PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1977
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO OPEN NEW LEGCO SESSION NEXT WEDNESDAY ............... 1
WORK ON STAGE II DEVELOPMENT OF TUI MIN HOI TO START SOON ....... 2
SPLENDID ACHIEVEMENT IN PRISONS DRUG TREATMENT .................
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SHAU. KEI WAN ......................,.... 5
I
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Saturday, October 1, 1977
- 1 -GOVERNOR TO OPEN NEW LEGCO SESSION ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
The Governor, Sir Murray Maclehose, will review the affairs of Hong Kong when he opens the new Legislative Council session for 1977/78 on Wednesday (October 5)»
The proceedings, which begin at 2.3° in the Legislative Council Chamber, will be broadcast live on Radio Television Hong Kong Channel 2 (Chinese) and Channel 3 (English).
•Commercial Radio will broadcast the address in Chinese on its Channel 1 while the three television stations will give highlights of the Governor*s review in.their regular news programmes.
On October 26, the Chief Secretary will move a motion to thank the Governor for his address and unofficial members will speak on the motion on the same day and the following day (October 27), if necessary.
Official members of the council are scheduled to reply to the points raised by the unofficials on November 9 and, if necessary, November 10.
Members of the Legislative Council will be joined by their three newly-appointed colleagues in the new session. They are the Director of Home Affairs, Mr. John Walden (Official); Dr. Rayson Lisung Huang and Mr. Charles Yeung Siu-cho (Unofficials).
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Saturday, October 1, 1977
- 2 -
WORK SET TO START ON STAGE II
DEVELOPMENT OF TUI MIN HOI
*****
Government will soon embark on another stage of a massive developmeo . • • • : >
programme for the Tui Min Hoi area of S?i Kung to develop the area into a self-contained rural township.
Engineering works will start later this year on land formation and reclamation to provide more sites for new housing, improved road access and recreational and community facilities.
At present, work is well underway on the first stage of development which includes the construction of a main access road leading from Hiram’s Highway into the development area, and the formation of sites for a rural public housing estate and a fishermen’s housing estate.
The second stage will involve the provision of sites for an extension of the main access road along the foreshore, a sewage treatment plant, an abattoir, a sand depot, and a marine fueling station and an ice storage plant to meet the needs of Sai Kung’s large fishing community.
Eighty-six sites will be created in the area for New Territories ’’exempted houses3 - those not more than 700 square feet and three storeys high.
There will also be a car park and public open spaces.
To make way for the second stage of development, about 12,250 square metres of agricultural land in Tui Min Hoi area will have to be resumed, and a notice of the resumption has been published in the Government Gazette.
A Nev; Territories Administration spokesman said today the landowner-would be offered cash compensation or land exchanges.
The Government would also pay ex-gratia allowances for poultrybreeders and cultivators, as well as compensation for fruit trees, pine trees, crops, and the removal of fences, pipe-lines, water tanks, rubble walls and graves, he said.
/The spokesman .....
Saturday, October 1, 1977
- 3 -
The spokesman said seven temporary domestic structures and two squatter boats would have to be cleared.
’The families occupying these structures will be offered either space in a local temporary housing area or, if they opt for resiting outside a layout area, an ex-gratia rehabilitation allowance,” he said.
In addition, he said, 25 other temporary structures would have
to be cleared.
Saturday, October 1, 1977
4 -
PRISONS DRUG TREATMENT "A VERY SPLENDID ACHIEVEMENT" ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Nearly 60 per cent of the 7^859 persons released from the Prisons Department's Drug Addiction Treatment Centres between 1969 and 1976 have not been ’’reconvicted or relapsed into drug taking. '
This was disclosed by the Medical Training Administrator of the Medical and Health Department, Dr. C.O. Lee, at a graduation parade of 98 Prison Officers and Assistant Officers at the Prisons Department’s Staff Training Institute in Stanley this (Saturday) morning.
Dr. Lee described this as "a very splendid achievement" and said it was a reflection on the hard work put in by the staff of the Prisons Department.
Dr. Lee has been closely associated with the work of the Prisons Department as Medical Officer at Stanley Prison for 10 years from 19^8 to 1957.
"At the time when I commenced my service with the department in 19^8, there were only three prisons, namely Stanley, Victoria and the female prison at Lai Chi Kok. They were overcrowded with limited accommodation and few, if any, facilities for the re-education .and social rehabilitation of prisoners, young and old," he said.
Dr. Lee stressed that because of the important and essential work ... *• • 5
of the department in safe-guarding the security of our society and for the protection of the community, new prisons and institutions had to be planned and commissioned.
"Equally important," he added, "is the need to assist the department to provide effective and practical systems of rehabilitation through correctional treatment, educational, vocational and work training for th: different categories of persons through the courts.
/The first .....
Saturday, October 1, 1977
- 5 -
The first treatment centre for young offenders was established in Stanley in 1953 and this marked the beginning of the expansion programme of the department which today runs 18 institutions.
Dr. Lee said some of these institutions are among the best organised and modern correctional institutions in the world.
He also told the officers a’t the passing out parade that they would find the work of a Prison Officer not merely confined to ensuring the safe custody of persons convicted and sentenced by the courts.
”It can be much more meaningful and rewarding in terms of job satisfaction, working conditions and career prospects,” said Dr. Lee.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HOI FOO STREET
*****
A section of Hoi Foo Street between Shau Kei Wan Road and Sai Wan
Ho Street will be closed to traffic for about three months from 10 a.m. on Wednesday (October 5) to facilitate the laying of cables.
At the same time, the section of ’Sai ‘Van Ho Street between Hoi An Street and Hoi Foo Street will be re-routed two way. Appropriate traffic signs will be set up to guide motorists.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUiJDA?, OCTOBER 2, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
S6O MILLION DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR OUTLYING ISLANDS ............... 1
PC.T OFFICE'S PHILATELIC BUREAU POPULAR WITH STAMP COLLECTORS .. 3
USD TO' INTRODUCE COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUES SCHEME .................. 4
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN KAM TIN ......................... 4
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Sunday, October 2, 1977
1-
GOVERNMENT TO SPEND $60 MILLION ON DEVELOP! LSIIT OF OUTLYING ISLANDS ■***♦"♦
Government is expected tc spend about ‘460 million on the first stage engineering works to develop outlying islands.
Disclosing this today on RTHK’s Chinese service ”New Territories weekly1’ programme, the District Officer islands, Mr. Victor Yung, said Government’has already drafted four development layouts on outlying islands.
’’These four development layouts are at Mui V/o and Tai 0 on Lantau Island, and on Cheung Chau and Peng Chau Islands,” he added.
At the same time, Mr. Yung said, the development plan on Lamina Island was also being actively studied by Government. ”1 believe that the layout will soon be announced.”
’’Development plans for the existing four layouts will mainly include public housing and other related facilities such as markets, cooked-food stalls and recreational facilities.
The District.Officer also gave a brief account of the development plans for each of the four areas.
At Tai 0, there will be public housing to accommodate about’3,000 islanders. About 60 pur cent of the reclamation work h-ve been completed and it is estimated that the reclamation will-be completed in M:\rch next year and then it will be handed over to the Housing Authority for the construction of public housing. It is expected that flats -..ill be ready for occupation by 1979*
At Mui V/o, development plan also includes reclamation work. A new pier will be built for large and small ferries, including the Hong Kong Yaumati triple-deckers.
/On Cheung Unau, •<
Sunday, October 2, 1977
- 2 -
On G; uung Chau, work will start soon on the reclamation which will involve the resumption of land and houses# The Government will prearrange temporary acco: «mod .tion for vill gers so that their daily life-will not be affected.
The plans for the dumb-bell shaped island also call for investment in light industry and residential development, n second public pier will be constructed to cope with the increasing need for ferry transport.
Peng Chau has completed its preliminary estimates on the construction of a new pier since the existing one cannot cope with the busy sea traffic. Construction work is expected to start towards the end of next year.
■x i • ♦
Mr. Yung also outlined other development plans.
On land transport, road widening work on South Lantau is in progress and double-decker buses arc expected to be on the road as experimental tests have proved successful.
Country perks are also planned for Lantau Island and boundaries have been marked.
Bungalows and hotels will be built for the convenience of tourists and holiday-makers and Crown Land will be auctioned for this purpose at suitable time.
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Sunday, October 2, 1977
- 3 -
POST OFFICE PHILATELIC BUREAU POPULAR WITH OVERSEAS STAMP COLLECTORS •
The Philatelic Bureau of the Post Office, set up in 1974 to moot the growing interest in Hong Kong stamps by overseas collectors, has been so successful that it is regularly serving about J50 philatelists and philatelic dealers all over the world.
A spokesman for the Post Office said new enquiries were' continually received concerning past and fut-ure ■ stamp issues and from these it was obvious that growth of business and the service of the bureau would continue.
For the overseas collectors the Bureau can provide stamps of the current definitive issue, commemorative stamps issued within the last 12 months and a first day cover service. Postage due labels, registered envelopes and souvenir folders are also available.
In the last financial year, it sold some 3270,000 postage stamps and folders, an increase of 380,000 or 42 per cent, over 1975-7$, its first year of operation.
Overseas customers can obtain details and open a deposit account by writing to the Bureau at the General Post Office in Hong Kong.
Another service, a special philatelic counter for local stamp
• . •» . „ j
collectors and tourists, was opened at the General Post Office in January, 1975
Items available to'overseas collectors are also on sale here, including souvenir sets of definitive stamps in attractive folders which show picturesque scenes of Hong Kong.
These souvenir sets have proved to be particularly popular with tourists and besides being sold at the GPO in Connaught Place they are also on sale at the Tsim She. Tsui Post Office.
Hong Kong commemorative stamp issues also continue to be popular with collectors. The recent issue with the tourism theme was very well received both locally and overseas. It is expected that the forthcoming Hong Kong orchids issue due for release on October 12 will be similarly sought after.
Sunday, October 2, 1977
4
Note To Editors:
USD TO INTRODUCE COMMEMORATIVE PLaQUES SCHEME
*. ♦ ♦ * ♦
A news conference will be held by the Urban Services Department tomorrow (Monday) to announce details of a scheme to introduce commemorative plaques to Hong Kong.
It will take place at 3 p.m. in the conference room of the Urban Services Department Headquarters, on the 12th floor of the Central Government Offices (West Wing). Representatives of radio and television stations are requested to arrive early for the setting up of equipment.
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REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN KAM TIN *****
The Registration of Persons Office announced today that a registration team will operate at the office of Kam Tin Rural Committee for six days between 9.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. daily on October 13, 14, 17, 1$, 19 and 20.
The arrangement is to enable parents or guardians in the area to register their children or wards between 11 and 17 .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.
All persons living in this area are reminded of their responsibility to register themselves and their children for identity cards and to report changes of employment or residential addresses, marital status, or any other particulars which have changed since registering for their identity cards•
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HISTORY TAKES TO THE STREETS ..................................... 1
BANKING STATISTICS FOR AUGUST .................................... 3
MODERN HOUSES FOR RESITED FAMILIES ............................... 5
$60 MILLION TUEN MUN CONTRACT .................................... 6
NEW LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICE IN TAI PO..................... 7
LABOUR TRIBUNAL MOVES OFFICE...................................... 8
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Monday, October 3, 1977
- 1 -HISTORY TAKES TO THE STREETS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
. Hong Kong will see the introduction of commemorative plaques, similar to those found in London, when the Urban Services Department launches a long-term project next year to mark places of historical interest.
Announcing the details today, the Executive Secretary of the USD’s Antiquities and Monuments Section, Dr. S.M. Bard, said: "it will provide a short but attractive history of Hong Kong to residents and tourists alike.”
The locations to be chosen will commemorate:
* places where famous people lived or congregated;
* important events; and
* important first buildings.
Regarding the first category of particular interest to Hong Kong is Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Four sites have already been identified as where Dr. Sun studied or held important meetings, and plaques may be placed at each location.
Dr. Bard said the plaques will be ceramic. ”A very hard stoneware has been chosen to reduce the wear and tear from exposure outdoors, and two samples are being made at a local factory."
One of these will commemorate the Hong Kong Mint, which used to be in Cleveland Street in East Point. The inscription, in English and Chinese, will read: "The Hong Kong Mint stood on this site during its brief existence, 1865 to 1868."
Subject to permission from the owners of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Building in Central, the other plaque will be installed there to show the site of the first city hall, erected in 1869 and demolished in 1933*
/Dr. Bard .....
Monday, October J, 1977
- 2 -
Dr. Bard will submit his recommendations on all potential locations to the Antiquities Advisory Board for approval before any plaques are mounted. • ‘’This is a scheme on which the public can provide great assistance, and I would welcome rmy suggestions,” he said.
Anyone wishing to submit information for consideration by the board may write to the Executive Secretary of the Antiquities and Monuments Section of the Urban Services Department at Block 18, Kowloon Park, Haiphong.Hoad, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
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Monday, October 3, 1977
- 3 -
BANKING STATISTICS FOR AUGUST * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Bank deposits at the end of August stood at 848,814 million, comprising ; 11,7^9 million in demand deposits, 818,022 million in time deposits and 819,043 million in savings deposits.
There were 74 licensed banks in Hong Kong on August 31•
The following tables released today by the Commissioner of Banking give a detailed breakdown of bank liabilities and assets and money supply for the month.
LIABILITIES 1. Deposits 2. Amount due to banks abroad 3. Other liabilities ASSETS 1 * Cash 2. Amount due from banks abroad : (I) Demand and short term claims (II) Time deposits 3. Loans and Advances : (I) Hong Kong (II) Abroad • 4. Investments : (I) Hong Kong (II) Abroad 8 MILLION 48,8l4 32,850 9,683 Total Liabilities 91,347 925 1 • • • < ■ 26,016 4,770 30,786 33,118 17,000 50,118 3,451 67 3,518 /5. Other Assets: •••••
Monday, October 3, 1977
5. Other . ssets :
(I) Kong Kong 4, $85
(II) Abroad 1,417 6,000
Total Assets 91>347
Average liquidity during month 44.84%
MONEY'SUPPLY $ MILLION
Legal tender coins and notes in circulation (A)
(I) Commercial bank issues 5>361 * *' •-7" 1
(II) Government issues 513 5,>874
2. Licensed banks’ holdings of legal tender coins
and notes (B) 925
*
5* Legal tender, coins and notes in hands of non-bank
public (A) - (B) = (C) 4,949
4. Demand deposits with licensed banks (D) 1.1 >749
5* Money supply (definition 1) (C) + (D) = (E) 16’,698
6. Time deposits with licensed banks (F) 18^022
7. Savings deposits with licensed banks (G) 19>O45
8, Money supply (definition 2) (E) + (F) + (G) = (H) 53>765
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Monday, October 3j 1977
- 5 -MODERN HOUSES FOR RESITED FAMILIES ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
. Thirty families v/ho have vacated their private, village houses in North Kwai Chung to make way for Tsuen Wan’s 14th public housing estate, will soon be moving into modern resite houses.
The new houses have been built by the Government at a cost of about $120j000 each to rehouse the indigenous villagers of Shek Wai Kok, Kwu Hang and part of ■ Yi Bor Chun Villages.
The villagers are decorating their new homes and are expected to move in before the end of this month.
They have been given a special allowance of $6,500 to help meet removal and decoration expenses.
Their new homes are in rows of three-storey concrete houses at the nearby Wo Yi Hop Road and Yau Ma Hom Road.
’’The houses have the basic facilities of a modern home,” Assistant Tsuen Wan District Officer (Land Development), Mr. Albert Fung, said today.
Each house, he said, has a total floor space of 2,100 square feet -700 sq. ft. on each floor complete with kitchen and bathroom facilities and electricity wiring.
’’Both the first and second floors have a balcony. I.< addition, the second floor is partitioned into one living room and two bedrooms with * • built-in wardrobes,” he said.
The partitioning of the two lovjer floors is left entirely to the occupants as they may have their own ideas of how this should be done, he added.
Mr. Fung said that in the meantime, the villagers’ families were receiving a rent allowance each month which enabled them to live in private accommodation until they moved into the resite houses before the end of this month.
/The area ••••.
Monday, October 3» 1977
- 6 ..
le area from which they have moved is part of a 36-acre site for the &130 million Shek Wai Kok Estate» Construction work is to start later this year.
On completion by the end of 1980, the estate will hou$e about 3^,000 people in eight domestic blocks,. There will also be community facilities which include banks, a restaurant, a department stqre, a supermarket, shops, cooked-food stalls, car park, a police reporting centre and a post office.
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Note to Editors :
S60 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THEN MUN NEW TOW
Another major engineering contract for'Tuen Mun New Town, worth about S60 million, will.be signed tomorrow:(Tuesday).
The.signing ceremony will take place at 10;}0 a.m. in the conference room, Public Works Department Headquarters, 21St floor, Murray Building, Garden Road. .. ' '
. .^ou are invited to have the function covered.
Television crews are asked to arrive at 10.15 a.m. so that they have ample time to set up their equipment.
Mr. K.K. Tang, P.W.D.’s Acting Chief Engineer (Tuen Mun), will be available for interview after the signing ceremony.
Monday, October J, 1977
- 7 -
NEW OFFICE OF LOCAL IftlPLOYMENT SERVICE IN T'.I PO
*****
The Labour Department wi±l open a new Local Employment Service office at 52, Kwong Fvk Road,‘Tai Po on Wednesday (October 5) to provide - * j’ • . ->
regular services to employers and job-seekers in the New Territories.
This is to replace the existing office m Po Heung Street which is operating on a part-time basis.
The opening of the new office forms part of the department's expansion plan to provide free services to both employers and job-seekers wherever possible.
The new office had been chosen for its convenient location which would enable it to serve not only residents in the Tai Po District but also people living in Sha Tin, Fan Ling and Sheung Shui.
A Labour Department spokesman said, "it is noped that by moving the office to a new location residents in the neighbouring areas will find it more c nvenient to make use of the services."
H? reminded those who wish to register themselves for jobs to bring their identity cards and a recent photograph.
As for employers who wish to make use of the service, they could simply telephone the new office at 12-665183, the spokesman added.
The existing office at Po Heung Street will continue to be used by other units of the department.
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Monday, October J, 1977
- 8 -
LATOUR TRIBUNAL MOTOS OFFICE * $ * * $
The Labour Tribunal end its office are moving this weekend (October 8) from Whitfield Barra>ks to the mezzanine floor of Middle Road Multi-storey Car Park Building in Tsim Sha Tsui.
All claims for hearing by the Labour Tribunal should from next Monday (October 10) be lodged at the new address.
The telephone numbers of the Labour Tribunal and its staff will remain unchanged. Inquiry can be made at 3-6919^6.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1977
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
«6OM ENGINEERING CONTRACT SIGNED FOR TUEK HUN DEVELOPMENT .. 1
TWO LABOUR MPS TO VISIT HONG KONG ........................... 3
YUEN LONG TO GET A 1500-SEaT AUDITORIUM...................... 4
STREET LIGHTS TO BE INSTALLED AT TWO LANTAU 'VILLAGES ....... 5
COMMERCIAL SECTOR URGED TO PROVIDE JOBS FOR THE DISABLED ... 6
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL .................
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Tuesday, October 4, 1977
1
«60M CONTRACT SIGNED FOR RIVER TRAINING AND LAND FORMATION IN THEN MUN ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
The Public Works Department today awarded a $60 million contract < -
for the training of the main river channel and the formation of 40.hectares - . . • - I
of land in the northern part of Tuen Mun Nev/ Town to Hip Hing Construction Company Limited.
The contract, one of the biggest of its kind under the new town’s massive $5».5OO million development programme, was formally signed in the P.W.D.’s Conference Room this morning.
It covers the construction of about three kilometres of river channel walls and the paving of 15 hectares of river, bed.
Associated works will include the construction of 500 metres of culvert, 1.6 kilometres of road and a 1.5 kilometre-long trunk sewer., Mr. Nicky Chan, P.W.D.’s Project Manager (Tuen Mun), said that the works, which formed part of the new town stage IIadevelopment, would facilitate flood drainage and enable land to be reclaimed for development.
He said that over 1.5 million cubic metres of material would be excavated from tne hills in the northern part of the town to fill the nearby low-lying land.
”0f the ^0 hectares of land to be formed, 20.5 hectares will be used for private housing development for about 15,000 people, and the rest will be for open space and government facilities,’1 Mr. Chen sai'd.
Work will begin later this month and will take about 24 months to complete.
Meanwhile, the Public Works Department is inviting tenders for the formation of another 28 hectares of land in the northern part of Tuen Mun.
/the work, .....
Tuesday, October 4, 1977
- 2 -
The work, which forms part cf the Tuen Mun Nev; Town stage II development, is scheduled to begin in December for completion in about 18 months.
On completion, eight hectares of land will be for a public housing estate capable of housing 20,000 people, 12 hectares for the construction of a new hospital while the remaining nine hectares will be for government institutional and community facilities and private residential development.
Tuen Mun, Mr. Chan said, was being developed mainly by reclamation,
• • f
obtaining the filling material from the hillsides.
Work is going ahead on a series of building and civil engineering projects in the new town.
"Since the start of the massive development programme in the area, more than 100 hectares of land have been formed and serviced for various developments," he said.
"Work is progressing well on reclaiming anotr^r 72 hectares in the central part of Castle Peak Bay, which is now about half filled."
Mr. Chan said that an important feature of the reclamation would be a large town centre providing a focus for the new town’s business, social and cultural activities.
It would consist of commercial and residential buildings with shops, banks, restaurants and offices fronting a central pedestrian podium, and a series of public buildings housing an auditorium, concert hall, theatre, art gallery and studio, an exhibition hall and magistracy.
An important supporting facility of the development of the new town would be the new motorway connecting Tuen Mun and Tsuen '.Van.
"When opened to traffic early next year, this 3 JOO million highway will reduce the travelling time between the two towns to about 15 minutes," Mr. Chan said.
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Tuesday, October 4, 1977
LABOUR MPS TO VISIT HK
Two Labour Members of the Parliament, Mr. Ian Wrigglesworth (Teeside, Thornaby) and Mr. Kenneth Weetch (Ipswich), are due to arrive in Hong Kong on Saturday (October 8) for a ten-day official visit.
During their- stay, the MPs will meet the Governor, senior Government officials, Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, Urban Councillors as well as the Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Their itinerary also includes visits to factories, a city district office and a new town. They will have plenty of free time to meet people and go to places they wish to see on their own.
Mr. Weetch will leave Hong Kong for London in the evening of' October 17 while Mr. V/rigglesworth will depart for Tokyo the following day.
Note To Editors :
Mr. Wrigglesworth and Mr. Weetch are expected to arrive at
Hong Kong Airport on October ? < flight BA 8^0 (E.T.A. 3*30 p.m.)
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A
Tuesday, October 4, 1977 - 4 -
YUEN LONG TO GET 15OO-SEAT AUDITORIUM *****
A 1500-seat, air-conditioned auditorium is to be incorporated
into a 86.5 million secondary school building project in Yuen Long next year.
’ Announcing this today, the Acting Secretary for the New Territories, Mr. John Todd, said-that the auditorium would be available to both the school and cultural groups in the Yuen Long district.
Mr. Todd was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Executive Committee of the Yuen Long District Arts Committee at the Heung Yoe Kuk Secondary School in Yuen Long.
Mr. Todd said the committee had been unable to realise its full potential because of the lack of a proper auditorium in Yuen Long.
This problem will be overcome by the incorporation of the proposed 1500-seat auditorium in the Chiu Lut-sau Secondary School. Work is J *• scheduled to start on the project early next year.
hr. Todd said the proposed auditorium would be adequate for local needs for the foreseeable future.
’’When completed, the auditorium will provide the much-needed facilities for. the staging of concerts and plays in Yuen Long .and should no doubt help to realise .the full potential of the aommittee,” Mr. Todd said.
He praised the committee - now in its 11th year - for its promotion of the arts and cultural activities in the district.
’^Besides satisfying the needs of the local community in the fields of cultural and artistic pursuits, the Yuen Long District Arts Committee, being the first of its kind in the New Territories, set an example for other districts of what can be done in these fields by concerted efforts of the local community,” he said.
’’The result has been the formation of similar organisations
in other New Territories districts.”
Tuesday, October 4, 1977
- 5 -
INSTALLATION OF STREET LIGHTS AT TWO LANTAU VILLAGES
*****
Tenders for the installation of street lights at Tai Tei Tong and Luk Tei Tong on Lantau Island will be invited later this week.
. The Lantau project is the first in a series to be undertaken by the New Territories Administration to provide adequate street lightin;, in N.T. villages — many of them remote — where there is no street lighting at present.
The scheme is to be financed from the N.T. Administration's million local public works vote.
A spokesman for the New Territories Administration said today islanders in the two Lantau villages•wi11 feel safer when returning home at night upon completion of the installation work around Christmas.
"The scheme is to provide adequate lighting from the main road leading to the villages," he added.
The spokesman pointed out that the lighting will not only ease the fear of villagers being victimised by criminals but also help ensure pedestrian safety as the path leading to the two villages passes over a number of streams.
Similar schemes will eventually.be implemented at Sha Tin, Yuen Long, Tsuen Wan and Sai Kung. About 100 street lights will be installed in villages in the four districts.
A P.W.D. Electrical Inspector^ Mr. Ho To-ping, has been seconded to the New Territories Administration Headquarters to supervise the project.
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/6......
Tuesday, October *+, 1977
6 -
PTS ART,ED NEEt) OPEN AND COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT *****
The commercial and industrial sector of the community was urged to provide more jobs for the disabled persons as they need, in addition to food and shelter, an equal opportunity to education, all forms of community services, and most important of all, gainful employment« Speaking at the luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of.Hong Kong today (Tuesday), Miss Florence Ho, Job Placement Officer of the Social Welfare Department, stressed that open and competitive employment, apart from serving as the means of restoring the economic usefulness of the disabled, could also rid them off the unpleasant notion of being a financial burden on their families, relatives and even the society.
Miss Ho noted that many employers had expressed doubts about the disabled’s productivity and concern over their greater liability to industrial accidents.
"These worries, many of which have simply been overstressed, have done immeasurable harm to the employment prospect of the disabled who have never been given the opportunity to prove themselves.”
In fact, she continued, the disabled were stable, adaptable and unusually tolerant at work, and could be mainstreamed with their able-bodied counterparts in an ordinary work setting.
On the proposal to introduce a quota system obliging employers to engage a percentage ratio of disabled persons in their labour force, Miss Ho listed the pros and cons of such a scheme.
/’’Such scheme.....
Tuesday, October 4, 1977
- 7 -
’’Such scheme merits consideration, especially in the time of general recession as experienced in previous years when the number of jobs available was drastically reduced# On the other hand, a quota scheme is sometimes difficult to administer and onset especially when it involves costly registration and compliance procedures.”
Turning to the Job Placement Unit, Miss Ho pointed out that it was set up by the Social Welfare Department in 1967 in response to the need of a systematic and organised employment service for the disabled.
’’Since its establishment, the unit has a record of more than 2,895 placements in -work related to clerical, servicing and production fields-. This September is a very important date for the unit, not only are we celebrating bur 10th anniversary, but we have also made an outstanding record of 80 placements during the month,” she said.
These people included 16 blind, 1$ deaf, 28 cripples, two ex-TB patients, five ex-mental patients and 11 mental retardates* host of then, were placed in electronics and metal work factories as assembling workers, while others became machine-sewing workers, telephone operators and clerical assistants.
Quoting the above figures as an encouraging sign, liiss Ho stressed that the unit would continue to promote the appreciative attitude of the capability of the disabled as well as- to step up efforts to match them to specific jobs commensurate to their ability, aptitude, skill and past experience.
The unit would also undertake steps like pre-employeent orientation, on-the-job training and installation of special equipment in order to help foster the disabled persons’ employment opportunity, she added.
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/8......
Tuesday, October 4, 1977
8
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL
*****
The westbound section of Queensway between Coeton Tree Drive and Garden Road will be closed to traffic between 1 a.m. and 6 a. in. on
• L . . ■ **
Thursday, Friday and Saturday (October 6, 7 and 8) to facilitate the construction of the Queensway Flyover, the Transport Department announced today.
Motorists proceeding from Wanchai to Central should turn left a j v ■ up Cotton Tree Drive and turn back into Garden Road at the Peak Tram Terminus and then to Queen’s Road Central.
Cross harbour bus route No. 121 will be diverted to operate via Hennessy Road, Fenwick Street, Gloucester Road, Harcourt Road and Connaught Road Central on its Hong Kong bound journey during the e periods of road closure. ’
Also with effect from 10 a.m. on Thursday (October 6), vehicles will not be permitted to turn right from Des Voeux Road West eastbound into Western Street southbound in order to facilitate tram track repairs.
This arrangement will last for about two weeks.
Appropriate traffic signs will be set up to guide motorists.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT DETERMINED TO PRESS AHEAD WITH ITS SOCIAL PROGRAMMES .................................................. 1
GOVERNOR SAYS HONG KONG’S 1978 OUTLOOK REASONABLY GOOD .. 4
ANGLO-CHINESE RELATIONS EXCELLENT ........................... 7
NEW PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS TO EXPAND SOCIAL SERVICES .......... 8
INSURANCE SCHEME FOR WORKERS PROPOSED ...................... 10
JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION TO BECOME COMPULSORY AND FREE. 12
WATER RESTRICTIONS TO REMAIN FOR TIME BEING ................ 14
GOVERNMENT TO PRODUCE MORE LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT ............ 16
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION OF INDUSTRY PROPOSED ................................................... 17
MORE COUNTRY PARKS TO BE DESIGNATED ....................... 18
PROBE ON INSIDER TRADING AND FURTHER CONTROLS OF DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES ........................................... 20
HOME OWNERSHIP FLATS FOR SALE EARLY NEXT YEAR .............. 21
MORE LABOUR LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED ...............
DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS TO BE SET UP IN N.T................ 24
MORE HOSPITALS AND CLINICS ON THE WAY ...................... 26
PUBLIC SUPPORT VITAL IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME ................ 28
WAR ON CORRUPTION WILL CONTINUE DESPITE ENCOURAGING PROGRESS ................................................... 30
/FIGHT .....
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION ............................... 31
SECURITIES COMMISSIONER TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE ON INSIDER TRADING ............................................ 32
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL BE SET UP SOON .............. 33
DEVELOPMENT PLANNED FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH ............ 33
LARGER SURPLUS FOR 1977/78 PREDICTED ....................... 34
GOVERNOR WELCOMES NEW LEGCO MEMBERS ........................ 34
MORE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES FORMED .......................... 35
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
HK DETERMINED TO PRESS AHEAD WITH SOCIAL PROGRAMMES
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY UNDERLINED THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO PRESS AHEAD WITH ITS MASSIVE SOCIAL PROGRAMMES, DESPITE SOME ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTIES.
+ 3UR AIM IS A RADICAL IMPROVEMENT IN CONDITIONS OF LIFE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL, EASED ON AN EXPANDING ECONOMY,+ SIR MURRAY SAID IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE OPENING SESSION OF THE LEG I SLAT IVE COUNC IL.
+TC OUR MAJOR PROGRAMMES FOR HOUSING, CRIME PREVENTION, THE VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES AND PROTECTION OF LABOUR, HAVE BEEN ADDED NEW THINKING ON EDUCATION, AND ON RELIEF AND SERVICES FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEGED, HANDICAPPED AND ELDERLY’ MEASURES TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES’ AND A DETERMINED EFFORT TO PROVIDE FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF LEISURE. IN ADDITION THERE IS A MASSIVE PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNICATIONS,* HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY BEGAN BY WELCOMING THE EXCELLENT STATE OF ANGLO/CH INESE RELATIONS WHICH, HE SAID, WAS SOMETHING HONG KONG COULD TAKE CONFIDENCE.
HE SAID THAT THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES AGREED TO INCREASE THEIR DELIVERY OF WATER SUPPLIES AS FROM OCTOBER 1 FROM 24,000 MILLION GALLONS TO 30,000 MILLION GALLONS A YEAR. TH IS•REPRESENTS +A CONSIDERABLE TECHNICAL FEAT AND A MOST HELPFUL ACTION FOR WHICH W'E ARE INDEED GRATEFUL.*
HE THEN REVIEWED HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC FUTURE -- PARTICULARLY IN RELATION WITH THE EEC.
+THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL OUTLOOK FOR 1978 IS REASONABLY GOOD, BUT A PROPER ASSESSMENT IS IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL THE OUTCOME OF THE EEC NEGOTIATION IS KNOWN,* HE SAID.
HONG KONG’S TRADING FORTUNES SHOULD BE FAVOURED BY THE FALLING LEVEL OF STOCKS EXPECTED IN GERMANY AND THE PROSPECT OF INCREASED CONSUMPTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
OUR EXPORT PRICES IN HONG KONG DOLLARS HAVE REMAINED STABLE SINCE THE MIDDLE OF 1976= ALTHOUGH THERE WAS SOME APPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1976 AND EARLY 1977, IT HAS DEPRECIATED IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
+SC WITH WORLD PRICES INCREASING AT ABOUT 8 TO 9 PER CENT A YEAR, OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION IS BEING GRADUALLY REGAINED. GIVEN THE COMPARATIVELY OPTIMISTIC FORECASTS FOR WORLD TRADE IN 1978, THE UNDERLYING CONDITIONS FOR MORE RAPID GROWTH IN OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS COULD BE PRESENT, AT LEAST FOR THE ..IDE FIELD OF ITEMS NOT SINGLED OUT FOP DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT BY THE EEC,* HE SAID.
/COMMENTING ON .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
- 2
COMMENTING ON THE EEC’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS ’PRINCIPAL SUPPLIERS’ WHICH INCLUDE HONG KONG, SIR MURRAY SAID: +THE LOSS OF TRADE BELOW THP 1976 LEVEL ENVISAGED BY THE COMMISSION WOULD BE ABOUT $480 MILLION, BUT THE LOSS IN TRADE POSSIBILITIES IN THE EEC COULD BE OVER $1,000 MILL ION.+
ON SOCIAL WELFARE, SIR MURRAY ANNOUNCED THAT A WHITE PAPER ON THE HANDICAPPED WOULD BE PUBLISHED NEXT WEEK FOLLOWED BY THREE GREEN PAPERS ON SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS AND SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY AND YOUTH.
IF THE NEW COMPLETE PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE AND GREEN PAPERS WERE ACCEPTED, THE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WOULD RISE TO 3719' MILLION BY 1982/83 AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE OVER THE SAME PERIOD AMOUNTING TO $178 MILLION. IN 1977-78 FUNDS PROVIDED FOR ALL THESE TYPES OF SERVICES COVERED BY THE PROPOSALS AMOUNTED TO $407 MILLION.
IN MANPOWER TERMS, AN ADDITIONAL 3,700 TRAINED PERSONNEL, THE MAIN INCREASE BEING IN TEACHERS, NURSES AND GRADUATE AND NONGRADUATE SOCIAL WORKERS, AS WELL AS A MUCH SMALLER BUT VERY IMPORTANT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DOCTORS AND PARA-MEDICAL SPECIALISTS DEPLOYED IN THE FIELD OF REHABILITATION, WOULD BE REQUIRED.
ON EDUCATION, SIR MURRAY SAID: +THERE WILL BE NO MORE HEARTACHE FOR CHILDREN LOSING THEIR CHANCE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION THROUGH FAILURE IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BECAUSE THERE WILL BE PLACES FOR ALL FROM SEPTEMBER 1978.+
JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION WOULD BE COMPULSORY IN TWO YEARS, UP TO A CHILD’S 15TH BIRTHDAY OR UNTIL THE FORM III COURSE HAD BEEN COMPLETED, IF THAT IS EARLIER. FEES FOR JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR ARE ALSO TO BE ABOLISHED IN THE 1978/79 SCHOOL YEAR.
SIR MURRAY SAID THE HOUSING PROGRAMME IS NOW IN TOP GEAR AND AT THE CURRENT RATE OF COMPLETION, THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTS TO BREAK THE BACK OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROBLEM IN THE NEXT FIVE OR SIX YEARS.
FORTY-SEVEN SITE FORMATION PILING AND BUILDING CONTRACTS WILL BE LET THIS FINANCIAL YEAR — THREE TIMES THE NUMBER OF LAST YEAR. FROM 14,000 FLATS THIS YEAR COMPLETIONS WILL RISE TO 20,000 NEXT YEAR AND TO OVER 40,000 IN 1979/80 WITH CAPACITY FOR ABOUT 250,000.
ON LABOUR, SIR MURRAY SAID MORE LEGISLATION WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN THE CURRENT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. INTENDED AMENDMENTS TO THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE WILL REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO MEET SUCH FEES AS ARE CHARGED FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION TO PERSONS INJURED IN THE COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT- REQUIRE THEM TO MEET THE COST OF REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF PROTHESIS AND SURGICAL APPLIANCES AND TO PLACE A SURCHARGE ON DELAYED PAYMENT OF WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION- AS WELL AS TO EXTEND THE TIME LIMIT FOR APPLICATION.
/♦CONSULTATION IS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
*CONSULTATION IS TAKING PLACE WITH THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND WITH BOTH SIDES OF INDUSTRY ON WHETHER THE WAGE CEILING IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE SHOULD BE RAISED OR REMOVED TO EXTEND PROTECTION TO MORE NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES,* HE SAID.
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, SIR MURRAY SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SOON SET UP ADVISORY BOARDS IN ALL DISTRICTS TO ADVISE ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL-BEING OF THE INHABITANTS THERE.
THE BOARDS, WHICH WILL INCLUDE BOTH OFFICIALS AND UNOFFICIALS, WILL ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS SUCH AS THE LOCAL IMPACT OF TERRITORY-WIDE POLICIES OF CENTRAL DEPARTMENTS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL AMENITIES AND RECREATION, AND THE USE IN THE DISTRICT OF FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS VOTE.
ON LEISURE, SIR MURRAY STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO DESIGNATE FOUR COUNTRY PARKS EACH YEAR, SO THAT IN FOUR YEARS TIME THERE WILL BE ABOUT 20 COVERING VIRTUALLY ALL THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE.
HOWEVER, SIR MURRAY SAID ALL THESE WERE UNDER-PINNED BY AND WERE DEPENDENT ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND THE PRUDENT MANAGEMENT OF OUR FINANCES.
+THE PROSPECTS FOR 1978 ARE DIFFICULT TO FORECAST AT THIS JUNCTURE- ON THE ONE HAND THERE ARE OBVIOUS DANGERS WHICH CANNOT BE QUANTIFIED AT PRESENT, ON THE OTHER RESPECTABLE GROWTH IN INDUSTRIALISED ECONOMIES AND IN WORLD TRADE CAN BE EXPECTED, AND MAY WELL BE STIMULATED BY NEW MEASURES, AND HONG KONG IS WELL PLACED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHATEVER GROWTH THERE IS.
+ YOU MAY TRUST YOUR GOVERNMENT TO ACT PRUDENTLY IN THE LIGHT OF EVENTS AS THEY UNFOLD,* HE SAID.
V-
+NOW THAT OUR PLANS ARE MATURING THEIR IMPACT WILL BE CUMULATIVE OVER THE NEXT FIVE OR SIX YEARS.*
DIFFICULTIES AND UNCERTAINTIES HONG KONG IS BOUND TO HAVE, BUT AS EACH ONE CONFRONTS US NOTHING COULD BE MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE BELIEF THAT SAFETY LIES IN IMMOBILITY ON EITHER THE INDUSTRIAL OR SOCIAL FRONTS. +IT WOULD BE A TOTAL MISCONCEPTION,* HE SAID.
+AND CONDITIONS ARE NOT STATIC EITHER IN THE COUNTRIES OF OUR COMPETITORS OR OUR MARKETS ABROAD.*
HE ADDED: +S0 LET US NOT BE DAUNTED BY SUCH ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTIES AS EXIST TODAY. THERE IS MUCH MORE WORKING FOR HONG KONG THAN AGAINST IT- IT ALSO HAD MANY FRIENDS- BUT NO BETTER FRIEND THAN ITSELF AND ITS OWN PEOPLE AND THE INDUSTRIAL AND FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL PHENOMENON WHICH THEY HAVE MADE IT.*
0
A
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
HK’S 1978 OUTLOOK REASONABLY GOOD, *******
GOVERNOR SAYS
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY PREDICTED THAT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL OUTLOOK FOR 1978 IS +REASONABLY GOOD, BUT A PROPER ASSESSMENT IS IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL THE OUTCOME OF THE EEC NEGOTIATION IS KNOWN.+
OUTLINING THIS OBSERVATION, SIR MURRAY, IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, SAID OUR TRADING FORTUNES SHOULD BE FAVOURED BY THE FALLING LEVEL OF STOCKS EXPECTED IN GERMANY AND THE PROSPECT OF INCREASED CONSUMPTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
+MOVEOVER, OUR EXPORT PRICES IN HONG KONG DOLLARS HAVE REMAINED STABLE SINCE THE MIDDLE OF 1976- ALTHOUGH THERE WAS SOME APPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1976 AND EARLY 1977, IT HAS DEPRECIATED IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS,* HE SAID.
+SO WITH WORLD PRICES INCREASING AT ABOUT 8 TO 9 PER CENT A YEAR, OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION IS BEING GRADUALLY REGAINED.
+GIVEN THE COMPARATIVELY OPTIMISTIC FORECASTS FOR WORLD TRADE IN 1978, THE UNDERLYING CONDITIONS FOR MORE RAPID GROWTH IN OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS COULD BE PRESENT, AT LEAST FOR THE WIDE FIELD OF ITEMS NOT SINGLED OUT FOR DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT BY THE EEC. AND LET US REMEMBER THESE ACCOUNTED FOR 90 PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE WORLD AS A WHOLE IN 1976,+ HE SAID.
REFERRING TO HIS RECENT VISIT TO LONDON AND BRUSSELS, SIR MURRAY REMARKED, +THE COMMUNITY SHOWS EVERY SIGN OF WISHING TO IMPOSE ON US A MORE RESTRICTIVE REGIME THAN HITHERTO. THE PRINCIPAL FEATURES WOULD BE A ROLL-BACK OF QUOTAS FOR 1978 TO THE 1976 LEVEL OF IMPORTS- BUT FOR EIGHT SENSITIVE ITEMS, FOR SO CALLED ♦PRINCIPAL SUPPLIERS+ ONLY — AND HONG KONG IS ONE OF THESE — the Quotas would be cut back below the 1976 level of trade.+
+IT IS of course almost unprecedented to demand a roll-back OF QUOTA AT ALL, AND THIS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HONG KONG AND THE PRINCIPAL SUPPLIERS FOR THE EIGHT ITEMS WOULD BE AS DAMAGING AS THE PRECEDENT IS DANGEROUS,* SIR MURRAY SAID.
+THE LOSS OF TRADE BELOW THE 1976 LEVEL ENVISAGED BY THE COMMISSION WOULD BE ABOUT $480 MILLION, BUT THE LOSS IN TRADE POSSIBILITIES IN THE EEC COULD BE OVER $1,000 MILLION,* SIR MURRAY ADDED.
ASSESSING EEC’S PROBLEMS IN DEALING WITH HONG KONG, SIR MURRAY OBSERVED: +WHILE I UNDERSTAND THE PRESSURES GENERATED BY A HIGH LEVEL OF IMPORTS, BY UNEMPLOYMENT AND POLITICS, UNDER WHICH THE EEC HAVE EVOLVED THESE IDEAS, THEIR APPLICATION TO HONG KONG IS AS LACKING IN EQUITY AS IN LOGICAL STATISTICAL BASIS.*
/+ HONG KONG ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
+HONG KONG HAS NOT BEEN THE CULPRIT, IF THAT IS THE RIGHT WORD, IN SURGE OF IMPORTS INTO .EUROPE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS- THIS HAS COME FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. INDEED, IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG OF THESE ITEMS SINCE 1975 HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY DECLINED,* HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY ADDED: +WHILE ONE MIGHT UNDERSTAND THE EEC’S WISH TO GIVE THEIR OWN INDUSTRY A RESPITE THROUGH STABILIZING IMPORTS, THEIR PROPOSAL TO CREATE A POOL OF QUOTA FOR SO-CALLED +NEWCOMERS+ AND COUNTRIES WITH PREFERENTIAL ARRANGEMENTS, AND TO DO SO AT THE EXPENSE OF HONG KONG AND A FEW OTHER ESTABLISHED SUPPLIERS, IS GROSSLY DISCRIMINATORY.*
+STABILISATION WOULD BE BAD ENOUGH,* SIR MURRAY SAID, +BUT these Discriminatory ideas seem to me to take the whole international TEXTILE TRADING SYSTEM DANGEROUSLY NEAR THE BRINK OF A PROGRESSIVE SLIDE INTO PROTECTIONISM, ALTHOUGH THE COMMISSION PROFESS THAT THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT THEY WISH TO AVOID.
+THE DISCRIMINATORY PART OF THE EEC’S PROPOSALS IS NOT DESIGNED TO PROTECT DOMESTIC INDUSTRY SO MUCH AS TO REDISTRIBUTE TRADE BY GIVING A LARGE PART OF THE PRINCIPAL SUPPLIERS’ EXISTING TRADE TO OTHER EXPORTING COUNTRIES,* SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT.
BUT SIR MURRAY URGED THAT WHILE WE WATCHED THE COURSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH ACUTE ANXIETY +WE SHOULD NOT BE CARRIED AWAY BY THE DRAMA OR INDIGNATION OF THE MOMENT INTO BELIEVING THAT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC FUTURE, OR EVEN HONG KONG’S TEXTILE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE, IS IMMEDIATELY AT STAKE.
+WE COULD SUFFER A BLOW, PERHAPS EVEN A HEAVY BLOW,* HE CONTINUED, +BUT CERTAINLY NOT A MORTAL ONE. AT THE WORST IT WILL CONFRONT V3-W1TH A SERIOUS CHALLENGE.*
wIN A TOTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION, THE GOVERNOR REFERRED TO TWO PROBLEMS THAT HONG KONG GENERALLY FACES.
THE FIRST IS +DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION HAS BEEN GROWING FASTER THAN EXPORTS BECAUSE OF THE RAPID GROWTH IN CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION, AND ALSO BECAUSE OF SLUGGISH DEMAND FOR SOME OF OUR PRODUCTS IN OVERSEAS MARKETS.
+THE PROBLEM COULD BE RESOLVED IN VARIOUS WAYS- FOR INSTANCE BY A REVIVAL IN DEMAND FOR OUR EXPORTS, AND ALSO .... BY A DROP NEXT YEAR IN THE DEMAND THAT PRIVATE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS ARE MAKING ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.*
+AND IF NEITHER OF THESE FACTORS DEVELOP SUFFICIENTLY TO CORRECT THE SITUATION, SIR MURRAY WENT ON, +THERE IS STILL THE INEVITABLE MECHANISM OF MARKET FORCES OPERATING IN THIS INSTANCE THROUGH THE EXCHANGE RATE, INTEREST RATES, AND THE MONEY SUPPLY,* HE SAID.
/♦THE OTHER POINT ....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
6
+THE OTHER POINT OF CONCERN,+ SIR MURRAY MENTIONED, >IS THE THREAT TO OUR TEXTILE INDUSTRY’S ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO GROW IN THE FACE OF RESTRICTIVE ATTITUDES IN OUR MAJOR MARKETS.*
WHILE SUCH ATTITUDES WERE WRONGLY BASED AND DANGEROUS TO THE EXPANSION OF WORLD TRADE, THE GOVERNOR REMARKED! +NEVERTHELESS, THEY ADD NEW URGENCY TO THE LONG TERM DESIRABILITY OF BROADENING OUR INDUSTRIAL BASE.*
SIR MURRAY THEN OUTLINED THE STEPS THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING TO PROVIDE THE IMPETUS FOR EXPANDING INTO HIGHER TECHNOLOGICAL INDUSTRY.
+THE MAJOR CONTRIBUTION THE GOVERNMENT CAN MAKE,* HE SAID, +IS THROUGH PROVISION OF ADEQUATE SUPPLIES OF LAND ON WHICH NEW INDUSTRY CAN BE BUILT. THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION, WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED VERY SHORTLY, SHOWS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE PRODUCING SOME 2,900 GROSS HECTARES OF LAND UP TO 1981/82.
+0F THIS,* HE SAID, +SOME 613 WILL BE FOR SALE TO INDUSTRY AND SOME 580 FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PURPOSES. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF PLANNED URBAN DEVELOPMENT, THIS WILL PROVIDE AN AVERAGE OF 250 GROSS HECTARES A YEAR FOR PRIVATE, INCLUDING INDUSTRIAL, DEVELOPMENT.+
+THIS IS MORE THAN WE HAVE ACHIEVED OVER A COMPARABLE PERIOD BEFORE, AND IF WISELY USED, SHOULD BE ADEQUATE TO HONG KONG’S IMMEDIATE NEEDS,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
OF 613 GROSS HECTARES OF LAND FOR INDUSTRY UP TO 1981-82, 168 GROSS HECTARES ARE FOR THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AT TA I * ~ PO AND YUEN LONG. -------
+SINCE THIS LAND WILL BE LET AT COST OF FORMATION, IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT IT SHOULD BE ALLOTTED ONLY TO PROJECTS WHICH WILL DIVERSIFY THE INDUSTRIAL BASE AND INTRODUCE HIGHER LEVELS OF TECHNOLOGY,* HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION, SIR MURRAY STATED, +NEW INTENSIVE AND CONCLUSIVE INVESTIGATIONS BOTH BY CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND THE PWD WILL START VERY SHORTLY BOTH ON A FIXED ROAD CROSSING TO LANTAU AND ON THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THE NORTH SHORE OF THE ISLAND.*
IN ADDITION TO THE PRODUCTION OF LAND, THE GOVERNMENT, THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ARE COLLABORATING TO PROMOTE THE INTRODUCTION INTO HONG KONG OF NEW TYPES OF INDUSTRY FROM OVERSEAS.
THE RAPID EXPANSION OF SECONDARY EDUCATION, THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND POLYTECHNIC, ALL CONTRIBUTE TO ENSURING THAT EXPANSION OF NEW INDUSTRY WILL NOT BE INHIBITED BY LACK OF SUITABLE EDUCATED PERSONNEL, HE CONCLUDED.
0 - - - -
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
- 7 -
ANGLO-CHINESE RELATIONS EXCELLENT
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY SPOKE OF THE EXCELLENT STATE OF ANGLO-CHINESE RELATIONS AND SAID THIS IS SOMETHING FROM WHICH HONG KONG CAN TAKE CONFIDENCE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR MURRAY SAID THE ADDITIONAL WATER SUPPLIES FROM CHINA WAS ♦CHARACTERISTIC OF THE EXCELLENT STATE OF ANGLO-CHINESE RELATIONS AND OF THE PRACTICAL AND SYMPATHETIC WAY IN WHICH MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN TO THE KWANG TUNGAUTHOR1T4ES AND HONGKONG ARE BEING HANDLED.♦ , ' ' '
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
8
GOVERNOR UNVEILS NEW DEAL FOR SOCIAL WELFARE ******
A NEW COMPLETE PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS FOR EXPANDED SERVICES TO THE HANDICAPPED, THE ELDERLY AND YOUTH, AND FOR INCREASED PAYMENTS IN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO THE NEEDY, DISABLED AND INFIRM WAS UNVEILED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
THESE PROPOSALS, WHICH ARE CONTAINED IN A WHITE PAPER AND THREE GREEN PAPERS, WILL COST THE GOVERNMENT NEARLY $500 MILLION MORE AND REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL 3,700 TRAINED PERSONNEL OVER THE NEXT FLVE YEARS.
IN 1977/78 FUNDS PROVIDED FOR ALL THE TYPES OF SERVICES COVERED BY THE WHITE PAPER AND GREEN PAPERS AMOUNTED TO $407 MILLION- THE NEW COMPLETE PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS ENVISAGE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE RISING TO $719 MILLION BY 1982/83 AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE OVER THE SAME PERIOD AMOUNTING TO $178 MILLION.
TOUCHING ON THE WHITE PAPER ON THE HANDICAPPED, WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED NEXT WEEK, SIR MURRAY SAID SOME OF THE WORK DONE FOR THE HANDICAPPED IN HONG KONG WAS SECOND TO NONE IN THE WORLD.
BUT THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED TO WIDEN ITS COVERAGE AS QUICKLY AS THE TRAINING OF PERSONNEL AND THE PROVISION OF BUILDINGS WOULD ALLOW, HE ADDED.
SIR MURRAY INDICATED IN BROAD TERMS THAT THE STAFF ENGAGED IN THE MANY DISCIPLINES OF REHABILITATION AND CARE OF THE HANDICAPPED WOULD BE MORE THAN DOUBLED, CAPITAL WORKS OF THE ORDER OF $86 MILLION WOULD BE UNDERTAKEN, AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE SHOULD RISE FROM $122 MILLION IN 1977/78 TO $197 MILLION IN 1982/83.
V-
+1 THINK THAT THE FIRST FIVE-YEAR COURSE WE HAVE SET OURSELVES IS REALISTIC AND SHOULD VASTLY CHANGE THE PRESENT SITUATION,* HE SAID. +THE CROWDED LIFE OF HONG KONG IS HARD FOR THE HANDICAPPED, AND DR. HARRY FANG AND HIS : REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE VARIOUS HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES INVOLVED CAN COUNT ON THE STRONG SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT IN PUSHING THIS PROGRAMME FORWARD,* SIR MURRAY ASSURED.
ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS, SIR MURRAY SAID PROPOSALS TO INCREASE PAYMENTS TO THOSE UNDER THE SCHEME WOULD BE MADE SHORTLY TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AS THE REAL VALUE OF PAYMENTS MAINTAINED BY REFERENCE TO A SPECIAL PRICE INDEX INDICATES THAT AN INCREASE WAS REQUIRED. HE ALSO REVEALED THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GREEN PAPER i
* A SUPPLEMENT FOR THOSE FORCED TO RELY ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOR OVER 18 MONTHS AMOUNTING TO $180 AT THE PRESENT RATE FOR A FAMILY OR $90 FOR A SINGLE PERSON-
* A SUPPLEMENT OF $90 AT THE PRESENT RATE TO PERSONS ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WHO ARE AGED 60 AND ABOVE, BUT NOT YET IN RECEIPT OF THE INFIRMITY ALLOWANCE- AND
/• THE ESTABLISHMENT ......
.'I
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
- 9 -
* THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SEPARATE APPEAL BOARDS TO WHICH PERSONS COULD APPEAL AGAINST DECISIONS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
ON OLD AGE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCES, SIR MURRAY SAID THIS SYSTEM OF PAYMENTS, BASED ON A CONDITION OF VULNERABILITY, HAD BEEN RE-EXAMINED AND IT WAS CONSIDERED TO HAVE BEEN BOTH SUCCESSFUL AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PUBLIC. BUT IN THE LIGHT OF FIVE YEARS OF OPERATION THE FOLLOWING CHANGES WERE PROPOSEDi
* . • '"'r *'*H
* THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE BE REDUCED FROM ' 75 TO 70, AND THOSE BETWEEN 60 AND 70 IN GENUINE NEED BE HELPED THROUGH A SUPPLEMENT TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE-
* OLD AGE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCES BE EXTENDED TO THOSE LIVING IN INSTITUTIONS AND
* ALLOWANCE BE PAID TO THOSE WHO MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY ALLOWANCE, BUT THROUGH ILLNESS OR INFIRMITY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO WORK FOR A LONG PERIOD — THE PERIOD PROPOSED IS 18 MONTHS.
AS FOR THE EXPANSION OF SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY, SIR MURRAY SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S MAIN OBJECTIVE IN PLANS FOR THE ELDERLY WAS TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES THEMSELVES TO CONTINUE TO CARE FOR THEIR r OLDER MEMBERS.
+ 1 HAVE ALREADY REFERRED TO TWO SOCIAL SECURITY MEASURES WHICH WILL IN CASH TERMS ASSIST THIS OBJECTIVE. THE GREEN PAPER WILL INCLUDE PROPOSALS TO MEET THE MEDICAL AND HOUSING NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY, THE EXPANSION OF HOME HELP, THE CONSTRUCTION OF CENTRES TO PROVIDE SOCIAL WORK SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, AND THE EXPANSION OF INSTITUTIONAL CARE, AND OF CARE AND ATTENTION FACILITIES,*
• HE SAID.
TURNING TO EXPANSION OF PERSONAL SERVICES FOR YOUTH, SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT THAT THE RAPID EXPANSION OF RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE POPULATION AS A WHOLE, AND PARTICULARLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WERE HIGHLY BENEFICIAL AND DESIRABLE IN THEMSELVES.
+1 DO NOT THINK IT IS COINCIDENTAL THAT SINCE THE EXPANSION OF THESE SERVICES THERE HAS BEEN A CONSIDERABLE DROP IN THE LEVEL OF JUVENILE CRIME,* HE STRESSED.
+HOWEVER THERE EXISTS A SMALL MINORITY WHO ARE VULNERABLE TO DELINQUENT INFLUENCES, AND WHO ARE NOT ATTRACTED TO ORGANISED ACTIVITIES. THESE PEOPLE REQUIRE DIRECT PERSONAL GUIDANCE AND HELP IF THEY ARE NOT TO DRIFT INTO THE CRIMINAL WORLD,* HE ADDED.
THE NEW PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER PROVIDE FOR COMPREHENSIVE
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES, A CAUTIOUS EXPANSION OF OUT-REACHING SOCIAL WORK IN AREAS KNOWN TO HAVE A HIGHER INCIDENCE OF DELINQUENCY, AND INTENSIVE EFFORTS IN FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, SIR MURRAY REVEALED.
IF THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE PAPER AND THREE GREEN PAPERS COMMEND THEMSELVES TO THE PUBLIC AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, THEY WOULD BE PHASED IN OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WITH THE MAIN IMPACT ACHIEVED BEFORE THE END OF 1980, SIR MURRAY SAID.
0 -------
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
10
INSURANCE COVER FOR WORKERS PROPOSED
******
A SEMI-VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION SCHEME PROVIDING INSURANCE COVER AGAINST SICKNESS, INJURY AND DEATH, AND ALSO A SMALL RETIREMENT BENEFIT HAS BEEN PROPOSED IN A GREEN PAPER ON SOCIAL SECURITY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
DESCRIBING THE ADDITIONAL PROPOSAL AS OF +CONSIDERABLE INTEREST+, SIR MURRAY SAID THE MAIN AIMS OF THE SCHEME WOULD be to Provide a monthly benefit for those off work longer THAN THE PERIOD OF 36 PAID SICKNESS DAYS PROVIDED UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE- AND A LUMP SUM FOR THE HEIRS OF THOSE DYING BEFORE THE AGE OF 60.
IN EACH CASE THE BENEFIT WOULD BE BASED ON THE CONTRIBUTOR’S PREVIOUS EARNINGS, SUBJECT TO ACTUARIAL ADVICE, THERE MIGHT ALSO BE ROOM WITHIN THE SCHEME FOR A HOUSING LOAN FACILITY, SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT.
♦THE CONTRIBUTION RATE WOULD BE KEPT LOW PERHAPS AT THE RATE OF 2 PER CENT OF EARNINGS FROM EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE ALIKE. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PAY FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND PERHAPS PROVIDE INITIAL PRIMING FOR THE SCHEME’S FUNDS. BUT IN GENERAL THE SCHEME WOULD BE SELF-FINANCI NG,+ HE SAID.
+S0 FAR OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES HAVE BEEN OPERATED OUT OF REVENUE, WITH THE ADDITION OF BENEFITS PROVIDED BY EMPLOYERS EITHER STATUTORILY OR VOLUNTARILY. BUT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS IS AN AREA WHERE EMPLOYEES WOULD WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY A MORE POSITIVE ROLE IF ENCOURAGED TO DO S0,+ HE SAID.
THE SIGNIFICANT FEATURE OF THE PROPOSAL, SIR MURRAY NOTED, IS THAT IT WOULD BE UP TO EACH EMPLOYEE WHETHER HE WISHED TO JOIN, BUT IF HE DID SO HIS EMPLOYER WOULD HAVE TO PAY CONTRIBUTIONS TOO UNLESS HE WERE CONTRACTED OUT OF THE SCHEME. THE EMPLOYER COULD CONTRACT OUT IF HE ALREADY PROVIDED BENEFITS SUCH AS WOULD BE CONFERRED UNDER THE SCHEME.
+THIS SCHEME WOULD CATER FOR AN AREA OF NEED, WHICH CANNOT BE MET SATISFACTORILY THROUGH THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME BECAUSE THE PERSONS CONCERNED OR THEIR FAMILIES HAVE MEANS ABOVE THE LEVEL OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, BUT ARE NOT SO FAR ABOVE IT AS TO BE INSULATED AGAINST THE FINANCIAL EFFECTS ON THE FAMILY OF THE PROLONGED SICKNESS OR DEATH OF A BREAD-WINNER.
+MOREOVER, THERE MAY BE SOME WHO THOUGH WITHIN THE INCOME LEVEL ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WOULD PREFER TO INSURE THEMSELVES IN THIS ALTERNATIVE WAY,+ HE SAID.
/SIR MURRAY .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
11
SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT HOWEVER, THAT THE PROPOSED SCHEME DIFFERED FROM THE SORT OF SOCIAL INSURANCE SCHEME FOUND IN MANY COUNTRIES SINCE IT WOULD BE UP TO EMPLOYEES WHETHER THEY JOINED OR NOT. FURTHERMORE SUCH A SCHEME DID NOT EXIST IN A COMMUNITY WITH SUCH EXTENSIVE NON-CONTRIBUTORY SOCIAL SECURITY COVERAGE AS HONG KONG WOULD HAVE.
+THE DEMAND FOR IT IS THEREFORE DIFFICULT TO PREDICT. BUT THE PROPOSAL IS BEING PUBLISHED IN A GREEN PAPER TO TEST PUBLIC OPINION, AND THE GOVERNMENT LOOKS FORWARD TO RECEIVING THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC AND OF TRADE UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS AND WILL BE VERY READY TO ENTER INTO DISCUSSION ON IT,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
+IF, AS THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES LIKELY, PUBLIC REACTION DOES INDICATE A REASONABLY WIDESPREAD DEMAND FOR A SCHEME OF THIS SORT, THE GOVERNMENT WILL PROCEED TO ESTABLISH AN ACTUARIAL BASIS AND WORK OUT THE DETAILS AS A BASIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSS ION,+ HE ADDED.
+IF THESE HURDLES ARE SUCCESSFULLY TAKEN THE LEGISLATION WILL NEED TO BE PREPARED, WHICH I SHOULD HOPE WOULD BE BEFORE THE END OF 1980,+
-------o - - - -
/12
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
12
COMPULSORY AND FREE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION
FOR ALL * *
JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION WILL BE MADE COMPULSORY AND FREE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
AND THE COUNCIL WOULD BE INVITED TO AGREE THAT FEES SHOULD BE ABOLISHED AS FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR 1978/79 FOR ALL IN FORM I TO I I I IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, HE SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING PROHIBITION OF EMPLOYMENT OF 13 AND 14-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WILL BE EXTENDED TO NON-1NDUSTRI AL ONES AS WELL.
SIR MURRAY SAID LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED TO MAKE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION COMPULSORY UP TO A CHILD’S 15TH BIRTHDAY OR UNTIL THE FORM III COURSE HAS BEEN COMPLETED, IF THAT IS EARLIER.
+THE POWERS OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION UNDER THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE TO SERVE A SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ORDER WILL BE EXTENDED TO 12 TO 13-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 1979 AND TO 14 YEAR-OLDS FROM SEPTEMBER 1980 - THAT IS TO SAY, ONE YEAR AFTER PLACES FOR ALL CHILDREN IN EACH AGE-GROUP BECOME AVAILABLE,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
ON THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO EXTEND THE PROHIBITION OF EMPLOYMENT OF 13 AND 14-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN TO NON-1NDUSTRI AL UNDERTAKINGS, SIR MURRAY SAID THE INTENTION WAS TO PROHIBIT EMPLOYMENT WHICH WOULD INTERFERE WITH A CHILD’S SCHOOLING.
BUT, HE ADDED, FLEXIBILITY WILL BE MAINTAINED TO ALLOW FOR PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT PARTICULARLY IN FAMILY BUSINESSES OR SUMMER JOBS.
+THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR FORM III EDUCATION BEFORE REACHING 15 WILL ALSO EE ALLOWED TO WORK IF THEY SO WISH.+
SIR MURRAY SAID THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION ON THIS ASPECT, DETAILS OF WHICH WILL REQUIRE CONSULTATION WITH THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, WOULD NOT COME INTO FORCE UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL YEAR 1979/60.
HE NOTED THAT WHILE EDUCATION AT FORM IV AND ABOVE WILL REMAIN VERY HEAVILY SUBSIDISED, MODERATE FEES WILL CONTINUE TO BE CHARGED TO THOSE WHO CAN PAY THEM AND WILL BE REMITTED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT.
ON FURTHER EDUCATION PROSPECTS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVERS, SIR MURRAY SAID + THE COMING YEAR WILL WITNESS A MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
/♦FROM
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
- 13 -
♦FROM SEPTEMBER 1978 THERE a ILL EE A SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACE FOR EVERY PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVER. THERE WILL BE NO MORE HEARTACHE FOR CHILDREN LOSING THEIR CHANCE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION THROUGH FAILURE IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BECAUSE THERE WILL EE PLACES FOR ALL.
+TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE 51,483 ADDITIONAL JUNIOR SECONDARY PLACES ..ILL HAVE BEEN PROVIDED SINCE THE POLICY WAS ANNOUNCED IN FEBRUARY 1976 AND SOME 54 NEW SCHOOLS CONSTRUCTED.
+IT IS PROPOSED TO BUILD A FURTHER 48 SCHOOLS, 18 MORE THAN I ENVISAGED LAST YEAR SC AS TO ENSURE PLACES FOR A PROPER STANDARD FOR ALL IN THESE FORMS, AND TO I-.PROVE REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION.
ON PRIMARY EDUCATION, SIR MURRAY SAID TWO WORKING COMMITTEES, UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A STEERING COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO EXAMINE THE QUALITY OF PRIMARY EDUCATION AND ITS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, AND THE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN BELOW PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE IN KINDERGARTENS AND DAY CARE CENTRES.
♦WHEN THEIR PROPOSALS ARE READY, THEY WILL BE THE SUBJECT OF WIDER CONSULTATION BEFORE DECISIONS ARE TAKEN,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
REVIEWING HIGHER EDUCATION, SIR MURRAY SAID A WORKING PARTY IS PREPARING A REPORT ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION AND IT WILL EE ISSUED SHORTLY.
HE NOTED THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SUBJECT OF A GREEN PAPER BEFORE ANY FINAL DECISION IS TAKEN.
SIR MURRAY ALSO REVEALED THAT THE GREEN PAPER WILL TAKE A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT A ..HOLE RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FORM III LEAVER TO CONTINUE HIS EDUCATION IN SENIOR SECONDARY FORMS, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND IN ADULT EDUCATION CENTRES AND PROPOSE IMPROVEMENTS.
+IT wILL DEAL SIMILARLY WITH THE EDUCATION SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR FORM V AND FORM VI LEAVERS IN THE POLYTECHNIC, THE UNIVERSITIES, THE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES AND ELSEWHERE.
♦MEANTIME, PLANS FOR EXPANDING STUDENT NUMBERS AT THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC ARE PROCEEDING WELL,+ HE SAID.
TURNING TO INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, SIR MURRAY SAID ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE TRAINING COUNCIL, HE WILL SHORTLY MAKE AN ORDER DESIGNATING FIVE MORE TRADES COVERED BY THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE APART FRCM THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY.
HE POINTED CUT THAT THIS WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF TRAINEES COVERED BY THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, SIR MURRAY SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE THE TRAINING COUNCIL’S RECOMMENDATION TO EXTEND TRAINING TO THE COMMERCIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS AND HAS INVITED THE TRAINING COUNCIL TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.
-------0
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
14
WATER RESTRICTIONS TO REMAIN FOR TIME BEING ******
THE PRESENT WATER RESTRICTIONS WILL NOT BE RELAXED UNLESS THERE IS UNUSUAL RAINFALL IN THE AUTUMN AND WINTER, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY.
REVIEWING THE WATER SITUATION AT THE OPENING SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR MURRAY SAID THAT WHEREAS THE RESERVOIRS SHOULD BE MORE OR LESS FULL AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, PRESENT STORAGE IN FACT WAS ONLY 44,442 MILLION GALLONS - 59.6 PER CENT OF TOTAL CAPACITY OR 68 PER CENT OF THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR.
THE STORAGE FIGURE, HE POINTED OUT, INCLUDED THE GENEROUS ADDITION OF 3,400 MILLION GALLONS FROM THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WHO MAINTAINED A HIGHER RATE OF DELIVERY IN JUNE AND JULY AND EXTENDED THE NORMAL SUPPLY PERIOD FOR A MONTH IN ORDER TO HELP US OUT.
AT THE SAME TIME, HONG KONG’S NEWEST AND BIGGEST RESERVOIR AT HIGH ISLAND WAS WAITING TO STORE RAINFALL, +BUT IT REMAINS SADLY EMPTY+, HE ADDED.
+AT PRESENT WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT RAIN WILL FALL DURING THE REST OF THE AUTUMN AND WINTER, NOR DO WE KNOW WHETHER NEXT SUMMER’S RAIN WILL BE EARLY OR LATE, NORMAL OR ABNORMAL,+ HE SAID.
+THIS IS, THEREFORE, NO TIME TO TAKE RISKS IN SO IMPORTANT A MATTER, AND UNLESS THERE IS UNUSUAL RAINFALL IN THE AUTUMN AND WINTER, YOUR GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO RELAX PRESENT RESTR ICT IONS.+
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE PRESENT RESTRICTION OF 10 HOURS SUPPLY A DAY FOR DOMESTIC CONSUMERS HAD REDUCED CONSUMPTION TO 225 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY.
ALTHOUGH 10 HOURS A DAY WAS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT, HE SAID, IT WAS SUPPORTABLE, BUT TIGHTER RESTRICTIONS COULD EE MUCH HARDER TO BEAR, PARTICULARLY IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS WHERE PRESSURE TAKES LONGER TO BUILD UP.
+WE THEREFORE WISH TO RUN NO RISK OF HAVING TO IMPOSE THEM.+
SIR MURRAY SAID THIS WAS AN UNUSUALLY BAD SITUATION BUT THERE WERE TWO PLUS POINTS IN OUR PROSPECTS.
+FIRSTLY, WE CAM COUNT ON 1,000 MILLION GALLONS A MONTH FROM THE DESALTER REGARDLESS OF RAIN.
/+SECONDLY.......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 19??
- 15 -
+SECONDLY, THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES AGREED DELIVERY AS FROM OCTOBER 1 FROM 24,000 MILLION 33,033 MILLION GALLONS A YEAR,* HE SAID.
TO INCREASE THEIR GALLONS TO
+THIS EXTRA 6,000 MILLION GALLONS AT THIS JUNCTURE IS INVALUABLE AND WITHOUT IT THE DANGER OF FURTHER RESTRICTIONS >'.OULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERABLE.
+IT REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT TECHNICAL FEAT AND A MORE HELPFUL ACTION FOR WHICH WE AR; INDEED GRATEFUL,* HE SAID.
ON THE BRIGHTER SIDE, HE ADDED, THE ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES FROM CHINA WILL ALLOW US TO RELAX THE RESTRICTIONS SOONER THAN WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN THE CASE ONCE THE RESERVOIRS HAVE BEGUN TO FILL UP AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
/1b......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977 • •
- 16 -
GOVERNMENT TO PRODUCE 2,900 HECTARES OF LAND
******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE PRODUCING SOME 2,900 GROSS HECTARES OF LAND UP TO 1931/82 + IN VIEW OF THE LONG TERM DESIRABILITY OF BROADENING OUR INDUSTRIAL BASE,+ THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHCSE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
QUOTING FROM THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION, TO EE PUBLISHED VERY SHORTLY, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT OF THE TOTAL LAND TO EE PRODUCED, SOME 613 HECTARES WOULD BE FOR SALE TO INDUSTRY AND SOME 580 FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.
+ THIS a ILL PROVIDE,* oIR MURRAY SAID, +AN AVERAGE OF 250 GROSS HECTARES A YEAR FOR PRIVATE, INCLUDING INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT* --IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF PLANNED URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
THIS, IS MORE THAN WE HAVE ACHIEVED OVER A COMPARABLE PERIOD BEFORE, AND IF WISELY USED, SHOULD EE ADEQUATE TO HONG KONG’S IMMEDIATE NEEDS, HE POINTED OUT.
THE REPORT HOWEVER IS LESS HOPEFUL ABOUT LAND PRODUCTION ON THE MAINLAND BEYOND 1982. SOME 77D HECTARES IN FIVE AREAS COULD BE CONSIDERED, BUT SOME WOULD BE EXPENSIVE TO DEVELOP AND ARE INCONVENIENTLY SITUATED. THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE HAD THEREFORE FELT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BRING FORWARD ITS PLANS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LANTAU.
+CN THE ADVICE OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,* SIR MURRAY SAID, + NEw INTENSIVE AND CONCLUSIVE INVESTIGATIONS BY CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND THE PWD WILL THEREFORE START VERY SHORTLY BOTH ON A FIXED ROAD CROSSING TC LANTAU AND ON THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THE NORTH SHORE OF THE ISLAND.*
HE ALSO SAID THAT PENDING THE REVIEW OF OPTIONS, HE HAD DECIDED TO REAPPOINT THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WITH NEW TERMS OF REFERENCE.
+THE OUTCOME OF PRODUCTION FROM 1982
ITS STUDIES LILL SUPPLY THE PATTERN FOR LAND ONWARDS,* Ht SAID.
REFERRING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, SIR MURRAY SAID THAT 168 GROSS HECTARES OF 613 GROSS HECTARES FOR LAND FOR INDUSTRY UP TO 1981/82 .'.OULD EE SET APART FOR THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AT TAI PO AND YUEN LONG.
+IT IS MOST IMPORThNT,* HE ADDED, +THE LAND SnOULD EE ALLOTTED ONLY TC PROJECTS WHICH WILL DIVERSIFY THE INDUSTRIAL BASE AND INTRODUCE HIGHER LEVELS OF TECHNOLOGY,* SINCE THE LAND WOULD EE LET AT COST OF FORMATION.
/AND,
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
17
A^» STRICTEST CRITERIA SHOULD BE APPLIED, AS THEY E“;tN JO THc POLICY OF SELLING LAND OUTSIDE THE ESTATES ON JpvtsBLtTcm iVHICH ,TSELF HAS MADE A CONSIDERABLE
n-Z Tu TH£ '••tscdUCTION OF NEW INDUSTRY,* SIR MURRAY bCiMGLUDcD.
-----0------
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHCSE, TODAY PROPOSED TO SET UP AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION OF INDUSTRY IN VIE* OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ISSUE.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, SIR MURRAY SAID THAT THE COMMITTEE, SIMILAR TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION, WOULD ADVISE ON .-.HETHER THERE IS ANYTHING FURTHER THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO, OR ANY CHANGE IN CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS — INCLUDING FINANCIAL ONES — THAT SHOULD BE MADE TO FACILITATE THE FURTHER DIVERSIFICATION OF INDUSTRY.
THE PROPOSED COMMITTEE, WITH STRONG UNOFFICIAL PARTICIPATION, WILL EE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
HOWEVER, SIR MURRAY SAID, HE WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY THE SUCCESS OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION IN EVOLVING CLEAR NEW THINKING ABOUT AN OLD AND WELL KNOWN PROBLEM.
IN ADDITION TO LAND PRODUCTION, SIR MURRAY SAID THE GOVERNMENT, THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WERE COLLABORATING TO PROMOTE THE INTRODUCTION INTO HONG KONG OF NEW TYPES OF INDUSTRY FROM OVERSEAS.
+THE RAPID EXPANSION OF SECONDARY EDUCATION THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND POLYTECHNIC, ALL CONTRIBUTE TO ENSURING THAT EXPANSION OF NEW INDUSTRY WILL NOT BE INHIBITED BY LACK OF SUITABLE EDUCATED PERSONNEL,* HE SAID.
+ INDEED ONE MIGHT SAY THAT ONE OF THE MANY OBJECTIVES OF THE FISCAL SYSTEM OF HONG KONG IS TO RETAIN AND ATTRACT CAPITAL FROM BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INVESTORS*.
------0--------
/17.....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977’ - 18 -
FOUR COUNTRY PARKS TO BE DESIGNATED EACH YEAR * * * * H *
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO DESIGNATE 16 MORE COUNTRY PARKS - FOUR EACH YEAR - BRINGING THE TOTAL TO ABOUT 20 IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS COVER li.G VIRTUALLY ALL THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE EACH WITH ITS OWN MANAGEMENT BUILDINGS AND STAFF, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION, SIR MURRAY SAID, + ..E MUST KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THIS PROGRAMME TO ENSURE THAT SPEED IS MAINTAINED AND THAT ARRANGEMENTS ARE NOT ONLY ADEQUATE TC DEAL WITH THE VERY LARGE NUMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE EXPECTED, EUT SHOW THE IMAGINATION AND ORIGINALITY THAT THE LOCATION OF THESE PARKS REQU IRES.+
HE DESCRIBED THE CROWING USE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE AS ANOTHER IMPORTANT SOURCE OF RECREATION.
ON THE PROVISION OF LEISURE, HE SAID THIS WAS A COMPARATIVELY NEW CONCEPT FOR GOVERNMENT ACTIVITY IN HONG KONG, BUT WITH THE AFFLUENCE AND MORE HOLIDAYS, THE NEED FOR IT HAD GROWN JTn
REMARKABLE SPEED.
TURNING TC YOUTH AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES, SIR MURRAY SAID IT ..AS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TC ORGANISE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE HALF OF OUR POPULATION IS UNDER 25 AND 1.47 MILLION ARE BETWEEN THE AGES OF SIX AND 21.
♦WE ESTIMATE THAT ABOUT ONE THIRD OF ALL YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE AGE GROUP OF SIX TO 21 ARE TAKING PART IN SOME FORM OF ORGANISED YOUTH CR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY, OTHER THAN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.
+AND OF COURSE, THERE ARE VERY MANY OTHERS WHO DO SO ON A LESS REGULAR BAS IS,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
ON CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL WERE ENCOURAGING AND PROMOTING THIS NEW AND VERY HEALTHY TREND.
♦MUSCULAR ACTIVITY IS NOT FOR EVERYONE OR FOR ANYONE ALL THE TIME, AND THE SPEED WITH WHICH RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES HAVE DEVELOPED IN RECENT YEARS HAS BEEN PARALLELED BY A SURGE Or INTEREST IN THE ARTS.
HE SAID THE MAJOR LACK '..AS OF SUITABLE AUDITOR I A, HOWEVER, HE POINTED GUT THAT THOSE OF SIMILAR SIZE TO THE CITY HALL WOULD BE COMPLETED IN TSUEN .‘.AN, TUEN MUN AND SHAT IN BY 1979, 1980/31 AND 1932/63 RESPECT IVELY, AND A LARGE CONCERT HALL AND THEATRE ..OULD BE COMPLETED IN THE TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURAL COMPLEX BY 1931/32.
/+WE aLL • • • • •
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
- 19 -
+WE ALL HOPE THAT THE NEW ARTS CENTRE WHICH WAS CONCEIVED IN THE SPIRIT OF THIS SURGE OF INTEREST IN THE ARTS IN HONG KONG, WILL PROVIDE A NEW FOCUS AND FURThER STIMULUS TO IT,+ SIR MURRAY ADDED.
ON POLLUTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, SIR MURRAY SAID COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSALS MADE BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AFTER IT HAD STUDIED THE CONSULTANT’S REPORT WOULD BE PUT FORWARD FOR THE PROVISION OF LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS OVER AIR, WATER AND NOISE POLLUTION AND THE DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE WITH ASSESSMENTS OF RESOURCES REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THEM.
..--0----
/20
20
PROEE ON INSIDER TRADING AND FURTHER CONTROLS ON DEPOSIT -TAKING COMPANIES PROPOSED
******
TWO MAJOR ITEMS OF FINANCIAL LEGISLATION - ONE TO SET UP A STANDING TRIBUNAL TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED INSIDER TRADING AND THE OTHER TO EXTEND TO REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKI NG COMPANIES SOME OF THE OBLIGATIONS AT PRESENT IMPOSED ON BANKS - ARE PROPOSED FOR THIS SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID.
IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, SIR MURRAY SAID, +THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOW REACHED A CONCLUSION ON ..HAT STEPS IT SHOULD TAKE TO PROTECT INVESTORS IN THE DIFFICULT AREA OF INSIDER DEALINGS.
+THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS NOW ADVISED THAT A STANDING TRIBUNAL BE FORMED TO INVESTIGATE CASES OF ALLEGED INSIDER DEALING. THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES WILL BE CHARGED WITH THE TASK OF ESTBLISHING A PR IMA FACIE CASE AND IT WOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON THE ADVICE OF THE SECURITIES COMMISSION TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO REFER SUCH CASES TO THE TRIBUNAL.
+ONCE THE TRIBUNAL HAS COMPLETED ITS INVESTIGATION - WHICH WOULD NORMALLY EE HELD IM PRIVATE - IT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PUBLISH ITS FINDINGS,* SIR MURRAY SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH A STANDING TRIBUNAL W ILL REQUIRE AMENDMENTS TO THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE AND SAID, +1 HOPE THAT THIS PROPOSAL WILL COMMEND ITSELF TO HONOURABLE MEMBERS AS A FIRST STEP.
+IN SUCH A DIFFICULT FIELD THERE IS A GOOD CASE FOR STARTING WITH A BODY WHICH WILL HAVE POWERS TO INVESTIGATE AND POWER AND OBLIGATION TO PRONOUNCE ON PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS BUT NOT POWER TO PUNISH DIRECTLY, BUT ONLY INDIRECTLY THROUGH THE AUTHORITATIVE GUIDANCE IT WILL GIVE TO PROFESSIONAL AND PUBLIC OPINION.
+IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE OF THE WORKINGS OF THE TRIBUNAL AND OF HOW EFFECTIVE IT PROVES, IT WILL BE EASIER TO CONSIDER WHETHER MORE STRINGENT MEASURES ARE OR ARE NOT NECESSARY OR PRACTICABLE,* SIR MURRAY SAID.
ON THE FURTHER CONTROL GF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, HE SAID, +SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL PROPOSALS a ILL BE INTRODUCED TO EXTEND TO REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES SOME OF THE OBLIGATIONS AT PRESENT IMPOSED ONLY ON BANKS.
+THIS WILL WIDEN THE EXTENT OF SUPERVISION OVER THEM AND THUS ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS TO PROTECT SMALL DEPOSITORS, AND ALSO ENSURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS THE POWER TO ENSURE THAT THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM ADEQUATELY SERVES THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG.
+IT IS NOT PROPOSED TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION ON DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES OFFERING A RETAIL BANKING SERVICE,* SIR MURRAY ADDED.
------o------- /21 ..
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5,
1977
21
home ownership flats for sale early next year on favourable terms
******
APPLICATIONS FOR FLATS IN THE FIRST SIX ESTATES OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME a ILL EE INVITED FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC EARLY NEXT YEAR UNDER VERY FAVOURABLE TERMS COMPARED TO THOSE IN THE OPEN MARKET.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SIR MURRAY SAID THE FLATS, VARYING IN SIZE BETWEEN 400 AND
603 SQ. FT., WOULD EE SOLD TO ELIGIBLE BUYERS AT PRICES BELOW THOSE PREVAILING IN THE OPEN MARKET.
+0N THE STRENGTH OF A GOVERNMENT PARTIAL GUARANTEE AGAINST DEFAULT, SPECIAL MORTGAGE ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATED WITH LEADING BANKS WHICH WILL PROVIDE FOR A STANDARD REPAYMENT PERIOD OF 15 YEARS, INTEREST RATES OF BETWEEN 7-1/2 AND 9 PER CENT PER ANNUM AND A MINIMUM DOWN PAYMENT OF 10 FER CENT OF THE SALE PR ICE,+ HE SAID.
+INITIALLY, ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE THOSE EARNING UP TO 53,533 A MONTH, AND PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS WHO ARE WILLING TO SURRENDER THEIR EXISTING TENANCIES IRRESPECTIVE OF INCOME,+ HE ADDED.
OTHER RULES OF ELIGIBILITY AND DISQUALIFICATION WOULD EE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY.
SIR MURRAY SAID THAT UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, IT IS PROPOSED TC BUILD 42,033 FLATS FOR SALE OVER THE NEXT NINE YEARS AND THE PROGRAMME ENVISAGES THE COMPLETION OF 8,503 IN 1979/80, AND BETWEEN 5,033 AND 6,033 IN EACH OF THE SUCCESSIVE YEARS TC 1935/86.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO DISCLOSED THAT NEGOTIATIONS ARE WELL IN HAND WITH REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS FOR AN EXPERIMENTAL PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME, AND HE COMMENDED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE WORKING PARTY FOR HAVING TAKEN THE HCME OWNERSHIP SCHEME TO THIS ADVANCED STAGE.
HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE SCHEME WOULD BE A SUCCESS AND MEET A NEED FELT BY MANY FOR THE SENSE OF SECURITY THAT HOME OWNERSHIP CONFERS.
ON PUBLIC HOUSING, SIR MURRAY SAID +THE HOUSING PROGRAMME IS NOW IN TOP GEAR.+
HE SAID 47 SITE FORMATION, PILING AND BUILDING CONTRACTS WOULD BE LET THIS FINANCIAL YEAR - THREE TIMES THE NUMBER OF LAST YEAR - AND THE RATE OF COMPLETION OF FLATS INCLUDING THOSE UNDER THE HCME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WOULD RISE FROM 14,333 THIS YEAR TO 23,333 NEXT YEAR, AND TO OVER 43,333 IN 1979/63 WITH CAPACITY FOR ABOUT 253,333 PEOPLE.
/♦THIS IS .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
22
+ THIS IS THE ANNUAL FIGURE ON WHICH I HAVE LONG HAD MY EYE. IT IS ONLY AT THIS SORT OF LEVEL THAT WE CAN MAKE THE DECISIVE AND RAPID INROADS INTO THE HOUSING PROBLEM FOR WHICH WE HAVE WORKED AND WAITED SO LONG.
+ABOUT FIVE OR SIX YEARS OF THIS RATE OF COMPLETION SHOULD BREAK THE BACK OF THE PROBLEM AS W'E HAVE KNOWN IT,* HE SAID.
+SITES HAVE, THEREFORE, BEEN ALLOCATED, AND EVERY STEP FOR EACH ESTATE IN THE LONG PROCESS FROM SITE CLEARANCE TO BUILDING COMPLETION HAS BEEN PLANNED AND TIMED SO THAT THIS LEVEL OF OUTPUT CAN BE MAINTAINED AT LEAST UNTIL 1984/85, AND SO THAT ANY SLIPPAGE IN THE PROGRAMME CAN BE DETECTED EARLY AND RECT IF I ED,+ HE ADDED.
SIR MURRAY GAVE AN ASSURANCE TO PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS AND THE PUBLIC THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ACCEPTS ITS OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE DECENT HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME GROUPS AT RENTS THEY CAN AFFORD.
+IN THE URBAN AREAS THIS IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE AUTHORITY HAS UNDER ITS CONTROL A LARGE STOCK OF FLATS Or VARYING SIZES, QUALITY AND RENTALS,+ HE SAID.
+THROUGH MUTUAL EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER SCHEMES IT IS NOW POSSIBLE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS TO MOVE MUCH MORE FREELY THAN BcFORE TO DISTRICTS AND FLATS OF THEIR OWN CHOICE AND FOR THE AUTHORITY TO OFFER A MUCH WIDER RANGE OF FLATS TO NEW TENANTS.
+ IN THt NEW TOWNS, ..'HERE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES CONSIST ALMOST ENTIRELY OF NEW IMPROVED TYPES, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE AUTHORITY REALISE THERE MUST BE A RANGE GF ACCOMMODATION AND RENTS THAT wILL CATER FOR ALL LCw INCOME HOUSEHOLDS ABOVE THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE LEVEL, WITHOUT PLACING EXCESSIVE BURDENS ON TAXPAYERS,+ HE SAID.
UNDER THE RECENTLY APPROVED NEW FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, SIR MURRAY SAID, THE AUTHORITY’S OUTSTANDING DEBTS TO THE GOVERNMENT WERE CONVERTED INTO A STRAIGHT GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION ASSESSED CONSERVATIVELY AT MORE THAN 05,000 MILLION.
+IN FUTURE, FOR THE RENTED HOUSING PROGRAMME, LAND WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE AUTHORITY FREE OF PREMIUM, AND DRAWINGS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION WILL BE REPAID OVER 40 YEARS INTEREST FREE.
+0N THE OTHER HAND, THE GRANTS PAID EY THE GOVERNMENT TO COVER THE RECURRENT DEFICITS ON GROUP B ESTATES HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN,* HE SAID.
+THE MAIN OBJECT OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS IS TO ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO EXERCISE GREATER FLEXIBILITY OVER RENTS PARTICULARLY IN THE NE*. ESTATES.*
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
23
MORE LABOUR LAWS WILL BE INTRODUCED
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, REVEALED IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL INTRODUCE SOME MORE LABOUR LEGISLATION IN THE COMING SESSION.
SIR MURRAY SAID AMENDMENTS TO THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO MEET SUCH PEES AS ARE CHARGED FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION TO PERSONS INJURED IN THE COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT* TO REQUIRE THEM TO MEET THE COST OF REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF PROTHESIS AND SURGICAL APPLIANCES* TO PLACE A SURCHARGE ON DELAYED PAYMENT OF WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION AND TO EXTEND THE TIME LIMIT FOR APPLICATION.
IN ADDITION, SIR MURRAY SAID, +CCNSULTATION IS TAKING PLACE WITH THE LABOUR ADVISORY ECARD AND WITH BOTH SIDES OF INDUSTRY ON WHETHER THE WAGE CEILING IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE SHOULD BE RAISED OR REMOVED TO EXTEND PROTECTION TO MORE NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES.+
HE ALSO EXPECTED THAT A DRAFT BILL ON ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSED LAST YEAR TO COMPENSATE WORKERS SUFFERING FROM SILICOSIS AND ASBESTOSIS WILL EE INTRODUCED SHORTLY.
SIR MURRAY DESCRIBED THE NEW LEGISLATION TO BE INTRODUCED AS A +FURTHER SMALLER BUT USEFUL PACKAGE+.
+ IK RECENT YEARS WE HAVE BEEN MAKING VERY RAPID PROGRESS IN WIDENING THE SCOPE OF OUR LABOUR LEGISLATION BOTH IN THE SOCIAL AND TECHNICAL FIELDS.
BUT IT HAS THE LEGISLATION CAPACITY OF THE
BECOME APPARENT, HE SAID, THAT THE PACE OF HAS OUTRUN THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND ENFORCEMENT
LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
+THE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT ARE OF HIGH CALIBRE, BUT THERE ARE TOO FEW OF THEM. IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT IN THE COMING YEAR THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD CONSOLIDATE AND BUILD UP ITS RESOURCES.+
0 -------
/2A......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
CREATION OF DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS IN N.T. * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ’.■.ILL SOON SET UP ADVISORY BOARDS IN ALL New TERRITORIES DISTRICTS TO ADVISE OK MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL-BEING GF THE INHABITANTS OF THE DISTRICT, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE BOARDS, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE TOWN MANAGER OR DISTRICT OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, WILL INCLUDE BOTH OFFICIALS AND UNOFFICIALS. THEY a ILL ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS SUCH AS THE LOCAL IMPACT OF TERRITORY-WIDE POLICIES OF CENTRAL DEPARTMENTS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL AMENITIES AND RECREATION, AND THE USE IN THE DISTRICT OF FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS VOTE.
THE NUCLEUS OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP w ILL EE THE CHAIRMEN OF LOCAL RURAL COMMITTEES, WHERE APPROPRIATE, ADDITIONAL MEMBERS WILL BE APPOINTED FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS MAKING A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION WHETHER OF LONG STANDING, SUCH AS ARTS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS, OR NEW, SUCH AS THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND AREA COMMITTEES.
+1 ENVISAGE THE SIZE OF THE BOARDS, AND OF THE MEMBERSHIP DRAWN FROM OUTSIDE THE TRADITIONAL RANKS OF RURAL AND VILLAGE COMMITTEES, VARYING CONSIDERABLY ACCORDING TO THE DEGREE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT AND THE PROPORTION OF NEW RESIDENTS TO THOSE OF LONG STANDING.
+1 ALSO WISH TO EMPHASISE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE CREATION OF ADVISORY AND CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY AT DISTRICT LEVEL AND ThE CENTRAL STATUTORY ADVISORY ROLE OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK.
+THE KUK IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT ON THE OVERALL EFFECT OF THE VARIOUS PROGRAMMES AND POLICIES IN THE NE.-. TERRITORIES BUT QUITE NATURALLY ITS PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CONCERN IS THE IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES ON THE INDIGENOUS RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY ..HERE THESE PROGRAMMES AFFECT LAND AND PROPERTY,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
SIR MURRAY NOTED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES WOULD CONTINUE TO EE FUNDED AND DIRECTED BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, BUT HE ENVISAGED ARRANGEMENTS BEING MADE SO THAT WHAT wAS PROPOSED FOR EACH DISTRICT EACH YEAR .-.AS EXPLAINED AND DISCUSSED ™ I TH DISTRICT BOARDS BEFORE ESTIMATES ..ERE FINALISED. THE BOARDS .--OULD ALSO BE PROVIDED WITH FUNDS TO ENABLE THEM TO PROMOTE AND SU=PCRT LOCAL ACTIVITIES, AND MAKE MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS, IN ADDITION TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES.
.. ITH REGARD TC THE STANDARD CF AMENITIES IN THE URBANISED AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, oIR U'RRAY SAID, +IT SHOULD BE COMPARABLE TC THE OLD URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG.
/♦VIGO HOL'S
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
Z5
♦VIGOROUS ACTION IS BEING TAKEN TO RECTIFY THE FORMER SITUATION PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO SCHOOLS, MEDICAL FACILITIES, RECREATION AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES.
+l ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF TOWN HALLS OR AUDITOR IA IN THE NEW TO.vNS AS A FOCUS FOR LOCAL INTEREST AND ACTIVITY,* HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT THAT PLANS FOR THESE HAD NOW BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD. ONE WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WITH THE AID OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, AT TSUEN WAN, AND OTHERS WOULD BE COMPLETED IN TUEN MUN AND SHAT IN BY 1981 AND 1982 RESPECTIVELY.
THE GOVERNOR STRESSED THAT CLAIMS OF SMALLER TOWNS WOULD NOT EE NEGLECTED.
/26......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
26
MORE HOSPITALS, CLINICS ON THE WAY
* * * M *
A SERIES OF MAJOR MEDICAL PROJECTS WHICH WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 3,900 HOSPITAL BEDS AND MEDICAL TRAINING FACILITIES ARE TO BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE GOVERNOR SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY.
THESE INCLUDE A 1,300-BED PSYCHIATRIC WING AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL BY 1980, A NEW DENTAL CENTRE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR DENTAL NURSES NEXT YEAR, AND A SCHOOL DENTAL CARE SERVICE WHICH WOULD BECOME OPERATIONAL IN 1980 WHEN THE SUPPLY OF TRAINED STAFF COMES ON STREAM.
THE GOVERNOR SAID SITE FORMATION WORK HAD ALSO STARTED FOR A 1,400-BED TEACHING HOSPITAL AT SHA TIN, AND AT TUEN MUN PREPARATORY WORK ON ANOTHER MAJOR HOSPITAL OF 1,200 BEDS WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN. THESE PROJECTS WILL BE COMPLETED BY 1982 AND 1983 RESPECTIVELY, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, EIGHT NEW CLINICS AND POLYCLINICS WILL BE COMPLETED — SHATIN GENERAL CLINIC IN 1979, TUEN MUN POLYCLINIC STAGE I, NGAU TAU KOK AND LEI MUK SHU BY 1980, EAST KOWLOON BY 1981, SHA TIN POLYCLINIC BY 1982 AND HUNG HOM AND SHAM SHU I PO BY 1983.
SIR MURRAY SAID ALL THESE PROJECTS WOULD REQUIRE ADDITIONAL TRAINED STAFF, AND +PROGRESS IS BEING MAINTAINED IN PLANNING THE NEW MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND THE DENTAL SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.*
'A THIRD GOVERNMENT NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL, HE ADDED, WOULD ALSO BE OPENED IN 1982/83.
IN ADDITION, +A HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION IS BEING ESTABLISHED AT THE POLYTECHNIC TO PROVIDE COURSES TO TRAIN PARAMEDICAL PERSONNEL, INCLUDING PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIANS AND RADIOGRAPHERS. THE FIRST OF THESE COURSES WILL BEGIN IN 1978,+ HE SAID.
LOOKING BACK OVER THE YEAR, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE MEASURES TAKEN BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC WERE MEETING THEIR OBJECTIVES, AND THERE WERE ENCOURAGING RESULTS OF THE REORGANISATION OF SERVICES ON A REGIONAL BASIS INTRODUCED IN APRIL.
+PRESSURE ON THE TWO MAJOR REGIONAL HOSPITALS, THE QUEEN MARY AND THE QUEEN ELIZABETH, HAS BEEN REDUCED. CAMP BEDS IN THESE TWO HOSPITALS HAVE AT LAST BEEN VIRTUALLY ELIMINATED, AND BED OCCUPANCY IN THE VARIOUS DISTRICT HOSPITALS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE SUBVENTED SECTOR, HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY,* SIR MURRAY SAID. +THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT WAS INTENDED.*
/PRINCESS .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
27
PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, HONG KONG’S FOURTH MAJOR REGIONAL HOSPITAL, WAS NO* IN FULL OPERATION AND THE AVERAGE BED OCCUPANCY HAD REACHED A VERY SATISFACTORY 85 PER CENT, HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT DEMAND FOR OUT-PATIENT TREATMENT CONTINUES TO INCREASE BUT SAID THE NE* POLYCLINICS AT SOUTH K*AI CHUNG AND EAST KOWLOON wOULD HELP AS WOULD THE NE* ASSESSMENT CLINIC AT ARRAN STREET WHICH WILL OPEN THIS MONTH.
+IT IS A WELCOME INNOVATION OF THE NEW DIRECTOR THAT ADDITIONAL SESSIONS AT EIGHT CLINICS ARE NOW OPERATING ON .-.EEK-DAY EVENINGS AND AT SIX CLINICS ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS,+ HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID NEARLY 2,500 CASES WERE DEALT a I TH BY COMMUNITY NURSES DURING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THE SUBVENTED SCHEME INTRODUCED DURING THE YEAR TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE.
/28
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBEE 5, 1977
28 -
PUBLIC SUPPORT VITAL IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE TODAY COMMENDED THE COMMUNITY FOR ITS EFFORTo IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME AND STRESSED THAT THE IP CONTINUED SUPPORT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS.
+THE RESPONSE OF THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN MAGNIFICENT, IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN THE SUCCESS ACHIEVED, AND MUST BE MAINTAINED AND STRENGTHENED,+ SIR MURRAY SAID IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE OPENING SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+IN A FIGHT AGAINST CRIME IN WHICH LAST YEAR EIGHT PER CENT OF ARRESTS WERE EFFECTED BY CITIZENS, NO ONE CAN DOUBT THE SINCERITY AND DETERMINATION OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION,* HE ADDED.
SIR MURRAY RECALLED THAT BETWEEN 1964 AND 1974 GENERAL CRIME INCREASED THREE-AND-A-HALF TIMES WHILE VIOLENT CRIME ROSE NINEFOLD, CAUSING THE POPULATION GREAT ANXIETY AND UNDERMINING ITS CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT AND POLICE FORCE.
+BUT THE RADICAL STEPS INITIATED IN 1973 GRADUALLY TOOK EFFECT, AND SINCE 1974 UP TO JULY THIS YEAR VIOLENT CRIME HAS DROPPED BY 30 PER CENT AND KEY CRIME BY ABOUT 13 PER CENT,* HE SAID.
THERE HAD ALSO BEEN A STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN DETECTION RATES AND IN NUMBERS OF PROSECUTION.
+IT IS ALSO SATISFACTORY THAT THE PROPORTION OF OFFENDERS UNDER 21 HAS DROPPED FROM 39 PER CENT IN 1973 TO 30 PER CENT AND OF THOSE UNDER 16 FROM 12 PER CENT TO EIGHT PER CENT,* HE SAID.
+THE EVIDENT RELIEF OF THE POPULATION THAT WE APPEAR TO BE TURNING THIS CORNER TELLS EVEN MORE THAN THE STATISTICS.*
HOWEVER, SIR MURRAY SAID CRIME WAS STILL UNACCEPTABLY HIGH AND HE URGED THE PUBLIC NOT TO RELAX ITS EFFORTS.
THE RESPONSE OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, HE SAID, HAD ALSO BEEN REMARKABLE, AS ALL WHO KNEW THE FORCE WERE CONF IDENT IT aiOULD BE.
THE FACTS, HE SAID, SPOKE FOR THEMSELVES
* SINCE 1973 THE EFFECTIVE STRENGTH OF THE FORCE HAS BEEN INCREASED DY 36 PER CENT TO 20,313, INCLUDING CIVILIANS, AND THE NEw INTAKE IS OF CONSISTENTLY HIGH. QUALITY.
/• THL SID......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
- 29 -
* THE CID HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY REORGANISED AND REINFORCED AT ALL LEVELS AND THERE HAS BEEN A MARKED IMPROVEMENT IN ITS TECHNICAL SUPPORT. EUT THERE IS ROOM FOR FURTHER EXPANSION AND INCREASE IN ESTABLISHMENT.
* AS PART OF THE POLICY OF STRENGTHEN I NG POLICE PRESENCE
ON THE GROUND AND IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS 72 NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE UNITS AND POLICE REPORTING CENTRES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED.
X REACTION-TIME, AND ALSO ABILITY TO CONTROL AND SUPERVISE THE WORK OF MEN ON DUTY, HAVE BEEN GREATLY IMPROVED THROUGH THE BEAT RADIO SYSTEM COVERING HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND TSUEN WAN/KW'A I CHUNG AND GRADUALLY TO BE EXTENDED.
* RELATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC HAVE BEEN GRADUALLY IMPROVED THROUGH EDUCATION OF THE FORCE, THE REVISION OF PROCEDURES, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICERS AND THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL JUNIOR POLICE CALL.
+THESE DRASTIC CHANGES IN NUMBERS, DEPLOYMENT, PROFESSIONAL TECHNIQUES AND TRADITIONAL ATTITUDES TO THE PUBLIC, HAVE ALL BEEN ADOPTED WITH GREAT SPEED, AT A TIME WHEN THE FORCE WAS UNDERGOING THE PROCESS OF WEEDING OUT THE CORRUPT,* SIR MURRAY SAID.
THE NECESSITY FOR THIS PROCESS, HE SAID, WAS ACCEPTED BY ALL HONEST POLICEMEN BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN HOW UNPLEASANT AND DISRUPTIVE THE PROCESS COULD BE FOR THEM.
+ALL HONOUR GREATLY IMPROVED IMAGE, wHILE ALL
TO THE FORCE FOR THE .-.AY IN WHICH IT HAS SC ITS PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE AND ITS PUBLIC THIS WAS GOING ON,* SIR MURRAY SAID.
THAT IT WAS ABLE TO DO SO, HE ADDED, IS A TRIBUTE TO ThE LEADERSHIP OF THE COMMISSIONER AND HIS OFFICERS, TO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FORCE AS A wHOLE, AND TO THE QUALITY AND MOTIVATION OF THE LARGE INTAKE OF NEW YOUNG BLOOD INTO THE CONSTABULARY AND INSPECTORATE.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO WELCOMED THE COMMISSIONER’S INITIATIVE AND UMELCO’S RESPONSE THAT HAS RESULTED IN THE CLOSE ASSOCIATION OF UMELCO’S STANDING GROUP WITH THE HANDLING BY POLICc OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE FORCE.
+THE ADDITION TO PRESENT PROCEDURES GF SCRUTINY AND ADVICE FROM EXPERIENCED AND INDEPENDENT SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY a ILL INCREASE THE CONFIDENCE OF ThE PUBLIC, AND I AM SURE WILL BE OF BENEFIT TO THE COMMISSIONER AND THE FORCE AS A WHOLE,* SIR MURRAY SAID.
0
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
30
NO LET UP IN WAR ON CORRUPT
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE TODAY EMPHASISED THAT THE PRESSURE ON ALL FORMS OF CORRUPTION WILL BE MAINTAINED INEXORABLY, DESPITE THE ENCOURAGING PROGRESS ALREADY MADE.
+CORRUPTION GENERALLY AND SYNDICATED CORRUPTION IN PARTICULAR MAY NO LONGER BE THE SERIOUS PROBLEM IT WAS BEFORE THE ADVENT OF ICAC, BUT I HAVE NOT THE SLIGHTEST DOUBT THAT IF CRIMINALS ONCE BELIEVED THAT THE HEAT WAS OFF WE WOULD SOON BE RIGHT BACK WHERE WE STARTED,+ HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY TOLD THE OPENING SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE MAJOR TARGET OF THE ICAC’S OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT AT PRESENT WAS SYNDICATED CORRUPTION WITHIN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
HE SAID HE WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE SUCCESS OF ICAC WHICH HAD ALREADY SECURED THE REMOVAL OF MANY OF THE CORRUPT IN THESE SYNDICATES, AND HAD DISTURBED THE ACTIVITIES OF OTHERS. SOME HAD CEASED OPERATIONS ALTOGETHER, WHILE OTHER WERE AT LEAST DORMANT.
+IN FACT THE COMMISSIONER BELIEVES THAT AT PRESENT THERE ARE NO MAJOR CORRUPTION SYNDICATES IN ACTIVE OPERATION,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
+NEVERTHELESS, THE EXISTENCE WITHIN THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF PERSONS WHO PROFITED FROM THEM IS UNACCEPTABLE, AND THEY MUST BE TRACKED DOWN AND DEALT WITH,* HE STRESSED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT AND SATISFACTORY THAT THE COMMISSIONER IN HIS ANNUAL REPORT LISTED AS ONE OF THE THREE FACTORS WHICH HAVE ENSURED SUCCESS THE COOPERATION OF THE POLICE FORCE.
REFERRING TO THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY SOME PEOPLE AT WHAT THEY CALLED THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT’S METHODS OF INVESTIGATION, SIR MURRAY SAID THAT THE OPERATION OF ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY NEEDS TO BE SUPERVISED PUNCT ILL IOUSLY AND CONSTANTLY TO ENSURE THAT METHODS OF INVESTIGATION ARE BEYOND REPROACH.
+ l KNOW THAT THE COMMISSIONER AND DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FULLY ACCEPT THIS SINCE THEY ARE CONVINCED THAT THE CREDIBILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF THE COMMISSION COULD EE UNDERMINED IF PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES WERE NOT OF THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARD,* HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY SAID ICAC HAD BEEN BRILLIANTLY LED BY MR. JACK CATER AND HAD BEEN VERY WELL SUPPORTED BY THE PUBLIC.
+IT HAS ESTABLISHED THE TOTAL COMMITMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT TO FIGHTING CORRUPTION AND CHANGED MUCH IN HONG KONG THAT MANY THOUGHT a AS UNCHANGEABLE,* HE SAID.
+IT STILL HAS MORE TO DO, BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IT WILL DO IT WITH SUCCESS,* HE ADDED.
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/31
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
31
HK WINNING STRUGGLE AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION
*******
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DRUG ADDICTS THAT RECEIVED COMPULSORY AND VOLUNTARY TREATMENT ROSE FROM 6,000 A DAY IN 1973 TO OVER 14,000 NOW WHILE THE NUMBER OF YOUNG ADDICTS HAD DECLINED, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE PERCENTAGE OF ADDICTS UNDER 21 IN PRISONS DEPARTMENT DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES ALSO FELL BETWEEN 1969 AND 1976 FROM 25 TO 8.6 PER CENT, AND AT THE VOLUNTARY TREATMENT CENTRE AT SHEK KU CHAU, THE PERCENTAGE UNDER 19 DECREASED FROM 13 TO FOUR PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD, HE SAID.
THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION, IN FACT, WAS MAKING PROGRESS ON ALL ITS FRONTS — INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION, LOCAL INTERDICTION AND SEIZURE AND THE REMOVAL OF DEMAND BY TREATMENT, REHABILITATION AND PREVENTIVE EDUCATION, SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT.
HE ADDED THAT THE YARDSTICKS WERE SOMEWHAT UNCERTAIN, BUT THE FACT THAT HEROIN PRICES WERE AT ITS ALL TIME HIGH AND THAT THE NUMBER OF ADDICTS UNDER COMPULSORY TREATMENT SUPERVISION AND AFTER-CARE WERE INCREASING INDICATED THE TREND.
IN JANUARY LAST YEAR THE WHOLESALE PRICE OF HEROIN WAS $19,000 A KILO, IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR IT WAS $37,000 AND THIS AUGUST IT WAS $56,000, HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY PRAISED THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ADDICTS, THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, THE NARCOTICS BUREAU OF THE POLICE, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE AND THE MEDICAL AND PRISONS DEPARTMENTS ON THIS TREND.
+AND I HAVE NC DOUBT IT HAS BEEN MATERIALLY ASSISTED BY THE ACTIVITIES OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION,+ HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY CONTINUED: +WHILE NOW DOING THE RIGHT THINGS IN THE WHETHER OUR ACTIVITIES ARE YET ON PROBLEM.
WE ARE ENTITLED TO BELIEVE WE ARE RIGHT «AY, WE CANNOT BE SURE A SCALE COMMENSURATE WITH THE
+THE COMPLETION BY MID-1978 OF A LARGE COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ADDICTS SHOULD SHED NEW AND AUTHORITATIVE LIGHT ON THE ADEQUACY OF OUR POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES.+
TURNING TO PRISONS MATTERS, SIR MURRAY SAID A GENERAL MANAGER IS TO EE APPOINTED TO LEAD A NEW PRISONS INDUSTRY DIVISION FOLLO..IL ON A CONSULTANT’S STUDY ON PRISON INDUSTRIES.
/HE SAIS .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
- 32 -
HE SAID HE WAS SURE THAT WITH PROPER ORGANISATION, SUPERVISION AND CONTROL, THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT COULD MAKE A MUCH LARGER CONTRIBUTION TO GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES.
SIR MURRAY ALSO REVEALED THAT THE HOUSING OF THE PRISON POPULATION WOULD IMPROVE FURTHER THIS FEAR. THE LAI CHI KOK RECEPTION AND LAI KING HILL TRAINING CENTRE WILL OPEN IN DECEMBER AND EARLY NEXT YEAR RESPECTIVELY, AND THE DETENTION CENTRE AT SHA TSUI HAS BEEN EXPANDED. THE DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE AT HEI LING CHAU IS BEING EXPANDED BECAUSE THE CHATHAM ROAD CENTRE WILL BE CLOSED NEXT YEAR AND THE VICTORIA PRISON IS EXPECTED TO FOLLOW WITHIN A FEW YEARS.
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NOTE TO EDITORS:
SECURITIES COMMISSIONER TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW
******
THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES, MR. UISDEIN MCINNES, WILL GIVE A PRcSS CONFERENCE AT 3 P.M. TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN HIS OFFICE AT ROOM 2404 CONNAUGHT CENTRE, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
MR. MCINNES WILL TALK ABOUT + INS IDER ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRIBUNAL*.
DEALING AND THE
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND ATTEND THE CONFERENCE. T.V. CAMERAMEN EARLY SO THAT THEY HAVE AMPLE TIME TO
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT
TO
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/33
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
-ft
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL BE SET UP SOON
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY THE FORMALITIES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH EARLY THIS YEAR, WILL BE COMPLETED EARLY IN THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION.
SIR MURRAY SAID THIS WILL ENABLE THE NEW PROCEDURES TO BE INTRODUCED BY THE TIME THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT SUBMITS HIS REPORT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1977/73.
HE DESCRIBED THIS DEVELOPMENT AS A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN STRENGTHENING THE FACILITIES AT THE DISPOSAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ENQUIRE INTC THE FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT.
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DEVELOPMENTS PLANNED FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH ******
TWO FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS ARE PLANNED FOR THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH TO CENTRALISE AND CONCENTRATE CONTROL AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL AFFAIRS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY.
THE FIRST IS THE TRANSFER TO THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH OF TREASURY FUNCTIONS CONNECTED WITH THE SUPPLY OF NOTES AND COINS TO THE BANKING SYSTEM, HE SAID.
+THE OTHER WILL RESULT IN THE EXCHANGE FUND TAKING OVER HONG KONG DOLLAR ASSETS OF THE GENERAL ACCOUNT, OTHER THAN THOSE REQUIRED FOR DAY TO DAY BUSINESS.
+THE EXCHANGE FUND WILL THEN EFFECTIVELY BECOME BANKER TO THE GOVERNMENT,* HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT THAT WHEN THESE MOVES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ALL OF WHAT MAY BE DESCRIBED AS THE CENTRAL BANKING FUNCTIONS PRESENTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT AND ALSO THE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF ALL THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL ASSETS, WILL HAVE BEEN LOCATED IN THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS WHO IS RESPONSIBLE TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
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....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
34
GOVERNOR PREDICTS LARGER SURPLUS
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, PREDICTED TODAY THAT SUBJECT TO RESERVATION HONG KONG WOULD END UP WITH A SLIGHTLY LARGER SURPLUS THAN THAT FORECAST BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
SIR MURRAY WAS COMMENTING ON HONG KONG’S STATE OF PUBLIC FINANCES IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID THAT THIS YEAR’S TOTAL EXPENDITURE WOULD BE ABOUT $100 MILLION HIGHER THAN THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF $8,245 MILLION.
+0N RECURRENT ACCOUNT THIS PROJECTION ALLOWS FOR ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE AS A RESULT OF THE 1977 SALARIES REVISION, AND SOME OTHER PLUSSES AND MINUSES. ON CAPITAL ACCOUNT THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE ESTIMATE WILL REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT REVISION,* HE SAID.
HOWEVER, SUBJECT TO ALL THE RESERVATIONS THAT MUST BE MADE AT THIS EARLY STAGE OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR,* WE SHALL PROBABLY FINISH UP WITH A SLIGHTLY LARGER SURPLUS THAN PREDICTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.*
0
GOVERNOR WELCOMES NEW LEGCO MEMBERS
******
.THE ADDITION OF A DISTINGUISHED ACADEMIC AND A NEW TERRITORIES PERSONALITY AND LAWYER TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CONTINUES THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF BROADENING THE PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL BACKGROUND FROM WHICH MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ARE ABLE TO SPEAK, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY.
SIR MURRAY WAS WELCOMING AT THE OPENING SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TWO NEW UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, DR. RAYSON HUANG 0NE 0FFICI4L MEKBER> MR-
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE NUMBER OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HAD INCREASED FROM 13 IN 1971 TO 24 NOW AND THE OVERALL SIZE OF THE COUNCIL FROM 26 TO 45.
+THIS REFLECTS THE STEADILY INCREASING BURDEN THAT THE COUNCIL IN GENERAL, AND ITS UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR, CARRIES AND THE MULTIPLICITY OF TASKS THAT UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS PERFORM TO THE GREAT BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST,* HE SAID.
+IF, AS I SHOULD EXPECT, THE WORKLOAD OF UNOFFICIALS INCREASES WE SHOULD NOT EXCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME FURTHER ADDITIONS TO THE COUNCIL IN DUE COURSE,* HE ADDED.
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/35
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
35
MORE MAC’S FORMED * * * *
ABOUT HALF OF THE 600 NEW MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES PLANNED FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR HAVE ALREADY BEEN FORMED, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
+AND TO ORGANISE, ADVISE AND SUPPORT THEM, STAFF OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN INCREASED BY 12 LIAISON OFFICERS AND SOME 60 COMMUNITY ORGANISERS,* HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY NOTED THAT THERE WERE NOW OVER 2,500 MAC’S ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN FURTHERING THE INTERESTS OF SOME TWO MILLION RESIDENTS, AND HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
SIR MURRAY SAID THE MAC’S, DISTRICT AND AREA COMMITTEES AND KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS HAVE PLAYED VITAL ROLES IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAW AND ORDER IN RECENT YEARS.
+BUT THEY HAVE DONE MUCH MORE THAN HELP TO TURN THE TABLES ON CRIME AND LITTER,* HE SAID.
+THEY ARE NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATIONS WHICH ARE ACTIVIE OVER INCREASINGLY WIDE FIELDS- THEY ARE MAJOR POINTS OF CONTACT AND REFERENCE FOR THE GOVERNMENT, THEY ARE A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN OUR SOCIETY, BOTH FOR THE PRACTICAL RESULTS THEY ACHIEVE, AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THEY OFFER TO MANY PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN NEIGHBOURHOOD AFFAIRS IN A WAY NOT OPEN TO THEM PREVIOUSLY.
+ THEY MUST THEREFORE BE BOTH HELPED AND USED,* SIR MURRAY SAID.
0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
• .*
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE MO.
H.K. TEXTILES NEGOTIATING TEAM LEAVES FOR BRUSSELS ............. 1
INSIDER DEALING. TRIBUNAL TO BE SET UP ......................... J
“ * ‘ ’ • * J
P.WD AWARDS NEARLY 39 MILLION CONTRACT FOR MUI WO PIER........ 6
NE// CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE FOR EXPORT OF IVORY PRODUCTS TO USA........................................................ 8
.♦ .t
REMINDER TO RATEPAYERS ......................................... 9
CAS MARKS 25TH ANNIVERSARY ...................................... 10
COMMISSION GF INQUIRY HEAPING CH SEK KONG INCIDENT ............ 11
TEMPOR/^Y TRAFFIC aRRmIGEAI TS................................... 11
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Thursday, October 6, 1977
1
HONG KONG TEXTILES NEGOTIATING TEAM LEAVES FOR BRUSSELS *****
The Director of Trade, Mr. Lawrence Mills, and the Assistant Director, Mr. T.H. Chau, left Hong Kong this evening for Brussels.
fir. Kills heads the Honj Kong team which will be negotiating new textile arrangements covering Heng Kong exports to the EEC from January 1 next year. The negotiations will start on Tuesday, October 11. Mr. Tran Van Thinh will lead the EEC side.
Shortly before his departure, Mr. Mills said he would not make -any forecast ’as to the outcome of the negotiations.
• HI first want to see a detailed statement of the EEC’s proposals before making any comments along those lines,” he said.
.........”What I can say is that I am satisfied that we have dune all we can 'in' 'the Trade 'Department to prepare for these negotiations, and I have an excellent team with me.”
Mr. Mills said he looked forward to being joined by the Director of Trade, Industry and Customs and Chairman of the Textiles Advisory Board, Mr. David Jordan, md members of the Board as the talks progress.
”?Ir. Chau ano. I are leaving one day ahead of the rest of the team to be briefed on the latest developments by hr. Claude Burgess, Hong Kong’s minister in Brussels responsible for commercial relations between Hong Kong and EEC and its member states,” Mr. Mills said.
Five other members of the team, including Mr. Justin Yue, the Assistant Director of Trade responsible for Hong Kong’s textile exports controls and Mr. Clive Brockelbank of the Legal Department will leave for Brussels tomorrow. Mr. Steuart Webb-Johnson,
/Assistant
Thursday, October 6, 1977
2
Assistant Commissioner in the Hong Kong Office in London and Mr. Michael Wu, the Second Secretary in Hong Kong’s Brussels office will also participate in the talks.
”Our task is not an easy one and negotiations will almost certainly be difficult. But we have faced similar situations in the past both with the EEC and with other trading partners and we have always been able to come up with a workable, negotiated agreement in the end. I hope we can do the same this time.”
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/3 ----
Thursday, October 6, 1977
5
INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL TO BE SET UP
*****
A new committee is to be esta dished to investigate and report on suspected cases of "insider" dealing in stocks and shares.
To be called the ''Insider Dealing Tribunal7', the new body will be headed by a Supreme Court judge who will be assisted by two other member with broad financial and commercial experience.
Details of the tribunal will be contained in the Securities (Amendment) Bill published tomorrow (Friday) and referred to by the Governor in his address to the Legislative Council yesterday (Wednesday).
A spokesman for the Office of the Commissioner for Securities said the establishment of a tribunal was a unique way of attempting to solve a problem which exists in all securities markets. By contrast, other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and Singapore, had made insider dealing a criminal offence.
:’One of the difficulties in coping with insider dealing is defining precisely who is an insider. As a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States once remarked : 'We don't know how to define an insider, but we sure know one when we see him,' " the spokesman explained.
"In Hong Kong the situation is made even more complex because many directors of leading companies sit on one another's boards, and because of the large number of family-controlled companies, many of which obtained stock market quotations during the 1972-73 boom period," he added.
The spokesman stressed that : "The Government is not convinced that the imposition of criminal sanctions is the best way to solve the problem of insider dealing in Hong Kong.
/"At the same .....
Thursday, October o, 1977
- 4
"At the same time, the Government considers that positive action to overcome the problem has to be initiated.
;,l7hile self-policing may work satisfactorily in other markets (though whether it actually does so is debatable) it would be difficult to operate in Hong Kong. Accordingly, a third solution, appropriate to Hong Kong’s rather special situation, is now proposed.
;,The Insider Dealing Tribunal will have wide powers of inquiry and will publish its findings.
uIn many cases the tribunal’s inquiries will no doubt lead to the discovery of offences against the Securities Ordinance for which sanctions are available.
”In cases involving insider dealing alone the disciplines of the financial, commercial and professional communities of Hong Kong will ■.; -
undoubtedly be applied and the risk of public exposure will effectively deter would-be insider dealers,” the spokesman said.
• ?;• .
The detailed investigations which will precede the tribunal’s sittings will be conducted by the Office of the Commissioner for Securities.
On identifying in tanecs of insider dealing, the Commissioner for Securities will recommend to the Securities Commission, which.will in turn recommend to the Financial Secretary, cases to be referred to the tribunal.
Additionally, the Financial Secretary has the power to refer a case independently to the tribunal. The tribunal’s report, which will be m-’tde public, will be addressed to the Financial Secretary and will be protected by qualified privilege.
Thursday, October 6, 1977
- 5 -
Background
Section 140 of the Securities Ordinance (passed in 197M made insider dealing a criminal offence, carrying a penalty of a $50,000 fine and two years’ imprisonment.
This section was never brought into effect, however, as at that time a new companies bill was under consideration in the United Kingdom which contained provisions for covering insider dealing, and the Hong Kong authorities wished to profit from U.K. experience before effecting legislation in Hong Kong.
In the event, the Conservative Government (whose bill it was) lost the election and the bill automatically lapsed.
The Labour Government subsequently enacted a companies bill, but it contained no provisions relating to insider dealing. It is understood that a draft companies bill, including provisions in respect of insider dealing, is shortly to be published.
It is proposed to repeal section 140 of the 197^ Securities Ordinance.
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/6......
Thursday, October 6, 1977
6
PWD At.ARDS 43.7 ■' CCi TRACT FOR MUI WO PIER
The Public Works Department today awarded an $8.7 million contract for the construction of a ferry pier at Mui Wo (Silvermine Bay), Lantau Island, to Harbour engineering Co- Ltd.
The contract, which forms part of a programme to develop Mui Wo into a rural township, vas formally signed in the Sha Tin Government Offices this morning.
Mr. Bosco Keown, senior engineer of P.W.D.’s New Territories Development Branch, said that work on the new pier, which aims to cope with the increasing number of visitors to Lantau Island, would begin later this month and finish in about 18 months’ time.
He said that facilities at the existing one-berth ferry terminal at Mui Wo were inadequate to cope with the peak summer traffic of >0,000 passengers a day.
’’The new pier xas been designed to cater for the largest ferries and will be 7& metres long with two decks and berths on both sides,” fir. Keown said.
”A dolphin and movable ramp will also be constructed on the southern side of the pier to allow for the berthing of vehicular ferries.”
The development of Mui Wo will move another step forward tomorrow when the Public Works Department invites tenders for a major engineering project.
The project comprises the formation of about four hectares of land to be reclaimed from the sea to provide sites for a sewage treatment plant, an abattoir, the second phase of a public housing estate, a helipad and other government uses.
/:b. seawall.....
Thursday, October 6, 1977
- 7 -
"A seawall 350 metres in length and a rubble wall measuring 3^0 metres will be built to contain the fillin ?;,u Mr. Keown said.
"Other infrastructure consists of 0.7 kilometre of two-lane road and 1.8 kilometres cf storm and foul water drains."
In the meantime, work has begun on the first st.:go of the development of Mui Wo, providing lana for public and private housing.
About five hectares of land will be formed in this stage to provide sites for a new and improved bus terminus, waterfront cooked food stalls, public housing and commercial and light industrial use.
Also included in the stage one works are the construction of 1.1 kilometres of two-lane road and 2.7 kilometres of foul water drains.
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Thursday, October 6, 1977
- 8 -
CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE FOR EXPORT OF IVORY PRODUCTS TO THE USA ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
The Trade, Industry and Customs Department announced today (Thursday) the introduction of a new certification procedure for export of ivory products to the USA.
A spokesman for the department stated that the department had drawn, up a control arrangement in support of the certification required by the US Government for ivory products to be exported to the USA.
The essence of the control is that ivoryware factories registered with the department must give an undertaking not to take in unworked ivory which is not supported by an export permit issued by the National Management Authority designated to implement the Washington Convention in the country of origin of the ivory.
The ivoryware factories must also submit a monthly return to the department showing details of stocks of unworked ivory, semi-finished and finished products; purchases and consumption of unworked ivory; production and sales of finished products.
Details of the control arrangement have been set out in Certificate of Origin circular No. 8/77 which has been issued to the- trade.
The spokesman stressed that as from November 1, 1977, the department will issue Certificates of Origin or Forms A covering exports of ivory products to the USA only in respect of the products of factories which have completed the registration procedure stipulated in the control arrangement.
/9
Thursday, October 6, 1977
9 -
REMINDER TO RATEPAYERS
*****
Ratepayers were today reminded that rates for the fourth quarter must be settled by the end of this month.
A spokesman for the Treasury said any ratepayer who had not received a demand note should apply immediately for a copy to the Rates Section of Treasury Revenue Branch, room 20j5, Hang Chong Building, 2nd floor, 5 Queen’s Road Central.
"Non-receipt of the demand note does not alter the requirement that the rates must be paid by 4 p.m. on October J1, 1977,” the spokesman said.
’’And unless so paid it may be subject to a surcharge of five per cent imposed under the Rating Ordinance. A further surcharge of 10 per cent may be added to amounts, including the normal five per cent surcharge, which remain unpaid six months after the due date,’’ he added.
When making payment, ratepayers are reminded that the amount to be paid is indicated on the demand note by an arrow-head in the ’’total amount now due” box.
The spokesman pointed out that ’’rates are payable on vacant properties but are refundable under conditions specified in the ordinance.” However, no refunds would be payable in the case of a vacant tenement last used or intended to be used wholly or primarily for domestic purposes, unless it is vacant by reason of an order of the Government.
Ratepayers are urged to pay by cheque or money-order through the post to avoid the possible inconvenience of queueing. If they are paying in person they are requested to do so early at any of the offices listed on the. .back of the demand note.
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/10......
Thursday, October 6, 1977
- 10 -
CAS TO CELEBRATE ?5TIi ANNIVERSARY ♦ * * ♦ ♦
The Civil Aid Services ■ ill hold its silver jubilee parade at Victoria Park on Sunday (October 9) to mark its 2J y-ars of service in •'v 4
Hong Kong.
The Secretary for Security, Mr. Lewis Davis, will inspect the * - - - • • *• grand parade ’which will be formed by about 800 members of the C.A.S.
Mr. Davis will be met on arrival by the Commissioner of Civil Aid Services, Mr. Roger Lobo.
After the parade, C.A.S. members will display their rescue and signalling skills and give..a .demonstration on bicycle and motor-cycle riding.
Other programmes of the day include a variety show jointly organised by C.A.S., Radio Television Hong Kong and Urban Council, and a fun fair for both the public and C.A.S. members.
Note to Editors :
You are cordially invited to have the C.A.S. 2>th anniversary parade covered. The programmes ./ill be held t numbers 1 to J pitches in Victoria Park from 9 .JO a.rt. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. lr. Davis •'.•ill inspect the parade at 10 a.m.
Thursday, October 6, 1977
- 11 -
COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ON SEK KONG INCIDENT
* * ♦ ♦ ♦
The commission appointed by the Governor-in-Council to inquire into events which occurred in the course of a live television broadcast by Television Broadcasts Ltd. at Sek Kong on July 1, 1977 will commence its hearing of evidence on Monday (October 10) at 10 a.m., at Austin Centre, first floor, 21 Austin Avenue, Kowloon.
A preliminary hearing by the commission was held late last month.
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QUEEN’S ROAD EAST TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS * * ♦ # *
A number of temporary traffic arrangements will be introduced in Wan Chai district to facilitate road works in Queen’s Road East.
Vrith effect from 10 a.m. tomorrow (Friday), vehicles will not be permitted to enter Kennedy Street from Queen’s Road East, and the section of Kennedy Street between Queen’s Road East and King Sing Street will become a cul-de-sac open to two-way traffic.
Meanwhile, the section of Stone Nullah Lane between Queen’s Road East and King Sing Street will be routed two-way.
These arrangements will last until about mid-November.
Appropriate traffic signs will be set up to guide motorists.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WIDER POWERS TO CURB INSIDER DEALING .................... 1
NEW LEGISLATION ON RESERVED COMMODITIES GAZETTED TODAY.. 4
LADY MACLEHOSE LEAVES FOR TREK IN LADAKH .................. 5
GOVERNMENT WILLING TO TALK TO GOVERNMENT SCHOOL NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS UNION ............................... 6
AMENDMENTS TO NORTH POINT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN PROPOSED . 7
CALL FOR AWARENESS OF TECHNOLOGY BY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ................................................. 8
REGULATIONS ON SPECIFICATIONS FOR EYE-PROTECTORS AND SHIELDS EFFECTIVE TODAY ................................... 9
PART-TIME INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC INSTRUCTORS REQUIRED ...... 10
LIFE SAVING AWARDS FOR 339 YOUNG PEOPLE .................. 11
SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES BACK FROM LEAVE ............ 12
HARBOUR ROAD VEHICLE PARK OPENED TO PRIVATE CARS.........> 12
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1977
1
WIDER POWERS TO CURB INSIDER DEALING ******
THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL ARE TO BE GIVEN EXTENSIVE POWERS TO QUESTION PERSONS SUSPECTED OF INSIDER DEALING UNDER A BILL PUBLISHED TODAY.
THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, EMPOWERS THE COMMISSIONER, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO QUESTION PERSONS WHOM HE BELIEVES TO HAVE DEALT IN SECURITIES THROUGH NOMINEES OR TRUSTEES, OR HELD SECURITIES THROUGH NOMINEES OR TRUSTEES.
UNDER THIS AMENDING BILL, SECTION 123 OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE IS TO BE REPEALED AND REPLACED BY A NEW SECTION 123 THAT CONTAINS THIS POWER.
THE COMMISSIONER WILL ALSO HAVE POWER TO QUESTION DEALERS, NOMINEES AND TRUSTEES ABOUT PURCHASES, SALES AND HOLDINGS OF SECURITIES, AND IN PARTICULAR, HE CAN REQUIRE A DEALER, NOMINEE OR TRUSTEE TO DISCLOSE THE IDENTITY OF THE PRINCIPAL FOR WHOM HE ACTED.
TO REFUSE A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION BY THE COMMISSIONER UNDER THIS SECTION, OR TO GIVE HIM FALSE INFORMATION, WILL BE AN OFFENCE, PUNISHABLE BY FINE OR IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO REPEAL SECTION 140 OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE. THIS SECTION, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN BROUGHT INTO EFFECT, MADE INSIDER DEALING A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, I.E., IT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE APPROACH PROPOSED IN THIS BILL.
UNDER SECTION 141A, INSIDER DEALING CANNOT TAKE PLACE UNLESS THE SECURITIES DEALT IK ARE EITHER CURRENTLY LISTED ON A HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE OR ELSE WERE FORMERLY LISTED ON A HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE, DELISTING HAVING TAKEN PLACE WITHIN THE FIVE YEARS PRECEDING THE DEALING.
UNDER SECTION 141B, INSIDER DEALING TAKES PLACE:
(A) WHEN A DEALING IN A CORPORATION’S SECURITIES IS MADE, PROCURED OR OCCASIONED BY A PERSON CONNECTED WITH THE CORPORATION WHO IS IN POSSESSION OF RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE SECURITIES. (BY +RELEVANT INFORMATION* IS MEANT UNPUBLISHED INFORMATION WHOSE PUBLICATION WOULD BE LIKELY TO CAUSE A MATERIAL MOVEMENT IN A SECURITY’S PRICE.)
(B) WHEN RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOUT A CORPORATION’S SECURITIES IS DISCLOSED TO ANOTHER PERSON BY A PERSON CONNECTED WITH THE CORPORATION, WHETHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, AND THE PERSON DISCLOSING THE INFORMATION KNOWS OR HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS FOR BELIEVING THAT THE OTHER PERSON WILL DEAL IN THOSE SECURITIES ON THAT INFORMATION.
/SECTION 141C ......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1977
2
SECTION 141C WILL ENACT THAT CERTAIN CASES OF INSIDER DEALING ARE NOT CULPABLE. THE CASES SPECIFIED ARE:
(A) THE ACQUISITION BY A DIRECTOR OF THE QUALIFICATION SHARES HIS POSITION AS A DIRECTOR REQUIRES HIM TO HOLD.
(B) THE ACQUISITION OF SECURITIES UNDER AN UNDERWRITING OR SUB-UNDERWRITI NG AGREEMENT.
(C) SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS UNDERTAKEN BY AN EXECUTOR, , LIQUIDATOR, RECEIVER OR TRUSTEE IN BANKRUPTCY.
INSIDER DEALING UNDERTAKEN BY A COMPANY IS NOT CULPABLE, ALSO UNDER 141C, IF, ALTHOUGH A DIRECTOR OR EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY WAS IN POSSESSION OF RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE SECURITIES:
(A) THE DECISION TO ENTER INTO THE TRANSACTION WAS TAKEN ON THE COMPANY’S BEHALF BY A-PERSON OTHER THAN THAT DIRECTOR OR EMPLOYEE- AND
(B) ARRANGEMENTS WERE IN EXISTENCE FOR SECURING THAT THE INFORMATION WAS NOT COMMUNICATED TO THAT PERSON AND THAT NO ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSACTION WAS GIVEN TO HIM BY ANYONE IN POSSESSION OF THE INFORMATION- AND
(C) THE INFORMATION WAS NOT IN FACT SO COMMUNICATED AND ADVICE WAS NOT IN FACT SO GIVEN.
IN ASSESSING THE CULPABILITY, IF ANY, OF PERSONS IMPLICATED IN INSIDER DEALINGS, THE TRIBUNAL WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHETHER THE PERSON CONCERNED ON HIS OWN INITIATIVE DISCLOSED THE DEALING TO THE COMMISSIONER.
SECTION 141E DEFINES WHAT IS MEANT BY +A PERSON CONNECTED WITH THE CORPORATION+ - A PHRASE USED IN THE DEFINITION OF INSIDER DEALING IN 141B.
AS WELL AS DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CORPORATION, THE DEFINITION COVERS, INTER ALIA, +SUBSTANTIAL+ SHAREHOLDERS AND ALSO THE DIRECTORS, PARTNERS AND STAFF OF ANY FIRM WHICH HAS A PROFESSIONAL OR BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CORPORATION.
THE DEFINITION ALSO COVERS ANYONE CONNECTED WITH A SECOND CORPORATION WHO HAS KNOWLEDGE OF ANY TRANSACTION WHICH INVOLVES BOTH CORPORATIONS AND WHOSE PUBLICATION MIGHT AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE FIRST CORPORATION’S SECURITIES, E.G., KNOWLEDGE ABOUT A TAKEOVER OF ONE OF THE CORPORATIONS BY THE OTHER.
A +SUBSTANTIAL+ SHAREHOLDER IS SOMEONE OWNING MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF THE CORPORATION’S ORDINARY SHARE CAPITAL OR ABLE TO EXERCISE MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF TOTAL VOTES.
UNDER SECTION 141F, PUBLIC OFFICERS WHO ACQUIRE RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOUT A CORPORATION’S SECURITIES IN THE COURSE OF THEIR WORK ARE DEEMED TO EE PERSONS CONNECTED WITH THAT CORPORATION
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1977
_ SECT ION 141G SETS OUT THE COMPOSITION OF THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL, THE TRIBUNAL SHALL CONSIST Or A CHAIRMAN AND TWO OTHER MEMBERS THE CHAIRMAN WILL BE A SUPREME COURT JUDGE, THE OTHER TWO MtMBERS MAY NOT EE PUBLIC OFFICERS.
SECTION 141H PROVIDES THAT THE TRIBUNAL WILL RECEIVE ITS INSTRUCTIONS TO INQUIRE INTO CASES OF INSIDER DEALING FROM THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WHO WILL DEFINE THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE TRIBUNAL’S INQUIRY. (THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL NORMALLY, BUT NOT NECESSARILY, BE ACTING ON THE ADVICE OF THE SECURITIES COMMISSION, FOLLOWING INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES.) THE TRIBUNAL NEED NOT LIMIT JTSELFTODETERMJN ING THE IDENTITY AND CULPABILITY OF THE IMMEDIATE
PARTIES TO AN INSIDER DEALING, BUT IS ACTIVITIES OF ANYONE ELSE CONCERNED.
FREE
TO INVESTIGATE THE
UNDER SECTION 1411, THE TRIBUNAL MUST MAKE ITS REPORT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND NO PERSON WILL BE LIABLE TO ANY CIVIL OR CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS BY REASON OF HAVING PUBLISHED A TRUE AND ACCURATE ACCOUNT OR SUMMARY OF ANY REPORT OF THE TRIBUNAL.
SECTION 141J MAKES SOME OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ORDINANCE APPLY TO THE TRIBUNAL’S INQUIRIES - 111 PARTICULAR, THE TRIBUNAL IS GIVEN THE FULL POWERS AVAILABLE UNDER THAT ORDINANCE TO SUMMON AND QUESTION WITNESSES AND TO REQUIRE THEM TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTS.
UNDER SECTION 141K, THE TRIBUNAL MAY DELEGATE ITS POWERS TO INSPECT BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS AND TO REQUIRE EXPLANATIONS, POWERS WHICH ARE SET OUT IN SUB-SECTION (2) OF 141K, TO THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES. (IT IS ENVISAGED THAT IT WILL NORMALLY BE THIS OFFICE WHICH CONDUCTS THE INVESTIGATIONS BEFORE REFERRING THE CASES TO THE TRIBUNAL BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.)
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE ADDITION TO THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE OF A THIRD SCHEDULE DEALING WITH THE TRIBUNAL. THE SCHEDULE’S PRINCIPAL PROVISIONS ARE:
(A) THE CHAIRMAN IS TO BE APPOINTED FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM.
(B) THE OTHER TWO MEMBERS ARE TO BE APPOINTED FOR THE PURPOSES OF A SPECIFIED INQUIRY.
(C) ALL SITTINGS OF THE TRIBUNAL WILL EE HELD IN CAMERA.
(D) PERSONS IMPLICATED IN A,’. INQUIRY ARE ENTITLED TO EE PRESENT AT ALL SITTINGS OF THE TRIBUNAL AND TO BE LEGALLY REPRESENTED.
(E) THE TRIBUNAL MAY ITSELF APPOINT COUNSEL TO ACT ON ITS BEHALF.
- - G - -
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1977
- 4 -
RESERVED COMMODITIES BILL 1977
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW LEGISLATION TO CLARIFY AND UP-DATE THE EXISTING LAW GOVERNING THE IMPORT, EXPORT, STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION OF RESERVED COMMODITIES.
THE RESERVED COMMODITIES BILL 1977, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S' GAZETTE, SEEKS TO REMOVE THE LEGAL CONTROL ON RESERVED COMMODITIES FROM THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE AND THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (RESERVED COMMODITIES) REGULATIONS.
COMMENTING ON THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED NO NEW CONTROL MEASURES ON RESERVED COMMODITIES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED EXCEPT THAT, UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION, WHOLESALERS OF RICE MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS. THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN RECORDS OF TRADING INCLUDING THE AMOUNTS AND PRICES OF RICE THEY BUY AND SELL, AND THE NAMES OF ITS SUPPLIERS AND CUSTOMERS.
■THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THIS REQUIREMENT WOULD NOT HAVE ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE TRADE OR CUSTOMERS BUT WOULD SEEK TO PROVIDE THE BASIC DATA FOR GOVERNMENT TO DETERMINE, IF NECESSARY, WHETHER CONTROL SHOULD BE INSTITUTED.
THE BILL SEEKS TO CONFER ADDITIONAL POWERS ON THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS TO, IF THERE WERE CLEAR EVIDENCE OF SPECULATION, HOARDING AND PROFITEERING, FIX THE PRICE AND TO CONTROL THE SALE OF RICE BY IMPORTERS AND WHOLESALERS.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE WORLD-WIDE SUPPLY AND PRICE SITUATIONS WERE STABLE AND NO DIFFICULTY WAS BEING ENVISAGED.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1977
5
LADY MACLEHOSE PLANS TREK IN LADAKH
* * * *
LADY MACLEHOSE WILL FLY TO INDIA THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON FOR A THREE-WEEK TREK IN LADAKH.
SHE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON THE TRIP BY THREE OTHER LOCAL TREKKING ENTHUSIASTS - MRS. MEDELE I NE TANG, MR. JACK TUCKER AND POLICE' SUPER INTENDENT V. CHAPMAN.
AFTER THE VISIT TO LADAKH, LADY MACLEHOSE WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM. THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE WILL BE JOINING HER FOR ANNUAL LEAVE, DEPARTING HONG KONG ON NOVEMBER 10
NOTE TO EDITORS:
LADY MACLEHOSE WILL LEAVE FOR INDIA BY AIR INDIA FLIGHT 311 TODAY (FRIDAY), E.T.D. 4 P.M.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER LADY MACLEHOSE’S DEPARTURE.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1977
- 6 -
GOVERNMENT STILL READY TO TALK TO GOVERNMENT SCHOOL NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS "UN ION ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS STILL READY TO TALK TO THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOL NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS’ UNION, ALTHOUGH IT SEES NO REASON FOR CHANGING ITS DECISION THAT SURPLUS PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS SHOULD BE RE-DEPLOYED OR ELSE COMPULSORILY RETIRED IN 1980.
THIS IS STATED IN A LETTER WHICH THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR. ERIC HO, HAS SENT TO THE UNION’S PRESIDENT, MR. LEUNG YIM-TONG.
MR. HO WAS REPLYING TO A LETTER FROM THE UNION DATED SEPTEMBER 21 WHICH CALLED FOR SUSPENSION OF THE MEASURES TO RE-DEPLOY GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND FOR DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS WITH A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT OFFICER.
HE STATED: +THE POLICY DECISION THAT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WHO ARE SURPLUS TO OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS SHOULD BE RE-DEPLOYED, OR ELSE COMPULSORILY RETIRED IN 1980 WAS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT AFTER TAKING THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND I SEE NO REASON TO RECOMMEND ANY CHANGE IN THIS DECISION.
+1 REGRET, THEREFORE, THAT I AM NOT PREPARED TO SUSPEND THE MEASURES NOW BEING TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THIS DECISION, INCLUDING THE RE-DEPLOYMENT OF TEACHERS TO OTHER JOBS WITHIN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
+HOWEVER, AS I HAVE STATED IN MY LETTER OF SEPTEMBER 17, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION REMAINS WILLING TO MEET YOUR UNION EITHER IN THE CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL OR OUTSIDE IT, TO DISCUSS THESE MEASURES, AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL BE HAPPY TO PARTICIPATE TO GIVE ADVICE ON ANY GENERAL QUESTIONS THAT ARISE CONCERNING RE-DEPLOYMENT OR RETIREMENT.*
THE LETTER STRESSES THAT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IS FULLY EMPOWERED TO SPEAK FOR THE GOVERNMENT IN ANY DISCUSSIONS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, IN RESPONSE TO GOVERNMENT’S OFFER OF JOBS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OR IN OTHER CIVIL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, A LARGE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS HAD ALREADY BEEN RECEIVED.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1977
7
AMENDMENTS PROPOSED TO NORTH POINT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS PROPOSED SEVERAL AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT NORTH POINT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN, IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE REVISED PLAN INCORPORATES A NUMBER OF MINOR AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING ON THE PREVIOUS PLAN, THE MOST IMPORTANT OF WHICH IS THE DIVISION OF RESIDENTIAL ZONING INTO TWO GROUPS.
A-SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID: +AS A RESULT OF THIS ZONING CHANGE, THE NOTES TO THE PLAN HAVE BEEN AMENDED AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES IN RESIDENTIAL GROUP ’A’ ZONING SUCH AS BANKS, BARS, RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS ARE NOW PERMITTED ON BASEMENT, GROUND AND FIRST FLOORS AS OF RIGHT WHILE SUCH ACTIVITIES ARE TOTALLY PROHIBITED IN GROUP ’B’.+
AMONG THE OTHER ZONING CHANGES IS THE REZONING OF THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC POWER STATION SITE FROM +OTHER SPECIFIED USES+ TO +INDUSTRIAL+, WHICH MORE ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE PRESENT USAGE OF THE SITE.
THE AMENDMENT PLAN IS NOW EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS AT THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE ON THE 17TH FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING, THE C.D.O. (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), HONG KONG AND THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (EASTERN), 28-32 KING’S ROAD, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN MAY ALSO BE PURCHASED FROM THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD. ’
ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS MAY BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, NOT LATER THAN OCTOBER 20, 1977 FOR AMENDMENTS RESULTING FROM PREVIOUS OBJECTIONS AND OCTOBER 27, 1977 FOR AMENDMENTS RESULTING FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF THE PLAN BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
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FRIDAY, OCOOBER 7, 1977
- 8 -
AWARENESS OF TECHNOLOGY
*****
RATE 0F CHANGE IN TECHNOLOGY is forcing changes in social ARRANGEMENTS AT A GREATER PACE THAN IN THE PAST, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY SAID TODAY.
OOA *NE* 0F P0WER PLANTS> NEW FUELS AND NEW MATERIALS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE NEW ARTEFACTS,* MR. TOPLEY SAID AT THE OPENING OF THE THREE-DAY JOINT GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL PROJECT DISPLAY EXHIBITION AT LUNG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
CHEUNG
THE WAY IN THOSE OF OUR
+1 BELIEVE WE MUST ALL BE AWARE OF TECHNOLOGY-WHICH TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE CAN CHANGE OUR LIVES AND FELLOWS SO THAT WE CAN MANAGE TECHNOLOGY IN A HUMAN AND INTELLIGENT WAY, PERHAPS TO GET THE TECHNOLOGY WE NEED AS OPPOSED TO THAT WE DO NOT NEED,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.
HE EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR A GREATER AWARENESS OF TECHNOLOGY AND +WHAT IT MEANS FOR OUR LIVES.*
THIS, HE SAID, PARTICULARLY APPLIED TO THOSE WHO WERE NOT TECHNOLOGISTS, FOR INSTANCE, LAWYERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS WHO MUST DEAL AMONG OTHER THINGS WITH THE SOCIAL CHANGE BROUGHT BY NEW TECHNIQUES.
TO BE A GOOD TECHNOLOGIST OR A GOOD TECHNICIAN ONE MUST HAVE A GOOD GENERAL EDUCATION, MR. TOPLEY SAID.
THAT WAS WHY SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG WERE NOT BEING TRANSFORMED INTO VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS.
+AND THAT IS WHY WE WANT TO MAKE TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS PART OF GENERAL EDUCATION FOR ALL,* HE ADDED.
BUT MR. TOPLEY STRESSED THE NEED TO MAINTAIN A PROPER BALANCE BETWEEN GENERAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
+FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION TO BE SUCCESSFUL, DEDICATED TEACHERS ARE NEEDED.
*IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THERE ARE SUFFICIENT UP-TO-DATE EQUIPMENT IN WORKSHOPS AND OTHER SPECIAL ROOMS IN SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.
MR. TOPLEY COMMENDED THE GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL STUDENT ASSOCIATION FOR ORGANISING THE EXHIBITION.
/NOTE TO JEDXIQBS :
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1977
- 9 -
NOTE TO EDITORS!
PLEASE NOTE THAT MR. TOPLEY OF THE EXHIBITION AND HIS SPEECH THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND THE OPENING WAS DELIVERED ON HIS BEHALF BY (PROFESSIONAL), MR. HO NGA-MING.
0
SPECIFICATIONS FOR EYE-PROTECTORS AND SHIELDS
* * K * *
A LIST OF APPROVED SPEC IFICATIONS FOR EYE-PROTECTORS, SHIELDS AND FIXED SHIELDS DRAWN UP UNDER THE NEW FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (PROTECTION OF EYES) REGULATIONS CAME INTO EFFECT TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SPECIFICATIONS WHICH WERE FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON JULY 8 COVER THE FOLLOWING:
X BRITISH STANDARD SPECIFICATION BS 2092 (INDUSTRIAL EYE PROTECTORS FOR GENERAL PURPOSES)-
* BRITISH STANDARD SPECIFICATION BS 1542 (EQUIPMENT FOR EYE AND NECK PROTECTION AGAINST RADIATION ARISING DURING WELDING AND SIMILAR OPERATIONS)-
* BRITISH STANDARD SPECIFICATION BS 679 (FILTERS FOR USE DURING WELDING AND SIMILAR INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS)-
* BRITISH STANDARD SPECIFICATION BS 1729 (GREEN PROTECTIVE SPECTACLES AND SCREENS FOR STEELWORKS OPERATIVES)-
* AUSTRALIAN STANDARD SPECIFICATION AS 1337 (INDUSTRIAL EYE PROTECTORS)-
* AUSTRALIAN STANDARD SPECIFICATION AS 1338 (PROTECTIVE FILTERS AGAINST OPTICAL RADIATION IN WELDING AND APPLIED OPERATIONS)- AND
X AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD INSTITUTE Z87. 1-1968 (AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD PRACTICE FOR OCCUPATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL EYE AND FACE PROTECTION).
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1977
- 10 -RECRUITMENT OF PART-TIME INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC INSTRUCTORS *****
THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS LAUNCHED A RECRUITMENT EXERCISE FOR PART-TIME INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC INSTRUCTORS.
THE OFFICE IS LOOKING FOR INSTRUCTORS TO TEACH ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTS: STRINGS, WOODWIND, BRASS AND PERCUSSION.
+ANY PERSONS HOLDING MUSICAL QUALIFICATIONS SUCH AS G.R.S.M., A.R.C.M'., L.R.A.M., L.R.S.M., OR COMPARABLE QUALIFICATIONS OBTAINED FROM ANY COUNTRIES, AND ANY CANDIDATES WITHOUT SUCH QUALIFICATIONS BUT WITH CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE IN PERFORMANCE AND TEACHING, ARE INVITED TO APPLY,+ MR. JOSEPH LEE, ASSISTANT MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, SAID TODAY.
THE REMUNERATION IS $100 A SESSION. APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM ANY OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES OR DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THESE POSTS MAY BE MADE TO THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE ON THE 4TH FLOOR, CAROLINE MANSION, 8 YUN PING ROAD, HONG KONG, OR AT TELEPHONE 5-779007.
APPLICATIONS FOR PART-TIME INSTRUCTORS FOR CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WILL BE INVITED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
THE PRESENT RECRUITMENT EXERCISE IS ONE OF MANY TASKS WHICH MR. LEE UNDERTAKES AS THE ASSISTANT MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR.
MR. LEE, A SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER, HAS BEEN IN THE CIVIL SERVICE FOR 11 YEARS.
HE HAS WORKED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
PRIOR TO JOINING THE EXECUTIVE GRADE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. LEE HAD TAUGHT FOR FOUR YEARS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, AND STUDIED IN EIRE AND ENGLAND FOR FOUR YEARS AND WAS AWARDED LICENTIATE IN PHILOSOPHY AND BECAME AN ASSOCIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1977
- 11 -
YOUNG PEOPLE RECEIVE LIFE SAVING AWARDS ******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY THIS EVENING CONGRATULATED 339 YOUNG PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED LIFE SAVING AWARDS.
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THEY WOULD MAKE USE OF THEIR TRAINING IN LIFE-SAVING AS THERE IS A +CONTINUING AND INCREASING DEMAND FOR LIFE GUARDS IN HONG KONG.+
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY AT THE HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB IN REPULSE BAY, MR. TOPLEY SAID: +LIFE GUARDS ARE DEDICATED PEOPLE WHO PROVIDE A NECESSARY SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. I THEREFORE CONGRATULATE THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY FOR THEIR MANY YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE.
+SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL TOWARDS THE SERVICE AND MANY JOINT PROJECTS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED.
+THE CEREMONY THIS EVENING IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS JOINT CO-OPERATION WHICH HAS ENABLED 339 YOUNG PEOPLE TO UNDERGO TRAINING AND THEN EXAMINATION IN VARYING DEGREES OF PROFICIENCY IN LIFE SAVING.+
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE RECIPIENTS RECEIVED CERTIFICATES FROM MRS. TOPLEY, MR. CHOW YAU, PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB, AND DR. CHIU BUT-YORK, PRESIDENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES BRANCH OF THE CLUB.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A DINNER FOR OFFICIALS AND GUESTS TO MARK THE OCCASION.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1977
12
SECRETARY FOR N.T. BACK FROM LEAVE
******
MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES RETURNED FROM ANNUAL LFAVF TODAY Tn ASSUME THE POST OF SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES^
MR. JOHN TODD WHO ABSENCE WILL RETURN TO NEW TERR I TOR IES.
HAS BEEN ACTING SECRETARY DURING HIS HIS POST OF DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE
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HARBOUR ROAD VEHICLE PARK OPENED TO PRIVATE CARS
*****
PRIVATE CARS WILL BE PERMITTED TO USE THE HARBOUR ROAD VEHICLE PARK AT WAN CHAI RECLAMATION WITH EFFECT FROM 8 A.M. NEXT FR IDAY (OCTOBER 14).
THE CAR PARK, SITUATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF FLEMING ROAD BETWEEN GLOUCESTER ROAD AND HARBOUR ROAD, IS AT PRESENT OPEN ONLY TO UNLADEN GOODS VEHICLES, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC BUSES.
STARTING FROM NEXT FRIDAY, 183 PARKING SPACES WILL BE EARMARKED FOR PRIVATE CARS, LEAVING 200 SPACES FOR GOODS VEHICLES AND BUSES.
THE PARKING CHARGES FOR ALL VEHICLES ON WEEK DAYS WILL BE $5 FROM 8 A.M. TO 2 P.M. AND $5 FROM 1 P.M. TO 7 P.M. THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE FOR PARKING FROM 7 P.M. TO 8 A.M. AND ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
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>
PRH 7
iFKiliw] IgisI If id
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ELEVEN MORE PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS TO BE BUILT IN N.T. 1
TOP SPORTSMEN URGED TO ’WALK FOR JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE’ ..............................................
PRESS CONFERENCE ON HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ............... 3
COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION TO ATTEND CONFERENCE IN KUALA LUMPUR .............................. 3
INTERCOM SYSTEM FOR IMMIGRATION ENQUIRIES ............... A
NEW SLIP ROAD TO MURRAY BARRACKS CAR PARK ............... 4
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN EDINBURGH PLACE ................. 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
1
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1977
MORE SWIMMING POOLS FOR N.T.
* * *
THERE WILL BE 11 MORE PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BETWEEN NOW AND THE EARLY 1980’S, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.
ALL THESE NEW POOLS WILL COST SOMEWHERE IN THE REGION OF 1130 MILLION TO CONSTRUCT, HE SAID.
MR. AKERS-JONES WAS ADDRESSING SOME 300 PARTICIPANTS OF TODAY’S SECOND NEW TERRITORIES SWIMMING GALA HELD AT THE TSUEN WAN SWIMMING POOL - THE ONLY ONE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SO FAR.
HE SAID THERE WOULD BE ANOTHER SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX TO BE BUILT IN NORTH KWAI CHUNG, TWO IN TSUEN WAN AND ANOTHER ON TSING Yl TO SERVE THE RAPIDLY GROWING POPULATION OF THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.
♦THE OTHER NEW TOWNS OF SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN WILL EACH HAVE TWO.
♦IN THE OTHER AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, WORK IS WELL IN HAND ON A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX AT FANLING, AND WORK WILL START ON THE YUEN LONG COMPLEX NEXT YEAR.
♦IN 1981, TAI PO WILL ALSO GET ITS OWN PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX,♦ HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD NOW COMPLETED A SURVEY OF THE BEACHES AND FACILITIES AT SWIMMING AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING A MAJOR PROGRAMME OF EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES IN THESE AREAS, HE ADDED.
ALL THESE, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID, ARE IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S RECOGNITION OF THE REMARKABLE RISE IN POPULARITY OF SWIMMING AS A RECREATIONAL AND SPORTING OUTLET IN HONG KONG OVER RECENT YEARS.
♦THIS IS BUT ONE PART OF THE ’VIGOROUS ACTION’ THE GOVERNOR DESCRIBED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS WEEK TO BRING AMENITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES UP TO THE STANDARDS OF THOSE IN THE URBAN AREAS,+ HE SAID.
♦AS A MATTER OF FACT, I READ ONLY THE OTHER DAY THAT AT THE PRESENT RATE OF POOL BUILDING, HONG KONG WILL SOON HAVE MORE SWIMMING POOLS PER SQUARE MILE THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.♦
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1977
2
TOP SPORTSMEN URGED TO +WALK FOR SPORT+
X X X X
TOP LOCAL SPORTSMEN HAVE BEEN INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE FUND-RAISING +WALK FOR SPORT* ON NOVEMBER 6 IN TSUEN WAN, ORGANISED TO HELP FINANCE SHA TIN’S $75 MILLION JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.
THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE NEW TERRITORIES COMMITTEE FOR THE SILVER JUBILEE FUND, MR. LO CHl-CHUNG, SAID TODAY LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS OF VARIOUS SPORTS, CALLING FOR THEIR HELP IN THE EVENT.
MR. LO WHO IS SENIOR LIAISON OFFICER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, SAIDt +WE HAVE INVITED THE ASSOCIATIONS TO BE THE HONORARY ADVISERS OF OUR WALK AND TO SEND THEIR STAR PLAYERS AND ATHLETES TO PARTICIPATE ALONG WITH THE OTHER PEOPLE.
+WE HOPE THEIR PRESENCE WILL PROMOTE INTEREST IN SPORT AMONG THE COMMUNITY AND ON THIS OCCASION THEIR PRESENCE WILL BE MORE hEMORABLE AS IT IS BEING HELD TO RAISE FUNDS FOR A SPORTS CENTRE PROJECT.♦
THE WALK, WHICH COVERS 14 MILES, WILL START AND FINISH AT THE TAI WO HAU PUBLIC PLAYGROUND AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD, NEXT TO THE TSUEN WAN POLICE STATION.
THE SPONSORSHIP FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT TUESDAY (OCTOBER 11) FROM ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MR. LO APPEALED FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY ON THE WALK, PARTICULARLY THOSE CONNECTED WITH SPORTS IN HONG KONG.
+WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR BIG DONATIONS FROM THEM, BUT WE HOPE THEY WILL BECOME INVOLVED,* HE SAID.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE FORMED TO WORK ON THE WALK HOPED TO RAISE PART OR ALL OF A $2.5 MILLION TARGET WHICH THE NEW TERRITORIES COMMITTEE OF THE SILVER JUBILEE FUND SET TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHA TIN PROJECT.
THE CENTRE, WHICH WILL BE BUILT ON 41 ACRES OF RECLAIMED LAND NEXT TO THE NEW JOCKEY CLUB RACE COURSE, WILL SERVE AS A TRAINING CENTRE FOR HONG KONG’S TOP SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN SHOOTING FOR INTERNATIONAL STANDARD.
IT WILL COST $75 MILLION. A THIRD COMING FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND ANOTHER $25 MILLION FROM THE GOVERNMENT. OF THE REMAINING $25 MILLION, THE JOCKEY CLUB HAS AGREED TO MATCH THE COMMUNITY’S DONATIONS ON A DOLLAR-TO-DOLLAR BASIS. THIS MEANS $12.5 MILLION HAS TO BE RAISED THROUGH THE COMMUNITY. SO FAR $8 MILLION HAS ALREADY BEEN RAISED BY THE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE APPEAL FUND COMMITTEE HEADED BY MR. Q. W. LEE. THE SILVER JUBILEE FUND NEW TERRITORIES COMMITTEE LED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, AIMS TO RAISE $2.5 MILLION.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1977
- 3 -
NOTE TO EDITORS!
PRESS CONFERENCE ON HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME » * O
A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE GOVERNMENT’S HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WILL BE HELD IN THE G.I.S. THEATRE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, FIFTH FLOOR ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 10) STARTING AT 3 P.M.
THOSE ATTENDING WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY ON HOME OWNERSHIP, MR. C.P. HADDON-CAVE, AND SIX MEMBERS. THEY ARE THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR. A.J. SCOTT; THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR. D.P.H. LIAO; ASSISTANT REGISTER-GENERAL, MR, N.M. GLEESON; DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR. P.C. HAYWARD; ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. K.Y. YEUNG, AND MR. H.M. G. FORSGATE, URBAN COUNCILLOR.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND.
SEVERAL MODELS OF THE PROPOSED ESTATES UNDER THE SCHEME WILL BE ON DISPLAY FOR FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHING FROM 2.30 P.M. ON THAT DAY.
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HK OFFICIALS TO ATTEND RATING AND VALUATION CONFERENCE IN KUALA LUMPUR
* * * * *
MR. R.A. FRY, COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION AND MR. HUI MAN-SHING, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, LEFT HONG KONG THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON FOR KUALA LUMPUR TO ATTEND THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF COMMONWEALTH VALUATION DEPARTMENTS.
THE CONFERENCE WILL OPEN ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 10) AND END ON OCTOBER 16.
AT THE CONFERENCE MR. FRY WILL BE DELIVERING A PAPER ON +THE TRAINING OF VALUERS FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE*. HE WILL ALSO, LATER, BE CHAIRING A SESSION ON +THE APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS IN VALUATION DEPARTMENTS*.
AS A MEMBER OF THE WORKING PARTY ON HOME OWNERSHIP, MR. FRY WILL BE SPENDING A FEW MORE DAYS IN KUALA LUMPUR AND SINGAPORE TO MEET OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEMES IN THEIR COUNTRIES WHICH MAY BE HELPFUL TO HONG KONG IN LAUNCHING THIS NEW INITIATIVE IN THE HOUSING FIELD.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1977
- 4 -
INTERCOM SYSTEM FOR IMMIGRATION ENQUIRIES
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT AN EXCHANGE CONNECTED INTERCOM SYSTEM HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN THE ENQUIRIES SECTION TO PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT ALL PERSONS WISHING TO ENQUIRE ABOUT ANY IMMIGRATION MATTER SHOULD DIAL 5-436374-7. THESE LINES ARE SPECIALLY ASSIGNED FOR THE ENQUIRIES SECTION LOCATED ON THE 15TH FLOOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUILDING.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS AT INTERNATIONAL BUILDING REMAINS AS 5-456065.
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NEW SLIP ROAD TO CAR PARK * * *
A NEW SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM GARDEN ROAD TO THE MURRAY BARRACKS OPEN AIR CAR PARK WILL BE OPENED TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE ENTRANCE OF THE NEW ROAD IS ABOUT 100 YARDS SOUTH OF THE EXISTING ONE, WHICH WILL BE CLOSED FROM TOMORROW.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THE NEW SLIP ROAD IS PART OF THE ROAD IMPROVEMENT PLAN ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE QUEENSWAY FLYOVER.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SEt/UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS. .
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/5......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1977
5
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN EDINBURGH PLACE O O
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN EDINBURGH PLACE, CENTRAL, NEXT TUESDAY (OCTOBER 11) DURING THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL OF ASIAN ARTS.
EDINBURGH PLACE BETWEEN STAR FERRY AND HMS TAMAR WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM NOON TO 8 P.M.
IN ADDITION, THE MAXICAB STAND ON THE WEST SIDE OF EDINBURGH PLACE EAST WILL BE RESITED TO THE EAST SIDE DURING THE CLOSURE PERIOD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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PRH 7
S]
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE PLANS MONTH-LONG ACTIVITIES
FOR ITS THIRD ANNIVERSARY ............................... 1
GOVERNMENT HELPS VILLAGERS TO ACQUIRE NEW BOAT .......... 3
MANPOWER SURVEY OF CLOTHING INDUSTRY .................... 4
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF QUEEN’S PIER ....................... 5
FLUSHING WATER STOPPAGE IN KOWLOON ...................... 5
»
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1977
1
RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE TO CELEBRATE THIRD ANNIVERSARY * * * *
THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE CELEBRATING ITS THIRD ANNIVERSARY THIS MONTH WITH A MONTH-LONG PROGRAMME FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN HONG KONG.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, MR. DICKEN YUNG, SENIOR RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER, SAID THAT THE AIM OF THE SERVICE WAS WELL ILLUSTRATED IN ITS THIRD ANNIVERSARY PROGRAMMES WHICH INCLUDE CAMPING, AQUATIC MEETS AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
■ HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ANNIVERSARY PROGRAMMES WHICH ARE ORGANISED UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF VARIOUS VOLUNTARY AND SPORTS AGENCIES AND WITH THE CO-ORDINATION OF SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, ARE EIGHT DISTRICTS SWIMMING GALAS, SEVEN MAJOR GAMES COMPETITIONS, EIGHT SPORTS CAMPS FOR YOUTHS AND FAMILIES, A DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEET AT STANLEY, A LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL-FOR-ALL DAY, TWO SPECIAL GAMES DAYS FOR THE HANDICAPPED IN MONG KOK, AN ANGLING COMPETITION IN SAI KUNG, AND TWO OVERNIGHT EXPEDITIONS ROUND MA ON SHAN AND CHEUNG SHEUNG.
OTHER ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE OUTDOOR PURSUITS FOR ALL AGES, DISTRICT AND REGIONAL SPORTS COMPETITIONS AND REGULAR SPORTS TRAINING CLASSES.
SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN OCTOBER, 1974, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE HAS LAUNCHED MORE THAN 5,000 PROJECTS INVOLVING THE PARTICIPATION OF 600,000 PEOPLE.
MR. YUNG SAID WITH AN AVERAGE OF 2,700 PEOPLE TAKING PART IN 30 TO 50 ACTIVITIES EACH DAY, THE TOTAL SESSION ATTENDANCE AT RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE EVENTS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS HAS BEEN AS HIGH AS THREE MILLION.
ALL THE EVENTS ARE CONDUCTED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE SERVICE’S DISTRICT OFFICES, THE NUMBER OF WHICH WAS INCREASED FROM SIX IN OCTOBER, 1974 TO 17 IN SEPTEMBER, 1976.
AGE OF THE PARTICIPANTS RANGED FROM NINE TO 66 BUT THE VAST MAJORITY FELL IN THE 16-24 AGE GROUP.
HOWEVER, MR. YUNG POINTED OUT, ONE SIGNIFICANT TREND HAS BEEN THAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGE OF 25 AND 45 PARTICIPATED IN PHYSICAL RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE SERVICE.
+THIS TREND SHOWS THAT MORE ADULTS AND WORKING PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE BEGINNING TO REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF RECREATION AND SPORT,+ HE NOTED.
/APART FROM .....
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1977
2
APART FROM PROVIDING AS WIDE A VARIETY OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR THE PUBLIC AS POSSIBLE, THE SERVICE HAS ALSO TRAINED MORE THAN 3,000 VOLUNTEERS AS COACHES, REFEREES AND LEADERS TO ASSIST IN RUNNING VARIOUS PROGRAMMES.
ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE, MR. YUNG DISCLOSED THAT PLANS ARE NOW IN HAND TO PROMOTE THE SERVICE IN RURAL AND NEW TOWNS AS WELL AS PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
+WITH THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF STATUTORY HOLIDAYS FOR WORKERS, THE SERVICE PLANS TO PROVIDE MORE OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THEM,* HE SAID.
♦FURTHERMORE, WE HOPE TO PROVIDE BETTER QUALIFIED PERSONNEL TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR OFFICIALS IN SPORTING EVENTS AND TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF PROGRAMMES,* HE ADDED.
+LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST, THE SERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO EXPLORE AND INTRODUCE NEW SPORTS AND GAMES AS WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.*
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1977
- 3 -
GOVERNMENT HELPS VILLAGERS TO GET NEW BOAT
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COME TO THE AID OF THE VILLAGERS ON A REMOTE ISLAND OFF SOUTH LANTAU COAST TO SOLVE THEIR TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM.
WITH A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY, THE VILLAGERS OF TAI AH CHAU WILL SOON HAVE A NEW MOTORISED FERRY - THE ONLY MEANS BY WHICH THEY GET THEIR FARM PRODUCE TO THEIR TRADITIONAL MARKET PLACE ON CHEUNG CHAU. THE NEW FERRY WILL ALSO CARRY PASSENGERS TO AND FROM CHEUNG CHAU.
THE EXISTING BOAT WHICH THE VILLAGERS HAVE USED FOR SIX YEARS IS IN POOR CONDITION OF REPAIR AND THEY HAVE BOUGHT THEMSELVES A 76-FOOT SECOND HAND BOAT FOR CONVERSION INTO A FERRY.
IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSITANCE BY THE VILLAGERS, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ARRANGED FOR A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY OF $35,000 TO HELP MEET THE CONVERSION COST.
THE SUBSIDY COMES FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS VOTE.
WITH ADVICE BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, THE USED BOAT
IS TO BE CONVERTED INTO A +KA I D0+ TYPE FERRY WITH SPACES FOR CARGO AND PASSENGERS.
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. VICTOR YUNG, SAID TODAY, +TAI AH CHAU HAS A POPULATION OF ABOUT 150 PEOPLE WHO ARE MAINLY ENGAGED IN FARMING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BREEDING PIGS AND GROWING PINEAPPLES.+
♦THEY WANT A NEW FERRY TO REPLACE THE ONE THEY HAVE BEEN USING, SO THEY HAVE BOUGHT A USED BOAT FOR $8,000 FOR CONVERSION.
♦THE CONVERSION COST IS ESTIMATED AT $66,000. WITH A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY OF $35,000, THE VILLAGERS HAVE UNDERTAKEN TO MEET THE REST OF THE COST,+ HE SAID.
MR. YUNG SAID THE AIM IN PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THE COST OF ACQUIRING A REPLACEMENT VESSEL WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE VILLAGERS WOULD HAVE A PROPER VESSEL FOR CARRYING PASSENGERS AND THEIR GOODS.
THE SERVICE WILL BE OPERATED ON A NON-PROFIT MAKING BASIS AND ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE OPERATION WILL BE USED TO MEET THE RUNNING AND MAINTENANCE OF THE VESSEL, HE SAID.
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A
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1977
4
CLOTHING INDUSTRY MANPOWER SURVEY *****
A MANPOWER SURVEY OF HONG KONG’S CLOTHING INDUSTRY WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND OCTOBER 31 TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON TRAINING REQUIREMENTS OF THE INDUSTRY.
THE SURVEY, THE FOURTH IN THE SERIES, WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY LETTERS WERE SENT TWO WEEK AGO TO ALL SELECTED CLOTHING MILLS. INTERVIEWING OFFICERS OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CALL AT EACH OF THESE MILLS DURING THE SURVEY PERIOD TO HELP COMPLETE AND TO COLLECT THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
THE INFORMATION WHICH EMPLOYERS ARE REQUESTED TO SUPPLY INCLUDES! THE NUMBERS OF WORKERS AT PRESENT EMPLOYED OR UNDER TRAINING- THE NUMBER OF EXISTING VACANCIES- AND A FORECAST OF ADDITIONAL WORKERS IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.
MR. FRANCIS TIEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, STRESSED THAT THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL MILL.
♦AS THE INFORMATION TO BE COLLECTED FROM THIS SURVEY IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE FOR FORMULATING MEANINGFUL TRAINING PLANS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INDUSTRY, CO-OPERATION OF THOSE COVERED IN THE SURVEY IS SINCERELY SOUGHT,+ MR. TIEN SAID.
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/5......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1977
5
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF QUEEN’S PIER ******
THE QUEEN'S PIER IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL MARINE TRAFFIC BETWEEN 4 P.M. AND 9 P.M. ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 11) ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL OF ASIAN ARTS AT EDINBURGH PLACE.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT COXSWAINS AND OPERATORS OF SMALL CRAFT ARE ADVISED TO USE BLAKE PIER DURING THIS PERIOD.
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FLUSHING WATER STOPPAGE * *
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO SEVERAL AREAS IN KOWLOON WILL BE INTERRUPTED FOR 26 HOURS BEGINNING AT 10 P.M. TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO FACILITATE WORK ON THE DIVERSION OF A SALT WATER MAIN AT SAN SHAN INTERCHANGE.
THE AREAS AFFECTED AREs FUNG WONG ESTATE, WONG TAI SIN. WANG TAU HOM, LOK FU, KOWLOON TONG, TUNG TAU TSUEN, KOWLOON CITY, TO KWA WAN, HUNG HOM, AND MA TAU WAI ESTATE.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOOD PROGRESS ON HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ....................
GOVERNMENT DISCUSSING CODE OF PRACTICE ON NOISE WITH CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY......................................
HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR JANUARY TO AUGUST ....................................................
WHITE PAPER ON THE DISABLED TO BE TABLED AT LEGCO NEXT WEDNESDAY ................................................. 11
CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL DAY IS A STATUTORY HOLIDAY ............. 12
CREDITORS OF DEFUNCT CANTON TRUST AND COMMERCIAL BANK HAVE FIVE MORE DAYS TO CLAIM DIVIDENDS ........................... 13
RAILWAY GOODS YARD IN MONG KOK TO BE CLOSED FOR RE-CONSTRUCTION ............................................. 1*
SPONSORSHIP FORMS FOR ’WALK FOR SPORT’ AVAILABLE ............ 15
MA TAU WAI GIRLS’ HOME TO GET A PIANO FROM LIONS CLUB .... 16
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER ......... 16
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
1
GOOD PROGRESS ON HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME
KOK*
GOOD PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE ON TWO FRONTS ON THE GOVERNMENT’S HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
THE GOVERNMENT WORKING PARTY ON HOME OWNERSHIP HAS COMPLETED MUCH OF ITS WORK AND IRONED OUT MANY PROBLEMS.
THE SCHEME HAS BEEN GIVEN SUPPORT OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL COMMUNITY, AND LEADING BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, BACKED BY A GOVERNMENT PARTIAL GUARANTEE AGAINST DEFAULT, WILL OFFER SPECIAL MORTGAGE AT INTEREST RATES BETWEEN 7-1/2 PER CENT AND 9 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF 15 YEARS WITH A MINIMUM DOWN PAYMENT OF 10 PER CENT OF THE PURCHASE PRICE.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL OFFER A NON-PROFIT-MAKING CONVEYANCING SERVICE ALTHOUGH CERTAIN STATUTORY FEES MUST REMAIN THE SAME AS FOR ANY FLAT PURCHASE.
THE COST OF CONVEYANCING WILL VARY ACCORDING TO THE VALUE OF THE FLAT BUT FOR A FLAT WI TH A MARKET VALUE OF $100,000 COULD BE ABOUT $520 IF A MORTGAGE IS INVOLVED.
FOR FLATS COSTING LESS THAN $100,000 THE AMOUNT WOULD BE SLIGHTLY LESS BUT WHERE THE PRICE ROSE OVER $100,000 A HIGHER COST OF CONVEYANCING WOULD APPLY.
THIS SPECIAL CONVEYANCING FACILITY WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT AS ANOTHER GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION TO THE SCHEME.
PLANS ARE NOW GOING AHEAD TO SET UP AN INFORMATION AND DISPLAY SECTION AT 01 MAN ESTATE EARLY NEXT YEAR. THERE PROSPECTIVE BUYERS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE VARIOUS MODELS, PLANS AND DIAGRAMS OF THE SIX ESTATES IN THE FIRST STAGE OF THE SCHEME.
DETAILS OF THE MEDTHOD OF APPLICATION ARE STILL BEING WORKED OUT BUT IT HAS ALREADY BEEN FIRMLY DECIDED THAT APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED ONLY BY POST OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL WEEKS AND THAT PRIORITY WILL BE BY BALLOT AND NOT IN THE ORDER IN WHICH APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED. ALL WILL BE TREATED EQUALLY IN THE BALLOT TO DECIDE WHICH APPLICANTS WILL BE OFFERED FLATS.
THIS METHOD OF TAKING APPLICATIONS BY MAIL OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL WEEKS WILL MAKE IT UNNECESSARY FOR APPLICANTS TO FORM QUEUES IN WHICH THEY WOULD WAIT FOR CONSIDERABLE PERIODS TO LODGE APPLICATIONS.
MEANWHILE, ON THE GROUND, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS GETTING AHEAD WITH THE SCHEME AS THE GOVERNMENT’S AGENT, AND WORK ON THE FIRST SIX HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME PROJECTS IS ALREADY AHEAD OF THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE.
/THIS MEANS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
- 2
THIS MEANS THAT THE FIRST OF THESE SIX NEW ESTATES WILL COME ON STREAM FOR OCCUPATION FROM THE MIDDLE OF 1979 WITH THE OTHERS OPENING IN STAGES UP TO THE SECOND HALF OF 1980.
AT 01 MAN, SITE FORMATION WORK HAS ALMOST BEEN COMPLETED ON THE PRIME SITE THERE AND PILING WORK IS ABOUT TO START.
AT SHUN LEE TSUEN, THE SITE FOR THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME HAS ALREADY BEEN FORMED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH.
AT LAI KING HEADLAND AND CHAI WAN, WORK HAS ALREADY STARTED ON FORMATION OF THE SITES, WHILE AT THE REMAINING TWO SITES IN THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROJECT, AT ABERDEEN AND SHA TIN, WORK ON FORMING THE SITES AND PUTTING IN CAISSONS IS EITHER UNDER WAY OR ABOUT TO START.
ALL HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ESTATES WILL INCLUDE VARIOUS FACILITIES THAT BUYERS WOULD EXPECT TO FIND IN A LARGE-SCALE DEVELOPMENT.
FOLLOWING ARE DETAILS OF FLATS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE IN
THE FIRST STAGE OF THE SCHEMEt ANTICIPATED COMPLETION
LOCATION NO. OF FLATS RANGE OF SIZES IN SQ. FEET
NET GROSS
HONG KONG
CHAI WAN, JUNCTION OF 448 380 472
CHAI WAN ROAD AND TAI TAM ROAD 448 37^ 468 1979
TOTAL t 896
ABERDEEN, OPP. SHEK PAI WAN 550 412 493
ESTATE IN YUE KWONG ROAD 550 377 451 1979
TOTAL » 1 ,10£
/KOWLOON
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
- 3 -
KouuOON
SHUN LEE TSUEN, 186 ALONG CLEAR WATER 440 470 520 560
BAY ROAD NEAR 558
CHOI HUNG ESTATE 558 540 630
186 630 750 1979
TOTAL l 1,488
01 HAN NEXT TO 01 MAN ESTATE 360 360 586 540 692 638
360 528 623
360 526 621
360 481 568 1979
TOTAL » 1,800
NEW TERRITORIES
LAI KING HEADLAND, ABOVE LAI KING ESTATE 352 352 521 419 607 489 ' 1979
TOTALi 704
SHA TIN, ABOVE 394 591 683
WO CHE ESTATE 403 706 535 474 619 548 STAGE 1 (1,100 FLATS) 1979
403 394 453 396 524 458 STAGE 11 (1,200 FLATS) 1980
TOTAL s 2, 300
/EACH ESTATE .....
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 197?
4
EACH ESTATE WILL PROVIDE A ’’MIX” OF FLAT SIZES COMPRISING FULLY SELF-CONTAINED TWO-BEDROOM AND THREE-BEDROOM FLATS WITH LIVING-ROOM, KITCHEN, BATHROOM AND TOILET, PLUS A FULL RANGE OF FACILITIES.
ACCESS TO ALL FLATS MUST BE THROUGH THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF EACH BLOCK AND THERE WILL BE A CLOSED-CIRCUIT T.V. CAMERA AND INTERCOM CONNECTED FROM THE ENTRANCE TO EACH FLAT, SO THAT A HOUSEHOLDER WILL HAVE TO RECOGNISE ANY WOULD-BE VISITORS BEFORE ADMITTING HIM OR HER.
IN ADDITION, RESIDENT CARETAKERS WILL BE EMPLOYED.
TRAINED STAFF OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL PROVIDE FULL MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE, SUPERVISORY AND CARETAKING SERVICE AT A REASONABLE FEE.
THE OWNER WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH NORMAL CHARGES AS RATES, WATER, ELECTRICITY AND GAS, AND FOR DECORATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE FLAT.
FOR CAR OWNERS, PARKING FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR RENTING.
THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME HAS BEEN SET UP TO OFFER TO LOWER MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES FLATS FOR SALE GENERALLY ON A NON-PROFIT-MAKING BASIS.
THOSE ELIGIBLE ARE:
1. ALL RELATED FAMILIES LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, PROVIDED THEY AGREE TO SURRENDER THEIR OLD FLATS ON MOVING OUT.
2. ALL RELATED FAMILIES LIVING IN NON-PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION WHO HAVE A COMBINED MONTHLY FAMILY INCOME OF NOT MORE THAN $3,500, AND WHO HAVE LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS.
THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES ARE NOT QUALIFIED:
1. OWNERS OF POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES.
2. ANY PERSON WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR OR ACTUALLY RECEIVING ASSISTANCE FROM HIS EMPLOYER TOWARDS ACQUIRING HIS OR HER OWN DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION.
3. ANY PERSON WHO IS NOT PERMITTED TO LIVE PERMANENTLY IN HONG KONG.
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/5......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10,
5
GOVERNMENT DISCUSSING CODE OF PRACTICE ON NOISE WITH CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ******
THE ENVIRONMENT BRANCH IS HAVING DISCUSSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AIMED AT PRODUCING A CODE OF PRACTICE ON NOISE.
THIS WAS REVEALED TODAY (MONDAY) BY PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENT BRANCH, MR. TONY BENNETT, AT A LUNCHTIME SPEECH TO THE VICTORIA ROTARY CLUB.
MR. BENNETT SAID DISCUSSIONS HAD BEEN OPENED ON THE CODE OF PRACTICE +BINDING UPON THE AUTHORISED PERSONS+ WHICH WOULD REQUIRE THE USE OF SOUND REDUCED CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OR THE ATTACHMENT OF MUFFLING DEVICES.
MR. BENNETT SAID: +WHAT WE HAVE IN MIND IS A KIND OF SELF-REGULATORY DEVICE WITHIN THE INDUSTRY, AND I THINK THAT REPRESENTATIVES OF THIS INDUSTRY CAN SEE THAT SUCH A MUTUALLY AGREED METHOD OF CONTROL WOULD BE PREFERABLE AND, NO DOUBT, MORE PRACTICABLE, THAN A SYSTEM OF CONTROLS UNILATERALLY IMPOSED BY THE GOVERNMENT UPON THE INDUSTRY.
+IN THE INTERIM, WE HAVE CONTROLS AIMED AT PREVENTING THESE UNPLEASANT NOISES DURING THE PERIOD WHEN MOST PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING OR RESTING FROM THEIR WORK.
+THERE IS A BAN ON PILING WORK DURING THE WHOLE DAY ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. A BILL TO EXTEND THIS BAN, TO COVER THE PERIOD FROM 7 IN THE EVENING UNTIL 7 IN THE MORNING, AND TO COVER NOT JUST PILING BUT ALL NOISY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.+
MR. BENNETT SAID THAT A FIRM OF CONSULTANTS HAD RECOMMENDED THAT EXISTING LEGISLATION ON NOISE SHOULD EE GATHERED TOGETHER IN A SINGLE NOISE ABATEMENT ORDINANCE WHICH WOULD CONTAIN ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS GIVING MORE COMPREHENSIVE CONTROL OVER A WIDER RANGE OF NOISE SOURCES.
HE SAID: +THE ORDINANCE PROPOSED WOULD INTRODUCE, IN APPROPRIATE CASES, THE DEFENCE UPON THE PART OF THE PARTY CAUSING THE NOISE THAT HE HAD ADOPTED THE BEST POSSIBLE MEANS OF REDUCING OR MUFFLING THE NO ISE.+
THE CONSULTANTS HAD ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT AREAS SHOULD BE DESIGNATED AS THOSE OF HIGH NOISE INCIDENCE AND THOSE OF LOW NOISE INCIDENCE SO THAT NOISE SENSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS SUCH AS HOSPITALS MIGHT BE EXCLUDED FROM THE FORMER, AND POTENTIALLY NOISY DEVELOPMENTS MIGHT BE EXCLUDED FROM THE LATTER.
MR. BENNETT SAID THAT MEASURES SHOULD NOT BE SO DRASTIC AS TO HAVE A HARMFUL EFFECT UPON OUR ECONOMY, PARTICULARLY IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, OR TO UNDULY LIMIT PEOPLE’S EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES.
+BUT, ON THE OTHER HAND, THESE MEASURES MUST BE EFFECTIVE - FOR THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF NOISE ARE NOW BECOMING MORE AND MORE MANIFEST, AS IS REFLECTED BY THE INCREASING NUMBER OF PUBLIC COMPLAINTS ON THIS SUBJECT. THIS a ILL NOT BE EASY, BUT IT HAS TO BE TACKLED, AND THIS HAS TO BE DONE WITHOUT DELAY,+ MR. BENETT SAID.
.... 0 . /6....
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
6 -
HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR JAN - AUG ******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY RELEASED DETAILED TRADE FIGURES FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY TO AUGUST THIS YEAR.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOTALLED $22,488 MILLION, WHICH REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 8.3 PER CENT OR $1,727 MILLION OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR- IMPORTS GREW BY 13 PER CENT (+$3,618 MILLION) TO $31,437 MILLION, AND RE-EXPORTS WERE VALUED AT $6,266 MILLION, SHOWING AN INCREASE OF 10.1 PER CENT OR $575 MILLION.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TEN MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS!
JAN-AUG 1976 (HK$ MN) JAN-AUG 1977 (HK$ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HK$ MN) PERCENTAGE INCREASE/DECREASE
U.S.A. 7,075 8,812 + 1,737 + 24.6%
F.R. OF GERMANY 2,580 2,299 - 282 - 10.9%
UNITED KINGDOM 2,125 1,863 - 262 - 12.3%
JAPAN 893 867 25 - 2.8%
AUSTRAL IA 905 828 77 - 8.5%
CANADA 908 777 132 - 14.5%
SINGAPORE 493 564 + 71 + 14.4%
NETHERLANDS 475 484 + 9 + 1.9%
SWEDEN 444 429 15 - 3.4%
SWITZERLAND 448 381 67 - 15.0%
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES WERE UP BY 24.6 PER CENT. THE INCREASE WAS DUE TO THE FAVOURABLE GROWTH RATES RECORDED IN CLOTHING (+$539 MILLION OR +17.9%), MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, N.E.S. (+$532 MILLION OR +39.7%) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLICANCES (+$444 MILLION OR +33.7%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, EXPORT SALES TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM DROPPED BY 10.9 PER CENT AND 12.3 PER CENT RESPECT IVELY. THIS IS MAINLY ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE CONTINUING DOWNWARD TREND IN THE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING, WHICH DECREASED BY 21.2 PER CENT (-$368 MILLION) IN THE CASE OF THE GERMANY AND BY 23.1 PER CENT (-$276 MILLION) FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM. THE RATES OF DECLINE HAVE, HOWEVER, GRADUALLY SLOWC* DAWN.*
/DOMESTIC
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
7
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE OTHER MAJOR MARKETS SUCH AS JAPAN, AUSTRALIA AND CANADA WERE ALSO DECLINING AT VARYING RATES. HOWEVER, THESE DECREASES WERE OFFSET BY THE DYNAMIC GROWTH RATES REGISTERED IN THE MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES, WITH DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO NIGERIA GOING UP BY 46.7 PER CENT (+$81 MILLION), SAUDI ARABIA BY 49.6 PER CENT (+$75 MILLION), AND IRAN BY 167.7 PER CENT (+$72 MILLION).
AN ANALYSIS OF THE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS IS PRESENTED AS FOLLOWS:
JAN-AUG 1976 (HK$ MN) JAN-AUG 1977 (HK$ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HK$ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
CLOTHING 9,355 9,008 - 347 • 3.7%
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS) 2,934 3,913 + 979 33.4%
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORIZED RADIO AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS) 2,530 3,308 + 778 ♦ 30.8%
TEXTILE YARD, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 2,028 1,701 - 327 16.1%
PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS, PHOTOGRAPHIC AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 900 1,235 + 335 ♦ 37.2%
MANUFACTURES OF METAL, N.E.S. (MAINLY FINISHED STRUCTURAL PARTS AND STRUCTURES AND TOOLS FOR USE IN THE HAND OR IN MACHINE) 526 630 + 104 4 ■ 19.8%
/SUPPLIES .....
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
- 8 -
SUPPLIES OF CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS, N.E.S.
(+$101 MILLION OR +53.9 PER CENT), CLOTHING (+$94 MILLION OR +57.8 PER CENT), FRUITS AND VEGETABLES (+$59 MILLION OR +18.9 PER CENT) FROM CHINA REMAINED BUOYANT, WHICH TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR A 5.1 PER CENT GROWTH OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA.
INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM U.S.A. WERE MAINLY COMPOSED OF TEXTILES FIBRES (+$339 MILLION OR +181.6 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARTUS AND APPLIANCES (+$104 MILLION OR +16.6 PER CENT) TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (+$80 MILLION OR +335.2 PER CENT). '
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS THE IMPORTANT CHANGES IN IMPORTS
BY COMMODITY SECTIONS:
JAN-AUG 1976 (HK$ MN) JAN-AUG 1977 INCREASE PERCENTAGE CHANGE
(HK$ MN) (HK$ MN)
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, AND DIAMONDS) 8,806 9,343 + 537 + 6.1%
MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 4,882 6,064 +1,182 +24.2%
FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS 4,180 4,681 + 502 +12.0%
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES) 3,092 4,030 + 938 +30.3%
CHEMICALS 2,263 2,367 + 105 +4.6%
CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE EXCEPT FUEL (MAINLY TEXTILE FIBRES) 2,243 2,267 + 23 +1.0%
AMONG THE SECTIONS WHICH RECORDED INCREASES IN IMPORTS AT VARYING GROWTH RATES, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES OCCURRED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (+$575 MILLION OR +21.6 PER CENT), PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS’ PHOTOGRAPHIC AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+$452 MILLION OR +31.0 PER CENT) AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (+$405 MILLION OR +82.8 PER CENT).
/DOMESTIC .....
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
9
DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES N.E.S. GAINED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF S98O MILLION OR +33. PER CENT DUE MAINLY TO AN OPTIMISTIC GROWTH RATE REGISTERED IN PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (+8521 MILLION OR +48.3%).
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES ALSO RECORDED AN INCREASE OF $778 MILLION OR 30.8 PER CENT. THIS WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTED TO THE INCREASES OF $247 MILLION (+21.5%) AND $150 MILLION (+51.3%) IN THE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ALL TRANSISTORISED RADIO, ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND PARTS FOR COMPUTERS RESPECTIVELY.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING, HOWEVER, DECLINED BY 3.7 PER CENT OR $347 MILLION. DUE TO SLUGGISH DEMAND FOR TEXTILE PRODUCTS FROM MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS, DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF TEXTILE FABRICS DECREASED BY 20.3 PER CENT OR $315 MILLION WHILST TEXTILE YARN ALSO DECREASED BY 7.5 PER CENT OR $22 MILLION.
THE CHANGES BELOW :
IN IMPORTS FROM TEN
MAJOR SOURCES ARE SUMMARISED
JAN-AUG 1976 (HK$ MN) JAN-AUG 1977 (HK$ MN) 7,353 INCREASE (HK8 MN) PERCENTAGE INCREASE
+ 21.8%
JAPAN 6,037 + 1,316
CHINA 4,782 5,025 + 243 + 5.1%
U.S.A. 3,388 3,976 + 589 + 17.4%
TAIWAN 1,980 2,154 + 173 + 8.8%
SINGAPORE 1,573 1,921 + 348 + 22.1%
UNITED KINGDOM 1,202 1,395 + 193 + 16.1%
SOUTH KOREA 1,046 1,067 + 21 + 2.1%
F.R. OF GERMANY 853 943 + 90 + 10.5%
SWITZERLAND AND LIECHTENSTEIN 741 815 + 74 + 10.1%
AUSTRALIA 581 626 + 45 + 7.7%
A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE GROWTH IN IMPORTS FROM JAPAN WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO AN INCREASE IN IMPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS WHICH WERE COMPOSED OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (+$293 MILLION OR +141.3 PER CENT), MACHINERY, OTHER THAN ELECTRIC (+$171 MILLION OR +29.2 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARTUS AND APPLIANCES (+$149 MILLION OR +17.8 PER CENT). IMPORTS OF PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS" PHOTOGRAPHIC AND OPITCAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS ALSO REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF $286 MILLION OR 49.4 PER CENT.
/ON THE .....
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
10
ON THE OTHER HAND, IMPORTS OF TEXTILE FIBRES, AND TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS DROPPED BY 10.7 PER CENT AND 5.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN,JTS LEADING MARKET, WENT DOWN BY 5.8 PER CENT OR 355 MILLION IN VALUE TERMS. RE-EXPORTS TO U.S.A. ALSO DECLINED MARGINALLY BY 1.6 PER CENT. HOWEVER, RE-EXPORTS TO SEVERAL MAJOR ASIAN MARKETS GAINED CONSIDERABLE RATES OF INCREASE.
THE MORE REMARKABLE GROWTH RATES WERE RECORDED IN THE CASE OF INDONESIA (+3143 MILLION OR +30.6 PER CENT). SINGAPORE (+394 MILLION OR +16.0 PER CENT), SOUTH KOREA (+342 MILLION OR 16.1 PER CENT) AND THE PHILIPPINES (+341 MILLION OR 23.9 PER CENT).
. MAJOR INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS OCCURRED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (+$108 MILLION OR +26.9 PER CENT), TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+374 MILLION OR +52.0 PER CENT) AND TEXTILE FABRICS (+362 MILLION OR +24 PER CENT).
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THE TRADE INDEX NUMBERS (1973 - 100) FOR JULY AS FOLLOWS:
VALUE INDEX UNIT VALUE INDEX QUANTUM INDEX
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 209 134 156
IMPORTS 175 135 130
THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (I.E. EXPORT PRICES OVER IMPORT PRICES) FOR JULY IS 99.
NOTE : ALL VALUES FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST MILLION ---- DOLLAR.
0 —
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
11
WHITE PAPER ON HANDICAPPED TO BE TABLED AT LEGCO ******
A WHITE PAPER OUTLINING THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION PROGRAMME FOR THE DISABLED WILL BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 12).
THE WHITE PAPER ENTITLED +INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY: A UNITED EFFORT* WILL BE TABLED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. ERIC HO WHO WILL MAKE A STATEMENT ON IT. _
IN ADDITION, 16 SESSIONAL PAPERS, INCLUDING THE HALF-YEARLY ECONOMIC REPORT 1977, THE 1976/77 ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD AND THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION WILL BE TABLED.
DURING QUESTION TIME, THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL_ASK 16 QUESTIONS.
DR. THE HON. HENRY HU WILL ENQUIRE WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE A PUBLIC STATEMENT ON THE CAUSE OF THE RECENT SUBSIDENCE OF THE MTR TUNNEL ALONG NATHAN ROAD AND THE HON. MRS. KWAN KO SIU-WAH WILL ASK WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAS ANY SPECIFIC PLAN TO REHOUSE PERMANENTLY THE BOAT SQUATTERS IN YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER.
OTHER QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED CONCERN, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE CRITERIA USED IN ASSESSING THE DISABLED WITH REGARD TO THE ELIGIBILITY FOR DISABILITY ALLOWANCE- GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE HANDICAPPED IN CIVIL SERVICE- THE PLANS TO CONTROL THE POLLUTION PROBLEM CAUSED BY FISH FARMS NEAR PUBLIC BEACHES- AND THE FREQUENCY AND RELIABILITY OF CMB’S ROUTE SERVICES.
SIX BILLS - THE DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, THE RESERVED COMMODITIES BILL 1977. THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1977 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
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/12......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
12
WORKERS ENTITLED TO CHUNG YEUNG HOLIDAY *****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. PETER WILLIAMS TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21), THE DAY OF THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL, IS ONE OF THE TEN STATUTORY HOLIDAYS APPOINTED UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
MR. WILLIAMS EMPHASISED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE APPLIED TO ALL EMPLOYEES WHEREVER THEY WORK.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS AND ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $2,000 A MONTH, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY. THEY MUST ALSO BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
IF THE EMPLOYER REQUIRES AN EMPLOYEE TO WORK ON THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST GIVE HIM AT LEAST 48 HOURS’ NOTICE, AND HE MUST GIVE THE EMPLOYEE AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
IF THE EMPLOYER INTENDS TO GIVE HIS EMPLOYEE AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY BEFORE OR AFTER THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST NOTIFY HIM 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE.
IF THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE AGREE, ANY DAY WITHIN 30 DAYS OF A STATUTORY HOLIDAY OR ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY MAY BE TAKEN BY THE EMPLOYEE AS A SUBSTITUTED HOLIDAY.
COMPLAINTS OR ENQUIRES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE j FOR KOWLOON EAST 3-205638- KOWLOON WEST 3-201652- KWUN TONG 3-898520- TSUEN WAN 12-422096- TUEN MUN 12-818443 EXT. 82- AND HONG KONG ISLAND 5-282523 EXT. 60.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
13
CREDITORS OF CANTON TRUST AND COMMERCIAL BANK HAVE FIVE MORE DAYS TO CLAIM DIVIDENDS ******
CREDITORS OF THE DEFUNCT CANTON TRUST AND COMMERCIAL BANK WHO HAVE FAILED TO COLLECT THEIR DIVIDENDS IN ANY OF. THE FOUR PREVIOUS PAYMENTS ARE URGED TO SEND IN THEIR CLAIMS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT NOT LATER THAN SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR CLAIMS FOR LATE DIVIDEND PAYMENTS, BUT SO FAR ONLY ABOUT 8,000 APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED. THERE ARE STILL NUMEROUS CREDITORS WHOSE DIVIDENDS REMAIN UNCLAIMED.
THE CREDITORS SHOULD COMPLETE A +CLAIM FOR LATE DIVIDEND PAYMENT FORM+ AND SEND IT BY POST TO THE LIQUIDATOR AT THE ADDRESS PRINTED ON THE FORM NOT LATER THAN OCTOBER 15.
FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED AT :
* THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE, 6TH FLOOR, UNITED CHINESE BANK BUILDING, 31-37 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL"
* ANY CITY DISTRICT OFFICE-
* PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE, TAI HO ROAD, TSUEN WAN-
* YUEN LONG BIRTHS AND MARRIAGE REGISTRY-
* SHEUNG SHU I BIRTHS AND MARRIAGE REGISTRY- AND
* THE TUEN MUN, SHEUNG SHU I, FANLING, TAI PO, AND SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICES.
DIVIDENDS WILL BE PAID ONLY BY MEANS OF A CHEQUE MADE PAYABLE TO THE DEPOSITOR OR HIS AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVE. CREDITORS WILL BE INFORMED INDIVIDUALLY OF THE PAYMENT WHICH WILL BE MADE NEXT MONTH. THEY MAY CHOOSE TO ACCEPT THE CHEQUE BY POST OR TO COLLECT IT IN PERSON.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
- 14
RAILWAY GOODS YARD IN MONG KOK TO BE CLOSED FOR RE-CONSTRUCTION ******
THE MONG KOK RAILWAY GOODS YARD WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 12) FOR DEMOLITION TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW GOODS YARD.
AS FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY), ALL RAILWAY FREIGHT DESTINED FOR MONG KOK WILL BE UNLOADED AT THE NEWLY COMPLETED GOODS YARD AT HO MAN TIN WHICH CAME INTO USE LAST WEDNESDAY.
THE NEW GOODS YARD AT MONG KOK WHICH WILL BE BUILT ON THE SITE OF THE EXISTING ONE WILL FORM PART OF THE SCHEME FOR RE-MODELLING THE MONG KOK STATION.
WHEN COMPLETED IN 1980, IT WILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF OVER FOUR TIMES THAT OF THE PRESENT YARD TO CATER FOR THE ANTICIPATED GROWTH IN FREIGHT TRAFFIC.
AS PART OF THE RE-MODELLING PLAN, A SHUNTING SIDING WILL BE BUILT DURING THE FIRST STAGE OF RE-CONSTRUCTION TO SEPARATE THE MOVEMENTS OF SHUNTING GOODS WAGONS FROM PASSENGER TRAINS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY SAID CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GODOWN WITHIN THE NEW GOODS YARD TO HELP SMOOTH THE FLOW OF LORRIES AND TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.
THE EXISTING YARD IN MONG KOK HAS BEEN USED FOR UNLOADING LIVESTOCK, POULTRY, FRESH FISH AND EGGS FROM CHINA SINCE 1950.
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/15
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
15
+WALK FOR SPORT+ SPONSORSHIP FORMS AVAILABLE
******
PEOPLE WHO WISH TO SPONSOR THEIR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS IN THE SILVER JUBILEE +WALK FOR SPORT+ ON NOVEMBER 6 IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE SPONSORSHIP FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON, DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL IN FAN LING.
THE FORMS, IN TRIPLICATE, CONTAIN A PAY-IN SLIP WHICH IS TO BE USED FOR DEPOSITING SPONSORSHIP MONEY AT ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK.
IF PAYMENT IS BY CHEQUE, IT SHOULD BE CROSSED AND MADE OUT TO +THE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE FUND (N.T.)+.
THE WALK IS PART OF AN EXTENSIVE DRIVE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO RAISE $2.5 MILLION TOWARDS THE SILVER JUBILEE APPEAL FUND TO HELP FINANCE THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE PROJECT IN SHA TIN.
THE 14-MILE WALK WILL START AND FINISH AT THE TAI WO HAU PUBLIC PLAYROUND ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD, NEAR THE TSUEN WAN POLICE STATION.
IT WILL COVER A CIRCULAR ROUTE NORTH OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD — SIMILAR TO THE ROUTE FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST WALK — ALONG KWOK SHU I ROAD, YAU MA HOM ROAD, SHING MUN ROAD, CATCHWATER ROAD, ON YUK ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
ALTHOUGH THE OFFICIAL START WILL TAKE PLACE AT 9 A.M., REGISTRATION OF WALKERS WILL BEGIN AT 8 A.M. UNTIL 11 A.M. AT THE STARTING POINT.
IN AN OPEN LETTER TO THE YOUNG^PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE +WALK FOR SPORT+ SUB COMMITTEE, MR. CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, TODAY APPEALED TO THEM TO SUPPORT THt WORTHWHILE PROJECT BY TAKING PART IN THE WALK.
+YOU MAY HAVE COMPLAINED TO YOURSELVES ABOUT THE LACK OF A PROPER TRAINING VENUE FOR HONG KONG’S SPORTSMEN, BUT NOW SUCH A PROJECT IS TO BECOME A REALITY,* HE SAID.
MR. CHEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE WOULD BE A PROJECT OF PERMANENT VALUE FOR ALL PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND THAT ANY SUPPORT FROM ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WOULD BE MOST WELCOMED.
THE SPORTS CENTRE WILL BE BUILT NEXT YEAR ON 41 ACRES OF RECLAIMED LAND AT SHA TIN DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
IT WILL BE A COMPLEX OF TOP CLASS SPORTING FACILITIES WHERE THE MOST PROMISING AND OUTSTANDING OF HONG KONG’S SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN CAN BE TRAINED TO INTERNATIONAL AND OLYMPIC STANDARD BY COACHES OF INTERNATIONAL REPUTE.
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/16
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1977
16 -
PIANO FOR MA TAU WAI GIRLS’ HOME * * * *
THE LIONS CLUB OF NORTH KOWLOON WILL1 TOMORROW (TUESDAY) DONATE A PIANO TO THE MA TAU WAI GIRLS’ HOME - ONE OF THE FIVE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. JIMMY SWEETMAN, WILL ACCEPT THE GIFT ON BEHALF OF THE GIRLS’ HOME FROM MR.
PETER C.P. LEUNG AND MR. PANG YIU-SON AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
THE MA TAU WAI GIRLS’ HOME PROVIDES ACCOMMODATION FOR 60 GIRLS BETWEEN THE AGES OF SEVEN AND 16 WHO ARE PLACED ON PROBATION BY THE COURT OR ARE IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION.
IN THE HOME, A TRAINING PROGRAMME IS PROVIDED FOR THE GIRLS WITH EMPHASIS PLACED ON CHARACTER BUILDING, SOCIAL TRAINING AND THE CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF LEISURE.
APART FROM BASIC EDUCATION IN THE CLASSROOM, THEY ARE GIVEN LESSONS ON COOKING, DRESS-MAKING AND KNITTING. AS FOR RECREATION, THERE ARE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPORTS AND GAMES, FOLK DANCING, GROUP SINGING, MUSIC INSTRUMENT PLAYING AND OTHER INTEREST GROUPS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE PIANO PRESENTATION CEREMONY SCHEDULED TO BE HELD AT THE MA TAU WAI GIRLS’ HOME AT 464, MA TAU WAI ROAD, KOWLOON AT 3 P.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
- - 0 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER
******
PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY (OCTOBER 12-14) FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. IN ORDER TO ENABLE MAINTENANCE WORK ON IT TO BE CARRIED OUT.
DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE, NORTH-BOUND TRAFFIC FROM PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD TO WATERLOO ROAD SHOULD TURN LEFT INTO ARGYLE STREET. U-TURN IN FRONT OF THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY BUILDING AND ENTER WATERLOO ROAD. FOR SOUTH-BOUND TRAFFIC, MOTORISTS SHOULD DRIVE ALONG WATERLOO ROAD, CROSS ARGYLE STREET AND ENTER PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MASSIVE ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED IN SHAM SHUI PO ON SUNDAY ................................................. 1
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO REACTIVATE ITS PLACEMENT SERVICE . 3
NEW CONTROLLED TIP AT MA YAU TONG ............................ *
SEWAGE OUTFALLS TO BE BUILT IN TUEN MUN ...................... 5
DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS TO VISIT NURSERY .................... 6
SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS TO MOVE TO NEW OFFICES ........... 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1977
1
MASSIVE ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN BEGINS ON SUNDAY ******
THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) WILL LAUNCH A MASSIVE CAMPAIGN THIS SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16) TO DRIVE ITS ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE HOME TO MORE THAN 500,000 PEOPLE LIVING IN SHAM SHU I PO.
THE CAMPAIGN FORMS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE BIGGEST-EVER PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMME BEING UNDERTAKEN BY ACAN THIS YEAR.
A COMMITTEE, WHICH COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM ACAN, THE SHAM SHU I PO CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND 30 OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WAS SET UP FOUR MONTHS AGO TO ORGANISE THE CAMPAIGN.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR. GEORGE HSUEH, WHO IS THE PRINCIPAL OF THE NAM WAH MIDDLE SCHOOL AS WELL AS AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY WORKER IN SHAM SHU I PO, TOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE CAMPAIGN WOULD LAST FOR FIVE WEEKS AND COST ABOUT $100,000.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF ACAN’S PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE, MR. KARL STUMPF- THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, MR. FRED TING- AND CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, SHAM SHU I PO, DR. PATRICK HASE.
MR. HSUEH SAID THE CAMPAIGN WAS AIMED AT PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
+RATHER THAN SIMPLY EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE, WE SHALL TAKE A POSITIVE APPROACH IN THE CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO SPEND MORE OF THEIR TIME AND ENERGY ON HEALTHY, MEANINGFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIVITIES,+ MR. HSUEH SAID.
+THE CAMPAIGN WILL, THEREFORE, INCLUDE SUCH ACTIVITIES AS ATHLETIC COMPETITION, SPORTS VARIETY SHOW AND EXHIBITION OF VARIOUS RECREATIONAL OUTLETS AND HOBBIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE,* HE SAID.
APART FROM THESE ACTIVITIES, SEMINARS, FILM SHOWS, STREET THEATRE PERFORMANCES AND OTHER EFFORTS WILL ALSO BE MADE TO INFORM THE ADULT GENERATION, PARTICULARLY PARENTS AND TEACHERS, OF THE CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE AND TO ADVISE THEM ON WHAT THEY CAN DO TO FIGHT AGAINST THE PROBLEM.
FIFTY THOUSAND LEAFLETS, TOGETHER WITH A LARGE QUANTITY OF PUBLICITY HAND-OUTS, WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO RESIDENTS IN SHAM SHU I PO. BANNERS CARRYING THE SLOGAN OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL ALSO BE WIDELY DISPLAYED.
/ALTHOUGH
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1977
2
ALTHOUGH ACTIVITIES ON THE GROUND WILL BE HELD ONLY IN THE SHAM SHUI PO AREA, INTENSIVE PUBLICITY WILL BE LAUNCHED AT THE SAME TIME THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA, ESPECIALLY TELEVISION, TO SPREAD THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE TO EVERY CORNER OF HONG KONG.
A SERIES OF ANTI-DRUG FILM CLIPS WILL BE REPEATEDLY SHOWN ON TELEVISION AND THOUSANDS OF POSTERS WILL BE PUT UP ALL OVER HONG KONG.
IN ADDITION, RTV WILL TELEVISE AN HOUR-LONG, SPECIALLY DESIGNED ANTI-DRUG GAMES SHOW ON THE AFTERNOON OF OCTOBER 16, WHICH MARKS THE OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN.
THE CAMPAIGN IS THE FIFTH OF ITS KIND HELD BY ACAN. SIMILAR ONES HAVE BEEN HELD IN TSUEN WAN, KWUN TONG, CHAI WAN AND KOWLOON CITY DURING THE PAST FOUR YEARS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD AT 1.45 P.M. THIS SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16) AT THE PO ON ROAD PLAYGROUND, ADJACENT TO SO UK ESTATE. IT WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED BY THE BURNING OF A 1O-FOOT-TALL EFFIGY OF A +DRUG DEVIL+. YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS TO COVER THE CEREMONY.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1977 - 3 -
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PLACEMENT SERVICE TO BE REACTIVATED ******
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PLACEMENT SERVICE WILL BE REACTIVATED IN THE MIDDLE OF MAY NEXT YEAR TO FIND ALTERNATIVE TEACHING POSTS FOR REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
AN ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE IN EARLY MARCH NEXT YEAR ON THE NUMBER OF NEW CLASSES TO BE OPENED IN NEW AND DEVELOPING AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, KOWLOON, AND THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1978 AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF SERIOUSLY UNDER-UTILISED CLASSES TO BE PHASED OUT, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SCHOOLS), MR. LAM TAT-LAU SAID TODAY.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AFFECTED WILL THEN BE KNOWN.
MR. LAM SAID: +FROM EXPERIENCE GAINED IN OPERATING THE SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENT SERVICE OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, IT IS ENVISAGED THAT TEACHERS FROM CLASSES WHICH CLOSE WILL BE ABSORBED BY SCHOOLS WITH VACANCIES ARISING FROM THE OPENING OF NEW CLASSES, RETIREMENT AND OTHER NORMAL WASTAGE.
+WHILE THE PLACEMENT SERVICE DOES ITS BEST TO PLACE REDUNDANT AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN ALTERNATIVE JOBS, IT DOES NOT GUARANTEE EMPLOYMENT.
♦THE SERVICE IDENTIFIES VACANCIES AND BRINGS SCHOOL MANAGERS AND TEACHERS TOGETHER WITH A VIEW TO SOLVING THE PROBLEM. MUCH DEPENDS ON THE WILLINGNESS OF THE TEACHERS CONCERNED TO TAKE UP APPOINTMENTS, THE WILLINGNESS OF MANAGERS TO ACCEPT TEACHERS AND THE SUITABILITY OF TEACHERS WITH SUBJECT SPECIALISM WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT MATCH VACANCIES,* MR. LAM SAID.
NEVERTHELESS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR LS CONFIDENT THAT THE PLACEMENT SERVICE WILL AGAIN EE ABLE TO PLACE ALL REDUNDANT AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEXT YEAR.
IN 1975 THE SERVICE PLACED 187 TEACHERS, IN 1976 IT FOUND ALTERNATIVE POSTS FOR 165 AND THIS YEAR 400.
o ----
A....
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1977
4
PWD SETS UP NEW CONTROLLED TIP *****
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO SET UP A NEW CONTROLLED TIP FOR THE DISPOSAL OF REFUSE AT MA YAU TONG IN KWUN TONG.
THIS WILL BRING TO SEVEN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONTROLLED TIPS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
MR. WONG WAN-MING, ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, SAID TODAY THAT SITE PREPARATORY WORK, INCLUDING DRAINAGE AND ROAD WORKS, WOULD BEGIN IN DECEMBER.
+THE TIP IS EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR USE IN OCTOBER NEXT YEAR, AND WILL PROVIDE ANOTHER OUTLET FOR THE DISPOSAL OF THE GROWING AMOUNT OF REFUSE COLLECTED,+ HE SAID.
+WHEN FULLY COMPLETED AND CLOSED, THE TIP WILL PROVIDE MORE THAN SEVEN HECTARES OF NEW LAND.+
ABOUT 5.5 HECTARES OF THE NEW LAND WILL BE USED FOR OPEN SPACE FOR RECREATIONAL AND OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES. ANOTHER 2.2 HECTARES OF LAND ADJOINING THE TIP WILL BE PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL, INSTITUTIONAL AND COMMUNITY USE.
MR. WONG SAID: +THIS IS ONE OF THE ADDED ADVANTAGES IN CONTROLLED TIPPING, BECAUSE NOT ONLY DOES THE SYSTEM PROVIDE FOR AN ECONOMICAL AND SANITARY MEANS OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL, BUT IT ALSO ENABLES FULL USE TO BE MADE OF THE SITES FOR THE BENEFIT OF RESIDENTS ONCE THE TIP IS CLOSED AND TOPPED OFF.+
IN CONTROLLED TIPPING, HE EXPLAINED, REFUSE IS SPREAD IN LAYERS AND COMPACTED BY MECHANICAL PLANTS TO A THICKNESS OF ABOUT TWO METRES EACH TIME.
EACH LAYER IS THEN COMPLETELY COVERED WITH INERT MATERIAL SEALING OFF ALL WORKING FACES AT THE END OF EACH DAY’S WORK IN ORDER TO PREVENT FOUL ODOUR AND TO ELIMINATE HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARDS.
THE NEW TIP AT MA YAU TONG, HE SAID, WOULD HAVE A CAPACITY OF 700,000 TONNES AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE CLOSED IN ABOUT TWO YEARS.
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS SO FAR SET UP SIX CONTROLLED TIPS, FOUR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND TWO IN KOWLOON.
OF THE SIX, ONE SITUATED AT NGAU TAM MEI IN YUEN LONG HAS BEEN CLOSED. IT PROVIDES 1.1 HECTARES OF LAND FOR RECREATIONAL USE.
THE REMAINING FIVE, WHICH ARE BEING DEVELOPED, WILL EVENTUALLY PROVIDE 23.6 HECTARES OF RECREATIONAL LAND.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1977
5
CONSTRUCTION OF SEWAGE OUTFALLS IN TUEN MUN ******
WORK WILL BEGIN LATE NEXT MONTH ON SUBMARINE SEWAGE OUTFALLS AT PILLAR POINT TO COPE WITH THE DEVELOPMENTS IN TUEN MUN.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK, WHICH FORMS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE SEWERAGE SYSTEM FOR TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, ARE BEING INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROJECT WILL CONSIST OF THE LAYING OF A 9OO-METRE LONG TWIN PIPE IN THE SEABED AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS ON LAND.
MR. CHAN YAN, P.W.D.’S CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE DRAINAGE WORKS DIVISION, SAID THE PROJECT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
+ON COMPLETION, SEWAGE FROM THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN CAN BE CONVEYED INTO DEEPER WATER FOR BETTER DILUTION AND DISPERSION AFTER UNDERGOING TREATMENT AT THE PROPOSED PILLAR POINT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.+
MEANWHILE, WORK IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY ON THE COMPREHENSIVE SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
THE PROJECT, COSTING $16 MILLION, INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 6,000 METRES OF SEWERAGE PIPES WITHIN THE NEW TOWN.
/6
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1977
6
DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS TO VISIT PO LEUNG KUK LEK YUEN NURSERY ******
THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, WILL VISIT THE PO LEUNG KUK LEK YUEN NURSERY ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 13) AFTERNOON TO INSPECT THE NURSERY SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE PO LEUNG KUK TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE FAST-GROWING SATELLITE TOWN OF SHA TIN.
THE NURSERY, ESTABLISHED LAST MARCH, IS LOCATED AT
BLOCK 4 OF THE LEK YUEN ESTATE AND CAN ACCOMMODATE 100 CHILDREN. IT IS OPENED FROM 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M. AND STAFFED BY A NURSERY SUPERVISOR, SEVEN NURSERY WORKERS AND FOUR AMAHS.
THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDISES THE DEFICITS OF THE NURSERY AS THE FEES CHARGED ON EACH CHILD IS G5O WHICH IS PARTIALLY BORNE BY THE KUK ITSELF.
DURING HIS VISIT, MR. WALDEN WILL EE ACCOMPANIED ON HIS TOUR OF THE NURSERY BY MR. CHENG ENG-KUAN, THE KUK’S CHAIRMAN AND OTHER OFFICIALS OF THE KUK.
-------o----------
SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS MOVE
******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SECURITY FIELD UNIT WILL BE MOVED TO
CHEUNG SHA WAN SOCIAL ____ ITS NEW OFFICE AT BLOCK
*EUNG KING H0USE’ GROUND FLOOR, LAI KING ESTATE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WHEN IT WILL BE RENAMED LAI CHI KOK FIELD UNIT.
THE PREMISES VACATED BY THE UNIT AT 234, TAI PO ROAD GROUND FLOOR, WILL BE TAKEN OVER AS A SUB-OFFICE BY THE SHEK KIP MEI FIELD UNIT, CURRENTLY OPERATING AT TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE LAI CHI KOK FIELD UNIT WILL BE: 3-737626, 3-737491 AND 3-737521. AS FOR THE SHEK KIP MEI FIELD UNIT, THE NUMBERS OF THE MAIN OFFICE IS 3-809835 AND 3-954507 WHILE THOSE OF THE NEW SUB-OFFICE WILL BE 3-708613, 3-708462 ’
AND 3-709095.
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
CONTENTS PA6E M0*
GOVERNMENT TO SPEND $1,760 MILLION IN DEVELOPING REHABILITATION SERVICES ...................................... 1
PUBLIC SUGGESTIONS INCORPORATED IN WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION SERVICES ...................................... 5
CHIEF SECRETARY EXPLAINS GODBER’S DEPARTURE ................. 7
SLIPPAGE OF DECOMPOSED GRANITE CAUSED EARTH SUBSIDENCE IN
NATHAN ROAD .................................................. 9
BOAT SQUATTERS URGED TO APPLY FOR HOUSING IN NORMAL WAY .... 10
HK HOPES TO JOIN ASIA PACIFIC TELECOMMUNITY ....*............ 11
CMB STEPS UP EFFORTS TO TACKLE BUS FREQUENCY PROBLEM ........ 12
NO PERMIT GRANTED FOR PILING DURING BAN PERIODS ............. 13
GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE FOR 1976/77 AMOUNTS TO $6,591 MILLION .............................................. 13
POWER TO REMOVE FISH FARMS FOR POLLUTION .................... 14
EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED IN CIVIL SERVICE ..................... 14
WAITING AREAS FOR PATIENTS SEEKING MEDICAL CONSULTATION .... 15
ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1977 .................. 16
GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THE USE OF CANTONESE LANGUAGE IN COURTS. 17
MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 INTRODUCED IN LEGCO ....... 18
MORE STUDY ROOMS IN HOUSING ESTATES ......................... 18
SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR MALADJUSTED CHILDREN ..................... 19
STREET SLEEPERS ENJOY EQUAL PRIVILEGE AS OTHER MEMBERS OF PUBLIC ...................................................... 19
ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION MAY GET MORE SUBVENTION ............. 20
MARINE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONS SHIPS DURING CANOE RACES ......... 20
VISITS TO KINDERGARTENS ..................................... 21
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
_ 1 -
WHITE PAPER MAPS OUT MASSIVE PROGRAMME OF REHABILITATION SERVICES ******
A MASSIVE PROGRAMME OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED IN THE NEXT NINE YEARS UP TO 1985/86 COSTING AN ESTIMATED $1,760 MILLION IS OUTLINED IN A WHITE PAPER PUBLISHED TODAY.
THE WHITE PAPER ENTITLED +INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY: A UNITED EFFORT* SPELLS OUT THE VARIOUS MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE TO PROVIDE SUCH COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION SERVICES AS ARE NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE DISABLED TO DEVELOP THEIR PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL CAPABILITIES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT WHICH THEIR DISABILITIES PERMIT.
THESE INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS, SPECIAL CLASSES AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING- EXPANSION OF MEDICAL TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION SERVICES- THE INTRODUCTION OF A CENTRAL REGISTRY FOR THE DISABLED, A CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, A COMPREHENSIVE DISABILITY OBSERVATION SCHEME AND OTHER SOCIAL REHABILITATION MEASURES.
THE PAPER ALSO RECOMMENDS THE SETTING UP OF A REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WITH THE FOLLOWING TERMS OF REFERENCE :
* TO ADVISE ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND PHASED IMPLEMENTATION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG-
* TO ADVISE ON THE PRINCIPLES OF SUBVENTION APPLICABLE TO SUCH SERVICES-
* TO CO-ORDINATE REHABILITATION SERVICES IN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND TO ENSURE THAT AVAILABLE RESOURCES ARE PUT TO BEST USE-
* TO ADVISE ON THE RESPECTIVE ROLES OF THE GOVERNMENT, VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND OTHER BODIES PROVIDING REHABILI TAT ION WORKERS.
THE PAPER OUTLINES THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISABILITY PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES AS FOLLOWS:
PREVENTION AND EARLY DIAGNOSIS
THE GOVERNMENT WILL IMPROVE THE EXISTING AND INTRODUCE NEW SCREENING SERVICES FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS SO THAT DISABLING CONDITIONS ARE DISCOVERED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL INTRODUCE IN 1978/79 A COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SCHEME FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO THE AGE OF FIVE. FOR THOSE OVER THE AGE OF FIVE, SCREENING PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SCHOOLS.
/A MULTI-DISCIPLINAPY .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
2
A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH WILL BE ADOPTED IN THE ASSESSMENT OF THE DISABLED AT ALL INSTITUTIONS WHERE ASSESSMENT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED INCLUDING HOSPITALS, CLINICS, REHABILITATION CENTRES AND EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT CENTRES.
TWO MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ASSESSMENT CENTRES - THE FIRST IN KOWLOON AND THE SECOND ON HONG KONG ISLAND - WILL BE ESTABLISHED WITHIN FIVE YEARS.
A CENTRAL REGISTRY FOR THE DISABLED WILL BE SET UP IN 1978/79, PROBABLY IN SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, TO CENTRALISE ALL RECORDS OF DISABLED PERSONS.
A CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT WILL BE SET UP IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN 1978 TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE ON HEALTH EDUCATION TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS WHICH ARE INTERESTED IN CARRYING OUT HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES IN THEIR SPECIAL F IELDS.
IN ADDITION, SIMPLE PRINCIPLES OF REHABILITATION, THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION AND THE NEED TO SEEK EARLY PROFESSIONAL HELP IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENT OR ILLNESS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE CURRICULUM OF PRIMARY, AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
ALL DISABLED CHILDREN WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NINE YEARS OF EDUCATION, AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING WILL BE AVAILABLE BEYOND NORMAL SCHOOL-LEAVING AGE TO HELP THEM TO ACHIEVE THEIR POTENTIAL.
DISABLED CHILDREN WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO RECEIVE EDUCATION IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS. FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT BENEFIT FROM IT BECAUSE OF THE DEGREE OF DISABILITY, SPECIAL SCHOOLS, CLASSES AND PERIPATETIC SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED.
SPECIAL PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION AND TRAINING WILL BE GIVEN TO THE MORE SEVERELY DISABLED CHILDREN.
THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PLACES FOR THE DISABLED WILL BE INCREASED FROM 12,165 IN APRIL 1977 TO 50,800 BY 1985/86.
THERE WILL BE AN INCREASED OUTPUT OF TRAINED STAFF FROM PRE-SCHOOL TO VOCATIONAL AND TERTIARY LEVELS. CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO THE POSSIBLE ESTABLISHMENT OF FULL-TIME TRAINING COURSE FOR TEACHERS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND OF SPECIALISED COURSES FOR WHICH TRAINING IS AT PRESENT ONLY AVAILABLE OVERSEAS.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE BRAILLED TEXTBOOKS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE AS FROM APRIL 1, NEXT YEAR AND WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND COVERAGE OF THE EXISTING RESOURCE TEACHING SERVICES FOR BLIND STUDENTS.
/MEDICAL TREATMENT......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
- 3 -
MEDICAL TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION SERVICES
A COMPLETE NETWORK OF MEDICAL REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED WITH A FULLY-EQUIPPED CENTRE AT EACH OF THE REGIONAL HOSPITALS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED. THE CENTRES WILL BE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE IN-PATIENT REHABILITATION AND OUT-PATIENT SERVICES. TO ACHIEVE THIS, THREE ADDITIONAL REHABILITATION CENTRES WILL HAVE TO BE ESTABLISHED -THE FIRST IN WEST KOWLOON IN 1981/82, THE SECOND IN SHA TIN IN 1982/83 AND THE THIRD IN TUEN MUN IN 1985/86.
ADDITIONAL PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS MAY HAVE TO BE BUILT AND IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BEDS PLANNED FOR EAST KOWLOON AND SHAU KEI WAN HOSPITALS. IT MIGHT BE ADVANTAGEOUS TO HAVE SMALL UNITS OF 60 TO 200 PSYCHIATRIC BEDS INCORPORATED IN MAJOR GENERAL HOSPITALS WHICH ARE BEING PLANNED.
AN ORTHOPTIC UNIT WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT NEXT YEAR TO PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH TREATMENT FOR DEFECTIVE EYE-MOVEMENTS.
THE SERVICES FOR OTHER CATEGORIES OF DISABILITIES CAUSED BY CANCER, HEART, CHEST AND OTHER CONDITIONS WILL BE EXPANDED AND IMPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
THE RUNNING OF THESE ADDITIONAL FACILITIES WILL REQUIRE CONSIDERABLE EXPANSION IN THE TRAINING OF STAFF INCLUDING DOCTORS, NURSES, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, SPEECH THERAPISTS, PROSTHETISTS, ORTHOTISTS, AND MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS. NEW COURSES WILL BE ESTABLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, MAKING FULL USE OF ALL LOCAL TRAINING FACILITIES INCLUDING THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC IN ORDER TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF A FAST EXPANDING REHABILITATION PROGRAMME.
SOCIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES
THE DISABLED WILL BE ASSISTED IN FINDING GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT SO THAT THEY CAN LEAD A USEFUL WORKING LIFE. TO WORK TOWARDS THIS AIM, THE GOVERNMENT WILL EXPAND ITS SERVICES TO ENABLE AS MANY DISABLED PERSONS AS POSSIBLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND IN COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
TO HELP THE DISABLED TO FIND SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION, DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, SUCH AS TRANSIT CENTRES, HOSTELS FOR THE YOUNG DISABLED AND RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS WILL BE PROVIDED TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THE DIFFERENT GROUPS OF DISABLED PERSONS.
THE DISABLED WILL BE HELPED TO ENJOY THEIR LEISURE TIME AND SPECIAL SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED TO HELP THEM OVERCOME ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS THEY FACE AT HOME, IN SCHOOL, AT WORK OR IN PUBLIC PLACES.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE COUNSELLING SERVICES TO THE DISABLED INCLUDING GUIDANCE AND REFERRAL TO APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OR ORGANISATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE IN HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, MEDICAL CARE, SCHOOL PLACEMENT, INSTITUTIONAL CARE, TRAINING AND HOME HELP.
/FINANCE .
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
4 -
FINANCE
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSALS DESCRIBED IN THE PAPER WILL INVOLVE HEAVY ADDITIONAL CAPITAL AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE. THE BROAD ESTIMATE OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE DURING THE DECADE, WHICH INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRES, MODIFICATIONS TO SCHOOL BUILDINGS, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT, CAPITAL SUBVENTIONS AND GRANTS, AMOUNTS TO ABOUT $126 MILLION. THE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE FOR THE SAME PERIOD AMOUNTS TO $1,637 MILLION INCREASING FROM $121 MILLION IN 1977/78 TO $232 MILLION IN 1985/86.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED WILL BE HELD IN THE G.I.S. THEATRE, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 11 A.M.
ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE WILL BE MR. ERIC HO, SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, AND DR. HARRY FANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT COORDINATING COMMITTEE.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
5
PUBLIC SUGGESTIONS INCORPORATED IN WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION SERVICES *****
THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. ERIC HO SAID THE WHITE PAPER ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED HAD INCORPORATED MOST OF THE POINTS RAISED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT LAST FEBRUARY.
MR. HO TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT ACCOUNT HAD ALSO BEEN TAKEN OF A NUMBER OF CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC AND INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS ON THE GREEN PAPER FROM WHICH THE WHITE PAPER HAD BEEN DEVELOPED.
HE SAID, +IN ADDITION TO CONSULTATIONS WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT ON THESE VARIOUS PROPOSALS, WE HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES, THE UMELCO AD HOC GROUP ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES IN DRAFTING OF THIS WHITE PAPER. +
ON THE PROPOSALS TO SPEED UP THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME, MR. HO SAID, +THE DIRECTORS OF EDUCATION, SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND I CAN ASSURE THE COUNCIL THAT THE IMPROVEMENTS REFLECTED IN THIS WHITE PAPER OVER THE ORIGINAL TIME TABLE IN THE GREEN PAPER ARE THE LIMITS WE CAN CONFIDENTLY HOPE TO ACHIEVE BY 1985-86.+
+MY COLLEAGUES AND I, LIKE THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO SPOKE IN THE FEBRUARY DEBATE, WILL ALSO PREFER TO SEE FASTER PROGRESS, BUT WE ARE UNABLE TO GET ROUND THE FACT THAT THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT HAS TO BE ADJUSTED TO HUMAN RESOURCES AND THE AVAILABILITY OF SITES AS WELL AS SPONSORS.*
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE WHITE PAPER DID PROVIDE FOR SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS AND CITED THE FOLLOWING AS EXAMPLES:
* THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL INTRODUCE A COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SCHEME IN 1978/79 FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO THE AGE OF FIVE. FOR THOSE OVER THE AGE OF FIVE, SCREENING PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SCHOOLS-
* A NEW CODE OF AID FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION WAS ISSUED LAST MONTH AND THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PLACES FOR THE DISABLED WILL INCREASE FROM 12,165 IN APRIL THIS YEAR TO 50,800 BY 1985/86-
* THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THREE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WILL MAKE AVAILABLE 186 PLACES IN DAY CENTRES FOR THE SEVERELY MENTALLY RETARDED BEFORE THE END OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR BEYOND WHAT IS PROVIDED FOR IN THE PROGRAMME PLAN. IF THIS EXPERIMENT IS SUCCESSFUL IT WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR ADDITIONAL PLACES AT DAY CENTRES TO BE PROVIDED QUICKLY TO MEET THE SHORTFALL FOR PLANNED RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES FOR ALL THOSE KNOWN CASES CURRENTLY AWAITING INTENSIVE CARE- AND
/• THE SHORTFALL ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
6
* THE SHORTFALL IN PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES WILL BE WHOLLY ELIMINATED BY 1585/86 THROUGH THE PROVISION OF 4,900 PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL BEDS BY A DAY CENTRE AND HALF-WAY HOUSES.
• » s I
MR. HO EMPHASISED THE WHITE PAPER WAS NOT SIMPLY A CONSENSUS AS TO HOW THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROCEED, BUT A UNITED AND POSITIVE APPROACH TO REHABILITATING THE DISABLED WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
HE DESCRIBED THE PAPER AS A +NEW BEGINNING FOR MANY DISABLED IN HONG KONG+ AND NOTED THAT THE OBJECTIVES, THE PROGRAMME PLAN AND TARGETS IN IT WOULD BE UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW BY THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
- 7 -
CHIEF SECRETARY EXPLAINS GODBER’S DEPARTURE *****
THE GOVERNMENT’S ONLY AIM TO ARRANGE FOR GODBER’S EARLY ENTRY INTO THE RESTRICTED AREA AT KAI TAK AND TO ALLOW HIM AND HIS SON TO WAIT IN AN UNUSED GOVERNMENT OFFICE UNTIL HIS DEPARTURE WAS TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF DISTURBANCE AND INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC, THE HON. CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, SIR DENYS SAID THE GOVERNMENT, CORRECTLY, ANTICIPATED THAT THERE WOULD BE A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST IN GODBER’S DEPARTURE.
+IF HE HAD ARRIVED AT KAI TAK IN THE NORMAL WAY, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HE WOULD HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY LARGE NUMBERS OF PRESSMEN AND INTERESTED SPECTATORS WITH THE OBVIOUS RISK WHICH THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED IN A CROWDED CONCOURSE,+ HE SAID.
SIR DENYS NOTED THAT GODBER, THROUGH HIS SOLICITOR, HAD MADE IT CLEAR, BEFORE HIS RELEASE, THAT HE DID NOT WISH TO SPEAK TO THE PRESS WHEN HE LEFT PRISON.
HOWEVER, ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE AT SIU LAM FOR THE PRESS TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF HIS RELEASE AND BARRIERS WERE PROVIDED THERE TO TRY TO FACILITATE AN ORDERLY COVERAGE OF THE EVENT.
THE CAR USED BY GODBER TO TRAVEL FROM SIU LAM TO KAI TAK WAS PROVIDED AT HIS REQUEST BY HIS SOLICITOR AND A POLICE CAR FOLLOWED TO ENSURE THAT NO INCIDENTS OCCURRED EN ROUTE.
SIR DENYS SAID: +TRAFFIC POLICE WERE ALERTED TO ENSURE THAT HIS CAR AND THOSE EXPECTED TO BE FOLLOWING IT DID NOT CAUSE TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
+THE UNRULY SCENES WHICH ATTENDED GODBER’S JOURNEY FROM SIU LAM TO KAI TAK SURELY JUSTIFIED THE PRECAUTIONS TAKEN,+ HE ADDED.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION FROM DR. CHUNG, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO PURSUE WITH VIGOUR ITS CLAIM AGAINST GODBER, BUT IT WOULD BE GENERALLY WRONG IN PRINCIPLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO AVAIL ITSELF TO THE REMEDY OF IMPRISONMENT FOR NON-PAYMENT OF A JUDGMENT DEBT .
MR. HOBLEY WAS CONVINCED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN OPEN TO MORE SEVERE CRITICISM IF IT HAD IN FACT IMPRISONED GODBER FOR DEBT.
ON THE LEGAL ASPECT OF THE MATTER, HE SAID: + IMPRISON I NG GODBER WOULD NOT, IN MY OPINION, HAVE BROUGHT RECOVERY OF THE MONEY ANY NEARER, AND MIGHT WELL HAVE HINDERED PROCEEDINGS OUTSIDE HONG KONG FOR ITS RECOVERY.*
/TO THE BEST .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
- 8 _
TO THE BEST OF THE GOVERNMENT’S KNOWLEDGE, GODBER HAS NO ASSETS IN HONG KONG AND MUCH THE GREATER PART OF HIS ASSETS WAS OUTSIDE HONG KONG BEFORE JUNE 1973 WHEN THE QUESTION OF PROCEEDINGS AGAINST HIM AROSE.
MR. HOBLEY, HOWEVER, NOTED THAT ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD IMPRISONED GODBER, TWO COURSES WOULD HAVE BEEN OPEN TO HIM.
ONE WOULD HAVE BEEN TO ACCEPT A FURTHER 12 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT -THE MAXIMUM WHICH THE LAW ALLOWS. +HAD HE TAKEN THAT COURSE, THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO RECOVER THE MONEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HELPED.+
+THE OTHER COURSE,+ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID, +WOULD HAVE BEEN FOR HIM TO GO TO THE COURT WITH A STATEMENT OF HIS ASSETS AND THEIR WHEREABOUTS AND SEEK HIS RELEASE.*
THE LAW THEN PROVIDES THAT THE JUDGMENT CREDITOR, IN THIS CASE THE GOVERNMENT, MAY ATTACH PROPERTY WITHIN HONG KONG SO DISCLOSED, IN SATISFACTION OF THE JUDGMENT.
+BUT GODBER HAS NO ASSETS IN HONG KONG SO THAT TAKES US NOWHERE,* MR. HOBLEY SAID.
HE SAID, ALTERNATIVELY, THE CREDITOR COULD OPPOSE THE APPLICATION FOR RELEASE BUT ONLY IN NARROWLY DEFINED CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH DID NOT APPLY IN GODBER’S CASE.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID HE DID NOT THINK THAT GODBER WOULD BE ABLE TO THWART THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN ENFORCING THE JUDGMENT IN THE LONG RUN.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
- 9 -
SLIPPAGE OF DECOMPOSED GRANITE CAUSED EARTH SUBSIDENCE IN NATHAN ROAD * * * * *
THE EARTH SUBSIDENCE, WHICH OCCURRED LAST MONTH UNDER NATHAN ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH ARRAN STREET, WAS CAUSED BY THE SLIPPAGE OF A COMPLETELY DECOMPOSED GRANITE SEAM EXPOSED DURING ROCK TUNNELLING OPERATIONS FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD, SAID TODAY.
IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION BY DR. THE HON. HENRY HU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THE SEAM WAS FIRST EXPOSED IN THE TUNNEL ON SEPTEMBER 1.
AS A RESULT, MR. MCDONALD SAID, PROBES WERE CARRIED OUT TO TRY TO ASSESS THE EXTENT OF THE SEAM AND THE EXPOSED FACE WAS SAND-BAGGED AND SHORED TO SECURE IT UNTIL THE PERMANENT LINING WORKS COULD BE CARRIED OUT.
+THE FORM OF PROTECTIVE MEASURES ADOPTED WAS CONSIDERED TO GIVE ADEQUATE SECURITY BY BOTH THE CONTRACTOR AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION’S SUPERVISORY STAFF,* HE ADDED.
+CONTRARY TO THE CONCLUSIONS DRAWN FROM THE INVESTIGATIONS EVENTS PROVED THAT THE EXTENT OF THE COMPLETELY DECOMPOSED GRANITE SEAM WAS GREATER THAN ESTIMATED AND IN CONSEQUENCE THE PROTECTIVE MEASURES FAILED TO GIVE ADEQUATE SUPPORT.*
MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT AFTER THE COLLAPSE THE AREA IN NATHAN ROAD WAS CORDONED OFF AND THE BUILDINGS ON THE CORNERS OF THE ROAD JUNCTION WERE EVACUATED AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE.
GROUTING WAS CARRIED OUT TO PREVENT FURTHER MOVEMENT OF THE COMPLETELY DECOMPOSED GRANITE. THE TENANTS OF THE EVACUATED BUILDINGS WERE THEN ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THEIR PROPERTIES.
+AS A RESULT OF THIS EXPERIENCE THE CORPORATION HAVE ESTABLISHED REVISED METHODS OF WORKING WHICH WILL ENSURE A GREATER DEGREE OF INVESTIGATIVE PROBING AND HAVE ADOPTED MORE CAUTIOUS METHODS OF DEALING WITH COMPLETELY DECOMPOSED GRANITE SEAMS NO MATTER HOW SMALL OR INSIGNIFICANT THEY APPEAR TO BE,* HE SAID.
/1O......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
- 10 -
BOAT SQUATTERS URGED TO APPLY FOR HOUSING IN JHE NORMAL WAY ******
THE GOVERNMENT VIEWS WITH GREAT CONCERN THE UNSATISFACTORY LIVING CONDITIONS OF MANY BOAT SQUATTERS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON. ALAN SCOTT, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HOWEVER, AT THE SAME TIME, THE GOVERNMENT MUST ALSO HAVE REGARD TO THE HOUSING NEEDS OF OTHER FAMILIES FROM DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.
MR. SCOTT SAID; +IT WOULD, I THINK, BE MUCH RESENTED BY CITIZENS WHO ARE WAITING THEIR TURN ON THE WAITING LIST, IF BOAT SQUATTERS WERE OFFERED PUBLIC OR TEMPORARY HOUSING ON A WHOLESALE BASIS IN PREFERENCE TO OTHER CATEGORIES.+
HE WAS REPLYING TO MRS. KWAN KO SIU-WAH, WHO ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAD SPECIFIC PLANS TO REHOUSE BOAT SQUATTERS LIVING IN DILAPIDATED AND UNSEAWORTHY BOATS, PARTICULARLY IN YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER.
MR. SCOTT SAID THAT IN LAST FINANCIAL YEAR 54 BOAT SQUATTERS WERE REHOUSED AND 250 OTHERS PROVIDED WITH TEMPORARY HOUSING.
ALREADY THIS YEAR, 258 BOAT DWELLERS HAD MOVED INTO TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND 57 OTHERS INTO TRANSIT CENTRES, AND IT WAS EXPECTED THAT ALTOGETHER 2,400 WOULD BE OFFERED ACCOMMODATION UNDER THE CLEARANCE QUOTA.
MR. SCOTT STRESSED THAT BOAT SQUATTERS HAD THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES FOR REHOUSING AS LAND SQUATTERS IN THAT THEY WERE ENTITLED TO REGISTER ON THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S WAITING LIST TO OBTAIN PUBLIC HOUSING.
♦I AM ADVISED THAT RELATIVELY FEW BOAT SQUATTERS HAVE APPLIED OR SEEM TO HAVE THE INTENTION OF APPLYING FOR PUBLIC OR TEMPORARY HOUSING IN THIS, THE NORMAL, WAY,+ HE SAID.
♦I WOULD THEREFORE URGE ALL BOAT SQUATTERS WHO WISH TO MOVE TO APPLY IN THE NORMAL WAY.+
CONCERNING THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER, MR. SCOTT SAID IT WAS PROPOSED TO CONSTRUCT A NEW BREAKWATER IN MID-1980 AND TO RECLAIM THE EXISTING SHELTER TOWARDS THE END OF 1982.
IN THE MEANTIME, SUITABLE MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TO CONTROL THE SITUATION.
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/11
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
11
HK HOPES TO JOIN ASIA PACIFIC TELECOMMUNITY M * * * *
HONG KONG HOPES TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ASIA PACIFIC TELECOMMUNITY, OF WHICH THE UK GOVERNMENT IS NOT A MEMBER, THE HON. CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS SAID TODAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, SIR DENYS SAIDt +ONE OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE ASIA PACIFIC TELECOMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP, IS THAT MEMBERS SHOULD ACCORD TO THE TELECOMMUNITY AND ITS OFFICERS THE SAME PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES AS ARE GRANTED TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND ITS OFFICIALS.
HE SAID, TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO FULFIL THIS CONDITION OF MEMBERSHIP IT WAS NECESSARY TO AMEND THE DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES ORDINANCE SO AS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNOR TO CONFER PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES IN THE CASE OF AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION OF WHICH HONG KONG, BUT NOT THE UK, WAS A MEMBER.
AT PRESENT, THE GOVERNOR COULD ONLY CONFER IMMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES ON AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION AND ITS STAFF, IF THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT WAS A MEMBER OF THE ORGANISATION.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD NOT EMPOWER THE GOVERNOR TO MAKE SUCH AN ORDER IN RELATION TO AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION OF WHICH HONG KONG WAS NOT A MEMBER, BUT THE UK WAS.
SIR DENYS ENVISAGED CASES IN THE FUTURE WHERE IT WAS DESIRABLE FOR PRIVILEGES TO BE ACCORDED TO ORGANISATIONS OF WHICH THE UK WAS A MEMBER, THOUGH HONG KONG WAJTNDT. HE PROPOSED TO ISSUE AN AMENDMENT TO THIS EFFECT AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE BILL.
THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0----------
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
- 12 -
CMB STEPS UP EFFORTS TO TACKLE BUS FREQUENCY PROBLEM * * * *
THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY HAS RECENTLY BEEN STEPPING UP ITS RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN FOR DRIVERS AND A WAGE INCREASE HAS ALSO BEEN GRANTED IN ITS EFFORTS TO ARREST THE DETERIORATION OF BUS FREQUENCY, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. LYDIA DUNN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, MR. JONES SAID THERE APPEAR TO BE TWO MAIN REASONS FOR THE DETERIORATION IN THE FREQUENCY OF BUSES ON CERTAIN ROUTES OPERATED BY THE BUS COMPANY.
THE FIRST IS A SHORTAGE OF DRIVERS IN RELATION BOTH TO THE GROWING NUMBER OF BUSES AND THE ADDITIONAL ROUTES BEING OPERATED.
THE SECOND REASON IS GROWING TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON SOME ROUTES WHICH IS SLOWING BUSES DOWN AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN SCHEDULES.
ON THE DRIVER SHORTAGE PROBLEM, MR. JONES SAID WITH THE BOOM IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AT THE MOMENT, THERE IS INTENSE COMPETITION FOR DRIVERS OF HEAVY VEHICLES AND MANY DRIVERS DO NOT LIKE THE SHIFT WORK ASSOCIATED WITH BUS DRIVING.
+FURTHERMORE,+ HE SAID, +THE COMPANY IS VERY PROPERLY AWARE OF THE NEED TO EMPLOY REALLY COMPETENT DRIVERS ON ITS DIFFICULT HILLY ROUTES AND NOT ALL DRIVERS ARE ABLE TO MEET ITS EXACTING TESTING STANDARDS.+
ON THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION PROBLEM, MR. JONES SAID THERE IS NO QUICK AND EASY' SOLUTION TO IT AND IT HAS TO BE TACKLED BY A VARIETY OF MEANS.
+IN THE SHORT TERM NEW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES WILL BE TRIED OUT AND, IN DUE COURSE, THE OPENING OF THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL, NEW AND IMPROVED ROADS AND THE COMPLETION OF THE MASS TRANSIT WORKS IN CENTRAL SHOULD HELP TO EASE THE POSITION.*
HE NOTED THAT DESPITE ALL THESE DIFFICULTIES, THE CMB HAS NEVERTHELESS BEEN OPERATING MORE BUSES ON MORE ROUTES AND CARRYING MORE PASSENGERS OVERALL.
ON THE QUESTION OF CMB’S FRANCHISE, MR. JONES REVEALED THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT IS PREPARING FULL REPORTS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BOTH BUS COMPANIES AS THE CURRENT FRANCHISE FOR THE TWO COMPANIES HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR SOME TWO YEARS AND NEEDS REVIEW.
HE SAID THESE REPORTS ARE NOW NEARING COMPLETION AND WHEN THEY ARE READY, HE WILL SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THEM BEFORE SUBMITTING A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
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/13
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
- 15 -
NO PERMIT GRANTED FOR PILING DURING BAN PERIODS *****
..l,j ■
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD, SAID TODAY THAT HE HAD GRANTED NO EXEMPTIONS TO PERMIT PILING WITHIN THE PROHIBITED HOURS.
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON. P.G. WILLIAMS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE POINTED OUT THAT CONTRACTORS WORKING FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION WERE AUTOMATICALLY EXEMPTED FROM THE RESTRICTIONS UNDER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE.
BUT HE ADDED: +THE CORPORATION HAS, HOWEVER, EXERCISED TIGHT CONTROL ON SUCH WORKS AND HAS ALLOWED PILING TO BE CARRIED OUT DURING THE PROHIBITED HOURS IN ONLY FOUR INSTANCES. +
MR. MCDONALD SAID THE ONLY WAY IN WHICH OTHER CONTRACTORS COULD OBTAIN EXEMPTION IN RESPECT OF PILING WORKS WAS BY MEANS OF AN ORDER MADE BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.
+IN THE PERIOD SINCE THE SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS ON PILING WERE INTRODUCED IN SEPTEMBER 1972, THREE SUCH ORDERS SPECIFICALLY PERMITTING PILING DURING THE PROHIBITED HOURS HAVE BEEN MADE,* MR. MCDONALD SAID.
+OF THESE, TWO WERE IN RESPECT OF GOVERNMENT PROJECTS AND ONE IN RESPECT OF A PRIVATE PROJECT.+
NO APPLICATIONS FOR EXEMPTION HAVE BEEN REFUSED, HE SAID.
- - - - 0 ----------
GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE FOR 1976/77 * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID TODAY THE GOVERNMENT’S ACTUAL TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR 1976-77 AMOUNTED TO $6,591 MILLION — $621 MILLION LESS THAN THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATES.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED WHEN HE MOVED THE MOTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE FINAL SCHEDULE OF SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS FOR 1976-77.
HE SAID THE SCHEDULE COVERED A TOTAL OF $42 MILLION OF WHICH $23.2 MILLION WAS TO MEET ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ON PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS IN TEN DEPARTMENTS.
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/14.............................
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
- 14 _
POWER TO REMOVE FISH FARMS FOR POLLUTION * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WILL BE ABLE TO REMOVE FISH FARMS THAT CAUSE POLLUTION UNDER THE POWERS TO BE CONFERRED ON HIM IN THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL BILL WHICH WILL BE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. PETER C. WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HOWEVER, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID WELL MANAGED AND PROPERLY LOCATED FISH FARMS SHOULD NOT CAUSE POLLUTION.
-----0------
DISABLED GIVEN JOBS IN CIVIL SERVICE
******
THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY IS TO EMPLOY THE DISABLED IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WHEREVER POSSIBLE, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON. RONALD BRIDGE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN ON THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON EMPLOYMENT OF HANDICAPPED PERSONS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
+DISABLED PEOPLE APPLYING FOR GOVERNMENT JOBS ARE CONSIDERED ON EQUAL TERMS WITH OTHER APPLICANTS, AND PROVIDED THEY ARE CAPABLE OF UNDERTAKING THE DUTIES EFFICIENTLY, THEIR DISABILITY IS NOT A BAR TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT,+ MR. BRIDGE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THIS POLICY WAS RE-AFFIRMED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON +INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY* TABLED AT THE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY.
HE SAID THAT IN ADDITION THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS KEPT INFORMED OF GOVERNMENT VACANCIES AND GAVE RECRUITING DEPARTMENTS PARTICULARS OF DISABLED PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE SUITABLE.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION RAISED BY MR. CHEONG-LEEN, MR. BRIDGE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER OF BLIND PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN THE CIVIL SERVICE INCREASED FROM 85 ON APRIL 1, 1972 TO 125 ON APRIL 1, 1977.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HANDICAPPED PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN THE CIVIL SERVICE ALSO INCREASED FROM 291 TO 402 IN THE SAME PERIOD.
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/15......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
15
WAITING AREAS FOR PATIENTS SEEKING MEDICAL CONSULTATION
******
IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE POLICY OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE SPECIAL WAITING AREAS WITHIN OR CLOSE TO GOVERNMENT CLINICS FOR PATIENTS SEEKING CONSULTATION PROVIDED THAT SPACE IS AVAILABLE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUCH AREAS IS POSSIBLE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. THE HON. K.L. THONG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
IN FACT, HE SAID, MOST OF THE BUSY GOVERNMENT CLINICS WERE ALREADY SO PROVIDED.
DR. THONG WAS REPLYING TO UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON. ROGER LOBO, WHO ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROVIDE SPECIAL WAITING AREAS AT CLINICS SO THAT PATIENTS AWAITING CONSULTATION ARE NOT EXPOSED TO THE WEATHER AND POSSIBLE INTIMIDATION OR ASSAULT BY UNDESIRABLE ELEMENTS.
THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT WHILE COVERED AREAS AFFORDED SUBSTANTIAL PROTECTION FROM INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE QUESTION OF PROTECTION FROM POSSIBLE INTIMIDATION OR ASSAULT BY UNDESIRABLE ELEMENTS WAS BASICALLY A MATTER OF LAW AND ORDER.
IN REPLY TO OTHER QUESTIONS BY DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG ON THE SUBJECT OF DISABILITY ALLOWANCE, DR. THONG SAID THE ASSESSMENT OF THE DISABLED WAS BEING CARRIED OUT BY MEDICAL OFFICERS EXPERIENCED OR SPECIALISED IN THIS WORK.
THE PRESENT CRITERIA USED BY THE DEPARTMENT COVERED ALL DISABLED PERSONS WITH PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITIES WHICH ARE BROADLY EQUIVALENT TO A TOTAL LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY AND THOSE DISABLED WHO ARE IN NEED OF SUBSTANTIAL HELP FROM OTHERS TO COPE WITH DAILY LIFE, HE SAID.
IN THE ASSESSMENT OF MENTALLY RETARDED PERSONS THE CLINICAL EXAMINATION AND JUDGMENT OF THE ATTENDING DOCTOR ARE ESSENTIAL IN DETERMINING THE DEGREE OF DISABILITIES, HE ADDED.
DR. THONG SAID AT PRESENT ABOUT 300 CASES WERE ASSESSED EACH MONTH BY DOCTORS IN 36 GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT-ASSISTED INSTITUTIONS, WHICH MEANT AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT EIGHT CASES IN A CLINIC EACH MONTH.
+FROM OUR EXPERIENCE SO FAR THE CLINICS ARE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THIS SMALL NUMBER OF CASES,+ HE SAID.
HOWEVER, SHOULD A NEED ARISE IN FUTURE, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CERTAINLY CONSIDER DR. FANG’S PROPOSAL TO ENLIST THE SERVICES OF THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS OR MEDICALLY QUALIFIED JUSTICES OF PEACE TO ASSIST IN SUCH ASSESSMENT.
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/16
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
16 -
ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) BILL 1977 INTRODUCED IN LEGCO * * ft * *
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO AMEND A SCHEDULE LISTING THE COUNTRIES WHOSE DRIVING TESTS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE OF A STANDARD AT LEAST AS HIGH AS IN HONG KONG* BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
, MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (N0.3) BILL 1977, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES SAID THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL WAS TO HELP PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUE OF HONG KONG DRIVING LICENCES, WITHOUT A TEST, TO THE HOLDERS OF CERTAIN OVERSEAS DRIVING LICENCES.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT. ACTING WITHIN THE POWERS CONFERRED UNDER EXISTING LAW, HAD BEEN ISSUING HONG KONG DRIVING LICENCES TO THOSE APPLICANTS WHO CAN PROVE THAT THEY HOLD CURRENT DRIVING LICENCES ISSUED BY A LIST OF COUNTRIES WHOSE DRIVING LICENCES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE OF A STANDARD AT LEAST AS HIGH AS IN HONG KONG, MR. JONES SAID.
♦THIS ACTION, HOWEVER, INVOLVES THE EXERCISE OF A CERTAIN DISCRETION ON THE COMMISSIONER’S PART IN DECIDING WHICH COUNTRIES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE LIST,+ HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
17
CANTONESE LANGUAGE IN COURT WELCOMED
*****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMED THE USE OF CANTONESE LANGUAGE IN COURTS.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. T.S. LO ON THE GOVERNMENT’S SUPPORT TO INCREASE THE USE OF CANTONESE IN COURTS PARTICULARLY IN THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL, MAGISTRACIES AND DISTRICT COURTS.
PROCEEDINGS IN BOTH THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL AND THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL WERE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE, EXCEPT WHERE THE CONVENIENCE OF A PARTY OR WITNESS OTHERWISE REQUIRED, MR. HOBLEY SA ID.
+IN ALL OTHER COURTS, A PARTY OF PROCEEDINGS OR A WITNESS MAY SPEAK IN CANTONESE IF HE WISHES,* HE ADDED.
MR. HOBLEY SAID THE THIRD REPORT OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE COMMITTEE EXPLAINED SOME OF THE REASONS WHY LAWYERS APPEARING IN THE COURTS USED ENGLISH AND PROCEEDINGS CONDUCTED IN ENGLISH.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS FOR THE SAME REASONS SECTION 5 OF
THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT PROCEEDINGS IN THE SUPREME COURT AND THE DISTRICT COUCT SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
+MAGISTRATES, HOWEVER,* MR. HOBLEY SAID, +HAVE A CHOICE AND ANY WHO WISH TO DO SO MAY CONDUCT PROCEEDINGS IN CANTONESE WHENEVER THEY FEEL THAT IT IS PRACTICABLE AND HELPFUL.*
HE SAID THAT CANTONESE -SPEAKING MAGISTRATES HAD IN RECENT YEARS BEEN CONDUCTING MANY SIMPLER CASES IN CANTONESE.
MR. HOBLEY POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE GENERALLY ACCEPTED LIMITS TO THE USE OF CANTONESE IN ANY COURT AND SUCH INCREASE IN ITS USE AS IS POSSIBLE WOULD COME IN THE MAGISTRATES COURTS.
+THE REAL DIFFICULTY IS THAT THERE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT CANTONESE-SPEAKING MAGISTRATES,* HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
LEGCO HEARS SECOND READING OF MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT)
BILL 1977 * * * *
THE SOLICITOR GENERAL TODAY MOVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE SECOND READING OF THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, CONTAINING, +TW0 UNRELATED AMENDMENTS OF A PURELY TECHNICAL NATURE.
THE FIRST, THE HON. GARTH THORNTON EXPLAINED, CONCERNS THE ADMISSABILITY OF TRANSLATIONS OF DOCUMENTS IN COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS +CLAUSE 2 AMENDS SECTION 81A SO THAT A STATEMENT WRITTEN IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH WILL BE ADMISSABLE IN EVIDENCE IN COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS IF IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION CERTIFIED BY A PERSON APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE AS A TRANSLATOR,* HE SAID.
THE SECOND AMENDMENT APPLIES TO THOSE CASES IN WHICH THE RETURN TO HONG KONG OF AN OFFENDER IS SOUGHT UNDER THE FUGITIVE OFFENDERS LEGISLATION.
+D IFFICULTIES HAD ARISEN* MR. THORNTON SAID, +BECAUSE WITNESSES IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN RELUCTANT TO SWEAR AFFIDAVITS UPON WHICH AN APPLICATION FOR RETURN MIGHT BE FOUNDED. AT PRESENT SECTION 21(1) OF THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CASES INVOLVING THE RETURN OF FUGITIVE CRIMINALS.*
THE BILL SEEKS TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM BY INSERTING A NEW SECTION 104A INTO THE ORDINANCE SO THAT A PERSON MAY BE REQUIRED TO APPEAR AND GIVE EVIDENCE IN PROCEEDINGS FOR THE RETURN OF A PERSON ACCUSED OR CONVICTED OF AN OFFENCE.
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MORE STUDY ROOMS IN HOUSING ESTATES
******
THERE ARE PERMANENT STUDY ROOM FACILITIES WITH A TOTAL OF 7,956 PLACES IN 43 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON. SIR DENYS ROBERTS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
FURTHERMORE, 200 ADDITIONAL PLACES, IN THREE ESTATES, WOULD BE PROVIDED SHORTLY, SIR DENYS SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. WONG LAM.
+FURTHER EXPANSION IS UNDER CONSIDERATION IN THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPORARY SCHEME OPERATED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT EARLIER THIS YEAR,* HE ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
- 19 -
SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR MALADJUSTED CHILDREN ******
A SPECIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR MALADJUSTED AND SOCIALLY DEPRIVED CHILDREN IS BEING BUILT IN PAK TIN, SHEK KIP MEI. ---------------
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY WHEN REPLYING TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY REV. THE HON. JOYCE BENNETT CONCERNING THE USE OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN PAK TIN.
MR. TOPLEY SAID THERE WERE THREE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN PAK TIN, ALL OF THEM UNDER-ENROLLED. THERE IS ONE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND IS EARMARKED, UNDER THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME, AS A SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR MALADJUSTED AND SOCIALLY DEPRIVED CHILDREN.
STREET SLEEPERS ENJOY EQUAL PRIVILEGE AS MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC ******
STREET SLEEPERS AS MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC ARE PROVIDED WITH PUBLIC HOUSING AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES, INCLUDING CASH ASSISTANCE, COUNSELLING, PLACEMENT, AND ASSISTANCE IN EMPLOYMENT.
SEEKING
THIS WAS STATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY BY THE HON. ERIC HO, SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM UNOFFICIAL, THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING.
+STREET-SLEEPERS IN URGENT NEED OF HOUSING QUALIFY FOR ACCOMMODATION IN TRANSIT CENTRES AND TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS WHICH ARE PROVIDED FOR THE GENUINELY HOMELESS. IN ADDITION, A NUMBER OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS OPERATE STREE-SLEEPERS HOMES AND SHELTERS,* MR. HO SAID.
HE ADDED THAT EVERY STREET-SLEEPER REFERRED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS VISITED BY ITS SOCIAL WORKERS WHO INVARIABLY MAKE KNOWN TO HIM THE FULL RANGE OF SERVICES AVAILABLE AND ASSIST HIM IN OBTAINING THESE SERVICES WHERE HELP IS DESIRED.
+l HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT EXISTING FACILITIES ARE INADEQUATE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STREET-SLEEPERS,* MR. HO EMPHASISED.
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/20
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
- 20 -
ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION MAY GET MORE SUBVENTION ******
THE HON. DEREK JONES, SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO INCREASING THE SUBVENTION PAID TO THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
+ IF THIS IS DONE, IT WILL HELP THE ASSOCIATION TO PAY FOR UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT FOR NEW ROAD SAFETY PATROLS IN SCHOOLS IN AREAS WHERE PARENTS ARE LESS WELL OFF,* MR. JONES SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBER THE HON. ROGER LOBO.
MR. LOBO HAS ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF UNIFORMS FOR PATROL VOLUNTEERS SO AS TO ENABLE MORE SCHOOLS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VERY WORTHWHILE SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY SCHEME IN VIEW OF ITS SUCCESS.
0
MARINE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONS SHIPS DURING CANOE RACES ******
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TODAY DREW THE ATTENTION OF SHIP MASTERS, PERSONS IN CHARGE AND OWNERS OF ALL CRAFT THAT THEY SHOULD PROCEED WITH CAUTION ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16) WHILE THREE ROUND HONG KONG ISLAND CANOE EVENTS ARE IN PROGRESS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID ORGANISERS OF THESE EVENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE THAT PARTICIPANTS WILL GIVE SHIPPING A WIDE BERTH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME WHICH CAME INTO FORCE ON JANUARY 1, 1976.
THE FIRST EVENT WILL START AT QUEEN’S PIER AT 9 A.M. AND THE PARTICIPATING CRAFT WILL PROCEED EASTWARD THROUGH LYE YUE MUN PASS AND THEN AROUND HONG KONG ISLAND IN A CLOCKWISE DIRECTION. IT WILL FINISH AT QUEEN’S PIER AT ABOUT 4 P.M.
THE SECOND EVENT WILL START AT 9.30 A.M. OFF KELLETT ISLAND AND THE CRAFT WILL PROCEED EASTWARD ALONG THE SAME ROUTE AS IN THE FIRST EVENT. IT WILL FINISH AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PIER AT 5 P.M.
THE THIRD WILL START AT 1 P.M. FROM REPULSE BAY AND THE BOATS WILL PROCEED ROUND THE ISLAND IN A CLOCKWISE DIRECTION. IT WILL ALSO FINISH AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PIER AT 5 P.M.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977
- 21 -
VISITS TO KINDERGARTENS * * * *
A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, MR. PHILIP C.P. LEE, HAS SEEN FOR HIMSELF HOW CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT IN SOME KINDERGARTENS.
MR. LEE SPENT TWO MORNINGS— YESTERDAY AND TODAY — VISITING SIX PRIVATE KINDERGARTENS ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE ENROLMENT AT THESE KINDERGARTENS RANGESL.FROM 200 TO 600.
HE SAW CHILDREN USING SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT FOR GAMES AND GROUP ACTIVITIES.
MR. LEE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE WAY THE PUPILS WERE ENJOYING THEIR LESSONS BY LEARNING THROUGH DOING.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISITS BY THE PRINCIPAL CURRICULUM PLANNING OFFICER (PRIMARY), MISS LILIAN NG, AND THE SENIOR INSPECTOR (KINDERGARTEN), MISS FRANCES HON, WHO BRIEFED HIM ON KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT.
THE VISITS WERE ARRANGED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
AS MR. LEE HAS EXPRESSED A WISH TO VISIT SOME KINDERGARTENS IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR HIM TO DO SO IN NOVEMBER.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO
GOVERNOR SAYS HK’S COMPETITIVE POSITION MAY IMPROVE .. 1
PRIME TSIM SHA TSUI SITE FOR SALE .................... 3
SPECIAL TRAIN SERVICES FOR CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL ...... 4
WEATHER IN SEPTEMBER WAS WETTER AND LESS SUNNY THAN USUAL . 5
RECREATION CENTRE TO BE BUILT ON MA WAN .............. 7
DETOXIFICATION CENTRE FOR CHEUNG CHAU ................ 8
PRIZES FOR MODEL DRIVERS ............................. 8
SENIOR MARINE OFFICER IS RETIRING .................... 9
COURSE FOR TOURISM CO-ORDINATION OFFICERS ............ 9
SAI WAN HO STREET TO BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED .......... 10
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1977
1
HK’S COMPETITIVE POSITION MAY IMPROVE ******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID THIS EVENING THERE IS A SOUND PROPSECT OF POSITIVE GROWTH EVERYWHERE, AND FOR SOME IMPROVEMENT IN THE LEVEL OF WORLD TRADE.
+HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVE POSITION IS LIKELY TO IMPROVE, AND PROSPECTS OVERALL ARE THEREFORE FAR FROM BAD,+ SIR MURRAY TOLD A GATHERING AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES.
BUT, SIR MURRAY OBSERVED •. +IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT THE ECONOMIES OF OUR MAJOR MARKETS HAVE NOT RECOVERED IN 1977 AS FAST AS ONE HAD HOPED IN 1976, AND DO NOT LOOK LIKE DOING ANY BETTER IN 1978 UNLESS RAPID AND EFFECTIVE ACTION IS TAKEN TO STIMULATE THEM,*
ON HONG KONG’S TEXTILE EXPORTS, HE WARNED THAT AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF EXPANSION IN OTHER INDUSTRIES, AND OF THE CAPACITY FOR ADAPTATION AND TRADING UP IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY, IT WOULD BE MISLEADING TO OVERDRAMATISE THE PROBLEM POSED BY INCREASING RESTRICTIONS ON OUR TEXTILE EXPORTS.
BUT THE TIME WAS CERTAINLY RIPE TO CONSIDER WHAT COULD BE DONE TO FACILITATE A WIDER AND LESS VULNERABLE INDUSTRIAL BASE AND ECONOMY, SIR MURRAY SAID.
+FOR THIS REASON I HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT A SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION WILL START WORK UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, AND ITS MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS OF REFERENCE WILL BE ANNOUNCED VERY SHORTLY.*
COMMENTING ON THE WORK OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, SIR MURRAY GAVE ASSURANCE OF THE +CONTINUING SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE FEDERATION AND FOR THE WAYS IN WHICH IT HELPS THE INDUSTRY OF HONG KONG.+
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF SIR MURRAY’S SPEECH i
+THANK YOU FOR YOUR WARM WELCOME. I AM GLAD TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MEET MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION, PARTICULARLY ON AN OCCASION TO HONOUR MR. T.K. ANN AND MRS. SUSAN YUEN, BOTH OF WHOM IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS HAVE DONE SO MUCH TO FURTHER INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG.
+MR. CHAIRMAN, YOU HAVE REMINDED US THAT THE FEDERATION HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR OVER 17 YEARS, AND YOU HAVE INDICATED SOME OF THE QUESTIONS TO WHICH IT IS ADDRESSING ITSELF.
+ IF I MIGHT SAY SO I MYSELF ATTACH PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE TO THE FEDERATION’S EFFORTS TO OFFER PRACTICAL SERVICES TO HONG KONG INDUSTRY IN FIELDS IN WHICH NEEDS BECOME APPARENT.
/♦FOB INSTANCE .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 1977
2
♦FOR INSTANCE THE STANDARDS AND TESTING CENTRE WAS AN IMAGINATIVE INNOVATION AND HAS PROVED A GREAT SUCCESS, AND IS ABLE TO PROVIDE A MAJOR SERVICE AT A TIME WHEN ALL OUR MAJOR MARKETS ARE INSISTING ON HIGHER STANDARDS.
♦SIMILARLY THE INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COUNCIL AND THE PACKAGING COUNCIL HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE IMPROVEMENTS IN QUALITY, DESIGN AND PACKAGING OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS APPARENT IN RECENT YEARS.
♦THEY HAVE DONE MUCH TO BRING TO OUR MANUFACTURERS, PARTICULARLY SMALL COMPANIES, A KNOWLEDGE OF IMPROVED TECHNIQUES.
♦THEY HAVE FURTHERMORE ENCOURAGED AWARENESS OF DESIGN IN THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WISH TO PURSUE A CAREER IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
♦AGAIN THE FEDERATION HAS SET ITSELF TO IMPROVE TECHNIQUES IN MANAGEMENT. THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION IS NOW FULLY INDEPENDENT OF THE FEDERATION, BUT IT WAS THE FEDERATION’S CREATION.
♦IT IS BY A RECORD OF SUCH PRACTICAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUPPORT AND EVOLUTION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRY THAT THE FEDERATION WILL RETAIN THE INTEREST OF ITS MEMBERS, THE RESPECT OF THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT, AND - IF I MIGHT SAY SO - THE RIGHT TO A RESPECTFUL HEARING IN MATTERS CONCERNING THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRY IN OUR CITY.
♦THERE IS NO VOICE SO LOUD AND EFFECTIVE AS THE VOICE OF SERVICES RENDERED THAT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
♦AS YOUR CHAIRMAN HAS SAID HONG KONG IS AN EVOLVING ECONOMY THAT HAS CHANGED IN CHARACTER AND COMPOSITION VERY FAST DURING THE LAST 20 YEARS. ONE MIGHT EVEN SAY THAT THE ONLY CONSISTENTLY CONSTANT ELEMENT - ON AVERAGE OVER THE YEARS - HAS BEEN GROWTH OF STARTLING RAPIDITY. GROWTH WHICH HAS BROUGHT A GREAT INCREASE IN THE STANDARD OF LIVING, ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH, EXPANDED PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY, AND GREAT CHANGES IN NOT ONLY THE APPEARANCE OF OUR CITY, BUT IN WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER ITS INHABITANTS.
♦AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF EXPANSION IN OTHER INDUSTRIES, AND OF THE CAPACITY FOR ADAPTATION AND TRADING UP IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY, IT WOULD BE MISLEADING TO OVER-DRAMATISE THE PROBELM POSED BY INCREASING RESTRICTIONS ON OUR TEXTILE EXPORTS. BUT THE TIME IS CERTAINLY RIPE TO CONSIDER WHAT CAN BE DONE TO FACILITATE A WIDER AND LESS VULNERABLE INDUSTRIAL BASE AND ECONOMY.
♦FOR THIS REASON I HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT A SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION WILL START WORK UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, AND ITS MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS OF REFERENCE WILL BE ANNOUNCED VERY SHORTLY.
/+IT IS DISAPPOINTI.'
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 1977
- 3 -
+IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT THE ECONOMIES OF OUR MAJOR MARKETS HAVE NOT RECOVERED IN 1977 AS FAST AS ONE HAD HOPED IN 1976, AND DO NOT LOOK LIKE DOING ANY BETTER IN 1978 UNLESS RAPID AND EFFECTIVE ACTION IS TAKEN TO STIMULATE THEM.
+NEVERTHELESS THERE IS A SOUND PROSPECT OF POSITIVE GROWTH EVERYWHERE, AND FOR SOME IMPROVEMENT IN THE LEVEL OF WORLD TRADE.
+HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVE POSITION IS LIKELY TO IMPROVE, AND PROSPECTS OVER-ALL ARE THEREFORE FAR FROM BAD.
+IN THANKING YOU FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY I WOU.D LIKE TO ASSURE YOU OF THE CONTINUING SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT -OR THE FEDERATION AND FOR THE WAYS IN WHICH IT HELPS THE INDUSTRY OF HONG KONG. IT HAS COMPLETED 17 VERY SUCCESSFUL YEARS AND I WISH IT CONTINUING SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE.+
0
PRIME TSIM SHA TSUI SITE FOR SALE ******
ANOTHER MAJOR DEVELOPMENT SITE AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE TOMORROW (OCTOBER 14) BY THE P.W.D.’S LANDS AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT.
THE SITE, OCCUPYING AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,500 SQUARE METRES, HAS BEEN ZONED FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL USE.
ANOTHER LOT OF CROWN LAND AT PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE ON THE SAME DAY.
THE SITE HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 93 SQUARE METRES AND IS ALSO FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL USE.
AT THE SAME AUCTION, A FLAT SITUATED ON THE THIRD FLOOR, OF NO. 6 HOI KING STREET, KOWLOON WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE. IT HAS AN AREA OF 52.5 SQUARE METRES.
THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY IS SUBJECT TO EXISTING TENANCIES.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 P.M. TOMORROW ON THE 8TH FLOOR, HIGH BLOCK, CITY HALL.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (NEST /.ING), GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG AND AT CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405, NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
/4
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 1977
SPECIAL TRAIN SERVICES DURING CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL ******
SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICES WILL BE OPERATED TO WO HOP SHEK DURING THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL PERIOD, ON OCTOBER 16 (SUNDAY), OCTOBER 21 (FRIDAY) AND OCTOBER 23 (SUNDAY), TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN COMMUTERS.
DURING THESE THREE DAYS, FACILITIES FOR PASSENGERS GOING TO WO HOP SHEK WILL BE IMPROVED BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SEATS AVAILABLE BY 30 PER CENT AS IN LAST YEAR.
ALSO AS IN LAST YEAR, TRAINS ON OCTOBER 23, THE SUNDAY FOLLOWING CHUNG YEUNG, WILL ADDITIONALLY GO TO WO HOP SHEK AND FANLING.
ON OCTOBER 16, UP-TRAINS WILL RUN AT ABOUT HOURLY INTERVALS BETWEEN THE KOWLOON STATION AT HUNG HOM AND WO HOP SHEK BETWEEN 8.07 A.M. AND 3.48 P.M, THE SAME NUMBER OF DOWN-TRAINS WILL BE OPERATED ALSO AT ABOUT HOURLY INTERVALS BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 5.49 P.M.
ON OCTOBER 21 AND 23, UP-TRAINS WILL BE OPERATED AT HOURLY INTERVALS BETWEEN 6 A.M. AND 5 P.M. WHILE DOWN-TRAINS WILL RUN AT ABOUT HOURLY INTERVALS BETWEEN 7.01 A.M. AND 6.04 P.M.
THESE SPECIAL TRAINS WILL NOT PICK UP PASSENGERS AT THE MONG KOK STATION. PASSENGERS NORMALLY BOARDING TRAINS AT MONG KOK ARE ADVISED TO GO TO KOWLOON STATION AT HUNG HOM DURING THIS PERIOD AND HOLDERS OF MONTHLY TICKETS WILL BE PERMITTED TO BOARD THE ABOVE TRAINS WITHOUT EXTRA CHARGE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY SAID THAT MORE SPECIAL TRAINS MIGHT BE OPERATED IN THE LATE EVENINGS IF DEMAND WARRANTED.
HE SAID THAT ALL THE UP-TRAINS FROM KOWLOON TO THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE EXPECTED TO BE FULL BETWEEN 6 A.M. AND 3 P.M., WHILE DOWN-TRAINS WOULD PROBABLY BE FULL FROM 3 P.M. TO 9 P.M. TICKETS FOR SOUTHBOUND TRAINS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE MONG KOK STATION.
ALTHOUGH THERE WILL BE NO ADVANCE BOOKING OF RAILWAY TICKETS, SPECIAL CONCESSION RETURN TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE KOWLOON STATION ON THE THREE DAYS FOR ORDINARY CLASS FROM KOWLOON TO WO HOP SHEK, AND FOR ORDINARY CLASS FROM KOWLOON TO LO WU AND THEN TO SANDY RIDGE, AND SINGLE JOURNEY TICKETS FROM WO HOP SHEK TO KOWLOON.
PASSENGERS ARE ADVISED TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY POLICEMEN AND THE RAILWAY STAFF IN FORMING ORDERLY QUEUES AND TO READ CAREFULLY NOTICES WHICH ARE EXHIBITED AT THE KOWLOON STATION. IN ADDITION, THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM INSTALLED OUTSIDE THE STATION WILL ENABLE PASSENGERS IN QUEUES TO RECEIVE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRAIN ARRANGEMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED PASSENGERS GOING TO SANDY RIDGE CEMETERIES THAT THEY SHOULD TRAVEL ON TRAINS GOING TO LO WU AND THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN THE CLOSED AREA BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 6 P.M. DURING THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 16 TO 23 PROVIDED THAT THEY WERE BONA FIDE WORSHIPPERS AND IN POSSESSION OF A HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1977
SEPTEMBER WAS WETTER THAN USUAL
******
SEPTEMBER HAD MUCH MORE RAINFALL AND LESS SUNSHINE THAN USUAL, BUT IT WAS SLIGHTLY WARMER AND LESS HUMID THAN NORMAL, ACCORDING TO THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
THE MONTHLY TOTAL RAIN OF 415.9 MM WAS ABOUT 49 PER CENT MORE THAN AVERAGE. HOWEVER, THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THE YEAR AMOUNTED TO ONLY 1470.2 MM, WHICH WAS STILL 27 PER CENT BELOW NORMAL.
DURING THE MONTH, TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS WERE HOISTED FOR THREE OF THE FIVE TROPICAL CYCLONES THAT WERE REPORTED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
TROPICAL STORM CARLA DEVELOPED ABOUT 260 MILES SOUTH OF HONG KONG EARLY ON SEPTEMBER 3 AND MOVED WESTWARDS. THE STANDBY SIGNAL NUMBER 1 WAS HOISTED IN THE MORNING ON THAT DAY AND THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NUMBER 3 WAS HOISTED IN THE SAME EVENING. ALL SIGNALS WERE LOWERED IN THE AFTERNOON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
DURING MID-SEPTEMBER THE STANDBY SIGNAL NUMBER 1 WAS HOISTED FOR A RECORD TIME OF 124 HOURS AND 40 MINUTES FROM 4.30 P.M. ON SEPTEMBER 16 TO 9.10 P.M. ON SEPTEMBER 21 WHEN TYPHOON DINAH CONTINUED TO MOVE IRREGULARLY OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
ON THE HEELS OF DINAH, SEVERE TROPICAL STORM FREDA ENTERED THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IN THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 23 WHEN STANDBY SIGNAL NUMBER 1 WAS HOISTED.
AS FREDA INTENSIFIED IN THE AFTERNOON THE FOLLOWING DAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR, STORM SIGNAL NUMBER 8 WAS HOISTED IN THE AFTERNOON TO REPLACE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NUMBER 3 PUT UP EARLY THAT MORNING.
THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF THE MONTH WERE MAINLY FINE AND HOT, BUT WEATHER DETERIORATED ON SEPTEMBER 3 AS TROPICAL STORM CARLA DEVELOPED OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
THERE WERE HEAVY SQUALLY SHOWERS OVERNIGHT AND THE RAIN WAS HEAVIEST ON SEPTEMBER 5, WITH A TOTAL OF 267.6 MM OF RAINFALL RECORDED FROM SEPTEMBER 4 TO 6.
THE WEATHER GRADUALLY IMPROVED ON SEPTEMBER 6, AND THE WEATHER REMAINED FINE AND HOT UNTIL SEPTEMBER 20 ALTHOUGH SOME SHOWERS WERE REPORTED ON SEPTEMBER 13 AND 19.
ON THE AFTERNOON OF SEPTEMBER 19, TEMPERATURES ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 33.8 DEGREES CELSIUS WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST RECORDED IN THE MONTH.
/AN INTENSE......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 1977
G
AN INTENSE NORTHEAST MONSOON OVER SOUTH CHINA AND THE NORTHERN PART OF SOUTH CHINA SEA COUPLED WITH TYPHOON DINAH TO THE SOUTHEAST OF HONG KONG RESULTED IN A PERIOD OF STRONG WINDS ON HILL-TOPS AND OTHER EXPOSED LOCATIONS FROM THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 21 TO THE FOLLOWING MORNING,
THE WEATHER BECAME GENERALLY CLOUDY AND MUCH COOLER AND TEMPERATURES FELL TO A MINIMUM OF 21.3 DEGREES CELSIUS ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 22, WHICH WAS THE LOWEST RECORDED IN THE MONTH.
ON THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 23, WINDS GRADUALLY FRESHENED FROM THE NORTH OVERNIGHT AND BECAME STRONG THE NEXT MORNING AS SEVERE TROPICAL STORM FREDA ENTERED THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
THE WINDS CHANGED TO EASTERLY DURING THE DAY AND INCREASED TO GALE FORCE LATE IN THE AFTERNOON. THE GALES SUBSIDED AFTER 10 P.M. AND BY THE NEXT MORNING THE WINDS WERE MODERATE TO FRESH FROM THE SOUTHEAST.
IT WAS MAINLY FINE ON SEPTEMBER 23 BUT BECAME CLOUDY WITH OCCASIONAL SHOWERS FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS. THE WEATHER IMPROVED RAPIDLY ON SEPTEMBER 27 AND THE REST OF THE MONTH WAS MAINLY FINE.
DURING THE MONTH UNDER REVIEW, FIRE DANGER WARNINGS WERE IN FORCE BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 10 AND 15.
A TOTAL OF 14 AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THUNDERSTORM AND HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON SEVEN OCCAS IONS.
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/7....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1977
7
RECREATION CENTRE FOR MA WAN VILLAGERS ******
THE GOVERNMENT, A NORTH AMERICAN RELIEF AGENCY AND THE MA WAN RURAL COMMITTEE ARE POOLING THEIR RESOURCES TO PROVIDE YOUNGSTERS ON THE ISLAND OF MA WAN WITH A MODERN RECREATION CENTRE.
THE CENTRE IS TO BE BUILT LATER THIS YEAR NEAR THE ISLAND’S FERRY PIER, WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE COOPERATIVE FOR AMERICAN RELIEF EVERYWHERE (C.A.R.E.) AND THE LOCAL RURAL COMMITTEE.
ON COMPLETION BY JUNE NEXT YEAR, IT WILL PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE ISLANDERS.
IT WILL ALSO SERVE AS A VENUE FOR CEREMONIES, GATHERINGS AND SMALL EXHIBITIONS ON THE ISLAND, AS WELL AS FOR FUNCTIONS RUN BY THE GOVERNMENT AND SOCIAL GROUPS.
AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, TSUEN WAN, MR. MICHAEL STONE, SAID TODAY THAT THE RECREATION CENTRE WOULD COST AN ESTIMATED $160,000 TO BUILD.
+T0 HELP MEET THE COST THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL PROVIDE $25,000 FROM ITS LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS VOTE, WHILE C.A.R.E. IS TO GIVE A SUBSIDY OF $100,000.
+THE REST WILL BE RAISED BY THE MA WAN RURAL COMMITTEE,* HE SAID.
MR. STONE ADDED THE PROJECT WOULD BE CARRIED OUT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE WORKS SECTION OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
+WITH THE CENTRE, MA WAN WILL BE DRAWN CLOSER TO THE DEVELOPED PARTS OF THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN THROUGH THE CREATION OF LOCAL INTEREST AND PARTICIPATION IN REGIONAL CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES,* MR. STONE SAID.
+IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE VERY WELCOME RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ADDITIONAL TO THE EXISTING PLAYGROUND ON THE ISLAND.*
THE CENTRE WILL BE ADMINISTERED AND MAINTAINED BY THE MA WAN RURAL COMMITTEE.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1977
DETOXIFICATION CENTRE FOR CHEUNG CHAU
******
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A NEW DETOXIFICATION CENTRE WILL BE OPENED IN CHEUNG CHAU FROM MONDAY (OCTOBER 17) TO PROVIDE TREATMENT FOR DRUG ADDICTS THERE.
THE NEW CENTRE, WHICH IS LOCATED AT ST. JOHN HOSPITAL, WILL OPERATE FROM 2 P.M. TO 8 P.M. EACH DAY, INCLUDING SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
IT WILL BE THE FIRST CENTRE OF ITS KIND TO BE SET UP ON AN OUTLYING ISLAND TO COMPLEMENT THE EXISTING FACILITIES FOR TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTION THROUGHOUT HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN A STEADY INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DRUG ADDICTS SEEKING TREATMENT AT BOTH THE METHADONE DETOXIFICATION AND METHADONE MAINTENANCE CENTRES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MORE THAN TEN THOUSAND ADDICTS HAVE NOW REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT'S 16 METHADONE DETOXIFICATION CENTRES AND ANOTHER TEN THOUSAND WITH Tl+E FOUR MAINTENANCE CENTRES.
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NOTE TO EDITORS :
PRIZES FOR MODEL DRIVERS
******
THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN TAI PO’S SIX DISTRICTS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE TAI PO FOOTBALL GROUND ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15) AT 10.30 A.M.
THE CHAIRMEN OF SIX RURAL COMMITTEES WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO A TOTAL OF 12 MODEL DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS SELECTED IN THE SIX DISTRICTS — TA KWU LING, TAI PO, SHA TAU KOK, SAI KUNG NORTH, SHEUNG SHU I AND FANLING.
MR. CLIVE OXLEY, THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING.
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A PARADE IN +ROAD SAFETY* COSTUMES BY LOCAL MEMBERS OF THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL, A MOTOR-CYCLE DISPLAY BY CIVIL AID SERVICES AND PAINTINGS BY STUDENTS FROM THE SIX DISTRICTS.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY. YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE ASKED TO MEET MR. DENNIS LEUNG OF N.T.A.’S PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT BEHIND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AT 9.30 A.M. SHARP. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1977
9
NOTE TO EDITORS:
SENIOR MARINE OFFICER RETIRING
*****
SENIOR MARINE OFFICER, MR. G.A. MILWARD IS RETIRING AFTER 17 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
TO MARK HIS RETIREMENT, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR. P.E.J. DAVY, WILL TOMORROW PRESENT HIM WITH A FAREWELL GIFT ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES.
MR. MILWARD FIRST JOINED THE DEPARTMENT AS A MARINE OFFICER IN FEBRUARY I960 AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR MARINE OFFICER (SMO) IN AUGUST 1970.
HE IS ALSO THE DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER.
MR. MILWARD WILL BE LEAVING HONG KONG ON OCTOBER 24 ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT MR. DAVY’S OFFICE AT MARINE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 102 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AT 4 P.M. TOMORROW.
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COURSE FOR TOURISM CO-ORDINATION OFFICERS ******
A FULL-TIME COURSE FOR TOURISM CO-ORDINATION OFFICER, WHICH IS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM OF THE HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, IS NOW OPEN TO APPLICANTS.
CLASSES IN ENGLISH WILL COMMENCE ON NOVEMBER 1 AND THE COURSE WILL LAST FOR SIX MONTHS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENT WAS A PASS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION WITH GRADE C OR ABOVE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B) OR THE EQUIVALENT.
PREFERENCE WOULD BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED IN A RELATED CAPACITY IN THE TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY OR WHO CAN SHOW THAT THEY HAVE THE NECESSARY MATURITY AND PERSONAL QUALITIES FOR THIS INTERESTING BUT DEMANDING WORK.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS OCTOBER 19. APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE GENERAL OFFICE OF HAKING WONG INSTITUTE, 702 LAI CHI KOK ROAD, KOWLOON.
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/10.....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1977
10
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SAI WAN HO STREET
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECTION OF SAI WAN HO STREET BETWEEN HOI NING STREET AND SHING ON STREET Sill be closed to traffic for about two months from io a.m. on SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15) TO FACILITATE CABLE LAYING WORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECTION OF HOLY CROSS PATH BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND SAI WAN HO STREET WILL BE OPEN TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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PRH 7
I
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR OPENS ARTS CENTRE ................................. j
JULY 1977 ACCOUNTS SHOW $78.6 MILLION DEFICIT ................ 2
ROLE OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES UNDERLINED ........................ 3
HON. OSWALD CHEUNG APPOINTED HON. COLONEL OF ROYAL HONG
KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) ................................4
FIRST CHILD ASSESSMENT CLINIC OPENS ON MONDAY ................ 5
MAJOR ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN BEGINS ON SUNDAY g
COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRE AT PAK TAM AU OP-NS TOMORROW .......................................~ 7
KWAI CHUNG GETS ITS OWN ACCOUNTS SUB-OFFICE .................. 8
HOUSING ESTATE FOR HIGH ISLAND FISHERMEN ..................... 9
VISITING LABOUR MPS TO TOUR SHA TIN .......................... 9
PRIZES FOR WINNERS OF STUDENT FLOWER GROWING COMPETITION . 10
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1977
1
GOVERNOR OPENS ARTS CENTRE
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID, IN OPENING THE ARTS CENTRE THIS EVENING, THAT HONG KONG LOOKED TO THIS CENTRE TO ENSURE THAT THE STANDARD OF THE ARTS HERE WAS STEADILY RAISED AND THEIR SCOPE WIDENED.
HONG KONG WILL ALWAYS BENEFIT FROM THE ART AND ARTISTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, SIR MURRAY ADDED, +BUT WE DO LOOK TO THIS CENTRE TO ENSURE THAT THE PRACTICE OF THE ARTS IN HONG KONG AS A GROWING AND VIGOROUS LOCAL EASE WITH LOCAL TALENT RECOGNISED, AND LOCAL ASPIRATIONS DEVELOPED AND FULFILLED.+
♦ THIS IS AN EXCITING ASSIGNMENT FOR WHICH THE CENTRE HAS NOW BEEN GIVEN THE TOOLS. I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT IN THIS ASSIGNMENT THE CENTRE WILL SUCCEED TO THE GREAT BENEFIT OF THIS CITY.+ HE SAID.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR MURRAY’S SPEECH.
♦ MUCH TIME HAS ELAPSED SINCE A COMBINATION OF ARTISTIC GROUPS CONCEIVED THE IDEA OF AN ARTS CENTRE. A PROLONGED PERIOD OF GESTATION ENSUED.
+THERE THEN INTERVENED ONE MAKE HONG KONG SUCH AN EXCITING
OF THOSE SURGING DEVELOPMENTS WHICH PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE AND WORK.
+THE CATALYST WAS THE BRAVE VENTURE OF AN ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS. THIS FESTIVAL AND WHAT DEVELOPED FROM IT, PROVED THAT THERE WAS SUFFICIENT POPULAR INTEREST TO ALLOW THE ARTS TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT PART IN THE LEISURE LIFE OF HONG KONG IF THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY WERE OFFERED.
+SINCE THEN THERE HAVE BEEN DRAMATIC DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PRESENTATION AND POPULARITY OF THE ARTS, AND IN THIS THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE.
+DEMAND HAS OUTSTRIPPED EXISTING CAPACITY, SO WITHIN FIVE YEARS THERE WILL BE THREE NEW CITY HALLS AND IN ADDITION THE LARGE CULTURAL COMPLEX IN KOWLOON.
+BUT FOR THE ARTS TO FLOURISH WITHIN THESE NEW BUILDINGS, AND FOR THEIR PRESENTATION TO BE EASED ON LOCAL TALENT, THERE MUST BE A CENTRE FOR THEIR PRACTICE AND ENJOYMENT.
+IT WAS IN THIS SITUATION, TOTALLY UNLOOKED FOR TEN YEARS AGO, THAT THREE EXCEPTIONALLY GENEROUS PEOPLE - SIR RUN RUN SHAW,-MR. Y.K. PAO AND MADAM CHOW KWAN SUK-YEE, 'WIDOW OF SIR SHOUSON CHOW - CAME FORWARD WITH LARGE DONATIONS THAT ALLOWED CONSTRUCTION OF THIS CENTRE TO START. A
+THESE WERE SUPPLEMENTED BY GENEROUS LOANS BY SOME OF THE BANKS AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUE, AND THESE WERE GUARANTEED BY THE GOVERNMENT WHICH ALSO DONATED THE LAND.
/♦IT WAS .....
s
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1977
+IT WAS THUS MADE POSSIBLE FOR THE ENTHUSIASM AND EXPERTISE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ARTS CENTRE TO BE FULFILLED IN THIS BUILDING.
+IT IS A WORK-SHOP, A MEETING PLACE, A PLACE OF WORK AND PRACTICE, A PLACE TO WHICH ARTISTS CAN LOOK FOR ADVICE, FOR FACILITIES AND COMPANIONSHIP, AND WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN SEE WHAT THE ARTS HAVE TO OFFER THEM.
+WE CAN NOW EXPECT A FUTURE IN WHICH THE ARTS OF EAST AND WEST PLAY A MAJOR PART IN THE LIFE OF THIS NATURALLY ARTISTIC COMMUNITY. BUT WE LOOK TO THIS CENTRE TO ENSURE THAT THE STANDARD OF THE ARTS IN HONG KONG IS STEADILY RAISED AND THEIR SCOPE WIDENED.
+WE WILL ALWAYS BENEFIT IN THE FUTURE, AS WE HAVE IN THE PAST, FROM THE ART AND ARTISTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES AND WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT REPRESENTATIVES FROM OVERSEAS SHOULD BE WITH US TODAY.
+BUT WE DC LOOK TO THIS CENTRE TO ENSURE THAT THE PRACTICE OF THE ARTS IN HONG KONG HAS A GROWING AND VIGOROUS LOCAL BASE WITH LOCAL TALENT RECOGNISED, AND LOCAL ASPIRATIONS DEVELOPED AND FULFILLED.
+THIS IS AN EXCITING ASSIGNMENT FOR WHICH THE CENTRE HAS NOW BEEN GIVEN THE TOOLS. I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT IN THIS ASSIGNMENT THE CENTRE WILL SUCCEED TO THE GREAT BENEFIT OF THIS CITY.
+IT IS WITH THIS THOUGHT THAT I TAKE GREAT PLEASURE IN DECLARING OPEN THIS HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.+
- 0 -
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR JULY
******
THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR JULY SHOW A DEFICIT OF $78.6 MILLION, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $111.7 MILLION IN JULY LAST YEAR.
THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATED DEFICIT OF $53.8 MILLION FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $165.8 MILLION FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
TOTAL EXPENDITURE AT $579.9 MILLION WAS $23.1 MILLION MORE THAN IN JULY, 1976.
TOTAL REVENUE AND RECEIPTS AT $501.3 MILLION WAS $56.1 MILLION MORE THAN FOR THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1977
3
VITAL ROLE OF VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES REAFFIRMED ******
NEW PLANS ON SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES WILL OFFER TREMENDOUS SCOPE FOR BOTH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR TO EXPAND THEIR EXISTING SERVICES AND ENTER INTO NEW ENDEAVOURS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KOWLOON CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE’S 1OTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS, MR. LEE NOTED THAT +WHILE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPLEMENTING GOVERNMENT SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY RESTS WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE PROVISION OF SUCH SERVICES.+
ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, MR. LEE SAID THAT THE GREEN PAPER WOULD RECOMMEND EXPANSION IN THE FIELD OF INSTITUTIONAL CARE TOGETHER WITH THE SETTING UP OF NEW FACILITIES FOR DAY CARE, RECREATIONAL SERVICES AND HOME HELP SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY WHO CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.
+CARE FOR THE ELDERLY HAS BEEN ONE OF THE POPULAR SERVICES AMONG THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND THEY WILL NO DOUBT WELCOME OPPORTUNITIES TO DO MORE FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS,* HE REMARKED.
TURNING TO PERSONAL SERVICES FOR YOUTH, MR. LEE INDICATED THAT THE NEW PROPOSAL PROVIDES FOR COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES, A CAUTIOUS EXPANSION OF OUT-REACHING SOCIAL WORK IN AREAS KNOWN TO HAVE A HIGHER INCIDENCE OF DELINQUENCY, AND INTENSIVE EFFORT IN FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.
HE SAID THAT AT PRESENT A NUMBER OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE ALREADY PROVIDING, IN VARYING DEGREES, THESE SERVICES GEARED TOWARDS TACKLING YOUTH PROBLEMS AT AN EARLY STAGE, AND RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE MADE TO REINFORCE THESE SERVICES WITH GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.
ON REHABILITATION, HE POINTED OUT THAT VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED WITH THE WELFARE OF THE HANDICAPPED WOULD BE EXPECTED TO RUN, SIDE BY SIDE WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SOME OF THE PROJECTS IN THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED 10-YEAR PROGRAMME PLAN.
+THEY WILL ALSO BE WELCOMED TC TAKE UP SOME OF THE NEW PROJECTS IN THE VARIOUS SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED WITH THE GOVERNMENT ENSURING FINANCIAL SUPPORT,* HE ADDED.
MR. LEE THEN COMMENDED THE CARITAS FOR ITS INVALUABLE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS.
ON THE KOWLOON CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE, MR. LEE NOTED THAT SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1967, THE CENTRE HAS THRIVED AS ONE OF THE SEVEN MULTI-PURPOSE CENTRES OF CARITAS, RENDERING A WIDE RANGE OF SOCIAL SERVICES WHICH INCLUDE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, FAMILY WELFARE, YOUTH AND CLUE ACTIVITIES, HOSTEL, ADULT EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND DENTAL FACILITIES TO THE PEOPLE OF WEST KOWLOON AREA.
/+THE CENTRE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1977
+THE CENTRE HAS ENABLED ALL THESE SERVICES TO BE PHYSICALLY ACCOMMODATED UNDER ONE ROOF, WHERE PEOPLE CAN CONVENIENTLY PARTICIPATE IN MORE THAN ONE KIND OF ACTIVITY AND USE ALL AVAILABLE FACILITIES.*
MR. LEE POINTED OUT THAT MULTI-PURPOSE CENTRES ARE GOOD BASIS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES AND HOPED TO SEE MORE WELFARE BUILDINGS OF THIS NATURE ERECTED THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORT OF BOTH GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY SECTOR.
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HONORARY COLONEL OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) APPOINTED ******
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG AS THE HONORARY COLONEL OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS).
THE APPOINTMENT IS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR. CHEUNG, WHO IS A MEMBER OF BOTH THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, WAS FIRST COMMISSIONED IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG DEFENCE FORCE IN 1956 AND CONTINUED HIS SERVICE WITH THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT FOLLOWING DISBANDMENT OF THE DEFENCE FORCE. HIS MILITARY SERVICE TOTALLED 17 YEARS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH OF MR. OSWALD CHEUNG WILL BE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN G.I.S. PRESS BOXES TODAY.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1977
5
FIRST CHILD ASSESSMENT CLINIC TO OPEN ON MONDAY
******
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S FIRST CHILD ASSESSMENT CLINIC WILL BEGIN OPERATION FROM NEXT MONDAY, PROVIDING SPECIALIST CLINICAL ASSESSMENT FACILITIES FOR THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN.
IT IS TO BE CALLED THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON CHILD ASSESSMENT CLINIC IN RECOGNITION OF THE CLUB’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE MEDICAL PROJECT.
THE ORIGINAL SINGLE-STOREY BUILDING AT ARRAN STREET, MONG KOK, WAS DONATED BY THE CLUB FOR USE AS A CLINIC. A SUM OF $250,000 WAS ALLOTED FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION COST OF ADDING ONE FLOOR TO THE BUILDING, WHILE THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON MADE A FURTHER DONATION OF $150,000 TOWARDS THE COST OF FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING THE CLINIC FOR ASSESSMENT PURPOSE.
THE TWO-STOREY BUILDING WILL ALSO HOUSE AN EAR MOULD LABORATORY WHICH WILL PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR CHECKING AND REPAIRING HEARING AIDS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID CHILD ASSESSMENT SERVICES WERE BEING PROVIDED BY THE VARIOUS SPECIALIST UNITS OF THE DEPARTMENT ON A SESSIONAL BASIS.
+IT IS CONSIDERED HIGHLY DESIRABLE TO SET UP A CENTRALIZED ASSESSMENT CLINIC FOR HONG KONG’S PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN IN NEED OF SUCH A SERVICE,* HE SAID.
AT THE NEW CHILD ASSESSMENT CLINIC, A HEARING TEST WOULD BE CARRIED OUT ON THE DISABLED CHILDREN IN ORDER TO DISCOVER AND ASSESS WHETHER DEAFNESS IS A CONTRIBUTING OR ASSOCIATED FACTOR, PARTICULARLY IN THE MENTALLY RETARDED CASES.
+THIS IS A PREVENTIVE AS WELL AS A CURATIVE MEASURE SO THAT EARLY REMEDIAL ACTION, IF REQUIRED, COULD BE TAKEN,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE EAR MOULD LABORATORY WILL PROVIDE ECONOMIC SERVICE TO THOSE WHOSE HEARING AIDS ARE IN NEED OF CHECKING OR REPAIR. WHEN THE LABORATORY IS OPENED, ANY DEAF PERSON CAN COME ALONG AND HAVE HIS HEARING AID CHECKED OR REPAIRED AT MINIMAL COST.
+THIS IS YET ANOTHER PROJECT IN THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WHICH HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND BROUGHT INTO OPERATION THIS YEAR. IT WILL PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME WHICH GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1977
6
MASSIVE ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN BEGINS THIS SUNDAY
******
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN SHAM SHU I PO WILL BE TREATED TO A SERIES OF ENTERTAINING PROGRAMMES ON SUNDAY DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT TO BE HELD AT THE PO ON ROAD PLAYGROUND.
THE OPENING CEREMONY, WHICH STARTS AT 1.45 P.M., WILL MARK THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIVE-WEEK DISTRICT ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN SPONSORED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE MR. KARL STUMPF, CHAIRMAN OF ACAN’S PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUBCOMMITTEE’ MR. E.l. LEE, COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS’ AND DR. PATRICK HASE, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, SHAM SHU I PO.
EVENTS OF THE DAY WILL INCLUDE A BAND PERFORMANCE, A LION DANCE, BURNING OF A TEN-FOOT-TALL EFFIGY OF A +DRUG DEVIL+ AND A LUCKY DRAW.
HIGHLIGHTING THE DAY’S EVENTS WILL EE AN HOUR LONG ANTI-DRUG TELEMATCH ORGANISED BY REDIFFUSION TELEVISION. THIRTY PARTICIPANTS - ALL YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE DISTRICT -WILL COMPETE IN THE POPULAR GAME IN WHICH ALL THE CONTESTS ARE RELATED IN SOME WAY TO THE ANTI-DRUG THEME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16). YOUR REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE PO ON ROAD PLAYGROUND (ADJACENT TO SO UK ESTATE) AT 1.30 P.M. OFFICERS FROM NARCOTICS DIVISION AND G. I.S. WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
0 - -
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1977 - 7 -
COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRE AT PAK TAM AU TO BE OPENED ******
THE PAK TAM AU MANAGEMENT CENTRE — ONE OF FOUR COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRES TO BE ESTABLISHED IN SAI KUNG -- WILL BE OPENED TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID SAI KUNG IS ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR WITH PICNICKERS IN RECENT YEARS.
MORE THAN HALF A MILLION PEOPLE VISITED THE PICTURESQUE PENINSULA LAST YEAR, AND THIS INFLUX OF VISITORS HAD BROUGHT WITH THEM THE PROBLEMS OF LITTER, HILL FIRES, AND STREAM POLLUTION.
+THIS HAS LED THE GOVERNMENT TO RECOGNISE THE NEED TO PROTECT THE PRECIOUS NATURAL RESOURCES AND STEPS HAVE THEREFORE BEEN TAKEN TO PROVIDE COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT SERVICE,* HE SAID.
THE MANAGEMENT CENTRE AT PAK TAM AU, COSTING OVER $800,000, CONSISTS OF AN OFFICE BUILDING WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN SEEK INFORMATION ON THE SAI KUNG COUNTRYSIDE, A WORKSHOP AND GARAGE, A STORE AND BARRACK ACCOMMODATION.
THE CENTRE WILL BE STAFFED BY ABOUT 60 MEN TO UNDERTAKE DUTIES OF LITTER COLLECTION, FIRE FIGHTING, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PICNIC FACILITIES. ONE OF THEIR MAIN TASKS WILL BE TO GUIDE THE VISITORS IN THE CARE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE SO THAT THEIR PRESENCE WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH THE LIFE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE CENTRE, COMPLETED LAST MONTH, WILL BE OPENED JOINTLY BY MR. DONALD YAP, A MEMBER OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD AND MR. LAU KOON-SANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE AT 3 P.M. TOMORROW.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, A DEMONSTRATION ON FIGHTING HILL FIRES WILL BE STAGED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS STAFF OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT. THERE WILL ALSO BE A DISPLAY OF COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS OF WILD FLOWERS IN HONG KONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MANAGEMENT CENTRE AT PAK TAM AU ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15) AT 3 P.M. A GOVERNMENT VAN FOR THE PRESS WILL LEAVE THE CAR PARK BEHIND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AT 1.45 P.M. ON THAT DAY, AND WILL RETURN TO KOWLOON BEFORE 5.30 P.M. SEATS ARE LIMITED AND WILL BE ON A FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1977
8
KWAI CHUNG GETS ITS OWN ACCOUNTS SUB-OFFICE * * * * *
RESIDENTS IN KWAI CHUNG WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO TRAVEL TO THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE TO PAY GOVERNMENT BILLS, OR TO COLLECT GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES AS FROM NEXT MONDAY (OCTOBER 17).
A LOCAL ACCOUNTING SUB-OFFICE WILL BE OPENED ON THAT DAY. IT WILL BE SET UP IN THE KWAI CHUNG TOWN MANAGEMENT OFFICE AT KWAI KING BUILDING, 31, KWONG FAI CIRCUIT, KWAI CHUNG, AND WILL OPEN DURING WEEKDAYS FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. AND FROM 2 P.M. TO 4 P.M.
ON SATURDAYS, OPENING HOURS WILL BE FROM 9 A.M. TO 11.33 A.M. IT WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT SECRETARY, MR. COLIN PRISTON, SAID TODAY THE NEW SUB-OFFICE WOULD SUPPLEMENT THE DISTRICT ACCOUNTING OFFICE IN THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE IN THE COLLECTION OF REVENUES AND THE PAYMENT OF GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES.
+AS THE DISTRICT’S POPULATION IS GROWING SO QUICKLY, THERE HAVE BEEN INCREASING DEMANDS FOR SUCH SERVICES, AND THAT IS WHERE THE NEW SUB-OFFICE COMES IN,+ HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DISTRICT ACCOUNTING OFFICE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED CHAOS CAUSED BY THE ENDLESS QUEUES OF PEOPLE COMING IN TO PAY THEIR BILLS ON +DUE DATES+.
+THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF PEOPLE HAD PAID THEIR BILLS WELL BEFORE THE DUE DATES OR HAD THEIR BILLS PAID EITHER BY ’AUTOPAY’ OR BY CHEQUE THROUGH THE POST,+ HE SAID.
+1 NOW APPEAL TO LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BANK ACCOUNTS TO USE THEM FOR THE PAYMENT OF BILLS.
+PAYING BILLS BY AUTOPAY OR BY CHEQUE THROUGH THE POST WILL DEFINITELY BE QUICKER AND SAFER, AND COULD SURELY SAVE THE TROUBLE OF QUEUING FOR HOURS,+ MR. PRISTON ADDED.
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/9......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1977
9
HOUSING ESTATE FOR HIGH ISLAND FISHERMEN
******
A HOUSING ESTATE IS TO BE BUILT AT TUI MIN HOI, SAI KUNG FOR THE FISHERMEN AFFECTED BY THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
MR. JOSEPH LEI, CHIEF P.W.D. ARCHITECT, SAID TODAY THAT CONSTRUCTION WORK WOULD START IN DECEMBER AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT 14 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE PROJECT, HE SAID, WOULD INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF SIX FOUR-STOREY BLOCKS PROVIDING 192 UNITS FOR ABOUT 1,700 PEOPLE.
+EACH UNIT WILL COMPRISE COMBINED LIVING AND BEDROOM AREA, KITCHEN, TOILET AND SHOWER AND COVERED BALCONY,* HE SAID.
+THE BLOCKS ARE SO DESIGNED THAT DOUBLE UNITS ON EACH FLOOR WILL SHARE ONE ENTRANCE STAIRCASE.*
THE ESTATE WOULD HOUSE A COMMUNITY HALL AND A POLICE REPORTING POST, MR. LEI ADDED.
OTHER FACILITIES WOULD INCLUDE A REFUSE COLLECTION AREA AND CAR PARKING SPACES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MPS TO TOUR SHA TIN * * * *
TWO VISITING DAY’S TOUR OF SHA OF THE NEW TOWN.
LABOUR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WILL GO ON A HALF TIN TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO SEE DEVELOPMENTS
THE MPS, MR. KENNETH WEETCH AND MR. IAN WRIGGLESWORTH, WILL ALSO TOUR THE LEK YUEN ESTATE AND VISIT THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES THERE.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE MPS’ VISIT. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A GOVERNMENT VAN AM 2086 WILL LEAVE FROM BEHIND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE TOMORROW AT 10.35 A.M. TO TAKE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES TO AND LATER BACK
FROM SHA TIN.
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/1O......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 197Yy
10
PRIZES FOR WINNERS OF
1977 SCHOOL CHILDREN FLOWER GROWING COMPETITION
******
THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF THE 1977 SCHOOL CHILDREN FLOWER GROWING COMPETITION WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW (SATURDAY), AT THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS LO YU CH IK PRIMARY SCHOOL.
A TOTAL OF 59 SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED IN THIS EVENT ORGANIZED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS A NEW RECORD.
FIRST PRIZE OF THE URBAN SCHOOLS GROUP GOES TO KWONG YUET TONG LO PAN PRIMARY SCHOOL AND THE WINNER IN THE RURAL SCHOOLS GROUP IS LEUNG TING VILLAGE PUBLIC SCHOOL, TUEN MUN, WHICH IS ALSO THE OVERALL CHAMPION IN THE COMPETITION.
MRS. LOUISE MOK, DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS WILL DELIVER THE OPENING REMARKS AND MR. N.M. HO, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PROFESSIONAL) WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING.
PRIZES WILL BE GIVEN AWAY BY MR. A.G. BROWN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS)' MR. WONG KAM YIP, VICE PRESIDENT, ROTARY CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES MR. SIMON C.P. YEUNG, VICE PRESIDENT, ROTARY CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES' MR. R.F. POLLARD, STAFF OFFICER (GARDENS) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT' AND MR. HO SUN WING, SUPERVISOR OF LEUNG TING VILLAGE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
THE ROTARY CLUBS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DONATED ALL THE PRIZES FOR THE COMPETITION.
A SEMINAR TO LAUNCH THE 1973 COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AFTER THE CEREMONY, IN WHICH HORTICULTURISTS WILL GIVE TALKS ON FLOWER GROWING, CRITERIA FOR JUDGING FLOWER BEDS AND PLOTS, IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL FERTILITY AND CONTROL OF PESTS. FERTILIZERS DONATED BY WONG SAM HING CO. LTD., WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FREE OF CHARGE TO PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS IN NEXT YEAR’S COMPETITION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1977 SCHOOL CHILDREN FLOWER GROWING COMPETITION WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1977 AT 2 P.M. AT THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS LO YU CH IK PRIMARY SCHOOL, PITT STREET, YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.
0 - -
PRH 7
GIS|
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE_NO^
———————
$420 MILLION ROAD PROJECTS TO EASE TRAFFIC IN TAI PO . 1
INCREASED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN TACKLING SOCIAL PROBLEMS ............................................. *
BRITISH MPS VISIT SHA TIN NEW TOWN ................... 3
MPS TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY ............... 3
PWD ENGINEER TO ATTEND WORLD CONFERENCE OF INTERNATIONAL
ROAD FEDERATION ...................................... 4
LAST ANTI-RABIES OPERATION IN N.T..................... 5
$12.5 MILLION CONTRACT FOR AUDITORIUM IN TSUEN WAN ... 6
MAXICAB TO IMPROVE SERVICE BETWEEN CENTRAL AND SHOUSON
HILL ................................................. 6
HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR MARINE DEPARTMENT ........... 7
CUL-DE-SAC IN HO MAN TIN CLOSED ...................... 7
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1977
1
$420 MILLION MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS TO EASE TAI PO TRAFFIC
******
WORK WILL START NEXT YEAR ON TWO MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS COSTING $420 MILLION TO HELP COPE WITH INCREASED TRAFFIC IN THE TAI PO DISTRICT.
THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. CLIVE OXLEY, SAID TODAY THAT BOTH THE SHA TIN TO TAI PO COASTAL ROAD, WHICH COSTS $250 MILLION, AND THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD LINKING FANLING TO YUEN LONG SHOULD BE READY FOR USE IN 1981.
HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS COUPLING URBAN DEVELOPMENT OF TAI PO WITH THESE ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES TO COPE WITH THE INCREASE IN MOTOR TRAFFIC.
MR. OXLEY WAS SPEAKING AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND VARIETY SHOW TO MARK THE END OF THE TAI PO SIX DISTRICTS 1977 ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN.
TWELVE MOST ROAD-SAFETY-CONSCI OUS RESIDENTS IN THE SIX DISTRICTS OF TAI PO, TA KWU LING, SHA TAU KOK, SAI KUNG NORTH, SHEUNG SHUI AND FANLING, CHOSEN BY A SPECIAL PANEL OVER A TWO-MONTH PERIOD, WERE PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES BY EACH RURAL DISTRICT CHAIRMAN.
COMMENTING ON THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN, MR. OXLEY SAID s ♦SINCE OUR ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN TAI PO DISTRICT COMMENCED EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE HAVE ACHIEVED PARTICULARLY GOOD RESULTS AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE ALL THE SELECTED MODEL DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS THROUGHOUT TAI PO DISTRICT WHO WERE CHOSEN BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE EARLIER IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR THEIR EXCELLENT DISPLAY OF ROAD SAFETY MANNERS.
♦THE CAMPAIGN IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ONE BECAUSE IT HELPS TO SAVE PEOPLE’S LIFE. IT HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY ALL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY AND I PARTICULARLY THANK THE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THIS DISTRICT AND ALL OTHER REPRESENTATIVES AND PARTICIPANTS PRESENT HERE TODAY FOR THEIR FULL SUPPORT.
+SPECIAL THANKS ARE ALSO DUE TO MR. LAU YAM-MAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF THIS YEAR'S CAMPAIGN WHO HAS GIVEN CONSIDERABLE TIME AND EFFORT IN ORGANISING AND PROMOTING BOTH THIS EVENT AND THE TAI PO CAMPAIGN.
+1 HOPE THAT ALL RESIDENTS IN THE TAI PO SIX DISTRICTS WILL WORK TOGETHER TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY THROUGH THE EFFORT OF THIS CAMPA I GN.+
/2......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1$, 1977
2
Si: "Icant community involvement in tackling social problems
******
ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT AREAS OF CHANGE IN HONG KONG IN RECENT YEARS HAS BEEN THE INCREASED INVOLVEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN TACKLING SOCIAL PROBLEMS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY.
IN AN ADDRESS TC THE 12TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HE SAID MORE AND MORE PEOPLE HAD BECOME INVOLVED IN THE POLICY-MAKING PROCESS, ON BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, IN THE CAMPAIGNS TC FIGHT CRIME AND CLEAN HONG KONG, TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO DEVELOP RECREATION AND THE USE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE.
+ EVEN AT A LOCAL LEVEL, THE FORMATION OF MUTUAL A ID*COMM ITTEES TO IMPROVE THE CLEANLINESS AND SECURITY OF OUR MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS IS HIGHLY SIGK I - ICANT+, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID. 1
HE SAID THERE WERE NOW 2,330 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, AND +WE SHOULD NOT REST UNTIL EVERY BUILDING WHICH NEEDS IT HAS A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THIS KIND.+
»
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID PART OF HIS JOB WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE NE* TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE INVOLVED IN THE PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR COMMUNITY.
+THIS IS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE NEW TERRITORIES IS FACING A POPULATION EXPLOSION. IN THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS, ABOUT ONE MILLION °EOPLE WILL MOVE TO THE NEW HOMES IN THE NEW TERR I TOR IES.+
HE SAID THEY WOULD NOT ONLY NEED THE ESSENTIALS FOR URBAN LIFE SUCH AS SCHOOLS, POLICE AND FIRE STATIONS AND RECREATION AREAS, BUT IT WAS EQUALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE NEW RESIDENTS SHOULD FEEL A SENSE OF IDENTITY AND INTEREST AND PRIDE IN THEIR LOCAL TOWN.
THE PAST 20 YEARS HAVE SEEN MANY CHANGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS, IN PARTICULAR THE RURAL COMMITTEES AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK, HAVE PLAYED AN INVALUABLE PART DURING THIS PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT AND CHANGE, HE SAID.
+ NOW WE PROPOSE TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP TC FORMALISE THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION ON RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, AND ON THE LOCAL IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL POLICIES AND PLANS, AND TO MAKE A SUITABLE PROVISION OF FUNDS AT A LOCAL LEVEL SO THAT THE RESIDENTS OF EACH TCW. CAN ORGANISE AND PAY FOR EVENTS FOR THEIR O.v”. ENJOYMENT AND HAVE AVAILABLE SOME MONEY, TO BE SPENT AS THEY DECIDE, ON MAKING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS.
+THUS ANOTHER STRAND IS BEING WOVEN INTO THE TEXTURE OF THE FABRIC OF OUR HONG KONG SOCIETY. IT IS ALL PART OF THAT WIDER THEME THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN FOR YOU- CONVENTION - ’SERVICE TO HUMANITY’,* MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1977
3
BRITISH MPS VISIT SHA TIN NEW TOWN
******
TWO VISITING BRITISH MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, MR. KENNETH WEETCH AND MR. IAN WR IGGLESWOPTH,. TODAY WITNESSED ON THE SPOT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES UNDER WAY AT THE NEW TOWN, GF SHA TIN.
THE VISIT FOLLOWED BRIEFINGS BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, AND BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR. DONALD LIAO. THE MPS WERE ACCOMPANIED EY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. JOHN TODD = DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (ESTATE MANAGEMENT), MR. H.R. HUSBAND- AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER (DEVELOPMENT). MISS FRANCESCA SIDNEY.
THE TOUR TOOK THE MPS TO LEK YUEN ESTATE WHERE THEY VISITED AN OLD PEOPLE’S HOME AND SAW THE VARIOUS COMMUNITY AND SHOPPING FACILITIES PROVIDED FOR THE RESIDENTS. LEK YUEN ESTATE IS THE FIRST OF 12 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES PLANNED FOR SHA TIN TO HOUSE ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF THE NEW TOWN’S PROJECTED POPULATION.
EARLIER, THE MPS WERE TOLD THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME THAT WOULD TRANSFORM SHA TIN INTO A SELF-CONTAINED, BALANCED COMMUNITY OF 550,000 PEOPLE BY MID-1980’S.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN IS DIVIDED INTO TWO STAGES, WITH THE FIRST COVERING THE CENTRALLY-LOCATFD AREAS, MOSTLY RECLAIMED FROM SHA TIN HOI, WHICH HAVE A DESIGNED POPULATION OF ABOUT 260,000.
MAJOR PROJECTS UNDER STAGE ONE DEVELOPMENT INCLUDE HOUSING, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS, LAND RECLAMATION AND DRAINAGE, TRUNK ROADS, SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS, SERVICE RESERVOIRS AND RAILWAY TRACK WIDENING.
STAGE TWO DEVELOPMENT COVERS THE REMAINDER OF IN THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW TOWN, WITH A DESIGNED ABOUT 293,000.
THE WORK INVOLVED-
POPULATION OF
-----0--------
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MPS TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE
* * * *
THE TWO VISITING LABOUR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, MR. IAN WRIGGLESWORTH AND MR. KENNETH WEETCH WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 17) AT NOOK IN THE G.I.S. THEATRE, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO HAVE THE PRESS CONFERENCE COVERED.
TELEVISION CREWS ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE EARLIER SC THAT THEY HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
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A...
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1977
4
HK TAKES PART IN WORLD CONFERENCE OF INTERNATIONAL ROAD FEDERATION
* * * * *
MR. SIU CHUEN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (MAINLAND) DIVISION, LEFT FOR TOKYO TODAY (SATURDAY) TO REPRESENT HONG KONG AT THE EIGHTH WORLD MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL ROAD FEDERATION.
THE CONFERENCE STARTS TOMORROW AND WILL BE ATTENDED BY SOME 3,000 ROAD ENGINEERS FROM 70 COUNTRIES.
DURING THE SIX-DAY MEETING, THE DELEGATES WILL DISCUSS TOPICS SUCH AS HIGHWAY POLICY AND PLANNING, HIGHWAY OPERATIONS AND TRAFFIC SAFETY, URBAN TRANSPORTATION, ROADS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT, AND HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY.
ON THURSDAY, MR. SIU WILL PRESENT A TECHNICAL PAPER ON +A DECADE OF PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAY NETWORK IN HONG KONG+, ON BEHALF OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, AND WILL GIVE A BRIEF TALK ON THE SUBJECT. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A 45-MINUTE DISCUSSION.
A NUMBER OF PHOTOGRAPHS, SENT TO TOKYO EARLIER BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION.
AT THE END OF THE MEETING, SOME 400 MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ROAD FEDERATION WILL VISIT HONG KONG IN GROUPS ON THEIR WAY HOME.
THE FIRST GROUP TO ARRIVE WILL CONSIST OF ABOUT 50 REPRESENTATIVES FROM NORWAY. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY GROUPS FROM SWEDEN, FINLAND, CANADA, AMERICA, AUSTRIA, FRANCE, GERMANY AND MEMBERS OF THE ROAD ENGINEERING ASSOCIATION OF ASIA AND AUSTRALASIA.
WHILE HERE, THEY WILL LOOK AT THE MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS SUCH AS THE $300 MILLION TUEN MUN HIGHWAY, THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL, THE SECOND LION ROCK TUNNEL, ALL OF WHICH ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
A NUMBER OF DELEGATES TO THE IRF WORLD MEETING HAVE VISITED HONG KONG SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS MONTH ON THEIR WAY TO THE CONFERENCE.
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/5
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1977
- 5 -
LAST ANTI-RAEIES OPERATION IN N.T.
******
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT THE FINAL ROUND OF ITS ANTI-RABIES DOG INOCULATION OPERATION FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AT SHAM TSENG, TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG NEXT MONDAY AND TUESDAY (OCTOBER 17 AND 18).
THE INOCULATION TEAMS WILL THEN MOVE ON TO THE OUTLYING ISLANDS ON OCTOBER 24 AND 25 TO COMPLETE THE HONG KONG-WIDE ANTI-RABIES INOCULATION DRIVE.
DURING THE TWO-DAY OPERATION AT SHAM TSENG, TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG, THREE TEMPORARY INOCULATION AND LICENSING CENTRES WILL BE SET UP AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS :
* CHIU CHOW WELFARE ASSOCIATION, SHAM TSENG"
* JUNCTION OF TAI HO ROAD AND SHA TSUI ROAD (BESIDE THE CHARTERED BANK)- AND
* JUNCTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD (BESIDE THE KWONG ON BANK).
DOG OWNERS LIVING IN THESE AREAS ARE REQUESTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEIR PETS IMMUNISED AGAINST RABIES.
/6
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1977
6
NOTE TO EDITORS:
$12.5 MILLION CONTRACT FOR TSUEN WAN AUDITORIUM K H * * *
THE $12.5 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STAGE ONE OF THE TSUEN WAN MULTI-PURPOSE AUDITORIUM WILL BE SIGNED ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 17).
THE SIGNING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 21ST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AT 11 A.M.
TELEVISION CREWS ARE ASKED TO ARRIVE NOT LATER THAN 10.45 A.M. SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
MR. K.M. TSENG, CHIEF ARCHITECT OF THE P.W.D.’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY.
0 - - - -
IMPROVED MAXICAB SERVICE FOR SHOUSON HILL RESIDENTS
* * M *
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THAT FROM MONDAY (OCTOBER 17), MAXICAB ROUTE 6 WOULD BE REVISED TO OPERATE A 12-MINUTE FREQUENCY BETWEEN CENTRAL AND OCEAN PARK VIA SHOUSON HILL.
ANOTHER MINOR CHANGE IS THAT AFTER 12 NOON ON EVERY SATURDAY RACE MEET MAXICABS ON ROUTES 6 AND 7, ON JOURNEYS FROM CENTRAL, WILL OPERATE VIA QUEENSWAY, JOHNSTON ROAD, WAN CHAI ROAD, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND STUBBS ROAD TO WONG NE I CHUNG GAP ROAD BEFORE RESUMING THE NORMAL JOURNEY. ROUTE 7 OPERATES BETWEEN CENTRAL AND MOUNT NICHOLSON.
.THE ROUTE CHANGE WOULD ALLEVIATE CONGESTION IN HAPPY VALLEY ON RACE DAYS AND QUICKEN THE MAXICAB RECOVERY TIMES ON THESE ROUTES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - . . q , _ _
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1977
7
HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR MARINE DEPARTMENT * * * *
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT ITS PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS IN WAN CHAI AND YAU MA TEI AND THE PORT COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE WOULD BE OPEN AS USUAL'NEXT FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21), THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL DAY.
OFFICES OF THE MACAU FERRY WHARF UNIT WILL ALSO BE OPEN FROM 7.30 A.M. ON FRIDAY TO 1.30 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY.
ALL OTHER SECTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE CLOSED ON THAT DAY.
- - o - -
CHI MAN ST. CUL-DE-SAC CLOSED * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE CUL-DE-SAC AT THE SOUTHERN END OF CHI MAN STREET IN HO MAN TIN WOULD CONTINUE TO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ANOTHER TWO MONTHS TO FACILITATE THE SITE FORMATION WORK IN THE AREA.
APPROPRIATE SIGNS HAVE BEEN PUT UP IN THE AREA TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0 - -
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
$1,121 MILLION PLAN TO DEVELOP TSING Yl AS A MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AREA .............................................. 1
RECREATIONAL CENTRE FOR HANDICAPPED TO BE BUILT AT POK FU LAM ................................................... 2
MORE LIGHT BEACONS TO AID NAVIGATION ........................ 3
TOP PRIORITY FOR PART-TIME DAY COURSES AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ................................................... 4
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1977 1 -
TSI NG Yl DEVELOPMENT TO * K
COST 01,121 MILLION *
THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO DEVELOP TSI NG Yl ISLAND AS HONG KONG’S MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AREA WILL COST $1,121 MILLION. IT WILL INCLUDE A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
THIS ESTIMATE ..AS GIVEN TODAY ON THE RTHK PROGRAMME +NEW TERRITORIES WEEKLY* EROADCAST ON THE CHINESE CHANNEL.
ACCORDING TO THE 10-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE ISLAND, THE TOTAL COST WILL INCLUDE 3364 MILLION CN ENGINEERING WORKS AND ANOTHER 0523 MILLION CN THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (LANDS) OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. FRANK AU SAID THAT MUCH EMPHASIS HAS BEEN PLACED CN THE BIG INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ON TSI NG Yl.
THESE INCLUDED THE COASTAL DEVELOPMENTS BY SUCH LARGE UNDERTAKINGS AS DOW CHEMICALS, OUTBOARD MARINE, FEOSO OIL, CHEMSYN, HONG KONG UNITED DOCKYARD AND THE PLANS TO ESTABLISH TWO MORE SHIPYARDS CN THE WEST COAST OF TSI NG Yl.
+BUT THESE MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS '..ILL FORM ONLY PART OF THE TSING Yl DEVELOPMENT PLAN,* HE SAID. +LAND IS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TC PROVIDE COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR THE TARGETED POPULATION OF 185,000 PEOPLE WHO WILL LIVE CN TSING Yl BY THE MID’80S.
+THESE FACILITIES INCLUDE HOUSING, SCHOOLS, CLINICS, POLICE AND FIRE STATIONS AND ALL THE CTHER THINGS NECESSARY FOR THE RESIDENTS OF TSING YI.+
MR. AU POINTED OUT THAT THE FIRST STAGE OF THE CHEUNG CHING ESTATE, PROVIDING HOMES FOR 23,003 PEOPLE, HAD ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED.
THE SECOND STAGE IS NOW UNDERWAY AND THE ESTATE WOULD EVENTUALLY PROVIDE HOMES FOR AE'OUT 65,300.
MR. AU SAID THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ESTATE HAD AFFECTED THREE VILLAGES ON THE ISLAND -- SHEUNG CHUNG MEI, HA CHUNG MEI AND LO UK.
A VILLAGE-RES I TING PROGRAMME WHICH WOULD COST THE GOVERNMENT $1.1 MILLION WAS NOV. UNDERWAY, HE ADDED.
MR. AU SAID THE AMOUNT OF INDUSTRIAL LAND AVAILABLE ON THE COASTLINE OF THE ISLAND HAD NOW BEEN REDUCED, AND THAT FURTHER AREAS WOULD EE OPENED UP INLAND FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
SITES WOULD 3E MADE AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRIES SUCH AS CEMENT STORAGE, FOUNDRIES AND AN INDUSTRIAL GAS PLANT.
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1977
2
RECREATIONAL CENTRE FOR HANDICAPPED TO BE BUILT AT POK FU LAM
* * * * *
A RECREATIONAL CENTRE FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE IS TO BE BUILT AT POK FU LAM FROM A 05 MILLION DONATION MADE BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUL.
THE CENTRE WILL OFFER FACILITIES FOR BOTH AND ABLE BODIED PEOPLE, INCLUDING VOLLEY BALL, AND HORSE RIDING.
HANDICAPPED
BILLIARDS, CHESS
DORMITORY ACCOMMODATION WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR 60 PEOPLE INITIALLY AND THIS WILL LATER BE EXPANDED TO 100.
OTHER FEATURES WILL INCLUDE ARCHERY FACILITIES AND AN OLYMPIC-SIZED BASKET BALL COURT. IT IS HOPED THAT A SWIMMING POOL WILL BE ADDED AT A LATER STAGE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL EE ABLE TO MAKE USE OF THE HORSE RIDING FACILITIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE ASSISTING THE DISABLED TO RIDE, AND FEES PAID WILL GO TOWARDS THE COST OF RUNNING THE CENTRE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID APPROVAL WAS RECENTLY GIVEN FOR THE LAND TO BE GRANTED TO THE HONG KONG PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE BODIED ASSOCIATION. THIS ASSOCIATION WILL CO-CPERATt WITH THE SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND WITH RIDING FOR THE DISABLED TO PRODUCE THE VARIOUS AMENITIES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SETTING FOR THE CENTRE — BELOW THE POK FU LAM RESERVOIR DAM — WAS IDEAL AS IT WAS IN A RURAL AREA CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE URBAN AREA FOR TRANSPORT PURPOSES.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE CENTRE IS COMPLETED NEXT SUMMER. THE JOCKEY COSTS FOR A YEAR AND RIDING COSTS THAT THE CLUB AND GOVERNMENT WILL OF THE OTHER FACILITIES AFTER ONE
TO START SHORTLY AND BE CLUB WILL MEET TOTAL RUNNING IN PERPETUITY. IT IS EXPECTED JOINTLY MEET RECURRENT COSTS YEAR.
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/3
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16,
1977
- 3 -
MORE SAFETY BEACONS TO AID NAVIGATION * * * * *
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO INSTALL SEVEN MORE LIGHT BEACONS IN HONG KONG WATERS TC AID NAVIGATION OF FISHING VESSELS.
THE PLAN, YET TC EE APPROVED EY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, INCLUDES THE INSTALLATION OF LIGHT BEACONS ON ROCKS AND LANDSCAPES ALONG IMPORTANT ROUTES OFF SAI KUNG, SHA TAU KOK AND IK MIRS BAY.
MR. LEUNG PAK-CHUEN, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT’S NAVIGATIONAL AIDS SECTION, SAID THE REQUEST TC IMPROVE NAVIGATIONAL AIDS IN THESE AREAS WAS FIRST MADE BY FISHERMEN WHO FREQUENTLY USEE THESE ROUTES.
+THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES AND HAZARDS IN THESE AREAS WHERE SUBMERGED ROCKS ARD SHALLOW SEABEDS ARE MAJOR FEATURES. THE SITUATION IS MORE SERIOUS AT KIGHT OR WHEN THE HARBOUR IS SHROUDED IK MIST,* MR. LEUNG SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT DESPITE THE DANGERS, FISHERMEN STILL USE THESE SHORT-CUTS TO AND BACK FROM FISHING GROUNDS.
HE SAID THAT OFFICERS OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAD CONSULTED WITH THE FISHERMEN IK ORDER TC GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR PROBLEMS.
AN INSPECTION GF THE AREAS COMPLETED LAST MONTH
EXTAEL I SHED THAT THERE ..'AS THE NECESSITY TO USE EXTRA BEACONS TO GUIDE NAVIGATION, NR. LEUNG SAID.
THE PLAN PROPOSES THAT IN THE SEA OFF SAI KUNG, THREE +TERN WINKERS* OF A 1-1/2-MILE LIGHT INTENSITY BE INSTALLED ON .-.AVE ROCK SOUTH OF FU TAU PUN CHAU, OR THE NORTH OF MA CHAI PAI AND AT FAT TONG MUN. TWO SOLAR ENERGY LIGHTS OF THREE-MILE INTENSITY WILL BE FIXED ON THE NORTHERN TIP OF FU TAU PUN CHAU AND FANG TSANG MUN BETWEEN SAI KUNG MAINLAND AND FAN TSANG CHAU. A +TERN WINKER* AND A FIVE-MILE LIGHT INTENSITY GAS BEACON WILL EE FIXED ON CHEUNG PAI TAU IN SHA TAU KOK AND WONG MA CHAU IN MIRS BAY.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS ORDERED TWO DOUBLE FILAMENT LIGHTS AND ONE SET EACH CF SIGNAL GENERATOR, DIGITAL MULTIMETER AND TRANSITOR TEST SET TO REINFORCE THE SECTION’S EXISTING NAVIGATIONAL MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT, MR. LEUNG SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE DOUBLE FILAMENT LIGHTS HAVE THE EXTRA FUNCTION OF AUTOMATICALLY TURNING ON THE SECOND FILAMENT WHEN THE FIRST ONE IS BURNED OUT. THE SIGNAL GENERATOR, DIGITAL MULTIMETER AND TRANSITOR TEST SET ARE ADVANCED EQUIPMENT FOR TESTING ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS OF LIGHTS.
HE ADDED THAT THE SECTION’S BATTERY CHARGING ROOK AND ACETYLENE GAS ROOM HAVE BEEN EXPANDED RECENTLY FOR THE RECHARGING OF THE INCREASED NUMBER OF BATTERIES USED IN LIGHTHOUSES AND FOR THE STORAGE OF ADDITIONAL GAS CYLINDERS.
+WE EXPECT THAT MORE AND MORE LIGHTS AND SOPHISTICATED NAVIGATIONAL AID EQUIPMENT WOULD BE USED IK FUTURE IN ORDER TO COPE WITH THE INCREASINGLY BUSY TRAFFIC IN THE HARBOUR,* MR. LEUNG SAID.
A
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1977
TOP PRIORITY GIVEN TO PART-TIME DAY COURSES AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES
* * * * *
THE RUNNING OF PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSES IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IS GIVEN TOP PRIORITY BY THE TECHNICAL DIVISION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL) MR. DANIEL WATERS SAID THIS MORNING.
HE ADVISED EMPLOYERS INTERESTED IN SENDING STUDENTS ON SUCH COURSES TO CONTACT THEIR NEAREST TECHNICAL INSilTUTE AT MORRISON HILL, CHEUNG SHA WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND KWUN TONG OR THE TECHNICAL DIVISION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
+SINCE 1°73, INDUSTRIALISTS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAVE GOT PART-TIME DAY CLASSES GOING WITH A REASONABLE DEGREE GF SUCCESS. ON THE OTHER HAND, MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE,* MR. WATERS TOLD THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 12TH NATIONAL CONVENTION.
HE ADDED: + I SHOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PLEA TO INDUSTRIALISTS TO SUPPORT OUR PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSES IN INSTITUTES. THESE PART-TIME COURSES ARE IN FACT LINKED VERY COLSELY WITH APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING. THIS IS, IN TURN, LINKED WITH THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE.
+APPRENTICES ARE NORMALLY RELEASED BY THEIR FIRMS ON FULL PAY TO ATTEND SUCH COURSES AT AN INSTITUTE FOR ONE FULL DAY A WEEK. THIS CONSISTS OF SIX HOURS Or STUDY. IN ADDITION AN APPRENTICE NORMALLY STUDIES TWO EVENINGS A WEEK, WHICH CONSISTS OF FOUR HOURS, IN HIS OWN TIME. THUS HE STUDIES A TOTAL OF TEN HOURS A WEEK.
+THIS IS MORE SATISFACTORY THAN EY TRYING TO STUDY IN THE EVENINGS, WHEN ONE IS TIRED, AFTER A HARD DAY’S WORK,* MR. WATERS POINTED GUT.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID MEMBERS OF HIS STAFF WERE IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS AND INDUSTRIAL CONCERNS. IN ADDITION, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WAS REPRESENTED ON THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND WORKING PARTIES OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL AND SYLLABUSES IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WERE SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL FOR COMMENT.
+IN THIS WAY WE ARE ABLE TC ENSURE THAT THE CURRICULA MEET THE ACTUAL NEEDS OF INDUSTRY. WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS,* MR. WATERS SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE GOOD OPPORTUNITIES IN INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
+WE NEED YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WHO REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF INDUSTRY TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE NEED YOUNG PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF AND ARE INTENSELY INTERESTED IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION. THIS WILL MAKE OUR CITY-STATE PROSPEROUS,* MR. WATERS SAID.
/INDUSTRIAL
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1977
5
INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, HE SAID, WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF INDUSTRY ITSELF AND RELATED TECHNICAL EDUCATION WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT.
SPEAKING ABOUT WHAT HAD BEEN DONE IN THE FIELD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR RECALLED THAT AT ONE TIME HONG KONG HAD ONLY ONE TECHNICAL COLLEGE -- NOW THE POLYTECHNIC.
+WE NOW HAVE FOUR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IN OPERATION. WE ALSO HAVE 10 PRE-VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN OPERATION AMD THREE MORE IN THE PIPE LINE. WE ALSO HAVE 14 SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AND OTHERS IN THE BUILDING PROGRAMME.+
A FIFTH TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WAS DUE TO BE BUILT AT KOWLOON TONG AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN 1979. IN SEPTEMBER 1974, A TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WAS ESTABLISHED TO TRAIN TECHNICAL TEACHERS NOT ONLY FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES BUT ALSO FOR THE TEACHING CF TECHNICAL SUBJECTS IN ALL TYPES OF SCHOOLS.
ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION, MR. WATERS SAID THAT A WORKING PARTY WAS SET UP TO LOOK AT ALL FORMS OF EDUCATION BEYOND FORM THREE, INCLUDING TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
MR. WATERS SAID THE WORKING PARTY CARRIED OUT A GREAT DEAL OF RESEARCH INTO THE PROBLEMS AND TO SEE WHAT FORM OF POST-FORM THREE EDUCATION WAS MOST SUITABLE FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE NEEDS. A GREEN PAPER ON IT WOULD EE PUBLISHED SOON.
IN CONCLUSION, MR. WATERS SAID: +WE ARE PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED. WE CONSIDER THAT WE ARE SERVING THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG AND THERE ARE EXCITING PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.+
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1977
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO prevent HILL fires ........
2
jury list posted for public information ...................
CONTRACT FOR AUDITORIUM IN TSUEN WAN SIGNED ................. 3
EXAMINATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY IN MERCHANT NAVY ......................................................
NO MAIL DELIVERY ON CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL DAY ................ 5
NEW ADDRESS OF USD’S NT HEADQUARTERS AND ISLANDS DISTRICT _ OFFICE ....................................................
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1977
CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE HILL FIRES * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY -LAUNCHED A COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN AIMED AT REDUCING THE HIGH LOSS OF FOREST RESERVES OVER THE COMING DRY SEASON.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR. MARTIN LEWIS, DISCLOSED THAT THE PRINCIPAL TARGETS OF THE CAMPAIGN ARE GRAVE VISITORS, PICNICKERS AND VILLAGERS.
HE SAID THAT THE 1,212 HILL FIRES RECORDED DURING THE LAST DRY SEASON DESTROYED MORE THAN 922,000 TREES OVER AN AREA OF 1,188 HECTARES (ABOUT 3,000 ACRES).
♦ALMOST HALF OF THESE FIRES OCCURRED DURING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND MORE THAN SO FIRES BROKE OUT DURING THE CHUNG YEUNG AND CHING MING FESTIVALS,+ MR. LEWIS POINTED CUT.
♦CLEARLY WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LET THIS SITUATION CONTINUE,+ HE WARNED.
HE CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO CO-OPERATE IN HELPING PREVENT FIRE OUTBREAKS IF THEY ARE TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS THE COUNTRYSIDE PROVIDES.
IN VIEW OF THE COMING CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL, WHICH MAY PROVE TO BE A PARTICULARLY BAD DAY FOR HILL FIRES, SPECIAL PUBLICITY MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED TO WARN GRAVE VISITORS AGAINST THE DANGER. THESE WILL INCLUDE BROADCASTS BEAMED FROM AN AIRCRAFT CF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE FLYING OVER THE VARIOUS GRAVE SITES LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE MEW TERRITORIES.
PICNICKERS ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO FIRE STATISTICS AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS PLANS TO INCREASE THE STRENGTH OF THEIR PATROLS ON THE GROUND SO AS TO CHECK THAT PICNICKERS ABIDE BY THE LAWS AGAINST LIGHTING FIRES IN ’HIGH RISK’ AREAS.
MR. LEWIS INDICATED THAT HIS STAFF WILL SHORTLY EE EMPOWERED TO SERVE NOTICES ON PEOPLE WHO LIGHT FIRES IN UNAUTHORISED AREAS WITHIN COUNTRY PARKS.
♦UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS REGULATIONS,+ HE SAID, +A PERSON CAN BE FINED UP TO 55,000 AND SENTENCED TC ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT FOR THIS OFFENCE.+
IN ORDER TO PUT THE CAMPAIGN MESSAGE ACROSS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, POSTERS APPEALING TO PICNIC PARTIES TO TAKE EXTRA CARE TC PREVENT FIRE WILL EE PUT UP AT SUITABLE SITES, CONCENTRATED PARTICULARLY AROUND THE MAIN PUBLIC TRANSPORT ROUTES TO THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/THEY WILL BE......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1977
2
THEY .JILL EE SUPPORTED BY RADIO BROADCASTS, SHORT TELEVISION FILMS, AX'D TAPED MESSAGES TO BE BROADCAST ON BOARD OUTLYING FERRIES AND AT THE HUNG HOM RAILWAY TERMINAL.
IN ADDITION, SOME 100 FIRE WARNING SIGNBOARDS WILL BE SET UP IN AREAS OF HIGH FIRE RISK.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE WERE ASSISTANT CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, MR. JOHN MARCH- DIVISIONAL FIRE OFFICER, MR. TAM HON-CHEUNG- CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, CIVIL AID SERVICES, MR. JOHN FORTUNE- AND A.F.D.’S COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER, MR. C.C. LEE.
THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIRE FIGHTING IN COUNTRYSIDE AREAS WILL FALL ON THE FIRE SERVICES, BUT THE CIVIL AID SERVICES WILL ALSO HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY DURING THE CCMING DRY SEASON.
DURING DRY WEEKENDS OR PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, C.A.S. FIRE CREWS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ASSIST THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN COUNTRYSIDE FIRE-FIGHTING AND THEIR CADETS WILL HELP A.F.D. IN PATROL DUTIES.
HONG KONG JURY LIST
*****
THE SUPREME COURT 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 OCTOBER 24.
THE LIST WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 14 DAYS.
DURING THIS PERIOD ANY PERSON MAY APPLY BY NOTICE IN WRITING TO THP 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 MAME ACCORDINGLY AND SHALL, IF NECESSARY, ALTER THE LIST.
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/3
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1977
CONTRACT FOR TSUEN WAN AUDITORIUM SIGNED
******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY AWARDED A $12.5 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TSUEN WAN AUDITORIUM TO HING LEE CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
THE CONTRACT, WHICH FORMS THE FIRST STAGE OF THE $23 MILLION PROJECT, INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN AUDITORIUM FOR CONCERTS AND DANCE PERFORMANCES, EXHIBITION HALLS AND AN ENTRANCE FOYER WITH BAR FACILITIES.
IT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED THIS MORNING IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BY MR. K.M. TSENG, CHIEF P.W'.D. ARCHITECT, AND MR. WILLIAM SIT OF HING LEE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.
SPEAKING AFTER THE SIGNING WORK ON THE PROJECT WOULD BEGIN ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
CEREMONY, MR. TSENG SAID THAT
LATER THIS MONTH AND WOULD TAKE
HE SAID THAT THE 1,500-SEAT AUDITORIUM WOULD BE SIMILAR IN DESIGN TO THE CONCERT HALL OF THE CITY HALL. BUT MODIFICATIONS WOULD BE MADE TO MAKE IT MORE SUITABLE FOR CONCERTS AND CHINESE DRAMA PERFORMANCES.
MOST OF THE SEATS WOULD EE ON THE MAIN FLOOR OF THE AUDITORIUM AND THE REST ON THE BALCONY.
ON THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS OF THE CULTURAL COMPLEX THERE WOULD BP AREAS SUITABLE FOR HOLDING EXHIBITIONS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS. A EAR aOULD BE PROVIDED IN THE GROUND FLOOR FOYER.
MR. TSENG SAID: +THE PEOPLE OF TSUEN WAN ARE TAKING AN INCREASING INTEREST IN ARTS, MUSIC, DANCE AND DRAMA.
+THE AUDITORIUM, WHICH WILL PROVIDE TSUEN WAN WITH MUCH-NEEDED FACILITIES FOR THE INCREASING CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE RURAL AREAS, WILL EE LOCATED IN THE CENTRE OF THE TOWN, NEXT TO THE TSUEN WAN MAGISTRACY BUILDING.+
EVENTUALLY, IT WILL BE LINKED VIA A PEDESTRIAN DECK TO THE PROPOSED GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING ADJACENT TO IT.
AT PRESENT, MR. TSENG ADDED, ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CONCERTS, PLAYS, DANCING PERFORMANCES AND EXHIBITIONS, HAD TO BE HtLD IK PREMISES LIKE SCHOOL HALLS WHICH HAVE POOR ACOUSTICS, INADEQUATE REHEARSAL ROOMS, AND WHICH CANNOT ACCOMMODATE LARGE AUDIENCES.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUE HAS PLEDGED A DONATION OF S1O MILLION TOWARDS THE CAPITAL COST OF THE PROJECT.
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A
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1977
EXAMS FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY IN MERCHANT NAVY ******
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT VARIOUS EXAMINATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY IN THE MERCHANT NAVY WILL BE HELD DURING THE YEAR 1978.
ALL EXAMINATIONS WILL BE HELD IN THE EXAMINATION CENTRE, RUMSEY STREET MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK, 1OTH FLOOR, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
EXAMINATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY AS MASTERS AND FIRST MATES WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 9, FEBRUARY 20, JUNE 26, AUGUST 14 AND OCTOBER 2= WHILE THOSE FOR SECOND MATES WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 23, APRIL 24, MAY 29, JULY 17, SEPTEMBER 4, OCTOBER 30 AND DECEMBER 11.
APPLICATIONS FOR ANY OF THESE EXAMINATIONS TOGETHER WITH ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS MUST BE MADE IN PERSON ON THE MORNING OF ANY FRIDAY AT LEAST 13 DAYS BEFORE THE DATE OF EXAMINATION.
CANDIDATES INTENDING TO SIT FOR TRAWLER MASTER EXAMINATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE DATES PROVIDED THAT APPLICATION HAS BEEN MADE ONE MONTH IN ADVANCE.
EXAMINATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY AS EXTRA MASTER WILL EE HELD BY ARRANGEMENT AND INTENDING CANDIDATES SHOULD APPLY TO THE EXAMINER OF MASTERS AND MATES, GIVING AT LEAST TWO MONTHS NOTICE.
A NUMBER OF EXAMINATIONS FOR FIRST AND SECOND CLASS MARINE ENGINEERS WILL BE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND CANDIDATES SHOULD MAKE THEIR APPLICATION IN PERSON AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE THE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAMINATION THEY WISH TO ATTtND.
THOSE WHO HOLD NATIONAL CERTIFICATES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING OR OTHER QUALIFICATIONS ON WHICH EXEMPTION FROM SOME PART OF THE EXAMINATION MAY EE CLAIMED, AND THOSE FOR FIRST OR SECOND CLASS ENGINEER COMBINED CERTIFICATE, SHOULD MAKE APPLICATION AT LEAST ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE EXAMINATION DATE.
FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO OBTAIN EXTRA FIRST CLASS ENGINEER CERTIFICATES, EXAMINATIONS WILL BE HELD IN JANUARY AND JULY.
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4.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1977
- 5 -
NO MAILS ON CHUNG YEUNG
******
THE POST OFFICE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THERE VHLL BE NO MAIL DELIVERY ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21), WHICH IS A GENERAL HOLIDAY.
ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON THAT DAY.
-----o------
USD’S NT HEADQUARTERS AND ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE MOVING TO NEW OFFICES ******
THE OFFICES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL MOVE FROM 2ND AND 3RD FLOORS, WATER WORKS ANNEX, SAI YEE STREET, KOWLOON, TO 3RD, 4TH AND 5TH FLOORS, AUSTIN CENTRE, 19 - 23 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON, ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 22).
BUSINESS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ABOVE OFFICES WILL EE HANDLED AT THE NEW PREMISES WITH EFFECT FROM NEXT MONDAY (OCTOBER 24).
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR COMPLAINTS AND GENERAL INQUIRIES IS 3-678715.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO-
WAYS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW ... 1
NEW GOVERNMENT PRINTER APPOINTED ............................ 2
INTERIM REPORT ON MAP CREDIT LTD SUBMITTED TO FINANCIAL SECRETARY ................................................... Z
SHA TO ATTEND KA I FONG DAY CELEBRATION ..................... 3
BLOCK BOOKINGS TO SILVER JUBILEE PAGEANT AVAILABLE .......... 3
COMMUTATION OF DEATH SENTENCE ............................... 4
ILLEGAL GRAVES IN CASTLE PEAK REMOVED ....................... 4
LION ROCK CLIMBING COMPETITION .............................. 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1977
- 1 -
WAYS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WITH SUPPORT FROM THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS IS CONSTANTLY SEEKING WAYS TO FOSTER AND IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF HONG KONG’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST INTENSIVELY DEVELOPED AND DIVERSE IN THE WORLD.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR. IAN MACPHERSON, WHEN HE OPENED THE TAXA RADIO TAXI CENTRE THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
MR. MACPHERSON SAID THAT THE PROCESS OF CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT WAS, UNFORTUNATELY, NOT ALWAYS A COMPLETELY SMOOTH ONE. THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAD TO MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF EACH OF THE MANY ELEMENTS IN OUR TRANSPORT SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT IT CONTINUED TO OPERATE NOT ONLY PROFITABLY, BUT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC.
HE SAID : +OCCASIONALLY DURING THE MONITORING PROCESS WE FIND PRACTICES DEVELOPING THAT ARE AGAINST THE PUBLIC INTEREST, AND IT IS NECESSARY THEN TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACT I ON.+
MR. MACPHERSON NOTED THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF THE URBAN TAXI WAS THAT IT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE, WITHOUT FORMALITY, TO CARRY INDIVIDUALS, OR SMALL GROUPS OF PEOPLE TO ANY DESTINATION THEY REQUIRED AT A FIXED SCALE OF FARES.
IN RECENT MONTHS THIS PRINCIPLE HAD BEEN BREACHED IN A NUMBER OF WAYS FOSTERED BY A VERY HIGH DEMAND FOR TAXIS AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY.
+OUR RESPONSE TO THESE MALPRACTICES HAS BEEN TO SEEK TO CURE THEM AT SOURCE,* HE SAID.
MR. MACPHERSON HOPED THAT THE RECENT ISSUE OF ADDITIONAL TAXI LICENCES WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS MEETING THE DEMAND FOR THEIR SERVICES THUS REDUCING THE INCENTIVE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR MALPRACTICES.
HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS VERY MODERN RADIO CALL TAXI CENTRE WOULD BRING ABOUT A GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN THE EFFICIENCY OF THE TAXI SERVICE AND SAID IT DEMONSTRATED THE WILLINGNESS OF MEMBERS OF THE TAXI TRADE TO COOPERATE IN THIS JOINT VENTURE IN ORDER TO SERVE THE PUBLIC BETTER.
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/2......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1977 - 2 -
NEW PRINTING DEPARTMENT CHIEF APPOINTED ■ ******
THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MR. J.R. LEE, WILL GO ON LEAVE PRIOR TO RETIREMENT FROM THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IN MARCH NEXT YEAR, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY.
MR. D.R. RICK, PRESENTLY ASSISTANT GOVERNMENT PRINTER, WILL SUCCEED MR. LEE AS GOVERNMENT PRINTER.
MR. LEE, AGED 56, HAS BEEN IN THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT FOR 22 YEARS SINCE 1955 WHEN HE JOINED THE DEPARTMENT AS A SUPERINTENDENT. IN 1961, HE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT GOVERNMENT PRINTER AND HAS BEEN SERVING AS GOVERNMENT PRINTER FROM 1970. HE IS MARRIED WITH ONE DAUGHTER.
MR. RICK, AGED 45, WAS ENGAGED IN THE PRODUCTION OF PERIODICALS IN THE U.K. PRINTING AND PUBLISHING INDUSTRY BEFORE HE CAME TO HONG KONG. HE IS A CITY AND GUILDS BRONZE MEDALLIST IN BINDERY AND FINISHING ASPECTS OF THE TRADE.
HE FIRST CAME TO HONG KONG AS A SUB-INSPECTOR IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN APRIL, 1955, AND WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT IN 1961 AS AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT. HE WAS PROMOTED TO SUPERINTENDENT IN APRIL 1965 AND TO HIS PRESENT RANK IN MARCH 1974.
MR. RICK, HAVING BEEN TRAINED AT THE PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE, LONDON AND AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM, IS A SPECIALIST IN THE RESTORATION OF OLD BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS. HIS OTHER INTERESTS LIE IN JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTS, MODEL PERIOD SHIPS AND ORCHID GROWING. HE IS MARRIED WITH A SON AND A DAUGHTER.
0 - -
INTERIM REPORT ON MAF CREDIT LIMITED SUBMITTED TO FINANCIAL SECRETARY *****
AN INTERIM REPORT ON THE AFFAIRS OF MAF CREDIT LIMITED HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, BY MR. MICHAEL J. JOHNSON OF MESSRS. ARTHUR ANDERSON AND COMPANY.
MR. JOHNSON, A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT, WAS APPOINTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON AUGUST 2 TO INVESTIGATE THE COMPANY UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
A COPY OF THE REPORT HAS ALSO BEEN SUBMITTED TO MAF CREDIT LIMITED IN ACCORDANCE WITH A SECTION OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SHAREHOLDERS OF MAF CREDIT LIMITED OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES CAN APPLY TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR A COPY OF THE REPORT WHICH WILL COST $116 EACH.
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/3.....
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1977
3
NOTE TO EDITORS:
SHA TO ATTEND KAIFONG DAY CELEBRATION
******
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. F.K. LI WILL OFFICIATE AT THE 1977 KAIFONG DAY CELEBRATION CEREMONY AT 7 P.M. ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 20) AT THE OCEAN PALACE RESTAURANT, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE FUNCTION, WHICH IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY 64 KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS, WILL BE ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND URBAN COUNCILS, CIVIC LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS, VOLUNTARY BODIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE CEREMONY.
BLOCK BOOKINGS TO PAGEANT START SOON *****
A SPECIAL FACILITY FOR GROUPS SEEKING BLOCK BOOKINGS TO THE SILVER JUBILEE PAGEANT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE STARTING THURSDAY (OCTOBER 20).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PAGEANT’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT SCHOOLS, ORGANISATIONS AND PRIVATE BODIES PLANNING GROUP ENTRIES WITH BOOKINGS EXCEEDING 10 CAN APPLY IN PERSON OR IN WRITING TO THE SILVER JUBILEE OFFICE AT 1A, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG OR TELEPHONE 5-251728 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
THE SILVER JUBILEE PAGEANT - THE BIGGEST EVER ENTERTAINMENT IN HONG KONG - WILL BE STAGED IN THE GOVERNMENT STADIUM FROM NOVEMBER 20 TO 25 FOR SIX CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS. TICKETS ARE PRICED AT $1 FOR UNCOVERED STANDS AND $5 FOR SEATS UNDER COVER.
+ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF TICKETS WILL GO TOWARDS A SPECIAL APPEAL FUND WHICH WILL BENEFIT YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG BY PROMOTING SPORTING ACTIVITIES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO MAKE USE OF THIS ADVANCE BOOKING SERVICE TO AVOID THE QUEUE AT THE 50 TICKET OFFICES WHEN THEY ARE OPEN ON NOVEMBER 1.
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/A
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1977
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED H M «
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON LAI KA-SUM ON JULY 8, 1976, SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO LIFE
IMPRISONMENT.
LAI AND THREE OTHERS WERE FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF LI CHEUK-KWAI ON JUNE 5, 1975.
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CLEARANCE OF ILLEGAL GRAVES IN CASTLE PEAK FIRING RANGE X X X X X
A TOTAL OF 15-JLLEGAL GRAVES IN THE KWONG SHAN AREA IN TUEN MUN DISTRICT HAVE RECENTLY BEEN CLEARED BY GOVERNMENT STAFF.
WHERE RELATIVES COULD BE TRACED BEFORE EXHUMATION THEY WERE APPROACHED AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMOVE THE GRAVES THEMSELVES.
UNDER SECTION 118 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE BURIALS OUTSIDE AUTHORISED CEMETERIES ARE NOT PERMITTED AS THE PRACTICE IS CONTRARY TO THE PROPER DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRYSIDE AND COULD CONSTITUTE A HEALTH HAZARD.
ILLEGAL BURIALS IN THE KWONG SHAN AREA CAN ALSO CAUSE A DANGER TO LIFE WHEN FIRING IS TAKING PLACE ON THE CASTLE PEAK RANGE.
REMAINS HAVE BEEN RE-INTERRED IN SANDY RIDGE CEMETERY.
0 -------
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1977
- 5
NOTE TO EDITORS :
LION ROCK CLIMBING COMPETITION
*****
A HONG KONG-WIDE LION ROCK CLIMBING COMPETITION WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 23).
ABOUT 400 PEOPLE, AGED 16 AND ABOVE, WILL TAKE PART IN THE COMPETITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KOWLOON CITY), THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT YOUTH SERVICES COUNCIL AND THE LIONS CLUB OF LION ROCK.
THE DISTANCE OF THE COMPETITION COVERS ABOUT 2,350 METRES WITH THE STARTING POINT AT TSZ WAN SHAN PLAYGROUND. THERE WILL BE FIRST-AID TEAMS ALONG THE ROUTE TO LOOK AFTER THE PARTICIPANTS.
THE FIRST THREE TO COMPLETE THE RACE WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES WHILE OTHER PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES.
MR. ANGUS MIU, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (KOWLOON CITY) AND MR. CHENG HONG, PRESIDENT OF THE LION ROCK LIONS CLUB WILL JOINTLY START THE COMPETITION AT 9 A.M. AT TSZ WAN SHAN PLAYGROUND.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE COVER THE COMPETITION.
TO
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR APPOINTS HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION
OF ECONOMY .................................................. 1
ROLE OF NT DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS EXPLAINED ............... 2
CLOTHING INDUSTRY VITAL TO HK’S ECONOMY ..................... 4
GOVERNMENT GRANTS $1.3 MILLION LOAN TO FISHERMEN ............ 6
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER REMAIN UNCHANGED ... 7
CONSTRUCTION OF APPROACH ROAD TO AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ......... 9
TANG SHIU KIN AND HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND TOPS $6 MILLION
MARK ....................................................... 10
SPECIAL BUSES FOR CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL ..................... 11
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN PING SHAN .................. 11
ARRAN STREET TEMPORARILY CLOSED ............................ 12
I
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977
1
HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION OF ECONOMY APPOINTED * * K *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, HAS APPOINTED A HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE TO ADVISE +WHETHER THE PROCESS OF DIVERSIFICATION OF THE ECONOMY, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, CAN BE FACILITATED BY THE MODIFICATION OF EXISTING POLICIES OR THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW POLICIES*.
THE COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL START WORK EARLY NEXT MONTH, INCLUDES PROMINENT REPRESENTATIVES OF INDUSTRY, BANKING AND BUSINESS CIRCLES.
THEY ARE DR. S.Y. CHUNG, MR. T.K. ANN, MR. Q.W. LEE, MR. JAMES WU, MR. F.W. LI, MR. T.S. LO, MR. S.L. CHEN, MR. DAVID NEWBIGGING, MR. MICHAEL SANDBERG, MR. LESLIE GORDON, MR. WONG TOK-SAU, MR. DEREK DAVIES AND DR. KEITH LEGG.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE TWO OTHER OFFICIAL MEMBERS — THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. DAVID JORDAN, AND THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR. DAVID JEAFFRESON.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE WILL BE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT AMONG THE COMMITTEE’S FIRST TASKS WILL BE EXAMINATION OF THE PRINCIPAL FACTORS WHICH HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE PAST FEW YEARS•
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERING THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE REGULATION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES FOR THE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY AND WILL BE MAKING A STUDY OF THE FACTORS WHICH HAVE BEEN INFLUENTIAL IN ATTRACTING NEW INDUSTRIES TO HONG KONG IN RECENT YEARS.
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/2.....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977
2 -
ROLE OF NT DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS EXPLAINED
K * * *
THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS WHICH ARE TO BE SET UP IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH LOCAL RURAL COMMITTEE AFFAIRS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.
HE GAVE THE ASSURANCE DURING A MEETING WITH THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, MR. CHAN YAT-SAN AND MR. CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, THE 27 RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND N.T. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE AT THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS.
THE MEETING WAS ARRANGED TO EXPLAIN TO THE RURAL LEADERS THE PURPOSE AND ROLES OF THE SEVEN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 5.
MR. AKERS-JONES POINTED OUT THAT SIR MURRAY HAD SAID THAT THE BOARDS WILL ADVISE ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL-BEING OF THE INHABITANTS OF EACH DISTRICT.
+THIS REFERS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS
INHABITANTS OF EACH OF THE SEVEN
OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AS A WHOLE,+ HE SAID.
+MATTERS CONCERNING PARTICULAR RURAL COMMITTEE AREAS WILL CONTINUE TO BE DEALT WITH BY PARTICULAR RURAL COMMITTEES.
+FOR EXAMPLE, PROBLEMS WHICH WERE THE PARTICULAR CONCERN OF, SAY, THE KAM TIN RURAL COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE TO BE DEALT WITH BY THE KAM TIN RURAL COMMITTEE -- THERE IS NO INTENTION TO INTERFERE IN LOCAL RURAL COMMITTEE AFFAIRS.
♦TRADITIONAL MATTERS INVOLVING THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OR VILLAGE AFFAIRS ARE NOT THE CONCERN OF THE ADVISORY BOARDS.+
THE GOVERNOR HAD ANNOUNCED THAT THE BOARDS WILL ADVISE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL AMENITIES, MR. AKERS-JONES TOLD THE MEETING. ♦THEY WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO ADVISE ON THE ADEQUACY AND PRIORITIES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AS IT AFFECTS EACH DISTR ICT,+ HE SAID.
♦THEY WILL ALSO ADVISE ON THE USE IN EACH DISTRICT OF FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER THE PUBLIC WORKS VOTE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.+
/MR. AKZRS-JOTfES
WETNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977
- 3 -
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT RURAL COMMITTEES HAD ALWAYS GIVEN ADVICE ON THE SPENDING OF THESE FUNDS IN THE PAST, AND AS THE RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN WOULD FORM THE NUCLEUS OF THE NEW BOARDS, THERE WAS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS FUNDS WILL NOT CONTINUE TO BE SPENT FOR THE BENEFITS, AND IN PARTICULAR, OF THE RURAL AREAS.
HE ADDED THAT, SUBJECT TO FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVAL, THE BOARDS WOULD ALSO BE GIVEN THEIR OWN FUNDS TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE LOCAL ACTIVITIES AND TO MAKE MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS.
+HITHERTO, SUCH ACTIVITIES HAVE HAD TO RELY ALMOST SOLELY ON GENEROUS PRIVATE DONATIONS,* MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.
+IN FUTURE, IT SHOULD ALSO BE POSSIBLE TO EXPAND LOCAL RECREATION AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND TO SUPPORT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ACTIVITIES OF THE VARIOUS ARTS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS.*
MR. AKERS-JONES ADDED THAT THE BOARDS WOULD RELY HEAVILY UPON RURAL COMMITTEES AND THE CHAIRMEN OF EXISTING ORGANISATIONS WHO ALREADY WORK TOGETHER IN THE DISTRICTS IN THE PROMOTION OF THE OBJECTS FOR WHICH THE ADVISORY BOARDS ARE BEING FORMED.
A
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977
4
CLOTHING INDUSTRY VITAL TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, SAID TODAY THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY HAS PLAYED AND WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A VITAL PART IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY.
SIR DENYS SAID THIS IN A SPEECH HE DELIVERED ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE.
SIR MURRAY WAS SCHEDULED TO OPEN THE CENTRE BUT WAS INDISPOSED.
+LET NO ONE MISUNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF RESTR I CT I ON 1ST ATTITUDES ABROAD, OR OF OUR CURRENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EEC — THIS INDUSTRY WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A VITAL PART FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, THOUGH ITS COURSE MAY NOT BE EASY AND IT WILL CERTAINLY NEED TO SHOW IN THE FUTURE THE SAME FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY IT HAS SHOWN SO OFTEN IN THE PAST,+ SIR DENYS SAID.
+THIS,+ HE ADDED, +WILL NEED HIGHLY TRAINED MANPOWER AS WELL AS IMAGINATIVE AND AGGRESSIVE MANAGEMENT.+
SIR DENYS ALSO PLEDGED THE GOVERNMENT’S FULL SUPPORT TO THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY IN FUTURE.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY:
+DURING THE PAST TWO MONTHS, TWO IMPORTANT EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING IN HONG KONG.
+FIRSTLY, LAST AUGUST WE SAW THE COMPLETION OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE. TODAY, WE SEE THE OPENING OF THIS TRAINING CENTRE FOR THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY. SINCE IT IS LITTLE MORE THAN TWO YEARS SINCE THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED AND THE STATUTORY CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY APPOINTED, THIS IS FAST WORK INDEED.
+1 COMMEND THE INDUSTRY FOR TAKING THIS VIGOROUS INITIATIVE TO SOLVE ITS OWN SKILLED MANPOWER PROBLEMS.
+THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROVIDED THE LAND FREE AND A LOAN OF ABOUT 4 MILLION DOLLARS TO GET THE CENTRE STARTED, AND THE AUTHORITY MAY COUNT ON THE GOVERNMENT'S FULL SUPPORT IN THE FUTURE.
/+AS YOU HAVE .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977 5 -
+AS YOU HAVE POINTED OUT, MR. CHAIRMAN, THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY HAS-PLAYED AND CONTINUES TO PLAY A VITAL PART IN OUR ECONOMY. AND LET NO ONE MISUNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF RESTR I CT I ON 1ST ATTITUDES ABROAD, OR OF OUR CURRENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE THIS INDUSTRY WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A VITAL PART FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, THOUGH ITS COURSE MAY NOT BE EASY AND CERTAINLY NEED TO SHOW IN THE FUTURE THE SAME FLEXIBILITY ADAPTABILITY IT HAS SHOWN SO OFTEN IN THE PAST. THIS WILL HIGHLY TRAINED -------- -----
EEC -
MANAGEMENT
MANPOWER AS WELL AS IMAGINATIVE AND AGGRESSIVE
IT WILL AND NEED
+SO THERE IS AN URGENT ROLE FOR THIS CENTRE TO PLAY IN THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF OUR CLOTHING INDUSTRY. JUDGING FROM THE ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE FROM APPLICANTS FOR ENROLMENT YOUNG WORKERS SEEM TO THINK SO TOO.
♦FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU, MR. TIEN AND THE MEMBERS OF YOUR TRAINING AUTHORITY ON YOUR HARD WORK IN BRINGING THIS TRAINING CENTRE INTO BEING IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. I WOULD
,^PTL°E?glG?SIu^EcT?Es^ixH^?y?o5sNLVH6 C0NTRACT0RS F0R
Inous™n?^iv^;rep^sure declar,ng oren the cloth,ng
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/6
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977
6
GOVERNMENT GRANTS $1.3 MILLION LOAN TO FISHERMEN *****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY AWARDED A $1.3 MILLION LOAN - THE LARGEST GRANTED TO DATE - TO THE ABERDEEN MECHANISED TRAWLER FISHERMEN’S CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY, UNLIMITED. THE LOAN IS TO ENABLE THE SOCIETY TO LEND THE MONEY TO TWO OF ITS MEMBERS FOR BUILDING A PAIR OF 86-F00T MODERN TRAWLERS.
AT A LOAN AGREEMENT SIGNING CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. EDWARD NICHOLS PRESENTED A CHEQUE FOR $1.3 MILLION TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIETY, MR. YIP KAM-HUNG.
THE LOAN HAS BEEN GRANTED UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND (FDLF) ADMINISTERED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS SO FAR ALLOTED A TOTAL OF $11.8 MILLION TO FDLF FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL FISHING FLEET.
THE FUND HAD PREVIOUSLY FINANCED THE BUILDING OF SIX PAIRS OF TRAWLERS IN THE PAST 12 YEARS, AND OF THE LOANS GRANTED, SO FAR $9.1 MILLION HAS ALREADY BEEN REPAID.
THE TRAWLERS TO BE BUILT UNDER THE $1.3 MILLION LOAN WILL HAVE A SERVICE SPEED OF 10-1/2 KNOTS, A TRIP ENDURANCE OF 16 DAYS AND AN INSULATED HOLD CAPACITY OF 2,000 CU. FT. FOR THE STORAGE OF 350 TO 400 PICULS OF ICED FISH.
THE TOTAL COST OF BUILDING AND EQUIPPING THE VESSELS WITH NAVIGATION AND SAFETY GEARS, INCLUDING FOR THE FIRST TIME AN INFLATABLE LIFE-BOAT AND FISHING GEAR, WILL BE $1.63 MILLION OF WHICH THE OWNERS WILL PROVIDE THE BALANCE IN EXCESS OF THE LOAN AMOUNT.
THE VESSELS WILL BE BUILT TO THE DESIGN AND SUPERVISION OF TECHNICAL STAFF IN THE FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT DIVISION OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AT YARDS ON TSING Yl ISLAND AND IN SHAU KEI WAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID:
+WHILST MANY OF HONG KONG’S NEWER FISHING VESSELS ARE BUILT WITH THE FISHERMEN’S OWN OR OTHER PRIVATE FINANCING AND TO THEIR OWN SPECIFICATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT’S DESIGNS HAVE BEEN WELL ESTABLISHED AS MODELS FOR THE FLEET AND ARE KEENLY OBSERVED BY PROGRESSIVE FISHERMEN.+
/7
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977
7
SEPTEMBER COST OF LIVING UNCHANGED
• * K K * *
(B) FOR LAST
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES (A) AND .
(SEPTEMBER) WERE BOTH 119, EACH BEING THE SAME AS IN MONTH.
MONTH THE PREVIOUS
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS 1 POINT LOWER THAN THE PREVIOUS MONTH IN C.P.I. (A) AND WAS UNCHANGED IN C.P.I. (B) WHEN ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST WHOLE POINT. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES DECLINED ALTHOUGH LOCAL SUPPLY WAS AFFECTED BY THE WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING THE EARLY PART OF THE MONTH.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HIGHER PRICES DUE TO HEAVY DEMAND AROUND THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL WERE RECORDED FOR FRESH FRUITS. THE AVERAGE PRICE OF MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME ALSO WENT UP AS SOME RESTAURANTS AND EATING-PLACES RAISED THEIR PRICES. MOVEMENTS IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF THE OTHER FOOD ITEMS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 4 POINTS IN C.P.I. (A) AND BY 3 POINTS IN C.P.I. (B) OWING TO HIGHER PRICES FOR CIGARETTES.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING ADVANCED BY 1 POINT IN BOTH C.P.I. (A) AND C.P.I. (B) AS A RESULT OF AN INCREASE IN THE RENT OF SOME PRIVATE DWELLINGS.
HIGHER CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING CAUSED THE INDEX FOR SERVICES TO RISE BY 1 POINT IN C.P. I. (B).
A FALL OF 1 POINT WAS RECORDED IN THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR IN C.P.I. (B) DUE TO LOWER PRICES FOR SOME ITEMS OF WOMEN’S OUTERCLOTHING.
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INS IGNIFICANT.
THE C.P.I. (A) IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $400 - $1,499 A MONTH AND THE C.P.I. (B) BETWEEN $1,500 - $2,999 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY, 1973/74.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977
8
THE SECTION INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH AND THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1976 ARE INDICATED BELOW t-
SECTION SEP. 76 C.P.I. (A) C.P.I. (B)
AUG. 77 SEP. 77 SEP. 76 AUG. 77 SEP. 77
FOODSTUFFS 112 116 115 112 116 116
HOUS ING 117 125 126 117 124 125
FUEL AND LIGHT 132 136 136 131 135 135
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO 129 133 137 126 130 133
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 97 100 100 97 100 99
DURABLE GOODS 107 HO 110 105 107 107
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 121 125 125 118 121 121
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 113 116 116 118 121 121
SERVICES 124 130 130 123 130 131 \
ALL ITEMS 115 119 119 115 119 119
0 - - - - /9
7
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977
- 9 -
TENDER FOR LINK ROAD TO AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE
* * * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO BEGIN WORK SHORTLY ON THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SOUTHERN APPROACH ROAD TO AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WILL BE INVITED TOMORROW (THURSDAY) BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE P.W.D.
MR. T.S. NG, CHIEF P.W.D. ENGINEER OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, SAID TODAY THAT WORK WOULD START IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE PROJECT WOULD INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 9OO-METRE-LONG ROAD, A SLIP ROAD AND A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY ON AP LEI CHAU.
MR. NG SAID THAT ON COMPLETION, THE APPROACH ROAD TOGETHER WITH THE AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE WOULD PROVIDE A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN THE AP LEI CHAU HOUSING ESTATE AND ABERDEEN WHILE THE SLIP ROAD MEASURING 270 METRES IN LENGTH, WOULD LINK AP LEI CHAU VILLAGE WITH THE SOUTHERN APPROACHES TO THE BRIDGE.
+T0 FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS, A SUBWAY WILL BE BUILT NEAR THE AP LEI CHAU KAIFONG SCHOOL. FOOTPATHS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SLIP ROAD AND ALONG THE NORTHERN
HE SAID.
SIDE OF THE MAIN ROAD,+
MEANWHILE, WORK IS UNDERWAY ON THE $32 MILLION AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE AND ITS NORTHERN ROAD CONNECTIONS IN ABERDEEN.
THE 230-METRE-LONG BRIDGE, WHICH WILL CARRY TWO TRAFFIC LANES, WITH A CAPACITY OF ABOUT 1,500 VEHICLES PER HOUR, WILL BE THE FIRST TO LINK HONG KONG WITH ONE OF ITS OFFSHORE ISLANDS.
MR. NG SAID THAT THE SOUTHERN APPROACH ROAD WOULD BE TIMED FOR COMPLETION AT THE SAME TIME AS THE BRIDGE AND THE NORTHERN APPROACH ROADS, SO THAT THE WHOLE SCHEME COULD BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC
BY MID-1979.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE AND THE $280 MILLION ABERDEEN TUNNEL, WHICH WILL BE COMPLETED BY MID-1980, WOULD PROVIDE A FAST AND DIRECT ROAD LINK FROM AP LEI CHAU TO THE NORTHERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND VIA THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL, AND THENCE THROUGH THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TO KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/-IO........
-----0 - -
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977
- 10 -
TANG SHIU KIN AND HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND TOPS $6M MARK ******
DONATIONS TO THE TANG SHIU KIN AND HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND, WHICH WAS SET UP EARLIER THIS YEAR, HAS NOW EXCEEDED $6 MILLION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WHO ACTS AS THE TRUSTEE OF THE FUND, SAID TODAY ABOUT 115 FAMILIES HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE FUND SINCE IT STARTED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE NEEDY SIX MONTHS AGO.
PAYMENTS FROM THE FUND, AVERAGING AT $1,000 PER FAMILY, WERE PROMPTLY MADE TO THE BENEFICIARIES TO MEET HARDSHIP CAUSED BY CRISES OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
MOST OF THE PAYMENTS WERE FOR FAMILIES TO COPE WITH DIFFICULTIES SUCH AS TO COVER BURIAL EXPENSES ARISING FROM THE DEATH OF THE BREADWINNERS. OTHER PAYMENTS WERE FOR EXPENSES FOR NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN CONNECTION WITH CONVALESCENCE, FOR MEETING REMOVAL EXPENSES TO NEW ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, AND FOR PAYING OFF DEBT INCURRED BECAUSE OF CHRONIC ILLNESS.
+AMONG THE BENEFICIARIES, SOME OF THEM APPLIED FOR ASSISTANCE TO THE DEPARTMENT DIRECT, WHILE OTHERS WERE REFERRED BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, THE PO LEUNG KUK, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, AND THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SIR SHIU KIN TANG AND MR. HO TIM EACH DONATED $1 MILLION TO SET UP THE FUND IN FEBRUARY. A COMMITTEE WAS LATER FORMED TO MAKE RULES GOVERNING CONDITIONS OF PAYMENT, RANGE OF ASSISTANCE, INVESTMENTS AND DISPOSAL OF TRUST PROPERTIES.
APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND CAN BE MADE TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, THE PO LEUNG KUK OR ANY DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
- - o___________
/11
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977
11
SPECIAL BUS ROUTES FOR CHUNG YEUNG *****
TWO SPECIAL BUS ROUTES WILL BE IN OPERATION ON CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL DAY FRIDAY) TO FACILITATE GRAVE WORSHIPPERS GO ING TO THE CHINESE CHRISTIAN CEMETERY IN POKFULAM AND THE CHAI WAN CEMETERY.
THEY ARE ROUTE 21A, WHICH WILL RUN BETWEEN CENTRAL BUS STATION AND THE CHINESE CHRISTIAN CEMETERY, AND ROUTE 89 WHICH WILL PLY BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN AND CHAI WAN CEMETERY. BOTH WILL BE OPERATED FROM 7 A.M. TO 6 P.M. AT A FREQUENCY OF EVERY SEVEN TO EIGHT MINUTES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, BUSES TO WAH FU, ABERDEEN AND WONG CHUK HANG WILL NOT OBSERVE THE BUS STOP OPPOSITE TO THE CHINESE CHRISTIAN CEMETERY. THE BUS STOPS OUTSIDE BLOCK 27 WAN TSUI ROAD WILL ALSO BE SUSPENDED EXCEPT FOR ROUTE 89.
AT THE SAME TIME, CMB ROUTES NOS. 80, 81, 82, 83 AND CROSS HARBOUR ROUTE NO. 106, WHICH NORMALLY TRAVEL ANTI-CLOCKWISE ON WAN TSUI ROAD, WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO RUN ALONG CHAI WAN ROAD. ROUTE 82 WILL ADDITIONALLY BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL ALONG WAN TSUI ROAD INSTEAD OF TRAVELLING SOUTHBOUND ON WAH HA STREET ON ITS JOURNEY FROM CHAI WAN TO NORTH POINT.
-----o------
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN PING SHAN ******
THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT A REGISTRATION TEAM WILL CARRY OUT REGISTRATION AT PING SHAN RURAL COMMITTEE ON OCTOBER 27, 28, 31 AND NOVEMBER 1 BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M.
THIS IS TO ENABLE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN OR WARDS FROM 11 TO 17 YEARS OF AGE.FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS, AND HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS WHO HAVE REACHED THE AGE OF 18 TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS.
PEOPLE LIVING IN THE AREA ARE ALSO REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS. ,
IN ADDITION, THEY MUST REPORT TO THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE ANY CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
- - 0 - -
/12
«
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977
- 12 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ARRAN STREET * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT PART OF ARRAN STREET BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD IN MONG KOK WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO NOVEMBER 17.
THIS IS TO FACILITATE EMERGENCY WORKS BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAYS CORPORATION IN THE AREA.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE AREA TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-----0------
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RATES OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES TO BE INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT .................. 1
WORK ON COASTAL HIGHWAY BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND SHAU KEI
WAN STARTS SOON .............................................3
HONG KONG SPENT $1,100 MILLION ON ROAD WORK IN PAST TEN
YEARS ....................................................... 4
AIR-BORNE STUDIO BROADCASTS FIRE RISK MESSAGES .............. 7
SECURITY CUBICLES FOR KAI TAK AIRPORT ....................... 8
EXPLOSIVES SUPERVISOR OF LABOUR DEPARTMENT RETIRING ......... 9
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SHEK WU HUI ..................... 10
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1977
1
RATES OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES TO BE INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT ******
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE SCALE OF PAYMENTS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PA) AND DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES (DIA) WILL BE INCREASED BY ABOUT 11 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.
LU YU-HUA, ASSISTANT ORDER TO PROTECT THE
COMMENTING ON THE INCREASES, MR. DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, SAID: +IN POOREST SECTOR OF OUR COMMUNITY, THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATES ARE INCREASED FROM TIME TO TIME TO MAINTAIN THEIR PURCHASING
POWER.+
HE NOTED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ALWAYS KEEPS A CLOSE WATCH ON THE LEVELS OF PA AND DIA BY REFERRING EACH MONTH TO THE MOVEMENT OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE INDEX.
+THIS INDEX IS MADE UP OF THOSE ELEMENTS IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SUCH AS FOOD, FUEL, LIGHTING, CLOTHING IN PROPORTIONS REFLECTING THE SPENDING HABITS OF OUR POORER FAMILIES. RENT IS EXCLUDED BECAUSE IT IS ALLOWED FOR SEPARATELY IN CALCULATING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE PAYABLE,+ HE SAID.
THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1971 AND THE RATES WERE IMPROVED IN REAL TERMS IN APRIL 1972, MR. LU SAID.
+THE 1972 BASIC RATE WAS FIRST INCREASED IN JULY 1973 BY NINE PER CENT, AND BY 21 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1974 AND AGAIN BY 24 PER CENT IN JUNE THAT SAME YEAR.+
THE RATES OF PAYMENT TO BE INCREASED IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR ARE AS FOLLOWS:
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
* FOR A SINGLE PERSON ON HIS OWN
* FOR A FAMILY -
FIRST THREE ELIGIBLE MEMBERS
SECOND THREE ELIGIBLE MEMBERS
EACH ADDITIONAL ELIGIBLE MEMBER
DISABILITY ALLOWANCE
INFIRMITY ALLOWANCE
FROM $180 TO $200
FROM $130 TO $145 PER PERSON
FROM $105 TO $120
PER PERSON
FROM $80 TO $90
PER PERSON
FROM $180 TO $203
FROM $90 TO $100
/AS AN EXAMPLE .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1977
2
AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THE PA SCHEME CAN HELP A FAMILY IN FINANCIAL DISTRESS, MR. LU SAID THAT THE BASIC SCALE RATE AT THE NEW LEVEL FOR A FIVE-MEMBER FAMILY WOULD BE $675 A MONTH.
+0N TOP OF THIS AMOUNT, RENT ALLOWANCE AND THE COST OF ANY SCHOOL FEES AND TRAVELLING EXPENSES WILL BE ADDED. MOREOVER, ANY SPECIAL EXPENSES, SUCH AS DIETARY NEEDS, WILL ALSO BE COVERED.
+THESE ALLOWANCES ARE, OF COURSE, IN ADDITION TO THE NON-MEANS-TESTED INFIRMITY AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCES FOR ANY FAMILY MEMBER WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR THEM,+ HE SAID.
AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 47,671 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, 16,785 DISABILITY AND 59,075 INFIRMITY CASES ON THE DEPARTMENT’S BOOKS.
THE INCREASE IS EXPECTED TO COST THE GOVERNMENT AN ADDITIONAL $32.2 MILLION FOR 1978/79.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1977
WORK ON S400M COASTAL HIGHWAY STARTS SOON
*****
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN WORK SHORTLY ON THE FIRST STAGE OF THE $400 MILLION-PLUS COASTAL ROAD BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND SHAU KEI WAN.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK WERE INVITED TODAY BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE P.W.D.
MR. T.S. NG, CHIEF ENGINEER DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, CONSIST OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RECLAMATION OF THE NORTH-EASTERN TYPHOON SHELTER.
OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT SAID THAT THE WORK WOULD 390-METRES SEAWALL AND THE CORNER OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY
+REPROV ISI ON I NG OF EXISTING FACILITIES ON THE NEW RECLAMATION INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TWO-STOREY DEPOT BUILDING FOR THE PORT WORKS DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND A VEHICULAR RAMP FOR OFF-LOADING OF REFUSE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL,* HE SAID.
WORK ON THIS CONTRACT WILL BEGIN IN DECEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
♦ON COMPLETION, SUFFICIENT SPACE WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STAGE ONE OF THE COASTAL ROUTE, KNOWN AS HONG KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, AT THE EASTERN END OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON ANCHORAGE,* MR. NG SAID.
MR. NG SAID THAT THE FIRST STAGE OF THE SCHEME CONSISTED OF A TWO-KILOMETRE ELEVATED ROAD RUNNING ALONG THE WAJERFRONT FROM VICTORIA PARK TO NORTH POINT.
+IT IS BEING DESIGNED AS A FAST, HIGH-CAPACITY ROUTE WHICH WILL TAKE MUCH OF THE PRESSURE OFF EXISTING ROADS IN THE AREA, PARTICULARLY KING’S ROAD AND PROVIDE FAST AND CONVENIENT ACCESS BETWEEN THE TWO DISTRICTS,* HE SAID.
+THE NEW HIGHWAY WILL HAVE SIX LANES — THREE LANES FOR TRAFFIC IN EACH DIRECTION -- AND WILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF ABOUT 6,000 CARS AN HOUR.*
THERE WILL BE TWO MAJOR INTERCHANGES 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.
MR. NG POINTED OUT THAT THE MAJOR SECTIONS OF THE HIGHWAY WOULD BE RUNNING OVER THE SEA AND SOME 75 PIERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE ELEVATED DECK STRUCTURE.
- 0 - -
A...
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1977 .
31,100 MILLION SPENT ON ROAD WORK IN PAST TEN YEARS ******
HONG KONG HAS SPENT SOME $1,100 MILLION ON NEW ROAD WORKS IN THE PAST 10 YEARS DURING WHICH THE TOTAL LENGTH OF ROADS HAS INCREASED BY 300 KILOMETRES TO 1,100 KILOMETRES.
DISCLOSING THIS TODAY, MR. SIU CHUEN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (MAINLAND) DIVISION, SAID IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE FUTURE SPENDING ON NEW ROAD WORKS SHOULD BE $350 MILLION A YEAR (AT 1974 PRICES).
MR. SIU WAS PRESENTING A TECHNICAL PAPER ON +A DECADE OF PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAY NETWORK IN HONG KONG+ ON BEHALF OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, AT THE EIGHTH WORLD MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL ROAD FEDERATION BEING HELD IN TOKYO.
HE SAID THAT HONG KONG AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S FOREMOST INDUSTRIAL CITIES WAS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED WITH 4.4 MILLION PEOPLE LIVING AND WORKING IN A COMPARATIVELY TINY AREA OF 1,046 SQUARE KILOMETRES (403 SQUARE MILES).
AS MUCH OF THIS CONSISTED OF MOUNTAINS AND ISLANDS, THE ACTUAL AREA IN CONSTANT USE WAS LESS THAN 100 SQUARE KILOMETRES (40 SQUARE MILES).
OUTLINING THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE GROWTH OF ROAD TRANSPORT, MR. SIU SAID : +BETWEEN 1966 AND 1976 THE POPULATION GREW FROM 3.6 MILLION TO 4.4 MILLION.
+IN COMMON WITH TRENDS ELSEWHERE VEHICLE REGISTRATION, WHICH IN I960 STOOD AT 40,000, WENT UP FROM 93,000 IN 1966 TO 192,000 IN 1976 AND THE NUMBER OF PERSON TRIPS INCREASED FROM 2.8 MILLION TO OVER SIX MILLION PER DAY.+
ANOTHER FACTOR WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE NEED FOR AN EXPANDED HIGHWAY NETWORK WAS THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MR. SIU TOLD REPRESENTATIVES FROM 70 COUNTRIES THAT HONG KONG HAD ONE OF THE HIGHEST VEHICLE DENSITIES IN THE WORLD.
+IT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE P.W.D. TO FIND WAYS TO KEEP THE TRAFFIC MOVING REASONABLY SMOOTHLY, TO PLAN PARKING PROVISIONS BOTH ON-STREET AND OFF-STREET, AND TO ENSURE THAT THE STREETS ARE WELL LIT,-*- HE SAID.
/+T0 IMPROVE .....
5
+T0 IMPROVE JUNCTIONS, SOME 43 GRADE SEPARATED INTERCHANGES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED. IN THE NARROW CONFINES OF URBAN STREET AND, IN THE HILLY TOPOGRAPHY OF HONG KONG ISLAND THIS OFTEN REQUIRES A GREAT DEAL OF INGENUITY. WHERE SPACE IS INADEQUATE FOR GRADE SEPARATION, SOME 320 SETS OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED -MANY OF THEM LINKED.
+AN AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SCHEME WAS PUT INTO OPERATION IN MARCH THIS
INVOLVING SOME 83 JUNCTIONS
YEAR.*
ON ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE WORK, MR. SIU SAID THAT MANY OF HONG KONG’S HIGHWAYS WERE DESIGNED AND BUILT FOR A DIFFERENT ERA AND THUS CONSIDERABLE RECONSTRUCTION WORK WAS CONSTANTLY TAKING PLACE.
ALSO, HE POINTED OUT THAT HIGH POPULATION DENSITIES AND LARGE SCALE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SUCH A SMALL AREA HAD CREATED A PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICING PROBLEM THAT FEW CITIES HAD EVER KNOWN.
EACH YEAR, HE ADDED, THERE WERE 16,000 ROAD OPENINGS BY UTILITY UNDERTAKERS.
MR. SIU RECALLED THAT SYSTEMATIC PLANNING OF TRANSPORT BEGAN IN HONG KONG IN 1964 WITH THE SETTING UP OF THE PASSENGER TRANSPORT SURVEY UNIT JOINTLY BY THE BRITISH TRANSPORT AND ROAD RESEARCH LABORATORY AND THE HONG KONG PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
ONE OF ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE WAS TO BUILD UP WITHIN GOVERNMENT A PERMANENT ORGANISATION WHICH WOULD KEEP UNDER CONTINUOUS REVIEW THE REQUIREMENTS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN HONG KONG.
THE UNIT COMPLETED ITS WORK IN DECEMBER 1966 AND WAS PERMANENTLY INTEGRATED INTO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND EVENTUALLY BECAME THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SURVEY DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
SINCE THEN, HE SAID, TWO MORE STUDIES -- THE STUDY ON THE NEED AND FEASIBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING A MASS TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND THE LONG TERM ROAD STUDY — HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT.
AS ALL THREE STUDIES WERE AIMED AT INDIVIDUAL ASPECTS OF TRANSPORT AND NONE HAD LOOKED AT THE TRANSPORT SCENE AS AN ORGANIC WHOLE, CONSULTANTS WERE AGAIN EMPLOYED IN 1973 TO CARRY OUT A +COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY* OF HONG KONG.
THE FINAL REPORT ON THE STUDY WAS MADE PUBLIC IN DECEMBER 1976, MR. SIU SAID.
ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE CONSULTANTS WAS THAT THE ROAD NETWORK SHOULD BE EXPANDED AT A COST OF $350 MILLION TO ACCOMMODATE THE MAJOR PORTION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT PLUS ALL PRIVATE AND GOODS VEHICLES.
/THE CONSULTANTS .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1977
- 6 -
THE CONSULTANTS ALSO RECOMMENDED EXPANSION OF ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES, PARTICULARLY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, WHOSE FARE STRUCTURE SHOULD BE DISTANCE BASED SO AS TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM REVENUE WITH MAXIMUM RIDERSHIP.
MR. SIU SPOKE ABOUT THE FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SURVEY DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
+IT FUNCTIONS AS A SERVICE AGENCY TO ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS REQUIRING TRANSPORT SURVEYS OR TRANSPORT PLANNING STUDIES TO BE CARRIED OUT,+ HE SAID.
+ITS RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE OPERATION OF AN ANNUAL TRAFFIC CENSUS WHICH COVERS 364 COUNTING STATIONS, THE SURVEY AND MONITORING OF THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE DIFFERENT TRANSPORT COMPANIES AND THE REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF ROAD ACCIDENT STATISTICS.+
IN ADDITION, MR. SIU SAID, THE DIVISION WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PERIODIC UPDATING OF THE RESULTS OF THE MAJOR TRANSPORT STUDIES AND CARRYING OUT TRANSPORT PLANNING AND TRANSPORT PROJECT EVALUATION STUDIES.
+THE FINDINGS OF SURVEYS AND STUDIES ARE CONTAINED IN TECHNICAL REPORTS OF VARIOUS TYPES, OF WHICH SOME 560 HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO DATE,* HE SAID.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1977
7
AIR-BORNE STUDIO TO BROADCAST FIRE RISK MESSAGES
* * * *
AN AIR-BORNE BROADCASTING STUDIO HAS BEEN HOVERING OVER THE NEW TERRITORIES THIS WEEK, ISSUING ANNOUNCEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE CURRENT FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.
THE STUDIO IS INSTALLED IN THE FUSELAGE OF A SPECIALLY EQUIPPED ISLANDER AIRCRAFT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE.
TWO POWERFUL LOUDSPEAKERS, MOUNTED ON THE OPEN DOORWAY, BEAM PRE-RECORDED MESSAGES TO GRAVE YARD VISITORS IN RURAL AREAS DURING THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL.
THE MESSAGES REMIND THESE VISITORS OF THE RISK OF FIRE IF THEY FAIL TO EXERCISE PROPER CARE IN LIGHTING JOSS STICKS AND PAPER AT GRAVE SITES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE THREAT OF MAJOR FIRE OUTSBREAKS RESULTING FROM VISITS TO GRAVEYARDS IS EXTREMELY HIGH.
+REGRETTABLY, TOO MANY PEOPLE LIGHT JOSS STICKS AND PAPER WITHOUT PROPER THOUGHT FOR THE CONSEQUENCES.
+THEY FAIL TO CHECK THE PROXIMITY OF VEGETATION WHICH CAN BE SET ALIGHT, OR THE EFFECTS OF EVEN A SLIGHT BREEZE WHICH CAN CARRY BURNING PAPER INTO THE NEAREST TREES AND START AN INFERNO THAT DESTROYS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF VALUABLE FOREST.
+ IT MAY SEEM INTRUSIVE TO ADDRESS THESE PEOPLE FROM THE AIR IN THIS WAY, BUT IT HAPPENS TO BE THE ONLY MEANS BY WHICH WE CAN REACH THEM ON THE SPOT TO REMIND THEM OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO THE COUNTRYSIDE AND TO OTHERS.
+WE CONSIDER THAT THE HIGH COST WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE PAID IN PAST YEARS, LOSING VAST TRACTS OF RECREATIONAL COUNTRYSIDE THROUGH SHEER NEGLIGENCE AND CARELESSNESS, JUSTIFIES ANY MEANS OF DRIVING HOME THE NEED FOR SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS THAT WOULD AVOID THIS WASTE.+
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/8
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1977
8
SECURITY CUBICLES FOR KAI TAK * K * M
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL SOON INVITE TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NUMBER OF SECURITY CUBICLES IN KAI TAK AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING, ACCORDING TO A NOTICE IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
THE CUBICLES WILL BE BUILT WITH BULLET PROOF SCREENING COMPONENTS WHICH SHOULD BE OPAQUE OR TRANSPARENT AS REQUIRED. AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS AND SWING DOORS OF SIMILAR MATERIAL ARE ALSO REQUIRED.
FIRMS INTERESTED IN THE CONTRACT SHOULD SUBMIT INFORMATION SHOWING THAT THEY ARE WELL ESTABLISHED WITH PERMANENT OFFICE AND WORKSHOP ACCOMMODATION, AND HAVE HAD EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE OF THIS TYPE OF WORK.
APPLICATIONS TO TENDER FOR THIS PARTICULAR CONTRACT, AND ALSO FOR INCLUSION ON A LIST OF CONTRACTORS SUITABLE FOR EXECUTING SIMILAR WORK ON FUTURE PROJECTS, SHOULD BE SENT TO THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT, ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 4, 1977.
THEY SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED +APPLICATION FOR INCLUSION ON LIST OF SPECIALIST CONTRACTORS FOR THE EXECUTION OF BULLET PROOF SECURITY CUBICLES+.
/9
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1977
- 9
EXPLOSIVES SUPERVISOR RETIRING
******
AN EXPLOSIVES SUPERVISOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S MINES DIVISION, MR. WAN KIRN-TAI, WILL BE RETIRING SHORTLY AFTER MORE THAN 30 YEARS SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING, MR. PETER WILLIAMS, IN HIS ROLE AS COMMISSIONER OF MINES, PRESENTED MR. WAN WITH A RETIREMENT GIFT ON BEHALF OF HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES IN THE MINES DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
MR. WAN FIRST JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN MAY 1947 AS AN OFFICE ATTENDANT IN THE MARINE DEPARTMENT. HE WAS LATER TRANSFERRED TO THE GREEN ISLAND GUN POWDER DEPOT AS HEAD DEPOT ATTENDANT WHICH WAS REGRADED FOREMAN CLASS III IN DECEMBER 1962. THREE YEARS LATER HE WAS PROMOTED TO DEPOT SUPERVISOR.
IN SEPTEMBER 1971, MR. WAN JOINED THE MINES DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND WAS APPOINTED EXPLOSIVES SUPERVISOR CLASS II, AND THEN TO EXPLOSIVES SUPERVISOR CLASS I TWO YEARS LATER.
DURING HIS SERVICE WITH THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR. WAN WAS TWICE COMMENDED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE FOR HIS EXPERT HANDLING OF EXPLOSIVES.
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/IO
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1977
- 10 -
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SHEK WU HUI * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE BAN ON RIGHT TURN FROM LUNG SUM AVENUE TO SAN FUNG AVENUE IN SHEK WU HUI WILL BE LIFTED FROM MONDAY (OCTOBER 24) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AT SAN FUNG AVENUE.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE AREA TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1977
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
NEW APPROACH TO MAKE LEARNING ENGLISH MORE INTERESTING .... 1
NEARLY A MILLION TREES DESTROYED BY FIRE IN LAST DRY SEASON 2
NEW ANTI-SMOKING POSTER ...................................... 3
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CAUSEWAY BAY FOR MISSION SUNDAY CEREMONY ..................................................... 4
+LETTER BOX+ IN +NEW TERRITORIES WEEKLY* RADIO PROGRAMME .. 5
COURSE ON APPLICATION OF SKILLS ANALYSIS ..................... 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1977
NEW APPROACH TO MAKE LEARNING ENGLISH MORE INTERESTING
******
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS INTRODUCED A NEW APPROACH TO MAKE LEARNING ENGLISH IN SCHOOLS MORE INTERESTING.
THE METHOD IS TO HAVE TEACHERS OF ENGLISH MAKE BETTER USE OF AUDIO/VISUAL AIDS IN THEIR TEACHING AS STUDENTS WILL FIND THAT LEARNING ENGLISH WITH THE HELP OF THESE AIDS MORE MEANINGFUL AND PRACTICAL.
EXPLAINING THE NEW APPROACH, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TEACHERS UNDERGOING IN-SERVICE TRAINING IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING (AUDIO/VISUAL) WORKSHOP ARE FORMED IN SMALL GROUPS AND ENCOURAGED TO PRODUCE RESOURCE MATERIALS TO MEET THEIR SPECIAL TEACHING NEEDS IN A SIMPLE AND ECONOMICAL WAY.
+FOR EXAMPLE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +THE PARTICIPANTS WHO WORK UNDER THE ADVICE OF A SCHOOL INSPECTOR AND A TECHNICAL ASSISTANT, ARE TOLD HOW TO USE A WASTE CARTON BOX TO MAKE A SCREEN FOR SHOWING SLIDES WHICH WOULD COST A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS ON THE MARKET.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PARTICIPANTS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO MAKE USE OF PICTURES AND TAPE RECORDERS TO GET THEIR MESSAGES ACROSS TO STUDENTS.
THE ONE-WEEK TRAINING PROGRAMME HAS SO FAR PROVED VERY POPULAR. A TOTAL OF 132 PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH ARE ATTENDING THE WORKSHOP AT THE DEPARTMENT’S LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DUE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE WORKSHOP, ANOTHER COURSE FOR TEACHERS IN KOWLOON WILL START SHORTLY.
+IN ADDITION, A SIMILAR IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH SUBJECTS IS BEING ORGANISED AND WILL SOON TAKE IN ITS FIRST BATCH OF PARTICIPANTS,* HE SAID.
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/2......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1977
2 -
NEARLY A MILLION TREES DESTROYED IN LAST DRY SEASON ******
HONG KONG’S COUNTRYSIDE AGAIN SUFFERED THE RAVAGES OF FIRE DURING THE LAST DRY SEASON WHICH DESTROYED NEARLY A MILLION TREES.
THE LOSS WAS HEAVIER THAN THAT OF THE PREVIOUS SEASON WHEN ABOUT 680,000 TREES WERE DAMAGED. THE NUMBER OF FIRE RECORDED ALSO SHOT UP FROM ABOUT 800 TO ABOUT 1,200.
IT WAS DEVASTATING THAT THE EXTENT OF PLANTATION AREAS AND MANAGED COUNTRYSIDE SCARRED BY FIRES DRAMATICALLY INCREASED TO ABOUT 1,188 HECTARES (APPROX. 3,000 ACRES) - ALMOST DOUBLE THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S FIGURE OF 700 HECTARES.
+THE LOSS WAS ENORMOUS+, REMARKED MR. C.C. LEE, COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE COUNTRY PARKS DIVISION, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
ALL THIS OCCURRED DESPITE REPEATED WARNINGS AND APPEALS BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE FIRE HAZARD IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, PARTICULARLY IN THE FOREST PLANTATION AREAS, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT CARRIES OUT CONTROLLED BURNING IN SPOTS SUCH AS ROADSIDE WHERE THICK DRY VEGETATION HAS ACCUMULATED. IN ADDITION, A SERIES OF +FIRE BREAKS+ ARE BEING MAINTAINED TO CHECK THE SPREADING OF FIRES. FORESTRY TRACKS WERE CLEARED TO ENABLE FIRE-FIGHTERS TO REACH ANY SPOT WITHIN THE PLANTATIONS EASILY.
SCHOOL CHILDREN WERE ENCOURAGED, THROUGH GENERAL CIRCULARS ISSUED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND EDUCATIONAL T.V., TO REFRAIN FROM DAMAGING THE COUNTRYSIDE BY LITTERING AND CARELESS HANDLING OF FIRE.
DURING THE DRY WINTER MONTHS, PUBLIC EDUCATION ON THE PROPER WAY OF LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING BARBECUE FIRES WAS MAINTAINED THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA.
THE DEPARTMENT’S TRAINED FOREST FIRE CREWS WERE ON STANDBY 24 HOURS A DAY. THEY WERE BACKED BY UNITS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES AND, ON DAYS WHEN LOW HUMIDITY COINCIDED WITH A PUBLIC HOLIDAY, BY MEN FROM THE CIVIL AID SERVICES.
MR. LEE STRESSED THAT HONG KONG’S COUNTRYSIDE COULD ONLY BE PROTECTED FROM FIRE WITH THE FULL CO-OPERATION OF EVERYONE WHO USES IT.
UNDER THE COUNTRY.PARKS REGULATIONS, A PERSON CAN BE FINED UP TO $5,000 AND SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT FOR UNLAWFUL LIGHTING OF FIRE.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1977
3
NEW ANT I-SMOKING POSTER * * * #
A NEW POSTER AIMED AT DISCOURAGING SMOKING IN LIFTS HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND WILL SHORTLY APPEAR IN LIFT LOBBIES.
THE POSTER SHOWS A SMOKER IN A LIFT SURROUNDED BY IRATE PASSENGERS.
ITS MESSAGE IS: +BE CONSIDERATE. THINK BEFORE YOU SMOKE+.
STICKERS AND POSTERS WITH THE +PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE+ MESSAGE HAVE ALSO BEEN PRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR DISPLAY ON BUSES, FERRIES AND RAIL TERMINALS AND PUBLIC ENCLOSED PLACES.
LIKE THE OTHER PUBLICITY MATERIAL, THE NEW POSTER HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO TRY TO EDUCATE PEOPLE TO THE DANGERS OF SMOKING AND IT IS ALSO AIMED AT PERSUADING PEOPLE NOT TO SMOKE IN PUBLIC PLACES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID A NUMBER OF MEASURES WERE BEING TAKEN TO DISCOURAGE SMOKING, INCLUDING EFFORTS IN SCHOOLS WHERE THE HEALTH, SOCIAL STUDIES AND BIOLOGY CURRICULA FOR PRIMARY 6 STUDENTS AND IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS INCLUDE THE SUBJECT +SMOKING AND HEALTH+.
AN EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION FILM ON SMOKING HAS ALSO BEEN SCREENED AS PART OF THE FORM I SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE AND TwO TELEVISION FILMS PRODUCED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO SENIOR STUDENTS IN A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, BESIDES DESIGNING A POSTER AND A STICKER, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO PRODUCED FILMS AND SLIDES FOR TELEVISION AND CINEMAS. THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY HAD BEEN CO-OPERATIVE OVER THE PREPARATION OF A VOLUNTARY CODE OF ADVERTISING PRACTICE WHICH WAS INTRODUCED ON SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BANNED CIGARETTE ADVERTISING IN BUILDINGS AND AREAS UNDER ITS CONTROL.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1977
_ 4 _
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR MISSION SUNDAY CEREMONY ******
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CAUSEWAY BAY ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 23) IN CONNECTION WITH THE MISSION SUNDAY CEREMONY TO EE HELD AT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STADIUM, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
WITH EFFECT FROM 12.30 P.M. ON SUNDAY THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED UNTIL NORMAL TRAFFIC IS RESUMED TO FACILITATE THE ARRIVAL OF PEOPLE ATTENDING THE CEREMONY:
* CAROLINE HILL ROAD WEST WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM LEIGHTON ROAD TO THE STADIUM-
* CAROLINE HILL ROAD EAST WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY NORTHBOUND FROM THE STADIUM TO LEIGHTON ROAD AND BE PROHIBITED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRING ACCESS TO PREMISES IN THIS ROAD-
* EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY NORTHBOUND FROM THE STADIUM TO TUNG LO WAN ROAD- AND
* LINK ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM CAROLINE HILL ROAD TO BROADWOOD ROAD.
TO FACILITATE THE DEPARTURE OF PEOPLE AFTER THE CEREMONY, THE FOLLOWING DIVERSIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED WITH EFFECT FROM 4.45 P.M. UNTIL THE RESUMPTION OF NORMAL TRAFFIC:
* CAROLINE HILL ROAD WEST WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY NORTHBOUND FROM THE STADIUM TOWARDS LEIGHTON ROAD- AND
* EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD, LINK ROAD AND CAROLINE HILL ROAD EAST WILL BE ROUTED IN THE SAME WAY AS FOR ARRIVAL.
DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY, IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE ROADS TO THE CAROLINE HILL AREA WILL BE VERY CONGESTED. MOTORISTS ARE THEREFORE ADVISED TO AVOID USING THIS AREA AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE DURING THIS PERIOD UNLESS ATTENDING THIS FUNCTION.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1977
+LETTER BOX+ IN NT RADIO PROGRAMME
******
THE RTHK’S + NEW TERRITORIES WEEKLY+ CHINESE RADIO PROGRAMME WILL INTRODUCE A +LETTER BOX+ FOR THE FIRST TIME ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 23) EVENING.
THIS FOLLOWS A NUMBER OF LETTERS RECEIVED FROM LISTENERS ASKING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF OPENING UP TWO NEW BUS ROUTES FROM TUEN MUN TO KWUN TONG AND FROM SHA TIN TO TSUEN WAN FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PUBLIC.
THEIR QUERIES WILL BE ANSWERED BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION DURING AN INTERVIEW BY THE PROGRAMME EDITOR, MR. FRANK NG, AT 6.15 P.M. ON SUNDAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THE PROGRAMME’S +LETTER BOX+ SHOULD THEY HAVE ANY INQUIRIES, COMPLAINTS OR SUGGESTIONS RELATED TO THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+THE NTA WILL DO EVERYTHING WITHIN ITS POWER TO GIVE LISTENERS THE QUICKEST ANSWER POSSIBLE ON AIR,+ HE SAID.
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COURSE ON APPLICATION OF SKILLS ANALYSIS
******
THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE IS ORGANISING A FOUR-WEEK FULL-TIME COURSE ON +THE APPLICATION OF SKILLS ANALYSIS TO HONG KONG INDUSTRIES* FOR EXECUTIVES, TRAINING MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS.
THE COURSE, SPONSORED BY THE COMMONWEALTH FUND FOR TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION, WILL BE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MR. DOUGLAS SEYMOUR, AN HONORARY RESEARCH FELLOW OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.
THE COURSE AIMS TO TRAIN PARTICIPANTS IN THE METHODS OF IDENTIFYING TRAINING NEEDS AND TO DESIGN SCHEMES OF TRAINING FOR INDUSTRIAL TASKS IN THEIR OWN CAMPANY, ALSO IN THE METHODS OF ORGANISING TRAINING OF ITS EVALUATION.
THE COURSE WILL BE HELD FROM NOVEMBER 14 TO DECEMBER 9. THE LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION IS ENGLISH AND THE FEE FOR THE COURSE IS $125. THE NUMBER TO BE ENROLLED IS LIMITED TO 15.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, 373, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, AND SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE COLLEGE NOT LATER THAN NOVEMBER 4.
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PRH 7
FKliw] IgisI |«|
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
42 PEOPLE DIED IN FIRE LAST YEAR .......... 1
SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO BE WIDENED . 2
MUSIC CONSULTANT ASSUMES OFFICE ........... 3
COURSE ON SOCIAL SKILLS FOR YOUTHS ........ 4
SAFETY MEASURES IN MOUNTAIN CLIMBING ...... 5
NEW WATER SUPPLY PERIODS IN SHA TIN ....... 5
FIRING PRACTICE ........................... 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY; OCTOBER 22, 1977
42 DIED IN FIRE LAST YEAR * * K
HONG KONG’S FIREMEN COVERED A TOTAL OF NEARLY 2.5 MILLION MILES — A DISTANCE 93 TIMES AROUND THE WORLD — IN RESPONSE TO FIRE AND RESCUE CALLS LAST YEAR.
THERE WERE 9,383 FIRE CALLS LAST YEAR, 2,013 MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE FIRES CLAIMED A TOLL OF 42 LIVES, AND CAUSED INJURIES TO 587 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 41 FIREMEN.
IN TERMS OF VALUE, THE FIRE LOSSES LAST YEAR, WHICH WERE REPORTED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES BUT EXCLUDING THE UNINSURED LOSSES, AMOUNTED TO $58.5 MILLION.
COMMENTING ON THE INCREASE IN FIRES REPORTED LAST YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS A DISAPPOINTING RETURN FOR THE TIME AND EFFORTS SPENT IN FIRE PREVENTION PUBLICITY BY THE DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH KAIFONGS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
HE SAID: +ALTHOUGH THE UNUSUALLY LONG SPELL OF LOW HUMIDITY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WAS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN THE INCREASED INCIDENCE OF FIRES, ESPECIALLY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, THE MAIN CAUSE IS THE UNIVERSAL OF CARELESSNESS OVER SIMPLE MATTERS.+
HOWEVER, HE~NOTED THAT DESPITE THE DENSITY OF POPULATION AND ROAD CONGESTION IN HONG KONG, THE LOSSES IN VALUE AND LIVES ARE STILL BELOW THOSE OF OTHER MAJOR CITIES.
+THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS REMARKABLE FACT, IS THE SKILL AND DETERMINATION OF HONG KONG FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN WHO FIGHT FIRES AND AID THE SICK AND INJURED THROUGHOUT DAY AND NIGHT UNDER THE MOST APPALLING CONDITIONS IMAGINABLE.+
AS IN THE PAST YEAR, THE LARGEST NUMBER OF FIRES WAS CAUSED BY CARELESS DISPOSAL OF MATCHES AND CIGARETTE ENDS (3,241) AND ELECTRICAL FAULTS (1,632). THE TWO CAUSES ALONE ACCOUNTED FOR NEARLY 52 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL FIRE CALLS.
THE SERVICE RESPONDED TO ANOTHER 344 FIRES, INVOLVING OVERTURNED KEROSENE STOVES, 311 FIRES BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY CHILDREN PLAYING WITH MATCHES, AND 246 FIRES RESULTED FROM UNATTENDED COOKING STOVES.
JANUARY WAS THE BUSIEST MONTH WHEN FIREMEN DEALT WITH 1,454 CALLS, FOLLOWED BY NOVEMBER WITH 1,086 CALLS.
DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HANDLED 3,574 SPECIAL SERVICE CALLS, INCLUDING TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, PEOPLE TRAPPED OR SHUT IN LIFTS, DROWNINGS, HANGINGS AND OTHER MISHAPS. A TOTAL OF 316 PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND 1,349 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THESE ACCIDENTS.
THE DEPARTMENT, IN ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE CONTINUOUSLY ITS EFFICIENCY IN FIRE-FIGHTING, HAS ACQUIRED 25 ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT APPLIANCES AND UNITS OF VARIOUS KINDS DURING THE YEAR. AMONG THE MORE IMPORTANT ONES IT RECEIVED WAS THE VERSATILE, 91-FOOT ELEVATED PLATFORM WHICH PROVED TO BE VERY VALUABLE IN SAVING MANY LIVES.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1977
2
SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO BE WIDENED
******
THE SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN TEXACO ROAD AND THE EASTERN END OF TUEN MUN ROAD AT CHAI WAN KOK WILL BE WIDENDED SHORTLY TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN TRAFFIC IN TSUEN WAN AREA.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
MR. CHEN SHAO-CHI, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE, SAID : +THIS SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD HAS FOUR TRAFFIC LANES. IT IS AN IMPORTANT CIRCULATORY ROAD IN TSUEN WAN AND A THROUGH ROUTE FOR TRAFFIC PROCEEDING BEYOND TSUEN WAN.
♦WITH THE COMPLETION OF STAGE ONE OF TUEN MUN ROAD EARLY NEXT YEAR AND THE DEVELOPMENT TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE NORTHERN PART OF TSUEN WAN, TRAFFIC IN THE AREA WILL INCREASE CONSIDERABLY.
TO COPE WITH THE INCREASE IN TRAFFIC, HE SAID, THIS ROAD SECTION WOULD BE WIDENED FROM DUAL TWO-LANE TO DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY, MAKING CASTLE PEAK ROAD SIX LANES THROUGHOUT ITS LENGTH FROM KWAI CHUNG ROAD TO TUEN MUN ROAD.
WORK ON THIS PROJECT WOULD BEGIN IN DECEMBER AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
IT WOULD INCLUDE THE STRENGTHENING OF THE EXISTING ROAD BRIDGE OVER THE NULLAH AT TAI CHUNG ROAD TO ACCOMMODATE THE WIDENDED CARRIAGEWAY AND FOOTPATHS, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A STEEL FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS CASTLE PEAK ROAD ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE NULLAH.
MR. CHEN SAID THAT DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, FOUR TRAFFIC LANES, TWO IN EACH DIRECTION, WOULD BE MAINTAINED AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES WOULD BE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE CONTRACT PERIOD.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND THE WORK WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE ON BEHALF OF THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1977
- 3 -
MUSIC CONSULTANT ASSUMES DUTY
X X X X H *
MR. DAVID STONE HAS TAKEN UP THE APPOINTMENT OF MUSIC CONSULTANT FOLLOWING HIS ARRIVAL FROM BRITAIN.
MR. STONE IS A DI ST INGUISED VIOLINIST AND CONDUCTOR, AND HAD VISITED HONG KONG ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AS AN EXAMINER FOR THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC.
AS MUSIC CONSULTANT, MR. STONE IS WORKING WITH THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MR. GORDON SIU.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 P.M. ON MONDAY
IN THE G.I.S. THEATRE, 5TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, DURING WHICH MR. STONE WILL BE PLEASED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM PRESS REPRESENTATIVES. MR. SIU, WILL ALSO BE PRESENT.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
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A
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1977
4
SWD TO HOLD COURSES ON SOCIAL SKILLS FOR YOUTHS
******
THE YOUTH WORK UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL BE ORGANISING A COURSE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE WAYS TO INFLUENCE PEOPLE AND WIN FRIENDS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE COURSE -- SOCIAL EFFECTIVENESS TRAINING COURSE -- WAS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 25 WITH THE AIM OF HELPING THEM TO DEVELOP SOCIAL SPEAKING SKILLS SO AS TO BETTER ADAPT TO COMMUNITY LIFE.
THE COURSE IS MADE UP OF SEVEN THREE-HOUR SESSIONS TO BE HELD EVERY FRIDAY BETWEEN NOVEMBER 11 AND DECEMBER 30 AT THE KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, THIRD FLOOR, TUNG YAN STREET.
IT WILL INCLUDE SUCH TOPICS AS WAYS TO EXPRESS ONESELF, HOW TO GET ACQUAINTED WITH STRANGERS, TECHNIQUES OF PHRASING ONE’S COMPLIMENTS AND CRITICISMS, AND THE CORRECT MANNER OF ACCEPTING OTHER PEOPLE’S ADVICE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE COURSE WOULD EE FORMED INTO DISCUSSION GROUPS IN ORDER TO AROUSE THEIR INTEREST. THERE WOULD BE PRACTICAL EXERCISES AS WELL.
THE COURSE IS OPEN TO ALL YOUTHS WITH FORM 4 OR ABOVE EDUCATION. APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH WORK UNIT, 405, NATHAN ROAD, TOP FLOOR, KOWLOON CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS OCTOBER 29.
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/5
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1977
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PRESS CONFERENCE ON MOUNTAIN CLIMBING SAFETY
******
THE CIVIL AID SERVICES WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON +SAFETY MEASURES IN MOUNTAIN CLIMBING+ AT ITS KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE, 204 ARGYLE STREET, AT 9 A.M. ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 25).
THE PRESS CONFERENCE IS ARRANGED TO SEEK THE CO-OPERATION OF THE PRESS IN PUBLICISING THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY IN HIKING AND MOUNTAIN CLIMBING AS WINTER IS THE FAVOURITE SEASON FOR THESE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.
MOUNTAIN RESCUE EQUIPMENT WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A MOUNTAIN RESCUE DEMONSTRATION IN BEACON HILL.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND
A PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE AND THE DEMONSTRATION.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE ADVISED TO WEAR CASUAL CLOTHING AND RUBBER SOLE SHOES AS THEY ARE EXPECTED TO WALK A SHORT DISTANCE ON ROUGH GROUND BEFORE REACHING THE DEMONSTRATION SITE.
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NEW WATER SUPPLY PERIODS IN SHA TIN AREA
******
NEW PERIODS OF WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN A SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN FO TAN TSUEN AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY WILL BE INTRODUCED ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 24) EVENING AND THE FOLLOWING MORNING TO FACILITATE WORK ON DIVERTING A WATER MAIN IN TAI PO ROAD.
THE SUPPLY PERIOD ON MONDAY EVENING WILL BE FROM 4 P.M. TO 9 P.M. WHILST THAT ON TUESDAY MORNING WILL BE FROM 8 A.M. TO NOON. NORMAL SUPPLY WILL RESUME ON TUESDAY EVENING.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1977
6 -
FIRING PRACTICE
* * * K
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CASTLE PEAK RAMGE FOR FIVE DAYS STARTING ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 24).
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF FIRING PRACTICE.
THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE
DATE HOURS
OCTOBER 24 (MONDAY) 8.30 A.M. - 6 P.M.
OCTOBER 25 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 10 P.M.
OCTOBER 26 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
OCTOBER 27 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 10 P.M.
OCTOBER 23 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 4.30 P.M.
- - - - 0 ----------
7
PRH 7
|gis| | w|
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LANDSCAPING PROGRAMME TO BEAUTIFY SHA TIN .................. 1
MUSIC FUND SET UP WITH DONATIONS FROM JOCKEY CLUB .......... 2
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU CARRIED OUT MORE INSPECTIONS LAST YEAR .................................................. 3
NEW POST OFFICE GUIDE ON SALE .............................. 4
LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD ELECTION ............................. 5
GROWTH OF CONTAINER TRAFFIC ................................ 6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HONG KONG........................... 7
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TWO ROADS IN KOWLOON .................. 8
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1977
1
LANDSCAPING-PLAN FOR SHA TIN
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED A CONSULTANTS REPORT PROPOSING AN EXTENSIVE URBAN LANDSCAPING PROGRAMME TO BEAUTIFY SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE SHA TIN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. KEITH KWOK, SAID THAT RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE CONSULTANTS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN STAGES.
INTERVIEWED ON THE RTHK CHINESE-CHANNEL +NEW TERRITORIES WEEKLY+ PROGRAMME, MR. KWOK, SAID THE FIRM HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO DRAW UP PROPOSALS TO GIVE SHA TIN A +NEW LOOK+ WHEN IT IS DEVELOPED AS A NEW TOWN FOR HALF A MILLION PEOPLE.
+THE CONSULTANTS RECENTLY COMPLETED A PHASE I REPORT AND HAVE MADE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING FROM THEIR DETAILED STUDY,+ HE SAID.
+CNE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IS TO PRESERVE AND UTILISE THE NATURAL SHING MUN VALLEY AS A REST AND RECREATIONAL AREA IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK.
+THERE WILL EE TREES AND PATHS ALONG BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER WHERE PEOPLE CAN RELAX AND TAKE WALKS.
+THE NEW TOWN WILL EE SURROUNDED BY A 'GREEN BELT’ AND THERE WILL BE COUNTRY PARKS IN THE AREA.
+AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT ONLY PRESERVE WELL-KNOWN SHA TIN LANDMARKS LIKE MONG FU SHAN, CHE KUNG MIU, TO FUNG SHAN AND OTHER PLACES, BUT THROUGH THE LANDSCAPING PROGRAMME IT WILL BEAUTIFY THEM,+ MR. KWOK ADDED.
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/2
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1977
2
MUSIC FUND SET UP WITH DONATIONS FROM JOCKEY CLUB * * * *
A FUND TO DEVELOP MUSICAL SKILLS AND INTEREST AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN SET UP WITH MONEY DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
THE CLUB IS PROVIDING THREE SUCCESSIVE ANNUAL GRANTS OF $600,000 TO PROVIDE WORKING CAPITAL AND WILL LATER DONATE A FURTHER $10 MILLION TO ESTABLISH A TRUST FUND.
CUSTODIAN OF THE FUND WILL EE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, WHILE THE NEWLY SET UP MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE WILL ADMINISTER IT. THE OFFICE WILL SCRUTINIZE APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS BEFORE SUBMITTING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO A VETTING COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BE APPOINTED SHORTLY.
ANNOUNCING THE SETTING UP OF THE FUND, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY SAID: +THE VERY GENEROUS DONATIONS OF THE JOCKEY CLUB WILL GIVE NEW IMPETUS TO ENCOURAGING IMPROVED MUSICAL PERFORMANCES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF MUSICAL APPRECIATION IN HONG KONG.
+THIS IS VERY TIMELY AND THE JOCKEY CLUB’S BOLD AND IMAGINATIVE RESPONSE TO THIS NEED AUGMENTS THE GOVERNMENT’S WORK IN DEVELOPING MUSIC TRAINING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE,+ HE ADDED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE JOCKEY CLUB’S DONATIONS WILL GIVE MORE SCOPE FOR THE EFFORTS OF THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE, IN ESTABLISHING YOUTH ORCHESTRAS, ARRANGING EXCHANGE VISITS FOR YOUTH ORCHESTRAS, PROVIDING FURTHER TRAINING FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS, ORGANISING INSTRUMENTAL TRAINING FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN AND PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT OF MUSIC ACTIVITY.
DETAILS OF THE CRITERIA FOR GRANTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ANNOUNCED IN DECEMBER.
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1977
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU SHOWS INCREASED VIGILANCE
* * * * *
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU CARRIED OUT NEARLY 250,000 INSPECTIONS AND FOLLOW-UP VISITS TO RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG LAST YEAR IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE FIRE HAZARDS.
THE NUMBER REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 56 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
MORE THAN 147,360 INSPECTIONS WERE THE RESULT OF COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. OF THESE, 120,313 RELATED TO BLOCKAGES OF ESCAPE ROUTES IN BUILDINGS, WHILE 27,050 WERE OF A GENERAL NATURE, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE GF 74 AND 70 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
COMMENTING ON THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, A FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID, +IT INDICATES AN INCREASING AWARENESS BY THE PUBLIC OF POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS AND A WILLINGNESS TO REPORT THEM.+
IN ADDITION, THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU MADE 12,950 REGULAR VISITS TO BUILDINGS LAST YEAR TO ENSURE THEIR EXITS WERE FREE OF OBSTRUCTION, WHILE 53,400 INSPECTIONS OF FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WERE CARRIED OUT.
OTHER INSPECTIONS INCLUDED MANUFACTURE AND STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS (7,287), RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTCLUBS (4,761), SCHOOLS (3,469), FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS (2,595), CINEMAS AND THEATRES (746), DANCE HALLS (129), TIMBER YARDS (369), NEON SIGNS (78) AND MISCELLANEOUS (2,143).
THE BUREAU ALSO INVESTIGATED IN DEPTH 174 FIRES.
IT ALSO PROCESSED 7,544 NEW BUILDING PLANS AND EXAMINED 1,944 VEHICLES FOR CARRYING COMPRESSED GASES AND INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS UNDER THE SCHEME TO LICENSE SUCH VEHICLES ANNUALLY.
IN ADDITION, 9,705 FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES WERE ISSUED AND 1,874 PROSECUTIONS WERE TAKEN CUT RESULTING IN THE IMPOSITION OF FINES AMOUNTING TO OVER 31,054,980.
DURING THE YEAR, THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUREAU’S SCHOOLS AND FACTORIES DIVISION EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE PROCESSING OF CHILD CARE CENTRES UNDER THE CHILD CARE CENTRE ORDINANCE OF JUNE 1, 1976. INSPECTIONS MADE BY OFFICERS FOR FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS TOTALLED 1,916.
A NEW HOSPITAL SECTION WAS FORMED IN SEPTEMBER TO CARRY OUT REGULAR VISITS TO ALL HOSPITALS TO ADVISE ON FIRE PROTECTION, ENSURE ADEQUATE FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES AND GIVE LECTURES TO HOSPITAL STAFF ON FIRE PREVENTION, FIRE FIGHTING AND FIRE DRILLS.
/ANOTHER
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1977
ANOTHER NEW DIVISION - THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY DIVISION -CAME INTO BEING IN OCTOBER TO COPE WITH THE BUREAU’S INCREASING INVOLVEMENT IN THE UNDERGROUND RAILWAY SYSTEM AND RELATED PROJECTS. IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES LINKED WITH THE SYSTEM COMPLY WITH MODERN FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS AND THAT THE STANDARD OF FIRE SAFETY FOR THE PUBLIC IS NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
- - 0 -
NEW POST OFFICE GUIDE ON SALE * * * *
THE 1977 EDITION OF THE POST OFFICE GUIDE WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE PRICE IS 312 WHICH INCLUDES SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 CONTAINING AMENDMENTS SINCE THE GUIDE WENT TO PRESS.
THE NEW EDITION CONTAINS 400 PAGES OF UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT POST OFFICE SERVICES, POSTAGE RATES AND THE CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE FOR ALL CATEGORIES OF MAIL.
A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID: +IT WILL BE OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO FIRMS AND ORGANISATIONS WHICH MAKE FREQUENT USE OF POST OFFICE SERVICES.+
+FOR AN ADDITIONAL FEE OF 32, SUBSCRIBERS WILL BE SENT REGULAR AMENDMENT LISTS AND AN APPLICATION FORM FOR THIS PURPOSE IS ENCLOSED IN THE NEW GUIDE,+ HE ADDED.
0 - -
/5
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1977 - 5 -
LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD ELECTION
*****
THIS YEAR’S ELECTION OF EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES TO THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICE IN NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY AT 10.30 A.M. ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 25). IT WILL BE HELD BY SECRET BALLOT.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT 15 CANDIDATES HAD BEEN NOMINATED FOR ELECTION AND THEIR NAMES HAD BEEN SENT TO ALL EMPLOYEES’ UNIONS FOR INFORMATION.
+A REGISTERED EMPLOYEES TRADE UNION WISHING TO VOTE SHOULD SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ELECTION. THE REPRESENTATIVE MUST BRING WITH HIM A LETTER OF AUTHORISATION FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF HIS UNION AND A COPY OF THE CIRCULAR LETTER DATED OCTOBER 12, 1977 FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON THE SUBJECT,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD IS A NON-STATUTORY BODY WHICH ADVISES THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR ON MATTERS REFERRED BY HIM TO THE BOARD, INCLUDING LEGISLATION, AND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. IT COMPRISES SIX EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES AND SIX EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES, WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AS CHAIRMAN.
THREE OF THE EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES ARE ELECTED BY REGISTERED EMPLOYEES’ UNIONS AND THREE ARE SELECTED FOR APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR.
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/6
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1977
6
CONTAINERS CAPTURE PORT TRAFFIC
*****
IN ONLY EIGHT YEARS HONG KONG’S THROUGHPUT OF CONTAINERS HAS INCREASED FROM 1,000 TO 85,000 A MONTH ACCORDING TO NEWLY-PUBLISHED BOOK—+THE PORT OF HONG KONG + .
THE BOOK SAYS THAT THE FIRST FULLY-CONTAINERISED SCHEDULED SERVICE TO HONG KONG WAS INTRODUCED IN 1969 WHEN THE FIRST CONTAINER TERMINAL WAS SET UP IN KOWLOON.
IN THAT YEAR ONLY 1,000 TWENTY-FOOT EQUIVALENT CONTAINERS WERE HANDLED IN AN AVERAGE MONTH. TODAY 85,000 CONTAINERS A MONTH ARE HANDLED BY FIVE TERMINALS AT KWAI CHUNG AND BY THREE TERMINALS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE HARBOUR.
ACCORDING TO A CHART IN THE BOOK MORE THAN A MILLION TWENTY-FOOT EQUIVALENT CONTAINER UNITS WERE HANDLED DURING 1976.
+THE PORT OF HONG KONG+ AIMS TO GIVE A FULL DESCRIPTION IN WORDS AND COLOUR PICTURES OF THE MANY PORT FACILITIES OFFERED AND IT IS AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AND LEADING BOOKSHOPS AT $10 PER COPY.
HONG KONG RANKS THE 18TH AMONG THE EXPORTING NATIONS AND TERRITORIES OF THE WORLD AND ITS PORT HANDLED ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS LAST YEAR - VALUED AT HK$32,630 MILLION.
+ HONG KONG’S STRATEGIC LOCATION ON THE FAR EASTERN TRADE ROUTES STILL REMAINS THE KEY TO ITS PROSPERITY. IT IS ALSO IN THE GEOGRAPHICAL CENTRE OF THE FAST-DEVELOPING ASIA-PACIFIC BASIN REGION AND HAS THE ADVANTAGE GF THE MOST-MODERN, WORLDWIDE, TELECOMMUNICATIONS,* SAYS THE BOOK.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF THE PORT LIES WITH THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE. ALTHOUGH HIS DUTIES ARE WIDE, AND INCLUDE THE MAINTENANCE OF SAFETY STANDARDS, NAVIGATIONAL AIDS, MOORING BUOYS AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT NEITHER CONTROLS OR OPERATES ANY OF THE OCEAN SHIPPING ALONGSIDE BERTHING FACILITIES, NOR THE TRANS I ST SHEDS OR WAREHOUSES ASSOCIATED. THESE ARE ALL IN THE HANDS OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.
+WITH ITS CHARGES, WHICH ARE AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE WORLD, THE PORT OF HONG KONG HAS ACHIEVED, THROUGH ITS EXPERIENCES IN THE PAST 130 YEARS, AN IDEAL BALANCE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT CONTROL AND PRIVATE INITIATIVE,* SAYS THE BOOK.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAVE COLLABORATED IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE BOOK AND THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN OF GREAT ASSISTANCE.
IN ADDITION TO THE DETAILS OF THE PORT’S PRESENT DAY OPERATION, THE BOOK ALSO CONTAINS A SERIES OF HISTORICAL NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
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/7
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1977
7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MONG KOK
*****
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN MONG KOK BETWEEN 11.55 P.M. ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 25) AND 5.30 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY AND IF NECESSARY THE SAME PERIOD ON OCTOBER 26-27 TO FACILITATE WORK ON THE DOUBLE TRACKING OF THE RAILWAY BRIDGE ACROSS BOUNDARY STREET.
DURING THIS PERIOD, THE SECTION OF BOUNDARY STREET BETWEEN TAI HANG TUNG ROAD AND EMBANKMENT ROAD WILL BE CLOSED. IN ADDITION, TRAFFIC IN SAI YEE STREET BETWEEN FLOWER MARKET ROAD AND BOUNDARY STREET” AND BOUNDARY STREET BETWEEN SAI YEE STREET AND TAI HANG TUNG ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY.
TRAFFIC AFFECTED BY THE ROAD CLOSURE WILL BE DIVERTED AS FOLLOWS: -
* EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON BOUNDARY STREET WILL BE DIVERTED TO SAI YEE STREET, FLOWER MARKET ROAD, YUEN NGA I STREET, EMBANKMENT ROAD AND THEN BOUNDARY STREET”
* WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD PROCEEDING TO TAI HANG TUNG MAY TURN INTO TUNG CHOI STREET FROM PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND THEN TO TAI HANG TUNG ROAD VIA BOUNDARY STREET” AND
* TRAFFIC FROM TAI HANG TUNG ROAD PROCEEDING TO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD MAY GO WESTBOUND ON BOUNDARY STREET AND THEN TO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD VIA SAI YEE STREET, FLOWER MARKET ROAD AND YUEN NGA I STREET.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE WHEN PASSING THROUGH THE AREA DURING THIS PERIOD AND APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO INDICATE THE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS.
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/8
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1977
- 8 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TWO ROADS IN KOWLOON * M * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE LOOP ROAD IN WATERLOO ROAD UNDERNEATH THE FLYOVER OPPOSITE TO THE KOWLOON HOSPITAL CHEST CLINIC WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FROM IQ A.M. ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 25) FOR SEVEN DAYS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK ON^THEPRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER. ______________________
DURING THE CLOSURE PERIOD MOTORISTS TRAVELLING ON THE SOUTHBOUND LANE IN WATERLOO ROAD AND WISHING TO U-TURN INTO THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY SHOULD MAKE USE OF THE LOOP ROAD ON ARGYLE STREET OPPOSITE THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO. LTD. BUILDING.
IN ADDITION THE SECTION OF SHEUNG LOK STREET BETWEEN FAT KWONG STREET AND SHEUNG FOO STREET IN HUNG HOM WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRING ACCESS TO THE PREMISES THERE WITH EFFECT FROM 13 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 26).
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG BREEDS OPTIMISM SAYS GOVERNOR .... 1
TOY PISTOL CAPS BANNED ..................... 3
ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE IN LEGCO STARTS ON WEDNESDAY ... 4
VISITING ENGINEERS PRAISE HK’S ROAD WORKS .. 5
DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY ATTENDS TYPHOON MEETING IN TOKYO ................................... 6
PROPERTY TAX DEMAND NOTICES FOR NINE AREAS IN N.T. .. 7
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1977
1
HONG KONG BREEDS OPTIMISM SAYS GOVERNOR
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID THIS EVENING THAT THE SOONER THE WORLD’S TANKER INDUSTRY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE BAROMETERS OF WORLD TRADE, RETURNS TO +SET FAIR+ THE BETTER FOR ALL OF US.
SPEAKING AT THE INDEPENDENT TANKER OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION DINNER, SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT THAT THE PROBLEMS FACING THE INDUSTRY WERE A FACET OF THE SLOW RECOVERY OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE wCRLD, AND THE ABSENCE OF THE STRONG POLITICAL LEAD OR THE BUSINESS CONFIDENCE NEEDED TO PROMOTE IT.
BUT SIR MURRAY SAID THAT HONG KONG WAS A PLACE THAT BREEDS OPTIMISM.
+ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILL, FLEXIBILITY AND DILIGENCE ARE THE MAIN QUALITIES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
+WHATEVER THE MANY AND VARIED DIFFICULTIES WHICH HAVE CONFRONTED US, WE HAVE MANAGED TO RETAIN AN UNDIMMED OPTIMISM ABOUT THE FUTURE.*
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF SIR MURRAY’S SPEECH :
+IT WAS KIND OF YOU TO INVITE ME TO THIS DINNER OF INTERTANKO, AND IT HAS BEEN AN HONOUR AND A PLEASURE TO MEET SO MANY DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE WORLD TANKER INDUSTRY AT THIS MEMORABLE AND ENJOYABLE EVENING.
+MR. PAO HAS SPOKEN OF THE DIFFICULTIES CF THE INDUSTRY.
+MASEFIELD WROTE:
+1 MUST GO DOWN TO THE SEA AGAIN, TO THE LONELY SEA AND SKY
AND ALL I ASK IS A TALL SHIP AND A STAR TO STEER HER BY+.
+BUT I THINK NOW IT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATELY WRITTEN :
+1 MUST GO EACK TO THE BANK AGAIN, TO THE CUSTOMER AND THE YARD
AND ALL I ASK IS A FIXED PRICE AND A LONG-TERM CHARTER*.
/♦BROADLY
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1977
2
+BROADLY SPEAKING YOUR PROBLEMS ARE A FACET OF THE SLOW RECOVERY OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE WORLD, AND THE ABSENCE OF THE STRONG POLITICAL LEAD OR THE BUSINESS CONFIDENCE NEEDED TO PROMOTE IT.
+ONE CAN ONLY SAY THAT THE DEMAND FOR MEASURES TO ACCELERATE RECOVERY IS BECOMING MORE WIDESPREAD AND MORE AUTHORITATIVE, AND THAT HOPEFULLY MEASURES WILL FOLLOW, BUT WHEN AND OF WHAT DEGREE AND WITH WHAT EFFECT REMAINS TO EE SEEN.
+IF I CAN OFFER NO PANACEA, I CAN SAY HOW DELIGHTED I AM THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN HONG KONG FOR YOUR MEETING. IT IS A CITY BUILT ROUND A HARBOUR, BASED ON SEABORNE TRADE, AND WHICH HAS AMONGST ITS RESIDENTS SOME OF THE LARGEST SHIPOWNERS OF THE WORLD. SO I HOPE THAT HERE YOU WILL FEEL AT HOME, AND AMONGST FRIENDS, AND THAT YOU WILL ENJOY YOUR VISIT.
+l ALSO HOPE YOUR DISCUSSIONS WILL PROSPER AND THAT YOU WILL LEAVE HERE WITH MORE HOPE THAN WHEN YOU CAME. PERHAPS YOU WILL, BECAUSE THIS IS A PLACE THAT BREEDS OPTIMISM. ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILL, FLEXIBILITY AND DILIGENCE ARE THE MAIN QUALITIES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WHATEVER THE MANY AND VARIED DIFFICULTIES WHICH HAVE CONFRONTED US, WE HAVE MANAGED TO RETAIN AN UNDIMMED OPTIMISM ABOUT THE FUTURE.
+YOU HAVE ALL THESE QUALITIES AND THEREFORE EVERY REASON TO RETAIN THE SAME OPTIMISM.
+THE WORLD’S TANKER INDUSTRY IS ONE OF THE BAROMETERS OF WORLD TRADE AND THE SOONER IT RETURNS TO +SET FAIR+ THE BETTER FOR ALL OF US.
+MR. CHAIRMAN, MR. PAC I THANK THE INDEPENDENT TANKER OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION FOR THIS EXCELLENT DINNER, I AM GLAD THAT YOU HAVE MET IN HONG KONG, AND I WISH SUCCESS TO YOUR DELIBERATIONS AND THAT A RETURN TO PROSPERITY WILL NOT BE LONG DELAYED.+
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/3
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1977
3
TOY PISTOL CAPS BANNED
K M M * K *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WARNED TODAY THAT PISTOL CAPS WERE CLASSIFIED AS MANUFACTURED FIREWORKS AND THAT ANYONE FOUND IN POSSESSION OF THEM WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE COULD BE PROSECUTED.
THE WARNING FOLLOWS THE DISCOVERY OF TOY PISTOL CAPS BEING SOLD IN THE LOCAL MARKET WITH A VARIETY OF TOY PISTOLS, PARTICULARLY A MINIATURE TYPE ATTACHED TO A KEY RING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID : +THESE PISTOL CAPS ARE ILLEGALLY IMPORTED FROM OVERSEAS AND ARE BEING SOLD AT STREET STALLS AND TOY SHOPS BY HAWKERS. THEY ARE SOLD IN THE FORM OF SMALL PLASTIC CUPS MADE UP IN STRIPS OR DISCS WITH EACH CUP CONTAINING A MINUTE QUANTITY OF EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCE.
+WHEN THE EASE OF THE CUP IS STRUCK THE CAP FIRES WITH A LOUD BANG, THE RESULT OF WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS TO THE EYES AND EARS OF CHILDREN,* HE SAID.
+THESE PISTOL CAPS CAN POSE AN EVEN GREATER DANGER WHEN COMBINED IN LARGE QUANTITIES. A SERIOUS RISK OF VIOLENT EXPLOSION COULD OCCUR IF A REALLY LARGE QUANTITY OF THESE CAPS WERE PACKED IN BULK, SAY INSIDE A PACKING CASE.* HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN RECALLED A DISASTER WHICH OCCURRED IN KENNEDY TOWN IN 1963 WHEN TWO CASES OF PISTOL CAPS EXPLODED WHEN THEY DROPPED FROM THE BACK OF A TRUCK, KILLING EIGHT PEOPLE AND INJURING 61 OTHERS.
+PEOPLE WHO CAN REMEMBER THE CARNAGE THAT RESULTED FROM THIS DISASTROUS EXPLOSION WILL CERTAINLY NOT WELCOME THE WIDESPREAD RE-APPEARANCE OF THESE PISTOL CAPS IN HONG KONG.
+SHOPKEEPERS, STALLHOLDERS, HAWKERS AND OTHERS WHO ARE IN POSSESSION OF SUCH PISTOL CAPS NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE QUANTITY ARE URGED TO SURRENDER THEM IMMEDIATELY TO THE MINES DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, TELEPHONE NO. 3-688111 EXT. 302 OR CONTACT THE NEAREST POLICE STATION FOR ADVICE OTHERWISE THEY WILL RISK PROSECUTION.* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1977
4
ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE STARTS ON WEDNESDAY
******
A TWO-DAY DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS TO BE MOVED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, WILL BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 26) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
NINE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE SCHEDULED TO SPEAK ON THE MOTION ON THAT DAY.
LEADING OFF THE DEBATE WILL BE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG, THE HON. Q.W. LEE, THE HON. P.G. WILLIAMS, THE HON. JAMES WU, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG, THE HON. KWAN KO SIU-WAH, THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN, THE HON. ALEX WU.
ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27), ANOTHER TEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK ON THE MOTION. THEY ARE REV. THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT, THE HON. S.L. CHEN, THE HON. LYDIA DUNN, DR. THE HON. HENRY HU, THE HON. T.S. LEUNG, REV. THE HON. PATRICK MCGOVERN, THE HON. PETER C. WONG, THE HON. WONG LAM, DR. THE HON. RAYSON HUANG AND THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG.
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/5
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1977
- 5 -
VISITING ENGINEERS PRAISE HK’S ROAD WORKS
******
MORE THAN 50 ENGINEERS FROM SWEDEN AND FINLAND, WHO ARE HERE AFTER ATTENDING THE EIGHTH WORLD MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL ROAD FEDERATION IN TOKYO, HAD A BUSY DAY TODAY VISITING SOME OF THE MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS IN HONG KONG.
ACCOMPANIED BY ENGINEERS OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, THEY FIRST VISITED THE GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER WHICH FORMS PART OF THE $300 MILLION WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR.
FROM THERE, THEY PROCEEDED TO THE INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN TUEN MUN HIGHWAY, THE FIRST STAGE OF WHICH IS EXPECTED TO EE OPENED TO TRAFFIC EARLY NEXT YEAR.
AMONG OTHER PROJECTS VISITED WERE THE NEW SECOND LION ROCK TUNNEL, FLYOVERS ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND KW'UN TONG ROAD, AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
AT THE END OF THE VISIT, THE LEADER OF THE SWEDISH GROUP DESCRIBED AS MARVELLOUS THE FACT THAT SO MUCH HAD BEEN BUILT WITHIN SUCH A SMALL PLACE.
HE ALSO FOUND THAT THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS IN HONG KONG WERE MUCH MORE REASONABLE COMPARED WITH THOSE IN HIS OWN COUNTRY.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE VISITORS WERE GIVEN A BRIEFING BY SENIOR STAFF OF THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
AFTER AN INTRODUCTION BY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER, MR. STAN BARDEN, THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION, MR. T.S. NG, GAVE DETAILS OF THE PROJECTS THE VISITORS WOULD VISIT WHILE THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SURVEY DIVISION, MR. K.T. KUO, SPOKE ABOUT TRANSPORTATION PLANNING IN HONG KONG.
0 - - ’ - /6
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1977
6 -
OBSERVATORY DIRECTOR ATTENDS TYPHOON MEETING IN TOKYO * M M *
MR. GORDON BELL, DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, WILL BE LEAVING THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON TO ATTEND THE 1OTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE TYPHOON COMMITTEE TO BE HELD IN TOKYO STARTING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE MEETING, SPONSORED BY THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION AND THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, WILL REVIEW THE PROGRESS ACHIEVED DURING THE PAST YEAR IN THE IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF OBSERVATIONAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC.
DURING THE WEEK-LONG MEETING, IT ..ILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ACTIVITIES OF THE MEMBER COUNTRIES IN RESEARCH, TRAINING AND DISASTER PREVENTION AND THEIR POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMES SUCH AS THE MONEX (MONSOON EXPERIMENT).
IN ADDITION, DISCUSSIONS WILL EE HELD ON THE OPERATIONAL AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RECEPTION OF DATA FROM THE JAPANESE GEOSTATIONARY METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE (GMS) WHICH WAS LAUNCHED IN JULY THIS YEAR AND EXPECTED TO BECOME OPERATIONAL BY EARLY 1978.
DURING THE YEAR HONG KONG HAS BEEN MAKING A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMITTEE BY DISSEMINATING TO ITS MEMBERS RADAR OBSERVATIONS AND OBJECTIVE FORECASTS OF TROPICAL CYCLONES UNDER OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS, WHICH HAVE BEEN WELL RECEIVED.
HONG KONG IS ALSO PLAYING THE LEADING ROLE IN THE COMMITTEE’S REGIONAL JOINT STUDY PROGRAMME OH TROPICAL CYCLONE MOVEMENT PREDICTION.
FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROGRAMME, THE THAI METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT SENT ITS CHIEF RESEARCH OFFICER TO THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY LAST JULY FOR THREE MONTHS UNDER A WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION FELLOWSHIP FOR TRAINING IN THE LATEST FORECASTING TECHNIQUES.
MR. BELL WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY DR. P.C. CHIN OF THE OPERATIONAL DIVISION.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1977 - 7 -
PROPERTY TAX DEMAND NOTICES FOR NINE AREAS IN N.T. K H H M
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT PROPERTY TAX DEMAND NOTICES FOR NINE NEW AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH BECAME LIABLE TO PROPERTY TAX ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, WILL BE ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 30.
THE NINE NEW AREAS ARE PING SHAN, KIU TAU WAI, TAI SHANG WAI, FANLING AND WO HOP SHEK, FANLING (WEST), TIN PING SHAN (NEAR SHEK WU HUI), CLEAR WATER BAY PENINSULA, SAI KUNG, AND HIRAM’S HIGHWAY AND TAI <MONG TSAI ROAD AREA.
PROPERTY OWNERS IN THESE AREAS WHO WISH TO OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THESE DEMAND NOTICES ARE ASKED TO CONTACT THE ASSESSORS IN THE PROPERTY TAX SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-761635, EXTENSIONS 30, 31, 32 OR 36, OR TO WRITE TO THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, P.O. BOX 132, GENERAL POST OFFICE, HONG KONG.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LAND TO BE FORMED IN YUEN LONG FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENT 1
A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR MARKET FOR TSUEN WAN ........... 2
RECORD JOB PLACEMENTS FOR DISABLED LAST MONTH ......... 3
THREE WORKERS’ REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED TO LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD ........................................ 3
GOVERNMENT OFFICERS TO ATTEND ANNUAL SPEECH DAY .... 4
ROAD JUNCTION TO BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED ................ 4
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, OCTOEER 25, 1977
THIRD CONTRACT FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN YUEN LONG
******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL BE INVITING TENDERS LATER THIS WEEK FOR THE FORMATION OF 14.5 HECTARES OF LAND IN YUEN LONG WHICH FORMS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S DEVELOPMENT SCHEME.
THE CONTRACT, THE THIRD TO BE LET FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF YUEN LONG UNDER THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, ..'ILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, DRAINS AND SEWERS.
MR. BOSCO KEOWN, SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT BRANCH, SAID TODAY THAT THE WORK WOULD BEGIN TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT 21 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
+THE LAND FORMED TO THE EAST OF THE TOWN WILL BE USED FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING OPEN SPACES AND A NEW POST OFFICE, A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AND A PRIMARY AND A SECONDARY SCHOOL,* HE SAID.
+THE SOUTH-WESTERN SITE NEAR THE EXISTING SPORTS STADIUM WILL BE USED FOR A NEW SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, BASKETBALL COURTS, OPEN AREAS AND CAR PARKING SPACE WHILE THE SITE TO BE FORMED TO THE EAST OF SHU I PIN WAI WILL EE DEVELOPED AS A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE WITH A PLANNED POPULATION OF 13,300.+
MR. KEOWN POINTED OUT THAT FACILITIES WITHIN THE ESTATE WOULD INCLUDE A NURSERY, KINDERGARTEN, PRIMARY SCHOOL, MARKET AND COOKED FOOD STALLS.
A TRAINING CENTRE FOR MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN SERVING THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT IS ALSO PLANNED TO BE SET UP WITHIN THE ESTATE.
HE SAID THAT THE COMPLETION OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN DECEMBER 1980 WOULD ENABLE MAJOR CLEARANCES WITHIN THE TOWN TO BE UNDERTAKEN.
+THOSE CLEARED WILL EE REHOUSED AND THIS WILL PERMIT THE COMPLETION OF THE PACKAGE DEVELOPMENT .. I TH I.» YUEN LONG TOWN EY MID-1980’S,+ MR. KEOWN SAID.
THE ENGINEERING WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED EY THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, BINNIE AND PARTNERS (H.K.) FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1977
2
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PERMANENT MARKET FOR TSUEN WAN
* * * * *
PILING WORK WILL BEGIN IN DECEMBER ON THE NEW MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PERMANENT MARKET IN TSUEN WAN.
CONTRACT FOR THE WORK, COSTING JUST UNDER $1 MILLION, HAS BEEN AWARDED TO THE WAH YIP PILING AND CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD.
MR. C.S. CHIU, CHIEF STRUCTURAL ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, SAID TODAY THAT PILING WORK WOULD TAKE ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE, FOLLOWED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUPERSTRUCTURE WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
+THE TWO-STOREY MARKET WILL BE BUILT ON A 3,620-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT THE CORNER OF TSUEN WAN MARKET STREET AND CHUNG ON STREET.+
+ IN ADDITION TO THE 20Q ODD VEGETABLE HAWKER STALLS, THE GROUND FLOOR WILL HAVE A MARKET OFFICE, REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS AND A PUBLIC LATRINE,* HE SAID.
ON THE FIRST FLOOR THERE WOULD EE A TOTAL OF 42 MEAT, FISH AND POULTRY STALLS AND 29 COOKED FOOD STALLS.
ONE OF THE FEATURES OF THE MARKET WOULD BE THE TWO ESCALATORS. THEY ARE TWO OF THE FIRST TO BE FITTED IN NEW MARKETS.
THE ROOF WOULD BE USED AS A PLAYGROUND WITH FLOWER BEDS AND BENCHES.
MR. CHIU SAID THAT THIS WAS PART OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S PLAN IN MAKING FULL USE OF AVAILABLE SPACE WITHOUT DETRACTING FROM THE FUNCTION OF MARKETS.
MEANWHILE, AT A MEETING TODAY WITH LOCAL RURAL LEADERS, THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE EXPLAINED THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO RESITE TRADERS FROM THE OLD MARKET AREA WHICH IS TO BE CLEARED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE PROJECT.
A NEW TEMPORARY MARKET HAS BEEN BUILT IN THE NEARBY JUNCTION OF YAN CHAI AND TAK WAH STREETS TO ACCOMMODATE THE TRADERS BEFORE THE PERMANENT MARKET IS COMPLETED, A TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID. THE TRADERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MOVE FROM THE OLD MARKET AREA BEFORE DECEMBER 1.
+THE NEW TEMPORARY MARKET OPENS UP A MORE SPACIOUS, BETTER-EQUIPPED AND MORE HYGENIC AREA WHICH WILL GREATLY BENEFIT BOTH TRADERS AND SHOPPERS,* HE SAID.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1977
3
RECORD JOB PLACEMENTS FOR DISABLED LAST MONTH
*****
EIGHTY-ONE DISABLED PEOPLE HAVE FOUND JOBS LAST MONTH THROUGH THE JOB PLACEMENT UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT - THE HIGHEST MONTHLY RECORD SINCE THE UNIT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1967.
THIS BROUGHT TO 139, THE NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS DURING THE LAST THREE MONTHS.
COMMENTING ON THIS RECORD MONTHLY FIGURE, THE OFF ICER-1N-CHARGE OF THE UNIT, MR. CHAN SHIU-WING SAID THE INCREASE WAS DUE TO THE OPEN-MINDEDNESS OF EMPLOYERS AND THE DEPENDABLE WORKING APTITUDE OF THE HANDICAPPED.
+THE INCREASE IN PLACEMENTS NOT ONLY INDICATES THAT EMPLOYERS ARE BECOMING MORE CONSCIOUS TO THEIR SOCIAL OBLIGATION, BUT IT ALSO SHOWS THAT DISABLED WORKERS HAVE PROVED THEIR EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY,* MR. CHAN SAID.
THOSE WHO FOUND WORK LAST MONTH WERE 16 BLIND, 19 DEAF, 28 CRIPPLED, TWO FORMER TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS, FIVE EX-MENTAL PATIENTS AND 11 MENTAL RETARDATES.
MOST OF THEM WERE PLACED IN ELECTRONICS AND METAL-WORK FACTORIES AS ASSEMBLING WORKERS, WHILE OTHERS BECAME MACHINE-SEWING WORKERS, TELEPHONE OPERATORS AND CLERICAL ASSISTANTS.
THEY ARE RECEIVING A MONTHLY RATE AVERAGED AT $650 OR AT A DAILY RATE RANGING FROM $16 TO $28.
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THREE WORKERS’ REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED TO LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD ******
THREE TRADE UNION MEMBERS WERE TODAY ELECTED AS WORKERS’ REPRESENTATIVES TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AS MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE YEAR 1978.
THEY ARE MR. TSUI SAU-CHU OF THE BUILDING SUPERVISORS AND CARETAKERS UNION, MR. LEE SHING-CHU OF THE HONG KONG STEVEDORES UNION (CHAP YIN) AND MR. CHAN YUN-CHE OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON MOTOR CAR DRIVERS GENERAL UNION.
THE ELECTION - HELD BY SECRET BALLOT AT THE REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY - WAS SUPERVISED BY OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE BOARD IS A NON-STATUTORY BODY WHICH ADVISES THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR ON MATTERS AFFECTING LABOUR, INCLUDING LEGISLATION AND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. IT COMPRISES SIX EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES AND SIX EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AS CHAIRMAN.
THREE OF THE EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES ARE ELECTED BY REGISTERED TRADE UNIONS AND THREE ARE SELECTED FOR APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1977
4
NOTE TO EDITORS
GOVERNMENT OFFICERS TO ATTEND ANNUAL SPEECH DAY * * * *
MRS. MABEL HAYES, CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (HONG KONG) AND MR. HO NGA-YEN, SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WILL JOINTLY OFFICIATE AT THE ANNUAL SPEECH DAY OF THE WAN CHAI KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION SCHOOL ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27) AT 3 P.M. AT 30, 01 KWAN ROAD, MORRISON HILL, WAN CHAI.
MRS. HAYES WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO THE PRIMARY SIX GRADUATES WHILE MR. HO WILL PRESENT PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES TO THE STUDENTS WHO HAD WON THE VARIOUS COMPETITIONS ORGANISED BY THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONY.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ROAD JUNCTION
******
THE JUNCTION OF SOCIAL AVENUE AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD IN DIAMOND HILL WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC BETWEEN 7 P.M. ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27) AND 7 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORKS BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
UNOFFICIALS IN LEGCO SHOULD BE MORE VOCAL TO REFLECT PUBLIC OPINION .............................................. 1
SUPPORT FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION ........... 4
GOVERNMENT’S RELATIONS WITH PUBLIC SHOWS MARKED IMPROVEMENT ................................................. 6
TIMETABLES FOR SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT WELCOMED .......... 7
NEED TO RESTORE HEALTHY STOCK MARKET STRESSED .............. 11
CALL FOR SENIOR APPOINTMENT TO HEAD UNIT FOR REHABILITATION PLAN ........................................ 12
WAYS TO PROMOTE HK’S TRADE AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ......... 14
NEED FOR BETTER INTERPRETATION OF LAWS TO ORDINARY PEOPLE 17
BRITISH MINISTER OF INDUSTRY TO VISIT HOUSING ESTATES ... 20
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN SAN TIN .................... 20
SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS PROVIDE CHANCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT EXTRAVAGANZA ................................. 21
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
1
UNOFFICIALS SHOULD BE MORE VOCAL TO REFLECT PUBLIC OPINION ******
IN HONG KONG WHERE THERE IS NO ELECTED GOVERNMENT FOR A POPULATION WITH DEMOCRATIC ASPIRATIONS AND ATTITUDES, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE MORE VOCAL IF THEY ARE TO REFLECT THE VIEWS AND FEELINGS OF THE PUBLIC AT LARGE, DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG SAID TODAY.
THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER SAID A GOOD CASE IN POINT WAS THE QUESTIONS ASKED ON GODBER AT THE LAST SITTING OF THE COUNCIL AND HE SYMPATHISED WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OF TODAY WHO COULD NO LONGER MAKE AND ANNOUNCE DECISIONS WITHOUT GIVING FULL EXPLANATION TO THE PUBLIC.
DR. CHUNG PRODUCED RESEARCH INTO THE INCREASING CONTRIBUTION OF THE UNOFFICIALS TOWARDS THE COUNCIL’S PROCEEDINGS IN THE PAST TWENTY YEARS WHICH SHOWED THAT DURING THE PERIOD OF 1957 - 1964 THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS ASKED BY EACH OF THEM IN A YEAR WAS ONLY 1.3 AND THAT THERE WERE PRACTICALLY NO SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS. THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF SPEECHES EACH UNOFFICIAL MADE DURING AN ANNUAL SESSION WAS ABOUT 2.
UNDER THE GOVERNORSHIP OF SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THE UNOFFICIALS HAD BEEN MUCH MORE ACTIVE IN THE COUNCIL’S PROCEEDINGS AND, ON AVERAGE, EACH HAD ASKED ABOUT 11 ORIGINAL AND 10 SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS AND CONTRIBUTED TO EIGHT DEBATES A YEAR, HE SAID.
THE INCREASING VOLUME, COMPLEXITY AND SOPHISTICATION OF THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL ON THE ONE HAND AND THE RISING EXPECTATIONS OF THE LOCAL POPULATION ON ITS PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE OTHER IMPOSED A TREMENDOUS BURDEN ON THE MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY THE UNOFFICIALS, DR. CHUNG SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, UNLIKE THOSE IN COUNTRIES WHICH HAD CENSORSHIP AND POOR COMMUNICATION WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD, WERE AWARE OF RISING STANDARDS OF LIVING AND SOCIAL PROGRESS ELSEWHERE.
THEIR DESIRE FOR BETTER LIVING, MORE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND LESS UNEQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH WAS FURTHER STIMULATED BY THE SOCIALLY-MINDED, SOME OF WHOM UNFORTUNATELY MIGHT NOT HAVE A BALANCED OUTLOOK OR ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HONG KONG SITUATION.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSEQUENTLY UNDER CONSTANT PRESSURE TO INCREASE, AT TIMES OVER-AMBITIOUSLY, THE PACE OF SOCIAL PROGRESS WHICH WAS HOWEVER IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, HE SAID. J — • - - • ■■■ - ,
/DR. CHUNG .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
2
DR. CHUNG REFERRED TO THE AFFECTING THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY COULD NOT IN FUTURE DEPEND TOO GROWTH.
UNFAVOURABLE SIGNS OF CHANGE AND SAID IT WAS EVIDENT WE MUCH ON IT FOR OUR CONTINUED
HE STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE PROPOSED ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION, THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF WHICH, HE SAID, WERE MUCH WIDER THAN THAT OF AN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WHICH HE PROPOSED BUT WHICH WAS REJECTED TEN YEARS AGO.
HE PLEDGED TO SERVE ON IT TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY, ALTHOUGH HE SAW THAT ITS TASK WOULD NEITHER BE SIMPLE NOR EASY.
HE QUOTED THE RESULTS OF A RECENT SURVEY IN THE +FORTUNE+ MAGAZINE WHICH GAVE AN ’INVESTABILITY INDEX’ TO 14 ASIAN COUNTRIES. ALTHOUGH HONG KONG SCORED FULL MARKS ON LACK OF RED-TAPE, COMMUNICATIONS AND PROGRESSIVE ATTITUDES, AND SECOND HIGHEST ON GOVERNMENT STABILITY, LABOUR FORCE, HUMAN RIGHTS, LIVING CONDITIONS AND COSTS, RISK-REWARD RATIO, AND CORRUPTION-IT SCORED LOWEST ON RECEPTIVITY TO NEW VENTURES.
+UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO PROVIDE SOME KIND OF INCENTIVE, I BELIEVE IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO IMPROVE OUR SCORE ON RECEPTIVITY TO NEW VENTURES,+ HE SAID.
DR. CHUNG REITERATED A PROPOSAL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION TO CO-ORDINATE PROGRAMME PLANNING AND COURSE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
+THERE SHOULD BE VERTICAL INTEGRATION AND CONTINUITY IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION FROM THE LOWEST TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL.+ CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN BOTH QUANTITY AND QUALITY WAS TH£ PREREQUISITE FOR FUTURE SUCCESS IN INDUSTRIAL DIVERSIFICATION, SOPHISTICATION AND DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE PROPOSED CONTRIBUTORY SICKNESS AND DEATH INSURANCE SCHEME, DR. CHUNG ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO MAKING EMPLOYERS ONLY CONTRIBUTE, OR CONTRIBUTE ONE OR TWO PERCENTAGE POINTS MORE THAN EMPLOYEES, AND TO IMPLEMENT THE SCHEME MUCH EARLIER THAN LATE I960.
PUBLIC REACTION TO THE SCHEME AS FAR AS HE COULD GATHER HAD BEEN MOST ENCOURAGING BUT THESE POINTS HAD COME OUT OF HIS DISCUSSIONS WITH INDUSTRIAL WORKERS.
HE RECALLED THAT HE HAD PREVIOUSLY ADVOCATED A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM BENEFITS FOR WAGE EARNERS.
THE SCHEME NOW PROPOSED WAS TO BE DIFFERENT FROM HIS IN THREE MAJOR AREASs IT WOULD BE NON-COMPULSORY ON EMPLOYERS WHOSE EMPLOYEES CHOSE NOT TO JOIN, IT WOULD PERMIT THEM TO CONTRACT OUT IF THEY ALREADY PROVIDED SIMILAR BENEFITS, AND IT REQUIRED CONTRIBUTION FROM EMPLOYEES.
/UNDER PRESENT .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
5
UNDER PRESENT DAY CIRCUMSTANCES IN HONG KONG, DR. CHUNG SAID, HE NOW THOUGHT A SEMI-COMPULSORY SCHEME MORE ACCEPTABLE AND PRACTICAL.
HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND HOWEVER HOW CONTRACTING OUT WOULD BE POSSIBLE. CONTRIBUTIONS ALREADY MADE BY THE EMPLOYER AND THE EMPLOYEE SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED EN-BLOC INTO THE GOVERNMENT SCHEME IF THE EMPLOYEE WAS NOT TO BE PENALISED ON CHANGING FROM AN EMPLOYER WHO HAD NOT CONTRACTED OUT TO ONE WHO HAD, OR VICE VERSA.
+SHOULD THIS BE THE CASE, I HARDLY SEE THE WISDOM OR LOGIC OF ALLOWING ANY EMPLOYER TO CONTRACT OUT FROM THE GOVERNMENT SCHEME,+ HE SAID.
HE HAD NO STRONG VIEWS ON THE REQUIREMENT FOR EMPLOYEES TO CONTRIBUTE ALTHOUGH HE THOUGHT IT COULD JEOPARDIZE THE SUCCESS OF THE WHOLE SCHEME.
THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER WAS MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S GREEN PAPER ON BRITISH NATIONALITY LAW.
IT WAS EXTREMELY UNFAIR AND IN FACT DANGEROUS TO THE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG IF HONG KONG BRITISH CITIZENS WERE LUMPED TOGETHER WITH THOSE IN OTHER DEPENDENT TERRITORIES AND THOSE IN FORMER DEPENDENCIES AS BRITISH OVERSEAS CITIZEN.
HONG KONG DID NOT HAVE BEFORE IT THE OPTION OF BECOMING INDEPENDENT, HE SAID, WHILE THOSE RESIDENTS IN FORMER DEPENDENCIES BUT NOW INDEPENDENT COMMONWEALTH NATIONS, HAD THE ALTERNATIVE CHOICE OF CITIZENSHIP OF THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES.
DR. CHUNG SAID THERE HAD BEEN A NUMBER OF ADVERSE COMMENTS IN THE PRESS, AND THE GREEN PAPER HAD NOT GONE UNNOTICED BY THE UNOFFICIALS OF BOTH THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS WHO HAD FORMED AN AD HOC GROUP TO STUDY IN DETAIL ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG.
THE UNFAVOURABLE OBSERVATIONS OF UMELCO HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE KNOWN TO THE GOVERNOR AND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
+IT IS EARNESTLY HOPED THAT WITH GOODWILL AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN LONDON AND HONG KONG, WE CAN ARRIVE AT A CONCLUSION WHICH WILL MAINTAIN BOTH THE INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG WHICH IS SO VITAL TO OUR FUTURE PROGRESS AND WELL-BEING,* DR. CHUNG SAID.
/A
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
- 4 -
SUPPORT FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION ******
THE HON. JAMES WU TODAY VOICED HIS SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSAL TO SET UP AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION.
+A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME MIGHT SAVE US FROM THE FOOTSTEPS OF BRITISH ECONOMIC ILLS, AND PUT US ON THE LOGICAL PATH THAT THE JAPANESE HAVE CARVED OUT FOR THEMSELVES IN THE FACE OF COMPETITION FROM LOW-COST PRODUCERS AND PROTECTIONISM BY IMPORTING COUNTRIES,* MR. WU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
OUTLINING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN +ECONOMIC GROWTH* AND +ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT*, MR. WU SAID IT WAS CLEAR THAT IN THE LAST 25 YEARS HONG KONG HAD SEEN BOTH GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, PERHAPS MORE GROWTH, THAN DEVELOPMENT, AND THIS INDICATED WHERE OUR DIRECTION SHOULD BE — TO DEVELOP AN INDUSTRIAL BASE OF GREATER SOPHISTICATION AND DIVERSITY, A CASE FORCED UPON US BY BOTH EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL PRESSURES.
MR. WU ADDED THAT HE WAS HEARTENED TO HEAR OF THE GOVERNOR’S FAIRLY OPTIMISTIC VIEW OF THE GROWTH OF WORLD TRADE IN 1978 THAT WOULD BENEFIT HONG KONG, AND REJOICED OVER THE PROSPECT OF A LARGER SURPLUS IN OUR BUDGET AS PREDICTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
COMMENTING ON THE GOVERNOR’S PREDICTION THAT OUR GDP GROWTH WAS LIKELY TO BE 8 PER CENT ALTHOUGH OUR EXPORT PERFORMANCE WOULD BE LAGGING BEHIND IN GROWTH, MR. WU SAID, +THIS GROWTH, PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE IN THE CONSTRUCTION FIELD, HAS CAUSED APPRECIABLE INFLATION IN WAGES AFFECTING SOME INDUSTRIES, AND IN HIND-SIGHT, WE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER NOT TO TAKE THOSE STOP-AND-GO MEASURES IN THE RECESSION YEARS OF 1974/75 BUT TO PROCEED WITH THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED PUBLIC WORKS POLICY.*
MR. WU ALSO THANKED THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS EFFORTS IN GOING TO LONDON AND BRUSSELS TO STATE HONG KONG’S CASE ON THE TEXTILE AGREEMENT AND GAVE THE STRONGEST SUPPORT FOR THE NEGOTIATING TEAM NOW IN BRUSSELS.
TURNING TO THE PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE FOR THREE YEARS OF COMPULSORY AND FREE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR EVERY PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVER, MR. WU SAID THAT THIS WOULD ENABLE HONG KONG TO KEEP UP WITH BETTER-OFF NEIGHBOURING REGIONS.
+1 ALSO AGREE THAT SUBSIDISED PLACES IN FORMS IV AND V FOR 40 PER CENT OF JUNIOR 'SECONDARY LEAVERS ARE APPROPRIATE AT THIS STAGE OF OUR DEVELOPMENT, AND THAT SCHOOL EXAMINATION AT SOME STAGE IS A NECESSARY EVIL TO ENSURE ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND TO EVALUATE TEACHING PERFORMANCE,* HE ADDED.
/HE ALSO .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
5
HE ALSO BELIEVED THAT NO INDUSTRIALISTS WOULD COMPLAIN IF 14 YEAR-OLDS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO WORK AS A RESULT OF THIS MEASURE.
+RATHER,* HE SAID, +ANY CONCERN WOULD BE FOR THE ADEQUACY AND RELEVANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN OUR INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SOCIETY.*
HE ADDED, + IN ALL PHASES OF EDUCATION, I BELIEVE THAT BY NOW, THE TAXPAYERS, AND GOVERNMENT, HAVE REASONABLY PROVIDED THE QUANTITY OR NUMBERS, AND IT IS FOR EDUCATORS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY WILL BE DELIVERING THE QUALITY.*
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
RELATIONS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SHOWS MARKED IMPROVEMENT *****
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC HAS SHOWN MARKED IMPROVEMENT IN RECENT YEARS FOLLOWING THE GRADUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LONG-TERM PLANS TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF LIFE.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE HON. Q.W. LEE IN THE ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR. LEE SAID AS TIME GOES ON, PEOPLE HAVE HIGHER ASPIRATIONS AND IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT OCCASIONALY CERTAIN SEGMENTS OF THE PUBLIC STILL FEEL THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY CONSULTED ON MATTERS CONCRNING THEM VITALLY, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE ALREADY IN EXISTENCE VARIOUS MEANS OF PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS.
+OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE INFORMED FULLY AND IN GOOD TIME ON MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST,* HE NOTED.
IN THIS CONNECTION, MR. LEE SAID THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS SCHEME HAD AN EVEN MORE IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY AND HOPED THAT THE REVIEW OF THE SCHEME RECENTLY COMPLETED BY THE GOVERNMENT WOULD RESULT IN IT DOING MORE TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION WITH THE PEOPLE.
ON THE VARIOUS PROGRAMMES OUTLINED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS EARLIER THIS MONTH, MR. LEE SAID THEY WERE JUST WHAT THE PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AND ONLY BY GOING FORWARD WITH SUCH PROGRAMMES CAN HONG KONG HAVE SOCIAL STABILITY REQUIRED TO DEVELOP OUR ECONOMY.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS THEREFORE LEADING HONG KONG TO DEVELOP INTO A SOCIETY IN THIS RIGHT DIRECTION AND WAS CONFIDENT THAT IT WOULD APPROPRIATE FUNDS PRUDENTLY TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAMMES ACCORDING TO OUR FINANCIAL CAPABILITY IN THE LIGHT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS.
MR. LEE ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE AN OVERALL LOOK TO SEE WHETHER THERE WERE ANY REAL PROBLEMS PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF COMMUNICATION WITH MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
HE SAID RECENTLY THERE HAD BEEN SOME CASES OF DISCONTENT REGARDING CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AS EXPRESSED THROUGH THE NEWS MEDIA AND EVEN MANIFESTED IN INDUSTRIAL ACTION.
+IT IS APPRECIATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS HANDLED THE SITUATION WITH ABSOLUTE FAIRNESS, TACT AND FIRMNESS.*
BUT HE SAID AS THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS NOW A HIGHLY COMPLICATED MULTI-LAYERED ESTABLISHMENT OF ENORMOUS SIZE, IT MIGHT BE USEFUL IF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE AN OVERALL LOOK TO SEE WHETHER SUCH A PROBLEM EXISTED.
HE ADDED THAT THE PUBLIC WERE NATURALLY CONCERNED BECAUSE ONLY WHEN THERE IS HARMONIOUS MANAGEMENT AND STAFF RELATIONSHIP CAN GOOD SERVICE BE EXPECTED FROM OUR CIVIL SERVICE.
------0---- /7.....
7
TIMETABLES FOR SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT WELCOMED
******
THE HON. MRS. KWAN KO SIU—V/AH SPEAKING IN THE COUNCIL TODAY WELCOMED THE GOVERNMENT’S TIMETABLES SUBJECT IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIELD, PROVIDING FOR FINANCIAL PLANNING.
LEGISLATIVE
FOR EACH LONG TERM
ALTHOUGH THE PROPOSALS WHICH SHE MADE EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR A MODE OF PLANNING BY BLOCK GRANTS WERE NOT ACCEPTED, SHE WAS CERTAIN THE LONG TERM PLANNING NOW EMBARKED ON WOULD BE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE FOR THE ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND WELFARE.
SHE SUGGESTED SETTING SOCIAL WELFARE STANDARDS WHICH SHE SAID WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SET OUR TARGETS RIGHT AND MAKE MAXIMUM USE OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND MANPOWER.
+THE MAIN PURPOSE OF STANDARD SETTING IS TO INDICATE THE LEVEL WHICH PUBLIC OR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES SHOULD STRIVE TO ATTAIN IN PROVIDING THEIR SERVICES.
+IN OTHER WORDS, THE STANDARD IS MEANT TO BE INDICATIVE" IT SHOULD BE HIGH ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN OR RAISE THE QUALITY OF SERVICES, BUT SUFFICIENTLY LOW AT THE SAME TIME TO BE ACCEPTED BY SOCIETY AND BE WITHIN THE LIMIT OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES,* SHE SAID.
SHE PROPOSED THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES TO GOVERN THE STANDARDS: _ __ ________________________________
* THE PRIMARY AIM OF STANDARD SETTING IS TO ENSURE THAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN SUCH A MANNER AND AT SUCH LEVELS THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL WELL-BEING OF THOSE RECEIVING THE SERVICES ARE PROTECTED. THUS, CHILD CARE CENTRES MUST BE ENSURED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE CARE FOR THE CHILDREN.
* STANDARD SETTING MUST BE REALISTIC SO THAT THE LEVEL ASPIRED TO SHOULD REFLECT THE SOCIAL NORM AND REALITY IN TERMS OF PEOPLE’S WAY OF LIVING. FOR EXAMPLE, SHE SAID, THE STANDARDS FOR CHILD CARE CENTRES OR OLD PEOPLE’S HOMES SHOULD NOT BE TOO DIFFERENT FROM THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. FURTHERMORE, IN SETTING STANDARDS, THE NEED FOR THE SERVICE MUST BE CONSIDERED. WE SHOULD THUS BE REALISTIC AS WE SET THE STANDARDS FOR CHILD CARE CENTRES AND PROGRAMMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND OTHER SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT QUANTITY AND QUALITY ARE KEPT IN BALANCE, SHE SAID. SHE WAS SURE THAT NONE OF US WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME CHILDREN FORCED OUT OF THE CLOSED PRIVATE NURSERIES AND BE PUT IN EVEN WORSE SITUATIONS. IN THE COURSE OF DEVELOPMENT, THE QUALITY OF SERVICES SHOULD BE RAPIDLY IMPROVED, SHE ADDED.
THE THIRD .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
8
X THE THIRD PRINCIPLE CONCERNS THE PACE AT WHICH OUR PROGRAMME SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED. THE MAIN PURPOSE OF STANDARD SETTING IS INDICATIVE, WITH THE COROLLARY THAT WE SHOULD BE FLEXIBILE IN OUR APPROACH TO THE ATTAINMENT OF THE AGREED STANDARDS. SHE SAID OUR EXPERIENCE IN IMPLEMENTING THE REGULATIONS REGARDING CHILD CARE CENTRES SUGGESTS THAT STANDARDS SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN AS FINAL- RATHER THEY SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO AMENDMENTS AS CONDITIONS CHANGE. +HENCE,+ SHE ADDED, +IN THE DEBATE ON THE CHILD CARE CENTRES BILL, I STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF REVIEWING THE REGULATIONS IF CIRCUMSTANCES PROVED NECESSARY.
+TO ILLUSTRATE MY POINT, ALTHOUGH THE REGULATIONS OF THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE STATE THAT ONLY PERSONS WITH RECOGNIZED TRAINING IN CHILD CARE PLUS FIVE YEARS’ RELEVANT EXPERIENCE ARE QUALIFIED TO BE EMPLOYED AS SUPERVISORS OF CHILD CARE CENTRES, IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT SUCH PERSONS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY, WE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO ALLOW THE EMPLOYMENT OF THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED APPROPRIATE TRAINING AS +PROVISIONAL SUPERVISORS+ SO THAT CHILD CARE CENTRES CAN BE MAINTAINED IN SUFFICIENT NUMBERS.+
SHE ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO DISCLOSE THE COMPLETE LIST OF SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE AND GREEN PAPERS IT HAS IN PREPARATION SO THAT AGENCIES AND INDIVIDUALS MAY KNOW THE GOVERNMENT’S THINKING AND WILL NOT GET THE MISTAKEN IMPRESSION THAT GOVERNMENT’S THINKING AND PLANNING IN THE WHOLE FIELD IS MOVING IN A PARTICULAR DIRECTION AND THAT CERTAIN TYPES OF WORK NOT YET SUBJECTED TO THE PLANNING PROCESS IS NO LONGER NEEDED. THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WOULD THEN MAKE THE BEST USE OF THEIR RESOURCES AND THEIR POTENTIAL TO START NEW SERVICES IN A PARTICULAR AREA.
ON THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME, FOR WHICH SHE HAD MADE SIMILAR SUGGESTIONS ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, SHE THOUGHT THAT THE WAITING PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS BEFORE GRANTING SUPPLEMENTS OR ALLOWANCES TO LONG-TERM PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS AND THOSE NOT QUALIFYING FOR THE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE, BUT UNABLE TO WORK, IS TOO LONG. TWELVE MONTHS OR EVEN LESS WILL BE MORE REASONABLE.
SHE FURTHER ASKED THAT THE VARIOUS PROPOSED SUPPLEMENTS BE GIVEN WITHOUT UNNECESSARY DELAY AND THE LOWERING OF THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS MANPOWER RESOURCES PERMIT.
SHE WANTED THE PROPOSED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE APPEALS BOARD TO HAVE WIDER REPRESENTATION AND NOT TO BE COMPOSED MAINLY OF GOVERNMENT SERVANTS.
IN ADDITION, SHE SUGGESTED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHOULD HAVE A SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION OF SOCIA^ SECURITY WHICH HAD GROWN ENORMOUSLY.
/SHE FELT....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
9
SHE FELT THAT INCENTIVES LIKE TAX DEDUCTIONS WOULD URGE MORE EMPLOYEES TO JOIN THE CONTRIBUTORY INSURANCE SCHEME, AND PROPOSED THAT WHEN THIS COMES INTO EFFECT, THE SETTING UP OF A SEPARATE OFFICE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS IS DESIRABLE AS NOT ALL SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS ARE REQUIRED TO BE DEALT WITH BY TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS WHOSE SERVICE MAY BE MORE NEEDED IN OTHER SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES.
SHE ASKED FOR MORE MULTI-PURPOSE SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF SERVICES, ESPECIALLY +HOME HELP+ AND COUNSELLING, AND HOPED FOR CONCRETE PROPOSALS IN THE FORTHCOMING GREEN PAPER ON PERSONAL SERVICES FOR YOUTH.
ON REHABILITATION OF THE DISABLED, THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBER THOUGHT ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL AIMS SHOULD BE INTEGRATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL INTO SOCIETY.
INSTITUTIONS FOR THE HANDICAPPED SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SOCIETY AND NOT BANISHED TO OUTLYING AREAS +BETWEEN THE GARBAGE DUMP AND BURIAL PLACES FOR THE DEAD,+ SHE SAID.
THEY SHOULD ALSO BE KEPT AS SMALL AS PRACTICABLE SO THAT MAXIMUM SUPPORT COULD BE GOT FROM CONTACT WITH THE ABLE-BODIED, SHE ADDED.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT MORE CO-ORDINATION WITH THE TRAINING INSTITUTIONS WAS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE STAFF FOR THE VARIOUS SPECIALIST WORK IN THE FIELD OF REHABILITATION.
A LARGE NUMBER OF TRAINED PERSONNEL WERE ALSO REQUIRED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OTHER SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES, SHE SAID, AND SHE ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO ACTIVELY CONSULT WITH THE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION INSTITUTES TO INCREASE THEIR TRAINING CAPACITIES. SHE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT PART-TIME OR PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSES SHOULD BE INCREASED.
SHE PLEADED FOR MORE REALISTIC PLANNING OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES, AND FOR GREATER AND BETTER USE OF PART-TIME COURSES, TO ENABLE NEW ENTRANTS TO THE FIELD TO PROVIDE SERVICES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER AN INITIAL SHORT INTRODUCTORY COURSE.
SHE WELCOMED THE ADVENT OF NINE YEARS OF FREE EDUCATION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO FORM III LEAVERS IN SENIOR SECONDARY FORMS, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND ADULT EDUCATION COURSES. SHE HOPED THAT PRIORITY BE GIVEN TO THE PROVISION OF SUBSIDIZED SCHOOLING TO STUDENTS WHO WANT IT UP TO THE SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE LEVEL. AT LEAST AIDED SCHOOL PLACES EITHER IN SENIOR SECONDARY OR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ALL FORM THREE LEAVERS.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WOULD SERVE THE COMPARATIVELY AFFLUENT FAMILIES, OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING PLANS SHOULD AIN AT BENEFITING THE MORE NEEDY GROUPS.
/SHE HOPED .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
10
SHE HOPED THAT THE PILOT SCHEME WOULD PROVE SUCCESSFUL AND WOULD BE GREATLY EXPANDED IN FUTURE.
THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBER MADE A PLEA FOR REVISING THE MARRIAGE REFORM ORDINANCE AND TABLED A PAPER TO SUPPORT HER REQUEST.
THE ORDINANCE DOES NOT ADEQUATELY PROVIDE FOR THE POST REGISTRATION OF CUSTOMARY AND VALIDATED MARRIAGES WHERE ONE SPOUSE IS MISSING, OR FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF REGISTRATION OF SUCH MARRIAGES WHERE ONE SPOUSE IS EITHER MISSING OR DOES NOT CONSENT, SHE EXPLAINED.
SHE ALSO ASKED FOR AN EARLY DATE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO PREVENT THE DISCLOSURE OF THE IDENTITY AND PAST SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR OF RAPE VICTIMS.
SHE WAS PLEASED WITH THE IMPROVEMENTS IN WOMEN’S POSITION IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN THE GOVERNMENT OVER THE PAST DECADE BUT POINTED OUT THAT THERE COULD STILL BE MORE, IN CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR MARRIED WOMEN IN THE GOVERNMENT, SUCH AS SUBSIDISED HOUSING, EDUCATION ALLOWANCE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND MEDICAL AND DENTAL TREATMENT FOR THEIR DEPENDANTS, WHICH SHE HOPED WOULD BE REVIEWED NEXT YEAR.
11
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 197?
NEED TO RESTORE HEALTHY STOCK MARKET STRESSED
*******
THE HON. P.G. WILLIAMS TODAY URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE PROPOSALS TO RECREATE A HEALTHY STOCK MARKET AND TO RESTORE ITS ABILITY TO PROVIDE CAPITAL FOR HONG KONG’S ENTERPRISES.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THE ABILITY TO RAISE CAPITAL ON THE LOCAL STOCK MARKET WAS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS MOOTED BY POTENTIAL OVERSEAS INDUSTRIALISTS WHEN COMPARING THE MERITS OF HONG KONG AND ITS NEIGHBOURS.
+IT IS UNFORTUNATE AND DAMAGING TO HONG KONG THAT PRESENTLY THE ANSWER IS A NEGATIVE ONE,* HE REMARKED.
MR. WILLIAMS SAID THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS FOR THE LOW-LEVEL TURNOVER AT THE LOCAL STOCK MARKET EVEN WITH GOOD COMPANY RESULTS ON THE WHOLE.
+POSSIBLY THE MEMORY OF LOSSES INCURRED AFTER THE BOOM OF 1972/73 IS AN INHIBITING FACTOR.
+THE ATTRACTIONS OF THE PROPERTY MARKET AND HOUSE OWNERSHIP IS CERTAINLY TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM THE STOCK MARKET AND AN OVERHEATED PROPERTY MARKET HAS ITS DANGERS.*
BUT HE NOTED THAT A MAJOR FACTOR IS THE +FOG THAT SHROUDS THE TAXATION OF THE SO CALLED HABITUAL TRADER IN STOCKS AND SHARES*.
HE SAID THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT PUT INTO THE EFFECT THE PRACTICE OF TAXING HABITUAL TRADER AT A MOST VOLATILE TIME RESULTING IN GENERAL CONFUSION.
MR. WILLIAMS SAID NO DEFINITION OF A HABITUAL TRADER HAS BEEN FORTHCOMING AND THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT- HAS ASSERTED ITS RIGHT TO LOOK BACK INTO TRANSACTIONS OVER AN UNSTATED NUMBER OF YEARS.
+AT PRESENT MANY WEALTHY INVESTORS ARE LOCKED OUT OF THE MARKET TO PROTECT PROFITS MADE IN 1972/73. THEY FEEL THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO TRADE FOR FEAR OF PROMPTING A REVIEW OF EARLIER TRANSACTIONS AND THEY COULD BE LOCKED OUT FOR YEARS.*
HE SAID HONG KONG’S IMAGE AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE IS BEING HARMED AND IT IS ALSO BEING COUNTER PRODUCTIVE INASMUCH AS +THE GOVERNMENT ARE NOW RECEIVING A MUCH REDUCED INCOME BECAUSE OF THE PAUCITY OF TRADING IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT THE STAMP DUTY WHICH WAS DOUBLED IN 1972 TO DAMPEN THE BOOM HAS NEVER BEEN REDUCED*.
ON DIVERSIFICATION OF INDUSTRY, MR. WILLIAMS WELCOMED THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSAL PARTICULARLY ON THE PROPOSED ALLOCATION OF LAND AT FORMATION COST FOR ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL DIVERSIFY THE INDUSTRIAL BASE AND DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY LEAD TO THE INTRODUCTION OF HIGHER LEVELS OF TECHNOLOGY.
HE SAID THERE IS SCOPE FOR DEVELOPMENT WITHIN OUR EXISTING RANGE OF INDUSTRIES BUT THERE IS A LIMIT AND UNLESS THE BASE CAN BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE SOME LAND INTENSIVE ACTIVITIES OF A SERVICE TYPE, FOR EXAMPLE A FOUNDRY, NEW INDUSTRIES CANNOT BE SERVED AND WOULD NOT BE VIABLE.
------0-------- /12...............
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
12 -
UNOFFICIAL MEMBER EMPHASISES NEED FOR SENIOR APPOINTMENT TO HEAD UNIT FOR REHABILITATION PLAN ******
THE NEW UNIT SET UP IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TO IMPLEMENT THE REHABILITATION PLAN FOR THE DISABLED SHOULD ACT AND BE REGARDED AS THE OFFICIAL CHANNEL FOR INFORMATION, ENQUIRIES, COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS, DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
DR. FANG, WHO HAS BEEN APPOINTED THE FIRST CHAIRMAN OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING MORE FRUSTRATING FOR A HANDICAPPED PERSON THAN TO BE SHUNTED FROM ONE DEPARTMENT TO ANOTHER.
HE ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW THE NEED FOR APPOINTING A COMMISSIONER TO HEAD THE NEW UNIT, AND HOPED THAT THERE WOULD BE CONTINUITY IN THE POST OF PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY IN THE UNIT, WHICH REQUIRED SOME TIME TO SETTLE IN.
DR. FANG SAW THE MAIN TASK OF HIS COMMITTEE AS +LYING IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME PLAN AND IN MONITORING ITS PROGRESS, + AND WAS CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S STRONG SUPPORT, SIGNIFICANT HEADWAY WOULD BE MADE IN THE COMING FIVE YEARS.
HE REMAINED CONCERNED, HOWEVER, OVER THE SHORTAGE OF GOVERNMENT DOCTORS, PARTICULARLY IN OUT-PATIENT CLINICS.
HE ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO PLACE GREATER EMPHASIS ON GENERAL PRACTICE AND TO CONSIDER PROVIDING A REASONABLE CAREER STRUCTURE AND SALARY FOR THOSE TAKING IT UP AS A SPECIALITY.
INCREASING STATUS IS BEING GIVEN TO GENERAL PRACTICE IN MOST ADVANCED COUNTRIES AND AS A FIRST STEP TOWARDS RECOGNISING ITS IMPORTANCE IN HONG KONG, A COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS WAS RECENTLY SET UP, HE SAID.
IN EVERY BRANCH OF MEDICINE AS WELL, A MORE CONSISTENT TRAINING PROGRAMME SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TOGETHER WITH IMPROVED PROMOTION PROSPECTS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE OBTAINED HIGHER QUALIFICATIONS, HE ADDED.
ONE POSSIBLE WAY TO RETAIN DOCTORS LONGER IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, DR. FANG SUGGESTED, MIGHT BE TO EXTEND THEIR INTERNSHIP FROM ONE YEAR TO TWO YEARS.
THIS IS DESIRABLE IN ITSELF, HE POINTED OUT, BECAUSE THE INTERNS COULD THEN COVER ALL THREE MAJOR SPECIAL AREAS OF MEDICINE INSTEAD OF TWO DURING THIS PERIOD AND HAVE A FURTHER SIX MONTHS FOR GENERAL PRACTICE.
/HE WOULD .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
- 13 -
HE WOULD WELCOME A STATEMENT ON PLANS TO REDUCE THE HIGH TURNOVER OF DOCTORS AND TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF THEM TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.
HE ALSO WANTED TO KNOW WHEN LEGISLATION ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING, QUALIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATION OF PARA-MEDICAL STAFF WOULD BE PUT TO THE COUNCIL.
ON THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WHICH, HE SAID, WAS A SUBJECT DEAR TO HIS HEART, DR. FANG SAID IT SHOULD HELP TOWARDS PROVIDING DECENT SELF-CONTAINED HOMES FOR ALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND AT THE SAME TIME STRIKE A PROPER BALANCE BETWEEN THOSE REQUIRING PUBLIC HOUSING AND THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD TO PAY MORE FOR BETTER HOUSING STANDARDS.
HE THOUGHT THAT ADEQUATE HOUSING WAS A BASIC SOCIAL NEED AND SINCE THOSE IN PUBLIC HOUSING WERE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS THOSE REQUIRING HELP, RENTALS SHOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ELEMENT OF SUBSIDY AND SHOULD BE PITCHED AT THEIR INCOME LEVELS.
HE WELCOMED THE GOVERNMENT’S EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY IN THE COMING YEAR AND BELIEVED THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRIBUTORY DEATH, SICKNESS AND, HE HOPED, RETIREMENT BENEFITS SCHEME WOULD FILL A VACUUM WHICH COULD NOT BE FILLED BY THE EXISTING SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM.
-----o------
/1A......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
14 -
WAYS TO PROMOTE OUR TRADE AND CULTURE * * M * K *
HONG KONG MUST BE ESTABLISHED AS AN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION CENTRE TO FILL THE GAP IN OUR TRADE PROMOTION STRATEGY AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE A MORE PLANNED AND ACTIVE ROLE IN PROMOTING THE ARTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
THESE TWO POINTS WERE RAISED BY THE HON. ALEX WU AT THE ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
+IF EVER THERE WAS AN IDEAL PLACE FOR A MAJOR TRADE FAIR FACILITY IN THIS REGION, IT IS HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
+WE HAVE THE TRADE VOLUME AND A FREE IMPORT-EXPORT SYSTEM WHICH MAKES THE MOVEMENT OF GOODS IN AND OUT FOR EXHIBITION PURPOSES BOTH EASY AND UNCOMPLICATED.+
+THIS WOULD PROVIDE MANY LONG-TERM ECONOMIC BENEFITS FOR US AND IF PROPERLY DEVELOPED AND PROMOTED COULD BE A MOST VIABLE PROJECT FOR COMMUNITY INVESTMENT,* HE SAID.
THE GREAT EUROPEAN CITIES COULD NOT BE IMAGINED WITHOUT THEIR TRADE FAIR FACILITIES, +AND IT IS NOT ONLY THE BENEFITS FROM DIRECT TRADING THAT ACCRUE TO THESE COUNTRIES, IT IS THE “■ ----- bring to hotels, restaurants
ANCILLARY BUSINESS THAT TRADE COMMUNICATIONS, AND RETAILERS EVENTS,* HE ADDED.
MR. WU GAVE AS EXAMPLE A
FAIRS WHICH
TRADE
GREATLY BENEFIT FROM THESE
MART IN THE CITY OF DALLAS
TEXAS. BUILT UP OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, WHICH HAD AN ESTIMATED BUSINESS TURNOVER OF HKS22 BILLION THIS YEAR AND EXPECTED SOME
409,900 VISITORS
AS TO HONG KONG, MR. WU POINTED OUT THAT THE PROPOSAL FOR A TRADE FAIR CENTRE WAS NOT NEW. A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S PARKS, RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE WAS SET UP IN NOVEMBER 1964 WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
AFTER TWO YEARS OF DELIBERATION IT RECOMMENDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROVIDE SOME 130,909 SQ. FT. OF FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED NET SPACE FOR TRADE EXHIBITIONS, AND TO INCLUDE FURTHER FACILITIES FOR DISPLAYING MACHINERY AND OTHER HEAVY EXHIBITS.
THE SPACE COULD BE COUPLED WITH AN INDOOR STADIUM TO SEAT 7,500 AND CONVENTION FACILITIES, SO THAT THE PROJECT WOULD BE VIABLE AND THE FACILITIES INTERCHANGEABLE.
/THE SUB-COMMITTEE .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
15 -
THE SUB-COMMITTEE FURTHER FAVOURED A SITE ON THE HUNG HOM RECLAMATION OVER OR ADJACENT TO THE PROPOSED NEW HUNG HOM RAILWAY TERMINAL.
THE GOVERNMENT, HOWEVER, FOR SOME REASON, DECIDED TO PROCEED ONLY WITH THE INDOOR STADIUM.
IF THE FULL PACKAGE HAD BEEN ACCEPTED AT THAT TIME, THE COMMUNITY COULD BY NOW HAVE HAD A MOST USEFUL AND FLOURISHING ASSET, HE SAID.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO RE-EXAMINE THE MATTER URGENTLY SO THAT +THIS MOST OBVIOUS GAP IN HONG KONG’S TRADE FAC ILITIES+ COULD BE CLOSED WITH ALL SPEED.
TURNING TO THE ARTS IN WHICH
NOTED A SURGE OF INTEREST, PLANNING AND CO-ORDINATION
MR. WU
THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ADDRESS PLEADED FOR EXPERT
BE USED +TO THE BEST ADVANTAGE
SO THAT FUNDS FOR ACTIVITIES WOULD
REACHING ALL SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY.*
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE MAJORITY
IT IS PERHAPS TIME, HE SAID, FOR GOVERNMENT TO ABANDON ITS RATHER UNCHARACTERISTICALLY LOW PROFILE IN THIS RESPECT AND TO ESTABLISH A POLICY ON SUBSIDIES FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
PERHAPS IT IS ALSO TIME, HE CONTINUED, TO START THINK,ING ABOUT A CENTRAL ORGANISATION WHICH WOULD IN A FEW YEARS TIME ACT AS AN OVERALL CO-ORDINATOR OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
SUCH A BODY, HE EXPLAINED, COULD HELP TO PREVENT OVERLAPPING OF EFFORTS AND ESTABLISH OVERALL CULTURAL POLICY GUIDELINES, WHICH WERE SADLY LACKING AT THE PRESENT TIME.
IT WOULD ALSO BE INVALUABLE WHEN THE NEW AUD I TOR IA BEING PLANNED ARE COMPLETED, HE SAID.
MR. WU ALSO ADVOCATED A FULL-FLEDGED GOVERNMENT-BACKED ACADEMY OF THE ARTS TO EMBRACE ALL THE PERFORMING ARTS, FOR WHICH, HE SAID, WE SHOULD ALREADY BE MAKING PLANS.
HE DOUBTED WHETHER WE WOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT PROFESSIONAL PERFORMERS, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND PLANNERS TO FILL THE NEW CULTURAL VENUES.
+DEDICATED PEOPLE WITH NATURAL APTITUDES SHOULD BE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES NOW TO PREPARE TO PLAY VITAL ROLES IN A FEW YEARS TIME.
+WE SPEND A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY ON TRAINING TECHNICIANS FOR INDUSTRY AND OTHER FIELDS. WE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR OUR FUTURE CULTURAL NEEDS,* HE SAID.
/AS AN INTERIM......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
16 -
AS AN INTERIM MEASURE, HE ASKED GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER CONVERTING ONE OF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION TO START CATERING FOR SPECIALIST TRAINING NEEDS IN MUSIC AND THE ARTS. MANY OF OUR TALENTS WERE NOW BEING LOST, +SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE GAP IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM,+ HE SAID.
+HONG KONG IS SOMEWHAT ISOLATED FROM THE WORLD’S MAJOR TRAINING CENTRES FOR THE ARTS AND SO WE MUST TO A LARGE EXTENT BE SELF-RELIANT ON THE FACILITIES WE MAKE AVAILABLE TO OUR STUDENTS.
+WE OWE IT OUR TALENTED YOUNG NOT TO DELAY ANY FURTHER,* HE SAID.
HE ASKED FOR EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROGRAMME WHICH HE UNDERSTOOD THE GOVERNMENT HAD DRAWN UP TO BE PART OF AN OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO OUTLINE ITS OBJECTIVES IN THE FIELDS OF CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT, AND TO DEFINE THE SCOPE OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
-----o------
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
- 17 -
NEED FOR BETTER INTERPRETATION OF LAWS TO ORDINARY PEOPLE * * * *
THERE IS A VERY OBVIOUS NEED TO ADOPT A MORE SYSTEMATIC AND METICULOUS APPROACH TO INTERPRET THE LAWS TO THE ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO SPEAK LITTLE OR NO ENGLISH, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE SUGGESTED SIX WAYS TO ACHIEVE THIS:
* SENDING MORE CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICERS IN BOTH THE EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT TO COURSES ON TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION,
* MAKING MORE AVAILABLE TRANSLATIONS OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS IN COMMON USE,
* RECRUITING MORE CANTONESE-SPEAKING MAGISTRATES BY ENLARGING THE UNIVERSITY ENROLMENT OF LAW STUDENTS,
* REVIVING THE JP MAGISTRATE SYSTEM,
* EXPANDING THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND MAKING SUCH SERVICE MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE AT CDO OFFICES, AND
* REVIEWING EXISTING POLICIES TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS, IF NECESSARY EY RECRUITING MORE QUALIFIED STAFF.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN ALSO HAD SUGGESTIONS FOR BRINGING DOWN EVEN MORE THE LEVEL OF CRIME. +THERE IS STILL A GENERAL FEELING AMONG THE PUBLIC THAT MUCH MORE HAS STILL TO BE DONE.+ HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT PROPERLY DESIGNED AND ADEQUATE STREET-LIGHTING WAS NEEDED TO PREVENT CRIME AND THERE WERE QUITE A NUMBER OF STREET-LIGHTING +BLACKSPOTS+ REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION.
HE URGED THAT THE RECENTLY COMPLETED COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON ROAD LIGHTING, WHICH SHOWED UP EXISTING DEFECTS, BE ACTED UPON AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE POLICE SHOULD ALSO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STATIC AND MOBILE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE UNITS, CARRY OUT MORE PATROLS IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS IN +ELACKSPOT+ AREAS AND DURING CRITICAL PERIODS DURING THE DAY OR NIGHT-TIME.
WHILE THE DISTRICT FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEES AND THE MAC’S HAD RENDERED MAGNIFICENT SUPPORT, +THERE IS A NEED FOR A RAPID EXPANSION OF CRIME PREVENTION OFFICE IN ALL POLICE DISTRICTS SO THAT HOUSEHOLDERS CAN THEMSELVES COMBAT CRIME THROUGH SIMPLE EUT USEFUL CRIME PREVENTION SELF-HELP MEASURES,* HE SAID.
/ON THE WORK .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
- 18 -
ON THE WORK OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR. CHEONG-LEEN SUGGESTED THE SETTING UP OF A SUB-REGISTER OF ELDERLY WOMEN WHO COULD PROVIDE PART-TIME HELP FOR YOUNG WORKING WIVES, BABY-SIT FOR THEM, OR LOOK AFTER HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WHILE THEIR PARENTS WERE AT WORK, WITH SOME BASIC TRAINING PROVIDED FOR THEM FREE.
SUCH A SERVICE WOULD NOT ONLY BE HELPFUL TO THE FAMILIES CONCERNED, IT WOULD MAKE THE ELDERLY WOMEN FEEL THEY WERE PERFORMING A SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND THAT THEY WERE WANTED, HE SAID.
HE FURTHER PROPOSED THAT FOR THE VERY POOR FAMILIES, THE COST OF SUCH SERVICE COULD BE ASSISTED BY THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
FOR MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES WHO EARNED BETWEEN S3,5OO AND $6,000, MR. CHEONG-LEEN URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE WHETHER SPECIAL MORTGAGE FACILITIES COULD BE PROVIDED BY THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WITH ITS PARTIAL ASSISTANCE OR GUARANTEE, TO HELP THEM BUY THEIR OWN HOMES ON THE BASIS OF 10 PER CENT DOWN PAYMENT, 15 YEAR REPAYMENT TERM, AND INTEREST RATES AT BETWEEN 7-1/2 TO 9 PER CENT PER ANNUM.
THIS MEASURE WILL FURTHER STIMULATE THE TREND TOWARDS HOME OWNERSHIP, NOT TO MENTION KEEPING THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY IN A HEALTHY CONDITION,* HE SAID.
THE FINDINGS OF THE WORKING PARTY NOW LOOKING INTO HOUSING FOR MIDDLE-INCOME CIVIL SERVANTS FOR WHOM THERE WAS NO HOUSING PROVISIONS, WERE DEING AWAITED, HE ADDED.
HE SUGGESTED THAT INITIALLY THE PROPORTION OF HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS RESERVED FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE TENANTS BE SET AT TWO-THIRDS TO THREE-QUARTERS SC THAT MORE HIGH INCOME TENANTS WOULD MOVE OUT OF HIGHLY SUBSIDISED ACCOMMODATION TO MAKE WAY FOR THOSE IN DESPERATE NEED ON THE WAITING LIST.
HE SAID IT WAS NOT A BAD IDEA FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SEEK ADDITIONAL LOANS FROM THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK OR OTHER SOURCES FOR MORE PUBLIC HOUSING TO KEEP UP WITH THE BUILDING PROGRAMME IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN VIEW OF THE LARGE FORECAST EXPENDITURE ON THE HOUSING PROGRAMME, IT WAS VITAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO KEEP UNDER ANNUAL REVIEW THE PROPORTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING WHICH WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL AND FOR HOME OWNERSHIP.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN REFERRED TO THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF THE PERSONAL SERVICES FOR YOUTH AND SAID THE NEED FOR SUCH SERVICES COULD BE BROKEN DOWN INTO THREE AGE GROUPS: DURING PRIMARY SCHOOL, DURING SECONDARY SCHOOL, AND POST SECONDARY SCHOOL UP TO ABOUT THE AGE OF 20.
/HE URGED......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
19 -
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO DISSOLVE THE MORIBUND INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE ON SERVICES FOR YOUTH AND APPOINT INSTEAD AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON YOUTH SERVICES WITH UNOFFICIAL REPRESENTATION, SO AS TO STIMULATE CLOSER LIAISON BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES INTERESTED IN YOUTH SERVICES.
THIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE WOULD MONITOR SPECIAL SERVICES FOR VULNERABLE YOUTH GROUPS AS WELL AS DUPLICATION OF EFFORT IN YOUTH PROGRAMMES, AND SEEK OUT DEFICIENCIES OR NEW APPROACHES.
+IT WOULD BE A FOCAL POINT TO STRENGTHEN THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE VARIED RANGE OF SERVICES FOR YOUTH AND MAKE THEM REALISE THEY ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.
ON EDUCATION, MR. CHEONG-LEEN POINTED OUT THAT THE GAP IN THE PRIMARY EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN OF BOAT PEOPLE HAS TO BE FILLED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, PERHAPS WITH THE HELP OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
HE ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO RAISE THE PERCENTAGE OF SUBSIDISED PLACES IN FORMS IV AND V FROM 40 TO BETWEEN 50 AND 60 PER CENT.
HE SUGGESTED ANOTHER LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN OPEN UNIVERSITY IN HONG KONG SINCE THERE WAS BOUND TO BE MORE COMPETITION FOR THE LIMITED PLACES IN THE EXISTING UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC AS THE RESULT OF 11 YEARS OF UNIVERSAL EDUCATION.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT ISSUE EVERY TWO YEARS
AN ALL-INCLUSIVE WHITE PAPER ON EDUCATION, AFTER THE VARIOUS
REPORTS AND GREEN AND WHITE PAPERS ON EDUCATION PRESENTLY EXPECTED WERE COMPLETED, SO THAT PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY COULD
GAIN A CLEARER INSIGHT INTO THE CURRENT STATE OF EDUCATION IN
HONG KONG.
ON INDUSTRIAL DIVERSIFICATION, MR. CHEONG-LEEN WAS INTERESTED IN THE FORMATION OF AN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD, A COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AND THE CARRYING OUT OF A SURVEY ON THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, TO HELP WITH THE WORK OF THE NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG DOES NOT FALL BEHIND ITS REGIONAL COMPETITION.
/20......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
- 20 -
NOTE TO EDITORS’.
BRITISH MINISTER OF INDUSTRY TO SEE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT *****
THE BRITISH MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY, MR. GERALD KAUFMAN, NOW IN HONG KONG, WILL PAY A VISIT TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MR. KAUFMAN WILL BE MET ON ARRIVAL AT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR. DONALD LIAO WHO WILL BRIEF HIM ON PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG AND WILL TAKE HIM ON A TOUR OF TWO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES - LEK YUEN AND WO CHE - IN SHA TIN.
MR. J.R. TODD, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND MR. H.R. HUSBAND, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY MR. KAUFMAN ON THE TOUR.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE VISIT. MR. KAUFMAN WILL ARRIVE AT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT 2.30 P.M. TOMORROW AND AT LEK YUEN AT 4.45 P.M.
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN SAN TIN ******
A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS AT SAN TIN RURAL COMMITTEE FOR RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE LIVING NEARBY FOR THREE DAYS FROM NOVEMBER 2 BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. DAILY.
THE VISIT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN OR WARDS BETWEEN 11 AND 17 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.
ALL PEOPLE LIVING IN THIS AREA ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS.
THEY SHOULD ALSO REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
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/21 .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
- 21
JUBILEE CHANCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT EXTRAVAGANZA ******
THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN HONG KONG IS FAST DEVELOPING INTO A MAJOR PRIORITY, MR. PETER MOSS, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
OUTLINING PLANS FOR THE FORTHCOMING QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE PAGEANT MR. MOSS TOLD A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF VICTORIA: +IN ADDITION TO THE CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS THAT HAVE GONE INTO DISTRIBUTING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE, THANKS TO THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT AND MANY VOLUNTARY BODIES, WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR OPPCRTUNITES TO MOUNT LARGE SCALE EXTRAVAGANZAS THAT OFFER SHEER ENTERTAINMENT TO THE GREATEST NUMBER OF SPECTATORS.
♦ONE SUCH OPPORTUNITY OCCURRED WHEN HONG KONG PLANNED ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS COMMEMORATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY Or THE QUEEN’S ACCESSION TO THE THRONE.
+A STEERING COMMITTEE SET UP UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF SIR Y.K. KAN DECIDED THAT OUR PROGRAMME OF CELEBRATIONS SHOULD INCLUDE A SILVER JUBILEE PAGEANT IN THE GOVERNMENT STADIUM, RUNNING FOR SIX NIGHTS FROM NOVEMBER 20 TO 25 INCLUSIVE.
+IN PLANNING THIS EVENT, OUR OBJECT HAS NOT BEEN MERELY TO HONOUR THE QUEEN BUT ALSO TO CELEBRATE THE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS THAT HONG KONG HAS MADE IN THE COURSE OF HER REIGN, THANKS TO THE WILL AND DETERMINATION OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.+
+S0 THE THEME OF THIS PAGEANT IS ’LOOK BACK WITH PRIDE’, AND THAT THEME WILL BE REINFORCED BY THE CONTENT OF THE PROGRAMME WE HAVE DEVISED.+
MR. MOSS SAID THAT TICKETS PRICED AT $1 AND S5 WILL BE ON SALE FROM MONDAY (OCTOBER 31) AT ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, NE;. TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES, ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TICKET OFFICES, SALES BOOTHS AT THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR AND FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
- - 0 - -
PRH 7
IGISI lirifel
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EDUCATION INSURANCE SCHEME SUGGESTED .................. 1
GOVERNMENT URGED TO HELP TEXTILE INDUSTRY TO MAINTAIN COMPETITIVENESS ....................................... 3
COMPULSORY FREE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION PLAN HAILED .... 5
UNOFFICIAL MEMBER PRAISES REHABILITATION PLAN FOR DISABLED 7
IMPORTANCE OF CLEAR, SIMPLE HOUSING POLICY STRESSED.... 8
CALL TO MAKE TRAINING COUNCIL A STATUTORY BODY........ 10
MORE EQUITABLE COMPENSATION SOUGHT FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY DEVELOPMENT........................................... 12
CONTRIBUTORY INSURANCE SCHEME MORE ATTRACTIVE AS SAVINGS FOR WORKERS .......................................... 16
DESIRE TO RAISE NORMAL RETIRING AGE .................. 18
POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED IN SETTING UP ADVISORY BOARDS FOR NT ................................................... 20
NEW POLITICAL ADVISER ARRIVES TOMORROW ............... 21
CONSULTANT TO LOOK INTO TRAINING NEEDS IN PRINTING DEPARTMENT............................................ 21
TRAFFIC BAN ON GOODS VEHICLES TO BE LIFTED............ 22
GIRL GUIDES PRAISED FOR RAISING QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG ................................................. 22
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
EDUCATION INSURANCE SCHEME SUGGESTED * * * * *
REV. THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT HAS SUGGESTED AN EDUCATION INSURANCE SCHEME TO HELP PARENTS WHO CAN SAVE UP ON JUNIOR SECONDAY SCHOOL FEES NOW THAT THEY ARE TO BE FREE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, TO PAY FOR THEIR CHILDREN’S FEES IN FROMS IV TO VI.
REV. BENNETT, SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, SAID SUCH A SCHEME SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT OF THE GOVERNMENT, ALTHOUGH IT SHOULD SEE TO IT THAT THERE WERE THE NECESSARY SAFEGUARDS.
UNDER THE SCHEME, PARENTS WOULD PAY BY TEN ANNUAL INSTALMENTS EACH YEAR A TOTAL SUM SIMILAR TO THE ABOLISHED FEES AND WOULD BE ALLOWED TO TAKE OUT THE MONEY WITH THE ACCRUED INTEREST AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME WHETHER OR NOT THEIR CHILDREN DID IN FACT CONTINUE IN SCHOOL.
FROM PAST EXPERIENCE, SHE COULD SAY THAT NEARLY ALL PARENTS DEMANDED FORMS IV AND V PLACES FOR THEIR CHILDREN. WHILE SHE WELCOMED THE PROPOSED REVIEW OF THE 43 PER CENT AIDED PLACES IN THESE TWO FORMS, SHE FORESAW THAT PRIVATE SCHOOLS, WHICH NATURALLY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE HIGH FEES, WOULD CONTINUE TO EXIST FOR SOME TIME.
SHE SAID THE ABOLITION OF JUNIOR SECONDARY FEES WAS A RELIEF TO PARENTS BUT WARNED THAT THEY NEEDED TO HAVE CONTINUAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION.
SHE ALSO URGED THAT THE TEACHER TO CLASS RATIO BE REVERTED TO 1.4 IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND 1.2 IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS BUT ONLY FOR THOSE SCHOOLS WHICH WERE PROVIDING AND WOULD EXPAND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES FOR THEIR STUDENTS.
+WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE STANDARDS OF DROP BY MAKING THEM FREE,+ SHE SAID.
OUR SCHOOLS DO NOT
SHE SAW THE NEED FOR A POSITIVE DRIVE TO ENFORCE COMPULSORY EDUCATION AND SUGGESTED THAT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS BE HELPED BY SOCIAL WORKERS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION IN THIS WORK.
FURTHERMORE, SHE SAID, FREE SECONDARY EDUCATION MIGHT NOT SOLVx THE PROBLEM FOR FAMILIES WHO NEEDED THE INCOME OF THEIR CHILDREN, SO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL WORKERS WOULD HAVE TO LIAISE CLOSELY WITH THE PROPOSED SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS.
AS TO PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOLING, REV. BENNETT WAS ABOUT THE PRESENT LACK OF TRAINED TEACHERS AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S SMALL STAFF TO LOOK CLOSELY LARGE NUMBER OF KINDERGARTENS.
CONCERNED INABILITY OF THE
AFTER THE
♦UNDOUBTEDLY ATTITUDES TO SCHOOL AND LEARNING ARE DEVELOPED IN THE KINDERGARTENS AND PRE-SCHOOL CENTRES OF OUR HOUSING ESTATES AND TENEMENT BUILD INGS,+ SHE SAID.
/SHE HOPED THAT ..
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
2
SHE HOPED THAT SUGGESTIONS BY VOLUNTARY BODIES TO START REGULAR COURSES FOR THE TRAINING OF KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WOULD BE GIVEN EARLY AND SYMPATHETIC CONSIDERATION.
SHE WAS ENCOURAGED TO NOTE THAT THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES WAS CHAIRING THE STEERING COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE PRE-PRIMARY FACILITIES. FOR IT WAS IMPORTANT, SHE SAID, TO CO-ORDINATE WHAT WAS BEING DONE BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN THESE FIELDS.
ON TERTIARY EDUCATION, REV. BENNETT SAID SHE WAS INCREASINGLY CONCERNED THAT STUDENTS OF AN ACADEMIC CALIBRE AND QUALIFICATION ABLE TO BENEFIT WERE DENIED SUCH EDUCATION BECUASE OF INADEQUATE PLACES AT THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE STANDARD OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY MATRICULATION EXAMINATION HAD BEEN RAISED EXTREMELY HIGH IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS.
SHE HOPED THAT THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE SYLLABUSES OF THE ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATIONS AND COMPARE THEM WITH THOSE OF THE UNIVERSITY COURSES.
+WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PRESSURISE OUR SIXTH FORM STUDENTS ANY LONGER TO STUDY MATERIAL UNSUITABLE AND IRRELEVANT TO THEM,+ SHE SAID.
QUOTING THE GOVERNOR’S REFERENCE TO THE NEED FOR GREATER CONSULATION WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, REV. BENNETT THOUGHT OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, ALSO, NEEDED TO EXAMINE MORE CLOSELY WAYS OF IMPROVING THEIR CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY.
SHE GAVE AS EXAMPLE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WITH WHICH SHE WAS MOST FAMILIAR, WHICH HAD NOT CONSULTED FULLY WITH SPECIAL SCHOOLS IN UPDATING THEIR CODE OF AID, PARTICULARLY ON STAFF ESTABLISHMENT AND GRADING OF THE SPECIAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
SHE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO RE-EXAMINE THE GRADING TO SAVE PUBLIC MONEY AND CREATE BETTER PROMOTION PROSPECTS FOR THE CERTIFICATED TEACHERS WHO WERE SPECIALLY NEEDED IN THESE SCHOOLS.
REV. BENNETT WELCOMED THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME WHICH SHE FELT WOULD INDIRECTLY HELP STUDENTS OF INFIRM PARENTS AND WIDOWS. SHE SAW THE NEED FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN CAREER COUNSELLING FOR HANDICAPPED STUDENTS.
SHE ASKED THAT SERIOUS CONSIDERATION EE GIVEN TO THE RESTRUCTURING OF AID TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, AT THE SAME TIME AS THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
IT WAS CLEAR THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT CARRY OUT ALL THE MANY SOCIAL SERVICES WITHOUT THEM. +THEY HAVE BEEN HAMPERED BY NOT KNOWING EACH YEAR WHETHER OR NOT THEIR ESTIMATED INCOME FROM GOVERNMENT SOURCES WILL IN FACT BE AVAILABLE,+ SHE SAID.
SHE SUGGESTED, FOR THE AGENCIES, A SYSTEM SIMILAR TO THE CODE OF AID FOR VOLUNTARY SCHOOLS WHICH CLEARLY LAID DOWN THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND THE AMOUNTS THEY WOULD RECEIVE FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
GOVERNMENT URGED TO ASSIST TEXTILE INDUSTRY TO MAINTAIN COMPETITIVENESS *****
THE HON. LYDIA DUNN TODAY CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY TO MAINTAIN ITS COMPETITIVENESS AT THE SAME TIME AS THE GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO PROMOTE DIVERSIFICATION.
IN HER SPEECH IN THE DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS, SHE ARGUED THAT HONG KONG COULD ONLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GROWTH IN WORLD TRADE IN 1978 IF THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION AND TAKES POLICY INITIATIVES AND DECISIONS WITH REGARD TO THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY, DOMESTIC INFLATION AND THE MAINTENANCE OF CONFIDENCE.
THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY HAD A REMARKABLE RECORD OF SURVIVAL AND EXPANSION OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS IN THE FACE OF GROWING RESTRICTIONS, YET ITS RELATIVE IMPORTANCE IN OUR ECONOMY HAS NOT DIMINISHED AND THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY ITS DOMINANT ROLE WOULD BE MORE THAN MARGINALLY REPLACED IN THE SHORT TERM NO MATTER HOW SUCCESSFULLY THE POLICY OF DIVERSIFICATION IS PURSUED, SHE SAID.
IN HER VIEW, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION SHOULD HELP THE INDUSTRY TO SURVIVE BY OFFERING SPECIAL LAND TERMS AND ASSISTANCE IN MARKETING.
+WE ARE, AFTER ALL, APPARENTLY PREPARED TO ASSIST NEW INDUSTRIES IN THESE WAYS, INDUSTRIES IN WHICH WE HAVE NO EXPERIENCE AND WHICH ARE OF UNTESTED PROFITABILITY,* SHE SAID.
SHE WARNED THAT IF THERE WERE TO BE EMPHASIS ON DIVERSIFICATION RATHER THAN SPECIALISATION OF PRODUCTION, THERE WOULD BOUND TO BE LOSS OF PROFITABILITY AS HONG KONG MOVES AWAY FROM AREAS WHERE THERE WAS MAXIMUM COMPARATIVE COST ADVANTAGE.
IRRESPECTIVE OF THE STATE OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY HOWEVER, THERE WAS A CASE FOR BROADENING HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL BASE AND SHE WELCOMED THE SETTING UP OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
SHE ASKED THAT APART FROM ENGAGING IN ITS OWN RESEARCHES AND ACTIVITIES, IT SHOULD CO-ORDINATE THOSE OF ALL OTHER SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS.
+THERE IS A NEED FOR A CENTRALISED POOL OF INFORMATION ON POSSIBLE INVESTMENT AND MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERT ADVICE AS TO HOW BEST THEY MIGHT BE EXPLOITED,* SHE SAID.
DOMESTIC INFLATION WAS ANOTHER PROBLEM MISS DUNN RAISED IN REGARD TO THE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES.
/.VHILST ADMITTING.....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
4
WHILST ADMITTING THAT THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY DEPENDED ON THE GROWTH OF EXPORTS, NEITHER THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ANNUAL POLICY SPEECH NOR THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD INDICATED HOW THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON COSTS SO AS TO RESTORE PRICE FLEXIBILITY, SHE SAID.
IT SEEMED THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONTENT TO SIT BACK AND HOPED THAT A DECLINE IN PRIVATE SECTOR DEMAND WOULD EASE OFF THE PRESSURE, +BUT SURELY THIS SHOULD AT LEAST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A TRIMMING BACK OF PUBLIC SECTOR DEMAND,+ SHE SAID.
YET TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH AND GROWING COST OF EXISTING SERVICES, THE PROSPECT WAS FOR A SHARP INCREASE IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE NEXT YEAR.
SHE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE MINDFUL OF THE NEED TO MANAGE THE ECONOMY AND PUBLIC FINANCES IN SUCH A WAY AS TO SECURE OUR PROSPERITY +FOR IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO NOT SUFFER A PERMANENT LOSS OF OUR FLEXIBILITY.-*-
OUR ECONOMIC PROSPECTS ALSO DEPENDED ON THE MAINTENANCE OF CONFIDENCE IN OUR FUTURE, MISS DUNN CONTINUED.
+IT FOLLOWS THAT THOSE WHO ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG SHOULD ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO AMBIGUITY IN THEIR ACTIONS WHICH COULD BE INTERPRETED, RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY, AS SHOWING A LACK OF INTEREST IN OUR WELFARE,* SHE EXPLAINED.
SHE SAID MANY IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN DISTURBED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S ACQUIESCENCE IN THE EEC’S DISCRIMINATORY TRADE POLICY.
WHAT UPSET PEOPLE WAS THE DISCRIMINATION OF BRITAIN AGAINST HONG KONG FOR WHICH IT HAS A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY, IN FAVOUR OF OTHER SUPPLIERS FOR WHOM IT HAS NONE.
HONG KONG HAD NOT ASKED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO DISCHARGE THIS RESPONSIBILITY IN A WAY COSTLY TO THE BRITISH TAXPAYER OR DAMAGING TO THE BRITISH INDUSTRY, ALL WE ASKED WAS THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS MINDFUL OF ITS ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WELFARE OF HONG KONG +AND THIS INCLUDES RESISTING THE APPLICATION OF TRADE POLICIES TO US WHICH ARE SO INDEFENSIBLE IN TERMS OF INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED RULES,* SHE SAID.
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/5
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
- 5 -
COMPULSORY FREE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION MOVE HAILED
******
THE PROVISION OF COMPULSORY FREE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION WILL BE A MILESTONE FOR SOCIAL PROGRESS IN HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH OBSTACLES TO ITS IMPLEMENTATION, SUCH AS ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON CERTAIN FAMILIES AND DIFFICULTIES IN ENFORCING SUCH A LEGISLATION, MUST FIRST BE OVERCOME, DR. THE HON. RAYSON HUANG SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR. HUANG SAID THE MAJORITY OF PRIMARY SIX PUPILS IN HONG KONG ARE AGED 13 OR ABOVE WHILE ONLY ABOUT 10 PER CENT ARE BELOW THE AGE OF 12.
COMPULSORY EDUCATION DEFINED IN RELATION TO AGE (12 TO 15) WOULD THEREFORE GUARANTEE COMPLETION OF FORM III FOR NOT MORE THAN 13 PER CENT OF EACH PRIMARY SIX COHORT, HE SAID.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE WORKING PARTY NOW REVIEWING PRIMARY EDUCATION MIGHT LOOK INTO THIS QUESTION.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EDUCATION RECEIVED BY ALL CHILDREN BE OF A PROPER STANDARD, DR. HUANG CONTINUED.
IF IT IS A MATTER OF FINANCE THAT SOME SCHOOLS DO NOT HAVE WELL-QUALIFIED TEACHERS OR ADEQUATE FACILITIES, IT WOULD BE BETTER TO CONTINUE CHARGING FEES FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT, AND DEPLOY THE FUNDS THUS COLLECTED TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATION OFFERED IN THESE SCHOOLS.
HE SAID THERE IS NEED TO FORMULATE A CORE SYLLABUS FOR THE JUNIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM WHICH WOULD STRESS BASIC AND NECESSARY SKILLS (INCLUDING THE USE OF LANGUAGES), CONCEPTS, JUDGMENTS AND ATTITUDES, LEAVING THE REST OF THE CURRICULUM TO BE DESIGNED BY INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS TO SUIT THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THEIR PUPILS.
THE CURRICULUM SHOULD NOT EE FORMULATED WITH ONLY THE ACADEMICALLY ORIENTATED IN MIND, BUT SHOULD BE ADAPTABLE TO THE DIFFERENT NEEDS OF THE PUPILS, 60 PER CENT OF WHOM DO NOT PROCEED TO FORM IV.
THERE SHOULD ALSO BE SCOPE FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF SECONDARY EDUCATION TO EMERGE, E.G., PART-TIME SCHOOLING.
HE HOPED THAT WHEN FURTHER PLANS BEYOND THE FORM I I I LEVEL ARE MADE IN FUTURE, A DIVERSIFIED SYSTEM OF EDUCATION, PROVIDING TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL AS WELL AS ACADEMIC, PART-TIME AS WELL AS FULL-TIME SCHOOLING, WILL BE CONSIDERED.
/NO INDIVIDUAL .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
6
NO INDIVIDUAL SHOULD HAVE HIS PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT IRREVOCABLY DETERMINED UNDER A RIGID EDUCATIONAL PROGRESSIVE SYSTEM, DR. HUANG SAID.
EDUCATION IS THE MEANS TO SOCIAL MOBILITY, AND TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL THERE MUST EE- INBUILT MOBILITY WITHIN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM ITSELF;
EACH STAGE OF ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT SHOULD HAVE A CAREFULLY DELINEATED PURPOSE FORMING BY ITSELF AS- COMPLETE A PROCESS AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT AT THE END OF EACH STAGE A PUPIL MAY HAVE A CLEAR IDEA OF HIS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND THE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO HIM AT-THAT LEVEL. AT THE SAME TIME THERE SHOULD BE FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR MOBILITY TO OTHER LEVELS OF THE SYSTEM, OR FOR A CHANGE. OF DIRECTION. .
HE SAID SYMPATHETIC CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE POSITION OF THE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES'. LINKS SHOULD BE ALSO KEPT OPEN BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM: BETWEEN CRAFT WORK AND STUDIES IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, BETWEEN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND THE POLYTECHNIC, BETWEEN THE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES AND THE UNIVERSITIES, AND BETWEEN THE POLYTECHNIC AND THE UNIVERSITIES.
HE HOPED THAT THE FORTHCOMING GREEN,PAPER ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION WILL DEAL WITH THESE AND OTHER ISSUES WHICH GOVERN OUR EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVES, AND THAT THERE WILL BE FULL CONSULTATION WITH PEOPLE INTERESTED AND EXPERIENCED IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION BEFORE THE WHITE PAPER IS FORMULATED.
HE SAID IT IS GRATIFYING THAT GOVERNMENT HAS MADE EXTENSIVE PLANS TO IMPROVE SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 19?7
7
UNOFFICIAL MEMBER PRAISES REHABILITATION PLAN
*****
THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE IS AN EXCELLENT CURTAIN-RAISER TO A + YEAR OF SOCIAL PROGRESS*.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, DR. THE HON. HENRY HU SAID THE PROGRESS IN EDUCATION, HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE OUTLINED BY THE GOVERNOR WOULD TOGETHER LEAD TO A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE MORE NEEDY SECTIONS OF OUR POPULATION.
HE HAD HOWEVER A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE ON THE VARIOUS PLANS. WHILE HE WISHED EVERY SUCCESS TO THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, HE FELT THAT THE MAGNITUDE AND COMPLEXITY OF ITS TASK REQUIRED THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMMISSIONER OF REHABILITATION.
A PERSON OF SUCH RANK AND STATUS WOULD CERTAINLY ADD STRENGTH TO IT AND WOULD SERVE AS A FOCUS. +IT IS FAR EASIER TO RELATE TO A MAN THAN TO A COMMITTEE OR A UNIT IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH,* HE SAID.
TO OVERCOME THE LACK OF TRAINED STAFF - ONE OF THE BIGGEST STUMBLING BLOCKS IN THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME, DR. HU SOUGHT REASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM HAD HIGH GOVERNMENT PRIORITY AND THAT PLANS WERE IN HAND TO SOLVE IT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
AS TO THE PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, DR. HU URGED THAT IT WAS TIME TO REVIEW THE METHOD OF COMPILING THE ALLOWANCE INDEX AND THE LEVEL OF PAYMENTS.
MORE MIGHT BE NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE DIGNITY OF MAN AND GIVE HIM A SENSE OF WORTH IN SOCIETY, HE SAID.
DR. HU SAID THE VOLUNTARY WELFARE SECTOR WHICH HAD PLAYED AN ACTIVE AND STRATEGIC ROLE IN DRAFTING THE PROGRAMME PLANS FOR SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND YOUTH, WELCOMED THE GREEN PAPERS TO BE ISSUED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THERE WAS CONCERN HOWEVER THAT THE PERSONAL SERVICES FOR YOUTH PROGRAMME PLAN DID NOT GO FAR OR WAS BROAD ENOUGH IN APPROACH.
+THERE IS A NEED TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME WHICH CUTS ACROSS ALL OF THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES SERVING YOUTH,* HE SAID, SIMILAR TO THE APPROACH TAKEN FOR THE DISABLED AND ELDERLY. HE CAUTIONED THAT ANY RE-STRUCTURING OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SHOULD ONLY BE UNDERTAKEN AFTER THOROUGH DISCUSSION AND CONSULTATION WITH THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR.
THE SECTOR ALSO NEEDED AN IMPROVED SUBVENTION SYSTEM TO PLAN AHEAD WITH CONFIDENCE AND HE TRUSTED THAT THE PROPOSALS PUT TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WOULD HELP TO SOLVE THE LONG-STANDING PROBLEM.
ON THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, DR. HU SUGGESTED THAT CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO UPGRADE IT TO SECRETARIAL LEVEL. IT HAD A SIGNIFICANT ROLE TO PLAY IN LABOUR MATTERS AND HAD ACHIEVED A GREAT DEAL IN THE PAST FEW YEARS IN BRINGING FORWARD VARIOUS ITEMS OF LABOUR LEGISLATION TO BETTER THE LOT OF OUR WORKERS, HE SAID.
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/8
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
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IMPORTANCE OF CLEAR, SIMPLE HOUSING POLICY STRESSED
******
IT IS MOST IMPORTANT POLITICALLY, SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO CLARIFY ITS POLICY AND TO SIMPLIFY ITS IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT POLICY, REV. THE HON. PATRICK MCGOVERN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
+EVEN NOW, IT INVOLVES SOME TWO MILLION PEOPLE. EVEN A SMALL ERROR OR MISUNDERSTANDING AUTOMATICALLY BECOMES A BIG ISSUE,+ HE SAID.
+WHAT IS NEEDED TO REMOVE CONFUSION AND MISUNDERSTANDING IS A CLEAR ACCOUNT OR DESCRIPTION OF WHAT INGREDIENTS ITEMIZED IN DETAILS MAKE UP THE TOTAL RENT THAT MR. X MUST PAY IN Y ESTATE FOR A ROOM OF Z SQUARE FEET.
+IT WOULD BE GOOD ALSO TO SHOW HOW AND WHY THIS COMPARES WITH WHAT MR. A PAYS IN B ESTATE FOR A ROOM OF C SQUARE FEET.+
+MENTION MIGHT ALSO BE MADE OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS ANY RELATIONSHIP, VISIBLE OR INVISIBLE, BETWEEN SUCH ACTUAL RENTS AND THE FUNDING OF FUTURE MORE EXPENSIVE ESTATES IN WHICH NEITHER MR. X NOR MR. A IS EVER LIKELY TO LIVE,+ REV.
MCGOVERN SAID.
HE WELCOMED THE +NEW AND REALISTIC* FINANCIAL DEAL FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WHICH OPENED THE WAY FOR CLARIFICATION AND SIMPLIF I CAT ION.
HE WAS HAPPY TO NOTE THAT THE LATEST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AUTHORITY SAID IT COULD NOW TAKE A FRESH VIEW OF THE COMPOSITION OF THE RENT PACKAGE.
HE HOPED THAT THE NEW VIEW WOULD NOT BECOME A +STATISTICAL RAZZLE-DAZZLE* AND SUGGESTED THAT IF NO IRRELEVANT COMPARISONS WERE MADE WITH RENTS IN THE +RAPACIOUS PRIVATE SECTOR* CREDIBILITY WOULD BE GREATLY ENHANCED.
+IT WOULD ALSO HELP IF THE VIEW SUPPRESSES ANY SUB-CONSCIOUS PATERNALISTIC ATTITUDE,* HE SAID, LOOKING ON TENANTS AS PEOPLE ENJOYING A PRIVILEGE RATHER THAN A RIGHT JUST BECAUSE LAND FOR BUILDING WAS SUBSIDISED.
THE GOVERNOR’S ASSURANCE IN HIS POLICY SPEECH, THAT THE AUTHORITY +ACCEPTS ITS OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE DECENT HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME GROUPS AT RENTS THEY CAN AFFORD* SHOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS THE NEEDED CLARIFICATION, REV. MCGOVERN CONTINUED.
/+THI3 LOGICALLY ..
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
9
+ THIS LOGICALLY INVOLVES A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INCOME OF THE TENANT AND WHAT HE MUST PAY,+ AND HE HOPED HE WAS RIGHT IN THINKING THE CONCEPT OF SUBSIDY WAS INCLUDED IN THE ABILITY TO PAY, +SO THAT THE VERY POOR, WHOSE NEEDS ARE GREATEST, ARE NOT EXCLUDED FROM DECENT HOUS ING.+
HOWEVER, HE SAID, IT WAS LESS CLEAR HOW MUCH CROSS-SUBSIDY WAS INVOLVED BETWEEN THE VARIOUS GROUPS OF RENTS, OR, TO WHAT EXTENT SOME LOWER INCOME GROUPS WERE SUBSIDISING OTHER GROUPS, +THUS RELIEVING THE RICH OF PART OF WHAT SHOULD BE THEIR BURDEN.+
HE SAID HE HAD READ THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT, LISTENED TO PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPERS WHO WORKED WITH THEM, AND ADMITTED HE WAS CONFUSED.
IF A CLEAR ACCOUNT COULD BE GIVEN IN SUCH A WAY THAT EVEN HE, +OR ANY EQUALLY UNEDUCATED TENANT IN A PUBLIC HOUSING FLAT CAN UNDERSTAND, THEN JUSTICE WILL BE SEEN TO BE DONE AND MISGUIDED CRITICISM, IF ANY, WILL BE DEFUSED,+ HE SAID.
REV. MCGOVERN WELCOMED THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND ASKED THAT SAFEGUARDS BE TAKEN TO PREVENT PROFITEERING BY NEW OWNERS.
IT WOULD INDIRECTLY MAKE AVAILABLE MORE SPACE IN THE CHEAPER RENTAL AREAS AND ITS SUCCESS SHOULD BE JUDGED MAINLY BY THIS RATHER THAN ITS EFFECTS ON THE BETTER OFF PROSPECTIVE OWNERS, HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
10
CALL TO MAKE TRAINING COUNCIL A STATUTORY BODY *****
THE HON. S.L. CHEN HAS SUGGESTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT THE TRAINING COUNCIL BE GIVEN STATUTORY STATUS TO BECOME A PERMANENT BODY TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG HAS A BALANCED INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION SYSTEM.
MR. CHEN POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS HUGE IMBALANCE AT PRESENT. +WHEREAS TECHNICAL EDUCATION IS CONDUCTED IN A FORMAL MANNER, WITH PRESCRIBED COURSE CURRICULUM AND UNDER EFFICIENT SUPERVISION, INDUSTRIAL TRAINING IS IN THE MAIN CARRIED OUT PURELY ON A VOLUNTARY BAS IS.+
HE SAID ALTHOUGH THE TRAINING COUNCIL THROUGH ITS VARIOUS TRAINING BOARDS HAD SUCCESSFULLY DRAWN UP STANDARDS AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR INDUSTRIES AT ALL LEVELS, WHETHER THEY WERE FOLLOWED WAS LEFT ENTIRELY TO INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYERS.
THE POSITION OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FOR THE TECHNOLOGIST, ESPECIALLY IN ENGINEERING FIELDS, AND PROFESSIONAL GRADES WAS PARTICULARLY SERIOUS, MR. CHEN SAID, SO THAT MANY EMPLOYERS HAD TO IMPORT THIS LEVEL OF MANPOWER FROM ABROAD.
HE WARNED THAT UNLESS WE COULD CORRECT THIS IMBALANCE, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PRODUCE SUFFICIENT MANPOWER OF THE QUALITY WE NEED, MORE SO WITH INDUSTRIAL DIVERSIFICATION.
HE SAID THERE WAS ALSO AN URGENT NEED TO CREATE A CENTRAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE BY POOLING THE RESOURCES OF EXISTING ORGANISATIONS, TO AVOID DUPLICATION AND PROVIDE A FOCUS FOR THOSE SEEKING INFORMATION.
WHETHER OR NOT WE WOULD SUCCEED IN DIVERSIFICATION WOULD DEPEND ON HOW MUCH AND HOW BEST WE UTILISE MODERN TECHNOLOGIES AND TRANSFER THEM FROM MANAGEMENT TO SHOP FLOOR, AND ONE OF THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE MEANS TO ENCOURAGE THIS WAS SUCH A SERVICE TO INDUSTRY, HE SAID.
INDUSTRIAL DIVERSIFICATION, MR. CHEN NOTED, SHOULD BE BOTH VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL-PROVIDING FOR GREATER VARIETY AND MORE SOPHISTICATION IN EXISTING INDUSTRIES AS WELL AS GENERATING NEW AND HIGHER TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES.
IT SHOULD AIM AT LONG-TERM STABILITY RATHER THAN SHORT-TERM SUCCESS. IT MIGHT INVOLVE LONGER-TERM PLANNING THAN HONG KONG HAD BEEN USED TO, AND HAD TO BE GEARED TO GENERATE A HIGHER ADDED VALUE PER UNIT OF INVESTMENT.
/MR. CHEN LISTED......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
11
MR. CHEN LISTED FACTORS WHICH COULD HINDER ITS PROCESS:
X LACK OF CENTRAL ECONOMIC PLANNING MACHINERY,
* LACK OF INDUCEMENT FOR NEW INDUSTRIES,
* I NAVAILAEILITY OF TECHNICAL MANPOWER AND KNOW-HOW,
H LACK OF TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, SUCH AS A COMPREHENSIVE TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE,
* INABILITY TO INFLUENCE EXPORT OUTLETS WHICH ARE HEAVILY RELIED ON,
M LACK OF A SECURE AND PROTECTED DOMESTIC MARKET, AND
* DEPENDENCE ON DISTANT SOURCES OF RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIES.
PROVIDED SUITABLE ANSWERS TO SOME OF THESE COULD BE FOUND, WITHIN THE LIMITS IMPOSED BY HONG KONG’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, THERE WERE STILL MEASURES WHICH COULD BE TAKEN TO ACCELERATE INDUSTRIAL DIVERSIFICATION, HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
- 12
UNOFFICIAL MEMBER SEEKS MORE EQUITABLE COMPENSATION TO THOSE AFFECTED BY DEVELOPMENT ******
THE HON. PETER C. WONG CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY TO EE MORE EQUITABLE IN ITS PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION TO PEOPLE DISTURBED OR DISLOCATED BY THE MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN HONG KONG.
WHILE THE ULTIMATE AIM OF SUCH DEVELOPMENT WAS TO BENEFIT THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG, HE SAID, THE PROCESS ITSELF WAS NOT WITHOUT SACRIFICES AND ADEQUATE COMPENSATION IN CASH OR IN KIND HAD TO BE PROVIDED TO +MAKE THE WOUND LESS PAINFUL.*
HE ELABORATED ON THE INADEQUACIES IN COMPENSATION IN EXISTING LEGISLATION OR POLICY RELATING TO LAND AND BUILDINGS.
MR. WONG SPOKE AT LENGTH ON LAND RESUMPTION, DANGEROUS BUILDINGS AND CLOSURE ORDERS, STREET ALTERATIONS, CROWN TENANTS AND TOWN PLANNING.
ON LAND RESUMPTION, MR. WONG POINTED OUT THAT WHILE THE GOVERNMENT SELDOM MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO ENFORCE LEASE CONDITIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND MIGHT EVEN HAVE ACCEPTED RATES AND PROPERTY TAX ASSESSED ON HOUSES BUILT ON AGRICULTURAL LAND, UPON RESUMPTION THE LAND WOULD ONLY BE COMPENSATED AS AGRICULTURAL LAND AND THE VALUE OF THE HOUSES ON IT WHOLLY IGNORED.
HE SUGGESTED A SOLUTION BY GIVING TWO EXAMPLES WHICH HE SAID WERE BOTH FAIR AND REALISTIC : GRANTING EX-GRATIA PAYMENT, AS ON THE CLEARANCE OF SQUATTER AREAS, AND AWARDING COMPENSATION AT THE HIGHER USER RATE, AS PRACTISED BY TENANCY TRIBUNALS FOR TENANTS OCCUPYING PRE-WAR DOMESTIC FLATS BUT USING THEM FOR COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
ON DANGEROUS BUILDINGS AND CLOSURE ORDERS, MR. WONG SUPPORTED THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT MEASURES TO RELIEVE HARDSHIPS CAUSED BY EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS ON DANGEROUS BUILDINGS BUT FELT THAT FURTHER EFFORTS SHOULD EE MADE, THROUGH WELL-PLANNED DEPARTMENTAL CO-ORDINATION AND CLEARLY-DEFI NED POLICIES.
AS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE, HE SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INSPECT ALL AGING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MORE FREQUENTLY AND THOROUGHLY TO ENABLE REPAIRS TO EE MADE IN TIME SO AS TO REDUCE THE HEED TO MAKE CLOSURE ORDERS.
/FURTHERMORE,
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
- 13
FURTHERMORE, IN VULNERABLE TO MAKE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND TO DEAL WITH ANY CONTINGENCIES,
DISTRICTS, IT WOULD BE WISE DRAW UR CONCRETE PLANS HE SAID.
MR. WONG ASKED ON BEHALF OF TENANTS OF POST-WAR DANGEROUS BUILDINGS FOR SOME FORM OF GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. IN CASES WHERE AN OCCUPATION PERMIT WAS ISSUED TO A BUILDING NOT FULLY COMPLYING WITH REQUIREMENTS, OR WHERE DEFECTS SHOWED UP BECAUSE GOVERNMENT SERVANTS HAD FAILED TO EXERCISE DUE SUPERVISION OF THE BUILDING WORK, IT WAS ONLY FAIR FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND COMPENSATE THE PEOPLE THUS DISPOSSESSED, HE SAID.
ON THE STREETS (ALTERATION) ORDINANCE AND OTHER ORDINANCES INVOLVING COMPENSATION, MR. WONG CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO INCORPORATE IN THEM SOME OF THE PROVISIONS OF A PROCEDURAL NATURE CONTAINED IN THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS A VAST IMPROVEMENT OVER THE OTHER ORDINANCES.
IMPROVEMENT COULD BE MADE BY EXTENDING THE PERIOD ALLOWED FOR MAKING CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION UNDER THE STREETS (ALTERATION) ORDINANCE FROM ONE, OR TWO MONTHS, DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE CLOSURE OR ALTERATION, TO A YEAR.
IT WAS PATENTLY OBVIOUS THAT THE TIME NOW ALLOWED WAS UNREASONABLY SHORT AND THERE WERE NO PROVISIONS WHEREBY THE PUBLIC WERE NOTIFIED OFFICIALLY OF THE CESSATION OR COMPLETION OF WORK 30 AS TO KNOW THE TIME LIMIT FOR LODGING A CLAIM.
HARDSHIPS ALSO OFTEN AROSE FROM DELAYED PAYMENTS OF COMPENSATION BECAUSE OF RED-TAPE AND OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS. +A SYSTEM FOR ADVANCE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION SHOULD THEREFORE BE ESTABLISHED ADMINISTRATIVELY, IF NOT STATUTORILY,* MR. WONG SAID.
BESIDES, IN LINE WITH THE MTR ORDINANCE, THERE SHOULD BE A TIME LIMIT FOR PAYMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT, PREFERABLY THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF AGREEMENT OR AWARD. +PROVISION SHOULD ALSO BE MADE TO INCLUDE PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON COMPENSATION,* HE ADDED.
ON CROWN TENANTS OF PRE-WAR BUILDINGS, MR. WONG DREW ATTENTION TO THE ABSENCE OF THEIR RIGHT TO COMPENSATION. HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE COULD EE INJUSTICE IN SOME CASES AS ORDINARY TENANTS MIGHT BECOME CROWN TENANTS THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, AS WHEN THE GOVERNMENT TOCK OVER OWNERSHIP BY BUYING THE BUILDING, OR RE-ENTERED THE BUILDING ON A BREACH OF LEASE COVENANTS OR DEFAULT IN PAYMENT OF CROWN RENT.
/+ TH SIR RIGHT TO......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
14 -
+THEIR RIGHT TO COMPENSATION WAS IRREVOCABLY LOST THE MOMENT THE CROWN BECAME OWNER. THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS IS OBVIOUSLY UNSATISFACTORY. THEIR HARDSHIP IS JUST THE SAME AS ANY OTHER TENANT,+ HE SAID.
FOR THEM, MR. WONG ADVOCATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT EXEMPT ITSELF FROM THE DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF A PRIVATE OWNER.
ON THE RATHER COMPLEX SUBJECT OF TOWN PLANNING, MR. WONG CONFINED HIS SPEECH TO THE AMBIT OF THE TOWN PLANNING LEGISLATION, PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND COMPENSATION.
GN THE FIRST POINT ABOUT THE AMBIT OF THE LEGISLATION, MR. WONG SAID THAT THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN 1939, >vHEN THE GOVERNMENT PLAYED ONLY A COMPARATIVELY MINOR ROLE IN CONTROLLING DEVELOPMENT. THE COUNTRYSIDE HAD NOW ASSUMED CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE AND THE TREND WAS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE.
ALTHOUGH THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1976, ITS PURPOSE WAS NOT IDENTICAL, AND OUTSIDE THE NEW TOWN, +IT IS NOT COMPETENT FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TO PREPARE PLANS FOR THE RURAL AREAS OF HONG KOMG.+ HE SAID.
HE THEREFORE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED CLEARLY WORDING THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE THE RURAL AREAS, SO AS TO GIVE LEGAL BACKING TO WHATEVER ZONING PLANS WERE NEEDED FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED SETTING UP A SYSTEM CF MAKING INQUIRIES AND SEARCHES AT THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE TO ENABLE INTERESTED PARTIES TO OBTAIN PRECISE INFORMATION REGARDING DRAFT OR APPROVED PLANS.
ON THE QUESTION CF PUBLIC PART ICIPATION, MR. WONG EMPHASISED THAT IN THE UK, LOCAL AUTHORITY WAS REQUIRED TC MAKE PUBLIC ITS DECISION TC PREPARE A PLAN FOR A CERTAIN AREA.
+AS TOWN PLANS ARE BASICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE PUBLIC BE ENCOURAGED TC PARTICIPATE IN THE VARIOUS STAGES OF THEIR PREPARATION,* HE SAID.
HE ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TC INFORM THE PUBLIC OF A COMPLETED DRAFT PLAN OR OF ITS INTENTION TO PREPARE A PLAN IN A MORE POSITIVE wAY.
■►NOTIFICATION BY ..AY OF A CIRCULAR TC THE OWNERS AND TENANTS DIRECTLY AFFECTED IS OKE GOOD SUGGESTION. WHERE JUSTICE DEMANDS IT, ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES CANNOT DE AN EXCUSE,+ HE SA ID.
/ON THE QUESTION ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
15
ON THE QUESTION OF COMPENSATION ARISING FROM THE EFFECTS OF GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNING, MR. WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE HONG KONG TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, UNLIKE THE UK TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT, SPECIFICALLY DENIED THE RIGHT OF ANY LANDOWNER, WHO CONSIDERED HIS INTEREST AFFECTED, FROM CLAIMING COMPENSATION.
+VERY OFTEN A PLAN MAY, MERELY BY BEING PUBLISHED AS A DRAFT PLAN, DRAIN AWAY DEVELOPMENT VALUE FROM LAND,* HE SAID. AN OWNER, FOR EXAMPLE, MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SELL HIS PROPERTY OR BE PERMITTED TO DEVELOP IT IF IT WAS AFFECTED BY A PLANNED NEW ROAD WHICH MIGHT NOT BE DUE FOR CONSTRUCTION FOR SOME YEARS.
+ IN ALL SUCH CASES WHERE THERE IS A POTENTIAL ELEMENT OF COMPULSORY PURCHASE, THE OWNER AFFECTED SHOULD BE ABLE TO SERVE A NOTICE REQUIRING THE ACQUISITION BY GOVERNMENT OF HIS INTEREST IN THE BLIGHTED LAND,* MR. WONG SAID.
HE SAID THE PRICE PAID FOR A LEASE OFTEN REFLECTED ITS FULL DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL FOR ITS ENTIRE TERM.
+HCWEVER THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD IS ALWAYS AT LIBERTY TO INTRODUCE ANY RESTRICTIONS IT THINKS FIT.*
THE OWNER WAS THUS DEPRIVED OF HIS RIGHT TO RE-DEVELOP IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEASE CONDITIONS BUT WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY FORM OF COMPENSATION. +SUCH DEROGATION OF PRIVATE RIGHTS IS SOCIALLY UNDESIRABLE AND SHOULD NOT BE EFFECTED WITHOUT ADEQUATE COMPENSATION,* HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THERE WAS FURTHER CASE FOR COMPENSATION SINCE PREMIUMS WERE PAYABLE WHENEVER A LANDOWNER APPLIED FOR A MODIFICATION OF THE CROWN LEASE CONDITIONS. BESIDES, HE SAID, COMPENSATION WAS PAYABLE UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE, TO A LANDOWNER WHOSE LAND ».AS DETRIMENTALLY AFFECTED.
MR. WONG STRESSED THAT COMPENSATION MUST BE BASED ON EQUITABLE GROUNDS AND NOT +SHACKLED BY NARRO.. LEGISLATION.*
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/16......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
CONTRIBUTORY INSURANCE SCHEME MORE ATTRACTIVE AS SAVINGS FOR WORKERS ******
THE CONTRIBUTORY DEATH, SICKNESS AND INJURY INSURANCE SCHEME WOULD EE MORE ATTRACTIVE TO WORKERS AS SOME FORM OF A SAVINGS SCHEME SO THAT THEY COULD GET BACK PART OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AFTER A NUMBER OF YEARS, THE HON. WONG LAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CHINESE DO NOT VIEW LIFE INSURANCE IN THE SAME WAY AS WESTERNERS. ALTHOUGH THE WORKERS MAY EE WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE INITIALLY, AFTER A WHILE THEY MAY BE RELUCTANT TO PART WITH A SUM OF MONEY EVERY MONTH, HE SAID.
HE THOUGHT THE RATE OF 2 PER CENT TO BE CONTRIBUTED EY THE EMPLOYEE WAS NOT HIGH. AT PRESENT, A LARGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATING IN PROVIDENT FUND SCHEMES CONTRIBUTE SOME 4 TO 5 PER CENT OF THEIR INCOME, HE SAID.
MR. WONG SUGGESTED THAT THE EMPLOYEE BE ALLOWED TO FIX HIS OWN CONTRIBUTION RATE, AT NCT LESS THAN 2 BUT NOT MORE THAN 5 PER CENT, TO SUIT INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS AND PREFERENCES.
HE AGREED WITH SETTING THE TIME FOR IMPLEMENTING THE SCHEME IN 1983, TO GIVE EMPLOYERS AMPLE TIME TO PREPARE THEMSELVES.
+GOVERNM.ENT WILL HAVE TO ENSURE THAT AN EMPLOYER WILL NOT REFUSE EMPLOYMENT TO A WORKER WHO WISHES TO JOIN THE SCHEME, AND THAT AN EMPLOYEE WILL NOT SUFFER ANY LOSS ON INSURANCE BENEFITS IF HE CHANGES JOBS,+ HE SAID.
HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT ALL THOSE CONCERNED MAY BE ABLE TO DISCUSS IT AND MAKE SUGGESTIONS.
ON HONG KONG’S EXPORT TRADE PROBLEMS, MR. WONG ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER ENCOURAGING INVESTMENT IN NEW INDUSTRIES EY WAY OF SAY, 5 YEARS’ TAX HOLIDAY.
EXPERIMENTS IN THIS FIELD HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT QUITE SUCCESSFULLY IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, HE SAID, AND Wc COULD PERHAPS TAKE A LEAF FROM THEIR BOOK.
HE FELT THAT CHANGES SHOULD EE INTRODUCED TO ENSURE LONGER-TERM PLANNING AND INVESTMENT IN LOCAL INDUSTRY, TO PLACE MORE EMPHASIS ON THE MANUFACTURE OF MORE SOPHISTICATED PRODUCTS, AND BROADEN CUR INDUSTRIAL BASE.
/THS SETTING UP
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
- 17
THE SETTING UP OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF LANTAU ISLAND AND PROVISION OF LAND FOR NEW INDUSTRIES SHOULD MEET URGENT NEEDS, HE SAID.
HE SUPPORTED THE INTRODUCTION OF NINE YEARS OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION WHICH HE THOUGHT MIGHT BE MORE BENEFICIAL THAN TO PROMOTE FIVE YEARS OF SUBSIDISED SECONDARY EDUCATION.
HE EXPLAINED THAT JAPANESE WORKERS GENERALLY HAVE A HIGHER STANDARD OF EDUCATION WHICH PUT THEIR COUNTRY IN A MOST ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE SOPH I ST ICATED INDUSTRIES.
IF MOST OF HONG KONG’S WORKERS HAVE AT LEAST NINE YEARS’ EDUCATION, HONG KONG WILL ALSO HAVE BETTER CHANCES OF DEVELOPING SIMILAR INDUSTRIES, HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
- 18 -
DESIRE-TO RAISE NORMAL RETIRING AGE ******
THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING SAID TODAY THERE WAS A DESIRE AMONG WORKERS TO RAISE THE NORMAL RETIRING AGE OF EMPLOYEES, PARTICULARLY IN THE LOWER GRADES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE FROM 55 YEARS TO 60 OR EVEN 65.
HE SAID PENDING A FAVOURABLE RULING ON THIS BY THE GOVERNMENT, WORKERS NEARING THEIR 55TH BIRTHDAY WOULD FIND IT MORE ENCOURAGING, REASSURING AND SATISFYING BECAUSE OF THE IMPROVEMENT IN RECENT YEARS TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
HE wAS SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S ANNUAL DEBATE 0N THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS WHICH HE SAID WAS GENERALLY HAILED BY THE WORKING POPULATION IN HONG KONG, AND BROUGHT GOOD TIDINGS IN MATTERS OF IMMEDIATE CONCERN.
ON THE PROPOSED CONTRIBUTORY SICKNESS AND DEATH INSURANCE SCHEME, HE SAID THE REACTION OF THE WORKERS TOWARDS IT WAS GENERALLY FAVOURABLE IN THE ABSENCE OF A MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND BENEFICIAL SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF MIDDLE-AGED WORKERS AND THOSE WITH HEAVY FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES.
HE NOTED THAT THE PROPOSED SCHEME WOULD HELP TO REHABILITATE GRIEF-STRICKEN FAMILIES AND TIDE THEM OVER THESE PERIODS OF MISFORTUNE.
+l CAN ENVISAGE THAT THIS PROPOSAL WILL THEREFORE RECEIVE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FROM WORKERS GENERALLY, AND HOPE THAT IT WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE SOONER THAN 1930,+ MR. LEUNG ADDED.
HE ALSO WELCOMED
OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND
THE MOVE TO REDUCE THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR TO IMPROVE THE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE.
HOWEVER HE SAID: +ALTHOUGH THESE ARE CERTAINLY STEPS FORWARD TOWARDS PROVIDING BETTER SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY THEY STILL FALL SHORT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE AIM TO AMELIORATE THE HARDSHIPS OF THE AGED, THE PCCR AND THE HELPLESS, SINCE THE PRESENCE OF HARSH LIVING CONDITIONS FORMS AN ADVERSE REFLECTION ON THE NAME OF THE COMMUNITY WITHIN ANY ORDERED SOCIETY.+
COMMENTING ON THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, MR. LEUNG SAID IT WAS THE EARNEST DESIRE OF THE WORKERS TO BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM AND TO QUALIFY FOR IT, SINCE HOUSING FOR WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES aAS STILL A MAJOR SOCIAL PROBLEM.
+THE HIGH COST OF LIVING AND RENT FOR LIVING ACCOMMODATION REMAIN A HEAVY BURDEN ON WAGE-EARNERS. SUCH DEMANDS ON THE LIMITED MEANS OF EMPLOYEES CAN EE AGGRAVATING, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF YOUNG MARRIED COUPLES WHO NEED, EUT ARE NOT QUALIFIED FOR, LOW COST HOUSING,* HE REMARKED.
/MH. L3UNG .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
- 19 -
MR. LEUNG PLEDGED THE SUPPORT OF THE WORKFORCE TO THE EFFORTS OF TH- COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO FURTHER THE SOCIAL BENEFITS AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF THE WORKING POPULATION WHO, HE SAID, ARE LESS FORTUNATE THAN OTHERS.
HE ALSO URGED THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT BE APPROPRIATELY EXPANDED AND STRENGTHENED TO ENABLE IT TO COPE WITH THE VERY RAPID DEVELOPMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS WHICH RELY SO MUCH ON THE DEDICATED EFFORTS OF ITS STAFF.
ON THE MOVE TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, HE SAID IT WAS VERY COMMENDABLE THAT THE GOVERNMENT LOOKED ON THE PROVISION OF SUITABLE FACILITIES FOR LEISURELY RELAXATION AS A NEW AND INDISPENSABLE CONCEPT FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES.
+IN FACT THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL PROVISION IN THIS FIELD WILL SOON BECOME PRESSING, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO MORE VIGOROUS AND MORE INTENSIFIED ACTION IN THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS CAMPS, COUNTRY PARKS AND OTHER OUT-DOOR ACTIVITIES.
+INDEED, SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS IN THESE DIRECTIONS WILL ALSO EE OF GREAT HELP IN PROVIDING SOLUTIONS TO A VARIETY OF YOUTH PROBLEMS,+ HE ADDED.
/2O......
THURSDAY. OCTOBER 27, 1977
ADVISORY BOARDS FGR NT
- 20 -
POINTS TC BE CONSIDERED IN SETTING UP ******
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSAL TO SET UP ADVISORY BOARDS IN ALL NEL TERRITORIES DISTRICTS EE VIEWED RATIONALLY RATHER THAN EMOTIONALLY OR FACTIONALLY, THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE BELIEVED THAT THE MAIN QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WERE WHETHER THE SCHEME ;.OULD SERVE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE GENERAL INHABITANTS I.. A PARTICULAR DISTRICT, HAVING DUE REGARD TO THE TRADITIONAL RIGHTS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIGENOUS INHABITANTS.
THE ADVISORY BOARDS AND THE RURAL COMMITTEES WOULD ALSO HAVE TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH AND COMPLEMENTARY TC EACH OTHER= + .'.ELL-DEF I RE AND CAREFULLY WORDED TERMS OF REFERENCE SHOULD BE FORMULATED AND ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.
SINCE EACH DISTRICT AND EACH TOWN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IS UNIQUE, THE PLAN FOR THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARDS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY AND INDIVIDUALLY WITH FULL CONSULTATION WITH THE RURAL COMMITTEES AND THE LOCAL PEOPLE CONCERNED, MR. YEUNG POINTED OUT.
HE SAID THE SOUNDNESS OF THE PRINCIPLE OF THE SCHEME COULD NOT BE HONESTLY CHALLENGED. + INDIRECTLY, THIS SCHEME WILL HELP PROVIDE A SOURCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OR PROMOTION OF THE MUCH NEEDED LEADERSHIP AT THE LOCAL GRASS-ROOTS LEVEL,* HE ADDED.
HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE UNDER-PROVISION OF AMENITIES IN THE URBANISED AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD BE RECTIFIED AND THE CLAIMS OF THE SMALLER TOWNS WOULD NOT EE NEGLECTED.
HOWEVER, HE SUGGESTED THAT SUCH SERVICES AND AMENITIES SHOULD EE EXTENDED TO VILLAGES AND OTHER AREAS WHERE THERE IS A FAIR CONCENTRATION GF POPULATION OUTSIDE THE TOWNS.
HE SAID THAT IT ./AS HIGH TIME FOP. THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER A FULL PROGRAMME OF RESUMING LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF MOTORABLE ACCESS ROADS TO SERVE TnE VILLAGES, HOUSING AND FARMING AREAS WHERE THERE WERE NO SUCH FACILITIES, THE LACK OF ;.HICH HAD MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TC PROVIDE OTHER SERVICES.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE PLIGHT 'OF ALL THOSE PEOPLE UPROOTED IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT, +..H0 ARE OTHERWISE SO EASILY FORGOTTEN BY THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY THAT IS ONLY TOO EAGER TO SHARE THE FRUITS OF DEVELOPMENT.*
+EVERY POSSIBLE WAY SHOULD EE EXPLORED TO SEE HOW THEIR LOSSES AND SUFFERINGS MAY BE AVERTED AND, IN UNAVOIDABLE CIRCUMSTANCES, BE MINIMISED AND THEIR STANDARDS OF LIFE ADEQUATELY MAINTAINED AS A MATTER GF PRINCIPLE AMD NOT AS A MATTER OF CONCESSION OR SYMPATHY.* HE SAID.
MR. YEUNG SAID THAT TC EE ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, +l DEEM IT AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND MY SERVICES TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, THE INTERESTS CF ..’HICK OBVIOUSLY ..ILL, TC MY MILD, TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER "nCSE OF A PARilCULAr. -ISTF. ICi CR A HAr.TICULAr. GROUP OF PEOPLE.*
+ 0N THE OTHER HAND, IT IS . Y STRONG DESIRE THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND ECCHC: IC RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUALS ARE MAINTAINED AND GOOD TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS RESPECTED AND DEFENDED,* HE ADDED.
_ _ - - 0------ /21 ...............
'HURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977
NEW POLITICAL ADVISER ARRIVING TOMORROW
******
THE NEW POLITICAL ADVISER, DR. DAVID WILSON, ARRIVES IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO TAKE OVER FROM MR. ALAN DONALD, WHO LEFT LAST MONTH AFTER MORE THAN THREE YEARS HERE.
DR. *ILSON JOINED THE FOREIGN OFFICE IN 1958 AND WAS FIRST POSTED TO VIENTIANE WHERE HE SERVED AS THIRD SECRETARY IN THE BRITISH EMBASSY. IN I960, HE CAME HERE TO SPEND THREE YEARS STUDYING MANDARIN AT HONG KONG UNIVERSITY.
IN 1963, HE WAS APPOINTED SECOND SECRETARY AT THE OFFICE OF THE BRITISH CHARGE D’AFFAIRES IN PEKING, REMAINING THERE UNTIL 1965 WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE FOREIGN OFFICE TO WORK ON THE CHINA DESK OF THE FAR EASTERN DEPARTMENT. HE SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME EDITOR OF THE CHINA QUARTERLY.
IN 1974, DR. WILSON RE-JOINED THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AND HAS BEEN WORKING IN THE CABINET OFFICE IN LONDON UNTIL HIS APPOINTMENT AS POLITICAL ADVISER IN HONG KONG.
DR. WILSON, WHO IS AGED 42, IS MARRIED AND HAS TWO SONS.
MR. DONALD HAS BEEN APPOINTED BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO ZAIRE AND GOES THERE NEXT MONTH.
- o -
CONSULTANT TO PRINTING DEPARTMENT
******
A BRITISH PRINTING AND DESIGN EXPERT HAS BEEN SECONDED BY THE COMMONWEALTH FUND FOR TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION TO THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT TO SERVE FOR A SHORT TIME AS CONSULTANT ON TRAINING FACILITIES FOR PRINTING STAFF DEVELOPMENT.
HE IS MR. JOHN BIGGS WHO HAS HAD A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN PRINTING AND DESIGN IN BRITAIN. MR. BIGGS ARRIVES IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
HE WAS EDUCATED AT DERBY SCHOOL OF ART, LONDON UNIVERSITY AND AT THE CENTRAL SCHOOL OF ARTS AND CRAFTS IN LONDON. HE WAS AN INSTRUCTOR AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF PRINTING FOR SIX YEARS, TEACHING BOTH APPRENTICES AND MATURE MANAGERIAL STUDENTS, AND WAS LATER PRODUCTION MANAGER FOR THE ’COUNTRY LIFE’ MAGAZINE. FROM 1950 - 53, HE WAS DEPUTY HEAD OF NORWICH ART SCHOOL AND, FROM 1953 - 74, WAS HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR BRIGHTON CORPORATION WHERE HE ORGANISED DEGREE COURSES IN GRAPHIC DESIGN COVERING PRINTING, TYPOGRAPHY, PHOTOGRAPHY, ILLUSTRATIONS AND ADVERTISING.
MR. BIGGS IS A MEMBER OF A NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING THE SOCIETY OF THE INSTITUTE OF ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS AND THE PRINTING HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
HE HAS PUBLISHED SEVERAL BOOKS INCLUDING ’BASIC TYPOGRAPHY’, ’APPROACH TO TYPE’ AND ’THE USE OF TYPE’.
LAST YEAR, MR. BIGGS CARRIED OUT A SHORT ASSIGNMENT FOR THE COMMONWEALTH FUND FOR TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION IN JAMAICA.
MR. BIGGS WILL BE IN HONG KONG FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS.
THURSDAY, OCTOEER 27, 1977
22
TRAFFIC BAN ON GOODS VEHICLES TO BE-LIFTED * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THE EXISTING BAN ON GOODS VEHICLES USING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WILL BE LIFTED FROM 9 A.M. ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 30).
THE SECTIONS OF ROADS INVOLVED ARE :
* CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD (EASTBOUND) FROM KWUN TONG ROAD TO FEI NGO SHAN ROAE =
* CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD (WESTBOUND) FROM HIRAM’S HIGHWAY TO ANDERSON ROAD, AND=
* CASTLE PEAK ROAD (BOTH KOWLOON BOUND AND YUEN LONG BOUND) FROM SHA TSUI ROAD TO PUI TO ROAD.
THE BAN WAS INTRODUCED ON MAY 1, THIS YEAR AS A MEASURE TO RELIEVE CONGESTION ON THESE TWO ROADS RESULTING FROM HEAVY TRAFFIC GOING TO BEACHES IN SUMMER.
WITH THE RE-OPENING OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD, ROUTE TWISK WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED BY GOODS VEHICLES AS AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND TSUEN WAN, AND LEARNER DRIVERS FROM NEXT SUNDAY (OCTOBER 30) WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER ROUTE TWISK ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
- - 0 - -
GIRL GUIDES PRAISED FOR RAISING QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG
******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY THIS EVENING PAID TRIBUTE TO THE GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION FOR MAKING A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS RAISING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG.
ADDRESSING THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION’S HONG KONG BRANCH, MR. TOPLEY SAID, +YOU BY YOUR EFFORTS TO FORM YOUNG WOMEN OF INDEPENDENT MIND, RELIABLE AND RESPONSIBLE, ACTIVE IN THE SERVICE OF THE COMMUNITY, ARE SHAPING HONG KONG’S FUTURE FOR THE GOOD.+
HE NOTED THAT THE GIRL GUIDES, ..HO WERE WELL ORGANISED, WERE FORMING A COMMITTEE TO DRAW UP THE NEXT FIVE-YEAR PLAN.
THE DIRECTOR CONGRATULATED THE MEMBERS, ORGANISERS AND LEADERS OF THE GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION AND ASSURED THEM OF HIS SUPPORT AS WELL AS THAT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
MR. TOPLEY SAID HE WOULD WRITE TO THE HEADS OF SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG INVITING THEM TO HELP THE ASSOCIATION IN ITS EFFORTS TO EXPAND BY OFFERING THE USE OF THEIR SCHOOLS AS MEETING PLACES.
HE WOULD ALSO INVITE THE SUPPORT OF TEACHERS TO BECO'-'E ADULT LEADERS IN THE GIRL GUIDES MOVEMENT.
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1977
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER ................... 1
TSUEN WAN TO GET MORE INDUSTRIAL LAND...................... 3
METRICATION OF WATERWORKS TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS .......... 4
MAJOR FLYOVER COMPLEX TO BE BUILT IN TSUEN WAN ............ 5
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 .................. 6
COUNTRY PARK SIGNBOARD COMPETITION ........................ 7
FIRING PRACTICE AT CASTLE PEAK RANGE ...................... 8
FIRE SERVICES ATHLETIC MEET ............................... 9
US ENGINEERS VISIT HONG KONG ROAD PROJECTS ................ 9
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1977
1
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER
******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY PUBLISHED THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL MERCHANDISE TRADE DURING LAST MONTH (SEPTEMBER). THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR SEPTEMBER WAS $2,984 MILLION, IMPORTS WERE WORTH $3,745 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS $824 MILLION.
THE FIGURES FOR THE PERIOD JULY TO SEPTEMBER (LATEST THREE MONTHS) SHOWED INCREASES BY VALUE COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1976 OF 7.5 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 7 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 11.1 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1976, DECREASES BY VALUE OF $78 MILLION OR 2.5 PER CENT IN EXPORTS AND $14 MILLION OR 0.4 PER CENT IN IMPORTS, AND INCREASES BY VALUE OF $23 MILLION OR 2.9 PER CENT IN RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED.
THE SHORT-TERM CHANGES, SEPTEMBER 1977 COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1977, SHOWED DECREASES OF $333 MILLION OR 10 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, $14 MILLION OR 0.4 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND $16 MILLION OR 2 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS. THE DECLINE IN EXPORTS FOR SEPTEMBER APPEARS TO BE FOLLOWING THE SEASONAL PATTERN AFTER THE ANNUAL PEAK IN JULY.
THE FIGURES FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1976 TO SEPTEMBER 1977 COMPARED WITH THOSE OF THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD SHOWED INCREASES BY VALUE OF 12.7 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 13.4 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 13.3 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE GIVES THE COMPARATIVE TRADE FIGURES s
LATEST 3 MONTHS JULY - SEPT. 1977 JULY - SEPT. 1976 INCREASE OR DECREASE
3 MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 9,696 9,022 + 674 + 7.5
IMPORTS 11,743 10,972 + 771 + 7.3
RE-EXPORTS 2,480 2,232 + 248 + 11.1
/SAME MONTH .....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1977
2
SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER INCREASE OR
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1977 1976 DECREASE
$ MN. 3 MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 2,984 (78.4%) 3,061 (79.3%) - 78 - 2.5
IMPORTS 3,745 3,759 - 14 - 0.4
RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 824 (21.6%) 801 (20.7%) + 23 + 2.9
LAST MONTH SEPTEMBER 1977 AUGUST 1977 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. S MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 2,984 (78.4%) 3,316 (79.8%) - 333 - 10.0
IMPORTS 3,745 3,759 - 14 - 0.4
RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 824 (21.6%) 841 (20.2%) - 16 - 2.3
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JAN. - SEPT. 1977 JAN. - SEPT. 1976 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 25,472 (78.2%) 23,822 (78.6%) +1,649 .+ 6.9
IMPORTS 35,182 31,578 +3,604 + 11.4
RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 7,090 (21.8%) 6,491 (21.4%) + 599 + 9.2
LAST 12 MONTHS OCTOBER 1976 TO SEPTEMBER 1977 OCTOBER 1975 TO INCREASE OR SEPTEMBER 1976 DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 34,273 30,409 +3,869 + 12.7
IMPORTS 46,897 41,341 +5,556 + 13.4
RE-EXPORTS 9,527 8,405 +1,122 + 13.3
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1977
5
MORE INDUSTRIAL LAND FOR TSUEN WAN
* * M *
THE GOVERNMENT IS OPENING UP ONE MILLION SQUARE FEET OF NEW LAND NEAR THE SOUTH KWAI CHUNG RECLAMATION FOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES, SAID TODAY.
THE LAND WOULD PROVIDE AN ADDED BOOST TO TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN AS +A MIGHTY INDUSTRIAL CENTRE+, HE INDICATED.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST NEW TERRITORIES BRANCH OF THE BANQUE NATIONAL DE PARIS AT KWAI CHUNG, MR. HAYES PRAISED THE BANK FOR ITS FORESIGHT AND ENTERPRISE IN OPENING UP A BRANCH IN THE TOWN.
HE SAID THERE WERE ABOUT 1,300 FACTORIES OPERATING IN 110 INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN NORTH AND SOUTH KWAI CHUNG.
+TSUEN WAN IS A MIGHTY INDUSTRIAL CENTRE GROWING AND DIVERSIFYING ALL THE TIME,+ HE SAID. +1 CANNOT THINK OF A MORE SUITABLE PLACE FOR BANKING ACTIVITIES, ESPECIALLY FOR ONE OFFERING THE TYPE OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE PROMOTION SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE BNP.+
MR. HAYES POINTED OUT THAT THE BANK’S LOCATION -- AT A BUSY INTERSECTION CLOSE TO THE NORTH KWAI CHUNG INDUSTRIAL AREA — HAD EASY ACCESS TO THE TA LIN PAI ROAD INDUSTRIAL AREA NOW NEARING THE END OF INTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT.
THE BRANCH WAS ALSO CLOSE TO THE CONTAINER PORT AND THE AREA WHERE ONE MILLION SQUARE FEET OF LIGHT INDUSTRIAL LAND IS TO BE OPENED UP. THE BULK OF THIS LAND HAD ALREADY BEEN DISPOSED OF BY LAND EXCHANGE, HE ADDED.
MR. HAYES SAID THE BANK’S TRADE AND INDUSTRY PROMOTION SERVICES WOULD BENEFIT THE MANY NEW INDUSTRIES BEING ESTABLISHED IN TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.
- - 0 -
A
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28,
1977
4
FURTHER MOVE TO GO METRIC
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO TAKE A FURTHER STEP TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE METRIC SYSTEM LATER THIS YEAR WHEN THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS SET OUT IN THE WATERWORKS REGULATIONS WILL BE CONVERTED TO METRIC UNITS AND THE OPPORTUNITY WILL BE TAKEN TO UPDATE REFERENCES TO BRITISH STANDARDS CONTAINED IN THE REGULATIONS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE CHANGES ARE OF A PURELY TECHNICAL NATURE AND WILL NOT AFFECT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD CONSUMER.
DOMESTIC WATER USERS, HE STRESSED, WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THEIR METERS READ IN IMPERIAL UNITS AND THEIR BILLS CHARGED ACCORDING TO THE IMPERIAL UNIT OF 1,000 GALLONS. ,
+IN OTHER WORDS, DOMESTIC HOUSEHOLDERS WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THEIR WATER BILLS AS THEY HAVE BEEN DOING UP TO NOW UNTIL THE WATERWORKS BILLING SYSTEM HAS BEEN COMPUTERISED TO DEAL WITH DOMESTIC ACCOUNTS. THIS WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS AT WHICH TIME CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE TIMING OF THE CHANGE OVER TO METRIC,* HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT CHANGES WHICH ARE COMING INTO EFFECT NOW ARE TECHNICAL ONES RELATED TO PIPES, FITTINGS, TAPS AND VALVES. THEY ARE CONTAINED IN THE WATERWORKS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1977 WHICH WAS GAZETTED TODAY AND WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON DECEMBER 1.
THE METRIC MEASUREMENTS IN MOST CASES HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT TO EXACT EQUIVALENTS TO THE NON-METRIC MEASUREMENTS NOW BEING USED.
HE SAID THAT THE CONVERSION TO METRIC SPECIFICATIONS WOULD MEAN NO DIFFERENCE IN COST SUCH AS FOR CONNECTIONS OR FIRE SERVICE CHARGES.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE AMENDED REGULATIONS WILL IMPOSE NO HARDSHIP ON IMPORTERS WHO CAN USE EXISTING STOCKS OF PIPES OR FITTINGS PREVIOUSLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE WATERWORKS OFFICE AND MAY CONTINUE TO USE SUCH MATERIALS WHILE THEY CONTINUE TO BE GENERALLY MAUNFACTURED.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1977
- 5 -
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR FLYOVER COMPLEX FOR TSUEN WAN
* * * K
A MAJOR FLYOVER COMPLEX AT THE JUNCTION OF TEXACO ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TSUEN WAN WILL SHORTLY BE BUILT TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT THIS ROAD JUNCTION.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S MULT I-MILL ION-DOLLAR PROJECT AND IS PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK WERE INVITED TODAY BY THE HIHGWAYS OFFICE OF THE P.W.D.
MR. CHEN SHAO-CHI, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS (N.T.) DIVISION, SAID WORK WOULD BEGIN IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT 27 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
+THE WORK WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 230-METRE-LONG FLYOVER WHICH WILL CARRY FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC OVER CASTLE PEAK ROAD,+ HE SAID.
+FROM THIS JUNCTION IT WILL CONNECT WITH THE ROAD SYSTEM WHICH IS BEING BUILT AS PART OF TSUEN WAN NORTH DEVELOPMENT STAGE ONE.+
MR. CHEN SAID THAT SLIP ROADS WOULD ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED TO LINK CASTLE PEAK ROAD WITH TEXACO ROAD AND WITH KWOK SHU I ROAD.
IN ADDITION, THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF SHING MUN ROAD WOULD BE WIDENED AND REALIGNED, AND AT LEAST 250 METRES OF KWOK SHU I ROAD WOULD BE RECONSTRUCTED.
TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS AND TO MINIMISE THE ' INTERFERENCE TO TRAFFIC, HE ADDED, GRADE SEPARATED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS WOULD BE PROVIDED BY SEPARATE RAMPS AND STAIRS TO THE FLYOVER.
TWO PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS WOULD BE BUILT -- ONE ACROSS TEXACO ROAD AND THE OTHER ACROSS THE LINK ROAD FROM KWOK SHU I ROAD TO CASTLE PEAK ROAD, AND A FOOTBRIDGE WOULD BE CONSTRUCTED AT THE JUNCTION OF SHING MUN ROAD, KWOK SHU I ROAD AND THE EXTENDED TEXACO ROAD.
MR. CHEN POINTED OUT THAT DURING THE CONSTRUCTION IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME DELAYS TO TRAFFIC.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT THE SCHEME HAD BEEN DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE DELAY WOULD BE REDUCED TO THE MINIMUM.
AT THE SAME TIME, TENDERS WERE ALSO INVITED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION OF YIP SHING STREET AT KWAI CHUNG.
/MR. CHEN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1977
6 -
MR. CHEN SAID THAT IN ORDER TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC IN THIS INDUSTRIAL AREA, THE EXISTING YIP SHING STREET WOULD BE RECONSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY OF 7.3 METRES WIDE TOGETHER WITH A 2.75 METRES FOOTPATH ON ONE SIDE.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT.
THE WORK WILL START IN EARLY 1978 AND WILL TAKE 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----o------
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 K * * *
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE SO AS TO EMPOWER THE HIGH COURT AND THE DISTRICT COURT TO AWARD COSTS TO PEOPLE ACQUITTED IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.
THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ALSO SEEKS TO CONFER THE SAME POWER ON THE COURT OF APPEAL IN AWARDING COSTS TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY APPEALED AGAINST CONVICTIONS IN THE DISTRICT COURT OR THE HIGH COURT +EXCEPT IN CASES WHERE A RETRIAL IS ORDERED AND CASES OF SUBSTITUTED VERDICTS OR CONCERNING DISABILITY*.
UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, APPLICATIONS FOR COSTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE DIRECT SCRUTINY OF THE TRIAL OR APPEAL JUDGE, AND A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PRINCIPLE WOULD BE THAT AWARDS WOULD BE LIMITED TO SUMS THAT WERE REASONABLY SUFFICIENT TO COMPENSATE FOR ANY EXPENSES PROPERLY INCURRED.
AT PRESENT, COSTS UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $2,000 MAY BE AWARDED TO ACQUITTED DEFENDANTS IN SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE WHICH ALSO ENABLES THE HIGH COURT TO AWARD COSTS TO THOSE WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY APPEALED AGAINST CONVICTIONS BY MAGISTRATES.
BUT, ACQUITTED DEFENDANTS IN CRIMINAL CASES IN THE DISTRICT COURT, THE HIGH COURT AND THE COURT OF APPEAL MUST AT THE MOMENT BEAR THEIR OWN COSTS EXCEPT IN CASES WHERE THE DEFENDANTS ARE ACQUITTED ON CHARGES UNDER THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE AND WHERE AN APPLICATION BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR A REVIEW OF SENTENCE IS REFUSED.
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/7
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1977
7
COUNTRY PARKS SIGNBOARD COMPETITION * * * *
A COUNTRY PARK SIGNBOARD DESIGN COMPETITION IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY ..I TH THE AIM OF SELECTING AN APPROPRIATE DESIGN FOR ITS PARKS’ SIGNBOARDS.
ENTRIES ARE INVITED FROM PEOPLE UNDER 30, AND THE WINNING DESIGN MAY BECOME STANDARD FOR ALL COUNTRY PARKS, OR IF A VARIETY OF COMMENDABLE DESIGNS ARE SUBMITTED THEY MAY BE
USED AT EACH PARK.
FIVE ATTRACTIVE CASH PRIZES OF WILL BE AWARDED TO WINNING ENTRIES.
$500, $300 AND THREE $100
THE SIGNBOARDS WILL BE MADE OF
MATERIALS FOUND IN EACH THE PARKS. THE ARTWORK OF THE
PARK AND PLACED AT THE ENTRANCES OF
DESIGNS SHOULD, THEREFORE, BE ABLE TO BE PRODUCED IN WOOD
STONE
OR CEMENT.
ENTRIES MUST BE 15 INCHES IN HEIGHT BY 30 INCHES IN WIDTH AND INCLUDE THE NAME OF A COUNTRY PARK IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE (THE CHINESE CHARACTERS WRITTEN VERTICALLY) AND THE COUNTRY PARK LOGO IN AN APPROPRIATE BORDER.
THEY SHOULD BE MOUNTED ON CARDS AND MARKED ON THE BACK IN ENLISH AND CHINESE THE DESIGNER’S NAME, AGE, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL, AND SENT TO:
THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY,
C/0 AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
STUDENT ENTRIES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS BEFORE NOVEMBER 30. RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON DECEMBER 5 AND PRIZES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT A LATER DATE.
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/8......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1977
8
FIRING PRACTICE
* * * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 13 DAYS NEXT MONTH (NOVEMBER).
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF FIRING PRACTICE.
THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE;
DATE HOURS
NOVEMBER 1 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. -- 10 P.M.
NOVEMBER 2 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M.-- 6 P.M.
NOVEMBER 3 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. — 10 P.M.
NOVEMBER 4 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. -- 4.30 P.M.
NOVEMBER 7 (MONDAY) 8.30 A.M. — 6 P.M.
NOVEMBER 8 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. — 10 P.M.
NOVEMBER 9 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. -- 4.30 P.M.
NOVEMBER 16 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 A.M. -- 5 P.M.
NOVEMBER 18 (FRIDAY) 8.30 A.M. — 5 P.M.
NOVEMBER 22 (TUESDAY) 8.30 A.M. —5 P.M.
NOVEMBER 28 (MONDAY) 11 A.M. — 4.30 P.M.
NOVEMBER 29 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. -- 5 P.M.
NOVEMBER 30 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. — 5 P.M.
/9
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1977
9
FIRE SERVICES DIRECTOR TO OPEN ATHLETIC EVENT
* K * *
THE SPORTS AND WELFARE CLUB OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS TO HOLD ITS THIRD ATHLETIC EVENT AT THE MONG KOK STADIUM IN BOUNDARY STREET TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
OVER 800 MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE WILL TAKE PART.
THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 12 TRACK AND SIX FIELD EVENTS WHICH INCLUDE THE 1,500 METRE, 5,000 METRE, 4X800 METRE RELAY, HIGH JUMP, LONG JUMP, DISCUS, JAVELIN AND SHOT PUT.
IN ADDITION, REPRESENTATIVES FROM EIGHT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE 4X100 METRE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL INVITATION RELAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
BE OFFICIALLY DECLARED OPEN BY , MR. F.M. WATSON, AT 10 A.M. SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER
THE SPORTING EVENT WILL THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES TOMORROW. YOU ARE INVITED TO
TO COVER THE EVENT.
0 --------
US ENGINEERS INSPECT HK ROAD PROJECTS a h k
A GROUP OF TEN ENGINEERS FROM THE UNITED STATES, WHO ARE HERE AFTER ATTENDING THE EIGHTH WORLD MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL ROAD FEDERATION IN TOKYO, TODAY VISITED SOME OF THE MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS IN HONG KONG.
THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY ENGINEERS OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
AMONG THE PROJECTS THEY VISITED WERE THE INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN TUEN MUN HIGHWAY - THE FIRST STAGE OF WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC EARLY NEXT YEAR - AND THE SECOND LION ROCK TUNNEL.
THE GROUP ALSO VISITED A NUMBER OF MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SITES.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE VISITORS WERE GIVEN A BRIEFING BY MR. STAN BARDEN, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER.
SO FAR, MORE THAN 100 ENGINEERS FROM THE TOKYO CONFERENCE HAVE VISITED MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS IN HONG KONG.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
POST OFFICE TO HOST INTERNATIONAL SPEEDPOST CONFERENCE ... 1
NORTH POINT VEHICULAR FERRY PIER TO BE REPLACED ............. 1
CONTRACT SIGNING FOR WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR PROJECT .......... 2
IRRIGATION SCHEME FOR PAT HEUNG COMPLETED ..........*........ 3
ACCESS ROAD TO CMA EXHIBITION SITE .......................... 4
TEACHERS AND PARENTS URGED TO HELP PREVENT SPREAD OF DRUG
ABUSE ....................................................... 5
NEw SCOUT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING FOR ISLANDS DISTRICT ........ 6
ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRE HOLDS OPEN DAY ... 7
RTHK AND HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO HOLD INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ 7
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1977
POST OFFICE TO HOST INTERNATIONAL SPEEDPOST CONFERENCE *****
THE POST OFFICE HAS SENT INVITATIONS TO 16 OVERSEAS POSTAL ADMINISTRATIONS TO ATTEND THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL SPEEDPOST CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG NEXT MARCH.
THE CONFERENCE WILL CONSIDER WAYS AND MEANS OF EXTENDING THE RANGE OF SPEEDPOST FACILITIES AND OF EXTENDING THE SERVICE TO EVEN MORE DESTINATIONS.
CURRENTLY, THE POST OFFICE OFFERS SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO EIGHT COUNTRIES. THEY ARE AUSTRALIA, BELGIUM, BRAZIL, FRANCE, JAPAN, THE NETHERLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES.
0 - -
NORTH POINT VEHICULAR FERRY PIER TO BE REPLACED
******
A NEW VEHICULAR FERRY PIER IS TO BE BUILT AT NORTH POINT TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STAGE ONE OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECTS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
MR. T.S. NG, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, SAID TODAY THAT THIS WAS ONE ■OF THE PRELIMINARY CONTRACTS TO EE LET FOR STAGE ONE OF THE S25O MILLION PROJECT.
HE SAID THAT WORK ON THE NEW VEHICULAR FERRY PIER WOULD START TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
+THE NEW PIER IS SITUATED ABOUT 30 METRES TO THE EAST OF THE EXISTING VEHICULAR FERRY PIER,+ SAID MR. NG.
+ IT WILL CONSIST ESSENTIALLY OF AN 80-METRE-LONG FINGER PIER AND A 22-METRE-WIDE APPROACH PLATFORM.+ f
+THE APPROACH PLATFORM WILL SERVE A SINGLE BERTH INITIALLY, BUT WILL BE ADEQUATE TO SERVE AN ADDITIONAL BERTH, SHOULD THIS BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE FUTURE.+
ON COMPLETION, MR. NG SAID, THE EXISTING VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW PIER AND THE EXISTING PIER WOULD THEN BE DEMOLISHED TO VAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ELEVATED ROADWAY.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MESSRS. MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA ON BEHALF OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
- «■ 0 - -
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1977
2
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MULT I-MILL I ON-DOLLAR CONTRACT FOR WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR PROJECT
******
A MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FLYOVER FROM TAI KOK TSUI TO SHAM SHU I PO AND THE ASSOCIATED GROUND LEVEL ROADS WILL EE SIGNED ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 31).
THE CONTRACT FORMS THE FIRST PHASE OF STAGE TWO OF THE S3OO MILLION WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR PROJECT.
THE SIGNING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 21ST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AT 2.30 P.M.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY. TELEVISION CREWS ARE ASKED TO ARRIVE NOT LATER THAN 2.15 P.M. SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
MR. STAN BARDEN, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1977
IRRIGATION SCHEME FOR PAT HEUNG FARMERS *****
FARMERS IN PAT HEUNG, NEW TERRITORIES, WILL NOW HAVE ADEQUATE IRRIGATION WATER WITH THE COMPLETION OF AN IRRIGATION SCHEME THERE.
THE SCHEME, COSTING $216,000 TO BUILD, CONSISTS OF 13,350 FEET OF PIPELINE CAPABLE OF SUPPLYING IRRIGATION WATER TO SOME 166 ACRES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND IN THE AREA.
TO HELP MAKE PROPER USE OF THE SCHEME THE PAT HEUNG RURAL COMMITTEE IS FORMING AN IRRIGATION CONTROL BODY AMONG THE VILLAGERS TO PREVENT WATER WASTAGE.
COMMENTING ON THE SCHEME, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID, +VILLAGES OF HO PUI, MA ON KONG, TEI KEK CHEUNG PO, TAI WO AND THEIR ASSOCIATED AGRICULTURAL LAND WILL HAVE WATER SUPPLY DIRECTLY FROM THE HO PUI RESERVOIR WHICH WAS CONSTRUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1961 SOLELY FOR IRRIGATION USE.+
HE NOTED THAT WITH THE HELP OF THE RURAL COMMITTEE, THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO SET UP A DEMONSTRATION SCHEME IN THE AREA TO PROMOTE SPRINKLER IRRIGATION WHICH CAN SAVE A LOT OF MANPOWER.
+THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PROMOTING THIS METHOD OF IRRIGATION FOR SOME TIME IN OTHER AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND IT PROVED TO BE SUCCESSFUL,+ HE SAID.
THE PAT HEUNG IRRIGATION SCHEME WILL EE HANDED OVER BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. E.H. NICHOLS TO THE FARMERS AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT HO PUI AT 3 P.M. ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 1).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE HANDING OVER CEREMONY ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 1). TRANSPORT FOR THE PRESS WILL LEAVE THE CAR PARK BEHIND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE FOR HO PUI RESERVOIR AT 1.45 P.M. ON TUESDAY.
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/4
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1977
ACCESS ROAD TO CMA EXHIBITION SITE ******
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN THE EAST TSIM SHA TSUI AREA TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE SITE WHICH WILL BE USED BY THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR EXHIBITIONS IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
THE WORK WILL ALSO INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF DRAINAGE IN THE AREA ADJACENT TO CHEONG WAN ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD EXTENSION.
MR. T.D. ARMOUR, ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION, SAID THAT THE ROADS WOULD ALSO PROVID ACCESS TO THE K.C.R. STAFF QUARTERS AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC’ TEMPORARY CLASSROOMS.
+THE ROADS ALSO FORM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE EAST TSIM SHA TSUI AREA WHERE SITES ARE BEING DEVELOPED,+ HE SAID.
THE WORK IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN DECEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL EE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
111 co
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•-w*wr
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1977
TEACHERS AND PARENTS URGED TO HELP FIGHT DRUGS
*****
TEACHERS AND PARENTS WERE TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED UPON TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), MR. KARL STUMPF, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR. N.M. HO.
THEY WERE SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A TEACHERS SEMINAR ON DRUG ABUSE HELD JOINTLY BY ACAN AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION. ABOUT 200 SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ATTENDED.
MR. STUMPF SAID DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE WAS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT COULD ONLY BE RESOLVED AT HOME AND IN SCHOOL.
NO PROGRAMME FOR COMBATTING DRUG ABUSE WOULD, THEREFORE, ATTAIN REAL SUCCESS UNTIL PARENTS AND TEACHERS BECAME THOROUGHLY ACQUAINTED WITH THESE PROBLEMS AND INVOLVED IN EFFORTS TO TACKLE THEM, HE SAID.
ON THE ROLE OF TEACHERS, MR. N.M. HO SAID THEY SHOULD MAKE THEIR PUPILS AWARE OF THEIR OWN ABILITIES AND OF THE PART THEY WOULD PLAY AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
PUPILS SHOULD ALSO BE MADE TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE AMPLE AWARDS IN SUCCESSES AND ACHIEVEMENTS, AND THAT IT IS COWARDLY AND IRRESPONSIBLE TO RESORT TO ESCAPE MECHANISMS IN ANY FORM, PARTICULARLY DRUG-TAKING, MR. HO SAID.
+0N THE OTHER HAND, SENSIBLE PARENTAL GUIDANCE IN THE FORMATION OF A WHOLESOME PERSONALITY AND HEALTHY ATTITUDES, IN CHOOSING THE RIGHT TYPE OF FRIENDS AND ENGAGING IN CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIVITIES CAN GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS PREVENTING A CHILD FROM BECOMING AN ADDICT IN LATER LIFE,* HE ADDED.
THE SEMINAR WAS THE THIRD OF ITS KIND TO BE ORGANISED BY ACAN AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SINCE 1972. ALSO ATTENDING THE SEMINAR AS PANELISTS WERE REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ENGAGED IN ANTI-NARCOTICS WORK.
A STUDY VISIT TO SHEK KWU CHAU REHABILITATION CENTRE BY TEACHERS ATTENDING THE SEMINAR HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 12, IN ORDER TO ENABLE THEM TO GAIN FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF ONE OF THE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT IN HONG KONG.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1977
6
NEW SCOUT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING FOR ISLANDS DISTRICT ******
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY DESCRIBED AS +MOST TIMELY+ THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW ISLANDS DISTRICT SCOUT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING ON CHEUNG CHAU.
SPEAKING AT AN OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW BUILDING, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT WITH THE GROWTH OF POPULATION IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT AND THE INCREASING NUMBER OF STUDENTS, HE WAS SURE MORE AND MORE YOUNG MEN WOULD WISH TO BECOME SCOUTS.
+THIS NEW BUILDING MARKS A NEW ERA IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCOUTING IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT,+ HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT SCOUTS ON OUTLYING ISLANDS WERE NOT ONLY ACTIVE IN THEIR SCOUT ACTIVITIES BUT ALSO KEEN IN HELPING IN MANY MEANINGFUL SOCIAL SERVICES.
THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN VISITS TO THE HOMES FOR THE AGED AND DISABLED, AS WELL AS IN MANY CAMPAIGNS SPONSORED BY THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID.
+1 BELIEVE THAT THROUGH REGULAR TRAINING AND APPLICATION OF THEIR SKILLS IN SERVICE ACTIVITIES, THE TRUE CHARACTER OF A SCOUT CAN BEST BE DEVELOPED,* HE SAID.
THE CHEUNG CHAU SCOUT HEADQUARTERS WAS FOUNDED IN 1957, AND IN I960, IT WAS RENAMED THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION - ISLANDS DISTRICT REGIONAL SCOUT COUNCIL TO REFLECT ITS WIDER SPHERE OF ACTIVITIES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE DISTRICT.
SINCE THEN, THE NUMBER OF SCOUTS HAS STEADILY GROWN TO ABOUT 500 AT PRESENT.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1977
7
ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRE HOLDS OPEN DAY
******
THE ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRE OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HELD AN OPEN DAY FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TODAY.
OX DISPLAY AT THE MANAGEMENT CENTRE NEAR THE LOWER ABERDEEN RESERVOIR WERE COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS OF WILD FLOWERS OF HONG KONG, WINNING POSTERS OF THE 1977 COUNTRY CODE POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION AND SEEDLINGS OF COMMON TREES OF HONG KONG.
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAMME WERE DEMONSTRATIONS ON CUTTING LOG WITH POWERED CHAIN-SAW AND FIGHTING HILL FIRES.
AMONG THE MANY PEOPLE WHO VISITED THE CENTRES TODAY WERE MEMBERS OF THE KAI FONG ASSOCIATIONS IN ABERDEEN, WAH FU AND APLICHAU AS WELL AS LEADERS OF LOCAL MORNING WALKERS’ CLUBS.
THE CENTRE WAS BUILT IN 1976 TO PROVIDE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO THE ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK. IT CONSISTS OF AN OFFICE BLOCK, A WORKSHOP AND GARAGE, A STORE AND EARRACK ACCOMMODATION FOR THE BUSH FIRE PROTECTION CREW AND AN INFORMATION CENTRE FOR VISITORS.
AN ADDITIONAL BLOCK TO HOUSE A KIOSK AND TOILET HAS RECENTLY BEEN COMPLETED AND WILL BE OPEN FOR USE BY THE PUBLIC SHORTLY.
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NOTE TO EDITORS;
RTHK AND HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT HOLD INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ
******
AN INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ ON CHINESE STUDIES HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PROGRAMME WILL BE HELD AT 4.45 P.M. ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 31) IN RTHK STUDIO 1, BORADCAST DRIVE, KOWLOON.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY ..ILL DE MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE’ MR. NG YIN-NAN, PROJECT CHAIRMAN’ RTHK AND HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES.
THE FIRST MATCH OF THE QUIZ WILL BE HELD AFTER THE CEREMONY.
YOU ARE CORD'ALL “ SEND - REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER
TO COVER THE EVENT.
|eis| |f ife|
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE N0<
TENDER FOR ANOTHER SECTION OF LION ROCK TUNNEL CARRIAGEWAY ................................
JUNCTION ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY TO BE WIDENED . 2
SAI KUNG VILLAGES TO GET TAP WATER SUPPLY ... 3
CANTONESE TONES CAN BE MASTERED ............
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1977
1
TENDER FOR ANOTHER SECTION OF LION ROCK TUNNEL CARRIAGEWAY ******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TRAFFIC INTERCHANGE AND SECTION OF THE SECOND CARRIAGEWAY OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AT HUNG MUI KUK.
THE WORK COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 440 METRES OF A 7.3-METRE WIDE CARRIAGEWAY IN THE VICINITY OF HUNG MUI KUK TOGETHER WITH A TRAFFIC INTERCHANGE AND SLIP ROADS TO PROVIDE DIRECT ACCESS TO KAK TIN VILLAGE AND NEARBY NEW DEVELOPMENTS.
IT FORMS PART OF THE ROAD NETWORK PLANNED FOR SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
MR. CHEN SHAO-CHI, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, SAID TODAY WORK ON THIS PROJECT WOULD START IN DECEMBER AND WOULD TAKE 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
MEANWHILE, HE SAID THAT WORK UNDER ANOTHER CONTRACT, WHICH INCLUDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 2.5 KILOMETRES OF THE 7.3-METRE WIDE CARRIAGEWAY AND THE WIDENING OF THE EXISTING LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD TO FOUR LANES, WAS PROGRESSING WELL.
+WHEN THE SECOND LION ROCK TUNNEL IS COMPLETED IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR, THE EXISTING ONE WILL EE REFURBISHED,* SAID MR. CHEN.
+EY THE END OF NEXT YEAR, THE TWO-TUBE TUNNELS SHOULD BE OPERATIONAL AND, TOGETHER * I TH THE STAGE ONE CF THIS PROJECT, THE NEW CARRIAGEWAY WILL EE CAPABLE OF CARRYING THE INCREASED VOLUME OF TRAFFIC GENERATED BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.*
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1977
- 2 -
JUNCTION ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY TO BE WIDENED
* * * *
WORK WILL BEGIN SHORTLY ON THE WIDENING OF A SECTION OF JUNCTION ROAD BETWEEN TUNG TAU CHUEN ROAD AND FU MEI STREET TO COPE WITH THE PRESENT HEAVY TRAFFIC.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
MR. T.D. ARMOUR, ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION, SAID TODAY THAT WORK ON THE PROJECT WOULD START IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
HE SAID THAT THE WORK WOULD INVOLVE THE WIDENING OF JUNCTION ROAD TO A UNIFORM WIDTH OF 11 METRES AND IT WOULD BE RECONSTRUCTED IN REINFORCED CONCRETE.
♦THE CONTRACT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE IMPROVEMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND MAIN SEWER UNDER THE CARRIAGEWAY,* SAID MR. ARMOUR.
+OFF-STREET BUS BAYS AND PEDESTRIANS SAFETY FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED WHILE THE JUNCTION OF JUNCTION ROAD AND FU MEI STREET WILL BE SIGNALISED WITH TRAFFIC LIGHT CONTROLLED PEDESTRIANS CROSSINGS.*
HE SAID THAT THE AFFECTED ROADSIDE TREES WOULD BE REPLANTED IN THE FOOTPATHS AND ADDITIONAL TREES WOULD BE PROVIDED WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
MEANWHILE, TENDERS ARE ALSO BEING INVITED FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF JORDAN ROAD BUS TERMINUS.
MR. ARMOUR SAID THAT UNDER THE CONTRACT, THE ENTIRE BUS TERMINUS WOULD BE RECONSTRUCTED IN REINFORCED CONCRETE AND THE DRAINAGE OF THE TERMINUS WOULD ALSO BE IMPROVED.
IN ORDER TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION TO THE OPERATION OF THE BUS TERMINUS, THE WORK WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN STAGES, HE SAID.
THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT JANUARY AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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/3
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1977
GOVERNMENT APPROVES TWO WATER SCHEMES FOR SAI KUNG
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED TWO SEPARATE WATER SCHEMES COSTING :il,6 MILLION TO PROVIDE FRESH WATER MAINS SUPPLY TO ABOUT TEN AREAS IN THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT.
ACCORDING TO THE SAI KUNG ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. LEO KWAN, VILLAGERS OF TSENG LAN SHUE, PAK SHEK WO AND PIK UK ARE AT PRESENT RELYING ON WELLS AND STREAMS FOR THEIR WATER SUPPLIES.
+THEY SHOULD HAVE WATER MAINS SUPPLY FAIRLY SOON AS GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY APPROVED TWO WATER SCHEMES TO IMPROVE THE PRESENT WATER SITUATION IN THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT,* HE ADDED.
+CONSTRUCTI ON WORK IS EXPECTED TO START SOON AND EE COMPLETED IN TWO OR THREE YEARS.*
SPEAKING ON RTHK’S +N.T. WEEKLY* PROGRAMME ON THE CHINESE CHANNEL, MR. KWAN SAID THE FIRST SCHEME WILL COST S7 MILLION AND WILL LEAD WATER FROM KOWLOON EAST TO FEI NGO SHAN FROM WHERE aiATER a ILL FLOW DOWN TO THE THREE VILLAGES, WHICH HAVE A COMBINED POPULATION OF 5,000 PEOPLE.
THE SECOND SCHEME, MR. KWAN SAID, IS TO BOOST THE AMOUNT OF WATER AVAILABLE WITHIN THE EXISTING WATER SUPPLY SCHEME IN SA I KUNG INCLUDING PLACES LIKE SHA HA, KAU SAI SUN TSUEN, THE PAK WAI RESIDENTIAL AND YACHTING AREA, TUI MIN HOI, MANG KUNG UK AND IN THE VICINITY OF SILVER STRAND.
+THIS SCHEME IS NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE VAST DEVELOPMENT NOW UNDERWAY IN SAI KUNG AND IT IS FELT THAT THE EXISTING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IS NOT ADEQUATE,* HE SAID.
MR. KWAN SAID THIS WATER SCHEME WILL COST GOVERNMENT $4.6 MILLION AND ABOUT 6,670 MILLIMETRES OF WATER PIPES WOULD NEED TO BE LAID FROM KOWLOON EAST.
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3
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1977
CANTONESE TONES CAN BE MASTERED
*****
TOO MANY EUROPEANS ARE DISCOURAGED FROM LEARNING CANTONESE BY THE WALL OF FEAR THAT SURROUNDS THE THOUGHT OF CHINESE TONES SAYS THE AUTHOR OF A MAJOR NEW ENGLISH-CANTONESE DICTIONARY, MR. SIDNEY LAU.
+THIS IS A PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIER,* SAID MR. LAU TODAY. + IN FACT THE TONES ARE NOT AS BAD AS MANY PEOPLE THINK*.
MR. LAU HAS LONG EXPERIENCE OF TEACHING CANTONESE HAVING SPENT MANY YEARS WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S CHINESE LANGUAGE TRAINING SECTION AND HAVING PREPARED A SERIES OF TEXTBOOKS AT ELEMENTARY, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED LEVELS.
THE 1301-PAGE DICTIONARY IS NOW ON SALE AT $120 AND IS AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AND LEADING BOOKSHOPS.
MR. LAU’S DICTIONARY GIVES A ROMANISED FORM FOR EACH CANTONESE SOUND FOLLOWED BY AN EXPLANATION IN ENGLISH. THE COMPILATION TASK TOOK 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE AND THERE ARE SOME 22,300 CANTONESE ENTRIES EASED ON ABOUT 3,600 MAIN WORDS.
+THE ONLY OTHER SIMILAR DICTIONARY WAS 30 TO 40 YEARS OUT OF DATE,* SAID MR. LAU. +MANY NEW WORDS HAVE ENTERED CANTONESE SINCE THEN AND I THOUGHT IT WAS DISGRACEFUL THAT TEACHERS SHOULD STILL HAVE TO MAKE DO WITH AN INADEQUATE DICTIONARY.
+ORIGINALLY I HAD INTENDED TO PUT TOGETHER A COMPREHENSIVE GLOSSARY FOR MY CANTONESE TEXTBOOKS BUT IT WAS THEN SUGGESTED THAT I EXPAND THIS INTO A PROPER, MODERN, DICTIONARY.*
WHY DO SO MANY EUROPEANS TRY CANTONESE AND RETIRE DEFEATED? +WELL, MANY OF THEM ARE VERY GOOD, BUT THEY ARE FOLLOWING DEMANDING CAREERS AND THEY ARE PROMOTED, WHICH CUTS DOWN THE TIME THEY HAVE FOR STUDY, OR THEY ARE TRANSFERRED FROM HONG KONG. THE LESS-WELL-OFF PERHAPS DON’T HAVE THE TIME, OR THE MONEY, TO PERSEVERE.*
AND THOSE TONES? +THEY CAN BE MASTERED. IT’S ALL IN THE MIND,* SAYS MR. LAU.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR $37 MILLION ELEVATED ROAD PROJECT .... 1
BUILDING STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER ......................... 2
ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITION TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH ............. 3
PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS INSPECT P.W.D. PROJECTS 4
CONSULTANTS APPOINTED TO STUDY TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE ......... 7
REGULAR TESTING OF AUTOMATIC DEVICES IN STEAM BOILERS IMPERATIVE ................................................
TOPLEY PRAISES CMA FOR ITS WORK IN EDUCATION ................ 9
LAM TSUEN COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT CENTRE BECOMES OPERATIONAL ...............................................
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1977
1
37 MILLION CONTRACT FOR ELEVATED ROAD
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY LET A CONTRACT FOR J37 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELEVATED ROADWAY FROM TAI KOK TSUI TO SHAM SHU I PO AND THE ASSOCIATED GROUND LEVEL ROADS.
THE CONTRACT, WHICH FORMS PHASE ONE OF THE THE 333D "ILL I ON WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR PROJECT, TO FRANK I PILING AND ENGINEERING (HK) LTD.
SECOND STAGE OF HAS BEEN AWARDED
MR. STAN BARDEN, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER OF THE P.A'.D.’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE, WHO SIGNED THE CONTRACT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT TODAY, SAID THAT WORK WOULD BEGIN IMMEDIATELY AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT 27 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
wHEN COMPLETED, IT WOULD PROVIDE A VERY DESIRABLE BY-PASS FOR TRAFFIC TRAVELLING THROUGH THE HEAVILY CONGESTED TAI KOK TSUI AREA.
HE SAID THAT THE CONTRACT WOULD INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELEVATED NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY ALONG TAI KOK TSUI ROAD FROM CHERRY STREET TO THE TUNG CHAU STREET JUNCTION, AND AN ELEVATED SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WITH A SLIP ROAD LEADING TO TUNG CHAU STREET AND TERMINATING IN THE VICINITY OF THE PRINCE EDWARD ROAD JUNCTION.
+THE ELEVATED ROADWAY, WHICH IS ABOUT ONE KILOMETRE IN LENGTH, WILL HAVE THREE TRAFFIC LANES IN EACH DIRECTION,+ MR. BARDEN SAID.
+ON THE OTHER HAND, THE ASSOCIATED GROUND LEVEL ROADS AT TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND TUNG CHAU STREET WILL BE RECONSTRUCTED ON A NE>. AL IGNMwNT. +
HE ADDED THAT THE ELEVATED ROADWAY WOULD BE EXTENDED IN STAGES TO LINK UP IN THE SOUTH WITH GASCOIGNE ROAD/FERRY STREET SECTION WHICH IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND IN THE NORTH WITH LAI CHI KOK ROAD TO COMPLETE THE wEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR.
ON COMPLETION, THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR WILL PROVIDE A PRIMARY DISTRBUTOR HIGHWAY FOR TRAFFIC EETWEEN THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND WEST AS WELL AS NORTHWEST KOWLOON.
THE SCHEME HAS BEEN DESIGNED, AND THE CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED EY CONSULTANT ENGINEERS, MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA ON BEHALF OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1977
2
MORE BUILDING PLANS APPROVED * * * *
A TOTAL OF 61 NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED IN SEPTEMBER BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, COMPARED WITH 59 IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
THIS BROUGHT TO 595, THE NUMBER OF BUILDING PLANS APPROVED FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
OF THE 61 NEW PLANS APPROVED, 16 WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 21 FOR KOWLOON AND 24 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY INCLUDED PLANS FOR A HOSPITAL AT MOUNT KELLETT ROAD, A SCHOOL AT KENT ROAD AND AN ELECTRICITY SUB-STATION AT SHUN LEE TSUEN.
PLANS FOR ANOTHER SCHOOL AT SHUN TAK ROAD, TAI PO MARKET, A BEACH HOTEL AT MIU WO, AND A PETROL FILLING STATION AT TAI PO ROAD WERE ALSO APPROVED.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS $219.85 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $92.81 MILLION LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING LAST MONTH AMOUNTED TO 175,274.1 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 108,158.1 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 67,116 SQUARE METRES OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
DURING THE MONTH, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 52 NEW BUILDING PROJECTS, INCLUDING A KINDERGARTEN AND CHURCH HALL AT HANG HAU, SAI KUNG, A CINEMA/APARTMENT/COMMERCI AL BUILDING AT DOCK STREET AND DYER AVENUE AND A SCHOOL/APARTMENT AT LIN FA KUNG STREET.
FORTY NEWLY COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION DURING THE MONTH, INCLUDING THE HONG KONG ART CENTRE, A 44-STOREY COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, A SCHOOL AT TONG YAM STREET, A KINDERGARTEN AT DUMBARTON ROAD AND AN ELECTRICITY SUB-STATION AT KWAI CHUNG.
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO CONSENTED TO THE DEMOLITION OF 29 BUILDINGS.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1977
5
CAREERS ’78 EXHIBITION OPENS ON NOVEMBER 25 * * * *
THE SIXTH ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITION - CAREERS ’78 - ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, OPENS GN NOVEMBER 25 AT THE KO'wLOON RAIL TERMINUS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, MR. PETER WILLIAMS, COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, SAID THE EXHIBITION HAS BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
HE PRAISED MAJOR FIRMS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR THE SUPPORT THEY HAVE GIVEN TO THE CAREERS EXHIBITION. OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, TOC, HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE EVENT, HE SAID.
THIS YEAR, A RECORD 2$ EXHIBITORS FROM COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND THE CIVIL SERVICE ARE TAK I'MG PART. AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, EACH EXHIBITOR WILL TAKE UP A BOOTH, AND EY ••EANS OF ATTRACTIVE DISPLAY AND VISUAL PRESENTATIONS, SHOW THE RANGE OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN ITS PARTICULAR FIELD.
IN THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR, THE EXHIBITION « ILL FEATURE BANKING ADVERTISING, AIRLINES AND COMPUTER BUSINESS. A CAREER IN SEAFARING IS ALSO HIGHLIGHTED.
IN THE INDUSTRIAL FIELD, THE TEXTILES, CLOTHING, METALWORK, SHIPBUILDING AND REPAIRS, AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES ARE REPRESENTED.
UTILITIES, TELECOMMUNICATION AND TELEVISION EROADCASTING COMPANIES ARE COMING IN STRONG THIS YEAR.
TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING IS THE THEME OF THE JOINT STAND ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. TRAINING FACILITIES IN THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TRADES ARE SHOWN AS WELL. THERE WILL ALSO BE A STAND ON SOCIAL WORK AMD ANOTHER ON SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC. IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE FOUR OTHER DEPARTMENTS TAKING PART.
THE EXHIBITION IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT 100,003 VISITORS.
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE FOR GROUP VISITS FROM SCHOOLS AND A BRIEFING SESSION WILL BE ORGANISED FOR STUDENTS TO HELP THEM GET THE MOST OUT OF THE VISIT.
THE 10-DAY EXHIBITION WILL OPEN ON NOVEMBER 25 AT 4.30 P.M.
AND CLOSE ON DECEMBER 4. DAILY OPENING HOURS ARE FROM 9.30 A.M.
TO 6.33 P.M. ADMISSION IS FREE OF CHARGE.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1977
MEMBERS OF PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE SEE MAJOR P.W.D. PROJECTS * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE’S PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE SPENT THE WHOLE DAY TODAY (MONDAY) VISITING A NUMBER OF MAJOR GOVERNMENT PROJECTS EE I NG BUILT THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
ALSO ON THE TOUR WERE SOME OF THE UMELCO MEMBERS.
THE TOUR, LED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WAS ARRANGED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
APART FROM PROVIDING MEMBERS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE AT FIRST HAND PROGRESS ON VARIOUS PROJECTS, THE TOUR ALSO ENABLED THEM TO STUDY WORKS NOW UNDERWAY AND THE SITES OF PROPOSED NEW PROJECTS IN PREPARATION FOR THIS YEAR’S SECOND REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE (P.W.S.C.) COMPRISES THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. C.P. HADDON-CAVE (CHAIRMAN), MR. OSWALD CHEUNG, MR. R.H. LOBO, MR. JAMES WU, MR. LI FOOK-WO, MR. J.H. BREMRIDGE, MR. FRANCIS TIEN, MR. S.L. CHEN, DR. HENRY HU, MR. PETER C. WONG, MR. WONG LAM AND THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD. THE SECRETARY TO THE COMMITTEE IS MISS DOREEN SADDLER OF THE FINANCE BRANCH.
EACH YEAR THE SUB-COMMITTEE HOLDS TWO MEETINGS TO REVIEW PROGRESS ON PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, AND TO CONSIDER NEW ITEMS FOR INCLUSION IN THE PROGRAMME.
THE UMELCO MEMBERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE TOUR TODAY WERE . MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, REV. JOYCE BENNETT, MR. LEUNG TAT-SHING AND REV. P.J. MCGOVERN.
MEMBERS OF THE P.W.S.C. AND UMELCO MEMBERS WERE ACCOMPANIED ON THE TOUR BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. WILLIAM BELL- AND THE P.W.D.’S DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, MR. DAVID STEAD- DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. WILLIAM TUCKER-DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, MR. JACK STEAN- DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT, MR. J.R. WHITAKER? MASS TRANSIT ADVISER, MR. A.H. WILKINS AND SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE P.W.D. AND THE FINANCE BRANCH.
AMONG THE PROJECTS VISITED WERE THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME, TUI MIN HOI DEVELOPMENT IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT, THE SECOND LION ROCK HIGH LEVEL SERVICE RESERVOIR, THE LOK FU M.T.R. STATION SITE, THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER EXTENSION AND THE MID-LEVELS ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.
AT HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR, COMMITTEE BRIEFED BY THE SENIOR RESIDENT ENGINEER, PROGRESS OF THE 31,348 MILLION PROJECT.
AND UMELCO MEMBERS WERE
MR. A. PRYOR, ON THE
MR. PRYOR SAID THAT THE .VEST DAM WAS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED WHILE THE EAST DAM ,<AS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED NEXT NAY. AFTER THAT, MINOR FINISHING WORK, INCLUDING ROAD WORKS WOULD EE CARRIED OUT.
/HE SAID
MONDAY, OCTOBER J1, 1977
5
HE SAID THAT THE ENTIRE INDIRECT CATCHMENT AND THE EIGHT LOWLAND PUMPING STATIONS WERE BROUGHT INTO SERVICE PROGRESSIVELY DURING THE SUMMER.
WHEN COMPLETED IN 1979, THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME WOULD BE THE BIGGEST SEABED FRESHWATER RESERVOIR IN THE WORLD. IT WOULD EE CAPABLE OF STORING MORE THAN 273 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, NEARLY DOUBLING HONG KONG’S PRESENT STORAGE CAPACITY.
FROM HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR, THE PARTY PROCEEDED TO TUI MIN HOI IN SAI KUNG.
THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE AREA PROVIDES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSING ACCOMMODATION FOR A GROUP OF FISHERMEN DISPLACED BY THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME AND A SMALL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE TO CATER FOR DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCES AND VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT.
THE GOVERNMENT ENGINEER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR. B.H. NEWMAN, TOLD THE VISITORS THAT THE TOTAL DEVELOPMENT AREA COVERED 33 HECTARES.
ENGINEERING WORKS NOW IN HAND INCLUDED SITE FORMATION FOR HOUSING AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ACCESS ROAD FROM HIRAM’S HIGHWAY.
+EXCAVATED MATERIAL IS BEING USED FOR RECLAMATION IN THE SAI KUNG TUK AREA FOR SUBSEQUENT LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT,* MR. NEWMAN SAID.
+MEANWHILE, TENDERS HAVE BEEN INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FISHERMEN’S HOUSING. WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN DECEMBER FOR COMPLETION BY APRIL 1979.+
HE SAID THAT THE TOTAL COST OF THE DEVELOPMENT WAS ABOUT $30 MILLION.
MEMBERS OF THE P.W.S.C. AND UMELCC THE SECOND LION ROCK HIGH LEVEL SERVICE PART OF THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME.
OFFICE NEXT STOPPED AT RESERVOIR, WHICH FORMS
THERE, MR. E. BOWLER, SENIOR ENGINEER FOR NEW WORKS, TOLD THE VISITORS THAT WORK ON THE RESERVOIR WAS PROGRESSING SATISFACTORILY AND WAS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YtAR.
ON COMPLETION, THE SERVICE RESERVOIR WOULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PRIMARY STORAGE CAPACITY TO ACCEPT THE INCREASED OUTPUT OF SHA TIN TREATMENT WORKS THE DAILY CAPACITY OF WHICH HAS BEEN INCREASED TO 1.09 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
MR. BOWLER SAID THAT THE SERVICE RESERVOIR WOULD BE FED BY TRUNK MAINS LAID IN THE SECOND LION ROCK TUNNEL AND WOULD SUPPLY WATER TO OTHER SERVICE RESERVOIRS IN KOWLOON AND ON HONG KONG ISLAND VIA THE CROSS-HAREOUR MAIN.
/BEFORE TAKING
MONDAY, OCTOBER J1, 1977
6
BEFORE TAKING A LOOK AT SOME OF THE ROAD PROJECTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, P.W'.S.C. AND UMELCO MEMBERS INSPECTED THE SITE OF THE LOK FU M.T.R. STATION.
THEY WERE BRIEFED BY MR. RON MEAD, PROJECT DIRECTOR OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, ON THE PROGRESS OF THE WORK BEING CARRIED OUT THERE.
THE STATION, ABOUT 227 METRES LONG, IS BEING BUILT BENEATH WANG TAU HOM ESTATE PLAYGROUND.
MR. MEAD SAID THAT THE STATION WOULD EE OPEN FOR USE IN SEPTEMBER 1979 AND WOULD BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING ABOUT 80,000 PASSENGERS DAILY.
THE PLAYGROUND WOULD BE REINSTATED AFTER WORK ON THE STATION WAS COMPLETED.
AT THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER EXTENSION, THE PARTY WAS GIVEN AN UP-TO-THE-MINUTE REPORT BY MR. W.J. KELLY, SENIOR RESIDENT ENGINEER, WHILE MR. DAVID TWIST, PROJECT ENGINEER OF MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA EXPLAINED THE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AND PLANNING OF THE PROJECT.
THE VISITORS SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT, WHICH WOULD PROVIDE A DIRECT ELEVATED LINK FROM THE NORTHERN PORTAL OF THE FUTURE ABERDEEN TUNNEL TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL INTERCHANGE ON THE WATERFRONT WHEN COMPLETED IN 1980.
MR. KELLY SAID THAT THE ACCESS RAMPS IN MORRISON HILL ROAD AND WONG NE I CHUNG ROAD WOULD ENABLE LOCAL TRAFFIC TO USE THE FLYOVER, THUS AVOIDING CONGESTION AT THREE KEY JUNCTIONS IN THE AREA.
PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS WOULD BE BUILT UNDER MORRISON HILL ROAD, WONG NE I CHUNG ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS.
THE PARTY WINDED UP THE DAY’S TOUR WITH A VISIT TO THE MID-LEVELS WHERE MAJOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT.
THE MID-LEVELS ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME COMPRISES A SERIES OF FLYOVERS AND ELEVATED CARRIAGEWAYS FROM MAGAZINE GAP ROAD TO CASTLE ROAD.
MR. PETER PEARSON, PROJECT ENGINEER, SAID THAT WORK ON THE FLYOVER AT THE UPPER END OF GARDEN ROAD WAS WELL UNDERWAY AND WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
+IN ADDITION, WORK ON THE ROBINSON ROAD/CASTLE ROAD JUNCTION IMPROVEMENT HAS VIRTUALLY BEEN COMPLETED AND A CONTRACT HAS JUST BEEN LET FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-LANE ELEVATED ROAD TO CARRY EASTBOUND TRAFFIC FROM ROBINSON ROAD OVER ALBANY ROAD,+ HE SAID.
MR. PEARSON SAID THAT WORK ON THE MID-LEVELS ROAD IMPROVEMENTS WAS EXPECTED TO EE COMPLETED IN LATE 197?.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1977
NOTE TO EDITORS:
7
CONSULTANTS APPOINTED TO STUDY TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE * * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS APPOINTED A FIRM OF CONSULTANTS TO ASSIST THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE IN CARRYING OUT A STUDY ON THE REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL ON THE NETWORK OF HIGH GRADE ROADS NOW BEING PLANNED AND CONSTRUCTED IN HONG KONG.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE STUDY PROJECT WILL FORMALLY EE SIGNED AT A CEREMONY AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 21ST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AT 2.30 P.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
TELEVISION CREWS ARE ASKED TO ARRIVE NOT LATER THAN 2.15 P.M. SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
MR. A.A. THOMPSON, OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE UNIT, WILL EE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1977
8 -
PROPER USE OF AUTOMATIC DEVICES IN STEAM BOILERS *****
AUTOMATIC CONTROL DEVICES IN STEAM BOILERS, WHERE PROVIDED FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF FEED WATER AND FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND INDICATION OF WATER LEVEL, SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON ENTIRELY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
HE ADVISED THE OWNERS OF STEAM BOILERS AND BOILER INSPECTORS THAT IT WAS IMPERATIVE THE EQUIPMENT WAS SUBJECT TO REGULAR PERIODIC INSPECTIONS AND TO ROUTINE TESTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MAKERS’ RECOMMENDATIONS. ALL ALARMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EQUIPMENT SHOULD ALSO BE EXAMINED.
THE ROUTINE TESTING OF BOILER WATER GAUGES DURING SHIFTS, AND THE CONTROL UNITS AND ALARMS AT REGULAR INTERVALS, WAS AN IMPORTANT DUTY OF BOILER ATTENDANTS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE REMARKS WERE MADE FOLLOWING A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE EXPLOSION OF A FULLY AUTOMATIC, FIRE TUBE, BOILER IN A LOCAL HOTEL.
THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE EQUIPMENT WAS INSPECTED BY AN APPROVED BOILER INSPECTOR ONLY A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE EXPLOSION.
THE INQUIRY REVEALED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION WAS SHORTAGE OF WATER AS A RESULT OF A FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC DEVICE CONTROLLING THE WATER LEVEL IN THE BOILER. HOWEVER, WITH CAREFUL SUPERVISION, ANY REDUCTION IN WATER LEVEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN APPARENT TO THE BOILER ATTENDANT IN GOOD TIME TO AVERT THE EXPLOSION. THE SHORTNESS OF WATER ALLOWED THE FURNACE CROWN TO BECOME OVERHEATED AND COLLAPSE AND RUPTURE UNDER PRESSURE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FAILURE OF THE CONTROL UNIT IS ASCRIBED TO LACK OF SATISFACTORY MAINTENANCE AND POSSIBLY ABSENCE OF REGULAR TESTING OF THIS EQUIPMENT.
FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS KILLED OR INJURED IN THIS INCIDENT, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1977
TCPLEY PRAISES CMA FOR ITS WORK IN EDUCATION * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, THIS AFTERNOON PRAISED THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG FOR HAVING +DONE A GREAT DEAL OVER THE YEARS TO PROMOTE AND ASSIST EDUCATION+.
HE *AS SPEAKING AT THE CMA SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN THE CMA BUILDING.
MR. TOPLEY CITED THE DONATION OF $1 MILLION IN THE 1950’S TO START, AS HE PUT IT, +THE BALL ROLLING* SO THAT A NEW CAMPUS COULD BE PROVIDED IN HUNG HOM FOR THE THEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE WHICH IS NOW THE POLYTECHNIC.
+RECENTLY, LADY MACLEHOSE OFFICIALLY OPENED THE CMA PRE-VOCATIONAL SCHOOL.* THE DIRECTOR THANKED THE CMA FOR ALL THE DONATIONS AND ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO EDUCATION OVER THE YEARS.
ADDRESSING TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE CEREMONY, MR. TOPLEY SAID: +PROVE TO ME - AND TO YOURSELF - THAT WHEN FACED WITH ADVERSITY, YOU CAN BE TOUGH AND RESOLUTE AND THAT YOU CAN FACE UP TO DIFFICULTIES AND THAT YOU POSSESS FORTITUDE AND RELIABILITY.+
HE RECALLED THAT TWENTY-ODD YEARS AGO, EVERYONE WAS PREPARED TO BUCKLE DOWN, ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND GET ON WITH THE JOB.
+ THE RESULT,* HE SAID, +IS THE INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE SEE AROUND US TODAY. PEOPLE WHO LAID THIS FOUNDATION WORKED AT ALL LEVELS IN THE HIERARCHY AND CAME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. MANY ARE STILL IN HARNESS TODAY. THEY WERE TOUGH, THEY POSSESSED FORTITUDE, STRENGTH OF CHARACTER AND RELIABILITY. THEY DID NOT LAMENT THEIR BAD LUCK. THEY COULD EE RELIED UPON TO GET A JOB DONE DESPITE ALL DIFFICULTIES. HONG KONG OWES SUCH PEOPLE A GREAT DEAL.*
MR. TOPLEY CONGRATULATED ALL THE RECIPIENTS OF THE CMA SCHOLARSHIPS AND WISHED THEM THE BEST OF GOOD FORTUNE AND SUCCESS IN THEIR FUTURE STUDIES AND IN THEIR CAREERS.
IN CONCLUSION, HE SAID, +MAY YOU FACE ALL PROBLEMS SQUARELY AND MAY YOU GO OUT AND MOVE MOUNTAINS AND BUILD A WORLD BETTER THAN THAT WHICH YOU HAVE INHERITED.*
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1977
- 10 -
COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT CENTRE AT LAM TSUEN BECOMES
OPERATIONAL
* * * *
THE COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT CENTRE FOR UPPER LAM TSUEN VALLEY WILL BECOME FULLY OPERATIONAL TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO PROVIDE RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN THE AREA.
THE CENTRE WAS SET UP BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AFTER THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPROVED THE EXTENSION OF COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO UPPER LAM TSUEN VALLEY.
LOCATED AT BUILDINGS PROVIDED BY THE KADOORIE FARM AT PAK NGAU SHEK IN LAM KAM ROAD, THE CENTRE WILL PROVIDE LITTER COLLECTION SERVICES AND PROTECTION AGAINST HILL FIRES IN THE AREA.
IN ADDITION, IT WILL CARRY OUT LANDSCAPE REHABILITATION WORK AND WILL DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN THE NG TUNG CHAI WATERFALL AS A RECREATIONAL AREA.
THERE IS ALSO A FIRE LOOKOUT TOWER IN THE CENTRE WHICH COVERS BOTH THE LAM TSUEN VALLEY AND THE PAT HEUNG AREA.
LAM TSUEN VALLEY IS ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE WOODLANDS ON ITS SOUTHERN SLOPE ARE OF CONSIDERABLE BOTANICAL INTEREST AND PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE. IT HAS LONG BEEN A POPULAR VENUE FOR PICNICKERS AND BIRD WATCHERS.
AN ADDED ATTRACTION TO THE AREA IS THE KADOORIE EXPERIMENTAL FARM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN SITUATED BELOW KOON YAM SHAN. IT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN THE LAST 20 YEARS INTO A PLACE OF GREAT BOTANICAL INTEREST AND EDUCATIONAL VALUE, AS WELL AS OF GREAT BEAUTY.
THE FARM IS FINANCED ENTIRELY BY MR. HORACE KADOORIE, AND HIS BROTHER SIR LAWRENCE, PRIMARILY TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE FARMING COMMUNITY, AND IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
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