PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1976
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO JOIN GOVERNOR IN LONDON FOR TALKS ON HONG KONG AFFAIRS ......................................... 1
AIRPORT’S SECURITY SYSTEM FURTHER STRENGHTENED ............... 1
POST OFFICE GEARED UP FOR CHRISTMAS RUSH ..................... 2
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAU KEI WAN ......................... 2
INCREASING CONCERN FOR THE DISABLED BY THE COMMUNITY AND THE GOVERNMENT ............................................... 3
FIRST FULL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE IN TSUEN WAN ... 4
WATER CUTS IN NORTH POINT AND HO MAN TIN ..................... 4
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5'233191
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1976
1
TALKS ON HONG KONG AFFAIRS ******
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. C.P. HADDON-CAVE, WILL BE LEAVING FOR ENGLAND TOMORROW EVENING (THURSDAY).
HE WILL JOIN THE GOVERNOR IN LONDON AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT WEEK FOR DISCUSSIONS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HONG KONG’S AFFAIRS WITH OFFICIALS OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THESE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF NEXT WEEK AND THEREAFTER MR. HADDON-CAVE WILL TAKE A FORTNIGHT’S LEAVE BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG.
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EFFICIENCY OF AIRPORT SECURITY SYSTEM FURTHER IMPROVED
******
REGULATIONS AIMED AT STRENGTHENING AND PROVIDING ENHANCED LEGAL BACKING TO THE SECURITY SYSTEM AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CAME INTO EFFECT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE NEW LAW MAINLY IMPROVES THE AIRPORT PERMIT SYSTEM UNDER WHICH AN UNAUTHORISED PERSON IS PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING OR DRIVING A VEHICLE INTO ANY RESTRICTED AREAS AT KAI TAK WITHOUT A PERMIT.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF THIS REGULATION IS A FINE OF $10,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
UNDER THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (RESTRICTED AREAS) REGULATIONS 1976, THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION IS EMPOWERED TO DECLARE ANY AREA WITHIN THE AIRPORT TO BE A RESTRICTED AREA, OR, WHERE THE AREA IS HELD UNDER LEASE OR LICENCE FROM THE CROWN, A TENANT RESTRICTED AREA.
THE DIRECTOR CAN ISSUE AN AIRPORT PERMIT TO AN UNAUTHORISED PERSON FOR ACCESS TO THE RESTRICTED AREAS IN CONNECTION WITH THE LATTER’S WORK OR BUSINESS. A FEE WILL BE CHARGED FOR EACH PERMIT ISSUED.
HOWEVER, THE DIRECTOR CAN ALSO CANCEL OR WITHDRAW A PERMIT FOR SECURITY OR OTHER REASONS AS HE SEES FIT.
IN A TENANT RESTRICTED AREA, THE AIRPORT TENANT WILL BE REQUIRED TO PREVENT ANY UNAUTHORISED PEOPLE FROM ENTERING THE AREA, AND TO PROTECT THE AREA AGAINST SECURITY OR SAFETY RISKS.
COMMENTING ON THE REGULATIONS, THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR. ROY DOWNING, SAID STEPS TO IMPROVE SECURITY AT THE AIRPORT WERE TAKEN IN 1969 BY WAY OF A PERMIT SYSTEM, INTRODUCED BY ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, PROVIDING FOR THE ZONING OF RESTRICTED AREAS WITHIN THE AIRPORT.
+THERE ARE NO DRASTIC CHANGES IN THE NEW REGULATIONS WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE FURTHER THE EFFICIENCY OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM WITH PROPER LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT,+ HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1976
POST OFFICE GEARED UP FOR CHRISTMAS RUSH
*****
WITH CHRISTMAS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, THE POST OFFICE IS ONCE AGAIN GEARING ITSELF UP FOR THE SEASONAL MAIL RUSH.
MORE THAN 120 TEMPORARY LABOURERS AND 25 TEMPORARY POSTAL OFFICERS ARE BEING DEPLOYED IN THE VARIOUS SECTIONS AND COUNTERS OF THE POST OFFICE TO MEET THE SEASONAL PRESSURE, AND SEVEN ADDITIONAL MAIL VANS WILL BE USED TO CONVEY CHRISTMAS MAIL.
FROM EARLY THIS MONTH TO THE VERY EVE OF CHRISTMAS, STAFF OF THE POST OFFICE WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO TAKE LEAVE EXCEPT FOR EXTREMELY URGENT REASONS, SO THAT THE SEASONAL GOOD-WILL GREETINGS CAN BE DELIVERED IN TIME.
THEIR BURDEN CAN BE MADE A LITTLE LIGHTER IF ONLY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD REMEMBER NOT TO LEAVE THEIR POSTING TO THE LAST MINUTE.
+THEY CAN ALSO HELP NOT ONLY THE POSTMEN BUT THEMSELVES TOO, BY ENSURING THAT THEIR LETTERS ARE PROPERLY STAMPED AND ADDRESSED,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID.
EACH YEAR AN AVERAGE OF SOME THREE MILLION DEAD LETTERS ARE UNDELIVERABLE BECAUSE THEIR ADDRESSES ARE INSUFFICIENT OR INCORRECT.
+AS IN PAST YEARS, THE LATEST POSTING DATES FOR OVERSEAS CHRISTMAS MAIL ARE PUBLICISED WELL IN ADVANCE IN THE PRESS AND OVER THE RAD 10,+ THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED.
THE POST OFFICE HAS BEEN KEPT BUSY HANDLING THE UPSURGE OF LETTERS AND PARCELS DESTINED OVERSEAS, AND LATEST DATES FOR SENDING SURFACE MAIL IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS TO MOST COUNTRIES HAVE CLOSED, HE SAID.
THE BUSIEST TIME HOWEVER IS YET TO COME LATER THIS MONTH WHEN GREETINGS FROM BOTH OVERSEAS AND LOCALLY FROM AMONG THE COMMUNITY ARE PRESSING TO BE DELIVERED.
LAST DECEMBER, ABOUT 27 MILLION ITEMS OF OUTGOING AND INLAND LETTERS WERE HANDLED BY THE POST OFFICE -- AN INCREASE OF 11 MILLION OR 66 PER CENT OVER THE AVERAGE MONTHLY VOLUME.
INCOMING LETTERS TOTALLED 6.2 MILLION, 1.8 MILLION MORE THAN THE AVERAGE MONTHLY FIGURE.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAU KEI WAN ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT TAI HONG STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 3).
APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1976
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INCREASING CONCERN FOR THE DISABLED
******
THERE IS AN INCREASING CONCERN IN HONG KONG, BOTH WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND THE GOVERNMENT, TO PROVIDE BETTER VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT AND MAKE A MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR. LI FOOK-KOW, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR. LI WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE REGIONAL SEMINAR ON VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION OF THE BLIND AND DEAF ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM 13 ASIAN COUNTRIES AND HONG KONG.
HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD, DURING THE LAST YEAR, FOCUSSED GREAT ATTENTION ON THE PLANNING OF EFFECTIVE REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE FUTURE.
TRADITIONALLY, HE SAID, THERE WAS A VERY CLOSE PARTNERSHIP IN HONG KONG BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES, SUCH AS EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH AND VARIOUS ASPECTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES INCLUDING TRAINING CENTRES AND SHELTERED WORKSHOPS FOR THE BLIND AND THE DEAF.
MR. LI CONTINUED t +MANY OF THE SERVICES WE OFFER THE DISABLED HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED RELATIVELY RECENTLY.
+FOR EXAMPLE, A NON-MEANS TESTED DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCE WAS INTRODUCED IN 1973. IN 1975, A WORKING PARTY TO EXAMINE THE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF THE DISABLED WAS SET UP AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED.+
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE DELEGATES WOULD BENEFIT BOTH FROM THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS IN THE SEMINAR AND FROM THE LECTURES BY THE VARIOUS EXPERTS.
+1 AM CONFIDENT THAT THE CONTRIBUTION YOU WILL MAKE HERE WILL ENRICH OUR IDEAS AND ENABLE US TO IMPROVE OUR SERVICES FOR THE BLIND AND THE DEAF IN PARTICULAR,+ HE STRESSED.
THE 17—DAY REGIONAL SEMINAR HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO) AND THE DANISH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (DANIDA).
THE 13 ASIAN COUNTRIES TAKING PART ARE AFGHANISTAN, BANGLADESH, BRUNEI, BURMA, FIJI, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, NEPAL, PAKISTAN, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, SINGAPORE, SOLOMON ISLANDS AND SRI LANKA.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1976
4
FIRST FULL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE IN TSUEN WAN
* * * * *
TSUEN WAN IS TO HAVE ITS FIRST-EVER PERFORMANCE BY A FULL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA THIS SATURDAY EVENING.
THE HONG KONG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND THE TSUEN WAN GIRLS CHOIR WILL BE FEATURED IN A CONCERT ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION AT THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL.
THE ORCHESTRA’S PROGRAMME INCLUDES FINLANDIA BY SIBELIUS, TCHAIKOVSKY’S SERENADE FOR STRINGS AND THE BUTTERFLY LOVERS’ VIOLIN CONCERT BY HO JIM-HO, WHILE CHOIR WILL SING BOTH WESTERN AND ORIENTAL FOLK SONGS.
MR. JAMES HAYES, TSUEN WAN’S TOWN MANAGER AND DISTRICT OFFICER, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CONCERT, WHICH BEGINS AT 8 P.M.
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WATER CUT * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN NORTH POINT AND HO MAN TIN IN KOWLOON WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 3) TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.
IN NORTH POINT, THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY THE NORTH SIDE OF KING’S ROAD BETWEEN TIN CHIU STREET AND MANSION STREET, JAVA ROAD BETWEEN TIN CHIU STREET AND KING’S ROAD, MARBLE ROAD BETWEEN TIN CHIU STREET AND HEALTHY STREET WEST, AND TIN CHIU
STREET
IN HO MAN TIN, THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY PUI CHING ROAD, SHEUNG SHING STREET, SHEK KU STREET, PERTH STREET, GULLANE ROAD, SHEUNG HONG STREET, SHEUNG LOK STREET, AND SHEUNG FOO STREET INCLUDING SHEUNG FAT STREET AND SHEUNG HING STREET.
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HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
Wednesday, December 1, 197$
ACTING GOVERNOR VISITS FOUR HOUSING ESTATES
The Acting Governor, Sir Denys Roberts, spent this morning Visiting four Housing Authority estates, accompanied by the Secretary for Housing, Mr Ian Lightbody, and the Director of Housing, Mr Donald Liao.
Three of the estates are under construction, while a fourth, almost fully completed, will be accepting its first tenants shortly. Eventually, the four estates will provide housing for 146,000 people.
Sir Denys began his visit on Tsing Yi Island where he watched construction of Cheung Ching Estate going on and toured the site. He was met by officials of the Housing Department.
In the course of his tour, Sir Denys said : ”1 have been
tremendously impressed with all that I have seen today. When you visit the older estates, you realise how far we have come in the past few years. The standards get higher all the time. The older estates were all right in their day, but, if you come around the unconverted ones now, it is no longer good enough both from the Housing Authority’s point of view and that of the people involved.” Sir Denys added, however, that ”they have done their job.”
The first phase of Cheung Ching Estate will be ready for : * occupation next year; it is due to be fully completed by 19^1 when 65,000 people will be living in 12,000 fully self-contained flats at an average density of 1,260 people to the acre. • F
In this first phase, five blocks - four of them twin tower design - will be constructed; an extension to the first phase, for which a 432 million contract was signed in October, will consist of two twin tower blocks.
Site formation for Phase II, which comprises nine blocks, has already begun.
The Estate will have its own markets, shops and schools, as well as 15 acres of open spaces.
From Tsing Yi, the Acting Governor travelled to Tsuen Wan where he toured the almost completed Lai Yiu Estate which is due shortly to receive its first tenants. Sir Denys was accompanied by Chief Architect >
Mr Ng Yee-fook.
Lai-Yiu Estate consists of four blocks, three of twin tower
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design, ranging in height from 3^-24 storeys. Ultimately, 16,200 people will live there at a density of only 736 people to the acre. The Estate will have schools, kindergartens and bus termini; commercial facilities, • • • ■ . •
including shops and market stalls, will be centralized on a traffic-free podium.
•The Estate is expected to be fully completed by July next year.
The group then moved to Sha Tin where Sir Denys was shown round Wo Che Estate, now being constructed adjacent to Lek Yuen Estate. Building work began there in October, 1975» and will be completed in
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four phases by the end of 1978. Planned population of the Estate is 40,000, living on the 38.4 acre site at a density of 1,041 people per acre.
The number of flats on the Estate will be 6,074, catering for small, medium and large sized families; over half the flats will be for 4 - 7 people families.
Besides a shopping complex, the Estate will have kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, a welfare hall, two centres for children, ’ youth centres and nurseries. Space will be provided for social welfare agencies.
A total of 13’5 acres are being set aside for recreational purposes.
Sir Denys’s final call was at Tai Hang Tung Estate, Kowloon, which is being redeveloped under a scheme costing close to 3100 million. The Estate, completed 20 years ago, is one of the Housing Authority’s most overcrowded, with 35»000 people living there at a density of 2,700 to the acre. Toilet and washing facilities are communal.
Redevelopment will provide existing tenants with self-contained accommodation at an ultimate density of just over 1,000 people per acre. The scheme, begun last year, is due to be completed by 1984. It includes demolition of some blocks as tenants move into the new blocks now being erected just across the road from the existing estate. Full commercial facilities will be provided for the convenience of residents, including a restaurant, supermarket/department store, market stalls and 260 shops. Other facilities will include primary and secondary schools, kindergartens and 600 car parking spaces. Eventually, the 23*8 acre Estate will have a population of 24,650 living in 4,965 flats.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1976.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE SCHOOLS BEING PLANNED BY GOVERNMENT ............ 1
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IN TS IM SHA TSU I ............ 2
FIRST REGISTERED CHILD CARE CENTRE GETS CERTIFICATE . 4
TOPLEY OPENS NEW SCHOOL IN TSUEN WAN ................ 5
BETTER PROSPECTS FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS TO CONTINUE EDUCATION . 6
CBF TO TAKE SALUTE AT PASSING-OUT PARADE OF FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN ........................................ 7
FULL-SCALE SURVEY OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS ... 8
WATER CUT IN SAN PO KONG ............................ 8
RETIREMENT OF SENIOR EXAMINATIONS OFFICER ........... 9
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1976
1
GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE * * *
BUILDING MORE SCHOOLS * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO BUILD MORE SCHOOLS WHEN THE CURRENT BUILDING PROGRAMME OF A TOTAL OF 83 SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY 1981, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (DEVELOPMENT), MR. DEREK HOGAN, SAID THIS AFTERNOON.
ADDRESSING THE GATHERING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF HO LAP COLLEGE IN SAN PO KONG, MR. HOGAN SAID THERE WOULD BE A SUBSIDISED PLACE IN A THREE-YEAR SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE FOR EVERY PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVER BY SEPTEMBER 1978.
+HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE SUBSIDISED PLACES IN FORMS 4 AND 5 FOR ONLY 29 PER CENT OF THE 15-16 AGE GROUP. OUR NEXT TARGET, THEREFORE, WILL BE TO BRING THIS FIGURE UP TO THE WHITE PAPER TARGET OF 40 PER CENT,+ HE SAID.
+THIS WILL BE DONE BUILDING PROGRAMME.+
BY ADDING STILL MORE SCHOOLS TO THE
HO LAP COLLEGE WAS ONE OF MANY SCHOOLS WHICH HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORTS OF SPONSORING BODIES AND THE GOVERNMENT IN THEIR EFFORTS TO MEET HONG KONG’S EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.
+HONG KONG HAS INDEED SOME VERY GREAT PROBLEMS IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION. AS YOU KNOW, THE POPULATION OF HONG KONG HAS GROWN VERY RAPIDLY SINCE THE END OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR,* MR. HOGAN POINTED OUT.
+THIS HAS CREATED A VERY GREAT DEMAND FOR EDUCATION OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS, PARTICULARLY AS IT IS A VERY YOUNG POPULATION, AS YOU CAN SEE IF YOU LOOK AROUND YOU IN THE STREETS,+ HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNMENT'S FIRST PRIORITY IN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM, HE CONTINUED, WAS TO AIM AT PROVIDING PRIMARY EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN.
+THIS AIM,* MR. HOGAN SAID, +HAS NOW BEEN ACHIEVED AND SINCE 1971 WE HAVE HAD FREE, AIDED PRIMARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG. AFTER THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THIS AIM THE GOVERNMENT WAS ABLE TO DEVOTE MORE RESOURCES TO SECONDARY EDUCATION.*
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO HEAR THAT HO LAP COLLEGE, A RELATIVELY YOUNG SCHOOL, REGARDED EDUCATION AS SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST THE PURSUIT OF EXAMINATION RESULTS.
IT WAS MOST ENCOURAGING TO SCHOOL HAD TAKEN AN INTEREST IN TO WHICH THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES
LEARN THAT THE PUPILS OF THE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ATTACHED IMPORTANCE.
+1 REGARD SUCH ACTIVITIES AS BEING VERY IMPORTANT IN THE LIFE OF A SCHOOL SINCE THEY HELP TO DEVELOP PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER AND HELP THE PUPILS TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD AROUND THEM,* MR. HOGAN ADDED.
DURING THE CEREMONY, MRS. HOGAN DISTRIBUTED CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1976
2
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IN TSIM SHA TSUI
* * *
TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO AN ATTRACTIVE CULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE WITH LARGE GARDENS AND PUBLIC PROMENADES, IF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE AREA ARE ACCEPTED.
ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD PLANNING WAS EITHER IN HAND OR UNDERWAY ON A SERIES OF NEW FACILITIES FOR THE AREA, INCLUDING A CULTURAL COMPLEX, SCHOOLS, CLINICS, CARPARKS, MARKETS, A SWIMMING POOL, A MULTI-PURPOSE GOVERNMENT CENTRE, AS WELL AS IMPROVED ROAD COMMUNICATIONS.
MR. MCDONALD SAID THE SITE AT KOWLOON POINT WAS ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT AND IMPORTANT IN HONG KONG AND CALLED FOR A PARTICULARLY HIGH STANDARD OF DESIGN.
+THE SCHEME PRODUCED BY THE P.W.D.’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE HOLDS PROMISE OF MEETING SUCH A STANDARD,* HE TOLD A DINNER OF THE EXCHANGE BANKS ASSOCIATION LAST NIGHT.
MR. MCDONALD SAID ONE FEATURE BEING CONSIDERED WAS A LARGE PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT ON THE SITE NOW OCCUPIED BY THE BUS TERMINUS BETWEEN THE STAR FERRY AND STAR HOUSE.
+THE IDEA IS TO RELOCATE THE BUS AND COACH TERMINI INTO A TWO-TIERED TERMINUS ON THE SITE NOW OCCUPIED BY THE TSIM SHA TSUI POLICE STATION WITH A MULTI-STOREY COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTI AL DEVELOPMENT OVER IT, AND TURN THE EXISTING BUS TERMINUS SITE INTO A GARDEN-TYPE PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT,* HE SAID.
SUCH A SCHEME, IF ACCEPTED, WOULD BLEND IN VERY WELL WITH THE PROPOSED CULTURAL COMPLEX ON THE FORMER K.C.R. SITE, HE SAID.
MR. MCDONALD SAID THE CULTURAL COMPLEX WOULD CONSIST OF THREE MAIN ELEMENTS -- AN AUDITORIA BUILDING, A MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, AND THE PLANETARIUM.
PILING WORK FOR THE PLANETARIUM, WHICH WILL BE SITUATED IMMEDIATELY SOUTH OF THE PENINSULA HOTEL, WAS ALREADY UNDERWAY AND THE BUILDING SHOULD BE IN FULL PUBLIC USE EARLY IN 1979, HE SAID.
MR. MCDONALD SAID THE P.W.D.’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE HAD PRODUCED A HIGHLY IMAGINATIVE DESIGN FOR THE PLANETARIUM AND THE BUILDING WAS MOST INTERESTING BOTH IN ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT AND IN CONTENT.
THE PLANETARIUM, WHICH IS FINANCED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, WOULD RANK AMONG THE WORLD’S BEST IN TERMS OF EQUIPMENT, HE ADDED.
BUT THE DOMINATING FEATURE OF THE CULTURAL COMPLEX, HE SAID, WOULD BE THE AUD I TOR IA BUILDING HOUSING THE CONCERT HALL AND THEATRE.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1976
3
+THIS LARGE STRUCTURE WILL RUN ON A CURVED ALIGNMENT FORMING AN IMPOSING FACADE FACING THE SOUTH-WEST OVER THE HARBOUR.
+THE ROOF LINE WILL RISE IN CURVES SWEEPING OUTWARDS AND UPWARDS FROM A CENTRAL POINT IN ITS FACADE TO THE WEST FACING STAR FERRY CONCOURSE AND TO THE SOUTH FACING THE HARBOUR, AND WILL INTRODUCE A SPECTACULAR LANDMARK IN THE AREA.+ HE SAID.
CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AUDITOR IA BLOCK, HE SAID, WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO STAGES AND SHOULD BE FULLY COMPLETED IN EARLY 1982.
APART FROM THE CONCERT HALL AND THEATRE, IT WOULD ALSO CONTAIN LECTURE HALLS, CONFERENCE ROOMS, A CHINESE RESTAURANT, A SMALLER EUROPEAN RESTAURANT, AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND REHEARSAL AREAS.
THE COMBINED MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY BUILDING PLANNED TO THE SOUTH-EAST OF THE SITE WOULD PROVIDE PERMANENT DISPLAY AND EXHIBITION AREAS, AUDITORIA WITH CLASSROOMS, A RESEARCH ROOM AND LIBRARY, CONSERVATION LABORATORIES AND OFFICES, WORKSHOPS AND STORES.
MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT SINCE THE REVISED TSIM SHA TSUI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN WAS GAZETTED IN JULY THIS YEAR, NINETEEN VALID OBJECTIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED AND THESE WERE NOW BEING CONSIDERED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
THE PLAN WAS DESIGNED TO ILLUSTRATE THE BROAD PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE TSIM SHA TSUI AREA WHICH WAS TO BE PROVIDED WITH A SYSTEM OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRECINCTS INTEGRATED BY A NETWORK OF TRANSPORT FACILITIES AND OPEN SPACE, HE SAID.
DEVELOPMENT PLANS, ENVISAGED THREE SECONDARY SCHOOLS, A MULTI-PURPOSE GOVERNMENT CENTRE AND A MULTI-STOREY CARPARK ON THE RECLAMATION EAST OF CHATHAM ROAD, AS WELL AS A NEW POLICE STATION, A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX AND A KAIFONG HALL AND SCHOOL IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE OLD WHITFIELD EARRACKS.
IN ADDITION, IT WAS PROPOSED TO REDEVELOP THE EXISTING MARKET SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF CANTON ROAD AND PEKING ROAD FOR A MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING INCORPORATING SUCH FACILITIES AS CLINICS, OFFICES, PARKING, A YOUTH CENTRE, LIBRARY AND READING ROOMS.
ONE OF THE MAIN AIMS OF TOWN PLANNING IN HONG KONG, HE SAID, WAS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE COMMUNITY — NOT AN EASY TASK CONSIDERING THE LIMITED LAND AREA AND THE VERY REAL PROBLEM OF PEOPLE.
ALTHOUGH THE TOTAL LAND SIZE OF HONG KONG WAS ABOUT 1,036 SQUARE KILOMETRES, ONLY 30 PER CENT COULD EE UTILISED FOR INTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1976
4
+THE BUILT-UP AREA IS MERELY 11-1/2 PER CENT OF THE WHOLE. THEREFORE, THE AREA IS SMALL, THE POPULATION LARGE, AND THE PROBLEM TREMENDOUS.+
HE NOTED THAT THE POPULATION IN 1974 WAS 4.3 MILLION AND WAS EXPECTED TO RISE TO 4.8 MILLION BY 1981 AND TO 5.8 MILLION BY 1991. + THIS IS AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 100,000 PEOPLE A YEAR AND THE RESULTING DEMANDS ON LAND ARE ENORMOUS,+ SAID MR. MCDONALD.
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CERTIFICATE FOR FIRST REGISTERED CHILD CARE CENTRE * * * *
THE BISHOP FORD NURSERY, THE FIRST CHILD CARE CENTRE REGISTERED IN HONG KONG, WAS PRESENTED WITH A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
IN PRESENTING THE CERTIFICATE TO REV. FATHER THOMAS LAU, OPERATOR OF THE NURSERY, MR. LEE URGED OTHER CHILD CARE CENTRES TO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION WITHOUT DELAY.
HE NOTED THAT SINCE THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE CAME INTO EFFECT ON JUNE 1 THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 192 CHILD CARE CENTRES HAD OBTAINED APPLICATION FORMS FOR REGISTRATION.
+0F THESE, 126 HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE FORMS AND FORWARDED THEM TO THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OR THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS OF THEIR PREMISES ARE NECESSARY FOR SAFETY, HEALTH AND SANITATION REASONS,* HE SAID.
BEFORE A CENTRE IS REGISTERED, ITS PREMISES HAS TO BE CERTIFIED SUITABLE FOR USE AS A CHILD CARE CENTRE AND THAT IT HAS TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE OTHER NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS LAID DOWN IN THE CODE OF PRACTICE.
+THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED TO CONTROL THEM WITH THE INTENTION OF IMPROVING THEIR SAFETY AND STANDARD OF THEIR SERVICES, AND TO MAKE QUALITY CHILD CARE A REALITY IN HONG KONG,* MR. LEE ADDED.
THE BISHOP FORD NURSERY, LOCATED AT LOK FU ESTATE, WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1965 BY THE MARYKNOLL FATHERS. IT CATERS FOR 180 CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND SIX OF WORKING PARENTS FROM THE LOW INCOME GROUP LIVING IN HOUSING ESTATES. THE NURSERY RECEIVES GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION AND ITS CHARGE IS $40 PER CHILD PER MONTH.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1976
5
TOPLEY OPENS $7 MILLION COLLEGE IN TSUEN WAN
* * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY THIS AFTERNOON OPENED THE $7 MILLION TUNG WAH CHEN ZAO-MEN COLLEGE, AN AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOL IN TSUEN WAN.
THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS CONTRIBUTED JUST OVER $1-1/4 MILLION OF WHICH OVER $400,000 WAS DONATED BY MR. CHEN ZAO-MEN.
THE COLLEGE OCCUPIES A SITE OF OVER 68,000 SQUARE FEET WHICH WAS GRANTED FREE OF PREMIUM BY THE GOVERNMENT.
MR. TOPLEY SAID: +TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN IS A RAPIDLY DEVELOPING COMMUNITY. IN THE FIVE YEARS SINCE 1971 THE POPULATION HAS GROWN FROM 266,000 TO TODAY’S FIGURE OF 449,000 AND BY 1986 IT IS EXPECTED TO APPROACH 900,000.
+THE COLLEGE WILL HELP TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THIS COMMUNITY BUT MANY MORE SCHOOLS WILL BE NEEDED IN TSUEN WAN AND THE OTHER NEW TOWNS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE EDUCATION FOR THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE.+
MAKING A FEW REMARKS ON THE FUNCTION OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THE DIRECTOR SAID: +AS I SEE IT, THE SECONDARY SCHOOL HAS FOR ITS GENERAL AIM THE HARMONIOUS DEVELOPMENT OF PUPILS IN KEEPING WITH THEIR AGE, ABILITY AND APTITUDE.+
HE SAID IT WAS THE TEACHER’S DUTY TO SEARCH OUT THE TALENTS, NEEDS, AMBITIONS AND PROBLEMS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL PUPIL AND TO HELP HIM TO MAKE THE MOST OF HIMSELF.
+0N THE OTHER HAND,+ HE SAID, +IT MUST BE RECOGNISED THAT THE MODERN SCHOOL CANNOT LIVE APART FROM ITS COMMUNITY. THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL WILL, IN MANY OF ITS ASPECTS, HAVE FULL MEANING FOR THE CHILD ONLY WHEN IT IS RELATED TO THE LIFE AND WORK OF THAT COMMUNITY.
+IT IS EXPECTED THAT, IN SEEKING TO ACHIEVE THE AIMS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION, TEACHERS WILL MAKE GOOD USE OF THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN TERMS OF PHYSICAL FACILITIES, AND THE GOODWILL AND CO-OPERATION OF THE PARENTS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.+
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/6
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1976
6
EXHIBITION AND SEMINAR ON +YOUTH AND SOCIETY*
******
ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR EXPANDING TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG IS TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT PLACES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT IN JULY, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR. LI FOOK-KOW, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE YUEN LONG MIDDLE SCHOOL’S EXHIBITION AND SEMINAR ON +YOUTH AND SOCIETY*, HE EXPLAINED THAT EMPLOYERS IN ANY TRADE THAT WAS DESIGNATED UNDER THE ORDINANCE MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO ALLOW THEIR APPRENTICES TO ATTEND A PART-TIME COURSE AT THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN THE TRADE FOR WHICH THEY WERE APPRENTICED.
HE SAID THAT FROM SEPTEMBER 20 THIS YEAR, 23 TRADES HAD BEEN DESIGNATED UNDER THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE ON THE ADVICE OF THE
HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL.
MR. LI ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE IMPROVED PROSPECTS FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION AND TO FIND WORTHWHILE JOBS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT NEXT YEAR THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PUBLISH A GREEN PAPER THAT WOULD +TAKE A FRESH LOOK ON WHAT WE SHOULD BE PROVIDING AT ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION BEYOND THE BASIC THREE YEARS JUNIOR SECONDARY COURSE*.
ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION, HE ADDED THAT WHEN THE FIFTH TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN KOWLOON TONG WAS OPENED IN 1979, THERE WOULD BE ABOUT 6,650 FULL-TIME AND EQUIVALENT PART-TIME DAY PLACES IN ALL THE FIVE INSTITUTES. THEY WOULD ALSO PROVIDE PLACES FOR 20,000 EVENING STUDENTS, HE INDICATED.
ON HIGHER EDUCATION, MR. LI SAID THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PLACES AT THE TWO UNIVERSITIES FROM THE PRESENT 8,500 TO MORE THAN 10,300 BY OCTOBER 1980.
+THE POLYTECHNIC WILL ALSO INCREASE ITS FULL-TIME AND EQUIVALENT PART-TIME PLACES FROM 7,300 AT PRESENT TO 11,400 BY OCTOBER 1980,+ HE SAID. +IN THAT YEAR THERE WILL BE MORE THAN 30,000 STUDENTS ATTENDING THE POLYTECHNIC ON A FULL OR PART-TIME COURSE.*
HE CONTINUED: +WHAT THESE FIGURES MEAN IS THAT THERE ARE ALREADY FAR BETTER OPPORTUNITIES THAN AT ANY TIME IN THE PAST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION AFTER LEAVING SCHOOL, AND THESE OPPORTUNITIES WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AS THE GROWTH IN PLACES RISES FASTER THAN THE INCREASE IN THE POPULATION.*
HOWEVER, MR. LI SAID THAT THE GROWTH IN TERTIARY EDUCATION SHOULD BE KEPT IN BALANCE WITH THE ABILITY OF OUR ECONOMY TO ABSORB QUALIFIED PEOPLE FROM VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS INTO APPROPRIATE WORK THAT WOULD OFFER THEM A SATISFYING CAREER.
/IF EXPANSION .....
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1976
7
IF EXPANSION WERE TO TAKE PLACE TOO RAPIDLY, HE WARNED, QUALIFIED GRADUATES WOULD FIND THAT THEY COULD NOT OBTAIN WORK OF A KIND AND AT A LEVEL THAT THEY WOULD HOPE FOR.
+GOVERNMENT KEEPS WATCH ON THE GROWTH IN VACANCIES IN TECHNICALLY-EASED POSTS THROUGH THE SURVEYS WHICH THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL CONDUCT ON A REGULAR BASIS, AND CONSIDERATION WILL EE GIVEN TO EXTENDING THESE SURVEYS TO COVER OTHER AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT,+ HE ADDED.
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PASSING-OUT PARADE OF FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN
)€ * K X K X
THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, LT.-GEN. SIR JOHN ARCHER, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE OF OVER 100 FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL, PAT HEUNG, NEW TERRITORIES, ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 4).
ALTOGETHER, FIVE SQUADS OF FIREMEN AND ONE SQUAD OF AMBULANCEMEN WILL PASS OUT AFTER COMPLETION OF SIX MONTHS’ BASIC TRAINING. ALSO ON PARADE WILL BE ONE SQUAD OF FIRE OFFICERS AND ONE SQUAD OF SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN WHO ARE STILL UNDER TRAINING.
AT THE END OF THE PARADE, THERE WILL BE A FIRE FIGHTING DEMONSTRATION.
THE COMBINED PIPES AND DRUMS OF THE GURKHA ENGINEERS AND GURKHA SIGNAL WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL COMMENCE AT 10.30 A.M. A NINE-SEATER VAN HAS BEEN ARRANGED TO TAKE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES TO THE SCHOOL, LEAVING THE NORTH POINT FIRE STATION AT 8.30 A.M. SHARP AND RETURNING THERE AFTER THE CEREMONY. MR. H.F. CHUI WILL BE PRESENT TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
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/&
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1976
- 8
SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES IN MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS ******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A FULL-SCALE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES ON ALL ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES.
THE SURVEY, WHICH IS CARRIED OUT IN DECEMBER EVERY YEAR, WILL PROVIDE NOT ONLY DETAILED STATISTICS ON EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE AND TRENDS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, BUT ALSO A COMPREHENSIVE AND UP-TO-DATE DIRECTORY OF ESTABLISHMENTS FOR SUBSEQUENT SAMPLE ENQUIRIES.
SURVEY CARDS HAVE BEEN SENT TO SOME 38,000 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. MANAGEMENTS ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE THE CARDS WITH THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES AS AT DECEMBER 3, AND RETURN THEM PROMPTLY IN THE ACCOMPANIED POSTAGE-PAID REPLY ENVELOPE BEFORE DECEMBER 10.
CONCURRENT WITH THIS SURVEY, ENQUIRIES ARE ALSO BEING MADE OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES IN SOME 32,000 ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN THE IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES’ RESTAURANT AND HOTEL BUSINESSES’ AND A VARIETY OF OTHER TRADES AND SERVICES.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALED TO MANAGEMENTS FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE AND CO-OPERATION IN THE SURVEY.
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE PROMPT RETURN OF SURVEY CARDS TO THE DEPARTMENT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR EARLY RELEASE OF SURVEY RESULTS.
THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL BE USED SOLELY FOR COMPILING STATISTICAL TABLES.
- - - - 0---------
WATER CUT * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SAN PO KONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 4) TO ALLOW THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, SZE MEI STREET, CHOI HUNG ROAD, TAI YAU STREET, TSUEK LUK STREET, KING FUK STREET, SAM CHUK STREET AND TSAT PO STREET, INCLUDING BLOCK NOS. 5 AND 6 OF THE SAN PO KONG FACTORY, PAT TAT STREET, LUK HOP STREET AND NG FONG STREET.
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/9
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1976
9
SENIOR EXAMINATIONS OFFICER RETIRES * * * *
THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS UNIT, MISS M.G. KNOWLES, WILL BE RETIRING SHORTLY AFTER 19 YEARS’ PUBLIC SERVICE.
TO MARK HER RETIREMENT, MISS KNOWLES WAS PRESENTED WITH A FAREWELL GIFT, AN ELECTRIC CLOCK, BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. A.J. SCOTT, ON BEHALF OF HER FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES AT A BRIEF CEREMONY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TODAY (THURSDAY).
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WERE MR. P.B. WILLIAMS, SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH.
MISS KNOWLES WAS FIRST APPOINTED AN EDUCATION OFFICER IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN SEPTEMBER 1957. SHE WAS TWICE SECONDED TO THE SECRETARIAT TRAINING UNIT, ONCE IN 1963 AND AGAIN THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
IN 1967, SHE WAS SECONDED TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE (NOW CIVIL SERVICE) EXAMINATIONS UNIT TO WHICH SHE WAS PERMANENTLY TRANSFERRED AS AN EXAMINATIONS OFFICER IN MAY 1968. SHE WAS PROMOTED TO HER PRESENT RANK OF SENIOR EXAMINATIONS OFFICER IN DECEMBER 1972 TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS UNIT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING MISS KNOWLES AND MR. SCOTT AFTER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN THE G.I.S. PRESS BOXES THIS EVENING.
- - 0 -
HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
Thursday, December 2, 1976
OLD ESTATES* POPULATION DECLINING;
NEW ESTATES* POPULATION INCREASING
The population of the Housing Authority’s older (Group *B*) estates stood at 1,145,033 at the end of September, a decrease of 28,745 (or 2;4 per cent) compared with the number living in these estates on September }0, 1975-
During the same period, the population of the newer (Group ’A’) estates went up from 638,657 to 695,476, a rise of 56,819 (or 8.9 per ’ • ••
cent). ’’ ' ‘r •
' ’ 1 . * i-
J1 ■ . ’ : •''
The number of Group ’A’ flats rose during the period from . . V 116,036 to 129,982, an increase of almost 14,000.
A Housing Authority spokesman, revealing these figures today, said they showed that progress was continuing to be made at relieving overcrowding in older estates. The number of families living in these estates had gone down by 3,637 to 193,630 between September, 1975, and September, 1976.
Other figures released by the Housing Authority show that the number of factory units let has increased from 8,287 to 8,752, an indicator of Hong Kong’s improved economic climate.
The Housing Department forecasts that 17,322 new flats will be available between October, 1976, and October, 1978, providing homes for more than 129,000 people.
2
During this period the Authority will have eight estates under construction the first of which, the virtually completed Lai Yiu Estate, Tsuen Wan, is to take in tenants within the next few weeks. Eventually, close to 16,000 people will live there.
By March next year, part of the First Phase of Cheung Ching Estate on Tsing Yi Island will be completed, offering accommodation to about 231500 people.
During the two-year period, the Public Works Department will build four estates to house approximately 79,000 people.
♦ ♦ ♦ ■* ♦ * ♦
PRH 7
|gis| |»i|
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1976
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FIRST THREE COUNTRY PARKS PROPOSED ............................ 1
WINDING-UP PROCEDURES FOR COMPANIES TO BE STREAMLINED ......... 2
HIGH-QUALITY TOWN CENTRE PLANNED FOR SHA TI N ................. 3
DETENTION CENTRES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976 PUBLISHED ............. 5
SEPTEMBER GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS SHOW S98 MILLION DEFICIT .... 6
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR INDUSTRIAL TRADE INSTRUCTORS’ COURSE ........................................................ 6
SECURITIES ORDINANCE (COMMENCEMENT) NOTICE .................... 7
RENTS OF PRE-WAR PREMISES ..................................
'TORE PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES .......... 8
BETTER FACILITIES PLANNED FOR SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK .......... 9
ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN MARCH IN KOWLOON CITY ..................... 11
TWENTY-FIVE VOLUNTEERS ENROLLED TO HELP PROBATIONERS ......... 12
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR +WALK FOR A MILLION* ................ 13
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, DECEMBER J, 1976
1
THREE COUNTRY PARKS PROPOSED
******
THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY, SET UP UNDER THE RECENTLY ENACTED COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE, HAS PREPARED DRAFT MAPS OF THE FIRST THREE COUNTRY PARKS.
THE PLACES MAPPED OUT FOR USE AS COUNTRY PARKS ARE AREAS SURROUNDING THE SHING MUN RESERVOIR (TSUEN WAN), A PART OF LION ROCK (KOWLOON) LANDSCAPE AND LAND ROUND BOTH THE KOWLOON AND SHEK LI PUI RESERVOIRS.
A NOTICE GIVING GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE THREE AREAS AND DETAILS OF WHERE THE MAPS MAY BE INSPECTED WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION.
THE NOTICE STIPULATES THAT ANY PERSON, WHO IS AGGRIEVED BY THE DRAFT MAPS MAY, WITHIN 60 DAYS FROM TODAY, RAISE THEIR OBJECTIONS BY WRITING TO THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY AND TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD AT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, 393 CANTON ROAD.
IF NO OBJECTION IS RECEIVED WITHIN THIS PERIOD, THE AUTHORITY WILL RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL THAT THE THREE AREAS BE DESIGNATED AS COUNTRY PARKS.
FOLLOWING THE PUBLICATION OF THE NOTICE TODAY NO NEW DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS BUILDING, ENGINEERING, MINING OR OTHER SIMILAR OPERATIONS, WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE PROPOSED AREAS WITHOUT THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE AUTHORITY, APART FROM THOSE FOR WHICH APPROVAL HAVE ALREADY BEEN GIVEN.
HOWEVER, MAINTENANCE WORKS, REPAIR WORKS AND THE USE OF THE LAND FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE.
ALSO, IF IT APPEARS THAT THE USE OR PROPOSED USE OF LEASE LAND WITHIN A COUNTRY PARK WOULD REDUCE THE ENJOYMENT AND AMENITIES OF THE COUNTRY PARK, THE AUTHORITY MAY REQUEST THE LAND AUTHORITY TO HAVE IT STOPPED OR MODIFIED.
OWNERS OR DEVELOPERS OF THE LAND CONCERNED, WHO ARE REFUSED PERMISSION TO CARRY OUT NEW DEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN ALLOWED OR WHO ARE ORDERED TO STOP OR MODIFY THE PROPOSED USE OF THE LAND, CAN CLAIM COMPENSATION.
THE ORDINANCE ALSO ENABLES THE GOVERNOR TO EXCLUDE FROM ANY COUNTRY PARK OR SPECIAL AREA CERTAIN BUILDINGS SUCH AS TRADITIONAL BURIAL GROUNDS, TEMPLES AND MONUMENTS.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ENACTED EARLY THIS YEAR AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S LONG-RANGE PLANS TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE POPULATION, THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY (DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTROL AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS.
/he is
FRIDAY, DECEMBER J, 1976
2
HE IS EMPOWERED TO TAKE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE VEGETATION AND WILD-LIFE INSIDE THE PARKS OR AREAS AND TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN BUILDINGS AND SITES OF HISTORICAL OR CULTURAL INTEREST.
HE WILL ALSO ENCOURAGE THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS FOR RECREATION AND TOURISM AND PROVIDE SERVICES AND FACILITIES FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT.
THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD, ALSO SET UP UNDER THE ORDINANCE, CONSISTS OF SIX OFFICIALS AND 10 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS. IT IS CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A SKETCH MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED COUNTRY PARKS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN THE G.I.S. PRESS BOXES LATER TODAY.
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COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1976 *****
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO STREAMLINE AND SIMPLIFY PROCEDURES FOR THE WINDING-UP OF COMPANIES UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
KNOWN AS THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1976, IT PROVIDES FOR A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO BE MADE IN LINE WITH THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
IF ENACTED, THE AMOUNT OF A DEBT WHICH ENTITLES A CREDITOR TO PETITION FOR THE WINDING-UP OF A COMPANY, ON THE GROUND THAT IT IS UNABLE TO PAY ITS DEBT, WILL BE INCREASED FROM $503 TO $5,000 -- IN LINE WITH THE RECENT SIMILAR AMENDMENT TO THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE.
ALSO, THE AMOUNT WHICH ENTITLES A CREDITOR TO PARTICIPATE IN COMPROMISES AND ARRANGEMENTS Wl_L EE INCREASED FROM $100 TO $250 TO BRING IT INTO LINE WITH CURRENT MONETARY VALUES.
ANOTHER PROVISION IS FOR SIMPLIFYING PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO A WINDING-UP WHERE THE VALUE OF THE COMPANY’S PROPERTY IS NOT LIKELY TO EXCEED $13,000.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1976.
- 3 -
FIRST STAGE OF SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE READY TO GO
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SOON RELEASE TWO PRIME DEVELOPMENT SITES IN SHA TIN IN THE FIRST STAGE OF A PLAN TO PROVIDE THE NEW TOWN WITH A THRIVING AND PRESTIGIOUS TOWN CENTRE.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID THAT THE TWO SITES WOULD BE DEVELOPED UNDER GOVERNMENT SPECIFICATIONS INTO A HIGH-QUALITY RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL COMPLEX.
HE SAID THE TWO ADJOINING SITES, BETWEEN THE OLD MARKET AND THE NEW LEK YUEN ESTATE, TOTALLED ABOUT 23,225 SQUARE METRES (250,900 SQUARE FEET).
+THE DISPOSAL OF THESE TWO SITES MEANS WE ARE GETTING ON QUICKLY WITH ESTABLISHING IN SHA TIN A MODERN AND INTEGRATED TOWN CENTRE WHICH WILL HAVE A SAFE, CONVENIENT AND ATTRACTIVE ENVIRONMENT,+ HE SAID.
+THE PLANNERS HAVE PROVIDED FOR MANY INNOVATIONS, INCLUDING THE SEPARATION OF VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC, AND GIVING PRIORITY TO PEDESTRIAN SHOPPERS.
+THE TOWN CENTRE, WHEN COMPLETED, WILL BE AT THE HEART OF A COMMUNITY OF 500,000, AND THIS FIRST STAGE WILL PROVIDE THE TOWN WITH A COMPLEX OF A HIGH STANDARD AS WELL AS HOMES FOR 8,000 PEOPLE.+
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE TWO SITES WOULD BE DISPOSED OF BY TENDER TO HOLDERS OF GOVERNMENT LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT DOCUMENTS.
UNDER THIS PROCEDURE, LANDOWNERS WHO HAVE SURRENDERED FIVE SQUARE FEET OF AGRICULTURAL LAND TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES ARE ENTITLED TO TWO SQUARE FEET OF BUILDING LAND AT A LATER DATE.
+IT IS PLANNED TO HOLD THE FIRST TENDER IN JANUARY AND THE SECOND IN MARCH,+ MR. AKERS-JONES SAID. +BY DISPOSING OF THE LOTS IN THIS WAY, THE GOVERNMENT IS HONOURING ITS COMMITMENT TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SURRENDEREE THEIR LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO MEET ITS TARGETS IN THE 10-YEAR HOUSING PROGRAMME.+
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE SHA TIN SITES WOULD BE DEVELOPED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN COMPLIANCE WITH CONTROL DRAWINGS AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS DRAWN UP BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
ACCORDING TO THE PWD’S PROJECT MANAGER IN SHA TIN, MR. JOHN DON, THE PLANS CALL FOR EACH SITE TO HAVE A THREE-STOREY PODIUM SUPPORTING FOUR RESIDENTIAL TOWER BLOCKS.
+THE FIRST TWO FLOORS WILL BE RESERVED FOR PUBLIC AND RESIDENTS CAR PARKING WHILE THE TOP FLOORS WILL BE GIVEN OVER TO HIGH-CLASS SHOPPING MALLS WHICH WILL COMPARE WELL WITH THE BEST ELSEWHERE IN HONG KONG.+ MR. DON SAID.
/+BOTH .....
FRIDAY, DECEMBER J, 1976
4
♦BOTH SITES WILL BE LINKED BY TWO-LEVEL WALKWAYS AND SHOPPERS USING THE COMMERCIAL AREA WILL HAVE THE CHOICE OF USING AN OPEN AIR VERANDAH OR AN INTERNAL ARCADE SYSTEM, BOTH OF WHICH * ILL GIVE EASY ACCESS TO THE SHOPS.
+SPECIAL CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO THE HANDICAPPED PEOPLE BY THE PROVISION OF ALTERNATIVE RAMPS AND LIFTS THROUGHOUT THE CENTRE.
+ALL OF THE SHOPPING AREA WILL BE CENTRALLY AIR-CONDITIONED, SO THAT SHOPPERS WILL ENJOY AN EVEN-TEMPERATURED, PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT RATHER THAN BEING SUBJECTED TO DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES, HUMIDITIES AND COOLING SYSTEMS IN THE INDIVIDUAL SHOPS.
+WE FORESEE THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX ATTRACTING SPECIALIST AND HIGH-QUALITY SHOPS SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE OCEAN TERMINAL, FOR EXAMPLE.
+IN FACT, THIS SHOPPING AREA SHOULD BECOME TO SHA TIN WHAT QUEEN’S ROAD AND NATHAN ROAD ARE TO HONG KONG AND KOWLOON.+
MR. DON SAID THAT THE 8,000 PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIVE IN THE TOWER BLOCKS ABOVE THE COMMERCIAL AREA REPRESENTED NEARLY HALF OF THE 20,000 PEOPLE WHO WILL EVENTUALLY LIVE IN THE TOWN CENTRE ITSELF.
MOST OF THE REMAINDER WILL LIVE IN A SIMILAR COMMERCIAL/ RESIDENTIAL AREA WHICH WILL FORM THE SECOND ’WING’ OF THE OVERALL TOWN CENTRE PLAN.
+ONE OF THE CONDITIONS THAT THE DEVELOPERS WILL HAVE TO MEET IN THE PRESENT DEVELOPMENT IS THE PROVISION OF A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN ONE BLOCK TO MEET GOVERNMENT STANDARDS,+ HE SAID.
+THE DEVELOPERS WILL HAVE TO LANDSCAPE THE DECKS OF THE PODIUM AS WELL AS PROVIDE SITTING OUT AND PLAYING AREAS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RESIDENTS AND SHOPPERS+.
MR. DON ESTIMATED THAT THE SITES SHOULD BE FULLY DEVELOPED WITHIN ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS TIME.
HE SAID THAT OTHER MAJOR AREAS OF THE TOWN CENTRE PLAN INCLUDED THE BUILDING OF A NEw RAILWAY STATION AND BUS TERMINUS INTERCHANGE STATION, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND A CULTURAL COMPLEX WITH A CITY HALL, LIBRARY, AUDITORIUM, RESTAURANTS AND OTHER FACILITIES.
+THE TRANSPORTATION COMPLEX WILL PROVIDE A CO-ORDINATED CENTRE FOR PASSENGER TRANSFER FOR THE TOWN WHILE PEDESTRIANS WILL EE SAFELY AND CONVENIENTLY SEPARATED FROM VEHICULAR TRAFFIC BY A SERIES OF WALKWAYS AND UNDERPASSES LINKING THE VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TOWN CENTRE,+ HE ADDED.
+AND THE CENTRE ITSELF WILL FACE A LARGE OPEN SPACE AREA WITH MANY COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, INCLUDING BICYCLE PATHS AND BICYCLE PARKS.+
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1976
- 5 -DETENTION CENTRES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976 *****
YOUNG ADULT OFFENDERS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 21 AND 24 WILL BE LIABLE TO BE SENTENCED TO DETENTION IN A DETENTION CENTRE IF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE IS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE DETENTION CENTRES (AMENDMENT) EILL 1976 SEEKS TO EXTEND FROM 23 TO 24 THE MAXIMUM AGE AT WHICH AN OFFENDER MAY BE SENTENCED TO A DETENTION CENTRE, AND PROVIDE FOR DETENTION FOR A MINIMUM PERIOD 0" THREE MONTHS AND A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS FOR DETAINEES IN THE NEW 21-24 AGE GROUP.
DETAINEES UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE ON THE DATE OF THE DETENTION ORDER .■.ILL CONTINUE TO BE LIABLE TO DETENTION FOR A MINIMUM PERIOD OF ONE MONTH AND A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT DURING THE PAST FOUR YEARS THERE HAD BEEN A NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN THE AGE RANGE OF PERSONS ADMITTED TO PRISONS DEPARTMENT INSTITUTIONS FOLLOWING CONVICTION OF CRIMES OF VIOLENCE.
+IN 1972, 53.6 PER CENT OF THOSE ADMITTED FOR VIOLENCE CRIMES WERE AGED UNDER 21 AND 24 PER CENT WERE IN THE AGE RANGE OF 21 TO 24 YEARS,+ HE SAID. +IN 1975 THE PERCENTAGES WERE 33.8 AND 29.5 RESPECTIVELY.*
+ IN THE LIGHT OF THESE STATISTICS, TOGETHER WITH A REPORT BY A PRISONS DEPARTMENT WORKING PARTY APPOINTED TO CONSIDER THE POSSIBLE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DETENTION CENTRES REGIME FOR DEALING zdTH OFFENDERS AGED 21 AND OVER, IT IS INTENDED THAT THE UPPER AGE LIMIT FOR SENTENCE TO A DETENTION CENTRE SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO 24,+ HE SAID.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO INCREASE FROM SIX TO 12 MONTHS THE MAXIMUM PERIOD OF SUPERVISION TO WHICH A DETAINEE IS LIABLE AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM A DETENTION CENTRE.
ANOTHER PROVISION WILL ENABLE A PERSON RECALLED TO A DETENTION CENTRE FOR BREACH OF HIS SUPERVISION ORDER TO BE SUBJECTED TO FURTHER SUPERVISION AFTER HIS NEXT RELEASE.
ANOTHER PART OF THE BILL SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE COURTS TO MAKE A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT DETENTION ORDER AGAINST AN OFFENDER WHO HAD ALREADY UNDERGONE A PERIOD Or DETENTION.
+IT IS HOPED THAT THE PROSPECT OF FURTHER DETENTION WOULD HAVE A STRONG DETERRENT VALUE AND WOULD REDUCE RECIDIVISM AMONG YOUNG OFFENDERS STILL FURTHER,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO MAKE PROVISION FOR THE TRANSFER OF A DETAINEE TO A PRISON OR A TRAINING CENTRE AS APPROPRIATE SHOULD IT PROVE, DURING HIS DETENTION, THAT HE IS UNSUITABLE FOR DETENTION, EXERCISING A BAD INFLUENCE ON OTHER DETAINEES, OR INCORRIGIBLE.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1976
6
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR SEPTEMBER * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER SHOW A DEFICIT OF 398 MILLION AS COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $85 MILLION IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATED DEFICIT OF $398 MILLION FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $506 MILLION FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
GROSS EXPENDITURE AT $569 MILLION WAS $115 MILLION MORE THAN THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1975.
TOTAL REVENUE AND RECEIPTS AT $471 MILLION WAS $132 MILLION MORE THAN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, DUE MAINLY TO INCREASED RECEIPTS FROM DUTIES, GENERAL INTERNAL REVENUE AND LAND SALES.
0 - -
BLOCK RELEASE INDUSTRIAL TRADE INSTRUCTORS’ COURSE * * *
THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR A FULL-TIME TWO-WEEK E_OCK RELEASE INDUSTRIAL TRADE INSTRUCTORS’ COURSE.
THE COURSE, WHICH WILL COMMENCE EARLY NEXT MONTH, OFFERS
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRADE INSTRUCTORS AND WORKSHOP SUPERVISORS TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY TRAINING FOR CARRYING CUT THEIR DAY TO DAY TEACHING DUTIES. FROM THIS COURSE THEY ..ILL LEARN TO IMPROVE THEIR METHODS OF TEACHING, STUDY EDUCATION THEORY AND EDUCATION PSYCHOLOGY.
APPLICANTS SHOULD EE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AS A TRADE OR A WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR AND MUST EE FULLY SKILLED IN HIS TRADE AND SHOULD HAVE ADEQUATE SECONDARY EDUCATION, PREFERRABLY SECONDARY TECHNICAL OR PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL GRADUATES.
THE FEE FOR THE COURSE IS $60 AND THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION WILL BE CHINESE, BUT SOME ENGLISH TERMINOLOGY WILL EE USED.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN EE OBTAINED FROM THE COLLEGE AT 373 QUEEN’S ROAD, EAST, HONG KONG.
ALL COMPLETED CORMS SHOULD EE RETURNED ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 18.
0 - -
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1976
- 7 -
SECURITIES ORDINANCE (COMMENCEMENT) NOTICE ******
IT IS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY THAT PART IX OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE CAP. 333, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SECTION 88, WILL BECOME OPERATIVE ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR. SECTION 88 IS TO COME INTO OPERATION ON DECEMBER 30, 1977.
PART IX -- ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT — APPLIES ONLY TO DEALERS. UNDER THIS PART, A DEALER IS REQUIRED TO KEEP PROPER ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS, TO KEEP IN A SEPARATE TRUST ACCOUNT ALL MONIES HELD ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS AND TO APPOINT AN AUDITOR TO AUDIT HIS ACCOUNTS. HE IS ALSO REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES IN WRITING WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THIS PART COMMENCES, I.E., NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 31, 1977, OF THE DATE ON WHICH HIS FINANCIAL YEAR ENDS.
SECTION 88, WHICH REQUIRES A DEALER TO LODGE THE PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT AND BALANCE SHEET EACH YEAR WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES, TOGETHER WITH AN AUDITOR’S REPORT, WILL BECOME OPERATIVE ON DECEMBER 30, 1977, THE SAME DAY AS THE SECURITIES (ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT) REGULATIONS ARE TO COME INTO OPERATION, IN ORDER THAT THEY SHALL APPLY TO ACCOUNTS AND AUDITORS’ REPORTS FOR FINANCIAL YEAR WHICH BEGINS ON OR AFTER, BUT NOT BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT DATE OR PART IX, JANUARY 1, 1977.
THE SECURITIES (ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT) REGULATIONS 1976 WHICH PRESCRIBE THE FORM OF PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNTS AND OF BALANCE SHEETS AND SPECIFY THE INFORMATION TO BE CONTAINED IN THE AUDITOR’S REPORTS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON NOVEMBER 19, THIS YEAR AND ARE TO COME INTO OPERATION ON DECEMBER 30, 1977. COPIES OF THE PUBLICATION WILL SHORTLY BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE AT STAR FERRY CONCOURSE.
0
RENTS OF PRE-WAR PREMISES
*****
THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) (KO. 2) BILL 1976, PUBLISHED TO-DAY, PROPOSES INCREASES IN THE PERMITTED RENTS OF PRE-WAR PREMISES.
COMMENTING ON THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PROPOSED INCREASES WOULD BE SIMILAR TO THOSE AUTHORISED IN 1975. ON AVERAGE, THE INCREASE WOULD AMOUNT TO $23 PER MONTH FOR A DOMESTIC UPPER FLOOR IN A TENEMENT BUILDING AND $78 PER MONTH FOR A GROUND FLOOR SHOP. SUB-TENANTS OCCUPYING PARTS OF FLOORS WILL PAY MUCH LESS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT LANDLORDS AND PRINCIPAL TENANTS ARE REQUIRED TO GIVE TENANTS AND SUB-TENA'ITS ONE MONTH’S NCTIC' OF ANY RENT INCREASE, ON THE APPROPRIATE FORM.
/8......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1976
8
EMPLOYMENT UP IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES
******
ACCORDING TO A RECENT EMPLOYMENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, A TOTAL OF 260,036 PERSONS WERE ENGAGED IN THE IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES IN SEPTEMBER 1976.
THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 5,501 PERSONS OR 2.2 PER CENT, COMPARED a I Th JUNE 1976.
OF THE TOTAL NUMBER ENGAGED, 126,255 WERE IN THE RETAIL SECTOR, 75,567 IN IMPORT/EXPORT BUSINESSES AND 22,153 IN THE WHOLESALE SECTOR. THE OTHER 36,364 PERSONS wERE ENGAGED IN A COMBINATION OF IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ACTIVITIES.
THE SURVEY ALSO RECORDED 106,058 PERSONS BEING ENGAGED IN RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS. COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, THE FIGURE SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 2,769 PERSONS OR 2.7 PER CENT. OF THESE 106,358 PERSONS, 89,337 WORKED IN RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND EARS AND 16,721 IN HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES.
DETAILS OF THE 1976 ARE AS FOLLOWS CHANGES BETWEEN • JUNE 1976 AND SEPTEMBER
ACTIVITY PERSONS ENGAGED IN JUNE 1976 PERSONS ENGAGED IN SEP. 1976 CHANGE PER CENT CHANGE
RETAIL 123,910 126,255 +2,345 1.9
IMPORT/EXPORT 73,991 75,567 +1,576 2.1
WHOLESALE 21,466 22,150 + 684 3.2
IMPORT/EXPORT/ WHOLESALE/RETAIL 35,168 36,064 + 896 2.5
RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND BARS 86,836 89,337 +2,531 2.9
HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES 16,483 16,721 + 238 1.4
TOTAL 357,824 366,094 +8,270 2.3
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/9......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1976
9
SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK * * * *
THE PROPOSED SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK, SITUATED ON THE SOUTHERN SLOPES OF TAI MO SHAN, ENCOMPASSES A TOTAL OF 1,400 HECTARES (3,460 ACRES) OF TERRAIN MOST OF WHICH ARE FOREST PLANTATIONS. THIS COUNTRY PARK STRETCHES FROM NEEDLE HILL IN THE EAST TO THE SLOPES ABOVE TING KAU IN THE WEST.
BEFORE AFFORESTATION AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RESERVOIR IN 1933, THE AREA WAS MOSTLY COVERED WITH GRASS AND FARMLANDS INHABITATED BY SEVERAL HUNDRED FARMERS IN EIGHT VILLAGES.
DENSE GROWTH OF INDIGENOUS SHRUBS CAN EE FOUND ALONG THE STREAM COURSES OF THE CATCHMENT AREA AND THERE ARE PATCHES OF NATURAL WOODLAND (FUNG SHU I LAM) BEHIND THE ABANDONED VILLAGE SITES.
THESE WOODLANDS WERE PRESERVED BY THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS AND ARE INTERESTING BECAUSE OF THE GREAT VARIETY OF BROAD-LEAVED TREES AMONG THEM.
THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING PLANTATIONS HERE WAS TO STOP SOIL EROSION AND TO PROTECT THE WATER CATCHMENT AREA OF THE RESERVOIR. ALTHOUGH THE RESERVOIR WAS COMPLETED IN 1937, LARGE SCALE AFFORESTATION WAS DELAYED UNTIL 1946 BECAUSE OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
NOW MOST OF THE LANDSCAPE IN THE AREA IS DENSELY COVERED WITH SLASH PINE, BRISBANE BOX AND ACACIA TREES.
THERE HAS BEEN A HISTORY OF SEVERE HILL FIRES IN THE AREA, AND SO PRECAUTIONS AGAINST DESTRUCTION DURING THE DRY WINTER MONTHS HaVB BECOME A TOP MANAGEMENT PRIORITY. THREE FOREST PROTECTION POSTS AND ONE FIRE LOOKOUT HAVE BEEN BUILT IN STRATEGIC PLACES AND THEY ARE MANNED 24 HOURS A DAY THROUGHOUT THE DRY SEASON.
THE RESERVOIR AREA HAS LONG BEEN A VERY POPULAR RECREATIONAL RESORT. A RECORD KEPT OF THE NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE AREA OVER THE PAST 12 YEARS SHOWS A SHARP INCREASE FROM 60,000 IN THE 1964-65 FINANCIAL YEAR TO 440,000 IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR.
IN 1971, THE A PILOT SCHEME TC SHING MUN AREA AS
AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT INTRODUCED -IND OUT THE EXTENT OF THE POPULARITY OF THE A PLACE FOR PICNIC AND BARBECUE OUTINGS.
USING FUNDS FROM THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION, A TRIAL NUMBER OF BENCHES, TABLES AND BARBECUE PITS OF A VARIETY OF DESIGNS FOR TESTING UNDER LOCAL CONDITIONS WERE CONSTRUCTED AND PLACED IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE AREA.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1976
10
THE FACILITIES PROVED TO EE A BOON TO THE PUBLIC AND THE EtST WERE ADOPTED AS THE STANDARD DESIGNS FOR COUNTRYSIDC RECREATION FACILITIES IN HONG KONG.
A YcAR LATER, THE AREA HAS BEEN DEVELOPED FOR INFORMAL RcCRcATION AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S COUNTRYSIDE RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY. BY THE END OF MAY THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 48 PICNIC PLAChS HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED WITH SOME 300 TABLE AND BENCH UNITS, ABOUT 400 BENCHES AND MORE THAN 200 BARBECUE PITS.
RA,N SHELTERS, CHILDREN’S ADVENTURE PLAY EQUIPMENT AND LITTER BINS HAVE BEEN PLACED AT VARIOUS PARTS OF THE AREA.
AS THE PROPOSED PARK IS EXTREMELY POPULAR, PLANS TO DEVELOP THE cASTERN PART OF THE AREA HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND WORK WILL BEGIN ONCE THE SHING MUN EAST FOREST ROAD IS COMPLETED.
COMMENTING ON THE INTENTION TO DESIGNATE THIS AREA AS A COUNTRY PARK, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THE POPULARITY OF THE PLACE WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY CONTINUE TO GROW.
+SHING MUN IS NEVER WITHOUT PEOPLE, EITHER ON WEEKDAYS OR AT WEEKENDS,* HE SAID.
+WE BELIEVE THAT THE NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE AREA WILL INCREASE YEAR AFTER YEAR. AS MORE PEOPLE VISIT THE PARK, THE DEMAND FOR VARIOUS FACILITIES WILL LIKEWISE INCREASE.
+WE HAVE VARIOUS PLANS IN HAND AND THEY INCLUDE MORE BARBECUE PITS,.PLAY AREAS, TABLES AND BENCHES, SPECIAL PAGODA TYPE SHELTERS AND PUBLIC TOILETS.*
WITH MORE PEOPLE VISITING THE PARK, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT, THE AREA WOULD REQUIRE STRINGENT MANAGEMENT. HE REVEALED THAT AT PRESENT THE PARK’S STAFF FACED TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS: HILL FIRES AND LITTER DUMPING.
+DURING THE LAST DRY SEASON, A TOTAL OF 62 FIRES OCCURRED, AFFECTING SOME 1,000 HECTARES (2,500 ACRES) OF PLANTATION AND OTHER VEGETATION,* HE SAID.
+THE WORST FIRE WAS IN JANUARY THIS YEAR AND IT BURNED FOR 33 HOURS. MOST OF THESE FIRES ARE KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE CARELESSNESS OF INDIVIDUALS.*
BECAUSE OF THIS THE LIGHTING OF FIRES FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER, EXCEPT IN AN +APPROVED BARBECUE SITE* IS PROHIBITED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND THIS IS A REGULATION WHICH MUST AND WILL BE ENFORCED, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/♦WITH .....
FRIUaY, LSCEHBEm J, 1976
11
+WITH THE PARK’S POPULARITY GROWING WE BELIEVE THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE VIGOROUSLY REMINDED AND EDUCATED ON THE DANGERS OF FIRE DESTROYING OUR COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE WINTER,+ HE SAID.
REGARDING THE PROBLEM OF LITTER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID AN AVERAGE OF 360 BASKETS OF RUBBISH HAD BEEN COLLECTED EVERY MONTH DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR.
AT o.l KILOGRAMMES (20 POUNDS) PER BASKET, HE ADDED, THIS REPRESENTED ABOUT 40.64 TONNES (40 TONS) A YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THREE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK WILL BE DISTRIBUTED IN G.I.S. PRESS BOXES THIS EVENING.
-----o------
MARCH IN SUPPORT OF ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN * * * *
MORE THAN 1,500 PEOPLE ARE TAKING PART IN A +MARCH+ THIS SUNDAY (DECEMBER 5) IN SUPPORT OF THE CURRENT ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT.
THE PARTICIPANTS, INCLUDING MANY FROM VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT, WILL BEGIN THEIR SEVEN-MILE +MARCH+ FROM ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND. THEY WILL GO THROUGH SOME OF THE BUSIEST AREAS OF THE DISTR ICT.
EACH OF THE PARTICIPANTS WILL WEAR A CAP WITH AN ANTI-DRUG DESIGN AND SOME WILL CARRY WITH THEM PLACARDS PAINTED wI TH ANTI-DRUG SLOGANS, ALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF SPREADING THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE TO THE 420,000 RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
A BAND WILL LEAD THE PROCESSION AND A MOBILE BROADCASTING VAN WILL BROADCAST ANTI-DRUG JINGLES ALONG THE ROUTE.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR. PETER LEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AT 9 A.M. TO SIGNAL THE START OF THE PROCESS ION.
AT THE END OF THE +MARCH+, AN ANTI-DRUG VARIETY SHOW WILL BE STAGED AT ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS TO COVER THE PROCESSION WHICH WILL START AT 9 A.M. FROM THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND (NEAR THE KAI TAK AIRPORT ROUNDABOUT).
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/12
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1976
12
VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS * * * * *
TWENTY-FIVE VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN ENROLLED TO HELP PROBATIONERS IN A SCHEME RECENTLY INTRODUCED EY THE PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
KNOWN AS THE +VOLUNTEER SCHEME -OR PROEAT IONERS+, THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME FOR MINOR OFFENDERS. THE Al'-' IS TO PROVIDE PERSONAL AND MORAL SUPPORT TO YOUNG OFFENDERS ON PROBATION.
THE VOLUNTEERS ARE FROM A THEY INCLUDE STUDENTS, NURSES, WORKERS. THEY ARE AGED BETWEEN
CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY AND LIBRARIANS, TEACHERS AND FACTCRY 23 AND 60.
A TEA RECEPTION WILL EE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON AT THE LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE TO EXPLAIN THE SCHEME TO THE VOLUNTEERS AND ALSO TO LET THEM HAVE A CHANCE TO MEET ONE ANOTHER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID: +AFTER THE INITIAL INTRODUCTION, TRAINING SESSIONS WILL EE ARRANGED FOR THE VOLUNTEERS AT A LATER STAGE.
+THE TRAINING PROGRAMME INCLUDES TALKS, GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND OBSERVATION VISITS, ALL OF WHICH WILL ENABLE THEM TO ACQUIRE THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE ON THE CONCEPT OF PROBATION SERVICE, COURT PROCEDURES, SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF THE OFFENDERS AND THEIR ROLE AND FUNCTION IN THE SCHEME.+
♦WHEN THEY ARE PROPERLY ORIENTATED,* HE CONTINUED, +THEY WILL BE MATCHED TO THE PROBATIONERS AND START HELPING AND REFORMING THEM.*
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF THE SCHEME .-.■AS THAT A YOUNG OFFENDER MIGHT FEEL •'•ORE AT EASE AND LESS
SUSPICIOUS TOWARDS a VOLUNTEER WHO WAS NOT SPECIALLY ASSIGNED BY THE AUTHORITY TO KEEP AN EYE ON HIM.
THE PROBATIONER, HE EMPHASISED, WOULD REGARD THE VOLUNTEER AS HIS FRIEND AND WOULD CONFIDE HIS SECRETS TO HIM.
SOMETIMES, HE WENT ON, A PROBATIONER "IGHT HAVE SPECIAL INTERESTS OR TALENTS SUCH AS IN ART OR MUSIC AND A VOLUNTARY ..ORKER ..ITH THE SAME INTERESTS COULD MUCH MORE EFFECTIVELY HELP THE PROBATIONER.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE SCHEME SHOULD HELP REDUCE THE RATE OF RECIDIVISM BECAUSE A VOLUNTEER COULD ALWAYS LEAD THE PROBATIONER TO A NEW CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, THUS HELPING HIM TO BREAK A.. AY FROM HIS -ORMER BAD ASSOCIATES.
o
iWIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1976
13
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR ’WALK FOR A MILLION’
*****
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON HONG KONG ISLAND IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNITY CHEST’S +WALK FOR A MILL ION+ TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5.
EETWzaN 7.33 A.M. AND 5.30 P.M. THE FOLLOWING DIVERSIONS a ILL BE IMPLEMENTED:
* CAROLINE HILL ROAD WILL EE ROUTED ONE-WAY FROM LEIGHTON ROAD TO THE GOVERNMENT STADIUM’
* EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD WILL EE ROUTED ONE-WAY FROM THE GOVERNMENT STADIUM TO TUNG LO WAN ROAD=
* LINK ROAD WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY FROM BROADWOOD ROAD TO CAROLINE HILL ROAD= AND
* EASTEOUND TRAFFIC ON TAI HANG ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED INTO BLUE POOL ROAD.
TAI HANG ROAD BETWEEN BLUE POOL ROAD AND BROADWOOD ROAD WILL EE CLOSED TO ALL EASTEOUND TRAFFIC WITH THE EXCEPTION OF C.M.B. ROUTE 41 BUSES EETWEEN 7.30 A.M. AND 5 P.M.
MT. AUSTIN ROAD WILL EE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES OTHER THAN THOSE REQUIRING ACCESS TO PREMISES IN THE ROAD BETWEEN 7.33 A.M. AND 3.33 P.M.
BOWEN DRIVE WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES BETWEEN 2 P.M. AND 5 P.M.
ALL PARKING SPACES IN LINK ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 5.30 P.M. ON DECEMBER 5.
SEVERAL BUS ROUTES WILL BE AFFECTED. C.M.B. ROUTE 19 w ILL TERMINATE AT BROOM ROAD IN HAPPY VALLEY INSTEAD CF AT TAI HANG ROAD FROM 7.30 A.M. TO 13.30 A.M.
C.M.E. ROUTE 11 WILL LEAVE JARDINE’S LOOKOUT VIA PRICE ROAD, MOUNT BUTLER DRIVE, MOUNT BUTLER ROAD, HENDERSON ROAD AND PERKINS ROAD FROM START OF SERVICE UNTIL 5 P.M.
THE BUS STOP FOR EASTEOUND JOURNEYS CN LEIGHTON ROAD OPPOSITE THE PO LEUNG KUK WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM 7 A.M. TO 5.30 P.M.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE WITH THE UTMOST CARE IN THE GENERAL VICINITY OF THE GOVERNMENT STADIUM, STUBBS ROAD ROUNDABOUT, BLACKS LINK, WANCHAI GAP AND THE PEAK.
TRAFFIC POLICE WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE AND APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS W ILL EE POSTED. ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES WILL EE TOWED AWAY BY THE POLICE ITHCUT PRIOR NOTICE.
----c----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1976
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PEOPLE USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT REACH ALL TIME HIGH ..... 1
MOTOR ISTS URGED TO DRIVE a I TH CARE ................. 3
PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM FOR KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY COACHES . 4
TEN POLICE REPORTING CENTRES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES .. 4
KAM SHAN COUNTRY PARK ................................. 5
SOME 121,000 SQUARE METRES OF LAND IN NEW TERRITORIES TO
3E SOLD BEFORE THE END GF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR ......... 7
COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES INSPECTS FIREMEN’S PASSING-OUT PARADE ................................................ 8
BIENNIAL INSPECTION OF C.A.S. MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT .... 9
.MANAGEMENT SEMINARS FOR SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS . IC
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: S'-233191
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1976
1
PUBLIC TRANSPORT PASSENGERS REACH ALL-TIME PEAK ******
THE DEMAND FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES IN THE FIRST TEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR HAS REACHED AN ALL-TIME PEAK.
ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, MORE THAN 1,053 MILLION PASSENGERS USED BUSES, FERRIES, TRAMS AND THE RAILWAY DURING THE TEN-MONTH PERIOD, 55.7 MILLION OR SIX PER CENT MORE THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1975.
MOST OF THE INCREASE RESULTED FROM MORE USAGE OF FRANCHISED BUS SERVICES WHERE THE THREE COMPANIES ARE NOW CARRYING 2.6 MILLION PASSENGERS PER DAY COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPOND I NG PERIOD LAST YEAR WHEN DAILY TRAFFIC VOLUMES WERE 2.3 MILLION.
THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY WITH A LICENSED FLEET OF 1,675 VEHICLES HAS INTRODUCED 13 ADDITIONAL BUS ROUTES DURING THE YEAR AND NOW CARRIES AN AVERAGE OF 2.09 MILLION PASSENGERS PER DAY ON 150 SERVICES.
THE FREQUENCY AND CARRYING CAPACITY ON 34 SERVICES HAVE BEEN INCREASED SO AS TO PROVIDE BETTER FACILITIES AT HOUSING ESTATES SUCH AS LAM TIN, SAU MAU PING, LAI KING, LEK YUEN, KWAI SHING, LEI MUK SHU, TSZ WAN SHAN, 01 MAN AND TUNG TAU.
THE 15 EXPRESS COACH SERVICES NOW CARRY AN AVERAGE OF 29,033 PASSENGERS PER DAY OF WHICH 3,200 TRAVEL TO AND FROM KAI TAK AIRPORT ON THE TWO POPULAR AIRPORT COACH SERVICES.
THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY WITH A LICENSED FLEET OF 684 BUSES HAS INTRODUCED EIGHT NE.v ROUTES DURING THE YEAR AND NOW CARRIES AN AVERAGE OF 628,000 PASSENGERS PER DAY ON 66 SERVICES.
IMPROVED FACILITIES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED AT WAH FU, WONG CHUK HANG, CHAI WAN AND LAI TAK TSUEN ESTATES AND NEW ROUTES INTRODUCED INCLUDE SERVICES TO KENNEDY ROAD, HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND HING WAH ESTATE.
A MAJOR EXPANSION SCHEME FOR BUS SERVICES IN THE CHAI WAN, SHAU KEI WAN, QUARRY BAY, NORTH POINT AND CAUSEWAY BAY AREAS IS BEING INTRODUCED IN STAGES AND NEW FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR A KUNG NGAM LATER THIS MONTH.
WAH FU, ABERDEEN AND WONG CHUK HANG ARE BEING PROVIDED /.ITH DIRECT FACILITIES TO CAUSEWAY BAY AND NORTH POINT IN ADVANCE OF THE OPENING OF THE NEW ABERDEEN TUNNEL.
DEMAND FOR THE CROSS HARBOUR BUS SERVICES CONTINUES TO GRO?. AND THE 14 JOINT SERVICES NOW CARRY 305,0'30 PASSENGERS PER DAY. TRAFFIC ON THE TWO ALL-NIGHT CROSS HARBOUR SERVICES AND THE RECREATION ROUTE BETWEEN SHA TIN AND ABERDEEN HAS INCREASED AND A NEW ROUTE BETWEEN TSZ WAN SHAN AND QUARRY EAY WILL EE INTRODUCED EARLY IN 1°77.
/ON LaNTx'j
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1976
2
ON LANTAU ISLAND, THE NEW LANTAU BUS COMPANY HAS INCREASED ITS FLEET TO 44 BUSES AND NOW CARRIES AN AVERAGE OF 4,600 PASSENGERS PER DAY. ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, TRAFFIC INCREASES BY 93 PER CENT TO 8,930.
PLANS ARE WELL ADVANCED TO INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL BUSES ON FINE WEATHER WEEKENDS TO SUPPLEMENT THE PRESENT FIVE ROUTES AND THESE ADDITIONAL BUSES COULD INCLUDE OPEN-TOP DOUBLE DECKERS OPERATING BETWEEN SILVERMINE BAY AND CHEUNG SHA BEACH SUBJECT TO A TEST RUN FEASIBILITY STUDY.
UTILISATION OF THE TWO +STAR+ FERRY COMPANY’S SERVICES FROM CENTRAL TO TSIM SHA TSUI AND HUNG HOM HAS REMAINED RELATIVELY STEADY AT 138,300 PASSENGERS PER DAY. AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED FOR THE HUNG HOM SERVICE TO BE EXTENDED FOR A FURTHER PERIOD OF ONE YEAR SUBJECT TC REVIEW IN LATE 1977.
TRAFFIC ON THE 14 CROSS HARBOUR PASSENGER FERRY SERVICES OPERATED BY THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY HAS DECLINED BY 8.1 PER CENT DURING THE YEAR AND THESE SERVICES NOW CARRY 324,000 PASSENGERS PER DAY.
THE SERVICES LINKING MEI FOO SUN CHUEN AND KWUN TONG TO CENTRAL AND THE HCVER-FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN KOWLOON CITY AND SHAU KEI WAN REMAIN POPULAR AND PASSENGER VOLUMES ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN STEP WITH FUTURE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS USING THE OUTLYING DISTRICTS FERRY SERVICES HAS INCREASED BY 7.6 PER CENT AND THESE NOW CARRY 45,030 PASSENGERS PER DAY.
THE RESUMPTION OF THE KOWLOON CITY TO NORTH POINT VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE IN SEPTEMBER HAS RESULTED IN SOME TRAFFIC EXTRACTION FROM THE KWUN TONG ROUTE BUT OVERALL VEHICULAR VOLUMES ON THE THREE CROSS HARBOUR VEHICULAR SERVICES HAS INCREASED BY 8.8 PER CENT AND THE SERVICES NOW CARRY 13,300 VEHICLES PER DAY.
HONGKONG TRAMWAYS LIMITED EXPERIENCED A 17.8 PER CENT DECLINE IN TRAFFIC DURING THE FIRST QUARTER FOLLOWING THE FARES REVISION INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 1975.
HOWEVER, MUCH OF THIS TRAFFIC HAS NOW BEEN REGAINED AND PRESENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE DAILY PASSENGER VOLUME OF 384,033 WILL INCREASE AS A RESULT OF THE FURTHER PROVISION OF TRAMWAY RESERVES DESIGNED TO INCREASE OPERATING SPEEDS AND PROVIDE QUICKER JOURNEY TIMES ALONG THE MAIN URBAN NORTH SHORE CORRIDOR.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE 4,350 MINIBUSES ARE NOW CARRYING AN AVERAGE OF 1.5P MILLION PASSENGERS PER DAY. THE SIX +"AXI-CAc+ ROUTES OPERATING ON HONG KONG ISLAND HAVE CONTINUED TO PROVE POPULAR AND THE 35 GREEN-LIVERY VEHICLES NOW CARRY 10,630 PASSENGERS PER DAY.
/ADDITIONAL .....
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1976
3
ADDITIONAL ROUTES WILL BE INTRODUCED DURING THE COMING MONTHS INCLUDING FACILITIES FOR MOUNT NICHOLSON, BLUE POOL ROAD, SASSOON ROAD AND LINK ROAD TOGETHER WITH INCREASED FACILITIES ALONG CONDUIT ROAD TO PO SHAN ROAD.
THE FIRST BATCH OF NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS BEGAN OPERATION IN OCTOBER AND ABOUT 93 ARE NOW OPERATING IN THE RURAL AREAS TO THE NORTH OF TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN.
BASED ON THE ACTUAL FIGURES SC FAR THIS YEAR, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT DAILY WILL REACH 5.8 MILLION BY THE END OF THE YEAR: 45.3 PER CENT BY EUS, 28.2 PER CENT BY MINI-BUS, 10.7 PER CENT BY TAXI, 9 PER CENT BY FERRY, 6.2 PER CENT BY TRAM AND 3.6 PER CENT BY RAIL.
THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED PRIVATE MOTOR CARS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WAS 114,260. FOLLOWING A FURTHER DECLINE DURING MUCH CF THE YEAR, THE PRESENT LICENSED FIGURE IS 113,228 ALTHOUGH THE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERS THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT BY EARLY 1977 THE NUMBER OF MOTOR CARS WILL START TO INCREASE AGAIN ALTHOUGH NOT AT THE PRODIGIOUS RATE EXPERIENCED IN 1972 AND 1973.
THE INCREASE IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION .-.ORK THROUGHOUT HONG KONG INCLUDING THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY HAS LED TO AN INCREASE DEMAND UPON GOODS VEHICLES AND AN EXTRA 653 VEHICLES WERE LICENSED IN OCTOBER ALONE. THE PRESENT FLEET CF 36,042 GOODS VEHICLES IS THE HIGHEST FIGURE REGISTERED TO DATE.
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MOTORISTS URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE * * * * *
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE CLEARING THE CHOKED GULLIES ALONG THE PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FLYOVER IN FRONT OF THE r.A I TAK AIRPORT FROM MIDNIGHT TO ABOUT 6 A.M. ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 7).
TO FACILITATE THIS OPERATION, A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC LANES ..ILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE WITH PARTICULAR CARE WHEN PASSING THIS FLYOVER DURING THE HOURS STATED ABOVE.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1976
PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM FOR KCR COACHES * * * *
STARTING ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 6) TRAIN PASSENGERS WILL BENEFIT FURTHER FROM YET ANOTHER JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE -- THE INTRODUCTION OF A PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM ON ALL COACHES OF THE KCR.
THE SYSTEM WILL ENABLE THE GUARD FROM HIS COMPARTMENT TO COMMUNICATE WITH ALL PASSENGERS, KEEPING THEM INFORMED OF WHAT THEY SHOULD KNOW.
THIS INCLUDES THE NAME OF THE NEXT STATION, THE AVAILABILITY OF REFRESHMENTS, AIR-CONDITIONED COACHES, SPACE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE TRAIN AND, IN THE EVENT OF DELAY, ITS NATURE AND ESTIMATED DURATION AS WELL AS THE SAFETY RULES WHICH PASSENGERS SHOULD OBSERVE.
THE GENERAL MANAGER OF KCR, MR. REGINALD GREGORY, POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST SOME PASSENGERS WERE INJURED EY SITTING OR STANDING ON THE STEPS OR IN THE DOORWAYS OF MOVING TRAINS.
AN APPROPRIATE ANNOUNCEMENT THROUGH THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM, HE SAID, COULD NOW QUICKLY WARN THE PASSENGERS TO STAY AWAY FROM CERTAIN PARTS OF THE TRAIN WHEN IT WAS IN MOTION.
APART FROM INFORMATION, MUSIC, ADVERTISEMENTS AND GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL ALSO BE BROADCAST THROUGH THE SYSTEM.
+EVERY CARE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THE LEVEL OF SOUND IS AS UNOESTRUCTIVE AS POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.
THE PROJECT IS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN KCR, GUSTO ADVERTISING LIMITED AND REDIFFUSION (H.K.) LTD.
MR. GREGORY EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE PASSENGERS WOULD, AS IN THE CASE OF THE HUNG HOM TERMINUS, FIND THE NEW FACILITY USEFUL.
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POLICE REPORTING CENTRES FCR PUBLIC MOUSING ESTATES
******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO BUILD TEN POLICE REPORTING CENTRES IN A NUMBER OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES TO ENABLE THE POLICE TO INCREASE THEIR SERVICES TO THE AREAS.
TENDERS FOR THE ADDITIONAL CENTRES ARE NOW BEING INVITED AND WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH.
MR. JOSEPH LEI, CHIEF P.W.D. ARCHITECT, SAID TODAY THE CENTRES WOULD BE READY IN MID-FEBRUARY AND WOULD ENABLE THE PUBLIC MORE EASILY TO REPORT CRIME AND OTHER INCIDENTS IN THE AREAS.
THE CENTRES, HE SAID, WOULD BE EUILT ON THE GROUND FLOORS OF LAI TAK, SO UK, UPPER NGAU TAU KOK, YAU TONG, SHEK PAI WAN, LAI KING, LAI YIU, KWAI HING, KWAI SHING AND LEI MUK SHUE ESTATES.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1976
KAM SHAN COUNTRY PARK
******
JUST A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT IS THE SCENIC SHEK LI PUI AREA WHICH PROVIDES AN IDEAL AND INFORMAL RECREATIONAL GROUND FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT AND OTHER LOCALITIES.
EVERYDAY, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE AREA WHICH HAS NOW BEEN GAZETTED AS THE PROPOSED KAM SHAN (GOLDEN HILL) COUNTRY PARK. IT COVERS ABOUT 337 HECTARES (833 ACRES), MOST OF WHICH ARE WATER CATCHMENT AREAS OF THE KOWLOON AND SHEK LI PUI RESERVOIRS.
THERE ARE TWO MAIN TYPES OF USERS OF THE PROPOSED PARK, THE MORNING WALKERS AND DAY VISITORS. THE FORMER ARE MOSTLY ADULTS, HOUSEWIVES AND RETIRED PEOPLE. THEY COME MAINLY FROM SHAM SHU I PO AND MONG KOK BY BUSES AND OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORT. A NUMBER ALSO WALK TO THE PARK FROM THEIR HOMES.
MANY OF THE REGULAR PARTICIPANTS HAVE FORMED THEMSELVES INTO GROUPS OR FORMAL MORNING WALKERS’ ASSOCIATIONS.
A SURVEY ON THIS ACTIVITY CARRIED OUT EY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IN THE SUMMER OF 1974 REVEALED THAT THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF MORNING WALKERS ON A +TYPICAL DAY+ WAS SOME 800 ON WEEKDAYS AND ABOUT 1,000 ON WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS. OVER 50 PER CENT OF THESE PEOPLE SPEND ABOUT TWO HOURS IN THIS ACTIVITY.
THE DAY VISITORS OR +SECOND SHIFT* PEOPLE ARE MAINLY OFFICE AND FACTORY WORKERS AND STUDENTS. MOSTLY THEY COME ON WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS. THE BARBECUE PICNIC IS THEIR MOST POPULAR PAST-TIME.
THE AREA IS MORE POPULAR IN THE WINTER MONTHS BECAUSE IN SUMMER PEOPLE PREFER TO SPEND THEIR LEISURE TIME ON THE BEACHES AND IN SWIMMING POOLS. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VISITORS IN 1975 WAS MORE THAN 30,000 -- AN INCREASE OF 145 PER CENT OVER THE FIGURE OF 1974.
SINCE 1973 THE AREA HAS BEEN DEVELOPED FOR COUNTRYSIDE RECREATION AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO PROVIDE MORE NATURAL SURROUNDINGS FOR RECREATION AND FAMILY OUTINGS.
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 23 PICNIC SITES, FOUR +MORNING WALKERS GARDEN* SITES, AND SEVEN +APPROVED BARBECUE olTES* HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED. ADDITIONALLY THERE ARE NUMEROUS FACILITIES SUCH AS CHILDREN-PLAY AREAS, TABLES, BENCHES AND RAIN SHELTERS.
THERE IS ALSO A NATURE TRAIL FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.
/aPARx rkvK
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1976
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APART FROM BEING RICH IN PLANTS AND TREES, THE PROPOSED PARK IS ALSO NOTED FOR TWO SPECIES OF WILDLIFE, THE ELACK-EARED KITE AND THE LONG-TAILED MACAQUE (A SPECIES OF MONKEY).
THE FORMER IS A MIGRATORY EIRD WHICH IS WIDELY DISTRIBUTED IN ASIA AND AUSTRALIA.
ALTHOUGH AS MANY AS 2,000 BIRDS MAY BE PRESENT IN THE WINTER MONTHS, MANY OF THEM MOVE NORTH IN THE SPRING LEAVING ONLY SOME 200 TO SPEND THE SUMMER HERE. THE BLACK-EARED KITE IS A SCAVENGER, FEEDING ON OFFAL, CARRION, REFUSE AND DEAD FISH IN THE HARBOUR.
EAGLES NEST, A WELL-WOODED RIDGE IN THE PARK, IS ONE OF THE TWO POPULAR NESTING AREAS NEAR THE HARBOUR PROBABLY BECAUSE OF THE TALL PINE TREES WHICH GROW THERE.
THE LONG-TAILED MACAQUES IN THIS AREA ARE DESCENDENTS OF MONKEYS RELEASED IN 1920. THEY EAT LEAVES, FRUITS, INSECTS AND SMALL ANIMALS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE AREA, LIKE ITS COUNTERPART IN SHING MUN, FACED PROBLEMS OF LITTER AND HILL FIRES.
♦DURING THE LAST DRY SEASON, A NUMBER OF FIRES IN THE VICINITY DESTROYED MANY ACRES OF VEGETATION,+ HE SAID.
+IF THE AREA IS TO REMAIN GREEN, STEPS MUST BE TAKEN TO STOP ALL FIRES,+ HE EMPHASISED.
+BECAUSE FIRE PRESENTS SUCH A DANGER,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +THE LIGHTING OF FIRES FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER, EXCEPT IN AN ♦APPROVED BARBECUE SITE + IS PROHIBITED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND THIS REGULATION IS ONE WHICH MUST, AND WILL BE, ENFORCED.
IN PAST YEARS, GROUPS USED TO SET UP SPECIAL GARDENS BY POSITIONING THEIR OWN BENCHES AND CULTIVATING OR GROWING FLOWERS IN THE AREA, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THIS PROBLEM IS NOW BEING RESOLVED BY MAKING USE OF THE ENTHUSIASM AND ENERGIES OF THE MORNING WALKERS TO DEVELOP FACILITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPROVED POLICIES AND PLANS FOR THE AREA.
/?
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1976
7
NEV; TERRITORIES LAND * * * * *
SALES PROGRAMME *
THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IS PLANNING TO SELL ABOUT 120,774 SQUARE METRES (1.3 MILLION SQUARE FEET) OF LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BEFORE THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR.
MORE THAN 83,613 SQUARE METRES (900,000 SQUARE FEET) WILL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION WHILE ANOTHER 33,975 SQUARE METRES (365,700 SQUARE FEET) WILL BE DISPOSED OF BY TENDER TO HOLDERS OF GOVERNMENT LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS DOCUMENTS.
THE ADMINISTRATION’S PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR. J.D. JOHNSTON, SAID TODAY THAT A PROVISIONAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME HAD ALREADY BEEN CIRCULATED TO LAND AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS LIKELY TO BE INTERESTED IN ACQUIRING THE LAND.
+ BUT W'E MUST STRESS THAT THE PROGRAMME IS PROVISIONAL AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE,+ HE SAID. +0F COURSE, WE WILL NOTIFY ANY CHANGES.*
MR. JOHNSTON SAID THAT THE TWO LARGEST BLOCKS TO BE DISPOSED OF BY LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT TENDER WERE THE ADJOINING SITES AT SHA TIN WHICH ARE TO BE DEVELOPED INTO A COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTI AL COMPLEX AS THE FIRST STAGE OF BUILDING A PRESTIGIOUS TOWN CENTRE IN THE NEW TOWN.
+THESE LOTS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY ATTRACT GREAT INTEREST BECAUSE OF THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL,* HE SAID.
+BUT OTHER LOTS IN THE SAI KUNG, TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICTS WILL ALSO BE ATTRACTIVE TO HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT DOCUMENTS.
+FOR EXAMPLE, THERE ARE THREE LOTS TOTALLING 8,724 SQUARE METRES (93,900 SQUARE FEET) IN SAI KUNG WHICH HAVE BEEN EARMARKED FOR TWO-STOREY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.+
MR. JOHNSTON SAID THAT THE FIRST OF THE SITES TO BE SCLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION NEXT TUESDAY (DECEMBER 7) WERE SITUATED AT RAPIDLY-DEVELOPING TUEN MUN.
+ONE OF THESE LOTS IS 492 SQUARE METRES (5,300 SQUARE FEET) AND THE OTHER IS 799 SQUARE METRES (ABOUT 8,600 SQUARE FEET) AND WILL BE DEVELOPED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND GODOWN PURPOSES,* HE SAID.
+A REQUIREMENT IN THE SALE CONDITIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN ADVERTISED REQUIRING THE PROVISION OF PARKING SPACES FCR CONTAINER LORRIES HAS NOW BEEN DELETED BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE LOTS,* HE ADDED.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT ST. SIMON LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY SCHOOL, TUEN MUN, AT 2.30 P.M.
/MR. JOHNSTON
SATURDAY, DECEMBER A, 1976
8 -
MR. JOHNSTON SAID THAT THE OTHER LOTS TO BE SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION WERE IN THE SAI KUNG, YUEN LONG AND TAI PO DISTRICTS.
+ THE BIGGEST LOTS ARE AT TAI PO KAU AND WILL ALSO BE DEVELOPED FOR LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES,+ HE SAID. +ONE LOT IS 23,690 SQUARE METRES (255,000 SQUARE FEET) AND THE OTHER IS 52,769 SQUARE METRES (568,000 SQUARE FEET).+
ANY INQUIRIES ABOUT THE LAND SALES PROGRAMME SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR. NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, TAI PO ROAD, KOWLOON. (TELEPHONE 3-708864)
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CBF INSPECTS PASSING-OUT PARADE OF FIREMEN
******
THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR JOHN ARCHER, TOLD FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN TAKING PART IN A PASSING-OUT PARADE TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THEY HAD CHOSEN A POSITIVE WAY OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
ADDRESSING THE 84 FIREMEN AND 27 AMBULANCEMEN WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED A 26-WEEK TRAINING COURSE AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, SIR JOHN PRAISED THEM FOR NOT OPTING FOR THE EASY WAY OUT BUT CHOOSING SOMETHING ADVENTUROUS, SOMETHING WHICH WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO ACT ON THEIR OWN INITIATIVE IN CIRCUMSTANCES OF DANGER.
HE SAID THAT IT WAS NOT A +CLOCK-WATCHING+ JOB EITH-R FOR THERE WOULD BE NO SET HOURS AND BOTH FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN WOULD BE ON CALL AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT.
+IN RECENT DAYS ALONE,+ SIR JOHN RECALLED, +WE HAVE HAD THE FIRES IN CHEUNG SHA WAN AND SHAM SHU I PO TO REMIND US OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN IN THE CROWDED CITY AREAS.+
HE NOTED THAT THIS YEAR ALONE, THE FIRE SERVICES HAVE TURNED OUT TO OVER 8,000 FIRES, ADDING THAT IN THEIR EFFORTS TO SAVE LIVES AND PROPERTY, SOME 36 FIREMEN HAD BEEN INJURED.
ALSO ON PARADE TODAY WERE ONE SQUAD OF FIRE OFFICERS AND ONE SQUAD OF SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN STILL UNDER TRAINING.
THE PARADE, THE 24TH SINCE THE OPENING OF THE TRAINING SCHOOL IN 1968, WAS COMMANDED BY ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICER YIP LUN-CHEUNG.
AFTER THE PARADE SIR JOHN WATCHED A FIRE FIGHTING DEMONSTRATION GIVEN BY THE NEWLY QUALIFIED FIREMEN.
MUSIC WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMBINED PIPES AND DRUMS OF THE GURKHA ENGINEERS AND GURKHA SIGNALS.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1976
9
BIENNIAL INSPECTION OF * *
C.A.S. MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT * * * * *
THE BIENNIAL INSPECTION OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN DECEMBER 6 AND DECEMBER 12.
THE INSPECTION, AIMED AT PRODUCING A PROFESSIONAL APPRAISAL OF THE UNIT’S ABILITY AND SUGGESTING FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS, WILL BE CARRIED CUT BY THE INSPECTOR OF LAND RESCUE OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, SQUADRON LEADER JOHN VERNON OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE.
DURING THIS PERIOD, A SERIES OF EXERCISES ON NAVIGATION, MOUNTAIN SEARCH AND RESCUE, AND DEMONSTRATIONS OF MOUNTAIN CLIMBING AND RESCUE SKILLS WILL BE CONDUCTED EY MEMBERS OF THE MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT IN VARIOUS HILLY AREAS IN KOWLOON AND THE NE* TERRITORIES.
A REPORT ON THE UNIT’S EFFICIENCY AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARD WILL THEN BE SUBMITTED BY SQUADRON LEADER VERNON TOGETHER WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IF NECESSARY.
THE C.A.S. MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAMS WERE FIRST ORGANISED IN 1967 WITH A NUCLEUS OF PERMANENT TRAINING STAFF FOLLOWING THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AIR FORCE MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM FROM HONG KONG.
SINCE THEN MORE AND MORE VOLUNTEER MEMBERS WERE RECRUITED AND TWO C.A.S. MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAMS — ONE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND AND ONE FOR KOWLOON -- WERE INAUGURATED ON APRIL 7, 1969.
THESE TEAMS WERE FURTHER AMALGAMATED IN JANUARY 1, 1975 TO FORM A C.A.S. MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT I TH AN AUTHORISED ESTABLISHMENT OF 56 OFFICERS AND MEMBERS.
THE UNIT IS NOW ARGYLE STREET, AND A DUTY FROM ID A.M. TO
BASED AT THE C.A.S. KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE IN DETACHMENT OF EIGHT MEMBERS ARE ON STAND-EY 9.30 P.M. DURING SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
its Members may be called upon to perform all kinds of search
AND RESCUE OPERATIONS IN REMOTE AND MOUNTAIN AREAS.
NOTE TO EDITORS s
AS PART OF THE BIENNIAL INSPECTION, A MOUNTAIN RESCUE DEMONSTRATION WILL BE HELD AT KOWLOON PEAK ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7.
THIS DEMONSTRATION, WHICH WILL START AT 11 A.M. AND LAST FOR ABOUT 1*0 HOURS, a-ILL INCLUDE ROCK CLIMBING, PRUSIK ING, ABSEILING AND CASUALTY EVACUATION EY HELICOPTER.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE DEMONSTRATION. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE C.A.S. KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE AT 204, ARGYLE STREET (NEXT TO THE KOWLOON CITY POLICE STATION) AT 9.30 A.M.
/HK. NG ......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1976
- 10 -
MR. NG YIU-LUN, TRAINING OFFICER OF THE C.A.S., WILL ACCOMPANY THEM FROM THE TRAINING CENTRE TO THE DEMONSTRATION AREA.
AS IT WILL TAKE SOME 45 MINUTES TO WALK FROM THE DROP-OFF POINT TO THE DEMONSTRATION AREA, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE ADVISED TO PUT ON RUBBER-SOLE SHOES FOR THE OCCASION TO FACILITATE WALKING ON HILL PATHS.
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MANAGEMENT SEMINARS FOR SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TRAINING DIVISION IS CONDUCTING A SECOND SERIES OF SEMINARS FOR HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICERS AT THE DIRECTORATE LEVEL OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. IT WILL BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE SUITE, ON THE 1ST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BETWEEN DECEMBER 6 AND 17, COMMENCING AT 9.15 A.M.
PROF. A.L. MINKES AND DR. D. WILLIAMS OF BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY WHO CONDUCTED THE FIRST SERIES OF SEMINARS LAST YEAR WILL AGAIN BE IN CHARGE.
THE PROJECT IS BEING SPONSORED BY THE COMMONWEALTH FUND FOR TECHNICAL CC-OPERATION (CFTC).
THE PURPOSES OF THIS FOLLOW-UP SERIES OF SEMINARS ARE TO ANALYSE AND DISCUSS MODERN MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS AND APPROACHES, TO RELATE ITS FINDINGS TO ADMINISTRATORS AND SPECIALISTS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE, AND TO EXAMINE SPECIFIC ISSUES.
DURING THE PAST WEEK PROF. MINKES HAS MET SEVERAL HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND SENIOR OFFICERS IN THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS MANAGERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THIS SERIES OF SEMINARS WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED EY MR. H.M.G. FORSGATE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 6) AT 9.15 A.M. PLEASE ASSEMBLE IN THE LOBBY OF THE MAIN WING OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 9 A.M. THAT DAY WHERE THE SECRETARIAT PRESS OFFICER WILL MEET YOU.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1976
FIRST GOVERNMENT PLASTIC * * * * *
SURGERY UNIT IN P.M.H. *
DISFIGURED PEOPLE ARE HAVING A BETTER CHANCE OF LEADING NORMAL LIVES AGAIN WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRALISED PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE UNIT IN THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL.
THE UNIT, WHICH HAS BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE JANUARY THIS YEAR, NOW HAS 30 BEDS CATERING FOR BOTH MEN, WOMEN AS WELL AS CHILDREN.
IT IS RUN BY A TEAM OF TRAINED PLASTIC SURGEONS, ASSISTED BY DOCTORS, TRAINED NURSES, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS AND A SOCIAL WORKER.
ACCORDING TO THE CONSULTANT IN CHARGE OF THE UNIT, CASES ADMITTED INTO THE WARD CONSIST MAINLY OF BURNS AND POST BURN CONTRACTURES, CONGENITAL ANOMALIES SUCH AS CLEFT LIP AND PALATE, HEAD AND NECK SURGERY, AND HAND SURGERY.
+THE MAIN AIM OF OUR OPERATIONS IS TO RESTORE FUNCTIONING POWER,+ HE SAID. +COSMETIC EFFECTS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN APPEARANCE ARE OF SECONDARY IMPORTANCE.+
+WE DO NOT NORMALLY ACCEPT COSMETIC CASES UNLESS IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE A PERSON’S MINOR DISFIGUREMENT AFFECTS HIS PSYCHOLOGICAL MAKE-UP AND CONFIDENCE TO THE EXTENT THAT HIS ABILITY TO WORK IS IMPAIRED,* HE ADDED.
THE CONSULTANT POINTED OUT THAT THE NEED TO ESTABLISH A PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTURE UNIT HAS BECOME OBVIOUS WITH THE EVER-RISING INSTANCES OF INDUSTRIAL AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS RESULTING IN HAND OR FACIAL DISFIGUREMENT.
STATISTICS HAVE ALSO SHOWN THAT ONE OUT OF EVERY SOO NEW-BORN BABIES HAVE SOME SORT OF PHYSICAL ANOMALIES SUCH AS CLEFT LIP AND PALATE OR DEFORMED HANDS AND FINGERS.
+PLASTIC SURGICAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE NON-GOVERNMENT SECTOR ARE OFTEN EXPENSIVE AND THE NEED FOR A GOVERNMENT-RUN UNIT PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES AT A LOW COST HAS BEEN APPARENT FOR SOME TIME,* THE CONSULTANT SAID.
PATIENTS ADMITTED INTO THE UNIT AT P.M.H.
STANDARD RATE OF S3 PER DAY AND ALL OPERATIONS
ARE CHARGED THE ARE FREE OF CHARGE.
AT PRESENT AN AVERAGE OF TEN CASES ARE BEING DEALT . I TH EVERY .;EEK BY THE PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCT IVE UNIT.
/-mxjoB* LssikSiuSy • • • • •
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1976
2
THESE CASES, THE CONSULTANT POINTED OUT, RANGED FROM RELATIVELY SIMPLE TO HIGHLY COMPLEX ONES REQUIRING A SERIES OF FOUR OR FIVE OPERATIONS.
+TW0 OF OUR MORE NOTABLE RECENT CASES ARE THE TRANSFER OF A LITTLE TCE TO THE HANDS OF A FINGERLESS CHILD AND THE REPLANTING OF THE SEVERED HAND OF AN OLD WOMAN,+ HE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THE WARD IN PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, OUTPATIENT PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE CLINICS ARE ALSO RUN ONCE A WEEK AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH AND KWONG WAH HOSPITALS. IT IS EXPECTED THAT A THIRD PART-TIME OUT-PATIENT CLINIC WILL START OPERATING AT THE SOUTH KWAI CHUNG POLYCLINIC IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
THE 30 HOSPITAL BEDS AVAILABLE AT P.M.H. ARE BEING FULLY UTILISED, BUT THERE IS AMPLE ROOM FOR PHYSICAL EXPANSION OF THE WARD INSIDE THE HOSPITAL.
TO MAKE FUTURE EXPANSION POSSIBLE, THE UNIT IS CARRYING OUT A CAREFULLY PLANNED IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR JUNIOR DOCTORS AND NURSES.
THE PLASTIC SURGEONS, WHO HAVE ALL RECEIVED SPECIALIST TRAINING OVERSEAS, ARE ORGANISING REGULAR LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS FOR FIVE TRAINEE DOCTORS. TWO NURSES TRAINED IN PLASTIC SURGERY ARE ALSO HELPING TO TRAIN OTHER NURSES FOR THE JOB.
+WHEN OUR PLASTIC SURGEONS CAN EE RELEASED FOR FULL-TIME DUTIES IN THE UNIT AND AS OUR TRAINEE DOCTORS GET MORE EXPERIENCE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPAND OUR SERVICES TO CATER FOR THE EVER INCREASING NUMBER OF PATIENTS SEEN AT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND TO SHORTEN THE WAITING LIST FOR ADMISSION AND SURGERY,+ THE CONSULTANT SAID.
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PROMOTION OF SPORTING ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH
******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, TODAY COMMENDED LOCAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS AND SCHOOLS FOR THEIR COOPERATION IN PROMOTING SPORTING ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
MR. TOPLEY WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE THREE-DAY HONG KONG INTER-SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEET ORGANISED BY THE SOUTH CHINA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.
HE RECALLED THAT INITIALLY ONLY A FEW HUNDREDS COMPETITORS TOOK PART IN THE EVENTS BUT DURING THE LAST 10 YEARS THE NUMBERS HAD INCREASED STEADILY. NOW THERE WERE MORE THAN 2,000 COMPETITORS.
THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS HAD ALSO INCREASED AND MANY NEW TRACK AND FIELD RECORDS HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED.
+THESE ACHIEVEMENTS,* MR. TOPLEY SAID, +ARE LARGELY DUE TO THE UNFAILING ENERGY AND EFFORTS OF THE ORGANISERS.*
HE SAID IT WAS GRATIFYING TC NOTE THAT THIS SPORTS MEET WAS BEING HELD FOR THE 30TH TIME.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1976
5
LION ROCK COUNTRY PARK
* * * *
LION ROCK, WHOSE RUGGED TERRAIN AND TREACHEROUS CLIFFS ARE POPULAR WITH HIKERS AND ROCK CLIMBING ENTHUSIASTS, ALSO ATTRACTS MANY PEOPLE WHO GO THERE FOR LESS ARDUOUS OTUDOOR ACTIVITIES.
FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE EARLY THIS YEAR, SCENIC LANDSCAPES AROUND THE ROCK HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FOR DESIGNATION AS THE PROPOSED COUNTRY PARK.
IT WILL COVER ABOUT 557 HECTARES (1,376 ACRES) AND STRETCH FROM TAI PO ROAD RUNNING EAST, INCLUDING THE WHOLE OF THE RIDGE, TO SHATIN PASS ON THE NORTHERN SIDE OF THE ROCK.
CURRENTLY, THE LOWLAND AREA OF HUNG MUI KUK AND SEVERAL PLACES NEAR THE ADJOINING AMAH ROCK ARE MAINLY FREQUENTED BY FAMILIES AND STUDENTS FOR PICNICS AND BARBECUES. ALTOGETHER THERE ARE AT PRESENT FOUR PICNIC AND FOUR +APPROVED BARBECUE SITES.+
FACILITIES INCLUDE THE USUAL TABLES AND BENCHES, BARBECUE PITS AND LITTER BINS.
PLAY AREAS,
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID:+F IRES, PARTICULARLY IN THE DRY SEASON, ARE A CONSTANT THREAT TO ALL THE COUNTRY PARKS. THE LIGHTING OF FIRES THROUGHOUT COUNTRY PARKS IS PROHIBITED EXCEPT IN +APPROVED BARBECUE SITES* BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF FIRE AND SERIOUS DAMAGE.+
THE TWO LOCALITIES WERE VISITED BY OVER 20,000 PEOPLE IN 1975 - AN INCREASE OF SOME 150 PER CENT OVER THE 1974 FIGURE.
ANOTHER ATTRACTION OF THE LION ROCK COUNTRY PARK IS THAT IT HAS A LONG STRETCH OF ROAD, LINKING WANG TAU HOM AREA TO SHATIN, WHICH IS USED BY MORNING WALKERS - WHO ARE MOSTLY MIDDLE-AGED RESIDENTS OF THE NEARBY PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
BETWEEN 600 AND 800 PERSONS WALK ALONG THE STEEP ROAD EVERY MORNING AND 50 PER CENT OF THEM SPEND UP TO TWO HOURS IN THIS ACTIVITY.
TOWARDS THE NORTHERN END OF THE SHATIN PASS, IT IS PLANNED TO PROVIDE SIMILAR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE USE OF PEOPLE FROM THE SHATIN NEW TOWN AREA.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE AT PRESENT NO PICNIC OR BARBECUE SITES IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY PARK.
+WE ARE INVOLVED IN A JOINT SCHEME WITH SHA TIN NEW TOWN TO REHABILITATE A LEVELLED AREA (BORROW LAND) WHICH WILL BE TURFED AND PROVIDED WITH FACILITIES UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE,* HE SA ID.
+WORK ON THIS HAS NOT YET BEGUN, BUT WILL START AS SOON AS IT IS FEASIBLE. THE AREA IS EXPECTED TO BECOME POPULAR BECAUSE VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY A PANORAMIC VIEW OF BOTH KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES,* HE ADDED.
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A
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1976
4
NEW HOME FOR THE AGED OPENED
******
THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT INCREASED VOLUNTARY EFFORT IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME PLAN ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TZ’U TE HOME FOR THE AGED AT TA I 0 MUN, CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD.
MR. LEE NOTED THAT THERE WAS A CONTINUING NEED FOR EXPANDING THE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN HONG KONG, AND THAT THIS COULD ONLY BE ACHIEVED WITH THE ASSISTANCE AND CONTRIBUTION OF THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR.
HE CONGRATULATED MEMBERS OF THE CHAM SHAN MONASTERY FOR HAVING BUILT THE HOME AFTER YEARS OF PLANNING AND HARDWORK.
WHILE THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED THE PROJECT BY PROVIDING THIS PIECE OF CROWN LAND TO THE MONASTERY AND GRANTING $300,OOO FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND TO MEET PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND FURNISHING COSTS, HE SAID, IT WAS THROUGH THE ENTHUSIASM, DETERMINATION, UNTIRING EFFORTS AND RESOURCEFULNESS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE MONASTERY THAT THIS PROJECT BECAME A REALITY.
0 --------
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT HA TSUEN
*******
A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS AT HA TSUEN RURAL COMMITTEE FOR RESIDENTS AND PERSONS LIVING NEARBY FOR THREE DAYS FROM DECEMBER 13 (MONDAY).
THE VISIT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO REGISTER
THEIR CHILDREN OR WARDS GF 11 YEARS OF AGE FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS ON REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE.
REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. DAILY.
ALL PERSONS LIVING IN THIS AREA ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS.
THEY SHOULD REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
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/5......
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1976
5
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI
******
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON THE MORNING OF TUESDAY (DECEMBER 7) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN WAN CHAI.
SOUTHBOUND VEHICLES IN STEWART ROAD WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT AT THE JUNCTION OF HENNESSY ROAD AND STEWART ROAD.
EASTBOUND VEHICLES IN JOHNSTON ROAD WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED TO TURN LEFT INTO HENNESSY ROAD AT THE JUNCTION OF JOHNSTON ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD NEAR THE PETROL FILLING STATION.
THE SECTION OF HEARD STREET BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND WAN CHAI ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY FROM HENNESSY ROAD TO WAN CHAI ROAD. I.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
••'.Jnr' - * Sunday, December 5, 197o«
A PROPER HOME OF THEIR OWN - AT LAST
A year ago, a tenant of the partially-occupied Lek Yuen Estate at Sha Tin moved into a proper home for the first time in her life.
She is Mrs Wong Tong Yuk-ngun who, with her family, was rehoused to Lek Yuen after their hut on a hillside near the entrance to Lion Rock tunnel was badly damaged by a landslip resulting from a tropical storm.
A widow, Mrs Wong is now paying 3200 a month for the 515 square feet, seven-person flat.
She was not accustomed to paying rental at first, but, now one year later, Mrs Wong has settled down and is enjoying life in the estate.
"From all angles my children and I are happy here," Mrs Wong said.
"Originally, we felt uneasy spending S200 a month because we had not been paying rent before. But, we now realise it is worthwhile for much better accommodation. I could not get the same value in a private flat," she said.
The Wong family previously lived in a hut measuring approximately 4^0 square feet.
Facilities were primitive and there were inconvenience with transportation, sanitation and postal service.
Now, Mrs Wong and her five children live comfortably.
'Psychologically, we feel safer living in a public housing estate rather than in a hut," she said.
"The flat protects us from rain and burglary."
"We have many advantages from the well-located site, such as better
transport, welfare and shopping facilities."
Mrs Wong added that the rent took a proportion of the family income,
but it was worth it
because of the facilities offered-
Her flat has an individual toilet, balcony, kitchen and water supply.
From the balcony the family has a pleasant view over the surrounding countryside.
HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
Sunday, December 5» 1976
THE HI-BALL STRIKES, AND DOWN GOES THE OLD
AT SHEK KIP MEI
Swinging from a crane like the pendulum of a clock, a three-ton hi-ball is crunching and crumping its way through seven Mark I blocks at Lower Shek Kip Mei Estate in the latest stage of a $200 million redevelopment scheme there.
Thus are the hands of time turning a full circle at Shek Kip Mei, for there is where Hong Kong’s public housing programme began in 195^». when eight of the first Mark I blocks were thrown up in one year .to provide roofs over the heads of 53i000 people made homeless on Christmas Day, 19531 when a terible fire ripped through thousands of squatter huts.
Blow by blow, like a giant hammer, the hi-ball is smashing down block after block to clear an area of almost six acres on which part of a new-generatibn housing estate rivalling Oi Man and Wah Fu will rise.
1 ••• ;■ .t .
The first stage of a commercial complex of two storeys, featuring 99 shops, markets with some 5&0 stalls of various sizes and 10 cooked-food • ■ ■ t . • ■. . -
stalls, will also go up on the site formerly occupied by Blocks Four, Five • i •
and Six.
The second stage of the commercial complex, which has yet to be built, will include 46 shops, 80 market stalls, an emporium, a supermarket, a restaurant, welfare premises, a school, kindergarten, nursery and 10 V *
cooked-food stalls.
2
Thnsa commercial projects will totally transform Stek Kip Mei Housing Estate.
The old Mark I blocks are not giving in without a fight.
Though built hurriedly, they were built solidly too and their skeletons of concrete are laced with sinews of steel bars and veins of steel rods which withstand blow after blow of the hi-ball until the concrete shreds away and the steel framework surrenders reluctantly and sags like lattice-work on the dusty rubble.
Section by section, the hi-ball shears away the six-storey blocks, and rooms where families grew up and children reached adulthood are suddenly exposed for the first time to the glare of the sun, tattered joss signs still pasted over doorways and small fung shui mirrors still nailed on walls.
What stories these walls could tell if they could speak .......
Of families rising above such humble living conditions to gain fortune in commerce through hard work; of children who learnt their first lessons in the rooftop schools above their blocks and learnt those lessons
I
well enough to now occupy good jobs in the Government, leading commercial houses or big factories; of other children who migrated to the United States, Canada, Britain or Europe and consequent prosperity, steeled in their determination to succeed by the experience of growing up in a resettlement estate; of marriages and births, festivals and anniversaries, joy and sadness.
The families these blocks housed all strived for a better life ---- and now these old blocks are going so that other families can
enjoy a better life in the new Shek Kip Mei Estate.
/J......
The redevelopment of Shek Kip Mei will take five years.
When finished the whole scheme will accommodate approximately 33♦000 people — almost 50 percent less than the original population.
This scheme will fulfil the Housing Authority’s aim in providing more space for tenants and relief overcrowding in the old estates.
The majority of the domestic units existing in Shek Kip Mei are 120 square feet.
But planned flats sizes of the redeveloped blocks will vary from J08 square feet to 420 square feet which will be much bigger and more comfortable, based on the current allocation standard of 35 square feet per person.
It is further planned that living space per person will reach
50 square feet in the foreseeable future
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1976.
™1^!TS PAGE N0-
WORK ON FIRST STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT FOR YUEN LONG TO START SOON .............................
PUBLIC METERED CAR PARK CLOSED TO LEARNER DRIVERS ...... 2
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY................ 3
POST EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS ............................... 4
PROPOSED THIRD PARTY INSURANCE REGULATIONS EXPECTED TO BECOME LAW SOON ..................................... 5
DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS TO VISIT NURSERY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ............................................ g
NEW PUBLIC DUMP AT LAI CHI KOK BAY OPENS .................. 7
MOBILE CAREERS EXHIBITIONS ................................ 7
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1976
1
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS FOR YUEN LONG
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS ABOUT TO LAUNCH THE FIRST STAGE OF A PLAN TO TRANSFORM YUEN LONG INTO A MARKET TOWN OF 90,033 COMPARABLE WITH ANY OTHER SATELLITE TOWN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. ADOLF HSU, SAID TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY ALLOCATED 330 MILLION FOR THE FIRST STAGE OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND IT WAS HOPED THAT A FURTHER $34 MILLION WOULD SOON BE APPROVED FOR THE SECOND STAGE.
+IT IS PLANNED TO DEVELOP BOTH THE FIRST AND SECOND STAGES SIMULTANEOUSLY OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS AFTER WHICH ANOTHER THREE STAGES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE PROJECT,* HE TOLD A MEETING OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ROTARY CLUB.
MR. HSU SAID THAT TENDERS WOULD BE CALLED SOON FOR VARIOUS PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIRST STAGE.
THESE INCLUDED THE WIDENING OF EXISTING ROADS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ONES, DRAINAGE WORKS, A LARGE BUS TERMINUS, A GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, THE DEVELOPMENT OF OPEN SPACES AND THE FIRST PART OF A HOUSING ESTATE WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY PROVIDE HOMES FOR ABOUT 3,500 PEOPLE.
+WE ARE GETTING ON WITH THE FIRST PART OF THE ESTATE TO ENABLE US TO PROVIDE HOMES FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO WILL EE AFFECTED BY THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN,* HE SAID.
+AT THIS STAGE, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT SOME 400 PEOPLE WILL REQUIRE REHOUSING.
+THE FIRST STAGE ALSO INCLUDES A POST OFFICE, A MULTISTOREY CAR PARK AND OVERALL THERE WILL BE A LARGE AMOUNT OF AGRICULTURAL LAND AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.*
MR. HSU SAID THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WOULD SOON CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS TO ALLOW THE SECOND STAGE TO BE CARRIED OUT ALONG WITH THE FIRST STAGE +AND WE ARE HOPING FOR A FAVOURABLE RESPONSE.*
+THERE WILL BE SEVERAL MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS IN THIS SECOND STAGE, A MARKET AND HAWKER BAZAARS, A PLB TERMINUS, REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS, A YOUTH CENTRE, OPEN SPACE AND ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS,* HE SAID.
+THE HOUSING ESTATE WILL BE COMPLETED DURING THE FINAL THREE STAGES OF WORK, WHICH WILL START AFTER W’E HAVE FINISHED THE FIRST TWO.
/+PLANS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1976
2
+PLANS FOR THE FINAL THREE STAGES CALL FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE TUNG YIK BAZAAR, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AREA, A DISTRICT HOSPITAL AND, AT THIS STAGE, A SWIMMING POOL.
+HOWEVER, THE DISTRICT OFFICE IS NOW PREPARING A SUBMISSION TO THE GOVERNMENT TO BRING THE SWIMMING POOL INTO THE SECOND STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT.+
MR. HSU ADDED: +WHEN ALL THE PLANS ARE COMPLETED, YUEN LONG WILL BECOME A MODERN AND IMPORTANT MARKET TOWN COMPARABLE WITH ANY OTHER SATELLITE TOWN IN THE NEW TERR I TOR IES.
+WITHIN THE WHOLE LAYOUT PLAN THERE WILL BE MORE THAN 100 ACRES OF LAND AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT - ABOUT 27 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL AREA INVOLVED.
+ANOTHER 10 PER CENT - OR ABOUT 33 ACRES - WILL BE DEVOTED TO OPEN SPACE.+
MR. HSU SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY MADE PROVISION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANOTHER 186 ACRES INTO AN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE +AND AN EARLY ESTIMATE IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND S145 MILLION IN PREPARING THE LAND FOR THIS.+
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PUBLIC METERED CAR PARK CLOSED TO LEARNER DRIVERS * * * *
LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE PUBLIC METERED CAR PARK ON TIN KWONG ROAD FROM 8 A.H. ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 8).
THE ARRANGEMENT IS INTENDED TO FACILITATE SMOOTH CONDUCTING OF DRIVING TESTS WITHIN THE CAR PARK.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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/3
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1976
3
Legco meets on Wednesday
* * * *
DEBATE WILL RESUME ON THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BILL 1976 WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETS ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 8).
THE BILL SEEKS TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (FULTON REPORT) RELATING TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY AND ITS CONSTITUENT COLLEGES.
THE DETENTION CENTRES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, WHICH PROPOSES TO EXTEND FROM 20 TO 24 THE MAXIMUM AGE AT WHICH AN OFFENDER MAY BE SENTENCED TO A DETENTION CENTRE, WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST READING.
ALSO TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL WILL BE THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1975-76) BILL 1976, THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1976, THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1976, THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, AND THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1976.
FOR THE SECOND TIME RUNNING, 20 QUESTIONS, THE MAXIMUM NUMBER PERMITTED IN ANY ONE SITTING, WILL BE RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
THE HON. MISS LYDIA DUNN WILL ASK WHETHER THE RECENT IMPOSITION OF GLOBAL QUOTAS BY CANADA ON ALL CLOTHING IMPORTS IS PERMISSIBLE UNDER THE GENERAL AGREEMENT OF TARIFFS AND TRADE, WHILE THE HON. T.S. LO WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO DISCLOSE ITS COMPLETE POLICY ON LABOUR LEGISLATION APPLICABLE TO THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
DR. THE HON. HENRY HU WILL ASK WHETHER ANY CONDITION HAS BEEN IMPOSED ON THE LEVEL ON FEES CHARGED BY OCEAN PARK. A SERIES OF QUESTIONS ON THE WAITING TIME AND PRIORITIES OF APPLICANTS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING WILL EE RAISED BY THE HON. WONG LAM.
OTHER SUBJECTS TO BE RAISED INCLUDE THE CONTROL OF MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS, SHELTERED BUS STOPS, THE STRENGTH OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AND THE PROPOSED NO-FAULT MOTOR INSURANCE SCHEME.
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/4
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1976
4
POST EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS
* * * * *
IF YOU WANT YOUR CHRISTMAS CARDS TO REACH YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES IK HONG KONG BEFORE CHRISTMAS, YOU SHOULD POST THEM NOT LATER THAN TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21.
A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT POSTINGS OF LOCAL MAIL ITEMS AFTER THIS DATE COULD NOT BE GUARANTEED DELIVERY BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
FOR LOCALLY ADDRESSED CHRISTMAS CARDS, THERE WILL BE SPECIAL COUNTER POSITIONS FROM DECEMBER 13 TO 21 AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE TO EXPEDITE HANDLING AND SUBSEQUENT DELIVERY.
ANY QUANTITY OF CARDS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE SPECIAL COUNTERS, BUT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REQUESTED TO SEPERATE THEIR CARDS ADDRESSED TO HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
LETTER DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS DURING THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PERIOD ARE AS FOLLOWS :
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19
CHRISTMAS DAY, DECEMBER 25
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27
NEW YEAR’S DAY, JANUARY 1
TWO DELIVERIES
NO DELIVERY
ONE DELIVERY
ONE DELIVERY
NO DELIVERY
IN ADDITION, ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEAR’S DAY. HOWEVER, COUNTER FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM 9 A.M. TC 12 NOON AT 32 POST OFFICES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, ..HICH IS A GENERAL HOLIDAY.
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/5
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1976
5
THIRD PARTY INSURANCE CERTIFICATE
*****
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TODAY THAT ON TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF A MOTOR VEHICLE THE NEW OWNER WOULD BE REQUIRED IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO PRODUCE A VALID CERTIFICATE OF THIRD PARTY INSURANCE MADE OUT IN HIS NAME.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOTOR VEHICLES INSURANCE (THIRD PARTY RISKS) REGULATIONS HAD BEEN PROPOSED AND WAS EXPECTED TO BECOME LAW SHORTLY.
AT PRESENT, HE SAID, THE PRODUCTION OF A VALID CERTIFICATE WAS ALREADY REQUIRED ON THE FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT LICENSING OF A MOTOR VEHICLE.
+ BUT MANY PEOPLE BUYING SECOND-HAND CARS PRODUCE THE INSURANCE CERTIFICATE OF THE SELLER WHEN APPLYING TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE,* HE SAID.
+THIS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED WHEN THE AMENDING LEGISLATION COMES INTO EFFECT,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN WENT ON TO SAY THAT WHEN OWNERSHIP OF A MOTOR VEHICLE .-.AS TRANSFERRED, THE THIRD PARTY INSURANCE COVER CEASED TO EE EFFECTIVE SO FAR AS THE PREVIOUS OWNER WAS CONCERNED AND THAT THE NEW OWNER HAD TO TAKE OUT APPROPRIATE INSURANCE COVER IN RESPECT OF THE SAME VEHICLE ANYHOW.
+THEREFORE,* HE SAID, +THE PRODUCTION OF THE VALID CERTIFICATE SHOULD NOT PRESENT ANY PROBLEM.*
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/6
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1976
6
DHA TO VISIT PO LEUNG KUK NURSERY IN N.T.
******
THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, WILL VISIT THE KWAI CHOW NURSERY RUN BY THE PO LEUNG KUK ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER S) TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE NURSERY SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE KUK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MRS. MAXINE LI KWOK, CHAIRMAN OF PO LEUNG KUK= MR. SZE KA-SHUEN, THIRD VICE-CHAIRMAN AND MRS. SIU TSANG FUNG-KWAN, DIRECTOR.
SITUATED AT THE GROUND FLOOR OF BLOCK 3 OF KWAI FONG ESTATE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE NURSERY OCCUPIES AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,000 SQ. FT.
THE NURSERY, WITH AN ENROLMENT OF 165, WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED IN MARCH 1974.
AMONG THE FACILITIES IT PROVIDES ARE A CHILDREN PLAY ROOM AND A MUSIC ROOM.
DAILY ACTIVITIES AND STUDIES OF THE CHILDREN ARE PLANNED AND ARRANGED BY TRAINED STAFF COMPRISING ONE SUPERVISOR, TEN CHILD CARE WORKERS AND SIX AMAHS.
SINCE THE NURSERY AIMS TO HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES TO LOOK AFTER THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS HAVE TO GO OUT TO WORK, THE FEE IS KEPT AS LOW AS $40 PER MONTH. THE DEFICITS ARE SUBSIDIZED PARTLY BY THE KUK AND PARTLY BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT. MR. WALDEN WILL ARRIVE AT THE NURSERY AT 11.30 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 8).
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/7......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1976
NEW PUBLIC DUMP AT LAI CHI KOK BAY OPENS
******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OPENED A NEW PUBLIC DUMP AT LAI CHI KOK BAY FROM TODAY (MONDAY).
ACCESS TO THE DUMP IS FROM THE NORTH-WEST SECTION OF LAI WAN ROAD AND DUMPING IS RESTRICTED BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 6 P.M. FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY.
NO DUMPING WILL BE PERMITTED ON WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
DUMPING LICENCES MAY EE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE ON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE P.W.D.’S AIRPORT AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 435 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE LICENCES WILL ONLY BE ISSUED FOR SPECIFIC MATERIALS SUCH AS APPROVED SOFT EARTH, BUILDING DEBRIS AND CERTAIN STONE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID THAT WHERE POSSIBLE APPLICANTS SHOULD INDICATE THE ORIGIN, TYPE AND APPROXIMATE MATERIALS TO BE DUMPED.
+APPLICANTS SHOULD INCLUDE THEIR ADDRESSES AND THE REGISTRATION NUMBERS OF THE VEHICLES THEY WILL BE USING, AS ONLY APPROVED VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED ENTRY TO THE DUMP,+ HE ADDED.
MOBILE CAREERS EXHIBITIONS * * * *
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL OPEN THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF MOBILE CAREERS EXHIBITIONS FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AT THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND IN TSUEN WAN TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 2.33 P.M.
THE MOBILE CAREERS EXHIBITIONS ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL RURAL COMMITTEES.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, WILL ALSO ADDRESS THE GATHERING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TOMORROW.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT.
_ _ o - -
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1976
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
MR. DENIS BRAY TO BECOME HONG KONG’S COMMISSIONER IN LONDON NEXT YEAR ........................................... 1
EIGHTEEN NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR TSUEN WAN WITHIN FOUR YEARS ................................................. 2
TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE ...................... 3
EXTRA FIRE PRECAUTIONS NEEDED IN PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT .............................................. 4
RECORD PRICE FOR INDUSTRIAL LAND IN TUEN MUN ............... 5
SIX-STOREY CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE TO OPEN NEXT APRIL ................................................. 6
USE OF ELECTRONIC CALCULATORS IN THE CLASSROOM ADVOCATED 7
WATER CUTS IN WAN CHAI AND SHAM SHU I PO ................... 8
REPLICAS OF HONG KONG’S ANCIENT ROCK CARVINGS .............. 9
AUCTION OF ’SPECIAL’ CAR NUMBERS .......................... 10
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1976
1
SENIOR GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS
******
MR. D.C. BRAY, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, IS TO BE POSTED AS HONG KONG’S COMMISSIONER IN LONDON. MR. BRAY WILL TAKE OVER FROM MR. S.T. KIDD WHO WILL RETIRE FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE IN SEPTEMBER 1977.
THE NEW SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WILL BE MR. F.K. LI WHO WILL ASSUME THE POST IN MAY OF NEXT YEAR.
COMMENTING ON THE APPOINTMENT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID i +THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. BRAY, ONE OF THE MOST SENIOR OFFICERS IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE PLACED ON THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER’S POST.
+IN LONDON, MR. BRAY WILL CO-ORDINATE THE MANY ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN BRITAIN, INCLUDING THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON HONG KONG- LIAISON WITH HONG KONG RESIDENTS IN BRITAIN, AND THE REVIEW OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND THEIR POSSIBLE EFFECT ON HONG KONG’S INTERESTS,+ HE EXPLAINED.
MR. BRAY, WHO IS 50 YEARS OF AGE, JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN 1950. HE HAS PREVIOUSLY WORKED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE SECRETARIAT FOR HOME AFFAIRS (NOW HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT).
HE WAS COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT FROM 1965 TO 1966-DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS FROM 1968 TO 1970, AND ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS FROM JULY 1970 TO JANUARY 1971 AFTER WHICH HE BECAME DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, NEW TERRITORIES BEFORE BEING APPOINTED AS SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS IN NOVEMBER 1973.
MR. F.K. LI IS 54 AND JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN 1954. HE HAS SERVED IN VARIOUS POSTS IN THE RESETTLEMENT, HOME AFFAIRS, LABOUR, AND COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
HE ACTED AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON TWO OCCASIONS IN 1967 AND 1968 AND WAS SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS FROM AUGUST TO OCTOBER 1972. HE WAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN NOVEMBER THE SAME YEAR. HE BECAME SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER 1973. SINCE THEN HE HAS SERVED AS SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, ONCE IN 1974 AND ONCE IN 1975.
MR. S.T. KIDD AGED 51, BECAME COMMISSIONER OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON IN 1973. HE FIRST JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN 1950 AND BECAME DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, NEW TERRITORIES IN 1959. HE WAS APPOINTED PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT COLONIAL SECRETARY IN 1965 AND ESTABLISHMENT SECRETARY IN 1970. HE HAD ALSO ACTED AS DEPUTY COLONIAL SECRETARY AND COLONIAL SECRETARY (NOW CHIEF SECRETARY) ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1976
- 2 -
EIGHTEEN NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO BUILD 18 NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.
THIS CRASH BUILDING PROGRAMME REFLECTED THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO CARRY OUT THE TREMENDOUS TASK OF MAKING UP THE DEFICIENCIES IN COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN TSUEN WAN, HE ADDED.
MR. AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S MOBILE CAREERS EXHIBITION AT THE SHA TSUI PLAYGROUND IN TSUEN WAN TO MARK THE START OF A SEVENWEEK PROGRAMME OF VISITS TO FIVE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS BY THE UNIT.
MORE THAN 400 SECONDARY SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM THE NEW TOWN, ALONG WITH COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, AND LOCAL DIGNITARIES INCLUDING THE TSUEN WAN RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR. PETER YEUNG, ATTENDED THE CEREMONY.
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT WORK HAD STARTED ON EIGHT NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS THIS YEAR, AND A SITE HAD BEEN ALLOCATED FOR A NINTH SCHOOL.
HE SAID THAT THE REMARKABLE GROWTH IN SECONDARY SCHOOL FACILITIES IN THE NEW TOWN HIGHLIGHTED THE NEED FOR SERVICES SUCH AS THOSE PROVIDED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE.
MR. AKERS-JONES EMPHASISED TO THE SCHOOL CHILDREN THAT THE CHOICE OF A CAREER WAS VERY IMPORTANT.
+A CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE TO PROVIDE USEFUL AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION IS A NECESSARY HELP TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT MOBILE EXHIBITION UNIT IS SERVING A VERY USEFUL PURPOSE IN THIS RESPECT,* HE SAID.
+THERE ARE ABOUT 50,000 YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 15 IN TSUEN WAN, AND I AM SURE THEY WILL FIND THIS EXHIBITION INVALUABLE TO THEM, IN MAKING THEM AWARE OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE OPEN TO THEM.*
SPEAKING AT THE SAME CEREMONY, MR. PRICE SAID THE SEVEN-WEEK PROGRAMME IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS A CONCERTED EFFFORT BY ALL CONCERNED - THE DISTRICT OFFICES, THE LOCAL RURAL COMMITTEES AND HIS DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE.
MR. PRICE ADDED: +BECAUSE OF THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING THE EXTENSION OF MANY OF ITS SERVICES TO THE NEW TOWNS OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS.
Aas far...
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1976
3
♦AS FAR AS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES ARE CONCERNED, NEW OFFICES OF THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE WILL SOON BE SET UP IN TUEN MUN AND LATER ON IN SHA TIN, WHILE THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE WILL HAVE AN OFFICE IN TSUEN WAN, PROBABLY BY 1978-79, AND LATER IN TUEN MUN.
+IN THE MEANTIME, THIS SPECIALLY-DESIGNED VEHICLE WILL HELP PROVIDE A CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE MAY NOT BE AWARE OF SUCH FACILITIES AT ALL.+
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TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE *****
THE NEXT TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (T.O.E.F.L.) IS TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 26 NEXT YEAR.
COPIES OF THE BULLETIN OF INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FORM MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON= OR THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIP SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, BONAVENTURE HOUSE, 91 LEIGHTON ROAD, 2ND FLOOR, HONG KONG = OR THE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION, 408 J.HOTUNG HOUSE, 5-15 HANKOW ROAD, 4TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
CANDIDATES ARE ADVISED TO READ THE BULLETIN CAREFULLY FOR INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURE.
COMPLETED REGISTRATION FORMS, TOGETHER WITH PASSPORT OR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD AND TWO RECENT IDENTICAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE APPLICANTS (SIZE 2-1/2” X 2”), MUST BE TAKEN IN PERSON TO THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4 P.M.
FROM DECEMBER 13 TO DECEMBER 17.
LACK OF IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING STANDARD PHOTOGRAPHS WILL DISQUALIFY A CANDIDATE FROM REGISTERING AND REGISTRATION BY MAIL AND LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
THE TEST FEE OF HK$95 PER CANDIDATE MUST BE PAID ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 2Q AT THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 11TH FLOOR. 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
FEES MAY BE PAID BY CROSSED CHEQUE PAYABLE TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SENT THROUGH THE POST TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1976
4 -
EXTRA FIRE PRECAUTIONS NEEDED IN PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT PLACES * * * * *
WITH THE APPROACH OF THE CHRISTMAS AND LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY CALLED ON THE MANAGEMENTS OF ALL PUBLIC PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT TO TAKE EXTRA FIRE PRECAUTIONS.
STARTING FROM TODAY, FIRE OFFICERS WILL BE VISITING HOTELS, DEPARTMENT STORES, CINEMAS, THEATRES, RESTAURANTS, NIGHT CLUBS AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS WHERE THE PUBLIC ARE LIKELY TO ASSEMBLE IN LARGE NUMBERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID : +THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT IS TWOFOLD: TO GIVE ADVICE ON HOW TO PREVENT FIRE AND TO ENSURE THAT FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS IN SUCH PLACES ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED.
+DURING THE VISITS, FIRE OFFICERS WILL PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE MEANS OF ESCAPE AND COMMON AREAS TO SEE THAT THEY ARE NOT OBSTRUCTED.
+AS FOR DEPARTMENT STORES, THE PERSON IN CHARGE SHOULD DEVISE A METHOD TO SAFELY DISPOSE OF ALL EMPTY CABTONS AND LOOSE PACKAGE MATERIALS.*
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT VARIOUS KINDS OF MATERIALS IN PREMISES BEHAVED DIFFERENTLY IN FIRES.
HE URGED MANAGEMENTS OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO RE-EXAMINE AND WHERE NECESSARY, IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF FIRE PREVENTION.
THE SPOKESMAN GAVE THE FOLLOWING ADVICE ON HOW TO PREVENT
FIRES :
* ENSURE THAT ALL STAFF, INCLUDING THOSE ON TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT, KNOW THE LOCATION AND OPERATION OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT.
* EXITS AND EXIT SIGNS MUST NOT BE OBSTRUCTED. EXIT ROUTES MUST BE MAINTAINED AND CLEARED AT ALL TIMES.
* ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL WIRING SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY A COMPETENT ELECTRICIAN.
* PROVIDE PLENTY OF ASH TRAYS AND BAN SMOKING IN PLACES SUCH AS STOREROOMS.
* +FULL HOUSE* SIGNS SHOULD BE PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED TO AVOID OVERCROWDING.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1976
- 5
RECORD PRICE FOR INDUSTRIAL LAND IN TUEN MUN ******
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY SOLD TWO LOTS OF INDUSTRIAL LAND IN TUEN MUN FOR NEARLY $4.8 MILLION.
BOTH LOTS FETCHED LOCAL RECORD PRICES AT THE PUBLIC AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
THE BIGGEST LOT, COMPRISING 8,678 SQ. FT., WAS SOLD FOR $2.8 MILLION AFTER SPIRITED BIDDING WHICH STARTED AT EXACTLY HALF THE SALE PRICE — $1.4 MILLION.
THE BUYERS, REACO ENTERPRISES LTD., PAID $322 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR THE LAND.
THE SECOND LOT OF 5,320 SQ. FT., FETCHED $1.97 MILLION AFTER BIDDING HAD STARTED AT $850,000.
THE BUYERS WERE ALLIED AND ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISES (HK) LTD., — WHO PAID $370 PER SQUARE FOOT.
THE PREVIOUS HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR INDUSTRIAL LAND IN TUEN MUN AT PUBLIC AUCTION WAS $208 PER SQUARE FOOT LAST AUGUST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY’S SALE REFLECTED A GROWING INTEREST BY INVESTORS AND INDUSTRIALISTS IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
+THE FACT THAT THERE WERE 150 PEOPLE AT THE AUCTION AND THAT BIDDING WAS SO STRONG IS AN INDICATION OF THIS,+ HE SAID.
+THIS CONTINUES A PATTERN OF INTEREST IN THE NEW TOWN WHERE 10 FACTORY BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, ANOTHER 17 ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WORK IS TO BEGIN SOON ON SEVERAL OTHERS,+ HE ADDED.
HE SAID THAT THE TWO LOTS SOLD TODAY CARRIED BUILDING COVENANTS WHICH STIPULATE THAT A TOTAL OF $2.1 MILLION MUST BE SPENT ON DEVELOPING THE SITES FOR INDUSTRIAL AND GODOWN PURPOSES WITHIN 30 MONTHS.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1976
6 -
*1' ,»x
NEW CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE
K * * K *
THE TOPPING-OFF CEREMONY OF THE NEW CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND NOW BEING BUILT IN HONG KONG, WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT TAI YIP STREET, KWUN TONG.
MR. M.T. GEOFFREY YEH, CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
THE NEW CENTRE WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO COME INTO OPERATION IN APRIL NEXT YEAR WILL BE SIX STOREYS HIGH AND WILL ACCOMMODATE WORKSHOPS, LECTURE ROOMS, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND A CANTEEN.
IT WILL PROVIDE ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME BASIC TRAINING FOR ABOUT 660 CRAFT TRAINEES IN THE KEY CONSTRUCTION TRADES.
AFTER COMPLETING THE BASIC TRAINING COURSES, THE TRAINEES WILL BE PLACED WITH BUILDING CONTRACTORS AS CRAFT APPRENTICES FOR TWO YEARS TO OBTAIN SITE EXPERIENCE BEFORE BECOMING QUALIFIED CRAFTSMEN.
ON COMING INTO OPERATION THE CENTRE WILL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY BY PROVIDING THE NECESSARY CRAFTSMEN REQUIRED.
THE SCHEME WILL ALSO PROVIDE AN AVENUE FOR HONG KONG’S YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE TRAINED FOR A CAREER.
BUILT ON A SITE OF ABOUT 59,000 SQUARE FEET GRANTED BY GOVERNMENT AT NIL PREMIUM, THE CENTRE WILL COST ABOUT $6.5 MILLION. ITS CAPITAL AND RECURRENT COSTS ARE FINANCED BY A TRAINING LEVY PAYABLE BY THE CONTRACTORS CONCERNED AT THE RATE OF 0.25 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF ALL CONSTRUCTION WORKS UNDERTAKEN IN HONG KONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS :
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CONSTRUCTION SITE IN TAI YIP STREET, (KOWLOON BAY) KWUN TONG, AT 10 A.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1976
7
USE OF CALCULATORS IN * * *
CLASSROOMS ADVOCATED * *
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR. ARTHUR BROWN TODAY ADVOCATED THE USE OF THE ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR IN THE CLASSROOM.
ADDRESSING THE SPEECH DAY OF LAM WOO MEMORIAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, MR. BROWN SAID, HOWEVER, THAT WHEN THE MODERN STUDENT WAS ALLOWED TO BRING HIS CALCULATOR INTO THE CLASSROOM IT WOULD NOT MEAN THAT IT WAS NO LONGER NECESSARY TO LEARN ARITHMETIC.
♦ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH A CALCULATOR IS THAT IT IS VERY EASY TO PRESS THE WRONG BUTTONS AND GET A RIDICULOUS ANSWER.
+THERE ARE ONLY TWO WAYS OF AVOIDING THIS - EITHER YOU MUST BE SO GOOD AT ARITHMETIC THAT YOU CAN ESTIMATE THE ANSWER ROUGHLY-BEFORE YOU DO IT ON THE CALCULATOR, OR YOU MUST BE AGAIN SO GOOD AT ARITHMETIC THAT YOU CAN DO THE PROBLEM TWICE IN TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAYS TO ENSURE YOU GET THE SAME ANSWER,+ HE SAID.
IN ILLUSTRATING THE PROGRESS BEING MADE ON THE USE OF CALCULATORS IN SCHOOLS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID THE LONDON G.C.E. BOARD HAD JUST ISSUED A NOTICE THAT FROM 1978 ELECTRONIC CALCULATORS COULD BE USED IN ALL APPROPRIATE SUBJECTS OF THEIR ’A’ OR ’O’ LEVEL EXAMINATIONS HELD IN BRITAIN UNLESS SPECIFICALLY FORBIDDEN FOR ANY PARTICULAR PAPER OR QUESTION.
+SO STUDENTS MIGHT BE USING CALCULATORS QUITE A BIT IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE,+ MR. BROWN SAID.
SPEAKING ABOUT CHANGES IN EDUCATION, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ASKED PARENTS, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS THESE QUESTIONS : +ARE YOU READY FOR ALL THE CHANGES THAT ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAPPEN? ARE WE PREPARED TO ADAPT TO THEM, TO ACCEPT CHANGE AND TO MAKE THE BEST OF EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS AROUND US?+
EDUCATION, HE SAID, HAD BEEN SLOW IN CHANGING TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES.
♦BUT IT IS CERTAINLY BEGINNING TO CHANGE NOW, HERE IN HONG KONG. AT FIRST PEOPLE USED TO THINK EDUCATION WAS JUST LEARNING THINGS, JUST SOAKING UP KNOWLEDGE LIKE A SPONGE- BUT THERE IS SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE IN EXISTENCE NOW, THAT IF YOU STARTED SOAKING IT UP AND KEPT ON UNTIL YOU DIED YOU WOULD BARELY HAVE SAMPLED IT.
♦OF COURSE WE DO NEED KNOWLEDGE, WITHOUT ANY KNOWLEDGE WE SHOULD BE HELPLESS AND THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT WE SIMPLY MUST
JUST LEARN.
/♦HOWEVER
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1976 8 -
+HOWEVER SINCE WE CANNOT LEARN EVERYTHING IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DON’T EVEN ATTEMPT TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH OF KNOWLEDGE SINCE IF WE DO WE SHALL BE OVERWHELMED BY IT AND SCHOOL LIFE WILL BECOME A BURDEN. I WOULD EVEN GO SO FAR AS TO SAY THAT IN HONG KONG THERE HAS BEEN A TENDENCY TO PILE ON MORE AND MORE LEARNING OF KNOWLEDGE IN JUST SUCH AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP UP WITH ITS GROWTH,* MR. BROWN SAID.
HE STATED THAT WHAT MUST BE DONE WAS TO ANALYSE WHAT WAS TO BE LEARNT AND PICK THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WAS MOST ESSENTIAL AND USEFUL.
+HOWEVER, WHAT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN GAINING KNOWLEDGE IS LEARNING TO FIND OUT THINGS FOR OURSELVES, HOW TO USE BOOKS, HOW TO STUDY, SO THAT WE CAN ALWAYS LOOK UP WHAT WE DON’T KNOW.
+THIS WILL HELP US TO KEEP ABREAST OF CHANGE, BECAUSE KNOWLEDGE ITSELF CAN GO OUT OF DATE AND IF WE ARE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD WE MUST CONTINUE LEARNING AFTER WE LEAVE SCHOOL. WE MUST ALSO LEARN TO LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE, TO BE CURIOUS AND SO TO AVOID MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES TWICE,* THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID.
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WATER CUT * * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 1 A.M. AND 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 9) TO ALLOW THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST IN THE AREA.
PREMISES AFFECTED ARE THOSE BOUNDED BY CANAL ROAD EAST, HENNESSY ROAD, HEARD STREET, WAN CHAI ROAD, TIN LOK LANE, MORRISON HILL ROAD AND LEIGHTON ROAD.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD ON THURSDAY, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAM SHU I PO WILL ALSO BE TURNED OFF.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY TAI HANG TUNG ROAD, INCLUDING TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE, BLOCK NOS. 1-14 AND TO YUEN STREET.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1976
- 9 -
REPLICAS OF H.K.’S ANCIENT ROCK CARVINGS
* * * *
THE PRODUCTION OF REPLICAS OF HONG KONG’S UNIQUE ANCIENT ROCK CARVINGS, BELIEVED TO BE AROUND 3,000 YEARS OLD, IS IN ITS FINAL STAGES.
SO FAR, THE URBAN COUNCIL’S MUSEUM OF HISTORY HAS, THROUGH A MOULDING PROCESS, PRODUCED REPLICAS OF FIVE OF THE SIX CARVINGS FOUND ON HONG KONG AND SEVERAL OTHER OUTLYING ISLANDS.
WORK ON THE SIXTH ONE ON TUNG LUNG ISLAND BEGAN TODAY. THE LOCATIONS OF THE FIVE OTHER CARVINGS ARE IN BIG WAVE BAY, SHEK PIK ON LANTAU, PO TOI ISLAND, CHEUNG CHAU AND KAU SAI CHAU.
THIS MORNING, THE ROYAL NAVY, THE GURKHA ENGINEERS, A HELICOPTER FROM THE R.A.F. AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) HELPED STAFF OF THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE TUNG LUNG ISLAND CARVING SITE BY AIRLIFTING MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTING A SCAFFOLDING ON A ROCKY CLIFF AT THE EASTERN EDGE OF THE ISLAND.
ACCORDING TO THE CURATOR OF THE MUSEUM, MR. BRIAN PEACOCK, THE MOULDING PROCESS ENTAILED PAINTING ON THE SURFACE OF THE CARVING WITH LIQUID RUBBER LATEX, TOPPING IT WITH A SHEET OF COTTON GAUZE.
♦FOLLOWING THIS, PLASTIC RESIN IS APPLIED ON THE TOP OF THE GAUZE TO GIVE THE MOULD GREATER RIGIDITY AND STRENGTH,+ HE SAID.
+WHEN THE VARIOUS LAYERS HAVE DRIED WHICH TAKES ABOUT A DAY, THE MOULD IS REMOVED AND TAKEN TO THE CONSERVATION LABORATORY OF THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY, WHERE IT IS USED TO PRODUCE AN EXACT REPLICA IN THE FORM OF A CAST.+ HE ADDED.
MR. PEACOCK REVEALED THAT WHEN THE ENTIRE MOULDING AND CASTING WORK HAD BEEN COMPLETED, AN EXHIBITION OF THE REPLICAS OF THE CARVINGS WOULD BE HELD IN THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY.
APART FROM MAKING A PERMANENT RECORD OF THE CARVINGS, HE CONTINUED, MOVES WERE ALSO BEING TAKEN TO PROTECT THEM FROM BEING DESTROYED BY NATURAL EROSION AND VANDALISM.
♦VANDALISM HAS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE,+ HE POINTED OUT, +AND THERE ARE PLANS TO PUT UP TEMPORARY FENCES TO. THWART IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE FROM DEFACING THEM.+
MR. PEACOCK" EXPLAINED THAT THESE CARVINGS, MANY OF WHICH ARE OF GEOMETRIC DESIGN, DID NOT SEEM TO FIGURE SIGNIFICANTLY IN PRESENT DAY LOCAL TRADITIONS.
♦ TO GIVE THEIR PRECISE AGE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT,* HE STATED.
/♦HOWEVER,
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1976
+HOWEVER, AS MANY OF THE DESIGNS IN THE ROCK CARVINGS RESEMBLE PATTERNS ON POTTERY AND METAL ARTEFACTS OF THE BRONZE AGE, IT IS LIKELY THAT THEY ARE CONTEMPORARY.
+IT WOULD NOT THEREFORE BE UNREASONABLE TO ESTIMATE THAT THEY WERE PRODUCED AS EARLY AS THE FIRST MILLENNIUM B.C.
♦SINCE THEY ARE THE ONLY VISIBLE MONUMENTS OF HONG KONG’S PREHISTORIC PAST, THEY ARE OF VERY GREAT CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL S IGN IFICANCE,+ HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
AUCTION OF +SPECIAL+ CAR NUMBERS * * * *
MOTORISTS ..ILL HAVE THE CHANCE CF BUYING +SPECIAL+ NUMBERS FOR THEIR CARS AT THE WEEKEND WHILE AT THE SAME TIME HELPING LOCAL CHARITIES.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 11). THE AUCTION WILL START AT 10 A.M. IN THE LECTURE ROOM SOUTH OF THE CITY HALL HIGH BLOCK.
FIFTEEN NUMBERS ..ILL BE OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC. THEY ARE:
BH 1122 8328 AT 3333
EL 1414 AL 2 AT 3
BM 525 AN 203 BM 1
2613 AR 777 BJ 1122
1913 AS 99 BM 8
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSE OF BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER ..'ILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES
FUND.
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JOINT MATRICULATION EXAMINATION AND SHORTER COURSES IN CHINESE UNIVERSITY SUGGESTED ................................. 1
HONG KONG PERTURBED OVER CANADIAN TEXTILE ACTION ............. 6
MTR EXTENSION TO TSUEN WAN UNDER STUDY ....................... 8
AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR PUBLIC HOUSING IS FIVE YEARS .... 9
INCREASE IN RENTS OF PRE-WAR BUILDINGS PROPOSED ............. 10
PROGRESS BEING MADE TO ALLOW BOATING ON SELECTED RESERVOIRS ................................................... H
FOUR BILLS PASSED ............................................ H
REDUCTION AND EVENTUAL ABOLITION OF OVERTIME WORK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ................................................ 12
STRENGTH OF HONG KONG DOLLAR AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS ........... 13
AIM TO TREBLE THE NUMBER OF BUS STOP SHELTERS IN RURAL ARcAS........................................................ 23
SALE OF LOWER ALCOHOLIC CONTENT BRANDY ..................... 14
GREATER DEMAND FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT FROM THE PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE ...................................................... 15
PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STANDS IN CLEARWAY AREAS ................... 16
LEGISLATION BEING DRAFTED TO REGULATE MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS 16
PROVISION OF MULTI-STOREY LORRY PARKS BEING EXAMINED ..... 17
SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRI AT I ON (1975-76) BILL ............... 17
PROCEDURES FOR COLLECTING REGISTERED ITEMS .............. 18
WATER CUTS IN MONG KOK AND KENNEDY TOWN ..................... 19
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
1
CALL FOR JOINT MATRICULATION EXAM. AND SHORTER COURSES IN CHINESE UNIVERSITY ******
THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG, TODAY CALLED FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A COMMON MATRICULATION EXAMINATION FOR THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND THE REDUCTION FROM FOUR TO THREE YEARS THE DURATION OF THE COURSES IN THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.
BOTH PROPOSALS WERE SUPPORTED BY REV. THE HON. JOYCE BENNETT AND THE FIRST RECEIVED FURTHER SUPPORT FROM THE HON. MISS KO SIU-WAH.
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BILL 1976, DR. CHUNG SAID THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED FOR RATIONALISATION AND UNIFICATION OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES IN HONG KONG.
HE POINTED CUT THAT AT PRESENT THE STUDENT POPULATION IN EACH OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES WAS ABOUT 4,000 WHEREAS THERE WERE ABOUT 285,000 PUPILS IN THE ANGLO-CHINESE SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND ONLY ABOUT 64,000 PUPILS IN THE CHINESE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR THE FIVE FORMS.
HE SAID THERE WERE A NUMBER OF CONSEQUENCES OF THIS IMBALANCE AND THAT +ONE OF THESE IS, OBVIOUSLY, THE EXTREMELY KEEN COMPETITION AMONG THE PUPILS OF ANGLO-CHINESE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR PLACES IN THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG+.
+ANOTHER CONSEQUENCE IS THE DIVERSION OF A LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS FROM ANGLO-CHINESE SECONDARY SCHOOLS INTO THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY WHERE THE COURSES AND LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BASICALLY FOR STUDENTS FROM THE CHINESE SECONDARY SCHOOLS,+ HE ADDED.
DR. CHUNG SAID THAT UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM, +A LARGE PROPORTION OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO ATTEND THREE MAJOR PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS IN THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS.
+WE MUST RECTIFY THIS UNDESIRABLE SITUATION WITHOUT DELAY IF WE ARE TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF BOTH OUR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION,+ HE STRESSED.
DR. CHUNG SAID THE UNOFFICIALS SUPPORTED THE GENERAL BASIC PRINCIPLE RECOMMENDED BY THE FULTON COMMISSION.
+WE FEEL THAT THE PRESENT FEDERAL NATURE OF THE UNIVERSITY MUST BE CHANGED SO THAT ALL POWERS AND FUNCTIONS IN THE GOVERNING OF THE UNIVERSITY AND THE COLLEGES ARE VESTED IN THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL AND SENATE.
+WE UNDERSTAND THAT AT ONE TIME MANY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS IN THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY WERE QUADRUPLED,* HE SAID.
/+IT WAS .....
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
2
+IT WAS REALLY WASTEFUL AND, AS THE UNIVERSITY IS FINANCED FROM PUBLIC FUNDS, EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO IMPROVE ITS EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS,* HE ADDED.
DR. CHUNG SAID THAT AFTER SOME LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE AD HOC GROUP OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND THE THEOLOGICAL COUNCIL OF CHUNG CHI COLLEGE, A LARGE NUMBER OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WAS AGREED TO THE BILL.
+WE WERE INFORMED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL THAT AT ITS MEETING ON NOVEMBER 2, THE COUNCIL HAD DISCUSSED THIS BILL AND RESOLVED, WITH TWO ABSTENTIONS, TO ACCEPT THE BILL.
+AS FAR AS UNITED COLLEGE IS CONCERNED, IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT ITS BOARD OF TRUSTEES HAS NO OBJECTION TO THIS BILL IN PRINCIPLE,* HE SAID.
THE ONLY PARTY STILL STANDING FAST ON ITS OBJECTION, HE ADDED, WAS THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF NEW ASIA COLLEGE.
AMONG THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED OR SUPPORTED BY THE UNOFFICIALS ARE :
* A POST OF PRO-CHANCELLOR SHOULD EE ESTABLISHED IN THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.
K THE HEADS OF COLLEGES, THE DEANS OF FACULTIES AND THE
DEAN OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY, AND THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL SHOULD EE EMPOWERED TO APPOINT, FROM AMONG THE REGULAR STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITY, MORE THAN TWO PRO-VICE-CHANCELLORS AND TO PRESCRIBE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PRO-VICECHANCELLORS.
H THE HEAD OF A COLLEGE, OTHER THAN THE FIRST HEAD, SHOULD BE APPOINTED FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS AND SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR RE-APPOINTMENT FOR A MAXIMUM OF TWO FURTHER PERIODS, EACH OF THREE YEARS.
* THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE SENATE IN RESPECT OF THE ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO COLLEGES AND THE CONDUCT OF STUDENT-ORIENTATED TEACHING SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE BILL.
OTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS CONCERN THE ELIGIBILITY OF SENIOR LECTURERS FOR ELECTION TO BECOME DEAN OF FACULTY AND THE POWER AND DUTY OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF CHUNG CHI COLLEGE TO APPOINT THE CHAPLAIN OF THE CHAPEL.
SHARING DR. CHUNG’S VIEW THAT THERE SHOULD EE A COMBINED MATRICULATION EXAMINATION FOR THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, REV. JOYCE BENNETT SAID THAT AT PRESENT STUDENTS EXHAUSTED THEMSELVES STUDYING TWO DIFFERENT COURSES AND NOT PERFORMING WELL IN EITHER.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
SHE FELT THAT PROVISIONS SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE COMBINED CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION COULD BE INTRODUCED WITHOUT MUCH DIFFICULTY INTO THE SIXTH FORM COURSES.
SHE ALSO SHARED DR. CHUNG’S OPINION THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CUT THE COURSE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY FROM FOUR TO THREE YEARS.
APART FROM FURTHER REDUCING COSTS AND IMPROVING THE ACADEMIC QUALITY OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, SHE SAID, SUCH A MOVE WOULD ENABLE SOME 1,000 MORE STUDENTS TO HAVE UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FOR THE SAME COST.
REV. BENNETT POINTED OUT IT WAS IMPERATIVE THAT THE CONSTITUENT COLLEGES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PRESERVE THE AIMS AND SPIRIT OF THEIR FOUNDERS AND THAT OUR TWO UNIVERSITIES SHOULD PROVIDE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS.
+WITH THE STRESS ON STUDENT-ORIENTATED TEACHING IN THE COLLEGES THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY COULD WELL DEVELOP A SYSTEM OF EDUCATION THE ENVY OF THE OLDER UNIVERSITY AND A SYSTEM THAT COULD HAVE GREAT INFLUENCE ON SECONDARY EDUCATION,+ SHE SAID.
ALSO SUPPORTING DR. CHUNG’S PROPOSAL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A JOINT MATRICULATION EXAMINATION, THE HON. MISS KO SIU-WAH SAID THE DISADVANTAGES OF FORM SIX STUDENTS TAKING TWO DIFFERENT MATRICULATION EXAMINATIONS IN THE SAME OR IN TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS WERE OBVIOUS.
+STUDENTS HAVE TO PUT UP WITH INTENSIFIED MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STRESS, AND THE CUMULATIVE EXAMINATION ENTRY FEES ARE A TREMENDOUS FINANCIAL BURDEN TO A GOOD NUMBER OF THEM,+ SHE SAID.
MISS KO SAID THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENT-ORIENTATED TEACHING WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TEACHING IN THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.
+IN A BROAD SENSE, STUDENT-ORIENTATED TEACHING IS DESIRABLE AT ANY EDUCATION LEVEL, AND CARRIES A SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL.
+AS WE UNDERSTAND, UNIVERSITY EDUCATION AIMS AT MORE THAN JUST TRANSMISSION OF KNOWLEDGE. IT IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT STAGE IN THE PROCESS OF SELF-DISCOVERY AND IN THE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OF EACH STUDENT,+ SHE SAID.
SPEAKING ON THE SAME BILL, THE HON. LI FOOK-WO POINTED OUT THAT A PRECISE INDICATION MUST BE INCLUDED TO SPECIFY THAT THE CONDUCT OF STUDENT-ORIENTATED TEACHING WAS THE DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ASSEMBLY OF FELLOWS.
IN THIS CONNECTION, HE FELT THAT AMENDMENTS WERE NECESSARY ON THE ALLOCATION OF TEACHERS AND THE ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO THE COLLEGES, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THEIR OWN PREFERENCES.
/HE EXi REJoED.....
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
4
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT, IN IMPLEMENTING THE REORGANISATION OF THE UNIVERSITY STRUCTURE, EQUAL EMPHASIS AND PRIORITY WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE NEW ROLE OF THE COLLEGES.
+THE INTRODUCTION OF STUDENT-ORIENTATED TEACHING IN THE COLLEGES AND THE UNIVERSITY REORGANISATION MUST BE IMPLEMENTED SIMULTANEOUSLY,* HE ADDED.
MR. LI SAID IT WAS REGRETTABLE THAT MUCH MISUNDERSTANDING HAS OCCURRED DURING THE PAST BETWEEN THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND ITS FOUNDATION COLLEGES.
+IN THE COURSE OF IMPLEMENTING THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS, I STRONGLY URGE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THERE SHOULD BE CLOS-R CONSULTATION, BETTER CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY AND THE COLLEGES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO FIND THE MOST WORKABLE AND ACCEPTABLE SOLUTIONS TO THE DETAILS LEFT OUT, PERHAPS DELIBERATELY, IN THE COMMISSION’S REPORT,* HE SAID.
ALSO SUPPORTING THE BILL WITH ITS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY SHOULD AT ALL TIMES EE ALLOWED TO FLOURISH AS AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING ON A CHINESE CULTURAL BASIS, WHILE A HIGH DEGREE OF PROFICIENCY IN MASTERING THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHOULD ALSO BE FOSTERED.
HE FELT THAT THE TERM +STUDENT-ORIENTATED TEACHING* WAS EXPLICITLY MENTIONED IN THE PREAMBLE TO THE BILL IN ORDER TO EMPHASISE THE INTENTION THAT A TRUE AND CORRECT BALANCE HAD TO BE STRUCK BETWEEN WHAT WAS KNOWN AS +SUBJECT-ORIENTATED* AND +STUDENT-ORIENTATED* TEACHING.
+THE ULTIMATE AIMS IS TO ENABLE INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS TO MAKE PROGRESS TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE OF THOUGHT AND JUDGMENT, AND TO BE SELF-GENERATING IN EXERCISING THEIR OWN INITIATIVE,* HE SAID. +TOWARDS THIS END THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY WILL EE FULFILLING ONE OF ITS PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS : THAT OF PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME THE FUTURE THINKERS AND LEADERS OF HONG KONG.*
SPEAKING ON THE SAME BILL, THE HON. S.L. CHEN SAID THAT THE FINAL DECISION AND CONSEQUENTLY THE RESPONSIBILITY ON THE ADOPTION OR REJECTION OF THE NEW CONCEPT OF +STUDENT-ORIENTATED TEACHING* MUST VEST WITH THE UNIVERSITY.
HE POINTED OUT THERE WERE STILL MUCH DOUBT AS TO WHAT EXACTLY +STUDENT-CRIENTATED TEACHING* MEANT, ITS EFFECT ON THE EDUCATION OF THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS, AND ITS FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS.
THE LAW SHOULD NOT COMMIT THE UNIVERSITY TO A PARTICULAR MODE OR MEANS BY WHICH HIGHER EDUCATION WAS GIVEN, AS THIS WAS AFTER ALL VERY MUCH AN EDUCATIONAL FUNCTION, HE ADDED.
WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. F.K. LI, SAID HE HAD AGREED TO ACCEPT THE VARIOUS AMENDMENTS SUPPORTED BY THE AD HOC GROUP.
/HE MENTIONED .....
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
5
HE MENTIONED A NUMBER OF OTHER AMENDMENTS THAT WOULD BE MADE TO THE BILL, INCLUDING SOME DESIGNED TO HELP PRESERVE CONTINUITY AND THE TRADITIONAL IDENTITY OF EACH CONSTITUENT COLLEGE.
+THESE AMENDMENTS, TOGETHER WITH THOSE DESCRIBED EARLIER BY DR. CHUNG, WILL MEET MOST OF THE IMPORTANT POINTS OF CONCERN EXPRESSED BY THE VARIOUS GROUPS,+ HE SAID.
HE ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT THIS LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK COULD NOT COVER ALL OF THE PROCEDURES THAT OUGHT TO BE CONDUCTED IF THE UNIVERSITY WAS TO WIN THE CONSENT AND SUPPORT OF ITS MEMBERS. HE AGREED WITH MR. LI FOOK-WO ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSULTATION, CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY AND THE COLLEGES IF A SPIRIT OF HARMONY WAS TO PREVAIL.
ON THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE REFERENCE IN THE PREAMBLE TO THE BILL TO +STUDENT-ORIENTATED TEACHING+, THE SECRETARY SAID HE DID NOT THINK THIS REFERENCE WOULD PROVE TO BE RESTRICTIVE TO FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, AS IT WAS LEFT TO THE UNIVERSITY AND THE COLLEGES TO INTERPRET HOW THIS AIM SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT.
ON THE QUESTION OF A COMMON MATRICULATION EXAMINATION FOR ALL UNIVERSITY ENTRANTS AND THE LENGTH OF THE MAIN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, HE SAID HE HAS TAKEN NOTE OF THE ADVANTAGES EXPOUNDED.
+THESE ARE PROPOSALS WHICH, IF THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL SO ADVISES, COULD BE PUT TO THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY,* HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
6
DORWARD ON CANADIAN TEXTILE ACTION
*******
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON. BILL DORWARD, SAID TODAY THAT IT WAS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S VIEW THAT PARTIES TO THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) SHOULD EXHAUST ALL ITS POSSIBILITIES FOR SOLVING TRADE PROBLEMS IN TEXTILES BEFORE HAVING RECOURSE TO OTHER PROVISIONS OUTSIDE THE MFA SUCH AS SAFEGUARD PROVISIONS IN THE GATT.
MR. DORWARD WAS REPLYING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. MISS LYDIA DUNN ON RECENT ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT AFFECTING TEXTILES.
LAST WEEK CANADA ABROGATED A NUMBER OF BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENTS WITH HONG KONG WHEN SHE IMPOSED GLOBAL RESTRICTIONS ON VIRTUALLY ALL CLOTHING ENTERING CANADA.
MR. DORWARD SAID : + l THINK I SHOULD NOTE THAT IN THE HISTORY OF TEXTILE RESTRAINTS GOING BACK NEARLY 20 YEARS, THIS IS THE ONLY OCCASION ON WHICH A PARTICIPATING COUNTRY HAS CLAIMED THAT THE EXERCISE OF ITS GATT RIGHTS ALLOWS IT UNILATERALLY AND WITHOUT CONSULTATIONS TO SUPERSEDE CURRENT BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENTS.*
HE ADDED : +IT SHOULD THEREFORE, I SUGGEST, BE REGARDED AS AN ISOLATED DEVIATION FROM NORMAL PRACTICE- AND WHILE I UNDERSTAND AND SHARE THE CONCERN IMPLICIT IN MY HONOURABLE FRIEND’S QUESTION OVER THE DANGER OF PRECEDENT, THERE IS LITTLE IN OUR LONG EXPERIENCE OF BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WHICH WOULD LEAD US TO EXPECT IT TO BE FOLLOWED.*
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION BY MISS DUNN ON WHETHER IT WAS PERMISSIBLE UNDER THE GATT FOR CANADA TO IMPOSE SUCH GLOBAL RESTRICTIONS, MR. DORWARD SAID THAT THERE WAS PROVISION, IN ARTICLE XIX OF THE GATT, FOR SUCH ACTION, BUT HE DID NOT FEEL COMPETENT TO EXPRESS AN OPINION ON WHETHER OR NOT THE CANADIAN ACTION WAS JUSTIFIED WITH THE DATA TO HAND.
HE ADDED HOWEVER THAT IT WAS PREDICTABLE THAT THE CANADIAN ACTION WOULD SHORTLY BE THE SUBJECT OF +CLOSE SCRUTINY BY THE CONTRACTING PARTIES TO THE GATT TO EXAMINE ITS APPROPRIATENESS.*
MR. DORWARD ADDED : +IT HAS IN FACT ALREADY BEEN THE SUBJECT OF MUCH DEBATE IN THE GATT TEXTILES COMMITTEE WHICH IS CONCLUDING ITS ANNUAL MEETING THIS WEEK AND, WHILE I CANNOT REVEAL PUBLICLY THE POSITIONS ADOPTED IN THAT CLOSED BODY, I CAN SAY THAT HONG KONG, WITH MUCH STRONG SUPPORT, HAS BEEN HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE PARTICULAR ACTIONS WHICH THE CANADIANS TOOK.*
/REPLYING .....
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
7
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY MR. FRANCIS TIEN, MR. DORWARD SAID THAT THE DC AND I HAD HANDED A NOTE TO THE CANADIAN AUTHORITIES ON DECEMBER 2 EXPRESSING HONG KONG’S GRAVE CONCERN AT THE SUGGESTION THAT AGREEMENTS COULD BE UNILATERALLY SET ASIDE DURING THEIR CURRENCY.
+OUR CONCERN,* SAID MR. DORWARD, +STEMS NOT MERELY FROM THE DAMAGE WHICH COULD BE DONE TO TRADE IN THE ITEMS CONCERNED DUE TO UNCERTAINTIES AND THE POSSIBLE FRUSTRATION OF CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO IN GOOD FAITH AS A RESULT OF THE BILATERAL AGREEMENTS. WE ARE ALSO MOST PERTURBED AT THE IMPLICATIONS SUCH ACTION COULD HAVE FOR THE NEGOTIATION OF ANY FUTURE BILATERAL AGREEMENTS.*
MR. DORWARD ADDED s +FOR OUR PART WE STILL FEEL OURSELVES BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENTS IN QUESTION AND INTEND TO CONTINUE TO ACT ACCORDINGLY. WE HAVE SOUGHT ASSURANCE FROM THE CANADIAN AUTHORITIES THAT THEY SHARE THIS INTENT. AS OF THIS DATE A REPLY IS STILL AWAITED.*
/8 .....
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
8
PROPOSED MTR EXTENSION TO TSUEN WAN DECISION TO BE MADE NEXT SUMMER * H M * *
THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION HAS RECENTLY STARTED TO EXAMINE IN DETAIL THE PRIORITIES FOR MTR EXTENSIONS IN THE TSUEN WAN, KWUN TONG AND HONG KONG ISLAND CORRIDORS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN, HE SAID THE CORPORATION HAD ALSO BEGUN DETAILED INVESTIGATIONS OF A LINE RUNNING FROM PRINCE EDWARD STATION TO TSUEN WAN WEST.
THE INVESTIGATIONS, HE POINTED OUT, WOULD COVER SUCH MATTERS AS ALIGNMENTS, DESIGN PARAMETERS, COSTINGS, REVENUE FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS.
MR. JONES SAID THESE STUDIES WERE BEING CARRIED OUT BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MTR +ARE AGREED THAT, SHOULD THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OF THE MTR BE EXTENDED, THE NEXT EXTENSION IS LIKELY TO BE TOWARDS TSUEN WAN.
+THEY ARE ALSO AGREED THAT, PROVIDED SUCH AN EXTENSION IS FOUND TO BE FEASIBLE AND THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE AT THE TIME IS FAVOURABLE, A DECISION TO GO AHEAD SHOULD BE TAKEN, AND CONTRACTS LET, BEFORE THE HEAVY ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT BEING USED ON THE PRESENT WORKS IS REMOVED FROM HONG KONG,+ HE ADDED.
IN PARALLEL WITH THE STUDIES BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE CORPORATION, THE ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO SET UP A STUDY GROUP TO EXAMINE AND RECOMMEND WHAT ACTION THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NEED TO TAKE TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF PROPOSED EXTENSIONS, SHOULD THEY BE PROCEEDED WITH, AS WELL AS, LATER, TO EVALUATE THE RESULTS OF THE CORPORATION’S INVESTIGATIONS.
+THE CORPORATION HOPES TO COMPLETE ITS STUDIES IN ANOTHER FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS AND A FIRM DECISION, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, CAN BE EXPECTED SOME TIME IN THE SUMMER OF NEXT YEAR,+ HE ADDED.
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/9
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976 - 9 -
HOUSING AUTHORITY’S WAITING LIST ******
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CONTROLS A VERY WIDE RANGE OF PUBLIC HOUSING AND THIS ALLOWS IT TO RESPOND TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS ON A FAR MORE FLEXIBLE BASIS THAN EVER BEFORE, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR. IAN LIGHTBODY SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. HENRY HU IN THE LIGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THOSE WHO FELT THEY COULD NOT AFFORD THE RENTS IN THE NEWEST ESTATES COULD BE OFFERED ACCOMMODATION IN THE OLDER ESTATES AT RENTS WITHIN THE MEANS OF ALL.
+THIS IS MADE POSSIBLE,* HE WENT ON, +BY THE VOLUNTARY DEPARTURE FROM OLD ESTATES OF OVERCROWDED FAMILIES WHO WANT, AND CAN WELL AFFORD, THE MUCH HIGHER STANDARD OF HOUSING ON OFFER IN THE NEWEST ESTATES.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT A FEW FAMILIES WHO HAD DIFFICULTY IN PAYING EVEN THE LOWEST RENTS WERE, HOWEVER, COVERED BY THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
TURNING TO A NUMBER OF RELATED QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE HON. WONG LAM, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING REPLIED THAT ALMOST ABOUT 13,003 OUT OF THE TOTAL OF ABOUT 110,000 FAMILIES ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S WAITING LIST HAD BEEN REGISTERED FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS AND WERE STILL WAITING FOR PUBLIC HOUSING.
NOTING THAT NO FAMILIES HAD BEEN REGISTERED FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS, HE SAID THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR AN APPLICANT WAS FIVE YEARS.
+ALL APPLICANTS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ARE REGISTERED ON A WAITING LIST AND GIVEN A REGISTRATION NUMBER,* HE SAID. +AS PUBLIC HOUSING BECOMES AVAILABLE OFFERS ARE MADE STRICTLY IN NUMBER SEQUENCE TO THOSE WHO HAVE EXPRESSED A PREFERENCE FOR THE DISTRICT IN QUESTION.*
HE ADDED: +APPLICANTS WHO CHOOSE NEW ESTATES IN OUTLYING DISTRICTS WILL BE MADE AN OFFER MUCH SOONER THAN THOSE WHO APPLY FOR KOWLOON OR HONG KONG ISLAND WHICH ARE MUCH IN DEMAND.*
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/10....
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
10
INCREASE IN RENTS OF PRE-WAR BUILDINGS PROPOSED ******
IT IS GENERALLY AGREED THAT PART ONE OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE, WHICH CONTROLS THE RENTS OF PRE-WAR PREMISES, FAVOURS TENANTS TO AN EXCESSIVE DEGREE AT THE EXPENSE OF OWNERS OF THESE PROPERTIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON. IAN LIGHTBODY, WHEN HE MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1976 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
AS A FIRST STEP IN CORRECTING THIS IMBALANCE, HE SAID, A MODEST INCREASE IN THE RENTS OF PRE-WAR PREMISES WAS ALLOWED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
SPEAKING ON THE BILL, WHICH PROPOSES FURTHER INCREASES IN THE PERMITTED RENTS OF PRE-WAR PREMISES, HE SAID: +AVERAGE NON-DOMESTIC RENTS ARE ABOUT $280 PER FLOOR, AND THE AVERAGE MONTHLY INCREASE PERMITTED WILL BE ABOUT $78 IN A PRE-WAR TENEMENT BUILDING, AND GENERALLY NO HIGHER THAN $100.+
MR. LIGHTBODY SAID THAT THE RESULTANT AVERAGE RENT FOR NON-DOMESTIC TENANCIES WOULD THEN BE ONLY 26 PER CENT OF THE FAIR MARKET RENT.
+THERE IS NO REASON WHY PROPERTY OWNERS SHOULD SUBSIDISE COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES,* HE ADDED.
FOR DOMESTIC PREMISES, HE POINTED OUT, RENTS WOULD BE INCREASED BY ABOUT $28 A MONTH FOR A TENEMENT FLOOR ON A PRESENT AVERAGE RENT OF $148, AND GENERALLY INCREASES WERE UNLIKELY TO EXCEED $40. THE RESULTANT RENT WOULD STILL BE ONLY 30 PER CENT OF FAIR MARKET RENTS.
+THIS VERY SMALL INCREASE SHOULD NOT CAUSE HARDSHIP, PARTICULARLY AS MANY OF THESE TENEMENT FLOORS ARE SHARED BY SEVERAL FAMILIES, SO THAT THE AVERAGE MONTHLY INCREASE IS LIKELY TO BE $7 PER FAMILY,+ MR. LIGHTBODY STRESSED.
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/11
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
- 11 -
BOATING ON RESERVOIRS * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO WITH PROVIDING BOATING FACILITY ON
LET THE URBAN COUNCIL GET ON THE WONG NE I CHUNG RESERVOIR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. DENIS BRAY, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. JOHN BREMRIDGE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE RECALLED THAT WHEN HE SAID IN THE COUNCIL IN APRIL THIS YEAR THAT IT WAS GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO EXPERIMENT WITH THE USE OF THE WONG NE I CHUNG RESERVOIR FOR BOATING, HE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE LAND COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT AS PART OF A RECREATION AREA.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, IT TURNED OUT THAT THE LAND AROUND THIS RESERVOIR, INCLUDING THE WATER AREA, HAD BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE URBAN COUNCIL SINCE 1973.
AS THE URBAN COUNCIL WAS ALSO KEEN TO DEVELOP THE RESERVOIR FOR BOATING, HE ADDED, THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO LET IT GET ON WITH PROVIDING THIS RECREATIONAL FACILITY.
MR. BRAY SAID THAT AN EVALUATION WAS BEING MADE OF THE NECESSARY SAFEGUARDS AND CONTROLS (INCLUDING LEGISLATION, IF APPROPRIATE) WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE INTRODUCED TO COVER SUCH RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
HE SAID THE EVALUATION WOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE LEGAL AND MANAGEMENT ASPECTS AND WOULD INVOLVE OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
+WHILE IT IS NOT YET POSSIBLE TO PERMIT BOATING ON ANY PARTICULAR RESERVOIR - NOR DESIRABLE IN THE ABSENCE OF PROPER CONTROLS - PROGRESS IS BEING MADE WITH A VIEW TO ALLOWING BOATING ON SELECTED RESERVOIRS,* MR. BRAY SAID.
HE SAID THE INTENTION WAS FOR THE WONG NE I CHUNG RESERVOIR TO BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM, TO PERMIT BOATING ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS, PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION BEING GIVEN TO THE PROVISION OF SIMILAR FACILITIES AT TAI TAM TUK AND TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIRS.
MR. BRAY HOPED THAT SOME EXPERIENCE WOULD ACCRUE FROM THE USE OF THE RESERVOIR, ALTHOUGH THE ABSENCE OF SUCH EXPERIENCE WOULD NOT DELAY CONSIDERATION OF THE PROVISION OF SIMILAR FACILITIES AT TAI TAM TUK AND TAI LAM CHUNG.
- - - - 0 ----
BILLS PASSED * * *
FOUR BILLS PASSED THROUGH THEIR COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THEY WERE THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1976= THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976- THE STAMP (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1976 AND THE ARMY LEGAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
12
REDUCTION AND EVENTUAL ABOLITION OF OVERTIME WORK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE *****
NCW REGULATIONS TO REDUCE AND EVENTUALLY ABOLISH OVERTIME WORK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) REGULATIONS 1976, MR. PRICE SAID THE PURPOSE OF THESE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS WAS TO REDUCE GRADUALLY OVER THREE YEARS, AND EVENTUALLY ABOLISH, THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE HOURS OF OVERTIME FOR YOUNG PERSONS AGED 16 AND 17 EMPLOYED IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
HE SAID THE REDUCTIONS WERE TO BEGIN FROM JANUARY 1 FROM THE PRESENT 200 TO 150 HOURS A YEAR AND THEREAFTER AT THE RATE OF 50 HOURS LESS EACH YEAR UNTIL JANUARY 1, 1980, WHEN THOSE YOUNG WORKERS AGED 16 AND 17 WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME OVERTIME RESTRICTIONS AS THOSE AGED 14 AND 15.
MR. PRICE CORRECTED SOME EMPLOYERS WHO HE SAID WRONGLY BELIEVED THAT THE NEW REGULATIONS ALSO AFFECTED ADULT WOMEN OF 18 AND OVER IN INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT. THE NEW REGULATIONS DID NOT APPLY TO THEM.
MR. PRICE EMPHASIZED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO ABOLISH OVERTIME FOR YOUNG PERSONS WAS BASED NOT ON ECONOMIC, BUT ON SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS WHICH WERE HELD TO BE OVERRIDING IN THIS CASE.
HE SAID s +COMPETIT IVENESS, AND CHEAPNESS OF PRODUCTION SHOULD NOT BE ACHIEVED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE WEAR AND TEAR -- SO SELDOM MENTIONED -- ON THE BODIES OF YOUNG PEOPLE.+
+WORKERS AGED 16 AND 17 ARE AT AN IMPORTANT STAGE OF THEIR PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. THEY SHOULD BE PERMITTED ADEQUATE LEISURE TO DEVELOP THEIR PERSONALITIES BY FURTHER STUDIES, SPORT, RECREATION AND OTHER INTERESTS. IN OTHER WORDS THEY NEED LEISURE IN ORDER TO LIVE,+ HE ADDED.
MR. PRICE POINTED OUT THAT EMPLOYERS WHO DENIED THESE ASPIRATIONS OF HONG KONG’S INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED YOUNG WORKERS RAN THE RISK OF BEING UNABLE TO RECRUIT SUFFICIENT NUMBERS TO MEET THEIR REQUIREMENTS.
+UNLESS AND UNTIL EMPLOYERS OF BLUE-COLLAR WORKERS OFFER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF WHITE-COLLAR WORKERS, THEIR INDUSTRIAL VACANCIES WILL NOT BE READILY, OR HAPPILY, FILLED,* HE SAID.
MR. PRICE ADDED THAT THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF THE PHASED PROGRAMME FOR THE ABOLITION OF OVERTIME ON THE YOUNG PEOPLE AFFECTED WOULD BE MINIMAL. THE REDUCTION IN EARNINGS WOULD BE ONLY THREE TO FOUR PEK CENT OF THE TOTAL ANNUAL TAKE HOME PAY — AND PRESENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT NORMAL WAGE INCREASES WOULD MORE THAN COMPENSATE FOR THIS SMALL REDUCTION.
MR. PRICE THEN SUGGESTED THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION BE ADJOURNED TO ALLOW UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS MORE TIME TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS.
- 0 - -
/1J ...
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
15
STRENGTH OF H.K. DOLLAR AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS * * * *
NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR
THE VOLUME OF EXPORTS IN THE FIRST
WAS 33 PER CENT HIGHER AND EXPORT PRICES IN HONG KONG DOLLARS
11 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON , TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL TODAY.
IN RFPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG ON THE EFFECT OF'gROWING STRENGTH OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS, MR. JEFFRESON SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO EVIDENCE OF THE SUBSTANTIAL UNDER-UTILISATION OF CAPACITY THAT ONE MIGHT EXPECT WERE THE HONG KONG DOLLAR OVER-VALUED.
HOWEVER, HE SAID s +THE GOVERNMENT APPRECIATES THAT THOSE EXPORTERS WHO NEITHER ALLOWED FOR A POSSIBLE APPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IN THEIR EXPORT PRICES NOR SOLD THEIR FOREIGN CURRENCY EARNINGS FORWARD, WILL HAVE RECEIVED A RETURN LOWER THAN THEY EXPECTED.+
REPLYING TO ANOTHER QUESTION, HE SALD THAT GIVEN HONG KONG’S DEPENDENCE ON EXTERNAL TRANSACTIONS, THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WAS NOT TO INTERVENE IN THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET EXCEPT TO OFFSET MOVEMENTS IN THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR JUDGED TO BE WAYWARD OR ERRACTIC.
------o-------
MORE SHELTERS FOR BUS STOPS ******
THE GOVERNMENT, ACTING IN CONSULTATION WITH THE BUS COMPANIES HAS DRAWN UP A SCHEME TO PROVIDE MORE SHELTERS AT BUS STOPS ’
PARTICULARLY IN REMOTE AND UNPROTECTED AREAS.
THIS WAS STATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. T.S. LO.
THE AIM, HE SAID, WAS ROUGHLY TO TREBLE THE NUMBER OF SHELTERS IN THE RURAL AREAS WHERE, AT THE PRESENT TIME, LESS THAN A TENTH OF THE STOPS WERE PROVIDED WITH THIS AMENITY.
HE NOTED THAT AT PRESENT 33 SHELTERS — SIX ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 12 IN KOWLOON AND 15 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES -- WERE BEING BUILT.
HE SAID THAT SUGGESTIONS HAD BEEN MADE FOR SOME 117 ADDITIONAL SHELTERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ALONE AND THESE WERE BEING EVALUATED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
ALTHOUGH THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE SHELTERS WAS NORMALLY UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS, HE CONTINUED THE PUBLIC OMNIBUS SERVICES ORDINANCE REQUIRED THE BUS COMPANIES TO PAY FOR THE SHELTERS.
♦THE COMPANIES ARE, HOWEVER, NOW ALLOWED TO LET SPACE IN THE SHELTERS FOR COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING AND THIS SHOULD HELP TO DEFRAY THEIR COSTS,+ HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
- 14 -
SALE OF LOWER ALCOHOLIC CONTENT BRANDY ******
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON. BILL DORWARD, MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1976 IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL IS TO PERMIT THE SALE IN HONG KONG OF BRANDY HAVING A MINIMUM STRENGTH OF 30 DEGREES UNDER-°ROOF WHICH REPRESENTS, IN OTHER WORDS, AN ALCOHOLIC CONTENT OF 40 PER CENT BY VOLUME.
THE PRESENT PRESCRIBED MINIMUM STRENGTH OF ORDINARY BRANDY, LAID DOWN IN SECTION 53 OF THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE, IS 25 DEGREES UNDER-PROOF OR 43 PER CENT ALCOHOL BY VOLUME.
+1 REFER TO ORDINARY BRANDY BECAUSE BRANDY WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, IS VERY OLD LIQUEUR BRANDY MAY BE IMPORTED BELOW THIS STRENTH. INDEED FOR SUCH BRANDY WHICH IN PRACTICE IS TAKEN AS VSOP OR BETTER, NO MINIMUM IS PRESCRIBED,* MR. DORWARD SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE EFFECT OF THE LAW AS IT NOW STOOD WAS THAT ANY BRANDY WHICH WAS NOT OF A BETTER QUALITY THAN 'THREE STAR’ AND WAS OF A STRENGTH BELOW 25 DEGREES UNDERPROOF WAS CONSIDERED ’ADULTERATED LIQUOR’. IT WAS THUS AN OFFENCE UNDER SECTION 61(1) OF THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE TO IMPORT, SELL, SUPPLY OR DEAL IN IT.
+ THE PRESENT HONG KONG MINIMUM WAS FIRST LAID DOWN IN 1898 UNDER THE LIQUOR LICENSING ORDINANCE, AN ADAPTATION OF AN ENGLISH LAW WHICH WAS MODIFIED MANY YEARS AGO. TODAY MOST, IF NOT ALL, BRANDY IMPORTING COUNTRIES ALLOW IMPORTS AT THE NOW PROPOSED MINIMUM STANDARD STRENGTH OF 40 PER CENT ALCOHOL BY VOLUME. BRANDY PRODUCING COUNTRIES HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE HONG KONG LEGISLATION BE AMENDED TO CONFORM TO GENERAL WORLD STANDARDS. IT IS NOW PROPOSED TO ACCEDE TO THESE REQUESTS,* MR. DORWARD SAID.
+THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD MEAN THAT SOME ORDINARY BRANDY SOLD IN HONG KONG MIGHT BE A LITTLE WEAKER. SUCH BRANDY HAS, HOWEVER, A RELATIVELY SMALL SHARE OF THE MARKET: ABOUT 15 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE VERY OLD LIQUEUR BRANDIES WHICH HAVE 85 PER CENT OF THE MARKET.
+IF THIS BILL IS PASSED INTO LAW THERE WOULD BE NO LOSS OF REVENUE, WHICH IS ASSESSED BY VOLUME RATHER THAN ALCOHOLIC STRENGTH, AND THE MAIN EFFECT WOULD EE TO BRING HONG KONG INTO LINE WITH GENERAL INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE AND OPEN THE MARKET TO BRANDIES WHICH HAVE HITHERTO BEEN BARRED,* HE ADDED.
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/15
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
15
GREATER DEMAND FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT FROM PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE * * * *
DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT AS THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG RESPONDED SWIFTLY TO IMPROVED OPPORTUNITIES IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, THERE WAS RISING DEMAND FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT FROM THE PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE TO UPGRADE PRODUCT QUALITY, INCREASE PRODUCTION OUTPUT AND REDUCE MANUFACTURING COST.
IN TABLING THE LATEST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, HE SAID THAT AS A RESULT OF THIS GREATER DEMAND, +THE PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE EXPANDED ITS SCALE OF ACTIVITIES AND, AT THE SAME TIME, CONTINUED WITH ITS POLICY OF GRADUALLY SHIFTING THE EMPHASIS TO TECHNOLOGY IN BOTH AREAS OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE INDUSTRIES.*
HE NOTED THAT DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1975-76, THE PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE CONDUCTED TRAINING COURSES FOR 6,763 PERSONS AS COMPARED TO 6,620 IN 1974-75 AND UNDERTOOK 122 CONSULTANCY AND TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS AS AGAINST 102 A YEAR AGO.
A NUMBER OF THESE PROJECTS, HE ADDED, WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG.
AS PART OF ITS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, HE CONTINUED, THE CENTRE HELD FIVE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITIONS DURING THE YEAR.
+AMONG THE VARIOUS SURVEY AND RESEARCH PROJECTS COMPLETED AND PUBLISHED DURING THE YEAR, WO OF THEM DESERVE SPECIFIC MENTION,* HE SAID.
+THE FIRST IS THE REPORT ON SALARY TRENDS AND FRINGE BENEFITS IN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY PROVIDING UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON RENUMERATION IN RESPECT OF ADMINISTRATIVE, PROFESSIONAL AND OPERATIVE PERSONNEL.
+THE SECOND IS THE DIRECTORY OF'HONG KONG INDUSTRIES PROVIDING A DETAILED REFERENCE TO MORE THAN 4,000 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS OF OVER 20 EMPLOYEES CLASSIFIED BY SECTORS OF INDUSTRY.*
DR. CHUNG PAID TRIBUTE TO THE CENTRE’S FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MR. W.H. NEWTON, WHO HAS RETURNED TO AUSTRALIA AFTER NINE YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND WELCOMED HIS SUCCESSOR, MR. J.C. WR IGHT.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
16
PLB STANDS IN CLEARWAY AREAS
* * * *
PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STANDS ARE BEING PROVIDED IN CLEARWAY AREAS TO HELP RELIEVE CONGESTION AND REDUCE ACCIDENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN ANSWER TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON. S. L. CHEN, MR. JONES SAID THESE STANDS WERE PROVIDED EITHER ON ADJACENT SIDE STREETS OR, WHERE POSSIBLE, OFF STREET, TO FACILITATE THE PICKING UP AND SETTING DOWN OF PASSENGERS.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT AGREED THAT THE IRREGULAR STOPPING OF PLB’S IN HEAVY TRAFFIC DID CONTRIBUTE TO CONGESTION, AND PROBABLY TO ACCIDENTS, PARTICULARLY IN THE MAIN COMMUTER CORRIDORS DURING PEAK HOURS.
+FOR THIS AND OTHER REASONS, CLEARWAYS ARE BEING INTRDOUCED ON SELECTED ROUTES ON WHICH THE STOPPING AND PARKING OF VEHICLES WILL BE LIMITED TO OFF-PEAK PERIODS,* HE SAID.
MR. JONES POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES TO THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC WAS THAT THEY COULD STOP ON DEMAND TO PICK UP OR LET DOWN PASSENGERS.
+TO MAKE IT MANDATORY FOR THEM TO STOP ONLY AT FIXED STOPPING PLACES WOULD NOT ONLY REMOVE THIS ATTRACTION AND REDUCE THE FLEXIBILITY OF THEIR SERVICES, BUT WOULD ALSO BE UNNECESSARY IN MANY AREAS,* HE ADDED.
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MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS * * * * *
LEGISLATION IS NOW BEING DRAFTED TO REGULATE MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN. HE SAID THAT OFFICIALS CONCERNED IN THE PREPARATION OF THE DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS WERE ALIVE TO THE DESIRABILITY OF ACHIEVING A BALANCE BETWEEN TWO ASPECTS.
+ON THE ONE HAND, THERE IS A NEED TO PREVENT THE RUNNING AND ORGANISATION OF, AND THE TRAINING IN, SUCH SCHOOLS BEING IN THE HANDS OF UNDESIRABLE ELEMENTS,* HE SAID.
+ON THE OTHER WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE HEALTHY RECREATIONAL SIDE OF THESE POPULAR AND TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES,* HE ADDED.
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/17......
I
■7?
I
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976 - 17 -
PROVISION OF MULTI-STOREY LORRY PARKS BEING EXAMINED *****
TWO TEMPORARY OPEN AIR LORRY PARKS HAVE BEEN OPENED THIS YEAR AT HO MAN TIN AND AT THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, HE SAID OPEN AIR PARKS WERE MORE SUITABLE FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLES AND THAT SITES FOR OTHER COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARKS WERE BEING SOUGHT.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT THE IDEA OF PROVIDING MULTI-STOREY LORRY PARKS WAS BEING FURTHER EXAMINED TO SEE WHETHER IT MIGHT PROVE TO BE PRACTICABLE, ALTHOUGH A NUMBER OF DIFFICULTIES WERE INVOLVED.
THE ENGINEERING REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE PARKS, HE POINTED OUT, WOULD MAKE THEM VERY EXPENSIVE AND EACH PARKING SPACE IN THEM WOULD COST AS MUCH AS THREE TIMES THE COST OF A SPACE IN A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK.
+TO COVER COSTS THE CHARGES LEVIED WOULD NEED TO BE CORRESPONDINGLY HIGH AND, AT THAT PRICE, VERY FEW LORRY OWNERS WOULD WANT TO USE SUCH FACILITIES,* MR. JONES SAID. +TO FORCE THEM TO DO SO WOULD NOT ONLY BE EXTREMELY UNPOPULAR BUT WOULD BE MOST DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE.*
HE ADDED THAT COMMERCIAL VEHICLES OF TWO TONS AND UNDER WERE ALREADY PERMITTED TO USE MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS, BUT VERY FEW OF THEM DID SO.
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SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1975-76) BILL
******
, ™LLEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TODAY ASKED TO GIVE FINAL LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO THE SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE AUTHOR I BY RESOLUTIONS IN THE COUNCIL FOR THE LAST FINAITCIAL YEAR™ 1975-76.
ich requ ired
^.SA1D THAT THIS AMOUNT WAS MORE THAN OFFSET BY SAVINGS OF $707 MILLION UNDER OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/18......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
18
PROCEDURES FOR COLLECTING REGISTERED ITEMS
* * * *
ALL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR ADDRESSEES TO COLLECT REGISTERED LETTERS AND PARCELS IS TO PRODUCE NOTIFICATIONS FROM THE POST OFFICE AND THEIR IDENTITY CARDS, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING, HE ADDED THAT IN PLACE OF IDENTITY CARDS, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL WOULD ALSO ACCEPT PASSPORTS, GOVERNMENT PASSCARDS, DRIVING LICENCES OR FORCE’S PAYBOOKS.
+IF ADDRESSEES SEND AGENTS TO COLLECT REGISTERED ITEMS ON THEIR BEHALF, THE AGENTS MUST PRODUCE THE SAME DOCUMENTS PLUS LETTERS OF AUTHORISATION AND THE AGENT’S OWN IDENTITY CARDS,+ HE ADDED.
MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THE PRESENT SYSTEM FOR THE COLLECTION OF REGISTERED POSTAL ITEMS APPEARED TO BE WELL UNDERSTOOD BY THE PUBLIC.
+1 DO NOT SEE HOW IT MIGHT BE SIMPLIFIED WHILE STILL ALLOWING THE POSTMASTER GENERAL TO MEET HIS OBLIGATIONS TO THOSE WHO ARE PREPARED TO PAY TO USE THE REGISTERED POST FOR THE EXTRA SECURITY THAT IT PROVIDES,+ HE SAID.
THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE SPECIAL SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS, HE CONTINUED, WAS THAT THROUGHOUT THE TIME A REGISTERED ITEM WAS IN THE POSTMASTER GENERAL’S CUSTODY, ITS TRANSFER AT ALL STAGES WAS ONLY DONE AGAINST SIGNATURE.
+SO AS THE FINAL STEP IN THE PROCESS, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL MUST REQUIRE PROOF OF IDENTITY FROM THOSE SEEKING TO COLLECT REGISTERED LETTERS AND PARCELS FROM POST OFF ICES,+ HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
19
WATER CUT * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN MONG KOK AND KENNEDY TOWN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 10) TO ALLOW THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS IN THE TWO AREAS.
IN MONG KOK, THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, NATHAN ROAD, MONG KOK ROAD AND TONG MEI ROAD, INCLUDING LAI CHI KOK ROAD, PORTLAND STREET, ARRAN STREET, BUTE STREET, CANTON ROAD AND RECLAMATION STREET.
IN KENNEDY TOWN, PREMISES AFFECTED ARE THOSE BOUNDED BY HOUSE NOS. 1-111 BELCHER’S STREET, NOS. 1-50 PRAYA, NOS. 1-5A NEW PRAYA, COLLINSON STREET, SAI CHEUNG STREET, SAI HING LANE, HOLLAND STREET, SANDS STREET, NORTH STREET, SMITHFIELD ROAD AND ROCK HILL ROAD.
HONG KONG HOUSING RUTHORITY
Wednesday, December 8, 1976
MAJORITY OF TSUEN WAN SQUATTER FIRE VICTIMS OFFERED PUBLIC HOUSING
A total of 673 people from 170 families who lost' their homes in the squatter fire in Tsuen Wan on Sunday are to be offered public housing in the locality.
Another 49 families comprising 205 people ineligible for public housing will be offered accommodation at the Shek Lei Licensed Area.
Clearance Staff of the Housing'Department have been fully engaged in processing the eligibility of the victims since the day of the fire.
Today, they moved to the branch office of the Tsuen Wan District Office in Hoi Par Street to start detailed registration of the victims for public housing or licensed areas.
To speed up the process, the Applications Section will screen the first batch of completed forms tomorrow and conduct pre-letting interviews from Friday.
The first group of the fire victims will be able to move into their new homes on public housing estates next Wednesday.
Allocation of licensed area sites, for those not eligible for public housing, will begin next Tuesday.
A special effort is being made to install temporary water and electricity supplies to a newly completed block at Kwai Shing Estate where smaller flats are available to meet the individual needs of some fire victims.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1976
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
SAFEGUARDS FOR THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME ....................................................... 1
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ROAD IN ABERDEEN TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR ................................................... 2
PARTIAL RESUMPTION OF AIRMAIL SERVICE TO EASTERN TIMOR ... 3
WATER CUT IN WONG TAI SIN ................................... 3
PUPILS TOLD TO DEVELOP QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP AND INITIATIVE ................................................... 4
CERTIFICATES FOR PARTICIPANTS OF SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME ..................................................... 5
INTER-INSTITUTION TALENT CONTEST ............................ 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1976
1
PROPOSED EXTENSION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME
******
DETAILED PROCEDURES FOR ADMINISTERING THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO COVER ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 55 ARE BEING DRAWN UP, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE LIONS CLUB OF TAI PING SHAN LUNCHEON MEETING, HE SAID THE PROCEDURES BEING DRAWN UP WOULD BE BASED ON FIVE PR INCIPLES.
THEY ARE :
* APPLICANTS SHOULD BE RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG FOR TWO YEARS,
* APPLICANTS MUST PROVE THEY ARE UNEMPLOYED AND PERIOD OF UNEMPLOYMENT,
* APPLICANTS MUST REGISTER WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT AND MUST ACCEPT JOBS ARRANGED FOR THEM,
* APPLICANTS MUST RE-AFFIRM THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT STATUS EVERY MONTH AND,
* YOUNG PERSONS BETWEEN 15 AND 17 YEARS OF AGE INCLUSIVE SHOULD ONLY BE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE AS HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS.
HE SAID THE PURPOSE TO EXTEND THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME WAS TO ASSIST FAMILIES WHOSE INCOME WAS BELOW THE LEVEL LAID DOWN IN THE SCHEME, SO AS TO MAINTAIN THEM AT A BASIC SUBSISTENCE LEVEL.
THE PRINCIPLE BEHIND IT, HE POINTED OUT, WAS TO HELP ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE WHO WERE WITHOUT WORK TO QUICKLY BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT AGAIN AND TO PREVENT THEM FROM DEVELOPING A SENSE OF DEPENDENCY.
+THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW CAREFULLY WORKING OUT PROCEDURES FOR ADMINISTERING OF THE NEW SCHEME. IT IS HOPED THAT WITH FURTHER EXPERIENCE IMPROVEMENT WILL BE MADE TO STRENGTHEN THE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ABUSE,+ HE SAID.
REGARDING FEAR THAT PEOPLE MIGHT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW SCHEME, MR. LEE SAID FROM PAST EXPERIENCE CASES OF SUCH NATURE WERE RARE.
+1 FEEL QUITE CERTAIN THAT THE NEW MEASURE IS UNLIKELY TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GIVE UP THEIR JOBS FOR A LESSER AMOUNT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE,* HE SAID.
THE DIRECTOR DISCLOSED THAT DURING THE PAST 5-1/2 YEARS SINCE THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT STARTED PROVIDING CASH GRANTS, THE RATE OF ASSISTANCE HAD BEEN REVISED FOUR TIMES BY REFERENCE TO THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE INDEX OF PRICES.
/HE CONTINUED .
2
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1976
HE CONTINUED THAT THE NUMBER OF FIELD UNITS NOW OPERATED BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT HAD INCREASED FROM EIGHT TO 25 WHILE THE NUMBER OF AIDED FAMILIES HAD GROWN FROM 8,000 TO ABOUT 55,000.
+FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, THE EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS IS ESTIMATED TO BE 3200 MILLION,* HE SAID.
+ALL THESE HAVE INDICATED THAT THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME HAS FULLY DEMONSTRATED ITS VALUE AND EFFECTIVENESS IN HELPING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF POVERTY IN HONG KONG,* HE ADDED.
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NEW ROAD FOR ABERDEEN
* * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO BUILD A NEW ROAD IN ABERDEEN AS PART OF A MAJOR SCHEME TO PROVIDE A FAST TRAFFIC ROUTE BETWEEN THE AREA AND CENTRAL DISTRICT.
THE NEW ROAD WILL PROVIDE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET FROM THE NEWLY WIDENED SHEK PAI WAN ROAD.
MR. CHEN SHAO-CHI, ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS (HONG KONG) DIVISION, SAID TODAY WORK ON THE PROJECT WOULD START IN FEBRUARY AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT 22 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
HE SAID THE NEW ROAD WOULD BE A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY WITH TWO LANES IN EACH DIRECTION BETWEEN SHEK PAI WAN ROAD AND ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD.
IT WOULD BE ABOUT 770 METRES LONG AND 22 METRES WIDE WITH FOOTPATH ON BOTH SIDES, HE ADDED.
+A FOOTBRIDGE WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED NEAR YUE KO STREET TO ENABLE PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS THE ROAD IN SAFETY,* SAID MR. CHEN.
+AS PART OF THE CONTRACT THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO THE CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERY WILL BE IMPROVED,* HE ADDED.
MR. CHEN SAID THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY CARRIED OUT SEVERAL SCHEMES TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ON THE EXISTING ROAD NETWORK SERVING CENTRAL AND ABERDEEN.
HE SAID WORK WAS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY ON THE WIDENING OF POKFULAM ROAD, SEVERAL SECTIONS OF WHICH HAD ALREADY BEEN WIDENED, AND FURTHER IMPROVEMENT WORKS WERE IN HAND.
WONG CHUK HANG ROAD AND SHEK PAI WAN ROAD HAD ALSO BEEN WIDENED PROVIDING AT LEAST TWO LANES IN EACH DIRECTION.
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/3
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1976
5
PARTIAL RESUMPTION OF AIRMAIL SERVICE TO EASTERN TIMOR * * * *
THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE AIRMAIL SERVICE FROM HONG KONG TO EASTERN TIMOR, FORMERLY KNOWN AS PORTUGUESE TIMOR, WHICH HAS BEEN SUSPENDED SINCE MID-SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, WILL BE PARTLY RESUMED FROM MONDAY (DECEMBER 13).
UNREGISTERED FIRST CLASS AIRMAIL LETTERS AND CARDS DESTINED TO EASTERN TIMOR, WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR POSTING.
HOWEVER, ALL OTHER POSTAL SERVICES TO EASTERN TIMOR ARE STILL SUSPENDED.
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WATER CUT K *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 11) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
PREMISES AFFECTED ARE THOSE BOUNDED BY CHOI HUNG ROAD, TSUEK LUK STREET AND TAI YAU STREET, INCLUDING SHEUNG HEI STREET. ALSO AFFECTED ARE THOSE BOUNDED BY CHOI HUNG ROAD, YAN 01 STREET, FOO YUEN STREET, SHUNG LING STREET, Yl LUN STREET, HONG KEUNG STREET AND TSUEK LUK STREET, INCLUDING YAN HING STREET AND KAM WING
STREET.
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A
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1976
4
PUPILS TOLD TO DEVELOP QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP AND INITIATIVE
******
THE FUNCTION OF THE STAFF IN PROMOTING EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN A SCHOOL IS PRIMARILY ONE OF GUIDANCE, NOT ONE OF CONTROL, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY SAID THIS EVENING.
+THE BROAD LINES ON WHICH THESE ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE ORGANISED WILL NATURALLY BE PLANNED BY THE STAFF BUT THE DETAILED ORGANISATION FOR SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES SHOULD, TO MY MIND, BE LEFT TO THE PUPILS, EVEN THOUGH IT CAN BE DONE MORE EASILY BY THE STAFF.
+ONLY IN THIS WAY CAN WE EXPECT TO DEVELOP IN THE PUPILS SUCH QUALITIES AS LEADERSHIP AND INITIATIVE,* MR. TOPLEY TOLD THE SPEECH DAY OF ST. PAUL’S COLLEGE WHICH IS CELEBRATING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SCHOOL.
ADDRESSING THE PUPILS AND RECENT GRADUATES OF ST. PAUL’S COLLEGE, MR. TOPLEY ADDED, +THERE IS NO NEED FOR ME TO SAY THAT YOUR SCHOOL PLACES GREAT EMPHASIS ON DEVELOPING IN YOU THOSE QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP AND INITIATIVE WHICH WILL SERVE YOU WELL WHEN YOU COME TO LEAVE SCHOOL AND GIVE YOUR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.
+YOU NEED ONLY TO LOOK AT THE MANY FORMER PUPILS OF ST. PAUL’S COLLEGE WHO ARE NOW LEADING PERSONALITIES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY TO REALISE THAT THIS IS SO.+
MR. TOPLEY WAS SURE THAT THE PUPILS AND RECENT GRADUATES WOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE THEIR BEST TO HONG KONG.
ST. PAUL’S WAS ITSELF A LIVING COMMUNITY. THAT WAS WHAT EVERY SCHOOL SHOULD BE.
THE DIRECTOR STRESSED THAT IT WAS NOT BY THE MULTIPLICITY OF SCHOOL CLUBS BUT BY THE ENTHUSIASM AND VIGOUR OF THEIR LIFE THAT THEY CONTRIBUTED MOST TO THE CORPORATE HEALTH OF THE SCHOOL.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FURTHER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES TOOK THE FORM OF COMMUNITY SERVICE BY WHICH THE SCHOOL TRANSCENDED THE CONFINES OF ITS NORMAL LIFE.
+THEY ARE SCHOOLS WHICH TAKE AN ACTIVE INTEREST IN RENDERING ASSISTANCE ON FLAG DAYS AND TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST AS WELL AS BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS IN POORER NEIGHBOURHOODS. THERE ARE OTHERS WHICH MAINTAIN A HOSPITAL COT OR SUPPORT ACTIVITIES AND ORGANISATIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF CHILDREN,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1976
5
SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME * X * *
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, WILL TOMORROW (FRIDAY) PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO TOOK PART IN THIS YEAR’S SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS.
THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN THE CALIPH ROOM, AMBASSADOR HOTEL, 16TH FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD, KOWLOON AT 3.15 P.M.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE CEREMONY COVERED.
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INTER-INSTITUTION TALENT CONTEST
******
THE PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A TALENT CONTEST FOR TRAINEES UNDER THE CARE OF THREE VOLUNTARY AND FIVE GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AT THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME IN YAU YAT TSUEN AT 2.30 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE TALENT CONTEST IS PART OF THE INTER-INSTITUTION EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR.
TAKING PART WILL BE THE HONG KONG JUVENILE CARE CENTRE, SHING TAK STREET BOYS’ CENTRE AND CHAK YAN CENTRE. THE FIVE GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS, WHICH ARE RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, ARE THE CASTLE PEAK BOYS’ HOME, MA TAU WEI GIRLS’ HOME, 0 PUI SHAN BOYS’ HOME, BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME AND KWUN TONG HOSTEL.
DURING THE COMPETITION, THE TRAINEES WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO SHOW THEIR TALENT IN DRAMA, INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC AND DANCING.
MRS. KO CHENG SIU-MAN OF THE SPORTS AND RECREATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE THE ADJUDICATOR AND MRS. C.D. MARR, A MAGISTRATE, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS.
- - o - -
HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
®f m m
Thursday, December 9, 1976
RENTS IN NEW ESTATES KEPT DOWN TO ACCEPTABLE LEVEL
Rents in new housing estates have been kept down to a level which the great majority of people offered new homes in them can comfortably afford, a spokesman for the Housing Authority said today.
••More than 80 per cent of families offered housing in these much-improved estates not only can afford the rents but are very happy with their accommodation,*’ said the spokesman,
”Many of these people come from redevelopments or clearances and like all tenants of these new estates are glad to have the chance to begin a new life in well-planned estates set in healthy outdoor surroundings where all facilities are virtually on the doorstep,”
r
The spokesman stressed that if any tenants in new estates had over-reached themselves financially they could approach the estate manager and ask to be transferred to a cheaper estate.
•’However, any such cases are likely to be quite exceptional since every individual housing case is given the most sympathetic consideration and the whole position, financial and otherwise, is outlined to prospective tenants before they make their choice.”
»
In addition, said the spokesman, there was a growing interchange of flats arranged by the Tenants’ Mutual Exchange Bureau whose services were available to all tenants of the Authority.
, /2.......
2
The spokesman said .that the Authority had a very wide range of housing stock and it would be both unjust and uneconomical not to use all accommodation available, whether in the older low-rent estates or the new and much-improved ones.
"Thus those who cannot afford the rents at new estates — despite the fact that they are being kept down to relatively low amounts — are offered cheaper housing, dependent of course on it becoming available,” said the spokesman.
Finally, he added, it should not be forgotten that from September 1 the maximum rent allowance payable under the Public Assistance Scheme was increased to $285 for an eligible family of fbur to five people, $345 for a family of six to seven, $406 to a family of eight to nine, and $557 for a family of 10 or more.
* * * * * *
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1976
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT SPENDS MORE ON SCHOOL FEE ASSISTANCE .. 1
INCREASED SICKNESS BENEFITS OF WORKERS PROPOSED .. 2
TENDERS INVITEE FOR THE FOUNDATION WORKS FOR THE MORRISON HILL INDOOR STADIUM .............................. 3
IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION STRESSED ..... 4
FOOTBRIDGES TO BE BUILT IN CASTLE-PEAK ROAD ...... 5
TOPLEY PRAISES FIRMS FOR SUPPORTING WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1976
GOVERNMENT SPENDS MORE ON FEE ASSISTANCE
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING MORE ON FEE ASSISTANCE TO PUPI-S UND-R THE BOUGHT PLACES SCHEME IN BOTH NON-PROFIT-MAKING AND INDEPENDENT PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR. , 4 -
THE MAXIMUM RATE OF FEE SUPPLEMENT HAS BEEN INCREASED FROM 3280 TO 3400 PER- ANNUM IN FORMS 1 TO 3 AND FROM $280 TO *580 PER ANNUM IN FORMS 4 AND 5.
THE NEW RATES, EFFECTIVE FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1976, HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE NEW RATES, WHICH ARE MORE THAN 40 PER CENT OF THE PREVIOUS FEE SUPPLEMENT FOR BOTH THE THREE-YEAR AND FIVE-YEAR SCHEMES, INVOLVE AN ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE OF 310,360,000 IN A FULL FINANCIAL YEAR.
IN THE 1975-76 FINANCIAL YEAR $27,346,003 WAS SPENT ON FEE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE BOUGHT PLACES SCHEME.
THE FEE REMISSION RATE OF 45 PER CENT WILL CONTINUE TO APPLY TO THESE PLACES FOR NEEDY PUPILS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1976
- 2 -
INCREASED SICKNESS BENEFITS OF WORKERS PROPOSED
******
A BILL, AIMED AT INCREASING THE SICKNESS BENEFITS OF WORKERS, WAS PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NEW BILL, ENTITLED THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, SEEKS TO INCREASE THE SICKNESS PAY ALLOWANCE AND THE NUMBER OF PAID SICKNESS DAYS THAT MAY BE ACCUMULATED.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO REDUCE THE PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE BY WORKERS TO QUALIFY FOR PAID SICKNESS DAYS.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT UNDER EXISTING LAWS AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAD WORKED FOR AN EMPLOYER UNDER A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SICKNESS DAYS WAS ENTITLED TO (A) ONE SICKNESS DAY AT HALF PAY FOR EVERY COMPLETED MONTH OF SERVICE, AND (B) AN ACCUMULATION OF SUCH SICKNESS DAYS UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 24 PAID SICKNESS DAYS.
UNDER THE BILL IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE QUALIFYING PERIOD FOR SICKNESS PAY BE REDUCED TO ONE MONTH’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE AND THAT THE RATE OF SICKNESS ALLOWANCE SHOULD BE INCREASED FROM ONE HALF OF THE DAILY WAGES TO TWO THIRDS AND THAT THE NUMBER OF PAID SICKNESS DAYS WHICH MIGHT BE ACCUMULATED (AT THE RATE OF ONE DAY FOR EVERY MONTH OF SERVICE) SHOULD BE INCREASED FROM 24 TO 36. THE PROPOSED NEW RATE OF SICKNESS ALLOWANCE IS IN LINE WITH THE RATE OF PAYMENT FOR TEMPORARY INCAPACITY UNDER THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE. THE INCREASED NUMBER OF SICKNESS DAYS WILL BENEFIT THOSE WITH LONGER SERVICE AND WHO SUFFER LONGER ABSENCES FROM WORK DUE TO SICKNESS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THESE PROPOSALS AND THAT THEY HAD GENERALLY ENDORSED THEM.
HE ADDED THAT THE FOUR MAJOR EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS HAD ALSO BEEN CONSULTED AND ALL HAD EXPRESSED AGREEMENT TO THE PROPOSALS.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1976
- 3 -
MORRISON HILL INDOOR STADIUM
******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY INVITED TENDERS FOR THE FOUNDATION WORKS FOR THE $27 MILLION MORRISON HILL INDOOR STADIUM IN WAN CHAI.
THE 12-STOREY COMPLEX IS TO BE BUILT CN A 2,910-SQ. METRE SITE BETWEEN 01 KWAN ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND WILL PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES FOR BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENTS.
MR. C.S. LEE, A SENIOR P.W.D. ARCHITECT, SAID SITE FORMATION WORKS WERE PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY AND ACTUAL BUILDING WORKS WERE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN AUGUST.
+THE COMPLEX WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED TOWARDS THE END OF 1978 AND SHOULD PROVIDE A MAJOR NEW SPORTING GROUND FOR THE YOUNG,+ HE SAID.
+IT WILL HAVE FACILITIES FOR JUST ABOUT EVERY MAJOR SPORT — FROM TAELE TENNIS AND BADMINTON TO ATHLETIC AND GYMNASTIC EVENTS.
+IN ADDITION TO TRAINING ROOMS, LECTURE AND COMMITTEE ROOMS, IT WILL HAVE WARM-UP GYMNASIUMS, CHANGING ROOMS AS WELL AS HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION FOR VISITING TEAMS,+ HE SAID.
ONE OF THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE COMPLEX, SAID MR. LEE, WOULD EE A LARGE MULTI-PURPOSE STADIUM WITH SEATS FOR NEARLY 4 033 SPECTATORS.
THE STADIUM WHICH WOULD PROVIDE A CENTRE ARENA OF AEOUT 2$0 SQUARE METRES, WOULD TAKE UP THE THIRD TO FIFTH FLOORS OF THE 12-STOREY BUILDING, HE SAID.
+THE HOSTELS WILL OCCUPY THE UPPER FLOORS WHILE THE LOWER FLOORS WILL PROVIDE SUCH FACILITIES AS WARM-UP GYMS, TABLE TENNIS PRACTISING HALLS, CHANGING ROOMS AND SHOWERS, AS WELL AS CONFERENCE ROOMS,+ HE SAID.
IN THE BASEMENT, ANOTHER LARGE MULTI-PURPOSE HALL WOULD EE PROVIDED TOGETHER wITH TwO SQUASH COURTS AND MORE FACILITIES FOR TABLE TENNIS, HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1976
1*
IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION * * * * *
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IS AN IMPORTANT AND POSITIVE PROGRAMME WHICH CAN STRENGTHEN THE FAMILY IN COMBATING AND SOLVING MANY OF THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS IT HAS TO FACE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HONG KONG FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
MR. LEE NOTED THAT THE AIMS OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WERE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF FAMILY LIFE OF INDIVIDUALS, BY ENHANCING THEIR SELF-UNDERSTANDING AND TO FORESTALL FAMILY BREAKDOWN BY INSTITUTING KNOWLEDGE ON MARRIAGE AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTHOOD.
THE DIRECTOR AGREED THAT YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD EE ONE OF THE IMPORTANT GROUPS TO REACH IN THIS PROGRAMME AND THAT THOSE WHO HAD CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THEM SHOULD EE INVOLVED IN FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WORK.
HE NOTED THAT MORE ATTENTION HAD RECENTLY BEEN RE-FOCUSSED ON THE SUBJECT FOLLOWING THE PUBLICATION OF THE REPORT ON THE ’SOCIAL CAUSES OF VIOLENT CRIMES AMONG YOUNG OFFENDERS IN HONG KONG’ WHICH REGARDED FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PREVENTIVE MEASURE.
MOST YOUNG OFFENDERS, HE POINTED OUT, WERE FOUND TO HAVE COME FROM BROKEN HOMES OR HAD STRAINED RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS.
HE CONTINUED THAT THIS SERVED TO RE-AFFIRM THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION TO THE PROPER DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
+FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IS A WIDE RANGING CONCEPT aHICH EMBRACES MANY ASPECTS AND SUBJECTS,+ MR. LEE SAID. +IF IT IS TO HAVE ANY IMPACT AT ALL, IT MUST BE A COMMUNITY WIDE PROGRAMME WHICH WILL BE BEYOND THE CAPABILITY OF ANY ONE ORGANISATION OR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT TO TACKLE ON ITS CWN.+
TURNING TO THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THIS FIELD, HE SAID THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ALREADY CONDUCTED PERSONAL AND GROUP COUNSELLING FOR YOUNG PERSONS AND THEIR PARENTS, ARRANGED GROUP DISCUSSIONS IN THE FORM OF TALKS, DEEATES AND SEMINARS AND GAVE PUBLICITY TO SUCH SERVICES IK VARIOUS FORMS.
/+OUR PLAN ••••
"AY, DECEMBER 10, 1976
+0UR PLAN IS TO EXPAND THIS SERVICE NEXT YEAR EY STEPPING UP CUR EFFORTS IN ALL DIRECTIONS, NAMELY, IN OUR FAMILY SERVICE, IN THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRES AS WELL AS INVOLVING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND LOCAL GROUPS IN LAUNCHING JOINT PROJECTS AND CAMPAIGNS ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL SO THAT THE IMPACT IS REALLY FELT AND THE MESSAGE EFFECTIVELY GOT ACROSS,+ HE SAID.
IN THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, MR. LEE SAID, THERE WERE NOW 11 AGENCIES PROVIDING THE SERVICE ON VARYING SCALES. PROPOSALS HAD BEEN MADE TO EXPAND THEIR SERVICE NEXT YEAR.
MR. LEE WAS CONFIDENT THAT GREATER SUCCESS COULD BE ACHIEVED IF ALL WORKED TOGETHER TOWARDS THE SAME GOAL.
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FOOTBRIDGES FOR CASTLE PEAK ROAD
X X X X X
A NUMBER OF FOOTBRIDGES WILL BE BUILT ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM KWAI CHUNG TO TSUEN WAN TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND PROVIDE SAFER CROSSING FOR PEDESTRIANS.
WORK IS TO START SOON ON THE FIRST BRIDGE - AT A COST OF 5850,000 - AT THE CHUNG ON STREET INTERSECTION.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE RESUMPTION OF 1,872 SQUARE FEET OF AGRICULTURAL LAND, AND ONE MONTH’S NOTICE OF THE RESUMPTION WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT ONLY TWO SMALL DOMESTIC STRUCTURES WILL BE INVOLVED IN CLEARANCE AND THE SIX PEOPLE AFFECTED HAVE BEEN OFFERED ACCOMMODATION IN A LICENSED AREA IN TSUEN WAN.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO PAY COMPENSATION FOR SOME TREES, BOUNDARY WALL, FENCES, A GATE AND +PAI LAU.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE FOOTBRIDGES, TO BE BUILT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT , SHOULD HELP TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG THE CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
+THE CHUNG ON STREET FOOTBRIDGE WILL ALSO BE OF GREAT
BENEFIT TO CHILDREN ATTENDING SEVERAL SCHOOLS IN THE AREA,+ HE SAID.
+AND IT WILL, OF COURSE, CUT DOWN THE RISK OF ACCIDENTS GENERALLY.+
THE NEW FOOTBRIDGE IS EXPECTED TO EE COMPLETED IN 10 MONTHS.
0 - -
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1°76
6
TOPLEY PRAISES FIRMS FOR SUPPORTING WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME
******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, TODAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MANY PEOPLE IN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AND THE VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG FOR SUPPORTING THE SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY DURING WHICH HE PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO TOOK PART IN THIS YEAR’S SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME.
HE SAID IT WAS MOST HEARTENING THAT SO MANY ORGANISATIONS HAD CONCERNED THEMSELVES WITH CAREER YOUNG PEOPLE, HELPING THEM TO DEVELOP INTO MATURE, AND UNDERSTANDING ADULTS.
EDUCATION FOR
SELF-RELIANT
+THEIR GENEROSITY IN COMING TO THE HELP OF SCHOOLS BY PROVIDING KNOWLEDGEABLE SPEAKERS FOR TALKS ON CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND HELPING TO ORGANISE CAREERS SEMINARS AND CONVENTIONS HAS BEEN GREATLY APPRECIATED,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.
THE DIRECTOR EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT MANY MORE ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG WOULD COME FORWARD TO HELP MAKE THE SCHEME +NOT FOR JUST A FEW SCORE OF STUDENTS BUT HUNDREDS OF THEM.*
MR. TOPLEY CONGRATULATED ALL THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THIS THIRD WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME A SUCCESS. HE ALSO THANKED THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS FOR ITS UNTIRING EFFORTS IN THE PROMOTION OF CAREERS GUIDANCE IN SCHOOLS. THE ASSOCIATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1959 WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF 43. IT NOW HAS A MEMBERSHIP REPRESENTING OVER 233 SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
HE RECALLED THAT THE SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME BEGAN IN 1974 AND HAD RECEIVED GOOD RESPONSE FROM SCHOOLS AND BUSINESS FIRMS SINCE THEN. AN AVERAGE OF 16 FIRMS AND OVER 50 SCHOOLS HAD TAKEN PART IN THE THREE SCHEMES SO FAR.
+IT INVOLVES STUDENTS AT FORM AND FORM 3 LEVEL IN PRE-VOCATIONAL
5 LEVEL IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS SCHOOLS,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.
THE WORK EXPERIENCE PROJECT PROVIDED YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE PERSONALLY WHAT FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT WAS LIKE DURING THEIR ATTACHMENT TO PLACES OF WORK FOR A PERIOD OF TIME LASTING FROM ONE WEEK TO AS MUCH AS TWO OR MORE MONTHS.
MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT YOUNG PEOPLE TAKING PART IN THE SCHEME +DEVELOP AN APPRECIATION NOT ONLY OF THE CHALLENGES AND SATISFACTION OF WORKING LIFE BUT ALSO OF THE INEVITABLE FRUSTRATIONS THAT ARISE IN THE CONTEXT OF DAY-TO-DAY WORKING LIFE.*
SUCH EXPERIENCE, HE ADDED, +15 OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN HELPING THE! TO MAKE A GOOD START TO ACHIEVING A SATISFYING AND SUCCESSFUL ..CRN I!>’C LIFE „HEI.. THE TIME COMES FOR THEM TO LEAVE SCHOOL AND PLUNGE I‘.TO THE HARSH REALITIES OF LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM.*
■■ HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY JF StSSllBB ®f
Friday, December 10, 1976
•“HUMAN ELEMENT COMES FIRST IN HUGE REDEVELOPMENT
SCHEME, SAYS THE MAN IN CHARGE 7 .
The Housing Authority’s current redevelopment programme in old housing estates runs into hundreds of millions of dollars, affects the lives of about half a million people — but is sensitive to the ’’human” requirements of individual families.
“That’s what redevelopment is all about — providing a better life for these people," said Dr E.®. Pryor, Assistant Director of the Housing Department in charge of redevelopment and planning, at a symposium today (Friday December 10).
Dr Pryor said: "The human element comes first. The individual circumstances of each family are being taken into consideration throughout.”
• 4. . :
He was speaking at a symposium on Public Housing Redevelopment in Hong Kong held today at the, Duke of Windsor Social Service Building and organised by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
Dr Pryor said: -'’’This is in fact the biggest redevelopment scheme in the world but every step of the way we have been conscious of individual family needs, making surveys and soliciting opinions to ensure that the human element comes first.” t . . * * • * " .
The Authority’s long-term objective was to redevelop all 12 Mark I and Mark II former resettlement estates built between 195^ and said Dr Pryor, and already schemes were "under way at Shek Kip Mei, Tai Hang Tung,
Chai 'Wan West and Tai Wo Hau
z
Dr. ryor said these redevelopment schemes were taking place about the same time because it was preferable to have projects under way in as many districts as possible, since this put ”on stream” new accommodation in various districts besides demonstrating the Authority’s desire to redevelop all old estates. Outlining the scheme at Shek Kip Mei, he said the old estate originally housed about 62,000 people at a density of more than 2,000 per acre. The scheme is how almost half-complete.
The redevelopment would transform Shek Kip Mei into a ’’new” estate for only 33»0OO people living in either redeveloped or converted blocks and served by a new commercial complex to_be„hyilt-in.the centre of-the estate where 10 old blocks once stood. ____________:—-— ------
’’The design of both the new and converted flats has been carefully conceived to provide a range of flat sizes to match as closely as possible the distribution of household sizes’, ” he said.
At Tai Hang Tung, he said, a new estate complete with a modern commercial complex was being built next to the present old estate of 14 blocks, and the first phase of this would be ready by the middle of next year. ’’Again, in rehousing tenants from the old blocks, the individual circumstances of each family will be taken into consideration as far as practicable,” said Dr. Pryor.
At Chai Wan West, the redevelopment scheme was so successful that within weeks of details being announced, all tenants of the two blocks involved in the first phase applied for rehousing, most of them.in new blocks at Hing Wah II Estate.
At Tai Wo Hau, the first group of tenants requiring rehousing had been offered new flats mainly in the Tsuen Wan/Kwai Chung district because of their strong socio-economic ties with the area.
/’’The .....
5
’’The individual circumstances of each family have been carefully assessed to ensure that suitable rehousing is made available,” said Dr. Pryor.
’’About 25 per cent of the tenants applied for cheaper accommodation and this has been obtained by decanting families from cheaper-rent estates into new blocks and retaining the vacated flats for the low-income families involved in the redevelopment scheme.
’’Similar arrangements will be made in future rehousing operations in an endeavour to give tenants as wide a choice as possible.”
- - 0 - -
Friday, December 10, 1976
TENANTS’ VIE.-7S SOUGHT FIRST IK REHOUSING OPERATIONS, SAYS .SENIOR HOUSING MANAGER
The first step in the Housing Authority’s process of rehousing •• »
is to consult the people concerned and get their views, Mr Robert Mok Yiu-kwong, Senior Housing Manager of the Housing Department’s Redevelopment and Planning Division, said today.
Mr Mok, who was speaking at a symposium on Public Housing Redevelopment, said: "The first step in rehousing involves the gathering of detailed information, including the number of households and shop tenants who may be affected.
’’Arrangements for the repro visioning of schools, community organisations and social welfare bodies that may get involved are also examined.”
Sample surveys of tenants covered such points as their attitude towards removal, their ability to pay rent and their preference of location for new homes.
’’From such surveys, the Department obtains a better understanding of the characteristics and opinions of the residents in general,” said Mr Mok.
Steps taken to keep tenants fully "in the picture” included the distribution of detailed information leaflets, the setting up of local enquiry centres and word of mouth progress reports in the form of room-to-room visits by Housing Department staff.
Assistance Committees were set up for each scheme and families facing financial difficulties could apply to them for assistance to cover basic costs of decoration and removal.
2
In addition, people drawing Public Assistance automatically qualified for such grants, said Mr Mok.
"While tenants may opt for cheaper-rent flats, statistics reveal that the majority of residents prefer to be rehoused in new and larger accommodation, notwithstanding the higher rents," he said.
• {
Friday, December 10, 1976
CASH HANDOUTS TO CHEUNG SHA WAN SQUATTER FIRE VICTIMS FAMILIES RECEIVE AT LEAST $1,350 EACH
Cash grants from the Emergency Relief Fund are being distributed, to the 300 families who lost their homes in last week’s squatter fire at Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon.
Payments totalling $372,050 have been made to 227 families solar to enable them to meet the expenses of re-establishing their horned in temporary housing in licensed areas.
Families of five or under are receiving $1,250 for re-accommodation and $100 per head for re-equipment. For families of more than five, each additional member gets an extra $250 for re-accommodation.
Housing Department staff are making daily payouts at the temporary transit centre set up at the Sham Shui Po Army Camp and arranging transport to take the victims to either Yau Ma Hom or Shek Lei Licensed Areas for site allocation.
This will continue until all victims have been given their cash grants and temporarily housed in licensed areas.
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1976
CONTEXTS
PAGE NO.
MORE GOVERNMENT GRANTS AND ALLOWANCES FOR SECONDARY
SCHOOLS ............................................
HONG KONG - NOWEGIAN TEXTILE AGREEMENT EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR ...............................................
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE OPENS COMMUNITY CENTRE IN ABERDEEN ..................................................... 2
PRAISE FOR HONG KONG PRISONS SERVICE .......................
AUCTION OF ’SPECIAL’ CAR NUMBERS FETCHES S240,000 ..........
NEW QUARTERS FOR POLICEMEN AND FIREMEN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ................................................
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1976.
1
GOVERNMENT SPENDS $2 MILLION MORE ON GRANTS AND ALLOWANCES TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS
X * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION FOR 32,046,003 ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ON GRANTS AND ALLOWANCES TO PRIVATE NON-PROFIT-MAKING AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR THE SEVEN-MONTH PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31, 1977.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT FOR A FULL FINANCIAL YEAR THE EXPENDITURE ON SUCH GRANTS AND ALLOWANCES WOULD BE IN THE REGION OF 33.6 .''ILL I ON.
ANNOUNCING THE HIGHER CAPITATION GRANTS FOR THE 36 ASSISTED PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHICH ARE BEING CONVERTED IN STAGES TO FULLY AIDED STATUS AND FOR SCHOOLS UNDER THE CODE OF AID FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE RATES OF CAPITATION GRANTS HAD BEEN INCREASED ON AVERAGE BY 25 PER CENT PER PUPIL PER ANNUM.
+THE HIGHER GRANTS TAKE ACCOUNT OF INCREASES IN PRICES OF VARIOUS ESSENTIAL ITEMS REQUIRED FOR THE OPERATION GF CLASSES, SUCH AS CONSUMABLE STORES, FUEL, LIGHT AND POWER, PRINTING AND STATIONERY, MINOR REPAIRS TO BUILDINGS, EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND INSURANCE PREMIA,* HE SAID.
THE REVISED RATES OF CAPITATION GRANTS EFFECTIVE FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1976 (OLD RATES IN BRACKETS) ARE AS FOLLOWS:
SECONDARY GRAMMAR - FORMS 1 TO 5 : 380 (364) PER PUPIL PER ANNUM, FORM 6: 3160 (3128)= SECONDARY TECHNICAL - FORMS 1 TO 5: 380-5110 (364-385), FORM 6: 3160 (3128)= SECONDARY MODERN - FORMS 1 TO 3: $80-3100 (364-$85= PRE-VOCATIONAL - FORMS 1 TO 3: 3110-130 (385).
THE REVISED RATES OF CAPITATION GRANT TO AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL INVOLVE ADDITIONAL GRANTS TOTALLING 31.28 MILLION FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR AND AN ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL COMMITMENT OF $362,300 IN SIMILAR GRANTS TO THE 36 ASSISTED PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
FOR THE REMAINING FIVE ASSISTED PRIVATE SCHOOLS, THEIR CLASSROOM/SPECIAL ROOMS ALLOWANCE HAS BEEN INCREASED FROM 3200 PER MONTH PER ROOM TO 3267. AS A RESULT OF THIS REVISION, ALSO EFFECTIVE FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1976, THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TC AN ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE OF 584,000 I-. THE CURRENT FINANCIAL
YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE PER CAPITA GRANT TO PRIVATE NON-PROFIT-MAKING SCHOOLS OFFERING THREE-YEAR BOUGHT PLACES HAD BEEN INCREASED FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR FROM 3345 TO .‘‘365 PER PUPIL PER ANNUM.
THE ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL COMMITMENT FOR THIS REVISION FOR T-.E CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR IS 3320,000, HE SAID.
0 - -
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1976
2
HONG KONG - NOWEGIAN
TEXTILE AGREEMENT EXTENDED ANOTHER YEAR
******
THE HONG KONG - NOWEGIAN TEXTILE AGREEMENT WHICH EXPIRES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR, THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE RENEWED AGREEMENT GOES INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 1977 AND COVER 14 CATEGORIES, MAINLY GARMENTS.
THE RENEWED AGREEMENT INCLUDES FOUR NEW ITEMS NAMELY NIGHT GARMENTS, BED LINEN, DRESSES AND SKIRTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAID THAT DETAILS OF THE 1977 AGREEMENT WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY.
IN THE MEANTIME LICENSING OF THE NEWLY AFFECTED ITEMS HAS BEEN SUSPENDED IK ORDER TO ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO CALCULATE ALLOCATION OF GUOTAS.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO BE SEEKING THE ADVICE OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD ON THE METHOD OF ALLOCATION.
- 0 - -
D3W OPENS COMMUNITY CENTRE IN ABERDEEN * * X * *
RESIDENTS IN ABERDEEN CAN CONSTRUCTIVELY USE THEIR LEISURE TIME BY PARTICIPATING IN VARIOUS KINDS OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND INTEREST GROUPS ORGANISED BY THE NEW ABERDEEN KA I FONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY CENTRE, SAID THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW COMMUNITY CENTRE TODAY (SATURDAY), MR. LEE SAID THE RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG ONES, .jOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE. A EETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY WORK.
+THIS,+ HE SAID, +NOT ONLY WILL IMPROVE THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT, BUT ALSO PROMOTE THEIR SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND BELONGING RESULTING IN A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT IN THEM, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY.+
MR. LEE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS OF THE ABERDEEN KA I FONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION WHO PLANNED THE CONSTRUCTION' OF THE CENTRE AND HAVE UNDERTAKEN THE RESPONSIBILITY TO OPERATE IT.
o - -
SATURDAY, DECEMEER 11, 1976
5
PRISONS DEPARTMENT LAUDED * * *
THE OPERATIONS DIRECTOR OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION CORRUPTION, MR. JOHN PRENDERGAST THIS MORNING PAID TRIBUTE THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT.
AGAINST TO
ADDRESSING 74 PRISONS OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT OFFICERS AT A PASSING OUT PARADE AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY, MR. PRENDERGAST SAID THAT IM THE LAST 36 YEARS OR SO HE HAD SERVED IN A GOOD MANY COUNTRIES AND IN EACH HE HAD HAD CLOSE CONTACT WI TH THE LOCAL PRISONS DEPARTMENT.
+1 CAN SAY WITHOUT ANY FEAR OF CONTRADICTION THAT I HAVE FOUND NONE *HICH IS MORE EFFICIENT OR MORE UP TO DATE THAN THAT OF HONG KONG- ALSO NONE HAS HAD TO COPE WITH THE RANGE AND COMPLEXITY OF OPERATIONS AND PROBLEMS WHICH CONFRONT THE HONG KONG PRISONS SERVICE,+ HE SAID.
+WHEN ONE SPEAKS OF PROBLEMS IN THIS CONTEXT, THE DUAL MENANCES OF DRUGS AND TRIADS NATURALLY FIGURE PROMINENTLY,* HE ADDED.
REFERRING TO OFFENDERS WHO HAVE LONG SENTENCES TO SERVE OR THOSE SENTENCED TO LIFE, THE I.C.A.C. DIRECTOR SAID: +THEY ARE STILL PEOPLE AND THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES DEMAND THAT SPECIAL CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO THEIR NEEDS AND THEIR WELL-BEING. FOR THEM, THEIR PRISON CELL HAS BECOME THEIR HOME.
+GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY HAVE A VERY SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THAT PRISONERS OF ALL GRADES ARE AT ALL TIMES HOUSED IN CONDITIONS OF A SATISFACTORY STANDARD PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE SERVING LONG TERMS.+
ON RELATIONS BETWEEN I.C.A.C. AND THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT, MR. PRENDERGAST SAID THAT CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER.
+ANOTHER REASON WHY I AM GLAD TO EE HERE TODAY IS THAT IT GIVES ME AN OPPORTUNITY OF PUBLICLY THANKING THE COMMISSIONER, HIS OFFICERS -- IN FACT, ALL RANKS AT VARIOUS PRISON ESTABLISHMENTS wITH WHICH I PERSONALLY HAVE HAD CONTACT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS,* HE SAID.
+WHEN I SPEAK FOR MYSELF I ALSO SAY ’THANK YOU’ ON BEHALF OF MANY OFFICERS FROM THE I.C.A.C., PARTICULARLY THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT, WHO HAVE HAD DEALINGS WITH YOU.
♦ ALL OF US HAVE AT ALL TIMES BEEN TREATED w I TH THE UTMOST COURTESY AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN VALUABLE AND WILLING ASSISTANCE, WITHOUT WHICH OUR TASK WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN MORE DIFFICULT.*
MR. PRENDERGAST EMPHASISED THAT THIS KIND OF CO-CPERATIOK SHOULD AND MUST EXIST BETWEEN ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME IN HONG KONG. EACH ONE OF US, HE POINTED OUT, jvAs IN THE END TRYING TO ACHIEVE THE SAME THING, THAT_.;Ao Tv MAKE HONG KONG A EETTER AND SAFER PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK.
/hHPEALING .....
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1976
4
APPEALING YET FURTHER FOR MORE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN ORGANISATIONS, THE I.C.A.C. DIRECTOR CONCEDED THAT EACH DEPARTMENT OR SERVICE HAD ITS OWN +ESPRIT DE CORPS+, ITS OWN PRIDE, BUT +THIS NEED NEVER BE LESSENED OR ERODED IN ANY WAY BY CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES.*
ON CORRUPTION, MR. PRENDERGAST TOLD THE OFFICERS THAT THEY WOULD BE TEMPTED AND EVEN PRESSURED INTO IT AND URGED THEM TO STRONGLY RESIST INVOLVEMENT.
+ l HAVE NOW SEEN THE RESULTS OF CORRUPTION IN SOME DEPTH AND I HAVE SEEN THE MISERY WHICH IT CAN CAUSE BOTH TO THE GIVER AND THE TAKER,* HE SAID. + l ASK YOU TO THINK OF YOUR FAMILIES, THINK OF YOUR CHILDREN. AGAIN I SAY TO YOU — NEVER START BECAUSE THE FIRST BRIBE TAKEN IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END. I WILL FINISH THIS PIECE OF ADVICE WITH THE PROMISE THAT IF YOU IGNORE IT, THERE IS AN INCREASING LIKELIHOOD THAT YOU WILL BE CAUGHT.
+I.C.A.C. IS GETTING BETTER EVERYDAY AND YOU ARE VERY UNLIKELY FOR LONG TO ESCAPE ’THE NET’ OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN OUR TWO ORGANISATIONS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION.*
MR. PRENDERGAST THEN SPOKE ABOUT I.C.A.C. SUGGESTIONS THAT +THERE MAY BE ONE LAW FOR THE COMMISSION AND ANOTHER FOR OTHER PEOPLE.*
AND STRONGLY REFUTED STAFF OF THE
+LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT SO. I.C.A.C. OFFICERS ARE SUBJECT TO THE LAWS OF HONG KONG IN JUST THE SAME WAY AS ANY OTHER CITIZEN,* MR. PRENDERGAST SAID.
+THERE NEVER HAS BEEN AND NEVER WILL EE ANY QUESTION OF A COVER-UP,* HE ASSURED.
+I.C.A.C. PERSONNEL ARE EVEN MORE CLOSELY MONITORED THAN ARE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE,* HE ADDED.
MR. PRENDERGAST ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF I.C.A.C. HAS THE POWER UNDER THE I.C.A.C. ORDINANCE TO TERMINATE THE APPOINTMENT OF AN OFFICER WITHOUT ANY REASON, PROVIDED THE COMMISSIONER IS SATISFIED THAT IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMISSION TO DO SO.
+THIS MAY SEEM AN EXCEPTIONAL POWER BUT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, I THINK IT IS A NECESSARY ONE. IF FOR ANY REASON CONFIDENCE HAS BEEN LOST IN AN OFFICER, HE SHOULD EE REMOVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.
+THE COMMISSIONER HAS HAD OCCASSION TO EXERCISE THIS POWER IN A NUMBER OF INSTANCES. I THINK IT WI_L EE ACCEPTED THAT IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO BE DONE TO ENSURE THAT THE I.C.A.C. IS ITSELF CLEAN IN ALL ASPECTS. THERE CAL BE NG RELAXATION OF VIGILANCE AND THERE CAN EE NO HALF MEASURE,* MR. PRENDERGAST SAID.
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/5
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1976 - 5 -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL NUMBERS REALISES 3240,□□□
*****
FIFTEEN SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD EY AUCTION THIS MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $240,000 'WHICH WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD IN THE LECTURE ROOM SOUTH OF THE CITY HALL HIGH BLOCK, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER BM 8 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $42,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER BM 1 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF 335,000 'WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $3,000 FOR BL 1414.
THE OTHER SPECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE FOLLOWING PRICES-.
AS 99 ...... $20,000 1913 ................ $14,000 8028 ..................................... 320,000 AL 2 ....................... 310,000 AT 3 ..................................... $19,000 AN 200 .... 310,000 AT 3333 .... 317,500 BJ 1122 ... 8,000 AR 777 ................................... 317,000 EH 1122 ... 3 5,000 2613...................................... $16,000 E.' 525 . 3,500
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL EE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS .-.I TH IN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 31ST ORGANISED EY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY, 1973, BROUGHT TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SC FAR TO ,,5,202,032.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1976
6 -
NEW GUARTERS FOR POLICEMEN M * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF MARRIED QUARTERS FOR RANK AND FILE POLICEMEN STATIONED IN SHAT IN.
THE NEW QUARTERS WILL BE LOCATED NEXT TO THE NEW SHAT IN DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION NOW BEING BUILT BY THE P.W.D. ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE.
MR. C.S. LEE, A SENIOR P.W.D. ARCHITECT, SAID TODAY CONSTRUCTION WORK WOULD BEGIN IN FEBRUARY AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN AUGUST 1978.
HE SAID THE NEW COMPLEX WOULD PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR ABOUT 400 MARRIED POLICE OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THE BUILDING, HE SAID, WOULD AS WELL AS CARPARKS, A CHILDREN’S
COMPRISE TWO 20-ST0REY BLOCKS PLAY AREA AND A GARDEN.
MEANWHILE, THE P.W.D. ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE IS TO
BEGIN WORK NEXT MONTH ON SIMILAR QUARTERS FOR THE FIRE SERVICES AT TSUEN WAN.
THIS COMPLEX WILL OCCUPY A SITE OF ABOUT 3,300 SQUARE METRES NEAR THE JUNCTION OF LEI MUK SHUE ROAD AND WO Yl HOP STREET, ADJACENT TO THE LEI MUK SHUE SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
MR. LEE SAID THIS PROJECT HAD BECOME MORE URGENT IN VIEW OF THE NECESSITY TO EXTEND ADDITIONAL FIRE COVER TO THE GROWING TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.
HE SAID THE NEW QUARTERS WOULD COMPRISE TWO 20-ST0REY ELOCKS AND PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR ABOUT 400 MARRIED FIRE SERVICES OFFICERS EY AUGUST NEXT YEAR.
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HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
Saturday, December 11, 1976.
MORE SPACE AND IMPROVED ENVIRONMENT FOR -LICENSED AREA RESIDENTS rs- r'••■■■
. • • . X • • •- - a.'
People taking up temporary housing in licensed areas will have
more living space in future as well as improved facilities.
. . . ..... . . j- •;-J
, u . -I' • ■ *...
The Housing Authority, after a careful study of the welfare and
living standards of tenants in licensed areas, has decided to raise the ..... . ... ■ ’
•allocation standard tb° about 2k square feet per person. .?» ;• O‘<*. ;;-v’ ■
* •I'*'"'- ’
This new space standard will be applied to future allocations !• r . ?! '</ • " ,f*
r-in licensed areas currently under,construction. A . ... .
A .spokesman for the Authority said the decision followed on another big step taken recently to improve living conditions in licensed areas. ■*•
The programme includes the provision of proper house water and . . — —.e • *-• ------ ... - - —- .. -***—• —— - . ■ - • • -•
electricity supplies to 15 old licensed areas where 25,700 people live and the introduction of new-style licensed areas with part-built structures with facilities such as metered electricity and house water as well as telephone lines.
/2.........
2
The spokesman said such improvements and the raising of space standards were matters under continual review taking into account the availability of land, finance and staff resources.
’’This is now possible as some more sites have been made available to the Authority for developing into licensed areas for temporary housing,” he said.
Six new licensed areas for 16,000 people are currently under construction. Two of them, at Yau Ma Hom and Shek Lei ip Tsuen Wan, will be completed before the end of the year and four others in. Ha Kwai Chung, Kowloon Bay, Tin Wan and Aplichau will be ready early next year.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1976
WORK OF S.W.D.’S JOB PLACEMENT UNIT ******
THE JOE PLACEMENT UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOUND JOES FOR 417 DISABLED PEOPLE IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF THIS YEAR.
THE FIGURE REPRESENTS MORE THAN A HUNDRED PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE 1975 TOTAL OF 230.
OUTLINING THE WORK OF THE UNIT, THE OFFICER IN CHARGE, MR. CHAN SHIU-WING, STRESSED THAT A DISABLED PERSON WAS NOT JUST GIVEN INDISCRIMINATELY ANY JOB THAT CAME ALONG.
+APART FROM VOCATIONAL TRAINING, WE HAVE TO PROVIDE PLACEMENT COUNSELLING WHICH FORMS A MAJOR PART OF OUR WORK,* HE EXPLAINED.
MR. CHAN POINTED OUT THAT SOME OF THE DISABLED LACKED CONFIDENCE WHILE SOME CHERISHED EXPECTATIONS TOO HIGH FOR THEM.
+THROUGH COUNSELLING, WE HOPE TO HELP THEM GET A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR ABILITIES AND DISABILITIES AND TC FIND OUT WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM,* HE SAID.
SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM COMES FROM THE PARENTS IN THAT THEY TEND TO OVER-PAMPER THEIR DISABLED CHILDREN AND ARE RELUCTANT TO ALLO;. THEM TO GO GUT TC BE TRAINED.
IN THIS CASE, PLACEMENT OFFICERS HAVE TC EXTEND THE COUNSELLING SERVICE TO THESE PARENTS.
♦ALL THESE EFFORTS,* HE ADDED, +AIM TO HELP TO BECOME SELF-SUPPORTING MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF REHABILITATION WORK.*
THE DISABLED
WHICH IS
ON THE PROCEDURES OF FINDING THE DISABLED A JOE, MR. CHAN SAID THE PLACEMENT OFFICER HAD TC MAKE INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER TO FIND OUT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB, THE TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
HE THEN MATCHES THE RIGHT CLIENT WITH THE RIGHT JOB, ENSURING THAT HIS ABILITY AND POTENTIALS ARE DEVELOPED TO THE GREATEST EXTENT AND THAT HIS DISABILITY DOES NOT HANDICAP HIM IN HIS WORK.
WILL
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1976
2
+ HE WILL THEN ACCOMPANY THE CLIENT OR WORKER TO THE PLACE OF WORK AND ASSIST HIM TO GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE JOB REQUIREMENTS, HIS COLLEAGUES AND TO OVERCOME ANY INITIAL PROBLEM WHEN HE REPORTS FOR DUTY FOR THE FIRST TIME,* MR. CHAN EXPLAINED.
+THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER VISIT ONE OR TWO DAYS LATER TO FIND OUT THE RESPONSE OF THE CLIENT AND THE EMPLOYER,* HE ADDED.
+WE WILL CARRY OUT THESE FOLLOW-UP VISITS FOR THREE MONTHS BEFORE WE CONSIDER A CASE CLOSED.+
+SHOULD THE WORKER FIND THAT HE CANNOT FIT IN THE POST, THE PLACEMENT OFFICER CONCERNED WILL TRY TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE EMPLOYER TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE JOB FOR THE WORKER IN THE SAME ESTABLISHMENT,* HE SAID.
MR. CHAN NOTED THAT EMPLOYERS WERE NOW MORE ACCEPTABLE TO THE IDEA OF EMPLOYING THE DISABLED THAN BEFORE.
+THEY BEGIN TO REALISE THAT THE DISABLED ARE MORE CAREFUL AND STABLE AND ARE EQUALLY COMPETENT IN MANY AREAS OF WORK.* HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE UNIT HAS NEVER RECEIVED ANY SERIOUS COMPLAI NT FROM THE EMPLOYERS.
MR. CHAN WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT SOME EMPLOYERS EVEN TOOK THE INITIATIVE TO OPEN AN ENTIRE ASSEMBLY LINE FOR THE DISABLED WORKERS.
+M.ANY HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY ARE PREPARED TO EMPLOY MORE DISABLED WORKERS SHOULD THE OPPORTUNITY ARISE,* HE SAID.
MR. SHIMITZ OF THE UNIVERSAL OPTICAL INDUSTRIES LTD., WHICH IS CURRENTLY EMPLOYING MORE THAN 23 DISABLED PEOPLE, STATED THAT HE INTENDED TO EMPLOY MORE DISABLED WORKERS.
+BY EMPLOYING THEM, OUR FIRM WILL EE MAKING CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIETY FROM WHICH WE HAVE GAINED SO MUCH,* HE SAID.
HE FOUND THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE WORKERS SATISFACTORY AND HE DID NOT HAVE TO GO OUT OF HIS WAY TO ACCOMMODATE THEM.
HIS GOOD IMPRESSION OF THE DISABLED WORKERS WAS ECHOED BY MRS. LOUISE KAM OF THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT OF THE CITIBANK.
+WE DID SPEND SOME MONEY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A SPECIAL SWITCHBOARD FOR OUR ELIND OPERATOR, BUT HER EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE MORE THAN OFFSETS THE COST,* SHE SAID.
EMPLOYERS WHO WISH TO EMPLOY THE DISABLED ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE JOB PLACEMENT UNIT ON TELEPHONE NO. 3-419221.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 197c
5
MARKERS AND ORAL EXAMINERS FOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION * * *
THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION BOARD IS INVITING SERVING TEACHERS AND OTHER SUITABLY QUALIFIED PERSONS TO APPLY TO SERVE AS MARKERS AND ORAL EXAMINERS FOR THE 1977 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD, MR. K.C. CHEUNG SAID: +MARKING OF WRITTEN PAPERS .'.ILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN MID-MAY AND THE END OF JUNE 1977. THE RATES OF REMUNERATION VARY DEPENDING UPON THE LENGTH AND COMPLEXITY OF THE QUESTION PAPERS AS WELL AS THE EXPERIENCE OF INDIVIDUAL MARKERS.
+ORAL ENGLISH EXAMINATIONS WILL BE HELD ON WEEK-DAYS BETWEEN JUNE 8 AND 28 FROM 2 P.M. TO 5 P.M. AND THE REMUNERATION FOR AN EXAMINER IS £70 ?ER AFTERNOON.+
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON. THE CLOSING DATE IS JANUARY 18, 1977.
- 0 - -
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT SAP PAT HEUNG K * * X *
A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT .-.ILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS AT SAP PAT HEUNG RURAL COMMITTEE FOR RESIDENTS AND PERSONS LIVING NEARBY FOR THREE DAYS FROM MONDAY (DECEMEER 23).
THE VISIT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN OR WARDS OF 11 YEARS OF AGE FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS ON REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE.
REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. DAILY.
ALL PEOPLE LIVING IN THIS AREA ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS. THEY SHOULD REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
- - o -
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1976
4
WATER CUT M M *
..’ATER SUPPLY TO MOST OF THE PRCMIS-S IM wam TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROI 1 A.M. ON TUESDAY ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIgJt
FU ESTATE (DECEMBER LEAKAGE
WILL BE 14) TO TEST.
WAH MING HOUSE, WAH KIN HOUSE AND SHOPPING CENTRE.
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HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
Sunday, December 12, 1976
GIANT /TOASTER* MASS PRODUCES PREFAB WALLS FOR TAI HING ESTATE AT TUEN MUN
Can you imagine a production line where walls go in one end as liquid cement and come out the other the finished product in less than three hours?
And where the main part of the process is performed inside a super-heated oven which acts virtually as a giant wtoaster” as it dries out and safely solidifies the cement, turning it rock-hard and ready for instant use?
It sounds like something happening overseas but actually this ultra-modern production line is working full-time at Tuen Mun turning out walls for Tai Hing Estate.
Every working day it turns out 220 "quick-built” walls.
The factory, set up at a cost of $3 million, plays an important part in the phase I construction of Tai Hing Estate in the developing new town of Tuen Mun.
Its main function is to supply ample prefabricated walls for the three 30-storey cruciform blocks and one seven-storey block which will provide a total of 4,446 self-contained flats housing some 29,000 people.
2
The heart of the factory is a huge steam oven which covers an area of nearly 4,000 square feet.
Temperatures inside, ranging from 80 to 85 degree Celsius, help to solidify the liquid cement in less than three hours.
A four-wheel cart running on rails transports the steel moulds, interlaced with steel bars.,. to a giant mixer where liquid cement is poured into the moulds. Electrical vibrators are used to ensure that the moulds are properly filled and that the surface is perfectly smooth.
The cart is then pushed into the super-heated oven and in less than three hours the finished product comes out the other end, is plucked by a crane from the mould and is ready for instant use.
More than 200 different sizes of prefabricated walls are produced by the factory. All are used for external and internal partitions and the floors. 9 .
This method of wall making, known as the "Omnia" system, saves both time and manpower and the product is as good as any made by the traditional methods used by contractors in the building industry
For the construction of the four blocks at Tai Hing Estate, the factory has so far churned out 53,000 concrete slabs of different sizes. Another 6,500 slabs will be required before construction finishes in April next year.
* . * * * * * *
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1976
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
SECOND PUBLIC BALLOT FOR 250 NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS .......... 1
EMPLOYMENT SURVEY IN PRIVATE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES ....................................................... 2
ROADS IMPROVEMENTS IN KOWLOON ............................... 3
LAND FOR OFFENSIVE TRADES TO BE AUCTIONED ................... 4
KOWLOON’S FIRST ALL NIGHT BUS SERVICE TO START ON FRIDAY 4
EMPLOYERS REMINDED OF EXTRA HOLIDAYS FOR WORKERS ............ 5
LONG SERVICE MEDALS AND CLASPS FOR FIREMEN .................. 6
MEMBERS OF ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT TO BE DECORATED ......... 6
MOBILE EXHIBITION ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION .................. 7
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1976
1
SECOND PUBLIC BALLOT FOR 253 N.T. TAXIS * * * *
A SECOND PUBLIC BALLOT FOR 253 NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 17).
THE BALLOT WILL START AT 2.33 P.M. OK THE STH FLOOR OF THE HUNG HOM MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK BUILDING.
IT WILL BE HELD IN THE PRESENCE OF MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS WHO WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN-THE FIRST PUBLIC BALLOT HELD ON SEPTEMBER 23 WILL BE INCLUDED ON THIS OCCASION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THE BALLOT NUMBER IN RESPECT OF EACH APPLICANT WOULD REMAIN THE SAME.
HE SAID THAT LETTERS OF CONFIRMATION WOULD BE SENT TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOLLOWING THE EALLOT.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THOSE UNSUCCESSFUL AT THE SECOND PUBLIC BALLOT ON FRIDAY WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN LATER BALLOTS, THE DATES FOR WHICH WOULD BE ANNOUNCED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
OF THE 25Q N.T. TAXI LICENCES PUBLICLY BALLOTED ON SEPTEMBER 23, 243 HAVE NOW BEEN REGISTERED. THE OTHER TEN HAVE BEEN GIVEN UP AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN LATER BALLOTS.
/2
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1976
2
EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION SITES ******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL AGAIN CONDUCT A SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT IN PRIVATE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION WORK SITES BETWEEN WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY (DECEMBER 15 - 17).
THE SURVEY IS THE SECOND OF ITS KIND IN THREE MONTHS.
THE PREVIOUS ONE WAS CARRIED OUT IN SEPTEMBER. THE RESULT SHOWED THAT OF THE 45,848 PEOPLE ENGAGED AT VARIOUS WORK SITES, 29,829 WERE INVOLVED IN PRIVATE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
THE FORTHCOMING SURVEY COVERS ALL WORK SITES ON RECORD OF THE BUILDING ORDINANCE OFFICE AND REFERS TO ALL SITE WORKERS ENGAGED, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL WORK, SUCH AS ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, CONTRACT MANAGERS AND SURVEYORS.
CIRCULAR LETTERS TOGETHER WITH COPIES OF THE SURVEY FORM HAVE BEEN SENT TO THOSE CONTRACTORS IN CHARGE OF BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION WORK AT THE SITES. CONTRACTORS ARE REQUESTED TO ASSIGN A RESPONSIBLE PERSON AT EACH SITE TO COMPLETE THE FORM WITH THE NUMBER OF SITE WORKERS BY SEX BY WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 15). SURVEY OFFICERS CF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, EACH BEARING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD, WILL THEN VISIT THE RESPECTIVE SITES TO COLLECT THE COMPLETED SURVEY FORMS AND RENDER ASSISTANCE IF NECESSARY.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS TODAY APPEALED TO CONTRACTORS AND THEIR SITE STAFF FOR CO-OPERATION.
HE EMPHASIZED THAT THE INFORMATION DETAINED WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD ONLY BE USED FOR THE COMPILATION OF STATISTICAL TABLES.
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1976
3
ROADS IMPROVEMENTS IN KOWLOON
******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS ABOUT TO BEGIN WORK ON A SERIES OF ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN KOWLOON.
MR. NG YEE-YUM, ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION, SAID TODAY WORK WOULD BEGIN IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND WOULD MAINLY INVOLVE RESURFACING OF CERTAIN SECTIONS OF ROADS WHICH WERE DETERIORATING AS A RESULT OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.
THE AFFECTED SECTIONS INCLUDE PRINCE EDWARD ROAD BETWEEN YUEN NGA I STREET AND EMBANKMENT RCAD= CANTON ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH FERRY STREET AND 'JORDAN ROAD= PUBLIC SQUARE STREET BETWEEN TEMPLE STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET’ AND SHANGHAI STREET BETWEEN CHEUNG SHA STREET AND PITT STREET.
MR. NG SAID THAT AT LEAST ONE LANE WOULD REMAIN OPEN DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD AND EVERY EFFORT WOULD BE MADE TO MAINTAIN SMOOTH TRAFFIC FLOW.
MR. NG SAID THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE WOULD ALSO IMPROVE THE SECTION OF CANTON ROAD BETWEEN KOWLOON PARK DRIVE AND PEKING ROAD.
+THIS SECTION REPRESENTS AN IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL NORTH-TO-SOUTH TRAFFIC ROUTE IN TSIM SHA TSUI, AND THE INTENTION IS TO RECONSTRUCT IT TO FOUR LANES SC AS TO PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO THE EXISTING AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID THE SECTION WOULD BE REBUILT IN REINFORCED CONCRETE AND WIDENED TO 13.5 METRES.
WORK ON THIS SECTION, HE SAID, WOULD BEGIN NEXT MONTH AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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A...
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1976
4
LAND FOR OFFENSIVE TRADES TO BE AUCTIONED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS SOON TO SELL THREE LOTS OF LAND TO COMPLETE THE FORMATION OF THE OFFENSIVE TRADES AREA IN KWAI CHUNG.
THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAS ALREADY CALLED FOR TENDERS FOR THE FIRST LOT OF 1,919 SQ. METRES AND THE TENDER CLOSES AT NOON ON JANUARY 11 NEXT YEAR.
AN ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT TWO FURTHER LOTS OF 3,159 SQ. METRES AND 523 SQ. METRES WOULD BE PUT UP FOR TENDER EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THIS TENDER WOULD BE RESTRICTED TO HOLDERS OF GOVERNMENT LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT DOCUMENTS, HE ADDED.
+THE DISPOSAL OF THESE THREE LOTS WILL MEAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE SOLD OFF ALL THE 27,870 SQ. METRES OF LAND WHICH HAS BEEN SET ASIDE AT KWAI CHUNG FOR OFFENSIVE TRADES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+MUCH OF THIS LAND HAS GONE BY PRIVATE TREATY GRANT TO THE FORMER OPERATORS OF THE TANNERIES AT SHEUNG SHU I, ALTHOUGH ONE ACID FACTORY IS ALREADY IN OPERATION IN THE OFFENSIVE TRADES AREA.+
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT THE SITE CURRENTLY OUT TO TENDER WOULD NOT BECOME ANOTHER TANNERY BECAUSE THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF SALE SPECIFICALLY PROHIBIT SUCH AN INDUSTRY.
THE LOT CARRIES A BUILDING COVENANT OF 33 MILLION OVER 33 MONTHS, HE ADDED.
- 0 - -
ALL NIGHT BUS SERVICE FOR KOWLOON
******
KOWLOON’S FIRST ALL NIGHT BUS SERVICE WILL BE INTRODUCED ON FRIDAY MORNING (DECEMBER 17).
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE NEW ROUTE, KME NO. 2E, WOULD OPERATE BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD FERRY AND KOWLOON CITY FERRY VIA TSIM SHA TSUI, HUNG HOM AND TO KWA ..AN EVERY 15 MINUTES BETWEEN 12.15 A.M. AND 5.15 A.M. DAILY. THt FARE WILL BE 53 CENTS.
AS WELL AS PROVIDING CONNECTING FACILITIES FOR LATE NIGHT AND EARLY MORNING FERRIES, THE NEW SERVICE '..ILL CATER FOR NIGHT WORKERS IN THE BUSY RESTAURANT AREAS OF NATHAN ROAD AND MA TAU WAI ROAD. IT WILL ALSO CONNECT AT HUNG HCM WITH FHE ALL NIGHT CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTE TO CAUSEWAY BAY AND NORTH POINT (ROUTE 122) AND v;AN CHAI, CENTRAL AND WESTERN MARKET (ROUTE 121).
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT_THE NEW ROUTE wOULD EE OPERATED ON A'. EXPERIMENTAL BASIS FOR THREE .’■ORTHS AN-' K'-’r ..CUi— Ci.LY_ CONTINUE OPERATION AFTER MARCH 1977 IF FHERE >.AS ENOUGH PASSENGER SUPPORT.
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/5
MONDAY, DECEMEES 13, 1976
- 5 -
EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE EFFECTIVE ON JANUARY 1
* * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1976 WILL COME INTO FORCE ON JANUARY 1.
UNDER THE NEW LAW EMPLOYEES WILL EE ENTITLED TO FOUR MORE STATUTORY HOLIDAYS ANNUALLY.
THESE ADDITIONAL HOLIDAYS ARE THE THIRD DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL, THE CHINESE WINTER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL OR ALTERNATIVELY CHRISTMAS DAY, AND A FLOATING HOLIDAY TO BE DESIGNATED BY EMPLOYERS FOR EACH YEAR.
REFERRING TO THE FLOATING HOLIDAY, MR. PRICE SAID THAT IT SHOULD EE DESIGNATED BY THE EMPLOYER AND NOTIFIED TO EACH OF HIS EMPLOYEES BY A NOTICE PLACED IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE BY THE END OF DECEMBER EACH YEAR.
+IF THE EMPLOYER DOES NOT DESIGNATE THE FLOATING HOLIDAY, IT WILL FALL ON THE FIRST WEEK DAY IN JULY OR THE FIRST MONDAY IN AUGUST AT THE OPTION OF THE EMPLOYER,+ MR. PRICE ADDED.
UNDER THE EXISTING LAW, ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES WITHOUT DISTINCTION, INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS, AND IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS AS WELL AS ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN 62,300 A MONTH, ARE ENTITLED TO SIX STATUTORY HOLIDAYS A YEAR BUT WITH THE COMING INTO OPERATION OF THE NEW AMENDMENT ORDINANCE THE NUMBER HAS BEEN INCREASED TO 10.
THE WORKERS MUST ALSO EE PAID FOR A HOLIDAY IF THEY HAVE .vORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THEIR EMPLOYER FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
ANY ENQUIRIES OR COMPLAINTS REGARDING STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE CF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE: 3-235638 (FOR KOWLOON EAST), 3-201652 (FOR KOWLOON WEST), 3-898520 (FOR KWUN TONG), 12-422396 (FOR TSUEN WAN), 12-760261 EXT. 82 (FOR YUEN LONG) AND 5-282523 EXT. 63 (FOR HONG KONG ISLAND).
- 0 -
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1976
6
LONG SERVICE MEDALS AND CLASPS FOR FIREMEN
* * *
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, WILL PRESENT COLONIAL FIRE BRIGADE LONG SERVICE MEDALS AND CLASPS TO OVER 70 SERVING AND RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 15).
FORTY-SIX OF THEM WHO HAVE 18 YEARS’ SERVICE, WILL BE AWARDED LONG SERVICE MEDALS. 17 OTHERS WITH 25 YEARS’ SERVICE ..ILL RECEIVE FIRST CLASPS TO THEIR MEDALS WHILE THE REMAINING 13 WHO HAVE OVER 30 YEARS’ SERVICE, WILL RECEIVE SECOND CLASP TO THEIR MEDALS.
AMONG THE RECIPIENTS IS THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR. F.M. WATSON, WHO IS AWARDED FIRST CLASP TO HIS MEDAL.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH ILL TAKE PLACE AT 9 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY AT HARBOUR ROAD FIRE STATION.
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MEMBERS OF REGIMENT TO EE DECORATED * * *
EN. SIR JOHN ARCHER, ALS AND CLASPS TO 31 ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 16)
THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, LT. G WILL PRESENT EFFICIENCY DECORATIONS, NEL MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT
THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL EE HELD AT THE REGIMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY AT 7 F.M.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU AR- INVITED TO HAVE THE EVENT COVERED. CAPTAIN C.F.T. EDWARD-COLLINS, ADJUTANT OF THE REGIMENT, ..ILL EE PREScNT TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
COPIES OF A LIST OF THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS TO EE DzCORATcD WILL EE PLACED IN THE PRESS BOXES FOR COLLECTION ON THURSDAY EVENING.
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/7......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1976
7
MOBILE EXHIBITION ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION
******
A FOUR-DAY EXHIBITION ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WILL BE HELD AT THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN STARTING THIS WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 15).
IN ORDER TO INTRODUCE TO MORE RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THE CONCEPT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, THE EXHIBITION WILL EE MOVED TO SIX OTHER DISTRICTS - YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, SHA TIN, TAI PO, SHEUNG SHU I AND FANLING.
CO-ORDINATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S FAMILY SERVICE DISTRICT OFFICE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE FOR TSUEN WAN, THE PROJECT IS A JOINT EFFORT OF 13 SCHOOLS AND WELFARE AGENCIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ITEMS ON DISPLAY WILL TOUCH ON, AMONG OTHER TCP ICS, GENERATION GAP, FAMILY PLANNING, HO'.. TO CHOOSE A CAREER, WAYS TO HANDLE PROBLEM CHILDREN, AND HOW WORKING MOTHERS SHOULD LOOK AFTER THEIR CHILDREN.
DURING THE EXHIBITION, A SOCIAL WORKER WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER QUERIES IN CONNECTION WITH FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND PROBLEMS OF INDIVIDUALS OR THEIR FAMILIES.
MR. JIMMY SWEETMAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, .. I _L OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MOBILE EXHIBITION AT 4 P.M.
NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY
WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TAI HO ROAD IN TSUEN WAN THIS WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 15) AT 4 P.M.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1976.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MR. ERIC P. HO WILL BECOME SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERV-ICES NEXT YEAR ..........................7................ 1
PRESS CONFERENCE ON COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY ............. 1
EVENING COURSES AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES HEAVILY SUBSCRIBED 2
EARLY PAY DAYS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS THIS MONTH ......................................................... 3
DISTRICT OFFICE SYSTEM +INADEQUATE* FOR TSUEN WAN ............. 4
STAMPS TO MARK +THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE* ........................ 6
SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION .......................... 7
NEW CURRICULUM REPRESENTS MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN EDUCATION 3
WATER CUTS IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NET.'//TERR I TOR I ES . 9
f J
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1976
- 1 -SENIOR GOVERNMENT POSTINGS ANNOUNCED * * K * M
A NUMBER OF SENIOR POSTINGS IN THE GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION WERE ANNOUNCED TODAY.
MR. ERIC P. HO, WHO DURING 1976 HAS BEEN ATTENDING THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF DEFENCE STUDIES IN LONDON, WILL SHORTLY TAKE OVER FROM MR. MORRIS MORGAN AS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.
MB. HO WILL SUCCEED MR. F.K. LI AS SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES NEXT YEAR WHEN THE LATTER BECOMES SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS.
MR. HO, WHO IS 49, BECAME AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1957. HIS MOST RECENT APPOINTMENT WAS DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, FROM OCTOBER 1973 TO JANUARY 1976. PREVIOUSLY HE HELD A NUMBER OF SENIOR POSTS IN DEPARTMENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, INCLUDING ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
MR. MORGAN WILL BE POSTED TO THE NEW TERRITORIES AS A DEPUTY SECRETARY TO TAKE OVER FROM MR. J.W. CHAMBERS WHO WILL GO ON LEAVE IN MARCH.
MR. J.R. TODD, AT PRESENT DEPUTY DISTRICT OFFICER, TSUEN WAN, IS POSTED AS A DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES IN PLACE OF MR. E.B. WIGGHAM, WHO HAS BECOME DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION IN PLACE OF MR. DAVID FORD.
______0-______ 111
PRESS CONFERENCE ON COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY * X- X *
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN THE GIS THEATRE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 5TH FLOOR, AT 3 P.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN BY MR. DEREK JONES, SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, AND REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE CONSULTANTS WHO CARRIED OUT THE STUDY, MESSRS WILBUR SMITH AND ASSOCIATES.
/ZYOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONFERENCE.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1976
2
EVENING COURSES AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES HEAVILY SUBSCRIBED *****
PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL STUDIES CLASSES RUN BY THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN THE EVENINGS AT A NUMBER OF CENTRES IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES HAVE HELPED THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS OVER THE YEARS TO PULL THEMSELVES UP FROM A GENERAL EDUCATION AT LOWER SECONDARY LEVEL TO FORM 5 LEVEL AS WELL AS OBTAINING A QUALIFICATION AT TECHNICIAN LEVEL AND A USEFUL POST IN INDUSTRY.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL), MR. DANIEL WATERS, AT THE SPEECH DAY OF THE CONFUCIAN TAI *SHING SCHOOL.
+SUCH COURSES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN POPULAR AND HEAVILY SUBSCRIBED AND THEY HAVE PROVIDED A SECOND OPPORTUNITY FOR NUMEROUS YOUNG PEOPLE WHO COULD NOT CARRY ON WITH FULL-TIME SCHOOLING,* MR. WATERS SAID.
AT PRESENT THERE ARE AROUND 4,500 STUDENTS ON THE ROLL OF SUCH CLASSES. THE AGE GROUP OF STUDENTS ATTENDING SUCH CLASSES IS FROM 12 TO APPROACHING 40 YEARS OF AGE WITH THE LARGEST NUMBER AT AROUND 17 YEARS OLD.
+IT IS EXPECTED THAT WITH EDUCATION FOR ALL UP TO FORM 3 LEVEL ON A FULL-TIME BASIS BY 1978 THAT THE NUMBER OF PRELIMINARY (OR PRE-GENERAL) CLASSES WILL CONSIDERABLY DECREASE.
+IT IS EXPECTED, HOWEVER, THAT THE GENERAL CLASSES RUN IN THE EVENINGS FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED EITHER FORM 3 OR FORM 4 IN A SECONDARY SCHOOL WILL INCREASE IN NUMBER,* MR. WATERS SAID.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID THAT AT PRESENT 17 CENTRES PLUS THE THREE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE BUILDINGS WERE USED FOR THE RUNNING OF ALL TYPES OF EVENING CLASSES BY THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
IN ADDITION, THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN RUNNING A NUMBER OF EVENING COURSES IN THE SECONDARY EDUCATION FIELD FOR MANY YEARS.
MR. WATERS SAID THAT THESE INCLUDED THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE - A SIX-YEAR COURSE COVERING FORMS 1 TO 5 FOR THE ELEVEN TO 18 AGE GROUP - WITH AN ENROLMENT OF AROUND 3,800- A CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE FOR ADULTS, MOST OF WHOM ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR ABOVE. ABOUT 2,100 ARE ENROLLED IN SUCH COURSES AT PRESENT-AND A YOUNG PEOPLE’S COURSE COVERING FORMS 1 TO 3. ENROLMENTS FOR THIS COURSE NUMBER'"ABOUT 3,400.
THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION WAS ALSO RUNNING A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE REMOVE COURSE SO THAT UNDER-QUALIFIED STUDENTS COULD RAISE THEIR GENERAL EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS AND WOULD BE ABLE TO ENTER PRELIMINARY YEAR ONE IN THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
/THE ASSISTANT
WSESMl, DECEMBER 14, 1?76
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID IT WAS CLEARLY VISIBLE THAT +THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS DONE A GREAT DEAL, OVER THE YEARS, SO THAT GENERAL EDUCATION FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE EVENINGS.*
THE VOLUNTARY BODIES HAD ALSO DONE A LOT IN THE WAY OF RETRIEVAL EDUCATION, HE SAID.
THE MAIN REASON GIVEN BY YOUNGSTERS FOR NOT ATTENDING FULL-TIME SCHOOLING WAS EITHER THAT THEY COU^D NOT AFFORD IT OR THEY/HAD NO INTEREST IN THEIR STUDIES. MOST OF THESE YOUNGSTERS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME FORM OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING.
+IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE THAT THE SCHOOL DROP-OUT RATE HAS GENERALLY DECREASED STEADILY. THE PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN IN THE 12 TO 14 AGE GROUP NOT AT SCHOOL IN MARCH 1976 WAS 10.5 PER CENT COMPARED TO 15.5 PER CENT IN 1970,+ MR. WATERS SAID.
THE 1974 WHITE PAPER ON SECONDARY EDUCATION RECOMMENDED THAT THERE SHOULD BE THREE YEARS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR EVERY CHILD. +WE ARE NOW WORKING TOWARDS THIS GOAL,+ THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID.
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EARLY PAY DAYS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE * * * "
PEOPLE.RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OR THE DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES THE PAY DAYS OF WHICH FALL WITHIN THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, WILL BE ABLE TO GET THEIR MONEY EARLIER, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE POST OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND TREASURY OFFICES TO ENABLE RECIPIENTS TO CASH THEIR VOUCHERS EARLIER SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE MONEY FOR THE OCCASION.
THOSE WHOSE PAY DAYS FALL ON DECEMBER 25, 26 AND 27 WILL BE ABLE TO GET THEIR MONEY ON DECEMBER 21, 22 AND 23 RESPECTIVELY.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1976
- 4 -
DISTRICT OFFICE SYSTEM +INADEQUATE* FOR TSUEN WAN *******
THE GOVERNMENT HAD APPOINTED A TOWN MANAGER IN TSUEN WAN BECAUSE THE TRADITIONAL DISTRICT OFFICE SYSTEM WAS INADEQUATE TO COPE WITH THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THE NEW TOWN, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.
BUT HE STRESSED THAT THIS DID NOT MEAN THAT THE TRADITIONAL RURAL COMMITTEES WERE BEING DOWNGRADED, BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THAT THEY HAD A VERY SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE.
ADDRESSING A MEETING OF THE SOUTH KOWLOON LIONS CLUB, MR. AKERS-JONES SPOKE OF A +FERMENT OF ACTIVITY* IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AIMED AT MEETING THE GOVERNMENT’S HOUSING PROGRAMME TARGETS.
THIS WOULD LEAD TO THE NEW TERRITORIES HAVING A POPULATION OF 2-1/2 MILLION BY 1986 - SIX TIMES THE RECORDED POPULATION OF HALF A MILLION IN 1961.
HE SAID: +IN THIS SITUATION, WITH SO MUCH TO DO SO QUICKLY, THE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE ARE CLEARLY OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE.
+SO FAR TSUEN WAN HAS CHANGED AND GROWN MORE THAN ANY OTHER PLACE, BUT IT IS STILL PART OF THE AREA COVERED BY THE RURAL COMMITTEE SYSTEM.
+CLEARLY THAT SYSTEM ON ITS OWN COULD n'6t COPE WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS AND HOPES AND FEARS OF TSUEN WAN’S HALF A MILLION PEOPLE.
+NEVERTHELESS, THE RURAL COMMITTEE LEADERS, BY REASON OF THEIR LONG ASSOCIATION WITH TSUEN WAN AND BECAUSE THEY HAVE GROWN UP WITH THE PROBLEMS OF ITS PEOPLE, HAVE A SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE AND THIS IS RECOGNISED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT AT HIS MEETING WITH THE HEUNG YEE KUK LAST WEEK, HE HAD BEEN ASKED TO EXPLAIN THE RECENT APPOINTMENT OF THE TOWN MANAGER AT TSUEN WAN.
HE HAD POINTED OUT THAT TSUEN WAN’S POPULATION HAD ALREADY REACHED HALF A MILLION, BUT THE OLD DISTRICT OFFICE WAS PREOCCUPIED WITH THE PROBLEMS OF DEVELOPMENT AND LAND ADMINISTRATION, AND INSUFFICIENT ATTENTION WAS BEING PAID TO THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE.
//+THERE WAS NO ORGANISATION AT WORK COMPARABLE IN STRENGTH TO THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES,* HE SAID.
+WE ARE NOW CORRECTING THIS. TSUEN WAN WILL HAVE THE SAME SORT OF LOCAL OFFICES AT THE SERVICE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE A FAMILIAR SIGHT IN KOWLOON AND HONG KONG.*
/THS GOVEMiMSNT......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1976
5
fc THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO PROVIDING EACH DISTRICT WITH A {■COMMUNITY YOUTH OFFICER, SPORTS AND RECREATION OFFICER, POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER AND A SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER.
MR. AKERS-JONES ADDED THAT TSUEN WAN ALREADY HAD 150 MUTUAL COMMITTEES AND THAT THE MAC MOVEMENT WAS GROWING IN STRENGTH ALL Mpg THE NEW TERRITORIES. ■
THERE WERE ALSO DISTRICT FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEES AND IN'TSUEN WAN AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON RECREATION AND AMENITIES.
IN ADDITION, ORGANISATIONS WERE FORMING AMONG THE PEOPLE OF EACH NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT TO ENCOURAGE THE ARTS, PAINTING AND MUSIC, SPORT AND RECREATION.
+ALL THESE CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROCESSES OF COMMUNICATION AND TO BUILDING UP A COMMUNITY AND BINDING IT TOGETHER, TIGHTENING UP THE FABRIC OF SOCIETY,+ MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.
♦THERE IS THUS A FERMENT OF ACTIVITY NOT ONLY TO THRUST ON WITH DEVELOPMENT AND TO CATCH UP AND MAKE GOOD THE DEFICIENCES IN HOUSING AND IN THE PROVISION OF SCHOOLS, CLINICS, POLICE STATIONS AND THE LIKE, BUT TO PLANT THE SEEDS OF MUTUAL CO-OPERATION AND SELF-HELP- TO REDISCOVER IN A MULTI-STOREY ENVIRONMENT THOSE ATTRIBUTES OF ENLIGHTENED SELF-INTEREST THAT EXISTED IN A HORIZONTAL LANDSCAPE, IN THE VILLAGE AND QUIET MARKET TOWNS IN WHICH THE PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS OF SO MANY OF OUR 'PEOPLE WERE BORN AND GREW UP.
+WE HAVE TO REDISCOVER THOSE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD NEIGHBOURLINESS AND CO-OPERATION WHICH EXISTED IN A RURAL SOCIETY ROOTED IN THE LAND AND THE LANDSCAPE AND TAKE IT INTO THE CONCRETE CORRIDORS AND LIFT LOBBIES, THE STREETS, MARKET PLACE AND PLAYGROUNDS OF TODAY.
+IT IS A DIFFERENT WORLD, BUT A WORLD NONETHELESS WHICH CAN PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL FULFILMENT JUST AS MUCH AS THE VANISHED RURAL SOCIETY.
♦BUT IT REQUIRES AN AWARENESS DOWN THE BARRIERS THE CONCRETE HAS
AND A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO BREAK CREATED.
+THUS, THERE IS A WELLING UP, A GREATER CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG THE PEOPLE OF HOW TO ,GET THE BEST OUT OF THE URBAN LIFE WHICH WE ARE NOW BOUND TO ENDURE OR ENJOY.
♦GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE ARE WORK ING TOGETHER TO BUILD A COMMUNITY, WORKING TOGETHER TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF TODAY AND TO BUILD A BETTER LIFE TOMORROW.+
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/6......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1976
- 6 -
STAMPS TO MARK +THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE+ ■X X -X -X 6.
THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THE ISSUE OF TWO STAMPS TO COMMEMORATE THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE.
THE TWO STAMPS ARE IN THE 20 CENTS AND $1.30 DENOMINATIONS AND WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES ON JANUARY 6 NEXT YEAR.
THE STAMPS ARE DESIGNED BY MISS JENNIE WONG, A GRAPHIC DESIGNER IN HONG KONG, AND ARE PRINTED IN HORIZONTAL FORMAT.
,,,SPECIAL FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE PLACED'ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT 20 CENTS EACH.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ASKED TO OBTAIN THEIR REQUIREMENTS EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.
ADVANCE ORDERS FOR SERVICING OF FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE’ KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE, NATHAN ROAD- AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, SALISBURY ROAD.
FOR THIS SERVICE, ADDRESSED FIRST DAY COVERS MUST EBE HANDED IN WITH AN ORDER FORM TOGETHER WITH A REMITTANCE TO COVER THE COST. ।
THE CHARGE WILL BE $1.70 PER COVER WHICH INCLUDES THE
COST OF THE TWO STAMPS TOGETHER WITH A SERVICE FEE OF 20 CENTS. THE COVERS MUST BE FULLY ADDRESSED BY THE APPLICANT, AND NOT LESS THAN 10 COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED WITH EACH ORDER.
THE ORDER FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
ANY PERSON ORDERING SERVICED COVERS ADDRESSED TO A LOCAL DESTINATION MAY COLLECT THEM ON JANUARY 7 NEXT YEAR FROM THE OFFICE WHERE THE ORDER WAS PLACED.
COVERS ADDRESSED OVERSEAS WILL BE SENT FORWARD BY ORDINARY POST, SURFACE MAIL, UNLESS SUFFICIENT STAMPS ARE AFFIXED TO COVER AIRMAIL AND/OR REGISTRATION CHARGES. THE LATEST ACCEPTANCE DATE FOR ADVANCE ORDERS OF SERVICED COVERS WILL BE 5 P.M. ON DECEMBER 29 (WEDNESDAY).
A SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED ON JANUARY 6 NEXT YEAR AT ALL POST /OFFICES WHEREBY FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER, IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATE STAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSON PRESENTING THEM. NO TIME TYPE WILL APPEAR IN THE POSTMARK.
/THE SPECIAL .....
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1976
7
THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR THIS SERVICE ARE»-
(A) ONLY ARTICLES BEARING AN INDICATION THAT THEY ARE +FIRST DAY COVERS* WILL BE SO TREATED®
(B) THE ARTICLES MUST BE ADDRESSED TO A LOCAL ADDRESS"
(C) THE ARTICLES MUST NOT BEAR ANY OTHER CANCELLATION-
(D) NO REGISTERED ITEMS WILL BE PROCESSED BY THIS METHOD.
SPECIAL POSTING BOXES WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE ON JANUARY 6 FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO HAVE FIRST DAY COVERS CAREFULLY HAND-POSTMARKED BEFORE DESPATCH TO THE ADDRESS ON THE COVERS.
THE NEW STAMPS WILL BE ON DISPLAY ON THE FIRST FLOOR PUBLIC COUNTER OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, ON DECEMBER 30, FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 4.30 P.M.
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SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND * * * *
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FOR TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION.
FOR RECREATION *
! 11
GRANTS FROM THE SIR DAVID
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE CF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT.
THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION WAS SET 1970 FOR THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR RECREATIONAL CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
UP IN
SPORT AND
PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO PROJECTS WHICH WILL HELP DtVELOP THE INDIVIDUAL AND ENCOURAGE THE PURPOSEFUL USE OF LEISURE BY YOUNG PEOPLE.
3HeuLD EE RETURNED TO THE SECRETARY, COUNCIL
*ECR-ATI°N and SPORT, 1A GARDEN ROAD, 1ST FLOOR, HONG KONG BEFORE JANUARY 31 NEXT YEAR.
ENTERTARAPPL,CATI0NS RECEIVED AFTER THAT DATE WILL NOT BE
. IT IS NEXT YEAR.
EXPECTED THAT ALLOCATIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED
IN JULY
- - 0 -
/8
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1976
8
NEW CURRICULUM REPRESENTS MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN EDUCATION
******
THE NEW CURRICULUM FOR FORMS 1 TO 3 REPRESENTS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY,SA ID TODAY.
ADDRESSING THE SPEECH DAY OF THE SHENG KUNG HUI TANG SHIU KIN SECONDARY SCHOOL, MR. TOPLEY SAID THE NEW CURRICULUM WAS FAR MORE SUITABLE FOR A WIDE ABILITY RANGE OF STUDENTS THAN THE E:XAM—ORIENTED SYLLABUSES.
BUT, THE DIRECTOR SAID, +THE FULL SYLLABUSES ARE STILL TOO EXTENSIVE FOR THE REALLY LESS ABLE STUDENTS AND, FURTHERMORE, THE'APPROACH WITH ITS EMPHASIS ON INTEGRATION OF RELATED SUBJECTS, ALTHOUGH LOGICAL, DOES NOT NECESSARILY SUIT ALL SCHOOLS.
+WE HAVE PRODUCED THIS DETAILED CURRICULUM FIRST, BECAUSE TEACHERS NEEDED GUIDANCE IN NEW APPROACHES AND IT IS EASIER TO EXTRACT ESSENTIALS FROM A DETAILED DESCRIPTION THAN TO ELABORATE ON BARE BONES.
+THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IS NOW GOING TO EXTRACT THESE BARE BONES AND PRODUCE FURTHER GUIDANCE TO SHOW WHAT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL IN THE NEW CURRICULUM, THAT IS WHAT EVERY STUDENT SHOULD LEARN AND EXPERIENCE, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHAT DETAILED APPROACH HIS SCHOOL WISHES TO FOLLOW. THIS WILL GIVE EVERY STUDENT A GENUINE ’COMMON-CORE’ COURSE OF STUDY, WHILE STILL ALLOWING INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS TO ADAPT THE CURRICULUM TO THE PARTICULAR NEEDS OF THE SCHOOL.
+IT IS THIS LAST POINT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE WITH YOU. EVERY SCHOOL HAS DIFFERENT NEEDS AND GIVEN THE FREEDOM TO ADAPT TO THESE NEEDS WILL DEVELOP AN INDIVIDUALITY OF ITS OWN,+ THE DIRECTOR SAID.
MR. TOPLEY REFERRED TO CRITICISM OF THE WHITE PAPER ON EDUCATION POLICY FOR NOT SAYING A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE NATURE OF THE EDUCATION TO BE PROVIDED IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS EXCEPT IN RELATION TO PRACTICAL SUBJECTS, AND THE OMISSION OF SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO HOW QUALITY RATHER THAN JUST QUANTITY SHOULD BE ACHIEVED.
BUT, HE SAID, AN EDUCATIONAL POLICY SET OUT IN A WHITE PAPER//MA INLY CONCERNED'^/1 TH THE PROVISION OF SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR ALL, WAS NOT THE PLACE TO DELVE INTO CURRICULUM DETAILS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS QUITE RIGHTLY LEFT TO THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WITH ITS STRONG REPRESENTATION FROM SCHOOLS.
/THE DIRECTION
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1976
9
THE DIRECTION OF THE NEW CURRICULUM HOWEVER WAS INDICATED IN THE WHITE PAPER WHEN IT RECOMMENDED 25 PER CENT PRACTICAL WORK IN ALL SCHOOLS, BECAUSE ESSENTIALLY THE NEW CURRICULUM, AS MR. TOPLEY PUTS IT, +IS PRACTICAL, DOWN TO EARTH AND DESIGNED TO FIT STUDENTS FOR LIFE IN HONG KONG. AT THE SAME TIME THE PRACTICAL WORK IS ITSELF DESIGNED TO MAKE STUDENTS TH INK.+
HE SAID HE WAS DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THE PERSERVERANCE SHOWN BY THE SHENG KUNG HUI IN BUILDING UP THE TANG SHIU KIN SECONDARY SCHOOL TO ITS PRESENT STATURE.
’r
7+THE OPERATION OF THIS SCHOOL IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THEIR UNFAILING INTEREST. ON THIS OCCASION I CONSIDER IT APPROPRIATE ALSO TO PAY TRIBUTE TO SIR SHIU KIN TANG WHOSE GENEROUS DONATION TO THE SHENG KUNG HUI EDUCATION FUND SOME YEARS AGO HELPED TO MAKE THIS SCHOOL PROJECT A REALITY. IN FACT THERE ARE OTHER BUILDINGS IN THE MORRISON HILL AREA WHICH BEAR TESTIMONY TO SIR SHIU KIN’S GENEROSITY,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.
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WATER CUT M * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF AREAS IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE INTERRUPTED ON -THURSDAY (DECEMBER 16) TO ENABLE WATERWORKS OFFICE STAFF TO CARRY OUT NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS AND PIPE CONNECTION.
I it
ON THE ISLAND, WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY THE WESTERN SIDE OF MORRISON HILL ROAD, TIN LOK LANE, NUMBERS 95 TO 227 AND 106 TO 236, WANCHAI ROAD= THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF JOHNSTON ROAD BETWEEN NUMBERS 178 AND 288, HEARD STREET, MALLORY STREET, BURROWS STREET, CROSS LANE, BULLOCK LANE, WOOD ROAD, SALVATION ARMY.STREET, WING CHEUNG STREET AND THE NORTHERN SIDE OF QUEEN’S" ROAD EAST BETWEEN STUBBS ROAD AND SPORTS ROAD.
IN KOWLOON, WATER SUPPLY TO SOME AREAS IN KOWLOON CITY WILL ALSO EE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. ON THE SAME DAY.
//
AFFECTED WILL BE THE AREA BOUNDED BY ARGYLE STREET, MA TAU CHUNG'ROAD, SUNG WONG TOI ROAD, KOWLOON CITY ROAD, MA TAU KOK ROAD, SHING TAK STREET AND FU NING STREET, INCLUDING TAM KUNG ROAD, PAK TAI STREET, PAU CHUNG STREET, MOK CHEONG STREET, FUK CHEUNG STREET, TAU WAI ESTATE AND CHUN SEEN MEI CHUEN.
IN YUEN LONG, WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES WILL EE TURNED OFF FOR SIX HOURS STARTING FRO’ ID A.M. TO FACILITATE THE CONNECTION OF A WATER MAIN.
AFFtCTED WILL BE ALL PREMISES IN FAI TONG ROAD BET..El. KWONG MING SCHOOL AND ..Al i-.AII SCr.^CL AND THE SECOND DISTRICT OF TAI KI LING VILLAGE.
0
Tuesday, December 14, 197©
ABERDEEN CLEAREES SAY THANK-YOU TO HOUSING DEPARTMENT STAFF ?
The job of a Clearance Officer is seldom gratifying as his work is rarely appreciated by the people concerned — the olearees. . . ■'
*•- • ■ ■
However, there are exceptions.r
• <**
At a brief ceremony held at Housing Department Headquarters today‘(Tuesday), Officers of the Clearance Section were presented a banner and a shield by representat-7 ives of boatyard operators who were cleared recently from Aberdeen to facilitate . reclamation work in the area. "J
The banner carries the words ’’Good Relations Between the Government and the People” and the shield is inscribed with the characters ’’Deeply Concerned, with the Hardships of the People”. '»• 1 ...
• *• \ •
The representatives, Mr Choi Hung, Mr Chan.Shu and Mr .Shiu Wo Ping, said they were thankful to the clearance staff for making satisfactory arrangements before the clearance.
7 ■ "
’’The clearance staff showed a high degree of patience and concern throughout,” they said. • * • •
Mr. Chiu Shing, Senior Housing Manager, Clearance, who received the memontos, thanked the representatives on behalf of his colleagues and said 'that the clearance could not have been carried out so smoothly without their understanding and co-operation.
The clearance in Aberdeen, involving,19 boat yards, five workshops two shops and nine families, was completed a week ago.
The families have either been offered public housing or temporary housing in licensed areas and the boat builders and shop and workshop operators were offered compensation totalling S1,O7O,JJ1.
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1976
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY REPORT PUBLISHED TODAY ........ 1
IMMIGRATION AND REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENTS MERGED 2 ’'ORE MAXICAB ROUTES TO COME INTO OPERATION SOON ............ 3
SIR DENYS PAYS TRIBUTE TO FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT .......... 4
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION TO BE EXPANDED ........................ 5
INDUSTRY NEEDS MORE HIGHLY TRAINED AND SKILLED TECHNICIANS 6
OPENING OF THE PAK TAM CHUNG PUMPING STATION ................ 7
BRAVERY COMMENDATIONS FOR 22 MEN ............................ 7
FOUR-DAY SCOUT CAMP IN THE NEW TERRITORIES .................. 8
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON TONG ........................ 9
WATER CUT IN MONG KOK ....................................... 9
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1976
1
COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY REPORT PUBLISHED TODAY * * * *
THE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY, WHICH THE GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONED IN 1973, HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THE REPORT OF THE CONSULTANTS WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE CONSULTANTS, MESSRS WILBUR SMITH AND ASSOCIATES, WERE ASKED TO DETERMINE WHAT HAD TO BE DONE TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF MOBILITY FOR PASSENGERS AND FREIGHT BY ROAD, RAIL AND FERRY OVER THE YEARS TO 1991.
+SPECIF ICALLY, THE CONSULTANTS WERE REQUIRED TO DERIVE A SET OF PROPOSALS ON POLICIES AND INVESTMENT IN TRANSPORT FACILITIES DESIGNED TO SATISFY THE PREDICTED DEMAND FOR TRAVEL,* A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
BASED ON NINE COMPUTERIZED TESTS, THE CONSULTANTS HAVE MADE RECOMMENDATIONS COVERING THE ISLAND CORRIDOR- THE EXTENSION OF THE MTR LINE- DEVELOPMENT OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAYDEVELOPMENT OF THE FERRY SERVICES- FRANCHISED BUSES- RESTRAINTS ON PRIVATE VEHICLES, AND THE CONTINUOUS APPRAISAL OF HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT PROBLEMS.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT IN NO WAY COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO ANY PARTICULAR COURSE OF ACTION.
+THE INTENTION NOW IS TO STUDY THEM CAREFULLY AND PREPARE A WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE VIEWS AND REACTION OF THE PUBLIC, THE TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND OTHERS CONCERNED,* HE POINTED OUT.
BOTH THE FULL REPORT AND A REPORT IN BRIEF WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN THE STUDY.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1976
2
IMMIGRATION AND REGISTRATION OF
* * M *
PERSONS DEPARTMENTS COMBINED * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT WILL BE AMALGAMATED ON APRIL 20 NEXT YEAR.
THE PRESENT REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT WILL BECOME A DIVISION WITHIN THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND WILL BE KNOWN AS THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE.
THE PRESENT COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION, MR. J.V.G. MITCHELL, WILL GO ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE ON APRIL 20, 1977. ON THAT DAY, MR. J.M. ROWLANDS, DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION WILL ASSUME CONCURRENT RESPONSIBILITY AS THE COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION.
COMMENTING ON THE AMALGAMATION, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THIS IS PART OF GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO STREAMLINE GOVERNMENT MACHINERY TO PROVIDE A MORE EFFICIENT SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC. THE AMALGAMATION OF THE TWO DEPARTMENTS WILL ALSO RESULT IN RATIONALIZATION OF PROCEDURES AND RESOURCES, AND WILL GENERALLY IMPROVE COST-EFFECTIVENESS.
THE FUTURE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN THE SAME BRANCH AND SUB-OFFICES FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL CONTINUE TO APPLY FOR IDENTITY CARDS AND AMEND THEIR REGISTERED PARTICULARS AT THE SAME OFFICES AS THEY DO AT PRESENT.
CONSIDERATION WILL, HOWEVER, BE GIVEN TO WHETHER THE SERVICES AT PRESENT PROVIDED BY THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS BRANCH AND SUB-OFFICES COULD BE SIMILARLY PROVIDED BY IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT BRANCH OFFICES.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1976
5
MORE MAX I CAB ROUTES TO COME INTO OPERATION SOON ******
MAJOR REVISIONS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON THREE EXISTING MAXICAB ROUTES FROM FRIDAY (DECEMBER 17) IN ORDER TO PROVIDE MORE CONVENIENT SERVICES.
THE THREE MAXICAB SERVICES WHICH WILL BE AFFECTED ARE ROUTES 4, 5 AND 6. THESE SERVICES BEGAN OPERATION IN JULY 1975.
THE CHANGES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO STAGES. UNDER THE FIRST STAGE, MAXICAB ROUTE 4 WHICH FORMERLY OPERATED FROM ABERDEEN VIA SHOUSON HILL TO CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE FROM ABERDEEN VIA SHOUSON HILL TO CAUSEWAY BAY (KESWICK STREET) SO AS TO RELIEVE THE TRAFFIC ON ROUTE 5 WHICH IS ABERDEEN TO CAUSEWAY BAY (JARDINE’S CRESCENT) VIA NAM FUNG ROAD.
TO MAKE GOOD THE LOSS IN CARRYING CAPACITY AS A RESULT OF THE DIVERSION OF ROUTE 4 AWAY FROM SHOUSON HILL, ROUTE 6 WILL BE IMPROVED TO OPERATE ON A BASIC 3O-MINUTE FREQUENCY ON WEEKDAYS WITH A 15-MINUTE FREQUENCY DURING PEAK HOURS BETWEEN SHOUSON HILL AND CENTRAL.
ROUTES 4 AND 6 WILL NOT OPERATE ALONG STUBBS ROAD AS ROAD WORK ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF BENDS ARE IMMINENT AND INSTEAD WILL OPERATE VIA BLUE POOL ROAD AND HAPPY VALLEY.
SPECIAL JOURNEYS WILL BE OPERATED TO OCEAN PARK ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM CAUSEWAY BAY (KESWICK STREET) AND CENTRAL (STAR FERRY).
THE SECOND STAGE CONSISTS OF THE INTRODUCTION OF TWO NEW ROUTES BETWEEN ABERDEEN AND SHEK PAI WAN (CIRCULAR)(JO BE KNOWN AS MAXICAB ROUTE 7) AND BETWEEN MT. NICHOLSON AND CENTRAL (STAR FERRY)(TO BE KNOWN AS MAXICAB ROUTE 8) IN EARLY JANUARY 1977.
THE INTRODUCTION OF ROUTE 7 IS INTENDED TO CATER FOR RESIDENTS OF SHEK PAI WAN AND YUE KWONG ESTATES. WITH A TERMINUS IN TSUNG MAN STREET THE ROUTE WILL OPERATE VIA TUNG SING ROAD, ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD, ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD TO YUE KWONG ROAD, CIRCLING SHEK PAI WAN ESTATE CLOCKWISE BEFORE RETURNING TO TSUNG MAN STREET IN ITS 2.2 MILE CIRCULAR JOURNEY.
THE FARE WILL BE 30 CENTS PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
THE INTRODUCTION OF ROUTE 8 WILL PROVIDE A 30-MINUTE FREQUENCY SERVICE TO MEET THE DEMAND OF MT. NICHOLSON RESIDENTS FOR A PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE TO HAPPY VALLEY AND CENTRAL VIA THE WATERFRONT ROAD. THE NEW ROUTE WILL OPERATE AT A $1 FARE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THE SIX EXISTING MAXICAB ROUTES ON HONG KONG ISLAND WERE NOW OPERATED BY 40 VEHICLES CARRYING AN AVERAGE OF 10,000 PASSENGERS DAILY.
HE SAID: +IN ADDITION TO THE TWO NEW ROUTES BEING INTRODUCED IN JANUARY, MANY OTHER ROUTES WERE IN THE PLANNING STAGE. NO NEW PLB LICENCES WERE BEING ISSUED AND EXISTING OPERATORS WERE BEING ENCOURAGED TO DIVERSIFY INTO THESE NEW FEEDER OPERATIONS.+
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1976
4
TRIBUTE TO FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT *******
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS TODAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHICH, HE SAID, +ENJOYS A VERY HIGH REPUTATION, NOT ONLY IN HONG KONG BUT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD FOR COURAGE, EFFICIENCY AND SKILL.*
ADDRESSING A PARADE AT THE HARBOUR ROAD FIRE STATION DURING WHICH HE PRESENTED LONG SERVICE MEDALS AND CLASPS TO OVER 70 RETIRED AND SERVING FIRE FIGHTERS, SIR DENYS SAID : +1 HOPE ALL OF YOU WILL FEEL THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN A FIRST CLASS SERVICE.*
FORTY-SIX MEN, WHO HAVE 18 YEARS’ SERVICE, WERE AWARDED LONG SERVICE MEDALS. SEVENTEEN OTHERS WITH 25 YEARS’ SERVICE RECEIVED FIRST CLASPS TO THEIR MEDALS WHILE THE REMAINING 10 WHO HAVE OVER 30 YEARS’ SERVICE, RECEIVED SECOND CLASPS TO THEIR MEDALS.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR DENYS’ SPEECH.
+1 AM VERY GLAD TO HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND THIS PARADE AND TO PRESENT MEDALS AND CLASPS TO THE MANY OFFICERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED LONG PERIODS OF SERVICE IN THE DEPARTMENT.
+1 AM PLEASED TO BE HERE FOR TWO PARTICULAR REASONS. FIRST, BECAUSE IT GIVES ME A CHANCE TO EXPRESS THE THANKS OF THE COMMUNITY TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED AWARDS TODAY. FOR THE INVALUABLE WORK WHICH THEY HAVE PERFORMED FOR PERIODS OF UP TO THIRTY YEARS.
+SECOND, BECAUSE IT ENABLES ME TO SPEAK BRIEFLY OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT AND OF THE ADMIRABLE WAY IN WHICH IT HAS CARRIED OUT ITS TASK.
+IN ANY COMMUNITY, THE FIREMAN CARRIES OUT AN ESSENTIAL DUTY WHICH REQUIRES SKILL, TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE, DETERMINATION AND COURAGE OF A HIGH ORDER.
+HIS ROLE IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT IN A CROWDED URBAN ENVIRONMENT, WITH LARGE NUMBERS OF TALL BUILDINGS SET CLOSE TOGETHER, AND A HIGH DENSITY OF POPULATION.
+T0 ADD TO HIS PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES, MANY CONSTITUTING A SERIOUS POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, AND MANY STREETS ARE NARROW AND CROWDED.
+A FIREMAN’S LIFE IS A TOUGH ONE. HE IS EXPECTED TO DEAL WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF DANGERS. OFTEN, DURING HIS CAREER, HE WILL RISK SERIOUS INJURY AND EVEN DEATH.
/♦HE IS .....
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1976
5
+HE IS CALLED UPON TO HELP IN MANY OTHER WAYS BESIDES DEALING WITH FIRE. HE RESCUES VICTIMS OF FLOOD, TYPHOON AND LANDSLIDE. HE REMOVES INJURED PEOPLE FROM COLLAPSED BUILDINGS OR DAMAGED CARS. HE DELIVERS BABIES, EXTRACTS PEOPLE FROM LIFTS AND HELPS THE SICK, THE OLD AND THE DYING.
+THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, THEREFORE, A FIREMAN IS HELPING HIS FELLOW MEN. IT IS PERHAPS THIS FACTOR WHICH MAKES THE CAREER OF A FIRE OFFICER A MOST REWARDING ONE AND WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SO MANY OFFICERS SERVING THE WHOLE OF THEIR WORKING LIVES IN THE DEPARTMENT.
+l HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU WILL FEEL THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN A FINE CAREER IN A FIRST CLASS SERVICE. FOR I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES ENJOY A VERY HIGH REPUTATION, NOT ONLY HERE BUT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, FOR COURAGE, EFFICIENCY AND SKILL.
+MAY I WISH YOU ALL GOOD FORTUNE IN THE FUTURE.+
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FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION TO BE EXPANDED
X X X
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IS TO BE EXPANDED OVER THE NEXT YEAR WITH THE EXPRESS OBJECT OF HELPING ALL PEOPLE ACHIEVE A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THEM AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT MOTIVATES YOUNGER PEOPLE TO BEHAVE SO DIFFERENTLY FROM THEIR PARENTS.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. J.W. SWEETMAN, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MOBILE EXHIBITION ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AT THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN.
HE SAID THAT THE GREATEST SINGLE FACTOR IN CONTRIBUTING TO STRAINS WITHIN A FAMILY +IS THE VERY GREAT INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT YOUNG PEOPLE CAN EARN COMPARED WITH THE WAGES THAT PREVAILED WHEN THEIR PARENTS WERE YOUNG*.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR POINTED OUT THAT +THE PACE OF LIFE HAS NOW INCREASED AND ALIEN CULTURAL VALUES ARE BEING IMPOSED ON US THROUGH EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONTACTS WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.+
+THIS HAS LED TO RAPID INDUSTRIALISATION AND THE GROWTH OF BIG CITIES WHICH BREAKS DOWN TRADITIONAL FAMILY INFLUENCES AND CHANGES THE ROLE WHICH EACH OF US PLAYS IN THE COMMUNITY,* HE EMPHASISED.
THE EXHIBITION, WILL LAST FOUR DAYS AFTER WHICH IT WILL BE MOVED TO SIX OTHER DISTRICTS — YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, SHA TIN, TAI PO, SHEUNG SHU I AND FANLING.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1976
6
JORDAN STRESSES NEED FOR HIGHER TECHNOLOGY
******
THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, SAID TODAY THAT HE WAS VERY GLAD THAT THE OLD EMPHASIS ON PURELY ACADEMIC SECONDARY EDUCATION WAS FADING.
HE WAS GLAD BECAUSE HONG KONG DEPENDED ON ITS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, AND INDUSTRY MUST CONTINUE TO MOVE UP THE TECHNOLOGICAL SCALE, HE SAID.
MR. JORDAN WAS SPEAKING TO GRADUATES OF THE NING PO COLLEGE.
MR. JORDAN SAID THAT INDUSTRY WOULD INCREASINGLY NEED MORE HIGHLY TRAINED AND HIGHLY SKILLED TECHNICIANS, TECHNOLOGISTS AND MANAGERS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT TECHNICAL EDUCATION WAS EXPANDING VERY RAPIDLY IN HONG KONG, WITH ITS TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND ITS FAST GROWING POLYTECHNIC.
+SO THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROPER TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING ARE GROWING RAPIDLY. THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CONTINUE WITH FURTHER FULL-TIME EDUCATION AND, THROUGH A GREAT VARIETY OF PART-TIME AND EVENING COURSES FOR THOSE WHO GO STRAIGHT FROM SCHOOL INTO EMPLOYMENT,* HE SAID.
MR. JORDAN ADDED : +IN OUR UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC WE HAVE NOW SCHEMES FOR MAKING GRANTS AND LOANS TO STUDENTS WHO NEED THEM, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT NO STUDENT WHO QUALIFIES FOR A PLACE IS PREVENTED FROM TAKING IT BECAUSE HE OR HIS FAMILY CANNOT AFFORD IT. +SO THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE. THE TRAINING THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED HERE AT NING PO COLLEGE HAS GIVEN YOU A GOOD START.*
MR. JORDAN WENT ONs +WE IN THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO DO ITS BEST TO ENSURE THAT THE MARKETS OF THE WORLD REMAIN OPEN TO US. IT IS UP TO YOU TO FILL THEM.*
- 0 -
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1976
- 7 -OPENING OF PAK TAM CHUNG PUMPING STATION X K X X
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF LOWLAND PUMPING STATIONS BEING BUILT BY THE P.W.D.’S WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 17).
THE PUMPING STATION, LOCATED AT PAK TAM CHUNG, SAI KUNG, WILL COLLECT WATER THAT WOULD NORMALLY RUN TO WASTE INTO THE SEA AND PUMP IT INTO THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR.
IT WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY MR. LAU KWUN-SANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG RURAL'<0MMITTEE, AT 11 A.M. ON FRIDAY.
YOU ARE CORIDALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY.
OFFICIAL TRANSPORT (AM2173 AND AM2174) WILL LEAVE THE P.W.D.’S CARPARK AT MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AT 9.30 A.M. THAT DAY. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THIS FACILITY SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE LOBBY OF THE MURRAY BUILDING BEFORE 9.30 A.M. OFFICERS FROM THE P.W.D. PUBLICITY UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THEM.
- - 0 - -
BRAVERY COMMENDATIONS FOR 22 MEN * * * * *
FOUR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND 18 FERRY CREW MEMBERS WILL BE PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION AND MONETARY AWARDS BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR. ALAN FLETCHER, FOR RESCUING PEOPLE FROM THE HARBOUR.
THE CREW MEMBERS COMPRISE 16 FROM THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY LIMITED AND TWO FROM THE STAR FERRY COMPANY LIMITED.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE CERTIFICATES AND AWARDS WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT FRIDAY (DECEMBER 17).
THE 22 MEN RESCUED 11 WOMEN, ONE FOUR-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND FIVE MEN FROM THE HARBOUR BETWEEN MARCH AND NOVEMBER THIS YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT EXAMINATION HALL ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF RUMSEY STREET MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK BUILDING IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AT 10.30 A.M. ON FRIDAY.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1976
- 8
FOUR-DAY SCOUT CAMP IN N.T.
* * * M
A FOUR-DAY SCOUT CAMP IS TO BE HELD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES OVER THE NEW YEAR TO MARK THE ADMISSION OF THE HONG KONG SCOUT ASSOCIATION TO THE WORLD SCOUT CONFERENCE.
AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ROTARY CLUB AND THREE NT COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE DONATED $40,000 TO MEET THE COSTS OF RUNNING THE CAMP.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, WHO IS ALSO PRESIDENT OF THE N.T. REGIONAL SCOUT COUNCIL, TODAY RECEIVED THE DONORS’ CHEQUE AT A CEREMONY AT THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON.
THE INDIVIDUAL DONORS — WHO GAVE $10,000 EACH — ARE MR. SIMON C.P. YEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOOTBALL COMMITTEE OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR. WONG KAM-YIP, CHAIRMAN OF THE PING SHAN RURAL COMMITTEE AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NT ROTARY CLUB, AND MR. STEPHEN WONG YUEN-CHEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE.
THE ARMY IS PROVIDING THE FACILITIES OF CAMP 10, SEK KONG, BETWEEN DECEMBER 30 AND JANUARY 2 FOR MORE THAN 1,500 SCOUTS FROM ALL THE DISTRICTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MR. AKERS-JONES PRAISED THE GENEROSITY OF THE DONORS IN +HELPING TO MAKE POSSIBLE A CAMP THAT MARKS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP FOR THE LOCAL SCOUT ASSOC I ATION+.
+0N ST. GEORGE’S DAY NEXT YEAR — APRIL 23 — OUR ASSOCIATION BECOMES A FULL MEMBER OF THE WORLD SCOUT CONFERENCE AFTER 65 YEARS AS AN OVERSEAS BRANCH OF THE BRITISH SCOUT ASSOCIATION,* HE SAID.
+ IT IS APPROPRIATE TO HOLD SUCH A BIG CAMP OVER THE NEW YEAR PERIOD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO MARK THIS OCCASION.*
MR. AKERS-JONES ALSO PRAISED THE ARMY FOR MAKING THE SEK KONG CAMP AVAILABLE. HE SAID THAT THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR JOHN ARCHER, HAD ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO OPEN THE CAMP.
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE SCOUT MOVEMENT WAS EXPANDING RAPIDLY IN HONG KONG, AND PARTICULARLY THE NEW TERRITORIES. +THERE ARE NOW JUST 6,000 SCOUTS IN THE NT, REPRESENTING A QUARTER OF THE HONG KONG TOTAL,* HE SAID.
*THE NUMBER OF RECRUITS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAS INCREASED BY 60 PER CENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND IT IS GRATIFYING TO SEE SO MANY YOUNGSTERS TAKING PART IN SUCH HEALTHY ACTIVITIES.*
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1976
9
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON TONG * * * *
A NUMBER OF ROADS IN KOWLOON TONG WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN THE AREA AROUND CUMBERLAND ROAD.
WITH EFFECT FROM 10 A.M. CUMBERLAND ROAD BETWEEN BOUNDARY STREET AND THE SOUTHERN JUNCTION OF ESSEX CRESCENT WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO TWO-WAY, CUMBERLAND ROAD BETWEEN RUTLAND QUADRANT AND THE NORTHERN JUNCTION OF ESSEX CRESCENT WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND, CUMBERLAND ROAD BETWEEN THE SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN JUNCTIONS OF ESSEX CRESCENT WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO TWO-WAY, EXCEPT THAT THE CIRCULATION OF TRAFFIC AROUND THE PARK SITUATED AT THE CENTRE OF SOUTHERN JUNCTION OF ESSEX CRESCENT WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE, RUTLAND QUADRANT BETWEEN YORK ROAD AND STAFFORD ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONEWAY EASTBOUND AND, STAFFORD ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO ADVISE MOTORISTS.
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WATER CUT KUH*
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN MONG KOK WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 17) TO ALLOW THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY LAI CH IK ROAD, MAPLE STREET, WILLOW STREET, TUNG CHAU STREET, TONG MEI ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, INCLUDING SYCAMORE STREET, MONG KOK FIRE STATION AND LADY GRANTHAM VILLAGE.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
CONTENTS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1976
PAGE NO.
ENACTMENT OF ANY LABOUR LEGISLATION TIME CONSUMING ... 1
CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES FOR SEN I LES NEEDED............ 3
WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG .................................. 3
EIGHTY YOUTH VOLUNTEERS TO ATTEND A TWO-DAY ORIENTATION
COURSE .................................................. 4
DONATIONS FOR FIVE VOLUNTARY WELFARE ORGANISATIONS ... 4
MORE ROOM TO INCREASE FISH PRODUCTION .................. 5
SCOUT MOVEMENT HELPS FIGHT CRIME ........................ 6
SOCIAL STUDIES SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS ..................... 7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ..................................... 7
VISITS TO COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ........................ 8
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1976
1
PROCESSES OF LABOUR LEGISLATION EXPLAINED
*****
THE HARD SLOG OF GETTING AN IMPORTANT BILL ONTO THE STATUTE BOOK WITH ITS MANY CONSULTATIONS, DRAFTINGS, PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES IS LARGELY UNKNOWN AND UNDER-ESTIMATED BY THE PUBLIC AT LARGE, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. NEIL HENDERSON, SAID TODAY.
HE TOLD A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT CLUB THAT THE TIME FROM THE CONCEPTION OF IDEAS FOR LABOUR LEGISLATION TO THE FINAL ENACTMENT OF AN ORDINANCE WAS PROTRACTED.
HE WENT ON : +WITH SOME OF THE RECENT CRIES OF ACUTE PAIN EVIDENT IN THE MEDIA FROM SOME EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS, THE AVERAGE VIEWER, READER OR LISTENER MIGHT WELL GET THE IMPRESSION THAT EMPLOYERS WERE ALL KEPT ENTIRELY IGNORANT, IN THE DARK, AND UNKNOWING OF THE DEVELOPMENTS AND PROPOSALS FOR LABOUR LEGISLATION.*
+THE IMPRESSION THUS CONVEYED IS SOMEWHAT FAR REMOVED FROM THE REAL PICTURE,+ MR. HENDERSON SAID.
+INDEED FOR ONE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE LENGTHY AND TIME-CONSUMING CONSULTATIVE PROCESS, THE CARTOON VISION OF UNSUSPECTING EMPLOYERS’ BODIES BEING SMARTLY SAND-BAGGED BY A CAT-FOOTED COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR CREEPING UP BEHIND THEM IS TOO LUDICROUS FOR WORDS.*
MR. HENDERSON SAID THAT LONG BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR’S ANNOUNCEMENT IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF ITEMS LIKELY TO BE CONSIDERED THIS SESSION CONSULTATIONS WERE ALREADY WELL ADVANCED ON MANY OF THEM WITH INTERESTED BODIES. +SO THERE WERE REALLY VERY FEW, IF ANY, SURPRISES OF SIGNIFICANCE IN OUR LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME.+
MR. HENDERSON NOTED THAT FEW WORTHWHILE PIECES OF LABOUR LAWS TOOK LESS THAN A YEAR TO 18 MONTHS FROM SERIOUS FIRST PLANNING TO ENACTMENT.
THERE WERE NO SHORT CUTS TO LEGISLATING, HE SAID.
MR. HENDERSON WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION.
INITIAL FORMAL SOUNDING BOARD AND CRITIC WAS THE BOARD WHICH HAD FOUR WORKERS’ REPRESENTATIVES, AND REPRESENTATIVES.
HE SAID THE LABOUR ADVISORY FOUR EMPLOYERS’
THE CONSTITUTION WAS BEING REVISED AND FROM THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR THERE WOULD BE SIX MEMBERS FROM EACH SIDE.
+WHEN PAPERS PUTTING PROPOSALS TO THE BOARD ARE ISSUED,* MR. HENDERSON WENT ON, +THEY ARE IN MOST CASES SENT ALSO Tv' THE FOUR MAIN EMPLOYERS’ ORGANISATIONS SIMULTANEOUSLY FOR THEIR VltWo AND COMMENTS.
/OR IN......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1976
- 2
+0R IN A FEW CASES, THEY MAY BE SENT AFTER THE BOARD’S INITIAL DISCUSSIONS. IN ANY EVENT ALL THESE ORGANISATIONS WILL BE WELL AWARE OF PROPOSALS LONG BEFORE A BILL IS PUT BEFORE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+NOW WHAT IS NOT ALWAYS REALISED IS THAT THIS IS NOT SIMPLY A MATTER OF COMMENT AND CONSULTATION, BUT PART OF THE POLICY FORMULATION PROCESS IN THAT IN THE LIGHT OF ALL THE ADVICE GIVEN, VIEWS OFFERED, AND ARROWS OF CRITICISM FIRED, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WILL THEN SUBMIT HIS PROPOSALS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, MODIFIED AS HE MAY THINK NECESSARY TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CRITICISM.
+HE WILL ALSO INDICATE TO THE COUNCIL THE MAIN POINTS OF CRITICISM AND DISAGREEMENT, SO THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IS APPRAISED NOT ONLY OF OFFICIAL VIEWS ON THE MATTER.
+ON EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ADVICE — THEN A FORMAL BILL IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE AND A WHOLE NEW ROUND OF COMMENT AND CONSULTATION MAY TAKE PLACE, DEPENDING ON THE IMPORTANCE AND DEGREE OF CONTROVERSIALITY OF THE ISSUE.
♦ANY PERSON OR BODY MAY THEN TAKE PART IN THIS PROCESS BY PUTTING THEIR VIEWS TO US, OR THE PRESS OR UMELCO,* MR. HENDERSON SAID.
+WHILE OBVIOUSLY NOT ALL VIEWS, COMMENTS AND OBJECTIONS MAY AFFECT THE OUTCOME, I CAN ASSURE YOU THEY ARE ALL HEARD AND CONSIDERED.*
MR. HENDERSON SAID THERE WAS SOME EXPECTATION THAT DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR HEADS SHOULD CONTINUOUSLY ENTER INTO PUBLIC DEBATES IN THE PRESS AND ELSEWHERE DURING THESE CONSULTATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
HE SAID: + l THINK RATHER IT IS OUR DUTY TO LISTEN, CLARIFY WHERE NECESSARY, BUT NOT PERSISTENTLY TO INTERVENE.*
+AS A PREVIOUS COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR SAID IN 1968 IT WOULD BE MISLEADING TO GENERAL PUBLIC AND DEROGATORY TO (LEGISLATIVE) COUNCIL IF A BLOW-BY-BLOW ACCOUNT OF PROGRESS WAS TO BE MADE PUBLIC.*
MR. HENDERSON POINTED OUT THAT OCCASIONALLY, ON A MAJOR SOCIAL POLICY ISSUE SUCH AS SEVEN DAYS ANNUAL LEAVE, THE ADVICE OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WAS SOUGHT OR GIVEN BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER PUT THE MATTER FORWARD FOR DEBATE IN THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND SUBSEQUENTLY PUBLICLY.
+THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT CONSULTATION IS PRE-EMPTED, AND THAT THE FORM AND DETAIL OF THE PROPOSAL WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO SUBSTANTIAL MODIFICATION BEFORE A BILL IS GAZETTED,* HE SAID.
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1
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1976
3
CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES FOR SEN ILES NEEDED * * * * *
THE DEMAND FOR CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES FOR THE SENILE AND INFIRM OLD PEOPLE IS BECOMING GREATER AND IS CAUSING MORE PUBLIC CONCERN, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION-STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE BUDDHIST PO CHING CARE AND ATTENTION HOME IN FANLING, HE PRAISED THE HEUNG HOI CHING KOK LIN ASSOCIATION FOR ACCEPTING THE SUGGESTION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO SET UP A CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR THE SENILE AND INFIRM OLD PEOPLE WHOSE SPECIAL NEEDS COULD NOT BE PROVIDED FOR IN OTHER ORDINARY HOMES FOR THE AGED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT THERE WERE ONLY TWO SUCH CENTRES BOTH OPERATED ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS. +IT IS APPARENT THAT WE NEED TO DO MORE IN THIS FIELD,+ HE ADDED.
THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT THE PO CHING CARE AND ATTENTION HOME, WHEN COMPLETED, WOULD BECOME THE FIRST HOME SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO CATER FOR THIS GROUP OF OLD PEOPLE.
+THIS NOT ONLY WILL BE A NEW VENTURE TO THE ASSOCIATION, BUT WILL ALSO SET AN ENCOURAGING EXAMPLE TO THOSE WHO HAVE THE WELLBEING OF OUR SENIOR CITIZENS AT HEART,+ HE SAID.
TO ASSIST THE ASSOCIATION TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT, HE CONTINUED, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GRANTS FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TO MEET PART OF THE BUILDING COSTS.
+BUT CREDITS ARE DUE TO THE PROMOTERS WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD AND CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH TO CARRY OUT THE PLAN,+ HE SAID.
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WATER CUT * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 18) TO ALLOW THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY SAU MAU PATH, SAU MAU PING ROAD, SAU MING ROAD, INCLUDING BLOCK NOS. 32 TO 41 SAU MAU PING ESTATE.
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A
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1976
4
ORIENTATION COURSE ON COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR YOUTH VOLUNTEERS #####*
EIGHTY YOUTH VOLUNTEERS WILL ATTEND A TWO-DAY ORIENTATION COURSE ON COMMUNITY SERVICE AT THE LIONS Y.M.C.A. YOUTH CAMP IN JUNK BAY THIS WEEKEND.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EIGHT ESTATE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE COURSE AIMS TO PROMOTE THE CONCEPT OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF BASIC SKILL IN ORGANISING GROUP ACTIVITIES FOR THE YOUNG PARTICIPANTS.
THE COURSE WILL COVER A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS INCLUDING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A VOLUNTEER, THE TECHNIQUES IN LEADING GROUP GAMES AND PROGRAMME PLANNING. IT WILL BE RUN IN THE FORM OF LECTURES, OPEN FORUMS, GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND WORKSHOP.
MR. LAM KWOK-WAN, PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER OF THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 18) AT 3.30 P.M. IN THE YOUTH CAMP.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID: +AT PRESENT, THE EIGHT ESTATE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT SPONSORED SOME 30 SELF-PROGRAMMING YOUTH GROUPS WITH SEVERAL HUNDRED MEMBERS. MOST OF THEM ARE SERVICE-ORIENTATED.+
+THE COURSE+ HE ADDED, +IS DESIGNED TO EQUIP THE OUTSTANDING MEMBERS OF THESE GROUPS WITH MORE TECHNICAL KNOW-HOWS IN RELATION TO THEIR GROUP ACTIVITIES.+
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DONATIONS FOR FIVE VOLUNTARY WELFARE ORGANISATIONS
*****
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MONEY RAISED DURING THE RECENT AUTUMN FAIR ORGANISED BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT WILL BE DONATED TO FIVE VOLUNTARY WELFARE ORGANISATIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT SPORTS ASSOCIATION TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE FIVE ORGANISATIONS TO RECEIVE THE MONEY ARE THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION, THE CARITAS LOK HEEP CLUB, THE HONG KONG SEA SCHOOL, THE HONG KONG DISCHARGED PRISONERS AID SOCIETY AND THE SALVATION ARMY.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 3 P.M. IN THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF THE MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK BUILDING.
MR. W.T. CHOI OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1976
5
MORE ROOM TO INCREASE FISH PRODUCTION *****
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. E.H. NICHOLS, THIS (THURSDAY) EVEN ING PRAISED THE NEW TERRITORIES FISH FARMERS FOR INCREASING THE LEVEL OF PRODUCTION AND SAID THERE + IS STILL ROOM FOR A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY.*
SPEAKING AT THE 11TH TERM INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG NEW TERRITORIES FISH CULTURE ASSOCIATION AND THE OPENING OF , THE ASSOCIATION’S NEW PREMISES IN YUEN LONG, HE SAID, HOWEVER, THAT A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS MUST BE SOLVED SO THAT THE FISH FARMERS COULD INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTION.
HE SAID WAYS AND MEANS OF REDUCING THE LOSSES DUE TO THE FLOODING ASSOCIATED WITH HEAVY RAINFALL PRODUCED BY TYPHOONS MUST BE FOUND- MORE INTENSIVE FORMS OF CULTURE MUST BE PRACTISED AND FASTER GROWING FISH SPECIES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.
ALSO, MR. NICHOLS CONTINUED, GREATER ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO NUTRIENT CONTENT OF FEEDS AND TO FEEDING PRACTICES” WATER QUALITY MUST BE IMPROVED AND GREATER ATTENTION MUST BE PAID TO TIME OF HARVESTING.
+MY DEPARTMENT IS GIVING CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION TO THOSE MATTERS WHICH AIM, BASICALLY, AT INTENSIFYING THE TRADITIONAL FISH FARMING SYSTEM,* HE SAID.
+THE ONUS OF DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITY, HOWEVER, RESTS WITH YOU, THE PRACTISING FISH FARMERS- SINCE NOW IT IS ONLY BY INTENSIFYING THE SYSTEMS USED THAT THE EXCELLENT PROGRESS ACHIEVED IN THE PAST WILL BE CONTINUED IN THE FUTURE,* HE ADDED.
MR. NICHOLS POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF FISH FARMERS HAD GROWN DRAMATICALLY FROM 30 IN 1955 TO 361 THIS YEAR.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT IN 1970 THERE WERE SOME 2,250 ACRES OF FISH PONDS PRODUCING OVER 35,000 PICULS OF FISH. FIVE YEARS LATER, THE ACREAGE HAD INCREASED BY ABOUT 57 PER CENT TO ABOUT 3,550 ACRES AND PRODUCTION HAD INCREASED BY A STARTLING 110 PER CENT TO JUST UNDER 74,000 PICULS.
THIS, HE EMPHASISED, REPRESENTED AN INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY FROM 16 PICULS PER ACRE TO ALMOST 21 PICULS PER ACRE.
HOWEVER, MR. NICHOLS WENT ON, THE SPACE WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY THE AREA UTILISED FOR FISH PONDS.
+ANY INCREASE IN PRODUCTION MUST, THEREFORE, ARISE FROM FURTHER INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF PRODUCTIVITY,* HE ADDED.
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/6....
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1976
6
SCOUT MOVEMENT HELPS FIGHT CRIME ******
THE SCOUT MOVEMENT HAD PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME IN RECENT YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY FOR OFFICE BEARERS OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT SCOUT ASSOCIATION, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, THE RATE OF CRIMES COMMITTED BY PERSONS UNDER 16 HAD FALLEN FROM 10 PER CENT TO SEVEN PER CENT.
+THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE SCOUTING MOVEMENT, BY PROVIDING A HEALTHY OUTLET, HAS CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS THIS IMPROVED SITUATION,* HE SAID.
+ IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, FOR EXAMPLE, SCOUT MEMBERSHIP HAS GROWN 60 PER CENT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.*
MR. AKERS-JONES, WHO IS ALSO PRESIDENT OF THE NT REGIONAL SCOUT COUNCIL, SAID THAT SCOUTING CARRIED A STRICT DISCIPLINE COMBINED WITH THE LOFTY CONCEPT OF SERVING OTHERS.
HE ADDED THAT THE LOCAL ASSOCIATION IN TUEN MUN WAS PLANNING TO BUILD ITS OWN WELL-EQUIPPED SCOUT CENTRE.
+1 HOPE THAT THE ASSOCIATION WILL BE JOINED BY OTHER CIVIC-MINDED PEOPLE IN EXTENDING FACILITIES TO THE YOUTH OF THE DISTRICT,* HE SAID.
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/7
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1976
1
SOCIAL STUDIES SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS
******
A SEMINAR ON THE TEACHING OF SOCIAL STUDIES WILL BE jdELD AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, KOWLOON, ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 18) AT 9.15 A.M.
THE SEMINAR IS FOR TEACHERS IN THE 15 SCHOOLS MONITORED BY THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND IN 27 OTHER SCHOOLS TEACHING THE PROVISIONAL SYLLABUS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.
THE AIMS OF THE SEMINAR ARE THREE-FOLD -- TO GIVE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON HOW SOCIAL STUDIES IS EE I NG TAUGHT IN ENGLAND, TO DISCUSS THE TEACHING PROGRESS IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN FORMS 1-2, AND TO CONDUCT AN EVALUATION EXERCISE OF PART OF THE FORM 2 PROVISIONAL SYLLABUS.
THE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS, MR. A.J. REEVE WILL GIVE THE OPENING ADDRESS AT THE SEMINAR WHILE THE PRINCIPAL CURRICULUM PLANNING OFFICER (SECONDARY), MRS. LOUISE MOK WILL ADVISE ON THE PROCEDURE OF' EVALUATION.
TALKS ON +RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TEACHING OF SOCIAL STUDIES IN ENGLAND* WILL BE GIVEN BY MRS. LUK LI SHIU-PUI, SENIOR LECTURER OF SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, AND MISS GRACE WONG, SENIOR GEOGRAPHY MISTRESS OF LUNG CHEUNG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL, BOTH OF WHOM HAVE RECENTLY ATTENDED A COURSE ON SOCIAL STUDIES IN ENGLAND.
A COLLECTION OF SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHING MATERIALS USED IN ENGLAND WILL ALSO BE ON DISPLAY AT THE SEMINAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE SEMINAR COVERED.
-------- o -------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT
******
PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER KESWICK STREET AND THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF NORTH POINT ROAD FROM JAVA ROAD FROM 10 A.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) (DECEMBER 17) UNLESS AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE AUTHORITY, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO INDICATE THE PROHIBITION.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1976
8
• VISITS TO COLLEGES OF EDUCATION * * * *
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, MR. Q.W. LEE, AND ANOTHER MEMBER, MR. HENRY LIM, VISITED TWO COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN KOWLOON THIS MORNING.
THEY HAD INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PRINCIPALS AND VICE-PRINCIPALS OF THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION WHO BRIEFED THEM ON DEVELOPMENTS IN TEACHER TRAINING.
WHILE THEY WERE AT GRANTHAM, THEY SAW, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THIRD YEAR STUDENTS DOING POTTERY IN THE ARTS STUDIOS AND ANOTHER GROUP OF THIRD YEAR STUDENTS UNDERGOING PHYSICAL EDUCATION TRAIN ING.
AT SIR ROBERT BLACK, THEY CHATTED INFORMALLY WITH SOME HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND VISITED THE LIBRARY AND LANGUAGE LABORATORY. THEY ALSO SAW TUTORIAL GROUPS IN ACTION.
YESTERDAY, THREE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD — PROFESSOR M.A.
BRIMER, REV. DEREK REID AND MR. T.C. CHENG -- VISITED THE EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION STUDIOS IN BROADCAST DRIVE. THEY WERc BRIEFED EY THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR. JIMMY HAWTHORNE AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, (ETV), MR. SUN PING-HSU.
LATER THE THREE.MEMBERS TOURED THE HOLY CARPENTER PRE-VOCATIONAL SCHOOL WHICH OFFERS THREE YEARS OF JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION WITH 50 PER CENT OF ITS CURRICULUM ON PRACTICAL SUBJECTS -- ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL AND AUTOMOBILE.
THE CURRENT SERIES OF VISITS BY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS, ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 2. i
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1976
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
A MAJOR INTERCHANGE TO BE BUILT IN HUNG HOM................... 1
CONSULTATIONS ON EXPORTS OF RUBBER COATED GARMENTS TO U.K........................................................ 2
ROYAL OBSERVATORY CALENDAR NOW ON SALE ........'.............. 2
PAK TAM CHUNG PUMPING STATION OPENED ......................... 3
STRONG ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THEFT OF PUBLIC WATER ............................................... 4
HONG KONG GOOD AT ORGANISING SOCIAL WELFARE SEMINARS ......... 5
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN FEI NGOR SHAN ROAD .......... 5
22 COMMENDED FOR RESCUING PEOPLE FROM THE HARBOUR ............ 6
TAI PO DISTRICT AIMS TO RAISE $100,000 FOR COMMUNITY CHEST IN N.T. aALK ................................. 6
SIX-MONTH FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR EASTERN DISTRICT ............................................. 7
AMENDMENTS TO THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BILL 1976 .................................................... 7
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
' FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1976
- 1 -
ANOTHER MAJOR INTERCHANGE FOR KOWLOON
*****
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN WORK IN FEBRUARY ON ANOTHER STAGE IN THE 3300 MILLION ROUTE 3 SCHEME, DESIGNED TO CUT TRAVELLING TIME BETWEEN KWUN TONG AND URBAN KOWLOON.
THE LATEST WORKS WILL INVOLVE CONSTRUCTION OF A MAJOR INTERCHANGE NEAR THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL AT HUNG HOM, WITH ASSOCIATED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT IS BEING CALLED AND A CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO BE SIGNED NEXT MONTH.
MR. CHOW CHE-KING, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION, HIGHWAYS OFFICE, SAID TODAY THE PROJECT WOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS.
+BASICALLY, THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE BUILDING A 160-METRE VEHICULAR SUBWAY FROM CHATHAM ROAD TO STATION LANE TO PROVIDE DIRECT RIGHT TURNING MOVEMENT FOR TRAFFIC FROM CHATHAM ROAD.
+AT THE SAME TIME THE SECTION OF CHATHAM ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH WU HU STREET WILL BE WIDENED TO PROVIDE DIRECT ACCESS FROM CHATHAM ROAD TO PING CHI STREET AND WU HU STREET,+ HE SAID.
MR. CHOW SAID A FOOTBRIDGE AND SUBWAY SYSTEM WOULD ALSO BE PROVIDED TO ENABLE PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS THE ROADS IN SAFETY.
THE NEW COMPLEX, KNOWN AS WU HU INTERCHANGE, FORMS AN INTEGRAL PART OF ROUTE 3 — A SIX-KILOMETRE HIGH-CAPACITY ROUTE BETWEEN KWUN TONG AND HUNG HOM VIA A 130-METRE TUNNEL LINK UNDER THE AIRPORT RUNWAY.
THE WU HU INTERCHANGE IS ONE OF THREE MAJOR COMPLEXES IN THE WESTERN APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT TUNNEL.
WORK ON THE FIRST -- SAN SHAN INTERCHANGE — IS ALREADY UNDERWAY AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS WU HU INTERCHANGE.
THESE COMPLEXES WILL BE LINKED VIA A 1,190-METRE ELEVATED ROAD OVER KOWLOON CITY ROAD.
RUNNING EAST FROM THE TUNNEL LINK, ROUTE 3 WILL CROSS THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION WHERE THE P.W.D.’S PORT WORKS DIVISION HAS ALREADY FORMED SOME 180 HECTARES OF LAND FOR FUTURE ROAD AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS.
WORK IS ALREADY IN PROGRESS ON ONE OF THE ROADS TO CONNECT WAI YIP STREET EXTENSION WITH A THIRD INTERCHANGE AT THE EASTERN END OF THE AIRPORT TUNNEL.
THE WHOLE ROUTE 3 SCHEME SHOULD BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC IN 1983.
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1976
URGENT CONSULTATIONS ON EXPORTS OF RUBBER
COATED GARMENTS TO U.K.
******
MR. DAVID JORDAN, DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE U.K. GOVERNMENT HAS ISSUED A NOTICE TO IMPORTERS REQUIRING IMPORTS OF RUBBER AND PLASTIC COATED GARMENTS FROM HONG KONG TO BE COVERED BY QUOTA LICENCES ISSUED BY HONG KONG.
THIS, HOWEVER, DOES NOT AFFECT SUCH GARMENTS WHICH ARE COATED WITH RUBBER OR PLASTIC ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FABRICS.
MR. JORDAN CONFIRMED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND BRITAIN REGARDING THE COVERAGE OF THE E.E.C./H.K. TEXTILE AGREEMENT INSOFAR AS THESE RUBBER AND PLASTIC GARMENTS ARE CONCERNED. HONG KONG ALLOWS THESE GARMENTS TO BE EXPORTED TO THE UNITED KINGDOM FREE OF QUOTA.
COMMENTING ON THE ACTION BY THE U.K. GOVERNMENT,
MR. JORDAN SAID, + THIS IS LIKELY TO DISRUPT OUR EXPORT TRADE IN THESE PRODUCTS. THEREFORE, AS SOON AS WE LEARNED OF IT, WE IMMEDIATELY ASKED THE E.E.C. COMMISSION FOR URGENT CONSULTATION.
+THE COMMISSION HAS NOW AGREED TO HOLD SUCH CONSULTATIONS NEXT WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 22) IN BRUSSELS,+ HE SAID.
MR. PETER TSAO, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, WILL BE LEAVING ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 20) FOR THESE CONSULTATIONS.
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ROYAL OBSERVATORY CALENDAR NOW ON SALE
******
THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY 1977 CALENDAR IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE. THE PRICE IS $7 EACH.
THE CALENDAR CONTAINS INFORMATION ON THE TIMES OF SUNRISE, SUNSET, MOONRISE AND MOONSET AS WELL AS THE TIMES OF HIGH TIDE AND LOW TIDE. DATES OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND THE TWENTY FOUR SOLAR TERMS OF THE CHINESE CALENDAR ARE ALSO INCLUDED.
ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE CALENDAR ISA SELECTION OF TECHNICAL INFORMATION PRINTED ON TWELVE ILLUSTRATED PAGES. THE TOPICS INCLUDE LIGHTNING, FOG, RADAR OBSERVATION OF TROPICAL CYCLONES, WEATHER CHARTS PRODUCED BY COMPUTER AND THE MOVEMENT OF TROPICAL CYCLONES.
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1976 .
- 3 -
PAK TAM CHUNG PUMPING STATION OPENED K * H * *
HONG KONG’S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE ITS WATER RESOURCES PASSED ANOTHER MILESTONE TODAY WITH THE OPENING OF THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF LOWLAND PUMPING STATIONS DESIGNED TO COLLECT FRESH WATER THAT WOULD NORMALLY RUN TO WASTE INTO THE SEA.
THE NEWLY COMPLETED PUMPING STATION IS LOCATED AT PAK TAM CHUNG IN SAI KUNG AND IS ONE OF EIGHT BEING BUILT BY THE P.W.D.’S WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT UNDER THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME.
MR. WILLIAM TUCKER, DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, SAID TODAY THE STATIONS WERE DESIGNED TO OBTAIN THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT FROM THE LOW LEVEL GATHERING GROUNDS BETWEEN SHA TIN AND HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR.
+WITH THESE STATIONS,+ HE SAID, +SURPLUS STREAM WATER NOT USED BY THE VILLAGERS OR FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES CAN BE PUMPED BACK TO THE HIGH-LEVEL INTAKE OF THE MAIN TUNNEL SYSTEM SO THAT IT DOES NOT GO TO WASTE,+ HE SAID.
IN THE CASE OF PAK TAM CHUNG PUMPING STATION, HE ADDED, THE SURPLUS STREAM WATER WOULD BE PUMPED DIRECTLY TO THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR.
THE STATIONS, COSTING AN ESTIMATED $59 MILLION, ARE BEING BUILT ADJACENT TO STREAM COURSES AND AS NEAR TO SEA LEVEL AS POSSIBLE FOR MAXIMUM EFFECT.
EACH WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH PUMPS CAPABLE OF ABSTRACTING WATER FROM NEARBY STREAMS AT RATES RANGING FROM 22.5 MEGA-LITRES PER DAY TO 90 MEGA-LITRES PER DAY, DEPENDING ON THE QUANTITY OF WATER AVAILABLE IN THE PARTICULAR STREAMS.
FOUR SETS OF THESE PUMPS HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE NEWLY-COMPLETED PAK TAM CHUNG STATION, SAID MR. TUCKER.
SPECIAL CUPSCREENS HAD BEEN FITTED TO THE INTAKE STRUCTURE OF THE STATION, HE SAID, TO REMOVE SOLID MATTERS WHICH COULD INTERFERE WITH THE OPERATION OF THE PUMPS.
THE PAK TAM CHUNG PUMPING STATION, WHICH TOOK ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO BUILD, WAS FORMALLY OPENED THIS MORNIING BY MR. LAU KWUN-SANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE.
IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS, MR. LAU DESCRIBED THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME AS A TREMENDOUS PROJECT WHICH WAS INDICATIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN SOLVING HONG KONG’S WATER SUPPLIES PROBLEM.
+THE PROVISION OF SUCH PUMPING STATIONS IS ALSO ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WATER SUPPLIES PROJECTS,+ HE ADDED.
MR. LAU SAID HE SINCERELY HOPED THAT WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR AND THE ASSOCIATED WORKS THE QUESTION OF WATER SUPPLIES WOULD BECOME LESS OF A PROBLEM.
MEANWHILE WORK ON THE REMAINING SEVEN STATIONS IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY AND ALL SHOULD BE IN OPERATION BY JUNE NEXT YEAR.
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1976
4
THEFT OF PUBLIC WATER ******
THE P.W.D.’S DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. WILLIAM TUCKER, TODAY WARNED THAT STRONG ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST THOSE FOUND STEALING WATER BY MEANS OF ILLEGAL CONNECTIONS.
+THEFT OF PUBLIC WATER IS TANTAMOUNT TO STEALING FROM THE COMMUNITY AND THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL NOT HESITATE TO BRING SUCH OFFENDERS TO BOOK,* HE SAID.
MR. TUCKER SOUNDED THE WARNING FOLLOWING A NUMBER OF CASES HEARD IN NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY THIS MORNING IN WHICH FIVE TENANTS FROM SAU MAU PING ESTATE WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $3,000 FOR ILLEGALLY DRAWING WATER THROUGH UNAUTHORISED CONNECTIONS.
LAST WEEK, FOUR OPERATORS OF POULTRY STORES WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $6,000 FOR SIMILAR OFFENCES.
+THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TAKES A SERIOUS VIEW OF SUCH MALPRACTICES, PARTICULARLY SINCE THEY UNFAIRLY SHIFT THE BURDEN ON HONEST CONSUMERS WHO, IN EFFECT, ARE FORCED TO SUBSIDISE A MINORITY OF UNSCRUPULOUS PEOPLE,+ HE SAID.
MR. TUCKER SAID THAT UNDER THE WATERWORKS ORDINANCE ANY PERSON FOUND GUILTY OF UNLAWFUL TAKING OF WATER WAS LIABLE ON SUMMARY CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $5,000.
OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS, HE SAID, 34 SUMMONSES HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR SUCH OFFENCES AGAINST 24 PEOPLE.
OF THESE, 11 HAVE APPEARED IN COURT AND WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $10,350. THE FINES RANGED FROM $600 TO $1,500. THE REMAINING CASES WILL BE HEARD IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
MR. TUCKER SAID THAT BECAUSE OF STAFF LIMITATIONS IT HAD NOT ALWAYS BEEN POSSIBLE TO PROSECUTE EVERY CASE COMING TO THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S ATTENTION.
+HOWEVER, STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO STRENGTHEN THE DEPARTMENT’S PROSECUTION UNIT TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.
+THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE THAT WE INTEND TO TAKE VIGOROUS ACTION TO STOP THIS ABUSE OF ONE OF OUR MOST VALUABLE NATURAL RESOURCES,* HE STRESSED.
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1976
- 5 -
H.K. GOOD AT ORGANISING SOCIAL WELFARE SEMINARS
*****
HONG KONG HAS ACQUIRED THE REPUTATION FOR BEING GOOD AT ORGANISING AND HOSTING REGIONAL CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN RECENT YEARS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE REGIONAL SEMINAR ON VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION OF THE BLIND AND DEAF ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM HONG KONG AND 13 ASIAN COUNTRIES.
AS A RESULT OF BEING SELECTED THE VENUE FOR THE SEMINAR, HE SAID, HONG KONG AND ITS REHABILITATION SERVICES HAD BEEN ABLE TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COUNTRIES IN THIS REGION.
MR. LEE NOTED THAT THE SEMINAR HAD BEEN A VERY INTENSIVE ONE AND THE DIRECTING STAFF WERE AMONG THE MOST EXPERIENCED IN THE FIELD.
HE WAS SURE THAT THOSE LOCAL REHABILITATION WORKERS WHO CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE VISITORS IN THE COURSE OF THE SEMINAR HAD BENEFITED FROM THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND VIEWS.
+YOU WOULD HAVE LEARNED FROM ONE ANOTHER THE NUANCES RELATIVE TO BOTH THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES AND REALISED THAT EACH OF US MUST DEVELOP IN THE MANNER MOST BEFITTING OUR PECULIAR NEEDS, COMPATIBLE WITH OUR ECONOMIC CAPABILITY AND IN KEEPING WITH OUR SPECIAL CULTURAL HERITAGE.
+HOWEVER, WE WILL ALL BE READY TO AGREE THAT THE ULTIMATE AIM IS ALWAYS TO IMPROVE THE LOT OF THE DISABLED, TO PROMOTE THEIR ACCEPTANCE IN EMPLOYMENT AND BY THE SOCIETY AT LARGE WITH EVERY MEANS AT OUR DISPOSAL,* HE ADDED.
----0--------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN THE FEI NGOR SHAN ROAD AREA ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 19).
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ARRANGEMENTS, WHICH WILL BE EFFECTIVE FOR THREE HOURS FROM 9 A.M., WERE TO ENABLE THE +ROUND FEI NGOR SHAN RUN* TO BE HELD.
DURING THAT PERIOD THE SECTION OF FEI NGOR SHAN ROAD FROM CLEARWATER BAY ROAD TO JATS INCLINE AND THE SECTION OF JATS INCLINE FROM FEI NGOR SHAN ROAD TO GOOD HOPE SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICLES.
IN ADDITION, THE SECTION OF SHATIN PASS ROAD BETWEEN TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD AND JATS INCLINE WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY.
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1976
- 6 -
HEROES RECEIVE CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION ******
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR. ALAN FLETCHER, TODAY (FRIDAY) PRESENTED CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION AND MONETARY AWARDS TO 22 MEN IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR BRAVERY DISPLAYED IN RESCUING PEOPLE FROM THE HARBOUR.
OF THE 22 RECIPIENTS, FOUR ARE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC --MR. LUNG YIU-CHEUNG, MR. CHAU KIN-LING, MR. FUNG SUN-KWAN AND MR. LI YUN-KEUNG.
TWO OTHERS — MR. MUI YIK-FU AND MR. WONG CHI-SUM -- ARE CREW MEMBERS OF THE STAR FERRY COMPANY LIMITED WHILE THE OTHER 16 ARE STAFF OF THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY CO. LTD. THEY ARE MR. BO LING, MR. CHAN FOR-.KAN, MR. CHAN YAU-CHI, MR. LEUNG CHING MR. LAW YAU-KAN, MR. FAN KWAI-CHUNG, MR. HO PING-CHUNG, MR. CHAN YAU-SHING, MR. CHEUNG TAI-KEI, MR. LEUNG PING-KAN, MR. LAU HEI, MR. KWOK SHUN-KEN, MR. LAI KAM-MOON, MR. CHENG AH-LEE, MR. CHEUNG CHI-MI NG AND MR. LAW NGAU.
BETWEEN THEM, THEY RESCUED 11 WOMEN, FIVE MEN AND A FOUR-YEAR-OLD GIRL FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF THE HARBOUR BETWEEEN MARCH AND NOVEMBER THIS YEAR.
TODAY’S PRESENTATION CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT EXAMINATION HALL ON THE 1OTH FLOOR OF THE RUMSEY STREET MULTISTOREY CAR PARK BUILDING IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
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TAI PO DISTRICT SETS 3100,000 TARGET FOR N.T. WALK
*****
THE TAI PO DISTRICT HAS SET A $100,000 TARGET FOR THE NEW januar?R23S C0MMUN,TY CHEST WALK wh1ch |S to take place ON
THIS FIGURE IS DOUBLE THE AMOUNT RAISED IN THE DISTRICT LAST YEAR AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. CLIVE OXLEY. HAS CALLED A PUBLIC MEETING FOR NEXT MONDAY (DECEMBER 20) TO ENSURE A BIG LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT.
MR. OXLEY THIS WEEK SENT A CIRCULAR TO LOCAL COMMUNITY k™ERS' BUSINESSMEN AND RESIDENTS ASKING THEM TO ATTEND THE M.ETING IN THE SCHOOL HALL, WONG SHIU CHI MIDDLE SCHOOL, AT 4 P.M.
MR. OXLEY SAID: +WE WERE AELE TO RAISE A TIDY SUM LAST YEAR THROUGH A DISTRICT TEAM EFFORT AND I AM SURE THAT THIS YEAR WE CAN DOUBLE THE OLD FIGURE.+
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/7
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1976
7
PROMOTION OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IN CHAI WAN ******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL INTRODUCE A FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR CHAI WAN AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 19).
THE SIX-MONTH LONG FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMME, CO-ORDINATED BY THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE FOR EASTERN, HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY WELFARE AGENCIES AND YOUTH GROUPS IN THE DISTRICT. THE PROGRAMME WILL COMPRISE AN EXHIBITION, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND COMPETITIONS.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY IN THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE ON THAT DAY AT 2.15 P.M.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A TWO-DAY EXHIBITION IN WHICH MATERIALS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WILL BE DISPLAYED. DURING THE EXHIBITION, A +HAPPY FAMILY+ DRAWING COMPETITION, A FAMILY QUIZ, A FILM SHOW AND A LUCKY DRAW WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED FOR THE RESIDENTS.
SOCIAL WORKERS WILL BE STATIONED AT THE EXHIBITION TO ANSWER QUERIES AND TO PROVIDE GENERAL COUNSELLING SERVICES ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC FROM 9 A.M.
TO 5 P.M. ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE FUNCTION.
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THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BILL 1976
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY PUBLISHED A LIST OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BILL 1976 WHICH WILL BE MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR. F.K. LI, AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE ON DECEMBER 22.
THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES ANNOUNCED IN HIS REPLY TO THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON DECEMBER 8 THAT HE HAD AGREED TO ACCEPT THE VARIOUS AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL THAT WERE SUPPORTED BY THE UMELCO AD HOC GROUP. THE EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WERE DESCRIBED BY DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG AND BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES IN THEIR SPEECHES.
THE AMENDMENTS NOW PUBLISHED WILL ACHIEVE THESE EFFECTS, AND CORRECT CERTAIN TEXTUAL ERRORS IN THE BILL THAT WAS PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 24.
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HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
®f M
Friday, December 17; 1976
WORKING Party MEETS on needs of public housing tenants IN 'GREY* AREA JUST ABOVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
The Working Party set up by the Government Secretariat to study ways of helping certain low-income tenants of public housing has already held.several high-level meetings, a government spokesman said today.
* . * • ' . ,J •. •
These are the people referred to in the Legislative Council on November 10 by the Secretary for Housing, Mr Ian Lightbody, when.speaking about tenants in the ’’grey area” just above the eligibility limit for . • .y- . ■*
Public Assistance.
‘ V- .Jr. ■ ‘ • / . . < 1
Mr Lightbody said then: ”For those qualifying for Public .
Assistance, rents are met by a rental allowance paid under that scheme, and so there is no problem in their case.
”0f more concern are those households which are just above the eligibility limits for Public Assistance and for whom rent payments, particularly if they can only be allocated a flat in a new estate, can cause real hardship and consume much more than 20 per cent of income.
*r - -- । . . . *..*’**-• *'*
”A Working Party has been set up to study the problems faced by such families-and to See what can be done to provide relief to them within the scope of the Public Assistance Scheme»”
The government spokesman said: ’’Useful progress has been made and much now depends on certain essential data which members of th& Working Party will not be able to study until after the results of the By-Census become available, hopefully in January.
”We must know the size of the problem and the possible commitment
of public funds.”
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1976
CONTENTS PAGE <0.
LAST MONTH WAS THE COLDEST NOVEMBER ON RECORD .... 1
SOCIAL STUDIES SEMINAR OPENS ..................... 2
WORK ON A SERIES OF SEWERS AND SUBMARINE OUTFALL TO START NEXT MONTH ....................................... 3
HOME FOR THE AGED IN YAU TONG OPENED ............. A
VOLUNTEER SCHOOL STUDENTS 3UILD PLAYING AREA ....
'TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SAI YING PUN ..
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1976
1
COLDEST NOVEMBER ON RECORD ******
THE MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 19.1 DEGREES CELSIUS LAST MONTH MADE IT THE COLDEST NOVEMBER SINCE RECORD BEGAN IN 1884.
THE MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 22.2 DEGREES CELSIUS AND THE MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 16.6 DEGREES CELSIUS ALSO RESPECTIVELY RANKED THE SECOND AND THE THIRD LOWEST ON RECORD FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER.
ON THE WHOLE, THE MONTH WAS DRIER AND SUNNIER THAN USUAL WITH RAINFALL AMOUNTING TO ONLY 0.8 MM WHICH WAS TWO PER CENT OF THE AVERAGE FIGURE. HOWEVER, THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WAS STILL TWO PER CENT ABOVE AVERAGE.
APART FROM ONE OR TWO LIGHT RAIN PATCHES ON NOVEMBER 1, THE WEATHER FOR THE FIRST FOUR DAYS OF THE MONTH WAS MAINLY FINE, SUNNY AND WARM.
ON NOVEMBER 4, THE TEMPERATURE ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 27.7 DEGREES CELSIUS, THE HIGHEST RECORDED IN THE MONTH.
A COLD FRONT PASSED THROUGH HONG KONG EARLY ON NOVEMBER 5, AND CONDITIONS BECAME CLOUDY WITH LIGHT RAIN PATCHES. PRACTICALLY ALL THE MONTH’S RAIN FELL ON THIS DAY. THE WEATHER IMPROVED GRADUALLY ON NOVEMBER 7 AND BECAME FINE, SUNNY AND MILD DURING THE NEXT THREE DAYS.
ANOTHER COLD FRONT ARRIVED FROM THE NORTH EARLY ON NOVEMBER 11, BRINGING A SPELL OF COLD AND DRY CONDITIONS WHICH LASTED UNTIL NOVEMBER 18. THE AIR TEMPERATURE FELL SLIGHTLY AT FIRST BUT MORE RAPIDLY LATER, WITH THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF THE MONTH - 11.8 DEGREES CELSIUS - RECORDED EARLY ON NOVEMBER 15.
DURING THE MONTH UNDER REVIEW, THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS HOISTED ON THREE OCCASIONS AND FIRE DANGER WARNINGS WERE PRACTICALLY IN FORCE THROUGHOUT THE MONTH DUE TO THE EXCEPTIONALLY DRY CONDITIONS.
NO AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING THE MONTH AND NO THUNDERSTORM OR HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS WERE ISSUED.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1976
2
SOCIAL STUDIES SEMINAR OPENS
* H * * M
A GOOD TEXTBOOK ON SOCIAL STUDIES HAS BEEN PRODUCED AND WILL BE PLACED ON THE MARKET FOR SCHOOLS’ USE IN SEPTEMBER 1977, THE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS, MR. A.J. REEVE, SAID TODAY.
IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE SOCIAL STUDIES SEMINAR AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING, HE SAID TEACHERS INVOLVED IN THE TEACHING OF SOCIAL STUDIES FOR THE FIRST TIME HAVE HAD TO DO A GREAT DEAL OF WORK INDEPENDENT OF ANY TEXTBOOK.
THOUGH SOME HELP HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE IN THE FORM OF SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND NEWSLETTERS, HE POINTED OUT THAT A GOOD TEXTBOOK WOULD STILL BE A VERY USEFUL AID.
+IN NO WAY AM I WISHING TO EXPRESS BIAS IN FAVOUR OF A PARTICULAR TEXTBOOK BUT THE ONE THAT I HAVE SEEN IS, I THINK, IDEAL AND DISPLAYS GREAT IMAGINATION AND CAREFUL PLANNING AND THOUGHT BY THE TWO AUTHORS,+ HE STRESSED.
MR. REEVE CALLED ON TEACHERS TO MAKE A REALISTIC APPRAISAL OF THE VALUE OF THE NEW SUBJECT AND ITS EFFECTS UPON PUPILS.
HE SAID EDUCATION SHOULD AIM AT ENRICHING THE PUPILS’ MINDS BY GIVING THEM AN INTEREST IN ACADEMIC STUDIES WHICH WOULD BE A LASTING INTEREST, AND THAT +ONE SHOULD AIM TO PRODUCE PUPILS WELL-INFORMED, ABLE TO THINK LOGICALLY AND TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES PRECISELY AND RELEVANTLY+.
+HOWEVER, NOT EVERY PUPIL IS CAPABLE OF FOLLOWING A STRICTLY ACADEMIC COURSE AND BESIDES THERE IS MUCH TO BE SAID FOR MAKING THE CONTENT OF A YOUNG PERSON’S STUDIES MORE RELEVANT TO HIS OR HER FUTURE LIFE AND ENVIRONMENT AND TO MAKE IT MORE INTERESTI NG,+ HE SAID.
THE INCLUSION OF SUCH SOCIAL STUDIES TRANSPORT AND POPULATION GROWTH PROBLEMS, TO MAKE PUPILS THINK FOR THEMSELVES ABOUT THEIR DAILY LIFE AND INTRODUCE WORTHWHILE i
SUBJECTS AS HOUSING, HE ADDED, COULD BE USED MATTERS THAT AFFECT DISCUSSIONS AND DEBATES.
AT THE SAME TIME, MR. REEVE STRESSED THAT ONE MUST NOT NEGLECT THE ACADEMIC ASPECT, AND FELT THAT A GOOD TEACHER WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO WHET A PUPIL’S APPETITE FOR, AND STIMULATE HIS INTEREST IN, SUCH SEPARATE SUBJECTS AS HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY AND E.P.A. BY TEACHING WELL THE RELEVANT TOPICS IN THE SOCIAL STUDIES SYLLABUS.
+BUT I WOULD STRESS THE NEED ON THE PART OF TEACHERS TO SET HIGH STANDARDS OF LEARNING FOR THEIR PUPILS AND TO GIVE THEM ASSIGNMENTS WHICH WILL TEST THEIR PUPILS’ ABILITY NOT ONLY TO MEMORISE BUT ALSO TO THINK AND EXERCISE THEIR POWERS OF JUDGEMENT AND REASONING,* HE ADDED.
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Saturday, December 18, 1976
SEWERS AND SUBMARINE OUTFALL # K# # # #
WORK WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH ON A SERIES OF SEWERS AND SUBMARINE OUTFALL IN HUNG HOM, AP LEI CHAU AND CHAI WAN TO STRENGTHEN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
IN HUNG HOM, A NETWORK OF SOME 800 METRES OF SEWAGE PIPELINES WILL BE LAID BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN WINSLOW STREET AND CHATHAM ROAD OUTSIDE THE WESTERN BOUNDARY OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
MR. CHAN YAN, CHIEF P.W.D. ENGINEERS OF THE DRAINAGE WORKS DIVISION SAID TODAY THE SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED TO CARRY SEWAGE FROM THE HUNG HOM AREA TO THE EXISTING SCREENING PLANT NEAR THE JUNCTION OF SALISBURY ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD.
+THERE THE SEWAGE WILL BE SCREENED TO REMOVE SOLID WASTES AND THE EFFLUENT DISCHARGED INTO THE HARBOUR THROUGH A SUBMARINE PIPELINE SO THAT IT CAN BE EFFECTIVELY DISPERSED BY THE SEA WATER,+ HE SAID.
+THE SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE BETTER ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FOR THE AREA, AND HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO COPE WITH FUTURE NEEDS ARISING FROM THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE EASTERN PART OF TSIM SHA TSUI,+ HE ADDED.
AT AP LEI CHAU, A 650-METRE INTERCEPTING SEWER AND A STORM-WATER DRAIN WILL BE BUILT ON THE WESTERN PART OF THE ISLAND.
MR. CHAN SAID THIS WOULD FORM PART OF A MAJOR SEWERAGE SCHEME TO INTERCEPT AND CONVEY SEWAGE FROM THE DISTRICT FOR PROPER TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL AT A NEW SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS SOON TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF THE ISLAND.
+THE STORMWATER DRAIN, WHICH IS OF ABOUT THE SAME SIZE AND LENGTH AS THE SEWER, IS DESIGNED TO REPLACE THE TEMPORARY SURFACE CHANNELS CURRENTLY IN USE AND PROVIDE A PERMANENT DRAINAGE OUTLET FOR THE CATCHMENT AREA,+ HE SAID.
IN CHAI WAN, TWO PARALLEL PIPELINES, EACH ABOUT 600 METRES LONG, WILL BE LAID ON THE SEABED OFF THE RECLAMATION AT SUN YIP STREET TO CONVEY SEWAGE FROM THE AREA TO DEEP WATER WHERE IT CAN BE EFFECTIVELY DILUTED AND DISPERSED.
TENDERS FOR THESE PROJECTS ARE BEING INVITED AND WORK WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH.
THESE NEW SEWERAGE SYSTEMS AT HUNG HOM AND AP LEI CHAU SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR, WHILE THAT AT CHAI WAN WILL TAKE SOME 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
ALL THREE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY THE DRAINAGE WORKS DIVISION OF THE P.W.D.’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE WHICH WILL SUPERVISE THE CONSTRUCTION WORK.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1976
THIRD HOME FOR THE AGED IN TWO MONTHS
******
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, TODAY OPENED ANOTHER HOME FOR THE AGED - THE THIRD IN TWO MONTHS.
TOGETHER WITH THE CARE AND ATTENTION HOME IN FANLING, OF WHICH HE LAID THE FOUNDATION STONE ON THURSDAY, THE FOUR HOMES WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR MORE THAN 260 ELDERLY PEOPLE.
AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SELF CARE UNIT OF THE YAU TONG HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY THIS MORNING, MR. LEE COMMENDED THE SALVATION ARMY FOR ESTABLISHING A CHAIN OF HOMES PROVIDING DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES SUITABLE TO MEET THE VARIOUS NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY.
+THEY RESPECT THE AGED RESIDENTS, FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR WELL-BEING, ADOPT A PRACTICAL APPROACH 'TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS AND ORGANISE REGULAR ACTIVITIES FOR THEIR PLEASURE,* HE ADDED.
THE YAU TONG HOSTEL WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1973 WITH A GRANT FROM THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND. IT OFFERS ACCOMMODATION TO 60 ELDERLY PERSONS WHO ARE SLIGHTLY HANDICAPPED.
THE OPENING OF THE SELF CARE UNIT, WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN A GRANT OF 3100,000 FROM THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR EQUIPMENT, WILL EXTEND SERVICES TO ANOTHER 31 OLD PEOPLE WHO ARE ENTIRELY INDEPENDENT AND CAPABLE OF SELF CARE. THEY CAN DO THEIR OWN MARKETING, COCKING, LAUNDRY AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD
CHORES
IN NOVEMBER, MR. LEE OPENED THE LEK YUEN HOSTAL, A HOME FOR SOME 140 ELDERLY WOMEN OPERATED BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS. EARLIER THIS MONTH, HE OPENED THE CHAM SHAN TZ’U TE HOME FOR THE AGED WHICH PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR 72 OLD PEOPLE AT TAI 0 MUN ON CLEARWATER BAY ROAD.
THE BUDDHIST PO CHING CARE AND ATTENTION HOME IN FANLING WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 120 ELDERLY PEOPLE WHEN FINISHED.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1976
- 5 -
VOLUNTEER SCHOOL STUDENTS BUILD PLAYING AREA *****
HUNDREDS OF KWAI CHUNG YOUNGSTERS WILL SOON BE ENJOYING THE FACILITIES OF A NEW PLAYING FIELD - BY COURTESY OF A JOINT EFFORT BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE ARMY AND LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN.
A VOLUNTEER WORKING PARTY OF STUDENTS FROM ST. FRANCIS XAVIER’S SCHOOL IN TSUEN WAN IN RECENT WEEKS HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR WEEKENDS AND AFTER-SCHOOL RECREATION TO PREPARE A BASKETBALL PITCH ON A PIECE OF LAND GRANTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT SPORTS FEDERATION.
THE LAND IS AT THE JUNCTION OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND HING FONG
ROAD
APART FROM THE BASKETBALL PITCH, THE AREA WILL ALSO HAVE A FOOTBALL PITCH TO BE USED BY LOCAL YOUTH TEAMS.
ALL THE MATERIALS AND THE SUPERVISORY EXPERTISE FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING SUPPLIED BY THE 1OTH PRINCESS MARGARET’S OWN GURKHA RIFLES.
TODAY, TSUEN WAN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. BENJAMIN TANG, AND MAJOR P.N. COOKE, OF THE REGIMENT, TOOK A FIRST HAND LOOK AT THE PROGRESS ON THE WORK.
SAID MR. TANG: +IT LOOKS AS IF WE WILL MEET THE DECEMBER 31 COMPLETION DEADLINE.
+IT IS HEARTENING TO SEE SUCH ENTHUSIASM FROM THE LOCAL PEOPLE AND THE ARMY IN PROVIDING FACILITIES WHICH THE LOCAL YOUNGSTERS CAN ENJOY.+
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SAI YING PUN
*****
A NUMBER OF TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN SAI YING PUN ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 20) TO FACILITATE MAIN-LAYING WORKS OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
STARTING FROM 10 A.M. ON THAT DAY, THE SECTION OF CENTRE STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND THE PARKING SPACES IN THAT ARCA WILL BE SUSPENDED.
IN ADDITION, THE SECTION OF EASTERN STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS .‘.ILL EE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
0
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1976
NcW REPORT ON TRANSPORT ON SALE *****
A LIMITED NUMBER OF COPIES OF THE NEWLY-PUBLISHED COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY ARE NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
THE FULL VERSION OF THE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AT A PRICE OF $120. IT CONTAINS 415 PAGES OF TEXT, DIAGRAMS AND TABLES WHICH PROVIDE AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN RELATION TO PRESENT AND FUTURE NEEDS.
A CONDENSED VERSION OF THE REPORT, CONTAINING 32 PAGES WITH TEXT AND ILLUSTRATIONS, IS ON SALE IN SEPARATE ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS AT $12 PER COPY.
THE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY, PRODUCED BY WILBUR SMITH AND ASSOCIATES, WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS AN AID TO FORMULATING TRANSPORT POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES WHICH WILL BE EMBRACED IN A WHITE PAPER NEXT YEAR.
ONLY LIMITED COPIES OF THE REPORT ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC AS THE REPORT IS PRIMARILY INTENDED AS A WORKING DOCUMENT FOR STUDY WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT AND BY OTHERS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE TRANSPORT FIELD.
POST EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS
* * * *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH THEIR CHRISTMAS CARDS TO REACH THEIR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES IN HONG KONG BEFORE CHRISTMAS, SHOULD POST THEM NOT LATER THAN TUESDAY (DECEMBER 21).
POSTINGS OF LOCAL MAIL ITEMS AFTER THIS DATE CANNOT BE GUARANTEED DELIVERY BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
FOR LOCALLY ADDRESSED CHRISTMAS CARDS, SPECIAL COUNTER POSITIONS AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE TOMORROW AND ON TUESDAY TO EXPEDITE HANDLING AND SUBSEQUENT DELIVERY.
ANY QUANTITY OF CARDS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE SPECIAL COUNTERS, BUT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REQUESTED TO SEPARATE THEIR CARDS ADDRESSED TO HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1976
2
APPEAL FOR CO-OPERATION IN INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT SURVEY * * * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY APPEALED TO MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, WHICH HAVE NOT YET FURNISHED THEIR EMPLOYMENT RETURNS FOR THE LAST QUARTER OF THE YEAR, TO DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID SENT OUT TO THESE ESTABLISHMENTS.
20,000 REMINDERS HAD BEEN
EMPLOYMENT ENQUIRY CARDS WERE FIRST MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS ON DECEMBER 2. MANAGEMENTS WERE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE THE CARDS WITH THE NUMBERS OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES AS AT DECEMBER 3, AND TO RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 10.
THE FULL SCALE INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT SURVEY NOW IN PROGRESS COVERS SOME 40,000 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE SURVEY WILL PROVIDE NOT ONLY BENCHMARK DATA FOR THE ANALYSIS OF EMPLOYMENT LEVELS AND TRENDS BUT ALSO AN UP-TO-DATE DIRECTORY OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CONDUCTING SAMPLE SURVEYS IN THE SUBSEQUENT QUARTERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +PROMPT REPORTING FROM MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS WILL AVOID FURTHER FOLLOW-UPS AND FACILITATE THE EARLY RELEASE OF SURVEY RESULTS. ON RECEIPT OF REMINDERS, MANAGEMENT SHOULD THEREFORE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE CARDS AT THEIR EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY.*
AT PRESENT, ENQUIRIES ARE ALSO BEING MADE OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES IN THE IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS AND OTHER SELECTED TRADES AND SERVICES.
ALL SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS WERE ASKED TO CO-OPERATE IN THE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT INFORMATION FURNISHED BY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD BE USED SOLELY FOR COMPILING STATISTICAL TABLES.
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/3
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1976
5
IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION
******
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, TODAY SPOKE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IN +AN EVER-CHANGING SOCIETY LIKE HONG KONG+.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMME, HE SAID THAT THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE FAMILY IN HONG KONG COULD NO LONGER STAND THE IMPACT OF ALIEN INFLUENCES WHICH HAD BROUGHT ABOUT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE AND CONCEPT OF THE FAMILY.
THIS, HE SAID, RESULTED IN THE CAUSES OF MANY SOCIAL PROBLEMS.
TO TACKLE THESE PROBLEMS, HE ADDED, THE PROMOTION OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WAS ESSENTIAL.
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE PROGRAMME WOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER DISTRICTS SO THAT ALL RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG WOULD SCON RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND HELP SOLVE MANY SOCIAL PROBLEMS.
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WATER CUT * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL EE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 21) TO ALLOW THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY LUARD ROAD, GLOUCESTER ROAD, FLEMING ROAD, NORTHERN SIDE OF JOHNSTON ROAD, O’BRIEN ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD, INCLUDING 1S9 - 201 JOHNSTON ROAD, 32 - 173 THOMSON ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, SALT PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL ALSO
WATER SUPPLY_TO A NUMBER BE BURNED OFF.
OF
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY ELECTRIC ROAD, JAVA ROAD, FROM LAU SIN STREET TO TIN CHIU STREET, NORTH POINT ROAD, CHUN YUEN STREET, TONG SHU I ROAD, SHU KUK STREET, KAM HONG STREET, SOUTHERN SIDE OF KING’S ROAD FROM MING YUE!-. WESTERN STREET TO MODEL _ANE, INCLUDING TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD, TANNER ROAD AND PA?. FUK '.SAD.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1976
4
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE SECTION OF KWAI FUK ROAD WEST OF SHING FUK STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 A.M. OK TUESDAY (DECEMBER 21).
VEHICLES USING THIS SECTION OF KWAI FUK ROAD TO GO TO GIN DRINKER’S BAY ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO THE SECTION OF A NEWLY COMPLETED UNNAMED ROAD JOINING KWAI FUK ROAD ABOUT 80 METRES NORTHWEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HING FONG ROAD TO GIN DRINKER’S BAY ROAD.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING, LEARNER DRIVERS WILL NOT EE ALLOWED TO ENTER GIN DRINKER’S BAY ROAD NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE UNNAMED ROAD.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS AIM TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LINK ROAD FROM KWAI FUK ROAD TO TEXACO ROAD AND TO MAINTAIN THE EXISTING LEARNER DRIVER PROHIBITION IMPOSED ON GIN DRINKER’S EAY ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS AND LEARNER DRIVERS.
ALSO STARTING FROM 10 A.M. ON TUESDAY, THE SECTION OF KOWLOON CITY ROAD BETWEEN SUNG WONG TOI ROAD AND MOK CHEONG STREET, AND THE PART OF SUNG WONG TOI ROAD ADJACENT TO THE JUNCTION WITH KOWLOON CITY ROAD WILL EE CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC TO ENABLE ROADWORKS TO EE CARRIED OUT.
ACCESS TO AFFECTED PREMISES WILL EE MAINTAINED FROM EITHER MOK CHEONG STREET OR TEMPORARY ACCESS ON SUNG WONG TOI ROAD.
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J.*'- •’
Sunday, December 19, 1976
PUBLIC^HOUSING SOLVES
HEADACHE FOR LARGE FAMILIES
It is frequently difficult in Hong Kong for couples with young
children to find suitable low-cost accommodation. This was the problem
recently faced by Mr. Lau Man-biu, whose concrete hut at Shek Wai Kok Village
was demolished to make way for a proposed $130 million public housing estate.
When first confronted with the problem Mr. Lau considered all the advantages and disadvantages of renting accommodation in the private sector or in public housing.
Trying to rent a room or a small flat proved quite a problem for Mr. Lau, his wife and three children. Most landlords considered his family too large for that type of premises and preferred to let to single people or couples with no children. Also he faced the prospect of paying a high deposit on the flat, usually two months’ rent in advance.
So, the Laus decided to accept an offer of public housing. They are now living in one of Hong Kong’s newest estates, Lai King, at Tsuen Wan. They occupy a 267-sq-ft self-contained unit at a rent of $180 per month.
Mr. Lau said: "To rent a private room you ought to be single, or a married couple with no children. I found that renting a private flat was beyond my financial ability. My best choice is undoubtedly public housing."
Working as a freelance knitting machine technician, Mr. Lau had been living in the hut at Shek Wai Kok Village for nearly 14 months.
/2........
2
Though the village was served with some essential facilities, the Laus prefer the more comfortable accommodation in public housing.
•’I find it more convenient and comfortable at Lai King because the flat is bigger, brighter and better ventilated. Also, we have a nice view.
”1 realise now that I could never rent a private flat with similar facilities - gardens, playgrounds, a shopping area and many other necessary services,” Mr. Lau added.
”The flat itself is self-contained with private toilet, kitchen, balcony and washing area.”
*******
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 19^6
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
APPOINTMENTS TO EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS .... 1
GOVERNOR TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY .............. 1
STUDENTS TOLD TO PAY ATTENTION TO BOTH CHINESE AND
ENGL I SH .........................................“ o
health education essential IN PREVENTING CANCER 9
CHRISTMAS POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS ............................. Z,
LIGHTED BUOYS FOR TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME ................ 5
RESURFACING OF SECTION OF COTTON TREE DRIVE ................ 6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TAI KOK TSUI ....................... 7
WATER CUT IN WAN CHAI ...................................... 7
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, DECEMBER 2D, 1976
EXCO AND LEGCO APPOINTMENTS ******
_A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE SECRETARY OF STA > z -OR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS HAD APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR Ll FOOK-KC;., SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, AS AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1977.
r-.R LI WILL SUCCEED DR. GERALD H. CHOA, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, WHO WIlL RETIRE FROM PUBLIC SERVICE ON DECEMBER 31, 1976.
IT WAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT DR. K.L. THONG, WHO WILL TAKE OVER FROM DR. CHOA AS DIRECTOR GF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES '.-.ILL BE APPOINTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCI- WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1977 IN PLACE OF DR. CHOA.
GOVERNOR TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE
******
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHC3E, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 23) AT 4.45 P.v.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CONFERENCE WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE G. I.S. THEATRE Of THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
TELEVISION CREWS ARE ASKED TO ARRIVE EARLY SO THAT THEY HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1976
2
ATTENTION SHOULD EE PAID TO BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH * * * * *
MISS KC SIU WAH, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, TOLD THE PUPILS OF THE HO ma;: tin government middle school today that they should consider THEMSELVES FORTUNATE IN BEING ABLE TO RECEIVE THEIR EDUCATION MAINLY THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF CHINESE, THEIR MOTHER TONGUE.
ADDRESSING THE GATHERING AT THE SCHOOL’S SPEECH DAY, MISS KC SAID: +YOU SHOULD MAKE FULL USE OF SUCH AN OPPORTUNITY BY LEARNING Trit CHINESE LANGUAGE AND OTHER SUBJECTS WELL AND BY REALISING YOUR POTENTIAL FOR TAKING UP SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.*
AT THE SAME TIME SHE REMINDED THE PUPILS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT OVERLOCK THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE.
♦FOR US IN HONG KONG, ENGLISH IS THE MOST WIDELY USED OF FORE 10.. LANGUAGES.
+ IN THE WORLD TODAY WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO HAVE A NARRC.. CUTLOCK. ..'E MUST WIDEN OUR HORIZON AND VIEW THE WORLD OUTSIDE HONG KONG SO AS TO GET TO KNOW OTHER PEOPLES AND CULTURES, THER-BY PRC STING MUTUAL UNDERSTAND I NG AND PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE.
+APART FROM ITS ECONOMIC AND PRACTICAL VALUE, IF WE COMMAND A GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF ENGLISH, WE SHALL AT LEAST EE ABLE TO READ SOME OF THE WRITINGS BY FOREIGN AUTHORS AND HAVE A GREATER CHANCE TC COME IN CONTACT WITH FOREIGNERS.
♦THESE ACTIVITIES, IN TURN, WOULD HELP US DEVELOP A BETTER U;»JtR j i AND I NG OF THE WORLD AND ITS AFFAIRS, TACKLE PROBLEMS i-.CRE OBJECTIVELY AND MIX HARMONIOUSLY WITH PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT RACES AND CULTURES,+ MISS KO SAID.
SHE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE SCHOOL WOULD MAINTAIN THE TRADITION OF PAYING DUE ATTENTION TO BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH II; ITS CURRICULUM SO AS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY.
LANGUAGE WAS NOT ONLY A MEANS BY WHICH IDEAS WERE EXCHANGED BUT ALSO A MEDIUM THROUGH WHICH PEOPLE THINK AND LEARN.
+AN INADEQUATE COMMAND OF LANGUAGE OFTEN HAMPERS LOGICAL THINKING, STUNTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVE THOUGHT, AND AS A RESULT AFFECTS LEARNING,+ MISS KO SAID.
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/J
MONDAY, DECEMBER Lj, 197L
- 3 -
HEALTH EDUCATION ESSENTIAL IN PREVENTING CANCER ******
’■’ANY DISEASES OF THE CANCER GROUP CAN BE PREVENTED CR TREATED EFFECTIVELY JI Th EXCELLENT CHANCES OF SURVIVAL FOR A CONSIDERABLE LENGTH OF TIME PROVIDED THAT HEALTH EDUCATION ABCUT CANCER IS CARRIED OUT AT THE APPROPRIATE TIKE AND DIRzCTzD AT THE RIGHT GROUP OF PzCPLz.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. ..L. THC-G, SAID THIS TODAY WHEN HE ADDRESSED THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HONG KONG A'.TI-CaNCER SOCIETY.
DR. THONG, ..HO IS ALSO PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY, POINTED OUT T.-AT CANCER COVERED SEVERAL TEAS OF DISEASES THAT IN FACT WERE OF DIFFERENT ORIGIN.
THESE DISEASES DEVELOPED DIFFERENTLY AND WERE TREATED IFFERENTLY uITH VARYING RATES OF SUCCESS, HE SAID.
UNFORTUNATELY, SA ID DE. TUONG il the group did respond pochlY to TO CREATE AN IMPRESSION OF GENERAL DISEASES.
GER TA I’’ OF THESE DISEASES TREATMENT AND THUS TENDED INCURABILITY FOR ALL CANCER
+THE RESULTANT FEAR MAKE PEOPLE PASSIVE INSTEAD OF ACTIVE, AND IGNORANCE CAUSE DELAY IN SEEK I »G AID,+ HE SAID.
DR. THONG SAID BECAUSE CF THE WIDE RANGE CF DISEASES THAT COME UNDER THE NAME +CANCER+ IT WOULD DE MORE PRACTICAL TO APPROACH HEALTH EDUCATION AS APPLIED TO CANCER EY CATcGCRISING CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE AT RISK WHO CAN BENEFIT MOST FROM HEALTH EDUCATION.
c/G.’-.E COMMON EXAMPLES OF THESz GROUPS ARE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE HEALTHY PERSON WHO IS EXPOSED TO CANCER PR C D UC I ,'G AG tNTS •
IL THE LATTER CASE, DR. THONG SUGGESTED THAT AUTHORITIES SUCH AS THE ANTI-CANCER SOCIETY IN COOPERATION JJTH THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTi’zLTS CCU^D PROVIDz INFORMATION TO THOSE CONCERNED .J TH OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CK POSSIBLE ..AYS OF REDUCING THE CANCER PRODUCING AGENTS.
AT “HE SAME TIME, HE SAID, EDUCATION COULD BE GIVEN TO ..ORKERS IN ORDER TO MOTIVATE THEM TO FOLLO.. INSTRUCTIONS DESIGNED FOR THEIR PROTECTION.
PEOPLE INHALING CANCER PRODUCING SUBSTANCES SUCH AS TOBACCO SMOKING SHOULD EE ENOCU^ACzD I*. A GENERAL CAMPAIGN TO EITHER STOP SMOKING OP LOT TO START, Hz SUGGzSTzD.
/ • THONG
4
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1976
...DR._THONG said every individual or organisation could
•- - ' i A .<x He al Th cDUCAiIuN aLD CO NS I DeR THEMSELVES AS HEALTH EDUCATORS.
♦PRACTICALLY EVERYONE
.-.HO ARE CONCERNED WITH THE
OR ORGANISATION IN THE COMMUNITY
PROBLEM COULD RECEIVE AND DISSEMINATE HcALTH EDUCATION MATERIAL AND KNOWLEDGE SO AS TO GIVE THE SUBJECT THE WIDEST VENTILATION POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.
HEALTH EDUCATION, HE SAID, SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS THE PRIVATE PRESERVE OF ONLY THE +PROFESSIONALS+ AND THE +AUTHORITIES+ ALTHOUGH PEOPLE WORKING DIRECTLY IN THE FIELD AND RELATED AGENCIES HAD SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN PROVIDING THE LEADERSHIP AND IN THE PREPARATION OF HEALTH EDUCATION MATERIAL.
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CHRISTMAS POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS
******
THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE SHAM SHU I PO POST OFFICE AT UN CHAU STREET WOULD NOT EE OPENED FOR BUSINESS DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS FROM DECEMBER 25 TO DECEMBER 27 BECAUSE OF RENOVATION WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THIS OFFICE.
HOWEVER THE POST OFFICE BOX LOBBY WILL EE OPENED TO BOX HOLDERS IN THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 27 (MONDAY) FROM 9 A.M. TO 12 NOON.
SUITABLE NOTICES WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THE OFFICE TO REMIND THE PUELIC.
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/5
MONDAY, DECEMBER Zj, 1'76
5
LIGHTED BUOYS FOR TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
******
FIVE NE,. LIGHTED BUOYS, DESIGNED TO HELP VESSELS KEEP WITHIN TRAFFIC SEPARATION, HAVE BEEN BUILT BY A MARINE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTOR AND .-.ILL BE INSTALLED WITHIN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1977.
THEY ..ILL BE PLACED AT TURNING POINTS OF THE EASTERN AND .■.ESTER'. APPROACHES TC THE HARBOUR TO MARK SEPARATION LINES OF THE TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME INTRODUCED EY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.
THE LIGHTED BUOYS, MEASURING 36 FEET IN HEIGHT WITH a DIAMSTER IC FEET, ..ILL BE THE LARGEST EVER TC BE USED IN HONG KONG AND AMONG THE BIGGEST IN THE WORLD. THEY HAVE BEEN SPECIALLY DESIGNED TC .. ITHSTAND TYPHOON CONDITIONS IN EXTREMELY EXPOSED LOCATIONS.
DESIGNED BY A U.K. COMPANY AND AMENDED LOCALLY TO SUIT HONG KONG’S REQUIREMENTS, THE BUOYS WILL INCORPORATE SUCH FEATURES AS RADAR REFLECTORS, ELM FENDERS AND WORKING PLATFORMS WITH GUARD RAILS FOR THE SAFETY OF MAINTENANCE STAFF. THEY WILL ALSO HAVE THE UNIQUE FEATURE OF INNER WATERTIGHT MANHOLES TO COMPLEMENT THE STANDARD CUTER WATERTIGHT MANHOLES, AND WILL BE FITTED WITH FLASHING LIGHTS VISIBLE AT A RANGE IN EXCESS OF FIVE NAUTICAL '■’ILES.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME, A NEa LEAFLEv DESCRIBING THE ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN PREPARED EY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THEY CAN EE OBTAINED FROM THE SMALL CRAFT LICENSING SECTION OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AT 102, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF THE LAST TWO OF THE FIVE NEW BUOYS AT A CEREMONY FO BE HELD IN THE OFFICE OF THE MARINE OFFICER (BUOYS) AT THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES 9TH FLOOR, ROOM '^3 AT ABOUT 9.33 A.':. TOf’CRRC., (TUESDAY). ’
YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE CEREMONY COVERED.
.'•'ter THE cerevc:;y,j.'E’-ders of the press -..ill be take: to i.-._ r.„jACz.. i GOVcRNMcN. -.GCKYnRD FOR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE B«1YS.
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1976
RESURFACING OF SECTION OF COTTON TREE DRIVE
******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ..ILL BEGIN A MAJOR PROGRAMME DURING THE HOLIDAY PER IOC TO IMPROVE THE ROAD SURFACE OF THE □ECTiON OF COTTON TRzl DRIVE BcT^ccN MURRAY BUILDING Ahu GARDEN ROAD.
ACTING CHIEF P....D. ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, DR. CHCI YU—LEUK, SAID TODAY THE ROAD SURFACE OF THIS SECTION nAD STEADILf DETERIORATED AS A RESULT OF HEAVY USAGE OVER THZ 3 A ST FEW YEARS AND A COMPLETE RESURFACING WAS NOW NECESSARY.
HE SAID THE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN FIVE STAGES BEGIN.ING ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 23) FOR COMPLETION BY JANUARY 11.
+THE WORKS HAVE EEEI. DELIBERATELY PLANNED TO COINCIDE WITH THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS SO AS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS WHEN TRAFFIC WILL EE LESS CONGESTED,* HE SAID.
+ THE PROGRAMME HAS ALSO BEEN ARRANGED SO THAT MOST OF THE RESURFACING ..ILL BE DONE AFTER MID-.IGriT, THUS AVOIDING THE PEAK HO JR TRAFFIC RUSH AS VuCH AS POSSIBLE.*
DR. CHOI SAID THAT EACH PHASE OF THE PROGRAMME WOULD TAKE ABOUT FOUR DAYS.
+ IT IS INEVITABLE THAT I’. THz. ^ARLY STAGES BEFORE PROPER .RESURFACING IS COMPLETED THAT THE RIDING SURFACE MAY EE A BIT ROUGh,* HE SAID.
+rtCwEVER, THE WORKS WILL TAKE ONLY A SHORT TIME AND APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO WARN MOTORISTS OF THE ROUGH SURFACE,* HE ADDED.
DR. CHOI SAID THAT P.W.D. ROAD ENGINEERS WERE FULLY AWARE - THE IMPORTANCE TO KEEP TRAFFIC FLOWING DUR ING ROADIPROJECTS.
+FOR THIS REASON, THE IMPROVEMENTS ALONG THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN PLANNED SO AS TO LEAVE AT LEAST TWO LANES OPEL FOR TRAFFIC ..Hl_i ..CRKS ARE IN PROGRESS.
*EVERY EFFORT WILL BE FADE TO REDUCE’ANY IKCOKVEKIENCE TO T-.E ABSOLUTE MINIMUM, AND TRAFFIC POLICE >J^L BE ON HAND TO ASSISTANCE DURING .THE ..HOLE PERIOD OF RESURFACING WORK TO Av0 10 CONGESTION,* HE SAID.
DR. CHC I SAID THAT TWO SLIP ROADS WOULD BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DURING THE THIRD PHASE OF THE IMPROVEMENT ..CRKS. THESE WERE THE SLIP ROAD FROM COTTON TREE DRIVc TO .£ .’.EDV ROAD AND THAT FROM THE JUNCTION CF GARDEN ROAD AND _Z»ER ALBERT ROAD TO COTTON TREE DRIVE.
IT ..AS INTENDED, HE SAID, TO CLOSE THESE TWC SLIP FCADS
ECUT SIX “Cl’RS “?0‘ 12 ID-.IGHT TO c A.?. O’. JANUARY 2
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7
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1976
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IK TAI KOK TSUI * * * *
FUK TSUN STREET BETWEEK FIR STREET AND ASH STREET WILL EE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO TWO-WAY FROM 10 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 22).
AT THE SAME TIME, TRAFFIC ISLANDS WILL BE PROVIDED Ihl FUK TSUN STREET AT ITS JUNCTION WITH FIR STREET, OAK STREET, IVY STREET AND ASH STREET FOR CHANNALIZING TRAFFIC.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO ADVISE MOTORISTS.
WATER CUT * * *
.'.ATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL EE Ter ED OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 13 P.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO FACILITATE THE CONNECTION OF A FRESH WATER MAIN IN THE AREA.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY NOS. 158 TO 224 HENNESSY ROAD NOS. 93 TO 169 THOMSON ROAD, INCLUDING HOUSE NO. 114 THOMSON RCAD= NOS. 2 TO 14 FLEMING ROAD AND NOS. 183 TO 201 JOHNSTON ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1976
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DRUG ADDICTS SPEND ABOUT $550 MILLION ON HEROIN ANNUALLY . 1
SIX OUT-PATIENT CLINICS TO REMAIN OPEN DURING HOLIDAYS ... 2
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW ................. 3
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR AREAS OUTSIDE NEW TOWNS .... 4
REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICES TO CLOSE DURING HOLIDAYS . 6
CHRISTMAS DUTY-FREE BRANDY FROM MACAU ................ 7
CLEARANCE OF SHEK KU LUNG ROAD TENEMENT BUILDINGS .... 7
PUBLIC URGED TO TAKE EXTRA FIRE PRECAUTIONS .......... 8
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED .............................. 9
TWO NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION OFFICERS RETIRE ... 9
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN UPPER LEVELS ................ 10
WATER CUT IN NORTH POINT............................. 10
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1976
1
ADDICTS SPEND $550 MILLION ON HEROIN ANNUALLY M M M
HONG KONG’S DRUG ADDICTS ARE SPENDING ABOUT $550 MILLION A YEAR ON HEROIN, MANY OF THEM ARE IN THE WORKING CLASS AND STARTED TAKING DRUGS WHEN ONLY 15 YEARS OLD.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE FINDINGS THAT HAVE EMERGED FROM A RECENT STUDY MADE BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON SOME 550 ADDICTS WHO ATTEND THE HIGH STREET METHADONE MAINTENANCE CENTRE.
ELABORATING ON THE FINDINGS AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LION’S CLUB OF LION ROCK TODAY, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (NARCOTICS), DR. K.F. CHAN, SAID AN ADDICT SPENT AN AVERAGE OF $30 A DAY TO MAINTAIN THEIR HABIT.
ASSUMING THAT THERE WERE ONLY 50,000 ADDICTS IN HONG KONG, HE CONTINUED, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT WOULD TOTAL NEARLY $550 MILLION A YEAR WHICH + IS VERY NEARLY THE BUDGET FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES FOR LAST YEAR,* HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE COST TO THE SOCIETY CAUSED BY DRUG ADDICTION WAS INCALCULABLE, WITH LARGE SUMS OF PUBLIC MONEY BEING SPENT ON ENFORCING THE LAW AND ON TREATING THE ADDICTS.
DR* CHAN SAID IT WAS SIGNIFICANT TO NOTE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE 550 ADDICTS INVOLVED IN THE STUDY STARTED TO TAKE DRUGS BETWEEN 15 AND 19 YEARS OF AGE.
THE REASONS THE ADDICTS GAVE FOR TAKING DRUGS INCLUDE: FUN, SEX, GROUP ACCEPTANCE, FATIGUE AND FRUSTRATION.
♦TO ELABORATE, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THESE PEOPLE TOOK
DRUGS BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO TRY DRUGS FOR FUN, THEY THOUGHT DRUGS WOULD IMPROVE THEIR SEXUAL PROWESS, THEY GOT MIXED UP WITH BAD COMPANY, THEY TRIED TO GET RELIEF FROM PAIN OR OTHER COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH AN ILLNESS, THEY WANTED TO OVERCOME FATIGUE OR BOOST THEMSELVES UP TO DO SOME MORE WORK, AND THEY SOUGHT SOLACE FROM SOME FORM OF FRUSTRATION SUCH AS FAMILY AND MARITAL TROUBLE,* DR. CHAN SAID.
ANOTHER FINDING WAS THAT MOST OF THE ADDICTS WERE WORKING AS LABOURERS, HAWKERS, FACTORY WORKERS, TAILORS, WAITERS AND DRIVERS. SOME NINE PER CENT OF THEM COULD BE REGARDED AS HAVING BEEN EXPOSED TO DRUG ADDICTION AS AN OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD BECAUSE THEY WORKED IN PLACES SUCH AS ILLEGAL DIVANS AND GAMBLING HOUSES.
WITH SUCH A LARGE ADDICT POPULATION AS IN HONG KONG, SAID DR. CHAN, A-MULTIPLICITY OF CHOICE OF TREATMENT METHODS AND PROGRAMMES WAS REQUIRED.
/♦□IFFEHENT
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2',
- 2 -
1976
+DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADDICTS REQUIRE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREATMENT AND NO ONE METHOD IS UNIVERSALLY APPLICABLE,* HE SAID.
DR. CHAN POINTED OUT THAT SUCCESS OF ANY TREATMENT PROGRAMME , FOR DRUG ADDICTS COULD NOT BE MEASURED BY SO-CALLED +CURE RATE* ALONE BECAUSE THE WORD +CURE+ WAS TOO RESTRICTIVE AND UNREALIS.IC FOR ASSESSING THE RESULTS.
ALL PROGRAMMES, HE EXPLAINED, SHOULD BE KEPT OPEN FOR AS LONG AS THEY WERE IN DEMAND, AND SUCCESS WAS MEASURED BY THE NUMBER OF ADDICTS ATTENDING RATHER THAN THE NUMBER CURED.
SIMILARLY, HE CONTINUED, A HIGH RELAPSE RATE DID NOT NECESSARILY INDICATE FAILURE OF THE PROGRAMME.
+THE IMPORTANT POINT IS THAT SHOULD AN ADDICT ASK FOR A SECOND OR EVEN A THIRD OR FOURTH CHANCE, HE WILL BE GIVEN ASSISTANCE READILY,* HE ADDED.
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SIX OUT-PATIENT CLINICS REMAIN OPEN DURING HOLIDAYS * * * * *
SIX OUT-PATIENT CLINICS '.'.ILL REMAIN OPEN DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE CLINICS WILL OPEN FROM 9 A.M.. TO 1 P.F. Oil THREE DAYS BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 25.
THEY ARE THE VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC AND THE ROYAL. HONG KCLG-JCCK-Y CLUB CLINIC IN SHAU KEI '..AN Of. HONG KONG I SLAND= T..0 JOCKEY CLUB CLINICS AT KWUN TONG AND YAU MA TEI AND THE ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE IN KOWLOON= .MID I HE LADY TRENCH PoLYCLI.Il I!
TSJJEN wAK, TERRI iOR IES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPART-ENT SAID THAT APART FROI T-E SIX CLINICS, AlL OTHER GOVERNMENT CLINICS AND EVEN I Nl CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE HOLIDAYS.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1976
3
LEGCO MEETS TOMORROW
******
THE SUBJECT OF REASSESSMENT OF RATEABLE VALUE OF PROPERTIES WILL BE RAISED BY THREE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AT TOMORROW’S SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
DR. S.Y. CHUNG WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF REASSESSMENT FOR RATEPAYERS AND DR. HARRY FANG WILL ENQUIRE WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER ARRANGEMENTS TO CUSHION THE EFFECT OF ANY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN RATES NEXT YEAR ON PROPERTIES OCCUPIED BY PRIVATE NON-PROFIT-MAKING UNSUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN WILL ASK FOR THE NUMBER OF PREMISES WHICH WILL, AS A RESULT OF NEW RATING VALUATIONS, NO LONGER COME UNDER THE SECTION OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE WHICH CONTROLS RENT INCREASES IN POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES WITH A RATEABLE VALUE OF NOT MORE THAN $30,000.
MR. JAMES WU WILL ALSO ASK WHY SOME LANDLORDS ARE CHARGED PROPERTY TAX ON THE BASIS OF ASSESSABLE VALUE WHICH THEY CANNOT RECEIVE UNDER PRESENT RENT-CONTROL LEGISLATION.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN THE 13 OTHER QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS INCLUDE A PROPOSAL TO WITHDRAW HONG KONG TRAVEL DOCUMENTS FROM THOSE HOLDERS CONVICTED ABROAD OF DRUG OR OTHER SERIOUS OFFENCES’ PROGRESS OF THE ACTIVITY APPROACH TO LEARNING IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS- MEANS OF MANNING THE CIVIL SERVICE OTHER THAN BY SECONDMENT- PROGRESS ON FURTHER ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNTRY PARKS, AND IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR CLERICAL STAFF IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO GIVE MORE THOROUGH AND HELPFUL ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
THREE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED TOMORROW: THE INLAND REVENUE BOARDS OF REVIEW (VALIDATION) BILL 1976, THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND THE EVIDENCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977.
NINE BILLS WILL HAVE THEIR THIRD READING, INCLUDING THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1976 AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BILL 1976.
DEBATE WILL RESUME ON A MOTION BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, TO APPROVE THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) REGULATIONS 1976 WHICH SEEKS TO REDUCE AND EVENTUALLY ABOLISH OVERTIME FOR YOUNG WORKERS.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WILL MOVE THE ADOPTION OF REVISED FARES FOR HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY SERVICES TO OUTLYING DISTRICTS FROM JANUARY 1, 1977 AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL MOVE CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE COUNCIL.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, '976
4
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR AREAS OUTSIDE NEW TOWNS
******
AN AMBITIOUS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IS ABOUT TO START IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO PROVIDE BETTER HOMES AND FACILITIES FOR SOME 350,000 PEOPLE IN THE RURAL AREAS OUTSIDE THE NEW TOWNS AT SHA TIN, TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PLANNERS HAVE COMPLETED THE FIRST SET OF BLUEPRINTS FOR THE SCHEME AND WORK ON THE FIRST SITE FORMATION CONTRACT IS DUE TO BEGIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, WHICH COVERS 12 RURAL AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND OUTLYING ISLANDS, PROVIDES FOR A SERIES OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN THE FOUR MARKET TOWNS AT TAI PO, SHEK WU HUI, FANLING AND YUEN LONG, AND EIGHT RURAL TOWNSHIPS AT SAI KUNG (TUI MIN HOI), MUI WO, CHEUNG CHAU, TAI 0, PENG CHAU, LAU FAU SHAN, TAN KWAI TSUEN AND SHAM TSENG.
FEASIBILITY STUDIES, COMMISSIONED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, FOR THESE AREAS WERE SUBMITTED RECENTLY BY THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND DETAILED DESIGN FOR MUCH OF THE REQUIRED ENGINEERING AND BUILDING WORKS BY VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES, INCLUDING THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, ARE EITHER IN HAND OR UNDERWAY.
THE PROGRAMME IS BEING CO-ORDINATED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT BRANCH OF THE P.W.D.’S NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. THIS BRANCH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL DEVELOPMENT WORK ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE FOUR MARKET TOWNS AND EIGHT RURAL TOWNSHIPS.
MR. KENNETH KWOK, GOVERNMENT ENGINEER (NEW TERRITORIES) OF THE N.T.D.D., SAID TODAY THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW MARKET TOWNS WAS SIMILAR IN CONCEPT TO THE NEW TOWNS, BUT ON A SMALLER SCALE.
+AS IN THE NEW TOWNS, THE AIM IS TO PROVIDE BALANCED DEVELOPMENT WITH ALL BASIC FACILITIES AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR THE RESIDENTS. APART FROM HOUSING, THESE WILL INCLUDE SCHOOLS, CLINICS, COMMUNITY HALLS, SHOPPING CENTRES AND RECREATIONAL AREAS. IN ADDITION, SITES WILL ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USE,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID FUNDS AMOUNTING TO SOME $371 MILLION HAD BEEN EARMARKED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME FOR VARIOUS ENGINEERING PROJECTS IN THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS.
INITIALLY DEVELOPMENT WOULD CONCENTRATE AT TAI PO, SHEK WU HUI, FANLING, YUEN LONG, SAI KUNG, MUI WO, CHEUNG CHAU AND TAI 0.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1976
- 5 -
♦THE FIRST CONTRACT IN THE PROGRAMME, INVOLVING THE RECLAMATION OF SOME 27 HECTARES OF LAND IN TOLO HARBOUR, TAI PO, WILL BE SIGNED IN A FEW DAYS’ TIME AND WORK WILL BEGIN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS.
+THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL BE USED TO BUILD A LARGE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE FOR SOME 30,000 PEOPLE TOGETHER WITH COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
+FURTHER LAND WILL BE FORMED FOR PRIVATE COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT,+ HE SAID.
THE RECLAMATION WORKS WOULD TAKE ABOUT 26 MONTHS TO COMPLETE, BUT MR. KWOK ENVISAGED THAT SUFFICIENT PROGRESS WOULD HAVE BEEN MADE BY JULY NEXT YEAR TO ENABLE PILING WORK FOR THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE TO COMMENCE.
HE SAID BUILDING WORKS FOR THE ESTATE WERE SCHEDULED TO START IN EARLY 1978, AND IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THE FIRST TENANTS WOULD BE MOVING INTO THEIR NEW HOMES BY THE LATTER PART OF 1979.
MEANWHILE, TENDERS WERE ABOUT TO BE INVITED FOR THE SITE FORMATION, RECLAMATION, ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS IN THE SAI KUNG (TUI MIN HOI) AREA.
+WORKS AT SAI KUNG (TUI MIN HOI) ARE SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE EARLY NEXT YEAR AND WILL MAINLY INVOLVE SITE FORMATION OF 5.8 HECTARES, A RECLAMATION OF 3.7 HECTARES AT SAI KUNG TUK AND ASSOCIATED ENGINEERING WORKS,+ SAID MR. KWOK.
+THE COMPLETED SITE FORMATION WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE AND A HOUSING SCHEME FOR FISHERMEN DISPLACED BY THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME — A TOTAL OF SOME 2,800 PEOPLE.
♦ABOUT FOUR HECTARES OF THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL FOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT USE, A FIRE STATION,* HE SAID.
BE AVAILABLE INCLUDING
WORKS UNDER THIS CONTRACT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
MR. KWOK ADDED THAT HIS BRANCH WOULD BE CALLING A SERIES OF TENDERS FOR OTHER CONTRACTS OVER THE NEXT SEVEN MONTHS, MAINLY FOR SITE FORMATION AND ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
AT SHEK WU HUI, TENDERS WERE EXPECTED TO BE CALLED IN THE LATTER HALF OF NEXT YEAR FOR THE FORMATION OF SOME 21 HECTARES OF LAND FOR VARIOUS USES, INCLUDING A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE FOR 5.000. *
/ALSO ..
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1976
6
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE SHEK WU HUI DEVELOPMENT WAS THE WIDENING OF JOCKEY CLUB ROAD AND TAI PO ROAD FROM THE WO HOP SHEK RAILWAY CROSSING TO THE EXISTING SHEK WU HUI TOWN.
THE FORMATION OF 14 HECTARES AT FANLING HAD ALSO BEEN PLANNED AND WORK THERE WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SOON, SAID MR. KWOK. +INITIAL DEVELOPMENT HERE WILL INCLUDE A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE FOR 12,000 TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED COMMUNITY FACILITIES.+
FOR YUEN LONG, HE SAID, PLANS WERE IN HAND FOR A SMALLER ESTATE FOR 5,000 PEOPLE.
+AT MUI WO, INITIAL DEVELOPMENT WILL CONSIST OF FORMING SOME 10 HECTARES OF LAND NEAR THE FERRY CONCOURSE FOR AN ESTATE TO HOUSE 800 PEOPLE AND THE BUILDING OF A NEW FERRY PIER.+
MR. KWOK SAID HIS BRANCH WOULD ALSO BE INVITING TENDERS SOON FOR SITE FORMATION WORKS AT TA I 0 ON LANTAU ISLAND WHERE ANOTHER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE WOULD BE BUILT FOR 3,000 PEOPLE. THE BUILDING WORKS WERE DUE TO START IN MID-1977.
HE SAID THAT AT CHEUNG CHAU, SOME NINE HECTARES OF LAND WOULD BE FORMED FOR THE EARLY STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT IN THAT AREA.
+THESE COMPRISE AN ESTATE WITH ACCOMMODATION FOR 1,200 PEOPLE AND A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AND INTERCEPTING SEWERS TO SERVE THE NEW TOWNSHIP,* HE SAID.
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REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICES CLOSE DURING HOLIDAYS * * * H
THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT WILL Bt CLOSED DURING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION SAID THAT THE HEAD OFFICE, BRANCH OFFICES AND SUB-OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE CLOSED FOR BUSINESS FROM 1 P.M. ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 24) TO S.45 A.M. ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 28).
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1976
7
CHRISTMAS DUTY-FREE BRANDY
* * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ANNOUNCES THAT PASSENGERS, ARRIVING FROM MACAU DURING THE TWO DAYS FOLLOWING CHRISTMAS DAY (DECEMBER 26 AND 27, 1976), MAY BRING INTO HONG KONG FREE OF DUTY ONE BOTTLE OF PORTUGUESE BRANDY CONTAINING NOT MORE THAN 1 LITRE.
THIS IS IN LIEU OF THE CUSTOMARY ONE-QUART OF GRAPE WINE AT PRESENT ALLOWED.
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CLEARANCE OF SHEK KU LUNG ROAD TENEMENT BUILDINGS ******
SOME 100 OUT OF A TOTAL NUMBER OF 111 FAMILIES LIVING IN SEVEN TENEMENT BUILDINGS IN SHEK KU LUNG, KOWLOON CITY, HAVE ALREADY MOVED TO THEIR NEW HOMES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WHEN CLEARANCE OF THE BUILDINGS STARTED THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
THE BUILDINGS, SITUATED AT NO. 52-64, SHEK KU LUNG ROAD HAD BEEN RESUMED AND REVERTED BACK TO GOVERNMENT IN AUGUST THIS YEAR TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 3Q0-F00T RAMP AND A FLYOVER TO PROVIDE DIRECT VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE DEPARTURE HALL LEVEL OF KAI TAK AIRPORT FOR EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT STUDIES INDICATED THAT TRAFFIC ON OLYMPIC AVENUE, THE AIRPORT’S ONLY ACCESS ROAD WOULD REACH SATURATION POINT BY ABOUT 1979-80 WITH THE INCREASING NUMBER OF TOURISTS COMING TO VISIT HONG KONG.
♦ONCE THIS HAPPENS,+ HE SAID, +THERE WILL INEVITABLY BE SERIOUS DELAYS AT THE AIRPORT FOR INCOMING AND OUTGOING AIR PASSENGERS.+
THE FLYOVER FROM PRINCE EDWARD ROAD TO THE TERMINAL BUILDING WILL PROVIDE A FAST ONE-WAY ROAD AND WILL TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF OLYMPIC AVENUE.
ON TOP OF PUBLIC HOUSING, THE DOMESTIC TENANTS AFFECTED HAVE ALSO BEEN PROVIDED WITH CASH ASSISTANCE.
TEN OF THE 12 FACTORY OPERATORS IN THE TENEMENT BUILDINGS ELIGIBLE FOR REPROVISIONING HAVE BEEN OFFERED FLATTED FACTORY SITES IN KOWLOON BAY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CASH COMPENSATION.
THE OTHER TWO FACTORY OPERATORS WHOSE TRADES ARE NOT SUITABLE TO BE OPERATED AT FLATTED FACTORIES ARE OFFERED CASH COMPENSATION.
FOR SQUATTERS, THOSE REGISTERED IN THE 1964 SURVEY HAVE BEEN OFFERED PUBLIC HOUSING WHILE THOSE WHO ARE NOT HAVE BEEN OFFERED RESITE AREAS.
THE CLEARANCE IS BEING CARRIED OUT SMOOTHLY AND IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE LATER TODAY.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1976
8
PUBLIC URGED TO TAKE EXTRA FIRE PRECAUTIONS
K K * *
A FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE EXTRA FIRE PRECAUTIONS DURING CHRISTMAS WHICH IS ONLY A FEW DAYS AWAY.
+EY TAKING THAT LITTLE EXTRA CARE, YOU COULD MAKE YOUR HOME FREE OF THE RISK OF FIRE,+ HE SAID.
/
CHRISTMAS TREES, DECORATED WITH COLOURED LIGHTS AND GIFT PACKAGES, OFTEN ADD TO FIRE HAZARDS IN THE HOME, HE POINTED OUT.
HE ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO USE NON-COMBUST IBLE DECORATING MATERIALS, WHERE POSSIBLE, TO REDUCE FIRE RISK.
+CHECK ALL TREE LIGHTING SETS, ELECTRIC CANDLES AND SIMILAR LIGHTING EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS EXTENSION CORDS FOR FRAYED WIRES, LOOSE CONNECTIONS AND BROKEN SOCKETS,* HE URGED. +FURTHERMORE, ALL ILLUMINATIONS SHOULD BE SWITCHED OFF BEFORE GOING OUT OR TO BED.*
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THOSE WHO WERE GOING TO THROW PARTIES AT HOME TO PROVIDE PLENTY OF LARGE AND SAFE ASHTRAYS.
IN HOMES, HE EMPHASISED, A COMBINATION OF ACTIVE CHILDREN AND PREOCCUPIED PARENTS SOMETIMES ALLOW THAT ONE MOMENT OF CARELESSNESS WHICH IS ALL THAT FIRE NEEDS.
+SMALL CHILDREN PLAYING NEAR THE TREES SHOULD THEREFORE BE SUPERVISED,* HE STRESSED. +THEY SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT UNATTENDED AT ANY TIME, BUT ON OCCASIONS WHEN IT BECOMES UNAVOIDABLE, MAKE SURE THAT ALL MATCHES, LIGHTERS AND CANDLES ARE KEPT WELL OUT OF THEIR REACH.*
+A FEW PRECAUTIONS TAKEN NOW COULD PREVENT TRAGEDY STRIKING DURING THE HOLIDAYS,* HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, FIRE OFFICERS WILL BE VISITING AS FROM TODAY ALL RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTCLUBS TO GIVE ADVICE ON HOW TO PREVENT FIRE AND TO ENSURE THAT FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS IN SUCH PLACES ARE BEING PROPERLY MAINTAINED.
THEY WILL PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE MEANS OF ESCAPE AND THE FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS IN THESE ESTABLISHMENTS WHERE THE PUBLIC ARE LIKELY TO ASSEMBLE IN LARGE NUMBERS.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1976
9
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED ******
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION
THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON TAM WING-KWAI ON MARCH 10, 1976 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
TAM WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF LEE HO.
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TWO N.T.A. OFFICERS RETIRE * * * *
MR. BARRIE WIGGHAM TODAY PERFORMED HIS LAST OFFICIAL FUNCTION AS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES BY PRESENTING FAREWELL GIFTS TO TWO RETIRING NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION OFFICERS WHO HAVE A TOTAL OF ABOUT 60 YEARS’ GOVERNMENT SERVICE BEHIND THEM.
MR. WIGGHAM, WHO IS REPLACING MR. DAVID FORD AS DEPUTY ■ SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION MADE THE PRESENTATION AT THE SHATIN DISTRICT OFFICE TO MR. YOONUS TIPE, A LAND ASSISTANT WHO JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN 1940, AND MR. CHAN KAM-TONG, WHO HAS BEEN A CLERICAL OFFICER FOR 29 YEARS.
MR. TIPE STARTED HIS GOVERNMENT CAREER IN THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT AND WORKED AT THE QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL UNTIL THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION. HE MADE HIS WAY OUT OF HONG KONG IN 1943 AND WENT TO INDIA, JOINED THE ARMY AND LATER BECAME A MEMBER OF THE FAMOUS CH IND ITS FORCE.
HE RETURNED TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN 1947 AND WORKED IN THE OLD SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, TRADE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE RESETTLEMENT DEPARTMENT BEFORE BECOMING A LAND BAILIFF IN 1959. SINCE THEN, HE HAS BECOME WELL KNOWN FOR WORKING IN EVERY DISTRICT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MR. CHAN HAS SPENT ALL HIS WORKING LIFE IN THE TAI PO AND SHATIN DISTRICT OFFICES RISING THROUGH THE RANKS AND BEING AWARDED THE BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL IN THE NEW YEAR’S HONOURS LIST IN 1974.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1976
10
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN UPPER LEVELS * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT WITH THE COMPLETION OF LANDSLIDE REMEDIAL WORKS AT THE REAR OF NO. 22 OLD PEAK ROAD, TREGUNTER PATH FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH OLD PEAK ROAD WOULD BE RE-OPENED FROM 10 A.M. ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 23).
THIS SECTION OF THE ROAD WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY WEST-BOUND. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
MAXICAB ROUTE NO. 2 WILL ALSO RESUME OPERATION ON THURSDAY FROM HMS TAMAR TO OLD PEAK ROAD.
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WATER CUT * fc M
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM THURSDAY (DECEMBER 23) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT CONNECTION WORK IN THE AREA.
AFFECTED WILL BE NOS. 865 TO 941 KING’S ROAD.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1076
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
* \
OVERTIME FOR YOUNG WORKERS TO BE PHASED OUT ............. 1
LOWER GENERAL RATE PERCENTAGE EXPECTED .................. 6
OUTLYING DISTRICTS FERRY FARES TO GO UP ................. 8
PROPOSAL TO INCREASE SICKNESS ALLOWANCE FOR EMPLOYEES .. 11
BEST MIX OF FLAT SIZES UNDER STUDY BY HOUSING DEPARTMENT 12
CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BILL PASSED.............. 1?
ALL GOVERNMENT CLERICAL STAFF TAUGHT HOW TO BE COURTEOUS 1A I
GOVERNMENT STRONGLY SUPPORTS COUNTRY PARK PROGRAMME .... 15
MEASURES AGAINST LITTERING OF N.T. PICNIC SPOTS.......... 17
MORE FUNDS SOUGHT TO EXTEND ACTIVITY APPROACH SCHEME IN TEACHING................................................. 18
ADHERANCE TO FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS EMPHASISED............................................... 19
TRIBUTE AT LEGCO TO DR. CHOA ................'........... 20
FIFTY TEACHERS TO ATTEND SCIENCE EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP ................................................ 21
ACCESS TO P.O. BOXES AT NEW G.P.Q. WRING SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS MAY BE POSSIBLE ......................... 21
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX LAST MONTH REMAINED STABLE ......... 22
TEXTILE QUOTA UTILISATION FIGURES ........... »•........ 23
NINE BILLS PASSED TODAY ................................. 25
WATER CUT IN MONG KOK AND ABERDEEN .................i.... 25
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
1
INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) REGULATIONS APPROVED * * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED THE INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) REGULATIONS 1976 WHICH SEEK TO REDUCE AND EVENTUALLY ABOLISH OVERTIME FOR YOUNG WORKERS.
OF THE TEN UNOFFICIALS TAKING PART IN THE DEBATE, SEVEN SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS AND THREE AGAINST.
SUPPORTING THE REGULATIONS WERE DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG, THE HON. MISS KO SIU-WAH, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, REV. THE HON. PATRICK MCGOVERN, THE HON. T.S. LO, DR. THE HON. HENRY HU AND THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING.
THE THREE WHO OPPOSED THEM WERE THE HON. JAMES WU, THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN AND THE HON. S.L. CHEN.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE REGULATIONS, MISS KO SAID THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT WAS INSEPARABLE AND WHILE THE GOVERNMENT WAS PROPOSING THE ABOLITION OF OVERTIME FOR YOUNG PERSONS IN INDUSTRY, IT MUST CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES TO COPE WITH THESE CHANGES.
SHE STATED THAT THE GIVING OF MORE LEISURE TO YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD NOT NECESSARILY DO ALL OF THEM A LOT OF GOOD BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE OF FACILITIES.
+IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOUNG WORKERS OF 16 AND 17 WHO ARE AT AN IMPORTANT STAGE OF THEIR PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THEIR INCREASED LEISURE TIME PRODUCTIVELY,* SHE SAID. +FACILITIES FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES, ESPECIALLY EVENING SCHOOLS, YOUTH PROGRAMMES, COUNSELLING SERVICE, SPORTS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE IMPROVED AND EXPANDED.*
HOWEVER, SHE WARNED, HONG KONG MUST NOT BLINDLY FOLLOW THE WHOLE OF THE LABOUR LEGISLATION OF OTHER COUNTRIES WHOSE TYPE AND LEVEL OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VARIES FROM OURS.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID IT WAS HIS BELIEF THAT AS A WHOLE THE COUNCIL HAD AN ENLIGHTENED AND PROGRESSIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS SOCIAL REFORM, AND EXPECTED THAT CHANGES IN SUCH DIRECTION OUGHT TO BE +CONSISTENT, MEASURED AND PRAGMATIC.*
+1 SPOKE ON THIS SUBJECT DURING THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND I AGAIN EMPHASISE THE NEED FOR MORE CO-ORDINATION, ESPECIALLY SINCE YOUNG PERSONS AGED 16 AND 17 WILL BY 1980 BE UNABLE BY LAW TO WORK OVERTIME IN REGISTERED FACTORIES,* HE SAID.
A FOR YOUNG
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 197b
- 2 -
+FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THIS PARTICULAR AGE GROUP, THERE HAS TO BE A THOROUGH ASSESSMENT OF THE NUMBERS TO BE CATERED FOR, AND WHAT GENERAL OR SPECIFIC PLANS HAVE TO BE MADE FOR THEM BY WAY OF RECREATION, SPORT, ADULT EDUCATION, AND JOB PLACEMENT,+ HE ADDED.
ON OVERTIME WORK FOR WOMEN OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE IN INDUSTRY, HE SAID HE WOULD NOT SUPPORT ANY MOVE IN THE NEAR FUTURE AIMED AT REDUCING THE EXISTING OVERTIME LIMIT OF 200 HOURS IN ANY YEAR OR TWO HOURS IN ANY DAY.
MR. WU RAISED SEVERAL POINTS DURING HIS SPEECH IN WHICH HE SAID HE COULD NOT SUPPORT MR. PRICE’S MOTION.
THE POINTS HE RAISED INCLUDE: YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG TODAY ENJOY COMPLETE FREEDOM IN REGARD TO CHOICE OF WORK, OVERTIME, STUDIES AND SPORTS= YOUNG PEOPLE ARE REALISING THAT THE REWARDS AND PROSPECTS IN INDUSTRY ARE BETTER- FACTORIES OFFERING MORE OVERTIME WORK ATTRACT MORE WORKERS- 97.6 PER CENT OF THE WORKERS IN THE 16-17 AGE GROUP CONSULTED FEEL THAT OVERTIME FOR THEM SHOULD NOT BE ABOLISHED- AND ALL TRADE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS HAVE OBJECTED TO THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
+SIR, IN MY VIEW OF THE FACTS ENUMERATED ABOVE, AND THE EMOTIONAL REMARKS OF THE COMMISSIONER WHEN HE UNFORTUNATELY USED THE WORDS +WEAR AND TEAR+ OF YOUNG BODIES AS IF THEY ACTUALLY OCCURRED IN HONG KONG IN THIS DAY AND AGE, ONE CAN ONLY LAMENT THE IGNORANCE AND ATTITUDES ROOTED IN THE POVERTY AND INEQUALITY OF THE PAST, WHICH EVILS HONG KONG HAS LARGELY ELIMINATED IRONICALLY BY THE SHEER DILIGENCE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP OF ITS INDUSTRIOUS PEOPLE IN CREATING AN AFFLUENT SOCIETY,* HE SAID.
IN OPPOSING THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS, MR. TIEN SAID THERE WERE SEVERAL GROUNDS ON WHICH HE FELT HE COULD NOT SUPPORT THE COMMISSIONER.
HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT AN AVERAGE OF 33 MINUTES’ OVERTIME WORK FOR YOUNG PERSONS WOULD AND COULD CAUSE UNDUE +WEAR AND TEAR*.
MR. TIEN SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST, NOR HAD IT BEEN SUGGESTED, THAT THESE YOUNG PERSONS WERE BEING FORCED, OR DRIVEN TO WORKING OVERTIME.
+UNLESS AND UNTIL CONVINCING EVIDENCE IS ADDUCED THAT THERE IS A CASE FOR MAKING CHANGES, I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THIS COUNCIL SHOULD NOT ALLOW ITSELF TO EE USED TO LEGISLATE AWAY THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE WHICH ANY SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY DOES, AND CAN REASONABLY EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY,* HE EMPHASISED.
REGARDING OVERTIME WORK FOR ADULT WOMEN, HE URGED THE COUNCIL TO ABOLISH THIS RESTRICTION AND +T0 EQUATE THEM WITH THOSE AT PRESENT PERTAINING TO ADULT MALES UPON WHOM THERE ARE NO SUCH RESTRICTIONS.+
/HR. CHEN ......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
- 3 -
MR. CHEN SAID IF THE REGULATIONS WERE APPROVED, IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED THAT HONG KONG’S 17-YEAR-OLDS WERE INCAPABLE OF THINKING AND DECIDING FOR THEMSELVES EVEN TO WORK A COUPLE OF HOURS OVERTIME IF THEY WANTED TO.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN UNITED KINGDOM, THE AGE OF MAJORITY IS 18.
HE ASKED WHETHER YOUNG PERSONS’ FEELINGS AND REACTIONS HAD BEEN GUAGED, AND IF NOT, +1 WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE DO BEFORE A DECISION IS TAKEN ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.+
REGARDING RESTRICTIONS ON OVERTIME WORK FOR ADULT WOMEN, HE
SA IDs + IN THIS DAY AND AGE WHEN THERE IS EVERY EFFORT MADE TO BRING ABOUT EQUALITY OF SEX IN EMPLOYMENT, IT LOOKS A LITTLE ODD THAT THE LAW SHOULD APPEAR TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST FEMALE WORKERS.+
MR. LEUNG WHO BACKED THE MOTION SAID HUMAN LABOUR, UNLIKE MACHINERY, SHOULD NOT BE EXPLOITED, PARTICULARLY WITH THE USE OF MONEY AS BAIT.
♦INTERMITTENT OVERTIME WORK FOR YOUNG PERSONS IS DISRUPTIVE TO THEIR EVENING STUDIES, AND MAY RETARD THEIR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OWING TO LACK OF REST, WHICH IS VITAL FOR YOUNG PERSONS IN THEIR FORMATIVE YEARS,+ HE ADDED,
OW UNDER DEBATE E CONDITIONS OF WORK OUR FORCE WITHOUT, VIABILITY.
MR. HU SAID THE AMENDING REGULATIONS N REPRESENTED A MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENT TO TH FOR YOUNG PERSONS AGED 16 AND 17 IN THE LAB IN HIS VIEW, HAMPERING HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC
REV. MCGOVERN, WHO WAS ONE OF THE SEVEN COUNCILLORS TO SUPPORT THE MOTION, SAID YOUNG TE...................... “
GROWN PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY AND
PEOPLE UNDER |S WERE NOT YET FULLY NO THAT THEY NEEDED MORE TIME FOR WERE TO REMAIN HEALTHY.
RECREATION AND EXERCISE IF THEY
HE SAID YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE MORE TIME TO DO OTHER THINGS AFTER NORMAL WORKING TIME SUCH AS GOING Tp EVENING SCHOOLS.
♦PERHAPS EVEN A BIGGER CONSIDERATION IS THE QUESTION OF THEIR FAMILY LIFE.+ HE SAID, +THEIR CROWDED HOMES MAY NOT BE THE MOST ATTRACTIVE PLACE IN THE WORLD, BUT IN OUR CULTURE THEIR FAMILY IS A MOST VITAL STABILISING FACTOR IN THEIR L|VE8,t
HE SAID THAT IN TOO MANY CASES THERE WAS IN FACT NO FREEDOM OF CHOICE AND THAT HE HAD BEEN APPROACHED BY YOUNG PERSONS COMPLAINING THAT THEIR EMPLOYERS WOULD NOT RELEASE THEM FROM OVERTIME
WORK.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ACCORDING TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LATEST ANNUAL REPORT, SOME 4,900 PROSECUTIONS HAD BEEN TAKEN AGAINST EMPLOYERS AND OF THAT OVER 4,100 WERE FOR OFFENCES AGAINST WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS.
/IN SUMMING • • • •
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
4
IN SUMMING UP THE CONTRARY VIEWS OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, DR. CHUNG SAID THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TOGETHER WITH THE MOTION TABLED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON DECEMBER 8, BY 74 LABOUR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT HAD UNFORTUNATELY LED SOME PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG WAS LAGGING BEHIND ITS ASIAN NEIGHBOURS IN RATIFYING INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION CONVENTIONS.
+FIRST, LET ME POINT OUT THAT IT IS A FALLACY THAT EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD SHOULD OBSERVE ALL INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE LOCAL CONDITIONS,* HE EXPLAINED.
HE BELIEVED THAT AT PRESENT A TOTAL OF 32 ILO CONVENTIONS WERE APPLIED IN HONG KONG WITH OR WITHOUT MODIFICATIONS. OUT OF SOME 130 MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE ILO, ONLY ABOUT 50 COUNTRIES HAD MORE RATIFICATIONS THAN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
+IN COMPARISON WITH OUR PRINCIPAL ASIAN COMPETITORS, HONG KONG IS FAIRLY ADVANCED. WE ARE EQUAL TO JAPAN BUT, LIKE INDUSTRIAL WAGES, WE ARE VERY MUCH AHEAD OF INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE AND THAILAND,* HE SAID. +TAIWAN AND SOUTH KOREA ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE ILO AND THEREFORE NEED NOT RATIFY ANY ILO CONVENTIONS.*
DR. CHUNG SAID THE PRESENT CASE OF EVENTUAL ABOLITION OF OVERTIME FOR YOUNG PERSONS AGED 16 AND 17 IN INDUSTRY WAS A MARGINAL ONE AND HAD BECOME A CONTROVERSY AMONG THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
+0N BALANCE, I, LIKE THE MAJORITY OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, WILL SUPPORT THE MOTION,* HE SAID.
+HOWEVER, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT MAKE ANY REDUCTION ON PERMISSIBLE OVERTIME FOR ADULT WOMEN OF 18 YEARS AND OVER,* HE ADDED.
WINDING UP THE DEBATE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. IAN PRICE, SAID NO ONE HAD SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGED GOVERNMENT’S VIEW THAT SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS WERE OVERRIDING IN THE CASE OF YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE SPECIAL PROTECTION.
IN REPLY TO REMARKS MADE BY MR. FRANCIS TIEN, WHO DREW A COMPARISON WITH THE SITUATION IN SINGAPORE, MR. PRICE SAID MR. TIEN WAS COMPARING ONE SINGLE ASPECT OF OVERTIME WITHOUT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ALL THE SURROUNDING CIRCUMSTANCES.
MR. PRICE ALSO REFUTED AN IMPLICATION THAT GOVERNMENT HAD NOT CONSULTED FULLY ON THE REGULATIONS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT, IN ADDITION TO DELIBERATIONS OF THE ADVISORY BOARD HE HAD CONSULTED, BY LETTER, ALL THE FOUR MAJOR EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS, HAD SUBSEQUENTLY EXCHANGED CORRESPONDENCE WITH THEM AND MET WITH SOME OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, '976
5
REFERRING TO THE TWO SURVEYS MENTIONED BY MR. JAMES WU, MR. PRICE SAID HE HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE DETAILS AND THEREFORE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR METHODOLOGY, COVERAGE AND THE WAY IN WHICH THE QUESTIONS WERE PHRASED AND PUT TO THE WORKERS.
MR. PRICE NOTED THAT THE TWO SURVEYS OF WORKERS’ OPINION PRODUCED RATHER DIFFERENT RESULTS AND SAID HE DOUBTED IF EITHER WAS CONDUCTED BY A QUALIFIED INDUSTRIAL SOCIOLOGIST.
MR. PRICE SAID: +MY HONOURABLE FRIEND MR. WU HAS SPOKEN OF THE PROGRESSIVENESS OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIALISTS AND MANAGERS. I SHOULD LIKE TO REFER TO THEIR INGENUITY AND ADAPTABILITY TO MEET CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TO STATE MY BELIEF THAT BY 1980 THEY WILL EASILY HAVE ACCOMMODATED THEMSELVES TO THE NEW CONDITIONS WHICH WILL THEN PREVAIL, IF THESE REGULATIONS ARE APPROVED.+
MR. PRICE ADDED: +IN CONNECTION WITH INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS, I MUST COUNSEL AGAINST MAKING TOO CLOSE A COMPARISON BETWEEN SOVEREIGN STATES AND HONG KONG. IT MUST NOT BE OVERLOOKED THAT SOVEREIGN STATES DO NOT HAVE THE OPTION OF PARTIAL APPLICATION BUT SUCH A COURSE OF ACTION IS OPEN TO HONG KONG WHICH HAS APPLIED 21 CONVENTIONS IN FULL AND 12 ONLY PARTIALLY. THEREFORE HONG KONG’S POSITION SHOULD BE SET AGAINST JAPAN’S COMPLETE RATIFICATION OF 34 CONVENT IONS.+
/6
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
6
PROPOSAL TO REDUCE GENERAL RATE PERCENTAGE
******
IN VIEW OF THE NATURAL PUBLIC CONCERN AT THE REVISED RATEABLE VALUES OF PROPERTIES, IT IS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S INTENTION TO PROPOSE A REDUCTION IN THE GENERAL RATE PERCENTAGE, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, +PRECISELY WHAT THE NEW RATE PERCENTAGE WILL BE, CAN BE DECIDED ONLY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ECONOMIC AND BUDGETRY SITUATION AS IT DEVELOPS BEFORE BUDGET DAY.*
, BUT, HE CONTINUED, THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF THE SORT OF MASSIVE INCREASE IN THE YIELD WHICH SOME SPECULATIVE STORIES IN THE PRESS HAD ASSUMED.
MR. JEAFFRESON, WHO WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG, SAID THERE WAS NO INTENTION TO INCREASE THE YIELD BY ANYTHING LIKE AS MUCH AS 80 PER CENT.
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE INVOLVING THE ASSESSMENT OF RATEABLE VALUES HAD BEEN ENUNCIATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN RECENT YEARS.
+THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE IS THIS: IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A REASONABLE INCREASE IN THE RATE YIELD OVER TIME, EITHER THE RATE PERCENTAGE ITSELF IS CHANGED OR THE UNDERLYING VALUES HAVE BEEN REVISED UPWARDS SUBSTANTIALLY, SO IT CLEARLY FOLLOWS, AS IT DID IN 1973, THAT THE RATE OF PERCENTAGE ITSELF SHOULD BE REDUCED,* HE POINTED OUT.
HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD ANNOUNCE A REDUCTION IN THE GENERAL RATE PERCENTAGE (NOW AT 12 PER CENT FOR URBAN AREA) AS PART OF HIS BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR AFTER THE FULL VALUATION LISTS WERE READY FOR PUBLICATION.
BY THAT TIME, ALSO, HE CONTINUED, THE URBAN COUNCIL WOULD HAVE DECIDED WHETHER IT WISHED TO ASK THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO APPROVE A CHANGE OF ITS URBAN RATE PERCENTAGE (NOW AT SIX PER CENT).
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT IF THE BURDEN OF RATES WAS TO BE DISTRIBUTED FAIRLY, THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION MUST BRING RATEABLE VALUES UP-TO-DATE FROM TIME TO TIME. HE SAID THE 1976 REVALUATION +DOES REFLECT TODAY’S OPEN MARKET RENTALS.*
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT ALSO RECOGNISED THAT THERE WOULD BE INDIVIDUAL RATEPAYERS FOR WHOM THE INCREASE IN THE GENERAL RATE DEMANDED WOULD BE LARGE, SOME OCCUPIERS OF PRE-WAR RENT CONTROLLED PREMISES FOR INSTANCE.
/+FOR THEM .....
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
?
+FOR THEM WE WILL APPLY A SYSTEM OF TEMPORARY RELIEF, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION. THE DETAILS OF THE RELIEF SCHEME HAVE STILL TO BE WORKED OUT,+ HE SAID.
+SO, TO SUM UP THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVALUATION, THE INCREASE IN THE ACTUAL RATES PAID WILL BE NOTHING LIKE AS SEVERE AS HAS BEEN ASSUMED- IT WILL REPRESENT ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL COST OF ACCOMMODATION,* HE ADDED.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG ABOUT RATES, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID RATES WERE NORMALLY REFUNDED IN FULL IN RESPECT OF PRIVATE NON-SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF A DEFINED AND APPROVED TARGET, PROVIDED THAT THE ORGANISATIONS WERE NON-PROFIT-MAKING AND WERE UNABLE TO MEET THIS EXPENDITURE FROM THEIR OWN RESOURCES.
+SUCH ORGANISATIONS INCLUDE PRIVATE HOSPITALS, AGENCIES PROVIDING SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIVE YEAR PLAN, AND CERTAIN PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS,* HE SAID. +THE REMAINDER WILL BENEFIT FROM ANY OVERALL REDUCTION IN RATES PERCENTAGES.*
TURNING TO QUESTIONS ASKED BY THE HON. JAMES WU, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT +DOES AGREE THAT PROPERTY TAX IS A TAX ON INCOME DEEMED TO BE DERIVED FROM OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY.*
MR. JEAFFRESON POINTED OUT THAT THE ASSESSABLE VALUE OF PREMISES CONTROLLED UNDER THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE WAS THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL RENT PERMITTED UNDER PART ONE OR AUTHORISED UNDER PART TWO OF THAT ORDINANCE.
+IT HAS BEEN FOUND IN PRACTICE THAT WHERE ASSESSABLE VALUES EXCEED THE PERMITTED OR AUTHORISED RENTS, THIS HAS USUALLY BEEN BECAUSE TAXPAYERS HAVE FAILED TO PROVIDE CORRECT OR SUFFICIENT INFORMATION WHEN THE ASSESSABLE VALUES WERE BEING PREPARED,* HE EXPLAINED.
+TAXPAYERS, OF COURSE, HAVE THE RIGHT OF OBJECTION UNDER SECTION 64 OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE, AND WHERE THEY ARE FACED WITH THE SITUATION MY HONOURABLE FRIEND DESCRIBED, THEY SHOULD EXERCISE THIS RIGHT,* HE ADDED.
IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION ALSO INVOLVING NEW RATING VALUATIONS FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON. IAN LIGHTBODY, SAID: +UNDER CLAUSE 3 CF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1976, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR SECOND AND THIRD READINGS TODAY, PREMISES WHICH AT PRESENT ENJOY THE 21 PER CENT LIMIT ON RENT INCREASES WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECT TO THIS LIMIT, DESPITE THE REASSESSMENT OF RATEABLE VALUES.*
/8
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
- 8
FERRY FARES TO OUTLYING DISTRICTS TO GO UP FROM JAN. 1 NEXT YEAR *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED A MOTION TO INCREASE FARES FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR ON OUTLYING DISTRICT SERVICES OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY.
FARES WILL BE INCREASED BY ABOUT A QUARTER FOR MOST EXISTING WEEKDAY SERVICES AND BY SOMETHING LIKE DOUBLE THESE INCREASES ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF INTER-ISLAND SERVICES.
SECOND CLASS FARES ON THE TOLO HARBOUR SERVICE WILL BE ABOLISHED AND DE-LUXE CLASS FARES WILL BE INCREASED FROM $4 TO A MAXIMUM PERMITTED FARE OF $5.
WHERE FARES HAVE ALREADY BEEN INCREASED OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS, PARTICULARLY ON THE HONG KONG/LAMMA ISLAND SERVICE, THERE WILL NOT BE ANY FURTHER INCREASES ON WEEKDAYS.
SPEAKING ON THE MOTION UNDER THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY (SERVICES) ORDINANCE HE MOVED TO EFFECT THESE INCREASES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES SAID VARIOUS STEPS WERE BEING CONSIDERED TO REMEDY THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE FERRY COMPANY, INCLUDING ACTIONS TO CUT COSTS AND OTHER ECONOMIES IN EXPENDITURE.
+BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT SOME FARE INCREASES WILL BE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY IF ADEQUATE FERRY SERVICES ARE TO BE MAINTAINED,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID A DETAILED REVIEW OF THE WHOLE OF THE COMPANY’S OPERATION HAS SHOWN THAT ITS TWO VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICES CONTINUED TO OPERATE AT A PROFIT WHILE MOST OF ITS PASSENGER SERVICES WERE MAKING A LOSS.
OUTLYING SERVICES, IN CONTRAST TO THE HARBOUR SERVICES, HAD BEEN OPERATING FOR MANY YEARS AT LARGELY UNCHANGED AND RELATIVELY LOW FARES,+ AND GIVEN THE DECLINE IN THE VALUE OF MONEY, FARES ON THE OUTLYING SERVICES ARE MUCH LOWER IN TERMS OF REAL PURCHASING POWER THAN THEY WERE, SAY, TEN OR TWENTY YEARS AGO,+ MR. JONES SAID.
THE COMPANY HAS ITS PASSENGER LOAD INCREASED FROM 7 MILLION IN 1965 TO OVER 15 MILLION IN 1975 AND NOW CARRIES ABOUT 43,000 PASSENGERS ON AN AVERAGE SUNDAY OR PUBLIC HOLIDAY, COMPARED WITH A WEEKDAY AVERAGE OF SOME 18,000 PASSENGERS.
+IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE ONLY FAIR THAT THE RECREATIONAL TRAFFIC SHOULD MAKE A GREATER CONTRIBUTION TO THE COST OF DEPRECIATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THESE VESSELS THAN HAS HITHERTO BEEN THE CASE,* HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
9
THE SECRETARY SAID THE FARES REVISION WOULD IMPROVE THE COMPANY’S FINANCIAL POSITION BY SOME $3 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR, CONVERTING ITS CURRENT ANNUAL LOSS OF AROUND $2 MILLION ON THESE SERVICES INTO A PROFIT OF ABOUT SI MILLION.
+THIS WOULD, HOWEVER, STILL REPRESENT A RETURN OF ONLY ABOUT THREE PER CENT ON THE ASSETS EMPLOYED ON THESE SERVICES,+ HE SAID.
+FOR THE FUTURE,* HE CONTINUED, +THE POSITION WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSELY MONITORED AND IF, AS NOW SEEMS LIKELY, A THIRD ROUND OF MEASURES PROVES TO BE NECESSARY, FURTHER PROPOSALS WILL BE PUT TO THIS COUNCIL IN THE COURSE OF 1977.+
DURING DEBATE ON THE MOTION, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, SAID HE WOULD NOT OPPOSE THE FARE INCREASES IN VIEW OF THE REVIEW FINDINGS REFERRED TO BY MR. JONES BUT HE WOULD ABSTAIN FROM VOTING IN ORDER TO EXPRESS HIS CONCERN AT ANY CONTEMPLATED INCREASES IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
+ANY MOTION FOR FURTHER INCREASES SHOULD NOT BE PUT BEFORE THIS COUNCIL UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED BY ADEQUATE AND COMPETENT PERSONNEL, BOTH FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF FINANCIAL VIABILITY AS WELL AS MAXIMUM ECONOMIES OF EXPENDITURE AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY,* HE SAID.
HE THOUGHT IT WAS MOST NECESSARY FOR GOVERNMENT TO MONITOR DURING THE COMING YEAR WHETHER THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OR A PROFIT AND BY HOW MUCH, AND TO WHAT EXTENT THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE MATCHED UP WITH THE FORECAST FIGURES PROVIDED BY MR. JONES, AND THE REASONS THEREFOR.
HE ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT HAD ENOUGH QUALIFIED PERSONNEL TO THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE AND TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS WHICH WOULD BRING ABOUT +MAXIMUM ECONOMIES IN EXPENDITURE, ELIMINATE ANY WASTE AND INEFFICIENCY, AND MAINTAIN THE EXISTING SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC AT MINIMUM POSSIBLE OR EVEN NO FURTHER INCREASES IN FARES DURING 1977.+
MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID REPRESENTATIVES OF EIGHT RURAL COMMITTEES HAD PROPOSED, BESIDES THE SETTING UP OF A COMMITTEE BY GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE INTO THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE FERRY COMPANY TO SEE IF THERE WERE SUFFICIENT GROUNDS FOR FARE INCREASES, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AD HOC COMMITTEE ON SEA TRANSPORT BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPRESENTED BY RURAL COMMITTEES OF THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.
THEY ALSO WANTED TO BE ASSURED THAT ANY INCREASE IN DE-LUXE FARES WOULD NOT DISCOURAGE URBAN RESIDENTS FROM VISITING THE OUTLYING ISLANDS ON WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
MR. JONES IN HIS REPLY VERY MUCH REGRETTED THAT ALTHOUGH THE RURAL COMMITTEES WERE CONSULTED IN A GENERAL WAY ABOUT FARE INCREASES AND IN PARTICULAR ABOUT CERTAIN FARE INCREASES THEY HAD NOT BEEN CONSULTED IN DETAIL ABOUT ALL ASPECTS OF THE PACKAGE CONTAINED IN THE MOTION.
/HE GAVE .....
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
10
HE GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT THE FINANCIAL RESULTS OF THE CHANGES COMPARED WITH THE FORECASTS HE HAD MADE, AND INDEED THE WHOLE OF THE COMPANY’S FERRY OPERATIONS, WOULD BE MONITORED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
HE ALSO HAD EVERY CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT COST ACCOUNTANTS WHO WOULD EXAMINE WITH THE COMPANY SUCH MATTERS AS FLEET SIZE, ROUTES, FREQUENCY AND TIMING OF SERVICES AND SO ON TO SEE IF SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS COULD BE MADE.
EVEN SO IT MIGHT WELL BE THAT FURTHER FARE REVISIONS WOULD TURN OUT TO BE UNAVOIDABLE, +AND HERE I WOULD SAY THIS, CAN THERE BE ANY COMPANY, OR ANY WHOLESALER, RETAILER OR SUPPLIER OF SERVICES IN HONG KONG WHOSE PRICES HAVE RISEN LESS THAN THE FARES OF THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY - OR INDEED VIRTUALLY ANY PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATOR IN HONG KONG - OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS.*
AS REGARDS DE-LUXE FARES, HE SAID THE COMPANY HAD INDICATED TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT FOR THE TIME BEING AT LEAST THEY WOULD RETAIN THE PRESENT $4 FARE ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, AND AN EVEN LOWER FARE DURING WEEKDAYS.
HE ASSURED MR. CHEONG-LEEN ON A POINT HE RAISED THAT SEATING ARRANGEMENTS ON ALL FERRIES, INCLUDING THE TOLO HARBOUR SERVICE, HAD BEEN OR WERE BEING ADJUSTED TO FIT IN WITH ONE CLASS SERVICES.
ON THE SETTING UP OF A SUB-COMMITTEE TO DEAL WITH WATERBORNE TRANSPORT MATTERS, MR. JONES POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS ALREADY AN UNOFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ON THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES HIMSELF, AND FROM HIS OWN EXPERIENCE OF THE COMMITTEE, HE COULD ALSO SAY THAT IT DEALT VERY FULLY AND COMPETENTLY WITH THESE MATTERS.
+ l DOUBT VERY MUCH WHETHER A SUB-COMMITTEE DEALING SOLELY WITH THESE QUESTIONS WOULD ADD ANYTHING AT ALL TO THE TAC’S EFFECTIVENESS IN THIS AREA,* HE SAID.
- 0 -
/11 .....
I
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977
*******
I 1
THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 WHICH SEEKS TO INCREASE THE RATE OF SICKNESS ALLOWANCE FOR EMPLOYEES FROM HALF TO TWO-THIRDS PAY WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SICKNESS DAYS WHICH MAY BE ACCUMULATED FROM 24 OVER TWO YEARS TO 36 OVER THREE YEARS.
IT ALSO SEEKS TO REDUCE THE PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE BY WORKERS TO QUALIFY FOR PAID SICKNESS DAYS FROM THREE MONTHS TO ONE MONTH.
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. IAN PRICE, SAID THE PROPOSED INCREASE WOULD BRING THE RATE OF SICK PAY INTO LINE WITH THE RATE FOR TEMPORARY INCAPACITY UNDER THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE INCREASED NUMBER OF SICKNESS DAYS WHICH MIGHT BE ACCUMULATED WOULD BENEFIT THOSE EMPLOYEES WITH LONGER SERVICE AND WHO SUFFER MORE LENGTHY OR SERIOUS SICKNESS.
MR. PRICE SAID THE NEW QUALIFYING PERIOD WOULD ENTITLE A WORKER TO ONE PAID SICKNESS DAY FOR EACH COMPLETED MONTH OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE SICKNESS DAYS.
HE ADDED THAT THIS NEW PROPOSAL SHOULD SIMPLIFY THE KEEPING OF RECORDS.
FINALLY MR. PRICE POINTED OUT THAT ALL THE OTHER EXISTING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO SICKNESS ALLOWANCE IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED.
-----o------
/12......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
12
BEST MIX OF FLAT SIZES IN NEW ESTATES UNDER STUDY *****
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS MAKING A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE MOST APPROPRIATE MIX OF FLAT SIZES TO BE BUILT IN FUTURE BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON. IAN LIGHTBODY TOLD LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR. THE HON. HENRY HU IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID : +THE MIX OF FLAT SIZES WHICH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BUILDS IS DERIVED FROM A NUMBER OF OFTEN CONFLICTING CONSIDERATIONS, SUCH AS THE CENSUS DEPARTMENT’S FORECAST OF HOUSEHOLD NUMBERS AND SIZES, THE HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS OF FAMILIES COMING FORWARD FOR PUBLIC HOUSING UNDER VARIOUS CATEGORIES, THE EXISTING HOUSING STOCK OF VARIOUS SIZES, THE CONTINUING SHORTAGE OF PUBLIC HOUSING , RISING HOUSING ASPIRATIONS AND THE ECONOMICS OF BUILDING LARGER, AS OPPOSED TO SMALLER, FLATS.+
MR. LIGHTBODY SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN RECENT YEARS HAD MAINLY PROVIDED FLATS WHICH UNDER PRESENT RULES WERE ALLOCATED TO FAMILIES OF FOUR OR MORE PERSONS IN ITS NEW ESTATES.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED, OVER 70 PER CENT OF ALL SELF-CONTAINED FLATS WERE SMALLER THAN 25 SQUARE METRES (270 SQUARE FEET) AND OVER 50 PER CENT WERE SMALLER THAN 20 SQUARE METRES (215 SQUARE FEET).
MANY OF THESE FLATS, HE SAID, WERE OVERCROWDED WITH FAMILIES WHO WERE OFTEN EAGER TO MOVE TO LARGER FLATS IN NEW ESTATES.
+THIS DESIRE FOR IMPROVEMENT IN LIVING CONDITIONS IS ENCOURAGED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, PARTICULARLY AS THE SMALLER FLATS VACATED IN THIS WAY ALLOW IT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SMALLER HOUSEHOLDS OF TWO OR THREE PERSONS,* HE SAID.
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/13
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
13
CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BILL PASSED X X M
IT IS HIGH TIME THAT PARTICULAR EMPHASIS IS GIVEN TO STUDENT-ORIENTATED EDUCATION WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE STUDENTS’ PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, DR. THE HON. HENRY HU SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING ON THE PREAMBLE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BILL 1976 DURING ITS COMMITTEE STAGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID IT PROVIDED THE COLLEGES WITH A MEANINGFUL AND BENEFICIAL ROLE TO PLAY IN THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY.
+STUDENTS SHOULD BE EQUIPPED TO BECOME USEFUL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY,* HE SAID. +FOR THIS PURPOSE, MORAL AND CHARACTER TRAINING IS AT LEAST AS IMPORTANT IF NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT.*
HE SAID THERE WAS NO NEED TO INCLUDE A RIGID DEFINITION IN THE BILL OF THE CONCEPT OF STUDENT-ORIENTATED EDUCATION AND AGREED THAT THIS SHOULD BE LEFT TO EACH COLLEGE TO DEVELOP.
DR. HU POINTED OUT THAT WHILE THE ROLE OF THE COLLEGES WAS TO IMPLEMENT STUDENT-ORIENTATED TEACHING, THE ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY LAY IN ACADEMIC-ORIENTATED TEACHING.
+IN THIS RESPECT*, HE SAID, +THE MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY IS TO RAISE ITS ACADEMIC STANDARDS SO THAT IT WILL BECOME ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY RESPECTED UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD.*
+ANOTHER EQUALLY IMPORTANT MISSION FOR THE UNIVERSITY IS TO REKINDLE THE SPIRIT OF RENAISSANCE WHICH FIRST FLOURISHED IN CHINESE CULTURE IN THE PERIOD OF FIGHTING KINGDOMS ABOUT 2,500 YEARS AGO.
+WITH THE LIBERAL ATMOSPHERE IN HONG KONG’S ACADEMIC LIFE, NOW IS THE TIME TO REVIVE AND PROMOTE THIS SPIRIT SO THAT IT WILL BECOME A LIVING TRADITION OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND MAKE IT THE LEADING CENTRE FOR THE STUDY AND PROMOTION OF CHINESE CULTURE,* HE ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF VARIOUS AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL, REV. THE HON. JOYCE BENNETT SAID THAT UNDER THE AMENDED BILL, EACH BOARD OF TRUSTEES WOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT AUTHORITY TO PRESERVE ITS OWN INDIVIDUAL VIRTUES AND EACH COLLEGE COULD BE ASSURED THAT THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE UNIVERSITY WOULD NOT DESTROY THE VITALITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL COLLEGES.
+IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT EACH OF THE THREE COLLEGES BE PERMITTED TO PRESERVE THEIR TRADITIONS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTIC NATURE WHICH INHERE TO THEM BY VIRTUE OF THE AIMS OF THEIR FOUNDERS,* SHE SAID.
SHE ALSO SUPPORTED OTHER AMENDMENTS WHICH WOULD ENABLE INDIVIDUAL COLLEGES TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE APPOINTMENT OF ITS HEAD AND STAFF= ENSURE THAT THE PREFERENCES OF STUDENTS AND COLLEGES ARE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IN ALLOCATING STUDENTS TO COLLEGES- AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF FELLOWS TO MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE WITHIN THE COLLEGE.
AI ALSO ......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
- 14
+l ALSO SUPPORT THE ADDITION OF THE PROVISION OF A STUDENTS UNION FOR EACH COLLEGE ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE COLLEGE STUDENTS UNION WILL GIVE STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR TALENTS IN SMALLER GROUPS AND IN THEIR OWN COLLEGE,+ SHE SAID.
+MODERN SOCIETY SHOULD FOSTER THE SMALL COMPACT INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS THE BROADER, LARGER ORGANISATIONS,* SHE ADDED. +BOTH ARE IMPORTANT IN THE TRAINING OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS.+
THE BILL RECEIVED ITS THIRD READING AND BECAME LAW.
------0-------
IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR CLERICAL STAFF
******
ALL CLERICAL STAFF ON JOINING THE CIVIL SERVICE TAKE PART IN AN INDUCTION COURSE AND LEARN COURTESY TO THE PUBLIC, HUMAN RELATIONS AND TELEPHONE MANNERS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON. ALAN SCOTT TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
AND FROM APRIL THIS YEAR, HE ADDED, FOLLOW-UP TRAINING IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE IN THE EARLY PART OF THEIR CAREERS TEACHING THEM HOW TO INTERVIEW CALLERS AND COMPLETE FORMS FOR THE PUBLIC, RECORD SEARCHING AND COUNTER WORK.
MR. SCOTT WAS REPLYING TO THE HON. JOYCE BENNETT WHO WANTED TO KNOW IF ALL CLERICAL STAFF IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, WHO HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE ILLITERATE,POOR AND NEEDY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, WILL HAVE APPROPRIATE IN-SERVICE TRAINING TO BE ENCOURAGED TO GIVE MORE THOROUGH AND HELPFUL ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
MR. SCOTT SAID A BOOKLET +HOW TO BE A MORE CIVIL SERVANT* IS GIVEN TO THE STAFF DURING THE INDUCTION AND THE DUTY OF ALL CIVIL SERVANTS TO BE COURTEOUS AND HELPFUL IS EMPHASISED THROUGHOUT THE TRAINING COURSES.
HE EXPLAINED THAT CLERICAL STAFF OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT DO NOT DEAL DIRECTLY WITH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC BUT IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, ABOUT 400 OF THEM ARE IN DIRECT DAILY CONTACT WITH THEM.
HE ADDED THAT AN INFORMATION OFFICER WAS SHORTLY TO BE POSTED TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR DUTIES INCLUDING ADVISING ON HOW TO PROVIDE MORE THOROUGH AND HELPFUL ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
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/15
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
15
MORE COUNTRY PARKS ON THE WAY ******
THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY PARK CONCEPT AND ONE MAY ANTICIPATE A STEADY AND HOPEFULLY INCREASING PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITHIN DESIGNATED COUNTRY PARKS AND POTENTIAL COUNTRY PARK AREAS ADMINISTERED AND MANAGED AS SUCH IN ADVANCE OF DESIGNATION, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, THE HON. EDWARD NICHOLS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN, HE SAID THE FIRST THREE COUNTRY PARKS -- SHING MUN, KAM SHAN AND LION ROCK WITH A TOTAL AREA OF SOME 2,300 HECTARES — HAD RECENTLY BEEN GAZETTED.
+ IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE FIRST SPECIAL AREA, TAI PO KAU, WILL BE GAZETTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE,* HE SAID. + IT IS HOPED TO GAZETTE TWO MORE COUNTRY PARKS ON HONG KONG ISLAND EARLY IN 1977, OTHERS WILL FOLLOW AS SOON AS PLANNING AND BOUNDARY DEFINITION PERMITS.*
MR. NICHOLS POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THE NECESSARY COUNTRY PARKS REGULATIONS BE BROUGHT INTO LAW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
+1 UNDERSTAND THAT DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN AGREED AND THAT DRAFTING ITSELF SHOULD BE COMPLETED SOMETIME AROUND FEBRUARY 1977,+ HE ADDED.
HE SAID THERE WERE ALREADY 15 MANAGEMENT CENTRES IN HIS DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSERVATION AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF SOME 80 SQUARE MILES OF COUNTRYSIDE INCLUDING MORE THAN 4,000 HECTARES OF WOODLAND.
+WITHIN THESE AREAS THERE ARE MORE THAN 250 KILOMETRES OF FOOTPATH, 45 KILOMETRES OF MANAGEMENT ROADS, ALMOST 200 PICNIC AND BARBECUE AREAS — VARYING INDIVIDUALLY FROM A FEW HUNDRED SQUARE METRES TO MORE THAN A HECTARE, 13 ADVENTURE PLAYGROUNDS, 13 RAIN SHELTERS, AND PROTOTYPE CAMPING SITES AND TOILET FACILITIES,* HE SAID.
WITHIN THE RESOURCES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, HE CONTINUED, THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY WAS GIVING TOP PRIORITY TO THE INTRODUCTION OF PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND FACILITIES IN THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA.
+A TEMPORARY MANAGEMENT CENTRE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED PENDING COMPLETION OF THE FIRST PERMANENT CENTRE WHICH SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS,* HE SAID.
/THERE ARE .....
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
- 16 -
THERE ARE PLANS FOR TWO MORE MANAGEMENT CENTRES IN THE REGION IN 1977/78 AND CONTINUED COUNTRY PARK DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE AREA IS ENVISAGED OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS IN ANTICIPATION OF THE INCREASINGLY HEAVY RECREATIONAL COMMITMENT AS THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME NEARS COMPLETION, HE SAID.
+AS ADDITIONAL STAFF BECOME AVAILABLE ATTENTION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE RECREATIONAL POTENTIAL OF LANTAU ISLAND AND THE SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE TO THE NORTH OF TOLO HARBOUR,* MR. NICHOLS ADDED.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION FROM MR. TIEN ON THE PROVISION OF FOREST ROADS AND JEEP TRACKS TO FACILITATE FORESTRY OPERATIONS AND THE EARLY SUPPRESSION OF HILL FIRES, HE SAID PLANS FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE INCLUDED $2 MILLION OF NEW CONSTRUCTION IN 1977/78 TO PROVIDE A MANAGEMENT ROAD INTO THE AREAS NORTH OF THE PAT SIN LING AND AN IMPROVED NETWORK WITHIN THE TAI TAM CATCHMENT ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
+PROVIS IONALLY LONGER TERM PLANNING ENVISAGES THE USE OF THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME ACCESS ROADS FOR FIRE FIGHTING AND MANAGEMENT PURPOSES' PLUS A NOTIONAL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR KILOMETRES OF NEW ROADS PER ANNUM FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS TOGETHER WITH CONTINUING IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE EXISTING NETWORK.* HE SAID.
MR. NICHOLS POINTED OUT THAT NEW ROAD CONSTRUCTION WAS AIMED AT PROVIDING A COHERENT NETWORK OF ROADS PRINCIPALLY WITHIN COUNTRY PARKS- AND CONCENTRATING PRIMARILY ON THOSE AREAS WHERE THE RISK OF FIRE WAS KNOWN TO BE PARTICULARLY HIGH, AND ON AREAS DEFICIENT IN ACCESS.
HE SAID THESE ROADS WERE REFERRED TO AS +MANAGEMENT+ ROADS RATHER THAN +FIRE FIGHTING* ROADS BECAUSE BESIDES SERVING PRIMARILY AS FIRE FIGHTING ACCESS DURING CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR, THEY SERVED WIDER MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS AND PROVIDED +PEDESTRIAN+ ROADS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC UTILISING COUNTRY PARK FACILITIES AT ALL TIMES.
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/17
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
- 17 -
CONTROLS AGAINST LITTERING OF N.T. PICNIC SPOTS
******
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE HON. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY THAT LEGAL CONTROLS AGAINST THE LITTERING OF SCENIC SPOTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE ADEQUATE, BUT PROBLEMS EXISTED IN ENFORCEMENT AND THE ORGANISATION OF LITTER COLLECTION, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORE INACCESSIBLE AREAS.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID THE PRESENT SITUATION WOULD IMPROVE AS MORE RESOURCES WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO FEEL SATISFIED WITH THE PRESENT CONTROL OVER LITTERING KNOWING HOW COVERED WITH LITTER ARE SOME OF OUR MOST BEAUTIFUL PICNIC SPOTS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT NT PICNIC SPOTS FELL INTO THREE MAIN CATEGORIES - THE FIRST BEING THE PICNIC AND BARBECUE FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AS PART OF THE COUNTRY PARKS PROGRAMME.
+THESE HEAVILY USED SITES ARE CLEANED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER EACH WEEKEND, AND I THINK THAT HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL AGREE GENERALLY THAT A GOOD JOB IS BEING DONE,+ HE SAID.
+AS THE COUNTRY PARKS PROGRAMME PROCEEDS, MORE AREAS WILL BE COVERED IN THIS WAY, PARTICULARLY IN THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA, WHERE TWO MANAGEMENT CENTRES, EACH WITH A STAFF OF 36, ARE TO BE OPENED IN 1977.+
OTHER AREAS OF CROWN LAND NOT IN THE COUNTRY PARKS WERE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION, WHICH HAD 27 WORK GANGS GIVING COVER TO THE MORE ACCESSIBLE PICNIC SPOTS.
BUT AT THE MOMENT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT STAFF TO DEPLOY IN AREAS INACCESSIBLE BY ROAD BUT ADDITIONAL GANGS WERE BEING SOUGHT IN NEXT YEAR’S ESTIMATES TO EXTEND THIS WORK.
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE THIRD CATEGORY CONSISTED OF PRIVATE LAND, MUCH OF IT ABANDONED PADDY, WHICH WAS ALSO EXTENSIVELY USED FOR PICNICKING AND CAMPING, AND WHERE CLEANSING STAFF CARRIED OUT ’LITTER RAIDS’ FROM TIME TO TIME ON INDIVIDUAL BLACK SPOTS.
HE CONCLUDED: +THE LEGAL CONTROLS AGAINST LITTERING ARE ADEQUATE- THE PROBLEM IS LARGELY ONE OF ENFORCEMENT, AND THE ORGANISATION OF LITTER COLLECTION, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORE INACCESSIBLE AREAS.
+THE SITUATION WILL IMPROVE AS MORE RESOURCES ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
+BUT HOW MUCH EASIER THE TASK WOULD BE IF THOSE VISITING THE COUNTRYSIDE WOULD ’PUT IT IN THE BIN’ OR ’TAKE IT AWAY’.
+1 AM SURE LEADERS OF ORGANISED PARTIES, SCHOOL TEACHERS AND MANY OTHERS COULD DO MUCH MORE TO GET THIS MESSAGE ACROSS. +
------o------- /18....
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
18
273 PRIMARY CLASSES PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITY APPROACH SCHEME ******
ACTIVITY APPROACH IS USED IN 273 CLASSES IN 38 GOVERNMENT, SUBSIDISED AND PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
THIS WAS STATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON BY THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, IN REPLY TO THE HON. MISS KO SIU-WAH WHO ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTIVITY APPROACH TO LEARNING NOW BEING CONDUCTED IN SOME PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
MR. TOPLEY SAIDx +AT THE PRIMARY 1 TO PRIMARY 3 LEVEL FOR WHICH THE SCHEME IS PRIMARILY INTENDED, ABOUT THREE PER CENT OF ALL CHILDREN ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME.*
WAS ORIGINALLY A PILOT PROJECT LAUNCHED BY THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IN SEPTEMBER 1972 IN SIX PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH THE INTENTION OF BRINGING ABOUT A LESS FORMAL APPROACH TO TEACHING IN LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
+THE APPROACH AIMS AT PROMOTING A LESS PASSIVE ATTITUDE TO LEARNING, AND ENCOURAGES ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF PUPILS THROUGH LEARNING BY DOING. AS PART OF THE SCHEME ROWS OF DESKS ARE REPLACED BY SMALL GROUPS OF TABLES WHICH THE TEACHER VISITS INSTEAD OF STANDING CONTINUOUSLY BEFORE THE CLASS,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.
FOLLOWING THE ADVICE OF A SPECIALIST ADVISER, SPONSORED BY THE BRITISH COUNCIL, WHO VISITED HONG KONG LAST YEAR, +A MODEST RATE OF EXPANSION IS ENVISAGED AT PRESENT BECAUSE IT IS VITAL TO GIVE SYSTEMATIC IN-SERVICE TRAINING TO THE TEACHERS ADOPTING THE TECHNIQUES AND ALSO TO MONITOR PROGRESS IN THE EARLY STAGES,* HE SAID.
MR. TOPLEY SAID A SUBSTANTIAL SUM HAS BEEN REQUESTED IN THE 1977/78 ESTIMATES TO GIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO NON-GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS WHICH SO FAR HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN SUCH AID FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SCHEME.
IT WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE A STEADY EXPANSION OF THE SCHEME.
SINCE THE ACTIVITY APPROACH MAKES MORE STRENUOUS DEMANDS ON TEACHERS IN THE EARLY STAGES, MR. TOPLEY SAID,* THE FUTURE RATE OF EXPANSION WILL LARGELY DEPEND ON THE ENTHUSIASM OF TEACHERS AND HEADS OF SCHOOLS.*
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/19......
';»■ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
* - 19 -
REGISTERED FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATION CONTRACTORS WARNED ***** THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY WARNED ALL REGISTERED FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATION CONTRACTORS THAT PROSECUTIONS WOULD BE TAKEN OUT AGAlhlST THOSE WHO DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS LAID DOWN UNDER THE FIRE SERVICES ORDINANCE.
THE WARNING WAS ISSUED FOLLOWING A COURT CASE ON MONDAY IN WHICH A MAGISTRATE FINED A REGISTERED FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATION CONTRACTOR $400 FOR ISSUING A FALSE CERTIFICATE TO A CENTRAL RESTAURANT OWNER.THE PROPRIETOR OF THE RESTAURANT WAS FINED $300 FOR FAILING TO KEEP THE FIRE SERVICE EQUIPMENT IN EFFICIENT ORDER.
THE CONTRACTOR WAS ADDITIONALLY SUMMONSED FOR FAILING TO FORWARD A COPY OF CERTIFICATE TO THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF MAINTENANCE TO THE RESTAURANT’S FIRE SERVICE EQUIPMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE OFFENCE WAS DISCOVERED DURING A RECENT ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THE RESTAURANT BY FIRE PREVENTION OFFICERS.
HE SAID THE CONTRACTOR HAD ISSUED A LABEL CERTIFYING THAT THE RESTAURANT’S TWO-GALLON FOAM FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO BE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER DESPITE THE CONTRARY.
HE SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT A REGISTERED CONTRACTOR WAS PROSECUTED.
+ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST THOSE WHO INFRINGE THE FIRE SAFETY REGULATIONS,+ HE WARNED.
TO BUILDING OWNERS, THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED THAT THEY SHOULD FULLY ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR KEEPING FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS, SUCH AS FIRE EXTINGUISHERS OR SPRINKLERS, IN PROPER WORKING ORDER.
+THE LAW HAS LAID DOWN INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS AND IT IS UP TO THE OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT SUCH EQUIPMENT FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY AT ALL TIMES,+ HE STATED.
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/20
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
20
TRIBUTE TO DR. GERALD CHOA * * * *
THE RETIRING DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DR. THE HON. GERALD CHOA, WAS TODAY DESCRIBED AS A PERSON WHO HAS +PROVED HIMSELF AS A DIRECTOR OF THE HIGHEST D1ST INCTION+.
THIS TRIBUTE WAS PAID BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, IN TODAY’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.
SIR MURRAY SAID DR. CHOA, WHO HAS BEEN WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR SIX YEARS AND 20 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WOULD BE REMEMBERED BY THE COUNCIL AS THE MOST ABLE AND COURTEOUS COLLEAGUE AND, + IF I MAY SAY SO AS A MASTER OF ELLIPTICAL SPEECH, TYPICAL OF THE MOST FINEST TRADITIONS OF THE MANDARINATE.+
HE SAID DR. CHOA’S CONTRIBUTIONS HAD COVERED A WIDE FIELD AND LISTED SOME OF THE THINGS FOR WHICH HE HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE.
THEY INCLUDE THE OPENING OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, THE LARGEST GENERAL HOSPITAL IN HONG KONG- THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW METHOD OF TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTION IN THE FORM OF METHADONE DETOXIFICATION- THE GOVERNMENT’S NEW AND DECISIVE ROLE IN FAMILY PLANNING- THE INTRODUCTION OF GERIATRIC SERVICES AND THE SUPPORT BY GOVERNMENT TO THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE.
+ AS A PLANNER, HE WILL BE PARTICULARLY REMEMBERED FOR HIS WORK IN THE PREPARATION OF THE 10 YEARS’ MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, AND INTRODUCING THE NEW CONCEPT OF REGIONALISATION OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES,* HE SAID.
DR. CHOA WILL BE TAKING UP THE APPOINTMENT AS THE DEAN OF THE NEW MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WHICH, SIR MURRAY SAID +HONG KONG SO BADLY NEEDS*.
+1 AM SURE MEMBERS WILL JOIN ME IN WISHING DR. CHOA AND MRS. CHOA ALL OUR VERY BEST WISHES IN THEIR HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS IN THE YEARS TO COME,* SIR MURRAY ADDED.
ON BEHALF OF OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND HIMSELF, DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG ALSO WISHED DR. CHOA EVERY SUCCESS IN HIS NEW ENDEAVOUR.
+SIR, HIS DEPARTURE FROM THIS COUNCIL WILL REDUCE THE NUMBER OF LONG SERVING MEMBERS AND BY THAT TOKEN ALONE THIS DIMINISHING OF OUR COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE IS TO BE REGRETTED,* HE SAID.
+OUR LOSS, HOWEVER, IS BALANCED BY THE GAIN TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SECOND MEDICAL SCHOOL IS A STEP WHICH WILL BE OF INCALCULABLE BENEFIT TO THE FUTURE HEALTH OF OUR GROWING POPULATION,* HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
21
WORKSHOP ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF SCIENCE EQUIPMENT
* * *
FIFTY SCIENCE TEACHERS WILL ATTEND A WORKSHOP TOMORROW ON
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DECADE RESISTANCE BOX AND A LOW COST GALVANOMETER JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION.
THE NEW JUNIOR SECONDARY SCIENCE CURRICULUM EMPHASISES INVESTIGATION, OBSERVATION, EXPERIMENT AND DISCOVERY BY THE PUPILS THEMSELVES, WHICH IN TURN LEADS TO A GREAT DEMAND FOR SIMPLE LABORATORY EQUIPMENT.
THE AIM OF THE WORKSHOP, WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE JOCKEY CLUB GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL, IS TO ENCOURAGE SCIENCE TEACHERS TO CONSTRUCT HOME-MADE APPARATUS AT MUCH LOWER COST TO AUGMENT SCHOOLS’ LIMITED LABORATORY FACILITIES.
THE DEPARTMENT’S SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION AND THE ASSOCIATION HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOME-MADE APPARATUS.
-----o------
ACCESS TO P.O. BOXES ON HOLIDAYS
*****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL HAS BEEN CONSULTING THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT TO SEE WHETHER IT IS PRACTICABLE TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE NEW GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO POST OFFICE BOXES ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WITHOUT COMPROMISING SECURITY.
THIS WAS STATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY BY THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. ROGER LOBO.
MR. JEAFFRESON SAID POST OFFICE BOXES IN THE NEW BUILDING HAVE BEEN MADE ACCESSIBLE FROM THE MAIN HALL AND FOR SECURITY REASONS, HIRERS OF THE BOXES COULD COLLECT THEIR MAIL ONLY WHEN THE GENERAL POST OFFICE WAS OPEN.
+IN THE OLD GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, ACCESS TO THE POST OFFICE BOXES WAS FROM A SEPARATE ENTRANCE,* HE SAID. +S0 HIRERS OF THE BOXES COULD COLLECT THEIR MAIL FROM 7 A.M. TO 8 P.M. DAILY, INCLUDING SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE SECURITY OF THE BUILDING AS A WHOLE WHEN THE MAIN GENERAL POST OFFICE WAS SHUT.*
+UNDER THIS ARRANGEMENT, SOME HIRERS APPARENTLY COMPLAINED AT THE LACK OF ACCESS TO THE BOXES FROM THE MAIN HALL OF THE POST OFFICE,* HE ADDED.
-----0 - -
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR NOVEMBER
******
THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) FOR NOVEMBER 1976 WAS 113, THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS ROSE BY ONE POINT. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH WATER FISH AND MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME ADVANCED WHILE THAT OF FRESH VEGETABLES DECLINED.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY THREE POINTS DUE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR SOME ITEMS OF OUTERCLOTHING AND WOMEN’S FOOTWEAR AS SOME SHOPS SUSPENDED THEIR CLEARANCE SALES DURING THE MONTH.
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS ADVANCED BY ONE POINT AS A RESULT OF THE CONTINUED UPWARD PRICE MOVEMENTS OF MEDICINES. ESPECIALLY CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES.
MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS AND SERVICES WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR NOVEMBER 1976 WAS 114.
ONE POINT HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS MONTH'S FIGURE.
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS ROSE BY ONE POINT. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH WATER FISH AND MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME ADVANCED WHILE THAT OF FRESH VEGETABLES DECLINED.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY THREE POINTS DUE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR SOME ITEMS OF OUTERCLOTHING AND WOMEN’S FOOTWEAR AS SOME SHOPS SUSPENDED THEIR CLEARANCE SALES DURING THE MONTH.
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS ADVANCED BY ONE POINT AS A RESULT OF THE CONTINUED UPWARD PRICE MOVEMENTS OF MEDICINES, ESPECIALLY CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES.
MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS AND SERVICES WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
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/23
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
23
TEXTILE QUOTA *
UTILISATION POSITION * * * * *
THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TODAY PUBLISHED THE END OF NOVEMBER 1976 FIGURES ON THE UTILISATION OF QUOTA IN RESPECT OF ALL RESTRAINED MARKETS.
COMMENTING ON THE FIGURES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAID THAT WHILST THE RATE OF UTILISATION WAS HIGH IN A NUMBER OF CATEGORIES TO CERTAIN MARKETS, THE FLEXIBILITY PROVISIONS IN THE AGREEMENTS COULD ENABLE HONG KONG TO EXPORT UP TO CERTAIN SPECIFIED PERCENTAGES OVER AND ABOVE THE RESTRAINT LIMITS.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT FREE QUOTAS FOR CERTAIN CATEGORIES AND MARKETS WERE STILL AVAILABLE FOR APPLICATION AND INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE QUOTA POSITION OF THE UNITED STATES AND EEC, HONG KONG’S TWO MAJOR TEXTILE MARKETS.
USA
THE CURRENT 12-MONTH RESTRAINT PERIOD BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 1976. IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE PERIOD, TOTAL QUOTAS USED AMOUNTED TO 89.79 MILLION EQUIVALENT SQ. YDS. OR 9.52 PER CENT OF THE OVERALL RESTRAINT LIMIT. FIGURES SHOWING THE QUANTITIES LICENSED FOR EXPORTS AND PERCENTAGE UTILISATION ON A GROUP BASIS ARE SET OUT BELOW :-
GROUP DESCRIPTION
I YARNS AND FABRICS OF COTTON AND MAN-MADE FIBRES
I I APPAREL OF COTTON AND
MAN-MADE FIBRES
I I I MADE-UPS AND
MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES OF COTTON AND MAN-MADE FIBRES
IV WOOL TEXTILES AND APPAREL
QUANTITY LICENSED PERCENTAGE
(IN MILLION EQUIVALENT SQ. YDS.) UTILISATION AGAINST GROUP LIMITS
12.60 4.89
68.97 11.79
4.97 8.54
3.25 7.73
/OF THE .....
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
24
OF THE CATEGORIES SUBJECT TO SPECIFIC LIMIT IN THE HONG KONG/US TEXTILE AGREEMENT, THE RATE OF UTILISATION IN 3 OUT OF 21 CATEGORIES COULD BE DESCRIBED AS RELATIVELY HIGH. THESE 3 CATEGORIES WERE CATEGORY 41/42/43/62(2) (COTTON KNIT T-SHIRTS, OTHER KNIT SHIRTS AND BLOUSES, EXCEPT SWEAT-SHIRTS), CATEGORY 48 (COTTON RAINCOATS, 3/4 LENGTH OR LONGER, NOT KNIT) AND CATEGORY 50/51 (COTTON TROUSERS, SLACKS AND SHORTS, NOT KNIT).
EEC
THE CURRENT 12-MONTH RESTRAINT PERIOD BEGAN ON JANUARY 1, 1976. QUOTA UTILISATION POSITIONS ON MEMBER STATE BASIS FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1976 ARE GIVEN BELOW :-
QUANTITY LICENSED PERCENTAGE
MEMBER STATE (IN MILLION EQUIVALENT KGS.) UTILISATION
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY 38.93 79.0
UNITED KINGDOM 49.06 72.2
BENELUX 4.93 59.0
DENMARK 2.32 73.5
ITALY 2.09 50.0
FRANCE 1.37 63.5
IRISH REPUBLIC 0.30 44.5
OUT OF A TOTAL OF 109 CATEGORIES ON MEMBER STATE/CATEGORY BASIS, THE RATE OF UTILISATION IN 27 OF THEM WAS RELATIVELY HIGH. THE POPULAR CATEGORIES INCLUDED CATEGORY 4 (KNIT PULLOVERS, ETC), CATEGORY 8 (WOVEN TROUSERS), CATEGORY 10 (WOVEN DRESSES), CATEGORY 11 (WOVEN BLOUSES, WOMEN’S, GIRLS’ AND INFANTS’) AND CATEGORY 13 (WOVEN NIGHTWEAR).
NOTE TO EDITORS-.
COPIES OF THE RELEVANT NOTICES TO EXPORTERS WHICH GIVE DETAILED FIGURES OF UTILISATION OF QUOTAS FOR EACH RESTRAINED MARKET ON A CATEGORY BY CATEGORY BASIS ARE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN G. I.S. PRESS BOXES.
/25
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
25
LEGCO BUSINESS TODAY * * * *
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) REGULATIONS 1976, WHICH SEEK TO REDUCE AND EVENTUALLY TO ABOLISH OVERTIME WORK FOR WORKERS AGED 16 AND 17 WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
ALSO PASSED WAS A MOTION UNDER THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY (SERVICES) ORDINANCE TO INCREASE FARES ON THE COMPANY’S OUTLYING DISTRICT SERVICES.
NINE BILLS PASSED THEIR THIRD READING. THEY WERE s THE INLAND REVENUE BOARDS OF REVIEW (VALIDATION) BILL 1976, THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1975-76) BILL 1976, THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1976, THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1976, THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1976 THE DETENTION CENTRES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976 AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BILL 1976.
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WATER CUT * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN MONGKOK AND IN ABERDEEN WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. THIS FRIDAY (DECEMBER 24) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT LEAKAGE TESTS.
IN MONGKOK, THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY LAI CHI KOK ROAD, BOUNDARY STREET, NATHAN ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, INCLUDING THOSE ON PLAYING FIELD ROAD, CEDAR STREET, POPLAR STREET, MAPLE STREET, TAI NAM STREET, KI LUNG STREET, YU CHAU STREET AND PORTLAND STREET.
IN ABERDEEN, THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE ON ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD FROM ABERDEEN TRADE SCHOOL TO ABERDEEN DOCK, INCLUDING THOSE ON OLD MAIN STREET, WU NAM STREET, WU PAK STREET, TUNG SING ROAD, CHENGTU ROAD, SAI ON STREET, LOK YEUNG STREET AND TSUNG MAN STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1976
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSULTANTS TO STUDY KOWLOON-CAiNTON RAILWAY’S MODERNISATION AND EXPANSION PROGRAMME ........................ 1
TRIBUTE TO HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION . 2
ADVANCE ORDERS FOR SERVICED FIRST DAY COVERS ................. 3
OVER 21,303 FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED LAST MONTH ........................................................ f
.........................
ANT I-CHILD LABOUR DRIVE ..................................... 5
CONTRACT SIGNING FOR DEVELOPMENT WORKS IN TAI PC ............. C
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1976
CONSULTANTS TO STUDY K.C.R. MODERNISATION AND EXPANSION PROGRAMME XX M *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPOINTED A BRITISH CONSULTANT FIRM TO CARRY OUT AN ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY STUDY OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY’S $1,400 MILLION MODERNISATION AND EXPANSION PROGRAMME.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KCR, MR. REGINALD GREGORY, SAID THAT THE FIRM, NAMED TRANSMARK, A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THE BRITISH RAILWAYS BOARD, WOULD MAKE A STUDY INTO THE PROPOSALS REGARDING THE KCR MADE IN THE RECENTLY COMPLETED COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY.
THEY WOULD ALSO EXAMINE THE PROSPECTS FOR BUILDING BRANCH LINES TO THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL, HE SAID.
+A FEATURE OF THE WORK WILL BE TO SHOW THE COMPARATIVE BENEFITS OF MEETING THE FUTURE INCREASED DEMANDS UPON THE RAILWAY BY EITHER DIESEL OR ELECTRIC TRACTION,* MR. GREGORY SAID. +THE FIRM WILL ALSO DETERMINE THE BEST WAY OF MANAGING THE TRANSITION FROM THE EXISTING METHODS OF TRAIN OPERATION TO A FUTURE MODERNISED SYSTEM.*
HE ADDED THAT THE FIRM WOULD ALSO SPECIFY THE MOST EFFICIENT MANNER OF INTEGRATING FREIGHT AND PASSENGER SERVICES.
TRANSMARK WILL BE SUPPORTED IN THEIR WORK BY TWO OTHER FIRMS MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA AND WILBUR SMITH AND ASSOCIATES.
THE STUDY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1976
2 -
TRIBUTE TO H.K. EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORP.
* H * *
EXPORTS PUT TO THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION FOR COVER ARE NOW WORTH FOUR TIMES THE AMOUNT OF $400 MILLION IT HAD DURING ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION.
SPEAKING AT THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORPORATION TODAY (THURSDAY), THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID IT WAS A TRIBUTE TO ITS FLEXIBILITY AND RESPONSIVENESS THAT IT HAD COPED SO WELL WITH THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC VAGARIES OF WORLD TRADE OVER THE PAST DECADE AND IN PARTICULAR IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
+IN SPITE OF SUCH TESTING CIRCUMSTANCES, THE CORPORATION HAS BEEN ABLE TO IMPROVE ITS SERVICES, EXPAND THE COVER IT PROVIDES AND AUGMENT ITS RESERVES,* HE SAID.
THE CORPORATION, HE ADDED, WAS NOW REGARDED AS A MODEL FOR SUCH ORGANISATIONS IN THE REGION AND A NUMBER OF NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES HAD BEEN ANXIOUS TO LEARN FROM THE HONG KONG EXPERIENCE.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH;
+MR. COMMISSIONER, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN;
+TODAY THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION CELEBRATES ITS TENTH ANNIVERSARY. THIS COINCIDES HAPPILY WITH THE $10 BILLION MILESTONE IN EXPORTS DECLARED UNDER ITS POLICIES WHICH THE CORPORATION REACHED THIS YEAR. DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF ITS EXISTENCE, EXPORTS WORTH ABOUT $400 MILLION WERE PUT TO THE CORPORATION FOR COVER. THE PRESENT FIGURES ARE NOW FOUR TIMES THAT AMOUNT.
+IT IS A TRIBUTE "0 THE FLEXIBILITY AND RESPONSIVENESS OF THE CORPORATION THAT OVER "HE PAST DECADE IT HAS COPED SO WELL WITH THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC VAGARIES ATTENDING WORLD TRADE.
+ THE LAST THREE Yl ARS, IN PARTICULAR, HAVE WITNESSED ENORMOUS UPHEAVALS IN OVERSEAS MARKETS. CHANGES IN THE FORTUNES OF BUYERS HAVE BEEN RAPID AND UNPREDICTABLE, WITH SUDDEN BANKRUPTCIES AND INSOLVENCIES WHICH NOE(DY COULD HAVE FORESEEN.
+YET, IN SPITE OF SUCH TESTING CIRCUMSTANCES, THE CORPORATION HAS BEEN ABLE TO IMPROVE ITS SERVICES, 'EXPAND THE COVER IT PROVIDES AND AUGMENT ITS RESERVES.
+ONLY RECENTLY DIL THE CORPORATION INCREASE ITS LIABILITY PERCENTAGE FROM 85 PER CENT TO 90 PER CENT, LEAVING POLICY-HOLDERS TO BEAR ONLY 10 PER CENT OF THE RISK.
+THE CORPORATION NOW SERVICES CLOSE TO 900 POLICIES AND OFFERS PROTECTION FOR NEARLY EVERY MARKET OVER ALMOST THE ENTIRE RANGE OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS.
Air must.......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1976
3
+ IT MUST BE GRATIFYING TO THE COMMISSIONER AND ITS STAFF TO KNOW THAT THE CORPORAT ON IS NOW REGARDED AS A MODEL FOR EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE ORGAN SAT IONS IN THE REGION AND THAT A NUMBER OF NEIGHBOURING COUNTR ES HAVE BEEN ANXIOUS TO LEARN FROM THE HONG KONG EXPERIENCE.
+IN ACHIEVING SUCH A REPUTATION, THE ADVISORY BOARD, MADE UP OF DEDICATED BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT PERSONALITIES, HAS ALSO PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART.
+l AM SURE THAT THIS COMMENDABLE PROGRESS WILL CONTINUE OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS, FOR THE BENEFIT OF HONG KONG AS A WHOLE. I WISH TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE THE CORPORATION ON ITS FINE RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT AND HARD WORK AND TO WISH IT VERY MANY HAPPY RETURNS ON THE OCCASION OF ITS TENTH BIRTHDAY.+
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ADVANCE ORDERS FOR SERVICED FIRST DAY COVERS
*****
THERE IS LESS THAN A WEEK TO ORDER IN ADVANCE THE SERVICING OF FIRST DAY COVERS PRODUCED BY THE POST OFFICE TO COMMEMORATE THE ’YEAR OF THE SNAKE’.
THE SPECIAL FIRST DAY COVERS, WHICH WERE PUT ON SALE LAST WEEK, HAVE TO BE HANDED IN AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR THE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE, NATHAN ROAD OR THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, SALISBURY ROAD BEFORE 5 P.M. NEXT WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 29).
THoccT^eTMArJi?LAC^2'1PANIED BY AN 0RDER F0RM» AVAILABLE AT THE POST OFFICES, TOGETHER WITH A REMITTANCE OF $1.70 PER COVER
Jhi fVIrJoL£2nTA0F THE STAMPS AND SERVICE. THEY MUST ALSO BE FULLY ADDRESSED AND NO LESS THAN TEN ARE ACCEPTED WITH EACH ORDER.
’YEARTOF th? BE 1SSUED To COMMEMORATE THE
THFYRARP TMEonNc-MT’AMrL^BLAyA LABLE F0R SALE FR0M JANUARY 6.
31.30 DENOMINATIONS AND ARE DESIGNED BY
MISS J=NNIE WONG, A GRAPHIC DESIGNER IN HONG KONG.
countMM
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1976
4
OVER 21,800 FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED LAST MONTH *******
THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT LAST MONTH CARRIED OUT A TOTAL OF 21,811 INSPECTIONS ON ALL TYPES OF BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
THE FIGURE REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF ALMOST 70 PER CENT OVER THE FIGURE OF NOVEMBER 1975.
MORE THAN HALF OF LAST MONTH’S INSPECTIONS (12,830) WERE PROMPTED BY COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, OF WHICH 9,641 RELATED TO MEANS OF ESCAPE. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE 1,402 ROUTINE INSPECTIONS OF MEANS OF ESCAPE AND 4,719 VISITS TO FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
A TOTAL OF 158 VEHICLES USED FOR CONVEYING COMPRESSED GASES AND INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS WERE EXAMINED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SCHEME TO LICENSE SUCH VEHICLES ANNUALLY.
THE BUREAU’S EXPERTS ALSO INVESTIGATED TWELVE FIRES IN DEPTH AND CONDUCTED 116 INSPECTIONS ON CHILD CARE CENTRES DURING THE MONTH TO CHECK ON FIRE SAFETY MEASURES.
INSPECTIONS INVOLVING THE STORAGE OR MANUFACTURE OF DANGEROUS GOODS NUMBERED 556. THERE WERE CLOSE TO 1,400 INSPECTIONS OF SCHOOLS, RESTAURANTS, NIGHTCLUBS, VENTILATION SYSTEMS AND OTHER PLACES OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY.
THE NUMBER OF PLANS RECEIVED AND PROCESSED IN RESPECT OF NEW BUILDING PROJECTS WAS 738.
DURING THE MONTH UNDER REVIEW, 601 FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES WERE ISSUED AND 187 PROSECUTIONS WERE TAKEN OUT RESULTING IN THE IMPOSITION OF FINES AMOUNTING TO MORE THAN 3121,400.
MORE THAN 630 ITEMS OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND QUARTERS WERE TESTED.
OFFICERS OF THE BUREAU ALSO CONDUCTED 23 FIRE PREVENTION LECTURES FOR THE STAFF OF PRIVATE ESTABLISHMENTS AS WELL AS OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1976 - 5 -
ANTI-CHILD LABOUR DRIVE * * * *
l AROUR INSPECTORS VISITED MORE THAN 8,000 INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS DURING A THREE-DAY ANTI-CHILD LABOUR CAMPA!GN LAST MONTH AND FOUND ONLY 34 UNDER-AGED CHILDREN WORKING.
THE CHILDREN ALL UNDER THE AGE AGE PERMITTED TO WORK IN FACTORIES,
OF 14, THE MINIMUM LEGAL WERE FOUND IN 31 FACTORIES.
THIS REPRESENTED ONLY 0.04 PER CENT OF THE 81,584 PEOPLE FOUND AT WORK DURING THE INSPECTORS’ VISITS WHICH TOOK PLACE FROM NOVEMBER 2 TO 4.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH LABOUR DEPARTMENT POLICY, THE PROPRIETORS INVOLVED WILL BE PROSECUTED.
DURING THE THREE-DAY DRIVE — THE THIRD OF A SERIES CARRIED OUT THIS YEAR — A TOTAL OF 8,136 OUT OF 37,118 UNDERTAKINGS RECORDED WITH THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS UNIT WAS INSPECTED.
EXCEPT FOR 88 CONCERNS WHICH HAD EMPLOYED CHILDREN BEFORE, THESE ESTABLISHMENTS WERE SELECTED AT RANDOM FOR INSPECTION.
HOWEVER, ONLY SEVEN OF THE 88 CONCERNS WERE FOUND TO HAVE EMPLOYED CHILDREN AGAIN.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IN GENERAL, THE PICTURE OF CHILD EMPLOYMENT AS REVEALED BY THE RESULTS OF THIS CAMPAIGN WAS THAT MOST OF THE CHILDREN FOUND WORKING WERE AGED AROUND 13.
+THERE WERE SLIGHTLY MORE GIRLS THAN BOYS AND MOST OF THE CHILDREN WERE EMPLOYEE IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS LOCATED IN INDUSTRIAL OR FACTORY BUILDINGS WITH AN EMPLOYMENT SIZE NORMALLY RANGING FROM FIVE TO A9,+ HE SAID.
+THE MAJORITY OF THE CHILDREN CLAIMED TO HAVE LESS THAN THREE MONTHS SERVICE, USUALLY WORKING EIGHT HOURS A DAY AND EARNING A DAILY WAGE OF BETWEEN $14 AND $20.
+IN A NUMBER OF CASES, THE EMPLOYERS ADMITTED THAT BECAUSE THEY WERE SHORT OF LABOUR AND WORK WAS PRESSING THEY DID NOT CAREFULLY VERIFY THE AGE OF EACH AND EVERY WORKER WHO APPLIED FOR EMPLOYMENT,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
+FURTHER CAMPAIGNS OF THIS KIND WILL BE MOUNTED NEXT YEAR,* HE SAID.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1976
CONTRACT SIGNING FOR DEVELOPMENT WORKS IN TAI PO *****
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR CONTRACT FOR THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF MAJOR DEVELOPMENT WORKS AT TAI PO MARKET TOWN WILL BE FORMALLY SIGNED AT 13 A.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE SIGNING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN P.W.D.’S SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR, SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, NO. 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL, SHA TIN.
THE GOVERNMENT ENGINEER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR. KENNETH KWOK OF THE P.W.D.’S NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL BE ON HAND TO GIVE DETAILS OF THE PROJECT.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FUNCTION.
TWO VANS (AM2O66 AND AM2O69) WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE P.W.D. HEADQUARTERS, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG TO TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES FROM HONG KONG TO SHA TIN AND BACK.
THOSE WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THE TRANSPORT FACILITY SHOULD MEET P.W.D. PUBLICITY OFFICERS IN THE LOBBY OF MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE 9.15 A.M.
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THE DIRECTORS EDITORS AND ALL THE STAFF OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES EXTEND TO ALL READERS OF THE DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN THE WARMEST GREETINGS OF THE SEASON AND EVERY GOOD WISH FOR THE COMING YEAR »***»*»»»4»*»**»****»»*»**4*»*******»**»»***»»»** ::::::::::::::::::::::: I I I::::::::... t
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HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
Wednesday, December 2J, 1976
IT'S A HAPPY CHRIoThAS FOR 0N£ BIG HAPPY FA1TLY
Here is a Christmas story to gladden the hearts of all ......
Grandmother Mrs Lo Yuen-hung (61) can laugh now when she joins with members of her family to celebrate Christmas in the living room of their spacious flat at Converted Lower Shek Kip Mei.
But not every Christmas has been a happy one for Mrs Lo and her f ami 1 y for they were among the 53i000 people made homeless in the terrible., Shek Kip Mei squatter area fire at Christmas 1953 which turned more than 4,000 structures into ashes.
That fire brought public housing to Hong Kong. Within weeks temporary two-storey barracks were thrown up on the site to house as many of the homeless as possible, and then as fast as they could be built solid Mark I housing blocks sprang up to form our first resettlement estate.
Mrs Lo remembers it well. She and her late husband, with their five sons and daughter, dashed to safety out of the huge blaze carrying only a sackful of possessions.
"We had next to nothing and our living depended on assistance given by the Government,” she said.
As a family of seven they were allocated a small flat on the Zstate only 120 square feet but still much better than their flimsy hut that had burnt so fiercely and with washing and sanitary facilities which, even if they had to share them, were much better than the almost non-existent ones in the squatter eyesore.
Mrs Lo said: "As the family grew so our eldest sons went to work in a knitting factory. Although we were living hand-to—mouth in those years our situation improved later and the youngest boy, Chan-wong, did well enough# as a secondary student to go to a university in Taiwan. Now he is back in
Hong Kong and has a good job."
2
There were more grim times ahead for the family as the room became more and more crowded. Two sons married and brought home their brides, and then the grandchildren started to arrive.
"We could hardly move we were so packed in, but we applied to the Housing Manager for relief of overcrowding and although we had to wait our turn our times of hardship are over,” said-Mrs Lo.
Now they are one big happy family ^occupying-two adjoining converted flats at Converted LoworShek Kip Mei Estate with a total of 550 square feet which gives plenty of apace, for four soht still living at-home, a daughter-in-law and
-J . ’ V'* '•
three grandchildren.’’ ■ fen • ’ ! ■ ■’ ■
’•This was worth waiting for — what a difference compared with ■ Christmas 2J years ago,” said the smilxng Mrs Lo.
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1976
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONTRACT FOR TAI PO DEVELOPMENT WORKS SIGNED ................ 1
OCTOBER MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS NOW ON SALE ........... 2
CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR 50 ORPHANS ............................. 3
POUNDS ORDINANCE TO BE AMENDED ............................. 3
FIFTEEN DAYS OF FIRING PRACTICE NEXT MONTH ................. 4
PRESTIGIOUS CLEARWATER BAY SITE TO BE AUCTIONED ............ 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1976
CONTRACT FOR TAI PO DEVELOPMENT WORKS SIGNED
XXXXXXXX
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY AWARDED A $17.3 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF MAJOR DEVELOPMENT WORKS IN THE MARKET TOWN OF TAI PO.
THE CONTRACT, AWARDED TO NISHIMATSU CONSTRUCTION LTD., IS FOR THE RECLAMATION OF SOME 30 HECTARES OF LAND AT THE WESTERN SIDE OF TOLO HARBOUR OFF TIN KOK ROAD AT TAI PO.
THE NEWLY FORMED LAND WILL PROVIDE SITES FOR A LARGE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE FOR 30,000 PEOPLE, SCHOOLS, OPEN SPACES FOR RECREATION, MARKET AND SHOPPING CENTRES, AS WELL AS SITES FOR PRIVATE COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE GOVERNMENT ENGINEER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR. KENNETH KWOK OF THE P.W.D.’S NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, SAID TODAY WORK ON THE RECLAMATION WOULD BEGIN AFTER THE HOLIDAYS AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
+LAND FOR THE NEW HOUSING ESTATE WILL BE FORMED FIRST TO ENABLE THE HOUSING PROGRAMME TO PROCEED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.
+BY JULY ENOUGH LAND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FORMED FOR PILING WORK FOR THE ESTATE TO BEGIN, AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE FIRST TENANTS WILL BE MOVING IN BY THE LATTER PART OF 1979.+
HE SAID THE ESTATE WOULD BE SELF-CONTAINED AND SERVED BY A CENTRALLY LOCATED SHOPPING AND MARKET COMPLEX.
+THREE PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND THREE SECONDARY SCHOOLS AS WELL AS A KINDERGARTEN WILL BE BUILT WITHIN THE ESTATE TO CATER TO THE RESIDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.
+IN ADDITION, ANOTHER PRIMARY SCHOOL AND ONE SECONDARY SCHOOL ARE PLANNED JUST OUTSIDE THE ESTATE,* HE SAID.
OTHER FACILITIES WITHIN THE ESTATE, HE ADDED, WOULD INCLUDE A LARGE COMMUNITY HALL FOR SOCIAL FUNCTIONS AND LARGE OPEN SPACES AND GARDENS.
CONVENIENT TRANSPORT FACILITIES WOULD BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE PROVISION OF A BUS TERMINUS NEXT TO THE ESTATE, AND TWO MULTI-STOREY CARPARKS WOULD BE BUILT.
TODAY’S SIGNING OF THE SITE FORMATION CONTRACT MARKS THE BEGINNING OF AN AMBITIOUS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME DESIGNED TO PROVIDE NEW HOMES AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR SOME 350,000 PEOPLE IN 12 RURAL AREAS OUTSIDE THE NEW TOWNS AT SHA TIN, TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN.
/MR. KWOK ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1976
_ 2 -
MR. KWOK SAID THAT DETAILED PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF TAI PO MARKET WERE PROCEEDING AND FURTHER TENDERS WOULD BE CALLED.
MORE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WERE'PLANNED AT TAI PO, HE SAID, AS WELL AS AN OUTDOOR STADIUM, A SWIMMING POOL, COMMUNITY CENTRES, CLINICS AND CARPARKS.
-----o------
OCTOBER ISSUE OF MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS
X X X X X X X
THE OCTOBER 1976 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS, WHICH CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON LABOUR UTILISATION IN HONG KONG, IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE. IT COSTS $6 A COPY.
THE ARTICLE IS ONE OF A SERIES OF REVIEW ARTICLES ON TOPICS OF PUBLIC INTEREST PUBLISHED EVERY THREE MONTHS BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID: +THIS REVIEW INTRODUCES THREE DIFFERENT APPROACHES USED IN DESCRIBING THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF THE POPULATION AND SETS OUT THE RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS DESIGNED TO TEST THE MOST RECENTLY DEVISED OF SUCH APPROACHES — THE LABOUR UTILISATION APPROACH.*
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1976
3
CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR 50 ORPHANS
******
FIFTY SPECIAL GUESTS WERE INVITED TO THE ANNUAL TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF CHRISTMAS PARTY TODAY.
THE VIP’S WERE 25 BOYS AND 25 GIRLS FROM ST. CHRISTOPHER’S HOME FOR ORPHANS AND THEY WERE TREATED TO GAMES AND GIFTS AND WERE GIVEN RIDES ON MULES LOANED TO THE OFFICE FOR THE PARTY BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
AFTER THE PARTY, THE CHILDREN SHARED A CHRISTMAS BUFFET LUNCH WITH THE STAFF.
AS AN EXTRA PRESENT, THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAS APPEALED FOR LOCAL DONATIONS TO THE ORPHANAGE FOR CHRISTMAS AND BY LUNCH TIME SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS HAD BEEN COLLECTED.
-----0------
AMENDMENT TO POUNDS ORDINANCE
*****
A BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE FIRST WEEK OF 1977 TO AMEND THE POUNDS ORDINANCE.
IF APPROVED, THE POUNDS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 WILL TRANSFER THE AUTHORITY FOR IMPOUNDING STRAY ANIMALS TO THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
THE EXISTING LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED IN 1911 TO AUTHORISE THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE TO IMPOUND STRAY ANIMALS AND TO LAY DOWN THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH SUCH IMPOUNDED ANIMALS MAY BE SOLD TO DEFRAY EXPENSES IF THEY ARE NOT RECLAIMED.
A.....
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1976
- 4 -
FIRING PRACTICE
X * * *- *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 15 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF THE FIRING PRACTICE.
THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE s
DATE HOURS
JANUARY 3 (MONDAY) 11 A.M. — 10 P.M.
JANUARY 4 (TUESDAY) 6 A.M. — 2 P.M.
JANUARY 13 (THURSDAY) 9 A.M. — 5 P.M.
JANUARY 14 (FR IDAY) 8 A.M. -- 4 P.M.
JANUARY 17 (MONDAY) 9 A.M. -- 6 P.M.
JANUARY 18 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. — 6 P.M.
JANUARY 19 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. -- 10 P.M.
JANUARY 20 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. — 10 P.M.
JANUARY 21 (FR IDAY) 8 A.M. — 4 P.M.
JANUARY 24 (MONDAY) 9 A.M. — 10 P.M.
JANUARY 25 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. — 6 P.M.
JANUARY 26 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. -- 10 P.M.
JANUARY 27 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. ~ 10 P.M.
JANUARY 28 (FR IDAY) 8 A.M. -- 4 P.M.
JANUARY 31 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. — 5 P.M.
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/5
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24,
1976
- 5 -
LARGE NEW TERRITORIES SITE TO BE AUCTIONED
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO AUCTION A LARGE AND PRESTIGIOUS SITE IN CLEARWATER BAY NEXT MONTH FOR TWO-STOREY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE 3,530 SQUARE METRES SITE IS IN FEI NGO SHAN ROAD AND WILL GO UNDER THE AUCTIONEER’S HAMMER AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, AT 10.30 A.M. ON JANUARY 18.
A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE LAND WOULD BE ATTRACTIVE TO DEVELOPERS AS AN AREA FOR HIGH-QUALITY RESIDENTIAL USE.
+IT IS A VERY ATTRACTIVE SLOPING SITE WITH VIEWS OVER THE ADJOINING HILLS,+ HE SAID. +IT ALSO PARTIALLY OVERLOOKS THE AIRPORT.+
HE ADDED THAT ANOTHER TWO RESIDENTIAL SITES FOR TWO-STOREY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WOULD ALSO BE AVAILABLE SOON IN THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT, BUT THESE WOULD BE DISPOSED OF BY TENDER TO HOLDERS OF GOVERNMENT LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT DOCUMENTS.
THE TENDERS FOR THE FIRST SITE, OF ABOUT 3,510 SQUARE METRES AT TAI MONG TSAI, WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4.
+N0 TENDER DATE HAS BEEN FIXED FOR THE SECOND SITE OF ABOUT 4,280 SQUARE METRES AT SHA HA, BUT OUR PLANS ARE THAT TENDERS WILL CLOSE SOMEWHERE AROUND THE END OF MARCH,+ HE SAID.
_ _ 0 - -
HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
LAI YIU WILL HAVE LOWEST DENSITY
■ ■■'■ - • 0F- A.T‘'FU3LIC HOUSING ESTATE' ' ■' ' - ■ :
■ . -V<- ; .
The Housing Authority’s newest estate - Lai Yiu, between. Castle-’ Peak and Kwai Chung Roads, Tsuen Wan - will have the lowest density of any public housing estate jwhen fully occupied in the middle of. next year. . y, •
' .?•/ • *fhfe^ Estate \ now mostly completed ‘!ind' ready;.td,'.'take ;in i*5 fifst -
tenants, next irionth; occupies-1 a. total of 34.4 acres wjith a population'pl^nrted at 16,200 people living on the 22 acres of developed area. This gives a density of only 736 to the acre, compared with Tai Hang Tung where the figure is about 2,700.
Each flat is fully self-contained with its own toilet, kitchen and private- balcony. -The Estate commands an unspoiled view over Tsuen. Wan and the growing new town.
The development consists of four blocks ranging from: 12 - 14 storeys in height; three of the blocks are of the twin-tower design catering for seven to nine person families. Rents will go from $273 per month to $330 per month for flats of 356 - 429 square feet in size. The 12-storey block will consist of-272 .flats each of 591 square feet for 12-person families, but rents for these have yet to be decided.
■' J? The total number of flats in the development.-is 2,411. / ■
Various facilities will be provided in the Estate, including primary and secondary’ schools; kindergartens and-transport.■• It will have a multi-storey garage with almost 400 parking spaces for estate residents and u a three-storey block containing shops and restaurants, as well as workshops.
'7 • / - \ ''
Tenancies for" commercial premises were advertised on December 17 and tenders ■ close at the eEa ■ o£ this month. These are expected^to be'keenly sought after.
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1976
GOVERNMENT SERVICES GROW IN TSUEN WAN
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPOINTED TWO ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE FIRST TWO CITY DISTRICT-STYLE OFFICES IN THE NEW TERR I TOR IES.
THE OFFICES ARE BEING SET UP IN TSUEN WAN — ONE TO SERVE THE 153,030 PEOPLE LIVING AROUND THE TOWN CENTRE AND TSI NG Yl ISLAND, AND THE OTHER TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THE 350,000 PEOPLE IN THE KWAI CHUNG AREA.
MISS ALICE SIU WILL BE IN CHARGE OF THE KWAI CHUNG BRANCH, PLANNED FOR THE HUTCHISON ESTATE BUILDING IN LEI MUK ROAD, WHILE MR. BENJAMIN TANG WILL OPERATE OUT OF THE HOI PA STREET BRANCH OFFICE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES, ANNOUNCING THE APPOINTMENTS TODAY, SAID THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW TOWN DISTRICT OFFICES MARKED AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY BUILDING WORK IN TSUEN WAN.
+THE DISTRICT OFFICE, OF COURSE, HAS ALWAYS CARRIED OUT THESE FUNCTIONS IN THE PAST, BUT WITH THE ADDITION OF NEW STAFF, WE WILL NOW BE ABLE TO GET OUT INTO THE TOWN WITH A MORE EFFECTIVE SERVICE.
+THESE TWO BRANCH OFFICES WILL FUNCTION VERY MUCH ALONG THE SAME LINES AS THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES OPERATED BY THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON,* MR. HAYES SAID.
+AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, WHICH IS THE LAND AUTHORITY, THEY WILL HAVE THE ADDED ADVANTAGE OF BEING ABLE TO CO-ORDINATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS,* HE ADDED.
+UNDER EACH ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, AS THEY ARE CALLED, WILL BE A NUMBER OF LIASION OFFICERS, AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND THE FULL BACK-UP RANGE OF SECRETARIAL, CLERICAL, TYPING AND MESSENGER STAFF.
+AT KWAI CHUNG, WHICH HAS THE LARGEST SHARE OF THE POPULATION, THERE WILL BE SIX LIAISON OFFICERS, WHILE THERE WILL BE FOUR AT THE TSUEN WAN BRANCH, INCLUDING ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GROWING AREA OF TSI NG Yl.
/♦THE ASSISTANT ...........
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1976
- 2 -
+ THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICERS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO ONE OF MY DEPUTIES, MR. HAROLD KWOK, WHO IS IN DAY-TO-DAY CHARGE OF MATTERS RELATING TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.+
MR. HAYES SAID THAT THE COMMUNITY-BUILDING ROLE BEING PLAYED BY HIS OFFICE HAD BECOME IMPERATIVE WITH THE RAPID GROWTH OF TSUEN WAN.
+WE ALREADY HAVE 500,000 PEOPLE IN THE TOWN AND WITH A PROJECTED POPULATION TARGET OF ONE MILLION IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS FROM NOW, THERE IS AN ACCELERATING INFLUX OF NEWCOMERS FROM THE URBAN AREAS OF KOWLOON AND HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
+THE ROLE OF THE NEW BRANCH OFFICES WILL BE TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS AT GRASS ROOTS LEVEL BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE.
+WITH SO MANY NEWCOMERS TO THE TOWN, WE MUST FILL ANY COMMUNICATION GAPS AND HELP THEM ADAPT TO THEIR NEW ENVIRONMENT.*
MR. HAYES ADDED THAT THE HOI PA STREET OFFICE WOULD BE OPENED EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR, WHILE THE KWAI CHUNG OFFICE WOULD START OPERATIONS TWO OR THREE MONTHS LATER.
+MEANWHILE, MISS SIU AND MR. TANG HAVE ALREADY STARTED WORKING IN THEIR NEW ROLES OUT OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE HEADQUARTERS IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD,+ HE ADDED.
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHU I PO
*******
A NUMBER OF TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTORDUCED IN SHAM SHU I PO NEXT TUESDAY (DECEMBER 28) IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS LAI CHI KOK ROAD NEAR PEI HO STREET.
STARTING FROM 10 A.M. ON THAT DAY, THE SECTION OF PEI HO STREET BETWEEN TAI NAM STREET AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT SIX MONTHS.
AT LAI CHI ONLY TO
THE SAME TIME, THE SECTION OF PEI HO STREET BETWEEN
KOK ROAD AND YEE KUK STREET WILL BE A BUS ONLY LANE OPtN
FRANCHISED BUSES.
IN ADDITION, THE SECTION OF NAM CHEONG STREET BETWEEN YEE KUK STREET AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD WILL BE AN URBAN CLtARwAY FOR ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES FROM 7 A.M. TO 10 A.M. AND FROM 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M. DAILY.
APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1976
- 3 -
SOPHISTICATED ACOUSTIC EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON RESEARCH VESSEL ******
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT SCIENTIFIC TESTS WITH AN ADVANCED FISH FINDING ACOUSTIC EQUIPMENT RECENTLY INSTALLED ON THE DEPARTMENT’S RESEARCH VESSEL CAPE ST. MARY.
IT IS HOPED THAT THIS SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT WILL HELP THE DEPARTMENT TO LOCATE UNTAPPED MARINE RESOURCES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND THUS OPEN UP NEW HORIZONS FOR THE LOCAL FISHING INDUSTRY.
THE EQUIPMENT, ON PERMANENT LOAN FROM THE SOUTH CHINA SEA FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT AND CO-ORDINATING PROGRAMME BASED IN THE PHILIPPINES AND SPONSORED BY THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, HAD BEEN TESTED FOR MORE THAN ONE MONTH.
INITIAL RESULTS SHOWED THE EQUIPMENT TO BE ACCURATE, EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT IN PROVIDING DATA RELATING TO LOCATION AND QUANTITY BOTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL FISH AND OF FISH SCHOOLS.
A DEPARTMENT RESEARCH OFFICER, DR. CHRISTOPHER LEE, SAID VARIOUS CALIBRATION EXPERIMENTS HAD BEEN SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED A FEW WEEKS AGO. +THESE EXPERIMENTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE FUTURE INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS OBTAINED WITH THE NEW EQUIPMENT,* HE SAID.
THE EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE VESSEL, HE POINTED OUT, CONSISTED OF A HULL-MOUNTED TRANSDUCER, A TRANSCEIVER, AN ECHO SOUNDER RECORDER, AN INTEGRATOR, AN OSCILLOSCOPE, AND A SET OF CALIBRATION INSTRUMENTS.
+ALL THESE HAVE VARIOUS ROLES, BUT ARE INTER-RELATED IN
THE SENSE THAT THEY ALLOW ACOUSTIC INFORMATION FROM THE WATER COLUMN TO BE PROCESSED, STUDIED AND RECORDED IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE MANNER,* DR. LEE ADDED.
+THE INTEGRATOR IS THE MOST POWERFUL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IN THAT IT ENABLES A RESEARCHER TO ASSESS THE RELATIVE QUANTITY OF FISH OBSERVED ON THE ECHOGRAM RECORDS.
*IT MUST ALSO BE STRESSED THAT AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THIS KIND OF MARINE RESOURCES RESEARCH IS THAT THE PERSON USING THE EQUIPMENT IN THESE EXPLORATIONS MUST BE EXPERIENCED AND MUST KNOW THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FISH FAUNA AROUND HONG KONG AND THE DIVERSITY OF ITS SPECIES.*
HE SAID THAT THE EQUIPMENT CONTAINED SOME ADVANCED CIRCUITRY TO ENABLE THE RESEARCHER TO MAKE QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENTS OF AN INDIVIDUAL FISH DOWN TO A DEPTH OF 233 METRES AND OF A FISH SCHOOL DOWN TO 500 METRES DEPTH.
IN OUR CALIBRATION TRIALS, WE USED THREE SPECIES OF FISH OF VARIOUS SIZES AND QUANTITIES.
FROM THE RESULTS OF THESE TRIALS WE WERE ABLE TO RELATE THE INTEGRATOR’S READINGS TO THE ACTUAL QUANTITY OF FISH LOCATED ACROSS THE PATH OF THE SUPERSONIC BEAM.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1976
4 -
THE RESEARCH OFFICER SAID THE EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE VERY HELPFUL BECAUSE IT WOULD ENABLE RESEARCHERS TO ACCURATELY PREDICT AND MAP OUT AREAS WHERE DIFFERENT FISH SPECIES WOULD BE FOUND AND ALSO THEIR APPROXIMATE QUANTITY IN TERMS OF TONS PER SQUARE NAUTICAL MILE.
DR. WILLIAM CHAN, HEAD OF FISHERIES RESEARCH DIVISION, SAID THE EQUIPMENT HAD NOT YET BEEN USED IN LARGE-SCALE SURVEYS IN OFFSHORE AREAS AS THE PRESENT WEATHER CONDITION IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA WAS ROUGH.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT, PELAGIC SURVEYS USING THE EQUIPMENT WOULD BEGIN IN EARLY SPRING 1977.
+A TEAM OF RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL STAFF WILL BE DEPLOYED ON THIS WORK AND OUR INITIAL TARGET WILL BE ON PELAGIC (MID-WATER) FISHES,+ DR. CHAN DISCLOSED.
+THE REASON WHY WE PLAN TO CARRY OUT SUCH A RESEARCH IS TWOFOLD. FIRST, WE HAVE TO ASCERTAIN THE KINDS OF FISH THAT ARE IN SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES IN THE EXPLORED AREA AND SECONDLY, WE WANT TO KNOW WHETHER SUCH FISH STOCKS CAN BE ECONOMICALLY UTILISED BY THE LOCAL INDUSTRY.
+IN THE UNTAPPED MID-WATER AREAS, WE FEEL THERE SHOULD EE CERTAIN QUANTITIES OF HAIRTAIL, BLACK POMFRET, VARIOUS GROUPS OF MACKERELS, SCADS, TUNAS, HERRING-LIKE FISHES AND OTHER GROUPS OF PERCOIDS (PERCH-LIKE FISHES).
+ALL, EXCEPT THE HAIRTAIL, BLACK POMFRET AND SPANISH MACKERELS, ARE AT PRESENT VALUED AT THE LOWER END OF THE MARKET COMPARED WITH POPULAR DEMERSAL (BOTTOM DWELLING) FISHES. IT IS ONE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S AIMS TO PROMOTE THE FULLEST UTILISATION OF THE LESS POPULAR FISH SPEC IES.+
DR. CHAN ALSO SAID THE LOCAL INDUSTRY HAD BEEN FISHING FOR DEMERSAL FISH ON THE CONTINENTAL SHELF FOR YEARS AND A POINT HAD BEEN REACHED THAT NO FURTHER INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF EXPLOITATION SHOULD BE DONE ON THE KNOWN FISHING GROUNDS.
ALTHOUGH MID-WATER FISHES ARE ALSO BEING CAUGHT FROM THE SHALLOW PART OF THE CONTINENTAL SHELF, HE CONTINUED, THEY CONTRIBUTED ONLY ABOUT 15 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ANNUAL LANDINGS.
♦THE EXPANSION OF OUR PELAGIC FISHERY IN THE FUTURE IS ONE SOLUTION TO OUR INCREASING DEMANDS FOR FOOD FISH. ITS SUCCESS WILL HINGE ON OUR ABILITY TO LOCATE AND QUANTIFY NEW RESOURCES FOR COMMERCIAL UT ILI SAT I ON,+ DR. CHAN SAID.
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/5 .........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1976
5
STREET CHANGES UNDER URBAN IMPROVEMENT SCHEME ******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT A NUMBER OF STREET CHANGES IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT AS PART OF THE URBAN IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR THE DISTRICT.
THE PROPOSED CHANGES REPRESENT THE THIRD AND LAST PHASE OF THE STREETS ALTERATION UNDERTAKING TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE URBAN RENEWAL DISTRICT PILOT SCHEME AREA.
THE AREA INVOLVED LIES WITHIN THE APPROVED URBAN RENEWAL DISTRICT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AND IS BOUNDED BY SHING WONG STREET ON THE EAST, PART OF HOLLYWOOD ROAD ON THE SOUTH, LADDER STREET ON THE WEST AND QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND PARTS OF GOUGH STREET ON THE NORTH.
THE LAYOUT PLAN FOR THIS PORTION OF THE PILOT SCHEME AREA HAS NOW BEEN ADOPTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.
MR. T.J. MILLS, CHIEF ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE P.W.D.’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT DIVISION, SAID TODAY IT WAS PROPOSED THAT PART OF HOLLYWOOD ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH LADDER STREET AND NO. 82 HOLLYWOOD ROAD BE WIDENED AND RE-ALIGNED TO EASE FUTURE ANTICIPATED TRAFFIC FLOW.
THE PLAN ALSO MADE PROVISION FOR A BUS BAY AT QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN NOS. 244A TO 272 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
+IN ADDITION THE PLAN ENVISAGES THE CLOSURE OF PARTS OF A NUMBER OF EXISTING STREETS WITHIN THIS AREA TO MAKE AVAILABLE SITES FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND OPEN PLAYGROUNDS,*HE SAID.
+IT IS INTENDED THAT CERTAIN PARTS OF EXISTING STREETS WILL BE DESIGNATED AS PEDESTRIAN PRECINCTS AND NO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED INTO THEM,+ HE ADDED.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSALS MAY SUBMIT OBJECTIONS TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS NO LATER THAN JANUARY 24, 1977.
COPIES OF THE LAYOUT PLAN CAN BE SEEN IN THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) OR AT THE P.W.D.’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1976
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MULTI-HILL ION-DOLLAR SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME MAKING HEADWAY * * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS PRESSING AHEAD WITH A $50 MILLION BUILDING PROGRAMME FOR 17 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN VARIOUS HOUSING ESTATES.
WORK IS ALREADY UNDERWAY ON NINE ESTATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS — THREE AT TAI HI$G ESTATE, TWO AT PAK TIN ESTATE, TWO AT YU wAN ESTATE, AND TWO AT SHUEN LEE TSUEN ESTATE.
THE P.W.D.’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE HAS ALSO BEGUN WORK ON TWO NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS AT KWAI SHING ESTATE AND WORK ON SIX OTHERS WILL BEGIN DURING THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.
THE ESTATE SCHOOLS ARE PART OF THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE’S COMMITMENT IN THE GOVERNMENT’S EDUCATION EXPANSION PROGRAMME.
MR. JOSEPH LEI, CHIEF P.W.D. ARCHITECT, SAID TODAY THE FIRST TWO SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE PROGRAMME WOULD EE COMPLETED AT KWAI SHING ESTATE IN TIME FOR THE 1978 SCHOOL YEAR.
+EACH OF THESE SCHOOLS WILL HAVE 24 CLASSROOMS, TWO WORKSHOPS FOR METAL AND WOOD WORK AND FOUR LABORATORIES FOR SCIENCE SUBJECTS,* HE SAID.
+THERE WILL BE ALSO THREE SPECIAL ROOMS FOR MUSIC, ART, GEOGRAPHY AND GENERAL PURPOSES AND A HOME ECONOMICS COMPLEX FOR TEACHING NEEDLE WORK, COOKING AND HOME MANAGEMENT.*
OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDED ASSEMBLY HALLS, MEDICAL INSPECTION ROOM, LIBRARY, COVERED PLAYGROUND, HEADMASTER AND CAREER MASTER ROOMS, GENERAL OFFICE AND STAFF ROOM.
THE TWO SCHOOLS WILL SERVE RESIDENTS OF KWAI SHING ESTATE WHICH WAS COMPLETED BY THE P.W.D. ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE LAST MONTH AT A TOTAL COST OF ABOUT $82 MILLION.
IN TERMS OF SIZE, KWAI SHING ESTATE IS THE LARGEST IN THE P.W.D. PROGRAMME. IT HAS TEN DOMESTIC BLOCKS WITH ACCOMMODATION FOR SOME 37,030 PEOPLE. IT IS SERVED BY A LARGE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX WITH VARIOUS FACILITIES, INCLUDING SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, MARKET, PARKING SPACES, BUS AND PLE TERMINI AND RECREATIONAL OPEN SPACE.
/OF THE ........
•I ■ J /;• ■' . *'
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1976
- 2 -
OF THE OTHER SIX ESTATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO BE BUILT, MR. LEI SAID TwO WERE AT TAI HING ESTATE IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, TWO AT LAI KING ESTATE IN KWAI CHUNG, AND TWO AT LEK YUEN ESTATE IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
HE SAID THESE SCHOOLS WOULD BE OF A SIMILAR DESIGN AS THE TWO BEING BUILT AT KWAI SHING ESTATE, EXCEPT THAT THEY WOULD BE OF THE INTERLOCK TYPE WHICH FEATURES ASSEMBLY HALLS SHARING THE SAME STRUCTURE FOR THE TWO SCHOOLS.
MR. LEI SAID THAT WORK ON THE LAI KING ESTATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS WOULD BEGIN NEXT MONTH AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
WORK ON THOSE AT LEK YUEN AND TAI HING WOULD START IN MARCH AND APRIL NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION BY THE END OF 1978.
LAI KING AND LEK YUEN ESTATES, WHICH HOUSE SOME 43,000 PEOPLE, WERE COMPLETED BY THE P.'W.D. EARLIER THIS YEAR.
WORK ON TAI HING ESTATE AT TUEN MUN IS NOW WELL ADVANCED AND WILL ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 47,000 PEOPLE WHEN COMPLETED.
TAI HING ESTATE CONSISTS OF FIVE 30-ST0REY DOMESTIC BLOCKS AND A SEVEN-STOREY DOMESTIC BLOCK, ALL LINKED BY COVERED WALKWAYS TO A HUGE COMMERCIAL AND MARKET COMPLEX IN THE CENTRE OF THE ESTATE.
IT WILL BE PROVIDED WITH ALL BASIC COMMUNITY AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES, INCLUDING LARGE RECREATIONAL AREAS WITH REST GARDENS AND PLAYGROUNDS, WELFARE CENTRES, CARPARKS, RESTAURANTS AND CLINICS.
THE FIRST STAGE OF THE ESTATE WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE FIRST HALF OF NEXT YEAR, HOUSING ABOUT 29,000 PEOPLE.
MEANWHILE, WORK IS PROGRESSING WELL ON THE NINE PRIMARY SCHOOLS BEING BUILT AT TAI HING, PAK TIN, YU WAN, AND SHUEN LEE TSUEN ESTATES — THE LAST FOUR HOUSING COMPLEXES IN THE P.W.D.’S ESTATE BUILDING PROGRAMME.
EACH OF THESE PRIMARY SCHOOLS WOULD HAVE 24 CLASSROOMS. THE FIRST EIGHT SHOULD BE READY TOWARDS THE END OF NEXT YEAR. THE LAST IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY MID-1978.
MR. LEI SAID PART OF THE DOMESTIC BLOCKS AT YU WAN ESTATE IN CHAI WAN WOULD BE COMPLETED IN MID-1977 AND THE WHOLE ESTATE SHOULD EE READY BY MID-1978. THE ESTATE WILL HOUSE 15,DOO PEOPLE.
THE FINAL PHASE OF PAK TIN ESTATE a ILL ALSO EE READY BY MID-1978 AND WILL HOUSE ABOUT 15,000 PEOPLE.
- - 0 --------
* - 3 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1976
NEW F£f?RY PIER FOR HUNG HOM / X * X *
A NEW MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR PASSENGER FERRY PIER IS TO BE BUILT AT HUNG HOM TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING NUMBER OF COMMUTERS.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE NOW BEING INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND BUILDING WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY.
MR. H.R.A. CHAMBERLAIN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S PORT WORKS DIVISION SAID TODAY THAT THE NEW PIER WOULD BE READY IN LATE 1978, WELL BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF THE GIANT HUNG HOM INDOOR STADIUM NOW BEING BUILT NEAR THE NEW KOWLOON RAILWAY TERMINUS.
+THE NEW INDOOR STADIUM IS CERTAIN TO GENERATE MORE PASSENGER TRAFFIC INTO THE AREA AND THE FERRY SERVICES WILL HAVE AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN COPING WITH THE EXPECTED INFLUX,* HE SAID.
+THE NEW PIER WILL BE GEARED TO HANDLE THE ADDITIONAL PASSENGER VOLUMES AND WILL PROVIDE MUCH BETTER BERTHING AND PASSENGER FACILITIES.+
THE NEW PIER, HE SAID, WOULD BE BUILT TO THE SOUTH OF THE EXISTING FERRY LANDINGS AND WOULD PROVIDE TWO BERTHS CAPABLE OF HANDLING LARGER PASSENGER VESSELS.
A SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE NEW COMPLEX, HE SAID, WOULD BE A COVERED WALKWAY LINKING THE PIER WITH THE FERRY CONCOURSE AND THE RAILWAY TERMINUS.
+THIS FACILITY WILL GIVE PASSENGERS EASY AND CONVENIENT ACCESS BETWEEN THE PIER AND THE NEW TERMINUS,* HE SAID.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN SAID THE NEW PIER WOULD BE A VAST IMPROVEMENT OVER THE EXISTING FACILITIES WITH LARGER AND MORE COMFORTABLE WAITING AREAS FOR PASSENGERS.
THE PIER WOULD BE A TWO-STOREY STRUCTURE WITH TWO BERTHS EACH FITTED WITH ELECTRICALLY OPERATED LIFTS AND RAMPS TO FACILITATE EMBARKING AND DISEMBARKING PASSENGERS.
THE EXISTING TWO LANDINGS, HE SAID, WERE SHARED BY THREE FERRY SERVICES AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COPE ADEQUATELY WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN PASSENGERS.
ON THE AVERAGE SOME 1.3 MILLION PEOPLE USE THE SERVICES EVERY MONTH AND THE NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO RISE DRAMATICALLY WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW HUNG HOM INDOOR STADIUM.
MEANWHILE, WORK IS PROGRESSING ON THE $68 MILLION MULTIPURPOSE INDOOR STADIUM BEING BUILT CN THE PODIUM ABOVE THE NEW RAILWAY TERMINUS.
THE STADIUM IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1979 AND WILL BE AMONG THE LARGEST OF ITS TYPE IN THE WORLD WITH A SEATING CAPACITY OF 15,000 AT ANY ONE TIME.
THE STADIUM WILL BE FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED AND WILL HAVE FACILITIES FOR EVERYTH I NfifcFIj^LSYMNAST ICS AND BASKETBALL MATCHES TO THEATRICAL PERFORMANt® ®fVAJOR EXHIBITIONS.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1976
ADVICE TO MOTOR CAR OWNERS * * * *
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY ADVISED MOTOR CAR OWNERS OF THE PROCEDURES THEY SHOULD TAKE IF THEY ARE LENDING THEIR CARS TO FRIENDS OR RELATIVES WHILE THEY ARE AWAY FROM HONG KONG ON BUSINESS OR HOLIDAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SA^D THAT THE CAR OWNER SHOULD INFORM THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT OF THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PERSON HE IS LENDING THE CAR TO. THE PERSON’S DRIVING LICENCE NUMBER SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE CORRESPONDENCE.
HE SAID THAT THE INSURERS OF THE VEHICLE SHOULD ALSO BE INFORMED.
ON THEIR RETURN TO HONG KONG, BOTH THE INSURERS AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT SHOULD BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +EY ADVISING THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT OF THE PARTICULARS OF THE PERSON HAVING TEMPORARY CUSTODY OF HIS VEHICLE DURING HIS ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG, ANY FIXED PENALTY TICKETS OR SUMMONS ISSUED IN RESPECT OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE ADDRESSED TO HIM BUT CARE OF THE PERSON CONCERNED.
+THIS WILL ALLOW THE PERSON HAVING TEMPORARY CUSTODY OF THE VEHICLE TO PAY THE FIXED PENALTY THUS AVOIDING COURT COSTS OF BETWEEN $20 AND $400.+
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED MOTOR CAR OWNERS THAT IF A COURT ORDER HAS BEEN MADE THEY WILL EE UNABLE TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF THEIR VEHICLE OR RELICENSE IT UNTIL THE COURT COSTS ARE PAID.
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WATER CUT * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHEK PAI WAN ABERDEEN, WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 10 P.M. ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 28) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT WATER CONNECTION WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE THOSE IN AP LI CHAU, THE HONG KONG cLECTRIC COMPANY’S aPLICHAU PO..ER STATION, TH. aAN LICENSED AREA AND THE TIN WAN DAIRY FARM COMPANY LIMITED.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1976.
WORK ON H.K’S PLANETARIUM BEGINS IN MARCH * * * * *
HONG KONG’S $23 MILLION PLANETARIUM ADVANCED ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT STEP THIS WEEK WITH THE CALLING OF TENDERS FOR THE MAIN CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
CHIEF P.W.D. ARCHITECT, MR. JOSEPH LEI, SAID TODAY THE BUILDING WORKS WOULD BEGIN IN MARCH AND THE COMPLEX SHOULD BE READY BY SEPTEMBER 1973.
+PILING WORK FOR THE COMPLEX ARE PROGRESSING WELL AND WILL EE COMPLETED VERY SOON TO ENABLE THE MAIN CONSTRUCTION WORKS TO PROCEED,+ HE SAID.
THE PLANETARIUM, WHICH WILL RANK WITH THE BEST IN THE WORLD, WILL OCCUPY A 7,600-SQUARE METRE SITE ON THE FORMER KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY STATION SITE AT TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE PLANETARIUM FORMS PART OF THE PROPOSED CULTURAL CENTRE IN THE AREA AND IS BEING BUILT BY THE P.W.D.’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE ON BEHALF OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WHICH IS FINANCING THE PLANETARIUM PROJECT.
THE BUILDING CONTRACT, FOR WHICH TENDERS ARE NOW BEING CALLED, WOULD BE SIGNED IN FEBRUARY, SAID MR. LEI.
HE SAID THE DESIGN OF THE COMPLEX HAD BEEN CAREFULLY SELECTED AFTER NEARLY TWO YEARS OF EXHAUSTIVE PLANNING AND RESEARCH BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND A TEAM OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ARCHITECTS.
+THE CONCEPT,+ HE SAID, +HAS BEEN TO PRODUCE A DESIGN THAT WOULD NOT ONLY EE FUNCTIONAL BUT VISUALLY PLEASING AS WELL.+
MR. LEI SAID THE DOMINANT FEATURE OF THE BUILDING WOULD EE THE LARGE EGG-SHAPED DOME STRUCTURE HOUSING THE SKY THEATRE WHERE AUDIENCES OF BETWEEN 350 AND 400 WOULD MAKE IMAGINARY TRIPS TO THE STARS.
AN ADDED FEATURE OF THE UNUSUAL DOME DESIGN, HE SAID, WOULD BE THAT IT WOULD GIVE THE IMPRESSION OF +FLOATING+ ON A POOL SURROUNDING IT.
FORMING THE ’YOLK’ OF THE EGG-SHAPED STRUCTURE, WOULD BE THE SKY THEATRE IN THE SHAPE OF A CIRCULAR DOME WITH A 23-METRE DIAMETRE PROJECTION SCREEN.
/THE THEATRE .............
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
M3NDAI, DECEMBER 27, 1976
2
THE THEATRE WOULD BE SURROUNDED .. ITH A AREA BELOW FOR DISPLAYS ON ASTRONOMY, EARTH ASTRO-NAVIGATION.
LARGE EXHIBITION SCIENCES AND
DIRECTLY UNDER THE SKY THEATRE .‘.OULD BE THE CONTROL ROOM, STUDIOS, WORKSHOPS AND OFFICES.
THE OTHER MAIN FEATURE OF THE PLANETARIUM WOULD EE A TWO-STOREY RECTANGULAR BUILDING EMBRACING THE EGG-SHAPED DOME SAID MR. LEI.
THIS ANNEXE, HE SAID, WOULD PROVIDE SUCH FACILITIES AS A LARGE RESTAURANT ON THE FIRST FLOOR, AND A LARGE LECTURE HALL ON THE GROUND FLOOR TO SEAT AN AUDIENCE OF 200.
MEANWHILE, THE MAJOR PART OF THE EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING
A SOPHISTICATED PLANETARIUM STAR-PROJECTOR, A PROJECTION DOME AND VARIOUS SPECIAL-EFFECTS PROJECTORS, HAVE ALREADY BEEN ORDERED FROM A GERMAN FIRM AND WILL EE DELIVERED FOR INSTALLATION WHEN THE BUILDING WORKS HAVE REACHED AN ADVANCE STAGE.
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INTERNATIONAL-STANDARD SPORTS COMPLEX FOR KWAI CHUNG *****
RESIDENTS OF KWAI CHUNG AND NEARBY AREAS WILL HAVE THEIR OWN INTERNATIONAL-STANDARD SPORTS COMPLEX.
TENDERS FOR THE MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT ARE NOW BEING INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL BEGIN IN FEBRUARY.
MR. F. HO-ASJOE, CHIEF P....D. ARCHITECT, SAID TODAY THE SPORTS GROUND WOULD BE THE LARGEST OF ITS TYPE IN KWAI CHUNG AND WOULD OFFER A FULL RANGE OF FACILITIES FOR BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENTS.
HE SAID THE COMPLEX WOULD BE COMPLETED BY MID-1978 AND WOULD OCCUPY A 4.3-HECTARE SITE BOUNDED BY HING SHING ROAD, KWAI FUK ROAD, HING FONG ROAD AND KO FONG STREET.
IT WOULD HAVE A FULL-SIZE GRASS SOCCER PITCH AS WELL AS TwC HARD-SURFACE MINI-SOCCER PITCHES AND THREE BASKETBALL COURTS.
THERE WOULD ALSO BE AN EIGHT-LANE 400-METRE RUNNING TRACK, DESIGNED FOR ALL-WEATHER USE, AMD FACILITIES FOR SUCH ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES AS SHOT PUT, JAVELIN, AND HIGH JUMP AND LONG JUMP.
MR. HO-ASJOE SAID A LARGE SPECTATOR STAND FOR 1,500 PEOPLE WOULD BE BUILT OVERLOOKING THE MAIN SOCCER FIELD.
OTHER FACILITIES WOULD INCLUDE A REFRESHMENT KIOSK, CHANGING AND TIOLET FACILTIES, AND SITTING OUT AREAS.
. HE SAID ADEQUATE FLOODLIGHTING WOULD BE PROVIDED TO ENABLE THE FACILITIES TO EE USED AT NIGHT.
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MONDAY, DECDffiER 27, 1976
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HONG KONG’S WEATHER ROLE SPOTLIGHTED * * * K
HONG KONG’S ROLE IN THE GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM OF THE WORLD WEATHER WATCH PROGRAMME IS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE NEWLY-PUBLISHED ROYAL OBSERVATORY CALENDAR FOR 1977.
PRODUCED IN A COMBINED ENGLISH AND CHINESE EDITION, THE COLOUR-ILLUSTRATED CALENDAR, WHICH CONTAINS A COLLECTION OF INTERESTING DATA, CHARTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS, IS NOW ON SALE AT $7 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, HONG KONG.
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM ARE TO COLLECT METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, TO DISTRIBUTE THEM TO CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AND TO EXCHANGE PROCESSED INFORMATION WITH OTHER CENTRES.
HONG KONG IS CONNECTED BY POINT-TO-POINT TELETYPE CIRCUITS WITH TOKYO, PEKING AND BANGKOK, 'WHICH IN TURN ARE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY LINKED WITH WASHINGTON, MOSCOW AND MELBOURNE.
OBSERVATIONAL DATA COLLECTED IN HONG KONG IS FED INTO THE GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FOR TRANSMISSION TO TOKYO, PEKING AND BANGKOK AND FOR FURTHER RELAY TO OTHER CENTRES. IN RETURN, OBSERVATIONAL AND PROCESSED DATA FROM TOKYO, PEKING AND BANGKOK ARE TRANSMITTED TO HONG KONG.
A COMPUTER AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HANDLES ALL THE RECEPTION, TRANSMISSION, SELECTION AND RELAY OF METEOROLOGICAL MESSAGES REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE SYSTEM.
THE OBSERVATORY’S COMPUTER SYSTEM IS USED TO DECODE, CHECK, ANALYSE AND STORE METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION RECEIVED THROUGH TELECOMMUNICATION CIRCUITS. DATA IS RECEIVED CONTINUOUSLY AND PROCESSED IN BATCHES EVERY SIX HOURS.
A WEATHER CHART WHICH INVOLVES SORTING, DECODING AND PLOTTING A LARGE VOLUME OF DATA AND THOUSANDS OF COMPUTATIONS CAN NOW BE PRODUCED BY COMPUTER IN A FEW MINUTES.
THE NEW CALENDAR CONTAINS CHARTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS ON A VARIET OF TOPICS, INCLUDING LIGHTNING, FOG, RADAR OBSERVATION OF TROPICAL CYCLONES, WEATHER CHARTS PRODUCED BY COMPUTER AND THE MOVEMENT OF TROPICAL CYCLONES.
THE DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR. GORDON J. BELL, NOTES THAT THE CALENDAR HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO ACKNOWLEDGE +OUR APPRECIATION OF THE WORK OF VOLUNTARY WEATHER OBSERVERS AND SIGNAL STATION OPERATORS.+
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/4
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1976
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PAY YOUR TAXES BY POST
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO PAY THEIR TAXES BY POST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT OVER THE NEXT FE'w WEEKS MANY PEOPLE WOULD BE SETTLING THEIR TAX BILLS.
+EY PAYING THROUGH THE POST, YOU CAN SAVE A TRIP TO ONE OF THt COLLECTION OFFICES AND AVOID THE INCONVENIENCE OF QUEUING UP THERE,+ HE SAID.
LAST YEAR ABOUT 103,000 PEOPLE MADE USE OF THE POST TO PAY THEIR TAXES AND MANY MORE ARE DOING SC THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +THERE IS NO SURCHARGE IF THE PAYMENTS ARE RECEIVED LATE SO LONG AS THE ENVELOPE IS POSTMARKED NOT LATER THAN THE DUE DATE SHOWN IN THE DEMAND NOTE.+
+CHEQUES SHOULD BE SENT WITH THE DEMAND NOTES, WHICH WILL BE RECEIPTED AND POSTED BACK TO THE TAXPAYER WITHIN A FEW DAYS.+
+IF YOU CANNOT SEND YOUR DEMAND NOTE WITH YOUR CHEQUE, BE SURE TO QUOTE YOUR INLAND REVENUE REFERENCE NUMBER OR CHARGE NUMBER, AND TO GIVE YOUR ADDRESS.
+WITHOUT THAT INFORMATION OR A DEMAND NOTE, A CHEQUE CANNOT BE RECEIPTED IMMEDIATELY AND THE DELAY IN PROCESSING IT MAY RESULT IN THE ISSUE OF A COMPUTER-PRODUCED SURCHARGE NOTICE.+
REMINDERS WOULD NOT BE ISSUED, HE STRESSED.
CROSSED CHEQUES SHOULD BE SENT TO:-
THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE,
CENTRAL MA IL OFF ICE,
G.P.O. BOX 132, HONG KONG.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1976
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ALEX WU APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF DUKE OF EDINGBURGH’S AWARD 1
GOVERNOR VISITS KOWLOON CITY ................................ 2
SEAT BELT REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE FROM SATURDAY ............... 3
SIXTY BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN NOVEMBER ................... 4
INSTITUTE OF LINGUISTS ENGLISH EXAMINATIONS ................. 5
SWD OFFICERS ACT ON THE BAD NEWS ............................ 6
WATER INTERRUPTION IN MONG KOK .............................. 7
SIX LOTS OF CROWN LAND AUCTIONED ............................ 8
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1976
1
NEW CHAIRMAN FOR DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD ****** I
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED THE HON. ALEX WU TO BE THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD FOR TWO YEARS AS FROM JANUARY 1, 1977.
MR. WU SUCCEEDS MR. PETER P.K. NG, WHO HAS BEEN CHAIRMAN SINCE 1974. BOTH OF THEM HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE SCHEME FOR MANY YEARS, AND MR. WU HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE AWARD COMMITTEE BETWEEN 1965 AND 1975.
THE SCHEME WAS INITIATED BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH IN 1956 AS A MEANS BY WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE CAN TEST THEIR ABILITY AND SHOW THEIR SKILL IN VARIOUS DIRECTIONS.
IT ENCOURAGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO ACQUIRE MORE KNOWLEDGE, TO DEVELOP THEIR CONFIDENCE AND PERSISTENCE, TO MAKE GOOD USE OF LEISURE TIME AND TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
THE SCHEME FOR BOYS WAS INTRODUCED TO HONG KONG IN MARCH 1961 AND THAT FOR GIRLS IN AUGUST 1963. FIVE YEARS LATER,THE TWO WERE MERGED TO FORM A JOINT SCHEME.
IN HONG KONG, AN AWARD COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR ADMINISTERS THE SCHEME AND IS CONCERNED BASICALLY WITH POLICYMAKING, FINANCING AND STAFFING. IT ALSO LICENSES OPERATING AUTHORITIES OF WHICH THERE ARE 17, WITH OVER 16,300 PARTICIPANTS.
EESIDES THE CHAIRMAN, THERE ARE 12 MEMBERS ON THE COMMITTEE.
THEY ARE : MR. MICHAEL S.H. CHAN, MR. H.C. MA, MRS. L.W. GORDON, MR. LI KWAN-HUNG, MR. EDMUND YAN-SHUN CHEUNG, MR. STEPHEN YOW MOK-SHING, MRS. J.B. GIBSON, MRS. D.B. LEITCH AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, HONG KONG, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1976
- 2 -
GOVERNOR VISITS KOWLOON CITY
******
THE IMPROVEMENT OF SECURITY IS A TOP PRIORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TOLD COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES OF KOWLOON CITY TODAY (TUESDAY).
DURING AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION WITH 17 COMMUNITY LEADERS REPRESENTING A CROSS SECTION OF THE AREA’S RESIDENTS, SIR MURRAY SAID THAT THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME WAS A VERY SLOW MOVING BUSINESS, BUT THAT THERE WERE SIGNS THAT IT WAS GOING TO SUCCEED.
HE SAID THE IMPROVED DETECTION RATE AND THE INCREASED NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS INDICATED THAT THE WORK OF THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND THE POLICE WAS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT PLANS IN HOUSING, EDUCATION AND THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WOULD ALSO BEAR VERY MUCH ON CRIME, HE ADDED.
BUT, HE POINTED OUT, +WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE HONG KONG IS AS SAFE AS IT SHOULD BE+.
OTHER TOPICS RAISED DURING THE 40-MINUTES DISCUSSION INCLUDED IMPROVED AID TO DISCHARGED PRISONERS, SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIME, CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION AND LABOUR REFORMS.
EARLIER, THE GOVERNOR SPENT ABOUT AN HOUR VISITING TWO MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS OF THE DISTRICT AND MEETING OFFICE BEARERS OF THEIR MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. GUS CHUI, AND THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (KOWLOON CITY), MR. ANGUS MIU, H" FIRST VISITED THE TUNG SHUN HING BUILDING IN CHEKIANG STREET WHICH WAS RECENTLY AWARDED THE FIRST PRIZE IN THE TO KWA WAN (SOUTH) AREA CLEAN BUILDINGS COMPETITION.
SIR MURRAY ALSO SHOWED PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE NEWLY-INSTALLED ALARM SYSTEM WHICH HAS IMPROVED THE SECURITY OF THE BUILDING.
HE THEN VISITED THE HOME OF THE BUILDING’S MAC CHAIRMAN, MR. WONG HEUNG-WAH, AND DISCUSSED WITH HIM THE DAY-TO-DAY WORK OF THE COMMITTEE.
THE GOVERNOR LATER PROCEEDED TO ROSE HOUSE IN MA TAU WAI ESTATE WHERE HE WAS MET BY CHAIRMEN AND OTHER OFFICE BEARERS OF THE ESTATE’S MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
/ACCOMPANIED.........
i
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1976
- 3 -
ACCOMPANIED BY MR. LEUNG KOOK-DIK, CHAIRMAN OF THE BLOCK A MAC AND MR. MA SHIU-TUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE BLOCK B MAC, HE VISITED THE DUTY POST OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD SECURITY PATROL TEAM AND CHATTED WITH TEAM MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES.
HE LATER VISITED THE HOME OF MR. CHAN HON-CHUEN, A MAC OFFICE BEARER, AND DISCUSSED THE ESTATE’S CRIME SITUATION WITH HIM AND THE TWO MAC CHAIRMEN.
DURING HIS TOUR OF THE ESTATE, SIR MURRAY ALSO STOPPED AND CHATTED FREQUENTLY WITH CHILDREN AND SHOPKEEPERS ABOUT THEIR DAILY LIFE.
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SEAT BELT REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE FROM JAN. 1 ******
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND USE) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) REGULATIONS 1976, WHICH REQUIRE ALL PRIVATE CARS REGISTERED AFTER JULY 31 THIS YEAR TO EE FITTED WITH SEAT BELTS, WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 1).
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT ALTHOUGH THE FITTING OF SEAT BELTS FOR THE DRIVER AND THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS COMPULSORY, THE WEARING OF SUCK BELT WAS NOT.
HOWEVER, HE ENCOURAGED MOTORISTS TO WEAR SAFETY SEAT BELTS BECAUSE EXPERIENCE IN SOME COUNTRIES SHOWED THAT THE WEARING CF SEAT BELTS HAD RESULTED IN A NOTABLE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER Or DEATHS AND INJURIES THROUGH ROAD ACCIDENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +THE MOST FREQUENT AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO DRIVERS AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS IN PRIVATE CARS OCCUR ..Heli, AS A RESULT OF RAPID DECELERATION AFTER A COLLISION, THEY ARE THROWN FORWARD ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL, DASH-BOARD OR a IND SCREEN.+
+A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF SUCH INJURIES WOULD EE AVOIDED 0= RENDERED LESS SERIOUS IF DRIVERS AMD FP.C'.T SEAT PASSENGERS ...r_ SEAT BELTS,+ HE ADDED.
THE NEv. REGULATIONS /. ILL '..CT APPLY TO TAXIS, PUBLIC CARS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1976
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NOVEMBER BUILDING FIGURES
*****
PLANS FOR A CENTRE FOR MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN AND FOR A HOME FOR AGED WOMEN WERE AMONG 63 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED LAST MONTH BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE.
ALSO APPROVED WERE PLANS FOR A SERIES OF HIGHRISE APARTMENT AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, FACTORIES AS WELL AS PLANS FOR 37 BLOCKS OF RESIDENCES AT STANLEY, A SWIMMING POOL AT REPULSE BAY AND A BUILDING FOR NAUTICAL STUDIES AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
OF THE 60 PLANS APPROVED DURING NOVEMBER, 25 WERE FOR PROJECTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 15 FOR KOWLOON AND 20 FOR THE NEW TERR I TOR IES.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BUILDING PLANS APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE DURING THE FIRST ELEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR NOW STANDS AT 668, COMPARED WITH 528 FOR THE WHOLE OF 1975.
THE DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING NOVEMBER AMOUNTED TO $162 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $151 MILLION FOR NOVEMBER 1975.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF USABLE FLOOR AREA COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS 192,968 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 51,760 SQUARE METRES OF DOMESTIC SPACE AND 141,208 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC SPACE.
FORTY-EIGHT COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION DURING THE MONTH, AND CONSENT WAS GIVEN FOR THE DEMOLITION OF 37 BUILDINGS.
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO GAVE APPROVAL FOR WORK TO BEGIN ON 44 NEW BUILDING PROJECTS, INCLUDING A PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL AT TUEN MUN, A PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATE AT KWAI CHUNG, A TRAINING CENTRE AT KWAI CHUNG FOR THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY, AND AN OLD PEOPLE’S HOME AT KWAI CHUNG.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1976
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INSTITUTE OF LINGUISTS ENGLISH EXAMS * * * * *
THE INSTITUTE OF LINGUISTS ENGLISH EXAMINATIONS FOR CANDIDATES WHOSE MOTHER TONGUE IS NOT ENGLISH WILL EE HELD IN MAY NEXT YEAR.
ENTRY FORMS WILL EE AVAILABLE FROM THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, 11TH FLOOR, KOWLOON FROM NEXT MONDAY (JANUARY 3).
COMPLETED ENTRY FORM TOGETHER WITH PASSPORT OR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD AND TWO RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE APPLICANT (SIZE 2-1/2” X 2”) MUST BE TAKEN IN PERSON TO THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4 P.M. FROM JANUARY 3 TO JANUARY 7.
NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AND ALL FEES MUST BE PAID ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 11 AT THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION EITHER IN PERSON OR BY CROSSED CHEQUE PAYABLE TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SENT THROUGH THE POST.
\ CANDIDATES ARE REMINDED THAT THEY MUST MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE FOR THE PART I (ORAL) TESTS AT A TIME TO EE SPECIFIED ON ANY DAY BETWEEN MAY 12 AND MAY 31.
DETAILS 4 OF THE EXAMINATIONS AND THEIR DATE OF EXAMINATION FEES ARE AS FOLLOWS FEES
GRADE PART II PART 111 PART ’ IV PART V WHOLE EXAM. REFERRED (FOR ONE OR TWO PARTS)
PRELIM INARY MAY 19 MAY 19 — — $80 $50
GRADE 1 MAY 19 MAY 19 • MAY 19 $135 $65
GRADE 11 MAY 19 MAY 19 MAY 19 — $133 $33
INTERMEDIATE MAY 13 MAY 16 — $160 $95
FINAL MAY 17 MAY 18 MAY 19 MAY : 20 £293 $243
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/6..........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1976
DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THE BAD NEWS
*****
BAD NEWS IS THE THING TO LOOK FOR WHEN SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS READ THEIR NEWSPAPERS EVERY MORNING.
THEY DO SO NOT BECAUSE THEY LIKE READING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE’S MISFORTUNES, BUT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO TRY, IF POSSIBLE, TO TAKE AWAY PART OF THE STING FROM THESE TRAGEDIES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
+IN THESE DAYS OF FAST COMMUNICATIONS, THE NEWS MEDIA HAVE LONG BECOME OUR QUICKEST SOURCE OF INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUAL CASES OF HUMAN TRAGEDY,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
+THE FAMILIES OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY ACCIDENTS OR OTHER MISFORTUNES ARE OFTEN TOO OVERCOME BY GRIEF TO THINK ABOUT THEIR FUTURE NEEDS, AND THIS IS WHY AN EARLY APPROACH BY STAFF OF OUR DEPARTMENT TO OFFER THEM ASSISTANCE IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE,+ HE SAID.
EVERY MORNING, DIVISION HEADS AND SUPERVISORS OF FAMILY SERVICE CENTRES AND FIELD UNITS OF THE DEPARTMENT SCAN THROUGH NEWSPAPERS TO LOOK FOR REPORTS OF ACCIDENTS, SUICIDES, OR CRIMES OF VIOLENCE, PARTICULARLY WHERE IT IS APPARENT THAT THESE INCIDENTS WILL BRING HARDSHIP TO INNOCENT VICTIMS.
ONCE THESE CASES ARE IDENTIFIED, CASE WORKERS ARE IMMEDIATELY SENT OUT TO CONTACT THE VICTIMS’ FAMILIES TO FIND OUT THEIR NEEDS AND OFFER APPROPRIATE HELP.
+ THE MOST COMMON KIND OF HELP IS THE ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WHERE A FAMILY’S BREADWINNER, ESPECIALLY THE SOLE BREADWINNER, IS KILLED OR INCAPACITATED,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+BURIAL GRANTS OF UP TO 3600 EACH CAN ALSO BE QUICKLY ARRANGED IF THE FAMILY IS IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES,* HE POINTED OUT.
IF THE PERSON IS KILLED OR INJURED WHILE TRYING TO UPHOLD THE LAW, FURTHER CASH GRANTS CAN BE ARRANGED UNDER THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION SCHEME.
WHERE A PERSON’S DEATH LEAVES BEHIND HOUSING PROBLEMS FOR HIS DEPENDENTS, FOR INSTANCE WHEN THE ACCOMMODATION WAS PROVIDED BY THE VICTIM’S EMPLOYER AND DEPENDING ON OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FAMILY, CASE WORKERS CAN MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FOR THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC HOUSING ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS.
/IN CASES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1976
IN CASES WHERE YOUNG ORPHANS ARE LEFT BEHIND, SWD WORKERS ALSO TAKE UP THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FINDING SUITABLE GUARDIANS OR OTHER HOMES. IF A MOTHER GOES TO HOSPITAL AND HER CHILDREN ARE LEFT WITH NO ONE TO CARE FOR, SOCIAL WORKERS WILL IMMEDIATELY SEE THAT THEY ARE LOOKED AFTER IN THE CHUK YUEN CHILDREN’S RECEPTION CENTRE.
SUICIDE ATTEMPTS OR WHERE A PERSON’S DEATH HAS PRODUCED EXTRAORDINARY GRIEF OR UNDUE PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS ON A FAMILY MEMBER, LONG-TERM COUNSELLING WORK BY PROFESSIONAL WORKERS IS ARRANGED TO TRY TO RESTORE MENTAL WELL-BEING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE INITIATIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF IN GOING OUT TO FIND THE AFFECTED FAMILIES, RATHER THAN TO WAIT FOR THEM TO COME FORWARD, SAVED A LOT OF TIME BEFORE FINANCIAL AND OTHER ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GIVEN.
+THIS, TOGETHER WITH A SHOW OF GENUINE CONCERN AND SYMPATHY, CAN GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS TIDING THEM OVER THESE TIMES OF DISTRESS,+ HE SAID.
+VICTIMS OF OTHER MAJOR DISASTERS SUCH AS FIRES, LANDSLIDES AND FLOODS ARE PROVIDED WITH ON-THE-SPOT ASSISTANCE BY OUR EMERGENCY RELIEF TEAMS,+ HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT AN AVERAGE OF TOO CASES ARE INITIATED EVERY YEAR AS A RESULT OF FOLLOWING REPORTS IN THE NEWS MEDIA APART FROM CASES REFERRED TO THEM BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
+IN THIS CONNECTION, FAST, ACCURATE, AND IN-DEPTH REPORTS OF SUCH CASES IN THE MEDIA ARE INVALUABLE BOTH TO US AND TO THE FAMILIES CONCERNED,+ HE SAID.
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WATER CUT H &
.•.ATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN MONG KOK ..ILL Es TURNED 0FF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 32, TO ENABLE T-E WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY CUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED EY NATHAN ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, NULLAH ROAD, TUNG CHOI STREET AND ARGYLE STREET, INCLUDING SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET, FIFE STREET, MONG KOK ROAD, BUTE STREET AND .'.ONG KCK .-.nnAC ।.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1976
8
CROWN LAND SALES
8 X & X X
A CHOICE SITE AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST WAS TODAY SOLD FOR $59 MILLION AT A PUBLIC AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE P.W.D.’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE AT THE CITY HALL.
THE SITE OCCUPIES ABOUT 2,560 SQUARE METRES ON THE RECLAMATION BETWEEN TSIM SHA TSUI AND THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL APPROACHES AND IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL DEVELOPMENT.
THE LOT WAS BOUGHT BY BO DOR CO. LTD. AT A REALISED PRICE OF $23,046.88 PER SQ. METRE. THE LOT HAS A BUILDING COVENANT OF $8.5 MILLION BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1980 AND A CROWN RENT OF $1,000 PER ANNUM.
FIVE OTHER LOTS OFFERED FOR SALE FETCHED A TOTAL OF $25.4 MILLION.
A 223.3-SQUARE METRE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF MAIDSTONE ROAD
AND LOK SHAN ROAD IN KOWLOON WAS SOLD FOR $2.7 MILLION TO YICK
YAU TRADING CO. LTD. THE SITE IS FOR RESIDENTIAL AND NON-1NDUSTRI AL PURPOSES.
ANOTHER KOWLOON LOT AT WAN FUNG STREET WAS BOUGHT BY CHUEN FAI CO. LTD. FOR $5.2 MILLION. THIS LOT, WHICH MEASURES NEARLY 365 SQ. METRES, IS TO BE DEVELOPED FOR NON-1 NDUSTR I AL PURPOSES.
A 2,350-SQ. METRE LOT AT SZE SHAN STREET, SAM KA TSUEN, WENT TO YAT SUM LAND INVESTMENT CO. LTD. FOR $9 MILLION. THE LOT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
ANOTHER LOT FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES WAS BOUGHT BY LEN SHING REALTY LTD. FOR $6.5 MILLION. THIS LOT IS LOCATED AT AH KUNG NGAM VILLAGE ROAD, HONG KONG, AND HAS AN AREA OF 1,240 SQ. METRES.
THE LAST LOT, LOCATED AT TAI TAM ROAD, HONG KONG, WAS BOUGHT BY ELTEE ENTERPRISES LTD. FOR $2 MILLION. THE LOT MEASURES ABOUT 817 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE AUCTION WAS CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAND AGENTS MR. K.B. ROLFE AND MR. D. WILKINSON OF THE P.W.D.
-------0----------
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
• w.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1976
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FOURTEEN MILLION DOLLARS GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION FOR
CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE’S EXTENSION ................ 1
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER ............ 2
’ -STORAGE OF EXCESSIVE QUANTITY OF FUEL DANGEROUS . 4
' ‘ . NEW YEAR DAY — A STATUTORY HOLIDAY .............. 5
IMMIGRATION SERVICE FOR VISITORS TO BE STREAMLINED .... 5
NOVEMBER BANKING STATISTICS ....................... 6
WATER CUT ......................................... 7
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
.■ .. i L*-
. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1976
$14 M. GOVT. SUBVENTION FOR CARITAS MEDICAL
' CENTRE’S EXTENSION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO GRANT A CAPITAL SUBVENTION OF $14.1 MILLION TO THE CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE FOR BUILDING AN EXTENSION WITH 600 BEDS.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. G.H. CHOA, THIS AFTERNOON WHEN HE LAID THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE EXTENSION.
DR. CHOA INDICATED THAT RECURRENT SUBVENTION FOR THE 600 BEDS, TO BE USED FOR TREATING THE OLD AND INFIRMED AND THE SEVERE MENTALLY RETARDED, WOULD BE GIVEN WHEN THE EXTENSION BECAME OPERATIONAL, HOPEFULLY BY EARLY 1978.
THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT, INCLUDING FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT, IS ESTIMATED AT $29 MILLION.
IN HIS LAST PUBL I’C FUNCTION IN HIS CAPACITY AS DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. CHOA SAID THE TWO CATEGORIES OF PATIENTS TO BE ACCOMMODATED IN THE EXTENSION WERE NOT EASY TO DEAL WITH.
+THEY REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL MORE TACT, PATIENCE, COMPASSION, SYMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING THAN OTHER PATIENTS.+
THE DEMAND FOR SUCH BEDS, WHICH WAS DISCUSSED IN THE MEDICAL WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE PRESENT DECADE, WOULD BE MET TO A LARGE EXTENT WHEN THE 600 BEDS WERE PUT TO USE, HE SAID.
+SPEAKING BOTH PERSONALLY AND OFFICIALLY, I AM MOST GRATIFIED THAT AS USUAL THE CHURCH, UNDETERRED BY THE UNPOPULAR AND DIFFICULT NATURE OF THE WORK, HAS BEEN MOVED BY LOVE AND CHARITY TO ACCEPT OUR PROPOSAL,+ SAID DR. CHOA.
+CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE, WHICH RECEIVES A RECURRENT SUBVENTION OF $11.7 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, HAS SERVED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WELL, IN PARTICULAR THOSE IN THE WEST KOWLOON REGION, SINCE 1964,+ HE ADDED.
DR. CHOA SAID THE CENTRE WOULD FORM AN ESSENTIAL LINK IN THE CHAIN OF ORGANISATION OF THE FORTHCOMING REGIONALISATION SCHEME WHICH WOULD RESULT IN MUCH IMPROVED HOSPITAL AND CLINIC SERVICES FOR ALL.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE, DR. CHOA SAID THERE WAS A NEED FOR THE CENTRE’S NURSING SCHOOL TO INCREASE ITS INTAKE SO AS TO PROVIDE MORE NURSES TO STAFF THE ADDITIONAL BEDS.
HE SAID A BUILDING TO HOUSE THE EXISTING NURSING SCHOOL, IF IT WAS TO BE ENLARGED, WOULD BE REQUIRED, AND HE rlOPEu THAT THIS PROPOSAL WOULD EE GIVEN FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
THE DIRECTOR PAID TRIBUTE TO THE THREE MEN WHO BROUGHT
THE PROJECT INTO BEING, — MR. RUN RUN SHAW, WHO DONATED $3 MILLION TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION COST, THE LATE MGR. VATH AND THE LATE ..BISHOP FRANCIS HSU.
I
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1976
- 2 -
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER 1976
******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY PUBLISHED THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL MERCHANDISE TRADE DURING NOVEMBER 1976. THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR NOVEMBER WAS $2,791 MILLION, IMPORTS WERE WORTH $3,702 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS $817 MILLION.
THE FIGURES FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 1976 (LATEST THREE MONTHS) SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1975 OF 32.2 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 20.4 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 28.1 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS. »
COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1975, INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF $536 MILLION OR 23.8 PER CENT IN EXPORTS, $602 MILLION OR 19.4 PER CENT IN IMPORTS AND $162 MILLION OR 24.6 PER CENT IN RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED.
THE SHORT TERM CHANGES, NOVEMBER 1976 COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1976, SHOWED DECREASES OF $132 MILLION OR 4.5 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND $245 MILLION OR 6.2 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS. THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY $10 MILLION OR 1.2 PER CENT.
THE FIGURES FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 1975 TO NOVEMBER 1976 COMPARED WITH THOSE OF THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF 42.7 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 31 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 27.2 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.
THE FOLLOWING TRADE TABLE GIVES THE COMPARATIVE FIGURES ;-
LATEST 3 MONTHS SEP. - NOV. 1976 SEP. - NOV. 1975 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 8,776 6,636 +2,140 +32.2
IMPORTS 11,437 9,476 +1,931 +20.4
/RE-EXPORTS
- p V? • * \ ’ * 1 ' I WEDNESDAY, DECH4BER 29t 19?6 < I
I -* * * ' • • 1 1 • J t • - 3 -
RE-EXPORTS 2,426 1,893 + 533 +28.1
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR NOV. 1976 NOV. 1975 INCREASE OR DECREASE
3 MN. $ MN. $ MN. % 1
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 2,791 (77.3%) 2,255 (77.5%) + 536 +23.8
IMPORTS 3,702 3,100 + 602 +19.4
RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 817 (22.7%) 656 (22.5%) + 162 +24.6
LAST MONTH NOV. 1976 OCT. 1976 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. S MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 2,791 (77.3%) 2,924 (78.3%) - 132 - 4.5
IMPORTS 3,702 3,947 - 245 - 6.2
RE-EXPORTS ($. OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 817 (22.7%) 808 (21.7%) + 10 + 1.2 1
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JAN. - NOV. 1976 __ JAN. - NOV. 1975 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. S MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 29,537 (78.4%) 20,567 (76.4%) +8,971 +43.6
IMPORTS 39,227 30,034 +9,193 +33.6
RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 8,116 (21.6%) 6,347 (23.6%) +1,769 +27.9 • ’ I
LAST 12 MONTHS DEC. 1975 TO NOV. 1976 DEC. 1974 TO NOV. 1975 INCREASE OR DECREASE
5 MN. S MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 31,833 22,298 +9,531 +42.7
IMPORTS 42,665 32,575 +13,089 +31.3
RE-EXPORTS 8,742 6,874 +1,869 +27.2
1 * *'■ 0 - /4
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1976
<+
STORAGE OF EXCESSIVE QUANTITY OF FUEL DANGEROUS *****
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY REMINDED HOUSEHOLDERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES THAT STORING MORE THAN THE EXEMPTED QUANTITY OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) AND KEROSENE WITHOUT A LICENCE IS AN OFFENCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID: +BOTH LPG AND KEROSENE ARE WIDELY USED IN HONG KONG FOR HEATING AND COOKING. HOWEVER, TO STORE LARGE QUANTITIES IN PREMISES IS NOT ONLY AGAINST THE LAW BUT ALSO A DANGEROUS PRACTICE, PARTICULARLY IN THE DRY WINTER MONTHS.*
HE ALSO REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT UNDER THE DANGEROUS GOODS (GENERAL) REGULATIONS, THE QUANTITY OF THESE TWO TYPES OF DANGEROUS GOODS THAT COULD BE KEPT WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES WAS FOUR GALLONS OF KEROSENE AND UP TO 100 POUNDS OF LPG.
+POSSESSION OF MORE THAN THESE QUANTITIES IS AN OFFENCE AND PUNISHABLE ON CONVICTION BY A FINE OF §5,000 AND TWO MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT,* HE WARNED.
TURNING TO THE CONVEYANCE OF DANGEROUS GOODS ON THE ROADS, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT IT HAD BEEN A COMMON PRACTICE FOR RETAILERS TO DELIVER KEROSENE ON BICYCLES.
+UNDER SECTION 100(1) OF THE REGULATIONS, NOT MORE THAN TWO FIVE-GALLON TINS OF KEROSENE ARE PERMITTED TO BE CARRIED AT ANY ONE TIME ON ANY BICYCLE,+ HE STRESSED, ADDING THAT THE PENALTY FOR CONTRAVENING THIS PROVISION COULD BE A FINE OF §1,000.
THE SPOKESMAN FURTHER REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT FIRE PREVENTION OFFICERS WOULD BE CARRYING OUT INSPECTIONS FROM TIME TO TIME ON PREMISES IN RESPECT OF FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATION OR STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS.
+ALL FIRE OFFICERS CALLING ON PREMISES ARE USUALLY DRESSED IN FULL UNIFORM,* HE SAID. +THEY ARE ALSO ISSUED WITH A NUMBERED WARRANT CARD AND A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD BEARING THE HOLDER’S PHOTOGRAPH.
+IF THEY ARE NOT IN UNIFORM AND CANNOT PRODUCE A WARRANT CARD, INFORM THE FIRE SERVICES OR THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY,* THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED.
- 0 -
/5
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1976
5
NEW YEAR DAY - A STATUTORY HOLIDAY
******
THE ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. NEIL HENDERSON, TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT SATURDAY, (JANUARY 1, 1977), IS ONE OF THE 10 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
MR. HENDERSON EMPHASISED THAT THE PROVISION OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE APPLIED NOT ONLY TO INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYEES BUT ALSO TO EMPLOYEES IN THE ENTIRE COMMERCIAL SECTOR, INCLUDING THE SERVICES AND CATERING TRADES.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES WITHOUT DISTINCTION AND INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS AND ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN 32,000 A MONTH, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY. THEY MUST ALSO BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE IR* EMPLOYERS FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY. /
IF THE EMPLOYER REQUIRES AN EMPLOYEE TO WORK ON THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST GIVE HIM AT LEAST 48 HOURS’ NOTICE, AND HE MUST GIVE HIS EMPLOYEE AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
IF THE EMPLOYER INTENDS TO GIVE HIS EMPLOYEE AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST NOTIFY HIM 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE BEFORE GIVING HIM AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY. AND IF AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY IS TO BE GIVEN AFTER THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE EMPLOYER MUST INFORM HIS EMPLOYEE OF THE ARRANGEMENT AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOL IDAY.
IF THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE AGREE, ANY DAY WITHIN 30 DAYS OF A STATUTORY HOLIDAY OR ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY MAY BE TAKEN BY THE EMPLOYEE AS A SUBSTITUTED HOLIDAY.
COMPLAINTS OR ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICES. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE: FOR KOWLOON EAST 3-205638= KOWLOON WEST 3-201652= KWUN TONG 3-898520= TSUEN WAN 12-422096= YUEN LONG 12-760261 EXT. 82= AND HONG KONG ISLAND 5-282523 EXT. 60. ------------------------------o--------
IMMIGRATION SERVICE TO BE IMPROVED *****
IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A MORE EFFICIENT SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY CENTRALISED THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR VARIOUS IMMIGRATION FACILITIES FROM VISITORS TO HONG KONG.
WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR, ALL VISITORS, IRRESPECTIVE OF NATIONALITY, APPLYING FOR VISAS, EXTENSIONS OF STAY AND OTHER IMMIGRATION FACILITIES WILL BE DEALT WITH BY THE VISITORS SECTION ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUILDING OR ANY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S BRANCH OFFICES.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1976
6
NOVEMBER BANKING STATISTICS
*****
BANKING DEPOSITS AS AT THE END OF NOVEMBER STOOD AT $42,827 MILLION, COMPRISING $11,344 MILLION IN DEMAND DEPOSITS, $15,998 MILLION IN TIME DEPOSITS AND $15,484 MILLION IN SAVINGS DEPOSITS.
THERE WERE 74 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG AS AT THE END OF LAST MONTH.
THE FOLLOWING TABLES RELEASED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING TODAY GIVES A DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF BANK LIABILITIES AND ASSETS AND MONEY SUPPLY FOR THE MONTH :-
LIABILITIES
1. DEPOSITS
2. AMOUNT DUE TO BANKS ABROAD
3. OTHER LIABILITIES
TOTAL LIABILITIES
ASSETS
1. CASH
2. AMOUNT DUE FROM BANKS ABROAD:
(I) DEMAND AND SHORT TERM CLAIMS 22,148
(II) TIME DEPOSITS 3,726
3. LOANS AND ADVANCES:
(I) HONG KONG 28,567
(II) ABROAD 13,325
4. INVESTMENTS:
( I) HONG KONG 3,188
(II) ABROAD 75
SKILL I ON
42,827
27,468
9,446
S 79,741
819
25,874
41,892
3,263
1
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1976 - 7 -
5. OTHER ASSETS:
(I) HONG KONG 4,751
(II) ABROAD 3,142 7,893
TOTAL ASSETS $79,741
AVERAGE LIQUIDITY DURING MONTH 46.18 PER CENT
MONEY SUPPLY $MILLION
1. LEGAL TENDER COINS’AND NOTES IN CIRCULATION (A)
(I) COMMERCIAL BANK ISSUES 4,560
(II) GOVERNMENT ISSUES 420 4,980
2. LICENSED BANKS’ HOLDINGS OF LEGAL TENDER COINS
AND NOTES (B) 819
3. LEGAL TENDER COINS AND NOTES IN HANDS OF NON-BANK
PUBLIC (A) - (B) = (C) 4,161
4. DEMAND DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS (D) 11,344
5. MONEY SUPPLY (DEFINITION 1) (C) + (D) - (E) 15,505
6. TIME DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS (F) 15,998
7. SAVINGS DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS (G) 15,484
8. MONEY SUPPLY (DEFINITION 2) (E) + (F) + (G)-(H) 46,987
------0-------
WATER CUT
* * * K *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN wILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 31) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KING TAI STREET, KING FUK STREET, TSEUK LUK STREET, YIN HING STR-ET, KAM WING STREET, SHUNG LING STREET, HONG KEUNG STREET AND Yl LUN STREET.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1976
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FIFTY-THOUSAND NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES PLANNED FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ........................................ 1
NEW' YEAR HONOURS LIST ..................................... 2
BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGE REGISTRIES ..................... 2
IMPORT AND EXPORT CLASSIFICATION LIST AMENDMENT ............ 3
SEAT BELT REGULATIONS EXPLAINED ............................ 3
ANNUAL RECEPTION OF CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHUI PO).. 4
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 33, 1976
1
53,900 NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES PLANNED FOR N.T.
******
MORE THAN HALF OF THE 50,000 NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES THE GCVERNM-NT WILL PROVIDE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WILL EE IN TSUEN WAN.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JCNES, SAID THIS TODAY AT THE FOUNDATION STONE-LAYING CEREMONY OF ONE Or THE SCHOOLS WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE PLACES - THE TUNG WAH GROUP’S MRS. WU YORK YU MEMORIAL COLLEGE AT KWAI CHUNG.
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BUILD 59 NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THc NEW TERRITORIES EETWEEN NOW AND 1981, AND PRAISED CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS LIKE TUNG WAH FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS BUILDING PROGRAMME.
+THE GOVERNMENT IS OUTLAYING VERY LARGE SUMS OF MONEY TO SEE THE PROGRAMME THROUGH - 3192 MILLION IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE iwlTH RECURRENT COSTS RISING TO 3448 MILLION IN 1983,+ HE SAID.
♦BUT IT IS ALSO THROUGH THE EFFORTS GF CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS LIKE TUNG WAH AND OTHER COMMUNITY-CONSCIOUS GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS AELE TO IMPLEMENT ITS POLICY OF PROVIDING SCHOOL PLACES FOR ALL CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 14.
+ SUCH GROUPS HAVE A CONSIDERABLE FINANCIAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE 53 SCHOOLS WHICH ARE EE ING CONSTRUCTED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BETWEEN NOW AND 1981.+
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THIS RAPID DEVELOPMENT SHOULD NOT EE SEEN ONLY IN TERMS OF BRICKS AND MORTAR AND MONEY.
+THERE CAN EE NO DOUBT THAT GIVING OUR YOUNG CHILDREN THE EDUCATION THEY DESERVE ..ILL HAVE A CONTINUING IMPACT ON TWO OF THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS AMONG OUR YOUNG PEOPLE’ THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME, AND THIS IS ALREADY DECREASING, AND THEIR ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT, WHICH IS LIKEWISE DIMINISHING,* HE ADDED.
MR. AKERS-JCNES SAID THAT ENROLMENT IN TUNG .-AH SCHOOLS HAL .0.; REACHED 14,900 AND THAT OF THE 26,640 NE.-. SCHOOL -LACES PLA..NEL FOR TSUEN WAN, 2,533 OF THESE STUDENTS wILL BE IN THREE TUNG wAH SCHOOLS. +THAT IS A CONTRIBUTION WHICH CANNOT BE TOC HIGHLY PRAISED,* HE ADDED.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1976
2.
NEw YEAR HONOURS LIST
******
NOTE TO ED I TORS : t
COPIES OF A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO TODAY’S (THURSDAY) DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN CONTAINING A LIST OF HONG KONG RECIPIENTS OF NE.'. YEAR HONOURS ARE DISTRIBUTED IN THE PRESS BOXES, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, THIS EVENING. THE ARMED SERVICES LISTS ARE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN THE PRESS BOXES.
PUBLICATION IS PERMITTED IN HONG KONG NEWSPAPERS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING BUT NO NEwS AGENCY OR OVERSEAS RADIO MAY CARRY THE INFORMATION WITHOUT THE EMBARGO QUALIFICATION. THE NEWS KAY BE BROADCAST FROM 7 A.M. 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.
- 0 -
BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGE REGISTRIES
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO CLOSE TWO PERMANENT BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRIES AT TUNG WAH HOSPITAL AND TUNG WAH EASTERN HOSPITAL AND NINE PART-TIME SUB-REGISTRIES FOR MARRIAGES AND REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS IN THE NEw TERRITORIES AND OUTLYING ISLANDS.
AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO THIS EFFECT WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE CLOSURE WILL COME INTO EFFECT FROM SATURDAY (JANUARY 1). AT THE SAME TIME A NEW' PERMANENT BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRY WILL COME INTO OPERATION AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL IN LAI CHI KOK.
ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT, THE TWO PERMANENT REGISTRIES AT TUNG WAH HOSPITAL AND TUNG WAH EASTERN HOSPITAL WERE BEING CLOSED BECAUSE REGISTRATIONS MADE AT THE TWO PLACES AVERAGED ONLY 5-6 DAILY.
THE PART-TIME REGISTRIES TC BE CLOSED IN THE NE* TERRITORIES ARE IN FANLING, SHA TAU KOK, HANG HAU, TUEN MUN, SAN TIN AND KAM TIN. THOSE TO BE CLOSED ON OUTLYING ISLANDS SERVE PENG CHAU, MUI WO AND TUNG CHUNG.
RELEVENT NOTICES HAVE BEEN DISPLAYED IN THE NOTICE BOARDS OF THESE REGISTRIES FOR INFORMATION OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE 1975 REVIEW OF THE PART-TIME REGISTRATION SERVICE, OPERATED BY MOBILE REGISTRATION TEAMS IN RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICES IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND OUTLYING ISLANDS, HAD ESTABLISHED THAT ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE ACTUALLY HADE USE OF THE MOBILE REGISTRATION SERVICE.
THURSDAY, DECEMEER 30, 1976
IMPORT AND EXPORT CLASSIFICATION LIST AMENDMENT
******
IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS ARE REMINDED OF THE LATEST AMENDMENT TO THE HONG KONG IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST (REVISED EDITION, JANUARY 1974) WHICH GOES INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 1977.
THE AMENDMENT CONCERNS DECLARATIONS IN RESPECT OF GOODS COMING FROM OR GOING TO VIETNAM.
STARTING ON JANUARY 1, THE EXISTING CLASSIFICATION +VIETNAM, NORTH .... 633+ AND +VIETNAM, REPUBLIC OF ..... 618+ WILL EE
DROPPED AND REPLACED BY ONE CLASSIFICATION +VIETNAM ..... 633+.
A COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE AMENDMENT /.ILL APPEAR IN THE GAZETTE WHICH WILL EE PUBLISHED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
HE REMINDS IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLETING TRADE DECLARATION FORMS ARE AWARE OF THIS TO PREVENT DELAYS AND INCONVENIENCES TO THEMSELVES.
SEAT BELT REGULATIONS EXPLAINED
******
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT MANY MOTORISTS ARE STILL NOT CLEAR ABOUT THE SAFETY SEAT BELT REGULATIONS WHICH COME INTO FORCE ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 1).
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ALL PRIVATE CARS FIRST REGISTERED IN HONG KONG BEFORE AUGUST 1, 1976, ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE FITTED WITH SEAT BELTS.
+ EVEN IF THESE CARS ARE TRANSFERRED TO OTHERS OR RELICENSED, THEY ARE STILL EXEMPTED FROM THE NEED TO BE FITTED WITH SEAT BELTS,+ HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT ONLY CARS FIRST REGISTERED AFTER JULY 31, 1976, MUST BE FITTED WITH SEAT BELTS.
THE REGULATIONS DO NOT APPLY TO TAXIS, PUBLIC CARS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH THE FITTING OF SEAT BELTS WILL BE COMPULSORY FOR CARS REGISTERED FROM AUGUST 1, 1976, THE WEARING OF SUCH BELTS IS NOT.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1976
- 4 - x
ANNUAL RECEPTION
* * *
NCTE TO EDITORS:' ■
MORE THAN 300 PEOPLE WILL ATTEND THE ANNUAL RECEPTION OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHU I PO) TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THOSE ATTENDING WILL INCLUDE CIVIC LEADERS, REPRESENTATIVES FROM AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES (MAC), KAI FONG ASSOCIATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE RECEPTION WILL BE HELD AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 229-303 LAI CHI KOK ROAD, KOWLOON, AT 4 P.M.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT.
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PR'33
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUPPLEMENT
. . i Thursday,. De cent? er 30, 1976
• * •• >•
EMBARGOED NEWS ITEMS:
NOTE TO EDITORS OF NEWSPAPERS, 'Rie following announcement
NEWS AGENCIES, BROADCASTING regarding the New Year Honours List is STATIONS;______________ being made’ simultaneously in London
at 235? hours G.M.T. on December. 30.
Publication is. permitted in Hong Kong newspapers tomorrow (Friday), December 31, but no news agency or overseas radio transmission of the announcement may carry the information without the embargo qualification.
The news may be broadcast from 7,00 a.m. onwards over the local radio and television stations tomorrow (Friday).
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.
/nei*. year...
Issued by.Government, Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Thursday, December 30, 1976
- 2 -
NEW YE; Ji HONOURS LIST
C.M.G. (Companion of the Order of St, Michael & St. George)
The Honourable Denis Campbell Bray, C.V.O., J.P,
Mr. Bray joined the Hong Kong Government in 1950 as an Administrative Officer. He has served in many departments and branches of the Government Secretariat.
Since 1973, Mr. Bray has been Secretary for Home Affairs and an ex-officio member of th£ Executive and Legislative Councils.
Mr. Bray will take up his new appointment as Hong Kong Comissioner in London in 1977.
C.B.E. (Commander Order of the British Empire)
Mr. Roy Evans Downing, J.P,
Mr. Downing joined the Civil Aviation Department in 1947 after having served in the Royal Air Force. He was appointed Assistant Director in 1965 and became Director in 1973.
Mr. Downing has been Director during a period of considerable growth in the airline industry. His department has won the confidence and.respect of the airline industry.
C.B.E. (Commander Order of the British Empire)
The Honourable Lee Quo-wei, O.B.E., J.P,
Mr. Lee is a leading banker who has served on the Legislative •Council since 1968. He was appointed to the Executive Council in 1976.
In addition to his work on the Councils, Mr. Lee is a member of many public bodies, such as the Banking Advisory Committee and the Economic Review Comittee, the Council of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Polytechnic Board of Governors
/C.B.E
Thursday, December 30, 1976
- 3 -
C.B.E. (Coraander Order of the British Empire)
Mr. Shun Wai-yr.u, O.B.x,., J.P, -----------
Mr. Shun is tho Managing Director of the"Chre$seas Chinese Daily News Linited which publishes the Wah Kiu lat Po and the Wah Kiu Man Po.
He has been active in comr-unity activities for many years. He was the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Quadrennial Conference of the Corxionwealth Press Union in 1974.
He is the Hon. President of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children, a Director of tho Hong Kong Anti-Tuberculosis » _ ........
Association, and a Member of the Board of Governors of the New Asia , - . • • -4
College.
Q.B.E, (Officer Order of the British Empire)
Dr. Solon: i Matthew Bard, M.B.E., E.D., J.P.
Dr. Bard has been in charge of the Hong Kong University. Health Service since 1956. His two main fields of community involvement have been the Hong Kong Archaeo logic al Society and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society.
With the /archaeological Society, he has _been the driving .force to keep it active and in -.closetassociation with the Urban Council’s
Museum of History.
With the Philharmonic Society (and its orchestra), he has for over 27 years been a leading violinist, conductor and administrator.
• . ■ '
• • - A • ‘ ■ < ’ •
/O.B.E.
Thursday, December 30, 1976
- 4 -
0 .B «E. (Officer Order of•the ~ British Empire) ■., .a < -
Mr. William Durward, JtPt
Mr. forward joined the Hong Kong Government in 1954* He has served in the Commerce and Industry Department since 1957 and has risen to the rank of Deputy Director.
Mr. Dorward has had wide experience of the work of the Department and in recent years has specialised in the field of external commercial relations. • I r • • I r •• • f •
O.B.E. (Officer Order of the British Empire)
Mr. Gordon Evershed Lyth, J.P,
Mr. Lyth served in the United Kingdom Inland Revenue Department from 1938 to 1949, except for the war years when he served in Her
Majesty’s Forces. ■ --------
After service in Malaya ‘and•K^nynj- he-was'posted to Hong Kong in 1961. He rose to Deputy Director of the Audit Department in 1970 and was promoted Director in 1973.
O.B.E, (Officer Order :f the British Empire)
Mr. Wilfred Hillier Newton
Mr • Newton came to Hong Kong in February 1967 as the first Executive Director of the Hong Kong Productivity Council. He organized and built up the Productivity Centre which serves as the executive arm of the Productivity Council.
During his nine years service, Mr. Newton provided excellent leadership to the Productivity Centre and contributed significantly towards the raising of productivity in industry. He retired in June 1976.
/0.BX
Thursday, December 30. 1976
- 5 -
O.B.E. (Officer Order of the British Empire)
Mp, Wong Po-yan
Mr. Wong is an industrialist who has jiven freely his tine and experience to assist the development of commerce and industry by his representation on important committees and boards in both the private 4 . ■ . •. . .
and public sectors.
. t . . •.
He has been a member of the Trade and Industry Advisory Board r • . . ' since 1973 ^-nd a member of the Trade Development Council since 1972 in which his experience and knowledge of commerce and industry have been valuable.
1.8,0. (Imperial Service Order) -.-
Mr. Tom Ecob, J.P. ... _• _
Mr', Ecob joined the Prison Service in October 1947 as a Prison Officer after servin.f in the Armed Forces. He has risen through .the ranks and was appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Prisons in January 1972.
Mr. Ecob has made a significant contribution as Deputy, particularly during a tiioe of considerable re-organisation in the Prisons Department•
1.8.0. (Imperial Service Order)
Hr. Jolin Linthwaite
Hr. Linthwaite ecr.ic to Hong K?ng in 1964 as a Senior Executive Officer .after 17 years service in the U.K. Home Civil Service. He has been Secretary of seven departments. He was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in 19?3 and transferred to. the Administrative Service in 1976.
Since 1974, Mr. Linthwaite has been the head of all the General Grades staff in the Government, •
/1.8.0,
Thursday, December 30, 1976
I.S.O. (Imperial Service Order) . ■ * .... .. -*■ -—
Mr. Balwant Sing)- ”
• C-l —
Mr, Balwant Singh joined the Medical and Health" Department
in 194Vas a Student Nurse and was transferred to the Prisons Department as a Dresser in 1954.
• _ .• , Zx • • .» "J
In recent years, he played an important role in the development of the department’s nursing service.
.... 'j • . • •. ■ ■ ■.\ •
/-Mr. Singh was also the liaison officer between the Medical and
..... . ; ' . -'.L' V ■ ?
Health” Department arid the Prisons Department, thus helping further to improve nursing standards within the Prison Service. He retired in 1976,
M.B.E.(M) (Member Order of the British Empire) (Military)
Squadron Leader Luiz Maria Souza, ?>.E.
.madron Leader Souza hac over 26 years service with the R.H.K.A.A.F. and throughout that period he gave service of a very high order. He had been a member of the equipment section since he joined, and was the officer in charge since 1966-
San. Ldr. Souza did much to maintain the high standards pf the unit. He retired in 1976c
M.B.E, (Member Order of the British Empire) ?
Mrs. Jean Cassels ____. z;g_
Mrs, Cassels was instrumental in establishing an English
Rraininr Unit under the auspices of the American Women’s Association.
She ran the Unit for 20 years and devoted, herself to training .+• ..d. ' ‘ ' • ’■ - *
bran Hi sts and supervising the braining of English books.
Hrs. Cassels was Chairman of the A.W .A< project for.the Blind, a Council Member of the Hong Kong Society.for the Blind and a Committee
/Member ........
Thursday, December 30, 1576
7
Member of the Co-ordinating Committee for the Blind,
V.
Her services to the welfare and the education of the blind
have been outstanding. Mrs. Cassels left Hong Kong in June 1976.
-♦4 • f * *
; Hili'* r
M.B.E. (Member Order of the British Entire)
j. X
Mrs. Winnie Chan
Mrs. Chan has devoted over forty years to community work in
Hong Kong. She is influential and well-respected and a prominent figure amongst the women leaders.
Mrs. Chan was one of the founder members of the H.K. Chinese
Womenfs Club and a promoter of the H.K. Juvenile Care Centre. She is
Hon. President of the South China Athletic Association.
L '
M.B.E. (Member Order of the British Empire)
Mr. Robert Kohan Cheng
Mr. Cheng joined the Gc ernment in 1949 a 1 was transferred to
the Printing Department in 1952. He was appointed Assistant Government --------------------------------------------------------------------------------’•du.
Printer in 1970. -A. ■ —----------
. __________
In recent years, Mr. Cheng has played a very active and » •
energetic role on the i^rinting Industry Board of the Hong Kong Training
Council. ’
He has been active in counselling the Board on the requirements
for the newly establ 1 shed Printing Department of the Kwun Tong Technical
r,.> ’ -T? i- ' “ "■
Institute.
• • «*< •
M.B.E. (Member Order of the British Empire)
Mr. Robert Frederick Kenneth Jones, E.D,
Mr. Jones has looked after the finances of two of the most a ’ •
important Government-sub vented medical institutions, the Hong Kong
Anti— Tuberculosis & .Thoracic Diseases Association and the Hong Kong
Anti-Cancer Society for many yea-s.
/lie.........
Thursday t December 30, 1976
‘j .X ’’ •
•• 8 **
1
. tl • '3 . , M -
He organised the original accounting system of the schools i of the English Schools Foundation, of which he is Hon, Treasurer.
, Mr. Jones has been closely concerned with the accounting and financial affairs of the Community Chest of Hong Kong since 196?, acting as alternate for the Hoh. Treasurer. -
M.B.E, (Moi^bcr Order of the British Empire)
Hr, Sftom Fai _ • i ;■ _•
Mr. Sham joined the Hong Kong Government as a Clerical Officer in 1938# He .was promoted to Executive Officer in April 1950% . ;,c.
He .became an Assistant Registrar in 1957-and Senior Assistant ■ogj st?-?.- .
Registrar in 1964# . The latter post is the most senior post in the Registrar General’s Department open to a non-legal officer.
' ■ ."A’’.' 1./.
Throughout his career Fir’.’'Sham has displayed initiative and administrative ability of an exceptionally high order.
H,g»E,(H) (Member Order of the British Empire) (Honorary)
Mr. Tong Bik-chuen
Hr. Tong has been the Chief Editor‘of the Sing Tao Wan Pao, the Chinese evening newspaper with the largest circulation, for more than twenty years.
He is the Managing Director of the Hong Kong Chinese Cultural
• .« 'i Enterprise Limited and is also the Chief Editor of "Family Life” which
is one of the established Chinese magazines in Hong Kong.
Mr. Tong is active in cultural circles in Hong Kong: he is the Chairman of the Hong Kong Tofig'Clansmah Association and an Adviser to the Hong Kong Five Districts Industry’ and Commerce Association.
/M.B.E. (H) ........
Thursday, December 30, 1976
H.B.E.(H) (lk.-r.ibcr Order -f the British Empire) (Eonorary)
mr. Tsang Tat-sin/;
Hr. Tsang first joined the Hong Kong Government service as an
Interpreter/Translator in 1951.
In 1955, he was transferred to the Registry of Trade Unions and has served there since.
Mr. Tsang has risen through the ranks to Deputy Registrar and ' i. •-
finally to Registrar of Trade Unions. He retired this year.
‘ * .•» ■
In his 21 years service with the Registry of Trade Unions, Iir. Tsang made a significant contribution to the encouragement of trade
union activities in Hong Kong. . .
B.E.M. (British Empire i-ledal)
Mr. Kwok Wai-shing
iir. Kwok joined the Government in 1940 and has served in the Commerce and Industry Department since 1945.
Mr. Kwok has had an outstandingly consistent record throughout his service for loyal and efficient service.
b.E.M. (British Empire Hedal)
•'LL
Hr. Liu Nam
Er. Liu joined the i risen Service in 1946 and has served'during the past 30 years mostly in training centres dealing with young offenders. Throughout his period of service, his devotion to duty has been
consistently outstanding.
/B.E.M.
Thursday, December 30, 1976
-r 10“ -
3.E.K. (British Empire Medal) _________•_____________
Mr. Ka Yuk-linr
ir. Ka joined the Government Clerical Service in 1,950.
Most of his service has been with the Police. He has been the officer-in-charge of the Registry of Kowloon Police Headquarters since 1969.
Throupjhout his service Mr. Ka has been a first-class Clerical officer and his service has been marked by a hi^h dc.prce of. reliability and loyalty*, i * £ • ;. •
D.E.II. (British Eiqjire Medal)
Mr. Male Chun-kouna,
Mr. Kak joined the General Clerical Service in 1946. He has served with the Royal Honq Kona Police Force for many years and has y,iven excellent service.
B.E.i'-, (British Empire Medal)
Mr. Shek Kan
Mr. Shek was first appointed as a Seaman at the Government Dockyard in 1946. He was promoted to Coxswain in 1953 and Boatswain in 1967. .. ........... s.........
He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the deck staff who man the Government fleet and is thus an extremely important link between the management and the launch crews at the Government Dockyard, ’ -4 . ' d . •
B.E.H. (uritish Empire Ku Lal)
Mr, Mai Yiu-ton,.,
Hr. Wai has spent his 26 years service in the Waterworks Office.
Hu has always been a keen and reliable officer who has always shown commendable enthusiasm for all aspects of his work.
/Q.P .m.
Thursday, December 30, 1976
- 11 -
Q.P.H. (Queen1? Police- 21c .r.l)
Hr. Ramon Young Chun-shcung, H.D.E., C.P.M., J.r.
i-lr. Ycun joinel the Police Reserve, r. forerunner of the auxiliary Police Force in 1951 • He has held the post of Deputy Comandant of the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force sinee January 1973, Throughout his long career he has rendered valuable service* to the Force and has been particularly prominent in the training and guidance of junior officers and members of the rank and file.
.5, . 1 ' <
C./.l-l, (Colonial Police Igcdal)
Mr. Chile Ki-chiu < .
Mr. Chik joined the Police Force in 1950. He was promoted to Inspector in 1957 and tD Senior Inspector in 1966 (regraded* ter Chief * Inspector in 1971). - •
He has served in most sections of the Uniform Branch with a consistently high standard of duty performance, shewing loyalty, enthusiasm and ability in each appointed post.
C.P.I1. (Colonial Police ikhlal)
Mr. David Toby Emet
Mr. Emet joined the Royal Hon-, Ron.: Police as a Probationary Inspector in 1963. He was promoted to Superintendent in 1971.
He was appointed Divisional Superintendent Wanchai in"1975 and has iven service of the hi ;hcst quality in this demanding post.
C.P.H. (Colonial Police Medal)
Mr. Robert Francisco Garcia
Mr. Garcia joined the Special Constabulary in 1950. He was promoted to Senior Inspector of Police (Auxiliary) in 1972.
/Mr. Garcia ........
\ . 30, J 976
• . » . • - 2 ‘
Mr. Garcia is one of the Ion ;cst -serving ne£&6rs ;. f the Emergenpy Unit/I-lon,. Kori;, Island (Auxiliary) i His’duv/tion to duty -oil f willin qiess to accent y us" misibility have always set a fine example,
• ■ ■ j
C.x\M. (Colonial Police i-Iedal)
Mr, David Michael Holdroyl
Mr. Holdroyd joined the Force in 195$ and was promoted to Superintendent in 1971.
In 1974, Mr. Holdroyd was posted to the Police Tactical Unit as the Deputy Commandant with a special responsibility for training the Special Duties Unit, the Force counter terrorist unit.
C.xlM. (Colonial Police Medal)
Miss Esther Hun-; iian-yan
Kiss Hung was enlisted as a recruit in 1965. In 11 years she
4 j ■ has advanced from the rank of constable to Chief Inspector.
.diss Run.; was one of the original recruits who volunteered t join the Force when it w?s docile . to un/p. ;e women for communication duties. She has been a competent eomunicator and* has” also acquitted herself in general police duties with the highest sense of hity, example a.nd integrity.
■ ' • -v
G.x°.M. (Colonial xJolice Medal)
Ser cant Lx IZn-kuc
tlr. Loe joined thu Royal Hong Kong A olice Force in 1952, He was promoted to Corporal in 1956 and regraded to his present rank of Sergeant in 1971. His entire service has been in the Uniform branch”of*the Force.
Throughout his service, he has shown high standards of loyalty, reliability and professional ability.
/C.i.M
Thursday, December 30, 1976
- 13 -* -.......................
C.P.IL. (Colonial Police Medal)
Kir, Li K-^-min.;
tip. Li joined the Police as a Constable in 1953. He was promoted to Probationary Inspector in 1966 and to Senior Inspector in 1971.
His success in eradicating triad and other criminal gangs in Tsuen Vian has been the subject of numerous favourable comments from the public and magistrates. • . ' , ..
f
C«J.M.. (Colonial Police Medal)
Detective Sergeant Lin/; Hei-mirg
Mr. Ling joined the Police in 1947. He was posted to Special Branch in 1951 where he served for the rest of his career.
Hr. Ling retired in 1972 but rejoined the Force in 1974. He has been engaged in training dutic j in Special Dranc. where his long experience and outstanding ability have resulted in a very high performance.
C.P.M. (Colonial Police Medal)
Sergeant N<; Ting-cho
Mr. Ng joined the Police Force in 1953 and was promoted to Sergeant five years ago.
For the past five years, ?ir. Ng served on the training staff of the Police Tactical Unit where he made a major contribution to the • • * high standard reached by the Force in internal security drills and tactics. :.i . . •* ...
J •
/C.P.M.........
’ -r . '• • • .
'I ‘
Thursday, December 30, 1976
C .P ,M. (Colonial Police Itedal)
Sergeant Pang Qi-ling
Mr. Pang joined the Hong Kong Police Reserve as a Constable-in 1946.
In 1972, he was promoted to Sergeant (Auxiliary). Throughout his long service, Mr. Pang devoted a great deal of his time and his energy to his duties as a member of the Auxiliary Police Force.
4 * • * 1
C.P.M. (Colonial Police Medal)
Mr. Albert Philip
Mr. Philip joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as an Inspector in 1957 following service as a Police Lieutenant during the Emergency in Malaya.
He was promoted to Senior Inspector in November 1965 and to
Superintendent in February 1971•
Mr. Philip’s service in various Branches of the Police Force has been marked by abundant energy, determination and loyalty.
C oP .M. (Colonial ^Pol; Keck 1)
Mr. Fong Sik-fun ---- •'...~ -
Principal Fireman Fong has served in the Fire Services for
24 years and has constantly shown a high standard of efficiency. Mr. Fong has been in charge of a remote station.
Fl •', ...... ,
C.P.M. (Colonial Police Medal)
Mr. Wong Ka-wah
Principal Fireman Wong has served for 26 years in both fire and ambulance echelons and at all times has demonstrated a keen sense of responsibility and high standard of efficiency.
/C.P.M.
Thursday, December >0, ", 9?o
- 15 -
' C./ .M. (Colonial ?>licc
Mr, Young Bin
Ur, Young joined the Fire Services in 1954* He quickly rose to the rank of Principal Fireroan and later to a Fire Officer. He has made an outstanding success of all his duties.
~ *'»•- .L. . .. . , f , j . .4.
Q.C.V.S.A. (Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air)
Flight Lieutenant Brendan Charles Spikins, R.A.F.
Fit. Lt. Spikins served with the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force on loan from the Royal Air Force from September 1973 to mid 1976 as helicopter instructor and the officer responsible for maintaining i ■ L
helicopter flying standards and the training of nevr helicopter pilots.
In addition to his instructing role, Fit. Lt. Spikins voluntarily took part in the unit1 s emergency duties. He took part. in 16 ni<jht and 54 day time casualty evacuations, several of which involved •' • v*• ’*■» ■ • -
flying skills of the very highest order.
X BADGE OF HONOUR
Hrv Chan Tai
•Mr. Chan is Permanent Director of the Pok Oi Hospital and prominent in community work involving youth and sports activities.
Mr. Cheung Wai-lar.i
•' d- Mr. Cheung is a Permanent Director of the Pok' Oi’Hospital and a senior -member. of the.. Tai Po Rural Committee and an energetic promoter of youth activities.
/Fir. Lam........
c
x.,i -.JCCC. her 3C 1976
- 16 -
hr., Lain Hon-keung
Mr. Lar: is Chairman of the Wong Chui: Hang South ;j?ea Coi.rJ.ttee.
Ku has actively contributed to the fight against crime and also to the
promotion of sport.
Mr. Lee Shau-wai
Mr. Lee is Headmaster of ’the Lee Kau Yan Memorial Secondary School, with a long record of community service, particularly in the field of education.
Mr. To Lung
Mr. To is Chairman of the Sai Ying i\in Area Committee. He has played an important part in their campaign against crime.
Mr. To Man-chi ... ..................... •
. !» . • i•’ ••• • । .
Mr. To is a wll-lmowfn^ figure -in- -Shau-lfei-fei^--i
where he has a long history of community service and promotion of social ' '<■ • ' 'I' . • ■
welfare,
* on ' ■
Mr. Yip Chuen ...
< * 4 I I ■ .
Mr. lip is’'a well-known and respected figure in Shek 0 Village,
•J ’!•> . • . ' ... . ...
where he has been actively involved in all types’ of1 community..work f or
A-r- . -t .v .
many years, '■ ' ■ v o .
Mr. Wong Ping-hon
Mr.. Wong, Chairman of the Cheung Sha Wan District Kaifong Association, is a keen supporter of community projects and youth activities.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1976
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RECORD ARRESTS OF DRUG COURIERS AT KAI TAK AIRPORT ......... 1
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS SENDS NEW YEAR GREETINGS ................................... 3
THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR OCTOBER SHOW A DEFICIT OF
$86 MILLION ...............................................
APPLICATIONS FOR EXPORT OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS TO EEC NOW
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1976
1
RECORD ARRESTS OF DRUG COURIERS
******
BETWEEN JANUARY AND NOVEMBER THIS YEAR THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE FOILED A RECORD NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS BY COURIERS TO SMUGGLE NARCOTICS AND SOFT DRUGS INTO HONG KONG THROUGH THE BUSY KAI TAK AIRPORT.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, A TOTAL OF 65 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 14 WOMEN, WERE ARRESTED AT KAI TAK.
AMONG THEM WERE 24 HONG KONG CHINESE, 16 THAIS, SIX INDIANS, FIVE AUSTRALIANS, FOUR AMERICANS, FOUR SINGAPOREANS AND FOUR MALAYSIANS. TWO YOUNG DUTCH MEN WHO WERE ABOUT TO BOARD A PLANE AFTER SPENDING THEIR HOLIDAYS HERE WERE ALSO ARRESTED WHEN FOUND IN POSSESSION OF DRUGS.
THE AMOUNT OF DRUGS SEIZED AT THE AIRPORT DURING THIS PERIOD AMOUNTED TO 177 KILOS, INCLUDING 64 KILOS OF MORPHINE AND 60 KILOS OF CANNABIS.
DURING THE WHOLE OF LAST YEAR THE AMOUNT OF DRUGS SEIZED AT KAI TAK REACHED 133 KILOS WHILE THE NUMBER OF COURIERS ARRESTED NUMBERED 37. THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS AT KAI TAK IN 1974 WAS NINE AND THE QUANTITY OF DRUGS SEIZED WAS ONLY THREE KILOGRAMMES.
ACCORDING TO MR. TONG KANG-SHING, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE (INVESTIGATION), THE METHODS USED BY COURIERS TO BRING DRUGS INTO HONG KONG THESE DAYS WERE GETTING MORE AND MORE SOPHISTICATED.
+THEY ARE CONCEALING THEM IN PLACES YOU WOULDN’T DREAM 0F,+ HE POINTED OUT.
HE NOTED THAT MANY OF THOSE ARRESTED HID DRUGS IN COOKED OR PACKAGED FOOD AND IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.
MR. TONG EXPLAINED THAT THE RECORD NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARRESTED AT KAI TAK SO FAR THIS YEAR WAS DUE TO THE ANNIHILATION OF DRUG KINGPINS IN 1974 WHEN THE BULK OF THE DRUGS WERE BROUGHT IN BY FISHING TRAWLERS.
+MANY OF THE MAJOR SYNDICATES HAVE BEEN NEUTRALISED AND MORE SMUGGLING IS NOW DONE BY INDIVIDUAL OPERATORS,+ HE SAID.
+WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO CONTAIN THIS BY RAIDING OPIUM SMOKING DIVANS AND BY PICKING UP ’PUSHERS’ IN THE STREET AND SUCH PLACES AS PUBLIC CONVEN IENCES,+ HE STRESSED.
/M«. TONG
FRIDAY, DECEMBER , 1976
2
MR. TONG EMPHASISED THAT THE INVESTIGATION DIVISION OF THE SERVICE HAD WIDENED THEIR SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES AGAINST NARCOTICS TRAFFICKERS BY COLLECTING INTELLIGENCE IN LIAISON WITH OTHER REGIONAL CUSTOMS AGENCIES, FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION STEMMING FROM SEIZURES AND PAYING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO PEOPLE LEAVING HONG KONG BY AIR.
BECAUSE OF INCREASED VIGILANCE AT THE AIRPORT, HE CONTINUED, A TOTAL OF NINE PEOPLE WERE PICKED UP WITHIN THREE MONTHS (DECEMBER 1975 TO FEBRUARY 1976) WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TAKE DRUGS OUT FROM HONG KONG BY AIR.
+THESE ARRESTS INHIBITED DRUG TRAFFICKERS FROM MAKING FURTHER SUCH ATTEMPTS,+ MR. TONG SAID.
+ALTHOUGH THIS HAS SEEMINGLY STOPPED, PEOPLE IN THIS ILLEGAL NARCOTICS BUSINESS HAVE COME UP WITH ANOTHER PLAN,* HE ADDED.
+THEY ARE NOW SENDING PEOPLE TO BANGKOK WHERE THEY PICK UP DRUGS AND TAKE THEM TO THEIR CONTACTS IN EUROPE.+
+BY WAY OF CO-OPERATION WITH CUSTOMS AND POLICE AGENCIES IN EUROPE, WE HAVE ACHIEVED A MEASURE OF SUCCESS IN DEALING WITH THIS SITUATION,+ MR. TONG SAID.
+OUR WELL-TRAINED OFFICERS AT THE AIRPORT HAVE SPOTTED A NUMBER OF LOCAL PEOPLE WHO ARE SUSPECTED TO BE INVOLVED IN NARCOTICS LEAVING KAI TAK.
+WHAT WE THEN DO IS MAKE A CHECK ON THEIR DESTINATIONS AND INFORM THE INTERPOL,* HE POINTED OUT.
BECAUSE OF THIS LIAISON WITH INTERPOL, MR. TONG CONTINUED, FOUR LOCAL MEN AND A BRITON WERE ARRESTED IN BANGKOK, FIVE HONG KONG MEN IN PARIS AND TWO IN BRUSSELS.
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS, THE AMOUNT OF DRUGS SEIZED HAS INCREASED FROM 202 KILOS IN 1975 TO ABOUT 565 KILOS IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR — REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 180 PER CENT.
AND IN VALUE, THE JUMP IS f^ROM 37.1 MILLION (1975) TO OVER $25 MILLION (JANUARY - NOVEMBER 1976) -- AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 250 PER CENT.
AMONG THE DRUGS SEIZED WERE MORPHINE, HEROIN, RAW OPIUM, PREPARED OPIUM, CANNABIS AND CANNABIS RESIN. THESE WERE FOUND ONBOARD SHIPS, AND IN PREMISES, DIVANS AS WELL AS THE AIRPORT.
/Mm. TONG NOTSD ...
FRIDAY, DECEMBER , ^976
mr TONG NOTED THAT DURING THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF THIS YFAR THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARRESTED ON LAND TOTALLED 1,410, I“SoP™F 747 WHEN COMPARED WITH 1975’S TOTAL.
THIS, HE EXPLAINED, WAS DUE TO THE DECLINING NUMBER OF OPIUM SMOKING DIVANS.
IN 1974 WHEN OPIUM DIVANS COULD EASILY BE FOUND IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS IN HONG KONG, MORE THAN 4,000 ARRESTS WERE MADE ON LAND.
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NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM SECRETARY OF STATE H H M
# M * M
„„ ™ ^R^N?FC^A^RHFA^leGN¥ A«^ Sra^ET.HOS TO^THE^GOVERNOR AND PEOPLE Of'hONG KONG.
HIS MESSAGE READS:
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YEAR.
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1976.
4
GOVT. ACCOUNTS FOR OCTOBER
* * *
THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER SHOW A DEFICIT OF $86 MILLION AS COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $97 MILLION IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATED DEFICIT OF $483 MILLION FOR THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $603 MILLION FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
GROSS EXPENDITURE AT $560 MILLION WAS $26 MILLION MORE THAN THAT IN OCTOBER 1975.
TOTAL REVENUE AND RECEIPTS AT $474 MILLION WAS $37 MILLION MORE THAN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, DUE MAINLY TO INCREASED RECEIPTS FROM DUTIES, GENERAL RATES, MOTOR VEHICLES TAXES AND LAND SALES.
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EXPORT OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS TO EEC APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED ******
THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT IT WAS ACCEPTING WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT APPLICATIONS FOR +FORMS A+ FOR CERTAIN TEXTILE PRODUCTS TO BE EXPORTED TO THE EEC UNDER THE COMMUNITY’S 1977 GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES (GSP).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EEC-GSP IN 1971 THAT PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT WAS BEING EXTENDED TO SOME TEXTILES ORIGINATING FROM HONG KONG.
HE EXPLAINED THAT A FULL LIST OF THE TEXTILE PRODUCTS ELIGIBLE FOR SUCH BENEFITS WAS STILL AWAITED FROM THE EEC COMMISSION.
+THE PRELIMINARY LIST WE HAVE GIVES DETAILS OF 66 ITEMS, MAINLY FABRICS. EXPORTERS MAY NOW APPLY FOR THE FORMS (FORMS A) FOR THESE,+ HE SAID.
A CIRCULAR (CERTIFICATE OF PREFERENCE CIRCULAR NO. 29/76) CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE 66 ITEMS WAS ISSUED TO THE TRADE RECENTLY.
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