PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Friday, December 1, 1972
CONTENTS
Page Noa
The proposed 36,000 million mass transit system will serve the masses «<><•»•••••.....•.................... •••••••••• 1
New prison and maximum security training centre to be constructed in Pik Uk ....................................... J
The Governor announces that further measures will be taken to combat crime ....................... • • • .....• • 5
A high level pedestrian promenade is to be built on the
Central Reclamation •••••••............•••••••••••.............. 7
The Urban. Services Department- announces the prohibition of the use of toxic dyes in the food industry ?•«••••••••••••••»• 8
The 1972 Agricultural Show begins next Friday .............• • 9
The Medical and Health Department starts work on the methadone programme •••< ...................................... n
First dividend to be declared for the Ming Tak Bank •••••• 1J
More community involvement needed •••••••••••••••••••••••• 15
Change in land policy for certain New Kowloon lots ••••••• 17
Another census report published.............. ••••••••••••• 19
Slight amendments to Workmen’s Compensation •••••••••••••• 20
Better access to agricultural land in Yuen Long •••••••••• 21
Practising Nurses have one more month to apply for recognition as Enrolled Nurses ..........••••••••••••••••••• 22
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Friday, December 1, 1972
- 1 -
MASS TRANSIT "FOR THE MASSES"
********
The Assistant Commissioner for Transport, Mr, Richard Butler, today called for "rules of the road to displace anarchy" as interim measures to ease road congestion before the proposed mass transit system is completed.
However, he stressed that such rules should also be made a permanent feature even after the materialisation of the system because of the increasing demand for public transport.
Mr, Butler was giving a talk on the underground railway at the "Point of View" series organised by the YMCA in Salisbury Road*
The mass transit, he said, would be unlikely to cause large numbers of private motorists to give up their cars voluntarily.
However, he said: "If we are prepared to consider spending over $6,000 million to ensure that one-third of our public transport is fast and reliable, surely it is worthwhile deliberately ordering our priorities for road-use and disciplining on-street activity to conform to these priorities,"
He strongly believed that a speedy introduction of constraints aimed at promoting public transport and discouraging private transport would bring about agreed priorities in the use of the existing limited road space, "In ordering our priorities the demands of the private car for road space, particularly in peak hours, must receive a priority which reflects its relative unimportance as a passenger-mover compared with public transport and that deliberate constraints should implement this," Mr. Butler said.
/"Some four
f
Friday, December 1, 1972
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"Some four million passengers travel on public transport today. By the middle 198O’s the number is predicted to have risen to 7/z million and the engineers gloomily predict that even if we were really beastly to the private motorists our road could not cope with this demand.
"We estimate that the full mass transit system would account for 50 per cent of public passenger transport movement over the area which it would serve and that for Hong Kong as a whole it would carry one-third of all passengers using public transport," he said.
Mr. Butler added that it would surely be wrong for Hong Kong to allocate over $6,000 million of resources to improve the lot of the "motoring minority” (private motorists). "So let there be no mistake, the mass transit is for the masses."
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Friday, December 1, 1972
- 3 -
NEW PRISON AND MAXIMUM SECURITY TRAINING CENTRE
*********
Work will begin early next year on the construction of a maximum security training centre and a prison compound at Pik Uk in Sai Kung.
The maximum security centre will provide training facilities for 400 young offenders under the age of 21 who are found to be unsuitable for open centres.
The prison compound will have the same capacity as the training centre, but it will be a minimum security prison.
The training centre will comprise two four-storey cell blocks, a four-storey dormitory block, an assembly hall, administrative offices and a hospital.
For recreation there will be a mini-soccer pitch, a basketball court and a gymnasium.
A 16-foot-high perimeter wall will surround the centre compound. The inmates will be accommodated in individual cells or dormitories, and strict discipline will be imposed.
It will generally be run on the same lines as other training centres, but with less time for recreation and more emphasis on regular physical training.
The Pik Uk Prison compound will contain two two-storey dormitory blocks, a dining/assembly hall with kitchen and laundry facilities, and a two-storey administrative block.
/Recreation
Friday, December 1, 1972
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Recreation facilities will include a mini-soccer pitch and two basketball courts.
The prison will be surrounded by a 12-foot-high chain link fence, and prisoners will be allowed some freedom of movement within the compound.
The staff of the two institutions will share common quarters, and five blocks of flats varying in height from three to six storeys will be provided.
The whole project, estimated to cost more than 8l6 million, is expected to be completed at the end of 1974.
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Friday, December 1, 1972
- 5 -
FURTHER MEASURES TO COMBAT CRIME
********
The Governor Sir Murray MacLehose, announced today that further measures would be taken to combat crime.
Speaking at the annual inspection of the Prisons Department at Stanley, Sir Murray described crime as "one of the problems that has most concerned the public and the government".
The following is the full text of the Governor’s speech:
"One of my first engagements last year was to attend this annual inspection. A year has passed and now I am glad to see you all again.
"During that year one of the problems that has most concerned the public and Government has been that of crime. A number of measures have been, and more will be, taken. In these you play a considerable part, and I know that increasingly heavy demands are being made on the Prisons Department.
"One new measure has been the detention centre. It is too early to evaluate its success, but I would like to record my appreciation of all the hard work and imagination the Department has put into this project. We are concerned that its effect on young criminals will be lasting, and that those who have left the centre do not revert to crime. Some deterrent may prove necessary in addition to the extensive after-care which is a significant feature of the project. One such deterrent would be the construction of a maximum security training centre.
/"We are ........
Friday, December 1, 1972
- 6 -
"We are also studying the need for a special prison to provide a regime of strict discipline and firm training for young offenders between 18 and 25 years of age. We will be guided by experience, but our current belief is that the regime for young offenders should be sharper and more concentrated than that for older or more habitual criminals.
nA 120-bed psychiatric hospital for the criminal!y insane, and for those requiring observation and treatment for mental disorders was opened this week. Other proposals for improving our prison service include a prison for geriatrics.
"The success of these measures and of others that we may have to introduce before crime is mastered in Hong Kong, depends on all of you and on your colleagues who cannot be here today. Your work is difficult and demanding and requires a high standard of discipline, devotion to duty and a humane approach. But you belong to a fine service which has always been a credit to Hong Kong and I know you will meet whatever demands our fight against crime puts on you.
"I congratulate you on your turn-out and bearing, and wish you every success in the year ahead."
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Friday, December 1, 1972
- 7 -
HIGH LEVEL PROMINADE FOR PEDESTRIANS
***»**««*
Pedestrians will soon have through passage from the Yaumati Vehicular Ferry Pier right into the heart of Central District.
A high level promenade is to be built on the Central Reclamation linking the Yaumati pier, the bus terminus and the new Connaught Centre to the elevated walkway system on Connaught Road Central.
The project is a part of the Connaught Road widening scheme.
The structure will consist of two reinforced concrete decks.
One will be 765 feet long and lead from the ferry pier to the Connaught Centre, with an 82-foot walkway branching off mid-way and leading down to the bus terminus.
The widths of the decks will be 50 feet and 25 feet respectively. They will be equipped with staircases supported by concrete columns.
From the Connaught Centre, pedestrians can proceed onto Union House via a footbridge constructed by the Hong Kong Land Company.
The promenade is connected to the proposed 1,600-foot-long elevated pedestrian way which will run above the northern footpath of Connaught Road Central between Pedder Street and Gilman Street.
From two branches of this walkway, pedestrians will be able to gain access to a point in front of the Fire Brigade Building and another point to the east of Gilman Street fronting No. 67 Connaught Road Centre.
Construction work for the high level promenade is expected to begin in January next year, and take about three months.
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Friday, December 1, 1972
- 8 -
TOXIC FOOD COLOURINGS TO BE PROHIBITED
*********
New regulations have been introduced to prevent the use of toxic industrial dyes in the preparation of food in food premises in the New Territories.
The Urban Council has already introduced by-laws which have the same effect in the urban areas.
The regulations prohibit the presence on any food premises of nonpermitted colouring matter which could be used in food.
A spokesman for the Urban Services Department said that during routine inspections of food factories and bakeries, staff from the department often find prohibited colouring matter being kept on the premises "and it can safely be presumed that these are used in food preparation.”
These colourings are known to be highly toxic, but unless samples of food being manufactured are taken for chemical analysis, it is impossible to prove that they are used in food and no legal action can be taken.
Thus the amending regulations make it an offence for any person to keep in food premises any colouring matter which is not permitted under the Colouring Matter in Food Regulations.
The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine of 32,000 and three months imprisonment. A fine of $50 a day can also be imposed for a continuing offence.
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Friday, December 1, 1972
- 9 -
1972 AGRICULTURAL SHOW BEGINS NEXT FRIDAY
The triennial Agricultural Show will be held in the New Territories on the Sck Kong airstrip from next Friday (December 8) until Monday (11)•
It will be officially opened by the Governor at 3.15 p-m. on the Friday and following this the public will be admitted free of charge.
Once again city dwellers and country people will have the opportunity of seeing the best products of agriculture in the New Territories. They will also be able to see farmers taking .part in competitions to test their skills io handling farm machinery and in planting their crops.
Cattlef buffaloes, pigs, goats and poultry including hens, ducks and geese will also be competing for prizes.
On the crop side, the entries will include all types of vegetables grown in the New Territories together with fruit, cut flowers and pot plants•
Arrangements have been made for special bus services to the showground from Tsuen Wan, Tai Po (linking witji the railway), Shek Wu Hui and Yuen Long. There will also be a large area set aside for car parking (fee 32.50 per ear) for those who wish to drive direct to the showground.
Visitors wj 11 be able to obtain snacks on the showground.
• /The Agriculture.....
Friday, December 1, 1972
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• The Agriculture and Fisheries Department which has organised
the show, has also arranged an entertainment programme for the benefit of visitors throughout the four days. It includes many different items, such as dragon dances, displays of horsemanship , military bands, judo and athletics demonstrations.
There will be 55 stands put up by commercial firms which supply the needs, of the farming community. These firms will be displaying their merchandiset ranging from fertilisers and veterinary medicines to soya bean products and oyster sauce. There will also t>e stands put up by government department♦
Other agencies participating in the Show will include the Nev/ Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, the Red Cross and the Action Committee Against Narcotics. . . ,
The Agriculture and Fisheries Department will be demonstrating some of the ways in which it helps farmers to improve farm management techniques.
In the same way that the importance of business management has boon recognised, much attention is now being given to farm management as a means of improving the farmer’s productivity. On display will be mechanisation systems designed to decrease labour costs, livestock husbandry methods to minimise losses and crop husbandry methods to increase the yield and decrease damages from plant disease. • '
Loto to Editors: Copies of the full programme of event is distributed
separately in the G.I.S. press boxes this evening. Details of press arrangements for the opening ceremony will be announced later.
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Friday, December 1, 1972
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MEDICAL DEPARTMENT’S METHADONE PROGRAMME BEGINS
*******
The Medical and Health Department’s methadone maintenance programme begins today when the first patients arrive at the pilot methadone study centre in Eastern Street, Sai Ying Pun, for clinical assessment.
They are expected to remain as in-patients for about two to three weeks, and will have to undergo simple laboratory examinations#
Eventually they will be put on methadone, to be taken orally in a mixture of fruit cordial. When they are well-established and maintained on the drug, they will be discharged from the centre, and the second phase of the programme will begin, with the addict coming daily as an out-patient for a dose.
Dr. G.H. Choa, Director of Medical and Health Services, says: ’’This phase of the treatment is intended to help the patient remain in gainful employment. His daily call at the centre will not impede or hinder his re-integration into society, his immediate family, his employers, and friends.
’’Methadone will block his craving for heroin. The dosage planned will not induce euphoria. While admittedly a substitute drug, methadone will spare the patient the harmful, anti-social side effects of heroin.”
Dr. Choa believes the daily attendance at the centre ’’need not be permanent.” This means that, depending on progress made and the degree of confidence established, arrangements are possible at some future date that would permit patients on the programme to take a small supply home for daily use.
The Medical and Health Department’s methadone maintenance programme is planned to last three years, and is expected to cover a total of 550 patients.
/The programme •••••••
Friday, December 1, 1972
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The programme is strictly on an experimental basis, and its results are subject to continuous review, with the conclusions to be drawn at the end of the three years having a bearing on future policy.
Patients are referred to the centre from the Society for the Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts, the central registry of drug addicts in the Secretariat for Home Affairs, other government departments, and voluntary agencies.
They have to confirm to certain house rules, such as a ban on gambling in any form.
The programme is entirely free for the patients, and entirely voluntary. It is costing the government an estimated 32,1 million.
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Friday, December 1, 1972
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FIRST DIVIDEND TO BE DECLARED FOR MING TAK BANK
**«***$*»
The Official Receiver, Mr. W. Hume, who is the Trustee in Bankruptcy of the Ming Tak Bank, announced today that he proposes to pay a first dividend of not less than 20 per cent to all unsecured creditors before the next Chinese New Year provided the necessary arrangements can be made in time.
Creditors are not required to take any action at the present time in connection with this proposed payment. Notices will appear in the newspapers nearer the date informing creditors what they must do in order to receive their dividend.
In the fifth circular letter issued to creditors of the Ming Tak Bank since the commencement of the bankruptcy in 19$5» Mr. Hume revealed that all government loans and interest on them had been finally cleared, and that at October J1, 1972 there was a surplus of about 33 million in cash available for distribution to creditors.
"This dramatic improvement has been due to further sales, at favourable prices, of properties forming part of the bankrupt’s estate. Sales from January 1971 to the end of October 1972 realised more than 312 million,” Mr. Hume said.
According to the Balance Sheet attached to the circular letter, the remaining assets of the bankrupt’s estate are estimated to be worth 39 million and the total liabilities have been reduced to a mere 3159>000, bringing out an estimated surplus of over $8.8 million for unsecured creditors.
/This is
Friday, December 1, 1972
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This is subject to deduction of further costs and fees, and subject also, of course, to its being possible to sell the remaining properties at prices not less than the estimated values shown in the Balance Sheet.
Mr. Hume said that if any creditor does not receive his copy of the circular letter by December 9, he should apply to the Official Receiver, Sutherland House, 10th floor, Hong Kong.
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Friday, December 1, 1972
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MORE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT NEEDED
********
It is absolutely essential to Hong Kong’s well being that ”we need to understand each other, and to share in, and identify in, our common hopes and aspirations”, the Secretary for Information, Mr. Jack Cater said today*
Speaking at the opening of the new Ngau Tau Kok Centre of the Neighbourhood Advice Council, Mr. Cater suggested that we should not only urgently improve the flew of information and consultation between the government and the people, but "aim to improve communication between various sectors of our community” so that each of us understands how his neighbour lives and thinks
He said the people of Hong Kong shared a highly competitive environment in which only ”the key element of human understanding” could keep us working together, and he was convinced there was a ’’bulling sense of identity” which united the wide extremes of the population*
Hong Kong, he said, had a preponderantly young population who were ’’more alert, more enquiring and more concerned about Hong Kong affairs*”
’’This youthfulness can be a tremendously valuable asset to our society” But if we failed to encourage their legitimate desire for commitment to and involvement in the community, it could lead to disillusionment and frustration, Mr. Cater saido
He said that faced with a challenge like this there was always the possibility that well-meaning, dedicated volunteers might come for-ward with misplaced zeal and max- the effectiveness of a concerted approach by working in isolation*
/”! am
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Friday, December 1, 1972
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"I am happy to say that we have avoided that situation, and the Neighbourhood Advice Council is an excellent example of a voluntary organisation, anxious to co-ordinate its efforts with the wider aims and policies of the overall programme,” Mr. Cater said.
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Note to Editors: Copies of the full text of Mr. Cater’s
speech are distributed in the press boxes this evening.
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Friday, December 1, 1972
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CHANGE IN LAND POLICY FOR CERTAIN NEW KOWLOON LOTS ********
Land owners who split up their present holdings of the old village building and agricultural lots in New Kowloon, and people who buy the land from then, will not in future be entitled to any greater grant of land than they are entitled to under the existing policy.
A notice in today’s Government Gazette calls the attention of the owners and intending purchasers of these lots to this change of policy regarding exchanges. • - - -
A government spokesman said today that since the end of the 1950’s, owners of any of these lots which had been required for urban development had been enabled to exchange their lands for new building lots.
"Some owners did not have enough land for an exchange and government helped them by allowing them to purchase, at a fixed price of $30 per square foot, sufficient new land to make up a minimum 1,000 sq. ft. site."
However, the spokesman said, as the price of land in New Kowloon was now very much higher than the fixed price charged for the additional land granted to these land owners, this concession had led to certain owners splitting up and selling their lands in very small lots so as to obtain a maximum grant in exchange.
"This has resulted in a shortage of land available for exchange and big loss of revenue to the government," he commented.
/"It has ........
Friday, December 1, 1972
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"Tt has therefore been decided to withdraw the concession, and in future, it will be necessary that the applicant for an exchange to surrender sufficient entitlement of old lots to cover the whole of the exchange proposed,” the spokesman explained •
"This decision does not of course reduce the entitlement of people whose lots are already too small to make up the entitlement to an exchange,” he added*
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Friday, December 1, 1972
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ANOTHER CENSUS REPORT PUBLISHED
**********
The second in a series of publications on the results of the ^971 census has been published and is now on sale.
The booklet entitled ,fThe 1971 Census : A Graphic Guide” was prepared by computer from questionnaires.-completed by<. census. aniureiCLtars, The first publication ,fCensus Basic Tables” was published in June this year
The latest booklet has been designed in such a way that it fan be easily understood by readers with little or no knowledge of statistic6f
It contains 27 coloured charts and graphs, with desertptinns in English and Chinese । explaining the sex and age fotoposition of Hong Kong1.*? population; its distribution by place of birth and origin, language and education, marital status and number of children.
Figures also show the distribution of the work force by industry and occupation and explain how people are housed and how household income is distributed, A map showing the density of the population in each census district is also included. - - .• ••
The booklet can now be obtained from all Government publications centres at-$5‘each. ,
Friday, December 1, 1972
- 20 -
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION BILL
«*«*#****
A bill which seeks to bring existing percentages of loss of earning capacity for certain injuries more in line with international standards., will shortly be introduced into the Legislative Council.
The proposed-legislation also enables an assessment of compensation for a combination of injuries to be based on the aggregate of the percentage of loss of earning capacity in respect of the injuries involved.
A government spokesman said today that the Accident Insurance Association of Hong Kong, which had been consulted on the proposal*, did not intend to raise insurance premium if the proposed amendments are incorporated into the Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance. •
The Labour.Advisory Board considered the bill last September
and unanimously accepted it. • 3
The contents of the bill are published in today’s gazette for public information.
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Friday, December 1, 1972
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BETTER ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL LAND
About a quarter of a million dollars will be spent on widening the Shap Pat Heung Feeder Road (Tai Tong Road) which links Yuen Long Town and Tai Tong, to cope with the increasing volume of traffic in the area.
The project will involve the widening of about two miles of the road into a 20-foot-wide dual carriageway with footpaths and lay-bys. Footpaths in built-up areas will be six feet wide on both sides. Trees will also be planted along the roadsides.
The completion of the road will greatly facilitate the carrying of farm produce from the adjacent agricultural areas to Yuen Long and contribute to the development of the town.
The work is expected to start early next year a nd- -take 15 mnn th to-complete.
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Friday, December 1, 1972
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TIME RUNNING OUT FOR PRACTISING NURSES
*********
Practising nurses who wish to apply for recognition as Enrolled Nurses without an examination are reminded that they have one more month in which to do so.
If applications are delivered to the Secretary (Boards) in the Medical and Health Department headquarters in person, they must actually be received before 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 30, as December 31 is a public holiday.
Applications by post should be in the mail in time to be received by December 30, as there is no postal delivery on the Sunday.
So far, more than 1,100 applications have been received from practising nurses for recognition as Enrolled Nurses.
The Nurses Registration Ordinance was amended in 1970 to allow for applications from practising nurses who are not eligible to become registered nurses, because of the qualifications they held, to be recognised as Enrolled Nurses, if acceptable to the Nursing Board.
The amendment set the time limit of June 1, 1972, for the receipt of applications — after which any practising nurse wishing to be enrolled would have to pass an examination.
A- this deadline approached, it became obvious that there was some misunderstanding about the implications of the amendment, and the time limit was extended to December 31 — a month from today.
Release Time: 8«3O p.m
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PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Saturday, December 2, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No#
Higher standard of fire prevention in industry will cut down on fire losses ••••••.........•...........•••••••••••• 1
Post Office crocks down on illegal radio operators ••«•••« 2
More hlgb»rise buildings planned for Hong Kong ••••••••••• J
Financial assistance for tenants involved in Shek Kip Mei rehousing scheme • •••..........................••••••« 4
The Governor to attend C.A.S. Parade and Open Day •••••«•• 5
Lady MaeLehose to visit Home for Aged Women in Fanling • •• 7
The Financial Secretary returns from Tokyo tomorrow •••»«• 8
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5'233191
Saturday, December 2, 1972
- 1 -
HIGHER STANDARDS OF FIRE PREVENTION NEEDED IN INDUSTRY
**»****««
Much of the losses caused by fire in 1971-72 could have been avoided if management had adopted higher standards of fire prevention.
This is the view of the Labour Department’s Industrial Safety Training Officer, Mr. A.H. Carter, who said that during the year direct fire losses exceeded 872 million and ’’indirect losses accounted for pmhnhly an equal amount or even more”.
He said suitably trained personnel could always make immediate attack on an outbreak, thus preventing a major fire from developing.
For this reason, the training centre in conjunction with the Fire Services Department recently organised a series of 40 one-day fire prevention training courses for personnel in industry.
Mr. Carter said the purpose of the course was to give these people a basic elementary knowledge of fire prevention and fire fighting.
Emphasis is put on industrial housekeeping, safe storage and handling of inflammable liquid and practical demonstrations of various fire extinguishers •
The courses are expected to finish some time this month, but Mr. Cartel said it was the intention of the Labour Department to organise another series next year.
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Saturday, December 2, 1972
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ILLEGAL RADIO OPERATORS SILENCED
»*«***«*
The possession of citizen band transceivers (commonly tailed ’walkie talkies1) without an appropriate radio dealers licence is an offence against the Telecommunications Ordinance and the use of these sets is strictly prohibited in Hong Kong.
This was stated today by a spokesman for the Post Office when •ommenting on a recent seizure of a quantity of radio devices operating on the citizen band frequencies.
The spokesman said: ’Possession of these transcievers with an appropriate Radio Dealers licence is only allowed for export purposes and the citizen band frequencies are exclusively allocated to the Hong Kong Governmente” He said that as a result of a series of lightning raids carried out recently by inspectors of the department’s Telecommunications Division six people were arrested and charged with contravening the Telecommunications Ordinance.
Five of the accused were found guilty and each was fined $400 while the remaining one pleaded not guilty.
The raids were conducted on various premises in the Kwun Tongf Sham Shui Po, Yau Ma Tei and North Point areas after a prolonged surveillance on illegal radio stations operating on the citizen band frequencies.
The illegal radio devices were all confiscated.
Note to Editors: Photographs showing some of the confiscated equipment
are distributed separately in the GIS press boxes this afternoon.
/3.......
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Saturday, December 2, 1972
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MORE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS FOR HONG KONG
*********
ELans for a 28-storey hostel in Waterloo Road for the Chinese YMCA were among a total of 79 building plans approved during October by the Building Authority*
Among the others approved were two-24-storey apartment/commercial and commercial buildings in Tin Hau Temple Road and Hysan Avenue in Causeway Bayj three 23*storey apartment/commercial buildings in Tsat Tse Mui Road, North Point, D1Aguilar Street in Central and Tsuen Wan; a 23-storey hotel in Waterloo Road and a 22-storey commercial/apartment building in Shau Koi Wan.
Altogether 3*1 of the planned buildings are on Hong Kong Island, 26 in Kowloon, 12 in New Kowloon and 10 in the New Territories.
During October, 53 buildings were also certified for occupation.
The declared total cost of these buildings is about '278.2 million.
In addition, the Building Authority approved the demolition of 69 buildings — 39 on the Island, 22 in Kowloon, six in New Kowloon and two in the New Territories.
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Saturday, December 2, 1972
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AID FOR TENANTS INVOLVED IN REHOUSING SCHEME
***** *****
Cash grants ranging from 31^0 to #400 have been approved for seven families who are •©countering financial difficulties involved in moving from Shek Kip Mei to the new estate at Pak Tin as part of the rehousing scheme there.
This follows the completion of investigations by the Shek Kip Mei field unit of the Social Welfare Department. The unit has been looking into cases where tenants receiving public assistance claimed to have difficulties in moving to the new address.
Another 1J applications for grants are being considered.
The Social Welfare Officer, specially seconded to the rehousing unitf has also finished his round of home visits to about 140 fa mi 1 i a.? who applied for assistance of one form or another.
He has referred more than 40 tenants to the Labour Employment Service for jobs, three disabled people to the Family Services Division of the Social Welfare Department for vocational training and eight famj 1 i es for public assistance.
Counselling service was also offered to- several tenants.
The current phase of the Shek Kip Mei rehousing scheme involves the transfer of some 1,860 families from the old estate to Pak Tin.
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Saturday, December 2, 1972
- 5 -
CIVIL AID SERVICES PARADE AND OPEN DAY
******41**
Members of the Civil Aid Services will have a busy day to-morrow (Sunday, December J).
They will be holding their Annual Field Day Parade at the Government Stadium in the morning starting at 9 o’clock to be followed by the open day of all unit/zone headquarters and training centres in the afternoon.
The Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, will begin the day’s programme by inspecting some 3,000 officers, members and cadets drawn from various C.A.S. units.
This will be followed by a demonstration of rescue techniques, including a simulated mountain rescue operation when four C.A.S. mountain rescue members will descend from a rope from a helicopter hovering 100 feet above the stadium.
In the afternoon, all unit/zone headquarters and training centres will hold their open day and members of the public will have a chance to see for themselves the various activities, equipment and facilities of their local C.A.S. unit.
In addition, the Yuen Long Warden Zone will be conducting a new member recruitment campaign which will be held at the Yuen Long Town Hall. To attract more young people to join the unit, C.A.S. wardens and rescuers will put on a first aid and rescue demonstration at 3*^5 p«m C.A.S. cadets will also perform an Indian Dance to entertain the guests.
/The Yuen Long ......
Saturday, December 2, 1972
6
±he Yuen Long Warden Zone, established about one year ago, now
has about 40 members.
Note, to Editors: You are invited to send a reporter and/or
photographer to cover these functions.
The Annual Field Day will take place at the Government Stadium So Ken Po.
To facilitate press coverage, a temporary position has been rese rved for photographers and cameramen to the right of the dais to photograph the arrival of the Goverror.
Photographers and cameramen should, after the first six bars of the National Anthem are played, withdraw to the front row of Stand Mo. 27, from where they can move to a vantage position under the Stadium clock if they want J o obtain a general view cf the parade and the dernozr tration.
Reporters and radio commentator are accommodated in the back of Stand No. 23.
Press leprosentatives are requested to be at the Government Stadi xr? at 9 a.m. sharp. Officers from the C.A.S. and the ^ formation Services Department will be present to assif t the press.
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Saturday, December 2, 1972
COMMUNITY CHEST VISIT TO HOME FOR AGED
*#«»»•**
Lady MacLehose, President of the Community Chest of Hong Kong, will be visiting the Buddhist Po Ching Home for Aged Women in Fanling on Monday morning (December 4).
The home is one of the member agencies of the Community Chest, and provides free accommodation for women of 60 years and over who have no means of support.
Lady MacLehose will tour the home and me£t the residents.
She will be accompanied on the visit by Sir Douglas Clague, Chairman of the Chest’s Executive Committee; Mrs. David T.C. Ho, Member of the Admissions, Budgets and Al 1 ocati ons Committee; and Mr. Col in Morrsion, Executive Director.
Note to Editors: You are invited to send a reporter and a
photographer to have the visit covered. Transport will be provided. Two nine-seater vans will be at the carpark behind the Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office at 8.JO a.m. on Monday to take the press to Fanling. Mr. Thomas Ng, Administrative Assistant of the Community Chest will be on hand to assist them. Background information on the home will be provided.
Saturday, December 2, 1972
- 8 -
FINANCIAL SECRETARY RETURNING TOMORROW
*«»**»**
Note to Editors: The Financial Secretaryt Mr. C.P. Haddon-
Cave will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon following discussions in Tokyo on the proposed mass transit railway. He left for Tokyo on November 29.
Mr. Haddon-Cave is returning by Flight CX/50% E.T.A. 2.^0 p.m.
The Financial Secretary will meet the press at the airport V.I.P. room shortly after his arrival.
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Release time: 2t3Q pym.
PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Sunday, December 3, 1972
GOVERNOR PRAISES WORK OF CIVIL AID SERVICES
The Cadet Corps of the Civil Aid Services has increased tenfold to its present membership of 2,000 since it was established in 1968.
Speaking at the Annual Field Day Parade of the C.A.S., the Govemort Sir Murray MaeLehose, praised the Services for its community work, especially the part they played in the rescue operation in the June rainstorm disaster.
During the parade, the Governor inspected some 3,000 officers, members and cadets drawn from various units of the C.A.S..
„ There was also a demonstration of rescue techniques, including a mountain, rescue operation from a helicopter.
The following is the full text of the Governor’s speech:
”During this first year I have of course briefed myself on the Civil Aid Services and what it does and have had some contact with it, but may I say on this occasion how glad I am to see you all as a service on parade for the first time.
”1 am impressed by the importance of your contribution to the rommunity.
,fMany of you took part in June in the grim rescue and recovery operations that followed on the worst rainstorms we have ever had. We in Hong Kong are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters; and I am much struck with the strong organisation and sense of community responsibility that has developed to deal with this type of emergency.
/’’As an •••••••
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Sunday, December J, 1972
- 2 -
”As an auxiliary force of highly trained and disciplined volunteers the Civil Aid Services make an invaluable contribution to this community effort# But you do other things too which are just as useful and less spectacular, such as your stand-by duty during typhoons and the manning of your Kowloon training centre on public and school holidays by the mountain rescue teams.
TrFor both these types of service to the community we all have every reason to be grateful to you.
,rI am delighted to learn that the Cadet Corps has increased tenfold since it started in 1968 and now numbers 2,000. In training these youngsters you are training good citizens, and I hope also future members of the C.A.S., dedicated to serve Hong Kong in an emergency.
”Mr. Commissioner, may I congratulate you and your officers and members on all you do for Hong Kong, and may I. wish the Civil Aid Services good luck and continuing success in the future. ”
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Release time: 11 a.m.
PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Monday, December 4, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong to prepare a glossary of
legal and government terms to standardise translation .......... 1
Special stamps for the Year of The Ox........................... 3
Three playgrounds to be built in densely populated areas ... 4
An elevated interchange to be built in Lai Chi Kok for easy access to Princess Margaret Hospital ........................ 6
470 hawkers move into modular markets of Sau Mau Ping Estate •••••••......................................... 7
Labour Department’s employment survey of industrial establishments .............................................. 8
A statutory holiday for industrial workers on December 22 • • 9
Impressionist paintings exhibition in City Hall ............... 10
Building in Ap Lei Chau declared dangerous .................... 11
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Monday, December 4, 1972 *
- 1 -
CHINESE UNIVERSITY TO PREPARE
GLOSSARY OF LEGAL AND GOVERNMENT TERMS
*********
The Chinese University of Hong Kong will undertake a special translation project to prepare a glossary of legal and government terms.
This will be an important work of reference for government departments as well as the public, and will go a long way towards standardising the translation of such terms.
Since the adoption of the major recommendations of the third report of the Chinese Language Committee, the government has taken active steps to promote a wide use of Chinese for official business.
One of the significant steps is the compilation of the glossary in both the English and Chinese languages.
Disclosing this today, the Commissioner for Chinese Language, Mr. Christopher Wong, said a steering committee would be formed to provide guidance for the project.
The committee chairman will be Dr. Francis K. Pan who was the project director for the Lin Yutang Chinese-English Dictionary of Modern Usage which is about to be published by the university.
Other members will include Mr. T.C. Lai and Mr. Stephen C. Soong from the same university and government representatives.
Members of the committee have exchanged ideas and have decided to invite leading figures in legal and cultural circles who are well-versed in both languages to serve ar consultants for the project.
/The basic
Monday, December 4, 1972
- 2 -
The basic translation work will take about a year to complete.
The master glossary which covers a wide field will then be completed in stages.
The Government has granted 5120,000 to the Chinese University to meet expenditure on the project.
The university will contribute supervisory and research staff and office facilities. ----------------------------------0 --------
Monday, December 4, 1972
THE YEAR OF THE OX ON STAMP
*«***««*
Two special stamps have been produced by the Post Office to mark the year of the Ox, the Lunar New Year 1973* They will be issued on January 25*
The stamps, which are in the 10 cents and 31.30 denominationsf were designed by one of Bid tain’s leading stamps designers, Mr. R. Granger • - i
Barrettt from photographs of local cattle supplied by the Director of ।
Agriculture and Fisheries.
The 10 cent stamp is in a vertical format and the 31.JO in a horizontal format. The size is approximately 1.7 inches by one inch and they have been produced using the photogravure process.
It will be the seventh year in which the Post Office has issued stamps marking the Lunar New Year.
Note to Editors: Photographs of the new stamps will be distributed
separately in the G.I.S press boxes this evening.
A....
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Monday, December 4, 1972
- 4 -
MORE PLAYGROUNDS IN DENSELY POPULATED AREAS *********
Three new playgrounds and sitting out areas will soon be constructed in densely populated areas on both sides of the harbour to provide nuch-needed recreational space.
Two of the sites, one in Ngau Tau Kok and another in George’s Lane in Central District, were former dumping spaces recently cleared for development in connection with the current "Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign".
The Ngau Tau Kok site has an area of about 20,CW square feet, and is situated at the junction of Kwun Tong Road, Lai Yip Street and Ngau Tau ’• • •• Kok Road.
It will be developed into a temporary rest garden and playground with two hard-surfaced basketball courts. Concrete benches will be provided by the side of these courts for spectators.
In addition, the area adjacent to the roads will be turfed and planted with trees and flowers.
Another former litter "black spot" in George’s Lane near Staunton" Road in Central will be developed into a temporary sitting out area.
It will have an area of about 1,850 square feet, including a rest graden, park benches and flower beds.
A third playground will be built shortly on an ex-quarry site at Basel Road in A Kung Ngam in Shau Kei Wan.
/The biggest
Monday, December 4, 1972
- 5 -
The biggest of the three, it will have an area of about 27,000 square feet, including a hard-surfaced basketball court, a rest garden with paved footpaths, flower beds and park benches.
Work on all three projects is expected to begin next month and each should take between two and three months to complete.
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/6 ...........
Monday, December 4, 1972
ELEVATED INTERCHANGE FOR LAI CHI KOK
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Direct access to the new Princess Margaret Hospital in Lai Chi
Kok will soon be provided with the construction of an elevated interchange on Kwai Chung Road.
The elevated roadway, which is about 1,?60 feet long, will be built about 500 yards from the western approach to the Lai Chi Kok Bridge.
It will provide convenient access to the new hospital complex by grade separating hospital bound traffic from westbound through traffic on the busy Kwai Chung Road.
In add ition, both carriageways of Kwai Chung Road within the interchange area, and for some 1,700 feet to the west, will be widened to four lanes.
The general wing of the new Princess Margaret Hospital is expected to be completed in 1974.
Tenders are being invited for the construction of foundation works for the interchange. Work will begin later this month and should take about five months to complete.
A separate contract will be let later for the major superstructure and road widening works.
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/7
Monday, December 1972
- 7 -
SAU MAU PING MODULAR MARKETS NOT OCCUPIED
«*«**«***
Most of the 470 registered hawkers trading in Sau Mau Ping Estate have already moved into the estate’s modular markets following last month’s ballots and auctions.
The rest are expected to move in within the next day or two.
The modular markets, built inside the estate compound, are aimed at giving the hawkers a clean and sanitary trading centre.
The Resettlement Officer in charge of Sau Mau Ping (South), Mr. Leung Sai-chuen said that the hawkers who have moved in were doing a good business and trading was very orderly.
He said the replacement of hawker stands by these modular markets had greatly improved the appearance as well as the sanitation of the estate•
Last week about 226 unregistered hawkers met officials of the Resettlement Department and requested that they be given stalls in modular markets as well.
After assessing the length of time that they had been hawking in Sau Mau Ping, the department decided that 166 of them would be considered for stalls in the Stage Three project.
The rest were told that they were not eligible for any of these stalls because they were recent arrivals.
This morning these 80 hawkers went to the Resettlement Department San Pd Kong Office to petition for the allocation of market stalls.
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/8
Monday, December 4, 1972
- 8 -
EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS
It*******
Small industrial establishments in Hong Kong were today urged to give greater reponse to a survey of employment and vacancies in industry now being conducted by the Labour Department.
A spokesman for the department eaid that cards had already been sent to all registered and recorded industrial firms at the end of last month., resquesting them to provide the information as the situation stands today (December 4).
During the last survey, he said., the response from large industrial establishments was 100 per cent. "But the overall response rate stood at only 6? per cent, and this could be greatly improved if all smaller establishments would respond to the survey."
He gave an assurance that the information provided would be kept strictly confidential and only used for preparing statistical sucmeries but not for enforcement of labour legislation.
The cards completed and returned by the managements of all establishments will be destroyed under supervision when the relevant information has been extracted.
The spokesman said that completed cards should be returned in the reply^paid envelopes to the Labour Department on or before December 8.
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/9..........
Monday, December 4, 1972
- 9 -
THE CHINESE WINTER SOLSTICE -
A STATUTORY HOLIDAY FOR INUSTR1AL WORKERS
**#*♦♦*♦*
The Commissioner of Labour, Mr, Paul Tsui to-day reminded employers that Friday, December 22, the day of the Chinese Winter Solstice Festival, is one of the six statutory holidays to which industrial workers are entitled under the Industrial Employment (Holidays with Pay and Sickness Allowance) Ordinance•
With few exceptions, all manual workers in industrial undertakings paid on a monthly, daily, or piece-rate- basis must be given a holiday on that day. Non-manual workers in industrial undertakings earning not more than $700 a month have the same right.
To qualify for this paid holiday, which is m addition to the compulsory four rest days a month, a worker must have worked at least 180 days during a period of 'i2 months and at least 20 days in the 28 days preceding December 22.
A worker who does i.nt qu -.r. . must ilso oe given a holiday, but has
no statutory entitlement to be paid although an employer may voluntarily agree to pay him.
A worker or employer who is in doubt about his rights or obligations regarding statutory holidays or holiday pay may obtain the advice of the Senior Labour Inspector in charge of the Women and Young Persons Unit at various branch offices of the Labour Department.
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4
Monday, December 4, 1972
- 10 -
THE ART OF THE IMPRESSIONISTS
*********
An exhibition of reproductions of impressionist paintings consisting of 49 large colour prints with explanatory texts is now on display at the City Museum and Art Gallery.
The purpose of the display is to clarify the term impressionism which is said to still puzzle many people in Hong Kong who know little about the development of Western art.
The exhibition traces the development of the impressionist movement from the 1860s until the beginning of the twentieth century.
It discusses man’s fascination with light, how the impressionist painters sought to render their optical experience, how their vision was affected by theories of complementary colours and the invention of photography.
The exhibition which closes on Christmas Eve falls into five sections-general introduction; Monet; Sisley, Pissarro, Cassatt and Morisot; Eonoir;
and Degas.
The first section introduces the movement as a whole whereas the others concentrate on individual styles of the major artists.
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/11
Monday, December 4, 1972
- 11 -
AP LEI CHAU BUILDING DANGEROUS
*********
The Building Authority today declared No. 7, Hung Shing Street on Ap Lei Chau to be in a dangerous condition.
The Principal Government Building Surveyor said today that this two storey pre-war building was inspected subsequent to a complaint by a member of the public.
Further inspections after a statutory order to repair was made revealed that the extent of decay to the roof was much greater than originally envisaged and there was danger of collapse of the whole roof.
He said it would be unreasonable to require total reinstatement because the brickwork and other timber were also defective, and an order to demolish the whole building will be served.
Notice of intention to apply for a closure order in Victoria District Court at 9.30 a.m. on January 5 was posted today.
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Release Time: 7«00 p»m.
X
PRH 7* 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Tuesday, December 1972
CONTENTS
Page No.
First public library to be set up by the Urban Services Department in the New Territories will soon be ready for use .......................................................... 1
Metered parking at the Wan Chai Ferry Pier carpark will be suspended for the opening ceremony of Exhibition fair .......... 2
Transport Department gives advice to prospective purchasers of registered vehicles ........................................ 3
Vaccination figures for anti-diphtheria and tetanus campaign •••••••••••••••••••...............................
Temporary post office will be set up at Exhibition fair ••• 5
Copies of the Royal Observatory Calendar 1973 are now on sale ••••••••••••••............................................ 6
Parking facilities are available during soccer matches at Hong Kong Stadium ........................................... 7
Governor has decided to commute death sentence of William Patrick Wilson • ............................................ 8
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Tuesday, December 5, 1972
- 1 -
FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES
********
The first public library to be set up by the Urban Services Department in the New Territories will soon be ready to serve residents in the rural areas, particularly in Tsuen Wan.
The library, at Wing Hong House in the Fuk Loi Estate, will be open to the public as soon as fitting-out works have been completed.
It will be operated on an experimental basis to cope with the • • • present need of library services in the rural areas, and may be reprovisioned
into larger premises in the future if it proves necessary.
With an area of 5,600 square feet, the library will occupy the ground floor of Wing Hong House. The facilities offered will be similar to those of the five existing public libraries in the urban areas.
There will be an adult lending library, a junior lending library, a newspaper and periodical section and a students’ study room with seating » accommodations for about 100 people.
The library will have a basic stock of 24,000 books. Special emphasis will be placed on the collection of books on the textile industry and agriculture to meet the demands of the local residents.
Membership will be free and applications will be accepted upon production of a Hong Kong identity card.
Readers who already have library tickets issued by any of the existing Urban Council public libraries may also use them to borrow books from this new library.
s. /It is......
Tuesday, December 5i 1972
- 2 -
It is hoped that with the experience and insight that can be gained from the operation of the Tsuen Wan Public Library, the Government will be able to assess better the needs of the people for the development of public libraries in the New Territories.
A working party comprising representatives of the Director of Urban Services; the District Commissioner, New Territories; the Director of Education and the Director of Social Welfare, has been set up to examine the needs for library facilities in the New Territories and to submit recommendations to the Government.
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SUSPENSION OF WANCHAI FERRY PIER CARPARK
*********
Metered parking at the Wanchai Ferry Pier car park will be suspended from 8 a.m. to 6 p.nu on Thursday (December 7) for the opening eeremony of the JOth Exhibition of Hong Kong Products at the Wanchai reclamation.
However, a spokesman for the Transport Department said that part of the ear park would be re-opened afterwards.
The spokesman stressed that parking facilities for private cars would be limited and he advised motorists to use public transport •
There would be special bus services to the fair ground, he added.
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Tuesday, December 5, 1972
- 3 -
ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF REGISTERED VEHICLES
*********
The Transport Department today advised prospective purchasers of registered vehicles to apply for a Certificate of Clearance before concluding the bargain.
A department spokesman said it often occurs that an intending purchaser of a vehicle does not know that fixed parking penalties have been imposed on the vehicle. »
It is not until he submits the transfer documents to the Transport Department that he finds that the Commissioner for Transport has received a court order prohibiting the transfer until“the penalties are paid, the spokesman said.
Certificates of Clearance, issued free of charge, can be applied for at the Rumsey Street Licensing Office, Hong Kong Island; or the Pui Ching Road Licensing Office in Kowloon.
This certificate states that no valid order under the Fixed Penalty (Traffic Contraventions) Ordinance appears in the Transport Department’s । > records in respect of the vehicle concerned.
It remains valid for 72 hours from the time of issue, excluding general holidays.
The Transport Department also reminded the public that notice of transfer of ownership of a vehicle must be lodged by the transferor and the transferee within 72 hours of the transfer.
Failure to do so renders both parties liable on conviction to a fine of 8*1,000 and imprisonment of six months.
/Failure
Tuesday, December 5* 1972
- 4 -
Failure to register transfer promptly means also that the transferor continues to be liable for any parking offence tickets which will continue to be sent to him as the registered owner, even though he has delivered the vehicle to the transferee and the parking offences are actually committed by some other person.
Both parties are advised to go together to either the Rumsey Street Licensing Office or the Pui Ching Road Licensing Office and attend to the proper transfer of registered ownership of the vehicle not later than 72 hours after the transaction.
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ANTI-DIPHTHERIA AND TETANUS CAMPAIGN
*********
A total of 34,777 doses of the combined anti-diphtheria and tetanus vaccine was administered during the week ending on November 25•
Of these, 5*337 doses were administered on the Island, 16,122 doses in Kowloon, and 13*318 in the New Territories.
In the seven weeks since this routine campaign began on October 9* a total of 133*372 doses has been administered.
The campaign will continue for the rest of the year. Free vaccine is available at all government maternal and child health centres and clinics.
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/5......
Tuesday, December 5, 1972
- 5 -
TEMPORARY POST OFFICE AT EXHIBITION FAIR ««**»*«*
The Post Office announced today that, as in previous years, a temporary post office will be provided at the 30th Exhibition of Hong Kong Products to be held on the Wanchhai reclamation from Thursday (December 7) until January 8, next year.
The business hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Sundays and Public holidays.
A stamp vending machine has been installed to provide 10-cent stamps outside office hours.
Another temporary post office will be set up at the Agricultural Show at Sek Kong from Friday (December 8) to Monday (December 11).
The opening hours of this office will be, on the first day, from 2.JO p.m. to 6 p.m., and for the remaining three days from 10 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. and from 2.15 p.m. to 6 p.m.
All classes of Post Office business will be transacted at these offices except the acceptance of insured letters and boxes.
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/6.........
Tuesday, December 5* 1972
- 6 -
ROYAL OBSERVATORY CALENDAR 1973
********
The Royal Observatory and the Government Printing Department have decided to print a slightly larger number of the Royal Observatory Calendar 1973 to meet the public demand.
Announcing this today, an Observatory spokesman said that since its first introduction, the calendar had proved to be very popular.
"During the past three years, it was sold out almost immediately after it was put up for sale."
He advised those interested to purchase the calendar as soon as they could.
Copies of the Royal Observatory Calendar’ 1973 are now on sale at S5«5O each.
They are available at the Government Publications Centre at the Star Ferry Concourse: the Government Printing Department, Java Road; the Royal Observatory, Nathan Road, and leading book stores.
The 1973 calendar is similar 'in layout to that of the popular 1972 edition and contains such information as times of sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset; times of high and low tides; astronomical events, such as eclipses, phases of the moon; the normal weather of each month; the meaning of local storm warning signals; the meaning of the fire danger warning system; the Lunar calendar; and other useful meteorological and general educational information and diagrams.
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/7...........
Tuesday, December 5» 1972
- 7 -
PARKING FACILITIES AT HONG KONG STADIUM
*********
The Urban Services Department today advised the public again that limited parking facilities are available at the Hong Kong Stadium.
A spokesman said spectators going to soccer matches at the Stadium by private cars may only park in the space provided on payment of the prescribed fee of 35 on each occasion.
He reminded motrists that parking tickets must be purchased beforehand^ as they would not be on sale at the Stadium.
Parking tickets are sold at the Star Ferry Car Park and the Middle Road Car Park, three days in advance of a match. Car park attendants will b© on duty to assist motirists.
The spokesman also advised motorists -that cars would not be permitted to park elsewhere in the immediate vicinity of the Stadiunt nor on the approach roads, to avoid traffic congestion in the area before and after matches.
Police officers will be on duty as usual to help the public*
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/8.......
Tuesday, December 5, 1972
- 8 -
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED
*******
The Governor, after taking into consideration the advice of the Executive Council, has decided that the death sentence passed on July 27, 1972 on William Patrick Wilson should be commuted to a term of 20 years imprisonment.
Wilson was found guilty of the murder of Tam Hoi-chuen.
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Release time: 6.4$ p.m.
PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No.
Marine Department is exercising stricter vigilance in harbour ...........••••••...................••••••••••••••• 1
Fire Services Department gives advice on fire prevention ........................................................... 3
Special public transport will be provided for visitors to the Agricultural Show................................... 7
Water supply to certain premises in Wong Tai Sin will be temporarily interrupted.............................. 8
Transport Department announces new speed limit and clearway on Waterfront Road............................. 9
Labour Department has circulated safety training programme for 1973................................................... 10
Transport will be provided for Press coverage of the Agricultural Show ......................................... 11
Shek Lei Public Enquiry Service Centre will be opened on Thursday ••••••••••••...................................... 12
Careers exhibition will be sponsored by Labour Department towards the end of the year...............•...............• 1J
Government announces pay increase for civil servants ..... 15
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 1 -
MARINE DEPARTMENT EXERCISING STRICTER VIGILANCE IN HARBOUR
««******«
The Marine Department is exercising stricter vigilance in the harbour to ensure that harbour regulations are enforced.
A department spokesman said that up to now, a total of 152 completed court cases concerning contravention of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance and Dangerous Goods Ordinance have been recorded since the beginning this year.
Altogether 439 summonses were issued during the period and the fines so far totalled about $46,000. At present, there are 93 cases pending court hearing and processing.
The spokesman described this "tightening-up” of port control by the department as "a last resort to steer the minds of vessel-owners to the vital significance of ship safety.”
He deplored the relative inaction of the vessel-owners at large to the repeated advice and warnings given by the department that a reasonable standard of safety should be maintained on board vessels while in port.
’’With the advice largely went unheeded, a stricter control of the port is both reasonable and inevitable," he said.
The spokesman recalled that a freighter was recently detained and its master fined $4,000 for overloading, while a fishing vessel owner was fined $500 for allowing his vessel to obstruct the Aberdeen fairway.
In another case, the master of a ship was fined $800 for failing to have sufficient crew on board the ship while in port.
/Referring to ••••••••
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 2 -
Referring to the obstruction case, the spokesman said: ”In the general interest of the floating population, the harbour and all fairways must not be obstructed in order to ensure that fire vessels and Marine launches can have proper access to typhoon shelters in case of emergency.”
As to the types of offences, the spokesman said that they ranged in the main from overloading and pollution while bunkering on the part of the deep-sea vessels to obstruction, inadequacy and/or lack of fire-fighting and life-saving appliances and so forth on board on the part of the local crafts.
He added that the Seawise and Jumbo incidents underscored the grave lesson that ship safety should be accorded top priority.
”In strictly enforcing the various shipping ordinances,” the spokesman said, ”the Marine Department has the full backing of the Court.”
’’Heavy fines imposed by the Court are expected to go a long way towards rectifying the existing situation and deterring negligent vesselowners who overlook the safety of their ships,” he stressed.
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 3 -
PUBLIC CAN HELP REDUCE FIRES
*********
The Fire Services Department today warned that incidents of fire will inevitably increase with the onset of the cooler weather and the accompanying low humidity.
However, a department spokesman said members of the public can help in reducing not only many of the fires but also the number of lives which are lost and the property which is destroyed.
In view of the heavy casualties involved in this morning’s fire in Wan Chai, the spokesman urged members of the public to be always on the alert and never to ignore the fire-prevention advice given repeatedly by the Fire Services Department.
He said lower temperatures bring out,by the thousand,heating appliances such as kerosene stoves, fan heaters, electric fires and many other forms of heating equipment.
After a long period of idleness and before being used, he said, all these appliances should be thoroughly checked by a responsible person or an authorized electrician in order to ascertain that they are in good working condition and serviceable.
When in use, all such appliances should be kept well clear of any inflammable material or goods, and kerosene stoves and portable heaters should be secured so as not to be knocked or blown over.
/In the case ••••••••••
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 4 -
In the case of kerosene stoves, no attempt should be made to fill them whilst burning or even whilst still warm.
"Ensure that they are turned out and cool, then and only then re-fill, taking care to wipe away any excess or spillage of kerosene prior to re-lighting, ensuring that the caps are returned both to the heater and the kerosene container before doing so.
"When checking electric fires, ensure that the elements are clear and unrestricted, the wiring and plug are in good condition and that they are working from a power and NOT a lighting point whose electrical supply is normally insufficient to supply the fire," the spokesman said.
When not in use, the plugs of all electrical items should be removed from the socket in order that accidental turning on does not occur so minimi si ng the risk.
During 1971/72, many lives were lost due to fires electrical in origin, and many cases can be traced to faulty installations including overloaded fuses.
,fDo have a qualified electrician check your installation at least once per year. The trouble, effort and expence will be well worthwhile," he said.
He urged resident to make sure that matches are kept away from their children and locked up safely. "Children will play and do light fires, so make certain they do not have the means to set your premises on fire especially when they are unattended."
Make certain that the aged, the infirm and the sick are not placed in danger due to heating appliances being placed too near beds, settees and chairs, especially if they are paralysed, immobile and unable to move, he said.
/Keep dangerous •••••••••••
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 5 -
Keep dangerous goods such as kerosene, rubber solution, petrol etc., no matter how small the quantity, sealed in their containers well away from any source of ignition and wherever possible put the tins into a suitably sealed container in a reasonably well ventilated area.
"If relations or persons you know have any family member who is mentally unbalanced, or is suffering from an upset mind or is prone to fits, make certain that all incendiary materials are kept well away from them.
,rDo not permit members of your family to smoke in bed."
The spokesman said many lives have been lost due to this practice over the years when the person has fallen asleep unaware that the cigarette in his hand is still alight. Each and every smoker should ensure that his cigarette end » •
is completely extinguished prior to disposal.
,TIf then after taking all these precautions a fire should break out in your premises, make certain you have some equipment handy to deal with it and that you can escape easily in not only one, but two different directions and in some cases this may well mean your window.
"That lock on your window bars may keep the burglar out but it quickly becomes your prison especially in the early hours of the morning, the room full of smoke and fumes and you, unable to find the key.
Many lives have been lost in this way some quite recently and over the past years several persons have found themselves trapped behind locked bars and subsequently succumbed to the fire, he said.
,rMake certain you can get away from your flat to the staircases, ensure your smoke lobby doors remain closed and do not attempt to try to use the lifts in the event of - fire.
/"If the power............
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 6 -
’’If the power fails you will be trapped. If you see the staircases, corridors and lobbies blocked during your every day travels, ring the Fire Prevention Bureau who will send along an Inspection Officer to deal with the hazard.”
The spokesman said that discounting the Jumbo Floating Restaurant fire, some 65 persons met their deaths last year from the causes mentioned earlier, but strict observance or basic safety precautions can help to reduce this terrible loss of life.
”As good citizens, we not only have to be on the alert when the Red Signal is showing, but at all times and more especially during these cold winter months,” he stressed,
’’The Fire Prevention Bureau, and of course, our operational staff are most anxious to see that incidents of fire such as those previously covered are reduced to the minimum and many of them do not occur, but appeals to the public to play their part in ensuring that each and every one of them become fire prevention minded."
He said the Bureau’s motto is ’’Help us to Help You” and residents can all help themselvest their friends, their relatives and help tremendously, by carrying out the few basic rules enumerated above. ’’Should you require additional advice, guidance or assistance with your fire prevention problems the Bureau’s officers are only too pleased to offer their sound advice 24 hours • -A
a day. The number to ring is H-222101.”
Z7 .......
0
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 7 -
SPECIAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR VISITORS TO SHOW
*********
The Transport Department today announced special bus and train services for members of the public visiting the four-day Agricultural Show which starts on Friday (December 8) at the Sek Kong Airstrip.
• The Show will be opened to the public from 4.30 p.nr. bn Friday, and the normal daily opening time for the following three days will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A department spokesman said the Kowloon Motor Bus Company will operate special buses for the Show - Route 18a between Yuen Long and the showground; Route 23A between Tai Po Market and the showground; and Route 26A between Tsuen Wan Ferry and the showground.
Special train services between Kowloon and Tai Po Market Station will als<p: be_ introduced on Sunday (December 10).
• • ' There will bp five up trains, leaving the Kowloon Terminus at 9.49 a.m., 10.57 a.m., 12.05 p.m., 3.39 p.m. and 5.31 p.m., and A similar number of down trains leaving the Tai Po Market Station 10.46 a.m., ‘11*54 a.m., 1.06 p.m., 4.31 p.m. and 6.23 p.m.
The spokesman advised train passengers intending to visit the show to alight from the train at Tai Po Market and then proceed to the bus terminus for connecting journeys on Route 23A.
/Show visitors •*..•••
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 8 -
Show visitors from Hong Kong Island may travel either by train from Tsim Sha Tsui or by bus Route 26 (with additional buses) at the Jordan Road Ferry. he said.
Private car parking spaces will also be provided at the showground, at a charge of $2.50 per car.
Appropriate traffic signs will be posted to guide motorists using the reads adjacent to the showground* One-way traffic routing will be introduced. if necessary.
-------0---------
WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION TH WONG TAI SIN AREA ««****»•«
Water supply to a number of premises in Wong Tai-Six^ will
be interrupted for eight hours from 1O p.u* on Friday (Dacembe» 8} to 4 a»a« on the following day.
The temporary stoppage is to enable the Water Work< Office to carry ^>ut fresh water mains connection work.
The premises to be affected are in Pok Oi' VillagePui Man Villaget Sai Tau Vil lags and No> Tung Tau Tsuen Road.
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 9 -
NEW SPEED LIMIT AND CLEARWAY ON WATERFRONT ROAD
««******»
The Transport Department today announced that with effect from ^0 a,m. on Friday (December 8), the speed limit on Waterfront Road between Arsenal Street and Hing Fat Street will be raised to ^0 m.p.h. •%
However, on either side of the flyover complex in the centre, advisory signs will indicate a lower safe speed limit*
Also with effect from 10 a.m, on Friday, a clearway system will be imposed on Waterfront Road between Tonnoehy Road and Hing Fat Street.
All motor vehicles, except franchised buses, will be prohibited from stopping to pick up or set down passengers and to load or unload goods
Appropriate traffic signs will be erected to guide motorists.
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 10 -
SAFETY TRAINING FOR INDUSTRY
********
The Industrial Safety Training Centre of the Labour Department has recently circulated its safety training programme for 1973 to all trade associations, vocational training establishments, industrial undertakings, and other Government departmentsi • ♦ *
A total of 69 courses on work in confined spaces, fire prevention, basic and advanced industrial safety, safety in the operation of woodworking machinery and safety in the operation of power presses will be offered free of charge*
A six week training course for industrial safety officers has , * * *• also been planned. The course is the first of its kind in Hong Kong.
Mr. A.H. Carter, Industrial Safety Training Officer of the Labour Department, said: "It is only by training and education at all levels in safe working procedures that we can ever hope to reduce the high rate of accidents."
"The purpose of the course is to provide industry with suitably qualified personnel to effectively perform the duties of a safety officer.
"The employment of a safety officer, who will act as an adviser to management'\n *alT safety matters, will make a positive contribution to the reduction of accidents. It is hoped that a similar course conducted in Cantonese will be run later in the year," he said.
There will also be new short courses on electrical safety in industry, safe operation of lifting equipment and slings , he added.
•------0---------
/Il........
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 11
TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENT FOR PRESS COVERAGE OF SHOW • •* • • >
Note to Editors: The Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, will
officially open the four-day Agricultural Show on Friday (December 8) at the Sek Kong Airstrip, New Territories. After the opening ceremony ' which will take place at 2.30 p.m., Sir Murray will be shown around in the Show.
You are cordially invited to have the event covered. Press transport will be provided. Two government vans will leave the Kowloon sub-pod behind the Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office at 12.45 p«m. sharp to take Press representatives to the Show, and later in the day back to Kowloon. An officer from the Agriculture- and Fisheries Department will be at the Kowloon sub-pod to assist the Press. • ’ • • • • ----------------------------o---------
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 12 -
SHEK LEI PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE TO BE OPENED TOMORROW
«*«***«*
A public enquiry service centre has been set up in Shek Lei Resettlement Estate,• Tsuen Wan, to provide better liaison facilities between the Government and residents living in the area.
The eentre will be opened tomorrow (Thursday). Apart from answering enquiries and liaising with the local kaifongs, it will help mediate disputes among residents, and render statutory declarations service.
The centre will serve a total of over 115,000 residents of the Shek Lei Resettlement Estatew and the Shek Yam and Lei Muk Shu Low-cost Housing Estates, which is about one-third of the population in Tsuen Wan.
Public enquiry service centres now operating in the New Territories are those at Kwai Chung and Yuen Long. Provision for similar services in Tsuen Wan and Sheung Shui has been approved.
The District Commissioner, New Territories, Mr. D.C. Bray, will officiate at tomorrow’s opening ceremony of the Shek Lei enquiry service centre.
Noto to Editors: You are cordially invited to send a reporter
and/or‘photographer to have the opening ceremony covered. It will take place at J p.m. at the Centre in Block 14, Shek Lei Resettlement Estate.
» - 0--------
/13........
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 13 -
THE CHOICE OF A SUITABLE CAREER
******** ,
k careers exhibition depicting a wide spectrum of careers will be sponsored by the Labour Department and held at the City Hall, on the last three days of the year.
Disclosing this today in a talk to’a Lions Club luncheon meeting, the Commissioner of Labour, Mr. Paul Tsui, said teachers, parents, young • ‘ • • • .?
people and interested parties are invited to visit the exhibition.
He pointed out thatyoung -people^-who-had selected a career unsin ted to their temperament or aptitude, would not be" able to develop their potentialities to the full. Consequently, they would become frustrated and unhappy, he added.
Mr. Tsui said the Youth Employment Advisory Service of the Labour Department is trying to cater for the needs of this section of the community.
It compiles careers pamphlets giving information on certain types of careers and regularly gives careers talks to secondary school students.
”Eighty-five per cent of the students specifically requested that more careers talks should be organised after hearing the talks. This shows that young people appreciate the needs for careers guidance,” he said.
Working closely with the Youth Employment Advisory Service are the Apprenticeship Training Unit and the Local Employment Service.
/The former ••••••
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 14 -
The former, Mr. Tsui said, aims at promoting apprenticeship in industry so as to enable young people with suitable qualifications to be enrolled into a properly established modern apprenticeship scheme, while the latter offers free placement facilities for job-seekers.
Note to Editors: Copies of the full text of Mr. Tsui’s speech,
in English and Chinese, are distributed separately in the G*I.S. Press boxes this evening.
- - - - 0---------
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 15 -
PAY INCREASE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS
*********
About 40,000 Civil Servants will receive a pay increase of approximately three per cent on their basic salary, backdated to April 1, 1972, a Government spokesman announced today.
This increase was agreed at the Senior Civil Service Council meeting held last Monday, (December 4) and has already been approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.
The increase will be awarded to the majority of officers paid on the Master Pay Scale and to the Disciplined Services.
About 3,000 staff in certain Technical and Engineering grades, known as the Works Class, are not included in this award. The salaries of these officers have recently been surveyed by the Pay Investigation Unit .... —... • • • — . , , ... _ „ and are being dealt with separately.
The Government’s pay policy is that, wherever possible government salaries should be based on a fair comparison with the pay for similar jobs in the private sector.
In time, all these groups will be surveyed but in the meantime some pay adjustment is considered appropriate for staff whose salaries have not yet been surveyed in detail.
In addition to this three per cent increase, the Government has al so decided to pay a temporary non-pensionable allowance of S75 per month, backdated to April 1, 1972, to about 5,000 supervisory and technical staff on the Master Pay Scale.
/The salary
Wednesday, December 6, 1972
- 16 -
The salary of these officers has been overtaken, in some cases, by that of their subordinates, as a result of pay increases awarded to Model Scale I staff in recent years.
The award is temporary because the Government has now set up a special committee to study the problems of Scale I employment in detail. The committee will be submitting its recommendations to the Government early next year.
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Release time: 8.00 p.m.
PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Thursday, December 7j 1972
CONTENTS
Page No#
Governor addresses opening ceremony of 30th Exhibition of Hong Kong Products#................................••••••••• 1
More needy university students get financial assistance.... 6
Deputy Director of Social Welfare explains policy on qualifications for the Assistant Social Welfare Officer grade..............•............................................. 8
A series of language courses has been started for secondary school teachers............................................... 10
A fund-raising live entertainment show will be held at Morse Park .......................................................... 11
Grants have been allocated from Lotteries Fund for three nursery projects ........................................... 12
Social Welfare Department and Resettlement Department have moved in to help fire victims................................... 1J
Water supply to certain premises in Central will be temporarily interrupted.................................................... 13
Director of Commerce and Industry announces postponement of year-end special shipment scheme concerning export of restrained cotton textiles to U.K.......................................... 14
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Thursday, December 7, 1972
- 1 -
1973 WILL SEE IMPROVEMENT IN TRADE AND INDUSTRY
********
The Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, said today he was "tolerably confident11 that 1973 would see an improvement in trade and industry#
Thus, he added, he supported the continued improvement in Hong Kong’s prosperity and the standard of living of the citizens "that is our object11 •
Sir Murray was speaking at the official opening of the JOth Exhibition of Hong Kong Products organised by the Chinese Manufacturers1 Association on the Wan Chai reclamation.
In his address, he spoke of this year’s problems for loeal industrialists, traders and bankers, future economic and industrial development and the parts played by organisations and government departments, the provision of industrial land and crimes.
The Governor said that as 1972 developed, it certainly did produce it< problems for local industrialists and traders. "Bankers, traders and Government alike have also had to confront the completely unfamiliar range of problems arising.from the floating of sterling, and the realignment of the currencies of our major trading partners," he added.
He said 1972 had therefore not been an easy year for Hong Kong, but he pointed out that "the sort of difficulties we have had are the common experience of all major exporting communities."
/He pointed • *««•
Thursday, December 7, 1972
- 2 -
He pointed to a "striking fact" that in spite of this unusually wide spectrum of difficulties, Hong Kong’s exports had still expanded by 10 per cent as compared with 1971• "This is a very fine achievement in the circumstances, from which we can take considerable encouragement*"
In other respects, Sir Murray said, Hong Kong’s economy continued to boom to the extent that a shortage of labour was still one of the industry’s bigger problems.
’*This is a tribute to the persistence and ingenuity of our manufacturers, not just in textiles but in other industries as well; and it justifies the confidence T expressed last year in Hong Kong’s ability to expand its economy in relatively difficult times as well as in good." • •
As regards future development, the Governor said there was a "quickening of economic activity" in Hong Kong’s major markets in North America and Western Europe, and hopefully this should lead to an increased growth in world trade in the course of 1973* *
"There should therefore be better opportunities for our exporters which, provided they can take advantage of them, should lead to a further satisfactory growth in exports next year," he eaid.
• Sir Murray said Hong Kong had to depend on the competitiveness,
quality and sophistication of its products to keep ahead in the race, and he knew that industry was doing a lot in this respect.
/He said •••••
Thursday, December 7» 1972
- 3 -
He said the institutional system which supports commerce and industry is also both strong and beneficial — the Trade Development Council, the Productivity Council and Centre, the Export Credit Insurance Corporation and the many trade and industrial organisations, including the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association, all play important parts in Hong Kong’s economic development.
On Government’s part, he said, much of the institutional support for commerce and industry has been established on Government initiative, and the institutions concerned continue to be assisted from the Government funds.
’’Individual Government departments are also involved in many aspects of the development of trade and industry,” he added.
On foreign participation in local industry, the Governor said its value was now estimated to have exceeded 31,000 million, and ”we hope and expect to see increased interest by foreign companies in establishing themselves in Hong Kong.”
”The object is to see new, more sophisticated and more productive industries established here which can only serve to benefit our eoonooic development as a whole.”
However, he pointed out that the principal contribution of the Government must be the provision of the essential infrastructure — housing, schools, hospitals, roads, water supplies and so on.
/With regard
Thursday, December 7, 1972
- 4 -
With regard to the provision of industrial land, Sir Murray described land as "a very scarce resource in Hong Kong” and said that, other things being equal, it has to be put to its most productive use.
"The Government believes that generally speaking the best method to ensure this is through the mechanism of the market." However, he added, provision has always had to be made for restricted user conditions in certain circumstances.
He said consideration is now being given to making certain areas of land available for sale on a restricted user basis confined to certain types of engineering industry and perhaps other similar industries of an advanced technological character. It is hoped that one lot in Tsing Yi Island will be sold on this basis in the near future, he added.
Subject to such exceptions, the Governor believed the best contribution the Government can make is to provide good access to new areas, and to provide in these areas land for industrial and private development as well as housing and other facilities.
This has been done in Tsuen Wan/Kwai Chung/Tsing I, and it will be done in Sha Tin and Castle Peak, he said. There will be considerable quantities of prepared land for industrial use in these areasw and he advised industrialists to consider the advantage of moving to these new towns at an early stage in their development so as to get in on the ground floor.
/Referring to •••••
Thursday, December 7, 1972
- 5 -
Referring to the problem of crimes, Sir Murray said the increase in violent crime is something about which "all of us in Hong Kong are disturbed, and rightly so."
However, he said, the trend will be mastered not by "wringling our hands, but by action" and he was therefore greatly encouraged by the enthusiastic response to the current recruiting campaign for the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force.
He said: "While I appreciate that crime is a complex problem, and that its causes are many sided, I believe that it is by much public spirit *• and it can be used in many ways - together with the professionalism and devotion of our police and the wisdom and effectiveness of our courts that this problem will be mastered."
Note to Editors: Copies of the full text of the Governor’s
speech are distributed oeparately in the G.I.S. Press Boxes this evening.
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/6........
Thursday, December 7, 1972
- 6 -
FINANCIAL AIDS FOR MORE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
**»***«*«
More needy students of the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong have benefited from the Government’s provision of additional funds for the university students’ financial assistance scheme this year.
Of the 6,000-strong university student population in Hong Kong, nearly 60 per cent are receiving financial aids from the Government.
A spokesman for the Joint Universities’ Committee on Student Finance said that up to last month, roughly 33*7 million had been awarded to more than 2,900 students as grants while nearly 39# million had been lent to some 3? 200 students this year.
On the average, each student received almost Si,250 for grants and 32,900 for loans.
The spokesman said that in October this year, the Government alloted a supplementary amount of 3918,000 for grants and 36.25 million for loans and a separate exercise was thereafter undertaken to ensure that the extra money could be given to the needy students.
As a result, a further 53^ students obtained grants and 5^7 obtained loans, he said.
The spokesman added that the maximum for a loan had been raised to cover all students whether or not they might be in residence at their respective universities.
/He said: ••....
Thursday, December 7, 1972
- 7 -
He said: ”The objective of increasing the provision of funds for student finance is to ensure that no student should be deprived of a place in the University for lack of means.
”It is Government’s intention to help those needy and poor students so that they may not have to spend much time and effort in earning money during the course of their university education.”
Commenting on the occasions in which some unscrupulous students tried to give distorted reports of their financial status in order to obtain government financial aids, the spokesman pointed out that legal action had been taken against the declarants submitting statutory declarations in support of the applications of the students concerned.
So far, the Joint Universities’ Committee has referred 20 such cases to the Courts on charges of perjury and falsification of statutory declarations.
Seventeen of the cases had been heard by the Court to date and the fines imposed ranged from 3200 to 33,000. Whatever amount of assistance previously given to the students concerned has been recovered by the Committee.
The student finance scheme was started in 19^9* Under the scheme, grants are used to pay tuition fees and certain unavoidable expenses such as books and so forth while loans are for the students’ living expenses.
The Joint Universities Committee on Student Finance is an independent and advisory body which administers the Government’s scheme on university student finance.
Its composition comprises the Secretary to the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee, a representative from the Education Department and representatives from the staff and students of the two universities.
Thursday, December 7, 1972
- 8 -
POLICY ON BASIC QUALIFICATIONS FOR A.S.W.O. EXPLAINED «*«****«
The Social Welfare Department has begun to implement the 1971 recommendation of the Salaries Commission that the basic academic qualification for entry to the Assistant Social Welfare Officer grade should be a university degree in social work.
"Accordingly," said Mr. Thomas C.Y. Lee, Deputy Director of Social Welfare, "only applications from graduates with a degree in social work from a recognised university can be considered."
He was commenting on a statement by some students of the Baptist College that the Social Welfare Department was discriminating against them.
"These Baptist College students appear to take the view that they should be recognised as the equivalent of university graduates," Mr. Lee said, "but the College does not, in fact, at present possess university status."
He explained that as of now Baptist College graduates in social work were accepted into the Department as Welfare Assistants and Welfare Supervisors with good promotion prospects to the grade of Principal Welfare Assistants and Principal Welfare Supervisors.
Baptist College social work graduates were not treated as holders of school certificates because, on entry into the Department, their additional qualifications were recognised so that they could get a higher starting salary.
/"It is ......
Thursday, December 7, 1972
- 9 -
,fIt is always open to them while in service to work for higher qualifications,” he said. ,fLike other members of the Department, they will have opportunities for further training so as to- make advancement possible*
f,The evaluation of the social work training provided by the Baptist College is a matter on which the Social Welfare Department will wish to have the advice of the Advisory Committee on Social Work Training. The Committee will be considering this matter shortly.”
It was, in fact, the Advisory Committee on'Social Work Training who had recommended that an Institute ’for Social Work Training — which , . 1 * •> was criticised by these students of the Baptist College — be set up by the Government outside existing academic institutions. And this recommendation had been fully supported by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
The Committee was chaired by Miss Patricia Nye, and included representatives of the two universities, the Hong" Kong Council of Social Service, and a number of voluntary agencies.
Mr. Lee said the Instutute had also been fully supported by
Dame Eileen Younghusband, an eminent social work educator in the United Kingdom and Dr. Irving Spergel, United Nations Adviser on Youth Work. It had been warmly welcomed by educational and welfare circles in Hong Kong.
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/10.........
Thursday, December 7, 1972
- 10 -
LANGUAGE COURSES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS
********
The Workshops of the English Language Teaching Centre has started a series of courses for secondary school teachers of Forms Four and Five.
The courses are designed to help them in preparing their students for the Reading Test in the Oral English Examination of the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination.
They are being held from 5*15 p.m. to 4.45 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until December 18.
On Hong Kong Island, classes take place in the Centre at 28, Kennedy Road, while in Kowloon, at the Centre’s Kowloon Unit on the 16th floor of the Kowloon Government Offices, 405 Nathan Road.
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Thursday, December 7, 1972
- 11 -
FUND-RAISING LIVE ENTERTAINMENT SHO// AT MORSE PARK
*********
A live entertainment show will be held on Saturday (December 9) at the Morse Park open air theatre to raise funds for the Urban Services Department Schools Scholarship Fund.
Programmes of the show, organised by the Fund’s Management Committee, will feature singing, magic show and a Chinese opera by the Lung Cheung Dramatic Troupe of the Radio Hong Kong. A raffle draw will also be held during the show.
The Director of Urban Services, Mr. D.R.W. Alexander, will address the gathering and present souvenirs to the artists from the Commercial Radio, Radio Hong Kong, R.T.V. and Hong Kong T.V.B.
The Scholarship Fund, which was started 10 years ago with a small captial donated by the staff of the department, provides financial assistance to needy children of the U.S.D. staff to help them pursue their secondary education.
The present assets of the Fund have accrued from holding raffles, variety shows, donations from members of the public and through investments.
The show will be held from 7*30 p»nu to 10.30 p.m. on Saturday evening*
Note to Editors: You are cordially invited to send a reporter
and/or photographer to cover the Show.
Thursday, December 7, 1972
- 12 -
LOTTERIES FUND GRANTS FOR NURSERY PROJECTS
********
Grants totalling #120,000 have been allocated from the Lotteries
Fund in aid of three voluntary agencies setting up non-profit-making day nurseries in housing estates to meet the increasing demand for child care services and facilities.
The Gospel Preaching Group and the Christian Faith Hope Mission have been granted #J0,000 each to set up day nurseries in the Sau Mau Ping Resettlement Estate.
The Kindness Day Nursery set up by the Gospel Preaching Group can accommodate 100 children between the ages of two and six.
Premises with an area of 3,000 square feet has been granted to the Group on the fifth floor and roof area of the second Welfare Building in the estate.
The Christian Faith Hope Mission has been granted six bays on the ground floor of Block 29 of the estate to set up a nursery with an accommodation of 50 children.
The Mission expects the nursery to be ready for operation early next year.
In October, the Salvation Army started a day nursery in the Wah Fu Estate in Aberdeen which can accommodate 100 children.
This is the first day nursery to be set up within the estate.
Two floors have been rented in Wah Sang House as nursery premises, and a grant of #60,000 had been allocated from the Lotteries Fund to help meet the cost of furniture, and other equipments, as well as fitting out.
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A?.........
Thursday, December 7, 1972
- 13 -
AIDS FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY FIRES
********
The Social Welfare Department and the Resettlement Department have moved in to help the victims of yesterday’s fires in Wan Chai Road and Tai Hom Village*
So far, the Social Welfare Department has contacted the family of one of the victims in the Wan Chai Road fire.
The family will be granted 8500 cash assistance from the Community Relief Trust Fund as soon as the burial order is issued. The grant for a child victim is 8^*00.
A spokesman for the S.W.D. said the department will approach the families of the remaining victims when they identify the bodies in the mortuary.
Up to now, about 2,800 people affected by the two fires have been registered with the Social Welfare Department and the Resettlement Department for emergency relief.
The Resettlement Department is also making arrangement for those who have lost their homes in the Tai Hom Village fire to be resettled in Lam Tin Estate.
-------0---------
WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION IN CENTRAL
*c**c* ****
Water supply to a number of premises in Central, Hong Kong, will be interrupted for five hours from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Saturday (December 9)»
The temporary stoppage is to enable the Waterworks Office to carry out a leakage test.
The area to be affected is bounded by Queen’s Road Central, Murray Road, Seafront, Pedder Street, Des Voeux Road Central and Ice House Street.
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Thursday, December 7, 1972
- 14 -
YEAR-END SPECIAL SHIPMENT SCHEME POSTPONED
«*****»»
The Director of Commerce and Industry announced today that the Year-end Special Shipment Scheme in respect of export of restrained cotton textiles to the United Kingdom, has been postponed until Monday (December 11) The Scheme was scheduled to be introduced tomorrow (Friday) as announced in Notice to Exporters, Series 1 (Britain) No. 24/72 of November 24, 1972.
This action has been taken in order that companies wishing to participate in the trade will have sufficient time to submit their applications.
Meanwhile, the Director has issued a Notice to Exporters regarding export of textiles to Norway.
The Notice concerns the extension of current control arrangements for restrained textiles, and current export authorisation scheme for certain garments until February 28, 1973-
Trade associations and companies on the Commerce and Industry Department's mailing list for the Notice will receive copies of the Notice shortly.
But persons who wish to seek advance notice of its content are invited to contact Mr. C.L. Li, Industry Assistant, at Tel. No. >-247315•
Due to the Christmas postal rush, there may be some delay in the delivery of this Notice, additional copies of which are therefore made available from the Reception Counter on the ground floor of Fire Brigade Building. ----------------------------------0----------
Release time: 8.00 p.m.
PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Friday, December 8, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No.
Governor praises ’’hard-working” farmers at opening of Agricultural Show ............................. ................ 1
Proposed amendment to draft Kwai Chung outline zoning plan ........................................................... 3
Amending legislation on court evidence......................... 5
New playground to be built in Tokwawan ........................ 7
Bill to amend Import and Export Ordinance •••••••••••••••• 8
Additional unit for Kennedy Town incineration plant •••••• 9
Commissioner of Prisons to attend U.N. seminar on drug problem ..................•........................•.......... -jo
Press transport for prize-giving ceremony at Agricultural Show ...........................• •.......••••••............... 11
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Friday, December 8, 1972
GOVERNOR PRAISES "HARD-WORKING" FARMERS
*«»*««*»
The Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, today praised Hong Kong’s "hard-working" farmers for their enterprise and willingness to experiment and try new techniques.
Speaking at the official opening of the Agricultural Show at the Sek Kong airstrip, he said that without their enterprise and willingness, "there would be much less to show here today and far less cause for pride of achievement, far less profit - which after all is what farming is all about*"
Sir Murray described the increased productivity as "the result of teanwork", in which he said the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, the farmers’ cooperatives and the producer associations have nil played their share.
The Show, featuring a wide variety of produce on display, will continue until Monday (December 11).
The following is the full text of the Governor’s speech:-
"Most people think of Hong Kong as an industrial city. Only yesterday I had the pleasure of opening the impressive exhibition of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association.
"That Hong Kong also has an agricultural industry is less obvious to our city dwellers - despite the fact that a large proportion of their food is locally produced.
/"I hope ......
Friday, December 8, 1972
- 2 -
"I hope that many of them will make the effort to come here and see for themselves what has been achieved in this field. They might be surprised.
,fFor one thing, they will find that although our agricultural industry is comparatively small, it too is adapting itself to a changing world. The variety of produce on display here is striking testimony to the efficiency of our farming techniques. Certainly it gives the lie to that old illusion that farmers are not susceptible to change.
"This increased productivity is the result of teamwork, in which the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, the farmers* co-operatives and the producer associations have all played their share. But the key member of the team is of course the hard working farmer himself. Without his enterprise and willingness to experiment and try new techniques, there would be much less to show here today and far less cause for pride of achievement, far less profit - which after all is what farming is all about.
"It is not only techniques that have changed but the products as well. The shift from rice farming into vegetable cultivation and pig poultry breeding is reflected in the revised competitive classes at this year’s show.
"I congratulate all concerned with organising this 1972 Agricultural Show, and I have much pleasure in declaring it open."
Friday, December 8, 1972
-3 -
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO DRAFT KWAI CHUNG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN
»«*****««
The Town Planning Board has proposed to extend the planning area of the draft outline zoning plan for Kwai Chung to the boundary of the New Territories and New Kowloon.
The proposed amendment will include in the planning area the Tai Wo Tsuen borrow area, which is above the Castle Peak Road near Kau Wah Kang. The additional area also includes Kau Wah Kang Village.
The draft plan was first exhibited for public inspection in last November.
As a result of the amendment, a further 198 acres of land will be added to the land covered by the plan of which 57 acres will be for residential development.
The residential zone will include the proposed Kau Wah Kang Government Low Cost Housing Estate for about 12,000 people. The whole estate is expected to be completed in 1979-
The Tai Wo Tsuen borrow area, worked in connection with the development of the container port, will produce platform areas of about 10 acres intended for low density residentail purposes.
A three-acre commercial zone is reserved north of the Lai Chai
Kok Amusement Park and will include a bus terminus.
Two areas totalling acres are zoned for government, institutional and community uses. The major uses in the larger area are the Lai Chi Kok Hospital, now nearing completion, and the existing Waterworks Service Reservoir. The smaller area is the Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park.
/A zone ••••••••
Friday, December 8, 1972
- 4 -
A zone covering seven acres to the east of the Amusement Park has been earmarked for district open space.
A 3^-acre area has been zoned for park strip. This is a continuation from a similar zoning to the north of the extension area. When developed, it will provide an attractive public amenity.
Another strip of steep land covering 16 acres between Castle Peak Road and Kwai Chung Road in the south-western part of the extension area, has been set aside for green belt.
The two existing petrol filling stations on Castle Peak Road will remain in the one-acre land marked for other specified uses.
The distributor road pattern in the extended area will take up 36 acres of land.
The amendments to the plan are now exhibited for public inspection during normal office hours at the Central Enquiry Sub-office, Central Government Offices, West Wing Entrance, Hong Kong; and at the Tsuen Wan District OfficefHong Kong and Shanghai Bank Building, Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories.
Copies of the amendments may also be purchased, at 33 per uncoloured copy, and 325 per coloured copy, from the Crown Lands and Survey Office, 19th floor, Murray Building, Garden Road, Hong Kong.
Any objections to the amendments may be made in writing to the Secretary, Town Planning Board, c/o Public Works Department, Murray Building, not later than February 7, 1973-
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/5.........
Friday, December 8, 1972
- 5 -
AMENDING LEGISLATION ON COURT EVIDENCE
Government proposes to amend the existing legislation to make microfilm reproductions of public documents admissible as evidence, in courts•
Making this proposal possible is the Evidence (Amendment) (No. 2)
Bill 1973 which is published in today’s Gazette and which will be introduced into the Legislative Council soon.
Briefly explaining the purpose of the bill, a Government spokesman said many Government departments as well as banks have experienced grave problems in storing their files and papers.
One solution to this problem is to microfilm record’s which could then be destroyed.
However, this action can only be safely adopted if doubts as to the evidential value of microfilms under the law are removed.
At present, a true copy of document which is proved to have been lost- or destroyodils admissible as secondary evidence of the original. But the spokesman said this is not wholly satisfactory in practice.
”For example, there may be difficulty, after a lapse of time, in calling evidence to prove destruction of the original or that the copy is a true copy.
’’Where the secondary evidence consists of a microfilm reproduction, there may be the additional problem of identifying the film.”
/The bill,
Friday, December 8, 1972
- 6 -
The bill, he said, aims at dealing with these problems.
It makes admissible in evidence a print from a film of:
* a public document which is defined as any document to which the public have a right of access;
* subject to certain conditions, a document in the possession of the Government or an authorised person.
Proof of compliance with the conditions applicable to the latter class of documents may be given by a Government officer, by an employee of an authorised person, or by an authorised person orally or by certificate.
Authorised persons are banks, trust companies and persons authorised by the Governor,
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/7
Friday, December 8, 1972
- 7 -
NEW PLAYGROUND FOR TOKWAWAN
Residents of the Lok Man Housing Estate at Kau Pui Loong Road will soon have a new playground for their leisurely enjoyment.
Covering an area of about 115,000 square feet, the playground will be located at the western side of the estate in Tokwawan.
It will include a children’s playground complete with swings, slides and a merry-go-round.
The rest of the playground will be developed into a hard-surfaced basket-ball court, and a rest garden with paved footpaths, flower beds and park benches.
In addition, the Urban Services Department will plant trees and flowers in the whole area, and provide park lighting for people who want to take casual strolls in the evening.
The project is part of Government’s efforts to provide more pleasure grounds for people living in densely populated areas.
Construction of the playground is expected to begin in January
next year and should take about three months to complete
Friday, December 8, 1972
- 8 -
BILL TO AMEND IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE *********
A bill to amend the Import and Export Ordinance in one or two minor respects is published in today’s Gazette and will be introduced into the Legislative Council shortly*
The Import and Export (Amendment) Bill 1973 seeks to effect some minor amendments of the principal Ordinance.
These amendments, which follow on from the recent revision of the Export (Certificates of Origin and Commonwealth Preference Certificates) Regulations, relate to the routine powers of investigation of persons and premises registered under those regulations and the inspection of licences and related documents and records.
Also slightly amended is the power of the Governor in Council to make regulations under the main Ordinance.
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/9..........
Friday, December 8, 1972
ADDITIONAL UNIT FOR KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATION PLANT
********
An additional incinerator unit will soon be installed in the incineration plant at Kennedy Town to cope with the increasing quantity of refuse collected on Hong Kong Island.
At present,the incineration plant at Kennedy Town consists of four furnace lines, of which three are operated continuously with the fourth acting as a standby.
The installation of the fifth furnace, which will be'similar in size and type to the existing ones, is expected to increase the capacity and daily throughput of the plant from the present 660 tons to 880 tons.
A spokesman for the Public Works Department said today: "No additional chimney will be required and it is not anticipated that the fifth furnace will increase the visible plume in the area."
At present, tender has already been invited for the civil engineering and building works for the extension of the plant.
Work is expected to begin early next year and should take about 15 months to complete.
Meanwhile, Government has already placed an order for the mechanical equipment connected with the fifth furnace.
The installation of the incinerator unit will proceed following the completion of the building works.
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/10.........
Friday, December 8, 1972
- 10 -
COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS TO ATTEND U.N. SEMINAR ON DRUG PROBLEM
«**««**
The Commissioner of Prisons, Mr. T.G. Garner, will leave for Frascati, Italy, on Saturday (December 9) to attend an international seminar on narcotic drugs abuse, production and distribution.
The conference, organised by the United Nations .Social Defence Research Institute, is mainly concerned with research into how different nations can cooperate in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking. .
Mr. T. Ecob will act as Commissioner of Prisons during the absence of Mr. Garner.
********
Note to Editors; Mr. Garner is scheduled to leave for Italy
on Saturday (December 9) by TWA at 6.25 p*m. and return on December 17 by TWA at 2.55 p.m.
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Friday, December 8, 1972
PRESS TRANSPORT FOR COVERAGE OF PRIZE PRESENTATION AT SHOW
* ♦ 4c ♦ * * * * *
Note to Editors: The Commander British Forces, Lt-Gen Sir
Richard Ward, will present cups and trophies on Sunday (December 10) afternoon to winners of the various competitions held in connection with the Agricultural Show. Sir Richard is expected to arrive by helicopter at showground at the Sek Kong airstrip by 3.15 p.m. on Sunday.
You are cordially invited to have the prizepresentation ceremony covered. Press transport will be provided. Two government vans will leave the Kowloon Sub-pool behind the Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office at 1.15 p.m. sharp to take Press representatives to Sek Kong and later back to Kowloon. An officer from the Agriculture and Fisheries Department will be at the Sub-pool to assist the Press.
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Release time: 7«00 p.m.
PRH 7m 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
CONTENTS
Page No.
Director of Fire Services urges public to learn to live within safety rules • • • • •............................... 1
Volunteers will give help to pilot Methadone Scheme ... 3
Lady MacLehose will visit Community Chest agencies..... 5
Urban Council’s annual conventional debate will be resumed on Tuesday................................................... 6
There will be issue of Daily Information Bulletin tomorrow................................................... 6
Government has approved grant from Lotteries Fund for provision of a cargo lift at blind workshop ................. 7
A registration team will operate in N.T. as from next week ..................................................... 8
Water supply to certain premises in Central will be temporarily interrupted ..................................... 9
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Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Saturday, December 9» 1972
- 1 -
PUBLIC URGED TO LIVE WITHIN SAFETY RULES
»*»****««*
The Director of Fire Services, Mr. A.E.H. Wood, said today Hong Kong has now developed into a high-rise environment with ’’vertical townships” being formed by many single buildings, and he urged the public to recognise this fact and learn to live within the safety rules.
He pointed out that fireman’s ladders do not exceed 150 feet maximum height, and it is very unlikely that they will ever be developed to reach a greater height.
’’Hong Kong’s buildings are constructed in accordance with a high standard of fire-resisting construction and compartmentation, all designed to keep inevitable outbreaks of fire to a minimum size and provide adequate safe escape routes,” he said.
Mr. Wood stressed that people and goods must be able to move freely within a building and therefore openings are a necessity.
Where openings affect means of escape or compartmentation, they are required to be protected by self-closing fire doors to re-instate the fire compartmentation after passage of persons or goods and thus prevent spread of fire and smoke, he added.
”If these doors are propped open or otherwise interfered with, in the event of a.fire.it is inevitable that fire and smoke will spread further than the designed area.
”If goods are stacked in escape passages and staircases, the situation is made even more dangerous,” he said.
/The Director ..........
Saturday, December 9, 1972
- 2 -
The Director said smoke kills and blinds’. "If firemen cannot see the fire, swift extinguishment is made more difficult. Time is of the essence.”
He pointed out that the science of fire protection is a complicated one and not easily understood by laymen. ”If you wish to make alterations or additions to a building, do not do so, however small or innocent it may appear, without first consulting the experts, the Fire Prevention Bureau. If they advise against, do not do it,” he emphasized.
Lifts are not safe means of escape, he said. ”In the event of fire, proceed to your nearest staircase and go to ground level. If everyone has obeyed the rules you will get there in safety. First know where the staircases are!”
Mr. Wood said it will never be possible for firemen to inspect every building daily. ”Your life and your goods are at stake, you follow the rules and keep to protect yourself.”
”Firemen are human too. Remember, when there is a fire, after you have left, they have to enter. Leave it safe for them too,” he said.
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Saturday, December 9, 1972
- 3‘ -
VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH PILOT METHADONE SCHEME •'X' . .
Mrs. Mary Wong, recently appointed Legislative Councillor and Chairman of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, said today young volunteers from the Association of Volunteers for Service would co-operate with the Medical and Health Department in its pilot methadone scheme.
She made this offer following a visit to the Department’s Methadone Treatment Pilot Scheme Centre in Eastern Street in her additional capacity as Chairman of the Association* She was received at the Centre by Dr. G.H. Qioa, Director-of Medical and Health Services, and shown around the premises.
Since the Centre opened on December 1, it has admitted 10 voluntary patients. Four have chosen not to continue the treatment, but six are now inpatients under observation. They are being put on methadone, taken orally, and when they are well-established on the drug, will be discharged from the Centre, with the treatment continuing on an out-patient basis.
Mrs. Wong thought the volunteers would not .only help in the search for addicts who could be persuaded to prefer methadone to heroin, but would also assist in follow-up such as regular home visits to encourage out-patients to continue with the treatment.
The young volunteers from the Association would complement the work of the Medical Social Worker attached to the Centre, and would co-ordinate their efforts .with him under the general guidance of the Medical Officer in charge of the Scheme.
/Also ........
Saturday, December 9, 1972
_ h-
Also, perhaps social functions could be arranged by the volunteers
within the Centre to enable the three-week stay of the in-patients to become more interesting.
"This is an area where I think the Association of Volunteers for
Service can be effective/’ Mrs. Wong said. ”We would like to work in such a way that beneficiaries of the Scheme will eventually contribute to society instead of being only at the receiving end.”
Note to Editors
Representatives of the Press, radio and
TV are invited to visit the Medical and Health Department’s Methadone Treatment Pilot Scheme Centre in Eastern Street at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 12. Photographs of the premises and the in-patients will be permitted-, but with regard to the latter, there should be no recognisable facial views out of respect for their privacy. An Information Officer will be on hand to assist the Press. f *•’’ 7
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/5
Saturday, December 9, 1972
- 5 -
LADY MACLEHOSE TO VISIT COMMUNITY CHEST AGENCIES
***•»*«**
Lady MacLehose, President of the Community Chest of Hong Kong, will visit three member agencies in Kowloon on Monday.
The agencies are the Children’s Meals Society Kitchen, the Ped Cross Princess Alexandra Residential School and the Margaret Trench Rehabilitation Centre of the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation.
Lady MacLehose will tour the agencies and see for herself their daily activities.
She will be accompanied on the visit by Miss Jennifer Boyle, Social Secretary at Government House; Mr. Robert Ho, Chairman of the Public Relations Committee and Third Vice President of the Chest; and Mr. Colin Morrison, Executive Director.
Note to Editors: You are cordially invited to send a reporter
and/or photographer to have the visits covered. Transport will be provided to take the press to the agencies. Two nine-seater vans will leave the car.___
park behind the Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office at 2.JO p.m. on Monday. Background notes on the agencies will be provided.
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76......
Saturday, December 9 , 1972
- 6 -
URBAN COUNCIL'S ANNUAL CONVENTIONAL DEBATE TO BE RESUMED «***»«»***
The annual conventional debate of the Urban Council will be resumed at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday (December 12) at the Council Chamber.
At the debate, six Official Members will be replying to points raised by Unofficial Members in the last two meetings.
The six Official Members who will be speaking are: the Commissioner for Resettlement, Mr. J.C.C. Walden; the Director of Social Welfare, Mr. F.K. Li; the Director of Public Works, Mr. J.J, Robson; the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services, Dr. J.K. Craig; the Secretary f.or Home Affairs, Mr. D.C.C. Luddington; and the Chairman of the Urban Council, Mr. D.R.W. Alexander.
Simultaneous interpretation will be used during the debate.
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ISSUE OF SUNDAY D.l’.B.
Note to Editors: There will be an issue of the Daily
Information Bulletin, in English and Chinese, tomorrow (Sunday)*
Copies of the Sunday D.I.B. will be available for collection as from 3 p.m. tomorrow at the G.I.S. Press Room, sixth floor, Beaconsfield House.
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/7.........
Saturday, December 9, 1972
- 7 -
GRANT FROM LOTTERIES FUND FOR BLIND WORKSHOP *********
The Government has approved a capital grant of 3150,000 from the Lotteries Fund for the provision of a cargo lift by May next year at the Tokwawan Workshop for the Blind to facilitate the work carried out by blind workers.
At present, the blind workers are obliged to carry heavy loads from various workshop sections on upper floors to the stores on the ground floor.
This presents considerable difficulties, such as inefficiency, loss of working time and income, as well as risk of personal injury and damage to the premises and goods through accidents, to which the blind are particularly prone.
Earlier this year, a capital grant from the Lotteries Fund of 3519,544 was made to enable a major renovation of the workshop to be carried out.
The large-scale renovation which has just been finished, includes the maintenance of the premises, the installation of new equipments, the enlargement of the woodwork and paper product sections, the addition of stores, sewing section and shelves for drying chalks.
Now, the workshop has put on a-new look, with electric fans and bulbs installed to improve the ventilation and lighting facilities.
Workers are each provided with a locker for storing their own tools and belongings.
_______o_________ /8........
Saturday, December 9, 1972
- 8 -
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN N.T.
#*«*«****
A team from the Registration of Persons Department will conduct registrations at the Tai Po Rural Committee office from Monday (December 11) to Friday (December 15) and from December 18 to 22. Business hours will be from 9 a«m. to 5 P-m,
The visit will enable parents or guardians to register their children from six to seventeen years of age for juvenile Identity Cards; and young persons 17 years of age and over and holding juvenile Identity Cards, to register for adult Identity Cards.
All persons living in the area are reminded of their responsibility to register themselves and their children for Identity Cards, and to report to the Registration of Persons Department any changes of employment or residential address, nationality or marital status or any other particulars which have changed since registering for their Identity Cards.
Children between six and seventeen years of age who have Hong Kong Birth Certificates or valid travel documents need not attend for registration, but children who do not have Birth Certificates or valid travel documents, must accompany their parents or guardians when registering.
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/9.........
Saturday, December 9> 1972
- 9 -
WATER INTERRUPTION
Water supply to a number of premises in Central District on Hong Kong Island will be interrupted for nine hours from 9 p^nu on Monday (December 51) to 6 a.in. on Tuesday morning*
The temporary stoppage is to enable the Waterworks Office to complete a fresh water main connection at Kwong Yuen Street East.
The premises affected are Nos. 2*44 Wing Lok Street and Nos. 1-15 and Nos. 2w56 Kwong Yuen Street East.
Release time: 2.30 p.m.
PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Sunday, December 10, 1972
FOUNDATION WORK FOR HUNG HOM RAILWAY TERMINUS IN PROGRESS
The foundation work for the new multi-million dollar Railway Terminus complex at Hung Hom is progressing well while other development works including the laying of railway tracks, building an access ramp and a giant concrete podium deck are either underway or to start soon.
At a later stage, the railway station proper, an indoor stadium, a multi-storey car park and a bus terminus will be built on the podium#
The new Kowloon-Canton Railway Terminus, which will replace the outdated Tsim Sha Tsui station, occupies an area of about 1.4 million square feet on the Hung Hom reclamation.
Mr. S. Grunberg, the Chief Engineer of the Railway Division, Public Works Department, said the whole project is expected to cost about 3160 million.
The tracks and sidings being laid at the railway terminus total about eight miles, and will join the existing alignment of the railway at the Princess Margaret Road tunnel.
Work on two access ramps to the eastern and western ends of the podium has already begun. When completed, the main ramp will eventually be linked with Gillies Avenue and the other with the Cross Harbour Tunnel approach roads.
The construction of the reinforced concrete podium deck will begin early next year. It covers a floor area of d)out 600,000 square feet and will be built J1 feet above ground level.
/Six platforms ••••••••
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Sunday, December 10, 1972
- 2 -
Six platforms will be built at ground level directly beneath the podium.
The station proper, on the first floor level, will consist of a large concourse with ticket booths., a restaurant and the usual associated amenities
The railway administrative offices and the passengers* waiting room will be housed on the mezzanine floor between the station and the ground level. Access to the platforms is located at both the north and south sides.
Pedestrian traffic to and from the station to other podium level areas will be by subways and vehicle access by a ring road.
There will be luggage lifts and escalators to serve people commuting between the railway platforms and the station and pedestrian subways.
On top of the railway station will be a seven-storey car park for about 1,000 vehicles.
A bus terminus will be built on the podium deck to the north of the ?
railway station.
Since the seven-bay bus terminus is one floor above ground level, buses will go up to the terminus from a flyover extending from Gillies Avenue.
The indoor stadium will have a seating capacity for 15,000 and will be built on the podium some distance from the railway station with plenty of open space around it to allow for adequate circulation.
Earlier, new service facilities including shed for running repairs of locomotives, turntable and oil storage tanks have been built to serve both the present terminus at Tsim Sha Tsui and the future Hung Hom terminus.
/Commenting ..........
Sunday, December 10, 1972
- 3 -
Commenting on the construction works for the present-stage development of the railway terminus complex, Mr. Grunberg said everything is proceeding smoothly and on schedule.
Note to Editors: Copies of two pictures showing foundation
work for the new railway terminus in progress will be available for collection as from J p.m. today at the G.I.S, Press room, sixth floor, Beaconsfield House.
w - - - 0 --------
A .....
Sunday, December 10, 1972
GOVERNMENT PUBLISHES PAMPHLET FOR PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS
*********
Government has published a bilingual pamphlet intended to provide advice in simple language to members of the public investing on the local stock market.
The pamphlet aims at helping investors to understand more about the risks that can be involved in such investment, and so to act with more caution and forethought.
The Companies (Amendment) Bill dealing with prospectuses was recently published in the Gazette and the second reading debate on the Bill has been concluded in the Legislative Council. . . ~
A number of other bills, dealing with Securities, Unit Trusts, Mutual Funds and Take-overs, arising from the Companies Law Revision Committee Report on the Protection of Investors, are in the precess of being drafted and will be published, in the comming months.
Entitled "A Simple Guide to Investment in Shares - Investigate before you invest, don’t make it a gamble”, the pamphlet warns that the purchase of shares on the stock market should not be regarded as a quick way of making money. It should be a long-term investment.
It tells people that before they buy shares, they should ask themselves whether they can afford to lose the money.
”If not, put your money in a risk-free form of saving such as a bank deposit account”.
It says: ’’The only way to be absolutely sure that you will not lose anything is not to buy shares at all”.
/It tells
Sunday, December 10, 1972
9 “
It tells of the ”ups and downs” of prices and mentions some of the points to look for when assessing what a share is worth.
It also deals with how to go about finding a broker , the difference between public offer and private placing of shares, what happens when offers and placings are over-subscribed, investing on overseas stock exchanges and where information on prices and turnover on the stock exchanges is available.
The pamphlet warns people against buying shares because of vague rumours or suggestions, or from travelling salesmen.
It advises them to find out as much as they can about the company involved before buying any shares and adds:
”If you cannot understand the prospectus, consult a reputable broker, accountant, solicitor or bank manager who will explain it to you”.
If the shares have been traded for some time people are advised to look at the original prospectus as well as the information to be found in the publications of the stock exchanges.
The pamphlet points out that a good source of information on any company is the latest annual report and accounts of the company, a copy of which can be obtained from the company secretary.
The pamphlet cautions: ’’Remember, buying shares on a stock exchange is a risk - do not gamble unless you can afford to”.
The pamphlet is for free distribution through the banks and the stock exchanges.
Copies of the booklet will be available free from all City District Offices, banks and stock exchanges or direct from the Government Information Services, as from tomorrow (December 11).
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Release time: ^.00 p.m.
PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Monday, December 11, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No.
Plans have been announced to streamline the two government abattoirs ...................................................... 1
Driving tests are now required for holders of non-Hong Kong licences who apply for a Hong Kong Licence..........•••*•••... J
The Governor presents his Cup and Shield to police contingents ..........................................«.......... 4
Special counters will be opened at post offices to deal with the Christmas mail ............................................. 5
Women are playing an important part in Hong Kong’s industry... 6
Figures for the eighth week of the anti-diphtheria campaign have been announced ............................................. 8
Five buildings have been declared dangerous...................... 9
An exhibition of Chinese paintings is being held at Wong Tai Sin Community Centre ......................................... 10
Textile shipments can be effected over the Christmas period... 10
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
Monday, December 11, 1972
PLANS TO IMPROVE GOVERNMENT ABATTOIRS
Further Mechanisation Envisaged
*******
The Government is to embark on a. <510 million project to streamline the operation of the two government abattoirs at Cheung Sha Wan and Kennedy Town*
The project will involve a further mechanisation of the existing slaughter-line system and the installation of a third pig slaughter-line.
Special conveyor systems and extra water showers for carcases will e be provided and a fourth mechanical descender, designed to facilitate the transfer of carcases, will be installed.
The modifications are aimed at further improving the efficiency of the abattoirs, which are now semi-mechanised.
At present, two pig slaughter-lines operate simultaneously in the two abattoirs though one of them was originally envisaged as a standby for breakdowns, emergencies and overhaul purposes.
This tends to accelerate the general wear and tear of the lines apart from depriving the abattoirs of any overhaul ability.
During festivals, the demand for pigs increases and this exerts a tremendous pressure on the slaughter-lines.
With the completion of the third line, the total hourly output of pigs is expected to increase from the present 420 to 6J0.
Commenting on the project, the Assistant Director (Abattoirs, Hawkers & Markets) of the Urban Services Department, Mr. Augustine Chui Kam, said today: "The project to be implemented in the Cheung Sha Wan and Kennedy Town Abattoirs clearly reflects the Government’s continued efforts to streamline the existing abattoirs and to improve the supply of meat to local consumers.1’
/lie added ••••..*
Monday, December 11, 1972
He added that the Government would study the feasibility of building
another abattoir in the urban area and slaughterhouses in suitable locations in the Nev/ Territories*
********
Note .to Editors;
Copies of a photograph showing a pig
slaughter-line at Cheung Sha Wan Abattoir are distributed separately in the press boxes this evening.
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Z5
Monday, December 11, 1972
- 3 -
DRIVING TEST REQUIRED FOR HOLDERS OF NON-H.K. LICENCES
U.K. Practice Followed
*******
Holders of non-Hong Kong driving licences who apply for the issue of Hong Kong driving licences will, from today(Monday), all be required to pass a Hong Kong driving test, a Transport Department spokesman said today.
Under present legislation, the Commissioner for Transport may issue a Hong Kong driving licence direct to a person who has held a non—Hong Kong driving licence any time within the previous three years.
Hitherto, it has been the practice to look at each case on its merits, to judge whether the applicant had sufficient driving experience to warrant waiving the Hong Kong driving test in whole or in part. ’’This’', the spokesman said,”has given rise to so much difficulty that it is necessary to introduce a requirement that all applicants who are holders of non-Hong Kong driving licences must take a Hong Kong driving test (but not the written test).”
This follows the current U.K. practice whereby a U.K. driving licence vn 11 be issued only where an applicant passes a U.K. test, irrespective of whether the applicant holds a non-U.K. licence.
Holders of non—Hong Kong driving licences and of international driving permits may drive in Hong Kong on the strength of those licences for up to a year, provided the licence is valid for that period.
If they wish to continue to drive in Hong Kong thereafter, they are advised to apply to the Transport Department, in good time before the expiry of the licence, for the issue of a Hong Kong driving licence.
There will be a delay (at present up to three months) before they can be tested.
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Monday, December 11, 1972
- 4 -
GOVERNOR PRESENTS CUP AND SHIELD TO TONING POLICE CONTINGENTS
****»««**
The Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, today praised all the Contingents which took part in this year’s Review of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force for ”a very high standard” of turnout and bearing.
Speaking at the presentation of his Cup and Shield at the Auxiliary Police Headquarters, Sir Murray said it was an ’’exceptional achievement” to win the Cup and the Shield.
He congratulated the winning contingents — the Police Dog Unit and the Hong Kong Island (Auxiliary) Contingent.
The following is the full text of the Governor’s speech: ’’This year’s Review of the Royal Hong Kong Police by Her
Royal Highness Princess Alexandra was an outstanding parade. The turnout and bearing of all the contingents which took part were of a very high standard indeed and the three independent judges must have found it far from easy to select the winners.
”To win the Cup and‘the Shield on such an occasion is an exceptional achievement, and great credit is due to the winning contingents * the Police Dog Unit under Senior Inspector FUNG and the Hong Kong Island (Auxiliary) Contingent under Superintendent CHOVJ.
"I congratulate you on your preformance and offer my best wishes to the Commissioner and all ranks of the Force for the year which lies ahead."
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/5.........
Monday, December 11, 1972
- 5 -
SPECIAL COUNTERS FOR MAILING CHRISTMAS CARDS
******* (
Special counter positions will be opened at Kowloon Central, Tsim Sha Tsui and General Post Offices from Wednesday (December 1J) to December 21 for the acceptance of Christmas cards.
The special counters will accept any quantity of Christmas items.
’•All post offices will be extremely busy during the pre-Christmas period. It would therefore be very helpful if the public using these counter positions could separate their postings clearly between Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories addresses,” a spokesman for the Post Office said today:
The normal limitation on acceptance of cash in prepayment of postage will be relaxed at all post offices except those in the New Territories throughout the period.
Members of the public with at least 40 items with a total postage of <4 or more may hand the items over the counter at these offices without affixing stamps. A receipt will be given in exchange for the postage paid on the items.
They are advised that the latest time for the posting of local mail items to ensure delivery before Christmas Day will be 6 p.m. on December 21.
‘•Postings after this date cannot be guaranteed delivery before Christmas,” the spokesman said.
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/6.........
Monday, December 11, 1972
- 6 -
WOMEN PLAY IMPORTANT PART IN INDUSTRY
Textile Industry Dnploys Most Women
O«tt***
Women are playing an important role in Hong Kong’s light industry.
According to official figures released by the Labour Department, 289,301 women were employed in registered and recorded industrial undertakings at the end of 1971, excluding out-workers and those engaged in the building trades•
The textile and garment industries absorb most of the women labour force. The number of women employed by the textile industry, by the end of last year, was 63,346, while the number of women working in the garment industry amounted to 82,825.
Besides these two industries, the plastics industry and undertakings such as the manufacture of wigs, metal products, and electrical appliances are employing a large number of women.
As the figures show 34,927 women were engaged in the plastics industry, •»
12,599 in wig-making, 17,042 in metal products, and 32,026 in electrical appliances
Under an amendment to the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Regulations, women are now allowed to work eight hours a day and 48 hours a week. It is estimated that 47,912 women are now working under this 48-hours-a-week system.
Amending regulations brought into force in December 1967 also limit the employment of women on overtime. Industrial employers are strictly prohibited to employ adult women to work between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
/Exemptions.........
Monday, December 11, 1972
- 7 -
Exemptions are granted to a number of women supervisors in selected industrial undertakings. At the end of 1971» 422 women supervisors were on night-shift in 40 factories.
Under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Regulations, women are not permitted to work more than six days a week in any industrial employment.
More factories now grant holidays to women workers on Sundays. By the end of 19711 9 >003 factories had adopted this system compared with 7,730 at the end of the previous year. In addition, there were 44 factories which released women on a selected week-day.
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/8.......
Monday, December 11, 1972
- 8 -
ANTI-DIPHTHERIA AND TETANUS CAMPAIGN
Figures For Eighth Week Announced By Medical & Health Department *********
During the week ending on December 2, a total of 23,905 doses of the combined anti-diphtheria and tetanus vaccine was administered, according to statistics released today (Monday) by the Medical and Health Department•
Of these, 35339 were administered on the Island, 12.14O in Kowloon, and 8,426 in the Few Territories.
In the eight weeks since this routine campaign began on October 9» a total of 157,277 doses has been administered.
The campaign will continue for the rest of December. Free vaccine
is available at all government maternal and child health centres and clinics
Monday, December 11, 1972
- 9 -
BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS
*********
The Building Authority today declared Nos. 6 & 8 Third Street to be in a dangerous condition and Nos. 4 & 10 Third Street and No. 39 Eastern Street liable to become dangerous.
In a statement issued this morning, the Principal Government Building Surveyor said that these 2, 3 and 4 storey pre-war buildings were inspected in the course of’planned surveys when it was found that the structural timbers and reinforced concrete frame of No; 8 Third Street were in an advanced state of deterioration.
In addition, the brickwork to the kitchen block of No. 6 Third Street was found to be badly fractured and bulged.
It is considered that the buildings are in such a condition that there is a risk of collapse.
It is further considered that due to weaknesses in the front walls of No. 4, Third Street and No. 39 Eastern Street, and in the rear wall of No. 10 Third Street, these buildings are liable to become dangerous during or after the demolition of Nos. 6 & 8.
Notices of intention to apply for Closure Orders in Victoria District Court at 9.30 a.m. on January 8, 1973 were posted today.
-----0-----
/10..........
Monday, December 11, 1972
- 10 -
EXHIBITION OF CHINESE PAINTINGS AND CALLIGRAPHY
****$«*«:*
An exhibition of Chinese paintings and calligraphy is being held at the Wong Tai Sin Community Centre.
About 100 paintings and calligraphy scrolls and JO pieces of coloured porcelain are on display.
The six-day exhibition, organised by the Sun Hoi Art Association of the Wong Tai Sin Community Centre, will last until Saturday, December 16.
The daily opening hours are from 10 a.m. to 10„p.m. on week-days and ftom 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
-----------------0---------------- •----------------• t
TEXTILE SHIPMENTS DURING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
******* . *
Exporters can effect shipments of textile goods during or immediately after the Christmas holidays.
All export licence applications for shipment of textile goods between December 2J and 27, 1972, submitted to the Commerce and Industry Department by 5 p«m. on December 21 will be processed and issued before 12 noon on December 2J.
In a notice to exporters, the Director of Commerce and Industry said that on this occasion, the normal requirement for applications to be submitted two clear working days before the date of shipment would be waived.
’’This arrangement,” he added, ”is designed to minimise any possible inconvenience to the trade arising from the closure of the Department’s Textiles Licensing Office during the Christmas holidays.”
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Release Time: 7» 00 p.m.
PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Tuesday, December 12, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No,
A dual carriageway is to be built to link up the satellite towns of Tsuen Wan and Castle Peak .......................... 1
Fire victims from Tai Hom village are to be resettled ............ 3
Industrial employers are encouraged to set up medical facilities for employees ......................................... 4
The pier at Sam Mun Tsai New Village is to be extended • •••• 5
Applicants for re-entry permits are urged to apply early to avoid the Lunar New Year rush ................................ 6
A record number of visitors attend the 1972 Agricultural
Show ................................................•••••••• 7
Four pre-war buildings have been condemned ••••••••••••<•••• 9
The weather in November is wanner than usual ••••••••••••••» 10
Water supply to a number of premises in Central and the Peak will be interrupted..................................... 13
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Tuesday, December 12, 1972
- 1 -
DUAL CARRIAGEWAY TO LINK TSUEN WAN AND CASTLE PEAK
Work Expected To Start In August Next Year
*********
Site investigation and preliminary design work are being carried out for the construction of a dual three-lane carriageway linking the satellite towns of Tsuen Wan and Castle Peak.
The nine-and-a-half mile road will be built in two stages. When completed, it will stretch from the junction with the existing two-way rood west of Tsuen Wan to a point near the Dragon Inn in Castle Peak, where it will tie in with the proposed road network for Castle Peak New Town.
The first stage of the project involves the construction of a 33-foot wide carriageway for the whole length of the road, together with the needed interchanges.
This carriageway will be temporarily used as a two-way road until the entire project is completed. It will accommodate traffic speed of up to 40 m.p.h., with a suitable gradient chosen to provide a high-capacity link between the two towns.
To ensure the smooth flow of traffic, access to the road will be limited to only four interchanges at Tsuen Wan, Sham Tseng, Tai Lam Chung and Castle Peak.
In order to avoid future construction difficulties and undue interference with traffic, certain lengths of the second carriageway will be constructed under Stage I of the scheme. This will particularly include such locations as the interchanges at Sham Tseng and Tai Lam Chung.
/On completion ........
Tuesday, December 12, 1972
2
On completion of the entire project, the final road will be of motorway standard with all interchanges grade-separated and hard shoulders provided for each carriageway to accommodate breakdowns and other emergency stoppages•
The total project cost for Stage I is estimated at 3204 million.
The consultant engineers recommended that work for the first stage of the project be opened to international tenders and let as one large contract. Construction is expected to begin in August 1973 and to be completed in 1976.
The precise timing of Stage II of the project, the construction of the complete second carriageway, has not yet been decided, and will depend on the results of a current traffic study being carried out to predict traffic growth.
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Tuesday, December 12, 1972
- 3 -
TAI HOM VILLAGE FIRE VICTIMS TO BE RESETTLED
2,800 Registered
********
About 2,800 people have been registered by the Resettlement Department for resettlement in Lam Tin Estate following last week’s squatter fire in Tai Hom Village.
The first group of squatters have already gone to the estate to make final arrangements for moving in.
However, after careful screening, it was discovered that about 150 people were not victims of the fire.
A spokesman for the Resettlement Department said that these 150 people were outsiders and had never lived in Tai Hom Village.
They hoped that by jumping into the queue they would get into a resettlement estate.
The spokesman said that many of these impostors came from as far as Chai Wan.
He said the department’s staff would continue to scrutinize all claims in order that genuine victims would not lose out to these unscrupulous impostors.
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Tuesday, December 12, 1972
- 4 -
MEDICAL FACILITIES FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS ENCOURAGED
***********
Industrialists in Hong Kong are continually encouraged by the Labour Department to set up medical care facilities for their employees.
A spokesman of the Labour Department said; ’’Several of the larger and more progressive industrial undertakings have provided staff clinics on their premises. Many more provide the service of a medical practitioner”.
Under the Industrial Employment (Holidays with Pay a nd Sickness Allowance) Ordinance, employers can apply for their clinics to be recognised by the Director of Medical and Health Services.
To safeguard workers’ health, the Labour Department has requested the St. John Ambulance Association to undertake the instruction and examination of industrial workers in first aid.
The spokesman said; ”The Industrial Health Division, whose principal functions are to prevent occupational diseases and to promote industrial health, has officers attached to the medical boards at Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary, Kwong Wah, and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals to assist in the assessment of occupational accidents."
In 1971, 33,306 occupational accidents were recorded. All cases were investigated by Health Visitors and Industrial Health Nurses. Of these, 27,192 were reportable under the Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance. These included 379 fatalities, 137 of which were seamen recruited in Hong Kong and 53 occurred in the construction industry.
/The average
Tuesday, December 12, 1972
- 5 -
The average number of occupational injuries reported monthly increased from 2,Q5O in 1970 to 2,266 in 1971.
In 19719 Industrial Health Officers assessed 250 injured people for permanent incapacity under the Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance, five less compared with the previous year.
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1 ...... , 1 • •
EXTENSION OF PIER FOR CONVENIENCE OF FISHING FOLK
***«»«»«*
Government will soon extend the existing pier at Sam Mun Tsai New Village, Shuen Wan Typhoon Shelter, to meet the increasing demand of its use by the fishing population.
The new extension will also enable smaller police launches to berth alongside the pier.
The works consist of the provision of a proper pier head with sufficient depth of water alongside to allow.fishing junks to berth at most states of the tide.
Construction work is expected to begin next month, taking about four months to complete.
--------0---------
/6..........
Tuesday, December 12, 1972
- 6 -
RE-ENTRY PERMIT APPLICANTS URGED TO APPLY NOW
To Avoid Lunar New Year Rush
***«»**«
The Director of Immigration, Mr. W.E. Collard, today advised people requiring Hong Kong re-entry permits for travel to China or Macao over the Lunar New Year holidays to apply now, while business is relatively quiet, rather than to wait until January or early February and face the inevitable delays and long queues at Immigration Department offices.
He pointed out that over 250,000 local residents travelled to Macao and China during the holidays last year - and the figure may well be much higher in 1973*
A single journey re-entry permit costing only $2 is valid for one journey to Macao or China and return to Hong Kong within six months of the date of issue.
A multiple journey permit costing 310 is valid for any number of journeys within five years from the date of issue.
There is therefore no need for anyone to wait until just before Lunar New Year before applying.
Re-entry permits can be obtained now from the Immigration offices in Central District (near the Macao Ferry Terminal), Causeway Bay, Tsimshatsui, Mongkok, Kowloon City, Tsuen Wan and Sheung Shui - and from the mobile Immigration Office which calls daily at remoter parts of the New Territories.
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Tuesday, December 12, 1972
- 7 -
RECORD NUMBER OF VISITORS TO AGRICULTURAL SHOW
****##*414.
The recent agricultural show at Shek Kong was visited by a record quarter of a million people.
That is more than twice the number that attended the previous show, which was held in 19&9 in conjunction with the Festival of Hong Kong.
The perfect weather on all four days resulted in large crowds every day. All previous attendance records were, however, broken on Sunday when just over half of the total number of visitors were counted entering the show ground.
Many visitors to the show on Sunday afternoon were, unfortunately, delayed for long periods in traffic jams, as the roads were not able to cope with the great number of vehicles.
Forty challenge cups and other trophies were presented on Sunday afternoon by His Excellency the Commander British Forces, Lt. General Sir Richard Ward, to the winners of the different categories of exhibits.
A spokesman for the Agriculture and Fisheries Department today (Tuesday) thanked the army and paid tribute to many army units for the valuable help and cooperation received.
Large numbers of prize-winning live stock and crops were on display, and visitors were also able to see a full programme of free entertainment in the show ring and on the stage.
The commercial
Tuesday, December 12, 1972
- 8 -
The commercial stalls at this agricultural show were particularly attractive and well designed. Favourable comments were received from the exhibitors, who were happy at having been able to display their products to such large crowds.
I-iany leading members of the farming communities said that they had enjoyed the show, and that they intended to follow up new ideas seen on display.
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/9...........
Tuesday, December 12, 1972
- 9 -
FOUR PRE-WAR BUILDINGS CONDEMNED
*********
The Building Authority condemned four pre-war buildings on both sides of the harbour today (Tuesday)•
The Principal Government Building Surveyor said that two four-storey buildings at Nos. 234 and 236 Reclamation Street had been under observation for a number of years.
Recent inspections showed that there was further deterioration in the party walls with several new fractures developing.
No. 236 was considered to have reached a condition where there was a danger of collapse, and the condition of the party wall between the two buildings rendered No. 234 liable to failure during or after the demolition of No. 236.
As a result, No. 236 was declared dangerous and No. 234 liable to become dangerous, he said.
On Hong Kong Island, No. 60 Connaught Road Central had been declared dangerous under similar circumstances, and the adjacent building at No. 59 liable to become dangerous.
Investigations showed that the rear and cross walls of No. 60 were extensively fractured and the roof had decayed to a dangerous degree. He said the extent of these defects indicated a risk of collapse.
The front verandah of No. 59, together with the front main wall was weak, and there was risk of failure during or after the demolition to No. 60.
Notices of intention to apply for Closure Orders in Kowloon and Victoria District Courts on January 11 and 12 respectively were posted today.
- 0 - -
/10
Tuesday, December 12, 1972
- 10 -
LAST MONTH’S WEATHER WARMER BUT LESS SUNNY THAN NORMAL Fifth November On Record To Be Hit By Typhoon «****«*«*
November 1972 was warmer but less sunny than usual, with rainfall well above normal, the Royal Observatory says.
The month was also notable as it was the fifth November since records began in which a tropical cyclone seriously affected Hong Kong.
The month began with the south China coast under the influence of a ridge of high pressure. Temperatures were well above normal, and the highest temperature of the month, 3O.3°C, was recorded on November 3*
On November 4, a tropical depression formed east of the Philippines. It soon intensified to a typhoon, named ”Pamela” and moved westwards, entering the South China Sea on November 6.
The Stand By Signal, No. 1, was hoisted at 4.00 p.m. on November 7 when ’Tamela” was about 390 miles south-southwest of Hong Kong and was moving northwest towards Hainan Island.
The Strong Wind Signal, No. 3» was hoisted at 8.10 p.m. on the same day.
On November 8 ’’Pamela” started to move north, and after passing over the eastern coastal areas of Hainan, started to move north-northeast. The Northeast Gale or Stoim Signal, No. 7» was hoisted at 3.15 p.m., followed at 10 p.m. by No. 8, warning gale force winds from the southeast.
’Tamela” crossed the coast about 180 miles west-southwest of Hong Kong and all signals were lowered at 7.05 a.m. on November 9»
/On November 8
Tuesday, December 12, 1972
- 1'i -
On November 8 and 9, "Pamela" brought a total of 73.8 mm of rainfall, measured at the Royal Observatory,
Gusts to over 50 knots were recorded at all stations, the maximum being 83 knots at Tate’s Cairn. Ten aircraft were diverted from Kai Talc on November 8.
A cold front moved south through the Colony late on November 9, and the next day was fine with low humidities and almost continuous sunshine.
However, on November 11 winds became easterly, and for the next 12 days the Colony remained under the influence of a moist easterly airstream. There was little sunshine and intermittent rain.
Late on November 16 a cold front passed through Hong Kong, canning the temperature to fall from a maximum of 27 *7 C on that day to a minimum of 20.1°C the next morning.
Continuous Rain
The unpleasant weather reached a climax on November 23 with overcast skies and almost continuous rain, resulting in 15.8 mm of rainfall at the Royal Observatory. The minimum temperature of the month, 14.5°C, also occurred on the same day.
Another cold front moved south, crossing the south China coast late on November 23. The next day was brilliantly fine with a mean relative humidity of 5&&, compared with 90% the day before.
For the rest of the month Hong Kong remained in a dry airstream associated with the continental anticyclone over China and the weather was fine with low humidities and long periods of sunshine.
On November 30, the anticyclone over China intensified. As strong winds were expected overnight, the Strong Monsoon Signal was hoisted at 7.45 p.m.
/fro ...........
Tuesday, December 12, 1972
- 12 -
No thunderstorm or heavy rain warnings were issued during the month•
Fire danger warnings were issued as follows:-
Nov. 10 - 11 Yellow
Nov. 16 - 17 Yellow
Nov. 24 - 25 Red
Nov. 25 - 26 Yellow
Nov. 26 - 27 Red
Nov. 27 - 28 Yellow
Nov. 50 Yellow
Nov. 50 Red
The month's figures and departures from normal were:-
Sunshine 154.5 hours; 55.4 hours below normal
Rainfall 109.0 mm ; 65.9 nim above normal
Cloudiness 62 % ; 9^ above normal
Relative Humidity 76 % ; 7% above normal
Mean Maximum Temperature 25.1 °c ; 1.4 degrees above normal
Mean Temperature 22.4 °C • 1.5 degrees above normal
Mean Minimum Temperature 20.5 °c ; 1.9 degrees above normal
Mean Dew Point 17.8 °C ; 2.7 degrees above normal
Total Evaporation ■128.2 mm ; 21.8 mm below normal
Maximum Temperature of 3O.5°C was recorded on November 3. Minimum Temperature of 14.5°C was recorded on November 2J.
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Tuesday, December 12, 1972
- 13 -
WATER COT IN CENTRAL AND PEAK
********
Water supply to a number of premises in Central, Hong Kong, will be interrupted for five hours from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Thursday, December 14
The temporary stoppage is to enable the Waterworks Office to carry out a leakage test.
The area to be affected is bounded by Queen’s Road Central from Garden Road to Pottinger Street and the southern side of Des Voeux Road Central to Ice House Street.
A number of premises in the Peak will also have their water supply interrupted for eight hours from 10 p.m. on Thursday, December 14, to 6 a.m. the following morning.
The temporary stoppage is to enable the Waterworks Office to carry out a fresh water main connection at Plunketts Road.
The premises to be affected include all premises in Plantation Road, Mount Kellett Road, Gough Hill Road, Bluff Path, Pollocks Path, Plunketts Road and House Nos. 4, 6 & 7 Peel Rise, 74-116 & 71-99 Peak Road and 3, 26, 28, 30 & 36 Severn Road.
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Release Time: 7.00 p.m.
PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 13 j 1972
CONTENTS
Page No.
Unofficials support the Public Order Bill ..................... 1
Two members of the public are to receive ex-gratia awards for assisting in the prevention of crime ............• • 5
A decision is expected soon on allocating market stalls in Hing Wah Estate ........................................... 7
More offensive trades areas are to be set aside ............... 9
Urgent attention is being given to changing legislation on the control of advertising signs ........................ 11
Methods of street cleansing are to be modernised and improved ................................................. 12
A bill providing for higher fines for harbour pollution offences may be introduced ................................... 13
The Government is considering a feasibility study on a cross-harbour bridge ....................................... 1^
The Financial Secretary speaks on Hong Kong’s Sterling Reserves.................................................. 15
Seven Bills were passed in Legco today....................... 18
The by-product plant at the Kennedy Town Abattoir is to be improved ••••......................................... 20
A H.K. Polytechnic Lecturer has been honoured ................ 21
LEGCO proceedings are on tape ................................ 22
Water supply will be cut in Yau Ma Tei ....................... 23
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Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
- 1 -
UNOFFICIALS SUPPORT ANTI-CRIME BILL
Community Behind Government In Combatting Crime
*********
The Hon. P.C. Woo said today the community at largo is solidly behind the Government in its determination to win the fight against violent crimes in Hong Kong.
He was speaking in the Legislative Council at the resumed debate on the second reading of the Public Order (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 1972.
The bill proposes to introduce, among other things, a mandatory minimum sentence for possessing an offensive weapon in a public place without reasonable excuse, and to enable a police officer to search a person in a public place for any offensive weapon.
Mr. Woo said the bill has the full support of the Unofficial Members and ”1 think that everyone in his right senses should applaud Government’s action.”
After all, he said, the measures now proposed are to correct and restrain a situation which threatens to get out of control.
He said the existing penalty is no doubt suitable for normal times, but as far as violent crime is concerned, conditions at present are not normal in Hong Kong.
”In the circumstances which now face the Colony, I fully believe that the imposition of a mandatory minimum sentence for possession of an offensive weapon is justified,” he said.
/Mr. Woo ......
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
2 -
Mr. Woo also pointed out that Chinese thinking for centuries has been that "in normal times, reasonalbe penalties should be imposed; but in times of disorder, severe sentences must be passed to correct the situation.”
He suggested that the peace of mind which every Hong Kong citizen expects can only be restored if steps are taken to prevent the undesirable element of the community from carrying offensive weapons.
He described the crime wave as "a challenge to our stability and to society itself" and said it is a cause for grave concern and there must be still more vigorous action.
Social Justice
Three other Unofficial Members, the Hon. Wilfred Wong, the Hon. T.K. /mn and the Hon. Wilson Wang, also spoke in support of the bill.
Mr. Wilfred Wong reiterated that "the role of an individual in society is not paramount but subservient to social justice" and said an individual is only useful if he is useful to society, but loses his value when he becomes a menace to society.
He described thugs as "a product of a permissive society" and said if there does not exist a sufficiently strong deterrent, they will keep on preying on their victims in Hong Kong.
He mentioned those who believed that a minimum sentence is inconsistent with modern concept of justice and pointed out "it is this very concept which led to the appalling crime rate in America,"
/Mr. Wong •••••••
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
- 5 -
Mr. Wong also said if there are those who are thinking of a policeman planting an offensive weapon on an innocent individual, he would say this is unlikely because the policeman would be putting his future career in jeopardy.
Mr. Ann told the Council that "there is very seldom a bill that has received such wide support from the public like this one."
"The people feel relieved that violent crimes are beginning to the attacked on all three fronts: administratively, legislatively and judicially," he said.
Mr. Aim pointed out that fear of detection is only workable when there is fear of the penalty after detection, and said now that proposals are provided by the bill, "the initial successes will, I am sure, give to the people great encouragement to co-operate."
Minimum Sentences
In the long run, ho said, minimum sentences proposed for robbery or serious assaults may be the "sine qua non for stamping out the spreading-crimes •"
However, he suggested that what is and is not an offensive weapon should be clearly expressed in Chinese language, that corrosive acid should be included, that more plainclothes policemen be employed "to watch the crime from within", and that the definition of "public place" be made more specifically known.
Mr. Wilson Weng, speaking in Cantonese, pointed to the "alarming" element of violence so often evident in robbery crimes and gang fights these days, and said the proposed mandatory minimum sentence is not unreasonable.
/,rThe proposal ••«•••
Wednesday, December 15, 1972
- 4 -
flThe proposal can very well serve as a strong deterrent, as it seems that many thugs tend to ignore existing law,” he said.
As to the proposed stop-and—— search power for a police officer, . Mr. Wang drew the Council’s attention to a suggestion that any search of such nature should be conducted by at least two police officers so as to provide a third-party witness.
Another point is that the search should be limited to uniformed police officers only and be conducted on production of credentials so as to avoid the question of imposters, he said.
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/5........
Wednesday, December 13? 1972
- 5 -
BRAVE ACT IN CRIME PREVENTION RECOGNISED Two Members Of Public To Receive Ex-Gratia Awards . *****
The Government is to award a total of $17,500 to twp members of the public in recognition of their brave act and. public-spirited conduct in., assisting the prevention of crime.
This was announced by the Acting Attorney General, Mr. G.R. Sneath, at the Legislative Council this afternoon when he rnoved two motions to grant ex-gratia awards to Mr. Cheung Kam-fai and the dependants of the late Mr. Ng Shung-por.
Under section 95 of the Interpretation Ordinance, Mr. Sneath said, the Council might award compensation to any person injured whilst carrying out a moral duty to assist in the prevention of crime.
Mr. Cheung, 20, was injured in August last year when he joined in a chase after an armed robber who later inflicted wounds on his chest and cheek with a knife.
As a result, Mr. Cheung had to remain in hospital for two days, and was off work for two weeks.
The award of $500, Mr. Sneath said, was in recognition of his brave act and public-spirited conduct.
Referring to the case of the late Mr. Ng, Mr. Sneath, on behalf of the Council, expressed sympathy with the family in their sad loss.
/Mr. Ng, ............
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
- 6 -
. Mr. Ng, 22, died in a struggle with three armed robbers who intruded into his home in Yuen Long on January 26, this year.
"Mr. Ng himself had been contributing 2200 a month which was about one-third of the family income.
"The award of $17,000 has been calculated as'being a sum sufficient to replace the contributions which Mr. Ng could have been expected to make to the family had he lived| and in computing this figure the ages of his brothers and sisters were taken into account as one must "assume that *in due course they will earn and contribute to the family income," Mr. Sneath said.
-------0 - - - -
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
- 7 -
DECISION SOON ON ALLOCATING MARKET STALLS
In Hing Wah Estate
«*«*»«««*
A decision is expected to be made early next year on how best to allocate the market stalls in the Hing Wah Estate, Phase I.
The Secretary for Housing, the Hon. I.M. Lightbody, said today it has recently be suggested that the problems presented by hav/kers trading in the nearby Chai Wan Estate generally, should be looked at overall before a decision is made.
Speaking in reply to the Hon. Joyce Symons in the Legislative Council, he said a survey of hawkers in the area is proceeding and should be finished within this week.
After that, he said, there will be a joint study by Resettlement and Urban Services Department staff with a view to putting agreed proposals to the appropriate Select Committee of the Urban Council at its meeting in January next.
Mr. Lightbody said that although the modular market at Hing Wah Estate, Phase I, was completed about 18 months ago, the estate blocks had been fully occupied only in the last month or so, and as recently as August this year, the estate was only 80 per cent occupied.
"In this situation, it is better to have the residential blocks more or less fully occupied before leasing the market stalls," he said.
/In reply
[This page is blank in the original document]
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
- 9 -
MORE OFFENSIVE TRADES AREAS TO BE SET ASIDE
Position On Sheung Shui Tanneries Outlined
The Government has already drawn up plans for a number of large sites to be set aside for more Offensive Trades areas, the District Commissioner, New Territories, the Hon. D.C. Bray, announced in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday)•
No new offensive trades, he said, would be allowed to establish themselves outside these designated areas.
Referring to the tanneries at Sheung Shui, Mr. Bray said that twenty-one of them had already deposited sufficient land exchange entitlements to enable them to be allocated sites in the Offensive Trades Area in Kwai Chung.
These tanneries, he said, would be permitted to continue in business at Sheung Shui during the period required for the completion of land allocation formalities and the building of new factories.
But, while they are there, they will be required to comply with certain special conditions designed to minimise, as far as is practical, problems of pollution.
"They will furthermore have to meet a series of deadlines set to ensure steady progress towards completion of the new factories and failure to meet these will lead to their immediate clearance from Sheung Shui.”
/Mr. Bray •••••••
Wednesday, December 13» 1972
10 -
Mr. Bray said the remaining 3^ tanneries, who were unable individually to acquire land exchange entitlements, had now found it possible to combine into two or three consortia with better prospects of being able to obtain the necessary finance.
He said they had until December 31 to do this and if they succeeded they would be treated in the same way as the first group. "If they fail, there will be no alternative but to clear them," he stressed*
Mr. Bray added that the Government had given the operators of the Sheung Shui tanneries every chance to re-establish themselves in conditions environmentally acceptable because they had been in operation for a long time — some of them for more than twenty years.
"In any event,” he said, "we feel that we have now gone as far as we can to accommodate the smaller operators who are bound to have difficulties in operating on an acceptable basis.”
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Wednesday, December 1J, 1972
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CONTROL OF ADVERTISING SIGNS
Changes in Law Under Consideration
****«**»#
Urgent attention is being given to tighten existing regulations governing the installation and control of advertising and decoration signs.
This was stated today in the Legislative Council by the Director of Urban Services, the Hon. D.R.W. Alexander, in answer to a question raised by the Hon. Szeto Wai.
Mr. Alexander said that under the existing legislation the Director of Fire Services was authorised to order the removal or repair of any hoarding or sturcture which, in his opinion, constituted a fire hazard or obstructed fire escape exits in buildings.
Prior approval from the Director was also required for the erection of neon signs, and the Director was empowered to order the removal of such signs if they constituted a serious fire risk.
Mr. Alexander said the Director of Fire Services fully supported the proposed changes in the existing legislation.
’’However, because of limitation of staff and the priorities set by the Fire Services Department, all affecting the well being and safety of the community, it will not be possible for the Director to embark on urgent action to order the removal of all signs contravening the regulations,” Mr. Alexander said.
He added that the Director would continue to do whatever he considered necessary for this purpose.
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Wednesday, December 13, 1972
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METHODS OF STREET CLEANSING TO BE MODERNISED Recruitment Of Cleansing Workers Improved ♦ * ♦ * * * ♦ * *
The Urban Services Department is continually seeking ways and means of modernising and improving its present methods of street cleansing in order to move away from the existing labour intensive organisation.
The Director of Urban Services, the Hon. D.R.W. Alexander, stated this today in the Legislative Council in reply to the Hon. James Wu.
However, he said there are limitations to what that can be done and "we ourselves recognize the present shortcomings and need no prompting in our search for improvements which might be feasible in the Hong Kong situation."
The Director disclosed that since the introduction of the recent increase in wages and obnoxious duty allowance, there has been a marked improvement in the recruitment of labourers for the Cleansing Division of his department•
"Where earlier in the year, we had 300 vacancies, we now have only 50. However, the rate of turnover remains high," he said.
As regards the final disposal of refuse, Mr. Alexander said there is considerable difficulty in Hong Kong about finding suitable sites both for incinerators and dumps, but he assured the Council that the departments concerned have taken intensive action to solve this problem.
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Wednesday, December 13, 1972
- 13 -
HIGHER FINES FOR HARBOUR POLLUTION OFFENCES ♦ * 4c * * * * « *
An amending bill to provide increased penalties for permitting the discharge of oil either from ships or from the land may be introduced into the Legislative Council shortly.
The Acting Attorney General, the Hon. G.R. Sneath, said today that under the bill, the existing penalty of 34,000 maximum would be replaced by a maximum fine of 320,000.
Speaking in the Legislative Council in reply to the Hon. Wilson Wang, he said the most serious threat of pollution in Hong Kong’s harbour and on beaches comes from oil which may be discharged from ships or even from shore installations.
’’The problem has been recognised; and indeed a sub-committee of the Port Executive Committee has been set up to deal specifically with this matter,:: he said.
He said the amending bill has been submitted to the Executive Council, and authority has been given for its introduction into the Legislative Council pending any recommendations which the sub-committee may make.
He told the council that the threat of serious oil pollution from the sunken Queen Elizabeth ceased to exist on November 30 when the work of removing the oil from that vessel was completed.
So far as litter is concerned, Mr. Sneath said there is our new legislation with maximum fines which are given plenty of publicity.
There would seem to be no reason to suggest that these fines are inadequate seeing that they go up to 32,000, he added.
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Wednesday, December 1J, 1972
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CROSS-HARBOUR BRIDGE FEASIBILITY STUDY Investigation Item Under Consideration «««*****«
The Government is considering including an "Investigation” item in the Public Works Programme with a view to finding out whether the construction of a cross-harbour bridge is feasible within the restrictions imposed by marine and aviation requirements.
The Director of Public Works, the Hon. J.J. Robson, said this today in the Legislative Council in reply to the Hon. Szeto Wai.
Mr. Robson recalled that the Long Term Road Study Report published in 19^8 clearly established that cross harbour movements would increase to such an extent that a second cross harbour crossing by road would be necessary in the future.
”1 personally hold the view that Lei Yue Mu . bridge is the obvious place to provide a second crossing of the harbour if this desire is to be met, though admittedly there are problems connected with the ships and aircraft which both pass through or over the gap,” he said.
The Director said there have been preliminary discussions between himself and the Directors of Marine and Civil Aviation, and it seems possible that, in terms of the height to be adopted, an acceptable compromise might be reached for the construction of any future bridge.
"Nevertheless, before consideration can be given to the inclusion of a works item in the Public Works Programme for a project of this magnitude, it is necessary to assure ourselves that a bridge will not have adverse effect on other important considerations such as air safety and, in particular, the integrity of the Instrument Landing System for the Hong Kong Airport,” he said.
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Wednesday, December 13, 1972
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STATEMENT ON HONG KONG’S STERLING RESERVES
*********
The Financial Secretary, the Hon. C.P. Haddon-Cave, today described the current year as an exceptional one in the international monetary field and said that many of the decisions taken in the financial capitals of the world have had a very special significance for Hong Kong.
Speaking in the Legislative Council this afternoon, he said that while our reserves had suffered serious losses in both Hong Kong and U.S, dollar terms it was a tribute "to the underlying strength of our position that confidence in the exchange stability of the Hong Kong dollar remains un-impaired.” .V ...» J. •.
The Financial Secretary said that at the time of the floating of the Pound Sterling, the value of the sterling assets held by the Hong Kong Government, including those bank-owned assets guaranteed under the Exchange Fund Guarantee Scheme, amounted to approximately £900 million.
In terms of Hong Kong dollars, the whole of the loss resulting from the complicated and quite unforeseen sequence of events following the decline in the value of Sterling from US $2.6057 to US $2.40 fell on public funds. The loss came to approximately HK $890 million.
The Financial Secretary emphasized, however, that while this figure represented an "accurate picture" it should not be taken as "exact" since the rate not only continued to fluctuate but also the amounts held were constantly changing.
The losses, he said, should be viewed against the advantages Hong Kong had received from having invested in Sterling.
/"Interest
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
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"Interest rates in London have in general been higher than elsewhere," he pointed out. If these rates were taken at one per cent per annum higher then the extra interest would amount to some £30 million.
"This goes some way towards off-setting the capital loss we have now suffered. It is a fact that all countries with overseas reserves to invest find the choice of currency a difficult one," he said.
Those countries who chose the U.S. dollar, he noted, suffered a loss of 8#57 per cent last December and they had no guarantee at all against further losses.
While our Sterling Guarantee and its extensions to the banks through the Exchange Fund Guarantee Scheme had afforded us inadequate protection, "it has proved better than no guarantee at all," he said.
The Financial Secretary explained that the Government’s surplus available for spending on future projects had been correspondingly reduced and he gave two reasons for this.
Firstly, the free surplus in the Exchange Fund — that is the amount required to maintain the assets of the Fund at 105 per cent of the note issue — would be largely used up in adjustment payments to the banks.
The second reason was that the Hong Kong dollar value of the sterling assets held on account of the General Account had been reduced.
Mr. Haddon-Cave estimated that the Colony’s fiscal surplus at this time stood at about S3,000 million as compared with S3»9OO at March 31, 1972.
These calculations, he said, did not take into account any fall in the market value of our securities nor the surplus accumulated so far this year.
/The Financial
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
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The Financial Secretary also told Council that Hong Kong*s external reserves were still largely held in sterling securities.
It was possible, he added, to select a currency that would appear more likely to appreciate than depreciate in the short term. But one difficulty here was that ”we tend to invest in the medium and long end of the market, in order to maximise earnings, and what may appear correct in the short term may prove very wrong in the longer term.”
Mr. Haddon-Cave said decisions had to be taken with the longer term in mind because, in the uncertain foreign exchange markets of recent j years, it had not been possible to move substantial sums from one currency to another quickly without unacceptable loss.
Another difficulty in the way of rapid diversification policy was that those currencies thought by the market in general to be under rather than over*-valued were naturally in short demand.
"The result is that interest rates are extremely low or even negative,” he said.
Mr. Haddon-Cave added: ’’Thus the attractions of switching out of sterling on a major scale, at least until September 1975 when the present agreement expires, are small.”
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SEVEN BILLS PASSED IN LEGCO Nine Sessional Papers Tabled ******** V. Seven bills passed their committee stage and third readings in Legislative Council this afternoon and became law.
They were the Law Amendment and Reform (Consolidation) (Amendment) Bill 1972; the Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 1972; the Protection of Women and Juveniles (Amendment) Bill 1972; the Public Order (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill Wi?.d Birds and Wild Mammal a
Protection (Amendment) Bill 1972; the Supplementary Appropriation (1971/72) Bill 1972; and the Companies (Amendment) Bill 1972.
The Road Traffic (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 1972 and the Workmen’s Compensation (Amendment) Bill 1972 had their first and second readings. Debate on them was adjourned.
Debate on the second readings of the Law Amendment and Reform (Consolidation) (Amendment) Bill 1972; the Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 1972; the Protection of Women and Juveniles (Amendment) Bill 1972; the Public Order (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 1972; the Wild Birds and Wild Mammals Protection (Amendment) Bill 1972; and the Supplementary Appropriation (1971/72) Bill 1972 was resumed.
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Nine sessional papers were tabled in the Council this afternoon. They were the Annual Report of the Hong Kong Productivity Council for the year 1971—72; the Annual Report by the General Manager, Railway for the year 1971-72; the Report by the Commissioner for Transport for the year 1970-72; the Annual Report of the London Office for the year 1971-72; the Report of the Brewin Trust Fund Committee on the Administration of the Fund for the year ending June 30 1972; the Annual Report by the Director of Social Welfare for the year 1971-72; the Annual Report by the Director of Immigration for the year 1971-72; the Annual Report by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue for the year 1971-72; and the Annual Report by the Commissioner of Prisons for the year 1971-72.
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Wednesday, December 13, 1972
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BY-PRODUCT PLANT TO BE IMPROVED
32.5 Million Project For Kennedy Town Abattoir
*********
The by-product plant at the Kennedy Town Abattoir is to be modernised and expanded to achieve maximum efficiency and productivity.
A "close-circuit" system consisting of automatic handling, milling and packing equipment, and a number of additional cookers and boilers are to be installed.
When these new installations are completed, the number of workers in the plant can be reduced, with quality control imposed, and possible contamination problems eliminated.
The main by-products manufactured by the plant are meat-and-bone meal, blood meal and industrial grease.
The total revenue collected from the sale of these by-products amounts to more than 31 million each year; and with the modernisation and expansion of the plant, the amount is expected to double.
Sources of material for the by-products are the two abattoirs at Kennedy Town and Cheung Sha Wan, where 7,000 pigs and 500 heads of cattle are slaughtered daily.
The estimated cost of the project is 32.5 million.
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Wednesday, December 13, 1972
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HIGH HONOURS FOR H.K. POLYTECHNIC LECTURER
*«$**«***
A lecturer of the Hong Kong Polytechnic has recently been awarded the Silver Medal of the Society of Dyers and Colourists commonly known as A.S.D.C.
Several former students of the Institute have been awarded high honours by the Society.
The lecturer is Mr. Chan Ka-ku, who is in charge of the Higher Diploma Course in Dyeing, Printing and Finishing Technology in the Department of Textile Industries at the Polytechnic.
The A.S.D.C. Silver Medal was awarded to him in recognition of his services to education in colour technology in Hong Kong.
Mr. Chan joined the Department of Textile Industries eleven years ago. He has been directly involved in the development of the Higher Diploma Course in Dyeing, Printing and Finishing Technology to the present well-established academic standard.
Two former students of the Higher Diploma Course, who have successfully completed this year’s A.S.D.C. examination and fulfilled its regulations, have been elected Associates of the Society.
They are Mr. Chan Kah-key and Mr. Yeung Kwok-wing.
A third former student, Mr. Chaing Ka-ping, has been awarded the highest honour of the A.S.D.C. examination — the President’s Diploma of Honour•
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Nineteen other former students of the Course have also successfully completed the same examination.
Apart from a few who are at present pursuing further study in universities overseas, the rest of the students are now employed in the local textile dyeing and finishing industry.
They will no doubt play an important role in the improvement of techniques and production methods in the local dyeing industry in future.
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LEGCO PROCEEDINGS RECORDED
*********
Note to Editors: The proceedings in today’s Legislative
Council meeting have been recorded. You are welcome to consult the tapes at the Press Room, Government Information Services.
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
- 23 -
WATER INTERRUPTION
*********
Water supply to a number of premises in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, will be interrupted for five hours from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday).
The temporary stoppage is to enable the Waterworks Office to carry out a leakage test.
The area to be affected is bounded by Saigon Street, Nathan Road, Jordan Road and Shanghai Street.
A number of premises in Mong Kok will also have their water supply interrupted for five hours from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Saturday, December 16.
The Waterworks Office will carry out a leakage test during the period of stoppage.
The area to be affected is bounded by Nelson Street, Argyle Street, Nathan Road, Mong Kok Road and Sham Chun Street.
- - 0 -
Release time: 9•30 p.m.
PR 33 4000033
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUPPLEMENT
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, 1?TH DECEMBER 1972
I fry P.O. Woo:
Is the Financial Secretary yet in a position to make a statement on his recent discussions in London on the Sterling Guarantee Agreement and the security of Hong Kong’s sterling reserves?
Reply:
Yes Sir,
Introduction
But, if I am to put my talks in London in November in perspective, I am afraid I shall have to speak at some length. I do not apologize for this. Our financial and monetary stability is fundamental to our well-being and I can well understand that honourable Members and the public at large wish to be assured that this Government has acted at all times to secure Hong Kong’s best interests. This is always our purpose though our actual, performance is sometimes under the control of prevailing circumstances and external events over which no individual government can exercise very much influence. Historical Background
May I begin, Sir, by reminding honourable Members of the historical background to the Hong Kong dollar’s link with sterling? Until 1935 Hong Kong
/had ....
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
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had a variable exchange relationship with London because the sterling (or gold) value of the Hong Kong dollar varied with the price of silver. But this had the advantage of establishing a stable exchange relationship with China whose currency was also based on a silver standard and thus of preserving the stability of the entrepot trade on which Hong Kong’s economy then largely depended. When China abandoned the silver standard in 1935? Hong Kong followed. The note issuing banks were obliged to surrender all silver previously held by them against their note issues in exchange for certificates of indebtedness. The silver surrendered by the banks was used to set up an Exchange Fund which, from the outset, kept its assets in sterling, a not surprising move given the range of banking and investment facilities available in London. • The Fund buys and sells sterling at fixed rates close to par - or did so until sterling floated -and thereby regulated the exchange value of the Hong Kong dollar. The sterling area as it is known to-day came into being in the early days of the last war basically as an aid to assuring that the foreign earnings of the Commonwealth were centralised for the common good. Hong Kong, then, became a member of the sterling area which in effect meant that the Government’s reserves and the greater part of the reserves of the banking system had to be kept in London in sterling assets.
In 1935 the exchange value of the Hong Kong dollar was fixed at approximately 1/3d. or at a rate of HK$16 to the £ sterling; and, with the setting up of the International Monetary Fund after the war, the Hong Kong dollar was given a gold parity which reflected this rate. Together with — • > . • • • •
most other sterling area currencies - and indeed those of a large number of other countries as well - Hong Kong followed britain when sterling was devalued in terms of the U.S. dollar in 19^9* This strengthened the view widely held in
/commercial ........
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commercial and banking circles that the relationship between the Hong Kong dollar and sterling was fixed. So much so that, for instance, it was not the custom for importers or exporters with sterling contracts to cover forward; and the authorized banks, required as they were by the exchange control rules of the sterling area to hold their excess liquidity in sterling, did not envisage an exchange risk.
So, although the relationship between the Hong Kong dollar and sterling was at no time a statutory one, but one that was established and maintained by the operations of the Exchange Fund, it came to be regarded as immutable. The Hong Kong dollar, if you like, was looked upon almost as an extension of sterling, despite the fact that the money supply was based on Hong Kong’s own net foreign exchange earnings (largely in U.S. Dollars and an inflow of capital largely from South East Asia.)
In November 19&7 when sterling was devalued by 14.3% Hong Kong was faced with the dilemma of either again following sterling down and letting the internal cost/price structure adjust to the new rate through inflation or of maintaining the cross rate with the U.S. dollar and talcing a loss on the Hong Kong dollar value of both the Government’s and the banking systemts sterling reserves. In the event, a compromise solution was adopted: the Hong Kong dollar was devalued by 5*7% in terms of the U.S. dollar, that is to say, the old rate of H.K, 816 to the £ sterling was changed to HK $14.54. This compromise solution cost Hong Kong public funds about H.K, $450 mn., including ex gratia adjustment payments from the Exchange Fund to the commercial banks to compensare them for their losses. But it did allnw us to limit the rise in our cost/price structure and it must be remembered that, ih 19^7 in contrast to 1949» very few countries even in the sterling area /followed •«••••
Wednesday, December 1J, 1972
followed sterling down. After these events Hong Kong’s recorded sterling assets amounted to £350 mn.
Both the Hong Kong Government and the authorized banks found themselves in a difficult position: on the one hand, the sterling area exchange control rules applied, thus effectively limiting our ability to diversify pur external assets; on the other hand, if there were to be a further devaluation of sterling it seemed unlikely that Hong Kong would wish to follow suit, for our rate of exchange must be determined solely by reference to Hong Kong’s own essential interests. In any case, even if we were ever to get into serious balance of payments difficulties, an adjustment in the rate of exchange would not, I am afraid, be a very appropriate way to deal with the situation because of our extreme dependence bn foreign trade. Hong Kong’s imports are equal to about 100% of the G.D.P. and exports to about 85%. Thus internal expenditure is reflected directly in expenditure of foreign exchange; and the best - and indeed the automatic - corrective to any disequilibrium (either way) in our balance of payments is an automatic monetary deflation (or inflation) which adjusts the cost/price structure until equilibrium is restored at the existing exchange rate. There is a continuous process of adjustment of this nature. When the balance of payments is in deficit, the full deflationary effect of this automatic mechanism is, in practice, softened by the availability of the Government and the banks of substantial external reserves; and.when the balance of payments is in surplus the inflationary effect*- of the automatic mechanism is to some extent limited by the issue of Hong Kong dollar currency only against- the deposit of sterling and the requirement that the banks must
/maintain...........
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
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maintain a liquidity ratio (cash/deposits) of 25%. As there are very few forms of liquid assets available internally (there is, for example, no short term Government debt as a vehicle for liquidity) this means that the banks have to maintain substantial external reserves.
After the devaluation of sterling in November 1967, the British Government was faced with a possible break-up of the sterling area and yet was unable to finance a substantial movement out of sterling into other foreign currencies such as U.S. dollars, because of Britain’s own depleted reserves, and the fact that the devaluation took a long time to bring the balance of payments into surplus. So a line of credit of U.S. $2000 mn. was negotiated with the Group of Ten (the so called Basle Agreement) which in turn enabled a free guarantee,to be offered by the British Government,of the U.S. dollar value of their official sterling reserves to all members of the sterling area, including Hong Kong. This guarantee was in respect of all officially held sterling in excess of 10% of each country’s total official external reserves. The guarantee was offered subject to each country maintaining a minimum proportion of its reserves in sterling, roughly the proportion in sterling when the offer was made.
For some countries the guarantee was for three years and for others (including Hong Kong) it was for five years from 25th September 1968.
/The Two ..•<»
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
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The Two Guarantee Agreements (S.G.A. & E.F.G.S.)
Our Sterling Guarantee Agreement with the British Government includes provision whereby part of the banking system’s sterling reserves are counted as official reserves for the purposes of the guarantee• The banicing system’s sterling assets differ in important respects from the Government’s, both as to the purpose for which they are held and the form in which they are invested* They are held by a large number of banks, some large and some small, they fluctuate widely, and they must at all times be available to meet the banks’ obligations, a large part of which are in the form of Hong Kong dollar liabilities. It was not easy to devise a system of bringing these funds within the protection of the Sterling Guarantee Agreement vzhile retaining their essential purpose and character. The solution adopted was the Exchange Fund Guarantee Scheme whereby the Exchange Fund entered into a series of guarantee agreements with the banks which wished to participate. (To limit the cost of this scheme to the Exchange Fund those banks which did choose to join were required at all times to keep a substantial proportion of their external funds within the scheme). The operation of the scheme, coupled with Exchange Control restrictions on the Authorized Banks, meant that a very high proportion of the banks’ external assets, which were steadily increasing anyway, came to be covered over the last four years.
I should like to emphasize here the main differences between the Sterling Guarantee Agreement with the British Government and the Exchange Fund Guarantee Scheme with the banks. Under the Sterling Guarantee Agreement the British Government guarantees without charge the U.S. dollar value of 90% of the
/eligible .......
Wednesday, December 1J, 1972
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eligible sterling asset held by the Hong Kong Government including 90% of the eligible sterling asset owned by the banks and brought into official hands through the Exchange Fund Guarantee Scheme. Under this scheme - the Exchange Fund Guarantee Scheme - the Exchange Fund guarantees to the banks the Hong Kong dollar value of 100^ of the sterling covered under the scheme and a small charge is made.
The Sterling Guarantee Agreement is first implemented if the sterling/U.S. dollar rate falls below US $2.40 by more than 1% for a continuance period of JO days. Then the British Government is obligated to pay to the Hong Kong Government, for account of the Exchange Fund, sufficient sterling to restore the U.S. dollar value of the guaranteed proportion of our official sterling reserves. Thus, providing there was no significant fall in the total of bank owned sterling assets between the date the sterling rate was floated and the date the rate first fell below US $2.40 by 1%,the burden of adjustment payments from the Exchange Fund to the banks in respect of any fall in the sate below U.S. $2«40 will be largely met -to the extent of 90% - by compensation payments to the Exchange Fund by the Bank of England on behalf of the British Government. If the sterling/US dollar rate falls further and subsequent implementations are necessary the position is the same, provided again there has been no significant fall in bank owned sterling. The Exchange Fund Guarantee Scheme is implemented in respect of any fall in the fixed rate between the Hong Kong dollar and sterling. Adjustment payments have to be made to the participating banks so as to restore the Hong Kong dollar value of the sterling covered, but,
/unlike
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
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unlike the Sterling Guarantee Agreement which provides for continuous settlements, payments under the Exchange Fund Guarantee Scheme will be made in one amount when sterling ceases to float.
* i Growth of Sterling Balances
So, following the negotiation of the Sterling Guarantee Agreement, we remained locked into sterling- But, unlike the 32-year period from 1935 to 1967, an exchange risk was now explicitly recognized and covered. As it happens, the conclusion of this Sterling Guarantee Agreement coincided with the beginnings of a period of rapid and sustained growth of our economy. As a result the sterling assets of the banking system increased from about £200 mn. at the end of March 19$9 to about £360 mn. by the end of March 1972. At the same time substantial budgetary surpluses amounting in all to HK$1,915 ronin the four years 1968-69 to 1971-72 were realised and this money was largely invested in sterling securities the rest being deposited locally with our bankers. As a result of this and other factors the Governments own sterling assets increased from £190 mn. at the end of March 1969 to £408 mn. at the end of March 1972.
Extension of Sterling Guarantee Agreements
Meanwhile, in the late summer and autumn of 1971 the U.S. dollar came under pressure in the world’s foreign exchange markets. It was for this reason that we did not immediately take advantage of the lowering of the minimum proportion of our total official external reserves which we undertook to keep in sterling under the Sterling Guarantee Agreement. A general lowering of the M.S.Ps. by 10% (meaning in our case from 99% to 89%) was offered by the
/British.........
Wednesday, December 1J, 1972
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British Government as part and parcel of a renegotiation for a further two years from 25th September 1971 of the terms of the three year Sterling Guarantee Agreements and naturally this concession was extended to those countries with five year agreements.
1971 International Monetary Crisis
The U.S. dollar crisis was resolved by the Smithsonian settlement announced on 19th December. For a variety of reasons, which I explained at length in an adjournment debate in this Council on 5th January last, the Government decided to maintain the gold parity of the Hong Kong dollar, thereby revaluing against the U.S. dollar by 8.57% and maintaining the then Hong Kong dollar/sterling parity. So this decision had no implications for the value in Hong Kong dollar terms of our external exchange reserves given that they are - or were then - almost entirely held in sterling. However, the British Government insisted that the sterling balances of all countries with whom they had entered into agreements remained guaranteed at US 92.40, that is to say, that the new Sterling/U.S. dollar rate of US 92.6057 was not applicable. Yet we immediately realised that any devaluation sterling which was not followed by an adjustment of the Sterling/Hong Kong dollar rate would mean that the Hong Kong dollar value of the banks’ sterling assets would have to be restored through the Exchange Fund. This was the origin of many subsequent difficulties.
/During ••••»•••
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
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During the first half of 1972 our sterling reserves continued to rise: the export trend was weaker than in earlier years but so was the; import trend and other factors - tourism, invisibles and the capital account -exhibited continuing strength. By the end of May they stood at £803 mn. of which £4l8 mn. was on Government account and £3&5 mn. belonged to the banking system and was covered by the Exchange Fund Guarantee Scheme.
As soon as the 1972-73 budget was out of the way I went to London to clarify certain aspects of the 10% diversification facility accorded us in the previous September. With the agreement of the banks, I subsequently decided that the facility should be utilized solely in respect of Government owned sterling assets as the banks enjoy a 100% guarantee against a fall in the exchange value of sterling in terms of Hong Kong dollars; and there would have been technical difficulties in sharing this facility with the banks. I pressed, but unsuccessfully - and so did several other Governments -for a revision of the rate at which the guarantee would be implemented and, 4
failing this, for an early re-negotiation of the Agreement, the revised agreement to be for a further period beyond September 1973 and effective before the present Agreement expired. And, as I told honourable Members in this Council on 10th May last, I argued that the revised Agreement should ’’reflect present day and not 1968 realities”. I meant by this that the guarantee rate should be the rate of the day and that our M.S.P. should be further reduced.
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Wednesday, December 13, 1972
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Floating of Sterling
Then came the sudden and unexpected decision of the British Government on 23rd June to allow sterling to float for the time being. While there had been some speculation that cost-push inflation, efforts to expand the British economy and the impact of entry into the European Economic Community would sooner or later require a downward revision . , t
of the Smithsonian rate of US#2t6O57, the reason for this-decision was the . •.» •* large movement of funds out of sterling during the previous few days which the British Government did not consider justified by the objective facts of the country’s balance of payments position.
Dismantling of the Sterling Area
> At the same time, the British Government announced the extension .. . * f 9 • ’ of exchange control to Overseas Sterling Area countries to prevent disruptive outflows of U.K. resident funds. Hong Kong became part of the External Account Area. In effect, the sterling area was dismantled and the barrier around sterling withdrawn from the sterling area as a whole to the British Isles.
The previous position was that sterling funds held by residents of OSA countries could not be transferred into foreign currencies except for genuine trading purposes. Since 24th June residents of OSA countries have been free to transfer their sterling funds into any currency for any purpose, : Of course, in Hong Kong foreign currencies have always been purchasable ih the free market operated by the non-authorized banks.
/But •••••
Wednesday, December.13, 1972
- 12 -
But the immediate question which arose, now that the banks previously authorized to deal in foreign currencies (the so called Authorised Banks) did not have to hold their excess liquidity in sterling, was whether the Exchange Fund should continue to offer cover for further accruals of excess liquidity in sterling. The banks now had the choice, exchange control having ended, of placing their excess liquidity in sterling or nonsterling assets. Why therefore should the Exchange Fund offer cover, at any rate during the period of the floating of sterling, thereby adding to the risks assumed?
Hong Kong’s Reaction to Float
But a more immediate question to be answered was which of three options open to us should we follow during the floating of sterling, namely, ^1 ) to remain linked to sterling at the then present rate of HK5 14.^4 or at some other rate of our choice and thereby float with sterling;
(2) to abandon the sterling link and replace it with a direct link with the US dollar;
(3) temporarily to float the Hong Kong dollar independently with a view to establishing the true market valuation of the Hong Kong dollar in relation to other currencies.
As is now a matter of history we decided that the best course to adopt in the long run would be the setting of a new fixed rate between sterling and the Hong Kong dollar, for the fact is that Hong Kong’s monetary system
Wednesday, December 1J, 1972
- 13 -
is closely linked to sterling and the greater part of our reserves are, as a matter of fact, in sterling. However, to have adopted this course straight away would have had the disadvantage that the Hong Kong dollar would still be floating with sterling albeit at a different rate; and so we decided, as an interim measure, to establish a direct link with the U.S. dollar at a little below the cross rate established in December last year. Thus we insulated the Hong Kong dollar from the effects of the floating of sterling.
Before the floating of sterling the cross rate between the Hong Kong dollar and the U.S. dollar only moved in response to the movements of the sterling/US dollar rate within the band of 4)^. But with the Hong Kong dollar linked directly to the U.S. dollar the rate could move in response to market forces affecting the Hong Kong dollar as such. As with any economy, there are always differences of timing between purchases of foreign currencies by our importers and other traders and the sales of such currencies by our exporters which causes the rate to move for short periods in either direction. But under the rules of the International Monetary Fund the rate has to be contained within a band and so the Hong Kong Government is now obliged, whenever necessary, to maintain the rate within the band by selling U.S. dollars for Hong Kong dollars when the rate approaches the lower limit of HK35»7771 and selling Hong Kong dollars for U.S. dollars when it approaches the upper limit of HKS5.5229.
/Consequences .........
Wednesday, December 1J, 1972
- 14 -
Consequences of Temporary Link with U.S. Dollar
A decision to delay the re-establishment of a new fixed rate between the Hong Kong dollar and sterling meant that the Exchange Fund Guarantee Scheme with the Hong Kong banks could not be implemented and, as the floating of sterling continues, we still do not know the extent of the liability of the Exchange Fund to restore the Hong Kong dollar value of the banks’ holdings of sterling assets. But, so far, with the Sterling/US dollar rate at around US $2.35 the cost is £46 mn. (or HK $609 mn.) less about £9 mn. in respect of payments due under the Sterling Guarantee Agreement for the loss on 90% of eligible assets between US $2.40 and 2.35 and less about £1 mn., being charges levied on the banks for cover. In other words, the net loss amounts £36 mn. Similarly, we do not yet know the exact extent of the loss in the Hong Kong dollar value of the sterling assets used to cover the note issue and the loss in the Hong Kong dollar value of the sterling assets belonging to the General Account, the Coinage Security Account and the Rehabilitation Loan Sinking Fund but, at US 32.35> the loss is about £38 mn. After allowing for compensation payments for the loss on 90% of the assets between US $2.40 and 2.35» which amounts to £7 mn., the net loss is about £31 mn.
Meanwhile, we were concerned about the future: in the short term up to the re-fix of sterling and in the longer term. By 6th July, the day on which we announced the linking of the Hong Kong dollar with the U.S. dollar, total sterling balances amounted to about £900 mn., an increase of £97 mn.
/ since
Wednesday, December 1J, 1972
- 15 -
since the end of May and largely due to an increased demand’ for coVer* from the banks. Pending clarification of the British Government’s intentions for the future we told the banks that, whereas their 6th July sterling positions would remain covered, further accruals would not be accepted for cover. By this decision we at least limited the amount of bank sterling covered, since honourable Members will appreciate that on all bank sterling guaranteed the Exchange Fund remained at risk between US$2.6057 and US$2.to. Moreover, the extension of the scheme to accruals would, in the absence of a fixed Storling/Uong Kong dollar rate, present considerable technical difficulties. The British Government accepted that, in the new situation, we had no obligation to add further bank funds to our total official external reserves and with it an obligation to maintain a proportion (89%) of such further additions in sterling.
July Talks and Later Contacts with London
Honourable Members will recall that soon after the British Government decided to float sterling, six teams of officials were sent out to sterling area countries to discuss the future of the Sterling Guarantee Agreement’s in the light of the new circumstances then prevailing. We held discussions with the team v/hich visited Hong Kong between Itoh' and 17th July. I was at pains to point out to the team that, as sterling floated down from US$2.6057» the value of our external reserves (which are largely in sterling) fell in relation to other currencies and in terms of the Hong Kong dollar; and I put to the British officials our views as to how our position should be protected, both during the remaining period of the float and after sterling had re-fixed with
/the U.S.
Wednesday, December 13» 1972
- 16 -
the U.S. dollar* We had in mind a new agreement to replace the present agreement and to run through perhaps to 1975? At that time we expected the discussions to be resumed at an early date, but some other sterling area countries were not willing to commit themselves to a renegotiation of the Agreements and the British Government, for its part, was not willing to negotiate with some countries only. We regarded this situation as entirely unsatisfactory from our point of view and kept up a telegraphic correspondence with London stressing the need for an early resumption of the July talks. As part of this process I called on Treasury officials in London in September. I said that, provided the terms were right we were willing to enter into another agreement for a period of, say, three years; and that, while we understood that there might be good reasons why other countries did not wish to commit themselves at that stage, their positions were different to Hong Kong’s and their needs likewise. For instancet the minimum proportions of their external reserves (their M.S. Ps.) which have to be kept in sterling are much lower than Hong Kong*s 89%>
So we kept on representing to the British Government that, if the Sterling Guarantee Agreements could not be re-negotiated before the spring of next year so that all concerned would know where they stood then at least the British Government should recognize that we were placed - and through no fault of our own - in a peculiarly difficult position. Both the Hong Kong Government and the banks faced the possibility of having a large unprotected sterling position at the expiry of the present Agreement
/on ...........
Wednesday, December 13* 1972
- 17 -
on September 24, 1973i ^or it was impossible to forecast whether a new agreement on acceptable terms could be negotiated; and if it could not, there would be little time to re-deploy some of our locked in sterling assets eo as to spread our exchange risks. We regarded, and still regard, a satisfactory new agreement as the best solution (even though it might mean taking powers to control the banks foreign currency holdings) since we could then continue to enjoy the advantages of investing in the London gilt edged market without risk. In this situation it seemed wiser not to wait for the re-negotiation but to make an alternative arrangement. November T$lks in London
Eventually, further talks were arranged in London last month and the outcome was an arrangement whereby, just as we are now under no obligation to take further accruals of bank funds into official hands and cover the amounts concerned through the Exchange Fund Guarantee Scheme, which is between the Hong Kong Government and the banks, so it was accepted that, if they wished, the banks holding the largest amounts could start to take some of their sterling assets out of the Scheme, subject to certain perfectly reasonable safeguards. This arrangement means that the figures of both total official external reserves and total sterling reserves used for the purposes of the Sterling Guarantee Agreement will fall by equal amounts and does not affect, in any way, the Hong Kong Government’s obligation under the Sterlins Guarantee Agreement to maintain the M.S.P. at 89%. But it does mean that the automatic channelling of bank funds into sterling assets which
/the......
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
- 13 -
the 1968 Agreements brought about and which was halted by our action in July this year can now be partially reversed. In other words, a small part of the banks’ sterling reserves which has been classified as official, sterling reserves for the purposes of the Sterling Guarantee Agreement will revert to its former private status and will no longer be guaranteed* Implementation of S.G.A.
After an initial plunge which de-fUsed the speculative pressures which gave rise to the decision to float sterling in the first place, the U.S. dollar/sterling rate hovered around $2.45 for some 10 weeks and then at the end of September the rate began to fall again until -it went below the trigger point of $2.3760 on 24th October and remained there for a continuous period of 30 days. Accordingly, on 23rd November the British Government announced that the guarantee would be implemented and called for the necessary returns of total official external reserves and the actual sterling assets held on the appropriate dates. The closing rate on the 23rd November was US$2.3506 and the first adjustment payments from the British Government will be based on this rate. If the rate should fall below this level by more than 1% for further periods of 30 days further adjustment payments will be due. Contrariwise, if there is any recovery before the establishment of a new fixed rate with the U.S. dollar, refunds will have to be made. But even after the re-fix the Sterling Guarantee Agreement will remain in force-Until 24th September 1973.
/So within
Wednesday, December 1J, 1972
- 19 -
So within the limits of the present Agreement (the operative rate of US$2.40 and 90% cover) the floating of sterling has in no way affected our rights (or our obligations in respect of the M.S.P.). But, of course, the revaluation of sterling in December 1971 followed by the float downwards has cost us dearly between US$2.6057 and US$2.40 and so, as I say, wo -h^ye all along pressed the British Government for early clarification of their intentions after September 1973* In addition, I shall be making it clear to the banks that any resumption of cover under the Exchange Fund Guarantee Scheme after the re-fix would be on-revised terms, that is to say, the charges levied would have to reflect.the risk taken by the Exchange Fund, taking into account all the circumstances at the time. Assessment
Sir, the value of the sterling assets held by the Hong Kong Government, including those bank owned assets guaranteed under the Exchange Fund Guarantee Scheme, at the time of the float was approximately £900 mn. In Hong Kong dollar terms the whole of the loss resulting from this complicated and quite unforeseen sequence of events following the decline in the value of sterling from US$2.6057 to US$2.40 and amounting to approximately HKJJ89O mn. falls on public funds. This figure cannot be exact because not only is the rate fluctuating, but the amounts held are changing daily. ‘ Nevertheless, the figures I have given presents an accurate enough picture. It means, of course, that the Government’s surplus available for spending on future projects is correspondingly reduced for two reasons: in the first place, the free surplus
/in the .........
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
- 20 -
in the Exchang Fund (i.e. the amount required to maintain the assets of the fund at 105% of the note issue) will be largely used up in adjustment payments to the banks (but let me hasten to add that the purpose of the Exchange Fund is to regulate the exchange value of our currency); and secondly the Hong Kong dollar value of the sterling assets held on account of the General Account has been reduced. I estimate that the Colony1s fiscal surplus is at this time about $3?Q00 mn. compared with $3,900 mn. at 31st March. I am ignoring for the purposes of this calculation any fall in the market value of our securities, on the one hand, and the surplus accumulated so far in this year’s accounts.
But these losses must be viewed against the advantages we have received from having invested in sterling. Interest rates in London have in general been higher than elsewhere. If one were to take those rates as 1% p.a. higher and I would have thought that the differences may have been greater than this over the five year period since the last sterling devaluation the extra interest- would amount to around £30 million. This goes some way towards offsetting the capital loss we have now suffered. It is a fact that all countries with overseas reserves to invest find the phoice of currency a difficult one. Those who chose the US$, for example,; suffered, a loss of 8.57% in December 1971. and such holders have no guarantee against further loss. Our Sterling Guarantee Agreement and.its- extension to the banks through the Exchange Fund Guarantee Scheme has, in the event, afforded us inadequate protection, but it has proved better than no protection at all.
/Hong Kong’s ••••••••
Wednesday, December 1J, 1972
- 21 -
Hong Kong’s external reserves are still largely held in sterling securities. But as a result of the recent agreement the historical and technical factors which have led the banks to continue to increase their sterling assets have been in part reversed. It is, of course, possible to select a currency that seems more likely to appreciate rather than depreciate, in the short term. One difficulty here is that we tend to invest in the medium and long end of the market in order to maximise earnings and what may appear correct in the short term may well prove very wrong in the longer term. In the uncertain foreign exchange markets of recent years it has just not been possible to move substantial sums from one currency to another quickly without unacceptable loss, so that decisions have to be taken with the longer term in mind. A further difficulty in the way of a rapid diversification policy is that those currencies thought by the market in general to be under rather than over valued are natural ly in short term demand. The result is that interest rates are extremely low or even negative and the Governments concerned impose restrictions to deter overseas investment in their currencies. Thus the attractions of switching out of sterling on a major scale, at least until September 1973 when the present Agreement expires, a**0 in fact small.
Nevertheless as suitable opportunities occur we are and have been reducing the propertien of our reserves held in sterling to take advantage of our 10^ diversification facility. This has necessarily been a slow process because nothing would have been gained by switching out of sterling into
/other
Wednesday, December 13 5 1972
22 -
other currencies in anticipation of a depreciation in the value of sterling to its guarantee level of US$2.^0 to £1 unless the benefits from such movements were likely to be sufficient to at least offset losses in earnings resulting from the interest rates in other financial centres being generally much lower than in London. Some sales of gilt edged securities have been made to provide funds for buying foreign currencies but, because the London gilt edged market has been wak it would not, for obvious reasons, have been prudent to make large scale sales of gilt edged securities. As sterling fixed deposits and other investments mature we have switched these into foreign currencies and our sterling interest earnings, which arc in excess of £30 million (about 12# of recurrent revenue) a year, have been similarly re-employed outside London. While the sterling/dollar exchange rate is below US$2.**0 to £1 v/u run the risk of incurring a further loss in the value of our overseas reserves if we ©witfch out of sterling. This is because sterling switched into other currencies while the guarantee is operative would cease to be eligible if the average rate of exchange does not fall by 1# or more between settlement dates. For these reasons we have had to slow down our diversification programme since 25th October, the date sterling fell for the first time below US$2.^0 to £1.
Conclusion
Sir, it is almost exactly a year since the Smithsonian settlement announced on 19th December 1971• It has been an exceptional year in the international monetary field and for Hong Kong many of the decisions taken in the financial capitals of the world have had a very special significance.
/Yet, ........
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
- 23 -
Yet, while our reserves have suffered serious losses in U.S. dollar and Hong Kong dollar terms it is a tribute to the underlying strength of our position that confidence in the exchange stability of the Hong Kong dollar remains unimpaired, and I hope honourable Members will bear this in mind when making their own assessment of the Hong Kong Government’s management of our monetary affairs over the past few years.
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Release time: 9«3Q p.m.
PRb?7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Thursday, December 14, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No.
A new housing estate providing homes for over 27,000 people
is to go up in Kwai Chung...................................... 1
An Australian youth orchestra will give a concert here on Sunday .................•................................... 4
A new children’s playground is to be opened in Cheung Chau.. 5
A passin^-out parade of firemen will be held on Saturday at the Fire Services Training School .......................... 6
Tenders for stalls at Lunar New Year fair sites are being invited • •••............................................... 6
Figures for the anti-diphtheria campaign have been announced .............................................................. 7
Quarantine restrictions have been imposed against arri vals
from Dacca .................................................... 7
Ming Tak Bank creditors are advised to prove their debts as soon as possible • •.................................... 8
Sewago disposal at Lai Chi Kok is to be improved............ 9
Shek Kip Mei shopkeepers are to receive rent rebate ......... 10
Water supply to premises in Wan Chai will be interrupted ... 12
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Thursday, December 14, 1972
HOMES FOR OVER 27,000 PEOPLE
New Housing Estate To Go Up In 1976
********
More than 27,000 people will be provided with homes in Kwai Chung when the Lai King Low Cost Housing Estate is completed in 1976.
The estate will comprise seven blocks — five 15-storey blocks and two 22-storey blocks — providing over ^,000 flats.
The flats will conform to the present requirement of 35 square feet per individual unit, and will be equipped with private bathrooms and kitchens.
In planning the estate, consideration must be given to the condition of the site, which is long and narrow and cut into two halves — north and south — by the container service flyover.
The site is situated on a series of platforms off Kwai Chung Road opposite the container terminal which have been formed as part of the Kwai Chung Development Scheme.
The planners must also take into consideration the proposed Mass Transit System. If it is implemented, an underground station will be built in the centre of the estate.
Four blocks have been planned in the northern section of the site, and due to the terraced landscape, these blocks will be linked at different levels by bridges.
/There will •••••••
Thursday, December 14, 1972
2
There will be a modular market in this section providing 40 stalls for hawkers.
There wi 11 be three blocks in the southern section, one 22-storey and the rest 1? storeys high.
There will also be a modular market with 40 hawker stalls.
The roof of this market complex will be used as a play deck providing recreational facilities.
Connected to the play deck will be a welfare hall which provides premises for voluntary agencies to carry out community work.
A special feature in the southern section is a three-storey workshop. Due to the peculiar slope of the site, the lower ground floor of this building will only have half the area of the upper floors.
Workshop Facilities
Families living in housing estates often engage in handicraft as a means of income. When goods such as plastic flowers and beads are taken into the homes, they impose a fire hazard.
In view of this, workshop facilities have been included to provide working space together with vehicular delivery for family industry, thus reducing the danger of fire in the home.
Two sul>-termini have been planned in the estate for buses routed to Kowloon and Tsuen Wan.
Public light bus stands have been planned along the main access road near the centre of the estate.
Local residents will rely heavily on the Mass Transit System if it is implemented.
/A total •••••••
Thursday, December 14, 1972
- 3 -
A total of 3^0 private car and 51 lorry parking spaces have been planned, resulting in a provision ratio of one space to 12 w
Recreation grounds have been provided throughout the estate, and a large plot of land at the northern tip has been earmarked for a sports ground.
Two kindergartens will be provided in Blocks One and Seven of the estate, and three estate primary schools will also be built.
Two secondary schools will be constructed on a site adjacent to the estate. They will be built to an ’’inter-locking” design sharing common hall and welfare facilities.
Estate offices and a post office will be accommodated in the ground floor bays of the blocks.
A Large two-storey restaurant building with a total floor area of 12,000 square feet has been provided near the site for the underground station A small cafe has also been planned in the central area near an open car park.
Shopping facilities will be arranged in two groups to serve the two sections of the estate.
Construction work on the estate is expect to begin in 1973*
Note to Editors: Copies of a photograph showing a model of the
new Estate are distributed separately in the G.I.S. press boxes this evening.
Thursday, December 14, 1972
- 4 -
AUSTRALIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA
To Perform In Hong Kong
*********
An Australian youth orchestra - The Melbourne Church of England Grammar School Orchestra, which is on its 1972 South-east Asian tour, will give one concert at 8 p.m. on Sunday (December 17) at the City Hall Concert Hall.
The Orchestra’s performance here has been arranged by the Urban Council as a cultural exchange between Australia and Hong Kong.
Founded in 1954 by its Musical Director, Mr. Donald Britton, the Orchestra reflects the remarkable upsurge in musical activities of the young people during the last fifteen years in Australia.
Under the National Music Camp scheme, Australia has now many permanent youth orchestras which form part of her cultural life.
The Orchestra, which comprises some 42 members, will give their first concert in Hong Kong, after which they will perform in Bangkok and Singapore•
On Sunday, they will play works by Elgar, Hindemith, Purcell, Farkas, Haydn, Holst and Britton.
Tickets at 111 (for students), 32 and 33 are available daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the City Hall Box Office.
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/5.........
Thursday, December 14, 1972
- 5 -
NEW CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND ON CHEUNG CHAU
Built With Donation From Jockey Club
*******
Children of Cheung Chau will have better recreational facilities with the opening of a new children’s playground at Tung Wan tomorrow (flriday).
The playground was built at the former site of Deacon Park, which was damaged by a typhoon in 1967*
The playground is the brainchild of the District Office, Islands, which undertook the planning and preparation of the project*
It was given material life by a generous donation of 575,000 from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, together with the assistance from the New Territories Administration under the Local Public Works Vote*
Jointly officiating at the opening ceremony tomorrow will be Mr. Mayer Ng, District Office, Islands and Dr. Douglas Laing, a Steward of the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Note to Editors: The opening ceremony is to be held at
3.30 p»m. You are invited to send a reporter/ photographer to cover the event.
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/6.........
Thursday, December 14, 1972
- 6 -
PASSING- OUT PARADE OF FIREMEN
*********
A passmg^-out parade for four squads of firemen comprising 92 men will be held at the Fire Services Training School, Fan Kam Road, Pat Heung, New Territories, on Saturday.
Sir Yuet-keung Kan will inspect about 200 officers and men at the parade.
The parade and inspection will be followed by a display of Fire Service equipment and rescue drills including the use of a helicopter.
—Editors:, You are invited to send a reporter and/or photographer to attend. The parade will start at 10.15 a.m. on Saturday.
-------0 - «
LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES
*********
The Urban Services Department has earmarked sites at the Victoria Park, Choi Hung Playground and Cheung Shia Wan Playground for Lunar New Year Fairs.
lenders for stall £ at the fair sites are now being invited.
Forms of tender and further particulars may be obtained from the Hawker Records Offices on the 6th floor of the Causeway Bay Magistracy Building, and on the 2nd fl >:r of the U.S.D. depot in Sai Yee Street from tomorrow (Friday).
Thursday, December 14, 1972
- 7 -
ANTI-DIPHTHERIA AND TETANUS CAMPAIGN
Figures For Ninth Week Announced
*********
During the week ending on December 9, a total of 18,677 doses of the combined anti-diphtheria and tetanus vaccine was administered, according to statistics released today by the Medical and Health Department*
Of these, 1,284 were administered on the Island, 10,509 in Kowloon, and 6,884 in the New Territories.
In the nine weeks since this routine campaign began on October 9, a total of 1751954 doses has be^n administered.
The campaign will continue for the rest of December. Free vaccine is available at all government maternal and child health centres and clinics.
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QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS
*******>;*
Quarantine restrictions have been imposed against arrivals from Dacca (excluding Airport), Bangladesh, on account of smallpox.
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/8..........
Thursday, December 14, 1972
- 8 -
MING TAK BANK CREDITORS ASKED TO PROVE DEBTS
Forms Of Proof Available On Request
*********
Creditors of the Ming Tak Bank, other than depositors and holders of gift coupons, are advised to prove their debts as soon as possible if they have not already done so.
In a notice to be published in tomorrow’s newspapers, the Official Receiver, Mr. W. Hume, who is Trustee in Bankruptcy of the Bank, says these creditors are required to prove their debts not later than January 1973.
Forms of proof will be supplied on request made by post, telephone or personally to the Official Receiver’s Office, Sutherland House, 10th floor, 3 Chater Road, Hong Kong (Tel. No. 5-231957).
On December 1 this year, Mr. Hume announced his intention to pay a first dividend of not less than 20 per cent to all unsecured creditors before the next Lunar Nev/ Year provided the necessary arrangements can be made in time.
Tomorrow’s notice indicates that depositors and holders of gift coupons need not take any action at present, but they should watch for future press announcements regarding the payment arrangements.
Other creditors, including holders of bank drafts issued by the Ming Tak Bank, should prove their debts as soon as possible if they have not done so.
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/9.........
Thursday, December 14, 1972
- 9 -
SEWAGE DISPOSAL AT LAI CHI KOK TO BE IMPROVED ♦ *****
A temporary sewage screening plant will be built at Lai Chi Kok next year to improve the sewage discharge system in the area.
When completed, the plant will extract coarse screenings from the sewage discharged from the Lai Chi Kok sewerage district.
The screened sewage, after passing through the plant, will be conveyed to the existing twin-pipe submarine outfall that discharges into the sea.
The engineering works comprise the construction of a building where the screening plant will be housed, and also an office for the employees who will man the station.
The project will occupy about -200 ft. by 150 ft. on the eastern side of the Lai Ghi Kok incinerator.
The site will be served by an access road ..connecting into Lai Chi Kok Road.
Construction will start next February and the project will take about 7 months to complete,.
- w - - 0 -------
/10.........
Thursday, December 14, 1972
- 10 -
SHOP TENANTS TO GET RENT REBATE
Affected By Shek Kip Mei Rehousing Scheme
*******
The bb Shek Kip Mei shop tenants affected by the first phase of the Rehousing Scheme will be able to enjoy a rent rebate for two years when they move to new premises at Pak Tin Estate-
The rent rebate is designed to reduce the temporary difficulty which might be .caused to shop tenants as a result of their move.
At the same time, any shop tenant not wishing to take up the ■ reprovisioning offer may apply for ex-gratia cash compensation as an alternative. The option to accept cash in lieu of reprovisioning also applies to workshop operators.
Announcing this today, a spokesman for the Resettlement Department said the decision to introduce these modifications was reached after exhaustive interviews with each of the shop tenants affected.
The modifications are aimed at reducing the transitional difficulties posed for some of the tenants affected. The aim is to ensure that nobody suffers undue hardship while the $80 million rehousing scheme is being implemented The shop tenants must put in their applications for reprovisioning by January 3? 1973* Evacuation of the shop premises is scheduled for February 1973. - —..............
Shop tenants taking up the reprovisioning offer will enjoy rent rebates of 50% for the first year and 25% for the second year of their new premises at Pak Tin Estate.
/The spokesman ........
Thursday, December 14, 1972
- 11 -
The spokesman said that even without any rebate, the rents for Pak Tin shops were very reasonable,
"The rent rebates only reflect Government’s sincere wish to help the Shek Kip Mei shopkeepers re-establish themselves at Pak Tin during the initial period", he said.
Shop tenants not wishing to take up the reprovisioning offer may apply for ex-gratia compensation which will be fixed at the same rates as those applying to shopkeepers cleared from squatter areas.
The scale of compensation will be:- 88,100 for a half-bay shop of 120 sq. ft., 811,700 for a full-bay shop of 240 sq. ft. and 818,900 for a two-bay shop of 480 sq. ft.
Compensation
The spokesman said this would provide an alternative to those shop tenants who may prefer to wind up their business and get a lump sum of compensation as well as a domestic living unit at Pak Tin.
He reiterated that it was impossible and impracticable to allow the shopkeepers to remain in situ after the redevelopment of Shek Kip Mei Estate. "We know that even at present quite a number of shops in the old estate are doing no business and many of them have had to close down. Because the population in new Shek Kip Mei will be about half of the present population, business will be likely to be less."
He said this was the main reason why the Resettlement Department was convinced that their proposals would be beneficial to shopkeepers.
"We are only trying to ensure a reasonable business and a fair return for every shopkeeper in the new estate", he added.
The department feels sure that shopkeepers will find these new arrangements much more acceptable.
Thursday, December 14, 1972
- 12 -*»
WATER CUT IN WAN CHAI
Water supply to a number of premises in Wan Chai will be interrupted for eight hours from 10 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) to 6 a.m. the following day.
The temporary stoppage is to enable the Waterworks Office to install a waste detection meter body and a sluice valve at Queen’s Road East near Anton Street*
The premises to be affected include Houses Nos. 26-44, Queen’s Road East, Nos. 1-7 Anton Street and Nos. 2-22 Hennessy Road.
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Release Time: 7.00 p.m.
PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Friday, December 15, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No,
Heavier penalties are proposed to fight sea pollution •••••• 1
Regulations governing furnaces, ovens or chimneys, designed to reduce air pollution, have been published •..........• ••• 5
An elevated road is to be built in Yau Ma Tei to ease traffic congestion ............................................ 7
The final of the Miniature Soccer Competition, sponsored by ACAN, is to be played tomorrow................................. 8
A Christmas party for the blind is to be held at the Lutheran Kwun Tong Primary School...................................... 10
There will be two mail deliveries on Christmas Eve........... 11
Box junctions have been painted on the eastbound carriageway of Connaught Road Central near the Cleverly Street bus terminus to ease congestion .............................. 12
A roof is to be built for the Tsing Yi Public Pier ............ 12
A Labour Officer stresses importance of harmonious labourmanagement relationship....................................... 1J
A dispute over severance pay in Kwun Tong has been settled with the help of the Labour Department......••••••••••••••• 15
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
Friday, December 15» 1972
- 1 -
HEAVIER PENALTIES TO COMBAT SEA POLLUTION
Higher Fines And Jail Sentences Proposed
*********
Amending legislation to combat pollution of Hong Kong waters and to improve the disciplinary measures and recruiting operation of seamen will soon be introduced into the Legislative Council.
The Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill 1972 mainly provides for heavier penalties for offences connected with sea pollution; while the Merchant Shipping (Recruiting of Seamen) (Amendment) Bill 1972 deals with recruiting of seamen and discipline as well.
Both amending bills are published in today’s Government Gazette for general information.
The Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill 1972 makes it an offence to discharge oil, whether from land or ships, or to deposit without the permission of the Director of Marine substances other than oil, into Hong Kong waters.
Any person found guilty of the offence is liable on conviction to a fine of $20,000 and to imprisonment of six months.
Whore oil is discharged from a vessel, the owner, master, agent or charterer will be liable; and where it is discharged from a place on land, the occupier or the owner will be liable.
/The bill
Friday, December 15, 1972
- 2 -
The bill also requires these persons to report to the Director of Marine the discharge or escape of oil from the vessel or land into Hong Kong waters, failing which will be an offence punishable by a $4,000 maximum fine.
Another major provision empowers an authorized public officer to remove from a ship a seaman who has been lawfully discharged from the ship but refuses to leave it.
A Government spokesman said the provision of such powers has been proposed in the interest of operational efficiency in the port as there is a tendency for Hong Kong seamen to attempt to coerce the master of their ship into accepting demands by striking en masse or by refusing to leave ship when they have been lawfully discharged.
Stringent Measures
The other amending bill provides for more adequate and stringent measures to deal with the problem of desertion of Hong Kong registered seamen.
It proposes that the Superintendent of the Seamen’s Recruiting Office may summarily suspend a seaman’s registration where he has reasonable grounds for believing that the seaman has deserted or refused without cause to join his ship.
Alternatively, the Superintendent may either suspend the seamanrs registration and immediately refer the case to the Seamen’s Recruiting Authority or caution the seaman in writing to be of good behaviour.
The seaman may appeal to a Board of Reference against the grounds for his suspension or the duration of the suspension, which can be as long as 24 months.
/The Government
Friday, December 15, 1972
- 3 -
The Government spokesman said the incidence of desertion of Hong Kong registered seamen has become a serious problem affecting Hong Kong, the shipping industry, and the country in which the seaman deserts• ”The reputation of Hong Kong as a recruiting centre and the livelihood of Hong Kong seamen will suffer if the number of desertion is not reduced,” he added.
The second bill also amends the definition of seaman to include all persons comprising the complement of a foreign-going ship other than master, certificated mate, certificated engineer, doctor or persons serving in capacities excluded by the Seamen’s Recruiting Authority.
Exclusion
”The exclusion of this miscellaneous category of employees has in practice enabled men to join ships through intermediaries, at exorbitant fees, ostensibly as tallymen and compradors while they actively work as deckhand, cook or engine-room donkeyman,” the spokesman said.
Another proposed amendment empowers the Superintendent to order any seaman to undergo a medical examination and to suspend the seaman from the register if he fails to pass it. If, subsequently, the seaman is certified to be medically fit, his name will be re-entered into the register.
The spokesman said the second bill has been drafted to eliminate some of the deficiencies which have come to light with experience of the working of the Seamen’s Recruiting Office which was opened in June, 19^6.
/He recalled •••••
Friday, December 15, 1972
- 4 -
He recalled that it was envisaged in the Seamen’s Recruitment Committeefs Final Report 19^5/64 that sometime after the Seamen’s Rooruiting Office had been in operation and had acquired the necessary experience, the legislation would be re-examined.
• - - - 0 -------
Friday, December 15, 1972
- 5 -
CLEAN AIR REGULATIONS WILL HELP REDUCE POLLUTION
And Economise Use Of Fuel
Mt****
Regulations laying down statutory requirements for the design of furnaces, ovens, or chimneys so as to reduce the risk of air pollution are published in today’s Gazette.
The Clean Air (Furnaces, Ovens, and Chimneys) (Installation and Alteration) Regulations 1972, made by the Governor in Council under the Clean Air Ordinance, become effective immediately.
Commenting on these regulations, the Smoke Abatement Adviser, Mr. K. Higginson of the Labour Department, said that they would apply to all premises, with certain exemptions, in which it was proposed to install, alter, or modify a furnace, oven or chimney.
Premises which use less than five gallons of conventional liquid fuel, 70 pounds of conventional solid fuel or 10 therms of gas fuel each hour are exempted from the application of the regulations.
The Smoke Abatement Adviser said: ’’The occupier may be required to submit a block plan showing buildings surrounding the premises, and must submit plans and specifications of such installation to the Commissioner of Labour who is the competent authority in these regulations for approval.”
He added that a block plan must be prepared by an authorised architect and that a plan showing elevations or plan views must be prepared by either an authorised architect or a qualified engineer as defined in the regulations.
/Specifications ........
Friday, December 15, 1972
Specifications required to be submitted include details of the
grade, type, and quantity of fuel to be used, the expected working hours of the appliances, details of any automatic controls, and information or any method of controlling the consumption of fuel and the admission of air.
Also required are structural details of any chimney, and details
of any stoking device to be used with solid fuel of any burner appliance to be fitted to a furnace using liquid or gaseous fuel.
Contraventions of these regulations constitute an offence, punishable
by fines of up to 85,000 and an additional fine of S50 for each day on which the offence continues.
The court may also order the occupier to cease operating or to dismantle the appliance.
Free Advice
The Smoke Abatement Adviser said: "Trained officers of the smoke
inspectorate of the Labour Department will give free advice to members of the public on the thermal efficiency of any design for furnace, oven, chimney or flue."
He said: "Tests carried out in the United Kingdom by the National
Industrial Fuel Efficiency Service show that the installation of badly-designed plant can result in a 20% - 25% wastage of fuel. This percentage of wastage is probably higher in Hong Kong."
He believed that enforcement of the regulations by the smoke inspectorate
would lead to an appreciable saving in fuel costs to operators, and would provide a cleaner atmosphere for the general public.
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/7
Friday, December 15, 1972
- 7 -
ELEVATED ROAD TO EASE CONGESTION IN YAU MA TEI
Go-Ahead Authorised
*******
The present traffic congestion in Yau Ma Tei will be eased considerably with the building of an elevated road running from Gascoigne Road to the typhoon anchorage.
Authority has now been given to go ahead with the construction of the elevated road which forms the first stage of the Western Kowloon Corridor scheme•
When completed, the scheme will provide a new major road route, serving to distribute traffic in the urban areas of Western Kowloon and connecting these areas with Tsuen Wan/Kwai Chung to the north.
The elevated road will start from Gascoigne *Road near its junction with Wylie Road, along Gascoigne Road and Kansu Street to the reclamation in Yau Ma Tei typhoon anchorage near Tung Kun Street.
It will form a direct connection for the vehicular cross harbour tunnel with the proposed Tong Mi Road extension through the typhoon anchorage.
The project will entail widening of certain sections of Gascoigne Road and Kansu Street, and necessitate temporary traffic diversion and re-routing during construction.
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/8
Friday, December 15, 1972
- 8 -
ACAN SOCCER FINAL TOMORROW
Narcotics Commissioner To Give Trophies
* ****** 4c
The final match in the Miniature Soccer Competition Championship, sponsored by the Action Committee Against Narcotics, will take place at the Southern Playground in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island at 6 p.m. tomorrow, k (Saturday).
Two teams, Tam Luen from Hong Kong, and Wing Kit from Kowloon will be meeting to decide the winner.
The match will start at 6 p.m. and Golden Harvest Studios’ Mandarin film actress, Miss Hsu Feng, whose films include ’’Dragon Inn” and ”A Touch of Zen” will ’’kick off”. Music will be provided by the band of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force.
‘At the end of the match, the Commissioner for Narcotics, Mr. Norman Rolph, will present prizes and trophies to the winning team and runner-up.
The Excelsior Hotel has donated a trophy in the form of a miniature football to be known as the ’’Excelsior Trophy”. This is to be retained by the winner of this match and passed on to the winning teams of subsequent competitions.
A set of medallions minted to commemorate the opening of the CrossHarbour Tunnel has been donated by Mr. Dennis Lyth to be retained by the runner-up and passed on annually. Many other organisations have also donated prizes for the teams and players too.
/The Miniature •••••••
Friday, December 15, 1972
- 9 -
The Miniature Soccer Competition is the first ever to be held in Hong Kong and almost JOO teams have taken part from the start leading up to the final match tomorrow.
The competition was organised by the Action Committee Against Narcotics as part of its general publicity campaign this year. It was also intended as an anti-drug message to attract young people and demonstrate to them that there are ways in which they can usefully occupy their spare-time
Note to Editors: You are cordially invited to have
the match and the presentation of prizes covered on Saturday, December 16, 1972. "Kick-off” is at 6 p.m.
Copies of a photograph showing the ’’Excelsior Trophy” are distributed separately in the G.I.S. press boxes.
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/10 .........
Friday, December 15» 1972
- 10 -
CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR BLIND
*******
Members of the Kin Ching Club of the Wong Tai Sin Community Centre will host a Christmas party for 200 blind people at the Lutheran Kwun Tong Primary School on Sunday, December 17*
The Club is a group of young people organised with the support and advice of the social workers of the Centre to serve underprivileged people.
It was formed last summer by a group of young people who took part in the summer programme organised by the Social Welfare Department.
*******
Note to Editors: You are cordially invited to send a reporter
and/or photographer to cover the event. It will be held on December 17 (Sunday), from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Lutheran Kwun Tong Primary School, No. 285, Kwun Tong Road, ground floor, Kowloon.
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Friday, December 15, 1972
- 11 -
TWO LETTER DELIVERIES ON CHRISTMAS EVE
*********
Postmen will make two deliveries of letters on Christmas Eve before they take a day off on Christmas Day.
There will be only one delivery on the coming Sunday (December 17), Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Announcing this today, a spokesman for the Post Office said all post offices would be closed on Christmas Day.
But for Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, counter facilities will be available from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at 51 post offices, including the General Post Office in Central and the Kowloon Central Post Office.
The spokesman appealed to the public to mail their cards early to avoid disappointment of non-delivery before Christmas.
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/12..........
Friday, December 15» 1972
- 12 -
BOX JUNCTIONS ON CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL
*********
Box junctions have been painted on the eastbound carriageway of Connaught Road Central outside the entrance and exit to the Cleverly Street bus terminus to ease traffic congestion in the area.
These cross-hatched boxes serve as a visual warning to motorists to avoid blocking traffic entering or coming out of the terminus, a Transport Department spokesman said.
Motorists, especially drivers of goods vehicles, are requested to keep clear of these boxes when waiting in a line of eastbound traffic.
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ROOF FOR TSING YI PUBLIC PIER
*********
Work will soon begin for the construction of an asbestos roof cover for the Tsing Yi Public Pier.
When completed, this roof will provide a shelter from the sun and rain for passengers and goods passing through the pier.
The estimated cost of the work is #80,000.
Work is expected to take three months to complete.
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/1J........
Friday, December 15i 1972
- 15 -
HARMONIOUS LABOUR AND MANAGEMENT RELATIONSHIP
Importance Stressed By Labour Officer
**««»***
Labour and management relationships in Hong Kong are more cordial compared to those in many other Asian countries.
This was the impression of Mr. T.F. Tsui, Senior Labour Officer in charge of the Labour Relations Service when he recently attended a seminar in Bangkok.
Mr. Tsui was a guest speaker at the luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of Hong Kong Island West today.
■4 / He stressed the importance of maintaining the present atmosphere of harmonious relationship between employers and employees. Referring to the work of the Labour Relations Service in the past eleven months, Mr. Tsui said: ”The Service dealt with a total of 4,221 labour problems of all types and 73% of them were amicably settled. n17f553 enquiries were received and this number reflects the willingness of both parties to confide in and seek the advice of the Service.
"Officers of the Service also paid 318 visits to industrial employers and those include visits to promote joint consultation, to encourage employers to prepare an employee handbook and to introduce a grievance procedure."
/On the ••••••••
Friday, December 15, 1972
- 14 -
On the average, Mr- Tsui noted that the Service successfully assisted in the settlement of over 70# of all disputes.
He said: "The Service welcomes all employers and employees who wish to seek assistance, make enquiries or lodge complaints concerning labour and management problems."
In connection with the Labour Tribunal which will come into operation early next year, Mr. Tsui said that it is aimed at providing a quick, inexpensive and informal method of settling certain types of disputes involving claims of right between employers and employees.
"A number of information booklets on labour and management relations are obtainable free of charge from the branch offices of the Labour Department,” he added.
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Friday, December 15, 1972
- 15 -
DISPUTE OVER SEVERANCE PAY SETTLED
44*4444
With the help of the Labour Department, an amicable settlement was reached in a labour dispute in the H.W. Turning & Co., Ltd., in Kwun Tong over the retrenchment of 1J1 workers.
The two parties signed an agreement in the presence of an officer of the Labour Relations Service of the Labour Department yesterday (December 14).
Under the agreement, the workers will each receive, where applicable, one month’s wages in lieu of notice, payment from the Staff Saving Fund, annual bonus, severance pay and payment in lieu of annual leave due.
Officers ef Labour Relations Service visited the establishment on December 2 and conducted a total of four joint meetings for the parties concerned
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Release Time: - 7.00 p.m.
PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Saturday, December 16, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No*
The Sha Tin Development Plan is now being revised............... 1
Six pieces of Crown land will be up for sale next month •••• 3
Over 90 per cent of the total domestic consumption of marine fish are provided by Hong Kong’s fishing fleet.................. 4
Four mooring beacons are to be built in Deep Bay • •............ 6
New traffic arrangements are to be introduced in Kowloon and N.T............................................................. 7
New restricted areas for public light buses will be set up in Kowloon................................... •............... 8
A notice to exporters on export restraint on certain shirts to Denmark is to be issued shortly............................ 9
There will be an issue of the D.I.B. tomorrow.................. 10
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
Saturday, December 16, 1972
1
SHA TIN DEVELOPMENT UNDER REVISION Sophisticated Township Envisaged
Sha Tin will be transformed,in the years to come, into a modern satellite town with all the salient features and facilities that go with a sophisticated modern township.
Government town planners, in consultation with the Nev/ Territories Administration and local leaders, are at present revising the original plan for the development of Sha Tin — the Outline Zoning Plan for Sha Tin.
The revision of the plan, which began a year ago and is nearing completion, aims at creating an integrated and self-contained township.
In the new plan, the sociological needs of the local population and the improvement of the environmental standards are accorded top priority.
It also seeks to fulfil the three guiding principles of a modern township — convenience, economy and attractive outlook.
A significant change in the revised plan will be the addition of a race course in Sha Tin.
A government spokesman revealed that the new plan was being designed in such a way as to meet the various community requirements.
He said: ”The main theme of development in Sha Tin lies in the even distribution of the different projects to attain a balanced state of development.”
When the Sha Tin New Town Development Plan was first conceived, the intention was to develop it into a dormitory town.
/"But .......
Saturday, December 15, 1972
- 2
r:But the replacement plan aims at providing land for both residential and industrial development within the framework of a balanced pattern of land use,” the spokesman explained.
It is Government’s intention, he added, to provide sufficient employment for the town’s population and, at the same time, to allow the people to live within a reasonable distance from the place of work.
In terms of transport facilities in the new town, government town planners are studying the feasibility of opening a through road linking Sha Tin with Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung and extending the future mass transit system to reach Sha Tin.
Traffic Flow •
The projected second Lion Rock Tunnel, the spokesman said, is expected to go a long way towards improving the flow of traffic between Sha Tin and Kowloon upon its completion in 1976.
Apart from the provision of commercial and industrial areas and government housing, other salient features of the plan include more open space, government, institutional and community facilities and a number of service reservoirs in the area.
A sewage treatment plant is also being taken into consideration-in the new plan.
Meanwhile, work is well underway on the construction of the Lek
Yuen Government Housing Estate which is envisaged to accommodate 25,000 people and planning is in an advanced stage in respect of the portion of the Tide Cove (Sha Tin Hoi) earmarked for the race course.
Saturday, December 16, 1972
SIX LOTS OF CROWN LAND UP FOR SkLE
Three In Broadcasting City
*********
Six lots of Crown land, five of them for private residential
development, will be put up for sale by auction in the City Hall on Friday, January 5*
Three of the residential lots are in the ’’Broadcasting City” area of Kowloon.
Two of these are located in Fessenden Road, adjacent to'each other. They cover a total area of about 30,760 sq. ft. and have a combined upset price of 88.3 million.
The other, measuring about 19,2^+0 sq. ft., is in Marconi Road. Its upset price is 8^,800,000.
Two adjacent residential lots in Clementi Road on the Island will also be offered for sale. The first measures about 20,500 sq. ft. and has an upset price of 82 million. The other is slightly smaller with an upset price of 81.8 million.
The last lot is for non-industrial use and is situated at Nos. 12-14 Portland Street in Kowloon.
The land, with existing buildings, has an area of about 1,402 sq. ft. The upset price is 84-70,000.
The auction will take place at 2.30 p.m. in the City Hall Lecture Room, 8th floor.
Full parti r.ulars and Conditions of Sale may be obtained from and Sale Plans inspected at the Public Enquiry Sub-office, Central Government Offices (West Wing), Ground Floor, Hong Kong, and at the Crown Lands and Survey Office, Kowloon Government Offices, 405 Nathan Road, 10th Floor, Kowloon.
- - 0 - -
A
Saturdayt December 16, 1972
- 4 -
OVER 90 PER CENT OF FISH CONSUMPTION
Provided By H.K.’s Fleet
*********
Hong Kong’s fishing fleet provided 92 percent of the total domestic consumption of marine fish last year, while the balance was met mainly by imports from China.
The total production of marine fish in 197% estimated at.95»WO metric tons, showed an overall decrease of 8.2 percent compared with 1970.
According to the Agriculture- and1 Fisheries Department, unfavourable weather was the principal cause for the drop; crew shortages was another factor.
A spokesman of the department said: ’’Although fishing is mainly confined to the waters of the adjacent continental shelf, a considerable number of fishing vessels operate as far as the eastern coast of Hainan Island, some 500 miles south-west of Hong Kong.”
In January 1971, the number of local fishing fleet was 5,612, eighty-six-percent of which were mechanised, an increase of four per cent since 19&9*
The development of Hong Kong’s fishing industry during 1971 was satisfactoryt according to the spokesman.
The Agriculture and Fisheries Department continues to help fishermen in modernising their gear and exploring new ways of fishing.
/Newly-built ••••••..
Saturday, December 16, 1972
- 5 -
Newly-built fishing boat hulls mechanised in 1971-72 amounted to 827, providing a total capacity of 641,991 piculs. In 1970-71, the number was 764 and the total capacity was 595,72? piculs.
Local fishing vessels are classified into trawlers, liners, gill-netters and purse seiners. Trawlers are the most economically significant of all fishing units, contributing 67 per cent of the total marine fish production.
Production of fisheries products for 1971, including marine and J •
freshwater fish, Crustacea, molluscs, aquarium fish, fish meal and fertilisers, amounted to some 120,2?4 metric tons at an estimated value of 3337*2 mi THon.
Landings of fresh marine fish and the quantity of salt/dried fish and other marine products marketed through the Fish Marketing Organisation totalled 76,327 metric tons in 1971-72. The value of landings was 314? million, an increase of 32 million compared with 1970-71•
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/6.........
Saturday, December 16, 1972
- 6 -
MOORING DOLPHINS IN DEEP BAY
********
The Government proposes to construct four reinforced concrete mooring dolphins in Deep Bay to enable police craft to maintain station in the area without having to anchor.
It is intended to build two of these beacons in the middle of Deep Bay, another adjacent to the police pier at Tsim Bei Tsui and the fourth adjacent to the police pier at Nam Sang Wai.
The boundaries of the area in which the proposed dolphins will be situated are fully described in a notice in today’s Gazette.
Anyone who has any objections to the proposed dolphins or any claims of private right in the matter should submit them in writing to the Director of Public Works within two months of the Gazette notification*
Notices, in English and Chinese, are also posted on notice boards at Tsim Bei Tsui, Nam Sang Wai and Lau Fau Shan.
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/7.........
Saturday, December 16, 1972
- 7 -
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KCWLOON AND N.T.
Effective From Monday
*********
The Transport Department today announced traffic diversions at Tai Po Road, temporary closure of two street sections in Mong Kok, and new traffic arrangement at three streets in the New Territories, all to be effective as from 10 a.m. on Monday (December 18).
To facilitate the construction of Tai Woh Ping Interchange, eastbound traffic along the section of Tai Po Road between Lung Cheung Road and Ching Cheung Road will be reduced to a single lane for about 15 months.
Tai Po Raad eastbound traffic to Lung Cheung Road, instead of turning left into the slip road, will turn right to make use of the Tai Woh Ping flyover. Traffic signals to this effect will be erected but southbound traffic along Tai Po Road will not be affected.
In Mong Kok, Nelson Street between Reclamation Street and Shanghai Street, and Shantung Street between Portland Street and Shanghai Street, will be temporarily closed to through-traffic for about two months to enable road works to be carried out.
Nelson Street between Portland Street and Shanghai Street, and Shangtung Street between Reclamation Street and Shanghai Street, which wore closed for road works in October, will be re-opened to through-traffic on the same day (Monday).
/In the ......
Saturday, December 16, 1972
- 8 -
In the New Territories, in order to improve traffic circulation
in Tai Po Market, Wai Yan Street between Heung Sze Wai Road and On Fu Road will be re-routed one-way westward, and Nam Shing Street and Wai Yi Street between Heung Sze Wui Road and On Fu Road will be re-routed one-way eastward.
The terminus for bus routes 25 and 25 will be resited from Wai Yan Street to a new location on the western side of Heung Sze Wui Road.
Appropriate traffic signs will be posted to guide motorists as well as bus drivers.
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RESTRICTED AREAS FOR MINIBUSES
********
Public light buses will be prohibited from picking up or setting down passengers at two road sections in Kowloon as from 10 a.m. on Tuesday (December 19) in order to reduce obstruction to traffic.
The restricted areas will be the west side of Hong Ning Road between its junctions with Kwung Tung Road and Ngau Tau Kok Road; and the south side of Ngau Tau Kok Road between its junctions with Hong Ning Road and Tung Hing Street.
Appropriate traffic signs will be erected to indicate the restricted areas •
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/9.........
Saturday, December 16, 1972
- 9 -
EXPORT RESTRAINT ON SHIRTS TO DENMARK
****««»
The Director of Commerce and Industry will shortly issue a notice to exporters concerning export restraint on certain shirts to Denmark.
The Notice deals with the introduction of the special shipment scheme on Wednesday (December 20) and the quantity of uncommitted quota available under this scheme.
Copies of the Notice will shortly be sent to trade associations and companies on the Commerce and Industry Department’s mailing list for Notice to Exporters, Series 6 (Europe, other than Britain and the European Economic Community).
Because of the Christmas rush, there may be some delay in the delivery of this Notice. Additional copies will, theyeforex be made available at the reception counter on the ground floor of the Fire Brigade Building,
Anyone who wishes to seek advance information regarding the contents of the Notice may contact Mr. C.L. Li of the Commerce and Industry Department at Tel: H-247515.
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/10.........
Saturday, December 16, 1972
- 10 -
ISSUE OF D.I.B. TOMORROW
Note to Editors:
There will be an issue of the Daily
Information Bulletin tomorrow (Sunday)•
--------0 - - w
Release time: 2>30
PRH 7 404)0091
I.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Sunday, December 17, 1972
NEW RECREATION GROUND IN FANLING
Handing-Over Ceremony On Tuesday
*******
A recreation ground, featuring a wide range of sports facilities, has been built in Fanling, New Territories, to provide new amenities to people living in northern Tai Po district.
The one-million-dollar project, one of a series planned for various parts of the New Territories, will be handed over to the Urban Services Department at a ceremony on Tuesday (December 19), at 3 p.m.
The recreation ground, covering an area of 250,000 square feet close to Fanling Railway Station, is within easy access by train and car.
It comprises a full-sized grass football pitch with sitting accommodation for 500 spectators, two standard basketball courts, one convertible volley ball-badminton court, a roller-skating rink and changing rooms.
In addition, it provides a colourful and well-vegetated rest garden with a refreshment kiosk for less active people. All game pitches and the rest garden are provided with floodlights to allow evening activities.
In Tuesday’s handing-over ceremony, the Director of Building Development, Public Works Department, Mr. C.R.J. Donnithome, will present the keys of the gates to the Director of Urban Services, Mr. D.R.W. Alexander.
/This will ........
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Sunday, December 17, 1972
2
This will be followed by ribbon-cutting by the District Commissioner,
New Territories, Mr. D.C. Bray; and the Chairman of Heung Yee Kuk, Mr. Chan
Yat-sunt
To mark the occasion, there will also be a skating performance and a
basketball game.
Mr. Pang Chi-fai, Chairman of the Fanling Rural Committee, will officiate at the throwing-off of the basketball game, while-Mr. Alexander and Mr. Bray will present trophies to the. skating group and the winning team of the basketball game. ■ •
Note to Editors? You are cordially invited to send a
reporter ..and/or photographer to cover the ceremony. Press transport will be provided. Two government., vans will leave the Kowloon sub-pool behind the -Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office at 1.30 p.m. on Tuesday (December 19) to take Press representatives to the Fanling recreation ground.
Sunday, December 17, 1972
- 5 -
RICE IMPORT QUOTA FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 1975
********
The Commerce and Industry Department today announced that the rice import quota for the first quarter of 1973 had been provisionally fixed at 90,200 metric tons, 2.5 per cent above the basic quota 88,000 metric tons.
Commenting on the quota, a spokesman for the Department said rice consumption in the winter months is usually higher because of the cooler weather. The slight increase in the quota takes account of these circumstances•
The Department would keep developments in the rice trade under close review, and might issue a supplementary quota during the quarter should circumstances so warranted, the spokesman said.
In the eleven months of this year, Hong Kong imported 3351073 metric tons of rice. Of this amount, Thailand supplied 65 per cent and China 28 per cent. The remainder came mainly from Australia, Burma and U.S.A.
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Release time: 3»0Q P»m.
PRH 7 .4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Monday, December 18, 1972
CONTENTS
Page Ho.
The Kowloon-Canton Railway is to purchase more passenger carriages ..................................................... 1
The Labour Relations Service helped settle more than 200 labour problems last month ..................................... 3
Half a million people have visited the Government pavilion at the C.Ii.A. fair........................................... 4
The Commissioner for Resettlement has sent condolences to the families of two workers killed in a fall in Lam Tin Estate ......................................................... 5
Plunkett’s Road in the Peak Area is to be re-opened this week ......................................................... 6
D.C.I.’s Small Industry Branch has moved to a new address •• 6
Results of a Christmas card competition organised by the
Urban Services Department have been announced ...........• • • 7
Water supply to two areas of Mong Kok will be cut .............. 8
A Christmas Eve dance, organised by the Urban Council, will be held on Sunday ........................................... 8
Four members of the Public Works Sub-Committee tour major development projects in Hong Kong........................... 9
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Monday, December 18,1972
- 1 -
KCR TO HAVE MORE CARRIAGES
Double-Tracking Project In Planning Stage
*********
The Kowloon-Canton Railway is buying 40 passenger carriages to cope with the continuously increasing volume of passenger traffic.
Mr. P.H. Lam, General Manager of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, said today that international tenders for the supply of the carriages had been invited through the Crown Agents in London and a number of overseas tenders were received before the end of September, 1972.
Each carriage will cost between 3500»000 and 3600,000, compared with about 3400,000 paid for the last purchase in 19^1.
Twenty—eight new carriages will replace part of the old rolling stock, and the other 12 will be used for lengthening the existing trains or forming an additional train to improve the service.
These 40 carriages are expected to arrive at the end of 1973 in »
batches•
The Kowloon-Canton Railway will also be considering to buy a new locomotive from either the United States or Australia next year, Mr. Lam disclosed.
The Kowloon-Canton Railway has now nine locomotives and 70 carriages with a total capacity of about 6,j4O passengers.
/The number
Monday, December 18, 1972
- 2 -
The number of passengers carried by the Kowloon-Canton Railway has nearly doubled in the past ten-years — from 6.8 million in 19$ 1 to just over 10 million in 1971.
At present, the trains carry some 25,000 passengers daily in weekdays, and up to 63,000 on a holiday.
It is expected that the passengers traffic will rise by five to ten per cent each year over the next threewyear period.
Mr. Lam also disclosed that the project for double^traeking the railway line between the Hung Hom new terminus and Sha Tin had been in the planning stage since August this yearf and it was hoped that funds would be allocated next year.
The project, when completed, will make possible a more efficient schedule of services to be arranged and more frequent shuttle trains between Hung Hom and Sha Tin.
Building a second line to Sha Tin and remodelling the Mongkok and Sha Tin stations will cause approximately $16 million. However, the single line through the Beacon Hill Tunnel will not be doubled for the time being,
-----.. 0 < - . r
Monday, December 18, 1972
- 3 -
OVER 200 LABOUR PROBLEMS SETTLED IN NOVEMBER
With Help Of Labour Relations Service
The Labour Relations Service of the Labour Department helped employers and employees settle 248 labour problems in November-
As a result of agreements reached, 531 employees received a total of $588,54%
Of this total, 1% were paid by employers as outstanding wages, payment in lieu of notice, statutory holiday pay and bonuses of a contractual nature under either the Employment Ordinance or the Industrial Employment (Holidays with Pay and Sickness Allowance) Ordinance.
The remaining 8^ or $497,399 were paid, apart from legal entitlements, as severance pay and other ex gratia payments to employees.
This amount includes a sum of $399,900 paid as ex gratia severance pay to 98 redundant workers formerly employed by two contractors of a godown company.
Fresh nominal claims made by employees in the same month amounted to $1,342,108.
Officers of various district branches of the Labour Relations Service also handled 1,564 consultations and enquiries about labour laws, industrial relations and personnel management.
They visited twenty-five establishments to help employers introduce joint consultative machinery to strengthen communication between labour and management.
A.........
- 0 - -
Monday, December 18, 1972
HALF A MILLION VISITORS TO GOVERNMENT PAVILION
More Are Expected
********
More than half a million people have visited the Government pavilion at the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association Exhibition since it opened on • •
December 7* Up till last night (December 17) , a total of 504,000 visitors had already been to the pavilion and it is estimated that there will be more than one million visitors this year.
Viewers show a marked interest in displayed models of future housing projects which illustrate the Government’s major plans in this field over the next ten years.
Another big attraction, especially to children, is the permanent cinema in the centre of the pavilion showing films of general interest about Hong Kong,
The pavilion is manned at all times by government officers who are available to answer questions from the public.
Monday, December 18, 1972
- 5 -
KESETTLEMEIfT COMMISSIONER SENDS CONDOLENCES
To Families Of Workers Killed In Fall
********
The Commissioner for Resettlement, Mr. John Walden, today on behalf of the Resettlement Select Committee of the Urban Council expressed his sympathy and condolences to the families of the two workers who died in a fall while dismantling illegal flower pot racks in Lam Tin Estate yesterday.
The Commissioner said it was a "distressing and tragic occurrence," especially when tenants are being so co-operative in helping the Department remove these dangerous obstructions.
He added that so many had already been removed without any incidents.
Staff of the Resettlement Department have gone to see the families of these two men with a view to helping them to obtain the assistance of the Social Welfare Department if needed.
A spokesman for the Department advised tenants or contractors who are engaged in dismantling these illegal racks to exercise the utmost care and to take adequate precautions before removing them.
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/6..........
Monday, December 18, 1972
- 6 -
PLUNKETT'S ROAD TO BE RE-OPENED
**********
A road in the Peak area which has been closed as a result of the June rainstorms will be re-opened to traffic on Wednesday (December 20).
It is the section of Plunkett’s Road between Plantation Road and the access road to Government Quarters at No. 30.
Announcing this today, a spokesman for the Transport Department said that the former one-way routing downhill will be retained.
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NEW ADDRESS FOR SMALL INDUSTRY BRANCH
*********
The Commerce and Industry Department’s Loans for Small Industry Branch has moved to the Fire Brigade Building, 4th Floor, Connaught Road Central.
The Branch will be operating there with effect from today.
The new telephone number of the Branch is 5-247316.
The Branch was formerly located in Tung Ying Building, Kowloon.
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/7.........
Monday, December 18, 1972
results of Christmas card competition aI'Inouiiced
********
The results of the Christmas card competition held by the five Junior Libraries of the Urban Council Public Libraries have been announced.
About 4,000 cards representing more than two hundred schools were received.
A spokesman for the Urban Services Department said the entries were judged primarily on their originality and secondly on the execution, and age within the group was also taken into consideration. "It was obvious that much work and thought had gone into the composition of the cards which were of a very high standard," he commented.
All the cards received will be on display in the five Junior Libraries for a period of two weeks commencing December 20, 1972. Parents and children are invited to visit the exhibitions.
Note to Editors: prizes to following URBAN COUNCILLORS Five Urban Councillors will present the winners in each area in the
libraries:- & TIME OF CEREMONY
LIBRARY DATE
Mr. Raymond Y.K. Kan City Hall Junior Library Dec. 20 at 11 a.m.
Mr. A. de 0. Sales Yau Ma Tei Branch Library Dec. 20 at 3 p.m.
Mr. Henry H.L. Hu Aberdeen-Pok Fu Lam Branch Library . . Doc. 21 at 3 p.m.
Dr. Denny M.H. Huang Waterloo Road Branch Library Dec. 22 at 10 a.m.
Mr. Peter C.K. Chan Ping Shek Branch Library Dec. 22 at 4 p.m.
You are welcome to have the prize-giving ceremonies covered.
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/8........
Monday, December 18, 1972
- 8 -
DRY TAPS FOR MONG KOK AREAS
»*»**«***
Water supply to two areas in Mong Kok will be interrupted on Wednesday (December 20) and Fid day (December 22) respectively from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. to facilitate leakage tests in the areas.
The area affected on Wednesday is bounded by Prince Edward Road, Nathan Road, Mong Kok Road, Shanghai Street, Bute Street and Tong Mei Road.
The area affected on Friday is bounded by Fuk Tsuen Street, Anchor Street, Tai Kok Tsui Road and Ivy Street.
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CHRISTMAS EVE YOUTH DANCE
*********
A ’’Christmas Eve Youth Dance”, organised by the Urban Council and sponsored by the North Point Kaifong Welfare Advancement Association, will be held at the Madam Chan Wai Chow Memorial School Hall on Sunday (December 24) from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Two popular Hong Kong groups, ”0n Fire” and the ’’Wynners,” will perform at the dance party.
The highlight of the party will be a lucky draw at the end of the party.
Tickets, at 31.50 each, will be on sale at the Theatre Booking Office, Low Block Lobby of the City Hall and the North Point Kaifong Welfare Advancement Association, No. 82, Marble Road, North Point, Hong Kong from 10 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday).
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/9.........
Monday, December 18, 1972
- 9 -
VISIT OF PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE TO MAJOR PROJECTS
Several Sites Covered In Tour
***«*»«
Four members of the Public Works Sub-Committee of the Finance Committee today visited the sites of several big development projects.
The party comprised Mr. Szeto Wai, Mr. Wilfred Wong, Hr. Wilson Wang and Mr. Oswald Cheung.
They were accompanied by the Deputy Director of Public Works, Mr. A.S. Robertson, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr. D.G. Jeaffreson, the Principal Assistant Colonial Secretary (Lands), Mr. J.W. Chambers, the Assistant Colonial Secretary (Lands), Mr. G. Barnes, the Director of Building Development, Mr. C.R.J. Donnithorne, the Director of Engineering Development, Mr. J.R. Whitaker, the Principal Government Civil Engineer, Mr. H.D. Stead, the Principal Government Highway Engineer, Mr. W.C. Bell.
The party was joined in Sha Tin by the District Commissioner, New Territories, Mr. D.C. Bray.
Each of the multi-million-dollar projects will benefit the whole community after they have been completed.
The party started their visit with a short walk on the reclaimed land for the Kai Tak Runway extension. The runway has been increased from 8,360 feet to almost 11,000 feet.
/Works
Monday, December 18, 1972
- 10 -
Works at this site included the reclamation of some 2.6 million
sq. ft. of land in Kowloon Bay, contained by 1.25 miles of seawalls which are nearly completed; the construction of nine acres of concrete pavement and 28 acres of asphalt pavements specially designed for use by supersonic airliners.
On their way to Sha Tin, the members viewed works on a series of grade-separated interchanges along Lung Cheung Road and the site formation for the proposed second dual-purpose Lion Rock Tunnel.
In Sha Tin, members of the sub-Committee inspected the site for the future Sha Tin New Town and a 23-acre reclamation for the Lek Yuen Government Low Cost Housing Estate, where 23,000 people will be accommodated.
Domestic Blocks
Piling work for the first two domestic blocks of the estate and a secondary school is now underway.
Reclamation for the second race course in a portion of the Tide Cove is also being carried out.
The party also inspected the permanent sewage treatment works for the future new town and the Shing Mun River Flood Control Scheme.
They later went to the Hung Hom Development site where they were briefed on a number of interchange improvements along Waterloo Road, and on the progress being made on the Ho Man Tin development project.
At the Hung Hom reclamation, the members found that the foundation works and track-laying for the new railway terminus complex were well in progress.
They were informed by the chief engineer that the 3l6O million project would be completed on schedule.
/Note to Editors: ........
Monday, December 18, 1972
- 11 -
Note to editors: Copies of a map showing the location of
some of the sites included in today’s visit are distributed separately in the G.I.S. press boxes this evening.
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Release Time: 7*00 p.m.
PRH 7 4000001
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Tuesday, December 19» 1972
CONTENTS
Page No.
Results of the recent taxi tenders have been announced ••• 1
The large turnover on Hong Kong’s stock exchanges has brought a substantial increase in stamp duty for the Government 2
Two stamps are to be invalidated........•.................... 4
The Wan Chai reclamation is to be further developed •••••• 5
More people have found jobs with the help of the Local Employment Service 6
The new Industrial Training Council comes into being ••••• 8
Quantities available for the E.E.C.’s Year-end Special
Shipment Scheme have been announced..................... • 9
The Prisons Department Psychiatric Centre at Siu Lan will be opened tomorrow.............................................10
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
Tuesday, December 19, 1972
1
RESULTS OF TAXI TENDERS ANNOUNCED
Total Premium Close To 840 Million
«**«««*«*
A total of 254 tenders were successful in the recent tender to register 350 taxis, the Commissioner for Transport announced today.
A total of 3,772 tenders were received - 1,275 for Hong Kong taxi licences and 2,497 for Kowloon taxi licences.
Follovzing a full analysis of these tenders by the Tender Board, offers have been made to register 195 Hong Kong taxis and 155 Kowloon taxis for a total premium of 833,879,444.
“The average premium offered for the 195 Hong Kong’ taxi licences was 31*11,8*131 and for the 155 Kowloon taxi licences J11O,li57,n the Commissioner said.
Single licences offered totalled 214 whilst 29 tenderers were offered two licences.
The highest number of 'licences offered to a single tenderer was 17* nAs has already been announced," the Commissioner said, "successful tenderers will be allowed to license only new (not second-hand) vehicles."
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/2..........
Tuesday, December 19? 1972
- 2 -
BIG TURNOVER ON EXCHANGES
Brings Substantial Increase In Stamp Duty
********
The large turnover on our stock exchanges has produced a substantial increase in stamp duty for the Government*
Under present legislation, ad valorem stamp duty of 0*2 per cent has to be paid on contract notes for both the buyer and the seller in a stock transaction - that is a total duty of $40 for every $10,000 transaction
With four stock exchanges in operation and the increasing number of new shares listed on them, investment in shares has become very popular among people from all walks of life.
The turnover of shares has increased very greatly and it is not uncommon for shares to a total value of several hundred million dollars to change hands daily.
This of course brings a corresponding increase in "Contract Note Duty" as it is officially called.
Contract Note Duty for the financial year 1968/69 was about $7 million. For 1969/70 it increased to $19 million and for 1970/71 to $26 million*
/The stock *•••*.•••
Tuesday» December 19, 1972
- 3 -
The stock market experienced a boom in 1971/72 when the yield from the duty jumped to $92 million, about three-and-a-half times the previous year’s figure#
The current financial year 1972/73 has seen another unprecedented boom on our stock market. Contract Note Duty collected during the first eight months of the year (April to November) totalled $196 million — more than twice the amount received in the whole of 1971/72.
Monthly receipts from Contract Note Duty during the current financial year have exceeded the amount received for the whole of the 1968/69 financial year in every case, the smallest monthly collection so far in 1972/73 being $11 million for April.
Highest Monthly Figure
The $50 million collected in the month of November included $3»7 million for the single day of November 11, these being the highest monthly and daily figures to date.
Most Contract Note Duty is paid by stock brokers in respect of transactions effected through their exchanges; the remainder comes from private deals.
The Government has two tax inspectors attached to each stock exchange to see that there is no evasion of the stamp duty by brokers, and inspections of company records are also carried out from time to time with the same object.
The usual way for brokers to pay Contract Note Duty is to stick one or more adhesive stamps of the appropriate value on both Bought Notes and Sold Notes; but for some of the larger stock exchange transactions and for all private deals, the documents must be stamped at the Stamp Duty Office of the Inland Revenue Department.
/There is
Tuesday, December 19, 1972
- 4 -
There is also a fixed duty of 85 on share transfers, all of which under present arrangements must be taken to the Stamp Duty Office for stamping*
Income from this source for the financial year 1968/&9 was 3600,000. It rose to almost 83,200,000 in 1971/72 and for the first eight months of the year 1972/73 to 35,900,000.
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STAMPS INVALIDATED
*******
The 1967 Lunar New Year commemorative stamp and the SEAC0I4 Cable Commemorative stamp, also issued in 19&7, may not be used for the payment of postage after December 31 this year.
Announcing this today, a spokesman for the Post Office said: ’’After December 31 and up to June 30 next year, these stamps may be exchanged for postage stamps of the current issue on application to the Chief Postal Accountant-General Post Office, Pedder Street”.
He added that no exchange could be made after June 30 next year.
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/5...........
Tuesday, December 19, 1972
- 5 -
WAN CHAI RECLAMATION TO BE FURTHER DEVELOPED
Cargo-Handling Area Planned
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Road and drainage works are to be carried out on the Wan Chai Reclamation east of the ferry pier concourse to form a cargo-handling area and to cater for future building development.
The road works for the cargo handling area will include the building of two carriageways and a 12-foot concrete loading and unloading apron.
A parking strip 25 feet wide will be constructed next to the apron.
Roads in the cargo handling area will be fenced off, and they will be managed by the Marine Department.
To cater for future building development, two carriageways will be built linking the area with the main road network on the reclamation.
Footpaths will be provided to the new roads.
The drainage works will include the construction of storm water drains and sewers in the new roads and their connections to the main drainage system.
Construction is expected to start in March next year, and will take about a year to complete.
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/6............
Tuesday, December 19, 1972
- 6 -
MORE PEOPLE FIND JOBS
With Help Of Local Employment Service
*********
The Labour Department’s Local Employment Service helped about J,toO people to find employment in 1971-72, an increase of JO per cent over that of 1970-71.
Operating as a free employment agency, the Service registers applicants for employment, conducts preliminary placement interviews and collates information on vacancies supplied by employers.
The Service registered more than 18,000 job-seekers in the last financial year — 29 per cent over that of 197Q-71•
It received requests from employers to fill over 8,000 vacancies, an increase of 7^ per cent over that of 1970-71•
Officers of the Service pay regular visits to commercial and industrial organisations to publicise its work and to collect information about vacancies.
A spokesman for the Labour Department said today: ’’The effectiveness of the Local Employment Service hinges largely on the cooperation of employers in notifying it of suitable vacancies.”
The spokesman said that the service had recently obtained the help of three local newspapers, the two television stations and Radio Hong Kong in publicising its work.
At present, the service runs five offices, located in Yau Ma Tei, Sham Shui Po, Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan and Hong Kong respectively.
/in terms ...........
Tuesday, December 19, 1972
- 7 -
In terms of career guidance and aid rendered to prospective jobseekers, the department’s Youth Employment Advisory Service has proved to be singularly active.
Set up in 1968, the service has disseminated information on a wide spectrum of careers to young people, and their parents, by such means as career pamphlets.
At present, it is primarily engaged in organising career talks in schools to encourage potential school-leavers to seriously consider their own abilities and interest before committing themselves to a particular career.
More than JOO talks for about 16,000 students were provided by the Service in 80 schools throughout Hong Kong last year.
On top of this, it also played an active role in arranging factory visits and special briefings by qualified people from the various professions.
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/8..........
Tuesday, December 19, 1972
- 8 -
NEW INDUSTRIAL TRAINING COUNCIL COMES INTO BEING * * ♦ * * * * * *
The Commissioner of Labour, Mr. Paul K.C. Tsui, announced today that the Government had accepted the recommendation of the Industrial Training Advisory Committee, contained in its final report, that the I.T.A.C. should be replaced by the Hong Kong Training Council.
Mr. Tsui made the announcement at the final meeting of the I.T.A.C. today.
In the first instance, the Training Council will be created by administrative arrangement and the question of statutory powers will be further examined.
The Training Council and its committees will be serviced by a yet-to-be expanded Industrial Training Division in the Labour Department. "The expansion, is of course, subject to the approval by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council of the financial implications," a Labour Department spokesman said.
Tuesday, December 191 1972
9 -
TEXTILE EXPORTS TO E.E.C.
Quantities For Yeai>-End Shipment Announced
**********
Manufacturers and exporters will receive shortly a notice announcing the quantities available for the 1972 European Economic Community’s Year-end Special Shipment Scheme.
A spokesman for the Commerce and Industry Department said that export licence applications against these quantities will be accepted from tomorrow (December 20) until December 28.
Trade associations and companies on the Department’s mailing list for Notices to Exporters, Series 3 (European Economic Community) will receive copies of the notice.
There may, however, be some delay in the delivery of the notices owing to the Christmas postal rush.
Anyone wishing to seek advance information of this notice may obtain a copy from the Department’s Reception Counter on the ground floor of the Fire Brigade Building, Connaught Road Central.
They may also contact the following officers for information:-
Mr. P.C. Leung - Assistant Trade Officer
Tel. No. >229777
Mr. H.K. Chan — Industry Assistant
Tel. No. >228513
Mr. S.Y. Chiu - Industry Assistant
Tel. No. >228513
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Tuesday, December 19» 1972
- 10 -
OPENING OF PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE AT SIU LAM
*******
The Prisons Department Psychiatric Centre at Siu Lari, New Territories, will be officially declared open by the Commissioner of Prisons, Mr. T.G. Garner, tomorrow (December 20) at 3.30 p.m.
The 120-bed psychiatric centre is designed for patients who require treatment under custodial conditions.
The centre has four wards equipped with various treatment facilities.
Ample space is also available for recreational therapy in the area adjacent to the main building of the centre, such as the growing of flowers and vegetables.
Patients complaining of physical illness will be treated by a resident medical officer, with psychiatric treatment being prescribed by a psychiatrist. *******
Note to Editors: You are invited to send a reporter and/or
photographer to cover the opening ceremony. Transport will be provided. Two vans (AM2O3^ and AM2032) will leave the carpark behind the Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office at'*2.30 p.m. sharp on Wednesday (December 20), taking the press to the centre.
- - 0 -
Relea^Q time: 7»00 P»m
PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 20, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No,
Consultants have been appointed to look into the environmental aspects of a proposal to build an oil refinery on Lamina Island • 1
The Government is to launch a multi-million-dollar project to build another "Statue Square" in Central ••••••••••••• 3
Hong Kong’s first government-sponsored careers exhibition will be held towards the end of this month ...... 4
• • • •
Higher safety standards are needed on building sites to reduce accidents ••«•••*• •••••••••• «••«••••••••••••• &
Six government clinics will be open during the Christmas holidays ••••••—•••••*• •• 7
* - ’ «'*• * r < >
Five young disabled people are to receive Duke of Edinburgh awards ......•••••••*••••«••«...•••...••••••••••• 8
Last month’s figures for Public Assistance cases have been announced • 10
Eligible people have been requested to ballot for stalls at the Castle Peak Resettlement Estate •>••««••••••••••*; 11
The Consumer Price Index showed a three-point rise in November 12
A notice has been sent to exporters on restrained cotton textile exports to U.S.A....••••••••.................... 13
A labour dispute has been settled with the help of the
Labour Department • •. • ..................................1
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Wednesday, December 20, 1972
- 1 -
STUDY ON OIL REFINERY ON LAMMA ISLAND
British Consultants Appointed «*****»*«
The Government has appointed consultants to report on the environmental aspects of the enquiries made by the Shell Company for a proposed refinery on Lamma Island.
Announcing this today, a Government spokesman said the consultants have been asked to report, before May 1, on all aspects of pollution and environmental damage which might result from the operation of a refinery.
They would also have to advise the Government on any special requirements or legislation which might be necessary if the company’s application were to be approved, he added.
The British firm,Messrs Cremer and Warner, Las been appointed and will work in conjunction with Parsons Brown and Partners.
Their appointment, the spokesman said, arose from the Government’s decision last September not to start processing Shell’s enquiries unless satisfied by independent consultants that three important environmental aspects of life could be safeguarded.
The Government must be convinced that there would be no material damage to or pollution of:
* marine life and the fishing industry;
* conditions of living for residents in Hongkong, including those on Lamma Island; and
* recreational facilities in south Hong Kong and the rest of Lamma Island.
/The........
Wednesday, December 20, 1972
- 2 -
The spokesman said that these consultants had been picked because of their experience in this kind of work.
The consultants’ representatives have been specially interviewed in London by Government officers, together with those of five other firms; all of them, recommended by the British Consultants Bureau, speci alisod in this field.
’’Cremer and Warner and Parsons Brown and Partners,” the spokesman said, ’’are two British firms which have considerable experience of environmental studies on oil refineries. They have made extensive surveys both for oil companies and for local authorities in many different parts of the world.”
It is understood that representative/? of the firms will visit Hong Kong to begin field studies early in the New Year.
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Wednesday, December 20, 1972
- 3 -
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT TO BEAUTIFY CENTRAL RECLAMATION
Work To Start Next Year
********
The Government will spend more than 82.4 million to beautify the waterfront reclamation in Central with a promenade between Blake Pier and the Jubilee Street Vehicular Pier on lines similar to Statue Square.
The project, forming part of the overall scheme for the development of open spaces in Central, covers an area of 1.15 acres, providing covered promenades, sitting space, covered walk-ways and pavilions.
Construction is expected to begin next year, taking about a year to complete.
The main attraction of the project will be three butterfly water jet fountains with flood lights, lily ponds and ornamental pools.
In addition, there will be rock gardens, raised flower beds, and adequate planting and turfing,to create a pleasant environment on the reclamation.
Twelve pavilions will be erected at different locations to provide resting areas.
A covered walk-way will run from Blake Pier to the Vehicular Pier, ensuring that pedestrians can go from one place to another during rainy weather.
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A..........
Wednesday, December 20, 1972
- 4 -
LABOUR DEPARTMENT CAREERS EXHIBITION
Students, Parents And Teachers Urged To Attend
*««*«****
The Youth Employment Advisory Service of the Labour Department will stage Hong Kong’s first government-sponsored careers exhibition at the City Hall Exhibition Hall from December 29 to 31•
The head of the service, Mr. S.Y. Mak, said today that several thousand school leavers and young workers were expected to attend the exhibition, which was aimed primarily at Form Five pupils who were now making up their minds about a career.
He said the exhibition was intended as a major extension of the department’s school careers lecture service, which now reached thousands of students a year and was still growing.
About 20 exhibitors will take part, presenting a range of careers varying from apprenticeships and nursing to banking and social work.
The stands would be divided into- five groups, under general headings such as office work, creative work, or practical and technical work.
Within each group, dozens of different job opportunities would be shown.
Each stand would show the sort of work available in a certain field, the qualifications needed, the training provided, the opportunities for advancement, and information on salaries, working conditions and fringe benefits.
/’’The exhibition
Wednesday, December 20, 1972
- 5 -
"The exhibition will be the most comprehensive of its kind ever staged in Hong Kong, and will give young people more information about the choices open to them in deciding their futures than has ever been available in one place in the past,’1 Mr. Mak said.
"I’m glad to say that in arranging the exhibition we’ve had the wholehearted co-operation of some of Hong Kong’s biggest and most influential firms."
The General Manager of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, Mr. M.G.R. Sandberg, will officially open the exhibition at 2.JO p.m. on Friday, December 29*
The exhibtion will be open to the public from J p.m. to 7 p»m. on December 29, from 9-50 a.m. to 7 p.m. on December JO and from 9*30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the final day, December J1.
"Every student, parent and teacher in Hong Kong should see the exhibition," Mr. Mak said. "It could be vital in helping young people decide on a career which will provide them with a happy and secure future."
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/6........
Wednesday, December 20, 1972
- 6 -
ACCIDENTS ON BUILDING SITES
Better Safety Standards Needed
*********
Managements in the building industry are urged to maintain "higher safety standards” on building sites in an effort to cut down on the number of injuries caused by falls.
Six workers were killed and 24j injured on building sites last month, according to reports received by the Labour Department.
Of this number, 49 were the result of "falls of persons", of which three were fatal and occurred at the same time.
Mr. A.H. Carter, the Industrial Safety Training Officer of the Labour Department, said: ’Tails of persons are a continuing problem in this industry. Since April this year over 454 persons have suffered injuries and 14 have been killed as a result of falling from height, into openings in floors or excavations in the ground."
He said: "Many of these accidents are directly attributable to the poor standards of housekeeping prevailing on far too many building sites. These poor standards are not only responsible for accidents but also hinder progress of orderly construction work, thereby increasing the total cost of the work being done."
He stressed: ’rtf management, through continual supervision of the work force, ensured that higher safety standards were maintained there would be a reduction in the number of injuries caused by falls of persons."
/Mr. Carter said; ••••••*•
Wednesday, December 20, 1972
- 7 -
Mr. Carter said: ’’Between 90 and 95 per cent of all accidents are the result of an unsafe act or failure to act safely by the individual. Therefore, the problem is one of people and how to motivate them to think and act in a safe manner. This can only be achieved by education and training at all levels from management to employees.”
In this connection, he pointed out that the Industrial Safety Training Centre offers safety training courses free of charge on a variety of subjects.
”1 am appalled at the complete apathy and lack of interest shown by the building and civil engineering construction industry whose activities in two years 1970-71 led to 100 workers being killed and over 6,650 injured.” he emphasised.
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SIX CLINICS OPEN DURING HOLIDAYS
*********
Six Government out-patient clinics will remain open over the Christmas holiday period to serve residents throughout Hong Kong.
They are the Violet Peel Polyclinic, the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club Clinics in Shau Kei Wan, Kwun Tong and Yau Ma Tei, the Robert Black Health Centre and the Lady Trench Polyclinic in Tsuen Wan.
They will remain open on December 24, 25 and £6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
All other Government out-patient and evening clinics will be closed during the Christmas holidays.
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/8.......
Wednesday, December 20, 1972
- 8 -
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME
Five Disabled To Receive Bronze Award At X’maS Party
*********
Five young disabled trainees from the Social Welfare Department’s Aberdeen Rehabilitation Centre are to receive bronze awards in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at a Christmas party in the Centre tomorrow.
The awards will be presented by Mr. T.P. Khoo, Senior Princiapl Social Welfare Officer and head of the Rehabilitation Division.
The recipients include a trainee suffering from post-polio paralysis, an epilepsy and spastic case, a trainee with a weakness in the left limb as a result of polio, a trainee with a hunch-bark following recovery from tuberculosis in the spine, and a trainee with a mild degree of mental retardation.
They are receiving the bronze award in recognition of efforts they have made to serve in first aid, life saving and home nursing. They have undertaken training to prepare them for constructive physical activity.
In addition, they have participated in expeditions involving map reading, and their interests have included wheelchair dancing, basketball, archery and fencing.
They have also completed courses leading to an improved "design for living," such as decorating one’s personal environement, flower arrangements, and the efficient and responsible handling of money.
/The Centre
&
Wednesday, December 20, 1972
- 9 -
The Centre nominated J4 trainees to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in May last year. Many of the original participants have left the Centre, and only seven remain. Of these, the five winners have fulfilled all the requirements for the bronze award.
The presentation will highlight a Christmas party for JOO residents at the Centre, an annual event.
An entertainment programme will include "variety” numbers presented by the residents themselves.
Note to Editors: You are invited to have the Christmas
party and presentation ceremony covered. The events begin at 7.JO p.m. The ARC is located in the Welfare Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen.
0
/10........
Wednesday, December 20, 1972
- 10 -
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME
November Figures Show Continuing Expansion
****»**«»
The total number of active cases in the Public Assistance Scheme reached 17,529 at the end of November.
New applications received during the month totalled 1,220, including 320 referrals from voluntary agencies.
Cases reactivated during the month totalled 112, and at the same time, 679 cases were closed,
Cash payments during November totalled S2.6 million, bringing to $31.5 million the grand total spent so far since the expanded scheme was implemented on April 1, 1971•
Commenting on these figures, Mr. Tsau Tsor-yan, Senior Principal Social Welfare Officer and head of the Public Assistance Division, says it is gratifying to note that many' residents in need have now begun to realise that the scheme exists for them.
This conclusion can be drawn from the fact that statistics on the classification of cases show that about ^0 per cent sire elderly people. The next largest group, representing nearly 18 per cent, are residents suffering, from ill health.
Nearly 16 per cent of recipients are residents whose incomes are insufficient* The fourth largest group, nearly 10 per cent, are widows with dependent children.
Other categories of recipients include the blind, the deaf, the drug addict, the mentally ill, the physicsilly disabled, said the unemployed.
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Al..........
Wednesday, December 20, 1972
- 11 -
BALLOT FOR STALLS AT CASTLE PEAK
**********
People who are eligible but have not yet come forward to ballot for a stall in the modular market at the Castle Peak Resettlement Estate have been asked to do so immediately.
A spokesman for the District Office, Yuen Long said today that the restricted tender for the fish, poultry, meat and cooked-food stalls took place on December 18 this year.
”Except for 12 stalls, all stalls were balloted for and subsequently allocated. Twelve people who are eligible did not take part in the ballot,” the spokesman said.
,*They,”’he went on, ’’should go to the Castle Peak Resettlement Estate office during office hours before December JO this year.
"Xf they fail to come forward by this deadline and if those already allocated units do not sign their tenancy agreement by December JO this year, it will be assumed that they have given up their eligibility.”
The spokesman said any queries concerning the matter should be directed to the Resettlement Officer, Castle Peak Resettlement Estate (telephone: 12-8171J1) or the Assistant District Officer, Castle Peal: (telephone: 12-760261, Extension 79)•
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Wednesday, December 20, 1972
- 12 -
HIGHER PRICES FOR FOOD LAST MONTH
Three-Point Rise In Consumer Price Index
**«*«**♦
The General Consumer Price Index for November 1972 was 143, three points higher than that for the previous month. ”This was due mainly to a rise of six points in the index for food,11 a spokesman for the Census and Statistics Department said.
Increases of two points each were recorded in the index for alcoholic drink and tobacco and the index for clothing and footwear.
Increases of one point each were recorded in the indexes for durable goods, miscellaneous goods and services.
Movements in the indexes for other sections of commodity were insignificant,” the spokesman added.
Compared with the previous month, there were increases in the average retail prices of fresh vegetables, fresh water fish, salt water fish, eggs, rice, bread and cakes, and meals bought away from home.
On the other hand, the average retail prices of poultry and other fish dropped.
The Modified Consumer Price Index for November 1972 was 147, three points higher than that for the previous month, and fourteen points higher than that for the corresponding month in 1971•
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Wednesday, December 20, 1972
- 13 -
EXPORT OF RESTRAINED TEXTILES TO U.S.A.
Phase I Of Swing Schemes Starts Today «***»««**
The Director of Commerce and Industry today issued a notice to exporters on the export of restrained textiles to the United States.
The notice concerns the operation of Phase I of the Swing Schemes for the export of cotton, man-made fibre (m.m.f.) and wool textiles to the U.S.A, for the textile year 1972-73•
Phase I of the Swing Schemes began today and will end on February 15 next year.
During Phase I of the Swing Schemes, quota holders can apply to swing increase their quota holdings in accordance with the percentage limitations set out in the said Notice to Exporters.
Quota holders are required to supply their own yardage for swing; however m.m.f. apparel quota holders are eligible to apply for departmental "free yardage” for swing up to of their holdings in a category in which a swing increase is to be made.
The Commerce and Industry Department expects to be able to notify a limited quantity of free yardage in cotton, m.m.f. and wool for application by all comers in the second half of next February.
Trade associations and companies on the department’s mailing list for Notice to Exporters, Series 2 (U.S.A.) will receive copies of the above notice shortly.
/However,
Wednesday, December 20, 1972
- 14 -
However, people who wish to seek advance notice of its contents are invited to obtain copies from the department’s Textiles Licensing Office on 2nd floor, Fire Brigade Building, Hong Kong or contact the following officers of the Commerce and Industry Department:- Mr. Y.K. Tong - Industry Assistant (Tel. No. 5-239625); Mr. L. Chung - Industry Assistant (Tel. No. 5-M+8686); and Mrs. L.M. Yum - Licensing Officer (Tel. No. 5-223219).
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LABOUR DISPUTE SETTLED
*««>*****
With the help of the Labour Department, an amicable settlement has been reached in a dispute between the Nam Feng Enamel Factory (H.K.) Ltd. and some 100 workers over the payment of wages in lieu of notice.
Under the agreement, a total sum of 880,000 will be paid to the workers as wages in lieu of notice and annual bonus.
The Nam Feng Enamel Factory (H.K.) Ltd. ceased operations on December 5 this year.
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Release Time: 6.3o p.m.
PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Thursday, December 21, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No,
More Government secondary technical schools are to be built ....................................................... 1
Housing will be provided for fishing families affected by the High Island Water Scheme ............................. 2
The Social Work Training Fund helps welfare workers to pursue further studies ..................................
New traffic arrangements will be introduced in Mong Kok and Hung Hom on Saturday.................................
A series of Chinese opera performances have been planned for next month............................................. 7
The Civil Aid Services will hold their annual camp during Christmas ...............................................
A building in Tai Ping Shan Street has been declared dangerous ...............................................
The working hours of the Trade Licensing Office will be extended on Saturday ....................................
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Thursday, December 21, 1972
1
PLAN TO EXPAND SECONDARY TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Six New Schools In Building Programme
*«*«**»
Six new Government secondary technical schools have been included in the public works building programme to further expand post-primary schooling in Hong Kong.
Costing the Government about 330 million to build and equip, these schools will be situated in the densely-populated areas of Chai Wan, Yau Tong, Diamond Hill, Kwai Fong, Lai Chi Kok and Kennedy Town.
They are standard schools each capable of accommodating 920 pupils.
"When completed in a few years' time," a spokesman for the Education Department said, "Hong Kong will have moved a step closer towards its target of providing such education for four per cent of those in the 12 - 16 age group by 1976."
Government had opened three such schools in Kwun Tong, Lung Cheung Road and North Kwai Chung during the past three years, bringing the total number of these schools, including five aided ones, to 13 in Hong Kong with a total enrolment of about 9,000.
He said the new schools at Chai Wan and Yau Tong had been included in the building programme for some time, and the sites are now being processed.
Planning for the two at Diamond Hill and Kwai Fong would soon begin.
The remaining two at Lai Chi Kok and Kennedy Town had recently been included as new items in the public works building programme.
The spokesman said that even with assistance from Government, the problems of shortage of finance and expertise in this field always arose in the course of establishing a technical school.
However, he reiterated an appeal to voluntary and religious bodies to build as many technical schools as possible, to be aided by the Government.
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Thursday, December 21, 1972
- 2
HOUSING FOR FISHING FAMILIES
Affected By High Island Water Scheme
*****$**
Housing will be provided for those fishing families who will be genuinely affected by the construction of the High Island Water Scheme.
The houses will be built at an attractive site at Tui Min Hoi overlooking the Sai Kung Harbour as far as possible as an integrated fishermen’s settlement. The area has been popular with fishermen seeking space for a home ashore for many years.
The District Officer, Sai Kung, Mr. A.G. Eason, has a~lready discussed the proposed Tui Min Hoi development with local Sai Kung people including several fishermen’s representatives and more discussions,will be held. The District Officer and representatives of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department will also be discussing other problems arising from the High Island Water Scheme with fishermen’s representatives in the next few weeks.
The water scheme, expected to be completed in 1975, will hold 60,000 million gallons of fresh water. It will prevent boats using the Kwun Mun Channel when proceeding to or from Mirs Bay.
As an effort to help the fishing families affected, the Government invited them in the latter half of 1971 to register formal claims regarding the effect of the water scheme upon them.
The results of the investigation into the claims of those fishing families who accepted the Government’s open invitation have now been announced^*
/This ........
Thursday, December 21, 1972
- 3 -
This means that virtually all those people who will be affected by the reservoir, whether farmers or fishermen, have received an indication of the way the Government intends to help them adjust to the new conditions they must face because of the construction of the reservoir.
Mr. Eason explained that the Government concluded that the most effective form of assistance it can offer the fishermen is by providing housing.
’’This recognises the common tendency for fishermen these days to seek a firm base ashore, initially for the security and well-being of family members not actively involved in fishing. It also meets the need of those fishing families who may want to break with fishing as a means of livelihood altogether,’5 he pointed out.
Invest igat ions
The detailed investigations conducted by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the New Territories Administration have shown that the livelihood of some fishermen will be affected by the enclosure of the reservoir to such an extent that a measure of compensation is due to them. Others will only be affected to a small extent.
In view of this, the Government will build one small house of two storeys for each family falling into the first category and on completion these houses will be handed over to the families as their own property.
At the same time, a number of flats will be built for the families who will not be so seriously affected by the reservoir. These families will not be given their homes but will be required to pay a small sum monthly which will either be regarded as a monthly rental or an instalment payment leading eventually to ownership of the flat.
The details of this scheme are being fully worked out.
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Thursday, December 21, 1972
- 4 -
SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FUND
Eleventh Annual Report Lists Latest Grants *********
Twelve social workers, including officers in the Government and voluntary agencies, were assisted with cash grants from the Social Work Training Fund during the year ending on March 31, 1972, to enable them to pursue further studies abroad.
The expenditure involved amounted to 8152,101.
In addition, says the Director of Social Welfare, Trustee of the Fund, in the 11th annual report just published, selected representatives from local welfare organisations and the Government had been able, through the Fund, to take part during the year in social work conferences abroad#
In this connection, a grant from the Fund en tbled an official from the Chinese University of Hong Kong to attend the Executive Board of the International Association of Social Workers in Edinburgh in July, 1971*
Another grant enabled four Hong Kong representatives to participate in the International Conference on Social Work in Singapore a month earlier.
A third grant made it possible for the Chinese University of Hong Kong to send two representatives to the Seminar on Social Work Education in Bombay in October.
The 12 individual grants enabled social workers to attend the University of Toronto, the University College of Swansea, and McGill University, among others, and courses taken up included those leading to the Master of Social Work degree.
/The Social
Thursday, December 21, 1972
- 5 -
The Social Work Training Fund Ordinance was enacted on August 18, 1961, and provides for the establishment and administration of a trust fund designed to improve the training and skill of social workers in Hong Kong.
This is achieved by making grants to individuals for study and training as social workers, by improving existing facilities for the training of social workers, by running courses, and by securing advice about the running of such courses.
The Director of Social Welfare is ex officio chairman of the Social Work Training Fund Committee.
On April 1, 1971, the Fund opened with a balance of 84,137,665, comprising 83,473,395 as reserved capital, and 3663,770 as uncommitted and expendable income carried forward from previous years.
The income earned during the year ending on March 31, 1972, amounted to 3309,480, and after meeting approved items of expenditure, left a surplus of 368,588 carried forward into the current year.
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/6.......
Thursday, December 21, 1972
- 6 -
NE># TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON Effective On Saturday 4c * ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦ * *
A series of new traffic arrangements will be introduced in Mong Kok and Hung Hom from 10 a.m. on Saturday (December 23)•
In Mong Kok, the section of Nelson Street from Yim Po Fong Street to Sai Yee Street will become one-way westbound, and the section of Shantung Street from Sai Yee Street to Yim Po Fong Street will become one-way eastbound.
The section of Fuk Lee Street between Man On Street and Tai Kok Tsui Road will become two-way to improve traffic circulation.
At the same time, the ban on lorries over two tons travelling uphill on the section of Tai Po Road between its junctions with Ching Cheung Road and Caldecott Road will be lifted.
A department spokesman said today: ’’Road works at the Kowloon end of the Lion Rock Tunnel, which is the alternative route to the New Territories for heavy lorries, make it desirable to relax the ban.1’
The ban was imposed in November last year to relieve traffic congestion caused by slow-moving heavy lorries moving uphill.
There will also be a number of re-routings in Hung Hom to improve traffic flow.
Cooke Street from Gillies Avenue to the former section of Chatham Road and Winslow Street from Gillies Avenue to Lo Lung Hang Street will become routed one-way northbound.
/Baker Street .........
Thursday, December 21, 1972
- 7 -
Baker Street from the former section of Chatham Road to Lo Lung Hang Street will become one-way southbound.
Lo Lung Hang Street from Baker Street to Cooke Street will be routed one-way eastbound.
Walker Road from Cooke Street to Baker Street, Malacca Street from Cooke Street to Baker Street and the former section of Chatham Road from Cooke Street to Baker Street will all become one-way westbound.
Appropriate traffic signs will be erected to guide motorists.
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CHINESE OPERA PERFORMANCES
A series of Chinese band concert and opera, jointly organised by the Urban Council, the Urban Services Department and Radio Hong Kong, will be held in various playgrounds in Kowloon and Sha Tin in January.
The shows will start at 7-50 p.m. and will last for about two-and-a-half hours. Admission will be free.
There will be four performances in Kowloon. The venues and dates are: Thursday, January 11,MacPherson Playground, Mong Kok; Tuesday, January 16, Yau Ma Tei Playground; Friday, January 19, Anchor Street Playground, Tai Kok Tsui and Thursday, January 25, Cheung Sha Wan Road Playground, Sham Shui Po.
There will also be a show at Tai Wai Playground in Sha Tin on January 50 (Tuesday).
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Thursday, December 21, 1972
- 8 -
ANNUAL CAMP FOR C.A.S. CADET CORPS
*******
More than 600 cadets of the Civil Aid Services will spend this year’s Christmas at an annual camp in Fanling in the New Territories*
The mass camping, centrally organised by C.A.S. Headquarters, will be held from December 23 to 26 at Dodwell’s Ridge Camp in Fanling, by kind permission of the 48 Gurkha Infantry Brigade.
The object of the camp is to promote comradeship among the cadets of the 20 different units and to assess the annual achievement in the development of leadership, team-work and initiative of the boys through various forms of competition.
There will be a camp open day on Christmas Eve, and the opening ceremony will be officiated by Mr. P.C. Woo, Commissioner C.A.S. at 10.30 a.m.
Various certificates, awards, medals and trophies obtained during the year will also be presented during the ceremony.
Note to Editors: You are invited to cover the open day
ceremony, which will be followed by a tour of the camp site and light refreshments. Transport will be provided. A C.A.S. station wagon will leave the car park behind the Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office at 9 a.m. sharp on December 24 and will return from Fanling at approximately 11.30 a.m.
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/9.........
Thursday, December 21, 1972
- 9 -
BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS
*******
The Building Authority today declared No. 7 Tai Ping Shan Street on Hong Kong Island liable to become dangerous.
In a statement issued this morning, the Principal Government Building Surveyor said that this three storey pre-war building adjoins a building on which an Emergency Closure Order was granted recently, and is awaiting demolition.
Investigation has revealed that the party wall between these buildings is badly fractured and has defective brickwork.
It is considered that there is a risk of collapse during or after the demolition of the adjoining building.
Notice of intention to apply for a Closure Order in Victoria District Court at 9*30 a.m. on January 19* *1973 was posted today.
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/10.......
Thursday, December 21, 1972
- 10 -
WORKING HOURS OF TRADE LICENSING OFFICE EXTENDED
*********
The working hours of the Commerce and Industry Department’s Trade Licensing Office will be extended on Saturday (December 23) from 12 noon to 1 p.m.
The extension of operating hours is designed to minimise any possible inconvenience to the trade arising from the closure of the office over the Christmas holidays.
The normal minimum working days requirement for import and export licence (other than textiles) will be waived exceptionally on this occasion.
The Office will endeavour to process all applications received by 12 noon on Saturday, and issue the respective import and export licences before 1 p.m.
The Trade Licensing Office is located in the Fire Brigade Building, Connaught Road Central.
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Reloase time: 6.00 p.m.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Friday, December 22, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No.
A bill amending the Television Ordinance will pave the way for the new television stations ....................•............. 1
Legislation is to be introduced shortly to require motorcyclists to wear crash helmets.......•................................ 5
Hong Kong is to have a new copyright law........................ 7
A site on Tsing Yi Island is to be made available for heavy industry .................................................... 9
Bishop Hsu will visit the Tai Tam Gap Training Centre on Boxing Day ••••••...............................•................ 10
Hong Kong’s desalter project takes a step forward......... 11
A notice concerning restrained cotton textile exports to the U.K. has been issued to exporters ............................... 12
More Shek Kip Mei shop tenants have applied for business premises at Pak Tin.............................................. 1?
Results of a poster design competition sponsored by A.C.A.N. have been announced.............................................. 15
A labour dispute in a shipyard at Hang Hau has been settled.. 17
An earth embankment will soon be formed at the High Island Scheme site ............................................••••• 1o
issued by Government information Services. Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191 *
Friday, December 22, 1972
- 1 -
TELEVISION AMENDMENT BILL PAVES WAY
For New Television Stations Tenders To Be Called As Soon As Bill Becomes Law «««****
A Bill amending the Television Ordinance is published in today’s Gazette for public information and will be introduced into the Legislative Council for its first reading early next month. As soon as the Bill becomes law tenders will be called for Hong Kong’s two new television stations. This means that tender notices inviting applications for the two licences could be published within the next few weeks.
This was stated today by Mr. Nigel Watt, Commissioner for Television and Films. Mr. Watt pointed out that although both services will be advertised simultaneously they are unlikely to come ’on-air’ simultaneously since a longer tender period will be required for the third service in order to permit a measure of phasing in the allocation of frequencies and to provide more time to discuss with prospective tenderers any special programme services they may wish to offer.
The Commissioner said that he expects the tender period for the second licence which will include both a Chinese and an English Service to be open for three months. The separate licence for a third Chinese service will be open for an additional period of up to nine months. This extra time would be shortened if possible since it was policy to bring both the new services into operation with the minimum delay.
/Amplifying .......
Friday, December 22, 1972
- 2 -
Amplifying the reasons for this time differential Mr. Watt referred to the technical problems. He said, ”It must be remembered that under international conventions Hong Kong is permitted to use only a limited number of frequencies for television broadcasting. In fitting the future services into the frequency bands the maximum use has been made of all the available channels. We have made careful engineering checks and computer checks on our proposed frequency plan to reduce to a minimum the risk of any interference between one programmes service and another but the final test can only be made when the new transmitters themselves are tested. Once all the proposed services are operating the available frequencies will be in full use and it will be difficult to make subsequent frequency changes if such prove necessary. Phasing of these new services will make it easier to make such adjustments and thus will minimise the risk of viewers having their programmes disrupted.11
With regard to special programme services, Mr. Watt added that details will be contained in the tender notices.
The provision of such services would not be a condition of tender. However, if tenderers volunteer such services it might assist the overall spread of programming in the public interest. The longer tender period will enable this to be done against the background of the proposed programme schedules of the successful applicant for the second station together with TVB’s current schedules.
Referring to the Bill, the Commissioner said that the Television Ordinance when amended by the proposed legislation would apply equally to al1 television stations in Hong Kong.
/The Bill .......
Friday, December 22, 1972
- 3 -
The Bill proposed a number of changes to the Ordinance particularly in respect of the composition of licensee companies and share-holdings, the composition of the Television Advisory Board, the amount of permitted advertising time and rate of royalty.
The proposed legislation under the amending bill will require television stations licensed under the Ordinance to ensure that at least 25% of the voting shares of the company are held by people resident in Hong Kong at the time the licence is awarded and that this percentage should be increased to not less than 51% during the four years immediately following the granting of the licence. It will also require a licensee within four years of the grant of the licence to list at least 25% of his voting shares with a recognised stock exchange in Hong Kong. The amending bill makes it clear that the sole business of a licensee company shall be the business of television and a company who have been granted a licence will not be able to acquire a controlling interest, or own more than 49% of the voting shares, of any other company not directly connected with the operation of a television broadcasting service.
With regard to the permitted level of advertising time the present overall maximum of 1($ in relation to total transmission time is retained but the number of minutes of advertising permitted in any one hour will be increased from 7 minutes in the hour to 10 minutes in the hour. In the past with one television service licensed under the Television Ordinance and one service licensed separately, maximum hourly advertising levels have varied between 7 and 16 minutes. The new level of a ten minute maximum in the hour is considered to be a more realistic figure in the light of this past experience and in the circumstances of competitive wireless television in the future.
/The bill also .......
Friday, December 22, 1972
- 4 -
The bill also proposes that the rate of royalty should in future be assessed on the net profits of a station rather than on its gross takings cis at present. It is considered a more equitable way of assessing royalty with three stations broadcasting wireless television in competition with one another.
The bill also makes provision for the addition of a third public member on the Television Advisory Board. It also provides that the Board should publish reports on the progress of television in Hong Kong at least once every 18 months and that these reports shall be tabled in the Legislative Council.
RTV will be offered a temporary extension to its franchise to bridge the gap until the first of the two new wireless stations comes 1on-air1. Once this interim extension has expired it is the intention that there shall be no monopoly in wire services provided that they only relay all the television programmes of the wireless broadcasting television licensees. It is expected that such services will be operated on a district basis to help television viewers get better reception in areas where reception is poor.
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Friday, December 22, 1972
- 5 -
MOTORCYLISTS MUST W CRASH HELMETS
Legislation To Be Introduced Shortly
********
Amending legislation to enable regulations to be made for the compulsory wearing of crash helmets by motorcylists and their pillion passengers is to be introduced in the Legislative Council shortly.
The Road Traffic (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 1973 also enables regulations to be made to provide controls on the sale, hiring out and possession of such protective helmets.
Commenting on the proposed new measures, a Government spokesman said the Government was gravely concerned with the increasing number of serious motorcycle accidents ”in which the absence of crash helmets is considered to be a major factor.”
The spokesman recalled that the police had on a number of occasions publicly advised motorcyclists and their pillion riders to wear protective helmets, but this advice, he added, “regrettably appears to have been largely ignored.”
”It is therefore considered that legislation should be enacted to ensure that suitable protective helmets are worn at all times by motorcyclists and their passengers.”
Similar legislation has been in force for some time in many countries and was recently enacted in the United Kingdom.
The Bill also provides for the repeal and replacement of two sections of the Principal Ordinance.
/One of ...........
Friday, December 22, 1972
- 6 -
One of the revised sections obliges registered owners of vehicles and other people to furnish to the police particulars of the identity of the driver of a vehicle at the time of a suspected offence under the Ordinance.
A demand for such information may be made orally or in writing within three months after the date of the alleged offence.
The information must be given to a specified police officer within twenty one days after the date of the demand.
If the demand is made in writing, the information must be given in the form of a written statement signed by the person making it.
Failure to comply with such a demand will be an offence carrying a maximum penalty of a fine of $2,000 and six months imprisonment.
Under the other revised section, a statement given in response to such a demand will be admissible as evidence in proceedings for an offence under the Ordinance if it is signed by the person charged with the offence.
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Friday, December 22, 1972
HE7 COPYRIGHT LAW FOR HONG KONG
Greater Protection For Original Works
*********
Hong Kong is to have a new copyright lav; which will provide more adequate protection to original works such as recording,tape recording, books and literary and artistic works.
Announcing this today, a Government spokesman said that with effect from January 1 next year, the United Kingdom Copyright Act 1911 would be replaced by the United Kingdom Copyright Act 1956 as amended by the United Kingdom Design Copyright Act 1968.
The 1956 Act would also give protection to industrial designs.
Tae spokesman pointed out that Government had received complaints from overseas companies concerning the copying or pirating in Hong Kong of designs developed in foreign countries.
The Order in Council applying the 1956 Act to Hong Kong is published in today’s Gazette.
After the Act has been introduced, the spokesman said local regulations would be made under the Act to give specific copyright protection in respect of libraries and the record industry.
’’These regulations are already being considered by Government departments,” the spokesman said.
/As a .........
Friday, December 22, 1972
- 8 -
As a result of the new legislation, Hong Kong would give copyright protection to works originating in countries which are members of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and the Universal Copyright Convention, and would receive reciprocal protection from those countries.
Apart from the Act and the regulations to be made under it, the spokesman said Government was also considering the enactment of supplementary local copyright legislation.
This legislation, he added, would repeal the Copyright Ordinance and the Fine Arts Copyright Ordinance and would modify the United Kingdom 1956 Act in certain respects to suit the particular circumstances of Hong Kong.
"This legislation will be put to the Legislative Council in the near future," he said.
The United Kingdom 19^1 Act, together with the Copyright and Fine Arts Ordinances, form the basis of the present Copyright law in Hong Kong.
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Friday, December 22, 1972
- 9 -
PROPOSED SITE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRY ON TSING YI Tenders Expected To Be Called Next Year ********
The Government is to make available to developers five acres of land on Tsing Yi Island suitable for heavy industry.
The proposed site, which is located on the south-east side of the island, will have an extensive sea frontage to deep water. It will also have good road access to the mainland when the Tsing Yi bridge is completed towards the end of 1973 or early 197*+-
A government spokesman said today it was expected that the use of the site would be restricted to the automotive industry, including the manufacture of internal combustion engihes.
The conditions governing the use of the site will also contain a building covenant requiring the construction of factory buildings.
Tenders will be called sometime during the early part of 1973* It is expected that the sale of the site will also be advertised internationally in view of the expected heavy demand for land on the island with the advent of the Tsing Yi bridge.
Action is currently in hand regarding the processing of the Conditions of Tender and one of the conditions will be that the successful tenderer forms about one-third of the area of the site utilising Crown land for this purpose.
The area of Crown land to be used as a ’’borrow area” will be stipulated within the Sale Conditions.
A notice gazetted today under the Foreshores and Sea Bed Ordinance /A notice................................................. •
calls on all those having objections to the granting of such a lease or claims of private right in the matter, to submit their objections or claims in writing to the Director of Public Works within two mon
Friday, December 22, 1972
- 10 -
A notice gazetted today under the Foreshores and Sea Bed Ordinance calls on all those having objections to the granting of such a lease or claims of private right in the matter, to submit their objections or claims in writing to the Director of Public Works within two months of the date of the notice.
The notification, in both English and Chinese, has also been posted on notice boards near the site.
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BISHOP HSU TO VISIT TRAINING CENTRE ON BOXING DAY
***»***«»
The Bishop of Hong Kong, the Rt. Rev. Francis Hsu, will be visiting the residents of the Tai Tam Gap Training Centre on Boxing Day (December 26)• For the past eleven years, Bishop Hsu has paid similar visits to institutions of the Prisons Department to ensure that inmates do not feel left out during the seasonal festivities.
He will be accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner of Prisons, Mr. T.G. Gamer, and the visiting Chaplain of all the Training Centres, the Rev. Father S. Edmonds.
Note to Editors: You are welcome to send a reporter and/or
photographer to have the visit covered. Bishop Hsu will arrive at the Centre at 3 p.m.
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Friday, December 22, 1972
- 11 -
PLANT BUILDING FOR DESALTER
Steelwork To Be Put Up Next October
**********
Hong Kong’s desalting plant project at Castle Peak took another step forward today when tenders were called for the design and supply of the structural steelwork for the auxiliary plant building.
The auxiliary plant building consists of a main hall and a two-storey annexe.
The main hall will house all the main pumping equipment and six turbine generating sets.
The annexe will be subdivided into galleries for switchgear, cables and boiler auxiliaries.
Erection of the steelwork is expected to start in October next year.
The desalting plant will be the largest of its kind in the world, with a daily output of 40 million gallons of fresh water.
The first of its six units is expected to be operational by mid-1974.
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/12
Friday, December 22, 1972
- -;2 -
RESTRAINED COTTON TEXTILE EXPORTS TO U.K.
*********
A notice on the export of Restrained Cotton and Polyester/Cotton Textiles to the United Kingdom has been issued to exporters by the Director of Commerce and Industry.
The notice concerns the principles of quota allocation,for the cotton sector of the combined quota in the period from January 1 to December 51, 1973, together with other control arrangements which are to be applied next year.
Trade associations and companies on the Commerce and Industry Department’s mailing list for Notice to Exporters, Series 1 will receive copies of the notice shortly.
People who wish to seek advance notice of the contents are invited to obtain copies of this notice from the Textiles Licensing Office on the 2nd floor, or from the receptionist on the ground floor of the F.re Brigade Building, or to contact the following officers of the Commerce and Industry Department:-
Mr. H.T.W. Lau - Assistant Trade Officer
Tel. No. 5-^30719
Mr. C.K. Ng - Industry Assistant Tel. No. 5-U46789 ---------------0---------
/13..........
Friday, December 22, 1972
- 13 -
SHEK KIP MEI REHOUSING SCHEME
More Shop Tenants Have Applied For Premises At Pak Tin
More shop tenants involved in the first phase of the Shek Kip Mei Rehousing Scheme have applied for Pak Tin business premises since modifications to the reprovision arrangements were presented to them last Thursday.
More applications are expected in the next few days.
The modifications included rent rebates for the first two years when they take up Pak Tin business premises and ex-gratia cash compensation in lieu of reprovisioning.
Some of these applicants had been successful in taking over other Shek Kip Mei shops in the same phase to make them eligible for a large shop in Pale Tin Government Estate.
Commenting on the arrangements, a spokesman for the Resettlement Department said: ’’This is certainly a good opportunity for those who wish to expand the scale of their business.”
He pointed out that those shop tenants could now apply for cash compensation in lieu of business premises. They could still choose to transfer their Shek Kip Mei shops to other interested tenants to give them additional footage for larger business premises in Pak Tin under the foot-for-foot reprovisioning scheme.
The closing date ffor the shop tenants to apply Tor reprovisioning or cash compensation is January 3$ 1973•
/The spokesman
Friday, December 22, 1972
- 14 -
The spokesman urged those who have still not applied to send in their applications before the closing date.
He said that it was in their own interest to apply early as the time for the final evacuation of the blocks in the current phase has been set on February 26, 1973*
Meanwhile, some shop tenants have filed another letter to the Resettlement Department asking to retain their shops after conversion.
A reply has been given to them telling them that the previous decision not to allow the shop tenants to remain in situ after conversion must stand.
The spokesman reiterated that it would be impossible to allow shop tenants to remain in situ because the future population of the redeveloped Shek Kip Mei would be reduced to about half of the present size and this reduced population would not be able to sustain the existing number of shops « Meanwhile, a total of 1,424 tenancies at Pak Tin Estate have been let and about 600 families have moved into their new accommodation.
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Friday, December 22, 1972
- 15 -
RESULTS OF POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION ANNOUNCED Winners Picked From Over JOO Entries
A sixteen-year-old girl student has been awarded the first prize in the senior section of a Secondary School Anti-Narcotics Poster Design Competition sponsored by the Education and Publicity Sub-Committee of the Action Committee against Narcotics.
She is Miss Ma Hak-mei, from the Jockey Club Government Secondary Technical School.
Miss Bettina Eichbauer (12), a Form II pupil in the German/Swiss International School, took the first prize in the Junior Section.
An adjudicating panel consisting of Mr. G.S. Blundell of the Government Information Services, Mr. Pang Tsin-mo of the Education Department, Mr. Ho Kin-cheung of the Wah Kiu Yat Po and Mr. John Chan, Art Director, HK-TVB, examined a total of 358 entries yesterday (Thursday) afternoon at the Secretariat for Home Affairs conference Room.
In the Junior Section, the adjudicators decided to name two second prize wimmers — Miss Cheung Lai-mui (14) of the Jockey Club Government Secondary Technical School, and Wong Siu-cheong (16) of the Kwun Tong Government Secondary Technical School.
Ma Wai-hang (17) of the Clementi Middle School and Miss Chan Fung-yee (17) of the Wong Fu Nam College won the second and third prizes respectively in the Senior Section.
/For both •••▲•••••••
Friday, December 22, 1972
- 16 -
For both sections, winners would receive ’3500 for coming first, $200 for second, and $100 for third.
Another eight outstanding entries were named and these would each be given a consolation prize of 350.
Two entries from pupils of the Kwun Tong Vocational Training Centre were also commended by the adjudicators.
Designs entered for the competition were required to depict the beautiful aspects of life in contrast to the miseries of drug addiction.
"The aim of this Competition,” a spokesman of ACAN said,"is to involve secondary school pupils in the campaign against drug abuse through design work."
Note to Editors: Copies of the photographic reproductions
of the winning entries for the two first prizes will be distributed in your press box at G.I.S.
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Friday, December 22, 1972
- 17 -
DISPUTE IN SHIPYARD SETTLED
#**«»*««
Some 1,200 workers of American Marine Ltd. at Hang Hau will receive a wage increase with retrospective effect from December 10, 1972.
With the help of the Labour Department, an agreement was reached on December 20 between representatives of the workers and the management to end the dispute which arose over demands for w^ge increases.
Under this agreement, wage increases ranging from S3.20 to 34,00
a day will be made to job helpers, trainees, charge hands and semi-skilled and sldlled workers.
A longer tea-break for women and young persons has also been agreed
upon
Officers of the Labour Relations Service visited the parties
concerned on December 8 and subsequently conducted six conciliation meetings at the shipyard.
0 -
NOTICES TO EXPORTERS
*********
Note to Editors:
The Director of Commerce and Industry
has issued several notices to exporters on export of cotton textiles to the European Economic Community, and on exports of restrained textiles to the United States.
Copies v- notices are distributed separately in the G.I.S. Press box this evening.
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Friday, December 22, 1972
- 18 -
EARTH EMBANKMENT FOR HIGH ISLAND SCHEME
*******
As the next major step in the construction of Hong Kong’s latest and largest reservoir - the High Island Water Scheme, an earth embankment v/i 1 ~l soon be formed across the middle of the future reservoir site to join the Sai Kung Peninsula and High Island itself.
Across this causeway will pass a road which will give access to the southern ends of the two dams during the initial part of the construction period
Whilst formation of the causeway will not actually enclose the reservoir area it will divide the eastern half from the western and prevent the passage of all vessels and small craft through the existing channel. ‘This is likely to happen a day or two after Christmas.
Construction of the reservoir has received considerable publicity since the High Island Water Scheme was announced as going ahead on May 1, 1971i and the closure of the channel between mainland and island has always been accepted as one of the inevitable disadvantages of the scheme.
Although not passable at all states of the tide the channel, known locally as Kwun Mun, has often provided a more sheltered alternative to the route around the south of High Island for fishing junks and other small craft~
At the time of closure Government vessels will be in position at tha eastern and western entrances to the channel to warn approaching boats that passage through the channel is no longer possible and any boat not familiar with the alternative route will be advised how to proceed.
Before closure of the channel, assistance will also be given to any craft wishing to move from the eastern half of the reservoir, which adjoins the open sea, to the western half, which adjoins Inner Port Shelter.
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Release Time: p.m.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Saturday, December 2J, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No,
Wanchai is to have a new rest garden and children’s playground ................................................... 1
Six people will be commended for brave act in rescuing people from drowning ........................................... 2
Social Welfare Department will give a Christmas party for 7 >500 people................................................ 5
New traffic arrangements are to be enforced in Western District to facilitate road works .......................... h
About 200,000 doses of the combined anti-diphtheria and tetanus vaccine have been administered since October 9 ......... 5
Passengers from Macau can each bring into Hong Kong a bottle of duty-free Portuguese brandy on December 26 and 27......• • 5
There will be a D.I.B. on X’mas Day (Monday) .................. 6
Issued by Government Informttfan Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5 233191 *
Saturday, December 2J, 1972
- 1 -
MORE REST GARDENS TO BE BUILT 4 **««**«
A strip of land at the southern end of Stone Nullah Lane in Wan Chai will soon be developed into a rest garden and children’s playground.
The facilities provided will include park benches, flower beds, seesaw, swings and cabin slide. The slope adjacent to Kennedy Road will be turfed and planted with trees.
Work is expected to begin early next year and will take two months to complete.
At the same time, the existing rest garden and playground in Tai Wan
Resettlement Estate in Hung Hom will be renovated to meet the needs of the residents.
Sitting-out areas with wooden pergola, flower beds and seats are to be built in both the rest garden and the playground, with the former having a new basket ball court.
Work is expected to begin next February and will take about seven months to complete.
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Saturday, December 23, 1972
2
SIX TO BE COMMENDED FOR BRAVERY AT SEA
Director Of Marine To Present Certificates
********
Five members of the public and a Marine Department officer are to be commended for their bravery and public spirit in helping to rescue people from drowning in the harbour.
They will each be presented with a Certificate of Commendation by the Director of Marine, Mr. A. Fletcher, at a special ceremony on Thursday (December 28).
In addition, the five members of the public will also receive cash awards of $100 each.
The incidents occurred during the past nine months and in all but one case, the victims were rescued alive.
The five members of the public are Mr. Yau Wing-kwai, Mr. Ko Tin-fuk, Mr. Lee Muk-shing, Mr. Cheng Ah-tao and Mr. Leung Kau. The latter three are crew members of the Hong Kong and Yau Ma Tei Ferry Company.
The Marine Department officer is Mr. To Kan, Coxswain I.
*******
?7oto to Editors: You are cordially invited to send
a reporter and/or photographer to cover the presentation ceremony which will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday (December 28) in the Examination Hall, 10th floor, Rumsey Street Multi-Storey Car Park, Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong.
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Saturday, December 25, 1972
7,500 TAKE PART IN SWD CHRISTMAS PARTIES
Theme Of ’’Service” Stressed In Activities This Year
*******
More than 7,500 residents are having a brighter Christmas this year
as a result of the efforts of 900 volunteers working through the Group and Community Work Division of the Social Welfare Department.
Guests at a continuous round of Yuletide activities, now near the half-way mark, include 6,500 children and 1,000 elderly.
Emphasis this year is being placed on the theme of ’’service through a good turn,” and the volunteers — all young people — are determined to implement the theme as far as possible.
’’The idea of doing ’a good turn’ at Christmas,” says Mr* Steph-n L; ■’
Chi-kin, Senior Principal Social Welfare Officer and head of the Group and Community Work Division, ’’came from the young members of our community, social and youth centres, our district community work offices, and other units.
’’These young people have come to understand the value of service to
others as contributing not only to better community relations, but also to their own comfort and pleasure.”
For this reason, the activities this year, apart from Christmas parties.
include visits to homes for the aged, receptions for the handicapped in institutions and hospitals, fun fairs, picnics and rural visits, and rallies centring on the extra theme of a clean Hong Kong.
More than 100 items make up the list, more than half requiring devoted effort on the part of the volunteers.
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A
Saturday, December 23, 1972
- 4 -
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS
*******
The Transport Department today announced new traffic arrangements in Western District on Hong Kong Island, which will be effective from Tuesday (December 26).
The southern half carriageway of Queen’s Road West, as well as the section of Water Street between Queen’s Road West and Second Street, will be re-opened to through traffic.
The arrangements have been made as Stage I of the road reconstruction work at the junction of Queen’s Road West and Water Street is expected to be completed by Tuesday.
To facilitate Stage II of the work (northern half carriageway), the section of Water Street between Des Voeux Road West and Queen’s Road West will be closed to through traffic for about six weeks from Tuesday.
On Wednesday (December 27)i all motor vehicles with unladen weights exceeding two tons will be prohibited from entering Babington Path between Lyttleton Road and Robinson Road.
This arrangement, which will last about one month, is to facilitate the laying of drainage connection pipes in Babington Path.
Appropriate traffic signs will be erected to guide motorists.
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Saturday, December 2?, 1972
- 5 -
ANTI-DIPHTHERIA AND TETANUS CAMPAIGN
Figures For Tenth Week Announced * ******
During the week ending on December 16, a total of 15»27^ doses of the combined anti-diphtheria and tetanus vaccine was administered, according to statistics released today by the Medical and Health Department,
Of these, 1,066 doses were administered on the Island, 8,4j8 in Kowloon, and 5,770 in the New Territories.
In the ten weeks since this routine campaign began on October 9, a total of 191,228 doses has been administered. The campaign will continue for another two weeks.
Ifree vaccine is available at all government maternal and child health centres and clinics.
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DUTY FREE BOTTLE OF BRANDY FROM MACAU
*******
The Director of Commerce and Industry today announced that passengers arriving from Macau during the two days following Christmas Day, (i.e. Dec. 26 and 27) may bring into Hong Kong free of duty one bottle of Portuguese brandy containing not more than one litre.
This is in lieu of the customary one quart bottle of grape wine at present allowed.
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Saturday, December 23, 1972
- 6 -
D.I.B. ON X'MAS DAY
*****♦
Note to Editors: There will be an issue of the Daily
Information Bulletin on Christmas Day (Monday) which can be collected at the G.I.S. Press Room at 3 p.m.
The D.I.B. staff is taking this opportunity to wish every member of the press a Merry X’mas and Happy New Year.
0 -
Release Time; 1.30 p.m
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Monday, December 25, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No,
The apprenticeship training scheme has gained wide support from the industrial community ................. q
Identity card applicants are urged to collect their cards within the stipulated period ........... 3
Issued by Government Information Serv ces, feaconstakl House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5 233191 *
Monday, December 25, 1972
- 1 -
APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME GAINING SUPPORT
********
The apprenticeship training scheme fostered by the Labour Department’s Apprenticeship Unit is receiving support from a wide cross-section of the industrial community.
Designed to train the much-needed manpower in Hong Kong’s industry, the Apprenticeship Unit seeks to assist and encourage employers to start modern technician and craft apprentice training programme.
A total of 750 school-leavers received training as apprentice technicians and craftsmen this summer — 50 per cent more than the 1971 level.
Of these, 625 worked as apprentices in major industrial concerns -150 as technicians and 475 as craftsmen. The remainder joined the Government as apprentices of various types.
Among this batch of apprentices, 425 received training under the arrangement of the Labour Department.
The training scheme is geared to imparting to apprentices both practical working experience and relevant industrial education at the same time. Apprentices are required to attend evening courses offered at various government technical schools.
Under the scheme, both employers and apprentices sign an apprenticeship contract which sets out the terms and duration of training in conjunction with the obligations and privileges of both parties concerned.
/Commenting ........
Monday, December 25, 1972
- 2 -
Commenting on the scheme, a Labour Department spokesman said that local industrialists at large had acknowledged the importance of apprentice training, and this was reflected in the fact that the scheme had been adopted by a large segment of industry.
More than 120 industrial organisations, ranging from the electronic to plastic industries, have at present adopted the training scheme.
The spokesman said that it was gratifying to note that the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce rendered wide support to the scheme.
Monday, December 25, 1972
- 3 -
COLLECT YOUR I.D. CARD WITHIN STIPULATED TIME
Over 6,000 Cards Uncollected In 1971-72
*«**«*«
A spokesman for the Registration of Persons Department today . reminded people who have registered for identity cards to collect their cards during the stipulated period.
People who failed to collect their identity cards during this period would have to register again, resulting in inconvenience and additional expense to themselves, he said.
In the financial year 1971-72, a total of 6,406 identity cards issued by the department were cancelled due to non-collection. This comprised ^•,179 adult identity cards and 2,227 juvenile identity cards.
The spokesman explained that the normal period for collection after the cards were issued was six weeks for ordinary applicants and 150 days for new arrivals.
’•People who do not collect their cards ten days before the collection period expires will be sent a reminder, notifying them that their cards are availablehe added.
He said that many people had failed to collect their identity cards for a number of reasons.
’•Many people, especially children, did not collect their cards because of carelessness such as losing their receipts,” he said.
’’Others failed to collect them because they have been out of town or because of plain forgetfulness.”
/He wont
Monday, December 25, 1972
- 4 -
He went on to say that illegal immigrants who registered as new arrivals had to be carefully screened by the Investigation Section of the Immigration Department before they were issued with entry permits to regularise their continued stay here and be permitted to collect their identity cards.
"These enquiries are often protracted and it is not uncommon for some illegal immigrants to have to register twice before their identity cards can be issued,” he said.
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Release Time: 5>00 p>m.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 27, 1972
CONTENTS
Pap# No*
The new airport cargo complex is expected to be ready in 1975 ............................................................ 1
Staff changes at the Medical Headquarters have been announced .. 3
Five loan funds are available to help fishermen improve their lot .............................................................
There will be a new welfare centre for Lam Tin Estate •••••••*•• 6
The Labour Department’s Careers Exhibition opens on Friday ...... 7
Questionnaire forms filled out by manufacturers for the 1971 census have been destroyed • • .......................*•*•*••*••• o
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Wednesday, December 27, 1972
1
PLANNING ON NEW AIRPORT CARGO COMPLEX NEARLY FINALISED
Expected To Be Ready In 1975
*********
Detailed planning work on the construction of the new air cargo complex at Kai Tak Airport has been progressing smoothly and is now nearing finalisation.
The Director of Civial Aviation said today that the consultants engaged by the Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd. have already submitted their final report to the board and this is being studied.
The Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd. is a consortium of public and private companies, with Government as a partner, which was formed in December 1971 to build and operate the new air cargo complex.
"If everything works out smoothly, the new terminal should be finished in 1975,” the Director added.
MeanwhileK the total amount of air cargo handled at the airport annually continued to increase at a steady pace.
In the 1971-72 financial year, a total of 78,210 metric tons of air freight were carried in and out of Hong Kong, an increase of 15,9^6 metric tons or 25,6 per cent compared with the previous year.
The Director pointed out that this annual traffic of 78,210 metric tons had already exceeded the designed yearly capacity of 70,000 metric tons of the existing Cargo Terminal.
/To alleviate
Wednesday, December 27, *1972
- 2 -
To alleviate congestion, an interim cargo handling and storage area was set up in June this year on a 440,000 sq. ft. piece of land between the northern boundary of the airport and Prince Edward Road to the east of the Airport Police Station.
’’This temporary arrangement was made to permit airlines to accommodate the overflow until the new terminal is completed^" he added.
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4
Wednesday, December 27, 1972
- 3 -
CHANGES AT MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Dr. Craig Goes On Leave And Dr. Thong Takes Over
*********
Dr. J.K. Craig, Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services (Health), will leave his post on January 1, and his successor will be Dr. K.L. Thong, at present Deputy Director (Medical).
Dr. Thong will also succeed Dr. Craig .as Vice Chairman of the Urban Council.
Dr. Craig will depart for the United Kingdom on January 4, and will be on holiday there for five months before returning to Hong Kong to take up a new post in the Medical and Health Department as Medical Administrator in charge of the commissioning and administration of the Princess Margaret Hospital in Lai Chi Kok.
Dr. Thong’s present post as Deputy Director (Medical) will be assumed by Dr. H.S. Chan, at present Principal Medical and Health Officer.
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Wednesday, December 27, 1972
- 4 -
FISHERMEN BENEFIT FROM LOAN FUNDS
Financial Help To Develop Nev; Techniques
*******
Financial assistance is made available by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department from five loan funds to help fishermen use and develop new fishing techniques.
During 1971-72, a total of 285 loans amounting to more than $4.6 million were granted to 321 fishermen.
The five loan funds are: The Fisheries Development Loan Fund, The Co-operative for American Relief Everywhere (C.A.R.E.) Loan Fund, The World Refugee Year Loan Fund, The Fish Marketing Organisation Loan Fund and The F.li.O. Loan Fund (Colonial Development and Welfare Loan Fund Surplus).
The Fisheries Development Loan Fund aims at helping fishermen develop the off-shore fishing fleet. Since the establishment of this fund in 1959, 70 loans totalling $9 million have been granted, and about $6 million have been repaid. Three loans amounting to some $720,000 were made during the last financial year-
The Co-operative for American Relief Everywhere (C.A.R.E.) Loan Fund was established to make short-term loans to shrimp fishermen for productive purposes. Since 1957, a total of 144 loans amounting to $740,000 have been issued to 197 people and more than $640,000 have been repaid.
/The World ••••••••
Wednesday, December 27» 1972
- 5 -
The World Refugee Year Loan Fund is available to fishermen’s and farmers’ co-operative societies. Since 1964, over 81.3 million have been lent out to fishermen’s co-operatives,and 81.2 million have been repaid. During the last financial year, 18 loans were issued, totalling 8258,800.
The Fish Marketing Organisation Loan Fund, established in 1946, is a short-term loan for productive purposes. Since the inception of the Fund, 8,402 loans totalling 837.3 million have been granted, and 833 million repaid.
During 1971-72, 251 loans were made to 287 people.
The F.M.O. Loan Fund (Colonial Development and Welfare Loan Fund Surplus) was established with surpluses accrued from the Colonial Development and Welfare Mechanization Loan Scheme.
Seven loans amounting to 876,000 were made to fishermen during the last financial year. Since 1967 a total of 36 loans amounting to 8236,000 have been made.
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Wednesday, December 27, 1972
- 6 -
WELFARE CENTRE FOR LAN TIN ESTATE
Second To Be Built
***»*«• * *
Residents of the Lam Tin Resettlement Estate in Kwun Tong will soon have a new welfare centre to cater to their recreational and welfare needs, •i •
A site at Kai Tin Road opposite Block 11 of the Estate has been earmarked for the construction of the centre.
The centre will be a six-storey building providing accommodation for voluntary agencies and youth clubs.
The ground floor will a welfare hall which can hold 200 to 300 people, while the upper floors will be used as offices as well as providing a reading library.
The roof area will be converted into a covered playground with swings, slides and roundabouts so that children can enjoy themselves in all weather.
There will also be an open car park providing eight parking spaces for the staff.
This is the second welfare centre to be built in the estate.
Construction work is expected to begin in mid-February, and will be completed by November next year.
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/7..........
Wednesday, December 27, 1972
- 7 -
CAREERS EXHIBITION OPENING CEREMONY
«***»»* *«»
The Labour Department’s Careers Exhibition begins in the City Hall Exhibition Hall on Friday (December 29)•
The official opening will be performed at 2.JO p.m. by the General Manager of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, Mr. M.G.R. Sandberg, and a reception will follow for official guests and members of the press.
The exhibition is the first of its kind sponsored by the Hong Kong »
Government and will be the most comprehensive careers exhibition held in Hong
Kong.
Thousands of students and young workers are expected to see the dozens of career possibilities displayed in,the exhibition.
Note to Editors: You are cordially invited to send a
reporter and/or photographer to cover the opening ceremony.
• . .
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Wednesday, December 27, 1972
- 8 -
QUESTIONNAIRES COMPLETED FOR INDUSTRY CENSUS DESTROYED
Industrial Production Census To Be Conducted In 197^-
«*****««
About 30,000 questionnaire forms completed by Hong Kong manufacturers
last year for the 1971 Census of Manufacturing Establishments were destroyed at the Lai Chi Kok incinerator today (Wednesday).
The destruction of these forms was required under the Census Ordinance.
The Census of Manufacturing Establishments. carried cut by the
Census and Statistics Department in July and August last year, was the first of its kind undertaken in Hong Kong. ♦ Information on such subjects as the number of people employed by
an individual manufacturing establishment, the types of products manufactured, and the value of production was obtained by nearly 150 enumerators.
A report on the findings will be published in February or Karch
next year, a spokesman for the Census and Statistics Department said.
He said information gathered in this Census would be used in an
Industrial Production Census to be undertaken in i97*U
The spokesman added that consultations with manufacturing establishments
for the 197^ Census had already started.
•*«•***•
Note to Editors: Copies of a photograph showing the
questionnaire forms being destroyed at the incinerator are distributed separately in the G.I.St press boxes.
Release time: 6 .JO p.m,
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v-ocr*»«
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Thursday, December 28, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No.
A new system of pre-vocational education is recommended by a working party appointed by the Industrial Training Advisory Committee •••••••••••«.................. •.................... 1
Child adoption in accordance with Chinese customs will come to an end on January 1 ................................... 2
The Immigration Department is to set up a branch in Yuen
Long • ................................ • ........ • • •
Quarry Bay is to have a rest garden....................... 5
A new pier will be built at Pak Sha Wan to cope with the holiday crowd.................................................. 6
A labour dispute at a knitting factory has been settled with the help of the Labour Department ............................. 7
Over 70,000 seamen were registered with the Seamen’s Recruiting Office last month.............................................. 8
Four buildings in Central nave been declared dangerous...... 9
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191 ’
Thursday, December 28, 1972
NEW SYSTEM OF PRE-VOCATIONAL EDUCATION RECOMIiENDED Government Urged To Take Lead In This Field •*«*«***
A system of three-year pre-vocational education comprising about 50 per cent general subjects and 50 per cent practical-technical subjects should constitute a major stream of secondary education.
This system should cater ultimately for about a third of the primary school leavers.
This is one of the recommendations contained in a report on a study of the current and future role of pre-vocational education and training in Hong Kong.
The report, prepared by the Working Party on Pre-vocational Education appointed by the Industrial Training Advisory Committee, also recommends that the Government should take a lead in developing this stream of education.
It clearly defines the purpose of this form of education and give reasons for its particular relevance to Hong Kong.
It also contains recommendations on the staffing of and the curricula for pre-vocational schools.
The English version of the report is now available for sale to the public at the Government Publications Centre, Star Ferry Concourse.
The Chinese version of the report is being printed and will soon be put on sale.
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/2..........
Thursday, December 28, 1972
- 2 -
ENDING OF CHINESE CUSTOMARY ADOPTION
Legal Adoption Alone Permitted From January 1, 1973
*********
The adoption of children in accordance with local Chinese customs and traditions will end on January 1, 1973t as a result of the implementation of a bill to this effect passed earlier in the year by the Legislative Council•
From that date, persons intending to adopt children can only do so on the basis of the provisions of the Adoption Ordinance, under which the Director of Social Welfare is required to advise the Supreme Court on the suitability of the adoptive parents.
Mrs. Chen Liu Mu-lan, Senior Principal Social Welfare Officer and head of the Family Services Division, explains that, to avoid misunderstanding, Chinese customary adoptions registered with the Social Welfare Department on, or before, December 31, 1972, will remain valid.
Adoption of children in accordance with local Chinese customs and traditions meant that this could be done without recourse to a court order. To avoid abuse, female children so adopted were placed automatically under the guardianship of the Director of Social Welfare, and each adoption was registered.
The number of these adoptions decreased from 11 in 1970-71 to one during 1971-72. The registration of male children adopted in accordance with local Chinese customs was not required, and one such adoption was registered voluntarily during the last financial year.
/There were ••••••
Thursday, December 28, 1972
- 3 -
There were 329 legal adoptions in 1971-72.
Legal adoption normally takes six months to complete, but in exceptional circumstances, a shortening of the period may be requested.
In most cases, the Director of Social Welfare becomes the temporary guardian of the child to safeguard its interests, and a fee of $100 is charged for each application.
The child to be adopted must be in the continuous care and custody of the applicants for six months before an adoption order can be made.
After that, the child enjoys the same legal status as the natural children in the applicant’s family.
Applicants
Intending applicants must be legally married, aged 25 and over.
Relatives of the child intending to adopt it must be over 21.
But Mre. Chen explains that there is no age limit in respect of applicants intending to adopt their own child not born of the present marriage.
Applicants should be in good health, and single males are not normally allowed to adopt a female child.
Adoption workers assist applicants to understand the law and the procedures to be followed. Applicants are visited and interviewed, and their circumstances are studied to make sure that the execution of an adoption order is in the best interest of the child. Only when this is beyond doubt is a recommendation ma.de to the court. • t I •
Applicants can either find a child for adoption privately, or with the help of the Social Welfare Department — but, at present, there are more applicants known to the Department than children available.
Thursday, December 28, 1972
- 4 -
IMMIGRATION OFFICE TO OP2K IN YUEN IONG More Branches Planned For Urban Areas *********
The Immigration Department has decided to set up a branch office in Yuen Long for the convenience of residents of the New Territories.
Suitable premises have been found and it is expected that the new branch office will be opened sometime in 1973*
Demand for travel documents by residents of the New Territories has been increasing steadily over the past few years, and has now reached a level that would justify the establishment of a permanent branch office in Yuen Long, in addition to the two existing ones in Tsuen Wan and Sheung Shui.
Like all other Immigration Department branch offices, the Yuen Long office will be responsible for processing and issuing travel documents such as re-entry permits and certificates of identity.
It will also receive applications for certain types of travel documents (e.g, passports) and send them to Headquarters to be processed.
In addition, there will be an enquiries section to deal with all kinds of queries, to explain the various procedures of applying for different types of documents, and if necessary, to complete application forms for members of the public.
The Immigration Department also has a mobile office operating in the Nev/ Territories, After the Yuen Long branch office is opened, the mobile office will continue to visit such far away areas as Sai Kung and the southern part of Tai Po.
/A spokesman..........
Thursday, December 28, 1972
- 5 -
A spokesman for the Immigration Department said today that plans to set up more branch offices in urban areas are also proceeding smoothly.
The branch office in Kwun Tong is now being fitted out and it should be ready in early 1973-
Suitable premises for another branch office in Kennedy Town on Hong Kong Island have also been found, and tenders for its fitting out will soon be invited.
Other branch offices in Sham Shui Po and Shau Kei Wan will also be set up when suitable premises can be found.
The Immigration Department now has six branch offices in the urban areas - three on Hong Kong Island and three in Kowloon.
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REST GARDEN IM QUARRY BAY
*********
A rest garden will be built next month on a 17,000-square-foot open space in Quarry Bay.
The garden, situated at the junction of Mount Parker Road and Occupational Road, will be provided with park benches and paved footpaths.
Trees within the area will be retained to preserve the natural surrounding of the site. Turfing and planting will also be carried out.
Construction work is expected to begin in the middle of next month, and will be completed in March next year.
/6.........
Thursday, December 28, 1972
- 6 -
NEW PIER TO BE BUILT AT PAK SHA WAN
To Cope With Large Number Of Picnickers
*******
A pier with proper landing facilities is to be built at Pak Sha Wan, Hebe Haven, to cope with the increasing number of holiday-makers and larger Government vessels on duty in the Sai Kung waters.
Construction work is expected to start in March and will take about a year to complete.
Pale Sha Wan is one of the chief centres for the large number of yachts and pleasure craft in the New Territories.
Village ferry services transport thousands of picknickers and visitors from the existing small jetties at Pak Sha Wan to the beaches, picnic spots and other recreational amenities in the Port Shelter area.
In recent years, the small jetties have become inadequate to meet the heavy demands, especially in the summer.
To enable people using public light buses and other means of land transport to reach the new pier direct, a concourse with a few parking spaces will also be built.
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/7..........
Thursday, December 28, 1972
- 7 -
SEVERANCE PAY DISPUTE IN KNITTING FACTORY
Settled With Help Of Labour Department
**********
With the help of the Labour Department, an amicable settlement has been reached in the dispute between the knitters and the management of Regina Knitting and Dyeing Mills Limited over severance pay.
Officers of the Labour Relations Service intervened soon after the dispute broke out on December 18, 1972.
A visit to the factory on that evening drew both parties to the conference table.
Three lengthy conciliation meetings lasting a total of 16 hours were subsequently held.
As a result of an agreement signed on December 21, about 50 workers received severance pay of 8400 each. The total amount involved is about 820,000.
Payment was made at the San Po Kong Branch Office of the Labour Department at noon on Saturday, Deeember 23.
The hand knitting section of the factory has been declared redundant with the introduction of semi^automated work processes.
The other sections of the factory with some 150 workers are carrying on with their normal production.
• . - 0 --------
/8.........
Thursday, December 28, 1972
- 8 -
SEAMEN REGISTERED WITH S.R.O. 4c******
A total of 73?748 seamen were registered with the Seamen’s Recruiting Office at the end of last month, according to statistics released by the Marine Department.
Of these, 28,649 were included in Part I of the register. These seamen had either been to sea during the past two years, or had had pre-sea training or acceptable shore experience.
There were 16,750 new entrants to the shipping industry who did not have pre-sea training or acceptable shore experience.
Another 28,549 seamen were included in Part IV of the register, which comprises those who had been transferred from Part I in order to have their names listed with one of a number of licensed crew departments in shipping companies.
During the month, 239 seamen were engaged in foreign-going ships.
-----0--'--
/9........
Thursday, December 28, 1972
- 9 -
BUILDINGS IN CENTRAL DECLARED DANGEROUS
»*»*«*«*
The Building Authority today declared Nos. 283 and 285 Des Voeux Road Central to be in a dangerous condition and Nos. 142 and 143 Connaught Road Central liable to become dangerous.
In a statement issued this morning, the Principal Government Building Surveyor said that these four storey pre-war buildings have been under observation for three years.
Recent inspection revealed evidence of considerable movement of the front verandahs of Nos. 28? and 285 Des Voeux Road Central.
In addition, the party walls and front main walls are damaged and there is a danger of failure leading to collapse.
The kitchen blocks of Nos. 142 and 143 Connaught Road Central share common party walls with Nos. 283 and 285 Des Voeux Road Central.
The party walls concerned are in such a poor condition that their stability will be endangered when Nos. 283 and 285 Des Voeux Road Central are demolished.
Notices of intention to apply for Closure Orders in the Victoria District Court at 9«3O a.m. on January 12, 1973 in respect of Nos. 283 and 285 Des Voeux Road Central and Nos. 142 and 143 Connaught Road Central respectively were posted today.
Release Time : 6.30 p«m.
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|gis| iffiial
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Friday, December 29, 1972
CONTENTS
Page No.
Hong Kong will have a new system of assessing salaries tax.* 1
A bill paving the way for an enlarged Urban Council will soon be introduced into Legco • • • •............................ 5
Labour Department’s Careers Exhibition opens today........... 7
Wide powers for authorised officers to investigate copyright offences are contained in a bill published today ••••••••••• 10
More than JO,000 people have been registered to vote at the next Urban Council election................................... 11
More sitting-out areas have been completed on Hong Kong Island................................................... 1J
Two buildings in Western have been declared dangerous •••••• 14
The Rating Bill 1973 is published today..................... 15
The provisioning scheme for Shek Kip Mei shopkeepers is the most reasonable .............................................. 18
The P.W.D. halts construction of illegal buildings in Kowloon ............................................................ 20
Closure Order on two blocks of Po Shan Mansions has been lifted ...................................................... 21
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191 ’
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 1 -
NEW SYSTEM OF ASSESSING SALARIES TAX
Provisional Salaries Tax To Be Introduced Under Bill $***»«*
Hong Kong will have a new system of assessing salaries tax under which people will be assessed on their actual income in the current year rather than in the preceding year.
The change in the basis of assessment, recommended by the Inland Revenue Ordinance Review Committee, is contained in the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill 1973 published in the Gazette today for general information.
The bill seeks to implement the new system and introduce the payment of provisional salaries tax with effect from April 1 next year, as proposed by the Financial Secretary in his budget speech last March.
Under the Bill, the existing preceding-year basis of assessment will not be used for a final and conclusive assessment after the 1972-73 year of assessment. Starting with the 1973-7^+ year of assessment, every person chargeable to salaries tax will be liable to pay provisional tax which is to be charged on the net chargeable income of the taxpayer for the year preceding the year of assessment.
Commenting on this aspect of the Bill, a spokesman for the Inland Revenue Department explained that, in the first year of transition, the income of the year ending March 3% 1973 would be used provisionally to calculate the tax payable for the year 1973-74.
/When ••••••••
Friday, December 2% 1972
- 2
Ben the income for the year ending March 31, 197^ was returned a year later, he said, the final tax assessment would be made and the provisional payment set off against the tax assessed. The provisional tax for the current year will then be added to the amount payable.
Should any amount of provisional tax be then left over it will be refunded to the taxpayer, the spokesman said.
In the second and subsequent years, a new feature of the taxpayer’s annual notice of assessment would be the adjustment required when tax assessed for a year was more or less than the provisional tax paid.
Notice
The spokesman said that, except possibly in the case of permanent cessation of employment, a taxpayer would receive only one salaries tax assessment notice each year, and all amendments due to changing relief circumstances in a year of assessment would be taken up and adjusted in the annual notice of final assessment for the preceding year and, the notice for payment of provisional tax for the current year, combined in one notice.
The Bill provides that if a taxpayer’s actual income from a source for the year ending March 31, 1973 exceeds his assessed income for that year based on the year ending March 31, 1972 by more than 15 per cent, an additional assessment will be made on the excess over that fifteen per cent.
The Bill also provides that the excess amount will not be taxable if it is 15 per cent or less.
’’This is to safeguard against the risk of avoidance of tax on any large scale by persons able to control their own scale of emoluments,” the spokesman said.
/Where a taxpayer ••••••
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 3 -
Where a taxpayer commences or ceases to be chargeable to salaries tax, an assessor may estimate the amount in respect of which that taxpayer is chargeable to provisional salaries tax.
If a couple marry and the wife’s income becomes the income of the husband, then any provisional salaries tax paid by the’ wife on her income, for the period from the date of marriage to the end of the year of assessment, will be applied against the salaries tax payable by the husband for the year of assessment in which the marriage took place.
Provisions are also made to give relief to those taxpayers who have taken a period of unpaid leave in excess of 60 consecutive days between April 1971 and March 1973*
Adjustment
These taxpayers will be permitted to claim adjustment on a cessation basis because, due to the change in the basis of assessment, they could be put at a distinct disadvantage by becoming liable to pay a greater amount of tax in a year of assessment than they would normally have been liable to pay under the old previous-year system.
The Bill provides that notices for payment of provisional salaries tax can be issued separately or included in notices of assessment to final salaries tax.
A person can only object to a notice for payment of provisional salaries tax if his objection concerns the assessment of his net chargeable income for the previous year of assessment on which the provisional salaries tax is based.
/Provisions •••••••••
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 4 -
Provisions are also made for a person assessed to provisional tax to apply for at least a partial ’’stand over” of tax until he is due to pay salaries tax for the year of assessment if he can show that his net chargeable income will be considerably reduced.
The grounds for applying for a stand over are:
* that the taxpayer has become entitled to an additional allowance for a wife, child or dependant parent since being assessed to provisional salaries tax.
* that the taxpayer’s net chargeable income in the year of assessment is, or is likely to be, less than 80 per cent of his net chargeable income on which the provisional salaries tax is charged.
* that the taxpayer had ceased to become chargeable to salaries tax during the year of assessment.
One clause in the Bill amends the section in the Ordinance dealing with property tax on vacant premises, by providing for a reduction in property tax of l/24th of the tax payable for each month the premises are unoccupied, instead of the whole 1/12th reduction as at present.
The Bill also contains a number of clauses not directly connected with the main proposals but which serve to update and strengthen the administrative procedures in the existing Ordinance.
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 5 -
WAY PAVED FOR ENLARGED URBAN COUNCIL
Amending Bill Goes To Legco Shortly
***#»**«
A bill to increase the unofficial membership of the Urban Council from 20 to 24 will soon be presented to the Legislative Council.
The Urban Council (Amendment) Bill 1973 is designed to implement one of the recommendations in the White Paper on the Future of the Urban Council that the Council should be reconstituted with 12 elected and 12 appointed members.
At present, the Council has 10 elected and 10 appointed members.
The Bill, which is published in today’s Gazette for general information, will make provision for the increase in the number of Unofficial members in time for the coming Urban Council elections to be held on March 7 next year.
The bill will also seek to amend a section of the principal Ordinance which requiries the Governor to appoint members for a fixed period of four years and the amendment will enable the Governor to offer appointments for any period up to four years.
EjqiLaining the bill, a government spokesman said that at present, the ten elected members retire by rotation and an election for five members takes place every two years.
The appointments of the appointed members are so arranged that the terms of office of five of them expire in alternate years, but not in the same years as those in which elections are held.
/Thus,
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 6 -
Thus, unless members are re-elected or re-appointed there is a change of five members every year and a complete change of membership in a cycle of four years.
Although there will be 24 members in the reconstituted Urban Council, the spokesman said the four-year cycle will be retained, and, in future, six instead of five members will retire every year.
The coming election in March will be held to fill the vacancies caused by the expiration of the terms of five of the present elected members as well as the two new vacancies arising from the decision to create two additional elected seats.
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/7.........
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 7 -
CAREER EXHIBITION OPENS AT CITY HALL
Job Satisfaction Is Answer To Youth Unrest, Says Tsui
Too many of Hong Kong’s young people are drifting into jobs for which they are not suited, the General Manager of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, Mr. M.G.R. Sandberg, said today.
This was leading to dissatisfaction and disillusionment among youth — as well as serious loss of time and money to employers as a result of labour turnover, he said.
Mr. Sandberg, who is a member of the’ Hong Kong Labour Advisory Board, was speaking while officially opening the Labour Department’s three-day Careers Exhibition in the City Hall Exhibition Hall this afternoon.
He said that all too often young people ended up in the wrong job simply because they lacked information and guidance, or did not try to plan their futures. They did not know what they wanted to be, so they just took the first job that came along.
"This careers exhibition is meant to provide information to young people who are on the point of choosing a career," he said. "I hope it will excite interest and be of use both to those who will soon have to choose jobs and to those who will be offering them."
Mr. Sandberg called on Hong Kong employers to do more to help their new employees in their introduction to working life. He said employers should be patient with young employees who might not be productive when fresh from school.
/He stressed •••••••«.••
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 3 -
He stressed the importance of providing training facilities for young workers, and making clear the opportunities for advancement*
He said: ”It should be remembered that apart from the need to earn a living, an employee has needs which are emotional and psychological.
”He seeks, among other things, status, job satisfaction, and a sense of achievement. And, in my opinion, rightly so.
•’Failure to recognise the existence of these needs is a cause of frequent labour turnover.”
Job Satisfaction
The Commissioner for Labour, Mr. Paul Tsui, said in his speech he considered that job satisfaction was one of the best answers to unrest among youth. ”A young man or woman who has a job he or she enjoys is a useful and productive member of the community and not a criminal or troublemaker,” he said. ’’But when you have a person who is a square peg in a round hole, you have trouble.
’’Young people expect more these days. They have higher aspirations than their predecessors of some years ago.
’’They do not feel that they should accept and be happy with any way of earning a living. They want jobs offering training opportunities and prospects for promotion.
’’And they want jobs which match more closely their aspirations and individual talents.
”We see it as part of our job to see that square pegs end up in square holes.
/’’Our Youth
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 9 -
"Our Youth Employment Advisory Service has been working towards this since 1968 by compiling a large series of pamphlets on various careers, by giving careers talks in the schools and by co-operating with the Hong Kong Association of Careers Masters and other organisations working in the field. The scope of the service’s work is growing each year, and we hope it will continue to grow even more quickly in future.
"At the same time, the department’s Apprenticeship Training Unit is working to solve Hong Kong’s shortage of skilled labour by vigorously promoting apprenticeship schemes in industry and by puting prospective apprentices in touch with employers. And the Local Employment Service is continually placing people young and old in jobs.
Major Step
"Now we are taking a further major step in helping young people plan a happy and satisfying furture for themselves by staging the Labour Department Careers Exhibition 1972.
"We hope that every student, young worker, parent and teacher in Hong Kong will try to see it."
The exhibition, the largest of its kind ever held in Hong Kong, and the first to be sponsored by the government, will be open from 9-30 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) and from 9*50 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Some twenty exhibitors - divided into groups under general headings such as office work, creative work, and practical and technical work - will give details of entry qualifications, training, promotion possibilities, salaries and other benefits available in dozens of jobs ranging from automotive engineering to nursing.
-------o--------- /10.......
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 10 -
WIDE POWERS FOR POLICE TO PROBE COPYRIGHT OFFENCES
Copyright Bill 1973 Published
**«**«*«*
A new Bill will soon be introduced to the Legislative Council to give police and other authorised officers wide powers to investigate suspected offences under the new copyright legislation.
Government announced last week that the United Kingdom Copyright Act 1956 would be applied to Hong Kong from January 1 next. year.
A Government spokesman said today that the new Bill, the Copyright
Bill 1973j would modify the U.K. Act and would give police and other officers authorised by the Director of Commerce and Industry wide investigating powers.
"Copyright in many articles used or sold in Hong Kong is owned by persons resident outside Hong Kong, and the Bill provides for the use of sworn statements (affidavits) which may be produced in court to establish the ownership of the copyright in any article," the spokesman added.
The U.K. copyright Act and the new Bill will provide more adequate protection to original works such as recordings, tape recordings, books, literary and artistic works as well as industrial designs.
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Friday, December 29, 1972
- 11 -
OVER 30,000 REGISTERED TO VOTE IN NEXT U.C. ELECTION
Poll Cards To Be Sent Out Soon
*********
A total of 31,284 people have been registered to vote at the next Urban Council Election to be held on March 7-
The names of these registered electors, together with their electoral numbers and other details of address and identity, are contained in the new Final Register of Electors compiled by the Registration Officer and to be published tomorrow (December 30)•
Announcing this, the Registration Officer, Mr. J.V.G. Mitchell, said that the new Register is in two volumes.
Volume I, in four parts, contains the names of those electors who are registered to vote at polling stations at King’s College, the City Hall, the Hennessy Road Government Primary School and the North Point Government Primary School.
Volume II, in six parts, contains the names of those electors registered to vote at polling stations at the Kowloon Public Pier, the Queen Elizabeth School, the Kowloon Technical School, the Perth Street Government Primary School, the San Po Kong Government Primary School and the Kwun Tong Government Primary School.
The Final Register of Electors will be available for inspection at the Registration of Persons Office, Room 11 on the ninth floor of the Causeway Bay Magistracy Building during office hours on every week day as from tomorrow.
/Copies of ...........
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 12 -
Copies of the Register will also be on sale, at 345 per volume, at the Government Publications Centre, Star Ferry Concourse, or at the Registration of Persons Office.
Mr. Mitchell explained that the last Register, published on December J1, 1970, remains legally valid until January 14, 1973, after which the new Register, to be published tomorrow, will supercede it and will remain legally in force until January 14, 1975-
Preparation of the next Provisional Register, from which the next Final Register is compiled, will commence on February 15» 1974.
’’This means that only those persons whose names appear in the new Final Register will be eligible to vote at the forthcoming election to be held next March. Any person who may be eligible but who has not been registered cannot apply for registration as an elector before February, 1974,” Mr. Mitchell added.
The Registration Officer also said that he will be posting to every elector a Poll Card bearing his or her electoral number.
These cards are designed to assist voters on election day, since their production to the Polling Officers together with the electors’ Hong Kong Identity Card, or some other form of identification, will readily identify the holders and enable them to obtain a ballot paper with the minimum of delay.
The Poll Cards will be posted before the end of February next and electors are urged not to mislay them.
Electors are also reminded to keep the Registration of Persons Office informed of any changes of address so that Poll Cards can be posted to their correct address.
-------0--------- /15...................
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 13 -
MORE SITTING-OUT AREAS ON H.K. ISLAND
In Thickly Populated Areas
*«*«***«*
Three new sitting-out areas and additional picnic facilities have been completed on Hong Kong Island as part of the Urban Council’s plan to provide recreational facilities in densely populated areas and to develop rural areas into picnic spots.
The three rest gardens are situated in Causeway Bay, Shau Kei Wan and the Western District.
Each of the gardens has an area of about 3,000 square feet, and their total construction cost is #86,000.
The Tung Lo Wan Road rest garden, located at the junction of Tung Lo Wan Road and Tai Hang Road, is provided with garden benches and large planting areas.
For local interest, the old shrine at the garden site has been retained and renovated.
Situated at the junction of Shau Kei Wan Road and Chai Wan Road, the Shau Kei Wan rest garden is partly concrete-paved, while the rest of the area is planted with flowers and shrubs. Concrete benches are provided near the planting areas.
The Sung Hing Lane rest garden is situated in the most crowded part of the Western District between Queen’s Road West and Des Voeux Road West, and is provided with flower beds and benches.
/A rest garden • •.....
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 14 -
A rest garden has also been built in a section of the Chung Hom Kok Park next to the Cheshire Home. Park benches and picnic tables for picnic meals are provided.
More barbecue pits have also been constructed at the Cid Gun Post Lookout on the southern tip of Chung Hom Kok for picnickers.
-------0---------.
BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS IN WESTERN
****#*««*
The Building Authority today declared No. 13 North Street, Western District, to be in a dangerous condition and No. 15 North Street liable to become dangerous.
In a statement issued this morning, the Principal Government Building Surveyor said that these four storey pre-war buildings have been under observation for some years and were recently re-inspected when it was found that the party wall between Nos. 11 and 13 and the rear wall were badly fractured and there is a risk of collapse.
It is considered that due to fractures in the rear wall, No. 15 is liable to become dangerous during or after the demolition of No. 13.
Notices of intention to apply for Closure Orders in Victoria District Court at 9*30 a.m. on January 26, 1973 were posted today.
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/15........
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 15 -
RATING PRACTICES TO BE IMPROVED
Rating Bill 1973 Published For Information ««***«***
New legislation is being introduced to improve rating practices in Hong Kong and to implement a number of proposals concerning rates made by the Financial Secretary in his Budget speech last March.
The Rating Bill 1973, published in today’s Gazette for general information, seeks to repeal and replace the existing Rating Ordinance which has basically remained unchanged for eighteen years.
The major objectives of the Bill are:
* to reduce the rate charge in the urban areas from
17 to 15 per cent as from April 1, 1973*
* to allovz a refund of only half the rates paid on vacant premises, instead of a full refund as at present, and
* to provide for part of the urban rates to be paid to the reconstituted Urban Council to enable it to carry out its functions.
Commenting on the proposed new provisions, the Commissioner for Rating and Valuation, Mr. R.A. Fry, said the proposal to lower the rates charged in the urban areas was "to help cushion the ’higher rateable values resulting from this year’s revaluation."
In those parts of the New Territories — mainly Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung — presently assessed to rates, the standard rate of 11 per cent would remain for the time being, he added.
/Referring ......
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 16 -
Referring to the proposal to refund only half the rates paid on unoccupied premises, Mr. Fry said that a concession has been included in the case of newly erected building which would not be assessed to rates for an initial period of six months following completion, unless they were occupied earlier.
"In addition," he said, "where land (without buildings) is vacant or premises are unoccupied because of a Government order, it is proposed to continue to refund rates in full. "
Mr. Fry esqplained that in connection with the reconstitution of the Urban Council, it had not yet been resolved what percentage of the rates would initially be allotted to the Council.
Important Feature
Mr. Fry noted that an important feature in the Bill was the introduction of what is known as "tone of the list" in respect of the assessment of new premises.
f,This means that when new premises are assessed to rates the rateable value must be in line with, and not exceed, the general level of values of comparable premises already assessed to rates and included in a valuation list in force," he explained.
He added: "Thus, if rents continue to rise, the assessments of nevi premises will not be above the existing general level, and new ratepayers will not have to bear an undue proportion of the rate burden."
Under the Bill, people who do not agree with the assessments will have two avenues of appeal.
/They can ......
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 17 -
They can first lodge formal proposals and objections with the Rating and Valuation Department, but if they are still not satisfied they will have the right of appeal to the District Court.
The Bill also contains a number of minor changes to update rating practice and strengthen administrative procedures.
These include provisions for a longer period of time to ratepayers in which to submit returns, and for claims for refund of rates to be made up to twelve months after such rates are payable instead of the existing 15"day limit following the end of the quarter.
Provisions are also made for a general increase in the amount fines which may be imposed under the ordinance, but the provisions for imprisonment which applied in certain cases have been removed.
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/18.........
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 18 -
REPROVISTONING SCHEME FOR SHOPKEEPERS MOST REASONABLE
Every Means Tried To Ease Possible Hardship
*********
A Resettlement Department spokesman said today that the reprovisioning scheme for the 44 shopkeepers affected by the first stage of the Shek Kip Mei Rehousing Scheme was the most reasonable worked out by Government,
The Resettlement Department had tried every possible way to ensure that the shopkeepers did not run into hardship.
The spokesman said that the reprovisioning scheme involved a foot-for-foot exchange as well as rent rebates.
The rebate was to relieve any transitional difficulties that might arise in the initial period when tenants moved from Shek Kip Mei to Pak Tin.
For those who want’ to terminate their business, they can apply for cash compensations which range from 58,100 for a half-bay shop to 820,000 for a 2-bay shop.
The spokesman said that this rate of compensation was more favourable than those awarded to shop tenants in the private sector under the Exclusion Order• .......
Shopkeepers taking up the reprdvisioning offer will enjoy rent rebate of 50 per cent for the first year and 25 per cent for the second.
He said that even without any rebate the rent for Pak Tin shops were low compared with those for shops in the private sector in the neighourhood.
"The rent rebate only reflects Government’s sincere wish to help the Shek Kip Mei shopkeepers to re-establish themselves at Pak Tin during the initial period,” the spokesman said.
/Commenting ••••••••
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 19 -
Commenting on the shopkeepers’ claim that they were given market stalls instead, the spokesman pointed out that those were shop units in the commercial complex of Pak Tin with a wider frontage than their existing shops in Shek Kip Mei.
He reiterated it was not possible to allow the shop tenants to return to their shops in Shek Kip Mei after the conversion. This was because the population density would have to be reduced and the smaller population would not be able to sustain the existing number of shops.
About half of the 44 shop tenants involved in the first phase have applied for reprovisioning. The closing date for application is Wednesday, January 3, 1975.
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/20.........
Friday, December 29, 1972
- 20 -
TOO ILLEGAL MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS IN KOWLOON Construction Halted By P.W.D.
*********
The Public Works Department took action today to halt the construction and occupation of two unfinished and unoccupied illegal multi-storey buildings in Kowloon.
The two buildings are:-
57/59 Tung Tsing Road and
40A Tung Tau Tsuen Road
The buildings are near, but not part of, the Kowloon Walled City.
Commenting on the announcement, a Government spokesman said that action had been taken under Section 6 of the Crown Land Ordinance 1972. The buildings are being erected on Crown land and the developers have no entitlement to the land. Nor have they submitted building plans for approval.
”We hope that by stopping the development of theso buildings members of the public will be protected and developers and landlords will be warned against erecting and selling illegal property", he said.
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Friday, December 29, 1972
- 21 -
CLOSURE ORDER LIFTED ON 2 BLOCKS OF PO SHAN MANSIONS
*********
The Building Authority has announced that the closure order on Po Shan Mansions^ Blocks A and B, Nos. 10-16 Po Shan Road was raised today •
In a statement issued this afternoon, the Principal Government Building Surveyor said that certain specified works including the erection of a temporary steel staircase had been completed under the supervision of an authorised architect and he was now satisfied that the two blocks were no longer liable to become dangerous.
A notice of the expiry of the closure order was posted on these premises at 5*00 p.m. today.
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Release time: 7*^
PRH 7 4000091
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Saturday* December JO* 1973
CONT1SNTS
Page No.
There has been a big drop in hill fires in the past six months...................................•••••••••••#•••••••• 1
An exhibition of post-impressionist paintings opens today#. 3
A tenr-day Tsuen Wan District Road Safety Campaign will be launched next week .• • ..................
A registration of persons team goes to Tin Wan next week • •• 5
A series of free shows and concerts have been arranged for the public in January ............................................ 7
There will be a special edition of the D.I.B. tomorrow containing the New Year Honours list ......................... 9
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
Saturday, December 30, 1972
- 1 -* •
DROP DI HILL FIRES IN PAST SIX MONTHS
Picnickers Urged To Be Careful With Fire
The number of hill fires during the months of July to December this year showed a remarkable drop of about 70 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Statistics released by the Conservation and Forests Division of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department showed that the number of hill fires in the past six months amounted to 151, while the number for the same period last year was ^97-
Of the 151 hill fires, 14 cases occurred in the Silver Jubilee • j” ■
Reservoir and the Tai Lam Chung Government forests, and some 3,900 trees were destroyed within the Government plantations.
The rest of the hill fires occurred in village woodlands in the New Territories. Over 500 trees were damaged.
Fire protection services of the Conservation and Forests Division are concentrated on the ”Fire Protection Area” which covers most of Hong Kong Island, parts of Lantau Island, and the southern hill range of the Nev/ Territories.
The Australian method of reducing fire hazard by means of controlled burning of grass and shrubs along roads has been tried in all district and has proved to be successful.
Forestry protection posts and fire lookouts with officers on guard 24 hours are set up in all Government plantations.
/Hong Kong’s .....
Saturday, December 30» 1972
- 2 -
Hong Kong’s fire season begins in the month of October. During the last fire season 809 hill fires were recorded. Seventy-two of theso fires occurred in or adjacent to Government plantations and approximately 381 acres of woodland were damaged, involving the loss of 300,000 trees.
A spokesman for the Conservation and Forests Division said most of the hill fires broke out on weekends and public holidays.
"It is therefore important for picnickers and campers to pay special attention to fire prevention in the countryside,” he said.
Only in a place provided for barbecue purposes should cooking fires be lighted.
Picnickers and campers should always bear in mind that they should not light a fire under shrubs or trees and leave it unattended or go away without extinguishing it.
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/5...........
Saturday, December JO, 1972
- 3 -
EXHIBITION GF POST-IMPRESSIONISTS OPENS
At City Museum And Art Gallery ««***»**
An exhibition of reproductions of Post-Impressionist paintings opens today at the City Museum and Art Gallery.
This includes JO large colour prints of the work of Cezanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Seurat, Signac, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Redon.
General introductions to the styles of each artist and commentaries on each painting are included in the exhibition.
The exhibition is a sequel to the exhibition of the Impressionists held in the past month.
Both exhibitions are of educational nature, illustrating how artists of the late nineteenth century paved the way for modern art of this century.
The Impressionists made one important contribution to further developments of Western art - they brought to colour a feeling of freshness and luminosity.
However, their extreme experimentation to represent light as recorded by the human retina finally led to the dissolution of form and structure.
A number of individual artists saw the danger of this and began to seek new directions.
/These •••••
Saturday, December 30, 1972
- 4 -
These artists explored independently. More than any other painters in the history of Western art, they developed their theories in isolation and often in contradiction with each other. /
They are grouped under the general designation of nPost~Iaprcssicnistsf', a term meaning little except that these men departed from Impressionism to find new ways of painting.
The exhibition will be on view until January 21.
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ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN TUSEN WAN
*********
Note to Editors: A 10-day Tsuen Wan District Road Safety
Campaign will be officially launched at a ceremony in the Princess Alexandra Community Centre on Wednesday, January 3, 1973-
The District Officer, Tsuen Wan, Mr. H. Barna, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (N.T.), Mr. M.C. Illingworth, and the Warden of the Centre, Mr. Lam Kwok Wan, will jointly officiate at the ceremony.
At the same time, an exhibition on road safety equipment will be opened at the Centre.
The campaign forms part of a Hong Kong-wide road safety drive. You are cordially invited to have the ceremony covered. It will start at 3 p»m.
________0_________
Saturday, December JO, 1972
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN TIN WAN
Residents Urged To Make Use Of Facilities
*********
The Commissioner of Registration announced today that a team from the Registration of Persons Department will conduct registrations at the Tin Wan Resettlement Estate Office from Tuesday, January 2, to Friday, January J, 1973*
Business hours will be from 9*30 a.m. to 4.JO p.m.
The visit will enable parents or guardians to register their children from six to 17 years of age for juvenile Identity Cards.
Young people 17 years old and over and holding juvenile Identity Cards will be able to register for adult Identity Cards.
People living in the area are reminded of their responsibility to register themselves and their children for Identity Cards, and to report to the Registration of Persons Department any changes of employment or residential address, nationality or marital status or any other particulars which have changed since registering for their Identity Cards.
Children between six and 17 years of age who have Hong Kong Birth Certificates or valid travel documents need not attend for registration, but children who do not have Birth Certificates or valid travel documents, must accompany their parents or guardians when registering.
Parents or guardians must produce both their (i.e. husband and wife) Identity Cards for inspection when registering juveniles.
/On registering •••••
Saturday, December JO, 1972
- 6 -
On registering for adult cards, young people 17 years of age and over must surrender their juvenile Identity Cards and produce the Identity Cards of both their parents or guardians under whom they are registered, and a Hong Kong Birth Certificate or evidence of their residence in Hong Kong during the past two years.
People who do not possess any of these documents must register at the Registration of Persons Branch Office in the Causeway Bay Magistracy, Electric Road, Hong Kong, at Canton Road Government Offices, Yau Ma Tei, Kwoloon or at Par East Bank Building, Ground floor, Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories.
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/7........
4
Saturday, December 30, 1972
FREE SHOWS AND BAND CONCERTS IN JANUARY Organised By Urban Council And U.S.D.
*********
The Urban Council and the Urban Services Department have organised a series of free film shows, variety shows and band concerts for the public next month.
The films will be shown in various playgrounds in the urban areas and the New Territories from 7»3O p.m. to about 9*00 p.m.
Details of the dates and places where the film shows will be held
are as follows
Date
Jan. 3, Wednesday
Jan. 5? Friday
Jan. 8, Monday
Jan. 10, Wednesday
Jan. 12, Friday
Jan. 15, Monday
Jan. 17, Wednesday
Jan. 22, Monday
Place
Recreation Ground, Yue Kwong Road, Shek Pai Wan Resettlement Estate, Hong Kong.
Recreation Ground, Tin Wan Street, Tin Wan Resettlement Estate, Hong Kong.
King George Vth Memorial (K) Park, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon.
Playground, Willow Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon.
Morse Park Open-air Theatre, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon.
Recreation Ground, Fu Mei Street, Wang Tau Hom Resettlement Estate, Kowloon.
Playground, King’s Road, North Point, Hong Kong.
Recreation Ground, Wai Kek Street, Shek Lei Resettlement Estate, Tsuen Wan, New Territories.
/Jan. 24, •••••••••
Saturday, December 30, 1972
- 8 -
Jan. 24, Wednesday Recreation Ground, Tai Kiu Road, Yuen Long Resettlement Estate, New Territories.
Jan. 26, Friday Southern Playground, Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
Four open-air variety shows will be put on in various districts in January.
All are to begin at 7-30 p.m. and last about two and a half hours.
The shows will be held on the following dates and places:
January 5, Friday Morse Park Open-air Theatre, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon.
January 12, Friday January 18, Thursday MacPherson Playground, Mong Kok, Kowloon. Anchor Street Playground, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon.
January 26, Friday Cheung Sha Wan Road Playground, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon.
A series of free band concerts will be held on every Sunday in January.. • » •
The concerts will be given separately by the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary
• • ■ *. -■ ■ . . ' - \
Police Band, Auxiliary Fire Services Band, Auxiliary Medical Service Band and
the Royal Hong Kong Police Band. • *
/Details of
Saturday, December 301 1972
- 9 -
Details of the dates and places where the band concerts will be held
are as follows:
Date Time Band Venue
Jan. 7, 1 p.m. - 3 Royal H.K. Aux. Police Victoria Park, Hong Kong.
Jan. 14, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Aux. Fire Services Kowloon Park, Kowloon.
Jan. 21, 2 p.m. • 4 p.m. Aux. Medical Service Cheung Sha ’Jan Road Playground, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon.
Jan. 28, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Royal Hong Kong Police Morse Park Open-air Theatre, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon.
0
NS7
YEAR HONOUR LIST
Note t o_ _Edi to r s: There will be a special edition of the Daily
Information Bulletin tomorrow (Sunday) containing a list of recipients of the Mew Year Honours. Copies of the this issue (in English and Chinese) will be available for eollection at the G.I.S. press room at 3-30 p.m. tomorrow.
The Services * list will also be available for collection at the sane time.
- - 0 - -
Release time: 2.00 p.m.
PRH 7 4000091
I
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Sunday, December J1,
1972
EMBARGOED NS7S ITEfr.:-
NOTE TO EDITORS OF NEWSPAPERS, NEV.'S AGENCIES, BROADCASTING STATIONS:
The following announceiaeiit regarding the New Year Honours List is being made simultaneously in London at 0030 hours G.M.T. on January 1.
Publication is permitted in Hong Kong newspapers tomorrow (Monday) morning, 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 7 a.ei. onwards over the local radio and television stations tomorrow.
On NO account should any of the recipients of Honours be contacted for interviews or for information relative to their careers or be approached in any way in connection with their awards before these have been publicly announced.
NK7 YE.J> HONOURS LIST
Kt. (iVnight Bachelor)
Mr, David Ronald Holmes, C.M.G., C.B.E., M.C., E.D., J.P.
Mr. Holmes retired in late 1971 from his post as Secretary for Home Affairs and is now the Chairman of the Public Services Commission. Mr. Holmes joined the Hong Kong Government as a Cadet Officer in 1938. During his 3^ years of service, he was attached to a number of principal Government departments including Resettlement, the New Territories Administration, Commerce and Industry and Urban Services. He acted as Colonial Secretary on a number of occasions and
/was ••••••••
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Sunday, December 31, 1972
- 2 -
was for many years an official member of the Executive and Legislative Councils. He was appointed Secretary for Chinese Affairs, now known as Secretary for Home Affairs, in 1968.
He was awarded the Military Cross in 19^3, the Member Order of the British Empire (Military Division) in the same year, and was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.) in the 1962 New Year Honours. In June 1969 he was made a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (C.M.G.). He has been an Official Justice of the Peace since 1946.
C.B.E. - (Commander Order of the British Empire)
The Hon. Paul Tsui Ka-cheung, O.B.E,, J.P.
The Hon. Paul Tsui is the Commissioner of Labour and Mines. He joined the Colonial Administrative Service in 1946 after spending one year with the Civil Affairs Section of the Military Administration. Since then he has served in various positions in the Government, notably as Assistant Director of Commerce and Industry, Assistant Director of Urban Services, Controller of the Public Enquiry Service and Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs. He was appointed Commissionei for Resettlement in 1970 and became the Commissioner of Labour and Mines in 1971•
Mr. Tsui is an Official Member of the Legislative Council. He was awarded the Member Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) in 1944 and Officer Order of the British Empire (O.BSE») in 1968. He was made an Official Justice of the Peace in 1950.
Sunday, December J1, 1972
- 3 -
C.B.E. (H) - (Commander Order of * the British Empire)(Honorary)
Mr. Liang Yuen-cheong
Mr. Liang, Chairman of the Hong Kong & Macau Hydrofoil Co., Ltd., is a Portuguese citizen, who has made Hong Kong his home. He is also a Director of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd. and the Hong Kong & Shanghai Hotels Ltd. Since he took up residence in Hong Kong ten years ago, he has been actively involved in a host of community projects in the medical, educational, social welfare, youth and cultural fields. A noted philanthropist, he has also rendered valuable assistance to ex--s.erv.icemen and their dependents. He has twice been decorated by the Portuguese Government for services to the community in Macau.
O.B.E. - (Officer Order of the British Empire)
Mr. Douglas William Alfred Blye, J.P.
Mr. Blye is the Accountant General of the Treasury. He joined the Department as a Treasury Accountant in 1958. In 19^1, he was attached to the Finance Branch of the Colonial Secretariat where he was responsible for the setting up of the Cost Control Division. He was appointed Deputy Accountant General in 19&6 and promoted to his present post in 1970. He is a member and secretary of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee.
O.B.E. - (Officer Order of the British Empire)
Mr. Norman Garner Rolph, Q.P.M., C.P.M., 0. St. J., J.P.
Mr. Rolph was appointed as Hong Kong’s first Commissioner for Narcotics in August, 1972. He joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as an Assistant Superintendent of Police in 19^* He served in all branches of the Force and rose to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), a post which he held prior to his present appointment.
/Apart •••••••••
Sunday, December J1, 1972
- k -
Apart from his official capacity, Mr. Rolph is also well known to the community as a former Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. He is an Officer of the Most Venerable Order of St. John and holds the Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service. He is the Founder President of the Rotary Club of Tsuen Wan, now the Rotary Club of Kowloon North. For over 15 years, he was a member of the Board of Examiners in the Chinese language.
O.B.E. - (Officer Order of the British Empire)
Mr. Gerald Mordaunt Broome Salmon, J.P.
Mr. Salmon is a Director of a number of long established local companies with interests in a wide range of commercial and industrial activities. His specialised commercial knowledge and experience are reflected in his membership of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Port Committee, and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries General Committee. He was formerly Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Salmon acted as a provisional member of the Legislative Council on several occasions and in July 1970 was appointed a substantive member for two years. He has been an Unofficial Justice of the Peace since 1968.
C.B.E. - (Officer Order of the British Empire)
Mr, Graham Rupert Sneath, Q.C., J.P.
Mr. Sneath has been the Solicitor General since 1966. He was first appointed as Crown Counsel in Hong Kong in 1952, and promoted to Senior Crown Counsel in i960 and Principal Crown Counsel in 196?. He obtained the degree of B.A. in law at Pembroke College, Cambridge, in 19^9 and was called to the English
/Bar (Inner Temple)......
1
*
Sunday, December 31, 1972
- 5 -
Bar (Inner Temple) in the following year. Mr. Sneath has acted as Attorney General on several occasions. Much of his spare time is devoted to social activities, particularly those which benefit young people.
O.B.E. - (Officer Order of the British Empire)
Mr. Francis Tien Yuan-ho, M.B.E., J.P.
Mr. Tien, Managing Director of Manhattan Garments Ltd., is well-known in the industrial field and has on several occasions represented Hong Kong, as an industrial adviser, at international negotiations affecting Hong Kong13 textile exports. He has served on the Trade Development Council and has been a member of the Textile Advisory Board sinee 19^5* He has been Chairman of the Hong Kong Garment Manufacturers’ Association since 19&3 and is currently Chairman of the Clothing Industry Committee of the Industrial Training Advisory Committee. Mr. Tien was made a founder member of the Trade Development Council in ^963. He was responsible for the 1970 Ready-to-Wear Festival and was Chairman of its organising committee. He was made an Unofficial Justice of the Peace in 19&7 and was awarded the Member Order of the British Empire in 1971.
O.B.E. - (Officer Order of the British Empire)
Mr. Yang Yuan-loong, J.P.
Mr. Yang is the Executive Director and Sales Manager of the Textiles Alliance Ltd., and a Director of a number of other companies associated with it. He has served as a member of the Textiles Advisory Board since its establishment in 19^1. He was Chairman of the Hong Kong Garment Manufacturers’ /Assoc iation, .................................................................
Sunday, December 31, 1972
- 6 -
Association, and served for some years as a member of the General Committee of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries. He was a Vice-President of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association.
I.S.O . - (Imperial Service Order)
Mr. Lim Chee-quan
A retired Barrister-at-Law, Mr. Lim was President of the Tenancy Tribunal for more than twenty years before his retirement in August, 1972. Mr. Lim received his early education in Hong Kong and obtained his B.A. degree in law at Cambridge University. He was called to the English Bar (Inner Temple) in 1924.
I.S.O . - (Imperial Service Order)
Mr. Gilbert Roy Pickett . • . • ♦ • • • Mr. Pickett retired from his post as Commissioner of Prisons in June 1972. He joined the Prisons Department on transfer from Uganda in 1955 as a Superintendent and was appointed Commissioner in 1968* Besides his work in the Prisons Department, Mr. Pickett had taken an active part in Hong Kong’s youth activities. For two years he was chairman of the youth division of the Council of Social Service. • ----- "
M.B.E. - (Member Order of the British Empire)
Mr. Ho Sai-chu, J.P.
Mr. Ho is the Director of Fook Lee & Co. Ltd. He is at present Chairman of the Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Society. For the past two years, . . ... . 1 •. 'C-i
he has been a member of the Metrication Advisory Committee. He has also served on the Social Welfare Advisory Committee which advises the Government on social /welfare ...................................................................
Sunday, December 3% 1972
- 7 -
welfare policy. Mr. Ho was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in 1964/65. He has also taken an active part as a committee member of the Sir David Trench Fund for Recreation since its inception in 1970.
H.B.E. - (Member Order of the British Empire)
Mrs. Sally Leung Cheuk-httng
Mrs. Sally Leung, Director of the Leighton Textiles Co. Ltd., was the first lady chairman of the Po Leung Kuk in 1971/72 since its establishment 94 years ago. In her capacity as Chairman of the Kuk, she served as a member of the Brewin Trust Fund Committee, the Aberdeen Technical School Executive Committee and the Grantham Scholarships Fund Committee. She is a permanent honorary advisor to the Kowloon Women Welfare Club, a member of the International Education Society Scholarship Committee and a director of the Hong Kong Chinese Women’s Club.
M.B.E. - (Member Order of the British Empire)
Mr. Philip Wong Kin-hang
Mr. Wong, a practising solicitor, was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in 1971/72. He.has.taken a deep interest in community service and has played a leading role in the Lions Club, Peninsula, the St. Stephen’s College Old Boys’ Association, the Chinese Temples Committee, the Aberdeen Technical School Executive Committee and the Grantham Scholarships Fund Committee.
/Mr. Wu.........
Sunday, December 31, 1972
- 8 -
M.B.E. - (Member Order of the British Empire)
Mr, Frank V/u Kwei-wen
Mr. V/u retired from his post as Senior Divisional Officer of the Firo Services Department in May 1972. In that capacity he was responsible for the command of a fleet of fire boats and all off-shore islands establishments which provide fire protection to all ships passing through Hong Kong. He was appointed Fire Boat Officer in 1953, after serving in the Royal Navy.
He was awarded the Colonial Police Medal for meritorious service in 1966.
M.B.E. - (Member Order of the British Empire)
Mr. Ramon Young Chun-sheung
Mr. Young, Chief Superintendent ef Police (Auxiliary), is the most • • ♦
senior Chinese officer and the third ranking officer of the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force. He joined the Force in 1951 as a Constable and was promoted to his present rank in 19$7* Besides his involvement in the Force, Mr. Young is a keen sports enthusiast and has played an active part in a number of sports associations, notably the Hong Kong Amateur Sports Federation, the Olympic Committee and the Hong Kong Badminton Association.
M.B.E. (H) - (Member Order of the British Empire) (Honorary)
Mr« Chan Kwok-ying
Mr. Chan is an Assessor of the Inland Revenue Department. He first joined the Government as a Junior Clerk in 1932* and was appointed Inspector in • the Treasury in 19^8- In 1956, he was transferred to the Inland Revenue Department as an Assistant Assessor. He was promoted to his present rank in 1968.
/Mr. V/ong
Sunday, December 31, 1972
- 9 -
K.B.E. (H) - (Member Order of the British Empire) (Honorc-ry) Mr. Wong Man-yui
Mr. Wong is the Assistant Director of Urban Services (Cleansing). He joined the Civil Service as a junior clerk in 1938* He later became a Health Inspector and rose to the rank of Chief Health Inspector in 1964 and Assistant Superintendent in 1967* He was promoted to Assistant Director (Cleansing) in 1969. Mr. Wong is the first member of the Health Inspectorate who has been appointed to the post of Assistant Director.
B.E.M. - (British Empire Medal)
Station Sergeant Chan Chor-choi
Mr. Chan joined the Police Force as a constable in 1939 and rose to his present rank of Station Sergeant about ten years ago. He was awarded the Colonial Police Long Service Medal in 1957 and the Colonial Police Medal in 1960.
B.E.j-i. ~ (British Empire Medal)
Mr. Chan Ping-chuen
Mr. Chan, a Launch Mechanic (Class I), has served as a senior mechanic on board the Governor’s launch, ”Lady Maurine,” since January 1968. He joined the Marine Department in 1940 at the lowest rank of Stoker and worked his way up to his present post.
" (British Empire Medal)
Mr. Chiu Ah-chow
Mr. Chiu, a Class I Clerk, joined the Government as a temporary clerk in 1949. He was promoted to Class II Clerk in 1956 and to his prosent Tpost in 1963* Mr. Chiu has served in the Urban Services Department for 23 years.
••• •• /Mr. Ngai ........
Sunday, December 31, 1972
- 10 -
B.E.I-i. - (British Empire Medal)
Mr. Ngai Shek-yue
Mr. Ngai, a retired Office Attendant, joined the Hong Kong Government in 1946,. After serving at King George V School for many years, he was transferred to Kwun Tong Government Primary School in 1959 when he was promoted to Office Attendant.
B.B.K. - (British Empire Medal)
Mr. Tse Long-chiu
Mr. Tse retired in October 1972 as an Instructor of the Auxiliary Medical Service. During his 44 years of service with the Government, Mr. Tse had served in the Education Department, the Urban Services Department and the Auxiliary Medical Service. He is a serving Brother, Order of St. John (1949) and was awarded the Civil Defence Long Service Medal in 1964.
B.E.E. - (British Empire Medal)
Mr. Wong Kai-wan
Mr. Wong, Principal Fireman, has served in the Fire Services Department for more than 25 years. He was awarded the Colonial Police Medal for Gallantry in 1962.
C.P.M. (Colonial Police Medal)
Mr. Cheng Yiu-kwong
Mr. Cheng is a Senior Inspector of Police (Auxiliary), Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force. He joined the Special Constabulary, which was later absorbed into the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force, as a Constable in 1950. He was promoted to Sub-Inspector in 1957 and Senior Inspector in 1968. In 1966, he was awarded the Colonial Special Constabulary Medal.
/Sergeant .••••••
Sunday, December 31j 1972
- 11 -
Sergeant Chi Wu-min
Mr. Chi joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Constable in 19^7. He was advanced to Corporal in 19^9 and to his present rank of Sergeant in 1959. He was awarded the Colonial Police Long Service Medal in 1966.
Mr. Cecil James Cunningham
Mr. Cunningham is a Superintendent of Police. He joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Sub-Inspector in 1952, having previously served as a Constable in both the City of Glasgow Police and in the Manchester City Police. Since joining the Force in Hong Kong, Mr. Cunningham has served almost exclusively in the Marine Police. He was promoted to Senior Inspector in 196^+1 Assistant Superintendent in 1966 and to his present rank in 1969. He was awarded a Commissioner’s Commendation for saving Police Launch No. 1 during typhoon ”Mary” in i960 and also a Governor’s Commendation in 1967.
Station Sergeant John Valentine Da Silva
Station Sergeant Da Silva has served at the Forensic Laboratory of C.I.D. Headquarters since 19^9. He was awarded the Colonial Police Long Service Medal in 1965.
Mr. Derrick Furniss
Mr. Furniss is a Superintendent of Police. Before he came to Hong Kong, he served in the Palestine Police Force and the West Riding Constabulary. He joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Sub-Inspector in 1952, and was promoted to Senior Inspector in 1961. In 1966 he was advanced to Assistant Superintendent of Police and to his present rank three years later.
/Station .........
r
Sunday, December 31, 1972
- 12 -
Station Sergeant Ko Hing-wah
Station Sergeant Ko has been with the Royal Hong Kong Police Force for more than 24 years. During the past two years, he has been attached to the Police Training School as a senior staff N.C.O. He was awarded the Colonial Police Long Service Medal in 1966.
Mr. Kuan Chao-yiu
Mr. Kuan is a Chief Inspector of Police. He joined the Force in 19^9 as a Constable and worked his way up to his present rank during his 23 years of service.
Mr. Lau Shiu-cheung
Mr. Lau joined the Police Reserve, which was later absorbed into the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force, as a Constable in 1951* After serving in various ranks, he was promoted in 19&7 to Inspector (Auxiliary), a post which he is still holding.
Sergeant Li Hong
Mr. Li is a Police Sergeant. He joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Constable in 1946. On the formation of the Police Band in 1950j Mr. Li transferred to the Band as a member of the Pipe and Drum Section. He was promoted acting Drum Major in the rank of Corporal in 1953 and Drum Major in the rank of Sergeant two years later. In 1964, he was awarded the Colonial Police Long Service Medal.
/Mr. Dennis........
Sunday, December J1, 1972
- 13 -
Mr. Dennis Casserly Lyth
Mr. Lyth is a Superintendent of Police (Auxiliary). He joined the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force in 19% as a Sub-Inspector and was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Police (Auxiliary) in 19$7« He was advanced to his present rank in 1970 and awarded the Colonial Special Constabulary Medal in the same year.
Sergeant Ngai Yiu-ping
Mir. Ngai, Police Sergeant, joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Constable in 19^7* He was promoted to Corporal in 19^9 and to his present post in 19^0. In 1965, he was awarded the Colonial Police Long Service Medal. He was also commended on two separate occasions by the Commissioner of Police for outstanding performance of his duties.
Mr. Norman Edward Temple
Mr. Temple, Superintendent of Police, joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in 1957 as a Probationary Sub-Inspector. He was promoted to Senior Inspector in 19&5 and to Assistant Superintendent of Police in 19&7* He was advanced to his present post in 1970.
C.P.M. - (Colonial Police Medal) (Fire)
Mr. Chow Kam-tong
Mr. Chow is a Senior Ambulanceman in the Fire Services Department which he joined 26 years ago.
Mr. Fung Kan-ho
Mr® lung has worked as an Ambulance Dresser in the Medical and Health and the Fire Services departments for more than 27 years. He is a Lay Lecturer and an officer of the St. Jonn Ambulance Association®
/Mr. Ng Kat
Sunday, December 31, 1972
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Mr. Ng Kat
Mr. Ng, Principal Fireman, joined the Fire Services Department about 2? years ago. During the last twelve years, he has been attached to the Nev/ Territories Division and has often been put in charge of a duty watch in a rural station.
Hr. Richard Tsing
Mr. Tsing, Divisional Officer, retired from the Auxiliary Fire Service in July 1972. During his 21 years of service, he had taken a considerable interest in the welfare of A.F.S. members in general and had given up much of his spare time in promoting and organising the A.F.S. Club in particular.
Mr« Joseph Tso Ming
Mr. Tso, an Ambulance Officer Class II, joined the Government as an Ambulance Dresser 24 years ago. He was later promoted and transferred to Fire Officer duties and finally regraded to his present rank of Ambulance Officer in 1966.
Mr. Leslie Yiu
Mr. Yiu is a Station Officer. He joined the Fire Services Department as an Ambulance Dresser in 1953* In 19&2 he was promoted to Fire Officer and five years later to his present rank.
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