTT WILL ALSO ATTEND THE MEETING TO BRIEF THE BOARD ON THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SCHEME.
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR THE TOWN GAS PLANT IN TO KWA WAN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.
- 0 - -
$5M COMPUTER STUDIES CENTRE PLANNED * * * *
A COMPUTER EDUCATION CENTRE WITH A CAPITAL COST TAG OF $5 MILLION, HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A SUITABLE PROJECT FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BY THE SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE TRUST FUND.
THE MACLEHOSE FUND WAS SET UP AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS TO COMMEMORATE THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF LORD MACLEHOSE AS GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG FROM 1971 TO 1982.
THE FUND IS VESTED IN THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS INCORPORATED AS TRUSTEE WHOSE REPORT FOR 1983-84 WAS TABLED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
ESTABLISHED UNDER THE SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE TRUST FUND ORDINANCE, THE FUND IS TO BE USED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE DAY.
/THE GOVERNOR
WEDNESDAY, D3CEHBE-. 19, '|98li
- 9 -
THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED THAT THE FIRST GRANT BE MADE IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND ABOUT $5.5 MILLION WILL BE AVAILABLE. FROM INCOME BY APRIL 1, 1985.
THE COMPUTER EDUCATION CENTRE, WHICH WOULD RECEIVE THE FIRST GRANT, WOULD PROVIDE COMPUTER AWARENESS COURSES FOR TbACHERS WHO WOULD IN TURN CONDUCT COURSES FOR THEIR PUPILS.
IT WOULD ALSO SERVE AS A REFERENCE CENTRE AND PROVIDE LIBRARY AND SOFTWARE FACILITIES FOR ALL TEACHERS OF COMPUTER STUDIES.
IF THE RECURRENT COSTS OF SUCH A CENTRE, AMOUNTING TO $460 000 FROM PUBLIC FUNDS WERE ACCEPTED, THEN THE GRANT WOULD BE MADE NEXT YEAR.
DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REPORT, ABOUT $23 334 000 WAS PLEDGED CF WHICH NEARLY $22 709 000 HAD BEEN RECEIVED. THE INCOME ACCUMULATED BY MARCH 31, 1984 AMOUNTED TO $2 429 500.
-------0 -
PUMPING EQUIPMENT CONTRACT SIGNED * * * *
A $11.3~MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF PUMPING EQUIPMENT FOR THE JUNK BAY SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS WAS AWARDED TODAY BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR G.J. OSBORNE, AND THE DIRECTOR OF ARNHOLD AND COMPANY LIMITED, MR A.M. FLETCHER.
THE TREATMENT WORKS, OCCUPYING ABOUT 16 500 SQUARE METRES, WILL BE IN THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN. THE CIVIL ENGINEERING WORK IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE CONSULTANT, MOTT, HAY AND ANDERSON FAR EAST UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE TREATMENT WORKS HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO SERVE A POPULATION CF ABOUT 177 000, PLANNED UNDER THE PHASE I DEVELOPMENT OF THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN. PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR FUTURE EXTENSION SHOULD FULL DEVELOPMENT OF THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN GO AHEAD.
THE PUMPING EQUIPMENT WILL COMPRISE SEVEN CENTRIFUGAL SEWAGE PUMPS IN TWO SEPARATE PUMPING STATIONS INSIDE THE TREATMENT WORKS. COMPLETION IS SCHEDULED FOR LATE 1986.
--------c------------
/1C........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1934
10
CHAI WAN LIGHTS UP
* * *
A SWITCH-ON CEREMONY FOR THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR LIGHTING DECORATIONS IN CHAI WAN WILL BE HELD AT THE ELEVATED PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS WAN TSUI ROAD AT 7.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER FOR EASTERN, DR SIMON VICKERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE CEREMONY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE SITTING-OUT AREA OPPOSITE THE CHAI WAN THEATRE BEFORE 7.30 PM.
--------C----------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC PLAN FOR ABERDEEN
* * * * *
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN FORCE IN ABERDEEN FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 21) FOR WORK ON A COASTAL ROAD.
PART OF THE ROAD HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED AND WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM THE SAME DAY.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC:
* ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD FROM ABERDEEN OLD MAIN STREET TO ABOUT 15 METRES NORTH OF WU PAK STREET.
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD BETWEEN LOK YEUNG STREET AND CHENGTU ROAD.
* THE SECTION OF WU NAM STREET EAST OF TUNG SING ROAD.
* THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD NEAR HOUSE NO. 130, ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD.
A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE REROUTED:
* ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD BETWEEN ABERDEEN PRAYA ROAD AND ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD'WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND. <
* TUNG SING ROAD BETWEEN ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD AND LOK YEUNG STREET WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
/• WU ..............
WEK’TSDAY, JEC3J-.5HR 19, ' L
11
* WU PAK STREET BETWEEN CHENGTU ROAD AND TUNG SING ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
* WU PAK STREET BETWEEN TUNG SING ROAD AND ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD WILL BECOME A TWO-WAY CUL-DE-SAC.
WU NAM STREET WILL BE PROHIBITED TO ALL MOTOR VEHICLES BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY.
THE TWO UNNAMED ACCESS ROADS NEAR HOUSE NOS. 162 AND 180, ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD, LEADING TO ABERDEEN OLD MAIN STREET WILL BE PROHIBITED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES.
THE EXISTING PLB PROHIBITION AT LOK YEUNG STREET WILL BE LIFTED. BUT PLBS WILL BE BANNED FROM SAI ON STREET, WU PAK STREET, WU NAM STREET AND NAM NING STREET.
SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE DESIGNATED 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAYS: THE UNNAMED NEW COASTAL ROAD ALONG THE ABERDEEN RECLAMATION AND ITS NORTHBOUND ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD' THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD BETWEEN ABERDEEN PRAYA ROAD AND FUNG TIN STREET. NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS CR GOODS WITHIN THE ROAD SECTIONS.
THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES BETWEEN 7 AM AND MIDNIGHT DAILY:
* CHENGTU ROAD.
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD BETWEEN FUNG TIN STREET AND CHENGTU ROAD.
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CHENGTU ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 150 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
M THE FIRST 50 METRES OF NAM NING STREET FROM ITS SOUTHERN JUNCTION WITH CHENGTU ROAD.
IN ADDITION, LOK YEUNG STREET BETWEEN TUNG SING ROAD AND CHENGTU ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FOR PLBS BETWEEN 7 AM AND MIDNIGHT DAILY.
THE ABOVE ARRANGEMENTS WILL MEAN THE FOLLOWING CHANGES:
* EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD NEAR ABERDEEN CENTRE HEADING FOR WONG CHUK HANG OR THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL SHOULD TURN RIGHT INTO CHENGTU ROAD, AND THEN PROCEED VIA THE UNNAMED COASTAL ROAD ALONG THE ABERDEEN RECLAMATION TO REJOIN ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD.
WKMiESDAY, DEC»>iBER 19. 19&L
12
* WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD EAST OF ABERDEEN OLD MAIN STREET HEADING FOR TIN WAN OR POK FU LAM SHOULD TRAVEL ALONG THE UNNAMED COASTAL ROAD TO PROCEED TO ABERDEEN PRAYA ROAD.
* WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD EAST OF ABERDEEN OLD MAIN STREET HEADING FOR ABERDEEN TOwN CENTRE OR SHEK PAI WAN SHOULD USE THE UNNAMED COASTAL ROAD AND THEN TURN RIGHT TO REJOIN ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD EASTBOUND.
* SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC FROM ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD SHOULD ENTER LOK YEUNG STREET AND THEN TURN LEFT INTO CHENGTU ROAD. TRAFFIC HEADING FOR WONG CHUK HANG OR ABERDEEN TUNNEL SHOULD TURN LEFT AT THE JUNCTION OF CHENGTU ROAD WITH WU NAM STREET INTO THE UNNAMED COASTAL ROAD, AND TRAFFIC HEADING FOR TIN WAN OR POK FU LAM SHOULD TURN RIGHT AT THE SAME JUNCTION.
* PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES ON ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD HEADING FOR WONG CHUK HANG SHOULD PROCEED VIA ABERDEEN OLD MAIN STREET.
* BUSES AND MAXICABS PASSING THROUGH ABERDEEN wILL BE DIVERTED AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-MENTIONED ROAD CLOSURES AND REROUTINGS.
-------o ---------
WAN CHAI TRAFFIC CHANGE
X X X X
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN LOCKHART ROAD, JAFFE ROAD BETWEEN O’BRIEN ROAD AND FLEMING ROAD IN wAN CHAI WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 21).
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1984
13
PARK ING SITE TO LET
* * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A SITE AT KWAI CHUNG.
THE 2 380 SQUARE-METRE-SITE IS AT TAI PAK TIN STREET, AND IS FOR USE AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CAR PARK FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR SIX MONTHS, RENEWABLE MONTHLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 4, 1935.
TENDER FORMS, THE NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND THE RELATED PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT:
* LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TSUEN WAN, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
--------o----------
/14........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 193*
- 14 -
PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL INTRODUCED
*****
LEGISLATION TO SET UP THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES.
IN MOVING A MOTION FOR THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL 1984, HE SAID THAT WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THIS LEGISLATION, ANOTHER IMPORTANT STEP WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO ESTABLISH THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WHICH WOULD COVER AREAS OUTSIDE THE AEGIS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.
+THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL INVOLVE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE IN THE PROVISION AND MANAGEMENT OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES WHICH HAVE A DIRECT BEARING ON THEIR DAILY LIVES,* HE SAID.
+THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS ARM OF GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT THAT IT AFFORDS, HAS BEEN WIDELY WELCOMED BY THOSE LIVING IN THE AREAS CONCERNED.*
THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, EXPECTED TO BE SET UP IN APRIL NEXT YEAR, WOULD ALLOW SOME WORKING EXPERIENCE TO BE GAINED BEFORE THE FULL COUNCIL COMES INTO BEING.
+IT WILL NOT BECOME A FULL STATUTORY EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY, BUT WILL GIVE ADVICE ON THE PLANNING, INAUGURAL AND OPERATIONAL MATTERS RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FULL REGIONAL COUNCIL,* MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
+IT WILL ALSO DEAL WITH MATTERS RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, SANITATION, HYGIENE AND RECREATION AND CULTURE.*
THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL CONSIST OF 24 MEMBERS — 12 APPOINTED, THREE WITH EX-OFFICIO STATUS COMPRISING THE CHAIRMAN AND TWO VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, AND THE REMAINING NINE WILL BE INDIVIDUALLY ELECTED BY EACH OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+AS THE ELECTIONS OF DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE HELD AFTER THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND DURING APRIL, MEMBERSHIP OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL BE COMPLETE BY MAY 1, 1985,+ HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
---------o - - - -
/15 ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1984
15
ACTION AGAINST TRIADS STEPPED UP * * * *
REVIEWS SHOWED A REVIVAL IN TRIAD ACTIVITY AND POLICE ACTION AGAINST TRIADS WERE BEING STEPPED UP, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
♦IT WOULD NOT BE TO OUR ADVANTAGE IN OUR EFFORTS TO STAMP OUT ORGANISED CRIME FOR ME TO PUBLICISE THE DETAILS.
♦BETTER FOR THE TRIADS TO FIND OUT AS A RESULT OF INCREASED ACTIVITY AGAINST THEM BY THE POLICE IN PARTICULAR AND BY THE GOVERNMENT AS A WHOLE,+ MR JEAFFRESON SAID, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON KE ITH LAM.
HE TOLD THE COUNCIL THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE’S WORKING GROUP ON GANGS WAS FORMULATING OR WOULD FORMULATE A STRATEGY TO SET EACH AREA OF SERIOUS TRIAD ACTIVITY IT CAME ACROSS.
THE GROUP HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED A NUMBER OF UP-TO-DATE REPORTS FROM THE POLICE ON TRIAD AND GANG ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS REPORTS ''ROM OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, HE SAID.
0 - -
WAGE CEILING RAISED * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED A MOTION TO RAISE THE WAGE CEILING FOR NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE FROM $8 500 TO $9 500.
MOVING THE MOTION, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID THE WAGE CEILING WAS REVIEWED ANNUALLY BY THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND REVISED IF THERE WAS A CLEAR NEED TO DO SO.
THE LAST REVISION WAS IN OCTOBER 1983 WHEN THE WAGE CEILING WAS RAISED FROM $7 500 TO $8 500.
MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT A REVIEW MADE RECENTLY INDICATED THAT THE PROPOSED WAGE CEILING OF $9 500 WOULD BE THE CURRENT EQUIVALENT OF S8 500 AT THE TIME OF THE LAST REVISION.
IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT AFTER THE REVISION, ABOUT 2.3 PER CENT CF ALL EMPLOYEES WOULD REMAIN OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WHICH APPLIED TO ALL MANUAL WORKERS, HE ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1984
- 16 -
WORKING PEOPLE IN NEW TOWNS * * * *
THE PERCENTAGE OF THE WORKING POPULATION EMPLOYED AND RESIDENT IN NEW TOWNS RANGE FROM ABOUT 20 PER CENT IN SHA TIN TO ABOUT 60 PER CENT IN TSUEN WAN, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DAVID AKERS-JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM MR CARL TONG ABOUT THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION IN NEW TOWNS, MR AKERS-JONES SAID THAT THE FIGURES WERE FROM SURVEYS CARRIED OUT IN 1981 AND 1982.
+THE NEW TOWNS ARE PLANNED AS BALANCED AND SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNITIES,* MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
+GIVEN THE RELATIVELY EARLY STAGE OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND THE RATE OF EXPANSION OF THE INDUSTRIAL WORK FORCE AND THE CHANGING NATURE OF OUR ECONOMY IN RECENT YEARS, I CAN SAY THAT IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW THAT PROGRESS TOWARDS ACHIEVING THIS CONCEPT OF SELF-CONTAINMENT HAS BEEN REASONABLY SATISFACTORY,* HE ADDED.
MR AKERS-JONES NOTED THAT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY ACTIVE IN PRODUCING AND DISTRIBUTING PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL ON INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN THE NEW TOWN.
+THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT DIRECT WHICH INDUSTRIES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED AND WHERE THEY SHOULD BE LOCATED,* HE SAID.
+IT PROVIDES THE LAND AND INFRA-STRUCTURE NEEDED TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT, BUT IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS THE PROVISION OF JOBS DEPENDS UPON THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE APPLICATION OF MARKET FORCES,* HE ADDED.
+THE PROBLEM IN ACHIEVING BALANCED DEVELOPMENT WAS RECOGNISED FROM THE OUTSET, AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE REASONS FOR A SUBSTANTIAL GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN ROADS AND RAIL LINKS BETWEEN THE NEW TOWNS AND THE URBAN AREA, FOR EXAMPLE THE MTR TO TSUEN WAN, THE NT CIRCULAR ROAD, THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY AND THE ELECTRIFIED KCR,+ MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
- - 0 -
TRIBUTE TO MR DENIS BRAY * * * *
THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE HON DENIS BRAY, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, WHO WILL BE RETIRING AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
MR BRAY HAD SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL FOR 19 YEARS, AND WITH THE CIVIL SERVICE HERE FOR 34 YEARS.
SIR PHILIP SAID MR BRAY’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COUNCIL AND TO THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.
/*HE HAS .......
WEDNESDAY, DK34BER 19, 1984
- 17 -
+ HE HAS DEMONSTRATED BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL HIS STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AND THE WELFARE OF ITS PEOPLE.
+HIS UNSTINTING EFFORTS IN REFLECTING THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE HAVE EARNED HIM UNIVERSAL RESPECT AND WE SHALL MISS HIS SAGE ADVICE IN THE PROCEEDINGS OF THIS COUNCIL,+ SIR PHILIP SAID.
MR BRAY HAD FIRST BEEN APPOINTED TO LEGCO IN 1971 AS DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (NEW TERRITORIES) AND THEN IN 1973 AS SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS.
HE LEFT HONG KONG IN 1977 TO SERVE AS HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON AND RETURNED TO RESUME HIS POST AS SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS IN 1980.
MR BRAY HAD ALSO PRESIDED OVER THE COUNCIL ON FOUR OCCASIONS AS DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR.
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, THE HON ALEX WU SAID MR BRAY WAS ONE OF THE BEST KNOWN CIVIL SERVANTS IN HONG KONG BY VIRTUE OF HIS WIDE ASSOCIATION WITH THE PEOPLE AND HIS BROAD KNOWLEDGE OF CHINESE AFFAIRS, TRADITIONS AND PHILOSOPHY.
+HE IS WELL RESPECTED BY BOTH OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
+WE SHALL MISS HIM FOR HIS SENSE OF HUMOUR AND FOR HIS ABILITY TO INJECT A HUMAN TOUCH TO THE PROCEEDINGS OF THIS COUNCIL,* MR WU SAID.
------o-------
HIGHER F INES APPROVED
* * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED INCREASES IN THE MAXIMUM FINES THAT MIGHT BE IMPOSED BY A COURT FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
MAXIMUM FINES FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES INVOLVING FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY THE ORDINANCE WERE INCREASED FROM $2 000 TO $5 000 OM SUMMARY CONVICTION.
MAXIMUM FINES WERE ALSO INCREASED FROM $2 000 TO $5 000 ON SUMMARY CONVICTION AND FROM $10 000 TO $20 000 ON CONVICTION ON INDICTMENT FOR OFFENCES INVOLVING FRAUD AND THE LIKE, COMMITTED BY PERSONS WITH A WILFUL INTENT TO EVADE TAX.
MOVING THE RESOLUTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID THAT THE LEVELS OF PENALTIES FOR THE VARIOUS OFFENCES HAD BEEN INTRODUCED ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS OVER MANY YEARS.
THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF THESE PENALTIES HAD SINCE BEEN ERODED BY INFLATION AND THE PROPOSAL WOULD RESTORE THE EFFECT CF THE PENALTIES AVAILABLE TO THE COURTS, HE SAID.
------o-------
/18 .....
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1984
18
HIGHER CHARGES FOR OFFENDING MOTORISTS * * * *
THE HOUSING (TRAFFIC) BY-LAWS WERE AMENDED TO BRING THEM INTO LINE WITH THE NEW PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PARKING) REGULATIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MOVING A MOTION ON THE HOUSING (TRAFFIC)(AMENDMENT) BY-LAWS 1984, HE SAID THE AMENDMENTS PROVIDED FOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS, INCREASED CHARGES FOR THE IMPOUNDING, REMOVAL AND STORAGE OF VEHICLES ILLEGALLY PARKED ON RESTRICTED ROADS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
THE NEW CHARGES WEREj
* FOR IMPOUNDING A VEHICLE - $140 (FROM $50)l
* FOR REMOVING A VEHICLE - $200 (FROM $110)1
* FOR STORING A VEHICLE - $50 (FROM $35) FOR EACH DAY AFTER THE FIRST DAY DURING WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DETAINED.
EXPERIENCE HAD SHOWN THAT THE OLD CHARGES WERE TOO LOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT TO OFFENDING MOTORISTS, HE SAID.
MR LIAO SAID THE MAIN AMENDMENTS INCLUDED THE ABANDONING OF THE CONCEPT OF +N0 WAITING* AND REPLACING IT WITH +N0 PARKING*, AS WELL AS THE ADOPTION OF NEW SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS.
ALSO INCLUDED WERE AN INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES FROM $500 TO $2 000, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF SOME DEFINITIONS, OFFENCES AND OTHER PROVISIONS BASED ON THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PARKING) REGULATIONS, HE ADDED.
--------o----------
MORAL EDUCATION ON COURSE ******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT HE WAS ENTIRELY SATISFIED THAT THE STRATEGY FOR MORAL EDUCATION EXPLAINED THROUGH THE GUIDELINES ISSUED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS BEING SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED.
+l AM CONFIDENT THAT THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAMMES OF ACTIVITIES NOW BEING PROVIDED FOR SCHOOLS WILL HELP TO STRENGTHEN AND CONSOLIDATE THIS STRATEGY,* HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RITA FAN ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS SINCE THE GUIDELINES ON MORAL EDUCATION WERE ISSUED THREE YEARS AGO.
/THE PURPOSE .......
WEDNESDAY, DEC SMB ER 19, 1984
THE PURPOSE OF THE GUIDELINES WAS TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF MORAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN SCHOOLS THROUGH THE FORMAL CURRICULUM AND THE CORPORATE LIFE OF THE SCHOOL.
+l AM SATISFIED THAT THIS PURPOSE IS BEING ACHIEVED, AS IS DEMONSTRATED BY THE LARGE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS, BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY, WHICH NOW HAVE MORAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES PURSUED VARIOUSLY THROUGH FORMAL LESSONS, CLASS PERIODS, SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, OR COMBINATIONS OF THESE MODES,+ MR LEUNG SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THERE WAS NOW A HEIGHTENED DEGREE OF MORAL AWARENESS AMONG TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.
DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS ON MORAL EDUCATION IN WHICH OVER 2 6OO TEACHERS PARTICIPATED. SOME 1 300 TEACHERS HAD ALSO VISITED THE MORAL EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THESE FIGURES SHOWED THE SUPPORT BY SCHOOLS FOR THE PROMOTION CF MORAL EDUCATION, AND THIS IN TURN HAD A POSITIVE EFFECT ON STUDENT SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE. ONE EXAMPLE WAS THE DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SCHEME, FROM 52 000 IN 1980 TO OVER 130 000 AT PRESENT.
THE GUIDELINES POINTED THE WAY, BUT MORE DETAILED DIRECTIONS HAD ALSO BEEN PROVIDED, MR LEUNG SAID.
THESE INCLUDED THE COMPILATION OF TWO COMPREHENSIVE SETS OF REFERENCE MATERIALS, SOCIAL MORALITY PROGRAMMES DEVELOPED BY THE ICAC WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CO-OPERATION, ETV PROGRAMMES, VIDEO-TAPED TEACHING MATERIALS, AND CONFERENCES ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT BOARDS, SCHOOL SPONSORS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
- - o - -
NO PUTONGHUA DEPARTMENT YET FOR COLLEGES
* * * X X
PUTONGHUA WAS BEING TAUGHT IN THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AS PART OF THE COMPLEMENTARY STUDIES PROGRAMME. BUT IT WAS PREMATURE TO CONSIDER SETTING UP PUTONGHUA DEPARTMENTS IN THESE COLLEGES, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID TODAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD KEEP THE SITUATION UNDER REVIEW AND ENSURE THAT THE NEEDS OF SCHOOLS WERE FULLY MET.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON KEITH LAM CALLING ON THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONSIDER SETTING UP A PUTONGHUA DEPARTMENT IN EACH OF THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION.
/♦BECAUSE SO
'ffSIUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1984
- 20 -
♦BECAUSE SO FAR ONLY A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF SCHOOLS HAVE ACTUALLY ADOPTED PUTONGHUA AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION, WE HAVE PROVIDED TRAINING TO TEACHERS MAINLY THROUGH IN-SERVICE COURSES.
♦SUCH COURSES ARE RUN BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION, THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE AND THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION. THEY HAVE MET THE NEEDS Ol THE TEACHERS IN THE PILOT SCHEME SCHOOLS AND WILL CONTINUE TO CATER FOR OTHER INTERESTED TEACHERS,+ HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE PILOT SCHEME CONDUCTED IN SCHOOLS SINCE 1981, MR LEUNG SAID STAGE I INVOLVING 42 PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAD BEEN COMPLETED THIS SUMMER, AND PUTONGHUA HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PRIMARY CURRICULUM AS AN OPTIONAL SUBJECT.
STAGE II INVOLVING 51 SECONDARY SCHOOLS BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND WOULD BE COMPLETED IN 1987.
-----0------
HEAVY DEMAND FOR MTR
* * * *
THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, AS WITH ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT, WAS SUBJECT TO VERY HEAVY DEMAND DURING THE PEAK HOURS, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT SAID TODAY.
THE STATIONS ALONG THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR WERE THE BUSIEST, WITH PEAK DEMAND BETWEEN 8.15 AM AND 8.45 AM ON WEEKDAYS, HE SAID.
THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE, AT MAXIMUM, TRAIN SERVICES COMPOSED OF 8-CAR TRAINS RUNNING AT TWO-MINUTES FREQUENCIES. THIS LEVEL OF SERVICE PROVIDED AN HOURLY CAPACITY FOR 75 000 PASSENGERS IN ONE DIRECTION. WITHIN THESE DESIGNED CAPACITY LIMITS, TRAIN SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO MATCH PASSENGER DEMAND, HE SAID.
MR SCOTT WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PAULINE NG AS TO WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE SERIOUS OVERCROWDING WHICH OCCURRED ON MTR TRAINS DURING PEAK HOURS AND WHETHER THE MTRC COULD BE ASKED TO INCREASE THE FREQUENCY AND CARRYING CAPACITY CF TRAINS DURING PEAK PERIODS.
MTR TRAINS WERE CROWDED DURING THE RUSH HOURS, BUT THE NUMBERS ACTUALLY CARRIED WERE WELL WITHIN THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE TRAINS.
FOR EXAMPLE, ON THE TSUEN WAN LINE BETWEEN ARGYLE AND JORDAN STATIONS IN NOVEMBER 1984 THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS CARRIED BETWEEN 8.15 AM AND 9.15 AM WAS 47 880. 28 728 OF THESE TRAVELLED
IN THE +PEAK OF THE PEAK+ HALF AN HOUR FROM 8.15 AM TO 8.45 AM.
THE CORPORATION WAS AWARE OF THE RELUCTANCE OF SOME PASSENGERS TO MOVE INTO THE CENTRE OF CARRIAGES, WHICH WOULD EASE THE SITUATION. BY MAKING ANNOUNCEMENTS, TRAIN DRIVERS REGULARLY REQUESTED PASSENGERS TO CO-OPERATE IN THIS RESPECT, HE SAID.
- 0
/21 ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1984
21
STEPS TAKEN TO TIGHTEN LAW ON FIRE HAZARDS
* * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES HAD PUT FORWARD TWO MAJOR PROPOSALS TO AMEND WEAKNESSES IN THE LAW ON FIRE HAZARDS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECUR IT , THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
+WE ARE ABOUT TO GO TO THE NEXT STAGE, WHICH IS TO CONSULT WITH THE PUBLIC AND THE INDUSTRY THROUGH THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS,* MR JEAFFRESON SAID.
IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, MR JEAFFRESON SAID THAT ACTIONS BEING TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO MINIMISE FIRE HAZARDS IN DOMESTIC AND FACTORY PREMISES INCLUDED FIRE PREVENTION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS.
INSPECTIONS OF BUILDINGS ARE ALSO CARRIED OUT BY FIRE OFFICERS WHO ISSUE FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES AS NECESSARY.
+IF THOSE AGAINST WHOM THE NOTICES ARE ISSUED FAIL TO ABATE THE HAZARDS, THEY ARE PROSECUTED,* MR JEAFFRESON SAID.
IN THE 12 MONTHS TO OCTOBER 1984, THERE WERE 2 791 FIRES IN DOMESTIC BUILDINGS, INCLUDING 1 364 SMALL KITCHEN FIRES WHICH WOULD PREVIOUSLY HAVE BEEN CLASSIFIED AS FALSE ALARMS.
IF THESE CASES WERE EXCLUDED, THERE WERE 1 427 FIRES IN DOMESTIC BUILDINGS DURING THE PERIOD, A 23 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE 1 161 FIRES IN THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS.
THE NUMBER OF FIRES IN FACTROY BUILDINGS' IN THE 12 MONTHS IS 557, UP 29 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.
MR JEAFFRESON TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT STATISTICS SHOWED THAT IN GENERAL, THERE HAD BEEN AN INCREASE IN FIRES CAUSED BY THE IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF CIGARETTE ENDS AND SUCH LIKE, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT, IN FIRES INVOLVING COOKING STOVES.
+ALSO, WHEN WE LOOK AT STATISTICS OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS, THE AMOUNT OF RAINFALL APPEARS TO HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE NUMBER OF FIRES, BOTH IN DOMESTIC AND FACTORY BUILDINGS,* HE SAID.
THE LAST SUMMER WAS APPRECIABLY DRYER THAN THE SUMMER OF 1933 AND THAT OF 1982, HE ADDED.
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/22 .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1984
- 22 -
BILLS CLARIFY MEANS OF ESCAPE RESPONSIBILITY * * *
THREE BILLS WHICH SEEK TO CLARIFY THAT THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS THE RESPONSIBLE BODY FOR ENSURING THAT BUILDINGS HAVE ADEQUATE MEANS OF ESCAPE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, WERE GIVEN SECOND READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THESE BILLS ARE s THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 AND THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984.
THE AUTHORITY’S RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS REGARD IS PROVIDED FOR IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID.
+BUT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE FIRE SERVICES ORDINANCE, THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MATTERS CONCERNING FIRE HAZARDS INCLUDING THOSE ARISING FROM THE INADEQUATE PROVISION CF MEANS OF ESCAPE,+ MR JEAFFRESON EXPLAINED.
TO ELIMINATE THIS OVERLAP OF RESPONSIBILITY, THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 SEEKS TO DELETE FROM THE DEFINITION OF ■♦FIRE HAZARD* IN SECTION 2 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, REFERENCES TO MATTERS RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE MEANS OF ESCAPE.
IT ALSO PROPOSES TO REPEAL SECTION 24 OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH REFERS TO THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE MEANS OF ESCAPE IN CERTAIN TYPES CF BUILDINGS AND FOR WHICH THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS ALSO THE RESPONSIBLE BODY.
CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS ARE ALSO BEING SOUGHT TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE AND THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE THROUGH THE OTHER TWO BILLS INTRODUCED.
DEBATE ON THE THREE BILLS WAS ADJOURNED.
------o-------
BILL ON MONEY CHANGERS INTRODUCED * * * *
A BILL PROVIDING +SOME MEASURE OF PROTECTION* FOR CONSUMERS DEALING WITH MONEY CHANGERS, WAS READ A SECOND TIME IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN MOVING THE MONEY CHANGERS (DISCLOSURE OF RATES, CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS) BILL 1984, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID, HOWEVER, THAT IT WAS NOT THE GOVERNMENT’S WISH TO IMPOSE UNNECESSARILY BURDENSOME REQUIREMENTS IN RELATION TO NORMAL BUSINESS PRACTICES.
AND TO ALLOW MONEY CHANGERS MORE TIME TO ABSORB THE CONTENTS AND PURPOSE OF THE COMPARATIVELY MILD BILL, IT WAS INTENDED THAT THE SECOND READING SHOULD NOT BE RESUMED UNTIL JANUARY 23 NEXT YEAR
/►FURTHERMORE, IF........
-EDNSoJaY, 2ECn3£BEh '.9. 19e4
- 23 -
♦FURTHERMORE, IF THE BILL IS PASSED, MONEY CHANGERS WILL BE GIVEN A PERIOD OF ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER THE DATE OF ENACTMENT SO THAT BEFORE THE LEGISLATION BECOMES OPERATIVE, THEY MAY ADJUST THEIR BUSINESS PROCEDURES AND ANY FORMS THEY MAY USE,+ HE SAID.
EARLIER, MR JACOBS HAD SAID THAT THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAD RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS FROM BOTH TOURISTS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS ♦AGAINST SOME MONEY CHANGERS’ INADEQUATE NOTICE OF THEIR INTENTION TO CHARGE A COMMISSION*.
LAST YEAR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAD SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVt COUNCIL THAT THERE MIGHT BE A CASE FOR LEGISLATIVE INTERVENTION TO GIVE CUSTOMERS A FAIR CHANCE OF DECIDING IN ADVANCE WHETHER THEY WISHED TO DO BUSINESS ON THE TERMS OFFERED BY A MONEY CHANGER. THE PRESENT BILL WAS DESIGNED TO GIVE EFFECT TO THIS SUGGESTION, HE SAID.
DETAILING THE BILL, HE SAID THAT CLAUSE 4 PROVIDED THAT A MONEY CHANGER MUST FIRST GIVE TO THE CUSTOMER A NOTE SETTING OUT CERTAIN DETAILS OF THE TRANSACTION, INCLUDING THE RATE OF EXCHANGE AND THE AMOUNT OF ANY CHARGE OR COMMISSION. THE MONEY CHANGER WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED TO DRAW THE CUSTOMERS ATTENTION TO THOSE DETAILS, AND TO OBTAIN THE CUSTOMERS WRITTEN CONCURRENCE.
FOR ADDITIONAL PROTECTION, CLAUSE 5 PROVIDED THAT A CUSTOMER MIGHT RESCIND THE TRANSACTION +WITHIN THREE DAYS IF, AND ONLY IF, A MONEY CHANGER CONTRAVENED THESE REQUIREMENTS*.
THERE WAS NO AUTOMATIC RIGHT TO RESCIND, HE SAID.
A MONEY CHANGER WHO MAINTAINED A BOARD OR SCREEN SHOwING EXCHANGE RATES WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SET OUT CLEARLY PARTICULARS CF ANY CHARGE OR COMMISSION.
CLAUSE THREE, HE SAID, PROVIDED FOR A NUMBER OF EXEMPTIONS.
BECAUSE THE BILL WAS PRIMARILY FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION, THERE WAS NO INTENTION TO INTERVENE IN TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING MORE THAN HKS13O OOO OR ITS EQUIVALENT.
AT THIS LEVEL, IT WAS MORE LIKELY THAN NOT THAT THE TRANSACTION WOULD BE MADE IN THE COURSE OF BUSINESS, AND THE PARTIES COULD REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.
FURTHERMORE, BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WERE EXEMPTED, HE SAID.
THESE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, HE SAID, *ERE ALREADY GOVERNED BY ORDINANCES, AND IN ANY EVENT, ONLY OFFERED MONEY CHANGING AS AN ANCILLARY SERVICE TO THEIR CLIENTS.
HOTELS SELLING HONG KONG CURRENCY PRIMARILY AS A SERVICE TO THEIR GUESTS WERE EXCLUDED FROM THE PROPOSALS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
/24........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1984
24
BILL TO RELAX TRADE MARKS CRITERIA * * * *
THE PURPOSE OF THE TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 *AS TO RELAX THE CRITERIA FOR REGISTRATION OF A TRADE MARK IN PART B OF THE TRADE MARKS REGISTER, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON PIERS JACOBS SAID TODAY.
THE AMENDMENT, IF ENACTED, WOULD BRING THE TRADE MARKS ORDINANCE IN LINE WITH EXISTING UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION UPON' wHICH THE HONG KONG ORDINANCE WAS LARGELY BASED.
THE AMENDED ORDINANCE WOULD THUS BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH MODERN PRACTICE, HE SAID.
THE LAW SOCIETY HAS BEEN CONSULTED AND STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0------
POISONS LIST UPDATED * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ADDING 74 MORE TYPES OR ITEMS OF POTENT SUBSTANCES TO THE POISONS LIST TO PUT THEIR SALE AND USE UNDER STRICT LEGISLATIVE CONTROL.
TO BRING THIS INTO EFFECT, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPROVED A MOTION ON TWO NEW SETS OF REGULATIONS INTRODUCED TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR THE HON K.L. THONG.
THE REGULATIONS ARE THE POISONS LIST (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1984 AND THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1984.
THE NEW POISONS LIST REGULATIONS WILL ADD 74 ENTRIES TO PART I OF THE POISONS LIST. THIS WILL MEAN THAT THESE SUBSTANCES CAN ONLY BE SOLD ON THE PREMISES OF AN AUTHORISED SELLER OF POISONS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A REGISTERED PHARMACIST.
DR THONG TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE AMENDMENTS TO THE PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS WERE INTENDED TO UPDATE THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD SCHEDULES IN THE LEGISLATION.
THE NEW AMENDMENTS PROVIDED FOR THE APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE DISPENSING, COMPOUNDING AND SALE OF CERTAIN POISONS WHICH WOULD BE ADDED TO PART I OF THE POISONS
THEY WOULD ALSO MAKE PROVISIONS EXEMPTION IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WERE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO BE SOLD IN
TO DELETE AN UNNECESSARY OF CERTAIN SUBSTANCES WHICH HONG KONG.
/A.NOTH3H AMENDMENT..........
WEDNESDAY, DSCELEER 19. 1964
- 25 -
ANOTHER AMENDMENT PROVIDED THAT CERTAIN OF THE MORE POTE T POISONS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE POISONS LIST COULD ONLY BE SOLD BY retail under prescription.
DR THONG SAID THAT THE DECISION TO UPDATE THE POISONS LIST AND THE SCHEDULES IN THE PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS HAD BEEN MADE BY THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD.
THE BOARD WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PRESCRIBING A LIST OF SUBSTANCES WHICH ARE TO BE TREATED AS POISONS AND FOR CLASSIFYING THESE POISONS ACCORDING TO SCHEDULES FOR DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CONTROi. jNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS.
COPYRIGHT SIMILAR TO THAT IN UK * * * * *
COPYRIGHT PROTECTION GIVEN BY THE LAW OF HONG KONG ON THE PLAYING OF MUSICAL RECORDS IN CINEMAS WAS SIMILAR TO THAT GIVE! BY THE LAW OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THE PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM COPYRIGHT ACT 1956 HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO HONG KONG BY THE COPYRIGHT (HONG KONG) ORDERS 1972 AND 1979.
+THE PROVISIONS COVER THE PLAYING OF MUSICAL RECORDS IN PUBLIC PLACES, SUCH AS CINEMAS, NIGHT CLUBS, RESTAURANTS, DEPARTMENT STORES AND SO 0N,+ MR JACOBS SAID.
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RULES TO PRESCRIBE NEW FORMS FOR LEGAL PROCEDURE
*****
THE MAGISTRATES (FORMS) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) RULES WERE. APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE RULES PRESCRIBED NEW FORMS FOR USE WITH THE MINOR OFFENCE PROCEDURE, THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JAMES FINDLAY, SA ID.
THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1984, ENACTED IN MAY »
THIS YEAR, INTRODUCED A NEW PROCEDURE TO DEAL SPEEDILY aITH MINOR OFFENCES.
UNDER THIS PROCEDURE, FORMS WERE TO BE PRESCRIBED FOP USE BY THE COURT.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE THUS PRESCRIBED CERTAIN FORMS IN THE MAGISTRATES (FORMS) (AMENDMENT) RULES 1984 aHICH WERE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER.
/+SINCE THEN, .......
WEDN3SDAY, BKEMS3R 19, 19c4
26
+S INC- THEN. IT HAS BECOME APPARENT THAT THE FORMS ARE -FICIENT ' SECTION 7G OF THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE CLEARLY CONTEMPLATES TwO DISTICCT PROCEDURAL STEPS - FIRST, A NOTICE v IMPOSITION OF PENALTY, REQUIRING PAYMENT IN 21 DAYS FOLLOwEl ?.Y IF NECESSARY, A NOTICE OF FAILURE TO PAY THE PENALTY, REQUIRING PAYMENT IN 14 DAYS, FAILING WHICH A SUMMONS OR WARRANT WILL BE ISSUED,* MR FINDLAY EXPLAINED.
THE FORMS ORIGINALLY PRESCRIBED WRONGLY COMBINED THESE TWO 5~-.PS, AND THE CURRENT RULES CORRECTED THE ERROR.
THE OPPORTUNITY HAD ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO AMEND THE FORMS PRESCRIBED IN CONNECTION WITH THE FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTION) ORDINANCE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF RECENT AMENDMENTS ’0 THIS ORD I NANCE.
--------o-----------
BILL TO CORRECT ARBITRATION ANOMALY * * * *
THE ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1984 WAS TO PUT FIGHT A LEGAL ANOMALY CREATED IN 1982, THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JAMES FINDLAY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
+ THE BILL THEN IS A MINOR, BUT USEFUL, IMPROVEMENT IN THE LAW RELATING TO ARBITRATORS,* MR FINDLAY SAID, IN MOVING THt SECON. READING OF THE BILL.
+APPEALS WHERE A JUDGE IS AN ARBITRATOR OR UMPIRE WILL, UNDER THE BILL, GO TO THE COURT OF APPEAL AND SECTION 23A (OF THE ARBITRATION ORDINANCE) WILL NOT APPLY WHERE THERE IS A JUDGEARBITRATOR OR A JUDGE-UMPIRE, SINCE HE IS COMPETENT TO DECIDE QUESTIONS OF LAW.*
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0 -------
DESALTING PLANT KEPT AS STANDBY * * * *
THE LOK ON PAI DESALTING PLANT WAS BEING RETAINED AS A STANDBY RESERVE AND THERE WERE NO PLANS TO DISMANTLE IT, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR JOHN TODD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
ANSWERING A QUESTION BY THE HON ANDREW SO, HE SAID THAT THE DESALTING PLANT WAS LAST IN OPERATION IN MAY 1482, AND IT WAS IN A *MOTHBALLED+ STATE.
THE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE COST OF THE PLANT WAS ABOUT $*♦.5 MILLION, OF WHICH SI.64 MILLION WAS FOR ELECTRICITY AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE AND ABOUT $2.87 MILLION FOR STAFF.
HOWEVER, WITH THE *MOTHBALLI NG* COMPLETED, AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES PROPERLY ESTABLISHED, THE STAFFING LEVEL wOULD BE CONSIDERABLY REDUCED IN THE NEAR FUTURE, HE SAID.
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/27 .....
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1934
27
NOT MANY COMPLAINTS RECEIVED ABOUT FALSE ALARMS
* * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT RECEIVED FREQUENT OR WIDESPREAD COMPLAINTS ABOUT MALFUNCTIONING BURGLAR ALARMS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE POLICE ONLY KEEP STATISTICS IN RESPECT OF ALARMS WHICH TERMINATE IN A POLICE STATION OR A POLICE REGIONAL CONTROL CENTRE.
IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 7 358 FALSE ALARMS, REPRESENTING 99.3 PER CENT OF THE ALARMS ACTIVATED, '-R JEAFFRESON SAID, IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON YEUNG PO—KWAN. HE ADDED IT IS NOT AN OFFENCE TO GIVE A FALSE ALARM THROUGH A FAULTY SYSTEM.
+THE ONLY POSSIBLE ACTION THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE PREVAILING SITUATION IS TO ENCOURAGE THE INSTALLATION OF BETTER QUALITY ALARMS AND THEIR PROPER MAINTENANCE.
+ THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED EITHER THROUGH SELF-REGULATION WITHIN THE SECURITY INDUSTRY WHICH PROVIDES ALARM SYSTEMS, OR THROUGH LEGISLATING FOR SOME MINIMUM STANDARDS,* HE SAID.
MR JEAFFRESON TOLD THE COUNCIL HE HAD BEEN EXAMINING THESE OPTIONS WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE FOR SOME TIME AND IT HAD BECOME CLEAR THAT THE DRAFTING AND ENFORCEMENT OF LEGISLATION WOULD BE DIFFICULT.
+WE NOW FAVOUR SELF-REGULATION. THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IS ALSO AWARE OF THE NEED FOR SOME FORM OF REGULATION WITHIN THE SECURITY INDUSTRY,* HE SAID.
------o-------
LEGCO BILLS * * *
DEBATE ON SEVEN BILLS WAS ADJOURNED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCITODAY. THEY ARE: ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1984; PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL 1984; MONEY CHANGERS (DISCLOSURE OF RATES, CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS) BILL 1984; TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984; FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984; PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 19845 AND EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984.
ONE BILL - THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 WAS APPROVED.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRIME MINISTER ARRIVES ................................. 1
PM SEES AP LEI CHAU DEVELOPMENTS ....................... 1
PRESS ARRANGEMENTS ..................................... 3
LADY HOWE VISITS PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUPS ASSOCIATION ..... 4
MUK WU 'B’ PUMPING STATIC® OPENED ...................... 5
PAY-TAX-CN-TIME REMINDER ............................... 6
INTELPOST TO SINGAPORE.................................. 8
CHAI WAN LIGHTS UP FOR CHRISTMAS ....................... 8
YULETIDE CHEER FOR LESS FORTUNATE ...................... 9
FESTIVE SEASON GLITTER IN TSUEN WAN .................... 10
DB TO DISCUSS WIDE-RANGING ISSUES ...................... 10
SCHEME HELPS PROMOTE HEALTH ............................ 11
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICES ................................ 11
LABOUR STATISTICS PUBLISHED ............................ 12
NEW RECRUITS ........................................... 12
PLB CLEARWAY AT JAVA ROAD............................... 12
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1’4
1
PRIME MINISTER ARRIVES * * *
THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER, ARRIVED FROM PEK NG THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON AFTER SIGNING THE JOINT DECLARATION ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
SHE aAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGI AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOwE, LADY HOWE, TnE DEPUTY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR PERCY CRADOCK, AND THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO PEKING, SIR RICHARD EVANS.
THE PRIME MINISTER AND HER PARTY WERE MET AT THE AIRPORT aY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDwARD YOUDE, LADY YOUDE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCEo, MAJOR-GENERAL DEREK BOORMAN, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL WEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ROGER LOBO, THE DOYEN OF THE CONSULAR CORPS, MRS FELICIDAD BENGZON-GONZALES, THE SENIOR COMMONWEALTH COMMISSIONER, MR KOH LIAN-HWI, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY (HONG KONG BRANCH?, 4? LI CHUWEN.
- 0 - -
PM SEES AP LEI CHAU DEVELOPMENTS * * *
THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER, THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED AP LEI CHAU WHERE SHE WAS BRIEFED ON THE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ISLAND AND IN ABERDEEN.
SHE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR DONALD LIAO, AND WAS MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE. MRS ANSON CHAN, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOwLOON), MR BARRIE wIGGHAM, AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER (SOUTHERN), MR EDDIE CHAN.
FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION IN I960 OF A BRIDGE LINKING AP LEI CHAU TO ABERDEEN, IMPROVED TRANSPORT ENABLED THE PREVIOUS BUILDING HEIGHT RESTRICTION TO BE REMOVED AND HIGH-RISE BLOCKS ARE NOW BEING BUILT ON THIS ONCE QUIET ISLAND.
MRS THATCHER WAS TOLD THE FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT ON THE ISLAND, THE AP LEI CHAU ESTATE WITH ABOUT 4 480 FLATS, HAD BEE. COMPLETED AND A SECOND ESTATE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WITH 4 00. FLATS TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1986 AND A FURTHER 3 300 PLATS, BY MID-1987.
/she learned
THURSDAY, DKi3ffi£H 20, 15*84
2
SHE LEARNED THAT A SQUATTER AREA AND THE DWELLING BOATS ON THE NORTHERN SHORE WOULD BE CLEARED IN PHASES TO FACILITATE RECLAMATION wORK. THE RECLAMATION SHOULD PROVIDE SEVEN HECTARES OF LAND FOR OPEN SPACE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COASTAL HIGHWAY, A PUBLIC LANDING AREA, MARKETING AND OTHER FACILITIES AND AN INDUSTRI AL SITE.
THE RECLAMATION PROJECT WILL ALSO OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO CLEAR BOATYARDS AND MARINE ENGINE WORKSHOPS ALONG THE NORTHERN SHORE FOR WHICH ALTERNATIVE SITES WILL BE PROVIDED.
MRS THATCHER WAS BRIEFED ON THE RECLAMATION IN ABERDEEN AS //ELL. STAGE 1 OF THE RECLAMATION WAS FINISHED BY 1977, PROVIDING ABOUT 6.6 HECTARES OF LAND. STAGE 2 IS AN 11-YEAR PROJECT STRETCHING FROM 1976 TO 1987.
SHE LEARNED OF ABERDEEN’S GROWTH FROM A FISHING VILLAGE TO m BUSTLING RESIDENTIAL-INDUSTRIAL AREA WITH ITS POPULATION AND THAT CF AP LEI CHAU NOW EXCEEDING 200 000 PEOPLE, 64 PER CENT OF THEM L.IVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING.
FROM A VANTAGE POINT, MRS THATCHER COULD SEE SOME OF THE DEVELOPMENTS.
SHE THEN PROCEEDED TO HO YAN KINDERGARTEN ON AP LEI CHAU RUN BY SIK SIK YUEN, A BUDDHIST ORGANISATION. SHE PLAYED wI TH THE PUPILS AND SANG CHRISTMAS CAROLS WITH THEM.
MRS THATCHER AND THE PARTY NEXT MOVED TO THE COMMUNITY HALL ivHICH, SHE WAS TOLD, IS THE FOCAL POINT OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR THE AP LEI CHAU ESTATE’S POPULATION OF ABOUT 22 000 PEOPLE AS WELL AS AN IMPORTANT CENTRE FOR CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
SHE WAS INTRODUCED TO THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD AND wAS SHOWN CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY, RIBBON FLOWER-BAKING AND KNITTING CLASSES IN PROGRESS.
A TEA RECEPTION WAS HELD FOR MRS THATCHER IN THE HALL WHERE SHE ALSO MET MEMBERS OF THE AP LEI CHAU YIN NGA I SOCIETY wHICH IS DEVOTED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOP WOMEN ON THE ISLAND.
-----o------
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2 <4
- 3 -
PRESS ARRANGEMENTS
* * *
THE FOLLOWING IS A DETAILED RUNDOWN OF PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE VISIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER, THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, AND LADY HOWE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
PRIME MINISTER’S PUBLIC FUNCTIONS
PRESS CONFERENCE, LEGCO CHAMBER - 8.00 AM
LIKE THE ADDRESS TO THE JOINT EXCO AND LEGCO MEETING, ADMISSION INTO THE COUNCIL CHAMBER FOR THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE BY LAPEL BADGE HOLDERS ONLY. ALL PERSONS ENTERING THE CHAMBER WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE PROOF OF IDENTITY AND OF THE ORGANISATION WHICH THEY REPRESENT.
TV CREWS ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE IN GOOD TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT. ALL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE SEATED BY 7.50 AM THERE WILL BE A THREE-MINUTE PHOTO-CALL AFTER THE PRIME MINISTER HAS ARRIVED AND BEFORE THE PRESS CONFERENCE BEGINS. PHOTOGRAPHER. MUST LEAVE THE COUNCIL CHAMBER BEFORE THE PRESS CONFERENCE GET. UNDERWAY.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE TELEVISED ’LIVE’ BY RTHK, WHICH WILL ALSO MAKE AVAILABLE ADDITIONAL FEEDS FOR OTHER CREWS. NO MICROPHONES OR HAND-HELD RECORDERS WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE DIAS.
A FULL TRANSCRIPT, TOGETHER WITH A CHINESE TRANSLATION, WILL BE ISSUED BY GIS.
THERE WILL BE FIXED PRESS POSITIONS OUTSIDE THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE OF THE PRIME MINISTER’S ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO BE IN POSITION 15 MINUTES IN ADVANCE.
DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG - 13.00 AM
A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE ARRANGED AT THE DEPARTURE HALL +FINGER+. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE PRIME MINISTER’S DEPARTURE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NT LATER THAN 9.13 AM. THEY MUST BRING wITH THEM PROOF OF I DENT IT•.
/SIR GEOFFREY .......
THUHSLA.Y, DflCSMBKH. 20, 1984
- 4 -
SIR GEOFFREY HOWE AND LADY HOWE’S PROGRAMME
HARBOUR CRUISE
SIR GEOFFREY AND LADY HOWE WILL GO ON A HARBOUR CRUISE AND BE BRIEFED ON DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE HARBOUR AREA. A POOL PHOTOGRAPH WILL BE ISSUED BY GIS.
DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG - 8.50 PM
SIR GEOFFREY AND LADY HOWE WILL DEPART HONG KONG FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM ON FLIGHT BR381 AT 8.50 PM. THERE WILL BE A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY AT THE DEPARTURE HALL +FINGER+. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 8 PM. THEY SHOULD BRING WITH THEM PROOF CF IDENTITY.
--------o
LADY HOWE VISITS PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUPS ASSOCIATION
* * * * *
LADY HOWE THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED THE PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUPS ASSOCIATION IN HONG KONG TO OPEN ITS PREMISES IN VICTORIA BARRACKS.
ACCOMPANIED BY LADY YOUDE, SHE WAS GREETED ON ARRIVAL BY NRS KATHLEEN MAIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION’S HONG KONG BRANCH, NRS L. HOLLAND, SECRETARY OF THE BRANCH, AND MRS SUSAN KERLEY, CHAIRMAN OF COMMUNITY PLAYGROUP.
LADY HOWE WAS TOLD THAT THE HONG KONG BRANCH WAS SET UP IN APRIL 1979.
SINCE 1981 IT HAS RUN AN ANNUAL COURSE AT THE EXTRA-MURAL DEPARTMENT OF HONG KONG UNIVERSITY. IT HAS ALSO ORGANISED COURSES FOR PLAYLEADERS OF THE ARMY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
LADY HOWE LEARNED THAT THE PREMISES HOUSE A COMMUNITY PLAYGROUP, MOTHER AND TODDLER FACILITIES, AN OFFICE WITH A LIBRARY AND A RESOURCE CENTRE.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 19o4
- 5 -
MUK WU ’B’ PUMPING STATION OPENED * * * *
THE MUK WU +B+ PUMPING STATION, ONE OF THE IMPORTANT FACILITIES REQUIRED FOR THE RECEPTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF INCREASE^-*ATER SUPPLIES FROM CHINA, WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR JOHN TODD, TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE NEW PUMPING STATION, LOCATED AT THE BORDER JUST SOUTH CF THE SHENZHEN RIVER, MARKS A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A 12-YEAR, THREE-STAGE WATER SUPPLY SCHEME THAT WILL MEET THE ANTICIPATED INCREASES IN CONSUMPTION IN FUTURE YEARS.
LAUNCHED IN JANUARY 1981, THE SCHEME INVOLVED THE CONSTRUCTION CF SEVEN PUMPING STATIONS, 32 KILOMETRES OF TUNNELS AND THE LAYING CF 31 KILOMETRES OF PIPELINES.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION, MR TODD SAID IN TERMS OF SCOPE, MAGNITUDE AND IMPORTANCE THE OVERALL SCHEME, ESTIMATED TO COST SI.75 BILLION, RANKED WITH ANY OF HONG KONG’S PAST MAJOR WATERWORKS PROJECTS.
+THE RAPID GROWTH OF HONG KONG AND ITS CHANGE FROM AN ENTREPOT TO A HIGHLY INDUSTRIALISED COMMUNITY SAW WATER CONSUMPTION RISE FROM LESS THAN 200 000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY IN THE EARLY POST-WAR YEARS TO A CURRENT LEVEL OF 1.8 MILLION CUBIC METRES PER DAY,+ HE SAID.
AS A RESULT EVEN THE COMPLETION OF PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR AND HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM AND WATER RESTRICTIONS REMAINED A THREAT AT TIMES OF INADEQUATE RAINFALL, HE ADDED.
WHILE THE TERRITORY WAS DEVELOPING ITS OWN WATER RESOURCES, THE SUPPLY FROM ACROSS THE BORDER WAS SEEN AS AN ANSWER TO HELP FEET HONG KONG’S NEEDS AND WATER WAS FIRST OBTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS FROM CHINA AS EARLY AS I960.
THE INITIAL AGREEMENT WAS FOR AN ANNUAL SUPPLY OF 22.7 MILLION CUBIC METRES, BUT TODAY THIS FIGURE STOOD AT 290 MILLION CUBIC METRES AND WOULD INCREASE ANNUALLY TO AN AGREED FIGURE OF 620 MILLION CUBIC METRES IN 1994, REPRESENTING ABOUT 60 PER CENT CF HONG KONG’S DEMAND, MR TODD SAID.
WATER FROM CHINA IS DRAWN FROM THE EAST RIVER, A TRIBUTARY OF THE PEARL RIVER, AND IS PUMPED IN STAGES OVER A DISTANCE OF 83 KILOMETRES ALONG OPEN CHANNELS AND RIVER COURSES TO SHENZHEN RESERVOIR WHERE IT IS FED BY GRAVITY TO THE BORDER AND PIPED UNDER THE SHENZHEN RIVER THROUGH A 1 200-MILLI METRE DIAMETER PIPE, LAID IN 1960 AND A 1 350-MILLI METRE DIAMETER PIPE, LAID IN 1976.
/THE 195-MILLION .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1984
- 6
THE $96-MILLI0N PUMPING STATION PROJECT COMPRISES THE INSTALLATION OF TWIN 2 000-MILLI METRE DIAMETER PIPES CROSSING THE SHENZHEN RIVER, RECEPTION TANKS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE PUMPING STATION AND THE PUMPING STATION ITSELF.
THE STATION HAS ACCOMMODATION FOR TEN PUMP SETS WITH AN ULTIMATE CAPACITY OF 2.13 MILLION CUBIC METRES PER DAY. SIX PUMP SETS HAVE ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED TO MEET PRESENT DEMAND, WHILE THE OTHERS WILL BE INSTALLED AT A LATER STAGE.
+WATER CAN BE PUMPED DIRECTLY OR THROUGH BOOSTERS THROUGH THE DELIVERY SYSTEMS TO TAI LAM CHUNG AND PLOVER COVE RESERVOIRS AND TO MAJOR TREATMENT WORKS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,* MR TODD SAID.
THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR TOM TOMLINSON, THEN EXCHANGED BANNERS WITH MR GU TIAN-XUN, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CHINA CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CORPORATION, THE COMPANY WHICH CONSTRUCTS. THE PUMPING STATION.
--------0 ----------
PAY-TAX-ON-TIME REMINDER * * * *
TAXPAYERS WERE URGED TODAY TO CHECK THEIR DEMAND NOTES TO ENSURE THAT THE FIRST INSTALMENT OF THE TAX DUE IS PAID ON OR BEFORE THE SPECIFIED DUE DATE.
+IF THE FIRST INSTALMENT IS NOT SO PAID, THE SECOND INSTALMENT WILL AUTOMATICALLY BECOME DUE IMMEDIATELY. THIS WILL BE STRICTLY APPLIED AND PLEAS FOR OVERSIGHT WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED + A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID.
IN ADDITION TO BOTH INSTALMENTS BECOMING IMMEDIATELY PAYABLE TOGETHER, WHERE TAX IS NOT PAID BY THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE NOTE THE COMMISSIONER MAY ORDER A SUM NOT EXCEEDING FIVE PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TAX BE ADDED. THIS SURCHARGE
WILL ALSO BE IMMEDIATELY
DUE FOR PAYMENT.
THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATE OPERATE :-
HOW
THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL
EXAMPLE 1
TOTAL TAX DUE PAYABLE ON PAYABLE ON
4.1.85
4.1.85
4.4.85
$22
$17
» 5
□□0
□□0
000
/IF $17 000
THURSDAY, DB3B4B2R 20, 1984
IF 117 000 IS PAID ON 4.1.85, THE SECOND INSTALMENT OF $5 000 IS PAYABLE ON OR 'BEFORE 4.4.85.
EXAMPLE 2
TOTAL TAX DUE 4.1.85 $22 000
PAYABLE ON 4.1.85 $17 000
PAYABLE ON 4.4.85 $ 5 000
IF $17 000 IS NOT PAID ON 4.1.85, THE WHOLE AMOUNT OF $22 000 PLUS A SURCHARGE OF $1 100 TOTALLING $23 100 IS IN DEFAULT AND ACTION TO RECOVER THE TOTAL AMOUNT WILL BE TAKEN SHORTLY AFTER 4.1.85.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT TAXPAYERS WHO WISHED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TWO INSTALMENTS SHOWN ON THE NOTE HAD TO ENSURE THAT THE FIRST PAYMENT WAS MADE ON OR BEFORE THE DUE DATE SHOWN ON THEIR DEMAND NOTES.
PAYMENT MAY BE MADE AT THE FOLLOWING COLLECTION OFFICES:-
HONG KONG I WINDSOR HOUSE, 3RD FLOOR, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
KOWLOONi PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 12TH FLOOR, 56 DUNDAS STREET, MONGKOK, KOWLOON.
TSUEN WANI FOU WAH CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, N.T.
SHA TIN« KCR HOUSE, 1ST FLOOR, SHA TIN STATION, SHA TIN, N.T.
YUEN LONGi YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 5TH FLOOR, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG, N.T. OR
YOU MAY PAY BY POST SENDING A CROSSED CHEQUE PAYABLE TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TOGETHER WITH YOUR DEMAND NOTE. THE ENVELOPE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS FOLLOWS:
TO: COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE, WINDSOR HOUSE, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
0
/8........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1984
8
INTELPOST TO SINGAPORE
X * *
THE INTELPOST NETWORK FROM HONG KONG WILL BE EXTENDED TO SINGAPORE ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 24), THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY.
INTELPOST ITEMS POSTED IN HONG KONG BEFORE 6 PM WILL BE DELIVERED THE SAME DAY THROUGHOUT SINGAPORE, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
+INTELPOST IS IDEAL FOR SENDING URGENT LETTERS, REPORTS , CHARTS, DRAWINGS, QUOTATIONS OR CONTRACTS TO THE 20 COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES, COVERED BY THE SERVICE,* HE SAID.
THE CHARGES FOR THE SERVICE TO SINGAPORE AREi
FOR THE FIRST SIDE OF AN A4 SHEET OF PAPER $40
FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT A4 SIDE SENT TO THE SAME ADDRESSEE AT THE SAME TIME $20
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT +INTELPOST SERVICE WAS ALSO AVAILABLE TO ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, BELGIUM, BRAZIL, DENMARK, FRANCE, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, LUXEMBOURG, MACAU, MALAYSIA, THE NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, PORTUGAL, QATAR AND SWEDEN.
CUSTOMERS WISHING TO USE THE SERVICE SHOULD HAND IN THEIR DOCUMENTS AT EITHER THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, rt-NNESSY ROAD, QUEEN’S ROAD AND WYNDHAM STREET POST OFFICES ON "'NG KONG ISLAND, OR THE TSIM SHA TSUI, GRANVILLE ROAD, INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE, KOWLOON CENTRAL, KWUN TONG AND MONG KOK POST OFFICES IN KOWLOON.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SERVICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INTELPOST REPRESENTATIVE ON TELEPHONE 5-2671148.
- - 0 - -
CHAI WAN LIGHTS UP FOR CHRISTMAS * * X *
A GLITTERING CHRISTMAS TREE FLANKED BY TWO BEAUTIFUL ANGELS BLOWING TRUMPETS OF JOY, SEASONAL GREETINGS AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD LOGO MAKE UP THIS YEAR’S FESTIVE LIGHTING DECORATIONS IN THE HEART OF CHAI WAN.
THE COLOURFUL LIGHTS WERE SWITCHED ON BY THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, DR SIMON VICKERS AT A CEREMONY THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
/SPONSORED BY
THURSDAY, DBCEMBEH 20, 19&4
- 9 -
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AT $42 000, THE LIGHTS ARE CONCENTRATED MAINLY ON THE PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS WAN TSUI ROAD AND WILL BE ON UNTIL JANUARY 3.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID SIMILAR DECORATIONS LAST YEAR HAD PROVED POPULAR WITH RESIDENTS.
THERE WOULD ALSO BE OTHER ACTIVITIES AND RESIDENTS WOULD THUS BE ABLE TO ENJOY THEMSELVES WITHOUT HAVING TO GO ELSEWHERE FOR ENTERTAINMENT DURING THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A VARIETY SHOW, FEATURING SINGING, MAGIC SHOWS, ACROBATICS, AND A LUCKY DRAW, WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 31.
ORGANISED BY THE CHAI WAN NORTH AND SOUTH AREA COMMITTEES, THE SHOW WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM AT THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
A FILM SHOW, ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, WAS ALSO HELD TONIGHT AT THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, PROVIDING FREE ENTERTAINMENT TO AOO RESIDENTS.
YULETIDE CHEER FOR LESS FORTUNATE
*****
KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE BRINGING LITTLE CHRISTMAS JOY AND COMFORT TO THE LESS FORTUNATE RESIDENTS OF THREE INSTITUTIONS TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE MEMBERS HAVE FORMED THEIR OWN CHOIR TO ENTERTAIN FORMER MENTAL PATIENTS, MENTALLY RETARDED PERSONS AND THE ELDERLY WITH CHRISTMAS CAROLS, AND ONE OF THEM, DRESSED AS SANTA CLAUS, WILL DISTRIBUTE GIFTS TO RESIDENTS OF THE INSTITUTIONS.
THEIR FIRST STOP WILL BE AT THE KWUN TONG SHELTERED WORKSHOP OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, WHERE THEY WILL ENTERTAIN THE MENTALLY RETARDED AND FORMER MENTAL PATIENTS.
THE CHOIR AND SANTA CLAUS WILL THEN PROCEED TO THE SHUN LEE HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY, AND THE WONG CHEUNG KIN MEMORIAL HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY.
KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK, THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (EAST KOWLOON), MR KWOK KA-CHI, AND STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO JOIN THE VISITS.
/MEANWHILE, THE .......
THURSDAY, DBCEMBBH 20, 1%4
10 -
MEANWHILE, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD HAS ORGANISED A LARGE-SCALE LASER EXTRAVAGANZA AND DISCO NITE AT THE TSUI PING ROAD PLAYGROUND ON CHRISTMAS EVE (DECEMBER 24).
MORE THAN 2 000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE DISCO PARTY AND AN EVEN LARGER NUMBER WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE THREE-HOUR LASER SHOW.
-----o------
FESTIVE SEASON GLITTER IN TSUEN WAN *****
FOUR AREAS IN TSUEN WAN DISTRICT WILL BE GLITTERING WITH DECORATIVE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) UNTIL JANUARY 7.
THE COLOURFUL LIGHTS, PUT UP AT A COST OF $140 000, ARE LOCATED AT THE OPEN SPACE OUTSIDE THE TSUEN WAN MTR STATION, THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, THE TSI NG Yl BRIDGE ROUNDABOUT AND AROUND THE JUNCTION OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
A SWITCHING ON CEREMONY WILL BE PERFORMED TOMORROW BY HRS MAY CHAN, WIFE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, NR S.J. CHAN AT THE OPEN SPACE OUTSIDE THE TSUEN WAN MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION.
THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTINGS IS SPONSORED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD.
MEANWHILE, A DISCO NIGHT PARTY WILL BE HELD AT THE SHA TSUI ROAD ON CHRISTMAS EVE FOR ABOUT 8 000 PEOPLE.
ADMISSION TICKETS AT $15 A COUPLE ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS.
--------0 ---------
DB TO DISCUSS WIDE-RANGING ISSUES
* * * *
MEMBERS OF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE ASKED TO COMMENT ON A PROPOSAL TO RELOCATE STREET MUSICIANS IN MARKET STREET AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE BOARD WILL ALSO SEEK MEMBERS’ ENDORSEMENT OF GRANTING $30 000 TO FINANCE ACTIVITIES TO BE ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD FOR THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR IN YAU MA TEI.
/MEMBERS WILL .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBEH 20, 1984
- 11 -
MEMBERS WILL DISUCSS A REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON VICE-ASSOCIATED ESTABLISHMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS PAPERS ON THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SCHEME AND MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS MATTERS RELATING TO DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT.
-----0--------
SCHEME HELPS PROMOTE HEALTH
* X *
A 7-DAY TSUEN WAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROMOTION SCHEME WILL BE OPENED AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 23) AT 10.30 AM.
THE SCHEME, DESIGNED TO ACQUAINT BOTH EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS WITH OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT CF THE HKCU.
THERE WILL BE STATIC DISPLAYS, VIDEO TAPE AND SLIDE SHOWS ON HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND LUNG AND BLOOD TESTS FOR VISITORS AT THE EXHIBITION.
A SEMINAR ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH WILL BE HELD RIGHT AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY.
TO HIGHLIGHT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE HKTVB +VITALITY TEAM* WILL PERFORM EXERCISE.
OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY WILL INCLUDE W CHAN SUI-JEUNG, DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (TSUEN WAN), DR J.W. HAYES, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AND PROFESSOR STEWART DONNAN OF THE COMMUNITY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE HKCU.
-----o------
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICES * * * X
EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL STAY OPEN BETWEEN 9 AM TO 1 PM DAILY ON DECEMBER 25 AND 26.
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 CLUE HEALTH CENTRE AND SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALL OTHER OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED.
- 0
THURSDAY, D3CEMBER 20, 1984
- 12 -
LABOUR STATISTICS PUBLISHED X X X
STATISTICS ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT ARE CONTAINED IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER 1984 IS NOW ON SALE.
DETAILED ANALYSES OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR FORCE, INCLUDING THEIR AGE AND SEX STRUCTURE, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, ACTIVITY STATUS, OCCUPATION, INDUSTRY, HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS AS WELL AS DURATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT OF THE UNEMPLOYED, ARE ALSO CONTAINED IN THE REPORT.
COPIES OF THE REPORT CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, AT $7 A COPY.
-----o------
NEW RECRUITS
XXX
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A PASSING-OUT PARADE OF ANOTHER GROUP OF RECRUITS AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY TOMORROW (DECEMBER 21).
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, l*R BARRY HIGGINBOTTOM WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AND PRESENT SILVER WHISTLES TO THE BEST RECRUITS.
ON PARADE WILL BE 11 OFFICERS AND 54 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO RECENTLY COMPLETED THEIR BASIC TRAINING AT THE INSTITUTE.
-----o------
PLB CLEARWAY AT JAVA ROAD
XXX
FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 22), NO PLB WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS BETWEEN 7 AM AND MIDNIGHT DAILY ALONG THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF JAVA ROAD IN NORTH POINT, FROM 65 METRES EAST OF HEALTHY STREET EAST TO THE JUNCTION WITH KING’S ROAD.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN — SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1934
PRIME MINISTER ADDRESSES EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS
X * * X
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER, ffiS MARGARET THATCHER, TO A JOINT SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATVIE COUNCILS THIS EVENING:
+YOUR EXCELLENCY, HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS,
♦THIS EVENING I SPEAK TO YOU ON A MOMENTOUS OCCASION. YESTERDAY IN PEKING PREMIER ZHAO ZI YANG AND I SIGNED THE SI NO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON HONG KONG.
+IT IS FITTING THAT THIS HISTORIC DOCUMENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SIGNED BY TWO PRIME MINISTERS. THESE SIGNATURES TESTIFY TO THE TOTAL COMMITMENT AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF OUR TWO GOVERNMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE AGREEMENT.
♦THOSE SIGNATURES WERE ALSO THE CULMINATION OF A PROCESS WHICH BEGAN TWO YEARS AGO WHEN I VISITED PEKING AND HONG KONG. DURING THOSE TWO YEARS WE HAVE CONDUCTED TAXING AND COMPLEX NEGOTIATIONS, AND I PAY TRIBUTE TO SIR GEOFFREY HOWE AND HIS ABLE TEAM OF ADVISERS.
♦THE AIM AGREED BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS WAS TO PRESERVE HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY. FOR US ON THE BRITISH SIDE THIS HAS A VERY SPECIAL MEANING.
+THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS MY FIRST CONCERN WAS THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG AND HER PEOPLE.
+BRITAIN HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG FOR NEARLY 150 YEARS. IT IS AN ASSOCIATION WHICH IS A SOURCE OF JUSTIFIABLE PRIDE TO US ALL. AND BRITISH ADMINISTRATION HAS PROVIDED THE bECESSARY LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATION FOR WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED.
/♦BUT HONG .......
THURSDAY, DSC EMBER 20, 1984
2
♦BUT HONG KONG’S GROWTH AND SUCCESS - ESPECIALLY IN THE POSTWAR YEARS, EVEN IN DIFFICULT TIMES - HAS BEEN DUE ABOVE ALL TO THE REMARKABLE TALENTS AND ENERGY OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE. THEIR CHARACTER, THEIR ACHIEVEMENT HAS BEEN SO STRIKING THAT OUR PRIME COMMITMENT COULD ONLY BE TO THEM.
+WE WERE DETERMINED TO DO ALL WE COULD TO PRESERVE WHAT THEY HAVE BUILT BY THEIR OWN ENDEAVOUR. WE SOUGHT A REALISTIC FRAMEWORK, ONE WHICH TOOK ACCOUNT OF CHINESE INTERESTS.
♦ BUT AGAINST THAT BACKGROUND WE SOUGHT ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WOULD PROVIDE THE FULLEST POSSIBLE ASSURANCES THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE COULD CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THEIR TALENTS AND APPLY THEIR ENERGY-. THAT WHAT I WOULD CALL HONG KONG’S GENIUS COULD CONTINUE TO FLOURISH AND THAT IT COULD MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND MODERNISATION OF CHINA AS A WHOLE.
+l BELIEVE WE HAVE SECURED SUCH ARRANGEMENTS AND THAT THE AGREEMENT IS A GOOD ONE.
+IT PROVIDES IN CONSIDERABLE DETAIL AND IN BINDING FORM FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO YOUR UNIQUE SOCIETY.
+AS A RESULT, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN, I BELIEVE, FACE THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE.
+THE ASSESSMENT HAS SHOWN THAT THEY REGARD THE AGREEMENT AS A WHOLE ACCEPTABLE. THE PROCESS OF ASSESSMENT WAS REAL AND IT IS IMPORTANT. PARLIAMENT WOULD HAVE EXPECTED NO LESS BEFORE APPROVING THE INTENTION OF THE GOVERNMENT TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT.
+l WELCOME THE FACT THAT THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE REPORT HAS GIVEN A CLEAR ACCOUNT OF THE RESERVATIONS AND CONCERNS WHICH PEOPLE QUITE UNDERSTANDABLY FEEL ON INDIVIDUAL POINTS. THIS WILL BE OF GREAT VALUE TO US WHEN WE BEGIN THE TASK OF PUTTING THE AGREEMENT INTO EFFECT.
+THE SUCCESS OF ANY INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT OF COURSE DEPENDS UPON THE GOOD FAITH AND THE COMMITMENT OF THE SIGNATORIES.
+l BRING TO YOU THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE COMMITMENT ON THE PART OF HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT. WE SHALL DO OUR UTMOST TO ENSURE THAT THE AGREEMENT WORKS.
+AND I BRING FROM MY TALKS IN PEKING WITH THE MOST SENIOR CHINESE LEADERS A SIMILAR COMMITMENT. THEY ASSURED ME THAT FOR THEIR PART THAT THE AGREEMENT WOULD BE FAITHFULLY IMPLEMENTED. INDEED PREMIER ZHAO ZIYANG ASSURED ME YESTERDAY IN PEKING, IT WAS THc. TRADITION OF THE CHINESE NATION TO ACT IN GOOD FAITH, TO LIVE UP TO ITS INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS AND THAT CHINA WOULD PROVE ITS WORDS WITH ITS DEEDS. CHAIRMAN DENG XIAOPING CONFIRMED THIS.
+0F COURSE YOU STILL HAVE YOUR CONCERNS. AND I UNDERSTAND THEM.
/+0N NATIONALITY .......
THURSDAY, DiC EMBER 20, 1964
♦ ON NATIONALITY QUESTIONS FOR INSTANCE. BUT WE HAVE FOUND A WAY TO ALLOW ALL HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS BORN BEFORE 1 JULY 1997 TO CONTINUE TO TRAVEL ON BRITISH PASSPORTS AND TO ENJOY BRITISH CONSULAR PROTECTION IN THIRD COUNTRIES.
+1 KNOW YOU ARE ANXIOUS THAT OTHER COUNTRIES MAY NOT ACCEPT THE NEW BRITISH PASSPORTS AFTER 1997. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT REGARDS IT AS PART OF ITS CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG TO EXPLAIN TO ALL THE COUNTRIES CONCERNED THAT THERE WILL BE NO JUSTIFICATION FOR IMPOSING NEW RESTRICTIONS ON THE FREEDOM OF ENTRY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE HOLDING THE NEW FORM OF PASSPORT.
♦ AND I BELIEVE WE SHALL RECEIVE THE NECESSARY CO-OPERATION: INDEED I AM VERY STRUCK BY THE WARM INTERNATIONAL RECEPTION WHICH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THIS AGREEMENT.
♦ ANOTHER CONCERN IS THE BASIC LAW. I FULLY AGREE ABOUT ITS IMPORTANCE. THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT STIPULATE THAT THE VERY FULL AND DETAILED PROVISIONS IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND ITS FIRST ANNEX WILL BE EMBODIED IN THE BASIC LAW.
♦ MY DISCUSSIONS IN PEKING HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BASIC LAW, AND OF THE CONCERN IN HONG KONG THAT PEOPLE HERE SHOULD BE CONSULTED ABOUT IT.
♦ PREMIER ZHAO ZI YANG TOLD ME THAT IN THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW, THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD BE SOLICITED ON A WIDE BASIS, AND THAT THE BASIC LAW WOULD BE DRAFTED AND PROMULGATED NOT LATER THAN 1990.
♦ UNTIL 1997 BRITAIN REMAINS FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG.
♦ WE FEEL, AS WE HAVE ALWAYS FELT, A DEEP COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY. AND NOW THAT THE AGREEMENT IS SIGNED, I PLEDGE HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT’S EARNEST EFFORTS IN THE YEARS TO 1997 TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG CONTINUES TO HAVE A STABLE AND RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT, ADMINISTERING THE TERRITORY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERESTS AND THE WISHES OF ITS PEOPLE.
♦DURING THAT TIME YOU WILL WANT AND NEED MOVEMENT TOWARDS MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. HONG KONG PEOPLE MUST BE ABLE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR RUNNING THEIR OWN AFFAIRS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE AGREEMENT. AT THE SAME TIME WE MUST AVOID SUDDEN AND DRAMATIC CHANGES WHICH MIGHT HAVE A DISTURBING EFFECT. WE NEED TO BUILD, BUT TO BUILD CAREFULLY AND SECURELY.
♦HONG KONG, MORE THAN MOST PLACES, LOOKS OUTWARDS FOR ITS LIVELIHOOD. IT FINDS READY MARKETS IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD. IT IS NATURAL THAT TRADERS AND INVESTORS SHOULD HAVE WATCHED CAREFULLY THE NEGOTIATIONS AND THEIR OUTCOME. THEY WANTED TO BE ASSURED THAT THEIR INVESTMENTS WOULD BE PROTECTED, THAT THEIR SOURCES OF SUPPLY WOULD REMAIN RELIABLE, AND THAT THEIR FREEDOM TO MOVE FUNDS FREELY IN AND OUT WOULD REMAIN UNTRAMMELLED.
/♦ALL THESE .......
THURSDAY, DBCEMBSR 20, 1984
+ ALL THESE HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF IN THE AGREEMENT. INDEED, THE GOVERNMENTS OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS HAVE ALREADY WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT - FOR EXAMPLE THE UNITED STATES, THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, JAPAN, CANADA AND AUSTRALIA, - AND IN MANY CASES THESE GOVERNMENTS HAVE PLEDGED THEMSELVES TO HELP IN ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
+THE AGREEMENT PRESERVES THE ESSENTIALS FOR HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL AND ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS.
* HONG KONG’S FREEDOM TO PURSUE ITS OWN ECONOMIC POLICIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS OWN NEEDS;
* THE FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM, FREE TRADE POLICIES AND THE FREE PORT;
* HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO RETAIN ITS SEPARATE POSITION WITHIN THE GATT AND OTHER MULTILATERAL TRADE ARRANGEMENTS: AND ITS FREEDOM TO DEVELOP ITS OWN ECONOMIC AND TRADE RELATION^ WITH ALL STATES AND REGIONS;
* A FREELY CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY;
K FREEDOM TO PURSUE PRUDENT BUDGETARY POLICIES DETERMINED BY HONG KONG IN ACCORDANCE WITH HONG KONG’S OWN NEEDS?
* THE RIGHT OF COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO OWN AND DISPOSE OF PROPERTY: AND THE PROTECTION OF THESE RIGHTS IN LAW;
* AND ABOVE ALL, INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS WHICH ARE THE ESSENCE OF YOUR WAY OF LIFE.
+l CAN ASSURE HONG KONG’S PARTNERS AROUND THE WORLD THAT THE FREE AND DYNAMIC BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT WHICH HAS ATTRACTED THEM In SUCH LARGE NUMBERS FOR SO MANY YEARS WILL CONTINUE TO FLOURISH. HONG KONG IS A GOING CONCERN WITH A FUTURE STRETCHING INTO THE NEXT CENTURY AND BEYOND.
+WE COULD NOT HAVE ACHIEVED SUCH A GOOD AGREEMENT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT AND ADVICE OF MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, AND SPEAKING HERE TONIGHT AMONG SO MANY OLD FRIENDS, I SHOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY THANKS.
+l SHOULD LIKE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE GOVERNOR FOR THE FIRMNESS OF HIS LEADERSHIP AND THE WISDOM OF HIS ADVICE.
+THE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS UNDER THE DISTINGUISHED GUIDANCE OF SIR S.Y. CHUNG, HAVE PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE THROUGHOUT THIS DIFFICULT PERIOD IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY. THE ADVICE OFFERED BY EXCO THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS WAS OF THE GREATEST VALUE. I CAN RECALL MANY OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS IN THE CABINET ROOM AT 10 DOWNING STREET WHEN WE DISCUSSED THE CRUCIAL ISSUES TOGETHER.
/♦ALL members .......
THUKSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1984
+ALL MEMBERS OF UMELCO MADE KNOWN THEIR OWN HOPES AND FEARS AND THOSE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AS REFLECTED TO THEM. YOUR FRANKNESS, DETERMINATION AND SENSE OF PUBLIC DUTY WAS OF GREAT VALUE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS.
+l SHOULD ALSO LIKE TO PAY WARM TRIBUTE TO THE EXEMPLARY MANNER IN WHICH THE HONG KONG PUBLIC SERVICE CONTINUED TO PERFORM ITS DUTIES, AND TO THE PATIENCE AND FOREBEARANCE OF THE PEOPLE CF HONG KONG AS A WHOLE. IT CANNOT HAVE BEEN EASY TO LIVE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE WHOLE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY AND ITS PEOPLE WAS BEING DISCUSSED, AS IT HAD TO BE, IN CONDITIONS OF CONFIDENTIALITY.
+WE FELT DEEPLY THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUST THAT THEY PLACED IN US. ONE TASK HAS BEEN COMPLETED WITH THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. BUT THIS IS NOT THE END.
+THE AGREEMENT ON ITS OWN CANNOT ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE FOR HONG KONG. SO MUCH LIES, AS IT ALWAYS HAS DONE, IN YOUR OWN HANDS.
♦YOU, THE HONG KONG PEOPLE, HAVE EARNED THE RESPECT OF THE ENTIRE WORLD FOR THE ASTONISHING SUCCESS STORY WHICH YOU HAVE WRITTEN. YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED RESILIENCE, IMAGINATION AND SHEER HARD WORK. ABOVE ALL YOU HAVE SHOWN THE COURAGE TO ADAPT TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES.
+WE HAVE OVER 12 YEARS TO PREPARE TOGETHER FOR THE CHANGES WHICH LIE AHEAD. I BELIEVE YOU WILL RISE TO THE CHALLENGE AND THAT THE SPIRIT, THE ENTERPRISE AND THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG WILL FLOURISH AND WILL ENDURE.+
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PM LEAVES HONG KONG ...................................... 1
SIR GEOFFREY BRIEFED ON DEVELOPMENTS ..................... 1
SECRETARY OF STATE DEPARTS ............................... 2
SENIOR APPOINTMENTS ...................................... 3
NEW DEPARTMENT BEING SET UP .............................. 7
AMENDMENTS TO IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE ................ 9
TEXTILES TALKS WITH U.S................................... 10
NOVEMBER CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES RELEASED ................. 11
IEC BUS FARES ENDORSED BY EXCO ............................ 1?
YAUMATI FERRY FARE RISE APPROVED ......................... 14
EMISSION-CONTROL EQUIPMENT FOR INCINEP.ATORS ............. 15
SERVICE QUALITY IMPROVED ................................. 16
SEMINAR DEALS WITH EMPLOYMENT LAW ........................ 16
FOUR NT SITES OFFERED FOR LETTERS A,B .................... 17
GOLD COIN SERIES ......................................... 17
NEW CROWD-PULLERS AT ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS .................. 18
DEAK-PERERA............................................... 19
PARTY FOR CHOIR .......................................... 19
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
1 PM LEAVES HONG KONG * * * *
THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER, LEFT HONG KONG FOR WASHINGTON DC THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
SEEING HER OFF AT THE AIRPORT WERE THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR-GENERAL DEREK BOORMAN, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ROGER LOBO, THE DOYEN OF THE CONSULAR CORPS, MRS FEL IC I DAD BENGZON-GONZALES, THE SENIOR COMMONWEALTH COMMISSIONER, MR KOH LIAN HWI, AND THE CONSUL-GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, MR BURTON LEVIN.
BEFORE LEAVING, MRS THATCHER WISHED EVERYONE IN HONG KONG A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
------c-------
SIR GEOFFREY BRIEFED ON DEVELOPMENTS
* * X *
ABOUT 1 OOO HECTARES OF NEW LAND WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MEET THE POPULATION GROWTH UP TO THE YEAR 2001, THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, WAS TOLD DURING A HARBOUR CRUISE TODAY (FRIDAY).
SIR GEOFFREY AND LADY HOWE WERE ACCOMPANIED DURING THE TOUR ON BOARD THE LADY MAUR INE BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LADY YOUDE, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, DR NIP KAM-FUN, AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY (LANDS), MR TONY EASON.
HE WAS TOLD THAT IN THE LATE 197O’S, IT BECAME CLEAR ONCE FULL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWNS WAS COMPLETED IN THE EARLY 1990’S, NEW AREAS MUST BE FOUND FOR FURTHER MAJOR URBAN GROWTH.
A STRATEGIC PLANNING UNIT WAS SET UP IN 1980 TO ASSESS LIKELY DEMAND FOR DEVELOPMENT UP TO THE YEAR 2001.
SIR GEOFFREY LEARNED THAT STRATEGIC STUDIES HAD EXAMINED FUTURE REQUIREMENTS FOR HOUSING AND JOBS AND ALL RELATED URBAN LAND USES.
THE POPULATION PROJECTION USED THROUGHOUT THE STUDIES WAS 7.1 MILLION BY THE END OF THE CENTURY, COMPARED WITH THE PRESENT ESTIMATED POPULATION OF 5.3 MILLION PEOPLE.
IT IS FORECAST THAT EXISTING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES a ILL PRODUCE ACCOMMODATION FOR ABOUT 900 300 PEOPLE, BRINGING TrtE TOTmL NUMBER OF PEOPLE ACCOMMODATED TO 6.2 KILL I ON BY THE EARLY 1490’3.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
2
ANOTHER 1 OOO HECTARES OF NEW LAND, SIR GEOFFREY WAS TOLD, WOULD THUS BE REQUIRED FOR A FURTHER 900 000 PEOPLE.
HE WAS INFORMED THAT TWO POSSIBLE GROWTH PATTERNS HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED. ONE WOULD PLACE ABOUT 470 000 PEOPLE ON NEW RECLAMATION IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR AREA AND ABOUT 480 000 IN THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES. THE OTHER WOULD PLACE ALL OF THE 900 000 PEOPLE ON NEW RECLAMATIONS IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR AREA.
HE LEARNED THAT BOTH PATTERNS WOULD ALLOW FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PORT AND OTHER FACILITIES TO SUPPORT KEY ECONOMIC ACTIV IT IES.
DETAILED PLANNING AND ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY STUDIES OF THE PROPOSED HARBOUR RECLAMATIONS WILL BEGIN IN 1985 WHILE A PORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDY IS BEING CONDUCTED.
WHEN THE LAUNCH ARRIVED NEAR THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, SIR GEOFFREY WAS GIVEN THE HISTORY OF THE PROJECT.
AS IT SAILED PAST KAI TAK AIRPORT’S RUNWAY, HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE PROSPECT OF A FURTHER CROSS-HARBOUR LINK.
NEAR HUNG HOM AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, HE WAS BRIEFED ON VARIOUS NEW DEVELOPMENTS, INCLUDING THE WHAMPOA DOCKYARD REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME, THE PROPOSED HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A $430 MILLION CULTURAL CENTRE.
DEVELOPMENTS ALONG THE SHORES OF WAN CHAI AND CENTRAL WERE ALSO EXPLAINED.
IN THE VICINITY OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR AREA, HE LEARNED ABOUT PROJECTS SUCH AS THE EXPANSION OF THE CONTAINER TERMINAL, THE PROPOSED GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION AND THE PROPOSED WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
AFTER THE TOUR, WHICH LASTED FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS, SIR GEOFFREY DISEMBARKED AT THE QUEEN’S PIER.
-------G----------
SECRETARY OF STATE DEPARTS * * *
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE AND LADY HOWE, LEFT HONG KONG FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
SEEING THEM OFF AT THE AIRPORT WERE THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE AND LADY YOUDE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S,Y. CHUNG, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ROGER LOBO, AND THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR CHRISTIAN ADAMS.
------G-------
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
- 3 -
SENIOR APPOINTMENTS * * * *
FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) OF VARIOUS ORGANISATIONAL CHANGES, COMPRISING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THE REVISED STRUCTURE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE FORMATION OF THE NEW REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THE COMPLEMENTARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPOINTMENTS TO SENIOR POSITIONS IN THESE BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS
MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH
MR GRAHAM BARNES, JP TO BE APPOINTED SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL --------------------- SERVICES. MR BARNES IS PRESENTLY THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, A POST WHICH HE HAS HELD SINCE JUNE 1983.
MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, JP TO BE APPOINTED DEPUTY SECRETARY -------------------------- (RECREATION AND CULTURE) IN THE NEW
BRANCH WITH THE TITLE OF COMMISSIONER r RECREATION AND CULTURE. MR WILLIAMSON r.A BEEN THE COMMISSIONER OF THE PRESENT RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT SINCE AUGUST 1983.
MRS MABEL HAYES TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY (ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AND --------------- ADMINISTRATION). MRS HAYES WAS FORMERLY AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN THE LANDS DEPARTMENT.
URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT
MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, JP TO BE APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVIC
---------------------1--HE HAS BEEN THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF URDA-'.
SERVICES SINCE FEBRUARY 1983.
MR JOHN HEYWOOD, OBE, ED, JP TO BE APPOINTED DEPUTY DIRECTOR Oc
_______________-_____-_______ URBAN SERVICES (ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENt
AND ADMINISTRATION). HE HAS BEEN DIRECTOR, NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES I . THE PRESENT URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT SINCE OCTOBER 1982.
/MKS HELEN .......
FRIDAY, DECHMBER 21, 1984
NRS HELEN YU LAI CHING-PING TO BE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES -----------------------------(RECREATION AND CULTURE). MRS YU HAS
BEEN THE DIRECTOR, CULTURAL SERVICES THE PRESENT URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT SINCE AUGUST 1984.
REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
NR TONY HAMMOND, JP TO BE APPOINTED AS THE FIRST DIRECTOR OF THE ------------------- NE^ REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. MR HAMMOND
IS CURRENTLY THE DIRECTOR, COUNCILS AND ADMINISTRATION BRANCH IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, A POST WHICH HE HAS HELD SINCE AUGUST 1982.
NR MICHAEL SUEN MING-YEUNG, JP TO BE THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF
REGIONAL SERVICES. HE HAS BEEN DIRECTOR, CITY SERVICES IN THE PRESENT URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT SINCE NOVEMBER 1983.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH
NR PETER TSAO, CPM, JP TO BE THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE
---------------- SERVICES AND INFORMATION. AS ALREADY
ANNOUNCED, MR TSAO SUCCEEDS MR DENIS BRAY AS THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1984. UNDER THE NEW ORGANISATION THE PRESENT HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH WILL BE DISBANDED AND FORM PART OF THE NEW ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH.
NR ALEC PURVES, JP TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY (ADMINISTRATION) IN THE
--------- NEW ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION
BRANCH. MR PURVES HAS BEEN DEPUTY DIRECTOR, COUNCILS AND ADMINISTRATION BRANCH SINCE MARCH 1983.
NR ADOLF HSU HSUNG, JP TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY (INFORMATION) IN The
NEW ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH. HE WAS FORMERLY THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (TSUEN WAN) FROM MARCH 1983 TO JUNE 1984, AND HAS SINCE BEEN ACTING AS THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/THxXS C
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
- 5 -
THESE OFFICERS WILL PROGRESSIVELY BE MOVING TO THEIR NEW DESKS OVER THE COMING WEEKS, AND WILL FORMALLY ASSUME THEIR NEw APPOINTMENTS ON APRIL 1, 1985, WHEN THE NEW BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS COME INTO BEING.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THE INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS CONCERNED FOLLOW :
GRAHAM BARNES, JP
AGED 49. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN DECEMBER 1958 AS CADET OFFICER CLASS II. HAS SERVED MAINLY IN THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, ENVIRONMENT BRANCH, AND HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, AND MORE RECENTLY IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THE POSTS HE HAS HELD INCLUDE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, REGIONAL SECRcTARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON), AND DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN JUNE 1984.
MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, JP
AGED 43. JOINED GOVERNMENT AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN NOVEMBER 1964. HAS SERVED MAINLY IN THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY UMELCO, AND LATTERLY AS COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE IN THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B IN APRIL 1978.
‘-RS MABEL HAYES
AGED 42. JOINED GOVERNMENT AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN JULY 1965. SHE HAS HAD EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE li THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, AND RECENTLY HAS BEEN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (POLICY) IN THE LANDS DEPARTMENT. SHE WAS PROMOTED TO HER PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE C IN APRIL 1979.
MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, JP
AGED 51. JOINED GOVERNMENT AS A CERTIFICATED MASTER IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN SEPTEMBER 1952 AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PROMOTED TO BE AN EDUCATION OFFICER. HE TRANSFERRED TO BECOME AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN JUNE 1964 AND HAS SINCE SERVED IN A VARIETY OF ADMINISTRATIVE POSTS. THE POSITIONS HE HAS HELD INCLUDE DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, DEPUTY SECRETARY IN THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AND MORE RECENTLY DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl IN JULY 1983.
/ /MH JOHN ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
- 6
MR JOHN HEYWOOD, OBE, ED, JP
AGED 54. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN NOVEMBER 1951 AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PROMOTED TO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. IN MAY 1973 HE TRANSFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE.
HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN A VARIETY OF AREAS OF GOVERNMENT WORK AND THE POSITIONS HE HAS HELD INCLUDE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, AND DIRECTOR, NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES IN THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B IN APR IL 1980.
MRS HELEN YU LAI CHING-PING
AGED 43. JOINED GOVERNMENT AS AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN JUNE 1965. SHE TRANSFERRED AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN AUGUST 1968 AND LATER SERVED IN THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION FROM 1974 TO 1980, BEING PROMOTED TO SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. SHE THEN REJOINED THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE AND SERVED AS AN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON AND MOST RECENTLY AS THE DIRECTOR, CULTURAL SERVICES IN THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. SHE WAS PROMOTED TO HER PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE C IN APRIL 1980.
MR TONY HAMMOND, JP
AGED 50. JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE - ICER IN NOVEMBER 1964. HE HAS SERVED MAINLY IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, INCLUDING APPOINTMENTS AS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND DIRECTOR, COUNCILS AND ADMINISTRATION BRANCH, AND HAS ALSO BEEN THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl IN JULY 1983.
MR MICHAEL SUEN MING-YEUNG, JP
AGED 40. JOINED GOVERNMENT AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN AUGUST 1966. HE HAS HAD WIDE EXPERIENCE MAINLY IN THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND ENVIRONMENT BRANCH, THE TRANSPORT BRANCH AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THE POSITIONS HE HAS HELD INCLUDE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOP THE ENVIRONMENT, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, AND DIRECTOR, CITY SERVICES IN THE PRESENT URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
/MR PET.1R TSAO........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
7
MR PETER TSAO KWANG-YUNG, CPM, JP
AGED 51. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A COMPUTER CLASS III IN FEBRUARY 1955. HE WAS APPOINTED AS AN ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER IN FEBRUARY 1966 AND, THROUGH A SERIES OF PROMOTIONS, ADVANCED TO THE RANK OF COMMISSIONER OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS IN JANUARY 1979. HE TRANSFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN JULY 1982 AND HAS BEEN DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES SINCE JULY 1983. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A IN JULY 1983.
MR ALEC PURVES, JP
AGED 52. JOINED GOVERNMENT AS A POLICE SUB-INSPECTOR IN AUGUST 1955, AND WAS APPOINTED AN ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER IN AUGUST 1962. THROUGH A SERIES OF PROMOTIONS HE ADVANCED TO THE RANK OF DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS IN JULY 1979, AND THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B IN JULY 1982. HE HAS HELD THE POSTS OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR, COUNCILS AND ADMINISTRATION BRANCH.
W ADOLF HSU HSUNG, JP
AGED 46. JOINED GOVERNMENT AS AN INTERPRETER-TRANSLATOR CLASS I I IN APRIL 1958 AND BECAME AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN JULY 1959. HE WAS APPOINTED AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN AUGUST 1968, SERVING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH. HE HAS MORE RECENTLY BEEN DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES AND DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, TSUEN WAN. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B IN APRIL 1981.
- C
NEW DEPARTMENT BEING SET UP
* * * * *
AS A RESULT OF THE CREATION OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WHICH IS DUE TO TAKE PLACE ON APRIL 1, 1985, A CONSEQUENTIAL REORGANISATION OF A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT BRANCHES WILL BE NECESSARY.
A NEW DEPARTMENT. TO BE CALLED THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE CREATED TO SERVE THE NEW PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL IT WILL BE MADE UP OF THE PRESENT NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, TOGETHER WITH THOSE ELEMENTS OF THE PRESENT RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND SIlTUrII “"IlCES DEPARTMENT or THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT which PROVIDE SERVICES AT THE REGIONAL AND DISTRICT LEVELS IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS.
/T:i^ U.lFkf’i •••••••
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
- 8 -
THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO BE SERVED BY A RE-ORGANISED URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHICH WILL INCORPORATE THOSE ELEMENTS CF THE PRESENT RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT WHICH PROVIDE SERVICES AT THE REGIONAL AND DISTRICT LEVELS IN THE URBAN AREAS.
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE HEADED BY A DIRECTOR AND WILL HAVE TWO DEPUTY DIRECTORS, ONE OVERSEEING ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AND ADMINISTRATION AND THE OTHER RECREATION AND CULTURE. THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO BE HEADED BY A DIRECTOR AND THERE WILL BE A SINGLE DEPUTY DIRECTOR.
THE CONSEQUENTIAL REORGANISATION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT WILL RESULT IN THE CREATION OF TWO NEW BRANCHES - THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH.
THE NEW MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL ASSURE POLICY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE MATTERS (REFUSE COLLECTION, CEMETERIES, ABATTOIRS, MARKETS AND THE LIKE) FROM THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS, COUNTRY PARKS AND COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION, LIQUOR LICENSING, AND CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES AT THE TERRITORIAL LEVEL FROM THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH.
THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL ALSO ASSUME FROM THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH AND THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS RELATING TO THE MUSIC OFFICE AND THE PRINCIPAL SPORTING AND CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS. THESE WILL INCLUDE THE SERVICING OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT AND THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, GOVERNMENT’S RELATIONS WITH THE ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, AND SPORTING AND CULTURAL RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.
THE BRANCH WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE FUNCTIONS IN PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION WHICH DERIVE FROM THE NEED TO MAINTAIN COMMON DEPARTMENTAL GRADES FOR THE DEPARTMENTS SERVING THE TWO COUNCILS.
THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL BE HEADED BY A NEW SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, AND THERE WILL BE TWO DEPUTY SECRETARIES - ONE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AND ADMINISTRATION AND ONE FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE. THE HOLDER OF THIS LATTER POST WILL BE STYLED COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH WILL ASSUME THE PRESENT FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCILS AND ADMINISTRATION BRANCH, WHICH ARE, PRINCIPALLY, RESPONSIBILITY FOR SERVICING THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S OVERSEAS OFFICES IN THE U.S., BRUSSELS AND GENEVA, AND POLICY AND PLANNING IN RESPECT OF GOVERNMENT’S OFFICE AND RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION. IT WILL ALSO TAKE OVER A RANGE OF ITEMS, MAINLY RELATED TO INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, FOR WHICH THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH CURRENTLY HAS POL ICY RESPONS IBILITY.
BRaIJCH ........
FRIDAY, DdChMBER 21,
THE BRANCH WILL BE HEADED BY A NEW SECRETARY FOR ADMIN 3TRA"IVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION AND THERE WILL BE TWO DEPUTY SECRETARIES, OVERSEEING RESPECTIVELY INFORMATION AND ADMINISTRATION.
SOME OTHER TRADITIONAL AND COMMUNITY RELATED MATTERS F(),: WH . 'H THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH IS CURRENTLY RESPONSIBLE WILL BE TRaIISFEF.i.lD TO THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
THESE NEW BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS WILL COME INTO BEING ON APRIL 1, 1985. THE PRESENT HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH, COUNCILS Alli) ADMINISTRATION BRANCH AND THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT WILL THEN CEASE TO EXIST AS WILL SUCH POSTS AS THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND THE DIRECTOR, COUNCILS AND ADMINISTRATION BRANCH.
A SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THIS REORGANISATION WOULD ENABLE “HE CIVIL SERVICE TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SUPPORT TO THE URBAN COUNCIL AND TO THE NEW REGIONAL COUNCIL. HE ADDED THAT THE NEW ORGANISATION WOULD BE MANNED ALMOST ENTIRELY WITH STAFF REDEPLOYED FROM THE FORMER DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES.
- 0 - -
AMENDMENTS TO IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE
*****
■ i i 7 . . • AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE HONG KONG IMPORTS AND ^EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST, REVISED EDITION, JANUARY 1982.
THESE AMENDMENTS, PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WILL COME INTO FORCE FROM JANUARY 1, 1985.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SAID- t-TRAOE DECLARATIONS FOR SHIPMENTS MADE ON OR AFTER THIS DATE MUST BE COMPLETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMENDED CLASSIFICATION.*
AS FROM JANUARY 1, 1985, +STOCKINGS+ AND +SOCKS AND SOCKETTL3+ FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS WILL BE SEPARATELY CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO WHETHER THEY ARE MANUFACTURED FROM COTTON, WOOL, SYNTHETIC FI3RES, REGENERATED FIBRES OR OTHER TEXTILE MATERIALS.
THERE WILL BE A SIMILAR BREAKDOWN BY MATERIALS OF +STOCKINGS, SOCKS AND SOCKETTES+ FOR MEN AND BOYS.
+DIRECT CURRENT MOTORS AND DIRECT CURRENT GENERATORS* Jl.L EE CLASSIFIED INTO FIVE GROUPS COMPRISING THOSE NOT EXCEEDING 37.5 WATT, THOSE EXCEEDING 37.5 WATT BUT NOT EXCEEDING 753 vATT, THOSE EXCEEDING 750 WATT BUT NOT EXCEEDING 75 KILOWATT, THOSE EXCEEDING 75 KILOWATT BUT NOT EXCEEDING 375 KILOWATT AND THOSE EXCEED ING 375 K ILOWATT.
7? SR /J- jDM;J -T S
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
10
OTHER AMENDMENTS CONCERN TINNED PLATES AND SHEETS, KITCHEN LINEN, TOILET LINEN, TUBES AND PIPES OF IRON AND STEEL, COPPER CLAD LAMINATES, CAMERA CASES, DRESSING CASES, AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS I NCLUD I NG TRAVELL I NG CASES; SHAWLS, SCARVES, MUFFLERS AND THE LIKE ; AND HATS, CAPS AND OTHER HEADGEAR.
THESE AMENDMENTS ARE INTRODUCED TO BRING THESE ITEMS IN LINE WITH PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATIONS SO AS TO STANDARDISE COMMODITY CLASSIFICATION AND TO FACILITATE COMPARISON CF TRADE STATISTICS.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT LIST ARE OBTAINABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:-
(A) GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE,
GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG
(B) CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, COLLECTION OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, KOWLOON AND FIRST FLOOR, ASIAN HOUSE, HONG KONG
(C) CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT,
TRADE CLASSIFICATION SECTION, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, THIRD FLOOR, 317 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS MUST ENSURE THAT THEIR STAFF RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLETING TRADE DECLARATION FORMS ARE FULLY CONVERSANT WITH THESE CHANGES.
- 0 ---------
TEXTILES TALKS WITH U.S.
* * * *
HONG KONG AND AMERICAN OFFICIALS HELD CONSULTATIONS IN WASHINGTON YESTERDAY ON THE UNITED STATES’ EXPORT AUTHORISATION CALL ON PART OF 359 (COTTON INFANTS’ SETS).
HONG KONG’S COUNSELLOR IN WASHINGTON, MR PETER LO, LED THE THE HONG KONG DELEGATION IN THE CONSULTATIONS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID BOTH SIDES AGREED THAT HONG KONG EXPORTS OF COTTON INFANTS’ SETS WOULD BE LIMITED TO 5 682 576 LBS FOR 1984.
♦THIS WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET OUTSTANDING EXPORT AUTHORISATION APPLICATIONS,*- HE SAID. s
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1'64
11
NOVEMBER CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES RELEASED * * * *
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) ROSE BY 4.2 PER CENT AND THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (E) BY 4.9 PER CENT BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1983 AND NOVEMBER 1984, ACCORDING TO FIGURES PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THESE RATHER LOW RATES OF INCREASE LARGELY REFLECT THE SLOWDOWN IN THE RATE OF INCREASE OF PRICES SINCE THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF PRICES IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR CONSEQUENT UPON THE SHARP DEPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IN SEPTEMBER 1983.
THE CPI (A) AND CPI (B) FOR NOVEMBER 1984 WERE 156.2 AND 156.6 RESPECTIVELY, OR 6.4 POINTS AND 7.4 POINTS HIGHER THAN IN NOVEMBER 1983. COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, CPI (A) INCREASED BY 0.2 POINT OR 0.1 PER CENT AND CPI (B), BY 0.4 POINT OR 0.2 PER CENT.
THE AVERAGE CPI (A) AND AVERAGE CPI (B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 1984, AT 154.3 AND 154.0 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 8.7 PER CENT AND 9.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER \THAN THE AVERAGES FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 1983. MURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 1984, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI (A) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0^2 PER CENT EACH MONTH AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI (B), AT ®.3 PER CENT.
DURING NOVEMBER, PRIVATE DWELLING RENTALS AND PRICES OF CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR WERE HIGHER BUT FOOD PRICES DECREASED.
THE CPI (A) AND CPI (B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 197°-80 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY. THE CPI (A) REFERRED TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN 51 000 AND 53 499 A MONTH, AND THE CPI (E TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN S3 500 AND $6 4QQ A ‘ONTH AT THAT TIME.
THE INDEXES FOR NOVEMBER 1984 IN RESPECT >' Th£ NINE COMMODITY-SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CCNSuMEP PRICE INDEXES ARE GIVEN BELOW, TOGETHER WITH THOSE F.- ''CTOt-R 1 AND NOVEMBER 1<>83.
./(. 1979
FxilDAx, DECiiJdBLlR 2*1, 19&F
12
(OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980 AVERAGE - 130)
CP 1 (A) CPI (B)
SECTION NOV. 83 OCT. 84 NOV. 84 NOV. 83 OCT. 84 NOV. 84
FOODSTUFFS 150.8 154.6 153.8 151.3 155.3 154.6
HOUS 1 NG 139.7 149.4 150.2 139.6 149.6 150.2
CUEL AND LIGHT 151.8 146.9 146.9 151.7 146.8 146.8
ALCOHOL IC DR INKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 205.9 208.5 208.6 198.0 201.0 201.1
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 149.0 158.7 164.7 150.4 160.4 166.3
DURABLE GOODS 123.4 124.9 124.6 126.3 129.0 128.9
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 143.7 150.7 150.9 141.0 147.1 147.6
TRANSPORT AND VEH ICLES 158.9 171.5 172.5 161.9 174.0 175.0
SERV ICES 161.9 177.6 177.8 159.7 173.7 173.9
ALL ITEMS 149.8 156.0 156.2 149.2 156.2 156.6
COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1984, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 0.8 POINT IN CPI (A) AND 3.7 POINT IN CPI (B). THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF LIVE POULTRY FELL AS A RESULT OF LOWER op ICES OF CHICKENS AND DUCKS. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF SALT-WATER FISH AND FRESH FRUIT ALSO wENT DOWN. ON THE OTHER nAND, THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EhTING PLACES ROSE SLIGHTLY. THE EFFEC O’7 •jVEMENTS IN THE Kt '^IL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON T ' INDEX OF "OODSTJ^FS INSIGN IFICANT.
/ L-.jfX..............
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1?84
- 13 -
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING INCREASED BY 0.8 POINT IN CPI (A) AND 0.6 POINT IN CPI (B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RENTS FOR PRIVATE DWELLINGS.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR ROSE BY 6.0 POINTS IN CPI (A) AND 5.9 POINTS IN CPI (B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF WINTER OUTERCLOTHING DURING THE MONTH.
HIGHER PUBLIC LIGHT BUS FARES PUSHED UP THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES BY 1.0 POINT IN BOTH CPI (A) AND CPI (B).
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
(FIGURES PRESENTED REFER
TO CP I SER IES
NOT SEASONALLY
ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TO TWO DECIMAL PLACES).
DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE +CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT* FOR NOVEMBER 1984, SOON ON SALE AT S3 A COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, ROOM 1904, 19TH FLOOR, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 317 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
FOR ENQURIES ABOUT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, PLEASE CONTACT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NO. 3-7216512.
-----0------
IEC BUS FARES ENDORSED BY EXCO * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD DETERMINED THE SCALE OF FARES FOR BUSES OPERATING THE FIVE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR (IEC) ROUTES.
FROM MONDAY (DECEMBER 24), THE NEw FARES FOR ROUTES NOS. 783 AND 781 -- CHAI WAN TO CENTRAL — WILL BE S2.20, A REDUCTION OF 33 CENTS. THE FARES FOR ROUTES NOS. 720 (SHAU KEI WAN TO CENTRAL), 721 (TAI KOO SHING TO CENTRAL) AND 722 (QUARRY BAY TO ADMIRALTY MTR STATION) WILL BE REDUCED TO Si.80 FROM 52.00.
IN REACHING THE DECISION, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD EXAMINED THE VIEWS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND WAS FULLY AwARE OF THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY VARIOUS RESIDENTS’ GROUPS IN THE EASTERN DISTR ICT.
/TRANSPORT OFFICIALS........
raiDAY, DECaiBBH 21, 1984
14
TRANSPORT OFFICIALS HAD DISCUSSED THE IEC FARES WITH THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY. THE LATEST DISCUSSION WAS WITH THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD.
AFTER THE MEETING, THE COMMITTEE ISSUED THE FOLLOWING OPEN STATEMENT
+THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MAINTAINS THAT THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD SHOULD STAND, I.E. THAT THE FARES SHOULD BE $1.50 AND $2.00 RESPECTIVELY FOR SHAU KEI WAN AND CHAI WAN BUS ROUTES. HOWEVER, IT ALSO APPRECIATES THE NEED TO BALANCE THE INTEREST OF COMMUTERS ON THE IEC ROUTES AND THOSE ON KING’S ROAD ROUTES. IT URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER THE LIVELIHOOD AND INTEREST OF ALL COMMUTERS IN ARRIVING AT A FINAL DEC IS ION.+
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED: +THE NEW FARE SCALE APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FULLY TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE INTEREST OF COMMUTERS BOTH ON THE IEC ROUTES AND ON THE KING’S ROAD ROUTES AND IS CONSIDERED TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE.
' I
+THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE BUS SERVICES ALONG IEC AND KING’S ROAD AFTER THE NEW IEC FARES ARE INTRODUCED.+ ■
AS PROPOSED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, ROUTE NO. 722 WILL BE EXTENDED FROM ADMIRALTY TO TERMINATE IN CENTRAL ON JANUARY 14, 1985.
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YAUMATI FERRY FARE RISE APPROVED
* * * *
AN APPLICATION BY THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY FOk AN INCREASE IN VEHICULAR FARES FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
THE LAST INCREASE IN VEHICULAR FERRY FARES BY THE COMPANY WAS IN JULY 1981, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FARES FOR MOTOR CYCLES, WHICH WAS REVISED FROM $1 TO $2 IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
UNDER THE FERRY SERVICES (HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY, LIMITED)(DETERM I NAT ION OF FARES)(AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) ORDER 1^84 GAZETTED TODAY (DECEMBER 21), FARES FOR SEVEN TYPES OF VEHICLES WILL BE ADJUSTED AS FOLLOWS:
/(A) I-RIVATE..........
FRIDA", DEC 2-'T SR 21, 1984
EXISTING REVISED
(HKS) (HKS)
(A) PR IVATE CAR OR TAX I 4.00 5.00
(B) MOTOR CYCLE 2.00 2.50
(C) LIGHT BUS 7.00 9.00
(D) BUS 7.00 9.00
(E) GOODS VEHICLE NOT EXCEEDING
5.31 TONNES 7.00 9.00
(F) GOODS VEHICLE EXCEEDING
5.31 TONNES 11.00 13.00
(G) GOODS VEHICLE EXCEEDING
12.73 TONNES 16.00 18.00
THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO ROUND UP THE METRIC UNITS US IN THE FARE ORDER.
------0-------
EMISSION-CONTROL EQUIPMENT FOR INCINERATORS
* * * *
LAI CHI KOK’S TWO INCINERATION PLANTS WILL BE FITTED WITH EQUIPMENT TO REDUCE CHIMNEY EMISSIONS.
THE WORK WILL INCLUDE THE DESIGN, SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF EIGHT ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS, FOUR WASTE HEAT BOILERS AND ONE TURBO-ALTERNATOR AT BOTH ITS ’A’ AND ’B’ PLANTS.
BESIDES PROVIDING THE EQUIPMENT, THE SUCCESSFUL CONTRACTOR MUST DEMOLISH THE EXISTING GAS CLEANING PLANTS, RELOCATE EIGHT INDUCED-DRAUGHT FANS, AND MODIFY THE EXISTING EQUIPMENT TO SUIT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FUTURE INSTALLATION.
A NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM SUPPLIERS AND CONTRACTORS FOR INCLUSION IN THE PREQUALIFICATION LIST IS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
FORMAL TENDERS FOR THIS PROJECT MAY BE INVITED IN MID-1985.
DEMOLITION OF EXISTING GAS CLEANING EQUIPMENT, CONSTRUCTION AND ERECTION OF NEW EQUIPMENT WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO PHASES.
PHASE I IS FOR MODIFICATION WORK TO THE ’B’ PLANT AND IS SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE IN MID-1986. PHASE II FOR THE ’A’ PLANT WILL START TWO YEARS LATER.
THE WORK WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
------0--------
/16........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
16
SERVICE QUALITY IMPROVED * * * *
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD INCREASED THE RANGE CF TREATMENT PROGRAMMES AND SENTENCING OPTIONS AND HAD THEREBY IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF SERVICE IN THE LAST 26 YEARS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, MR BARRY HIGGINBOTTOM, SAID TODAY.
WHEN HE JOINED IN 1958, THE THEN PRISONS DEPARTMENT OPERATED SIX INSTITUTIONS, ACCOMMODATING 3 700, HE SAID.
♦TODAY THERE ARE 27 INSTITUTIONS HOUSING 13 800 PERSONS INCLUDING VIETNAMESE REFUGEES DETAINED IN CLOSED CENTRES, + HE SAID.
HE RECALLED ALSO THAT THERE WERE 671 STAFF, WITH 11 POSTS CF CHIEF OFFICER AND ABOVE RANK, COMPARED WITH THE PRESENT ESTABLISHMENT OF 6 431, INCLUDING 127 CHIEF OFFICERS AND ABOVE.
THERE WERE 88 OFFICERS EMPLOYED ON EXPATRIATE TERMS. NOW THERE WERE ONLY EIGHT, AND THIS WAS SOON TO BE REDUCED TO SEVEN WHEN HE RETIRES IN THREE MONTHS’ TIME, HE SAID.
MR HIGGINBOTTOM WAS SPEAKING AS INSPECTING OFFICER AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE OF 65 CORRECTIONAL SERVICES RECRUITS, AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
HE TOLD THE RECRUITS THAT THE WAY WAS OPEN TO THEM TO PROGRESS THROUGH THE RANKS TO THE VERY TOP.
♦ABILITY, DEDICATION, A WILLINGNESS TO WORK HARD AND THE RECOGNITION AND TREATMENT OF PRISONERS AS FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPRISONED AS A PUNISHMENT, NOT TO BE PUNISHED, ARE THE KEYS TO SUCCESS,+ HE ADDED.
MR HIGGINBOTTOM ALSO PRESENTED SILVER WHISTLES TO THE TWO BEST RECRUITS, ASSISTANT OFFICERS LEE CHI-ON AND WAN KEUNG-KIN.
------0 ------
SEMINAR DEALS WITH EMPLOYMENT LAW
*****
A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 23) TO FAMILIAR UE MANUFACTURERS AND WORKERS IN TUEN MUN wI TH THE EMPLOYMENT ORD INANCE.
ABOUT 200 LOCAL MANUFACTURERS AND WORKERS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE SEMINAR.
THE LABOUR OFFICER, MR MAN TAK-WAH, WILL SPEAK ON THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE DEALING WITH CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS, SICKNESS ALLOWANCES AND PAID ANNUAL LEAVE.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A SLIDE SHOW AND A QUESTION-AND-ANSwER SESSION DURING THE SEMINAR.
ORGANISED BY THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, THE SEMINAR ILL BE HELD IN THE YAN Cl TONG CENTRE IN TUEN MUN. <
------0-------
/17......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
17
FOUR NT SITES OFFERED FOR LETTERS A,B * * * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM REGISTERED OWNERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS (LETTERS A AND B) FOR FOUR SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TWO OF THE SITES ARE IN YUEN LONG, AND THE OTHERS IN TUEN MUN AND SHA TIN.
THE YUEN LONG SITES ARE AT MA WANG ROAD (2 260 SQUARE METRES) AND MA TIN ROAD (5 320 SQUARE METRES). BOTH SITES ARE FOR NON-INDUSTR IAL USE, EXCLUDING GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE TUEN MUN SITE, AT THE JUNCTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TUEN MUN ROAD, NEAR SAM SHING HUI, 8 616 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE LAST SITE IS SITUATED ADJACENT TO THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA. MEASURING 5 893 SQUARE METRES, IT IS FOR NONINDUSTRIAL USE EXCLUDING GODOWN PURPOSES.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE AT NOON ON JANUARY 18, 1985.
APPLICATION FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS OF GRANT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND PLANS INSPECTED AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, FIFTH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG- THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON- AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE OF ISLANDS, SAI KUNG, SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG.
------o--------
GOLD COIN SER IES X X * X
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED TODAY THAT THE COINS ISSUED TO CELEBRATE THE YEARS OF THE TIGER IN 1986 AND THE RABBIT IN 1987 WOULD BE THE LAST IN THE SERIES OF LUNAR NEW YEAR $1 000 GOLD COINS.
IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT THE SERIES WOULD BE REPEATED, HE SA ID.
HE SAID THAT THE LAST DAY FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE OX COIN WOULD BE TOMORROW (SATURDA ') AND CONFIRMED THAT POSTAL APPLICATIONS SENT ON THAT DAY WOULD BE ACCEPTED.
COLLECTORS BOXES TO HOLD THE SERIES OF GOLD COINS ARE A jO ON SALE THROUGH THE ROYAL MINT’S LOCAL AGENT. EACH BOX C' .TAINS 14 COIN WELLS, FOR THE 12 LUNAR NEW yEAR COINS, THE C ,N ISSUED IN 1975 TO COMMEMORATE THE QUEEN S VISIT AND COMMEMORATIVE COIN FOR AN EVENT WHICH HAS NOT YET BEEN DECIDED.
FRIDAY,*DECEMBER 21, 1984
18
NEW CROWD-PULLERS AT ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS * * * *
BIG CROWDS IN A HOLIDAY MOOD ARE EXPECTED TO VISIT THE ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND ON SUNDAY TO SEE THE LATEST INTERESTING NEW ARRIVALS.
THESE COMPRISE SOME EXTREMELY RARE NEW BORN PRIMATES -INCLUDING A GOLDEN-HEADED LION TAMARIN (LEONTOPI THECUS CHRYSOMELAS) AND A RED-CHEEKED CRESTED GIBBON (HYLOBATES CONCOLOR GABRIELLAE). THE LION TAMARIN MAY WELL BE THE FIRST CAPTIVE BIRTH OUTSIDE ITS NATIVE BRAZIL.
OTHER NEW BIRTHS THAT ADD TO THE ALREADY COLOURFUL MENGERIE OF PRIMATES ARE TWO COMMON MARMOSETS (CALLITHRIX JACCHUS), A CELEBES BLACK APE (CYNOPITHECUS NIGER) AND A BORNEAN ORANG-UTAN (PONGO PYGMAEUS PYGMAEUS).
IN ADDITION, A MALE RED-CROWNED CRANE (GRUS JAPONENSIS) AND A PAIR OF SHORT-BEAKED ECHIDNAS (TACHYGLOSSUS ACULEATUS) ARRIVED FROM THE PEKING ZOO AND the royal Melbourne zoological gardens respectively early THIS MONTH.
ECHIDNAS ARE FASCINATING ANIMALS BELONGING TO THE ORDER MONOTREMATA, WHICH ARE EGG-LAYING MAMMALS. IN THE WILD, ECHIDNAS SUBSIST ENTIRELY ON ANTS AND OTHER INSECTS AND FOR THIS REASON THEY ARE ALSO KNOWN AS SPINY ANTEATERS.
INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS CONTINUES TO ENRICH THE SCOPE OF T HE EXHIBITS IN THE GARDENS. SUCH BIRD AND MAMMAL 'XCHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE WITH ZOOS AND BIRD COLLECTIONS IN ’HE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, GERMANY, SRI LANKA, INDONESIA, SINGAPORE, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE USA AND SOUTH AFRICA.
THE GARDENS, HONG KONG'S OWN ^NATURE’S CORNER* IN A HlGM-Y URBANISED CITY OF CONCRETE AND TEEL, AVERAGE SOME THREE MILLION VISITORS EACH YEAR.
LOCATED AT GARDEN ROAD, JUST ABOVE 'HE GOVERNMENT HOUSE, IT OPENS FROM 6 A.M. TO 7 P.M. DAILY. ADMISSION IS ^REE.
,19........
FP IDAY, DECEMBER 21, 19'4
19
DEAK-PERERA * * *
n» dd
C O’
IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CONNECTED WITH THE AFFAl OF DEAK-PERERA GROUP OF COMPANIES THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ANNOUNC TODAY THAT HE HAS APPOINTED AN INSPECTOR UNDER THE TERMS OF SECTION 143(1)(C) OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE TO INVESTIGATE THE AFFAIRS OF DEAK-PERERA FAR EAST LIMITED AND REPORT TO HIM THEREON.
THE INSPECTOR APPOINTED IS MR MARVIN KIN TUNG CHEUNG, CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT, OF MESSRS PEAT, MARWICK, MITCHELL AND CO., CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.
- 0 -
PARTY FOR CHOIR * * *
THE EASTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR, ACCLAIMED IN •ANY ■-UBL IC APPEARANCES. WILL HOLD A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION PARTY
■?-PO<v (SATURDAY).
SEVERAL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS wILL JOU. THE PARTY, ‘-EGINNING AT 2 PM IN THE MADAM CHAN wAI CHOW MEMORIAL SCHOOL AT 82 MARBLE ROAD, NORTH POINT.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN - SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
PRIME MINISTER MEETS PRESS X * *
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER, AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE HELD THIS MORNING (FRIDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
+LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS PRESS CONFERENCE IS MY LAST PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN HONG KONG BEFORE I FLY HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, THE LONG WAY ROUND THIS TIME IN ORDER TO SEE PRESIDENT REAGAN.
+AS YOU KNOW, I HAVE JUST BEEN IN PEKING AND MY PURPOSE IN GOING IS TO SIGN THE JOINT DECLARATION ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND TO TALK PERSONALLY WITH CH INESE'LEADERS BOTH ABOUT HONG KONG AND ABOUT THE KEY ISSUES OF WORLD AFFAIRS. I SAID IN PEKING THAT THE AGREEMENT WE HAVE SIGNED WITH CHINA ABOUT HONG KONG IS AN HISTORIC DOCUMENT. IT IS, INDEED; IT IS THE CULMINATION OF TWO YEAR’S LONG AND OFTEN HARD NEGOTIATION AND IT IS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW PERIOD IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY.
♦THE FIRST POINT I WISH TO MAKE ABOUT THIS AGREEMENT IS THAT IT ASSURES THE CONTINUATION OF HONG KONG AS A FREE-TRADING CAPITALIST SOCIETY FOR A VERY LONG TIME TO COME - INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE NEXT CENTURY. THIS MEANS THAT HONG KONG CAN PLAN LONG-TERM WITH CONFIDENCE. I BELIEVE CHAIRMAN DENG INTENDS HIS BOLD CONCEPT OF +ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS* TO LAST.
+MY SECOND POINT IS THAT YOU HAVE MY ABSOLUTE ASSURANCE THAT BRITAIN WILL ADMINISTER HONG KONG WISELY AND WELL BETWEEN NOW AND 1997. WE SHALL HONOUR OUR OBLIGATIONS TO THE FULL.
+MY THIRD POINT IS THAT BRITAIN WILL NOT MERELY DO ALL IN ITS POWER TO WORK FOR HONG KONG’S STEADY DEVELOPMENT AND A SMOOTH TRANSITION, WE SHALL ALSO SEEK TO WIN THE WIDEST POSSIBLE ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGREEMENT IN THE REST OF THE WORLD.
/WE STARTED
FRIDAY , MCEMBBtt 21, 1^84
2
+WE STARTED THIS EXERCISE UNDER VERY FAVOURABLE CIRCUMSTANCti. THE AGREEMENT HAS ALREADY *ON HIGH PRAISE FROM MANY LEADING NATIONS IN THE WORLD. THE AGREEMENT IS REGARDED AS A GOOD ONE BY THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THE BE ITISH GOVERNMENT ARE FIRMLY COMMITTED TO CARRYING OUT THE AGREEMENT TO THE FULL - SO TOO ARE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND THAT IS THE ASSURANCE WHICH CHAIRMAN DENG XIAOPING AND PREMIER ZHAO ZIYANG GAVE ME DURING MY DISCUSSIONS ON WEDNESDAY.
+OF COURSE THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE WHO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE AGREEMENT AND MANY OF THEM ARE REFLECTED IN THE CAREFUL REPORT PREPARED BY THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE. I UNDERSTAND THESE CONCERNS AND THEY WILL BE VERY MUCH IN OUR MINDS AS WE START THE PROCESS CF IMPLEMENTING THE AGREEMENT.
■•■NEVERTHELESS, THIS IS A GOOD AGREEMENT. GOOD FOR HONG KONG AND FOR ITS FUTURE AND IT IS NOw UP TO ALL OF US TOGETHER TO . Arvs SURE THAT IT WORKS.
♦LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOUR QUESTIONS.+
Q 1. HK ECONOMIC JOURNAL:
MRS THATCHER, WE ARE, INDEED, VERY HAPPY TO HAVE SO MANY ASSURANCES GIVEN BY THE TWO GOVERNMENTS FOR THE FUTURE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG. BUT FROM THE HONG KONG PEOPLE’S POINT OF VIEW, IN ORDER TO SET OUR HEARTS AT EASE, AND TO HELP US ESTABLISHING AS BEFORE TO CREATE ANOTHE-' MIRACLE, THE FIRST ASSURANCE IS TO HAVE A CHANCE TO CHOOSE ANOTHER LIFESTYLE WHEN wE WANT TO. I THINK WE SHOULD REMEMBER ONE OF YOUR FEw HONG KONG ADVISERS ON THE HONG KONG ISSUE AND EXPERIENCED AND IMAGINATIVE EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD PUT UP A PROPOSAL OF SETTL.. UP A FUND IN HONG KONG IN ORDER TO HELP THOSE PEOPLE, THOSE HONG KONG PEOPLE, IN CASE THEY NEED INFORMATION AND ADVICE TO CHOOSE ANOTHER LIFESTYLE. MRS PRIME MINISTER, OUR COMMON AIM IS TO MAINTAIN THE ......
MODERATOR: IS THIS A QUESTION? COULD wE HAVE THE QUESTION?
YES, NOW I WILL COME TO THE QUESTION (LAUGHTER). MRS PRIME MINISTER, OUR COMMON AIM IS TO MAINTAIN THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG. /.ILL MRS THATCHER AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT EVER CONSIDER HAVING HONG KONG PEOPLE TO ESTABLISH AND TO PROMOTE THIS FUND? AND COULD I JUST REMIND YOU, MRS PRIME MINISTER, DURING THE FALKLAND WAR IN WHICH YOUR GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO PROTECT A REMOTE DEPENDENT TERRITORY, ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ACT RESPONSIBLE TO DONATE $20 MILLION HONG KONG TO THE SOUTH ATLANTIC FUND IN ORDE~ T- HELP THE BRITISH PEOPLE TO FIGHT FOR THEIR REPUTATION AND TO MAINTAIN BRITAIN’S PROSPERITY ANv STABILITY. IN RETURN WILL THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ....
/MODERATOR: .......
FRIDAY, DSCSMBER 21, 1984
MODERATOR: I AM SORRY. PLEASE. COULD WE HAVE SLIGHTLY SHORTER QUESTIONS?
PRIME MINISTER: I AM NOT QUITE SURE WHAT THE QUESTION wAS GOING TO BE. BUT OUR DUTY IS TO IMPLEMENT THE AGREEMENT INTO WHICH WE HAVE ENTERED AND TO IMPLEMENT IT TO THE FULL AND WE SHALL DO THAT.
Q2: KAYSER SUNG, EDITOR TEXTILE ASIA, YOU HAVE SAID IN YOUR STATEMENT THAT HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO RETAIN ITS SEPARATE POSITION WITHIN THE GATT AND MULTI-LATERAL ARRANGEMENTS. HOW CAN THIS BE CARRIED OUT AND WILL THIS BE RETAINED WITH SEPARATE POSITION. NOW, OF COURSE, HONG KONG IS NOT RETAINING ANY SEPARATE POSITION IN THE GATT. HONG KONG IS REPRESENTED WITHIN THE UK AND WHEN, HOW, THIS, THE FUTURE PATTERN WILL BE?
PRIME MINISTER: THIS IS DEALT WITH IN THE AGREEMENT. AND HONG KONG, AS YOU INDICATED, NOW IS DEALT WITH SEPARATELY, BY VIRTUE OF HER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM, SHE IS DEALT WITH SEPARATELY. THE SAME ARRANGEMENT WILL CONTINUE. SHE WILL BE DEALT WITH SEPARATELY AFTER THE AGREEMENT - SHE wILL NOT BE DEALT WITH AS THE GENERAL BODY OF CHINA, BUT SEPARATELY.
(K. SUNG STARTS. MRS THATCHER CONTINUES). . . .BUT SHE IS ALSO DEALT WITH SEPARATELY NOW, SO I DON’T QUITE UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM.......
K. SUNG : IT IS NOT SEPARATE NOW IT IS......
PRIME MINISTER : NO, BUT IT IS DEALT WITH SEPARATELY NOW. IT IS DEALT WITH SPECIALLY AS HONG KONG NOW.
K. SUNG : I SEE. AS FROM NOw HONG KONG WILL BE AN INDEPENDENT GATT MEMBER?
PRIME MINISTER : NO. SHE IS DEALT WITH SEPARATELY UNDER HER PRESENT STATUS. SHE WILL CONTINUE TO BE DEALT WITH SEPARATELY AFTER 1997.
K. SUNG : AFTER 1997. HOW ABOUT THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT, WHEN YOU SAY.....
PRIME MINISTER : THAT IS WHY I SAY SHE IS DEALT WITH SEPARATELY NOW UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS wHICH OBTAIN NOW ALTHOUGH SHE IS A DEPENDENCY OF BRITAIN.
/K. SUNG : ........
FRIDAY, DKrUBER 21, 1^84
4 -
K. SUNG : WHAT ABOUT BRITAIN’S ARRANGEMENTS AFTER 1986 wHEN THE PRESENT MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT RUNS OUT?
PRIME MINISTER : WELL, AFTER 1986 WE DEAL WITH THE NEXT MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT IN THE SAME WAY AS WE DEALT WITH THE LAST ONE. AS YOU KNOW THEY LAST SEVEN YEARS AND WE RE-NEGOTIATE THEM AND I SHOULD THINK THIS PERIOD FOR RE-NEGOTIATION WILL SOON BE COMING UP. BUT AS YOU POINT OUT, SPECIFIC ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE UNDER THE GATT, AS NOW, FOR HONG KONG. I SHOULD THINK WE SOON SHALL BE STARTING TO CONSIDER THE NEXT MULTI-LATERAL AGREEMENT, BUT THAT WILL BE DONE IN THE SAME WAY AS PREVIOUS ONES HAVE BEEN.
Q 3. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A CHINESE GOVERNOR BEFORE 1997 AND HAS THIS QUESTION BEEN DISCUSSED BETWEEN YOU AND THE CHINESE LEADERS DURING YOUR VISIT TO CHINA?
PRIME MINISTER : NO. WE HAVE NOT DECIDED ON ALL GOVERNORS UP TO 1997. WE ARE VERY, VERY HAPPY WITH OUR PRESENT ONE.
Q 4. LINDA JAIVIN, ASIAWEEK : IS IT TRUE THAT IN 1979 WHEN GOVERNOR MACLEHOSE WENT TO PEKING AND SPOKE WITH DENG XIAOPING THAT DENG XIAOPING TOLD HIM THAT NOT ONLY SHOULD HONG KONG PEOPLE PUT THEIR HEARTS AT EASE BUT ALSO THAT CHINA INTENDED TO RETAKE SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG IN 1997. IF THIS IS TRUE WHY WERE NOT THE HONG KONG PEOPLE TOLD ABOUT IT? AND SECOND, DOES THAT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO wI TH THE FORMULATION OF THE NATIONALITY ACT?
PRIME MINISTER : FIRST, I DO NOT KNOW THE CONTENT OF ANY TALKS WHICH LORD MACLEHOSE MAY HAVE HAD. SECONDLY, WE MUST NOW TURN OUR EYES TO THIS AGREEMENT. OUR TASK NOW IS TO IMPLEMENT THIS AGREEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY ACCEPTED BY HONG KONG PEOPLE AS A WHOLE. THE NATIONALITY ACT WAS PASSED BY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT IN THE LIGHT OF ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES THEN AT THE TIME.
ASIA WEEK:
Q4: MRS THATCHER, HOW CAN YOUR GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE TO ASSIST HONG KONG IN SOLVING THE PROBLEMS AND CONFLICTS IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE RELATIONS SUCH AS THE DECLARATION OF COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN PROPOSED BY THE US GOVERNMENT? DO THE BRITISH INTERESTS PLACED ON THE HIGH PRIORITY? FURTHERMORE, COULD THE CHANGE OF THE PARTIES AFFECT YOUR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT?
PRIME MINISTER: I THINK YOU ARE ONTO A POINT WHICH IS AT THE MOMENT A VERY DIFFICULT POINT BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT IN VIEW OF SOME OF THE DECISIONS THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN ABOUT COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN WHICH, I UNDERSTAND, IS AFFECTING HONG KONG TRADE. THAT ITSELF OBVIOUSLY IS A MATTER FOR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND THAT IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE AGREEMENT.
/Q5: ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
5
Q5s WEN WEI PAO: SO COULD A CHANGE OF PARTY AFFECT YOUR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT?
PRIME MINISTER: YOU MEAN A CHANGE OF ...
QUESTIONER: OF PARTIES.
PRIME MINISTER: IN GOVERNMENT? NO, THE AGREEMENT IS MADE ON BEHALF OF BRITAIN. ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED KINGDOM WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. AND THE IMPLEMENTATION AND HONOURING CF THE AGREEMENT CONTINUES EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE CHANGES OF PARTIES. IT IS ALWAYS A CUSTOM IN BRITAIN.
06: JILL HARTLEY. SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST: COULD I ASK YOU A QUESTION, PR IME’MINISTER, ON DEFENCE. DID YOU RECEIVE ASSURANCES FROM THE CHINESE LEADERS THAT THERE WOULD BE NO COMPULSORY CONSCRIPTION INTO THE PLA FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE AFTER 1997? AND DID YOU DISCUSS THE OPTION WITH THEM CF A LOCALLY-RECRUITED VOLUNTEER FORCE TO
THE BRITISH
MAN
GARRISON HERE?
PRIME MINISTER: NO. CONSCRIPTION IS NOT MENTIONED IN THE AGREEMENT AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE NOT SUGGESTED THAT THERE WOULD BE CONSCRIPTION.
QUESTIONER: AND THE SECOND HALF OF THE QUESTION, I’M SORRY...
PRIME MINISTER: I DID NOT GO INTO DETAIL.
Q.7 PATRICIA PENN, AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING COMMISSION: MRS THATCHER, HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU SET ON SECRET BALLOT IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS AND WHAT SIGNIFICANCE IS THERE IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY MENTION OF THIS IN THE AGREEMENT.
PRIME MINISTER: YOU WILL FIND THAT THE AGREEMENT GOES INTO A GOOD DEAL OF DETAIL BUT, I THINK, NOT THE FULL KIND OF DETAIL WHICH YOU ARE SEEKING AT THE MOMENT. OF COURSE, I BELIEVE IN A SECRET BALLOT. WE HAVE TO SORT OUT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG BETWEEN NOW AND 1997. OF COURSE, WE BELIEVE THAT DEMOCRACY REQUIRES A SECRET BALLOT.
PATRICIA PENN: WHAT GUARANTEE IS THERE FOR THAT AFTER 1997 THEN?
PRIME MINISTER: YOU WILL FIND THE AGREEMENT ITSELF - AND DURING THAT TIME BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 WE HAVE THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP - AND OF COURSE THE AGREEMENT ITSELF SAYS THAT THE, ER, IT EXPECTS THE WHOLE STRUCTURE OF IT, IT EXPECTS THE LIFE-STYLE OF HONG KONG TO CONTINUE. BUT LONG BEFORE 1997 WE HAVE STEADILY AND SECURELY TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF REPRESENTATION OF LOCAL PEOPLE IN THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG.
Q.8 EMILY LAU, FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW: PRIME MINISTER, ON WEDNESDAY YOU SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA PROMISING TO DELIVER OVER FIVE MILLION PEOPLE INTO THE HANDS OF A COMMUNIST DICTATORSHIP. IS THIS MORALLY DEFENSIBLE, OR IS IT REALLY TRUE THAT IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS THE HIGHEST FORM OF MORALITY IS ONE’S OWN NATIONAL INTERESTS?
/PRIME MINISTERS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 19&4
6
PRIME MINISTER: CAN I JUST SAY THIS TO YOU. WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF WE HAD NOT ATTEMPTED TO GET AN AGREEMENT? 1QQ7 - 92 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY WOULD AUTOMATICALLY HAVE RETURNED TO CHINA WITHOUT ANY ASSURANCES, WITHOUT ANY OF THE ADVANTAGES OF THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE NOW. MAY I NOT PUT IT TO YOU THAT THE SITUATION NOW IS VASTLY BETTER FOR HONG KONG AND ACCEPTS AND HONOURS AND ACKNOWLEDGES THE FACT THAT CHINA WISHES THE LIFE-STYLE OF HONG KONG TO CONTINUE UNDER THAT AGREEMENT. I THINK YOU WOULD HAVE HAD GREAT CAUSE TO COMPLAIN HAD THE GOVERNMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN DONE NOTHING UNTIL 1997 AND I BELIEVE THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE, INDEED, THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, THINK THE SAME. YOU MAY BE A SOLITARY EXCEPTION.
09. LAWRENCE MACDONALD, AFP : I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW. DID YOU SEEK FROM CHINESE LEADERS DURING YOUR VISIT IN PEKING ANY ASSURANCES THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD NOT ONLY BE CONSULTED ON THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW BUT WOULD ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DRAFTING OF IT? AND IF YOU DID SEEK THESE, DID YOU GET ANY INDICATION OF THEIR THINKING ON THIS CRUCIAL POINT?
PRIME MINISTER : IT IS STIPULATED IN THE AGREEMENT THAT THE DETAILS IN THE ANNEXES WILL BE EMBODIED IN THE BASIC LAW. THAT WAS ONE OF THE POINTS OF HAVING SUCH DETAILED ANNEXES AND OF HAVING THIS STIPULATION RIGHT IN THE AGREEMENT. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT GAVE AN ASSURANCE WHILE WE WERE IN PEKING THAT THEY WOULD ALSO SOLICIT THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ON A WIDE BASIS. THEY, OF COURSE, WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTUAL DRAFTING, BUT CF COURSE THE AGREEMENTS IN THE ANNEXES WILL BE EMBODIED IN THE DRAFTING.
QUESTION 10 (IN CHINESE): CHEUNG SIU-FUNG, TIN TIN DAILY NEWS, THERE ARE SOME MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IN BRITAIN WHO SUGGEST THAT THERE SHOULD BE A REPORT ON HONG KONG TABLED TO THE PARLIAMENT EVERY YEAR. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?
PRIME MINISTER: I DO NOT THINK THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE A REPORT ON HONG KONG FABLED EVERY YEAR ANY MORE THAN WE HAVE HAD A REPORT ON HONG KONG TABLED NOW WHICH WE HAVE NOT. GREAT BRITAIN IS SOLELY IN CHARGE OF ADMINISTRATION UNTIL 1997 THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG. AND I SEE MYSELF, NO NEED FOR A PARTICULAR REPORT. FROM TIME TO TIME, DOUBTLESS, THE MATTER WILL BE DEBATED IN OUR PARLIAMENT BECAUSE NATURALLY OUR PARLIAMENT IS VERY INTERESTED IN EXACTLY wHAT HAPPENS.
/QUESTION 11* .......
FRIDAY, DECatBER 21, 1984
7
QUESTION Ils VINCENT TANG, FINANCIAL DAILY, MRS THATCHER, I HAVE A QUESTION CONCERNING THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP,. WILL IT REPORT FREQUENTLY TO HONG KONG PEOPLE AFTER IT HAS SET UP AND IS WORK ING?
PRIME MINISTER: I IMAGINE IT WILL BE, I AM SURE IT WILL BE, VERY CLOSELY IN TOUCH WITH HONG KONG PEOPLE THROUGHOUT ITS WHOLE LIFETIME. VERY CLOSELY IN TOUCH. I DOUBT VERY MUCH WHETHER THERE WILL BE THE NECESSITY FOR FORMAL REPORTS.. BUT JUST AS WE HAVE TRIED THE WHOLE TIME TO KEEP VERY CLOSELY IN TOUCH WITH HONG KONG PEOPLE WHILE WE HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING THIS AGREEMENT SO THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL BE VERY MUCH AWARE OF OPINION IN HONG KONG AND NATURALLY TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT AS I INDICATED THAT WE WOULD TAKE THE CONCERNS WHICH THE ASSESSMENT REPORT THREW UP INTO ACCOUNT. THE WHOLE AGREEMENT IS FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE AND OUR WHOLE CONCERN HAS BEEN FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE THROUGHOUT, AND THAT CONCERN WILL CONTINUE.
QUESTION 12, SPENCER CHAN, ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS: MY QUESTION IS ALSO ABOUT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. WITH ONLY SIX MONTHS AHEAD, WHICH IS QUITE A SHORT TIME, THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL BE FULLY OPERATIONAL. HAVE YOU DISCUSSED WITH THE CHINESE LEADERS THE COMPOSITION OF THE GROUP AND COULD YOU REVEAL WHO THE FIVE MEMBERS ARE OF THE BRITISH SIDE AND WHETHER THE HONG KONG GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD AND HIS POLITICAL ADVISER, NR MCLAREN, WOULD BE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP IN THE FUTURE?
PRIME MINISTER : WE HAVE NOT DECIDED THE PRECISE MEMBERSHIP CF THE GROUP. IT IS, OF COURSE AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL GROUP AND IT WILL, WE EXPECT, CONTAIN ON IT HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, BUT HAVE NOT DECIDED THE PRECISE MEMBERSHIP OF THE GROUP. THE GOVERNOR, OF COURSE, WILL BE ON IT. NO QUESTION. THE GOVERNOR WILL BE ON IT. BUT WE HAVE NOT DECIDED THE OTHERS. (THE GOVERNOR: THAT HASN’T BEEN DECIDED YET) WE HAVEN’T DECIDED.......
I SEE. I SHOULD BE ABSOLUTELY ASTONISHED IF THE GOVERNOR IS NOT ON IT.
Q 13. HUGH DAVIES, DAILY TELEGRAPH : ARTHUR SCARGILL, A MAN NOTED FOR HIS MARXIST VIEWS HAS BEEN TRYING TO BRING DOWN YOUR GOVERNMENT IN BRITAIN. WHY AFTER A DAY IN PEKING ARE YOU SO CONVINCED OF THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARXISTS THERE?
PRIME MINISTER : THIS IS AN AGREEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO HONOUR THAT AGREEMENT AND IT IS AN AGREEMENT WHICH I BELIEVE, HAVING BEEN SIGNED, THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WILL HONOUR, AND IT HAS BEEN SIGNED IN THE EYES OF THE WORLD AND IT IS A GOOD AGREEMENT. I BELIEVE THAT IT WILL BE HONOURED TO THE FULL.
/Q 14.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
- 8
Q 14. DINAH LEE, ECONOMIST AND WASHINGTON POST : WHY YOUR GOVERNMENT FEELS ASSURED OF CHINA’S COMMITMENT TO THIS TREATY DOES NOT NEED REITERATION, BUT I THINK WE NEED FOR THE RECORD TO KNOW WHAT WILL YOUR GOVERNMENT DO IF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT ARE ABUSED OR BROKEN? IN SHORT, ARE YOU PREPARED TO DEFEND THIS PACT AS YOU DID IN THE FALKLANDS, AND BY WHAT MEANS?
PRIME MINISTER s I BELIEVE THAT THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE HONOURED. I BELIEVE THAT FIRMLY. IF BY ANY CHANCE ANY QUESTION ROSE UNDER THE AGREEMENT, NATURALLY A SIGNATORY TO IT WOULD RAISE THE MATTER WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. IF THEY HAD ANYTHING TO RAISE WITH US, NATURALLY THEY WOULD RAISE IT WITH US. THAT IS THE NORMAL PROCEDURE UNDER AN AGREEMENT. THE SIGNATORIES RAISE MATTERS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
Q 15. DINAH LEE s ARE YOU PREPARED TO GO FURTHER TO DEFEND THIS?
PRIME MINISTER : I HAVE INDICATED THAT IF THERE IS ANYTHING TO RAISE UNDER THE AGREEMENT THEN OF COURSE WE WOULD RAISE IT IN THE NORMAL WAY BUT I BELIEVE IT WILL BE FULLY HONOURED. CAN I JUST SAY TO YOU : 1997 - 92 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY WOULD AUTOMATICALLY RETURN TO CHINA.
Q 16. WONG WING-HUNG, HONG KONG STANDARD s PRIME MINISTER, WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY PREMIER ZHAO ZI YANG THAT THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL BE WIDELY SOLICITED ON THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW. BUT WHAT THE MAJOR CONCERN FOR MOST PEOPLE HERE NOW IS: WILL THEY BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE? HAVE YOU BEEN ASSURED ON THIS POINT? IF NOT, WHAT WILL YOUR GOVERNMENT DO TO HELP HONG KONG PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO JOIN THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE?
PRIME MINISTER : NOW I HAVE ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BASIC LAW. THE CONTENT OF THE ANNEXES, THE RELEVANT CONTENT OF THE ANNEXES, WOULD BE STIPULATED IN THE BASIC LAW. THAT IS IN THE AGREEMENT ITSELF. THEREFORE THINGS WHICH ARE OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO HONG KONG WILL, BY VIRTUE OF THAT STIPULATION BE IN THE AGREEMENT. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO SAID, AND I USE THEIR WORDS, THAT THEY WOULD SOLICIT OPINION IN HONG KONG ON A WIDE BASIS. THE PRECISE MECHANISM BY WHICH THAT WOULD BE CARRIED OUT HAS NOT YET BEEN DECIDED. BUT THE GREATEST PROTECTION IS THE DETAIL WHICH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ENTERED INTO IN THE ANNEXES AND THAT WE BOTH REGARD THAT AS BINDING AND THAT THAT DETAIL WILL BE STIPULATED IN THE BASIC LAW. THAT IS VERY CONSIDERABLE PROTECTION.
Q 17. WONG WING-HUNG, HK STANDARD s BUT WILL WE BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN DRAFTING IT?
PRIME MINISTERS THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW, OTHER THAN AS I HAVE INDICATED THAT THE AGREEMENT WITH THE ANNEXES WILL BE STIPULATED IN THE BASIC LAW - THE DRAFTING IS, OF COURSE, A MATTER FOR THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
/Ql8s ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 19&4
- 9 -
Q18: LLOYD DOBYNS, NBC NEWS: IN VIEW OF YOUR NEXT STOP, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE UNITED STATES TO DO TO EITHER HELP OR SUPPORT THIS AGREEMENT?
PRIME MINISTER: THE UNITED STATES HAS ALREADY WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT AND SO HAVE A NUMBER OF OTHER COUNTRIES. I BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL EXPRESS THEIR FAITH IN THAT AGREEMENT BY JUST CARRYING ON THE KIND OF INVESTMENT AND CONFIDENCE THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY SHOWN IN HONG KONG AND IT IS VITAL THAT THEY AND MANY OTHER COUNTRIES DO SO, AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT WILL HAPPEN.
019: CAN I RETURN BACK TO THE QUESTION OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP? THE REASON GIVEN TO US FOR NOT HAVING HONG KONG PEOPLE REPRESENTATIVES SITTING IN THE GROUP IS THAT BECAUSE IT IS A DIPLOMATIC BODY. BUT CAN YOU TELL US WHY THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HAS TO BE A DIPLOMATIC BODY IN THE FIRST HAND?
PRIME MINISTER: NO, IT IS AN INTER-GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT. THAT IS TO SAY IT IS AN AGREEMENT SIGNED BY CHINA AND GREAT BRITAIN. AND THAT IS THE MAIN REASON. THEREFORE IT WILL HAVE ON IT FIVE PEOPLE FROM EACH GOVERNMENT OR FIVE PEOPLE NOMINATED BY EACH GOVERNMENT AND THERE WILL BE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AMONG THAT FIVE, AND, OF COURSE AS, UNTIL NOW, THE CONCERNS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL BE FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. BUT THE REAL REASON IS THAT IT IS AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT.
020: MRS THATCHER, YOU HAVE SOLVED THE HISTORICAL PROBLEM OF HONG KONG AS A TERRITORY YET YOU ARE LEFT WITH A MORAL PROBLEM BECAUSE SINCE WORLD WAR II THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT SIX MILLION PEOPLE, BY TREATY, HAVE TRANSFERRED FROM WHAT YOU YOURSELF MIGHT CALL THE FREE WORLD TO COMMUNISM.
YOU HAVE SIGNED THAT TREATY. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT IT?
PRIME MINISTER : I THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NEGLIGENT HAD WE NOT, IN FACT, RAISED THE POST-1997 POSITION AS WE DID. WE RAISED IT. WE HAVE GOT AN AGREEMENT WHICH IS ACCEPTABLE OVERWHELMINGLY TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THAT AGREEMENT WILL EXTEND TO 50 YEARS BEYOND 1997. I FEEL WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. JUST CONSIDER WHAT SORT OF QUESTIONS YOU WOULD BE ASKING ME NOW HAD THERE BEEN NO AGREEMENT AND A TOTALLY UNKNOWN FUTURE.
Q 21. SCHWARTZ, UP I : CHANGING THE SUBJECT......
PRIME MINISTER : I SHOULD BE DELIGHTED IF YOU DO!
QUESTIONER : AFTER YOUR TALKS WITH MR GORBACHOV THIS WEEK ARE YOU SATISFIED THE SOVIET UNION IS SERIOUS ABOUT ARMS CONTROL AND DO YOU CARRY ANY MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT REAGAN IN ADVANCE OF THE TALKS IN GENEVA BETWEEN MR SCHULTZ AND MR GROMEKO?
/PHIJCS MIN I ST EH :
Friday, dscember 21, 1984
10 -
PRIME MINISTER : I BELIEVE THAT THE SOVIET UNION IS SERIOUS IN WANTING REDUCTION IN ARMAMENTS AND, OF COURSE, THE UNITED STATES IS ABSOLUTELY SINCERE IN THAT OBJECTIVE. IT WILL TAKE QUITE SOME TIME TO WORK OUT THE PRECISE FORA IN WHICH THOSE REDUCTIONS SHOULD BE NEGOTIATED. AS YOU KNOW, IT IS A QUESTION WHETHER THE STRATEGIC MISSILES SHOULD BE TREATED AS THEY WERE FORMERLY - SEPARATELY FROM THE INTERMEDIATE BALLISTIC MISSILES -AND THEN OF COURSE WE MUST NEVER FORGET NEGOTIATIONS ON REDUCTIONS OF CHEMICAL WARFARE. WE OURSELVES DESTROYED OUR OWN STOCKPILE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS MANY YEARS AGO BUT THE SOVIET UNION DID NOT FOLLOW SUIT. THE UNITED STATES HAS SOME, BUT THE SOVIET UNION HAS A GREAT DEAL. AND, OF COURSE, THE CONVENTIONAL FORCES - THAT NEGOTIATION MUST CONTINUE. SO I THINK IT WILL TAKE QUITE A TIME TO WORK OUT THE PRECISE PROCEDURE AND DOUBTLESS MR SCHULTZ AND MR GROMEKO WILL BE TURNING THEIR MINDS VERY MUCH TO THIS MATTER WHEN THEY MEET BUT I BELIEVE THAT BOTH SIDES SINCERELY WANT DISARMAMENT. IT MUST BE BALANCED, IT MUST LEAD TO A FEELING OF SECURITY ON BOTH SIDES, IT MUST BE VERIFIABLE.
Q 22. HONG KONG COMMERCIAL DAILY s MRS THATCHER, DO YOU THINK THAT THE PRINCIPLE +ONE-COUNTRY TWO-SYSTEMS* IMPLEMENTED TO TAIWAN IS AS SUCCESSFUL AS IF IMPLEMENTED TO HONG KONG?
PRIME MINISTER : I AM SORRY I DIDN’T QUITE HEAR THE QUESTION....! HEARD THE +ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS*.
QUESTIONER : WILL THE PRINCIPLE OF +ONE-COUNTRY TWO-SYSTEMS* IMPLEMENTED TO TAIWAN, WILL IT BE AS SUCCESSFUL AS IF IMPLEMENTED TO HONG KONG?
PRIME MINISTER: I HAVE NO LOCUS ON TAIWAN.
Q 23. MRS THATCHER, YOU ARE REPORTED AS HAVING SAID IN PEKING THAT DENG XIAOPING LAID DOWN A TIME LIMIT FOR THESE NEGOTIATIONS TO BE COMPLETED. DO YOU FEEL THAT BRITAIN WAS RUSHED INTO SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT?
PRIME MINISTER : NO. WE WERE NOT RUSHED INTO SIGNING IT. I THINK THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE DETAIL DEMONSTRATES THAT. I DO THINK THAT WHEN YOU HAVE A TARGET LIKE THAT YOU DO GET DECISIONS BECAUSE YOU ARE UP AGAINST A TIME LIMIT BUT EQUALLY YOU GET THE EXTRA ATTENTION AND THE TOTAL CONCENTRATION WHICH WE HAD. AND I BELIEVE, AS I INDICATED WHEN WE STARTED THESE NEGOTIATIONS THAT IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR HONG KONG TO GET AN AGREEMENT SO THAT PEOPLE HAD CONFIDENCE IN WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AFTER 1997. AND, OF COURSE, WE WERE ALREADY UNDER PRESSURE BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE LAND TRANSACTIONS AND THEREFORE WE DID NEED URGENTLY TO WORK TOWARDS AN AGREEMENT AND I AM VERY GLAD THAT WE TOOK THAT DECISION AND VERY PLEASED WITH THE AGREEMENT.
/Q 24........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
11 -
Q 24. (IN CHINESE) YOU HAVE SPOKEN TO PREMIER ZHAO ABOUT SINO-ERITISH RELATIONSHIPS IN PEKING. COULD I ASK IN WHAT AREAS YOU WILL HAVE MORE COOPERATION WITH CHINA? IT IS HEARD THAT IN CHINA THERE WILL BE A SENIOR DELEGATION GOING TO BRITAIN NEXT YEAR. WHAT QUESTIONS WILL YOU BE TALKING ABOUT THEN?
PRIME MINISTER : RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CHINA AND BRITAIN ARE ALREADY GOOD. TRADE BETWEEN CHINA AND BRITAIN IS INCREASING. THERE WILL BE A TRADE DELEGATION SOMETIME DURING NEXT YEAR. IT IS NOT THE FIRST TRADE DELEGATION - IT WILL NOT BE THE LAST. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY BEFORE AND THEY, OF COURSE, WILL CONTINUE. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER ON A NUMBER OF THINGS. AS YOU KNOW WE ARE VERY INTERESTED FOR EXAMPLE IN DOING WORK IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA ON OIL. WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT - BP HAVE BEEN THERE FOR SOME TIME AND ARE GOING TO CONTINUE THEIR EXPLORATION. CABLE AND WIRELESS HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOR SOME TIME. AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE PLANS FOR THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER STATION FOR SOME TIME. WE HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE DELEGATIONS TO CHINA ABOUT MANY MATTERS. THERE WILL BE A TRADE DELEGATION, I THINK UNDER LORD YOUNG, IN MARCH. PREVIOUSLY THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TRADE DELEGATIONS. NATURALLY, YES, I DO HOPE THAT THE TRADE WILL INCREASE. WE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO GET EXTRA EXPORTS AS EXACTLY HONG KONG IS TRYING TO GET EXTRA EXPORTS TO THE REST OF THE WORLD. ALSO, MAY I POINT OUT, THAT PREMIER ZHAO ZI YANG WILL BE VISITING BRITAIN THIS COMING YEAR, I BELIEVE, POSSIBLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR. I BELIEVE HE IS DOING A TOUR TO EUROPE AND HE WILL COME TO BRITAIN WHICH WE ARE VERY, VERY, PLEASED ABOUT.
Q 25. WONG YUK-WING, TVB NEWS s I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK TO THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER THE CONTENT OF THE TALKS IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL? HOW WILL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BE INFORMED SO THAT WE WILL NOT REPEAT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS?
PRIME MINISTER i YES, OF COURSE THE CONTENT AND DISCUSSIONS IN A JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL BE CONFIDENTIAL. YOU SIMPLY COULDN’T WORK THAT KIND OF GROUP UNLESS THEY WERE CONFIDENTIAL. WE HAVE KEPT CLOSELY IN TOUCH WITH HONG KONG PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THIS TIME AND OF COURSE THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL KEEP IN TOUCH -AS WE ALWAYS HAVE. SO I DO NOT THINK YOU NEED HAVE ANY WORRIES ON THAT SCORE. AGAIN, I REPEAT, THAT OUR PRIME CONCERN IN ENTERING INTO THESE NEGOTIATIONS AND SEEKING THE AGREEMENT WAS THE FUTURE CF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
Q 26. WONG YUK-WING, TVB NEWS : SINCE THE TALKS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AGAIN HOW WILL THE VIEWS CF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE BE REFLECTED IN THE GROUP MEETINGS?
PRIME MINISTER : THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG IS CONSTANTLY IN TOUCH WITH THE HONG KONG PEOPLE. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVES. THEY HAVE KEPT VERY CLOSELY IN TOUCH WITH HONG KONG PEOPLE DURING THIS TIME AND THEY WILL ALSO DO SO DURING THE CONTINUATION OF THE AGREEMENT UP TO 1997.
/QUESTIONER: .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1984
12 -
QUESTIONER: WONG YUK-WING, TVB NEWS s SO OUR EXPERIENCE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WILL BE REPEATED AGAIN. SO WE WILL BE KEPT IN THE DARK?
PRIME MINISTER s I THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT THEY WILL KEEP VERY CLOSELY IN TOUCH.
Q 27. WILL YOU DISCUSS WITH PRESIDENT REAGAN THE CONCEPT OF ONE-COUNTRY TWO-SYSTEMS+ DURING YOUR COMING VISIT TO WASHINGTON?
PRIME MINISTER : WILL I DISCUSS THAT CONCEPT? I DOUBT VERY MUCH WHETHER THAT WILL PLAY A MAJOR PART IN OUR DISCUSSIONS ALTHOUGH I SHALL, OF COURSE, THANK THE PRESIDENT FOR THE WAY IN WHICH THEY WELCOMED THE HONG KONG AGREEMENT AND LOOK FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN THAT THEY WILL KEEP THEIR CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG. AND, OF COURSE, I HOPE THAT AMERICAN INVESTORS WOULD KEEP THEIR CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG. BUT THE CONCEPT OF +ONE-COUNTRY TWO-SYSTEMS+ IS A CONCEPT, I BELIEVE, CF CHAIRMAN DENG XIAOPING AND ACCEPTED BY CHINA IN HER SIGNING CF THE AGREEMENT AND IT IS A CONCEPT AND IT WILL WORK.
Q 28. HELENE CHUNG, AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION : PRIME MINISTER, HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY GOING TO WAR OVER THE FALKLANDS ISLANDS WHEN THE SMALL POPULATION THERE DIDN’T WISH TO BE ABSORBED INTO ARGENTINA AND GIVING INTO COMMUNIST CHINA SO EASILY, AND HANDING OVER THE FIVE AND A HALF-MILLION PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO COMMUNIST CHINA, WHEN SO MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE VOTED WITH THEIR FEET TO LEAVE THAT COUNTRY?
PRIME MINISTER : I DO NOT QUITE UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN IGNORE THE LEASE WHICH TERMINATES IN 1997 AND EVERY QUESTION WHICH HAS BEEN PUT ON THE BASIS THAT YOU HAVE PUT THERE HAS IGNORED THAT FUNDAMENTAL FACT. I DID NOT FIND IT WAS BEING IGNORED IN HONG KONG, THAT FUNDAMENTAL FACT. I FOUND THAT PEOPLE WANTED CONFIDENCE AND REASSURANCE ABOUT POST-1997, REALISING THAT UNLESS WE ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN 1997, THEREFORE WE NEGOTIATED WITH CHINA - CHINA AND WE WERE BOTH ANXIOUS THAT THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG SHOULD CONTINUE - AND THE AGREEMENT IS THE RESULT. I THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT HAD THERE NOT BEEN AN AGREEMENT NOW, HAD WE NOT ENTERED INTO TALKS, HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD HAVE CAUSE TO BE CONCERNED BECAUSE UNCERTAINTY IS ALWAYS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT. WE HAVE GOT AN AGREEMENT AND IT HAS BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY ACCEPTED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
Q 29. THE INTERNATIONAL TREATIES WERE THE ONES THAT YOU CITED TWO YEARS AGO WHEN YOU WENT TO BEIJING WHEN, AT THAT POINT, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY STATED THAT IT WANTED HONG KONG BACK. THE TREATIES WERE THE ONES YOU STOOD BY AT THAT POINT. WHAT, DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS, HAS CAUSED THE CHANGE?
PRIME MINISTER : WE HAVE, AS I HAVE INDICATED, NOW FREELY ENTERED INTO A NEW AGREEMENT WHICH WE REGARD AS LEGALLY BINDING, FREELY ENTERED INTO. AND OUR CONCERN NOW IS TO IMPLEMENT THAT AGREEMENT AND TO HONOUR IT TO THE FULL - WHICH BOTH SIDES WILL.
+++ END +++
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, DECEMBERS), 198^
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CHRISTMAS TRANSPORT HOURS LONGER ................................. 1
DANCE CONTEST FOR AMATEURS ....................................... 2
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN ABERDEEN ................................. 2
DISTRICT CLINIC FOR LAM TIN ...................................... 3
STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER ....................................... 3
CAREERS ^UIZ WINNERS.............................................. 3
NEW CENTRE FOR WATER SPORTS ...................................... 4
RECLAMATION WORK PROPOSED ........................................ 4
CLEAN-UP FOR FOUR TAI PO MARKETS.................................. 5
LIQUOR LICENSING BOARD TO CONSIDER FOUR APPLICATIONS ............. 5
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1934
1
CHRISTMAS TRANSPORT HOURS LONGER ft ft ft ft
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WILL BE EXTENDED ON CHRISTMAS EVE UNTIL EARLY NEXT MORNING.
THE STAR FERRY’S CENTRAL TO TSIM SHA TSUI ROUTE WILL RUN ALL NIGHT. HYF’S CENTRAL TO JORDAN ROAD FERRY SERVICE WILL OPERATE UNTIL 1 AM, WHILE ITS NORTH POINT TO HUNG HOM SERVICE WILL BE EXTENDED UNTIL MIDNIGHT.
THE MTR WILL OPERATE THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND KCR SERVICES WILL BE EXTENDED UNTIL 1 AM.
PEAK TRAMS WILL RUN UNTIL 1.30 AM WHILE TRAM SERVICES, EXCEPT AROUND THE HAPPY VALLEY LOOP AND BETWEEN WHITTY STREET AND KENNEDY TOWN, WILL OPERATE ALL NIGHT ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
CMB WILL EXTEND SERVICES ON EIGHT MAJOR ROUTES - NOS 2, 4, 7, ID, 23, 38, 70 AND 72.
THE LAST DEPARTURES OF ROUTE 2 FROM SHAU KEI WAN AND MACAU FERRY WILL BE AT 1.15 AM AND 2 AM RESPECTIVELY? NO 4 FROM WA FU AND CENTRAL WILL BE AT 0.30 AM AND 1 AM ; NO 7 FROM SHEK PAI WAN AND CENTRAL AT 2 AM AND 2.30 AM; NO 10 FROM NORTH POINT FERRY AND KENNEDY TOWN AT 1 AM AND 2 AM ; NO 23 FROM NORTH POINT FERRY AND POKFIELD ROAD AT 0.30 AM AND 1.15 AM; NO 38 FROM NORTH POINT AND CHI FU FA YUEN AT MIDNIGHT AND 1 AM; NO 70 FROM ABERDEEN AND CENTRAL AT 0.24 AM AND 1 AM AND NO 72 FROM ABERDEEN AND CAUSEWAY BAY AT 0.50 AM AND 1.30 AM.
KMB WILL ALSO EXTEND ITS SERVICES.
THE LAST DEPARTURES OF ROUTE 1A FROM SAU MAU PING AND STAR FERRY WILL BE AT 0.43 AM AND 1.40 AM RESPECTIVELY; NO 5 FROM CHOI HUNG AND STAR FERRY AT 2.20 AM AND 3 AM; NO 5C FROM TSZ WAN SHAN AND STAR FERRY AT 1.10 AM AND 2 AM; NO 6 FROM LAI CHI KOK AND STAR FERRY AT 2.18 AM AND 3 AM; NO 9 FROM PING SHEK AND STAR FERRY AT 0.16 AM AND 1 AM; AND NO 66M FROM TAI HING AND TSUEN WAN MTR STATION AT 0.30 AM AND 1.15 AM.
IN ADDITION, MANY MAXICAB ROUTES WILL FINISH LATER THAN USUAL.
-----o------
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1984
2
DANCE CONTEST FOR AMATEURS * * * *
AN nPFN CONTEST FOR AMATEUR DANCERS HAS BEEN ORGANISED JOINTLY PY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RE HEATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG DANCING ASSOCIATION.
THE BALLROOM DANCE CONTEST 1985 WILL BE HELD AT MACPHERSON STADIUM. MONG KOK ON JANUARY 27 FROM 7 PM TO 10 PM.
THE ANNUAL COMPETITION AIMS AT PROMOTING A CLEAR CONCEPI SOCIAL DANCE ESPECIALLY AMONG THE YOUNGER GENERATION.
PARTICIPANTS, DIVIDED INTO FIVE CATEGORIES, WILL PERFORM MODERN OR LATIN DANCES.
AMATEURS WHO ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR ABOVE ARE WELCOME TO
OF
EITHER
TAKE
PART.
APPLICATION WILL CLOSE ON JANUARY 17.
FORMS AND DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE AT RSS HEAD OFFICE IN WING ON CENTRE, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND ITS 19 DISTRICT OFFICES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. NO. 5-458511-
------o-------
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN ABERDEEN
* * * M
THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE WILL BE PUT ACROSS TO SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS THROUGH AN ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL CARNIVAL TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON IN THE OPEN SQUARE OF THE ABERDEEN POLICE STATION.
ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT CRIME PREVENTION CAMPAIGN CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, THE CARNIVAL WILL BRING TO A CLOSE, THE TWO-MONTH CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT.
DURING THE PERIOD, A SERIES OF SEMINARS, TALKS AND VISITS WERE ARRANGED FOR VARIOUS GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS AS WELL AS STUDENTS.
TOMORROW’S CARNIVAL WILL FEATURE SINGING AND DANCING BY POPULAR ARTISTES, A POLICE DOG SHOW, GAME STALLS AND CRIME PREVENTION AND ANTI-NARCOTICS EXHIBITIONS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDY CHAN.
OTHER GUESTS INCLUDE THE WESTERN DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, NR DAVID DEPTFORD- AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS PR KAN NAN-LEE, MR RAYMOND KWOK AND MR LAM KWOK-KWONG.
------o-------
/J......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1934
DISTRICT CLINIC FOR LAM TIN
* * X *
A DISTRICT CLINIC BUILDING IS TO BE BUILT ON A 6 800-SQUARE-NETRE SITE AT KAI TIN ROAD, LAM TIN.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTME 1 IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
THE EIGHT-STOREY BUILDING WILL PROVIDE 14 500 SQUARE METRES OF FLOOR AREA MAINLY FOR AN OUT-PATIENT CLINIC, A FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES CLINIC AND A SCHOOL CHILDREN’S DENTAL CLINIC.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A PSYCHIATRIC DAY CENTRE, A COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICES CENTRE AND OFFICES.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NEXT MARCH AND WILL TAKE 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE NEW YEAR’S DAY (JANUARY 1) IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
HE SAID ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES AND THOSE NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $8 500 A MONTH ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY-OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
- 0 - -
CAREERS QUIZ WINNERS
* X * X
WINNERS OF A CAREERS QUIZ ORGANISED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CAREERS ’85 EXHIBITION BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 27).
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, DR JAMES HAYES AND DR PETER LEE, DIRECTOR OF WONG’S GROUPS OF COMPANIES, SPONSOR OF THE QUIZ, WILL PRESENT THE PRIZES.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE CF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICES, SIXTH FLOOR, HENNESSY CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY AT 4 PM.
[This page is blank in the original document]
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 198-
- 5 -
CLEAN-UP FOR FOUR TAI PO MARKETS
* * * *
MORE THAN 500 MARKET-STALL OPERATORS IN TAI PO HAVE JUST SPENT THREE DAYS CLEANING UP THEIR STALLS.
WITH THE HELP OF CLEANSING STAFF FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE EXERCISE WAS CARRIED OUT IN TAI PO TEMPORARY MARKET, TAI PO GOVERNMENT MARKET, KUK TENG MARKET AND CHE PING HAWKER BAZAAR.
OFFICE BEARERS OF THE FOUR LOCAL MARKET TRADERS ASSOCIATION ALSO TOOK PART IN THE OPERATION.
MEANWHILE, PEST CONTROL STAFF OF THE NTSD CARRIED OUT ANTI-MOSQUITO AND ANTI-RAT MEASURES AT THE MARKETS BY ELIMINATING POTENTIAL BREEDING PLACES.
------o-------
LIQUOR LICENSING BOARD TO CONSIDER FOUR APPLICATIONS *****
THE URBAN COUNCIL’S LIQUOR LICENSING BOARD WILL HOLD ITS MONTHLY MEETING ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 24) TO CONSIDER FOUR NEW APPLICATIONS.
THE APPLICATIONS ARE FROM GRAMM IE PALACE RESTAURANT LOUNGE AT NATHAN ROAD, FOON LOK SING PING RESTAURANT AT HAU FOOK STREET AND YAU SANG CHEUNG EMPLOYEES FRATERNITY ASSOCIATION LTD AT CHATHAM ROAD IN KOWLOON AND CLUB SUBWAY (FIRE CRACKER LOUNGE) AT LOCKHART ROAD ON THE ISLAND.
THE MEETING WILL BE CHAIRED BY MR PETER C.K. CHAN.
- 0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ONE, TWO PERSCNS CAN GET HOUSING TOO .................... 1
RMPT,DYERS1 ROLE IN HEALTH STRESSED ................... 2
MORE ACCEPT CREMATIONS .................................. 3
FIRE-RISK WARNING SOUNDED ............................... 5
LASER SHOW TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS ....................... 6
CHRISTMAS DAY ENTERTAINMENT AT VICTORIA PaRK ..........
CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL TRAFFIC PLAN ........................ 7
CHILDREN TO SING.......................................
MORE REFUSE COLLECTION FACILITIES ....................... 7
LORRY PARK TO CLOSE ...................................
TENDERS TO RUN FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT INVITED
9
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1334
ONE, TWO PERSONS CAN GET HOUSING TOO
* * * * *
FROM THE NEW YEAR, BOTH SINGLE PERSONS AND TWO-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR PERMANENT PUBLIC HOUSING FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S PUBLIC HOUSING ALLOCATION POLICY.
+THE CHANGE WAS DECIDED FOLLOWING CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED ON THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON PUBLIC HOUSING ALLOCATION POLICIES EARLIER THIS YEAR,* A HOUSING AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
+UNDER THE CHANGE, A SEPARATE WAITING LIST FOR SINGLE PERSONS WILL BE OPENED AND APPLICATIONS FROM THESE PEOPLE WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM UANUARY 2 NEXT YEAR.
+AT THE SAME TIME, TWO-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS COMPRISING TWO RELATED PERSONS WILL ALSO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY SUBUECT TO THEIR MEETING THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.*
APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO AVAILABLE IN ALL ESTATE OFFICES
FILL IN AN APPLICATION FORM AND DISTR ICT OFF ICES.
THEY MUST BE OVER 21 YEARS OF AGE. THEY MUST ALSO HAVE AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG AND THEIR MONTHLY INCOME MUST NOT EXCEED THE SET LIMITS OF $2 700 PER MONTH FOR SINGLE PERSONS, AND $4 000 PER MONTH FOR TWO-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS AT THE TIME OF INVESTIGATION.
OWNERS OF DOMESTIC PROPERTY WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER ON THE LIST.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FROM SINGLE PERSONS DURING THE WHOLE MONTH OF UANUARY NEXT YEAR WILL BE ARRANGED IN THE ORDER OF THE AGE OF APPLICANTS TO AVOID A BIG RUSH THROUGH THE POST OR THE APPLICATIONS SECTION OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT. PHOTOSTAT COPIES OF IDENTITY CARDS MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY SINGLE PERSONS IN ORDER TO VERIFY THEIR AGE.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THAT MONTH WILL BE REGISTERED IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY WERE RECEIVED, HE ADDED.
AS FOR TWO-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS, AT PRESENT THERE ARE ALREADY OVER 20 000 APPLICATIONS FROM MARRIED COUPLES AND ELDERLY PERSONS ON THE WAITING LIST AND NEW APPLICATIONS FROM TWO-PERSON HOUSEHOLD^ WILL BE REGISTERED IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE RECEIVED.
HE SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN AGREED THAT PRIORITY WOULD EE GIVEN TO THE REHOUSING OF 19 500 SINGLE PERSONS AND 14 000 TaO-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS ALREADY LIVING IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND IN MARK l/l I ESTATES AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT.
/+N£.. APPLICANTS......
SUNDAY, c-3, 1^04
+NEw APPLICANTS wHO REGISTER ON THE WAITING LIST WILL THEREFORE HAVE TO wAIT FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS BEFORE THEIR TURN FOR ALLOCATION IS DUE,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SINGLE PERSONS AND TWO-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS AT PRESENT LIVING IN MARK l/lI ESTATES OR THAS DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER AS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ALREADY HAS THEIR DETAILS.
SINGLE PERSONS AND TWO-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS ALREADY LIVING IN MARK I/1 I ESTATES WILL BE REHOUSED THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCESS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY 1990.
THOSE CURRENTLY LIVING IN THAS WILL HAVE THEIR PRIORITY OF REHOUSING DETERMINED BY THEIR LENGTH OF STAY IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AND ALL OF THEM ARE EXPECTED TO BE ACCOMMODATED BY 1990.
HOWEVER. TWO PERSON HOUSEHOLDS IN THAS MAY ALSO ELECT TO REGISTER ON THE WAITING LIST AS THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF OBTAINING HOUSING EARLIER THAN 1990 IF THEY ARE PREPARED TO MOVE TO COMPARATIVELY REMOTE NEW TOWNS.
ALL SINGLE PERSONS AND TWO-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS MOVING INTO TH a FROM JANUARY 1985 WILL BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER IN THE OPEN aAITIN LIST TO AWAIT PUBLIC HOUSING ALLOCATION IN NORMAL TURN.
SINGLE PERSONS CURRENTLY SHARING ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING MAY ALSO REGISTER ON THE SINGLE PERSONS WAITING LIST.
O G.
- 0 -
EMPLOYERS’ ROLE IN HEALTH STRESSED * * * *
COMPLIANCE WITH LEGISLATION ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AND COOPERATION WITH MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS BY EMPLOYERS WERE ESSENTIAL IN PROMOTING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE ON AN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROMOTION SCHEME, DR LAI MING-WAH, AT THE OPENING OF THE SCHEME AT THE TSUEN WAN TOwN HALL, THIS (SUNDAY; MORN ING.
THE SEVEN-DAY SCHEME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE COMMUNITY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE HKCU.
+A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER SHOULD bt APPOINTED BY EVERY FACTORY ■■ PROVIDE PERIODIC MEDICAL CHECKS F> WORKERS,* oA. D DR uA .
13 «VOl LJ
SUNDAY, jiCiMBEd 1984
3 -
THIS WOULD IMPROVE HE SAID.
♦ON
THE WORK PROV IDED
WORKERS’ PART, BEFOREHAND AND BY EMPLOYERS.+
WORKERS’ HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY AS A wH
THEY SHOULD MAKE OUT POSSIBLE HAZARDS OF APPLY THE SAFETY FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
DR LAI SAID MUCH EFFORT HAD BEEN MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH THROUGH PUBLICITY, AND ENFORCEMENT OF LEGISLATION.
+THE SCHEME, SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO EDUCATE BOTH EMPLOYERS ANu WORKERS TO BE AWARE OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES, wAS ONE OF THESt EFFORTS,* HE ADDED.
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MORE ACCEPT CREMATIONS * * * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL IS CONCERNED NOT ONLY w I TH THE HEALTH, WELFARE, CLEANLINESS, PHYSICAL EXERCISE, ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT OF HONG KONG AND ITS 4.5 MILLION URBAN DWELLERS, IT ALSO HAS A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY IN THAT INEVITABILITY OF LIFE, DEATH.
AT PRESENT, THE COUNCIL OPERATES TWO CREMATORIA, IN CAPE COLLINSON AND DIAMOND HILL, AND FIVE PUBLIC CEMETERIES, NAMELY THE HONG KONG CEMETERY, CAPE COLLINSON CEMETERY, SO KON PO CEMETERY, DIAMOND HILL URN CEMETERY AND STANLEY PRISON CEMETERY.
THE TREND FOR CREMATION OF BOTH THE RICH AND POOR HAS STEADILY SWITCHED FROM BURIALS TO CREMATIONS IN THE PAST TWO DECADES.
+IN 1961, ONLY TWO PER CENT OF THE DEAD WERE CREMATED,* SAID THE STAFF OFFICER (CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIA) OF THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR SZETO LAM.
+ THE PRESENT RATIO BETWEEN CREMATIONS AND BURIALS IS 63 TO 37, WHICH IS NOT FAR AWAY FROM THE COUNCIL’S TARGET CF 65 TO 35.
+IT IS PLEASING TO SEE THE PUBLIC HAS APPRECIATED AND ACCEPTED THE COUNCIL’S POLICY OF ENCOURAGING CREMATIONS WHICH ARE ECONOMICAL, CLEAN AMD REQl>l = '. LESS OF OU^
'.71. ABLE LAND.*
/i.-js r#c .............
4 -
SUNDAY, DKEMBEH 23, 1964
THE TwO CREMATORIA CURRENTLY MANAGED BY THE COUNCIL CONSIST OF 12 CREMATORS, EIGHT AT THE CAPE COLLINSON CREMATORIUM ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND FOUR AT THE DIAMOND HILL CREMATORIUM IN KOWLOON. THEY HANDLED A TOTAL OF 56 crematorium during 1983/84.
TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR CREMATIONS, TWO ADDITIONAL CREMATORS ARE NOW BEING INSTALLED AT THE DIAMOND • IL - E M A T: M AND SK1ULD GO INTO USE EARLY NEXT YEAR.
AS A RESULT OF THE INCREASE IN CREMATIONS, THE DEMAND EOF NICHES FOR THE STORAGE OF INDIVIDUAL CREMATED REMAINS !.■ <30 ON THE RISE.
MOST OF THE 1 900 NICHES AT THE DIAMOND HILL EXTENSION COLUMBARIUM, WHICH WAS PUT INTO SERVICE LAST MAY, HAVE ALREADY BEEN OCCUPIED.
+DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE COUNCIL’S NICHES STOCK AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR WAS INCREASED TO 33 1Q8, ONLY 233 OF THEM ARE NOw LEFT VACANT,+ SAID MR SZETO.
+IN VIE* OF THIS, THE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE BUILDING OF A MULTI-STOREY COLUMBARIUM AT DIAMOND HILL, #CR-. ON WHICH IS DUE TO START IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
♦UPON COMPLETION AT THE END OF 1986, IT WILL PROVIDE ANOTHER 36 000 NICHES THERE.
♦FURTHERMORE, A MULTI-STOREY COLUMBARIUM WITH
14 000 NICHES WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED AT CAPE COLLINSON IN ^ID-1985 FOR COMPLETION AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS THE ONE IN D । AMONG H ILL.+
THE COUNCIL’S COLUMBARIA PROVIDE TWO TYPES OF NICHES -A STANDARD NICHE TO STORE TwO URNS AND A FAMILY NICHE TO ACCOMMODATE FOUR URNS.
THE CURRENT CHARGES FOR A STANDARD NICHE AND A FAMILY NICH ARE $1 333 AND ft5 200 RESPECTIVELY.
EXPLAINING WHY THERE IS ALWAYS A GREAT DEMAND FOR NICHES AT THE COUNCIL’S COLUMBARIA, MR SZETO SAID: +NOT ONL ' ARE THEY WELL MANAGED AND ARRANGED IN AN ORDERLY FORM, ATI IT IONALLY ALL SITES FOR THE COUNCIL’S COLUMBARIA ARE C-'SEN BY ’FUNG SHU I’ MASTERS.+
THE URBAN COUNCIL SUBSIDISES 53 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NDITURE FOR THE PROVISION OF VARIOUS CREMATION SERVICE-HE URBAN AREA, AND IN 1983/84 HORE THAf, -.12 'ILL ION wAo T BY the COUNCIL ON THESE SERV ICES.
0
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1P34
- 5 -
FIRE-RISK WARNING SOUNDED * * * *
THE PUBLIC WERE TODAY WARNED OF THE HIGHER FIRE RISKS DURING THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
♦DECORATIVE LIGHTING, HOME PARTIES AND THE FREQUENT USE OF STOVES DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON OFTEN GIVE RISE TO FIRES. IF PEOPLE ARE NOT CAREFUL, A HAPPY OCCASION CAN EASILY TURN INTO A DISASTER,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FIRES IN DOMESTIC BUILDINGS HAD INCREASED RECENTLY, CAUSED MAINLY BY THE CARELESS DISPOSAL OF CIGARETTE ENDS AND THE IMPROPER USE OF STOVES.
♦SPECIAL ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THE USE OF DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND THE HANDLING OF CIGARETTE ENDS, MATCHES AND CANDLES,* HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT MOST FIRES RESULTED FROM CARELES'SNESS AND COULD BE AVOIDED IF SIMPLE RULES WERE OBSERVED. THESE RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* CONSTANTLY CHECK ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND ELECTRIC STOVES TO ENSURE THEY ARE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITIONS.
* MAKE SURE THAT POWER POINTS ARE NOT OVERLOADED.
* SWITCH OFF THE POWER BEFORE LEAVING HOME.
* DO NOT PLACE CANDLES NEAR INFLAMMABLE MATERIALS.
* MAKE SURE THAT CANDLES, MATCHES AND CIGARETTE ENDS ARE EXTINGUISHED AND PROPERLY DISPOSED OF.
* KEEP MATCHES AND LIGHTERS AWAY FROM CHILDREN.
* MAKE ENOUGH ASH TRAYS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR VISITORS.
* KEEP CORRIDORS AND FIRE ESCAPES CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTION AND ALWAYS KEEP THE SMOKE LOBBY DOORS CLOSED.
* DO NOT STORE MORE THAN ONE CONTAINER OF FUEL AT HOME.
X CHECK FIRE WARNING SYSTEMS, EXTINGUISHERS AND EQUIPMENT.
A ...
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1984
6
LASER SHO* TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS * * * *
A THREE-HOUR LASER SHOW TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WILL BE STAGED IN KWUN TONG TOMORROW (MONDAY) NIGHT AT THE TSUI PING ROAD PLAYGROUND.
THE +LASER EXTRAVAGANZA AND DISCO NIGHT+, CO-SPONSORED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD AND THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB, PROMISES TO BE AN EVENING OF FUN. ABOUT 2 000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCO PARTY IN AN ENCLOSED AREA OF THE PARix.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN EXHIBITION AT THE PLAYGROUND WHERE 14 TELEVISION SETS WILL BE SHOWING A THREE-HOUR PRODUCTION ON THE DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
THE EXHIBITION WILL OPEN AT 7 PM WHILE THE LASER SHOW AND DISCO PARTY WILL START AT 8.30 PM.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF TOMORROW’S EVENT WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK, THE PRESIDENT OF THE KwUN TONG ROTARY CLUB, MR SAM FOOK-TIN, AND THE DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR S.C. WU.
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CHRISTMAS DAY ENTERTAINMENT AT VICTORIA PARK ******
A TWO-HOUR ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME AT VICTORIA PARK ON THE AFTERNOON OF CHRISTMAS DAY IS EXPECTED TO DRAW LARGE CROWDS.
ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION, +CHRISTMAS DAY AT VICTORIA PARK+ WILL FEATURE DEMONSTRATIONS BY THE VITALITY TEAM FROM TVB, AND PERFORMANCES BY SINGER JOHNNY YIP AND OTHER ARTISTES.
THERE * ILL ALSO BE TELEMATCH GAMES BETWEEN ELDERLY PEOPLE AND CHILDREN FROM PO LEUNG KUK.
AN OPENING CEREMONY, TO BE PRESIDED OVER BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM AT NO. 5 FOOTBALL PITCH.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 193
CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL TRAFFIC PLAN * * *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO FACILITATE THE SHOWS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB CENTENARY CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM FROM 11.30 AM TO 12.50 PM AND FROM 3 PM TO 4.30 PM BETWEEN CHRISTMAS DAY (TUESDAY) AND DECEMBER 29 (SATURDAY).
ONE HOUR PRIOR TO EACH OF THE SHOWS, THE PROHIBITED ZONE FOR TAXIS AT THE LAYBY ON THE NORTHSIDE OF THE HONG KONG COLISEUM WILL BE RESCINDED TO PERMIT TAXIS TO SET DOWN PASSENGERS, UNTIL THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EVENTS.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES INCLUDING KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY, CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL BUSES AND CROSS HARBOUR FERRIES (EDINBURGH PLACE TO HUNG HOM AND WAN CHAI TO HUNG HOM) WILL BE INCREASED BEFORE AND AFTER EACH SHOW.
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CHILDREN TO SING * * *
THE 120 STRONG TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR WILL STAGE A CONCERT FEATURING MORE THAN 20 WESTERN AND CHINESE SONGS ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 28) EVENING TO CELEBRATE ITS THIRD ANNIVERSARY.
TICKETS FOR THE SHOW, WHICH BEGINS AT 8 PM IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, ARE NOW AVAILABLE, AT $10, 315, AND $20 EACH, AT THE TOWN HALL OFFICE.
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD HAS BEEN SPONSORING THE CHOIR SINCE ITS FORMATION IN 1981.
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MORE REFUSE COLLECTION FACILITIES * * * *
TwO MORE REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS WILL BE BUILT IN YUEN LONG TO HELP IMPROVE SANITARY CONDITIONS IN THE AREA.
ONE WILL BE BUILT AT TAI TONG ROAD TO SERVE THE HIGH DENSITY COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL AREA BOUNDED BY CASTLE PEAK ROAD, FUNG CHEUNG ROAD, TAI TONG ROAD AND THE FUTURE YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BYPASS.
IT WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING TEMPORARY FACILITY AT HUNG MIN COURT, TO COPE WITH THE ADDITIONAL REFUSE LOAD RESULTING FROM POPULATION INCREASES IN THE AREA.
/THE C’-THSB.............
SUNDAY, DKEMB2R 2 3, 1964
- 8 -
THE OTHER ONE WILL BE BUILT AT SA YUE CHUNG TO SERVE THE CATCHMENT AREA BOUNDED BY KAU YUK ROAD, TAI TONG ROAD AND THE FUTURE YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BYPASS.
WORK ON BOTH PROJECTS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY 1935 AND WILL TAKE SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECTS. THE DEADLINE IS NOON ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1935.
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LORRY PARK TO CLOSE
* * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S LORRY PARK AT HARBOUR ROAD, wAN CHAI, WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED AS FROM MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 31, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE IN CONNECTION WITH A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN THE RECLAMATION AREA.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN URGED DRIVERS TO REMOVE THEIR VEHICLES FROM THE LORRY PARK BEFORE IT CLOSES.
+OTHERWISE THEIR VEHICLES WILL BE REMOVED BY THE AUTHORITIES, HE SAID.
ALSO FROM MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 31, A NEW LORRY PARK w I TH 15'3 PARKING SPACES AT THE RECLAMATION AREA NEAR THE NORTn POINT POLICE STATION AT JAVA ROAD WILL BE OPENED.
+THE NEW LORRY PARK WILL INITIALLY BE RESTRICTED TO GOODS VEHICLES WITH MONTHLY PASSES. NO HOURLY PARKING SPACES aILL EE PROVIDED,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+NO MORE THAN 150 MONTHLY PASSES WILL BE ON SALE FROM 6 AN ON DECEMBER 28 AT THE HARBOUR ROAD LORRY PARK AT $133 EACH.+
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Sunday, December 2.:, 1 ■■
- 9 -
TENDERS TO RUN -AST-FOOD RESTAURANT INVITED
*****
THE NEw TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TC OPERATE A FAST-ROOD RESTAURANT AT TUEN MUN TOWN PARK.
the RESTAURANT WILL BE HOUSED IN a CHINESE PAVILION ON AN ISLAND AT THE CENTRE OF AN ORNAMENTAL LAKE IN PHASE ONE OF TUEN MUN TOwN PARK.
THIS PHASE, TOGETHER WITH THE PAVILION, * ILL BE READY NEXT YEAR.
THE TOWN PARK IS SITUATED ON A 12.5-HECTARE SITE SURROUNDED BY TUEN MUN NULLAH, TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, PUI TO ROAD AND -AU Cl AND ON TING PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
PHASE ONE OF THE PARK OCCUPIES 6.8 HECTARES AND IS BEING ELILT AT A COST OF ABOUT 346.5 MILLION.
IT wILL HAVE A 1.1-HECTARE ORNAMENTAL LAKE wITH FACILITIES - + PLEASURE BOATS, WATER-BORNE BICYCLES AND MODEL BOATS.
NEXT TO THE LAKE WILL BE AN OPEN-AIR PERFORMANCE AREA FOR THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL EVENTS.
OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDE A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, SITTING-OUT AREAS, PAVILIONS, A LOOK-OUT POINT, A PROMENADE AND EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPED AREAS.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT WILL BE FOR THREE YEARS TO MARCH 1988, AN NTSD SPOKESMAN SAID.
TENDER FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTER^ ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE (AUSTIN CENTRE), 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI, OR AT THE TUEN MUN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF ’TOP COURT’, 60-70 TAK CHING COURT, TUEN MUN.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS BEFORE 9 AM ON JANUARY 25, 1985.
FURTHER PARTICULARS ABOUT THE TENDERS CAN EE OBTAINED -RD' Ti. TUEN MUN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE AT TELEPHONE 0-820800, EXT 331.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WORKING TOWARDS A NEW ERA..................................... 1
NEW YUEN LONG CHAMBERS OPENED ................................ 1
LASER SHOW IN KWUN TONG ...................................... 2
CAS HOLDS ANNUAL CAMP ........................................ 3
OFFICE MOVES ................................................. 3
RESOURCE CENTRE FOR TEACHERS OF ETHICS ....................... 4
WATER MAINS WORKS ............................................ 4
SUMMER WORK PLAN FOR YOUTHS................................... 5
FIREMEN AT SPORT ............................................. 5
MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1984
1
WORKING TOWARDS A NEW ERA * * *
HONG KONG WAS ENTERING A NEW ERA, AND IT WAS ESSENTIAL ITS PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT WORKED TOWARDS BUILDING A BETTER HOt . KONG, SO AS TO MAINTAIN ITS STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, THE DEP‘ Y REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM, SAID TONIGHT (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF +CHRISTMAS EVE AT VICTORIA PARK-, MR LAM SAID THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE MORE ACTIVELY INVOLVED II. COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
TONIGHT’S EVENT WAS A GOOD ILLUSTRATION OF A HIGH DEGREE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, HE SAID.
♦CHRISTMAS EVE AT VICTORIA PARK+ WAS A REGIONAL EVENT ORGANISED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO PROVIDE FREE ENTERTAINMEki AND HELP FOSTER COMMUNITY SPIRIT, HE SAID.
THE PROGRAMME FEATURED A TWO-HOUR ALL-STAR EXTRAVAN GANZ=, DRAMA PERFORMANCES, SINGING, AEROBIC AND BREAK DANCE SHOWS, LION DANCES, AND CHRISTMAS CAROLS.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BuA'L, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH, ASSISTED BY THREE OTHER DISTRICT BOARDS, WAN CHAI, SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TONIGHT’S CEREMONY WAS AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG.
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NEW YUEN LONG CHAMBERS OPENED * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WERE URGED TODAY BY MR WILLIAM BROw:^. LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, TO STAND FOR THE MARCH DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THEY WERE TOLD THAT CANDIDATES WILLING TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH UNSELFISH EFFORT AND DEDICATION WOULD SUCCEED.
MR BROWN WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD CHAMBERS.
HE SAID THAT CHALLENGING WORK LAY AHEAD FOR ALL POTENTIAL CANDIDATES.
IN YUEN LONG THE NUMBER OF ELECTED DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WOULD INCREASE FROM SIX TO TEN AND MEMBERS WOULD ELECT, AMONG THEMSELVES, THEIR OWN CHAIRMAN AND WOULD ALSO ELECT A REPRESENTAT:. TO SIT ON THE NEW PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL.
/MR BROWN
MONDAY, DBC£MBER 24, 1964
2
MR BROWN POINTED OUT THAT THE DISTRICT BOARDS WERE THE FOUNDATIONS OF A STRONG AND ENDURING FRAMEWORK FOR A TRULY REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, M? JAMES WILSON SAID: +THE PROVISION OF THE NEW DISTRICT BOARD CHAMBERS IS TIMELY, AS THE BOARD HAS STARTED TO RECEIVE AN INCREASING NUMBER OF REQUESTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND ITS MEET ING.+
THE CONFERENCE ROOM CAN COMFORTABLY HOLD UP TO 25 MEMBERS OF THE PRESS AND 50 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
HE URGED YUEN LONG RESIDENTS, AND PARTICULARLY SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, TO MAKE USE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BOARD’S WORK.
THE NEW PREMISES OF THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT IS ON THE 13TH FLOOR OF THE YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 2 KIU LOK SQUARE.
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LASER SHOW IN KWUN TONG
* * *
KWUN TONG RESIDENTS TONIGHT (MONDAY) ENJOYED A DAZZLING, THREE-HOUR CHRISTMAS EVE LASER SPECTACULAR AT THE TSUI PING ROAD PLAYGROUND.
THE LASER BEAMS FLASHED VARIOUS INTRICATE PATTERNS AGAINST THE DARK SKY, INCLUDING THE GREETING +MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR + .
MEANWHILE, ABOUT 2 000 PEOPLE DANCED THE NIGHT AWAY CELEBRATING THE FESTIVE SEASON AT A DISCO PARTY.
THE CHRISTMAS EVE CELEBRATION -- +LASER EXTRAVAGANZA AND DISCO NITE+ -- WAS CO-SPONSORED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD AND THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE DISCO PARTY, KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK, SAID THAT A LARGE-SCALE KWUN TONG YOUTH FESTIVAL, THE FIRST AMONG ALL DISTRICTS, WOULD BE HELD BETWEEN JANUARY 20 AND FEBRUARY 3 NEXT YEAR.
IT ALSO FEATURED AN EXHIBITION ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLAYGROUND, WHERE 14 TELEVISION SETS AND SOME DISPLAY BOARDS SHOWED VARIOUS ASPECTS OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND THE DISTRICT BOARD WORK.
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1984
3
CAS HOLDS ANNUAL CAMP * * *
THE CIVIL AID SERVICES CADET CORPS WILL BE HOLDING ITS ANNUAL CAMP AT THE YMCA WU KAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE FROM DECEMBER 27 TO 30.
THERE WILL BE 750 CADETS FROM 22 CADET UNITS AND 60 BOYS FROM PO LEUNG KUK TAKING PART IN THE CAMP, WHICH AIMS TO DEVELOP THEIR LEADERSHIP, SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY, ORGANISING ABILITY, CO-OPERATION AND PERSONAL TALENTS, THROUGH INVOLVEMENT IN ACTIVITIES.
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM WOON-KWONG, THE CHAIRMAN OF KOWLOON EAST JAYCEE 1985, MR HUNG YIU-KONG, AND SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER (ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT) CF CAS, MR CHAN CHUN-YING WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CAMP’S OPENING CEREMONY AT 7.30 PM ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 27).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF ANNUAL CAMP AT 7.30 PM ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER WU KAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE.
THE CAS CADET CORPS 27) AT THE YMCA
TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE EVENT SHOULD CONTACT MR YU CHUNG-KIT, CAS TRAINING OFFICER, AT 5.30 PM ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 27) AT THE CAS KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE, 204 ARGYLE STREET, KOWLOON.
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OFF ICE MOVES
* * *
THE DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS AND THE SUB-OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE OF YUEN LONG WILL BE OPERATING FROM NEW PREMISES STARTING TODAY (MONDAY).
THE MOVE WAS NECESSARY AS IT WOULD ALLOW THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, THE DISTRICT SURVEY OFFICE AND THE REGISTRAR GENERAL (LAND OFFICE) OF YUEN LONG TO BE HOUSED UNDER ONE ROOF.
THIS WOULD ENABLE MORE EFFECTIVE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COMMUNICATION AND CO-ORDINATION OF WORK AND ALSO RENDER BETTER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE’S NEW OFFICE IS ON THE NINTH, TENTH AND 11TH FLOORS OF THE YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI KIU MARKET, NO. 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. TEL: 0-772368.
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/4.......
MONDAY, DECEMBER ,
1 384
RESOURCE CENTRE FOR TEACHERS OF ETHICS
* * *
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS CONCERNED WITH THE TEACHING OF ETHICS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND MORAL EDUCATION CAN MAKE USE OF A RESOURCE CENTRE ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WHICH IS OPEN EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.
REFERENCE AND RESOURCE MATERIALS WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
OPENING HOURS ARE FROM 2.30 PM TO 4.30 PM ON WEDNESDAYS, AND FROM 9.30 AM TO 11.30 AM ON SATURDAYS, EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY CALLING THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT 5-3392482.
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WATER MAINS WORKS * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN AREAS IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON, AND THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 27) TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS WORK.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY CAINE ROAD, LADDER STREET, PO HING FONG, KUI IN FONG, TAI PING SHAN STREET, BRIDGES STREET AND ABERDEEN STREET INCLUDING U LAM TERRACE, AND HOLLYWOOD ROAD POLICE QUARTERS WILL BE AFFECTED FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM ON FRIDAY.
IN KOwLOON, PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY BOUNDARY STREET, LA SALLE ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST AND WATERLOO ROAD WILL BE AFFECTED FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON THURSDAY.
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, PREMISES LOCATED TO THE NORTH OF Yl PEI CHUN ROAD, LO WAI ROAD AND ROUTE TWISK INCLUDING LO WAI, SAN CHUEN, PAK TIN PA CHUEN, YUEN YUEN HOK YUEN, FU YUNG SHAN, CHUK LAM SIM YUEN, PAK TIN SAN TSUEN, SAI LAU KOK CHUEN, KWONG PAN TIN SAN TSUEN, WING WAH TERRACE, TUNG PO TO, AND MA SIN PAI CHUEN WILL EE AFFECTED FROM 9 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
MEANWHILE, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TUEN MUN wILL BE CUT OFF FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM FOR MAINS WORK.
AFFECTED AREA STRETCHES FROM FU TEI TO SAM SHING ESTATE, .-ELUDING SIU HONG COURT, SIU ON COURT, TAI HING ESTATE, SAN FAT co.ATE, ON TING ESTATE, YAU 01 ESTATE, SHAN KING ESTATE, ? TERFLY ESTATE, WU KING ESTATE, MELOD' - -.RDEN, SIU SHAN COURT, TLE PEAK HOSPITAL, TUEN MUN CLINIC, YAN 01 POLYCLINIC, YAN 01 ‘ jG CIRCUIT, PAK KOK AND WU KING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, CHI LOtx ARDEN AND WALDORF GARDEN.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1934
SUMMER WORK PLAN FOR YOUTHS XXX
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING WILL OFFICIATc A' THE NINTH CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE SUMMER WOh<s EXPERIENCE SCHEME ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 28).
THE SCHEME WAS STARTED BY THE ASSOCIATION IN 1974 TO PROVIDE r. . STUDENTS WITH THE CHANCE OF GAINING AN INSIGHT INTO THE REALISTIC SIDE OF WORK DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
THIS YEAR 148 FORM FIVE STUDENTS TOOK PART IN THE PROGRAMME.
THEY WORKED IN HOSPITALS, COMMUNITY CENTRES, AND IN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
FIREMEN AT SPORT * * *
THE 1OTH FIRE SERVICES ATHLETIC MEET WILL BE HELD AT THE wAN CHAI SPORTS GROUND ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 28).
THERE WILL BE 21 EVENTS, WHICH WILL BE STARTED OFF AT 10 AM, BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR ROBERT HOLMES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ATHLETIC MEET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HOUSING UNITS FOR SINGLE PERSONS .............................. 1
ADVICE ON CONTAINER VEHICLES .................................. 1
CULTURAL FACILITIES FOR TSIM SHA TSUI ......................... 2
ANOTHER TAI PO GROWTH PROJECT ................................. 4
LUNAR NEW YEAR STALLS BEING OFFERED ........................... 4
CHANCE TO WIN COMMONWEALTH aWaRDS ............................. 5
POK FU LAM TAPS OFF ........................................... 6
KOWLOON CITY WATER WORK ....................................... 6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS .......................................... 6
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2>,
1
HOUSING UNITS FOR SINGLE PERSONS
XXX
SOME FLATS IN EXISTING PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ARE BEING CONVERTED INTO ACCOMMODATION FOR SINGLE PERSONS UNDER A $10 MILLION CONTRACT RECENTLY APPROVED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
+BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR, 2 000 SELF-CONTAINED HOUSING UNITS WILL HAVE BEEN CONVERTED FROM 1 000 ESTATE FLATS,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY TODAY.
+CONVERSION IS BEING CARRIED OUT INITIALLY IN CASUAL VACANCIES • N MARK III TO VI BLOCKS AND NON-SELF-CONTAI NED FORMER GOVERNMENT LOW COST HOUSING BLOCKS.
+THESE VACANCIES OCCUR FROM TIME TO TIME AS A RESULT OF THE TRANSFER OF TENANTS TO NEW ESTATES OR UPON TENANTS BUYING HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS.*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE FIRST BATCH OF ABOUT 300 HOUSING UNITS FOR SINGLE PERSONS WOULD BE AVAILABLE BY MARCH NEXT YEAR.
+UNDER THE NEW POLICY, PRIORITY IN ALLOCATION OF THESE CONVERTED FLATS WILL BE GIVEN TO SINGLE TENANTS LIVING IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND MARK l/lI ESTATES AFFECTED BY THE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME, AS WELL AS SINGLE PERSONS IN COMPASSIONATE CASES.*
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ADVICE ON CONTAINER VEHICLES
X X X * X
DRIVERS AND SHIPPERS WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED TO COMPLY WITH THE MAXIMUM WEIGHTS OF CONTAINER VEHICLES AND OTHER ARTICULATED VEHICLES AS PERMITTED UNDER THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION.
MR P.K. LO, SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S VEHICLE EXAMINATION DIVISION, STRESSED THAT THE LEGAL WEIGHT LIMITS HAD BEEN SET FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE ROADS.
+IF ADHERED TO, THESE LIMITS WILL PROMOTE THE SAFE CARRIAGE OF CONTAINERS WITHIN HONG KONG,* MR LO SAID.
THE LIMITS NOW IN FORCE WERE MORE GENEROUS THAN THOSE ORE AUGUST 25, WHEN THE NEW ECAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION CAME ii .0 EFFECT.
/MB LO .......
TUESDAY, DEGi-MBiB 25, 1984
2
MR LO SAID THAT THE CONTAINER VEHICLE FLEET IN HONG KONG COMPRISES MAINLY TWO-AXLED TRACTORS AND TWO-AXLED TRAILERS, AND THE MAXIMUM COMBINED WEIGHT OF THE LARGEST OF SUCH VEHICLES PERMITTED UNDER THE LAW IS 34 TONNES. LESSER COMBINED WEIGHTS APPLY TO SMALLER VEHICLES AND THE LIMITS ARE SPECIFIED IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS.
THE GROSS COMBINED WEIGHTS STATED IN THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS OF CONTAINER TRACTORS MUST NOT BE EXCEEDED, HE SAID.
+ IF EXCEEDED, HOWEVER, APPROPRIATE ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST THOSE FLOUTING THE LAW. OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10 003 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS,+ NR LO SAID.
+IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF CONTAINER VEHICLE OPERATORS AND LOCAL AND OVERSEAS SHIPPERS THAT THEY SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE LIMITS TO WHICH CONTAINERS COULD BE LOADED IF THEY ARE TO BE CARRIED LEGALLY AND PROMPTLY WITHIN HONG KONG.
+DR IVERS OF CONTAINER VEHICLES MUST ASCERTAIN WHAT LOADS THEY CAN LEGALLY CARRY AND ENSURE THAT THEY DO NOT CARRY CONTAINERS WHICH OVERLOAD THEIR VEHICLES.
+THEY ARE ENTITLED TO REFUSE TO CARRY A CONTAINER UNTIL THEY HAVE SATISFIED THEMSELVES FROM INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY THE SHIPPER THAT THE WEIGHT OF THE CONTAINER IN QUESTION DOES NOT EXCEED THE LIMITS.*
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CULTURAL FACILITIES FOR TSIM SHA TSUI .#*****#
A +DREAM+ OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WHICH HAS BEEN HELD UP FOR MORE THAN A DECADE WILL SHORTLY COME TRUE.
BUT DESPITE THE DELAY, THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, BELIEVES THAT +GOOD THINGS ARE WELL WORTH WAITING FOR*.
THE +DREAM+ IS NONE OTHER THAN THE IMAGINATIVELY DESIGNED CULTURAL CENTRE IN THE HEART OF TSIM SHA TSUI.
+INDEED, WHEN IT GOES INTO OPERATION WITH ITS MARVELLOUS RANGE OF VENUES FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, I AM CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL FORGIVE THE DELAY AND INSTEAD IMMEDIATELY EMBRACE AND APPRECIATE ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND ULTRA MODERN AUDITOR IA IN THE PACIFIC BASIN,* FE SAID TODAY.
/MR CHECKG-LEEU .......
TU3S2AI, dj, i>04
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MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THIS JOINT GOVERNMENT/URBAN COUNCIL PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST $474 MILLION, OF WHICH ABOUT MIO MILLION WILL BE BORNE BY THE COUNCIL.
UPON COMPLETION IN 1987 IT WILL PROVIDE A CONCERT HALL, A LYRIC THEATRE, A DRAMA THEATRE AND A FEAST OF SUPPORTING FACILITIES.
THE CONCERT HALL, TO BE EQUIPPED WITH ONE OF ASIA’S BIGGEST PIPE ORGANS, WILL HAVE A SEATING CAPACITY OF 2 300 wHILE THE LYRIC THEATRE WILL SEAT SOME 1 850 PEOPLE.
THE 400-SEAT DRAMA THEATRE WILL BE THE ONLY THEATRE IN HONG KONG WITH VARIABLE STAGE FORMATS SUCH AS AN END STAGE, ARENA, TRAVERSE AND THRUST. IT WILL BE IDEAL FOR EXPERIMENTAL DRAMA PRODUCTIONS.
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT WILL ENHANCE THE ROLE OF THE COUNCIL AS A PRIME PROMOTER OF ART AND CULTURE.
♦ THE ADDITION OF THIS ULTRA-MODERN CULTURAL FACILITY SYMBOLISES A FURTHER BREAK-THROUGH IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ART AND CULTURE IN THE LOCAL SCENE,+ HE SAID.
♦LOCAL GROUPS WILL ALSO BENEFIT INDIRECTLY AS A RESULT OF THE EASING OF THE PRESENT PRESSURE ON THE USE OF PERFORMING VENUES AT CITY HALL.+
APART FROM THESE PERFORMING VENUES, THE CENTRE WILL ALSO HOUSE AN ARTS LIBRARY, A TWO-STOREY RESTAURANT WITH A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE HARBOUR, A MARRIAGE REGISTRY AND CFFICE ACCOMMODATION FOR THE CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
BUT THIS IS ONLY PART OF THE VERITABLE TREASURE CHEST CF CULTURAL FACILITIES THAT WILL BE SPRINGING UP IN TSIM SHA TSUI, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID.
TO FURTHER ENRICH THE CULTURAL LIFE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, HE ADDED, THE COUNCIL WILL ALSO BE PROVIDING A MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND A MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
THE EXISTING MUSEUM OF HISTORY CAME INTO BEING IN THE 197OS AND IS AT PRESENT LOCATED IN CONVERTED ARMY BUILDINGS IN KOWLOON PARK.
WHEN IT MOVES TO ITS OWN PURPOSE-BUILT PREMISES IT WILL PROVE A FASCINATING ATTRACTION FOR YOUNG AND OLD, AND FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS ALIKE.
AS FOR THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, A PROJECT FOR WHICH THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A MOST GENEROUS DONATION OF $200 MILLION TOWARDS ITS CONSTRUCTION COST, IT IS EXPECTED TO SERVE AS AN EDUCATIONAL ADJUNCT AS WELL AS FULFILLING THE PURPOSES OF A ?4JSEUM.
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TUESDAY.. DECEMBER 25, 1964
4
ANOTHER TAI PO GROWTH PROJECT
* * * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS SPENDING 342.5 MILLION ON ANOTHER PROJECT IN THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT CF TAI PO NEW TOWN.
THE PROJECT CALLS FOR FORMATION OF ABOUT FOUR HECTARES OF LAND IN SHU I WAI FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, AND RETRAINING ABOUT 700 METRES OF LOWER LAM TSUEN RIVER BETWEEN SHU I WAI VILLAGE AND MUI SHUE HANG.
IN INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS, PLUS THREE FOOTBRIDGES AND RIVERSIDE PATHS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETED.
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LUNAR NEW YEAR STALLS BEING OFFERED
* * *
A TOTAL OF 981 STALL SITES FOR SALE OF FLOWERS, DRY GOODS, SOFT DRINKS AND ICE-CREAM AT SEVEN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE PUT UP FOR LEASE IN SEPARATE PUBLIC AUCTIONS EARLY NEXT MONTH.
THE SEVEN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS, WILL BE HELD BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 20. THEY WILL BE LOCATED AT TUEN MUN, TAI PO, TSUEN WAN, NORTH DISTRICT, KWAI CHUNG, SHA TIN AND YUEN LONG, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
TUEN MUN WILL BE THE FIRST DISTRICT TO HOLD THE PUBLIC AUCTION. AUCTIONING OF THE 120 STALLS AT TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND WILL BE HELD AT THE TAI HING COMMUNITY HALL, TAI HING ESTATE, ON JANUARY 7.
ON JANUARY 8, 80 STALLS AT TAI PO PLAYGROUND WILL BE OFFERED AT TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE IN HEUNG SZE WUI STREET.
THIS YEAR’S BIGGEST FAIR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE LOCATED AT SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND IN TSUEN WAN, WHERE 208 STALLS WILL EE ERECTED FOR SALE OF DRY GOODS, FLOWERS, BOTTLED DRINKS AND ICE CREAM.
THE AUCTION OF THESE STALLS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AUDITORIUM ON JANUARY 9.
IN NORTH DISTRICT, THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR’S 113 STALLS WILL 3F RECTED AT SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND IN SHEUNG SHUI AND THE STALLS WILL BE AUCTIONED AT THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND TOWN HALL ON JANUARY 10.
/AND IN........
TUESDAY, DECiUBER 25, 1984
5
AND IN KWAI CHUNG, THE 112 STALL SITES AT THE SPORTS GROUND WILL BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION AT KWAI FONG COMMUNITY HALL AT LAI FONG STREET ON JANUARY 14.
TRADERS WHO WISH TO BID ONE OF THE 148 STALLS AT YUEN WO ROAD PLAYGROUND SHOULD ARRIVE AT LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL, LEK YUEN ESTATE, ON JANUARY 16.
ON JANUARY 18, A TOTAL OF 200 STALLS AT THE PEDESTRIAN MALL OPPOSITE TO YUEN LONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL WILL BE OFFERED AT YUEN LONG TOWN HALL.
ALL PUBLIC AUCTIONS WILL START AT 9.30 AM AND INTERESTED TRADERS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND TWO RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE AUCTION VENUE.
THE UPSET PRICE FOR EACH OF THE STALLS AT ALL THE SEVEN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS IS $100, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SITE PLANS SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE STALLS AT THE SEVEN FAIRS MAY BE OBTAINED AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND URBAN SERVICES OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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CHANCE TO WIN COMMONWEALTH AWARDS
* * * *
TEACHERS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS CAN NOW ENTER THE AWARDS FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MATHEMATICS TEACHERS 1984-85.
ORGANISED BY THE COMMONWEALTH ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATORS (CASTME), THE AWARDS AIM TO ENCOURAGE THE TEACHING OF THE SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THESE SUBJECTS, INCLUDING THEIR RELEVANCE TO LOCAL NEEDS AND CONDITIONS.
THERE ARE NO SET TOPICS FOR THE COMPETITION. REPORTS OF WORK CARRIED OUT BY THE TEACHER OR OFFICIAL SHOULD BE BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND SHOULD INCLUDE A SUBSTANTIAL ACCOUNT OF TEACHING OR OTHER EDUCATIONAL WORK SUCH AS CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT OR PROGRAMMES OF TEACHER TRAINING.
THE REPORTS SHOULD NOT EXCEED 19 000 WORDS.
PHOTOGRAPHS AND OTHER ILLUSTRATIVE MATERIAL SHOULD BE INCLUDED WHEREVER RELEVANT, TOGETHER WITH ANY OTHER EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS THE IDEAS HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE IN PRACTICE.
AWARDS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF AT LEAST 300 POUNDS STERLING HAVE BEEN DONATED BY CASTME, AND WILL BE MADE ACCORDING TO THE DECISION OF THE JUDGES.
APPLICANTS MUST REGISTER BEFORE JANUARY 31, 1985, AND THE COMPLETED PAPERS MUST REACH THE BRITISH COUNCIL BEFORE MAY 1, 1985.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1984
6
POK FU LAM TAPS OFF *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
IN POK FU LAM WILL FRIDAY (DECEMBER 28)
THE AREA AFECTED WILL BE NO. 188-216 VICTORIA ROAD AND STATION.
NO. 5-63 AND 2-72 MT. DAVIS ROAD, SANDY BAY FRESH WATER PUMPING
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KOWLOON CITY WATER WORK
* * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO KOWLOON CITY WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 28) rOR MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT MEI TUNG ESTATE, PUI MAN TSUEN, KOWLOON WALLED CITY AND TUNG TAU ESTATE BLOCK 6.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS
* * *
THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TSUEN WAN EAST OF THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO TEXACO ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (DECEMBER 27-28) TO FACILITATE THE ERECTION OF TRAFFIC SIGNS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THIS SLIP ROAD, TSUEN FU STREET AND TSUEN WAH STREET.
FROM THURSDAY (DECEMBER 27), THE FOLLOWING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO TUEN MUN ROAD AT CHAI WAN KOK, TSUEN WAN FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK:
* ONLY ONE TRAFFIC LANE OF THE SLIP ROAD WILL BE OPEN BETWEEN 3 PM AND 4 PM DAILY.
* THE SLIP ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 8.30 PM AND 5.30 AM DAILY EXCEPT FOR FRANCHISED BUSES. MOTORISTS HEADING FOR TUEN MUN WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
COTTAGE AREAS GETTING METERED WATER SUPPLY.............. 1
MODERN COMPLEX FOR MONG KOK TO MEET CHANGING NEEDS...... 1
LUNAR NEW YEAR FaIR SITES IN URBAN AREAS UP FOR AUCTION. 3
SEMINAR ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY............................ 4
NEW RATEABLE VALUES .................................... 4
NEW SAI KUNG MARKET READY SOON ......................... 5
TWO MORE BIG PUMPING STATIONS........................... 5
MORAL EDUCATION WORKSHOP ............................... 6
WORK BEGINS TO CLEAR ODOUR NUISANCE . .................. 6
PROHIBITED ZONE......................................... 6
W3DN iiSDAY, DSTSthr.. 1
1
COTTAGE areas getting METERED WATER SUPPLY * * * *
THE - SING DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED A $4 MILLION SCHEME TO j°GRADE FAC L :TIES FOR RESIDENTS IN COTTAGE AREAS.
A MA M=ROVEMENT UNDER THE SCHEME IS TO SUPPLEMENT COMMUNAL ST-ND°IPES WITH INDIVIDUAL METERED WATER SUPPLY IN EIGHT COTTAGE AREAS.
HE SAID THE SCHEME WOULD BENEFIT ABOUT 8 000 COTTAGE AREA RESIDENTS COMPLETION IN TWO YEAR’S TIME.
A’ FO tan COTTAGE AREA WORKS HAD JUST BEEN COMPLETED.
♦SI'-ILAR INSTALLATIONS ARE UNDERWAY AT THREE COTTAGE AREAS OF SO KON PO IN CAUSEWAY BAY, TUNG TAU IN KOwLOON AND MOUNT DAVIS IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
+PLANS HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP FOR NEXT YEAR COVERING THE REMAINING TUR COTTAGE AREAS, NAMELY, FU TAU WAT, CHAI WAN SECTION V, Al WO HAU AND SHU I NGAU LING.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID AS MOST OF THE COTTAGE AREAS WERE BUILT OVER RO YEARS AGO WITH MINIMAL FACILITIES PROVIDED, IT WAS NECESSARY TO UPGRADE THEIR FACILITIES.
+THEREFORE, THERE ARE OTHER IMPROVEM-NTS INCOPORATED ' THE SCHEME AS WELL.
+TH-Y INCLUDE THE REPLACEMENT OF AQUA PRIVIES WITH FLUSHIN LATRINES, REINFORCEMENT OF STREET LIGHTING AND THE PROVISION C> SITTING-OUT AREAS AND CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS WHERE SUITABLE SITES ARE AVAILABLE.
+IN ADDITION, FIRE HYDRANTS ARE INSTALLED OR ADDED.*
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MODERN COMPLEX "OR MONG KOK TO MEET CHANGING LEEDS
4 * * *
IN ORDER TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE URBAN AREAS, IT IS THE CONTINUING Al* OF THE URBAN COUNCIL TO REPROVIS OLD MARKETS AND, WHERE POSSIBLE, REBUILD ?\ THE SA E SITE NE,. MARKET COYPLEXES WITH MODERN FACILITIES.
TO THIS END, PLANS ARE NOa IN HAND 7C REDEVELOP >.E EX STING FA YUEN STREET MARKET AND HAWKEP BAZAAR IN". . ic- TOREY MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING, THE OLD BAZAAR -L,S C RED - VS THE COMMUNITY NEEDS OF ■■ TNG r... -ESI DE > F0£ AL v J ST ■ 'EARS.
THE SITE, MEASURING SOME 1 650 SQUAR- METRES, IS BOUNDED B Fv YUEN T EFT, MONG KOK ROA , ' CTREE’
‘ .3 FIFE -T.
.JROuND, ......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER . 19&-
2
THE GROUND, FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS OF THE NE* BUILDING *ILu BE EARMARKED FOR A MARKET. THERE WILL BE SOME 370
-ET AND'MINI STALLS TO SELL FISH, MEAT, POULTRY, -TAELES AND SUNDRY GOODS. A COOKED FOOD CENTRE wITH 26
S /< ILL OCCUPY THE THIRD FLOOR.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE SHOPPERS, THE MARKET FLOORS / Th- COCKED FOOD CENTRE WILL Be LINKED UP BY ESCALATORS.
THE “TH AND 5TH FLOORS ARE SCHEDULED TO ACCOMMODATE AN JULT uiBRARY, A JUNIOR LIBRARY, AN AUDIO VISUAL LIBRARY, A’. ’ENSION ACTIVITIES HALL AND A STUDY ROOM FOR MORE THAN 230 STUDENTS.
THE KOWLOON (WEST) REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE UP THE NEXT FOUR FLOORS.
CROM THF 10TH FLOOR UPWARDS, THERE WILL BE AN INDOOR
A "S HALL, FOUR GAMES ROOMS, SIX SQUASH COURTS, A ■ LAMENT SQUASH COURT wITH A STAND FOR SOME 100 SPECTATORS, -ND A FENCING ROOM.
SEPARATE ENTRANCES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE MARKET, THE COCKED FOOD SECTIONS AND THE REST OF THE BUILDING.
WORK ON THE $71 MILLION PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY LATE 1987 OR EARLY 1988.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL SAID THAT THE BUILDING OF NEW MULTI-PURPOSE COMPLEXES WILL PROVIDE LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH MARKET, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND LIBRARY FACILITIES ALL UNDER ONE ROOF.
THEY WILL ALSO BE USED TO RESITE ON-STREET HAWKERS THUS CONTRIBUTING TO A CLEANER AND NEATER LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
UNDER THE URBAN COUNCIL’S CURRENT CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THERE ARE ALTOGETHER 22 MARKET COMPLEX PROJECTS WHICH ARE EITHER UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR IN VARIOUS PLANNING STAGES.
THOSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION INCLUDE.THE WESTERN COMPLEX, LOCKHART ROAD COMPLEX, PO ON ROAD COMPLEX, NGAU CHI wAN COMPLEX AND KOWLOON CITY COMPLEX. THEY ARE DUE FOR CC'•■•’LETION BETWEEN 1986 AND 1988.
AND THE QUARRY BAY COMPLEX AND SH'J I *3 STREET COMPLEX, .•••. K ON *HICH IS EXPECTED TO START SHORTLY SHOULD ALSO BE • ' DY SOMETIME IN 1987.
0
WEDNESDAY, DSCElffiiiri to, 19b4
LUNAR NEw YEAR FAIR SITES IN URBAN AREAS UP FOR AUCTION * * * *
AUCTIONING OF THE 1985 LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES IN THE URBAN AREAS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE BETWEEN JANUARY 10 AND 17, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ANNOUNCED TODAY.
MORE THAN 1 393 SITES INCLUDING TwO FAST FOOD CENTRES /.ILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT VICTORIA PARK, FA HUI PARK, KOWLOON PARK AND KAI TAK EAST PLAYGROUND WHERE THE FAIRS WILL BE HELD.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE GRANTED TEN DAYS - FROM FEBRUARY 11 TO 20 - TO OPERATE THEIR BUSINESSES AS COMPARED WITH EIGHT DAYS IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SITES WILL BE FOR THE SALE OF wET GOODS AND DRY GOODS AND THEIR UPSET PRICES RANGE FROM 3225 TO SI 013. THE TWO FAST FOOD CENTRES, WHICH WILL BE SET UP IN VICTORIA PARK, WILL EACH CARRY AN UPSET PRICE OF $20 250.
THE AUCTIONING DATES FOR THE SITES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
KOWLOON PARK - JANUARY 10
(164 SITES)
FA HUI PARK - JANUARY 14
(312 SITES)
KAI TAK EAST PLAYGROUND - JANUARY 15 (260 SITES)
VICTORIA PARK - JANUARY 16 AND 17
(568 SITES)
PARTICIPANTS SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE BEFORE 9 A.M. FOR A MORNING AUCTION OR 2 P.M. FOR AN AFTERNOON AUCTION. THEY SHOULD BRING WITH THEM THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS AND TWO PASSPORT SIZE FULL-FACE PHOTOGRAPHS.
A TEMPORARY LICENCE FEE OF $135 PLUS THE AMOUNT OF THE BID WILL BE PAYABLE BY EACH SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT.
DETAILS OF THE LAYOUT AND LOCATION PLANS SHOWING THE SITES TO BE AUCTIONED ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE REGIONAL HAWKER RECORDS OFFICES OF THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, NEw TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF COMMODITIES PERMITTED FOR SALE CAN ALSO EE OBTAINED FROM THE HAWKER RECORDS OFFICES.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1984
SEMINAR ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY * * *
THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL ORGANISE A SEMINAR TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN THE DISTRICT AND TO FAMILIARISE LOCAL MANUFACTURERS WITH FIRE REGULATIONS.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 28), STARTING AT 2.30 PM, IN THE ACTIVITIES ROOM, 7TH FLOOR, OF THE YAN 01 TONG CENTRE IN TUEN MUN.
SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR INCLUDE THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FACTORY INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR WONG FAT-KEE, AND MR LO KAI-HUNG, DIVISIONAL OFFICER (N.T./WEST) OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A 15-MINUTE SLIDE SHOW ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND A ONE-HOUR FILM SHOW ON INDUSTRIAL FIRES DURING THE SEMINAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND FIRE REGULATIONS TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 28 (FRIDAY) AT 2.30 PM IN THE ACTIVITIES ROOM ON THE 7TH FLOOR OF THE YAN 01 TONG CENTRE, YAN CHING CIRCUIT, TUEN MUN.
NEW RATEABLE VALUES * * *
THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT HAS NOW DEALT WITH ALL PROPOSALS OBJECTING TO THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES WHICH CAME INTO FORCE ON APRIL 1.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT URGED ANY PERSON WHO HAD SERVED A PROPOSAL IN MARCH THIS YEAR AND HAD NOT YET RECEIVED A NOTICE OF DECISION, TO IMMEDIATELY CONTACT I4f YEUNG CHE-KEUNG OF THE DEPARTMENT AT TEL. NO. 5-7957629.
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..E.-hESDAY, DECEMBER 26. '984
NEW SAI KUNG MARKET READY SOON * * * *
- IRST PERMANENT MODERN MARKET AT SAI KUNG TOWN CENTRE .-.ILL BE READY EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE TWO-STOREY MARKET IS BEING BUILT AT A COST OF ABOUT $7 MILLION OK A 2 200-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT Yl CHUN STREE।.
DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUI'DING DEVE1 OPMENT DEPARTMENT, THE MARKE' ON COMPLETION WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR MANAGEMENT.
THE MARKET WITH 215 STALLS WILL ACCOMMODATE ALL STALL-OPERATORS AT THE OLD SAI KUNG MARKET AS WELL AS ELIGIBLE ON-STREET HAwKERS CURRENTLY TRADING AT SAI KUNG TOWN CENTRE.
THE OLD MARKET WILL CONSTRUCTION OF A MODERN
BE DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE COOKED FOOD MARKET.
THE NEW MARKET vILL INCLUDE A POULTRY-A REFUSE COLLECTION
OTHER FACILITIES AT
SCALDING ROOM, A VEGETABLE-SORTING ROOM, m
A SITTING-OUT AREA AND AN OFFICE FOR NTSD STAFF.
THE MARKET WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH A FIRE ALARM SYSTEM AND AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS. IT WILL ALSO HAVE AN ESCALA.OR.
RAMPS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE DISABLED AT VARIOUS ENTRANCE.
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TWO MORE BIG PUMPING STATIONS
TWO MAJOR PUMPING STATIONS ARE TO BE CONSTRUCTED AT PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR AS PART OF THE GOV"ENMENT’S PACKAGE OF PROJECTS FOR DISTRIBUTING FUTURE INCREASES IN WATER SUPPLY FROM CHINA.
THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR TOM TOMLINSON, WILL BE SIGNING THE $147 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GAMMON (HONG KONG) LIMITED/KIER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED JOINT VENTURE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COE’ THE CONT? '-SIGNING CEREMONY IN THE WATER 3 -PLIES DE =?TM- . '' 3 "C 'E'E 'ON THE 147? FLOOR, LB iHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON FOAL -T ..3- P .
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 193^
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MORAL EDUCATION WORKSHOP * * * *
A WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD NEXT MONTH FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ON THE PROMOTION OF MORAL EDUCATION.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE GIVEN SUGGESTED APPROACHES ON HO* TO PROMOTE MORAL EDUCATION THROUGH THE TEACHING OF CHINESE LANGUAGE, AND WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES.
THE WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 26 AT HO TUNG TECHNICAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS IN CAUSEWAY BAY. THERE WILL BE A KEYNOTE SPEECH FOLLOWED BY GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND A PLENARY SESSION.
HEADS OF SCHOOLS WISHING TO NOMINATE TEACHERS FOR PART ICI PAT I ON SHOULD RETURN NOMINATION FORMS TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, RELIGIOUS/ ETHICAL EDUCATION SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 5/F, LEE GARDENS NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 10, 1935.
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WORK BEGINS TO CLEAR ODOUR NUISANCE
*****
DREDGING WORK HAS BEGUN TO REMOVE ORGANIC SEDIMENT FROM KAI TAK NULLAH AND KOWLOON BAY TYPHOON SHELTER AS PART OF A SCHEME TO TACKLE THE POLLUTION AND ODOUR NUISANCE THERE.
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $9 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE DREDGING PROJECT WHICH WILL BE CARRIED OUT ALONG THE NEXT TO THE AIRPORT RUNWAY.
DEVELOPMENT ID-MONTH CHANNEL
THE WORK WILL BE THE FIRST MAJOR PHASE SCHEME TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY THERE.
IN STAGE I I OF A
WASTE DEPOSITS - THE MAJOR SOURCE FOR HYDROGEN SULPHIDE GAS FORMATION AND THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ODOUR NUISANCE IN THE
VICINITY - WILL BE REMOVED.
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PROHIBITED ZONE * * *
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 28), ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE WESTERN TRAFFIC LANE OF THE SLIP ROAD CONNECTING THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CHATHAM ROAD NORTH AND THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF HONG CHONG ROAD.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TWO PUMPING STATIONS TO BE BUILT AT PLOVER COVE ................ 1
DEAK-PERERA FAR EAST LIMITED.................................... 2
GOVERNOR TO START OFF YOUTH YEAR................................ 3
TAXI LICENCES OFFERED........................................... 4
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES ........................... 4
PRINTING WORKERS OFFERED TRAINING .............................. 6
BOARD TO DISCUSS ERP SYSTEM..................................... 7
MAIL PARCEL SIZES INCREASED ...................................... 8
POSTCHEQPE SERVICE .............................................. 10
BUILDING SURVEYOR RETIRING....................................... 10
TENANCY SOUGHT FOR KOWLOON SITE.................................. 11
QUIZ KIDS WIN COMPUTERS...................................... 11
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY GALA NIGHT..................................... 12
600 EASTERN ATHLETES TO COMPETE .............................
FUND RAISING DETAILS ............................................ 13
TINDERS INVITED FOR OPERATION OF RESTaURANT
13
(
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1734
1
TWO PUMPING STATIONS TO BE BUILT AT PLOVER COVE
* * * *
TWO MAJOR PUMPING STATIONS ARE TO BE CONSTRUCTED AT PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR IN TAI PO AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S 12-YEAR PACKAGE OF PROJECTS FOR DISTRIBUTING FUTURE INCREASES IN WATER SUPPLY FORM CHINA.
THE S147-MILL ION CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE INSTALLATIONS, ONE AT TAI MEI TUK AND THE OTHER ON HARBOUR ISLAND, WAS SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, hfi TOM TOMLINSON, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GAMMON (HONG KONG) LIMITED/KIER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED JOINT VENTURE.
THE TAI MEI TUK +B+ PUMPING STATIONS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE RESERVOIR ABOUT 300 METRES OFFSHORE, WITH AN ACCESS BRIDGE WHICH WILL ALSO CARRY WATER DELIVERY MAINS TO THE SHORE.
IT WILL HAVE A DAILY CAPACITY OF 850 000 CUBIC METRES AND WILL SUPPLEMENT THE EXISTING TAI MEI TUK +A+ PUMPING STATION TO PROVIDE A COMBINED DAILY OUTPUT OF 1.6 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
WATER WILL BE °UMPED FROM THESE TWO STATIONS, THROUGH THE EXISTING SUPPLY TUN.IEL TO TAI PO TAU TO SUPPLEMENT THE DELIVERY CF CHINESE WATER TO SHA TIN TREATMENT WORKS AND TAI PO TAU TREATMENT WORKS.
DURING THE ANNUAL SHUTDOWN OF SUPPLY FROM CHINA, THE TWO PUMPING STATIONS WILL DELIVER WATER TO THESE TREATMENT WORKS AS WELL AS THOSE IN WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PRESENT CONTROL HOUSE WILL BE EXTENDED AND A NEW SUBSTATION AND SWITCH-GEAR HOUSE WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE EXISTING COMPOUND.
MOST OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT OVER THE WATER INSIDE PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR NEAR TAI MEI TUK. CABLE LAYING ALONG THE RESERVOIR DAM CREST WILL ALSO BE NECESSARY.
THE SECOND PUMPING STATION WILL BE LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CORNER OF HARBOUR ISLAND.
THE INTAKE TO THE PUMPING STATION WILL BE IN THE FORM OF A TOWER AND INTAKE SHAFT WHICH WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE RESERVOIR SOME 180 METRES OFF THE NORTHERN SHORE OF HARBOUR ISLAND.
THE INTAKE AND THE PUMPING STATION WILL BE LINKED BY AN 800-METRE-LONG INTAKE TUNNEL OF THREE METRES DIAMETER.
THE DAILY PUMPING CAPACITY Or THIS STATION WILL BE o82 000 CUFIC METRES INITIALLY AND WILL BE INCREASED TO 1.182 MILLION CUbIC METRES A DAY DURING THE FINAL STAGE.
/IT WILL .....
THURSDAY, MEEMBEH 27, 1984
2
IT WILL SUPPLY WATER THROUGH A NEW AQUEDUCT TO THE FUTURE PAK KONG TREATMENT WORKS TO AUGMENT THE SUPPLY OF WATER TO THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA, JUNK BAY, EAST KOWLOON AND NORTH-EAST HONG KONG ISLAND.
A DEPARTMENT’S SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT PLOVER COVE DAM CREST ROAD WHICH IS A POPULAR GROUND FOR CYCLING, WILL BE CLOSED ON WEEKDAYS TO ALLOW FREE ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC.
HE SAID SERIOUS CONSIDERATION HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE TA I PO DI STR I BOARD ON THE LACK OF CYCLING GROUNDS IN THE TAI MEI TUK AREA.
CT
+THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES HAS THEREFORE DECIDED THAT DESPITE THE NEED TO USE DAM CREST ROAD FOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, IT wILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS,* HE SAID.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, EXPECTED TO LAST UNTIL EARLY 1988 THERE WILL BE NO THROUGH-ROUTE AROUND THE RESERVOIR AS ALMOST THE WHOLE ISLAND WILL BECOME A CONSTRUCTION SITE.
HE REMINDED HIKERS NOT TO PLAN THEIR ROUTE AROUND THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE RESERVOIR.
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DEAK-PERERA FAR EAST LIMITED * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PRESENTED A PETITION IN THE SUPREME COURT TODAY FOR THE WINDING-UP OF DEAK-PERERA FAR EAST LIMITED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
AN ORDER WAS MADE BY MR JUSTICE CLOUGH APPOINTING THE REGISTRAR GENERAL (OFFICIAL RECEIVER), MR NOEL GLEESON, AS PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR OF THE COMPANY. THE APPLICATION FOR THIS ORDER WAS MADE BY MR B.P. CLANCY, PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL, OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS.
.UN DBCjMBER .......
THUBSDA'.', MCEMBSB 27, ■
3
ON DECEMBER 21 THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY APPOINTED MR MARVIL CHEUNG CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT, OF MESSRS PEAT, MARWICK, MITCHELL AND CO?, CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, AS INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY AND REPORT THEREON TO HIM. MR CHEUNG’S INTERIM REPORT HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE COMPANY IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO PAY ITS DEBTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 178 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE. IN THe LIGHT CF THIS REPORT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY CONSIDERED THAT IT WAS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, AND IN THE INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY S CREDITORS THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD BE WOUND UP. THIS WOULD PERMIT AN'eQUITABLE AND ORDERLY DI STR I BUT ION OF SUCH OF THE COMPANY’S ASSETS AS MAY BE REALISED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER.
MR GLEESON SAID THAT STAFF OF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE ..ERE NOW TAKING ACTION TO SECURE ALL OFF! CES AS WELL AS ALL MONIco AT BANKS AND OTHER ASSETS OF THE COMPANY IN HONG KONG. Ht WA-Jot in a position to say at this stage what the assets and LIABILITIES OF THE COMPANY WERE, BUT EXPECTED TOkfE *£LETO d. so AT A LATER STAGE. THE CREDITORS WOULD BE KEPT INFORMED AND A FURTHER STATEMENT ISSUED IN DUE COURSE.
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GOVERNOR TO START OFF YOUTH YEAR * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR (IYY), AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 1, 1985).
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR ARTISTES, SCHOOL CHOIRS, THE MUSIC OFFICE COMBINED YOUTH BAND, THE HONG KONG SCHOOL DANCE TEAM, A FLIP-TORCH DISPLAY, AEROBICS AND A MASS DANCE.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1984
4
TAXI LICENCES OFFERED * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL BE INVITING TENDERS FOR 130 URBAN, ONE NEW TERRITORIES AND 10 LANTAU TAXI LICENCES.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TENDER FORMS FOR THE NEW LICENCES WOULD BE AVAILABLE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION AT ROOMS 906-909, HUTCHISON HOUSE, 10 HARCOURT ROAD, CENTRAL, OR FROM THE SECTION’S KOWLOON OFFICES AT 9TH FLOOR, PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 56 DUNDAS STREET, MONG KOK.
TENDER FORMS FOR URBAN TAXI LICENCES WILL BE IN YELLOW COLOUR, THOSE FOR NT TAXI LICENCES WILL BE WHITE AND THOSE FOR LANTAU WILL BE BLUE.
TENDERERS MUST DEPOSIT $25 000 WITH THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES FOR EACH URBAN TAXI LICENCE AND $15 000 FOR EACH NT CR LANTAU TAXI LICENCE THEY SEEK.
ONE TENDER FORM MAY BE SUBMITTED FOR ANY NUMBER OF TAXI LICENCES NOT EXCEEDING 100 IN THE CASE OF URBAN TAXIS, ONE IN THE CASE OF NEW TERRITORIES AND TEN IN THE CASE OF LANTAU TAX IS.
A PUBLIC BALLOT MAY BE HELD FOR TENDERS WHICH OFFER THE SAME UNIT PREMIUM.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS, TOGETHER WITH ORIGINAL DEPOSIT RECEIPTS, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN DUPLICATE IN SEALED ENVELOPES, ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1985.
> ---------------------0 --------------------------------
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES
*****
NOTICE OF THIS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON DECEMBER 24, 1984.
AS FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES WILL BE 7.08 PER CENT (TAX FRtt) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 7.56 PER CENT (TAX FREE).
/INTEREST ON
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 19&4
- 5 -
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.59 PER MONTH PER $100. INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETED MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER 28, 1984.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE DECEMBER 28, 1984 WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOW:
10.2 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 27, 1983 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 28, 1983;
12 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 28, 1983 AND BEFORE NOVEMBER 7, 1983;
9.6 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 7, 1983 AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 10, 1984;
7.8 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 10, 1984 AND BEFORE MARCH 23, 1984;
5.16 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MARCH 23, 1984 AND BEFORE MAY 18, 1984 ;
8.4 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 18, 1984 AND BEFORE JULY 6, 1984j
10.08 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 6, 1984 AND BEFORE JULY 13, 1984;
12.84 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 13, 1984 AND BEFORE AUGUST 10, 1984;
10.8 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 10, 1984 AND BEFORE AUGUST 31, 1984;
9.6 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 31, 1984 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 5, 1984;
8.52 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 5, 1984 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 31, 1984;
/8.O4 PEE CENT .......
THUBSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1984
8.04 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
OCTOBER 31, 1984 AND BEFORE NOVEMBER 28, 1984 J AND
7.56 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
NOVEMBER 28, 1984 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 28, 1984
BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETED MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT CF TAX.
EXAMPLE • $1 000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON JAN. 4, 1985,
FEB. 4, 1985 AND MAR. 4, 1985 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON APRIL 3, 1985 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:
ON $1 000, JAN. 4, 1985 TO APRIL 3, 1985 - $17.79 3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $5.90 PER MONTH
ON $1 000, FEB. 4, 1985 TO APRIL 3, 1985 - $11.80 2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $5.90 PER MONTH
ON $1 000, MAR. 4, 1985 TO APRIL 3, 1985 - $ 5.93 1 COMPLETE MONTH AT $5.90 PER MONTH
$35.40
PRINTING WORKERS OFFERED TRAINING * * * *
OFF-THE-JOB BASIC TRAINING FOR OPERATIVES AND CRAFTSMEN IN KEY PRINTING TRADES WILL BE OFFERED AT THE PRINTING INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
+APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVITED FOR ABOUT 100 TRAINING PLACES AT OPERATIVE AND CRAFT LEVELS IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.
+TOGETHER WITH THE ONE-YEAR, FULL-TIME TECHNICIAN COURSE STARTED IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THE CENTRE WILL AIM AT TRAINING 390 TRAINEES ANNUALLY FOR THE PRINTING SECTOR,* SAID MR ALEX S.C. WU, CHAIRMAN OF THE PRINTING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD.
/based on
THURSDAY, 3332MBEK 27, 1?t4
- 7 -
BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF A MANPOWER SURVEY HELD IN MARCH, THE BOARD FORECAST THAT THE PRINTING SECTOR WOULD GROW IN SIZE AND SOPHISTICATION AT A MODERATE PACE.
THE INDUSTRY WOULD REQUIRE 130 TECHNICIANS AND 400 CRAFTSMEN ANNUALLY FOR THE NEXT SIX YEARS, MR WU SAID.
LIKEWISE, THE INDUSTRY SHOULD INVEST MORE IN MANPOWER TRAINING AS WELL AS PLANT AND MACHINERY TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE, HE SAID.
IT WAS NECESSARY FOR EMPLOYERS TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF WORKERS TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF INCREASING MECHANISATION AND MORE COMPLEX PRINTING WORK, HE ADDED.
THE SURVEY, ORGANISED BY THE BOARD, REVEALED THAT CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND RE-INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY FOR THE PRINTING SECTOR HAD BEEN SLOWING DOWN IN THE PAST TwO YEARS.
♦ THE BOARD FIRMLY ATTRIBUTES THIS TO THE UNCERTAINTY OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE,+ MR WU SAID.
THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWED THAT THE WORKFORCE IN THE INDUSTRY HAD GROWN ONLY SLIGHTLY AT FROM ABOUT 22 500 IN 1982 TO ABOUT 22 610 PEOPLE IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
THE BILINGUAL REPORT WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $7.50 A COPY.
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BOARD TO DISCUSS ERP SYSTEM
* * * X
THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PR IC ING SYSTEM WILL BE THE SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION AT THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (FR IDAY).
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, WILL ALSO ATTEND THE MEETING TO BRIEF BOARD MEMBERS ON THE GENERAL RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
AT THE MEETING MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE INFORMED ABOUT THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING THE PROPOSED EXTENSION TO THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE MEETING AT 2 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT OFFICE, 39 TONKIN STREET.
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/6
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1984
8 -
MAIL PARCEL SIZES INCREASED ******
THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM WEDNESDAY (JANUARY c.)
THE MAXIMUM LIMITS OF WEIGHT AND PARCELS ADDRESSED TO A NUMBER OF
THE COUNTRIES ARE :
AUSTRIA
BELGIUM
BRUNEI
CHINA (PEOPLE’S REP. OF)
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
DENMARK
FINLAND
FRANCE
GERMANY (DEMOCRATIC REP. OF) GERMANY (FED. REP. OF) GIBRALTAR GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN
IRELAND
GREECE
GREENLAND
HUNGARY
ICELAND ITALY KOREA (REP. OF) LUXEMBOURG MAUR IT I US MEXICO MONACO
SIZE FOR BOTH AIR AND SURFACE COUNTRIES WILL BE INCREASED.
MOROCCO
NETHERLANDS
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
NORWAY
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
POLAND
PUERTO RICCO
REUNION
SPITZBERGEN (SVALBARD)
SRI LANKA (DEM SOCIALIST REP. OF)
SURINAM (REP. OF)
SWEDEN
SWITZERLAND
SYR IAN ARAB REPUBLIC
TAIWAN
TUNISIA
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
VATICAN CITY STATE
VENEZUELA
VIRGIN ISLANDS OF USA
/all the ....
THURSDAY, DSEEMBSR 2?, 1984
- 9 -
ALL THE ABOVE COUNTRIES, EXCEPT THE U.S., WILL ACCEPT PARCELS IP TO A MAXIMUM OF 20 KG, WITH A MAXIMUM SIZE OF 1.50 METRES IN LENGTH AND 3 METRES FOR THE SUM OF THE LENGTH AND GIRTH COMBINED.
THE U.S., HOWEVER, WILL ONLY ACCEPT PARCELS NOT EXCEEDING 1.50 METRES FOR ANY ONE DIMENSION AND 2.75 METRES FOR THE LENGTH AND GIRTH COMBINED.
PARCELS OF THE INCREASED WEIGHT AND SIZE CAN ONLY BE ACCEPTED AT THE FOLLOWING 17 POST OFFICES:
ON HONG KONG ISLAND
GENERAL POST OFFICE, CAUSEWAY BAY POST OFFICE,
1
HENNESSY ROAD POST OFFICE, WONG CHUK HANG POST OFFICE, WYNDHAM STREET POST OFFICE, ABERDEEN POST OFFICE, TSAT TSZ MUI POST OFFICE.
IN KOWLOON
INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE, KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE, KWUN TONG POST OFFICE, SAN PO KONG POST OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, GILLIES AVENUE POST OFFICE, CHEUNG SHA WAN POST OFFICE.
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES
KWAI FONG POST OFFICE, TSUEN WAN POST OFFICE, TSUEN WING STREET POST OFFICE, s
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM LIMITS OF WEIGHT AND SIZE FOR PARCELS WAS TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF THE HONG KONG BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1984
10 -
POSTCHEQUE SERVICE K * * *
FROM WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 2), POSTCHEQUES ISSUED BY THE BRITISH NATIONAL GIROBANK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ENCASHMENT AT ALL POST OFFICES IN HONG KONG, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THESE CHEQUES, SPECIALLY PRINTED BY THE BRITISH POST OFFICE, ARE TO BE DRAWN IN HONG KONG DOLLARS AND THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT FOR ONE SINGLE POSTCHEQUE THAT MAY BE ENCASHED IS HK&600.
TO BE ABLE TO USE THIS SERVICE, A PERSON MUST POSSESS A POSTCHEQUE ACCOUNT WITH THE BRITISH POST OFFICE.
THE ACCOUNT HOLDER MUST PERSONALLY PRESENT THE POSTCHEQUE FOR ENCASHMENT AND PROVE HIS IDENTITY BY PRESENTING HIS GIROBANK GUARANTEE CARD WHICH MUST BEAR A VALID DATE.
+THE POST OFFICE HOPES THAT THIS SERVICE WILL PROVIDE A USEFUL ADDITIONAL FACILITY FOR TOURISTS WHO VISIT HONG KONG,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
BUILDING SURVEYOR RETIRING * X * *
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MR HUGH MCATEER, IS RETIRING AFTER 25 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
TO MARK THE OCCASION, THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, CHAMSON CHAU, THIS AFTERNNOON PRESENTED HIM WITH A SOUVENIR, ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES.
SPEAKING AT THE FAREWELL RECEPTION, MR CHAU SAID THAT AS HEAD OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, MR MCATEER HAD GUIDED THE OFFICE THROUGH A PERIOD OF STEADY EXPANSION AND PROGRESS WITH HARD WORK, PATIENCE AND LEADERSHIP.
+KNOWN AS GENERAL MAC BY THE CHINESE STAFF, HUGH’S TYPICALLY SCOTTISH DOUR, DIRECT, NO NONSENSE APPROACH HAS ENABLED HIM TO UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE AND HE HAS WON THE RESPECT OF PEOPLE BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT,+ MR CHAU SAID.
MR MCATEER JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS A BUILDING SURVEYOR IN SEPTEMBER 1959. HE WAS APPOINTED BUILDING SURVEYOR IN 1975 AND PROMOTED TO THE PRESENT POST IN 1981.
THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, MR TONY LAWRENCE, WILL TAKE UP THE POST OF PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR FROM DECEMBER 31.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1^'
11 -
TENANCY SOUGHT FOR KOWLOON SITE *****
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR SHORT TERM TENANCY OF A 1 120 SQUARE METRES SITE AT SHEUNG FUNG STREET, KOWLOON.
IT WILL BE USED AS FEE PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR PRIVATE CARS AND PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES.
TENANCY WILL BE FOR TWO YEARS, AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
TENDERS CLOSE AT NOON ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 11).
- - 0 ------------
QUIZ KIDS WIN COMPUTERS
* * *
THREE STUDENTS WHO SCORED THE HIGHEST MARKS IN THE CAREERS QUIZ COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WERE EACH AWARDED WITH A HOME COMPUTER TODAY (THURSDAY).
THEY ARE LEE WOOD-YING, A FORM FIVE STUDENT OF ST. TERESA SECONDARY SCHOOL, LAM WING-KEUNG, A FORM FIVE STUDENT OF HO LAP COLLEGE, AND CHENG HOI-WING, A FORM THREE STUDENT OF C.C.C. NIM TSI SCHOOL.
THREE SCHOOLS, CHONG GENE HANG COLLEGE, KOWLOON TRUE LIGHT MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HO LAP COLLEGE WHICH SCORED THE HIGHEST AVERAGE MARKS ALSO RECEIVED THEIR TROPHIES FROM THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, DR JAMES HAYES.
AT A PRESENTATION THIS AFTERNOON, DR HAYES SAID THE 1984 CAREERS QUIZ, ORGANISED FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE 1982, HAD ATTRACTED 85 000 PARTICIPATING STUDENTS FROM 175 SECONDARY SCHOOLS, A NOTABLE INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR’S 75 000 STUDENTS AND 157 SCHOOLS.
+THIS WELL SERVES TO REFLECT THE GROWING SUPPORT FROM SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS FOR THIS WORTHWHILE ACTIVITY,+ HE SAID.
DR HAYES SAID THE QUIZ WAS A LARGE SCALE CAREERS ACTIVITY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE AIMED AT AROUSING CAREERS AWARENESS AMONG PARTICIPATING STUDENTS.
IT ALSO AIMED AT STIMULATING THE STUDENTS TO THINK ABOUT POSSIBLE CAREERS AND OCCUPATIONS AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO COLLECT USEFUL CAREERS INFORMATION.
/HE SAID ........
12 -
THu xiSDA i 27, «9b4
HE sA ID THE QUIZ OWED ITS SUCCESS TO THE CONCERTED AND SUSTAINED EFFORTS OF WANY PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS, PARTICULARLY THE PRINCIPALS AND CAREERS TEACHERS OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOL*.
DR HAYES THANKED WONG’S KONG KING LIMITED, WHO SPONSORED ALL THE PRIZES INCLUDING THREE HOME COMPUTERS, AND THE GOVERNMENT DATA PROCESSING AGENCY FOR MARKING THE ANSWER SHEETS.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE PRESENTATION WAS DR PETER LEE, DIRECTOR OF THE WONG’S GROUP OF COMPANIES.
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INDUSTRIAL SAFETY GALA NIGHT
* * * *
AN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY GALA NIGHT TO MARK THE END OF THE RTHK RADIO PROGRAMME +MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK+, WILL BE HELD AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM IN WAN CHAI, AT 8 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) NIGHT.
THE HIGHLIGHT WILL BE A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING SINGERS MR KENNY BEE AND MISS AGNES CHIANG, AS WELL AS TAIWAN SINGER MISS PAN YUEH-YAN, AND A TALK SHOW.
THE PROGRAMME WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY RTHK RADIO 1 STARTING AT 8 PM.
THE 26-HALF-HOUR PROGRAMME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND RTHK TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK SAFETY.
- ------J - - - -
600 EASTERN ATHLETES TO COMPETE *****
MORE THAN 600 ATHLETES WILL COMPETE IN 65 TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEET AT THE WAN CHAI STADIUM ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 30).
THE COMPETITION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SECTIONS FOR SIX AGE GROUPS. THERE WILL ALSO BE A 4 BY 50 METRES INVITATIONAL RELAY RACE FOR TEAMS FROM THE DISTRICT’S 10 AREA COMMITTEES.
/the even t .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 198 A
- 13 -
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
^»OnTuLniSTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MADAM ANITA CHAN AND MR CHEUNG KIN-CHUNG AND THE
THE EASTERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ADVANCEMENT
MR SIU MING, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING.
PRESIDENT OF ASSOCIATION,
-----0------
FUND RAISING DETAILS
* * * *
A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO ANNOUNCE THE DETAILS OF THE FREE CARRIAGE FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, THE WAN CHAI YIN NGA I SOCIETY AND THE WAN CHAI PAK HOK GYMNASIUM.
PRESENT AT THE CONFERENCE WILL BE MISS KATHERINE WAN, LIAISON OFFICER, WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE- MRS ANNA LEE, CHAIRPERSON OF THE WAN CHAI YIN NGA I SOCIETY AND MR K.C. FANG OF THE WAN CHAI PAK HOK GYMNASIUM.
-----0------
TENDERS INVITED FOR OPERATION OF RESTAURANT * * X *
THE URBAN COUNCIL IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE OPERATION OF A GENERAL RESTAURANT AT LEI CHENG UK SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX IN SHAM SHU I PO.
THE LEI CHENG UK SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, SITUATED AT KWONG LEE ROAD, CONSISTS OF A 50-METRE MAIN POOL, THREE TRAINING POOLS, A DIVING POOL, A SECONDARY POOL, A PADDLING POOL AND A CHILDREN’S POOL.
IT IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PUBLIC POOLS IN KOWLOON. BETWEEN MARCH AND NOVEMBER THIS YEAR, ALMOST 400 000 SWIMMERS MADE USE OF THE FACILITIES THERE.
APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO NOTE THAT THE POOL COMPLEX WILL BE CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE BETWEEN DECEMBER AND FEBRUARY EACH YEAR.
THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WILL BE AWARDED A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT STARTING FROM MARCH 1, 1985. THE CURRENT RENTAL FOR THE GENERAL RESTAURANT IS $1 410.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT OFFICE, 55, UN CHAU STREET, 4TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN DUPLICATE AND PLACED BY HAND IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE URBAN U1RVICES DEPARTMENT RECEPTION COUNTER, 12TH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), ICE HOUSE STREET, BEFORE 9 A.M. ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1985. LATE APPLICATIONS a ILL .NOT BE ACCEPTED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1984
CONTINTS PAGE NO.
NOVEMBER PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES PUBLISHED................. 1
VEHICULAR BORDER LINK FOR LOK MA CHAU........................ 4
KCRC REAPPOINTMENTS .........................................
GROUPS P^Y TRIBUTE TO DINIS BRAY ............................ 5
RECORD NUMBER OF UC CAPITAL WORKS CONTRACTS SIGNED .......... 6
TAI PO PLAZA READY SOON .....................................
RATES INCREASES TO BE RECOVERED FROM TENANTS ................ 7
OCTOBER RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED ................ 9
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1949 AND 1950 .............. 10
U.S. CONVERTS TEN +CALLW TEXTILE CATEGORIES ................. 11
ENQUIRIES INTO SHARE PRICE MOVEMENTS ........................ 12
CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR TWO MARKET COMPLEXES .................. 12
BUILDINGS CHECKED FOR FIRE SAFETY ........................... 13
A MATTER OF DIFFERENT SIZE................................... 13
FIRING PRACTICE WARNING...................................... 13
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1984
1
NOVEMBER PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES PUBLISHED *****
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN NOVEMBER 1984 ROSE BY 13 PER CENT OR $1 309 MILLION OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR TO REACH $11 702 MILLION, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER 1984 PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ALSO INCREASED, BY 39 PER CENT OR $2 259 MILLION, TO $8 008 MILLION. TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT $19 713 MILLION, WAS 22 PER CENT OR $3 568 MILLION HIGHER THAN A YEAR AGO.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WAS $19 747 MILLION IN NOVEMBER 1984, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 16 PER CENT OR $2 711 MILLION OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT FOR NOVEMBER THIS YEAR WAS THUS $37 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $894 MILLION IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
PUTTING THE MONTH’S TRADE FIGURES INTO CONTEXT, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST ELEVEN MONTHS OF 1984 WAS $200 549 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $126 063 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $74 486 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST ELEVEN MONTHS OF 1983, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY $56 987 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY $32 579 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT, AND REEXPORTS BY $24 408 MILLION OR 49 PER CENT. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $45 920 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT, TO $202 440 MILLION. AS THE GROWTH RATE OF THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS MUCH FASTER THAN THAT OF IMPORTS, THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP NARROWED TO ONE PER CENT IN THE FIRST ELEVEN MONTHS OF 1984, FROM EIGHT PER CENT IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
COMMENTING ON THESE COMPARATIVE FIGURES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE GROWTH RATES OF THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, REEXPORTS AND IMPORTS HAD ALL SLOWED DOWN IN RECENT MONTHS, LARGELY REFLECTING THE SUBSTANTIAL RECOVERY IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1983.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER 1984:
/TRADE FIGURES .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 19&4
2
TRADE FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER 1984
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED THE
FOLLOWING PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER:-
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS : $11 702 MILL ION
RE-EXPORTS : $ 8 008 MILL ION
TOTAL EXPORTS : $19 710 MILLION
IMPORTS : $19 747 MILLION
TRADE BALANCE : $ 37 MILLION
COMPARATIVE FIGURES SEPT-NOV ( IN SEPT-NOV DEFICIT) INCREASE OR
LATEST 3 MONTHS 1984 1983 DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 36 588 30 505 + 6 083 + 19.9
RE-EXPORTS 23 047 16 530 + 6 517 ♦ 39.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 59 635 47 035 + 12 600 + 26.8
IMPORTS 57 955 50 142 + 7 813 + 15.6
TRADE BALANCE + 1 680 - 3 107 + 4 787
NOVEMBER NOVEMBER INCREASE OR
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1984 1983 DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 11 702 10 393 + 1 309 + 12.6
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (59.4%) (64.4%)
RE-EXPORTS 8 008 5 749 + 2 259 ♦ 39.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 19 710 16 142 + 3 568 + 22.1
IMPORTS 19 747 17 036 + 2 711 + 15.9
TRADE BALANCE 37 894 + 857
/last month........
FRIDAY, DtEdlBEH 28, 1?t4
3 -
NOVEMBER OCTOBER INCREASE OR
LAST MONTH 1984 1984 DECREASE
$ MN. S MN. S MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 11 702 12 473 771 - 6.2
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (59.4%) (61.2%)
RE-EXPORTS 8 008 7 896 + 112 + 1.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 19 710 20 369 659 - 3.2
IMPORTS 19 747 19 628 + 119 ♦ 0.6
TRADE BALANCE 37 + 741 778
JAN-NOV JAN-NOV INCREASE OR
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE 1984 1983 DECREASE
$ MN. s MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 126 063 93 484 + 32 579 + 34.8
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (62.9%) (65.1%) 1
RE-EXPORTS 74 486 50 078 + 24 408 + 48.7
TOTAL EXPORTS 200 549 143 562 + 56 987 + 39,7
IMPORTS 202 440 156 520 + 45 920 +29.3
TRADE BALANCE - 1 891 -12 958 + 11 067
DEC 1983 DEC 1982
TO TO INCREASE OR
LAST 12 MONTHS NOV 1984 NOV 1983 DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 136 985 101 875 + 35 110 + 34.5
RE-EXPORTS 80 702 54 574 + 26 128 + 47.9
TOTAL EXPORTS 217 687 156 449 + 61 238 + 39.1
IMPORTS 221 362 170 564 + 50 798 + 29.8
TRADE BALANCE - 3 675 -14 115 + 10 440
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2S, 1934
4
VEHICULAR BORDER LINK FOR LOK MA CHAU
*****
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A BORDER LINK AT LOK MA CHAU TO CATER FOR THE INCREASING VOLUME OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC TO AND FROM CHINA.
THE PROPOSED ROUTE IS THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROJECT, AND WILL SUPPLEMENT THE EXISTING VEHICULAR CROSSING AT MAN KAM TO.
THE TOTAL LENGTH OF THE ROUTE, POSITIONED NEAR LOK MA CHAU ROAD, IS ABOUT TWO KILOMETRES AND RUNS FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE BRIDGE ACROSS THE SHENZHEN RIVER, BEYOND WHICH POINT THE WORKS WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES.
AT THE SOUTHERN END,' THE PROPOSED ROAD WILL JOIN THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD AT AN INTERCHANGE NEAR THE SAN TIN POST OFF ICE.
THE ROAD WILL BE CONSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DUAL TWO-LANE TRAFFIC INITIALLY, WITH ALLOWANCE IN THE DESIGN FOR WIDENING TO DUAL THREE-LANE IF AND WHEN NEEDED.
NEAR THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA BOUNDARY - ABOUT HALF WAY ALONG THE ROUTE - WILL BE A BORDER CONTROL COMPLEX FOR CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATIONS.
TO ENSURE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE BORDER CONTROL AND THE SMOOTH FLOW OF HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES, TWO VEHICLE HOLDING AREAS WILL BE BUILT, ONE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE COMPLEX.
PHASE 1 OF THE VEHICULAR BORDER LINK PROJECT, WHICH COMPRISES THP CONSTRUCTION OF THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF THE BRIDGE ACROSS THE SHENZHEN RIVER AND A SHORT LENGTH OF APPROACH ROAD, WAS GAZETTED IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE PRESENT PROPOSAL FORMS THE SECOND AND FINAL PHASE OF THE PROJECT FOR THE REMAINING SECTION - FROM THE END OF PHASE 1 TO THE INTERCHANGE NEAR THE SA, TIN POST OFFICE.
INCLUDED IN THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROJECT WILL BE SITE FORMATION FOR THE BORDER CONTROL COMPLEX AND THE EASTERN BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIVER. CONSTRUCTION OF THE VEHICLE HOLDING AREAS, THE FURTHER FORMATION FOR THE BORDER CONTROL COMPLEX AND THE WESTERN BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIVER WILL FOLLOW AT A LATER STAGE WHEN THE NEED ARISES.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL UIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING LOBBY, KONG; AT THE YUEN LONG D'STR ICT LANDS OFFICE, 9TH FLOO. , 2 KIU -OK SQUARE, YUEN LONG, NE< TERRITORIES; AND AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE, 26' CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO '.-IC SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN 60 DAYS.
- 0 -
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1984
KCRC REAPPOINTMENTS * * *
MR H.M.G. FORSGATE HAS BEEN REAPPOINTED CHAIRMAN, AND HR CHAN KAM-CHUEN AND MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG HAVE BEEN REAPPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION.
THE RE-APPOINTMENTS, ANNOUNCED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE, ARE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS FROM DECEMBER 24.
THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION ARE, MR J.A. RICHARDSON, MR DAVID LI, MR ALFRED TSO SHIU-WAI, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE CORPORATION.
GROUPS PAY TRIBUTE TO DENIS BRAY XXX
THIRTY-THREE ORGANISATIONS FROM VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY PAID TRIBUTE TODAY TO THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY, WHO WILL BE RETIRING AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
THIS EVENING, A DINNER WAS HELD IN HIS HONOUR BY KAI FONG ASSOCIATIONS, RELIGIOUS GROUPS, CLANSMAN ASSOCIATIONS, CHAMBERS CF COMMERCE AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
SPEAKING AT THE RECEPTION, MR BRAY PRAISED THE PEOPLE FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS IN DEVELOPING HONG KONG INTO A LEADING TRADING, MANUFACTURING AND FINANCIAL CENTRE.
+THE PROUD RECORDS OF OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE TERRITORY ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE DYNAMIC DRIVE OF ITS PEOPLE AND THEIR DETERMINATION. I AM DELIGHTED THAT MANY OF THEM ARE PRESENT HERE TONIGHT. I DEEM IT AS AN HONOUR TO ASSOCIATE MYSELF WITH YOU.
+1 AM SURE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO DISPLAY THE SAME SPIRIT TO MAKE GREATER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG, SO THAT THE +PEARL OF THE ORIENT* WILL BE SHINING FOREVER. TO WHICH I AM WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE WHATEVER I CAN WITH YOU,+ MR BRAY SAID.
FRIDAY, MC EMBER 2b, 1984
6 -
RECORD NUMBER OF UC CAPITAL WORKS CONTRACTS SIGNED * * *
A RECORD HIGH NUMBER OF URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS CONTRACTS WERE SIGNED BETWEEN OCTOBER AND DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD, 26 CONTRACTS WORTH MORE THAN $170 MILLION WERE AWARDED TO CONTRACTORS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT WORK IN RESPECT OF MOST OF THESE CONTRACTS HAS ALREADY STARTED.
THESE INCLUDE THE KOWLOON BAY RECREATION GROUND, THE CHOI HUNG ROAD PLAYGROUND, THE QUARRY BAY MARKET COMPLEX PHASE II, THE KOWLOON CITY MARKET COMPLEX, THE MULTI-STOREY COLUMBARIUM AT DIAMOND HILL CREMATORIUM, THE HONG KONG SQUASH CENTRE AT VICTORIA BARRACKS AND THE OPEN SPACE AT HARBOUR ROAD.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT CONTRACTS FOR ANOTHER SEVEN MAJOR CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE SIGNED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR.
AMONG THESE WILL BE THE HAMMER HILL ROAD SPORTS GROUND, THE CHEUNG SHA WAN SPORTS GROUND STAGE I I AND THE TO KWA WAN RECREATION GROUND.
HE RECALLED THAT 1984/85 WAS AN ACTIVE YEAR IN PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, WITH THE COUNCIL ACHIEVING MANY OF THE COMMUNITY’S EXPECTATIONS OVER A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES, RANGING AT THE LOWER END FROM SUCH PUBLIC AMENITIES AS MARKETS AND REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS TO SPORTS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL FACILITIES AT THE OTHER END OF THE SCALE.
HE SAID TOTAL CAPITAL WORKS EXPENDITURE FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR REMAINS AT ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL AS THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR - THAT IS, ABOUT $220 MILLION.
HOWEVER, DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF PROJECTS WHICH WILL COME ON STREAM, THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR 1985/86 IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO $300 MILLION.
- 0 - -
/7
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 198A
TAI PO PLAZA READY SOON * * *
SAMPLE FLATS AT TAI PO PLAZA WILL AGAIN BE OPEN FOR PUBLIC VIEWING TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 30) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM.
♦FLAT OWNERS WILL SOON BE ABLE TO MOVE INTO THEIR NEW HOMES AS THE ESTATE IN THE TAI PO NEW TOWN WILL BE COMPLETED FOR OCCUPATION WITHIN A WEEK,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY.
HE SAID ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF THE 1 408 FLATS THERE HAD •. ALREADY BEEN SNAPPED UP BY ASPIRING HOME-OWNERS WITH THE REMAINING FLATS STILL AVAILABLE FOR OPEN SALE DURING OFFICE HOURS AT ThE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE IN HO MAN TIN.
♦ FLAT BUYERS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS, COPIES OF FAMILY MEMBERS’ IDENTITY CARDS, HOUSEHOLD INCOME PROOF AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS WHEN MAKING THEIR SELECTION AT THE CENTRE.
♦ THEY will also have to pay a nomination fee of io per cent.. OF The purchase price, while the balance will only BE PAID UP after the flats are completed.
♦ MORTGAGE FACILITIES FOR UP TO 90 PER CENT OF THE FLAT PR I CE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM A NUMBER OF APPROVED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, WITH REPAYMENT UP TO 15 YEARS,* HE ADDED.
BEING DEVELOPED AS THE FIRST PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME PROJECT IN THE BURGEONING TAI PO NEW TOWN, TAI PO PLAZA WILL HAVE A FULL RANGE OF MODERN COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN ITS COMMERCIAL CENTRE - THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN THE AREA.
WITH GROSS AREAS BETWEEN 41.3 AND 53.4 SQUARE METRES, THE TWO-BEDROOM FLATS AT TAI PO PLAZA ARE ONLY PRICED FROM $159 900 EACH.
-----o------
RATES INCREASES TO BE RECOVERED FROM TENANTS
XX X
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL IM FUT'RE RECOVER INCREASE' RiTES FROM ITS DOMESTIC TENANTS AFTER IT HAS INITIALLY PAID INCREASES ON THEIR BEHALF. dually hail
IN THE
.. ,,A ^HARGE AGAINST THE OCCUPIER AND THE AUTHORITY l- . Ln NlT CONTINUE TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF ABSORBING RATES i CREASES,* SAID AN AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN TODAY.
/AT PKESiNT, .......
FRIDAY, DSEaffii?. 28, 1984
- 8
5$,
AT PRESENT, 1Y THE AUTHORITY
HE SAID, RATES INCREASES jYERE INITIALLY ABSORBS AND NOT RECOVERED FROM TENANTS.
*THE EFFECT OF THE INCREASES IS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION AS A -ACT'S ONLY AT THE NEXT REN' REVIEW, VERY OFTEN UP TO 18 TO 2? MONTHS AFTER THE RATES INCREASES HAVE TAKEN EFFECT.
+ IF THIS IS TO CONTINUE, THE FINANCIAL LOSS TO THE AUTHORITY WILL BE VERY SUBSTANTIAL.*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REVISED POLICY TO RECOVER RATES f*CREASES WAS DECIDED AT THE LAST MEETING OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
+TENANTS WILL IN FUTURE BE INFORMED WHENEVER THERE ARE INCREASES IN RATES, ALTHOUGH THEY WILL NOT BE EXPECTED TO PAY “HE INCREASES IMMEDIATELY.
+WHEN RENTS ARE REVIEWED, THE NEW RATES PAYABLE, AS WELL AS THE AMOUNT OF RATES ALREADY PAID BY THE AUTHORITY ON BEHALF OF TENANTS FOR THE INTERVENING PERIOD BETWEEN RATES INCREASES AND THE RENT INCREASE, WILL BE PASSED ONTO THE TENANTS.
+THIS INFORMATION WILL BE CLEARLY SET OUT IN THE RENT INCREASE NOTICE TO TENANTS.*
WHILE IT WAS OBVIOUSLY IMPOSSIBLE TO INDICATE ACCURATELY THE EFFECT OF FUTURE RATES INCREASE TO THE TENANTS, THE SPOKESMAN CITED AS AM ILLUSTRATION A 33-SQUARE-METRE PUBLIC HOUSING FLAT IN URBAN KOWLOON WHE^F RENTS WERE REVISED LAST SEPTEMBER.
+ON BEHALF OF THE TENANT, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ABSORBED *235 IN RATES FOR THE TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE RECENT RENT REVISION
+IF THIS RATES INCREASE WAS TO BE RECOVERED OVER A PERIOD OF 24 MONTHS, THE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT TO BE CHARGED TO THE TENANT PER MONTI WOULD BE $9.8 OR 2.1 PER CENT OF THE OLD MONTHLY RENT.*
- - 0 -----------
/9........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28,
1QQ4
- 9 -
OCTOBER RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED * * *
THE VALUE OF RETAIL SALES IN OCTOBER 1984, ESTIMATED AT 35 527 MILLION, WAS EIGHT PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN OCTOBER 1983, WHILE THE VOLUME WAS FIVE PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
RETAIL SALES FOR THE PERIOD AUGUST - OCTOBER 1984, WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1983, ROSE BY 10 PER CENT IN VALUE AND FOUR PER CENT IN VOLUME.
♦COMPARING OCTOBER 1984 WITH SEPTEMBER 1984, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY ONE PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID.
IN OCTOBER 1984, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 12 PER CENT IN VOLUME WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1983. MEANWHILE, CONSUMER DURABLES RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 17 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 13 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE LESS RAPIDLY, BY SEVEN PER CENT IN VALUE AND EIGHT PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILST THOSE OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY ONLY THREE PER CENT IN VALUE AND ONE PER CENT IN VOLUME. ON THE OTHER HAND, FUELS RECORDED A DROP OF FOUR PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT REMAINED UNCHANGED IN SALES VOLUME.
A COMPARISON OF THE PERIOD AUGUST - OCTOBER 1984 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1983, SHOWED RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS RECORDED THE LARGEST INCREASES IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS, AT 27 PER CENT AND 13 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES ALSO INCREASED, BY 17 PER CENT IN VALUE AND NINE PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILST THOSE OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 12 PER CENT IN VALUE AND SIX PER CENT IN VOLUME. OTHER CONSUMER GOODS REGISTERED A SLIGHT INCREASE IN SALES VALUE, AT FIVE PER CENT, BUT REMAINED UNCHANGED IN SALES VOLUME. HOWEVER, FUELS WHICH SHOWED NO CHANGE IN SALES . lcE, RECORDED A DECREASE OF ONE PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SEPTEMBER 1984 FIGURES, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED RODUCTS IN OCTOBER 1984 INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT IN VALUE AND NINE PER CENT N VOLUME. THOSE OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS ROSE BY CIVE PER CENT IN VALUE AND SIX PER CENT If. VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FUELS ALSO INCREASED, BY ONE PER CENT ElTH VALUE AND
ME TERMS. ON THE OTHER HAND, ‘ETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER L ABLES DROPPED BY TWO PER CENT IN BrTH 'ALUE AND VOLUME, LIT THOSE OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC .‘PIN-.. AND TOBACCO DE‘‘EASED BY NINE PER CENT IN VAI UE AND EVE PER CENT IN
/AN ANALYSIS
FRIDAY, DEC EMBER 28, 1964
10 -
AN ANALYSIS OF SELECTED TRADES SHOWED RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1983.
SUPERMARKETS, CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND DEPARTMENT STORES RECORDED MODERATE INCREASES IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
A COMPARISON OF THE PERIOD AUGUST - OCTOBER 1984 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1983, SHOWED RETAIL SALES OF SUPERMARKETS, MOTOR VEHICLES, CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND DEPARTMENT STORES ALL SHOWED LARGE INCREASES IN VALUE BUT SMALLER INCREASES IN VOLUME.
WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1984 FIGURES, RETAIL SALES OF DEPARTMENT STORES IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS, ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY, THOSE OF MOTOR VEHICLES ROSE MODERATELY, BUT THOSE OF SUPERMARKETS AND CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES DROPPED.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE OCTOBER 1984 SURVEY RESULTS WILL SOON BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, CENTRAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT SI.00 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 3-7216024).
--------o ----------
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1949 AND 1950 * * * *
WOMEN BORN IN 1949 AND 1950 MUST APPLY FOR THEIR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BETWEEN \ W - AND FE RUARY 2, 1985.
♦THERE ARE OVER 82 000 WOMEN BELONGING TO THESE TWO AGE GROUPS, AND A DAILY AVERAGE OF 3 000 APPLICATIONS IN THE EIGHT ISSUING OFFICES IS EXPECTED IN THE FOUR-WEEK PERIOD,+ AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
THE EIGHT ISSUING OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM, MONDAY TO SATURDAY, EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
MEANWHILE, WOMEN BORN IN 1951 AND 1952 WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR THE NEW IDENTITY CARD HAVE TO DO SO NO LATER THAN JANUARY 5, 1985.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT NO AMNESTY WOULD BE GRANTED TC ! .LEGAL IMMIGRANTS, WHO WOULD BE REPATRIATED IMMEDIATELY ONCE EE*:CTED.
0
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1984
11
U.S. CONVERTS TEN +CALLED+ TEXTILE CATEGORIES *****
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAD EXERCISED ITS RIGHT UNDER THE HK-US TEXTILE AGREEMENT TO CONVERT 10 CATEGORIES OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS +CALLED+ DURING 1984 INTO SPECIFIC LIMIT CATEGORIES IN 1985.
THEY ARE:
CATEGORY DESCRIPTION
337 COTTON PLAYSUITS, SUNSUITS, WASHSUITS, CREEPERS,
ROMPERS, ETC.
359 (PART) COTTON COVERALLS, OVERALLS, JUMPSUITS, HUNTING
SUITS, ETC.
359 (PART) COTTON OUTER VESTS
359 (PART) COTTON INFANTS’ SETS
369 (PART) COTTON WIPING CLOTH
635 (PART) MMF SEWING THREAD
649 MMF BRASSIERES
652 MMF UNDERWEAR
659 (PART) MMF SWIMSUITS
659 (PART) MMF COVERALLS, OVERALLS, JUMPSUITS, ETC.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID: + AS FROM JANUARY 1, 1985, THE EXPORT AUTHORISATION SYSTEM FOR THESE CATEGORIES IS REPLACED BY A QUOTA RESTRAINT ARRANGEMENT, UNDER WHICH 1985 QUOTAS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO ELIGIBLE COMPANIES.*
THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ACCEPTING 1985 EXPORT AUTHORISATION APPLICATIONS IN THE TEN CONVERTED CATEGORIES SINCE DECEMBER 20. IN VIEW OF THE CONVERSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR THESE CATEGORIES WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1985, ALL THE 1985 EA APPLICATIONS IN THESE TEN CATEGORIES WILL BE REJECTED.
COMPANIES CONCERNED SHOULD THEREFORE COLLECT THEIR REJECTED APPLICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
COPIES OF A NOTICE TO EXPORTERS WILL BE AVAILABLE TOMORROW FROM THE USA SECTION OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, 15/F, OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
0 --------
/12 .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1984
12
ENQUIRIES INTO SHARE PRICE MOVEMENTS * * * *
THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING IS CONTINUING ITS ENQUIRIES INTO THE RECENT MOVEMENTS OF THE SHARE PRICE IN INDUSTRIAL EQUITY (PACIFIC) LIMITED.
- 0 - -
CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR TWO MARKET COMPLEXES * * * *
TWO CONTRACTS WERE AWARDED TODAY BY THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT — ONE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUPER-STRUCTURE OF THE LOCKHART ROAD MARKET COMPLEX, AND THE OTHER FOR PILING WORK FOR THE SHU I WO STREET MARKET COMPLEX IN KWUN TONG.
THE $28.3 MILLION LOCKHART ROAD MARKET COMPLEX CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BETWEEN THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT, MR JOSE LEI AND DIRECTOR OF JOHN LOK AND PARTNERS LIMITED, MR HARDY LOK. THE $1.5 MILLION PILING CONTRACT FOR THE SHU I WO STREET MARKET COMPLEX WAS SIGNED BETWEEN MR LEI AND CONTRACTS MANAGER OF GAMMON (HONG KONG) LIMITED, MR JAMES LAW.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CONTRACT SIGNING WERE THE CONSULTANT ARCHITECT, MR W.N. CHUNG 5 THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, YR MICHAEL SUENj AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CAPITAL WORKS SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR AUGUSTINE CHUNG.
THE LOCKHART ROAD MARKET COMPLEX WILL BE 12 STOREYS HIGH AND WILL REPLACE THE OLD LOCKHART ROAD MARKET.
THE FIRST FOUR FLOORS WILL HOUSE A 3OO-STALL MARKET AND A COOKED FOOD CENTRE OF 20 STALLS. EACH FLOOR WILL BE INTERCONNECTED BY ESCALATORS AND LIFTS FOR CONVEYANCE OF PEDESTRIANS AND GOODS.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN, A COMPUTER CENTRE FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ACCOMMODATION FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICES, A MULTIPURPOSE INDOOR GAMES HALL, TWO ROOMS FOR TABLE-TENNIS, DANCING AND GYMNASTICS, AND TWO SQUASH COURTS.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
WORK WILL START NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED BY MID-1986.
PILING WORK FOR THE NEW MARKET COMPLEX AT SHU I WO STREET, KWUN TONG WILL ALSO START NEXT MONTH.
THE COMPLEX WILL RISE NINE STOREYS ABOVE A 1 660 SQUARE YETRE SITE, AND WILL PROVIDE 11 600 SQUARE METRES OF FLOOR SPACE ON COMPLETION IN LATE 1987.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A COOKED FOOD CENTRE OF 20 STALLS, A LIBRARY AND A STUDY ROOM, OFFICE ACCOMMODATION, A MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS HALL, THREE SQUASH COURTS AND A GAMES ROOM.
- 0 -
/13
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1984
- 13 -
BUILDINGS CHECKED FOR FIRE SAFETY
* X *
FIRE SERVICES AND NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF TODAY CONDUCTED A JOINT INSPECTION OF FIVE BUILDINGS IN TUEN MUN. AS PART OF A +KEEP YOUR BUILDING SAFE AND CLEAN CAMPAIGN*.
IN DOING SO, THEY ADVISED THE RESIDENTS TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS IN PASSAGEWAYS AND EXITS, AND TO USE PLASTIC BAGS FOR REFUSE.
THE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN LAUNCHED TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS AND BUILDING SAFETY FOR RESIDENTS IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
IT IS A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND IS CO-ORDINATED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, WITH THE SUPPORT OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
REGULAR FOLLOW-UP INSPECTIONS WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE FSD AND THE NTSD.
-----o------
A MATTER OF DIFFERENT SIZE
* * *
THE UNITED STATES WOULD ALSO BE AMONG THE COUNTRIES ACCEPTING AN INCREASED MAXIMUM WEIGHT LIMIT OF 20 KG FOR AIR AND SURFACE PARCELS WITH EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY, (JANUARY 2), A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
HOWEVER, IN TERMS OF SIZE, THE U.S. WOULD ONLY ACCEPT PARCELS NOT EXCEEDING 1.50 METRES FOR ANY ONE DIMENSION, AND 2.75 METRES FOR THE LENGTH AND GIRTH COMBINED.
AS ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY (THURSDAY), A NUMBER OF OTHER COUNTRIES WOULD BE ACCEPTING, ALSO FROM JANUARY 2, PARCELS UP TO A MAXIMUM WEIGHT OF 20 KG, WITH A MAXIMUM SIZE OF 1.50 METRES IN LENGTH AND THREE METRES FOR THE LENGTH AND GIRTH COMBINED.
-----o------
FIR ING PRACTICE WARNING
X X X *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE FOR 26 DAYS IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
FIRING WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:
JANUARY 2 TO JANUARY 5? JANUARY 7 TO JANUARY 12;
JANUARY 14 TO JANUARY 19; JANUARY 21 TO JANUARY 26. AND
JANUARY 28 TO JANUARY 31.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FEWER APPEALS OVER SOCIAL SECURITY CASES ......................... 1
DEAK-PERERA FAR EAST LTD.......................................... 2
NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST 1985 .........•............................. 3
MEMBERSHIP OF UNIFIED EXCHANGE ................................... 3
SERVICES FOR AREAS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ............................ 4
BEACH REFRESHMENT KIOSKS FOR TENDER .............................. 4
NEW PEAK TRAM STATION TO OPEN .................................... 5
LANE IN TSB-l SHA TSUI TO BE CLOSED............................... 5
SATURDAY. DECEMBER 2% 1^84
FEWER APPEALS OVER
*
SOCIAL SECURITY CASES * * *
THE SOCIAL SECURITY APPEAL BOARD RECEIVED 63 APPEALS AGA I .
T SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S DECISIONS ON ELIGIBILITY AND ^YMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1983-84, COORD I NG TO THE BOARD’S LATEST ANNUAL REPORT.
THIS REPRESENTED A DECREASE OF 30 CASES OVER THE FIGURE J T “RECEDING YEAR.
THE REPORT SHOWS THAT 42 OF THESE APPEALS RELATED TO .A'- IL ITY ALLOWANCE.
THE OTHERS aERE CONNECTED WITH PUBLIC Ol ' AGE ALLOWANCE (FOUR CASES) AND TRAFFIC ASSISTANCE (ONE CASE).
ASSISTANCE (16 CASES), ACCIDENT VICTIMS
THE BOARD, COMPRISING FOUR UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, INCLUDING T- CHAIRMAN, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSIDERING APPEALS FROM THE PUBLIC IN RESPECT OF SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS.
SIXTY-TWO APPEALS WERE HEARD DURING THE YEAR, INCLUDING ■ BROUGHT FORWARD FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE BOARD CONFIRMED THE DECISIONS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE _ DEPARTMENT IN 43 CASES AND SUBSTITUTED ITS DECISIONS IN 19 OTHEhb.
THE HANDLING OF COMPLAINTS CONTINUED TO BE ONE OF THE IMPORTANT ROLES OF THE BOARD.
-THESE COMPLAINTS DO NOT NECESSARILY BECOME APPEALS BECAUSE THE PROBLEMS OF SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS MAY_BE SOL.ED AFTtF APPROPRIATE ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY THE STAFF OF ’HE BOARD,
THE REPORT SAYS.
DURING THE YEAR, 142 COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, AS AGA I NS.
P7 IN THE PRECEDING YEAR. OF THESE, 82 vERE REGARDED AS SETTLED, Six WERE REFERRED TO OTHER OFFICES FOR ACTION AND THE REMAINING 54 EVENTUALLY BECAME APPEALS.
THE BOARD HAS MADE SUGGESTIONS AIMED AT IMPROVING SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES.
IT POINTS OUT THERE ARE SOME DISABLED APPELLANTS wHC, BECAUSc OF MOVEMENT DIFFICULTIES, ARE UNABLE TO USD THE CHEAPEST MEANS fr TRANSPORT IN ATTENDING BOARD HEARING... 7 OR SUCH APPELLANTS, THE BOARD “EELS THEY SHOULD BE ALLC.jED TO lSE A >’ORE ExPENSIVc -AND YET REASONABLE - FORM OF TRANSPORT, REIMBURSEMENT EE MADE ACCORD I NGLY.
THE BOARD CONSIDERS THAT FOR ADM I ’ E Ef. ENCE,
A TIME LIM IT SHOULD BE SET FOR T’. r VERPAYMENT,
ESPECIALLY FOR OVERPAYMENT ARISING ’ DISHONESTY OF
THE REC IP IENTS.
ATURDAY, DECLF .<•: 29, 'tA
TO GUARD AGAINST UNJUSTIFIED CLAIMS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE THROUGH BENEFIT-MOTIVATED SEPARATION BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE, THE BOARD SUGGESTS THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT BE MORE WATCHFUL AND SHOULD ONLY APPROVE CASES ON THE BASIS OF MORE CONCRETE PROOFS. THESE PROOFS COULD INCLUDE COMPLETION OF LEGAL FORMALITIES, FREQUENT DISPUTES OF COUPLES OR COLLATERAL INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM NEIGHBOURS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID THE DEPARTMENT WELCOMED THE SUGGESTIONS.
APPEALS CAN BE MADE AT THE OFFICE OF THE APPEAL BOARD AT 7TH FLOOR, PACIFIC HOUSE, 2O-2OB, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, OR AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY OR AT ANY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS.
- c -
DEAK-PERERA FAR EAST LTD * * *
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, COMMENTING ON THE POSITION REGARDING UNCOMPLETED DEALINGS IN GOLD AND OTHER PRECIOUS METALS WITH DEAK-PERERA FAR EAST LIMITED, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT ALL TRADING WAS SUSPENDED AFTER HIS APPOINTMENT AS PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR ON DECEMBER 27.
TRADING WOULD REMAIN SUSPENDED UNTIL AFTER THE HEARING OF THE WINDING-UP PETITION, WHICH WAS LISTED FOR FEBRUARY 4, 1985.
UNTIL THEN, GOLD AND OTHER PRECIOUS METAL CUSTOMERS, AS WELL AS GENERAL CREDITORS, SHOULD NOT APPROACH THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE BUT SHOULD RETAIN ALL DOCUMENTS HELD BY THEM CONCERNING THEIR DEALINGS WITH THE COMPANY.
IF A WINDING-UP ORDER IS MADE, CLAIMS SHOULD BE LODGED WITHOUT DELAY WITH THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER OR OTHER LIQUIDATOR APPOINTED BY THE COURT.
THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE COMPANY’S GOLD AND OTHER PRECIOUS NETAL HOLDINGS ARE HELD ON TRUST SPECIFICALLY FOR GOLD AND OTHER PRECIOUS METAL CUSTOMERS OR ALTERNATIVELY WOULD BECOME PART OF THE GENERAL ASSETS OF THE COMPANY IN THE EVENT OF A WINDING-UP ORDER BEING MADE IS OF CONSIDERABLE LEGAL COMPLEXITY.
THIS IS BEING LOOKED INTO AND EXPERT ADVICE IS BEING OBTAINED. WHEN THE LEGAL POSITION IN THIS REGARD HAS DEEN CLARIFIED, CREDITORS AND CUSTOMERS WILL BE INFORMED.
- C -
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1934
NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST 1985 * * *
COPIES OF THE QUEEN’S NE* YEAR HONOURS LIST 1985 MAY BE COLLECTED TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM THE GIS NEWS ROOM AT 3 PM.
ThE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE HONOURS LIST WILL BE MADE IN LONDON AT OOO1 HOURS GMT ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 31).
PUBLICATION IS PERMITTED IN HONG KONG NEWSPAPERS ON ONDAY (DECEMBER 31), BUT NO NEWS AGENCY OR OVERSEAS RADIO TRANSMISSION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT MAY CARRY THE INFORMATION ।THOUT THE EMBARGO QUALIFICATION.
THE NEWS MAY BE BROADCAST FROM 6 AM ONWARDS ON MONDAY 'DECEMBER 31) OVER THE LOCAL RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS.
C\ NO ACCOUNT SHOULD ANY OF THE RECIPIENTS OF HONOURS BE CONTACTED FOR INTERVIEWS, OR FOR INFORMATION RELATED TO THEIR CAREERS, OR BE APPROACHED IN ANY WAY IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR awARDS BEFORE THESE HAVE BEEN PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED.
MEMBERSHIP OF UNIFIED EXCHANGE * * X
THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES, MR RAY ASTIN, TODAY ■SATURDAY) CONFIRMED THAT THE PRESENT MORATORIUM ON THE TRANSFER MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNIFIED EXCHANGE WILL NOT BE FURTHER RENEWED ITS EXPIRY ON DECEMBER 31, 1984.
The commissioner for securities, HOWEVER, JOINS WITH DR *00 i-tOm-FAI, CHAIRMAN OF THE UNIFIED EXCHANGE, IN POINTING OUT THAT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNIFIED EXCHANGE • E NOT YET BEEN RESOLVED AND IT IS A MATTER FOR CONSIDERATION I.hETHuR A MEMBERSHIP SHOULD BE PURCHASED PRIOR TO THEIR FINAL DETE Ml NAT I ON.
- C -
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1984
- 4 -
SERVICES FOR AREAS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
*****
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO HELP RESIDENTS IN AREAS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, INCLUDING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS THROUGH NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, WHEN HE OPENED THE l£ IGHBOURHOOD ADVICE-ACTION COUNCIL’S CHAI WAN (YUE WAN) CENTRE.
HE SAID THESE PROJECTS AIMED TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO DEVELOP NEIGHBOURLINESS, IDENTIFY THEIR NEEDS AND MOBILISE COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS.
+AT PRESENT, 39 SUCH PROJECTS ARE FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, PROVIDING VARIOUS SERVICES TO THESE RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY,* HE SAID.
MR LAW SAID THE NEW CENTRE PROVIDED AN ENQUIRY SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO HAD PROBLEMS IN ADAPTING TO THE NEW ENVIRONMENT, GAVE GUIDANCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND SECURITY, AS WELL AS OFFERED TUITION AND STUDY ROOM SERVICES FOR STUDENTS.
THE CENTRE SERVES A POPULATION OF ABOUT 6 OOO RESIDENTS IN BOTH THE YUE WAN AND CHAI WAN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
MR LAW WAS CONFIDENT THAT STAFF OF THE NEW CENTRE AND THE RESIDENTS WOULD WORK HAND-IN-HAND TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE AREAS.
------0-------
BEACH REFRESHMENT KIOSKS FOR TENDER
* * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING SEPARATE TENDERS TO RUN A REFRESHMENT KIOSK AT APPROACH BEACH AND ANOTHER AT GEMINI BEACH IN TSUEN WAN.
THE TWO BEACHES ATTRACTED LARGE NUMBERS OF VISITORS IN SUMMER, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE CONTRACTS WILL BE FOR TWO YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS, STARTING ON APR IL 1 NEXT YEAR.
TENDERS 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) AT 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE BEFORE 9 AM ON FEBRUARY 1 (FRIDAY) NEXT YEAR.
FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TSUEN WAN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE AT TELEPHONE 0-444281.
------G-------
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 193
- 5 -
NEW PEAK TRAM STATION TO OPEN * * *
A NEW PEAK TRAM STATION SITUATED MIDWAY BETWEEN THE EXISTING '•’ACDONNELL ROAD AND BOWEN ROAD STATIONS n ILL EE OPEN FROM 7 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 1), REPLACING THE TWO EXISTING STATIONS.
THE NEW STATION WILL BE NAMED MACDONNELL ROAD STATION.
-------C----------
LANE IN TSIM SHA TSUI TO BE CLOSED
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CLOSE THE LANE BETWEEN 1A
OBSERVATORY ROAD AND 79A CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE THE GRANT AND DEVELOPMENT CF A NEW UNIFIED LOT.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSAL IS THE REPROVISIONING OF A LANE BETWEEN NOS. 79 AND 79A CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH.
THE NEW LANE WILL BE PROVIDED BEFORE THE EXISTING LANE IS CLOSED.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE WORKS HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
A RELATED PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
* KOWLOON WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 1OTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
* YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE, 490 NATHAN ROAD, KOwLOON.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY FEBRUARY 26, 1985.
c
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MOMENTOUS, HISTORIC YEAR - GOVERNOR................... 1
DREAM COMES TRUE FOR TWO DISABLED YOUTHS ............. 1
IMPORTANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION STRESSED. 2
EXTENDED TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR NEW YEAR.............. 3
MORE AMENITY AREAS FOR SHA TIN ....................... 4
TERMINUS FOR TSIM SHA TSUI EAST ...................... 5
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ABERDEEN STREET.................. 5
RESTRICED ZONE........................................ 5
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, ’-9
MOMENTOUS, HISTORIC YEAR - GOVERNOR * * * * *
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE NEW YEAR MESSAGE CROM THE GCvE.RkiO , SI'- EDwARD YOUDEs
>1984 HAS BEEN A MOMENTOUS AND HISTORIC YEAR FOR HONG KONG.
+ THE SIGNING OF THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG ON 19 DECEMBER PROVIDED A FITTING CLIMAX TO THE YEAR. T MARKED ALSO THE BEGINNING OF A NEW PHASE IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY.
+ IT IS NOw UP TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US TO CONSIDER ..HAT CART wE CAN PLAY IN MEETING THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES wnlC FACE HONG KONG AND TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD. THE GOVERNMENT, FOR ITS PART, wILL DO ITS UTMOST TO ENSURE THAT HO . KONG wILL MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE ITS WAY OF LIFE AND CONTINUE I. PROSPER.
+1 WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL NEW YEAR.+
DREAM COMES TRUE FOR TWO DISABLED YOUTHS * * * *
A PILOT SCHEME LAUNCHED BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS TURNED TWO DISABLED YOUNGSTERS’ DREAM INTO A REALITY.
MR TANG CHI-KEUNG WITH IMPAIRED EYESIGHT AND MR LAM KwOK-PAN WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITY, WERE ADMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S APPRENTICE TRAINING CENTRE AS CRAFT APPRENTICES IN SEPTEMBER this YEAR.
BOTH HAD COMPLETED A BASIC CRAFT COURSE AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTE^ IN JULY AND HAD LONGED FOR FURTHER TRAINING.
THE APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME WAS ESTABLISHED IN MID-1950’S AND RESTRUCTURED IN 1969 TO TRAIN CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES AS wELL AS FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR, SAID NF KWOK SEN, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CENTRE.
+ THE CRAFT APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME, OFFERED TO YOUNG PEOPLE a I Th FORM 3 STANDARD, IS EXTENDED FOR THE FIRST TIME TO THE DISABLED. /.<_ FEEL THAT DISABLED PEOPLE WITH POTENTIAL Tj BECOME CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS SHOULD BE GIVEN THE SA^E OPPORTU . ITIES,* MR K..Z. EXPLAINED.
IN FACT, BOTH TANG AND LAM wERE CHOSEN AFTER AN OPEN EXAMINATI' AND SELECTION INTERVIEW.
oIm Dn. I f 3»'tB Sri .1«
COURSE, wE ARE AWARE OF THEIR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS. ■ • , .vOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY TAKING UP DELICATE wORk •
-- INTENSE VISUAL CONCENTRATION WHILE LA- WOULD NOT Ft
.- FOR aORK INVOLVING LONG HOURS OF STANDING.
- T„;., THESE CONSIDERATIONS, *E ARE CONFIDENT 'HAT t”
;c: 3SFULLY COMPLETE THE FOUR-YEAR COURSE,* MR KWOK SAIj.
the TRAINING CENTRE NOw COVERS EVERY MAJOR TRADE AND PLACES AL E'-'PHAS ■ '■ ON THEORIES AND PRACTICAL SKILLS.
V|Ti; CRAFT APPRENTICES WILL ATTEND A SIX-MONTH Fl-,-'.
' -RING COURSE AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, FOLLOWED BY SIX M IC TRAINING AT THE CENTRE AND THREE YEARS’ ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.
DURING THEIR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, CRAFT APPRENTICES vILL RE>'AI I-' THE DEPARTMENT OR BE DEPLOYED TO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS - -P T-EY aOULD RECEIVE INSTRUCTION AND HELP FROM WORKSHOP
TRUCTORS AID EXPERIENCED WORKERS.
r- THOUGH THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT GUARANTEE SUBSEQUENT EMPLOYMENT AFTER GRADUATION, A GREAT NUMBER OF POSTS SUCH As NSPECTFRS, WORKS SUPERVISORS AND ARTISANS ARE FILLED BY THES._ ■OUNG PERSONS AFTER TRAINING,* MR KWOK SAID.
R KWOK HOPED THAT MORE DISABLED YOUTHS WOULD BENEFIT FROM •F GOVERNMENT’S APPRENTICE TRAINING AND THAT THE PRIVATE jE'.Tih OULD OFFER SIMILAR TRAINING FOR THEM.
G - - - -
IMPORTANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL H-ALT- - ORMATI OF STRES.-.D K K
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT INFORMATION 0 OCCUPATIONAL HEAL*-SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE NOTICE OF WORKERS AND MANAGEMENT IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DEPUTY COM' I SSI ONER FOR LABOUk. DR JAMES HAYES, AT THE CONCLUSION OF A SEVEN-DAY OCCUPATIONAL -ft.TH PROMOTION SCHEME IN TSUEN ■-A N T — y (SUNDAY).
DR HAYES SAID THE PROMOTION OF HE ALT* AND SAFETY -7
*AS THE JOINT RESPONSIBILITY OF ? S AND EMPLOYE
♦AT EACH WORKPLACE, THE EMPLOY - KNOW WHAT HAZARZ
T and WHAT MEASURES SHOULD ■ ' ■' 'OVE C' REDUC
Th: TO A '''I’ I MUM, • ‘
HE ...Dr.E‘. THA" M: 'HOES AGA INS’ - - SOULE INCLU E
EQUATE . ;'.'TLAT!O , '* SUPRL .j,-.-- ..
TIONAu PULES AND P- '-Ph HOL I
/+CK
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 19&4
+0N THE EMPLOYEE’S SIDE, HE MUST PAY ATTENTION TO WORKPLACE RULES LAID DOwN BY HIS EMPLOYER, TAKE WHATEVER PROTECTIVE MEASURES ARE ADVISED, AND WEAR WHATEVER EQUIPMENT IS MADE AVAILABLE FOR HIS USE,+ DR HAYES SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT HEALTH AT WORK WAS AN ESSENTIAL PART CF ANY INDUSTRIAL PROCESS AND SHOULD BE GIVEN THE SAME ATTENTION AS DESIGN PRODUCTION, MARKETING AND PUBLICITY.
HE SAID THE TSUEN WAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROMOTION SCHEME, WHICH HAD ATTRACTED THOUSANDS OF VISITORS, WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD.
DR HAYES, WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION PROVIDED A STRONG BACK-UP IN THE PROMOTION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE DIVISION ADVISED BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC ON MATTERS CONCERNING THE HEALTH OF WORKERS AND THE HYGIENE OF THE WORKPLACE.
IT ALSO UNDERTOOK A SUPERVISORY FUNCTION TO ENSURE THE OBSERVANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH STANDARDS AND PRACTICES IN INDUSTRY.
IN 1983, THE DIVISION CONDUCTED 945 FIELD SURVEYS - INCLUDING REFERRAL CASES BY THE DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE -AND STUDIES IN SELECTED AREAS SUCH AS COTTON DUST EXPOSURE IN THE SPINNING AND WEAVING INDUSTRIES, ASBESTOES HAZARDS IN THE BUTTON, SHIPBUILDING, INSULATING AND CAR INDUSTRIES, AND OTHER OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS.
DR HAYES SAID THE DIVISION STROVE TO APPLY TO THE WORKPLACE A FULL RANGE OF MEDICAL AND HYGIENE KNOWLEDGE IN SAFEGUARDING THE WORKERS AND PROTECTING THEM AGAINST HEALTH HAZARDS.
- 0------------
EXTENDED TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR NEW YEAR * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED THE °UBLIC THAT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WILL BE EXTENDED ON NEW YEAR’S EVE UNTIL EARLY THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
THE STAR FERRY’S ROUTE BETWEEN CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI WILL RUN ALL NIGHT. HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY’S SERVICE BETWEEN CENTRAL AND JORDAN ROAD WILL OPERATE UNTIL 1 AM, WHILE ITS NORTH POINT-HUNG HOM SERVICE WILL BE EXTENDED UNTIL MIDNIGHT.
/KOWLOON-CaNTON SAIL*AY........
SUNDAY, 25EEMBEH 30, 1$B4
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY SERVICES WILL BE EXTENDED UNTIL 1
°EAK TRAM SERVICES WILL BE EXTENDED TO 1 EXCEPT THOSE AROUND THE HAPPY VALLEY LOOP AND STREET AND KENNEDY TOWN, WILL OPERATE UNTIL 2
AM. TRAM SERV ICES, BETWEEN WHITTY
AM.
CHINA MOTOR BUS WILL EXTEND ITS SERVICES ON SEVERAL MAJOR ROUTES, INCLUDING NOS. 2, 4, 7, 10 AND 23.
THE LAST DEPARTURES ON ROUTE 2 FROM SHAU KEI WAN AND MACAU FERRY WILL BE AT 1.15 AM AND 2 AM RESPECTIVELY; ON NO. 4 FROM WA FU AND CENTRAL WILL BE AT 0.30 AM AND 1 AM ; ON NO. 7 FROM SHEK PAI WAN AND CENTRAL AT 2 AM AND 2.30 AM; ON NO. 10 FROM NORTH POINT FERRY AND KENNEDY TOWN AT 1 AM AND 2 AM; AND ON NO. 23 FROM NORTH POINT FERRY AND POKFIELD ROAD AT 0.30 AM AND 1.15 AM.
KOWLOON MOTOR BUS WILL ALSO BE EXTENDING ITS SERVICES.
THE LAST DEPARTURES ON ROUTE 1A FROM SAU MAU PING AND STAR FERRY WILL BE AT 0.43 AM AND 1.40 AM RESPECTIVELY; ON NO. 5 FROI-CHOI HUNG AND STAR FERRY AT 1.20 AM AND 2 AM; ON NO. 5C FROM TSZ WAN SHAN AND STAR FERRY AT 0.40 AM AND 1.30 AM; AND ON NO. 6 FROM LAI CHI KOK AND STAR FERRY AT 1.18 AM AND 2 AM.
IN ADDITION, MANY MAXICAB ROUTES WILL BE IN OPERATION FOR LONGER HOURS.
-----0------
MORE AMENITY AREAS FOR SHA TIN
* * * *
ELEVEN BARREN SITES IN THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING SHA TIN NEW TOWN HAVE RECENTLY BEEN TURNED INTO AMENITY SPOTS.
THESE FACILITIES ARE: SIX SITTING-OUT AREAS, THREE CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS AND TWO BARBECUE AREAS, ALL WITH LIGHTINGS, BENCHES AND SHADES, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEw TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THEY ARE EXTENSIVELY LANDSCAPED AND PLANTED WITH MORE THAN 20 000 TREES AND SHRUBS.
THE CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS ARE PROVIDED WITH A BROAD RANGE Or EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING SLIDES, SEESAWS, SWINGS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PLAY-STRUCTURES.
BUILT BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, THE PROJECTS ARE MANAGED BY THE NTSD.
-------Or---------
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, -
- 5 -
TERMINUS FOR TSIM SHA TSUI EAST H * * *
THP HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT D£''
.nJTtiSc teoters fwthe construction of a temporarv = j3l.
■'-'SPORT TERMINUS AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST -0 CATER OR THE
ELOPMENT OF THE AREA.
THE TERMINUS WILL BE BUILT ON A 3 700-SQUARE-METRE SiT-... oEEN SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD AND HONG TAT PATH.
BESIDES THE TERMINUS WITH THREE BUS BAYS, THE CONTRAC 'ER THE CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED FOOTWAYS AND DRAINAGE.
IT WILL ALSO INVOLVE THE PROVISION OF TAXI STANDS AND TERMINAL FACILITIES FOR KMB COACHES AND MAXICAB ROUTES.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN FEBRUARY 1985 AND WILL TAKE ABOUT FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----o------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ABERDEEN STREET
* * *
ABERDEEN STREET BETWEEN CAINE ROAD AND STAUNTON STREET IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON JANUARY 2 UN - IL MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 15, 1985-
THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING *ORK.
------o-------
RESTRICTED ZONE * * *
FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 2), LUK LAU AVENUE AT CHOI HUNG ESTATE BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION 'WITH HUNG MUI AVENUE AND HAMMER HILL ROAD WILL BE MADE A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
WITHIN THIS ZONE, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE « I Th RM ITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WL- BE ROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN =>ASSENGERS= OR FADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN - SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
Sunday, December 30> 1984
EMBARGOED NE»7S ITEM;
NOTE TO EDITORS OF The following announcement
NEWSPAPERS, NEWS AGENCIES on the Queen’s New Year Honours List AND BROADCASTING STATIONS: will be made in London at 0001 hours
GMT on Monday, December 31-
Publication is permitted in Hong Kong newspapers tomorrow (Monday, December 31), but no news agency or overseas radio transmission of the announcement may carry the information without the embargo qualification.
The news may be broadcast from 6 am onwards tomorrow (Monday, December 31) over the local radio and television stations.
On NO account should any of the recipients of Honours be contacted for interviews, or for information related to their careers, or be approached in any way in connection with their awards before these have been publicly announced.
HONOURS
KT BACH - Knight Bachelor
CMC - Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George
OBE - Commander, Order of the British Empire
OBE - Officer, Order of the British Empire
ISO - Companion, Imperial Service Order
MBE - Member, Order of the British Empire
BEM - British Empire Medal
QPM - Queen’s Police Medal
CPM - Colonial Police Medal
Badge of Honour
New Year Honours 1985
KT. BACH
The Hon. Rogerio Hyndman LOBO, CBE, JP
Mr Lobo has a long and impressive record of public service in a variety of fields. He is a member of the Executive Council and the Senior Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council.
C. M. G .
The Hon. Michael David THOMAS, QC
Mr Thomas became Attorney General in Hong Kong in June 1983. Prior to that he had had a distinguished career at the Bar and had served as Junior Counsel to the Ministry of Defence end the Treasury in admiralty matters.
The Hon. CHAN Nai-keong, JP
Mr Chan joined the Government as a Pupil Engineer in 1952. In October 1980 he was promoted to Director of Engineering Development Department and to Secretary, Government Secretariat in July, 1984.
The Hon* Mr Justice LEONARD
Mr Justice Leonard joined the Hong Kong Judiciary in 1957 as Magistrate. He became a District Judge in 1970, a High Court Judge in 1971 and a Justice of Appeal in 1980. He retired in mid 1984.
/Mr Gerald .......
2
Mr Gerald Paul NAZARETH, OBE( QC, JP
Mr Nazareth joined the Colonial Legal Service in Kenya in 1954. He next served in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate and with the West Pacific High Commission from 1963-1973. His Hong Kong Service began in 1976 and he has been a Law Officer since 1979.
Mr WOO Hon-fai, JP
Mr Woo has been the Chairman of the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society for the last 12 years. He has been the Chairman of the Kam Ngan Stock Exchange during its 12 years of existence and was the first Chairman of the Committee of the Unified Stock Exchanges.
Mr Eric BLACKBURN, QPM, CPM, JP
Mr Blackburn joined the Royal Hong Kong Police as a Sub-Inspector in 1954 and was promoted to Gazetted Rank m 1960. He now holds the post of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Management).
Mr John CHAN Cho-chak, JP
Mr Chan joined the Civil Service in 1964 in the former Commerce and Industry Department. He later transferred to the Administrative Service in which he holds the rank of Administrative Officer, Staff Grade ’B*.
Mr CHEN Yuan-chu, JP
Mr Chen is Managing Director of Tai Hing Cotton Mill, Ltd. He retired from the Textiles Advisory Board in April 1983 after six years of service on the Board.
/The Hon. Stephen.........
■L- Hon. Stephen CHEONG Kam-chuen, JP
Mr Cheong has been an Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council since December, 1980. He is also a member of the Textiles Advisory Board, Town Planning Board, Export Credit Insurance Corporation and the Transport Advisory Committee.
The Hon. HU Fa-kuang, JP
Mr Hu was first appointed to the Urban Council in 1973 and to the Legislative Council in 1978. He also holds senior positions in the HK Football Association, HK Tennis Association HK Cycling Association and HK Philharmonic Society.
Mr James Joseph Edward MORRIN, QPM, CPM
Mr Morrin joined the Royal Hong Kong Police in 1953 as a Sub-Inspector. He now holds the post of Director, Special Branch, in the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police.
O.
Miss Lydia CHEUNG Chi-ming, JP
Miss Cheung commenced her career with the Hong Kong Government in 1949 and is now Head of the Nursing Grade.
Mr Roy KILVERT, ED, JP
Mr Kilvert has served the Hong Kong Government for 33 years and has been head of department as the Director of Government Supplies since 1979.
/Mx Graham .......
4
Mr Graham John OSBORNE, JP
Mr Osborne was first appointed in 1958 as a Mechanical Engineer in the Electrical and Mechanical Office of the Public Works Department. He is now the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services.
Mr Maurice Derek SARGANT, JP
Mr Sargant joined the Hong Kong Civil Service as an Executive Officer in 1950. He has been head of the Office of the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils since December 1978.
Mr CHENG Yang-ping
Mr Cheng joined the Hong Kong Civil Service as Chief Interpreter (Simultaneous Interpretation) in 1972. He was interpreter for the Governor and the Political Adviser in the Sino-British talks throughout their course.
Mr CHEUNG Man-sang
Mr Cheung joined the Government service in 1948 and served with the Health Inspectorate of the Urban Services Department for 35 years. He retired in June, 1984.
Reverend Stephen Butler EDMONDS
The Rev. Stephen Edmonds, an /American citizen became a voluntary Prison Visitor in 1951. In 1969 he was appointed part-time Chaplain to Stanley and Cape Collinson Training Centres. In 1974 he was the first person to be appointed to the post of full-time Prisons Chaplain.
/Ito3 Peggy............
Mrs Peggy LAM PEI Yu-dja, JP
Mrs Lam has been Executive Director of the HK Family Planning Association since 1961. She is also a member of the Immigration Tribunal, the Board of Education and the Wanchai District Board.
Mrs Mona LEONG WONG Man-suen, JP
During the course of the last 14 years, Mrs Leong has held the posts of Chairman, and later President, of the HK Chinese Women's Club, one of the leading women's clubs for the promotion of women and children's welfare in Hong Kong.
Mr Edwin LEUNG Chung-ching
Mr Leung was a member of the Executive Committee of HK Federation of Youth Groups (1980-81), and a member of the Board of Architectural Education of the HK Institute of Architects (1979-80). He served as a Director of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in 1978-80, as a Vice-Chairman in 1980-83 and is the Chairman of the current Board.
Mr Geoffrey Charles LYTTON
Mr Lytton was first appointed to the HK Civil Service as a Revenue Inspector in 1957. He transferred to the Executive Grade in 1959 which he left in 1970 to become Secretary to the Polytechnic Planning Committee. He then became the General Secretary of the HK Polytechnic when it was established in August 1972, a post which he still holds.
Mr Charles Stuart WILKINSON, JP
Mr Wilkinson has been on secondment from the BBC to Radio Television HK since 1978. Initially he occupied the post of Deputy Director of Broadcasting, but subsequently became the Director of Broadcasting in 1981.
/M.B.E. (Military) ....
o
. .B.E. (Military)
Major Nicholas Ward W00LM1NGT0N, E.D.
Major Woolmington joined the Royal Hong Kong Regiment The Volunteers) in 1967, was commissioned in 1968 and was promoted to his present rank in 1973. He is at present the St;cond-in-Command of the Regiment.
Mr CHAN Ching-hin
Mr Chan joined the civil service in April 1959. He was appointed as an Estate Caretaker in June 1961 and promoted to Head Estate Caretaker in October 1967.
Miss CHAN Hon-sang
Miss Chan joined the civil service in 1959 and now serves with the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as Secretary to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations).
Mr CHU Chuen-hong
Mr Chu started his career as an Office Assistant in 1950. He was appointed a Clerical Assistant in 1961 and has served since then in the Immigration Department.
Mr CHU Shiu-lun
Mr Chu joined the Auxiliary Medical Services as a volunteer member in 1951. He now holds the rank of Chief Supervisor of Unit Training.
Mr LAM Kwan-wax
Mr Lam joined the Hong Kong Government in 1953 and is now a Principal Survey Officer in the Lands Department.
/Mr LIU ......
7
Mr LIU Wah-ngah
Mr Liu joined the civil service in October 1955 and is now a Clerk of Works, Class I in the Building Development Department, Architectural Office Maintenance Branch.
Mr NG Shiu-lung
Mr Ng joined the Civil Aid Services in 1964 as a Warden He now holds the post of Divisional Supervisor in Kowloon North District.
Mr NG Yee-kwan
Mr Ng joined the Printing Department in May 1953 as a Printing Apprentice. He was promoted to Assistant Printing Officer in 1962 and Printing Officer in 1965. He was appointed an Inspector of Apprentices in 1977.
Mr TANG Hon-lit
Mr Tang joined the.Prisons Department as a Warder in 1952 and was promoted to Assistant Principal Warder in 1969. He was regraded Assistant Officer II in 1970 and promoted to Assistant Officer I in 1972.
Mr TANG Yuk-ming
Mr Tang joined the Urban Services Department in September 1957 and is now a Senior Amenities Assistant (Swimming Instructor) in the Recreation and Amenities Training Unit of the Urban Services Department Training School. He is a founding member of the Hong Kong Life Guard Club and Grade I Examiner of the Royal Life Saving Society, Hong Kong Branch.
/Mr
8
Mr WAN Chi-yei
Mr Wan joined the Prison Service as a Warder in August 1952. He was promoted to Junior Officer in 1964 and to the rank of Officer in 1965.
Mr WONG Kai-tung
Mr Wong joined the civil service in October 1952 and now holds the rank of Senior Clerical Officer in the Rating and Valuation Department.
Mrs WONG YEUNG Fung-sang
Mrs Wong has served as a qualified Midwife with the Medical and Health Department since 1956.
Mr WU Pak-ming
Mr Wu was first appointed as clerical officer to the civil service in April 1958 and has served since then in the Labour Department.
Mr LI Kwan-ha, CPM
Mr Li joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as an Inspector in 1957 and now holds the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police.
(Fire Services Department)
Mr FONG Cheung
Mr Fong has served with the Fire Services Department since 1957 and now holds the most senior non-officer rank.
/Mr HUNG .......
9
Mr HUNG xuk-cheung
Mr Hung joined the Fire Services Department m 1956 ana now holds the most senior non-officer rank.
Mr Raymond Brian JOHNSTON
Mr Johnston joined the Belfast Fire Brigade in 1955 and m 19t>3 was appointed to the Hong Kong Fire Services Department in which he now holds the rank of Senior Divisional Officer.
Mr LUI Kwong-yeung
Mr Lui has served with the Fire Services Department since 1958 and now holds the most senior non-officer rank.
C.P.M, (RHKP)
Mr CHAN Kam^shing
Mr Chan joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in 1959 as a Police Constable and was promoted to his present rank of Station Sergeant in 1976.
Mr HUI Chiu-yin
Mr Hui joined the Royal Hong Kong Police as a Probationary Inspector in 1965 and was promoted to his present rank of Superintendent in 1976.
Mr LAU Chung
Mr Lau joined the Royal Hong Kong Police as Constable in 1950 and was promoted to his present rank, Detective Station Sergeant, in 1977.
M.- LEE Kwan-tat
Mr Lee joined the Royal Hong Kong Police m 1961 as a t obationary Inspector and advanced to his present rank ui super-mstendent in 19 82.
/Miss Renee ........
10
Miss Renee Evelyn LEE
Miss Lee joined the Royal Hong Kong Police as an Inspector in 1961. She was promoted to her present rank, Chief Inspector, in April 1972.
Mr LEUNG Fung-shun
Mr Leung joined the Royal Hong Kong Police as a Probationary Inspector in February 1964 and was promoted to his present rank, of Superintendent in April 1977.
Mr LING Lung-shing
Mr Ling joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Constable in 1960. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1973 and to Station Sergeant in 1981.
Mr MAK Wing-chun
Mr Mak joined the Royal Hong Kong Police as a Constable m 1951 and was promoted to his present rank, Station Sergeant, in 1972.
Mr x.lired Henry MORRIS
Mr Morris joined the Royal Hong Kong Police in 1961 as a Probationary Inspector and was promoted to his present rank of Superintendent in 1982.
Mr rAANG Kui-san
Mr Paang joined the Royal Hong Kong Police in 1961 as a Probationary Inspector and was promoted to Senior Superintendent in 1983.
/Mr TANG.......
11
Mr TANG Siu-chung
Mr Tang joined the Royal Hong Kong Police as a Constable in 195b and was promoted to his present rank, Detective Station Sergeant in 1976.
Mr TONG Hung-to
Mr Tong joined Government service in 1946 in the then civilian grade of temporary stoker for service in Marine Police launches. He was subsequently appointed as a Police Officer in the rank of Sergeant (Launch Mechanic) and achieved promotion to the rank of Station Sergeant in 1972.
Mr TSANG Siu-kan
Mr Tsang joined the Royal Hong Kong Police as a Police Constable in 1954 and was promoted to his present rank of Station Sergeant in 1972.
/Badges of Honour .......
12
Badges of Honour - New Year 1985
Mr CHAN Kiu
Mr Chan Kiu joined the South China Morning Post as a photographer in 1959 and was promoted to Chief Photographer in 1976. He is one of the best known journalist photographers in Hong Kong.
Mr CHOW Dik-hin
Mr Chow has been involved in community affairs in the Tusen Wan Area since 1968 and is particularly involved with small industrailsts in the Tai Wo Hau Factory Estate.
Mr CHUNG Kwok-wing
Mr Chung was a founder member of the Tai Po Rural Committee and has been a member of its Executive Committee since 1959. He has been the Village Representative of Chung Uk Village since 1953 and a Director of the Lam Tsuen Public School Third School since 1957.
Mr HO Sun-wing
Mr Ho began his direct involvement in district community affairs in 1977 when he assisted in reconstituting the Yan Oi Tong. He has been a director of the Tong since 1980 and is now
the Chairman of its Board.
Mr HO Yiu-wah
Mr Ho is an appointed Member of the TiPsen Wan District Board and was elected Chairman of the Board of Yan Chai Hospital for the term 1983-84.
/Mr PAN ........
13
Mr KWAN Cning-kit
Mr Kwan is one of the most celebrated singing stars in Hong Kong. He also participates actively in conununity affairs.
Jr LAM Lin-sen
Di Lam is an Hon. Adviser and Adjudicator of the HK Youth Cultural and Arts Competitions; Professor, Department of Chinese Language & Literature, Lingnan College and is a former Reader, Department of Chinese & History, Chinese University of HK.
Mr LAM Tak-on
Mr Lam has been a Committee member of the Hong Kong Chai Wan Residents’ Association, is a vice-chairman of an Area Committee in Chai Wan and has been the Director of the Hong Kong Chiu Chow Overseas Public Welfare Advancement Association for many years.
Mr LLL Kwong
Mr Lee is particularly active in community work in Sha Tin. He is the chairman of the Sha Tin Sports Association and chaired the district organising committee of the Community Chest Walk m Sha Tin early in 1984.
Mr LEUNG Chung-pang
Mr Leung has been Vice-Chairman, Lai Wan Area Committee since 1979, Member, Mei Foo Sun Chuen Consultative Council 1979, President Lai Wan Kaifong Association since 1981 and Hon. President, Kowloon Mini-soccer Association since 1978.
- 14
Mi -> s ~ ~ '-g •> r -y ing
Mi. uo is a founder and pioneer : the Hong Kong Yout . Cultural and Arts Competitions. She is currently the Vice-President of Road Safety Association, the Hon. President North x. 01 * and Causeway Bay Boy Scouts Association and a member tU Civic Association.
Mr MA Ching-yuk
Mr Ma was Chairman of the Sheung Wan Area Committee from 1979 to 1984. He has been a Lay Assessor to the Magistrates Court since 1979, an Assessor of the Money Lenders Licensing Court since 1981 and is also a member of the Air Transport Licensing Authority.
Mr NG Sui-kai
Mr Ng is active in the affairs of the Yau Ma Tei District ind has been a member of the Yau Ma Tei North Area Committee since 1973.
Mr WAN Hing-yuen
Mr Wan has been involved in local community activities cuntinuously since he was appointed Principal of the Cotton pinners Association Prevocational School in Kwai Chung in 1975. e is now the District Commissioner of the South Kwai Chung Scouts
UEN Shu-kwan
Mr Yuen is the founder, and alsi urrently the Chairman, of ch Islands District Sports Association which is a driving
ce in promoting sporting activities in the outlying islands.
fc
15
NE«7 YEAR HONOURS LIST 19^5
(British Forces)
M.B.E.
Maj (GCO) Narbu Lana 2 GR
Now in UK
B.E.M.
A/W02 Birbahadur Mukhia Sun war 2 GR
Records Office Bde of Gurkhas
A/W02 Krishnakumar Ale 2 GR
Now in Brdnei
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RACING IN THE NEW YEAR......................................... 1
HOLIDAY CLINIC HOURS .......................................... 1
COST BENEFITS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE............................... 2
OFFICER PRAISED FOR ANTI-LITTER WORK .......................... 2
MTR STATION INTERCHANGE........................................ 3
URBAN CLEARWAY ................................................ 3
BREEZY PATH TRAFFIC CHANGE .................................... 3
WATER STORAGE
3
MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1984
1
RACING IN THE NEW YEAR * * * *
MORE THAN 7OO LONG-DISTANCE RUNNERS FROM ALL OVER THE TERRITORY WILL WELCOME THE NEW YEAR BY TAKING PART IN TOMORROW’S (TUESDAY) NEW YEAR INTERNATIONAL HARRIER ROAD RACE.
THE ANNUAL SPORTS EVENT IS SPONSORED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, AND IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S RECREATION AND SPORTS COUNCIL AND THE KOWLOON LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.
COMPETITORS IN THE OPEN DIVISION AND THE STUDENTS SECTION WILL START FROM THE KOWLOON TSAI PARK SPORTS GROUND AND RUN ABOUT 9 KILOMETRES AROUND THE KOWLOON TONG AREA.
WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES, WHILE THOSE WHO COMPLETE THE COURSE WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION.
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GORDON JONES WILL START THE RACE AT 9 AM.
- - 0 - -
HOLIDAY CLINIC HOURS * * * *
EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL STAY OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
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.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1984
- 2 -
COST BENEFITS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE * * *
SENIOR RESIDENTS OF KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT WILL FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) BE ABLE TO ENJOY DISCOUNT BENEFITS IN SHOPPING AND PED I CAL TREATMENT.
♦PRIVILEGED MEDICAL TREATMENT* AND +DISCOUNT BENEFIT SHOP* SCHEMES FOR PEOPLE OVER 60 YEARS OLD HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE AND RECREATION FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, MR HUI YIN-YING SAID THE SCHEMES, SPONSORED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, AIM AT SHOWING RESPECT TO SENIOR CITIZENS, WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO SOCIETY.
♦THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEMES WILL BE ISSUED WITH TWO PRIVILEGE CARDS,* SAID MR HUI.
+ONE CARD IS FOR DISCOUNTS ON ITEMS PURCHASED FROM SUPERMARKETS AND SHOPS LISTED UNDER THE SCHEME I THE OTHER IS FOR CHEAPER FEES FOR TREATMENT BY 20 DOCTORS WHO HAVE JOINED THE SCHEME,* HE SAID.
ON PRODUCING THE PRIVILEGE CARD, THE ELDERLY NEED ONLY PAY $30 FOR CONSULTATION.
+THE SCHEMES WILL BE ON A TRIAL BASIS FOR ONE YEAR, AND IF PROVED SUCCESSFUL, WE WILL CONSIDER EXTENDING THEM,* MR HUI SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE SCHEMES, ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES IN HUNG HOM AND HO MAN TIN, AS WELL AS THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT) OFFICE IN HUNG HOM.
- 0 ---------
OFFICER PRAISED FOR ANTI-LITTER WORK
* * * *
A CLEANSING SUPERVISOR OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS COMMENDED TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR DAVID WEEKS, FOR HIS EXEMPLARY RECORD OF ACTION AGAINST LITTER BUGS.
RECEIVING THE DIRECTOR’S COMMENDATION AT A BRIEF CEREMONY AT THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS WAS MR NG CH I-WING, A FOREMAN ATTACHED TO THE CLEANSING SECTION OF SAI KUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE.
MR NG HAD BROUGHT 119 LITTER OFFENDERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO COURT IN THE SIX MONTHS ENDING IN OCTOBER.
MR NG’S ACHIEVEMENT WAS A GREAT CREDIT TO THE NTSD AND SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE ANTI-LITTER EFFORT, PR WEEKS SAID.
- 0---------
/3 .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1934
MTR STATION
INTERCHANGE
XXX
iORK a ILL START LATER THIS ’HE MTR CHAI WAN STATION.
WEEK ON A TRANSPORT
INTERCHANGE
INTERCHANGE, LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF NING rOO STREET ' -- CHUNG STREET, WILL CONSIST OF A BUS TERMINUS WITH THREE
-YS A °UELIC LIGHT BUS STAND, AND ASSOCIATED FOOTWAYS.
IT w ILL PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR ADDITIONAL FEEDER SERVICES THE MASS TRANSIT ISLAND LINE AT THE CHAI wAN STATION.
BY THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE 3930 033 CONTRACT AWARDED ,;EPART',EN- FOR THE WORK wILL TAKE
I-URBAN CLEARWAY * * *
FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 2), SHING ON STREET BETWEEN SAI wAN HO STREET AND SHAU KEI wAN ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ALL VEHICLES.
... I TH IN THE ROAD SECTION, NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS BETWEEN 7 AM AND MIDNIGHT DAILY.
----0-------
BREEZY PATH TRAFFIC CHANGE * K * *
TRAFFIC ON BREEZY PATH IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY DOWNHILL FROM JANUARY 2 UNTIL JANUARY 31 TO FACILITATE ROAD REPAIRS.
DURING THE PERIOD, VEHICLES ON BONHAM ROAD HEADING FOR ROBINSON ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SEYMOUR ROAD.
- - 0------------
WATER STORAGE * * X
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 73.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 428.255 MILLION CUBIC NE TRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 529.509 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 90.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
0