Daily Information Bulletin - 1970s - 1976 - SEP - ENG





 PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

TENANTS OF A SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET BUILDING MOVE OUT TO MAKE WAY FOR MTR TUNNELLING WORK ...................... 1

OVER $40,000 MILLION DEPOSITED IN BANKS IN JULY ......... 2

RESIDENTS REMINDED TO REGISTER FOR IDENTITY CARDS ....... 3

JAPANESE GOVERNMENT OFFERS TWO SCHOLARSHIPS TO HONG KONG 4

BURIAL GRANTS TOTALLING $20,900 PAID TO FAMILIES OF LANDSLIDE VICTIMS ........................................ 4

TWO FORMER EXECUTIVE COUNCILLORS TO RETAIN +HONOURABLE+ TITLE .................................................... 5

WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG AND TSUEN WAN .................... 5

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1976.

1

ALL TENANTS MOVE OUT FROM BUILDING IN SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET

******

ALL TENANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES OF THE BUILDING AT NO. 2O5/2O5A SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET, SHAM SHU I PO, WHICH IS REQUIRED TO BE VACATED FOR MASS TRANSIT TUNNELLING WORK HAVE FINISHED MOVING OUT THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORN I NG(AFTER RECEIVING EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

DOMESTIC TENANTS ELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT HOUSING HAVE MOVED TO THEIR NEW HOMES PROVIDED AT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT COMMERCIAL TENANTS WERE GIVEN ABOUT $40 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR BUSINESS ACCOMMODATION, AND DOMESTIC TENANTS ABOUT $20 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR THEIR LIVING SPACES.

THE BUILDING WILL SOON BE PULLED DOWN TO MAKE WAY FOR MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WORKS.

IN THE CASE OF THE NEARBY TAI ON MANSION, MANY OF THE TENANTS ARE ALSO MOVING OUT SINCE THEY HAVE ACCEPTED EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION AND REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THERE ARE MORE TENANTS IN THIS BUILDING, THE GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO GIVE THEM MORE TIME TO MOVE OUT. HOWEVER, THE TENANTS HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY MUST VACATE THEIR PREMISES BEFORE SEPTEMBER 10, 1976.

OFFICIALS FROM THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED ARE KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE TENANTS WITH A VIEW TO HELPING THEM IN RESOLVING ANY PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1976

2

JULY BANKING STATISTICS * * * * K * K

BANKING DEPOSITS AS AT THE END MILLION, COMPRISING $10,201 MILLION $15,461 MILLION IN TIME DEPOSITS AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS.

OF JULY STOOD AT $40,157 IN DEMAND DEPOSITS, $14,495 MILLION IN

THERE WERE 74 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG AS AT JULY 31.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE RELEASED BY THE BANKING TODAY GIVES A DETAILED BREAKDOWN AND ASSETS FOR THE MONTH

COMMISSIONER OF OF BANK LIABILITIES

$ MILLION

LIABILITIES

1. DEPOSITS

2. AMOUNT DUE TO BANKS ABROAD

3. OTHER LIABILITIES

40,157

26,245

7,934

TOTAL LIABILITIES 74,336

ASSETS

1. CASH

2. AMOUNT DUE FROM BANKS ABROAD

(I) DEMAND AND SHORT TERM । (II) TIME DEPOSITS

3. LOANS AND ADVANCES :

(I) HONG KONG

(II) ABROAD

4. INVESTMENTS :

(I) HONG KCNG

(II) ABROAD

661

IMS 20,577

3,037 23,614

26,976

12,923 39,899

3,162

62 3,224

/5. OTHER

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1976

5. OTHER ASSETS s

(I) HONG KONG

(II) ABROAD

3,547

3,391 6,938

TOTAL ASSETS 74,336

AVERAGE LIQUIDITY DURING MONTH

47.83%

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RESIDENTS REMINDED TO REGISTER FOR IDENTITY CARDS *****

THE COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION TODAY REMINDED THE PUBLIC OF THE NEED TO REGISTER FOR IDENTITY CARDS.

ADULTS, WHO ARE NOT IN POSSESSION OF AN IDENTITY CARD, SHOULD REGISTER THEMSELVES.

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS SHOULD REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN AND WARDS FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THEIR ELEVENTH BIRTHDAY.

ALL YOUNG PERSONS, WHETHER OR NOT IN POSSESSION OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS, MUST REGISTER FOR THEIR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS WITHIN ONE MONTH OF BECOMING 18 YEARS OF AGE.

ALL NEW ARRIVALS, WHO INTEND TO STAY IN HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN 90 DAYS, SHOULD ALSO REGISTER FOR AN IDENTITY CARD WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THEIR ARRIVAL.

+POSSESSION OF A TRAVEL DOCUMENT, INCLUDING A BRITISH PASSPORT DOES NOT ABSOLVE A PERSON FROM REGISTERING,* THE COMMISSIONER POINTED OUT.

A PERSON ONCE REGISTERED MUST USE HIS REGISTERED NAME IN ALL DEALINGS WITH GOVERNMENT.

FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS OF THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS ORDINANCE IS AN OFFENCE.

IN CASES OF DOUBT, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY SEEK ADVICE AT ANY OF THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT’S BRANCH OFFICES AND SUB-OFFICES.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1976

4

JAPANESE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HONG KONG STUDENTS

*****

TWO SCHOLARSHIPS ARE BEING OFFERED BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT TO HONG KONG STUDENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES UNDER THE MOMBUSHO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME FOR THE 1977 ACADEMIC YEAR. ONE OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL MAJOR IN JAPANESE LANGUAGE AT THE TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN STUDIES AND THE OTHER IN SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES AT A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY.

APPLICANTS MUST BE OVER 18 AND UNDER 22 YEARS OF AGE ON APRIL 1, 1977. THEY MUST BE WILLING TO RECEIVE UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE.

APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED THE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG OR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, OR OBTAINED EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATIONS OR HAVE POSSESSED HIGHER QUALIFICATIONS.

APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS REGARDING THESE SCHOLARSHIPS AND UNIVERSITY COURSES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BRANCH OFFICE, BONAVENTURE HOUSE, 2ND FLOOR, 91 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.

ALL COMPLETED FORMS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SECTION BY SEPTEMBER 13.

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$20,900 BURIAL GRANTS PAID TO FAMILIES OF LANDSLIDE VICTIMS * * * *

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY PAID BURIAL GRANTS TOTALLING $20,900 TO FAMILIES OF 19 PEOPLE WHO WERE KILLED IN LAST WEEK’S LANDSLIDES.

OF THE DEAD, 18 WERE VICTIMS OF THE SAU MAU PING DISASTER AND ONE FROM THE NAM ON FONG VILLAGE LANDSLIP.

THIS BRINGS TO 20 THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES WHO HAVE RECEIVED BURIAL GRANTS. THE FIRST PAYMENT WAS MADE LAST SATURDAY.

APART FROM THE BURIAL GRANTS, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO PAID A SUM OF $13,100 TO THE SEVEN DEPENDANTS OF A MAN WHO WAS KILLED IN THE SAU MAU PING LANDSLIP. THE AMOUNT DOES NOT INCLUDE BURIAL GRANT.

A SAU MAU PING MAN WHOSE WIFE AND A SON WERE KILLED IN THE LANDSLIDE WAS PAID A TOTAL OF $6,900.

A SUM OF $1,700 WAS PAID TO THE FAMILY OF TWO BROTHERS, ONE OF WHOM WAS KILLED AND THE OTHER INJURED IN THE NAM ON FONG VILLAGE LANDSLIP.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID GRANTS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PAID TO THOSE WHO HAD BEEN AFFECTED BY THE LANDSLIDES BROUGHT ON BY THE HEAVY RAINS.

+WE HAVE CONTACTED THE FAMILIES OF THOSE KILLED BY LANDSLIDES TO COME AND COLLECT THEIR GRANTS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INJURED ARE ALSO ASKED TO COME FORWARD, BUT THEY MUST ALSO BRING WITH THEM MEDICAL CERTIFICATES FROM DOCTORS OR HOSPITALS.+

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1976

5

MR. P.C. WOO AND MR. SZETO WAI TO RETAIN +HONOURABLE+ TITLE * * * *

MR. P.C. WOO AND MR. SZETO WAI HAVE BEEN GRANTED PERMISSION BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN TO RETAIN THE TITLE +HONOURABLE+ WITHIN HONG KONG FOLLOWING THEIR RETIREMENT FROM THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AT THE END OF AUGUST.

MR. WOO AND MR. SZETO HAVE COMBINED SERVICE ON THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS OF 12 YEARS AND 11 YEARS RESPECTIVELY.

MR. WOO WAS FIRST APPOINTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1964 AND SERVED ON IT FOR 10 YEARS. HE WAS FIRST APPOINTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN 1972.

MR. SZETO WAS FIRST APPOINTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1965 AND SERVED UNTIL 1974. IT WAS ALSO IN 1972 THAT HE WAS APPOINTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

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WATER CUT

* * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE INTERRUPTED FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 3) TO ALLOW THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, WEST OF JORDAN VALLEY NULLAH, KWUN TONG ROAD AND SHING SHUN ROAD, INCLUDING BLOCK NOS. 8-14 OF LOWER NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE.

ON THE SAME DAY, A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL ALSO BE WITHOUT WATER SUPPLY FOR NINE HOURS STARTING FROM 9 P.M. TO ALLOW THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CONNECT FRESH WATER PIPELINES IN THE AREA.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY THE SOUTH SIDE OF YEUNG UK ROAD FROM WANG LUNG STREET TO MA TAU PA STREET, FUI YIU KOK STREET AND A SECTION OF WANG LUNG STREET BETWEEN YEUNG UK ROAD AND MA TAU PA STREET.

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MOST RESIDENTS OF U LAM TERRACE ALLOWED TO RETURN HOME ................................................... 1

A NUMBER OF COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED TO HONG KONG .............................................  2

WATER CUT............................................... 2

HONG KONG STUDENT DANCERS A HIT AMONG AUDIENCES IN BRITAIN ................................................ 3

MORE THAN 150 CHILD CARE CENTRES OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS .................................................. 3

EMPLOYERS REMINDED THAT THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL IS A

STATUTORY HOLIDAY ...................................... 4

RESULTS OF THE JUNE G.C.E. AVAILABLE ................... 5

CIVIL AID SERVICES ANNUAL SWIMMING GALA ............... 5

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1976

- 1

MOST RESIDENTS OF U LAM TERRACE ALLOWED TO RETURN HOME ******

NEARLY ALL THE RESIDENTS OF U LAM TERRACE IN THE LOWER MIDLEVELS WHO WERE EVACUATED FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE AT CAINE LANE LAST WEEK WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.

OFFICERS OF THE P.W.D.’S BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE MADE A FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE SITE AGAIN THIS MORNING, AND ISSUED SPECIAL PERMITS FOR RE-ENTRY TO NOS. 6, 7 AND FLATS A AND B OF NO. 8 U LAM TERRACE.

THE THREE BUILDINGS WILL REMAIN SUBJECT TO THE CLOSURE ORDERS POSTED LAST WEEK AND THE RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT WHILE IT IS SAFE FOR THEM TO RETURN HOME THEY MAY BE REQUIRED TO LEAVE AT SHORT NOTICE IN THE EVENT OF ANOTHER RAINSTORM OR OTHER EMERGENCY SITUATION.

THE REAR GROUND FLOORS OF NOS. 6 AND 7, WHICH DO NOT CONTAIN DOMESTIC FLATS, WILL REMAIN CLOSED FOR THE TIME BEING, AS WILL THE YARD AT THE REAR OF THE BUILDING.

FLATS IN BLOCK C OF NO. 8 WILL BE THE ONLY FLATS TO REMAIN CLOSED, BECAUSE THEY ARE AT THE REAR OF THE BUILDING, WHICH HAS SUFFERED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE.

THE FRONT PORTION OF THE BUILDING, HOWEVER, HAS NOT BEEN AFFECTED, AND HAS BEEN REOPENED TO THE RESIDENTS.

A P.W.D. SPOKESMAN SAID THE OWNER OF THE BUILDING WAS NOW BEING APPROACHED TO COMMENCE SHORING AND REPAIR WORKS.

MEANWHILE, THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE HAS BEGUN CLEARING OVERHANGING PARTS OF THE COLLAPSED PARAPET WALLS, AND THE CAR WHICH SLID DOWN THE SLOPE DURING THE RAINSTORM WILL BE REMOVED TODAY.

A HIGHWAYS OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT NOW THAT DETAILED STUDIES OF THE COLLAPSE AREA HAD BEEN COMPLETED, CLEARANCE OF THE DEBRIS WOULD BE PUT IN HAND IMMEDIATELY, AND IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THE VERY EXTENSIVE REPAIR WORKS NECESSARY COULD BEGIN IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1976

- 2 -

COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS 1977

*****

A NUMBER OF COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS ARE BEING OFFERED, UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP PLAN, BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, SRI LANKA (CEYLON), TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, NIGERIA, MALAYSIA AND JAMAICA.

THESE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE INTENDED FOR PERSONS OF HIGH INTELLECTUAL PROMISE NORMALLY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG WHO MAY BE EXPECTED TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO LIFE IN HONG KONG ON THEIR RETURN FROM STUDY ABROAD. THEY ARE PRIMARILY AVAILABLE FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDY OR RESEARCH AT UNIVERSITIES NORMALLY EXTENDING OVER A PERIOD OF TWO ACADEMIC YEARS.

THE EMOLUMENTS WILL COVER APPROVED EXPENSES FOR TRAVEL, LIVING AND STUDY DURING THE TENURE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP.

CANDIDATES SHOULD BE COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS NORMALLY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG AND NOT MORE THAN 35 YEARS OF AGE AT THE TIME THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMENCES AND PREFERABLY LESS THAN 28 YEARS OF AGE. THEY MUST ALSO BE GRADUATES OF RECOGNISED UNIVERSITIES, OR HOLDERS OF EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATIONS.

CANDIDATES WHO ARE RECOMMENDED FOR THE AWARDS MUST SATISFY CERTAIN LANGUAGE, HEALTH AND IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS.

APPLICATION FORMS AND OTHER PARTICULARS CONCERNING THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BRANCH OFFICE, BONAVENTURE HOUSE, SECOND FLOOR, 91 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG.

COMPLETED FORMS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS REQUIRED SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SAME OFFICE NOT LATER THAN OCTOBER 2, 1976. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

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WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 4) TO FACILITATE A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY SHA TSUI ROAD, LUEN YAN STREET, YEUNG UK ROAD, WANG WO TSAI STREET AND KWU HANG ROAD.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1976

- 3 -

H.K. STUDENT DANCERS’ LAST DAY IN BRITAIN

*****

TWENTY-SIX STUDENT DANCERS FROM HONG KONG WHO HAVE BECOME A HIT AMONG AUDIENCES IN BRITAIN ARE TODAY SPENDING THE LAST DAY OF THEIR STAY THERE BY SHOPPING AND PAYING FAREWELL CALLS.

THE DANCING TEAM, 20 GIRLS AND SIX BOYS, WILL ALSO CALL AT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON, WHERE THE COMMISSIONER, MR. S.T. KIDD, WILL PRESENT EACH OF THEM AND SEVEN TEAM OFFICIALS WITH A SOUVENIR OF THEIR VISIT.

IN THE EVENING, THEY WILL BE GUESTS AT A DINNER GIVEN BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG CHINESE COMMUNITY IN LONDON.

THEY WILL BOARD A PLANE TOMORROW AND WILL ARRIVE AT KAI TAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON SATURDAY EVENING.

THEIR TOUR REACHED THE CLIMAX ON TUESDAY NIGHT WITH A PERFORMANCE AT THE MIDLANDS ARTS CENTRE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. THEIR PERFORMANCE DREW THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE AND CHEERS FROM THE AUDIENCE WHO REPEATEDLY CALLED FOR ’MORE’.

THE AUDIENCE WAS RELUCTANT TO ALLOW THE DANCERS TO LEAVE THE STAGE OF THE CENTRE’S GRECIAN-STYLE ARENA THEATRE AND CALLED THEM BACK FOR ONE ROUND OF APPLAUSE AFTER ANOTHER.

AFTER THE SHOW, THE DANCERS WERE GIVEN AN IMPROMPTU PARTY IN THE ARTS CENTRE.

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OVER 150 CHILD CARE CENTRES * * * *

OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS *

ONE-HUNDRED-AND-FIFTY-SIX CHILD CARE CENTRES HAVE OBTAINED APPLICATION FORMS FOR REGISTRATION WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE APARTMENT SINCE THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE CAME INTO Operation on june i, 1976.

OF THESE, 69 HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE FORMS AND FORWARDED THEM TO THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS OF THEIR PREMISES ARE NECESSARY FOR SAFETY, HEALTH AND SANITATION REASONS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY: +THEY WILL BE REGISTERED AS SOON AS THEY HAVE COMPLIED WITH ALL THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS LAID DOWN IN THE CODE OF PRACTICE.

5 +THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET TAKEN ANY STEPS TO REGISTER SHOULD COME*FORWARD WITHOUT DELAY. UNREGISTERED CHILD CARE CENTRES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE AFTER MAY 31, 1977.♦

MEANWHILE, OFFICERS OF THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATES HAVE BEEN VISITING CENTRES TO ADVISE OPERATORS ON THE PROCEDURES TO REGISTER AND TO URGE THEM TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE TRAINING COURSES FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS AVAILABLE AT THE TRAINING UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

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A...

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1976

4

STATUTORY HOLIDAY FOR WORKERS ******

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT SEPTEMBER 9, THE DAY FOLLOWING THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL, IS ONE OF THE SIX STATUTORY HOLIDAYS APPOINTED UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

MR. PRICE EMPHASISED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE APPLY NOT ONLY TO EMPLOYEES IN INDUSTRY BUT ALSO TO THOSE 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 $2,000 A MONTH, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY. THEY MUST ALSO BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

+AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS NOT EMPLOYED ON A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT — FOR EXAMPLE, ONE WHO WORKS FOR LESS THAN SIX HOURS A DAY OR HAS BEEN EMPLOYED BY THE SAME EMPLOYER FOR LESS THAN THREE MONTHS — IS STILL ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY, BUT HAS NO LEGAL ENTITLEMENT TO BE PAID,+ MR. PRICE POINTED OUT.

IF THE EMPLOYER REQUIRES AN EMPLOYEE TO WORK ON A 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 HIS EMPLOYEE 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THAT 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 HOLIDAY.

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 HCLIDAY.

ENQUIRIES OR COMPLAINTS REGARDING STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH CFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE. 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. E2- AND HONG KONG ISLAND - 5-282523 EXT. 60.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1976

- 5 -RESULTS OF JUNE G.C.E. AVAILABLE X X X X

THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON G.C.E. JUNE 1976 ’O’ AND ’A’ LEVEL RESULTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE.

STUDENTS WHO ENTERED AS SCHOOL CANDIDATES SHOULD CONTACT THEIR SCHOOLS FOR THEIR RESULTS WHILE PRIVATE CANDIDATES ARE BEING NOTIFIED INDIVIDUALLY BY POST.

PRIVATE CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THEIR RESULTS BY WEDNESDAY (SEPTEMBER 8),- MAY TELEPHONE THE EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS SECTION, EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BY TELEPHONING NO. 3-686864 OR 3 -688704.

STUDENTS WHO INTEND REPEATING THE SAME SUBJECTS IN THE COMING UNIVERSITY OF LONDON JANUARY G.C.E. EXAMINATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER DURING MID-SEPTEMBER. THE DATES AND PLACES FOR REGISTRATION WILL BE PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 10 IN.ALL LEADING DAILY NEWSPAPERS.

THE ASSOCIATED EXAMINING BOARD G.C.E. JUNE 1976 ’0’ AND ’A’ LEVEL RESULTS WILL BE RELEASED TO CANDIDATES AS SOON AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.

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C.A.S. ANNUAL SWIMMING GALA

* M X K

THE CIVIL AID SERVICES ANNUAL SWIMMING GALA WILL BE HELD AT THE MORRISON HILL SWIMMING POOL, WAN CHAI, ON SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 4)

OVER 370 C.A.S. ADULT VOLUNTEERS AND CADETS WILL COMPETE IN 20 EVENTS, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 1 P.M. AND 6 P.M.

IN THE INVITATION RELAY EVENTS, TEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND FIVE YOUTH ORGANISATIONS WILL TAKE PART.

THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL ARRANGE A DEMONSTRATION OF WATER POLO AT THE END OF EVENTS AND ALSO ASSIST IN ORGANIZING THE SWIMMING GALA AND PROVIDING JUDGES, TIME KEEPERS, STARTERS AND NECESSARY EQUIPMENT.

MR. LIU LIT-MO, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION, C.A.S. WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS AT ABOUT 5.40 P.M.

NOTE TO EDITORS s

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO HAVE THE OCCASION COVERED. THE PRIZE PRESENTATION WILL TAKE PLACE AT ABOUT 5.40 P.M.

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNMENT CONCLUDES TALKS WITH ADB’S APPRAISAL MISSION .. 1

PUBLIC DONATIONS FOR LANDSLIDE VICTIMS ....................... 2

PIG SUPPLIES FROM CHINA ARE NORMAL ........................... 3

ICAC (TREATMENT OF DETAINED PERSONS) ORDER ..................  4

CASUALTY SERVICE AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL EXTENDED BY EIGHT HOURS .................................................. 5

HONG KONG TO ATTEND AIR SERVICES TALKS IN LONDON ............. 6

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1976

- 1 -

ADB MISSION CONCLUDES TALKS WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ******

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK’S APPRAISAL MISSION, WHICH CAME TO HONG KONG LAST MONTH, HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TALKS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE APPRAISAL MISSION WAS HERE FROM AUGUST 11 TO SEPTEMBER 1 TO DISCUSS WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THE POSSIBILITY OF A LOAN FROM THE BANK TOWARDS PART OF THE COST OF BUILDING A LOW-COST HOUSING COMPLEX, INCLUDING CERTAIN COMMUNITY FACILITIES, IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

♦THE TALKS WERE OF AN EXPLORATORY NATURE AND CENTRED ON THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, ITS CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS MEETING HONG KONG’S OVERALL PUBLIC HOUSING TARGET, ITS COST AND THAT PART OF THE COST WHICH MIGHT BE FINANCED BY MEANS OF A LOAN FROM THE BANK.+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ALSO COVERED IN THE DISCUSSIONS WERE CERTAIN PROCEDURES WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE FOLLOWED IF A LOAN WERE TO BE GRANTED.

♦THESE POINTS WERE CLARIFIED DURING THE MISSION’S VISIT, BUT IT WAS NOT PART OF THE MISSION’S TERMS OF REFERENCE TO REACH ANY FORM OF AGREEMENT ON THE GRANTING OF A LOAN,+ THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE IS STILL NO COMMITMENT BY EITHER PARTY TO A LOAN AND THE MATTER WILL BE FURTHER EXAMINED BY THE BANK AND THE GOVERNMENT BEFORE ANY CONCLUSION IS REACHED.

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/a ....

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1976

2

PUBLIC DONATIONS FOR LANDSLIDE VICTIMS ******

A TOTAL OF 4,471 VICTIMS OF THE RECENT LANDSLIDES WILL BE ABLE TO COLLECT $40 EACH FROM DONATIONS BY THE PUBLIC NEXT WEEK.

THE 3,453 VICTIMS ON KOWLOON SIDE ARE ASKED TO COLLECT THEIR SHARES AT THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE ON TSUI PING ROAD ON MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 6) FROM 2.30 TO 4 P.M.

CASH PAYMENTS FOR THE 888 VICTIMS ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE MADE AT THE SHAU KEI WAN KAIFONG ASSOCIATION RECREATION GROUND, SHAU KEI WAN ROAD, ON TUESDAY (SEPTEMBER 7) ALSO BETWEEN 2.30 AND 4 P.M.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID : +FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES, ALL VICTIMS ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS. TENANTS OF BLOCKS 9 AND 15 OF SAU MAU PING ESTATE SHOULD ALSO BRING ALONG THEIR TENANCY CARS WHILE OTHER VICTIMS THEIR EMERGENCY RELIEF CHITS, THAT IS, THE ’RED CARD’ ISSUED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.*

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND ARTISTES FROM THE COMMERCIAL RADIO WILL HELP DISTRIBUTE THE DONATIONS DURING THESE TWO DAYS.

AS FOR THE 130 VICTIMS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, ARRANGEMENTS FOR CASH PAYMENT ARE BEING MADE SEPARATELY FOR THEM AND DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.

THE DONATIONS AMOUNTING TO $178,800 CONSIST OF $112,500 RAISED BY THE COMMERCIAL RADIO - $40,513 DONATED BY THE BANG BANG FILMS CO. LTD.- $13,279 BY READERS OF OVERSEAS CHINESE DAILY NEWS LTD.- $10,000 BY THE CHIU CHOW MERCHANTS MUTUAL ASSISTANCE SOCIETY LIMITED- $2,000 BY THE CHIU CHOW CLANSMEN OF SEK TONG TSUI, $200 BY MR. KO MAN-HING, AND $200 RAISED BY FIVE YOUNG GIRLS - CHRISTINE ROSS, JOANNA MACDONOUGH, NATALIE TURNER, MARIE TURNER AND JOANNE HUNT - IN A JUMBLE SALE.

NOTE TO EDITORS s

YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE EVENTS COVERED.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1976

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PIG SUPPLIES BOUNCED BACK ******

DESPITE THE RAINSTORM OF AUGUST 25, WHICH PUT OUT OF ACTION THE RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER THE SHING MUN RIVER AND SEVERELY DISRUPTED ALL COMMUNICATIONS, SUPPLIES OF PIGS FROM CHINA REACHING THE URBAN COUNCIL’S TWO MAIN ABATTOIRS, AT CHEUNG SHA WAN AND KENNEDY TOWN, RETURNED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY TO NORMAL AND ARE RUNNING NORMALLY NOW.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL POINTED OUT TODAY THAT PIGS FROM CHINA CONSTITUTE THE VAST BULK OF LIVESTOCK SENT TO THE ABATTOIRS.

HE SAID IN THE SEVEN DAYS PRECEDING THE RAINSTORM (AUGUST 18 TO 24 INCLUSIVE) PIG SUPPLIES FROM CHINA — BY RAIL, SEA AND ROAD — WERE RUNNING AT A DAILY AVERAGE OF 7,333 HEADS.

ON AUGUST 25, AT THE HEIGHT OF THE RAINS, THE SUPPLY DROPPED TO 80. BUT THE NEXT DAY, THE LEVEL ROSE TO 12,486 AND IN THE SEVEN DAYS FOLLOWING THE STORM (AUGUST 26 TO SEPTEMBER 1) THE AVERAGE DAILY FIGURE WAS 9,624.

THE FIGURE FOR PIGS DESPATCHED FROM CHINA BY RAIL SHOWS A SIMILAR PICTURE.

IN THE SEVEN DAYS PRECEDING THE STORM, THE DAILY AVERAGE TOTAL REACHING THE ABATTOIRS WAS 5,100. IN THE SEVEN DAYS FOLLOWING THE STORM, THE AVERAGE WAS 4,879.EVEN THOUGH, WITH THE BRIDGE DOWN, THESE PIGS WILL HAVE COMPLETED THEIR JOURNEY BY ROAD.

MEANWHILE, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY (KCR), MR. REGINALD GREGORY, SAID TODAY THAT THE UNLOADING OF GOODS FROM RAILWAY WAGONS WILL RETURN TO NORMAL VOLUME WITHIN ONE WEEK OR TWO WHEN TWO MORE TEMPORARY FREIGHT TERMINALS ARE OPENED IN SHA TIN.

THE TERMINALS TO BE OPENED ARE AT THE SOUTH OF SHA TIN STATION AND AT FO TAN.

AT PRESENT, MR. GREGORY SAID, THREE TEMPORARY TERMINALS WHICH ARE BEING USED FOR UNLOADING WAGONS ARE AT WO HOP SHEK, FAN LING AND HO TUNG LAU WORKSHOPS.

THE KCR OPENED THESE TEMPORARY TERMINALS BECAUSE THE WAGONS COULD NOT REACH KOWLOON AS A RESULT OF DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE OLD RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER SHING MUN RIVER BY LAST WEEK’S RAINSTORM.

HE SAID THAT ABOUT 70 WAGONS WERE BEING UNLOADED FROM THESE THREE TERMINALS DAILY.

/+-7HZN th?

FRIDAY, 3ZHKMB33 J, 1976

- 4 -

+WHEN THE TWO NEW TEMPORARY TERMINALS ARE OPENED, THE NUMBER OF WAGONS THAT WILL BE ABLE TO BE UNLOADED WILL INCREASE BY ABOUT 100 PER CENT,+ HE SAID.

+PRIOR TO THE DISRUPTION OF NORMAL TRAIN SERVICE, ABOUT 140 WAGONS A DAY WERE UNLOADED IN KOWLOON.

+AT THE MOMENT WE ARE GIVING UNLOADING PRIORITY TO PERISHABLE FOOD SUCH AS CATTLE, PIGS, VEGETABLES AND POULTRY. THE PRESENT POSITION OF LIVESTOCK REACHING THEIR DESTINATIONS DOESN’T SEEM TO BE TOO BAD.+

MEANWHILE, MR. GREGORY POINTED OUT, THE DEMOLITION OF THE OLD BRIDGE HAD BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED AND TWO PILING RIGS HAD COMMENCED PILING WORKS.

APART FROM PILING, THE GENERAL MANAGER ADDED, FABRICATION OF THE SECTIONS FOR THE NEW BRIDGE WAS ALSO PROCEEDING SMOOTHLY.

+WE ARE NOT WASTING ANY TIME ON THIS AND WE HOPE TO COMPLETE THE NEW BRIDGE BY EARLY NEXT MONTH,* HE SAID.

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I.C.A.C. (TREATMENT OF DETAINED PERSONS) ORDER 1976 * * * ft *

AN ORDER WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE TREATMENT OF ARRESTED PERSONS DETAINED AT THE OFFICES OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC) IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

KNOWN AS THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (TREATMENT OF DETAINED PERSONS) ORDER 1976, THE PROVISIONS REPRESENT A BALANCE BETWEEN THE NECESSITY TO ENSURE THE SAFE CUSTODY AND SECURITY OF THE PERSONS DETAINED AND TO ACCORD TO THEM CERTAIN RIGHTS AND COMFORTS.

UNDER THE ORDER, A DETAINEE SHOULD BE GIVEN REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMUNICATE AND CONSULT WITH A LEGAL ADVISER PROVIDED THAT NO UNREASONABLE HINDRANCE OR DELAY IS CAUSED TO THE INVESTIGATION.

IN ADDITION, A CLOSE RELATIVE OF THE DETAINEE OR ANY OTHER PERSON NAMED BY THE DETAINEE SHOULD BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DETENTION OF THE DETAINEE OF HIS WHEREABOUTS.

ANOTHER PROVISION IS THAT THE COMMISSION SHOULD PROVIDE FACILITIES TO JUSTICES OF THE PEACE TO ENABLE THEM TO VISIT DETAINEES AND SATISFY'THEMSELVES THAT DETAINEES ARE HELD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORDER AND ANY OTHER LAW.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1976

5

EXTENSION OF CASUALTY SERVICE HOURS AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL UK H X K M

PRESSURE AT THE EXTREMELY BUSY CASUALTY DEPARTMENT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL IS TO BE FURTHER RELIEVED WHEN THE NEW PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL EXTENDS ITS CASUALTY SERVICE BY EIGHT HOURS FROM NEXT WEEK.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID THAT BEGINNING ON MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 6) THE CASUALTY DEPARTMENT OF PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL WILL OPERATE FROM 8 A.M. TO 11.30 P.M. AT PRESENT, IT OPERATES FROM 9 A.M. TO 4.30 P.M.

THE EXTENDED CASUALTY SERVICE COINCIDES WITH THE OPENING OF THE HOSPITAL’S SECOND CLINICAL UNITS, WHICH INCLUDE MEDICAL, PAEDIATRIC, SURGICAL AND ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIALTIES.

ROUND-THE-CLOCK CASUALTY SERVICE WILL BE INTRODUCED EARLY NEXT YEAR WHEN THE 1,300-BED HOSPITAL IS EXPECTED TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL.

IN ADDITION TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, CASUALTY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, KWONG WAH HOSPITAL AND UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL IN KOWLOON AND QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL AND TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITAL ON THE ISLAND.

ACCORDING TO STATISTICS, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CASUALTY ATTENDANCES INCREASED BY A RECORD 18,8 PER CENT LAST YEAR — FROM 474,648 IN 1974 TO 564,081 IN 1975.

ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF THE CASUALTY ATTENDANCES LAST YEAR WERE ADMITTED TO HOSPITALS FOLLOWING EXAMINATION BY DOCTORS. THE REST WERE TREATED AND DISCHARGED.

THE MOST FREQUENT CAUSES OF TRAUMATIC INJURY TREATED WERE INDUSTRIAL OR DOMESTIC ACCIDENTS WITH 44,984 AND 42,245 CASES RESPECTIVELY, FOLLOWED BY ASSAULTS WITH 19,114 CASES AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WITH 14,626 CASES.

OF THE NON-TRAUMATIC AILMENTS TREATED, GENERAL MEDICAL CAUSES ACCOUNTED FOR 151,320 CASES, FOLLOWED BY PAEDIATRIC WITH 86,707 CASES AND SURGICAL WITH 79,585 CASES.

THE BUSIEST CASUALTY DEPARTMENT WAS THE ONE AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, WHICH TREATED 242,480 PATIENTS DURING THE YEAR.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1976

H.K. TO ATTEND AIR SERVICES TALKS IN LONDON ******

MR. NORMAN LATHAM, ACTING CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, LEFT FOR LONDON TODAY (FRIDAY) TO PARTICIPATE IN AIR SERVICES TALKS BETWEEN DELEGATIONS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND INDIA.

THE TALKS HAVE BEEN ARRANGED TO REVIEW THE OPERATION OF THE AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES AND, IN PARTICULAR, TO AMEND THE ROUTE SCHEDULES TO THE AGREEMENT SO AS TO BRING THEM INTO LINE WITH THE CHANGED REQUIREMENTS OF THE DESIGNATED AIRLINES: CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS, BRITISH AlPWAYS AND AIR INDIA.

- - 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE N0-

GOVERNOR APPOINTS TWO PUBLIC MEMBERS TO THE FILM CENSORSHIP BOARD OF REVIEW .............................

WATER CUT IN CHAI WAN ....................................... 1

WORLD REHABILITATION FUND DAY CENTRE TO CELEBRATE ITS STH ANNIVERSARY ......................................... *

TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE FOR METHADONE DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME .................................... J

AP LEI CHAU FIRE STATION OPENED ............................. 4

LADY MACLEHOSE TO ATTEND SUMMER PROGRAMME CLOSING CEREMONY ............................................ 4

RESULTS OF ASSOCIATED EXAMINING BOARD G.C.E.................. 5

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1976

- 1 -

PUBLIC MEMBERSHIP OF FILM CENSORSHIP BOARD OF REVIEW

IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT AS PART OF GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO INVOLVE THE PUBLIC TO A GREATER EXTENT IN THE CENSORSHIP OF FILMS INTENDED FOR PUBLIC EXHIBITION IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED THE FIRST TWO PUBLIC MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF REVIEW, A STATUTORY BODY WHICH CONSIDERS APPEALS AGAINST DECISIONS OF THE PANEL OF FILM CENSORS.

THE NEW MEMBERS ARE MRS. IRENE CHEUNG YOK-LUEN, J.P., AND MR. STEPHEN LAU MAN-LUNG.

MRS. CHEUNG IS THE PAST CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG CHINESE WOMEN’S CLUB ASSOCIATION AND MR. LAU IS A YOUNG INDUSTRIALIST. BOTH OF THEM HAVE BEEN MUCH INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT IS HOPED THAT THE APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC MEMBERS WOULD HELP THE BOARD TO MORE ACCURATELY REFLECT THE COMMUNITY’S VIEWS ON ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS IN FILMED ENTERTAINMENT.

THE ENLARGED BOARD WILL NOW COMPRISE SIX MEMBERS, WITH THE FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY AS EX-OFFICIO CHAIRMAN. THERE ARE FOUR OFFICIAL MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE POLICE, SOCIAL WELFARE, EDUCATION AND HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENTS.

WATER CUT

III

ALL PREMISES IN CHAI WAN AREA ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE WITHOUT FLUSHING WATER FROM 9 A.M. ON MONDAY (SEPTMEBR 6) TO 8 A.M. THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT.

ALSO ON THE ISLAND, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE CUT OFF FROM 10 P.M. ON MONDAY TO 6 A.M. THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE THE INSTALLATION OF VALVES ON FRESH WATER MAINS.

THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE NOS. 16A-52, AND 21-49C E'LG IN STREET, 19-27 OLD BAILEY STREET AND 9-11 SHELLEY STREET.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1976

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WORLD REHABILITATION FUND DAY CENTRE CELEBRATES 8TH ANNIVERSARY ******

TO MARK ITS 8TH ANNIVERSARY, THE WORLD REHABILITATION FUND DAY CENTRE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS ORGANISED A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES FOR ITS 300 TRAINEES.

THE ACTIVITIES WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (SUNDAY) WITH 20 TRAINEES PARTICIPATING IN A FUN FAIR AT THE NGAU TAU KOK CARITAS CENTRE. ANOTHER 60 WILL BE TREATED TOMORROW TO A COMEDY FILM 'SEVEN TIMES SEVEN’ AT THE CENTURY THEATRE BY THE OUTWARD BOUND (ALUMNI) ASSOCIATION.

ON TUESDAY (SEPTEMBER 7), ABOUT 120 TRAINEES OF THE PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING SECTION WILL HAVE A PICNIC IN THE TUEN MUN AREA WHILE 200 VOCATIONAL TRAINEES AND SHELTERED WORKERS WILL ENJOY A TEA PARTY IN THE CENTRE. BOTH PARTIES WILL HAVE A LUCKY DRAW AS THE GRAND FINALE OF THE DAY.

THE WORLD REHABILITATION FUND DAY CENTRE IN KWUN TONG WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1968 WITH A GRANT FROM THE WORLD REHABILITATION FUND INCORPORATION. THE DAY CENTRE PROVIDES SPECIALIZED SERVICES AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION TO THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, BLIND, DEAF AND MENTALLY RETARDED.

THE CENTRE HAS A TOTAL OF 340 PLACES - 140 IN PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING, 120 IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND 80 IN SHELTERED WORK.

PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING IS OFFERED TO TRAINEES BETWEEN THE AGE OF 14 AND 18. THIS INCLUDES EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL TRAINING RELATED TO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF HANDICAP- AND PRACTICAL TRAINING IN METAL WORK, WOODWORK, HANDICRAFT, TAILORING AND SEWING.

THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING IS FOR TRAINEES FROM 16 YEARS OF AGE AND ABOVE. THIS INCLUDES PRINTING, MECHANICS, RADIO AND TELEVISION REPAIRS, INDUSTRIAL MACHINE SEWING AND KNITTING.

A SHELTERED WORKSHOP IS AVAILABLE FOR SEVERELY DISABLED PERSONS WHO ARE WILLING TO DO A DAY’S WORK WHICH INCLUDES SOCKKNITTING, GARMENT-MAKING AND ASSEMBLY WORK.

THE CENTRE ALSO PROVIDES ALLIED SERVICES SUCH AS CASEWORK AND GROUP WORK, NURSING AND AUDIOMETRIC TESTING. FREE LUNCH AND TRANSPORT ARE AVAILABLE TO THE SEVERELY HANDICAPPED.

THE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND THE JOB PLACEMENT UNITS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ARE ALSO HOUSED IN THE CENTRE.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1976

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TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE FOR METHADONE DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME

* * * K K M MM

STARTING FROM MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 6). DRUG ADDICTS WHO WANT TO FIND OUT HOW TO JOIN THE EXISTING METHADONE DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME CAN DO SO BY SIMPLY DIALLING A TELEPHONE NUMBER — 3-663300.

THE TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE, WHICH IS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME TO ADVISE ADDICTS OF THE BENEFITS THEY CAN OBTAIN THROUGH METHADONE DETOXIFICATION, IS PROVIDED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE.

BY DIALLING THE NUMBER, ENQUIRERS WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN INFORMATION SUCH AS ADDRESSES OF THE 14 EXISTING DETOXIFICATION CENTRES, OPENING HOURS OF THE CENTRES AND THE NECCESSARY PROCEDURE TO ENROL FOR TREATMENT. OPERATION HOURS OF THE SERVICE WILL BE FROM 9 A.M. TO 9 P.M. DAILY, INCLUDING SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT INTENDED TO ACT AS A MEDICAL OR SOCIAL COUNSELLING SERVICE, THE TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE WOULD PROVIDE A CONVENIENT MEANS FOR DRUG ADDICTS TO FIND OUT HOW THEY COULD OBTAIN TREATMENT.

HE ADDED THAT IT WOULD ALSO BE A BENEFIT TO THOSE WHO DID NOT HAVE MUCH EDUCATION AND MIGHT HAVE DIFFICULTY IN READING POSTERS OR PAMPHLETS ON METHADONE DETOXIFICATION TREATMENT.

MEANWHILE, PUBLICITY DESIGNED TO EXPLAIN THE ADVANTAGES OF METHADONE DETOXIFICATION IS CONTINUING WITH THE USE OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS, NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS, POSTERS, LEAFLETS AND OTHER PUBLICITY METHODS.

UP TO LAST NIGHT, A TOTAL OF 4,690 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 277 FEMALES, HAVE REGISTERED FOR TREATMENT SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED ON JUNE 23.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1976

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AP LEI CHAU FIRE STATION OPENED ******

THE NEW AP LEI CHAU FIRE STATION REPLACING THE FIRE POST ON THE ISLAND WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED TODAY.

THE $500,000 STATION WAS OPENED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AP LEI CHAU KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION, MR. HO CHUN-TUNG AT A CEREMONY WHICH WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR. FRED WATSON AND THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (HONG KONG AND MARINE), MR. ROBERT HOLMES.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR. HO SAID THE NEW STATION MADE THE RESIDENTS ON THE ISLAND FEEL THAT THEIR LIVES AND PROPERTY WERE NOW BETTER PROTECTED.

BUILT ON A 3,000 SQ. FT. SITE ON SAN SHI STREET, THE SINGLE-STOREY STATION ALSO CONTAINS DORMITORY ACCOMMODATION FOR FIRE OFFICERS.

IT WILL BE REPLACED IN A FEW YEARS TIME BY A PERMANENT SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION NEAR THE SITE OF A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE ON THE ISLAND.

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LADY MACLEHOSE TO ATTEND SUMMER PROGRAMME CLOSING CEREMONY * * * *

NOTE TO EDITORS:

LADY MACLEHOSE WILL ATTEND THE SUMMER PROGRAMME CLOSING

CEREMONY AT THE S.K.H. LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE ON MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 6).

SHE WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS OF SUMMER YOUTH SPORTS COMPETITIONS AND CERTIFICATES TO THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED VOLUNTEER TRAINING COURSES.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE CEREMONY AT THE CENTRE AT 22 WO YI HOP ROAD, NORTH KWAI CHUNG, AT 6 P.M. ON MONDAY.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1976

RESULTS OF ASSOCIATED EXAMINING BOARD G.C.E. * * * *

THE ’O’ AND ’A’ LEVEL EXAMINATION RESULTS OF THE ASSOCIATED EXAMINING BOARD G.C.E. JUNE 1976 ARE NOW AVAILABLE. CANDIDATES ARE NOTIFIED INDIVIDUALLY BY POST. IF THEY DO NOT RECEIVE THEIR RESULTS BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, THEY MAY TELEPHONE THE EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS SECTION OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, TEL. 3-686864 OR 3-688704.

STUDENTS WHO INTEND REPEATING THE SAME SUBJECTS IN THE COMING NOVEMBER EXAMINATIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED EXAMINING BOARD G.C.E. WILL BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER DURING MID-SEPTEMBER. THE DATES AND PLACES FOR REGISTRATION WILL BE PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 10, IN LEADING DAILY NEWSPAPERS.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1976.

SECONDARY SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME

* * M M *

THE SECONDARY SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY, MR. DEREK HOGAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (DEVELOPMENT) SAID TODAY.

UNDER THE PROGRAMME, 33 NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE BUILT BETWEEN NOW AND SEPTEMBER 1978. IN ADDITION, 18 UNDERUTILISED PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILDINGS ARE TO BE CONVERTED TO PROVIDE 13 NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TWO ANNEXES TO EXSITING SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

♦THESE NEW BUILDINGS AND THE CONVERTED PREMISES WILL PROVIDE A FURTHER 52,000 SECONDARY PLACES,♦ MR. HOGAN SAID.

THIS FIGURE, HE ADDED, INCLUDED 3,000 PLACES CREATED BY THE FLOTATION OF CLASSES AND EXTENDED-DAY OPERATION.

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAIDj +THIS SECONDARY SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE A SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACE IN A COURSE OF THREE YEARS DURATION FOR EVERY CHILD LEAVING PRIMARY SCHOOL IN 1978.

♦THIS WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO DISPENSE WITH THE SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION IN THAT YEAR.+

DURING THE LAST 12 MONTHS EIGHT NEW SECONDARY GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS PROVIDING MORE THAN 7,000 SCHOOL PLACES AND ONE NEW PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL PROVIDING 1,000 PLACES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

IN ADDITION, TWO TECHNICAL INSTITUTES - ONE AT KWUN TONG AND THE OTHER AT KWAI CHUNG - HAVE BEEN BUILT BY GOVERNMENT. THESE EACH PROVIDE THE EQUIPMENT OF 1,500 FULL-TIME PLACES.

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Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1976

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SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO GUIDE MARINE TRAFFIC IN HK WATERS

*****

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT PLANS TO ENGAOE A SPECIALIST CONSULTANT FIRM TO CARRY OUT A DETAILED STUDY ON THE TYPE OF SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT WHICH CAN HELP IMPROVE THE EXISTING SERVICE TO SHIPS USING THE HARBOUR IN VARIOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS.

AT PRESENT, A V.H.F. RADIO SYSTEM AND VISUAL CONTACT ARE THE PRINCIPAL MEANS OF MONITORING MOVEMENTS OF SHIPS IN THE HARBOUR.

THE NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE AND SOPHISTICATED SYSTEM IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY EVIDENT AS STATISTICS SHOW THAT NOT ONLY THE NUMBER OF VESSEL CALLS HAS INCREASED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, BUT THE SIZE OF CERTAIN VESSELS AND AMOUNTS OF CARGOES SHIPPED IN AND OUT HAVE ALSO GONE UP.

DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, OVER 15,000 VESSELS REPRESENTING 68.4 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS ENTERED AND LEFT HONG KONG. THIS COMPARED WITH 14,637 VESSELS AND 64 MILLION TONS IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. -

WITH A VIEW TO FINDING THE RIGHT TYPE OF SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT, THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN KEEPING A WATCHFUL EYE ON DEVELOPMENTS IN OTHER PORTS IN ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD, ESPECIALLY IN ARMERICA AND EUROPE.

*» ' W*

IN APRIL THIS YEAR, MR. ROGER PARRY, OF THE DEPARTMENT’S PLANNING DIVISION, VISITED THE HAGUE TO ATTEND A FOUR-DAY SYMPOSIUM ON VESSEL TRAFFIC SYSTEMS.

THE CONFERENCE, ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 300 REPRESENTATIVES FROM 25 COUNTRIES, DISCUSSED IN GENERAL TERMS, THE SAFETY OF VESSELS MOVING IN AND OUT OF CONGESTED WATERWAYS SUCH AS THE APPROACHES TO MAJOR PORTS AROUND THE WORLD, AS WELL AS SUCH INTERNATIONAL WATERWAYS AS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL AND THE MALACCA STRAITS.

DURING HIS STAY IN THE EUROPEAN CITY, MR. PARRY MET A WEST GERMAN PROFESSOR WHO WAS AT THE TIME TESTING ONE OF THE LATEST PIECES OF V.H.F. EQUIPMENT USED FOR IDENTIFYING AND LOCATING SHIPS IN ALL-WEATHER CONDITIONS, WHICH IS SAID TO HAVE AN EXTREMELY HIGH DEGREE OF ACCURACY.

+WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IS AN OVERLAPPING SYSTEM PROBABLY CONSISTING OF RADAR, DAY AND NIGHT REMOTE CONTROLLED TELEVISION AND V.H.F. RADIOLOCATION EQUIPMENT,+ MR. PARRY SAID

/+H1 EXPLAINED ....

- 3 -

+HE EXPLAINED THAT THE THREE SYSTEMS, WHEN COMBINED, SHOULD PROVIDE ONE COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM TO GIVE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE CAPABILITY IN ALL SITUATIONS. +THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THIS IS TO IMPROVE SAFETY OF SHIPPING IN THE PORT,+ HE POINTED OUT.

MR. PARRY SAID THE RADAR WAS FOR ALL WEATHER TRACKING AND LOCATING VESSELS. THE T.V. SYSTEM WOULD BE USED TO GET A CLEAR PICTURE OF SHIPS IN THE HARBOUR AND APPROACHES, EVEN AT NIGHT, WHILE THE V.H.F. RADIO SYSTEM WOULD PROVIDE MEANS OF LOCATING AND IDENTIFYING VESSELS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.

V.H.F. RADIO IS NOW BEING DEVELOPED TO SUCH A LEVEL THAT MORE AND MORE PORTS ARE EXPECTED TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION MAKING IT MANDATORY FOR VIRTUALLY ALL VESSELS TO CARRY AND USE IT WHILST NAVIGATING IN OR NEAR THEIR TERRITORY.

COMMENTING ON THIS, THE SENIOR MARINE OFFICER (PLANNING), MR. GORDON MILWARD, SAID THAT SIMILAR LEGISLATION WAS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO HONG KONG IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

HE ALSO EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT FUNDS WOULD SOON BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYING A SPECIALIST CONSULTANT FIRM TO CARRY OUT THE STUDY AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE MOST VIABLE OVERALL SCHEME.

MR. MILWARD SAID THE STUDY WAS ESSENTIAL BECAUSE IT WOULD HELP AVOID UNNECESSARY EXPENDITURE BY BUYING THE WRONG TYPE OF EQUIPMENT.

HE ADDED THAT SOME PORTS HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCH LOSSES AS A RESULT OF INSUFFICIENT PREPARATION.

+IF MATTERS, ESPECIALLY PROVISION OF FUNDS AND CHOICE OF CONSULTANTS PROCEED SMOOTHLY, A CONSULTANTS REPORT SHOULD BE READY SOMETIME NEXT YEAR,+ MR. MILWARD SAID.

THE REPORT AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS WILL THEN BE STUDIED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, AND BY THE POSTMASTER GENERAL WHO WILL MAKE TECHNICAL DECISIONS ON EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDED. THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE CHOICE OF SITES AND RELATED MATTERS.

WATER CUT

* * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WESTERN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON TUESDAY (SEPTEMBER 7) TO ENABLE THE WATER WORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY QUEEN’S ROAD WEST, WESTERN STREET CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND EASTERN STREET.

A ...

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1976.

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ESCAP SEMINAR®PORT DEVELOPMENT FOR UNIT LOADS AND CONTAINERISATION

* * *

HONG KONG IS TO HOST A REGIONAL SEMINAR ON PORT DEVELOPMENT FOR UNIT LOADS AND CONTAINERISATION FROM SEPTEMBER 6 TO 15.

THE SEMINAR IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP) IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE GOVERNMENTS OF JAPAN AND HONG KONG.

THE COST OF PARTICIPANTS’ ATTENDANCE, LECTURERS, ETC. IS BEING FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS PROVIDING THE FACILITIES.

THE SEMINAR IS DESIGNED FOR SENIOR PORT PLANNERS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN THE ESCAP REGION WHO ARE EITHER FROM THE RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OR PLANNING OFFICES OF CENTRAL PORT AUTHORITIES.

THERE WILL BE 18 PARTICIPANTS FROM 12 OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION, PLUS FIVE FULL TIME PARTICIPANTS AND TWO OBSERVERS FROM HONG KONG.

THE LECTURERS FOR THE SEMINAR WILL INCLUDE OVERSEAS AND LOCAL EXPERTS ON PORT PLANNING, CONTAINERISATION, AND THE RELATED AREAS. AMONG THEM ARE MR. LOH HENG KEE, DIRECTOR OF THE PORTS AUTHORITY OF FIJI, AND MR. TOM BAXTER FROM THE PORT OF BRISBANE IN AUSTRALIA.

LOCAL SHIPPING COMMUNITY AND PORT USERS IN HONG KONG HAVE ALSO GIVEN TREMENDOUS SUPPORT TO THE SEMINAR BY HELPING TO ARRANGE PRESENTATIONS, DISCUSSION PAPERS, SITE VISITS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS

THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE SEMINAR IS TO PROVIDE A FORUM AND A FOCUS FOR THE DISCUSSION OF SOME OF THE MAJOR PLANNING ISSUES RELATED TO THE INTRODUCTION OF UNIT LOADS AND CONTAINERISATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

THE PROGRAMME WILL AIM TO MAKE THE PARTICIPANTS FAMILIAR WITH THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES WHICH OPERATE WITHIN THE PORT OF HONG KONG IN ORDER TO DEMONSTRATE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES REQUIRED IN THE PLANNING OF PORTS FOR CONTAINERISATION.

THE SEMINAR WILL CONSIST OF LECTURES, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, AND SITE VISITS TO VARIOUS PARTS OF THE PORT, INCLUDING THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL, CONTAINER FACILITIES AT NORTH POINT AND OTHER AREAS, AND PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING AREAS.

A SHORT OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE AT 10.00 A.M. ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. WELCOMING ADDRESSES WILL BE DELIVERED BY MR. DEREK JONES, SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES-MR. FUJIO HARA, THE CONSUL GENERAL OF JAPAN- AND MR. R.H. GONTHA, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO MR. J.B.P. MARAMIS, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF ESCAP.

MR. JONES, WILL HOST A DINNER RECEPTION FOR PARTICIPANTS OF THE SEMINAR ON MONDAY EVENING AT HONG KONG HOTEL.

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/5 ....

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1976

- 5

LABOUR LEGISLATION TALKS ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVE LABOUR RELATIONS *****

OFFICERS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED A TOTAL OF 22 TALKS AND LECTURES TO WORKERS AND MANAGEMENTS ON LABOUR LEGISLATION AND VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK DURING MAY, JUNE AND JULY.

THIS LITTLE KNOWN ASPECT OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S ROLE IN IMPROVING LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG IS MOST ESSENTIAL IF THE PUBLIC ARE TO BE AWARE OF THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN HONG KONG, THE ACTING DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. LAO MOU-CHI, SAID TODAY.

+THESE TALKS AND LECTURES GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS HELPING THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE LAW,+ MR. LAO ADDED.

MR. LAO ALSO SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WELCOMED ANY ORGANISATION SENDING IN REQUESTS FOR LABOUR OFFICERS TO GIVE TALKS AND LECTURES TO ORGANISED GROUPS.

AMONG THE ORGANISATIONS WHICH HAD REQUESTED TALKS AND LECTURES DURING THE THREE MONTHS WEREs THE YOUNG WORKERS CENTRE, THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE, THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS INSTITUTE, THE NGAU TAU KOK CARITAS CENTRE, THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMITED, THE SHEK LEI CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE, THE HONG KONG CHINESE Y.M.C.A., THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT INDUSTRIAL WORKERS RECREATIONAL SCHEME COMMITTEE, THE KWUN TONG VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE, THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND ST. MATHEW’S LUTHERAN PRIMARY SCHOOL.

DURING THE SAME THREE-MONTH PERIOD A TOTAL OF 28 RADIO TALKS AND TELEVISION INTERVIEWS WERE ALSO GIVEN BY THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICERS.

THE SUBJECTS COVERED INCLUDED WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION, SAFETY FOR STUDENTS TAKING UP SUMMER JOBS IN INDUSTRY, WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR, CHILD EMPLOYMENT, WORKING HOURS FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS IN INDUSTRY, WORK OF THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE, APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE, APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING, WORK OF THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE, SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN WORKING INSIDE WELLS, WORK IN CONFINED SPACES, FACTORY REGISTRATION, AIR POLLUTION AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING VENTILATION IN WORKROOMS OF FACTORIES.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1976

- 6 -

HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION 1977 LIST OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

S 5 S i

THE SECRETARY OF THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION BOARD ISSUED TODAY A LIST OF SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE BEEN AUTHORISED TO ENTER FORM FIVE AND MIDDLE FIVE CANDIDATES FOR THE 1977 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.

COPIES OF THIS LIST ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 3RD FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG AND AT THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 11TH FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.

SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED TO ENTER +ENGLISH ONLY+ CANDIDATES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE LIST.

OPENING OF THE NEW WING OF ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL

******

NOTE TO EDITORS I

THE GOVERNOR, AND LADY MACLEHOSE WILL ATTEND THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NEW EXTENSION OF ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL IN CAUSEWAY BAY AT 3.30 P.M. TOMORROW.

TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE NEW WING, SIR MURRAY WILL UNVEIL A PLAQUE.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE ADVISED THAT ACCESS TO THE NEW WING IS FROM THE AMBULANCE ENTRANCE (COTTON PATH) OF ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL MAIN BUILDING.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

STRONG RECOVERY IN HONG KONG ECONOMY ........... 1

EIGHTY PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO BE HANDLED IN CONTAINERS BY 1980 ........................... 4

GOVERNOR SAYS COOPERATION NEEDED TO EXPAND MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ................................. 5

FREEDOM FOR SIX BURMESE PYTHONS ................. 6

LADY MACLEHOSE ATTENDS CLOSING CEREMONY OF SUMMER PROGRAMME FOR YOUTHS ............................ 6

DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS TO VISIT CENTRE FOR MENTALLY RETARDED ........................................ 7

DOWNING TO ATTEND AIR SERVICES TALKS IN LONDON .. 7

LANTERN PARADE AT TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE .......... 8

NO MAIL DELIVERY ON SEPTEMBER 9 ................. 8

KOWLOON LANDSLIDE VICTIMS RECEIVE DONATIONS ..... 9

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1976-

1

STRONG RECOVERY IN HONG KONG ECONOMY *****

THE STRONG RECOVERY THIS YEAR IN THE HONG KONG ECONOMY IS SPELT OUT IN DETAIL IN THE HALF-YEARLY ECONOMIC REPORT WHICH WILL SHORTLY BE ON SALE. IT WILL REVIEW EVENTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1976.

THE REPORT POINTS OUT THAT THE UPTURN IN THE ECONOMIES OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS, WHICH WAS LED INITIALLY BY HEAVY STOCK BUILDING, IS NOW +WELL ESTABLISHED, WITH GROWTH IN CONSUMPTION CONFIRMED AND SIGNS OF A RECOVERY IN INVESTMENT SPENDING ALREADY RECORDED+. THIS, THE REPORT ARGUES, HAS RESULTED IN NEARLY ALL THE MAJOR ECONOMIES RECOVERING FASTER THAN EXPECTED AND, IN TURN, HAS GENERATED AN UNEXPECTEDLY RAPID RECOVERY IN THE HONG KONG ECONOMY.

THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE REVISED FORECAST OF THE GROWTH OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN 1976 FROM 9 PER CENT TO 16 PER CENT WHICH WAS GIVEN A FEW DAYS AGO BY THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR. C.P. HADDON-CAVE.

THE REPORT PREDICTS THAT THE ECONOMY SHOULD APPROACH FULL CAPACITY +FASTER THAN HAD BEEN CONSIDERED LIKELY+, AND ADDS THAT THE STRONG GROWTH IN TRADE AND THE CONTINUING INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT SHOULD BE SUSTAINED.

IT SHOWS THAT THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, AT HK$14,800 MILLION, WAS HK$4,996 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING SIX MONTHS IN 1975. A LARGE PROPORTION OF THIS INCREASE IN VALUE WAS ACCOUNTED FOR IN QUANTITY TERMS. THUS, THE QUANTUM INDEX OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1976 WAS 40 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING INDEX FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1975, WHEREAS THE UNIT VALUE INDEX, WHICH MEASURES PRICE CHANGES, WAS ONLY 9 PER CENT HIGHER.

THE REPORT INDICATES THAT IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1976 THE VALUE OF EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES, THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S EXPORTS, WAS 74 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1975. EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY ALSO DID EXCEPTIONALLY WELL, THEIR VALUE BEING 41 PER CENT HIGHER IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1976 THAN THE FIRST HALF OF 1975. EVEN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM MARKET, WHERE AT THE TURN OF THE YEAR IT WAS FORECAST THAT THERE WOULD BE NO REAL GROWTH IN 1976, THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1976 WAS 25 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR AGO AND THE QUANTITY OF EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1976 WAS 17 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1975.

+ALTHOUGH DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING ARE MORE SUBJECT TO TRADE RESTRICTIONS THAN OTHER PRODUCTS, THE RECOVERY IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS LED BY AN UPSURGE OF DEMAND FOR CLOTHING ITEMS,+ THE REPORT SAYS. IT ADDS THAT THERE WERE ALSO SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF TRANSISTORISED RADIOS, TEXTILE YARN, TEXTILE FABRICS, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS.

/+THE VALUE ......

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1976

2

♦THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1976 WAS 39 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1975, WITH LARGE INCREASES RECORDED IN IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES. THE REPORT COMPARES THE QUANTUM INDEXES OF IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES WITH DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND SUGGESTS THAT THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOME STOCK BUILDING OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES IN THE EARLY PART OF THIS YEAR.

IT ADDS THAT +THE INCREASE IN IMPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS, THOUGH NOT AS HIGH AS THE INCREASE RECORDED FOR IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES, INDICATED CONFIDENCE IN THE NEED TO EXPAND CAPACITY+.

IMPORT PRICES, WHICH GREATLY AFFECT THE LEVEL OF DOMESTIC PRICES, REMAINED VERY STABLE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1976. BUT THE REPORT INDICATES SLIGHT INCREASES IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR AND ADDS THAT +WITH THE RECOVERY IN MOST MAJOR ECONOMIES WELL ON THE WAY, INCREASED DEMAND WILL ADD TO THE PROSPECT OF GENERAL PRICE INCREASES*.

THE REPORT SHOWS THAT THE TERMS OF TRADE IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1976 HAD MOVED IN HONG KONG’S FAVOUR AND WERE COMPARABLE TO THE TERMS OF TRADE RULING IN 1973.

IN THE SECTION ON MONEY AND BANKING, THE REPORT INDICATES A CONTINUED INCREASE IN BANK DEPOSITS AND HENCE IN THE MONEY SUPPLY. THE LIQUIDITY RATIO OF THE BANKS REMAINED HIGH AND AT THE END OF JUNE 1976 IT WAS 49.8 PER CENT, PUTTING THE BANKS IN A COMFORTABLE POSITION TO EXPAND THEIR LOANS WITHIN HONG KONG WHEN DEMAND PICKS UP.

AS REGARDS THE PROPERTY SECTOR, THE REPORT NOTES THAT THERE WERE DEFINITE SIGNS OF A STRONG RECOVERY IN PRIVATE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY, TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ALSO INCREASES IN GOVERNMENT CAPITAL PROJECTS AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, THIS MAY LATER LEAD TO EXCESS DEMAND ON THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. FLOOR AREA OF BUILDING PLANS WITH CONSENT TO COMMENCE WORK, WHICH THE REPORT REGARDS AS A FAIRLY RELIABLE INDICATOR OF INVESTMENT CONFIDENCE, MEASURED 13,608 THOUSAND SQUARE FEET IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1976, THE HIGHEST RECORDED SINCE THE FIRST HALF OF 1971. THIS WAS 41 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1975 AND 80 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE TROUGH RECORDED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1974.

IN THE LABOUR MARKET, THE REPORT INDICATES THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN MARCH 1976 WAS 5.6 PER CENT COMPARED TO 9.1 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER 1975. MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT IN MARCH 1976 WAS 18 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MARCH 1975, BUT WAS STILL BELOW THE AVERAGE LEVEL IN 1973. NEVERTHELESS, THE REPORT ADDS THAT THE AVERAGE MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT LEVEL IN 1976 IS LIKELY TO BE HIGHER THAN IN 1973. THE MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT FIGURE OF 749,000 RELEASED TWO WEEKS AGO IS THE HIGHEST EVER RECORDED AND IS THEREFORE CONSISTENT WITH THIS VIEW.

/+AT THE

MONDAI, SEPTEMBER 6, 1976

3

+AT THE SAME TIME, THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN THE ORDERS-ON-HAND POSITION FOR LARGE MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, WITH AVERAGE ORDERS-ON-HAND IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1976 BEING 21 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING QUARTER A YEAR AGO. IN THIS CONNECTION, THE REPORT POINTS OUT THAT ORDERS-ON-HAND POSITIONS ARE GIVEN ON THE BASIS OF EMPLOYMENT LEVELS THAT WERE PREVAILING IN THE REPORTING MONTHS AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE VIEWED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT THAT HAS ALSO BEEN TAKING PLACE.

THE REPORT ALSO SHOWS STEADY INCREASES IN EMPLOYMENT IN NON-MANUFACTURING SECTORS SUCH AS THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, BANKS, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS.

AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF A RAPIDLY IMPROVING LABOUR MARKET, DIFFERENT MEASURES OF WAGE RATES SHOWED REAL INCREASES OF 13 TO 15 PER CENT BETWEEN MARCH 1975 AND MARCH 1976. THE REPORT COMMENTS THAT THESE WERE PROBABLY THE HIGHEST ANNUAL INCREASES EVER RECORDED IN REAL WAGE RATES.

WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE REPORT ADDS, THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY, THE TEXTILES AND GARMENTS INDUSTRY, THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, AND THE WRIST WATCH BANDS INDUSTRY RECORDED HIGH INCREASES.

IN RESPECT OF CONSUMER PRICE MOVEMENTS, THE REPORT SAYS THAT THE VERY MODERATE INCREASES IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES (2 TO 3 PER CENT) IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1976 OVER THE FIRST HALF OF 1975 WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO VERY STABLE PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS, WHICH ARE MOSTLY IMPORTED.

PRICES OF IMPORTED RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES, AS MEASURED BY THE IMPORT UNIT VALUE INDEX, ALSO REMAINED STABLE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1976 AT ROUGHLY THE SAME AVERAGE LEVEL AS IN 1975. HOWEVER, AS DEMAND IN THE LARGE INDUSTRIAL ECONOMIES PICKS UP FURTHER, PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES IN GENERAL MAY START TO INCREASE, AS IS EVIDENCED IN THE IMPORT UNIT VALUE INDEXES IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1976.

COMMENTING ON THE REPORT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY IN ADJUSTING TO EXTERNAL CHANGES HAS MADE POSSIBLE A RAPID RECOVERY FROM THE RECESSION. +IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT IN A SHORT PERIOD OF ROUGHLY ONE YEAR, THE ECONOMY APPEARS TO HAVE FULLY RECOVERED FROM THE WORST RECESSION EXPERIENCED SINCE THE END OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR,+ HE SAID.

THE HALF-YEARLY ECONOMIC REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT A PRICE OF $6 PER COPY.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1976

4

80 PER CENT OF H.K.’S EXPORTS TO BE HANDLED IN CONTAINERS BY 1980

* * * * MM * *

THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR. DEREK JONES, TODAY PREDICTED THAT BY THE END OF THIS DECADE 80 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS AND 50 PER CENT OF ITS IMPORTS WOULD BE HANDLED IN CONTAINERS.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURAL SESSION OF THE ESCAP SEMINAR ON PORT DEVELOPMENT FOR UNIT LOADS AND CONTAINERISATION.

MR. JONES RECALLED THAT IN THE LATE 196OS, AND FOLLOWING AN INTENSIVE STUDY BY A COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF PORT USERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, THREE SMALL CONTAINER TERMINALS WERE INTRODUCED IN THE INNER HARBOUR AREA.

+ IN THE EARLY 1970S, THREE MORE MAJOR CONTAINER TERMINALS WERE DEVELOPED AT THE CONTAINER PORT OF KWAI CHUNG ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE HARBOUR,* HE SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT LAST YEAR THESE FACILITIES HANDLED 5.25 MILLION DEADWEIGHT TONS OF CARGO IN OVER 800,000 CONTAINERS, REPRESENTING OVER 43 PER CENT OF ALL HONG KONG’S DRY IMPORT AND EXPORT CARGOES.

CURRENTLY, HE SAID, THREE FURTHER BERTHS WERE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND, BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE COMPLEX AT KWAI CHUNG WOULD COMPRISE FOUR TERMINALS AND SIX BERTHS, ALL CAPABLE OF TAKING THE LARGEST CONTAINERSHIPS PRESENTLY IN USE OR NOW ENVISAGED.

+DESPITE THE RAPID GROWTH OF CONTAINERISATION, A CONSIDERABLE PROPORTION OF THE CARGO MOVING THROUGH THE PORT IS STILL HANDLED, AT ONE STAGE OR ANOTHER, BY CONVENTIONAL OR TRADITIONAL MEANS,* MR. JONES SAID.

+IT IS MAINLY DEALT WITH IN BREAKBULK FORM AND TRANSPORTED BY BARGE AND LORRY, FROM OCEAN-GOING SHIPS TO THE SEAWALL AND VICE VERSA.*

MR. JONES SAID THAT BY THE EARLY 1980S, THE PRESENT KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINALS WOULD PROBABLY HAVE LITTLE SPARE CAPACITY AND THE DEMAND FOR BREAKBULK CARGO HANDLING FACILITIES MIGHT THEN AGAIN BEGIN TO INCREASE.

+IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS DEMAND, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS INTRODUCING A PROGRAMME OF CONTROL MEASURES AT PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS WITH THE AIM OF MAXIMISING THE USE OF SEAWALLS, INCREASING CARGO THROUGHPUT RATES, REDUCING CARGO HANDLING COSTS, AND ALLEVIATING ROAD TRAFFIC CONGESTION,* HE ADDED.

REFERRING TO THE METHOD OF TURNING TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY PORT FACILITIES, MR. JONES SAID THAT THOUGH IT WAS PERHAPS SOMEWHAT UNUSUAL IN THIS DAY AND AGE, IT HAD SO FAR PROVED VERY SUCCESSFUL.

0

5

NEED TO EXPAND MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES *****

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY URGED PRIVATE AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS TO JOIN FORCES WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPAND MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN HONG KONG.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW WING OF ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL, SIR MURRAY SAID: +IN RECENT YEARS, THE DEMAND FOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN GROWING.*

+AS GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT-AIDED SERVICES EXPAND TO MEET THIS DEMAND,* HE SAID, +IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PRIVATE AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DO SO TOO.*

THE GOVERNOR PRAISED THE MANAGEMENT OF ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL FOR ITS DETERMINATION TO EXPAND AND ADAPT TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, AND THUS +MAKE A BADLY NEEDED CONTRIBUTION OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN EASTERN HONG KONG.+

ALSO PRESENT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS LADY MACLEHOSE.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH:

+IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO ATTEND THIS CEREMONY TO MARK BOTH THE OPENING OF A NEW EXTENSION, AND THE 6OTH YEAR OF OPERATION OF ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL.

+SINCE ITS FOUNDATION IN 1917 BY THE SOCIETY OF ST. PAUL DE CHARTRES, THIS HOSPITAL HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE TREATMENT OF THE SICK IN HONG KONG. IT PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF TREATMENT FACILITIES AND THE OPENING OF THE NEW EXTENSION WILL NOT ONLY ADD TO THESE FACILITIES BUT WILL ALSO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BEDS FROM 180 TO 430.

+THIS HOSPITAL IS AN ADMIRABLE EXAMPLE OF THE WAY IN WHICH VOLUNTARY AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG SUPPLEMENT THE GOVERNMENT’S OWN SERVICES.

+THERE ARE AT PRESENT 11 PRIVATE HOSPITALS WITH A TOTAL OF 2,300 BEDS PROVIDING SERVICES FOR 73,000 PATIENTS ANNUALLY. WHILST SOME OF THESE HOSPITALS HAVE BENEFITED FROM GRANTS OF LAND AT REDUCED OR NIL PREMIUM OR FROM REFUNDS OF RATES, MOST, LIKE ST. PAUL’S, ARE FINANCIALLY ENTIRELY SELF-SUPPORTING.

+IN RECENT YEARS, THE DEMAND FOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN GROWING. AS GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT-AIDED SERVICES EXPAND TO MEET THIS DEMAND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PRIVATE AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DO SO TOO.

+IT IS THEREFORE PARTICULARLY GRATIFYING THAT THE MANAGEMENT OF ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL HAS SHOWN SUCH DETERMINATION TO EXPAND AND ADAPT TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, AND THUS MAKE A BADLY NEEDED CONTRIBUTION OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN EASTERN HONG KONG.

+F INALLY, I CONGRATULATE THE SISTERS OF ST. PAUL AND ALL THEIR STAFF WHOSE DEDICATION AND HARD WORK OVER THE YEARS HAS ENSURED THE SUCCESS OF THIS HOSPITAL.

+1 DECLARE THIS NEW WING OPEN.* ----------------------------0 -

/6

6

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1975

SIX BURMESE PYTHONS RELEASED * * * * *

OFFICERS OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAVE RELEASED SIX BURMESE PYTHONS IN REMOTE PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE WILD ANIMALS PROTECTION ORDINANCE ON JANUARY 23 THIS YEAR.

THE ORDINANCE GIVES FULL PROTECTION TO THIS TYPE OF SNAKE AND IT IS AN OFFENCE TO TRAP, TO CATCH OR TO BE IN POSSESSION OF A BURMESE PYTHON.

TWO OF THE RELEASED PYTHONS WERE FORFEITED AFTER A MAN HAD PLEADED GUILTY IN COURT TO A CHARGE OF POSSESSION OF PYTHONS AND THE OTHER FOUR WERE GIVEN TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR DISPOSAL AFTER BEING CAUGHT NEAR HUMAN HABITATIONS.

PYTHONS ARE NOW FURTHER PROTECTED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE AND IT IS AN OFFENCE TO IMPORT, EXPORT OR TO BE IN POSSESSION OF ANY SPECIES OF PYTHON WITHOUT A PERMIT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.

THE BURMESE PYTHON, THE ONLY PYTHON WHICH IS INDIGENOUS TO HONG KONG, IS EASILY RECOGNISABLE BY ITS INTRICATE COLOUR PATTERN OF BROWN AND PALE STRAW-YELLOW. IT IS A NON-VENOMOUS SNAKE. AND IS NOT HARMFUL TO MAN. IT FEEDS MOSTLY ON RATS AND OTHER SMALL MAMMALS, THOUGH OCCASIONALLY IT EATS CHICKENS.

ANYONE FINDING A PYTHON SHOULD LEAVE IT ALONE. IF IT IS NEAR HUMAN HABITATION OR SUSPECTED OF TAKING CHICKENS A REPORT SHOULD BE MADE TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT OR THE PEST CONTROL UNIT OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHO WILL ARRANGE FOR ITS REMOVAL. ____ $_

<_4D? MACLE-HOSE CENTRE SUMMER PROG^MME BENEFITS

OVER 2,000 CHILDREN

******

LADY MACLEHOSE TODAY (MONDAY) SAID THAT SHE IS CONFIDENT THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES HAVE DEVELOPED SELF-CONFIDENCE, NEW INTERESTS AND ABOVE ALL A CONCERN FOR THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY LIVE.

SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE SUMMER PROGRAMME OF THE SING KUNG HUI LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE, LADY MACLEHOSE NOTED THAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE DEMONSTRATED THEIR CONCERN FOR THE COMMUNITY THEY LIVE IN BY COMING FORWARD TO HELP ORGANISE THIS YEAR’S SUMMER PROGRAMME.

AS A RESULT, SHE SAID, MORE THAN 2,000 CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ELDERLY RESIDENTS OF NORTH KWAI CHUNG HAVE BENEFITTED.

LADY MACLEHOSE WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO OBSERVE THE WAYS IN WHICH THE CENTRE IS SEEKING TO MEET THE SOCIAL NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE OF NORTH KWAI CHUNG.

THE ACTIVITIES, WHICH IT HAS ORGANISED, CATER FOR A WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTS AND DIFFERING AGE GROUPS, SHE ADDED.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1976

- 7 -

VISIT TO CENTRE FOR MENTALLY RETARDED

******

THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, WILL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE REHABILITATION SERVICES OF THE BO LEUNG KUK WHEN HE VISITS ITS KO CHIU ROAD CENTRE FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

ACCOMPANIED BY MRS. MAXIM LI KWOK, CHAIRMAN OF PO LEUNG KUK-MR. PETER KAN, ASSISTANT CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (YAU TONG) AND OTHER KUK OFFICIALS, MR. WALDEN WILL TOUR ROUND THE CENTRE, WHICH IS THE LARGEST FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED IN HONG KONG.

THE CENTRE, CONSISTING OF, AMONG OTHER THINGS, A HOSTEL, A SHELTERED WORKSHOP, A CANTEEN AND RECREATION ROOM, IS THE ONLY ONE WITH MULTIPLE SERVICES FOR THE TRAINEES.

DURING HIS TOUR, MR. WALDEN WILL ALSO SEE SOME OF THE TRAINING PROGRAMMES IN PROGRESS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPOTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 11 A.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

------0 - - - -

DOWNING TO ATTEND AIR SERVICES TALKS IN LONDON

M X 1 X * K M

MR. ROY DOWNING, THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION CURRENTLY ON LEAVE IN BRITAIN, WILL ATTEND AIR SERVICES TALKS BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES IN LONDON ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 9 AND 10).

THIS IS THE FIRST ROUND OF TALKS IN CONNECTION WITH THE RE-NEGOTIATION OF THE UK/US AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT.

THE AGREEMENT, KNOWN AS THE BERMUDA AGREEMENT, WAS THE FIRST MAJOR AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR.

ITS WORDING WAS LESS PRECISE THAN THAT OF OTHER MORE RECENT AGREEMENTS AND, AFTER 30 YEARS, IT NEEDS A COMPLETE REVISION TO REMOVE ANOMALIES IN MANY AREAS.

BRITAIN HAS SOUGHT FORMAL CONSULTATIONS WITH THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT FOR A TOTAL RE-NEGOTIATION BY GIVING NOTICE ON JUNE 22 THIS YEAR TO TERMINATE THE PRESENT AGREEMENT IN A YEAR’S

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/8

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1976

8

LAN1CRN PARADE AT TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE

H * * *

RESIDENTS OF THE TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE IN KOWLOON ARE IN FOR A TREAT WHEN THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL IS CELEBRATED.

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY CENTRE IN THE AREA IS ORGANISING A LANTERN PARADE AND A VARIETY SHOW TO BE HELD WITHIN THE ESTATE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) EVENING TO MARK THE FESTIVAL.

THE VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD AT THE BASKETBALL COURT OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE BEGINNING AT 8 P.M. THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES SINGING BY ARTISTES FROM RADIO HONG KONG, FOLK DANCE AND STAGE SHOW.

THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A LANTERN PARADE WHICH WILL START AROUND 9 P.M. ABOUT 500 CHILDREN AND YOUNGSTERS WILL PASS THROUGH AND AROUND THE BLOCKS OF THE TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE. THEY WILL BRING ALONG THEIR OWN LANTERNS, BUT CANDLES WILL BE SUPPLIED TO THEM.

IN CONNECTION WITH THE PARADE, THE CENTRE HAS ORGANISED A LANTERN-MAKING COMPETITION AND PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE WINNERS ON THAT EVENING.

HOLIDAY POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS X X X X X X

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCES THAT THERE WILL BE NO MAIL DELIVERY ON THURSDAY (SEPTEMBER 9), WHICH IS A GENERAL HOLIDAY.

ON THAT DAY, ALL POST OFFICES WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.

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/9.......

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1976

9

KOWLOON LANDSLIDE VICTIMS RECEIVE DONATIONS

M * * * * *

A TOTAL OF 3,121 VICTIMS OF THE RECENT LANDSLIDE ON KOWLOON SIDE WAS GIVEN $40 EACH FROM DONATIONS BY THE PUBLIC THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.

SCORES OF OFFICERS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENTS AND ARTISTES FROM COMMERCIAL RADIO HELPED DISTRIBUTE THE DONATIONS TO THE VICTIMS AT THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE IN KOWLOON.

THE DONATIONS, AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $178,800, HAD BEEN MADE TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND COMMERCIAL RADIO SINCE THE LANDSLIDE OCCURRED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO.

CASH PAYMENTS FOR THE VICTIMS ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE MADE AT THE SAU KEI WAN KAIFONG ASSOCIATION RECREATION GROUND, SHAU KEI WAN ROAD, TOMORROW (TUESDAY) BETWEEN 2.30 P.M. AND 4 P.M.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID s •♦FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES, ALL VICTIMS ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND THEIR EMERGENCY RELIEF CHITS, THAT IS, THE ’RED CARD’ ISSUED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.+

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1976

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

CHAIRMAN OF ANGLO-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP TO VISIT HONG KONG ................................................... 1

FIFTEEN +LUCKY+ CAR NUMBERS FOR SALE ........................ 2

SPEEDPOST TO AUSTRALIA MAY BE DELAYED ....................... 2

ACTION TO TAKE IN CASE OF A KITCHEN FIRE .................... 3

LANDSLIDE VICTIMS URGED TO COLLECT DONATIONS ................ 4

ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS NEW TERRITORIES ............... 4

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN CENTRAL FOR +LANTERN FIESTA* ............................................ 5

NEW EDITION OF +NAMES OF BUILDINGS* BOOK NOW ON SALE .... 5

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1976

- 1 -

CHAIRMAN OF ANGLO-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP DUE HERE ON SATURDAY

****** *

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ANGLO-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, SIR PAUL BRYAN, WILL ARRIVE HERE ON SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 11) FOR AN EIGHT-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT. HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY BRYAN.

THE VISIT IS TO BE FOLLOWED BY FOUR DAYS OF PRIVATE STAY.

DURING THEIR OFFICIAL VISIT, SIR PAUL AND LADY BRYAN WILL BE GUESTS AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

SIR PAUL, A CONSERVATIVE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, IS NO STRANGER TO HONG KONG. HE WAS HERE AS A GOVERNMENT GUEST IN 1969 AND CAME HERE AGAIN IN 1972 WITH A PARTY OF MP’S VISITING THE FORCES. AFTER BECOMING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ANGLO-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP IN 1974, HE VISITED HONG KONG AGAIN IN JANUARY LAST YEAR AS A GOVERNMENT GUEST.

DURING HIS EIGHT-DAY STAY, SIR PAUL WILL HOLD TALKS WITH THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

HE WILL ALSO MEET UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, URBAN COUNCILLORS, THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, SIR JOHN ARCHER, AND LOCAL BUSINESSMEN.

SIR PAUL WILL ALSO TOUR THE BORDER AREA AND VISIT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE LEK YUEN ESTATE IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN, THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL AND THE OCEAN PARK.

SIR PAUL IS EXPECTED TO HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE END OF HIS OFFICIAL VISIT.

NOTE TO EDITORS: SIR PAUL AND LADY BRYAN ARE SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AT KAI TAK AIRPORT ON SEPTEMBER 11 (SATURDAY) AT 7.30 P.M. ON FLIGHT BA888.

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/2....

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1976

2

/ +SPECIAL+ CAR NUMBERS FOR SALE

******

MOTORISTS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE OF BUYING +SPECIAL+ NUMBERS FOR THEIR CARS THIS WEEKEND WHILE AT THE SAME TIME HELPING LOCAL CHARITIES.

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11. THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 10 A.M. IN THE LECTURE ROOM SOUTH OF THE CITY HALL HIGH BLOCK.

FIFTEEN NUMBERS WILL BE OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC. THEY AREs

ED 18 AC 78 AL 8

AC 7000 AA 5000 1828

BD 111 HK 3388 BL 1

AA 6789 BD 6666 8118

HK 32 AA 95 HK 999

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 WILL 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 INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.

-----o-----

SPEEDPOST TO AUSTRALIA

******

THE POSTMASTER GENERAL HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT DUE TO AN INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS AUSTRALIAN POST OFFICE CANNOT GUARANTEE SCHEDULED DELIVERY OF SPEEDPOST ITEMS FROM SUNDAY (SEPTEMBER 5) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

0 -------

/J

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1976

3

MORE THAN 600 KITCHEN FIRES LAST YEAR

*****

HUNDREDS OF FIRES INVOLVING KEROSENE OR COOKING STOVES OCCUR EACH YEAR RESULTING, IN SOME CASES, IN INJURY OR EVEN DEATH.

ACCORDING TO STATISTICS, THERE WERE OVER 600 COOKING FIRES IN 1975 IN WHICH THREE PEOPLE DIED AND 91 OTHERS WERE INJURED.

FROM ENQUIRIES MADE BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, IT HAS BECOME APPARENT THAT MANY HOUSEWIVES WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF SUCH FIRES JUST DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEY SHOULD DO IN THE EVENT OF FIRE.

MANY PANICKED - WHICH IS AN UNDERSTANDABLE REACTION - AND THIS ONLY MADE THE SITUATION EVEN WORSE.

A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD ALL KNOW PRECISELY WHAT ACTION TO TAKE IN CASE A FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE HOME.

THERE ARE A FEW SIMPLE THINGS TO REMEMBER s

* FIRST, DO NOT PANIC. ONE SHOULD BEAR IN MIND THAT ANYTHING DONE IN PANIC WOULD NOT IMPROVE THE SITUATION AND COULD VERY WELL MAKE IT MUCH WORSE.

* NEXT, THE ALARM MUST BE RAISED SO THAT EVERYONE IN YOUR HOME, AS WELL AS YOUR NEIGHBOURS, ARE ALERTED. STAY TOGETHER AND MAKE SURE TO ACCOUNT FOR EVERYBODY.

* THEN CALL THE FIRE SERVICES BY DIALLING 999 OR TELEPHONE YOUR NEAREST FIRE STATION, IF YOU KNOW THE TELEPHONE NUMBER. SPEAK CLEARLY SO THAT YOU CAN BE PROPERLY UNDERSTOOD. ANY DELAY IN THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRE SERVICES INCREASES THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE YOUR HOME WILL SUFFER.

* ELIMINATE ALL DRAUGHTS BY CLOSING DOORS AND WINDOWS. THIS WILL CUT OFF THE SUPPLY OF OXYGEN ON WHICH FIRE FEEDS AND WILL PREVENT IT FROM SPREADING. HOWEVER, WHILE TAKING THIS ACTION, YOU SHOULD HAVE AT THE BACK OF YOUR MIND AN ESCAPE ROUTE IN THE EVENT THE FIRE GETS OUT OF CONTROL.

+ANOTHER IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS,+ THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED, +NEVER ASSUME THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS CALLED THE FIRE SERVICES.*

+THIS COULD RESULT IN NOBODY CALLING US, AT LEAST NOT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE,* HE ADDED.

UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, THE CORRECT THING TO DO, AS SOON AS YOU NOTICE A FIRE, IS DIAL 999 IMMEDIATELY.

- - - - 0-----

A......

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1976

- 4 -

LANDSLIDE VICTIMS URGED TO COLLECT DONATIONS If M * * K K

VICTIMS OF RECENT LANDSLIDES WHO HAVE NOT COLLECTED THEIR SHARE OF $40 OF PUBLIC DONATIONS ARE ASKED TO DO SO BEFORE 5 P.M. ON SEPTEMBER 17 (FRIDAY).

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID s +THESE ARE THE VICTIMS WHO DID NOT TURN UP YESTERDAY OR THIS AFTERNOON TO COLLECT THE MONEY PLEDGED BY THE PUBLIC TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMERCIAL RADIO.*

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THEY SHOULD CALL AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT LEE GARDENS ANYTIME DURING OFFICE HOURS BEFORE THAT DATE AND SHOULD BRING WITH THEM THEIR IDENTITY CARDS, AND TENANCY CARDS OR THE EMERGENCY RELIEF CHITS.

MEANWHILE, 794 VICTIMS ON HONG KONG ISLAND WERE GIVEN $40 EACH AT THE SHAU KEI WAN KAIFONG ASSOCIATION RECREATION GROUND THIS AFTERNOON. THIS BRINGS TO 3,915 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VICTIMS FROM BOTH HONG KONG AND KOWLOON SIDES WHO CAME FORWARD TO COLLECT THEIR SHARE FROM THE $178,800 PLEDGED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

-------o---------

ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS N.T.

* * * * *

THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY TOURED THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, HE SAW AT FIRST HAND PROGRESS BEING MADE ON THE WIDE RANGING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE THREE NEW TOWNS OF TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN AND SHATIN, AS WELL AS LOOKING OVER NEW PROJECTS IN YUEN LONG.

HE WAS MET AT EACH OF THE NEW TOWN SITES BY THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICERS AND PROJECT MANAGERS, WHO GAVE MR. HADDON-CAVE AN UP-TO-THE-MINUTE ACCOUNT OF MAJOR WORKS AND PLANNED PROJECTS IN THEIR AREAS.

AT YUEN LONG, HE WAS ESCORTED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. ADOLPH HSU AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TOWN HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, MR. CHARLES YEUNG.

o --------

/5

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1976

- 5 -

ROAD TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR +LANTERN FIESTA+ ******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM MURRAY ROAD TO QUEEN’S PIER IN EDINBURGH PLACE, CENTRAL WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC BETWEEN 4 P.M. AND MIDNIGHT TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WHEN THE +LANTERN FIESTA - 1001 LIGHTS+ IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE TAKING PLACE.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

MEANWHILE, MOTORISTS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT THE SECTION OF SAU MAU PING ROAD BETWEEN SAU MING ROAD AND SAU MAU PATH IS NOW OPENED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.

THE SECTION OF THE ROAD WAS CLOSED LAST WEEK BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAIN STATE OF THE ADJOINING CUTTING.

- - - - 0 --------

+NAMES OF BUILDINGS+ BOOK

*****

A NEW EDITION OF THE +NAMES OF BUILDINGS+ BOOK PREPARED BY THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, AT $20 EACH.

THE BOOK CONTAINS A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF BUILDING NAMES WITH OFFICIAL ADDRESSES AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, CHINESE VERSIONS OF THE NAMES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED.

COMMENTING ON THE NEW BOOK, THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION TODAY SAID THAT IT HAS NOW GROWN TO 4,500 ENTRIES AND IS IN POPULAR DEMAND BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES.

THE COMMISSIONER SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS PRESENTLY COMPILING LISTS OF BUILDING NAMES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR INCORPORATION IN A FUTURE PUBLICATION.

-----o-----

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MORE THAN 750 TEACHERS FILL VACANCIES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR ...................................................... 1

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO REPAIR RAINSTORM DAMAGE AT MERRY TERRACE ............................................ 2

SHOPKEEPERS AT TAI ON MANSION TO GET FULL COMPENSATION.BEFORE MOVING .................................. 3

GOVERNOR INSPECTS BRIDGE WORK .............................. A-

SHOP OWNERS AND MARKET STALL HOLDERS AFFECTED BY THE SAU MAU PING LANDSLIDE TO GET EX-GRATIA GRANTS .............. A

SECONDARY SCHOOL COLOUR TELEVISION PROGRAMME ................ 5

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS ....................... 5

CLOSURE OF PUBLIC DUMP AT KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION ........... 6

RE-ROUTING OF TUNG MING STREET .............................. 7

WATER CUT IN HAPPY VALLEY AND TSUEN WAN ..................... 7

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1976

1

751 TEACHERS APPOINTED IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

* * * * *

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT SO FAR 751 TEACHERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO FILL POSTS IN PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR.

THIS FIGURE IS 219 MORE THAN THE NUMBER OF 532 VACANCIES ESTIMATED EARLIER THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF RESIGNATIONS AND TRANSFERS FROM PRIMARY TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

UNDER THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES ARE REQUIRED TO GIVE PRIORITY TO ALL TRAINED TEACHERS, INCLUDING RECENT COLLEGE OF EDUCATION GRADUATES, TO FILL SUCH VACANCIES WHICH WERE OPEN TO ALL TRAINED TEACHERS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT LATEST RETURNS FROM AIDED SCHOOLS SHOWED THAT AS A RESULT OF OPEN COMPETITION AT LEAST 401 RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES SUCCEEDED IN OBTAINING MORE THAN HALF OF THE 751 APPOINTMENTS.

HE STATED THAT 51 RECENT GRADUATES HAD SIGNED CONTRACTS WITH PRIVATE ASSISTED AND PRIVATE NON-PROFIT-MAKING SCHOOLS. ANOTHER ESTIMATED 50 POSTS IN INDEPENDENT PRIVATE SCHOOLS WERE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN FILLED BY RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ANOTHER THREE ESTATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS WERE NEARING COMPLETION AND SHOULD PROVIDE SOME 40 TO 50 VACANCIES IN THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR MONTHS.

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT EXPECTED THAT ALL RETURNS ON APPOINTMENTS TO TEACHING POSTS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR WOULD BE RECEIVED LATER THIS MONTH WHEN AN OVERALL POSITION ON THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION OF TRAINED TEACHERS COULD BE ASCERTAINED.

IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT NEW PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WILL PROVIDE MORE PLACES FOR PUPILS AND TEACHERS.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1976

2

P.W.D. TO REPAIR DAMAGE AT MERRY TERRACE ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE IN MERRY TERRACE AT CASTLE ROAD CAUSED BY THE RECENT RAINSTORMS.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MERRY TERRACE OWNERS AND TENANTS ASSOCIATION LIMITED HAD ADVISED THAT THE OWNERS HAVE NOT YET REACHED ANY AGREEMENT IN THE MATTER OF CARRYING OUT WORKS.

IN VIEW OF THE URGENCY OF THE SITUATION, THE P.W.D. BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IS TO EMPLOY THEIR OWN CONTRACTOR TO CARRY OUT THE NECESSARY WORKS AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY AND ON COMPLETION WILL CHARGE THE COSTS TO THE CO-OWNERS OF MERRY TERRACE.

NOTICES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S INTENTION HAVE BEEN POSTED IN THE AREA, AND INDIVIDUAL COPIES SENT TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS.

MR. A.B. LAWRENCE, CHIEF BUILDING SURVEYOR OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, DANGEROUS BUILDINGS DIVISION, SAID TODAY THAT AN URGENT SURVEY OF THE DAMAGE WAS ALREADY UNDER WAY AND PRELIMINARY PROTECTIVE MEASURES HAD BEEN TAKEN ON THE SLOPE.

WORK ON A NEW RETAINING WALL, TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT FAILED DURING THE PASSAGE OF TROPICAL STORM ELLEN, WOULD BEGIN IN THE NEAR FUTURE. FURTHER REMEDIAL WORKS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE ONCE THE NEW WALL WAS COMPLETED.

MR. LAWRENCE SAID THAT THE OLD RETAINING WALL ADJACENT TO CASTLE ROAD FAILED DURING THE PASSAGE OF TROPICAL STORM ELLEN. AND A SECTION OF THE ROAD COLLAPSED, CAUSING DEBRIS TO SLIDE DOWN THE CARPARK OF MERRY TERRACE. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE OLD WALL REVEALED THAT IT WAS OF VERY POOR QUALITY.

+WORKS NOW NEED TO BE UNDERTAKEN TO LIMIT THE EXTENT OF THE LANDSLIDE TO AVOID ANY FURTHER SLIDE AFFECTING THE BUILDING, OR OTHER NEARBY BUILDINGS AND TO REPLACE THE RETAINING WALL,* SAID MR. LAWRENCE.

+AS WE CONSIDER THE CASE TO BE ONE OF EMERGENCY, WE NOW INTEND TO ARRANGE TO CARRY OUT SUCH WORKS AS ARE NECESSARY TO LIMIT THE EXTENT OF A LANDSLIDE AND TO REPLACc THE FAILED AND DEFECTIVE RETAINING WALLS OF A STRUCTURE.

+THE COST OF SUCH WORKS, AND ANY SUPERVISORY CHARGES CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE, ARE RECOVERABLE FROM THE BUILDING OWNERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE SECTIONS 26(4) AND

33,+ HE SAID.

0 -------

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1976


SHOPKEEPERS AT TAI ON MANSION TO GET FULL COMPENSATION BEFORE MOVING ******

THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT SHOPKEEPERS AT TAI ON MANSION, WHICH IS TO BE DEMOLISHED IN THE COURSE OF MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WORKS, ARE TO BE PAID FULL COMPENSATION BEFORE THEY MOVE.

FINAL OFFERS OF COMPENSATION HAVE NOW BEEN MADE TO SUPERSEDE THE EARLIER OFFERS OF A PROVISIONAL ADVANCE, AT A FLAT RATE OF $40 PER SQUARE FOOT OF BUSINESS SPACE, WHICH WERE NOT ACCEPTED BY THE SHOPKEEPERS. THE AMOUNTS OF THE OFFERS VARY GREATLY, SOME BEING ONLY SLIGHTLY OVER THE ADVANCE PAYMENT FIRST OFFERED AND SOME BEING BETWEEN TWO AND THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT, DEPENDING ON GOVERNMENT’S ASSESSMENT OF THE PROFITABILITY OF THE BUSINESSES DAMAGED AND THE EXPENSES OF CLOSING OR REMOVING SHOP.

THE OFFER HAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THEIR BUSINESS LOSSES THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THE BUILDING WAS RESUMED IN APRIL AND THE LOSS IN PROFIT WHICH WILL LIKELY OCCUR WHILST EXISTING BUSINESSES ARE RE-ESTABLISHED IN NEW PREMISES.

THE SHOPKEEPERS HAVE PAID NO RENT FOR THE PAST FIVE MONTHS, BUT NO DEDUCTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE OFFER ON THIS ACCOUNT.

THE SHOPKEEPERS HAVE BEEN INFORMED IN THE LETTER OF OFFER THAT THEY MAY EITHER ACCEPT THE OFFER IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF THEIR CLAIMS OR THAT THEY MAY ACCEPT PAYMENT OF THE OFFER AND APPEAL AGAINST IT TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL. IN EITHER CASE THEY WILL EE PAID IMMEDIATELY.

THE SHOPKEEPERS AFFECTED DELIVERED A PETITION TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE YESTERDAY SEEKING ALLOCATION OF SHOPS IN PUBLIC HOUSING AND THAT FORMAL OFFERS OF COMPENSATION BE MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AS PUBLIC HOUSING SHOPS ARE NOW LET BY PUBLIC TENDER AND NOT ALLOCATED TO PERSONS CLEARED, THEY HAVE BEEN INFORMED IN REPLY THAT THIS REQUEST CANNOT BE MET BUT THAT STATUTORY OFFERS OF COMPENSATION HAVE NOW BEEN MADE. THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN REMINDED THAT THEY MUST BE OUT OF TAI ON MANSION BY SEPTEMBER 10 SO THAT THE BUILDING MAY BE HANDED OVER FOR DEMOLITION ON SEPTEMBER 13. WORK WILL START ON SEPTEMBER 14.

OF MORE THAN 100 DOMESTIC TENANTS, COMPRISING MORE THAN 430 FAMILY-MEMBERS, ALL BUT FIVE TENANTS HAVE NOW LEFT THE BUILDING OR ARE IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING. ALL ELIGIBLE FAMILIES WHO WISHED TO BE REHOUSED HAVE BEEN FOUND NEW FLATS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN GRANTS TO ASSIST WITH THEIR MOVING. FLAT AND SHOP OWNERS HAVE BEEN OFFERED COMPENSATION FOR LOSS OF THEIR PROPERTIES AT FULL MARKET VALUE.

------°-------- /4 .....

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1976

- A -

GOVERNOR INSPECTS BRIDGE WORK

******

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING VISITED SHA TIN TO SEE PROGRESS ON THE NEW RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER THE SHING MUN RIVER, BEING BUILT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO REPLACE THE ONE DAMAGED DURING THE RECENT RAINSTORMS.

SIR MURRAY WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO PEKING, MR. EDWARD YOUDE, WHO ARRIVED IN HONG KONG LATE THIS AFTERNOON ON HIS WAY BACK TO PEKING FROM LEAVE IN LONDON.

THE GOVERNOR WAS BRIEFED ON WORK PROGRESS BY THE P.W.D.’S CHIEF RAILWAY ENGINEER, MR. VAL MANSFIELD, AND THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT CIVIL ENGINEER, MR. BRYAN O’RORKE. ALSO PRESENT WAS THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, MR. REG GREGORY.

THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD THAT DEMOLITION OF THE OLD BRIDGE HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND WORK WAS WELL UNDERWAY ON DRIVING PILES TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED BRIDGE. PILING WOULD CONTINUE AT NIGHT UNTIL THE JOB WAS COMPLETED.

LATER, SIR MURRAY CALLED AT THE K.C.R. RAILWAY WORKSHOPS AT HO TUNG LAU WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED BY MR. GREGORY ON THE EMERGENCY FREIGHT SERVICE INTRODUCED THERE TO HELP OFF-LOAD CHINESE GOODS FROM TRAINS ON TO TRUCKS THUS BY-PASSING THE DAMAGED LINE.

-------- 0 -------

$137,500 EX-GRATIA GRANTS FROM EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND *******

THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND COMMITTEE THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON APPROVED A SUM OF $137,500 AS EX-GRATIA GRANTS TO SHOP OWNERS AND MARKET STALL HOLDERS WHO LOST THEIR STOCKS DURING THE MUDSLIDE AT SAU MAU PING ON AUGUST 25.

SHOP OWNERS OF THE EIGHT BAYS IN BLOCK 9 OF THE ESTATE WHICH HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY OR SEVERELY DAMAGED WILL BE GIVEN 315,000 EACH- WHILE $500 WILL BE GIVEN TO EACH OF THE 35 MARKET STALLS ONWERS.

THE MONEY WILL BE PAID OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL HOLIDAY BY HOUSING DEPARTMENT STAFF.

THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND, WHICH WAS SET UP IN 1962, WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE HELP FOR VICTIMS OF FIRES AND OTHER DISASTERS.

THE FUND IS ADMINISTERED BY A COMMITTEE OF WHICH THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE IS THE CHAIRMAN. OTHER MEMBERS INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THREE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS - MR. CHEUNG WING-YIN, MR. NG CHAN-LAM AND MR. WONG PING-HON.

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/5

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1976

5

SECONDARY SCHOOL COLOUR TV PROGRAMME

*****

NOTE TO ED I TORS:-

A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD THIS FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 10)

AT 2.30 P.M. AT THE PREVIEW THEATRE OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG (RTHK) AT BROADCAST DRIVE, KOWLOON, TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COLOUR TELEVISION PROGRAMME.

THE PROGRAMME WILL BE LAUNCHED FROM NEXT MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 13).

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (TELEVISION) OF RTHK, MR. DONALD KERR, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION), MR. SUN PING-SHU, WILL BE PRESENT AT THE CONFERENCE.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE CONFERENCE.

-------0 - - - -

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WAS PRESENTED WITH A CHEQUE FOR $5,000 TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE YOUTH ORGANISATION FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEGED. THE DONATION WAS MADE TOWARDS THE SETTING UP OF FIVE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS OF THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING IN THE 1976/77 ACADEMIC YEAR.

THE CHEQUE WAS PRESENTED TO MR. LEE BY MR. RONALD LU, CHAIRMAN OF Y.O.U., AT A LUNCHEON HELD AT THE FURAMA HOTEL.

Y.O.U. IS AN ORGANISATION CONSISTING OF YOUNG AND ENTHUSIASTIC PEOPLE* INTERESTED IN HELPING OTHERS WHO THROUGH POVERTY ARE PREVENTED FROM FURTHERING THEIR EDUCATION.

FUNDS ARE RAISED BY THE ORGANISATION EVERY YEAR TO CARRY OUT A NUMBER OF SOCIAL SERVICE PROJECTS WHICH INCLUDES THE DONATION OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING.

STUDENTS OF THE INSTITUTE, UNLIKE THEIR COUNTERPARTS AT THE UNIVERSITIES OR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, DO NOT HAVE ACCESSES TO BURSARIES, SCHOLARSHIP OR LOAN SCHEMES. THEY ARE ALSO UNABLE TO TAKE UP JOBS DURING THE SUMMER AS THE INSTITUTE’S PROGRAMME IS DESIGNED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SUMMER MONTHS FOR FIELD WORK WHICH IS VITAL IN SOCIAL WORK TRAINING.

IN THANKING THE YOUTH ORGANISATION FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEGED, MR. LEE SAID THAT THE GENEROUS OFFER OF Y.O.U. TO SET UP SCHOLARSHIPS WAS WELCOMED BY ALL CONCERNED, ESPECIALLY THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.

0 -------

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1976.

- 6 -

CLOSURE OF PUBLIC DUMP AT KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION ******

DUMPING AT KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION IS TO BE SUSPENDED AS FROM NEXT THURSDAY (SEPTEMBER 16), THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.

MR. NG TECK-SHENG, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION, SAID A STAGE HAD NOW BEEN REACHED IN THE RECLAMATION WORKS WHERE NO FURTHER DUMPING COULD BE ACCEPTED UNTIL CURRENT CONSTRUCTION WORK ON MAJOR STORMWATER DRAINS WERE COMPLETED.

+IN THE MEANTIME, CONTRACTORS WISHING TO DISPOSE OF SURPLUS EXCAVATION MAY APPLY FOR FREE LICENCES TO DISPOSE OF THEIR SPOILS AT SHA TIN+, HE ADDED.

MR. NG SAID THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION HAD PROVIDED A MAJOR PUBLIC DUMP SINCE 1962. +OVER THE YEARS MORE THAN 10 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF SURPLUS EXCAVATION FROM BOTH GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED IN THE BAY TO FORM MORE THAN 180 HECTARES OF LAND FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.*

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DUMP REACHED SATURATION POINT ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO BUT DUMPING MATERIAL HAD CONTINUED TO BE ACCEPTED AND STOCKPILED IN AN EFFORT TO MAINTAIN A VENUE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS EXCAVATION FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

+HOWEVER, THE CAPACITY OF THE STOCKPILING AREAS HAS NOW ALSO BEEN EXHAUSTED AND IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY TO CLOSE THE DUMP.*

LICENCES FOR DUMPING AT SHA TIN MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE BY WRITING TO THE PROJECT MANAGER OF THE P.W.D.’S SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR, SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL, SHA TIN.

MR. NG SAID ANOTHER PUBLIC DUMP WOULD BE OPENED AT LAI CHI KOK BAY LATER IN THE YEAR.

- - 0 -

/7

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1976

- 7 -

RE-ROUTING OF TUNG MING STREET K K M M K

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 10) TRAFFIC IN TUNG MING STREET BETWEEN HANG ON STREET AND KUNG KOK ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTH-BOUND TO TWO-WAY.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL EE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- 0 - -

WATER CUT * * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN HAPPY VALLEY AND TSUEN WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR NINE HOURS FROM 9 P.M. ON FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 10) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT ITS WORK.

IN HAPPY VALLEY, THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE NO.34 STUBBS ROAD AND THE WHOLE OF SHIU FAI TERRACE AND TUNG SHAN TERRACE.

IN TSUEN WAN, THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF YEUNG UK ROAD FROM WANG LUNG STREET TO MA TAU PA STREET, FUI YIU KOK STREET AND WANG LUNG STREET FROM YEUNG UK ROAD TO MA TAU PA STREET.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1976.

KOWLOON RESIDENTS URGED NOT TO OVERLOAD Q.E.H. * K K *

THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY ADVISED THAT RESIDENTS IN NORTHWEST KOWLOON NEEDING EMERGENCY TREATMENT SHOULD PRESENT THEMSELVES AT THE CASUALTY DEPARTMENT OF PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL INSTEAD OF THE EXTREMELY BUSY QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE CASUALTY DEPARTMENT OF PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL HAD RECENTLY BEEN EXTENDED FROM 8 HOURS TO 16 HOURS A DAY TO RELIEVE PRESSURE AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL.

RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE LIVING IN LAI CHI KOK, SHAM SHU I PO, CHEUNG SHA WAN AND KWAI CHUNG AREAS, SHOULD MAKE FULL USE OF THE EXTENDED SERVICE AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL AND NOT FURTHER OVERLOAD QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, HE SAID.

HE REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE CASUALTY DEPARTMENT AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL IS OPERATING DAILY FROM 8 A.M.TO 11.30 P.M AND IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE 24-HOUR SERVICE EARLY NEXT YEAR.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN THE FIRST TWO DAYS SINCE THE CASUALTY SERVICE AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL WAS EXTENDED ON SEPTEMBER 6, THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 227 ATTENDANCES WHEREAS AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL THE TOTAL ATTENDANCES DURING THE SAME PERIOD WERE ABOUT 1,300.

+OVERLOADING THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL WOULD DO BOTH THE PATIENT AND THE HOSPITAL NO GOOD,+ HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO URGED THE PUBLIC NOT TO CONFUSE CAUSALTY SERVICE, WHICH IS FOR TREATING EMERGENCY CASES, WITH THS GENERAL OUTPATIENT SERVICE PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT CLINICS.

HE SAID QUITE A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE CASES SEEN AT CASUALTY DEPARTMENTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SEEN AT THE OUTPATIENT CLINICS, WHICH ARE SET UP IN ALMOST EVERY DISTRICT THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.

+NON-EMERGENCY CASES TURNING UP AT THE CASUALTY DEPARTMENT WOULD DELAY TREATMENT FOR THOSE WHO NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION,+ HE ADDED.

LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 564,081 CASES WERE DEALT WITH AT THE CASUALTY DEPARTMENTS OF GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT-ASSISTED HOSPITALS. OF THESE, 40 PER CENT WENT THROUGH THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL ALONE.

---------o ------------ /2

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1976

2

EDUCATION SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES * * * * *

SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL, THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL, ST. TERESA’S CHURCH AND ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH AT 11.00 A.M. ON SEPTEMBER 12 -- EDUCATION SUNDAY — TO MARK THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.

ALL TEACHERS AND PUPILS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THESE SERVICES WHICH ARE HELD TO ENCOURAGE THEM IN THE TASK THAT LIE AHEAD IN THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR.

THE SERVICES AT ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL AND ST. TERESA’S CHURCH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ENGLISH WHILE THOSE AT THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL AND THE ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE.

MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WILL ATTEND THE SERVICE AT ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE PRESENT AT THE OTHER SERVICES.

------o-------

WORKSHOP ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION *****

ABOUT 70 OFFICERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND A ONE-DAY WORKSHOP ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE.

THE WORKSHOP, ORGANISED BY THE FAMILY SERVICE DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, IS TO EXPLAIN TO THESE OFFICERS THE FUNCTIONS AND IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND TO BETTER PREPARE THEM TO HELP THEIR CLIENTS IN IMPROVING FAMILY LIFE. IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR.THESE OFFICERS TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCE GAINED BY OTHER WORKERS IN THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR IN THIS FIELD.

MRS. EVELYN DOE, HEAD OF THE FAMILY SERVICE DIVISION, WILL OPEN THE PROCEEDINGS WITH A SHORT ADDRESS. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY TWO PANELS OF DISCUSSION. PANEL ONE WILL CONCENTRATE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IN GENERAL. THIS WILL INCLUDE THE NEEDS OF THE TARGET GROUPS — STUDENTS, YOUNG PEOPLE, MARRIED COUPLES AND PARENTS — AND THE SCOPE OF SERVICES REQUIRED BY THEM- AND THE VARIOUS APPROACHES TO BE ADOPTED BY THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATORS.

THE EXISTING FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN PANEL TWO. REPRESENTATIVES FROM FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION, CARITAS, HONG KONG FAMILY WELFARE SOCIETY, CATHOLIC MARRIAGE ADVISORY COUNCIL AND HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WILL ALSO TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE AND THE SPECIAL PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN PROMOTING THE SERVICES.

IN THE AFTERNOON, THERE WILL BE SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS IN WHICH ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS. SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED WILL INCLUDE THE ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF CASEWORKERS- PREPARATIONS AND RESOURCES REQUIRED BY FAMILY LIFE EDUCATORS- AND THE SKILLS IN PROMOTING FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.

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/3......

- 3 -REGISTRATION OF PRIVATE CANDIDATES FOR G.C.E. EXAMS * * * *

REGISTRATION OF PRIVATE CANDIDATES WISHING TO SIT FOR EITHER THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (G.C.E.) OR THE ASSOCIATED EXAMINING BOARD G.C.E. WILL BEGIN NEXT MONDAY.

ENTRY FORMS FOR BOTH EXAMINATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIOD SEPTEMBER 13 TO 17 AT ALL CITY DISTRICT

OFF ICES.

THE TWO EXAMINATIONS ARE LIMITED TO CANDIDATES OF JUNE 1976 G.C.E. EXAMINATIONS AND THE SUBJECTS MUST HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN ENTERED IN THE JUNE 1976 EXAMINATIONS AT THE SAME LEVEL.

CANDIDATES MAY ENTER EITHER ONE OF THE G.C.E. EXAMINATIONS. ANY CANDIDATE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER FOR BOTH IS LIABLE TO BE DISQUALIFIED FROM BOTH EXAMINATIONS.

CANDIDATES WHO WISH TO REPEAT AN ’A’ LEVEL SUBJECT REQUIRING A PRACTICAL TEST MUST HAVE OBTAINED GRADE ’O’ OR ABOVE IN THE SAME SUBJECT IN ONE OF THE JUNE 1976 G.C.E. EXAMINATIONS.

COMPLETED FORMS, TOGETHER WITH FEES AND RELEVANT DOCUMENTS, MUST BE SUBMITTED IN PERSON TO THE EXAMINATION DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, 1OTH FLOOR, KOWLOON FROM SEPTEMBER 13 TO 17 BETWEEN 9.00 A.M. AND 4.00 PM NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

THE INITIAL ENTRY FEE PER CANDIDATE IS Q50. IN ADDITION, THE FEE FOR EACH SUBJECT OFFERED AT ORDINARY LEVEL IS 045 AND AT ADVANCED LEVEL $85. CANDIDATES OFFERING PRACTICAL TESTS WILL EE REQUIRED TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL FEE OF $40 FOR EACH SUBJECT.

-----o-------

SUPERMARKET SITE TO BE AUCTIONED

*****

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO AUCTION A SUPREMARKET SITE AT THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING SILVERSTRAND BEACH AREA LATER THIS MONTH.

THE 9,000 SQUARE-FOOT SITE, IN SILVERSTRAND BEACH ROAD, OFF CLEARWATER BAY ROAD, HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR A TWO-STOREY BUILDING WITH A SUPREMARKET ON THE GROUND FLOOR AND COMMERCIAL PREMISES ABOVE.

THE SITE IS AT THE HEART OF THE MUSHROOMING RESIDENTIAL AREA IN SILVERSTRAND NORTH AND SOUTH, WHERE A LARGE NUMBER OF TWO-STOREY VILLA-TYPE HOMES HAVE BEEN BUILT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, WHICH

IS CONDUCTING THE AUCTION, SAID TODAY: +WHILE IT IS THE INTENTION THAT THE SUPREMARKET SHOULD SERVE THE RAPIDLY GROWING AREAS OF SILVERSTRAND BEACH NORTH AND SOUTH, IT IS EXPECTED THAT IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A FACILITY FOR OTHER RESIDENTIAL AREAS SUCH AS TA KWU LING AND PANG LONG WAN AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS ALONG CLEARWATER BAY.+

THE AUCTION WILL BE HELE AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, 1ST FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 692 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON, AT 10.30 A.M. ON SEPTEMBER 21.

-----o------- /4....

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1976.

4

SPECIAL REGISTRATION FACILITIES FOR YUEN LONG RESIDENTS * * * * *

A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS AT THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE AREA FOR FIVE DAYS WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 13).

THE VISIT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN OR WARDS AT THE AGE OF 11 FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS, AND HOLDERS OF JUVENILE CARDS REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS.

REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. DAILY.

THE COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION REMINDED ALL PEOPLE LIVING IN THIS AREA OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS AND TO REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR

OR ANY OTHER

THEIR IDENTITY

CARDS.

-----o------

WATER CUT

XXX

A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN REPULSE BAY AND TO KWA WAN WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 11) TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.

IN REPULSE BAY, THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE HOUSE NOS. 12, 16, 20, 24, 37, 41, 43 AND 45, REPULSE BAY ROAD.

IN TO KWA WAN, THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY TO KWA WAN ROAD, LOK SHAN ROAD, PAU CHUNG STREET, SAN SHAN ROAD, TAM KUNG ROAD, MA TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON CITY ROAD AND MA TAU CHUNG ROAD, INCLUDING CHEUNG NING STREET, HA HEUNG ROAD, SHEUNG HEUNG ROAD, SUI LUN STREET, WAN CHEUNG STREET AND PAK TAI STREET.

- - - - 0 ----------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1976

contents pAGE no.

$2,000 MILLION HOLIDAY RESORT FOR LANTAU ISLAND .... 1

IMPLEMENTATION OF CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE PROGRESSING. 3

SPEEDPOST TO AUSTRALIA BACK TO NORMAL .............. 3

OPENING OF HARBOUR ROAD CAR PARK ................... 4

FAIRER CHARGING SYSTEM FOR WATER CONSUMERS ......... 5

PRE-WAR BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS ................ 7

RESIDENTIAL LAND TO BE SOLD AT LANTAU .............. 8

THIRD IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE FOR TEACHERS ...... 8

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5'233191

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1976

1

$2,000 MILLION HOLIDAY RESORT FOR LANTAU ISLAND *****

THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A LAND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT TO ENABLE A PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY TO BUILD A $2,000 MILLION HOLIDAY RESORT COMPLEX AT DISCOVERY BAY ON LANTAU ISLAND.

THE AGREEMENT WAS SEALED AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES TODAY WHEN THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF HONG KONG RESORT CO. LTD. MR. EDWARD WONG, SIGNED CONDITIONS OF EXCHANGE DOCUMENTS.

THE SIGNATURES MEAN THAT WORK WILL BEGIN IMMEDIATELY ON WHAT MR. AKERS-JONES LATER DESCRIBED AS +ONE OF THE MOST IMAGINATIVE AND EXCITING PROJECTS EVER UNDERTAKEN IN HONG KONG.+

THE DISCOVERY BAY PROJECT WOULD OPEN UP A TOTALLY NEW RECREATIONAL OUTLET FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, PROVIDE WIDE-RANGING BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND GIVE A SIGNIFICANT BOOST TO THE TOURIST INDUSTRY, HE ADDED.

THE COMPLEX, DESCRIBED BY ITS DEVELOPERS AS UNIQUE IN ASIA, WILL HAVE THREE HOTELS, THREE GOLF COURSES, SWIMMING AND TENNIS COMPLEXES, COMMERCIAL CENTRES, RESTAURANTS, APARTMENT HOUSES, VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT, VILLAS, HIKING AND HORSE-RIDING TRAILS, BICYCLE PATHS, INDOOR SPORTING CENTRES, CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND AND MANY OTHER FACILITIES.

+THERE IS CERTAINLY NOTHING LIKE IT IN HONG KONG,+ MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

+IT IS A TOTAL RECREATIONAL AREA WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY - MUM, DAD AND THE KIDS.+

THE TOTAL AREA COVERED BY THE PROJECT IS 1,520 ACRES, ALTHOUGH ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THIS WILL BE USED FOR OPEN SPACE AND CATCHMENT AREAS.

THE COMPANY WILL PAY THE GOVERNMENT A $61.5 MILLION PREMIUM FOR THE LAND IT HAS ACQUIRED. MR. AKERS-JONES ADDED THAT THIS WOULD BE PAID IN 10 ANNUAL INSTALMENTS OF JUST OVER $9 MILLION EACH.

ADDITIONALLY, THE GOVERNMENT IS TO GET 6.6 MILLION SQUARE FEET IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM THE COMPANY AS PART OF THE EXCHANGE AGREEMENT.

+A GREAT DEAL OF THIS LAND IS HIGHLY VALUABLE AND IS BADLY NEEDED,+ MR. AKERS-JONES SAID. +DEVELOPMENT PLANS ARE ALREADY IN HAND FOR MUCH OF IT.

+ONE OF THE MAJOR AREAS OF EXCHANGE IS AT YUEN LONG, WHERE THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACQUIRED FROM THE COMPANY NEARLY FOUR-MILLION SQUARE FEET ON THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL ESTATE THERE.

/+THIS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1976

2

+THIS COMPRISES THE WHOLE OP STAGE II OF THE ESTATE AND IF THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN REQUIRED TO ACQUIRE THE LAND ITSELF THROUGH THE NORMAL CHANNELS, WE ESTIMATE THAT IT WOULD HAVE COST US 521 MILL ION.+

THE EXCHANGE AGREEMENT SIGNED TODAY ALSO CARRIES A $600 MILLION BUILDING COVENANT. MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE COMPANY WOULD HAVE TO SPEND $120 MILLION WITHIN FOUR YEARS, ANOTHER $130 MILLION WITHIN SIX YEARS, AND ADDITIONAL $150 MILLION WITHIN EIGHT YEARS AND THE BALANCE OF $150 MILLION WITHIN THE 10-YEAR PERIOD.

THE AGREEMENT ALSO RESTRICTS THE COMPANY TO DEVELOPING THE SITE AS A HOLIDAY RESORT, WITH LIMITED RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDING.

THE AGREEMENT LAYS DOWN A SERIES OF MINIMUM DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS, HE ADDED.

THESE INCLUDED THE BUILDING OF A HOTEL, A PUBLIC GOLF COURSE, A CABLE-CAR SYSTEM, A FERRY PIER, A FRESH-WATER RESERVOIR, SALT AND FRESH WATER STORAGE AND TREATMENT AREAS, A SEWERAGE TREATMENT PLANT AND REFUSE DISPOSAL PLANT.

+THE DEVELOPERS HAVE ALREADY SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF

MONEY AND HAVE CARRIED OUT THE MOST EXTENSIVE STUDIES ON THE PROPOSED PROJECT,* HE SAID.

+THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE PROJECT IN ITS BUILDING STAGE IN THAT THE DEVELOPERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A MASTER LAYOUT PLAN AND ASSOCIATED SCHEDULES BEFORE COMMENCING ANY WORK.

+THESE MUST SHOW THE ROADS TO BE PROVIDED, THE GENERAL LOCATION AND NATURE OF BUILDINGS TO BE ERECTED, ALL THE PIERS, BREAKWATERS AND OTHER STRUCTURES AND THE STAGES AND PHASES BY WHICH IT IS INTENDED TO DEVELOP.

+WHERE THE COMPANY IS LANDSCAPING AND PLANTING GRASS, SHRUBS AND THE LIKE, THIS WILL BE DONE WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, WHICH WILL ALSO OVERSEE THE PLANS FOR SUCH THINGS AS THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF BUSH WALKS AND RIDING TRAILS.

+THE COMPANY WILL ALSO BE BUILDING A POLICE POST AND A FIRE STATION WHICH WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE GOVERNMENT WHEN COMPLETED.*

MR. AKERS-JONES ADDED: +THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THIS DEVELOPMENT AND THE INITIATIVE SHOWN EY THE COMPANY IN FORMULATING THE PLAN AND GOING AHEAD WITH IT.*

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/3

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1976

- 3 -IMPLEMENTATION OF CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE PROGRESSING * * * *

STAFF OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN BUSY IMPLEMENTING THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE ON JUNE 1 THIS YEAR.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY MISS NANCY CHOW, PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, IN A TALK GIVEN AT THE 7TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FAMILY SERVICE AND CHILD CARE DIVISION OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.

BESIDES THE SETTING UP OF THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MISS CHOW SAID, OFFICERS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH, PUBLIC WORKS, HOUSING AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENTS HAD BEEN INSPECTING THE CENTRES TO FIND OUT THEIR HEALTH AND SANITATION CONDITIONS AND TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT ALTERATIONS ARE NECESSARY BEFORE THEY ARE REGISTERED.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO MADE APPROPRIATE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO HELP SUEVENTED CHILD CARE CENTRES, SHE SAID.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE LOTTERIES FUND OR FOR SUPPLEMENTARY SUBVENTION COULD BE MADE, SHE SAID, IF THESE CENTRES FOUND THAT THEY WERE IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES WHILE IMPROVING THE STANDARD OF THEIR SERVICE.

MISS CHOW SAID THAT THE TRAINING SECTION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RUNNING COURSES FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS.

+THE COURSES ARE ORGANISED SO THAT THE WORKERS CAN BE QUALIFIED FOR REGISTRATION ON THE ONE HAND, AND BE MORE READY FOR THEIR WORK ON THE OTHER,+ SHE SAID.

THE PURPOSE OF THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE IS TO CONTROL THE CENTRES WITH THE INTENTION OF IMPROVING THEIR SAFETY AND THE STANDARD OF THEIR SERVICES- AND ALSO TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN UNDER THEIR CARE WILL BE PROPERLY LOOKED AFTER BY TRAINED CHILD CARE WORKERS.

+IN SHORT, IT IS TO PROMOTE THE QUALITY OF THE CHILD CARE SERVICE SO THAT THE CHILDREN IN CARE WILL COME TO ENJOY SOCIAL LIFE AND BE GIVEN A CHANCE FOR BETTER PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT,* SHE ADDED.

- — - u-------------

SPEEDPOST TO AUSTRALIA BACK TO NORMAL * * * * *

THE POSTMASTER GENERAL HAS BEEN ADVISED BY THE AUSTRALIAN POST OFFICE THAT NORMAL SPEEDPOST SERVICES TO AUSTRALIA HAVE BEEN RESUMED.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE AUSTRALIAN POST OFFICE HAD SAID THAT DUE TO AN INDUSTRIAL ACTION EY AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS IN AUSTRALIA IT COULD NOT GUARANTEE SCHEDULED DELIVERY OF SPEEDPOST ITEMS.

0 -------

A

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 19%

4

OPENING OF HARBOUR ROAD CAR PARK

******

WORK ON THE BUILDING OF A SPORTS GROUND OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS IN WAN CHAI IS TO START SOMETIME NEXT WEEK.

THE 25-ACRE SPORTS GROUND, WHICH WILL INCLUDE A TURFED FOOTBALL PITCH, AN ALL-WEATHER ATHLETIC TRACK, COVERED SEATING ACCOMMODATION FOR 3,500 SPECTATORS, CHANGING ROOMS AND A RESTAURANT, WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA.

COSTING ABOUT $11 MILLION, THE PROJECT IS THE FIRST STAGE OF THE WANCHAI RECREATION CENTRE PLANNED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.

THE GROUND, EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED AND READY FOR USE BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR, IS LOCATED AT THE WATERFRONT AND IS BOUNDED BY GLOUCESTER ROAD, TONNOCHY ROAD AND MARSH ROAD.

TO FACILITATE THE WORK, A NUMBER OF LORRY DRIVERS WHO ARE USING THE SITE AS A TEMPORARY PARKING PLACE FOR THEIR VEHICLES WILL HAVE TO MOVE TO OTHER PLACES.

TO MEET THEIR NEEDS AS WELL AS THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR LORRY PARKING SPACE, A NEW LORRY CAR PARK WILL BE OPENED IN THE VICINITY ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14.

THE OPENING OF THE CAR PARK IS ANNOUNCED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE CAR PARK, THE SECOND OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, IS SITUATED ON WANCHAI RECLAMATION ON THE WEST SIDE OF FLEMING ROAD BETWEEN GLOUCESTER ROAD AND HARBOUR ROAD.

KNOWN AS THE HARBOUR ROAD VEHICLE PARK, IT WILL HAVE OVER 350 SPACES FOR UNLADEN GOODS VEHICLES, PRIVATE OMNIBUSES AND PUBLIC OMNIBUSES.

THE PARKING CHARGE ON WEEK DAYS WILL BE $5 FROM 8 A.M.

TO 2 P.M. AND $5 FROM 1 P.M. TO 7 P.M. THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE

FOR PARKING FROM 7 P.M. TO 8 A.M. AND ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOL I DAYS.

THE SECOND STAGE OF THE WANCHAI RECREATION CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO START AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. THIS WILL INCLUDE THE BUILDING OF AN INDOOR GAMES HALL AND A SWIMMING POOL, AND IS EXPECTED TO EE COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS.

THE INDOOR GAMES HALL IS DESIGNED FOR BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, BADMINTON, TENNIS, PING PONG, FENCING, BOXING AMONG OTHER SPORTS ACTIVITIES. IT WILL ALSO HAVE SIX SQUASH COURTS. THE PLANS ALSO INCLUDE PROVISION FOR A SMALL STAGE FOR CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.

THE SWIMMING POOL IS SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO PROMOTE LIFE-SAVING AND OTHER TRAINING.

WHEN THE WHOLE SCHEME IS COMPLETED, IT WILL BE THE FIRST RECREATIONAL CENTRE OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, PROVIDING OUTDOOR AND INDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES IN THE SAME PLACE.

- - 0 -

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1976

- 5 -FAIRER SYSTEM TO CHARGE WATER CONSUMERS * * * *

THE AVERAGE HONG KONG WATER CONSUMERS NEED HAVE NO WORRY THAT ANY FUTURE INCREASE IN DESALTING WOULD HAVE A DRAMATIC EFFECT ON HIS WATER BILL, THE RETIRING DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. BILL KNIGHT, SAID TODAY.

MR. KNIGHT, WHO LEAVES LATER THIS MONTH AFTER 25 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, TOLD A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON NORTH THAT EVEN IF HONG KONG OPTED FOR NEW DESALTERS, ONLY ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF THE DEMAND MIGHT HAVE TO BE SUPPLIED BY DESALTING IN 1985.

♦AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH CONSUMERS HAVE TO USE THIS MORE 'EXPENSIVE WATER COULD BECOME LARGELY A MATTER OF PERSONAL CHOICE,+ HE SAID.

ILLUSTRATING THIS, MR. KNIGHT EXPLAINED THAT THE COST OF PRODUCING WATER VARIED CONSIDERABLY FROM ONE SUPPLY SYSTEM TO ANOTHER. CORRESPONDINGLY A RANGE OF PRICES COULD BE CHARGED SO THAT THE CONSUMER COULD TO A VERY GREAT EXTENT DECIDE FOR HIMSELF HOW MUCH HE WOULD SPEND ON HIS WATER BILL.

+THE AIM WOULD BE TO PRODUCE CONDITIONS IN WHICH THE AMOUNT OF WATER USED BY AN INDIVIDUAL BECOMES HIS OWN ECONOMIC CHOICE,+ HE SAID.

THIS COULD BE ARRANGED BECAUSE HONG KONG HAD A UNIVERSAL METERING SYSTEM WHEREBY EACH CONSUMER PAID FOR THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF WATER HE USED.

IN FACT, HE SAID, STEPS HAD ALREADY BEEN TAKEN ALONG THE LINES HE WAS SUGGESTING WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A MULTIPLE DOMESTIC RATE WHICH, ON AVERAGE, PROVIDED A FREE ALLOWANCE OF ABOUT FOUR GALLONS PER PERSON PER DAY — THE AMOUNT CALCULATED TO MEET THE BASIC NEEDS OF THE AVERAGE CONSUMER. THE NEXT 16 GALLONS PER HEAD PER DAY WAS CHARGED AT $3 PER THOUSAND GALLONS, AND CONSUMPTION OVER THIS WAS AT THE RATE OF $6 PER THOUSAND GALLONS.

MR. KNIGHT PREDICTED THAT IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE, WHEN THE WATERWORKS ACCOUNTS WERE COMPUTERISED, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO SUBDIVIDE THE TOP $6 BRACKET SC THAT THE ECONOMIC CHOICE TO INDIVIDUALS WOULD BE EVEN CLEARER, AND MAKE IT EVIDENT WHEN THEY WERE APPROACHING A SCALE OF USAGE WHICH REQUIRED THE PAYMENT FOR WATER AT THE MORE EXPENSIVE RATE ARISING FROM THE HIGHER COSTS OF DESALTING WATER.

HE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT A MULTIPLE DOMESTIC RATE SYSTEM WAS MUCH FAIRER THAN CHARGING A FLAT RATE WHICH, HE SAID, WOULD MEAN THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON WHO NEITHER WANTED NOR COULD AFFORD TO USE A GREAT DEAL OF WATER WOULD EE FORCED TO HELP PAY THE BILLS OF THOSE WHO_USED A GREAT DEAL MORE, AT THE EXPENSIVE END OF THE SCALE.

/ta. KNIGHT

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1976

6

MR. KNIGHT ADDED THAT HE PERSONALLY FELT THAT A SIMILAR DIFFERENTIAL PRICING SYSTEM SHOULD BE ATTEMPTED FOR NON-DOMESTIC USERS, AS HE BELIEVED THAT INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL USERS SHOULD NOT BE PROVIDED WITH A HIDDEN SUBSIDY BY THE DOMESTIC USER.

+HOWEVER, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TASK, AND ONE NEEDING A GREAT DEAL OF RESEARCH AND EXAMINATION,* HE SAID.

MR. KNIGHT DESCRIBED HONG KONG’S EFFORTS TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY AS A CONTINUING ’WAR’, AND WARNED THAT HONG KONG COULD NOT AFFORD TO BE COMPLACENT DESPITE THE PROJECTED SLOWER SIX PER CENT GROWTH IN DEMAND IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS.

+WE MUST CONTINUE WITH ALL OUR EFFORTS TO CONTAIN UNNECESSARY GROWTH IN CONSUMPTION,* HE STRESSED.

HE REJECTED THE ASSUMPTION THAT HONG KONG COULD AFFORD TO BE EASY-GOING ABOUT VIOLATIONS AND ABUSES WHEN SUPPLIES SEEMED PLENTIFUL, AND SAID THAT LENIENCY AND THE RESULTANT INCREASE IN DEMAND WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF BRINGING FORWARD THE NEED FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS, THUS LEADING TO EXPENDITURE HAVING TO BE STEPPED UP SOONER THAN NECESSARY.

HE SAID THAT WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MINOR CATCHMENTS AND THE EXTRA SUPPLIES FROM CHINA, DEMAND COULD BE MET UP TO ABOUT 19S3 ON PRESENT PROJECTIONS.

BUT WITH CONVENTIONAL RESOURCES DEVELOPED TO CAPACITY, IT LOOKED VERY MUCH AS THOUGH WE MUST BE SERIOUSLY THINKING ABOUT NEW DESALTERS.

THIS HAD, IN FACT, ALREADY BEEN FORESEEN WHEN THE LOK ON PAI DESALTER WAS BEING BUILT, AND ALLOWANCE HAD BEEN MADE FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE EXTENSION BY MAKING THE MAJOR CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS LARGER THAN NECESSARY FOR A 40-MILL ION-GALLONS-A-DAY PLANT.

THESE MAJOR PARTS, HE SAID, WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE OR HORRIBLY EXPENSIVE TC ENLARGE LATER ON. +THE EXTENSION OF THIS DESALTING PLANT, ALTHOUGH EXPENSIVE, IS THEREFORE A LESS COSTLY OPERATION THAN TO PROVIDE ANOTHER MAJOR DESALTER FROM SCRATCH.*

NEVERTHELESS, MR. KNIGHT SAID, HONG KONG STILL HAD ANOTHER YEAR OR 30 BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO GO IN FOR MORE DESALTERS, ALTHOUGH IN THE MEANTIME THERE WAS LOTS TO BE DONE, INCLUDING LOCATING SITES, PRELIMINARY PLANNING AND KEEPING ABREAST OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DESALTING FIELD.

+DESALTED WATER IS EXPENSIVE, SO IT IS WISE NOT TO COMMIT OURSELVES TOC SOON,* HE SAID.

+WE HAVE TO TRY TO GET THE TIMING RIGHT SO THAT WE ARE NOT SPENDING MONEY EARLIER THAN WE HAVE TO — MONEY BADLY NEEDED FOR OTHER PURPOSES -- NOR DO WE ..'ANT TO LEAVE IT SO LATE THAT WATER ..ILL NOT BE AVAILABLE .'.HEN WE WEED IT.*

/LOOKING .....

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1976

LOOKING BACK, MR. KNIGHT NOTED THAT HONG KONG’S STORAGE CAPACITY HAD MULTIPLIED BY ABOUT 2,000 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 100 YEARS -- FROM ABOUT 66 MILLION GALLONS IN THE 186O’S TO 67,000 MILLION GALLONS IN 1973, AND BY THE END OF THE DECADE SHOULD REACH 128,000 MILLION GALLONS WHEN HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR WAS COMPLETED.

MR. KNIGHT SAID THE PROBLEMS WHICH HAD FACED HONG KONG IN PRODUCING THIS MASSIVE GROWTH WERE BOTH UNIQUE AND CHALLENGING.

+1 FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN BE SAID TO CAST US IN THE ROLE OF A aiORLD LEADER IN THE WAY WE HAVE OVERCOME THEM, AND I DON’T THINK WE WOULD WANT IT IN ANY OTHER WAY,+ HE SAID.

+1 WOULD LIKE TODAY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE ENTHUSIASM AND DEDICATION OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR UNRELENTING EFFORTS TO ENSURE AND MAINTAIN A SATISFACTORY SUPPLY TO HONG KONG+.

0 - -

PRE-WAR BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS M M * * *

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY DECLARED NO. 16 AMOY STREET, HONG KONG TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND ORDERED THAT THE BUILDING BE DEMOLISHED.

THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT THIS THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDING, PARTIALLY RECONSTRUCTED IN 1947, WAS CONSTRUCTED WITH TIMBER FLOORS ON LOAD-BEARING BRICK WALLS. THE BUILDING HAS BEEN UNDER GENERAL OBSERVATION SINCE AN ADJACENT BUILDING WAS DEMOLISHED AS DANGEROUS IN 1967.

THERE ARE FRACTURES IN MOST LOAD-BEARING WALLS AND INDICATIONS OF A GENERAL BUILDING MOVEMENT TOWARDS THE VACANT SITE AT NO. 18 AMOY STREET. THE SITUATION HAS DETERIORATED SIGNIFICANTLY RECENTLY AND IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THERE IS NOW A DANGER OF COLLAPSE.

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.33 A.M. ON SEPTEMBER 17 ..AS POSTED TODAY.

0 - -

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1976

8

RESIDENTIAL LAND TC BE SOLD AT LANTAU * * * * *

THE FIRST AUCTION IN A PLANNED SERIES OF SALES OF PRIME RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS ON LANTAU WILL EE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 28.

DETAILS OF THE AUCTION OF TWO PARCELS OF LAND OVERLOOKING CHEUNG SHA BEACH WERE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

BOTH BLOCKS - ONE OF 10,700 SQUARE FEET AND THE OTHER OF 16,700 SQUARE FEET - CARRY A TWO-STOREY BUILDING LIMITATION.

THE SMALLER PARCEL HAS A BUILDING COVENANT OF $220,000 TO BE SPENT BEFORE JUNE, 1979, WHILE THE PURCHASER OF THE OTHER BLOCK WILL BE REQUIRED TO SPEND $340,000 BEFORE THAT DATE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY THAT THE TOTAL GROSS PERMITTED FLOOR AREA ON THE SMALLER PARCEL WAS 4,280 SQUARE FEET WHILE THE SECOND BLOCK WAS 6,680 SQUARE FEET.

HE ADDED s +THE N.T.A. IS PLANNING A SERIES OF AUCTIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL SITES IN SOUTH LANTAU.

+FRCM MANY INQUIRIES AND APPLICATIONS, IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A VERY STRONG DEMAND FOR THIS TYPE OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON SOUTH LANTAU, SIMILAR TO THE DEMAND WE EXPERIENCED IN SAI KUNG IN RECENT YEARS.

+WE EXPECT TO ANNOUNCE FURTHER AUCTIONS OF RESIDENTIAL LOTS IN THE SOUTH LANTAU AREA IN THE COMING MONTHS.+

THE AUCTION WILL EE HELD AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 4TH FLOOR, INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 141 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG, AT 10.30 A.M.

0 - -

THIRD IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE FOR TEACHERS *****

THE LAST OF THE THREE IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES FOR TEACHERS OF SCIENCE SYLLABUS AT JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL IS TO EE HELD ON SIX CONSECUTIVE SATURDAYS BEGINNING SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 11).

THE REFRESHER COURSE, TO EE ATTENDED BY 100 FORM THREE TEACHERS, WILL BE HELD AT THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.

THE FIRST COURSE FOR SOME 200 TEACHERS FROM SCHOOLS IMPLEMENT I NG OR INTENDING TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONAL SYLLABUS FOR SCIENCE AT FORM ONE LEVEL WAS HELD IN JULY.

THE SECOND COURSE FOR 200 FORM TWO TEACHERS ENDED ON SEPTEMBER

THE AIM OF THE THREE COURSES IS TO ACQUAINT THE PARTICIPATING TEACHERS WITH APPROACHES TO AND METHODS OF TEACHING THE SCIENCE SYLLABUS AT THE JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL.

- 0 - -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

UNLOADING OF GOODS FROM RAILWAY WAGONS VIRTUALLY BACK TO NORMAL ............................................. 1

MAJOR RE-ORGANISATION OF BUS SERVICES IN CHAI WAN ... 2

TAI ON MANSION CLEARANCE ON SEPTEMBER 13 .............. 3

AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS FETCH $255,500 ......... 4

HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY REPORT NOW ON SALE ....... 4

ROBINSON ROAD’S +BUS ONLY+ LANE TEMPORARILY CANCELLED ............................................. 5

NEW LEGAL YEAR ........................................ 5

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1976

1

UNLOADING OF GOODS FROM RAILWAY WAGONS VIRTUALLY BACK TO NORMAL ******

THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY, MR. REGINALD GREGORY, SAID TODAY THAT THE UNLOADING OF GOODS FROM RAILWAY WAGONS HAS VIRTUALLY RETURNED TO NORMAL VOLUMN SINCE THE OPENING OF TWO MORE TEMPORARY FREIGHT TERMINALS IN SHA TIN.

THE TWO TERMINALS ARE LOCATED AT THE SOUTH OF SHA TIN STATION AND AT FO TAN. THIS BRINGS TO FIVE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TEMPORARY TERMINALS NOW IN FORCE. THE OTHER THREE ARE AT WO HOP SHEK, FAN LING AND HO TUNG LAU WORKSHOPS.

+MORE THAN 120 WAGONS WERE UNLOADED FROM THESE TERMINALS YESTERDAY AS AGAINST A DAILY AVERAGE OF ABOUT 140 WAGONS BEFORE THE DISRUPTION OF NORMAL TRAIN SERVICE.* HE SAID. +WE ARE NOW GETTING VERY CLOSE TO THE NORMAL LEVEL AS BEFORE THE FLOODING.*

THE KCR OPENED THESE TEMPORARY TERMINALS BECAUSE THE WAGONS COULD NOT REACH KOWLOON AS A RESULT OF DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE OLD RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER SHING MUN RIVER BY THE RECENT RAINSTORM.

MR GREGORY ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ANOTHER TEMPORARY TERMINAL WAS EXPECTED TO BE OPENED IN ABOUT A WEEK AT TAI PO KAU TO HANDLE OIL TRAINS FROM CHINA.

WHEN THIS TERMINAL CAME INTO OPERATION, IT WOULD BE ABLE TO UNLOAD DIESEL OIL FROM 16 WAGONS A DAY.

+PASSENGER TRAFFIC AT TAI WAI STATION IS ALSO GOING ON VERY WELL AND ABOUT 14,000 PEOPLE ARE USING THE STATION EACH DAY.* HE SAID. '

+MEANWHILE, WORK ON THE NEW BRIDGE AT TA I WAI IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY AND WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT IT WILL BE COMPLETED NEXT MONTH ON SCHEDULE,* HE ADDED.

/2

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1976

- 2 -

BUS ROUTE CHANGES AT CHAI WAN ******

A MAJOR RE-ORGANISATION OF BUS SERVICES IN THE CHAI WAN AREA OF HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE INTRODUCED NEXT WEEK, ACCORDING TO A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY.

BEGINNING THURSDAY (SEPTEMBER 16), ALL BUS ROUTES IN THE AREA WILL BE CHANGED AS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME DRAWN UP BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY.

THE NEW NETWORK OF ROUTES TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE RAPIDLY INCREASING POPULATION OF THE AREA AND THE OPENING OF THE FINAL PHASE OF THE HING WAH ESTATE. THE POPULATION OF THE AREA NOW STANDING AT 81,000 IS EXPECTED TO REACH OVER 130,000 PERSONS WITHIN THE NEXT TEN YEARS AS NEW HOUSING ESTATES OPEN.

A NEW ROUTE 81 WILL BE INTRODUCED TO LINK THE HING WAH ESTATE WITH SHAU KEI WAN, QUARRY BAY, NORTH POINT AND CAUSEWAY BAY (LAI TAK TSUEN). THIS WILL OPERATE TO A BASIC 10-MINUTE FREQUENCY AT A 50 CENTS ADULT FARE (30 CENTS FOR CHILDREN). IN ADDITION, A 30 CENTS INTERMEDIATE SECTION FARE WILL BE PROVIDED FROM QUARRY BAY AND SHAU KEI WAN TO HING WAH.

EXISTING ROUTE 8 WILL BE EXTENDED TO START FROM CHAI WAN (SAN HA STREET) AND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LEE CHUNG STREET, HONG MAN STREET, CHEUNG LEE STREET AND KUT SHING STREET TO SERVE THE CHAI WAN INDUSTRIAL AREA AND THE HEALTH CENTRE. THIS SERVICE WILL LINK CHAI WAN WITH WAN CHAI AT A BASIC SIX-MINUTE FREQUENCY USING HIGH-CAPACITY DOUBLE DECK BUSES.

ANOTHER NEW ROUTE, NO. 82, WILL BE INTRODUCED BETWEEN CHAI WAN EAST (ON YIP STREET) AND NORTH POINT FERRY OPERATING TO A BASIC SIX-MINUTE FREQUENCY WITH A 40 CENTS ADULT FARE (20 CENTS FOR CHILDREN).

ROUTES 83 AND 88 WILL LINK CHAI WAN WITH SAI WAN HO FERRY AND CAPE COLLINSON (TRAINING CENTRE) RESPECTIVELY. ON CHING MING AND CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVALS, A SPECIAL RECREATIONAL ROUTE, NO. 89, WILL OPERATE BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN AND CHAI WAN CEMETERY.

ALTOGETHER 8 BUS ROUTES WILL SERVE THE CHAI WAN AREA (THESE INCLUDE EXPRESS ROUTE 80 TO CENTRAL DISTRICT AND CROSS HARBOUR ROUTE 106 TO CHUK YUEN VIA HUNG HOM AND KOWLOON CITY). A FLEET OF 75 HIGH CAPACITY BUSES IS INVOLVED IN THE SCHEME PROVIDING ALMOST ’A BUS A MINUTE’ OPERATION FROM THE CHAI WAN AREA.

TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND CMB OFFICIALS WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORING THE SCHEME DURING THE COMING WEEKS AND DAILY PASSENGER TRAFFIC VOLUMES ARE CONFIDENTLY EXPECTED TO TIP THE 60,000 MARK BY MID-OCTOBER, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

o -------

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1976

3

TAI ON MANSION CLEARANCE

*****

CLEARANCE OF TAI ON MANSION AT 2-4, TAI PO ROAD WILL TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 13) AS SCHEDULED, AND THE REMAINING TENANTS OF THE BUILDING HAVE BEEN REMINDED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THEY MUST VACATE THEIR PREMISES OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE POST-WAR BUILDING WILL THEN BE DEMOLISHED TO PAVE THE WAY FOR TUNNELLING WORK FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY. DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ON TUESDAY.

ON MONDAY MORNING, STAFF OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL MOVE IN. OCCUPANTS REMAINING IN THE BUILDING WILL HAVE TO BE EVICTED AND GOODS AND CHATTLE TRANSPORTED TO A GOVERNMENT GODOWN FOR SAFE KEEPING AND FOR THEM TO BE CLAIMED BACK BY THE OWNERS AT THEIR CONVENIENCE.

ALL TENANTS OF THE BUILDING HAVE BEEN OFFERED COMPENSATION IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

DOMESTIC TENANTS: CASH ASSISTANCE CALCULATED AT $20 PER SQUARE FT. OF LIVING SPACE AND ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING"

OWNER-OCCUPIERS: COMPENSATION FOR THEIR FLATS AT FULL MARKET VALUE AND ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING AS WELL AS CASH ASSISTANCE"

COMMERCIAL TENANTS: COMPENSATION FOR LOSSES OF BUS INESS/PROFIT, VALUE OF FITTINGS STORAGE, TRANSPORT OF STOCKS AND FEES FOR NEW LEASES (IN CASES THEY ARE MOVING ELSEWHERE) AND OTHER EXPENSES.

IN THE CASES OF OWNER-OCCUPIERS AND SHOP OPERATORS, ACCEPTANCE OF COMPENSATION OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT PREJUDICE THEIR APPEAL TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL, IF THEY ARE NOT SATISFIED. THE GOVERNMENT HAS STATED THAT IF THE AMOUNT THE TRIBUNAL AWARDED IS HIGHER THAN THE COMBINED TOTAL OF COMPENSATION, IT WILL MAKE UP THE BALANCE. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT ASK FOR ONE CENT FROM THEM, IF THE TRIBUNAL AWARD IS LOWER. THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET COME FORWARD TO COLLECT THEIR COMPENSATION ARE ADVISED THAT THEY MAY DO SO ANY TIME THEY LIKE SINCE THE MONEY HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

SINCE THE BUILDING REVERTED TO THE GOVERNMENT IN MID-APRIL THIS YEAR, ALL TENANTS, INCLUDING COMMERCIAL TENANTS HAVE NOT HAD TO PAY RENTALS AND RATES.

IN CASH TERMS, THE SEVEN COMMERCIAL TENANTS WILL RECEIVE BETWEEN THEM SOME $219,000 IN COMPENSATION AND SOME $73,000 IN UNPAID RENTS.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY, +WE HAVE TRIED TO TREAT ALL THE PEOPLE CONCERNED AS FAIRLY AS POSSIBLE. WE HOPE THAT ALL THE REMAINING TENANTS WILL MOVE OUT OVER THE WEEK-END SO THAT DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING CAN START ON TUESDAY AND TUNNELLING WORK FOR THE MTR COMMENCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ALL OCCUPANTS AND LANDLORDS HAVE BEEN GIVEN 16 MONTHS’ NOTICE.+

0 --------

A

4

AUCTION OF SPECIAL NUMBERS REALISE $255,500

******

FIFTEEN SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $255,500 WHICH WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.

THE AUCTION, HELD AT LECTURE ROOM SOUTH OF THE CITY HALL HIGH BLOCK, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER 8118 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $40,000.

ANOTHER NUMBER HK 999 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $31,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $5,000 FOR AA 6789.

THE OTHER SPECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE FOLLOWING PRICES

AC 7000 $ 6,000 BD 6666 $18,000

BD 111 $ 6,000 HK 32 $17,000

BD 18 $20,000 1828 $15,000

AC 78 $10,000 BL 1 $26,000

AL 8 $25,000 AA 5000 $11,000

AA 95 $ 6,500 HK 3388 $19,000

THE NUMBERS AUCTION WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.

TODAY’S SALE, THE 30TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY, 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $4,962,032.

-----0------

HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY REPORT NOW ON SALE *******

A PUBLICATION ENTITLED +THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY 1973/74 AND THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES* PREPARED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS NOW ON SALE.

THIS REPORT DESCRIBES IN DETAILS THE METHODS ADOPTED FOR CONDUCTING THE 1973/74 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES (A) AND (B).

A TOTAL OF 140 TABLES ANALYSING THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS, INCOME AND HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS OF 2,864 SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS ARE APPENDED TO THE REPORT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT EVEN THOUGH THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BETWEEN JULY 1973 AND JUNE 1974, A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME WAS REQUIRED TO UNDERTAKE THE WORK INVOLVED IN DATA ANALYSIS AND COMPILATION BEFORE THIS REPORT COULD BECOME READY FOR PUBLICATION.

THIS REPORT IS NOW OBTAINABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, HONG KONG AT HKS16.00 A COPY.

------o-------

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1976

- 5 -

+BUS ONLY+ LANE IN ROBINSON ROAD TEMPORARILY CANCELLED ******

THE +BUS ONLY+ LANE IN ROBINSON ROAD BETWEEN CASTLE ROAD AND GLENEALY WILL BE OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC FROM 7 A.M. ON MONDAY. SEPTEMBER 13.

THIS TEMPORARY MEASURE IS AIMED AT IMPROVING TRAFFIC IN THE AREA FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF CASTLE ROAD AND CAINE LANE DUE TO THE RECENT LANDSLIDES.

FROM MONDAY MORNING MOTORISTS TRAVELLING EAST ALONG CONDUIT ROAD WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN INTO ROBINSON ROAD AND TRAVEL THROUGH THE BUS ONLY LANE IN ROBINSON ROAD BETWEEN CASTLE ROAD AND GLENEALY.

HOWEVER, NO STOPPING TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS WILL BE PERMITTED ALONG THIS SECTION OF ROBINSON ROAD BETWEEN 7 A.M. AND 10 A.M. AND BETWEEN 4 P.M. AND 7 P.M.

-------o----------

NEW LEGAL YEAR * * * *

THE NEW LEGAL YEAR WILL OPEN ON MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 13).

TO MARK THE OCCASION, A CHURCH SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH AT 9.30 A.M. THAT DAY.

ATTENDING WILL BE JUDGES, MAGISTRATES, MEMBERS OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND OF THE LAW SOCIETY AND THOSE WORKING IN THE COURTS.

THE COURTS WILL RESUME SITTING AT 11 A.M. ON THE SAME DAY.

------o-------

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1976

COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION - VITAL IN REHABILITATION OF MINOR OFFENDERS

******

THE COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION ARE VITAL IF THE REHABILITATION OF MINOR OFFENDERS IS TO BE SUCCESSFUL. IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE REAL MEANING AND VALUE OF PROBATION SERVICES.

MR. MAK WING-HONG, HEAD OF THE PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, SA IDx +AFTER ALL, THE REAL AIM OF PROBATION SERVICE IS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE AT VARIANCE WITH THE LAW TO PROGRESS FROM DELINQUENCY TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN ORDER TO BECOME LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AGAIN.*

EFFORTS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON PROBATION SERVICES TAKE IN THE FORM OF EXHIBITIONS, OPEN DAYS OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, PARTICIPATION OF PROBATIONERS IN COMMUNITY SERVICES AS WELL AS TALKS AND LECTURES TO INTERESTED GROUPS, SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS.

+MOREOVER, WE ARE AT PRESENT TRYING OUT THE APPROACH WHEREBY WE SUPPLY TELEVISION AND FILM COMPANIES WITH LIVE SITUATIONS OF PROBATION CASES - WITHOUT IDENTIFYING ANY INDIVIDUAL - TO GIVE A REALISTIC AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND TO THEIR ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES,* HE SAID.

+THROUGH THIS WAY, WE HOPE TO GIVE THE PUBLIC, IN AN ENTERTAINING WAY, A MORE REALISTIC IDEA OF THE BACKGROUND OF PROBATIONERS, HOW THEY ARE LED INTO CRIME, AND HOW SOME OF THEM CAN BE HELPED BY THE PROBATION SERVICE,* HE ADDED.

MR. MAK URGED EMPLOYERS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS TO BE SYMPATHETIC AND UNDERSTANDING TO THE PROBATIONERS SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE THE CHANCE TO START LIFE ANEW.

+TO GET THE MESSAGE ACROSS, OUR PROBATION OFFICERS OFTEN VISIT EMPLOYERS TO PURSUADE THEM TO GIVE ASSISTANCE TO THE PROBATIONERS. NOWADAYS, MORE EMPLOYERS ARE BEGINNING TO ACCEPT PROBATIONERS BECAUSE, BEING UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PROBATION OFFICER, THEY OFTEN TURN OUT TO BE VERY WELL BEHAVED,* HE SAID.

+THE WORK OF THE PROBATION OFFICERS IS FAMILY ORIENTATED. COUNSELLING IS GIVEN TO THE FAMILY AS A WHOLE DURING THEIR HOME VISITS SO THAT PARENTS CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THEIR PROBLEM CHILDREN,* HE ADDED. +VERY OFTEN, WE FIND THAT PROBLEM PARENTS YEILD PROBLEM CHILDREN.*

/UE said .........

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5'233191

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1976

- 2 -

HE SAID IT WAS UNFORTUNATE THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE A WRONG CONCEPT OF THE PROBATION SERVICE BECAUSE ONLY INDIVIDUAL CASES OF RAC ID IV ISM ARE REPORTED WHILE SUCCESSFUL CASES ARE SELDOM PUBLICISED BECAUSE OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND THE CONFIDENTIALITY ENTRUSTED TO THE PROBATION OFFICERS.

+WE ONCE MADE A SURVEY OF A SELECTED GROUP OF EX-PROBATIONERS, AND FOUND THAT MORE THAN 70 PER CENT OF THEM WERE FOUND TO BE +CLEAN+ ONE YEAR AFTER SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THEIR PROBATION ORDER,+ HE SAID.

+THOUGH THIS FIGURE CANNOT BE REGARDED AS AN ABSOLUTE REFLECTION OF OUR SUCCESS RATE, IT NEVERTHELESS SERVES AS AN ENCOURAGING REFERENCE FOR OUR PROBATION OFFICERS AND PROVES BEYOND ANY DOUBT THAT THE PROBATION SYSTEM DOES WORK.+ HE STRESSED.

MR. MAK SAID IT WAS TOTALLY WRONG TO THINK THAT AN OFFENDER IS SIMPLY SET FREE IF HE IS PUT ON PROBATION.

DURING THE PROBATION PERIOD WHICH USUALLY LASTS FROM ONE TO THREE YEARS, HE SAID, A PROBATIONER MUST OBEY THE PROBATION ORDER WHICH OBLIGES HIM TO WORK AND ENSURE HIS GOOD CONDUCT AND ABSTENTION FROM PUGNACIOUS ACTIVITIES.

+IN ADDITION, SUPPLEMENTARY CONDITIONS MAY BE PRESCRIBED BY THE COURT TO INDICATE EXACTLY THE REQUIRED SCHOOL, JOB OR LODGING,* HE SAID.

THIS SERVES AS A BOND TO THE OFFENDERS AND EXPERIENCES REVEALED THAT SOME PROBATIONERS WOULD RATHER PREFER TO SERVE A PRISON TERM WHICH MAY BE RELATIVELY SHORTER THAN THE PERIOD OF PROBATION SUPERVISION IN ORDER TO GET RID OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BURDEN. +IN FACT, IF THE PROBATION ORDER IS BREACHED THE PROBATIONERS CAN BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURT AGAIN AND BE IMPRISONED,* MR. MAK SAID.

+IT IS UP TO OUR PROBATION OFFICERS TO EXERCISE THEIR PATIENCE, PROFESSIONALISM AND HUMANITY TO SLOWLY WIN THEM OVER AND IT IS A GREAT CREDIT TO OUR OFFICERS THAT A LOT OF EX-PROBATIONERS STILL COME BACK TO THEM FOR ADVICE LONG AFTER THEY HAVE SUCCESSFULLY BEEN INTEGRATED INTO SOCIETY,* HE ADDED.

TURNING TO THE VALUE OF THE PROBATION SERVICE, MR. MAK SAID THAT MINOR OFFENDERS WHO NURSE PENITENT FEELINGS AND HAVE THE STRENGTH TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF SHOULD NOT BE PUT IN JAIL WHERE THEY WOULD BE OPEN TO THE ADVERSE INFLUENCE OF HARDENED CRIMINALS.

+BY PUTTING THEM ON PROBATION, THEY ARE GIVEN A CHANCE TO START AGAIN AND THEIR CRIMINAL RECORDS WILL BE DISREGARDED ON THE SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF THEIR PROBATION ORDER UNLESS THEY COMMIT A CRIME AGAIN. SO THE MAIN CONCERN OF THE PROBATION SERVICE IS THE WELFARE ON REHABILITATION OF THE MINOR OFFENDERS.

+WE TAKE CARE OF AN AVERAGE OF 2,800 PROBATIONERS A MONTH AND BY RELEASING THIS LARGE WORKFORCE BACK INTO SOCIETY WHERE THEY CAN DO PROPER JOBS, THE SYSTEM IS INDIRECTLY HELPING HONG KONG’S PRODUCTIVITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,* MR. MAK ADDED.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1976

- 3 -

BIGGER DEMAND FOR PRIVATE RADIO CHANNELS ******

THE DEMAND FOR FREQUENCY ASSIGNMENTS (RADIO CHANNELS) BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR CONTINUED TO RISE LAST YEAR DESPITE THE ECONOMIC RECESSION.

DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, 1975-76, A TOTAL OF 120 ASSIGNMENTS (SOME ON A SHARING BASIS) WERE ISSUED RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF MOBILE RADIO SYSTEM. FIXED STATION LICENCES INCREASED BY ABOUT 16 PER CENT TO 676 WHILE MOBILE STATION LICENCES WENT UP BY OVER 20 PER CENT TO 2,992.

THE USAGE OF THE TELEX SERVICE ALSO CONTINUED TO GROW AND THIS WAS REFLECTED IN THE NET INCREASE OF ALMOST 30 PER CENT IN PRIVATE TELEGRAPH LICENCES.

THE NUMBER OF LICENCES IN FORCE DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW WAS PRIVATE TELEGRAPH (RECEPTION)(1,115), PRIVATE TELEGRAPH (TRANSMISSION) (168) AND PRIVATE TELEGRAPH (TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION) (4,446).

ANOTHER AREA OF GROWING POPULARITY WAS THE USE OF RADIO TO CONTROL MODEL AIRCRAFT AND BOATS. THERE WERE 758 SUCH LICENCE HOLDERS LAST YEAR COMPARED WITH 608 IN THE PRECEDING YEAR.

MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT HOI SHAM PARK

******

WORK ON THE SECOND AND FINAL STAGE OF THE RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT HOI SHAM PARK IN TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON, IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 5,000 SQUARE METRES, IS ON THE SOUTH-WESTERN SIDE OF STAGE I OF THE PARK, WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN 1972.

AMONG THE FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED ARE A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA WITH VARIOUS TYPES OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, PROMENADES, AND SITTING-OUT AREAS WITH PARK BENCHES, ARBOURS AND FLOWER-BEDS.

THE PROJECT WILL TAKE ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

- - 0 -

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY


Sunday, 12th September, 1976.

HAPPINESS IS A nihllC

Moving to a better flat, of course with a higher rental, is eommonplaeo in Hong Kong* But one family which recently moved into new accommodation is happily paying 86 times their previous rental.

Even in Hong Kongt where astronomical rents are not unheard of* such an increase normally would be crippling to most tenants.

But Mr Wong Bing^sun is one tenant who has recently made such a move and is still smiling* Mr Wong and his family have moved into one of Housing Authorities newest estates* Lai King at Tsuen Wan.

A few months ago Mr Wong, his wife and three children were living in one of the Authority’s licensed areas and was paying 33 a month. Now at Lai King the rent for a seven^jerson unit is 3261, plus ©lootricity and watar charges*

But* Mr Wong, a $850 a. month dork, io mor- than hap^y with the new arrangement*

’’Two years ago we were living in a squatter hut, before moving to the licensed Our Afcandard of living has gone up rapidly sines thsnx” he said*

”0f course the rent is much higher than before, but it's worth it* The flat is spacious and has a beautiful view of Tsing Yi Island and the Harbour***

Mr Wong’s wife has a part-time job which pushes the family’s income to more than 33*000 each month. The seven-person unit gives them more than 300 square feet*

In the same block as the Wongs is the Chu family. Mrs Chu Lee-yin, her husband and five children occupy an eight-person unit, which has a monthly rent of 3286*

Before moving to Lai King the Chu family shared a pre-war tenement building in Western District* Hong Kong, paying 333- E>ut the Chu family is not complaining about the higher rent. They are delighted with the extra facilities and privacy their new home has given them.

/2

iirs Chu’s eldest son recently married an : moved to private accommodation : .t Hong Kok.

"The rent there is much higher,” he said

,fMy flat has similar facilities to this one but the rent is more than -1500 each month.”

However, some tenants do have one complaint about their new home at Lai King, a shortage of transport. Construction of Lai King is now complete but the estate is still only about 30 per cent occupied, //hen the estate is full it is expected transport facilities will, greatly'improve.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

CLEARANCE OF TAI ON MANSION COMPLETED WITHOUT INCIDENT ........................................... 1

GOVERNOR SEES NEW COLOUR ETV PROGRAMMES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS .......................................... 2

LADY MACLEHOSE TO VISIT LEATHER GARMENT FACTORY TOMORROW ........................................... 3

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN CENTRAL ....................... 4

EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION SITES TO BE CARRIED OUT THIS WEEK ................................ 5

WATER CUT IN WAN CHAI ...................................... 5

37 DISABLED PEOPLE FOUND JOBS LAST MONTH ................... 6

REGISTRATION TEAM TO VISIT YUEN LONG ESTATE ON SEPTEMBER 20 ............................................ 6

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1976

1

CLEARANCE OF TAI ON MANSION COMPLETED *******

CLEARANCE OF TAI ON MANSION, WHICH WILL BE PULLED DOWN TO MAKE WAY FOR MTR TUNNELLING WORK, WAS COMPLETED THIS MORNING.

THE REMAINING TENANTS OF DOMESTIC UNITS ON UPPER FLOORS VOLUNTARILY MOVED OUT.

OCCUPANTS OF SEVEN GROUND FLOOR SHOPS LEFT WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT.

THE GOODS AND CHATTELS BELONGING TO THESE OCCUPANTS WERE TRANSPORTED TO A GOVERNMENT GODOWN FOR SAFE KEEPING AND FOR THE OWNERS TO CLAIM THEM BACK AT THEIR CONVENIENCE.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY RE-1 TERATED THAT THE COMPENSATION PAYMENTS ARE AWAITING THEIR COLLECTION AT THE TREASURY’S KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE.

THE TENANTS OF THE BUILDING WHO HAD BEEN GIVEN 16 MONTHS’ NOTICE OF THE DECISION ON REVERTING THE BUILDING TO THE GOVERNMENT WERE OFFERED COMPENSATION IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

DOMESTIC TENANTS : CASH ASSISTANCE CALCULATED AT $20 PER SQUARE FT. OF LIVING SPACE AND ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING-

OWNER-OCCUPIERS

COMPENSATION FOR THEIR FLATS AT FULL MARKET VALUE AND ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING AS WELL AS CASH ASSISTANCE-

COMMERCIAL TENANTS! COMPENSATION FOR LOSSES OF BUS INESS/PROFIT, VALUE OF FITTINGS STORAGE, TRANSPORT OF STOCKS AND FEES FOR NEW LEASES (IN CASES THEY ARE MOVING ELSEWHERE) AND OTHER EXPENSES.

IN THE CASES OF OWNER-OCCUPIERS AND SHOP OPERATORS, ACCEPTANCE OF COMPENSATION OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT PREJUDICE THEIR APPEAL TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL, IF THEY ARE NOT SATISFIED. THE GOVERNMENT HAS STATED THAT IF THE AMOUNT THE TRIBUNAL AWARDED IS HIGHER THAN THE COMBINED TOTAL OF COMPENSATION, IT WILL MAKE UP THE BALANCE. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT ASK FOR ONE CENT FROM THEM, IF THE TRIBUNAL AWARD IS LOWER. THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET COME FORWARD TO COLLECT THEIR COMPENSATION ARE ADVISED THAT THEY MAY DO SO ANY TIME THEY LIKE SINCE THE MONEY HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

SINCE THE BUILDING REVERTED TO THE GOVERNMENT IN MID-APRIL THIS YEAR, ALL TENANTS, INCLUDING COMMERCIAL TENANTS HAVE NOT HAD TO PAY RENTALS AND RATES.

IN CASH TERMS, THE SEVEN COMMERCIAL TENANTS WILL RECEIVE BETWEEN THEM SOME $219,000 IN COMPENSATION AND SOME $73,000 IN UNPAID RENTS.

/2

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1976

2

GOVERNOR SEES ETV PROGRAMMES

*****

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, PAID A VISIT TO THE RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AT THE BROADCASTING HOUSE, KOWLOON THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON AT THE END OF THE FIRST DAY’S TRANSMISSION OF ETV SECONDARY PROGRAMMES IN COLOUR.

PROGRAMMES WERE RECEIVED IN 280 SECONDARY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

SIR MURRAY JOINED A STUDIO REHEARSAL OF A CHINESE LANGUAGE PROGRAMME FOR FORM 1 AND DISCUSSED THE PROJECT WITH DIRECTORS AND PRODUCERS. HE ALSO SAW A PLAYBACK OF SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY’S ETV PROGRAMMES.

MR. DONALD KERR, HEAD OF TELEVISION, RTHK, SAID THAT THE INSTALLATION OF NEW COLOUR EQUIPMENT PLUS THE MAKING OF THE NEW PROGRAMMES HAD BEEN COMPLETED AT RECORD SPEED.

ALSO PRESENT WERE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS BRAY- THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR. MAURICE MORGAN-THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KEN TOPLEY, AND THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR. JAMES HAWTHORNE.

/3

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1976

- 3 -

LADY MACLEHOSE TO VISIT LEATHER GARMENT FACTORY K * K If

LADY MACLEHOSE WILL BE PAYING A VISIT TO A LEATHER GARMENT FACTORY IN KOWLOON TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

THE FACTORY, JARDINE WICKING LTD, IS SITUATED AT NO. 4 HUNG TO ROAD, KWUN TONG. IT PRODUCES LEATHER JACKETS AND COATS OF SUEDE, SHEEPSKIN, GOATSKIN, PIG SKIN, LEATHER AND TEXTILE FABRICS. ITS PRINCIPAL MARKETS ARE THE UNITED STATES, EUROPE, CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND HONG KONG IN THAT ORDER.

LADY MACLEHOSE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY A PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, MR. NICHOLAS YEK. SHE WILL BE MET ON ARRIVAL AT THE FACTORY BY THE MANAGER AND PRODUCTION MANAGER, MR. MICHAEL SCHAPIRA AND MR. EDMAND LEUNG.

THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE ARE GREATLY INTERESTED IN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS, AND MAKE VISITS TO FACTORIES PERIODICALLY.

THERE ARE 12 FACTORIES IN HONG KONG MANUFACTURING LEATHER GARMENTS. THEY EMPLOY A TOTAL OF OVER 380 WORKERS REPRESENTING 1.5 PER CENT OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY’S TOTAL EMPLOYMENT.

IN 1975 HONG KONG EXPORTED ABOUT 730,000 LEATHER GARMENTS VALUED AT $125 MILLION. THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 31.2 PER CENT IN TERMS OF QUANTITY AND 41.8 PER CENT IN TERMS OF VALUE OVER 1974. IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR EXPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT IN QUANTITY AND 20 PER CENT IN VALUE COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. ALTHOUGH THE UNITED STATES IS HONG KONG’S PRINCIPAL MARKET FOR LEATHER GARMENTS, ITS SHARE OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS HAS BEEN DECREASING.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER LADY MACLEHOSE’S VISIT. LADY MACLEHOSE ARRIVES AT THE FACTORY AT 10.30 A.M. AND WILL SPEND ABOUT AN HOUR TOURING THE PREMISES. YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IS KINDLY ASKED TO BE AT THE FACTORY AT LEAST 10 MINUTES BEFORE HER ARRIVAL.

----0----

A

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1976

4

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HK ISLAND

I * X X X

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A NUMBER OF ROADS IN CENTRAL WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED IN THE EARLY HOURS OF WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT BETWEEN O.O1 A.M. AND 6 A.M. ON THESE TWO DAYS, THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN EDINBURGH PLACE WEST AND MURRAY ROAD, AND ALSO THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY ON THE HARCOURT ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC.

TRAFFIC PROCEEDING EAST WILL BE DIVERTED VIA STAR FERRY, QUEEN’S PIER AND MURRAY ROAD ONTO THE HARCOURT ROAD SLIP WAY AND THEN TO COTTON TREE DRIVE AND QUEENSWAY.

AT THE SAME TIME, HARCOURT ROAD AND WATERFRONT ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE RESTRICTED TO THE INNER LANE AND THAT THE OUTER LANES WILL BE RESERVED FOR THE MOVEMENT OF CONCRETE BEAMS FROM WANCHAI RECLAMATION TO THE WORKS SITE OPPOSITE HUTCHISON HOUSE.

ALSO ON THESE TWO DAYS, THE EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAYS OF THE SLIP ROAD ON HARCOURT ROAD BETWEEN COTTON TREE DRIVE AND MURRAY ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC BETWEEN 2 A.M. AND 6 A.M. TO ENABLE WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT ON THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OUTSIDE HUTCHISON HOUSE.

IT WAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE FLYOVER LEADING FROM THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WATERFRONT ROAD TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 0.30 A.M. AND 6 A.M. FROM THURSDAY (SEPTEMBER 16) TO MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 20) TO ENABLE ROAD-RESURFACING WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT.

DURING THE PERIOD OF CLOSURE, MOTORISTS SHOULD USE THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE AFFECTED PLACES TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

-----o------

/5

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1976

- 5 -

EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION SITES X X X X X X

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL AGAIN CONDUCT A SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT IN PRIVATE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION WORK SITES THIS WEEK.

THE THREE-DAY SURVEY, STARTING ON WEDNESDAY (SEPTEMBER 15), IS THE SECOND OF ITS KIND IN THREE MONTHS.

THE PREVIOUS ONE WAS CARRIED OUT IN JUNE. THE RESULT SHOWED THAT OF THE 42,760 PEOPLE ENGAGED AT VARIOUS WORK SITES, 28,983 WERE INVOLVED IN PRIVATE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

THE FORTHCOMING SURVEY COVERS ALL WORK SITES ON RECORD OF THE BUILDING ORDINANCE OFFICE AND INVOLVES ALL SITE WORKERS ENGAGED, EXCLUDING 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 SEPTEMBER 15. SURVEY OFFICERS OF 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 OBTAINED WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE, AND WOULD ONLY BE USED FOR THE COMPILATION OF STATISTICAL TABLES.

-----o------

WATER CUT

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (SEPTEMBER 15) TO ENABLE WATERWORKS OFFICE STAFF TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY LUARD ROAD, GLOUCESTER ROAD, FLEMING ROAD, NORTH SIDE OF JOHNSTON ROAD, O’BRIEN ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD, INCLUDING NOS. 189-201 JOHNSTON ROAD, NOS. 32-173 THOMSON ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1976

- 6 -

37 DISABLED PLACED TO WORK IN AUGUST ******

THIRTY-SEVEN DISABLED PEOPLE WERE PLACED TO WORK BY THE JOB PLACEMENT UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN AUGUST.

AMONG THE DISABLED EMPLOYED, 15 WERE CRIPPLED, 13 DEAF. TWO BLIND, FOUR MENTALLY-ILL, TWO MENTALLY-RETARDED AND ONE FORMER T.B. PATIENT.

ABOUT ONE-QUARTER OF THOSE WHO WERE PLACED TO WORK WERE EMPLOYED BY THE UNITED LAUNDRIES LIMITED AS TOWEL FOLDERS OR GENERAL WORKERS.

THE OTHERS ARE NOW WORKING IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF JOBS, SUCH AS TELEX OPERATOR, MACHINE-SEWING WORKER AND BAKERY APPRENTICE.

WITH REGARD TO THEIR SALARY, FIVE WERE EMPLOYED ON DAILY RATE RANGING FROM $14 TO $20 WHILE THE SALARY OF THE OTHERS AVERAGED $550 A MONTH.

0

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN YUEN LONG ESTATE

******

A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATION IN THE YUEN LONG ESTATE FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE AREA FOR FIVE DAYS FROM SEPTEMBER 20 (MONDAY).

THIS IS TO ENABLE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN OR WARDS AT THE AGE OF 11 FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS.

REGISTRATION 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 ALSO REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY


Monday, 13th September 1976

SQUATTER INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS TO MAKE WAY FOR FLYOVER PROJECT Registered Operators Fully Compensated

A multi—million—dollar Flyover will be built in the Kwai Chung area as part of the road network to serve the developing Tsuen Wan new town.

A contract for the building work was awarded last week and construction of the flyover will start in a week and be completed in 18 months.

It will serve to link the seaward side of the new town with Lai King headland where public housing estates are being built.

To facilitate the work, the Housing Department will have to clear 16 structures in the Ha Kwai Chung Licensed Area for industrial undertakings.

Notices of the impending clearance were put up on the affected structures in May and again in July and demolition will be carried out on Friday, September 17«

Three industrial undertaking operators involved have been offered units in Ha Kwai Chung Factory Estate and 10 others whose trades are not permitted in the Authority’s factory estates have been offered ex-gratia allowances totalling nearly $150,000 based on the established rate of $20 per square foot.

The other three operators involved are not eligible for any compensation. Two of them used their premises only for storage and the other operated in an unsurveyed structure, that is to say he had authority to be there.

/2.......

2 -

A spokesman for the Housing Department stated that resiting in a licensed area for industrial undertakings does not confer benefits to the resitees above' those accorded to general squatters.

In general squatter areas, unsurveyed structures and structures used for storage do not attract any form of compensation or ex-gratia allowance upon clearance.

-------0---------

3

TAI YUEN SQUATTER AREA FIRE Interview Of Vietims Continues

Housing Department staff today (Monday) continued their efforts to help victims of Saturday’s Tai Yuen squatter area fire by interviewing them on their housing needs.

At a site identification held yesterday (Sunday), 60 families totalling 239 people were confirmed to be genuine fire victims.

„ "Families whose structures were covered by the 1964 squatter survey will be accommodated in public housing estates whilst those covered by the 1976. survey will be rehoused in licensed areas," a spokesman for the Housing Department said.

The fire also gutted nine cottages in the Chuk Yuen cottage area, making homeless 12 families totalling 89 people. They will be rehoused in ***" — public housing estates.

A number of workshops and pigsties were also destroyed in the fire. "Workshop operators can either opt for factory units provided their trades are acceptable, or for ex-gratia allowance at the rate of $20 -per square foot up to a maximum of $100,000," said the spokesman.

"The ex-gratia allowance for pigsty operators is $10 per square

foot up to a maximum of $40,000."

V

> >

- 4 -

CASH RELIEF FOR SAU MAU PING COMMERCIAL TENANTS

Commercial tenants who suffered loss of stock in-the Sau Mau Ping landslide last month were handed their ex-gratia grants, from the Emergency Relief Fund this (Monday) morning.

The Fund Committee approved last week a grant of $15,000 to each of the eight bays in Slock 9 and $500 to each of the 34 market stalls. The total sum aarne to $137,000.

The Housing Authority at the same time also handed to the market stall operators cheques ranging from $600 to $4,800 as ex-gratia.payment equal to the. rents paid in the last two years as their stalls had to be demolished on August 25 as a precautionary measure against further landslides. In presenting the cheques, Mr. Fung Tung, Assistant Director, Housing Department, said :

••The Housing Authority and the Committee of the Emergency Relief Fund hope that these sums will assist you in re-establishing your business1*.

All the affected jnarket stall operators can apply for new tenancies of any vacant stalls of similar sizes that are .available in Sau Mau Ping or at Lam Tin estates, without payment of premium.

For those who do not wish to re-open their business on new sites, an ex-gratia payment equal to the full rent paid by them since their tenancies commenced three or four years ago will be granted. This money will be given as soon as they have signified their intention to the Housing

Department

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1976

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

GRADUATES HELPED TO FIND JOBS THROUGH LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S +SPECIAL REGISTER+ ........................................ 1

NUMBER OF MARRIAGES REGISTERED IN 1975-76 TOTALLED OVER 36,000 .................................................... 2

PUBLIC BALLOT FOR N.T. TAXI LICENCES TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 23 ...........;.................................. 3

SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ORGANISES CAMP FOR DISABLED CHILDREN .................................................. 3

LADY MACLEHOSE VISITS LEATHER GARMENT FACTORY ............ 4

IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT INTRODUCES NEW ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS NEXT MONTH .......................................... 4

MORE PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES ....... 5

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1976

1

'SPECIAL REGISTER* FOR HONG KONG JOB-SEEKERS

* * X *

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S ’SPECIAL REGISTER’ LAST MONTH HELPED PLACE 13 GRADUATES IN JOBS WITH SALARIES AVERAGING $1,300 PER MONTH, THE BEST MONTHLY RECORD ACHIEVED THIS YEAR.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WERE ALL BETWEEN 21 TO 26 YEARS OF AGE.

ONE OF THE 13, A YOUNG TEACHER WHO GRADUATED FROM A UNIVERSITY IN CANADA, WAS PLACED WITH A LOCAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND HIS POST CARRIED A STARTING SALARY OF $2,440 A MONTH.

IN JULY, THE SERVICE HELPED PLACE ANOTHER NINE CANDIDATES IN JOBS WITH SALARIES OF OVER $1,000 A MONTH.

EXPLAINING THE WORK OF THE ’SPECIAL REGISTER’, MR. ALFRED CHAN, LABOUR OFFICER SAID s +ALL GRADUATES, ESPECIALLY HONG KONG STUDENTS WHO ARE COMPLETING THEIR UNIVERSITY OR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION OVERSEAS AND WISH TO RETURN TO HONG KONG FOR WORK, ARE INVITED TO USE THE FREE SERVICES OF THE SPECIAL REGISTER WHICH IS, IN FACT, AN EXTENSION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE.

+THIS SERVICE, ESTABLISHED IN 1973, IS RUN ON THE LINES OF THE PROFESSIONAL AND EXECUTIVE REGISTER MAINTAINED BY EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.*

+OUR OFFICERS CALL ON LARGE FIRMS REGULARLY FOR INFORMATION ON VACANCIES AND, AFTER CAREFUL MATCHING THE EMPLOYERS ARE GIVEN DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT SUITABLE CANDIDATES,* SAID MR. CHAN.

+DURING THE PAST TWO MONTHS EFFORTS HAVE BEEN STEPPED UP TO FIND VACANCIES FOR REGISTRANTS,* HE CONTINUED.

+DETAILED LISTS OF REGISTRANTS TOGETHER WITH THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES, HAVE BEEN SENT TO POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS AND ADVERTISEMENTS PLACED WITH A LOCAL CHINESE NEWSPAPER,* SAID MR. CHAN.

+OUR SPECIAL REGISTER IS NOW GETTING BETTER KNOWN TO BOTH YOUNG GRADUATES AND EMPLOYERS WHOSE ATTENTION HAS BEEN DRAWN TO THIS SERVICE THROUGH OUR PUBLICITY EFFORTS.*

MR. CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE NO FORMALITIES IN REGISTERING WITH THE SPECIAL REGISTER. ALL THAT A CANDIDATE HAS TO DO IS TO APPEAR IN PERSON AT A LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICE TO GET A REGISTRATION FORM. IN ADDITION THEY ARE ASKED TO PROVIDE A COPY OF A RECENT PHOTOGRAPH AND THE NUMBER OF THEIR IDENTITY CARD.

OVERSEAS STUDENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, CAN OBTAIN THEIR FORMS AT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON WHILE THOSE IN OTHER COUNTRIES LIKE THE U.S.A. CAN OBTAIN THEIR FORMS FROM THE VARIOUS TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OFFICES THERE.

/THEY CAN......

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1976

2

THEY CAN ALSO MAKE DIRECT ENQUIRIES BY WRITING TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

LOCAL CLIENTS CAN APPROACH ANY EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

♦ IN CERTAIN CASES WHERE no SUITABLE JOBS ARE AVAILABLE WE WILL GO SO FAR AS TO HELP THEM ADVERTISE, WITHOUT CHARGE, OVER THE RADIO AND IN A LOCAL CHINESE NEWSPAPER WHICH HAS KINDLY OFFERED A FREE JOB ADVERTISEMENT COLUMN,+ MR. CHAN ADDED.

MR. CHAN INVITED ALL THOSE WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF THE SERVICE OR TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SPECIAL REGISTER TO RING 5-282523, EXTENSION 87, OR WRITE TO THE ’SPECIAL REGISTER’, LABOUR DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG REGIONAL OFFICE, NEW RODNEY BLOCK, 99 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.

----0--------

DROP IN NUMBER OF MARRIAGES

*****

THE NUMBER OF MARRIAGES REGISTERED iN 1975-76 AMOUNTED TO 36,479, WHICH WAS 1,077 LESS THAN THE RECORD FIGURE OF 37,556 IN 1974-75.

THE DECREASE MIGHT BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE FACT THAT 1975-76 HAPPENED TO BE A +BLI ND YEAR+ IN THE CHINESE LUNAR CALENDAR WITH NO FIRST DAY OF SPRING (LAP CHUN) IN IT AND THEREFORE UNPOPULAR FOR MARRIAGES BETWEEN CHINESE.

OF THE TOTAL NUMBER REGISTERED, 34,110 MARRIAGES WERE PERFORMED IN REGISTRIES WHILE 2,369 WERE CELEBRATED IN LINCENSED PLACES OF WORSHIP OF VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

AMONG THESE, 36,203 WERE BETWEEN PARTIES OF CHINESE RACE, 56 WERE BETWEEN NON-CHINESE GROOMS AND CHINESE BRIDES AND 12 BETWEEN CHINESE GROOMS AND NON-CHINESE BRIDES AND THE REMAINING 208 WERE BETWEEN PARTIES BOTH OF WHOM WERE NON-CHINESE.

AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE MOST POPULAR AGE GROUP FOR WIVES WAS 20-24 AND FOR HUSBANDS, IT WAS THE 25-29 GROUP.

THERE WERE 1,140 MEN AND 6,463 WOMEN WHO WERE UNDER 21 AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION, AND THEREFORE REQUIRED THE CONSENT OF THEIR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS OR OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE OR THE REGISTRAR.

THE TOTAL NUMBER ALSO INCLUDED 5,387 +REMARRIAGES+, MEANING THAT THE COUPLES WERE ALREADY MARRIED BY CUSTOMARY CEREMONIES OF ONE KIND OR ANOTHER BUT REMARRIED NOW IN A REGISTRY IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE.

OF THE NEW MARRIAGES, THERE WERE THREE CASES IN WHICH THE AGE OF THE HUSBAND AND THE WIFE WAS BOTH IN THE 70 AND ABOVE MAKING THEM THE OLDEST COUPLES OF THE YEAR.

AS FOR THE YOUNGEST, THERE WERE FIVE COUPLES WHO WERE ONLY 16 AT THE TIME OF THEIR MARRIAGES.

- - - 0 - -

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1976 ‘

5

PUBLIC BALLOT FOR N.T. TAXIS *****

A PUBLIC BALLOT FOR THE FIRST BATCH OF 250 LICENCES FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 23.

THE BALLOT WILL START AT 2.30 P.M. ON THE 8TH FLOOR OF THE HUNG HOM MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK BUILDING.

IT WILL BE HELD IN THE PRESENCE OF MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

A TOTAL OF 2,792 APPLICATION FORMS FOR N.T. TAXI LICENCES WERE SENT OUT BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT. OF THIS 1,847 FORMS WERE COMPLETED AND RETURNED.

AFTER CHECKING THE INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION FORMS, 292 APPLICATIONS WERE REJECTED LEAVING A TOTAL OF 1,555 QUALIFIED FOR THE BALLOT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT LETTERS OF CONFIRMATION WOULD BE SENT TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOLLOWING THE BALLOT.

HE ADDED THAT THOSE WHO WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AT THE PUBLIC BALLOT ON SEPTEMBER 23 WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN LATER BALLOTS, THE DATES FOR WHICH WOULD BE ANNOUNCED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.

- - 0 - -

CAMP FOR OVER 360 DISABLED CHILDREN * * * *

THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO DISABLED CHILDREN UNDER THE CARE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE PART IN A THREE-DAY CAMP AT THE WU KWAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE CAMP, STARTING TODAY, IS ORGANISED BY THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT.

VARIOUS RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS GAMES HAVE BEEN PLANNED FOR THE 290 MENTALLY-RETARDED, 60 DEAF AND 12 PHYSICALLY DISABLED CHILDREN.

THIS ANNUAL EVENT HAS BEEN PLANNED AND ORGANISED BY 13 REHABILITATION CENTRES. DURING THE CAMP SOME 70 STAFF FROM THESE CENTRES WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LOOKING AFTER THE CHILDREN.

TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), MR. JIMMY SWEETMAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF VARIOUS COMPETITIONS AND GAMES AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 3.15 P.M. AT THE SITE.

THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY FOLK DANCES, PANTOMIME AND LION DANCE PERFORMED BY THE CHILDREN.

- - 0 - -

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1976

- 4

LADY MACLEHOSE VISITS LEATHER GARMEN FACTORY * O K K * # K

LADY MACLEHOSE PAID AN HOUR-LONG VISIT TO A LEATHER GARMENT FACTORY IN KWUN TONG THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.

SHE WAS JOINED BY LADY BRYAN, WIFE OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ANGLO-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, SIR PAUL BRYAN, WHO IS HERE ON AN EIGHT-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT.

THE FACTORY VISITED TODAY IS JARDINE WICKING LTD., SITUATED AT NO. 4 HUNG TO ROAD. IT PRODUCES LEATHER JACKETS AND COATS OF SUEDE, SHEEPSKIN, GOATSKIN, PIG SKIN, LEATHER AND TEXTILE FABRICS. ITS PRINCIPAL MARKETS ARE THE UNITED STATES, EUROPE, CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND HONG KONG IN THAT ORDER.

LADY MACLEHOSE AND LADY BRYAN WERE ACCOMPANIED BY MR. NICHOLAS YEK, PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT. THEY WERE MET ON ARRIVAL AT THE FACTORY BY THE MANAGER AND ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER, MR. MICHAEL SCHAPIRA AND MR. EDMUND LEUNG.

LADY BRYAN, WHO SHOWED GREAT INTEREST IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, INDICATED AT THE END OF TODAY’S VISIT THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO VISIT ANOTHER GARMENT FACTORY.

- - - - 0 ----

INTRODUCTION OF NEW ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS # # O « If

THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE INTRODUCING A NEW TYPE OF ARR IVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS NEXT MONTH WITH THE COMPUTERISATION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S RECORDS OF PASSENGER MOVEMENTS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID: +STARTING FROM OCTOBER 1, ALL PASSENGERS PRESENTED FOR IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE NEW CARDS WHICH ARE PRINTED ON TWO-FOLD NO-CARBON-REQUIRED PAPERS.*

♦ON ARRIVAL, PASSENGERS ARE REQUIRED TO FILL IN ONLY TRANSPORT DETAILS ON THE ARRIVAL PORTION OF THE NEW FORM. WHEN THEY LEAVE, THEY ONLY HAVE TO SIGN ON THE DEPARTURE PORTION WHICH WILL HAVE ALREADY BEEN ATTACHED TO THEIR PASSPORTS,* HE EXPLAINED.

♦HOWEVER, TRAVELLERS TO AND FROM MACAU WILL ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE A SMALL PORTION OF THE NEW ARRIVAL/ DEPARTURE CARDS WHICH ARE PRIMARILY BASED ON THE FORMAT OF TICKET STUBS PRESENTLY REQUIRED,* HE ADDED.

COMMENTING ON THE ARRANGEMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID: ♦THESE NEW PROCEDURES SHOULD RESULT BOTH IN A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF MOVEMENT RECORDS AND MORE CONVENIENT AND FASTER PROCESSING OF PASSENGERS AT THE CONTROL POINTS.+

0

/5

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1976

- 5 -EMPLOYMENT UP IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES * K * * * *

A TOTAL OF 254,535 PEOPLE WAS ENGAGED IN THE IMPORT/ EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES IN JUNE 1976, AN INCREASE OF 4,504 OR 1.8 PER CENT COMPARED WITH JUNE 1975.

ACCORDING TO A RECENT EMPLOYMENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 123,910 OF THE TOTAL NUMBER ENGAGED WERE IN THE RETAIL SECTOR, 73,991 IN IMPORT/ EXPORT BUSINESSES AND 21,466 IN THE WHOLESALE SECTOR.

THE OTHER 35,168 PEOPLE WERE ENGAGED IN A COMBINATION OF IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ACTIVITIES.

THE SURVEY ALSO RECORDED 103,289 PEOPLE BEING ENGAGED IN RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS, COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, THE FIGURE WAS HIGHER BY 12,583 OR 13.9 PER CENT.

OF THESE 103,289 PEOPLE, 86,806 WORKED IN RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND BARS, AND 16,483 IN HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES.

----0----

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HONG KONG’S BIRTHRATE FALLING .......................... 1

RESULT OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S

REVIEW OF HONG KONG’S TEXTILES QUOTA SYSTEM TO BE ANNOUNCED ............................................... 2

WAYS TO HELP DISABLED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT............ 3

WATER CUT IN KOWLOON CITY ............................... 3

BUSY YEAR FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS ................... 4

PUBLIC DUMP AT KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION TO BE CLOSED TOMORROW ..............................................   4

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1976

1

BIRTHRATE IN HONG KONG FALLING ******

THE BIRTHRATE - HONG KONG’S PRINCIPAL WORRY - IS FALLING AND FERTILITY RATES IN ALL AGE GROUPS ARE COMING DOWN, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY SAID THIS MORNING WHEN HE OPENED THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SEMINAR OF THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.

+IT IS EXTREMELY ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT THE CRUDE BIRTHRATE HAS DROPPED FROM A LEVEL OF 19.7 PER THOUSAND IN THE PERIOD 1971-74 TO 18.3 PER THOUSAND IN 1975. IT WILL BE LOWER STILL FOR 1976 BASED ON BIRTH FIGURES RECORDED OVER THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS,* MR. TOPLEY SAID. + IN FACT ABOUT 17.3 THIS YEAR, VERY LOW INDEED.*

THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT THE NET REPRODUCTION RATE DROPPED FROM JUST BELOW 1.7 IN 1970 TO THE PRESENT FIGURE OF BELOW 1.3.

+CONSCIENT IOUS MOTHERS ARE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT KEEPING DOWN THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THEIR FAMILIES.

+THERE ARE FEWER FIFTH ORDER BIRTHS, THAT IS HAVING A FIFTH CHILD OR MORE IN THE FAMILY,* MR. TOPLEY SAID. IN 1970 THE PERCENTAGE OF SUCH BIRTHS STOOD AT 23.2 PER CENT. BY 1975 THE PERCENTAGE HAD DROPPED TO 10.4.

WITHOUT DOUBT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION HAD A REAL ROLE TO PLAY: TO TEACH PEOPLE ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF BEING A PARENT OR A SPOUSE AND TO CARRY OUT THE DUTIES OF BEING A FATHER OR MOTHER.

IT AIMED TO PROMOTE HAPPY RELATIONSHIPS AMONG ALL MEMBERS

OF THE FAMILY, HELPING THEM TO UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER AND TO RESPECT EACH OTHER’S FEELINGS. IT ALSO AIMED TO HELP MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY TO SHARE THEIR FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

+1 THINK IT IS PRETTY CLEAR THAT IN FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION THERE IS ROOM FOR SEX EDUCATION,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.

THIS WAS A TOPIC THAT HAS BEEN ALMOST TABOO IN HONG KONG. +BUT THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE AND IT IS BEING OPENLY DISCUSSED IN PUBLIC,* HE SAID.

THIS WAS EVIDENCED BY THE LONG QUEUES OF PEOPLE AT THE SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATION EXHIBITION AT THE CITY HALL STAGED BY MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.

MR. TOPLEY SAID: +A GOOD START IS BEING MADE IN OUR SCHOOLS TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF OUR ADOLESCENTS IN HELPING THEM TO UNDERSTAND THEIR PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH DURING THIS DIFFICULT STAGE OF LIFE.

/+SEX EDUCATION

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15. 19?6

- 2 -

+SEX EDUCATION IS NOT A SUBJECT THAT SHOULD BE TAUGHT ON ITS OWN. APART FROM HEALTH EDUCATION AND SOCIAL STUDIES LESSONS, SOME SCHOOLS INTEGRATE SEX EDUCATION ELEMENTS IN BIOLOGY, RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE, DOMESTIC SCIENCE AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION LESSONS.+

THERE IS A PROBLEM IN FINDING TEACHERS TO DO THIS WORK WELL. HOWEVER, THERE ARE TEACHERS ABLE TO DO IT AND WHO DO IT WELL.

♦THE DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY LIFE AND SEX EDUCATION MUST BE AT THE PACE OF SOCIETY ITSELF. NOTHING IS WORSE THAN FOR AN EMBARRASSED TEACHER TO STAND HESITATING AND UNCOMFORTABLE BEFORE A CLASS OF PUPILS AND MUMBLING THROUGH HIS LINES,+ HE SAID.

THE DIRECTOR POINTED OUT THAT THE NEW SOCIAL STUDIES SYLLABUS FOR JUNIOR FORMS WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING SELF-UNDERSTANDING, CONCERN FOR OTHERS AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP.

♦EVERY EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO PROVIDE A SUITABLE ATMOSPHERE IN SCHOOL THROUGH THE VARIOUS SUBJECT DISCIPLINES WHEREBY CHILDREN WILL LEARN TO BE SUCCESSFUL HOMEMAKERS.

♦THE ETV PROGRAMMES WHICH HAVE JUST STARTED FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS INCLUDE PROGRAMMES ON SOCIAL STUDIES WITH SPECIAL TOPICS RELATED TO FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION. THIS MEDIUM IS A VERY USEFUL AID FOR TEACHERS,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.

-----o-----

""HONG KONG’S TEXTILES QUOTA SYSTEM

* M X * * X

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAS COMPLETED ITS REVIEW OF HONG KONG’S TEXTILES QUOTA SYSTEM.

THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, WILL ANNOUNCE THE RESULT OF THIS REVIEW AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE G.I.S. THEATRE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, FIFTH FLOOR, AT 11.30 A.M. TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

TV AND RADIO CREWS ARE KINDLY ASKED TO ARRIVE EARLY SO THAT THEY MAY SET UP THEIR CAMERAS AND OTHER RECORDING EQUIPMENT BEFORE THE CONFERENCE COMMENCES.

-----o------

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1976

- 3 -

WAYS TO HELP DISABLED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT ******

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ARE GIVING A SERIES OF TALKS TO STAFF OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES THIS WEEK ON HOW THEY CAN HELP THE DISABLED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES.

THIS IS TO ENABLE THE DISABLED TO INTEGRATE MORE EASILY INTO THE SOCIETY.

THE TALKS WILL BE ATTENDED BY SUPERVISORS AND REGULATORS OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY, CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND HONG KONG TRAMWAYS COMPANY.

THE SUBJECTS OF THE TALKS, TO BE GIVEN BY OFFICERS OF THE REHABILITATION DIVISION, INCLUDE THE CLASSIFICATION OF DISABILITIES, THE MAIN DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY DISABLED PEOPLE IN USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT, AND HOW THE OPERATING STAFF OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES CAN HELP THESE PEOPLE TO MAKE THE MAXIMUM USE OF THE FACILITIES.

A DEMONSTRATION HAS ALSO BEEN ARRANGED FOR STAFF OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY ON FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 17) TO SHOW HOW THEY CAN HELP THE BLIND, PHYSICALLY DISABLED AND MENTALLY-RETARDED TO BOARD AND TO GET OFF THE VEHICLES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE DEMONSTRATION WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 17) AT THE LAM TIN BUS TERMINUS, LAM TIN ESTATE, AT 11 A.M.

.--.0----

WATER CUT

* * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 17) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE STAFF TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, NGA TSIN LONG ROAD AND NGA TSIN WAI ROAD, INCLUDING NAM KOK ROAD, LUNG KONG ROAD AND SOUTH WALL ROAD.

----o------ A

c

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1976

- 4 -

BUSY YEAR FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS

M ft M M ft

THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES AND CASES HANDLED BY THE 22 PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT REACHED 1,671,867 IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 7.9 PER CENT OVER THE PRECEDING YEAR.

THIS TOTAL WAS MADE UP OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF 748,499 FORMS/PAMPHLETS AND BOOKLETS AND THE HANDLING OF 786,224 ENQUIRIES AS WELL AS 137,144 PERSONAL OR GROUP CASES.

OF THE ENQUIRIES AND CASES, SOME 33,000 WERE ABOUT JOBS AND VACANCIES, ABOUT 29,000 CONCERNED APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING WHILE 28,000 WERE ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS AND AIDS.

AMONG THE TEN SUBJECTS ON WHICH MOST QUESTIONS WERE ASKED WERE LOCATION OF GOVERNMENT OFFICES, REGISTRATION AND POST REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGE, RENT INCREASES, EXAMINATIONS, TECHNICAL EDUCATION, ASSISTANCE/RELIEF/COMPENSATION AND ADULT AND EXTRA-MURAL COURSES.

AS FOR THE FORMS AND BOOKLETS DISTRIBUTED, THE FORMS IN DEMAND MOST WERE ENROLMENT FORMS FOR THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES (141,171)- APPLICATION FORMS FOR GOVERNMENT POSTS (121-920) AND APPLICATION FORMS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE (79,933). OTHER POPULAR ITEMS INCLUDED REGISTRATION FORMS FOR VARIOUS EXAMINATIONS CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, FORMS ON TENANCY MATTERS AND +WALK FOR A MILLION*.

- - - - 0 ---------

PUBLIC DUMP AT KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION TO BE CLOSED TOMORROW ft ft ft ft ft ft

DUMPING AT KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

THE MOVE IS TAKEN AS A STAGE HAS NOW BEEN REACHED IN THE RECLAMATION WORKS WHERE NO FURTHER DUMPING CAN BE ACCEPTED UNTIL CURRENT CONSTRUCTION WORK ON MAJOR STORMWATER DRAINS IS COMPLETED.

IN THE MEANTIME, CONTRACTORS WISHING TO DISPOSE OF SURPLUS EXCAVATION MAY APPLY FOR LICENCES TO DISPOSE OF THEIR SPOILS AT SHA TIN.

THESE LICENCES MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE BY WRITING TO THE PROJECT MANAGER OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR, SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL, SHA TIN.

ANOTHER PUBLIC DUMP WOULD BE OPENED AT LAI CHI KOK BAY LATER IN THE YEAR.

- - - - 0 ----

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1976.

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

REVISED TEXTILES QUOTA SYSTEM ANNOUNCED ...................... 1

SIR PAUL BRYAN TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE ...................... 2

MODIFICATION OF REVISED SEAMEN RECRUITING PROCEDURES UNDER DISCUSSION ................................................... 3

OPERATION DATE OF REGISTRATION OF DEALERS UNDER THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE POSTPONED ...................... 3

SUSPENSION OF MAIL SERVICES TO LEBANON ....................... 4

CLOSING CEREMONY OF SUMMER ACTIVITIES ........................ 4

MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO HOLD SWIMMING GALA .......... 5

CLOSING OF DES VOEUX ROAD POST OFFICE ........................ 5

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL .................... 6

WATER CUT .................................................... 6

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1976

1

REVISED QUOTA SYSTEM ANNOUNCED

******

DETAILS OF THE REVISED TEXTILE QUOTA SYSTEM ARE ANNOUNCED BY THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT. THE REVIEW WAS UNDERTAKEN AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD AND TOOK SEVERAL MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE MODIFICATIONS COVER QUOTA ALLOCATIONS, QUOTA TRANSFERS, THE AVAILABILITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF UNALLOCATED QUOTAS, AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON QUOTA HOLDINGS, QUOTA UTILISATION AND TRANSFERS.

THESE AND SEVERAL OTHER ASPECTS HAD BEEN THE MAIN TARGETS FOR CRITICISM OF THE PREVIOUS SYSTEM, CRITICISM WHICH BECAME PARTICULARLY VOCAL TOWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR AS THE RESULT OF A SHARP INCREASE IN THE DEMAND FOR HONG KONG TEXTILE PRODUCTS IN THE UNITED STATES AND WESTERN EUROPE.

TRANSFER OF QUOTA

THIS IS PROBABLY THE ASPECT OF THE SYSTEM THAT HAS ATTRACTED MOST CRITICISM.

ALTHOUGH IT IS GENERALLY ACCEPTED THAT THE PREVIOUS SYSTEM MAKES POSSIBLE THE MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY IN THE USE OF QUOTA IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG AS A WHOLE BENEFITS FROM MAXIMUM UTILISATION OF TOTAL AVAILABLE QUOTA, THERE ARE UNDOUBTEDLY GROUNDS FOR THE CRITICISM THAT THE SYSTEM ALSO MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO PROFIT FROM SELLING QUOTAS AS DISTINCT FROM SELLING TEXTILES.

CERTAIN DISINCENTIVES AGAINST PERSISTENT TRANSFERORS (I.E. SELLERS OF QUOTA) ARE BEING INTRODUCED.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME CRITICISM OF THE PRACTICE UNDER THE PREVIOUS SYSTEM WHEREBY A QUOTA HOLDER WHO UTILIZES 95 PER CENT OR MORE OF HIS ALLOCATION IN ANY ONE YEAR RECEIVED FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR, NOT ONLY A FURTHER ALLOCATION EQUIVALENT TO 100 PER CENT OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S ALLOCATION PLUS ANY PERCENTAGE OF +GROWTH+ PERMITTED UNDER THE RELEVANT AGREEMENT, BUT ALSO A BONUS WHICH REPRESENTS THE DISTRIBUTION OF QUOTA FORFEITED BY THOSE QUOTA HOLDERS WHOSE UTILIZATION IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR QUALIFIES THEM FOR A LESS THAN 100 PER CENT ALLOCATION. THIS PRACTICE IS DISCONTINUED UNDER THE REVISED SYSTEM AND THE AMOUNT WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE EE ALLOCATED AS BONUS WILL IN FUTURE GO INTO THE POOL OF FREE QUOTA.

/FREE ^UOTA .....

2

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1976

FREE QUOTA SCHEME

THESE ARE ARRANGEMENTS UNDER WHICH ANY COMPANY (WHETHER A QUOTA HOLDER OR NOT) CAN APPLY FOR QUOTA THAT HAS NOT BEEN ALLOCATED. ANY COMPANY WHICH OBTAINS QUOTA IN THIS WAY AND USES IT QUALIFIES FOR A QUOTA ALLOCATION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR. COMPANIES WHICH ACCEPT +FREE QUOTA+ AND FAIL TO USE IT WILL BE DEBARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN SUBSEQUENT SCHEMES.

AS A RESULT OF THE MODIFICATIONS PROPOSED THE POOL OF FREE QUOTA WILL BE LARGER IN FUTURE, THOUGH ITS ABSOLUTE SIZE IN EACH RESTRAINT PERIOD WILL CONTINUE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE QUANTITY OF UNALLOCATED QUOTA.

THIS ENLARGEMENT OF THE POOL IS, IN FACT, ONE OF THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE REVISION OF THE SCHEME BECAUSE IT IS THROUGH FREE QUOTA SCHEMES THAT QUOTA ALLOCATIONS ALREADY ARE, AND WILL TO A GREATER EXTENT IN FUTURE BE, SHIFTED ACROSS FROM THOSE WHO NO LONGER MANUFACTURE OR EXPORT THE GOODS CONCERNED TO THOSE WHO DO.

DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION

INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUAL QUOTA ALLOCATIONS, QUOTA UTILISATION AND TRANSFERS WILL IN FUTURE BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC AT REGULAR INTERVALS : FOR QUOTA UTILISATION MONTHLY, AND FOR QUOTA HOLDINGS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH RESTRAINT PERIOD.

SIR PAUL BRYAN TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE ******

NOTE TO EDITORS:

SIR PAUL BRYAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE ANGLO-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE G.I.S. THEATRE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE ON SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 18) AT 10.30 A.M.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE CONFERENCE. TELEVISION CREWS ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE EARLY SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.

----0----

/3

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1976

REVISED SEAMEN RECRUITING PROCEDURES TO STAY *******

THERE IS NO INTENTION OF ABOLISHING THE REVISED SEAMEN RECRUITING PROCEDURES, BUT MODIFICATIONS ARE UNDER DISCUSSION AND MAY BE INTRODUCED IN THE NEAR FUTURE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SEAMEN’S RECRUITING OFFICE SAID TODAY.

HE WAS COMMENTING ON RECENT PRESS REPORTS IN WHICH AN OFFICER OF THE SRO, MR, IAN DALE, WAS QUOTED AS SAYING THAT THE NEW PROCEDURES WERE UNREASONABLE AND THAT SHIPPING COMPANIES WERE ALSO OPPOSED TO IT.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID WHAT MR. DALE IN FACT SAID WAS THAT HE APPRECIATED THAT SOME SEAMEN AND CERTAIN SHIPPING COMPANIES CONSIDERED THE NEW SYSTEM TO BE UNREASONABLE. +HOWEVER, WHILE THERE IS NO INTENTION OF ABOLISHING THE SYSTEM, MODIFICATIONS ARE UNDER DISCUSSION AND MAY BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE,+ MR. DALE SAID.

UNDER THE NEW PROCEDURES, SHIPPING FIRMS MUST NOTIFY THE SRO OF ALL VACANCIES IN SPECIAL FORMS WHICH ARE POSTED TWICE DAILY AT THE SRO FOR INSPECTION BY ALL SEAMEN.

A SEAMAN APPLYING FOR A JOB MUST APPROACH THE SRO WHICH WILL CARRY OUT A PRELIMINARY SCREENING ABOUT HIS QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE.

THE SEAMAN WILL THEN BE ISSUED WITH A FORM (SR 10) WHICH MUST BE BROUGHT TO THE SHIPPING COMPANY WHEN THE SEAMAN GOES FOR AN INTERVIEW.

ON ACCEPTING THE SEAMAN, THE SHIPPING COMPANY MUST COMPLETE THE APPROPRIATE PART OF THE FORM FOR THE SEAMAN TO FINALISE LISTING FORMALITIES AT THE SRO.

IF THE SEAMAN IS REJECTED, THE FIRM MUST RETAIJJ THE FORM AND STATE THE REASONS FOR THE REJECTION BEFORE RETURNING IT TO THE SRO.

SHIPPING FIRMS MUST ALSO INFORM THE SRO WHEN THEIR VACANCIES ARE FILLED.

- - 0 - -

REGISTRATION OF DEALERS UNDER COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE ******

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES SAID TODAY THAT THE REGISTRATION PROVISIONS IN PART IV OF THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE 1976 WILL, DUE TO ADMINISTRATIVE REASONS, NOT BE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION, ON OCTOBER 1, 1976 AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED, BUT ON A LATER DATE TO BE NOTIFIED SHORTLY.

NEVERTHELESS IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE WORK INVOLVED ANYONE WHO WISHES TO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION IS ASKED TO SUBMIT HIS APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

- - 0 -

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1976

SUSPENSION OF MAIL SERVICES TO LEBANON

M * * * *

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCES THAT DUE TO THE CLOSURE OF BEIRUT AIRPORT, AIRMAIL LETTER AND PARCEL SERVICES TO LEBANON ARE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.

NO LETTERS OR PARCELS FOR DESPATCH TO LEBANON BY AIR WILL BE ACCEPTED AT POST OFFICES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT BECAUSE OF HOSTILITIES IN THAT COUNTRY, AIRMAIL WHICH HAS BEEN DESPATCHED TO LEBANON DURING THE PAST THREE MONTHS MAY NOT HAVE REACHED ITS DESTINATION.

SURFACE LETTER AND PARCEL SERVICES TO LEBANON WERE SUSPENDED IN JUNE DUE TO LACK OF SHIPPING OUTLETS.

CLOSING CEREMONY AND SUMMER ACTIVITIES EXHIBITION

* K M M M

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION, MR. P.B. WILLIAMS, WILL BE OFFICIATING AT THE CLOSING OF THE 1976 YAU MA TEI - TSIM SHA TSUI DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE’S SUMMER ACTIVITIES AT 11 A.M. ON SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 18) AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL CONCOURSE.

AFTER THE CEREMONY, MR. WILLIAMS WILL CUT A RIBBON TO OPEN AN EXHIBITION OF GRAPHIC DISPLAYS SHOWING SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE THIS YEAR. THE EXHIBITION HAS BEEN PUT TOGETHER BY 18 ASSOCIATIONS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN ORGANISING THE ACTIVITIES.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY AND OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION.

- - o - -

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1976 - 5 -

MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO HOLD SWIMMING GALA ******

THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A SWIMMING GALA FOR ITS STAFF AND FAMILIES AT THE MORRISON HILL SWIMMING POOL ON SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 18).

ABOUT 300 DOCTORS, NURSES AND OTHER STAFF AND FAMILY MEMBERS WILL COMPETE IN ABOUT 20 EVENTS.

THERE WILL ALSO BE AN INVITATION EVENT FOR OFFICERS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE BAND WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE AND AMS LIFEGUARDS WILL GIVE LIFE-SAVING DEMONSTRATIONS DURING THE SWIMMING GALA.

THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. G.H. CHOA, HAS DONATED A CUP FOR THE CHAMPION OF MEN’S EVENTS AND A MRS. PEGGY CHOA’S CUP FOR THE WOMAN CHAMPION.

AT THE END OF THE MEETING, DR. CHOA WILL GIVE AWAY PRIZES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE SWIMMING GALA WILL BE HELD AT THE MORRISON HILL SWIMMING POOL, WAN CHAI, FROM 1 P.M. TO 6.30 P.M. THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. G.H. CHOA, WILL PRESENT THE PRIZES AT ABOUT 6 P.M. YOU ARE WELCOME TO HAVE THE OCCASION COVERED.

----- 0 - - - -

CLOSING OF DES VOEUX ROAD POST OFFICE *******

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCES THAT THE DES VOEUX ROAD POST OFFICE AT THE JUNCTION OF GILMAN STREET AND DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG WILL CLOSED AS FROM NEXT THURSDAY (SEPTEMBER 23) ON EXPIRY OF THE TENANCY LEASE.

THIS OFFICE WILL BE REPLACED SHORTLY BY A NEW QUEEN’S ROAD POST OFFICE TO BE OPENED AT 160-164, QUEEN’S ROAD, CENTRAL.

------o--------

/6.....

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1976

- 6 -

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL

*****

THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN PEDDER STREET AND DOUGLAS STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 8 A.M. ON SUNDAY (SEPTEMBER 19).

THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO ENABLE DEMOLITION OF A POST OFFICE CONVEYOR BELT.

DURING THE CLOSURE, CMB BUS ROUTES 1 AND 2 WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA HARCOURT ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE, QUEENSWAY, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL ON JOURNEYS TO CENTRAL.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 -

WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN CENTRAL WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 10 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO INSTALL A SECTIONAL VALVE IN THE AREA.

THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE NO. 9 - 21D AND NO. 6-44 STANLEY STREET, NO. 36-72 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND NO. 1 - 15D D’AUGUILAR STREET.

ON SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 18), A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI AND WAN CHAI WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. TO ALLOW THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.

IN TSIM SHA TSUI, THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, HAIPHONG ROAD, HANKOW ROAD, PEKING ROAD, CANTON ROAD AND AUSTIN ROAD, INCLUDING ASHLEY ROAD, CANTON ROAD FIRE STATION AND CANTON ROAD POLICE QUARTERS.

IN WAN CHAI, THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY THE EAST SIDE OF CANAL ROAD EAST, HENNESSY ROAD, PERCIVAL STREET AND LEIGHTON ROAD.

- - 0 - -

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

Thursday, 16th September 1976

TWO NEW MEMBERS JOIN HOUSING AUTHORITY

Two new unofficial Members of the Housing Authority were welcomed by the Secretary for Housing, Mr. Ian Lightbody, at to-day’s (Thursday’s) meeting of the Authority.

They are Dr. Henry Hu Hung-lik, O.B.E., and Mr. Charles Sin.

Dr. Hu was recently appointed to the Legislative Council and also serves as an elected Member of the Urban Council of which he is Vice-Chairman.

Mr. Sin is a former Urban Councillor.

Both have been appointed by the Governor to the Authority for two-year terms.

*******

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1976

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

GRANTHAM HOSPITAL TO BECOME A HEART CENTRE ................

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO INTRODUCE NEW SCHEME TO SPEED UP PROCESSING AND APPROVAL OF BUILDING PLANS ..............

SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT FOR ABERDEEN .......................

TOUGHER MEASURES AGAINST INTEREST TAX DEFAULTERS ..........

LAST MONTH WAS THE THIRD WETTEST AUGUST ON RECORD .........

DEMONSTRATION ON HOW TO HELP DISABLED TRAVEL ON BUSES .... GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR JUNE SHOW A DEFICIT ...............

SIR PAUL BRYAN SEES PROGRESS IN TSUEN WAN .................

1

3

4

5

6

7

8

8

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5'233191

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1976

1

GRANTHAM HOSPITAL TO BECOME A HEART CENTRE

******

GRANTHAM HOSPITAL, ONE OF TWO CHEST DISEASE HOSPITALS RUN BY THE HONG KONG ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS AND THORACIC DISEASES ASSOCIATION, IS TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO A MAIN HEART CENTRE, WHERE AN INSTITUTE OF CARDIOLOGY MAY BE ESTABLISHED.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. G.H. CHOA, IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG (HOST) THIS AFTERNOON.

HE SAID THE TRANSITION OF GRANTHAM HOSPITAL FROM A CHEST DISEASE TO HEART DISEASE HOSPITAL WAS NECESSITATED BY THE DECLINING TREND OF TUBERCULOSIS INCIDENCE AND THE INCREASED PREVALENCE OF HEART DISEASES IN HONG KONG.

HE POINTED OUT THAT TUBERCULOSIS, ONCE HONG KONG’S NUMBER ONE KILLER DISEASE, HAD NOW RECEDED TO THE SEVENTH PLACE.

IN VIEW OF THE PROGRESSIVELY DECREASING NUMBER OF CASES DETECTED, THE DEPARTMENT IS RE-DIRECTING THE MASS RADIOGRAPHY SURVEYS FROM GROUPS OF ASYMPTOMATIC PEOPLE TO THOSE AT RISK.

DR. CHOA SAID THE RISK GROUP INCLUDED WORKERS IN THE DUSTY OCCUPATIONS AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE SYMPTOMS OF CHEST DISEASES SUCH AS COUGH, BLOOD-STAINED SPUTUM AND DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING.

+WE NOW TREAT TUBERCULOSIS IN OUR OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, AND BECAUSE OF THIS WE HAVE BEDS IN OUR TUBERCULOSIS HOSPITALS WHICH ARE NOT FILLED,+ HE SAID.

THE DIRECTOR SAID AFTER VERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION AND FOLLOWING THE ADVICE OF TWO EXPERT CHEST PHYSICIANS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT THE RUTTONJEE SANATORIUM WILL REMAIN AS THE MAIN CHEST HOSPITAL IN HONG KONG AND THAT GRANTHAM HOSPITAL WILL BE USED AS THE MAIN HEART CENTRE.

THERE IS ALREADY AN OPEN-HEART SURGERY UNIT IN GRANTHAM HOSPITAL, AND IT IS PROPOSED TO RENOVATE IT BY ADDING SOME OPERATING THEATRES, INTENSIVE CARE UNITS, X-RAY AND LABORATORY FACILITIES AND STAFF QUARTERS.

THE CAPITAL COST OF THIS PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO BE IN THE REGION OF $17 MILLION.

DR. CHOA SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT FUNDS COULD BE RAISED FOR CAPITAL WORKS BY THE HONG KONG ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS AND THORACIC DISEASES ASSOCIATION AND THE NEWLY FORMED HONG KONG HEART FOUNDATION LIMITED, WHILE GOVERNMENT WOULD REVISE THE PRESENT METHOD OF SUBVENTING THE HOSPITAL IN ORDER TO MEET THE INCREASED RECURRENT COST.

/Iaa/Aahu

FRIDAY, SEPTSMBE? 17, 1976

- 2 -

LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD, THE DIRECTOR SAID IT WAS HOPED

TO BUILD AN INSTITUTE OF CARDIOLOGY WITHIN THE HOSPITAL COMPOUND WHICH WILL SERVE AS THE NERVE CENTRE, CO-ORDINATING ALL ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG CONCERNING TREATMENT AND RESEARCH, HEALTH EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF PERSONNEL.

ONE OF THE MAIN TASKS WHICH THE INSTITUTE WILL UNDERTAKE IS HEALTH EDUCATION WHICH, ACCORDING TO DR. CHOA, SHOULD BE PLANNED AND CONDUCTED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING CHILDREN.

IN THIS RESPECT, HE SAID HE WOULD WELCOME CO-OPERATION WITH THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, WHICH IS TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

THE DIRECTOR SAID IT WAS ALSO ESSENTIAL TO CONDUCT EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN HONG KONG, FOR +WE STILL HAVE TO FIND OUT WHETHER OUR PEOPLE ARE MORE OR LESS PRONE TO HEART DISEASE THAN OTHERS, AND WHETHER THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ARE THE SAME OR NOT.+

HE SAID MUCH REMAINED TO BE DONE AND THE HONG KONG HEART FOUNDATION, OF WHICH HE IS THE PRESIDENT AND THE HON. Q.W. LEE THE CHAIRMAN, COULD HELP THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THEMSELVES.

ON THE PREVENTION OF HEART DISEASES, DR. CHOA REITERATED THE IMPORTANCE OF OBSERVING SOME SIMPLE RULES, SUCH AS GETTING BLOOD PRESSURE TREATED IF IT HAS GONE UP, NOT EATING TOO MUCH ANIMAL FATS, GIVING UP SMOKING, REDUCING WEIGHT IF IT IS ABOVE THE OPTIMUM AVERAGE, AND TAKING SOME EXERCISE REGULARLY.

-----0------

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1976

3

NEW SCHEME TO CUT PROCESSING TIME OF BUILDING PLANS

*****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO INTRODUCE A NEW SCHEME NEXT MONTH TO SPEED UP THE PROCESSING AND APPROVAL OF BUILDING PLANS.

THE P.W.D.’S DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, MR. JACK STEAN, ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT UNDER REVISED REGULATIONS PUBLISHED TODAY THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF CLEARING PLANS FOR NEW BUILDING PROJECTS WOULD BE SIMPLIFIED SO AS TO CUT PROCESSING TIME TO THE MINIMUM.

BASICALLY, HE SAID, THE AMENDED BUILDING (ADMINISTRATION) REGULATIONS, DUE TO COME INTO FORCE ON OCTOBER 8, PROVIDED FOR ALL GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE APPROVAL OF BUILDING PROJECTS TO BE CO-ORDINATED THROUGH ONE OFFICE — THE P.W.D.’S BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFF ICE.

+THIS MEANS THAT PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS WILL NO LONGER BE OBLIGED, AS AT PRESENT, TO REFER THEIR BUILDING PLANS TO VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AS THIS WILL BE DONE DIRECTLY BY THE B.O.O.

+HOWEVER, IT WILL OF COURSE BE ADVISABLE FOR PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS TO DO SOME BASIC RESEARCH AND ESTABLISH THE PRINCIPLES OF THE GROUNDWORK BEFORE ANY SUBMISSION IS MADE,* HE ADDED.

+IN FUTURE, THE APPLICANT WILL SIMPLY HAVE TO SUBMIT SEVERAL COPIES OF HIS PLANS TO THE B.O.O. WHICH WILL THEN LIAISE DIRECTLY WITH ALL INTERESTED GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO OBTAIN THEIR COMMENTS OR APPROVAL, WHILE CONCURRENTLY CARRYING OUT ITS OWN CHECKS.

+THOSE OFFICES CONSULTED WILL BE OBLIGED TO REPLY IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO ALLOW THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE TO CO-ORDINATE AND RECONCILE ALL COMMENTS AND COMPLETE ALL PROCESSING WITHIN THE 6O-DAY STATUTORY PERIOD,* HE SAID.

+THIS WILL OF COURSE MEAN A CONSIDERABLE SAVING IN TIME AS WELL AS SPARE THE APPLICANT THE TROUBLE OF GOING FROM ONE DEPARTMENT TO ANOTHER BEFORE FORMALLY SUBMITTING HIS PLAN TO THE BUILDING AUTHORITY FOR APPROVAL,* HE ADDED.

MR. STEAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM, EVEN BEFORE AN APPLICANT COULD SUBMIT HIS BUILDING PLANS TO THE BUILDING AUTHORITY FOR APPROVAL, HE WAS LEGALLY BOUND TO CONSULT VARIOUS GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO ESTABLISH VARIOUS REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE CONSTRUCTION, USE, REGISTRATION OR LICENSING OF PREMISES.

+BUT EVEN AFTER THESE PRIOR CONSULTATIONS, IT WAS FOUND IN PRACTICE THAT REFERENCE HAD OFTEN HAD TO BE MADE BY THE B.O.O. TO OTHER OFFICES EITHER FOR CONFIRMATION OR CLARIFICATION OF THEIR REQUIREMENTS OR TO DEAL WITH MATTERS NOT COVERED BY THE CONSULTATIONS.

/+THS N3J.....

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1?, 1976

+THE NEW SYSTEM WILL ERASE UNNECESSARY LOSS OF TIME AND THUS CUT THE TIME REQUIRED FOR PROCESSING AND APPROVING PLANS,* HE SAID.

MR STEAN SAID THAT WHERE COMMENTS WERE OF SUCH A MINOR NATURE THAT ONLY SIMPLE AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANS WERE NECESSARY, THE APPLICANT WOULD BE INVITED TO MAKE THESE AMENDMENTS SO AS TO ALLOW THE PLANS TO BE APPROVED ON FIRST SUBMISSION.

+WHERE PLANS ARE RESUBMITTED, PROVIDING THE PROJECT HAS NOT BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY REPLANNED, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WILL UNDERTAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CLEARING OUTSTANDING POINTS AND COMPLETING ALL PROCESSING WITH A VIEW TO ISSUING AN APPROVAL WITHIN THE FURTHER STATUTORY 30 DAYS,* HE SAID.

MR. STEAN SAID THE NEW SCHEME MARKED AN IMPORTANT STEP IN SIMPLIFYING THE BUILDING CONTROL PROCESS AND COINCIDED WITH A MARKED UPSWING IN THE PRIVATE BUILDING INDUSTRY.

IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, HE SAID, THE NUMBER OF BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT HAD RISEN BY 42 PER CENT OVER THE FIRST HALF OF 1975 AND THERE WAS EVERY INDICATION THAT THE FIGURE WOULD INCREASE FURTHER.

------o-------

SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT FOR ABERDEEN

*****

CONSTRUCTION OF THE ABERDEEN SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT IS EXPECTED TO START THIS NOVEMBER.

THE PROJECT, WHICH FORMS PART OF A MAJOR SEWERAGE SCHEME FOR THE ABERDEEN SEWERAGE DISTRICT, INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, A STATION CONTROL ROOM AND VARIOUS FACILITIES FOR THE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE.

ON COMPLETION, THE SEWAGE WILL BE ADEQUATELY TREATED BEFORE IT IS DISCHARGED THROUGH A SUBMARINE OUTFALL INTO THE SEA FOR DILUTION AND DISPERSION.

THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE DRAINAGE WORKS DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THIS PROJECT WILL TAKE 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

----0--------

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1976

- 5 -

TOUGHER MEASURES AGAINST * * *

INTEREST TAX DEFAULTERS MM*

THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT IS TO TAKE A TOUGHER LINE WITH INTEREST TAX DEFAULTERS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID A NUMBER OF INTEREST PAYERS (MORTGAGORS AND BORROWERS) WERE NOT COMPLYING WITH THE LAW.

HE EXPLAINED! +INTEREST TAX IS A WITHHOLDING TAX. WHERE A PERSON IN HONG KONG PAYS OR CREDITS TO ANY OTHER PERSON INTEREST, WHICH IS CHARGEABLE WITH INTEREST TAX, HE IS OBLIGED BY LAW TO DEDUCT INTEREST TAX AT SOURCE - AT THE TIME HE MAKES THE PAYMENT OR CREDIT.+

CURRENTLY, HE SAID, 15 PER CENT OF THE INTEREST MUST BE DEDUCTED, SO THAT THE RECIPIENT SHOULD RECEIVE AT THAT TIME 85 PER CENT OF THE INTEREST.

THE INTEREST PAYER, HAVING WITHHELD 15 PER CENT TAX FROM THE RECIPIENT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD THEN HAND OVER THAT TAX TO THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT WITHIN 30 DAYS. THE DEPARTMENT WILL GIVE TO THE RECIPIENT, THROUGH THE PAYER, A RECEIPT FOR THE TAX AND A DEDUCTION CERTIFICATE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID : +SOME INTEREST PAYERS ARE FAILING TO REMIT THE TAX THEY HAVE DEDUCTED TO THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT WITHIN 30 DAYS OF MAKING THE DEDUCTION. THE PAYERS OF INTEREST MUST NOT AWAIT THE ISSUE OF AN INTEREST TAX RETURN OR WAIT FOR A NOTICE OF DEMAND FOR THE TAX FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

+THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TAKES A SERIOUS VIEW OF THIS OFFENCE AND THE PENALTY, ON CONVICTION, IS A FINE OF $2,000.*

+THE DEPARTMENT MAY IN THE PAST HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT LENIENT IN THIS MATTER,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +BUT WILL NOT HESITATE TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THIS TYPE OF OFFENDER.*

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/6 ....

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1976

- 6 -

THIRD WETTEST AUGUST LAST MONTH

*****

HONG KONG EXPERIENCED ONE OF THE WETTEST AUGUST ON RECORD LAST MONTH.

DURING THE MONTH, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY RECORDED A TOTAL OF 765.3 MM OF RAINFALL, MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NORMAL FIGURE, MAKING IT THE THIRD WETTEST AUGUST ON RECORD.

TROPICAL STORM ELLEN, WHICH BY PASSED HONG KONG ON AUGUST 24, BROUGHT EXCEPTIONALLY HEAVY RAIN AND VIOLENT THUNDERSTORMS.

AS A RESULT, 416.2 MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED BETWEEN 11 A.M. ON AUGUST 24 AND 11 A.M. ON AUGUST 25. THIS IS THE HIGHEST 24-HOUR AMOUNT RECORDED IN AUGUST AND THE THIRD HIGHEST IN ANY MONTH.

THE RAINFALL ON THESE TWO DAYS AMOUNTED TO 511.6 MM WHICH IS A NEW RECORD FOR AUGUST AND HAS ONLY BEEN EXCEEDED ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASIONS IN MAY 1889 AND JULY 1926.

HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, THE MONTH WAS SUNNIER AND WARMER THAN NORMAL IN SPITE OF THE EXCESSIVE RAIN.

DURING THE MONTH, FOUR TROPICAL CYCLONES WERE REPORTED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, AND OF THESE, BOTH SEVERE TROPICAL STORM CLARA AND TROPICAL STORM ELLEN CAME WITHIN 100 MILES OF HONG KONG AND CAUSED STRONG TO GALE FORCE WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN OVER THE TERRITORY.

AS FOR TEMPERATURES, THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE FOR THE MONTH WAS 22.1 DEGREES CELSIUS WHICH WAS RECORDED ON THE MORNING OF AUGUST 25.THE HIGHEST READING OF 34.1 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS TAKEN IN THE AFTERNOON OF AUGUST 23.

DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, EIGHT AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DURING THE MONTH.

0

/7

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1976

7

DEMONSTRATION ON HOW TO HELP DISABLED TRAVEL ON BUSES ******

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING GAVE A DEMONSTRATION TO SOME 20 SUPERVISORS AND REGULATORS OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY ON HOW TO HELP THE DISABLED TO BOARD AND TO GET OFF BUSES.

THIS WAS PART OF A SERIES OF LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO SHOW STAFF OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES HOW THEY COULD HELP THE DISABLED.

THE MOVE WAS TO ENABLE THE DISABLED PEOPLE TO INTEGRATE MORE EASILY INTO THE SOCIETY.

DURING THE WEEK, OVER 100 SUPERVISORS AND REGULATORS OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS, CHINA MOTOR BUS AND HONG KONG TRAMWAYS COMPANIES ATTENDED TALKS GIVEN BY OFFICERS OF THE REHABILITATION DIVISION.

SUBJECTS OF THE TALKS INCLUDED THE CLASSIFICATION OF DISABILITIES, THE MAIN DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY DISABLED PEOPLE IN USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT, AND HOW STAFF OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES COULD HELP THESE PEOPLE TO MAKE THE MAXIMUM USE OF THE FACIL ITIES.

COMMENTING ON THE NEED FOR THESE LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS, MR. KO KI-CHUNG, OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY DISABLED WELFARE UNIT, SAID s +APART FROM THE HUMANITARIAN REASONS, THE EXTENSIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES IS TO GIVE DISABLED PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY OF LIVING AS FULL AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES AS THEIR DISABILITIES ALLOW. FOR THIS, THEY NEED EDUCATION, BOTH ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL, AND THEN EMPLOYMENT.+

+BUT,+ HE STRESSED, +THE REHABILITATION EFFORTS CAN BE WASTED IF A DISABLED PERSON FINDS IT DIFFICULT TO GET TO HIS PLACE OF EDUCATION OR EMPLOYMENT.+

+FURTHERMORE, IF A DISABLED PERSON CAN PROVIDE FOR HIMSELF, HE GAINS ENORMOUSLY IN SELF-RESPECT AND BECOMES LESS OF A SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL BURDEN ON BOTH HIS FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY,* HE ADDED.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1976

8

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR JUNE 1976

*****

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 1976 SHOW A DEFICIT OF $181 MILLION COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $146 MILLION IN JUNE LAST YEAR.

THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATED DEFICIT OF $54 MILLION FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $224 MILLION FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.

GROSS EXPENDITURE AT S554 MILLION WAS $78 MILLION MORE THAN IN JUNE 1975. THE INCREASED EXPENDITURE INCLUDED SOME $58 MILLION FOR SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.

TOTAL REVENUE AND RECEIPTS AT MONTH WAS $44 MILLION MORE THAN IN TO INCREASED RECEIPTS FROM DUTIES, LICENCES AND LAND SALES.

$374 MILLION FOR THE

JUNE 1975, DUE MAINLY RATES, MOTOR VEHICLE TAXES,

SIR PAUL BRYAN SEES PROGRESS IN TSUEN WAN ******

SIR PAUL BRYAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE ANGLO-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, TODAY TOOK AN ELEVATED VIEW OF ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES - TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.

SIR PAUL AND LADY BRYAN WENT TO THE LAI KING HEADLAND WHICH COMMANDS A SWEEPING VIEW OF THE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AND HOUSING PROJECTS SPRINGING UP IN THE AREA.

THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR.

JAMES HAYES, AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S PROJECT MANAGER, MR.

F.E. SHORT, WHO GAVE A BRIEFING ON PROGRESS ACHIEVED SO FAR AND FUTURE PLANS FOR THE NEW TOWN WHICH WILL HAVE A POPULATION OF 900,000 BY 1983.

THE TWO OFFICERS ALSO EXPLAINED INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PLANS FOR TSING Yl ISLAND, WHERE HONG KONG UNITED DOCKYARD IS TO CONSTRUCT A $250 MILLION SHIPYARD.

SIR PAUL AND LADY BRYAN CONCLUDED THEIR INSPECTION TOUR WITH A VISIT TO THE CONTAINER TERMINAL AT KWAI CHUNG.

IT WAS THEIR SECOND VISIT TO THE NEW TERRITORIES IN TWO DAYS -YESTERDAY THEY TOOK A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT PROGRESS IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

------0-------

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

BGDoGScBG IMJ TIrJ

Friday, 17th September 1976

CLEAREES THANK HOUSING STAFF FOR Effort And Handwork

A group of about 10 former tenants of the Ma Chai Hang Licensed Area, who have all been accommodated in public housing estates, called at the Housing Department this (Friday) morning to thank Clearance and Applications staff for their hard work and effort in meeting their requests.

As a gesture of their appreciation, Mr Leung Kam-chiu and Madam Tam Fun, representing the former tenants of the licensed area, presented a cup as a memento to the Housing Department.

The cup was accepted by two Senior Housing Managers, Mr Chiu Shing of Clearance Division and Mrs Joy Au of Applications Section.

Inscribed on the cup are the Chinese characters for ••Diligence and consideration for the people”.

In accepting the cup, Mr Chiu expressed the hope that all former tenants concerned were now happily settled in their new homes.

The Ma Chai Hang Licensed Area was first set up in November 1967. In 1972, all the tenants were moved into housing estates and the site was re-used as a licensed area.

In May this year, the tenants were informed that they would be moved into public housing estates as part of the Housing Authority’s programme to clear all old licensed areas which are without electricity and individual water supplies.

T

- 2 -

Through the efforts of the Applications Section, various requests from clearees as to location and rent were smoothly handled. The 203 families totalling 815 people were accommodated in seven different estates Lai King, Kwai Shing, Lek Yuen, Lei Cheng Uk, Upper Ngau Tau Kok, Kwun Tong (Tsui Ping Road) and Lam Tin.

A Housing Department spokesman said that Ma Chai Hang Licensed Area will be re-used but the new one will have part-built structures, electricity and individual water supplies,

******

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1976

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES .......... 1

+ORIENTATION DAY+ FOR NEW STUDENTS AT THE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING INSTITUTE ......................................... 2

INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFICERS TO ATTEND A SIX-WEEK TRAINING COURSE ..................................................... 2

REPORT ON THIRD MANPOWER SURVEY OF TEXTILE INDUSTRY ........ 3

SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES SUCCESSFUL ......................... 3

ROAD CLOSURES AT MID-LEVELS ................................ 4

ONE-WAY TRAFFIC FOR BAILEY BRIDGE IN TAI PO ................ 4

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1976

1

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES

******

TENANTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WERE REASSURED TODAY THAT WITH THE PRESENCE OF TYPHOON IRIS IN THE VICINITY OF HONG KONG THERE WAS NO NEED FOR ANY ALARM.

FOLLOWING THE LANDSLIDE AT SAU MAU PING, A STUDY WAS IMMEDIATELY CARRIED OUT TO IDENTIFY SLOPES AT WHICH PRECAUTIONS MIGHT HAVE TO BE TAKEN IN THE EVENT OF HEAVY RAIN.

THIS STUDY WAS AN URGENT PRELIMINARY MEASURE PENDING THE REPORT TO BE SUBMITTED BY LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS.

AS A RESULT OF THIS STUDY, CONTINGENCY PLANS HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP IN CASE ANY EVACUATION PROVES NECESSARY BECAUSE OF HEAVY RAINFALL FROM THE FOLLOWING EIGHT BLOCKS IN SIX DIFFERENT HOUSING ESTATES WHICH HAVE SUCH SLOPES IN THEIR VICINITY :

SAU MAU PING - BLOCK 9 (GROUND FLOOR ONLY - STILL VACANT)

BLOCK 15 (GROUND FLOOR ONLY - PARTLY OCCUPIED)

SHEK KIP MEI - BLOCK 29 (PART OF GROUND FLOOR) SAI WAN - SOUTH TERRACE (PART OF GROUND FLOOR)

WEST TERRACE (PART OF GROUND FLOOR)

SO UK - PEONY HOUSE (ROAD-LEVEL FLOOR AT REAR)

LEI MUK SHUE - BLOCK 7 (FIVE G/F FLATS ONLY)

TAI WO HAU - BLOCK 9 (FOUR G/F SHOPS ONLY)

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO MIGHT POSSIBLY BE EVACUATED FROM THESE BLOCKS WOULD BE ONLY A FEW HUNDRED.

A HOUSING DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID : +THIS AFTERNOON STAFF OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ARE CALLING ON PEOPLE WHO MIGHT HAVE TO BE EVACUATED TO EXPLAIN PERSONALLY TO THEM THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE.

+THE TENANTS ARE BEING TOLD THAT THIS STEP IS BEING TAKEN PURELY ON PRECAUTIONARY GROUNDS AND THAT THE RISK OF A LANDSLIDE AFFECTING THEIR PREMISES IS MINIMAL,+ HE SAID.

SHOULD IT EE NECESSARY TO EVACUATE THESE FLOORS, PEOPLE WILL BE MOVED INTO TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION ALREADY EARMARKED, AND TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED.

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL BE SUPPLYING FOOD AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS. ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE TO SAFEGUARD THE PREMISES AND BELONGINGS LEFT BEHIND BY ANYONE WHO HAS TO BE EVACUATED.

THE HOUSING DEDARTMENT HAS SET UP A COMMUNICATION CENTRE WHICH IS WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHICH MAY BE INVOLVED.

- 0 -

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1976

2

+ORIENTATION DAY + AT SOCIAL WORK TRAINING INSTITUTE

******

THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING WILL BE HOLDING AN ♦ORIENTATION DAY+ FOR NEW STUDENTS ON MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 20) TO MARK THE START OF ITS NEW ACADEMIC YEAR.

THIS YEAR, 65 STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR THE TWO-YEAR COURSE THAT WILL LEAD TO THE AWARD OF A CERTIFICATE IN SOCIAL WORK. TOGETHER WITH THOSE WHO ARE MOVING INTO THE SECOND YEAR OF THE COURSE, THE INSTITUTE WILL HAVE 115 STUDENTS UNDER TRAINING.

THE CEREMONY ON MONDAY WILL START AT 13 A.M. WITH OPENING REMARKS BY MR. L.B. MACQUARRIE, THE PRINCIPAL.

THE DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, DR. K. LEGG, WILL THEN ADDRESS THE GATHERING OF STUDENTS, FACULTY STAFF, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE INSTITUTE ACADEMIC BOARD AND OTHER GUESTS.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE GYMNASIUM OF LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE AT 44 01 KWAI ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG (NEAR THE MORRISON Hli_L SWIMMING POOL).

COURSE FOR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFICERS X X X K K * *

NOTE TO EDITORS :

A SIX-WEEK FULL-TIME TRAINING COURSE FOR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFICERS IN INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND WILL BE HELD AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE ON THE 3RD FLOOR OF THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES.

THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS. SOO MOK SAU-HA, WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AT AN OPENING CEREMONY ON MONDAY, (SEPTEMBER 20) AT 9.30 A.M.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY.

- - 0 - -

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1976

3

REPORT ON THIRD MANPOWER SURVEY OF TEXTILE INDUSTRY

******

THE REPORT ON THE THIRD MANPOWER SURVEY OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE.

PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, THE REPORT WAS PREPARED BY THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL.

THE REPORT AT $16 A COPY, PROVIDES DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE OF THE INDUSTRY AND CONTAINS A FORECAST OF THE NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES REQUIRED TO FILL VACANCIES RESULTING FROM EXPANSION AND WASTAGE IN THE SEVEN-YEAR PERIOD BETWEEN 1976 AND 1983.

IT ALSO CONTAINS PROPOSALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON MEASURES NECESSARY TO MEET THESE NEEDS.

THE THIRD MANPOWER SURVEY ON THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY WAS STARTED IN AUGUST 1975 BY THE TRAINING COUNCIL’S TEXTILE INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES SUCCESSFUL X X X X X X

THE SUMMER ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR YOUTHS HAVE SCORED REMARKABLE PROGRESS BOTH IN QUALITY AND QUANTITY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION, MR. P.B. WILLIAMS, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE YAU MA TEI/TSIM SHA TSUI DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE’S SUMMER ACTIVITIES HELD ATdTHE OCEAN TERMINAL CONCOURSE, HE SAID : +IN OTHER ..ORDS, THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE SUMMER ACTIVITIES IS THE RESULT OF THE EFFORTS OF PEOPLE OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN EVERY DISTRICT.+

MR. WILLIAMS LATER PRESENTED PRIZES TO THE WINNERS OF A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE.

FOLLOWING THIS HE OFFICIALLY OPENED A GRAPHIC EXHIBITION OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER ACTIVITIES.

- - 0 - -

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1976

- 4 -

ROAD CLOSURES

*****

FHRcc ROAD SECTIONS IN THE MID-LEVELS AREA AFFECT-D BY LANDSLIDES LAST MONTH WILL REMAIN CLOSED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS TO FACILITATE REMEDIAL wORKS.

_ „ THEY WERE CLOSED SINCE AUGUST 27 AND WORK ON THEM cXP-CicD iC LAST BETWEEN THREE TO SIX MONTHS.

THE AFFECTED SECTIONS ARE :

*

CAoTLE ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH SEYMOUR ROAD HOUSc NO. 39A EXCEPT THE SOUTHERN FOOTPATH a ILL CLOSED FOR FOUR MONTHS.

IS

TO BE

*

CAINE LANE FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CAINE ROAD TO THE ”IXRMONTH'F PATH0L0GICAL INSTITUTE WILL BE CLOSED FOR


TREGUNTER PATH FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH OLD PEAK ROAD TO LAMP POST NO. 323 WILL BE CLOSED FOR THREE MONTHS.

BARRIERS HAVE BEEN ERECTED AND APPROPRIATE SIGNS ERECTED ON TH ri SITES TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 - -

ONE-WAY TRAFFIC FOR BAILEY BRIDGE IN TAI PO

******

M°T0R ISTS ARE ADVISED THAT THE BAILEY BRIDGE ON THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI PO ROAD AT YUEN CHAU TSAI, NEW TERRITORIES, WILL EE TEMPORARILY CLOStD TO TRAFFIC FOR ONE MONTH FROM SEPTEMBER 20 TO OCTOBER 19, 1976.

THE CLOSURE OF THE BRIDGE IS NECESSARY TO FACILITATE THE components"1" 0F TH" TIMBER DECK AND REPA,R WORKS TO THE BRIDGE

TRAFFIC SIGNALS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR ONE-WAY TRAFFIC FLOW AND APPROPRIATE WARNING SIGNS WILL BE POSTED AT THE APPROACH T'1 THE BRIDGE TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

0

DAILY.

' BULLETIN

ES TO GO COMPUTERISED SOON

******

THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS TO GO ’COMPUTERISED’ SOON WITH THE AIM TO ATTAIN MORE EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICAL INVENTORY CONTROL AND TO PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES TO VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.

THE CHANGE-OVER WILL INITIALLY AFFECT ONLY THE DEPARTMENT’S ’UNALLOCATED STORES’ IN THE MAIN DEPOTS - THE NORTH POINT EADQUARTERS AND KOWLOON CENTRAL STORES. THIS WILL INVOLVE SOME 7.LOO IT-"3 VALUED AT 347.1 MILLION - ABOUT EIGHT PER CENT IN VOLUMN OR 73 PER CENT IN VALUE OF THE TOTAL STOCKHOLDING.

THE TOTAL STOCK HELD IN THE DEPARTMENT’S MAIK DEPOTS AND SUB-DEPOTS AT THE BEGINNING OF FINANCIAL YEAR 1976/77 COMPRISED ABOUT 96,000 ITEMS VALUED AT 367.3 MILLION.

THE COMPUTERISED SYSTEM IS NAMED ’IMPACT’ WHICH MEANS INVENTORY MANAGEMENT, PROCUREMENT, ACCOUNTING, CONTROL AND TECHNIQUES.

THE ’IMPACT’ SYSTEM WILL IN ITS INITIAL PHASE OF IMPLEMENTATION DEAL ..‘I TH COMMODITIES UNDER GROUP ’C’ HELD IN THE DEPARTMENT’S MAIN DEPOTS WHICH INCLUDE DRUGS, PHARMACEUTICALS, CHEMICALS, DRESSINGS, LABORATORY AND HOSPITAL INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT.

COMMENTING ON THE COMPUTERISATION SCHEME, MR. STEPHEN TAY, SENIOR SUPPLIES OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT’S DATA PROCESSING DIVISION SAID THAT THE SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE THE MANAGEMENT WITH IMMEDIATE ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION IN RESPECT OF STOCKHOLDING, DEMAND HISTORY, PROVISIONING AND ORDERING STATUS THUS THE BEST INVENTORY CONTROL TECHNIQUES CAN BE DETERMINED AND EXERCISED TC THE EFFECT OF IMPROVED SERVICES .-.ITH MINIMUM STOCKHOLDING.

THE PROVISIONING AND PROCUREMENT SEGMENT OF THE SYSTEM, IN WHICH VARIOUS ORDERING AND FORECASTING FACTORS AND STRATEGIES ARE INCORPORATED ACCORDING TO THE NATURE OF INDIVIDUAL COMMODITY, CONTRIBUTES SIGNIFICANTLY TC THE EFFICIENCY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S PROCUREMENT FUNCTION AND THEREFORE EVERY REPLENISHMENT OF STOCK CAN BE TIMED TO ACHIEVE THE BEST PURCHASE.

FURTHERMORE, THE SYSTEM WILL ALSO TAKE CARE OF THE FORECAST AND PROUECT REQUIREMENTS SUBMITTED BY THE USER DEPARTMENTS. THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT ..ILL EE REMINDED FROM TIME TO TIME OF ANY CHANGES OF THESE REQUIREMENTS AND ANY NECESSARY REPLENISHMENT OR PROGRESS ACTION.

THE SYSTEM WILL ALSO REPORT DELAY WHEN CONFIRMATION OF PICKING AND DELIVERY ARE NOT INPUT WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE FEEDING IN OF THE REQUISITIONS FROM THE USER DEPARTMENTS.

+THIS MEANS A REQUISITION SHOULD EE CLEARED IN SEVEN DAYS INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT TEN DAYS TO "WO WEEKS,+ MR. TAM POINTED OUT.

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. ^^5,

2

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1976

THE ’IMPACT’ SYSTEM IS UNDERGOING VARIOUS ELABORATE TESTS.

THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE ’IMPACT’ SYSTEM COVERING GROUP ’C’ (MEDICAL ITEMS HELD IN THE DEPARTMENT’S MAIN DEPOTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR. GROUPS ’A’ AND ’B’ ITEMS WILL BE PHASED IN BEFORE THE END OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.

COMMODITIES UNDER GROUP ’A’ INCLUDE GENERAL STORES, CLOTHING MATERIALS, STATIONERY, SPORTS AND OFFICE INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT, WHILE GROUP ’B’ COVERS MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, AND BUILDING ITEMS AS WELL AS FIRE-FIGHTING INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT.

MANUAL RECORDS OF THE THREE GROUPS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FED INTO THE SYSTEM.

AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE THREE GROUPS, MR. TAM SAID, THE DEPARTMENT’S DATA PROCESSING DIVISION WOULD SPEND ABOUT A YEAR TO REVIEW THE ’IMPACT’ SYSTEM BEFORE DECIDING TO EXTEND IT TO THE SUB-DEPOTS IN THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, THE WATERWORKS OFFICE AND THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE.

+OUT TARGET DATE FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE ENTIRE COMPUTERISATION SCHEME IS 1981,+ HE ADDED.

THE ’IMPACT’ SYSTEM WILL INITIALLY RUN IN ’BATCH’ MODE. THAT IS VOUCHERS/INPUT DOCUMENTS ARE BATCHED AND DATA ARE PUNCHED ON MAGNETIC TAPES WHICH ARE THEN FORWARDED IN BATCHES TO THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT’S COMPUTER CENTRE AT NEW MERCURY HOUSE FOR PROCESSING. FROM THERE THE DEPARTMENT COLLECTS THE PRINTOUT REPORTS THE NEXT DAY FOR NECESSARY ACTION.

MR. TAM SAID THAT FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, A FEASIBILITY STUDY IS CURRENTLY BEING CONDUCTED INTO AN ON-LINE AND POSSIBLY REAL-TIME EXTENSION OF THIS SYSTEM IN THE NEXT PHASE COVERING THE DEPARTMENT’S SUB-DEPOTS IN THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, THE WATERWORKS OFFICE AND THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE.

-----0------

- 3 -

NEW MAP ENTITLED +NEW TERRITORIES - EAST* TO BE PRODUCED *******

MORE SCENIC AREAS IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE OPENED UP FOR RECREATION THROUGH A NEW COUNTRYSIDE MAP TO BE PRODUCED BY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MAP MAKERS.

MR. LO KWOK-HUNG, P.W.D. CARTOGRAPHER, SAID TODAY PLANNING FOR THE NEW MAP, ENTITLED +NEW TERRITORIES - EAST+, WAS ALREADY IN HAND AND PRELIMINARY WORK WOULD BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR.

HE SAID THE NEW MAP WOULD COVER POPULAR AS WELL AS LESSER KNOWN PICNIC SPOTS AT SHA TAU KOK, SAI KUNG AND CLEARWATER BAY.

+THE AREA COVERED BY THE NEW MAP OFFERS SOME OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR SCENERY TO BE FOUND IN HONG KONG, AND THE MAP IS INTENDED TO HELP PEOPLE EXPLORE AND ENJOY THE COUNTRYSIDE AND AT THE SAME TIME DEVELOP A GREATER APPRECIATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT,* HE SAID.

THE +NEW TERRITORIES - EAST* MAP IS THE FOURTH IN A SERIES OF COUNTRYSIDE MAPS PRODUCED BY THE P.W.D.’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE TO PROMOTE OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. THE OTHER

THREE MAPS — +HONG KONG ISLAND*, +NEW TERRITORIES - WEST* AND +LANTAU AND ISLANDS* — HAVE PROVED SO POPULAR THAT REPRINTS HAVE HAD TO BE ORDERED.

ALMOST THE ENTIRE FIRST PRINTING OF THE LANTAU MAP WAS SOLD OUT WITHIN A WEEK OF ITS ISSUE IN APRIL. +TO MEET DEMAND, WE HAVE HAD TO ORDER 10,000 MORE COPIES OF THE ’LANTAU AND ISLANDS’ MAP AND THESE ARE ALREADY ON SALE,* MR. LO SAID.

HE SAID THAT REPRINTS FOR 5,000 COPIES OF EACH OF THE FIRST IWO COUNTRYSIDE MAPS COVERING HONG KONG ISLAND AND NEW TERRITORIES WEST HAD ALSO BEEN ORDERED AND WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE LATER THIS MONTH.

ALL OF THE COUNTRYSIDE MAPS ARE IN COLOUR WITH LEGENDS IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH. THEY HAVE DELIBERATELY BEEN MADE SIMPLE SO THAT EVEN THE MOST INEXPERIENCED MAP READER CAN USE THEM.

AS WELL AS LANTAU ITSELF, THE POPULAR +LANTAU AND ISLANDS’ MAP FEATURES THE PICTURESQUE ISLANDS OF CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU. LAMMA AND MA WAN — REGARDED BY MANY AS PROBABLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF HONG KONG’S OUTLYING ISLANDS.

A SMALL HANDBOOK OF GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISLANDS IS DISTRIBUTED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MAP. THIS CONTAINS BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF PLACES OF SPECIAL INTEREST, TOURIST FACILITIES, FERRY AND *KAI-DO+ SERVICES AND EVEN THE TYPE OF HOSPITALITY OFFERED BY THE ISLANDS’ VARIOUS MONASTERIES AND OTHER RELIGIOUS ^INSTITUTIONS. f ‘L.

A PROMINENT FEATURE OF THE LANTAU MAP IS A SECTION LISTING SAFETY HINTS FOR HIKERS IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH. THE MAP ALSO INCLUDES A COUNTRY CODE TO ENCOURAGE PROTECTION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

THE NEW EDITIONS OF THE +LANTAU AND ISLANDS* MAP ARE NOW ON SALE AT $4 A COPY AT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S SALES COUNTER ON THE 19TH FLOOR OF THE MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD" AT THE KOWLOON CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN YAU MA TEI, AND AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT STAR FERRY.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1976

4 - /

?E-ROUTING OF TAI CHEONG STREET *****

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON TUESDAY (SEPTEMBER 21), THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAUKIWAN.

FIRST, THE SECTION OF TAI CHEONG STREET NORTH OF SHAUKIWAN ROAD WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.

SECONDLY, THE SECTION OF THE UNNAMED ROAD ALONG THE SEA-FRONT BETWEEN TAI CHEONG STREET AND TAI HONG STREET WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE ******

THE COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS AT THE TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE FOR RESIDENTS AND PERSONS LIVING NEARBY.

THE TEAM WILL BE THERE FOR NINE DAYS FROM SEPTEMBER 27 TO OCTOBER 1» AND FROM OCTOBER 5 TO OCTOBER 8.

THE VISIT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THEIR CH ILDREN/WARDS OF 11 YEARS OF AGE FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND ALSO ENABLE HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS ON REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE.

ALL PERSONS LIVING IN THIS AREA ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS AND TO REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.

REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. DAILY.

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

ACCOUNTANTS HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN ECONOMIC EXPANSION ..................................................... 1

INDUSTRY IN NEED OF MORE TRAINED SAFETY OFFICERS .............. 2

NEW ESTATE RENT LEVELS ACCEPTABLE TO MOST APPLICANTS .......... 3

OPENING OF NEW WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM AT KWAI CHUNG .............. 4

STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM INTEGRATION OF I SWT AND POLYTECHNIC . 5

KCR TO COMPENSATE AUGUST MONTHLY TICKET HOLDERS ............... 6

WATER CUT ..................................................... 6

RESURFACING OF TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD STARTS TOMORROW ............ 7

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT .................. 7

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1976

1

GOVERNOR

OPENS CONFERENCE OF ASIAN AND

******

PACIFIC ACCOUNTANTS

OAO_ ACCOUNTANTS IN THE PACIFIC AND ASIAN REGION V.'ILL HAVE A MAJOR PA?TT3 PLAY lp ECONOMY IN THIS AREA IS TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY. IU

,, , A K Hiz, ■vA3 SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE EIGHTH CONFERENCE OF AoIAN and PACIFIC ACCOUNTANTS at THE CITY HALL.

,„T1 $'* MURRAY SAID: +ONE HEARS MUCH OF THE OTHER ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG, BUT WE ARE APT TO FORGET THAT WHILE PROSPER I iY OF HONG .KONG IS EASED ON INDUSTRIAL EXPORTS THIS PROSPERITY OWES MUCH TO THE QUALITY AND VARIETY OF BUSINESS SERVICE THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED AND AMONG THESE THE PRACTICE OF ACCOUNTANCY STANDS HIGH.+

THE GOVERNOR REFERRED TO THE RENEWED PROSPERITY AND CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG AND SAID THAT ALMOST ANY INDICATOR SHOWED AN ENORMOUS RESURGENCE FROM THE RECESSION OF TWO YEARS AGO.

FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH:

+ 1 ..OULD LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TO HONG KONG FOR THIS YOUR EIGHTH CONFERENCE. I AM SURE YOU HAVE CHOSEN HONG KONG FOR THE QUALITY OF SERVICES THAT OUR COMMERCIAL SECTOR CAN PROVIDE, AND I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT YOUR EXPECTATIONS WILL BE FULFILLED. INDEED THIS NEW CONFERENCE CENTRE IS THE LATEST EXAMPLE OF OUR EXPANDING SECTOR OF BUSINESS SERVICES.

+ONE HEARS MUCH OF THE OTHER ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG, BUT WE ARE APT TO FORGET THAT WHILE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG IS BASED OK INDUSTRIAL EXPORTS, THIS PROSPERITY OWES MUCH TO THE QUALITY AND VARIETY OF BUSINESS SERVICE THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED AND AMONG THESE THE PRACTICE OF ACCOUNTANCY STANDS HIGH.

+THIS CONFERENCE IS HELD AT A TIME OF RENEWED PROSPERITY AND CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG. ALMOST ANY INDICATOR SHOWS AN ENORMOUS RESURGENCE FROM THE RECESSION OF TWO YEARS AGO. IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1976 THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS 51% AND THAT OF IMPORTS 39% HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1975, AND THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN VOLUME WERE 36% AND 37% RESPECTIVELY.

+THIS RENEWED PROSPERITY IS FAIRLY TYPICAL OF THE PACIFIC AND ASIAN REGION. SINCE THE PROSPECTS FOR STEADY IF UNDRAMATIC GROWTH IK THE REGION’S MARKETS OF AMERICA AND EUROPE ARE ALSO GOOD, THERE IS EVERY HOPE THAT THE PACIFIC AND ASIAN REGION WILL CONTINUE TO BE OKE OF THE MAJOR GROWTH AREAS IN THE WORLD.

+IN THIS PROSPERITY AND GROWTH YOUR PROFESSION HAS A MAJOR PART TO PLAY. THE ART AND DISCIPLINE OF ACCOUNTANCY SHOULD DO FOR THS BODY ECONOMIC WHAT THE MEDICAL PROFESSION DOES FOR THE BODY CORPORAL. IT DIAGNOSES FINANCIAL HEALTH OR SICKNESS, IT PRESCRIBES TO MAXIMISE THE FIRST AMD CURE THE SECOND, IT ADVISxS CORPORATE SURGERY HERE OR A GRAFT ThERE, AND AS CONSTANTLY AS ANY DOCTOR IT FROWNS OK EXCESS AND SMILES ON DISCIPLINE. AND OF COURSE FOR ALL THESE ACTS OF FINANCIAL BENEFACTION LEGITIMATELY AND LIKE ANY DOCTOR IT TAKES ITS FEE.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1976

2

-IF THIS EXUBERANT ECONOMY Or THE PACIFIC AND ASIAN REGION IS ~0 CONTINUE TO EXPAND AS WE HOPE IT WILL THERE WILL BE MUCH NEED FOR THE SUPPORT, THE ADVICE AND DISCIPLINE THE PROFESSION OF ACCOUNTANTS CAN PROVIDE.

+ HERE IN HONG KONG THE NEED FOR COMPETENT ACCOUNTANTS IS AS GREAT AS ANYWHERE, AND IT WAS A HAPPY EVENT WHEN FOUR YEARS AGO THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS WAS ESTABLISHED. I AM DELIGHTED THAT IT HAS SO QUICKLY GROWN IN STATURE AND RECOGNITION THAT IT IS NOW ABLE TO HOST THIS GREAT GATHERING.

+ HONG KONG HEARTILY WELCOMES YOU ALL TO THIS EIGHTH CONFERENCE OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC ACCOUNTANTS AND I HAVE GREAT PLEASURE IN DECLARING IT OPEN.*

0

IMPORTANT ROLE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFICERS

******

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS. SOO MOK SAU-HA, TODAY (MONDAY) STRESSED THE VITAL ROLE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFICERS PLAYED IN PREVENTING ACCIDENTS AT WORK.

SHE WAS SPEAKING TO A GROUP OF 21 TRAINEES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PRIVATE INDUSTRY AT THE OPENING OF A SIX-WEEK FULL-TIME COURSE AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE AT THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES.

MRS. SOC SAID: +IMCREASED INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY IN RECENT YEARS HAS RESULTED IN MORE ACCIDENTS.

+IN ORDER TO CHECK THE APPALLING ACCIDENT RATE, INDUSTRY IS IN NEED OF MORE TRAINED SAFETY OFFICERS TO BRING HOME SAFETY MESSAGES TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND THE WORKERS.*

MRS. SOC TOLD THE PARTICIPANTS THAT THE JOB OF AN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFICER WAS BOTH MEANINGFUL AND CHALLENGING.

SHx SAID HIS MAIN ROLE WAS TO BRIDGE THE COMMUNICATION

GAP BETWEEN THE MANAGEMENT AND AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION.

+EY EDUCATING THE WORKERS AND IMPLEMENTING THE COMPANY’S INDUSTRIAL HAZARDS AND PREVENT POINTED OUT.

WORKER IN SAFETY PROMOTION

ON SAFE WORKING PRACTICES SAFETY POLICY, HE HELPS REDUCE ACCIDENTS FROM ARISING,* SHE

MRS. SOO URGED THE TRAINEES TO PASS ON TO OTHERS THE SAFETY KNOWLEDGE THEY ACQUIRED AND HELP PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN HONG KONG.

'---0-----------------

/?......

AY, 5

t'

LE/. ESTATE RENTS ACCEPTABLE TC MAJORITY C-F APPLIDANTj *******

THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR. IAN LIGHTBODY, SAIL TELA- ' “ .-E PUBLIC HOUS I LG ? R OGR A MM E IS Al?.EE AT PROVIDING DECENT HClSi.N-"Un l_S.. — i lUU'.t "A ILlcS.

'• R. LlGr.TECDY, jHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF The HOUSING A^TrERiTY, ,<AS ADDRESSING THE MONTHLY MEETING OF THE MEW TERR fCTARY CLUE.

COMMENTING ON RECENT CRITICISMS THAT RENTS FOR NE.. ESTATES ..ERE BEING SET AT TOC HIGH A LEVEL, HE SAID: +LACK OF .ONEY Sr-jULU NOT DEEAR ANY FAMILY WHICH IS OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE FROM MOVING INTO PUBLIC HOUSING.

+NEW ESTATE RENTS ARE SET AT A LEVEL WHICH EXPERIENCE SHSao TC BE ACCEPTABLE TC THE GREAT MAJORITY OF APPLICANTS AND, -Or. ~<SE WHO FEEL THEY REaLLY CAN’T AFFORD THESE RENTS, THE AUTHORITY a ILL FIND A LOW—PENT FLAT ELSEWHERE v. I TH IN THE FAMILY’S MEANS.*

MR. LIGHTBODY SAID THE AUTHORITY HAS ABOUT 267,000 FLATS LET AT RENTS BELOW 3100 A MONTH- OF THESE, 200,000 FLATS HAVE RENT. BELOW '50 - MONTH.

HE STATED; + IF ANY FAMILY FEELS EXCLUDED FROM -UELIS HOuSING ONLY BECAUSE OF RENT LEVELS, THEY SHOULD EXPLAIN THE SITUATION TC THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S STAFF AND ASK FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE IL overcoming their problem.*

M.R. LIGHTBCDY EXPLAINED THAT PERSONS IN SUITE A CONSIDERABLE INCOME RANGE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, RANGING UP TO Di,700 PER MONTH FOR A MEDIUM FLAT AND S2,2OO PER MONTH FOR A LARGE F_AT. FHE PROBLEM IS WHERE TC SET RENT LEVELS FOR NEW ESTATES, AND THE AUTHORITY FELT IT WAS SENSIBLE TO FIX RENTS WITHIN THE MEAN’S OF TnE MAJORITY, AND TC MAKE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO HELP THE • ESS WELL-OFF.

HE aEKT ON: +OUR WHOLE PURPOSE IS TC PROVIDE DECENT HOUSING THE LOW-INCOME GROUPS AMD ..E BELIEVE THAT THE AUTHORITY’S PRESENT RENTAL ARRANGEMENTS ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE. HOWEVER, THE QUESTION IS KEPT UNDER CLOSE -EVIE.. AND, IF THIS IS S TC DE NECESSARY, ;.-E WILL SEEK ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CRITE.-IA TL ENSURE THAT THE LESS WELL-OFF ARE WOT UNFAIRLY D ISADVANTAGEl Tn I 3 RENT SYSTEM..

SEEMS SENSIBLE TO CONCENTRATE SPECIAL SUBSIDIES 0*

LESS WELL-OFF FAMILIES, RATHER THAN HAVE THE TAXPAYER GIVE ADDITIONAL SUESIDIES TC ALL FAMILIES IL PUBLIC HOUSING, REGARDLESS OF THE IP INCOME, BY REDUCING T~E GENERAL LEVEL OF NE.. ESTATE RENTS.*

r.E ADDED THAT THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME PROFIT, *S SOME HAVE CLAIMED. *GCVERHMEL'T DOES AUTHOR I Y TC ' A KE A -ROF IT FRO ■ .-DEL IC HOUSING, AUTHORITY,+ HE DECLARED.

DOES NOT .‘‘AKE A NOT EXPECT THE NOR DOES THE

HE EXPLAINED THAT, AS OF TODAY, A.L’-.'UA^ PENTAL ILCC ’E IS -U'.'.l A ABOUT :‘IL^ION A YEAR, .. i-E ......A. EXPEND I’UPE - C.'.-IT^

AND RECURRENT - ID ABOUT D73C IL-ION. CAPITA^ EXPENDITURE EL BUILDING LE.v ESTATES 13 ABOUT 35c VILLICN OF THIS, AND ”n!5 C/---IGURE ..ILL INCREASE IL THE <E^R3 AHEAD AS THE PROGRA-ME BUILDS U-.

/♦FAR FHOb.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1976

- 4 -

+FAR FROM MAKING A PROFIT, GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTING MORE AND MORE FUNDS TO THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME ON A LONG-TERM BASIC + MR. LIGHTBODY SAID. ’

DEPENDING ON LOCATION, AND OTHER FACTORS, THE kENT OF A 240 SQUARE FOOT FLAT IN A NEW ESTATE IS $180 PER MONTH, WHILE A LAPGE FLAT OF 360 SQUARE FEET IS LET AT $255 PER MONTH, HE POINTED OUT.

FOR

YEAR

+CERTAINLY THESE LEVELS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THOSE FOUND IN OLDER ESTATES, BUT THEY ARE WITHIN THE MEANS OF THE GREAT MAJORITY OF TENANTS. HOWEVER, PROVIDED INFLATION 'AN BE KEPT IN CHECK, IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO STICK TO THESE 19/5/76 RENT LEVELS INITIAL LETTINGS IN NEW ESTATES DUE TO BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT OR TWO,+ HE ADDED.

----0-----

NEW WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM AT KWAI CHUNG

******

NOTE TO EDITORS :

THE RETIRING DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. BILL KNIGHT, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN A NEW WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM AT KWAI CHUNG TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

THE NEW DISTRIBUTION SCHEME, WHICH INCLUDES A PUMPING SYSTEM, A FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR AND A SALT WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR, WILL SERVE FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LAI KING AREA.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY. OFFICIAL TRANSPORT, AM2087 AND AM2192, k ILL LEAVE THE P.W.D.’S CARPARK AT MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD AT 13 A.M. SHARP.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF MURRAY BUILDING BY 9.45 A.M. OFFICERS OF THE P.a.D.’S PUBLICITY UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO OFFER ASSISTANCE.

- - 0 - -

/5

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1976

- 5 -

STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM INTEGRATION OF ISWT AND POLYTECHNIC ******

STUDENTS WILL BENEFIT MOST FROM THE INTEGRATION OF THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING AND THE POLYTECHNIC AS IT WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO BROADEN THEIR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY (MONDAY) BY DR. K. LEGG, DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, AT THE ORIENTATION DAY OF THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING TO MARK THE START OF ITS NEW ACADEMIC YEAR.

THIS YEAR, 65 STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FOR THE TWO-YEAR COURSE THAT WILL LEAD TO THE AWARD OF A CERTIFICATE IN SOCIAL WORK. TOGETHER WITH THOSE WHO ARE MOVING INTO THE SECOND YEAR OF THE COURSE, THE INSTITUTE WILL HAVE 115 STUDENTS UNDER TRAINING.

DR. LEGG SAID THAT THE INTEGRATION WILL CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS OF THE INSTITUTE TO APPRECIATE THE PROBLEMS AND INTERESTS OF STUDENTS IN OTHER DISCIPLINES.

FROM THE POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS’ VIEWPOINT, HE WENT CN, IT WILL HEIGHTEN THEIR AWARENESS OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG AND ALSO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIAL WORK PROJECTS.

COMMENTING ON THE REASONS FOR THE INTEGRATION, DR. LEGG SAID: +THE INSTITUTE, IN THE NEW POLYTECHNIC ENVIRONMENT, WILL HAVE WIDER HORIZONS IN THE VERY IMPORTANT TASK OF MEETING THE SOCIAL WORK MANPOWER NEEDS OF HONG KONG.

+IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE WIDER POSSIBILITIES FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND A GREATER PROBABILITY OF PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION OF SOCIAL WORK COURSES OF ALL KINDS.+

IT WAS ALSO PROBABLE, HE SAID, THAT THERE WOULD BE A MUCH CLOSER CO-OPERATION AND CO-ORDINATION WITH THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES SO THAT ALL LEVELS AND ASPECTS OF SOCIAL WORK WOULD BE EMBRACED.

DR. LEGG TOLD THE STUDENTS THAT THEY WERE ENTERING A FIELD OF ENDEAVOUR THAT COULD ONLY MAKE THE LOT OF THE UNDERPRIVILEGED BETTER.

+SOCIAL WORK IS A DEDICATED PROFESSION AND CAN BRING MUCH SATISFACTION TO YOU AS A PERSON AS WELL AS TO THOSE WHOM YOU WILL EVENTUALLY HELP,+ HE SAID.

0

/6

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1976

6

COMPENSATION FOR AUGUST MONTHLY TICKET HOLDERS *******

MONTHLY TICKET HOLDERS OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (KCR) WHO COULD NOT TRAVEL ON TRAINS DURING THE LAST SEVEN DAYS OF LAST MONTH BECAUSE OF DISRUPTION OF SERVICES WILL BE COMPENSATED.

_THCSE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION ARE AUGUST MONTHLY TICKET HOLDERS FOR JOURNEYS BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND MONG KOK AND OTHER RAILWAY STATIONS.

ACCORDING TO THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KCR, MR. REGINALD GREGORY, IT HAD BEEN DECIDED TO COMPENSATE THE PASSENGERS BY CHARGING A REDUCED FARE WHEN THEY PURCHASE THEIR TICKETS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.

+THE AMOUNT THESE PASSENGERS WILL PAY WILL BE PROPORTIONATE TO THE NUMBER OF DAYS THE AUGUST MONTHLY TICKET WAS AVAILABLE FOR USE, FOR EXAMPLE, HOLDERS OF ORDINARY CLASS MONTHLY TICKETS FOR JOURNEYS BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND TAI PO MARKET WILL BE CHARGED $40.30 INSTEAD OF $52,+ HE ADDED.

HE SAID MONTHLY TICKET HOLDERS WISHING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS FACILITY SHOULD ADVISE THE BOOKING CLERK WHEN BUYING AN OCTOBER TICKET THAT THEY HAD HELD AN AUGUST TICKET.

THE BOOKING CLERK, HE POINTED OUT, AFTER CHECKING THAT IT WAS PURCHASED, WOULD ISSUE AN OCTOBER TICKET AT A REDUCED RATE.

HOLDERS OF THE AUGUST TICKET WHO DO NOT WANT TO BUY AN TICKET ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION BY WRITING TO THE TREASURY ACCOUNTANT GIVING BRIEF REASONS AND ENCLOSING THE I TICKETS. HOWEVER EACH CASE WILL DEPEND ON ITS MERITS.

OCTOBER KCR’S

R AUGUST

0

WATER CUT XXX

aATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN ABERDEEN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 10 P.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TC ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE STAFF TO REPAIR A FRESH WATER MAIN.

TH< AFFECTED PREMISES ARE NOS. 25-29 WU PAK STREET, NOS. 16-28 CHENGTU ROAD, NOS. 1-23 TUNG SING ROAD AND NOS. 6-12 SAI ON STREET.

MEANWHILE, A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN PING SHAN, NEW TERRITORIES WILL ALSO BE WITHOUT WATER FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (SEPTEMBER 22) TO ENABLE A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND PING HA ROAD, INCLUDING PING SHAN SAN TSUEN, KIU TAU WAI, PING SHAN HANG MEI TSUEN, PING SHAN HANG TAU TSUEN, PING SHAN POLICE STATION, TONG HANG TSUEN, FUK LO TSUEN, _AU FAU SHAN, FUNG KONG TSUEN, NGAU HOM TSUEN, SAN HING TSUEN, SHA KONG WAI TSAI AND SHA KONG WAI.

0 - -

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1976

7

RESURFACING OF TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD

******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL TOMORROW START RESURFACING A SECTION OF TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH SHA TIN PASS ROAD.

THE WORK WILL INVOLVE RECONSTRUCTION OF A 300-METRE SECTION OF THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY IN REINFORCED CONCRETE AND WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO WEEKS.

ALTHOUGH PART OF THE CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE CLOSED, TWO LANES WILL REMAIN OPEN TO MAINTAIN TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FLOW DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.

THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE P.W.D.’S ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME AND WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE (KOWLOON DIVISION).

- - 0 - -

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN

*****

A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AND BUS RE-ROUTING WILL BE INTRODUCED IN POK FU LAM ROAD AND WATER STREET IN WESTERN DISTRICT FROM 10 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (SEPTEMBER 22).

UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, POK FU LAM ROAD BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND THIRD STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY AND THE +BUS ONLY+ RESTRICTION IN WATER STREET WILL BE RESCINDED.

CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY BUS ROUTES 3A, 4, 7, 70 AND 71 WILL BE REVERTED TO ITS PREVIOUS ROUTING TO OPERATE VIA QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND POK FU LAM ROAD, INSTEAD OF THE TEMPORARY ROUTING VIA QUEEN’S ROAD WEST, WATER STREET, THIRD STREET AND POK FU LAM ROAD.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTOR I STS.

- 0 - -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

RESULTS OF A MORE COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF LAST MONTH’S

RAINSTORM REVEALED ........................................ 1

SECOND OF THE FOUR OVERSEAS SOIL EXPERTS ARRIVES .......... 3

APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE 1976 ............................. 4

LAI KING AREA IN THE NEW TERRITORIES GETS WATER SUPPLY .. 5

CHOICE SITE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SOLD FOR 5960,000 .... 6

WATER CUT IN SHEUNG WAN ................................... 6

DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS TO VISIT HOME FOR THE AGED ....... 7

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL ........................... 7

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

1

ANALYSIS OF LAST MONTH’S RAINFALL DATA

*****

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HAS CARRIED OUT A MORE COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF THE RAINFALL DATA RELATING TO TROPICAL STORM ELLEN WHICH BYPASSED HONG KONG IN THE SECOND HALF OF AUGUST.

AS A RESULT, THREE GRAPHS SHOWING THE AREA AND TIME DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL AND THE RAINFALL BROUGHT BY THIS AND TWO OTHER MAJOR STORMS IN THE PAST TEN YEARS HAVE BEEN PREPARED.

AT THE SAME TIME, A DETAILED TECHNICAL STUDY OF THE SYNOPTIC AND DYNAMICAL ASPECTS OF THE STORM IS ALSO UNDER PREPARATION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID THAT THE DISASTROUS LANDSLIP AT SAU MAU PING AND THE WIDESPREAD FLOODING THAT OCCURRED IN THE WAKE OF TROPICAL STORM ELLEN LAST MONTH GAVE RISE TO PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THE EFFECT OF HEAVY RAIN ON SOIL SLOPES.

DURING THE PAST TWO WEEKS, HE SAID, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY RECEIVED A NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES FROM PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE RAINFALL BROUGHT BY TROPICAL STORM ELLEN.

ACCORDING TO THE ANALYSIS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, MORE RAIN WAS RECORDED ON HIGH GROUND AND THE WETTEST AREA WAS LOCATED NEAR MA ON SHAN WITH A TOTAL RAINFALL OF ABOUT 700 MM.

+FROM THIS AREA, A BELT OF HEAVY RAINFALL STRETCHED SOUTHWARDS ACROSS SAU MAU PING AND THE KOWLOON BAY TO THE TYTAM RESERVOIR ON HONG KONG ISLAND,+ HE SAID. +THIS BELT COVERED MOST OF THE URBAN AREAS IN KOWLOON AND THE EASTERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND WHERE THE TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED WAS IN EXCESS OF 550 MM.+

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT MUCH LESS RAIN FELL OVER THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND TO THE EAST OF HONG KONG ISLAND.

+THE THREE-DAY RAINFALL (AUGUST 24-26) WAS ONLY 251 MM AT TATHONG POINT LIGHTHOUSE AND 266.1 MM AT NIM WAN TO THE NORTHWEST OF CASTLE PEAK. THESE REPRESENT LESS THAN 40 PER CENT OF THE MAXIMUM RAINFALL RECORDED NEAR MA ON SHAN,+ HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN COMPARED THE MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF RAINFALL FOR VARIOUS DURATIONS WITH THOSE RAINSTORMS IN 1966 AND 1972.

FOR DURATIONS OF 12 HOURS AND OVER, HE SAID, THE MAXIMUM RAINFALL AMOUNTS RECORDED DURING TROPICAL STORM ELLEN WERE GREATER THAN THOSE IN 1966 AND 1972.

HOWEVER, WHEN SHORTER DURATIONS WERE CONSIDERED, THE 1966 AND 1972 RAINSTORMS WERE CONSIDERABLY WETTER.

THE HIGHEST ONE-HOUR RAINFALL EVER RECORDED, HE POINTED OUT, OCCURRED IN 1966 WITH THE AMOUNT DOUBLE THAT OF 1976.

FOLLOWING IS A TABLE SHOWING THE MAXIMUM RAINFALL AMOUNTS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY FOR VARIOUS DURATIONS WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES RECORDED DURING THE HEAVY RAINSTORMS IN 1966 AND 1972. THE HIGHEST FIGURES EVER RECORDED SINCE RECORD BEGAN IN 1884 APE ALSO INCLUDED.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1976

- 2 -

YEAR MAXIMUM RAINFALL (MM)

1-HOUR 6-HOURS 12-HOURS 24—HOURS 2-DAYS

1976 51.5 168.6 292.1 416.2 511.6

1972 98.7 193.8 219.8 280.1 446.4

1966 108.2 318.8 340.0 401.2 460.4

HIGHEST ON RECORD 108.2 430.6 526.7 697.1 841.2

DATE 12 JUNE 1966 19 JULY 1926 12 JULY 1926 30 MAY 1889 30 MAY 1889

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH TROPICAL STORM ELLEN BROUGHT PROLONGED PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN, IT WAS NOT THE WETTEST RAINSTORM ON RECORD.

TURNING TO TIME DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL, HE SAID THAT THERE WERE TWO PERIODS OF PARTICULARLY HEAVY RAIN — ONE BETWEEN 11 P.M. ON AUGUST 24 AND 3 A.M. ON AUGUST 25 AND THE OTHER BETWEEN 7 A.M. AND 10 A.M. ON AUGUST 25.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ONE INTERESTING FEATURE WAS THAT THE RAIN STOPPED ABRUPTLY AT ALL FOUR STATIONS - ROYAL OBSERVATORY, KING’S PARK, KAI TAK AIRPORT AND TATE’S CAIRN - AND THE LANDSLIP AT SAU MAU PING OCCURRED SHORTLY BEFORE THE VERY HEAVY RAIN CAME TO STOP. THIS FEATURE WAS ALSO OBSERVED IN THE 1966 AND 1972 RAINSTORMS.

ON DURATIONS OF RAINFALL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE 1972 RAINSTORM LASTED LONGER THAN THE ONES IN 1966 AND 1976.

HOWEVER, ALL THE THREE STORMS PRODUCED VERY SIMILAR AMOUNTS OF RAINFALL IN THE FIRST 48 HOURS - FROM 420 MM IN 1972 TO 510 MM IN 1976.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1976

- 3 -

OVERSEAS EXPERT ARRIVES TO INVESTIGATE SAU MAU PING LANDSLIDE ******

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. WILLIAM BELL, SAID TODAY THAT THE SECOND OF THE FOUR OVERSEAS EXPERTS TO JOIN THE SAU MAU PING LANDSLIDE INVESTIGATION HAD NOW ARRIVED IN HONG KONG AND THE REMAINING TWO WERE EXPECTED HERE BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

THE LATEST ARRIVAL IS PROFESSOR NORBERT MORGENSTERN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA.

MR. BELL SAID PROFESSOR MORGENSTERN HAD COME TO HONG KONG DIRECT FROM A LECTURE TOUR IN ALASKA, WHERE HE WAS ALSO ENGAGED AS A CONSULTANT ON THE HUGE PIPELINE PROJECT TO LINK ALASKA AND THE UNITED STATES.

PROFESSOR MORGENSTERN HAD UNDERTAKEN EXTENSIVE STUDY OF SOIL MECHANICS AT IMPERIAL COLLEGE, LONDON AND WAS A WORLD RECOGNISED EXPERT ON ENGINEERING AND SOIL PROBLEMS.

WORKING WITH A PROFESSOR FROM LONDON, HE HAD DEVELOPED A THEORY AND COMPUTER PROGRAMME FOR ESTIMATING THE STABILITY OF SLOPES UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS.

LAST YEAR HE HAD PRESENTED A PAPER ENTITLED +STABILITY OF SLOPES IN RESIDUAL SOILS+ TO THE 5TH PAN AMERICAN CONFERENCE ON SOIL MECHANICS AND FOUNDATION ENGINEERING AT BUENOS AIRES.

PROFESSOR MORGENSTERN WAS MET AT KAI TAK BY SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES OF BINNIES AND PARTNERS, THE P.W.D. CONSULTANTS INVESTIGATING THE SAU MAU PING LANDSLIDE.

MR. BELL SAID THE TWO OTHER OVERSEAS EXPERTS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG THIS WEEK TO JOIN THE INVESTIGATION WERE MR. BRIAN RICHARDS, PRINCIPAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST WITH AUSTRALIA’S COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION-AND PROFESSOR VICTOR DE MELLO OF THE SAN CARLOS SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AT BRAZIL’S SAO PAULO UNIVERSITY.

ALL THE EXPERTS, WOULD, IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, BE BRIEFED AND ASKED FOR THEIR COMMENTS ON THE LINES OF BINNIES’ INVESTIGATION INTO THE LANDSLIDE, AND PROPOSED REMEDIAL MEASURES.

AFTER THEIR INITIAL CONSULTATIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS, THE OVERSEAS EXPERTS WOULD PROBABLY LEAVE HONG KONG TO DEAL WITH THEIR OTHER COMMITMENTS, AND THEN RETURN TO HONG KONG TO EVALUATE AND DRAW CONCLUSIONS FROM THE EXHAUSTIVE SERIES OF TESTS BEING UNDERTAKEN ON THE SLOPES.

THE FIRST OF THE OVERSEAS EXPERTS WHO ARRIVED IN HONG KONG, PROFESSOR JOHN KN ILL, PROFESSOR OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY AT IMPERIAL COLLEGE, LONDON, WHO CAME TO HONG KONG ON SEPTEMBER 9, HAS LEFT TO ATTEND A CONFERENCE IN TEHERAN, AND IS EXPECTED TO RETURN NEXT MONTH.


A...

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21,

1976

4

APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE 1976

*****

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, TODAY REMINDED ALL EMPLOYERS TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS OF APPRENTICESH IP WITH THEIR YOUNG WORKERS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 18 YEARS ENGAGED IX' ANY OF THE 23 TRADES DESIGNATED UNDER THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE WITHIN 60 DAYS.

THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON JULY 19 GAVE EFFECT TO COVER THE 23 DESIGNATED TRADES YESTERDAY.

MR. PRICE SAID THAT ALL THE CONTRACTS OF APPRENTICESHIP IN DESIGNATED TRADES SHOULD BE REGISTERED WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER EXECUTION.

FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RENDER AN EMPLOYER LIABLE TO PROSECUTION, HE ADDED.

+HOWEVER,+ MR. PRICE SAID, +THIS STEP WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY IF A YOUNG PERSON POSSESSES A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION OF APPRENTICESHIP IN THE TRADE IN WHICH HE IS EMPLOYED IF AN EMPLOYER HAS BEEN EXEMPTED FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.*

EXEMPTION WOULD NORMALLY BE GRANTED IF THE COMMISSIONER IS SATISFIED THAT THE YOUNG PERSON HAS UNDERGONE SUFFICIENT TRAINING IN THAT TRADE.

MR. PRICE POINTED OUT THAT ALL CONTRACTS OF APPRENTICESHIP MUST EE IN THE SPECIFIED FORM OR IN A FORM SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR.

COPIES OF THE SPECIFIED CONTRACT FORM ARE OBTAINABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE APPRENTICESHIP DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT 99 GUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.

FOR THE BENEFIT OF EMPLOYERS THE 23 DESIGNATED TRADES ARE REPEATED HEREWITH : VEHICLE MECHANIC, VEHICLE ELECTRICIAN, VEHICLE PANEL BEATER/BODY BUILDER, VEHICLE PAINTER, CONSTRUCTION PLANT MECHANIC, CLOTHING MACHINE MECHANIC, KNITTING MACHINE MECHANIC, ELECTRICAL FITTER, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES SERVICE MECHANIC, CABLE JOINTER (POWER), OVERHEAD LINESMAN, LIFT ELECTRICIAN, L IFT MECHANIC, REFRIGERAT ION/A IR CONDITIONING MECHANIC, RADIO/TV MECHANIC, MOULD AND DIE MAKER AND REPAIRER, PRINTING MACHINE OPERATOR (LETTER PRESS), PRINTING COMPOSITOR, PROCESS CAMERA OPERATOR, LITHO OFFSET PLATE-MAKER, PRINTING MACHINE OPERATOR (LITHO OFFSET), BOOKBINDER, AND TEXTILE MECHANIC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, EMPLOYERS ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THE APPRENTICESHIP DIVISION EITHER IN PERSON OR BY TELEPHONE AT 5-282523, EXTENSION 89.

-----o------

/5

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1976.

5

LAI KING AREA IN N.T. GETS WATER SUPPLY * * * *

TAP WATER CAME TO THE DEVELOPING LAI KING AREA IN THE

NEW TERRITORIES TODAY WHEN THE RETIRING DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. BILL KNIGHT, PUSHED A BUTTON BRINGING A NEW WATER SUPPLY SCHEME INTO OPERATION.

THE SCHEME, WHICH INCLUDES A PUMPING STATION AND FRESH AND SALT WATER SERVICE RESERVOIRS, WAS SPECIALLY DESIGNED BY THE P.W.D.’S WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO SERVE FUTURE RESIDENTS OF THE HIGH LEVEL LAI CHI KOK RIDGE AND LAI KING HEADLAND AREAS WHICH ARE BEING DEVELOPED FOR PUBLIC HOUSING.

COSTING 53 MILLION, THE SCHEME WAS COMPLETED A FEW WEEKS AGO -WELL AHEAD OF THE NEW LAI YIU ESTATE WHOSE 20,000 TENANTS WILL BE THE FIRST TO BENEFIT FROM THE NEW SUPPLY.

THE ESTATE IS NOW NEARING COMPLETION AND THE FIRST TENANTS ARE EXPECTED TO MOVE IN BY DECEMBER.

OPENING THE NEW SUPPLY SYSTEM, MR. KNIGHT SAID ITS COMPLETION MARKED ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO EXTEND THE SUPPLY OF POTABLE WATER IN THE NEW TERR I TOR IES.

HE SAID IT HAD BEEN NECESSARY TO BUILD THE PUMPING STATION AND THE TWO SERVICE RESERVOIRS BECAUSE THE DEVELOPMENT AREA WAS TOO HIGH TO BE REACHED BY WATER FROM EXISTING SYSTEMS.

+WITH THIS NEW SCHEME, RESIDENTS OF LAI YIU AS WELL AS THOSE OF OTHER HOUSING ESTATES AND INSTITUTIONS TO BE DEVELOPED IN THIS AREA, CAN NOW BE ASSURED OF A WHOLESOME AND ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF WATER FOR THEIR NEEDS,+ SAID MR. KNIGHT.

HE SAID THE RESIDENTS WOULD BE RECEIVING THEIR SUPPLY DIRECTLY FROM THE NEW FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR WHICH WOULD BE FED WITH WATER PUMPED FROM THE EXISTING TRUNK MAINS BELOW WHICH CONNECT WITH THE TSUEN WAN TREATMENT WORKS.

CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE SCHEME BEGAN IN MARCH LAST YEAR AND WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE SUN SUN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY UNDER THE CVERALL SUPERVISION OF THE P.W.D.’S WATERWORKS OFFICE aHICH SUPPLIED AND INSTALLED THE PUMPING EQUIPMENT.

THE FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR HAS A TOTAL CAPACITY OF FIVE MILLION LITRES. THE PUMPING STATION HOUSES TWO ELECTRIC PUMP SETS, EACH WITH AN OUTPUT OF NINE MILLION LITRES PER DAY.

THE SALT WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR, WHICH WILL PROVIDE FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO THE AREA, HAS A CAPACITY OF 0.7 MILLION LITRES.

MR. KNIGHT SAID HE WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO INAUGURATE SUCH AN IMPORTANT .vATER SCHEME ON THE EVE OF HIS RETIREMENT THIS MONTH AFTER 25 YEARS WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

HE CONGRATULATED THE CONTRACTORS AND THE STAFF OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT FOR COMPLETING THE SCHEME IN GOOD TIME SO THAT THE FUTURE RESIDENTS OF THE AREA COULD EE ASSURED CF REGULAR SUPPLIES BEFORE MOVING IN.

MR. KNIGHT ALSO THANKED THE STAFF OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE LAND REQUIRED.

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/6

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1976

6

N.T. SUPERMARKET SITE SOLD FOR $960,000 * * *

A SUBSIDIARY OF THE ASIA PROVISIONS CO. LTD. TODAY PAID NEARLY $1 MILLION FOR A SUPERMARKET SITE AT THE RAPIDLY-DEVELOPING SILVERSTRAND BEACH AREA.

THE LOT WAS SOLD TO THE ASIA PROPERTY COMPANY FOR $960,000 AFTER STRONG BIDDING AT AN AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT, MR. DEREK DEAR.

BIDDING STARTED AT $300,000.

THE 9,000 SQUARE-FOOT SITE IS IN SILVERSTRAND BEACH ROAD OFF CLEARWATER BAY ROAD IN THE HEART OF THE MUSHROOMING RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF SILVERSTRAND NORTH AND SOUTH.

THE SITE HAS BEEN EARMARKED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION FOR A GROUND FLOOR SUPERMARKET WITH COMMERCIAL PREMISES ABOVE.

A SUPERMARKET ON THE SITE WOULD SERVE NOT ONLY THE IMMEDIATE SILVERSTRAND BEACH AREA BUT OTHER NEARBY RESIDENTIAL AREAS SUCH AS TA KWU LING AND PAN LONG WAN, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ADMINISTRATION SAID.

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WATER CUT * * * *

A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHEUNG WAN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE WITHOUT FRESH WATER FOR FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. ON THURSDAY (SEPTEMBER 23) TO ENABLE WATERWORKS OFFICE STAFF TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY POSSESSION STREET, LOWER LASCAR ROW, LADDER STREET, CIRCULAR PATHWAY, GOUGH STREET, MEE LUK STREET, HOLLYWOOD ROAD, INCLUDING A CHUNG LANE, WA LANE, CHEUNG HING STREET, SAI STREET, TUNG STREET, BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND LOWER LASCAR ROW, UPPER LASCAR ROW, SHING WONG STREET, SHIN HING STREET, ON WO LANE AND CHUK LIN LANE.

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/7......

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1976

DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS TO VISIT HOME FOR THE AGED

******

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, WILL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE SERVICES FOR THE AGED OFFERED BY THE DAVID TRENCH HOME FOR THE AGED AT BRICK HILL, ABERDEEN, ON THURSDAY (SEPTEMBER 23) AT 11 A.M.

THE INSTITUTION WAS BUILT BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS WHICH IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS MANAGEMENT. OCCUPYING AN AREA OF 47,930 SQ. FT., IT CAN ACCOMMODATE MORE THAN 200 ELDERLY PEOPLE OF BOTH SEXES WHO ONLY HAVE TO PAY A NOMINAL FEE OF $90 EACH PER MONTH.

IT COMPRISES THREE BLOCKS, ONE OF WHICH IS SPECIALLY DESIGNED AS THE SPECIAL CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR THE SENILE AGED. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CHESS GAMES, GATHERINGS AND INTEREST GROUPS ARE ARRANGED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE INMATES.

DURING THE VISIT, MR. WALDEN WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY

DR. CHARM HOI-SANG, CHAIRMAN OF TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS' MR. WILLIAM YAPP, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (SOUTHERN)' MR. WILSON CHEUNG, MR. CHING-WAI MA, DR. CHOW HAK-WING, VICE CHAIRMEN' MR. CHOW KWOK-CHUEN, MR. RAYMOND YEE BONG TANG, MR. CHAN KUEN, MR. CHAN JANG-YOA, MR. CHOW DING-MING, MR. SIU MING, DIRECTORS.

HE WILL TOUR ROUND THE PREMISES AND INSPECT THE FACILITIES FOR THE INMATES.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT.

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL

******

THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN REDDER STREET AND DOUGLAS STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FROM 11 P.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO 7 A.,-.. 7HE FOLLOWING DAY.

THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS NECESSARY IK ORDER TO ENABLE DEMOLITION OF A POST OFFICE CONVEYOR BELT.

DURING THE CLOSURE, CME BUS ROUTES 1 AND 2 JILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA HARCOURT ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE, QUEENSWAY, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL OK JOURNEYS TO CENTRAL.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL EE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTOR I STS.

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1976

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

REVISED OFFERS FOR 15 DOMESTIC FLAT OWNERS OF TAI ON MANSION ............................................... 1

EMPLOYMENT SURVEY UNDERWAY .................................. 2

TSUEN WAN TO GET ITS OWN +CITY DISTRICT OFFICES+ ............. 3

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME .............................. 4

TEXTILE QUOTA UTILISATION POSITION ........................... 5

JULY ISSUE OF MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS ................... 7

TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE TO TAKE PLACE IN NOVEMBER ..................................................... 7

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1976

1

REVISED OFFERS FOR 15 DOMESTIC FLAT OWNERS OF TAI ON MANSION

******

THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE REVISED OFFERS TO 15 OF THE 23 FORMER DOMESTIC FLAT OWNERS OF TAI ON MANSION WHO HAD, AT THE DATE OF RESUMPTION, LET THEIR PREMISES TO TENANTS.

THE RANGE OF INCREASE OF THESE OFFERS IS BETWEEN 31,003 AND 311,000. IN MOST CASES, THE INCREASE IS AROUND 37,000.

MR. C.M. MO, CHIEF ESTATE SURVEYOR OF MASS TRANSIT DEPARTMENT, P.W.D., SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THESE REVISED OFFERS WERE MADE AS A RESULT OF FRESH EVIDENCE OBTAINED FROM LATEST TRANSACTIONS WHICH INDICATED THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN INCREASE IN THE SIZE OF OFFERS ALREADY MADE TO THESE 15 FORMER OWNERS.

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT HIS DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO REVIEWED THE COMPENSATION AMOUNTS FOR THE REMAINING EIGHT FLATS BUT HE REGRETTED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO INCREASE THE SUMS ALREADY OFFERED.

HE SAID HIS OFFICE WOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR PAYMENTS AS SOON AS THE AGREEMENT FORMS ARE RECEIVED.

+0N TOP OF THESE COMPENSATION AMOUNTS, AN ELEMENT OF INTEREST WILL BE ADDED TO THEM WHEN PAYMENTS ARE MADE,* HE SAID.

IN CASE THAT AN OWNER IS STILL DISSATISFIED WITH THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION ALREADY OFFERED TO HIM, HE IS ENTITLED TO BRING THE CASE UP TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL FOR DETERMINATION.

APART FROM COMPENSATION, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY MADE OFFERS OF CASH ASSISTANCE TO ALL FORMER DOMESTIC OWNEROCCUPIERS OF TAI ON MANSION TO COVER THEIR LOSSES RESULTING FROM DISTURBANCE. THIS AMOUNTS TO A TOTAL OF $299,754.

MR. MO SAID THAT ALL THE OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS OF THE TAI ON MANSION HAD BEEN AWARDED APPROPRIATE COMPENSATION BY THE GOVERNMENT. THE COMPENSATION WAS WORKED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE AND THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS LAID DOWN, OWNERS WERE GIVEN COMPENSATION FOR THE VALUE OF THE PREMISES RESUMED AT THE DATE OF RESUMPTION. DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL TENANTS, AS WELL AS THE OWNER-OCCUPIERS, WERE ALL OFFERED CASH ASSISTANCE TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR REMOVAL. THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION DEPENDED LARGELY ON THE SIZE OF THEIR LIVING AND BUSINESS SPACES.

MR. MO POINTED OUT THAT THE COMPENSATION AWARDED TO THE COMMERCIAL TENANTS HAD ALREADY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THEIR BUSINESS LOSSES THAT HAD OCCURRED SINCE THE BUILDING WAS RESUMED IN APRIL AND THE LOSS IN PROFIT WHICH WOULD LIKELY OCCUR WHILST EXISTING BUSINESSES WERE BEING RE-ESTABLISHED IN NEW PREMISES.

/AS ?CR

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, '976

2

AS FOR THE DOMESTIC TENANTS AND OWNER-OCCUPIERS, HE SAID, ALL ELIGIBLE FAMILIES WHO WISHED TO BE REHOUSED HAD BEEN ALLOCATED ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.

MR. MO EMPHASISED THAT ALL OWNERS AND SHOP TENANTS OF THE TAI ON MANSION COULD STILL SUBMIT THEIR CASES TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL FOR DETERMINATION, IF THEY WERE NOT HAPPY WITH THE AMOUNTS OFFERED TO THEM.

HE SAID THAT EVERY EFFORT HAD BEEN, AND WOULD CONTINUE TO BE MADE BY HIS OFFICE TO TRY TO ARRIVE AT AN ASSESSMENT OF VALUE WHICH IS FAIR AND REASONABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHAT IS LAID DOWN IN LAW. I

- - 0 - -

EMPLOYMENT SURVEY * * * * *

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS NOW CONDUCTING A SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE YEAR IN MANUFACTURING, IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, BANKING AND INSURANCE, AS WELL AS OTHER SELECTED TRADES AND SERVICES.

THE SURVEY IS DESIGNED TO FIND OUT THE LATEST EMPLOYMENT LEVELS AND TRENDS IN PRINCIPAL SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.

SURVEY CARDS HAVE BEEN MAILED TO SOME 50,000 ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, WITH A COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE LARGER CONCERNS AND A RANDOM SAMPLE OF THE SMALLER ONES.

ON RECEIPT OF SURVEY CARDS, MANAGEMENTS OF ESTABLISHMENTS ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE THEM WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES AS AT THE DATE INDICATED ON THE CARDS, AND TO RETURN THEM PROMPTLY TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT USING THE POSTAGE-PAID REPLY ENVELOPE ATTACHED.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS TODAY APPEALED TO MANAGEMENTS FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE AND CO-OPERATION IN THE SURVEY.

HE EMPHASIZED THAT THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD BE USED SOLELY FOR COMPILING SUMMARY STATISTICAL TABLES.

0 - -

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1976

- 3 -

TSUEN WAN TO GET ITS OWN CDOS *******

TSUEN WAN -- HONG KONG’S LARGEST AND FASTEST-GROWING NEW TOWN — IS TO GET ITS OWN +CITY DISTRICT OFFICES* SOON.

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER AND TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES, DURING A LUNCHEON ADDRESS TO THE LIONS CLUB OF VICTORIA.

MR. HAYES REVEALED THAT TWO BRANCH OFFICES +ALONG THE LINES OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES* WOULD BE OPENED IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

THE EXPANSION OF GOVERNMENT STAFF AND FACILITIES, HE ADDED, WAS PART OF AN OVERALL AIM TO INVOLVE THE NEW TOWN COMMUNITY IN THE RUNNING OF ITS OWN AFFAIRS.

OUTLINING THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY TRANSFORMED TSUEN WAN FROM A ONCE-SMALL MARKET CENTRE INTO A BUSTLING TOWN OF 520,000, MR. HAYES SAID THAT COMMUNITY FACILITIES MUST BE PROVIDED IN TANDEM WITH MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS.

+MANY AMENITIES OF THIS TYPE ARE ALREADY AVAILABLE IN THE DEVELOPED AREAS,* HE SAID. +A TOWN HALL, AN INDOOR GAMES HALL, ANOTHER SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX AND SPORTS GROUNDS ARE PART OF THIS PROVIS ION.

+THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK AND TAI MO SHAN ITSELF WILL SUPPLY OTHER RECREATIONAL SPACE.

+AND WITH THIS EXPANSION OF BRANCH OFFICES WILL COME A GREATER EFFORT TO INVOLVE LOCAL RESIDENTS IN TOWN MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

+THIS HAS ALREADY BEGUN THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VARIOUS ADVISORY COMMITTEES, THE MOST IMPORTANT OF WHICH IS THE NEW RECREATION AND AMENITIES COMMITTEE WHICH WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE ALL-OFFICIAL TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.*

POINTING OUT THAT THE NEW TOWN WOULD BECOME A MAJOR CITY WITH A POPULATION OF 900,000 BY THE MID 1980S, MR. HAYES SAID TSUEN WAN WAS ALREADY A MAJOR INDUSTRIAL CENTRE WITH 3,300 REGISTERED MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS EMPLOYING MORE THAN 120,000 WORKERS.

TEXTILES, WEARING APPAREL, PLASTICS AND METAL PRODUCTS ACCOUNTED FOR THREE QUARTERS OF THE INDUSTRY AND ITS WORKFORCE, HE ADDED.

+ALTHOUGH DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG, TSING Yl IS THE FOCUS OF CURRENT LARGE-SCALE DEVELOPMENT,* HE SAID.

+PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND LAND FOR SPECIAL INDUSTRIES INCLUDING DOCKYARDS, OIL STORAGE DEPOTS AND A LARGE POWER STATION CONSTITUTE THE BULK OF THE DEVELOPMENT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.*

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A...

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1976

4

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME

*******

THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS BEGUN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FIFTH ROUND OF THE +OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME*.

THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE SCHEME IS TO ENCOURAGE YOUTH TO TAKE PART IN PROJECTS THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AND AT THE SAME TIME HELP THEM DEVELOP THEIR PERSONALITIES AND SOCIAL ATTITUDES.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL ITS COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICES.

ANY GROUP WHICH IS RECOGNISED OR SPONSORED BY SCHOOLS, YOUTH AGENCIES OR INSTITUTIONS MAY APPLY. EACH GROUP SHOULD HAVE MORE THAN TEN MEMBERS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 25 YEARS. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS NOVEMBER 2, 1976.

PROJECTS PROPOSED BY EACH GROUP WILL BE ASSESSED BY THE DEPARTMENT ACCORDING TO THE EXTENT OF YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY BENEFITS, INNOVATION, FEASIBILITY AND OPTIMUM USE OF RESOURCES.

AN AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING S2,000 PER PROJECT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO PROPOSALS OF THE HIGHEST MERITS. HALF OF THE AMOUNT WILL BE ADVANCED BEFORE THE START OF THE PROJECT AND THE REST HALF WAY THROUGH. EVALUATION REPORTS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT THE END OF EACH PROJECT.

MR. LAM KWOK-WAN, PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER OF THE DIVISION SAID : +SINCE THE SCHEME WAS FIRST LAUNCHED IN 1974, THE DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED 374 APPLICATIONS OF WHICH 194 PROJECTS WERE SUPPORTED.*

+IN THE PREVIOUS ROUND OF THE SCHEME, 83 APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED AND THE 45 PROJECTS SUPPORTED WERE ALLOCATED GRANTS AMOUNTING TO $42,870. AMONG THE PROJECTS SUPPORTED WERE SERVICE FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND ELDERLY” RECREATION SCHEME FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS AND CONSTRUCTION WORK PROJECTS,* HE ADDED.

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/5

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1976

5

TEXTILE QUOTA UTILISATION POSITION

******

THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TODAY PUBLISHED THE END OF AUGUST 1976 FIGURES ON THE UTILISATION OF QUOTAS 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 THE EEC, HONG KONG’S TWO MAJOR TEXTILE MARKETS.

USA

THE CURRENT 12-MONTH US TEXTILE RESTRAINT PERIOD BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 1975. IN THE 11 MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1976, TOTAL QUOTAS USED AMOUNTED TO 717 MILLION EQUIVALENT SQUARE YARDS OR 81 PER CENT OF THE OVERALL ANNUAL LIMIT. FIGURES SHOWING THE QUANTITIES LICENSED FOR EXPORTS AND PERCENTAGE UTILISATION ON A GROUP BASIS ARE SET OUT BELOW

DESCR1 PT 1 ON QUANTITY LICENSED PERCENTAGE UTIL 1 SAT 1 ON AGAINST GROUP LIMITS

GROUP 1 YARNS AND FABRICS OF COTTON AND MAN- MADE FIBRES 182 75 PER CENT

GROUP 11 APPAREL OF COTTON AND MAN-MADE FIBRES 477.8 87 PER CENT

GROUP 1 1 1 MADE-UPS AND MISCEL- 30.5 LANEOUS ARTICLES OF COTTON AND MAN-MADE FIBRES 56 PER CENT

GROUP IV WOOL TEXTILE AND APPAREL 26.7 64 PER CENT

NOTE: FIGURES ON QUANTITY EQUIVALENT SQ. YDS. L ICENSED ARE IN MILLION

/OF THE .....

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, '976

6 -

OF THE CATEGORIES SUBJECT TO SPECIFIC LIMITS IN THE HONG KONG/US TEXTILE AGREEMENT, THE RATE OF UTILISATION IN SEVEN OUT OF 21 CATEGORIES COULD BE DESCRIBED AS RELATIVELY HIGH. THESE SEVEN CATEGORIES WERE CATEGORY 22/23 (TWILL AND SATEEN), CATEGROY 41/42/43/62(2) (COTTON KNIT T-SHIRTS AND OTHER KNIT SHIRTS AND BLOUSES EXCEPT SWEAT-SHIRTS), CATEGORY 45/46/47 (MEN’S AND BOYS’ SHIRTS, DRESS, SPORT AND WORK, NOT KNIT), CATEGORY 50/51 (COTTON WOVEN TROUSERS, SLACKS AND SHORTS), CATEGORY 54/63(1) (PLAYSUITS, SUNSUITS, wASHSUITS, CREEPERS AND ROMPERS ETC.), CATEGORY 218/219/224(5) (M.i-.F. KNIT SHIRTS, BLOUSES, TOPS AND VEST) AND CATEGORY 221 (SWEATERS AND CARDIGANS, KNIT). IN ADDITION, RELATIVELY HIGH UTILISATION WAS ALSO RECORDED IN CATEGORY 116/117 SWEATER PERMITS. THE UTILISATION FOR THE REST OF THE SPECIFIC CATEGORIES WAS RELATIVELY LOW.

EEC

THE CURRENT 12-MONTH EEC TEXTILE RESTRAINT PERIOD BEGAN ON JANUARY 1, 1976. QUOTA UTILISATION POSITIONS ON MEMBER STATE BASIS FOR THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1976 ARE GIVEN BELOW : -

MEMBER STATE QUANTITY LICENSED PERCENTAGE UTILISATION

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF

GERMANY 23.5 61 PER CENT

UNITED KINGDOM 37.2 55 PER CENT

BENELUX 3.75 45 PER CENT

DENMARK 1.98 63 PER CENT

ITALY 1.27 31 PER CENT

FRANCE 1.2 55 PER CENT

IRISH REPUBLIC 0.26 39 PER CENT

NOTE: FIGURES ON QUANTITY LICENSED ARE IN MILLION EQUIVALENT KGS.

OUT OF A TOTAL OF 108 CATEGORIES ON MEMBER STATE/CATEGORY BASIS, THE RATE OF UTILISATION IN 37 OF THEM WAS RELATIVELY HIGH. THE POPULAR CATEGORIES INCLUDED CATEGORY 2 (WOVEN FABRICS), CATEGORY 3 (KNIT SHIRTS AND BLOUSES), CATEGORY 4 (KNIT PULLOVERS), CATEGORY 8 (WOVEN TROUSERS), CATEGORY 10 (WOVEN DRESSES) AND CATEGORY 13 (WOVEN NIGHTWEAR).

NOTE FOR 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 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE G.I.S. PRESS BOXES LATER TODAY.

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/7

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1976

- 7 -

JULY ISSUE OF MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS *****

THE JULY 1976 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS ON SALE TODAY CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON CRIME KNOWN TO THE POLICE.

IT IS ONE IN A SERIES OF REVIEW ARTICLES ON SPECIAL TOPICS OF INTEREST TO THE PUBLIC PUBLISHED EVERY THREE MONTHS BY THE CENSUS AMD STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

TH; ARTICLE DESCRIBES Tht PRESENT SYSTEM OF COMPILATION OF POLICE STATISTICS ON CRIME AND SUGGESTS SOME METHODS OF APPROACH FOR THE INTERPRETATION OF CRIME STATISTICS.

THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS OBTAINABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE STAR FERRY CONCOURS-HONG KONG AT HK$6 A COPY.

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TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

*****

THE NEXT T.O.E.F.L. TEST (TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE) WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1976, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT ALL CANDIDATES WISHING TO TAKE PART IN THE TEST SHOULD COMPLETE THE NECESSARY REGISTRATION FORMS AND TAKE THEM IN PERSON TO THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4 P.M. FROM SEPTEMBER 27 TO OCTOBER 1.

+ THEY SHOULD ERING WITH THEM THEIR PASSPORTS OR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS AND TWO RECENT PASSPORT-SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS,* HE SAID. +JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY A PHOTO-BEARING DOCUMENT.*

HE STRESSED THAT THE LACK OF IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING STANDARD PHOTOGRAPHS, COULD DISQUALIFY A CANDIDATE FROM REGISTERING.

+REGISTRATION BY MAIL AND LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED,* HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TEST FEE OF HKS95 PER CANDIDATE MUST EE PAID ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 5 AT THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 11TH FLOOR.

+FEES MAY ALSO EE PAID BY CROSSED CHEQUE PAYABLE TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE POST,* HE ADDED.

COPIES OF THE BULLETIN OF INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR= THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIP SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, BONAVENTURE HOUSE, 2ND FLOOR, 91 LEIGHTON ROAD= AND THE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION, 408 J. HOTUNG HOUSE, 4TH FLOOR, 5-15 HANKOW ROAD, KOWLOON.

C - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

1976 COMMONWEALTH FINANCE MINISTERS’ MEETING ................. 1

SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNALS BEGIN OPERATION NEXT MONTH ............ 5

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR AUGUST .............................. 6

LANDSLIDE INVESTIGATION TEAM MEETS PWD DIRECTOR .............. 7

PUBLIC BALLOT FOR 250 N.T. TAXIS ............................. 8

BUILDING FIGURES FOR AUGUST ................................. 10

WATER CUT ................................................... 10

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23,

97c

1976 COMMONWEALTH FINANCE MINISTERS’ MEETING * * * * *

HONG FINANCIAL DEPENDENT BEG INNING

KONG w ILL BE THE HOST TO MINISTERS OF FINANCE AND SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM UP TO 39 INDEPENDENT NATIONS AND TERRITORIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH, DURING THE WEEK MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27.

THE FOLLOWING WEEK THE MANILA FOR THE ANNUAL WORLD

MINISTERS AND OFFICIALS WILL GO TO BANK/INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND MEETING

IN A MESSAGE OF WELCOME, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OF HONG KONG, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID, +1 AM DELIGHTED THAT HONG KONG HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE VENUE FOR THE 1976 MEETING OF COMMONWEALTH FINANCE MINISTERS.

+THE CHOICE IS A MARK OF RECOGNITION OF HONG KONG’S GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION AND IMPORTANCE AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE AT THE CROSSROADS OF ASIA.

+THERE IS MUCH OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO DISCUSS. BUT I ALSO HOPE THAT MINISTERS AND DELEGATES WILL FIND TIME TO RELAX NOW AND THEN FROM THEIR DELIBERATIONS, AND TO EXPLORE THE MANY FACETS OF THIS INTERNATIONAL CITY.+

IN HONG KONG THERE WILL BE THREE PREPARATORY MEETINGS FOR SENIOR FINANCE OFFICIALS, ON SEPTEMBER 27, 28 AND 29 (SEE ENCLOSED PROGRAMME) FOLLOWED BY THE OPENING CEREMONY.

THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 IN THE PALACE ROOM OF THE HONG KONG CONVENTION CENTRE IN CAUSEWAY BAY. MINISTERS AND HEADS OF DELEGATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED INSIDE THE ENTRANCE BY THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY-GENERAL, MR. S.S. RAMPHAL AND MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE.

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL BE THE LAST TO BE RECEIVED, JUST BEFORE THE START OF THE CEREMONY. ALTOGETHER, THERE WILL BE UP TO 800 GUESTS IN THE PALACE ROOM, INCLUDING ALL THE TOP FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATORS AND CENTRAL EANK GOVERNORS OF THE VARIOUS COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES REPRESENTED AT THE CONFERENCE.

THESE WILL INCLUDE MR. DENIS HEALEY, BRITAIN’S CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER3 MR. PHILIP LYNCH, TREASURER OF AUSTRALIA3 MR. R.D. MULDOON, NEW ZEALAND’S PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FINANCE, AND MR. FELIX BANDARANA IKE, MINISTER OF FINANCE FOR SRI LANKA.

WHILE THE GUESTS ARE ASSEMBLING, THE BAND OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POL ICE mILL PLAY.

THE CEREMONY » ILL BEGIN WITH A STATEMENT FROM MR. S.S. RAMPHAL, WHO WILL INTRODUCE THE GOVERNOR. AFTER THE GOVERNOR HAS OFFICIALLY OPENED THE CONFERENCE, THERE ..ILL EE A REPLY EY A COMMONWEALTH FINANCE MINISTER. THEN WILL FOLLOW THE ELECTION OF THE CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN, AND HIS SPEECH.

THE FIRST SUBSTANTIVE SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE w ILL OPEN LATER THE SAME MORNING.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1976

- 2 -

PROVISIONAL LIST OF MINISTERS AND HEADS OF DELEGATIONS

AUSTRALIA THE HON. PHILIP LYNCH, MP, TREASURER

THE BAHAMAS THE HON. A.D. HANNA, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FINANCE.

BANGLADESH HIS EXCELLENCY DR. M.N. HUDA, ADVISOR FOR PLANNING AND COMMERCE.

BARBADOS DR. C. BLACKMAN, GOVERNOR OF THE CENTRAL BANK CF BARBADOS.

BERMUDA MR. DAVID GIBBONS, MINISTER OF FINANCE.

BOTSWANA THE HON. PETER MMUS1, ASSISTANT MINISTER OF FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING.

ER 1 TA IN THE RT. HON. DENIS HEALEY, MEE, MP, CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER.

BRUNE 1 THE HON. PEHIN JOHN LEE, CEE, STATE FINANCIAL OFF ICER.

CANADA THE HON. DONALD S. MACDONALD, MINISTER OF FINANCE.

CYPRUS THE HON. A.C. PATSALIDES, MINISTER OF FINANCE.

FIJI THE HON. CHARLES A. STINSON, OBE, MINISTER OF FINANCE.

THE GAMBIA THE HON. ALHAJI I.M. GAREA-JAHUMPA, MINISTER OF FINANCE AND TRADE.

GHANA DR. R.K.A. GARDINER, COMMISSIONER OF ECONOMIC PLANNING.

GRENADA ——

GUYANA THE HON. F.E. HOPE, MINISTER OF FINANCE.

HONG KONG MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, FINANCIAL SECRETARY.

IND IA THE HON. C. SUBRAMANIAM, MINISTER OF FINANCE.

JAMA ICA THE HON. DAVID H. COORE, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FINANCE.

KENYA MR. M. NGANGA, PERMANENT SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY.

LESOTHO ——

MALAW 1 THE HON. D.T. MATENJE, MINISTER OF FINANCE.

MALAYS 1A YEM TENGKU TAN SRI RAZALEIGH HAMZAH, THE RON. MINISTER CF -1 NANCE.

MALTA

MAURITIUS THE HON. SIP VEERASWAMY RINGADOO, MINISTER OF F 1 NANCE.

THURSDAY, SEPTBMB—r'. 2*. ^976

3

NEW ZEALAND THE RT. HON. R.D. MULDOON, PRIME MINISTER AND

MINISTER OF FINANCE.

NIGERIA MR. MUSA BELLO, PERMANENT SECRETARY, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA THE HON. UULIUS CHAN, MINISTER FOR FINANCE.

SEYCHELLES THE HON. CHAMERV CHETTY, MINISTER OF FINANCE.

SIERRA LEONE THE HON. S.l. KOROMA, HIS EXCELLENCY THE VICE-PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF FINANCE, DEVELOP TENT AMD ECONOMIC PLANNING.

SINGAPORE MR. HON SUI-SEN, MINISTER FOR FINANCE.

SRI LANKA THE HON. FELIX R.D. BANDARANAIKE, FINANCE MINISTER.

SWAZILAND THE HON. R.P. STEPHENS, MINISTER OF FINANCE.

TANZANIA THE HON. A.H. JAMAL, MINISTER FOR FINANCE AND PLANNING.

TONGA

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO —•

UGANDA

WESTERN SAMOA THE HON. FILIP VACVASAMANA1 A, MINISTER OF FINANCE.

ZAMBIA THE HON. J.M. MWANAKATWE MP, MINISTER OF FINANCi

ASSOCIATED EAST

CARIBBEAN STATES

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME ++++++++++++++++++++

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

09.30 AND

14.30

TO 12.30 HRS.

TO 17.30 HRS

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMONWEALTH FUND FOR TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION.

19.30

HRS.

BUFFET SUPPER THE HON. C.P.

EY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, HADDON-CAVE.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

09.30 TO 12.30 HRS.

12.30 TO 14.03 HRS.

14.30 TO 17.30 HRS.

MEETING OF SENIOR FINANCE OFFICIALS.

LUNCHEON ZY SIR DOUGLAS ..ASS, —£r-..■„ .ENT SECRETARY, TREASURY FOR HEADS 0- DELEGATION ATTENDING THE SENIOR FINANCE OFFICIALS’ MEETING.

MEETING 0" SENIOR FINANCE OFFICIALS.

‘HU3SDAY, SEPKMSER 23, 1976

4

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

09.30 TC 12.30 HRS. MEETING OF SENIOR FINANCE OFFICIALS (IF NECESSARY).

13.30 HRS. RECEPTION BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.

20.30 HRS. DINNER BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG

EXCHANGE FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE HCN. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, FOR CENTRAL BANK GOVERNORS OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 33

10.00 HRS. OPENING CEREMONY OF THE COMMONWEALTH FINANCE MINISTERS’ MEETING.

11.00 TO 12.00 HRS. FIRST SUBSTANTIVE SESSION.

11.00 HRS. COFFEE MORNING BY MRS. RAMPHAL FOR DELEGATES’ ,vIVES.

12.30 TO 14.00 HRS. LUNCHEON BY THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER FOR HEADS OF DELEGATIONS.

12.30 HRS. LUNCHEON BY MRS. HEALEY FOR WIVES OF DELEGATES.

14.30 TO 17.30 HRS. MINISTERIAL WORKING SESSION.

21.30 TO 23.00 HRS. RECEPTION BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR FOR HEADS AND MEMBERS OF DELEGATIONS.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1

09.30 TO 12.30 HRS.

12.30 TC 14.00 HRS.

12.30 TO 14.30 HRS.

14.30 TO 17.30 HRS.

20.00 HRS.

MINISTERIAL WORKING SESSION.

LUNCHEON BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR HEADS OF DELEGATIONS.

LUNCHEON BY LADY MACLEHCSE FOR WIVES OF DELEGATES.

MINISTERIAL WORKING SESSION.

CHINESE DINNER AND ENTERTAINMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHCSE FOR HEADS AND MEMBERS OF DELEGATIONS AND THEIR WIVES.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1976

5

SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNALS BEGIN OPERATION NEXT MONTH

******

SPECIAL COURTS, SET UP UNDER THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE TO DEAL WITH CASES INVOLVING LEGAL CLAIMS FOR AMOUNTS NOT EXCEEDING 33,000, WILL COME INTO OPERATION FROM OCTOEER 1.

THE FIRST OF THESE COURTS, KNOWN AS THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNALS, ARE SITUATED AT THE VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT, BATTERY PATH ON HONG KONG ISLAND, AND AT THE KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT, GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.

THE HEARING IS INFORMAL AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN EITHER ENGLISH OR CHINESE. BOTH THE CLAIMANT AND THE DEFENDANT MUST COME TO THE TRIBUNAL ON THE DATE OF THE HEARING AND THEY MUST BRING ALONG WITH THEM THEIR WITNESSES AND ALL DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT THEIR CASES.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO MAKE A CLAIM MUST FIRST OBTAIN A FORM OF CLAIM FROM ONE OF THE TRIBUNAL OFFICES. IF DIFFICULTY IS ENCOUNTERED IN COMPLETING THE FORM, ASSISTANCE WILL BE GIVEN AT THE OFFICES OF THE TRIBUNAL.

HOWEVER, CLAIMANTS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY MUST BRING ALONG WITH THEM DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT THEIR CLAIMS, SUCH AS ANY WRITTEN CONTRACT, DISHONOURED CHEQUE, HIRE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, BUILDING MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT, RECEIPTS FOR EXPENSE PAID IN CONNECTION WITH A MOTOR CAR ACCIDENT AND BORROWING NOTE. FULL DETAILS OF THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE DEFENDANT ARE ALSO ESSENTIAL.

ONCE THE FORM OF CLAIM HAS BEEN COMPLETED, AND SIGNED BY THE CLAIMANT A DATE WILL BE FIXED FOR THE HEARING OF THE CASE. A COPY OF THE CLAIM AND OF THE DATE OF HEARING WILL EE SERVED UPON THE DEFENDANT BY THE TRIBUNAL.

PLAINTIFFS ARE ALSO REQUESTED TC NOTE THAT THE ORDINANCE EXCLUDES CERTAIN TYPES OF CLAIMS SUCH AS:

* DISPUTES BETWEEN EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEES OVER WAGES AND SALARIES AS THEY ARE DEALT WITH BY THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL.

* CLAIMS FOR THE POSSESSION OF LAND.

* TENANCY DISPUTES.

* CLAIMS FOR ALIMONY AND MAINTENANCE' CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES FOR LIBEL AND SLANDER' AND CLAIMS EY MONEY LENDERS.

PROVISION IS ALSO MADE IN THE ORDINANCE FOR A CASE TO EE TRANSFERRED TC A HIGHER COURT IF IT BECOMES APPARENT THAT IT IS VERY COMPLICATED.

THE FEES TO BE PAID FOR BRINGING PROCEEDINGS ARE SET OUT IN THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL (FEES) RULES, 1976. THEY RANGE FROM A MINIMUM OF j5 TO A MAXIMUM OF 320.

COMMENTING ON THE SMALL CLAI -’S TRIBUNAL, THE ACTING REGISTRAR OF SUPREME COURT, MR. S.H. MAYO SAID: +THE DISTRICT COURTS ARE NOT ALWAYS AN IDEAL VENUE FOR PURSUING SMALL CLAIMS, PARTICULARLY IF IT IS NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE FOR PARTIES TO ENGAGE THE SERVICES CF LEGAL ADVISERS.*

'HUHSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, ' 97b

THE COST OF INSTRUCTING LEGAL ADVISERS, HE POINTED OUT, WAS OFTEN DISPROPORTIONATE TO THE AMOUNT BEING CLAIMED.

+THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL IS DESIGNED TO OVERCOME THIS PROBLEM AND IT .JILL BE AN INFORMAL FORUM WHICH, IT IS ANTICIPATED, ..ILL DEAL EXPEDITIOUSLY AND EFFECTIVELY WITH MOST TYPES OF SMALL CLAIMS,* MR. MAYO SAID. +THE VERNACULAR WI_L, IN MOST CASES, BE IN CANTONESE;

COPIES OF A PAMPHLET GIVING DETAILS OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY IN VARIOUS CITY DISTRICT OFFICES.

THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE CAN SOON BE INSPECTED AT ANY COURT OR CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND CAN BE BOUGHT FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, HONG KONG ISLAND, AT S2 A CC^Y.

0 - -

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR AUGUST

********

THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) FOR AUGUST 1976 .-.AS 114, THREE POINTS HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

THP INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS ADVANCED BY FIVE POINTS. INCREASES aERE RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, PORK, LIVE POULTRY AND MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME. ON THE OTHzR HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH FRUITS SHOWED A DECLINE.

THE INDEXES FOR DURABLE GOODS, MISCELLANEOUS GOODS, SERVICES, TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES EACH INCREASED BY ONE POINT.

MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR THE OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (E) FOR AUGUST 1976 WAS 114, TWO POINTS HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS ADVANCED BY FOUR POINTS. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, PORK, LIVE POULTRY INCREASED WHILE THAT OF THE FRESH FRUITS SHOWED A DECLINE.

THE INDEXES FCR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS AND SERVICES EACH INCREASED BY ONE POINT.

MOVEMENTS IM THE INDEXES FCR THE OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGN IFICANT.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1976

7

LANDSLIDE INVESTIGATION TEAM MEETS PWD DIRECTOR s s r «

MEMBERS OF THE GROUP OF EXPERTS ASSISTING LANDSLIDE INVESTIGATION TODAY MET THE DIRECTOR MR. WILLIAM BELL, OTHER SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES ITS CONSULTANTS E INN IE AND PARTNERS TO DISCUSS IN THE INVESTIGATION.

IN THE SAU MAU RING OF PUBLIC WORKS, OF THE P.W.D. AND INITIAL PROGRESS

AT THE MEETING — HELD AT P.W.D. HEADQUARTERS IN MURRAY BUILDING — THE TWO LATEST MEMBERS TO JOIN THE GROUP OF EXPERTS wERE BRIEFED ON THE WORK DONE SO FAR, AND ASKED TO COMMENT OK THE LINES OF THE INVESTIGATION BEING UNDERTAKEN.

THE TWO NEW MEMBERS OF THE GROUP ARE PROFESSOR

NORBERT MORGENSTERN, OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, AND MR. BRIAN RICHARDS, PRINCIPAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST WITH AUSTRALIA’S COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION.

MR. RICHARDS, THE LATEST ADDITION ARRIVED IN HONG KONG LATE LAST NIGHT.

TO THE GROUP OF EXPERTS,

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. WILLIAM BELL, SAID TODAY MR. RICHARDS WAS PARTICULARLY FAMILIAR WITH SOIL PROBLEMS ARISING IN THE HONG KONG SITUATION, AND LAST YEAR HAD MADE A SPECIAL VISIT TO HONG KONG FOR CONSULTATIONS WITH BINNIE AND PARTNERS IN CONNECTION WITH PHASE II OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE LANDSLIP STUDY.

MR. RICHARDS WORKS IN THE C.S.I.R.O.’S DIVISION OF APPLIED GEOMECHANICS, AND HAD DONE MANY YEARS STUDY IN THE PARTICULAR FIELD OF SOIL MECHANICS INVOLVED IN THE SAU MAU 31 NG INVESTIGATION.

+HE HAS DEVELOPED METHODS OF MEASURING CONDITIONS SUCH AS EXIST IN MOST OF THE HONG KONG SLOPES TO BE STUDIED,* SAID MR. BELL, +AND HAS PRODUCED THEORIES ABOUT THE EFFECTS ARISING WHEN THESE SOILS BECOME SATURATED -- AS WAS THE CASE AT SAU MAU PING.

+ IN FACT HE HAS PUBLISHED MANY PAPERS ON THE SUBJECT, AND CONTRIBUTED THE SECTION ON THE ’BEHAVIOUR OF UNSATURATED SOILS’ IN THE BOCK ’SOIL MECHANICS - NEW HORIZONS’ PUBLISHED IK 1974.+

ALSO AT TODAY’S MEETING IN P.a.D. HEADQUARTERS WERE THE HONG KONG MEMBERS OF THE GROUP Or EXPERTS — PROFESSOR SEAN MACKAY, HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AND MR. PETER LUMS, A READER I . CIVIL ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY — AND THE P....D.’S DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, MR. DAVIE STEAD- AND PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT CIVIL ENGINEER, MR. BRYAN O’RGRKE.

AFTER THE MEETING, MR. BELL SAID IT .'.AS NOW EXPECTED THAT A REPORT ON THE SAU MAU PING LANDSLIDE WOULD BE READY IN EARLY DECEMBER. THE BINNIE AND PARTNERS FINAL REPORT WOULD BE REVIEWED BY THE GROUP OF EXPERTS, .HO ..OUlD SUBMIT AN INDEPENDENT STATEMENT TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC wORKS O'. ITS CC..CLUol_.S AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1?76

- 8 -

THE FIRST OVERSEAS MEMBER OF THE GROUP OF EXPERTS TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG, PROFESSOR JOHN KN ILL OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON, IS NOW ATTENDING A CONFERENCE IN TEHERAN AFTER A WEEK OF INITIAL CONSULTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTIGATION, AND IS EXPECTED TD RETURN TO HONG KONG NEXT MONTH.

THE FINAL MEMBER OF THE GROUP, PROFESSOR VICTOR DE MELLO OF THE SAN CARLOS SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AT BRAZIL’S SAC PAULO UNIVERSITY, IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG SOON.

PUBLIC BALLOT FOR 250 N.T. TAXIS

******

A PUBLIC BALLOT FOR THE FIRST BATCH OF 250 LICENCES FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS WAS HELD THIS AFTERNOON IN THE HUNG HOM MULTISTOREY CAR PARK BUILDING IN THE PRESENCE OF MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

ON MONDAY, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL START SENDING OUT LETTERS OF CONFIRMATION TO THE 250 SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS.

THOSE WHO WERE UNSUCCESSFUL WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN LATER BALLOTS, THE DATE FOR WHICH WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.

A TOTAL OF 2,792 APPLICATION FORMS WERE SENT OUT IN CONNECTION WITH TODAY’S BALLOTS.

A TOTAL OF 1,847 APPLICATION FORMS WERE RETURNED AND OF THESE 1,568 QUALIFIED FOR THE FIRST BALLOT.

- 0 -

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1976

- 9 -

THE HONG KONG STYLE OF GOVERNMENT it & H W # Br

THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS ERAY, SAID TODAY HE DID NOT THINK THAT THE PRESENT STYLE OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN COMBINING BASIC CIVIL LIBERTIES alTH AN ADMINISTRATION THAT HAD BROUGHT A GOOD DEAL OF CONTENTMENT TO THE COMMUNITY IT SERVED.

HOWEVER, HE NOTED, UNLIKE MOST THINGS MADE IN HONG KONG HE DID NOT SUPPOSE THAT THIS STYLE OF GOVERNMENT WOULD MAKE A VERY GOOD EXPORT.

MR. BRAY, WHO WAS SPEAKING AT THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS’ DINNER, SAID THAT THE ABSENCE OF ELECTIONEERING HAD LED SOME PEOPLE TC SUPPOSE THAT HONG KONG SOCIETY WAS APOLITICAL.

FAR FROM IT. THERE IS AS MUCH ARGUMENT OVER POLICY AND PRIORITIES HERE AS ANYWHERE ELSE,+ HE POINTED OUT.

IT IS ARTICULATE AND IT IS WIDESPREAD AND IT INFLUENCES POLICY IN A SUBSTANTIAL wAY.

♦EVERY IMPORTANT GOVERNMENT PAPER ON POLICY IS REQUIRED TO CONTAIN AN ANALYSIS OF EXPECTED PUBLIC REACTION TC PREVENT THE BUREAUCRATS FROM FORGETTING THAT IS IS THE PUBLIC THEY SERVE.+

MR. BRAY STRESSED THAT HONG KONG wAS RATHER AN UNUSUAL PLACE IN MANY WAYS, ONE OF WHICH WAS THAT THE POPULATION COULD NOT ELECT ITS OWN PRIME MINISTER.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, NO GOVERNMENT COULD STAY II. POWER WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED AND IT WAS JUST AS NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT HERE TO STRIVE TO RETAIN THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED AS IT WAS ANYWHERE ELSE.

YET WE MUST DO THIS ITHCUT AN ELECTED PRIME MINISTER — NOT BECAUSE ..E ARE INHERENTLY OPPOSED TC ELECTIONS BUT BECAUSE THE OPTION IS NOT OPEN,+ HE STATED.

IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG ..E HAVE FOUND IT IS NECESSARY TO EE EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TC TRENDS OF PUBLIC OPINION.

THIS INVOLVES FINDING OUT WHAT IT IS, wHY, .-.HERE IT IS CRITICAL, THIS IS SO.

IT ALSO INVOLVES REMOVING I SUNDERSTANDINGS WHEN THESE ARE FOUND AND EXPLAINING OUR THINKING.

WE THINK THIS TWO-WAY COMVUMICA'ION IS •'OST IMPORTANT AND HAVE DEVOTEE CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES TC I T. +

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1976

- 10 -

BUILDING FIGURES FOR AUGUST * * * * *

A TOTAL OF 58 NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED LAST MONTH BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, COMPARED WITH 45 FOR AUGUST LAST YEAR.

OF THE NEW PLANS APPROVED, 19 WERE FOR PROJECTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 14 IN KOWLOON AND 25 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THESE INCLUDED BUILDING PLANS FOR FIFTEEN MULTI-STOREY BLOCKS OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS AT BRAEMAR RESERVOIR HONG KONG, SEVEN HIGH-RISE APARTMENT AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AT TAI KOO DOCKYARD, AND A NUMBER OF FACTORY BUILDINGS OF 15 OR MORE STOREYS AT KWUN TONG, SANPOKONG AND TSUEN WAN.

BUILDING PLANS FOR SWIMMING POOLS, GARDENS AND PARK AT Yl LONG WAN, LANTAU ISLAND WERE ALSO APPROVED.

THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING AUGUST THIS YEAR AMOUNTED TO 8112.43 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $193.13 MILLION IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.

THE TOTAL USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED AMOUNTED TO 114,520 SQUARE METRE, COMPRISING 37,715 SQ. METRE OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 76,805 SQ. METRE GF NCN-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.

DURING THE MONTH, THE B.0.0. ALSO GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO BEGIN ON 40 BUILDING PROJECTS. THESE INCLUDED A HOME FOR THE AGED AT FANLING, A SCHOOL AT KWAI CHUNG, A PETROL FILLING STATION AT WONG CHUK HANG ROAD, ABERDEEN, AND A NUMBER OF HIGH-RISE APARTMENT/COMMERCIaL BUILDINGS.

FORTY COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION DURING THE MONTH. THESE INCLUDED A SCHOOL AT HI_L ROAD, TWO SCHOOL EXTENSIONS AT SHEK PIK, LANTAU ISLAND AND PRINCE EDwARD ROAD, TWO TEMPLE BUILDINGS AT SAI KUNG AND SHAK KOK TSUI, AND A CHAPEL AT HUNG SHU I KIU.

DURING THE MONTH, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO GAVE CONSENT FOR THE DEMOLITION OF 22 BUILDINGS.

-----0

WATER CUT n # H

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES AT THE MID-LEVELS AND TO KWA WAN WILL EE TURNED OFF FOP FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 25) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE STAFF TO CARRY OUT NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.

ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY SEYMOUR ROAD, CASTLE ROAD, WOODLANDS TERRACE AND CASTLE LANE.

IN TO KWA WAL, THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY LCK SHAN ROAD. CHI KIANG STREET AND KOWLOON CITY ROAD, INCLUDING SZE CHUEN STR=-f HA HEUNG ROAD AND TO KWA WAN ROAD. “ ’

0

HONG KONG HOUSING RUTHORITY

Thursday, 23rd September 1976

REMOVAL ALLOWANCES TO BE PAID TO NEEDY FAMILIES CLEARED AND MOVED INTO PUBLIC HOUSING FOR THE FIRST TIME

Government has approved payment of an ex-gratia rehousing allowance for needy families, who are cleared and moved into public for the first time.

The category which will benefit are those borderline cases not eligible for public assistance, ft

The allowance is to help with basic removal and decorating costs and will apply to families with-monthly incomes below $200 per head.

A five-person family would receive $700 under the scheme, plus other payments covering deposits for water and electricity meters, as well as a sum equivalent to one month’s rental deposit for their flat. If moving into a new estate such as Lai King, a five-member family would be paid a total ofA$926, with bigger families receiving increased amounts.

Families which have received cash compensation from Government or from a private landlord at the time of moving into permanent public housing will not be eligible for the rehousing allowance, but victims of fires or other disasters receiving payment from the Emergency Relief Fund will qualify on the grounds that they will probably have lost all their household possessions.

A Housing Authority spokesman pointed out that the new allowances are intended to cover basic moving expenses and such costs as transporting household effects, assistance towards the cost of putting up partitioning and painting a new flat. ’’This is a further measure by Government to help the under-privileged and give them a better start in their new homes,” the spokesman said. ”lt follows Government’s recent decision to increase the maximum rent allowance payable in public assistance to eligible families.”

It is estimated that one in five of all families required to move as a result of future clearances will be eligible for the ex-gratia payments.

*******

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1976

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BILL 1976 .................. 1

COMMONWEALTH REGIONAL SEMINAR OPENS NEXT TUESDAY ........... 3

SURVIVAL OF MIXED ECONOMY .................................. 4

BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1976 ................... 5

AIRPORT OWNERS AND OPERATORS LIABILITY INSURANCE ........... 5

ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN GOES TO THE ISLANDS ................... 6

FACTORY PROPRIETOR FINED FOR EMPLOYING WOMEN TO WORK ON

A REST DAY ................................................. 7

RICE IMPORT QUOTA FOR FOURTH QUARTER ....................... 7

PRESS PASSES FOR COMMONWEALTH FINANCE MINISTERS MEETING READY FOR COLLECTION ....................................... 8

FIRING PRACTICE ............................................ 9

ACAN BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT ................................ 10

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1976

1

CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BILL 1976

******

GOVERNMENT HAS TODAY PUBLISHED THE BILL THAT mILL CARRY INTO EFFECT THOSE 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 FIRST OBJECT OF THE BILL IS TO PROVIDE FOR AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT OVER THE UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGES. ALL STAFF WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL, AND THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY CERTAIN ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ARE APPOINTED BY THE COLLEGES WILL EE DISCONTINUED.

CERTAIN TEACHING STAFF V. ILL EE ASSIGNED BY THE UNIVERSITY TO TriE COLLEGES.

THE SEPARATE IDENTITY OF EACH COLLEGE WILL BE PRESERVED BY THE CREATION OF AN ASSEMBLY OF FELLOWS, DRAWN FROM AMONG THE ACADEKI STAFF ASSIGNED TO THE COLLEGE, WHOSE RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TUTORIAL INSTRUCTION AND PASTORAL COUNSELLING OF THE STUDENTS ASSIGNED TO THE COLLEGE.

THE ASSEMBLY OF FELLOWS WILL ALSO APPOINT A COMMITTEE FROM AMONG THEIR NUMBER WHICH, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, SHALL RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL ON THE APPOINTMENT OR RE-APPO I hITMENT OF THE HEAD OF COLLEGE (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FIRST HEAD WHO WILL EE APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR). THE HEAD OF COLLEGE WUL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WELFARE OF THE COLLEGE AND OF THE STUDENTS ASSIGNED TO IT.

THE BILL WILL ALSO STRENGTHEN ACADEMIC PARTICIPATION IN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY AND IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COLLEGES. THE FORMATION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF FELLOWS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF HEAD OF COLLEGE WILL ACHIEVE THIS AIM IN RESPECT OF THE COLLEGES.

THE REPRESENTATION OF ACADEMICS ON THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL WILL BE INCREASED THROUGH THE APPOINTMENTS OF THE HEAD OF EACH COLLEGE, OF ONE FELLOW OF EACH COLLEGE ELECTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF FELLOWS, AND OF THE DEAN OF EACH FACULTY AND OF THE GRADUATE

SCHOOL

THE HEAD OF EACH COLLEGE AND THE DEAN OF EACH FACULTY AND OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL a ILL BE MEMBERS ALSO OF TriE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PLANNING COMMITTEE AND OF THE SENATE.

THE BILL WILL PROVIDE FOR THE OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN COLLEGE PROPERTY, BEING MAINLY THOSE BUILDINGS .. HICri FOR THE MOST PART HAVE BEEN PAID FOR BY THE UNIVERSITY THROUGH GOVERNMENT FUNDS, TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE UNIVERSITY AND FOR THE UNIVERSITY TC MANAGE ALL TriE PROPERTIES WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY’S PRECINCTS, .-.'nE’nER OR NOT THEY ARE OWNED BY A COLLEGE.

TriE COLLEGE BOARDS WILL BECOME BOARDS OF TRUSTEES AND THEIR PRINCIPAL PURPOSE WILL BE TO ADMINISTER THE 'OVABLE PROPERTY, INCLUDING LIQUID FUNDS, HELD ON TRUST FOR TnE COLLEGES.

/BACKGROUND

2

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1976

BACKGROUND

THE COMMISSION UPON WHOSE RECOMMENDATIONS THE BILL IS BASED WAS APPOINTED BY THE UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, IN NOVEMBER 1975. ITS CHAIRMAN WAS LORD FULTON OF FALMER, FORMERLY VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX AND CHAIRMAN OF THE 1963 COMMISSION, WHOSE REPORT HAD LED TO THE FORMATION OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY. THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION WERE SIR MICHAEL HERRIES, A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, AND PROFESSOR C.K. YANG OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, WHO HAD SERVED FOR TWO YEARS AS A VISITING PROFESSOR AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY. THE COMMISSION ASSEMBLED IN HONG KONG FROM 5 TO 12 DECEMBER 1975 TO HEAR EVIDENCE FROM PERSONS ASSOCIATED CLOSELY AND THE COLLEGES. AN OPEN INVITATION WAS ISSUED

CHINESE UNIVERSITY

WITH THE UNIVERSITY TO SUBMIT MEMORANDA COMMISSION’S REPORT PUBLISHED ON MAY 28.

FOR THE COMMITTEE’S CONSIDERATION. THE

WAS SUBMITTED TO THE CHANCELLOR ON MARCH 10 AND

IN A STATEMENT TO THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL ON MAY 28 SIR MURRAY ANNOUNCED THAT, BECAUSE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REPORT’S RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD REQUIRE LEGISLATION, HE HAD TAKEN THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. IN THE LIGHT OF THE COUNCIL’S ADVICE THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT FOR A REVISED CONSTITUTION. A WORKING GROUP COMPOSED OF REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT AND THE UNIVERSITY WAS SUBSEQUENTLY SET UP TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT THE LEGISLATION NECESSARY TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE REPORT. THIS WORKING PARTY HAS PREPARED THE DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS ON WHICH THE BILL IS BASED.

FURTHER ACTION


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/5

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1976

COMMONWEALTH REGIONAL SEMINAR OPENS NEXT TUESDAY

* * * * *

ABOUT 30 KEY PERSONNEL REPRESENTING 13 COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC ARE TO MEET IN HONG KONG FROM SEPTEMBER 28 TO OCTOBER 7 FOR A SEMINAR TO CONSIDER THE VARIOUS WAYS IN WHICH THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY CAN BE DEVELOPED IN ORDER TO MAKE EDUCATION AND TRAINING MORE EFFECTIVE.

THEY WILL STUDY INFORMATION CONTRIBUTED BY EACH COUNTRY ABOUT ITS LEGISLATION, ORGANISATION AND INSTITUTIONS RELATING TO TRAINING PROGRAMMES, AND EXCHANGE IDEAS ABOUT HOW INDUSTRY CAN BEST PROVIDE PRACTICAL TRAINING THAT IS COMPLEMENTARY TO WORK DONE IN THE COLLEGES.

CONSIDERATION WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO STANDARDS AND CONTENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AS WELL AS EXAMINATIONS AND AWARDS. CONCENTRATION WILL BE ON THE TECHNICIAN LEVEL OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING WHERE SOME MAJOR PROBLEMS LIE AND THE CLOSEST PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS AND INDUSTRY IS VITALLY NEEDED.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE SEMINAR WILL SUGGEST TRAINING MEASURES AND ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL BE HELPFUL TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN MEETING THEIR NEEDS FOR TECHNICAL MANPOWER AND RECOMMEND POSSIBLE SCHEMES FOR COMMONWEALTH CO-OPERATION.

THE SEMINAR IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.

IT WILL BE OPENED BY DR. S.Y. CHUNG, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE POLYTECHNIC.

THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN THE LEE GARDENS HOTEL, 22ND FLOOR, AT 10 A.M. NEXT TUESDAY.

A BRIEF WELCOMING ADDRESS WILL BE MADE BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

TWO MEMBERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT’S EDUCATION DIVISION, MR. BERNARD FONG, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, AND MR. MICHAEL COLLINS, SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE TECHNICAL BRANCH OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, BONAVENTURE HOUSE, 91 LEIGHTON ROAD, 2ND FLOOR, HONG KONG AT 10 A.M. TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE PRESS CONFERENCE COVERED.

THE SEMINAR PRESS OFFICER, MR. J.H. EVANS WILL EE ON HAND TO ASSIST YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.

PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ASSIGNED TO COVER NEXT TUESDAY’S OPENING CEREMONY ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT MR. EVANS ON THE 22ND FLOOR, LEE GARDENS HOTEL, NOT LATER THAN 9.40 A.M.

0 -

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1976

4

SURVIVAL OF MIXED ECONOMY * * * *

THE STREAMS OF COMMERCE WILL FLOW FASTER IF THEIR COURSES ARE CONSTANTLY MAINTAINED AND ACCOUNTANTS HAVE A DUTY, PARTLY THROUGH A STRICT ADHERENCE TO PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND PARTLY THROUGH INNOVATION, TO ASSIST IN THEIR MAINTENANCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE CONFERENCE OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC ACCOUNTANTS, HE SAID THE BASIS OF A COMPETITIVE SOCIETY +IS THE SO-CALLED MIXED ECONOMY WITH WHICH WE ARE ALL FAMILIAR.+

HE EMPHASISED THAT A MIXED ECONOMY WOULD ONLY SURVIVE IF, IN ADDITION TO THE ROLE AND SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR BEING DEFINED, AN EFFECTIVE PRIVATE SECTOR CO-EXISTED WITH THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

+THIS DEPENDS ON CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS BEING MET; AND I WOULD LIKE TO REFER TO SIX WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE, AT ANY RATE IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.

THEY ARE:

+ NON-INTERVENTION ISM MUST EE PRACTISED BY THE GOVERNMENT;

+ GOVERNMENTS HAVE TO RECIPROCATE IN THE DESIGN OF THEIR FISCAL, BUDGETARY AND MONETARY POLICIES. THIS IS THE SOUND REQUIREMENT FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF AN EFFECTIVE PRIVATE SECTOR;

+ EMPHASIS ON INDIVIDUALISM. THE MARKET MECHANISM WORKS PRIMARILY THROUGH AN EMPHASIS ON INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND, BECAUSE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY EMBRACES THE ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH, IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THE EMPHASIS SHOULD BE ON INDIVIDUAL WEALTH;

+ THE EXISTENCE OF A STRONG WORK ETHIC WHICH IS NOT ERODED BY, FOR EXAMPLE, INFLATION AND REDISTRIBUTIVE FISCAL POLICIES WHICH ARE CARELESS OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN A GROWTH MOMENTUM;

+ OPERATION OF MARKET MECHANISM. THE CONSTRAINTS AND GROUNDS RULES NECESSARY FOR COMPETITION TO WORK ARE NOT IGNORED. CONDITIONS MUST EXIST, OR BE CREATED, FOR AN ORDERLY WORKING OF MARKET FORCES AND, SERVICING PROFESSIONALS, LAWYERS, BANKERS, BROKERS AND ACCOUNTANTS SHOULD FULFIL THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES.


/5

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1976

- 5 -

BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1976 *******

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INCREASE FROM $500 TO MORE THAN $5,000 THE MINIMUM AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF DEBTS ENTITLING A CREDITOR TO PRESENT A BANKRUPTCY PETITION AGAINST A DEBTOR.

THIS AND OTHER PROPOSED CHANGES ARE CONTAINED IN THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1976 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.

IF ENACTED, THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE VALUE OF TOOLS OF. TRADE OF A BANKRUPT, AND THE WEARING APPAREL AND BEDDING OF HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY, THAT IS DEEMED NOT TO COMPRISE PROPERTY DIVISIBLE AMONGST CREDITORS, WILL BE INCREASED FROM $300 TO $3,000.

ANOTHER PROVISION IS FOR THE COURT TO DISPENSE WITH THE REQUIREMENT THAT A DEBTOR AGAINST WHOM A RECEIVING ORDER HAS BEEN MADE SHALL SUBMIT TO THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER A STATEMENT OF HIS AFFAIRS.

THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE ANNUAL TRANSFER TO THE GENERAL REVENUE OF THE ACCUMULATED INTEREST ON DEPOSITS OF ANY SURPLUS CASH BALANCES STANDING TO THE CREDIT OF THE BANKRUPTCY ESTATES ACCOUNT OR ANY ACCOUNT OPERATED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER.

0 --------

AIRPORT OWNERS AND OPERATORS LIABILITY INSURANCE

******

TENDERS ARE INVITED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY FOR THE PROVISION OF STANDARD AIRPORT OWNERS AND OPERATORS LIABILITY INSURANCE IN RESPECT OF THE OPERATION OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TOGETHER WITH COVER FOR CONTRACTED WORKS AT KAI TAK FOR THREE YEARS.

THE CURRENT INSURANCE POLICY EXPIRES IN APRIL, 1977.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THIS WAS MERELY TO RENEW INSURANCE WHICH HAS BEEN IN FORCE FOR MANY YEARS AND WAS A NECESSARY PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE AGAINST ANY CLAIMS FOR WHICH THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT BECOME LIABLE IN ITS CAPACITY AS OPERATOR OF THE A IRPORT.

HE POINTED OUT THAT SIMILAR POLICIES HAD BEEN TAKEN OUT BY MANY OTHER MAJOR AIRPORTS IN THE WORLD.

FOR CONTRACTED WORKS AT KAI TAK, HE ESTIMATED THAT THE VALUE OF AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS WOULD PROBABLY BE IN THE REGION OF $150 MILLION.

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/6

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1976

6 -

ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN GOES TO THE ISLANDS

******

THE OUTLYING

GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE THE 1976 ISLANDS TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN TO THE

THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. DAVID TSUI, WILL OFFICIALLY LAUNCH THE CAMPAIGN AT MUI WO, ON LANTAU ISLAND, AT 3.30 P.M. WHEN MORE THAN 600 CHILDREN FROM VARIOUS ISLANDS WILL ARRIVE TO TAKE PART IN ACTIVITIES BOTH FESTIVE AND EDUCATIONAL.

THEY WILL RECEIVE ROAD SAFETY INSTRUCTION FROM EXPERTS FROM, THE POLICE, AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES AND ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION AS WELL AS PARTICIPATING IN AN ESSAY COMPETITION.

THE ORGANISERS HAVE ALSO ARRANGED A VARIETY SHOW AND LION DANCE.

MR. TSUI SAID TODAY: +ALTHOUGH LANTAU IS THE ONLY ISLAND IN MY DISTRICT WITH VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE LIVING ON THE ISLANDS, PARTICULARLY THE CHILDREN WHO WILL ONE DAY GO TO LIVE OR WORK IN HONG KONG OR KOWLOON ARE EDUCATED ABOUT ROAD SAFETY.

+VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ON THE ISLANDS HAVE GIVEN US GREAT SUPPORT FOR THIS CAMPAIGN AND WE EXPECT A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO ATTEND.*

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN BY MR. TSUI AT MUI WO AT 3.30 P.M. UNFORTUNATELY, NO OFFICIAL TRANSPORT IS AVAILABLE BUT THE 1.30 P.M. SILVERMINE BAY FERRY FROM HONG KONG WILL ARRIVE IN PLENTY OF TIME FOR THOSE WISHING TO COVER THE EVENT.

n

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1976

- 7 -

FACTORY PROPRIETOR FINED FOR EMPLOYING WOMEN TO WORK ON A REST DAY *******

THE PROPRIETOR OF A FACTORY IN KWAI CHUNG WAS TAKEN TO COURT RECENTLY FOR EMPLOYING WOMEN FOR WORK ON A REST DAY AND WAS FINED THE MAXIMUM OF $5,000.

THE CASE CAME TO LIGHT WHEN A LABOUR INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED THE FACTORY ON SUNDAY, MAY 16, AND FOUND 32 WOMEN WORKING IN THE KNITTING SECTION.

ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, THE PROPRIETOR WAS GIVEN THE MAXIMUM PENALTY WHEN HE APPEARED BEFORE THE MAGISTRATE, MR. A.G.T. WANE, AT TSUEN WAN MAGISTRACY.

IT WAS ALSO LEARNED THAT THE PROPRIETOR HAD THREE PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS OF A SIMILAR NATURE.

ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN TO WORK ON THEIR REST DAY IS A CONTRAVENTION OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS REGULATIONS.

+THE FACT THAT THE PROPRIETOR IN THIS CASE HAD BEEN GIVEN THE MAXIMUM PENALTY WAS DUE PROBABLY TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKERS INVOLVED AS WELL AS THE THREE PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS WHICH REFLECTED THE PROPRIETOR’S DISREGARD FOR THE LABOUR LAWS IN HONG KONG,+ HE ADDED.

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RICE IMPORT QUOTA FOR FOURTH QUARTER

*****

THE RICE IMPORT QUOTA FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1976 HAS BEEN FIXED AT 91,696.5 METRIC TONS, THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (TRADE), MR. PAUL WONG, EXPLAINED THAT THE NEW QUOTA — LARGER THAN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER’S QUOTA BY 6,709.5 METRIC TONS — TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE AMOUNT OF RICE STOCKS IN HONG KONG AND THE OVERSEAS SUPPLY SITUATION.

HONG KONG IMPORTED A TOTAL OF 238,220 METRIC TONS OF RICE SINCE JANUARY THIS YEAR. OF THIS AMOUNT, CHINA SUPPLIED 137,260 METRIC TONS, THAILAND 75,650 METRIC TONS AND THE BALANCE WAS MAINLY FROM AUSTRALIA.

/8

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1976

8

PRESS PASSES FOR CFM MEETING READY FOR COLLECTION

*****

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE PRESS PASSES FOR THE COMMONWEALTH FINANCE MINISTERS MEETING (CFMM) ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION BY THE APPLICANTS THEMSELVES AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY FROM THE GIS NEWSROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

ON COLLECTING THE PASS, THE HOLDER HAS TO PRODUCE SOME IDENTIFICATION AND TO SIGN AGAINST HIS/HER NAME TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT. THE PASSES FOR ONE AGENCY CAN ALSO BE COLLECTED IN BULK BY ONE OF THE APPLICANTS WHO CAN SIGN ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES. BUT THEY WILL NOT BE HANDED OVER TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT ON THE PRESS PASS LIST.

IN THE EVENT OF THE LOSS OF A PRESS PASS, PLEASE REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE PRESS CENTRE OF THE CFMM OR TO THE NEWSROOM OF GIS.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE PASSES FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY ARE VALID FOR THAT FUNCTION ONLY, AND AS ADVISED EARLIER, THEY WILL BE COLLECTED ON THE SPOT BY GIS MARSHALLING OFFICERS AFTER THE CEREMONY IS OVER.

PASSES FOR THE PRESS CENTRES MUST BE RETURNED TO GIS NEWSROOM IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE MEETING IS OVER.

BECAUSE OF THE BIG DEMAND FOR ACCREDITED PRESS PASSES, IT HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO ALLOCATE PRESS CENTRE PASSES TO PHOTOGRAPHERS. INSTEAD THEY WILL RECEIVE PASSES VALID ONLY FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY IN THE PALACE ROOM.

IT WILL ALSO BE NECESSARY TO RESTRICT ENTRY FOR ACCREDITED REPORTERS TO THE OPENING CEREMONY IN THE PALACE ROOM TO ONLY ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH NEWSPAPER OR NEWS AGENCY.

TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS, IF OPERATING BOTH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE WILL BE ALLOWED TWO REPORTERS, BUT ONLY ONE, IF OPERATING IN ONE LANGUAGE ONLY.

WE HOPE YOU WILL APPRECIATE THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO OBSERVE THE ABOVE PROCEDURES.

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/9

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1976

9

FIR ING PRACTICE ******

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 13 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

DATE HOURS

OCTOBER 13 (WEDNESDAY) 9.00 A.M. - 6 P.M.

OCTOBER 14 (THURSDAY) 8.00 A.M. - 6 P.M.

OCTOBER 15 (FRIDAY) 8.00 A.M. - 6 P.M.

OCTOBER 18 (MONDAY) 10.00 A.M. - 6 P.M.

OCTOBER 19 (TUESDAY) 8.00 A.M. - 6 P.M.

OCTOBER 20 (WEDNESDAY) 8.00 A.M. - 6 P.M.

OCTOBER 21 (THURSDAY) 8.00 A.M. - 10 P.M.

OCTOBER 22 (FRIDAY) 8.00 A.M. - 4 P.M.

OCTOBER 25 (MONDAY) 9.00 A.M. - 6 P.M.

OCTOBER 26 (TUESDAY) 8.00 A.M. - 6 P.M.

OCTOBER 27 (WEDNESDAY) 8.00 A.M. - 6 P.M.

OCTOBER 28 (THURSDAY) 8.00 A.M. - 11 P.M.

OCTOBER 29 (FRIDAY) 8.00 A.M. - 5 P.M.

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/1O......

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1976

10

ACAN BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT * * * * *

NOTE TO EDITORS:

A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY (SEPTEMBER 28) TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THIS YEAR’S ANTI-NARCOTICS CUP AND E.P. HO CUP BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT WHICH WILL COVER ALL TEN CITY DISTRICTS OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON.

THE ANNUAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, JOINTLY ORGANIZED BY THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, ACAN, THE HONG KONG AMATEUR BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION AND THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, IS AIMED AT PROMOTING THE INTEREST OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN SPORTS AND EDUCATING THEM IN THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE.

OFFICIATING AT THE CONFERENCE WILL BE MR. AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS’ DR. KARL STUMPF, CHAIRMAN OF THE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN)= MR. RAFAEL S.Y. HUI, ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS’ MR. CHAM SIU-LEUN, PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG AMATEUR BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION’ AND MR. WONG WOON-CHEUNG, SENIOR RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.

ALSO ATTENDING WILL BE CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS OF THE TEN CITY DISTRICTS AND DISTRICT LEADERS OF BASKETBALL TEAMS.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPORTER AND PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE HELD ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF RUBY RESTAURANT, YEE WO STREET, CAUSEWAY BAY, AT 12.30 P.M. ON TUESDAY (SEPTEMBER 28).

- 0 -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

BRAZILIAN SOIL EXPERT ARRIVES .............................. 1

SHALLOW DRAUGHT ANTI-OIL POLLUTION CARFT TO BE PURCHASED .. 2

TEMPORARY MOORING FOR JUMBO FLOATING RESTAURANT .............. 5

PRESS CENTRE SET UP FOR THE COMMONWEALTH FINANCE MINISTERS

MEETING AT THE CONVENTION CENTRE BEGINS OPERATION TOMORROW. 6

UNLOADING OF DIESEL OIL FROM CHINA BACK TO NORMAL ............ 6

OPENING OF NEW POST OFFICE IN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL ........... 7

NEW JURY LIST ................................................ 7

EXHIBITION ON MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ............................ 8

CIVIL AID SERVICES CADET CORPS CANOE RACE .................... 8

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1976

1

ARRIVAL OF LAST SOIL EXPERT

*****

THE LAST,MEMBER OF THE GROUP OF EXPERTS TAKING PART IN THE SAU MAU PING LANDSLIDE INVESTIGATION ARRIVED IN HONG KONG THIS MORNING.

HE IS PROFESSOR VICTOR DE MELLO, HEAD OF THE SAN CARLOS SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AT BRAZIL’S SAO PAULO UNIVERSITY.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. WILLIAM BELL, SAID TODAY PROFESSOR DE MELLO HAD EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE OF SLOPES IN THE RESIDUAL SOILS OF BRAZIL, WHICH RESEMBLED THOSE OF HONG KONG.

IN 1972, HE HAD ATTENDED A CONFERENCE ON ENGINEERING PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG, AND PRESENTED A SPECIAL GUEST LECTURE ENTITLED +THOUGHTS ON ENGINEERING APPLICABLE TO RESIDUAL SOILS+.

NEXT MONTH, PROFESSOR DE MELLO WOULD DELIVER THIS YEAR’S RANKIN LECTURE TO THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS IN LONDON, AN HONOUR AWARDED ONLY TO THE WORLD’S MOST EMINENT SOIL ENGINEERS.

MR. BELL SAID PROFESSOR DE MELLO HAD COME TO HONG KONG DIRECT FROM CARACAS, WHERE HE HAD BEEN THE GUEST LECTURER AT A VENEZUALAN ENGINEERING CONFERENCE.

PROFESSOR DE MELLO WAS MET AT THE AIRPORT BY SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES OF BINNIE AND PARTNERS, THE P.W.D. CONSULTANTS PREPARING THE REPORT ON THE SAU MAU PING LANDSLIDE.

MR. BELL SAID THAT AFTER BEING BRIEFED BY BINNIES ON THE WORK DONE SO FAR AND THE LINES ON WHICH THE INVESTIGATION WAS BEING UNDERTAKEN, THE PROFESSOR WOULD BEGIN A WEEK-LONG SERIES OF CONSULTATIONS WITH THE CTHER LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EXPERTS TAKING PART IN THE INVESTIGATION.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1976.

- 2 -

SHALLOW DRAUGHT ANTI-OIL POLLUTION CRAFT TO BE PURCHASED *****

THE FIGHT AGAINST OIL POLLUTION IN HONG KONG WATERS HAS REACHED NEW DIMENSIONS FOLLOWING THE GREENLIGHT GIVEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TO BUY A SECOND VESSEL TO DEAL WITH THIS MENACE.

TENDERS FROM LOCAL AND OVERSEAS BUILDERS INCLUDING THOSE FROM BRITAIN AND JAPAN HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND THEY ARE BEING PROCESSED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

THE PROCESSING OF THE TENDERS WILL TAKE ABOUT A MONTH TO COMPLETE.

ACCORDING TO THE MARINE OFFICER/POLLUTION CONTROL UNIT, MR. TONY MASON, THE AWARD OF THE CONTRACT AND THE DELIVERY OF THE VESSEL WOULD TAKE ABOUT ONE YEAR.

AT PRESENT, THE DEPARTMENT HAS A LAUNCH SPECIALLY EQUIPPED TO PERFORM ANTI-OIL POLLUTION DUTIES IN HONG KONG WATERS. IN CASES WHEN MORE VESSELS ARE REQUIRED, 20 OTHER GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES EACH OF WHICH CAN BE FITTED WITH SPRAYING BOOMS AND AGITATION DEVICES CAN BE MOBILISED.

THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID, HAD RECENTLY APPROVED MORE THAN $440,000 FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO BUY HONG KONG’S FIRST SHALLOW DRAUGHT VESSEL DESIGNED SPECIALLY TO DEAL WITH OIL SLICKS ON BEACHES AND IN SHALLOW WATERS.

THE APPROVAL WAS GIVEN AFTER THE SPECIAL SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE PORT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON OIL POLLUTION (S.C.O.O.P.) RECOMMENDED THAT THIS TYPE OF VESSEL WOULD ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO DEAL WITH OIL SPILLAGES IN SHALLOW WATERS BY:

* SPRAYING DISPERSANTS ON OIL SLICKS THAT HAVE DRIFTED CLOSE INSHORE’

* SPRAYING DISPERSANTS OK ROCKS AND SEAWALLS FROM SEAWARD’

* OPERATING A NON-TOXIC OIL SKIMMING DEVICE’

* LANDING MEN AND EQUIPMENT ON BEACHES AND FORESHORES FROM SEAWARD’

* LOCATING AND MARKING OIL SLICKS CLOSE INSHORE’

* TRANSPORTING AND DEPLOYING ABSORBENTS SUCH AS POLYURETHANE FOAM AND EFFECTING ITS SUBSEQUENT RECOVERY’

* TRANSPORTING POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT’ AND

* COLLECTING REFUSE FROM THE HARBOUR WHEN NOT REQUIRED FOR OIL POLLUTION CONTROL PURPOSES.

IN MAKING THE RECOMMENDATIONS, S.C.O.O.P. SAID IT RECOGNISED THAT THE SANDY BEACHES OF HONG KONG ARE VITAL AND INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT RECREATIONAL AMENITY.

THE GAZETTED BEACHES AND THOSE TO BE OPENED IN THE FUTURE, IT NOTED, LIE ADJACENT TO ONE OF THE BUSIEST SEAPORTS IN THE WORLD, AND CATER FOR AN ESTIMATED 150,000 PEOPLE AT WEEKENDS AND ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS DURING THE SUMMER, AND THE NUMBER IS PROBABLY INCREASING.

/+THE GROSSLY

SATURDAY, SEPTEi-BER 25, 1976

+THE GROSSLY UNPLEASANT AND OFTEN INDIVIDUALLY EXPENSIVE CONSEQUENCES OF OIL CONTAMINATION OF BATHING BEACHES ARE WELL KNOWN AND NEED NO FURTHER ELABORATION,+ IT SAID.

+IT IS SUFFICIENT TO SAY THAT FOR VARIOUS SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL REASONS EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO STOP OIL POLLUTION REACHING THE BEACHES,+ IT ADDED.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS HAD BEEN ENDORSED BY THE PORT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, EPCOM, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE FLAT-BOTTOMED ANTI-OIL POLLUTION VESSEL, MR. MASON POINTED OUT, WOULD BE ABOUT NINE METRES (ABOUT 30 FEET) IN LENGTH AND WOULD BE CAPABLE OF A SPEED OF 20 KNOTS.

HE SAID THE VESSEL WOULD BE FITTED WITH THE FOLLOWING ANTI-OIL POLLUTION EQUIPMENT:

* EQUIPMENT FOR SPRAYING CHEMICALS, THIS METHOD BEING THE QUICKEST WAY OF EFFECTIVELY DEALING WITH ANY OIL SLICK. WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF IMPROVED LOW TOXICITY CHEMICALS , THIS METHOD IS ACCEPTED IN A WIDE RANGE OF ENVIRONMENTS.

* NON-TOXIC RECOVERY EQUIPMENT FOR RECLAIMING OIL WHERE THE SPRAYING OF DISPERSANT WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE ENVIRONMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR OYSTER BEDS OR FISH REARING FARMS. THE REQUIRED SYSTEM USES A 220-MILLIMETRE THICK ROPE-LIKE MOP OF SPECIALLY FORMULATED FIBRES TO ABSORB OIL WHILST REJECTING WATER.

M STORAGE FOR RECOVERED OIL. OIL RECOVERED FROM THE SEA BY THIS METHOD NEEDS TO BE STORED AND MOVED AND THIS CAN BE DONE BY USING A DRACONE (FLOATING TANK), A LARGE FLEXIBLE SAUSAGE-SHAPED CONTAINER, WHICH PROVIDES ECONOMIC BULK TRANSPORTATION OF ALL LIQUIDS LIGHTER THAN SEA WATER.

H CLEARANCE PACK FOR THE COLLECTION OF FLOATING DEBRIS AND DRIFTWOOD. IT CONSISTS OF A WIRE MESH SCOOP.

COMMENTING ON THE PRESENT SITUATION IN THE HARBOUR AREA

WHERE FLEETS OF SMALL MOTOR CARGO BOATS AND SAMPANS ARE

DAILY COLLECTING TONS OF RUBBISH, MR. MASON SAID: +IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, REFUSE COLLECTED FROM THE SEA AND FROM OCEAN GOING SHIPS AVERAGED 11-1/2 TONS A DAY.

+BUT THE FIGURE IS INCREASING. THE DAILY AVERAGE NOW STANDS AT 11 TONS FROM THE SEA AND TWO TONS FROM OCEAN-GOING VESSELS. THESE VESSELS ARE SERVICED BY REFUSE COLLECTING VESSELS UNDER CONTRACT TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.

+THIS YEAR WE HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED EXTRA FUNDS TO DEPLOY MORE CRAFT TO CARRY OUT SUCH TASKS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE HARBOUR.

+ORIGINALLY, THE AMOUNT ALLOCATED FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR’S HARBOUR REFUSE COLLECTION WORK BY SAMPANS AND MOTORISED BOATS WAS 31.27 MILLION. THIS FIGURE HAS BEEN INCREASED BY A GRANT OF AN EXTRA 3190,000.

+ THIS EXTRA AMOUNT ''EANS THAT WE CAN ADD THE PRESENT FLEET GF 31 SCAVANGING EOATS,+ HE

19 MORE VESSELS TO SA ID.

/SINCE UTE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1976

SINCE LATE LAST MONTH, MR. MASON POINTED OUT, TWO EXTRA BOATS WERE HIRED TO COLLECT REFUSE IN THE CHAI WAN UNLICENSED DWELLING BOATS AREA AND, FROM NEXT MONTH, TWO EXTRA FLEETS OF FOUR BOATS EACH WILL COME INTO OPERATION.

ONE FLEET WILL BE STATIONED IN TSUEN WAN, AND THE OTHER WILL BE USED AS A BACK UP FLEET, HE SAID.

OF THE ORIGINAL 31 CRAFT, 16 ARE DEPLOYED IN THE CENTRAL HARBOUR AREA, SEVEN IN ABERDEEN, FIVE IN YAU MA TEI AND CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTERS AND THREE ARE ENGAGED IN COLLECTING REFUSE FROM OCEAN-GOING SHIPS.

MR. MASON SAID THAT WITH DEPLOYMENT OF ADDITIONAL CRAFT, THE REFUSE SITUATION IN THE HONG KONG WATERS SHOULD IMPROVE.

BUT, HE ADDED, THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM WAS TO SEEK THE CO-OPERATION OF THE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THE FLOATING POPULATION.

+UNTIL THERE IS MORE CO-OPERATION FROM THE USERS OF THE WATERS OF HONG KONG INCLUDING CERTAIN INDUSTRIES AND OTHER FACILITIES ON THE SHORE LINES, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE LEVEL OF EXPENDITURE CAN BE REDUCED,+ HE SAID.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, A SHIPPING COMPANY WAS FINED 316,003 FOR POLLUTING THE HARBOUR WITH MARINE OIL.THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR THIS OFFENCE IS $20,003.

IN ANOTHER CASE, A CHARTERER OF PLEASURE CRAFT WAS FINED $1,030 AFTER A MAN WAS SEEN DUMPING A LARGE QUANTITY OF REFUSE OVERBOARD.

0 -------

/5

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1976

5

TEMPORARY MOORING FOR JUMBO FLOATING RESTAURANT * * * * *

ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE FOR THE JUMBO FLOATING RESTAURANT TO BE MOORED AT A BERTH ALONGSIDE THE SEA-WALL IN THE ABERDEEN WEST TYPHOON SHELTER, CLOSE TO WU NAM STREET.

THE MOORING OF THE FLOATING RESTAURANT AT THIS LOCATION IS A TEMPORARY MEASURE PENDING THE COMPLETION OF SHORE BASED FACILITIES, INCLUDING A CAR-PARK AND JETTY, AT SHUM WAN IN ABERDEEN WHERE THE JUMBO AND TWO OTHER FLOATING RESTAURANTS WILL BE MOORED IN ABOUT 18 MONTHS TIME.

THE EXPECTED COMPLETION OF THE CAR-PARK AND JETTY IN ABOUT 18 MONTHS TIME WILL COINCIDE WITH THE COMMISSIONING OF A NEW FIRE-BOAT FOR ABERDEEN WHICH WILL BE LARGER, MORE POWERFUL AND BETTER EQUIPPED THAN THE EXISTING FIRE-BOAT. ALTHOUGH CERTAIN FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN REGARDING THE PROPOSAL TO MOOR THE JUMBO FLOATING RESTAURANT IN THE BUSY ABERDEEN WEST TYPHOON SHELTER, THE TEMPORARY MOORING OF THE JUMBO AT THIS LOCATION WILL NOT OBSTRUCT VESSELS USING THE FAIRWAY THROUGH THE HARBOUR. STATIONARY CRAFT WHICH WILL BE REQUIRED TO MOVE TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE JUMBO WILL BE RELOCATED UNDER THE DIRECTIONS OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN SUCH A WAY AS TO MINIMIZE ADDITIONAL CONGESTION AND INCONVENIENCE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION HAS SAID THAT ABERDEEN AND ITS FLOATING RESTAURANTS IS ONE OF THE PERENNIAL ATTRACTIONS OF HONG KONG AND THE PRESENCE OF THE JUMBO WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BRING MORE VISITORS TO THE AREA WHICH WILL BE OF CONSIDERABLE COMMERCIAL BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY OF ABERDEEN.

THE NAME OF ABERDEEN IS LINKED TO THE FLOATING RESTAURANT BUSINESS AND IT IS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE THAT THIS LARGE NEW FLOATING RESTAURANT SHOULD BE BASED THERE.

PUBLIC OFF-STREET CAR-PARKING FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED ADJACENT TO THE TEMPORARY MOORING AT THE OWNERS’ EXPENSE. THE OWNERS HAVE ALSO BEEN REQUIRED TO MEET THE COST OF INSTALLING A MAINS WATER SUPPLY AND FIRE HYDRANTS ON THE SEA-WALL ALONGSIDE THE VESSEL. THE MOST STRINGENT FIRE PRECAUTIONS HAVE BEEK LAID DOWN BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND INCORPORATED INTO THE DESIGN OF THE FLOATING RESTAURANT.

THE EVENTUAL REMOVAL CF THE JUMBO AND TWO OTHER FLOATING RESTAURANTS TO NEW MOORINGS AT SHUM WAN, ABERDEEN IN ABOUT 18 MONTHS’TIME IS PART OF GOVERNMENT’S PLAN FOR IMPROVING ABERDEEN HARBOUR BY RELIEVING CONGESTION AND MAKING IT A MORE EFFICIENT BASE FROM WHICH THE FISHING FLEET MAY OPERATE.

-----o------

/6

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1976

6

PRESS CENTRE AT CFM MEETING TO BEGIN OPERATION TOMORROW *****

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE PRESS CENTRE TO BE USED BY ACCREDITED PRESS, TV AND RADIO REPRESENTATIVES DURING THE PERIOD OF THE COMMONWEALTH FINANCE MINISTERS MEETING WILL COME INTO OPERATION TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

THE CENTRE, MANNED BY STAFF OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND CABLE AND WIRELESS, IS LOCATED AT CONFERENCE ROOM II AND III ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE HONG KONG CONVENTION CENTRE.

HOWEVER, ENTRY TO THE CONVENTION CENTRE DURING.THIS PERIOD WILL BE STRICTLY CONTROLLED, AND ONLY AUTHORISED PASS-HOLDERS WILL BE PERMITTED IN.

PLEASE BE REMINDED THAT ACCREDITED PRESS PASSES CAN BE

USED ONLY BY THE NAME-HOLDER WHO SHOULD ALSO CARRY SOME

VERIFICATION OF HIS/HER IDENTITY. ANYONE ELSE ATTEMPTING TO

USE THE PASS TO GAIN ADMISSION TO THE CONVENTION CENTRE

WILL BE DENIED ENTRY.

0

UNLOADING OF DIESEL OIL FROM CHINA BACK TO NORMAL

*****

THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY, MR. REGINALD GREGORY, SAID TODAY THAT THE UNLOADING OF DIESEL OIL FROM CHINA WILL RETURN TO NORMAL WITH THE OPENING OF A NEW TEMPORARY TERMINAL AT TAI PO KAU.

THE FIRST BATCH OF DIESEL OIL COMPRISING 16 WAGONS WILL ARRIVE AT THE NEW TERMINAL TOMORROW (SUNDAY) EVENING.

THE TERMINAL IS SPECIALLY OPENED TO HANDLE OIL TRAINS FROM CHINA WHICH HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED SINCE THE AUGUST 25 RAINSTORM.

THERE ARE FIVE OTHER TEMPORARY TERMINALS SET UP FOR THE UNLOAD I OF GOODS FROM RAILWAY WAGONS. THEY ARE LOACTED AT THE SOUTH OF SHA TIN STATION, FO TAN, WO HOP SHEK, FANLING AND HO TUNG LAU WORKSHOPS.

NG

THE KCR OPENED THESE TEMPORARY TERMINALS BECAUSE THE WAGONS COULD NOT REACH KOWLOON AS A RESULT OF DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE OLD RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER SHING MUN RIVER.

COMMENTING ON THE WORK OF THE NEW SAID: +THE WORK IS PROGRSSING SMOOTHLY COMPLETED NEXT MONTH ON SCHEDULE.*

BR IDGE

AT TAI WAI, MR. GREGORY

AND THE BRIDGE WILL BE

- - 0 - -

/7

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1976

7

OPENING OF NEW POST OFFICE

**)€*)€*

A NEW POST OFFICE AT NOS. 160-164 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 27) STARTING AT 10 A.M.

IT REPLACES THE DES VOEUX ROAD POST OFFICE WHICH WAS CLOSED DUE TO EXPIRY OF THE LEASE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID: +EXCEPT FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF INSURED LETTERS, A FULL RANGE OF POST OFFICE BUSINESS WILL BE TRANSACTED AT THIS NEW OFF ICE.+

THE HOURS OF BUSINESS OF THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE FROM

9 A.M. TO 6 P.M. DAILY FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. ON SATURDAYS. THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS.

STAMP VENDING MACHINES GIVING 24 HOURS AVAILABILITY OF 10-CENT AND 50-CENT STAMPS HAVE ALSO BEEN INSTALLED AT THE OFF ICE.

-----o------

NEW JURY LIST * * * * *

THE ACTING REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, MR. SIMON HERBERT MAYO, ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS WILL BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARD NEAR THE LIFT INSIDE THE SOUTH-WEST ENTRANCE OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30.

THIS LIST WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 14 DAYS.

DURING THIS PERIOD ANY PERSON MAY APPLY BY NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE REGISTRAR REQUIRING THAT HIS NAME OR THE NAME OF SOME OTHER PERSON BE POSTED OR REMOVED UPON CAUSE DULY ASSIGNED IN THE NOTICE.

THE REGISTRAR SHALL IN HIS DISCRETION, POST OR REMOVE SUCH NAME ACCORDINGLY AND SHALL IF NECESSARY ALTER THE LIST.

-------0 -

/8

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1976

8 -

EXHIBITION ON MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

******

AN EXHIBITION ON MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, BOTH ORIENTAL AND WESTERN, WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HALL OF THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN NEXT WEEK.

THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WILL BEGIN AT 8 P.M. ON MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 27). IT WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC EVERYDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 10 P.M. UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30.

DURING THE EXHIBITION, THERE WILL BE FOLK SINGING CONCERT, A MUSIC FAIR FOR YOUTHS AND A SLIDE SHOW INTRODUCING THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA EACH EVENING.

- - 0 -

C.A.S. CADET CORPS CANOE RACE * * * *

MORE THAN 120 MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES WILL TAKE PART IN A CANOE RACE AT TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES ON SUNDAY (SEPTEMBER 26).

THE RACE, FIRST OF ITS KIND ORGANISED BY THE CAS CADET CORPS, WILL BE HELD AT THE TUEN MUN RIVER IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN STARTING AT 9 A.M.

MR. JOHN BOWDEN, ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, TUEN MUN, WILL PRESENT MEDALS TO THE WINNERS AND THE LIU LIT-MO OVERALL CHAMPION CUP TO THE BEST CADET UNIT IN THE RACE.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE RACE.

- - 0 - -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATIOOOL’LTW”

HONG KONG’S ANCIENT ROCK CARVINGS

* * * * *

HONG KONG^S UNIQUE ANCIENT ROCK CARVINGS, BELIEVED TC BE AROUND 3,000 YcARS OLD, ARE IN DANGER OF BEING DESTROYED BY NATURAL EROSION AND VANDALISM.

MOVES ARE NOW AFOOT BY THE URBAN COUNCIL’S MUSEUM OF HISTORY TO PROTECT THEM IN SITU AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF HONG KONG’S CULTURAL HERITAGE.

PRESENT PLANS INCLUDE PUTTING UP TEMPORARY FENCES TO THWART IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE FROM DEFACING THEM. A MAJOR PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO IMPRESS ON THE PUBLIC THEIR GREAT HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE IS ALSO BEING UNDERTAKEN.

ACCORDING TO THE CURATOR OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S MUSEUM OF HISTORY, MR. BRIAN PEACOCK, VANDALISM HAS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE.

+IF WE DON’T DO ANYTHING NOW, THESE CARVINGS WILL BE GONE .......

IN A MATTER OF A YEAR OR TWO,+ HE WARNED.

THESE CARVINGS, MANY OF WHICH ARE OF GEOMETRIC DESIGN, DO NOT SEEM TO FIGURE SIGNIFICANTLY IN PRESENT DAY LOCAL TRADITIONS. THEY ARE FOUND IN BIG WAVE BAY, SHEK PIK ON LANTAU, PO TOI ISLAND, TUNG LUNG ISLAND, CHEUNG CHAU AND KAU SAI CHAU.

APART FROM TRYING TO PRESERVE THESE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RELICS IN SITU, MR. PEACOCK SAID, WORK IS NOW PROCEEDING TO MAKE A PERMANENT RECORD OF THE CARVINGS BY PRODUCING REPLICAS EY A MOULDING PROCESS.

+WE FIRST PAINT ON THE SURFACE OF THESE CARVINGS LIQUID RUBBER LATEX, TOPPING IT WITH A SHEET OF COTTON GAUZE,+ HE SAID.

+FOLLOWING THIS, PLASTIC RESIN IS APPLIED ON THE TOP OF THE GAUZE TO GIVE THE MOULD GREATER RIGIDITY AND STRENGTH.

+WHEN THE VARIOUS LAYERS HAVE DRIED, WHICH NORMALLY TAKES ABOUT A DAY, THE MOULD IS REMOVED AND TAKEN TO THE MUSEUM OF ART LABORATORY IN THE CITY HALL WHERE IT IS USED TO PRODUCE AN EXACT REPLICA IN THE FORM OF A CAST,* MR. PEACOCK SAID.

HE REVEALED THAT WHEN THE ENTIRE MOULDING AND CASTING WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS, AN EXHIBITION OF THE REPLICAS OF THE CARVINGS WILL BE HELD IN THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY.

+T0 GIVE THEIR PRECISE AGE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT,* HE SAID.

/♦HOWEVER, .....

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 19?6

+HOWEVER, SINCE MANY CF 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 SIGNIFICANCE,* HE ADDED.

MR. PEACOCK SAID THAT SIMILAR CARVINGS WERE EXTREMELY RARE ELSEWHERE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.

+THUS,* HE POINTED OUT, +THE CARVINGS ARE ALSO IMPORTANT AS FAR AS THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN REGION IS CONCERNED.*

WHEN ASKED WHETHER THE SIX CARVINGS RESEMBLE EACH OTHER, MR. PEACOCK SAID FIVE OF THEM SHOWED SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS.

+THE ONE AT TUNG LUNG IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT IS LESS GEOMETRIC,* HE STATED.

ON THE FUTURE OF THESE ROCK CARVINGS, HE POINTED OUT, +CONSIDERABLE WORK IS NECESSARY TO PRESERVE THEIR EXISTENCE.*

AT PRESENT, HE INDICATED, THE PROBLEM OF HOW TO PREVENT EROSION AND STOP WATER FROM SEEPING THROUGH CREVICES IN THE MONUMENTS WAS BEING INVESTIGATED.

+THE FINAL SOLUTION FOR THEIR PRESERVATION WOULD, OF COURSE, HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AESTHETIC CONSIDERATIONS AS WELL,* HE ADDED.

- - 0 -

STREET CLOSURE * * * * *

WAI YIP STREET BETWEEN KWUN TONG ROAD AND SIU YIP STREETIN KWUN TONG WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 11 P.M. AND 6 A.M. FROM SEPTEMBER 28 TO 30.

THE CLOSURE IS NECESSARY TO ENABLE A FLYOVER TO BE CONSTRUCTED ACROSS WAI YIP STREET TO THE WEST OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY KOWLOON DEPOT SITE.

MOTORISTS AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE CLOSURE SHOULD USE KWUN TONG

ROAD.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

0 -

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, la‘

3

GOVERNMENT TV PROGRAMME POPULAR * * * *

GOVERNMENT PRODUCED TELEVISION PROGRAMMES ARE GROWING IN POPULARITY ..I TH THE ’’BELOW THE LION ROCK” DRAMA SERIES STILL MAINTAINING ITS LEAD ON OTHER SIMILAR TV PRODUCTIONS.

THIS CANTONESE DRAMA SERIES NOW IN ITS THIRD YEAR OF PRODUCTION, IS STILL THE MOST INFLUENTIAL DRAMA SERIES.

AUDIENCE FIGURES REMAIN CONSISTENTLY HIGH WITH A COMBINED AUDIENCE /.ELL OVER 2.3 MILLION. IT IS SEEN BY MORE HONG KONG PEOPLE THAN ANY OTHER SINGLE PROGRAMME.

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST SURVEY, ALTHOUGH THE WEEKLY EPISODE WAS SHOWN FIRST ON CTV AND RTV, TVB IN THIRD PLACE COULD CLAIM AN AUDIENCE FIGURE OF 1,505,303 MAKING I" THEIR SIXTH MOST POPULAR PROGRAMME.

AMONG THE THEMES TACKLED /.ERE DRUGS AND THE YOUNG, CORRUPTION, AND DIFFICULT SUBJECTS WHERE A MASS AUDIENCE NEEDED EDUCATING SUCH AS HAWKER CONTROL POLICY AND THE DANGER OF UNLICENSED FOOD CATERERS.

ONE OF ITS EPISODES ’’SUNRISE, SUNSET” a0‘. A SPECIAL -RIZE AT THE ASIAN EROADCASTING UNION YOUNG FILM MAKERS FESTIVAL AT SHIRAZ IN IRAN.

ANOTHER POPULAR RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG PROGRAMME ” VIEWPOINT AND ANGLES”, ..RICH IS SCREENED NIGHTLY AFTER THE NEWS HAS A COMBINED AUDIENCE OF 2.5 MILLION PEOPLE.

SCOUT MOVEMENT PRAISED

******

THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE NE.. TERRITORIES, MR. JOHN CHAMBERS TODAY PRAISED THE CONTRIBUTION MADE 5Y THE SCOUTING MOVEMENT IN SHAPING THE FUTURE AND BUILDING THE CHARACTER OF YOUTHS.

HE .-.aS SPEAKING AT THz INAUGURATION OF OFFICE BEARER OF THE TAI PO (SOUTH) DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL OF THE SCCUT ASSOCIATION.

AFTER PRESENTING CERTIFICATES OF APPOINTMENT TC LAY MEMBEr.S OF THE COUNCIL, MR. CHAMBERS SAID HE >'AS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT Tr.; GROUP H„D NARKED UP SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE SCCUT MS. SMELT IN SUCH AREAS AS ORGANISATION TRAILING AND DEVELOPMENT.

+1 BELIEVE TnAT THE SCOUT MOVEMENT IS ESSENTIAL TO SUCH 'LACES AS TAI PO, ..’HERE THERE IS A LARGE ‘.'UMBER OF YOUTHS,+ -z SAID.

+TFIS IS BECAUSE THE MOVEMENT’S STRICT DISCIPLINE, -OFTY

CONCcPT OF SzP.VING uTHzRS «i.D THz VARIOUS TYPES OF HAILING IN .OLVz-WILL BENEFIT THE YOUTHS TO A GREAT EXTENT IK SHAPING THEIR Fu’.F.E AND z>U I _D I NG irlzIR CHAHACTERS.+

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1976

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

SOLUTION TO POLLUTION PROBLEMS DEPENDS ON PUBLIC ATTITUDE ... 1

NEW SHING MUN BRIDGE TAKING SHAPE ............................ 3

THREE MP’S DUE THIS WEEKEND .................................. 4

SLIGHT DROP IN EXPORTS LAST MONTH ............................ 5

WATER CUT..................................................... 6

ENHANCED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUPILS ............................ 7

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1976

SOLUTION TO POLLUTION PROBLEMS DEPENDS ON PUBLIC ATTITUDE ******

THE SOLUTION TO MANY POLLUTION AND CONSERVATION PROBLEMS, PARTICULARLY THOSE CAUSED BY URBAN LIVING, DEPENDS ON THE ATTITUDE OF THE PUBLIC, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, MR. ALAN ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING A'T A SEMINAR OF THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, HE SAID THAT COMPREHENSIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS WERE NO SUBSTITUTE FOR VOLUNTARY EFFORT ON THE PART OF EACH OF HONG KONG’S CITIZENS TO MINIMISE POLLUTION PROBLEMS.

+IF WE ARE TO HAVE A GOOD ENVIRONMENT, IT HAS TO BE PAID FOR —- IN MANY CASES THIS HAS TO BE IN THE FORM OF HARD CASH, BUT IT CAN OFTEN BE IN THE FORM OF EFFORT, OR RESTRAINT ON THE PART OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.

+WITH VERY CONSIDERABLE DEMANDS ON HONG KONG’S RESOURCES (AND ALREADY THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT IS GETTING A BIGGER SHARE THAN MOST PEOPLE REALISE), THEN WE NEED TO EXPLOIT PAYMENT BY WAY OF EFFORT OR RESTRAINT ON THE PART OF THE PUBLIC.

+AND FOR THIS REASON, IT IS VITAL THAT THE PUBLIC BECOMES AWARE OF THE NEED FOR A GOOD ENVIRONMENT AND OF THE EFFECTS OF NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT POLLUTION- NOT ONLY THE IMMEDIATE EFFECTS BUT ALSO THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS THAT WILL HAVE TO BE ENDURED BY FUTURE GENERATIONS.*

MR. ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD FOR MANY YEARS RECOGNISED THE NEED TO TAKE THE THREAT OF POLLUTION SERIOUSLY.

HE DISCLOSED THAT VERY CONSIDERABLE FUNDS WERE BEING

SPENT ON TRADITIONAL POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES SUCH AS REFUSE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL AND HARBOUR CLEANSING AND, MORE RECENTLY ATTENTION HAD BEEN DIRECTED TO AIR POLLUTION, AGRICULTURAL WASTE AND NOISE ABATEMENT BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (EPCOM).

+THIS COMMITTEE WITH ITS SEPARATE SUB-COMMITTEES FOR AIR, WATER AND LAND, AND NOISE POLLUTION, HAS PRODUCED MANY RECOMMENDATIONS ON A VERY WIDE VARIETY OF MEASURE TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND AS FAR AS RESOURCES WILL PERMIT, THOSE HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED,* HE SAID.

IN DECEMBER 1974, HE SAID, CONSULTANTS WERE ENGAGED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW THE STATE OF HONG KONG ENVIRONMENT, TO ADVISE ON THE ENACTMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LEGISLATION AND TO ADVISE ON IMPROVING GOVERNMENT’S POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCIES.

ONE OF THE PROPOSALS MADE BY THE CONSULTANTS WAS FOR A FLEXIBLE SYSTEM OF POLLUTION CONTROLS FOR HONG KONG, HE SAID.

/+RIGID .....

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2?, 1976

2 -

+RIGID ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS, WHILE THEORETICALLY EASIER TO ENFORCE, HAVE IN PRACTICE PROVED UNWORKABLE IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES BECAUSE THEY DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CAPACITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT TO ABSORB POLLUTION AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND THE ABILITY OF DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES TO IMPROVE EFFLUENT QUALITY,* HE STATED.

+HENCE A RIGID STANDARD COULD BE UNNECESSARILY SEVERE FOR ONE AREA WHILE BEING INSUFFICIENT TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT IN ANOTHER, AND MAY PERMIT ONE INDUSTRY TO POLLUTE WRE THAN IT NEEDS WHILE PUTTING ANOTHER INDUSTRY OUT OF BUSINESS.

+THE PROPOSED FLEXIBLE SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE GOVERNMENT WITH THE POWERS TO IMPOSE CONTROLS WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED AND JUSTIFIED, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT NOT ONLY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS BUT ALSO ECONOMIC REALITIES AND THE SOCIAL NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY,* HE ADDED.

MR. ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT WENT ON TO GIVE DETAILS OF THE " GOVERNMENT’S FUTURE PLANS TO COMBAT POLLUTION.

THEY INCLUDE !-

* THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO COMPOSTING PLANTS AND A HIGH DENSITY EALING PLANT TO DEAL WITH SOLID WASTE,

M THE EXTENSION OF THE HARBOUR CLEANSING SERVICE AND

* THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SHALLOW DRAUGHT VESSEL TO TACKLE OIL POLLUTION IN INSHORE WATERS.

ON CONSERVATION OF COUNTRYSIDE, MR. ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT SAID : +BECAUSE OF HONG KONG’S PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, IT IS CLEAR THAT WE NEED MUCH OF THE AVAILABLE FLAT LANE FOR HOUSING AND LIVING.*

HOWEVER, HE EMPHASISED THAT THE REST MUST BE PRESERVED FOR RECREATION AND ENJOYMENT OF THE MASSES.

TO BEGIN WITH, MR. ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT SAID, COUNTRY PARKS WERE HOT BEING ESTABLISHED IN THE MORE ACCESSIBLE AREAS.

HE ADDED THAT THE AIM WAS TO BRING, EVENTUALLY, THE WHOLE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE UNDER SOME FORM OF MANAGEMENT SO THAT THE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE MASSES OF PEOPLE VISITING THE COUNTRYSIDE COULD BE ADEQUATELY DEALT WITH.

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1976

5

NEW SHING MUN BRIDGE * K * *

TAKING SHAPE *

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ENGINEERS HAVE COMPLETED ALL MAJOR FOUNDATION WORKS ON THE NEW SHING MUN RIVER RAILWAY BRIDGE AT SHA TIN AND HALF OF THE BRIDGE STRUCTURE HAS.ALREADY BEEN FORMED.

MR. VAL MANSFIELD, PROJECT ENGINEER, SAID TODAY THAT DESPITE BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS THE P.W.D.’S RAILWAY DIVISION WAS PUSHING AHEAD WITH THE CONSTRUCTION WORK AND STILL HOPED TO HAVE THE NEW BRIDGE READY FOR USE BY THE END OF THE FIRST WEEK IN OCTOBER.

+AS SOON AS WEATHER CONDITIONS PERMIT, THE REMAINING CONNECTING SPANS WILL BE PUT IN POSITION TO COMPLETE THE BASIC FRAMEWORK OF THE BRIDGE,* HE SAID.

+RIGHT AFTER THAT WE’LL BEGIN LAYING THE SURFACE OF THE BRIDGE AND ONCE THIS IS DONE WE’LL START RECONNECTING THE RAIL TRACKS TO ENABLE NORMAL TRAIN SERVICES TO RESUME,* HE ADDED.

MR. MANSFIELD SAID THAT SINCE THE DESTRUCTION OF THE OLD BRIDGE DURING THE RECENT RAINSTORMS, P.W.D. WORKERS HAD BEEN WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK UNDER A CRASH BUILDING PROGRAMME TO RESTORE THE SEVERED RAIL LINK AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

+WE HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT UNFORTUNATE IN THAT BAD WEATHER HAS HAMPERED PROGRESS SOMEWHAT, PARTICULARLY DURING THE PASSAGE OF TYPHOON IRIS, BUT WE’RE HOPING THAT THE WEATHER WILL IMPROVE SO THAT WE CAN FINISH MOST OF THE WORK IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS FROM NOW TO GET THE TRAIN SERVICE BACK TO NORMAL,* HE ADDED.

MR. MANSFIELD EXPLAINED THAT DUE TO THE URGENT NATURE OF THE WORK MOST OF THE NECESSARY BUILDING MATERIALS HAD HAD TO BROUGHT IN FROM OTHER PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE CONCRETE BEAMS WHICH FORM PART OF THE BRIDGE SPAN.

+AS THERE WERE NOT SUFFICIENT CONCRETE BEAMS READILY AVAILABLE,* HE SAID, +PART OF THE BRIDGE SPAN WILL BE IN STEEL — AN UNUSUAL BUT TECHNICALLY SOUND FEATURE.*

MR. MANSFIELD SAID THE NEW BRIDGE WOULD BE A TWO-SPAN STRUCTURE CARRYING ONE RAIL LINE.

+ONCE WE HAVE COMPLETED THE BRIDGE AND RESTORED THE NORMAL TRAIN SERVICE, TENDERS WILL BE CALLED FOR A SECOND BRIDGE THAT WILL EE REQUIRED FOR DOUBLE TRACKING THE RAILWAY,* HE SAID.

A...

0 - -

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1976

- 4 -

THREE MP’S DUE THIS WEEKEND ******

TWO LABOUR MEMBERS OF THE PARLIAMENT MR. RAYMOND FLETCHER AND MR. PETER HARDY, WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 2) FOR A ONE-WEEK VISIT AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.

THEY WILL BE JOINED BY THE FORMER LEADER OF THE LIBERAL PARTY, MR. JEREMY THORPE, WHO WILL ARRIVE HERE ON SUNDAY NIGHT. HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE.

DURING THEIR STAY, THE MPS WILL MEET THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AS WELL AS THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.

THEY WILL ALSO MEET MEMBERS OF A MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE, VISIT THE 01 MAN ESTATE, A NIGHT MARKET, A FLATTED FACTORY AND TSUEN WAN WHERE THEY WILL SEE THE DEVELOPMENT THERE.

MR. FLETCHER, WHO IS ALSO A JOURNALIST, HOPES TO GET A BROAD PICTURE OF THE WAY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG ON WHICH HE IS LIKELY TO EASE AN ARTICLE FOR THE TIMES NEWSPAPER.

MR. HARDY, A TEACHER BY PROFESSION, HAS SPECIAL INTERESTS WHICH INCLUDE ENVIRONMENT, WILD LIFE AND ENERGY. HE HOPES TO GET AN INSIGHT INTO THE REASONS FOR HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS AND ALSO TO SEE HOW URBAN PROBLEMS ARE TACKLED.

MR. THORPE, WHO IS A BARRISTER OF THE INNER TEMPLE, HAS PREVIOUSLY PAID A PRIVATE VISIT TO HONG KONG.

THE TWO LABOUR MPS WILL LEAVE HONG KONG FOR HOME ON THE

EVENING OF OCTOBER 9, WHILE MR. AND MRS. THORPE WILL DEPART THE FOLLOWING DAY.

THE MP’S ARE EXPECTED TO GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON OCTOBER 8 (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

MR. FLETCHER AND MR. HARDY WILL ARRIVE AT KAI TAK AIRPORT ON OCTOBER 2 BY FLIGHT BA 888 (E.T.A. 7.30 P.M. ). MR. AND MRS. THORPE WILL ARRIVE ON OCTOBER 3 BY FLIGHT CX 170 (E.T.A. 8.55 P.M.).

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1976 - 5 -

SLIGHT DROP IN EXPORTS LAST MONTH

******

THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR AUGUST WAS $2,965 MILLION, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF $32 MILLION OR 1.1 PER CENT, BY VALUE, COMPARED WITH JULY.

ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS DROPPED BY 5.3 PER CENT OR $194 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS WENT DOWN BY 8.5 PER CENT OR $64 MILLION COMPARED WITH JULY.

THE FIGURES FOR THE PERIOD JUNE TO AUGUST 1976 SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF 46.4 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 29.8 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 21.3 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1975.

THE FIGURES FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 1975 TO AUGUST 1976 COMPARED WITH THOSE OF THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD SHOWED INCREASES BY VALUE, OF 40.9 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 32.2 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 23.2 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.

THE FOLLOWING TRADE TABLE GIVES THE COMPARATIVE FIGURES:

COMPARATIVE FIGURES

LATEST 3 MONTHS JUNE-AUGUST 1976 JUNE-AUGUST 1975 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 8,792 6,003 + 2,788 + 46.4

IMPORTS 10,866 8,373 + 2,493 + 29.8

RE-EXPORTS 2,168 1,787 + 380 +21.3

AUGUST JULY INCREASE OR

LATEST MONTH 1976 1976 DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 2,965 2,996 32 - 1.1

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (81.3%) (80.0%)

IMPORTS 3,509 3,704 194 - 5.3

RE-EXPORTS 683 747 64 - 8.5

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (18.7%) (20.0%)

/JAN. - AUG........

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1976

- 6

CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE JAN. - AUG. 1976 JAN. - AUG. 1975 INCREASE OR DECREASE

DOMESTIC EXPORTS $ MN. 20,761 5 MN. 13,930 $ MN. % + 6,831 + 49.0

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) IMPORTS (78.5%) 27,820 (75,8%) 20,557 + 7,262 + 35.3

RE-EXPORTS 5,690 4,454 + 1,236 + 27.8

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) LAST 12 MONTHS (21.5%) SEPT. 1975 TO AUG. 1976 (24.2%) SEPT. 1974 TO AUG. 1975 INCREASE OR DECREASE

DOMESTIC EXPORTS $ MN. 29,690 $ MN. 21,078 $ MN. % + 8,611 + 40.9

IMPORTS 40,734 30,806 + 9,928 + 32.2

RE-EXPORTS 8,210 6,666 + 1,544 + 23.2

WATER SUPPLY TO A o- WATER CUT * * * NUMBER OF PREMISES IN THE TYTAM RESERVOIR

AREA WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (SEPTEMBER 29).

THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE HOUSE NO. 9-46 TYTAM ROAD INCLUDING TURTLE COVE VILLAS.

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1976

7

ENHANCED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUPILS *******

WHILE UNIVERSAL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG IS EXPANDING SOON INTO THE SECONDARY LEVEL WITH TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS - BOTH ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL - FLOURISHING, SCHOOLS MUST PLAY A VERY LARGE PART IN PREPARING CHILDREN FOR THEIR ENHANCED OPPORTUNITIES, THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (ADMINISTRATION), MR. BASIL BOARD SAID THIS AFTERNOON.

ADDRESSING THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OR THE WORLD-WIDE SEA TRAINING SCHOOL AT THE CITY HALL, MR. BOARD SAID: +IT IS NOT JUST THAT THEY MUST LEARN BASIC SKILLS, SO THAT THEY MAY BE EMPLOYABLE, AND LEARN TO LEARN, SO THAT THEY MAY IMPROVE THEMSELVES AND MASTER THE MACHINES THAT ARE REPLACING PHYSICAL LABOUR- THEY MUST ALSO LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THE HUMAN WORLD, SO THAT THEY MAY LEAD LIVES SATISFYING TO THEMSELVES AND TO SOCIETY.*

THIS WAS NOT NEW. +WHAT IS NEW IS THAT EVERYONE, THE WHOLE POPULATION, NOW NEEDS TO DEVELOP BOTH THESE SKILLS AND THIS MATURITY AND RESPONSIBILITY,* MR. BOARD SAID. +THE DAYS OF A HANDFUL OF ’BORN’ TEACHERS EDUCATING A MINORITY OF THE PEOPLE ARE LONG PAST.*

GIVING AN EXAMPLE, HE MENTIONED THE CHANGE THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE IN THE HUMAN EFFORT INVOLVED IN MOVING GOODS BY SEA AT PRESENT COMPARED WITH A GENERATION AGO.

SINCE CHANGE HAD SO ACCELERATED IN THE LAST FEW DECADES, TODAY’S GRADUATES COULD OBVIOUSLY NOT EXPECT TO EARN THEIR LIVING IN 20 YEARS’ TIME WITH THE SKILLS THEY NOW POSSESSED.

+EVER-ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY AND EVER-INCREASING CAPITAL INVESTMENT PER EMPLOYEE WILL DEMAND NOT ONLY THE WILLINGNESS AND ABILITY TO LEARN MORE AND MORE, BUT ALSO QUALITIES OF CHARACTER THAT WILL JUSTIFY THE TREMENDOUS TRUST PLACED IN SUCH MEN AS YOU,* MR. BOARD TOLD THE GRADUATES.

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR STRESSED THAT +SOCIETY NEEDS TO IMPART TO VERY LARGE NUMBERS OF TEACHERS, AND NOT JUST A GIFTED, DEDICATED FEW, A NEW PROFESSIONALISM WHICH WILL MEAN FAR MORE THAN A CERTAIN LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE PLUS COMPETENCE IN INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES, THOUGH EVEN TO ACHIEVE THAT IN A SYSTEMATIC WAY MAY REQUIRE CONSIDERABLY MORE TIME AND RESOURCES THAN ARE DEVOTED TO IT AT PRESENT.

+BUT THE CHALLENGE GOES DEEPER THAN THAT, AND TO MEET IT WILL REQUIRE MORE THAN EXPERT ADVICE= WE NEED ALSO THE DEEP AND INFORMED INTEREST AND SUPPORT OF EMPLOYERS AND OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, THE FUTURE OF WHICH, IN THE LONG RUN, IS AT STAKE.*

MR. BOARD CONGRATULATED THE GRADUATES FOR SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THEIR COURSES AND THE NEW STUDENTS FOR NOT ONLY HAVING GAINED PLACES IN THE TRAINING SCHOOL BUT ALSO FOR HAVING ADOPTED A CLEAR, SPECIFIC AIM IN LIFE.

HE PRAISED THE SCHOOL FOR IMPARTING AND DEMANDING HIGH STANDARDS.

MRS. BOARD DISTRIBUTED CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES TO THE GRADUATES.

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING IMPORTANT TO INDUSTRIALIZING NATIONS ........................TT........ 1

COMPUTERISED TRAFFIC CONTROL SCHEME IN OPERATION NEXT MARCH 3

SAFE WAYS OF HANDLING LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS STOVES ........ 4

HONG. KONG WELCOMES INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT ................... 5

DETAILS OF 1976 ANTI-NARCOTICS CUP BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCED ................................................... 6

T.O.E.F.L. TEST APPLICATION CLOSES ON OCTOBER 1 ............. 7

WATER CUT IN KOWLOON CITY .................................. 7

DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES RETIRING AFTER 25 YEARS’ SERVICE 8

SALE OF CROWN LAND .......................................... 8

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

1

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING

******

THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE IN THE INDUSTRIALIZING NATIONS, DR. S.Y. CHUNG, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SAID THIS MORNING WHEN HE OPENED THE COMMONWEALTH REGIONAL SEMINAR ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY. / - •

HE SAID : +ONE OF THE MAJOR CAUSES OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL GAP BETWEEN THE ADVANCED AND THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IS WIDELY BELIEVED TO LIE IN THE DISPARITY IN THE LEVELS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BETWEEN THESE TWO GROUPS OF COUNTRIES.

+THE UNITED NATIONS HAS CONDUCTED MUCH RESEARCH IN THIS AREA AND, AS A RESULT, THE STRATEGY IN THE U.N. SECOND DEVELOPMENT DECADE FOR THE INDUSTRIALIZING COUNTRIES ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE ROLE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND STRESSES THE URGENT NEED FOR ACCELERATION IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND IN SELF-RELIANCE.+

DR. CHUNG POINTED OUT THAT IN ORDER TO NARROW THE TECHNOLOGICAL GAP, THE RECIPIENT COUNTRY MUST HAVE THE CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY TO ACCEPT THE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.

TURNING TO THE DOMESTIC SCENE, DR. CHUNG SAID HONG KONG MUST IMPROVE ITS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH MECHANISATION OF ITS EXISTING INDUSTRIES AS WELL AS DEVELOP MORE SOPHISTICATED AND TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED INDUSTRIES.

+HONG KONG HAS TO FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE INDUSTRIALLY-ADVANCED COUNTRIES WHOSE INDUSTRIES, FACED WITH SEVERE COMPETITION FROM LOW-COST TERRITORIES, HAVE TO COMPETE NOT IN PRICE BUT ON QUALITY AND TECHNOLOGY.

+FOR THIS REASON, THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING IN HONG KONG IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO OUR FUTURE WELL-BEING,* DR. CHUNG SAID.

BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY RECOGNISED THAT THE DEMAND FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION WAS INCREASING, HE POINTED OUT.

+THEREFORE DESPITE HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL STRINGENCY IN THE LAST TwO YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO DIVERT SUBSTANTIAL PUBLIC FUNDS TOWARD THE GREAT EXPANSION OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION,* DR. CHUNG EMPHASISED.

BY THE END OF THIS DECADE, HE ADDED, HONG KONG SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT TECHNICAL EDUCATION FACILITIES FOR A TOTAL ENROLMENT OF 50,000 PLACES FOR FULL-TIME, PART-TIME DAY AND EVENING STUDENTS.

THE GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY WERE MAKING JOINT EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH TRAINING CENTRES FOR DIFFERENT TRADES.

+TWO SUCH TRAINING CENTRES, ONE FOR CLOTHING AND THE OTHER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, ARE BEING SET UP,* DR. CHUNG SAID.

/IN HIS I....

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1976

- 2 -

IN HIS SPEECH, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE EDUCATION DIVISION, COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT, MR. BERNARD FONG SAID THAT THE EDUCATION MINISTERS ATTENDING THE SEVENTH COMMONWEALTH EDUCATION CONFERENCE IN ACCRA, GHANA, IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR WOULD NO DOUBT BE VERY INTERESTED IN NOT ONLY THE REPORT OF THE HONG KONG SEMINAR ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY BUT ESPECIALLY THE PRACTICAL ACTIONS WHICH DELEGATES WOULD RECOMMEND AS A RESULT OF THEIR DELIBERATIONS.

MR. FONG HOPED THAT THE EMPHASIS PLACED ON THE TECHNICIAN LEVEL AT THE SEMINAR WOULD ENABLE THE LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES OF THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC REGIONS TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE EXPANSION OF THEIR FACILITIES UPWARDS INTO THE TECHNICIAN LEVEL IN THE NOT FAR DISTANT FUTURE.

+ANOTHER IMPORTANT POINT IS THAT THESE LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES IN PARTICULAR MAY BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM MEASURES OF REGIONAL CO-OPERATION IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING WHICH ARE AMONG THE QUESTIONS ON WHICH WE WISH TO REACH SOME PRACTICAL CONCLUSIONS,* HE SAID.

MR. FONG POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT WHEN SPONSORING EDUCATION SEMINARS OR CONFERENCES +ALWAYS TRIES ITS BEST TO ENSURE THAT PRACTICAL ACTION WILL RESULT IN SOME FORM OR OTHER, OR PREFERABLY IN SEVERAL FORMS, WHICH WILL HELP TO SOLVE OR EASE PROBLEMATICAL SITUATIONS FACED BY MEMBER COUNTRIES.*

THIS MEANT THAT AT CLOSING SESSIONS GENUINE AND REALISTIC PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVEMENTS, FOR EXAMPLE IN LEGISLATION OR IN ORGANISATION OR IN TRAINING METHODS, WOULD BE PUT FORWARD FOR INCORPORATION IN THE REPORT.

+WE ALSO HAVE IN MIND THE POSSIBILITY THAT, IF THERE IS ENOUGH MATERIAL, THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT MIGHT PUBLISH AN ACCOUNT OF INTERESTING MEASURES, ARRANGEMENTS, INNOVATIONS, CASE STUDIES, SUCCESS STORIES, WHATEVER DELEGATES THINK BEST= THIS WILL BE FOR ALL TO DECIDE,* THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID.

THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO SUPPORTING CO-OPERATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WITHIN A REGION.

HE SAID THAT TOWARD THE END OF THE SEMINAR, +WE SHALL BE DISCUSSING MORE ABOUT REGIONAL SCHEMES AND PROGRAMMES WHICH ARE IN OPERATION OR BEING PLANNED, TO SHOW THE FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE SEMINAR CAN MAKE ITS OWN RECOMMENDATIONS.*

MR. FONG EXPRESSED THE GRATITUDE OF THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY-GENERAL, MR. SHRIDATH RAMPHAL, TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR HOSTING THE SEMINAR AND ALSO TO THE POLYTECHNIC FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1976

- 3 -

COMPUTERISED TRAFFIC CONTROL SCHEME IN OPERATION NEXT MARCH ******

TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN WEST KOWLOON WILL SOON BE CONSIDERABLY IMPROVED WHEN A $12 MILLION COMPUTERISED TRAFFIC CONTROL SCHEME COMES INTO OPERATION NEXT MARCH.

THE SCHEME, DESIGNED BY A SPECIAL TEAM OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TRAFFIC ENGINEERS AND COMPUTER EXPERTS, WILL COVER YAU MA TEI, MONG KOK AND PARTS OF TSIM SHA TSUI AND SHAM SHU I PO.

THREE SETS OF COMPUTERS, WORTH NEARLY $9 MILLION, ARRIVED FROM BRITAIN OVER THE WEEKEND AND ARE NOW BEING INSTALLED IN THE CONTROL CENTRE OF THE P.W.D’S AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL UNIT AT THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN NATHAN ROAD.

MR. TONY THOMPSON, THE P.W.D’S OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE UNIT, SAID TODAY THE COMPUTERS WOULD BE THE NERVE CENTRE OF THE SYSTEM CONTROLLING SOME 85 SETS OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS IN THE WEST KOWLOON AREA.

+THE CENTRAL COMPUTER WILL BE LINKED TO A NETWORK OF HIDDEN CABLES UNDER THE ROADS WHICH WILL RECORD TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND TRANSMIT THE INFORMATION TO THE COMPUTER WHICH WILL BE ABLE TO REACT INSTANTLY AND ADJUST THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS TO EVEN OUT TRAFFIC FLOW THROUGH CRITICAL BOTTLENECKS AND JUNCTIONS,* HE SAID.

+IF FOR EXAMPLE, AN ACCIDENT OCCURS AND TRAFFIC BECOMES HEAVILY CONGESTED OVER A LARGE AREA, THE CENTRAL COMPUTER WILL INSTANTLY SYNCHRONISE TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN THE WHOLE AREA TO ENABLE TRAFFIC TO FLOW MORE SMOOTHLY,* HE ADDED.

MR. THOMPSON SAID IT WAS ALSO INTENDED TO LINK UP THE SYSTEM WITH THE TRAFFIC POLICE TO PROVIDE TRAFFIC INFORMATION SUCH AS THE NUMBER OF PASSING CARS, SPEED OF TRAFFIC AND THE LENGTH OF QUEUES, SO AS TO ENABLE THE POLICE TO SPOT AND CLEAR TRAFFIC JAMS IMMEDIATELY.

ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE SCHEME, HE SAID, WOULD BE TO DEVISE SPECIAL PROGRAMMES TO ENABLE THE COMPUTER TO CREATE A CLEARWAY FOR FIRE ENGINES AND OTHER EMERGENCY VEHICLES BY ADVISING THE QUICKEST ROUTE AND CO-ORDINATING THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS ALONG IT.

MR. THOMPSON SAID THE COMPUTERISED TRAFFIC CONTROL SCHEME HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY ADOPTED IN A NUMBER OF CITIES IN EUROPE AND AMERICA, BUT THE WEST KOWLOON SCHEME WOULD THE FIRST IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.

+ALTHOUGH THE SCHEME WILL INITIALLY ONLY COVER WEST KOWLOON, IT HAS BEEN DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE EXPANSION AND, IF NEED BE, IT COULD HANDLE ALL TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN KOWLOON,* HE SAID.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1976 •

4

PROPER WAYS TO HANDLE LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS STOVES * * * * *

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO HANDLE LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS CYLINDERS AND STOVES WITH ’PROPER CARE’.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT UNLESS A FEW SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS WERE TAKEN, ACCIDENTS RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH COULD OCCUR.

+A STOVE SHOULD NEVER BE PUT AT A PLACE WHERE IT CAN BE KNOCKED OVER,+ THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT. +IT SHOULD BE OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN AND AWAY FROM MATERIALS WHICH MIGHT CATCH FIRE IF OVERHEATED.+

AFTER USE, THE STOVE MUST BE TURNED OFF, BOTH AT THE STOVE ITSELF AND AT THE REGULATOR ON THE CYLINDER. THE TUBE AS WELL AS THE CONNECTING JOINTS SHOULD BE CHECKED PERIODICALLY TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PREVENT THE OUTBREAK OF FIRE :

* ENSURE ALL GAS TAPS ARE ’OFF’ BEFORE TURNING THE REGULATOR LEVER TO THE ’ON’ POSITION.

* CYLINDERS SHOULD ALWAYS STAND UPRIGHT.

* KEEP BURNERS AND AIR INLETS CLEAN.

* WHEN USING A MATCH TO LIGHT A STOVE, STRIKE IT FIRST AND PUT IT CLOSE TO THE BURNER BEFORE TURNING ON THE GAS.

* LEARN TO IDENTIFY UNBURNT GAS SO THAT ANY LEAK CAN BE DETECTED (A SPECIAL ODORANT HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE GAS FOR EASY DETECTION).

* ALWAYS KEEP THE STOVE CLEAN AND FREE FROM GREASE.

* CYLINDERS SHOULD NOT BE STORED OR USED IN BASEMENTS, BELOW GROUND LEVEL, IN FULLY ENCLOSED AREAS OR CLOSE TO AREAS WITH POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS.

HE SAID THAT IF LEAKAGE OF GAS WAS SUSPECTED, TURN OFF THE REGULATOR, EXTINGUISH ALL NAKED FLAMES, SWITCH OFF ALL ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND OPEN ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS. FAULTY REGULATORS SHOULD NOT BE TAMPERED WITH BUT LEFT TO THE DISTRIBUTOR TO EXCHANGE.

+ IF A LEAK PERSISTED, THE REGULATOR SHOULD BE DETACHED AND THE CYLINDER MOVED INTO THE OPEN AIR,+ THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT. ♦UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, DO NOT USE A NAKED FLAME TO TRY TO DISCOVER A LEAK.+

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/5

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1976

5

HONG KONG WELCOMES INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT

******

THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) HONG KONG WELCOMED ANYONE WHO WISHED TO COME HERE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ITS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

MR. JORDAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE PHILIPS INDUSTRIAL BUILDING AT KWAI CHUNG.

HE SAID THAT PHILIPS’ COMMITMENT WAS WELL-EXEMPLIFIED BY THE +SPLENDID BUILDING AND WHAT IT CONTAINS*, AN INVESTMENT WHICH WAS ENTERED INTO WHEN, AS MR. JORDAN PUT IT, +FAINTER HEARTS WERE HOLDING BACK*.

+1 REMEMBER SAYING AT THAT TIME THAT THOSE MANUFACTURERS WILLING TO MAKE LONG-TERM COMMITMENTS WOULD BE THE ONES TO BENEFIT FROM THE RE-EXPANSION OF WORLD TRADE. BECAUSE OF THAT FAR-SIGHTED DECISION, PHILIPS ARE, TODAY, IN AN EXCELLENT POSITION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INCREASED ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT IS NOW GOING ON ALL ROUND US.+

MR. JORDAN ADDED THAT THE DECISION WAS ALSO NOTABLE FOR ANOTHER ASPECT — THE COMPANY’S WILLINGNESS TO JOIN UP WITH LOCAL INVESTORS IN INVESTMENT PROJECTS.

HE SAID THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WELCOMED THIS SORT OF JOINT VENTURE BECAUSE IT HELPED HONG KONG TO RETAIN AND ADVANCE ITS COMPETITIVE POSITION WORLDWIDE THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF MODERN, TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES AND THE SPREAD OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THOSE TECHNIQUES BY TRAINING LOCAL STAFF — SOME OF WHOM GO OVERSEAS FOR ADVANCED TRAINING.

MR. JORDAN RECALLED THAT WHEN HE LAID THE BUILDING’S FOUNDATION STONE 17 MONTHS AGO, HONG KONG WAS IN THE MIDST OF THE WORLDWIDE RECESSION.

+1 SAID THEN THAT HONG KONG INDUSTRY MUST BE PREPARED FOR STIFFER COMPETITION THAN BEFORE EVEN WHEN WORLD TRADE STARTED TO EXPAND AGAIN. TO JUDGE BY OUR EXPORT FIGURES, WE SEEM TO BE MEETING THE CHALLENGE FAIRLY WELL. BUT IT IS A CHALLENGE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO MEET ONLY IF WE CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN OUR ECONOMIC POLICY AND IF EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE HONG KONG ECONOMY CONTINUES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES IT OFFERS,* MR. JORDAN SAID.

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/6

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1976

6

1976 ANTI-NARCOTICS CUP BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT ******

THE GOVERNMENT IS BRINGING ITS ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE TO BASKETBALL COURTS THIS WEEK WITH THE LAUNCHING OF THE 1976 ANTI-NARCOTICS CUP AND E.P. HO CUP BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.

DETAILS OF THE TOURNAMENT, TO BE HELD IN ALL TEN CITY DISTRICTS OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON, WERE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY.

ATTENDING THE PRESS CONFERENCE WERE MR. AUGUSTINE CHUI, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS- DR. KARL STUMPF, CHAIRMAN OF THE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN)- MR. RAFAEL HUI, ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS- MR. CHAM SIU-LEUN, PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG AMATEUR BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION- AND MR. M.C. CASWELL, PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.

THE TOURNAMENT, WHICH IS PART OF ACAN’S DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAMME THIS YEAR, IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP A GREATER INTEREST IN HEALTHY ACTIVITIES AS ALTERNATIVES TO DRUG ABUSE AND CREATING IN THEM AN AWARENESS OF THE DANGER OF DRUG ADDICTION.

DURING THE TWO-MONTH-LONG TOURNAMENT, PUBLICITY WILL BE MOUNTED TO DRIVE HOME THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICTS.

JOINTLY ORGANIZED BY THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG AMATEUR BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION AND ACAN, THE TOURNAMENT IS OPEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 20.

A TOTAL OF 84 TEAMS HAVE ENTERED THE TOURNAMENT. THEY WILL BEGIN PLAYING THE PRELIMINARY ROUNDS WITHIN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS THIS WEEK. THE TOP TEAM FROM EACH OF THE TEN DISTRICTS WILL MEET IN THE SEMI-FINALS WHICH WILL BE PLAYED IN TWO SECTIONS — FOUR TEAMS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND SIX IN KOWLOON.

THE TWO WINNING TEAMS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND THREE IN KOWLOON WILL THEN ENTER THE FINAL ROUND AND THE CHAMPION TEAM WILL BE AWARDED BOTH THE ANTI-NARCOTICS CUP AND THE E.P. HO CUP. THE WHOLE TOURNAMENT WILL BE CONDUCTED ON A SINGLE ROUND-ROBIN BASIS.

ALTOGETHER, MORE THAN 180 MATCHES WILL BE PLAYED DURING THE TOURNAMENT WHICH IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT A LARGE NUMBER OF SPECTATORS.

MORE THAN 50,000 ANTI-DRUG PAMPHLETS HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE SPECTATORS AND BANNERS CARRYING THE SLOGAN OF THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE BASKETBALL COURTS.

TOURNAMENT WAS FIRST JOINTLY HELD LAST YEAR UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, ACAN AND THE HONG KONG AMATEUR BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION. THE E.P. HO CUP WAS PROVIDED IN HONOUR OF THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. E.P. HO.

. - - - - o ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

/7

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1976

7

T.O.E.F.L, TEST APPLICATION CLOSES ON OCTOBER 1

*****

CANDIDATES WISHING TO SIT FOR THE COMING T.O.E.F.L. TEST (TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE) ON NOVEMBER 20 SHOULD COMPLETE THE NECESSARY REGISTRATION FORMS AND SUBMIT THEM TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BEFORE 4 P.M. ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 1).

COMPLETED REGISTRATION FORMS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE EXAMINATIONS D (VISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4 P.M. FROM NOW TO FRIDAY.

♦THEY SHOULD BRING WITH THEM THEIR PASSPORTS OR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS AND TWO RECENT PASSPORT-SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS,+ AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID. +JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY A PHOTO-BEARING DOCUMENT,* HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT LACK OF IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING STANDARD PHOTOGRAPHS, COULD DISQUALIFY A CANDIDATE FROM REGISTERING.

HE ADDED THAT REGISTRATION BY MAIL AND LATE ENTRIES WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED.

TEST FEE OF HK$95 PER CANDIDATE MUST BE PAID ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 5 AT THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 11TH FLOOR.

FEES MAY ALSO BE PAID BY CROSSED CHEQUE PAYABLE TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE POST.

COPIES OF THE BULLETIN OF INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR; THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIP SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, BONAVENTURE HOUSE, 2ND FLOOR, 91 LEIGHTON ROAD; AND THE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION, 408 J. HOTUNG HOUSE, 4TH FLOOR, 5-15 HANKOW ROAD, KOWLOON.

- - 0 - -

WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. OK THURSDAY (SEPTEMBER 30) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY NGA TSIN WAI ROAD, KAI TAK ROAD, CARPENTER ROAD, AND HAU WONG ROAD, INCLUDING NGA TSIN LONG ROAD, NAM KOK ROAD, LUNG KONG ROAD, SOUTH WALL ROAD AND TAK KU LING ROAD.

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY


Tuseday, 28th September 1976

STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR. D.P.H. LIAO, TO MARK the signing of a contract

to BUILD THE FIRST PHASE OF THE EXTENSION TO CHEUNG CHING ESTATE, TSING YI ISLAND, HELD AT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS

ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH, 1976

•’The contract being signed today is for the extension to the first phase of Cheung Ching Estate on Tsing Yi Island.

’’Valued at approximately $32*3 million, it is due for completion in 24 months.

’’The extension will provide accommodation for 10,800 persons, the building will be of the twin tower type similar to those in the first stage of the estate and include three primary schools.

”It will be recalled that, just under two years ago, a contract was signed for the first phase of Cheung Ching Estate valued at $91 ®7 million, the largest single building contract ever awarded by the Authority.

’’This contract is the sixth to be signed by the Housing Authority this year.

“These six contracts awarded so far this year amount to $203.3 million in value; and when fully completed in 1977-78 they will provide accommodation for over 68,000 people.

"Since April 1973, when the present Authority was formed, 25 building contracts have been awarded by the Housing Department and Public Works Department, with a value of about $840 million, providing accommodation for upwards of 318,000 people•

“Eight of these contracts have already been completed, providing accommodation for 108,000 people. U-

'•Between now and the end of the current financial year, six more building contracts will be let and a start will be made on two redevelopment contracts. On completion, a further 100,000 people will be housed.

"At this moment there are seven contracts in hand for temporary housing in licensed areas with part-built structures, individual water and electricity supply which will provide accommodation for 23,000 people.

"So I am happy to say that we are on target today concerning our housing goals and that with the recession behind us we are recruiting more professional men such as architects and engineers to help carry out the growing workload. Efforts are being concentrated to improve the production of housing and we can expect to see the considerable increase in our output before the end of the decade.

"So the Housing Authority's output is aiming in only one direction, the

same direction as the multi-storey blocks in a housing estate, and that is upward."

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

St Ma

Tuesday, 28th September 1976

2g CONTRACTS TO PROVIDE HOMES FOR gl8,000 PEOPLE

More than 313,000 people have been or will be housed as a result .....

<f 25 building eontracts awarded since- the Housing Authority was set up in 1973« Mr D.P.H. Liao, Director of Housing, said today.

Mr Liao was speaking at the signing of the 25th contract, valued at $32*3 million, to build an extension to the first phase of Cheung Ching Estate on Tsing Yi Island.

’’Since April, 1973/*'he said, ’’when the present Housing Authority was formed, 25 building contracts have been awarded by the Housing Department and the Public Works Department, with a value of about million, providing accommodation for upwards of 313,000 people,” Mr Liao said.

He added that eight of these contracts had already been completed and between now and the end of the current financial year a further six building contracts will be let, providing accommodation for 100,000 more people, and a start made on two redevelopment contracts.

”In addition," he said, "there are seven contracts in hand for temporary housing in licensed areas with part-built structures, individual water and electricity supply which will provide accommodation for 23,000 people."

Efforts were being concentrated to improve the production of housing and a considerable increase in output could be expected, he said. He added that "we are on target today concerning our housing goals" and pointed out that more architects and engineers were being recruited to carry out the growing workload.

/2.......

2

The contract signed by Mr Liao today will provide housing for 10,800 people and the project is due for completion in two years. The extension like the first phase will be of the twin-tower type and include three primary schools.

Following are details of all six contracts let this year:

Date Contract Accommodation Contract Sum (SM)

March Wah Fu Extension 10,700 35.8

April Lai Yiu (Phase IIB) 3,200 11.9

June Fu Shan 11/500 • • J4.-8

July Ngau Chi Wan (Phase I) 16,200 40.6

July Shun Lee Tsuen (Stage II - Phase I) 15,700' 47.9

September Cheung Ching (Phase I Extension) 10,800 32.3


PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SAI TSO WAN CONTROLLED TIP .................................. 1

INSPECTIONS BY FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU ....................... 2

NEW ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS ................................. 3

NEW PLB STAND FOR CENTRAL ................................... 3

TRIBUTE TO RETIRING DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES .............. 4

TEMPORARY INTERRUPTION OF SALT WATER SUPPLY ................. 5

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE ....................................   5

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1976

- 1 -

SAI TSO WAN CONTROLLED TIP

* * * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO SET UP A NEW CONTROLLED TIP FOR THE DISPOSAL OF REFUSE AT SAI TSO WAN WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY BE TURNED INTO A RECREATIONAL GROUND.

MR. LEUNG MIN-SUN, ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, SAID TODAY SITE PREPARATORY WORK, INCLUDING DRAINAGE AND ROAD WORKS WITHIN THE TIP, WOULD START IN NOVEMBER.

+THE CONTROLLED TIP SHOULD BE READY FOR USE IN MID-1977, AND WILL PROVIDE ANOTHER OUTLET FOR THE DISPOSAL OF THE GROWING AMOUNT OF REFUSE COLLECTED,+ HE SAID.

+WHEN FULLY COMPLETED AND CLOSED,+ HE SAID, +THE TIP WILL PROVIDE NEARLY SEVEN HECTARES OF NEW LAND.

+ABOUT 2.3 HECTARES OF THE NEW LAND PROVIDED WILL BE USED FOR OPEN SPACE FOR RECREATIONAL AND OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES AND ABOUT 4.5 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE PROVIDED FOR A PROPOSED STADIUM AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USE.+

+THIS IS ONE OF THE BIG ADVANTAGES IN CONTROLLED TIPPING,+ SAID MR. LEUNG, +BECAUSE NOT ONLY DOES THE SYSTEM PROVIDE FOR AN ECONOMICAL AND SANITARY MEANS OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL, BUT IT ALSO ENABLES FULL USE TO BE MADE OF THE SITES FOR THE BENEFIT OF RESIDENTS ONCE THE TIP IS CLOSED AND TOPPED OFF.+

HE EXPLAINED THAT IN CONTROLLED TIPPING, REFUSE IS SPREAD IN LAYERS AND COMPACTED BY MECHANICAL PLANTS TO A THICKNESS OF ABOUT TWO METRES EACH TIME.

EACH LAYER IS THEN COMPLETELY COVERED WITH INERT MATERIAL SEALING OFF ALL WORKING FACES AT THE END OF EACH DAY’S WORK IN ORDER TO PREVENT FOUL SMELLS AND TO ELIMINATE HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARDS.

THE SAI TSO WAN TIP, HE SAID, WOULD HAVE A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 1.7 MILLION TONNES AND WAS SCHEDULED TO BE CLOSED WITHIN FOUR YEARS.

SO FAR, FOUR CONTROLLED TIPS HAVE BEEN SET UP BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THEY ARE LOCATED AT GIN DRINKER’S BAY IN TSUEN WAN, SHUN WAN IN TAI PO, MA TSO LUNG IN YUEN LONG, AND NGAU CHI WAN.

ANOTHER TIP IS ALSO BEING DEVELOPED AT SHIU LANG SHUI IN TUEN MUN.

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/2

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1976

- 2 -

INSPECTIONS BY FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU * * * M

THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT 22,683 INSPECTIONS IN AUGUST, BRINGING THE TOTAL FOR THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR TO 159,911.

THE TOTAL REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 51 PER CENT OVER THE FIGURES FOR THE SAME PERIOD IN 1975.

MORE THAN HALF OF AUGUST’S INSPECTIONS (12,585) WERE PROMPTED BY COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, OF WHICH 10,510 RELATED TO MEANS OF ESCAPE. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE 954 ROUTINE INSPECTIONS OF MEANS OF ESCAPE AND 5,713 VISITS TO FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.

A TOTAL OF 101 VEHICLES USED FOR CONVEYING COMPRESSED GASES AND INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS WERE EXAMINED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SCHEME TO LICENSE SUCH VEHICLES ANNUALLY.

FIRE OFFICERS ALSO INSPECTED 692 CHILD CARE CENTRES DURING THE MONTH TO CHECK ON FIRE SAFETY MEASURES. THIS BRINGS TO 898 SUCH CENTRES VISITED SINCE THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE CAME INTO EFFECT ON JUNE 1.

INSPECTIONS RELATED TO THE STORAGE OR MANUFACTURE OF DANGEROUS GOODS NUMBERED 617. THERE WERE CLOSE TO 1,400 INSPECTIONS OF SCHOOLS, RESTAURANTS, NIGHTCLUBS, OTHER PLACES OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS.

THE NUMBER OF PLANS RECEIVED AND PROCESSED IN RESPECT OF NEW BUILDING PROJECTS WAS 501.

OFFICERS OF THE BUREAU ALSO CONDUCTED 14 FIRE PREVENTION LECTURES AND EXHIBITIONS ON THE RUDIMENTS OF FIRE FIGHTING FOR THE STAFF OF INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

DURING THE MONTH UNDER REVIEW, 711 FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES WERE ISSUED AND 133 PROSECUTIONS WERE TAKEN OUT RESULTING IN THE IMPOSITION OF FINES TCtTALLING ABOUT $81,480.

MORE THAN 850 ITEMS OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND QUARTERS WERE ALSO TESTED.

0 - - - -

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1976.

- 3 -

NEW ARR IVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS *******

WITH THE COMPUTERISATION OF IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S RECORDS OF PASSENGER MOVEMENTS, A NEW TYPE OF ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARD WILL BE INTRODUCED ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 1) TO REPLACE THOSE AT PRESENT IN USE.

STARTING FROM THAT DAY, ALL PASSENGERS PRESENTED FOR ARRIVAL CLEARANCE WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE NEW CARDS WHICH ARE PRINTED ON TWO-FOLD NO-CARBON-REQUIRED PAPER. THE DEPARTURE PORTION WILL BE RETAINED IN THE TRAVEL DOCUMENT AND WILL REQUIRE ONLY THE ADDITION OF TRAVEL DETAILS AND SIGNATURE BEFORE PRESENTATION FOR DEPARTURE CLEARANCE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID, HOWEVER, THAT TRAVELLERS TO AND FROM MACAO WOULD ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE A SMALL PORTION OF THE NEW ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS WHICH IS PRIMARILY BASED ON THE FORMAT OF TICKET STUBS PRESENTLY REQUIRED.

HOLDERS OF HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMIT TRAVELLING TO AND FROM CHINA, HE ADDED, WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE NEW ARRANGEMENT.

COMMENTING ON THE ARRANGEMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE NEW PROCEDURES SHOULD RESULT IN A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF MOVEMENT RECORDS AND MORE CONVENIENT AND FASTER PROCESSING OF PASSENGERS ON DEPARTURE.

-----o-----

NEW PLB STAND FOR CENTRAL * * * *

NEW PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STAND WILL BE SET UP ON THE GROUND FLOOR ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE STAR FERRY CAR PARK IN CENTRAL ^•tJdcdTi’ THE PLB STAND WILL C0ME INT0 OPERATION AT 8 A.M. ON UGI OBER 1•

MAKE JaE? ^CPaJdN.THE C‘" WILL BE CANCELLED T°

o - -

/A

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1976

TRIBUTE TO RETIRING DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES ******

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. WILLIAM BELL, TODAY PAID A WARM TRIBUTE TO THE RETIRING DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. BILL KNIGHT WHO HAS BEEN LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR WATER SCHEMES.

AT A FAREWELL CEREMONY THIS MORNING, MR. BELL SAID THAT LARGELY TO MR. KNIGHT’S EFFORTS THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG’S WATER SUPPLY LOOKED ROSIER THAN FOR MANY YEARS.

+SINCE HIS DAYS AS HEAD OF THE CONSTRUCTION DIVISION OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IN THE EARLY SIXTIES, MR. KNIGHT HAS BEEN VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING OF OUR WATER RESOURCES NOT ONLY UP TO THIS TIME, BUT FOR MANY YEARS TO COME,+ SAID MR. BELL.

APART FROM HIS PROFESSIONAL DUTIES, MR. BELL ADDED, MR. KNIGHT HAD ALSO TAKEN A GREAT INTEREST IN THE WELFARE OF HIS STAFF, PARTICULARLY THE VERY JUNIOR STAFF, AND HE WOULD BE SORELY MISSED.

MR. KNIGHT IS LEAVING FOR CALIFORNIA AT THE END OF THE WEEK AFTER 25 YEARS WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, THE LAST 15 OF WHICH HE SPENT WITH THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.

HE FIRST JOINED THE P.W.D. IN 1951 AS AN ENGINEER IN THE THEN ROADS OFFICE AND WAS LATER POSTED TO THE DRAINAGE OFFICE BEFORE BEING POSTED TO THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.

AMONG THE MORE RECENT WATER SCHEMES HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN ARE THE LOK ON PAI DESALTER, THE WORLD’S LARGEST, AND THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME WHICH WILL VIRTUALLY DOUBLE HONG KONG’S TOTAL STORAGE CAPACITY TO 128,000 MILLION GALLONS BY 1979.

AT TODAY’S FAREWELL CEREMONY MR. KNIGHT WAS PRESENTED WITH A SILVER TEA SET WHICH WAS DONATED BY HIS COLLEAGUES.

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/5

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1976

5

TEMPORARY INTERRUPTION OF SALT WATER SUPPLY *****

SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN CENTRAL DISTRICT AND AT MID-LEVELS WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 1) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE STAFF TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

IN CENTRAL DISTRICT, THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE THOSE IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, INCLUDING THE CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL CAR PARK BUILDING, HILLIER STREET, MERCER STREET, BURD STREET, JERVOIS STREET AND LADDER STREET INCLUDING SQUARE STREET, BRIDGES STREET AND ROZARIO STREET.

AT MID-LEVELS, THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE THOSE IN GLENEALY, ROBINSON ROAD, ALBANY ROAD, MACDONNELL ROAD, BOWEN ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH MAGAZINE GAP ROAD TO A POINT NEAR NO. 2 MAGAZINE GAP ROAD’ AND FROM CALDER PATH TO HOUSE NO. 7B BOWEN ROAD, KENNEDY ROAD FROM PEAK TRAM PATH TO CALDER PATH, PEEL STREET FROM ROBINSON ROAD TO PRINCE’S TERRACE INCLUDING LEUNG FAI TERRACE, REDNAXELA TERRACE, MOSQUE STREET, MOSQUE JUNCTION AND YING FAI TERRACE, LYTTELTON ROAD, HOUSE NOS. 35-57 AND 56-68 CONDUIT ROAD, KOTEWALL ROAD, PEAK ROAD FROM HOUSE NO. 6A TO ITS JUNCTION WITH BONHAM ROAD, BONHAM ROAD FROM PARK ROAD TO HOUSE NO. 48, CENTRE STREET, YING WA TERRACE, WEST END TERRACE, INCLUDING ST. STEPHEN’S GIRL COLLEGE, SEYMOUR ROAD, CASTLE ROAD AND WOODLANDS TERRACE.

- - 0 - -

FEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE * * * *

A PART OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED IN THE EARLY HOURS OF OCTOBER 1 AND 3.

THE U-TURN SLIP ROAD NORTH OF THE FORMER GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 12.45 A.M. AND 5.30 A.M. ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 1).

THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN THE ABOVE SLIP ROAD AND THE JUNCTION OF YEE LOK STREET AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 12.45 A.M. AND 6 A.M. ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 3).

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- 0 - -

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

»t w a

Wednesday, 29th September 1976

SQUATTER CLEARANCE IN TSUEN WAN COMPLETED SMOOTHLY Families Offered Public Housing

Another smooth clearance operation has been completed by the Housing

- p

Department at Tsuen Wan to clear the site for the future Shing On Estate.

Typical of the 155 families who have recently moved either into Kwai

Shing or Lai King estates from squatter structures in Tsuen Wan is the Wong family, • • •

comprising the grandmother and her grandson and grand-daughter.

They are now settling down with many of their former neighbours in Block 9, Kwai Shing Estate.

Mrs. Wong, the grandmother, said she was happy with what she had been offered by the Housing Department and that she considered the rent of S18O a month for the new flat to be very reasonable.

MI am most happy in finding that many of my former neighbours also live in the same block and I enjoy very much the pleasant environment here,” She said today.

Satisfactory rehousing arrangements for other residents, fair compensation to the cultivators, reasonable ex-gratia allowance or reprovisioning for the businesses and industrial undertakings are the essential factors of a successful squatter clearance.

This was exemplified in this latest clearance in which all these and other human factors were carefully attended to.

The clearance involved 27^ structures, including 20 shops and workshops, and over 100 pigsties and cultivators.

Mr. Lee Heung-cheuk, Senior Housing Manager in charge of the clearance, described it as one of the smoothest operations he had experienced.

/2......

"We took only one and a half* days to complete the job which we originally planned for two days,” he said.

He thanked the residents involved for their co-operation and the understanding they displayed.

The clearance, started yesterday, is to make available a site for the construction of Shing On Estate which eventually will house 40,000 people on-completion.

The Housing Department has rehoused 672 squatters from 155 families to Lai King and Kwai Shing estates and offered another 166 people from 41 families licensed area accommodation at Yau Ma Hom and Ha Kwai Chung.

Over 3861,000 has also been paid to various commercial, industrial

and agricultural undertakings affected by the clearance

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1976

contents page NO.

GOVERNOR OUTLINES HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC POLICY ............. 1

FIRE HAZARD INSPECTIONS ................................... 2

SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNALS TO BEGIN OPERATION TOMORROW ........ 3

CLOSURE OF VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE ..................... 4

GIANT CHIMNEY FOR KWAI CHUNG INCINERATOR .................. 5

AUGUST BANKING STATISTICS ................................. 6

THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND TO BE AUCTIONED .................. 7

PARTIAL CLOSURE OF CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD .................... 8

WATER CUT IN WONG TAI SIN ................................. 8

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1976

1

HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC POLICY

* * M * * *

HONG KONG IS BEST KNOWN FOR THE EMPHASIS IT PLACES ON THE FREE OPERATION OF MARKET FORCES AND ITS COMPARATIVELY LOW LEVEL OF TAXATION, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE COMMONWEALTH FINANCE MINISTERS’ MEETING AT THE CONVENTION CENTRE, HE SAID: +THIS IS TRUE AND FOR SPECIAL PRACTICAL NOT DOCTRINAIRE REASONS WE THINK THESE BENEFICIAL.*

+IT IS OUR AIM,+ HE SAID, +T0 BALANCE PROSPERITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH WITH SOCIAL PROGRESS.*

HE EXPLAINED THAT HONG KONG WAS TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON TWO THINGS. THEY ARE :

* THE RETENTION AND ATTRACTION AND GROWTH OF INVESTMENT TO EMPLOY ITS POPULATION - HENCE THE NEED FOR A COMPARATIVELY ATTRACTIVE LEVEL OF TAXATION AND,

* THE SALE ABROAD OF VIRTUALLY ALL ITS PRODUCTS AND THE PURCHASE ABROAD OF ITS RAW MATERIALS.

BECAUSE HONG KONG DEPENDED SO GREATLY ON ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN ITS MARKETS ABROAD, HE SAID, IT MUST BE ABLE TO ADJUST TO THEM AND TO ADJUST FAST — HENCE THE NEED TO ALLOW MARKET FORCES TO WORK.

SIR MURRAY CONTINUED : +1 DO NOT THINK THAT ANY OTHER COMMUNITY IN THE WORLD IS SUBJECT TO THE SAME ECONOMIC FACTORS TO THE SAME DEGREE.

+BUT THOUGH THIS SIDE OF HONG KONG IS WELL KNOWN, THE OBVERSE IS NOT. THE FREE-PLAY OF MARKET FORCES IF LEFT ENTIRELY TO THEMSELVES WOULD HAVE UNACCEPTABLE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES.

+S0 THIS CONCEPT OF ECONOMIC FREEDOM IS BALANCED NOT ONLY BY AN EXPANDING CORPUS OF COMMERCIAL AND LABOUR LEGISLATION, BUT ALSO BY THE PROGRESSIVE PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES AND EDUCATION EITHER FREE, OR AT NOMINAL CHARGE, OR WITHIN THE MEANS OF ALLSOCIAL WELFARE IN CASH OR SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE UNFORTUNATE- AND BY THE PROVISION OF CHEAP PUBLIC HOUSING ON A SCALE RARELY EQUALLED.

+0N SUCH THINGS BETWEEN 40 PER CENT AND 50 PER CENT-QF HONG KONG’S BUDGET IS SPENT.*

SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT THAT THE OVERALL GUIDELINES WITHIN WHICH HONG KONG WAS PROGRESSING, AND PROGRESSING SO FAST, HAD ENABLED THIS COMMUNITY TO COME THROUGH THE WORLD RECESSION AND BACK TO FULL EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH WITH REMARKABLE SPEED AND VIRTUALLY WITHOUT INFLATION.

+WITHIN THEM, AND HELPED BY AN EXPANDING ECONOMY, WE EXPECT TO MAKE RAPID INROADS INTO THE DEFICIENCIES THAT EXIST IN HONG KONG AS A RESULT OF THE VAST POST WAR EXPANSION OF POPULATION, AND TO ELIMINATE THEM BY THE EARLY ’80S,* HE PREDICTED.

/SIB MURBAT .....

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER JO, 19?6

- 2 -

SIR MURRAY SAID THAT + IN HONG KONG, AND I BELIEVE IN MOST DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, IT IS THE HOPE THAT DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, WILL MAINTAIN THE ACCESS TO THEIR MARKETS THAT NOW EXISTS AND OPEN THEM MORE FREELY.+

HE SAID THE VARIOUS GENERALISED PREFERENCE SCHEMES HAD CERTAINLY HELPED, BUT ONLY WENT A SMALL WAY TO FREEING TRADE.

- - - - 0---------

FIRE HAZARD INSPECTIONS

* * M * *

A TEAM OF FTR£-OFFICERS TODAY PAID A SURPRISE VISIT TO FACTORIES IN ABERDEEN AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO ABATE FIRE HAZARDS.

THE TEAM INSPECTED MORE THAN 420 FACTORIES IN WONG CHUK HANG ROAD INCLUDING THE FACTORY BUILDING WHERE A THIRD ALARM FIRE BROKE OUT THIS MORNING.

DURING A FLOOR BY FLOOR CHECK, THEY DISCOVERED A NUMBER OF HAZARDS SUCH AS OBSTRUCTIONS TO MEANS OF ESCAPE AND COMMON AREAS, AND BLOCKED LIFT LOBBIES.

AS A RESULT OF THE INSPECTION, 37 FACTORY OWNERS WILL BE SERVED WITH FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES REQUIRING THEM TO CLEAR THE HAZARDS WITHIN A STIPULATED PERIOD.

SUMMONSES WILL ALSO BE TAKEN OUT AGAINST SEVEN FACTORIES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE ABATEMENT NOTICES PREVIOUSLY SERVED ON THEM.

COMMENTING ON THE INSPECTION, A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN SAIDi +THE SITUATION IN THESE FACTORIES HAS BEEN IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THEY WERE LAST INSPECTED.*

HE NOTED THAT BLOCKING OF STAIRWAYS OR LIFT LOBBIES HAD BEEN TOO PREVALENT AN OFFENCE PARTICULARLY IN INDUSTRIAL PREMISES WHERE STAIRWAYS WERE OFTEN REGARDED AS CONVENIENT STORAGE AREAS.

♦THESE CONDITIONS OFTEN HAMPER FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS IN THE EVENT OF FIRE AND HENCE INCREASE FIRE AND OTHER LOSSES,* HE SAID.

FURTHER VISITS ARE PLANNED TO FACTORY AREAS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR IN THE COMING MONTHS.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1976

SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNALS TO BEGIN OPERATION TOMORROW

*****

SPECIAL COURTS, SET UP UNDER THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE TO DEAL WITH CASES INVOLVING LEGAL CLAIMS FOR AMOUNTS NOT EXCEEDING $3,000, WILL COME INTO OPERATION FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

THE FIRST OF THESE COURTS, KNOWN AS THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNALS, ARE SITUATED AT THE VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT, BATTERY PATH ON HONG KONG ISLAND, AND AT THE KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT, GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.

THE HEARING IS INFORMAL AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN EITHER ENGLISH OR CHINESE. BOTH THE CLAIMANT AND THE DEFENDANT MUST COME TO THE TRIBUNAL ON THE DATE OF THE HEARING AND THEY MUST BRING ALONG WITH THEM THEIR WITNESSES AND ALL DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT THEIR CASES.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO MAKE A CLAIM MUST FIRST OBTAIN A FORM OF CLAIM FROM ONE OF THE TRIBUNAL OFFICES. IF DIFFICULTY IS ENCOUNTERED IN COMPLETING THE FORM, ASSISTANCE WILL BE GIVEN AT THE OFFICES OF THE TRIBUNAL.

HOWEVER, CLAIMANTS ARE REM I ND ED-.THAT THEY MUST BRING ALONG WITH THEM DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT THEIR CLAIMS, SUCH AS ANY WRITTEN CONTRACT, DISHONOURED CHEQUE, HIRE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, BUILDING MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT, RECEIPTS FOR EXPENSE PAID IN CONNECTION WITH A MOTOR CAR ACCIDENT AND BORROWING NOTE. FULL DETAILS OF THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE DEFENDANT ARE ALSO ESSENTIAL.

ONCE THE FORM OF CLAIM HAS BEEN COMPLETED, AND SIGNED BY THE CLAIMANT A DATE WILL BE FIXED FOR THE HEARING OF THE CASE. A COPY OF THE CLAIM AND OF THE DATE OF HEARING WILL BE SERVED UPON THE DEFENDANT BY THE TRIBUNAL.

PLAINTIFFS ARE ALSO REQUESTED TO NOTE THAT THE ORDINANCE EXCLUDES CERTAIN TYPES OF CLAIMS SUCH AS:

* DISPUTES BETWEEN EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEES OVER WAGES AND SALARIES AS THEY ARE DEALT WITH BY THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL.

* CLAIMS FOR THE POSSESSION OF LAND.

* TENANCY DISPUTES.

* CLAIMS FOR ALIMONY AND MAINTENANCE- CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES FOR LIBEL AND SLANDER- AND CLAIMS BY MONEY LENDERS.

PROVISION IS ALSO MADE IN THE ORDINANCE FOR A CASE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO A HIGHER COURT IF IT BECOMES APPARENT THAT IT IS VERY COMPLICATED.

/THE FEES

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1976

4

THE FEES TO BE PAID FOR BRINGING PROCEEDINGS ARE SET OUT IN THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL (FEES) RULES. 1976. THEY RANGE FROM A MINIMUM OF $5 TO A MAXIMUM OF $20.

COPIES OF A PAMPHLET GIVING DETAILS OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ARE AVAILABLE IN VARIOUS CITY DISTRICT OFFICES.

THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE CAN BE INSPECTED AT ANY COURT OR CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND CAN BE BOUGHT FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, HONG KONG ISLAND, AT $2 A COPY.

------o - - - -

CLOSURE OF VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE *****

THE VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE AT WHITFIELD BARRACKS. KOWLOON WILL CLOSE ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 2), AT 12 NOON THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.

WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (OCTOBER 4), TAXIS AND PUBLIC BE EXAMINED AT THE VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE, LONG YUET STREET, TO KWA WAN.

/5

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1976

5

GIANT CHIMNEY FOR KWAI CHUNG INCINERATOR ******

WORK ON HONG KONG’S TALLEST CHIMNEY IS TO BEGIN IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR.

THE CHIMNEY, WHICH WILL RISE 150 METRES INTO THE AIR, IS TO BE BUILT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AT THE NEW KWAI CHUNG INCINERATOR NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

MR. NG TECK-SHENG, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, SAID TODAY THE REASON FOR BUILDING SUCH A TALL CHIMNEY WAS .TO ACHIEVE BETTER DISPERSION OF FUMES SO AS TO MINIMIZE POLLUTION.

+WITH A TALLER CHIMNEY, FUMES AND DUST FROM THE INCINERATOR CAN BE DISCHARGED AT A HIGHER LEVEL TO CLEAR HIGHRISE BUILDINGS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WITHOUT AFFECTING THE RESIDENTS,* HE SAID.

THE INCINERATOR PLANT ITSELF, HE ADDED, WOULD ALSO BE EQUIPPED WITH EFFICIENT DUST EXTRACTION EQUIPMENT TO REDUCE DUST EMISSION.

MR. NG SAID THAT TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHIMNEY HAD ALREADY BEEN INVITED AND WORK SHOULD BEGIN IN DECEMBER FOR COMPLETION AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

MEANWHILE, WORK IS PROGRESSING WELL ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE INCINERATOR AND IT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN LATE 1978.

THE INCINERATOR WILL BE THE LARGEST MODERN REFUSE DISPOSAL PLANT IN HONG KONG AND WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE SOME 900 TONNES OF REFUSE PER DAY.

MR. NG SAID THE PLANT WOULD NORMALLY OPERATE 24 HOURS A DAY AND WOULD PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL MEANS OF COPING WITH THE GROWING AMOUNT OF REFUSE COLLECTED EACH DAY.

AT PRESENT, ABOUT 3,500 TONNES OF REFUSE IS COLLECTED DAILY IN THE URBAN AREAS. ABOUT 1,400 TONNES OF THIS AMOUNT IS NOW HANDLED BY THE TWO INCINERATORS AT KENNEDY TOWN AND LAI CHI KOK, WHILE THE REST IS DISPOSED OF IN CONTROLLED TIPS.

MR. NG SAID THE P.W.D. WOULD ALSO IMPROVE THE CHIMNEY SYSTEM AT THE LAI CHI KOK INCINERATOR BY RAISING THE EXISTING 88-METRE HIGH CHIMNEY TO 119 METRES AND MODIFYING IT TO SERVE THE WHOLE PLANT. USE OF THE OTHER TWO SMALLER CHIMNEYS OF THE INCINERATOR WOULD THEN NO LONGER BE NECESSARY.

WORK ON EXTENDING THE CHIMNEY, HE SAID, WOULD BEGIN LATE NEXT YEAR AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

-----0------

/6

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1976

6

AUGUST BANKING STATISTICS ft ft ft ft ft ft

BANKING DEPOSITS AS AT THE END OF AUGUST STOOD AT $40,850 MILLION, COMPRISING $10,709 MILLION IN DEMAND DEPOSITS, $15,577 MILLION IN TIME DEPOSITS AND $14,564 MILLION IN SAVINGS DEPOSITS.

THERE WERE 74 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG AS AT AUGUST 31.

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:-

$MILLION

LIABILITIES

1. DEPOSITS 40,850

2. AMOUNT DUE TO BANKS ABROAD 27,643

3. OTHER LIABILITIES 8,577

TOTAL LIABILITIES 77,070

ASSETS

1. CASH 842

2. AMOUNT DUE FROM BANKS ABROAD:

(1) DEMAND AND SHORT TERM CLAIMS (II) TIME DEPOSITS 21,450 3,286 24,736

3. LOANS AND ADVANCES: ( 1) HONG KONG (II) ABROAD 27,476 13,688 41,164

4. INVESTMENTS: ( 1) HONG KONG (II) ABROAD 3,181 65 3,246

5. OTHER ASSETS: ( 1) HONG KONG (II) ABROAD 3,904 3,178 7,082

TOTAL ASSETS 77,070

AVERAGE LIQUIDITY DURING MONTH

46.82 PER CENT

/HONEY SUPPLY .....

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER JO, 1976

- 7

MONEY SUPPLY

1. LEGAL TENDER COINS AND NOTES IN CIRCULATION (A) (I) COMMERCIAL BANK ISSUES 4,483

(II) GOVERNMENT ISSUES 420

2. LICENSED BANKS’ HOLDINGS OF LEGAL TENDER COINS AND NOTES (B)

3. LEGAL TENDER COINS AND NOTES IN HANDS OF NON-BANK PUBLIC (A) - (B) - (C)

4. DEMAND DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS (D)

5. MONEY SUPPLY (DEFINITION 1) (C) + (D) - (E)

6. TIME DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS (F)

7. SAVINGS DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS (G)

8. MONEY SUPPLY (DEFINITION 2) (E) + (F) + (G) - (H)

_ - - - 0 ----

SMILLION

4,903

842

4,061

10,709

14,770

15,577

14,564

44,911

CROWN LAND SALE

* * * *

THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE BY AUCTION ON OCTOBER 22 (FRIDAY) AT 2.30 P.M. IN THE LECTURE ROOM, 8TH FLOOR, CITY HALL.

ONE LOT, SITUATED AT KING LAM STREET, LAI CHI KOK, KOWLOON, IS EARMARKED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES. IT MEASURES ABOUT 5,016 SQUARE METRES.

ANOTHER LOT, MEASURING JUST OVER 1,050 SQUARE METRES, IS SITUATED AT AH KUNG NGAM, SHAU KEI WAN. IT IS SET ASIDE FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.

THE THIRD LOT, TO BE USED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, IS AT CAPE ROAD, CHUNG HOM KOK AND MEASURES ABOUT 1,857 SQUARE METRES.

FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG AND AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.

SALE PLANS CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE OFFICES

0 - -

/8

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1976

- 8 -

PARTIAL CLOSURE OF CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD

* * * * *

THE SECTION OF NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY ON CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD BETWEEN YEN CHOW STREET AND KIU KIANG STREET HAS BEEN CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE EMERGENCY ROAD WORKS, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.

IT IS ANTICPATED THAT THIS TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE WILL LAST ABOUT FOUR WEEKS.

MOTORISTS GOING NORTHBOUND FROM KWEILIN STREET TO CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD ARE ADVISED TO MAKE A DETOUR VIA YEN CHOW STREET, FUK WA STREET AND KIU KIANG STREET.

-----o------

WATER CUT

* * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 2) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY TUNG LEI ROAD, LOK SIN ROAD AND TUNG WOR ROAD, INCLUDING BLOCK NO. 1 TO 4 AND 21 TO 23, TUNG TAU ESTATE.

- - - - 0 --------

PR 33 *4000033

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

Thursday, September 30, 1976

OPENING OF THE COMMONWEALTH FINANCE MINISTERS’ MEETING

********

Following is the full text of the Governor’s speech at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ Meeting today: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen:

"Hong Kong is becoming well known as a site for conferences and conventions. But this is the first time we have been honoured to act as host for a ministerial meeting. It is both a pleasure and appropriate that we should begin with one which is a Commonwealth meeting and also a meeting of Finance Ministers. A pleasure - because the tradition of the Commonwealth makes this an informal, family occasion, and delegates represent countries with whom Hong Kong is familiar and has close links of trade, law and culture. Appropriate -because Hong Kong is an international financial centre, and finance is a field in which Hong Kong people feel at home.

"Nevertheless it is with some diffidence that I address a gathering of such distinguished ministers. I can safely and very sincerely start by saying how delighted we were, with the concurrence of Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, to accept an invitation to host this year’s meeting of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers. On behalf of Her Majesty’s Government and the Government of Hong Kong I extend to you all a very warm welcome to this City. I hope your stay here will be both enjoyable and fruitful.

/"You catch • Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

Thursday, September >0, 1976

- 2 -

"You catch us at a moment of some physical disarray. Many streets are torn up and the city’s appearance is marred by construction plant for an underground railway. It is an extraordinary fact that Hong Kong, which has no natural resources except a harbour and people -though very remarkable people — should have so developed that it needs such a vast project. It is symbolic of the transformation in a short quarter century of a comparatively small entrepot trading post into a great industrial and financial centre.

’’This transformation is due primarily to the enterprise and energy of the people of Hong Kong themselves and to the goodwill they have established with their trading partners. Also I suppose a little to the credit of their Government. But it has been made possible by the essential support and guidance of the United Kingdom and the friendly relations that exist with the Peoples’ Republic of China.

’’Hong Kong’s international circumstances require it to be a

Dependent Territory - and this description sounds anomalous and old-fashioned.

But there is nothing old-fashioned about Hong Kong. Its atmosphere, as

you will have felt, is modern, alive, vigorous and free. With a free press, an independent judiciary, and its specially evolved processes of communication between people and Government, in respect of civil liberties Hong Kong can hold its head high.

’’It is our aim to balance prosperity and economic growth with social progress. Hong Kong is best known for the emphasis it places on the free operation of market forces, and its comparatively low level of taxation.

This is true and for special practical not doctrinaire reasons we think these

beneficial. Because Hong Kong is totally dependent on two things: firstly on the retention and attraction and growth of investment to employ its population - hence the need for a comparatively attractive level of taxation; and secondly on the sale abroad of virtually all its products and the purchc.se abroad of its raw material. Because it depends so greatly on economic conditions in its markets abroad, it must be able to adjust to them and to adjust fast - hence the need to allow market forces ,o work. I do not hink thot any other community in the world is subject to the same economic

factors to the same degree.

'"But..........

Thursday, September 30, 1976

- 3 -

"But though this side of Hong Kong is well known, the obverse is not. The free-play of market forces if left entirely to themselves would have unacceptable social consequences. So this concept of economic freedom is balanced not only by an expanding corpus of commercial and labour legislation, but also by the progressive provision of medical services and education • r

either free, or at nominal charge, or within the means of all; social welfare in cash or services to support* the unfortunate; and by the provision of cheap public housing on a scale rarely equalled. On such things between 40>j and 50% of Hong Kong’s budget is spent.

"So often visitors to Hong Kong fasten on one facet or another of Hong Kong’s unusual economic and social scene to the exclusion of all others, and I should like such distinguished visitors at least to know the overall guidelines within which this community is progressing, and progressing so fast.

"Within these guidelines ’Hong Kong came through the world recession and back to full employment and economic growth with remarkable speed and virtually without inflation. Within them and helped by an expanding economy, we expect to make rapid inroads into the deficiencies that exist in Hong Kong as a result of the vast post-war expansion of population, and to eliminate them by the early ’80s.

"To do this Hong Kong depends only on reasonable prosperity, that is to say on a reasonable level of exports. This inter-dependence between the value of exports on the one handi and the rate of social progress on the other, is a phenomenon all too familiar to delegates from developing countries. So now that the world is emerging from recession and, though problems abound, prospects are so much brighter, might I indulge in just a little special pleading: in Hong Kong, and I believe in most developing countries, it is the hope that developed countries, will maintain the access to their markets that now exists, and open them more freely• The various generalised

/preference • • • • •

Thursday, September 30, 1976

- 4 -preference schemes have certainly helped, but only go a small way to freeing trade. I vzould like to record this Government’s thanks to Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom for the steady stand they have taken over the years in multilateral as well as in bilateral negotiations, against attempts to restrict international trade; and, indeed, to all Commonwealth countries for the strong position they maintain on this issue which is so important to all of them, and so important to the people of- Hong Kong.

’’This really ends my address. But before sitting down I should like you to know that the last major international meeting to be held here claimed a world-wide television audience of 300 M. It was Miss Universe 1976. I make no comparisons and there is no overlap in delegates. This meeting is for an audience whose interests are quite, quite different, and incomparably more select. We, your hosts, realise its very great importance for you and for us, and I do wish you a successful outcome both here and in Manila, at this time of growing hope for a renewed and steadier expansion in world trade.

:;In conclusion I hope you will accept our small gifts. They are calculating machines - typical products of Hong Kong. They are offered as a memento of your visit, and in the hope that they will assist you in the universal problem of Finance Ministers, which I take to be - how two plus two can somehow be made to make five.”

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