Daily Information Bulletin - 1970s - 1977 - JAN - ENG





 PRH 7

FRfiiS IgisI Irol

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 1977

1976 REVIEW OF MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT M * * * * *

1976 SAW THE COMPLETION OF MANY MEDICAL PROJECTS AND THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW HEALTH PROGRAMMES AND MEASURES WHICH REPRESENT A GIANT STEP FORWARD IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HONG KONG’S 1O-YEAR MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

OF SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE WERE THE OPENING OF 16 METHADONE DETOXIFICATION CENTRES FOR TREATING DRUG ADDICTS, THE SETTING UP OF A LICENTIATE COMMITTEE TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAMINATION OF UNREG ISTRABLE DOCTORS AND THE OPENING OF THE TANG CHI NGONG SPECIALIST CLINIC TO SERVE THE EASTERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND.-

THE NEW 1,300-BED PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL ALSO ENTERED INTO ITS FINAL PHASE WITH MOST OF ITS FACILITIES BECOMING FULLY OPERATIONAL.

WITH THE OPENING OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, OVERCROWDING AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLY EASED. ALSO WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A REGIONALISATION SCHEME IN APRIL, 1977, THE SITUATION AT THE MAJOR HOSPITALS IS EXPECTED TO BE FURTHER IMPROVED.

CONDITIONS AT THE EXTREMELY BUSY CASUALTY DEPARTMENT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL HAVE BEEN GREATLY IMPROVED FOLLOWING ITS EXPANSION IN MARCH. THE WAITING AREA CAN NOW ACCOMMODATE TWICE AS MANY WAITING PATIENTS, AND THE NUMBER OF TREATMENT CUBICLES HAS ALSO BEEN INCREASED FROM EIGHT TO 12.

IN JANUARY 1976, THE HOSPITAL REACHED ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG’S MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WHEN IT ADMITTED THE MILLIONTH PATIENT. IT WAS A REMARKABLE RECORD BY ANY STANDARD, CONSIDERING THAT THE HOSPITAL HAS ONLY BEEN IN SERVICE FOR 12 YEARS.

OTHER MAJOR PROJECTS COMPLETED DURING THE YEAR INCLUDED STAGE ONE OF THE EAST KOWLOON POLYCLINIC AT NGAU CHI WAN, A MIDWIFERY TRAINING SCHOOL AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL AND AN ADDITIONAL FLOOR AT ARRAN STREET EYE CLINIC, WHICH WILL BE USED FOR A SPECIAL CLINIC FOR ASSESSING THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED.

DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW, CONSTRUCTION HAD BEGUN ON TWO IMPORTANT PROJECTS — THE 1,300-BED SECOND MENTAL HOSPITAL AT LAI CHI KOK, AND THE MACLEHOSE DENTAL CENTRE WHICH WILL ACCOMMODATE A TRAINING SCHOOL FOR DENTAL NURSES AND A SCHOOL CHILDREN’S DENTAL CLINIC.

v

ON THE HEALTH SIDE, THE COMMUNITY CONTINUED TO ENJOY A GOOD STATE OF HEALTH AS EVIDENCED BY THE LOW MORTALITY RATE AND THE CONTINUAL DECLINE IN THE INCIDENCE OF MANY COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.

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

/hITH THE ...

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 1977

- 2 -

WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CONTROLLED MEASURES AND IMMUNISATION PROGRAMMES, HONG KONG REMAINED FREE FROM POLIO, CHOLERA AND OTHER QUARANTINABLE DISEASES, WHILE THE INCIDENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS, ONCE THE NUMBER ONE KILLER DISEASE IN HONG KONG, HAD SIGNIFICANTLY DROPPED.

ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS, 1977 WILL BE ANOTHER EVENTFUL YEAR FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT. TWO MAJOR SCHEMES THAT WILL HAVE LONG-TERM EFFECTS ON THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN HONG KONG ARE TO BE INTRODUCED -- ONE TO REGIONAL ISE HOSPITAL AND CLINIC SERVICES AND THE OTHER TO SUBVENT THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS.

BOTH SCHEMES ARE AIMED AT MAXIMISING THE USE OF HOSPITAL BEDS AND RELIEVING OVERCROWDING AT THE MAJOR HOSPITALS. TO ENSURE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE REGIONALISATION SCHEME, DAILY MAINTENANCE CHARGES IN THE GENERAL WARD FOR BOTH GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT-AIDED HOSPITALS WILL BE STANDARDISED AT $5 PER DAY AS FROM APRIL 1, 1977.

STAGE II OF THE SOUTH KWAI CHUNG POLYCLINIC, DESIGNED TO GIVE SUPPORTING SERVICES FOR THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, AND STAGE I OF THE EAST KOWLOON POLYCLINIC ARE EXPECTED TO BE OPENED IN THE EARLY PART OF THIS YEAR (1977).

WORK WILL ALSO BEGIN, DURING THIS YEAR, ON OTHER MAJOR PROJECTS SUCH AS THE NEW CLINICAL PATHOLOGY BUILDING AT KWONG WAH HOSPITAL, PHASE II EXTENSION OF THE CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE, EXTENSION OF THE SERVICE AND QUARTERS BLOCK AT NAM LONG HOSPITAL, AND ONE CLINIC EACH AT NGAU TAU KOK AND LEI MUK SHUE.

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

PRISONS STAFF - GET NEW KEY ******

RECENTLY, STAFF OF THE PRISONS A NEW +KEY+. BUT THE +KEY+ DID NOT DOORS IN ANY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S 17

DEPARTMENT WERE ISSUED WITH OPEN ANY OF THE LARGE STEEL INSTITUTIONS.

+THE KEY+ IS THE DEPARTMENTAL NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED EVERY TWO MONTHS AND CIRCULATED TO STAFF AND OTHERS INTERESTED IN THE DEPARTMENT’S ACTIVITIES.

STARTED AS A NEWSLETTER FOR THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT SPORTS ASSOCIATION SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE PUBLICATION WAS RECENTLY EXPANDED TO INCORPORATE THE WHOLE DEPARTMENT.

THE EIGHT PAGE NEWSLETTER IS PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE AND IS OFF-SET PRINTED BY INMATES AT STANLEY PRISON’S PRINTING WORKSHOP. A TOTAL OF 1,800 COPIES ARE PRINTED FOR EACH ISSUE.

+THE KEY+ CONTAINS SEVERAL PAGES OF DEPARTMENT INFORMATION, INTERESTING ARTICLES, AND PHOTOGRAPHS, AND IS PRODUCED BY A SMALL TEAM OF PRISON OFFICERS SUPERVISED BY THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT, STANLEY PRISON, MR. MAK PAK-LAM.

/J ....

- 0 - -

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 1977

3

GOOD RESPONSE TO MOBILE EXHIBITION ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ******

RESPONSE TO THE MOBILE EXHIBITION ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, HELD LAST MONTH IN TSUEN WAN, WAS ENCOURAGING AND PLANS HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP TO EXTEND IT TO MORE AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT SOME 3,000 PEOPLE VISITED THE EXHIBITION BETWEEN DECEMBER 15 AND 18.

+BECAUSE OF THIS GOOD RESPONSE, WE HAVE DRAWN UP A PROGRAMME FOR THE EXHIBITION TO BE MOUNTED FOR 14 DAYS IN FIVE AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES THIS MONTH,+ HE SAID.

+IT WILL BE HELD IN FANLING BETWEEN JANUARY 6 AND 8, IN SHEK LEI BETWEEN JANUARY 11 AND 13, IN LEI MUK SHUE ON JANUARY 15

AND 16, IN SHEUNG SHU I ON JANUARY 17 AND 18, AND IN YUEN LONG

BETWEEN JANUARY 26 AND 29,+ HE SAID.

HE ADDED THAT OTHER AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, INCLUDING SHA TIN, TAI PO AND TUEN MUN, WILL BE COVERED BY THE EXHIBITION LATER IN THE YEAR.

THE AIM OF THESE EXHIBITIONS IS TO DRIVE HOME TO RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES THE CONCEPT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION. ITEMS ON DISPLAY WILL TOUCH ON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE GENERATION GAP, FAMILY PLANNING, THE CHOICE OF CAREERS, WAYS TO HANDLE PROBLEM CHILDREN, AND HOW WORKING MOTHERS SHOULD LOOK AFTER THEIR CHILDREN.

DURING THESE EXHIBITIONS, A SOCIAL WORKER WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER QUERIES IN CONNECTION WITH FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND PROBLEMS OF INDIVIDUALS OR THEIR FAMILIES.

THE PROJECT IS A JOINT EFFORT OF 13 SCHOOLS AND WELFARE AGENCIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND IS CO-ORDINATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S FAMILY SERVICE DISTRICT OFFICE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE.

--------o -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 1977

PLASTIC NET HOUSE TO ENSURE UNINTERRUPTED

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

*******

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS ACHIEVED A MAJOR BREAK-THROUGH IN FINDING A WAY TO SAFEGUARD THE PRODUCTION OF VEGETABLES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AGAINST TYPHOON AND HEAVY RAIN IN SUMMER.

EXTREME WET PERIODS AND STRONG WINDS HAVE BEEN THE +HEADACHE+ OF THE NEW TERRITORIES VEGETABLE FARMERS FOR YEARS. THEY HAVE SUFFERED LOSSES BOTH IN TERMS OF MONEY AND HUMAN EFFECT.

NOW THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S VEGETABLE RESEARCH FARM IN SHEUNG SHU I HAS FOUND AN +ASPIRIN+ TO DEAL WITH THIS +HEADACHE+ AFTER THREE YEARS OF EXTENSIVE RESEARCH.

THE REMEDY IS THE SIMPLE PLASTIC NET HOUSE WHICH HAS BEEN FOUND EFFECTIVE TO ENSURE CONTINUOUS VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT’S AGRICULTURAL OFFICER, MR. S.M. YIP, IN CHARGE OF THE PROJECT, THE NET WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF SHORTAGES OF LOCAL SUPPLIES OF FRESH VEGETABLES DURING RAINY AND TYPHOON SEASONS- BOTH FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE VEGETABLE GROWERS AS WELL AS CONSUMERS.

+ENVIRONMENTAL HOUSING IS THE TECHNIQUE EMPLOYED IN MODERN HORTICULTURE TO ENSURE A CONTINUOUS AND UNINTERRUPTED PROGRAMME OF PRODUCTION FOR THE MARKET,+ HE SAID.

MR. YIP POINTED OUT THAT GLASSHOUSES WERE WIDELY USED IN ADVANCED COUNTRIES FOR THIS PURPOSE. BUT HE ADDED THAT THE GLASSHOUSE IDEA COULD NOT BE DIRECTLY APPLIED IN HONG KONG BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE AND BECAUSE THE PROBLEM OF SUMMER COOLING HAD NOT BEEN SATISFACTORILY WORKED OUT IN THE • DESIGN OF GLASSHOUSE FOR WARM CLIMATES.

+WE TURNED TO OTHER CHEAPER AND MORE PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVE AND ADOPTED THE PLASTIC NETTING IDEA,+ HE SAID. +INSTEAD OF GLASS, THE STRUCTURE IS CLAD IN PLASTIC NETTING, PROVIDING QUITE A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM,+

+WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROJECT FOR THREE YEARS NOW AND WE HAVE TRIED GROWING DIFFERENT TYPES OF VEGETABLES IN THE NET HOUSE,+ HE EXPLAINED.

+WE FOUND THAT SHORT-TERM LEAF VEGETABLES WERE MORE ADAPTABLE FOR GROWING UNDER NET. THESE INCLUDE POPULAR LOCAL VARIETIES SUCH AS FLOWERING CABBAGE, WHITE CABBAGE, CHINESE KALE, LEAF MUSTARDS AND SPINACH WHICH ARE READY FOR HARVEST IN ABOUT 50 DAYS.

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233l4tiN

SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 1977

2

+ IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THESE CROPS GAVE HIGHER YIELDS OF BETTER QUALITY VEGETABLES THAN THOSE IN THE OPEN FIELD.+

THE PLASTIC NET PROTECTS THE TENDER CROPS BELOW BY TAKING THE BULK OF THE PHYSICAL BATTERING BY RAINDROPS.

THIS ENSURES EVEN SEED GERMINATION AND UNIFORM GROWTH OF SEEDLINGS IN ADVERSE WEATHER. ANOTHER ADVANTAGE OF PREVENTING THE DIRECT SHOWERING OF VEGETABLES BY HEAVY RAINFALL IS REDUCTION OF SOIL SURFACE CAKING THAT WEAKENS CROP GROWTH. IT ALSO SCREENS THE CROPS AGAINST PHYSICAL DAMAGE BY STRONG WINDS.

MR. YIP SAID THAT THE NET HOUSE WAS ECONOMICAL. IT COSTS ABOUT ONE DOLLAR PER SQUARE FOOT OF COVERED LAND. IT IS ALSO RELATIVELY EASY TO ERECT BY THE FARMERS THEMSELVES.

+ IT CAN BE USED IN ANY FARM IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND SO FAR, ONE FARMER IN YUEN LONG IS CULTIVATING VEGETABLES UNDER A NET HOUSE OF 8,000 SQUARE FEET,+ HE SAID. +THIS NET HOUSE WAS DONATED BY THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES AND HE IS VERY HAPPY TO USE IT FOR INTENSIVE CULTIVATION.

HE SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS CURRENTLY PREPARING TECHNICAL INFORMATION LEAFLETS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO FARMERS TO ENABLE WIDER APPLICATION OF THIS TECHNIQUE.

ON THE SUPPLY OF FRESH VEGETABLES, MR. YIP SAID THAT 45 PER CENT OF THE VEGETABLES CONSUMED BY THE LOCAL POPULATION WAS SUPPLIED BY THE N£W TERRITORIES FARMERS WHILE THE REST WAS IMPORTED MAINLY FROM CHINA.

HE POINTED OUT THAT VERY OFTEN VEGETABLE SUPPLY WAS INTERRUPTED DURING THE WET OR TYPHOON PERIODS, CAUSING THE PRICE TO SOAR.

HOWEVER, MR. YIP ADDED THAT THIS COULD BE AVOIDED IF A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF FARMERS ADOPTED THE NET HOUSE METHOD.

THE RESULTANT INCREASE IN PRODUCTION WOULD NOT ONLY PREVENT THE PRICE FROM ROCKETTING BUT WOULD ALSO MAKE FARMERS AS WELL AS CONSUMERS HAPPIER, HE SAID.

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

/3

SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 1977

5

GOVERNMENT OFFICERS TO VISIT SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA * * * *

A GROUP OF 12 GOVERNMENT OFFICERS -- 10 FROM THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND TWO FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION --WILL LEAVE FOR SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA TOMORROW (MONDAY) ON A 13-DAY STUDY TOUR.

THE PARTY IS LED BY MR. MICHAEL LEUNG, CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (HONG KONG). MR. CANICE MAK, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (MONG KOK), IS THE DEPUTY TOUR LEADER.

TWO FEMALE OFFICERS WILL BE IN THE GROUP WHICH INCLUDES ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICERS AND LIAISON OFFICERS, FROM VARIOUS CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND A SENIOR LAND EXECUTIVE.

DURING THEIR TOUR, WHICH IS SPONSORED BY THE COMMONWEALTH FUND FOR TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION, THE PARTY WILL VISIT VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND EXCHANGE THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS.

THE PARTY WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON JANUARY 15 (SATURDAY).

OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TOUR ARE:

MR. CHOI CHI-WA, SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER’S (KOWLOON) OFFICE- MR. WILLIAM YUEN, ASSISTANT CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (MONG KOK)- MR. HO YUN-CHEONG, ASSISTANT CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (KWUN TONG)- MR. LEE WAI-YIP, ASSISTANT CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WAN CHAI)- MR. LEE YIU-WAH, LIAISON OFFICER OF CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN)-MR. CHEUNG CHE l-CHEI, OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE PUBLICITY UNIT OF THE HOME AFFARIS DEPARTMENT- MISS ROLANA LEE, STAFF OFFICER OF CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER’S (KOWLOON) OFFICE AND MISS MEANA YUNG, LIAISON OFFICER OF CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WAN CHAI) OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT. REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ARE MR. R.A.L. DA ROSA, SENIOR LAND EXECUTIVE, AND MR. WONG TIN-SHUNG, LIAISON OFFICER.

- - - - o

BUILDING CONTRACT FOR NEW HEADQUARTERS OF BRITISH FORCES ******

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE MAIN BUILDING CONTRACT FOR THE $60 MILLION-PLUS NEW BRITISH FORCES HEADQUARTERS WILL BE SIGNED AT 3 P.M. TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE P.W.D.’S CONFERENCE ROOM, 21ST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.

ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WILL BE MR. JACK STEAN, THE P.W.D.’S DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT- MR. W.T. MOK, GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT- COMMANDER J.L.B. LARKINS, ROYAL NAVY- LT. COL.D.W. EKING, ASSISTANT QUARTER MASTER GENERAL- AND MR. D.R. RUSSEL-CROUCHER, DIRECTOR OF PROPERTY SERVICES AGENCY.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONY. "

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

A.....

SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 1977

- 4 -

NEW GOVERNMENT TELEPHONE DIRECTORY

*****

A NEW EDITION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TELEPHONE DIRECTORY IS NOW ON SALE.

IT COSTS S7 AND IS AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, HONG KONG ISLAND.

EXTRA COPIES HAVE BEEN PRINTED FOR SALE TO MEET GROWING PUBLIC DEMAND FOR THE DIRECTORY WHICH LISTS THE NAMES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF KEY PERSONNEL WORKING IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

NAMES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND THE URBAN COUNCIL ARE GIVEN. THE DIRECTORY ALSO INCLUDES THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND A NUMBER OF PUBLIC BODIES.

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

WATER CUT * * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN CENTRAL WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 4) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY WING WO STREET, BONHAM STRAND EAST, MORRISON STREET AND THE SEAFRONT.

/

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

CONTRACT FOR NEW BRITISH FORCES HEADQUARTERS SIGNED . 1

DUTCH MINISTER OF JUSTICE TO HOLD TALKS IN HONG KONG ON THE PROBLEMS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING ................. 2

CV-R 37,000 PEOPLE REGISTERED TO VOTE AT THE NEXT URBAN

COUNCIL ELECTION ON MARCH 3 ......................... 3

APPLICATIONS FOR THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE GOLD COINS INVITED ............................................. 4

NEW COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES NOT REPLACING RURAL COMMITTEES .......................... 5

DECLARATION OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS .................. £

REGULATIONS FOR DRY BATTERY FACTORIES NOW EFFECTIVE . 7

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KWAI CHUNG ................... 7

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

MONDAY, JANUARY J, 1977

1

CONTRACT FOR NEW BRITISH FORCES HEADQUARTERS SIGNED

******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN WORK IN A FEW DAYS ON THE NEW $60 MILLION-PLUS BRITISH FORCES HEADQUARTERS AT H.M.S. TAMAR — ONE OF THE MAJOR ITEMS IN A $174 MILLION BUILDING PROGRAMME TO REHOUSE VARIOUS MILITARY UNITS.

THE MAIN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT, WORTH NEARLY $41 MILLION, HAS BEEN AWARDED TO A LOCAL FIRM, TECHNIC CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD.

IT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED IN THE P.W.D. HEADQUARTERS TODAY AND WITNESSED BY THE P.W.D.’S DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, MR. JACK STEAN, WHOSE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND BUILDING OF THE NEW ARMY AND AIR FORCE FACILITIES.

A GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT, MR. W.T. MOK OF THE P.W.D.’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT. ATTENDING THE SIGNING CEREMONY WERE COMMANDER J.L.B. LARKINS OF THE ROYAL NAVY, LT. COL. D.W. EKING, ASSISTANT QUARTER MASTER GENERAL, AND MR. D.R. RUSSELL-CROUCHER, DIRECTOR OF PROPERTY SERVICES AGENCY.

MR. STEAN SAID MOST OF THE FOUNDATION WORKS FOR THE NEW HEADQUARTERS HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND WORK ON THE SUPER-STRUCTURE WOULD BEGIN SHORTLY.

♦THE BUILDING WORKS WILL TAKE ABOUT 21 MONTHS TO COMPLETE AND THE COMPLEX SHOULD BE READY TOWARDS THE END OF 1978, WELL BEFORE THE TIME THE SERVICES ARE DUE TO VACATE VICTORIA BARRACKS,+ HE SAID.

HE SAID THE NEW HEADQUARTERS WOULD TAKE THE FORM OF A 22-STOREY TOWER OVER A FIVE-STOREY PODIUM ON THE WEST SIDE OF H.M.S. TAMAR.

THE PODIUM WOULD COVER AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,800 SQUARE METRES AND WOULD PROVIDE SPACE FOR CARPARKS, A CHAPEL, THREE SQUASH COURTS, A GYMNASIUM, A SHOOTING RANGE, STOREROOMS AND SOME OFFICES.

THE TOWER BLOCK WOULD MAINLY CONTAIN OFFICES ON THE LOWER FLOORS WHILE THE UPPER FLOORS WOULD BE TAKEN UP BY MESSES, SINGLE LIVING ACCOMMODATION AND RECREATIONAL AND OTHER FACILITIES.

THE NEW HEADQUARTERS BUILDING IS THE BIGGEST SINGLE ITEM IN THE $174 MILLION BUILDING PROGRAMME FOR THE REPROVISIONING OF MILITARY UNITS NOW BASED AT VICTORIA BARRACKS AND R.A.F. KAI TAK.

MR. STEAN SAID THE PROGRAMME HAD BEEN PREPARED ALONG A TIGHT SCHEDULE AIMED AT HAVING THE NEW SERVICE FACILITIES READY IN TIME FOR ABOUT 65 HECTARES OF MILITARY LAND TO BE HANDED BACK TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN KEEPING WITH THE DEFENCE COST AGREEMENT.

UNDER THE AGREEMENT, THE 48.5-HECTARE KAI TAK SITE IS DUE TO BE RETURNED TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BY MARCH 31, 1978 AND THE VICTORIA BARRACKS SITE OF 16.5 HECTARES BY MARCH 31, 1979.

MR. STEAN SAID WORK WAS PROGRESSING ON A WIDE FRONT ON OTHER PROJECTS IN THE REPROVISIONING PROGRAMME AND MORE CONTRACTS WOULD BE AWARDED IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

+VIRTUALLY ALL THE MAJOR CONTRACTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN LET AND WORK IS PROGRESSING ON SCHEDULE,* HE SAID.

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

/2......

MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1977

2

DUTCH MINISTER TO HOLD TALKS HERE ON PROBLEM OF DRUG TRAFFICKING

*****

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE OF THE NETHERLANDS, MR. A.A.M. VAN AGT WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 5) FOR A FOUR DAY VISIT ON HIS WAY TO BANGKOK FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE THAI GOVERNMENT ON THE PROBLEM OF DRUG TRAFFICKING FROM THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE VIA THAILAND TO HOLLAND.

MR. VAN AGT HAS EXPRESSED PARTICULAR INTEREST IN HONG KONG’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN COMBATTING ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFICKING AS WELL AS IN THE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ADDICTS.

DURING HIS STAY, HE WILL HAVE TALKS WITH SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS CONCERNED WITH ANTI-NARCOTICS POLICIES. HE WILL ALSO VISIT VARIOUS ADDICTION TREATMENT ESTABLISHMENTS TO SEE HONG KONG TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES FOR HIMSELF.

'S

IT IS HOPED THAT THE VISIT BY MR. VAN AGT, WHO IS THE MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DUTCH POLICE FORCE, WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OF HONG KONG AND HOLLAND ON THE INTERDICTION OF INTERNATIONAL

DRUG TRAFFICKING.

MR. VAN AGT WILL LEAVE ON JANUARY 9 FOR BANGKOK WHERE HE WILL SEEK AGREEMENT WITH THE THAI AUTHORITIES ON THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND OTHER MEANS OF INTERCEPTING THE FLOW OF NARCOTICS FROM THAILAND TO HOLLAND.

ACCOMPANYING MR. VAN AGT ON HIS VISIT TO HONG KONG WILL BE THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OF THE NETHERLANDS, MR. A.J. FONTEIJN.

NOTE TO EDITORS :

MR. VAN AGT WILL NOT BE PREPARED TO HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT. HOWEVER, THOSE WHO WISH TO PHOTOGRAPH HIS ARRIVAL CAN DO SO AS HE LEAVES THE V.I.P. ROOM OF THE AIRPORT. HE WILL ALSO ISSUE A SHORT STATEMENT ABOUT HIS VISIT THROUGH G.I.S.

BEFORE DEPARTURE ON JANUARY 9, MR. VAN AGT WILL ISSUE A FURTHER STATEMENT ABOUT THE RESULTS OF HIS VISIT.

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

/5

MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1977

3

URBAN COUNCIL ELECTORATE OVER 37,000 NAMES IN NEW REGISTER *******

A TOTAL OF 37,174 PERSONS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED TO VOTE AT THE NEXT URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON MARCH 3.

THE NAMES OF THESE REGISTERED ELECTORS TOGETHER WITH THEIR ELECTORAL NUMBERS AND OTHER DETAILS OF ADDRESS AND IDENTITY, ARE CONTAINED IN THE NEW FINAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS COMPILED BY THE REGISTRATION OFFICER AND PUBLISHED ON DECEMBER 31, 1976.

ANNOUNCING THIS, THE REGISTRATION OFFICER, MR. J.V.G. MITCHELL SAID THAT THE NEW REGISTER WAS IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOLUME I, IN FOUR PARTS, CONTAINS THE NAMES OF THOSE ELECTORS WHO ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE AT THE KING’S COLLEGE POLLING STATION, THE CITY HALL POLLING STATION, THE HENNESSY ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION AND THE NORTH POINT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION.

VOLUME II, IN NINE PARTS, CONTAINS THE NAMES OF THOSE ELECTORS REGISTERED TO VOTE AT THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER POLLING STATION, THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL POLLING STATION, THE KOWLOON TECHNICAL SCHOOL POLLING STATION,' THE PERTH STREET GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION, THE SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION, THE KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION, THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION, THE HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION AND THE WONG SHIU CHI MIDDLE SCHOOL POLLING STATION (TAI PO).

THE FINAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT, NO. 4, SUNNING ROAD, 7TH FLOOR, KA CHEONG BUILDING, HONG KONG DURING OFFICE HOURS ON EVERY WEEKDAY.

COPIES OF THE REGISTER WILL BE ON SALE, AT $55.00 PER VOLUME AT REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT, ROOM 203, CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY BUILDING, 2ND FLOOR, ELECTRIC ROAD, HONG KONG OR AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE.

MR. MITCHELL EXPLAINED THAT THE LAST REGISTER, PUBLISHED ON DECEMBER 27, 1974, REMAINED LEGALLY VALID UNTIL JANUARY 14, 1977, AFTER WHICH DATE THE NEW REGISTER, PUBLISHED ON DECEMBER 31, 1976, WOULD SUPERSEDE THE LAST REGISTER AND WOULD REMAIN LEGALLY IN FORCE UNTIL JANUARY 14, 1979.

PREPARATION OF THE NEXT PROVISIONAL REGISTER, FROM WHICH THE NEXT FINAL REGISTER IS COMPILED, WILL COMMENCE ON FEBRUARY 15, 1978.

+THIS MEANS THAT ONLY THOSE PERSONS WHOSE NAMES APPEAR IN THE NEW FINAL REGISTER WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE AT THE FORTHCOMING ELECTION TO BE HELD IN MARCH. ANY PERSON WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE BUT WHO HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED CANNOT APPLY FOR REGISTRATION AS AN ELECTOR BEFORE FEBRUARY, 1978,+ MR. MITCHELL ADDED.

/THE REGISTRATION .....

MONDAY, JANUARY J, 1977

4

THE REGISTRATION OFFICER ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD POST TO EVERY ELECTOR A POLL CARD BEARING HIS OR HER ELECTORAL NUMBER.

THESE CARDS ARE DESIGNED TO ASSIST VOTERS ON ELECTION DAY, SINCE THEIR PRODUCTION TO THE POLLING OFFICERS TOGETHER WITH THE ELECTORS’ HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD, OR SOME OTHER FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION, WILL READILY IDENTIFY THE HOLDERS AND ENABLE THEM TO OBTAIN A BALLOT PAPER WITH THE MINIMUM OF DELAY.

THE POLL CARDS WILL BE POSTED BEFORE THE END OF FEBRUARY THIS YEAR AND ELECTORS ARE URGED NOT TO MISLAY THEM.

ELECTORS ARE ALSO REMINDED TO KEEP THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT INFORMED OF ANY CHANGE OF ADDRESS SO THAT POLL CARDS CAN BE POSTED TO THEIR CORRECT ADDRESS.

- - - - 0 ----

HONG KONG GOLD COINS - APPLICATIONS INVITED

******

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FOR THE GOLD COINS TO BE ISSUED TO CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE.

THE COINS MAY BE BOUGHT IN BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION AT $1,000 OR IN PROOF QUALITY AT $1,500 EACH.

NOT MORE THAN 30,000, INCLUDING 10,000 PROOFS, WILL BE ISSUED.

THE COINS ARE MADE OF 22 CARAT GOLD AND HAS A STANDARD

WEIGHT OF 15.976 GRAMMES AND A DIAMETER OF 28.4 MM. (1.118 INCHES).

THE ISSUE OF THE COINS WILL BE THE SECOND OF A SERIES THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO ISSUE OF 12 UNIQUE GOLD COINS EACH DEPICTING ONE OF THE 12 ANIMALS TRADITIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE OF PARTICULAR LUNAR YEARS.

THE FIRST WAS ISSUED EARLY LAST YEAR TO MARK THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON. OVER 30,000 APPLICATIONS -- 25,000 FOR UNCIRCULATED AND 9,700 FOR PROOF ISSUES — WERE RECEIVED. BECAUSE OF OVERSUBSCRIPTION, A BALLOT WAS HELD ON COMPUTER.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE COINS TO MARK THE COMING YEAR OF THE SNAKE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ANY OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AND THE MERCANTILE BANK LTD. APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE ON JANUARY 17.

EACH APPLICATION IS RESTRICTED ON ONE COIN AND IN CASE THE ISSUE IS OVERSUBSCRIBED, THE COINS WILL BE ALLOCATED BY BALLOT AND SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED INDIVIDUALLY.

THE COINS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WHICH FALLS ON FEBRUARY 18, THIS YEAR.

MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1977

5

RURAL COMMITTEES ASSURED ON THEIR N.T. ROLE

******

NEW COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS WERE BEING ENCOURAGED IN THE NE.. TERRITORIES TO DEAL WITH SOCIAL PROBLEMS OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE RURAL COMMITTEES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.

BUT, HE SAID, THESE NEW ORGANISATIONS WERE NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE THE RURAL COMMITTEES, WHICH CONTINUED TO PROVIDE A VALUABLE SERVICE IN THEIR PARTICULAR AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY.

ADDRESSING THE WEEKLY MEETING OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ROTARY CLUB, MR. AKERS-JONES ALSO SPOKE OF THE ROLE OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK IN PROMOTING AND DEVELOPING UNDERSTANDING AND GIVING ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE NEW TERRITORIES.

+THE KUK IS PART OF A TWO-WAY EXCHANGE, TO AND FROM THE GOVERNMENT, FOR THROUGH THE KUK AND ITS SUPPORTING RURAL COMMITTEES, I AM ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THE GREAT CHANGES THAT ARE TAKING PLACE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,* HE SAID.

MR. AKERS-JONES ALSO POINTED OUT THAT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, MANY NEW ORGANISATIONS HAD BEEN FORMED SUCH AS CLEAN HONG KONG COMMITTEES, FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES, AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.

+THESE ORGANISATIONS DID NOT JUST SPRING UP AT RANDOM BUT, WERE, LIKE THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER SYSTEM, A DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEMS INFECTING OUR SOCIAL SYSTEM RESULTING FROM HIGH DENSITY LIVING, INDUSTRIALISATION AND THE BOMBARDMENT OF IDEAS FROM THE WORLD OUTSIDE HONG KONG, WHERE TRADITIONAL VALUES WERE EQUALLY BEING CHALLENGED,* HE SAID.

+THESE COMMITTEES WERE FORMED NOT ONLY IN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON BUT ALSO IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, NOT TO TAKE THE PLACE OF THE RURAL COMMITTEES BUT TO DEAL WITH THE EXISTENCE OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS WHICH WERE OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE RURAL COMMITTEES.

+THEY DEAL DIRECTLY WITH DIRT AND LITTER, WITH CRIME AND THE MANAGEMENT CF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.*

OTHER GROUPS, PARTICULARLY ARTS AND SPORTS ORGANISATIONS, HAD BEEN FORMED +TO PROVIDE FOR THE PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN OUR RAPIDLY GROWING TOWNS.*

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT RURAL COMMITTEE LEADERS HAD COME FORWARD TO SERVE AND ADVISE IN MANY OF THESE NEW ORGANISATIONS AND THEIR KNOWLEDGE WAS MOST USEFUL BECAUSE THEY HAD GROWN UP WITH THE PROBLEMS OF EACH PLACE.

HE ADDED: +CLEARLY, IN A SITUATION OF GREAT CHANGE, FRESH INITIATIVES AND CHANGES IN ORGANISATIONS ARE NECESSARY.

/+'rOK .

MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1977

6

+FOR HONG KONG AS A WHOLE, FACING AN OUTSIDE WORLD OF INCREASING COMPLEXITY, THERE CAN BE NO DIVISIONS OF INTEREST.

+FOR HONG KONG AS A WHOLE FACING INTERNAL PROBLEMS OF GREAT MAGNITUDE AND COMPLEXITY THERE CAN BE NO DIVISIONOF INTEREST, NO FRAGMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT.

+WE MUST HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO ALL OUR COMMON REQUIREMENTS OF +FOOD, HOMES AND WORK+, TO OUR SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND THE NEED TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND MEDICAL SERVICES AS EVENLY AS POSSIBLE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

+BUT THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY PRESENT DAY SOCIETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT OF OUR NEW COMMUNITIES ALSO REQUIRE MORE LOCALISED ADVICE AND SOLUTION.

+WE MUST ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD NOT TO TAKE THE PLACE OF EXISTING ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS THE RURAL COMMITTEES, WHO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE VALUABLE SERVICE IN THEIR PARTICULAR AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY, BUT SO THAT WE CAN GET AT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEMS OF THE PEOPLE LIVING IN OUR NEW TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES.+

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

DECLARATION OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

*****

IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS WERE TODAY REMINDED OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS TO LODGE TRADE DECLARATIONS AND PAY AD VALOREM CHARGES WITHIN 14 DAYS OF IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION ON ALL IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OTHER THAN THOSE WHICH ARE EXEMPTED.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAID PROSECUTIONS WOULD BE INITIATED AGAINST THOSE WHO, WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE, FAILED TO LODGE THE NECESSARY TRADE DECLARATIONS.

TRADE DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED OUTSIDE THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD OF 14 DAYS WILL BE LIABLE, WITHOUT ANY FURTHER NOTICE, TO PENALTY CHARGES WHICH RISE AFTER TWO MONTHS TO A MAXIMUM OF $100 PER DECLARATION WHERE THE TOTAL VALUE OF ARTICLES SPECIFIED DOES NOT EXCEED $20,000.

WHERE THE TOTAL VALUE OF ARTICLES SPECIFIED EXCEEDS $20,003, THE PENALTY CHARGES RISE AFTER TWO MONTHS TO A MAXIMUM OF $200 PER DECLARATION.

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

/7

I

MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1977

REGULATIONS FOR DRY BATTERY FACTORIES EFFECTIVE

*******

EMPLOYERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DRY BATTERIES) REGULATIONS 1976 CAME INTO EFFECT

ON JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR.

UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS, FACTORY PROPRIETORS MUST TAKE THE FOLLOWING MEASURES :

1 PROVIDE PROPER VENTILATION FOR WORK PLACES TO KEEP CONTAMINANTS IN THE ATMOSPHERE WITHIN LIMIT,

2. SEGREGATE CERTAIN PROCESSES OF MANUFACTURE AND PROVIDE PROPER STORAGE OF CHEMICALS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF CONTAMINATION,

3. PROVIDE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING FOR WORKERS,

4. MAINTAIN A MINIMUM STANDARD OF CLEANLINESS OF WORK PLACESAND

5. PROVIDE WASHING FACILITIES FOR WORKERS.

ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MEMBERS OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE WILL CALL ON FACTORIES MAKING DRY BATTERIES IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND DELIVER TO THE MANAGEMENT AN EXPLANATORY LETTER LISTING THESE REQUIREMENTS.

IF NECESSARY, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED,THEY WILL ALSO GIVE ON-THE-SPOT ADVICE AS TO THE BEST WAYS OF COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.

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

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KWAI CHUNG ******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 A.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY) LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING YHE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO NORTH KWAI CHUNG GOVERNMENT CLINVC AT SHEK YAM AREA.

THIS AIMS TO ALLEVIATE EXISTING CONGESTION WHICH CAUSES UNNECESSARY DELAY TO EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND UNDESIRABLE INTERFERENCE WITH PATIENTS USING THE ACCESS ROAD.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP FOR THE GUIDANCE OF LEARNER DRIVERS.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1977

CONTENTS

GOVERNOR MAKES ON-THE-SPOT INSPECTION OF SHA TIN NEW

TOWN ..........................

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW .....................

TAXPAYERS URGED TO HEED DUE DATE .....................

TpJmJc UNDER PART F0UR 0F THE COMMODITIES

ocrfor?LATTENDS CIVIL A,D SERVICES 25TH ANNIVERSARY

RE-OPENING OF PART OF OLYMPIC AVENUE .......................

WATER CUT ...............................

PAGE NO.

1

2

3

4

4

5

5

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1977

1

GOVERNOR SEES SHA TIN NEW TOWN PROGRESS * * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY SPENT MOST OF THE AFTERNOON MAKING AN ON-THE-SPOT INSPECTION OF THE DEVELOPMENTS AT SHA TIN WHICH WILL BOOST THE NEW TOWN’S POPULATION BY MORE THAN 20,000 IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.

SIR MURRAY WAS GIVEN A FULL BRIEFING ON PROGRESS BY

SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. HE ALSO HELD TALKS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS ON THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN TRANSFORMING SHA TIN INTO A TOWN OF 500,000 WITHIN 10 YEARS.

HE WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES- THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. MICHAEL SUEN, AND THE PWD PROJECT MANAGER, MR. B.H. NEWMAN.

THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS SIR MURRAY SAW INCLUDED:

* THE FIRST STAGE OF THE WO CHE ESTATE, WHICH IS DUE TO BE COMPLETED IN JUNE THIS YEAR PROVIDING MORE THAN 2,000 FLATS FOR ABOUT 10,000 PEOPLE.

THE SECOND STAGE OF THE PROJECT, A COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNITY CENTRE WITH SHOPS, LIBRARY, A SCHOOL FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, COMMUNITY HALL, YOUTH CENTRE, CHILDREN’S CENTRE AND 4,500 SQUARE FEET OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITY SPACE AROUND A TERRACED GARDEN, IS DUE FOR COMPLETION AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

ULTIMATELY, THE WO CHE ESTATE WILL HOUSE 40,000 PEOPLE.

* THE FO TAN INDUSTRIAL AREA, WHERE SIX FACTORIES ARE ALREADY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WORK ON ANOTHER THREE IS TO BEGIN SOON. CHINA RESOURCES IS ALREADY OPERATING AN OIL STORAGE DEPOT AT FC TAN.

* THE FIRST NEW TERRITORIES SITE FOR THE FLATS-FOR-SALE SCHEME — A JOCKEY CLUB BORROW AREA ABOVE WO CHE VILLAGE -- WHICH IS DUE TO BE HANDED OVER TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FOR DETAILED PLANNING IN JUNE THIS YEAR.

SIR MURRAY STARTED HIS VISIT WITH A GENERAL BRIEFING AT THE LOOKOUT AREA BEHIND SHA TIN WAI WHICH COMMANDS A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE SHA TIN AREA.

AFTER INSPECTING VARIOUS PROJECTS, SIR MURRAY WENT TO THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE FOR A DISCUSSION ON LOCAL PROBLEMS WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, LED BY ITS CHAIRMAN, MR. WAI HON-LEUNG.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1977

2

LEGCO MEETS TOMORROW

* * * * *

THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG, WILL ASK A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS RELATING TO URBAN COUNCIL RATE AND GENERAL RATE WHEN THE COUNCIL MEETS TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

DR. CHUNG WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO LIST THE MAIN HEADINGS OF EXPENDITURE WHICH THE URBAN COUNCIL RATE, NOW PAYABLE AT SIX PER CENT OF RATEABLE VALUE, IS INTENDED TO COVER.

HE WILL ALSO ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO CONFIRM THAT THE GENERAL RATE NOW PAYABLE AT 12 PER CENT IS STILL INTENDED TO MEET THE COST OF THE POLICE, STREET LIGHTING, WATER SUPPLY AND FIRE SERVICES.

THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO EXPLAIN THE LOGIC BEHIND MAKING THE OCCUPIERS OF PREMISES PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE GENERAL RATE, IF THE GENERAL RATE IS NOT INTENDED TO MEET SUCH COSTS.

OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 15 QUESTIONS. THEY CONCERN, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE GOVERNMENT’S MOST RECENT THOUGHTS ON A POPULATION POLICY, THE GOVERNMENT’S PRESENT THINKING ON THE BUILDING OF A BRIDGE ACROSS TO LANTAU ISLAND, EITHER AS A PUBLIC VENTURE OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, AND THE STANDARD OF PRIVATE NIGHT SCHOOLS.

DURING THE MEETING, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE A MOTION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP FUND.

DEBATE WILL RESUME ON THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND EVIDENCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977.

DURING THE ADJOURMENT DEBATE, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN WILL RAISE THE MATTER OF +PROVISION BY GOVERNMENT OF MORE MULTI-STOREY FLATTED FACTORY SPACE FOR SMALL FACTORIES AND WORKSHOPS*.

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

/3

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1977

5

TAXPAYERS URGED TO HEED DUE DATE * * *

DUE DATES FOR THE PAYMENT OF MOST SALARIES TAX ASSESSMENTS FALL WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT THE SAFEST AND MOST CONVENIENT WAY OF SETTLING THEIR TAX BILLS IS BY SENDING A CHEQUE THROUGH THE POST.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT COLLECTION OFFICES WOULD BE EXTREMELY BUSY OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

+ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE SO THAT THE PUBLIC COUNTER ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF CLUB LUSITANO BUILDING WILL BE SET ASIDE EXCLUSIVELY FOR PAYING SALARIES TAX DURING THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. WHILE THIS SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT IS IN OPERATION, PAYMENT OF ALL OTHER TAXES SHOULD BE MADE AT THE COUNTER ON THE GROUND FLOOR,* HE SAID.

SALARIES TAX CAN ALSO BE PAID AT THE COLLECTION OFFICES AT THE +OLD+ HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANK BUILDING, 664, NATHAN ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, KOWLOON AND IN TSUEN WAN AT THE ON YUE BUILDING, 132, TSUEN WAN MARKET STREET, GROUND FLOOR.

HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT TO SAVE A TRIP TO ONE OF THE COLLECTION OFFICES AND TO AVOID THE INCONVENIENCE OF QUEUING UP. THE BEST WAY TO SETTLE THE TAX BILL WAS TO SEND A CHEQUE TOGETHER WITH THE DEMAND NOTE THROUGH THE POST.

+LAST YEAR SOME 100,000 PEOPLE MADE USE OF THE POST TO PAY THEIR TAXES,* HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR THE ADDITION OF A FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE WHERE TAX WAS NOT PAID BY THE DUE DATE.

+THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT ISSUE REMINDER NOTICES AND TAXPAYERS WHO FAIL TO PAY IN TIME ARE LIABLE TO BE SURCHARGED WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE.

+FOR THOSE PAYING THROUGH THE POST THERE WILL BE NO SURCHARGE IF THE ENVELOPE IS POSTMARKED NOT LATER THAN THE DUE DATE SHOWN ON THE DEMAND NOTE.

+CROSSED CHEQUES PAYABLE TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE, CENTRAL MAIL OFFICE, G.P.O. BOX 132, HONG KONG,* HE SAID.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1977

4

DEALERS REGISTERED UNDER COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE

*****

PART IV OF THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE 1976 WHICH CONTAINS PROVISIONS RELATING TO MATTERS ON REGISTRATION OF COMMODITY DEALERS, COMMODITY TRADING ADVISERS AND REPRESENTATIVES CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 1977.

UNDER THIS PART, THE COMMISSIONER FOR COMMODITIES TRADING HAS SO FAR REGISTERED 16 CORPORATE DEALERS, 28 INDIVIDUAL DEALERS, 138 DEALER’S REPRESENTATIVES, ONE CORPORATE COMMODITY TRADING ADVISER AND TWO INDIVIDUAL COMMODITY TRADING ADVISERS.

INVESTORS IN COMMODITY TO TRADE THROUGH REGISTERED

FUTURES CONTRACTS ARE ADVISED ONLY DEALERS AND TRADING ADVISERS.

PARTICULARS OF PERSONS REGISTERED UNDER PART IV OF THE ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN ENTERED IN PUBLIC REGISTERS. THESE REGISTERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR COMMODITIES TRADING AT ROOM 2404 CONNAUGHT CENTRE, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG ANY TIME BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 12.30 P.M. OR 2.30 P.M. AND 4.30 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS AND BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 12.30 P.M. ON SATURDAYS EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

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

GOVERNOR ATTENDS C.A.S. 25TH ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION

******

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING ATTENDED THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES AT THE HONG KONG CLUB.

AMONG THE MANY PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED THE RECEPTION WERE FORMER MEMBERS OF THE AIR RAID PRECAUTION CORPS (ARP) WHICH WAS DISBANDED FOLLOWING THE END OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN 1945.

IN HIS SHORT ADDRESS, THE CAS COMMISSIONER, MR. P.C. WOO, SAID THAT SINCE THE BIRTH OF THE CAS IN 1952, THE ORGANISATION HAD SEEN MANY CHANGES BOTH IN ITS ESTABLISHMENT AND IN THE TASKS IT PERFORMED.

HE ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE SERVICES WHICH HE ADDED HAD TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE TIMES AND PLAN AHEAD FOR ANY EVENTUAL AND TO BE PREPARED FOR ANY TASK WHEREVER ITS SERVICES MIGHT BE NEEDED.

TY

/5

*

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1977. - 5 -

RE-OPENING OF PART OF OLYMPIC AVENUE

* * *

THE SINGLE-LANE ACCESS ALONG OLYMPIC AVENUE TO THE KAI TAK AIRPORT SERVICE AREA NORTH-EAST OF THE TERMINAL BUILDING WILL BE REOPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 7).

THIS FOLLOWS THE COMPLETION OF ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS ALONG THIS SECTION OF OLYMPIC AVENUE.

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

WATER CUT * * M

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 6) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY WATERLOO ROAD, SHANGHAI STREET, PUBLIC SQUARE STREET AND NATHAN ROAD, INCLUDING PORTLAND STREET, MAN MING LANE, HI LUNG LANE, WING SING LANE AND TEMPLE STREET.

- 0 -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1077

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

REDUCTION OF GENERAL RATE 3Y 4-1/2 PER CENT PROPOSED .. 1

HOME OWNERSHIP FUND ESTABLISHED............................ 2

STANDARD TIME TO STAY FOR THE WHOLE OF 1977 ............... 3

CALL FOR MORE FLATTED FACTORY SPACE FOR SMALL INDUSTRIES 4

GENERAL RATE IS AN INDIRECT TAX ........................... 7

DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF LANTAU UNDER STUDY ............... a

1

BETTER SICKNESS BENEFITS FOR WORKERS ...................... o

CARING - A USEFUL PUNISHMENT FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS ......... 11

MEASURES TO REDUCE FIRE HAZARDS .......................... 12

MORE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND BETTER PAID JOBS JEEDED................................................... 1-5

STEPS TAKEN TO ENSURE SATISFACTORY STANDARDS IN PRIVATE NIGHT SCHOOLS ............................................ 14

MORE "HAN 12,000 PEOPLE CONVICTED FOR SPITTING SINCE 19~: ..................................................... ia

BILLS PASSED.............................................. 15

LUNAR NEW YEAR STAMPS ON SALE TOMORROW .................. 16

WORKING HOURS OF HOME AFFAIRS DEPAPTMrNT AND CITY DISTRICT OFFICES .......................................   16

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NORTH POINT ............ 1?

WATER CUT ................................................ 17

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977 - 1 -

4-1/2 PER CENT REDUCTION OF GENERAL RATE PROPOSED ******

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO REDUCE THE GENERAL RATE INVOLVING URBAN AREAS FROM THE PRESENT 12 PER CENT OF RATEABLE VALUES TO 7-1/2 PER CENT.

ANNOUNCING THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THE PROPOSED REDUCTION, WHICH WOULD AFFECT HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON, WAS SUBJECT TO THE COUNCIL MAKING THE APPROPRIATE RESOLUTION UNDER SECTION 18 OF THE RATING ORDINANCE.

+1 HAVE NOT YET DECIDED WHAT THE GENERAL RATE SHOULD BE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHERE THERE IS NO URBAN COUNCIL RATE IN ADDITION TO THE GENERAL RATE, FOR THE COUNCIL DOES NOT OPERATE THERE,+ HE SAID.

+ THE PRESENT GENERAL RATE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES VARIES AS BETWEEN RATING AREAS AND NEWLY RATED AREAS ARE BROUGHT INTO ASSESSMENT ON A PHASED BAS IS.+

BUT, GENERALLY SPEAKING, HE ADDED, NEW TERRITORIES RATEPAYERS COULD EXPECT AN ADJUSTMENT COMPARABLE TO THAT PROPOSED FOR RATEPAYERS IN THE URBAN RATING AREAS.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE DECIDED TO MAKE THE STATEMENT ON THE GENERAL RATE BEFORE BUDGET DAY BECAUSE OF EVIDENT PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS FOR RATEPAYERS OF THE SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER RATEABLE VALUES, RANGING FROM 54 PER CENT FOR FACTORIES TO 158 PER CENT FOR LARGE HOUSES, ESTABLISHED AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT REVALUATION OF PREMISES.

HE ESTIMATED THAT THE YIELD FROM THE GENERAL RATE, WHEN APPLIED TO THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES, WOULD BE AROUND $770 MILLION IN 1977/78, OR 25 PER CENT UP ON THE ESTIMATED YIELD FROM THE PRESENT GENERAL RATE APPLIED TO PRESENT RATEABLE VALUES.

+ IN ADDITION, BETWEEN NOW AND BUDGET DAY, I SHALL BE CONSIDERING THE POSITION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF RATEPAYERS WHO MAY BE PARTICULARLY AFFECTED BY THE REVALUATION OF THEIR PREMISES,* HE SAID.

+1 AM CONCERNED, FOR EXAMPLE, ABOUT THE POSITION OF OCCUPIERS OF PRE-WAR RENT CONTROLLED PREMISES. THE RATEABLE VALUES OF THEIR PREMISES HAVE BEEN THIS TIME, QUITE CORRECTLY, ASSESSED WITHOUT REGARD TO THE FACT THAT RENTS ARE CONTROLLED.

+THERE MAY BE, THEREFORE, A CASE FOR TEMPORARILY SUPPRESSING THE FULL EFFECT ON OCCUPIERS OF THE REVALUATION OF THESE PREMISES.*

MR. HADDON-CAVE EMPHASISED THAT HIS STATEMENT +IS SOLELY CONCERNED TO DESCRIBE THE PROPOSALS THE GOVERNMENT HAS IN MIND AND TO DO NO MORE THAN THAT.*

+A DEFINITIVE JUSTIFICATION IN TERMS OF FISCAL AND BUDGETARY POLICY AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT OF RATEPAYERS MUST AWAIT THE 1977 BUDGET SPEECH,* HE ADDED.

/2 .....

- 0 -

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

2

ESTABLISHMENT OF HOME OWNERSHIP FUND

******

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED A MOTION TO ESTABLISH A REVOLVING FUND TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION OF FLATS FOR SALE UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.

MOVING THE MOTION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP FUND, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THE INTENTION WAS TO CREDIT THE FUND WITH SUCH APPROPRIATIONS FROM GENERAL REVENUE AS THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MIGHT APPROVE FROM TIME TO TIME.

HE RECALLED THAT IN NOVEMBER LAST THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED THAT THE FIRST PHASE OF AN INITIAL BUILDING PROGRAMME, DESIGNED TO PRODUCE ABOUT 6,000 FLATS FOR SALE, SHOULD BE BUILT BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.

+WHEN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS COMPLETED AND COSTED THEIR PROPOSALS FOR THE INITIAL 6,000 FLATS I SHALL INVITE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO CREATE A NEW EXPENDITURE SUBHEAD AND APPROPRIATE THE NECESSARY FUNDS EITHER THIS YEAR OR NEXT,* HE SAID.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT IF AND WHEN MADE BY THE COUNCIL, THE RESOLUTION WOULD AUTHORISE HIM TO EXPEND MONIES FROM THE FUND TO MEET THE FULL COST OF PROVIDING FLATS FOR SALE. HE ENVISAGED THAT EXPENDITURE WOULD COVER SUCH ITEMS AS LAND AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS, AS WELL AS REIMBURSEMENTS TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR SALARIES, ON-COSTS AND OTHER EXPENSES PROPERLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND SALE OF FLATS.

+ THE FULL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF FLATS WILL BE CREDITED TO THE FUND AS INCOME,* HE SAID. +SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ASSISTING WOULD-BE PURCHASERS TO ACQUIRE THEM ARE STILL BEING WORKED OUT, BUT I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A DEFINITIVE STATEMENT AS TO THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION IN THE BUDGET SPEECH.*

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY EXPECTED THAT THE INCOME ACCRUING TO THE FUND WOULD EXCEED TOTAL TRANSFERS INTO THE FUND FROM GENERAL REVENUE, AS THE SELLING PRICE OF THE FLATS WOULD INCLUDE AN ELEMENT OF INTEREST ON DRAWINGS ON THE FUND.

+AS THESE EXCESSES, IF THEY ARISE, WILL BE SURPLUS TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FUND THERE IS A PROVISION IN THE RESOLUTION ENABLING ME TO TRANSFER THEM FROM THE FUND INTO GENERAL REVENUE,* HE ADDED.

SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN HOPED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WOULD BE DONE TO ENSURE THAT THE FLATS WOULD BE COMPETITIVELY COSTED — TO AT LEAST NOT HIGHER THAN IF DONE BY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE — AND OFFERED AT A SUITABLE PRICE TOGETHER WITH AN ATTRACTIVE LONG-TERM REPAYMENT PLAN.

/SINCE SUCH .....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

1

SINCE SUCH HOUSING UNITS WOULD BE OFFERED ON A NON-PROFIT BASIS, HE SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A VERY CAREFUL DEFINITION OF THE CATEGORIES OF PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO BENEFIT FROM THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.

+THE FIRST PRIORITY WILL HAVE TO GO TO THOSE FAMILIES LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WHOSE INCOMES OVER THE YEARS HAVE RISEN TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAY THEY CAN WITHOUT ANY DIFFICULTY AFFORD COMING UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME,+ HE A I Ti "

+ IN ADOPTING THIS FIRST PRIORITY, GOVERNMENT W-ILL

BE TAKING STEPS TO REDUCE THE FINANCIAL SUBSIDY IN PUBLIC HOUSING TO THOSE FAMILIES WHO NO LONGER NEED IT, AND AT THE SAME TIME RELEASE MORE PUBLIC HOUSING ACCOMMODATION TO THOSE FAMILIES THAT ARE ACTUALLY IN NEED,* HE ADDED.

0

NO CHANGE IN TIME DECISION * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION WHICH WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF MAINTAINING HONG KONG STANDARD TIME (GMT + 8) THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER OF 1977, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. DENIS BRAY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD THEN TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE MATTER TO SEE WHAT PERMANENT ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE.

+THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IS SHORTLY TO BE CONSULTED ON THE LEGISLATION AND IF IT IS AGREED THEN THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEBATE THE ISSUE IN THIS COUNCIL,* HE ADDED.

0---------

A...

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

4

CALL FOR MORE FLATTED FACTORY SPACE IN NEW TOWNS

X * * -X * *

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN TODAY CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ACCELERATE ITS PLANS TO PROVIDE MORE FLATTED FACTORY AND WORKSHOP SPACE IN THE NEW TOWNS FOR THE SMALLER OPERATORS.

SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID SUCH ACCOMMODATION COULD ONLY BE REALISTICALLY PROVIDED THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORTS OF GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.

THIS, HE SAID, COULD BE DONE BY THE PROVISION OF MORE GOVERNMENT-BUILT FLATTED FACTORY SPACE FOR THE SMALLER FACTORIES WHICH ARE GENERALLY UNDER 1,500 SQUARE FEET IN SIZE, AND BY OFFERING FOR SALE TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS MORE INDUSTRIAL SITES RESTRICTED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF FACTORY UNITS VARYING BETWEEN 1,000 TO 3,000 SQUARE FEET EACH.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN ALSO THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE TIMELY TO REVIEW THE NEED TO SET UP A SEPERATE UNIT WITHIN GOVERNMENT, AUGMENTED BY UNOFFICIAL PARTICIPATION, TO CONCENTRATE ON INVESTIGATING AND ANALYSING THE NEEDS AND PROBLEMS OF SMALL-SCALE INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG, WHETHER THEY BE FINANCIAL, TECHNICAL, MANAGEMENT, OR OTHERWISE, AND TO STUDY IN WHAT MANNER IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT TO HELP THEM BECOME MORE VIABLE AND SELF-RELIANT INDUSTRIAL UNITS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT OF HONG KONG’S 20,000 INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS, LESS THAN 1,000 FACTORIES EMPLOYED HALF OF THE TOTAL WORK FORCE OF 700,000, THE OTHER HALF BEING EMPLOYED BY THE REMAINING 19,000 FACTORIES.

+WHAT IS WORTH NOTING IS THAT 16,500 FACTORIES EACH EMPLOY LESS THAN 50 WORKERS,+ HE SAID.

+IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 69 PER CENT OF ALL FACTORIES IN HONG KONG ARE SITUATED IN NON-1NDUSTRI AL PREMISES,* HE ADDED.

WITH GOVERNMENT’S RECENTLY ANNOUNCED PROGRAMME OF ACTION AGAINST INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN NON-1NDUSTRI AL BUILDINGS, HE SAID PLANS SHOULD BE MADE TO ACCOMMODATE WORKSHOPS AND SMALL FACTORIES WHICH ARE EITHER CLEARED FROM SQUATTER AREAS OR FROM DOMESTIC BLOCKS.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN POINTED OUT THAT MUCH HARDSHIP WAS ENCOUNTERED ESPECIALLY WHEN SMALL FACTORY OPERATORS WERE CLEARED FROM DOMESTIC PREMISES.

+WHILE THEY ARE LEGALLY ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION, THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FACTORY RE-PROVISIONING IN A GOVERNMENT FLATTED FACTORY BUILDING AND IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO FIND ACCOMMODATION IN A PRIVATELY OWNED FACTORY WHERE THE MINIMUM UNIT IS AT LEAST 5,003 SQUARE FEET,* HE SAID.

/♦RATHE* ...

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

5

♦RATHER THAN HAVING A MEAGRE EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION, THEY WOULD MUCH RATHER BE GIVEN THE SAME RIGHT AS SQUATTER FACTORIES OF LESS THAN 3,000 SQUARE FEET, WHICH MAY OPT FOR ACCOMMODATION IN GOVERNMENT FLATTED FACTORY BUILDINGS,* HE ADDED.

ANOTHER AREA WHERE GOVERNMENT POLICY WAS INADEQUATE BOTH FOR FACTORIES IN DOMESTIC BLOCKS AS WELL AS IN SQUATTER AREAS, HE CONTINUED, WAS THE +NON-ELIGIBLE+ TRADES OR INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS OF A DANGEROUS OR OBNOXIOUS NATURE.

+SURELY THE GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO HAVE A LONG TERM PLAN TO COPE WITH THE NEED FOR FACTORY SPACE FOR SUCH CATEGORIES OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS,* MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID.

SPEAKING DURING THE SAME DEBATE, THE HON. JAMES WU URGED THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO PROVIDE FLATTED FACTORIES IN AREAS OF 500 TO 1,000 SQUARE FEET, NOT NORMALLY AVAILABLE FROM PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT, AT REASONABLE RENT AND WITHOUT LOSS OR SUBSIDY.

THIS, HE SAID, WOULD SEEM TO BE A LOGICAL SOLUTION TOWARDS GOVERNMENT’S PROCLAIMED PHASED PROGRAMME IN ALLEVIATING THE PROBLEMS OF FACTORIES IN NON-1NDUSTRI AL PREMISES.

ACCORDING TO A GOVERNMENT PAPER PUBLISHED IN 1974, HE SAID IT WAS ESTIMATED THERE WERE AT THAT TIME ABOUT 22,000 SMALL FACTORIES LOCATED IN DOMESTIC BUILDINGS, EMPLOYING A LABOUR FORCE OF OVER 100,000.

MR. WU REITERATED THAT SMALL INDUSTRIES, IN THE FORM OF SPECIALIST WORKSHOPS SUCH AS FOR TOOL-AND-DIES AND FOR SOME SUB-CONTRACT COMPONENT OR ASSEMBLY WORK, WERE ALSO COMMON IN INDUSTRIALLY ADVANCED COUNTRIES AND HAD A DEFINITE ROLE TO PLAY IN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, +ALTHOUGH IT WOULD BE WRONG TO SUGGEST THAT WE SHOULD PROMOTE A PROLIFERATION OF SMALL INEFFICIENT SET-UPS IN DOMESTIC PREMISES*.

GIVEN HIGH LAND PRICES AND THE ENTERPRISING AND INDUSTRIOUS SPIRIT THAT IS HONG KONG, HE FELT THAT A COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF FACTORIES IN NON-1NDUSTRI AL PREMISES MIGHT NOT BE IN SIGHT IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

+WE THEREFORE MIGHT HAVE TO TOLERATE FOR SOME TIME EXISTING INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN NON-INDUSTRI AL BUILDINGS IF SUCH ARE NEITHER POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS NOR OBNOXIOUS, PENDING A FULL ASSESSMENT AND ACTIVE SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM, AS THE UMELCO AD HOC GROUP ADVISED,* HE SAID.

WINDING UP THE DEBATE, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S THINKING ON THE PROBLEM HAD SO FAR BEEN CONCENTRATING ON DEVISING WAYS AND MEANS OF ENCOURAGING PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO BUILD SMALLER FACTORY UNITS BY PROVIDING SITES ON SPECIAL CONDITIONS.

/+THE FIRST

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

6

+THE FIRST STEP IN THIS DIRECTION WAS TAKEN AT SHA TIN, WITH THE SALE OF AN INDUSTRIAL LOT ON TERMS WHICH INCLUDED THE REQUIREMENT THAT INDIVIDUAL FACTORY UNITS NOT EXCEEDING 5,000 SQUARE FEET SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN THE BUILDING,* HE SAID. +MORE RECENTLY, PLANS HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP FOR THE SALE OF A FURTHER INDUSTRIAL LOT AT TUEN MUN, WITH THE BUYER BEING REQUIRED TO BUILD FACTORY UNITS OF 2,500-3,000 SQUARE FEET.*

+DEPENDING ON THE SUCCESS OF THIS LATEST SALE, FURTHER LOTS WILL BE EARMARKED FOR DISPOSAL IN THIS WAY, POSSIBLY SPECIFYING EVEN SMALLER UNIT AREAS SO AS BETTER TO CATER FOR SMALL FACTORY OPERATORS,* MR. JONES ADDED.

HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT SUCH SALES WOULD NEED TO BE CAREFULLY MONITORED, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WHERE THERE IS A GOOD DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL LAND ON A NORMAL BASIS.

MR. JONES SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PREFER TO SEE PRIVATE PROPERTY DEVELOPERS MOVING IN TO MEET THE NEED FOR SMALLER FACTORY UNITS ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS.

UNITS OF SOME 1,400 SQUARE FEET HAD RECENTLY BEEN OFFERED FOR SALE IN KWAI CHUNG AT A PRICE OF AROUND $200,000, AND THIS, HE HOPED, MIGHT WELL BE A POINTER TO A GROWING PRIVATE SECTOR AWARENESS OF A DEMAND FOR SMALL FACTORY UNITS.

MR. JONES POINTED OUT THERE COULD BE NO QUESTION OF MOVING SO MANY THOUSAND SMALL FACTORIES OPERATING IN NON-INDUSTRI AL BUILDINGS WHOLESALE FROM THEIR PRESENT LOCATIONS, EVEN IF ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION WHICH WAS THOUGHT TO BE SATISFACTORY WAS AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE.

THIS WAS WHY THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO APPROACH THE ISSUE IN A PRAGMATIC WAY, HE SAID.

STAGE I OF THE PROGRAMME, HE SAID, WAS FIRSTLY TO REMOVE DANGEROUS AND OBNOXIOUS INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS FROM NONINDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS" SECONDLY, TO PREVENT ANY INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY IN NEW NON-1NDUSTRI AL BUILDINGS AND- THIRDLY, TO CLEAR INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS FROM PURELY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.

AS FOR THE MAJORITY OF EXISTING INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN NON-1NDUSTRI AL BUILDINGS, MR. JONES SAID, THE POLICY WAS TO DEFER ACTION UNTIL SOME ACCEPTABLE WAY CAN BE FOUND TO REPROVISION THEM SATISFACTORITY.

HE ADDED THAT THE PART WHICH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES MIGHT PLAY IN RELOCATING INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN NON-1NDUSTRI AL BUILDINGS WAS ALSO BEING EXAMINED.

/MA.

JONES

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

7

MR. JONES SAID, HOWEVER, +WHATEVER WE DO, WHETHER THROUGH SPECIAL RESTRICTED SALES OF LAND TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR OR IN ACTIONS THROUGH GOVERNMENTAL OR QUASl-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, I FEEL THAT WE MUST TREAD WARILY AND TEST THE GROUND AS WE GO.*

TURNING TO MR. CHEONG-LEEN’S SUGGESTION THAT A SPECIAL UNIT MIGHT BE SET UP TO STUDY THE NEEDS OF SMALL INDUSTRIES, HE SAID THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, WITH THE HELP OF THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD, HAD BEEN STUDYING THE PROBLEMS OF HONG KONG INDUSTRY, INCLUDING SMALL INDUSTRY, FOR A GREAT MANY YEARS.

+FURTHERMORE, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE HAS IN THE COURSE OF ITS WORK BEEN PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF SMALL INDUSTRY, AND SO HAVE THE VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS,* HE SAID, +AND THE BANKS ARE VERY WELL AWARE OF THE CREDIT-WORTHINESS OF DIFFERENT OPERATORS.*

+SO A GREAT DEAL IS KNOWN ALREADY ABOUT THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF SMALL INDUSTRY AND I AM.SURE THAT ASSISTANCE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ALL THESE ORGANISATIONS BY THOSE WILLING TO SEEK IT,* HE ADDED.

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

GENERAL RATE - ONE OF H.K.’S INDIRECT TAXES ******

THE GENERAL RATE NOW PAYABLE AT 12 PER CENT OF RATEABLE VALUES IS NOT INTENDED TO MEET THE COSTS OF POLICE, STREET LIGHTING, WATER SUPPLY AND FIRE SERVICES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG, HE SAID THE GENERAL RATE WITH TEMPORARY REDUCTIONS FOR NEWLY RATED AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS JUST ONE OF HONG KONG’S INDIRECT TAXES.

+THE REVENUE IT YIELDS IS NOT USED TO FINANCE ANY SPECIFIC HEADS OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE,* MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION BY DR. CHUNG ON THE URBAN COUNCIL RATE, NOW PAYABLE AT SIX PER CENT OF RATEABLE VALUES, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS SAID: +THE URBAN COUNCIL RATE MAY BE USED FOR EXPENDITURE ON ANY OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCIL, AUTHORISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE.*

o--------

/8

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

- 8 -

DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF LANTAU UNDER STUDY ******

THE GOVERNMENT IS CURRENTLY CARRYING OUT A STUDY OF THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF LANTAU ISLAND ON THE TWO ASSUMPTIONS THAT A BRIDGE WOULD, OR WOULD NOT, BE BUILT, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, HE SAID: +FROM A PLANNING POINT OF VIEW, THE ISLAND CAN BE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE NORTHERN PART, WHICH HAS SOME POTENTIAL FOR MEDIUM AND HEAVY INDUSTRY AND GENERAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE SOUTH COAST WHICH, EVEN NOW, IS ONE OF HONG KONG’S MOST IMPORTANT RECREATIONAL AREAS.+

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RECREATIONAL AREA WAS GRADUALLY PROCEEDING AT THE PRESENT TIME, AND IT COULD CONTINUE WITHOUT A LAND CONNECTION BEING PROVIDED.

HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED, ANY SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTHERN PART WOULD PROBABLY REQUIRE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BRIDGE.

+THE PROBLEMS POSED BY A BRIDGE MAINLY RELATE TO TRAFFIC AND, IN PARTICULAR, TO THE SEVERE CONSTRAINTS IMPOSED BY ROAD CAPACITY ALONG THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR,+ HE SAID.

+TESTS ARE NOW BEING CONDUCTED ON THE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY COMPUTER MODEL- AND THESE WILL LARGELY DETERMINE THE PRACTICABILITY, FROM A TRAFFIC AND COMMUNICATIONS POINT OF VIEW, OF SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTHERN PART OF LANTAU, LINKED BY A BRIDGE TO THE MAINLAND.

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S PRESENT THINKING WAS THAT, PROVIDED A BRIDGE WOULD NOT CREATE INTOLERABLE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN WEST KOWLOON, THIS FACILITY MIGHT LEND ITSELF TO PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION AT SOME FUTURE DATE.

ON THE OTHER HAND, MR. JONES ADDED, IF THE BRIDGE HAD TO BE BUILT WITH PUBLIC FUNDS, IT WOULD NOT RATE A HIGH PRIORITY IN RELATION TO OTHER TRANSPORT PROJECTS NOW BEING UNDERTAKEN OR PLANNED.

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

/9

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

9

BETTER SICKNESS ALLOWANCE RATE FOR EMPLOYEES * K * *

THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, WHICH SEEKS TO INCREASE THE RATE OF SICKNESS ALLOWANCE FROM HALF TO TWO-THIRDS OF AN EMPLOYEE’S PAY, WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SICKNESS DAYS WHICH MAY BE ACCUMULATED FROM 24 OVER TWO YEARS TO 36 OVER THREE YEARS. IN ADDITION, IT SEEKS TO REDUCE THE PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE BY WORKERS TO QUALIFY FOR PAID SICKNESS DAYS FROM THREE MONTHS TO ONE MONTH.

FOUR UNOFFICIALS, WHO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, WERE THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING, THE HON. WONG LAM AND THE HON. JAMES WU.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID EMPLOYERS WOULD HAVE TO SHARE WITH GOVERNMENT THE RESPONSIBILITY AND COST OF KEEPING THEIR EMPLOYEES IN GOOD HEALTH, WHICH IN THE LONG TERM WOULD ENHANCE THE STABILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE COMPANY.

HE SAID THIS WAS NECESSARY TO PRESERVE, AT ALL COST, HONG KONG’S FOREMOST ATTRACTION AS AN AREA FOR INVESTMENT BECAUSE OF ITS LOW RATE OF TAXATION.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE PROVISION TO INCREASE THE SICKNESS ALLOWANCE FROM HALF TO TWO-THIRDS OF AN EMPLOYEE’S WAGE CONFORMED WITH INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTION NO. 130, AND REPRESENTED AN INTERNATIONAL STANDARD WHICH HONG KONG WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN AND SHOULD ADOPT.

+SOME MAY ARGUE THAT THE PROVISIONS IN THIS BILL ARE NOT ENOUGH AND THAT MORE IS REQUIRED,* HE SAID.

+PERHAPS THAT IS THE CASE, BUT IT WOULD BE EVEN MORE PRUDENT FOR GOVERNMENT TO PROCEED IN MEASURED PACE RATHER THAN IN HAPHAZARD FASHION.

+HONG KONG IS FACING STIFFER COMPETITION ON ITS MANUFACTURED EXPORTS AND WE MUST HAVE A BALANCED POLICY ON SOCIAL PROGRESS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, OTHERWISE WE WILL SURELY AND IN NO TIME LOSE OUR COMPETITIVE EDGE.*

MR. LEUNG SAID THE INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF SICKNESS ALLOWANCE FROM HALF PAY TO TWO-THIRDS PAY WOULD BRING THE RATE INTO LINE WITH THAT FOR TEMPORARY INCAPACITY UNDER THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.

ADDITIONALLY, HE CONTINUED, THIS WOULD CONFORM WITH THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTION NO. 130.

/*ALTHOUGH

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

10

♦ALTHOUGH THIS CONVENTION WAS NOT RATIFIED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR TECHNICAL REASONS RELATING TO NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE IT IS HIGHLY DESIRABLE FOR HONG KONG TO AIM AT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE,* HE EMPHASISED.

HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILST WORKERS COULD NOT EXPECT TO ENJOY MORE GENEROUS TERMS THAN THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THIS ASIAN REGION THEY DESERVE SOME BETTER TREATMENT THAN WAS HITHERTO PROVIDED.

MR. WONG SAID THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG +D0 NOT ALLOW ANY KIND OF ACTION THAT WOULD DO HARM TO OUR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, BE IT BY EMPLOYERS OR EMPLOYEES.*

HE STRESSED THAT BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SHOULD REALISE THAT ONLY THE SPIRIT OF MUTUAL HELP AND COOPERATION COULD MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, TO THE BENEFITS OF BOTH PARTIES.

ALTHOUGH HE CONSIDERED THE AMENDING BILL +A MOST APPROPRIATE ONE*, MR. WONG POINTED OUT THAT +IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG TODAY, EMPLOYEES’ BENEFITS IN MANY RESPECTS STILL LEAVE MUCH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.*

WHILE STRESSING THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR HONG KONG TO OVERCOME EVERY DEFECT OVERNIGHT, HE SUGGESTED THAT BEFORE IMPLEMENTING ANY MEASURE TO GIVE MORE PROTECTION AND BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES THE MOVE SHOULD BE ANALYSED WITH THE UTMOST OBJECTIVITY TO SEE WHETHER IT WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.

OTHER PRINCIPLES SUGGESTED BY MR. WONG FOR CONSIDERATION ARE:

* TAKE HEED OF THE CRITICISM MADE AGAINST HONG KONG BY ITS MAIN CUSTOMERS.

X THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS SHOULD NOT BE FOLLOWED SLAVISHLY AND,

* ANY MEASURE THAT GIVES MORE PROTECTION AND BENEFIT TO EMPLOYEES SHOULD EXTEND ITS SCOPE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO ENCOMPASS ALL KINDS OF EMPLOYEES.

MR. WU SAID: +IN OUR INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY, HUMANE AND PATERNAL CONSIDERATIONS RANK HIGH PARTICULARLY AT TIMES OF DISTRESS AND DIFFICULTY.*

+THE MUTUAL RESPECT, THE CLOSE WORKING DIALOGUE AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND LABOUR IN OUR MANY FACTORIES,* HE ADDED, +ARE THE BASIC REASONS OF THE HARMONY AND CO-OPERATION THAT EXIST BETWEEN THE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES WHO COME TO EACH OTHER’S HELP IN TIME OF NEED” THE RECESSION IN 1974/75 AND THE BOOM IN THE 1976 PROVE THE POINT.*

/+WE can .....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

11

+WE CAN THEREFORE CLAIM THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND LABOUR IN HONG KONG IS, IN THE BROADEST TERMS, OF A VERY HIGH ORDER INDEED AND PROBABLY AMONG THE BEST IN THE WORLD.

+THE GOVERNMENT IS PERFECTLY WILLING TO CONCEDE THIS POSITION WHEN ADVERTISING HONG KONG’S ATTRACTIONS TO FOREIGN INVESTORS AND BUSINESS PEOPLE ABROAD. THE SAME CONCESSION SHOULD BE MADE WHEN DEALING WITH LABOUR AND OTHER SOCIAL LEGISLATION.*

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

CANING - A USEFUL PUNISHMENT

******

THE LIST OF OFFENCES PUNISHABLE ON CONVICTION BY CANING IS ALREADY QUITE EXTENSIVE AND INCLUDES ROBBERY, POSSESSION OF WEAPONS, RAPE AND CERTAIN OTHER OFFENCES AGAINST FEMALES, THEFT AND WOUNDING.

THIS WAS STATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON. WONG LAM.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ATTITUDES OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CHIEF JUSTICE TOWARD CANING AS A PUNISHMENT FOR YOUNG CRIMINALS WAS THAT IT WAS A USEFUL PUNISHMENT.

+IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SAY WHETHER THE CANING OF OFFENDERS HAS A GENERAL DETERRENT EFFECT ON OTHERS, AND THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF CANING IN THE CASE OF A PARTICULAR OFFENDER WHO IS SO PUNISHED CLEARLY DEPENDS ON HIS PERSONALITY,* HE SAID.

IN THE CASE OF AN OFFENDER WHO WAS UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, MR. HOBLEY CONTINUED, A COURT MIGHT ORDER CANING ON CONVICTION FOR ANY OF THE OFFENCES SPECIFIED IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ORDINANCE — EITHER AS THE ONLY PUNISHMENT OR IN ADDITION TO SOME OTHER PUNISHMENT.

HE INDICATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PLANS TO INCREASE THE ALREADY QUITE EXTENSIVE LIST OF OFFENCES FOR WHICH IT MAY BE EITHER THE ONLY OR AN ADDITIONAL PUNISHMENT.

IN ANSWER TO ANOTHER QUESTION FROM MR. WONG, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THAT CANING HAD BEEN ORDERED 98 TIMES DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS ON YOUNG OFFENDERS AGED 16 AND BELOW.

- - 0 --------

/12......

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

12

MEASURES TO REDUCE FIRE HAZARD IN SQUATTER AREAS AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS ******

THE CURRENT PROGRAMME FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICITY IN SQUATTER AREAS WILL REDUCE THE MAIN FIRE HAZARD WHICH STEMS FROM UNSATISFACTORY ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES IN REPLY TO A QUESTION RAISED BY THE HON. MISS LYDIA DUNN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

HE SAID THAT APART FROM FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS CARRIED OUT IN THE SQUATTER AREAS BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FIRE HYDRANTS WERE PROVIDED FROM WATER MAINS AND PUBLIC ROAD GAVE ACCESS TO FIRE SERVICE APPLIANCES.

+ULTIMATELY, BUT IN THE LONG TERM, THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF REDUCING FIRE HAZARD IS BY CLEARANCE OF SQUATTER AREAS AND THE GOVERNMENT’S HOUSING PROGRAMMES ARE DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE THIS,* HE EXPLAINED.

REGARDING MEASURES AIMED AT REDUCING FIRE HAZARD IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY SAID THE PRIMARY CONTROL WAS BY THE APPROVAL OF THE BUILDING PLAN.

+ONCE THIS HAS BEEN GIVEN THERE IS A SYSTEM OF SURPRISE INSPECTIONS TO SEE THAT THE PLAN IS ADHERED TO AND THAT THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ARE MET, ESPECIALLY IN REGARD TO THE STORAGE OF RAW MATERIALS AND FINISHED GOODS IN COMMON AREAS, INCLUDING STAIRCASES,* HE SAID.

HE NOTED THAT ABOUT 4,000 FACTORIES WERE INSPECTED MONTHLY, AND SEVERAL HUNDRED FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES AND PROSECUTIONS WERE INITIATED EACH MONTH AS A RESULT.

HE ADDED: +THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT KEEPS THE LAW UNDER REVIEW IN ORDER TO IMPROVE CONTROL POWERS OVER FIRE HAZARDS GENERALLY AND TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF DEVELOPMENTS AS THEY OCCUR.*

IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION, MR. DAVIES SAID THAT THE FIRE AT MA SIN PAI VILLAGE, TSUEN WAN, ON DECEMBER 5, LAST YEAR IN WHICH ONE PERSON DIED, WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY CHILDREN PLAYING WITH MATCHES.

THE SECRETARY ALSO DISCLOSED THE RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS INTO THREE OTHER RECENT FIRES WHICH KILLED SEVEN PERSONS.

HE SAID THE FIRE AT BLOCK 17, CHAI WAN ESTATE, ON DECEMBER 15, IN WHICH ONE PERSON DIED, WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE OVERTURNING OF A LIGHTED NON-PRESSURE TYPE KEROSENE COOKING STOVE.

REGARDING THE ELAZE AT 128 WAI YIP STREET IN KWUN TONG ON DECEMBER 3, HE SAID INVESTIGATIONS WERE CONTINUING. HE HOPED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, IN WHICH FOUR PEOPLE DIED, WOULD BE ASCERTAINED ONCE THE RESULTS OF TESTS, NOW BEING CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST, WERE AVAILABLE.

AS FOR THE TWO FIRES IN SHAM SHUI PO, IN EACH OF WHICH ONE PERSON DIED, MR. DAVIES SAID THAT .'10 EVIDENCE SURVIVED T.-.E FIFE TO ENABLE THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSES.

- - 0 -

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

- '3 -

MORE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND BETTER PAID JOBS NEEDED

******

THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, SAID TODAY THAT IF HONG KONG WAS TO MAINTAIN THE SOCIAL STABILITY AND THE SOCIAL PROGRESS THAT IT HAD ENJOYED IN RECENT YEARS, IT MUST CONTINUE TO PROVIDE MORE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND BETTER PAID JOBS AT HIGHER LEVELS OF SKILL.

HE ADDED: +THIS MEANS THAT W'E MUST HAVE NEW INDUSTRIES, NEW TECHNOLOGY, NEW PRODUCTS, NEW MARKETS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO EARN US THE MONEY TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING ELSE. WE ARE NOT ON A TREADMILL BUT WE ARE ON A SORT OF ESCALATOR, FOR WHICH WE MUST PROVIDE THE POWER.+

MR. JORDAN WAS SPEAKING AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION WHERE THE D C AND I’S AWARD TO THE BEST NEW PRODUCT OF THE YEAR WAS PRESENTED TO RADOF I N ELECTRONICS’ FOR THEIR T.V. GAME.

MR. JORDAN CONTINUED: +WE CAN NEVER AFFORD TO FORGET THAT EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE ARE DOING IN HONG KONG AND HOPE TO DO IN THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON THE VALUE WE ADD TO WHAT WE BRING INTO HONG KONG TO TRANSFORM INTO GOODS AND SERVICES W'E CAN SELL OUTSIDE HONG KONG. WE MUST CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE RATIO OF THAT ADDED VALUE TO THE ORIGINAL COST.*

HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD DONE VERY WELL BY PRODUCING IMPROVED PRODUCTS IN ITS WELL-ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIES -- GARMENTS AND TOYS — WHICH MADE UP OVER HALF OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS IN 1976.

BUT, HE ADDED, IT WAS ALSO A FACT THAT THE GROWTH OF THE TEXTILES AND GARMENTS INDUSTRY IS FAR MORE RESTRICTED IN REGARD TO ACCESS TO ITS OVERSEAS MARKETS THAN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY.

+THEREFORE NOT ONLY NEW PRODUCTS, BUT ALSO NEW INDUSTRIES, WILL BE NEEDED IN THE YEARS AHEAD TO PROVIDE JOBS FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE ENTERING THE LABOUR MARKET EACH YEAR,* MR. JORDAN SAID.

HE ADDED: +THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GOING TO EE BETTER TRAINED AND MORE HIGHLY QUALIFIED THAN THEY USED TO BE. AND THIS PROCESS IS ACCELERATING. THIS YEAR HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OPENED OUR NEW POLYTECHNIC WHICH NOW DWARFS THE OLD TECHNICAL COLLEGE BESIDE IT.

+1 REMEMBER WHEN IT WAS THE NEW TECHNICAL COLLEGE AND THAT THE INITIATIVE FOR ITS CONSTRUCTION CAME FROM THE CMA, WHEN IN 1955 IT OFFERED THE GOVERNMENT Si MILLION TOWARDS THE BUILDING COST.

+YOUR ASSOCIATION’S ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF HIGHER TECHNICAL SKILLS HAS CONTINUED OVER THE YEARS AND STILL CONTINUES.

+ IT IS HOWEVER EQUALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE ASSOCIATION SHOULD DO ALL IT CAN TO ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS APPRECIATE THAT THEY WIL BENEFIT FROM EMPLOYING MORE SKILLED WORKERS- AND FROM PROVIDING THE RIGHT TYPE OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR YOUNG APPRENTICES, TO COMPLEMENT THE THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE THEY \ILL BE RECEIVING IN OUR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.*

- - - - o - — - /-u ,

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

14

MEASURES TAKEN TO ENSURE SATISFACTORY STANDARDS IN PRIVATE NIGHT SCHOOLS

******

EVERYTHING POSSIBLE IS BEING DONE TO ENSURE SATISFACTORY STANDARDS IN THE 388 REGISTERED PRIVATE NIGHT SCHOOLS WHICH PROVIDE VARIOUS FORMS AND LEVELS OF EDUCATION FOR 96,700 STUDENTS.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY, IN REPLY TO A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE HON. ALEX WU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.

+1 AM AWARE THAT STANDARDS IN REGISTERED NIGHT SCHOOLS VARY CONSIDERABLY AND I DO NOT CLAIM THAT ALL THESE SCHOOLS ARE .MAINTAINING HIGH STANDARDS,+ HE SAID.

+THE PRINCIPAL CONSTRAINTS ON IMPROVEMENT OF STANDARDS ARE THE SCALES OF FEES WHICH CAN BE CHARGED IN RELATION TO THE RUNNING COSTS,* HE SAID. +WITHIN THESE CONSTRAINTS AND WITH THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ME I AM DOING WHAT IS POSSIBLE TO ENSURE SATISFACTORY STANDARDS.*

MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS GOING TO ORGANISE A SEMINAR FOR THOSE ENGAGED IN EVENING SCHOOL WORK TO IDENTIFY THEIR PROBLEMS AND TO GIVE ADVICE.

HE WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED WITH THE PROVISION OF POSTFORM 3 SECONDARY EDUCATION OF A GOOD STANDARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO, FOR ANY REASON, WERE UNABLE TO PROCEED BEYOND FORM 3.

THE DIRECTOR ADDED: +THE WORKING PARTY ON HIGHER EDUCATION IS LOOKING INTO THIS QUESTION OF EVENING SCHOOLS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT’S OWN EFFORTS IN THIS AREA, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE PROVISION OF EDUCATION AT FORMS 4 AND 5 LEVELS.*

ON THE FORM OF CONTROL THE GOVERNMENT EXERCISES OVER NIGHT SCHOOLS, MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT BEFORE AN EVENING SCHOOL STARTED FUNCTIONING, THE OPERATOR MUST OBTAIN CERTIFICATES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENTS TO SUPPORT HIS APPLICATION FOR PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL.

+THE MANAGERS, FEE SCALES, TEACHERS, SYLLABUSES AND TEXTBOOKS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BEFORE THE SCHOOL IS FORMALLY REGISTERED UNDER THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE,* HE SAID.

AREA OFFICERS, MR. TOPLEY SAID, MADE PERIODIC VISITS TO THE SCHOOL TO ENSURE THAT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE WERE MET, TO SEE HOW THE SCHOOL WAS CONDUCTED AND TO ADVISE THE OPERATOR AND TEACHERS ON IMPROVEMENTS.

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

15

PRESENT CONTROL ON SPITTING ADEQUATE

******

MORE THAN 12,000 CONVICTIONS WERE RECORDED FOR SPITTING IN PUBLIC PLACES SINCE THE START OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN IN 1972, THE CHIEF SECRETARY THE HON. SIR DENYS ROBERTS TOLD LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING, HE SAID THAT FROM NOVEMBER 1972 TO THE END OF LAST OCTOBER THERE WERE 990 CONVICTIONS FOR THIS OFFENCE UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE, AND UP TO THE END OF LAST NOVEMBER THERE WERE 11,176 CONVICTIONS FOR THE SAME OFFENCE UNDER THE PUBLIC CLEANSING AND PREVENTION OF NUISANCES BY-LAWS.

IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION, SIR DENYS SAID THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THE PRESENT CONTROL ON SPITTING ADEQUATE.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTY UNDER THE ORDINANCE WAS A FINE OF 3500 OR IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS AND UNDER THE BY-LAWS WAS $1,000 ON FIRST CONVICTION AND $2,000 FOR A SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION.

- - 0 -

BILLS PASSED

*****

TWO BILLS PASSED THEIR COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THEY WERE THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND THE EVIDENCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977.

0 - -

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

- 16 -

LUNAR NEW YEAR STAMPS ON SALE TOMORROW ******

TWO STAMPS TO COMMEMORATE THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

THE STAMPS ARE DESIGNED BY A LOCAL GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND COME IN TWO DENOMINATIONS, 20 CENTS AND $1.30.

ANY PERSON WHO HAS ORDERED SERVICED FIRST DAY COVERS ADDRESSED TO A LOCAL DESTINATION MAY COLLECT THEM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 7) FROM THE OFFICE WHERE THE ORDER WAS PLACED.

A SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED TOMORROW AT ALL POST OFFICES WHEREBY FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER, IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATE STAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSON PRESENTING THEM. NO TIME TYPE WILL APPEAR IN THE POST MARK.

THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR THIS SERVICE AREs-

(A) ONLY ARTICLES BEARING AN INDICATION THAT THEY ARE +FIRST DAY COVERS* WILL BE SO TREATED-

(B) THE ARTICLES MUST BE ADDRESSED TO A LOCAL ADDRESS-

(C) THE ARTICLES MUST NOT BEAR ANY OTHER CANCELLATION-

(D) NO REGISTERED ITEMS WILL BE PROCESSED BY THIS METHOD.

SPECIAL POSTING BOXES WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE TOMORROW FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO HAVE FIRST DAY COVERS CAREFULLY HAND-POSTMARKED BEFORE DESPATCH TO THE ADDRESS ON THE COVERS.

-------o

WORKING HOURS OF HAD AND CDO’S

* * * *

THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT WITH EFFECT FROM THIS SATURDAY (JANUARY 8), THE WORKING HOURS OF THE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING THE HEADQUARTERS, CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER’S OFFICES, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND SUB-OFFICES WILL BE AS FOLLOWS: -

MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS : 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M.

2 P.M. TO 5.30 P.M.

SATURDAYS : 9 A.M. TO 12 NOON

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1977

17

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NORTH POINT

*****

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 7) TO ALLOW BUS ACCESS INTO THE NORTH POINT BUS DEPOT DURING THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KAM HONG STREET.

THE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS, WHICH WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT THREE WEEKS, ARE AS FOLLOWS:

* THE SECTION OF TIN CHIU STREET BETWEEN KING’S ROAD AND TSAT TSE MUI ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY- AND

* THE SOUTHBOUND SECTION OF TIN CHIU STREET FROM KING’S ROAD TO TSAT TSE MUI ROAD WILL BE MADE A +BUS ONLY+ LANE AND ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE BUS LANE.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0

WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN POKFULAM ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND MONG KOK IN KOWLOON WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 7) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.

IN POKFULAM, THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY VICTORIA ROAD FROM CADOGAN STREET TO MOUNT DAVIS ROAD JUNCTION, FORBES STREET, KWUN LUNG STREET LOWER, CADOGAN STREET, KAI WAI MAN ROAD AND POLICE QUARTERS, EAST TERRACE, SOUTH TERRACE, WEST TERRACE, NORTH TERRACE AND CENTRE TERRACE AND HOUSE NO. 12P TO 12T SMITHFIELD ROAD.

IN MONG KOK, THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, DUNDAS STREET, WATERLOO ROAD, YIM PO FONG STREET AND SOY STREET, INCLUDING SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET, TUNG CHOI STREET, FA YUEN STREET, YIN CHONG STREET AND KWONG WAH STREET.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF HONG KONG’S PRISON WORKSHOPS BY AN EXPERT FROM BRITAIN ........................................ 1

WATER CUT IN HUNG HOM....................................... 1

CHIEF SECRETARY TOURS TSUEN WAN ............................ 2

MOBILE EXHIBITION ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IN FANLING WAI ........................................................ 3

MANY FINED FOR OBSTRUCTIONS TO MEANS OF ESCAPE ............. 3

GOVERNMENT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY .................................................... 4

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF NATHAN ROAD ........................... 4

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1977

1

EXPERT TO STUDY PRISON INDUSTRIES

*****

ONE OF WILL ARRIVE HONG KONG’S

BRITAIN’S LEADING SPECIALISTS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO TAKE AN PRISON WORKSHOPS.

IN PRISON INDUSTRIES IN-DEPTH STUDY OF

MR- TERcNCE COLLINSON, THE CONTROLLER OF INDUSTRIES AND SUPPLIES OF THE SCOTTISH PRISON SERVICE, WILL SPEND THREE MONTHS IN HONG KONG STUDYING AND RECOMMENDING WAYS OF DEVELOPING THE PRISON INDUSTRIES HERE. ucvcuuriNb i«t

0F H0NG K°NG’S 17 INSTITUTIONS ARE INVOLVED

*N INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS TAILORING, LAUNDRY, SHOE-MAKING ?'NG’ METAL WORK, PRINTING, CARPENTRY, PANEL-BEATING AND MANUFACTURING FIBREGLASS. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL OUTDOOR INDUSTRIES - AFFORESTATION, BUILDING AND ROADWORKS.

THESE ACTIVITIES BY PRISON INMATES LAST YEAR SAVED THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT HK$12 MILLION.

PRISON INDUSTRIES ALSO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE REFORMATION AND REHABILITATION OF PRISONERS. THEY PROVIDE A PRODUCTIVE AND GAINFUL OCCUPATION FOR ADULT OFFENDERS' VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR ADULT AND YOUNG OFFENDERS, AND TRAIN INMATES TO CULTIVATE GOOD WORKING HABITS.

MR. COLLINSON WILL BE MEETING WITH ALL

THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT AND WILL VISIT MOST OF HONG KONG’S INSTITUTIONS. AFTER HIS STUDY HE WILL MAKE A DETAILED REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT ON WAYS TO IMPROVE THE PRESENT SYSTEM.

SENIOR OFFICERS OF

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

WATER CUT * * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN HUNG HOM WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 8) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TC CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

ROAD

WINSLOW

THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY CHATHAM ROAD, WINSLOW STREET, MING ON STREET AND BULKELEY STREET, INCLUDING COOK STREET BAKER STREET, WA FUNG STREET, MALACCA STREET, LO LUNG HANG STREET’ WALKER ROAD, BAKER COURT, GILLIES AVENUE AND WHAMPOA STREET.

0 -

2

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1977

SIR DENYS ROBERTS JOINS COMMUTERS FOR TSUEN WAN TOUR ******

THE 2.15 P.M. HOVERFERRY FROM CENTRAL TO TSUEN WAN CARRIED A DISTINGUISHED COMMUTER TODAY - THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS.

SIR DENYS, ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, JOINED THE REGULAR PASSENGERS ON THE 15-MINUTE RUN TO START AN OFFICIAL INSPECTION TOUR OF THE NEW TOWN.

THEY WERE JOINED ON ARRIVAL BY THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES, THE DIRECTOR OF THE PWD NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MR. J.R. WHITTAKER, AND THE PWD PROJECT MANAGER IN TSUEN WAN, MR. EDDIE SHORT.

THE OFFICIAL PARTY THEN SPENT THE NEXT TWO HOURS SEEING THE PROGRESS AND DISCUSSING SOME OF THE PROBLEMS OF HONG KONG’S FASTEST GROWING NEW TOWN, AND LOOKING OVER SOME OF THE WORK THAT WILL COST THE GOVERNMENT MORE THAN $200 MILLION NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.

SIR DENYS WAS TOLD THAT MORE THAN 100,000 NEWCOMERS HAD ARRIVED TO LIVE IN THE TOWN IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS, PUSHING THE POPULATION UP TO 500,000.

PART OF THE TOUR TOOK SIR DENYS TO SHING ON DEVELOPMENT AREA, WHICH TOGETHER WITH THE CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE TO ITS NORTH, WILL EVENTUALLY PROVIDE PUBLIC HOUSING FOR 45,000 PEOPLE AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $164 MILLION.

SIR DENYS ALSO VISITED THE SITE WHERE THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO GRANT 3.5 HECTARES OF LAND TO THE CHINESE CIVIL SERVANTS ASSOCIATION LATER THIS YEAR FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HOUSING COMPLEX.

THE TOUR ALSO TOOK IN THE GOLDHILL - SITE OF ONE OF THE LARGEST PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN TSUEN WAN.

MR. HAYES EXPLAINED THAT THE FIRST UNITS ARE EXPECTED TO BE OF ABOUT 400 SQUARE FEET AND SELL AT THE CURRENT MARKET COST OF FROM $90,000 UPWARDS.

THE TWO LOTS TOTAL ABOUT FIVE HECTARES WHICH HAVE BEEN EARMARKED FOR PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES FOR MORE THAN 30,000 PEOPLE.

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

/3.....

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1977

3

FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION FOR FANLING RESIDENTS

* * * * *

A THREE-DAY MOBILE EXHIBITION ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION BEGINS AT THE FANLING ROTARY YOUTH CENTRE, FANLING WAI TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE AIM OF THE EXHIBITION IS TO DRIVE HOME TO RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES THE CONCEPT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.

ITEMS ON DISPLAY WILL TOUCH ON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE GENERATION GAP, FAMILY PLANNING, THE CHOICE OF CAREERS, WAYS TO HANDLE PROBLEM CHILDREN, AND HOW WORKING MOTHERS SHOULD LOOK AFTER THEIR CHILDREN.

DURING THE EXHIBITION, A SOCIAL WORKER WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER QUERIES IN CONNECTION WITH FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND PROBLEMS OF INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THE PROJECT IS A JOINT EFFORT OF 13 SCHOOLS AND WELFARE AGENCIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND IS CO-ORDINATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S FAMILY SERVICE DISTRICT OFFICE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE.

FOUR SIMILAR EXHIBITIONS WILL BE STAGED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES LATER THIS MONTH.

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

MANY FINED FOR OBSTRUCT IONS TO MEANS OF ESCAPE

* * * *

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO KEEP THEIR STAIRCASES, COMMON AREAS AND LIFT LOBBIES CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTIONS.

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN HUMIDITY WAS GENERALLY LOW THE CHANCES OF FIRE WERE HIGH.

THE APPEAL CAME AFTER A NUMBER OF COURT CASES IN THE NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY THIS MORNING WHEN 32 PEOPLE OR COMPANIES WERE FINED, MOSTLY FOR OBSTRUCTIONS TO MEANS OF ESCAPE.

THE FINES, TOTALLING $25,950, RANGED FROM $100 TO $3,000.

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

A.....

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1977

4

GOVERNMENT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY *****

THE GOVERNMENT INVITES FEMALE APPLICANTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A 3-YEAR DIPLOMA COURSE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN BRITAIN BEGINNING IN 1977/78.

APPLICANTS SHOULD BE FLUENT IN SPOKEN AND WRITTEN ENGLISH, BORN IN HONG KONG OR HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR NCT LESS THAN 7 YEARS, PREFERABLY BETWEEN 18 AND 26 YEARS OF AGE AND UNMARRIED.

THEY SHOULD POSSESS AT LEAST 2 SUBJECTS AT ADVANCED LEVEL, ONE OF WHICH IS PHYSICS, BIOLOGY OR CHEMISTRY IN THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION PLUS 3 FURTHER SUBJECTS INCLUDING ENGLISH AT GRADE ’C’ OR ABOVE IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION- OR AN EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATION.

THE SCHOLARSHIP WILL INCLUDE PAYMENTS TOWARDS TUITION AND EXAMINATION FEES, BOOKS, BOARD AND LODGING. RETURN AIR PASSAGES WILL BE PROVIDED.

FURTHER INFORMATION AND COPIES OF THE APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT TRAINING DIVISION (TEL. 5-767221) LEE GARDENS, 2ND FLOOR, WEST WING, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG.

COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE DIVISION NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 28.

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF NATHAN ROAD

*****

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF NATHAN ROAD BETWEEN THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND KIMBERLEY ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC BETWEEN MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AND 2 A.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

OP closure is to facilitate the felling and pruning

vr I nt IKtto IN THt ARcA.

POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE AT HAND TO DIRECT TRAFFIC.

•-------o ----------

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

Sf Mfe

Thursday, January 6, 1977

NEW- INCOME LIMITS FOR WAITING LIST APPLICANTS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, SAYS SPOKESMAN

Income limits for waiting list applicants will be increased with immediate effect, a Housing Authority spokesman announced today.

The income limits will be re-adjusted as follows:

Family Size - Existing Limit 7 ... Revised Limit

3 persons’-. $1,500 '. ~ • $1,800

4 persons 1,600 . * 1,900

***• 5 persons 1,700- 2,000

■ Z- • A 6 persons 1,800 . 2,150

7 persons 1,900 ’ Z. 2,250 . /

.8;...persons 2,0.00 . . 2,400'

9. per soils 2,100 2,500

10 or more > 2,200 2,600*

• > These limits were last reviewed in April 1976, and are applicable to

people applying for public hous ing • :Z.- - J '

The adjustment of income limits for waiting list applicants is tied

to the Census and Statistics Department’s index of Nominal Average Daily Wages for Industrial Workers, which showed an increase of about 20 per cent as at last September. '•/ ' .

The Authority has therefore decided that all applications investigated and rejected on income grounds since September 1, 1976, will be reviewed on the basis of the new limits.

■"Such applicants need not write in. Those now eligible will be reinstated automatically,” a Housing Department spokesman said.

* *• *

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1977

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM LIMIT FOR PRIORITY PAYMENT FOR WAGES ......................................... 1

FEES STRUCTURE FOR PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS REVISED .. 2

LAND TO BE RECLAIMED FOR CAUSEWAY EAY/SHAU KEI WAN COASTAL ROUTE ............................................. 4

PROPER SEX CONCEPT EXHIBITION ORGANISED FOR KWUN TONG RESIDENTS ................................................. 5

SEAMEN SHOULD GO TO IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ................................................. 6

PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PROHIBITIONS IN ABERDEEN ................. 6

AMENDMENTS MADE TO MTR AREA PLAN ................... 7

GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1977 AND 1973 ........................ 8

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

1

PRIORITY OF MAKING CLAIMS FOR WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE

******

THREE BILLS WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION.

THEY ARE THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, AND THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977.

ACCORDING TO A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN, THE FIRST TWO BILLS PROPOSE TO MAKE CLAIMS FOR WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE RANK EQUAL IN PRIORITY WITH THE PAYMENT OF WAGES AND SALARY, STATUTORY CROWN DEBTS AND SEVERANCE PAY IN THE EVENT OF LIQUIDATION OF A COMPANY OR BANKRUPTCY OF A BUSINESS. THE CEILING FOR CLAIMS FOR WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE IS TO BE SET AT $2,000, THE PRESENT MONTHLY WAGE CEILING FOR NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES COVERED BY THE EMPLOYMENTS ORDINANCE.

THE TWO BILLS ALSO PROPOSE TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM LIMIT FOR PRIORITY PAYMENT OF WAGES AND SALARY OR SEVERANCE PAY FOR AN EMPLOYEE FROM THE PRESENT CEILING OF $6,000 TO $8,000 AND TO INCORPORATE INTO THE BANKRUPTCY AND COMPANIES ORDINANCES THE EXISTING PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE CONCERNING PRIORITY PAYMENT FOR WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION.

EXPLAINING THE MOVE TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF WAGES AND SALARY OR SEVERANCE PAY WHICH CAN BE CLAIMED IN PRIORITY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +THIS IS TO CORRESPOND WITH THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WHICH WAS AMENDED IN APRIL 1974 TO RAISE THE MONTHLY WAGE CEILING FOR NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES FROM $1,500 TO $2,000.

+SINCP BOTH THE BANKRUPTCY AND COMPANIES ORDINANCES LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF WAGES AND SALARY WHICH MAY BE CLAIMED IN PRIORITY TO FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE WINDING UP ORDER, THE NEW LIMIT OF $8,000 IS EQUIVALENT TO FOUR MONTHS’ PAY AT $2,000 A MONTH.+

REFERRING BACK TO THE PAYMENT OF WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO PROVIDE THE DISMISSED WORKER WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR A PERIOD IN THE EVENT OF BANKRUPTCY OR LIQUIDATION OF HIS EMPLOYER’S FIRM SO THAT HE MAY BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY WHILE SEEKING NEW EMPLOYMENT.

+UNDER THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS, AN EMPLOYEE CANNOT CLAIM WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE IN PRIORITY TO OTHER DEBTS, AND THEREFORE THE WORKER MAY SUFFER HARDSHIP WHEN HIS EMPLOYMENT IS SUDDENLY TERMINATED AS A RESULT OF THE FINANCIAL INSOLVENCY OF HIS EMPLOYER.

+IN ADDITION, THE AMOUNT OF WAGES OWED MAY BE SMALL AND ONLY SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT HIM FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD IF HE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR SEVERANCE PAY UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

WITH REGARD TO THE THIRD BILL, THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, IT MERELY PROPOSES TO REPEAL ITS PRESENT PROVISIONS ON PRIORITY PAYMENT FOR WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION SINCE THESE ARE NOW BEING INCORPORATED INTO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AND BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1977

2

FEES STRUCTURE FOR PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS REVISED

******

A REVISED FEES STRUCTURE WILL BE INTRODUCED AT ALL PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS AND PUBLIC WATERFRONTS RUN BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AS FROM TOMORROW (JANUARY 8), IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.

THIS STEMS FROM A REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE WAN CHAI PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA, THE FIRST PURPOSE-BUILT CARGO WORKING AREA OPERATED UNDER GOVERNMENT SUPERVISION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE NEW FEES STRUCTURE WOULD MAKE PROVISIONS FOR NEW SERVICES TO BE INTRODUCED AT PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS AND WOULD ALSO HELP RECOVER THE COST OF SETTING UP AND OPERATING PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS AND PUBLIC WATERFRONTS.

ACCORDING TO THE NEW FEES STRUCTURE, BERTHING FEES FOR CARGO VESSELS WILL BE BASED ON THE LENGTH OF SEAWALL OCCUPIED. THE SEAWALL AT PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING AREAS AND PUBLIC WATERFRONTS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO A NUMBER OF UNIT BERTHS EACH EIGHT METRES IN LENGTH. THE NEW BERTHING FEES WILL BE $10 A DAY FOR THE FIRST EIGHT METRES OF WATERFRONT OCCUPIED WITH A FURTHER CHARGE AT 35 A DAY FOR EACH ADDITIONAL EIGHT METRES.

FORMERLY, DUMB STEEL LIGHTERS WHICH OCCUPY THREE OR FOUR TIMES AS MUCH SPACE AS MOTOR CARGO BOATS PAID THE SAME FEE OF 310 PER DAY AS THE LATTER. THEREFORE, THE MOTOR CARGO BOATS WHICH HAVE CORRESPONDINGLY LESS EARNING POWER TENDED TO SUBSIDIZE THE DUMB STEEL LIGHTERS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE NEW FEE STRUCTURE WOULD MEAN THAT FEES IN RESPECT OF A MOTOR CARGO BOAT BERTHING END ON TO THE SEAWALL TO WORK WOULD NOT BE INCREASED.

+FEES FOR DUMB STEEL LIGHTERS MAY BE INCREASED DEPENDING ON THE LENGTH OF SEAWALL THEY OCCUPY, BUT THIS WILL NOT HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THEIR OVERALL OPERATING COSTS,* HE SAID. +IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE NEW FEES WOULD ONLY RAISE THE OPERATING COST BY ABOUT 30.04 PER CAPACITY TON OR ROUGHLY 0.4 PER CENT OF THE DAILY HIRE CHARGES OF A LIGHTER.*

+THIS IS AN INSIGNIFICANT AMOUNT PARTICULARLY IN VIEW OF THE MORE EFFICIENT CARGO WORKING ACHIEVABLE AT PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS AND PUBLIC WATERFRONTS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE UNCONTROLLED WATERFRONTS,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

ONE OF THE NEW SERVICES TO BE INTRODUCED IS TO PROVIDE PARKING FACILITIES WITHIN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS FOR NON-WORKING GOODS VEHICLES. THIS IS CONSIDERED DESIRABLE BECAUSE IT CAN MAXIMISE THE USE OF PARKING SPACES WITHIN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS AND AT THE SAME TIME MAKE AVAILABLE A RESERVE OF VEHICLES FOR IMMEDIATE HIRE WITHIN THE AREAS WHICH WILL TEND TO EXPEDITE CARGO HANDLING.

/FORMERLY,

5

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1977

FORMERLY, ALL LORRIES ADMITTED INTO THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS WERE REQUIRED TO HOLD A CARGO WORKING TICKET WHICH COST $1 PER HOUR AT NIGHT AND $4 PER HOUR AT DAY TIME.

WHILE SUCH CARGO WORKING TICKETS WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR CARGO WORKING PURPOSES, A NEW PARKING TICKET WILL BE INTRODUCED AT $6 FOR A TICKET VALID FROM 8 P.M. TO 8 A.M. AND AT S12 FOR A TICKET VALID FROM 8 A.M. TO 8 P.M. THIS WOULD MEAN CONSIDERABLE SAVINGS FOR THOSE LORRY OPERATORS WHO WISH TO USE THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS SOLELY FOR PARKING PURPOSES.

IN ADDITION, PARKING TICKET WILL GUARANTEE A PARKING SPACE FOR A VEHICLE FOR THE ENTIRE 12-HOUR PERIOD DURING WHICH IT CAN COME AND GO AS MANY TIMES AS IT PLEASES.

THE NEW FEES STRUCTURE HAS ALSO MADE PROVISIONS FOR CONTAINER TRAILERS AND PRIME MOVERS TO BE CHARGED AS SEPARATE VEHICLES SO THAT ONE PRIME MOVER MAY HANDLE MORE THAN ONE TRAILER IN A PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA. THIS WOULD HELP ALLEVIATE CONGESTION AND ANNOYANCE CAUSED BY SOME CONTAINERS BEING PACKED AND UNPACKED ON STREETS.

AT THE SAME TIME, IT WAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE YAU MA TEI PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA WOULD COME INTO OPERATION FROM 8 A.M. ON MONDAY (JANUARY 10).

THIS BRINGS TO TWO THE NUMBER OF CARGO WORKING AREAS MANAGED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.

THE YAU MA TEI PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA, SITUATED AT FERRY STREET, HAS A FRONTAGE OF 610 METRES (2,000 FEET) AND IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING MORE THAN 45 MOTOR CARGO BOATS AND EIGHT DUMB STEEL LIGHTERS SIMULTANEOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE PARKING SPACES FOR ABOUT 100 LORRIES.

MR. BERNARD TANG, SENIOR MARINE OFFICER (CARGO HANDLING), SAID THAT WITH THE OPENING OF THIS CARGO WORKING AREA A SERVICE WHEREBY CONSIGNEES COULD RING UP FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION REGARDING BERTHING SITUATION IN ALL CARGO WORKING AREAS WOULD BE INTRODUCED.

THIS, HE SAID, WOULD ENABLE CARGO OPERATORS TO DECIDE rtHERE TO SEND THEIR VESSELS SO AS TO AVOID WASTING TIME.

/3

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1977

4

EASTERN WATERFRONT ROAD ON HONG KONG ISLAND ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO BEGIN WORK LATER THIS YEAR ON THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROPOSED $400 MILLION-PLUS COASTAL ROUTE BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND SHAU KEI WAN.

AUTHORITY IS NOW BEING SOUGHT FOR RECLAIMING NEW LAND AT THE EASTERN CORNER OF CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER FOR A SECTION OF THE HIGHWAY, AND FOR ESTABLISHING THE ALIGNMENT FOR THE ELEVATED ROAD ALONG THE WATERFRONT BETWEEN THE TYPHOON SHELTER AND HEALTHY STREET WEST, NORTH POINT.

NOTICES TO THIS EFFECT ARE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE, WHICH STIPULATE THAT OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSALS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS FROM TODAY.

MR. GORDON SAPSTEAD, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D. SAID TODAY THE FIRST STAGE OF THE SCHEME CONSISTED OF A TWO-KILOMETRE ELEVATED ROAD RUNNING ALONG THE WATERFRONT FROM VICTORIA PARK TO NORTH POINT.

+IT IS BEING DESIGNED AS A FAST, HIGH-CAPACITY ROUTE WHICH WILL TAKE MUCH OF THE PRESSURE OF EXISTING ROADS IN THE AREA PARTICULARLY KING’S ROAD AND PROVIDE FAST AND CONVENIENT ACCESS BETWEEN THE TWO DISTR ICTS,+ HE SAID.

+THE NEW HIGHWAY WILL HAVE SIX LANES -- THREE LANES FOR TRAFFIC IN EACH DIRECTION -- AND WILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF APPROXIMATELY 6,000 CARS PER HOUR,+ HE ADDED.

MR. SAPSTEAD SAID THAT TWO MAJOR INTERCHANGES WERE PLANNED AT EACH END OF THE HIGHWAY — ONE AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY END GIVING ACCESS TO VICTORIA PARK ROAD, AND ANOTHER AT THE NORTH POINT END WITH SLIP ROADS TO JAVA ROAD AND KING’S ROAD.

TWO SLIP ROADS WOULD ALSO BE PROVIDED AT NORTH POINT ROAD AND TONG SHU I ROAD.

MR. SAPSTEAD SAID THAT BEFORE CONSTRUCTION COULD COMMENCE IT WAS NECESSARY TO DESIGNATE A STRIP OF FORESHORE AND SEABED BETWEEN THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER AND HEALTHY STREET WEST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPOSED ELEVATED HIGHWAY.

+MOST OF THE HIGHWAY WILL BE RUNNING OVER THE SEA AND SOME 75 PIERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE ELEVATED DECK STRUCTURE,* HE SAID.

HE SAID THE METRES ABOVE SEA

SUPPORTING PIERS WOULD RISE TO ABOUT 10 TO 12 LEVEL AND WOULD EE SPACED AT 25-METRE INTERVALS.

+ IT IS PROPOSED TO RECLAIM ABOUT 1.5 HECTARES OF LAND IN THE EASTERN CORNER OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HIGHWAY AS WELL AS FOR THE VICTORIA PARK INTERCHANGE,* SAID MR. SAPSTEAD.

/.7CRK ON

fsiday, January 7, 1977

- 5 -

WORK ON THE RECLAMATION IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN THIS YEAR.

IN THE MEANTIME, ENGINEERS ARE PROCEEDING WITH DETAILED DESIGN FOR THE ROAD PROJECT. SOIL TESTS HAVE VIRTUALLY BEEN COMPLETED AND WORKING DRAWINGS ARE NOW BEING PREPARED.

THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROJECT WILL COST AN ESTIMATED 5230 MILLION. COMPLETION OF STAGE I TO NORTH POINT IS PROGRAMMED FOR 1981 AND IS DEPENDENT ON THE REMOVAL OF CERTAIN MARINE FRONT ACTIVITIES BY 1980.

----0----

EXHIBITION ON SEX AWARENESS * * * * *

A TWO-DAY EXHIBITION ON SEX AWARENESS WILL BE HELD AT THE HALL OF THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE STARTING TOMORROW,(SATURDAY).

THE EXHIBITION, ONE OF THE PROGRAMMES ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, AIMS TO HELP THE RESIDENTS TO ACQUIRE A RIGHT CONCEPT ON SEX.

ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT OF THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL, THE EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION AND THE PSYCHOLOGY DIVISION OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.

MR. WONG LAM, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND MR. KWOK NAI-SIK, THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER FOR KWUN TONG WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION AT 2.30 P.M.

IN ORDER TO INTRODUCE TO MORE RESIDENTS THE CONCEPT ON SEX, THE EXHIBITION WILL BE MOVED TO SAU MAU PING ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING, LAM TIN ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING AND YAU TONG COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE ON THE FOLLOWING WEEKENDS.

----0-----

/6

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1977

6

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS FOR HONG KONG SEAMEN

*****

THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 13) APPLICATIONS FOR SEAMAN’S CERTIFICATES OF NATIONALITY AND IDENTITY WOULD EE DEALT WITH BY THE BRIT SH PASSPORT SECTION IN ITS HEADQUARTERS IN INTERNATIONAL BUILDING.

ALSO FROM THAT DAY APPLICATIONS FOR SEAMAN’S IDENTITY BOOKS WILL EE HANDLED BY THE CHINESE RESIDENTS SECTION.

THE SEAMAN’S IDENTITY BOOK OFFICE AT THE WEST ARM OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PIER WILL BE CLOSED AS FROM JANUARY 10.

- - 0 - -

PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PROHIBITION IN ABERDEEN * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM 10 A.M.

ON MONDAY (JANUARY 10) ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WOULD BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING TSUNG MAN STREET, TUNG SING ROAD, YUE HONG STREET, YUE KWONG ROAD AND ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD UNLESS AUTHORIZED IN WRITING BY THE AUTHORITY.

APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO INDICATE THE PROHIBITIONS.

- - 0 - -

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1977

7

SUBSTITUTE RAILWAY AREA PLAN * * * *

VARIOUS AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE RAILWAY AREA PLAN FOR THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.

THE +RAILWAY AREA+ IS THE AREA WITHIN WHICH LAND MAY BE RESUMED OR EASEMENTS IN, UNDER OR OVER LAND MAY BE CREATED FOR THE PURPOSES OF AND INCIDENTAL TO THE RAILWAY.

A SUBSTITUTE PLAN SHOWING THE AMENDMENTS HAS BEEN DEPOSITED IN THE LAND OFFICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE.

THE PLAN INCORPORATES VARIOUS MINOR BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS TO LAND AND MARINE AREAS ALREADY OCCUPIED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION. CERTAIN AREAS OF LAND THAT ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED HAVE BEEN DELETED FROM THE PLAN WHILE ADDITIONAL AREAS LIKELY TO BE REQUIRED HAVE BEEN ADDED.

COPIES OF THE SUBSTITUTE PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED FREE OF CHARGE DURING OFFICE HOURS AT THE CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, GROUND FLOOR= THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, OR AT ANY CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.

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

/8.......

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1977

- 8 -

GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1977 AND 1978 * * * *

GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR THIS YEAR AND FOR 1978 ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.

THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR WILL STRETCH FROM FEBRUARY 13 (FRIDAY) TO FEBRUARY 21 (MONDAY).

GOOD FRIDAY FALLS ON APRIL 8, DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL ON JUNE 21 AND THE DAY FOLLOWING THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL ON SEPTEMBER 28.

THE FOLLOWING ARE LISTS OF GENERAL HOLIDAYS:

GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1977

EVERY SUNDAY ................................

THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JANUARY ............... SATURDAY, JANUARY 1

LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY ........................ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18

THE SECOND DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR ............ SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19

THE FOURTH DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR ............ MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21

CHING MING FESTIVAL ......................... TUESDAY, APRIL 5

GOOD FRIDAY ................................. FRIDAY, APRIL 8

THE DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY ............... SATURDAY, APRIL 9

EASTER MONDAY ............................... MONDAY, APRIL 11

THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN ....... THURSDAY, APRIL 21

TUEN NG (DRAGON BOAT) FESTIVAL ............. TUESDAY, JUNE 21

THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JULY ................... FRIDAY, JULY 1

THE FIRST MONDAY IN AUGUST ................... MONDAY, AUGUST 1

THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST, WHICH SHALL BE LIBERATION DAY ............................... MONDAY, AUGUST 29

THE DAY FOLLOWING THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL .. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL ........................ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21

THE FIRST WEEK-DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY ...... MONDAY, DECEMBER 26

THE SECOND WEEK-DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY .... TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27

TODAY, JANUARY 7, 1977

- 9 -

GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1978

EVERY SUNDAY ................................ ..............

THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JANUARY ............... MONDAY, JANUARY 2

LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY ........................ TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

THE SECOND DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR ............ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8

THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR ............. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9

GOOD FRIDAY ....................;............ FRIDAY, MARCH 24

THE DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY ............... SATURDAY, MARCH 25

EASTER MONDAY ............................... MONDAY, MARCH 27

CHING MING FESTIVAL ......................... WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5

THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN ....... FRIDAY, APRIL 21

TUEN NG (DRAGON BOAT) FESTIVAL .............. SATURDAY, JUNE 10

THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JULY .................. SATURDAY, JULY 1

THE FIRST MONDAY IN AUGUST .................. MONDAY, AUGUST 7

THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST, WHICH SHALL BE LIBERATION DAY .............................. MONDAY, AUGUST 28

THE SECOND DAY FOLLOWING THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL .................................... MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL ........................ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10

CHRISTMAS DAY ............................... MONDAY, DECEMBER 25

THE FIRST WEEK-DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY ...... TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26


PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1977

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR OPENS OCEAN PARK ..................................... 1

A TWO-YEAR PART-TIME MANAGEMENT COURSE FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICERS ...................................................... 2

DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS TO LAY FOUNDATION STONE .............. 3

MOBILE EXHIBITION ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION .................... 4

HONG KONG SEAMEN’S TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ........................... 4

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

MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1977

1

GOVERNOR OPENS OCEAN PARK

******

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY DESCRIBED THE OCEAN PARK AS +A GREAT AND IMAGINATIVE VENTURE+.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE OCEAN PARK, SIR MURRAY SAID HE DID NOT BELIEVE THERE WAS ANYTHING QUITE LIKE IT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, BECAUSE IT COMBINED SO STRIKINGLY THE BEST THAT NATURE COULD OFFER AND MAN CONTRIVE.

HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE LAND WAS GRANTED FREE BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE ENORMOUS CAPITAL REQUIRED WAS DONATED, AS A GIFT, BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.

+THE PARK DISPLAYS A WIDE RANGE OF LOCAL AND EXOTIC FLORA AND FAUNA. BUT ITS HEADLAND SITE, WHICH IS THE CORE AND PRINCIPAL FEATURE OF THE PARK, IS CONCERNED WITH THE SEA,+ THE GOVERNOR SAID.

AT PRESENT, HE ADDED, THE HEADLAND SITE CONSISTED LARGELY OF THE THREE BIG MAJOR EXHIBITS — THE REEF TANK, THE THEATRE AND THE WAVE TANK.

+THESE ARE BRILLIANTLY DESIGNED AND THEMSELVES PROVIDE AN OUTING OF SEVERAL HOURS ENJOYMENT,* SIR MURRAY SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE THREE MAJOR EXHIBITS AND THE CABLE CAR ACCESS TO THEM +ARE OF COURSE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN.*

HOWEVER, THE GOVERNOR EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT IN THE COURSE OF TIME, AND IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE OF HANDLING OF CROWDS ON THIS STEEP AND RESTRICTED SITE, THE HEADLAND WOULD GRADUALLY BE DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE ROOM FOR ITS ENJOYMENT BY LARGER NUMBERS WHO MAY NOT ALWAYS WISH OR BE ABLE TO PAY TO SEE ALL THE EXHIBITS AT ONE TIME.

+ 1 AM SURE,* HE ADDED, +THIS TOO IS THE OBJECT OF THE BOARD.*

THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE OCEANARIUM WAS TO LET HONG KONG PEOPLE SEE SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND ATTRACTIVE CREATURES THAT LIVE IN IT, AND TO SEE THEM AGAINST A SEA AND ISLAND BACKGROUND OF STRIKING GRANDEUR.

+THE JOCKEY CLUB’S CONCEPT,* HE EMPHASISED, +IS TRUELY wORTH OF HONG KONG.*

- 0 -

/2......

MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1977

- 2

GOVT. OFFICERS *

TO ATTEND MANAGEMENT COURSE

******

THE LINGNAN INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IS TO RUN A TWO-YEAR PART-TIME COURSE IN MANAGEMENT STUDIES AT POST-GRADUATE LEVEL FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICERS BEGINNING ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 15). IT WILL LEAD TO A DIPLOMA, TO BE AWARDED BY THE EXTRA-MURAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY.

THE COURSE COVERS FOUR TERMS AND IS AIMED AT PROVIDING A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FUNCTIONING OF ORGANISATIONS, THE BEHAVIOUR OF PEOPLE AT WORK, AND THE PRACTICE OF MANAGEMENT. IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A FRAME OF REFERENCE IN RELATING THESE AREAS OF STUDY TO THE CIVIL SERVICE.

THE COURSE IS DESIGNED TO MAKE EXPLICIT LINKS BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICE BY REQUIRING PARTICIPANTS TO DRAW ON PRACTICAL MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS FACED IN THEIR DAILY WORK AND BRING THEM OUT IN THE CLASSROOM FOR DISCUSSIONS.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: +THE RESPONSE TO THE COURSE HAS BEEN MOST ENCOURAGING. IT IS TEN TIMES OVERSUBSCRI BED.+

26 OFFICERS WITH VARIED PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL AND EXECUTIVE BACKGROUND, HE SAID, HAD BEEN SELECTED FROM DEPARTMENTS 70 TAKE PART.

+THE HEAVY DEMAND NOT ONLY REFLECTS A GROWING AWARENESS AMONGST GOVERNMENT OFFICERS OF THE VALUE AND USEFULNESS OF SUCH TRAINING BUT ALSO THE INCREASINGLY WELL-KNOWN QUALITY OF MANAGEMENT EDUCATION PROVIDED BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

0 - -

MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 1977

~5

DHA TO LAY FOUNDATION STONE * * * *

NOTE TO EDITORS :

THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PAI LAU (ARCHWAY) AND FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE NEW ASSEMBLY HALL OF SIK SIK YUEN TEMPLE, CHUK YUEN, ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 12) AT 3.03 P.M.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW PAI LAU AND THE ASSEMBLY HALL IS PART OF THE TEMPLE’S REDEVELOPMENT PLAN WHICH STARTED AS C.ARLY AS 1968.

ON COMPLETION, THE TWO-STOREY NEW ASSEMBLY HALL, OCCUPYING AN AREA OF ABOUT 9,550 SQUARE FEET, .JLL PROVIDE FACILITIES FOk RELIGIOUS, CEREMONIAL AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS. THERE WILL ALSO BE A CONFERENCE ROOM, A CANTEEN AND STAFF QUARTERS.

FURTHER REDEVELOPMENT PLANS WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CLINIC TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE FREE MEDICAL SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.

AMONG THOSE PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE ^-^G WAN-TIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TEMPLE- ^RS. KATHERINE FOK ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS AND MR. J.A. MILLcR, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN) AND DIRECTORS OF THE ORGANISATION.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.

A...

MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1977

4

MOBILE EXHIBITION ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION

*****

A THREE-DAY MOBILE EXHIBITION ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION BEGINS AT THE SHEK LI ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING, SHEK LI, TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

THE AIM OF THE EXHIBITION IS TO DRIVE HOME TO RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES THE CONCEPT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.

ITEMS ON DISPLAY WILL CENTRE ON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE GENERATION GAP, FAMILY PLANNING, THE CHOICE OF CAREERS, WAYS TO HANDLE PROBLEM CHILDREN, AND HOW WORKING MOTHERS SHOULD LOOK AFTER THEIR CHILDREN.

DURING THE EXHIBITION, A SOCIAL WORKER WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER QUERIES IN CONNECTION WITH FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND PROBLEMS OF INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THE PROJECT IS A JOINT EFFORT OF 13 SCHOOLS AND WELFARE AGENCIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND IS CO-ORDINATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S FAMILY SERVICE DISTRICT OFFICE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE.

THREE SIMILAR EXHIBITIONS WILL BE STAGED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE SECOND HALF OF THIS MONTH.

H.K. SEAMEN’S TRAVEL DOCUMENTS * * * *

STARTING TODAY, APPLICATIONS FOR SEAMAN’S CERTIFICATES OF NATIONALITY AND IDENTITY WILL BE DEALT WITH BY THE BRITISH PASSPORT SECTION OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IN ITS HEADQUARTERS IN INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, CENTRAL.

AT THE SAME TIME, APPLICATIONS FOR SEAMAN’S IDENTITY BOOKS WILL BE HANDLED BY THE CHINESE RESIDENTS SECTION.

AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE SEAMAN’S IDENTITY BOOK OFFICE AT THE WEST ARM OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PIER WOULD BE CLOSED AS FROM TODAY.

- - 0 -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1977

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

PLACEMENT OF DISABLED IN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT DEPENDS ON ACCEPTANCE BY THE PUBLIC ................................. 1

GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE VISIT UNDERGROUND RAILWAY SITES IN KOWLOON ............................................ 2

HONG KONG HARBOUR NOW CLEANER ............................... 3

KOWLOON DRIVING TEST CENTRE ................................. 3

PUBLIC URGED TO EXERCISE CARE WHEN USING GAS WATER HEATERS 4

AIL TO U.K. AND EUROPE

WATER CUT IN TSZ WAN SHAN

MACLEHOSE VISITS PINE HILL VILLAGE TRAINING CENTRE ..

4

5

5

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1977

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT OF DISABLED IN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT

#****)€

THE SUCCESS OF EMPLOYMENT OF THE DISABLED WILL DEPEND ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE PHILOSOPHY THAT THE DISABLED IS AS MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY AS THE NON-DISABLED AND IS THEREFORE ENTITLED TO THE SAME RIGHTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO AND SHARE IN ITS WEALTH.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY MR. KHOO TAI-PIN, SENIOR PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER AND HEAD OF THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AT A ROTARY CLUE OF KOWLOON EAST MEETING.

HE SAID THE SUCCESS WOULD ALSO DEPEND ON THE WILLINGNESS

TO GIVE SPECIAL CONSIDERATION IN THE WAY OF PRIORITY OR PREFERENCE TO THEM AND TO WAIVE SOME BASIC BUT IRRELEVENT REQUIREMENTS ATTACHED TO JOBS TO ENABLE THE DISABLED TO SECURE A FAIR SHARE OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FROM WHICH THEY WERE OFTEN AUTOMATICALLY BARRED.

MR. KHOO POINTED OUT THAT IN HONG KONG THE PLIGHT OF THE DISABLED AND THEIR VOCATIONAL NEEDS HAD BEEN BROUGHT TO LIGHT LARGELY THROUGH SUCCESSIVE STUDIES DONE BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

AS THE EODY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PLACEMENT OF THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED, HE CONTINUED, THE DEPARTMENT IN 1967 ASSIGNED ONE OFFICER TO FIND JOBS FOR THE DISABLED.

+ THE DEPARTMENT HAS NOW FIVE OFFICERS CONCERNED EXCLUSIVELY WITH SELECTIVE PLACEMENT AND HAS UP TO THE END OF DECEMBER 1976 PLACED 2,500 DISABLED PERSONS IN EMPLOYMENT,* HE SAID.

+AS MORE DISABLED PERSONS ARE READY FOR THE LABOUR MARKET THE QUESTION IS POSED OF HOW MORE JOBS CAN BE FOUND FOR THEM,* HE POINTED OUT.

HE STRESSED THAT TO CREATE MORE JOBS LEGISLATIVE MEASURES ADOPTED IN SOME COUNTRIES HAD BEEN IN THE FORM OF: IMPOSITION OF AN OBLIGATION ON EMPLOYERS TO EMPLOY A FIXED NUMBER OR QUOTA= THE RESERVATION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF WORK AND THE RESERVATION OR PRIORITY ALLOCATION OF POSTS.

+WHETHER IT IS CONSIDERED DESIRABLE TO RESORT TO LAW MAY DEPEND ON HOW EFFECTIVELY DISABLED PERSONS CAN OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT IT AND HOw MUCH THEY MAY BE ABLE TO RELY ON THE GOODWILL OF THE COMMUNITY,* HE EXPLAINED. +WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE READY FOR ANY OR ALL SUCH MEASURES WILL AGAIN DEPEND ON THE COMMUNITY’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE DISABLED.*

HOWEVER, HE ADDED: +LEGISLATICN OR NO, THIS ACCEPTANCE BY YOU, OTHER COMMUNITY-MINDED LEADERS AND THE PUBLIC WILL ENSURE GREATER ACHIEVEMENT IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE DISABLED, A SUPREME HUMAN ASPIRATION THAT CONCERNS US ALL.*

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1977

2

GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE VISIT

******

THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE THIS VISITED SEVERAL MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WORK

MTR SITES IN KOWLOON

(TUESDAY) AFTERNOON SITES IN KOWLOON.

THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, MR. NORMAN THOMPSON’ THE CHIEF CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER, MR. F.G. SHUTT, AND THE CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (KOWLOON), MR. MICHAEL C.C. SZE.

THE GROUP FIRST VISITED ARGYLE STATION WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED ON CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND WATCHED WORKERS PUTTING DOWN PILES WHICH WILL FORM THE STATION WALLS.

FROM THERE THEY PROCEEDED TO HAMILTON STREET, WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE SOPHISTICATED COMPRESSED AIR INSTALLATION WHICH PROVIDES THE NECESSARY PRESSURISED ENVIRONMENT FOR NEARBY TUNNELLING BETWEEN ARGYLE AND WATERLOO STATIONS.

THE PARTY LATER WENT TO WHITFIELD BARRACKS. THERE THEY SAW THE ACCESS SHAFT WHICH WILL BE USED TO REMOVE EXCAVATED DEBRIS DURING TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION UNDER NATHAN ROAD.

THE NEXT STOP WAS THE OPEN-PIT SITE AT LOK FU.

AT THE SITE, MTRC ENGINEERS AND CONTRACTORS EXPLAINED THE STATION’S CONSTRUCTION METHOD TO THE VISITORS AND POINTED OUT SOME OF THE INTERESTING FEATURES OF THE SITE.

THE PARTY THEN WENT TO CHOI HUNG. AFTER INSPECTING SOME SURFACE WORKS, THE GOVERNOR, ACCOMPANIED BY ENGINEERS AND CONTRACTORS, WENT DOWN THE PING SHEK SHAFT AND WALKED THROUGH THE CHOI HUNG TUNNEL TO EMERGE AT KOWLOON BAY DEPOT. LADY MACLEHOSE MEANWHILE VISITED THE CHOI HUNG STATION SITE.

THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE LATER REJOINED AT THE KOWLOON BAY TUNNEL PORTAL BEFORE TOURING THE SITE WHERE THE FUTURE KOWLOON BAY STATION, DEPOT AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT COMPLEX WILL BE SITUATED.

HK HARBOUR NOW CLEANER * * * *

THE FIGHT AGAINST POLLUTION IN THE HARBOUR IS BEGINNING TO LOOK BRIGHTER FOLLOWING VIGOROUS EFFORTS BY THE ANTl-POLLUTI ON UNIT OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.

ACCORDING TO MR. TONY MASON, MARINE OFFICER (POLLUTION CONTROL UNIT), +THE SITUATION IN THE HARBOUR HAS IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS.*

MR. MASON SAID THE IMPROVEMENT WAS DUE TO THE INCREASE IN STRENGTH OF THE DEPARTMENT’S FLEET OF REFUSE COLLECTION CRAFT.

+WE HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED EXTRA FUNDS TO DEPLOY MORE CRAFT TO CARRY OUT SUCH TASKS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE HARBOUR,* HE SAID.

+ORIGINALLY, THE AMOUNT ALLOCATED FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR’S REFUSE COLLECTION WORK BY SAMPANS AND MOTORISED BOATS WAS $1.27 MILLION. THIS FIGURE HAS BEEN INCREASED BY AN EXTRA GRANT OF $190,000.

+THIS EXTRA AMOUNT ENABLED US TO ADD 10 MORE VESSELS TO THE ORIGINAL FLEET OF 31 SCAVENGING BOATS.*

SINCE AUGUST LAST YEAR, MR MASON POINTED OUT, TWO EXTRA BOATS WERE HIRED TO COLLECT REFUSE IN THE CHAI WAN UNLICENSED DWELLING BOATS AREA AND, IN OCTOBER, TWO EXTRA FLEETS OF FOUR BOATS EACH WERE PUT INTO OPERATION -- ONE IN TSUEN WAN AND THE OTHER AS THE ROVING BACK-UP FLEET.

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 LAST YEAR 3,645 TONS OF REFUSE WERE COLLECTED FROM THE HARBOUR AS COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S TOTAL OF 3,262 TONS.

AT PRESENT, REFUSE COLLECTED DAILY FROM THE HARBOUR AVERAGED ABOUT 10 TONS AND FROM OCEAN GOING SHIPS ABOUT TwO TONS, HE SAID.

KOWLOON DRIVING TEST CENTRE

*****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE FAP’-' ROAD DRIVING TEST CENTRE WOULD BE RELOCATED AT THE METERED CAR PARK IN TIN KWONG ROAD WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

CANDIDATES FOR PRIVATE CAR DRIVING TESTS WITH ORIGINAL APPOINTMENTS TO TAKE THEIR TESTS AT THE FARM ROAD DRIVING TEST CENTRE SHOULD NOW TAKE THEIR TESTS AT THE TIN KWCNG ROAD DRIVING TEST CENTRE AT THE DATE AND TIME aS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1977

EXERCISE CARE WHEN USING GAS WATER HEATERS

* * * * *

A FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO HEED THE DANGERS OF USING GAS WATER HEATERS IN UNVENTILATED ROOMS.

THE APPEAL CAME AFTER A NUMBER OF FATAL ACCIDENTS OCCURRED IN THE PAST FEW DAYS AS A RESULT OF PEOPLE USING WATER HEATERS INSIDE ROOMS, USUALLY BATHROOMS, WITHOUT THOROUGH VENTILATION.

+THE CAUSE OF DEATH IS NOT DUE TO THE LEAKAGE OF GAS, AS COMMONLY REPORTED,* HE SAID.

+ IT IS THE LACK OF OXYGEN RESULTING FROM THE BURNING OF GAS IN THE UNVENTILATED ROOMS.*

HE NOTED THAT THESE ACCIDENTS OFTEN OCCURRED IN CUBICLES WHERE THE WATER SUPPLY HAD BEEN CONVERTED FROM COLD TO HOT BY THE INSTALLATION OF GAS HEATERS.

+IN SOME CASES WHERE THESE CONVERSIONS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT,* THE SPOKESMAN STATED, +VENTILATION SUCH AS DOOR LOUVRES OR OPEN AIR VENTILATION HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED.*

+IF YOUR BATHROOM OR OTHER ROOMS IN WHICH GAS WATER HEATERS ARE INSTALLED AND NOT PROPERLY EQUIPPED WITH VENTILATION YOU ARE ADVISED TO LEAVE THE DOOR OR A WINDOW OPEN WHEN THE HEATER IS IN USE,* HE RECOMMENDED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT wAS NOT THE AUTHORITY ON VENTILATION OR THE USE OF GAS HEATERS BUT WAS ALWAYS CALLED TO SUCH INCIDENTS AND SAW THE TRAGIC RESULTS.

+WE HOPE THAT BY ALERTING THE PUBLIC TO THE POSSIBLE DANGERS, FURTHER TRAGEDIES COULD BE AVOIDED,* HE ADDED.

WATER CUT * *

SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSZ WAN SHAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 13) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD, WAN WAH STREET, SHUNG WAH STREET, SHEUNG FUNG STREET, LUNG FuNG STREET AND SHAT IN PASS ROAD, INCLUDING BLOCK NO. 4-32 OF THE TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE AND OUR LADY OF '•ARYKNOLL HOSPITAL IN SHAT IN PASS ROAD.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1977.

LADY MACLEHOSE VISITS TRAINING CENTRE

*****

LADY MACLEHOSE THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING TOURED THE PINE HILL VILLAGE TRAINING CENTRE IN TAI PO SEEING FOR HERSELF THE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

THE CENTRE, WHICH HAS AN ENROLMENT OF 120, PROVIDES SUBJECTS SUCH AS CARPENTRY, SEWING AND METAL WORK.

IT IS ONE OF THE TRAINING CENTRES OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS LIMITED.

AMONG THOSE WHO GREETED LADY MECLEHOSE ON HER ARRIVAL WERE THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE = MRS. J. BREMRIDGE, CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION AND MR. F.C. TANG, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE CENTRE.

ALSO PRESENT WERE MISS ELIZABETH ROWE, HEAD OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT* DR. SYLVIA CHUI, PRINCIPAL MEDICAL OFFICER OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND MRS. F.L. GOODSTADT, PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER.

DURING THE TOUR, LADY MACLEHOSE SHOWED PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

AIRMAIL TO U.K. AND EUROPE

******

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT DUE TO INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY LOADING STAFF IN LONDON, AIRMAIL DESPATCHED TO LONDON ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, WAS NOT TAKEN OFF THE AIRCRAFT AT HEATHROW AIRPORT AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNED TO HONG KONG YESTERDAY (MONDAY).

THE DESPATCH CONCERNED INCLUDED NOT ONLY AIRMAIL FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM BUT ALSO FOR OTHER DESTINATIONS IN EUROPE. HOWEVER, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE AIRMAIL WOULD BE SENT BACK TO LONDON THIS EVENING.

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1977

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO LAUNCH AREA INSPECTION SCHEME .....................................................

LADY MACLEHOSE OPENS YWCA ELLEN LI CENTRE IN CENTRAL .......

CRACKDOWNS ON DEFECTIVE CARS STEPPED UP ....................

PAYMENTS TO PREFERENTIAL CREDITORS OF PAUL LEE COMPANY ....................................................

I

BUILDING CONTRACTORS URGED TO USE SAFE EQUIPMENT i AT CONSTRUCTION SITES ........................................

»> J -

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO VISIT VOLUNTARY

WELFARE AGENCIES IN KOWLOON ................................

WATER CUT ..................................................

1

2

3

4

4

5

5

i

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1977

1

F.S.D. TO LAUNCH AREA INSPECTION SCHEME

******

THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS TO LAUNCH LARGE SCALE INSPECTIONS OF PREMISES IN DESIGNATED AREAS IN A BID TO IMPROVE FIRE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY AT THE ROTARY CLUB EAST LUNCHEON MEETING, THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (FIRE PREVENTION), MR. ALAN JONES, SAID THE AREA INSPECTIONS SCHEME WOULD START THIS MONTH.

THE SCHEME, HE SAID, WAS IN ADDITION TO THE BUREAU’S ROUTINE INSPECTIONS, AND TO INSPECTIONS ARISING FROM COMPLAINTS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PLAN INVOLVED ANNOUNCING TO THE PUBLIC THE DATE WHEN OFFICERS FROM THE BUREAU WOULD BE CONDUCTING LARGE SCALE INVESTIGATIONS OF VARIOUS PREMISES IN A DESIGNATED AREA, SUCH AS KWUN TONG, CHAI WAN, MONG KOK AND YUEN LONG.

+BY MEANS OF VARIOUS COMMUNICATION MEDIA,+ HE CONTINUED, +WE HOPE AND TRUST THAT EVERYONE WILL BE MADE AWARE OF THE FORTHCOMING VISITS AND TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE THAT THEIR PREMISES WHETHER IT BE A WORKPLACE, A HOME, A BUILDING OR A COMPLEX WILL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW WITH REGARD TO SAFETY FROM FIRE.*

MR. JONES FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT ON INSPECTION DAY, THERE WOULD BE SQUADS OF FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL FORMED INTO TEAMS WHO WOULD INSPECT AND CHECK VARIOUS BUILDINGS FROM TCP TO BOTTOM.

HE SAID THE SQUADS WOULD BE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FOR ANY PROBLEMS WHICH INHIBIT OR RESTRICT AUTHORISED MEANS OF ESCAPE. THEY WOULD ALSO CHECK AND ENSURE +THAT ALL FIRE SERVICE EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATIONS LOCATED AND FITTED IN ALL TYPES AND SIZES OF PREMISES ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED, ARE NOT OBSTRUCTED AND ARE CLEARLY SEEN+.

+IF WE FIND ANY INFRINGEMENTS OF LAWS WITH REGARD TO MEANS OF ESCAPE AND FIRE SERVICES INSTALLATIONS,* MR. JONES ADDED, +WE WILL WITHOUT FURTHER ADO TAKE THE NECESSARY LEGAL ACTION TO DEAL FIRMLY WITH THE OFFENDERS.*

HE NOTED THAT IN THE PAST THE BUREAU’S OFFICERS USUALLY ARRIVED IN AN AREA UNANNOUNCED AND PROCEEDED TO INSPECT, INVARIABLY FINDING NUMEROUS IRREGULARITIES AND RESULTING IN FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES BEING ISSUED, AND COURT ACTION BEING TAKEN.

HE POINTED OUT THAT SUCH PROCEDURE WAS TIME-CONSUMING AND HAD LITTLE IMPACT AS VERY FEW PEOPLE TOOK NOTICE OF SOMEONE ELSE’S MISFORTUNE.

/WHILE .....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, '977

- 2 -

WHILE EMPHASISING THAT IT WAS EVERYBODY’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE FIRE SAFETY, MR. JONES WARNED : +EITHER THE COMMUNITY FAC-S UP TO ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE SAFETY FROM FIRE BY EVERYONE PARTICIPATING, AND MEETING THEIR OBLIGATIONS - OR WE MUST BRACE OURSELVES FOR SOME VERY TRYING AND POSSIBLY HORRIFYING FIRES IN THE FUTURE.+

♦ THIS SITUATION WITH REGARD TO SAFETY FROM FIRE GROWS MORE COMPLEX EACH DAY, AS HONG KONG BECOMES MORE SOPHISTICATED IN ITS DEVELOPMENT,+ HE SAID. +PUELIC APATHY AND LACK OF INTEREST TOWARDS SAFETY MUST BE OVERCOME, OR WE WILL ALL BE AT RISK, WHETHER IT EE AT HOME, AT WORK OR IN BUILDINGS GENERALLY.*

+THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE, FIRE IS NOT SELECTIVE -- IT KILLS, MAIMS AND DESTROYS IRRESPECTIVE OF STATUS, RELIGION, WEALTH, OR EXPECTATIONS,* MR. JONES SAID.

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

LADY MACLEHOSE OPENS YWCA ELLEN LI CENTRE *****

THE YWCA ELLEN LI CENTRE IN CENTRAL WAS THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON OFFICIALLY OPENED BY LADY MACLEHOSE.

IN HER SPEECH, LADY MACLEHOSE SAID THE ACQUISITION OF THESE PREMISES HAD BEEN MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO A GENEROUS DONATION OF $200,000 FROM DR. ELLEN LI, WHO CAME FORWARD WHEN IT WAS NO LONGER POSSIBLE FOR THE ASSOCIATION TO SUPPORT ITSELF IN ITS OLD RENTED PREMISES IN DUDDELL STREET.

+ALTHOUGH THIS NEW PREMISES ARE SLIGHTLY SMALLER THAN THE OLD ONES. THE SAME RANGE OF ACTIVITIES WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED FOR BOTH INTEREST GROUPS AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING GROUPS,* SHE SAID.

+l AM HAPPY TO SEE THAT THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED IN THIS NEW CENTRE AND THE RECREATIONAL AND STUDY NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE CATERED FOR,* LADY MACLEHOSE ADDED.

-------o

/3

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1977.

3

CRACKDOWNS ON DEFECTIVE CARS STEPPED UP * * * *

CRACKDOWNS ON DEFECTIVE MOTOR CARS WHICH THREATEN THE SAFETY OF OTHER ROAD USERS AS WELL AS PEDESTRIANS ARE BEING STEPPED UP FOLLOWING THE ARRIVAL OF FIVE NEW MOTOR VEHICLE EXAMINERS RECENTLY.

THE EXAMINERS, THREE BRITONS AND TWO NEW ZEALANDERS, WERE RECRUITED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT LATE LAST YEAR.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR MOTOR VEHICLE EXAMINER, MR. KEN ANDREWS, THREE OF THE RECRUITS HAVE BEEN SECONDED TO THE POLICE TRAFFIC BRANCH AND THE OTHER TWO POSTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION CENTRE IN KOWLOON.

MR. ANDREWS POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF EXAMINERS SECONDED TO THE POLICE TRAFFIC BRANCH NOW STOOD AT SEVEN.

IN OTHER WORDS, HE EXPLAINED, THERE WERE NOW TWO EXAMINERS IN EACH OF THE THREE POLICE TRAFFIC DISTRICTS • IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, KOWLOON AND ON HONG KONG. HE SAID THE SEVENTH EXAMINER, STATIONED AT THE TRAFFIC HEADQUARTERS, WAS IN OVERALL CHARGE OF THE SIX.

+PREVIOUSLY ONLY ONE EXAMINER WAS ATTACHED TO EACH OF THE THREE DISTRICTS AND THIS HAS PROVED TO BE INADEQUATE BECAUSE THEY HAD TO DO EVERYTHING THEMSELVES SUCH AS CARRYING OUT INSPECTIONS ON VEHICLES, FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTING OFFENDERS IN THE COURTS.+ MR. ANDREWS SAID.

♦FROM NOW ON VEHCILES WILL BE CHECKED ON ROADS AS WELL.*

+VEHICLE EXAMINERS WILL CONCENTRATE ON BLATANT CONTRAVENTIONS OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND USE) REGULATIONS AND DEFECTS WHICH EITHER CAUSED A NUISANCE TO THE PUBLIC OR AFFECTED THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLES,* HE POINTED OUT.

MEANWHILE, TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A £4.5 MILLION SEMI-AUTOMATED VEHICLE INSPECTION CENTRE IN KOWLOON BAY WILL BE INVITED IN APRIL, THE CENTRE WHICH COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 100,000 SQUARE FEET WILL BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT 80,000 INSPECTIONS WHEN FULLY OPERATIONAL.

+ IT IS HOPED THAT WHEN THE NEW CENTRE IS COMPLETED IN ABOUT TWO YEARS TIME IT WILL EE ABLE TO EXTEND THE EXISTING ANNUAL INSPECTIONS TO COVER ALL GOODS VEHICLES AND PRIVATE CARS ABOVE A CERTAIN AGE,* MR. ANDREWS SAID.

+HOWEVER, OUR ULTIMATE AIM IS TO INSPECT EVERY VEHICLE ONCE A YEAR,* HE ADDED.

----0------

A ..

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1977


BUILDING CONTRACTORS URGED TO USE SAFE EQUIPMENT * * * *

BUILDING CONTRACTORS ARE URGED TO HAVE THEIR EQUIPMENT CAREFULLY EXAMINED AND CERTIFIED BY COMPETENT EXAMINERS BEFORE THEY PUT THEM INTO USE AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE SPOKESMAN MADE THE STATEMENT FOLLOWING A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH ONE CONTRACTOR WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $12,000 FOR THREE OFFENCES IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF A HOIST WHICH HAD NOT BEEN CERTI-IED TO EE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN CENTRAL.

AS A RESULT OF THIS CARELESSNESS, AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED CAUSING THE DEATH OF A WORKER.

ON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WIRE ROPE IN QUESTION /.AS FRAILED AT A CERTAIN POINT AND DESPITE THIS, THE WIRE ROPE WAS PUT TO USE BEFORE AN EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE EQUIPMENT WAS RECEIVED.

I.' THE ACCIDENT, THE WIRE ROPE SNAPPED SUDDENLY STRIKING THE WORKER AGED 59, ON THE HEAD AND KNOCKING HIM UNCONSCIOUS. ON ARRIVAL AT HOS=ITAL, HE WAS CERTIFIED DEAD.

ACCORDING TO THE SPOKESMAN, THE CONTRACTOR WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FINED >7,333 IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF THE FRAILED WIRE ROPE FOR OPERATING A HOIST, 32,530 FOR USING A HOIST WITHOUT PRIOR TESTING BY A COMPETENT EXAMINER AND ANOTHER $2,530 FOR FAILING TO ENSURE THAT THE HOIST wAS NOT USED UNTIL A REPORT HAD BEEN OBTAINED FROM A COMPETENT EXAMINER.

PAYMENTS TO PREFERENTIAL CREDITORS OF PAUL LEE CO.

* * * *

tuc OFFICIAL RECEIVER HAS ANNOUNCED THAT PREFERENTIAL CREDITORS OF PAUL~LEE ENGINEERING COMPANY WILL BE PAID IN FULL DURING THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF NEXT WEEK.

AMOUNTS TOTALLING ->870,030 v. ILL BE PAID TO FORMER xM.PLCYxco OF THE COMPANY IN SATISFACTION OF UNPAID WAGES AND SEVERANCE PAY. $166 300 WILL BE PA ID TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT MAINLY IN REFUND OF MONEY PREVIOUSLY ADVANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO MExT SOME EMPLOYEES’ WAGE CLAIMS.

IT WILL BE SOMETIME BEFORE ANY ANNOUNCEMENT /. I-L BE MADx IN RESPECT OF THE CLAIMS OF OTHER CREDITORS WHO RANK AS ORDINARY CREDITORS UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1977.


DSW TO VISIT VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES *- * *

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, IS TO VISIT THREE VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES IN KOWLOON ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 14) TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF THESE ORGANISATIONS AND TO KEEP HIMSELF INFORMED OF THEIR LATEST DEVELOPMENT.

THE THREE ORGANISATIONS TO EE VISITED ARE THE SAU MAU PING TRAINING CENTRE FOR SPASTIC CHILDREN, THE CARITAS HAPPY CLUB FOR MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN AND THE JORDAN VALLEY LUTHERAN DAY NURSERY.

MR. LEE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MR. T.P. KHOO, HEAD_OF THE REHABILITATION DIVISION AND MRS. EVELYN DOE, HEAD OF THE FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE VISIT ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

MR. LEE WILL ARRIVE AT THE SAU MAU PING TRAINING CENTRE AT NO.20-21, BLOCK 25, SAU MAU PING ESTATE, GROUND FLOOR, AT 2.45 P.M.,- THE CARITAS HAPPY CLUB AT BLOCK 18, KWUN TONG ESTATE, AT ABOUT 3.45 P.M. AND THE JORDAN VALLEY LUTHERAN DAY NURSERY AT BLOCK 1, JORDAN VALLEY ESTATE, AT ABOUT 4.30 P.M.

TRANSPORT WILL EE PROVIDED. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES W .’SHING TO USE THE FACILITIES ARE ASKED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE KOWLOC'N SUE-POOL BEHIND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE NOT LATER T.HAN 2 P.M.

- - 0 -

WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN NORTH POINT AND ;>ANG TAU HOM WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON Fk >'D«Y (JANUARY 14) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT N GHT LEAKAGE TESTS.

IN NORTH POINT, THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY ELECTRIC ROAD, LAU SIN STREET, HING FAT STREET AND THE SEAFRONT, INCLUDING THE CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY, VICTORIA PARK AND THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC COMPANY’S POWER STATION.

IN WANG TAU HOM, THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY JUNCTION ROAD, HENG LAM STREET, FUNG NO STREET, FL MCJ STREET a.NL; WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD, INCLUDING .ELOCK NOS. I TO 23 OF LOK rU ESTATE, THE HONG KONG BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION HOSPITAL AND The JUNCTION ROAD RESITE AREA.

0

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FEWER BIRTHS AND MORE DEATHS REGISTERED LAST YEAR .. 1

KEY SHA TIN SITE OPENS TO TENDER ................... 2

WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO .......................... 2

SOUTH LANTAU ROAD TO BE MADE SAFER ................. 3

AIRMAIL SERVICE TO LEBANON TO BE PARTIALLY RESUMED . 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS VISITED TECHNICAL INSTITUTE . 4

t*

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1977

BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTERED IN 1976

******

FEWER BIRTHS AMD MORE DEATHS WERE REGISTERED LAST YEAR THAN IN 1975, ACCORDING T3 FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR. ?. JACOES.

THE NUMBER OF BIRTHS REGISTERED IN 1976 WAS 76,342, WHICH aAS 1,853 LESS THAN THE 1975 FIGURE OF 73,203, WHILE THE M'-EEft OF DEATHS REGISTERED INCREASED BY 2,004 TO 23,195.

ALTHOUGH THE DECREASE IN REGISTERED BIRTHS WAS ONLY ABOUT 2.4 PER CENT, MR. JACOES SAID IT WAS SIGNIFICANT IN THAT 1976 WAS THE SECOND YEAR SINCE 1974 IN WHICH THE TOTAL OF REGISTERED BIRTHS SHOWED A DECREASE AS COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING YEAR.

THE GREATEST NUMBER OF BIRTHS REGISTERED IN ANY ONE YEAR WAS IN 1963, WHEN 115,263 WERE REGISTERED. THEREAFTER THE NUMBER DECLINED EVERY YEAR UNTIL THE DOWNWARD TREND WAS REVERSED I\ 1 72. AFTER SLIGHT INCREASES IN THREE SUCCESSIVE YEARS, THE NUMBER FELL AGAIN IN 1975 AMD 1976.

OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BIRTHS REGISTERED LAST YEAR, 7*,355 WERE CHINESE (38,591 MALE AND 35,764 FEMALE) AND 1,987 NON-ChINESE (1,341 MALE AND 946 FEMALE).

A TOTAL OF 19,942 WERE REGISTERED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, -7,682 IN KOWLOON AND 8,718 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THESE REPP ESENTE3 DECREASES OF 0.37 PER CENT, 2.58 PER CENT AND 5.64 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY AS COMPARED WITH THE 1975 FIGURES.

IN ISSUING WERE IK RESPECT

THESE FIGURES, MR. JACOBS EMPHASIZED THAT THEY OF REGISTERED BIRTHS ONLY.

+THERE ARE ALWAYS A NUMBER OF BIRTHS EVERY YEAR WHICH ARE NOT REGISTERED BY THE PARENTS AT THE TIME, .. I TH THE RESULT THAT WHILE THE FIGURES FOR THE REGISTERED BIRTHS SHOW TRENDS, THEY DO NOT GIVE A COMPLETELY ACCURATE PICTURE,* HE SAID.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED DEATHS COMPRISED 22,894 CHINESE (12,693 MALE AND 13,1'5 FEMALE AND 6 UPKVVN SEX'; 301 NCN—CHINESE (138 MALE AND 113 FEMALE).

THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED DEATHS OF INFANTS UNDER OKE YEAR OF AGE WAS 1,092 AS AGAINST 1,173 IN 1975, '..HILE THAT OF INFANTS UNDER ONE WEEK OLD WAS 564 COMPARED a I TH 671 THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1977

TENDERS FOR KEY SITE IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN CENTRE

******

TENDERS FOP A KEY SITE WITHIN THE PROPOSED SHA TIN NEW TOWN CENTRE ..ILL OPEN 01. JANUARY 28 AND CLOSE THREE a-EEKS LATER ON FEBRUARY 17, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY.

TENDERING FOR THE 12,230 SQUARE METRE SITE, WHICH IS TC EE DEVELOPED AS A RESIDENTIAL/CCMMERCIAL COMPLEX, IS RESTRICTED TC HOLDERS OF GOVERNMENT LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT DOCUMENTS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AN ADJOINING +TWIN+ DEVELOPMENT SITE OF ABOUT 11,500 SQUARE METRES ..ILL EE PUT OUT TO TENDER TO LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT DOCUMENT HOLDERS LATER IN FEBRUARY.

♦ THE TWO SITES, WHEN FULLY DEVELOPED, '-ILL FORM AN INTEGAL PART OF THE NEW TOWN CENTRE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+EACH WILL HAVE A -OUR-LEVEL PODIUM, PROVIDING CAR PARKING AND COMMERCIAL AREAS SIMILAR TC THOSE OF THz OCEAN TERMINAL.

+0N EACH PODIUM WILL BE FOUR RESIDENTIAL TOWER BLOCKS.

+THE CONDITIONS OF SALE STIPULATE THAT THE SITES ARE TO BE DEVELOPED TO A DETAILED CONTROL PLAN LAID DOWN BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

+0N THE SECOND SITE, FOR EXAMPLE, PROVISION WILL HAVE TO EE MADE FOR A GOVERNMENT-STANDARD PRIMARY SCHOOL.

+THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ,.E HAVE HAD SUCH A DETAILED CONTROL PLAN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, BUT IT IS ESSENTIAL 30 THAT THE SITES CAN EE DEVELOPED IN LINE WITH THE HIGH STANDARDS OF THE T0«K CENTRE LAYOUT AS A WHOLE.*

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE TENDERS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SHA Til. DISTRICT OFFICE.

..ATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TC A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAM SHU I PC ..ILL EE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 15) "0 ■ N A EL c. THz WATERWORKS OF F IC z Tv C a k R Y OUi A NIGHT L EA K AG z TEST.

THE AREA TO EE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY TAI 30 ROAD, PAK TIN STREET, WOH CHAI STREET AND NAM CHEONG STREET, INCLUDING BERWICK STREET, PEI HO STREET, BLOCK NC. 7-22 OF LOWER SHEK * IP •EI ESTATE AND THE NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY.

!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13,

1977

SOUTH LANTAU ROAD TO BE SAFER FOR PICNICKERS

*****

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO IMPROVE THE SOUTH LANTAU ROAD AT PUI 0 TO MAKE IT SAFER FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AND THE THOUSANDS OF WEEKEND PICNICKERS WHO FLOCK TO THE AREA IN THE SUMMER SEASON.

THE PUBLIC wORKS DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING1®} START WORK IN APRIL ON A SERIES OF BUS BAYS AND LAY-BYS Of. BOTH -IktS CF THE ROAD AND HOPES TO HAVE THE 5103,033 PROJECT COMPLETED BcFGRE SUMMER.

THE STRETCH OF ROAD TO EE IMPROVED PASSES THROUGH LC .sA I, PU I NEW VILLAGE AND LO UK TSUEN, ALL POPULAR WEEKEND PICNIC SPOTS.

THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. DAVID INCREASING NUMBER OF WEEKEND TRIPPERS TO THE EXISTING NARROW RAOD HAZARDOUS.

+THE ROAD HAS A SHARP BEND AND THE LINE MOTORISTS AND PEDESTRIANS IS POOR,* HE SAID.

TSUI, SAID TCDAY THE AREA HAD MADE THE

OF SIGHT FOR EOTH

+BECAUSE THERE ARE NO FOOTPATHS, PICNICKERS WHO ALIGHT FROM THE BUS «T LC ..Al ARE AT RISK AND IN FACT THERE WERE TWO ACCIDENTS INVOLVING PEDESTRIANS ON THIS STRETCH CF ROAD IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

+THIS PROJECT WILL NOT ONLY IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW EUT SHOULD SIGNIFICANTLY CUT DOWN THE RISK OF SUCH ACCIDENTS*.

MR. TSUI SAID THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WOULD CLEAR ABOUT 4,333 SQUARE FEET OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND TO ALLOW WORK TO START ON THE PROJECT.

+ N0 BUILDING LAND OR STRUCTURES CF ANY KIND ARE INVOLVED, BUT THE GOVERNMENT WILL EE PAYING COMPENSATION TO THE OWNERS INVOLVED FOR CROPS AND FRUIT TREES, AN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE TO CULTIVATORS AS WELL AS REPROVISION ING AFFECTED PIPELINES, CULVERTS AND OPEN CHANNELS,* HE ADDED.

AIRMAIL SERVICE TO LEBANON PARTIALLY RESUMED

******

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY ( IANUARY 17) AIRMAIL SERVICE FROM HONG KONIG i ~ LEBANON WHICH HAS BEEN SUSPENDED SINCE THE IDDLE OF SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, wILL BE PARTLY RESUMED.

ORDINARY AND REGISTERED AIRMAIL LETTER-ruoi J.T^ j WEIGHING NOT MORE THAN HALF AN OUNCE MAY »c. ACv^Pi=D F.r POSTING.

ALL OTHER =03TAL SERVICES TO LEBANON ARE STILL SUSPENDED.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1Q77

EDUCATION BOARD MEMBERS VISIT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES * * *

HONG KONG’S FIRST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT MORRISON HILL AND THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE IN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WERE VISITED TODAY BY FIVE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THEY WERE MISS KO SIU-WAH, MR. T.C. CHENG, PROFESSOR M.A. ERIMER, MR. KAN MING-YA AND MR. S.F. BAILEY.

THE GROUP SAW STUDENTS AT WORK IN THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE’S FIVE DEPARTMENTS - COMMERCIAL STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND GENERAL STUDIES.

DURING THE TOUR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD CHATTED WITH STUDENTS AND INSTRUCTORS.

THE MAIN FUNCTION OF THE INSTITUTE IS TO PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES FOR THE TRAINING OF CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS.

THE INSTITUTE HAS AN ENROLMENT OF 800 FULL-TIME, 1,203 PART-TIME DAY RELEASE AND MORE THAN 13,000 EVENING STUDENTS.

THE BOARD MEMBERS ALSO VISITED THE WORKSHOPS AND FACILITIES IN THE INSTITUTE USED BY THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.

AFTER SPENDING SOME TWO HOURS AT THE INSTITUTE THEY WENT TO THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE IN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WHERE THEY SAW TEACHERS OF TECHNICAL SUBJECTS UNDERGOING TRAINING.

TODAY’S TOUR BY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS IS THE TWELFTH IN THE CURRENT SERIES WHICH STARTED IN EARLY NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.

THE VISITS WERE ORGANISED EY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TC ENABLE MEMBERS TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, SPECIAL SCHOOLS, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION.

o —

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

NEW BILLS TO TIGHTEN UP LAWS AGAINST SEX OFFENCES PUBLISHED ........................................... 1

HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION BILL ....... 3

PRISON POPULATION DROPPED BY 400 LAST YEAR .......... 4

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS ARRANGING GROUP VISITS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN TO OCEAN PARK AT REDUCED RATE ....... 6

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CHATER ROAD AND JACKSON ROAD JUNCTION ....................................... 7

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE VISITS THREE VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES IN KOWLOON ......................... 8

FAMILY GAMES DAY AND EXHIBITION ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION TO BE HELD AT VICTORIA PARK ............... 9

THREE DAYS LEFT FOR APPLICATION FOR GOLD COINS ...... 9

NEW TYPE OF PARKING METERS FOR KOWLOON ............. 10

COUNTRY PARKS PROGRAMME TO COPE WITH +RECREATIONAL REVOLUTION* .......................... 11

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

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1977

TOUGHER LAWS FOR SEX OFFENCES PROPOSED ******

A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO OVERHAUL THE LAW RELATING TO SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN BY INCLUDING NEW OFFENCES AND RAISING THE PENALTIES IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.

KNOWN AS THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, IT AIMS TO AMEND THE CRIMES ORDINANCE BY ADDING A NEW PART XII HEADED +SEXUAL OFFENCES AND INDECENCY+.

THE INCLUSION OF THE NEW HEADING IS INTENDED TO REPLACE A TOTAL OF 29 SECTIONS OF THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE, THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON ORDINANCE AND THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE.

THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY. IF ENACTED, IT WILL PROVIDE FOR THE INCREASE IN PENALTY FOR MOST OF THE SEXUAL OFFENCES.

THE OFFENCES WHICH WILL CARRY A MAXIMUM 10 YEARS IMPRISONMENT ARE ASSAULT ON WOMAN WITH INTENT TO COMMIT RAPE- PERMITTING DEFECTIVE (PERSON WITH INCOMPLETE DEVELOPMENT OF MIND) TO RESORT TO OR BE ON PREMISES OR VESSEL FOR PROSTITUTION OR INTERCOURSE AND CAUSING OR ENCOURAGING PROSTITUTION OF DEFECTIVE.

TENANT PERMITTING PREMISES OR VESSEL TO BE USED FOR PROSTITUTION WILL CARRY A FINE OF 320,003 AND A JAIL SENTENCE OF TWO YEARS.

THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR JAIL TERMS ASSOCIATED WITH 14 OF THE PRESENT SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 TO BE INCREASED FROM TWO YEARS TO TERMS RANGING FROM FIVE YEARS TO 14 YEARS.

THOSE OFFENCES WHICH CARRY A MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF 14 YEARS INCLUDE HARBOURING OR EXERCISING CONTROL, DIRECTION OR INFLUENCE OVER WOMAN FOR SEXUAL INTERCOURSE OR PROSTITUTION, DETENTION OF WOMEN FOR SEXUAL INTERCOURSE OR IN VICE ESTABLISHMENT AND PERMITTING GIRL UNDER 16 YEARS TO RESORT TO OR BE ON PREMISES FOR PROSTITUTION OR INTERCOURSE.

THE JAIL SENTENCE OF TWO YEARS FOR SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WITH A GIRL UNDER 16 YEARS IS INCREASED TO 13 YEARS.

A MAN LIVING ON EARNINGS OF PROSTITUTION WILL EE LIABLE TO BE JAILED FOR SEVEN YEARS INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT TWO YEARS. FOR WOMAN EXERCISING CONTROL OVER PROSTITUTE AND PERSON KEEPING A VICE ESTABLISHMENT THE MAXIMUM JAIL TERMS ARE TO BE INCREASED TO SEVEN YEARS.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1/76

- 2 -

COMMENTING ON THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID s +CIRCUMSTANCES IN HONG KONG HAVE CHANGED IN THE LAST 15 YEARS. CRIMINAL OPERATIONS IN PROSTITUTION AND OTHER FORMS OF VICE HAVE GROWN ENORMOUSLY.*

+THE PRESENT PROVISIONS IN THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE, PARTICULARLY THE PENALTY LEVELS, WHICH CAME INTO FORCE IN 1951, ARE INADEQUATE TO MEET THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES,+ HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT PUNISHMENT WHICH COULD BE IMPOSED UPON THE KEEPER OR PERSON IN CONTROL OF A BROTHEL OR LODGING HOUSE FOR PROSTITUTES WAS $1,000 AND THREE MONTHS IMPRISONMENT ON FIRST CONVICTION, $2,003 AND SIX MONTHS ON SECOND CONVICTION AND $5,000 AND ONE YEAR ON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE PRESENT PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE DID NOT SUFFICIENTLY COVER SOME AREAS OF VICE.

AS AN EXAMPLE, HE SAID THERE WERE NOW NUMEROUS ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH DID NOT QUALIFY AS BROTHELS BUT WHICH WERE USED TO CONTACT PROSTITUTES OR WHICH PROVIDED FACILITIES FOR ARRANGING PROSTITUTES TO BE MADE AVAILABLE OR FOR UNLAWFUL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND OTHER FORMS OF VICE.

+AT PRESENT THEY CAN OPERATE WITH LITTLE RESTRAINT UPON THEM AND IT IS THOUGHT THAT THEY ARE THE BREEDING AND RECRUITING GROUND FOR PROSTITUTION AND VICE RACKETS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE NEW DEFINITION OF +VICE ESTABLISHMENT* WILL EMBRACE THESE PLACES AND VARIOUS OFFENCES WILL BE CREATED IN RELATION TO VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.

..--0----

FRIDAY, vANUAAY 4

77

H K INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION BILL

******

TH- HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION BILL 1977, PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY, PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION TO REPLACc. THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY WAS SET UP IN MARCH LAST YEAR TO TAKE OVER FROM THE GOVERNMENT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATco.

INDUSTRIAL ESTATES ARE BEING DEVELOPED IN RECOGNITION OF THE NEED TO BROADEN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL BASE AND IMPROVE THE TECHNOLOGICAL LEVEL OF INDUSTRY. THEY WILL MAKE SITES AVAILABLE FOR LAND INTENSIVE INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES WHICH CANNOT BE ACCOMMODATED IN ORDINARY MULTI-STOREY INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AND WHICH BRING A HIGH LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY TO HONG KONG.

THESE INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT A HIGHER LEVEL OF SKILL THAN CURRENTLY OBTAINS IN HONG KONG, PRODUCE A PRODUCT NEEDED BY INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG AND PRODUCE FOR SALE PRODUCTS WITH A HIGH ADDED VALUE FROM LOCAL CONTENTS.

THE FIRST ESTATE IS BEING ESTABLISHED ON LAND EE I NG RECLAIMED FROM THE SEA AT TAI PC. THE FIRST SITES ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE LATER THIS YEAR.

THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION BILL PROVIDES FOR THE CORPORATION TO BE AN AUTONOMOUS BODY UNDER THE CONTROL OF A BOARD TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR COMPRISING UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. THE CORPORATION WILL Be RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROVISION AND MANAGEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AND THE ALLOCATION OF SITES WITHIN THEM.

THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY IS ALREADY RECEIVING APPLICATIONS FOR SITES IN THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT TAI PO. ENQUIRIES MAY EE MADE TO THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AT SUITE 1206 GUARDIAN HOUSE, 01 KWAN ROAD, HONG KONG.

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

/*•...

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1977

4

DROP IN PRISON POPULATION

******

FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR SEVERAL TEAKS, 1976 SAW NO INCREASE IN PRISON POPULATION, BUT RATHER THE TOTAL POPULATION DECREASED FROM 8,500 TO JUST OVER 8,100, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL PARADE OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT IN STANLEY, HE SAID THE NUMBER RECEIVING +AFTER CARE+ HAD ALSO DECREASED FROM 3,400 TO 3,200.

SIR MURRAY CONGRATULATED THE DEPARTMENT ON THE FACT THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME ON RECORD THERE WERE NO ESCAPES FROM • ANY PRISON LAST YEAR, fc t *

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE ESCAPES FROM OTHER MINIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTIONS DURING THE SAME PERIOD WAS THE LOWEST IN 20 YEARS.

+OBVIOUSLY, GREATER VIGILANCE, IMPROVED SECURITY MEASURES AND THE SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION AND CATEGORISATION OF PRISONERS HAVE ALL CONTRIBUTED TO THE IMPROVED RESULTS,+ HE SAID.

ON PARADE WERE EIGHT CONTINGENTS COMPRISING ABOUT 150 PRISONS OFFICERS.

AT A SPECIAL CEREMONY AFTER THE INSPECTION OF THE PARADE, THE GOVERNOR PRESENTED COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDALS TO 32 STAFF MEMBERS WHO HAVE HAD 18 YEARS EXEMPLARY SERVICE.

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

+AT THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION, I SPOKE OF THE NEW BUILDINGS OPENED TO DEAL WITH OVER-CROWDING IN THE PRISONS. WITH THE OPENING LATER THIS YEAR OF LAI CHI KOK RECEPTION CENTRE FOR 960 AND LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE FOR 260, FURTHER PROGRESS WILL HAVE BEEN MADE.

+IT IS ALSO ENCOURAGING THAT IT IS NOW POSSIBLE FOR ALL YOUNG MALE OFFENDERS AGED UNDER 21 TO SERVE THEIR SENTENCES IN INSTITUTIONS SPECIALLY INTENDED FOR THEIR NEEDS.

+AS A RESULT OF SUCCESS IN REDUCING SERIOUS CRIME, 1976 SAW, FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR SEVERAL YEARS, NO INCREASE IN ’RISON POPULATION, BUT RATHER THE TOTAL POPULATION DECREASED FROM 8,500 TO JUST OVER 8,100. THE NUMBER RECEIVING +AFTER CARE+ ALSO DECREASED, FROM 3,400 TO 3,200.

l-’HIDAY, JANUARY •’«, '977 - 5 -

+BUT THE EFFECT OF THE LONGER SENTENCES NOU BEING IMPOSED FOR MAJOR CRIME HAS BEEN THAT THE NUMBER OF LONG TERM PRISONERS IN CUSTODY HAS CONTINUED TO RISE AND SO THE DEMANDS ON PRISONS STAFF WILL NOT DIMINISH.

+THERE HAS BEEN AN INTENSIFIED PROGRAMME OF STAFF TRAINING WHICH, TOGETHER WITH STAFF INCREASES HAS PRODUCED A HIGH STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT.

+1 CONGRATULATE THE SERVICE ON THE FACT THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME ON RECORD THERE HAVE BEEN NO ESCAPES FROM ANY PRISON, EITHER CLOSED OR OPEN, AND THE ESCAPES FROM OTHER MINIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTIONS IS THE LOWEST IN 20 YEARS.

+OBVIOUSLY, GREATER VIGILANCE, IMPROVED SECURITY MEASURES AND THE SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION AND CATEGORISATION OF PRISONERS HAVE ALL CONTRIBUTED TO THE IMPROVED RESULTS.

+THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN ENCOURAGING RESULTS FROM YOUR MEASURES TO DEAL WITH ATTEMPTS BY PRISONERS IN INSTITUTIONS TO ENGAGE IN TRIAD ACTIVITY, TO SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF DRUG USE AMONGST INMATES, AND IN THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTION.

+ THE EXPANSION OF PRISON INDUSTRIES NOW BEING PLANNED WILL NOT ONLY SAVE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, BUT IMPROVE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE IN CUSTODY TO ACQUIRE SKILLS FOR EMPLOYMENT ON THEIR RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY.

+1 AM DELIGHTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE SUCH GOOD PROGRESS DURING THIS YEAR AND I AM SURE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE HIGH STANDARDS WHICH HAVE BEEN SET AND WHICH YOU SHOULD STRIVE TO IMPROVE.

+1 aISH YOU EVERY SUCCESS DURING THE COMING YEAR.+

/6 ..


FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1977

6

GROUP VISITS FOR PUPILS TO OCEAN PARK

* * * * *

AS AN EXTENSION OF CLASSROOM LEARNING WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE A=PRECIATION OF THE BEAUTY OF THE LIVING WORLD AND A RESPECT FOR ALL LIVING THINGS, THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN CO-OPERATION WITH OCEAN PARK LIMITED IS ORGANISING HALF-DAY EDUCATIONAL VISITS TO THE PARK.

DURING THE FOUR-HOUR VISIT PUPILS WILL SEE A MARINE MAMMAL SHOW AT 11 A.M. AND FOR THOSE GOING IN THE AFTERNOON THEY w ILL SEE THE SHOW AT 4 P.M.

GROUP TICKETS FOR SCHOOLS WILL BE ARRANGED AT A SPECIAL REDUCED RATE OF S3 EACH FOR PRIMARY PUPILS AND S5 EACH FOR SECONDARY PUPILS.

FOR EVERY 20 PRIMARY PUPILS, ONE FREE TICKET WILL BE ISSUED TO THE TEACHER ACCOMPANYING THE GROUP WHILE ONE FREE TEACHER TICKET WILL BE ISSUED FOR EACH GROUP OF 30 SECONDARY PUPILS.

ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE FOR THE GROUP VISITS BY SECONDARY PUPILS TO BEGIN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND FOR PRIMARY PUPILS TO COMMENCE IN MARCH. DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE CONTAINED IN A SCHOOL CIRCULAR TC BE ISSUED SHORTLY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT PARTICIPATION IN SUCH VISITS WAS VOLUNTARY.

HE STRESSED THAT WRITTEN CONSENT FROM PARENTS OR GUARDIANS WAS REQUIRED SINCE NEITHER THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT NOR OCEAN. PARK LIMITED COULD ACCEPT ANY LIABILITY FOR INJURY DURING SUCH VISITS.

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ARE ALSO REQUESTED TO INFORM SCHOOLS IN WRITING AT THE SAME TIME WHETHER OR NOT THEY APPROVE RIDES IN CABLE CARS FROM THE LOWLAND TO THE HEADLAND SITE TO SEE THE wAVE TANK, THE REEF TANK AND THE SHOW.

+ 8 INCE SUCH OUTINGS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS, PUPILS WHO ARE NOT PART ICILATI NG ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND SCHOOL AS USUAL,+ HE SAID.

TO HELP NEEDY PRIMARY PUPILS, MOBIL OIL HONG KONG LIMITED IS DONATING $6,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF 2,000 S3 TICKETS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO SCHOOLS THROUGH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

A CHEQUE FOR THE AMOUNT WILL BE GIVEN TO THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY BY THE CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MOBIL OIL HONG KONG LIMITED, MR. JOHN L. SOONG, ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 16) IN THE OCEAN PARK THEATRE.

/RIDAY* JhNUaRY 3 977

- 7 -

FUNG

THE CHAIRMAN Or OCEAN PARK LIMITED, SIR KENNETH PING-FAN WILL SAY A FEW WORDS AT THE CEREMONY.

NOTE TO EDITORS :

*0U AR£ INVITED TO HAVE THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY COVERED. PRESS AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ASSIGNED TO COVER THE EVENT ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT MISS HELEN YEUNG, OCEAN PARK MARKETING ASSISTANT, AT THE MAIN GATE NOT LATER THAN 9.30 A.M. THEY ARE ADVISED TO HAVE a I TH THEM IDENTIFICATION CARDS ISSUED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE NEWSPAPERS AND/OR STATIONS. THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY .•.ILL TAKE PLACE IN THE OCEAN PARK THEATRE AT 10.50 A.M.

o --------

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ROAD JUNCTION

*******

THE JUNCTION OF JACKSON ROAD AND CHATER ROAD a ILL BE CLOSED FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 17).

THE CLOSURE IS NECESSARY TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CHATER STATION.

DURING THE CLOSURE, JACKSON ROAD al_L REMAIN OPEN AT ITS NORTHERN END TO ALLOW ACCESS TO TnE HONG KONG CLUE.

WHILE JACKSON ROAD IS CLOSED CLUB STREET WILL EE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC IN A NORTHBOUND DIRECTION ONLY.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- 0 -

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1977

8

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE VISITS VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES ******

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON CALLED ON THREE VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES IN KOWLOON TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF THESE BODIES AND TO KEEP HIMSELF INFORMED OF THEIR LATEST DEVELOPMENT.

THE THREE AGENCIES WERE THE SAU MAU PING TRAINING CENTRE FOR SPASTIC CHILDREN, THE CARITAS HAPPY CLUB FOR MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN AND THE JORDAN VALLEY LUTHERAN DAY NURSERY.

ACCOMPANIED BY MR. T.P. KHOO, HEAD OF THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND MRS. EVELYN DOE, HEAD OF THE FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION, MR. LEE FIRST VISITED THE SAU MAU PING TRAINING CENTRE FOR SPASTIC CHILDREN.

ON ARRIVAL, HE WAS MET BY REV. KVAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE SPASTICS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG WHICH RUNS THE CENTRE, AND DR. K.K. WONG, A COMMITTEE MEMBER.

THE CENTRE AT PRESENT PROVIDES DAY CARE FOR 30 MULTIPLE HANDICAPPED CHILDREN OVER FOUR YEARS OF AGE WHO ARE CONSIDERED TRAINABLE. IT IS FINANCED THROUGH SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTION.

MR. LEE LATER PROCEEDED TO THE CARITAS HAPPY CLUB IN KWUN TONG WHERE HE WAS RECEIVED BY FATHER F. LERDA, PRESIDENT OF CARITAS.

THE CARITAS HAPPY CLUE FOR MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN PROVIDES DAY CARE FOR 100 MODERATE MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF FOUR AND 14.

THE OBJECT OF THE CENTRE IS TO TRAIN THE CHILDREN UNDER CARE TO BE MORE INDEPENDENT AND TO HELP THEM DEVELOP INTELLECTUALLY AND SOCIALLY.

WINDING UP THE AFTERNOON’S TOUR, THE DIRECTOR CALLED ON THE JORDAN VALLEY LUTHERAN DAY NURSERY WHERE HE WAS INTRODUCED TO MISS BJORG HANSEN, THE SUPERVISOR.

OPERATED BY THE NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN MISSION WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION, THE NURSERY CATERS FOR 53 CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF TWO AND SIX.

I t

' e. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1977

-9-

'. J

’■ < FAMILY GAMES DAY AT VICTORIA PARK

* * * * *

• * *'• ■ ■ .

A FAMILY GAMES DAY AND AN EXHIBITION ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WILL BE HELD AT THE WESTERN LAWN AREA OF THE VICTORIA PARK, CAUSEWAY BAY, THIS SUNDAY (JANUARY 16).

THE FAMILY OUTING IS THE SECOND OF A SERIES CO-ORDINATED BY i THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER (EASTERN).

THE SIX-HOUR FUNCTION WILL START AT 11 A.M. AND IS AIMED AT PROMOTING TOGETHERNESS AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS.

THE PROGRAMMES FOR THE DAY WILL INCLUDE GAMES ORGANISED BY THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION- A FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION EXHIBITION ARRANGED BY 12 WELFARE AGENCIES AND 13 YOUTH GROUPS IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT- A FAMILY QUIZ AND A TREASURE HUNT.

THE FUNCTION IS JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE SAN MIGUEL BREWERY AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT.

A SIMILAR FUNCTION WILL EE HELD IN SHAU KEI WAN LATER IN MARCH.

----- 0 - - - -

THREE DAYS LEFT FOR APPLICATION FOR GOLD COINS

*****

PEOPLE WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR GOLD COINS TO BE ISSUED TC MARK THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE ARE REMINDED THAT THERE ARE ONLY THREE DAYS LEFT FOR THEM TO SEND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE COINS WILL CLOSE ON MONDAY (JANUARY 17). THE -COINS MAY EE EOUGHT IN BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION AT 31,000 OR IN PROOF QUALITY AT SI,500 EACH.

NCT MORE THAN 30,030, INCLUDING 13,333 PROOFS, ..ILL EE ISSUED.

APPLICATION FORMS FCR THE COINS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ANY OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AND THE MERCANTILE BANK LTD.

EACH APPLICATION IS RESTRICTED ON ONE COIN AND IN CASE THE ISSUE IS OVERSUBSCRIBED, THE CO I m3 wILL EE ALLOCATED EY BALLOT AND SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL EE NOTIFIED INDIVIDUALLY.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1977

0

NEU TYPE OF PARKING r.ETERS FOR KOWLOON

THE KE.'* MANUALLY—OPERATED PARKING METERS WHICH HAVE BEEN TESTED r: uAN CHAI FOR ABOUT A YEAR '..ILL NOW BE TESTED IN YAU MA Tl, KOWLCO'K, BEGINNING OK MONDAY (JANUARY 17).

T-E WE.'. METERS ARE THE AMER I CAM MANUAL TYPE AND UNLIKE THE PRESENT AUTOMATIC METERS, THEY DC NOT REQUIRE REGULAR WINDING BY 'A IN'TENANCE STAFF.

THESE METERS WILL REPLACE THE PRESENT T;.O—OUR AUTOMATIC METERS IN THE FOLLOWING STREETS:

PARKES STREET BETWEEN BOWRING STREET AND AUSTIN ROAD-

WOOSUNG STREET BETWEEN BOWRING STREET AND AUSTIN ROAD-

TEMPLE STREET EETWEEN BOWRING STREET AND AUSTIN ROAD- AND

SHANGHAI STREET BETWEEN BOWRING STREET AND AUSTIN ROAD.

THE NEW METERS ARE BEING FURTHER TESTED IN KOWLOON TO SEE IF THEY ARE BETTER SUITED TO LOCAL CONDITIONS THAN THE PRESENT AUTOMATIC METERS.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TO OPERATE THE tMETERS, THE MOTORISTS MUST INSERT A ~3—C-i. i COIN A.»D irtcW TUr. THE SMALL METER HANDLE FULLY TO THE RIGHT. +IF ThE HANDLE IS NOT TURNED FAR ENOUGH, THE METER '..ILL DISPLAY A YELLOW FLAG AND NO PARKING TIME WILL EE GIVEN.*

BEFORE USING THE NEW METERS, MOTORISTS SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE INSTRUCTIONS DISPLAYED IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH ON EACH METER, HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED Tr.AT THE MAXIMUM TIME ON THESE EXPERIMENTAL METERS WAS Tz.C HOURS. ONLY 50-CENT COINS CAN BE USED, EACH GIVING 33 MINUTES’PARK ING TIME.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT lc THEY SHOULD PARK AT A FAULTY METER, ..HETH-.-, IT IS AN AUTOMATIC w-R MAKuAi. TYPE, THEY SHOULD TELEPHONE THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S PARKING ETER SECTION AT THE NUMBER DISPLAYED OK THE NEARBY PARKING SIGN. THE CALLER SHOULD GIVE HIS NAME, VEHICLE NUMBER AND THE PARKING '-'ETER POST NUMBER.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1977

COUNTPV PARKS PROGRAMME TO COPE I TH

♦RECREATIONAL REVOLUTION*

* 4 4 4 4 *

THE COUNTRY PARKS PROGRAMME HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO COPE wITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS CREATED BY A +RECREATIONAL REVOLUTION,+ THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEU TERRITORIES, MR. JOHN CHAMBERS. SAID TODAY.

AND THE GOVERNMENT HOPED THAT THE PROGRAMME - WHICH ..ILL BE IN FULL SwING IN THE COMING YEAR - WOULD HELP TO .lALT THE ♦WEAR AND TEAR* ON THE COUNTRYSIDE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES CAUSED BY AN INCREASING NUMBER OF LEISURE-SEEKERS, HE ADDED.

SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF KOWLOON, MR. CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN A REMARKABLE REVOLUTION IN THE LEISURE HABITS OF THE POPULATION, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE YOUNG, OVER THE LAST 10-15 YEARS.

WHEN I FIRST KNEW THE NEW TERRITORIES, JUST OVER 20 YEARS AGO, IT WAS RARE INDEED TO SEE PARTIES OF HIKERS AND PICNICKERS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE,* HE SAID.

BUT THIS HAS NOW COMPLETELY CHANGED, AND EVERY SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY VAST NUMBERS OF PEOPLE GO OUT BY EVERY AVAILABLE MEANS OF TRANSPORT - BUS, TRAIN, CAR, FERRY AND ON FOOT - TO ENJOY THE FRESH AIR AND OPEN SPACE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.*

THIS WAS A VERY WELCOME DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID, BUT IT INEVITABLY CAUSED PROBLEMS. +QUITE APART FROM THE LITTER PROBLEMS AND THE PRESSURE ON THE VARIOUS MEANS OF TRANSPORT, THE COUNTRYSIDE ITSELF IS BEGINNING TO SHOW SIGNS OF WEAR AND TEAR FROM HEAVY USE BY LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE.

+THIS IS A PROBLEM EVEN IN VAST COUNTRIES LIKE THE UNITED STATES, WHERE POPULAR RECREATIONAL AREAS ARE IN DANGER OF SERIOUS EROSION, QUITE SIMPLY FROM THE NUMBER OF FEET WHICH USE THE PATHS AND TRACKS AND OPEN COUNTRYSIDE.

IN HONG KONG, WHERE THE AREA IS SO MUCH SMALLER AND THE POPULATION DENSITY SO MUCH HIGHER, THE DANGER IS PROPORTIONATELY VERY MUCH GREATER.*

MR. CHAMBERS SAID THE NEED TO PRESERVE SUCH AREAS WAS THE MAIN REASON FOR THE RECENTLY-ENACTED COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE, UNDER WHICH THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE aND FISHERIES HAS EEEI. EMPOWERED TO TAKE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH DESIGNATED COUNTRY PARKS.

WITHIN THE COUNTRY PARKS, DEVELOPMENT WHICH .’.AS INCOMPATIBLE WITH THEIR USE FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES WOULD NOT EE PER'ITTE. AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES SUCH A LITTER COLLECTION ANL -IRE FIGHTING WOULD EE PROVIDED, HE SAID.

MR. CHAMBERS ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS GIVING PRIORITY TO DEVELOPING THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA AS A COUNTRY PARK. +THE PENINSULA - BY HONG KONG STANDARDS - IS A LARGE AREA WITH VERY LITTLE DEVELOPMENT AND CONTAINS SOME OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE SCENERY IN THE TERR I TORY,+ HE SAID.

+SEVERAL NEW ROADS HAVE BEEN BUILT IN CONNECTION WITH THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME, BUT THEY ARE AT PRESENT CLOSED TO THE G=N-RAi PUBLIC BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS GOING ON IN CONNECTION WITH ThE RESERVOIR AND TUNNELS.

+THIS GIVE US A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAN AND DEVELOP THE WHOLC AREA ON A COMPREHENSIVE BASIS AS A COUNTRY PARK AND TH Io TASK IS NOW BEING GIVEN PRIORITY.*

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1977

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO PAY AN EIGHT-DAY VISIT TO HONG KONG NEXT MONTH ............................................... 1

GOVERNMENT OFFICERS RETURN FROM STUDY TOUR TO SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA .................................................. 2

THREE NEW STAMPS TO COMMEMORATE THE SILVER JUS I LEE OF THE REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II ............................... 3

PARTY FOR CHILDREN OF POST OFFICE EMPLOYEES ................... 4

APPLICATIONS FOR GOLD COINS TO MARK THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE CLOSE ON MONDAY ............................................... 5

NEW OFFICES OF THE PERSONAL ASSESSMENT AND PROPERTY TAX SECTIONS ...................................................... 5

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

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1977

1

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT HK NEXT MONTH

* * * * *

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, WITH HER HUSBAND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY WILL COME TO HONG KONG EARLY NEXT MONTH ON AN EIGHT-DAY VISIT (FEBRUARY 2 TO 9) TO RENEW HER VERY WARM FRIENDSHIP WITH HONG KONG.

THE PRINCESS, WHO IS NO STRANGER TO HONG KONG, WILL OPEN THE ARTS FESTIVAL, WHICH NOW IN ITS FIFTH SUCCESSFUL YEAR, HAS GAINED INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION BY BRINGING TOGETHER THE BEST IN PERFORMING ART, FROM THE EAST AS WELL AS THE WEST AND FROM BOTH TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY REPERTOIRES.

THIS IS THE FIFTH VISIT HER ROYAL HIGHNESS IS PAYING TO HONG KONG, THE FIRST IN 1961.

DURING HER STAY, THE PRINCESS WILL VISIT THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, WHICH PROVIDES THE PUBLIC WITH EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL OUTLETS FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITY. HRH WILL ALSO VISIT THE NEWLY OPENED OCEAN PARK.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL ALSO SEE SOME OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HONG KONG IN PROVIDING HIGHER EDUCATION AND SUBSIDISED HOUSING FOR A RAPIDLY EXPANDING POPULATION, AT THE POLYTECHNIC AND AT LEK YUEN ESTATE IN SHA TIN.

AS HONORARY COMMANDANT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE THE PRINCESS WILL BE ACCORDED A SPECIAL WELCOME BY ITS MEMBERS. HRH WILL VISIT THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADUALLY STRENGTHENING OUR POLICE FORCE BY FEEDING IT WITH QUALITY RECRUITS. HRH WILL ALSO VISIT ONE OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE UNITS, WHICH HAVE BEEN SET UP TO STRENGTHEN THE TIES BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE.

THE PRINCESS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MEET ALL THE 177,930 JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS WHO ARE FRIENDS AND HELPERS OF THE POLICE AND REPRESENT AN IMMENSE FORCE OF MOTIVATED YOUNGSTERS CONSCIOUS OF THEIR CIVIC DUTIES. HOWEVER, HRH WILL MEET A GATHERING OF THEM AT A COMMUNITY CENTRE AND SEE THEM ENGAGED IN THEIR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

THE PRINCESS WILL SEE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE TOO AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF SEEING HER. AT A RECEPTION IN THE CONVENTION CENTRE HOSTED BY THE GOVERNOR, HRH WILL MIX AND TALK WITH MANY LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. BESIDES MEMBERS OF THE UMELCO AND URBAN COUNCIL, HRH WILL ALSO MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.

THE PRINCESS WILL ALSO JOIN RESIDENTS OF TSZ WAN SHAN IN THEIR LOCAL PLAYGROUND AND BE ONE OF THE SPECTATORS TO A FOLK FESTIVAL OF SINGING, DANCING AND ACROBATICS ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.

/HER ROYAL .....

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1977

2

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WAS FIRST HERE IN NOVEMBER 1961. DURING HER STAY, THE PRINCESS ATTENDED A CONGREGATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND RECEIVED THE HONORARY DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAW.

THE PRINCESS RETURNED WITH MR. OGILVY IN SEPTEMBER 1965

AND IN FEBRUARY 1967 ON SHORT INFORMAL VISITS AND IN OCTOBER 1972 THEY WERE HERE TO OPEN A BRITISH INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION AND UNVEILED A PLAQUE AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT.

NOTE TO EDITORS :

A PRESS BRIEFING ON FACILITIES AND ARRANGEMENTS DURING THE VISIT OF PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL BE HELD AT 3 P.M. ON JANUARY 18 (TUESDAY) IN THE GIS CONFERENCE ROOM (ROOM 516) ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND.

GOVT. OFFICERS RETURN FROM STUDY TOUR

*****

A GROUP OF 12 GOVERNMENT OFFICERS, 10 FROM THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND TWO FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, RETURNED TO HONG KONG TODAY (SATURDAY) AFTER A 13-DAY STUDY TOUR TO SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA.

DURING THEIR TOUR, THE PARTY, LED BY MR. MICHAEL LEUNG, CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (HONG KONG), VISITED VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND INSTITUTIONS AND HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH THEIR

COUNTERPARTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS.

THE TOUR WAS SPONSORED BY THE COMMONWEALTH FUND FOR TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION.

A DETAILED REPORT ON THE EXPERIENCES AND INSIGHTS GAINED ON THIS TRIP WILL BE SUBMITTED TO CONCERNED AUTHORITIES IN DUE COURSE.

/J

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1977

3

SILVER JUBILEE OF THE REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ISSUE ******

THE POST OFFICE IS TO ISSUE THREE STAMPS TO COMMEMORATE THE SILVER JUBILEE OF THE QUEEN’S ACCESSION TO THE THRONE.

THE THREE STAMPS ARE IN THE 20 CENTS, 51.30 AND $2.00 DENOMINATIONS AND WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES ON FEBRUARY 7 (MONDAY).

THE 20-CENT STAMP DESIGN SHOWS A SCENE FROM THE CORONATION CEREMONY DEPICTING THE DELIVERY OF THE ORB. THE $2.00 STAMP FEATURES THE ORB ITSELF WHICH IS THE SYMBOL OF AUTHORITY AND SOVEREIGNTY. THE DESIGN OF THE $1.30 STAMP SHOWS THE QUEEN DOTTING THE EYE OF A DRAGON DURING HER VISIT TO HONG KONG IN 1975.

FIRST DAY COVERS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THIS ISSUE WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 17) AT 20 CENTS EACH. THE PUBLIC ARE ASKED TO OBTAIN THEIR REQUIREMENTS EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.

ADVANCE ORDERS FOR SERVICING OF FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE’ KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE, NATHAN ROAD, AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, SALISBURY ROAD.

FOR THIS SERVICE, ADDRESSED FIRST DAY COVERS MUST BE HANDED IN WITH AN ORDER FORM TOGETHER WITH A REMITTANCE TO COVER THE COST. THE CHARGE WILL BE $3.70 PER COVER WHICH INCLUDE THE COST OF THREE STAMPS TOGETHER WITH A SERVICE FEE OF 20 CENTS.

THE COVERS MUST BE FULLY ADDRESSED BY THE APPLICANT, AND NOT LESS THAN 10 COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED WITH EACH ORDER.

THE ORDER FORMS WILL EE AVAILABLE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE ON MONDAY (JANUARY 17).

ANY PERSON ORDERING SERVICED COVERS ADDRESSED TO A LOCAL DESTINATION MAY COLLECT THEM ON FRBRUARY 8 FROM THE OFFICE WHERE THE ORDER WAS PLACED.

COVERS ADDRESSED OVERSEAS WILL BE SENT FORWARD BY ORDINARY POST, SURFACE MAIL, UNLESS SUFFICIENT STAMPS ARE AFFIXED TO COVER AIRMAIL AND/OR REGISTRATION CHARGES. THE LATEST ACCEPTANCE DATE FOR ADVANCE ORDERS OF SERVICED COVERS WILL BE 5 P.M. ON JANUARY 28 (FRIDAY).

/A SERVICE .....

STSATURDaY, JANUARY 1$, 1977

4

A SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED ON FEBRUARY 7 (MONDAY) AT ALL POST OFFICES WHEREBY FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER, IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATE STAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSON PRESENTING THEM. NO TIME TYPE WILL APPEAR IN THE POSTMARK. THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR THIS SERVICE ARE :-

(A) ONLY ARTICLES BEARING AN INDICATION THAT THEY ARE ♦FIRST DAY COVERS+ WILL BE SO TREATED-

(B) THE ARTICLES MUST BE ADDRESSED TO A LOCAL ADDRESS-

(C) THE ARTICLES MUST NOT BEAR ANY OTHER CANCELLATION-

(D) NO REGISTERED ITEMS WILL BE PROCESSED BY THIS METHOD.

SPECIAL POSTING BOXES WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE ON FEBRUARY 7 FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO HAVE FIRST DAY COVERS CAREFULLY HAND-POSTMARKED BEFORE DESPATCH TO THE ADDRESS ON THE COVERS.

THE NEW STAMPS WILL BE ON DISPLAY ON THE FIRST FLOOR PUBLIC COUNTER OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, ON JANUARY 31 FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 4.30 P.M.

THERE WILL BE TWO FURTHER SPECIAL STAMP ISSUES IN 1977. ONE WILL HAVE TOURISM AS ITS THEME AND THE SECOND HONG KONG ORCHIDS. THE DATE OF RELEASE FOR THESE TWO ISSUES WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.

0 - - - -

PARTY FOR CHILDREN OF POST OFFICE EMPLOYEES ******

THE POST OFFICE RECREATION CLUB’S ANNUAL CHILDREN’S PARTY WILL BE HELD AT CLUB GROUNDS IN CAROLINE HILL ROAD. CAUSEWAY BAY, TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.

SOME 1,000 CHILDREN OF POST OFFICE EMPLOYEES WILL ATTEND THE FOUR-HOUR PARTY WHICH WILL START AT 1 P.M.

AT THE PARTY, THE CHILDREN WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REFRESHMENTS AND ENTERTAINED BY WELL-KNOWN ARTISTES FROM THE THREE TELEVISION STATIONS AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.

PERFORMANCES WILL ALSO BE GIVEN BY THE BANDS OF THE CAPE COLLISON TRAINING CENTRE AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE.

MRS. M. ADD I, WIFE OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL. PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE LUCKY DRAW.

WILL

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE PARTY.

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

/5....

»

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1977

-5-

APPLICATIONS FOR GOLD COINS CLOSE ON MONDAY

*****

APPLICATIONS FOR GOLD COINS TO BE ISSUED TO MARK THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE WILL CLOSE ON MONDAY (JANUARY 17).

THE COINS MAY BE BOUGHT IN BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION AT $1,000 OR IN PROOF QUALITY AT $1,500 EACH.

NOT MORE THAN 30,000, INCLUDING 10,000 PROOFS, WILL BE ISSUED.

EACH APPLICATION IS RESTRICTED TO ONE COIN AND IN CASE THE ISSUE IS OVERSUBSCRIBED, THE COINS WILL BE ALLOCATED BY BALLOT AND SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED INDIVIDUALLY.

THE COINS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WHICH FALLS ON FEBRUARY 18, THIS YEAR.

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

REMOVAL OF PERSONAL ASSESSMENT AND PROPERTY TAX SECTIONS

******

THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 17) THE NEW OFFICES OF THE PERSONAL ASSESSMENT (ON MAIN SOURCES OF INCOME OTHER THAN BUSINESS PROFITS) AND THE PROPERTY TAX SECTIONS WILL BE ON THE 19TH AND 20TH FLOORS RESPECTIVELY IN WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.

THE TELEPHONE NUMBER WILL BE 5-761635.

-------o -

F+<]Si] |g s| |ofe|

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 197?

MARRIAGE STATISTICS FOR 1976

******

THE NUMBER OF MARRIAGES REGISTERED IN 1976 REACHED A NEW RECORD TOTAL OF 39,700, BEING 2,066 MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 37,634 IN 1974, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR. P. JACOBS, ANNOUNCED TODAY.

THE TOTAL INCLUDED 4,098 MARRIAGES BETWEEN PARTIES PREVIOUSLY MARRIED OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MARRIAGE ORDINANCE, AS COMPARED WITH 5,487 MARRIAGES OF THIS CATEGORY IN 1975. EXCLUDING THESE ’REMARRIAGES’, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED MARRIAGES INCREASED BY 4,897 FROM 30,705 TO 35,602.

THE NEW RECORD MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CURRENT LUNAR YEAR, WHICH BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 1976, IS A PARTICULARLY AUSPICIOUS YEAR FOR MARRIAGES AMONGST THE CHINESE BECAUSE IT IS THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON AND HAS TWO FIRST DAYS OF SPRING (LAP CHUN), WHEREAS THE PRECEDING LUNAR YEAR WAS A BLIND YEAR, THAT IS TO SAY, A YEAR IN WHICH THERE WAS NO FIRST DAY OF SPRING.

ANOTHER MAJOR FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCREASE IS BELIEVED TO BE THE STRUCTURE OF THE POPULATION, WHICH HAS A GROWING NUMBER OF PERSONS WITHIN THE MORE POPULAR AGE GROUPS FOR MARRIAGE (21 TO 24 FOR WOMEN AND 25 TO 29 FOR MEN).

THE NUMBER OF CHURCH MARRIAGES IN 1976 ALSO REACHED A NEW RECORD TOTAL OF 2,928 AS COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 2,413 IN 1975. MOST OF THE REGISTERED MARRIAGES WERE, AS USUAL, CELEBRATED AT THE MARRIAGE REGISTRIES. THE TOTAL OF SUCH MARRIAGES WAS 36,772, BEING 2,993 MORE THAN THE 1975 FIGURE.

IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, REGISTERED MARRIAGES CONTINUED TO INCREASE, WITH A TOTAL OF 8,240 MARRIAGES CELEBRATED, UP BY 1,330 OR 19.25 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH 6,910 IN 1975. THERE ARE NOW FOUR FULL-TIME REGISTRIES AND FOUR PART-TIME REGISTRIES OPERATING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE TWO PRINCIPAL MARRIAGE REGISTRIES AT THE CITY HALL AND THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES REMAINED THE MOST POPULAR REGISTRIES, WITH 36.98 PER CENT OF ALL REGISTRY MARRIAGES CELEBRATED THERE. ANOTHER POPULAR REGISTRY WAS THE SAN PO KONG REGISTRY, WHERE 6,292 MARRIAGES TOOK PLACE DURING THE YEAR.

THE CITY HALL MARRIAGE REGISTRY CONTINUED TO OPERATE ON SUNDAY MORNINGS DURING THE YEAR AND A TOTAL OF 559 SUNDAY MORNING MARRIAGES WERE PERFORMED. IN MANY CASES, SUNDAY WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE IT HAPPENED TO BE A LUCKY DAY ACCORDING TO THE CHINESE CALENDARIN OTHERS SIMPLY BECAUSE OF CONVENIENCE FOR WORK OR OTHER REASONS.

-— o -—

/2....

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

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 1977

2

F.S.D. TO BEGIN AREA INSPECTION THIS WEEK

******

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH A LARGE SCALE INSPECTION ON PREMISES IN WONG CHUK HANG, ABERDEEN, ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY (JANUARY 19 AND 20) TO IMPROVE FIRE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TAKEN BY THE PUBLIC.

THIS IS THE FIRST AREA TO BE VISITED SINCE THE SCHEME ON AREA INSPECTION WAS ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS MONTH.

IN THE PAST, FIRE OFFICERS USUALLY CARRIED OUT SURPRISE CHECKS ON BUILDINGS. HOWEVER, UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS THE DATE WHEN A CERTAIN AREA IS TO BE INSPECTED WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE. ADDITIONALLY FIRE OFFICERS WILL MAKE STREET BROADCASTS TO THIS EFFECT IN THE DESIGNATED AREA FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS BEFORE THE INSPECTION.

+ THIS PURPOSE IS TO MAKE EVERYONE IN THE AREA AWARE OF THE FORTHCOMING VISIT AND TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE THAT THEIR PREMISES, BE IT A RESTAURANT, A WORKPLACE, A HOME OR A BUILDING, WILL MEET WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW WITH REGARD TO FIRE SAFETY,* SAID A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN.

DURING THE INSPECTION, FIRE OFFICERS WILL PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE MEANS OF ESCAPE AND FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS TO SEE THAT THEY ARE FREE OF OBSTRUCTIONS, PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND CLEARLY SEEN.

+LEGAL ACTION WILL BE TAKEN WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE AGAINST THOSE WHO ARE FOUND CONTRAVENING THE FIRE PREVENTION REGULATIONS,* HE WARNED.

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY HAD A PART TO PLAY TO ENSURE FIRE SAFETY.

+ IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT FIRE FIGHTING AND ESCAPE FACILITIES MEET THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, NOT ONLY ON THE INSPECTION DAYS,* HE ADDED.

NOTE TO EDITORS :

OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE MAKING STREET BROADCASTS ABOUT THE FORTHCOMING INSPECTIONS IN WONG CHUK HANG AREA TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND ON TUESDAY. THEY WILL LEAVE ABERDEEN FIRE STATION AT ABOUT 9.30 A.M. EACH DAY. ANY PUBLICITY YOU CAN GIVE TO THE AREA INSPECTION WILL BE MUCH APPRECIATED.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 1977

3

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT PING CHAU * * * * *

A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT * ILL-CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS AT PING CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE FOR RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE LIVING NEARBY FOR THREE DAYS FROM JANUARY 24.

THF vIqlT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN OR WRDS OF 11 YEARS OF AGE FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS ON REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE.

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

ALL PEOPLE LIVING IN THIS AREA ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS.

THEY SHOULD REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL S?a1u5, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.

o ---■

CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION 1978 *****

THE SECRETARY OF THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION BOARD, MR. CHEUNG KANG-CHING, TODAY REMINDED SCHOOLS WISHING TO ENTER FORM V OR MIDDLE V CANDIDATES AND +ENGLISH ONLY+ CANDIDATES, BOTH FOR THE FIRST TIME, TO SIT FOR THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION 1978, TO SEND THEIR APPLICATIONS TO HIM NOT LATER THAN FEBRUARY 1.

+SCHOOLS WISHING TO ENTER CANDIDATES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SHORTHAND, TYPEWRITING, CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY, POTTERY, PHYSICS, DOMESTIC SUBJECT (COOKERY AND NEEDLEWORK), DRESSMAKING, WOODWORK, METALWORK, PRACTICAL ELECTRICITY, TECHNICAL DRAWING, DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY SHOULD ALSO MAKE APPLICATION BY THE SAME DATE.+ MR. CHEUNG SAID.

THE ADDRESS OF THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION BOARD IS CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 11TH FLOOR. 393, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.

APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE 1978 CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SECRETARY.

ENGLISH AND CHINESE HANDBOOKS OF REGULATIONS AND SYLLABUSES FOR THE EXAMINATION ARE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, HONG KONG.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 1977 4 -

THIRD PARTY INSURANCE

* * *

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT ON TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF A MOTOR VEHICLE THE NEW OWNER IS NOW REQUIRED TO PRODUCE A VALID CERTIFICATE OF THIRD PARTY INSURANCE TAKEN OUT IN HIS NAME.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT PREVIOUSLY PEOPLE BUYING SECOND-HAND VEHICLES WERE ALLOWED TO PRODUCE THE INSURANCE CERTIFICATE OF THE SELLER WHEN APPLYING FOR THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE.

+AS THE LAW HAS NOW BEEN AMENDED,* HE SAID, +THIS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED FROM NOW ON.+

THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED MOTORISTS BUYING SECOND-HAND VEHICLES TO TAKE OUT THIRD PARTY INSURANCE BEFORE APPROACHING THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO EFFECT THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADVISED PEOPLE INTENDING TO BUY SECOND-HAND VEHICLES TO CHECK WITH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IF THE VEHICLE HAD ANY FIXED PENALTIES OUTSTANDING.

HE SAID: +THE INTENDING PURCHASER CAN SAFEGUARD HIMSELF BY OBTAINING FREE OF CHARGE A CERTIFICATE OF CLEARANCE FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT. THIS CERTIFICATE, VALID FOR 72 HOURS, CERTIFIES THAT THE VEHICLE IS FREE OF FIXED PENALTY TICKETS AT THE TIME OF ISSUE.*

THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS CERTIFICATE WOULD PROTECT THE PURCHASER AGAINST COURT ORDERS RELATING TO ANY OUTSTANDING FIXED PENALTY TICKETS IF OWNERSHIP IS TRANSFERRED WITHIN 72 HOURS.

— 0 —

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

QUALITY PRODUCTS .......................................... •

CHIEF SECRETARY LEAVES FOR THE U.S. ON A TWO-WEEK VISIT 3

GOVERNOR’S TERM OF OFFICE EXTENDED ........................ 3

UNREGISTRAELE DOCTORS TO SIT FOR EXAMINATION IN MARCH . 4

THIRD PUBLIC BALLOT FOR 250 NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES .................................................. 5

NEW GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE NEW GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING .....................................  g

NEW JURY LIST.............................................. 7

WATER CUT IN CAUSEWAY EAY ................................. 7

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

MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1977

1

NEED TO CONTINUE PRODUCING QUALITY GOODS

*****

HIGH QUALITY GOODS IN ANY FIELD BENEFIT ALL HONG KONG’S EXPORTERS ACROSS THE BOARD, JUST AS SHODDY GOODS DAMAGE ALL, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY DURING WHICH HE PRESENTED THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN TO W. HAKING INDUSTRIES, HE SAID: +SO I AM SURE YOU WILL AGREE THAT THIS IS NOT A FIELD IN WHICH FOR ONE MOMENT, WE CAN AFFORD TO RELAX OUR EFFORTS.+

SIR MURRAY PRAISED THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COUNCIL, CREATED BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES 8-1/2 YEARS AGO, FOR THE IMPORTANT PART IT PLAYED IN UPGRADING THE DESIGNS OF HONG KONG GOODS. HE SAID THE COUNCIL HAD BECOME +A POTENT FORCE IN THE SEARCH FOR INVENTION AND HIGH STANDARDS.*

+ITS ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN WIDE-SPREAD AND ITS INFLUENCE GREAT, AND IT WAS DURING THIS PERIOD THAT THE HONG KONG DESIGNERS ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED, AND COURSES IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN WERE INTRODUCED BY THE POLYTECHNIC,* HE STRESSED.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR MURRAY’S SPEECH:

MR. WU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

+SINCE WE LAST MET FOR THIS CEREMONY HONG KONG HAS MOVED FROM A STATE OF CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM TO THE PRESENT FLOOD OF RENEWED PROSPERITY, AND NOW HAS A GOOD PROSPECT OF SOLID IF LESS SPECTACULAR GROWTH IN THE YEARS AHEAD. THIS TURNABOUT HAS BEEN AS MUCH OF A RELIEF TO ALL OF US, AS IT HAS BEEN TO THE CREDIT OF ALL WHO WORK AND PLAN AND MANAGE IN HONG KONG.

+OF THESE WE ARE HERE TO HONOUR AND ENCOURAGE A PARTICULAR SELECT AND IMPORTANT GROUP - THOSE WHO DESIGN AND CHOOSE THE DESIGN OF OUR PRODUCTS - AND TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO OUR ECONOMY.

+IT WAS FOR THIS PURPOSE THAT THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES DECIDED TO CREATE THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COUNCIL 8-1/2 YEARS AGO.

+UNDER THE ABLE CHAIRMANSHIP OF DR. S.Y. CHUNG AND WITH THE DYNAMIC SUPPORT OF MRS. SUSAN YUEN IT HAS BECOME A POTENT FORCE IN THE SEARCH FOR INVENTION AND HIGH STANDARDS. ITS ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN WIDE-SPREAD AND ITS INFLUENCE GREAT, AND IT WAS DURING THIS PERIOD THAT THE HONG KONG DESIGNERS ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED, AND COURSES IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN WERE INTRODUCED BY THE POLYTECHNIC.

/7 LTJ •. • • •

MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1977

2

+ THE RESULTS ARE DRAMATIZED BY THE STEADILY RISING QUALITY OF THE PRODUCTS DISPLAYED AT THIS EVENT EVERY YEAR, BUT MORE IMPORTANT IN THE QUALITY OF HONG KONG GOODS OFFERED FOR SALE IN SHOPS ALL OVER THE WORLD. IT IS BY THESE GOODS THAT HONG KONG’S REPUTATION IS JUDGED.

+HIGH QUALITY GOODS IN ANY FIELD BENEFIT ALL OUR EXPORTERS ACROSS THE BOARD, JUST AS SHODDY GOODS DAMAGE ALL. SO I AM SURE YOU WILL AGREE THAT THIS IS NOT A FIELD IN WHICH FOR ONE MOMENT, WE CAN AFFORD TO RELAX OUR EFFORTS.

+l AM CONFIDENT THAT UNDER YOUR NEW CHAIRMANSHIP MR. WU, AND WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES, THE COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE VIGOROUSLY WITH ITS VITAL TASK, AND WE ALL WISH YOU SUCCESS IN IT. CERTAINLY YOU MAY COUNT ON THE CONTINUED ACTIVE AND DIRECT SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT.

+ IT IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO SELECT AND AWARD A WINNER, FOR THE COMPETING PRODUCTS SEEM NOW TO BE INVARIABLY OF A HIGH STANDARD, AND I CANNOT SAY HOW RELIEVED I AM THAT MY TASK IS TO PRESENT THE TROPHY AND NOT TO SELECT THE OBJECT. THIS YEAR IT HAS BEEN AS DIFFICULT AS EVER, BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE JUDGES’ DECISION TO GIVE THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD TO W. HAKING INDUSTRIES FOR THEIR +SUPER MINI FLASH CAMERA* WILL HAVE YOUR SUPPORT.

+ l NOW CALL UPON THE REPRESENTATIVE OF W. HAKING INDUSTRIES TO COME FORWARD TO RECEIVE THE TROPHY.*

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

/3

MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1-77

CHIEF SECRETARY LEAVES FOR U.S. ON A TwO-aEEK VISIT

*****

Tr.E CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, LEFT HONG KONG THIS (MONDAY'. .'.ORNING OK A TWO-wEEK VISIT TO TH- UKITcD STATES Ai H: I" /ITATICN OF SEVERAL WELL-KNOWN ORGANISATIONS IN LOS ANGELES ANO NEW YORK. HE IS EXPECTED TO RETURN ON FEBRUARY 3.

DURING HIS ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. D.C. BRAY, WILL ACT AS CHIEF SECRETARY.

IN LOS ANGELES WHERE HE WILL BE SPENDING FIVE DAYS FROM JANUARY 17, SIR DENYS WILL GIVE A TALK TO THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL, MEMBERS OF WHICH INCLUDE INFLUENTIAL GROUPS OF BUSINESSMEN, BANKERS AND INDUSTRIALISTS FROM THE AMERICAN WEST COAST. HE IS AMONG THE FEW DISTINGUISHED PERSONS TO HAVE BEEN INVITED TO GIVE A TALK TO THE COUNCIL.

WHILE THERE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE LOCAL PRESS AND THE BOARD OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES AND MIRROR. HE WILL ALSO HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BRITISH CCNSuL GENERAL IN LOS ANGELES, MR. TOM ASTON, WHO WAS FORMERLY BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER IN HONG KONG.

SIR DENYS IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN NEW YORK ON JANUARY 23. DURING HIS STAY THERE, HE WILL GIVE TALKS TO THE COUNCI- ON FOREIGN RELATIONS AND THE FAR EAST AMERICAN COUNCIL OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.

HE WILL ALSO PRESENT A PAPER ON THE LEGAL ASPECT OF DOING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG TO THE PRACTISING LAV. INSTITUTE.

SIR DENYS WILL ALSO MEET THE PRESS AND HOLD SEPARATE DISCUSSIONS WITH EDITORS OF THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, THE JOURNAL OF COMMERCE, AND BUSINESS WEEK.

THE PRACTISING LAW INSTITUTE IS A KCN-PROF I AK I KG ORGANISATION SOLELY DEDICATED TO +CCKTINUIKG LEGAL ED JCAT 11... + ITS MEMBERS INCLUDE EXPERIENCED BUSINESSMEN FRO! EAST ASIA, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND LEGAL EXPERTS.

GOVERNOR’S TcR. ■' -XTzKj^D

******

HER MAJESTY THE x-EEN *A3 AP-Hl/ED THE EX’ENSU:. 1-GOVERKOR’S TER.' OF CF- ICE v.TI. -.OVEi-.&xr., 177 .

MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1977

v EG ISTRABLE DOCTORS TO SIT FOR EXAM. IN MARCH

******

AN EXAMINATION FOR UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS, WHICH WILL LEAD TC THE A.-.ARD OF A LICENCE TC PRACTISE IN HONG KONG, WILL BE HELD IN ARC-, THE SECRETARY OF THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE, MR, l.A.S.

Yv.uN'i, a NOo Nk, c j TODAY,

HE 3s ID THE CREDENTIALS SUB-COMMITTEE HAD NOW COMPLETED ’rE ASSESSMENT OF ALL APPLICATIONS FROM UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS FOR REGISTRATION AS CANDIDATES FOR THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION.

I- THE 1,684 APPLICATIONS, 1,562 WERE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE TC SIT FCR THE EXAMINATION, THE REMAINDER BEING INELIGIBLE OR ING WITHDRAWN OF FAILED TO ATTEND FOR INTERVIEWS, HE SAID.

THE EXAMINATION WILL BE IN THREE PARTS WHICH ARE SCHEDULED TC BE HELD IN MARCH, APRIL AND JULY THIS YEAR. PART I, A MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION PAPER ON PROFESSIONAL SUBJECTS TO BE HELD IN .'■ARCH, ..ILL BE OF THREE HOURS DURATION AND WILL BE OFFERED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE. THERE IS NO PUBLISHED SYLLABUS FOR THIS PART, EUT QUESTIONS WILL BE ON MEDICAL SUBJECTS WITH WHICH ANY QUALIFIED OR EXPERIENCED DOCTOR SHOULD BE FAMILIAR.

PART II, A WRITTEN TEST OF PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH TO BE HELD IN APRIL, ..ILL EE A FOUR-PART PAPER OF THREE HCURS DURATION ..rICH HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO TEST WHETHER A CANDIDATE’S COMPREHENSION OF ■EDIC«L ENGLISH AND ABILITY OF EXPRESSION IS SUFFICIENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEDICAL PRACTICE, THAT IS TO SAY ABLE TO WRITE, READ AND UNDERSTAND CLINICAL NOTES, REFERRAL NOTES AND TC COMPLY (.ITH PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN THE LOCAL MEDICAL ENVIRONMENT. ’HE "APER ..ILL INCLUDE A STATUTORY FORM FCR COMPLETION AND A SE" CASE FOR COMPREHENSION.

PART III, AN ORAL EXAMINATION ON PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE a IL-BE OFFERED IN ENGLISH, CANTONESE OR MANDARIN AND WILL BE HELE IL JULY. THIS EXAMINATION HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO TEST CANDIDATES’ ABILITY TO APPLY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO CLINICAL PROBLE 3 r. I T-i ASPECTS 0- MEDICINE FREQUENTLY ENCOUNTERED IN HONG KONG.

AS aAS RECOMMENDED IN THE REPORT CF THE WORKING PARTY ON UNREG ISTRABLE DOCTORS, APPLICANTS .-.ILL BE REQUIRED TO PASS THE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION PAPER BEFORE PROCEEDING TC TAKE THE WRITTEN ENGLISH TEST AND TO PASS THE WRITTEN ENGulSri TEST BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE ORAL EXAMINATION. CANDIDATES WHO FAIL Ai.:’ PART WILL NORMALLY BE ALLOWED TC RETAKE THAT RAPT SUBJECT ’0 THE DECISION OF THE EXAMINATION SUB-COMMITTEE.

SEPARATE FEES WILL EE CHARGED FOE EACH PART OF ’HE EXAMINATION AND THESE w ILL INCORPORATE ’HE REGISTRATION FEE CHARGEABLE UNDER THE REGULATIONS CF THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION ORDINANCE WHICH WAS NOT CHARGED .-.HE'. CANDIDATES ERE CALLz.3 TU REGISTER FOR THE EXAMINATION ON 7.-13 OCCASION. "HE FEES APE C-RRENTu' UNDER CONS (DERATION BY GCvEF N- ENT. FURTHER DETAI-S OF Tr.E EXAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS AND FEES . IlL BE A'. :.NCED SOON AS - 033 11LE.

NMCNDaY, JANUhJiY , 97?

- 5 -

IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT CANDIDATES SUCCESSFUL IN ALL THREE =ART3 OF THE EXAMINATION THIS YEAR ..ILL COMMENCE THEIR EXTEF'SHIPS r. septe: ber.

COMMENTING ON RUMOURS THAT THE EXAMINATION QUESTIONS AND COPIES OF EXAMINATION PAPERS ARE AVAILABLE, MR. YOUNG SAID: +THIS IS QUITE IMPOSSIBLE AS THE QUESTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN FINALISED.*

+TnE CORRUPTION PREVENTION DEPARTMENT OF THE ICAC+ HE SAID, +HAS BEEN CONSULTED AND HAS ADVISED ON THE VARIOUS LICENTIATE SCHEME PROCEDURES.

+ANY APPLICANT OR MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO KNOWS OF ANY ALuEGED OR SUSPECTED IRREGULARITY IS REQUESTED TO REPORT TO T.-E SECRETARY OF THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OR TO THE POLICE,* HE ADDED.

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

THIRD PUBLiC BALLOT FOR 250 N.T. TAXIS

******

A THIRD PUBLIC BALLOT FOR 250 NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES aI.L BE nELD ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 20).

THE BALLOT WILL START AT 2.30 P.M.. ON THE 8TH FLOOR OF THE HUNG HOM MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK BUILDING.

IT ..ILL BE HELD IN THE PRESENCE OF MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS WHO WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AT THE FIRST AND SECOND PUBLIC BALLOTS ON SEPTEMBER 23 AND DECEMEER 17, '..ILL BE INCLUDED ON THIS OCCASION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THE BALLOT NUMBER IK RESPECT OF EACH APPLICANT WOULD REMAIN THE SAME.

HE SAID THAT LETTERS OF CONFIRMATION WOULD BE SENT TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOLLOWING THE BALLOT.

0 -------

A- .....

MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1977

6

NEW CENTRE FOR GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS

******

A NEW CENTRE PROVIDING MODERN BOOKSHOP FACILITIES FOR THE SALE OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS IS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

SITUATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE NEW GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, IT REPLACES THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE LOCATED A FEW YARDS AWAY IN THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE.

THE NEW CENTRE SERVES NOT ONLY AS THE PRIMARY SALES OUTLET FOR GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS BUT ALSO ACCOMMODATES AN INFORMATION DESK STAFFED BY THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, aHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SALE OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS, SAID TODAY THAT THE NEW PREMISES PROVIDED GREATLY IMPROVED FACILITIES TO SERVE THE INCREASING FLOW OF CUSTOMERS.

THERE IS A LARGE COUNTER AREA TO ACCOMMODATE SALES TRANSACTIONS, MORE STORAGE SPACE FOR PUBLICATIONS AND MODERN DISPLAY FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED.

+WE WERE HARD-PRESSED FOR SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE CUSTOMERS IN OUR PREVIOUS PREMISES, BUT NOW WE CAN OFFER THEM FAR MORE INVITING SURROUNDINGS,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT ARE AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE EFFORTS BEING MADE TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION. THERE IS A RANGE OF ABOUT 3,033 TITLES WHICH PROVIDE USEFUL REFERENCE MATERIAL ON MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF HONG KONG.

CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS IN PROMOTING //IDER INTEREST IN GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS, AND IN EXPANDING OUTLETS WHERE THEY CAN EE OBTAINED BY THE PUBLIC.

THERE ARE NOW OVER 80 OUTLETS WHERE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CAN BE PURCHASED, INCLUDING BOOKSHOPS, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, HOTELS AND INFORMATION COUNTERS IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.

FURTHER OUTLETS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN ESTABLISHED IN NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFF ICES.

THE KEY OUTLET, HOWEVER, WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, /.HICH ALSO MARKETS PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED BY INTERNATIONALLY-KNOWN AGENCIES OVERSEAS. THESE ARE HER MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE (H.M.S.O.), THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (O.E.C.D.) AND THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (W.H.O.).

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED BY THE H0?4G KONG UNIVERSITY PRESS AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.

MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1977

- 7 -

NEW JURY LIST

*****

THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, MR. SIMON HERBERT MAYO, ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS WOULD BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARD NEAR THE LIFT INSIDE THE SOUTH-WEST ENTRANCE OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING ON JANUARY 24.

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 ---------

WATER CUT IN CAUSEWAY BAY

******

WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CAUSEWAY BAY WI_L BE SUSPENDED FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 19) T. ENABLE STAFF OF THE WATER WORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY LAN FONG ROAD, LEE GARDEN ROAD, FOO MING STREET AND A SECTION OF PERCIVAL STREET FROM HENNESSY ROAD TO LEIGHTON ROAD.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PROPOSALS IN NEW DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR TSIM SHA TSUI MISINTERPRETED ............................................ 1

HEAVIER PENALTIES SOUGHT IN LEGCO TOMORROW FOR SEX CRIME OFFENDERS ........................................... 3

ALL PLEASURE CRAFT HAVE TO BE LICENSED ................... 3

ANOTHER SECTION OF POKFULAM ROAD TO BE WIDENED ............ 4

TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN PRISONS PRACTICALLY WIPED OUT ......... 5

DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS TO VISIT KWONG WAH HOSPITAL ... 6

WATER INTERRUPTION IN REPULSE BAY AND MONG KOK ............ 6

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1977

PROPOSALS IN NE'a DEVELOPMENT PLAN MISINTERPRETED

*****

THE OLD BANYAN TREES ALONG NATHAN ROAD, LONG A FAMILIAR LANDMARK IN TSIM SHA TSUI, WILL EE PRESERVED UNDER A MAJOR PROPOSED NEW DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE DISTRICT.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD, CONFIRMED THIS TODAY IN A LUNCHEON ADDRESS TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG IN WHICH HE OUTLINED SOME OF THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE DRAFT TSIM SHA TSUI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.

MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT 19 VALID OBJECTIONS TO THE ZONING PLAN HAD BEEN RECEIVED AND THESE WERE NOW BEING CONSIDERED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD OF WHICH HE IS CHAIRMAN.

SOME OF THE PROPOSALS IN THE PLAN, HE SAID, HAD BEEN

MIS INTERPRETED AND GIVEN RISE TO SUCH MISCONCEPTIONS AS THE REMOVAL OF THE TREES AND THAT THE PROPOSED SHOPS ALONG THE KOWLOON PARK FRONTAGE WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE PARK’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.

MR. MCDONALD ASSURED THE ROTARIANS THAT THIS WAS NOT SC. +IN FACT, AS THE SHOPS ARE INTENDED TO BE ONE AND TWO-STOREY BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED TO A UNIFORM DESIGN WITH THEIR ROOFS BELOW THE PARK LEVEL, THE USABLE RECREATIONAL AREA COULD BE INCREASED BY EXTENDING OVER THE ROOFS OF THE SHOPS.

+THE DRAFT PLAN SHOWS A CONSIDERABLE REDUCTION IN THE COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL USE ZONING WHEN COMPARED WITH THE OLD APPROVED PLAN AND HAS THE EFFECT OF INCREASING THE AREA OF KOWLOON PARK EY MORE THAN 16 PER CENT.+ HE SAID.

HE SAID THE SHOPPING BLOCKS WERE PLANNED TO OCCUPY THE AREA OF THE EXISTING EMBANKMENT WHICH DID NOT FORM PART OF THE RECREATIONAL AREAS, AND WOULD NOT THEREFORE DIRECTLY AFFECT OR DELAY THE ORIGINAL PARK DEVELOPMENT.

ANOTHER ADVANTAGE, HE SAID, WOULD EE THAT ACCESS TO THE PARK FROM NATHAN ROAD WOULD BE CONSIDERABLY IMPROVED AS THE THREE SHOPPING BLOCKS WOULD BE SEPARATED EY 15-METRE WIDE STAIRWAYS GIVING GENEROUS OPEN PUBLIC ACCESS INTO THE PARK.

REFERRING TO THE PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA BOUNDED EY MODY RCAD, HANOI ROAD, CARNARVON ROAD AND BRISTOL AVENUE, MR. MCDONALD SAID HE WAS CONVINCED THAT THE BEST APPROACH WAS TO REDEVELOP THE AREA AS ONE ENTITY, RATHER THAN ON A PIECEMEAL BASIS.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE LEASES OF ALL BUT FOUR PROPERTIES WITHIN THE AREA EXPIRED SI"ULTANEOUSLY ON DECEMBER 31, 197= WHEN THEY REVERT TO THE GOVERNMENT.

IF THE PROPERTIES WERE NOT REQUIRED rCR A PUBLIC PURPOSE THE LEASES .-.OULD NORMALLY BE REGRALTED, HE SAID, BUT THE REGRA'.T PREMIUM. WOULD HAVE TO EE EASED 01. THE FULL MARKET VALUE OF THE SITES AT ’HE DATE OK WHICH THE LEASES EXPIRE.

TUESDAY, JANUARY IS, 1977

- 2 -

+SINCE THE AREA IS AT PRESENT DEVELOPED ONLY TO AN EXTENT CONSIDERABLY BELOW ITS POTENTIAL, THE REGRANT PREMIUM WOULD PROBABLY BE HIGHER THAN THE EXISTING BUILDINGS WOULD JUSTIFY AND OWNERS WOULD OF NECESSITY HAVE TO REDEVELOP,+ HE SAID.

CONSIDERING THE LARGE AMOUNT OF MULTI-OWNERSHIP OF BUILDINGS IN THE AREA, IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT ALL INDIVIDUAL OWNERS WOULD AGREE ON JOINT REDEVELOPMENT TO GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS.

+THERE IS THEREFORE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT IT IS BETTER -OR GOVERNMENT TO SELL THE REVERTED LOTS FOR COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT, WHICH WILL INCLUDE RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION WITH SHOPPING CENTRES, TOURIST AND PUBLIC FACILITIES AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACE,+ HE SA ID.

MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT IF THE PROPOSAL WAS IMPLEMENTED THE GOVERNMENT STOOD TO LOSE JUST OVER $23 MILLION IN REVENUE, BUT AGAINST THIS MUST BE SET THE ADVANTAGE OF SOME 3,158 SQ. METRES OF OPEN SPACE.

+ THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY WEIGHED, BUT ON BALANCE IT IS CONSIDERED RIGHT TO ACCEPT THIS LOSS OF REVENUE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE DISTR ICT,+ HE SAID.

NOR WOULD THE PROVISION OF MORE OPEN SPACE CAUSE ANY LOSS IN DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL, HE STRESSED.

+ALTHOUGH ONLY ABOUT 57 PER CENT OF THE ENTIRE AREA WOULD EE AVAILABLE FOR REDEVELOPMENT AFTER DEDUCTING THE REQUIRED OPEN SPACE, THE AMOUNT OF FLOOR SPACE WHICH COULD BE ALLOWED ON THE RESTRICTED SITE COULD EQUATE TO THAT WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN OBTAINED BY DEVELOPMENT OVER THE WHOLE AREA ON A PIECEMEAL BASIS.*

TOUCHING ON THE PROPOSED NEW MARKET BETWEEN KIMBERLEY ROAD AND KIMBERLEY STREET, MR. MCDONALD SAID THIS WOULD OFFSET THE LACK OF PROPER MARKET FACILITIES IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD AND EASE CONGESTION BY HAWKER STALLS IN SEVERAL STREETS.

HE RULED OUT ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTIONS FOR SITING THE NEW MARKET AT THE EASTERN SIDE OF CHATHAM ROAD AS IT WOULD BE TOO FAR FROM THE AREA IT WAS INTENDED TO SERVE AND WOULD NOT SOLVE THE HAWKER PROBLEM.

MR. MCDONALD NOTED THAT CONSIDERABLE CONFIDENCE IN TnE SUCCESS OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS HAD BEEK SHOWN IN THE RECENT SALE OF THE - IRST OF THE COMMERCIAL/RESI DENT I AL LOTS IN THE REDEVELOPMENT AREA EAST OF CHATHAM ROAD.

NEARLY FIVE HECTARES OF LAND IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN ZONED FOR COMMERCIAL/RESI DENT I AL USE WITH SUPPORTING COMMUNITY FACILITIES SUCH AS SCHOOLS, CARPARKS AND A MARKET, AND MR. MCDONALD WAS SURE THAT SIMILAR CONFIDENCE WOULD BE DEMONSTRATED WHEN THREE OTHER LOTS ARE PUT UP FOR SALE IN THE I.EXT FEW MONTHS.

C

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1977

- 3 -

CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL IN LEGCO TOMORROW

* * * * *

A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO OVERHAUL THE LAW RELATING TO SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN BY RAISING THE PENALTIES WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW.

KNOWN AS THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, IT WILL BE ONE OF THE FIVE BILLS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL.

DURING QUESTION TIME, A TOTAL OF 20 QUESTIONS, THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF QUESTIONS ALLOWED IN ANY ONE SITTING, WILL BE ASKED BY UNOFF ICIALS.

SUBJECTS TO BE RAISED WILL INCLUDE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE EFFICIENT EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, CRIME, THE POLLUTION AND CONSEQUENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD CAUSED BY VEHICLES EMITTING EXCESSIVE SMOKE, THE SHORTAGE OF PILLAR POSTING BOXES, THE NUMBER OF LICENCES GRANTED SO FAR UNDER THE CHILD CARE CENTRE ORDINANCE AND THE ISSUE BY TENDER OF MORE TAXI LICENCES.

DEBATE WILL RESUME ON THE GAMBLING BILL 1976 AND THE POUNDS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977.

DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE, THE HON. MISS KO SIU-WAH, WILL RAISE THE MATTER OF +FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF ADULT EDUCATION*.

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

PLEASURE CRAFT LICENCES

******

THAT IS!, 'X

m rL$^ESMAN THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT FAILING TO in this ON WMSU Su"orLSl’yo)0 * PR0SECUreD '

(ap^A3ur-

PLEASURE CRAFT HAD TO BE LICENSED. ’ LL

tli- I THERE AR£ STILL MANY PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW T^AT

TH“ LAW REQUIRES THEM TO LICENCE THEIR VESSELS,* HE SAID?

,^9SLF$R LICENSING RANGE FROM 015 TO $490 DEPENDING

ON THe. oIZg OF THc. VESSEL. LICENCES CAN BE OBTAIN-D -ITdFP h WRITING FROM THE SMALL CRAFT LICENSING OFFICE CF TH-

MARIN; DEPARTMENT AT 102 CONNAUGHT ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

- 0 -

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, '97?

4

WIDENING OF POK FU LAM ROAD

******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO WIDEN A SECTION OF POK FU LAM ROAD BETWEEN QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL AND POK FU LAM RESERVOIR ROAD TO COPE WITH THE RAPID INCREASE IN TRAFFIC CAUSED BY BUILDING DEVELOPMENTS IN ABERDEEN AND WAH FU.

MR. S.C. CHEN, ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS (HONG KONG) DIVISION, SAID TODAY THE PROJECT FORMED PART OF A SCHEME TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA.

HE SAID THAT CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECTION THROUGH POK

FU LAM VILLAGE HAD ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED WHILE WORK ON ANOTHER SECTION BETWEEN MOUNT DAVIS ROAD AND QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL ..AS WELL UNDERWAY.

THE PROJECT INVOLVED THE WIDENING OF SOME 1,000 METRES OF ROAD BETWEEN QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL AND POK FU LAM RESERVOIR ROAD, SAID MR. CHEN.

+0N COMPLETION,+ HE SAID, +A FOUR-LANE DUAL-CARRIAGEWAY WITH A 1.84-METRE FOOTPATH ON EITHER SIDE WILL BE PROVIDED.+

+IN ADDITION, A FOOTBRIDGE WILL BE BUILT NEAR QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL TO FACILITATE THE MOVEMENT OF PEDESTRIANS, ESPECIALLY DURING HOSPITAL VISITING HOURS.+

THE PROJECT, TENDERS FOR WHICH ARE BEING INVITED, IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS.

THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS (HONG KONG) DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

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

/5

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1977

- 5 -

TRIADS FACE +GET TOUGH+ TACTICS

*****

TRIAD ACTIVITIES INSIDE PRISONS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG WERE PRACTICALLY WIPED-OUT DURING 1976, A SENIOR PRISONS OFFICER SAID TODAY.

MR. R.W.B. HIGGINBOTTOM, SUPERINTENDENT (STAFF OFFICER), PRISONS DEPARTMENT, SAID THAT THE SETTING-UP OF ANTI-TRIAD UNITS IN 1976 HAD PROVED AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT AGAINST ANY ATTEMPTED GANG ACTIVITY IN THE DEPARTMENT’S 16 INSTITUTIONS.

+THE FORMATION OF THE ANTI-TRIAD UNITS WAS A FOLLOW-UP TO SUCCESSFUL ACTION WHICH HAD ERADICATED ORGANISED TRIAD GANG ACTIVITIES INSIDE THE DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTIONS.*

+ THE FIRST TASK IS TO IDENTIFY TRIAD LEADERS OR POTENTIAL LEADERS ON ADMISSION AND TO ISOLATE THEM FROM OTHER INMATES, COUPLED WITH THE SEGREGATION OF NON-TRIAD PRISONERS WHO MAY OTHERWISE COME UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF BAD ELEMENTS*, HE SAID.

+ANOTHER TACTIC IS TO ENCOURAGE PRISONERS TO ACTIVELY REBEL AGAINST THEIR TRIAD SOCIETY BY HAVING THEMSELVES +CLEANSED+ IN COURT BY SELF CONFESSION.*

HE POINTED OUT THAT ALL OFFICERS IN THE ANTI-TRIAD UNITS WERE VOLUNTEERS. EACH INSTITUTION HAD A UNIT OF ABOUT 20 OFFICERS, REPRESENTATIVE OF ALL RANKS, WORKING ON ANTI-TRIAD TACTICS.

THEY SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME COLLECTING, ASSESSING AND DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ON ANY AREA WHERE TRIADS MAY TRY TO OPERATE WITHIN THE PRISON, DETENTION CENTRE OR TRAINING CENTRE.

IN ADDITION, HE ADDED, INTELLIGENCE NETWORKS ENSURED THAT ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL INSTITUTIONS.

MR. H IGGINBOTTOM STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT ALL STAFF WERE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN ANTI-TRIAD MEASURES, NOT JUST THE ANTI-TRI AD UNITS.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1c, 197 :

6

DHA TO VISIT KWONG WAH HOSPITAL

******

THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, WILL VISIT KWONG WAH HOSPITAL ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 20) AFTERNOON TO SEE THE SERVICES IT PROVIDES FOR THE PUBLIC.

AS ONE OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, KWONG WAH IS A CHARITABLE HOSPITAL WHICH PROVIDES FREE MEDICAL AND NURSING CARE FOR THE POOR AND SICK IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

BUILT IN 1911, THE HOSPITAL WAS LATER REBUILT IN SIX PHASES TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC. THE RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1956 WAS COMPLETED IN 1965. THE HOSPITAL NOW HAS 28 WARDS WITH A TOTAL OF 1,542 BEDS.

MR. WALDEN WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON HIS VISIT BY DR.

CHARM HOI-SANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AND MR. WILLIAM MA, CHAIRMAN OF THE KWONG WAH HOSPITAL SUB-COMMITTEE.

ALSO PRESENT WILL BE MR. THOMAS SHARR, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (YAU MA TEI), VICE-CHAIRMEN AND DIRECTORS OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO HAVE THE EVENT COVERED. THE VISIT WILL BEGIN AT 3.30 P.M.

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

WATER CUT * * * *

, VATER SUPPLY To A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN REPULSE BAY AND MOAir KOK WILL BE INTERRU-TED FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 20) TO ALLOW STAFF OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS. wipicni <u

IN REPULSE BAY, THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE NOS. 131 113, 115, 117, 119, 119A, 121, 123, 123A, 125, 127, 129, 60, 93

94, 96, 98, 102 AND 110 REPULSE BAY ROAD, NOS. 3—9 11 1" 15

19, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 AND 45 SOUTH BAY CLOSE, '.OS. 15-17’'sCLTH

BAY ROAD AND CHUNG HOM KOK AREA.

109, , 92 17,

IN MONG KOK, THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY YIN FONG STREET, WATERLOO ROAD, NAT-AN ROAD, DUNDAS STREET AND KWONG WA STREET, INCLUDING PITT STREET AND TUNG FONG STREET,

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

UNOFFICIALS SUPPORT THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976 ... 1

A RURAL POLICE UNIT FORMED AS PART OF PLAN TO PROTECT PICNICKERS ................................................... 4

GOVERNMENT URGED TO FURTHER PROMOTE ADULT EDUCATION .......... 5

GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER SUGGESTIONS ON STAGGERED WORKING HOURS ........................................................ 7

BETTER PROTECTION FOR WORKERS PROPOSED ....................... 8

NEED TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF SMOKING HAZARDS ......... 9

NO DEFINITE PLANS FOR PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE ............. 10

CAKESHOP ROBBERIES .......................................... 10

EFFICIENT USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS ............................... 11

CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE EXHAUST SMOKE FROM VEHICLES .............. 12

DEMAND FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT HIGHER AT PEAK HOURS ............ 13

PILLAR POSTING BOXES IN CENTRAL ADEQUATE .................... 14

THE POUNDS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 PASSED ..................... 14

CAMERA-SHY PRISONERS PROTECTED BY PRISON RULE ............... 15

PROPER MAINTENANCE OF GAS APPLIANCES .......................  15

THREE-YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVERS BY 1978 ............................................. 16

NO PLANS TO AMEND PART I I I OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE RELATING TO MATERNITY PROTECTION FOR FEMALE EMPLOYEES .... 17

OVER 130 CHILD CARE CENTRES APPLY FOR REGISTRATION .......... 17

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN THE N.T. FOR +WALK FOR A MILLION* 18

DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION TO VISIT MACAU ...................... 18

/FIRST ___

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19

FIRST AREA INSPECTION BY FIREMEN SUCCESSFUL ................

SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE IN CHAI WAN MOVED .............................................

WATER CUT IN WONG TAI SIN ..................................

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY '9, '’977

1

GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL SUPPORTED

K * K * * * *

THE RESPONSIBILITY WHICH HAS BEEN LAID ON THE JOCKEY CLUB TO PROVIDE A COMPETITIVE ALTERNATIVE TO ILLEGAL AND UNCONTROLLED GAMBLING IS NOT EASY TO DISCHARGE, THE HON. P.G. WILLIAMS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, HE SAID THE CLUB HAD BEEN REQUIRED TO DIVERT GAMBLING NOT TO PROMOTE IT AND IT HAD TO DO SO AT SOME DISADVANTAGE TO ITS ILLEGAL COMPETITORS WHO COULD OFFER DISCOUNTS AND CONVENIENCE.

MR. WILLIAMS, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STEWARDS OF THE JOCKEY CLUB, POINTED OUT THAT THE ILLEGAL BOOKMAKERS COULD ALSO OFFER CREDIT WHICH IT WOULD BE IMPROPER FOR THE CUSTODIAN OF STAKES TO DO AND WOULD BE AN UNDESIRABLE ENCOURAGEMENT OF BETTING.

ON THE OTHER HAND, HE EMPHASISED, THE JOCKEY CLUB HAD ALWAYS ENJOYED THE ADVANTAGE OF COMPLETE INTEGRITY AS STAKE HOLDERS.

HE STRESSED THAT NO SMALL EFFORT HAD GONE INTO THE PLANNING OF THE OFF COURSE BETTING (OCB) SYSTEM.

+1 AM AFRAID THAT TO SOME EXTENT ITS OPENNESS HAS WORKED AGAINST IT,+ HE STATED.

♦THERE HAS BEEN A DELIBERATE POLICY TO MAKE THE CENTRES BRIGHT AND CLEAN, SO THAT THEY CAN BE WELL POLICED AND WILL NOT BECOME A HANGOUT FOR UNDESIRABLE ELEMENTS.

+BY THAT VERY POLICY, I SUPPOSE, ATTENTION HAS BEEN DRAWN TO LEGAL OPERATIONS AND AWAY FROM THE CROOKS WHO SKULK IN CORNERS AND STAIRCASES TO THE EXTENT THAT MANY WELL-MEANING PEOPLE MAY HAVE LOST SIGHT, OR MAY NEVER EVEN HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE EVIL WHICH MUST BE COMBATTED.+

HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT NO SMALL AMOUNTS OF MONEY HAD GONE INTO THIS EFFORT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS DURING WHICH, THE CLUB HAD SPENT ON OCB CENTRES 8159 MILLION IN CAPITAL AND RUNNING COSTS WHICH HAD YIELDED 8242 MILLION TO GENERAL REVENUE IN BETTING DUTY AND S63 MILLION TO THE CLUB AS A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS RACING ADMINISTRATION AND CHARITIES.

MR. WILLIAMS STRESSED THAT THE JOCKEY CLUB WAS DOING THE UTMOST TO COUNTER ILLEGAL BOOKMAKERS AND WAS MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.

+1 AM CONFIDENT THAT IT WILL NOT BE LONG BEFORE THE VAST MAJORITY WILL HAVE NO NEED, INCLINATION NOR WISH TO USE AN ILLEGAL CHANNEL IN ORDER TO BET,+ HE ASSERTED.

MR. WILLIAMS EXPLAINED THAT SOME 40 PER CENT OF THE TOTA_ JOCKEY CLUB TURNOVER WAS BET ON THE COURSE AND OF THIS, 70 PER CENT CAME FROM ABOUT 7,030 RACEGOERS IN THE MEMBERS’ ENCLOSURES.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

HE SAID THAT ONLY 30 PER CENT CF THE TURNOVER CAME FROM THE PUBLIC ENCLOSURES WHERE THE AVERAGE ATTENDANCE WAS AROUND 25,033.

+PUT ANOTHER WAY MEMBERS OF THE JOCKEY CLUB AND THEIR GUESTS CONSTITUTE ABOUT TWO OR THREE PER CENT OF THE BETTING PUBLIC BOTH ON AND OFF THE COURSE AND YET ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 30 PER CENT OF ALL WAGERING,+ HE SAID.

+FROM MY OBSERVATION AND KNOWLEDGE, IN THE MEMBERS’ ENCLOSURE THE MAJORITY BET IN MODEST SUMS AND THERE IS NO DOUBT AT ALL THAT A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF THE TOTAL IS WAGERED BY A TINY GROUP OF VERY BIG GAMBLERS.

+THIS IS ALSO REFLECTED IN THE TELEPHONE BETTING WHERE FIVE PER CENT OF THE ACCOUNTS MAKE UP 20 PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT BET BY TELEPHONE.*

HE ADDED THAT ILLEGAL BOOKMAKERS COULD STILL FLOURISH BY CONFINING THEIR TARGET TO A SMALL GROUP OF VERY BIG PUNTERS, LARGELY ATTRACTED BY THE DISCOUNTS OFFERED.

+WITH A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO DEVISE SECRET METHODS OF OPERATING WHICH WILL BE HARD TO DETECT. THE VERY HEAVY PENALTIES PROPOSED IN THIS BILL ON BOTH THE ILLEGAL BOOKMAKER AND THE ILLEGAL BETTOR ARE MOST WELCOME AND WILL BE A GREAT DETERRENT,* HE STRESSED.

FOUR OTHER UNOFFICIALS WHO ALSO SPOKE ON THE BILL WERE THE HON. T.S. LO, THE HON. JAMES WU, DR. THE HON. HENRY HU AND THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG.

MR. LO SAID A LAW AGAINST GAMBLING WHICH COULD NOT BE ENFORCED ENCOURAGED CORRUPTION IN A MOST LUCRATIVE ACTIVITY.

HENCE, HE CONTINUED, MODERN LEGISLATION SHOULD BE FOCUSSED AGAINST ORGANISED EXPLOITATION OF GAMBLING AND SHOULD BE ENFORCEABLE.

+THE INTENTION OF THE GAMBLING BILL 1976 IS JUST THIS + HE SAID. +UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAVE STUDIED IT AND AS CONVENOR OF AD HOC GROUP I SHOULD REPORT THAT WE ARE GENERALLY IN ACCORD WITH ITS PRINCIPAL AIMS.*

WHILE STRESSING THAT HE DID NOT +LIKE OR APPROVE OF GAMBLING*, MR. WU SAID HE SUPPORTED THE PROVISIONS OF THE PROPOSED BILL WHICH SAFEGUARDED THE GAMBLERS FROM THE ILLEGAL SYNDICATES AND BOOKMAKERS.

HOWEVER, HE SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW GOVERNMENT’S VIEW ON THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL BOOKMAKERS FLOURISHING ON MACAU’S GREYHOUND RACING.

MR. WU WENT ON TO SAY THAT THERE WAS LITTLE SURPRISE THAT LOwER PRODUCTIVITY OCCURRED IN COUNTRIES WHERE GAMBLING, LEGAL OR OTHERWISE, WAS TOLERATED AND WIDESPREAD.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, '977

+FOR, QUITE APART FROM THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF STAKES THAT ARE LOST, THE SOCIETY BEGINS TO LOSE IN MAN-HOURS OF PRODUCTIVE WORK WHEN THE GAMBLER PUTS HIS MIND TO STUDYING THE TIPS AND SELECTING HIS BETS,* HE SAID.

+THERE IS REALLY NO ADVANTAGE IN LEGALISING GAMBLING, AS IS PROVEN BY THE INTRODUCTION OF OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRES TO COMPETE WITH THE ILLEGAL SYNDICATES. EVEN MORE HARMFUL WOULD BE THE INTRODUCTION OF FANCIFUL PRIZES TO ENTICE GAMBLERS,* HE POINTED OUT.

DR. HU SAID IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE AIM OF THE BILL WAS TO CONTAIN GAMBLING WITHIN SENSIBLE LIMITS AND TO MINIMISE ITS EVILS.

HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT, THE SUCCESS OF THE BILL DEPENDED LARGELY ON ITS IMPLEMENTATION.

+AT PRESENT THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SUPPORTING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE BILL ESPECIALLY IN ELIMINATING ILLEGAL BOOKMAKING OR OFF-COURSE BETTING,* HE SAID.

THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG EXPRESSED FEAR THAT THERE WOULD STILL BE A LACUNA IN HONG KONG’S LAWS EVEN THOUGH THE BILL WAS ENACTED.

HE POINTED OUT THAT DOG RACING FLOURISHED IN MACAU AND IT COMMANDED SUFFICIENT ATTENTION IN HONG KONG TO INDUCE LOCAL NEWSPAPERS, CHINESE AND ENGLISH, TO DEVOTE MANY COLUMNS TO THE RUNNERS, THEIR FORM AND PROSPECTS.

YET, HE EMPHASISED, THERE WERE NO LEGITIMATE CHANNELS THROUGH WHICH WAGERS COULD BE LAID.

+1 SUSPECT THAT A FAIR SIZED INDUSTRY EXISTS TO ACCEPT ILLEGAL BETS ON DOGS AND I WOULD ALSO SUSPECT THAT THE INDUSTRY RECEIVES CORRUPT PROTECTION. IT IS AN UNHEALTHY STATE OF AFFAIRS,* MR. CHEUNG SAID.

+AFTER THIS BILL HAS BEEN PASSED,* HE POINTED OUT, +1 WOULD URGE GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE THIS PROBLEM IN SOME DEPTH, AND IN THE PROCESS GOVERNMENT MAY WISH TO CONSULT THOSE WITH KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF THESE MATTERS. THIS SUGGESTION HAS THE SUPPORT OF ALL MY UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES.*

REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, SAID THAT MR. LO AND MR. CHEUNG HAD RIGHTLY FACED UP TO THE PROBLEM OF BETTING ON MACAU’S DOG RACING AND ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO WATCH THE SITUATION CLOSELY WITH A VIEW TO REVIEW IF NECESSARY.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

4

+WE SHALL BE DOING SO,+ HE PROMISED.

HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE BILL ATTACKED EQUALLY ALL FORMS OF GAMBLING WHICH WERE NOT SPECIFICALLY AUTHORISED BY IT AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CERTAINLY WISH TO CONSIDER WHAT FURTHER STEPS WERE NECESSARY IF THE NEW LAW AND THE ALTERNATIVE LAWFUL WAYS OF BETTING WHICH WERE NOW AVAILABLE DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

HE CONFIRMED THAT HE WOULD BE MOVING AMENDMENTS IN COMMITTEE IN RELATION TO THE VARIOUS MATTERS TO WHICH REFERENCE HAD BEEN MADE.

HE CONTINUED: +l ALSO READILY CONFIRM THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND THAT THE BILL SHOULD DEPRIVE MR. CHEUNG, AND OTHERS OF LIKE MIND, OF THEIR OCCASIONAL +FLUTTER+, ON THE DERBY OR OTHER SUCH RACE.+

MR. HOBLEY PRAISED THE JOCKEY CLUB FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICY IN RELATION TO GAMBLING BY PROVIDING CONTROLLED FACILITIES FOR BETTING AS A COUNTER TO THE WIDESPREAD ILLEGAL BETTING OPERATIONS.

HE SAID: +THE GOVERNMENT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT CONTRIBUTION AND THE IMAGINATIVE WAY IN WHICH IT HAS BEEN MADE.

+IT IS ALSO CONFIDENT THAT THE CLUB WILL CONTINUE TO MEET THE PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY ACCEPTED BY MR. WILLIAMS AS RESTING WITH IT. HE PUTS THE POSITION VERY ACCURATELY WHEN HE SAYS THAT THE CLUB’S ROLE IS TO DIVERT NOT TO PROMOTE IT, AT THE OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRES.+

_ _ _ _ (j - - - _

MOVE TO PROTECT PICNICKERS ******

THE POLICE ARE ON THE LOOKOUT TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR PRESENCE IN POPULAR RURAL AREAS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, SAID TODAY.

FOR INSTANCE, HE SAID, A RURAL POLICE UNIT WAS FORMED RECENTLY FOR EXPERIMENTAL PURPOSES ON HONG KONG ISLAND.

+THESE OFFICERS PATROL THROUGHOUT THE RECREATIONAL AREAS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, NOT LIMITING THEMSELVES TO THE AREAS EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY ROAD,+ HE SAID. +IN ADDITION SOME HELICOPTER SURVEILLANCE IS PROVIDED.+

MR. DAVIES WAS REPLYING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. ALEX WU ON PROTECTION AGAINST ROBBERIES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO HOLIDAY-MAKERS IN REMOTE AREAS.

HE SAID THE HOST IMPORTANT MEANS OF PROTECTION WAS BY POLICE PATROLS ON *OOT A^D IN VEHICLES AND BY THE USE OF POLICE DOGS, THE FREQUENCY OF PATROLS DEPENDING ON THE POPULARITY OF THE AREA AND INCREASING AT WEEKENDS AND ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

PROTECTION AGAINST ROBBERY IN OTHER PARTS OF HONG KONG WERE PROVIDED BY THE SAME MEANS, HE SAID. HOWEVER, HE WARNED THAT THERE WAS NEED TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO DILUTE THE POLICE PRESENCE IN URBAN AREAS.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

- 5 -

GOVT. URGED TO FURTHER PROMOTE ADULT EDUCATION * * * * *

THE HON. MISS KO SIU-WAH TODAY URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO FURTHER PROMOTE ADULT EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.

SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, SHE STRESSED THE NEED FOR A WELL-DEFINED POLICY FOR ADULT EDUCATION.

SHE POINTED OUT THAT THERE SHOULD BE A SYSTEMATIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE FUNDING OF ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.

IN PARTICULAR, CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE PROVISION OF FINANCIAL OR OTHER SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTARY BODIES AND INCREASING THE PRESENT LOW PAY FOR TEACHING STAFF OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADULT EDUCATION SECTION.

A POLICY SHOULD BE FORMULATED, SHE SAID, FOR THE USE OF EXISTING SCHOOL BUILDINGS FOR ADULT EDUCATION.

ON TEACHING MATERIALS, MISS KO SAID THOSE AVAILABLE AT PRESENT WERE INTENDED FOR CHILDREN OF SCHOOL AGE ONLY. SHE FELT THAT THEY SHOULD BE CONTINUALLY UP-DATED AND IMPROVED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ADULT STUDENTS.

MISS KO ALSO SAW THE NEED TO RECRUIT MORE PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND PROVIDE IN-SERVICE OR FURTHER TRAINING FOR THE EXISTING STAFF IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADULT EDUCATION SECTION.

SHE ALSO CALLED FOR MORE COOPERATION AND COORDINATION BETWEEN THE EXISTING VOLUNTARY BODIES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, EDUCATIONAL BODIES AND THE MASS MEDIA TO MAKE FULL USE OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND TO AVOID DUPLICATION.

MISS KO SAID THAT IN HER VIEW ADULT EDUCATION CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS :

* TO HELP TO BETTER OUR SOCIETY BY EDUCATING THE INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME MORE RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS BY DEVELOPING IN THEM A SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS, A CONCERN FOR SOCIETY, AND A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY,

* TO HELP PREVENT VIOLENCE AND CRIME BY FOSTERING A HEALTHY SENSE OF VALUES AND ALSO BY PROVIDING MEANINGFUL PURSUITS FOR PEOPLE TO OCCUPY THEMSELVES,

* TO PROMOTE THE LEVEL OF GENERAL EDUCATION ON WHICH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY RELIES HEAVILY,

/• TO il'.sICH

>

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

- 6 -

K TO ENRICH ONE’S LIFE BY EDUCATING PEOPLE TO BE BETTER PARENTS. A COMMUNITY OF BETTER PARENTS WHO PROVIDE A BETTER HOME LIFE FOR THEIR FAMILIES, IS MUCH LESS LIKELY TO BREED VIOLENCE AND CRIME,

* TO HELP DEVELOP THE INDIVIDUAL’S ABILITY TO ADJUST TO CHANGE AND TO COPE WITH NEW SITUATIONS AND PROBLEMS, AND

* TO TEACH PEOPLE THE ART OF LIVING AND TO IMPROVE HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS.

SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF MISS KO’S VIEWS, THE HON. JAMES WU FELT THAT THE UNIVERSITIES, THE POLYTECHNIC AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES SHOULD EXPLORE AND IMPLEMENT FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS TO RETURN TO THE EDUCATIONAL STREAM BY A VARIETY OF FLEXIBLE COURSES.

MR. WU THOUGHT THAT RECURRENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR TECHNICAL AND FURTHER EDUCATION SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES REGARDLESS OF MINIMUM FORMAL EDUCATIONAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS OR OF CURRENT EMPLOYMENT STATUS.

MR. WU DESCRIBED ADULT EDUCATION AS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF HONG KONG’S RESOURCES THAT +MAKES FOR A SKILLED AND ADAPTABLE LABOUR FORCE, PERSONAL WORK SATISFACTION, TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.+

+ l BELIEVE THAT GOVERNMENT NOW TRULY RECOGNISES THE IMPORTANCE OF TECHNICAL AND FURTHER EDUCATION IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE VOCATIONAL COMPETENCE OF OUR PEOPLE THAT IS SO VITAL TO OUR ECONOMIC WELL-BEING.*

REPLYING TO THE POINTS RAISED BY THE TWO UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS. THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID THAT A WELL DEFINED POLICY ON ADULT EDUCATION IMPLIED WELL-DEFINED PR I ORITIES.

HE HOPED THAT THE GREEN PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION WOULD PROVIDE FIRM GUIDELINES FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.

+THE AIM MUST BE TO ACHIEVE A WELL-DEFINED POLICY, BUT I BELIEVE A CERTAIN GRADUALISM IS INEVITABLE BECAUSE WE MUST TAKE ACCOUNT OF WHAT IS ALREADY BEING DONE ON THE GROUND AND WHICH WE WILL NOT WISH TO SWEEP AWAY BUT RATHER TO MOULD TO LONG TERM AIMS,* HE SAID.

FOR THE MEDIUM TERM, MR. TOPLEY INDICATED THAT HE WOULD NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE BASE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADULT EDUCATION IN THAT SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT + NOT JUST TO CONDUCT OUR OWN OPERATIONS IN THE FIELD MORE EFFECTIVELY, BUT ALSO TO PROVIDE A SOURCE OF ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO OTHER AGENCIES.*

+THERE IS SOME IMMEDIATE POTENTIAL FOR BETTER COORDINATION PARTICULARLY FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR OF ADULT EDUCATION AND I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE AN EARLY INITIATIVE IN THIS FIELD.*

/THJ DIRECTGr.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

7

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION REFERRED TO THE THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF ADULT EDUCATION WHICH DISTINGUISH IT FROM OTHER FIELDS OF EDUCATION AND WHICH MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SET WELL-DEFINED PRIORITIES IN A WELL-DEFINED POLICY.

THE FIRST IS THE PART-TIME AND VOLUNTARY NATURE OF STUDENT PARTICIPATION WHICH MEANS THAT THE COURSES ARE SUBJECT TO MARKET CONS(DERATIONS.

+ADULTS ATTEND COURSES BECAUSE THEY WANT TO. IF COURSES DO NOT ATTRACT THEM, THEY DO NOT REGISTER. IF COURSES DO NOT PLEASE THEM, THEY STOP COMING......WE MUST PLEASE THE CUSTOMER,* HE

EXPLAINED.

THE SECOND IS THAT ADULT EDUCATION RELIES LARGELY ON THE BETTER USE OF EXISTING RESOURCES. MR. TOPLEY EXPLAINED THAT SOME TEACHERS WERE PREPARED TO DO MORE IN THEIR SPARE TIME AND SOME BUILDINGS WERE NOT FULLY USED THROUGHOUT THE DAY OR YEAR.

+NOT TO USE THESE VALUABLE RESOURCES BUT TO BASE ADULT EDUCATION CHIEFLY ON FRESH RESOURCES IN STAFF AND ACCOMMODATION WOULD BE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE AND COULD BE DESCRIBED AS WASTEFUL,* HE SAID.

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION POINTED OUT THAT THE MARSHALLING AND DEPLOYMENT OF EXISTING RESOURCES WERE ALSO SUBJECT TO CONSTRAINTS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO COMPULSION ON TEACHERS TO TEACH ADDITIONAL COURSES AND THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR SCHOOL PREMISES MUST BE PERSUADED TO RELEASE ACCOMMODATION FOR SUCH CLASSES.

+MARKET CONSIDERATIONS ARE AGAIN IMPORTANT AND BOTH TEACHERS AND OWNERS OF PREMISES MUST BE OFFERED A DEAL SUFFICIENTLY ATTRACTIVE TO ENCOURAGE THEIR WILLING COOPERATION,* HE SAID.

------o - - - -

STAGGERED WORKING HOURS

*****

THE GOVERNMENT IS IN PRINCIPLE PREPARED TO CONSIDER ANY PRACTICAL SUGGESTION ON A STAGGERED WORKING HOURS SYSTEM WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND OVERCROWDING IN RESTAURANTS DURING PEAK HOURS.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON. DENIS BRAY, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. WONG LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR. BRAY INDICATED THAT MATERIAL WAS BEING ASSEMBLED ON THE SUBJECT IN ORDER TO SEEK THE VIEWS OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

*IN PRINCIPLE, THE GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO CONSIDER ANY PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS THAT EMERGE ABOUT ENCOURAGEMENT OF STAGGERING WORKING HOURS, BUT IT WOULD STOP SHORT OF COERCION,* HE SAID.

MR. BRAY NOTED THAT THERE WAS A SPREAD OF NORMAL WORKING HOURS BETWEEN 8.30 A.M. AND 5.30 P.M. WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE, WITH SHIFT AND OVERTIME WORK TAKING PLACE OUTSIDE THESE HOURS.

------o------- /8....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, -'977 - 8 -

BETTER PROTECTION FOR WORKERS PROPOSED

#*#***

THREE BILLS DESIGNED TO GIVE WORKERS BETTER PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF BANKRUPTCY OF AN EMPLOYER OR LIQUIDATION OF A COMPANY WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THEY ARE THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, AND THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977.

MOVING THE MOTION FOR THE SECOND READING OF THE THREE BILLS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST BILL WAS TO AMEND THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE IN THREE WAYS — THE FIRST BEING TO INCORPORATE INTO THE ORDINANCE THE EXISTING PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE- THE SECOND BEING TO INCLUDE PAYMENT OF WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE (PROVIDED UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE) INTO THE LIST OF DEBTS WHICH HAVE STATUTORY PRIORITY OVER OTHER DEBTS IN THE EVENT OF LIQUIDATION OF A COMPANY AND THE THIRD BEING TO RAISE THE LIMIT OF PRIORITY DEBTS FOR SALARY, WAGES AND SEVERANCE PAYMENTS TO $8,000 FOR ANY ONE CREDITOR.

THE SECOND BILL, SAID MR. PRICE, WAS TO AMEND IN THE SAME MANNER THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE DEALING WITH THE DISTRIBUTION OF PROPERTY OF A BANKRUPT EMPLOYER WHILE THE THIRD WAS TO REPEAL THE PRESENT PROVISIONS ON PRIORITY PAYMENT FOR WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION IN THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE BECAUSE IT WAS CONSIDERED MORE APPROPRIATE TO HAVE THESE EMBODIED IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AND THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE.

EXPLAINING THE PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE PAYMENT OF WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE INTO THE LIST OF DEBTS WHICH HAD PRIORITY, MR. PRICE SAID : +THIS CHANGE IS SUGGESTED BECAUSE THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE PLACES A LEGAL OBLIGATION ON AN EMPLOYER TO PAY WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE TO AN EMPLOYEE ON TERMINATION OF A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT NOTICE.

+HOWEVER.+ HE SAID, +IN THE EVENT OF THE WINDING UP OF A COMPANY WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, THOUGH A STATUTORY RIGHT, ARE PRESENTLY RANKED ONLY AS ORDINARY DEBTS.

+IN A NUMBER OF CASES, THIS HAS MEANT THAT A DISMISSED WORKER HAS BEEN DEPRIVED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE — AND THIS IS PARTICULARLY UNFAIR WHERE THE AMOUNT OF WAGES, WHICH RANKED FOR PRIORITY, WAS SMALL OR WHERE THE EMPLOYEE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR SEVERANCE PAY UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

+IT IS CONSIDERED THAT TO INCLUDE WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE AMONGST PRIORITY CLAIMS IN THE EVENT OF INSOLVENCY, WOULD GREATLY FACILITATE THE SOLVING OF CERTAIN TYPES OF DISPUTES, WOULD TAKE MUCH OF THE HEAT OUT OF THEM, AND INDEED MIGHT PREVENT SOME DISPUTE FROM ARISING,* MR. PRICE ADDED.

/+WI.H

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

9

+WITH REGARD TO THE LIMIT OF $2,000 FOR ANY ONE CREDITOR IN RESPECT OF WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, THIS FIGURE HAS BEEN DECIDED UPON BECAUSE IT IS IN LINE WITH THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WHICH STATES THAT THE ORDINANCE DOES NOT APPLY TO A PERSON EMPLOYED OTHERWISE THAN BY WAY OF. MANUAL LABOUR WHOSE WAGES EXCEED $2,000 A MONTH,+ MR. PRICE SAID.

ON THE RAISING OF THE LIMIT OF PRIORITY DEBTS FOR SALARY, WAGES AND SEVERANCE PAYMENTS TO $8,000 FOR ANY ONE CREDITOR FROM THE PRESENT LEVEL OF $6,000 MR. PRICE EXPLAINED THAT PREVIOUSLY THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE FIXED THE FIGURE OF $1,500 A MONTH --36 030 BEING FOUR TIMES $1,503 — AND THE CHANGE TO AN $8,003 LIMIT FOR THESE PAYMENTS REFLECTED THE FACT THAT THE FIGURE IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WAS RAISED IN 1974 FROM $1,503 TO $2,300 A MONTH. IN OTHER WORDS THE NEW CEILING SHOULD BE FOUR TIMES $2,033 WHICH EQUALLED $8,003, THE NEW FIGURE.

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

NEED TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF SMOKING HAZARDS

******

THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED AGAINST INTRODUCING ANY LEGISLATION TO PROHIBIT ADVERTISING OF CIGARETTES OR TO MAKE IT MANDATORY FOR CIGARETTE PACKETS TO CARRY A HEALTH WARNING NOTICE.

SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR. THE HON. HENRY HU, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. F.K. LI, EXPLAINED THAT THE DECISION WAS REACHED AFTER A CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS ON SEVERAL COUNTRIES WHERE SUCH RESTRICTIONS WERE IMPOSED.

+THOUGH THESE FINDINGS DIFFER IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES,* MR. LI SAID, +THE GENERAL CONCLUSION IS THAT NEITHER MEASURE HAS ANY SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON CIGARETTE CONSUMPTION.*

HE ADDED THAT AT THE THIRD WORLD CONFERENCE ON SMOKING AND HEALTH HELD IN NEW YORK IN JUNE 1975, THE MAJORITY OF MEDICAL EXPERTS ATTENDING CONCLUDED THAT HEALTH WARNINGS ON CIGARETTE PACKETS, RESTRICTIONS ON ADVERTISING, ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGNS AND THE STEADILY INCREASING TOBACCO TAX IN WESTERN COUNTRIES SEEMED TO HAVE DONE LITTLE TO INHIBIT SMOKING.

HOWEVER, THE SECRETARY TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE NEED TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF SMOKING HAZARDS AND HAD DECIDED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM IN THREE DIFFERENT WAYS.

THE FIRST IS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG, ON THE DANGERS OF SMOKING.

THE SECOND IS TO ADOPT PERSUASIVE MEASURES TO REDUCE SMOKING IN PUBLIC ENCLOSED PLACES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND THE THIRD IS TO SEEK THE COOPERATION OF THE CIGARETTE INDUSTRY IN DRAWING UP A VOLUNTARY CODE OF ADVERTISING PRACTICE.

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

10

NO DEFINITE PLANS FOR A PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE *****

CONSIDERABLE THOUGHT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE POSSIBLE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF A PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE ALTHOUGH NO DEFINITE PLANS HAVE YET BEEN FORMULATED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE,TOLD LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. F.W. LI WHO HAD ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT HAD ANY DEFINITE PLANS FOR SUCH A COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAT THE FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL THROUGH THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE WERE SPENT IN THE WAY INTENDED.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE PRACTICE ELSEWHERE HAD BEEN RESEARCHED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT AND HE ENVISAGED THAT SUCH A COMMITTEE WOULD BE A COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL, WITH THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT, THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, AND THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES IN ATTENDANCE.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID: +WE HAVE NOT YET WORKED OUT JUST HOW SUCH A COMMITTEE MIGHT FIT INTO OUR EXISTING CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS, BUT THE AIM WOULD BE TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS OF THIS COUNCIL’S CONTROL OVER THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS WHICH BEGINS WITH THE PASSING OF THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE.

+THIS WOULD BE DONE BY, FIRST, EXAMINING THE ACCOUNTS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND POSSIBLY THOSE OF OTHER ORGANISATIONS FINANCED WHOLLY OR PARTLY FROM PUBLIC FUNDS.

+AND THIS IS DONE, SECONDLY, BY ENQUIRING INTO MATTERS RAISED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT IN HIS REPORTS TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE ACCOUNTS WHICH REPORTS ARE LAID BEFORE THIS COUNCIL.*

+ THE COMMITTEE WOULD REPORT ON ITS ENDEAVOURS TO THIS COUNCIL,* HE ADDED.

------u ------

CAKESHOP ROBBERIES

* * * *

WITHIN THE LAST 15 MONTHS THE SEVEN CAKESHOPS OPERATED BY MARIA BAKERY LIMITED WERE ROBBED ON 22 OCCASIONS AND ONE OF THEM WAS ROBBED SIX TIMES DURING THE PERIOD.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON. JAMES WU.

+T0 MINIMISE THE CHANCES OF FURTHER ROBBERIES IN THIS CHAIN CAKESHOPS, THE PREVENTION OF CRIME OFFICER CONCERNED HAS INTERVIEWED VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY’S STAFF ON SECURITY PROCEDURES,* MR. DAVIES SAID.

+ON-SITE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE OF SOME OF THE PREMISES AND THE POLICE HAVE ALSO INVESTIGATED THE CASES IN CONSIDERABLE DEPTH AND ARE CONTINUING TC DO SO, HE ADDED. +UNFORTUNATELY, TO DATE NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE.*

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

11 -

EFFICIENT USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS

*****

IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVE TO ENSURE THAT PUBLIC FUNDS ARE USED EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE,SA ID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. MISS LYDIA DUNN WHO ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT WAS SATISFIED THAT EXISTING REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES WERE ADEQUATE TO ENSURE THE EFFICIENT EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, AS NO FEWER THAN 19 PARAGRAPHS OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON THE GOVERNMENT’S ACCOUNTS FOR 1975-76 WERE DEVOTED TO HEADS OF EXPENDITURE RELATING TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID: +REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES DESIGNED TO HELP IN ACHIEVING THIS OBJECTIVE CAN NEVER BE PERFECTLY DRAFTED, LET ALONE INVARIABLY OBEYED. BUT I THINK WE DO LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE AND I THINK WE MAKE IMPROVEMENTS WHENEVER WE CAN.

+IN THIS CONTEXT, THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT ON THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS IS INVALUABLE. HE COMMENTS - AND PUBLICLY — OVER A MUCH WIDER RANGE OF SUBJECTS THAN DOES A COMMERCIAL AUDITOR AND IN RECENT YEARS HE HAS PLACED MORE AND MORE EMPHASIS ON THE VALUE FOR MONEY ASPECTS.+

AS FOR THE 19 PARAGRAPHS OF THE REPORT DEVOTED TO HEADS OF EXPENDITURE RELATING TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, HE DID NOT THINK ANY INFERENCE COULD BE DRAWN.

♦AFTER ALL THERE WERE 12 SUCH HEADS, OUT OF A TOTAL OF 69, ACCOUNTING FOR OVER 28 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN 1975-76.

♦AND, IN FAIRNESS, THERE IS ANOTHER POINT TO BE MADE: NOT ALL OF THE DECISIONS WHICH ATTRACTED CRITICISM IN THE RELEVANT PARAGRAPHS OF THE REPORT WERE TAKEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS OR MEMBERS OF HIS STAFF,* HE SAID.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

I - 12 -

CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE EXHAUST SMOKE FROM VEHICLES

* * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT WILL SHORTLY BE MOUNTING A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO PERSUADE MOTORISTS TO KEEP THEIR VEHICLES PROPERLY MAINTAINED SO AS TO REDUCE THE EMISSION OF EXHAUST SMOKE.

THE CAMPAIGN, TO BE CARRIED OUT WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY STEPPED UP EFFORTS TO RIGOROUSLY ENFORCE THE LAW AGAINST SUCH OFFENCES.

THIS WAS REVEALED TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. ROGER LOBO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

MR. JONES SAID THAT GIVEN THE PRESENT STATE OF THE LAW, THE GOVERNMENT WAS SATISFIED THAT EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WAS BEING DONE TO REDUCE TO A MINIMUM THE POLLUTION AND CONSEQUENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD CAUSED BY VEHICLES EMITTING EXCESSIVE SMOKE.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE QUESTION OF WHAT CONSTITUTED EXCESSIVE SMOKE HAD BEEN +A MATTER OF SUBJECTIVE JUDGEMENT+ WHICH COULD CAUSE DIFFICULTIES IN SOME CASES.

+FOR THIS REASON, THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW PROPOSING TO SEEK AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATIONS SO AS TO LAY DOWN EXACT EXHAUST EMISSION STANDARDS AND TO TEST THESE BY MEANS OF SMOKEMETERS, WHICH CAN BE USED ON THE SPOT,+ MR. JONES SAID.

HE ADDED THAT THE POLICE AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WERE BEING ISSUED WITH THESE SMOKEMETERS AND THEIR USE WOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO ENFORCE THE REGULATIONS.

THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT VEHICLES REPORTED TO BE EMITTING EXCESSIVE SMOKE WERE REQUIRED TO BE PRESENTED FOR INSPECTION AND THEIR OWNERS WERE THEN ASKED TO RECTIFY ANY MECHANICAL FAULTS.

LAST YEAR, 3,000 VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED FOR THIS CAUSE, HE SAID.

MR. JONES FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT EVERY VEHICLE CALLED IN FOR INSPECTION, FOR WHATEVER REASON, WAS ALSO CHECKED FOR EXCESSIVE SMOKE AND, WHERE NECESSARY, REMEDIAL WORK WAS REQUIRED TO BE DONE.

BESIDES, ALL NEW VEHICLES IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG ARE NOW REQUIRED BY LAW TO MEET THE HIGH STANDARDS OF EXHAUST EMISSION ADOPTED IN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY.

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977.

15

DEMAND FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT HIGHER AT PEAK HOURS

*****

HIGHER DEMAND FOR ALL FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, DURING PEAK HOURS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE HON. DEREK JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

THERE IS A INCLUDING TAXIS, ENVIRONMENT, THE

TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. PETER C. WONG, HE SAID; +THE PROBLEM IS MADE WORSE IN THE EVENING PEAK BY THE UNFORTUNATE HABIT ADOPTED BY THE TAXI TRADE OF CHANGING SHIFTS AT ABOUT THAT TIME.+

IN REPLY TO MR. WONG’S SECOND QUESTION, MR. JONES SAID WHEN TAXI LICENCES WERE TRANSFERRED, THE CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS MADE BETWEEN PARTIES CONCERNED DID NOT HAVE TO BE REPORTED.

HE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE MARKET PRICE FOR THE TRANSFER OF TAXI LICENCES WAS AS HIGH AS 5180,000 IN SOME CASES.

TURNING TO THE ISSUE BY TENDER OF MORE TAXI LICENCES, HE SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO CALL TENDERS FOR 100 ADDITIONAL TAXI LICENCES EVERY MONTH.

HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WOULD NOT BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO INCREASE THIS MONTHLY FIGURE ABOVE 100.

+ALL NEW TAXIS HAVE TO BE INSPECTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT BEFORE THEY CAN GO ON THE ROADS, AND, THEREAFTER, THEY ARE RE-INSPECTED EVERY 12 MONTHS AND THEIR METERS EVERY SIX MONTHS,+ HE SAID.

+GIVEN THE DEMANDS NOW BEING PLACED ON THE DEPARTMENT’S INSPECTION FACILITIES, IT CANNOT AT PRESENT HANDLE MORE THAN 100 ADDITIONAL TAXIS PER MONTH,+ HE ADDED.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

PILLAR POSTING BOXES IN CENTRAL ADEQUATE * * * * *

THERE ARE 13 PILLAR POSTING BOXES IN THE HEART OF CENTRAL DISTRICT WITHIN AN AREA OF 0.16 SQUARE MILE BOUNDED BY QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO THE SOUTH, THE WATERFRONT IN THE NORTH, MURRAY ROAD IN THE EAST AND GILMAN STREET TO THE WEST, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID TODAY.

+ IN ADDITION*, HE CONTINUED, +20 OFFICE BUILDINGS ARE PROVIDED WITH MAIL CHUTES TO WHICH THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAS ACCESS-AND THERE ARE THREE POST OFFICES AT WHICH LETTERS CAN BE POSTED.*

+THIRTY-SIX POSTING POINTS IN THIS SMALL AREA DOESN’T SEEM TO ME TO CONSTITUTE AN ACUTE SHORTAGE*, HE SAID, IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON. P.G. WILLIAMS ON THE ADEQUACY OF POSTING BOXES IN HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY IN THE HEART OF THE CENTRAL DISTR ICT.

MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THAT THERE WERE 235 PILLAR BOXES ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 185 IN KOWLOON AND 139 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND HE UNDERSTOOD THE POSTMASTER GENERAL HAD RECEIVED NO COMPLAINTS IN RECENT YEARS THAT THE NUMBER WAS INADEQUATE.

HE SAID THAT THE GPO BUILDING HAD BEEN LITTLE MORE THAN MOVED FROM ONE SIDE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD TO THE OTHER AND EVEN SO, TWO DAYS AFTER THE OLD GPO BUILDING WAS CLOSED, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL PUT A PILLAR BOX A FEW YARDS AWAY FROM THE OLD BUILDING, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF PEDDER STREET.

HE DID NOT REALLY THINK HE HAD A CASE TO ANSWER ON THE NEED TO INSTALL MORE POSTING BOXES FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

+PERHAPS THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PILLAR BOXES ARE NOT CONSPICUOUS ENOUGH, ONE POINT I SHALL ASK THE POSTMASTER GENERAL TO CONSIDER,* HE SAID.

BILL PASSED * * * *

ONE BILL PASSED THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

IT WAS THE POUNDS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY '<), 1977

- 15 -

CAMERA-SHY PRISONERS PROTECTED BY PRISON RULE *****

THERE IS IN REALITY LITTLE THAT CAN PROPERLY OR PRACTICABLY BE DONE TO PREVENT A PRISONER FROM COVERING HIS FACE WHEN FACING REPORTERS AND TV CAMERAS.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SOLICITOR GENERAL, THE HON. D.R. BOY, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

+ANY PHYSICAL ACTION ON THE PART OF THE POLICE OR PRISONS OFFICERS TO RESTRAIN A PRISONER’S EFFORTS TO COVER HIS FACE OR IN SOME OTHER WAY TO HIDE HIS FACE, WOULD TECHNICALLY CONSTITUTE AN ASSAULT,* HE EXPLAINED.

IT WOULD ALSO BE LIKELY TO CONSTITUTE AN UGLY SPECTACLE, HE ADDED.

MR. BOY QUOTED PRISON RULE 20 WHICH PROVIDES THAT +WHEN PRISONERS ARE BEING REMOVED TO OR FROM PRISON, THEY SHALL BE EXPOSED TO PUBLIC VIEW AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE, AND PROPER SAFEGUARDS SHALL BE ADOPTED TO PROTECT THEM FROM INSULT OR CURIOSITY.*

IN ANSWER TO ANOTHER QUESTION, MR. BOY SAID THAT WHILE IT WAS UNDOUBTEDLY TRUE THAT CERTAINTY OF DETECTION AND PUBLIC SHAME WERE THE GREATEST DETERRENTS, +IT IS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT THE FURTHER EXPOSURE INVOLVED IN PREVENTING A CRIMINAL FROM COVERING HIS FACE WOULD ADD SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE DETERRENT ELEMENT.*

0

PROPER MAINTENANCE OF GAS APPLIANCES

*****

THE PROBLEM OF DEATHS CAUSED BY SUFFOCATION FROM LACK OF OXYGEN IN POORLY VENTILATED PLACES IS DIFFICULT TO COMBAT BECAUSE IT HAPPENS IN THE PRIVACY OF PEOPLES’ HOMES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES,TOLD LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. MISS KO SIU WAH, HE POINTED OUT THAT DEATHS OF THE SORT REFERRED TO BY MISS KO WERE NOT CAUSED BY GAS POISONING AS SUCH BUT BY SUFFOCATION FROM LACK OF OXYGEN TOGETHER WITH AN ACCUMULATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE DUE TO FAULTY MAINTENANCE OF THE GAS HEATING APPLIANCE.

HOWEVER, MR. JONES SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS EXAMINING THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THESE DEATHS TO SEE IF ANYTHING COULD BE DONE TO REDUCE THE CHANCES OF SIMILAR OCCURRENCES IN THE FUTURE.

+MEANWHILE, THE BEST ADVICE THAT CAN BE GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC IS TO MAKE SURE, AT ALL TIMES WHEN GAS HEATERS ARE TURNED GN, THAT THERE IS SOME FORM OF VENTILATION IN THE ROOM, SUCH AS A .. INDO.-. OR AN OPEN DOOR- AND ALSO TO ENSURE THAT ALL GAS APPLIANCES ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED,* HE SAID.

-----g-------

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

16

THREE-YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVERS BY 1978 * * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY, TODAY GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL ATTAIN THE OBJECTIVE OF MAKING A THREE-YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION AVAILABLE FOR ALL COMPLETING THEIR PRIMARY EDUCATION BY 1978.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THAT SUFFICIENT SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES TO MEET THIS OBJECTIVE WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE BUILDING OF NEW SCHOOLS, THE OPERATION OF FLOATING CLASSES AND EXTENDED DAY TIME-TABLES IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS, THE CONVERSION OF A NUMBER OF UNDER-UTILISED GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS INTO SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND THE BUYING OF ADDITIONAL PLACES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

+THIS PROGRAMME HAS ALREADY BEEN OUTLINED IN A PAPER SUBMITTED TO FINANCE COMMITTEE IN OCTOBER, 1976,+ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

A FEATURE OF THE PAPER, HE ADDED, WAS A FULLER BUILDING PROGRAMME THAN HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PLANNED WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE NEW SCHOOLS TO BE BUILT IN THE NEW DEVELOPING CENTRES OF POPULATION.

THE DIRECTOR POINTED OUT THAT THE EXPANSION OF PUBLIC SECTOR PLACES WAS PROCEEDING SATISFACTORILY. IN SEPTEMBER 1976, 6,800 ADDITIONAL FORM I PLACES WERE PROVIDED. THIS ENABLED THE PULL-THROUGH RATE IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION ALLOCATION TO RISE FROM 51 PER CENT IN 1975 TO 65 PER CENT IN 1976.

+IT IS NOW PLANNED TO PROVIDE A FURTHER 11,000 FORM I PLACES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN SEPTEMBER 1977,+ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

+0F THESE, 2,000 WILL BE IN EXISTING AND NEW GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS, 3,000 IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS BECOMING AVAILABLE FROM THE CONVERSION OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS, 3,000 FROM FLOATING CLASSES AND EXTENDED DAY OPERATION IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS, AND A FURTHER 3,000 BOUGHT PLACES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.+

HE SAID THAT WOULD MEAN THAT SOME 75 PER CENT OF THOSE SITTING THE S.S.E.E. WOULD BE ALLOCATED A FORM I PLACE IN 1977.

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

/i?......

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

17

QUESTION OF PAID MATERNITY LEAVE * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLANS TO AMEND PART I I I OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE RELATING TO MATERNITY PROTECTION FOR FEMALE EMPLOYEES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. IAN PRICE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

HE WAS REPLYING TO THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING WHO ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAD ANY PLANS TO INTRODUCE PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR MARRIED WOMEN UNDER PART I I I OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

MR. PRICE SAID: + INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTION NO. 103 ON MATERNITY PROTECTION STATES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT IN NO CASE SHALL THE EMPLOYER BE INDIVIDUALLY LIABLE FOR THE COST OF MATERNITY BENEFITS DUE TO WOMEN EMPLOYED BY HIM.*

HOWEVER, HE ADDED, THIS CONVENTION HAD BEEN RATIFIED BY ONLY 17 COUNTRIES, OF WHICH NONE WERE IN ASIA.

+SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT DECIDE TO CONSIDER IN FUTURE THE PROBLEMS RELATING TO MATERNITY ALLOWANCES, IT WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER CAREFULLY WHAT WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AS WELL AS THE PRACTICES IN ASIAN COUNTRIES AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTION,* MR. PRICE SAID.

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

138 CHILD CARE CENTRES APPLY FOR REGISTRATION

* * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT BY JUNE THIS YEAR, MOST IF NOT ALL OF THE 212 CHILD CARE CENTRES NOW IN OPERATION WOULD BE ABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS AND BE REGISTERED UNDER THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. MISS KO SIU-WAH, HE SAID THAT 138 CENTRES HAD APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION SINCE THE ORDINANCE CAME INTO OPERATION ON JUNE 1, 1976.

+S0 FAR ONLY TWO CENTRES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED,* MR. LEE SAID. +BY THE END OF THIS MONTH, ANOTHER FIVE CENTRES WILL HAVE BEEN REGISTERED.*

+HOWEVER+, HE SAID, +THERE ARE 76 CENTRES WHICH ARE MAKING ALTERATIONS TO THEIR PREMISES IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS AND MANY OF THESE CENTRES ARE BEING ASSISTED FINANCIALLY TO CARRY OUT THESE ALTERATIONS.*

I

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977 - 18 -

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN N.T. FOR ’WALK FOR A MILLION’ ******

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON SUNDAY, (JANUARY 23) IN CONNECTION WITH THE +WALK FOR A MILLION* IN TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.

ON THAT DAY, A NUMBER OF ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 7 A.M. TO ABOUT 2 P.M. THEY ARE KWOK SHU I ROAD BETWEEN SHING MUN ROAD AND FU UK ROAD, SHING MUN ROAD BETWEEN WO Yl HOP ROAD AND PINE APPLE DAM (SHING MUN RESERVOIR), TING FUNG STREET, TING KWOK STREET, FU UK ROAD, YAU MA HOM ROAD AND CHEUNG WING ROAD BETWEEN YAU MA HOM ROAD AND WO Yl HOP ROAD.

PARKING SPACES IN THESE ROADS AND IN THE UNNAMED STREET OPPOSITE THE TSUEN WAN POLICE STATION LEADING TO THE TSUEN WAN TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOL WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FOR OFFICIAL AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES. PARKING SPACES AT TAI HA STREET WILL BE RESERVED FOR COACHES OF ORGANISED GROUPS TAKING PART IN THE WALK.

DURING THE SAME PERIOD, KMB ROUTE NO. 32 WILL BE SUSPENDED AND ROUTE NO. 36 WILL BE DIVERTED TO RUN ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD INSTEAD OF KWOK SHU I ROAD ON BOTH EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND JOURNEYS.

AS LARGE CROWDS ARE EXPECTED, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE.

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

DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION TO VISIT MACAU *****

THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR. MARTIN ROWLANDS,WILL VISIT MACAU TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR. JIM MURPHIE, AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICERS.

DURING HIS STAY, MR. ROWLANDS WILL CALL ON THE GOVERNOR OF MACAU, COL. GARCIA LEANDRO- THE COMMANDER OF THE SECURITY FORCES, COL. CH ITO RODRIGUES AND THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ADMINISTRATION, DR. A. PIRES ESTREALA. THE OTHER IMMIGRATION OFFICERS IN THE PARTY WILL HAVE TALKS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST WITH OFFICIALS OF THE MACAU ADMINISTRATION.

COMMENTING ON THE FORTHCOMING VISIT, MR. ROWLANDS SAID: +WE HAVE LONG ENJOYED A CLOSE AND FRUITFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH MACAU ON IMMIGRATION MATTERS. I SHALL BE THANKING THE MACAU AUTHORITIES FOR THEIR READY CO-OPERATION AND ASSURING THEM OF OUR CONTINUED DESIRE TO HELP IN THIS TWO-WAY PROCESS.*

- 0 -

/'9

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

19

FIRST AREA INSPECTION BY FIREMEN SUCCESSFUL

I * * *

HUNDREDS OF FACTORIES IN FOUR INDUSTRIAL BLOCKS IN WONG CHUK HANG, ABERDEEN, WERE INSPECTED BY OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THIS IS THE FIRST AREA TO BE VISITED SINCE THE SCHEME ON AREA INSPECTIONS WAS LAUNCHED EARLIER THIS MONTH.

DURING A FLOOR BY FLOOR CHECK, THE OFFICERS DISCOVERED A NUMBER OF HAZARDS SUCH AS OBSTRUCTIONS TO MEANS OF ESCAPE, COMMON AREAS AND EXITS.

A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN SAID: +DESPITE THIS, IT IS MOST GRATIFYING TO NOTICE THAT THE SITUATION IN THESE FACTORIES HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED.+

MOST FACTORIES VISITED TODAY HAD KEPT THEIR MEANS OF ESCAPE FREE OF OBSTRUCTIONS AND THE FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS CLEARLY SEEN.

AS A RESULT, ONLY 25 FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES NEEDED TO BE ISSUED. THE OFFENDERS WERE GIVEN ONE OR TWO HOURS TO ABATE THESE HAZARDS.

+WHILE THIS COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF OUR FORTHCOMING VISITS THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA AND THE STREET BROADCASTS DURING THE PAST FEW DAYS.+ THE SPOKESMAN STATED,+IT NEVERTHELESS SHOWS THAT WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE OWNERS, PREMISES, BE THEY DOMESTIC OR INDUSTRIAL, CAN BE MADE SAFE PLACES TO LIVE OR WORK IN.+

FIRE SERVICES OFFICERS WILL CONTINUE THE INSPECTIONS IN WONG CHUK HANG TOMORROW (THURSDAY), BEGINNING FROM 9.30 A.M.

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

SWD FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE MOVED * * * *

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S CHA I WAN FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE HAS MOVED TO ITS NEW PREMISES AT 29-36, HANG HING HOUSE HING WAH ESTATE, GROUND FLOOR, CHAI WAN.

THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE ARE 5-561839 AND 5-560803.

0 -------

/20......

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977

20

WATER CUT IN WONG TAI SIN

*****

WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 21) TO ALLOW STAFF OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, FUNG MO STREET, FU MEI STREET, WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD AND WANG TAU HOM NORTH ROAD, INCLUDING BLOCK NOS. 5 TO 9 OF WANG TAU HOM ESTATE, YAN 01 SAN TSUEN AND MORSE PARK SWIMMING POOL.

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

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE FINDS JOBS FOR SOME 6,000 PEOPLE ....................................... 1

RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST ............................................. 2

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT LEK YUEN ESTATE ................. 3

HONG KONG - AUSTRIA TEXTILE AGREEMENT EXTENDED .............. 4

CERTIFICATES FOR TECHNICAL COURSES READY FOR COLLECTION .. 5

FINAL LIST OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS ELIGIBLE FOR GSP RECEIVED . 5

SIXTEEN LAND EXECUTIVES COMPLETE A CERTIFICATE COURSE .... 6

EXTENSION OF KWUN TONG CARGO HANDLING AREA .................. 7

FIRING PRACTICE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE ........................ 3

WATER CUT IN TAI PO .......................................

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1977

1

LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE FINDS JOBS FOR OVER 5,800 PEOPLE *******

THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SUCCESSFULLY PLACED A RECORD NUMBER OF JOB-SEEKERS IN VARIOUS EMPLOYMENT LAST YEAR.

ALTHOUGH MORE THAN 5,800 PEOPLE WERE FOUND JOBS BY THE SERVICE AND OF THESE 1,403 WERE PLACED AS TECHNOLOGISTS, TECHNICIANS, EXECUTIVES, TEACHERS, CLERKS, SECRETARIES AND TYPISTS.

COMMENTING ON THE SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENT, THE SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE EMPLOYMENT DIVISION, MR. ALFRED CHAN SAID : +THIS IS MAINLY DUE TO THE INCREASING CONFIDENCE OF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS IN OUR LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE.*

MR. CHAN ALSO ATTRIBUTED PART OF THE SUCCESS TO THE RECENT UPTURN IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY.

HE WENT ON : +SOME PEOPLE, HOWEVER, STILL HOLD THE MISCONCEPTION THAT THE LES ONLY CATERS FOR INDUSTRIAL WORK, OR AT MOST FOR SOME LOW-PAID JOBS IN COMMERCE.

+ IN FACT WE HAVE BEEN EQUALLY SUCCESSFUL IN THE PLACEMENT OF EXECUTIVES AS WELL AS CLERKS IN ALL SECTORS,* HE ADDED.

TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM, MR. CHAN SAID THE VARIOUS JOBS FOUND FOR THE REGISTRANTS WERE FAIRLY EVENLY DISTRIBUTED IN THE DIFFERENT FIELDS OF EMPLOYMENT — 36 PER CENT IN COMMERCE, 45 PER CENT IN INDUSTRY AND 19 PER CENT IN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS.

MR. CHAN ALSO EXPLAINED THE SERVICES OF THE +SPECIAL REGISTER* WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS A SUB-UNIT OF THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE.

THE SPECIAL REGISTER WAS FORMED TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO OVERSEAS AND LOCAL UNIVERSITY GRADUATES AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HAD COMPLETED POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION OR PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.

THE SPECIAL REGISTER OPERATES ALONG THE LINES OF THE +PROFESSIONAL AND EXECUTIVE REGISTER* MAINTAINED BY THE MANPOWER' SERVICES COMMISSION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

+LAST YEAR,* SAID MR. CHAN, +A TOTAL OF 62 PEOPLE ON THIS SPECIAL REGISTER WAS PLACED IN POSTS WITH STARTING SALARIES AVERAGING 31,500 A MONTH.

+SOME OF THEM ARE RECEIVING SALARIES AS HIGH AS $2,500 TO 33,000 A MONTH,* HE ADDED.

/MR. CHhN ......

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1977

2

MR. CHAN SAID THAT BY PLACING ORDERS WITH THE LES, EMPLOYERS COULD SAVE ADVERTISING OR AGENCY FEES AS WELL AS THE TROUBLE OF GOING THROUGH INNUMERABLE APPLICATIONS.

+AS FOR THE JOB-SEEKERS, THE ADVANTAGES OF REGISTERING WITH THE LES ARE OBVIOUS.+

JOB-SEEKERS, MR. CHAN SAID, SHOULD CALL PERSONALLY AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING FIVE OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT : (A) HONG KONG REGIONAL OFFICE, NEW RODNEY BLOCK, 99, QUEENSWAY, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG. TEL. 5-270276= (B) KOWLOON REGIONAL OFFICE, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, FOURTH FLOOR, KOWLOON. TEL. 3-688131= (C) POST OFFICE BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, UN CHAU STREET, SHAM SHU I PO, KOWLOON. TEL. 3-791902= (D) KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR, TUNG YAN STREET, KWUN TONG, KOWLOON. TEL. 3-896539= AND (E) CHARTERED BANK BUILDING, THIRD FLOOR, SHA TSUI ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES. TEL. 12-426722.

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

RTHK TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY CHEST FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN ******

IN SUPPORT OF THE FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY THE COMMUNITY CHEST, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG WILL FOR THE FIRST TIME ORGANISE A PUBLIC SALE OF RTHK RAFFLE TICKETS.

RAFFLE TICKETS AT $2 EACH WILL BE ON SALE SOON. RTHK EXPECTS 100,000 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD, THUS BOOSTING THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST BY $200,000.

THE FIRST PRIZE IS A DE LUXE SEDAN. OTHER PRIZES INCLUDE AN AIR TICKET, A TV SET, A MOTOR CYCLE, A REFRIGERATOR, A WATCH OF A WELL-KNOWN BRAND AND A HI FI SET.

DETAILS OF THE SALE OF RAFFLE TICKETS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT BROADCASTING HOUSE, BROADCAST DRIVE, AT 12 NOON TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE MR. JAMES HAWTHORNE, DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING- MR. DON KERR, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING (TELEVISION)- MR. KEN WARBURTON, CONTROLLER (RADIO PROGRAMMES)- MR. WYMAN CHAN, DEPUTY CONTROLLER (CHINESE SERVICE)-MR. FRANCIS WONG, ASSISTANT CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY CHEST AND MR. NORMAN B. CHEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF WALK FOR A MILLION.

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT BROADCASTING HOUSE AT NOON TOMORROW (FR IDAY).

TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. TWO VANS, NO. AM2128 AND AM2074, WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER FOR BROADCASTING HOUSE AT 11.30 A.M.

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

/3.......

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1977

- 3 -

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT LEK YUEN ESTATE ******

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY WILL VISIT LEK YUEN ESTATE IN SHA TIN ON FEBRUARY 4 (FRIDAY) TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE LATEST PROGRESS IN HONG KONG’S PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE NEW TOWNS CONCEPT.

THE' ROYAL COUPLE, WHO WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL ARRIVE BY CAR AT BLOCK 7 OF THE ESTATE AT 2.30 P.M.

THEY WILL BE WELCOMED ON ARRIVAL BY MR. DONALD LIAO, DIRECTOR OF HOUSING- MR. RALPH HUSBAND, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (ESTATE MANAGEMENT) AND MR. C.C. HUI, HOUSING MANAGER OF LEK YUEN ESTATE.

THE ROYAL PARTY WTLL FIRST VISIT THE CHI KWONG KINDERGARTEN ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF BLOCK 7 AND MEET THE CHILDREN. THE PRINCESS AND MR. OGILVY WILL THEN WALK THROUGH THE PLAYGROUND OUTSIDE THE KINDERGARTEN, PAST THE FOUNTAIN, THE SPACIOUS GARDEN, OPEN SPACE AND THE BUS TERMINUS BETWEEN BLOCKS 7, 6 AND 5 BEFORE REACHING THE TWO-STOREY SHOPPING CENTRE.

LOCATED AT THE HUB OF THE ESTATE, THE SHOPPING CENTRE IS FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED AND HAS 30,100 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR SUPERMARKETS AND SHOPS.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS AND MR. OGILVY WILL VISIT THE SWING SUPERMARKET WHICH SELLS A WIDE RANGE OF FOOD AND HOUSEHOLD COMMODITIES.

THE ROYAL PARTY WILL NEXT GO TO THE MODULAR MARKET OPPOSITE BLOCK 3, VISITING THE GROUND-FLOOR SHOPS AT BLOCK 2 ON THE WAY.

THE TOUR WILL END WITH A COLOURFUL DISPLAY OF DRAGON DANCE IN FRONT OF THE COMMUNITY HALL OPPOSITE BLOCK 5 AND THE ESTATE OFF ICE.

THE ROYAL VISITORS WILL THEN RETURN TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

LEK YUEN IS THE FIRST OF 11 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES PLANNED FOR SHA TIN NEW TOWN WHICH WILL HAVE A TARGET POPULATION OF 500,000. IT IS ENVISAGED THAT SOME 60 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION WILL BE HOUSED IN THESE ESTATES GRADUALLY TAKING SHAPE.

THE $50 MILLION ESTATE CONSISTS OF SEVEN APARTMENT

BLOCKS OF UP TO 20 STOREYS HIGH AND COVERS AN AREA OF 10 HECTARES (25 ACRES). IT WAS COMPLETED LAST MAY AND PROVIDES ACCOMMODATION FOR 23,000 PEOPLE. SOME 12,000 PEOPLE ARE LIVING THERE, AND WITH INTAKE OF TENANTS CONTINUING, THE ESTATE IS EXPECTED TO BE FULLY OCCUPIED BY NEXT JULY.

/IN COMMON . • • • •

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 'W?

4

IN COMMON WITH ALL NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES BUILT UNDER THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S 10-YEAR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PLAN, LEK YUEN IS A SELF-CONTAINED ENTITY. FACILITIES PROVIDED INCLUDE SCHOOLS, WELFARE AND COMMUNITY CENTRE, CLINIC, BUS TERMINUS, SHOPPING CENTRE, RECREATIONAL AREAS AND MARKET.

A NOVEL FEATURE IN THE DESIGN OF THE ESTATE IS THE SYSTEM OF COVERED WALKWAYS LINKING UP THE DOMESTIC BLOCKS WITH THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX. THIS GIVES TENANTS DIRECT ACCESS TO THE SHOPPING CENTRE WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT BAD WEATHER.

LEK YUEN PROVIDES 3,250 FLATS OF THREE SIZES FOR FAMILIES WITH FIVE, SEVEN AND NINE PERSONS. THE LARGEST FLAT IS 320 SQUARE FEET AND THE SMALLEST 178, EXCLUDING KITCHEN, TOILET AND BALCONY.

----0-----

HONG KONG - AUSTRIA TEXTILE AGREEMENT EXTENDED * * * * *

AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED BETWEEN HONG KONG AND AUSTRIA TO CONTINUE FOR ANOTHER 11 MONTHS THEIR EXISTING TEXTILE RESTRAINT ARRANGEMENT, WITH SOME MODIFICATIONS.

AGREEMENT WAS REACHED AFTER TALKS IN VIENNA EARLIER

THIS WEEK BETWEEN A THREE-MAN TEAM OF NEGOTIATORS FROM HONG KONG, LED BY MR. PETER TSAO, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (COMMERCIAL RELATIONS), AND AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

THE MODIFICATIONS INCLUDE THE LIFTING OF ONE RESTRAINT — ON THE EXPORT OF WOVEN BLOUSES -- AND THE PROVISION OF A 7.3 PER CENT EXPORT GROWTH FOR THE ITEM REMAINING UNDER RESTRAINT --WOVEN SHIRTS.

WOVEN BLOUSES, WHICH WILL NO LONGER BE UNDER RESTRAINT WILL FROM FEBRUARY 1 BE PLACED UNDER AN EXPORT AUTHORISATION (E.A.) ARRANGEMENT ALONG WITH FOUR OTHER GARMENT ITEMS. AN EXPORT AUTHORISATION ARRANGEMENT IS A DEVICE DESIGNED FOR MONITORING THE VOLUME OF EXPORTS OF A PARTICULAR ITEM TO PROVIDE IMPORTING COUNTRIES WITH A FORECAST OF TRADE IN THAT ITEM, AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE A DEGREE OF CERTAINTY TO THE EXPORTER SHIPPING GOODS UNDER THE ARRANGEMENT.

THE OTHER FOUR E.A. ITEMS INCLUDE CERTAIN LADIES’ SLACKS, AND SHORTS, SKIRTS, DRESSES, FROCKS, JACKETS AND SUITS.

------o-------- /= .

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 197

5

TECHNICAL CERTIFICATES READY

M H H K

CERTIFICATES FOR THE 1975/76 SESSION, IN RESPECT OF FULL-llME, BLOCK-RELEASE, PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE, PART-TIME EVENING AND SHORT COURSES ARE READY FOR COLLECTION AT THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE RESPECTIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OFFERING THE COURSES AS FROM JANUARY 24.

FOR ALL THE THREE INSTITUTES, THE TIME FOR COLLECTION FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY IS 9.30 A.M. - 12 NOON AND 2 P.M. TO 4 P.M. AND ON SATURDAY, 9.30 A.M. TO 11.30 A.M.

FOR MORRISON HILL AND KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, CERTIFICATES CAN ALSO BE COLLECTED BETWEEN 7.15 P.M. AND 8 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS.

STUDENTS SHOULD BRING WITH THEM THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.

- - o - -

FINAL LIST OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS ELIGIBLE FOR GSP RECEIVED

* * * *

A FINAL LIST OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS ELIGIBLE FOR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT UNDER THE 1977 EEC GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCE (GSP) HAS NOW BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE EEC COMMISSION IN BRUSSELS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.

THE LIST CONTAINS AN ADDITIONAL 13 ITEMS TO THE 66 ITEMS ON THE PRELIMINARY LIST WHICH WAS ANNOUNCED LAST MONTH. '

THE 13 ITEMS INCLUDE COTTON YARNS AND WOVEN FABRICS, TERRY TOWELING AND KNITTED OR CROCHETED GLOVES.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT APPLICATIONS MAY NOW BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE RELEVANT FORM (FORM A) FOR THESE GOODS TO BE SHIPPED TO THE EEC UNDER ITS GSP ARRANGEMENT.

THE SPOKESMAN RECALLED THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE EEC INTRODUCED ITS GSP IN 1971 THAT PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT WAS BEING EXTENDED TO TEXTILES ORIGINATING FROM HONG KONG.

A CIRCULAR (CERTIFICATE OF PREFERENCE CIRCULAR NO. 1/77) CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE 13 ITEMS HAS BEEN ISSUED TO THE TRADE.

0 - -

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1977

6

LAND EXECUTIVES COMPLETE COURSE

* * * * *

SIXTEEN LAND EXECUTIVES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A CERTIFICATE COURSE IN LAND ADMINISTRATION UNDER A PILOT TRAINING SCHEME JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE N.T.A. AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.

THEY WILL RECEIVE THEIR CERTIFICATE FROM THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. JOHN CHAMBERS, AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE N.T.A. HEADQUARTERS.

THEY ARE THE FIRST TO HAVE COMPLETED THE TWO-YEAR PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSE CONDUCTED AT THE POLYTECHNIC. THIRTY-FIVE OTHER LAND EXECUTIVES ARE NOW ATTENDING THE SECOND AND THIRD COURSES.

THE COURSE AIMS TO PROVIDE FORMALISED TRAINING IN LAND ADMINISTRATION IN LINE WITH INCREASING COMPLEXITY OF LAND WORK DUE TO RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE COURSE INCLUDES TRAINING IN VALUATION OF LAND AND BUILDING, LAND SURVEYING AND MAP INTERPRETATION, AND LAW RELATED TO LAND ADMINISTRATION.

THE 16 GRADUATES HAVE COME FROM VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES -FIVE EACH FROM TSUEN WAN AND TAI PO, TWO EACH FROM YUEN LONG AND ISLANDS, AND ONE EACH FROM TUEN MUN AND SAI KUNG.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH STARTS AT 4.30 P.M. TOMORROW AT THE N.T.A. HEADQUARTERS AT THE NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY BUILDING, TAI PO ROAD.

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

/7......

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1977

7

EXTENSION OF KWUN TONG CARGO HANDLING AREA

******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO EXTEND THE CARGO HANDLING AREA OFF HOI BUN ROAD IN KWUN TONG TO COPE WITH THE INCREASE IN CARGO-HANDLING ACTIVITIES.

AT THE SAME TIME HOI BUN ROAD WILL BE EXTENDED AND IMPROVED TO PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO THE CARGO-HANDLING AREA.

MR. NG YEE-YUM, ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE, SAID TODAY WORK ON THE PROJECTS WOULD START IN MARCH AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN 15 MONTHS.

HE SAID THE WORK WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN STAGES SO AS TO AVOID DISRUPTING EXISTING CARGO-HANDLING ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA.

MR. NG SAID THE WORK WOULD MAINLY INVOLVE EXTENDING THE EXISTING CARGO-HANDLING STRIP AT THE WATERFRONT BY ABOUT 420 METRES ALONG THE SEAWALL TO THE WEST.

+THIS WILL VIRTUALLY DOUBLE THE SEA FRONTAGE OF THE CARGOHANDLING AREA AND SHOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS EASING CONGESTION IN THE MOVEMENT OF CARGO AT THE HOI BUN ROAD WATERFRONT,+ HE SA ID.

+WHEN COMPLETED THE ENTIRE CARGO-HANDLING AREA WOULD HAVE 950 METRES OF SEA FRONTAGE AND AREA OF ABOUT 13,500 SQUARE METRES,* SAID MR. NG.

AS PART OF THE PROJECT, HOI BUN ROAD WOULD BE EXTENDED FOR SOME 420 METRES TO THE WEST, HE SAID. THE EXTENDED ROAD WOULD PROVIDE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE CARGO-HANDLING AREA AS WELL AS FACILITATE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION ALONG THE SEAFRONT.

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

/8

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1977

- 8 -

FIRING PRACTICE

*****

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 4 P.M.

THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAG ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF THE FIRING PRACTICE.

FIRING PRACTICE WILL ALSO TAKE PLACE ON THE RANGE ON SIX DAYS TOWARDS THE END OF THIS MONTH.

THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE:

DATE HOURS

JANUARY 24 (MONDAY) 9 A.M. - 10 P.M.

JANUARY 25 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.

JANUARY 26 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 10 P.M.

JANUARY 27 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 10 P.M.

JANUARY 28 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

JANUARY 31 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

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

WATER CUT

* * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TAI PO WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 22) TO ALLOW THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY KWONG FUK ROAD, TUNG CHEUNG STREET, PLOVER COVE ROAD, PO HEUNG STREET AND PO YICK STREET, INCLUDING LUK HEUNG LANE AND ON FU ROAD.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

BRITISH GOVERNMENT BACKS HONG KONG’S FUTURE PROGRAMME . 1

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL SEE HONG KONG’S NEW OCEAN PARK 3 NINE WONG CHUK HANG FACTORIES CAME UNDER FIRE SERVICES SCRUTINY ......................................  4

SIR MURRAY WILL LAY FOUNDATION STONE FOR DENTAL CENTRE 5 SIXTEEN NEW TERRITORIES LAND EXECUTIVES GRADUATE FROM LAND ADMINISTRATION COURSE ..................... 6

TWO PRE-WAR BUILDINGS IN SHEUNG WAN DECLARED DANGEROUS 7 NEW HONG KONG COMMODORE OF RHKAAF APPOINTED .... 7

NOMINATIONS FOR SIX URBCO SEATS OPEN ........... 8

LIST OF TOWN PLANS PUBLISHED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION .. 8

PRISONS COMMISSIONER PRAISES HIGH MORALE AND EFFICIENCY OF H IS STAFF ....................... 9

• • . • . - .• :

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

» ! • • * * , - * I • * , *. ] ; ’

9. \ * j •

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1977 - 1 -

HK’S FUTURE PROGRAMME SUPPORTED BY UK M # # * # *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING PLEDGED TO DEVOTE HIS LAST YEARS IN OFFICE +TO MAKE HONG KONG THE PLACE IT CAN SO EASILY BE WITHIN A SHORT SPAN OF YEARS.*

HE WAS REFERRING TO THE VARIOUS PROJECTS AND SOCIAL PROGRAMMES THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO COMPLETE BY THE END OF THIS DECADE OR BY THE EARLY 1980'3.

SIR MURRAY, WHO WAS SPEAKING AT THE DINNER OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SAID THAT QUESTIONS HAD BEEN ASKED IN RECENT MONTHS WHETHER HONG KONG’S ECONOMY COULD AFFORD THESE THINGS AND EVEN IF IT COULD, WOULD HONG KONG NOT BE FORCED INTO MORE, THAT IT COULD AFFORD THROUGH EXTERNAL PRESSURE.

+TAK ING THE POINT OF EXTERNAL POLITICAL PRESSURE FIRST- .. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT SO FAR AS HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED THERE IS COMPLETE SUPPORT FOR AND AGREEMENT WITH THE PLANS I HAVE REFERRED TO TONIGHT AND OUTLINED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST OCTOBER,* HE SAID.

+THESE ARE HONG KONG’S PLANS DRAWN UP BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO MEET HONG KONG’S OWN NEEDS.

+BUT HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT HAVE A DEEP INTEREST IN THEM, BOTH BECAUSE OF THEIR CONCERN FOR THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND BECAUSE MINISTERS HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM AND TO DEFEND THEM AGAINST CRITICS IN THE UK BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE PALACE OF WESTMINISTER.*

SIR MURRAY WENT ON TO SAY THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY INTENTION OR ATTEMPT TO PRESS HONG KONG INTO AN ALIEN OR INAPPROPRIATE MOULD.

WITH REGARD TO THE FIRST POINT, SIR MURRAY EXPLAINED THAT HE THOUGHT THE PRINCIPAL FEAR WAS THAT THE GOVERNMENT TARGETS HAD BEEN SET SO HIGH THAT THEY COULD ONLY BE REACHED BY A RISE IN TAXATION SO LARGE AS TO UNDERMINE HONG KONG’S ECONOMY.

+THIS IS GROUNDLESS,* HE POINTED OUT.

+IT IS IN FACT A CONTRADICTION IN TERMS, BECAUSE IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG REQUIRE A FISCAL ENVIRONMENT WHICH IS BOTH ATTRACTIVE IN COMPARISON TO COMPETITIVE COUNTRIES, AND WHICH ALSO ALLOWS A MARGIN OF PROFIT FOR ENTERPRISE AND RISK WIDE ENOUGH TO RETAIN AND ATTRACT CAPITAL FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE ECONOMY AND THE PRESERVATION OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG.

/♦THIS IS NOT ...

2

+THIS IS NOT SOMETHING ON WHICH ANY GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG COULD POSSIBLY AFFORD TO TAKE RISKS.

+BECAUSE OF THESE APPARENT RESTRAINTS THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN PLACED SO THAT ON CERTAIN ASSUMPTIONS AND BROADLY SPEAKING THEY CAN BE FINANCED FROM GROWTH.

+THERE IS UNDOUBTEDLY A RESERVE OF TAXABILITY THAT COULD BE SAFELY TAPPED IN CASE OF NEED, BUT BECAUSE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES I HAVE MENTIONED IN PRACTICE IT IS SMALL IN COMPARISON TO THAT OF OTHER COUNTRIES.

+OF COURSE I CANNOT SAY WHETHER PRESENT RATES OF TAXATION CAN BE MAINTAINED INDEFINITELY. THIS DEPENDS ON SO MANY FACTORS — BUT THE IMPERATIVE OF MAINTAINING A COMPARATIVELY LOW-TAX FISCAL SYSTEM IS INESCAPABLE.*

SIR MURRAY SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROCEED WITH ITS PROGRAMMES IN ALL FIELDS +METHODICALLY AND PRUDENTLY AND WITHIN THE CAPABILITY OF THE ECONOMY.+

+WHILE IT MUST TAKE ACCOUNT OF NORMAL INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS,* HE CONTINUED, *ITS PARAMOUNT CRITERION WILL ALWAYS BE WHAT PRACTICAL BENEFIT ANY MEASURE WILL CONFER ON THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.*

REFERRING TO ECONOMIC GROWTH, HE SAID : +THE 16 PER CENT GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS CONFIDENTLY PREDICTED FOR THE YEAR THAT IS ENDING IS A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT.*

WHILE PREDICTING THAT HONG KONG’S GROWTH RATE WOULD PROBABLY BE BETTER THAN SIX PER CENT THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT THE PROSPECT OF GROWTH RATE FOR THE REST OF THE DECADE WOULD BE ABOUT SIX PER CENT A YEAR --ALWAYS ASSUMING NO FURTHER EXTERNAL CATASTROPHY.

THE GOVERNOR STRESSED THAT THIS WAS NO TIME FOR FAINT-HEARTED FEARS. AFTER ALL HONG KONG HAD JUST EMERGED FROM THE DARKEST TIME IT HAD KNOWN FOR MANY YEARS.

+WE HAVE EVERY REASON TO DRAW CONFIDENCE FROM THE WAY HONG KONG CAME THROUGH THE RECESSION AND THE SPEED OF ITS RECOVERY,* HE EMPHASISED.

+ANGLO-CHINESE RELATIONS ARE EXCELLENT. WE HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND OUR RELATIONS WITH IT ARE FIRMLY BASED ON MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING.

+THE WORLD’S ECONOMY IS SLOWY IMPROVING. WE THEREFORE HAVE EVERY REASON TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR FUTURE PROSPECTS.

+THIS IS THE TIME NOT FOR QUESTIONING OUR MEANS OR OUR OBJECTIVES, BUT FOR DETERMINATION TO PURSUE THE COURSE WE HAVE SO CAREFULLY CHARTED TO MAKE HONG KONG THE PLACE IT CAN SO EASILY BE WITHIN A SHORT SPAN OF YEARS.

+CERTAINLY MY LAST YEARS HERE WILL BE DEVOTED TO THIS END,* HE ADDED.

_ _ 0 -------

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1977

3

OCEAN PARK TO HAVE FIRST ROYAL VISITOR * * * *

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL PAY A VISIT TO THE RECENTLY OPENED OCEAN PARK ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 5), ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE.

DURING HER TOUR OF THE OCEANARIUM, HONG KONG’S NEWEST NON-PROFIT MAKING RECREATIONAL AMENITY AND TOURIST ATTRACTION, THE PRINCESS WILL BE SURROUNDED BY SOME 5,000 CHILDREN.

THE CHILDREN WILL BE FROM 55 SCHOOLS IN ABERDEEN AND WAH FU AND FROM INSTITUTIONS FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

THE PRINCESS IS NO STRANGER TO HONG KONG AS HER ROYAL HIGHNESS IS CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH A NUMBER OF CHARITABLE AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS WHICH ALSO BEAR HER NAME.

TO NAME A FEW, THEY ARE THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA RED CROSS REHABILITATION SCHOOL FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED IN KWUN TONG AND THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN. HER ROYAL HIGHNESS IS ALSO THE PATRON OF THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY AND OF THE JUNIOR RED CROSS.

ON HER ARRIVAL AT THE PARK, THE PRINCESS WILL TAKE A CABLECAR RIDE TO THE HEADLAND.

WHILE AT THE HEADLAND, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL WATCH PERFORMANCES BY MARINE MAMMALS SUCH AS SEA LIONS AND DOLPHINS AT THE PARK’S OCEAN THEATRE.

THE OCEAN PARK, COSTING $150 MILLION TO BUILD, WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR EARLIER THIS MONTH (JANUARY 10).

SIR MURRAY DESCRIBED THE PROJECT BUILT BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AS +A GREAT AND IMAGINATIVE VENTURE+.

-----0-----

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1977 - 4 -

FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU’S FIRST AREA INSPECTION SUCCESSFUL ******

THE OVERALL RESULT OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S FIRST AREA INSPECTION IN WONG CHUK HANG WAS DESCRIBED BY A SENIOR FIRE OFFICER AS +GOOD+.

+ IN A NUMBER OF BUILDINGS, THE SITUATION REGARDING OBSTRUCTIONS TO MEANS OF ESCAPE WAS ALL WE COULD EXPECT,+ COMMENTED MR. ALAN JONES, CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (FIRE PREVENTION).

+ IN THESE BUILDINGS, IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE SUSTAINED PUBLICITY HAS ACHIEVED ITS OBJECTIVE AND PEOPLE HAD RESPONDED,+ HE SAID.

HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT IT WAS REGRETTABLE THAT THE OCCUPANTS IN SOME BUILDINGS HAD IGNORED THE PUBLICITY AND CONDITIONS FOUND IN THEM WERE FAR FROM SATISFACTORY.

+ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN AGAINST THE OFFENDERS AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECTED TO ROUTINE VISITS AND INSPECTIONS,* HE WARNED.

DURING THE TWO-DAY INSPECTION WHICH TOOK PLACE ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, A TOTAL OF NINE INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS BETWEEN SIX AND 24 STOREYS HIGH WERE INSPECTED, RESULTING IN THE ISSUE OF 55 FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES. OF THESE, 33 WERE ISSUED ON THE SPOT FOR SIMPLE OBSTRUCTIONS AND THE OTHERS RELATING TO MORE COMPLEX MATTERS ARE STILL BEING PROCESSED.

A NUMBER OF FOLLOW-UP VISITS HAD TAKEN PLACE AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT MORE RE-INSPECTIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

MR. JONES SAID THAT THE TIME AND EFFORT EXPENDED ON THIS OPERATION WERE FULLY JUSTIFIED AND THE ANNOUNCEMENTS MADE IN ADVANCE TO RESIDENTS IN THE AREA THAT INSPECTIONS WERE FORTHCOMING GAVE EVERYONE ADEQUATE TIME AND NOTICE TO CHECK ON THEIR PREMISES.

+WE LET PEOPLE SEE THAT OUR INTENTION IS TO HAVE CLEAR AND UNOBSTRUCTED MEANS OF ESCAPE AND FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE,* HE POINTED OUT.

+WE DO NOT WANT TO HARASS OR TAKE PEOPLE TO COURT WITHOUT PROPER JUSTIFICATION.+

- - 0 - -

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21,1977

- 5 -

GOVERNOR TO LAY FOUNDATION STONE OF MACLEHOSE DENTAL CENTRE * * * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL LAY ON MONDAY (JANUARY 24) THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE MACLEHOSE DENTAL CENTRE, WHICH WILL BECOME THE NERVE CENTRE OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S DENTAL SERVICE.

THE SEVEN-STOREY COMPLEX ON MORRISON HILL WILL HOUSE A TRAINING SCHOOL FOR DENTAL NURSES AND A SCHOOL CHILDREN DENTAL CLINIC, BOTH OF WHICH WILL BE NAMED AFTER SIR SHIU KIN TANG, WHO HAS DONATED $1.5 MILLION TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION COST.

THE CENTRE WILL ALSO HOUSE THE HEAD OFFICE AND DENTAL SURGERIES OF THE GOVERNMENT DENTAL SERVICE, PRESENTLY ACCOMMODATED IN THE WAN CHAI DENTAL CLINIC AT KENNEDY ROAD.

THE CAPITAL COST OF THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED AT $7 MILLION WITH AN ADDITIONAL $1 MILLION TO EQUIP AND FURNISH. RECURRENT COST INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT WILL BE IN THE REGION OF $5 MILLION PER ANNUM.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DENTAL NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL AND THE SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC WILL MARK THE FIRST STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT OF A SCHEME PROPOSED IN THE MEDICAL WHITE PAPER TO PROVIDE A BASIC DENTAL CONSERVATION SERVICE FOR CHILDREN AT THE PRIMARY SCHOOL LEVEL. IN THE FINAL STAGE, IT IS ENVISAGED THAT A FURTHER FOUR SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS WILL BE REQUIRED TO COVER THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PARTICIPATING PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUBSTRUCTURE OF THE DENTAL CENTRE BEGAN IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR AND THE WHOLE BUILDING IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 1978.

NOTE TO ED I TORS«

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY WHICH WILL COMMENCE AT 3.15 P.M. ON MONDAY (JANUARY 24). THE SITE OF THE CENTRE IS ADJACENT TO THE TANG CHI NGONG SPECIALIST CLINIC IN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.

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

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1977

6

IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING WELL APPRECIATED BY N.T.A. ******

THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WELL APPRECIATES THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING FOR ITS STAFF WHICH BETTER EQUIPS THEM TO MEET CONFIDENTLY THE DAILY CHALLENGES IN THEIR FIELDS.

THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID THIS TODAY IN A CEREMONY IN WHICH HE PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO 16 N.T.A. LAND EXECUTIVES — THE FIRST GROUP TO HAVE COMPLETED A TWO-YEAR PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSE IN LAND ADMINISTRATION.

HE TOLD THE GRADUATES : +WITH THE INCREASING COMPLEXITY OF A LAND EXECUTIVE’S DUTIES, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THOSE WHO DEAL WITH IMPORTANT DAY-TO-DAY PROBLEMS SHOULD HAVE A SOUND KNOWLEDGE OF THE RELEVANT SUBJECTS SUCH AS THOSE YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT.+

WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE GUIDANCE THEY RECEIVED FROM THEIR SENIOR OFFICERS, HE SAID, THE GRADUATES WOULD BE WELL EQUIPPED TO MEET CONFIDENTLY THE DAILY CHALLENGES IN THE FIELD.

MR. CHAMBERS SAID THE COURSE WAS INTRODUCED IN 1974 TO REPLACE THE DEPARTMENTAL EXAMINATION WHICH QUALIFIED NEWLY-APPOINTED LAND EXECUTIVES FOR CONFIRMATION TO THE PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT.

THE COURSE IS CONDUCTED AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNDER A PILOT TRAINING SCHEME FOR LAND EXECUTIVES JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE N.T.A. AND THE POLYTECHNIC.

HE EXPRESSED THANKS TO THE POLYTECHNIC AND THE N.T.A. STAFF FOR MAKING THE COURSE A SUCCESS.

AT PRESENT, 35 OTHER LAND EXECUTIVES ARE NOW ATTENDING THE SECOND AND THIRD COURSES, WHICH INCLUDE TRAINING IN VALUATION OF LAND AND BUILDING, LAND SURVEYING AND MAP INTERPRETATION, AND LAW RELATED TO LAND ADMINISTRATION.

THE 16 GRADUATES HAVE COME FROM VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES -FIVE EACH FROM TSUEN WAN AND TAI PO, TWO EACH FROM YUEN LONG AND ISLANDS, AND ONE EACH FROM TUEN MUN AND SAI KUNG.

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

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1977

7

TWO PRE-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ******

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY DECLARED TWO BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND ORDERED THAT THEY BE DEMOLISHED.

THE BUILDINGS ARE NO. 321 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND NO. 38 GAGE STREET BOTH OF WHICH WERE CONSTRUCTED OF LOADBEARING BRICK WALLS WITH TIMBER FLOORS AND ROOF.

THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THIS MORNING THAT ATTENTION WAS DRAWN TO THE BUILDING IN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL BY A REPORT THAT ONE OF THE FLOORS WAS IN A DEFECTIVE CONDITION.

DETAILED INSPECTION CONFIRMED THAT THE REPORTED FLOOR WAS IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE AND THE INSPECTION ALSO REVEALED EXTENSIVE SIGNS OF MOVEMENT IN THE MAIN WALLS.

+IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THERE IS A DANGER OF GENERAL COLLAPSE OF THE BUILD ING,+ HE SAID.

REFERRING TO NO. 38 GAGE STREET, HE SAID THAT ATTENTION WAS FIRST DRAWN TO THE BUILDING MORE THAN 12 YEARS AGO WHEN THE BUILDING AUTHORITY ORDERED THAT THE KITCHEN BLOCK SHOULD BE REPAIRED.

+A RECENT INSPECTION INDICATED THAT TIMBERS IN THE MAIN ROOF AND BALCONIES ARE DEFECTIVE AND IT IS CONSIDERED THAT LOCALISED FAILURES COULD OCCUR THERE,+ HE SAID.

+THE BUILDING IS, HOWEVER, SO GENERALLY DILAPIDATED THAT THERE IS A DANGER OF ANY SUCH FAILURE LEADING TO A GENERAL COLLAPSE.+

NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON FEBRUARY 25 WERE POSTED TODAY.

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

APPOINTMENT OF HONORARY AIR COMMODORE OF RHKAAF

*****

THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED WING COMMANDER GORDON BELL AS THE HONORARY AIR COMMODORE OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE. HE SUCCEEDS MR. R.P. SMITH.

THE APPOINTMENT CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 15.

- - 0 -

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1977 - 8 -

NOMINATION FOR URBCO ELECTION OPENS

******

NOMINATION FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON MARCH 3 OFFICIALLY OPENS TODAY.

A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.

THE NOMINATIONS ARE FOR SIX SEATS WHICH WILL BECOME VACANT ON APRIL 1 FOLLOWING THE EXPIRY OF THE PRESENT TERM OF OFFICE OF SIX ELECTED MEMBERS.

NOMINATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE AT ROOM 364, THIRD FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD.

NOMINATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE RETURNING OFFICER, MR. ALLAN LEUNG, AT THIS ADDRESS DAILY (EXCEPT SATURDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS).

THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOMINATIONS IS FEBRUARY 14.

EACH CANDIDATE MUST BE NOMINATED ON A SEPARATE NOMINATION PAPER AND EACH PAPER MUST BE SUBSCRIBED BY 10 ELECTORS AND NO ELECTOR MAY NOMINATE MORE THAN SIX CANDIDATES.

IF MORE THAN SIX PERSONS ARE VALIDLY NOMINATED AN ELECTION WILL BE HELD AS SCHEDULED ON MARCH 3.

FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE NOMINATIONS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM MR. LEUNG ON TEL. 5-95485.

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

LIST OF TOWN PLANS PUBLISHED

* * * *

A LIST OF PLANS PREPARED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION.

THE PLANS, IN THREE CATEGORIES, INCLUDE APPROVED PLANS REFERRED BACK TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR AMENDMENT OR REPLACEMENT, AND DRAFT PLANS EXHIBITED BY THE BOARD FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION.

CERTIFIED COPIES OF THE APPROVED PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION FREE OF CHARGE AT THE LAND OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING).

COPIES OF THE APPROVED AND DRAFT PLANS MAY BE PURCHASED FROM THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.

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

«

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1977

- 9 -

MORALE HIGH IN PRISONS DEPARTMENT ******

THE MORALE AND EFFICIENCY OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER, THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. TOM GARNER, SAID TODAY.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE DURING WHICH HE PRESENTED CLASPS TO THE COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDAL TO 16 OFFICERS OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT.

MR. GARNER STRESSED THAT ALTHOUGH THE TOTAL STRENGTH OF THE DEPARTMENT HAD RISEN DRAMATICALLY OVER THE YEARS, THE PERCENTAGE OF EXPATRIATE STAFF HAD FALLEN CONSIDERABLY.

HE SAID THAT IN 1946 THE TOTAL STAFF WAS 611, WHICH INCLUDED 296 EXPATRIATE OFFICERS. NOW THE TOTAL STRENGTH WAS 3,200 WITH ONLY 19 EXPATRIATE OFFICERS.

HE ADDED: +TO-DAY ALSO MARKS A VERY SPECIAL OCCASION WHEN FOR THE FIRST TIME LOCAL OFFICERS WITHIN THE SERVICE, OTHER THAN MINOR OFFICE STAFF, HAVE RECEIVED A SECOND CLASP TO THE MEDAL, AND HERE AGAIN WITHOUT ANY DOUBT I AM SURE THERE WILL BE AN INCREASING NUMBER EARNING THIS AWARD FROM NOW 0N.+

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


PR 33

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

EMBAKGCUD FOK

, tUPPtf MEHT

Friday, January 21, 1977

Speech By Governor At iiKGCC Dinner

The following is the full text of the Governor’s speech at the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce dinner in the Mandarin Hotel tonight:

When I accepted your hospitable invitation, I did not know that my term of office would just have been prolonged. This unlooked for extension of responsibility has given me much pleasure, but also much food for thought. As Dr. Johnson said of a man in a rather different predicament ’’the prospect concentrates his mind wonderfully”.

I remember once asking a Secretary of State why he accepted a position which was making such impossible demands on him, and he replied ’’because I like to get tilings done”

Milton was wrong when he wrote that fame was the spur. Now fame is the hot seat, the point at which the buck stops, it is exposure to every critic and personal and political pressure. No, the spur - what it is worth working for - i> the satisfaction of getting things done; particularly in a community that is as alive and intelligent and critical and responsive, and that wants action as much as that of Hong Kong.

/It was .....

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


- 2 -

It was my good fortune to come here after a decade of prosperity in which so much had already been done by wise predecessors and the public service, that it was possible to draw up specific plans to eliminate the basic deficiencies that remained. The effort put into this planning process by the public services was enormous, but it did show us very olearly where we stood, what we had to do, and when and where and how we had to do it; and it enabled the Financial Secretary to draw up both short and long term budgetary forecasts to provide for the implementation of the plans at a pace, and by stages, that would be within our economic capability.

One should never become the slave of plans and of course ours have had to be applied with flexibility as our financial circumstances changed. But without them we would never have maintained the progress that we did during the recession years, and without them we would never have been able to compensate by picking up their speed so quickly afterwards.

zxs things now stand, provided our prosperity holds - and I will return to this - we should not be far from our original targets though because of the recession there will have been more progress at the end and less at the beginning of the time-span than originally envisaged.

They are intended to produce a steady flow of improvements that taken together will achieve significant physical, social and demographic changes in Hong Kong by the early 1980s. Let me explain what these plans mean in terms say of 1983, only six or seven years ahead. I will start with Communications.

/By 1983 .....

3

By 1983 the first half of the Tuen Mun highway will have been open for five years and the full six lanes for about three, with consequent impetus for the development of industry and population in the Tuen Mun/Yuen Long area.

Tuen Hun itself will by then be a city of about 375,000 and I should expect rapid development of all sorts to have taken place in Yuen Long where an industrial estate will have been established for several years. Tsuen Wan/Kwai Chung/Tsing Yi will be a complex of over 800,000 people with accompanying industry, and amenities and a cultural life of its own.

In the jfiast, there will have been a comparable process of opening up. The railway will have been double tracked and possibily electrified, a coastal road will have been open for several years between Sha Tin and Tai Po, and Sha Tin will have become a virtual suburb of Kowloon with fast communications by a four-lane highway and a high frequency train service interchanging with the Mass Transit Railway. I should expect it will also by then have a direct ro.d link with Tsuen Wan.

With the impetus of improved communications and more land for housing and industry, and with an industrial estate in its 5th or 6th year, and considerable public housing, Tai Po will have I

developed fast and Sha Tin itself will contain over 450,000 people and reach most of the way to Ma On Shan.

Ap Lei Chau will have been joined to Aberdeen by a bridge for about four years, and Aberdeen to Wan Chai and the Cross Harbour Tunnel by a tunnel and an over-head road for nearly three years, with consequent implications for the development of the Aberdeen and Pokfulam areas.

/1983 .....

4

19^3 will be the fourth year of the operation of the Mass Transit Railway which by then will be as much an accepted p~rt of life as the Cross Harbour Tunnel is today.

Communications on.the Island will have been greatly improved to the east by the completion of a new high speed road to Shau Kei Wan, and to the West by the Connaught Road high level highway.

In parallel with these developments, the Country Paries authority will have asserted a steadily increasing control over wide areas of mountains-and coastline to maintain and preserve them for recreation and tourism, and prevent encroachment on them for other purposes.

I have started by painting the picture in terms of communications because the problem of access lies at the root of the shortage of building land, which in itself represents one of the greatest single impediments to economic and social expansion in Hong Kong at the moment, and only if Hong Kong can expand can it continue to prosper and provide the economic base for all the social things that need to be done.

Turning now to the social programmes, by 1983, or rather by the financial year* 1983/84, Government financed housing will have been completed since 1973/74 for 1,800,000 and it will be the fifth consecutive year in which completions will have been for well over two hundred thousand.

By 1983, it will have been five years.since there were assisted secondary school places for all children leaving primary, and three years since all children will have had at least nine years

/of free •••••

5

of free or assisted education. Five-technical institutes with a capacity of 6,600 day and 20,000 evening students, will have been operating for four years, and no doubt more institutes will have been added. The Polytechnic will for three yeax*s have had a capacity for 11j400 day and 30,000 evening students. A Whole new generation of trained craftsmen, technicians and technologists will be available. The young workforce will be changed from one with largely a primary school background to one with at least . ’I •' f- .'i 1-4

junior secondary and in a majority of cases additional academic or technical qualifications. ’ •’ . C .1 ' : V'

The new psychiatric wing of Princess Margaret Hospital

will have been open for 2)^ years. The Sha Tin Hospital will have just opened and the Tuen Mun Hospital will have been completed and be in the process of opening. The construction of new clinics with increased numbers of consulting rooms should have greatly reduced waiting time for patients. A school dental service will have been;in > i * s - A . A

operation for three years. A dental school and a new medical school will be in full operation in the Universities.

I cannot say what the picture will be in social welfare as all aspects of both services and cash payments will be reviewed this year. But I hope this review whose findings will be published as a green paper, will result in general agreement on a system of services %

and payments appropriate to Hong Kong’s particular circumstances which may be gradually introduced, and which will have been in full operation for several years before 1983*

Similarly in the field of labour legislation we will, for some years, have had a system of basic protection for the conditions of work and employment that will be tailored to our own situation and compare favourably with other similar Asian'communities.

/Taken .•.••

- 6 -

Taken together all these things will produce a community whose circumstances are radically different from the present, but not necessarily much different from what they would have been by now or before, had not Hong Kong been’ swamped by immigrants in the 50s and had to deal with the consequences without external aid.

I ’iave spoken in quantative terms, more or less in ter;::s of bricks and mortar and reinforced concrete, because construction is basic to everything else. Of course this sort of presentation leaves a great deal unsaid about the wide fields in which the right answe. s must be found if the bricks and mortar are to do the job intended and benifit the public most.

It is on success in these fields that a healthy relationship between the public and government depends, how the various two-way channels of communication can be used and be available to all, how

• f.-.d . • O' * ' ■ V ' •

complaints can adequately be investigated, how responsiveness of the Government can be maintained and be apparent to the public. It is a field 6f importance td any government, but vital here where for well-known reasons Government is not dominated by the electoral process. Since in‘this respect Hong Kong is unique, unique techniques have been

P ... ’• . 0 J

applied and are constantly evolving.

The kedia, public bodies such as this, as well as many parts of the official and unofficial sides of Government all have a part to play that is much more important than in any other communities. The subject is as fascinating as it is crucial to the health of Hong Kong and it is one which myself, and all concerned with the Government and well-being of Hong Kong must constantly keep to the forefront of their minds•

/ Then .....

7

Then there are the related subjects of crime, corruption and narcotics. Of all fields in Hong Kong other than that cf income, thi-s is the one which touches people most closely and which has been my major single preoccupation; and I am most grateful for the public spirited and typical practical way in which the Chamber has given its support. All I can say is that with devoted and imaginative leadership and action in the services • •• ••'• . *■ ■. ,* •* ■ • concerned, and with the newly created organisation and support of the public, some real progress can now be discerned; and I say this realising that some recent spectacular crimes have understand-K’ v ably disturbed the public. Provided the build-up of police strength, the leadership, the pressure and the public support can be main-tained and strengthened, I believe that this progress will steadily become more evident.

i . . e7 • -

In this process I am convinced that the provision of ■ proper recreation facilities for young people and the help and organisation that can be provided by voluntary agencies and cen be coordinated by the Government Community Youth and District Recreation Services have a major part to play. The latter services are now well into their stride and should be exerting a strong and widely spread influence within the next two or three years, let alone 1983*

I believe that these goals, and the measures necessary to achieve them, have virtually universal support in Hong Kong. There is genuine enthusiasm at all levels of society to make Hong Kong the place it could so easily be. Of course we want this on its merits for its own sake. We also want to escape from the present situation in which there is sometimes more than a grain of truth in what our

/external .....

8

external and domestic critics have to say - however twisted or distorted or self-interested some of it may be. The only answer is to eliminate the defects as we are determined to do. Nor is it at all safe for a community of such financial and commercial prominence to lay itself open to such criticism for one moment longer than is inescapable. Meanwhile so long as we know we are doing our utmost to eliminate the defects we can accept the criticism with composure.

But the questions have been asked, in recent months, can ~ our economy afford these things, and even if it can will we not be forced into mofe, that we cannot afford, through external political pressures.

Taking the point of external political pressure first;

I can assure you that so far as HMG is concerned there is complete support for and agreement with the plans I have referred to tonight and outlined to the Legislative Council last October. These are Hong Ko.ig’s plans drawn up by tie Hong Kong Government to meet Hong Kong’s own needs. But HMG have a deep interest in them, both because of their concern for the welfare of the people of Hong Kong, and because ministers have a constitutional obligation to take Responsibility for them and to defend them against critics in the UK both inside and outside the Palace of Westminster•

• Hong Kong has every reason to be grateful for the staunch support that they have given, and this support has been facilitated by mutual agreement on the broad lines of Government action here -subject of course to the advice of the Executive Council and the approval of funds by the Legislative Council.

• • - ' /There is •,••.

9

There is constant dialogue between the Hong Kong Government and the ?oreign and Commonwealth Office on what we do. In the constitutional circumstances this is right, and within my experience the dialogue has been understanding, helpful and stimulating, As for pressure if that is the: right word, there is just the same sort of pressure from London as we have here in Hong Kong; that is, the way to do things wo have said we will do/ when we have said we will do them — always provided that the means are there. There is no evidence of any intention or attempt to press Hong Kong into an alien or inappropriate mould.

With regard to the first point, I think the principal fear is that Government targets have been set so high that they can only be reached by a rise in taxation so large as to undermine our economy. This is groundless. It is in fact a contradiction in terms, because it is so obvious.that the circumstances of Hong Kong require a fiscal environment which is both attractive in comparison to competitive countries, and which also allows a margin of profit for enterprise and risk wide enough to retain and attract capital for the expansion of the economy and the preservation of employment in the particular circumstances of Hong Kong.

This is not something on which any Government in Hong Kong could possibly afford to take risks. Because of these apparent restraints the Government programmes have been phased so that on certain assumptions and broadly speaking they can be financed from growth.

/There is ......

- 1u -

There is undoubtedly a reserve of taxability that could be safely tapped in dase of need, but because of the circumstances I have mentioned In practice it is small in comparison to that of other countries. Of course! cannot say whether present rates of taxation can be maintained indefinitely. This depends on so many unknown factors'- but the imperative of maintaining a comparatively low-tax fiscal system is inescapable.

I have heard a point of view which is to the effect that we should have the minimum of social programmes - and labour legislation, and concentrate only on maximising profits and incomes. I am sure that this view is not shared by a body so responsible as the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

The Government will proceed with its programme in all fields methodically and prudently and within the capability of the economy. While it must take account of normal international standards

■ • its paramount criterion will always be what practical benefit any measure will confer on the people of Hong Kong. While there could be danger in doing too much too fast, or in undermining the competitive edge of industry or the will to work of the work force, your government will not be so foolish as to do any of these things. On the other hand, there would be very great danger indeed in just leaving things as they are.

This is no time for such faint-hearted fears. After all we .......

have just emerged from the darkest time Hong Kong has known for many years. The 16 per cent growth rate in real terms confidently predicted for the year that is ending is a remarkable achievement. This has restored our prosperity, and’ the real value of wages and incomes, to the course from which they were knocked by the succession of external

/catastrophies ••

- 11 -

catastrophies that started with the commodity inflation of 1973 and ended with the recession of 197^ and 1975*

Moreover, the prospect now is for just the sort of $olid steady growth that suits Hong Kong best, probably considerably better than six per cent this year, and with an average of about six per cent a year for .he rest of the decade - always assuming no further external catastrophy. Though there are many unsolved economic- problems in the world and in the markets to which we export, and though analysts have somewhat reduced their forecasts • * 4.

of growth in them, all are agreed that significant growth there will be - certainly sufficient growth to keep Hong Kong’s capacity occupied provided we maintain our traditional enterprise and flexibility.

We have every reason to draw confidence from the way Hong

Kong came through the recession and the speed of its recovery. Anglo-Chinese relations are excellent. We have the support of the British Government and our relations with it are firmly based on mutual understanding. The world’s economy is slowly improving. We have every reason to have confidence in our future prospects. This is the time not for questioning our means or our objectives, but for determination to pursue the course we have so carefully charted to make Hong Kong the place it can so easily be within a short sj^n of years. Certainly my last years here will be devoted to this end.

As I see it, the essential feature of Hong Kong at this moment is that its prospects are good. In these prospects clearly this Chamber has a major part to play. I appreciate how much of their time many of its leading members spend on public affairs. The Chamber includes so many of the important firms of Hong Kong that it is very largely on their enterprise and skill, and that of their

/employees, .....

12

employees, that the commercial and financial expansion, of Hong. Kong depends. I acknowledge the initiatives the. Chamber is taking in many fields to achieve this objectr and the close traditional collaboration .it is maintaining vzith the Government and the .Trade Development Council. Provided we all work together, in Hong Koxig we ;can achieve more quicker than anywhere else in the world.-Gentlemen I thank you for your hospitality, and ask.you ■ i'-' 1

to rise and drink a .toast to the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the prosperity of its members in the coming year.

• - a

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1977.

■ ^peTus?FyeaT 4DDICTS ‘DM'TT£0 to PR|S<»S

hojg rails experienced a very cold spell last month .... SLIGHT DROP IN NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES

LADY MACLEHOSE TO VISIT MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE .

Nez; BUSINESS HOURS FOR TWO POST OFFICES

TREASURY’S REVENUE BRANCH MOVES TO NEW OFFICES

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

i

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1977

1

NUMBER OF DRUG ADDICTS IN PRISONS FALLS ******

THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED DRUG ADDICTS ADMITTED TO PRISONS DEPARTMENT INSTITUTIONS LAST YEAR DROPPED DRAMATICALLY COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

IN 1975, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ADDICTS ADMITTED WAS 6,962, OR 63.96 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION OF ALL INSTITUTIONS. DURING 1976 THESE FIGURES FELL TO 4,737 OR 47.17 PER CENT.

IN JANUARY 1975 THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED ADDICTS ADMITTED WAS 633 (66.42 PER CENT OF ALL ADMISSIONS). BY JANUARY 1976 THIS FIGURE HAD DROPPED TO 570 (55.23 PER CENT) AND BY DECEMBER 1976 HAD BEEN FURTHER REDUCED TO 279 (39.13 PER CENT). DESPITE THIS, THE NUMBER OF FEMALE ADDICTS ROSE FROM 58 IN 1975 TO 73 IN 1976.

COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES MR. LO KWOK-KUEN, SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT (TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS) OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT, SAID THAT A NUMBER OF FACTORS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STEEP DROP.

HE SAID THAT THERE HAD GENERALLY BEEN A FALL IN THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARRESTED AND GIVEN TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT IN HONG KONG, PERHAPS LARGELY BECAUSE OF BETTER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THIS, COUPLED WITH A RESPONSE TO THE HEAVY PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, COULD HAVE HAD A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE OVERALL PICTURE.

+MANY YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES IN HONG KONG ARE NOW MORE AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF TAKING DRUGS AND ARE MORE INTERESTED IN HEALTHY OUTDOOR PURSUITS*, MR. LO SAID.

+THE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE GENERAL ENVIRONMENT COULD ALSO BE ANOTHER FACTOR. THERE IS MUCH MORE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO DO HERE THAN BEFORE. PICNICS AND BARBEQUES HAVE BECOME MORE POPULAR, AND YOUNG PEOPLE APPRECIATE THE COUNTRYSIDE MUCH MORE NOW+, HE ADDED.

MR. LO ALSO POINTED OUT THE SUCCESS OF THE POLICE AND THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS IN MAKING MANY LARGE SEIZURES OF DRUGS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE FOUND THEIR WAY ONTO THE STREETS AND INTO THE HANDS OF POTENTIAL ADDICTS.

MR. LO SAID THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT OPERATED A UNIQUE DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMME WITH A 60 PER CENT SUCCESS RATE ONE YEAR AFTER RELEASE -- EXTREMELY HIGH BY WORLD STANDARDS. THE METHADONE TREATMENT CENTRES RUN BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

MR. LO SAID THAT THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT WAS PLEASED WITH THIS TREND AND HOPED IT WOULD CONTINUE.

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

• i-H w.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1977

HK EXPERIENCED A VERY COLD SPELL LAST MONTH * * * * * M

HONG KONG EXPERIENCED A VERY COLD SPELL TOWARDS THE END OF LAST MONTH, WITH FROST COVERING PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND RIME ON TOP OF TAI MO SHAN.

WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING THE FIRST THREE WEEKS OF THE MONTH WERE GENERALLY MILD, WITH ABOVE-NORMAL TEMPERATURES RECORDED ALMOST EVERYDAY.

ON THE AFTERNOON OF DECEMBER 23, THE TEMPERATURE ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 26.2 DEGREES CELSIUS — THE HIGHEST RECORDED IN THE MONTH.

HOWEVER, AN INTENSE SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED LATE ON DECEMBER 25 BRINGING WITH IT A VERY COLD SPELL WHICH LASTED UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH.

AS A RESULT, THE MONTHLY MEAN TEMPERATURE WAS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE NORMAL FOR THE MONTH. THE TOTAL DURATION OF SUNSHINE WAS ABOUT SIX PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL WHILE RAINFALL WAS ONLY FOUR PER CENT OF THE AVERAGE AMOUNT.

ON THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 28, THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO A MINIMUM OF 5.7 DEGREES CELSIUS, THE LOWEST IN THE MONTH, WHILE TAI MO SHAN REGISTERED A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF -3 DEGREES CELSIUS.

WARNINGS OF FROST AND ICE WERE ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATOR BETWEEN DECEMBER 26 AND 28. DURING THIS PERIOD, RIME WAS OBSERVED NEAR THE TOP OF TAI MO SHAN AND FROST REPORTED ON THE HIGH GROUND AND NORTHERN PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

AN OLD MAN WAS REPORTED TO HAVE DIED OF THE COLD. DAMAGE TO CROPS WAS SLIGHT BUT MANY YOUNG FISH IN THE FISH PONDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE KILLED AND THERE WAS ALSO CONSIDERABLE LOSS IN LIVESTOCK.

NO AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS LAST MONTH.

DURING THE MONTH, THE WINTER STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS HOISTED ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHILE LOW TEMPERATURE WARNINGS WERE ISSUED FOUR TIMES, AND THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNINGS TWICE.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1977

- 3 -

NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES DROPPED X X X X

BOTH INDEXES A AND B OF THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR LAST MONTH (DECEMBER, 1976) DROPPED BY ONE POINT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX A, BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE BETWEEN $400 AND $1,499 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY 1973-74, WAS 112.

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS FELL BY THREE POINTS, MAINLY BECAUSE OF A SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES. SALT WATER FISH PRICES WERE LOWER WHILE THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH WATER FISH AND PORK ROSE.

THE INDEX FOR HOUSING ROSE BY FOUR POINTS, FOLLOWING INCREASES IN THE RENTS OF PRIVATE DWELLINGS, HOUSING AUTHORITY’S GROUP B ESTATES AND FORMER GOVERNMENT LOW COST HOUSING ESTATES.

INCREASES OF ONE POINT EACH WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR AND THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS DUE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR SOME ITEMS OF MAN’S UNDERCLOTHING AND MEDICINES.

MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR THE OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS AND SERVICES WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX B, REFLECTING HOUSEHOLD SPENDINGS BETWEEN $1,500 AND $2,999 A MONTH IN THE 1973-74 EXPENDITURE SURVEY WAS 113.

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS ALSO FELL BY THREE POINTS LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE VEGETABLE PRICE MOVEMENTS AND THE INDEX FOR SERVICES DROPPED BY ONE POINT DUE TO REDUCED SCHOOL FEES FOR PUPILS UNDER THE BOUGHT PLACES SCHEME IN BOTH NON-PROFIT-MAKING AND INDEPENDENT PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

THE INDEX FOR HOUSING ROSE BY TWO POINTS AS A RESULT OF INCREASES IN THE RENTS OF THREE CATEGORIES OF DWELLINGS AND THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS ADVANCED BY ONE POINT DUE TO A FURTHER RISE IN THE PRICES OF MEDICINES.

MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE SIMILARLY INSIGNIFICANT.

-------o

/4

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1977

4 -

LADY MACLEHOSE TO VISIT MEDICAL CENTRE * * * *

LADY MACLEHOSE WILL MAKE A SPECIAL VISIT TO THE MARGARET TRENCH MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE AT KWUN TONG NEXT TUESDAY. IT WILL BE HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CENTRE FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS.

THE CENTRE, RUN BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION, WAS COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER 1962 AS THE MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE, BUT WAS OFFICIALLY RENAMED IN MARCH 1971.

THE CENTRE, A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, IS SUPPORTED BY GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION AND PUBLIC DONATIONS.

PATIENTS MAY BE SENT FROM ANY HOSPITAL IN HONG KONG OR BE REFERRED FOR ADMISSION TO THE CENTRE BY CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS, PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS, INDIVIDUALS AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

THE CENTRE CAN ACCEPT ABOUT 80 PATIENTS AND NO CHARGE IS MADE FOR TREATMENT OR ACCOMMODATION.

DURING THE VISIT, LADY MACLEHOSE WILL INSPECT THE CENTRE’S FACILITIES AND CHAT WITH THE PATIENTS. SHE WILL STAY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

LADY MACLEHOSE WILL BE ARRIVING AT THE CENTRE AT 10.30 A.M. ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 25. TRANSPORT TO THE CENTRE FROM WAN CHAI MAY BE BOOKED BY CALLING MRS. ALICE WONG AT 5-270099 ON MONDAY.

NEW BUSINESS HOURS FOR TWO POST OFFICES * * * *

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE BUSINESS HOURS OF THE PEAK POST OFFICE AT UPPER PEAK TRAM TERMINAL BUILDING AND PERKINS ROAD POST OFFICE AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI HANG ROAD AND

PERKINS ROAD WILL BE CHANGED AS FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 24).

THE NEW BUSINESS HOURS WILL BE FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. AND

FROM 2.30 P.M. TO 5 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M.

ON SATURDAYS.

NOTICES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE POST OFFICES CONCERNED TO REMIND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OF THE CHANGES.

- - 0 -

H

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1977.

- 5 -

TREASURY’S REVENUE BRANCH MOVES TO NEW OFFICES *****

THE REVENUE BRANCH OF THE TREASURY WILL MOVE FROM ITS PRESENT OFFICES AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING TO ROOMS 202, 203 AND 404 OF HANG CHONG BUILDING, AT 5 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL ON MONDAY. BUT THE PAYMENTS OFFICE WILL REMAIN IN ITS PRESENT ADDRESS ON THE FIRST FLOOR, C.G.O. WEST WING.

FROM MONDAY, TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES ON THE FOLLOWING MATTERS SHOULD BE MADE TO: RATES (5-221394), PROPERTY TAX AND DEPOSIT (5-220635)- CROWN RENT (5-225850) AND ARREARS OF RATES (5-226574).

THE PENSIONS SECTION OF THE TREASURY WILL MOVE FROM NEW SINCERE BUILDING IN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL TO THE SECOND FLOOR OF C.G.O. WEST WING ON JANUARY 31. THE NEW TELEPHONE NO.

FOR PENSIONS ENQUIRIES WILL BE 5-95300.

PRH 7

SUNDAY, JANUARY 2), 1977

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

HECTIC YEAR FOR + NICK OF TIME SQUADRON*

*******

HELICOPTERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE — AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN TO SOME AS THE + NICK OF TIME SQUADRON* — HAD A HECTIC 1976 WHEN THEY RESPONDED TO 97 EMERGENCY CALLS IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING NORMAL FLYING SERVICES FOR OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

A TOTAL OF 89 PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM VARIOUS AILMENTS REQUIRING IMMEDIATE HOSPITAL ATTENTION WERE AIRLIFTED TO HOSPITAL FROM REMOTE AREAS AND OUTLYING ISLANDS. FOUR SEARCH AND RESCUE FLIGHTS TO LOOK FOR LOST OR INJURED PICNICKERS WERE ALSO CARRIED OUT.

ON TWO OCCASIONS DURING THE YEAR — JULY 24 AND AUGUST 21 — THE RHKAAF RESPONDED TO THREE CALLS FOR MERCY FLIGHTS EACH DAY, THE HIGHEST NUMBER FOR A DAY IN THE YEAR.

FLT. LT. JOHN SHAWCROSS, ADJUTANT OF THE UNIT, SAID TODAY THAT THE TIME ELEMENT WAS CRUCIAL IN SAVING THE LIFE OF ONE SUFFERING FROM ACUTE ILLNESS OR SERIOUS INJURY IN A PLACE FAR AWAY FROM HOSPITAL.

+DURING WORKING HOURS WHEN ALL OUR PERMANENT STAFF PILOTS AND CREWMEN ARE AT THE BASE, WE CAN GET A HELICOPTER AIRBORNE FIVE MINUTES AFTER RECEIVING A CALL FOR HELP,* HE SAID. +THE HELICOPTER CAN ARRIVE AT ANY REGULAR LANDING SITE THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY 20 MINUTES AFTER TAKE OFF AND THE PATIENT CAN USUALLY BE LANDED IN HOSPITAL SOME 40 OR 50 MINUTES AFTER THE CALL FOR HELP WAS FIRST MADE.*

♦OUR RESPONSE TIME AT NIGHT IS SLOWER BECAUSE OUR VOLUNTEER PILOTS AND CREWMEN STAND BY AT HOME, BUT WE ARE STILL CONFIDENT OF GETTING ANY PATIENT FROM ANY AREA INTO HOSPITAL AT MOST ONE HOUR AND 15 MINUTES AFTER THE CALL FOR HELP WAS MADE, BUT USUALLY THIS TIME AVERAGES OUT TO BE 50 MINUTES OR SO,* HE SAID.

DURING THE YEAR, A BASE RADIO STATION WAS ESTABLISHED AT KAI TAK AND A REPEATER STATION AT TAI MO SHAN SO THAT ALL AIRCRAFT OF THE UNIT CAN REMAIN IN CONTACT WITH THE OPERATIONS ROOM AT ALL TIMES. ALL THE UNIT’S THREE ALOUETTE HELICOPTERS WERE ALSO RE-EQUIPPED WITH MODERN RADIO AND NAVIGATIONAL AIDS.

+ALL THESE HAVE FURTHER INCREASED OUR EFFICIENCY ESPECIALLY BECAUSE AIRBORNE AIRCRAFT CAN BE QUICKLY CALLED BACK OR DIVERTED TO WHERE HELP IS NEEDED,* FLT. LT. SHAWCROSS SAID.

/+THIS NEW

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

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 1977

2

+THIS NEW ROLE OF THE ISLANDER SEEMS TO BE HAVING A STRONG DETERRENT EFFECT, ESPECIALLY SINCE SUCCESSFUL SIGHTINGS IN 1975 HAD FORCED TWO SUSPECTED THAI TRAWLERS TO JURN BACK,* FLT. LT. SHAWCROSS SAID.

+WE ARE STILL BEING CALLED IN BY THE POLICE REGULARLY TO CARRY OUT SURVEILLANCE FLIGHTS, BUT THE NUMBER OF SUCH FLIGHTS CARRIED OUT DURING THE PAST YEAR WAS MUCH LESS THAN BEFORE,+ HE SAID. +NO SUCH TRAWLERS WERE SPOTTED DURING THE YEAR.+

THE UNIT’S FIFTH AIRCRAFT, THE BEECHCRAFT MUSKETEER, CONTINUED TO PROVIDE TRAINING FACILITIES FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT FOR PRIVATE PILOT LICENCES.

+THESE LICENCES,* FLT. LT. SHAWCROSS WENT ON, +MUST BE RENEWED REGULARLY AND IT INVOLVES RIGID TESTING OF FLYING PROCEDURES. THE MUSKETEER ALSO HELPS FULFIL THIS COMMITMENT.*

+ IN ADDITION, THE ISLANDER AIRCRAFT WAS USED FOR SHORT RANGE SEARCHES, OBSERVATION FLIGHTS AND THE PRELIMINARY TESTING OF NAVIGATIONAL AID EQUIPMENT SUCH AS THE NEWLY INSTALLED SECONDARY SURVEILLANCE RADAR OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT,* HE SAID.

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

PRISONS GIRLS DRESS IN STYLE

******

+ALL THE NICE GIRLS LOVE A UNIFORM*, — OR SO THE SAYING GOES. WELL IT’S CERTAINLY TRUE OF SOME OF FEMALE SECRETARIAL AND CLERICAL STAFF OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT.

ENVIOUS OF THEIR UNIFORMED COLLEAGUES IN THE SERVICE, THE GIRLS, ALL AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS IN CENTRAL, REQUESTED A UNIFORM OF THEIR OWN. HOWEVER, UNDER CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE.

ANXIOUS TO GET THAT TAILORED-LOOK, THE GIRLS - LED BY MISS VERONCICA NG, SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. T.G. GARNER - GOT TOGETHER AND DESIGNED THEIR OWN COSTUME. A BOUTIQUE TAILOR DID THE REST AND THE GIRLS THEMSELVES PAID FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF DRESSING UNIFORMLY.

PRESENTLY 14 OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S FEMALE OFFICE STAFF CAN BE SEEN AT THEIR DESKS IN NEAT, WELL-CUT AND ALMOST IDENTICAL COSTUMES, DARK-BLUE DRESS AND RED JUMPER FOR WINTER AND A LIGHT-BLUE BLOUSE IN SUMMER. THE DEPARTMENT PRESENTED EACH GIRL WITH A SMALL LABEL-PIN TO COMPLETE THE EFFECT.

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

/5

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 1977

5

COMPUTERISED FLIGHT INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM NOW IN FULL OPERATION AT KAI TAK ******

A COMPUTERISED FLIGHT INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM (FIDS) HAS COME INTO OPERATION AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MARKING YET ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT TO FACILITIES FOR TRAVELLERS AT KAI TAK.

THE SOPHISTICATED SYSTEM, COSTING MORE THAN $3 MILLION, IS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING UP-TO-THE-MOMENT INFORMATION CONCERNING FLIGHT MOVEMENTS ON A NETWORK OF FULLY-AUTOMATED DISPLAY BOARDS AND TV MONITORS.

ANNOUNCING THE INTRODUCTION OF FIDS, THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR. ROY DOWNING, SAID THE PURPOSE WAS TO PROVIDE EXPEDITIOUSLY AND ACCURATELY VISUAL FLIGHT INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE TO PASSENGERS AND OTHER USERS OF THE AIRPORT.

+THE FIDS IS AN ESSENTIAL FEATURE OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, MADE NECESSARY BY THE VERY LARGE AND CONSTANTLY INCREASING NUMBER OF PASSENGERS MAKING USE OF THE TERMINAL BUILDING EACH YEAR,* HE SAID.

+IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING INFORMATION, THE SYSTEM IS NECESSARY,* HE SAID, +TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO PASSENGERS TO ENABLE THEM TO MOVE THROUGH THE AIRPORT AREA IN THE SHORTEST TIME POSSIBLE.*

BASICALLY, ALL INFORMATION CONCERNING INCOMING OR OUTGOING FLIGHTS IS FED INTO A COMPUTER, PROCESSED AND RELAYED AS REQUIRED TO A NUMBER OF STRATEGICALLY POSITIONED DISPLAY FLAPBOARDS AND TV MONITORS.

FLIGHT SCHEDULES FOR A WHOLE SEASON CAN BE STORED IN THE COMPUTER MEMORY BANK AND DISPLAYED AS AND WHEN REQUIRED. ALL DETAILS CAN BE READILY UPDATED, AND THE COMPUTER WILL LATER BE PROGRAMMED TO ERASE INFORMATION AUTOMATICALLY AS FLIGHTS ARRIVE AND DEPART.

ITEMS DISPLAYED INCLUDE AIRLINE LOGO, FLIGHT NUMBER, PREVIOUS STOP, NEXT DESTINATION, ESTIMATED AND ACTUAL TIME OF ARRIVAL OR DEPARTURE, FLIGHT STATUS SUCH AS BOARDING, DELAYS OR DIVERSIONS AND THE REASONS.

DETAILS OF UP TO 40 FLIGHTS CAN BE DISPLAYED SIMULTANEOUSLY ON A SET OF FLAPBOARDS AND 36 ON TV MONITORS.

AT PRESENT FOUR LARGE SETS OF FLAPBOARDS ARE LOCATED AT THE DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL LEVELS, AND ONE SMALL FLAPBOARD IS INSTALLED OVER EACH OF THE THREE EXISTING BAGGAGE DISTRIBUTORS IN THE CUSTOMS AREA.

/THE SENSE .....

I

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 1977

4

THE SENSE OF DUTY AND DEDICATION OF THESE +FLYING AMBULANCEMEN* HAVE NOT GONE UNNOTICED. FLT. LT. B.C. SR IK INS, WHO WAS HELICOPTER INSTRUCTOR OF THE UNIT ON LOAN FROM THE ROYAL AIR FORCE BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1973 AND MID 1976, WAS AWARDED THE QUEEN’S COMMENDATION FOR VALUABLE SERVICE IN THE AIR (Q.C.V.S.A.) IN THE NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST.

+IN ADDITION TO HIS INSTRUCTING ROLE, HE VOLUNTARILY TOOK PART IN THE UNIT’S EMERGENCY DUTIES AND CARRIED OUT 16 NIGHT AND 54 DAY TIME CASUALTY EVACUATIONS DURING HIS TWO-AND-A-HALF-YEAR TOUR, SEVERAL OF WHICH INVOLVED FLYING SKILLS OF THE VERY HIGHEST ORDER,* FLT. LT. SHAWCROSS SAID.

APART FROM THE MORE WELL-KNOWN MERCY FLIGHTS, THE UNIT’S FLEET OF THREE HELICOPTERS WERE ALSO ENGAGED IN A HOST OF ROUTINE FLYING SERVICES FOR OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

THESE INCLUDED THE +FLYING DOCTOR* AND +FLYING DENTIST* SERVICES TO OUTLYING VILLAGE COMMUNITIES- TRAFFIC SURVEYS, COMMUNICATIONS, SURVEILLANCE OF SUSPECTED ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS NARCOTICS SMUGGLING, AND CARRYING VISITING DIGNITARIES.

FLT. LT. SHAWCROSS SAID ONE UNUSUAL TASK CARRIED OUT LAST YEAR WAS HELPING WITH THE INSTALLATION OF TRANSMISSION AERIALS ON REMOTE HILL TOPS FOR THE POLICE BEAT RADIO SCHEME.

+THE JOB INVOLVED FLYING BUCKETS OF READY MIXED CONCRETE, EACH WEIGHING 1,000 POUNDS, TO THE HILL TOPS OF MOUNT PARKER, MOUNT DAVIS, BRICK HILL, AND GOLDEN HILL FOR BUILDING THE FOUNDATION FOR THE AERIALS.

+MORE THAN 260 TONS OF MIXED CONCRETE WERE AIRLIFTED DURING THE OPERATION WHICH TOOK SOME 50 HOURS’ FLYING TIME,* HE SAID.

APART FROM THE HELICOPTERS, THE UNIT’S FIXED WING AIRCRAFT --THE ISLANDER AND THE MUSKETEER — ALSO CONTINUED TO PROVIDE VALUABLE SERVICES.

DURING THE YEAR, THE TWIN-ENGINED ISLANDER, EQUIPPED WITH SOPHISTICATED AERIAL SURVEY CAMERA, HELPED THE P.W.D. UPDATE ALL EXISTING MAPS AND PLANS, INCLUDING THOSE OF THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES. PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM THE ISLANDER ARE USED FOR VOLUMETRIC ANALYSIS IN THE MANY PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS INVOLVING EARTH MOVING AND RECLAMATION.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE ISLANDER IS TO CARRY OUT LONG RANGE SEARCH AND RESCUE FLIGHTS FOR DISTRESSED VESSELS AND SURVIVORS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA. EIGHT SUCH FLIGHTS WERE CARRIED OUT DURING THE YEAR.

CO-OPERATION WITH THE POLICE NARCOTICS BUREAU TO SHADOW TRAWLERS SUSPECTED TO BE ENGAGED IN DRUG SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES ALSO CONTINUED.

/IN A..DI7I0N,

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 197?

- 5

IN ADDITION, MORE THAN 40 MONITORS ARE PLACED IN VARIOUS POSITIONS INCLUDING THE RESTAURANT AND BAR AREAS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF ALL USERS OF THE AIRPORT.

THE DISPLAY IS SELECTIVE SO THAT ONLY CERTAIN INFORMATION REQUIRED BY PASSENGERS, WELL-WISHERS OR STAFF IN A PARTICULAR PART OF THE AIRPORT IS SHOWN. FOR EXAMPLE, THE BAGGAGE RECLAIM AREA FLAPBOARD WILL IDENTIFY FOR ARRIVING PASSENGERS THE PARTICULAR CONVEYOR BELT FROM WHICH THEY CAN RECLAIM THEIR LUGGAGE.

THE FIDS IS FURTHER COMPLEMENTED BY ILLUMINATED DIRECTIONAL GUIDANCE SIGNS WHICH SERVE TO INDICATE THE CORRECT ROUTE FOR EITHER DEPARTING OR ARRIVING PASSENGERS TO FOLLOW.

THE SIGNS SHOW THE PASSENGERS THEIR APPROPRIATE DESTINATION -BE IT AIRCRAFT, TRANSIT LOUNGE, CUSTOMS, IMMIGRATION OR BAGGAGE RECLAIM AREA.

MR. DOWNING SAID THAT THE FIDS HAD BEEN ON TRIAL FOR SOME CONSDIERABLE TIME TO ENSURE PERFECTION OF THE SYSTEM BEFORE BEING BROUGHT INTO OPERATIONAL USE.

HE DESCRIBED THE OLD FLIGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM, WHEN COMPARED WITH FIDS, AS +QUITE INADEQUATE TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF A MODERN AND VERY BUSY INTERNATIONAL A IR-TERMINAL + .

IN THE PAST, AMENDMENTS TO FLIGHT INFORMATION HAD TO BE SET BY HAND AND PUT IN PLACE FOR SCREENING BEFORE THEY COULD BE RELAYED TO THE TV MONITORS. NUMEROUS TELEPHONE CALLS WERE NECESSARY TO ALERT THE VARIOUS AIRCRAFT HANDLING AGENCIES OF FLIGHT DETAILS.

+THERE WAS ONLY ONE FLIGHT DISPLAY BOARD IN THE ARRIVAL HALL AND ANOTHER ONE AT THE DEPARTURE LEVEL, BOTH OF WHICH HAD TO BE ATTENDED AND REVISED MANUALLY BY AIRPORT STAFF. IN ORDER TO UPDATE THE FLIGHT MOVEMENTS ON THE BOARDS, THE STAFF HAD TO TELEPHONE THE INFORMATION CENTRE FOR DETAILS WITH CONSEQUENT RISK OF DELAY,+ HE SAID.

UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, MR. DOWNING SAID THE FIDS OPERATORS ARE REQUIRED TO FEED LATEST INFORMATION PROGRESSIVELY INTO THE COMPUTER. +THIS IS DONE BY TYPING ON A KEYBOARD WHICH IMMEDIATELY ACTIVATES THE FLAPBOARDS TO CORRECT OR UPDATE THE INFORMATION SHOWN ON THE TV SCREENS.+

BEFORE IMPLEMENTING THE FIDS PROPOSAL, TWO OFFICERS OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT HAD VISITED LONDON, PARIS, WASHINGTON, NEW YORK AND HONOLULU TO STUDY THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AT THESE AIRPORTS. AFTER CAREFUL STUDY, THEY THEN DREW UP FINAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR A SYSTEM MOST SUITABLE FOR HONG KONG’S PARTICULAR REQUIREMENTS.

/6


SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 1977

- 6 -

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT CHEUNG CHAU

******

A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS AT CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE FOR RESIDENTS AND PERSONS LIVING NEARBY FOR FIVE DAYS FROM JANUARY 31 (MONDAY).

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

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

ALL PERSONS LIVING IN THIS AREA ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS. THEY SHOULD REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF MACLEHOSE DENTAL CENTRE 1

COURSE FOR 27C LABORATORY TECHNICIANS .......... 2

TWO MANPOWER SURVEY REPORTS NOW ON SALE ........ 3

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SLIP ROAD AT FLYOVER ...... 3

SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO AUSTRALIA TO INCLUDE MERCHANDISE ... 4

FIRST OFFICIAL GUIDE OF HONG KONG’S STREETS AND PLACES .. 4

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

MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1977

1

GOVERNOR LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF MACLEHOSE DENTAL CENTRE ******

A FURTHER FOUR SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS, TWO IN KOWLOON AND TWO IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE CONSTRUCTED AS HONG KONG’S DENTAL CONSERVATION SERVICE GETS INTO ITS STRIDE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE MACLEHOSE DENTAL CENTRE IN MORRISON HILL, HE SAID, HOWEVER THAT THIS PROGRAMME COULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT THE ’ NECESSARY NUMBER OF TRAINED DENTAL NURSES AND HYGENISTS.

SIR MURRAY SAID THAT THE NINE-STOREY DENTAL CENTRE WOULD BE READY IN 12 MONTHS’ TIME.

IT WAS IN THIS CENTRE, HE ADDED, THAT DENTAL NURSES AND DENTAL HYGENISTS WOULD BE TRAINED SO THAT THEY MIGHT STAFF THE DENTAL CONSERVATION SERVICE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

SIR MURRAY SAID THE FIRST INTAKE OF DENTAL NURSES AND DENTAL HYGENISTS WOULD BE NEXT YEAR AND THE SCHEME WOULD START IN 1980.

THE GOVERNOR WAS CONVINCED THAT THE SERVICE WOULD BE OF THE GREATEST BENEFIT TO THE DENTAL HEALTH OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

+TAKEN TOGETHER WITH THE NEW SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY NOW BEING PLANNED IN THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, IT HAS WIDE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DENTAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG,+ HE STRESSED.

IN CONCLUSION, SIR MURRAY SAID THAT TIME AND AGAIN, THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG HAD BENEFITED FROM DONATIONS FROM SIR SHIU-KIN TANG.

A NUMBER OF MEDICAL PROJECTS IN THE VICINITY, SUCH AS TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITAL AND THE TANG CHI NGONG SPECIALIST CLINIC, WERE BUILT WITH HIS CONTRIBUTIONS, THE GOVERNOR SAID.

+0N THIS OCCASION, HE HAS AGAIN DONATED GENEROUSLY TOWARDS THE COST OF BUILDING NOT ONLY THIS CENTRE BUT ALSO THE DENTAL NURSE TRAINING SCHOOL AND THE SCHOOL CHILDREN’S DENTAL CLINIC WITHIN IT,+ HE ADDED.

SPEAKING AT THE SAME CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. K.L. THONG, SAID THE USE OF DENTAL NURSES TO PROVIDE ROUTINE PREVENTIVE DENTAL CARE AMONG THE SCHOOL POPULATION HAD PROVED TO BE MOST SUCCESSFUL IN MANY COUNTRIES AND +THERE IS EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG WE WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF SUCH A SCHEME.+

/HE THANKE

MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1977

2

HE THANKED SIR SHIU-KIN FOR HIS DONATION WHICH, TOGETHER WITH THE ACCRUED INTEREST, AMOUNTS TO MORE THAN $1.75 MILLION.

DR. THONG POINTED OUT: +DENTAL CARE SERVICES FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN PARTICULARLY AT AN EARLY AGE IS RECOGNISED TO BE A MOST APPROPRIATE WAY OF INTRODUCING DENTAL SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY WHERE IT WILL DO MOST GOOD AND AT REASONABLE COST.*

+HERE IS AN AREA WHERE YOUNG RECEPTIVE MINDS WILL BE ABLE TO ABSORB DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND BE INCULCATED WITH GOOD DENTAL HABITS EARLY IN LIFE,+ HE SAID. +ALSO REGULAR DENTAL EXAMINATION AND SIMPLE CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT INCLUDING ORTHODONTIC CAN BE EASILY CARRIED OUT BY PROPERLY TRAINED NURSES UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF DENTAL OFFICERS.*

DR. THONG SAID THAT INITIALLY THE SCHEME WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN ENTERING PRIMARY SCHOOL IN A GIVEN YEAR AND THEREAFTER IT WOULD BE PROGRESSIVELY EXTENDED TO INCLUDE CHILDREN ENTERING PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS.

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

COURSE FOR 270 LABORATORY TECHNICIANS *****

TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY LABORATORY TECHNICIANS WILL ATTEND A TWO-DAY COURSE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AND ON JANUARY 31 AT THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.

THE COURSE, ORGANISED BY THE SCIENCE SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AIMS TO HELP LABORATORY TECHNICIANS TO DEAL WITH PREPARATION WORK FOR SCIENCE TEACHING ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL SYLLABUS FOR SCIENCE (FORM I TO III).

V0UISE M0K’ PRINCIPAL CURRICULUM PLANNING OFFICER (SECONDARY), WILL MAKE AN OPENING ADDRESS.

i AnnplTAovReAcrTvE °F 3TUDY WILL ,NC'-UDE LABORATORY MANAGEMENT AND LHDvnn I Un I oAr u I I »

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE COURSE WILL START AT HALL OF THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE KONG.

9.30 A.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE OF EDUCATION, SASSOON ROAD, HONG

YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE EVENT COVERED.

0 -------

/3......

MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1977

3

TWO MANPOWER SURVEY REPORTS NOW ON SALE

* * *

THE REPORTS OF TWO RECENT MANPOWER SURVEYS — ONE FOR THE PRINTING INDUSTRY AND ANOTHER FOR THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING INDUSTRY — ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $5 EACH AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN THE NEW GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING IN CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.

THE REPORTS WERE PREPARED RESPECTIVELY BY THE PRINTING INDUSTRY AND AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARDS OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

BOTH REPORTS CONTAIN INFORMATION ON THE EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE OF THE RESPECTIVE INDUSTRY AND INCLUDE SUCH STATISTICS AS THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN EACH PRINCIPAL JOB, A FORECAST OF THE FUTURE TRAINING NEEDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON MEASURES NECESSARY TO COPE WITH SUCH NEEDS.

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

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SLIP ROAD AT FLYOVER

* * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A SLIP ROAD AT THE WATERLOO ROAD FLYOVER WOULD BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY BECAUSE OF ROAD WORKS.

INVOLVED WILL BE THE DOWN RAMP AT THE JUNCTION OF WATERLOO ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD LEADING FROM WATERLOO ROAD FLYOVER SOUTHBOUND TO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WESTBOUND.

ALSO THE SLIP ROAD FROM COTTON TREE DRIVE TO KENNEDY ROAD WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY TO FACILITATE THE RESURFACING OF COTTON TREE DRIVE.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

V

MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1977.

- 4 -

SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO AUSTRALIA TO INCLUDE MERCHANDISE *****

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO AUSTRALIA WHICH UNTIL NOW HAS BEEN RESTRICTED TO THE TRANSMISSION OF BUSINESS PAPERS AND SAMPLES WOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE MERCHANDISE WITH EFFECT FROM NEXT MONDAY (JANUARY 31).

THIS SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE ON A CONTRACT BASIS OR +ON DEMAND*.

FOR A CONTRACT SPEEDPOST SERVICE, SENDERS HAVE TO SIGN A CONTRACT FOR A MINIMUM PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS, WITH A MINIMUM OF ONE REGULAR PREDETERMINED POSTING PER MONTH.

THE COST OF THE SERVICE IS A BASIC CHARGE OF HK$8O FOR THE FIRST POUND PLUS HK$15 PER EACH ADDITIONAL POUND OR PART THEREOF. THIS INCLUDES PICKUP AT THE CUSTOMER’S PREMISES AT A TIME AGREED BY THE CUSTOMER, AND DELIVERY TO THE ADDRESSEE.

AS ITEMS CONTAINING GOODS ARE SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE, DELIVERY MAY TAKE SLIGHTLY LONGER THAN ORDINARY SPEEDPOST ITEMS.

THE +ON DEMAND* SERVICE IS PROVIDED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF CASUAL USERS OF SPEEDPOST, OR TO SUPPLEMENT A CUSTOMER’S CONTRACT SERVICE. +ON DEMAND* ITEMS MAY BE HANDED IN AT THE SPECIALLY DESIGNATED COUNTERS AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE WITHOUT THE NEED TO MAKE PRIOR ARRANGEMENT WITH THE POST OFFICE.

FOR +ON DEMAND* ITEMS A FEE OF $20 IS PAYABLE IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC CHARGES.

CUSTOMERS WISHING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE ARE ASKED TO CONTACT THE POST OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE ON 5-2671105.

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

FIRST OFFICIAL STREET GUIDE

******

NOTE TO EDITORS:

MR. JIM BENTLEY, HEAD OF THE SURVEY BRANCH OF THE P.W.D.’S LANDS AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) MORNING TO LAUNCH THE FIRST OFFICIAL GUIDE OF HONG KONG’S STREETS AND PLACES.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CONFERENCE.

IT WILL BE HELD AT 11 A.M. IN THE P.W.D. HEADQUARTERS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE 21ST FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.

COPIES OF THE NEW GUIDE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AT THE CONFERENCE.

0 - -

PR 33

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

• v • • • *».*.. % X. . . •

Monday। January 24, 1977

KACLEHOSE DENTAl CENTHE

The following is the full text of the Governor’s speech at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the MacLehose Dental Centre today:

"It gives me great pleasure to be with you on this occasion to lay this foundation stone.

"In 12 months’ time a nine storey dental centre will be standing on this site. In it dental nurses and dental hygenists will be trained so that they may staff a dental conservation service for primary school children.

"The first intake will be in 1978 and the scheme will start in 1980. The Centre itself will house a dental, nurses’ training school, a dental clinic for school children as well as the Government Dental Service Head Office and several dental surgeries.

"The construction of this dental centre is a first stage. as the Dental Conservation Service gets into its stride a further four school dental clinics will be constructed, two in Kowloon and two in the New Territories. However, this programme cannot be implemented without the necessary number of trained dental nurses and hygenists, hence the importance of the building whose construction we are celebrating today.

/"I am .....

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

- 2 -

"I am convinced that the service will be of the greatest benefit to the dental health of tha younger generation. Taken together with the new school of dentistry now being planned in the Hong Kong University, it has wide implications for the development of dental services in Hong Kong.

"Time and again, the development of medical services in Hong Kong has benefitted from donations from Sir Shiu-kin Tang. A number of medical projects in the vicinity, such as Tang Shiu Kin Hospital and the Tang Chi Ngong Specialist Clinic, were built with his contributions.

"On this occasion, he has again donated generously towards the cost of building not only this Centre but also the Dental Nurse Training School and the School Children’s Dental Clinic within it. Though the Centre will bear my name at Sir Shiu-kin*s request, as a token of the Government’s appreciation for Sir Shiu-kin*s generosity, the School and Clinic will be named after him."

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

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FIRST OFFICIAL STREET GUIDE JUST PUBLISHED ................. 1

CHINESE DRAGON DANCE PERFORMANCE TO BRIGHTEN LONDON’S WINTER SCENE ................................................ 3

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO OPEN HONG KONG’S FIFTH ARTS FESTIVAL 4

PUBLIC REMINDED ABOUT THE DANGER OF BLOCKED STAIRCASES ... 5

LADY MACLEHOSE VISITS MARGARET TRENCH MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE ....................................... 5

TEXTILE QUOTA UTILISATION POSITION .......................... 6

PRISON STAFF AND INMATES RAISED $10,000 IN +WALK FOR A MILLION* .................................................... 8

WATER CUT ................................................... 8

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1977

1

LOCATING STREETS AND PLACES MADE EASY

******

FINDING ONE’S WAY AROUND HONG KONG HAS NOW BECOME MUCH SIMPLER THANKS TO A COMPREHENSIVE NEW BILINGUAL STREET GUIDE JUST PUBLISHED BY THE P.W.D.’S LANDS AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT.

ENTITLED ’HONG KONG STREETS AND PLACES’, THE GUIDE COMES IN A HANDY, POCKET SIZE BOOKLET ATTRACTIVELY DESIGNED WITH COLOUR MAPS SUPPORTED BY AN EASY REFERENCE DIRECTORY FOR RAPID LOCATION OF EVERY STREET AND IMPORTANT BUILDINGS, AS WELL AS PLACES OF INTEREST.

THE BOOKLET IS THE FIRST OFFICIAL STREET GUIDE FOR HONG KONG AND IS BEING PRODUCED IN TWO VOLUMES.

THE FIRST VOLUME, NOW ON SALE, COVERS HONG KONG ISLAND, LANTAU AND OUTLYING ISLANDS, INCLUDING CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU AND MA WAN.

A SECOND VOLUME, COVERING KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, IS BEING PREPARED BY THE P.W.D. CARTOGRAPHERS AND SHOULD BE PUBLISHED IN THE SECOND HALF OF THIS YEAR.

INTRODUCING THE NEW GUIDE TODAY, MR. JIM BENTLEY, THE MAN IN CHARGE OF THE P.W.D.’S MAP-MAKING ACTIVITIES, SAID THE OFFICIAL GUIDE WAS DESIGNED TO MEET A LONG FELT NEED FOR AN AUTHORITATIVE AND ACCURATE DIRECTORY OF HONG KONG STREETS AND PLACES.

+RAPID DEVELOPMENTS IN RECENT YEARS HAVE BROUGHT DRAMATIC PHYSICAL CHANGES TO HONG KONG, SO MUCH SO THAT EVEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED HERE FOR SOME TIME — LET ALONE VISITORS --ARE BARELY ABLE TO IDENTIFY SOME OF THE AREAS THEY HAVE BEEN USED TO.

+THE NEW GUIDE INCORPORATES ALL THE LATEST ROADS, STREETS, FLYOVERS AND MAJOR PUBLIC AS WELL AS COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND IS INTENDED TO HELP PEOPLE IN FINDING THEIR WAY ABOUT QUICKLY AND CONVENIENTLY,* HE SAID.

ONE OF THE GREAT ADVANTAGES OF THE OFFICIAL GUIDE, HE SAID, WAS THAT IT WOULD BE KEPT FULLY UP TO DATE.

+REVISED EDITIONS WILL BE PUBLISHED REGULARLY TO KEEP PACE WITH NEW DEVELOPMENTS,* HE SAID.

/MH. BENTLEY

Tuesday, January 25, 1977

- 2

MR. BENTLEY NOTED THAT OPINIONS WERE LIKELY TO DIFFER AS TO WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE GUIDE, BUT HE SAID THE P.W.D. CARTOGRAPHERS WOULD WELCOME SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT FROM USERS.

SOME 20,000 COPIES OF THE FIRST VOLUME HAVE BEEN PRINTED AND THESE ARE NOW ON SALE AT $7 PER COPY FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S MAP-SALES COUNTER ON THE 19TH FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING, AND FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN THE NEW GENERAL POST OFFICE IN CENTRAL.

COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES, HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION BOOTHS, HOTELS AND LEADING BOOKSTORES.

THE GUIDE IS COMPLETELY BILINGUAL WITH THE REFERENCE DIRECTORY CONVENIENTLY ARRANGED IN STROKE NUMBER ORDER FOR CHINESE READERS, AND ALPHABETICALLY FOR ENGLISH READERS.

FOR EASY REFERENCE, THE VARIOUS MAPS IN THE GUIDE ARE GROUPED UNDER SPECIAL COLOUR CODED MARGINS ACCORDING TO THE SCALE OF THE MAP.

IN GENERAL, THE LARGE SCALE MAPS (PRODUCED TO 1 : 10,000) OUTLINED IN GREY, SHOULD BE USED TO LOCATE A PARTICULAR STREET OR PLACE. THE EXACT POSITION ON THE MAP CAN READILY BE LOCATED BY CHECKING THE PAGE NUMBER AND GRID SQUARE REFERENCE AGAINST THE NAME OF THE ITEM REQUIRED IN THE REFERENCE DIRECTORY.

THE SMALLEST SCALE MAPS (1 : 40,000 OUTLINED IN LIGHT RED) COVER THE WHOLE AREA AND ARE USEFUL FOR PLANNING A DAY’S OUTING.

THE INTERMEDIATE SCALE MAPS (1 s 20,000 OUTLINED IN LIGHT BLUE) COVER THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND CHEUNG CHAU AND PROVIDE A DETAILED STUDY OF PARTICULAR LOCALITIES.

SYMBOLS ARE USED EXTENSIVELY IN THE GUIDE TO SIMPLIFY LOCATION OF HOSPITALS, POLICE STATIONS, POST OFFICES, PUBLIC TELEPHONES, CHURCHES, BUS TERMINI, CARPARKS, MARKETS AND BEACHES.

ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE GUIDE IS THAT BUILDINGS AND PLACES OF INTEREST SUCH AS ASSOCIATIONS, BEACHES, CONSULATES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, HOSPITALS, HOTELS, PARKS, SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS AND TRANSPORT FACILITIES, ARE GROUPED UNDER SPECIAL HEADINGS FOR EASY REFERENCE.

BRIEF NOTES ON HONG KONG WHICH MAY BE OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO VISITORS ARE ALSO INCLUDED.

THE P.W.D. CARTOGRAPHERS HAVE ALSO INSERTED A SECTION ON SAFETY HINTS FOR HIKERS, AS WELL AS THE COUNTRY CODE WHICH IS SPELLED OUT IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH AS A REMINDER TO RAMBLERS OF THE NEED TO PROTECT HONG KONG’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1977

3 -

DRAGON DANCE PERFORMANCE IN LONDON

*****

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN BRITAIN, A CHINESE DRAGON DANCE WILL BE PERFORMED IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE ON FEBRUARY 20 (SUNDAY).

THE EVENT IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY RESIDENTS IN BRITAIN TO MARK THE CHINESE NEW YEAR - AND AS ITS TRIBUTE TO THE QUEEN ON HER SILVER JUBILEE.

APPROPRIATELY, THE 14O-F00T LONG DRAGON WILL BE PREDOMINATELY SILVER IN COLOUR. IT HAS BEEN SPECIALLY MADE IN HONG KONG AND SHIPPED TO LONDON FOR THE OCCASION BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.

THE SAME TEAM TAKING PART IN THE DRAGON DANCE IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE WILL PERFORM IT AGAIN IN LONDON LATER IN THE YEAR, AS PART OF HONG KONG’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS.

THE FULL DRAGON DANCE TEAM CONSISTS OF ABOUT 80 MEN. MOSTLY WAITERS AND COOKS IN CHINESE RESTAURANTS, THEY ARE BEING TRAINED IN THEIR SPARE TIME BY +MASTERS+ OF THE ANCIENT RITUAL OF THE DRAGON DANCE.

AMONG THE CHINESE, IT IS CONSIDERED A GREAT HONOUR TO BE INVITED TO +DOT THE EYE+ OF THE DRAGON, AND IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE THIS TRADITIONAL CEREMONY WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE LORD MAYOR OF WESTMINSTER, ALDERMAN JACK GILLETT.

THE DRAGON DANCE WILL BEGIN AT NOON, AND AFTERWARDS THE DRAGON WILL DANCE TO SOHO’S +CHINA TOWN+, BY WAY OF WHITOOMB STREET AND WARDOUR STREET, TO WELCOME THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE -AND BRIGHTEN LONDON’S WINTER SCENE WITH THE COLOUR AND EXCITEMENT OF A CHINESE FESTIVAL.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1977

4

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO OPEN HK’S FIFTH ARTS FESTIVAL *****

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN HONG KONG’S FIFTH ARTS FESTIVAL IN CITY HALL ON FEBRUARY 6.

THE PRINCESS WILL ARRIVE IN FRONT OF THE CITY HALL AT 7.30 P.M. TO A FANFARE OF TRUMPETS PROVIDED BY MEMBERS OF THE BAND AND BUGLES, FIRST BATTALION, THE LIGHT INFANTRY.

ON ARRIVAL, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, ACCOMPANIED BY THE HONORABLE ANGUS OGILVY, WILL BE GREETED AT THE DIAS BY ARTS FESTIVAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MR. RUN RUN SHAW.

THE PRINCESS AND MR. SHAW WILL BE JOINED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, LADY MACLEHOSE AND THE PRINCESS’S LADY IN WAITING, LADY MARY FITZALAN-HOWARD.

MISS BARBARA FEI WILL RECITE A POEM SPECIALLY WRITTEN IN DEDICATION TO THE ARTS FESTIVAL BY MR. HSU YU AND A SCROLL BEARING THE POEM IN CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE PRINCESS.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL THEN DOT THE EYES OF A DRAGON. THIS WILL BE THE SIGNAL FOR ARTS FESTIVAL FLAGS AND BANNERS TO BE UNFURLED, FOR SEARCH LIGHTS TO BE SWITCHED ON AND FOR THE ARTS FESTIVAL LOGO TO BE PROJECTED ONTO THE EAST WALL OF THE CITY HALL HIGH BLOCK.

INSIDE THE CITY HALL SIR MURRAY WILL PRESENT URBAN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN MR. A. DE 0. SALES AND MRS. SALES TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS.

THE PARTY WILL THEN PROCEED TO THE CONCERT HALL WHERE MR. SHAW AND THE PRINCESS WILL BE GREETED BY A SECOND FANFARE OF TRUMPETS BY MEMBERS OF THE BAND AND BUGLES, FIRST BATTALION, THE LIGHT INFANTRY.

AFTER SHORT SPEECHES BY MR. SHAW AND HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE OPENING CONCERT OF THE 1977 HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL WILL BE GIVEN BY THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA UNDER THE BATON OF CONDUCTOR, HELEN QUACH.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL ALSO ATTEND THE FIRST CONCERT OF THE BERLIN RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ON FEBRUARY 7 AND THE SECOND NIGHT OF EMLYN WILLIAMS AS +DYLAN THOMAS GROWING UP+ ON FEBRUARY 8.

- - 0 -

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1977

5

FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES * * * *

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES SERVED ON THEM AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH FIRE OFFICERS ON INSPECTION VISIT TO THEIR PREMISES.

THE APPEAL CAME AFTER A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH A PLASTIC FACTORY OWNER WAS FINED $1,000 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY

WITH SUCH NOTICES AND $500 FOR OBSTRUCTING A FIRE OFFICER WHILST IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS DUTIES.

HE SAID THAT THE OWNER OF THE FACTORY IN BELCHER STREET WAS ISSUED WITH A FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICE ON DECEMBER 13, 1976 REQUIRING HIM TO REMOVE THE BAGS OF PLASTIC MATERIALS, METAL SHEETS, TABLES, METAL CARTS AND BASKETS OF FINISHED PRODUCTS WHICH WERE STORED IN THE LIFT LOBBY AND ON THE REAR STAIRCASE.

DURING A FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION TEN DAYS LATER, IT WAS FOUND THAT NO ACTION HAD BEEN TAKEN TO ABATE THE FIRE HAZARDS.

AS THE SENIOR FIREMAN WHO CONDUCTED THIS INSPECTION TRIED TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION, THE FACTORY OWNER SUDDENLY ASSAULTED HIM AND CAUSED INJURIES TO BOTH HIS HANDS AND LEGS.

COMMENTING ON THE CASE, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE FIRE SERVICES WOULD MUCH PREFER TO ENJOY THE CO-OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC THAN TO TAKE PEOPLE TO COURT.

+HOWEVER, IF PEOPLE CHOOSE TO IGNORE OUR WARNING,* HE SAID, +WE HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTION.*

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

LADY MACLEHOSE VISITS MEDICAL CENTRE

*****

LADY MACLEHOSE TODAY PAID AN HOUR-LONG VISIT TO THE MARGARET TRENCH MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE AT KWUN TONG TO SEE FOR HERSELF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CENTRE.

ACCOMPANIED BY DR. HARRY FANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION, AND MR. TOM GARNER, VICE-CHAIRMAN, LADY MACLEHOSE TOURED VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE CENTRE AND CHATTED WITH SOME OF THE PATIENTS.

THE CENTRE, RUN BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION, WAS THE FIRST IN HONG KONG TO BE EQUIPPED WITH A HYDROTHERAPY POOL.

IT WAS COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER 1962 AS THE MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE, BUT WAS OFFICIALLY RENAMED IN MARCH 1971.

THE CENTRE, A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, IS SUPPORTED BY GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION AND PUBLIC DONATIONS.

IT CAN ACCOMMODATE 80 PATIENTS WHO MAY BE SENT FROM ANY HOSPITAL IN HONG KONG OR BE REFERRED FOR ADMISSION TO THE CENTRE BY CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS, PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS, INDIVIDUALS AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1977

6

TEXTILE QUOTA UTILISATION POSITION

*****

THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TODAY PUBLISHED THE END OF DECEMBER 1976 FIGURES ON THE UTILISATION OF QUOTA IN RESPECT OF ALL RESTRAINED MARKETS.

COMMENTING ON THE FIGURES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAID THAT WHILST THE RATE OF UTILISATION WAS HIGH IN A NUMBER OF CATEGORIES TO CERTAIN MARKETS, THE FLEXIBILITY PROVISIONS IN THE AGREEMENTS COULD ENABLE HONG KONG TO EXPORT UP TO CERTAIN SPECIFIED PERCENTAGES OVER AND ABOVE THE RESTRAINT LIMITS.

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT FREE QUOTAS FOR CERTAIN CATEGORIES AND MARKETS WERE STILL AVAILABLE FOR APPLICATION AND INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE QUOTA POSITION OF THE UNITED STATES AND EEC, HONG KONG’S TWO MAJOR TEXTILE MARKETS.

USA

THE CURRENT 12-MONTH RESTRAINT PERIOD BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 1976. IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THE PERIOD, TOTAL QUOTAS USED AMOUNTED TO 150.82 MILLION EQUIVALENT SQ. YDS. OR 15.99 PER CENT OF THE OVERALL RESTRAINT LIMIT. FIGURES SHOWING THE QUANTITIES LICENSED FOR EXPORTS AND PERCENTAGE UTILISATION ON A GROUP BASIS ARE SET OUT BELOWt

GROUP DESCRIPTION QUANTITY LICENSED ( IN MILLION EQUIVALENT SQ.YDS.) PERCENTAGE UTILISATION AGAINST GROUP LIMITS

1 YARNS AND FABRICS OF COTTON AND MAN-MADE FIBRES 33.21 12.89

11 APPAREL OF COTTON AND MAN-MADE FIBRES 105.38 18.00

111 MADE-UPS AND MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES OF COTTON AND MAN-MADE FIBRES 8.38 14.41

IV WOOL TEXTILES AND APPAREL 3.84 9.13

/Or THE ......

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1977

7

OF THE CATEGORIES SUBJECT TO SPECIFIC LIMIT IN THE HONG KONG/US TEXTILE AGREEMENT, THE RATE OF UTILISATION IN FOUR OUT OF 21 CATEGORIES COULD BE DESCRIBED AS RELATIVELY HIGH. THESE FOUR CATEGORIES WERE CATEGORY 41/42/43/62(2) (COTTON KNIT T-SHIRTS, OTHER KNIT SHIRTS AND BLOUSES, EXCEPT SWEAT-SHIRTS), CATEGORY 48 (COTTON RAINCOATS, 3/4 LENGTH OR LONGER, NOT KNIT), CATEGORY 229 (COATS, NOT KNIT) AND CATEGORY 237 (SUITS, NOT KNIT).

EEC

THE 1976 TEXTILE RESTRAINT PERIOD FOR THE EEC EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 31, 1976 AND DURING THE PERIOD, TOTAL QUOTA USED AMOUNTED TO 101.08 MILLION EQUIVALENT KGS. OR 80.58 PER CENT OF THE OVERALL LIMIT. QUOTA UTILISATION POSITION ON MEMBER STATE BASIS ARE GIVEN BELOW:

QUANTITY LICENSED PERCENTAGE ( IN MILLION EQUIVALENT UTILISATION KGS.)

MEMBER STATE

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY 34.65 89.02

UNITED KINGDOM 53.81 79.15

BENELUX 5.74 68.71

DENMARK 2.74 80.12

ITALY 2.38 57.05

FRANCE 1.63 75.41

IRISH REPUBLIC 0.34 50.00

OUT OF A TOTAL OF 109 CATEGORIES ON MEMBER STATE/CATEGORY BASIS, THE RATE OF UTILISATION IN 37 OF THEM WAS RELATIVELY HIGH. THE POPULAR CATEGORIES INCLUDED CATEGORY 3 (KNIT SHIRTS AND BLOUSES), CATEGORY 8 (WOVEN TROUSERS), CATEGORY 10 (WOVEN DRESSES), CATEGORY 11 (WOVEN BLOUSES, WOMEN’S, GIRLS’ AND INFANTS’), CATEGORY 12 (WOVEN SHIRTS, MMEN’S AND BOYS’) AND CATEGORY 13 (WOVEN NIGHTWEAR).

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1977

8

PRISON STAFF AND INMATES RAISE $10,000 ******

STAFF AND INMATES OF TWO PRISONS DEPARTMENT INSTITUTIONS RAISED MORE THAN $10,000 IN LAST SUNDAY’S COMMUNITY CHEST +WALK FOR A MILLION*.

FOURTEEN INMATES AND 25 STAFF FROM THE TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN WERE JOINED BY FOUR FORMER INMATES TO RAISE A TOTAL OF JUST OVER $4,000. ALSO IN THE GROUP WERE 20 INMATES AND 14 STAFF OF THE TAI LAM ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE WHO RAISED ABOUT $7,200.

THE WALKERS WERE SPONSORED BY STAFF AND INMATES OF THE TWO CENTRES, THE TONG FUK ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE, THE HEI LING CHAU ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE, FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.

ALL INMATES TAKING PART WERE ELIGIBLE FOR 24 HOURS HOME LEAVE, BUT VOLUNTEERED TO USE THE TIME TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT, SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT (TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS), MR. LO KWOK-KUEN, SAID THAT THE PARTICIPATION OF THE INMATES SHOWED THAT THEY WERE ON THE ROAD TO COMPLETE REHABILITATION.

+ THEY ARE SHOWING US THAT THEY CAN NOW BEHAVE IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER AND BENEFIT THEMSELVES AND SOCIETY,* HE SAID.

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

WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES ON THE PEAK AND IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 27) TO ENABLE THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

ON THE PEAK, THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY ROSMEAD ROAD, WATFORD ROAD, GUILDFORD ROAD, COOMBE ROAD, MIDDLE GAP ROAD, MT. CAMERON ROAD, HOUSE NOS. 21, 22, 26, 27, 29, 30. 33, 35, 36, 38, 40, 44, 46 AND 50 MAGAZINE GAP ROAD= NOS. 52, 54 AND 56 PEAK ROAD AND 1-3 BARKER ROAD.

IN KWUN TONG, THE STREET, KA LOK STREET, INCLUDING BLOCK NOS. 1 SHU I WO STREET.

AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY SHU I NING HIP WO STREET AND YUET WAH STREET, TO 11 WO LOK ESTATE, TSZ LOI LANE AND

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS LAST YEAR SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 42.7 PER CENT OVER THAT OF 1975 ................... 1

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO ENJOY ONE OF URBAN COUNCIL’S VARIETY SHOW'S ..............................................   3

GOLD COINS TO MARK YEAR OF THE SNAKE OVERSUBSCRIBED ........... 4

EXHIBITION ON PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS SERVICE ............... 4

FIREMEN TO COMPETE IN PEAK RELAY RACE ......................... 5

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSIM SHA TSUI ......................... 5

SURVEYOR GENERAL OF SHIPS RETIRES ............................. 6

WATER CUT IN KOWLOON CITY ..................................... 6

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

WEDNESDAY, JxN'IMkY 26, 1977

1

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1976 * * * * *

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY PUBLISHED THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL MERCHANDISE TRADE DURING DECEMBER 1976. THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR DECEMBER WAS 33,092 MILLION, IMPORTS WERE WORTH $4,067 MILLION AND REEXPORTS 3812 MILLION.

THE FIGURES FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 1976 (LATEST THREE MONTHS) SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1975 OF 33.7 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 20 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 27.3 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.

COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1975, INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF 3800 MILLION OR 34.9 PER CENT IN EXPORTS, 3629 MILLION OR 18.3 PER CENT IN IMPORTS AND 3186 MILLION OR 29.7 PER CENT IN REEXPORTS WERE RECORDED.

THE SHORT TERM CHANGES, DECEMBER 1976 COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1976, SHOWED INCREASES OF 3301 MILLION OR 10.8 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND 3365 MILLION OR 9.9 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS. THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS DECLINED BY 36 MILLION OR 0.7 PER CENT.

THE FIGURES FOR THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1976 COMPARED WITH THOSE OF 1975 SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF 42.7 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 29.3 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 28 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.

LATEST THREE MONTHS OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1976 OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1975 INCREASE OR DECREASE

3 MN. 3 MN. 3MN. PERCENTAGE

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 8,807 6,586 + 2,220 + 33.7

IMPORTS 11,715 9,762 + 1,953 + 20.0

RE-EXPORTS 2,437 1,914 + 523 + 27.3

SAME MONTH DECEMBER DECEMBER INCREASE OR

LAST YEAR 1976 1975 DECREASE

3 MN. 8 MN. 8MN. PERCENTAGE

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 3,092 2,292 + 800 + 34.9

(PERCENTAGE OF (79.2 (78.5

TOTAL EXPORTS) PER CENT) PER CENT)

IMPORTS 4,067 3,438 + 629 + 18.3

RE-EXPORTS 812 626 + 186 +29.7

(PERCENTAGE OF (20.8 (21.5

TOTAL EXPORTS) PER CENT) PER CENT)

/LAST MONTH .....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, '977

- 2

LAST MONTH DECEMBER 1976 NOVEMBER 1976 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. $MN. PERCENTAGE

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 3,092 2,791 + 301 + 10.8

(PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (79.2 PER CENT) (77.3 PER CENT)

IMPORTS 4,067 3,702 + 365 + 9.9

RE-EXPORTS 812 817 6-0.7

(PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (20.8 PER CENT) (22.7 PER CENT)

LAST 12 MONTHS JANUARY-DECEMBER 1976 JANUARY-DECEMBER 1975 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. SMN. PERCENTAGE

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 32,629 22,859 + 9,770 + 42.7

(PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (78.5 PER CENT) (76.6 PER CENT)

IMPORTS 43,294 33,472 + 9,822 + 29.3

RE-EXPORTS 8,928 6,973 + 1,955 + 28.0

(PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (21.5 PER CENT) (23.4 PER CENT)

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, ’.977

- 3 -

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO WATCH U.C.’S VARIETY SHOW ******

SOME 5,000 RESIDENTS OF TSZ WAN SHAN WILL BE TREATED TO ONE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S REGULAR OPEN AIR VARIETY SHOWS ON THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 5 BUT THIS TIME THEY WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE EVENING WITH A DISTINGUISHED VISITOR.

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, WHO WILL BE ON HER FOURTH DAY OF VISIT TO HONG KONG, WILL JOIN THEM AT THEIR LOCAL PLAYGROUND AND WILL DOT THE EYES OF A LION TO START A 45-MINUTE PROGRAMME OF POPULAR LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT.

BESIDES THE LION DANCE, RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY A SELECTION OF THE BEST ACROBATICS IN HONG KONG AND PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL SINGERS AND FOLK DANCERS IN TRADITIONAL COSTUMES.

MR. KENNETH T.C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, WILL BE AT THE PLAYGROUND TO WELCOME THE ROYAL VISITOR.

VARIETY SHOW IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF THE COUNCIL’S YEAR-ROUND POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME. THERE ARE ALSO CANTONESE OPERAS AND POP CONCERTS, FILM SHOWS, BAND CONCERTS, PUPPET SHOWS, COMEDY SKETCHES AND SPECIAL ATHLETIC AND ACROBATIC DISPLAYS.

ON OCCASIONS SUCH AS THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL AND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, THE COUNCIL ORGANISES FUN FAIRS AND CARNIVALS IN THE LARGER PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE.

THESE EVENTS ARE PACKED WITH SIDE SHOWS AND GAME STALLS AND OFTEN LAST FOR THE WHOLE AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND SOMETIMES FOR DAYS.

+0N AVERAGE SOME 50,000 TO 60,000 PEOPLE COME TO THE POPULAR SHOWS EVERY MONTH,+ SAID MR. ALBERT CHAN, STAFF OFFICER (ENTERTAINMENT) OF THE COUNCIL.

+ABOUT FIFTY EVENTS ARE ORGANISED EACH MONTH AND IN SOME OF THEM, ESPECIALLY THE MORE POPULAR POP CONCERTS, THE AUDIENCE ON ONE EVENING MAY WELL SWELL TO TWO OR THREE THOUSAND,* HE SAID.

THESE ARE HELD IN PUBLIC PLAYGROUNDS AND A MOBILE VAN WHICH CAN EASILY BE CONVERTED INTO AN OPEN STAGE IS USED IN PLACES WHERE THERE ARE NO ADEQUATE FACILITIES.

THE PROGRAMME IS SO ARRANGED THAT AT LEAST ONE SHOW IS HELD IN A PARTICULAR PLAYGROUND EVERY MONTH. ADMISSION IS FREE.

------0------- A ....................

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1977

- 4 -

SNAKE YEAR GOLD COINS OVERSUBSCRIBED

* * * *

OVER 27,000 APPLICATIONS FOR THE GOLD COINS TO MARK THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE WERE RECEIVED FROM HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHEN APPLICATIONS CLOSED NINE DAYS AGO (JANUARY 17).

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THERE WERE MORE THAN 20,000 APPLICATIONS FOR 10,500 UNCIRCULATED AND 7,000 APPLICATIONS FOR 5,000 PROOF ISSUES - 1.75 TIMES THE NUMBER OF COINS TO BE ISSUED LOCALLY.

AS A RESULT OF OVERSUBSCRIPTION, A BALLOT WAS HELD ON COMPUTER.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WERE BEING NOTIFIED BY LETTER AND THE COINS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM NEXT TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 1).

0 --------

EXHIBITION ON PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS SERVICE

THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR GEOFFREY BRIGGS AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF AN EXHIBITION ON +PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS SERVICE+ AT THE MAIN CONCOURSE OF THE OCEAN TERMINAL AT 11 A.M. ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 29).

ORGANISED BY THE PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION WILL SHOW THE PUBLIC THE WORK ON REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS - THE PROBATION SERVICE, THE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE AFTERCARE SERVICE.

THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE SLIDE SHOWS, CHARTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, CARTOON AND HANDICRAFT MADE BY RESIDENTS OF THE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

CONTEST QUIZ WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED FOR THE SPECTATORS.

THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC UP TO 9 P.M.

AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY ON SATURDAY- 9 A.M. TO 9 P.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY AND 9 A.M. TO 3 P.M. ON THE LAST DAY.

NOTE TO EDITORS*.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO HAVE THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION COVERED. IT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE MAIN CONCOURSE OF THE OCEAN TERMINAL ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 29) AT 11 A.M.

0 -------

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1977

- 5 -

FIREMEN TO COMPETE IN PEAK RELAY RACE

* * * *

THE HONG KONG COMMAND OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS TO HOLD A FIRST-EVER INTER-DIVISIONAL PEAK RELAY RACE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

FIVE TEAMS, EACH CONSISTING OF FIVE RUNNERS, ARE TAKING PART. THEY ARE FROM THE CENTRAL, WESTERN, EASTERN AND MARINE DIVISIONS AND THE COMBINED TACTICAL RESERVE AND CONTROL STAFF.

THE 11-MILE RACE WILL START FROM AND END AT THE PEAK CAFE. EACH OF THE FIVE RUNNERS WILL HAVE TO CIRCLE THE PEAK ONCE (2.2 MILES), PASSING HARLECH ROAD AND LUGARD ROAD.

A TROPHY DONATED BY THE ASSISTANT CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (HONG KONG), MR. JOHN MARCH, WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE WINNING TEAM. ANOTHER TROPHY WILL BE AWARDED TO THE RUNNER WHO COVERS THE DISTANCE IN THE FASTEST TIME.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL START AT 3 P.M. FROM THE PEAK CAFE.

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

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSIM SHA TSUI

******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE SECTION OF CARNARVON ROAD BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND BRISTOL AVENUE WOULD BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY EASTBOUND FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 28).

THIS IS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MTR STATION AT TSIM SHA TSUI.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

AT THE SAME TIME, PARKING RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON SECTIONS OF MODY ROAD, CARNARVON ROAD, HUMPHREYS AVENUE AND CAMERON ROAD TO FACILITATE MTR CONSTRUCTION.

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1977

- 6

SURVEYOR GENERAL OF SHIPS RETIRES

* * * *

THE SURVEYOR GENERAL OF SHIPS, MR. ROBERT BLACKLOCK, WILL GO ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE THIS SATURDAY (JANUARY 29) AFTER 25 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.

HE WILL BE SUCCEEDED BY MR.- PERCY DAVY.

MR. BLACKLOCK FIRST JOINED THE DEPARTMENT AS A SURVEYOR OF SHIPS IN 1952. HE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR SURVEYOR OF SHIPS IN 1965, TO PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR OF SHIPS IN FEBRUARY 1967 AND TO THE PRESENT POST IN JULY THE SAME YEAR.

LAST WEEK, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR. ALAN FLETCHER, PRESENTED MR. BLACKLOCK WITH A RETIREMENT GIFT.

MR. AND MRS. BLACKLOCK WILL FIRST ATTEND THEIR DAUGHTER’S WEDDING IN JOHANNESBURG BEFORE RETURNING TO THEIR HOME IN NORTH YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND.

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 (JANUARY 28) TO ENABLE THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED WILL BE THOSE IN JUNCTION ROAD AND WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD, INCLUDING BLOCK NOS. 1 TO 4 AND 10 TO 13 OF THE WANG TAU HOM ESTATE AND JUNCTION ROAD RESITE AREA.

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

II

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

THE PERMANENT SECRETARY OF BRITAIN’S DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY MEETS LOCAL BUSINESSMEN AND INDUSTRIALISTS ........... 1

EXPLANATORY PAMPHLET ON 1977-78 RATES PUBLISHED ............... 1

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO OPEN LIBRARY AT HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC 2

BETTER TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS AT KWAI SHING ESTATE ............ 3

FLYOVER TO LINK POK FU LAM AND WESTERN WATERFRONT ............. 4

HARBOUR TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ................................... 4

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE VISITS VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES 5

BOX JUNCTION FOR KOWLOON TONG ................................. 5

WATER CUT IN HUNG HOM AND CAUSEWAY BAY ........................ 6

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1977.

- 1 _

SIR PETER MEETS LEADING HK BUSINESSMEN AND INDUSTRIALISTS

X X X X

THE PERMANENT SECRETARY OF BRITAIN’S DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY. SIR PETER CAREY, TODAY HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH A REPRESENTATIVE GROUP OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIALISTS AND BUSINESSMEN AND WOMEN.

THE MEETING, CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, WAS HELD IN THE C AND I DEPARTMENT. MEMBERS OF BOTH THE TEXTILES AND THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARDS ATTENDED.

THE TWO-HOUR DISCUSSION, DESCRIBED BY SIR PETER AS CONSTRUCTIVE AND FRANK, FOCUSED MAINLY ON TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG. VIEWS WERE EXCHANGED ON BOTH PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANSION.

SUBJECTS INCLUDED PRESENT AND FUTURE TEXTILE ARRANGEMENTS, IMPROVED SALES PROSPECTS IN HONG KONG FOR U.K. MANUFACTURERS, BALANCE OF TRADE - THE VISIBLE AS WELL AS THE INVISIBLE ASPECT OF IT - AND THE POSSIBILITY FOR A +MACHINERY+ WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY FOR EXCHANGING INFORMATION AND IDEAS ON FURTHERING TWO-WAY TRADE AND INVESTMENT.

SIR PETER IS ON A BRIEF OFFICIAL VISIT TO HONG KONG, AND MUCH OF HIS TIME WILL BE SPENT ON DISCUSSIONS WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS AND BUSINESSMEN. HE WILL ALSO BE VISITING SOME OF HONG KONG’S FACTORIES, AND WAS ACCOMPANIED ON ONE SUCH VISIT THIS AFTERNOON BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. ROY PORTER.

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

EXPLANATORY PAMPHLET ON 1977-78 RATES

X X X X X X

THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION HAS ISSUED A SIMPLE PAMPHLET EXPLAINING GENERALLY RATES AND RATEABLE VALUES.

THE PAMPHLET ALSO GIVES DETAILS OF WHAT THE LIKELY RATES PAYMENTS WOULD BE SHOULD LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DETERMINE THE RATE PERCENTAGES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1977-78 AS PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.

IT ALSO SETS OUT THE PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED IN OBJECTING TO RATEABLE VALUES.

COPIES OF THE PAMPHLET, PRODUCED BOTH IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH ARE OBTAINABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

c ---------

/2......

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1977

2

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO OPEN LIBRARY AT HK POLYTECHNIC * * * * *

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL UNVEIL A PLAQUE TO OFFICIALLY OPEN ONE OF THE LARGEST SCIENTIFIC, TECHNOLOGICAL AND BUSINESS LIBRARIES IN THE COMMONWEALTH DURING HER VISIT TO HONG KONG NEXT MONTH. X, ,

IT IS THE LIBRARY AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC IN HUNG HOM. WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY HOLD MORE THAN 400,000 VOLUMES WITH SEATS FOR 3,000 READERS.

FOLLOWING THE OPENING CEREMONY, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL VISIT THE LIBRARY AND MEET MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING STAFF AND STUDENTS.

AT A TOTAL BUILDING COST OF $90 MILLION, THE LIBRARY TOGETHER WITH A MULTI-PURPOSE TEACHING BLOCK AND PODIUM WAS COMPLETED LAST OCTOBER AS PHASE I OF THE POLYTECHNIC’S EXPANSION PROGRAMME.

OF THE 45,000 SQUARE METRES OF FLOOR SPACE MADE AVAILABLE UNDER THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME, THE LIBRARY OCCUPIES SOME 15,000 SQUARE METRES. IT IS HOUSED IN A FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED FIVE-STOREY BUILDING, THREE STOREYS ABOVE AND TWO BELOW THE PODIUM LEVEL. THE MULTI-PURPOSE BLOCK HAS A TOTAL AREA OF 22,100 SQUARE METRES AND THE PODIUM OCCUPIES 7,400 SQUARE METRES.

UNDER THE PODIUM THERE ARE 23 LABORATORIES, A THREE-LEVEL CARPARK AND A PLANT ROOM. ABOVE THE PODIUM ARE FIVE WINGS OF MULTI-PURPOSE SPACE WHICH PROVIDE 90 CLASSROOMS AND TUTORIAL ROOMS. FOUR LECTURE THEATRES, 30 LABORATORIES, AND OFFICE SPACE FOR ACADEMIC AND ADM INSTRATIVE STAFF.

THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC WAS FORMALLY ESTABLISHED IN AUGUST. 1972. IN FIVE YEARS, TEACHING DEPARTMENTS HAVE DOUBLED FROM 8 TO 16 WHILE THE NUMBER OF FULL-TIME PLACES HAS INCREASED FROM 1,700 TO 5,000.

FURTHER SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IS THE NUMBER OF PART-TIME DAY RELEASE STUDENTS, WHICH HAS INCREASED FROM ABOUT 740 TO OVER 2.200 AND OF PART-TIME EVENING STUDENTS, FROM ABOUT 9,300 TO 13,400.

BY 1980, IT IS EXPECTED, TOTAL ENROLMENT WILL REACH MORE THAN 30,000, COMPRISING SOME 7,600 FULL TIME STUDENTS, 3,300 PART-TIME DAY RELEASE STUDENTS AND 21,600 EVENING STUDENTS.

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1977

- 3 -

BETTER TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS AT KWAI SHING ESTATE

*****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO PROVIDE BETTER PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES AT THE KWAI SHING ESTATE AND IMPROVE LOCAL TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.

THIS FOLLOWS THE GRADUAL COMPLETION OF THE SECOND AND THIRD STAGES OF KWAI SHING ESTATE AND THE INTAKE OF POPULATION.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FROM SUNDAY (JANUARY 30) KMB ROUTE NO. 37 WILL BE EXTENDED TO START FROM THE KWAI SHING (CENTRAL) BUS TERMINUS WHICH HAS NOW BEEN COMPLETED.

THIS SERVICE PROVIDES A LhNK TO TA I KOK TSUI FERRY IN URBAN KOWLOON BY WAY OF LAI CHI KOK AT A BASIC FIVE-MINUTE FREQUENCY.

ALSO FROM THAT DAY, KMB ROUTE NO. 34 WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO START FROM KWAI SHING (CENTRAL) BUS TERMINUS. THE TEMPORARY BUS TERMINUS OUTSIDE BLOCK 10 WILL BE CLOSED.

THIS SERVICE OPERATES AT A BASIC 10-MINUTE FREQUENCY AND PROVIDES A LINK TO TSUEN WAN WEST VIA TSUEN WAN FERRY PIER.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT A NEW SERVICE, ROUTE NO. 37A, WOULD BE INTRODUCED SHORTLY BETWEEN KWAI SHING (EAST) BUS TERMINUS AND SHAM SHU I PO FERRY PIER'.

THIS SERVICE WILL LIKELY OPERATE VIA HING SHING ROAD AND KWAI SHING CIRCUIT.

TO ENSURE SMOOTH TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG THE CENTRAL ACCESS ROAD THROUGH KWAI SHING ESTATE BETWEEN BLOCK 6 AND BLOCK 15, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM USING THE WHOLE SECTION OF THIS ROAD FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY (JANUARY 31).

ALTERNATIVE STOPPING FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES OPERATING ALONG KWAI SHING CIRCUIT, IN BOTH THE NORTHERN

THE

BLOCK 13 TOMORROW

LIGHT BUS TERMINUS NEAR BLOCK 1.

AND SOUTHERN SECTION.

EXISTING KWAI SHING (SOUTH) BUS TERMINUS SITUATED OUTSIDE WILL BE CONVERTED TO A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS TERMINUS FROM (FRIDAY). ON THE NORTH SECTION, THERE IS A NEW PUBLIC

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

/4

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1977

4

FLYOVER TO LINK POK FU LAM AND WESTERN WATERFRONT ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD A TWO-LANE FLYOVER TO PROVIDE A NEW ROUTE FROM POK FU LAM TO CENTRAL.

THE FLYOVER, WHICH STARTS FROM NO. 79B POK FU LAM ROAD, WILL RUN ALONG HILL ROAD TO CONNECT WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH WATER STREET.

A SPOKESMAN FOR P.W.D. SAID THAT WITH THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN ABERDEEN AND POK FU LAM AREAS, THERE HAD BEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS ON THE EXISTING ROAD NETWORK BETWEEN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT AND ABERDEEN AND POK FU LAM AREAS.

+IN VIEW OF THIS, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS CARRIED OUT IMPROVEMENTS WORKS TO THE MAJOR TRAFFIC ROUTES IN THE AREA SUCH AS SHEK PAI WAN ROAD AND POK FU LAM ROAD,+ HE SAID.

+A GRADE-SEPARATED INTERSECTION HAS ALSO BEEN BUILT AT THE JUNCTION OF POK FU LAM ROAD AND BONHAM ROAD.+

+THE PROPOSED FLYOVER,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, +AIMS TO AVOID CHANNELLING MORE TRAFFIC ON TO THE ALREADY CONGESTED CARRIAGEWAYS IN THE MID-LEVELS.+

THE PROPOSED WORKS WILL INVOLVE ALTERATIONS TO THE ALIGNMENT, WIDTH AND LEVELS OF A SECTION OF HILL ROAD AND THE STEPS ADJACENT TO BUILDING NO. 79B POK FU LAM ROAD. NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKING WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EARLIER THIS MONTH.

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

HARBOUR TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT

*****

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FOUR CONICAL BUOYS HAD BEEN PLACED IN THE HARBOUR OFF THE FORMER HOLT’S WHARF IN TSIM SHA TSUI TO FACILITATE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TUNNELLING WORKS.

ALL VESSELS ARE URGED TO KEEP CLEAR OF THE AREA AND TO KEEP SOUTH OF THE SOUTHERNMOST BUOY.

THIS ARRANGEMENT IS EXPECTED TO LAST ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS.

- - - - 0 ---

/5....

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1977

- 5 -

DSW VISITS VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES *****

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, CONTINUING HIS SERIES OF VISITS TO VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES, SPENT MORE THAN TWO HOURS YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) EVENING TOURING THE HOLLAND HOSTEL AND THE TAI KOK TSUI YOUTH CENTRE IN KOWLOON.

HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MRS. EVELYN DOE, HEAD OF THE FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION AND MR. HENRY AU, HEAD OF THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION.

ON ARRIVAL AT THE HOLLAND HOSTEL FOR BOYS, MR. LEE WAS MET BY MR. JAN W. KLEINJN, DIRECTOR OF THE RENNIE’S MILL STUDENT AID PROJECT WHICH OPERATES THE HOME.

THE HOLLAND HOSTEL PROVIDES ACCOMMODATION FOR 115 BOYS AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 18 WHO ARE WITHOUT PROPER CARE AND SUPERVISION. SOME OF THEM ARE ORPHANS OR FROM BROKEN FAMILIES WHILE OTHERS MIGHT HAVE BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS.

THE RENNIE’S MILL STUDENT AID PROJECT ALSO LOOKS AFTER TWO OTHER HOSTELS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE - THE MARK MEMORIAL HOSTEL IN RENNIE’S MILL AND THE ISLAND HOSTEL ON LANTAO ISLAND.

MR. LEE LATER PROCEEDED TO THE TAI KOK TSUI YOUTH CENTRE WHERE HE WAS MET BY MR. AU PAK-LING, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS.

THE CENTRE PROVIDES SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN THE AREA.

IT BEGAN OPERATION IN MAY LAST YEAR AND THERE ARE ALREADY OVER 600 REGISTERED MEMBERS WITH DAILY AVERAGE ATTENDANCE OF ABOUT 100. AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 14 YOUTH GROUPS IN THE CENTRE OFFERING A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDING GUITAR, PHOTOGRAPHY, JUDO, FIRST-AID, AND SERVICE PROGRAMMES.

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

BOX JUNCTION FOR KOWLOON TONG * * *

A BOX JUNCTION WILL BE INTRODUCED AT THE JUNCTION OF CORNWALL STREET AND EDE ROAD IN KOWLOON TONG ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 29).

THIS AIMS TO IMPROVE-TRAFFIC FLOW AT THE JUNCTION.

------o ------ /6...................................

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1977

f, -

WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN HUNG HOM AND CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 29) TO ENABLE THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.

IN HUNG HOM, THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY LOK SHAN ROAD, TO KWA WAN ROAD, MA TAU KOK ROAD, KING'WAN STREET, SHUN FUNG STREET AND YUK YAT STREET, INCLUDING MEI KING STREET, MEI KWONG STREET, KWEI CHOW STREET, LONG YUET STREET, SAN MA TAU STREET, MING . LUN STREET, CHUNG SUN STREET, HING YAN STREET AND HING YIN STREET.

IN CAUSEWAY BAY, THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY YEE WO STREET, SUGAR STREET, GREAT GEORGE STREET, PATERSON STREET, KINGSTON STREET AND CLEVELAND STREET.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

NEED TO BROADEN THE RANGE OF SUBJECTS IN FORMS 6 STRESSED 1

+GMT PLUS 8+ MAY BE GIVEN A TRY THIS SUMMER ................. 4

PRESS BADGES FOR VISIT OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ............ 4

TIGHTER CONTROL ON SOFT DRUGS ............................... 5

AIR SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND PORT VORESBY ............. €

JUVENILE OFFENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL ......................... 6

BIUUS ON FAMILY MAINTENANCE PUBLISHED ....................... 7

FIRING PRACTICE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE ........................ 8

ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN ..................................... 3

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


Friday, January 28. '“77

NEED TO BROADEN RANGE OF SUBJECTS IN FORM 6 STRESSED ******

THERE IS A NEED TO BROADEN THE RANGE OF SUBJECTS OFFERED ON SIXTH FORM COURSES IN HONG KONG’S SECONDARY SCHOOLS. THESE COURSES SHOULD NOT ONLY PREPARE STUDENTS FOR UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE BUT ALSO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND THE PROFESSIONAL AND PARA-PROFESSIONAL BODIES FOR WHICH A UNIVERSITY DEGREE IS NOT NECESSARY.

THIS WAS STRESSED IN THE REPORT OF AN INFORMAL WORKING COMMITTEE SET UP BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY.

THE REPORT, ENTITLED +SIXTH FORM EDUCATION IN HONG KONG+, WAS ISSUED TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR WHO EMPHASISED THAT IT GAVE THE VIEWS OF THE WORKING COMMITTEE AND DID NOT REFLECT ANY GOVERNMENT OR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT POLICY.

COPIES OF THE REPORT HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, THE POLYTECHNIC AND MAJOR SCHOOLS COUNCILS WHO HAVE BEEN ASKED TO SEND IN THEIR COMMENTS BY MARCH 31.

MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT WHILE IN HIS OPINION THE REPORT WAS NOT A RADICAL ONE, IT RECOMMENDED CHANGES WHICH, IF ACCEPTED, WOULD RESULT IN MAJOR CHANGES IN THE PATTERN OF SIXTH FORM EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.

THE REPORT WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AFTER ALL COMMENTS FROM THE PARTIES CONCERNED HAD BEEN RECEIVED.

IN THE REPORT, THE WORKING COMMITTEE SAID IT DID NOT SEE IT AS ITS FUNCTION TO RECOMMEND DETAILED LISTS OF SPECIFIC SUBJECTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED FORM 6 COURSE.

IT SAID: +THIS WOULD REQUIRE CONSULTATION WITH THE UNIVERSITIES, THE POLYTECHNIC, OTHER INSTITUTIONS CONDUCTING TERTIARY TRAINING COURSES AND THE MAJOR EDUCATIONAL BODIES IN HONG KONG.+

+WHEN THE SYSTEM HAD BEEN AGREED AND THE SUBJECTS TO BE TAUGHT ON ITS COURSES ESTABLISHED THROUGH CONSULTATION, THE PRODUCTION OF THE NECESSARY SYLLABUSES WOULD EE A MATTER FOR THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.+

THE WORKING COMMITTEE HAS MADE THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS:

* FORM 6 COURSES SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE RUN AS PART OF A NORMAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AMD NOT IN SUCH SEPARATE INSTITUTIONS AS SIXTH FORM COLLEGES.

* FORM 6 COURSES SHOULD FIRST AND FOREMOST BE GEARED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PUPILS AT THEIR STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT AND SHOULD NOT BE UNDULY INFLUENCED BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.

JKjAY, JANUARY 28, 'P77

- 2

* THERE SHOULD BE A COMMON TWO-YEAR COURSE FOR ALL FORM 6 PUPILS WITH ONE MATRICULATION EXAMINATION FOR ENTRANCE INTO BOTH THE LOCAL UNIVERSITIES WITH EXAMINATION PAPERS BEING SET IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.

* ALL FORM 6 PUPILS SHOULD FOLLOW BROADER COURSES THAN THOSE OBTAINING AT PRESENT, ESPECIALLY IN OUR ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOLS.

* THERE SHOULD BE A WIDER, MORE LIBERAL RANGE OF SUBJECTS WHICH CAN BE STUDIED AT FORM 6 LEVEL.

* WHILE THE REVISED FORM 6 CURRICULA WOULD LEAD TO A PUBLIC EXAMINATION THE STANDARDS OF WHICH WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, THIS PUBLIC EXAMINATION WOULD ALSO ESTABLISH STANDARDS WHICH COULD BE USED AS ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR OTHER COURSES OF HIGHER LEVEL VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

* THE PROVISION OF FORM 6 PLACES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OF SECONDARY EDUCATION SHOULD AT PRESENT BE AS LAID DOWN IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SECONDARY EDUCATION 1974, THAT IS, THE PROVISION OF SUFFICIENT SUBSIDISED PLACES IN FORM LOWER/MIDDLE 6 TO CATER FOR ONE-THIRD OF THE PUPILS WHO ENTER FORM 4 IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT AT PRESENT ANY SUGGESTION TO INCREASE THIS PROVISION WOULD BE UNREALISTIC UNTIL ADEQUATE PROVISION TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE PUBLIC HAD BEEN MADE AT THE FORMS 1-5 LEVELS.

* WHEREVER POSSIBLE COMMON EXAMINATION PAPERS SHOULD BE SET IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.

* TO ENSURE A BROADER CURRICULUM THE MATRICULATION COURSE SHOULD CONSIST OF A COMBINATION OF MAJOR AND SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS.

* THE MAJOR SUBJECTS SHOULD EQUATE TO THE PRESENT ADVANCED LEVEL FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IN THE DEPTH OF STUDY REQUIRED, BUT THERE SHOULD BE A REDUCTION IN THE CONTENT OF MANY OF THE PRESENT SYLLABUSES SC THAT FEWER TEACHING PERIODS PER WEEK NEED TO EE DEVOTED TO THEM. THE COMMITTEE FULLY APPRECIATE THE NEED TO MAINTAIN OVERSEAS RECOGNITION OF THE MAJOR SUBJECTS.

* SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS SHOULD BE OF A STANDARD WHICH FORM c STUDENTS CAN BE EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE IN TWO YEARS OF STUDY WITH HALF THE TIME BEING GIVEN TO THEM AS IS GIVEN TO THE MAJOR SUBJECTS. IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR STUDENTS TO BEGIN STUDYING SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS IK FORM 6.

M ALL STUDENTS SHOULD EE REQUIRED TO TAKE +USE OF CHINESE-*-AND +USE OF ENGLISH-*- AS WELL AS THEIR COMBINATION OF .MAJOR AND SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS.

* STUDENTS SHOULD OFFER A COMBINATION OF MAJOR AND SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS, TWO SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS EQUATING TO ONE MAJOR SUBJECT.

* THE SUBJECT +GENERAL STUDIES* SHOULD EE INTRODUCED AS A POSSIBLE SUBSIDIARY SUBJECT TO BE STUDIED IN EITHER CHINESE OR ENGLISH.

* THE CONSTRAINTS ON CHOICE OF SUBJECTS AND THE NUMBER OF SUBJECTS SHOULD BE MINIMAL. STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE AS WIDE A CHOICE AS POSSIBLE: THE LIMITS OF CHOICE SHOULD BE A MATTER FOR EACH SCHOOL TO DECIDE.

* TO ENSURE AS WIDE A CHOICE AS POSSIBLE PROVISION SHOULD BE MADE FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF MORE SPLIT CLASS TEACHERS COR FORM 6 CLASSES.

* THE COMBINATION OF SUBJECTS TAKEN SHOULD INCLUDE ONE ARTS AND ONE SCIENCE SUBJECT.

* IN SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS INTERNAL ASSESSMENT SHOULD EE USED WHEREVER POSSIBLE AS PART OF THE FINAL GRADE TOGETHER WITH EITHER AN EXTERNAL EXAMINATION OR AN EXTERNALLY MODERATED SCHOOL EXAMINATION.

THE WORKING COMMITTEE WAS FORMED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AFTER A SPEECH DELIVERED TO THE CONGREGATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ON NOVEMBER 7, 1975 BY DR. RAYSON HUANG, VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY, WHO SPOKE ON THE SUBJECT THE *BASIC PURPOSE OF OUR SYSTEM OF SECONDARY EDUCATION*.

DR. HUANG CALLED FOR A MORE LIBERAL COURSE, WITH EMPHASIS BEING PLACED ON NUMERACY AND LITERACY AND THE NEED FOR PROFICIENCY IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH.

IN THEIR REPORT, MEMBERS OF THE WORKING COMMITTEE SAID THAT THEY +REALISE THAT WHILE THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REFLECT THE OPINION OF THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RUNNING OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THEIR VIEWS CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO FIND UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT*.

THE 12-MEMBER COMMITTEE MET SIX TIMES, THE FIRST OF a- I CH WAS ON FEBRUARY 6, 1976. SIX PRINCIPALS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS SERVED OW THE COMMITTEE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR. ROBERT CAMERON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1977

«♦

TRIAL PERIOD FOR GMT PLUS 8 PROPOSED * * *

+GMT PLUS 8+ WILL BE GIVEN A TRY THIS SUMMER UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.

THE BILL 'WILL EE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.

IF ENACTED, THE PRESENT STANDARD TIME AND SUMMER TIME WILL

EE REPLACED WITH GMT PLUS 8 FOR A TRIAL PERIOD COMMENCING ON APRIL 17.

HOWEVER, THIS WILL REMAIN SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE AMENDING BILL WOULD ENABLE THE °UBLIC TO TRY GMT PLUS 8 THIS SUMMER SO THAT THEY COULD EXPERIENCE FOR THEMSELVES THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE SYSTEM AS AGAINST GMT PLUS 9.

HE EMPHASISED THAT THE ADOPTION OF GMT PLUS 8 WAS ONLY ON A TRIAL BASIS FOR THIS SUMMER.

HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO FOLLOW PUBLIC OPINION AND THE SUBSEQUENT ADOPTION OF WHICHEVER TIME SYSTEM wOUlD DEPEND ENTIRELY ON THE REACTION FROM THE PUBLIC.

- 0 -

PRESS BADGES FOR VISIT OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA

******

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PRESS BADGES FOR THE VISIT OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION. PLEASE SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COLLECT THE BADGES IN BULK FROM THE DUTY ENQUIRIES OFFICERS IN THE GIS PRESS ROOM, 6TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IS REQUESTED TO ERING SOME IDENTIFICATION PAPERS AND SIGN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1977

5 -

CONTROL ON SOFT DRUGS TIGHTENED

******

THE GOVERNMENT TOOK A FIRST STEP TODAY TO TIGHTEN THE CONTROL OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES (COMMONLY KNOWN AS SOFT DRUGS) BY ADDING AMPHETAMINE AND METHAQUALONE TO THE LIST OF DRUGS CONTROLLED UNDER THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE.

THE ADDITION OF THE TWO DRUGS TO THE ORD I NANCE • WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY UNDER THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT OF FIRST SCHEDULE) ORDER 1977.

UNDER THE ORDER, ANYONE COMMITTING A MAJOR OFFENCE (SUCH AS THE MANUFACTURE OR TRAFFICKING OF THESE TWO DRUGS) IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND A PINE OF $5 MILLION, I.E. THE SAME AS FOR SIMILAR OFFENCES CONNECTED WITH HEROIN AND OPIUM.

THE MEASURE WAS TAKEN ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS TO TIGHTEN THE CONTROL OF CERTAIN TYPES OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES WHICH MIGHT BE ILLICITLY MANUFACTURED, ABUSED OR SMUGGLED ABROAD FOR TRAFFICKING PURPOSES.

AT PRESENT MOST PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ARE CONTROLLED UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE WHICH IS PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH MALPRACTICES ON THE PART OF DEALERS AND DISPENSAR IES, AND DOES NOT, ON THE WHOLE, PROVIDE PARTICULARLY HARSH PUNISHMENT.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID : +ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THERE IS MUCH ABUSE OF THESE DRUGS AT PRESENT, EXPERIENCE IN CTHER COUNTRIES HAS SHOWN THAT OPIATE (HEROIN AND OPIUM) ABUSERS CAN SWITCH TO PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES IF THE AVAILABILITY OF OPIATES IS RESTRICTED.

+THE REASON FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE LAW IS, THEREFORE, TO IMPOSE CONTROL ON THESE TWO SUBSTANCES AS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE AGAINST BOTH POSSIBLE ABUSE AND POSSIBLE ILLICIT MANUFACTURE.

+TIMELY PREVENTIVE ACTION HAS TO BE TAKEN NOW IN ORDER TO FORESTALL SUCH AN EVENTUALITY, IF IT EVER OCCURS.+ HE ADDED.

AMPHETAMINE IS A STIMULANT AND COULD, IF ABUSED REPEATEDLY, LEAD TC LOSS 0- APPETITE, DELUSION AND ORGANIC DAMAGE= AND METHAQUALONE, WHICH WAS ALSO KNOWN AS MANDRAX, IS A TRANQUILIZER THAT COULD CAUSE ADDICTION, CONFUSION, DIZZINESS AND ORGANIC DAMAGE IF TAKEN EXCESSIVELY OVER A PERIOD.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1977.

AIR SERVICES BETWEEN H.K. AND PORT MORESBY

* * * *

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BRITISH AND PAPUA-NEW GUINEA GOVERNMENTS MET IN HONG KONG ON JANUARY 25, 1977, TO NEGOTIATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR AIR SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND PORT MORESBY.

THE PAPUA-NEW GUINEA TEAM WAS LED BY MR. J.J. TAUVASA, CONTROLLER OF CIVIL AVIATION, AND THE BRITISH SIDE BY MR. C.C. SANSUM, CIVIL AVIATION ADVISER TO THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER TO AUSTRALIA.

THE BRITISH TEAM INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS WHILE THE PAPUA-NEW GUINEA TEAM INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES FROM AIR NIUGINI.

THE TALKS WERE HELD IN A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE THROUGHOUT AND RESULTED IN AGREEMENT FOR THE AIRLINES CONCERNED TO OPERATE ONCE WEEKLY BOEING 707 FLIGHTS. AIR NIUGINI ARE EXPECTED TO COMMENCE SERVICES IN APRIL 1977, WHILE CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS ARE EXPECTED TO COMMENCE SERVICES IN MARCH 1978.

JUVENILE OFFENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL

*****

A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO REQUIRE A JUVENILE OFFENDER, DISCHARGED PRIOR TO THE EXPIRY OF THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE DETENTION PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS, TO 3E SUBJECTED TO SUPERVISION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE PERIOD, IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.

THE BILL, KNOWN AS THE JUVENILE OFFENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.

IF ENACTED, THE JUVENILE OFFENDER WILL ALSO EE LIABLE TO BE RECALLED IF ANY REQUIREMENTS ATTACHED TO THE SUPERVISION ORDER ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH.

0---------

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1977.

- 7 -

BILLS ON FAMILY MAINTENANCE PUBLISHED * K * *

FOUR BILLS DESIGNED TO UPDATE AND IMPROVE EXISTING LEGISLATION RELATING TO MATTERS SUCH AS THE CUSTODY OF A CHILD AND PAYMENT MAINTENANCE ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION.

THEY ARE THE GUARDIANSHIP OP MINORS BILL 1977- MAINTENANCE ORDERS (RECIPROCAL ENFORCEMENT) BILL 1977- AFFILIATION PROCEEDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND SEPARATION AND MAINTENANCE ORDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977.

THE GUARDIANSHIP OF MINORS BILL 1977 SEEKS TO REPEAL AND REPLACE THE GUARDIANSHIP OF MINORS ORDINANCE (CAP. 13) SO AS TO BRING THE LAW RELATING TO THE GUARDIANSHIP OF MINORS INTO LINE WITH THE LAW IN ENGLAND AS AMENDED BY THE GUARDIANSHIP ACT OF 1973.

THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO MAKE +THE RIGHTS OF A MOTHER EQUAL WITH THOSE OF A FATHER IN THE GUARDIANSHIP OF MINORS+.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE PRESENT LAW PARENTAL EQUALITY EXISTED WHERE A DIFFERENCE AROSE IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

HOWEVER, HE ADDED, IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH PROCEEDINGS THE RIGHTS OF THE FATHER PREVAILED.

THE MAINTENANCE ORDERS (RECIPROCAL ENFORCEMENT) BILL 1977 SEEKS TO REPEAL AND REPLACE THE MAINTENANCE ORDERS (FACILITIES FOR ENFORCEMENT) ORDINANCE (CAP. 15). IF ENACTED, IT WILL BRING THE PROVISIONS OF BILL IN LINE WITH THOSE OF PART I OF THE U.K. MAINTENANCE ORDERS (RECIPROCAL ENFORCEMENT) ACT OF 1972.

THE BILL WILL ENABLE ANY COUNTRY AND NOT MERELY A COMMONWEALTH COUNTRY WHICH IS PREPARED TO ENFORCE MAINTENANCE ORDERS MADE IN HONG KONG TO HAVE ITS ORDERS ENFORCED HERE.

THE DEFINITION OF MAINTENANCE ORDER IN THE BILL INCLUDES AN AFFILIATION ORDER AND WILL THUS ENABLE ENFORCEMENT OF SUCH ORDERS IN A RECIPROCATING COUNTRY.

THE AIMS OF THE AFFILIATION PROCEEDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND THE SEPARATION AND MAINTENANCE ORDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 ARE s

* TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OP MAINTENANCE WHICH.THE DISTRICT COURT MAY AWARD IN RESPECT OF A CHILD FRQM S12O TO 3500 PER WEEK, AND ' . - '

* TO EMPOWER THE DISTRICT COURT TO REVOKE, REVIVE OR VARY AN ORDER FOR THE PERIODICAL PAYMENT OF MONEY .MADE UNDER EITHER OF THE ABOVE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCES EVEN THOUGH ONE OF THE PARTIES RESIDES CUTSI D^ HONG KONG.'

- - - - 0----- . /g....

» F

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1977

8

FIRING PRACTICE

* * * fc

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON FOUR 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

FEBRUARY 11 (FRIDAY) 9.30 A.M. -- 4 P.M.

FEBRUARY 15 (TUESDAY) 8.00 A.M. — 10 P.M.

FEBRUARY 16 (WEDNESDAY) 8.00 A.M. -- 6 P.M.

FEBRUARY 28 (MONDAY) 8.30 A.M. -- 4 P.M.

ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN

* H * *

THE SLIP ROAD FROM TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD TO TAI PO ROAD, SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FOR TwO WEEKS FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO ENABLE TWO LARGE FRESHWATER MAINS TO BE LAID FROM SHA TIN (NORTH) SERVICE RESERVOIR.

DURING THIS PERIOD THE ACCESS ROAD FROM TAI PO ROAD TO TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY REROUTED TWO-WAY.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PLACED IN THE AREA FOR THE GUIDANCE OF MOTORISTS.

--------c---------

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SLIGHT DROP IN MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT DURING THE FINAL QUARTER OF LAST YEAR ......................................... 1

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO OPEN SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE ....................................................... 3

PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS SERVICE EXHIBITION OPENED .......... 4

CONSULTATIONS ON TEXTILES AGREEMENTS BETWEEN CANADA AND HONG KONG .................................................... 5

LADY MACLEHOSE TO VISIT SCHOOL AND CHILDREN’S RECEPTION CENTRE IN KOWLOON ............................................ 6

OVER 6,000 STUDENTS EXPECTED TO ATTEND CAREERS SEMINARS .... 7

EXHIBITION ON ^COMMUNITY AND ICAC+ TO BE STAGED NEXT WEEK .. 7

NEW HONORARY AIR COMMODORE FOR THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE .......................................... g

PO KONG VILLAGE INTERCHANGE OPENS TO TRAFFIC NEXT TUESDAY .. 8

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

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, '’977

1

SLIGHT DROP IN MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT *****

A TOTAL OF 773,746 PEOPLE WERE EMPLOYED IN MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG AS AT DECEMBER 1976, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST EMPLOYMENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1976.

THIS REPRESENTED A SLIGHT DROP OF 5,042 PERSONS OR 0.6 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE FIGURE OF 778,788 FOR SEPTEMBER 1976.

WHEN COMPARED WITH A TOTAL OF 678,857 PERSONS ENGAGED IN DECEMBER 1975, MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT IN DECEMBER 1976 WAS HIGHER BY 94,889 PERSONS OR 14 PER CENT.

IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, THE FIVE LARGEST INDUSTRY GROUPS REMAINED WEARING APPAREL, TEXTILES, ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES, PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS.

A COMPARISON OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1976 AND DECEMBER 1976 ARE t

CHANGE OF DEC. 1976

OVER SEPT. 1976

INDUSTRY GROUP PERSONS ENGAGED IN DEC. 1975 PERSONS ENGAGED IN SEPT. 1976 PERSONS ENGAGED IN DEC. 1976 PERSONS ENGAGED % CHANGE

WEARING APPAREL 238,958 273,089 265,913 -7,176 -2.6

TEXTILES 112,922 117,908 115,912 -1,996 -1.7

ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES 66,353 88,872 88,057 - 815 -0.9

PLASTIC PRODUCTS 63,706 79,427 76,994 -2,433 -3.1

FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 57,322 66,152 69,781 +3,629 +5.5

/main .....

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1977

- 2 -

MAIN INCREASES AND DECREASES AT THE INDUSTRY SECTOR LEVEL BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1976 AND DECEMBER 1976 ARE :

CHANGE OF DEC. 1976

OVER SEPT. 1976

PERSONS ENGAGED PERSONS ENGAGED PERSONS ENGAGED

INDUSTRY IN DEC. IN SEPT. IN DEC. PERSONS %

SECTOR 1975 1976 1976 ENGAGED CHANGE

PHOTOGRAPHIC AND OPTICAL GOODS 3,664 4,571 5,426 + 855 + 18.7

RUBBER FOOTWEAR 4,783 4,216 4,799 + 583 +13.8

JOB PRINTING 13,441 14,110 14,661 + 551 ♦3.9

GARMENTS 189,661 217,424 211,098 -6,326 -2.9

KNITWEAR FROM YARN 21,631 23,094 21,403 -1,691 -7.3

PLASTIC TOYS 33,591 42,701 41,119 -1,582 -3.7

WOOL KNITTING 18,388 18,232 16,789 -1,443 -7.9

PLASTIC PRODUCTS NOT ELSEWHERE CLASSIFIED 24,459 29,958 28,990 - 968 -3.2

DETAILED FIGURES OF EMPLOYMENT BROKEN DOWN BY OTHER INDUSTRY GROUPS OR INDUSTRY SECTORS ARE OBTAINABLE ON REQUEST FROM THE EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

0 --------

/3

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1977

3

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO OPEN SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE * * * X X K *

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE ON FEBRUARY 7 - THE SIXTH DAY OF HER VISIT TO HONG KONG.

BUILT ON THE SITE OF A FORMER ARMY CAMP, THE CENTRE, COVERING AN AREA OF MORE THAN 25 ACRES, IS THE FIRST OUTDOOR HOLIDAY RESORT OF ITS KIND MADE AVAILABLE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO OFFER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO BOTH THE ABLE-BODIED AND THE HANDICAPPED ON A LARGE SCALE. IT IS OPERATED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

AFTER UNVEILING A PLAQUE TO COMMEMORATE HER VISIT TO THE CENTRE, THE PRINCESS WILL SEE YOUNGSTERS TAKING PART IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CYCLING, TRADITIONAL CHINESE DANCING, ARCHERY AND ROPE WORK.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL ALSO START AN ORIENTEERING RACE AND VISIT ONE OF THE COMFORTABLE AND BRIGHTLY-COLOURED DORMITORIES WHICH HAVE BEEN CONVERTED FROM NISSEN HUTS.

THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE IS THE PROTOTYPE OF SIX OTHER RECREATION CENTRES THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO BUILD SOON.

AT PRESENT, THE CENTRE IS CAPABLE OF ACCOMMODATING ABOUT 200 CAMPERS. IT WILL BE EXPANDED LATER TO CATER FOR 400.

CAMPERS ONLY HAVE TO PAY $5 EACH FOR LODGING AND $4 FOR A MEAL AND FOR DAY CAMPERS, A NOMINAL FEE OF $1 EACH IS CHARGED.

IN ADDITION TO LARGE ROOMS FOR BOWLING, BILLIARDS AND SOCIAL GATHERING, THE CENTRE OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION. THESE INCLUDE A SWIMMING POOL, A ROLLER SKATING RINK, A BASKETBALL COURT AND A GAMES AREA FOR SMALL CHILDREN.

FREE COACHING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS SPORTS IS PROVIDED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.

A FEATURE OF THE CENTRE IS THAT ALL THE ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED BOTH FOR THE ABLE-BODIED AND THE HANDICAPPED.

A FIELD STUDY CENTRE WILL BE BUILT NEAR THE AREA SET ASIDE FOR ECOLOGICAL STUDY.

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

/4

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1977

4

OPENING OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS SERVICE EXHIBITION X X X X X

REPORTS MADE BY PROBATION OFFICERS ARE OF 'INESTIMABLE VALUE’ TO THE SENTENCING COURT WHEN DEALING WITH YOUNG OFFENDERS.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR GEOFFREY BRIGGS, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION ON PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS SERVICE HELD AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.

SIR GEOFFREY SAID: +THE MERE RETRIBUTIVE ASPECT OF THE PUNISHMENT OF OFFENDERS IS NOWADAYS BUT LITTLE REGARDED. THE COURT ALWAYS HOPES THAT AN OFFENDER, PARTICULARLY A YOUNG OFFENDER, WILL MEND HIS WAYS OR LEARN A LESSON BY REASON OF THE PUNISHMENT AWARDED TO HIM OR THE SENTENCE IMPOSED UPON HIM.

+IN THIS AREA, THE PROBATION OFFICER MAKES A MOST REAL AND VALUABLE CONTRI BUT ION.+

+IN HIS REPORT, THE REPORTING OFFICER INVARIABLY PAINTS A BALANCED AND FAIR PICTURE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE OFFENDER AND HE NEVER ATTEMPTS TO USURP THE FUNCTIONS OF THE JUDGE,+ HE ADDED.

POINTING OUT THAT THE WORK OF THE PROBATION OFFICERS DOES NOT STOP AFTER HE HAS MADE HIS REPORT TO THE COURT, THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID: +IF A PROBATION ORDER IS MADE THE PROBATION OFFICER HAS THE DUTY OF SUPERVISING THE LIFE OF THE PERSON IN RESPECT OF WHOM THE ORDER IS MADE.

+THE PROBATION OFFICER, IN EFFECT, ACTS IN LOCO PARENTIS TO THAT PERSON* HE IS A SORT OF TEACHER CUM PARENT. HE TRIES TO ENSURE THAT ANY UNDESIRABLE ACQUAINTANCES ARE DROPPED' ANY PREVIOUS BAD HABITS ARE GIVEN UP.+

+HE ATTEMPTS, AND OFTEN WITH GREAT SUCCESS, TO GAIN THE RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE OF THAT PERSON AND SO FAR AS HE IS ABLE, TO POINT THE WAY TO A MORE BALANCED AND RESPECTABLE WAY OF LIFE,* HE CONTINUED.

SIR GEOFFREY SAID THAT PROBATION OFFICERS HAD TO BE FIRM AS WELL AS TACTFUL AS MANY OF THEM WERE REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH ARROGANT YOUNGSTERS WHO MAY BE ADDICTED TO DRUGS, THUGGERY OR GAMBLING.

THE CHIEF JUSTICE PRAISED THE CORRECTIONS INSTITUTES, MANAGED BY THE PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

HE SAID THAT THEY WERE EXPERTLY RUN AND THAT THE GREATEST POSSIBLE INDIVIDUAL CARE WAS TAKEN OF EACH INMATE.

/speaking .....

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1977

5

SPEAKING AT THE SAME CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID THAT THE AIM OF THE PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS SERVICE WAS TO HELP PROBATIONERS TO REFORM THEMSELVES AND THE METHODS USED WERE BASED ON SOCIAL WORK PRINCIPLES.

+SOCIAL WORKERS FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT BEHAVIOUR CAN BE CHANGED AND THAT DEFIANT BEHAVIOUR CAN BE MODIFIED IN A MILIEU CONDUCIVE TO REHABILITATION THROUGH TRAINING AND COUNSELLING,* HE SAID.

+WITH HELP AND UPON ACQUIRING NECESSARY SOCIAL SKILLS, PROBATIONERS CAN REGAIN THEIR SELF-RESPECT, SO WILL THEY LEARN TO LIVE HARMONIOUSLY WITH OTHERS AND BECOME LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.*

MR. LEE POINTED OUT THAT MANY PEOPLE MIGHT THINK PROBATION MEANS SETTING OFFENDERS FREE. +THIS IS NOT TRUE. IN FACT, THE COURT RETAINS THE POWER OF RECALLING PROBATIONERS BACK TO COURT,* HE STRESSED.

+IF A PROBATIONER MISBEHAVES OR FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE ADVICE OF THE PROBATION OFFICER DURING THE PERIOD, HE IS LIABLE TO BE SENTENCED FOR BREACH OF A PROBATION ORDER OR TO BE DEALT WITH FOR THE ORIGINAL OFFENCE.*

MR. LEE NOTED THAT THE EFFORTS OF THE PROBATION OFFICERS

ALONE WERE NOT ENOUGH. +THE SUCCESS OF THIS TYPE OF WORK DEPENDS ON THE SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE PUBLIC, THUS ENSURING THAT PROBATIONERS THAT ARE DETERMINDED TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF ARE NOT DESPISED OR REJECTED BY THE COMMUNITY.*

+WITHOUT SUCH ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC, PROBATIONERS CAN HARDLY REGAIN SELF-RESPECT AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIETY,* HE ADDED.

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

CONSULTATIONS ON TEXTILES AGREEMENTS BETWEEN CANADA AND HK ******

THE TEXTILES SURVEILLANCE BODY HAS CONCLUDED ITS DELIBERATIONS ON THE REFERENCE MADE TO IT BY HONG KONG CONCERN INQ THE SUPERSESSION BY CANADA IN NOVEMBER 1976 OF BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENTS BETWEEN CANADA AND HONG KONG.

THE TSB NOTED THAT THE AGREEMENTS CONTAINED PROVISIONS

FOR CONSULTATIONS, SHOULD DIFFICULTIES ARISE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THOSE AGREEMENTS. IT THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT +THE TWO PARTIES SHOULD HOLD CONSULTATIONS WITH A VIEW TO REVOLVING ANY PROBLEMS THAT MAY HAVE ARISEN OR MIGHT ARISE, AND TO REPORT ON THOSE CONSULTATIONS TO THE TSB WITHIN THIRTY DAYS.*

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

/6

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1977

6

LADY MACLEHOSE TO VISIT SCHOOL AND CHILDREN’S RECEPTION CENTRE * X H * * *

LADY MACLEHOSE WILL VISIT THE TSZ WAN SHAN RED CROSS SCHOOL AND THE CHUK YUEN CHILDREN’S RECEPTION CENTRE IN KOWLOON ON MONDAY (JANUARY 31) MORNING.

THE SCHOOL AIMS TO PROVIDE A SECURE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH HANDICAPPED CHILDREN CAN LEARN AND EXPLORE, ADJUST AND INTEGRATE

MANAGED BY THE HONG KONG RED CROSS, THE SCHOOL HAS, AT PRESENT, A CAPACITY OF 90 PUPILS.

CLASSES ARE CONDUCTED IN GROUPS OF 10 TO 20 CHILDREN, RANGING FROM SEPCIAL CLASSES, JUNIOR 1 TO 6. THE SPECIAL CLASSES ARE SET UP TO MEET THE NEED OF MULTIPLE-HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

LADY MACLEHOSE WILL BE MET ON HER ARRIVAL BY MR. T.C. CHENG, CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHOOLS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG RED CROSS’ MRS. GENNIE LEE, SUPERVISOR OF THE SCHOOL AND MRS. LAM MA FUNG-YAN, PRINCIPAL.

AFTER SPENDING ABOUT HALF AN HOUR TOURING THE SCHOOL, LADY MACLEHOSE WILL PROCEED TO THE CHUK YUEN CHILDREN’S RECEPTION CENTRE. THERE SHE WILL BE RECEIVED BY MR. JIMMY SWEETMAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, AND TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE PREMISES BY MRS. LU CHENG YUK-YIP, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CENTRE.

OPERATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE CENTRE PROVIDES TEMPORARY CARE FOR A CAPACITY OF 80 CHILDREN UNDER EIGHT YEARS OLD.

THE CHILDREN INCLUDE THOSE WHO ARE ABANDONED, FOUND WANDERING ON THE STREET, ILLEGITIMATE BABIES, AND CHILDREN IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION.

NOTE TO EDITORS s

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VISITS. LADY MACLEHOSE WILL ARRIVE AT THE TSZ WAN SHAN RED CROSS SCHOOL AT BLOCK 47, TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE, AT ABOUT 10.30 A.M. AND AT THE CHUK YUEN CHILDREN’S RECEPTION CENTRE AT NO. 1 LUNG FUNG STREET, WONG TAI SIN AT ABOUT 11 A.M.

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

/7

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1977 - 7 -

CAREERS SEMINARS FOR OVER 6,000 STUDENTS

* * *

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE IS ORGANISING A SERIES OF SEVEN CAREERS SEMINARS NEXT MONTH FOR MORE THAN 6,000 SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS -- MOSTLY FORM V STUDENTS.

THESE SEMINARS, AIMED AT PROVIDING INFORMATION ON A WIDE RANGE OF CAREERS TO THE WOULD-BE SCHOOL LEAVERS, WILL INCLUDE SUCH SUBJECTS AS BANKING, TELEVISION BROADCASTING, JOURNALISM, SOCIAL WORK, TOURISM, ADVERTISING, PRINTING AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE WILL ALSO BE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE SEMINARS.

APART FROM CAREERS TALKS BY SPECIALISTS, A PROGRAMME OF SOUND-ON-SLIDES AND FILMS WILL BE SHOWN TO THE STUDENTS.

SAID LABOUR OFFICER MRS. ANGELA HO: +THE SEMINARS ARE PART OF OUR CONTINUOUS EFFORTS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH THE LATEST CAREERS INFORMATION AND WE ARE EXPERIENCING ONE OF THE BEST RESPONSE FROM HEADS OF SCHOOLS SINCE OUR SUCCESSFUL CAREERS '77 EXHIBITION HELD AT THE HUNG HOM RAIL TERMINUS LAST NOVEMBER.*

THE SEMINARS WILL BE HELD IN TURN AT THE NING PO COLLEGE AND QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL IN KOWLOON, QUEEN’S COLLEGE ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND BUDDHIST SIN TAK COLLEGE AND HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

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

EXHIBITION ON +COMMUNITY AND ICAC+

*****

A FOUR-DAY EXHIBITION ON +COMMUNITY AND ICAC+ WILL BE HELD AT THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 31).

THE EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY CENTRE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE ICAC FUK LOI SUB-OFFICE.

IT AIMS TO INTRODUCE THE WORK OF ICAC TO THE PUBLIC AND TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION.

MR. JIMMY HAYES, TOWN MANAGER AND DISTRICT OFFICER, TSUEN WAN- MR. LEUNG TAT-SHING, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND MR. CHAN PO-FONG, A PROMINENT LOCAL LEADER, WILL BE OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 3 P.M. ON MONDAY.

APART FROM THE EXHIBITION, A SERIES OF FILM SHOWS AND SEMINARS HAVE ALSO BEEN LINED UP.

THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC DAILY BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 13 P.M.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1977

8

NEW HONORARY AIR COMMODORE FOR RHKAAF

******

WHEN THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE CARRIES OUT ITS 1,OOOTH CASUALTY AIRLIFT A FEW WEEKS FROM NOW, THE EVENT WILL HAVE A SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR WING COMMANDER GORDON BELL WHO WAS LAST WEEK APPOINTED AS THE NEW HONORARY AIR COMMODORE.

FOR IT WAS IN 1958 WHEN MR. BELL WAS — IN RECOGNITION OF HIS SERVICES -- AWARDED AN AIR EFFICIENCY AWARD THAT TWO HELICOPTERS WERE ADDED TO A FLEET OF AIRCRAFT TO IMPROVE THE AUXILIARY AIR FORCE’S CAPABILITY IN AIRLIFTING SICK AND INJURED FROM ISOLATED AREAS TO HOSPITAL.

MR. BELL’S ASSOCIATION WITH THE RHKAAF STARTED IN 1951 AFTER BEING TRANSFERRED FROM THE HONG KONG ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTARY RESERVE.

ELEVEN YEARS LATER HE WAS APPOINTED COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE RHKAAF WITH THE RANK OF WING COMMANDER.

HE RECEIVED THE FIRST CLASP TO THE AIR EFFICIENCY AWARD IN 1965. IT WAS ALSO IN THAT YEAR THE AUXILIARY AIR FORCE REPLACED ITS TWO AGING WIDGEON HELICOPTERS BY TWO ALOUETTES.

CURRENTLY, THREE ALOUETTES PROVIDE TWO INVALUABLE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY: THE 24-HOUR AIR-AMBULANCE SERVICE AND THE WEEKLY +FLYING DOCTOR+ SERVICE.

- o - -

PO KONG VILLAGE INTERCHANGE

*****

THE NEW INTERCHANGE, KNOWN AS PO KONG VILLAGE INTERCHANGE, LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON 10 A.M. ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 1).

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THAT 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS WOULD BE IMPOSED ON ALL THE CARRIAGEWAYS AT THIS INTERCHANGE AND ALSO ON THE SECTION OF PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD BETWEEN FUNG TAK ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD.

ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING IN THE RESTRICTED ZONE TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS OR TO LOAD AND UNLOAD GOODS.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO INDICATE THE RESTRICTIONS.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, JANUARY JO, 1977

PERMANENT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AT SHA TIN WORK TO BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN WORK LATER THIS YEAR ON THE FIRST STAGE OF THE NEW 3175 MILLION PERMANENT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AT SHA TIN.

THE PLANT, THE BIGGEST OF ITS TYPE EVER UNDERTAKEN IN HONG KONG, IS A MAJOR PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE SEWERAGE SYSTEM DESIGNED TO PROTECT SHA TIN NEW TOWN FROM ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION.

WHEN FULLY DEVELOPED, IT WILL SERVE THE NEW TOWN’S ENTIRE POPULATION OF SOME 5OO.OOO.

TENDERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECEIVED FOR MOST OF THE 17 ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CONTRACTS, AND SOME ARE EXPECTED TO BE SIGNED NEXT MONTH.

IT IS ENVISAGED THAT TENDERS FOR THE HUGE CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS CONTRACTS WILL EE INVITED BY THE END OF FEBRUARY.

MR. WONG KWOK-CHOY, CHIEF P.W.D. ENGINEER OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE’S CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION, SAID TODAY THE PLANT HAD ATTRACTED INTERNATIONAL INTEREST WITH BIDS HAVING BEEN RECEIVED FROM SOME OF THE BEST KNOWN FIRMS IN THE U.K., JAPAN, SCANDINAVIA, WEST GERMANY AND AUSTRALIA.

SOME OF HONG KONG’S TOP ESTABLISHED FIRMS HAD ALSO PUT IN BIDS, HE SAID, AND THESE WERE NOW BEING CONSIDERED TOGETHER WITH THE OTHERS.

+NATURALLY, WE ARE VERY PLEASED WITH THE RESPONSE SO FAR AND WE HOPE TO BEGIN ACTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE TREATMENT WORKS BY SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER THIS YEAR.+ HE SAID.

/+ THE SEWAGE......

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

SUNDAY, JANUARY JO, 1977

- 2 -

THE SEWAGE PLANT WILL BE BUILT JUST NORTH OF THE NEW RACECOURSE AT SHA TIN NEW TOWN ON 17 HECTARES OF RECLAIMED LAND.

THE STAGE ONE CONSTRUCTION WHICH IS BEING PARTLY FINANCED BY A $95 MILLION LOAN FROM THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, WILL INVOLVE SETTLING AND hERATION TANKS AND AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

MR. WONG SAID THE PLANT’S CONSTRUCTION TIMETABLE HAD BEEN GEARED TO KEEP PACE WITH THE VARIOUS STAGES OF THE NEW TOWN’S DEVELOPMENT, AND IN FACT IT WOULD BE RACING AHEAD OF INITIAL POPULATION INCREASE.

+BY THE TIME IT’S COMMISSIONED IN 1980 THE POPULATION OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN SHOULD BE STANDING AT AROUND 150,000 WHILE THE SEWAGE WORKS WILL BE CAPABLE OF SERVING SOME 230,000 PEOPLE.+

HE SAID THE P.W.D. ENGINEERS WOULD PROCEED WITH THE SECOND STAGE EXPANSION AS THE POPULATION BEGAN MOVING TOWARD ITS

V, OPTIMUM OF HALF A MILLION PEOPLE.

■■■ A FEATURE OF THE NEW PLANT WILL BE ITS ABILITY TO PARTLY

SELF-PERPETUATE ITS OWN OPERATING POWER. METHANE GAS, A BY-PRODUCT OF SEWAGE TREATMENT, WILL BE FED BACK INTO THE SYSTEM TO HELP DRIVE THE PLANT’S ELECTRICAL GENERATORS.

THE SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITY WILL LINK UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SEWAGE COLLECTION SYSTEM COVERING THE ENTIRE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT, AND IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT NO SEWAGE IN AN UNTREATED FORM WILL BE DISCHARGED INTO TOLO HARBOUR, LONG RECOGNISED AS ONE OF HONG KONG’S MOST ATTRACTIVE WATERWAYS.

MR. WONG SAID THE COLLECTION SYSTEM WAS BEING BUILT TO COPE WITH THE WHOLE OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN EVEN THOUGH THIS CAPACITY WOULD NOT BE FULLY UTILISED UNTIL THE NEW TOWN WAS COMPLETED.

THE TREATMENT WORKS WOULD BE ABLE TO TREAT MORE THAN 102,000 CUBIC METRES GF RAW SEWAGE PER DAY, HE SAID.

+THE MAXIMUM SEWAGE FLOW TO THE PLANT FOR FULL TREATMENT WILL BE 3.6 CUBIC METRES PER SECOND — A TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN TREATMENT CAPACITY OVER OUR EXISTING PLANTS. +

AT PRESENT, SEWAGE AT SHA TIN IS BEING TREATED BY A TEMPORARY PLANT AT FO TAN WHICH HAS A TREATMENT CAPACITY FOR ONLY ABOUT 30,000 PEOPLE.

AN INTERIM TREATMENT PLANT IS BEING BUILT NEXT TO IT BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. THIS WILL TRIPLE THE SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES AT SHA TIN NEW TOWN AND ENSURE THAT TOLO HARBOUR IS NOT POLLUTED BEFORE THE LARGE PERMANENT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS COMES OK STREAM.

/+ THE 1NTE7IM

SUNDAY, JANUARY JO, 1977

THE INTERIM PLANT IS DUE TO COME INTO OPERATION IN MAY, BUT IT WILL HAVE A RELATIVELY SHORT LIFE SPAN AS IT WILL BE PHASED OUT, TOGETHER WITH THE EXISTING TEMPORARY PLANT, WHEN THE PERMANEN' TREATMENT WORKS IS COMPLETED.

+WHEN THEY HAVE OUTLIVED THEIR USE AT SHA TIN, THE EQUIPMENT IN THESE TWO TEMPORARY PLANTS WILL BE REMOVED AND PROBABLY PUT TO OTHER USE ELSEWHERE,+ SAID MR. WONG.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE TREATMENT SYSTEM OF THE PERMANENT PLANT WOULD INVOLVE A SERIES OF COMPLEX PROCESSES WHICH COULD ROUGHLY EE DIVIDED INTO THREE STAGES.

+THE FIRST STAGE INVOLVES A PROCESS KNOWN AS SEDIMENTATION WHEREBY THE SCREENED SEWAGE IS PASSED THROUGH TANKS WHERE ALL THE GROSS SOLIDS ARE REMOVED, THUS REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF POLLUTANTS BY ROUGHLY 69 PER CENT.

+THE SECOND STAGE INVOLVES FURTHER REDUCING THE POLLUTANTS BY INTRODUCING AIR INTO THE SEWAGE THUS ENCOURAGING BIOLOGICAL PUR IF ICATION PROCESSES.

+THE REMANING EFFLUENT IS THEN PASSED TO FINAL SETTLING TANKS WHERE THE REMAINING SOLIDS SETTLE OUT BEFORE THE CLEAR EFFLUENT IS DISCAHRGED INTO THE SEA.+

THE SLUDGE THAT REMAINS BEHIND, HE SAID, WOULD BE DIGESTED, DEWATERED AND COMPOSTED WITH GARBAGE FOR USE AS LANDFILL IN P.W.D. CONTROLLED TIPPING OPERATIONS.

THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PERMANENT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY WATSON (H.K.) CHARTERED CIVIL ENGINEERS, CONSULTING ENGINEERS TO THE GOVERNMENT, UNDER THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE P.W.D.*S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFF ICE.

- 0 - -

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ON HONG KONG ISLAND

*******

THE SECTION OF CONSORT RISE BETWEEN 20 BISNEY ROAD AND 21 CONSORT RISE WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND FROM 10 A.M. TOMORROW (MONDAY).

’APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- 0 -

SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 1977

4

LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXAMS

******

THE NEXT LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXAMINATION TO BE HELD IN HONG KONG WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN JUNE 22 AND JUNE 33.

THE SUBJECTS INVOLVED ARE COSTING, ACCOUNTING AND BOOK-KEEPING AT VARIOUS LEVELS, AND THE ENTRY FEES RANGE FROM $28 TO $36.

CANDIDATES PREPARING FOR THE EXAMINATIONS BY ATTENDING COURSES IN SCHOOLS SHOULD REGISTER THROUGH THEIR SCHOOLS WHILE CANDIDATES NOT REPRESENTED BY SCHOOLS MAY APPLY AS PRIVATE CANDIDATES.

ENTRY FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S EXAMINATIONS DIVISION ON THE 13TH FLOOR, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KOWLOON, DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7 TO 11.

COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES, TOGETHER WITH PROOF OF IDENTITY (HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD OR PASSPORT) AND TWO RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE APPLICANT (SIZE 2-l/2”X 2”) MUST BE SUBMITTED IN PERSON, AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS, BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4 P.M. FROM FEBRUARY 7 TO 11.

CANDIDATES ARE ADVISED THAT NO LATE ENTRIES CAN BE ACCEPTED. ENTRY FEES MAY BE PAID (IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE) TO THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES NOT LATER THAN FEBRUARY 14, 1977.

0 - -

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT MUI WO

******

A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS AT MUI WO RURAL COMMITTEE FOR RESIDENTS AND PERSONS LIVING NEARBY FOR THREE DAYS FROM FEBRUARY 7.

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

REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 4 P.M. DAILY.

ALL PERSONS LIVING IN THIS AREA ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS. THEY SHOULD REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.

0

'i1 I I, •• ‘i'll' •WOfc'l I f1 ’I

I I'. •

’I1 1 I

I 'i i I I |

PRH

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

Monday, January J1, 1977

CONTENTS PjiGE NO.

Three thousand more hospital beds in five years.............. 1

Princess jJLexandra to tour Chai Wan district ............... 4

Commissioner for Narcotics to attend conference in Geneva . 6

Maxicab service between Central district and Po Shan Road to be improved ...........................................

Lady MacLehose visits Chuk Yuen Children’s Reception Centre ....................................................   B

December banking statistics ............................... 10

Director of Social Welfare visits voluntary welfare agencies .................................................

Tender for Sai Kung development ite postponed........... 1J

-mother choice site in Kowloon to be auctioned........... 14

Early pay days for public assistance recipients........... 16

Two Student -dr Traffic Control Officers to attend course in U.K.....................................................  16

Pre-war buildin6 declared dangerous ........................ 17

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

Monday, January J1, 1977

1

HK TO HAVE 3,000 MORE HOSPITAL BEDS IN FIVE YEARS *****

The Director of Medical and Health S-rvices, Dr. . . . "long, said today that an additional 3,000 hospital beds would be available for use within the next five years, boosting the total number of beds in Hong Kong to 22,000, or 4.5 beds per thousand population.

The development of new hospitals and clinics will ta’.:e into account the geographical distribution and movement of population and the development of new towns,1 he said.

Dr. Thong was speaking at a luncheon meeting of t .e Association of Past Chairmen of the Previous Boards of Directors of Tung '7ah Group of Hospitals this afternoon.

Cutlining plans for the- period up to 1981/82, the Director said the broad objective of future development of medical and health services was not only to build more hospitals and clinics to ieet expected population growth but to improve and expand existing services and introduce new services to meet the changing demands of the community.

On hospital projects, the psychiatric wing of the Princess Margaret Hospital, providing 1,300 beds, is scheduled for completion in 1980, and a health centre at East Kowloon will be completed a year later. Work on the 1,300-bed Sha Tin Hospital, which is to become the teaching hospital for the new medical school at the Chinese University, will commence in 1979 and the target date for completion is 1982/83.

/+ In the .....

Monday, January J1t 1977

2 -

In the Government-assisted sector, the Tung -<ih ..roup _s to embark on the construction of a clinical pathology buil ing Jit Kworf .7ah Hospital, which will be a regional hospital for t..o est Kowloon region. ‘This building will provide a comprehensive r :^e of modern pathological and laboratory services. The Carit-.s Extension is under construction and is scheduled for complete j..i 1978, providing an additional 600 beds.

Two new polyclinics will be opened this year. The; arc the South Kwai Chung Polyclinic and Stage One of the Hast Kowloon Polyclinic. During the next five years, three clinics will be built, one each at Ngau Tau Kok, Lei Kuk Shue and Sha -tin. Tn addition, construction of a polyclinic at Sha Tin will begin in 19uO/81 and at Tuen nun in 1978/79 and a general clinic will also be built at Ka Kwai Chung in 1980/81.

The Director said the next five years would also see further ^rogress in the provision of preventive health services.

j said the Department planned to launch a case-fine, mg publicity pro; ranune for tuberculosis .next year.

A stage is no.? reached where greater efforts sneuli be made to find out more cases and to encourage persons even wicn a. simple cough lasting two to three weeks to come foreward for examination, • he said.

Dr. Thong said health education was an important tool in the prevention of diseases and in the positive promotion of tae health of an individual and of the community.

/+ It is .....

Monday9 January p1, 1977

- 3 -

•’It is essential/’ he said, ’rto coordinate the whole range of health education activities in the different units of tno Medical and Health Department and to maximise the use of the resources by a Central Health Education Unit.

Dr. Thong said plans were in hand to set up sue. o. unit in the Department.

In the field of dental health, the Director said the next five years would see considerable development and improvement.

A School Dental Care Service is expected to be. in operation towards the end. of the five-year forecast period when the first intake of dental nurses would have completed uheir training at the Dental Nurse Training School now under construction i » :• . * *■ c

as part of the UacLehose Dental Centre project.

•’In the meantime/’ said Dr. Thong, planning has ccmr.anced for the building of a Dental Teaching Hospital, which is to be established at the Hong Kong University.”

-------->0 - - - -

f ■ KF* f

Monday, January ^1, 1977

- 4 -

PRINCESS jJItXJWRA TO TOUR CH.tl VU\ DISTRICT

«»»**«**

HRE Princess Alexandra v/ill tour Chai Wan District on

February 8 - the second last day of her eight-day visit to Hong Kong, accompanied by the Governor, Sir hurray Ms.cLehose, the

Princess will first arrive at Hing Wah Lstc.te (Stage II). On arrival, . ♦

Her Royal Highness will be greeted by the Commissioner of Police,

t *•

Mr. Brian Slevin.

The party will then visit the Neighbourhood Police Unit on the ground floor of On Hing Building. There, the chairmen and members of mutual aid committees in the area will be presented to Her Royal •/i..

Highness.

Before leaving for Chai Wan Community Centre, the Princess will walk through a shopping area in the estate. On arrival at the Community Centre, HRH will meet and talk with some members -of Junior Police Call (JPC).

The present membership of the JPC totals some 178,000. They are friends and helpers of the police and represent an immense force of motivated youngsters conscious of their civic duties.

Twenty years ago, Chai Wan — situated at the eastern tip of Hong Kong Island — was a tiny fishing village. Today it is the site of one of Hong Kong’s most modern highrise public housing estates.

The population of the district today stands at more than

100,000 as compared with a few hundred before its development. As more public and private housing projects are completed, the number of people who will live there in the next few years is expected to / top 160,000.

/The Hing Wah

Monday, January J1, 1977

- 5 r

The Hing Wah Estate (Stage II), completed last year, adjoins the Hing hah Estate (Stage I), which was completed in 1971- From its K • •

20 acres of land, it commands magnificent views of the eastern entrance of the harbour in the north and of the wooded terrain in the south.

It consists of self-contained flats in seven blocks of seven

to 29 storeys, designed to accommodate some 21,000 people.

Estate facilities include schools, kindergartens, welfare agencies, restaurants, shops and markets.

\ i 11 II 11 I • I I «l I • » Il I

Monday, January >1, 1$77 - “6 -

A’JTI-NARCOTICS CHIEF TO ATTEND'CChlFERENCE 1 GElliVA % 4r * * *

The Commissioner for Narcotics, hr. Peter Loe, leaves Hong Kong today (Pionday) to attend the £7th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Geneva, as a iaenber of the United Kingdom delegation.

Mr. Lee will make a brief stop in the United p.'gdom »

before proceeding to Geneva.

The meeting, an important international conference ‘ old every year to co-ordinate and promote global efforts in dealing with narcotic problems, will open on.February 7 nnd close on February 25. •_

During the meeting, a comprehensive review will be carried out on the world situation of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking, and the measures taken to reduce them since the last session of the Commission in February 1976.

Reports will be made by delegates from the 30 nemb.r nation^ of the Commission and.^by representatives from some 20 specialized agencies of the United Nations and other international organizations -concerned with narcotic drugs, and psychotropic substances.

Also included in the agenda are the control of the world’s licit trade of narcotic drugs for medical and scientific pui’poses, and scientific research into the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts.

/+ The......

I

Monday, January 31, 1977

- 7 -

The U.K. Commission, an inter-governmental body, has specific administrative and advisory' functions under the 1961 ’’Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.” The Single Convention, which has so far been ratified by more than 100 countries, seeks to curtail excess availability of drugs and to monitor cultivation, manufacture and international shipments. __________________________________0---------

TWO MORE MhXIC.iBS FOR ROUTE 3 *******

Services on Maxicab Route No. 3, which plies between the Central and Po Shan Road areas, will be improved from tomorrow (Tuesday).

The present fleet of four maxicabs on this Route will be increased to six tomorrow with the addition of two more maxicabs.

-i spokesman for the Transport Department said that the additional two maxicabs would improve the carrying capacity and frequency frequency of the service.

another advantage the two maxicabs will bring is the intror auction of services on Sundays and public holidays between 7*30 a.m. and 7-30 p.m.

”0n these days,” the spokesman said, ‘’services on Route 3 will operate every 30 minutes.”

He said that previously there were no services on Sundays and public holidays. ---------------------------------0---------

/8......

Monaay, January .31, 1977

* - 8" -

LADY MACLEHOSE VISITS CHUk YUU< CHILDREN’S ’t-X.JPTI■ CJVj,.

Lady LacLehose paid visit to the Chuk Yuen Children’s Reception Centre in Knv/lcon this (Monday) morning.

She was greeted on her arrival by Mr. Jimmy Sweetiiai , Deputy Director of Social Welfare; Mrs. Evelyn Doe, Read of the Family Services Division, and Mrs. Lu Cheng Yuk-yip, Superintendent of the Centre.

During the tour, Lady MacLehose was briefed by ur. Sweetman.

The Centre, operated by the Social /elfare Department, provides temporary care for a capacity of SO children under eiRxt years old. The children include those whe are abandoned, found wandering on the street, illegitimate babies and children in need of care and protection.

The;/ are provided with opportunities to develop their physical end mental potentials. At the same time, thorough studies are made bj social workers into the children’s background and appropriate plans will also be made for their future.

For the homeLesr or ,ht abandoned, arrangements will be made for their adoption into suitable families. In case of children with physical disabilities or mental defects where chances of adoption aro slim, they will be admitted to other children’s homes for longterm care and special training.

Lady i.acLehose showed particular interest in the activities and. services provided by the Centre for the children.

/+ Earlier, .....

Monday, Janu.ry jl, 1977

- 9 -

Earlier, Lady MacLehose visited the Tsz Van Shan Jed Cross SchjoI which is also an organisation catering to the needs of underprivileged children.

Managed by the long Kong Jed Cross, the school provides for 90 physically disabled children, many of them multiplehandicapped, an all-round education compatible with their capacity.

During her tour of the school, Lady MacLehose saw pupils taking lessons in water colour painting, mathematics, Chinese and handicraft.

Lady ilacLehose was conducted on her tour by Mrs. Lan Ma Fung-Yan, principal of the school, Mr. C.T. Cheng, Chairman c. the schools Management Committee, Hong Kong Red Cross and Lrs. Gennie Lee, Supervisor of the school.

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

/10......

Monday, January 31, 1977

- 10

deuembek banking

STATISTICS

♦ * » » ♦

Banking deposits as at the end of December 1976 stood at 344,030 million, comprising 311,643 million in demand deposits, >16,447 million in time deposits and 315,940 million in savings deposits.

There were 74 licensed banks in Hong Kong as at the end

of last month.

The following tables released by the Commissioner of Banking today gives a detailed breakdown of bank liabilities and

assets and money supply for the month:-

3 Million

LIABILITIES

1. Deposits... 44,050

2. Amount due to banks abroad 27,598

3» Cther liabilities Total liabilities 8,170 73,798

ASSETS 1. Cash •• > 794

2. Amount due from banks abroad:

(i) Demand and short term claims 22,448

(ii) Time deposits 5,301 25,^49

3* Loans and advances:

(i) Hong Kong 29,480

(ii) Abroad ^2,735

/4. Investments: ......

Monday, January 31, 1977

11

4. investments:

(i) Hong Kong 3,251 7^ 3,375

(ii) Abroad

5. Other assets:

(i) Hong Kong 3,666

(ii) Abroad 3,529 7,195

T

Month ended

December 3"1 2 * 4 5 6 * 8, 197?

J Million

. Tpt.al assets

Average liquidity during month

Merc? supply

1. Legal tender coins and notes in circulation (i.) Commercial bank issues 4,75$

(ii) Government issues 421

2. Licensed banks’ holdings of legal tender coins

and notes (B) 794

3- Legal tender coins arid notes in hands of

non-bank public A)/.jr_..(B) = (C) 4,3^3

4. Demand deposits with licensed banks (D) 11,643

5. Money supply (definition 1) (C) + (D) = (E) 16,026

6. Time deposits with licensed banks (F) 16,447

7* Savings deposits with licensed banks (G) 15,9^0

8. Honey supply (definition 2) (S) +(F) +(G) =(H) 48,413

(A)

5,177

/12......


Monday y- January 'Th 1977

12

DSW VISITS MORE VOLUNTARY .AGUiCUS _ ...

* ♦ ♦ ♦ *

The Director of Social elfare, Hr. Thomas Lee, making • - ' ‘

his third visit to voluntary welfare agencies in a.mont’’, today X

(i.onday) visited three more agencies in Kowloon.

They were the Li Cheng Uk Friendly Centre, the lev; c.ie Sheltered Workshop and the Portland Street Day Creche and Nursery.

hr. Lee was accompanied by Hr. Henry Au, ead of t c-Group and Community Work Division; Hr. T.P. Khoo, Head of t Rehabilitation Division and Mrs. Evelyn Doe, Head of the Fa lily Services Division.

• The Director first visited the Li Cheng Uk Friendly Centre, where he was met by the Superintendent hr. YIP Yin-cl;iT The Centre,Van agency under the Hong Kong Christian-Service, provides various social services for local residents including group activities for all ages, community projects, ..a .. . » j »■ *•

library with an average daily attendance of 350 and a day care centre for 80 children aged between two and five.

. r . r '

The Director then proceeded to the Nev; Life Sheltered Workshop operated by the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation

•y vt - • J’-''*

Association. On arrival; he was met by Dr. Raymond -u, Cliairhian^ of the Executive Committee.

The Sheltered Workshop caters for about 60 former mental patients who arc above 16 years old. The majority of tic : are engaged ini assembly work with an average daily income of J4. Apart from this, they also receive #2.5 as incentive payment per vzork day. The Workshop is financed through social welfare subvention.

/+ Winding up .....

Monday, January J1, 1977

-13-

V/inding up the afternoon’s tour, the Director celled on the Portland Street Day Creche and Nursery.

<•

Operated by the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children, the Day Creche caters for 60 children up to two years old while the Nursery for 120 children between two and six.

Mr. Lee was accompicd by Mr. Dennis Lyth, President of the Society, on a tour of the premises.

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

T3KDEH FCS SAI KUNG DEVELOPMENT SITE POSTPONED-

*****

The Government has temporarily withdrawn a 3,511 square metre residential development site at Tai Hong Tsai,..Sai Kung, from a tender which was to have closed on JJpfday ^(February 4).

The tender for the lot, which is restricted to holders of Government land exchange entitlement documents, was first

■: - • .A

announced in the Government Gazette on January 14.

A spokesman for the New Territories Administration said he regretted that an error in the lease conditions had made it necessary to postpone the tender.

:?The lot will be re-offered later in a new tender, probably in March,1’ he added.

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

/14 ,

toonday, January 31, 1977

- J2* “

MOTHER CHOICE SITE IN KOWLOON TO.3E AUCTIONED ********

Another choice site at Tsim Sha. Tsui East will be put up for auction at the City Hall next month.

The- site covers an area Of about 2,220 square metres and is reserved for non-industrial development, which includes shop, office, hotel or residential use.

It is the- 'third pf a number of major development sites on the reclamation between Tsini Sha Tsui and the cross-harbour tunnel approaches to be offered for sale by the P.rf.D.'s Lands end Survey Department. :.

The-fourth site, of some 2,65^ square metres, is also for non-industrial development -and will be put up for sale in early March.

The fj.rsto two lots, y/hich were also for non-industrial development, were sola several weeks ago, fetching a total of w1&9 million. »' ■’

The Government Land ~gent, Mr. K.B. Rolfe, said today the sales of the first two lots.reflected considerable confidence in the success of the development proposals for the area, nd he was sure • • • that there would be similar interest in the site to be sold next month.

nIt commands an excellent location/’ he said. ”It is very close to the main business centre of Kowloon and is at the hub of the major road, rail and ferry networks.”.

The auction will be held at 2.30 p.m. on February 25 in the City Hall Lecture Room.

/Three other .....

Monday, January J1, 1977

15

Three other lots, including a large private residential site on Hong A.ong Island, will be offered for sale at the same auction.

The Island lot is situated at Cape Road in Chung Hom Kok and has an area of about 7,980 sq. metres.

One of the Kowloon lots occupies about 2,340 sq. metres off Cha Kwo Ling Road in Sam Ka Tsuen and is intended for industrial and/ * t

or godown uses.

The other, of some 280 sq. metres, is situated at the junction of Kau Pui Lung Road and Lok Shan Road. It is restricted to residential and non-industrial development.

During the next two months, the P.W.D.’s Lands and Survey-Department proposes to put up for sale some 40,670.9 sq. metres of land, comprising 23,334.6 sq. metres for private residential development, 10,04'1.7 sq. metres o. non-industrial land, and 7^294.6 sq. metres of industrial space.

Last year, a total of 38 lots were sold at a combined total of #443 million.

These comprised seven private residential sites, 18 non-industrial lots, nd 13 industrial sites.

The total land area amounted 52,207-10 sq. metres, an increase of 7j466.54 sq. metres or 14 per cent over 1975* -u '

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

/16......

Monday, January J1, 1977

16

early pay d«ys for public assistance recipients

«»V***

People receiving public assistance and/or the disability and infirmity allowances the pay days of which fall within the Lunar New Year will be able to get their money earlier, a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department announced today.

As in previous years, arrangements have been made with the post offices, treasury offices and district offices in the New Territories to enable recipients to cash their vouchers earlier so that they will have money for the occasion.

Those whose pay days fall on February 18, 19} 20, 21 will be able to get their money on February 14, 15, 16, 17 respectively.

/ --------0---------

!• . • . f ' - - L

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICERS TO ATTEND COURSE IN U.K.-

«*»«****

Two student Air Traffic Control Officers of the Civil Aviation Department, Mr. Ng Shung-ching and Mr. Ho Wai-kee, have left for the United Kingdom to receive basic training at Bournemouth (Hurn) Airport. .

They will attend a 12-week basic Aerodrome and Approach Control Course at the College of Air Traffic Control between February 7 and May 6.

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

/17......

• Monday, January J1, 1?77 - 17 -

PRE-WAR BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS

*****

The Building Authority today declared No.18 Sai Yuen Lane on Hong Kong Island to be in a dangerous condition and ordered that the building should be demolished.

The Principal .Government Building Surveyor said that this three-storey pre-war building was constructed of load-bearing brick walls with timber floors and roof. It was first inspected more than 10 years ago as part of a general survey of dilapidated buildings. • -i

”A recent inspection indicated serious deterioration (fractures, crushing and erosion) of the rear main wall, and of the party walls to a lesser extent, and it is considered that there is now a danger of collapse,’1 he said. '’The danger is only temporarily relieved by the presence of extensive shoring in the building.:i

Notice of Intention to apply for a Closure Order in Victoria District Oourt at 9:.3Q.a.m. on February 25 was posted today. ' . . .

-------0--------- *


本網站純為個人分享網站,不涉商業運作,如有版權持有人認為本站侵害你的知識版權,請來信告知(contact@histsyn.com),我們會盡快移除相關內容。

This website is purely for personal sharing and does not involve commercial operations. If any copyright holder believes that this site infringes on your intellectual property rights, please email us at contact@histsyn.com, and we will remove the relevant content as soon as possible.

文本純以 OCR 產出,僅供快速參考搜尋之用,切勿作正規研究引用。

The text is purely generated by OCR, and is only for quick reference and search purposes. Do not use it for formal research citations.


如未能 buy us a coffee,點擊一下 Google 廣告,也能協助我們長遠維持伺服器運作,甚至升級效能!

If you can't buy us a coffee, click on the Google ad, which can also help us maintain the server operation in the long run, and even upgrade the performance!