DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1977
CONTENT PAGE NO.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY TO ARRIVE TOMORROW ................................. 1
DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS TO VISIT PO LEUNG KUK SCHOOL .. 2
GOVERNMENT TO AUCTION 100 NEW FLATS IN SAI KUNG . 3
EDUCATION INSPECTOR RETIRES AFTER MORE THAN 26 YEARS SERVICE ................................... 3
PEOPLE URGED TO APPLY FOR RE-ENTRY PERMITS EARLY TO AVOID NEW YEAR RUSH ............................. 4
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW ............ 4
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUEN WAN ............... 5
RE-OPENING OF A SECTION OF WING LOK STREET ...... 5
WATER CUT IN SHAU KEI WAN AND YAU MA TEI ........ 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1977
1
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY TO ARRIVE TOMORROW *****
HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HONOURABLE ANGUS OGILVY
WILL ARRIVE AT 12.25 P.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO BEGIN AN EIGHTDAY VISIT TO HONG KONG.
AFTER THEIR ARRIVAL, THE ROYAL VISITORS WILL DRIVE TO FANLING LODGE.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON FEBRUARY 9.
FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS’S PROGRAMME DURING THE VISIT:
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2
12.25 P.M. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4 11.45 A.M. 2.30 P.M. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5 11.20 A.M. 7.00 P.M. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6 11.28 A.M. 7.40 P.M. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7 10.30 A.M. 3.10 P.M. 7.58 P.M. ARRIVE AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT VISIT POLICE CADET SCHOOL, FANLING VISIT LEK YUEN ESTATE, SHATIN VISIT OCEAN PARK, WONG CHUK HANG ATTEND FOLK FESTIVAL, TSZ WAN SHAN PLAYGROUND ATTEND SILVER JUBILEE THANKSGIVING SERVICE, ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL OPEN HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL, CITY HALL AND ATTEND OPENING CONCERT VISIT HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, HUNG HOM VISIT SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE ATTEND ARTS FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE BY BERLIN RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
TUESDAY, x'SBRLaHY 977
2 -
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
10.40 A.M.
10.57 A.M.
4.45 P.M.
7.58 P.M.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9
11.03 A.M.
9.45 P.M.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
VISIT NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE UNIT, HING WAH
ESTATE, CHAI WAN
VISIT JUNIOR POLICE CALL AT CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE
ATTEND COMMUNITY RECEPTION, CONVENTION CENTRE
ATTEND ARTS FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE BY
MR. EMLYN WILLIAMS
VISIT LIGHT INFANTRY, STANLEY FORT
DEPART FROM HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE ARRIVAL OF PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK FOR KAI TAK AT 11.15 A.M. SHARP.
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DHA TO VISIT PO LEUNG KUK NO. 4 PRIMARY SCHOOL *****
THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, WILL VISIT THE PO LEUNG KUK NO. 4 PRIMARY SCHOOL AT TSZ WAN SHAN TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MRS. MAXINE LI KWOK, CHAIRMAN OF PO LEUNG KUK- MR. J.A. MILLER, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN) AND DIRECTORS OF THE KUK.
SITUATED AT HAMMER HILL ROAD, THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDISED SCHOOL WAS BUILT IN 1971. THE SIX-STOREYED SCHOOL BUILDING HOUSES 24 CLASSROOMS, A LIBRARY, A MUSIC ROOM, A TEACHERS’ COMMON ROOM AND A FIRST AID ROOM.
ALTOGETHER THERE ARE 48 CLASSES, 24 IN EACH SESSION. THE PRESENT ENROLMENT IS ABOUT 2,000.
NOTE TO EDITORS :
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE VISIT WHICH WILL START AT 3 P.M.
i-SDAx, FZBx'.uiY '9?^
FLATS FOR SALE IN SAI KUNG
******
THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF PUBLIC AUCTIONS TO DISPOSE OF ABOUT 100 NEW FLATS IN SAI KUNG TOWN WILL BE HELD NEXT TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 8).
THE FLATS, EACH OF 692 SQUARE FEET, ARE IN A ROW OF MODERN SIX-STOREY BLOCKS WHICH WERE PRIMARILY BUILT TO REHOUSE LOCAL VILLAGERS AFFECTED BY THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR. J.D. JOHNSTON, SAID TODAY THAT THE MAJORITY OF FLATS IN THE BLOCKS WERE NOW OCCUPIED BY THE AFFECTED VILLAGERS.
♦BUT THERE IS A SURPLUS OF FLATS BECAUSE WE HAD TO BUILD EXTRA FLATS TO FINISH THE BLOCKS AND BECAUSE SOME VILLAGERS OPTED FOR CASH COMPENSATION,+ HE SAID.
MR. JOHNSTON SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD AUCTIONED FLATS ON SUCH A SCALE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
♦WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD WITH INTEREST TO THE OUTCOME OF THE SALE,* HE ADDED. +THE FLATS ARE VERY WELL-LOCATED OPPOSITE THE MARKETS IN SA I KUNG TOWN.
♦THERE IS ALSO SHOPPING ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF EACH OF THE BLOCKS.
♦DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME OF TUESDAY’S AUCTION, THE GOVERNMENT’S LONG RANGE PLAN IS TO DISPOSE OF THE REMAINDER OF THE FLATS.♦
THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, SAN PO KONG MAGISTRACY, 692 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON, AT 10.30 A.M.
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EDUCATION INSPECTOR RETIRES AFTER 26-1/2 YEARS SERVICE ******
MR. LEE YUK-WOR, AN INSPECTOR OF ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, WAS TODAY PRESENTED WITH A CAMERA AS A RETIREMENT GIFT BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR. ARTHUR BROWN, ON BEHALF OF HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.
MR. LEE IS GOING ON RETIREMENT AFTER 26-1/2 YEARS SERVICE.
SPEAKING AT A FAREWELL RECEPTION, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID MR. LEE HAD GIVEN VERY CONSCIENTIOUS AND SATISFACTORY SERVICE TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
MR. BROWN HOPED THAT MR. LEE WOULD FIND THE CAMERA USEFUL SINCE HE HAD ONE OF THE LARGEST COLLECTIONS OF COLOUR SLIDES OF HONG KONG’S FLORA.
MR. LEE HAS ALSO PRODUCED AN 8 MM COLOUR FILM ENTITLED ♦HONG KONG IN BLOSSOM+.
- ' ‘ ' c " • ‘ ‘ /- ................
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1977
TRAVELLERS TO CHINA OR MACAU DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR NEED TO APPLY FOR RE-ENTRY PERMITS EARLY ******
THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR. MARTIN ROWLANDS, TODAY ADVISED RESIDENTS INTENDING TO TRAVEL TO CHINA OR MACAU OVER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS TO APPLY NOW FOR THEIR HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS BEFORE THE RUSH STARTS.
HE URGED PEOPLE NOT TO WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE BECAUSE THEY WOULD FACE THE INEVITABLE DELAYS AND LONG QUEUES AT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT OFFICES.
A SINGLE JOURNEY RE-ENTRY PERMIT COSTING ONLY S3 IS VALID FOR ONE JOURNEY TO MACAU OR CHINA AND RETURN TO HONG KONG WITHIN SIX MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE. A MULTIPLE JOURNEY PERMIT COSTING $15 IS VALID FOR ANY NUMBER OF JOURNEYS WITHIN FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE.
♦THERE IS THEREFORE NO NEED FOR ANYONE TO WAIT UNTIL JUST BEFORE THE CHINESE NEW YEAR BEFORE APPLYING,* MR. ROWLANDS SAID.
RE-ENTRY PERMITS CAN BE OBTAINED NOW FROM ALL IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICES AND FROM THE MOBILE IMMIGRATION OFFICE WHICH CALLS DAILY AT REMOTE PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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LEGCO
MEETS TOMORROW
* * * *
UNOFFICIAL THE LEGISLATIVE
MEMBERS WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 14 QUESTIONS WHEN COUNCIL MEETS TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED WILL INCLUDE SUCH SUBJECTS AS CHILD EMPLOYMENT, STREET LIGHTING, TRANSIT CENTRE, CRIME AND FACTORY INSPECTIONS.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO BE ASKED WHETHER IT wOULD CONSIDER THE ENACTMENT OF NEW LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD REQUIRE PENSIONERS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES TO COLLECT THEIR PENSIONS PERSONALLY.
DEBATE WILL RESUME ON FOUR BILLS. THEY ARE THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION BILL 1977.
ALSO DURING THE MEETING, DR. THE HOM. S.Y. CHUNG ..ILL MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ANNUAL REPORT ..HICr. v, ILL BE TABLED WITH BALANCE SHEET AND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED JvLY 31, 1970.
/5......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1977. - 5 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUEN WAN * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 13.00 A.M. ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 4), ALL VEHICLES WOULD NOT Bt ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM SHA TSUI ROAD INTO TEXACO ROAD IN ORDER TO AVOID TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THAT JUNCTION
SIMULTANEOUSLY, TRAFFIC LIGHT SIGNALS WILL EE BROUGHT INTO OPcRATICN THERE.
OF KWU HANG
EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG SHA TSUI ROAD REQUIRING ACCESS TO THE SOUTHERN PART OF TSUEN WAN TOWN SHOULD MAKE USE ROAD INSTEAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS AND RCADMARKINGS WILL EE PROVIDED FOR GUIDANCE OF MOTORISTS.
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RE-OPENING OF A SECTION OF WING LOK STREET
*******
WING LOK STREET BETWEEN MORRISON STREET AND CLEVERLY STREET WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF CABLE LAYING WORKS BY THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LIMITED.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
o
/fc
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1977
WATER CUT K K * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAU KEI WAN AND YAU MA TEI AREAS WILL EE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 3) TO ALLOW THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.
IN SHAU KEI WAN, THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE THOSE FROM SUN SING STREET TO SHING ON STREET, INCLUDING SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND SAI WAN HO STREET.
IN YAU MA TEI, THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, PAK HOI STREET, CHI WO STREET AND JORDAN ROAD, INCLUDING NANKING STREET, CHEUNG LOK STREET, SAIGON STREET AND MAU LAM STREET.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HONOURABLE ANGUS OGILVY ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ................................................ 1
SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION BILL 1977 ................................................... 2
HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ANNUAL REPORT TABLED .................. 6
SOME 1,500 CONVICTIONS FOR EMPLOYING UNDERAGED CHILDREN 7 STATISTICAL COVERAGE OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SECTOR TO INCLUDE DEPOSIT TAKING FINANCE COMPANIES ALREADY
CONSIDERED .................................................. 7
MANNING REPORT ROOMS POLICE WORK ............................ 8
NEW WIDOW’S AND CHILDREN’S PENSION SCHEME ................... 8
EXPERT CARRYING OUT HONG KONG’S STREET LIGHTING NEEDS .. 9
PRESENT SYSTEM OF FACTORY INSPECTION EFFECTIVE ............. IC
INTRODUCTION OF COMPULSORY INSURANCE AGAINST EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY PREMATURE ........................................ 11
ADEQUATE HEALTH STAFF AT AIRPORT ........................... 12
FOUR BILLS PASSED .......................................... 12
AIR-CONDITIONED COACHES FOR TRAINS ......................... 13
FIRE FIGHTING EXERCISE IN LYEMUN ........................... 14
WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN ..................................... 14
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
ftbDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1977
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY HERE ON AN EIGHT-DAY VISIT ******
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY ARRIVED IN HONG KONG BY AIR THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON FOR AN EIGHT-DAY VISIT.
THE PRINCESS AND MR. OGILVY WERE WELCOMED AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE.
SIR MURRAY THEN PRESENTED TO THE PRINCESS HIS AIDE-DE-CAMP, MR. DENIS SHACKLETON- THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, LT. GENERAL SIR JOHN ARCHER AND LADY ARCHER- THE CHIEF JUSTICE, THE HON. SIR GEOFFREY BRIGGS- THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON. DENIS BRAY AND MRS. BRAY- THE HON. SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND LADY KAN- DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND MRS. CHUNG- THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR. BRIAN SLEVIN AND MRS. SLEVIN.
FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION, THE PRINCESS AND MR. OGILVY LEFT BY CAR FOR FANLING LODGE.
THERE WILL BE NO PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS FOR THE PRINCESS TODAY AND TOMORROW. ON FRIDAY, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL VISIT THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL IN FANLING AND THE LEK YUEN ESTATE IN SHA TIN.
THE PRINCESS WILL VISIT THE OCEAN PARK IN WONG CHUK HANG AND ATTEND THE FOLK FESTIVAL IN TSZ WAN SHAN ON SATURDAY.
ON SUNDAY, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL ATTEND THE SILVER JUBILEE THANKS GIVING SERVICE AT ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL AND OPEN THE ARTS FESTIVAL AT CITY HALL WHERE A GALAXY OF ARTISTS WELL ACCLAIMED IN THEIR OWN FIELD OF PERFORMING ART WILL GIVE PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THE MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL.
THE PRINCESS’S OTHER PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS WILL INCLUDE VISITS TO THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE ON MONDAY, AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE UNIT IN HING WAH ESTATE AND THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE ON TUESDAY.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL BE MEETING MANY LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AT THE COMMUNITY RECEPTION AT CONVENTION CENTRE ON TUESDAY EVENING.
DURING HER STAY HERE, THE PRINCESS WILL ALSO ATTEND ARTS FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES BY THE BERLIN RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND BY MR. EMLYN WILLIAMS.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL RETURN TO LONDON NEXT WEDNESDAY FOLLOWING A VISIT TO THE 1ST BATTALION, THE LIGHT INFANTRY AT STANLEY FORT.
THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME THE PRINCESS IS VISITING HONG KONG. THE PRINCESS WAS FIRST HERE ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT IN 1961. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY SHORT INFORMAL VISITS IN 1965 AND 1967. HER ROYAL HIGHNESS AND MR. OGILVY RETURNED IN 1972 TO OPEN A BRITISH INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION AND TO UNVEIL A PLAQUE TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
[This page is blank in the original document]
BUT HE QUESTIONED THE WISDOM OF AN ABSOLUTE EXCLUSION OF INDUSTRIES WHICH CAN OR DO OPERATE IN MULTI-STOREY INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
+THE FACT THE INGENUITY AND ENTERPRISE HAS ENABLED CERTAIN PROCESSES TO BE ADAPTED TO UNFAVOURABLE CONDITIONS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY SHOULD ALWAYS OPERATE UNDER SUCH HAND I CAPS,+MR. WU SAID.
+THERE ARE INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES WHICH COULD GREATLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY AS WELL AS THE EFFICIENCY OF PRODUCTION IF THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPERATE UNDER CONDITIONS THAT PERMITTED A BETTER PLANT LAY-OUT.
+IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT THE NET GAIN TO THE ECONOMY FROM SUCH AN UP-GRADING OF EXISTING LOCAL INDUSTRY WOULD IN MANY CASES BE AS GREAT AS THAT RESULTING FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF OVERSEAS INDUSTRIES WHICH HAVE NOT PROVED THEMSELVES AS ADAPTABLE.
+ IF A CASE CAN BE MADE FOR GREATLY IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY BY MOVING SUCH AN INDUSTRY INTO MORE SUITABLE PREMISES, THAT CASE DESERVES CONSIDERATION AND APPLICATIONS SHOULD NOT BE AUTOMATICALLY REJECTED.
+A CLARIFICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW ON THIS ASPECT OF SELECTION OF INDUSTRIES FOR SITES IN THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES WOULD BE WELCOME AT THIS TIME.*
BEFORE TAKING HIS SEAT, MR. WU ASKED WHETHER THE PUBLIC COULD BE INFORMED HOW LAND INTENSIVE IS DEFINED.
SPEAKING ON THE SAME BILL DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WAS A PRACTICAL WAY TO ACHIEVE A MORE BALANCED AND HEALTHIER STATE OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR LONG-TERM ECONOMIC GROWTH.
HE RECALLED THAT EARLIER, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WANTED TO ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION BUT WERE INFORMED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE MTR CORPORATION AND THEREFORE COULD NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTION RELATED TO THAT CORPORATION.
+THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS CONSIDER THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS VERY UNSATISFACTORY,+ HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ORGANISATIONS WHICH WERE MOSTLY OR WHOLLY OWNED BY GOVERNMENT, SUCH AS THE MTR CORPORATION AND THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION, MUST BE ANSWERABLE TO GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
♦THEY SHOULD THEREFORE BE SUBJECT TO OPEN QUESTIONS AND DEBATES IN THIS COUNCIL,* HE STRESSED.
+THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS BELIEVE THAT, WITH SECTION 32 AND 33 OF THE BILL, THE GOVERNOR, THENCE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF ANSWERING ANY QUESTION AND REPLYING TO ANY DEBATE IN THIS COUNCIL CONCERNING THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION.
+MY UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES AND I WOULD THEREFORE BE GRATEFUL IF GOVERNMENT COULD CONFIRM THIS UNDERSTANDING. IF, HOWEVER, OUR UNDERSTANDING IS NOT CORRECT, WE WOULD RESERVE OUR POSITION WITH A VIEW TO INTRODUCING AMENDMENTS AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE.*
/+ THE HON. HILTCN.....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 19??
4
THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY UNDER THE 1976 BILL HAD FOR SOME TIME BEEN RECEIVING MANY ENQUIRIES ABOUT SITES BOTH FROM OVERSEAS AND FROM LOCAL INDUSTRIAL SOURCES.
+THE VIABILITY OF THE PROJECT IS NO LONGER IN QUESTION, AND WE SHOULD NOW MOVE AHEAD WITH ALL SPEED TO HAVE A PERMANENT LEGAL STRUCTURE FOR THESE NEW INDUSTRIAL ESTATES,+ HE STRESSED.
HOWEVER, HE EMPHASISED, WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF INDUSTRIAL ZONES OR ESTATES ELSEWHERE, PROVISION WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE FOR DECENT HOUSING ACCOMMODATION FOR WORKERS ADJACENT TO THE ESTATES, AS WELL AS FOR ADEQUATE PROVISION OF RECREATION FACILITIES, EDUCATION AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE WORKERS.
+FOR THE SAKE OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE, WE ARE COMMITTED TO A PROGRAMME OF INDUSTRIALISATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, BUT IN CARRYING OUT SUCH PROGRAMME LET US PROVIDE THE BEST CONDITIONS FOR WORK AND LIVING TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN AFFORD, AND WITH DUE REGARD TO PRESERVING AS MUCH OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AS OUR PLANNERS CAN CREATIVELY DEVISE,* MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID.
ANOTHER UNOFFICIAL SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL WAS THE HON. JAMES WU.
HE SAID THAT EXORBITANT RENTS WERE CREATING DIFFICULTIES FOR MANY OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES.
+THIS SENTIMENT WAS FULLY MANIFESTED BY A MEETING ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION AND THE TOP OFFICIALS OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND IN THE SUBSEQUENT REPORTS BY THE PRESS,* HE STATED.
+THE GENERAL PLEA WAS FOR MUCH MORE LAND TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR GENERAL INDUSTRIAL USE TO BRING RENTS DOWN AND TO HELP HOUSE MORE MODERN, MASSIVE AND MORE PRODUCTIVE MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT SO THAT WE CAN MEET ON EQUAL FOOTING WITH OUR COMPETITORS.
+OTHERWISE, THE FUTURE OF OUR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, UPON WHICH HONG KONG’S FUTURE RELIES, WOULD BE LIMITED, AS ANY INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY BY LABOUR AND MANAGEMENT WOULD BE MORE THAN LIKELY OFF-SET BY HIGH LAND PRICES AND RENTS FUELED BY SPECULATION AND PLENTIFUL MONEY SUPPLY.*
MR. WU ADDED THAT FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF PRESENT INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, IT APPEARED FEASIBLE TO RECLAIM LAND FROM THE SEA AND ALLOCATE SAME FOR FULL DEVELOPMENT FOR GENERAL INDUSTRIAL USE TO EASE THE SITUATION.
REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY THE UNOFFICIALS, THE SECREATARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID THE VARIOUS RELEVANT POINTS RAISED IN THE DEBATE WOULD BE PUT TO THE CORPORATION AND MEANWHILE THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY.
/+ IN REGARD .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1977
- 5 -
IN REGARD TO TWO SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FROM MR. ALEX WU, HE SAID THE ANSWERS MUST LIE IN THE REASON WHY THE GOVERNMENT EMBARKED ON A POLICY OF DEVELOPING INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IN THE FIRST PLACE.
+AS I REMINDED MEMBERS IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THIS BILL THE PURPOSE OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IS TO BROADEN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL BASE BY CATERING TO THOSE INDUSTRIES WHICH CANNOT OPERATE IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS,+ HE POINTED OUT.
+SO THE SPECIFIC ANSWER TO THE FIRST QUESTION IS THAT TO BE CONSIDERED SERIOUSLY APPLICATION FROM FIRMS ALREADY ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THIS PURPOSE, AND TO THE SECOND QUESTION THE ANSWER IS THAT LAND INTENSIVE IS NOT REALLY THE POINT. IT IS THE INABILITY TO OPERATE IN A MULTI-STOREY BUILDING.+
IN REPLY TO A NUMBER OF POINTS RAISED BY DR. CHUNG, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE CONCERN OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR RIGHT TO ASK QUESTIONS RELATING TO SOME STATUTORY CORPORATIONS.
SOME SUCH QUESTIONS, HE POINTED OUT, MIGHT BE ASKED AS THE COUNCIL’S STANDING ORDERS STAND, BUT THERE WAS ROOM FOR DIFFERENCE OF OPINION IN PARTICULAR CASES.
+THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS IT APPROPRIATE TO INTRODUCE A FURTHER PROVISION INTO STANDING ORDERS DEALING SPECIFICALLY WITH QUESTION ABOUT CERTAIN STATUTORY CORPORATIONS, WHICH WILL, WE HOPE, MEET UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS’ WISHES AND REMOVE AREAS OF DOUBT,+ HE REVEALED.
+THE GENERAL INTENTION IS THAT QUESTIONS MAY BE ASKED IN RELATION TO ANY STATUTORY CORPORATION TO WHICH THE GOVERNOR HAS POWER TO GIVE DIRECTIONS AND POSSIBLY SOME OTHERS.THAT DESCRIBES THE CLASS OF CORPORATION.
+l NOW TURN TO THE CLASS OF QUESTION WHICH IT IS SUGGESTED MAY BE ASKED. THESE COULD RELATE TO THE EXERCISE OR NON-EXERCISE OF THE PARTICULAR POWER TO GIVE DIRECTIONS AND TO ANY MATTER OF GENERAL POLICY OF OR RELATING TO THE CORPORATION.+
HOWEVER, MR. HOBLEY STRESSED, THE GOVERNMENT’S STICKING POINT, AND ON THIS IT MUST STAND FIRM, WAS THAT IT COULD NOT ACCEPT A RESPONSIBILITY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS WHICH CONCERNED THE DAY-TO-DAY AFFAIRS OR ADMINISTRATION OF A STATUTORY CORPORATION.
HE REITERATED THAT SUCH CORPORATIONS WERE ESTABLISHED BY THIS COUNCIL AS ESSENTIALLY AUTONOMOUS BODIES.
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/6
WEDNESDAY, FEBHVABY 2, 1977 '
- 6 -
OVER 76 PER CENT OF POLYTECHNIC GRADUATES FIND JOBS ANOTHER 18 PER CENT CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES ******
OUT OF 989 STUDENTS WHO GRADUATED FROM THE POLYTECHNIC LAST JULY ONLY 44 OR 4.5 PER CENT WERE STILL LOOKING FOR WORK IN NOVEMBER AND ONLY EIGHT OR 0.8 PER CENT CANNOT BE TRACED, DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG TOLD LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
IN TABLING THE POLYTECHNIC’S FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1976, HE SAID : +758 GRADUATES, OR 76.6 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL OUTPUT WERE PLACED IN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYMENT WITH THE GREAT MAJORITY IN THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS.
+THE REMAINDER, THAT IS 179 GRADUATES OR 18.1 PER CENT OF THE OUTPUT, MOVED ON TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES, EITHER IN THE POLYTECHNIC OR ELSEWHERE.+
DR. CHUNG, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE POLYTECHNIC, ALSO SPOKE OF ANOTHER YEAR OF RAPID GROWTH IN STUDENT POPULATION.
COMPARED WITH 1972-73 WHEN THE POLYTECHNIC WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED, THE NUMBER OF FULL-TIME STUDENTS HAD INCREASED BY 153 PER CENT (FROM 1,583 TO 3,998), PART-TIME DAY RELEASE STUDENTS BY 81 PER CENT (FROM 1,025 TO 1,854) AND PART-TIME EVENING STUDENTS BY 44 PER CENT (FROM 9,819 TO 14,117).
IN ADDITION THERE WERE 3,541 STUDENTS IN VARIOUS SPECIAL SHORT COURSES THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR.
+THE POLYTECHNIC LAST YEAR, THEREFORE, PROVIDED PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL-ORIENTED TERTIARY EDUCATION FOR A TOTAL OF 23,510 STUDENTS WHICH IS INDEED A VERY SIGNIFICANT FIGURE IN HONG KONG’S CONTEXT,* HE SAID.
DR. CHUNG REFERRED TO THE FIRST PHASE OF THE NEW BUILDING COMPLEX.
+WITHOUT THIS ADDITION TO ITS CAMPUS, THE POLYTECHNIC WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO INCREASE ITS STUDENT POPULATION OR EVEN SUSTAIN THAT OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR,* HE SAID.
DR. CHUNG CONTINUED THAT WORK WAS NOW IN PROGRESS ON THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROGRAMME, WHICH WOULD BE LARGELY DEVOTED TO MUCH-NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS IN STUDENT AMENITIES, INCLUDING A SWIMMING-POOL FUNDED BY AN ANONYMOUS PRIVATE DONATION.
IT WAS THE EARNEST HOPE OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND HIMSELF THAT MORE PRIVATE DONATIONS WOULD BE FORTHCOMING TO DEVELOP THE POLYTECHNIC +WHICH IS PLAYING AND WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND WELFARE OF HONG KONG+.
HE SAID HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA HAD GRACIOUSLY CONSENTED TO OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE POLYTECHNIC’S NEW LIBRARY. +THE POLYTECHNIC IS DEEPLY HONOURED BY THIS RECOGNITION OF ITS GROWING IMPORTANCE IN HONG KONG’S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.*
------0------- /7.....................
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1977
7
CHILD LABOUR * * *
IN THE FIVE YEARS FROM 1972 TO 1976 PROSECUTIONS BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT RESULTED IN 1,476 CONVICTIONS FOR EMPLOYING CHILDREN BELOW THE LEGALLY PERMITTED AGE OF 14 IN AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. IAN PRICE, IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
AS THE DEFINITION OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING DID NOT INCLUDE RESTAURANTS, MR. PRICE SAID, NONE OF THESE CONVICTIONS RELATED TO EMPLOYMENT IN RESTAURANTS LICENSED TO SELL LIQUOR.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED, +THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (LIQUOR) REGULATION 29, WHICH IS ENFORCED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, STATES AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT NO LICENSEE SHALL EMPLOY OR PERMIT THE EMPLOYMENT OF ANY PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 14 AT ANY TIME.+
THE COMMISSIONER SAID THAT HE WAS INFORMED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE THAT DETAILS OF OFFENCES UNDER THIS REGULATION WERE RECORDED AS INDIVIDUAL CONVICTIONS AND BECAUSE CRIMINAL RECORDS WERE NOT YET COMPUTERISED, IT WOULD TAKE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME AND EFFORT TO COLLATE THE INFORMATION SOUGHT.
HE ADDED THAT GIVEN ADEQUATE TIME, SUCH FACTS COULD BE OBTAINED.
------o ------
STATISTICS GIVING TRUE
PICTURE OF HK FINANCIAL SCENE * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY GIVEN PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATION TO THE QUESTION OF STATISTICAL COVERAGE OF HONG KONG’S DEVELOPING FINANCIAL SECTOR, BOTH GENERALLY AND WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO DEPOSIT TAKING FINANCE COMPANIES.
THIS WAS STATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. Q.W. LEE.
MR. LEE’S QUESTION WAS THAT SINCE THE PUBLISHED STATISTICS OF DEPOSITS, LOANS AND OTHER DATA RELATING TO THE BANKING SECTOR DID NOT REVEAL THE TRUE PICTURE OF THE FINANCIAL SCENE OF HONG KONG SHORT OF SIMILAR DATA OF DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANIES, WOULD GOVERNMENT CONSIDER COLLECTING ALSO SUCH STATISTICS PERTAINING TO DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANIES AND DISSEMINATING THE SAME FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION SO AS TO BRIDGE A MISSING LINK IN FINANCIAL INDICATORS.
MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID: +IN FACT, I HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED TO THE DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT THEY WILL BE ASKED TO CONSIDER SHORTLY A PAPER ON JUST WHAT STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THEIR BUSINESS MIGHT BE, WITH ADVANTAGE, COLLECTED.
+THE FORM IN WHICH THESE STATISTICS MIGHT BE PUBLISHED WILL NEED TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN THE PAPER ON WHAT SHOULD EE COLLECTED IS DISCUSSED.+
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1977
MANNING REPORT ROOMS POLICE WORK X X X X X
MANNING THE REPORT ROOM IS AN ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF BASIC POLICE WORK BEST UNDERTAKEN BY A POLICE OFFICER, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. WONG LAM ON WHETHER GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER TRANSFERRING THE WORK DONE BY POLICEMEN IN REPORTING ROOMS TO CIVILIANS SO THAT THEY CAN BE RELEASED FOR PATROLLING AND OTHER MORE ACTIVE DUTIES.
MR. DAVIES SAID THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE HAD CONCLUDED THAT CURRENT MANNING ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN ARRIVED AT AFTER A CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF WORKLOADS, TYPES OF DUTY, ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY, AND THAT THE PROPOSAL TO TRANSFER THE WORK TO CIVILIANS SHOULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED.
THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT DUTIES PERFORMED BY REPORT ROOM STAFF REQUIRED POLICE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE TO ENSURE THAT REPORTS AND REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE WERE PROPERLY ASSESSED AND CORRECTLY AND EFFECTIVELY PROCESSED.
REPORT ROOM STAFF WERE ALSO RESPONSIBLE, MR. DAVIES ADDED, FOR ALL INITIAL PROCESSING OF SUSPECTS, INCLUDING PHYSICAL SEARCHING WHERE NECESSARY, AND FOR THEIR SAFE CUSTODY.
+THESE TASKS COULD NOT BE APPROPRIATELY PERFORMED BY CIVILIAN STAFF,+ HE SAID.
MR. DAVIES SAID THAT THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED TO HAVE EXPERIENCED AND WELL-EDUCATED POLICE OFFICERS IN ALL PLACES WHERE POLICE ARE IN CONTACT WITH THE PUBLIC, SUCH AS BEAT PATROLS AND REPORT ROOMS.
BUT HE ADDED THAT THE COMMISSIONER DID NOT CONSIDER IT WOULD BE ADVISABLE TO STRENGTHEN THE ONE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OTHER.
- 0 -
NEW WIDOWS’ AND CHILDREN’S PENSION SCHEME H X H X H X
THE GOVERNMENT IS DRAWING UP A NEW WIDOWS’ AND CHILDREN’S PENSION SCHEME WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON. ALAN SCOTT, SAID TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. MISS KO SIU-WAH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THE DRAFTING OF THE BILL WAS WELL ADVANCED.
' +ADDITIONAL MATTERS INTRODUCED INTO OUR CONSIDERATIONS BY THE MINISTRY LATE LAST YEAR HAVE HAD TO BE CONSIDERED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS,* MR. SCOTT SAID.
HE HOPED THAT THE BILL WOULD SOON BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE
COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1977
9
STREET LIGHTING M * M *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS ENGAGED A LIGHTING EXPERT TO MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF STREET LIGHTING STANDARDS IN HONG KONG, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD SAID TODAY.
HE SAID THE EXPERT WOULD SUBMIT DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TOGETHER WITH PROPOSALS FOR THEIR IMPLEMENTATION.
MR. MCDONALD WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM MR. ALEX WU WHO WANTED TO KNOW WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE THAT THE INTENSITY OF THE LUMINOSITY AT CERTAIN FERRY CONCOURSES AND TUNNELS AND PUBLIC AREAS IN SOME HOUSING ESTATES WAS LESS THAN OTHERS.
MR. MCDONALD SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THIS AND HAD ALREADY ENGAGED AN EXPERT TO REVIEW CURRENT STANDARDS WITH A VIEW TC MAKING IMPROVEMENTS.
HE SAID THE ADEQUACY OF STREET LIGHTING WAS DETERMINED BY ITS ABILITY TO SAVE AFTER-DARK ROAD ACCIDENTS, PREVENT CRIME AND PROVIDE FOR PEDESTRIAN AND AMENITY NEEDS.
+AREAS WITH PARTICULARLY HEAVY TRAFFIC FLOWS OR WITH A HIGH INCIDENCE OF CRIME REQUIRE BETTER STANDARDS OF LIGHTING AND SUCH AREAS ARE GIVEN THE HIGHEST PRIORITY IN IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES,* HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION BY THE HON. ALEX WU, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON. DENIS BRAY SAID THE ANNUAL STREET LIGHTING PROGRAMME WAS DRAWN UP AFTER CONSULTATIONS WITH KAIFONG AND LOCAL CIVIC LEADERS IN THE DISTRICTS.
+THESE CONSULTATIONS ARE CARRIED OUT BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS AND OFFICERS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WHO WILL INCLUDE IN THEIR SUBMISSIONS SUGGESTIONS BY LOCAL PEOPLE TO PROVIDE NEW OR IMPROVED STREET LIGHTING AT SPECIFIC LOCATIONS IN THE DISTRICT,* HE SAID.
THESE SUBMISSIONS ARE THEN EXAMINED BY A COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, WHO WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+THIS COMMITTEE IS WELL AWARE OF THE EFFECT WHICH GOOD STREET LIGHTING HAS IN HELPING TO REDUCE INCIDENTS OF MUGGING AND ROBBERY AND PRIORITY IS GIVEN TO CRIME BLACK SPOTS AND AREAS OF HEAVY PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WHEN DRAWING UP THE PROGRAMME,* MR. BRAY ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1977
10
PRESENT SYSTEM OF FACTORY INSPECTION EFFECTIVE
**• ***
THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR, THE HON. IAN PRICE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT HE CONSIDERED THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF FACTORY INSPECTION EFFECTIVE.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT HE WAS ALWAYS SEEKING MEANS OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF INSPECTION THROUGH RE-TRAINING OF INSPECTORS AND A CAREFUL WATCHING OF THEIR WORKLOAD.
MR. PRICE WAS REPLYING TO THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING WHO HAD ASKED THE INTERVALS AT WHICH FACTORIES ARE INSPECTED AND WHETHER THERE ARE SUFFICIENT FACTORY INSPECTORS AVAILABLE TO ENSURE THAT INSPECTIONS ARE CARRIED OUT EFFICIENTLY.
THE COMMISSIONER SA IDs +UNDER A NEW SYSTEM OF INSPECTION RECOMMENDED BY THE ORGANISATION AND METHODS UNIT OF THE MANAGEMENT SERVICES OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, FACTORIES ARE INSPECTED BETWEEN ONCE AND FOUR TIMES A YEAR. ON AVERAGE EACH FACTORY IS VISITED TWICE A YEAR.+
HE RECALLED THAT IN A RECENT REPORT THE LABOUR ADVISER (FACTORIES), WHO WAS SECONDED FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM FACTORY INSPECTORATE, CONSIDERED THAT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE GRADE, WHEN UP TO ITS FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF 119, WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE A SOUND INSPECTION SERVICE.
+AT PRESENT THE GRADE IS 18 UNDER STRENGTH BUT A RECRUITMENT EXERCISE IS ALREADY UNDERWAY,+ MR. PRICE SAID.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID HE HAD TAKEN STEPS TO IMPLEMENT A RECOMMENDATION BY THE LABOUR ADVISER THAT NEW RECRUITS TO THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST THREE YEARS’ INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE.
BUT HE ADDED THAT EFFECTIVENESS OF AN INSPECTION ALSO DEPENDED ON THE RECEPTIVENESS OF MANAGEMENT TO ADVICE GIVEN.
o
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1977
11
INTRODUCTION OF COMPULSORY INSURANCE AGAINST EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY PREMATURE ******
THE GOVERNMENT STILL THINKS IT IS PREMATURE TO INTRODUCE COMPULSORY INSURANCE AGAINST EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. IAN PRICE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. PETER C. WONG.
MR. PRICE RECALLED THAT IN OCTOBER 1969 WHEN THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1969 WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT THERE WAS NO NECESSITY TO IMPOSE COMPULSORY INSURANCE GENERALLY OR FOR ANY PARTICULAR EMPLOYMENT AT THAT TIME.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, PART IV OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN BROUGHT INTO FORCE, WAS INCLUDED TO ENABLE COMPULSORY INSURANCE TO BE INTRODUCED IN RESPECT OF PARTICULAR EMPLOYMENTS TO BE PRESCRIBED UNDER SECTION 38, AS AND WHEN THIS BECAME NECESSARY.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID s + IN SEPTEMBER 1974 THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, AFTER CONSIDERING CERTAIN PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS PREMATURE TO INTRODUCE COMPULSORY INSURANCE.*
MR. PRICE SAID HE KEPT THE MATTER UNDER REVIEW AND HE REMAINED OF THE OPINION THAT THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO NECESSITY TO IMPOSE COMPULSORY INSURANCE EXCEPT FOR CERTAIN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYMENTS.
+FOR INSTANCE, IF THE PROPOSED SILICOSIS AND ASBESTOSIS
SCHEME IS ADOPTED IN THE FORM NOW BEING PURSUED, PART IV OF THE ORDINANCE WOULD HAVE TO BE BROUGHT INTO FORCE IN RESPECT OF THE RELEVANT EMPLOYMENTS IN DUSTY TRADES,* HE ADDED.
----0------
/12......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1977
12
ADEQUATE HEALTH STAFF AT AIRPORT
******
SOME HEALTH STAFF, WHO PREVIOUSLY CHECKED DOCUMENTS AT THE RECEPTION DESK AT THE AIRPORT, HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN AS THr NUMBER OF HEALTH DOCUMENTS REQUIRING TO BE CHECKED IS MINIMAL, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DR. THE HON. K.L. THONG, SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE POINTED OUT THAT NOT ALL PORT HEALTH STAFF WERE WITHDRAWN.
DR. THONG EMPHASISED THAT AN ADEQUATE STAFF OF DOCTORS, NURSES AND HEALTH INSPECTORS HAD BEEN RETAINED AT THE AIRPORT TO CARRY OUT HONG KONG’S HEALTH RESPONSIBILITIES AND TO DEAL WITH SICK EMERGENCIES ARRIVING ON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS AT THE AIRPORT ON A 24-HOUR BASIS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THERE WERE ONLY FOUR DISEASES SUBJECT TO THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS, NAMELY SMALLPOX, PLAGUE, CHOLERA AND YELLOW FEVER.
ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION, HE WENT ON, HONG KONG NOW REQUIRED VALID CERTIFICATES OF INOCULATION AGAINST SMALLPOX ONLY FROM TRAVELLERS WHO HAD BEEN IN AN AFFECTED AREA WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 14 DAYS AND SOMALIA WAS THE ONLY REMAINING INFECTED AREA IN THE WORLD TODAY.
DR. THONG ADDED THAT NO INOCULATION CERTIFICATES WERE REQUIRED FOR PLAGUE, CHOLERA OR YELLOW FEVER.
+THE NUMBER OF HEALTH DOCUMENTS THEREFORE NOW REQUIRING TO BE CHECKED IS MINIMAL, MAINLY BEING THE COMPLETED DECLARATION OF HEALTH SUPPLIED BY EVERY AIRCRAFT ON LANDING,+ HE SAID.
+IMMIGRATION OFFICERS CHECKING PASSPORTS WILL ALERT PORT HEALTH OFFICERS AT THE AIRPORT IN REGARD TO TRAVELLERS FROM SMALLPOX INFECTED AREAS AND IT HAS BEEN THEREFORE POSSIBLE TO WITHDRAW SOME HEALTH STAFF WHO PREVIOUSLY CHECKED DOCUMENTS AT RECEPTION DESK,+ HE ADDED.
- - c,
BILLS PASSED * * * *
FOUR BILLS PASSED THEIR COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THEY WERE THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977= THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977- THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND THE GAMBLING BILL 1977.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, '977
- 13 -
AIR-CONDITIONED COACHES FOR TRAINS
******
A NUMBER OF TRAINS TRAVELLING BETWEEN KOWLOON AND LO WU WILL HAVE AN AIR-CONDITIONED FIRST CLASS COACH FROM MONDAY (FEBRUARY 7).
AND PASSENGERS WISHING TO TRAVEL IN EXTRA COMFORT WILL BE CHARGED AN ADDITIONAL 31 ABOVE THE NORMAL FIRST CLASS FARE — IRRESPECTIVE OF THE DISTANCE OF THE JOURNEY.
THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY, MR. REGINALD GREGORY, SAID THE AIR-CONDITIONED CARRIAGES WOULD BE ATTACHED TO EIGHT TRAINS -- FOUR FROM KOWLOON TO LO WU AND FOUR FROM LO WU TO KOWLOON -- ON WEEKDAYS AND HOLIDAYS.
THE CARRIAGES WOULD ALSO BE HEATED IN COOL WEATHER, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A SUPPLEMENTARY TICKET WOULD BE REQUIRED AND THIS COULD BE OBTAINED AT KCR’S BOOKING OFFICES.
ALTERNATIVELY, HE CONTINUED, PASSENGERS WOULD BE ABLE TO PAY SUPPLEMENTARY FARES ON ENTERING THE COACHES.
HOWEVER, THE SUPPLEMENTARY TICKET MUST BE SHOWN ON ENTERING THE CARRIAGE AND SURRENDERED ON LEAVING IT.
ALSO HE CONTINUED, PASSENGERS TRAVELLING IN THESE COACHES MUST PRODUCE THE SUPPLEMENTARY AND THE NORMAL FARE TICKETS WHEN DEMANDED BY CARRIAGE ATTENDANTS DURING INSPECTIONS.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TIMETABLE FOR THE AIR-CONDITIONED
SERVICE :
WEEKDAYS : FROM KOWLOON FROM LO WU
TRAIN NO. 6 (7.27 A.M.) TRAIN NO. 13 (3.57 A.M.) 18 (11.10 A.M.) 23 (12.38 P.M.)
26 (3.05 P.M.) 31 (4.33 P.M.)
36 (6.43 P.M.) 41 (9.12 P.M.)
SUNDAYS AND
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS :
TRAIN NO. 2 (6.30 A.M.) TRAIN NO. 5 (7.53 A.M.) 12 (10.23 A.M.) 17 (12 NOON)
24 (2.45 P.M.) , 29 (4.28 P.M.)
36 (7.24 P.M.) 39 (8.47 P.M.)
----0---- /14....
WEDNESDAY, 1EBHUAHY 2, 1977
- 14 -
FIRE FIGHTING EXERCISE IN LYEMUN
******
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT A FULL-SCALE FIRE FIGHTING EXERCISE IN THE SQUATTER AREA ALONG THE SEA-FRONT OF SHUNG SHUN STREET IN SAM KAR CHUEN, LYEMUN, ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 4).
THERE ARE ABOUT 240 WOODEN HUTS, MOST OF WHICH ARE POSITIONED ABOVE THE WATER AND ARE SUPPORTED BY FIR POLES OR HARDWOOD PILES.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THESE STRUCTURES WERE SERIOUS FIRE RISKS.
THE MOCK FIRE-FIGHTING OPERATION, CODE NAMED +EXERCISE LYEMUN+, IS AIMED AT EDUCATING THE RESIDENTS ON THE DANGER OF FIRE OUTBREAKS DURING THE DRY WINTER MONTHS AS WELL AS ENABLING FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL TO BkFAMILIAR WITH FIGHTING FIRES ON SQUATTER HUTS PARTLY BUILT OVER WATER.
NINE APPLIANCES, INCLUDING TWO AMBULANCES AND A MOBILE COMMAND UNIT, FROM YAU TONG, KWUN TONG AND TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATIONS WILL TAKE PART IN THE EXERCISE. IN ADDITION, A FIREBOAT WILL ALSO BE PRESENT IN THE EXERCISE.
FIRE PREVENTION PAMPHLETS AND POSTERS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE PRESS, TELEVISION AND RADIO REPRESENTATIVES ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE EXERCISE WHICH WILL START AT 10.30 A.M. ON FRIDAY. THE SITE IS SITUATED NEXT TO THE YAU MA TEI FERRY PIER AT SAM KAR CHUEN.
------0-------
WATER CUT
* * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 4) TO ALLOW THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
PREMISES TO EE AFFECTED ARE THOSE IN TAI WO HAU ROAD AND BLOCK NOS. 27 TO 42 OF KWAI CHUNG ESTATE.
0
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FIRST CONTRACT FOR SHATIN’S SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT SIGNED 1
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA BEGINS HER OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS TOMORROW ................................................... 2
1976 WAS FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR WITH ABOVE AVERAGE RAINFALL ................................................... 3
NO BOOKINGS FOR TRAIN SEATS FOR FOUR DAYS FROM FEBRUARY 14 ......................................................... 4
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT SOUTH LANTAU .............. 5
SALISBURY ROAD CLOSED TEMPORARILY .......................... 5
WATER CUT IN NORTH POINT................................... 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1977
1
PERMANENT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AT SHA TIN FIRST CONTRACT SIGNED * * * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY AWARDED THE FIRST CONTRACT FOR THE NEW $175 MILLION PERMANENT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AT SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE CONTRACT, WORTH ABOUT $3.7 MILLION, IS FOR THE SUPPLY OF FINE BUBBLE AERATION EQUIPMENT AND HAS BEEN AWARDED TO THE BRITISH FIRM HAWKER SIDDLEY WATER ENGINEERING LTD., WHOSE LOCAL AGENT IS HUTCHISON-BOAG ENGINEERING LTD.
THE CONTRACT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS THIS MORNING BETWEEN MR. C. CAPE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HAWKER SIDDLEY, AND MR. WONG KWOK-CHOY, CHIEF P.W.D. ENGINEER OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE’S CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION, ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
MR. WONG SAID THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST OF 16 ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CONTRACTS FOR WHICH TENDERS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.
+IT IS EXPECTED THE NEXT TWO CONTRACTS WILL BE SIGNED IN ABOUT A MONTH,+ HE SAID.
+TENDERS FOR THE HUGE CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BE INVITED BY THE END OF FEBRUARY.+
THE NEW PLANT WILL BE BUILT JUST NORTH OF THE NEW RACECOURSE AT SHA TIN NEW TOWN ON 17 HECTARES OF RECLAIMED LAND.
WORK ON THE FIRST STAGE OF THE NEW PLANT WILL BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR.
THE STAGE ONE CONSTRUCTION WHICH IS BEING PARTLY FINANCED BY A $95 MILLION LOAN FROM THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, WILL INVOLVE SETTLING AND AERATION TANKS AND AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.
MR. WONG SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT WOULD BE DELIVERED FOR INSTALLATION TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
MR. WONG SAID THAT WHEN FULLY DEVELOPED, THE PLANT WOULD SERVE THE NEW TOWN’S ENTIRE POPULATION OF SOME 500,000.
THE PLANT’S CONSTRUCTION TIMETABLE HAS BEEN GEARED TO KEEP PACE WITH THE VARIOUS STAGES OF THE NEW TOWN’S DEVELOPMENT, AND IN FACT IT WOULD BE RACING AHEAD OF INITIAL POPULATION INCREASE, HE SAID.
BY THE TIME IT’S COMMISSIONED IN 1980, THE POPULATION OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN SHOULD BE STANDING AT AROUND 150,000 WHILE THE SEWAGE WORKS WOULD BE CAPABLE OF SERVING SOME 230,000 PEOPLE, HE SAID.
/THL THSATMEUT ...
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1977
2
THE TREATMENT WORKS WOULD BE ABLE TO TREAT MORE THAN 102,000 CUBIC METRES OF RAW SEWAGE PER DAY, SAID MR. WONG.
+THE MAXIMUM SEWAGE FLOW TO THE PLANT FOR FULL TREATMENT WILL BE 3.6 CUBIC METRES PER SECOND — A TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN TREATMENT CAPACITY OVER OUR EXISTING PLANTS.+
THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PERMANENT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY WATSON (H.K.) CHARTERED CIVIL ENGINEERS, CONSULTING ENGINEERS TO THE GOVERNMENT, UNDER THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE P.W.D. S
CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE.
-----o------
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO BEGIN BUSY PROGRAMME TOMORROW ******
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S PROGRAMME FOR TOMORROW (FRIDAY):
11.45 A.M. VISIT POLICE CADET SCHOOL, FANLING (TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK AT 9.45 A.M. SHARP)
2.30 P.M. VISIT LEK YUEN ESTATE, SHA TIN (TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK AT 1.15 P.M. SHARP) PHOTOGRAPHS AND T.V. FOOTAGE TAKEN INSIDE THE KINDERGARTEN, THE SUPERMARKET AND THE MARKET AT LEK YUEN ESTATE WILL BE PROVIDED BY GIS.
AS EXPLAINED DURING THE PRESS BRIEFING ON THE ROYAL VISIT, PRESS REPRESENTATIVES COVERING HRH’S VISIT TO THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COVER THE VISIT TO LEK YUEN ESTATE.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1977
3
1976 - FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR WITH ABOVE AVERAGE RAINFALL ******
1976 WAS THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR WITH ABOVE AVERAGE RAINFALL ALTHOUGH EXCEPTIONALLY DRY CONDITIONS PREVAILED DURING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS.
THE TOTAL RAINFALL FOR THE YEAR AMOUNTED TO 2,197.2 MM, OF WHICH NEARLY 75 PER CENT WAS RECORDED IN JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST. MOST OF THE MONTHS WERE WARMER AND LESS HUMID THAN USUAL.
TWENTY-SEVEN TROPICAL CYCLONES WERE REPORTED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING THE YEAR, AND TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS WERE DISPLAYED ON FIVE OCCASIONS IN HONG KONG.
THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR WERE WARM, SUNNY AND DRY. WIDESPREAD FOG WAS REPORTED OVER HONG KONG WATERS AND ALONG THE SOUTH CHINA COAST BETWEEN FEBRUARY 14 AND 18, AND AS A RESULT, ONE SHIP WENT AGROUND AT LEI YUE MUN CHANNEL AND FOUR OTHERS WERE INVOLVED IN COLLISIONS.
CLOUDY CONDITIONS DOMINATED THE FOLLOWING THREE MONTHS WITH WIDESPREAD FOG ON MANY DAYS IN MARCH AND APRIL. UNUSUALLY HIGH TEMPERATURES WERE RECORDED DURING THE LATTER PART OF MAY DUE TO THE APPROACH OF TYPHOON OLGA. IN THE AFTERNOON OF MAY 26, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY RECORDED A MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 35.2 DEGREES CELSIUS WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST IN THE YEAR AND THE SECOND HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR ANY MAY.
JUNE WAS MUCH WETTER THAN THE PREVIOUS FIVE MONTHS WITH RAINFALL ABOUT SIX PER CENT ABOVE AVERAGE. DURING THE MONTH, THE WEATHER WAS MAINLY CLOUDY WITH OCCASIONAL HEAVY SHOWERS AND SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS.
THE WEATHER IN JULY WAS QUITE SEASONABLE ALTHOUGH RAINFALL WAS ABOUT 15 PER CENT ABOVE AVERAGE. SEVERE TROPICAL STORM VIOLET WHICH AFFECTED HONG KONG BROUGHT WITH IT FREQUENT HEAVY SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
AUGUST WAS GENERALLY WARM AND SUNNY APART FROM THE EXCESSIVE RAIN CAUSED BY TROPICAL STORM ELLEN. WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND DISASTROUS LANDSLIPS OCCURRED IN MANY PLACES IN THE WAKE OF THIS TROPICAL STORM. EIGHTEEN PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN ONE LANDSLIP AT SAU MAU PING WHILE ANOTHER TWELVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN OTHER INCIDENTS. THE TOTAL RAINFALL FOR THE MONTH WAS 765.3 MM WHICH WAS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE AVERAGE FIGURE AND RANKED AS THE THIRD HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR ANY AUGUST. THE 24-HOUR RAINFALL OF 416.2 MM RECORDED BETWEEN 11 A.M. ON AUGUST 24 AND 11 A.M. ON AUGUST 25 WAS THE HIGHEST IN ANY AUGUST AND THE THIRD HIGHEST IN ANY MONTH. THE TWO-DAY TOTAL OF 511.6 MM RECORDED ON AUGUST 24 AND 25 CREATED A NEW TWO-DAY RECORD FOR AUGUST AND HAS ONLY BEEN EXCEEDED ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASIONS IN OTHER MONTHS.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY J, 1977
4
SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER WERE ABNORMALLY CLOUDY BUT WITH BELOW AVERAGE RAINFALL. DURING THE SECOND HALF OF SEPTEMBER STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS HOISTED ON THREE OCCASIONS FOR A TOTAL DURATION OF 148 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST MONTHLY FIGURE SINCE 1956 WHEN THIS SIGNAL WAS FIRST INTRODUCED.
NOVEMBER WAS EXCEPTIONALLY COLD AND DRY AND ITS MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 19.1 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS THE LOWEST MEAN TEMPERATURE ON RECORD. THE TOTAL RAINFALL IN THE MONTH WAS ONLY TWO PER CENT OF THE AVERAGE AND FIRE DANGER WARNINGS WERE IN FORCE ALMOST EVERY DAY.
IN DECEMBER, HONG KONG EXPERIENCED A LONG SPELL OF MILD AND SUNNY WEATHER AND DAILY MEAN TEMPERATURES REMAINED WELL ABOVE NORMAL ON ALMOST EVERY DAY UNTIL THE ARRIVAL OF AN INTENSE COLD SURGE LATE ON CHRISTMAS DAY. THE TEMPERATURE THEN FELL STEADILY AND ON THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 28, A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 5.7 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED WHICH WAS THE LOWEST OF THE YEAR.
DURING THE PERIOD DECEMBER 27-29, RIME WAS OBSERVED NEAR THE TOP OF TAI MO SHAN WHERE A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF -3 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED ON DECEMBER 28. FROST WAS ALSO REPORTED ON HIGH GROUND AND IN THE NORTHERN PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES. AN OLD MAN WAS REPORTED TO HAVE DIED OF THE COLD. DAMAGE TO CROPS WAS SLIGHT BUT MANY YOUNG FISH IN THE FISH PONDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE KILLED AND THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE LOSS IN LIVESTOCK.
- 0 -
NO RESERVATIONS FOR TRAIN TICKETS DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR ******
SEAT RESERVATIONS FOR A NUMBER OF TRAINS TRAVELLING FROM KOWLOON TERMINAL TO LO WU ON FOUR DAYS BEFORE THE CHINESE NEW YEAR WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KCR, MR. REGINALD GREGORY, SAID THIS WAS TO +OBVIATE THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPROPER PURCHASE OF TICKETS*.
BOOKINGS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR EIGHT TRAINS TRAVELLING TO LO WU FROM KOWLOON BETWEEN 5.20 A.M. AND 11.10 A.M. ON THE FOUR DAYS BEGINNING ON FEBRUARY 14 (MONDAY).
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1977
- 5 -
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT SOUTH LANTAU
******
A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS AT SOUTH LANTAU RURAL COMMITTEE FOR RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE LIVING NEARBY FOR TWO DAYS FROM NEXT THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 10).
THE VISIT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN OR WARDS OF 11 YEARS OF AGE FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS ON REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE.
REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 4 P.M. DURING THOSE TWO DAYS.
ALL PEOPLE LIVING IN THIS AREA ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS. THEY SHOULD REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
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SALISBURY ROAD CLOSED TEMPORARILY * * * *
DUE TO EMERGENCY ROAD WORKS, THE SECTION OF SALISBURY ROAD BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE MIDDLE ROAD MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK HAS BEEN CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.
THIS ROAD CLOSURE WILL LAST FOR FOUR OR FIVE DAYS MORE.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THE AREA FOR THE GUIDANCE OF MOTORISTS.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, '977
WATER CUT * * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN VB?M,!,SE§N'5ATURDAYP(FEBRUARV 5) TO tNfBLEDSTAF“ROp'THEHSATER sJpJlIEs'dEPARTHENT TO CARRY OUT a night leakage test.
_____0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS LEK YUEN ESTATE ............... 1
ROYAL VISITOR SEES ACTIVITIES OF POLICE CADETS .............. 2
PRINCESS VISITS A FLOWER FARM IN FANLING .................... 3
ROYAL VISITOR TO TOUR OCEAN PARK AND ATTEND A FOLK FESTIVAL TOMORROW ........................................... 3
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR NOVEMBER 1976 ...................... 4
TENDERS FOR TWO MONEY CHANGING SHOPS AT KAI TAK INVITED .. 4
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CLEVELAND STREET ....................... 5
BLOCK RELEASE COURSE FOR INDUSTRIAL TRADE INSTRUCTORS .... 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
1
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1977
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS LEK YUEN ESTATE
* * * *
MOST OF THE 12,000 PEOPLE LIVING IN LEK YUEN ESTATE, IT SEEMED, TURNED OUT TODAY (FRIDAY) TO WELCOME PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND HER HUSBAND, MR. ANGUS OGILVY.
EVERYWHERE THE PRINCESS WENT, SHE WAS MET BY CROWDS OF HAPPY, SMILING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN - AND EVEN HELMETED WORKMEN BUILDING THE NEARBY WO CHE ESTATE DOWNED TOOLS TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE PRINCESS. ALL VANTAGE POINTS WERE CRAMMED WITH EAGER SPECTATORS.
THE ROYAL VISITORS SPENT 30 MINUTES AT THE ESTATE, WHICH IS THE FIRST TO BE COMPLETED IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN. THEY ARRIVED ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AND WERE INTRODUCED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR. DONALD LIAO, AND OTHER HOUSING DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS. MR. LIAO CONDUCTED THE TOUR OF THE ESTATE.
THEIR FIRST CALL WAS AT THE BENEVOLENT LIGHT KINDERGARTEN IN SAU CHUEN HOUSE. THE PRINCESS BEAMED AS SHE LISTENED TO THE 100 THREE-TO-FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN, SMARTLY TURNED OUT IN THEIR BLUE BLAZERS, SING A SONG SPECIALLY FOR HER.
FROM THE KINDERGARTEN, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WENT TO THE FOUNTAIN AREA WHICH IS A FEATURE OF THE ESTATE - AND THIS WAS WHERE THE CROWDS SHOWED THEIR ENTHUSIASM AT HAVING A PRINCESS IN THEIR MIDST. HUNDREDS GATHERED ROUND HER, FOLLOWING HER AT EVERY STEP SHE TOOK. WITH THE GOVERNOR CLOSE BY, THE PRINCESS STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES TO GREET YOUNGSTERS STANDING ON WALLS TO GET A CLEAR VIEW OF HER.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THEN MADE HER WAY SLOWLY TO THE SWING SUPERMARKET WHERE SHE WAS PRESENTED WITH A BOUQUET BY THE MANAGERESS. THE PRINCESS CHATTED AWAY WITH THE CROWD - WHILE HER HUSBAND SPOKE TO A YOUNG MOTHER WITH A CHILD IN HER ARMS.
THE ROYAL COUPLE THEN MOVED ON TO A ROW OF SHOPS WHERE THE PRINCESS SHOWED INTEREST IN THE PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY, ESPECIALLY THE CHINESE SAUSAGES. AT THIS STAGE, THE CROWD HAD SWELLED TO ALMOST UNMANAGEABLE PROPORTIONS.
THE FINAL CALL WAS TO THE MARKET WHERE SHE TOOK PARTICULAR INTEREST IN PRODUCTS SUCH AS BEAN CURD, LIVE CHICKENS AND FISH. AS SHE EMERGED FROM THE MARKET A LION DANCE PERFORMANCE BY THE TUNG KOON YOUTH GYMNASTIC CLUB OF SHA TIN BEGAN.
AT THIS STAGE A PICTURE WAS PRODUCED OF THE PRINCESS PLANTING A TREE IN SO UK ESTATE WHEN SHE CAME HERE IN 1961. SHE APPEARED HAPPY TO LEARN THAT IT IS NOW FULLY GROWN.
WITH THE LION DANCE OVER, IT WAS TIME TO LEAVE - AND THE LARGE CROWD SURGED FORWARD FOR THEIR LAST GLIMPSE OF THE RADIANT PRINCESS, WHOSE WISH FOR GOOD WEATHER DURING HER VISIT TO HONG KONG WAS FINALLY GRANTED. IT WAS A CLEAR, SUNNY DAY - AND THE PRINCESS WAS COATLESS.
LEK YUEN ESTATE WAS COMPLETED IN 1975 AND WILL EVENTUALLY HOUSE 22,000 PEOPLE WHEN FULLY OCCUPIED BY JULY. IT HAS SEVEN RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS, A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, OTHER SHOPPING FACILITIES AS WELL AS SPORTS AND RECREATION GROUNDS, CAR PARKS, A POLICE STATION AND A FIRE STATION. -------------------------------------------
/2......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1977
2
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA SEES ACTIVITIES OF POLICE CADETS
X X X X X X M
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING VISITED THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL IN FANLJNG AS THE HONORARY COMMANDANT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE, THE PRINCESS AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY WERE WELCOMED ON ARRIVAL BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR. BRIAN SLEVIN- THE CHAIRMAN OF THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD, MR. LESLIE SUNG” THE COMMANDANT OF THE SCHOOL, MR. PATRICK BIRNEY AND THE DEPUTY COMMANDANT, MR. DENNIS CUNNINGHAM.
THE PRINCESS WENT ON A TOUR OF THE SCHOOL AND SAW SOME OF THE CADETS PRACTISING JUDO, UNARMED COMBAT AND FIRST AID AT THE FOOTBALL PITCH.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS ALSO SAW THE CADETS DEMONSTRATING GYMNASTIC EXERCISES AT THE GYMNASIUM AND THE FOOT DRILL ON THE PARADE GROUND.
FOLLOWING A TOUR OF A CADETS’ DORMITORY, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS VISITED THE ELECTRONICS CLUB WHERE AN ARRAY OF ELECTRONIC GADGETS ASSEMBLED BY THE CADETS AS PART OF THEIR VOCATIONAL TRAINING WERE ON DISPLAY.
FROM THERE, THE PRINCESS WENT TO THE OUTDOOR TRAINING GROUND TO SEE SOME OF THE CADETS UNDERGOING A CAMPING TRAINING PROGRAMME.
AT THE CAMP SITE, THE PRINCESS SIGNED A SPECIAL +VISITORS BOOK+ - A LEATHER MAP OF HONG KONG ISLAND - TO MARK HER VISIT THERE.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS ALSO VISITED THE LANGUAGE LABORATORY AND TALKED TO MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL’S ADVISORY BOARD, PARENTS OF SOME OF THE CADETS AND MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING STAFF BEFORE SHE LEFT SHORTLY BEFORE 1 P.M.
THROUGHOUT THE VISIT, THE PRINCESS STOPPED AND CHATTED AMICABLY WITH THE CADETS.
THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL NOW HAS A TOTAL OF 414 CADETS AGED BETWEEN 15-1/2 AND 17 UNDERGOING A TWO-YEAR COURSE AIMED AT PREPARING THEM FOR ENTRY TO THE POLICE FORCE OR OTHER GOVERNMENT DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
SPHERES OF TRAINING IN THE SCHOOL CONSIST OF 49 PER CENT ACADEMIC STUDIES, 49 PER CENT PHYSICAL TRAINING AND 20 PER CENT VOCATIONAL TRAINING.
SINCE THE SCHOOL OPENED IN 1973, IT HAS TURNED OUT ABOUT 300 REASONABLY WELL-EDUCATED AND PHYSICALLY-FIT YOUTHS. OF THESE, MORE THAN 90 PER CENT JOINED THE POLICE WHILE THE REST WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1977
3
PRINCESS SEES CHINESE POT PLANTS
******
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA PAID A VISIT TO A FLOWER FARM IN FAN LING TODAY AND HAD A CLOSE LOOK OF SOME OF THE BLOSSOMS AND POT PLANTS WHICH WILL DECORATE MANY HONG KONG HOMES IN THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE PRINCESS AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE, HAD A TOUR OF CHEUNG KEE GARDEN WHERE THEY WERE SHOWN HOW PEACH SAPLINGS AND NARCISSUS BULBS WERE CAREFULLY NURTURED TO WITHSTAND FROSTY WEATHER AND TO BLOOM FORTH IN TIME FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE ROYAL COUPLE ALSO SAW ROWS OF TANGERINE AS WELL AS OTHER FLOWERS WHICH THE CHINESE BELIEVE WOULD BRING PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS FOR THE NEW YEAR.
BEFORE THE VISIT CAME TO AN END, THE PRINCESS WAS PRESENTED BY THE OWNER OF THE GARDEN WITH A POT OF FLOWERING ORNAMENTAL PEACH - A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK AND GREAT EXPECTATION FOR THE COMING YEAR.
FIRST ROYAL VISITOR FOR OCEAN PARK * * * *
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S PROGRAMME FOR TOMORROW (SATURDAY):
11.20 A.M. VISIT TO OCEAN PARK, WONG CHUK HANG.
(TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK AT 9.30 A.M. SHARP. PLEASE BE REMINDED THAT THE PRESS PARTY AT POSITION ”C” WILL NOT BE ABLE TO JOIN THE PARTIES AT POSITIONS A AND B).
7 P.M. ATTEND A FOLK FESTIVAL AT TSZ WAN SHAN
PLAYGROUND. (TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK AT 5.30 P.M. SHARP).
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A
4
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR NOVEMBER 1976
THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER SHOW A SURPLUS OF $392 MILLION AS COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $246 MILLION (EXCLUDING LOANS) IN NOVEMBER 1975.
THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATED DEFICIT OF $91 MILLION FOR THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $357 MILLION FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
GROSS EXPENDITURE AT $498 MILLION WAS $63 MILLION MORE THAN IN NOVEMBER 1975.
TOTAL REVENUE AND RECEIPTS AT $890 MILLION WAS $209 MILLION MORE THAN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, DUE MAINLY TO INCREASED RECEIPTS FROM DUTIES, INTERNAL REVENUE AND MOTOR VEHICLE TAXES.
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TWO MORE MONEY CHANGING SHOPS FOR KA I TAK * * * *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE SEPARATE TENANCIES OF TWO SHOP PREMISES TO BE USED AS MONEY CHANGERS IN THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING AT KAI TAK AIRPORT.
THE TENANCIES ARE FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS COMMENCING ON OR ABOUT APRIL 15 THIS YEAR.
ONE SHOP OF ABOUT 70 SQ. FT. IS LOCATED IN THE NEW EXTENSION TO THE TERMINAL BUILDING AND THE OTHER MEASURING ABOUT 140 SQ. FT. IS IN THE EXISTING TERMINAL. BOTH SHOPS ARE SITUATED AT THE DEPARTURES LEVEL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT PREDICTED THAT AN INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF AVIATION BUSINESS COULD BE EXPECTED DURING THE THREE-YEAR TENANCY PERIOD.
HE ESTIMATED THAT THE PRESENT DAILY AVERAGE OF ARRIVING AND DEPARTING PASSENGERS WAS ABOUT 12,000, AND THAT THIS FIGURE WILL GO UP AT A RATE OF BETWEEN FIVE AND 10 PER CENT A YEAR.
ACCORDING TO A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY). FEBRUARYM25T SUBMITTED TO THE TENDER BOARD BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM EITHER THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT THE NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY OR THE AIRPORT GENERAL MANAGER AT KAI TAK.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1977
5.
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CLEVELAND STREET
*****
CLEVELAND STREET IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC BETWEEN 7 P.M. AND 8.30 P.M. ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 6).
THIS IS TO ENABLE A LION DANCE, STAGED BY THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION FOR THE DELEGATES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE PACIFIC AREA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION, TO BE HELD IN THE AREA.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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BLOCK RELEASE COURSE FOR INDUSTRIAL TRADE INSTRUCTORS
******
THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO BLOCK RELEASE INDUSTRIAL TRADE INSTRUCTORS’ COURSE WHICH COMMENCES IN MID-MARCH THIS YEAR.
THE COURSE OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRADE INSTRUCTORS
AND WORKSHOP SUPERVISORS TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY TRAINING
FOR CARRYING OUT THEIR DAY TO DAY TEACHING DUTIES. FROM THIS COURSE THEY WILL LEARN TO IMPROVE THEIR METHODS OF TEACHING, STUDY EDUCATION THEORY AND EDUCATION PSYCHOLOGY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AND SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE COLLEGE BEFORE FEBRUARY 25, 1977.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
r i
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND 5,000 CHILDREN WATCH MARINE MAMMALS PERFORMANCE ................................................. 1
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ROYAL COUPLE’S VISIT ....................................................... 2
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO ATTEND FOLK FESTIVAL ................. 3
OPENING OF THE FIFTH HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL ................ 4
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT TAI 0........................ 4
THREE AMENDMENT ORDINANCES COME INTO FORCE .................. 5
CHANGE OF BUSINESS HOURS AT POST OFFICES .................... 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1977 - 1 -
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND 5,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN WATCH DOLPHIN AND SEA LION SHOW *****
THE SUN SHONE AND THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF SMILING FACES AND PROLONGED APPLAUSE AT THE OCEAN PARK THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING WHEN HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY WALKED THROUGH THE SPACIOUS GARDENS AND JOINED SOME 5,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN AT A PERFORMANCE OF MARINE MAMMALS AT THE OCEAN THEATRE.
WHILE WALKING DOWN THE AISLE TO HER SEAT IN THE OCEAN THEATRE, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS STOPPED MANY TIMES TO SPEAK TO THE SMILING CHILDREN.
THE PRINCESS ALSO MET AND TALKED TO SOME HANDICAPPED CHILDREN BEFORE GOING INTO THE THEATRE.
THE MARINE MAMMALS PERFORMANCE WAS GIVEN A ROUSING START BY A CONTINGENT OF PIPES AND DRUMS FROM THE BRIGADE OF GURKHAS.
FOUR DOLPHINS AND THREE SEA LIONS PERFORMED IN THE OCEAN THEATRE AND THEIR ANTICS AND ACROBATIC SKILLS IN THE WATER WERE REWARDED WITH ENTHUSIASTIC AND SPONTANEOUS APPLAUSE.
THE DOLPHINS EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO BE CLOSER TO THE PRINCESS WHEN HRH STOPPED BY THE TRAINING POOLS TO LOOK AT THEM AND TO REWARD THEM WITH A BUCKETFUL OF FISHES.
BEFORE LEAVING THE OCEAN PARK, THE ROYAL VISITORS WENT TO THE WAVE TANK WHERE THEY SAW SEA LIONS, DOLPHINS AND OTHER MARINE MAMMALS AND SHORE BIRDS BASKING UNDER THE SUN.
EARLIER, THE ROYAL COUPLE HAD A PANORAMIC VIEW OF DEEP WATER BAY WHEN THEY TOOK A CABLE CAR UP TO THE HEADLAND SITE FOR THE PERFORMANCE.
THE PRINCESS AND MR. OGILVY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE. THEY WERE RECEIVED BY SIR KENNETH FUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE PARK’S BOARD OF GOVERNORS- AND DIRECTORS AND SENIOR STAFF OF THE PARK.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1977
- 2 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE
PRINCESS’ VISIT * * K * * * *
A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON HONG KONG ISLAND ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 6) AND TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 8) IN CONNECTION WITH THE VISIT OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT ON THE APPROACH OF THE PILOT OUTRIDER, TRAFFIC WISHING TO ENTER OR CROSS THE ROYAL ROUTE WILL BE HELD FOR A SHORT PERIOD IN ORDER TO GIVE PRECEDENCE TO THE ROYAL PARTY. TRAFFIC OFFICERS WILL BE POSTED AT ALL MAJOR JUNCTIONS TO DIRECT TRAFFIC AND ENSURE THAT ANY CONGESTION IS KEPT TO A MINIMUM.
ON SUNDAY, QUEEN’S PIER AND THAT SECTION OF EDINBURGH PLACE EAST BETWEEN QUEEN’S PIER AND HARCOURT ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC (EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRING ACCESS TO HMS TAMAR) BETWEEN 5 P.M. AND 10 P.M. FOR THE OPENING OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL AT THE CITY HALL.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, ALL PARKING METERED SPACES IN CONNAUGHT PLACE OUTSIDE THE NEW GENERAL POST OFFICE WILL BE SUSPENDED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE PEAK MAXI-CAB SERVICE STAND IN EDINBURGH PLACE EAST WILL BE SUSPENDED AND MOVED TO LAMBETH WALK OUTSIDE GAMMON HOUSE.
ON TUESDAY, THE ACCESS ROAD TO HING WAH ESTATE BETWEEN WAN TSUI ROAD AND HING WAH ESTATE (STAGE II) BUS TERMINUS WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC BETWEEN 10.30 A.M. AND 11 A.M. FOR PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S VISIT TO HING WAH ESTATE, CHAI WAN.
ALL PARKING ON THE ACCESS ROAD TO HING WAH ESTATE BETWEEN WAN TSUI ROAD AND THE ENTRANCE TO THE HING WAH ESTATE BUS TERMINUS WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 11 A.M.
AT 4.40 P.M. ON THE SAME DAY, THE PRINCESS WILL LEAVE GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND PROCEED VIA GARDEN ROAD, QUEENSWAY, ARSENAL STREET, WATERFRONT ROAD AND GLOUCESTER ROAD TO THE CONVENTION CENTRE FOR THE COMMUNITY RECEPTION.
ENTRY TO THE FORECOURT OF THE CONVENTION CENTRE WILL BE PERMITTED UNTIL 4 P.M.
A NUMBER OF PARKING AREAS IN THE VICINITY OF THE CONVENTION CENTRE WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 2 P.M. AND 6 P.M. THE PARKING AREAS AFFECTED ARE ON JAFFE ROAD BETWEEN PERCIVAL STREET AND THE CONVENTION CENTRE, GREAT GEORGE STREET BETWEEN PATERSON STREET AND GLOUCESTER ROAD, LOCKHART ROAD (BOTH SIDES) BETWEEN CANNON STREET AND EAST POINT ROAD AND GLOUCESTER ROAD BETWEEN VICTORIA PARK AND CLEVELAND STREET.
THE CONVENTION CENTRE’S LOWER CAR PARK, THE PLAZA MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AND JAFFE ROAD BETWEEN PERCIVAL STREET AND CANNON STREET WILL BE RESERVED FOR PARKING OF GUEST VEHICLES.
DUE TO THESE PARKING ARRANGEMENTS, GREAT GEORGE STREET WILL BE MADE TWO-WAY BETWEEN THE PLAZA MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AND GLOUCESTER ROAD BETWEEN 3 P.M. AND 4.30 P.M. ON THAT DAY.
A
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1977
POP SHOW DELIGHTS PRINCESS FOLK FESTIVAL UNDER THE LION ROCK ******
HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND HER HUSBAND, THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY, WERE GUESTS OF HONOUR AT A FOLK FESTIVAL PUT ON BY THE URBAN COUNCIL IN THE PLAYGROUND IN THE MIDST OF THE VAST TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE IN NORTH KOWLOON THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
THE PLAYGROUND ITSELF WAS PACKED WITH AN ESTIMATED 10,000 PEOPLE CROWDING THE CENTRAL STAGE AND OVERFLOWING FROM THE SPECTATOR STANDS ON TO THE GROUND ITSELF. ON THREE SIDES OF THE GROUND STOOD THE MULTI-STOREY BLOCKS OF THE HOUSING ESTATE. THEIR WINDOWS AND BALCONIES WERE ALIVE WITH ESTATE-DWELLERS ENJOYING A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE SHOW.
IN THE BACKGROUND, OUTLINED AGAINST A MOONLIT SKY, WERE THE LION ROCK AND THE LOWER SLOPES OF KOWLOON PEAK.
THE SINGING OF ROBERT LEE -- WHO SHARED THE STAGE WITH FELLOW TELEVISION ARTISTES SUM SUM AND BAN BAN — WAS A HIGHLIGHT OF THIS MINI-FESTIVAL ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT AND ENTERTAINMENT STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
PRELUDE TO THE SHOW WAS THE PRESENTATION TO THE PRINCESS OF COUNCILLOR KENNETH T.C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, AND COUNCILLOR F.K. HU, CHAIRMAN OF THE CITY HALL AND ENTERTAINMENT SELECT COMMITTEE.
THEN CAME A NORTHERN LION DANCE, AFTER PRINCESS ALEXANDRA HAD DOTTED THE EYE OF THE LION. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY THE COLOURFUL ♦DANCE OF THE FEATHER FANS+, PERFORMED BY STRIKINGLY DRESSED YOUNG GIRLS OF THE FAR EAST FOLK DANCE TROUPE.
NEXT WERE ROBERT LEE, SUM SUM AND BAN BAN- AND THEN, TO ROUND OFF THE SHOW, CAME A SCINTILLATING DISPLAY OF ACROBATICS BY WELL KNOWN LOCAL ARTISTES DRESSED IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE COSTUMES.
THE PRINCESS, WHO SAT ALONGSIDE THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE ON THE STAND FOR THE CHIEF GUESTS, SHOWED BY HER SMILES AND APPLAUSE HER ENJOYMENT OF THE PROGRAMME.
OTHERS PRESENT INCLUDED THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS’ THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS BRAY, AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR. BRIAN WILSON.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1977
<+
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO OPEN ARTS FESTIVAL * * * * *
NOTE TO EDITORS :
FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S PROGRAMME FOR TOMORROW (SUNDAY) :
11.20 A.M. ATTEND THE SILVER JUBILEE THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL (ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO BE AT THE FIXED POSITION AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE CATHEDRAL NOT LATER THAN 11 A.M. MEMBERS OF THE PRESS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INSIDE.)
7.40 P.M. OPEN THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL AT CITY HALL AND ATTEND THE OPENING CONCERT (ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ASSIGNED TO POSITIONS ’A’ AND ’B’ ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE HMS TAMAR BY 6 P.M. WHERE THEY WILL BE MET BY GIS MARSHALS. THOSE ASSIGNED TO POSITION ’D’ ARE TO MEET GIS MARSHALS AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE CITY HALL FOYER. ARRIVING VIA THE MEMORIAL GARDEN BY 7.20 P.M.
AT THE LATEST. PRESS PARTIES IN POSITIONS ’A’ AND ’B’ WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE TO POSITION ’D’ INSIDE THE CONCERT HALL, AND THOSE IN POSITION ’D WILL HAVE TO LEAVE AFTER THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY.
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REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT TA I 0
* * * * *
A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS AT TAI 0 RURAL COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE LIVING NEARBY FOR THREE DAYS FROM FEBRUARY 14.
THE VISIT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THE i R CHILDREN OR WARDS OF 11 YEARS OF AGE FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS,- AND HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS ON REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE.
I
REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 2 P.M. AND 5 P.M. ON FEBRUARY 14, BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 5 P.M. ON FEBRUARY 15 AND BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 3 P.M. ON FEBRUARY lg[
ALl PEOPLE LIVING IN THIS AREA ARE j?EM INDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS. THEY SHOULD REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE THEIR LAST REGISTERING FOR IDENTITY CARDS.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1977
5
THREE AMENDMENT ORDINANCES COME INTO FORCE
*******
WORKERS ARE GIVEN BETTER PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF BANKRUPTCY OF AN EMPLOYER OR LIQUIDATION OF A COMPANY UNDER THE THREE NEWLY ENACTED AMENDMENT ORDINANCES PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE YESTERDAY (FRIDAY).
THE THREE AMENDMENT ORDINANCES WHICH TAKE IMMEDIATE EFFECT ARE THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE AND THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE.
THE FIRST TWO AMENDMENT ORDINANCES CONTAIN PROVISIONS THAT MAKE CLAIMS FOR WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE RANK EQUAL IN PRIORITY WITH THE PAYMENT OF WAGES AND SALARY, STATUTORY CROWN DEBTS AND SEVERANCE PAY IN THE EVENT OF LIQUIDATION OF A COMPANY OR BANKRUPTCY OF A BUSINESS. THE CEILING FOR SUCH CLAIMS HAS BEEN SET AT $2,000 — THE SAME AS THE PRESENT MONTHLY WAGE CEILING FOR NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES COVERED BY THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
THE TWO AMENDMENT ORDINANCES ALSO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM LIMIT FOR PRIORITY PAYMENT OF WAGES AND SALARY OR SEVERANCE PAY FOR AN EMPLOYEE FROM THE FORMER CEILING OF $6,000 TO $8,000. THIS NEW CEILING WILL, HOWEVER, COME INTO EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, THIS YEAR. THE TWO AMENDMENT ORDINANCES ALSO HAVE THE EFFECT OF INCORPORATING INTO THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE AND COMPANIES ORDINANCE THE FORMER PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE CONCERNING PRIORITY PAYMENT FOR WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION.
THE THIRD LEGISLATION, THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, MERELY REPEALED THE PROVISIONS ON PRIORITY PAYMENT FOR WORKMENS’ COMPENSATION SINCE THESE HAVE NOW BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AND BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE.
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CHANGE OF BUSINESS HOURS AT POST OFFICES
******
THE BUSINESS HOURS OF FOUR POST OFFICES — TWO ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND TWO IN KOWLOON -- WILL EE CHANGED AS FROM TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 8).
THEY ARE THE WAH FU, WONG CHUK HANG, HO MAN TIN AND LAM TIN POST OFFICES.
THE NEW BUSINESS HOURS ARE 9 A.M. - 1 P.M. AND 2.30 P.M. -5 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS AND 9 A.M. - 1 P.M. ON SATURDAYS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1977.
ARTS FESTIVAL HAS GROWN RAPIDLY IN STATURE AND QUALITY *****
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OPENED THE FIFTH HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL TODAY IN CITY HALL CONCERT HALL. SHE HAD BEEN INTRODUCED BY MR. RUN RUN SHAW, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY, WHO SAID THAT IN FIVE YEARS THE FESTIVAL HAD BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF HONG KONG’S COMMUNITY LIFE. IT HAD ALSO ATTRACTED TOURISTS AND COMBINED THE TALENTS OF WELL-KNOWN ARTISTS FROM THE EAST AND THE WEST.
+BUT+, HE ADED, +PRIMARILY THE OBJECTIVE OF OUR ARTS FESTIVAL IS TO GIVE ALL OUR PEOPLE A MORE ABUNDANT CULTURAL LIFE.+
IN HER REPLY THE PRINCESS SAID THAT SHE AND HER HUSBAND WERE DELIGHTED TO BE BACK IN HONG KONG, ESPECIALLY DURING THE FESTIVAL, WHICH HAD GROWN RAPIDLY IN STATURE AND QUALITY SINCE ITS BEGINNING IN 1973.
+1 HAVE WATCHED THE PHENOMENAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.+ HER ROYAL HIGHNESS SAID, +AND AT THE SAME TIME THE THINGS YOU ARE DOING TO WIDEN THE LIFE OF YOUR COMMUNITY. YOU HAVE FOUND THAT MATERIAL SUCCESS IS NOT ENOUGH. I AM THEREFORE DELIGHTED THAT HONG KONG IS TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF ITS UNIQUE POSITION AS A MEETING GROUND FOR THE CULTURAL HERITAGES OF THE EAST AND THE WEST, AND IS FAST DEVELOPING INTO AN IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE ARTS.+
THE PRINCESS HOPED THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL WOULD BE EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN EVER.
EARLIER, THERE HAD BEEN A FESTIVE AIR AT THE GALA OPENING ENTERTAINMENTS ENJOYED BY A CROWD OF OVER 1,000 WAITING IN EDINBURGH PLACE TO SEE THE PRINCESS ARRIVE. THE ONE-HOUR PROGRAMME BEGAN WITH THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND IN WHITE AND BLACK DRESS UNIFORMS, WITH PIPES AND DRUMS. THEY MARCHED AND COUNTER-MARCHED, THEN HALTED WHILE THEIR DRUMMERS GAVE A SKILFUL DISPLAY OF DRUMSTICK TECHNIQUE.
THEY WERE FOLLOWED BY THE BAND AND BUGLES OF THE 1ST BATTALION THE LIGHT INFANTRY, WHO PROVIDED AN EFFECTIVE CONTRAST IN DARK GREEN UNIFORMS AND ALSO IN MARCHING STYLES, WITH THEIR TRADITIONALLY FAST PACE OF 140 STEPS TO THE MINUTE.
/+ ATTENTION THEN .....
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5'233191
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY b, 1977
2
ATTENTION THEN TURNED TO THE HARBOUR, WHERE A FIREBOAT WAS SHOOTING JETS OF WATER INTO THE AIR. AND, ANNOUNCED BY THE SOUND OF CHINESE MUSIC DRIFTING OVER THE WATER, A JUNK ARRIVED AT QUEEN’S PIER, CARRYING SCHOOLGIRL DANCERS.
FOUR ACROBATS FROM THE HONG KONG MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION TURNED CARTWHEELS, AND WERE FOLLOWED BY STUDENTS OF THE KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE, WHO GRACEFULLY PERFORMED THE DANCE OF THE SILK BOUQUETS IN PINK UNIFORMS. GIRLS OF ST. CLARE’S SCHOOL THEN ADDED TO THE COLOURFUL SCENE BY GIVING THE DANCE OF THE SPRING BLOSSOMS IN GREEN SILK.
NOW IT WAS THE TURN OF THE SINGERS. THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHOIR SANG +THE FARMER’S LIFE IS GOOD+, IN MANDARIN, AND THE NEW METHOD COLLEGE SANG +RETURN FROM THE WESTERN PILGRIMAGE*. THIS WAS A PARTICULARLY LIVELY PERFORMANCE, WITH A GOLDEN FLOAT CARRYING A MAN PORTRAYING A MONK, AND TRADITIONAL CHARACTERS INCLUDING THE KING OF PIGS AND THE KING OF MONKEYS, ESCORTED BY DOZENS OF MONKEYS WHIRLING MAGIC WANDS TIPPED WITH GREEN LIGHTS.
FOR A FEW MOMENTS A GOLDEN DRAGON OVER 130 FEET LONG, AND THE DANCERS, WAITED IN THE COLD. THEN A FANFARE RANG OUT. CALLED +ROYAL ARRIVAL*, IT WAS THE FIRST OF TWO FANFARES ARRANGED FOR THE OCCASION BY THE LIGHT INFANTRY’S BANDMASTER, MR. K.W. NAPIER. IT HERALDED THE ARRIVAL BY CAR OF PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, HER HUSBAND, THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY, WITH THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, LADY MACLEHOSE AND THE PRINCESS’S LADY-IN-WAITING, LADY MARY FITZALAN-HOWARD.
THE PARTY WAS WELCOMED ON A FLOWER-BEDECKED REVIEWING STAND BY MR. RUN RUN SHAW, AND MISS BARBARA FEI RECITED A POEM ENTITLED +MEETING OF THE PARALLEL LINES.* IT HAD BEEN SPECIALLY COMPOSED BY MR. HSU YU. IT TRACED THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AND ITS INCREASING CULTURAL AWARENESS. MISS FEI THEN PRESENTED THE PRINCESS WITH A SCROLL ON WHICH THE POEM HAD BEEN WRITTEN IN CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY.
THE PRINCESS, IN A DRESS OF DARK GREEN AND GOLD, THEN DOTTED THE EYES OF THE DRAGON TO START THE GOLDEN DRAGON DANCE. THE ARTS FESTIVAL FLAGS WERE BROKEN OUT BY MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, WEARING THEIR NEW SCARLET, BLUE AND WHITE UNIFORMS FOR THE FIRST TIME. TWO POWERFUL SEARCHLIGHTS WERE SWITCHED ON, THEIR NEAR-VERTICAL BEAMS ANNOUNCING TO ALL HONG KONG THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL, AND OTHER LIGHTS PROJECTED THE FESTIVAL LOGO CN TO A WALL OF THE CITY HALL.
THE PRINCESS, THE GOVERNOR AND THEIR PARTY THEN WENT INTO THE CITY HALL AND WERE WELCOMED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR. A. DE 0. SALES, AND MRS. SALES.
IN THE CONCERT HALL THE PRINCESS ENTERED TO THE SOUND OF THE SECOND FANFARE,+WELCOME TO THE PRINCESS*.
/+ after fc’" ; '
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY c,
1977
3
AFTER FORMALLY OPENING THE FESTIVAL THE PRINCESS SETTLED DOWN TO LISTEN TO THE OPENING CONCERT. CONDUCTED BY HELEN QUACH, THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PLAYED TCHAIKOVSKY’S FOURTH SYMPHONY, LIN SHENG SHINH’S +EXCERPTS FROM TIBETAN SKETCHES*, AND RODRIGO’S GUITAR CONCERTO.
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HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OPENS HK ARTS FESTIVAL
*******
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL TONIGHT :
YOUR EXCELLENCY, MR. SHAW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :
+WE ARE BOTH OF US DELIGHTED TO BE BACK IN HONG KONG, AND ESPECIALLY TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF STAYING HERE AT THE TIME OF YOUR ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS - A FESTIVAL WHICH HAS GROWN RAPIDLY IN STATURE AND QUALITY SINCE ITS BEGINNING IN 1973.
+TODAY IT IS AN IMPORTANT OCCASION WHICH ATTRACTS VISITORS FROM OVERSEAS AS WELL AS BRINGING ENTERTAINMENT AND DELIGHT TO THOUSANDS OF THOSE WHO LIVE HERE, OFFERING THEM AN IMAGINATIVE AND VARIED FOUR WEEKS PROGRAMME OF MUSIC, SINGING, ACTING AND DANCING, PERFORMED BY EMINENT ARTISTES FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD.
+1 HAVE WATCHED THE PHENOMENAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, AND AT THE SAME TIME THE THINGS YOU ARE DOING TO WIDEN THE LIFE OF YOUR COMMUNITY. YOU HAVE FOUND THAT MATERIAL SUCCESS IS NOT ENOUGH. I AM THEREFORE DELIGHTED THAT HONG KONG IS TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF ITS UNIQUE POSITION AS A MEETING GROUND FOR THE CULTURAL HERITAGES OF THE EAST AND THE WEST, AND IS FAST DEVELOPING INTO AN IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE ARTS, AND I HOPE THAT THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL WILL BE EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN EVER.
+LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I DECLARE OPEN THE FIFTH HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL.*
- - C -
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1977
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ATTENDS THANKSGIVING SERVICE
*******
HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY. ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE, THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING ATTENDED A THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT ST. JOHNJS CATHEDRAL TO COMMEMORATE THE f’UVER JUBILEE 0F THE QUEEN’S ACCESSION TO THE THRONE (FEBRUARY 6 1952;. 9
nic.,/>nN^-RR VAL AT THE CATHEDRAL, THE GOVERNOR PRESENTED BOTH THE BISHOP OF HONG KONG AND MACAU, THE RT. REV. GILBERT BAKER AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF HONG KONG, THE MOST REV. JOHN WU,’ TO THE PR INC E S S •
DURING THE SERVICE, THE SERMON WAS GILBERT BAKER AND THE LESSONS WERE READ REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR. MR. OGILVY WAS CORONATION ON JUNE 2, 1953.
PREACHED BY THE RT. REV. BY MR. OGILVY AT THE AN USHER AT THE QUEEN’S
THE SERVICE WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON RTHK (RADIO 4).
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C.A.S. CADET CYCLING COMPETITION
*******
TWO HUNDRED CADETS OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES WILL TAKE PART IN A CYCLING COMPETITION IN VICTORIA PARK ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 13) AFTERNOON.
COMING FROM 20 UNITS, THEY WILL SCORE MARKS FOR THEIR TEAMS AND VIE FOR THE OVERALL CHAMPION SHIELD.
BESIDES AN OBSTACLE RACE WHERE THE SKILL OF THE YOUNG CADETS WILL BE TESTED, THERE WILL BE A CYCLING RACE IN WHICH MORE ATHLETIC MEMBERS CAN PARTICIPATE.
THE FIRST EVENT WILL START AT ABOUT 1 P.M. CAS CADET CORPS COMMANDANT, MR. HENRY KU HON-CHEUNG, WILL PRESENT PRIZES AT ABOUT 3.30 P.M.
NOTE TO EDITORS •.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE EVENT.
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/ 5
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1977
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HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S VISIT
******
NOTE TO EDITORS s
FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S PROGRAMME FOR TOMORROW (MONDAY) :
10.30 A.M. VISIT HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, HUNG HOM. (TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK AT 9.45 A.M. PLEASE BE REMINDED THAT THE PRESS PARTY AT POSITION ’A’ WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROCEED TO POSITION ’B’. POSITION ’C’ IS FOR COVERING THE DEPARTURE OF THE PRINCESS. THE PRESS PARTY AT POSITION ’B’ WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCOMPANY THE ROYAL PARTY INSIDE THE LIBRARY BECAUSE OF CONFINED SPACE. POOL PHOTOGRAPHS AND T.V, FOOTAGE WILL BE PROVIDED BY G. I.S.)
3.10 P.M. VISIT SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE. (TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK AT 1.30 P.M. AFTER THE PLAQUE UNVEILING CEREMONY, THE PRESS PARTY WILL BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THE PRINCESS DURING THE TOUR BUT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE IN FRONT OF HER.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KOWLOON TONG
******
THE UNNAMED RAOD ADJACENT TO KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY YORK ROAD AND NORFOLK ROAD WILL BE REROUTED FROM ONE-WAY TO TWO-WAY FROM 10 A.M. ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 8).
LINKING SOUTHBOUND
THIS FOLLOWS THE COMPLETION OF ROAD WORK IN THE AREA.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OPENS POLYTECHNIC LIBRARY .............. 1
VITAL ROLE OF POLYTECHNIC IN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ............................................... 2
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS CHINESE PORCELAIN EXHIBITION .... 3
ROYAL VISITORS TOUR SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE .... 4
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S PROGRAMME FOR TUESDAY ................ 5
FIRST COUNTRY PARKS ON HONG KONG ISLAND ................... 6
CENSUS ON WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS .................................................... 8
SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO U.S. EAST COAST AFFECTED BY WEATHER .. 9
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CHEUNG SHA WAN .................... 9
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, '977
1
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OPENS HK POLYTECHNIC LIBRARY ******
HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA THIS (MONDAY) MORNING VISITED THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC IN HUNG HOM AND OFFICIALLY OPENED ITS LIBRARY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE LARGEST SCIENTIFIC, TECHNOLOGICAL AND BUSINESS LIBRARIES IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
ADDRESSING THE GATHERING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE PRINCESS SAID THAT HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY DEPENDED UPON ITS ABILITY TO SELL ITS MANUFACTURED GOODS IN COUNTRIES OVERSEAS.
+TO SUCCEED IN THIS, IN TODAY’S HIGHLY COMPETITIVE WORLD, HONG KONG NEEDS THE SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE OF THOSE WHO WORK IN ITS INDUSTRIES,* THE PRINCESS SAID.
+THIS POLYTECHNIC, THEREFORE, IS PLAYING A VITAL ROLE IN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BY TRAINING STUDENTS IN A WIDE RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL SUBJECTS.*
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WAS GLAD TO KNOW THAT MOST OF THE GRANT MADE BY BRITAIN TO THE POLYTECHNIC HAD BEEN SPENT ON BOOKS FOR THE LIBRARY.
THIS GRANT, THE PRINCESS SAID, SHOULD BE SEEN AS A PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION OF BRITISH SUPPORT FOR THE ROLE OF THE POLYTECHNIC, AND ALSO AS A GESTURE OF FRIENDSHIP FROM GREAT BRITAIN TO HONG KONG.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS SAID: +NO PLACE OF LEARNING IS COMPLETE
OR EFFECTIVE WITHOUT AN ADEQUATE LIBRARY, PROVIDING THE RAW MATERIALS ON WHICH STUDENTS AND RESEARCH WORKERS MAY BUILD THEIR KNOWLEDGE, AND SO I AM DELIGHTED THAT YOU HAVE ASKED ME TO OPEN SUCH AN ESSENTIAL ADDITION TO YOUR POLYTECHNIC.
EARLIER, DR. S.Y. CHUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE POLYTECHNIC, IN HIS SPEECH EXPRESSED SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR THE DONATION BY HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT.
+THE VISIT OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS,* HE ADDED, +IS YET ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION THAT, DESPITE THE ENORMOUS DISTANCE WHICH SEPARATES US GEOGRAPHICALLY, BRITAIN AND HONG KONG HAVE MUCH IN COMMON, MUCH TO LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER AND MUCH TO GAIN FROM CONTINUED CO-OPERATION AND THE MUTUAL ENRICHMENT OF OUR TWO CULTURES.*
AFTER HAVING DECLARED THE LIBRARY OPEN BY UNVEILING
A PLAQUE, THE PRINCESS WAS INTRIGUED BY THE INSCRIPTIONS IN CHINESE ON IT. DR. CHUNG READILY PROVIDED A TRANSLATION AND EXPLAINED THE LITERAL MEANING OF HER NAME IN CHINESE - PRINCESS EXQU IS ITELY-EEAUTIFUL CORAL.
KONDAY, FWBRUaBY 7, ^77
2
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THEN WALKED THROUGH THE LIBRARY AND INSPECTED SOME OF ITS WELL-DESIGNED BOOK RACKS AND EQUIPMENT. THE PRINCESS ALSO TALKED TO SOME OF THE STUDENTS WHO WERE READING AT THEIR DESKS AND ENQUIRED ABOUT THEIR STUDIES AND CAREER.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE ACCOMPANIED PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY IN THE VISIT TO THE POLYTECHNIC. THEY WERE RECEIVED BY DR. CHUNG AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ON ARRIVAL.
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VITAL ROLE OF POLYTECHNIC IN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT * * *
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC LIBRARY TODAY.
+THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, FOR YOUR WELCOME. I AM SO VERY PLEASED TO BE HERE TODAY TO VISIT THIS IMPORTANT CENTRE OF HIGHER TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
+N0 PLACE OF LEARNING IS COMPLETE OR EFFECTIVE WITHOUT AN ADEQUATE LIBRARY, PROVIDING THE RAW MATERIALS ON WHICH STUDENTS AND RESEARCH WORKERS MAY BUILD THEIR KNOWLEDGE, AND SO I AM DELIGHTED THAT YOU HAVE ASKED ME TO OPEN SUCH AN ESSENTIAL ADDITION TO YOUR POLYTECHNIC.
+HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY DEPENDS UPON ITS ABILITY TO SELL ITS MANUFACTURED GOODS IN COUNTRIES OVERSEAS. TO SUCCEED IN THIS, IN TODAY’S HIGHLY COMPETITIVE WORLD, HONG KONG NEEDS THE SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE OF THOSE WHO WORK IN ITS INDUSTRIES.
+THIS POLYTECHNIC, THEREFORE, IS PLAYING A VITAL ROLE IN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BY TRAINING STUDENTS IN A WIDE RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL SUBJECTS.
+1 AM GLAD TO HEAR THAT MOST OF THE GRANT MADE BY BRITAIN HAS BEEN SPENT ON BOOKS FOR THE LIBRARY. THIS GRANT SHOULD BE SEEN AS A PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION OF BRITISH SUPPORT FOR THE ROLE OF THE POLYTECHNIC, AND ALSO AS A GESTURE OF FRIENDSHIP FROM GREAT BRITAIN TO HONG KONG.
+IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO DECLARE THE LIBRARY OPEN, AND MY GOOD WISHES GO TO ALL THOSE WHO STUDY HERE, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.+
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1977
- 5 -
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS CHINESE PORCELAIN EXHIBITION * * * * *
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA THIS MORNING VISITED THE CHINESE PORCELAIN EXHIBITION WHICH' IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE MIN CHIU SOCIETY AT THE CITY HALL.
THE PRINCESS AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY WERE WELCOMED AT THE LOBBY OF THE CITY HALL HIGH BLOCK BY THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, DR. THE HON. HENRY HU” THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MUSEUMS SELECT COMMITTEE, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR. BRIAN WILSON.
THERE WAS A CROWD GATHERING AROUND THE LOBBY TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE PRINCESS WHO WAVED WARMLY TO THEM.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS AND THE WELCOMING PARTY ASCENDED BY LIFT TO THE MUSEUM OF ART ON THE 1OTH FLOOR WHERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MIN CHIU SOCIETY, MR. QUINCY CHUANG AND THE CITY HALL MUSEUM CURATOR, MR. LAURENCE TAM, WERE AWAITING TO GREET THE PRINCESS.
THE PRINCESS THEN WENT INTO THE MUSEUM TO SEE THE 157 ITEMS OF MONO-CHROME PORCELAIN OF THE MING AND THE CHING DYNASTIES ON DISPLAY, RANGING FROM HUGE VASES TO TINY SAUCERS SELECTED FROM COLLECTIONS OF THE MUSEUM OF ART, MEMBERS OF THE MIN CHIU SOCIETY, MUSEUMS OF THE TWO LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND PRIVATE COLLECTORS.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS SHOWED PARTICULAR INTEREST IN A SET OF VIOLET-COLOURED PEONY FLOWER WATERDROPPERS AND A HUGE ROBIN’S EGG VASE GLAZED IN BLUE.
AT THE END OF THE 30-MINUTE VISIT, THE PRINCESS WAS PRESENTED A BOOK DESCRIBING THE EXHIBITS BY MR. HENRY HU.
THE PRODUCTION OF THE MONO-CHROME PORCELAIN WAS ONE OF THE GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS OF CERAMIC ART DURING THE MING AND THE CHING DYNASTIES. THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
o
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1977
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE ******
AGAINST THE SCENIC SETTING OF BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS AND BRIGHT SUNSHINE, WITH COLOURFUL BALLONS SURGING TOWARDS A BLUE SKY, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON UNVEILED A PLAQUE AT THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE MARKING HER VISIT TO THE CENTRE AND ITS OFFICIAL OPENING.
THE PRINCESS AND HER HUSBAND, THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY, WERE GREETED ON ARRIVAL AT THE CENTRE BY MR. DENIS BRAY, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS’ MR. MICHAEL CASWELL, PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PHYSICAL EDUCATION, RECREATION AND SPORT UNIT, AS WELL AS MISS BETTY MAIR AND MR. DICKEN YUNG OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.
AFTER UNVEILING THE PLAQUE, THE ROYAL COUPLE TOURED THE 25-ACRE CENTRE AND OBSERVED AT CLOSE QUARTERS HOW THE YOUNG, THE OLD AND THE HANDICAPPED TAKE PART IN A WIDE RANGE OF SPORT ACTIVITIES.
THE ROYAL VISITORS FIRST WENT UP A MOUND TO WATCH A GROUP OF MIDDLE-AGED AND ELDERLY PEOPLE PRACTISING CHINESE SHADOW BOXING (TAI CHI). THE PRINCESS SHOWED A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE SLOW BUT DISCIPLINED MOVEMENTS OF TAI CHI AND CHATTED AMICABLY WITH A WOMAN MEMBER OF THE GROUP. A BEAMING MR. OGILVY WENT SO FAR AS TO MIMICK A FEW MOVEMENTS.
DURING THE HOUR-LONG TOUR, THE ROYAL COUPLE ALSO SAW YOUNGSTERS TAKING PART IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CHINESE FOLK DANCING, FENCING, ROPEWORK AND ARCHERY. THEY ALSO SAW A BASKETBALL SESSION FOR THE HANDICAPPED.
WHEREVER HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WENT, THE PRINCESS WAS GREETED WITH CHEERS AND SMILING FACES.
ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA STOPPED AND TALKED TO SOME OF THE YOUNGSTERS ENGAGED IN DIFFERENT SPORT ACTIVITIES.
THE ROYAL VISITORS ALSO INSPECTED ONE OF THE COMFORTABLE AND BRIGHTLY-COLOURED DORMITORIES CONVERTED FROM NISSEN HUTS. THE PRINCESS CAME AWAY IMPRESSED BY THE FACILITIES PROVIDED IN THE DORMITORY.
THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE WAS BUILT ON THE SITE OF A FORMER ARMY CAMP. IT IS THE FIRST OUTDOOR HOLIDAY RESORT.OF ITS KIND MADE AVAILABLE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO OFFER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO BOTH THE ABLE-BODIED AND THE HANDICAPPED ON A LARGE AND ECONOMICAL BASIS. IT IS OPERATED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
AT PRESENT, THE CENTRE CAN PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR SOME EDD RESIDENTIAL CAMPERS. IT ft ILL BE EXPANDED LATER TO CATER FOR 430.
CAMPERS ARE CHARGED 05 EACH FOR LODGING AND '4 FOR
A MEAL. AS FOR DAY CAM'ERS, A NOMINAL FEt OF 51 EACH IS CHARGED.
OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS, OVER 15,303 PEOPLE HAD USED
THE CENTRE THOUGH CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION ftGRK OF THE CENTRE WAS UNDERWAY.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1977
5
HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA'S VISIT
******
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S PROGRAMME FOR TOMORROW (TUESDAY) :-
(I) 10.40 A.M. VISIT NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE UNIT, HING WAH
ESTATE, CHAI WAN.
(TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK AT 9.15 A.M. SHARP. PLEASE BE REMINDED THAT THE PRESS PARTY AT POSITION +A+ OUTSIDE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE UNIT WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE TO THE PAVEMENT OUTSIDE THE ESTATE MARKET WHILE THE PRINCESS IS MEETING MAC REPRESENTATIVES. POSITIONS +B+ BESIDE MAC REPRESENTATIVES ON STREET AND +C+ ON THE ELEVATED WALKWAY ONLY FOR TV AND CINE-CAMERAMEN WILL EE FIXED. IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE PRESS PARTIES TO FOLLOW THE PRINCESS TO THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE).
(II) 10.57 A.M. VISIT CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
(TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK AT
9.30 A.M. SHARP. THE PRESS PARTIES AT POSITIONS
+A + AND +B+ WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE TO A POSITION INSIDE
THE CENTRE’S MULTI-PURPOSE HALL.)
(Ill) 4.45 P.M. COMMUNITY RECEPTION, CONVENTION CENTRE.
(TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK AT
4 P.M. SHARP.)
- 0 -
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1977
TWO MORE COUNTRY PARKS TO BE GAZETTED ******
TWO MORE COUNTRY PARKS, ONE IN THE ABERDEEN RESERVOIRS COMPLEX AND THE OTHER AT TYTAM IN WONG NE I CHONG, ARE EXPECTED TO BE GAZETTED SOON, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. E.H. NICHOLS, SAID IN A LUNCHEON TALK TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF VICTORIA TODAY.
THE TWO AREAS WILL BE THE FIRST COUNTRY PARKS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND ARE ALREADY DEVELOPED AND SERVED BY MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
+LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD,+ MR. NICHOLS WENT ON, ^PLANNING IS WELL ADVANCED FOR THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA, WHICH IS INCREASINGLY BECOMING THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL OUR RECREATIONAL AREAS.+
HE SAID THE FIRST NEW MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THIS AREA WERE ALREADY IN PLACE, AND A MANAGEMENT CENTRE AT PAK TAM CHUNG WOULD BE COMPLETED A LITTLE LATER THIS YEAR.
GROUNDWORK FOR GAZETTING THE AREA IS IN HAND BUT IS COMPLEX BECAUSE THE LAND TENURE PROBLEMS HAS TO BE RESOLVED.
+ALSO CONTINUING OF COURSE IS THE PROCESS OF GRADUALLY DESIGNATING OTHER AREAS CURRENTLY MANAGED AS COUNTRY PARKS, PRINCIPALLY WESTWARDS FROM SHING MUN TOWARDS CASTLE PEAK AND IN THE VICINITY OF BRIDE’S POOL,+ HE SAID.
MR. NICHOLS SAID ALTHOUGH UP TO DATE ONLY THREE COUNTRY PARKS — LION ROCK, KAM SHAN AND SHING MUN, TOTALLING SLIGHTLY LESS THAN NINE SQUARE MILES HAD BEEN GAZETTED NEARLY 100 SQUARE MILES OF COUNTRYSIDE WERE CURRENTLY BEING PROTECTED AND MANAGED AS SUCH.
HE EXPLAINED THAT BECAUSE IT TOOK TIME TO PROCESS LAND ADMINISTRATIVELY AND LEGALLY FOR DESIGNATION AS COUNTRY PARKS, IT WAS INTENDED TO PRESS AHEAD WITH PROVIDING MORE AND IMPROVED MANAGEMENT SERVICES BOTH IN NEW AREAS SUCH AS THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA, AND IN OLDER AREAS NOT YET WELL PROVIDED FOR, SUCH AS LANTAU ISLAND AND THE PAT SIN LING, IN ADVANCE OF DESIGNATION.
HE SAID: +WHILST IT IS HIGHLY DESIRABLE TO HAVE COUNTRY PARKS LEGALLY DESIGNATED, SO THAT ADDITIONAL LEGAL PROTECTION AND AUTHORITY CAN GOVERN THE USAGE, THERE IS ENOUGH ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL PRESENTLY AVAILABLE TO JUSTIFY PUSHING AHEAD WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME, AND SO PREVENT FURTHER DETERIORATION OF SCENIC AREAS WHICH ARE BEING USED AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE NEEDED FOR SUCH RECREATIONAL PURSUITS.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE COUNTRY PARK BY DEFINITION, AND AT LAW, SETS ASIDE SPECIFIC AREAS OF SCENIC LAND FOR PUBLIC USE BUT DID NOT MEAN THAT THE PUBLIC HAD COMPLETE AND UNRESTRICTED USE TO ALL LAND WITHIN THE PARK AREA.
MONDAY, FEBWJArtY 7, 1977
7
FORMAL ORGANISED RECREATIONAL PURSUITS SUCH AS ATHLETICS, FOOTBALL AND THE LIKE WERE EXCLUDED, HE EMPHASISED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT LAND WITHIN THE INDIVIDUAL COUNTRY PARK HAD TO BE ZONED SO THAT USE AND ACTIVITIES COMPLEMENTED EACH OTHER AND DID NOT COMPETE OR ENDANGER THE RESOURCE EITHER AS A WHOLE OR IN PART.
+THUS WHILST PICNIC FACILITIES MAY BE SPREAD MORE LIBERALLY THROUGH THE PARK, BARBECUE AREAS HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY SITED TO ELIMINATE OR AT LEAST MINIMISE FIRE HAZARDS,* HE SAID.
+NATURE TRAILS MUST BE SAFEGUARDED AGAINST OVERUSE DESTROYING THE NATURAL PHENOMENA BEING LOOKED AT. NATURE RESERVES MUST BE STRICTLY CONTROLLED IF THEY ARE TO FULFIL THEIR PRIME PURPOSE OF CONSERVING AN ECOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT FOR SCIENTIFIC STUDY AND EDUCATIVE PURPOSES.*
MR. NICHOLS POINTED OUT THAT MORE THAN TWO MILLION PEOPLE
A YEAR VISITED THE AREAS MANAGED AS COUNTRY PARKS AND APART FROM OCCASIONALLY TRAMPLING THE VEGETATION INTO THE GROUND AND DESTROYING THE ODD TREE, EACH OF THE VISITORS CARRIED HALF
A POUND OF POTENTIAL LITTER.
THIS GAVE RISE TO ONE OF THE'MAJOR MANAGEMENT PROBLEM — THE PHYSICAL REMOVAL OF ABOUT 500 TONS OF LITTER SCATTERED OVER NEARLY 100 SQUARE MILES OF COUNTRYSIDE, HE SAID.
FIRE WAS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR ADVERSE CHANGE, HE SAID, ADDING THAT AN AVERAGE OF 500 FIRES COULD BE EXPECTED IN A NORMAL FIRE SEASON BUT UNDER WORSE CONDITIONS THERE COULD BE MORE THAN 1,000 FIRES, OR THREE TO SIX FIRES EVERY DAY. THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE VARIATION AND UP TO 100 FIRES HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED IN ONE DAY, HE INDICATED.
MR. NICHOLS POINTED OUT THAT OVER HALF OF HONG KONG’S POPULATION WERE LESS THAN 25 YEARS OF AGE AND ALMOST TWO MILLION PEOPLE LIVED IN SOME 50 SQUARE MILES OF URBAN SETTLEMENT.
+SOME 70 PER CENT OF OUR LAND,* HE WENT ON, +WAS STILL COUNTRYSIDE AND MUCH OF THIS WOULD CONTINUE TO REMAIN SO BECAUSE WE COLLECTED MOST OF OUR WATER SUPPLIES FROM 40 PER CENT OF OUR LAND.*
+WITH THE PROVISION OF PROPER FACILITIES OUR PEOPLE HAVE THE CHANCE TO DEVELOP PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY, TO BECOME MORE PRODUCTIVE AND MORE COMPLETE INDIVIDUALS,* HE SAID.
0 -
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1977
8
CENSUS OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING A COMPREHENSIVE CENSUS OF THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, AS WELL AS RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS.
THE CENSUS, SCHEDULED FOR 1978 IN RESPECT OF THE YEAR 1977, IS PART OF A LONG-TERM PROGRAMME TO COLLECT COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC STATISTICS COVERING ALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES SO AS TO PROVIDE A CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT OF THE’ECONOMY AND THE SECTORAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO EMPLOYMENT, OUTPUT AND INCOME IN HONG KONG. THE FIRST CENSUS IN THIS PROGRAMME WAS THE ONE ON INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION CARRIED OUT IN 1973.
THE FORTHCOMING CENSUS WILL COLLECT INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT LABOUR COST, SALES AND RECEIPTS, PURCHASES, OPERATING COSTS, STOCKS AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
THERE ARE ABOUT 56,000 IMPORT AND EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS, 3,500 RESTAURANTS AND 800 HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES EMPLOYING A TOTAL OF 366,000 PEOPLE. IN 1971 THIS SECTOR EMPLOYED 254,000 PEOPLE ACCOUNTING FOR 16 PER CENT OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF THIS SECTOR TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 22.3 PER CENT OR $6,919 MILLION IN 1973.
DURING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT A SERIES OF CONSULTATIONS WITH TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS.
THE PURPOSE OF THESE CONSULTATIONS IS TO SEEK VIEWS ON THE SUITABILITY OF QUESTIONNAIRES TO EE USED FOR THE CENSUS.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID THAT BEFORE BEING APPROACHED FOR CONSULTATION TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE ADVISED IN ADVANCE BY LETTER. EXPERIENCED STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT, EACH BEARING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD, WILL THEN VISIT THE SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS.
o - -
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1977
9
BAD WEATHER AFFECTS SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO U.S. EAST COAST * * * * *
SOME SPEEDPOST CONSIGNMENTS TO AND FROM THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES MAY BE DELAYED DUE TO THE VERY SEVERE WINTER CONDITIONS THERE.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL SAID HEAVY SNOW STORMS AND SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES HAD CLOSED OFF AIRPORTS FROM TIME TO TIME.
+SOME FIRMS HAVE TEMPORARILY CLOSED DOWN WHILST THESE ABNORMAL CONDITIONS CONTINUE,+ HE SAID.
THE STATES MOST AFFECTED ARE PENNSYLVANIA, UPSTATE NEW YORK, OHIO AND VIRGINIA.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT ALL PARKING IN THE VICINITY OF CHEUNG SHA WAN ESTATE WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 A.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO 4 P.M. ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 18).
THE AFFECTED PLACES ARE:
* THE UNNAMED ROAD LEADING NORTH FROM TONKIN STREET AND BETWEEN CHEUNG SHA WAN ESTATE AND CHEUNG SHA WAN POLICE MARRIED QUARTERS, AND
* FAT TSEUNG STREET BETWEEN LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD.
-----o------
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ATTENDS COMMUNITY RECEPTION .............. 1
THE EIGHT-DAY ROYAL VISIT TO HONG KONG ENDS TOMORROW .... 1
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TAKES A LOOK AT JUNIOR POLICE CALL ... 2
CEREMONY TO MARK THE CLOSING OF AN INDUSTRIAL TRAINING COURSE ............................................. 3
TWO-TIME WINNER OF +HELP THE POLICE COMPETITION* JOINS THE FORCE ................................................... 4
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TO KWA WAN ........................ 4
ROYAL VISITORS TOUR CHAI WAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING UNIT ............................................ 5
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ATTENDS POLICE LUNCHEON ................. 6
WATER CUT ................................................... 6
LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS ................... 7
FOUR SAI KUNG FLATS SOLD ................................... 7
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1977
1
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ATTENDS COMMUNITY RECEPTION * * * *
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY WERE GUESTS OF HONOUR TODAY (TUESDAY) AT A COMMUNITY RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE GOVERNOR FOR SOME 2,000 PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN HONG KONG.
ACCOMPANIED BY SIR MURRAY, THE ROYAL COUPLE WERE MET ON ARRIVAL AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION CENTRE BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS.
THE FIRST SIX BARS OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WERE PLAYED AS THE PRINCESS AND MR. OGILVY STEPPED INTO THE ORIENTAL ROOM wHERE THE RECEPTION WAS HELD.
INVITED GUESTS WERE THEN PRESENTED TO THE PRINCESS BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS BRAY, AND OTHER STAFF OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT. THE PRINCESS MOVED FREELY THROUGH THE ROOM FOR SOME 45 MINUTES AND CHATTED AMICABLY WITH EVERYONE HER ROYAL HIGHNESS MET.
MUSIC FOR THE OCCASION WAS PROVIDED BY THE BAND OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S VISIT
*******
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S PROGRAMME FOR TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
11 A.M.
VISIT LIGHT INFANTRY AT STANLEY FORT.
(TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK AT 9.33 A.M. SHARP.)
9.45 P.M. DEPART FROM HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. (TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK AT 8.43 P. ’. SHARP. PRESS POSITIONS WILL EE Trie SAP'e -.3 TriOoE FOR ARRIVAL. POSITION + A + ON i Hl TARP.AC IS "Or. Trz GENeRAL PRESS AND POSITION +E+ ON THE ROOF CF THE EQU IPMENT-EuI_DI NG FACING BAY 2 IS FOR T.V. AND CINE-CAMERAMEN.)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1977
2
PRINCESS TAKES A LOOK AT JUNIOR POLICE CALL
M * M * *
HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA THIS MORNING SAW, IN A SPECIAL DISPLAY PUT ON AT THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE BY ABOUT 250 CHILDREN, A BROAD CROSS-SECTION OF THE WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES ENJOYED BY THE 180,000 MEMBERS WHO MAKE UP THE HIGHLY-SUCCESSFUL JUNIOR POLICE CALL ORGANISATION.
THE PRINCESS, ACCOMPANIED BY HER HUSBAND, THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY- THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL PARTY SPENT ABOUT 25 MINUTES INSPECTING THE VARIOUS DISPLAYS AND MEETING AND CHATTING WITH JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS FROM THE EASTERN, WESTERN AND KWUN TONG DIVISIONS.
ON HER ARRIVAL AT THE CENTRE, THE PRINCESS WAS MET BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR. BRIAN SLEVIN.
THE COMMISSIONER, THEN PRESENTED TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE CHIEF POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, MR. ANDREW RENNIE-THE WARDEN OF THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, MR. KWAN KAM-CHUEN, AND THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER FOR EASTERN DIVISION, CHIEF INSPECTOR HARRY HUNG CHAN-YAN.
AFTER WATCHING A TRADITIONAL LION DANCE WELCOME AND A KUNG FU DEMONSTRATION STAGED BY JPC MEMBERS FROM THE EASTERN DIVISION, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, ESCORTED BY MR. RENNIE, SET OFF TO INSPECT EACH OF THE DISPLAYS.
FIRST STOP WAS A LECTURE ON ROAD SAFETY BEING GIVEN BY TWO TRAFFIC POLICEWOMEN TO A GROUP OF CHAI WAN CYCLISTS.
FROM THERE, THE ROYAL PARTY MOVED ON TO A TENT-PITCHING COMPETITION STAGED BETWEEN JPC MEMBERS FROM EASTERN AND A PHOTOGRAPHIC CLASS GIVEN BY A POLICE PHOTOGRAPHER TO KWUN TONG MEMBERS.
THE PRINCESS THEN TOOK TIME OUT TO CHAT WITH A GROUP OF EASTERN MEMBERS PRACTISING FOR A BASKETBALL MATCH AND SOME OF THE CHAI WAN SCHOOL STUDENTS CROWDING NEARBY STANDS.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE VISIT CAME, HOWEVER, WHEN PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ENTERED THE MULTI-PURPOSE HALL ATTACHED TO THE CENTRE.
THERE HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CHATTED WITH THE WINNERS OF THE 1975 and 1976 YOUNG PEOPLE’S HELP THE POLICE COMPETITIONS HELD BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE.
THE MEETING ENABLED THE FOUR 1975 WINNERS -- CHENG TAK-WAH, YIP KIU-SANG, NGAN MAN-WAH AND CHIU YIN-LING — AND ESCORTING OFFICER, WOMAN CHIEF INSPECTOR CATHERINE ROPER (NEE CHEUNG MEI-MING) TO RENEW AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE.
FOR ALL FIVE WERE PRESENTED TO THE PRINCESS DURING THE PRIZE-WINNING TRIP THEY MADE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM TWO YEARS AGO.
HOWEVER, THE BIGGEST SURPRISE OF ALL FOR PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WAS TO SEE CHENG TAK-W'AH WEARING THE UNIFORM OF AN INSPECTOR IN THE POLICE FORCE OF WHICH HER ROYAL HIGHNESS IS HONORARY COMMANDANT GENERAL.
CHENG JOINED THE POLICE 1-1/2 MONTHS AGO AS A RECRUIT INSPECTOR AND IS NOW UNDER TRAINING AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL IN WONG CHUK HANG.
THE FOUR WINNERS OF THE 1976 YOUNG PEOPLE’S HELP THE POLICE COMPETITION WERE THEN PRESENTED TO THE PRINCESS. THEY ARE WILSON LEUNG WING-CHUNG, EMILY TANG LAI-WAH, PETER LEE KWOK-TAI AND LILLIAN SHUM WAI-WAH.
THESE FOUR YOUNGSTERS, ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR ESCORTS CHIEF INSPECTOR PETER CH IK KWAN-FU AND WOMAN INSPECTOR SHIRLEY CHOW CHEUNG FUNG-YEE, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON FEBRUARY 21 TO SPEND TWO WEEKS IN AUSTRALIA AS PART OF THE IR PRIZE.
OTHER DISPLAYS SEEN BY THE PRINCESS INSIDE THE HALL INCLUDED A FIRST AID GROUP FROM THE EASTERN DIV IS ION- A ■QUARRY BAY PRIMARY SCHOOL JUNIOR POLICE CALL GROUP WITH TWO WHEELCHAIRS THEY BOUGHT FOR PATIENTS AT THE DUCHESS OF KENT CHILDREN’S ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL AND CONVALESCENT HOME* A DRAWING CLASS* A SELF-DEFENCE GROUP AND A SHOWING OF THE FILM, +THE DANGEROUS STRANGER+, WHICH WAS PRESENTED TO THE FORCE BY THE ROTARY CLUE OF HONG KONG EAST TO BRING HOME TO YOUNG PEOPLE THE DANGERS OF GOING WITH STRANGERS.
- - - - u
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFICERS TRAINING COURSE * * * *
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A CLOSING CEREMONY TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFICERS TRAINING COURSE ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BE HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE ON THE 3RD FLOOR OF THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KOWLOON, AT 4 P.M, TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
MR. CLIVE P. FLEGG, CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL CONTAINER HANDLING SAFETY COMMITTEE, WILL OFFICIATE AND PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO 17 NEWLY-TRAINED INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFICERS AT THE CEREMONY.
YOU ARE INVITED TC SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1977
SECOND TIME AROUND FOR COMPETITION DINNER TURNED POLICEMAN * * *
AN 18-1/2-YEAR-OLD YOUTH, WHO JOINED THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE AFTER WINNING THE FIRST YOUNG PEOPLE’S HELP THE POLICE COMPETITION HELD BY THE FORCE IN 1975, THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING WAS PRESENTED TO PRINCESS ALEXANDRA FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS.
THE YOUTH, SIMON CHENG TAK-WAH, WAS ONE OF THE EIGHT WINNERS OF THE 1975 AND 1976 HELP THE POLICE COMPETITIONS WHO MET THE PRINCESS AT A JUNIOR POLICE CALL DISPLAY HELD AT THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
SIMON FIRST MET THE PRINCESS IN AUGUST, 1975, WHEN HE AND THE OTHER THREE WINNERS OF THE FIRST YOUNG PEOPLE’S HELP THE POLICE COMPETITION WERE RECEIVED AT KENSINGTON PALACE DURING THEIR PRIZE-WINNING TRIP TO THE UNITED KINGDOM.
SIMON, WHO LIVES IN 01 MAN ESTATE, GRADUATED FROM THE LOK SIN TONG YU KAN HING SCHOOL IN KOWLOON AT THE END OF LAST YEAR.
HE JOINED THE POLICE FORCE AS A RECRUIT INSPECTOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO AND IS NOW UNDER TRAINING AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL IN WONG CHUK HANG.
ASKED WHY HE CHOSE A POLICE CAREER, SIMON SAID TODAY: +IT’S A MEANINGFUL JOB AND IT GIVES ME A CHANCE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.*
-------G ---------
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTINGS IN TO KWA WAN
******
TWO STREETS IN TO KWA WAN. KOWLOON, WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 11) IN ORDER TO IMPROVE LOCAL TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.
MEI KWONG STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY FROM KWEI CHOW STREET TO MEI KING STREET, WHILE ME I KING STREET BETWEEN MEI KWONG STREET AND KWEI CHOW' STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY FROM MEI KwONG STREET TO KWEI CHOW STREET.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
1
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1977 - 5 -
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS CHAI WAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING UNIT *****
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WAS GIVEN A WARM WELCOME WITH SMILES, APPLAUSE AND WAVING HANDS BY SCHOOL CHILDREN AND RESIDENTS IN HING isAH ESTATE, CHAI WAN WHEN SHE VISITED THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING UNIT THERE THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
MORE THAN 1,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN LINED THE PAVEMENTS OF THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE ESTATE TO GREET HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WHILE SEVERAL THOUSAND RESIDENTS TOOK UP VANTAGE POINTS ON THE ELEVATED ...ALKaAY ABOVE THE ROAD TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE PRINCESS.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THE PRINCESS AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY WERE GREETED ON ARRIVAL BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, HR. BRIAN SLEVIN AND THE DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, HONG KONG ISLAND, MR. PAUL GRACE.
THE PRINCESS THEN WENT INTO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING UNIT’S OFFICE TO SIGN A VISITORS BOOK AND TALK TO POLICE OFFICERS ON DUTY THERE.
OUTSIDE THE NPU’S OFFICE, THE CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (HONG KONG), MR. MICHAEL LEUNG, AND THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (EASTERN), MRS. MABEL HAYES, PRESENTED TO THE PRINCESS THE CHAIRMAN AND TWO MEMBERS OF THE HING WAH, ESTATE (STAGE II) MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE.
FOLLOWING A TALK WITH THE MAC MEMBERS, THE PRINCESS VISITED A BAKERY SHOP. SHE BOUGHT A RAISIN EUN FOR 31.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS ALSO WENT INTO A GRILLED MEAT SHOP AND PROVISIONS STORE TO TALK TO SHOP OPERATORS.
THE PRINCESS PAUSED CHILDREN LIN ING THE ROAD ON THE ELEVATED WALKWAY.
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO CHAT WITH SCHOOL TO WELCOME HER AND TO WAVE TO RESIDENTS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS ALSO MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN THE THEM BEFORE SHE LEFT FOR THE AFTER 11 A.M.
MET CHAIRMEN AND MEMBERS OF OTHER
CHA! WAN DISTRICT AND SPOKE TO SOME OF CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE SHORTLY
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ATTENDS POLICE LUNCHEON
*******
HRn PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND HER HUSBAND, THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY, ATTENDED A LUNCHEON GIVEN IN THEIR HONOUR BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE IN THEIR GAZETTED OFFICERS MESS AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN ARSENAL STREET TO-DAY (TUESDAY). HER ROYAL HIGHNESS IS THE HONORARY COMMANDANT GENERAL OF THE FORCE.
THE ROYAL COUPLE WERE RECEIVED ON ARRIVAL AT THE ENTRANCE TO CAINE HOUSE BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR. BRIAN SLEVIN, .'.HO PRESENTED THE PRESIDENT OF THE MESS COMMITTEE, MR. PETER MOOR, DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, KOWLOON.
AT Tr.E LUNCHEON, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRAISED THE POLICE FOR THE MANY-SIDED EFFORTS THEY HAVE MADE AND THE DEGREE OF SUCCESS THEY HAVE ACHIEVED, IN TURNING THE TIDE.
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE PRINCESS’S REMARKS :
+MR. COMMISSIONER, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :
+THIS IS NOT A SPEECH, BUT AS YOUR HONORARY COMMANDANT GENERAL I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TWO THINGS.
+FIRSTLY, I AM DELIGHTED TO MEET YOU ALL AGAIN.
+SECONDLY, IN THE FIVE YEARS SINCE WE LAST MET YOU HAVE PASSED THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES. I SHOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH YOU HAVE BEEN IN MY THOUGHTS, HOW CLOSELY I HAVE FOLLOWED YOUR PROGRESS, AND HOW MUCH I RESPECT AND ADMIRE THE MANY-SIDED EFFORTS YOU HAVE MADE AND THE DEGREE OF SUCCESS YOU HAVE ACHIEVED, IN TURNING THE TIDE. I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE IN YOUR DETERMINATION TO SEE THE JOE THROUGH.
+THANK YOU ALL FOR A VERY ENJOYABLE LUNCH, AND I HOPE IT WILL NOT BE SO LONG BEFORE WE MEET AGAIN. MEANWHILE MY BEST wISHES TO YOU AND ALL IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.+
WATER CUT * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WONG CHUK HANG AND YAU MA TEI WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 10) TO ENABLE THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TC CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
IN WONG CHUK HANG., THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY NORTH SIDE OF tvONG CHUK HANG ROAD FROM ABERDEEN TRADE SCHOOL TO SHOUSGN HILL ROAD, SOUTH SIDE OF WONG CHUK HANG ROAD FROM HOUSE NO. 44 TO 62, HOUSE NO. 2 TO 10, HEUNG YIP ROAD, HOUSE NO. 2 TC 12, YIP FAT STREET, INCLUDING THE GRANTHAM HOSPITAL.
IN YAU MA TEI, THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY JORDAN ROAD, NATHAN ROAD, SAIGON STREET, AND SHANGHAI STREET, INCLUDING NING PO STREEi, NANKING STREET, TEMPLE STREET AND PARKES STREET.
TUESDAY, S, '977
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LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS ******
MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED ELDERLY PATIENTS WILL BE ENTERTAINED AT A LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY IN PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 10).
THE PARTY, THE SECOND OF ITS KIND FOR GERIATRIC PATIENTS, WILL BE HELD IN THE GERIATRIC WARD OF THE HOSPITAL IN THE AFTERNOON.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PARTY WILL INCLUDE A LION DANCE TO MARK THE ADVENT OF THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE.
A CANTONESE OPERA WILL BE STAGED BY THE LUNG CHEUNG CANTONESE OPERA GROUP.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A MAGIC SHOW AND A LUCKY DRAW FOR THE PATIENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE PARTY WILL BE HELD IN THE GERIATRIC DAY HOSPITAL, F€, SPECIAL BLOCK, PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL FROM 1.33 P.M. TO 4 P.M. ON FEBRUARY 10 (THURSDAY). YOU ARE WELCOME TO HAVE THE OCCASION COVERED.
FOUR SAI KUNG FLATS SOLD
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY SOLD FOUR FLATS AT SAI KUNG FOR A TOTAL OF $435,003 AT A PUBLIC AUCTION ATTENDED BY ABOUT 333 PEOPLE AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE.
TWO OTHER FLATS WERE WITHDRAWN FROM THE SALE WHEN NO BIDS WERE MADE AT THE OPENING PRICE OF $103,003.
THE FLATS -- IN PO TUNG ROAD -- ARE AMONG A NUMBER OF SURPLUS FLATS IN A DEVELOPMENT OF FIVE-STOREY COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS BUILT TO REHOUSE LOCAL VILLAGERS AFFECTED BY THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. ROBERT UPTON, SAID LATER THAT THE SALE WAS AN EXPLORATORY ONE.
+WE PUT THESE SIX FLATS UP FOR SALE TO SEE WHAT PUBLIC RESPONSE WOULD BE.+ HE SAID.
+THE AUCTIONEER OPENED THE BIDDING AT $100,330 FOR EACH FLAT AND OF THE FOUR SOLD, THREE WNET FOR $113,000 EACH AND THE OTHER FOR $105,030.
+WE WILL NOW CONSIDER THE RESULTS OF THE AUCTION BEFORE MAKING PLANS FOR THE DISPOSAL OF THE REMAINING FuATS.+
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ENDS HER EIGHT-DAY VISIT WITH A POLICE TEA PARTY ........................................... 1
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS 1ST BATTALION THE LIGHT INFANTRY AT STANLEY FORT ............................ 2
GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE AND SENIOR OFFICIALS BADE FAREWELL TO THE PRINCESS AT AIRPORT ................. 3
C.C.O. (WONG TAI SIN) TO MOVE TO SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES ............................................. 3
FIRST THREE DAYS OF LUNAR NEW YEAR ARE STATUTORY HOLIDAYS 4
REGISTERED ELECTORS OF URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION URGED TO TURN UP ON POLLING DAY .............................. 5
SPECIAL TRAINS ARRANGED FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS . 6
EMPLOYERS URGED TO MAKE USE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE .............................................. 7
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED ............................. 7
WATER CUT IN SHAM SHU I PO .......................... o
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT ............ 8
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1977
PRINCESS ENDS VISIT WITH POLICE TEA PARTY
******
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, AS HONORARY COMMANDANT GENERAL OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE, THIS AFTERNOON WOUND UP HER EIGHT-DAY VISIT TO HONG KONG BY ATTENDING A POLICE TEA PARTY IN THE FURAMA HOTEL.
ON HER ARRIVAL AT THE HOTEL, THE PRINCESS AND HER HUSBAND, THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY, WERE MET BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR. ERIAN SLEVIN, AND HIS WIFE, GAY.
MR. AND MRS. SLEVIN THEN ESCORTED THE ROYAL COUPLE AND THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TO THE JADE BALLROOM WHERE ABOUT 600 MEMBERS OF THE FORCE AND THEIR WIVES WERE GATHERED.
THE 600 REPRESENTED EVERY FORMATION IN THE FORCE.
ON ENTERING THE BALLROOM, THE COMMISSIONER PRESENTED TO PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND MR. OGILVY THE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER RECRUITMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, MISS ANN CALDERWOOD, AND SENIOR INSPECTOR AU-YEUNG LAU WING-LING.
THE PRINCESS, ACCOMPANIED BY MISS CALDERWOOD AND SENIOR INSPECTOR AU-YEUNG, THEN MADE HER WAY AROUND THE BALLROOM MEETING AND CHATTING WITH POLICE OFFICERS AND CIVILIANS ATTACHED TO THE FORCE.
AMONG THOSE PRESENTED TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WERE POLICE CONSTABLE 10119 YU KAN-HUNG (TRAFFIC/KOWLOON)” POLICE CONSTABLE 17003 CHAN PO-YAN (WANCHAI)- STATION SERGEANT LEUNG KAI-YAN (POLICE HEADQUARTERS)” WOMAN POLICE CONSTABLE 15545 LEUNG SAU-YUNG (MONGKOK)” STATION SERGEANT AMIR KHAN (NEw TERRITORIES)” STATION SERGEANT WONG YIU-MING (AUXILIARY HEADQUARTERS)" INSPECTOR CHIK K l-YAN (POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL)” CHIEF INSPECTOR L.C. SEW (TRIAD SOCIETY BUREAU)” MR. LEUNG KI-KUI (CALLIGRAPH 1ST, POLICE HEADQUARTERS)” INSPECTOR J.F. BREEN (COMMERCIAL CRIME OFFICE)” MR. NG KWONG-WO (A RETIRED DETECTIVE SERGEANT AND WELL-KNOWN PAINTER)” POLICc CONSTABLE 427 CHAN SUI-KWONG (POLICE TACTICAL UNIT)” POLICE CONSTABLE 2369 CHUM YUNG-KWONG AND POLICE CONSTABLE 3862 YEUNG YU-YUEN (AUXILIARY HEADQUARTERS)” AND MR. H.G. HAMMAL (MECHANICAL INSPECTOR, MARINE HEADQUARTERS).
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA SPENT ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AT THE TEA PARTY BEFORE RETURNING TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1977
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS LIGHT INFANTRY * * * *
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SPENT THREE HOURS VIS I"I NG MEMBERS AND FAMILIES OF THE 1ST BATTALION THE LIGHT INFANTRY AT STANLEY FORT IN HER CAPACITY AS DEPUTY COLONEL-IN-CHIEF OF THE REGIMENT.
ON THE LAST DAY OF HER EIGHT-DAY VISIT, THE PRINCESS LOOKED AS REFRESHED AND KEEN AS THE FIRST DAY HER ROYAL HIGHNESS ARRIVED.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WAS MET ON ARRIVAL AT STANLEY FORT BY MAJOR GENERAL D.N.H. TYACKE, COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT, AND LIEUTENANT COLONEL M.J.A. WILSON, COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE 1ST BATTALION.
AFTER A BRIEF VISIT TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER’S HOME, THE PRINCESS PROCEEDED TO THE SPORTS GROUND WHERE HER ROYAL HIGHNESS SA/; SOLDIERS OF THE BATTALION’S MORTAR, RECCE, SIGNALS AND ANTI-TANK PLATOONS GO THROUGH THEIR PACES.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA EVIDENTLY ENJOYED THE CRISP AND FRESH MORNING AIR IN STANLEY, STOPPING AND CHATTING FREQUENTLY WITH SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO CAME CUT TO GET A GLIMPSE CF THEIR ROYAL VISITOR.
ACCOMPANIED EY THE BATTALION’S FAMILIES OFFICER, CAPTAIN V. WOOD, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THEN VISITED THE HOMES OF TWO SOLDIERS AND MET MEMBERS OF THEIR TAMIL IES.
FROM THERE, THE PRINCESS ..ENT ON TO THE WARRANT OFFICERS AND SERGEANTS’ MESS AND THEN THE OFFICERS’ NESS WHERE HER ROYAL HIGHNESS HAD LUNCH.
A COPY OF THE BATTALION’S NEW RECORD ENTITLED +SALAMANCA+ WAS LATER PRESENTED TO THE PRINCESS AS A SOUVENIR.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA HAS A LONG ASSOCIATION WITH THE LIGHT INFANTRY AND HAS BEEN THE REGIMENT’S DEPUTY COLONEL-1N-CH IEF SINCE 1968 WHEN THE COUNTY REGIMENTS OF THE LIGHT INFANTRY WERE DISBANDED AND THE LIGHT INFANTRY REGIMENT FORMED.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS LAST VISITED THE 1ST BATTALION IN _E'-'GC, WEST GERMANY, ON MAY 25, 1972 WHEN THE PRINCESS PRESENTED T-E BATTALION WITH THEIR REGIMENTAL AND QUEEN’S COLOURS.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1977
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA LEAVES AFTER EIGHT-DAY VISIT
*****
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY LEFT HONG KONG BY AIR AT 10.45 P.M. TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) AFTER AN EIGHT-DAY VISIT HERE.
THE ROYAL COUPLE WERE SEEN OFF AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT EY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE AND LADY MACLEHOSE.
ALSO AT THE AIRPORT TO SAY FAREWELL TO THE PRINCESS WERE GOVERNOR’S AIDE-DE-CAMP, MR. DENIS SHACKLETON* THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, LT. GENERAL SIR JOHN ARCHER AND LADY ARCHER* THE CHIEF JUSTICE, THE HON. SIR GEOFFREY BRIGGS* THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON. SIR DENYS ROBERTS* THE HON. SIR YUET-'KEUNG KAN, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND LADY KAN* DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND MRS. CHUNG* THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR. ERIAN SLEVIN* THE ROYAL VISIT DIRECTOR, SIR JOHN CURLE AND LADY CURLE.
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NEW ADDRESS OF C.D.O. (WONG TAI SIN) * * * *
THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WONG TAI SIN) WILL BEGIN OPERATION AT ITS NEW OFFICE AT THE SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 4TH FLOOR, NORTH WING, KING FUK STREET, KOWLOON FROM SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 12).
THE PRESENT OFFICE, LOCATED AT PARIS THEATRE BUILDING, KING FUK STREET, SAN PC KONG, WILL BE CLOSED AS FROM THAT DAY.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1977
LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD DAYS OF THE LUNAR NEa YEAR WHICH FALL ON FEBRUARY lo, 19 AND 20, 1977 ARE THREE OF THE 13 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS APPOINTED UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
THIS YEAR THE THIRD DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FALLS ON A SUNDAY WHICH IS LIKELY ALSO TO BE A REST DAY FOR MANY EMPLOYEES COVERED BY THE ORDINANCE.
+ IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES,* SAID MR. PRICE, +AN EMPLOYER MUST GRANT HIS EMPLOYEES ANOTHER REST DAY. IF AN EMPLOYER AND AN EMPLOYEE AGREE, ANY DAY WITHIN 30 DAYS OF A STATUTORY HOLIDAY OR ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY MAY BE TAKEN BY THE EMPLOYEE AS A SUBSTITUTED HOLIDAY, BECAUSE THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE STIPULATES THAT A REST DAY SHALL BE IN ADDITION TO ANY STATUTORY HOLIDAY.*
MR. PRICE EMPHASISED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AD?LIED TO ALL EMPLOYEES WHEREVER THEY WORK.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $2,303 A MONTH AND ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS AND IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAYS. AND THEY MUST ALSO EE PAID FOR THE THREE DAYS OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
+AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS NOT EMPLOYED ON A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT --FOR EXAMPLE, ONE WHO WORKS FOR LESS THAN SIX HOURS A DAY OR HAS BEEN EMPLOYED BY THE SAME EMPLOYER FOR LESS THAN THREE MONTHS --IS STILL ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAYS, BUT HAS NO LEGAL ENTITLEMENT TO BE PAID,* MR. PR ICE SAID.
IF THE EMPLOYER REQUIRES AN EMPLOYEE TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST GIVE HIM AT LEAST 43 HOURS’ NOTICE, AND HE MUST GIVE HIS EMPLOYEE AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY WITHIN 63 DAYS OF THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
IF THE EMPLOYER INTENDS TO GIVE HIS EMPLOYEE AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST NOTIFY HlS EMPLOYEE 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THAT ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY. AND IF AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY IS TO EE GIVEN AFTER THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE EMPLOYER MUST INFORM HIS EMPLOYEES OF THE ARRANGEMENT AT LEAST 43 HOURS BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
COMPLAINTS OR ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS "AY EE ‘'ADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE: -OR KOWLOON EAST 3-235638- KOWLOON aEST 3-231652= KWUN TONG 3-893520- TSUEN wAN 12-422396= YUEN LONG 12-760261 AND HONG KONG ISLAND 5-282523 EXT. 63.
19??
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REGISTERED ELECTORS URGED TO VOTE IN URBCO ELECTION * * * *
tl
REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE COMING URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON MARCH 3 ARE URGED TO TURN UP AT THE 13 POLLING STATIONS TO CAST THEIR VOTES.
THE APPEAL CAME FROM MR. PATRICK LEE, ASSISTANT REGISTRATION OFFICER, URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB TODAY, HE SAID THAT THE LAST URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION HELD IN MARCH 1975 WAS QUITE DISAPPOINTING BECAUSE ONLY ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE 34,078 REGISTERED ELECTORS CAST THEIR VOTES.
THEREFORE, HE ADDED, THE PRESENCE OF EVERYONE OF THE 37,174 REGISTERED ELECTORS WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO MAKE THE COMING UREA! COUNCIL ELECTION A MORE EXCITING ONE.
♦EVERY VOTE WILL DEFINITELY GIVE SOME FORM OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE CAND(DATES,+ MR. LEE EMPHASISED.
AT THE COMING ELECTION, HE POINTED OUT, ONLY THOSE WHOSE NAMES APPEARING IN THE CURRENT REGISTERS MIGHT VOTE.
♦THOSE WHO ARE NOT REGISTERED ELECTORS HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT REGISTRATION CYCLE DUE TO COMMENCE ON FEBRUARY 15, 1978 TO APPLY FOR INCLUSION IN THE PROVISION REGISTERS OF URBAN COUNCIL ELECTORS,* HE SAID.
MR. LEE DISCLOSED THAT AN INDIVIDUAL POLL CARD WOULD EE POSTED TO EVERY REGISTERED ELECTOR NEXT MONDAY (FEBRUARY 14). THE POLL CARE WOULD FACILITATE AN ELECTOR TO OBTAIN MORE QUICKLY HIS BALLOT PAPER FOR VOTING AT ONE OF THE 13 POLLING STATIONS wHICH HE HAS ALREADY CHOSEN DURING THE LAST REGISTRATION CYCLE.
HE SAID THAT REGISTERED ELECTORS WHO STILL DO NOT RECEIVE THEIR POLL CARDS ON FEBRUARY 17 COULD ENQUIRE BY CONTACTING MR. LI KENG-HEI ON TEL. NO. 5-765912.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT A VOTER WITHOUT A POLL CARD WAS STILL ENTITLED TO VOTE, PROVIDED HIS NAME WAS IN THE FINAL REGISTER AND THAT HIS IDENTITY WAS ESTABLISHED.
MR. LEE URGED VOTERS TO GO TO THE POLLING STATIONS EARLY ON THE ELECTION DAY WHEN IT WAS LESS CROWDED.
NOTICES OF INSTRUCTIONS WOULD BE DISPLAYED AT THE POLlING ~-~!ONS FOR THE GUIDANCE OF THE VOTERS, HE ADDED.
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$
, FEbn’JAiiY
6 -
SPECIAL TRAIN SERVICES DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS
* * * *
FIVE SPECIAL UPTRAINS AND SIX DOWNTRAINS WILL EE OPERATED DURING THE LUNAR NE* YEAR HOLIDAYS (FEBRUARY 18-21) TO COPE I Tri THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN COMMUTERS.
THE FIVE UPTRAINS WILL LEAVE KOWLOON (HUNG HOM) STATION AT 7.54 A.M., 12.40 P.M., 2.13 P.M., 3.43 P.M. AND 4.47 P.M.
THESE TRAINS, TOGETHER WITH 13 REGULAR TRAINS DEPARTING AT VARIOUS TIMES BETWEEN 6.30 A.M. AND 3.12 P.M. WILL NOT STOP FOR PASSENGERS AT MONG KOK STATION DURING THESE FOUR DAYS.
ALL PASSENGERS FOR THESE TRAINS ARE REQUESTED TO GO TO KOWLOON RAILWAY STATION. MONTHLY TICKET HOLDERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO BOARD THESE TRAINS WITHOUT EXTRA CHARGES.
THE SIX DOWNTRAINS WILL START THEIR SOUTHBOUND JOURNEY FROM DIFFERENT STATIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TWO WILL DEPART FROM LO WU AT 1.50 P.M. AND 5.12 P.M., TWO FROM FANLING AT 12.44 P.M. AND 3.51 P.M., ONE FROM TAI PO MARKET AT 1.57 P.M. AND ONE FROM THE UNIVERSITY AT 5.40 P. •.
THE LAST SPECIAL TRAIN, LEAVING LO WU, WILL ARRIVE AT KOWLOON AT 6.50 P.M.
TICKETS FOR TRAINS TO KOWLOON WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT MONG KOK RAILWAY STATION.
MR. REGINALD GREGORY, MANAGER OF KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY, SAID THAT ON THESE FOUR DAYS THE TRAINS FROM KOaLOON TO THE NEa TERRITORIES WOULD PROBABLY BE FULL BETWEEN 6 A.M. AND 3 .-.HILE THE DOWNTRAINS WOULD PROBABLY EE SO BETWEEN 3 P.M.
AND 9 P.M.
HE SAID, HOWEVER, THAT FURTHER SPECIAL TRAINS WOULD EE RUN IN THE LATE EVENINGS IF THERE WAS PUBLIC DEMAND.
0
-da’.', '■?, '977
17 COMPLETE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFICERS TRAINING COURSE
*****
AN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFICER REPRESENTS THE MANAGERIAL AND SUPERVISORY STAFF WHICH DIRECTS THE WORK OF THE EMPLOYEES AND HE SHARES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MANAGEMENT IN THE MAINTAINING OF SAFETY AN® PREVENTING OF ACCIDENTS.
THIS WAS HOW THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL CONTAINER HANDLING SAFETY COMMITTEE, MR. CL IVE FLEGG DESCRIBED THE FUTURE ROLE OF 17 PARTICIPANTSlWHO HAD JUST COMPLETED AN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFICERS TRAINING COURSE AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE.
MR. FLEGG WHO WAS SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY FOR THE SIX-WEEK TRAINING COURSE SAID: +HIS INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS PARTICULAR INDUSTRY AND ITS ASSOCIATED STAFF, COMBINED WITH HIS SPECIALIST TRAINING IN ACCIDENT PREVENTION TECHNIQUES AND SAFE WORKING PROCEDURES PROVIDES THE SAFETY OFFICER WITH A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPART THIS KNOWLEDGE TO HIS FELLOW WORKERS, AND EQUALLY IMPORTANTLY — TO THE MANAGEMENT- AS EVEN THE MOST HIGHLY TRAINED SAFETY OFFICER’S EXPERTISE IS TOTALLY WASTED UNLESS HE HAS THE FULL SUPPORT OF MANAGEMENT.+
MR. FLEGG POINTED OUT THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY IN ENSURING THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE OF WORKERS IN FACTORIES, AND APART FROM ADMINISTERING VARIOUS SETS OF SAFETY REGULATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT PROMOTES INDUSTRIAL SAFETY BY EMPHASISING THE ASPECTS OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING, EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY AS WELL AS STRENGTHENING ITS ADVISORY FUNCTIONS TO THE INDUSTRIAL PUBLIC.
HE APPEALED TO EMPLOYERS TO MAKE USE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE BY SENDING EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND COURSES.
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED
*****
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON MAY 19, 1976 ON AU YEUNG PING-KEUNG SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
AU YEUNG WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF PIN YUK-Y '.0.
'WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1977
WATER CUT * * * *
A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAN SHU I PO WILL BE WITHOUT WATER SUPPLY FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 11) TO ALLOW THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO CARRY CUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY YU CHAU STREET, WING HCNG STREET, KWONG SHING STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, HING WAH STREET, FUK WING STREET, CHEUNG WAH STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND KWONG CHEUNG STREET, INCLUDING TSAP FAI STREET, FUK WA STREET AND UN CHAU STREET.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT CENTRE STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 11) FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF MAINLAYING WORKS IN THE AREA.
AT THE SAME TIME, EASTERN STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL EE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS FINDINGS OF SAU MAU PING LANDSLIDE REPORTS ........................................................ 1
$103 MILLION INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY PLANT FOR TSING Yl ISLAND 3
HONG KONG VYING FOR THIRD PLACE IN WORLD CONTAINER TRAFFIC 4
OVER 016 MILLION PAID TO EMPLOYEES IN INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES LAST YEAR ...................................................... 5
SERVICE CF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE TO BE HELD IN
MAY ............................................................ 6
POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS ............. 6
FIRE SERVICES’ AREA INSPECTION TEAM MOVES TO KWAI CHUNG ...
PASSING-OUT PARADE TO MARK GRADUATION OF REVENUE INSPECTORS S
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1977
1
SAU MAU PING LANDSLIDE REPORT
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED THE FINDINGS OF THE SAU MAU PING LANDSLIDE REPORT PREPARED BY THE INTERNATIONAL PANEL OF EXPERTS COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNOR, AND THE SEPARATE REPORT BY THE SPECIALIST FIRM OF CONSULTANT ENGINEERS, BINNIE AND PARTNERS.
A SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY BEGUN IMPLEMENTING THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS.
BOTH THE REPORTS ON THE FAILURE OF THE FILL SLOPES BEHIND BLOCK 9 AND 15 OF THE ESTATE ON AUGUST 25 LAST YEAR ARE NOW BEING PRINTED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE AND WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE REPORTS CONCUR IN FINDING THAT THE PRINCIPAL CAUSE OF THE LANDSLIPS WAS SURFACE INFILTRATION OF RAINWATER INTO THE SLOPES, AND THAT THE SLOPES HAD NOT BEEN SUFFICIENTLY COMPACTED.
STUDIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE PANEL OF SIX EXPERTS HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE SPECIFICATIONS SET DOWN FOR THE SLOPES’ COMPACTION, ALTHOUGH OF A STANDARD WIDELY ACCEPTED AND USED AT THE TIME OF CONSTRUCTION IN THE EARLY ’SIXTIES, WERE NOT RIGOROUS ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND THE SEVERE RAINFALL CONDITIONS OF AUGUST 25 LAST YEAR.
THE REPORTS ADD THAT THE METHOD USED TO PLACE THE FILL MATERIAL - ALSO IN GENERAL USE AT THE TIME - WAS NOT STRICTLY IN KEEPING WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS AND COULD NOT PRODUCE SOIL DENSITIES CAPABLE OF PREVENTING WHAT WAS NOW KNOWN TO BE A CRITICAL DEGREE OF RAINWATER INFILTRATION.
THE EXPERTS’ INVESTIGATIONS HAVE SHOWN THAT ABNORMALLY HEAVY AND PROLONGED RAINFALL ON SLOPES BUILT IN THE MANNER OF THE EARLY ’SIXTIES CAN CAUSE WHAT THEY TERM A +MUD AVALANCHE+ BY LIQUIFYING THE TOP LAYERS OF THE TYPE OF FILL MATERIAL USED FOR SUCH SLOPES IN HONG KONG. THE PARTICULAR PATTERN OF RAIN DURATION AND RAIN INTENSITY NECESSARY TO CAUSE A +MUD AVALANCHE+ WILL VARY FROM SLOPE TO SLOPE.
THE EXPERTS DISCOVERED THAT THE TYPE OF DECOMPOSED GRANITE USED IN HONG KONG’S FILL SLOPES REQUIRES A HIGH DEGREE OF COMPACTION IN ITS SURFACE LAYERS TO ELIMINATE ALL RISK OF MUD AVALANCHES.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THESE STRICT NEW STANDARDS OF COMPACTION ARE NOW BEING APPLIED IN HONG KONG.
THE INTERNATIONAL PANEL OF EXPERTS ALSO SAYS THAT IN THE LIGHT OF ITS INVESTIGATIONS IT IS NOW CLEAR THAT THE SLOPE INVOLVED IN THE JUNE 1972 LANDSLIDE AT SAU MAU PING FAILED FOR SIMILAR REASONS.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE SAU MAU PING SLOPES WHICH FAILED IN 1972 AND 1976 WERE BUILT IN A MANNER COMMONLY ADOPTED AND WIDELY ACCEPTED THROUGHOUT THE EARLY ’SIXTIES, THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED IT HAD A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF THE SLOPES WHICH IT BUILDS.
/IN......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1977
2
+ IN RECOGNITION OF THIS GENERAL PRINCIPLE,+ HE SAID, +THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE 1972 AND 1976 LANDSLIPS AT SAU MAU PING, AND WISHES TO EXPRESS ITS PROFOUND REGRET AT THE LOSS OF LIVES AND INJURIES WHICH OCCURRED IN THE TRAGEDIES.*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS PREPARED TO SETTLE CLAIMS FOR EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION IN RESPECT OF BOTH LANDSLIDES, AND TO PAY THE LEGAL COSTS OF VICTIMS IN THE PREPARATION OF CLAIMS. FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE INVITED TO APPROVE THE PROVISION OF THE NECESSARY FUNDS.
THE AMOUNT OF EX-GRATIA PAYMENT TO BE MADE TO ANY CLAIMANT WOULD BE ASSESSED ON THE USUAL PRINCIPLES APPLIED TO COMMON LAW CLAIMS AND WILL NOT BE REDUCED BY ANY SUMS RECEIVED BY HIM FROM VOLUNTARY PUBLIC DONATIONS. IN THE EVENT OF DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN A CLAIMANT AND THE GOVERNMENT, THE CLAIM WILL BE REFERRED TO AN INDEPENDENT BOARD OF ARBITRATION, THE MEMBERS OF WHICH WILL BE SELECTED FROM A PANEL APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD REGARD ITSELF AS BOUND BY THE FINDING OF THE BOARD.
HE SAID CLAIMS SHOULD BE MADE TO THE CROWN SOLICITOR, AND ALL CLAIMANTS — IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR MEANS -- COULD SEEK FREE LEGAL ADVICE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID IN SUBMITTING THEIR CLA IMS.
IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, ADVICE COULD BE OBTAINED FROM ANY CITY DISTRICT OFFICER OR GOVERNMENT HOUSING MANAGER.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REPORTS HAD RECOMMENDED REMEDIAL MEASURES FOR OTHER FILL SLOPES NOW CONSIDERED TO BE AT RISK BOTH AT SAU MAU PING AND AT A NUMBER OF OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING AREAS. PLANS ARE ALREADY IN HAND TO CARRY OUT ALL THESE WORKS AS A MATTER OF URGENCY.
+ALL THE WORKS REQUIRED TO MAKE THE SLOPES SAFE WILL BE COMPLETED BEFORE THIS YEAR’S WET SEASON,* HE SAID, +AND SHOULD THERE BE A THREAT OF HEAVY RAIN UNUSUALLY EARLY IN THE YEAR SPECIAL MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN TO PREVENT INFILTRATION OF RAIN.*
+REMEDIAL WORKS ON THE SLOPES INVOLVED IN LAST YEAR’S SAU MAU PING LANDSLIP ARE IN PROGRESS, AND THE NECESSARY WORKS IN OTHER HOUSING AREAS WILL BEGIN IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
FOLLOWING DETAILED INSPECTION BY THE CONSULTANTS ENGINEERS OF ALL FILL SLOPES IN ALL PUBLIC HOUSING AREAS, IT HAD BEEN DETERMINED THAT ONLY 11 SLOPES AFFECTING TENANTS MIGHT BE AT RISK. THESE WERE AT LEI MUK SHUE, TAI WO HAU, KWAI SHING, SO UK, CHAI WAN, TSZ WAN SHAN, SAU MAU PING AND THE LAI CHI KOK AND CHAI WAN COTTAGE AREAS.
/♦THE .....
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1977
3
+THE LANDSLIDE REPORTS MAKE IT CLEAR THAT EVEN IN THESE LIMITED INSTANCES IT WOULD TAKE A PARTICULARLY SEVERE RAINFALL PATTERN TO PUT A SLOPE AT RISK,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+AND,+ HE STRESSED, +AS ALL THE WORKS REQUIRED TO MAKE THE SLOPES SAFE WILL BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE WET SEASON, RESIDENTS ARE NOT IN ANY DANGER.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REMEDIAL MEASURES WOULD INCLUDE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF SLOPES BY EXCAVATING AND RECOMPACTING THE FILL MATERIAL TO THE RIGOROUS STANDARDS RECOMMENDED BY THE PANEL OF EXPERTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALREADY TAKING MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT THE REPORTS’ RECOMMENDATION FOR THE SETTING UP OF A SPECIALIST OFFICE IN ITS PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO CONTROL THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL SLOPES IN HONG KONG IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND THROUGH THE BUILDING ORDINANCE TO CONTROL THE STANDARD OF SLOPES CONSTRUCTED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
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INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY PLANT FOR TSI NG Yl ISLAND
******
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, TOMORROW (FRIDAY) WILL SIGN LEASE DOCUMENTS FOR A $100 MILLION PROJECT ON TSING Yl ISLAND TO ESTABLISH AN INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT PLANT.
THE SIGNING CEREMONY, WITH OFFICIALS OF THE COMPANY CONCERNED, WILL TAKE PLACE IN ROOM 149, FIRST FLOOR, OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, AT 11.30 A.M. SHARP.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THIS EVENT. TELEVISION CREWS ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT 11.15 A.M. TO GIVE SUFFICIENT TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
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A...
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1977
HK MAY RANK WORLD’S THIRD IN CONTAINER TRAFFIC
* * * *
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF CONTAINERISATION INTO HONG KONG, THE ANNUAL THROUGHPUT AT KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL EXCEEDED ONE MILLION T.E.U.’S (TWENTY-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNITS) LAST YEAR.
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, SOME 1.03 MILLION T.E.U.’S WERE HANDLED IN 1976, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 25 PER CENT OVER THE 1975-76 FINANCIAL YEAR TOTAL OF 802,283.
+THIS MEANS THAT HONG KONG IS NOW VYING FOR THIRD PLACE IN THE LEAGUE OF WORLD PORTS HANDLING CONTAINER TRAFFIC,* A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN 1975, NEW YORK LED WITH 1.6 MILLION T.E.U.’S FOLLOWED BY ROTTERDAM (1.1 MILLION T.E.U.’S), AND KOBE (0.9 MILLION T.E.U.’S).
IN TERMS OF CONTAINERISED DEADWEIGHT TONNAGE, LAST YEAR’S TOTAL OF SEVEN MILLION TONS SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 1.7 MILLION TONS OR 32.1 PER CENT OVER THAT OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE VOLUME OF NON-CONTAINERISED CARGO HANDLED LAST YEAR ALSO ROSE BY SOME 27 PER CENT.
OF ALL CARGOES IMPORTED AND EXPORTED, SOME 33 PER CENT (INCLUDING PETROLEUM PRODUCTS), OR MORE THAN 44.5 PER CENT (EXCLUDING PETROLEUM PRODUCTS) WAS CONTAINERISED.
DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW, SOME 8,100 SHIPS ENTERED HONG KONG AS COMPARED WITH 7,400 IN THE 1975-76 FINANCIAL YEAR. THE TOTAL NET TONNAGE OF THESE SHIPS INCREASED BY ABOUT 12 PER CENT FROM 33 MILLION TONS TO ABOUT 37 MILLION TONS.
THE VOLUME OF CARGO LOADED AND DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG HARBOUR LAST YEAR TOTALLED JUST OVER 21 MILLION DEADWEIGHT TONS, AN INCREASE OF 28.5 PER CENT OVER THE 1975-76 FINANCIAL YEAR FIGURE OF 16.5 MILLION TONS.
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/5
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1977
5
EMPLOYEES PAID OVER 31641. IN LABOUR-MANAGEMENT DISPUTES * * K * M
EMPLOYERS PAID MORE THAN $16 MILLION TO 9,649 EMPLOYEES LAST YEAR IN LABOUR-MANAGEMENT DISPUTES WHICH WERE SETTLED THROUGH EFFORTS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE, COMPARED WITH $13 MILLION IN 1975.
PAID IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, NEARLY 40 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL, OR $6,125,736, WERE SEVERANCE PAYMENTS TO 5,000 EMPLOYEES RENDERED REDUNDANT BY OPERATIONAL OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE REMAINDER WAS PAID AS ARREARS OF WAGES, WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, STATUTORY PAY, BONUS AND OTHER SUMS DUE TO EMPLOYEES.
DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW, THE SERVICE HANDLED 43,792 ENQUIRIES AND CONSULTATIONS. MOST OF THESE RELATED TO PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND OTHER MATTERS CONCERNING LABOUR RELATIONS.
IN THE SAME YEAR, THERE WERE ONLY 4,977 WORKING DAYS LOST IN 16 STOPPAGES COMPARED WITH 17,600 WORKING DAYS LOST IN 17 STOPPAGES DURING 1975.
COMMENTING ON THE CONSIDERABLE DROP IN THE NUMBER OF WORKING DAYS LOST, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID; +THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN LABOUR AND MANAGEMENT IN THEIR JOINT EFFORT TO ACCELERATE THE RECOVERY OF ECONOMY AND TO MAINTAIN A HIGH RATE OF GROWTH DURING THE YEAR.+
DURING THE YEAR, THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE DEALT WITH 136 TRADE DISPUTES UNDER THE LABOUR RELATIONS ORDINANCE OF WHICH 99, OR MORE THAN 70 PER CENT, WERE SETTLED WITH THE HELP OF THE SERVICE.
OFFICERS OF THE SERVICE ALSO HELPED TO BRING ABOUT CONCILIATION IN 6,026 CLAIMS ARISING FROM THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE OR THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT, SETTLED 3,400, OR SOME 57 PER CENT OF THEM, AND REFERRED MOST OF THE REMAINDER TO THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL FOR A JUDICIAL DECISION TO BE MADE.
+T0 ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED 147 MAJOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ALLEGED BREACHES OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE CONCERNING REST DAYS, HOLIDAYS WITH PAY AND IMPROPER DEDUCTIONS FROM WAGES AND TOOK NECESSARY ACTION TO BRING ABOUT EARLY REMEDY,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
0 -------
/6
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1977
6
SERVICE OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE * * * * *
THE SOVEREIGN HAVING APPROVED, A SERVICE OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE IS TO BE HELD AT 2.30 P.M., ON WEDNESDAY MAY 4, 1977 IN ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH WILL BE PRESENT AS GRAND MASTER OF THE ORDER.
THOSE BELONGING TO THE ORDER AND HOLDERS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL, WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS SERVICE, ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR A TICKET TO +THE REGISTRAR OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE+, THE CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD, AT ST. JAMES’S PALACE, LONDON SW1A 1BG, MARKING THE APPLICATION ENVELOPE +BRITISH EMPIRE SERVICE+. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MARCH 31, 1977.
APPLICANTS FOR TICKETS ARE ASKED TO GIVE THEIR FULL NAMES AND APPOINTMENT WHICH THEY HOLD IN THE ORDER (K.B.E., C.B.E., O.B.E., OR M.B.E.) OR WHETHER THEY HOLD THE MEDAL OF THE ORDER. LETTERS CUSTOMARILY SHOWN AFTER THE NAME DENOTING OTHER ORDERS, DECORATIONS OR MEDALS SHOULD BE STATED.
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LUNAR NEW YEAR POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS * * * *
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCES THAT ON LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY (FEBRUARY 18) THERE WILL BE NO MAIL DELIVERIES AND ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED.
HOWEVER, ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 19) AND ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 21), THERE WILL BE ONE DELIVERY OF MAIL.
ALSO, ON THESE TWO DAYS, 32 POST OFFICES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, THE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 12 NOON.
ALL OTHER POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY IQ, 1977
7
FIRE SERVICES TO CARRY OUT SECOND AREA INSPECTION ******
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS TO CARRY OUT ITS SECOND +AREA INSPECTION* NEXT TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY IN KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SCHEME, WHICH AIMS TO AROUSE THE AWARENESS OF THE PUBLIC WITH REGARD TO FIRE SAFETY, WAS FIRST INTRODUCED LAST MONTH IN WONG CHUK HANG AND PROVED TO BE A SUCCESS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE MAIN FEATURE OF THE SCHEME WAS TO ANNOUNCE IN A DESIGNATED AREA THE INSPECTION DATE IN ADVANCE SO THAT THE RESIDENTS OF THAT AREA WOULD HAVE AMPLE TIME TO ENSURE THAT THE MEANS OF ESCAPE OF THEIR PREMISES ARE FREE OF OBSTRUCTIONS AND THE FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND CAN BE SEEN EASILY.
THE SCHEME WILL ALSO COVER SUCH AREAS AS KWUN TONG, SAN PO KONG, MONG KOK, CHAI WAN AND YUEN LONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
SQUADS OF FIRE OFFICERS WILL BE MAKING STREET BROADCASTS CONCERNING THE FORTHCOMING INSPECTIONS IN THE KWAI CHUNG AREA ON SATURDAY AND MONDAY.
THE TEAMS WILL BE LEAVING KWAI CHUNG FIRE STATION, TAI LIN PAI ROAD, AT 10 A.M. ON THESE TWO DAYS. YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO COVER THE EVENT. DIVISIONAL OFFICER LAM LOK-BUN WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1977
8 -
PREVENTIVE SERVICE PASSING-OUT PARADE * * * *
A PASSING-OUT PARADE FOR 21 REVENUE INSPECTORS WILL BE HELD IN THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE TRAINING SCHOOL AT TAI LAM CHUNG ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 12).
THE PARADE MARKS THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A SIX-MONTH PREVENTIVE SERVICE TRAINING COURSE BY THE OFFICERS, FIVE OF WHOM ARE WOMEN.
SUBJECTS TAUGHT DURING THE COURSE INCLUDED ELEMENTARY LAW, TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES OF EXCISE AND PREVENTIVE DUTIES, SELF DEFENCE, MAP READING, FIRST AID, LIFE SAVING, USE OF FIREARMS AND CIVICS.
SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT THE PARADE AT WHICH FIVE SQUADS COMPRISING 66 OFFICERS WILL TAKE PART.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT. A PREVENTIVE SERVICE BUS (AM 5606) WILL TAKE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO AND FROM THE SCHOOL. IT WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT TSIM SHA TSUI AT 9.30 A.M. AND WILL RETURN AFTER THE CEREMONY. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED. SENIOR REVENUE INSPECTOR H.W. SHIU, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST YOUR REPRESENTATIVE. THE PARADE STARTS AT 10.50 A.M.
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HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
THURSDAY, February 10, 1977
SEVEN BUILDING CONTRACTS
WORTH $223 MILLION AWARDED SO FAR
The 7th building contract to be let by the Housing Authority in the current financial year was today signed by Mr Donald Liao, Director of Housing, at a brief ceremony held at the Authority’s. Headquarters Building in Princess Margaret Road, Kowloon.
’• * v.
' • ... •'? ••
This contract, worth $19.5 million, is for the construction of an
•L ‘ . • additional 700 flats for 3,500 people in Nam Shan Estate.
The seven contracts let this financial year, worth nearly $223 million, will produce public housing accommodation for about 71,500 people.
* 7
Four more building contracts for developing Wo Che Estate in Sha Tin, Ngau Chi Wan Estate in Clearwater Bay Road, and the redevelopment of Chai Wan and Tai Wo Hau Estates will be let by, the Authority before March 31.
Since 1973, when the present Housing.Authority was formed, 26
. r ’\7
building contracts had been awarded by both-the Housing and Public Works Departments t Worth $860 million they will provide accommodation for more than 321,500 people.
In the coming financial year, the Authority plans to let building contracts for 12 estates and commercial complexes for 135,000 people at a cost of over $500 million.
Nam Shan Estate, being built on the former Tai Hang S^i Cottage Area site, will play an important role in the Tai Hang Tung Redevelopment Scheme.
2
The contract awarded today includes the building of two 12-storey domestic blocks. Each block will contain 32 flats per floor, together with a central hall containing lifts-, staircases and services.
Each of the 700 self-contained flats will have a total floor area of 290 square feet including kitchen, toilet and balcony.
At present, the construction of three blocks in Phase 1A are already in an advanced stage. These blocks, providing 900 flats to house 6,400 people, are expected to be ready for occupation by the middle of this year.
*****
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
$100 MILLION INDUSTRIAL PLANT FOR TSING Yl ISLAND .... 1
ADVANCE PARTY OF INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION MISSION LEAVING FOR THE UNITED STATES ........................ 3
CRASH PROGRAMME OF REMEDIAL WORKS TO ENSURE SAFETY OF FILL SLOPES IN PUBLIC HOUSING AREAS ....................... 4
LONDON AIR SERVICES TALKS ............................ 6
SPECIAL TEAM SET UP TO DEAL WITH LANDSLIDE CLAIMS .... 7
REGULATIONS FOR SAF£> INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1 ......................................... 8
TANG SHIU KIN AND HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND ESTABLISHED . 9
FIFTY-ONE CRAFT APPRENTICES COMPLETE GOVERNMENT TRAINING COURSE .............................................. 10
TRADE UNIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL PUBLISHED ............. 11
NEW OFFICES FOR RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE HEADQUARTERS 11
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR FULL-TIME TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COURSE .............................................. 12
FIRING PRACTICE CANCELLED ........................... 12
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN LAI CHI KOK .................. 13
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1977
1
S100 MILLION INDUSTRIAL PLANT FOR TSI NG Yl ISLAND
******
THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSING Yl ISLAND AS A BASE FOR HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY HAS RECEIVED ANOTHER BOOST WITH THE LEASE OF A LARGE AREA OF LAND FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A S1O3 MILLION INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT PLANT.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG-OWNED COMPANY, TAI TUNG INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT LIMITED, MR. TANG KWAN, SIGNED THE CONDITIONS OF AGREEMENT TODAY FOR A LEASE OF ABOUT 1.2 HECTARES OF LAND ON THE SOUTH-EAST COAST OF THE ISLAND.
IT WAS THE FIFTH PRIVATE TREATY GRANT APPROVED FOR TSING Yl BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL SINCE THE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED ITS POLICY OF ENCOURAGING LAND-INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY.
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID TAI TUNG PLANNED TO SET UP A PLANT TO PRODUCE REGULAR LINES OF MACHINE TOOLS ALONG WITH A TECHNICAL SERVICING CENTRE CAPABLE OF ASSEMBLING, MODIFYING AND RECONSTRUCTING EQUIPMENT FOR COMPLETE PLANTS.
TAI TUNG WOULD ALSO ESTABLISH A STORAGE DEPOT FOR SPARE PARTS OF CHINESE MACHINERY, ELECTRIC MOTORS AND EQUIPMENT CURRENTLY MARKETED IN HONG KONG, THAILAND AND THE PHILIPPINES BY TWO ASSOCIATED COMPANIES, COSMO MACHINERY TRADING CO., LTD. AND ORIENTAL MACHINERY.
AFTER SIGNING THE TODAY, MR. AKERS-JONES THE COMPANY WOULD HAVE
DOCUMENTS AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SAID THAT MOST OF THE LAND GRANTED TO TO EE RECLAIMED.
+3UT WITH THE CONDITIONS NOW FINALISED AND SIGNED, WORK CAN BEGIN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY ON RECLAMATION, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS,+ HE SAID.
+THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THIS SIGNIFICANT NEW ADDITION TO OUR INDUSTRY AND THE INVESTMENT THAT GOES WITH IT.
+WHEN IT IS OPERATIONAL, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS PLANT WILL HELP BROADEN OUR INDUSTRIAL BASE AS WELL AS CONTRIBUTING SUBSTANTIALLY TO OUR EXPORTS.
+ IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT FOR ABOUT 50'3 PEOPLE. +
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE GRANT CARRIED A BUILDING COVENANT REQUIRING THE COMPANY TO SPEND 34 MILLION ON BUILDINGS, PLANT AND INSTALLATIONS WI TH I N FIVE YEARS.
THE COVENANT EXCLUDES THE COST OF FORMATION WORK, HE ADDED.
* I jA Y, FEBH U art Y
2
-.977
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT TAI TUNG +JOINS A GROWING LIST OF COMPANIES ..HO HAVE ESTABLISHED, OR WHO ARE TO ESTABLISH, IMPORTANT INDUSTRIES ON TSING Yl ISLAND.*
THE OTHER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS INCLUDED THOSE BY DOW CHEMICAL, OUTBOARD MARINE, CHEMSYN, THE FEOSO OIL STORAGE DEPOT AND THE PROPOSAL BY HONGKONG UNITED DOCKYARD TO SET UP A $250 MILLION SHIPYARD ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE ISLAND.
+THESE PROJECTS REPRESENT INVESTMENTS OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN HONG KONG AND SHOULD EE OF GREAT LONG-TERM BENEFIT,* MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.
MR. AKERS-JONES POINTED OUT THAT THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF TSING Yl WAS BEING ACCOMPANIED BY HOUSING AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES AS PART OF THE BALANCED OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF TSUEN WAN AS A NEW TOWN.
+THE INDUSTRIAL PLANTS ON THE ISLAND WILL PROVIDE MANY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FCR THOSE WHO WILL LIVE THERE.
+IN FACT THE FIRST STAGE OF THE CHEUNG CHING ESTATE ON TSING Yl IS JUST ABOUT COMPLETED, AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL SOON BE ORGANISING THE FIRST INTAKE COMPRISING SOME 16,000 RESIDENTS.
+EVENTUALLY, THE ESTATE WILL PROVIDE HOMES FOR ABOUT 75,000 PEOPLE.*
COMMENTING ON THE PROJECT, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. ROY PORTER, SAID : +THIS INDUSTRY IS IN A FIELD WHICH THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES HAS A GOOD POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH IN HONG KONG.
+IT IS THE KIND GF DIVERSIFICATION IN OUR INDUSTRIAL EASE WE EXPECT TO SEE MORE OF IN THE FUTURE, PARTICULARLY WITH THE ADVENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES.
+NOT ONLY WILL THE PLANT MAKE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO INDUSTRIAL AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, IT WILL PROVIDE PARTICULARLY GOOD EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO THE GRADUATES OF OUR RAPIDLY-EXPANDING TECHNICAL EDUCATION SYSTEM AND FOR OTHER SKILLED WORKERS.*
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1977
2
C AND I DEPT. MOUNTS INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION MISSION TO U.S.
******
THE FIRST OF THIS YEAR’S OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION MISSIONS, UNDERTAKEN BY THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, GETS UNDERWAY THIS WEEK WHEN AN ADVANCE PARTY OF C AND I OFFICERS LEAVES FOR THE UNITED STATES TO PREPARE THE WAY FOR A MAIN THREE-WEEK VISIT TO DALLAS, LOS ANGELES AND SAN FRANCISCO COMMENCING ON MARCH 7.
THE ADVANCE PARTY, LED BY PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER, MR. PETER LO, WILL MAKE THE FINAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MISSION TO CALL ON SOME 30 MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN THE AREAS TO BE VISITED, INCLUDING SOME WHICH WERE CONTACTED BY A SIMILAR C AND I MISSION IN NOVEMBER, 1975, AND WHICH ARE STILL CONSIDERING THE POSSIBILITY OF INVESTING IN HONG KONG.
THE LEADER OF THE MAIN MISSION WILL BE MR. ROY PORTER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, WHO WILL JOIN THE ADVANCE PARTY IN LOS ANGELES IN THREE WEEKS’ TIME.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN ORGANISED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE US CONSULATE GENERAL, THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND LEADING BANKS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
AS IN PREVIOUS VENTURES, THE AIM OF THE MISSION WILL BE TC VISIT SELECTED FIRMS TO DISCUSS WITH TOP EXECUTIVES THE SPECIFIC ADVANTAGES WHICH WOULD ACCRUE TO THEIR COMPANIES FROM MANUFACTURING IN HONG KONG. THE MISSION WILL ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY OF PROMOTING THE TAI PC INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
SAYS MR. PORTER: +AMERICAN INTERESTS AT PRESENT ACCOUNT FOR 53 PER CENT OF ALL DIRECT OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG INDUSTRY, AND WE BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE VERY GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG. MANY AMERICAN INDUSTRIES HAVE PARTICULAR RELEVANCE TC HONG KONG’S PRESENT STATE OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. IN ELECTRONICS AND ENGINEERING PARTICULARLY, THEIR INDUSTRIAL KNOWLEDGE COULD BE MOST VALUABLE TO HONG KONG’S FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.
+THE BENEFITS OF THIS TYPE OF INVESTMENT ARE TWO-WAY. BY COMPLEMENTING THEIR HOME PRODUCTION WITH A PLANT IN HONG KONG, AMERICAN COMPANIES WILL BE ABLE TC EXPORT GOOD QUALITY PRODUCTS AT COMPETITIVE COSTS AND ACHIEVE A HIGH RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT.*
IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE DEPARTMENT TO ORGANISE TWO OTHER MISSIONS LATER IN THE YEAR, ONE TO SWITZERLAND AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY IN MAY/JUNE AND THE OTHER TO CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE AND TORONTO IN SEPTEMEER/OCTOEER. THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ..HICH IS CONCENTRATING ITS PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS IN DIFFERENT AREAS, HAS PLANNED MISSIONS LATER THIS YEAR TO AUSTRALIA, JAPAN AND THE NORTH-EASTERN PART OF THE U.S.A. CENTERING AROUND NEW YORK AND CLEVELAND.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11. 1977
- 4 -
CRASH REMEDIAL PROGRAMME * * * *
WORK WILL BEGIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR ON A CRASH PROGRAMME OF REMEDIAL WORKS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF FILL SLOPES IN PUBLIC HOUSING AREAS DURING THE COMING WET SEASON.
THE P.W.D.’S DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, MR. DAVID STEAD, SAID TODAY TENDERS HAD ALREADY BEEN RECEIVED FOR ALL THE WORKS NECESSARY TO BRING THE SLOPES INTO LINE »-► I TH THE NEW SPECIFICATIONS FOUND NECESSARY IN THE LIGHT OF THE STUDY BY WORLD EXPERTS OF LAST YEAR’S SAU MAU PING LANDSLIDE.
CONTRACTS WOULD BE SIGNED NEXT WEEK.
HE ESTIMATED THAT THE COST OF THE CRASH PROGRAMME WOULD BE MORE THAN 330 MILLION.
♦REMEDIAL WORKS AT SAU MAU PING HAVE ALREADY BEGUN AND THE FULL PROGRAMME WILL SWING INTO HIGH GEAR RIGHT AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR,* HE SAID.
+IN SOME CASES, WORK MAY HAVE TO CONTINUE AROUND THE CLOCK TO BEAT THE DEADLINE BEFORE THE ONSET OF THE RAINY SEASON,* HE ADDED.
MR. STEAD SAID THAT PROSPECTIVE CONTRACTORS WHO wERE SUITABLY QUALIFIED FOR THE JOE HAD BEEN BRIEFED WELL IN ADVANCE ON THE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND NATURE OF THE WORKS SO AS TO ENABLE THEM TO MAKE THE NECESSARY PREPARATIONS AHEAD OF TIME.
♦ALL SELECTED CONTRACTORS WILL EE WORKING UNDER STRICT SUPERVISION TO ENSURE THAT THE WORKS ARE CARRIED OUT ON SCHEDULE AND IN KEEPING WITH THE RIGOROUS STANDARDS LAID DOWN IN THE REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL PANEL OF EXPERTS,* HE SAID.
THE PANEL OF EXPERTS AND THE SPECIALIST FIRM OF GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANTS, BINNIE AND PARTNERS, HAD MADE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF ALL FILL SLOPES IN ALL PUBLIC HOUSING AREAS.
THEY HAD DETERMINED THAT ONLY 11 FILL SLOPES AFFECTING TENANTS MIGHT BE AT RISK IF THEY ./ERE SUBJECTED TO MORE SEVERE RAINFALL CONDITIONS THAN HAD EVER FALLEN ON THEM BEFORE.
THESE SLOPES WERE AT LEI MUK SHUE, TAI WO HAU, KWAI SHING, SO UK, CHAI >vAN, TSZ WAN SHAN, SAU MAU PING AND AT THE LAI CHI KOK AND CHAI WAN COTTAGE AREAS.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 197?
5
+ IN NEARLY ALL THE AREAS ONLY ONE PARTICULAR SLOPE IS INVOLVED, SO LUCKILY THE PROBLEM IS ACTUALLY A VERY LIMITED ONE,* SAID MR. STEAD, +AND ALL THE NECESSARY PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES WILL BE COMPLETED BEFORE THIS YEAR’S WET SEASON.
+SC THE SMALL NUMBER OF ESTATE RESIDENTS INVOLVED CAN BE ASSURED THAT EVERY PRECAUTION IS NOW BEING TAKEN TO ENSURE THEIR COMPLETE SAFETY, AND THAT THEY ARE NOT IN ANY DANGER,+ HE SAID.
IN SIMPLE TERMS, THE REMEDIAL WORKS WILL INVOLVE EXCAVATING THE TOP LAYER OF EACH SLOPE TO A DEPTH OF AT LEAST THREE METRES, AND THEN RECOMPACTING IT IN SOLID HORIZONTAL LAYERS TO THE VERY STRICT STANDARDS SET BY THE PANEL OF EXPERTS.
+SO AS TO GET THE NECESSARY WORK DONE BEFORE THE RAINS, COMPACTION WILL BE CARRIED OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SLOPE RATHER THAN FROM THE TOP AS ORIGINALLY SUGGESTED BY THE PANEL OF EXPERTS IN THEIR REPORT,+ SAID MR. STEAD.
+THIS MINOR VARIATION HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE PANEL AND WILL MEAN THAT A FASTER CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME WILL BE POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE ADDED, THE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS IN THE AREAS WOULD BE CONSIDERABLY IMPROVED AND IN SOME CASES TOTALLY OVERHAULED FOR MAXIMUM SECURITY.
+EVERY STAGE WILL BE CLOSELY SUPERVISED AND EACH SLOPE WILL BE MONITORED BOTH DURING THE CONSTRUCTION WORK AND FOR SOME TIME AFTER THEIR COMPLETION JUST TO BE ABSOLUTELY ON THE SAFE SIDE,* HE SAID.
MR. STEAD SAID HIS DEPARTMENT WAS WORKING OUT A COMPREHENSIVE TIME-TABLE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FOR AREAS WHERE ROUND-THE-CLOCK WORK MIGHT BE REQUIRED.
+WHERE NIGHT WORK BECOMES NECESSARY, WE WILL DO EVERYTHING W'E CAN TO CAUSE THE LEAST POSSIBLE INCONVENIENCE TC RESIDENTS,* HE SAID.
MR. STEAD SAID A RANGE OF MINOR, MORE GENERAL WORKS WOULD ALSO BE CARRIED OUT ON A NUMBER OF OTHER SLOPES IN HOUSING AREAS AS A RESULT OF THE SPECIAL SURVEY EY THE CONSULTANTS, AND THESE TOC WOULD EE FINISHED BEFORE THIS YEAR’S WET SEASON.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1977
- 6 -
MEANWHILE, remedial measures are progressing rapidly ON THE FILL SLOPES AT SAU MAU PING WHICH FAILED DURING LAST AUGUST’S SEVERE RAINSTORMS.
SURPLUS MATERIAL HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE SLOPES AND WORK IS SHORTLY TO BEGIN ON RE-COMPACTING THE FILL MATERIAL TO THE NEW STANDARDS SET BY THE PANEL OF EXPERTS.
AS PART OF THE CONTRACT LET LAST DECEMBER FOR THESE WORKS, SOME 50,000 CUBIC METRES OF EXISTING FILL ARE BEING EXCAVATED FROM THE SLOPES AND ABOUT 40,000 CUBIC METRES OF NEW MATERIAL BROUGHT IN FOR THE RESTRUCTURING WORK.
THE SLOPES WILL BE COMPACTED TO A FLATTER ANGLE AND A COMPREHENSIVE NEW DRAINAGE SYSTEM INSTALLED.
LIKE ALL THE OTHER WORKS NOW IN HAND IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL PANEL OF EXPERTS, THE WORK HAS BEEN PROGRAMMED TO ENSURE THAT EVERYTHING NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ESTATE RESIDENTS WILL EE COMPLETED BEFORE THE COMING WET SEASON.
----0-------
LONDON AIR SERVICES TALKS
*****
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR. BRIAN KEEP, HAS LEFT FOR LONDON TO ATTEND AIR SERVICES TALKS BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND JAPANESE GOVERNMENTS.
AT THE SIX-DAY MEETING, THE CONTINUATION OF A SERIES OF NEGOTIATIONS, THE TWO PARTIES WILL PROPOSE TO AGREE ON NEW AIRLINE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YeAR.
MR KEEP WILL ALSO ATTEND THE FOURTH ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES TO NEGOTIATE A NEW^UK/US AIR SERVICES ARRANGEMENT. THIS MEETING BEGINS ON FEBRUARY de I a
LONDON.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1977
7
SPECIAL TEAM SET UP TO DEAL WITH LANDSLIDE CLAIMS *****
A SPECIAL TEAM FROM THE HOME AFFAIRS AND LEGAL AID DEPARTMENTS HAS BEEN WORKING IN THE KWUN TONG CITY DISTRICT OFFICE TO HELP ANYONE WHO WANTS TO MAKE CLAIMS FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE IN THE 1972 OR 1976 SAU MAU PING LANDSLIDES.
FREE LEGAL AID WILL BE GIVEN TO CLAIMANTS TO HELP THEM PRESENT THEIR CASES, REGARDLESS OF^ THEIR INCOME.
THE TEAM, COMPRISING\ONE SENIOR LEGAL AID OFFICER, TWO LAW CLERKS AND FOUR STAFF MEMBERS FROM THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KWUN TONG) WAS FORMED FOLLOW I NG', THE PUBLICATION OF THE LANDSLIDE REPORTS YESTERDAY. Ak
' '4
THE TEAM ALREADY HAD A BUSY MORNING TODAY AND WITHIN THE FIRST TWO HOURS OF ITS OPERATION 15 APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED. BY 5 P.M., THERE WERE 34 APPLICATIONS.
MEMBERS OF THE TEAM WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING, NEXT MONDAY, AND IF REQUIRED THE DAY FOLLOWING TO RECEIVE APPLICATIONS.
CLAIMANTS, IF THEY PREFER, MAY ALSO GO DIRECTLY TO THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT IN SINCERE BUILDING ON HONG KONG ISLAND ANY TIME DURING NORMAL HOURS TO OBTAIN FREE LEGAL ADVICE.
TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF APPLICANTS, APPLICATION PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN SIMPLIFIED. TIME WILL BE ALLOWED FOR APPLICANTS TO GATHER EVIDENCE TO SUBSTANTIATE THEIR; CLAIMS.
INITIALLY APPLICANTS ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES, LEAVE THEIR ADDRESS, AND INDICATE THEIR CLAIM. AN INTERVIEW AT A CONVENIENT TIME WILL BE ARRANGED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FOR THEM TO PRESENT THEIR CASE. THE INTERVIEW WILL BE HELD AT THE KWUN TONG CDO IN ORDER TO MINIMISE ANY INCONVENIENCE TO APPLICANTS, MOST OF WHOM LIVE IN THE NEARBY SAU MAU PING AREA.
MEANWHILE, THE CDO HAS SENT OUT LIAISON OFFICERS TO CONTACT FAMILIES OR CLOSE RELATIVES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE KNOWN TO HAVE SUFFERED LOSS OR DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF THE 1972 AND 1976 LANDSLIDES.
THIS IS IN ADDITION TO PUBLICITY THROUGH THE NEWS MEDIA ADVISING THEM OF THE ARRANGEMENTS TO MAKE CLAIMS AND THE FREE LtGAL AID AVAILABLE.
THE GOVERNMENT SAID IN A STATEMENT YESTERDAY THAT IT wAS PREPARED TO SETTLE CLAIMS FOR EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION IN RESPECT OF THE TWO LANDSLIDES AND TO PAY THE LEGAL COSTS OF VICTIMS IN THE PREPARATION OF CLAIMS.
/THE AMOUNT
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1977
- 8
THE AMOUNT OF EX-GRATIA PAYMENT TO BE MADE TO ANY CLAIMANT WOULD BE ASSESSED ON THE USUAL PRINCIPLES APPLIED TO COMMON LAW CLAIMS AND WOULD NOT BE REDUCED BY ANY SUMS RECEIVED BY HIM FROM VOLUNTARY PUBLIC DONATIONS.
IN THE EVENT OF DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN A CLAIMANT AND THE GOVERNMENT, THE CLAIM WOULD BE REFERRED TO AN INDEPENDENT BOARD OF ARBITRATION THE MEMBERS OF WHICH WILL BE SELECTED FROM A PANEL APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD.REGARD ITSELF AS BOUND BY THE FINDING OF THE BOARD.
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SAFER INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR WORKERS
NEW REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1
******
THE NEW FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS 1976 WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE REGULATIONS AIM TO BRING ABOUT A SAFER INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR WORKERS AND GIVE GUIDANCE ON THE GUARDING OF DANGEROUS MACHINERY.
THE NEW REGULATIONS NOT ONLY SPECIFY THE DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY OR PLANT WHICH NEED EFFECTIVE GUARDING, BUT ALSO FIVE METHODS OF GUARDING.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SA IDs +THESE REGULATIONS WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN AUGUST LAST YEAR AND TIME WAS ALLOWED FOR PROPRIETORS TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO THEIR MACHINES TO PROVIDE THEM WITH PROPER GUARDING.
+DURING THIS TIME OUR INSPECTORATE STAFF HAS BEEN HELPING TO EDUCATE EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS IN THE NEW LAW BY TRAINING AND PUBLICITY,* HE ADDED.
AN EXPLANATORY HANDBOOK IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE ON THE NEW REGULATIONS IS BEING PRINTED AND WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION FREE OF CHARGE TO EMPLOYERS.
MEANWHILE, PREPARATIONS ARE ..ELL AHEAD FOR A FULL SCALE EXHIBITION ON MACHINERY GUARDING. IT WILL BE HELD AT THE KOWLOON RAILWAY TERMINUS IN HUNG HOM FROM MARCH 11 TO 20.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1977
9
TANG SHIU KIN AND HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND
* K *
TwO PROMINENT RESIDENTS, SIR SHIU-K IN TANG AND MR. HO TIM, HAVE DONATED $1 MILLION EACH TO FORM THE CAPITAL OF A FUND, THE INTEREST FROM WHICH WILL BE USED FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
THEY HAVE INVITED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, DR. CHARM HOI-SANG AND THE CHAIRMAN OF PO LEUNG KUK, MRS. MAXINE LI KWOK, AS THE CO-CHAIRMEN OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE FUND.
THE 'TANG SHIU KIN AND HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND’ WILL BENEFIT FAMILIES IN CRISES OR EMERGENCIES WHICH GIVE RISE TO SPECIAL AND IMMEDIATE NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF A WELFARE, EDUCATIONAL OR MEDICAL NATURE.
DETAILS ON PROCEDURES ARE NOW BEING WORKED OUT. IT IS EXPECTED THAT APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND CAN BE MADE IN MAY THIS YEAR.
BOTH SIR SHIU-KIN AND MR. HO ARE NOW APPEALING TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FUND. ALL DONATIONS SHOULD EE ADDRESSED TO ’THE TANG SHIU KIN AND HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND’ AND SENT TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, PO LEUNG KUK OR SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
UNDER THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE INCORPORATION ORDINANCE, CHAPTER 1096 OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE INCORPORATED IS EMPOWERED TO ACT AS THE TRUSTEE OF ANY TRUST CREATED IN CONNECTION WITH THE WORK OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
SIR SHIU-KIN AND MR. HO TIM HAVE APPOINTED THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE INCORPORATED TO ACT AS THE TRUSTEE OF THE FUND- AND A COMMITTEE TO MAKE RULES GOVERNING CONDITIONS OF PAYMENT, RANGE OF ASSISTANCE, INVESTMENTS, AND DISPOSAL OF TRUST PROPERTIES.
THE COMMITTEE COMPRISES THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AND CHAIRMAN OF PO LEUNG KUK AS CO-CHAIRMEN- THREE MEMBERS TO BE NOMINATED BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS- THREE MEMBERS TO BE NOMINATED BY PO LEUNG KUK= A CO-OPTED MEMBER- A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT- A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
- - 0
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1977
10 -
GOVERNMENT TRAINS MORE APPRENTICES *****
CERTIFICATES WERE AWARDED TODAY TO 51 CRAFT APPRENTICES WHO COMPLETED A FOUR-YEAR GOVERNMENT TRAINING COURSE.
THE COURSE, SPECIALLY DRAWN UP FOR APPRENTICES TO QUALIFY FOR JOBS AS ARTISANS -- PRIMARILY IN THE GOVERNMENT -- INCLUDED TRAINING AT THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, FAMILIARISATION WITH INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND FIRST-AID PRACTICES, AND ON-JOE TRAINING WITH ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS.
APPRENTICES WHO COMPLETED THE RECENT COURSE, HAD OFF-JOB OR ACADEMIC TRAINING DURING THEIR FIRST YEAR, AND ON-JOB TRAINING FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS WORKING FOR ONE OF THE P.W.D. DIVISIONS --WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT OR THE ELECTRIAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE, OR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION. MOST OF THE APPRENTICES, WHO COMPLETED THE COURSE, HAVE BEEN ABSORBED INTO THESE ORGANISATIONS.
SPEAKING AT A FUNCTION HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES, MR. T.H. TOMLINSON, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT WATER ENGINEER, SAID THAT A CAREER WITH THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDED THE APPRENTICES AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE INVOLVED ON INTERESTING PROJECTS OR WITH A WIDE RANGE OF INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED MAJOR ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL PLANT. PROSPECTS FOR ADVANCEMENT IN SERVICE WERE GOOD AND CONTINUED TO IMPROVE.
TOUCHING ON OPPORTUNITIES ELSEWHERE MR. TOMLINSON SAID +AS MUCH AS WE MIGHT LIKE TO RETAIN THE SERVICES OF THEM ALL, THERE ARE SOME FOR WHOM THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL PRESENT THE NATURE OF EMPLOYMENT AND THE TYPE OF CHALLENGE THEY WILL WISH TO MEET. WE MUST RECOGNISE THAT THE SCHEME, ALTHOUGH OPERATED BY GOVERNMENT TO MEET ITS OWN ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS, IS ALSO DESIGNED TO MEET THE GENERAL NEEDS OF HONG KONG, AS ARE OTHER APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES CONDUCTED BY VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS. THE SKILLED MEN THAT THESE SCHEMES PRODUCE ARE REQUIRED IN INCREASING NUMBERS TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S BUOYANT ECONOMY.+
THE LAISHLEY CUP, GIVEN TO AN APPRENTICE FOR THE BEST ACADEMIC OR PRACTICAL PERFORMANCE DURING A YEAR, WAS AWARDED TO MR. TSE KAM-CHUNG.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1977
11
TRADE UNIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL * * * *
A BILL TO AMEND THE TRADE UNIONS ORDINANCE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE TRADE UNIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, IF APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WILL EASE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS WHICH MAY TEND TO INHIBIT THE EMPLOYMENT BY UNIONS OF COMPETENT EXECUTIVE STAFF AND WILL REMOVE CERTAIN OBSOLETE CLAUSES AND TIDY UP SOME WORDINGS IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.
ACCORDING TO A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN, THE AMENDMENT BILL IS BEING INTRODUCED AS A RESULT OF EXPERIENCE GAINED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRADE UNIONS ORDINANCE AND AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE REGISTRAR OF TRADE UNIONS.
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RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE HEADQUARTERS MOVE INTO NEW OFFICES ******
THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE ARE MOVING THIS WEEKEND FROM WHITFIELD BARRACKS INTO THE FOURTH AND FIFTH FLOORS OF THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT NO. 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON.
SPORTS ASSOCIATICNS, SCHOOLS AND ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO CONTACT THE HEADQUARTERS FROM NEXT MONDAY SHOULD DIAL 3-030111.
THE HEADQUARTERS ADMINISTER 17 DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE SERVICE IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE IS ALSO MANAGED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE. APPLICATIONS FOR THE USE OF ANY OF THE CAMP FACILITIES AT SAI KUNG FOR SPORTS PROJECTS SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE SERVICE IN MA TAU KOK ROAD.
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/12......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1977
12
ONE YEAR FULL-TIME TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COURSE * * * *
YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WITH INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE ARE INVITED TO ENROL IN THE ONE YEAR FULL-TIME TECHNICAL TEACHER’S COURSE BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER AT THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
THE COURSE IS INTENDED FOR MATURE STUDENTS WITH SOME YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION IN PASSING ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF THEIR OWN SPECIALISM TO STUDENTS IN TECHNICAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
INDUCEMENT GRANTS WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS ON THIS COURSE AT THE MINIMUM OF S1,O7O PER MONTH UP TO THE MAXIMUM OF $1,640 PER MONTH, CALCULATED ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF POST-QUALIFICATION INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE.
APPLICANTS MUST HAVE SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED A 2-YEAR FULL-TIME ORDINARY DIPLOMA/TECHNIC IAN DIPLOMA COURSE, OR EQUIVALENT, IN THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE/POLYTECHNIC/TECHNI CAL INSTITUTES OR AN EQUIVALENT COLLEGE, IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING DISCIPLINES: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION, TEXTILES, PRINTING, MARINE AND FABRICATION.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, 373, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ALL COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE COLLEGE EY MARCH 19, 1977.
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FIRING PRACTICE CANCELLED * * * *
FIRING PRACTICE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE, PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 28, HAS BEEN CANCELLED, IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1977 - 13 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN LAI CHI KOK
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT MOTOR VEHICLES ON THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING RIGHT INTO FAT TSEUNG STREET OR U-TURNING TO PROCEED ONTO THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD AT THE JUNCTION OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD WITH FAT TSEUNG STREET FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 14).
THE ARRANGEMENT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT THE JUNCTION.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
Friday, February 11, 1977
GOVERNOR GETS TOP-LEVEL BRIEFING GN PUBLIC HOUSING ‘ z. '? ■ - r‘- ..
' 9 . r
*
Hong Kong’s top housing officials today gave a detailed briefing on public housing to the Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, at the Housing Authority Headquarters.
Sir Murray, who has always shown great interest in public housing, was brought up to date on the current building programme, and other aspects of public housing.
The Chairman of the Housing Authority, Mr I. M. Lightbody, who is also the Secretary for Housing and the Director of Housing, Mr Donald Liao, " v
greeted the Governor on arrival and escorted him to the Authority’s conference room for the briefing.
Points covered included the -impressive growth-rate of public housing, rising expenditure on the huge public housing programme, the large number of estates under construction and contracts to be let in the coming financial year, mechanised building methods being used to speed up the housing programme, and the highly favourable level of rents charged for public housing compared with much higher rents for similar accommodation in the private
sector.
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1977
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
SPECIAL PWD TEAM ASSIGNED TO SET UP GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE ..................................................... 1
PUBLIC ASSITANCE RECIPIENTS URGED TO BE WARY OF IMPOSTERS .................................................. 4
RECRUIT REVENUE INSPECTORS TOLD NOT TO GIVE IN TO TEMPTATIONS ................................................ 5
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO VISIT OLD PEOPLE’S HOMES 6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YUEN LONG FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR ....................................................... 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1977
1
GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE
******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS ASSIGNED A TEAM OF SENIOR OFFICERS TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE CREATION OF A HIGHLY-SPECIALISED NEW OFFICE TO ACT AS A WATCHDOG OVER THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL SLOPES IN HONG KONG.
SPEARHEADING THE PLANNING FOR THE NEW OFFICE IS MR. BRYAN O’RORKE, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ENGINEER (SPECIAL DUTIES) OF THE P.W.D.’S ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
MR. O’RORKE SAID TODAY THAT MUCH OF THE GROUNDWORK HAD ALREADY BEEN LAID AND HE EXPECTED THE NEW OFFICE TO SWING INTO OPERATION BY THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR, AND BECOME INCREASINGLY ACTIVE IN THE MONTHS THAT FOLLOWED.
+THE NECESSARY PAPERS FOR THE STAFFING OF THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE SUBMITTED SHORTLY TO THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, AND WE HOPE TO BEGIN RECRUITING THE EXPERT PERSONNEL IN A FEW WEEKS,* HE SAID.
+RECRUITMENT OF THE SPECIALIST STAFF NEEDED WILL OBVIOUSLY TAKE A LITTLE TIME, SC IN THE INTERIM CONSULTANTS ARE BEING ENGAGED TO CARRY OUT SOME OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PROPOSED OFFICE SO THAT THE NEW CONTROLS CAN EE PUT INTO PRACTICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND PROGRESSIVELY STEPPED UP.
THE NEW OFFICE, TO BE KNOWN AS THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE, FOLLOWS RECOMMENDATIONS BY A SPECIAL INTER-DEPARTMENTAL GOVERNMENT WORKING PARTY SET UP LAST YEAR -- THE FINDINGS OF WHICH CONCURRED WITH THE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE SETTING UP OF SUCH A CONTROL BODY MADE IN THE REPORT OF THE PANEL OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS WHO INVESTIGATED THE SAU MAU PING LANDSLIDE.
THE WORKING GROUP, WHICH WAS CHAIRED BY THE P.W.D.’S DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, MR. DAVID STEAD, SUBMITTED ITS REPORT IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
MR. O’RORKE SAID THE NEW CONTROL OFFICE WOULD HAVE WIDE-RANGING POWERS AND DUTIES.
HE SAID: +ITS PRIME TASK WILL BE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL EXISTING AND FUTURE SLOPES ON BOTH PRIVATE AND CROWN LAND AROUND INHABITED AREAS, AND IN THIS REGARD IT IS INTENDED TO GIVE IT SUFFICIENT LEGAL POWERS TO EXERCISE EFFECTIVE CONTROL,* HE SAID.
+MOREOVER, IT WILL COMBINE SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF ENGINEERING AND GEOLOGY SO THAT IT WILL BE ABLE TO ASSUME A LEADING AND GUIDING ROLE IN ADDITION TO ITS SUPERVISORY ROLE,* HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE NEw OFFICE WOULD EXERCISE CONTROL BY :
/•VETTING .....
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1977
2
* VETTING AND APPROVING ALL PROPOSALS, DESIGN CRITERIA AND PLANS FOR ALL NEW FORMED SLOPES AND STRUCTURES ON OR ADJACENT TO SLOPES BOTH IN THE PRIVATE AND THE PUBLIC SECTORS-
* KEEPING A STRICT WATCH ON THE SUPERVISION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SLOPE CONSTRUCTION TO ENSURE THAT THE WORKS COMPLY WITH APPROVED DESIGNS AND ARE SAFELY EXECUTED-
* REGULARLY INSPECTING ALL EXISTING SLOPES, AND STRUCTURES ON OR ADJACENT TO SLOPES- AND
* MAKING DETAILED FOLLOW-UP STUDIES OF ANY SUSPECT AREA.
MR. O’RORKE SAID SOME OF THE PROPOSED FUNCTIONS OF THE NEW CONTROLLING BODY HAD IN THE PAST BEEN CARRIED OUT BY SECTIONS OF THE P.W.D. SUCH AS THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE AND THE SOILS ENGINEERING DIVISION OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SET UP ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE 1972 LANDSLIDE INQUIRY AS WELL AS BY THE P.W.D.’S CONSULTING ENGINEERS.
+BUT IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT WORKING PARTY AND THE PANEL OF EXPERTS, WE NOW INTEND TO BRING THEM ALL UNDER ONE CONTROLLING AGENCY TO ENSURE CONTINUITY AND UNIFORMITY THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATION, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE OF SLOPES IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
MR. O’RORKE SAID THE NEW GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE WOULD CONSIST OF A BUILDING BRANCH AND AN ENGINEERING BRANCH, IN LINE WITH THE EXISTING ORGANISATION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THE ENGINEERING BRANCH WOULD BE CROWN LAND AND THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH
RESPONSIBLE FOR SLOPES ON GOVERNMENT ENGINEERING WORKS.
THIS BRANCH WOULD CONTAIN THREE DIVISIONS -- ONE TO TAKE OVER INSPECTION AND MONITORING OF EXISTING SLOPES AND TO ARRANGE FOR NECESSARY REMEDIAL WORKS- ANOTHER TO CONTROL SITE INVESTIGATIONS AND SOIL TESTING OF SLOPES- AND THE THIRD TO UNDERTAKE THE NEW FUNCTION OF CHECKING DESIGNS AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ENGINEERING WORKS UNDERTAKEN BY OTHER P.W.D. OFFICES, AS WELL AS THOSE FEW CARRIED OUT BY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE BUILDINGS BRANCH OF THE NEW OFFICE WOULD REMAIN IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, WHICH NOW CONTROLS PRIVATE EARTHWORK, BUT ITS RESPONSIBILITIES WOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER SLOPES ASSOCIATED WITH BUILDINGS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PUBLIC AUTHORITIES SUCH AS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
FOR SLOPES ASSOCIATED WITH PRIVATE BUILDINGS, IT WAS INTENDED TO RETAIN THE OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONS IB IL IT IES OF AUTHORISED PERSONS AND CONTRACTORS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE SO AS TO ENSURE THAT PRIVATE EARTHWORKS WERE PROPERLY CARRIED OUT, SAID MR. O’RORKE.
/♦AND WE
SNCWMX, FEBRUARY 12, 1977
~5
+ AND WE ARE NOW CONSIDERING THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE ORDINANCE TO ENSURE THAT NECESSARY TESTS AND QUALIFIED SUPERVISION OF EARTHWORKS IS EXERCISED IN THE SAME WAY AS NOW APPLIED TO STRUCTURES,* HE ADDED.
MR. O’RORKE SAID CONSIDERATION WAS ALSO BEING GIVEN TO OTHER MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT CONSTRUCTION WORKS WERE PROPERLY CARRIED OUT.
THESE INCLUDED THE CREATION OF A NEW GRADE OF AUTHORISED GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER WITH SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN SOIL AND ROCK CONDITIONS.
+WHEN REQUIRED BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY, PRIVATE DEVELOPERS WOULD HAVE TO EMPLOY THESE SPECIALISTS FOR THE INVESTIGATION AND DESIGN FOUNDATIONS OF STRUCTURES AND SITE FORMATION,* SAID MR. O’RORKE.
AS RECOMMENDED BY THE PANEL OF EXPERTS, AN APPEALS BOARD WOULD ALSO BE SET UP TO HEAR OBJECTIONS TO THE DECISIONS OF THE NEW OFFICE.
MR. O’RORKE SAID: +THE DETAILS HAVE YET TO BE WORKED OUT, OF COURSE, BUT THE BOARD WILL PROBABLY COMPRISE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR DRAWN IN ROTATION FROM THE PROPOSED LIST OF REGISTERED GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERS, PLUS GOVERNMENT AND LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE P.W.D. IS FINALISING A MANUAL OF GOOD ENGINEERING PRACTICE IN CONSTRUCTION ON SLOPES FOR THE GUIDANCE OF BOTH THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIES.
MR. O’RORKE SAID THE MANUAL WOULD BE PUBLISHED IN PARTS STARTING TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR.
+THE CONTENTS ARE BEING AGREED BY A STEERING GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF UNIVERSITY, INDUSTRY AND THE P.W.D., AND IT IS ALSO INTENDED TO CONSULT OTHER PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED,* HE SAID.
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A
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1977 4 -
P.A. RECIPIENTS URGED TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST IMPOSTORS *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY URGED RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST PEOPLE IMPERSONATING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS CHEATING THEM OFF THEIR MONTHLY ALLOWANCES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID WITH THE APPROACH OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, A FEW SUCH CASES HAD BEEN REPORTED LATELY.
USUALLY THE IMPOSTOR ASKED THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS TO RETURN THE MONEY TO HIM PRETENDING THAT IT HAD BEEN HANDED OVER BY MISTAKE AND THEN PROMISED THAT A LARGER AMOUNT WOULD BE FORTHCOMING.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED THOSE APPROACHED IN THIS MANNER TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OR THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY AND IN NO CASE SHOULD THEY RETURN ANY MONEY.
+ALL STAFF ARE ISSUED WITH DEPARTMENTAL IDENTITY CARDS AND RECIPIENTS WHO ARE UNCERTAIN OF ANY CALLERS CLAIMING TO BE FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SHOULD INSIST ON IDENTIF I CAT I ON,+ HE STRESSED.
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE HAVE BEEN ISSUED A NOTICE BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WARNING THEM OF THE DANGERS OF BEING APPROACHED BY IMPOSTORS, AND ADVISING THEM TO EXERCISE GREAT CARE AND CAUTION.
MEANWHILE, PEOPLE RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND/OR THE DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES WHOSE PAYDAYS FALL WITHIN THE CHINESE NEW YEAR WILL BE ABLE TO GET THEIR MONEY EARLIER SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE MONEY FOR THE OCCASION.
+THOSE WHOSE PAY DAYS FALL ON FEBRUARY 18, 19, 20, 21 WILL BE ABLE TO GET THEIR MONEY ON FEBRUARY 14, 15, 16, 17 RESPECTIVELY FROM THE POST OFFICES, TREASURY OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/5
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1977
5
REVENUE INSPECTORS TOLD TO RESIST TEMPTATIONS ******
THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN, TOLD THE 21 REVENUE INSPECTORS AT THEIR PASSING-OUT PARADE TODAY THAT NO MATTER HOW HEAVY THE PRESSURES AND HOW ATTRACTIVE THE TEMPTATIONS THEY MUST BE FIRM AND RESIST THEM WITHOUT HESITATION.
BY THE NATURE OF THEIR DUTIES, HE NOTED, REVENUE INSPECTORS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO MANY PRESSURES AND TEMPTATIONS.
♦INEVITABLY THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR CORRUPTION PRESENT THEMSELVES,* SAID SIR YUET-KEUNG.
BUT HE ADDED THAT REVENUE INSPECTORS MUST RESIST THE TEMPTATIONS.
FAILURE TO DO SO, HE SAID, WOULD NOT ONLY RUIN THEIR OWN FUTURE BUT WOULD ALSO DAMAGE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE INTEGRITY OF THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE AS A WHOLE.
AMONG THE MANY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE, SIR YUET-KEUNG SAID, PERHAPS THE ONE BEST KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC WAS THE VERY ACTIVE ROLE IN THE SUPPRESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUG OFFENCES.
♦WITH THE AID OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE YOU HAVE GAINED HERE, I AM CERTAIN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PERFORM YOUR DUTIES EFFICIENTLY AND WITH CONFIDENCE,* HE SAID.
SIR YUET-KEUNG TOOK THE SALUTE AT THE PARADE IN WHICH FIVE SQUADS COMPRISING 66 OFFICERS TOOK PART.
THE PARADE, HELD IN THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE TRAINING SCHOOL AT TAI LAM CHUNG, MARKED THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A SIX-MONTH TRAINING COURSE BY 21 OFFICERS, FIVE OF WHOM ARE WOMEN.
SUBJECTS TAUGHT DURING THE COURSE INCLUDED ELEMENTARY LAW, TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES OF EXCISE AND PREVENTIVE DUTIES, SELF DEFENCE, MAP READING, FIRST AID, LIFE SAVING, USE OF THE FIREARMS AND CIVICS.
ALSO PRESENT WAS MR. BILL DORWARD, COMMISSIONER OF PREVENTIVE SERVICE.
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/6
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1977
6
D.S.W. VISITS VOLUNTARY WELFARE ORGANISATIONS
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL VISIT THREE VOLUNTARY WELFARE ORGANISATIONS IN ABERDEEN ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 15).
THEY ARE THE DAVID TRENCH HOME FOR THE AGED AND THE TUNG WAH CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR SENILE OLD PEOPLE, BOTH OPERATED BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, AND THE MARYCOVE CENTRE FOR GIRLS.
APART FROM SEEING THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF THESE ORGANISATIONS AND KEEPING HIMSELF INFORMED OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT, MR. LEE WILL BRING ALONG CANDIES AND CAKES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THESE HOMES FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
MR. LEE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MR. T.P. KHOO, HEAD OF THE REHABILITATION DIVISION, AND MRS. EVELYN DOE, HEAD OF THE FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE VISIT ON TUESDAY MORNING.
MR. LEE WILL ARRIVE AT THE HOMES FOR THE AGED AT 29, NAM LONG SHAN ROAD, BRICK HILL, ABERDEEN AT 11 A.M. AND AT THE MARYCOVE CENTRE FOR GIRLS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT ABOUT 12 NOON.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO USE THE FACILITIES ARE ASKED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE EAST ENTRANCE OF LEE GARDENS IN CAUSEWAY BAY NOT LATER THAN 13.30 A.M.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YUEN LONG ******
TWO ROADS IN YUEN LONG HAVE BEEN CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC UP TO FEBRUARY 18 (FRIDAY) TO FACILITATE THE CHINESE NEW YEAR FAIR TO BE HELD THERE.
THEY ARE ON NING ROAD BETWEEN MA MUI ROAD AND TAI KIU ROAD, AND KIK YEUNG ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS ARE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1977
IMPORTANT ROLE OF FOREST GUARDS
* * * *
DURING THE DRY WINTER MONTHS EVERY YEAR, A HANDFUL OF DEDICATED MEN FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN PROTECTING HONG KONG’S COUNTRYSIDE FROM FIRE.
THEY ARE THE DEPARTMENT’S HAND PICKED FOREST GUARDS
WHO ARE SENT TO VARIOUS PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TO PERFORM SPECIAL DUTIES FOR SEVEN MONTHS STARTING FROM OCTOBER EVERY YEAR.
THESE MEN SPEND THE WINTER IN +FIRE LOOKOUTS* WHICH ARE STRATEGICALLY LOCATED ON TOP OF HILLS OVERLOOKING LARGE AREAS OF WOODLANDS MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THERE ARE SEVEN SUCH LOOKOUT CABINS NESTLED ON TOP OF HILLS OF AT LEAST 1,233 FEET HIGH. THEY ARE AT GOLDEN HILL, TAI MO SHAN, PAT HEUNG, TIN FU TSAI, LAM TEI, TAI PO KAU AND SHAP LONG.
EACH OF THESE LOOKOUT CABINS IS EQUIPPED WITH A FIELD TELEPHONE LINKING TO A FOREST MANAGEMENT CENTRE OR OFFICE, A WALKIE-TALKIE RADIO TRANSCEIVER, A PAIR OF BINOCULARS AND A MAP.
THE TAI MO SHAN LOOKOUT IS THE HIGHEST. THE FIRST SUCH POST WAS BUILT ON KAM SHAN IN 1956 AND THE LATEST ONE, BUILT FIVE YEARS AGO, IS ON LAM TEI.
FOUR EXPERIENCED MEN ARE ASSIGNED TO EACH LOOKOUT POST TO CARRY OUT FIRE SPOTTING DUTIES. THEY WORK ON TWO SHIFTS OF 24 HOURS EACH.
THESE MEN, WHO AT TIMES BRAVE ZERO DEGREE TEMPERATURES, SPEND A SPARTAN LIFE.
+BUT I DON’T MIND BEING UP HERE AT KAM SHAN (GOLDEN HILL),* SAID MR. WONG CHOY, A FOREST GUARD WHO HAS BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.
+WE ARE USED TO BEING HERE AND IT KEEPS US FIT AND HEALTHY. ALTHOUGH AT TIMES IT DOES FEEL MONOTONOUS, BUT TIME PASSES VERY QUICKLY AND AFTER ALL I HAVE THE NEXT DAY FOR MYSELF AND CAN DO WHAT I LIKE.
♦BESIDES THERE ARE TWO OF US HERE TO KEEP EACH OTHER COMPANY.*
MR. TANG KEI-LIM, WHO SHARES THE SHIFT WITH MR. WONG SAID HE TOO WAS USED TO THE TYPE OF WORK.
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5'233191
/♦THIS IS ...
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1977
2
+THIS IS THE ONLY POST THAT HAS ELECTRICITY TO KEEP US WARM,* HE SAID,* WE ARE LUCKY AS OTHER POSTS DO NOT HAVE ELECTRICITY BECAUSE OF THEIR REMOTE LOCATIONS.+
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THESE GUARDS AT THE LOOKOUT POSTS USUALLY HAD AT LEAST 13 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN PLANTATION PROTECTION WORK.
+THEY MUST ALSO KNOW ALL THE VARIOUS PARTS OF PLANTATION AREAS LIKE THE BACK OF THEIR HANDS,* HE SAID.
WITH THIS LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, HE EMPHASISED, THE FOREST GUARD CAN IMMEDIATELY REPORT A FIRE AND PINPOINT ITS LOCATION WITHOUT HAVING TO RELY ON A MAP.
+SPEED AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCAL TOPOGRAPHY ARE OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE IN FIGHTING FOREST OR HILL FIRES,* HE STRESSED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WHEN A FIRE WAS SPOTTED, IT WAS IMMEDIATELY REPORTED TO THE FOREST MANAGEMENT OFFICE OR CENTRE WITH THE USE OF THE FIELD TELEPHONE.
THE NEXT STEP, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, INVOLVED DIRECTING FIRE FIGHTERS TO THE SCENE OF THE FIRE BY COMMUNICATING WITH A WALKIE-TALKIE.
+WHEN THE FIRE FIGHTERS CANNOT COPE WITH THE BLAZE AND REQUIRE REINFORCEMENT, THE REQUEST IS OFTEN MADE TO THE LOCKOUT FROM WHERE THE MESSAGE IS PASSED ON TO THE MANAGEMENT CENTRE,* HE POINTED OUT.
+THE MANAGEMENT CENTRE MUST REPORT EVERY HILL FIRE TO THE FIRE CONTROL HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON HILL FROM WHERE ALL HILL FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS ARE COORDINATED.
+WHEN REINFORCEMENT IS REQUIRED, THE HEADQUARTERS CALLS IN THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.*
THERE ARE 15 MANAGEMENT CENTRES AT WHICH FIRE CREWS ARE BASED. AT 11 OF THE CENTRES, THERE ARE 1O-MAN CREWS AND AT THE OTHER FOUR THERE ARE SIX-MAN CREWS.
ALL CREWS ARE MOBILE AND ARE EQUIPPED WITH WALKIE-TALKIES, FIRE BEATERS AND HAND-OPERATED PUMPS. THE LARGER CREWS ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH MOTOR-DRIVEN HIGH PRESSURE PUMPS AAND HOSES.
BEFORE THE START OF THE WINTER EVERY YEAR, EACH SENIOR FIELD OFFICER WITH A TERRITORIAL CHARGE IS REQUIRED TO REPORT AND CONFIRM IN WRITING TO HIS SUPERVISING FORESTRY OFFICER (PROTECTION) OF THE STATE OF READINESS OF ALL FIRE CREWS IN THE DISTRICT UNDER HIS CHARGE.
+THE PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE AS IT AFFECTS THE PUBLIC,* HE SAID.
+THE PLANTATION AREAS DAILY ATTRACT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO GO THERE FOR PICNICS. ALSO, THESE WOODLANDS HELP PREVENT SOIL EROSION AND PROTECT THE WATER CATCHMENT AREAS.
/♦BECAUSE •
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1977
+EECAUSE THESE PLANTATION AREAS ARE SO POPULAR WITH THE PUBLIC, THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED EARLIER LAST YEAR WITH AN AIM TO PROTECT THESE PLACES AND PROVIDE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE PEOPLE.
+THE POPULARITY OF THESE PLACES WILL UNDOUBTEDLY GROW AND LIKEWISE THE RISK OF FIRES DESTROYING THE COUNTRYSIDE IS ALSO LIKELY TO INCREASE.
+EECAUSE OF THIS DANGER, THE LIGHTING OF FIRES FOR ANY REASON, EXCEPT IN APPROVED BARBECUE PITS, IS PROHIBITED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND THIS REGULATION IS ONE WHICH MUST, AND WILL BE, ENFORCED.+
THE SPOKESMAN RECALLED THAT THE WORST YEAR WAS 1973-74, WHEN MORE THAN 1,200 FIRES WERE REPORTED. THE FIRES AFFECTED 4,000 ACRES OF PLANTATION AND DESTROYED SOME $1.3 MILLION WORTH OF TREES.
+WATCHING TREES GO UP IN FLAMES IS A SORROWFUL SIGHT BECAUSE THEY ARE COSTLY AND TAKE YEARS TO GROW,+ THE SPOKESMAN SA ID.
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KOWLOON’S FIRST ALL NIGHT BUS SERVICE FACES CANCELLATION ******
KOWLOON’S FIRST ALL NIGHT BUS SERVICE FACES CANCELLATION BECAUSE OF LACK OF PASSENGERS.
KMB ROUTE NO. 2E WAS INTRODUCED ON DECEMBER 17 ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS FOR THREE MONTHS OPERATING BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD FERRY AND KOWLOON CITY FERRY VIA TSIM SHA TSUI, HUNG HOM AND TO KWA WAN EVERY 15-MINUTES BETWEEN 12.45 A.M. AND 5.15 A.M. AT A 50-CENT FARE.
AS WELL AS PROVIDING CONNECTING FACILITIES FOR LATE NIGHT AND EARLY MORNING FERRIES, IT WAS HOPED THAT THE NEW SERVICE WOULD CATER FOR NIGHT WORKERS IN THE BUSY RESTAURANT AREAS OF NATHAN ROAD AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
THE NEW ROUTE ALSO CONNECTED AT HUNG HOM WITH THE ALL NIGHT CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTES TO CAUSEWAY BAY AND NORTH POINT AND WAN CHAI, CENTRAL AND WESTERN MARKET.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNLESS THERE WAS AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE USE OF THIS ALL NIGHT SERVICE IT wOULD BE CANCELLED ON FEBRUARY 23, THAT IS, AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1977
4
TWO MAX I CAB ROUTES TO BE IMPROVED * * * *
THE SERVICES ON TWO MAXICAB ROUTES ARE TO BE IMPROVED PROM TOMORROW (MONDAY). THESE ARE ROUTE 7 (PREVIOUSLY ROUTE 8) FROM MT. NICHOLSON TO CENTRAL AND ROUTE 6 FROM CENTRAL TO OCEAN PARK (PREVIOUSLY CENTRAL TO SHOUSON HILL).
THE ROUTING OF ROUTE 7 HAS BEEN ALTERED TO PROVIDE A QUICKER AND BETTER PEAK-HOUR SERVICE TO CENTRAL AS WELL AS SERVING WIDER BUSY AREAS DURING OFF-PEAK HOURS.
DURING PEAK HOURS, FROM 7.40 A.M. TO 3.40 A.M. AND FROM 4.40 P.M. TO 5.40 P.MM., BUSES ON ROUTE 7 WILL TRAVEL IN A ONE-WAY DIRECTION ONLY FROM MT. NICHOLSON TO CENTRAL VIA STUBBS ROAD, COOMBE ROAD, MAGAZINE GAP ROAD, GARDEN ROAD, LOWER ALBERT ROAD AND ICE HOUSE STREET WITH STOPPING PLACES IN COOMBE ROAD, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, GARDEN ROAD AND ICE HOUSE STREET.
DURING OFF-PEAK HOURS THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE IN A TWO-WAY DIRECTION VIA W'ANCHA I ROAD, HENNESSY ROAD, JOHNSTON ROAD, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, PEDDER STREET TO CENTRAL.
THE SERVICE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO OPERATE FROM 7.40 A.M. TO 6.43 P.M. FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS AT A REGULAR FREQUENCY OF 33 MINUTES.
ROUTE 6 PRIMARILY SERVED THE SHOUSON HILL AREA VIA THE WATERFRONT. THERE WERE S°ECIAL JOURNEYS TO OCEAN PARK ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS TO MEET PASSENGER DEMAND.
HOWEVER, UNDER NEW ARRANGEMENTS, ROUTE 6 WILL NOW PLY BETWEEN CENTRAL AND OCEAN PARK VIA QUEENSWAY, HENNESSY ROAD, FENWICK STREET, JOHNSTON ROAD, WANCHAI ROAD, MORRISON HILL ROAD, LEIGHTON ROAD, WONGNEICHUNG GAP ROAD AND THEN VIA SHOUSON HILL ROAD TO OCEAN PARK.
THERE IS NO CHANGE IN THE WEEK-DAY TIME SCHEDULE. BUSES WILL RUN EVERY 15 MINUTES DURING PEAK HOURS AND EVERY 30 MINUTES DUR ING OFF-PEAK HOURS.
ONE NEW ASPECT OF THE SERVICE IS THAT BEFORE 10 A.M. BUSES ON THIS ROUTE WILL START AND TERMINATE AT SHOUSON HILL ROAD AS USUAL. BUT AFTER THIS TIME THE SERVICE WILL START AND TERMINATE AT OCEAN PARK.
PREVIOUSLY, ROUTE 6 DID NOT OPERATE A FIXED SERVICE TO OCEAN PARK ON SUNDAYS ANO PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. SPECIAL SERVICES WERE RUN TO MEET DEMAND. NOW, A REGULAR 20-MINUTE SERVICE WILL OPERATE ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS BETWEEN 7.30 A.M. AND 6.33 ?.M. CN SATURDAYS, THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE FROM 7.33 A.M. TO 1.30 P.M.
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/5
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1977
- 5 -
REVISED SCHEDULES FOR MOBILE IMMIGRATION OFFICE * * * *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT HAS REVISED THE SCHEDULES OF ITS MOBILE OFFICE WHICH MAKES REGULAR CALLS'AT VARIOUS PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE REVISED TIMETABLE WHICH WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE FROM THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 17).
DAY TIME PLACE OF CALL
MONDAY 10.30 A.M. - 12.45 P.M. SAN HUI (SAN FAT ESTATE)
2.30 P.M. - 3.45 P.M. SAN TIN (RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE)
TUESDAY 10 A.M. - 12.30 P.M. HANG HAU (RURAL COMMITTEE
OFFICE)
2 P.M. - 4 P.M. SAI KUNG (RURAL COMMITTEE
OFF ICE)
WEDNESDAY 10 A.M. - 1 P.M. SHA TIN (RURAL COMMITTEE
OFFICE)
2 P.M. - 4 P.M.
THURSDAY 11.15 A.M. - 1 P.M. CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND (RURAL
(SECOND AND COMMITTEE OFFICE)
FOURTH THURSDAYS 2 P.M. - 2.45 P.M.
OF EACH MONTH)
THURSDAY (FIRST, 10 A.M. - 12.30 P.M. ABERDEEN (ABERDEEN KAIFONG
THIRD, AND FIFTH, WELFARE ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY
IF ANY, THURSDAYS CENTRE)
OF EACH MONTH) 2 P.M. - 4 P.M. STANLEY (CIVIL AID SERVICES
HONG KONG EAST SUB-HEAD-
QUARTERS IN WONG MA KOK ROAD)
FRIDAY 10 A.M. - 1 P.M. TAI PO (RURAL COMMITTEE
OFF ICE)
2 P.M. - 3.45 P.M.
----_ 0 - - - -
FIRING PRACTICE * * * *
FIRING PRACTICE DAYS FOR THE REST OF
WILL TAKE PLACE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON TWO THIS MONTH.
IT WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 8 A.M. (TUESDAY) AND BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 6 P.M.
AND 10 P.M. ON FEBRUARY 15 ON FEBRUARY 16 (.'.EDNESDAY).
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF FIRING PRACTICE.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPECIAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS ................................................... 1
HK-BUILT YACHT TO TAKE PART IN INTERNATIONAL RACE ........ 2
TUEN MUN WILL HAVE A NEW $6.9 MILLION PREVCCAT I ONAL SCHOOL ..................................................... 3
DETAILS OF UNREG ISTRABLE DOCTORS’ EXAMINATION ANNOUNCED 4
ENTRY OPENS TO CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY ENGLISH EXAMINATIONS 5
SIX OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL REMAIN OPEN COMING SUNDAY AND MONDAY ................................................. 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1977
SUPPLEMENTARY PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS ******
THE OPERATING HOURS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WILL BP EXTENDED DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS AND IN SOME CASES SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES WILL BE INTRODUCED.
THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY’S JUBILEE STREET TO KWUN TONG FERRY SERVICE AND THE SAI WAN HO TO KOWLOON CITY S-RVICE WILL REMAIN OPERATIONAL ON FEBRUARY 18 AND 19.
SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES WILL BE INTRODUCED ON THE HONG KONG TO TSUEN WAN FERRY SERVICE FROM FEBRUARY 18 TO 21.
THE TIMETABLE OF THE HONG KONG TO PO TOI EXCURSION FERRY SERVICE WILL BE REVISED ON FEBRUARY 18 TO OPERATE AT 9.25 A.M. AND 11.10 A.M. FROM HONG KONG AND 3.20 P.M. AND 4.40 P.M. FROM PO TOI.
THE EXCURSION SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND TUNG CHUNG, TSUEN WAN AND TUNG CHUNG AND MA LIU SHU I AND KAT 0 ..ILL NOT OPERATE ON FEBRUARY 18 AND 19 EUT WILL EE RESUMED ON FEBRUARY 23.
SIMILARLY, THE SPECIAL 8.15 A.M. SAILING ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM KWUN TONG VIA JUBILEE STREET TO SILVERMINE BAY WILL EE SUSPENDED ON FEBRUARY 18 AND 19.
THE STAR FERRY WILL OPERATE ALL NIGHT SERVICES FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. AT A 12-MINUTE FREQUENCY ON FEBRUARY 18.
BOTH KME AND CME WILL OPERATE SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES ON FEBRUARY 15 AND 16 AND FROM FEBRUARY 18 TO 21. BUSES ON MOST ROUTcS WILL RUN VERY LATE DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
HONG KONG TRAMWAYS .-.ILL OPERATE ALL NIGHT SERVICES ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE ON ALL ITS ROUTES.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1977
2
HK-3UILT YACHT TO COMPETE FOR OCEAN RACING YACHT LAUNCHED ******
ADMIRAL’S CUP EY MRS. ERAY
HONG KONG’S CHALLENGE FOR THE WORLD PREMIER OCEAN RACING EVENT, THE +ADMIRAL’S CUP+, MOVED A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD TO-DAY WITH THE LAUNCHING OF THE YACHT +VANGUARD+.
MRS. BRAY, WIFE OF MR. DENIS BRAY, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, OFFICIATED AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY AT THE SUPERCRAFT YARD.
HONG KONG MADE ITS FIRST EID IN 1975 WITH A THREE YACHT TEAM WHICH DEFEATED ELEVEN OUT OF EIGHTEEN COMPETING COUNTRIES. IN 1977 A STRONG CHALLENGE IS EE ING MOUNTED BY FOUR CONTENDERS WHO WILL COMPETE FOR PLACES IN THE TEAM OF THREE.
+VANGUARD+ IS THE ONLY ADMIRAL’S CUP YACHT BEING BUILT IN HONG KONG. DESIGNED EY ED DUBOIS THE BOAT IS 42 FT. LONG AND RATES AS A TWO TONNER. THE FIBRE GLASS HULL WAS SUPERVISEE BY KEN RAYBOULD TO ENSURE THAT IT COMBINED THE LIGHTEST POSSIBLE CONSTRUCTION CONSISTENT WITH ADEQUATE STRENGTH.
HER CREW OF NINE WILL BE SKIPPERED EY MR. BILL TURNBULL WHO WAS ONE OF HONG KONG’S 1975 ADMIRAL’S CUP SKIPPERS AND WHO WON THE SYDNEY HOBART RACE IN 1973. ALL ARE HONG KONG MEN EXCEPT JOHN OAKLEY OF MILLER AND WHITWORTH LTD. WHO WILL PROVIDE THE U.K. BACKUP FOR THE BOAT.
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/3
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1977
- 3 -
$6.9 MILLION PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL AT TUEN MUN
*******
A $6.9 MILLION PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IS TO BE EUILT AT TUEN MUN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
EIGHTY PER CENT OF THE COST WILL BE MET BY THE GOVERNMENT AND TWENTY PER CENT BY THE SPONSOR.
IT IS THE FIRST OF THREE NEW PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS SPONSORED BY THE MARDEN FOUNDATION AND TO BE MANAGED BY CARITAS - HONG KONG. WHEN COMPLETED, THE FULLY AIDED SCHOOL WILL BE THE NINTH TO OFFER THREE YEARS OF PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG. IT WILL BE CALLED THE MARDEN FOUNDATION CARITAS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL - TUEN MU'..
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN MID-1977 AND THE SCHOOL WILL ADMIT ITS FIRST BATCH OF 360 BOYS AND GIRLS NEXT SEPTEMBER.
ULTIMATELY THE WHOLE-DAY SCHOOL WILL HAVE AN ENROLMENT OF 1,080 PUPILS. THERE WILL BE 15 CLASSROOMS, A LIBRARY, A MULTI-PURPOSE HALL AND 19 SPECIAL ROOMS, LABORATORIES AND WORKSHOPS.
THE TECHNICAL SUBJECTS OFFERED ARE COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL STUDIES, DOMESTIC AND HOTEL SERVICE STUDIES, ELECTRICAL STUDIES, MECHANICAL STUDIES, TEXTILE AND TAILORING STUDIES AS WELL AS WOODWORK STUDIES SPREAD OVER THE THREE YEARS’ COURSE.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES WILL UNVEIL A COMMEMORATIVE STONE ON WEDNESDAY TO MARK THE COMMENCEMENT OF WORK ON BUILDING THE NEW SCHOOL. THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF HONG KONG, THE MOST REV. JOHN B. WU, WILL BLESS THE STCNE, THE SITE AND THE CONSTRUCTION WORK DURING THE CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS :
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONY AT TUEN MUN SITE, LOT NO. Ill, NEAR TAI HING ESTATE, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, NEW TERRITORIES AT 11.15 A.M. ON FEBRUARY 16, 1977.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1977
DETAILS OF UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS’ EXAM. ANNOUNCED K H K
THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG TODAY ANNOUNCED THE DATES, CHARGES AND OTHER DETAILS OF THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION FOR UNREG ISTRABLE DOCTORS.
PART I OF THE EXAMINATION, THE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION PAPER ON PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE, WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 15 AND THE FEE FOR THIS PART WILL EE $750.
PART II, THE WRITTEN ENGLISH PAPER, THE FEE FOR WHICH WILL BE $250, WILL EE HELD ON APRIL 15.
PART III, THE ORAL EXAMINATION ON PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE, WILL BE HELD IN JULY AND THE FEE WILL BE 5550.
CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PASS PART I BEFORE THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE PART II AND TO PASS PART II BEFORE THEY WILL EE ALLOWED TO TAKE PART III.
ORDINARILY THEY WILL BE ALLOWED THREE ATTEMPTS AT EACH PART SUBJECT TO THE DISCRETION OF THE EXAMINATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE AND ANY CANDIDATE WHO FAILS TO PASS PART II OR PART III IN THREE SUCCESSIVE ATTEMPTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETAKE PART I.
SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE, THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION WILL BE HELD ANNUALLY.
BY FEBRUARY 25, 1977 ALL ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED DETAILS IN WRITING OF HOW', WHEN AND WHERE TO PAY THE EXAMINATION FEE FOR. PART I AND WHEN AND WHERE TO GET THEIR EXAMINATION ADMISSION PASSES AND INSTRUCTIONS.
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/5
5
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 197"
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY ENGLISH EXAMINATIONS
******
THE FIRST CERTIFICATE IN ENGLISH EXAMINATION (F.C.E.) AND THE CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH EXAMINATION (C.P.E.) OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE ARE SCHEDULED TO BE HELD BETWEEN JUNE 14 AND 16.
THESE EXAMINATIONS ARE OPEN ONLY TO CANDIDATES ABOVE THE AGE OF 16 AND WHOSE MOTHER TONGUE IS NOT ENGLISH.
ALL CANDIDATES MUST MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE FOR ORAL/AURAL TESTS AT A TIME TO BE SPECIFIED ON ANY DAY WITHIN THE PERIOD MAY 30 TO JUNE 18.
ENTRY FORMS FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, 11TH FLOOR, KOWLOON FROM FEBRUARY 28.
COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS, TOGETHER WITH PASSPORT OR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD AND TWO RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE APPLICANT (SIZE 2-1/2” X 2”) MUST EE PRESENTED IN PERSON AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4 P.M. FROM FEBRUARY 28 TO MARCH 4. LACK OF IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING STANDARD PHOTOGRAPHS, WILL DISQUALIFY A CANDIDATE FROM REGISTERING.
REGISTRATION BY MAIL AND LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
THE EXAMINATION FEE MUST BE PAID IN PERSON NOT LATER THAN MARCH 7 AT THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 11TH FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON OR BY CROSSED CHEQUE MADE PAYABLE TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE POST TO THE SAME ADDRESS.
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SIX CLINICS OPEN DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS
*****
SIX OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL REGAIN OPEN ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 23) AND MONDAY (FEBRUARY 21) FRCV Q A.M. ’0 1 F.M., ThE ME'ICAl AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THEY APE THE VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC AND THE ROYAL HQNG KONG JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN SHAU KEI WAL CN "HE PC’S KONG ISLAN'-ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB CL I'. ICS IN K ■•■UN ’ONG A'. D VA.' 'A ~Ei AND THE POBER’ BLACK HEAL’H CENtdE IN KCwLOOf AN' thf Li-v -P£;v> POLYCLINIC, "SUED I N "HE LEW ’ERR I TOR I ES.
ALL Q’HER GO VERNMEL" OUT-°AT|ENT CLINICS and E VEN I’ G CLINICS WILL BE CLOSE: DUPING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR rOL I DAYS FPC* LA-Y 18 TO 21 I ’.OLUSI .E.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NC.
UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SPEAK ON REHABILITATION SERVICES GREEN PAPER .......................... 1
POLL CARDS ISSUED FOR URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION ................. 2
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR IN CAUSEWAY BAY .......................................................... 3
KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY LAUNCHES +TRAVEL IN SAFETY AND COMFCRT+ CAMPAIGN ............................................ 4
DUTY-FREE BRANDY FROM MACAU DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR ........ 4
NEW BUS ROUTE BETWEEN SHAM SHU I PO FERRY AND KWAI SHING ..... 5
PARTIAL CLOSURE OF KENG HAU ROAD ............................. 5
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE VISITS VOLUNTARY WELFARE ORGANISATIONS ................................................ 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1977
1
LEGCO MEETING TOMORROW * * * * *
NINE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF SPEAK ON THE GREEN PADER ON THE REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG TOMORROW.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL .-.ILL
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF
KONG '.'.HEN THE COUNCIL MEETS
DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG ..ILL MOVE THAT THE COUNCIL TAKES NOTE OF THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE PROGRAMME PLAN FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES AS SUMMARISED IN THE GREEN PAPER AND ANTICIPATES THAT A DEFINITIVE PROGRAMME OF DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES SILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A GOVERNMENT .-.nlTE PAPER .-.HIGH ..ILL BE TABLED IN THE COUNCIL IK THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SILL MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE REPORT OF THE THIRD INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIE.'. COMMITTEE WHICH ..ILL BE TABLED TOMORROW.
DURING QUESTION TIME, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS .'.ILL ASK A TOTAL OF IS QUESTIONS. THEY CONCERN, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE AVAILABILITY OF CHINESE TRANSLATIONS IN FORMS ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT, LICENSING OF HAWKERS IN HOUSING ESTATES, DEVELOPMENT OF THE JUNK BAY AREA AND REASONS FOR A RECENT ROAD COLLAPSt IN TAI HANG ROAD.
TWO BILLS SILL EE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL. THEY ARE
THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND THE TRADE UNIONS (AMENDMENT) DILL 1977.
DEBATE ..ILL RESUME ON EIGHT BILLS. THEY ARE THE
MISOELLANECUS LICENCES (ABOLITION) BILL 1977, THz LION ROCK tunnel (amendment) bill 1977, the road traffic (amendment) bill 1977, the JUVENILE OFFENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, THE GUARDIANSHIP OF MINORS BILL 1977, THE MAINTENANCE ORDERS (RECIPROCAL ENFORCEMENT) BILL 1977, THE AFFILIATION PROCEEDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND THE SEPARATION AND MAINTENANCE ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977.
/a......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1977.
2
POLL CARDS ISSUED FOR URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION * * * *
A TOTAL OF 37,174 POLL CARDS SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO FACILITATE TH c SPEEDY ISSU; OF BALLOT PAPERS TO VOTERS OK URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION DAY OR MARCH 3 (THURSDAY) ARE IN THE POST TO-DAY.
EACH CARD EEARS THE VOTER’S ELECTORAL NUMBER, HIS NAME AND THE NAME AND THE ADDRESS OF THE POLLING STATION AT WHICH HE IS REGISTERED TO VOTE.
THE REGISTRATION OFFICER EMPHASISED THAT VOTERS MUST PRODUCE THEIR POLL CARDS AS .-.ELL AS THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AT THE PROPER POLLING STATION, IN ORDER TO VOTE WITH THE MINIMUM OF DELAY.
HE ADDED THAT IF AN ELECTOR WAS UNABLE TO PRODUCE HIS POLL CARD 0 . ELECTION DAY, HE WAS NEVERTHELESS ENTITLED TO VOTe, PROVIDED HIS NAME APPEARED ON THE FINAL REGISTER AND HE .‘.AS ABLE TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER.
IF VOTERS HAVE CHANGED THEIR ADDRESS SINCE THE FINAL REGISTER ..AS COMPILED AND HAVE NOT NOTIFIED THE REGISTRATION OFFICER, IT IS PROBABLE THAT THEIR POLL CARDS WILL EE RETURNEE TO THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT AS +UNDELIVERABLE+.
ANY PERSON ..HO HAS REGISTERED AS AN ELECTOR AND WHO DOES NOT RECEIVE HIS POLL CARD WITHIN 3 DAYS, IS ADVISED TO CONTACT MR. LI KENG-HEI, TELEPHONE NO. 5-765912 OF THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT, TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER HIS CARD HAS BEEN RETURNED EY THE POST OFFICE AS +UNDELIVERABLE+. IF DESIRED, ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE EY VISITING MR. LI, WHOSE OFFICE IS AT KA CHEONG BUILDING, NO. 4, SUNNING ROAD, 7TH FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1977
3
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CAUSEWAY BAY AREA DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD ******
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ..ILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE AREA ARCUi.D VICTORIA -ARK FOR I HE ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR Fa In.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS A NUMBER OF ROADS AROUND VICTORIA PARK ILL EITHER BE CLOSED OR DIVERSIONS ..ILL BE IMPLEMENTED BETWEEN 6.30 P.M. ON FEBRUARY 17 AND 6 A.M. THE NEXT DAY.
THE ROADS AFFECTED WILL BE SIGNPOSTED AND TRAFFIC POLICE KILL BE ON HAND TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
THERE WILL BE NO PARKING BETWEEN 3 P.M. ON FEBRUARY 17 AND 6 A.'.. THE NEXT DAY IN NGAN MOK STREET, YACHT STREET, CAUSEWAY EAY MAGISTRACY CAR PARK, ROXY CAR PARK, GLOUCESTER ROAD BET..EEK PERCIVAL STREET AND CAUSEWAY ROAD, JARDINE’S EAZAAR, THE SECTION OF KINGSTON STREET EAST OF CLEVELAND STREET AND PERCIVAL STREET.
CMB ROUTE NOS. 2, 5, 19, 25, 5E, 11, 11A, 23A, 17, 72, 31, CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ROUTES 132 AND 106, AND KMB ROUTE 200 AIRPORT COACH SERVICE WILL EE DIVERTED FRCP THEIR USUAL ROUTES ON REACHING THE CAUSEWAY BAY AREA.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ADVISED MOTORISTS TO USE CAROLINE HILL ROAD OR NGAN MOK STREET WHEN TRAVELLING FROM .■.AN CHAI TO THE AREA SOUTH GF VICTORIA PARK AND TO USE TSI.'iG FUNG STREET AND ELECTRIC ROAD WHEN TRAVELLING FROM CAUSEWAY ROAD TO KOWLOON.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT HEAVY TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS EXPECTED IN THE CAUSEWAY BAY AREA DURING THE LUNAR NEw YEAR PERIOD AND URGED MOTORISTS NOT TO TRAVEL BY CAR UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
+PEOPLE WISHING TO GO TO THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR IN VICTORIA PARK SHOULD TRAVE- BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT ..HEFEVER POSSIBLE,* rE ADDED.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1977
K.C.R. COLOURED POSTERS ON TRAVELLING SAFETY AND COMFORT * * * * *
THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY HAS PRODUCED A SET OF FOUR COLOURED POSTERS IN AN EFFORT TO PROMOTE TRAVELLING SAFETY AND COMFORT.
ONE OF THE POSTERS URGES PASSENGERS TO KEEP THE STATIONS AND CARRIAGES CLEAN WHILE THE OTHERS ASK THEM NOT TO BOARD OR ALIGHT WHEN THE TRAIN IS IN MOTION, NOT TO CROSS THE RAILWAY TRACK AND TO REPORT TO RAILWAY STAFF ANY DANGEROUS INCIDENT OR IF THEY ARE ACCOSTED.
THE POSTERS, PRINTED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, ARE DISPLAYED AT RAILWAY STATIONS AND IN CARRIAGES.
THE GENERAL MANAGER OF KCR, MR. REGINALD GREGORY, SAID THAT SAFETY OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC AND CLEANLINESS OF STATION PREMISES AND CARRIAGES WERE MAJOR CONCERNS OF THE RAILWAY.
HE URGED THE PUBLIC TO CO-OPERATE AND TO MAKE TRAIN JOURNEYS SAFER AND MORE PLEASANT.
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DUTY-FREE BRANDY FROM MACAU * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY HAS ANNOUNCED THAT PASSENGERS ARRIVING FROM MACAU DURING THE TWO DAYS FOLLOWING CHINES- NEW YEAR’S DAY (FEBRUARY 19 AND 23) HAY BRING INTO HONG KONG FREE OF DUTY ONE BOTTLE OF PORTUGUESE BRANDY CONTAINING NOT MORE THAN 1 LITRE.
THIS IS IM LIEU OF THE CUSTOMARY ONE QUART BOTTLE OF GRAPE WINE AT PRESENT ALLOWED.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1977
NE.. BUS SERVICE FOR KWAI SHING ESTATE * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A NE* BUS SERVICE, -O-UTE NO. 37A, WOULD DE INTRODUCED TOMORROW BET..EE'. KWAI SHING AND SHAM SHU I PC FERRY.
THIS SERVICE ..ILL EE OPERATED FRO?' MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS DURING MORNING AND EVENING PEAK HOURS ONLY. EUSES .mILL DEPART FRC- K..A I SHING AT A 12—MINUTE FREQUENCY BETWEEN c A.M. AND 9.24 A. AND BETWEEN 4.57 A7.33 P.’l.
FRO’-’. SHAM SHU I PC, BUSES WILL OPERATE AT THE SAME FREQUENCY BETWEEN 6.35 A.’i. AND 9.59 A.'-., AND BETWEEN 4.2D P.M. AND 3.33 P.’-.
THE TIME-TABLE HAS BEEN CO-ORDINATED TO CONNECT WITH FERRY SAILINGS TO CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS. A FLAT FARE OF 33 CENTS ..ILL EE CHARGED.
FRCP KWAI SHING (EAST), THE SERVICE wILL OPERATE VIA K..AI SHING CIRCUIT, TAI WO HAU ROAD, HING FONG ROAD, KWAI GN ROAD, KWAI CHllG ROAD, LAI CHI KOK ExACH ROAD, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, YE’. CHO.. STREET AND YEE KUK STREET.
FROM SHAM SHU I PC FERRY, THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE VIA YEE KUK STREEi, PEI HO STREET, LAI CHI KOK ROAD, YEN CHO* STREET, CHEUNG SHA wAN ROAD, UNNAMED ROAD, KWAI CHUNG ROAD, KWAI FOO ROAD, HING FONG ROAD, TAI WO HAU ROAD AND K.A I SHING CIRCUIT.
THIS SERVICE ..ILL SUPPLEMENT ROUTE NO. 37 FROM KWAI Sr. ING (CENTRAL) TO TAI KOK TSUI FERRY, AND WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FACILITIES TO RESIDENTS IN THE DEVELOPING AREA OF KwAI SHING ESTATE.
PARTIAL CLOSURE OF KENG HAU ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT A SECTION OF KENG HAU ROAD IN SHA TIN ..ILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES WITH AN UNLADEN ..EIGHT OVER TWO TONS FROM 13 A..-'. ON MARCH 1.
THr SECTION OF KENG HAU ROAD INVOLVED STARTS FROM ITS JUNCTION .. I TH TAI PO ROAD TO THE ABUTMENT OF THE RAILWAY BRIDGE NEAR THE SHA TIM WATER TREATMENT WORKS.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS ..ILL EE SET UP TO GUIDE lOTDRlSTj.
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TUESDAY, FESSUARY 15
1977
6
D.S.A. VISITS VOLUNTARY '.'.ELFARE ORGANISATIONS M ¥• r fc K
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL ..ELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, TODAY (TUESDAY) CALLED CM FOUR VOLUNTARY .vELFARE ORGANISATIONS ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO SEE -OR HIMSELF THEIR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION.
HE BROUGHT ..I TH HIM CANDIES AND CAKES FOR THE RESIDENTS FOR THE CHINESE HE.. YEAR,
THE FOUR ORGANISATIONS ‘WERE THE DAVID TRENCH HOME FOR THE AGED, THE TUNG aAH CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR SENILE OLD PEOPLE, THE MARYCOVE CENTRE FOR GIRLS, AND. PO LEUNG KUK.
MR. LEE ..AS ACCOMPANIED BY MR. T.P. KHOO, HEAD OF THE REHABIL ITATIO.N DIVISION, AND MRS. EVELYN DOE, HEAD OF THE FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION.
Ot. ARRIVAL AT THc. DAVID TRENCH HOMz FOR THz AGED AND Thz TUNG WAH CARE AND ATTENTION HOME, HR. LEE WAS MET BY DR. CHARM HOI-SANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG ’..AH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, WHICH OPERATES THE TWO HOMES.
THE DAVID TRENCH HOME FOR THE AGED PROVIDES ACCOMMODATION FOR AO MEN AND ..OMEN AGED 60 OF. OVER .-.HILE THE CARE AND ATTENTION HOME OFFERS RESIDENTIAL FACILIilES FOR 23 MEN AND 56 WOMEN uHO REQUIRE PERSONAL AND NURSING CARE. BOTH HOMES CHARGED A ‘•CNT.-..Y FEE OF 93 PER RESIDENT AND ARE FINANCED THROUGH SOCIAL ..ELFARE SUBVENT 10..
MR. LEE LATER PROCEEDED TO THE MARYCOVE CENTRE FOR GIRLS WHERE HE /.AS GREETED BY SISTER SYLVESTER POWERS, ADMINISTRATOR C* THE CENTRE.
THE CENTRE CAN ACCOMMODATE 233 GIRLS BETWEEN 12 MIGHT HAVE BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS OR ..HOSE PARENTS NIGHT ABLE TO GIVE THEN PROPER CARE.
AND 1c .-.HO NOT BE
THE DIRECTOR ALSO VISITED THE °C LEUNG KUK ..HERE HE /.AS MET BY MRS. 'AXINE LI KwCK, THE CHAIRMAN, AND OTHER DIRECTORS GF THE KUK.
PO LEUNG KUs PROVIDES CARE AN-. PROTECTION ’OR CnILDRzN AND YOUNG GIRLS. DURING THE VISIT, i - . LEE SHO/.ED ARTICULAR INTEREST IN THz BABIES’ ..ARj, THE -.URSz-Y E- T-E SHELTERED ..C~ KS'iC' FOR MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATIOfrMW”’
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
THIRD INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT TABLED ............................................. 1
LEGCO UNOFFICIALS SUGGEST NEW WAYS TO FURTHER DEVELOP REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG ................. 3
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES LOWERED ........ 16
UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS URGED TO HELP ELIMINATE CHILD LABOUR . 17
TUEN MUN WILL HAVE FOUR NEW SCHOOLS OVER NEXT THREE YEARS . 18
SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR MOVING OF PILE-DRIVERS BEING STUDIED 19
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCES BEING REVISED ....... 20
UTILITY SERVICES ARE PROTECTED DURING MTR CONSTRUCTION .... 21
ADEQUATE FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO CATER FOR CHILDREN COMMITTED TO CARE OF DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE ..... 22
LEGISLATION BEING DRAFTED TO FACILITATE ISSUE OF DUPLICATE SHARE CERTIFICATES .................................. 23
■MORE PSYCHIATRIC BEDS BEING PROVIDED ............... 24
FOOTBRIDGE TO BE BUILT ACROSS CHAI WAN ROAD TRAFFIC BLACK SPOT ................................................ 25
MOST GOVERNMENT FORMS NOW HAVE CHINESE VERSIONS ..... 26
GOVERNMENT IS STUDYING HOW TO DEVELOP JUNK BAY ...... 26
HOUSING AUTHORITY AIMS TO MOVE ALL HAWKERS INTO SHOP-STALLS ......................................... 27
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR SECOND QUARTER OF FINANCIAL YEAR 1976-77 APPROVED ............................... 27
MORE RESIDENTS VISIT CHINA DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR .... 28
/ODEL FISHERMEN TO BE COMMENDED AT PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY .. 29
DIRECTOR OF MARINE RETIRES AFTER 25 YEARS SERVICE ... 30
NINE BILLS PASSED IN LEGCO TODAY .................... 30
HEAVY TRAFFIC EXPECTED NEAR SHA TIN DURING CHE KUNG FESTIVAL ............................................ 31
CASTLE ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FOR 12 WEEKS ............. 31
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
1
THIRD INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIEW REPORT PUBLISHED » UM * *
THE REPORT OF THE THIRD INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE REVIEW COMMITTEE WAS SET UP FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH LAST YEAR. UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR. J. ARTHUR JOHNSTONE, A FORMER COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE IN BRITAIN, IT STARTED ITS WORK IN JUNE 1976 AND PRESENTED ITS REPORT TO THE ACTING GOVERNOR IN MID-DECEMBER.
THE COMMITTEE DIFFERED IN TWO IMPORTANT RESPECTS FROM THE TWO EARLIER POST-WAR REVIEW COMMITTEES. IN THE FIRST PLACE, IT WAS SPECIFICALLY INSTRUCTED TO LOOK AT MATTERS WHICH HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN CONSIDERED TO BE QUESTIONS OF FISCAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE, OUTSIDE THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE EARLIER COMMITTEES. SECONDLY, MATTERS OF MACHINERY SUCH AS THE COLLECTION OF TAX, THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE’S POWERS, ETC. WERE PLACED OUTSIDE ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE AS WERE THE ACTUAL LEVEL OF TAX RATES AND THE LEVEL AND EXTENT OF PERSONAL ALLOWANCES.
BEFORE CONSIDERING THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THERE WERE CERTAIN STRICTURES IN THE PREAMBLE TO THE COMMITTEE’S TERMS OF REFERENCE.
THESE WERE :-
+HAVING REGARD TO THE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG
WHICH DICTATE-
(A) A COMPARATIVELY LOW LEVEL OF DIRECT TAXATION-
(B) THAT THE SYSTEM AT GIVEN TAX RATES SHOULD BE AS PRODUCTIVE OF REVENUE AS POSSIBLE- AND
(C) THAT THE RELEVANT LEGISLATION SHOULD BE SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE TO ADMINISTER-*
THESE THREE THEMES, I.E. A LOW LEVEL OF TAX, THE SIMPLICITY AND THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE SYSTEM WERE CONSTANTLY BORNE IN MIND BY THE COMMITTEE WHEN PREPARING THEIR REPORT.
AT THE OUTSET THE REPORT STRESSES THAT, FOR A PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, IT IS NECESSARY TO REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN FEATURES WHICH ARE UNIQUE TO THE HONG KONG ORDINANCE. THESE ARE, FIRSTLY, THE EXISTENCE OF FOUR SEPARATE TAXES ON FOUR SEPARATE SOURCES OF INCOME- SECONDLY, THE FACT THAT ONLY INCOME ARISING IN HONG KONG IS TAXED- AND, THIRDLY, THAT THE RATES OF TAX ARE NOT AS PROGRESSIVE AS THOSE FOUND ELSEWHERE.
/THE MAIN .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
2
THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT ARE AS FOLLOWS :
1. THAT THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF VOLUNTARY PERSONAL ASSESSMENT BE REPLACED BY A COMPULSORY SYSTEM OF ASSESSMENT ON TOTAL INCOME FROM SALARIES, BUSINESS PROFITS, INTEREST AND RENT.
THIS WOULD NOT IN ANY WAY EXTEND THE TOTALITY OF THE EXISTING CHARGES BUT WOULD MEAN THAT, GENERALLY SPEAKING, ALL PERSONS DERIVING INCOME OF THE KINDS MENTIONED WOULD BE OBLIGED TO FILE A RETURN OF TOTAL INCOME AND WOULD IN DUE COURSE RECEIVE AN ASSESSMENT ON TOTAL INCOME.
THE COMMITTEE FELT THAT THIS WOULD-
(A) REMOVE'THE MULTIPLICITY OF RETURNS AND ASSESSMENTS INHERENT IN THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF PERSONAL ASSESSMENT AND THE HEAVY EXPENDITURE ON MANPOWER WHICH THIS ENTAILS AND THAT IT WOULD PERMIT THE DIVERSION OF THIS MANPOWER TO THE DETECTION AND PREVENTION OF EVASION.
(B) ASSIST THE INVESTIGATION SECTION OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT IN ITS WORK.
(C) REMOVE CERTAIN ANOMALIES IN THE PRESENT SYSTEM. THESE ANOMALIES ARISE WHERE TWO TAXPAYERS RECEIVING THE SAME AMOUNT OF INCOME CHARGEABLE TO TAX PAY SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF TAX.
(D) REMOVE THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLICATIONS INHERENT IN A SYSTEM WHICH DEPENDS ON AN ELECTION BEING MADE BY THE TAXPAYER.
(E) BE AN ESSENTIAL STEP TOWARDS THE INTRODUCTION OF A FURTHER DEGREE OF PROGRESSIVITY IN THE RATES OF TAX SHOULD THIS BE THOUGHT NECESSARY.
2. THAT PROPERTY TAX, BASED AS IT IS ON ESTIMATED RENTAL VALUES SUPPLIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, SHOULD BE COMPLETELY ABOLISHED AND REPLACED BY INCLUDING THE ACTUAL NET RENT IN THE RETURN OF TOTAL INCOME AND ASSESSMENT MENTIONED EARLIER.
THE COMMITTEE FOUND THAT THE EXISTING PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM WAS NEITHER SIMPLE NOR EFFICIENT AND NOTED THE FOLLOWING DEFECTS-
(1) THE FACT THAT THREE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WERE INVOLVED IN ITS ADMINISTRATION.
/the fact .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
5
(2) THE FACT THAT OF THE PROPERTY TAX CHARGED, A LARGE PROPORTION IS EVENTUALLY EITHER DISCHARGED OR REFUNDED EACH YEAR BECAUSE OF THE PROVISIONS FOR RELIEF IN THE ORDINANCE.
(3) THE EXISTING SYSTEM INVOLVED A MULTIPLICITY OF ASSESSMENTS WHERE PROPERTY OWNERS OWNED SEVERAL PROPERTIES. THIS MULTIPLICITY ALSO AFFECTED THE FOLLOW-UP ACTION OF THE COLLECTION OF A TAX. THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT IN RELATIVE TERMS THE ARREARS OF PROPERTY TAX FAR EXCEED THE ARREARS OF OTHER TAXES.
(4) A REVENUE LOSS OF SUBSTANTIAL PROPORTIONS WHERE REVALUATIONS DID NOT OCCUR ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THEY NOTED THAT THERE WAS ALREADY A BUILT-IN LOSS IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE PROPERTY TAX IS BASED ON THE ESTIMATED NET RENT ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT AND THEREFORE IN EFFECT REFLECTED THE INCOME OF THE PREVIOUS
YEAR. THIS MEANT THAT THERE IS A PRIVILEGED BAND OF TAXPAYERS PAYING LESS THAN THE STANDARD RATE OF TAX. THESE TAXPAYERS ARE IN A FAVOURABLE POSITION VIS-A-VIS CORPORATIONS WHO PAY TAX ON THE ACTUAL NET RENT RECEIVED DURING THE YEAR.
(5) THE LARGE NUMBER OF OBJECTIONS THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING GENERATED FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF VALUES WHICH ARE DIFFERENT FROM RATEABLE VALUES.
AFTER CONSIDERING VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES, THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT THE ACTUAL NET RENTAL SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RETURN OF TOTAL INCOME MENTIONED EARLIER. IT NOTED THAT IF THIS WAS DONE THE NOTIONAL ATTRIBUTION OF RENT WHICH OCCURS IN THE CASE OF NON-RENTAL PRODUCING PROPERTY, FOR EXAMPLE, CLUB PREMISES, ANCESTRAL PROPERTIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, SECOND HOMES OCCUPIED AS RESIDENCES ETC., WOULD AUTOMATICALLY FALL AWAY. ONE SIDE EFFECT OF THIS RECOMMENDATION IS THAT TENANTS AS OPPOSED TO OWNERS, WOULD HAVE NO LIABILITY UNDER THE ORDINANCE. AT PRESENT THE TAX IS COLLECTED, IN THE FIRST INSTANCE FROM THE RATEPAYER, WHETHER HE IS THE OWNER OR THE TENANT.
3. THAT THE PLAN TO INTRODUCE A DIVIDEND WITHHOLDING TAX SHOULD
BE ABANDONED BUT THAT THE TAX RATE ON CORPORATE PROFITS SHOULD
CONTINUE TO BE ONE OR TWO PERCENTAGE POINTS HIGHER THAN THE STANDARD
RATE.
/THE COMMITTEE .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977 - 4 -
THE COMMITTEE FELT THAT AS IT WAS HARD TO DECIDE WHETHER THE RECEIPT OF A DIVIDEND COULD JUSTLY BE CONSIDERED TO CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE SOURCE OF INCOME, IT WAS NECESSARY TO EXAMINE THE PROPOSALS FOR IMPOSING A DIVIDEND WITHHOLDING TAX AND THE RELATED UNDISTRIBUTED PROFITS TAX AND, HAVING DONE SO, IT CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT (A) IN THE LEGISLATION AS DRAFTED THE NEED FOR SIMPLICITY AND THE REQUIREMENT OF EQUITY WERE IN CONFLICT- AND (B) THAT THE SIMPLER APPROACH OF RAISING THE PROFITS TAX RATE ON THE ASSESSABLE PROFITS OF COMPANIES WOULD BE JUST AS APPROPRIATE WHEN A METHOD IS SOUGHT TO REGULATE THE TAX BURDEN ON SHAREHOLDERS WHO ARE INDIVIDUALS.
4. THAT IN BROAD TERMS THE EXISTING RESTRICTION CF THE VARIOUS
CHARGES IN THE ORDINANCE TO INCOME HAVING A HONG KONG SOURCE SHOULD
BE MAINTAINED BUT THAT BUSINESS PROFITS ACCRUING TO A TRADE OR
BUSINESS EXERCISED IN HONG KONG, WHICH ARE NOT SUBSTANTIALLY CAUSED
BY THE ACTION OF A BRANCH OUTSIDE HONG KONG SHOULD ALSO BE BROUGHT
TO CHARGE. THIS EXTENSION OF THE CHARGE WOULD ALSO APPLY WHERE THE
BUSINESS PROFITS TAKE THE FORM OF INTEREST DERIVED BY BANKS AND
ALLIED INSTITUTIONS.
THE COMMITTEE FELT THAT THE EXISTING TESTS TO IDENTIFY THE ORIGIN OF PARTICULAR PROFITS HAVE OVER THE YEARS BEEN PUT UNDER CONSIDERABLE STRAIN AND THAT AN INTERMEDIATE CATEGORY OF PROFITS, WHILST EXEMPT FROM HONG KONG TAX AT PRESENT, ARISES FROM THE EXISTENCE OF A BUSINESS AND ITS MANAGEMENT IN HONG KONG. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE FAILURE OF THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION TO TAX THESE PROFITS IS LIKELY TO PRODUCE THE RESULT THAT THEY DO NOT SUFFER TAX ANYWHERE. THE COMMITTEE THEREFORE FELT THAT IN INCLUDING THESE PROFITS, THE DOUBLE TAXATION PROBLEMS FEARED BY ITS PREDECESSORS WOULD NOT ARISE.
THE COMMITTEE STATED THAT IT DID NOT, AS DID ITS PREDECESSORS, FEEL THAT THE EXTENSION OF THE PROFITS TAX CHARGE IN THE WAY RECOMMENDED WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE HONG KONG TAX STRUCTURE AND, WHILST IT RESPECTED ITS PREDECESSORS’ DOUBTS AS TO WHETHER THE EXTENSION WOULD BE EFFECTIVE, NEVERTHELESS IT CONSIDERED THAT THE ATTEMPT SHOULD BE MADE.
5. THAT THE CHARGE TO INTEREST TAX SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE
IN ITS AMBIT INTEREST PAID BY A PERSON CARRYING ON A TRADE OR
BUSINESS HERE ON MONEY BORROWED BY HIM OR EMPLOYED OR EXPENDED IN
OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRODUCTION OF THE ASSESSABLE PROFITS OF
THAT TRADE OR BUSINESS.
/AFTER......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
5
AFTER CONSIDERING THE VARIOUS FACTORS WHICH DETERMINE WHERE INTEREST ARISES FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE CHARGE TO INTEREST TAX AND PROFITS TAX AND AFTER NOTING THAT IT HAS BEEN THE TENDENCY TO TREAT THE PLACE WHERE THE CREDIT IS PROVIDED TO THE BORROWER AS THE MAIN FACTOR, THE COMMITTEE STATED THAT MANY OF THESE FACTORS WERE CAPABLE OF MANIPULATION AND THAT IF HONG KONG WERE TO SUBJECT TO TAX ALL SIGNIFICANT FLOWS OF INCOME WHICH ARE THE RESULT OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN HONG KONG, IT WOULD BE BETTER SERVED IF THE CHARGING WORDS WERE TO BE EXTENDED AS RECOMMENDED BY IT. IT ALSO THOUGHT THAT APART FROM COUNTERING TAX AVOIDANCE THIS WOULD GIVE EFFECT TO CORRECT TAX PRINCIPLES. THIS RECOMMENDATION COULD MAKE CONSIDERABLE AMOUNTS OF WHAT IS KNOWN AS EURO DOLLAR OR ASIA DOLLAR INTEREST LIABLE TO TAX FOR THE FIRST TIME.
6. THAT RESIDENT SHIP-OWNERS SHOULD BE CHARGED TAX ON ALL CHARTER
HIRE WITH THE LIMITED EXCEPTION OF CHARTER HIRE RECEIVABLE UNDER
GENERAL CHARTERS WITHOUT DEMISE.
THE COMMITTEE ADMITS THAT THE STRUCTURE OF THE SHIP-OWNING TRADE (AND TYPICAL PATTERNS ARE OUTLINED BY IT) IS SUCH THAT WHILST TAX HAVENS EXIST, EVEN THE CHARGING OF THE WHOLE OF A RESIDENT’S SHIP-OWNING PROFITS IS UNLIKELY TO PRODUCE INCREASED REVENUE AND WHILST IT WOULD HAVE LIKE TO SEE SHIP-OWNERS CONTRIBUTE MORE TO PUBLIC REVENUE, ANY MOVE TO REACH THESE LARGE PROFITS WOULD REQUIRE DETAILED AND COMPLICATED LEGISLATION AND WOULD PROBABLY BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. IT NEVERTHELESS GOES ON TO MAKE THE SPECIFIC PROPOSAL MENTIONED EARLIER. IF ACCEPTED, IT WOULD NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE FOR A RESIDENT SHIP-OWNER TO AVOID HONG KONG TAX BY ATTRIBUTING CHARTER HIRE TO A PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT ABROAD. IT ALSO NOTED IN PASSING THAT, ON THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO IT, NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD ARE THE CHARTER HIRE EARNINGS OF A NON-RESIDENT SHIP-OWNER TAXED IN THE COUNTRY VISITED BY A SHIP, THUS THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE WERE IN EFFECT GIVING THE RESIDENT HONG KONG SHIPOWNER A TAX-FREE BONUS. IT FOLLOWED THAT TO FALL INTO LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE, THE EXISTING CHARGE ON NON-RESIDENT SHIP-
OWNERS IN RESPECT OF CHARTER HIRE SHOULD BE ABOLISHED. A SECONDARY RECOMMENDATION IN RELATION TO NON-RESIDENT SHIP-OWNERS IS THAT THEY SHOULD BE ASSESSED ON A FIXED PERCENTAGE OF FREIGHT ETC. UPLIFTED IN HONG KONG AND THAT THIS SHOULD BE A FINAL FIGURE AND NOT A PROVISIONAL ONE. THIS WOULD SIMPLIFY THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ORDINANCE.
7. THAT THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF AGGREGATING A WIFE’S INCOME WITH
THAT OF HER HUSBAND SHOULD CONTINUE, BUT THAT A SPECIAL ALLOWANCE
SHOULD BE INTRODUCED.
/THIS WOULD,
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
6
THIS WOULD, IN EFFECT, BE A RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE SO-CALLED WORKING WIFE’S ALLOWANCE WHICH WAS REPEALED IN 1973-74. THE COMMITTEE HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE ALLOWANCE, WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY ONLY AVAILABLE IN RESPECT OF SALARIED WIVES, SHOULD ALSO APPLY WHERE WIVES DERIVE PROFITS FROM A BUSINESS OR PROFESSION.
THE COMMITTEE FELT THAT ANYTHING LIKE A COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE INCOMES OF HUSBAND AND WIFE WOULD RESULT IN A CONSIDERABLE LOSS OF REVENUE AND WOULD LEAD TO A RELATIVELY HIGHER TAX BURDEN FOR THOSE HUSBANDS WHO ARE THE ONLY INCOME EARNERS OF THEIR FAMILIES.
IN RECOMMENDING THE RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE WORKING WIFE’S ALLOWANCE, THE COMMITTEE FELT THAT THIS WOULD ENCOURAGE TRAINED MARRIED WOMEN BACK TO WORK FORCE AND WOULD ALSO RECOGNISE THE ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE INCURRED WHEN BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE ARE EMPLOYED. IT FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT TO PRESERVE ITS RELATIVITY THE ALLOWANCE SHOULD BE SET AT A FIXED PERCENTAGE OF THE PERSONAL ALLOWANCE.
8. THAT THE EXISTING TREATMENT FOR SALARIES TAX PURPOSES OF
BENEFITS IN KIND SHOULD, WITH CERTAIN MINOR EXCEPTIONS, BE
MAINTAINED.
THIS WOULD MEAN THAT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE VALUE OF QUARTERS, BENEFITS IN KIND WHICH CANNOT BE CONVERTED INTO MONEY WOULD REMAIN OUTSIDE THE CHARGE. THE COMMITTEE FOUND THAT A SYSTEMATIC EXPLOITATION OF THIS TAX-FREE AREA DOES NOT OCCUR ON ANY SIGNIFICANT SCALE AND THAT BECAUSE OF THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES OF QUANTIFYING THE BENEFITS THE ONLY EXTENSIONS WHICH IT COULD RECOMMEND WERE-
(A) CASES WHERE THE EMPLOYER MEETS THE COSTS OF ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER BILLS AT THE EMPLOYEE’S RESIDENCE- AND
(B) CASES WHERE THE EMPLOYER SIMILARLY MEETS CHARGES OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SERVANTS.
IN CONSIDERING BENEFITS IN KIND, THE COMMITTEE GAVE ITS ATTENTION TO THE EXISTING VALUATION OF FREE QUARTERS SUPPLIED BY EMPLOYERS AND FELT THAT AS THE EXISTING PERCENTAGE (10%) WAS INTRODUCED AS RECENTLY AS 1975, IT WAS NOT INCUMBENT ON IT TO ATTEMPT ANY REAPPRAISAL OF THE SOCIAL COMPARISONS WHICH WERE EVALUATED IN FIXING THAT LEVEL.
THE COMMITTEE DID, HOWEVER, MAKE A SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATION FOR OVERCOMING ONE WEAKNESS IN THE SYSTEM. THIS OCCURS WHEN DIRECTOR-CONTROLLED COMPANIES AVOID OR MINIMISE SALARIES TAX ON THE VALUE OF QUARTERS PROVIDED TO DIRECTORS BY KEEPING THEIR SALARIES ARTIFICIALLY LOW AND BY PERMITTING THE DIRECTORS TO TAKE A PROPORTIONATELY LARGER AMOUNT OF PROFITS BY WAY OF DIVIDENDS.
IT ALSO EXPLORED OTHER IMPORTANT AREAS, SUCH AS THE DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES AND THE DEGREE OF PROGRESSIVITY IN THE SYSTEM WHERE FOR VARIOUS REASONS IT MAKES NO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES.
/IN MAKING .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
7
IN MAKING PUBLIC THE REPORT TODAY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE WOULD STUDY THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUBMIT HIS APPRAISAL TO HIM IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS TIME.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE WOULD THEN CHAIR A WORKING PARTY TO CONSIDER THE FINANCIAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ANY PUBLIC COMMENT WHICH MAY BE MADE IN THE INTERIM, WITH A VIEW TO FORMULATING POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF THE GOVERNORIN-COUNCIL. THEREAFTER, SOME TIME WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR DRAFTING OF THE NECESSARY AMENDING LEGISLATION AND THE REORGANISATION OF DEPARTMENTAL PROCEDURES.
IN THE MEANTIME, ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE 16O-PAGE REPORT ARE BEING PRINTED AND wILL BE ON SALE TO THE PUBLIC SHORTLY AT GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRES.
-----0------
/8
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
- 8 -
UNOFFICIALS COMMENT ON GREEN PAPER ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HK ******
AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY, NINE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS MADE WIDE-RANGING COMMENTS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG WHICH WAS PUBLISHED LAST OCTOBER.
AMONG THE POINTS RAISED WERE THE CREATION OF A SEPARATE VOTE FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES IN THE GOVERNMENT’S BUDGET, THE INTRODUCTION OF A COMPREHENSIVE STAFF TRAINING PROGRAMME AND THE WIDER PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL AND JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED.
THE UNOFFICIALS WERE SPEAKING ON A MOTION THAT THE COUNCIL TAKES NOTE OF THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE PROGRAMME PLAN FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES AS SUMMARISED IN THE GREEN PAPER AND ANTICIPATES THAT A DEFINITIVE PROGRAMME OF DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A GOVERNMENT WHITE PAPER WHICH WILL BE TABLED IN THE COUNCIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
IN MOVING THE MOTION, DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG DESCRIBED THE GREEN PAPER AS +A GENUINE ADMISSION OF OUR DEFICIENCIES AND AN ENERGETIC ATTEMPT IN PUTTING REHABILITATION SERVICES IN THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE+.
DR. FANG PROPOSED THAT INSTEAD OF BEING FUNDED MAINLY THROUGH THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS, REHABILITATION SERVICES SHOULD BE FUNDED IN FUTURE UNDER A SEPARATE ITEM AMONG THE HEADS OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE.
+IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING, THE FUNDING OF REHABILITATION SERVICES IN FUTURE MUST BE GUARANTEED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT WILL NOT BE SUBMERGED UNDER VARIOUS DEPARTMENTAL BUDGETS,+ HE SAID.
DR. FANG SUGGESTED THAT THE PRIORITY FOR FUNDING OF ALL NEW PROJECTS MUST BE DECIDED AT THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE (RDCC) TO BE SET UP UNDER THE GREEN PAPER.
+THE IDEAL SITUATION IS TO HAVE A SEPARATE VOTE FOR REHABILITATION IN THE GOVERNMENT’S BUDGET FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND FOR THE ALLOCATION OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO BE MONITORED BY THE RDCC ON WHICH THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR AND ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED INCLUDING THE FINANCE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SHOULD BE REPRESENTED.+
COMMENTING ON THE TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, DR. FANG
CONSIDERED THE SUM OF S75 MILLION FOR THE DECADE 1975-85 AS ESTIMATED IN THE GREEN PAPER TO BE +ON THE LOW SIDE+ BECAUSE THERE APPEARED TO BE AN INADEQUATE ESTIMATION IN THE CHAPTER ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
/MANY.......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
9
MANY, IF NOT ALL, SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES WERE LACKING IN THE PROVISIONS AND PROJECTIONS OF FUTURE NEEDS, HE SAID.
+IF PROJECTION OF NEEDS IS PROPERLY DONE, THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE REQUIRED SHOULD DEFINITELY BE MORE THAN IS FORECAST BY THE PAPER,+ HE STRESSED, ADDING THAT THE OVERALL BUDGET SHOULD BE REVISED ACCORDINGLY.
DR. FANG NOTED THAT SERVICES FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED WAS SPARSELY PROVIDED IN THE GREEN PAPER BECAUSE TWO STATISTICAL STANDARDS WERE USED IN THE ESTIMATIONS, OWING TO LACK OF ACCURATE STATISTICS.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SOME SENIOR FORM PLACES IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND SPECIAL CLASSES FOR THOSE CAPABLE OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AFTER THEIR NINE-YEAR SCHOOLING.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE TRAINING OF THE DISABLED FOR EMPLOYMENT SHOULD BE WELL PLANNED AND CLOSELY GEARED TO INDUSTRIAL REQUIREMENTS. THIS WOULD MEAN SECURING THE EXPERT ADVICE OF THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING COUNCIL TO IMPROVE THE PRESENT STANDARDS AND HAVING AN OVERALL STRATEGY OF OPENING MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION, THE HON. ALEX WU BELIEVED THAT FOR SUCH TRAINING TO BE EFFECTIVE, INDUSTRY MUST BE GIVEN A GREATER VOICE IN THE PLANNING OF THE APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM.
THIS COULD BE BEST ACHIEVED, HE CONTINUED, THROUGH THE COMMITTEE ON VOCATIONAL TRAINING OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE TWO TRAINING CENTRES OF BOTH THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AUTHORITY AND THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY AUTHORITY IN COORDINATING TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OF THE DISABLED WITH SPECIAL REHABILITATION CENTRES.
AS AN INCENTIVE FOR THOSE WHO EMPLOY THE DISABLED, MR. WU PROPOSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER SOME FORM OF TAX RELIEF OR SUBSIDY, IN ADDITION TO TAKING THE LEAD ITSELF.
HE ALSO AGREED THAT POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THE DISABLED.
ON FAMILY COUNSELLING, HE FELT THAT FAMILIES MUST BE MADE AWARE OF THE REHABILITATION SERVICES WHICH WERE AND WOULD BE AVAILABLE AND LEARN HOW, WITH PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE, THEY COULD LESSEN THEIR OWN BURDENS AND ADVANCE THE PROCESS OF REHABILITATION.
♦EQUALLY IMPORTANT IS THE FACT THAT WE MUST ENSURE THAT WHEN REHABILITATION INVOLVES TREATMENT OR CARE OUTSIDE THE HOME, SUCH TREATMENT DOES NOT LEAD TO ANY BREAK IN FAMILY TIES.+
IN MR. WU’S VIEW, THE GREEN PAPER WAS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE WAY IN WHICH THE IDEA OF PARTICIPATION IN THE PLANNING OF PUBLIC POLICY COULD TAKE ON REAL MEANING. +IT IS A DOCUMENT WHICH PROVIDES CONCRETE PROOF THAT WE ARE A COMMUNITY THAT CARES,+ HE OBSERVED.
/TO THE .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
- 10 -
TO THE HON. MISS KO SIU-WAH, THERE SHOULD BE MORE EMPHASIS IN THE GREEN PAPER ON THE TRAINING OF STAFF INVOLVED IN REHABILITATION WORK. THESE INCLUDE PARA-MEDICAL STAFF, SOCIAL WORKERS, COUNSELLORS, INSTRUCTORS AND TEACHERS.
SHE POINTED OUT THE PRESENT SHORTAGE OF PARA-MEDICAL STAFF WOULD BECOME EVEN MORE OBVIOUS WHEN THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OCCURRED. THE NEED FOR THE LOCAL TRAINING OF OCCUPATIONAL AND SPEECH THERAPISTS, SHE CONTINUED, HAD LONG BEEN RECOGNISED, AND SUCH TRAINING MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHOUT DELAY.
TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, MISS KO SAID SOME MODERATELY RETARDED CHILDREN WERE GRANTED DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES WHILE SOME WERE NOT, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD SIMILAR INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT (I.Q.). SHE THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT A MORE SATISFACTORY SET OF CRITERIA BE DRAWN UP.
ON THE CODE OF AID FOR SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND CLASSES STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION, SHE FELT THAT THE CODE AND THE UP-TO-DATE AND IMPROVED MANNING SCALE SHOULD BE TREATED AS A MATTER OF URGENCY AS +THEY PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE QUALITY AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE SCHOOLS AND CLASSES*.
MISS KO SAID THERE WAS A LACK OF DIRECTION AND OVERALL PLANNING FOR THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE GREEN PAPER. IT WAS DESIRABLE, SHE WENT ON, THAT AN OVERALL POLICY FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES BE DEVISED, AND THAT THE DIRECTION SHOULD BE IN THE FORM OF THE +PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED* CLUB ACTIVITIES, INTEGRATING THE DISABLED AND ABLE-BODIED.
SHE ALSO THOUGHT THAT A SEPARATE VOTE SHOULD BE CREATED FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER DEPENDED A GREAT DEAL ON THE METHOD OF FUNDING.
THIS POINT WAS FURTHER AMPLIFIED BY DR. THE HON. HENRY HU WHO SAW ADEQUATE FINANCING AND COORDINATION OF FOLLOw-UP ACTION AS THE TWO KEY FACTORS UPON WHICH THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GREEN PAPER HINGED.
WHILE ENDORSING THE PROPOSAL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, DR. HU STRESSED THE NEED FOR A NEW UNIT TO BE SET U? IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH, TO BE HEADED BY A COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, SIMILAR IN RANK TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS.
HE THOUGHT THAT ONE OF THE MAIN DUTIES OF THE COMMISSIONER AND THE COMMITTEE WOULD BE THE INSTITUTION OF A COMPREHENSIVE LONG-TERM PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME DIRECTED TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE HANDICAPPED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
+WHAT I HAVE IN MIND IS NOT A ONE-SHOT PUBLICITY BLITZ, BUT A SUSTAINED EFFORT THROUGH THE MEDIA TO THE MAN-IN-THE-STREET, THE CURRICULAR OF SCHOOLS, THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATIONS, AND OTHERS TO CHANGE ATTITUDES OF FEAR, HOSTILITY AND INDIFFERENCE INTO ACCEPTANCE AND HELPFUL ASSISTANCE*.
/Dn. HU ......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
11
DR. HU INDICATED THAT WHILE IMPRESSIVE STATISTICS HAD BEEN GATHERED AND PRESENTED IN THE GREEN PAPER, THE EXISTING DATA ABOUT THE NUMBERS AND KINDS OF DISABLED WAS INADEQUATE.
THUS, ANOTHER MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RDCC AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION WAS THE SETTING UP OF MACHINERY TO GATHER SUCH INFORMATION FROM ALL SOURCES.
+PROBABLY EXPERT TECHNICAL ADVICE WOULD BE NEEDED IN ORDER TO DEVISE AN ADEQUATE SYSTEM WHICH WOULD YIELD NECESSARY INFORMATION FOR PLANNING PURPOSES AND, AT THE SAME TIME, CAREFULLY GUARD THE RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED AND THEIR FAMILIES,* DR. HU OBSERVED.
HE ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER THE NEED FOR LEGISLATION AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO SAFEGUARD THE RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED AND TO ENSURE THAT SUCH SERVICES AS EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING WERE AVAILABLE TO THEM, IN LINE WITH SIMILAR LEGISLATIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA.
TAKING UP DR.HU’S POINT ON PUBLIC EDUCATION, THE HON. WONG LAM HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PAY MORE ATTENTION TO PROMOTE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF AND CONCERN FOR THE DISABLED. EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE, HE SAID, TO MAKE THE PUBLIC MORE APPRECIATIVE OF THE SPECIAL STRENGTHS AND GOOD POINTS OF THE DISABLED AND THE KINDS OF DIFFICULTIES THEY FACED.
MR. WONG FELT THAT THE GREEN PAPER WAS RATHER SILENT ABOUT TRANSPORT SERVICES, WHICH, IN HIS OPINION, WAS A MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM FOR THE BLIND, THE LAME AND THE MENTALLY RETARDED.
HE HOPED THAT THE SUGGESTIONS BY THE GOVERNMENT WORKING PARTY ON THE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF THE DISABLED AND THE ACCESS COMMITTEE FORMED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE COULD BE INCLUDED IN THE WHITE PAPER FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES AT A SUITABLE TIME.
MEANWHILE, AS A START, MR. WONG SUGGESTED THAT MORE PRACTICAL MEASURES SUCH AS PROVIDING MORE BUS STOPS IN THE VICINITY OF REHABILITATION CENTRES OR MORE PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE DISABLED SHOULD EE CONSIDERED.
REV. THE HON. PATRICK MCGOVERN FOUND HIMSELF IN COMPLETE ACCORD WITH THE COMMENT BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE THAT +THERE IS A SERIOUS LACK OF PLANNING FOR ADULT SERVICES IN THE GREEN PAPER. THERE IS NO PROJECTION AT ALL FOR VOCATIONAL AND PREVOCATIONAL TRAINING, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, RESIDENTIAL SERVICES AND SHELTERED WORKSHOPS.*
FATHER MCGOVERN SAID WHILE HE ENTIRELY AGREED THAT THE STRESS SHOULD BE ON THE REHABILITATION OF THE YOUNG AS THEY COULD BE MORE EASILY TRAINED AND COULD HOPEFULLY +LIVE A LONGER LIFE OF GREATER SATISFACTION TO THEMSELVES AND OF GREATER USE TO THE COMMUNITY*, HE FELT, HOWEVER, THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE AT THE COST OF NEGLECT OF TRAINING AND OTHER SERVICES FCR ADULTS.
/HE WONDERED .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
12 -
HE WONDERED IF SOME SYSTEM COULD BE FOUND BY WHICH EMPLOYERS, ESPECIALLY IN INDUSTRY, COULD BE PERSUADED TO GIVE GREATER COOPERATION IN RETRAINING AND FINDING ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT FOR THOSE WHO HAD BEEN HANDICAPPED IN WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS.
AS THE ACCIDENTS TOOK PLACE IN THE WORKPLACE, IT SEEMED FAIR THAT THE EMPLOYER MIGHT BE ASKED TO DO MORE THAN THE LEGAL CASH PAYMENT, HE MAINTAINED.
IT MIGHT EVEN BE POSSIBLE TO INCLUDE THIS CONCEPT SOMEWHERE IN THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, HE ADDED.
THE ACCEPTANCE BY THE GOVERNMENT OF A SHORTFALL OF 9,388 SCHOOL PLACES BY 1985-86 FOR CHILDREN WHO WERE MENTALLY RETARDED, SLOW LEARNING OR MALADJUSTED WAS CRITICISED BY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN AS AN UNACCEPTABLE +GLARING DEFICIENCY* IN THE GREEN PAPER.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO ELIMINATE THE SHORTFALL WITHIN A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD AND NOT AT +AN INDETERMINATE DATE* AS PROPOSED IN THE GREEN PAPER.
REFERRING TO THE LONG-TERM BENEFIT OF REHABILITATION ON SOCIETY, MR. CHEONG-LEEN STRESSED THAT FOR EVERY HANDICAPPED CHILD WHO WAS DENIED AN EDUCATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO EE INTEGRATED TO THE COMMUNITY, THERE WOULD EE THE CUMULATIVE COSTS OF A LIFETIME OF CARE, LOST INCOME AND SOCIAL DISORIENTATION.
+BUT FOR EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON REHABILITATION, THE RETURNS CAN BE MULTI-FOLD, AS HAS BEEN FOUND IN THE UNITED STATES WHERE IT IS ESTIMATED THAT FOR ONE DOLLAR SPENT ON REHABILITATION, RETURNS ARE BETWEEN $17-535 TO THE ECONOMY.*
MR. CHEONG-LEEN PROPOSED THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD PLAY A ROLE IN PROVIDING THE HOUSING AND REHOUSING NEEDS OF THE DISABLED, AS WELL AS THE PREMISES FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES.
HE DEPLORED THE FACT THAT THERE WAS AS YET NO LONG-TERM POLICY OR STRATEGY IN PROVIDING HOUSING OR REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED IN THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME.
+THEREFORE, APART FROM TACKLING THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEM OF FAMILIES WITH PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY SEVERELY DISABLED MEMBERS LIVING WITH THEM IN OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS I’. PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, GOVERNMENT »ILL HAVE TO PLAN FOR DIFFERENT REHABILITATION SERVICES IN ESTATES WHICH ARE BEING EUILT, ARE IN THE PLANNING STAGE, OR ARE TO BE REBUILT,* HE SAID.
CONFINING HIMSELF TC THE LOT OF THE MENTALLY RETARDED,
THE HON. T.S. LO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SINGLE OUT AND DEAL v. I TH THE +NEGLECTED PLIGHT* OF THE 33,333-ODD MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS.
/HL LMPHaSISLL .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
15
HE EMPHASISED THAT HE DID NOT SUPPORT THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER RELATING TO THE MENTALLY RETARDED AS HE DID NOT CONSIDER THEY +REPRESENT ANY GENUINE ATTEMPT ON GOVERNMENT’S PART TO TACKLE THE PRCBLEM+.
MR. LO PINPOINTED FOUR REASONS ON WHICH HIS DISAPPROVAL wAS
K THE WORKING GROUP’S RECOMMENDATION THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACHIEVE BY 1985/86 THE +MISERABLE AND
PATHETIC* TARGET OF A SHORTFALL OF 9,388 SCHOOL PLACES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED®
* THE WORKING GROUP’S FAILURE IN ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE IN THE GREEN PAPER THE ANNUAL SHORTFALL OF SPECIALLY TRAINED TEACHERS®
* THE RESHUFFLING OF GOVERNMENT MACHINERY, AS IMPLIED BY THE WORKING GROUP, BEFORE ANYTHING CAN BE DONE AND
* THE WORKING GROUP’S FAILURE IN DIAGNOSING WHY THERE IS A +SHAMEFUL+ SHORTFALL OF 18,236 SCHOOL PLACES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED.
+UNLESS THE FORCES AT WORK IN GOVERNMENT WHICH PRODUCED THIS DEPLORABLE STATE OF AFFAIRS ARE DETECTED AND NEUTRALISED, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY EVERY CHANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL REMAIN A PROBLEM DEALT WITH ONLY ON PAPER, WHATEVER ITS COLOUR,* MR. LO STRESSED.
IN THE VIEW OF REV. THE HON. JOYCE BENNETT, THE WEAKNESS OF THE GREEN PAPER LAY IN THE FACT THAT THE TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT OF PERSONNEL WERE NOT CLEARLY SPELT OUT.
SHE FELT THAT TEACHERS IN SCHOOLS FOR THE DISABLED AND THE HANDICAPPED SHOULD RECEIVE TRAINING, ON A REGULAR BASIS, IN THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION INSTEAD OF RELYING, AS AT PRESENT, ON IN-SERVICE COURSES RUN BY THE SPECIAL SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE EXTRA-MURAL DEPARTMENTS OF THE UN IVERS ITES.
+A PROPER SYSTEM MUST EE DRAWN UP SO THAT ALL TEACHERS CAN HAVE A CLEARER PICTURE OF THE OPENINGS AVAIALBLE TO THEM,* SHE SAID.
MISS BENNETT ALSO SAW THE NEED FOR MORE SPECIALIST STAFF LIKE OCCUPATIONAL AND SPEECH THERAPISTS TO BE TRAINED LOCALLY.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT LACK OF A CODE OF AID FOR SPECIAL SCHOOLS HAD CREATED DIFFICULTIES IN THE STAFFING OF THESE SCHOOLS.
ON SCREENING OF CHILDREN FOR DEFECTS IN SIGHT AND HEARING, MISS BENNETT THOUGHT SUCH SCREENING SHOULD TAKE PLACE AT A YOUNGER AGE THAN ENVISAGED BY THE GREEN PAPER.
/REPLYING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
14
REPLYING TO THE POINTS RAISED BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. LI FOOK-KOW, THANKED THE UNOFFICIALS AS WELL AS OTHER PROFESSIONAL EODIES, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR COMMENTS ON THE GREEN PAPER.
HE ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE THESE VIEWS INTO CONSIDERATION IN REACHING CONCLUSIONS ON THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE COMING DECADE AND IN THE PREPARATION OF THE WHITE PAPER.
MR. LI EXPLAINED THAT AS ALL SUBMISSIONS ON THE GREEN PAPER WERE BEING EXAMINED, IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR HIM TO STATE WHETHER GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THESE PROPOSALS OR TO DESCRIBE THE DIFFICULTIES ARISING FROM THEIR ACCEPTANCE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE RATE OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES, LIKE OTHER SERVICES, WOULD DEPEND ON THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES.
+THE FACT THAT GOVERNMENT HAS PUBLISHED A GREEN PAPER AND HAS COMMITTED ITSELF TO A WHITE PAPER SHOWS THAT GOVERNMENT TAKES REHABILITATION SERIOUSLY,* MR. LI EMPHASISED.
THE SECRETARY EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED WOULD EXPAND SUBSTANTIALLY BOTH QUANTITATIVELY AND QUALITATIVELY DURING THE NEXT TEN YEARS, HAVING BENEFITTED FROM A HIGH PRIORITY OF RESOURCE ALLOCATIONS.
MR. LI PAID TRIBUTE TO THE WORK AND CONTRIBUTION BY THE VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS TO THE FIELD OF REHABILITATION.
IN MANY FIELDS, HE NOTED, IT WAS THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR WHICH WAS THE PIONEER IN THE PROVISION AND DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED.
+SINCE CONSIDERABLE EXPANSION OF SERVICES IS EXPECTED FOR THE COMING DECADE, IT IS THE HOPE AND AIM OF THE GOVERNMENT THAT THE EXISTING WORK OF BOTH PUBLIC AND VOLUNATRY SECTORS SHOULD BE IMPROVED SO THAT, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, THE DISABLED IN HONG KONG CAN BE HELPED TO ATTAIN THEIR FULLEST PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL CAPABILITY.*
REFERRING TO EARLIER CRITICISMS BY DR. HARRY FANG AND JR. HENRY HU ON THE INADEQUACY IN THE COLLECTION OF STATISTICS, ■R. LI AGREED THAT IMPROVEMENT MUST BE MADE.
HE INDICATED THAT PLANNING WAS ONE OF THE NECESSARY lANAGEMENT TASKS BUT WITHOUT TIMELY INFORMATION IN THE RIGHT ■CRM, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLAN EFFECTIVELY.
+THE GREEN PAPER,* HE WENT ON, +HAS MADE RECOMMENDATIONS ON l(.J* IMPROVEMENT CAN BE MADE THROUGH THE DESIGN OF A MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM WHICH WILL NOT ONLY COLLECT THE DATA USENTIAL FOR UPDATING THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PLAN >VT WILL ALSO ENABLE POLICY MAKERS TO PLAN MORE INTELLIGENTLY.*
/TURNING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
1? -
TURNING TO THE SHORTFALLS OF SERVICES IDENTIFIED IN THE GREEN PAPER, MR. LI EXPLAINED THAT THE SHORTFALLS WERE CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF FORESEEABLE DEMAND AND SUPPLY OF SERVICES AND HAVING REGARD TO THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT.
SUCH CONSTRAINTS INCLUDE THE AVAILABILITY OF SUITABLE SITES, THE CAPACITY FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BUILDINGS, PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION LEAD TIMES AND LEAD TIMES FOR STAFF RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING.
HOWEVER, IN THE LIGHT OF THE UNOFFICIALS’ SUGGESTIONS, THE SECRETARY SAID, +GOVERNMENT WILL RE-EXAMINE THE RATES OF DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES RECOMMENDED IN THE GREEN PAPER IN ORDER TO ASSESS WHETHER THE SHORTFALL OF SERVICES CAN BE MADE UP MORE QUICKLY.*
WINDING UP THE DEBATE, DR. HARRY FANG SAID THE UNOFFICIALS WERE PLEASED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER THEIR SUGGESTIONS AND RE-EXAMINE THE RATE OF DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES.
IN CLOSING, HE OBSERVED THAT IT WAS RARE THAT AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF CONCLUDING A DEBATE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ON A PUBLIC ISSUE OF SUCH MAJOR IMPORTANCE, HE SAID, +IT IS ONLY FITTING THAT THE LAST WORD SHOULD COME FROM THE UNOFFICIAL SIDE*.
- 0 ----------
/16
AcJiMcODMt, FtDKUAKr 16, 1977
16 -
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES REDUCED
******
THz RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE CM TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES 'a ILL BE RcDUCzD FROM 4.2 PER CENT TO 3 PER CENT PER ANNUM. TAX FREE. AS FROM TOMORROW (FEBRUARY 17).
THE REDUCTION HAS BEEN AUTHORISED BY THE GOVERNOR AND NOTIFICATION WILL BE MADE IN TOMORROW’S GAZETTE. IT REFLECTS THE LOWER COMMERCIAL INTEREST RATES PREVAILING AT THE PRESENT TIME.
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE 25 CENTS PER MONTH PER $100. INTEREST WILL EE CREDITED AS EEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETED MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID IN CASH.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 17, 1977.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 19, 1975 AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 17, 1977, WHEN THE RATE WAS 4.2 PER CENT WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AT THAT RATE.
CERTIFICATES ISSUED AFTER 1973 AND BEFORE SEPTEMBER 19, 1975 WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AT 5.7 PER CENT, BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETED MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE NEW INTEREST RATES :
SI,000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED FEBRUARY 28, 1977, APRIL 28, 1977 AND JUNE 28, 1977 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDERED IN PAYMENT OF TAX
DUE ON JANUARY 3, 1978, WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS: ON 51,000, FEBRUARY 28, 1977 TO DECEMBER 27, 1977,
10 COMPLETE MONTHS AT 32.50 PER MONTH ............ $25.00
ON 51,000, APRIL 28, 1977 TO DECEMBER 27, 1977,
8 COMPLETE MONTHS AT 32.50 PER MONTH ............ $20.00
ON $1,000, JUNE 28, 1977 TO DECEMEER 27, 1977,
6 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $2.50 PER MONTH ............ 315.00
$60.00 ======
----0 - .----
/17.....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
17
FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL CHILD EMPLOYMENT IN FACTORIES ******
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, HAS WRITTEN TO EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATIONS AND EMPLOYEES UNIONS IN HONG KONG TO ENLIST THEIR HELP IN FIGHTING ILLEGAL CHILD EMPLOYMENT IN FACTORIES.
IN HIS LETTER, THE COMMISSIONER SAID HE WAS AWARE THAT IN ADDITION TO THE CASUAL EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN UNDER 14, IN IGNORANCE, THERE WERE DELIBERATE ATTEMPTS TO EVADE THE LAW.
HE SAID SOME FACTORIES INSTALLED EARLY-WARNING SYSTEMS OF VARYING DEGREES OF SOPHISTICATION TO NULLIFY OR DELAY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INSPECTION AND HE CALLED ON EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATIONS AND EMPLOYEES UNIONS TO MAKE CLEAR TO THEIR MEMBERS THEIR DISAPPROVAL OF THESE MALPRACTICES.
REFERRING TO RECENT ATTACKS BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS ON THE ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN IN HONG KONG, MR. PRICE POINTED OUT THAT THESE ATTACKS COULD CAUSE POTENTIAL HARM TO HONG KONG’S TRADING INTERESTS WHICH IN TURN WOULD DAMAGE THE PROSPERITY AND LIVELIHOOD OF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
HE SAID: +1 TRUST THAT YOUR ORGANISATION IS AS ANXIOUS AS I AM TO UPHOLD THE LAW AND ELIMINATE ILLEGAL CHILD EMPLOYMENT - THAT IS - THE EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS BELOW 14 IN FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDER TAK INGS.
+1 TAKE ALL POSSIBLE STEPS AT MY DISPOSAL TO REDUCE ILLEGAL CHILD EMPLOYMENT TO THE MINIMUM, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN ENFORCEMENT.
+1 APPRECIATE THAT THERE CAN BE PROBLEMS IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE LEGAL AGE OF YOUNG PERSONS APPLYING FOR WORK.
+THE JUVENILE IDENTITY CARD IS OF VALUE BUT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO RELY COMPLETELY ON IT UNTIL COVERAGE IS 100 PER CENT.
+THIS IS A MASSIVE PROGRAMME AND AT BEST CANNOT BE FINISHED BEFORE THE END OF 1976.
+IN THE MEANTIME, THE LABOUR INSPECTORATE IS PREPARED TO ASSIST IN THE VERIFICATION OF THE TRUE AGE OF A JUVENILE, BUT THIS SERVICE WILL HAVE TO BE RESERVED FOR CASES IN WHICH THE EMPLOYER HAS HIMSELF ATTEMPTED AND FAILED TO ESTABLISH THE FACTS.+
/18......
iiESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1577
FOUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR TUEN MUN * * H *
TUEN MUN WILL HAVE FOUR NE.. SECONDARY SCHOOLS COSTING 323 > ILL ION OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO KEEP PACE WITH THE RAPID POPULATION GROWTH OF THE NEW TOWN, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.
OFFICIATING AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF WORK CEREMONY OF THE MARDEN FOUNDATION CARITAS PREVOCATICNAL SCHOOL IN TUEN MUN, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE TOWN BY 1980.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ..ITH FOUR EXISTING SECONDARY SCHOOLS SERVING THE CURRENT POPULATION OF 53,000, THERE WERE PLACES NOW FOR MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF LOCAL CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 14.
SO THE COMPLETION OF THE MARDEN CARITAS SCHOOL WOULD MEAN THAT EVERY CHILD BETWEEN 12 AND 14 WOULD EE ASSURED OF A SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACE.
HE ADDED: +THIS IS EXACTLY IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT POLICY AND IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO MAINTAIN THIS MATCHING OF FACILITIES IN THE NEW' TOWN WITH THE POPULATION GROWTH.
+PLANS AND FUNDING FOR WORK ON YET ANOTHER FOUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO BEGIN IN 1978 AT A COST OF $23 MILLION HAVE ALREADY BEER APPROVED.
+WHEN THESE SCHOOLS ARE COMPLETED IN 1983, THERE a ILL EE 133,303 PEOPLE LIVING IN TUEN MUN, NEARLY THREE TIMES THE PRESENT POPULATION.*
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT WHILE IN GENERAL TERMS, SCHOOLS WHICH PLACED A PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON PREVOCATICNAL EDUCATION ..ERE NO LONGER A SPECIFIC PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S SCHOOLS BUILDING PROGRAMME, THE MARDEN FOUNDATION CARITAS SCHOOL wCU_D EE WELCOME IN THE YOUNG NEW TOWN.
HE ADDED THAT IT WOULD BE SOME TIME BEFORE TUEN MUN HAD GROWN SUFFICIENTLY TO PROVIDE A DIVERSITY OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY, BUT ..ITH 13 FACTORIES COMPLETED IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ANOTHER SEVENTEEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION, THERE WOULD BE NO SHORTAGE OF EMPLOYMENT.
MR. JOHN MARDEN, WHO GAVE THE WELCOMING ADDRESS AT THE CEREMONY, SAID THAT HE Ai.D HIS W IFE HAD SET U? THE MARDEN FOUNDAi IC.. EARLY IN 1972 TO CONTRIBUTE MORE DIRECTLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BALANCED EDUCATION SYSTEM I’.’ HONG KONG.
THE FOUNDATION L-OLuD EE SPONSORING THREE PREVCCATICNAL SCHOOLS TO Be MANAGED EY CARITAS — THE ONE AT TUEN MUN, AND T.vO CT.--RS AT SHA TIN AND CHAI /.AN.
/he SAID
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
19
HE SAID THE FOUNDATION AND CAS I TAS PLANNED TO OPEN THE TUEN MUN SCHOOL WITH A FIRST BATCH OF 360 BOYS AND GIRLS IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
HE DESCRIBED THE PROJECT AS THE FRUIT OF FOUR-CORNERED PLANNING BY THE MARDEN FOUNDATION, THE PEOPLE OF TUEN MUN, CARITAS AND THE GOVERNMENT. +THE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN CAREFULLY WORKED OUT TO MEET THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF TUEN MUN AND TO MATCH THEM WITH THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC REALITIES OF THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE,+ HE ADDED.
MR. ROGER LOBO, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CARITAS-HONG KONG, TOLD GUESTS AT THE CEREMONY THAT THE SCHOOL PROJECT WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF CREATIVE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS AND A VOLUNTARY AGENCY.
HE SAID THAT CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE MARDEN FOUNDATION-CARITAS SCHOOL AT SHA TIN WOULD START BY THE END OF THE YEAR WHILE PLANS WERE NOW BEING FINALISED FOR THE CHAI WAN SCHOOL.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SPEECHES, THE COMMEMORATIVE STONE, THE SITE AND CONSTRUCTION WORK WERE BLESSED BY THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF HONG KONG, THE MOST REV. JOHN E. WU.
- 0 - -
CONTROL ON MOVING OF PILE-DRIVERS * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. IAN PRICE, SAID TODAY THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THERE HAD BEEN ONLY ONE COLLAPSE OF A PILE-DRIVER IN THE LAST 14 MONTHS REGULATIONS WILL BE EXAMINED TO SEE IF EFFECTIVE CONTROL COULD BE PROVIDED OVER THE MOVING OF PILE-DRIVERS FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
HE WAS ANSWERING A QUESTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE HON. WONG LAM WHO ASKED IF GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED PRESENT CONTROL OVER THE USE OF SUCH EQUIPMENT EFFECTIVE.
MR. PRICE SAID THAT HE WAS SATISFIED THAT IN GENERAL TERMS THE CONSTRUCTION SITES SAFETY REGULATIONS PROVIDED EFFECTIVE CONTROL OVER EQUIPMENT USED ON SITES. HE POINTED OUT THAT HE HAD TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 10 LAST YEAR THAT THESE PARTICULAR REGULATIONS WERE UNDER REVIEW.
+HOWEVER,* HE SAID, +1 MUST STRESS THAT LEGISLATION ALONE CANNOT PREVENT ACCIDENTS ARISING.*
+WHAT IS ALSO NEEDED IS GOOD SUPERVISION AND AN ACCEPTANCE ON THE PART OF SENIOR MANAGEMENT THAT ACCIDENT PREVENTION SHOULD BE A MAJOR PART OF THEIR POLICIES,* MR. PRICE ADDED.
0 - -
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
- 20 -
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE BEING REVISED
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF REVISING THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE, THE MERCHANDISE MARKS ORDINANCE AND THE SALE OF GOODS ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. MISS KO SIU-WAH, HE SAID THAT DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS HAD ALREADY BEEN AGREED IN RESPECT OF THE REVISIONS OF THE MERCHANDISE MARKS ORDINANCE AND THE SALE OF GOODS ORDINANCE.
+REVIS ION OF THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE IS MUCH MORE COMPLEX AND THE GOVERNMENT IS SEEKING THE SERVICES OF SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD EXPERIENCE WITH WEIGHTS AND MEASURES LEGISLATION AND WITH SETTING UP THE ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TO BACK IT,+ MR. JEAFFRESON SAID.
WHEN THIS ADVICE HAD BEEN RECEIVED, HE SAID, WORK ON DRAFTING THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS COULD COMMENCE.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION FROM THE HON. S.L. CHEN, THE SECRETARY SAID SECTION 2 OF THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE +ALREADY PROVIDES THAT THERE SHALL BE DEPOSITED IN THE TREASURY STANDARD WEIGHTS AND MEASURES AS SPECIFIED IN THE ORDINANCE AND THAT COPIES SHALL BE DEPOSITED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.+
MR. CHEN HAD ASKED WHETHER GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER ESTABLISHING A STANDARDS BUREAU WHERE STANDARDS OF ALL METRIC UNITS ARE KEPT SO THAT THE ACCURACY OF ALL METRIC UNITS CAN BE VER IF IED AND CERTIFIED.
MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THAT THE COMMISSIONER’S COPIES WERE INTENDED FOR USE BY THE PUBLIC FOR REFERENCE.
HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED, AS A MATTER OF ADMINISTRATIVE CONVENIENCE THE COMMISSIONER’S COPIES WERE NOW HELD BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE.
REGARDING THE PLANNED REVISION OF THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE, HE SAID: +AMONG THE MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THIS REVISION ARE THE QUESTIONS OF WHICH STANDARD WEIGHTS AND MEASURES SHOULD BE MAINTAINED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND HOW A VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION MACHINERY APPROPRIATE FOR PRESENT DAY CONDITIONS CAN BE ESTABLISHED AND OPERATED.+
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/21 .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
21
PROTECTION FOR UTILITY SERVICES DURING MTR CONSTRUCTION ADEQUATE * * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD SAID TODAY THAT ADEQUATE ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE TO PROTECT UTILITY SERVICES DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SYSTEM.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON.
T.S. LO WHO HAD ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS SATISFIED WITH THE PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND ITS CONTRACTORS WITH REGARD TO AVOIDING DAMAGE TO PUBLIC UTILITY INSTALLATIONS.
MR. MCDONALD SAID A UTILITIES CO-ORDINATING GROUP HAD BEEN SET UP TO ORGANISE PRE-CONTRACT DIVERSIONS OF SERVICES WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
THE GROUP COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE UTILITY COMPANIES AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
+THE GROUP SUBSEQUENTLY PREPARED GENERAL SPECIFICATION CLAUSES FOR INCLUSION IN THE WORKS CONTRACTS WHICH REQUIRE CONTRACTORS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE PRESENCE OF UTILITY SERVICES IN THEIR METHODS OF WORKING, LOCATE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS BY MEANS OF HAND-DUG TRIAL HOLES, PREPARE UTILITY PROTECTION PROGRAMMES AND SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL BY THE CORPORATION FULL DETAILS OF THEIR PROPOSALS FOR SUPPORTING OR DIVERTING THE SERVICES,* SAID MR. MCDONALD.
MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS SATISFIED THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS MADE TO PROTECT UTILITY SERVICES DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAILWAY SYSTEM WERE REASONABLE.
HE ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT DESPITE THE CAREFUL PLANNING AND PRECAUTIONS TAKEN TO SAFEGUARD SERVICE INSTALLATIONS, IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT WITH THE CONCENTRATION, COMPLEXITY AND SPEED OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS REQUIRED TO DEVELOP THE RAILWAY SYSTEM IN AREAS WITH A VERY HIGH CONCENTRATION OF UNDERGROUND DUCTS, PIPES, CABLES AND DRAINS, SOME ERRORS WOULD OCCUR RESULTING IN DISRUPTION OF SERVICES.
+TO DATE ONLY THREE SUCH DISRUPTIONS, WHICH COULD BE CLASSIFIED AS BEING OF MORE THAN A MINOR NATURE, HAVE OCCURRED AND THIS I SUGGEST REFLECTS FAVOURABLY, ON THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ADOPTED BY THE UTILITIES CO-ORDINATING GROUP,* SAID MR. MCDONALD.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
22
GUARDIANSHIP OF MINORS BILL * * * * *
COMMITTING THE CARE OF THE MINOR TO THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE MAKING OF A SUPERVISION ORDER BECAUSE THE FORMER MEANS THAT THE PHYSICAL CONTROL OF THE MINOR AS WELL AS HIS UPBRINGING WILL BE VESTED IN THE HANDS OF THE DIRECTOR, THE HON. PETER C. WONG TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE GUARDIANSHIP OF MINORS BILL 1977, HE EMPHASISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE THE WAYS AND MEANS OF IMPLEMENTING A PROVISION WHICH EMPOWERS COURTS TO COMMIT THE CARE OF MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 TO THE DIRECTOR.
+IT IS THEREFORE PERTINENT TO CONSIDER WHETHER ADEQUATE FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE DIRECTOR TO CARRY OUT THIS NEW RESPONSIBILITY,* HE POINTED OUT.
+CHILDREN LIKELY TO BECOME COMMITTED TO THE CARE OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE ARE THOSE WHO ARE NEGLECTED OR ILL-TREATED BY THEIR PARENTS OR WHOSE PARENTS CANNOT PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE HOME FOR THEM,* MR. WONG SAID.
+THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY WAYWARD OR PROBLEM CHILDREN BUT RATHER VICTIMS OF BROKEN MARRIAGES AND HOME.
+WHAT THEY REQUIRE THEREFORE IS NOT CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS DESIGNED FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENTS BUT A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT RESEMBLING THAT OF AN ORDERLY FAMILY WHICH THESE UNFORTUNATE CHILDREN NEED FOR THE PROPER DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR MIND AND BODY.*
MR. WONG WARNED THAT WITHOUT ADEQUATE FACILITIES AT THE DIRECTOR’S DISPOSAL, IT WAS LIKELY THAT THE WHOLE SCHEME WOULD BECOME A FRUSTRATING EXERCISE TO BOTH THE JUDICIARY AND THE EXECUTIVE.
+IF THROUGH LACK OF PROPER FACILITIES, THE DIRECTOR HAS TO SEND A NORMAL CHILD TO INSTITUTIONS WHERE MOST OF THE OCCUPANTS ARE CHILDREN WITH PROBLEMS OF ONE KIND OR ANOTHER, IT WOULD BE CONTRARY TO THE SPIRIT OF THIS BILL AND CONTRARY TO THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE WELFARE OF THE MINOR MUST ALWAYS BE GIVEN THE FIRST AND PARAMOUNT CONSIDERATION,* HE POINTED OUT.
IN REPLY, THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, THE HON. GARTH THORNTON, SAID THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE CONSIDERED THAT ADEQUATE FACILITIES WERE AVAILABLE TO CATER FOR CHILDREN COMMITTED TO HIS CARE.
HOWEVER, HE INDICATED THAT THE NUMBER OF SUCH CASES REQUIRING RESIDENTIAL CARE WOULD BE VERY SMALL.
/IN ADDITION .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
23
IN ADDITION TO THE CHILDREN’S RECEPTION CENTRE, HE CONTINUED, THERE WERE ALTOGETHER NINE SUBVENTED VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS OPERATING 14 RESIDENTIAL HOMES FOR CHILDREN IN NEED OF CARE WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY FOR 1,540.
+AT PRESENT THERE ARE ABOUT 1,180 CHILDREN IN RESIDENCE WHICH MEANS THAT THERE IS STILL ROOM FOR SOME 360 SUCH CHILDREN,* HE NOTED.
+THESE PROVISIONS DO NOT INCLUDE HOMES FOR DELINQUENT OR DISABLED CHILDREN WHO ARE SEPARATELY PROVIDED FOR IN OTHER INSTITUTIONS.
+THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISES ME THAT THERE ARE OTHER FACILITIES, SUCH AS FOSTER CARE AND SMALL GROUP HOMES WHICH ARE BEING DEVELOPED BY VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS WITH GOVERNMENT SUBVENTIONS. THESE CAN ALSO BE USED TO PROVIDE SPECIAL CARE FOR SUCH CHILDREN.*
MR. THORNTON ADDED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WOULD CERTAINLY KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON THE SITUATION IF AND WHEN THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WAS IMPLEMENTED.
--------0
DUPLICATE SHARE CERTIFICATES
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS CURRENTLY DRAFTING A BILL TO FACILITATE THE ISSUE OF A DUPLICATE SHARE CERTIFICATE WHERE THE ORIGINAL IS LOST.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, THE HON. G.C. THORNTON, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. Q.W. LEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR. LEE HAD ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE EARLY STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATION IN THE SECOND REPORT OF THE COMPANIES LAW REVISION COMMITTEE THAT SECTION 14 OF THE COMPANIES (RECONSTRUCTION OF RECORDS) ORDINANCE SHOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AS PART OF THE GENERAL LAW APPLICABLE TO ALL COMPANIES IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE ISSUE OF A DUPLICATE SHARE CERTIFICATE WHERE THE ORIGINAL IS LOST.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
2k
MOVES TO ALLEVIATE OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS IN CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL *******
THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. THE HON.
K.L. THONG, SAID TODAY THAT MEASURES WERE BEING TAKEN TO ALLEVIATE THE PRESENT OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS IN THE CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL.
THESE MEASURES, HE SAID, INCLUDED THE RENOVATION OF THE OLD LAI CHI KOK HOSPITAL TO PROVIDE 300 BEDS FOR PSYCHIATRIC CASES AND THE ADDITION OF 100 BEDS TO THE PSYCHIATRIC UNIT OF KOWLOON HOSPITAL.
DR. THONG ADDED THAT PLANS WERE UNDER CONSIDERATION TO PROVIDE DORMITORY ACCOMMODATION FOR 90 CASES AT THE CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL ITESELF.
THE DIRECTOR WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING THIS AFTERNOON. MR. CHEUNG HAD ASKED IF MORE PSYCHIATRIC BEDS COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR USE IN THE ACUTE HOSPITALS UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE NEW PSYCHIATRIC WING OF PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL IS FULLY OPERATIONAL.
DR. THONG TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE THREE MAJOR GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, QUEEN MARY, QUEEN ELIZABETH AND THE GENERAL WING OF PRINCESS MARGARET, WERE ALREADY FULLY UTILISED AND, THEREFORE, IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO USE THE ACUTE BEDS FOR PSYCHIATRIC CASES.
IN REPLY TO TWO OTHER QUESTIONS FROM MR. CHEUNG, HE SAID THAT AT THE END OF 1976 A TOTAL OF 2,119 PATIENTS WERE UNDER TREATMENT AT CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL WHERE THE BED CAPACITY WAS 1,921.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PATIENTS ADMITTED INTO THE HOSPITAL DURING 1976 WAS 3,854, AND THE NUMBER OF DISCHARGES, INCLUDING DEATHS, IN THE SAME PERIOD WAS 3,842.
IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION BY DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG, DR. THONG SAID THAT 245 CASES HAD BEEN ADMITTED INTO THE SIU LAM HOSPITAL SINCE ITS OPENING IN 1972 AND THE NUMBER OF CASES DISCHARGED INCLUDING DEATHS WAS 46.
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/25......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
FOOTBRIDGE FOR CHAI WAN ROAD
*****
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO BUILD A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS CHAI WAN ROAD NEAR THE SALES IAN MIDDLE SCHOOL TO PROVIDE A SAFE CROSSING POINT FOR PEDESTRIANS.
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT THE FOOTBRIDGE WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.
HE WAS REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM DR. THE HON. HENRY HU WHO ASKED ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC BLACKSPOT OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL.
MR. MCDONALD SAID CRASH BARRIERS HAD ALREADY BEEN ERECTED ALONG THE PAVEMENTS BORDERING THE DOWNHILL LANE OF CHAI WAN ROAD.
+FOUR PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO FACILITATE MOVEMENT ACROSS CHAI WAN ROAD AND TRAFFIC LIGHT SIGNALS INSTALLED AT THE A KUNG NGAM ROAD JUNCTION,* HE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THE NEW FOOTBRIDGE, THE P.W.D. WAS ALSO PLANNING TO INCREASE THE SKID RESISTANCE OF THE ROAD SURFACE BY USING SPECIALLY DEVELOPED SURFACING MATERIALS, SAID MR. MCDONALD.
FURTHER SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO THIS SECTION OF ROADWAY, PARTICULARLY AT THE JUNCTION OF SHAUKEIWAN ROAD, WERE NOT POSSIBLE, HE SAID, DUE TO THE LONG AND STEEP GRADIENT OF CHAI WAN ROAD AND OTHER PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS IN THE AREA.
+ IN THE LONG TERM, HOWEVER, TRAFFIC VOLUME ON THIS ROAD WILL BE REDUCED WHEN THE ISLAND EAST CORRIDOR HIGHWAY IS EXTENDED THROUGH TO CHAI WAN.*
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. LI FOOK-WO ABOUT THE ROAD COLLAPSE WHICH OCCURRED ON JANUARY 9 IN TA I HANG ROAD, MR. MCDONALD SAID THE ROAD SURFACE HAD BEEN UNDERMINED AS A RESULT OF A SUB-SOIL WASHOUT CAUSED BY LEAKAGE FROM A 300 MM DIAMETER SEWER UNDER THE ROADWAY.
+REPAIR WORKS WERE PUT IN HAND IMMEDIATELY AND THE ROAD WAS REOPENED TO TRAFFIC THE FOLLOWING MORNING,* HE SAID.
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/26......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
26
GOVERNMENT FORMS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT CONDUCT A FORMAL SURVEY TO ASCERTAIN HOW MANY FORMS PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR COMPLETION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE BILINGUAL AND HOW MANY ARE IN ENGLISH ONLY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. JAMES WU IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. DENIS BRAY, SAID +1 DO NOT THINK THERE ARE MANY FORMS THAT DO NOT HAVE CHINESE VERSIONS, SO I THINK THAT ANY SORT OF FORMAL SURVEY WOULD PROBABLY BE A WASTE OF TIME — THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF STATUTORY AND NON-STATUTORY FORMS.+
HOWEVER, MR. BRAY ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT HE WOULD HAVE A CHECK MADE.
HE ALSO ASKED MR. WU TO LET HIM KNOW OF ANY CASES WHERE CHINESE VERSIONS WERE NOT YET SUPPLIED.
- - 0 - -
STUDY ON JUNK BAY AS A FUTURE URBAN AREA
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A STUDY TO SEE HOW AND WHEN JUNK BAY CAN BE DEVELOPED AS A NEW URBAN AREA.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE HON. DAVID AKERS-JONES, REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. Q.W. LEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, SAID THE INVESTIGATION WOULD TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CONSULTANTS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1974 TO INVESTIGATE THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY AS AN INDUSTRIAL AREA HAD CONCLUDED THAT ABOUT 80 HECTARES OF DEVELOPMENT LAND COULD BE FORMED BY TERRACING THE HILLS AND FILLING IN THE BAY.
BUT THERE WOULD BE SEVERE CONSTRAINTS ON THE TYPE OF INDUSTRY PERMISSIBLE, PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO AVOID ANY AIR POLLUTION WHICH COULD GIVE RISE TO A DETERIORATION IN VISIBILITY AT THE AIRPORT.
MR. AKERS-JONES ADDED: +A FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS JUST ABOUT TO START WHICH WILL DETERMINE HOW JUNK BAY COULD BE DEVELOPED IN THE WIDER CONTEXT OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING AND FOR SOME LIGHT NON-POLLUTING INDUSTRY.
+THIS FURTHER STUDY WILL TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS.
+BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THEREFORE, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE IN A POSITION TO DECIDE HOW AND WHEN TO DEVELOP JUNK BAY, aHICH, BECAUSE OF ITS PROXIMITY TO EAST KOWLOON AND KWUN TONG, IS AN OBVIOUS PLACE TO TURN FOR FUTURE URBAN EXPANSION.*
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/27
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
27 -
SHOP-STALLS FOR HAWKERS IN HOUSING ESTATES ******
THE LONG-TERM AIM OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS TO HAVE ALL TRADING ACTIVITIES IN ITS ESTATES CONDUCTED UNDER A PROPER TENANCY AGREEMENT IN PURPOSE-BUILT SHOP STALLS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON. IAN LIGHTBODY SAID IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN ON WHETHER THE AUTHORITY HAS ANY PLANS TO LICENSE HAWKERS OPERATING WITHIN HOUSING ESTATES BOTH IN URBAN AREAS AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MR. LIGHTBODY SAID HAWKERS WERE ENCOURAGED TO BID FOR THE SHOP-STALLS WHEN THEY BECAME AVAILABLE.
+HOWEVER, THE LARGE NUMBER OF HAWKERS INVOLVED SUGGEST THAT THE AUTHORITY IS UNLIKELY TO HAVE ENOUGH SHOP-STALLS IN NEW ESTATES FOR ALL HAWKERS TO BECOME COMMERCIAL TENANTS IN THIS WAY,+ HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION BY MR. CHEONG-LEEN, MR. LIGHTBODY SAID 12,000 ODD HAWKERS OPERATED INSIDE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S URBAN ESTATES, AND 2,600 IN ITS ESTATES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
------o-------
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 1976/77
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION AMOUNTING TO $131.9 MILLION FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1976/77.
IN MOVING THE MOTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, INDICATED THAT OF THIS SUM, PUBLIC WORKS NON-RECURRENT EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTED FOR $100 MILLION OF WHICH $57.8 MILLION WAS PROVISION FOR ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ON EXISTING PROJECTS AND $40.3 MILLION FOR 36 PROJECTS RECENTLY UPGRADED TO CATEGORY A OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
OTHER ITEMS INCLUDE $15.5 MILLION FOR THE UNIVERSITIES, THE POLYTECHNIC, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND A NUMBER OF SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS TO ASSIST THEM TOWARDS A SALARIES REVISION FOR THEIR STAFF, $2.6 MILLION FOR AN ADJUSTMENT OF THE SUBVENTION FOR THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND $7 MILLION FOR THE PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION IN THE CLEARANCE OF SHEUNG SHU I TANNERIES.
MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION WOULD NOT RESULT IN A NET INCREASE OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR AS OFFSETTING SAVINGS HAD BEEN FOUND UNDER OTHER SUBHEADS OF EXPENDITURE, OR BY THE FREEZING OF FUNDS UNDER HEAD 50 MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES SUBHEAD 100 ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAD ALREADY APPROVED ALL ITEMS IN THE SCHEDULE.
------0-------- /28.......................
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
28 -
MORE PEOPLE GO TO CHINA FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR
* * * *
WITH THE LUNAR NEW YEAR JUST AROUND THE CORNER, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAVELLING BY TRAIN TO CHINA IS ON THE INCREASE EVERYDAY.
ACCORDING TO THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, MR. REGINALD GREGORY, A TOTAL OF 65,583 PEOPLE LEFT FOR CHINA BY TRAIN IN THE LAST 10 DAYS.
THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 11.4 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH FIGURE FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
ANOTHER 19,398 LEFT FOR CHINA TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PEOPLE LIVING IN TAI PO, TRAIN SERVICES BETWEEN THE TOWN AND LO WU WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE THROUGHOUT THE CHINESE NEW YEAR PERIOD.
MR. GREGORY SAID THAT MORE PEOPLE NOW PATRONISED THIS SERVICE BUT THERE WAS AMPLE ROOM ON THE TRAIN FOR MORE PASSENGERS.
TO ADD A FESTIVE TOUCH TO THE STATION, LIGHT CHINESE AND LUNAR NEW YEAR MUSIC IS BEING BROADCAST ON THE CONCOURSE IN HUNGHOM STATION AND IN TRAINS THROUGHOUT THE NEW YEAR PERIOD.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE ONE-TON BRONZE BELL FROM THE OLD TSIM SHA TSUI RAILWAY STATION CLOCK TOWER, NOW DISPLAYED IN THE MAIN CONCOURSE OF THE STATION, HAS BEEN DECORATED WITH MANDARINES.
IN ADDITION, AN ATTRACTIVELY DECORATED BOARD WITH NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER AND STAFF OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY HAS ALSO BEEN PUT UP IN THE CENTRE OF THE MAIN CONCOURSE.
AT THE HUNGHOM STATION, REFRESHMENTS ARE BEING MADE AVAILABLE FROM 3.30 A.M. FOR EARLY MORNING COMMUTERS.
MR. GREGORY SAID THAT THE AIR-CONDITIONED COACHES, WHICH WERE PUT INTO SERVICE LAST WEEK, PROVED VERY POPULAR. SO FAR, OVER 1,700 TICKETS HAD BEEN SOLD.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THEIR COOPERATION IN LOOKING AFTER THE VAST NUMBER OF PASSENGERS COMING THROUGH THE STATION DURING THE PAST FEW DAYS.
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/29......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
29
F.M.O. PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY
******
EIGHT FISHERMEN WHO BETWEEN THEM SAVED 56 LIVES AT SEA DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS WILL RECEIVE PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES FROM MRS. E.H. NICHOLS, WIFE OF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, AT A CEREMONY TO EE HELD AT THE CHEUNG SHA '..AN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET THIS SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 19).
MRS. NICHOLS WILL ALSO PRESENT PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES TO 47 FISHERMEN WHO HAVE MARKETED THE LARGEST VALUE OF FISH THROUGH THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION.
LONG SERVICE MEDALS WILL BE AWARDED TO 11 MEMBERS OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHO HAVE EACH COMPLETED 25 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE ORGANISATION.
NAVIGATION CERTIFICATES WILL ALSO EE PRESENTED TC NINE YOUNG FISHERMEN WHO HAVE COMPLETED A SIX-MONTH TRAINING IN NAVIGATION GIVEN BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
MR. NICHOLS WILL MAKE A SPEECH AND AFTER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, A LION DANCE WILL BE PERFORMED TO CELEBRATE THE OCCASION.
TWO OF THE EIGHT FISHERMEN WHO SAVED LIVES AT SEA ARE MR. KWOK KWUN-FOR AND MR. CHENG WAI-HO. THEY RESCUED 27 PERSONS FROM A FREIGHTER WHICH RAN AGROUND 280 KILOMETRES NORTH-EAST OF HONG KONG.
THE OTHER SIX FISHERMEN ARE LAI FOOK, CHENG HOI-FAT, LEUNG KAM-SHU I, KWOK KAM-TAI, SO LOY-HING AND FUNG WAI-TAI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO HAVE THE EVENT COVERED. THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET AT FAT TSEUNG STREET, KOWLOON, AT NOON ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 19).
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/JO .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
50
RETIREMENT OF DIRECTOR OF MARINE *******
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR. A. FLETCHER, WILL PROCEED ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE IN APRIL AFTER 25 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
HE WILL BE SUCCEEDED BY MR. M.J. ALEXANDER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, WHOSE PROMOTION HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.
MR. FLETCHER, AGED 55, FIRST JOINED THE DEPARTMENT AS A SURVEYOR OF SHIPS IN 1952. HE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR SURVEYOR OF SHIPS IN 1962, PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR OF SHIPS IN 1966, SURVEYOR-GENERAL OF SHIPS IN 1967, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE IN 1967 AND DIRECTOR OF MARINE IN 1972.
MR. ALEXANDER, 51, FIRST JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS A MARINE OFFICER IN NOVEMBER 1954. HE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR MARINE OFFICER IN JANUARY 1965 AND PRINCIPAL MARINE OFFICER IN MAY 1971. HE BECAME DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN MARCH 1972.
0 --------
BILLS PASSED * * * *
NINE BILLS PASSED THEIR COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THEY WERE THE MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES (ABOLITION) BILL 1977' THE LION ROCK TUNNEL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977= THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977- THE JUVENILE OFFENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977= THE GUARDIANSHIP OF MINORS BILL 1977= THE MAINTENANCE ORDERS (RECIPROCAL ENFORCEMENT) BILL 1977= THE AFFILIATION PROCEEDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977- THE SEPARATION AND MAINTENANCE ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION BILL 1977.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977
- 31 -
HEAVY TRAFFIC EXPECTED IN SHA TIN
X X X X
THE CHE KUNG FESTIVAL IN SHA TIN THIS YEAR FALLS ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 20) WHICH IS THE THIRD DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC IS EXPECTED IN LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND TAIPO ROAD APPROACHING SHA TIN AND SHA TIN BY-PASS ROAD.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID THIS AREA ON THAT DAY UNLESS THEY REQUIRE TO GO THERE.
FOR THOSE WISHING TO WORSHIP AT THE CHE KUNG TEMPLE AT SHA TIN, LIMITED PARKING WILL BE AVAILABLE AT LEK YUEN ROAD UP TO THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME SITE OFFICE AND THE CAR PARK BEHIND SHA TIN MARKET.
NO PARKING WILL EE PERMITTED ON PAVEMENTS AND VEHICLES FOUND ILLEGALLY PARKED WILL BE TOWED AWAY BY THE POLICE.
ADDITIONAL BUSES WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY ON ROUTE NO. 70A BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD FERRY AND SHA TIN.
A TEMPORARY STAND FOR KOWLOON-BOUND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL EE LOCATED AT LEK YUEN ROAD NEAR LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD.
TRAFFIC POLICE WILL BE ON HAND TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-----0------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CASTLE ROAD
*****
CASTLE ROAD BETWEEN CONDUIT ROAD AND ROBINSON ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FROM 13 A.M. ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 20) TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF PART OF THE NEW FLYOVER AT THAT LOCATION. THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT 12 WEEKS.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING DOWN FROM THE MID-LEVELS ARE ADVISED TO USE EITHER KOTEWALL ROAD OR GLENEALY AS AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE.
HOWEVER, A SPOKESMAN OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT URGED MOTORISTS TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHEREVER POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO MINIMISE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE AREA.
- 0 -
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ............ 1
TEN NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR THE COMING URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION ......................................... 1
SHOP SPACE FOR MONEY CHANGERS AT THE AIR PORT ............ 2
MINOR CHANGE TO MAX I CAB ROUTE BETWEEN PO SHAN ROAD AND CENTRAL ......................................... 2
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5'233191
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1977
1
YEAR OF EXCITEMENT AND CHALLENGE
* * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, IN HIS LUNAR NEW YEAR MESSAGE TODAY SPOKE OF THE EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE CHALLENGE IN THE NEW YEAR.
+1 HOPE EVERYONE SENSES THE EXCITEMENT, WILL MEET THE CHALLENGE AND SHARE THE PROSPERITY,* HE SAID.
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE MOMENTUM GENERATED BY HONG KONG’S DRAMATIC RECOVERY FROM RECESSION WOULD BE NOWHERE MORE EVIDENT THAN THE NEW TERRITORIES +AS THE TASK OF BUILDING NEW TOWNS, OF MODERNISING AND EXPANDING THE MARKET TOWNS AND PROVIDING BETTER FACILITIES CONTINUES*.
HE SAID THE GREAT BUILDING PROGRAMME WOULD BRING WITH IT DEMOLITION AND DISTURBANCE BUT +WE MUST REMEMBER THAT THIS EFFORT IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE HOMES FOR THE BADLY HOUSED AND PLACES TO WORK AND PLAY.*
JUST AS IMPORTANT, HE ADDED, WAS THE TASK OF BUILDING SOCIAL AWARENESS AND A SENSE OF BELONGING IN THESE NEW COMMUNITIES- TO TRY RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING TO NURTURE A SENSE OF NEIGHBOURLINESS, MUTUAL RESPECT AND HELP — TRADITIONS THAT WERE CENTURIES OLD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+SO ALONG WITH ALL THE NEW HOMES, AND SCHOOLS, AND FACTORIES AND ROADS, THE NEW YEAR WILL BRING MORE FACILITIES FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, NEW INITIATIVES TO FOSTER THE ARTS AND THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF CULTURAL PURSUITS,* HE SAID.
HE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO WISH EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.
----o------
NOMINATIONS FOR U.C. ELECTION * * # #
TEN NOMINATIONS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR THE FORTHCOMING URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION NEXT MONTH, IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE GAZETT" TODAY.
THE CANDIDATES ARE MR.BROOK BERNACCHI, MR. PETER CHAN CHI — KWAN, MR. AMBROSE CHCI KWOK-CHING, MR. CHOW WAI-HUNG, DR. HENRY HU HUNG LICK, MR. TSIN SAI-NIN, MR. FRANCIS CHA INE, MR. TANG MAN-SIT, MR. WILSON TUET WAI-SIN AND MR. YU SAK-KWONG.
THE ELECTION, FOR SIX VACANCIES ON THE COUNCIL, WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 3.
- 0 -----------
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1977
- 2 -
SHOP SPACE FOR MONEY CHANGERS ******
TWO MORE SHOP PREMISES FOR MONEY CHANGER PURPOSES AT KAI TAK AIRPORT ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC TENDER.
THE TENANCIES ARE FOR THREE YEARS BEGINNING ON OR ABOUT APRIL 15, AND THEY ARE IN ADDITION TO THE TWO SHOPS ADVERTISED IN THE GAZETTE EARLIER THIS MONTH.
SHOP NO. 179 OF 80 SQ.FT. IS LOCATED IN THE AIRSIDE TRANSIT LOUNGE AT THE DEPARTURES LEVEL OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING.
THE SECOND ONE, SHOP NO. 57, OF 40 SQ.FT. IS AT THE ARRIVALS LEVEL IN THE PUBLIC AREA OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT DUE TO CONTINUING ALTERATIONS TO THE TERMINAL BUILDING IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO RELOCATE THE SHOPS AT LEAST ONCE DURING THE TENANCY PERIOD. THEY WILL, HOWEVER, ALWAYS REMAIN AT THE SAME FLOOR LEVEL.
IN THE CASE OF SHOP NO. 57, IT WILL BE MOVED AROUND THE END OF THIS YEAR TO A LOCATION OF 150 SQ. FT. IN THE RESTRICTED BUFFER AREA OF THE NEW EXTENSION TO THE TERMINAL WHERE MONEY EXCHANGE FACILITIES WILL BE SOLELY FOR ARRIVING PASSENGERS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED PROSPECTIVE TENDERERS TO VISIT THE AIRPORT TO SEE THE LOCATIONS OF THE SHOPS. TO DO SO, THEY SHOULD CONTACT THE AIRPORT MANAGER (COMMERCIAL AND PROPERTY).
A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY) STIPULATES THAT TENDERS MUST EE SUBMITTED TO THE TENDER BOARD BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, MARCH 4.
FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM EITHER THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY, OR THE AIRPORT GENERAL MANAGER AT KAI TAK.
- - 0 -
MAXICAB ROUTE NO. 3 ROUTE CHANGE
******
THERE WILL BE A MINOR ROUTE CHANGE ON THE MAXICAB ROUTE NO. 3 DOWNWARD JOURNEY FROM PO SHAN ROAD TO CENTRAL, BUT ONLY JOURNEYS AFTER 4.45 P.M. WILL BE AFFECTED.
STARTING ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 20) AND FOR ABOUT 12 WEEKS, THE NEW DOWNWARD ROUTE WILL BE VIA KOTEWALL ROAD, OAKLAND AVENUE, LYTTELTON ROAD, PARK ROAD AND ROBINSON ROAD ONTO ALBANY ROAD.
THE NEW ROUTE IS BEING INTRODUCED BECAUSE CASTLE ROAD BETWEEN CONDUIT ROAD AND ROBINSON ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DURING THAT PERIOD TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF PART OF A NEW FLYOVER THERE.
PASSENGERS FOR CENTRAL WILL CONTINUE TO BE PICKED UP ALONG CONDUIT ROAD FOR ONWARD JOURNEY TO PO SHAN ROAD BEFORE GOING TO CENTRAL. THERE WILL BE NO EXTRA CHARGE.
- - 0 -
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1977
OVER 720 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN 1976
******
A TOTAL OF 723 NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED BY THE P.W.D ’S BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE LAST YEAR — THE HIGHEST SINCE 1973 AND ABOUT 37 PER CENT MORE THAN IN 1975. ’
THE UPTURN IN APPROVAL CONTINUED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR WHEN 57 NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED, COMPARED WITH 55 IN DEC-MEER AND 50 DURING JANUARY 1976.
OF THE PLANS APPROVED LAST MONTH, 2D WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 17 FOR KOWLOON AND 20 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY INCLUDED PLANS FOR A NUMBER OF HIGH-RISE APARTMENT/COMMER-CIAL BUILDING OF 23 OR MORE STOREYS AT LOCKHART ROAD, KENNEDY STREET, HAK PO STREET, RECLAMATION STREET, JUNCTION OF KIANG HSI STREET AND KO SHAN ROAD AND YUEN LONG.
BUILDING PLANS FOR A TELEPHONE EXCHANGE AT CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, SAI KUNG, A TEMPLE BUILDING AT NGONG PING, LANTAU ISLAND, AND SEVEN BLOCKS OF 12-STOREY AND 16-STOREY FACTORY BUILDINGS AT TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, WERE ALSO APPROVED.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING JANUARY THIS YEAR AMOUNTED TO $237.3 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $180.9 MILLION FOR DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NE/. BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH AMOUNTED TO 194,078.4 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 38,316.7 SQUARE METRES OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 155,761.7 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
DURING THE MONTH, THE BUILDING ORDINANCE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 54 NEW BUILDING PROJECTS, INCLUDING A GYMNASIUM COMMUNAL HALL AND WORKSHOP AT HUNG HOM RECLAMATION, A FUNERAL PARLOUR OFF WINSLOW STREET, A PIER AT TSING Yl ISLAND, A CINEMA COMPLEX AT HIU KWONG STREET, AND A CHAPEL AT SHEUNG SHU I.
SEVENTY-TWO COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION DURING JANUARY.
/they included .....
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1977
2
THEY INCLUDED THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC OFF CHATHAM ROAD AT HUNG HOM RECLAMATION, A CINEMA BUILDING AT JORDAN ROAD, ~ C-JPCh AND SOCIAL WELFARE CENTRE BUILDING AT SHA TIN NE« TOWN AND A HC'-’-FOR THE AGED AT TUEN MUN NE.. TOWN.
THE BUILDING ORDINANCE OF 39 BUILDINGS LAST MONTH.
OFFICE ALSO CONSENTED TO THE DEMOLITION
0 -------
OPENING OF SECOND ASIAN BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS 1977 *****
THE SECOND ASIAN BADMINTON CHAMP IONSHI PS WILL TAKE PLAC-FROM FEBRUARY 22 TO 26 AT THE MACPHERSON STADIUM, YIM PO FONG STREET, KOWLOON.
FOURTEEN TEAMS WILL EE PARTICIPATING, ALL FROM THE ASIAN REGIONS, AND THE CHAMPIONSHIPS TC BE HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG BADMINTON ASSOCIATION HOLD EVERY PROMISE OF BEING EXCITING AND THE PLAY OF A VERY HIGH STANDARD. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THAT AN INTERNATIONAL BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION HAS BEEN HELD IN HONG KONG.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 7.30 P.M. ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 22) AT THE MACPHERSON STADIUM.
ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 24), THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS BRAY, WILL HOST A COCKTAIL RECEPTION AT THE HOLIDAY INN FOR PARTICIPANTS IN AND DELEGATES TO THE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
THE CLOSING CEREMONY AND PRIZE-GIVING WILL BE HELD ALSO IN THE MACPHERSON STADIUM ON FEBRUARY 26 AFTER THE FINAL MATCHES WHICH WILL START AT 7 P.M. MR. ERAY WILL OFFICIATE ON THIS OCCASION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
SPORTS EDITORS MAY CARE TO ATTEND THE RECEPTION WHICH IS INFORMAL AND WHICH WILL EE HELD FROM 4 P.M. TO 5.30 P.M. ON FEBRUARY 24 IN THE HOLIDAY INN’S TOPAZ ROOM.
/3......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1977
COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN SHA TIN *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS STEADILY BUILDING UP COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT SHA TIN TO KEEP PACE WITH THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN.
THE FOCUS OF THE BUILD-UP IS THE S3 MILLION CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE WHICH WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE AMERICAN COUNSUL-GENERAL, MR. CHARLES CROSS, JUST BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE CENTRE wILL PROVIDE SHA TIN’S 53,000 RESIDENTS a I TH A DAY NURSERY FOR 103 CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND FOUR, ROOMS AND OFFICES FOR FAMILY SERVICES, A LIBRARY, MEETING ROOMS, LECTURE ROOMS, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, A MULTI-PURPOSE HALL AND A CHURCH.
AND BEFORE THE PAINT HAS BARELY DRIED ON THE CARITAS COMPLEX THE GOVERNMENT WILL EE OFFICIALLY OPENING A NEW COMMUNITY HALL AT THE LEK YUEN ESTATE.
+ THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HOPES TO OPEN THE DOORS OF THE HALL EARLY NEXT MONTH AND ALONG WITH THE CARITAS CENTRE, IT WILL PROVIDE A VALUABLE OUTLET FOR COMMUNITY, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL PURSUITS,+ THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY.
+IN ADDITION, WORK HAS ALREADY STARTED ON A TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND NEAR THE CARITAS CENTRE WHICH WILL HAVE A MINI SOCCER PITCH AND BASKETBALL COURTS AND WE HOPE IT WILL BE FINISHED LATER THIS YEAR.
+THIS PLAYGROUND WILL BE A GOOD BACK-UP TO THE SOCCER PITCH ALREADY OPERATING AT TAI WAI.+
MR. SUEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD APPROVED AN INCREASE IN STAFF IN SHA TIN TO ENSURE A SMOOTH COMMUNITY BUILDING PROCESS.
AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. EDDIE CHAN, HAS ALREADY TAKEN UP A NEW POST AND HAS SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CO-ORDINATING RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
+WE NOW ALSO HAVE A RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER, AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE NEW HALL AT'LEK YUEN WILL ALSO ACT AS COMMUNITY YOUTH OFFICER AT SHA TIN UNTIL A FULL-TIME CYO IS APPOINTED,* MR. SUEN SAID.
+ IN ADDITION, THE USD HOPES TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A FULL-TIME URBAN SERVICES OFFICER IN SHA TIN LATER THIS YEAR.*
MR. SUEN SAID A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES WERE BEING PLANNED, INCLUDING A SHA TIN ATHLETICS MEET NEXT MONTH PRIOR TO THE N.T.-..ID ATHLETICS MEET IN MARCH, A SOCCER TOURNAMENT AND TAI CHI CLASSES AT TAI aAI AND LEK YUEN.
+WE WILL EXPAND THE RANGE OF FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES AS THE NEW TOWN GROWS,* MR. SUEN SAID.
----0---- /A .....
u
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1977
IMPORTANT ROLE OF F.M.O. STRESSED
******
IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF LOCAL FISHERMEN TO SELL THEIR CATCHES THROUGH THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION (F.M.O.) -- A NON-PROFIT-MAKING BODY SET UP TO SERVE FISHERMEN, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (FISHERIES AND MARKETING) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR. ALEXANDER MURRAY SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET, HE NOTED THAT THE SIX PER CENT COMMISSION LEVIED ON THE LANDINGS VALUE AT THE F.M.O. WAS USED TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE F.M.O. LOAN FUND FOR FISHERMEN.
HE ADDED THAT REVENUE FROM THE COMMISSION WAS ALSO USED TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND THE MARKETING SERVICES AS EXEMPLIFIED BY THE NEWLY OPENED EXTENSION OF THE MARKET AT ABERDEEN AND THE INCREASE IN COLD STORAGE CAPACITY AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN FISH MARKET.
+FUTURE PLANS INCLUDE A NEW MARKET AT KWUN TONG, WHERE WE ARE ACTIVELY NEGOTIATING FOR A SITE- A RECAMP OF THE OLD ABERDEEN MARKET WHICH MAY CAUSE SOME SHORT-TERM INCONVENIENCE BUT WHICH WE SHALL ENDEAVOUR TO KEEP TO A MINIMUM- THE REPROVISIONING OF THE TAI PO, CASTLE PEAK, AS WELL AS THE CHEUNG SHA WAN MARKETS,+ HE SAID.
MR. MURRAY DISCLOSED THAT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SETTING UP A FISHERIES SCHOLARSHIP FUND TO MAKE GRANTS TO FISHERMEN’S CHILDREN OF EXCEPTIONAL MERIT TO ENABLE THEM TO RECEIVE HIGHER EDUCATION, AND TO TRAIN INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS LIKELY TO BECOME LEADERS OF THE FISHING COMMUNITY.
FURTHERMORE, HE CONTINUED, THE THREE-YEAR SECONDARY MODERN COURSE OFFERED AT THE F.M.O. ABERDEEN SCHOOL WOULD EE CHANGED TO A FIVE-YEAR SECONDARY TECHNICAL COURSE.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR REVEALED THAT TO HELP IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT SKILLS OF LOCAL FISHERMEN BOTH AT SEA AND ASHORE, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD LAUNCH A BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COURSE DURING THE COMING YEAR.
HE SAID THAT DESPITE SUCH NATURAL PHENOMENA SUCH AS EARTHQUAKES IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES AND A SUCCESSION OF TROPICAL STORMS, SEVERE TROPICAL STORMS AND TYPHOONS LAST SUMMER, THE VOLUME OF FISH SOLD THROUGH THE F.M.O. LAST YEAR INCREASED FOUR PER CENT BY WEIGHT AND 11 PER CENT IN VALUE COMPARED v. ITH 1975.
+ THIS IS A MATTER FOR SOME CONGRATULATION,+ HE ADDED.
ON THE SUBJECT OF OPENING UP NEW RESOURCES FOR FISHING, MR. MURRAY SAID THE DEPARTMENT’S FISHERIES VESSEL +CAPE ST. MARY+ WOULD NEXT MONTH BEGIN THE NECESSARY SURVEYS FOR PELAGIC FISH IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
/♦THESE •••••
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1977
5
+THESE SURVEYS ARE EE ING CONDUCTED FROM A STRICTLY PRACTICAL VIEWPOINT, NAMELY TO ESTABLISH IF THERE ARE ADEQUATE STOCKS OF PELAGIC FISH TO SUPPORT A COMMERCIAL FISHERY AND IF SO, WHERE AND WHEN THEY ARE TO BE FOUND,+ HE INDICATED.
AFTER THE SPEECH, THE WIFE OF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. E.H. NICHOLS, PRESENTED PRIZES, CERTIFICATES AND LONG-SERVICE MEDALS TO A NUMBER OF FISHERMEN.
AMONG THE RECIPIENTS WERE EIGHT FISHERMEN WHO BETWEEN THEM SAVED 56 LIVES AT SEA DURING THE LAST 12 MONTHS. TWO OF THEM, MR. K,<OK KUN-FOR AND MR. CHENG WA l-HO, RESCUED 27 PEOPLE FROM A FREIGHTER WHICH RAN AGROUND ABOUT 280 KILOMETRES NORTH-EAST OF HONG KONG.
PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES WERE PRESENTED TO 47 FISHERMEN WHO MARKETED THE LARGEST VALUE OF FISH THROUGH THE F.M.O. LONG SERVICE MEDALS WERE GIVEN TO 11 F.M.O. STAFF MEMBERS FOR HAVING COMPLETED 25 YEARS OF SERVICE AND NINE YOUNG FISHERMEN WHO COMPLETED A SIX-MONTH TRAINING COURSE IN NAVIGATION GIVEN BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WERE AWARDED WITH CERTIFICATES.
- - 0 - -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT MORRISON STREET * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 8 A.M ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 22), THE SECTION OF MORRISON STREET BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC EXCEPT TRAMS.
THE CLOSURE WHICH AIMS TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK RENEWAL WORKS WILL LAST FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING WESTWARDS ALONG DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL ARE ADVISED TO USE HILLIER STREET TO GAIN ACCESS INTO CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1977
NEW EQUIPMENT FOR TRACKING TYPHOONS
* * * * *
A SOPHISTICATED VIDEO RECORDING SYSTEM, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD HAS BEEN INSTALLED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TO HELP TRACK THE DEVELOPMENT AND MOVEMENT OF TROPICAL CYCLONES.
SPECIALLY BUILT IN ENGLAND ON SPEC IFI CAT IONS GIVEN BY THE HONG KONG ROYAL OBSERVATORY, THE VIDEO TIME-LAPSE SYSTEM USES VIDEO TAPE TO RECORD ECHOES, CAUSED BY TROPICAL CYCLONES OR HEAVY RAINSTORMS, PICKED UP BY THE R.O.’S RADAR.
THE MAIN ADVANTAGE OF USING VIDEO TAPES, ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, IS THAT IT ALLOWS IMMEDIATE PLAYBACK SO THAT A STORM’S MOVEMENT AND INTENSITY CAN BE CONTINUOUSLY TRACED AND COMPARED..
+THIS IS MUCH BETTER THAN THE OLD SYSTEM WHICH USES A MOVIE CAMERA TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE TROPICAL CYCLONE, AS SHOWN THROUGH ECHOES PICKED UP ON THE RADAR, ONCE EVERY 24 SECONDS.
+FILMS TAKE A LONG TIME TO PROCESS AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCURATELY COMPARE THE LATEST SITUATION WITH THAT OF, SAY, THREE OR FOUR HOURS AGO.
+THE NEW SYSTEM ENABLES US TO IMMEDIATELY SEE THE STORM’S MOVEMENT AND INTENSITY DURING DIFFERENT STAGES OF ITS DEVELOPMENT, AND SHOULD PROVIDE US WITH A BETTER FOOTING ON WHICH TO PREDICT ITS FUTURE MOVEMENT,+ HE SAID.
ANOTHER ADVANTAGE OF THE NEw SYSTEM IS THAT IT HAS A MUCH MORE FLEXIBLE CHOICE OF TIME-LAPSE FOR TAKING VIDEO TAPE RECORDINGS.
+WHILE THE OLD SYSTEM HAS A FIXED TIME-LAPSE OF ONE PICTURE EVERY 24 SECONDS, THE NEW SYSTEM CAN TAKE RECORDINGS AT A FREQUENCY RANGING FROM FOUR EVERY FIVE MINUTES TO ONE EVERY 15 MINUTES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THIS CHOICE WILL ENABLE US TO SAVE A LOT ON VIDEO TAPES ..HILE TRACKING A SLOW-MOVING OR SLOW-DEVELOPING TROPICAL CYCLONE,+ HE ADDED.
/WHEf; A.......
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1977
2
WHEN A TROPICAL CYCLONE COMES WITHIN 240 NAUTICAL MILES OF HONG KONG, ECHOES ARE PICKED UP BY THE R.O.’S RADAR IN FEI NGC SHAN AND MICROWAVES ARE SENT BACK TO THE CENTRAL FORECASTING OFFICE IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE MICROWAVES ARE THEN DIGITISED AND CLEAR IMAGES, ENABLING R.O. OFFICERS TO SEE AT A GLANCE ALL DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE AREA, ARE SHOWN ON A SCREEN.
THESE IMAGES ARE RECORDED BY THE VIDEO TIME-LAPSE SYSTEM AND CAN EE PLAYED BACK FOR CAREFUL ANALYSIS ANYTIME REQUIRED.
COPIES OF THE RECORDINGS CAN ALSO EE MADE AND SENT TO OTHER WEATHER INSTITUTIONS FOR RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC PURPOSES.
THE NEW SYSTEM, WHICH CAN ALSO BE USED FOR TRACKING THUNDERSTORMS AND OTHER NATURAL PHENOMENA SUCH AS EIRD MIGRATION, IS ALREADY FULLY OPERATIONAL AND THE OLD SYSTEM WILL IN FUTURE ONLY BE USED AS A RESERVE.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN ABERDEEN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT A 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY (FRANCHISED BUSES EXEMPTED) RESTRICTION WILL EE IMPOSED IN WU NAM STREET ON THE NORTH SIDE BETWEEN ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD AND TUNG SING ROAD, AND ON THE SOUTH SIDE BETWEEN ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD AND CHENGTU ROAD FROM 10 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 23).
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO INDICATE THE RESTR ICT ION.
o -------
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1977
3
SAND MONOPOLY DEPOT FOR KOWLOON BAY
******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS EXTENDING ITS FACILITIES FOR MANUFACTURED SAND TO KOWLOON, SAVING USERS ON THE MAINLAND THE TROUBLc OF HAVING TO TRANSPORT THE SAND ACROSS THE riARBOUR FROM HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE NEK FACILITY WILL BE OPENED TOWARDS THE END OF MARCH AT KOWLOON BAY.
THE P.W.D. FIRST BEGAN PRODUCING MANUFACTURED SAND -- A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL ALTERNATIVE TO MARINE SAND FOR USE IN PLASTERS, MORTARS AND CONCRETE -- IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
AT PRESENT IT IS SOLD ONLY AT THE P.W.D.’S SAND MONOPOLY DEPOT AT NORTH POINT, EUT WILL SOON BECOME AVAILABLE AT THE NE* KOWLOON BAY SAND MONOPOLY DEPOT.
MR. DICK PILLING, SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE P....D.’S QUARRIES SECTION, SAID TODAY MANUFACTURED SAND OFFERED CERTAIN DISTINCT ADVANTAGES OVER MARINE SAND.
+ITS GRADING IS CONTROLLED AND CONSISTANT, IT CONTAINS NO SALT, SHELLS OR OTHER DELETERIOUS MATTER AND ITS COLOUR TOO IS CONSISTANT, MAKING IT AN IDEAL SUBSTITUTE FOR MARINE SAND.+ HE SAID.
+TESTS CARRIED OUT BY THE P.W.D. MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION HAVE SHOWN T-iAT MANUFACTURED SAND IS SUITABLE FOR ITS INTENDED USES AND, IN GENERAL, THE NEW MATERIAL IS SUPERIOR TO MARINE SAND WHICH HAS THE DISADVANTAGE OF INCONSISTENCY OF GRADING, AND SALT AND SHELL CONTENT* HE ADDED.
ANOTHER ADVANTAGE OF MANUFACTURED SAND, HE SAID, ..AS THAT IT WAS RELATIVELY CHEAPER THAN OTHER QUARRY FINES.
SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION LAST YEAR, MANUFACTURED SAND HAS BEEN SELLING FOR 335 PER CUBIC METRE, 32 PER CUBIC METRE LESS THAN .MARINE SAND.
IN ADDITION, THE COST OF LOADING MANUFACTURED SAND INTO PURCHASERS’ VEHICLES IS ONLY 31.83 PER CUBIC METRE COMPARED WITH ABOUT 83.50 PER CUBIC METRE FOR MARINE SAND.
+AS WE ARE LOADING MANUFACTURED SAUD BY MECHANICAL MEANS, THIS ALSO MEANS THAT LOADING CAN BE DONE MUCH MORE QUICKLY AND AVOID DELAYS,* SAID MF.. PILLING.
/HE SAID
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20,
4
HE SAID MANUFACTURED SAND WAS BASICALLY MADE EY CRUSHING GOOD QUALITY GRANITE AND EMPLOYING SPECIAL SCREENS TO GIVE THE REQUIRED GRADING CHARACTERISTICS.
THE MAXIMUM PRODUCTION CAPACITY AT THE MOMENT IS 19,333 CUE ID METRES DER MONTH. +THIS QUANTITY SHOULD HELP IMPROVE THE OVERALL CONCRETE AGGREGATE SUPPLY SITUATION 3Y REPLACING QUARRY FINES WHICH HAVE FOR A LONG TIME DEEN IN RATHER SHORT SUPPLY,+ HE SAID.
MANUFACTURED SAND IS
SALES OFFICES IN THE SAME
SOLD THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT SAND MONOPOLY WAY AS MARINE SARD.
0 --------
HANDBOOK ON GUARDING METHODS FOR MACHINES
********
A HANDBOOK ON THE EFFECTIVE GUARDING OF DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY AND PLANT HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR THE GUIDANCE OF PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
THE 52-PAGE HANDBOOK, WRITTEN IN ENGLISH Ai.D CHINESE, IS BEING DISTRIBUTED FREE OF CHARGE TO FACTORY OWNERS AND EMPLOYERS.
IT SETS OUT THE GUARDING STANDARDS REQUIRED BY FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND .MACHINERY) REGULATIONS 1976 WHICH COMES INTO EFFECT
T ri E N E a OPERATION OF ON APR IL 1.
IT ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THE FIVE PRINCIPLE GUARDING METHODS FROM WHICH A PROPRIETOR CAN CHOOSE ONE OR A COMBINATION OF SEVERAL TO ADOPT FOR THEIR MACHINE GUARDS.
IN ADDITION, THE HANDBOOK CONTAINS 33 PAGES OF EXAMPLES AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE 17 GROUPS OF DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY /HIGH REQUIRE EFFECTIVE GUARDING AS DEFINED IN THE NEW REGULATIONS.
ACCORDING TO A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN THE HANDBOOK, TOGETHER WITH A FULL SCALE MACHINERY GUARDING EXHIBITION NCv. BEING PLANNED AT THE KOWLOON RAILWAY TERMINUS IN HUNG HOM WILL FORM PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMME TO COINCIDE WITH THE COMING INTO FORCE OF THE NEw REGULATIONS.
THE EXHIBITION, WHICH WILL RUN FROM MARCH 11 TO 20, WILL FEATURE DISPLAYS OF MACHINERY ..ITH MOCK UP ACCIDENTS TO DRIVE HONE THE DANGERS OF UNGUARDED MACHINERY AND THE NECESSITY FOR EFFECTIVE MACHINE GUARDS l\ INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1977
PLUGGING HONG KONG’S WATER THIEVES M X XX
A SPECIAL TEAM OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HAS BEEN QUIETLY ..AGING WAR ON SOPHISTICATED THIEVES WHO ARE ROBBING HONG KONG TO THE TUNE OF SOME S40 MILLION A YEAR, r
THEY MAY NOT BE SUPER SLEUTHS LIKE TELEVISION’S CELEBRATED KOJAK OR COLUMEO, BUT ALREADY THEIR CONSTANT PROBING AND SIMPLE DEDICATION ARE BEGINNING TO PAY DIVIDENDS.
THEY ARE INVESTIGATORS OF A SPECIAL PROSECUTING UNIT SET UP LATE LAST YEAR WITHIN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO TRACK DOWN AND INDICT HONG KONG’S ’WATER THIEVES’.
AT FIRST, THEFT OF PUBLIC '..ATER WOULD HARDLY SEEM TO BE A MATTER OF GRAVE CONCERN, PARTICULARLY IN VIE.. OF HONG KONG’S CURRENT HEALTHY STORAGE POSITION.
NEITHER WOULD THE RECENT ESTIMATE THAT ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S AVERAGE DAILY CONSUMPTION WAS BEING SIPHONED OFF BY ILLEGAL CONNECTIONS TO GOVERNMENT MAINS, SEEM TO GIVE RISE TO ALARM.
BUT TRANSLATED INTO MONEY TERMS, THE LOSS TO THE COMMUNITY BECOMES PAINFULLY EVIDENT, AMOUNTING TO AN ANNUAL LOSS OF SOME 340 MILLION TO THE PUBLIC PURSE — ROUGHLY EQUAL TO ONE-FIFTH OF TOTAL WATER REVENUE.
+ IT IS NOT THAT THE ’.•.ATER IS LOST,+ SAIDTHE P.W.D.’S DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. ...D.A. TUCKER. +IT IS OF COURSE USED, BUT WHAT IS LOST IS THE PUBLIC REVENUE WHICH SHOULD HAVE RESULTED FROM ITS USE, AND THIS IS A LOSS TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.+
LAST OCTOBER, THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT DECIDED TO PUT A STOP TO IT ALL, AND HONG KONG’S FIRST OFFICIAL ’WATER SQUAD’ WAS FORMED WITH ASSISTANT WATERWORKS INSPECTORS MOHAMMED AL I Dili AND YAKOCE ALLADIN SPEARHEAD I‘.G THE INVESTIGATIONS.
SINCE THEN THEY HAVE CHALKED UP AN IMPRESSIVE PROSECUTING RECORD. IN THEIR FIRST TEN WEEKS THEY UNCOVERED ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO SEND 33 CASES OF ALLEGED WATER THEFT TO COURT.
/BY THE
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1977
2
BY THE END OF JANUARY THIS YEAR, THEY HAD WON 18 CONVICTIONS ITH FINES RANGING FROM $600 TC 51,500) AND WERE WAITING FOR THE OTHER 20 CASES TO GO BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES.
THEIR INVESTIGATIONS HAVE TAKEN THEM FROM SIMPLE DWELLINGS TO LUXURIOUS APARTMENTS AND ON COUNTLESS ROOFTOPS WHERE IN SOME CASES A SYSTEM OF HOSES HAVE BEEN UNCOVERED SIPHONING OFF ILLICIT WATER SUPPLIES FROM ROOFTOP TANKS.
DURING ITS INVESTIGATIONS, THE UNIT HAS COME ACROSS SOME ILLICIT TECHNIQUES THAT WOULD DO JUSTICE TC ANY PROFESSIONAL.
IN ONE PARTICULAR CASE, AN INNOCENT-LOOKING CONNECTION TC
A GOVERNMENT MAIN LED TO AN UNDERGROUND NETWORK OF PIPES SOME 33 METRES LONG, COVERED WITH CONCRETE, THAT HAD OBVIOUSLY BEEN LAID BY PEOPLE WHO KNEW WHAT PROFESSIONAL PLUMBING WAS ALL ABOUT.
IN ANOTHER, A BUILDER ACTUALLY CONNECTED A PIPE TO A FIRE HYDRANT AND INSTALLED AN IMITATION WATER METER THAT LOCKED SO GENUINE THAT FOR SOME TIME IT PASSED UNNOTICED IN POLICE, FIRE AND WATERWORKS INSPECTIONS.
+BUT WE’RE LEARNING THE TRICKS,+ SAID MR. MOHAMMED DIN. +WE NOW MORE OR LESS KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR SC IT IS MORE DIFFICULT FOR ILLEGAL CONNECTIONS TO GO UNNOTICED.*
AT PRESENT THE PROSECUTING UNIT IS RELYING ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, TIPS FROM POLICE AND EVIDENCE GATHERED ON THEIR OWN PATROLS.
HOWEVER, MOVES ARE UNDERWAY TO EXPAND THE UNIT AND GIVE IT NEW TEETH IN ITS DRIVE AGAINST WATER THIEVES.
SAID MR. TUCKER:+THESE MALPRACTICES ARE TANTAMOUNT TO STEALING FROM THE COMMUNITY, AND VIGOROUS ACTION WILL BE TAKEN TO PUT AN END TO THEM.
+A GOOD START HAS BEEN MADE BUT WE HAVE EVERY INTENTION TO FURTHER STEP UP OUR INVESTIGATIONS AND ERING OFFENDERS TO BOOK.*
0 - -
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1977.
3
COLDEST JANUARY SINCE 1934
******
THE FIRST MONTH OF 1977 WAS MORE CLOUDY AND MUCH COLDER THAN USUAL WITH A MEAN TEMPERATURE OF ONLY 13.7 DEGREES CELSIUS WHICH WAS THE LOWEST ON RECORD FOR JANUARY SINCE 1934.
ALTHOUGH THE TOTAL MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 20.1 MM WAS ALMOST 40 PER CENT BELOW AVERAGE, THE HUMIDITY WAS HIGHER THAN NORMAL.
THE COLD WEATHER ..HICH SET IN LATE OH YEAR CONTINUED TO PREVAIL DURING THE FIRST MONTH AND THE WEATHER *AS GENERALLY CLOUDY OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN.
CHRISTMAS DAY LAST FIFTEEN DAYS OF THE TO OVERCAST «ITr.
THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY ISSUED A FROST ..'ARNING ON JANUARY 4 WHEN A REPLENISHMENT OF COLD AIR ARRIVED FROM THE NORTH. TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO FALL STEADILY AND IN THE MORNING OF JANUARY 5 A READING OF 6.2 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED WHICH WAS THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE OF THE MONTH.
THE WEATHER BECAME FINE ON JANUARY 11, BUT A WEAK COLD FRONT PASSED THROUGH HONG KONG LATE NEXT DAY AND BROUGHT WIDESPREAD CLOUDINESS DURING THE NEXT THREE DAYS.
ON JANUARY 16 THE WEATHER GRADUALLY IMPROVED AND HONG KONG HAD FINE AND MILD WEATHER a I TH SLOWLY RISING TEMPERATURES IN THE FOLLOWING TEN DAYS.
IN THE AFTERNOON OF JANUARY 26, A MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 22.6 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST OF THE MONTH.
HOWEVER, CLOUDY AND COOL CONDITIONS RETURNED WITH THE PASSING OF ANOTHER COLD FRONT ON JANUARY 27.
DURING THE LAST TWO DAYS OF THE MONTH, TEMPERATURES FELL TO NEAR FREEZING ON HIGH GROUND AND WARNINGS OF FROST AND ICE WERE ISSUED.
DURING THE MONTH, NO TROPICAL CYCLONES WERE REPORTED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND NO AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL '..AS HOISTED Gi.CE OK JANUARY 30 WHEN WINDS FRESHENED FROM THE NORTH AS A RESULT OF THE INTENSIFICATION OF THE CONTINENTAL ANTICYCLONE OVER NORTH CHINA.
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/A......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1977
4
REPORT ON 1973 CENSUS OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION NOW ON SALE X X KX
THE REPORT ON THE CENSUS OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 1973, CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, CENTRAL.
IN 1974, THE DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT A COMPREHENSIVE CENSUS OF ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN MINING, QUARRYING, MANUFACTURING, AND IN THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY AND GAS IN RESPECT OF THE YEAR 1973.
THE CENSUS WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG AND COLLECTED DATA ANALYSING THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES. STATISTICS OBTAINED FROM THE CENSUS INCLUDE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, MAN-HOURS WORKED AND LABOUR COST, PURCHASES OF MATERIALS AND FUELS, PAYMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL SERVICES, OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES, OUTPUT AND SALES, CHANGES IN STOCKS, VALUE ADDED BY PROCESS OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, AND BOOK VALUES RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION AND CONSUMPTION OF FIXED ASSETS.
+THE CENSUS RESULTS ARE USUALLY A USEFUL SOURCE OF INFORMATION IN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO CONTRIBUTION OF THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR TO OVERALL EMPLOYMENT, OUTPUT AND INCOME OF THE ECONOMY,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID. +INVESTORS, BUSINESSMEN AND RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS WILL FIND THE REPORT A HELPFUL PIECE OF REFERENCE MATERIAL.*
THE PRESENT REPORT WHICH CONTAINS SUMMARIZED STATISTICS IS ON SALE AT $30 A COPY. DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF STATISTICS WILL EE PUBLISHED IN A SECOND REPORT.
- 0 - -
SELECTION AND ALLOCATION FOR POST-FORM III EDUCATION X X X X X
THE SECRETARY OF THE WORKING PARTY ON SELECTION AND ALLOCATION FOR POST-FORM III EDUCATION TODAY REMINDED EDUCATIONAL BODIES, EMPLOYERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS IS FEBRUARY 28, 1977.
THE WORKING PARTY WAS SET UP RECENTLY BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO ADVISE HIM ON THE QUESTION OF SELECTION AND ALLOCATION OF PUPILS FOR POST-FORM III EDUCATION FOLLOWING THE PROVISION OF A SUBSIDIZED FORM I - FORM III PLACE FOR EVERY PRIMARY VI LEAVER AND THE ABOLITION OF THE S.S.E.E. IN 1978. AT ITS FIRST MEETING IN EARLY JANUARY THE WORKING PARTY DECIDED TO INVITE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.
COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY, WORKING PARTY ON SELECTION AND ALLOCATION FOR POST-FORM III EDUCATION, C/0 EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 3RD FLOOR. HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CHIEF SECRETARY OPENS SECOND ASIAN BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS 1
DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES LEAVES FOR AIR SERVICES TALKS IN LONDON .................................... 1
RECORD NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES HANDLED BY PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES ..................................................... 2
NEW DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ................ 2
EXHIBITION OF CREATIVE ART WORK BY STUDENTS ................. 3
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO OPEN STUDENTS’ SEMINAR ............. 3
+YAN YAT+ PARTY FOR 1,600 PEOPLE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES .. 4
APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS INVITED ............ 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
1
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1977 1 -
SECOND ASIAN BADMINTON INVITATION CHAMPIONSHIPS STARTS *****
BADMINTON IS A SPORT WHICH IS GROWING IN POPULARITY AMONG LOCAL PEOPLE AND IT IS A VERY SUITABLE ONE FOR HONG KONG’S CROWDED CONDITIONS, SINCE IT DEMANDS LESS SPACE THAN MOST OTHER GAMES.
THIS WAS STATED TONIGHT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SECOND ASIAN BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS AT MACPHERSON STADIUM.
FOURTEEN TEAMS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE CHAMPIONSHIPS WHICH WILL END ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 26).
IN WELCOMING THE COMPETITORS, SIR DENYS SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME AN INTERNATIONAL BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIP HAD BEEN HELD IN HONG KONG.
+l HOPE THAT THE VERY HIGH STANDARDS OF PLAY, WHICH WE ARE SURE TO SEE DURING THESE CHAMPIONSHIPS, WILL DO MUCH TO STIMULATE INTEREST IN THIS EXCELLENT GAME IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
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HK AT AIR SERVICES TALKS
*****
MR. DAVID T.K. WONG, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES IS LEAVING HONG KONG TONIGHT FOR LONDON TO PARTICIPATE IN NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES.
MR. WONG, TOGETHER WITH MR. B.D. KEEP, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, WILL REPRESENT HONG KONG IN THE U.K. DELEGATION.
MR. KEEP IS ALREADY IN LONDON, HAVING PARTICIPATED IN THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED SERVICES TALKS BETWEEN U.K. AND JAPAN.
/2......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1977
2
RECORD NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES HANDLED BY HAD ******
THE 22 PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR HANDLED A RECORD OF 2,025,072 ENQUIRIES AND CASES.
THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 426,796 ENQUIRIES AND CASES OR 26.7 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE 1975 FIGURE OF 1,598,276.
OF THE TOTAL, ABOUT HALF CONCERNED ENQUIRIES WHILE THE OTHER HALF INVOLVED THE DISTRIBUTION OF FORMS AND BOOKLETS.
AMONG THE FIVE SUBJECTS ON WHICH MOST QUESTIONS WERE ASKED WERE GOVERNMENT JOBS/VACANCIES (48,537), TECHNICAL EDUCATION (33,340), APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING (32,121), LOCATION OF GOVERNMENT OFFICES (31,419) AND SCHOLARSHIPS AND AIDS (31,036).
AS FOR FORMS AND BOOKLETS DISTRIBUTED, THOSE IN DEMAND MOST WERE GOVERNMENT POST APPLICATION FORMS (234,156), TECHNICAL INSTITUTES APPLICATION FORMS (122,491), APPLICATION FORMS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING (65,486), WALK FOR A MILLION SPONSOR FORMS (63,750) AS WELL AS G.C.E. AND A.E.B. FORMS (50,608).
COMMENTING ON THE FIGURES, MRS. DORA TAYLOR, HEAD OF THE INFORMATION SECTION OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT SAID : +THE INCREASING STATISTICS HAVE REFLECTED UPON THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES IN HELPING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF THE VAST NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING IN HONG KONG.+
SHE SAID THAT TO MEET THE GROWING DEMAND OF THE PUBLIC THE DEPARTMENT INTENDED TO SET UP THREE MORE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES IN THE URBAN AREA WITHIN THESE TWO YEARS.
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NEW DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES *******
MR. MORRIS MORGAN TODAY OFFICIALLY TOOK OVER THE POST OF DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
HE REPLACES MR. JOHN CHAMBERS, WHO HELD THE POST FOR NEARLY THREE YEARS AND WHO IS ABOUT TO TAKE OVERSEAS LEAVE.
I
MR. MORGAN, WHO JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN 1961 HAS SERVED IN SENIOR POSTS IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, SOCIAL WELFARE, EDUCATION, CENSUS AND STATISTICS AND COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENTS.
HE HAS SPENT THE LAST FEW WEEKS VISITING THE SEVEN DISTRICTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES FAMILIARISING HIMSELF WITH ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES AND MEETING LOCAL PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS.
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/3
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 197?
- 3 -
EXHIBITION OF PUPILS’ CREATIVE WORK
* * * * *
THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS ARRANGED AN EXHIBITION OF CREATIVE WORK BY HONG KONG SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25).
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, 4TH AND 5TH FLOORS, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, FROM 9 A.M. TO 4.30 P.M. DAILY.
A SELECTION OF ART WORK BY FORM 5/MIDDLE 5 STUDENTS WILL BE OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS PREPARING FOR THIS YEAR’S HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION IN ART.
ALSO ON DISPLAY WILL BE OTHER WORK IN THE FIELDS OF ART, CRAFT AND NEEDLEWORK/DRESS BY BOTH SECONDARY AND PRIMARY STUDENTS. IN ADDITION, A NUMBER OF INTERESTING PAINTINGS BY JAPANESE CHILDREN WILL BE ON SHOW.
HEADS OF SCHOOLS, MEMBERS OF STAFF AND SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE EVENT COVERED. MR. C.L. KWOK, INSPECTOR OF ARTS, WILL BE PRESENT TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
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TOPLEY TO OPEN NINTH SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ SEMINAR
*******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY WILL OPEN THE NINTH HONG KONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ SEMINAR AT MORRISON HOUSE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE THREE-DAY SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY STUDENTS THEMSELVES, WILL BE ATTENDED BY 118 DELEGATES FROM 28 SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
AMONG THE LECTURERS ARE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PRIMARY), MR. LAM TAT-LAU- THE PRINCIPAL CURRICULUM PLANNING OFFICER (SECONDARY), MRS. LOUISE MOK AND THE PRINCIPAL OF THE KOWLOON TECHNICAL SCHOOL, MR. PETER HALLIWELL.
NOTE TO EDITORS :
YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE SEMINAR COVERED. THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 2.15 P.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN MORRISON HOUSE, HATTON ROAD, HONG KONG.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1977
4 -
NEW TWIST TO NEW TERRITORIES YAN YAT PARTY
X X X X X
THE ANNUAL YAN YAT PARTY HOSTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL CELEBRATE ITS 21ST +BIRTHDAY+ IN STYLE — AND IN A DIFFERENT STYLE — ON THURSDAY EVENING (FEBRUARY 24).
IN A BREAK FROM THE TRADITIONAL YAN YAT LUNCHES, MR. AKERS-JONES HAS ARRANGED A 9O-MINUTE PROGRAMME OF CLASSICAL CHINESE MUSIC AND DANCING FOR MORE THAN 1,600 INVITED GUESTS BEFORE THEY SHARE A SEVEN-COURSE SPRING FEAST AT A KOWLOON RESTAURANT.
AND THE ENTERTAINERS ALL COME FROM THE AMATEUR ARTS GROUPS THAT ARE NOW FLOURISHING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MR. AKERS-JONES HAS INVITED PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO THE PARTY, ALONG WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, ARMED SERVICES AND POLICE OFFICERS AND UMELCO MEMBERS
+IN PREVIOUS YEARS, OUR YAN YAT PARTIES WERE LUNCHTIME AFFAIRS,* MR. AKERS-JONES SAID. +THEY WERE ALWAYS ENJOYABLE OCCASIONS, BUT WITH SO MANY GUESTS AND SO LITTLE TIME, WE THOUGHT THAT A DINNER AND ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED BY LOCAL GROUPS WOULD ADD A GREATER NEW TERRITORIES FLAVOUR.
+THERE WILL ALSO BE MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PEOPLE FROM VARIOUS AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TO MEET AND MINGLE.
+BUT JUST AS IMPORTANT, IT WILL GIVE MEMBERS OF THE ENTHUSIASTIC AND HARD-WORKING N.T. CULTURAL GROUPS A CHANCE TO DISPLAY THEIR CONSIDERABLE TALENTS.*
THE ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME -- WHICH STARTS AT 5 P.M. — IS BEING JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE ARTS PROMOTION ORGANISATIONS OF YUEN LONG, TAI PO AND TSUEN WAN.
CHINESE MUSIC AT THE PARTY WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE CHINESE YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT ARTS COMMITTEE WHILE ORIENTAL FOLK DANCES WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE TAI PO SIX DISTRICTS ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
THE TSUEN WAN CULTURAL AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATION ASSOCIATION HAS ARRANGED A PERFORMANCE BY THE TSUEN WAN GIRLS’ CHOIR.
ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENING IS EXPECTED TO BE A RENDITION OF HAKKA FOLKSONGS BY MR. CHAN WAH-HING, A POPULAR HAKKA FOLKSINGER FROM THE TAI PO DISTRICT.
THIS PORTION OF THE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN ARRANGED BY MR. LAU YAM-MAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TAU KOK RURAL COMMITTEE.
+THE ARTS PROMOTION ORGANISATIONS IN YUEN LONG, TAI PO AND TSUEN WAN HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB IN JOINTLY PUTTING TOGETHER THIS PROGRAMME,* MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.
+AS THE NEW TERRITORIES YAN YAT PARTIES STARTED BACK IN 1956, WE THINK THIS IS A FITTING WAY TO CELEBRATE ITS ’COMING OF AGE’.*
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1977
5
SIR ROBERT BLACK TRUST FUND APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND TRAINING GRANTS INVITED ******
APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED BY THE SIR ROBERT BLACK TRUST FUND COMMITTEE FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES OR RESEARCH EITHER LOCALLY OR OVERSEAS AND GRANTS FOR TRAINING PROGRAMMES SUCH AS ATTACHMENTS AND STUDY TOURS, EITHER LOCALLY OR OVERSEAS.
THE AWARDS ARE FOR THE YEAR 1977/78.
THE PRIMARY AIM OF THESE AWARDS IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF EXCEPTIONAL MERIT WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED THEIR POTENTIAL TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE QUALITIES OF PERSONAL LEADERSHIP TO DEVELOP THEIR INITIATIVE AND CHARACTER SO THAT THEY MAY ACQUIRE GREATER SOCIAL USEFULNESS.
+PRIORITY WILL THEREFORE BE GIVEN TO CANDIDATES OF PROVED ABILITY AND EXPERIENCE IN FIELDS WHICH HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON COMMUNITY LIFE SUCH AS JOURNALISM, SOCIAL WORK, EDUCATION, ARTS, TELECOMMUNICATION AND TOURISM,* THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE POINTED OUT.
CANDIDATES SHOULD HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AND THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PROPOSE THEIR OWN PROGRAMMES OF STUDY OR TRAINING.
APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, WITH THE SUPPORT FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOLS OR COLLEGES, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY THE INDIVIDUAL APPLICANT AND APPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING GRANTS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY THE ORGANISATIONS OR FIRMS.
THE AMOUNT OF AWARDS WOULD VARY WITH THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMMES AND MAY OR MAY NOT COVER THEIR RESPECTIVE FULL EXPENSES, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
RECIPIENTS OF AWARDS ARE REQUIRED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG AFTER THE AWARD PERIOD AND TO WORK IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUST FUNDS OFFICE, HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 1OTH FLOOR, 141 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SAME OFFICE NOT LATER THAN APRIL 15.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1977
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE INDEX FOR HONG KONG DOLLAR NOW AVAILABLE ................................................
+BUS ONLY+ LANE IN SOUTHBOUND SECTION OF TIN CHIU STREET TO BE CANCELLED .................................................. 2
SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS TO OPEN NEW GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON FRIDAY ................................. 3
FORMER DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION DIES IN BRITAIN .................. 3
KOWLOON’S ALL-NIGHT BUS SERVICE CANCELLED ..................... 4
CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A TWO-WEEK SURVEY ON LABOUR FORCE ........................................ 4
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION URGES SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TO
WIDEN THEIR EDUCATIONAL HORIZON ............................... 5
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PLACED 40 DISABLED TO WORK LAST
MONTH ......................................................... 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
WEDffiSDAT, FEBBUABY 23, 1977
EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE INDEX ******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE MAKING AVAILABLE EACH DAY FROM TODAY ONWARDS DAILY MOVEMENTS IN THE EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE INDEX FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR.
IN ADDITION, AS FROM THE JANUARY ISSUE, FIGURES FOR THE INDEX WILL ALSO BE PUBLISHED IN THE MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS.
THE INDEX MEASURES THE MOVEMENT OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST AN AVERAGE OF THE CURRENCIES OF 15 OTHER COUNTRIES WEIGHTED ACCORDING TO THE VALUE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE TRADE WITH HONG KONG IN 1972. IT IS BASED ON THE CENTRAL RATES AGREED UPON AT THE SMITHSONIAN AGREEMENT ON DECEMBER 18, 1971.
THE INDEX WAS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL IN THE SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE IN THE MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS FOR APRIL 1976 AND HAS BEEN USED IN GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC REPORTS BUT HAS NOT HITHERTO BEEN MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE.
♦IT IS USEFUL BECAUSE CHANGES IN THE US DOLLAR VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR DO NOT ALWAYS REFLECT CHANGES IN THE OVERALL EXTERNAL PURCHASING POWER OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH SAID.
FOR EXAMPLE, HE ADDED, THE STRENGTH OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST THE US DOLLAR MIGHT BE OFFSET TO A GREATER OR LESSER EXTENT BY A WEAKENING OF US DOLLAR IN TERMS OF OTHER MAJOR CURRENCIES.
+THE INDEX, THEREFORE, MEASURES MORE ADEQUATELY THE TRUE FOREIGN EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR,+ THE SPOKESMAN SA ID.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE GIVES THE EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE INDEXES FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR AND THOSE OF THE PAST FEW YEARS :
EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE INDEX FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR
(DEC. 18, 1971-100)
1973 103.7
1974 105.9
1975 107.4
1976 JAN. 107.6
FEB. 108.3
MAR. 109.4
APR. 110.1
MAY 111.5
JUNE 109.8
JULY 109.6
AUG. 109.7
SEPT. 110.0
OCT. 111.4
NOV. 113.7
DEC. 114.4
/(ABCVF
- 2 - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2J$ 1977
(ABOVE INDEXES REFER TO THE LAST WORKING DAY OF THE PERIOD)
JANUARY 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 ' 31 , 1977 114.5 115.3 114.6 114.6 114.8 114.7 114.6 114.1 11*, 7 114.6 114.4 114.4 114.3 114.5 114.2 114.4 114.7 114.8 115.0 114.9 115.0 115.1 115.3 115.5 115.4 _ _ o FEBRUARY, 1977 1 115.4 2 115.4 3 115.4 4 115.5 5 115.4 6 7 115.5 8 115.4 9 115.2 10 115.2 11 115.0 12 114.8 13 14 114.7 15 114.8 16 114.9 17 114.8 18 19 20 21 22 114.8 i
CANCELLATION OF ’’BUS ONLY” LANE
******
THE TEMPORARY ’BUS ONLY’ LANE IN THE SOUTHBOUND SECTION OF TIN CHIU STREET FROM KING’S ROAD TO TSAT TSE MUI ROAD WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED TO FACILITATE BUS ACCESS DURING THE RE-CONSTRUCTION • OF KAM HONG STREET WILL BE CANCELLED FROM FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25).
THE SECTION OF TIN CHIU STREET BETWEEN KING’S ROAD AND TSAT TSE MUI ROAD WILL BE RESTORED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC.
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/3......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1977
-3 -
OFFICIAL OPENING OF NEW PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ******
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION, MR. DENIS BRAY WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE NEW GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25) AT 4 P.M.
HE WILL MAKE A SHORT SPEECH TO MARK THE OCCASION TO WHICH GUESTS HAVE BEEN INVITED FROM THE BOOK TRADE, HOTELS AND OTHER OUTLETS INVOLVED WITH THE SALE OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS.
THE NEW CENTRE IS SITUATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE NEW POST OFFICE BUILDING IN CONNAUGHT PLACE, ONLY A FEW YARDS AWAY FROM THE FORMER PREMISES IN THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE. IT PROVIDES MODERN BOOKSHOP FACILITIES AND IMPROVED DISPLAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS.
NOTE TO NEWS EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OFFICIAL OPENING AT 4 P.M. ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25).
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DONOHUE DIES AT 66
* * * * *
NEWS HAS BEEN RECEIVED IN HONG KONG OF THE DEATH OF MR. DONOHUE, A FORMER DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.
PETER
HE WAS 66 WHEN HE PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY IN DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN.
ON NOVEMBER 25, 1976,
MR. DONOHUE RETIRED IN 1964 AFTER 15 YEARS SERVICE IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
HE CAME TO HONG KONG FROM TRINIDAD, WEST INDIES, IN MAY 1949 TO TAKE UP THE APPOINTMENT OF MASTER IN KING GEORGE V SCHOOL. HE ACTED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS AS SENIOR INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER IN APRIL 1952. THREE AND A HALF YEARS LATER HE WAS APPOINTED ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.
MR. DONOHUE BECAME DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN DECEMBER 1959 AND DIRECTOR IN APRIL 1961. HE RETIRED ON GROUNDS OF ILL HEALTH IN DECEMBER, 1964.
MR. DONOHUE’S PASSING WILL BE REGRETTED BY HIS MANY FRIENDS IN EDUCATIONAL CIRCLES WHERE HE WAS KNOWN AS A HARD WORKING AND CONSCIENTIOUS ADMINISTRATOR, WHO DID MUCH TO ORGANISE AND DIRECT THE EXPANSION OF PRIMARY EDUCATION AND IN PARTICULAR TO LAY THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1977
- 4 -
KOWLOON’S ALL-NIGHT BUS SERVICE CANCELLED ******
KOWLOON'S ALL-NIGHT BUS SERVICE HAS BEEN CANCELLED BECAUSE OF LACK OF PASSENGERS.
THE LAST SUCH SERVICE WAS OPERATED EARLY THIS MORNING.
KMB ROUTE NO. 2B WAS INTRODUCED ON DECEMBER 17 ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS FOR THREE MONTHS OPERATING BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD FERRY AND KOWLOON CITY FERRY VIA TSIM SHA TSUI, HUNG HOM AND TO KWA WAN EVERY 15 MINUTES BETWEEN 12.45 A.M. AND 5.15 A.M. AT A 50—CENT FARE.
I
ON AVERAGE, THE SERVICE CARRIED ONLY 100 PASSENGERS PER NIGHT OR SIX PER JOURNEY.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT WAS HOPED THAT THE SERVICE WOULD CATER FOR NIGHT WORKERS IN THE BUSY RESTAURANT AREAS OF NATHAN ROAD AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
♦APPARENTLY THE SERVICE HAS NOT PROVED POPULAR SO WE HAVE NOW DECIDED TO CANCEL THE SERVICE,* HE ADDED. t*"
LABOUR FORCE SURVEY
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A LABOUR FORCE SURVEY DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF NEXT MONTH.
THE AIM OF THE SURVEY IS TO UPDATE INFORMATION ON THE ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION COLLECTED FROM A BY-CENSUS CONDUCTED IN AUGUST LAST YEAR.
THE SURVEY WILL BE TAKEN ON A SAMPLE BASIS COVERING ABOUT 16,000 HOUSEHOLDS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG. PRIOR TO THE FIELD ENUMERATION, AN OFFICIAL LETTER, IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, WILL BE SENT TO THE SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY.
ENUMERATORS WILL VISIT THESE HOUSEHOLDS BETWEEN MARCH 1 AND 14. EACH ENUMERATOR WILL BEAR AN OFFICIAL IDENTITY CARD WITH HIS PHOTOGRAPH ON IT FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES.
QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDE AGE AND SEX OF INDIVIDUALS, THEIR EMPLOYMENT CHARACTERISTICS. OCCUPATION AND EARNINGS, H6URS OF WORK AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT. ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1977
- 5 - ' ' '
SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS URGED TO DISCUSS TOPICAL PROBLEMS
******
TIME MUST BE FOUND BY SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR AN INTELLIGENT DISCUSSION OF TOPICAL PROBLEMS SO THAT STUDENTS CAN BE MADE TO REALISE THEIR SIGNIFICANCE, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TDPLEY, SAID THIS AFTERNOON.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NINTH HONG KONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS* SEMINAR AT MORRISON HOUSE.
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN DELEGATES FROM 28 SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE ATTENDING THE THREE-DAY SEMINAR, THE ORGANISERS OF WHICH ARE ALL STUDENTS.
MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS SHOULD TRY THEIR BEST TO WIDEN THEIR EDUCATIONAL HORIZON.
♦FOR EXAMPLE,♦ HE SAID, +IT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT THAT STUDENTS WHO SPECIALISE IN MATHEMATICS AND THE SCIENCES SHALL BE PREVENTED FROM LEAVING SCHOOL LEARNED IN THEIR OWN LITTLE COMPARTMENT BUT IGNORANT AND UNEDUCATED IN ALL MATTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST AND CULTURE WHICH ARE REGARDED AS ELEMENTS OF CITIZENSHIP.♦
♦MORE SERIOUS EVEN THAN AN ABSENCE OF KNOWLEDGE OF MATTERS CONCERNING CITIZENSHIP IS AN ALL TOO FREQUENT LACK OF INTEREST,* HE EMPHASISED.
♦ONE CAN EASILY UNDERSTAND HOW SOME STUDENTS, DEVELOPING QUICKLY MENTALLY, BECOME SO ENTHRALLED BY THEIR EXPANDING . KNOWLEDGE OF AND INTEREST IN, SAY, THE SCIENCES THAT THEY HAVE LITTLE TIME OR ENERGY LEFT FOR OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THEIR EDUCATION.*
MR. TOPLEY COMPLIMENTED THE SEMINAR ORGANISERS FOR HAVING GREAT FORETHOUGHT IN CHOOSING A VERY EXCITING THEME - +WHAT KIND OF EDUCATION DO I WANT?*
THE DIRECTOR SAID HE DID NOT INTEND TO INFLUENCE THE DELEGATES’ THINKING ON THE THEME, WHICH INDEED OFFERED WIDE SCOPE FOR DISCUSSION.
♦YOU SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO AIR YOUR VIEWS FREELY ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT I SHALL BE INTERESTED IN THEM WHEN THEY ARE CRYSTALLIZED IN YOUR REPORT,♦ HE SAID.
THE REPORT ON THE LAST SEMINAR HELD ABOUT A YEAR AGO WAS DESCRIBED BY THE DIRECTOR AS ♦ADMIRABLY BRIEF, THOUGHTFUL AND TO THE POINT.+
/BUT......
WEDNESDAY, FEBHUABY 2J, 1977
6
BUT MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT WHATEVER KIND OF EDUCATION *YOU WANT OR HAVE HAD, THE FULLY EDUCATED PERSON IS ONE WHO ISi
* ENLIGHTENED IN HIS INTERESTS
* OBJECTIVE IN HIS JUDGEMENTS
* READY IN HIS SYMPATHY FOR WHATEVER IS JUST AND RIGHT
* EFFECTIVE IN THE WORK HE SETS HIMSELF TO DO
* AND WILLING TO LEND A HAND TO ANYONE WHO IS IN NEED OF IT.
THE DIRECTOR ALSO SPOKE ABOUT SOME OF THE BROAD AIMS OF EDUCATION AND HOW SUCH AIMS COULD BE ACHIEVED.
THESE INCLUDED A DEGREE OF EMPHASIS ON STUDENT-CENTRED EDUCATION, A BROAD-BASED CURRICULUM AND THE PROMOTION OF A GOOD VARIETY OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AS A MEANS OF BRINGING ABOUT ALL-ROUND DEVELOPMENT.
------- 0 - - - -
40 DISABLED PLACED TO WORK IN JANUARY *****
FORTY DISABLED PEOPLE WERE PLACED TO WORK BY THE JOB PLACEMENT UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT LAST MONTH.
AMONG THE DISABLED EMPLOYED, 19 WERE CRIPPLED, FIVE BLIND, SEVEN DEAF, FOUR MENTALLY RETARDED, FOUR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS AND ONE FORMER T.B. PATIENT.
THIRTEEN OF THEM WERE EMPLOYED AS ASSEMBLERS IN ELECTRONIC FACTORIES AND THE OTHERS WERE ENGAGED IN A WIDE RANGE OF TRADES SUCH AS MACHINE OPERATORS, MACHINE-SEWING WORKERS AND PACKERS.
WITH REGARD TO THEIR SALARY, 17 WERE EMPLOYED ON DAILY RATE RANGING FROM $17 TO $25, WHILE TWO WERE PAID ON PIECE-RATE BASIS. THE SALARY OF THE OTHERS AVERAGED $550 A MONTH.
- - - - 0 ----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1977.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS SENDS MESSAGE OF GOOD WISHES TO HONG KONG ........... 1
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES HIGHER LAST MONTH ............ 1
IN-SERVICE COURSES OFFERED BY COLLEGES OF EDUCATION . 2
JANUARY TEXTILE QUOTA UTILISATION POSITION RELEASED . 3
wATER INTERRUPTION IN KOWLOON TONG .................. 4
WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO HOLD FUN FAIR FOR STAFF CHILDREN ..............
.............................. J
CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS URBAN COUNCIL AMENITY SITES .. 6
NEW-APPROACH TRAINING COURSE ORGANISED FOR YOUTH LEADERS . 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1977
1
GOVERNOR RECEIVES MESSAGE FROM
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
*****
HE THE GOVERNOR HAS RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS: -
+ON TAKING OFFICE AS HER MAJESTY’S PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, I SEND MY GOOD WISHES TO YOU AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
+l WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE PROTECTION OF THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG AND ITS PEOPLE. I HOPE DURING MY PERIOD OF OFFICE THAT I SHALL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT YOU.+
REPLYING TO THIS MESSAGE, HE THE GOVERNOR SAID:
+l AM MOST GRATEFUL FOR THIS MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THEIR GOVERNMENT.
+l WISH YOU A SUCCESSFUL AND HAPPY TENURE OF OFFICE.+
- 0 - -
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR JANUARY * * * *
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) FOR JANUARY 1977 WAS 115, THREE POINTS HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS ROSE BY FOUR POINTS. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH WATER FISH, PORK AND FRESH VEGETABLES ADVANCED.
INCREASES OF ONE POINT EACH WERE RECORDED IN THE INDEXES FOR DURABLE GOODS AND MISCELLANEOUS GOODS OWING TO HIGHER PRICES FOR WOODEN FURNITURE AND CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES.
MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR THE OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS AND SERVICES WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR JANUARY 1977 WAS 115, TWO POINTS HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS ROSE BY FOUR POINTS. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH WATER FISH, PORK AND FRESH VEGETABLES ADVANCED.
INCREASES OF ONE POINT EACH WERE RECORDED IN THE INDEXES FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR, DURABLE GOODS AND MISCELLANEOUS GOODS AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES FOR SOME ITEMS OF WOMEN’S OUTERCLOTHING, WOODEN FURNITURE AND CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES.
ON ACCOUNT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR DOMESTIC HELP AND HAIRDRESSING, THE INDEX FOR SERVICES ROSE BY ONE POINT. MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR THE OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
- 0 -
2
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1977
IN-SERVICE COURSES OF TRAINING FOR FULL-TIME TEACHERS ******
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ARE OFFERING COURSES OF TRAINING FOR IN-SERVICE TEACHERS EMPLOYED FULL-TIME IN GOVERNMENT-AIDED OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHO WISH TO BECOME QUALIFIED TEACHERS.
THE COURSES, WHICH ARE FREE OF CHARGE, CONSIST OF LECTURES, TUTORIALS, DEMONSTRATION LESSONS, ASSIGNMENTS AND SUPERVISION OF TEACHING OVER THE TWO ACADEMIC YEARS 1977 TO 1979.
CERTIFICATES ACCORDING +QUALIFIED TEACHER+ STATUS ARE AWARDED TO THOSE WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE COURSE.
FULL DETAILS OF THE COURSES ARE CONTAINED IN A GENERAL SCHOOLS CIRCULAR ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TODAY.
THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF COURSE - ONE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THE OTHER TWO FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS. THE PRIMARY COURSE IS CONDUCTED IN CHINESE EXCEPT FOR THE ELECTIVE SUBJECT: ENGLISH. THE SECONDARY COURSES ARE CONDUCTED EITHER IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH, DEPENDING ON WHICH LANGUAGE THE TEACHERS USE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION.
EACH OF THE THREE COURSES IS DIVIDED INTO TWO CLASSES, AN EVENING CLASS AND A DAY-RELEASE CLASS. APPLICANTS THUS HAVE A CHOICE OF ATTENDING EITHER FOR THREE EVENINGS A WEEK OR FOR ONE DAY A WEEK FOR THE DURATION OF THE COURSE. THIS ARRANGEMENT, WHICH HAS HITHERTO BEEN AVAILABLE ONLY FOR THE PRIMARY COURSE, WILL GIVE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS AND THEIR SPONSORING SCHOOLS MUCH GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN ARRANGING ATTENDANCE AT THE COURSES.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS FOR ALL COURSES MUST HAVE HAD AT LEAST TWO YEARS APPROVED TEACHING EXPERIENCE.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR ALL COURSES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. APPLICATION FORMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG (SECONDARY ENGLISH COURSE ONLY), GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, HUNG HOM ANNEXE, 19 HOK YUEN STREET, KOWLOON (PRIMARY COURSE ONLY) AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, PIPER’S HILL, KOWLOON (SECONDARY CHINESE COURSE ONLY).
ALL COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE SENT TO THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TO WHICH ADMISSION IS SOUGHT, BY NOON ON SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1977.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 34, 1977
- 3 -
TEXTILE QUOTA UTILISATION POSITION ******
THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TODAY PUBLISHED THE END OF JANUARY 1977 FIGURES ON THE UTILISATION OF QUOTA IN RESPECT OF ALL RESTRAINED MARKETS.
COMMENTING ON THE FIGURES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAID THAT FREE QUOTAS FOR CERTAIN CATEGORIES AND MARKETS WERE STILL AVAILABLE ON APPLICATION AND INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE QUOTA POSITION OF THE UNITED STATES AND EEC, HONG KONG’S TWO MAJOR TEXTILE MARKETS.
USA
IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THE TEXTILE RESTRAINT PERIOD WHICH BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 1976, TOTAL QUOTAS USED AMOUNTED TO 221.45 MILLION EQUIVALENT SQ. YDS. OR 23.48 PER CENT OF THE OVERALL RESTRAINT LIMIT. FIGURES SHOWING THE QUANTITIES LICENSED FOR EXPORT AND PERCENTAGE UTILISATION ON A GROUP BASIS ARE SET OUT BELOW :
GROUP DESCRIPTION
I YARNS AND FABRICS OF COTTON AND MAN-MADE FIBRES
I I APPAREL OF COTTON
AND MAN-MADE FIBRES
III MADE-UPS AND MISCELLANEOUS
ARTICLES OF COTTON AND MAN-MADE FIBRES
IV WOOL TEXTILES AND APPAREL
QUANTITY LICENSED (IN MILL ION EQUIVALENT SQ. YDS.) PERCENTAGE UTILISATION AGAINST GROUP LIMITS
44.97 1 17.45
159.21 27.20
12.68 21.80
4.58 10.90
OF THE CATEGORIES SUBJECT TO SPECIFIC LIMIT IN THE HONG KONG/US TEXTILE AGREEMENT, THE RATE OF UTILISATION IN SEVEN OUT OF 21 CATEGORIES COULD BE DESCRIBED AS RELATIVELY HIGH. THESE SEVEN CATEGORIES WERE CATEGORY 41/42/43/62(2) (COTTON KNIT T-SHIRTS, OTHER KNIT SHIRTS AND BLOUSES, EXCEPT SWEAT-SHIRTS), CATEGORY 48 (COTTON RAINCOATS, 3/4 LENGTH OR LONGER, NOT KNIT), CATEGORY 49/63(2) (COTTON COATS AND JACKETS, OTHER THAN RAINCOATS OF 3/4 LENGTH OR LONGER, NOT KNIT), CATEGORY 50/51 (COTTON TROUSERS, SLACKS AND SHORTS, NOT KNIT), CATEGORY 54/63(1) (COTTON PLAYSUITS, SUNSUITS, WASHSUITS, CREEPERS, ROMPERS, ETC. AND ENTIRETIES, NOT KNIT), CATEGORY 229 (MMF COATS, NOT KNIT) AND CATEGORY 237 (MMF SUITS, NOT KNIT).
/EEC......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1977
4
EEC
THE CURRENT 12-MONTH RESTRAINT PERIOD BEGAN ON JANUARY 1, 1977.
QUOTA UTILISATION POSITIONS ON MEMBER STATE BASIS FOR THE FIRST MONTH ENDING JANUARY 31, 1977 ARE GIVEN BELOW :
MEMBER STATE QUANTITY LICENSED ( IN MILLION EQUIVALENT KGS.) PERCENTAGE UTILISATION
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY 3.03 7.4
UNITED KINGDOM 3.33 4.8
BENELUX 0.47 5.0
DENMARK 0.22 6.6
ITALY 0.14 2.7
FRANCE 0.03 1.1
IRISH REPUBLIC 0.001 0.1
OUT OF A TOTAL OF 109 CATEGORIES ON MEMBER STATE/CATEGORY BASIS, THE RATE OF UTILISATION IN THREE OF THEM WAS RELATIVELY HIGH. THE POPULAR CATEGORIES INCLUDED CATEGORY 3 (KNIT SHIRTS AND BLOUSES), CATEGORY 8 (WOVEN TROUSERS) AND CATEGORY 11 (WOVEN BLOUSES, WOMEN’S, GIRLS’ AND INFANTS’).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THE RELEVANT NOTICES TO EXPORTERS WHICH GIVE DETAILED FIGURES OF UTILISATION OF QUOTAS FOR EACH RESTRAINED MARKET ON A CATEGORY BY CATEGORY BASIS ARE BOXED IN GIS PRESS BOXES.
------o-------
WATER CUT * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 26) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, BEACON HILL ROAD, EDE ROAD AND BROADCAST DRIVE, INCLUDING EASTBOURNE ROAD, RHONDDA ROAD, ALNWICK ROAD, MARCONI ROAD, FESSENDEN ROAD AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICER’S HOUSING SCHEMES.
0 -------
/5
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1977
- 5 -
P.W.D. TO ENTERTAIN 2,400 CHILDREN
*****
THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES WILL REACH A CLIMAX FOR SOME 2,400 CHILDREN THIS SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 27) WHEN THEY WILL BE TREATED TO A DAY OF FUN AND GAMES BY THE P.W.D.’S WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
THE FUN FAIR, AN ANNUAL AFFAIR ORGANISED FOR CHILDREN OF WATERWORKS STAFF, WILL BE HELD AT THE KOWLOON WAH YAN COLLEGE BETWEEN 12.30 P.M. AND 4.00 P.M.
A LAVISH PROGRAMME OF ENTERTAINMENT HAS BEEN PREPARED, FEATURING SONGS AND DANCES, PUPPET AND MAGIC SHOWS, BAND DRILLS, PARADES AND AN ARRAY OF COLOURFUL GAMES STALLS.
AMONG THOSE PARTICIPATING WILL BE THE ST. BONAVENTURE A-C PRIMARY SCHOOL BAND, THE MONGKOK CHILDREN’S CHOIR, THE WINNERS OF THE SCHOOL DANCE COMPETITION AND R.T.V. CELEBRITIES.
A SPECIAL ATTRACTION THIS YEAR WILL BE A FUN TRAIN +CANNON BALL EMPRESS+ WHICH WILL TAKE CHILDREN ON TOURS ROUND THE FAIR.
FIFTEEN GAMES STALLS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY VARIOUS DIVISIONS OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND TROPHIES WILL BE AWARDED FOR THE BEST STALLS BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR.
WILLIAM TUCKER.
ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WILL BE A RAFFLE DRAW AND THE WINNING NUMBERS WILL BE DRAWN BY MRS. TUCKER.
DURING THE EVENT, MR. TUCKER WILL PRESENT GOLD MEDAL AWARDS TO THE THREE WATERWORKS OFFICERS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE DURING THE LAST YEAR.
THEY ARE : MR. NG TAT-MAU, AN ARTISAN WITH THE ELECTRICAL DIVISION OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT- MR. KWONG SHEK-TONG, A FOREMAN OF THE MECHANICAL DIVISION- AND MRS. CHUNG YIP-YUNG, A LABOURER WITH SECRETARIAT DIVISION.
THEY WILL BE PRESENTED WITH KIRKWOOD AWARDS WHICH WAS STARTED IN 1967 WITH DONATIONS FROM TEXTILE AND ENGINEERING FIRMS IN MEMORY OF A FORMER WATERWORKS ENGINEER.
THESE AWARDS ARE GIVEN ANNUALLY TO STAFF OF THE RANK OF FOREMAN I I I OR BELOW WHO HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES BY THEIR GENERAL CAPABILITIES AND ATTENTION TO DUTIES OR BY THEIR NOTEWORTHY CONDUCT OR PERFORMANCE OF DUTY IN A PARTICULAR INSTANCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE KIRKWOOD AWARD PRESENTATIONS OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR CHILDREN’S PARTY AT WAH YAN COLLEGE, KOWLOON. THE PARTY WILL START AT 12.30 P.M. THE AWARD PRESENTATIONS BY MR. TUCKER WILL TAKE PLACE AT ABOUT 1.30 P.M. MR. MOK MAN-TAT, WATERWORKS WELFARE OFFICER, WILL BE PLEASED TO RECEIVE AND ASSIST MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AT THE FUNCTION.
------0 - —____________________/6.....
IHUKSDAT, FtDKUAKT IV I I - 6 -
SIR DENYS SEES USD IN ACTION
******
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, TODAY HAD A CLOSE ON-THE-SPOT LOOK AT THE WORK OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN A TOUR OF URBAN COUNCIL SITES AND AMENITIES ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON.'
SIR DENYS, WHO WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR. BRIAN WILSON, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR (OPERATIONS) MR REI OBLI TAS, BEGAN HIS INTENSIVE AFTERNOON’S TOUR IN WAN CHAI AT THE BUSY O’BRIEN ROAD REFUSE COLLECTION POINT.
HE WENT ON TO VISIT THE MORRISON HILL SWIMMING POOL AND THEN TUNG LO WAN GARDEN, THE VERY POPULAR CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND ADJOINING VICTORIA PARK RECENTLY BUILT BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.
SIR DENYS ALSO HAD A LOOK AT VARIOUS KINDS OF URBAN COUNCIL VEHICLES AT WHITFIELD DEPOT. THEIR USES WERE EXPLAINED TO HIM BY MR. MA IU-KI, USD’S ASSISTANT STAFF OFFICER FOR TRANSPORT.
AT KOWLOON PARK HE WAS TOLD ABOUT PLANS FOR DEVELOPING THESE GROUNDS AND ALSO VISITED THE WORKSHOPS OF THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY, WHICH ARE LOCATED IN THE PARK.
OTHER PLACES VISITED IN KOWLOON INCLUDED YAU MA TEI MARKET AND PUBLIC LIBRARY, MONG KOK NEW MARKET AND THE MORSE PARK INDOOR GAMES HALL WHICH OPENED LAST YEAR.
-----0------
LABORATORY TRAINING COURSE FOR YOUTH LEADERS
******
FORTY YOUTH LEADERS WILL ATTEND A LABORATORY TRAINING COURSE TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH. THE LABORATORY METHOD IS A NEW APPROACH IN WHICH PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN THROUGH EXPERIMENTING IN A SECURE ENVIRONMENT.
ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH WORK UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE TRAINING COURSE IS TO HELP POTENTIAL YOUTH LEADERS DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE IN HUMAN RELATIONS AND THEIR SENSITIVITY TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE COURSE, LASTING 15 DAYS, WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 20. IT WILL START WITH A DAY CAMP AT THE WESLEY VILLAGE COMMUNITY CENTRE TO BE FOLLOWED BY THREE LECTURES HELD AT THE LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE. THE COURSE WILL END WITH AN OVERNIGHT CAMP AT THE MORRISON HOUSE AT HATTAN ROAD.
THE COURSE IS OPEN TO ALL YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 25 WHO HAVE COMPLETED AT LEAST FORM V LEVEL.
AS THE COURSE IS LIMITED TO 40 PARTICIPANTS, ENROLMENT WILL BE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE YOUTH WORK UNIT, TOP FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 405, NATHAN ROAD. THE CHARGE IS $15 A PERSON.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT IN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 11.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
13 POLLING STATIONS OPEN ON URBCO ELECTION ON MARCH 3 ... 1
SHA STRESSES SIGNIFICANT ROLE OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ...................................................... 4
LESS RAINFALL FORECAST FOR THIS YEAR ........................ 5
PWD SPORTS DAY ATTRACTS 500 ENTRIES ......................... 6
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS NEAR QUEEN’S ROAD EAST ... 6
BUS SERVICES FOR SHA TAU KOK/SHEUNG SHUI AREA TO BE IMPROVED .................................................... 7
GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO HOLD PARTY FOR STAFF CHILDREN .................................................... 8
FIRING PRACTICE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE ....................... 9
COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE PART V EFFECTIVE FROM MARCH 1 .......................................................... 10
APPLICATIONS FOR FULL-TIME TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COURSE INVITED .................................................... 11
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1977
THURSDAY IS URBCC ELECTION DAY
******
THE RETURNING OFFICER OF THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION, MR. ALLAN LEUNG, TODAY URGED ELIGIBLE VOTERS TO TURN OUT IN FORCE AT THE 13 POLLING STATIONS ON ELECTION DAY (MARCH 3).
POLL CARDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENT TO MORE THAN 37,000 REGISTERED ELECTORS INDICATING AT WHICH POLLING STATION THEY SHOULD CAST THEIR VOTES.
MR. LEUNG REMINDED ELECTORS TO BRING THEIR POLL CARDS WITH THEM TOGETHER WITH A MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION SUCH AS AN IDENTITY CARD OR A DRIVING LICENCE.
THIS YEAR, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES ON THE COUNCIL IS SIX - THEREFORE ELECTORS CANNOT VOTE FOR MORE THAN SIX CANDIDATES. THEY CAN VOTE FOR LESS, BUT A BALLOT PAPER WITH MORE THAN SIX VOTES WILL BE INVALID, MR. LEUNG SAID.
POLLING STATIONS WILL BE OPEN CONTINUOUSLY FROM 8 A.M. TO 8 P.M.
ELECTORS ARE ASKED TO REMEMBER THAT THEY SHOULD NOT SPEAK TO ANY OTHER ELECTORS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF ANY POLLING STATION. THEY ARE ALSO FORBIDDEN TO TAKE ANY BALLOT PAPER, WHETHER MARKED OR UNMARKED, OUT OF THE POLLING STATION. THEY SHOULD DEPOSIT IN THE BALLOT BOX NO OTHER PAPER THAN THE BALLOT PAPER GIVEN THEM BY THE POLL CLERK.
MR.
BE THERE
LEUNG ADDED THAT THE STAFF AT THE 13 STATIONS WILL TO HELP ELECTORS SHOULD THEY ENCOUNTER ANY PROBLEMS.
THE POLLING STATIONS ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE AT : KING’S COLLEGE HALL, 63A, BONHAM ROAD- THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL- THE HENNESSY ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 169 THOMSON ROAD- AND THE NORTH POINT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 888 KING’S ROAD.
IN KOWLOON THE STATIONS WILL BE AT : THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, ALONGSIDE THE EAST WING OF THE STAR FERRY TERMINAL-THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL, 152 SAI YEE STREET- THE KOWLOON TECHNICAL SCHOOL, 332 CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD- THE PERTH STREET GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 6 PERTH STREET-THE SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 17 TSEUK LUK STREET-AND THE KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 240 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THE POLLING STATIONS WILL BE LOCATED AT : THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, HOI PA STREET, TSUEN WAN- THE HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL, KAU YUK ROAD, YUEN LONG- AND THE WONG SHIU CHI MIDDLE SCHOOL, TAI PO ROAD, TAI PO.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1977
- 2
THE TEN CANDIDATES NOMINATED FOR THE ELECTION ARE MR. BROOK BERNACCHI, MR. FRANCIS CHA INE, MR. PETER C.K. CHAN, MR. AMBROSE K.C. CHOI, MR. EDMUND W.H. CHOW, MR. HENRY H.L. HU MR. TANG MAN-SIT, MR. TSIN SAI-NIN, MR. TUET WAI-SIN AND MR. YU SAK-KWONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS WHO WISH TO VISIT ANY OF THE 13 POLLING STATIONS OR TO BE PRESENT AT THE COUNTING OF THE VOTES ON MARCH 3 (THURSDAY), URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION DAY, MUST COMPLETE FORM 20 - DECLARATION OF SECRECY - BEFORE A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, A PRESIDING OFFICER OR THE RETURNING OFF ICER.
THEY SHOULD HAVE THE FORMS WITH THEM WHEN THEY CALL AT ANY OF THE POLLING STATIONS.
COPIES OF THESE FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE PRESS ROOM, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF REPRESENTATIVES NOMINATED BY YOU TO COVER THE ELECTION, THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MR. RICHARD LAI, JP, WILL BE PLEASED TO ADMINISTER THE DECLARATION BETWEEN 3 P.M. AND 4 P.M. ON MARCH 1 (TUESDAY). THE RETURNING OFFICER, MR. ALLAN LEUNG, WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE DURING OFFICE HOURS FROM MONDAY (FEBRUARY 28). NOMINEES ARE ADVISED TO RING HIM ON H-95485 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. ALTERNATIVELY THIS DECLARATION CAN BE ADMINISTERED BY ANY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
TO MAKE RECOGNITION EASIER FOR STAFF AT THE POLLING STATIONS, SPECIAL LAPEL BADGES HAVE BEEN PREPARED. THESE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ON MARCH 1 FROM G. I.S., 6/FL., BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HOWEVER, THE COMPLETED DECLARATION FORM MUST BE PRODUCED FOR ADMISSION.
THE ATTENTION OF PRESS REPRESENTATIVES IS DRAWN TO REGULATION 29 OF THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS (PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS UNDER WHICH IT IS AN OFFENCE INTER ALIA TO SPEAK TO ANY ELECTOR OR TAKE ANY PHOTOGRAPH WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF ANY POLLING STATION.
/+ REGULATION .....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1977
- 3 -
REGULATION 29 STATES
29 (1) ANY PERSON OTHER THAN -
(A) THE RETURNING OFFICER OR AN ASSISTANT RETURNING OFFICER -
(B) THE PRESIDING OFFICER OR AN ASSISTANT PRESIDING OFFICER -
(C) MEMBERS OF THE STAFF OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER -
(D) POLICE ON DUTY AT ANY POLLING STATION -
(E) A COMPANION OF A BLIND VOTER ACTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION 36,
WHO SPEAKS TO ANY ELECTOR WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF ANY POLLING STATION SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND SHALL BE LIABLE ON CONVICTION THEREFORE TO A FINE OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
(2) ANY PERSON WHO -
(A) TAKES ANY PHOTOGRAPHS -
(B) CANVASSES - OR
(C) DISPLAYS ANY POSTER,
WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF ANY POLLING STATION SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND SHALL BE LIABLE ON CONVICTION THEREFORE TO A FINE OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
(3) ANY ELECTOR WHO -
(A) TAKES ANY BALLOT PAPER, WHETHER MARKED OR UNMARKED, OUT OF THE POLLING STATION - OR
(B) DEPOSITS IN THE BALLOT BOX ANY PAPER OTHER THAN THE BALLOT PAPER GIVEN TO HIM BY THE POLL CLERK,
SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND SHALL EE LIABLE ON CONVICTION THEREFORE TO A FINE OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
- - - - 0 ----
A......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1977
SHA OPENS GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE * * * * *
THE OPENING OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IS A SIGNIFICANT EVENT FOR THE PROCESS OF OPEN GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, THE SECHETASY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS BRAY, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE CENTRE WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE NEW GENERAL POST OFFICE, HE SAID: +NEWSPAPERS HAVE A USEFUL PART TO PLAY BUT THEY ARE PRESSED FOR SPACE AND CAN NEVER DEAL FULLY WITH ANY ASPECT OF ADMINISTRATION.+
MR. BRAY SAID AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN PRODUCING POLICIES WHICH COMMANDED PUBLIC SUPPORT WAS THE WILLINGNESS OF THE PUBLIC TO PUT IN TIME ON READING.
+THE OBJECT OF THIS FINE NEW BOOKSHOP IS TO TEMPT YOU IN — TO OFFER OUR THOUGHTS, PROBLEMS, CONCLUSIONS AND REPORTS,+ HE EMPHASISED.
HE ADDED: +IF IT LEADS TO A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF GOVERNMENT OR IF IT LEADS TO MORE PURPOSEFUL CRITICISM OF WHAT WE ARE DOING OR ARE FAILING TO DO IT WILL HAVE MADE A USEFUL CONTRIBUTION TO OPEN GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.+
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF MR. BRAY’S SPEECH:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
+THE OPENING OF THIS CENTRE IS A SIGNIFICANT EVENT FOR THE PROCESS OF OPEN GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG. OPEN GOVERNMENT DOES NOT MEAN EASY GOVERNMENT.
+NEWSPAPERS HAVE A USEFUL PART TO PLAY BUT THEY ARE PRESSED FOR SPACE AND CAN NEVER DEAL FULLY WTITH ANY ASPECT OF ADMINISTRATION. NOBODY WOULD EXPECT YOU TO BE ABLE TO RUN A BUSINESS ON THE BASIS OF READING NEWSPAPER REPORT OF ITS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING YET IT IS ASTONISHING HOW MANY PEOPLE APPEAR TO BE OFFERING THEMSELVES TO RUN A GOVERNMENT ON THE BASIS OF A NEWSPAPER REPORT OF A SPEECH.
+GOVERNMENT POLICIES CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD BY CASUAL READING. A GREAT MANY INTELLIGENT AND INDUSTRIOUS PEOPLE SPEND A GOOD DEAL OF TIME THINKING, ARGUING AND WRITING BEFORE WE PRODUCE ANYTHING THAT COULD CLAIM TO BE A POLICY. THE OUTPUT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY. THERE IS NO CHILD’S GUIDE TO HAPPINESS FOR ALL. COMPETING CLAIMS HAVE TO BE BALANCED AND THERE IS OFTEN NO PUBLIC CONSENSUS ON WHAT IS DESIRABLE.
♦AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN PRODUCING POLICIES WHICH COMMAND PUBLIC SUPPORT IS THE WILLINGNESS OF THE PUBLIC TO PUT IN TIME ON READING.
/+ THE OBJECT .....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1977
5
+THE OBJECT OF THIS FINE NEW BOOKSHOP IS TO TEMPT YOU IN - TO OFFER OUR THOUGHTS, PROBLEMS, CONCLUSIONS AND REPORTS. DAILY ATTENDANCE IN THE SHOP IS 25 PER CENT UP ON THE OLD ONE, SALES ARE UP 15 PER CENT. THIS IS JUST A BEGINNING.
+YOU HAVE READ ABOUT THE DEBATE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE REHABILITATION GREEN PAPER. HAVE YOU READ THE GREEN PAPER ITSELF? YOU CAN GET IT HERE. YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS IN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET. IT TOO WILL BE AVAILABLE BUT NOT BEFORE BUDGET DAY.
+THERE ARE 3,000 TITLES HERE AND EVEN HERE AT THE CENTRE OF OUR MARKETING EFFORT ON GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS WE ALSO SELL BOOKS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT HONG KONG. THERE ARE PUBLICATIONS BY INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN AGENCIES AND, OF COURSE, OUR OWN URBAN COUNCIL. A FREE GUIDE TO GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS IS AVAILABLE.
+ HONG KONG HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROUD OF THE FREEDOM WITH WHICH NEWSPAPERS AND BOOKS CAN BE PUBLISHED AND SOLD. THERE ARE FEW OTHER PLACES IN ASIA THAT CAN MAKE THE SAME CLAIM.
+ITS GOVERNMENT GOES TO GREAT PAINS TO RECORD ITS WORKINGS FOR EVERYONE TO SEE.
+WE WANT YOU TO READ AND I HOPE THIS FINE BOOKSHOP WILL TEMPT YOU.
+ IF IT LEADS TO A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF GOVERNMENT OR IF IT LEADS TO MORE PURPOSEFUL CRITICISM OF WHAT WE ARE DOING OR ARE FAILING TO DO IT WILL HAVE MADE A USEFUL CONTRIBUTION TO OPEN GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.+
-----o------
LESS RAINFALL THIS YEAR *****
THE COMING RAINY SEASON WILL BE DRIER THAN LAST YEAR’S, ACCORDING TO A PRELIMINARY FORECAST ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY.
RAINFALL FOR THE PERIOD BETWEEN MAY AND OCTOBER THIS YEAR IS FORECAST TO BE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 1450 MM AND 1850 MM, THE MID-POINT VALUE (1650 MM) OF WHICH IS ABOUT NINE PER CENT BELOW THE AVERAGE OF 1814 MM.
FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE, RAINFALL IS EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT 10 PER CENT BELOW AVERAGE.
LAST YEAR, DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD FROM MAY TO OCTOBER, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY RECORDED A TOTAL OF 2048 MM OF RAINFALL, WHICH IS 13 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL.
FORECAST FIGURES FOR THIS YEAR WILL BE UPDATED IN MAY WHEN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.
0 - -
. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1977
6
PWD’S NINTH SPORTS DAY
******
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS WILL BE OUT IN FORCE THIS SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 27) TO SHOW OFF THEIR ATHLETIC SKILLS IN 27 TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS AT KOWLOON TSAI SPORTS GROUND.
THE OCCASION WILL BE THE P.W.D.’S NINTH SPORTS DAY -- THE HIGHLIGHT IN THE DEPARTMENT’S SPORTING CALENDAR.
THIS YEAR A RECORD 500 ENTRIES, INCLUDING 100 FROM FEMALE STAFF, HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND THE MEETING PROMISES TO BE THE MOST EXCITING EVER.
THE EVENTS INCLUDE A VARIETY OF RACES, HURDLES, HIGH JUMP, LONG JUMP, SHOT PUT, JAVELIN, RELAYS, WALK RACE AND A TUG-OF-WAR BETWEEN THE ’HEAVIES’ OF THE P.W.D.’S VARIOUS OFFICES AND DIVISIONS.
SPECIAL EVENTS ARE ALSO SCHEDULED FOR VETERANS OVER 40 YEARS OLD, AS WELL AS FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF SIX AND 11.
APART FROM INDIVIDUAL HONOURS IN THE VARIOUS EVENTS, COMPETITORS WILL ALSO BE VYING FOR THE ALL-ROUND BEST ATHLETE TITLE IN THE MEN’S AND LADIES’ SECTIONS.
TROPHIES AND PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE WINNERS BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD.
DURING BREAKS, GUESTS WILL BE ENTERTAINED BY THE CIVIL AID SERVICES BAND.
-----o------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS
* * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE VICINITY OF WANCHAI FROM 10 A.M. ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 27) TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS IN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.
THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE:-
* THE SECTION OF MONMOUTH PATH BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND WING FUNG STREET WEST WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC,
* WING FUNG STREET WEST WILL BE ROUTED ONE WAY EASTBOUND AND
* THE SECTION OF WING FUNG STREET BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND WING FUNG STREET WEST WILL BE OPENED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
------0-------
/7.....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1977
7
BUS SERVICE FOR SHA TAU KOK AND SHEUNG SHU I VILLAGERS REORGANISED *****
A NUMBER OF BUS ROUTE CHANGES IN THE SHEUNG SHU I AREA WILL BE INTRODUCED NEXT WEEK IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE TRANSPORT FACILITIES FOR SHA TAU KOK, PING YEUNG AND HUNG LENG RESIDENTS TRAVELLING TO AND FROM LUEN WO HUI AND SHEUNG SHU I MARKET TOWNS.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT FROM TUESDAY, (MARCH 1) KMB ROUTE 73 WOULD BE EXTENDED TO OPERATE BETWEEN TAI PO MARKET AND MAN KAM TO VIA LUEN WO HUI AND SHEUNG SHU I AT A BASIC 12-MINUTE FREQUENCY.
ROUTE 78 WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED TO OPERATE BETWEEN SHEUNG SHU I AND SHA TAU KOK VIA FANLING RAILWAY STATION, LUEN WO HUI AND HUNG LENG AT A BASIC 15~MINUTE FREQUENCY USING DOUBLE-DECK BUSES.
ROUTE 78A WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE BETWEEN LUEN WO HUI AND SHA TAU KOK (SECONDARY SCHOOL), 79 BETWEEN SHEUNG SHU I AND TA KWU LING AND 81 BETWEEN LUEN WO HUI AND LUK KENG. ALL THREE ROUTES WILL OPERATE AT 20-MINUTE FREQUENCIES.
IN ADDITION, A NEW ROUTE NO. 79A WILL BE INTRODUCED TO OPERATE BETWEEN LUEN WO HUI AND PING YEUNG ALONG SHA TAU KOK AND PING CHE ROADS AT A 15-MINUTE FREQUENCY.
THE MAJOR RE-ORGANISATION SCHEME HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH KMB TO MEET THE NEEDS OF LOCAL VILLAGERS TRAVELLING TO MARKET AND STUDENTS GOING TO THE VARIOUS SCHOOLS.
THE NEW BUS NETWORK WILL PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE FACILITIES FOR OVER 30 VILLAGES ADJOINING SHA TAU KOK, PING CHE, LUK KENG AND MAN KAM TO ROADS.
THE 21 BUSES TO BE USED (INCLUDING FIVE DOUBLE DECKERS) WILL PROVIDE A 3-1/2-MINUTE FREQUENCY ALONG SHA TAU KOK ROAD AND FARES WILL RANGE FROM 20 CENTS TO 50 CENTS ACCORDING TO DISTANCE TRAVELLED.
OVER ONE THOUSAND PASSENGERS PER HOUR WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE REVISED SERVICES IN EACH DIRECTION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID 8 +A NEED TO IMPROVE BUS SERVICES IN THE AREA HAS BEEN RECOGNISED AS AN IMPORTANT PRIORITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACTION BEING TAKEN BY THE POLICE AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AGAINST THE ILLEGAL CARRYING OF PASSENGERS BY GOODS VEHICLES.
+THE MAJORITY OF THE LORRIES DO NOT POSSESS EXCESS PERSONS PERMITS AND NO INSURANCE COVER FOR PASSENGERS OR OTHER ROAD USERS AGAINST INJURY OR ACCIDENT. IN FACT, MANY LORRIES HAVE BEEN ILLEGALLY ADAPTED TO CARRY PASSENGERS IN UNSAFE CONDITIONS AND THIS HAS BEEN A FREQUENT CAUSE FOR COMPLAINT,* HE ADDED.
/+ ON THE .....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1977
- 8 -
ON THE SIX RURAL BUS ROUTES IN THE AREA, PASSENGERS CAN CARRY GOODS AND MARKET PRODUCTS UP TO 100 POUNDS AND BUSES CAN STOP AT ANY SAFE PLACE FOR PICKING UP AND SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS RATHER THAN BEING RESTRICTED TO USE BUS STOPS.
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS WILL BE CLOSELY WATCHING THE SCHEME WHICH HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CO-OPERATION OF RURAL COMMITTEE LEADERS AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK. A MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE ON MARCH 3 TO EVALUATE THE INITIAL REACTIONS TO THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS.
------o-------
PARTY FOR CHILDREN OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT STAFF K * * *
MORE THAN 1,300 CHILDREN OF THE STAFF OF THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL ENJOY AN AFTERNOON OF FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT IN THE ANNUAL CHILDREN’S PARTY TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 27) IN THE DEPARTMENT’S COMPOUND IN NORTH POINT.
THE PARTY WILL FEATURE A VARIETY OF ENTERTAINMENT, INCLUDING GAMES STALLS, LION DANCE, MARCHING MUSIC PROVIDED BY THE BAND OF THE CAPE COLLINSON TRAINING CENTRE AND A VARIETY SHOW BY ARTISTES OF THE HONG KONG TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED.
FILM STARS FROM SHAW BROTHERS (HONG KONG) LIMITED WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO DISTRIBUTE GIFTS TO THE CHILDREN.
TOWARDS THE END OF THE PARTY, THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT MR. F.J. YOUNG, WILL DRAW THE WINNING NUMBERS OF A LUCKY DRAW
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PARTY ON THAT DAY IN THE DEPARTMENT’S COMPOUND IN OIL STREET. THE EVENT WILL START AT 1 P.M. AND END AT 5 P.M.
/9
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1977
FIRING PRACTICE
* * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON TEN DAYS NEXT MONTH (MARCH).
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF FIRING PRACTICE.
PRACTICE TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE hours
MARCH 7 8.3° A.M. - 4.30 P.M.
(MONDAY)
MARCH 16 8.30 A.M. - 5 P.M.
(WEDNESDAY)
MARCH 17 8.30 A«M« “ 5 P-M-
(THURSDAY)
MARCH 18 8.30 A.M. - 4.30 P.M.
(FRIDAY)
MARCH 23 8.30 A.M. - 4.30 P.M.
(WEDNESDAY)
MARCH 24 8.30 A.M. - 4.30 P.M.
(THURSDAY)
MARCH 28 10 A.M. - 11 P.M.
(MONDAY)
MARCH 29 8 A-M. ~ 11 P-M*
(TUESDAY)
MARCH 30 8 A.M. - 11 P.M.
(WEDNESDAY)
MARCH 31 8 A-M- " 1 P«M‘
(THURSDAY)
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/10.....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1977
10
PART V OF THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE EFFECTIVE FROM NEXT MONTH * * * *
IT IS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT PART V OF THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE, 1976 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SECTION 50 WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON MARCH 1.
PART V (ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT) OF THE ORDINANCE APPLIES TO EVERY REGISTERED DEALER, BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE A DIRECTOR, PARTNER OR EMPLOYEE OF A CORPORATION OR FIRM, WHO IS ACCREDITED TO THE CORPORATION OR FIRM AS A DEALER.
UNDER THIS PART, A DEALER IS OBLIGED BY LAW TO KEEP PROPER ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS IN RESPECT OF HIS BUSINESS OF TRADING IN COMMODITY FUTURES.
A DEALER SHALL BE REQUIRED TO KEEP IN SEGREGATED ACCOUNTS ALL MONIES HELD ON BEHALF OF HIS CLIENTS, AND CAUSE HIS ACCOUNTS TO BE AUDITED BY AN AUDITOR. A DEALER WILL FURTHER BE REQUIRED TO KEEP A COPY OF EACH FUTURES CONTRACT MADE OUT BY HIMSELF EITHER AS AN AGENT OR AS A PRINCIPAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR COMMODITIES TRADING SAID THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF SECTION 50 OF THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE 1976 WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER STAGE WHEN THE REGULATIONS PRESCRIBING THE FORMS OF THE PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNTS AND BALANCE SHEETS REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 50 OF THE ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN FINALISED.
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/11
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1977
11
ONE YEAR FULL-TIME TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COURSE ******
YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WITH INDUSTRIAL/PRACTI CAL EXPERIENCE ARE INVITED TO ENROL IN THE ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE COMMENCING IN SEPTEMBER 1977 AT THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
THE COURSE IS INTENDED FOR MATURE STUDENTS WITH SOME YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL/PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WHO ARE INTEREST IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION IN PASSING ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF THEIR OWN SPECIALISM TO STUDENTS IN TECHNICAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
INDUCEMENT GRANTS WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS ON THIS COURSE AT THE MINIMUM OF $1,070 PER MONTH UP TO THE MAXIMUM OF $1,640 PER MONTH. CALCULATED ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF SOUND, RELATED POST-QUALIFICATION INDUSTRIAL/PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE.
APPLICANTS FOR TECHNICAL ENGLISH COURSE MUST HAVE SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED A 2-YEAR FULL-TIME ORDINARY DIPLOMA/ TECHNICIAN DIPLOMA COURSE, OR A ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME SECRETARIAL COURSE, OR EQUIVALENT, IN THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE/POLYTECHNIC/ TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, OR AN EQUIVALENT COLLEGE.
HOLDERS OF ORDINARY NATIONAL DIPLOMA (UK) IN HOTEL AND CATERING OPERATIONS OR EQUIVALENT WITH PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE RELATED FIELDS MAY APPLY FOR HOTEL-KEEPING AND CATERING COURSE.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS' COLLEGE, 373, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ALL COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS BY MARCH 19, 1977.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1977
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE THAN 5OC NEW FACTORIES SET UP IN TSUEN WAN OVER THE PAST YEAR ................................................... 1
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY EXPANDS AIR-CONDITIONED COACH SERVICE ..................................................... 2
CONTRACT FOR PULVERISING AND COMPOSTING PLANT TO BE SIGNED 3
CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL LEAVES FOR TALKS IN LONDON ...................................................... 3
MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL CHILDREN PARTY .... 4
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ....................................... 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1977
1
500 FACTORIES CAME INTO BUSINESS IN TSUEN WAN IN 12 MONTHS * * * * *
MORE THAN 500 NEW FACTORIES HAVE GONE INTO BUSINESS IN THE BUSTLING NEW TOWN OF TSUEN WAN OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS.
THIS BROUGHT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF FACTORIES OPERATING IN TSUEN WAN TO NEARLY 3,000, THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER (TOWN MANAGEMENT), MR. HAROLD KWOK, SAID TODAY.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD INVESTED $60 MILLION ON DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS APART FROM PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR AND THAT THE SUM WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY BE INCREASED NEXT YEAR.
PROGRAMMES IN THE PIPELINE FOR NEXT YEAR INCLUDED THE START OF WORK ON A CITY HALL, A SPORTS GROUND AT KWAI CHUNG, AN INDOOR GAMES HALL, SQUASH COURTS, A NEW PLAYGROUND FOR SHEK LI ESTATE, COMMUNITY HALLS AND A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME TO BUILD NEW ROADS AND IMPROVE EXISTING ONES.
MR. KWOK WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGEMENT OFFICE - THE FIRST CITY-DISTRICT STYLE OFFICE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE OFFICE WAS OPENED BY TWO LOCAL DIGNITARIES, MR. DEACON CHIU AND MR. CHAN PO-FONG FOLLOWING A LION DANCE WITH THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. JAMES HAYES, DOTTING THE EYES.
MR. KWOK SAID MANY OF THE PROJECTS FOR TSUEN WAN, CARRIED OUT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE NEW TOWN’S PROJECT MANAGER, MR. EDDIE SHORT, WERE THE RESULTS OF GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO LOCAL NEEDS IDENTIFIED WITH THE HELP OF THE VARIOUS CONSULTATIVE BODIES.
+IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THESE FACILITIES AND ACTIVE ENCOURAGEMENT FROM OUR VARIOUS ASSOCIATIONS, MORE PEOPLE CAN ENJOY A GREATER VARIETY OF CULTURAL AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES,* HE SAID.
EXPLAINING THE IDEA BEHIND THE SETTING UP OF THE TOWN MANAGEMENT OFFICE, HE SAID THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD IN THE PAST BEEN CONCENTRATING ITS EFFORTS IN DEVELOPING THE NEW TOWN TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR LAND TO BUILD FACTORIES AND DOMESTIC PREMISES.
+IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG, WE HAVE NOW NEARLY 3,000 FACTORIES. THIS NUMBER IS STILL INCREASING EVERY DAY, AND LAST YEAR ALONE, THERE WERE SOME 500 NEW FACTORIES,* HE SAID.
+THE NUMBER OF COMPLETED PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES HAS REACHED 11, AND TWO MORE ARE BEING BUILT, ONE EACH IN TSUEN WAN AND TSI NG Yl, WHILE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT HAS ALSO BEEN MAINTAINING SIMILAR PACE.
+ALL THIS HAS SHOWN WE HAVE MADE GOOD PROGRESS ON THIS SIDE OF OUR WORK AND WE ARE NOW INCREASINGLY TURNING OUR ATTENTION TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN TSUEN WAN.
+THE OPENING OF THE TOWN MANAGEMENT OFFICE TODAY IS ONE SUCH STEP IN THIS DIRECTION,* HE SAID.
- 0 -
/2......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1977
2
KCR EXPANDS AIR-CONDITIONED COACH SERVICE
* * * * *
TWELVE MORE TRAINS TRAVELLING BETWEEN KOWLOON AND LO WU WILL EACH BE ATTACHED WITH AN AIR-CONDITIONED FIRST-CLASS COACH FROM TUESDAY (MARCH 1).
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, MR. REGINALD GREGORY, SAID THE DECISION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF TRAINS WITH AIR-CONDITIONED COACHES WAS DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF THE SERVICE AND THE WISH OF THE KCR TO PROVIDE AIR-CONDITIONED COACHES ON AS MANY TRAINS AS POSSIBLE.
THE SERVICE WAS INTRODUCED ON EIGHT TRAINS -- FOUR FROM KOWLOON TO LO WU AND FOUR FROM LO WU TO KOWLOON -- EARLIER THIS MONTH.
+THIS MEANS THAT 20 TRAINS, 10 UP GOING AND 10 DOWN COMING, WILL EACH HAVE AN AIR-CONDITIONED COACH,+ HE POINTED OUT.
+BESIDES, MORE PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO TRAVEL IN THESE COACHES NOW THAT THIS SERVICE HAS EXPANDED,* HE ADDED.
PASSENGERS WISHING TO TRAVEL IN EXTRA COMFORT WILL HAVE TO PAY AN EXTRA $1 IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL FIRST CLASS FARE, REGARDLESS OF THE DISTANCE OF THE JOURNEY.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE NEW TIMETABLE FOR THE AIR-CONDITIONED TRAIN SERVICE FROM MARCH 1:
FROM KOWLOON FROM LO WU
WEEKDAYS: TRAIN NO. 4 । 6 । 13 । 14 । 18 । 23 । 26 । 28 । 32 । 36 l ( 6.33 7.27 ( 8.26 13.03 (11.10 (12.13 ( 3.35 4.05 ( 5.30 ( 6.43 A.M.) TRAIN A.M. ) A.M.) A.M.) A.M.) P.M.) p.m.) P.M. ) P.M. ) P.M.) NO. 9 ( 7.54 13 ( 8.57 15 ( 9.58 21 (11.39 23 (12.38 25 ( 1.37 31 4.33 33 5.31 37 7.25 41 ( 9.12 A.M.) A.M.) A.M. ) A . M. ) P.M.) P.M.) P.M. ) P.M. ) P.M. ) P.M. )
SUNDAYS AND TRAIN NO. 2 1 ( 6.30 A.M.) TRAIN NO. 5 ( 7.53 A.M.)
PUBL IC 4 ( ( 7.25 A.M. ) 7 ( 8.53 A.M. )
HOL 1 DAYS: 8 ( 12 ( 16 1 23 ( 24 ( 30 ( 32 (FG) ( 36 ( : 9.25 (13.23 11.47 : i.38 ; 2.45 . 5.09 : 5.41 . 7.24 - - - C A.M.) 'A.M.) A.M. ) P.M. ) P.M. ) P.M.) P.M. ) P.M.) 13 (11.07 A.M.) 17 (12 NOON ) 21 ( 1.09 P.M.) 23 ( 2.39 P.M.) 29 ( 4.28 P.M.) 33 ( 6.35 P.M.) (FROM FANLING) 35 ( 6.38 P.M.) 39 ( 8.47 P.M.) /3
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1977 '
- 3 -
CONTRACT FOR PULVERISING AND COMPOSTING PLANT * * * * *
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A MAJOR CONTRACT FOR HONG KONG’S FIRST PULVERISING AND COMPOSTING PLANT WILL BE SIGNED ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 28) IN THE P.W.D.’S ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE AT CAROLINE HILL.
SIGNING ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE MR. J.A. WALLACE, THE P.W.D.’S PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER.
MEDIA RESPRESENTATIVES ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE SIGNING CEREMONY.
IT WILL BE HELD AT 10.30 A.M. ON MONDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, CAROLINE HILL (NEXT TO THE SOUTH CHINA BOWLING CENTRE).
DETAILS OF THE CONTRACT ’WILL BE ANNOUNCED AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE CONTRACT.
MR. WALLACE AND MR. HO KWONG-WAI WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR RADIO AND TELEVISION INTERVIEWS.
- - 0 - -
CAD OFFICIAL OFF TO AIR SERVICES TALKS X X X X
THE CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT MR. NORMAN LATHAM, HAS LEFT FOR LONDON TO ATTEND AIR SERVICES TALKS BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENTS.
THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH ROUND IN A SERIES OF TALKS TO NEGOTIATE A NEW U.K. -- U.S. AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT.
FOLLOWING THESE TALKS, MR. LATHAM WILL ALSO ATTEND AIR SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE U.K. AND THAI GOVERNMENTS. THE TWO SIDES WILL CONSIDER NEW AIRLINE ARRANGEMENTS TO TAKE EFFECT FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
. _ 0 - -
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1977
4
PARTY FOR MHD STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES * * * * *
HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN OF STAFF MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND A PARTY IN THE SPORTS FIELD OF THE KOWLOON HOSPITAL TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THIS WILL BE THE SIXTH SUCH PARTY ORGANIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF SOCIETY, BRINGING TOGETHER ALL STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR WHAT HAS NOW BECOME AN ANNUAL OCCASION.
PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE A LION DANCE, MARTIAL ART PERFORMANCES, A MAGIC SHOW, GAMES, A LUCKY DRAW, A CHILDREN GUITAR CHOIR AND A ROAD SAFETY DISPLAY.
DR. K.L. THONG, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, WILL BE PRESENT TO DOT THE LION’S EYES AND TO DRAW THE LUCKY NUMBERS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A DISPLAY OF FIRE ENGINES, ARMOURED CARS, AND TWO VINTAGE VEHICLES AS WELL AS A RESCUE DEMONSTRATION PUT UP BY THE FIRE SERVICES.
THE AMS BAND WILL PROVIDE MUSIC FOR THE OCCASION.
ON THE SAME DAY, THE CIVIL AID SERVICES AND AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE (CASAM) WILL ALSO HOLD A CHILDREN’S PARTY IN THE CAS KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE, ARGYLE STREET.
THERE WILL BE GAMES, BY THE CAS CADET BAND.
A LUCKY DRAW, DISPLAYS AND A PERFORMANCE
DR. THONG, WHO IS ALSO PRESIDENT OF CASAM CLUB, WILL ATTEND AND DISTRIBUTE PRIZES TO WINNERS OF GAME-STALL DECORATION COMPETITIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S STAFF PARTY WILL BE HELD ON THE LAWN BY THE ENTRANCE TO THE WEST WING, KOWLOON HOSPITAL, ARGYLE STREET, BETWEEN 1 P.M. AND 5 P.M. TOMORROW.
THE CASAM CLUB’S PARTY WILL BE HELD IN CAS KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE, ARGYLE STREET FROM 2 P.M. TO 5 P.M. TOMORROW.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO HAVE BOTH OCCASIONS COVERED.
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/5
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1977
5
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS
* * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE -ARBOUR ON MONDAY TO FACILITATE PUBLIC WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE SECTION OF MAY ROAD NEAR CLCVELLY PATH WILL BE OPENED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF ROAD WIDENING WORKS THERE.
IN SHAMSHUIPO, KOWLOON, TRAFFIC RE-ROUTINGS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED
IN TUNG CHAU STREET, HAI TAN STREET AND KIU KIANG STREET FROM 13 A.M. ON MONDAY.
THE RE-ROUTINGS WILL LAST FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO PROVIDE A LOCAL TRAFFIC CIRCULATION ROUTE WHEN DRAINAGE WORKS IN THE AREA ARE IN PROGRESS.
THE RE-ROUTINGS ARE AS FOLLOWS -- THE SECTION OF HAI TAN STREET BETWEEN YEN CHAU STREET AND KIU KIANG STREET WILL BE REROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC- THE SECTION OF KIU KIANG STREET BETWEEN HAI TAN STREET AND TUNG CHAU STREET WILL *E RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTEOUND TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC- AND THE SECTIONS OF TUNG CHAU STREET BETWEEN YEN CHAU STREET AND KWEILIN STREET AND BETWEEN YEN CHAU STREET AND KIU KIANG STREET WILL BECOME NO THROUGH RCADS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED IK ALL AFFECTED AREAS TO GUIDE MOTOR I STS.
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1977
INTRODUCTION Or NEW TYPESETTING PROCESS
******
THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT HAS GOT THE +G0 AHEAD+ TO INTRODUCE A NE;. TYPESETTING PROCESS, CALLED SYSTEMS CONTROLLED PHOTO COMPOSITION, IN A EID TO ACHIEVE EETTER SPEED AND QUALITY IN ITS PRODUCTION.
•R. JACK LEE, THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, SAID THAT A SUM OF „1.9 MILLION WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO THIS PROJECT IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR AND IN THE MEANTIME, TENDERS ..ERE BEING PROCESSED.
THE NEW METHOD INVOLVES THE USE OF A MINI COMPUTER TO CONTROL THE PHOTO COMPOSING MACHINES AND ..ILL EVENTUALLY REPLACE HOT METAL TYPESETTING NOW IN USE.
MR. LEE SAID THAT IT WOULD EE PARTICULARLY USEFUL IN PRINTING PUBLICATIONS WHICH REQUIRE CONSTANT AMENDMENTS SUCH AS ORDINANCES AND THE VARIOUS LISTINGS WHICH APPEAR IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
WITH SYSTEMS CONTROLLED PHOTO COMPOSITION, AMENDMENTS COULD EE MADE IN THE ORIGINAL EY SIMPLY FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS INTO THE COMPUTER WHICH WOULD THEN AUTOMATICALLY ADJUST THE LINE AND PAGE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REPRINTS, MR. LEE EXPLAINED.
+IN THE CASE OF THE ORDINANCES, WE HOPE TO EE ABLE TO GET THE AMENDMENTS INCORPORATED INTO THE ORIGINAL TEXT THE .vEEK THEY ARE PASSED INSTEAD OF WEEKS AS IS THE CASE NOW,+ HE ADDED.
SPACE, THE GREATEST PROBLEM FACED EY THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT, ..ILL ALSO BE SOLVED WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW METHOD AS ALL THE WORK WILL BE STORED OR MAGNETIC TAPES WHICH TAKE UP VERY LITTLE SPACE.
MR. LEE SAID THAT THE FIRST STAGE IN THE CHANGEOVER WOULD INVOLVE THE BUILDING UP OF A LIBRARY EY TRANSCRIBING ALL THE RELEVANT MATERIALS INTO FORMAT PROGRAMMES.
/♦IT IS .....
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
2
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1977
+IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT A YEAR IS NEEDED AS THE INITIAL SETTLING-DOWN PERIOD EUT THE NEW METHOD SHOULD BE FULLY OPERATIVE WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF THE COMPUTER,+ HE NOTED.
THE INTRODUCTION CF THIS NEW TYPESETTING "ETHOD MARKS YET ANOTHER EFFORT MADE EY THE DEPARTMENT IN IMPROVING ITS EFFICIENCY FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT GF THE PRODUCTION CONTROL UNIT MORE THAN A Y_AR AGO.
AT PRESENT, THE MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY OF THE UNIT IS TO ASSESS THE METHOD INVOLVED FOR EACH ORDER. THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS TO ANALYSE THE CONTENT OF EACH ORDER RECEIVED TO DECIDE HOW BEST IT CAN BE DONE AND ESTIMATES THE PRINTING TIME REQUIRED.
+IF THE PROGRESS OF A CERTAIN ASSIGNMENT LAGS BEHIND SCHEDULE, ,.E .-.ILL TRY TO FIND OUT THE REASON AND SEEK REMEDY,* MR. LEE SAID.
THE UNIT, HE ADDED, WOULD IN A NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE BE EXPANDED TO COVER OTHER FACETS OF THE PRODUCTION PROCESS SUCH AS BluDl:.^ AND DELIVERY.
MR. LEE STRESSED THAT IT .•.AS THE POLICY OF THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE BEST USE OF ITS RESOURCES TO COPE WITH ALL THE MANY ASSIGNMENTS WHICH AMOUNT TO MORE THAN 2,000 AT ANY GIVEN TIME.
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TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER LAUDS YUEN YUEN INSTITUTE * * * * *
THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES, TODAY PRAISED THE YUEN YUEN INSTITUTE FOR ITS +WHOLLY PRIVATE, MASSIVE MULT I-MILL ION DOLLAR CONTRIBUTION TO RELIGIOUS, SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL LIFE* OF THE NEa TOWN.
MR. HAYES JAS SPEAKING AT THE INSTITUTE’S LANTERN FESTIVAL PRESENTATION.
HE SAID THAT AN EXAMINATION GF THE INSTITUTE’S RECORD OVER THE LAST YEAR HAD SHOWN THE EXTENT CF THE CONTRIBUTION IT HAD MAD* TO THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.
TOGETHER WITH OTHER MAINLY BUDDHIST RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS IN THE LG WAI AREA, THE INSTITUTE MADE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE +EALANCED DEVELOPMENT* OF HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, SERVICES AND AMENITIES WHICH MARKED THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN THE NEW TOWNS OF THE N.T.
POINTING OUT THAT THE LANTERN FESTIVAL .-.AS A TRADITIONAL PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT, MR. HAYES ADDED: +IT IS NECESSARY TO PRESERVE THIS INTERESTING AND COLOURFUL TRADITION, ^SPECIALLY IN A MODERNISED CITY LIKE TSUEN ..AN, AND I APPLAUD THE INSTITUTE’S INTENTIONS.*
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1977
5
THIRTEENTH SCHOOLS’ DANCE FESTIVAL * * * *
iHOUSANDS OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PART IN THE 13TH SCHOOLS’ DANCE -ESTIVAL ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 2).
SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL TAK WHICH /.ILL START
.Hz .-ESTIVAL WHICH ..ILL uAS . FOR 13 DAYS IS ORGANISED BY Hz EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION IN CONJUNCTION .. I TH THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION AHL iHc New izRR(TORIES SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION.
DURING THE FESTIVAL, STUDENTS ..ILL PERFORM VARIOUS ORIENTAL FOLK DANCES AS WELL AS WESTERN DANCES.
ADMISSION TO' THE PERFORMANCES IS FREE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
DETAILS OF THE DATES, TIME AND VENUE OF THE DANCE PERFORMANCES ••ILL cc AVh ILAdLz FOR uOu.LzC i I v \ IN i HE G Io PRESS ROOM, c T- Fl BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
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REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE RESIDENTS URGED TO MAKE USE * * * * *
IN WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE OF FACILITIES PROVIDED *
THE COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS IN WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE FOR RESIDENTS AND PERSONS LIVING NEARBY FOR THREE DAYS FROI- MARCH 7.
THE VISIT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS/GUARDI ANS TO REGISTER THEIR CH ILDREN/'WARDS OF 11 YEARS OF AGE FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND TO ENABLE HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER FOP ADULT IDENTITY CARDS ON REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE.
REGISTRATIONS WILL EE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 F.i-i. DAILY.
ALL PERSONS LIVING IK THIS AREA ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS AND TC REPORT CHANGES CF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27,
1977
PWD ATHLETES SET
* * H
SIX NEW RECORDS
* * *
BUDDING P.W.D. ATHLETES HUFFED AND PUFFED THEIR WAY TO SIX RECORDS TODAY l\ A THRILLING SPORTS MEET A7 KOWLOON TSAI SPORTS GROUND.
SOME 5OD ENTHUSIASTS FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S 11 OFFICES TOOK PART IN THE SPORTS DAY — THE NINTH ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
TOP HONOURS OF THE DAY ME'.T TO WENDY YUEN AND CHAN KAM-TO, BOTH FROM THE ELECTRICAL AND .ECHAN ICAL OFFICE, WHO FIRMLY ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES AS THE ..EST TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES .. ITH IN THE P.W.D.
MISS YUEN CLAIMED THE MRS. BETTY MCDONALD CUP FOR BEST FEMALE ATHLETE BY SWEEPING ALL FIVE GOLDS AT STAKE IN THE 6u .', 100 H, CRICKET BALL THROW, LONG JUMP AND SHOT PUT EVENTS.
IN THE PROCESS SHE SMASHED THE LONGSTANDING RECORDS FOR THE LADIES 53 M SPRINT, THE 133 :■ DASH AND LONG JUMP.
IN THE MEN’S SECTION, CHAN KAM-TO SCRAPED TO FINAL VICTORY ,.ITH TWO GOLDS, ONE SILVER AND A BRONZE, AFTER SETTING A NE.. RECORD FOR THE MEN’S 113 I' HURDLES.
NEW RECORDS WERE ALSO SET FOR THE 1,533 N RACE BY PANG HOI-CHIU FROM THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE, AND BY CHAN CHI-CHIU OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE IN HIGH JUMP.
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE MAINTAINED ITS STRANGLEHOLD ON THE BEST OFFICE TITLE WHICH IT WON -OR THE SIXTH SUCCESSIVE YEAR.
THIS YEAR’S SPORTS DAY — THE HIGHLIGHT IN THE P.W.D’S SPORTING CALENDAR WAS THE BRIGHTEST AND BEST ATTENDED.
TROPH IES PUBLIC WORKS,
WERE PRESENTED TO THE WINNERS BY THE DIRECTOR OF MR. DAVID MCDONALD, AND BY .MRS. MCDONALD.
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/5......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1977
5
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A NUMBER GF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN KOWLOON TONG AND IN SAI KUNG AND TAI PO IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM 10 A.M. ON TUESDAY (MARCH 1).
IN KOWLOON TONG, THE SECTION OF OXFORD ROAD BETWEEN LANCASHIRE ROAD AND HAMPSHIRE ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND TO IMPROVE LOCAL TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.
IN SAI KUNG, A ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE TRAFFIC ROUTING WILL BE INTRODUCED ON THE CIRCULAR ROAD COMPRISING Yl CHUN STREET AND MAN NIN STREET EXCLUDING THE SECTION BETWEEN PO TUNG ROAD AND Yl CHUN STREET.
THE EXISTING 10 M.P.H. SPEED LIMIT AND RESTRICTION TO VEHICLES OVER 12 TONS ON THE KOWLOON BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE BRIDGE AT TAI PC ROAD ABOUT 153 FEET NORTH OF YUEN CHAU CHAI RAILWAY LEVEL CROSSING WILL BE REMOVED. AT THE SAME TIME, THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE BRIDGE ..ILL EE CHANGED TO 30 M.P.H.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS ..'ILL EE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1977.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AWARDS CONTRACT FOR HONG KONG’S FIRST COMPOSTING PLANT AT CHAI WAN .................. 1
HONG KONG’S BUDGET FCR 1977/78 TO BE ANNOUNCED ON WEDNESDAY .................................................. 3
'•'ORE PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES ...... A
GOVERNMENT RESUMES TWO PRE-WAR TENEMENT BLOCKS IN wAN CHAI TO .’AKE WAY FOR MAJOR PUBLIC PROJECTS ................ 5
DELEGATION OF HONG KONG POSTAL OFFICIALS VISITS KWANGCHOw €
HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN CHEUNG SHA WAN NEARING COMPLETION ......................................... 7
PRE-WAR BUILDING IN KOWLOON DECLARED DANGEROUS ............. 3
DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY GOES TO NEW DELHI FOR METEOROLOGICAL MEETING ..................................... 9
NEW LANTAU BUS ROUTE NO.5 TO BE DISCONTINUED OWING TO LACK OF PASSENGERS ......................................... 9
ONE MORE FIRING PRACTICE TO TAKE PLACE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE NEXT MONTH .......................................... 10
TEMPORARY WATER CUT IN PARTS OF SHAU KEI wA.N ON WEDNESDAY ................................................. IC
DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS TO VISIT TaO PC LEUNG KUK NURSERIES IN LA7 TIN ...................................... 11
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1977
- 1 -
P.W.D. AWARDS CONTRACT FOR H.K.’S FIRST COMPOSTING PLANT
*******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY AWARDED THE FIRST CONTRACT FOR A NEW $38 MILLION SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEM DESIGNED TO DEAL WITH THE GROWING AMOUNT OF REFUSE GENERATED BY THE RAPID GROWTH OF HONG KONG.
THE CONTRACT, WORTH $21.25 MILLION, IS FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT FOR HONG KONG’S FIRST PULVERISING AND COMPOSTING PLANT TO BE BUILT AT CHAI WAN.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND THE PLANT SHOULD BE FULLY OPERATIONAL IN THE SECOND HALF OF NEXT YEAR.
THE CONTRACT SIGNED TODAY IN THE P.W.D.’S ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE HAS BEEN AWARDED TO THE JAPANESE FIRM NISSHO IWAI CO. LTD. IN ASSOCIATION WITH FUJI CAR MANUFACTURING CO. LTD. AND HUTCHISON-BOAG ENGINEERING LTD. — ONE OF EIGHT FIRMS FROM SIX COUNTRIES WHICH SUBMITTED BIDS FOR THE PROJECT.
MR. J.A. WALLACE, THE P.W.D.’S PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER, SAID THE NEW PLANT REPRESENTED A MAJOR STEP IN THE P.W.D.’S EFFORTS TO DEVELOP BETTER AND MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MEANS OF DISPOSING OF REFUSE.
+THE MECHANISED COMPOSTING PROCESS IS A RELATIVELY NEW SYSTEM OF REFUSE DISPOSAL WHICH IS BECOMING MORE WIDELY USED IN ADVANCED COUNTRIES AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IS BEING INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
+IT WILL SUBSTANTIALLY BOOST OUR PRESENT FACILITIES AND, TOGETHER WITH THE EXISTING INCINERATOR AT KENNEDY TOWN, WILL ENABLE US TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THE ISLAND’S REFUSE UNTIL WELL INTO THE ’EIGHTIES,* HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, SOME 760 TONNES OF REFUSE ARE COLLECTED EACH DAY ON HONG KONG ISLAND. OF THIS, 620 TONNES ARE BURNT AT THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR WHILE THE REST IS DUMPED AS FILL AT P.W.D. CONTROLLED TIPS.
MR. WALLACE SAID THE NEW PLANT WOULD INITIALLY BE CAPABLE OF DISPOSING OF 240 TONNES OF MIXED URBAN REFUSE PER DAY, BUT IT WAS INTENDED TO EVENTUALLY DOUBLE ITS CAPACITY TO 480 TONNES PER DAY.
HE SAID THE COMPOSTING PLANT FORMED PART OF AN OVERALL 10-YEAR SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN FOR HONG KONG AS RECOMMENDED BY THE P.W.D.’S CONSULTING ENGINEERS, MAUNSELL’S CONSULTANTS ASIA.
PLANS WERE IN HAND FOR BUILDING A SECOND PULVERISING AND COMPOSTING PLANT TO BE LOCATED AT SHA TIN.
/MR. WALLACE
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1977
- 2 -
MR. WALLACE SAID ONE OF THE BIG ADVANTAGES OF THE COMPOSTING PROCESS -- WHICH BASICALLY INVOLVES THE BREAKING DOWN OF SOLID WASTES INTO HYGIENICALLY SAFE, INERT AND INOFFENSIVE MATERIALS --WAS THAT IT DID NOT CAUSE ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.
+ANOTHER ADVANTAGE IS THAT THE SOLID WASTE IS REDUCED TO ABOUT ONE-FOURTH ITS ORIGINAL VOLUME, WHICH MAKES TRANSPORTATION TO MAINLAND FILL AREAS THAT MUCH EASIER,* HE SAID.
THE NEW PLANT WAS DESIGNED TO ACCEPT DOMESTIC, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE, INCLUDING BULKY REFUSE.
ILLUSTRATING THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF THE NEW PLANT, MR. WALLACE SAID IT WOULD HAVE TWO GIANT REFUSE PULVERISERS EACH WEIGHING ABOUT 70 TONNES AND DRIVEN BY 803 HP ELECTRIC MOTORS TO REDUCE THE MATERIAL TO A PRODUCT SUITABLE FOR COMPOSTING.
ATTENTION WAS ALSO BEING PAID TO SOUND PROOFING THE BUILDING TO REDUCE SURROUNDING NOISE LEVELS, HE SAID.
AFTER PULVERISING, SCREENING AND FERROUS SEPARATION, THE MATERIAL WOULD BE CONVEYED TO FOUR TOTALLY ENCLOSED ’DIGESTION CHAMBERS’ SOME 10 METRES IN DIAMETER AND 15 METRES HIGH, EACH WEIGHING 203 TONNES.
THE MATERIAL WILL REMAIN IN THE CHAMBERS FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS UNDERGOING DISTURBANCE AND AERATION UNDER CLOSELY CONTROLLED TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE CONDITIONS, FINALLY PRODUCING AN INERT AND HYGIENICALLY SAFE MATERIAL.
GLASS, PLASTICS AND CERAMICS WILL ALSO BE SEPARATED AND THESE REJECTS RENDERED INERT BY THEIR PASSAGE THROUGH THE PROCESS.
MR. WALLACE SAID THAT GASES RELEASED DURING THE DIGESTION PROCESS WOULD BE DIRECTED THROUGH UNDERGROUND EARTH FILTERS BEFORE BE ING DISCHARGED.
HE SAID THE COMPOST PRODUCED WOULD BASICALLY BE DISPOSED OF AS LAND FILL BUT SOME MIGHT BE USED AS TOP SOIL FOR RESTORING BORROWED AREAS AND QUARRIES AND FOR TURFING.
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/3....
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1977
- 3 -
BUDGET DAY ON WEDNESDAY * X * *
HONG KONG’S BUDGET FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE MADE KNOWN ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 2) WHEN THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1977 IS PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 P.M. DURING WHICH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL MOVE THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL AND OUTLINE THE MAIN FEATURES OF ESTIMATED REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1977/78.
THE COUNCIL WILL THEN ADJOURN UNTIL MARCH 30 WHEN THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE BUDGET PROPOSALS. IF NECESSARY, THE DEBATE WILL CONTINUE ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE OFFICIALS WILL REPLY TO THE POINTS RAISED BY THEIR UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES ON APRIL 20.
THE COUNCIL WILL THEN ADJOURN AGAIN UNTIL MAY 4 WHEN THE BILL WILL BE CONSIDERED IN COMMITTEE BEFORE ITS THIRD READING.
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE PROCEEDINGS WILL BE COMPREHENSIVELY COVERED BY RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S SPEECH AT WEDNESDAY’S MEETING WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE OVER RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG’S CHINESE (RTHK 2) AND ENGLISH (RTHK 3 AND 4) SERVICES. IN ADDITION, RTHK 3 AND 4 WILL BROADCAST A TALK GIVEN BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FROM 6.15 P.M. TO 6.20 P.M. THERE WILL ALSO BE A PANEL DISCUSSION ON RTHK 3 AT 6.20 P.M.
OTHER BUDGET SITTINGS WILL ALSO BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RTHK 2 AND RTHK 4.
AS FOR COMMERCIAL RADIO, ITS CHINESE SERVICE WILL BROADCAST THE FIRST BUDGET SITTING LIVE ON CHANNEL ONE, WHILE THE ENGLISH SERVICE WILL GIVE COVERAGE TO THE SITTING IN HALF-HOURLY NEWS CASTS WITH TAPED EXCERPTS AND HIGHLIGHTS IN NEWS PROGRAMME BETWEEN 6 A.M. AND 8 A.M. THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
ALL THREE TELEVISION STATIONS WILL BROADCAST THE FIRST BUDGET SITTING IN REGULAR NEWS PROGRAMMES.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A 20-MINUTE PANEL DISCUSSION ON TVB’S JADE CHANNEL AT 10.40 P.M. AND ON PEARL CHANNEL AT 10.15 P.M.
THE ENGLISH SERVICE OF RTV WILL ALSO HOLD A PANEL DISCUSSION AT 10 P.M.
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/4......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1977
4
EMPLOYMENT UP IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES
******
A TOTAL OF 264,190 PEOPLE WAS ENGAGED IN THE IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, AN INCREASE OF 4,150 OR 1.6 PER CENT OVER THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1976.
THIS ALSO REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 10,200 OR FOUR PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIGURE IN DECEMBER 1975.
ACCORDING TO A RECENT EMPLOYMENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 126,090 OF THE TOTAL NUMBER ENGAGED WERE IN RETAIL TRADE, 79,250 IN IMPORT/EXPORT BUSINESS AND 22,360 IN WHOLESALE TRADE.
THE OTHER 36,490 PEOPLE WERE ENGAGED IN A COMBINATION OF IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ACTIVITIES.
THE SURVEY ALSO RECORDED 90,020 PEOPLE BEING ENGAGED IN RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND BARS, AND 16,870 IN HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES. WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, THE FIGURES WERE HIGHER BY 680 OR 0.8 PER CENT AND 150 OR 0.9 PER CENT.
THE INCREASES WERE MORE SIGNIFICANT WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1975 : 6,720 OR 8.1 PER CENT IN RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND BARS, AND 400 OR 2.4 PER CENT IN HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES.
DETAILS OF CHANGES FROM SEPTEMBER 1976 AND DECEMBER 1975 ARE AS FOLLOWS
ACTIVITY PERSONS ENGAGED IN DECEMBER 1976 CHANGE FROM SEPT. 1976 CHANGE FROM DEC. 1975
NO. % NO. %
RETAIL 126,090 - 160 -0.1 +2,120 + 1.7
IMPORT/EXPORT 79,250 +3,680 +4.9 +7,100 +9.8
WHOLESALE 22,360 + 210 +1.0 +1,040 +4.9
IMPORT/EXPORT/ WHOLESALE/ RETAIL 36,490 + 430 +1.2 60 -0.2
RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND BARS 90,020 + 680 +0.8 +6,720 +8.1
HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES 16,870 + 150 +0.9 + 400 +2.4
TOTAL 371,080 +4,990 + 1.4 +17,320 +4.9
• •» • 0 - /5
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1977 - 5 -
PRE-WAR TENEMENT BUILDINGS TAKEN OVER BY GOVERNMENT TO MAKE WAY FOR MAJOR PUBLIC PROJECTS
* K
TWO BLOCKS OF EIGHT PRE-WAR TENEMENT BUILDINGS IN WAN CHAI WERE TAKEN OVER BY THE GOVERNMENT THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON AFTER THE OCCUPANTS HAD COMPLETELY VACATED THE PREMISES.
THE BUILDINGS, NOS. 250-256 AND NOS. 262-268 WANCHAI ROAD, ARE TO BE DEMOLISHED IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO MAKE WAY FOR TWO MAJOR PUBLIC PROJECTS -- THE EXTENSION OF THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER TO WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW MARKET TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE IN CANAL ROAD.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE OCCUPANTS OF THESE BUILDINGS HAD ALL ACCEPTED THE OFFER OF EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION AND ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION MADE TO THEM BY THE GOVERNMENT.
OVER $400,000 HAD BEEN PAID TO THE 97 DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL TENANTS AS EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION UNDER THE ADVANCE PAYMENT SCHEME INTRODUCED LAST YEAR, HE POINTED OUT.
IN ADDITION, HE ADDED, 66 FAMILIES COMPRISING 276 PERSONS HAD ALREADY MOVED, UNDER ARRANGEMENT MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT, TO THEIR NEW HOMES IN VARIOUS PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
WORK ON THE EXTENSION OF THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER WHICH IS TIMED TO COINCIDE WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPOSED ABERDEEN TUNNEL, HAS ALREADY STARTED. WHEN COMPLETED, IT WILL PROVIDE A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN THE CROSS-HARBOUR AND ABERDEEN TUNNELS AND WILL FORM PART OF A MAJOR ROUTE LINKING KOWLOON AND ABERDEEN.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW CANAL ROAD MARKET IS A PART OF THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR WAN CHAI, WHICH AIMS TO COPE WITH THE INCREASE OF POPULATION IN THE AREA.
BOTH PROJECTS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF WAN CHAI.
IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THESE PROJECTS, ANOTHER 21 BUILDINGS IN THE VICINITY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO BE CLEARED. NINE OF THESE, SITUATED AT NOS. 255-261 WANCHAI ROAD, NOS. 1 AND 2 CHAN TONG LANE AND NOS. 21-25, BOWRINGTON ROAD, ARE BUILDINGS ON NON-RENEWABLE LEASES AND HAD ALREADY BEEN ACQUIRED EY THE GOVERNMENT ON THE EXPIRATION OF THEIR LEASES MORE THAN THREE YEARS AGO.
THE REMAINING TWELVE BUILDINGS, SITUATED AT NOS. 1-9 AND NOS. 2-8, CHI SHING LANE, NO. 3 CHAN TONG LANE AND NOS. 19A AND 19B BOWRINGTON ROAD, WERE RESUMED EY THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE CROWN LAND RESUMPTION ORDINANCE IN JULY LAST YEAR. THE OWNERS OF THESE BUILDINGS HAD BEEN OFFERED COMPENSATION AT THE CURRENT MARKET VALUE OF THEIR PREMISES.
/OF THE .....
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1977
OF THE 235 TENANTS IN THE LEASE-EXPIRED AND RESUMED BUILDINGS, SC FAR SOME 183 HAVE ACCEPTED THE OFFER OF EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION AND ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT AGREEMENT WOULD BE REACHED WITH THE OTHER TENANTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AS THE CLEARANCE DATE IS DRAWING NEAR.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ANY OWNER OR OCCUPANT OF THE RESUMED BUILDINGS MIGHT APPEAL TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL FOR ARBITRATION IF THEY WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION OFFERED TO THEM.
♦HOWEVER, THEY MUST VACATE THE BUILDINGS AT THE GIVEN DATE, AS DEMOLITION WORK IS CLOSELY TIED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE WHICH HAS TO BEGIN IN TIME,+ HE CONCLUDED.
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VISIT TO KWANGCHOW BY POSTAL OFFICIALS K K * K H
AN EIGHT-MAN DELEGATION OF POSTAL OFFICIALS, LED BY THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR. M. ADD I, LEFT BY TRAIN THIS (MONDAY) MORNING FOR A VISIT TO KWANGCHOW AT THE INVITATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE KWANGCHOW POST OFFICE.
THE DELEGATION WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON FRIDAY (MARCH 4).
THE VISIT IS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE ONE MADE BY A KWANGCHOW POSTAL DELEGATION TO HONG KONG A YEAR AGO.
THE OBJECT IS TO EXCHANGE IDEAS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1977
7
TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT CHEUNG SHA WAN NEARING COMPLETION *****
THE 318 MILLION TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT CHEUNG SHA WAN IS RAPIDLY NEARING COMPLETION.
IT IS TO BE KNOWN AS HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE BECAUSE OF A DONATION OF 35 MILLION BY MR. HAKING WONG, A PROMINENT INDUSTRIALIST, WHOSE COMPANY’S PRODUCTS INCLUDE CAMERAS, BINOCULARS, CASSETTE TAPE RECORDERS, ELECTRONIC FLASH UNITS AND SLIDE VIEWERS.
THE INSTITUTE OCCUPIES AN AREA OF SOME 8,600 SQUARE METRES BETWEEN LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND FORTUNE STREET. THE MAIN PEDESTRIAN ACCESS IS BY WAY OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD AT ITS SOUTH WESTERN SIDE.
ITS DESIGN IS SIMILAR TO THE INSTITUTES AT KWUN TONG AND KWAI CHUNG. THE INSTITUTE HAS THREE BUILDING BLOCKS LINKED TOGETHER BY COVERED CORRIDORS. HOUSED IN THE MAIN FIVE-STOREY BLOCK ARE 55 TEACHING ROOMS, WORKSHOPS AND LABORATORIES WITH FACILITIES FOR COURSES IN HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM, CONSTRUCTION, MARINE AND FABRICATION, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, A LIBRARY AND STAFF AND STUDENT COMMON ROOMS ARE IN A FOUR-STOREY BLOCK.
THE REMAINING BLOCK HAS AN ASSEMBLY HALL WHICH SERVES AS A GYMNASIUM WITH A COVERED PLAY AREA, CANTEEN FACILITIES ON THE GROUND FLOOR AND MINOR STAFF QUARTERS ON THE UPPER FLOORS.
WHEN FULLY OPERATIONAL, THE INSTITUTE WILL BE ABLE TO TURN OUT 500 FULL-TIME AND 1,500 PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE STUDENTS YEARLY. THERE WILL ALSO BE COURSES IN THE EVENING.
THE PRINCIPAL OF THE INSTITUTE, MR. ROBERT BRAY, SAID THAT HE ALREADY HAD 150 STUDENTS ON PART-TIME DAY RELEASE.
+THEY ARE VEHICLE BODY REPAIR APPRENTICES WHO ARE UNDERGOING TRAINING IN TEMPORARY PREMISES IN CAINE LANE. WE STARTED THE COURSE IN SEPTEMBER, 1976 FOLLOWING DEMAND FROM INDUSTRY,* MR. BRAY SAID.
THE CAINE LANE FACILITIES W£RE VISITED IN JANUARY BY EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL.
MR. BRAY SAID THAT THE ADMISSION OF FULL TIME STUDENTS WOULD BE IN SEPTEMBER AT THE START OF THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR.
THE PRINCIPAL IS LOOKING FORWARD TO MOVING INTO THE INSTITUTE. +1 EXPECT I SHALL TAKE OVER THE BUILDING FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN APRIL,* MR. BRAY SAID.
/RECENTLY, .....
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1977
8
RECENTLY, THE PRINCIPAL WELCOMED MR. PETER KERR ISON WHO ARRIVED IN HONG KONG TO HEAD THE INSTITUTE’S HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM DEPARTMENT.
ASKED WHAT OTHER COURSES HIS INSTITUTE HAD TO OFFER THAT WERE DIFFERENT FROM THE EXISTING THREE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, MR. BRAY SAID: + IN ADDITION TO THE COURSES IN HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM, NEW DAY-TIME COURSES ARE BEING OFFERED IN YACHT AND BOAT BUILDING, SHIPBUILDING AND SHIPREPAIRING, MARINE PLANT FITTING, FOUNDRY WORK AND PATTERNMAKING, WHICH ARE PART OF THE MARINE AND FABRI CAT I ON DEPARTMENT’ IN INSTRUMENTATION, INSTRUMENT MAK I NG AND REPAIRING, AND PLANT MAINTENANCE WHICH ARE PART OF THE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT’ IN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE SERVICING, LIFT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRING AND MARINE ELECTRICAL WORK AS PART OF THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT’ IN CIVIL ENGINEERING AND COURSES DESIGNED TO COMPLEMENT THE OFF-THE-JOB TRAINING WHICH WILL BE GIVEN TO YOUNG PERSONS AT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY’S NEW TRAINING CENTRE AT KOWLOON EAY.+
WHILE ONE INSTITUTE IS ABOUT TO OPEN ITS DOORS, SITE FORMATION ON ANOTHER - THE FIFTH - IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT AUGUST ON A 16,000 SQUARE METRES SITE AT RENFREW ROAD, KOWLOON TONG.
THIS INSTITUTE WILL ALSO HAVE FIVE DEPARTMENTS - COMMERCIAL STUDIES, DESIGN, ENGINEERING, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND GENERAL STUDIES. IT IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1979 IN TIME FOR OPENING IN SEPTEMBER OF THAT YEAR.
PRE-WAR BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY DECLARED NO. 23A HOK LO MAIN STREET, KOWLOON LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS AND ORDERED DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT THIS TWO STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED OF LOAD-BEARING WALLS WITH A TIMBER ROOF.
ADJACENT BUILDINGS WERE DAMAGED BY A RECENT FIRE AND WERE REQUIRED TO BE DEMOLISHED. ALTHOUGH NO. 23A HOK LO MAIN STREET WAS NOT TOUCHED BY THE FIRE IT IS GENERALLY DILAPIDATED AND WITH A PARTY WALL IN POOR CONDITION. IT IS CONSIDERED THAT IF THE BUILDING WERE ALLOWED TO REMAIN WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF ADJACENT PROPERTIES IT WOULD BE LIABLE TO COLLAPSE.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.33 A.M. ON MARCH 23, 1977 WAS POSTED TODAY.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1977
9
BELL TO ATTEND MEETING IN NEW DELHI
*****
MR. G.J. BELL, DIRECTOR, ROYAL OBSERVATORY, TODAY LEFT HONG KONG FOR NEW DELHI TO ATTEND A MEETING OF THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION’S PLANNING GROUP FOR THE MONSOON EXPERIMENT DUE TO BEGIN IN OCTOBER NEXT YEAR.
THE MEETING WILL DECIDE ON THE OBSERVATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS EXPERIMENT, KNOWN AS MONEX. THE EXPERIMENT FORMS A PART OF THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION’S GLOBAL ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH PROGRAMME (GARP).
IT IS HOPED THAT OBSERVATIONS TO BE MADE DURING THIS EXPERIMENT WILL ENABLE A MORE PROFOUND UNDERSTANDING OF THE MONSOON TO BE OBTAINED. A PART OF THE EXPERIMENT INVOLVES THE DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVED MATHEMATICAL MODELS OF THE MONSOONS WHICH, IT IS HOPCD WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO BETTER FORECASTS.
AFTER THE PLANNING MEETING, MR. BELL WILL STAY ON IN NEW DELHI TO ATTEND A JOINT MEETING OF THE AMERICAN AND INDIAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETIES TO DISCUSS SCIENTIFIC ASPECTS OF THE MONSOONS. HE IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG ON MARCH 10.
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TAI LONG WAN LOSES BUS SERVICE
*****
THE NEW LANTAU BUS ROUTE NO. 5 BETWEEN SILVERMINE BAY AND TAI LONG WAN WILL BE DISCONTINUED FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) BECAUSE OF LACK OF PASSENGERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THIS SERVICE WAS CURRENTLY OPERATED AT A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, PATRONAGE ON THIS SERVICE HAD BEEN VERY LOW AND THAT THE TRAFFIC DEMAND OF LESS THAN THREE PASSENGERS PER DAY DID NOT WARRANT THE CONTINUATION OF THE SERVICE.
WITH THE CANCELLATION OF THIS SERVICE, THERE ARE STILL FOUR BUS SERVICES BEING OPERATED BY THE NEW LANTAU BUS COMPANY.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1977
10
F IR ING PRACTICE
* * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE BETWEEN 8.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. ON MARCH 10 (THURSDAY).
THIS WILL BE IN ADDITION TO THE 10 FIRING PRACTICES TO BE HELD AT THE SAME RANGE BETWEEN MARCH 7 AND MARCH 31, ANNOUNCED IN LAST FRIDAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF THE PRACTICE.
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WATER CUT * H
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 2) TO ENABLE THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST IN THE AREA.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED EY SHAUKIWAN ROAD, CHURCH STREET, THE SEAFRONT INCLUDING FACTORY STREET, TAI TAK STREET, MONG LUNG STREET, KAM WA STREET, PO MAN STREET, SHAUK IWAN MAIN STREET EAST AND WANG WA STREET.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1977
11
DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS TO * * * *
VISIT CRECHE AND NURSERY H *
THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, WILL VISIT THE PO LEUNG KUK DOROTHY LEE CRECHE AND THE PO LEUNG KUK LAM TIN NURSERY ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 2) TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE NURSERY SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE KUK IN THE LAM TIN AREA.
HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED EY MRS. MAXIME LI KWOK, CHAIRMAN OF PO LEUNG KUK= MRS. KITTY SIU HON-SUM, VICE-CHAIRMAN* MRS. LAI IP KAM-LUEN AND MR. LI SZE-KING, DIRECTORS OF THE KUK AND MR. LEUNG CHIU-MAN, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (KWUN TONG).
MR. WALDEN WILL TOUR ROUND THE PREMISES AND SEE THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES OF THE CRECHE AS WELL AS THE NURSERY.
THE FACILITIES IN THE CRECHE INCLUDE AN ACTIVITY RCOM, A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ROOM, AN ISOLATION ROOM AND GENERAL OFFICE SPACE. THE CRECHE IS PRESENTLY STAFFED EY TRAINED AND EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL COMPRISING ONE SUPERVISOR, SIX WORKERS AND FOUR AMAHS.
BABIES OF THREE MONTHS TO TWO YEARS OF AGE FROM POOR FAMILIES ARE QUALIFIED FOR ADMISSION AND THE FEE IS $70 A MONTH WITH THE DEFICIT BEING PARTLY COVERED BY A SUBSIDY FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THE PO LEUNG KUK’S LAM TIN NURSERY OCCUPIES A TOTAL FLOOR SPACE OF OVER 6,000 SQUARE FEET. VARIOUS FACILITIES IN THE NURSERY INCLUDE AN ACTIVITY ROOM, A MUSIC ROOM, A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ROOM, AN ISOLATION WARD AND A GENERAL OFFICE.
LIKE THE CRECHE, THE NURSERY IS SUBSIDISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT. A NOMINAL FEE OF $40 A MONTH IS CHARGED.
NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT. MR. WALDEN WILL ARRIVE AT THE CRECHE AT 2.45 P.M. ON THAT DAY.