DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 198}
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REGULAR FIRST QUARTER HOUSEHOLD SURVEY STARTS .................. 1
FOUR BILLS FOR LEGCO MEETING .................................. 2
CANDIDATES TO PRESENT PLATFORMS ................................ 3
FURTHER ACTION AGAINST DTC’S .................................. 4
CHINA GROUP VISITS REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT .............. 4
OUTSTANDING YOUTH LEADERS REWARDED ............................. 4
CHECK KEPT ON REMOVAL OF HOUSEHOLD REFUSE....................... 5
REFRESHER COURSES FOR MATHEMATICS TEACHERS ..................... 6
PRIMARY PUPILS JOIN VEGETABLE GROWING CONTEST................... 6
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OFFICERS COMPLETE HOSPITAL TRAINING ... 7
KWUN TONG DB MEMBERS TO STUDY ENVIRONMENT ...................... 7
NEW PLAYGROUND, SITTING-OUT AREA FOR WAN CHAI .................. 8
FOUR HOURS WATER CUT ........................................... 8
INTELPOST - THE FASTEST MAIL IN THE WORLD....................... 9
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1983
- 1 -
REGULAR FIRST QUARTER HOUSEHOLD SURVEY STARTS * * * *
THE FIRST QUARTER 1983 GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IS BEING CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT FROM THIS MONTH TO APRIL, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS ANNOUNCED TODAY.
STARTED IN AUGUST 1981, QUARTERLY SURVEYS ARE CARRIED OUT ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS BY THE PERMANENT FIELD STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION, HE EXPLAINED.
A RANDOM SAMPLE OF ABOUT 16 500 HOUSEHOLDS HAS BEEN SELECTED THROUGHOUT ALL DISTRICTS IN HONG KONG FOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS SURVEY. SOME OF THE HOUSEHOLDS WERE INCLUDED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER 1982 SURVEY (NOVEMBER 1982 - JANUARY 1983) AND WILL BE INTERVIEWED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE COMING SURVEY TO MEASURE MORE ACCURATELY THE CHANGES THAT HAVE SINCE OCCURRED.
OFFICIAL LETTERS IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE SAMPLE HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND TO SEEK THEIR COOPERATION.
ASSISTANT CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS, WHO WILL IDENTIFY THEMSELVES WITH DEPARTMENTAL IDENTITY CARDS, WILL VISIT THE SAMPLE HOUSEHOLDS DURING THIS PERIOD TO COLLECT THE INFORMATION.
QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDE THE CORE QUESTIONS ON LABOUR FORCE AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS s AGE, SEX AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF INDIVIDUALS! ACTIVITY STATUS, OCCUPATION, INDUSTRY, EARNINGS, AND HOURS OF WORK FOR THOSE WORKING! TENURE, RENT AND INCOME OF HOUSEHOLDS.
OTHER QUESTIONS ON DEMAND FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS AND PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING; AWARENESS OF PROVISION OF ADVISORY AND PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES AND PARTICIPATION IN YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE ACTIVITIES; NUMBER OF RADIOS WITH VHF/FM RECEPTION! GAS WATER HEATERS; CIGARETTE SMOKING AND HEALTH AND LIVING AREA AND TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION, WILL ALSO BE ASKED.
ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE AND WILL NOT BE REVEALED TO ANY PERSON OR ORGANISATION OUTSIDE THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, HE SAID.
-----o-----
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1983
2
FOUR BILLS FOR LEGCO MEETING ft ft ft ft
FOUR BILLS, DEALING WITH A VARIETY OF MATTERS, WILL BE INTRODUCED AT TOMORROW’S (WEDNESDAY’S) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING AND READ A SECOND TIME. DEBATE ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THE BILLS AREi
ft INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, BASING THE COLLECTION OF PROPERTY TAX ON ACTUAL RENT RECEIVED
ft MATRIMONIAL CAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, EXTENDING THE POWERS OF THE COURTS WITH REGARD TO CHILD CUSTODY
ft PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, PROVIDING GREATER PROTECTION TO THE PUBLIC ON CERTAIN INVESTMENT SCHEMES,
ft REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, EMPOWERING THE GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE NEW AND MORE SECURE IDENTITY CARDS.
TWO OTHER BILLS ARE DUE FOR FINAL READING:
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES BILL 1982, PROVIDING A FRAMEWORK FOR THE PRUDENT SUPERVISION OF THE INSURANCE BUSINESS, AND
THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (RECRUITING OF SEAMEN) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, INCREASING THE ANNUAL FEE FOR LICENSED CREW DEPARTMENTS OF SHIPPING COMPANIES.
THIRTEEN QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
THEY WILL DEAL WITH SUCH MATTERS AS THE LAY ASSESSORS SCHEME IN THE MAGISTRACIES, AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES, RISKS TO CHILDREN AT CONSTRUCTION SITE OPEN PITS, EMISSION OF HARMFUL EXHAUST FROM VEHICLES, CONTROL OF DANGEROUS DRUGS IN CHINESE PATENT MEDICINES, AND POLICY ON SUBVENTION FOR SOCIAL CENTRES, MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY.
OTHER QUESTIONS WILL CONCERN THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG, LOW COST CLINICS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, USE OF SPACE UNDER FLYOVERS, LEGAL ABORTIONS ON GIRLS UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, THE ANTI-SMOKING PROGRAMME, THE TUEN MUN LIGHT RAIL SCHEME, AND THE SAFETY OF EQUIPMENT AT THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL.
-----o------
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1933
3
CANDIDATES TO PRESENT PLATFORMS * * * *
THREE CANDIDATES FOR THE MARCH 8 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL PRESENT THEIR PLATFORMS AT A SERIES OF SEMINARS TO BE ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE FROM TOMORROW TO EARLY MARCH.
THE CANDIDATES, MR FRANCIS CHAINE, MR CHIU BUT-YORK AND NR JOSEPH CHAN WILL CONTEST THE SEAT IN THE SOUTHERN CONSTITUENCY.
ALL THE 48 727 REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE DISTRICT ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE SEMINARS, WHICH WILL LAST ABOUT TWO HOURS, STARTING AT 8 PM.
THE CANDIDATES WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS FOLLOWING A BRIEF SELF INTRODUCTION AND AN OUTLINE OF THEIR PLATFORMS.
THE SCHEDULE FOR THE SEMINARS IS AS FOLLOWS!
# TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT ABERDEEN KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTRE, 180B, ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD;
* ON FEBRUARY 3 (THURSDAY) AT C.K. LAW MEMORIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, BLOCK 5, SHEK PAI WAN ESTATE;
M ON FEBRUARY 8 (TUESDAY) AT WONG CHUK HANG YOUTH CENTRE, THE FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS, BLOCK 10, WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE;
* ON FEBRUARY 21 (MONDAY) AT CHI FU COMMUNITY HALL, CHI FU FA YUEN ;
* ON FEBRUARY 24 (THURSDAY) AT CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE, ABERDEEN, 20, TIN WAN STREET!
* ON FEBRUARY 28 (MONDAY) AT MATTEO RICCI COLLEGE, 55, WAH FU ROAD, WAH FU ESTATE; AND
M ON MARCH 2 (WEDNESDAY) AT STANLEY SUB-OFFICE, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 88, STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINARS.
1
1 B
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 1983
4
FURTHER ACTION AGAINST DTC’S
* * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES HAS TODAY REVOKED THE REGISTRATION OF THREE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES. THEIR NAMES AREt
AXONA INTERNATIONAL CREDIT AND COMMERCE LIMITED HONG KONG DEPOSIT AND GUARANTY COMPANY LIMITED TETRA FINANCE (HK) LIMITED
THE REVOCATION OF THE REGISTRATION OF THESE COMPANIES FOLLOWS THE SUSPENSION OF THEIR REGISTRATION ON JANUARY 3, ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE COMPANIES HAD FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF SPECIFIED LIQUID ASSETS REQUIRED BY LAW DURING NOVEMBER 1982.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMISSIONER HAS ALSO SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE THE REGISTRATION OF FIRST HONG KONG CREDIT LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY, ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE COMPANY HAS FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF SPECIFIED LIQUID ASSETS REQUIRED BY LAW DURING DECEMBER 1982.
----o------
CHINA GROUP VISITS REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT X * * *
A SIX-MEMBER DELEGATION LED BY MR HU XING ZHANG, THE TRADE MARK DIVISION CHIEF, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND TRADE OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, FOREIGN TRADE ADMINISTRATION, VISITED THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT THIS AFTERNOON (TUESDAY).
THE DELEGATION DISCUSSED VARIOUS ASPECTS OF TRADE MARK LAW AND PRACTICE AND VISITED THE TRADE MARKS REGISTRY IN THE UNITED CENTRE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
-----o-------
OUTSTANDING YOUTH LEADERS REWARDED
MM*
TEN OUTSTANDING YOUTH LEADERS WERE THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING PRESENTED WITH OUTWARD BOUND SCHOLARSHIPS BY A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR CHARLES YEUNG. WHO IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT.
THEY ARE MESSRSi LAW KEUNG, LO WING-CHAK, HO SIU-WING, FUNG SIK-LEUNG, CHEUNG KA-FAI, CHAU CHiU-POR AND LEUNG PI NG-KI AND MISS KO Pul—KING, MISS LAI MAN-CHI AND MISS SO KAN-MEI.
AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD THIS EVENING,’ MR YEUNG PRAISED THE YOUTHS FOR THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY DURING THE 1982 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
/♦THE 10 .......
TUESDAY, ramie 1, 1983
5
+THE 10 YOUTH LEADERS WITH US HERE TODAY ARE EXAMPLES OF SUCH COMMUNITY SPIRITED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED THtIR TIME AND EFFORTS IN MAKING THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ONE OF THE MOST PC- LAR EVENTS OF THE YEAR,* MR YEUNG SAID.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE DONATED ANNUALLY BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB IN RECOGNITION OF VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS BY YOUNG PEOPLE DURING THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
EACH OUTWARD BOUND SCHOLARSHIP IS MADE UP OF FEES FOR A STANDARD COURSE OFFERED AT THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL, MEDICAL EXAMINATION FEES AND POCKET MONEY FOR MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $4 000.
THE STANDARD COURSES COVER 18 DAYS OF TRAINING FOR THE 16 TO 26 YEARS OLD AGE GROUP, AND ARE DESIGNED TO FOSTER THE QUALITIES OF COOPERATION, INITIATIVE, AND SELF-AWARENESS THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF A SUSTAINED CHALLENGE.
THEY WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE OUTWARD BOUND SHIP ’JI FUNG’ WHERE THE YOUTHS WILL UNDERGO VIGOROUS TRAINING.
THERE WILL BE SCALING, RIGGING AND LONG NIGHT WATCHES ALOFT OR AT THE END OF A DIPPING BOWSPRIT.
LIFE ABOARD THE VESSEL WILL CALL FOR COMMUNITY LIVING, TOLERANCE, LOYALTY AND DEDICATION.
------0--------
CHECK KEPT ON REMOVAL OF HOUSEHOLD REFUSE * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERR ITOR IES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD, WENT TO CHEUNG CHAU TODAY (TUESDAY) TO CHECK ON WORK BEING DONE IN TRANSPORTING HOUSEHOLD REFUSE BY BARGE TO TSI NG Yl ISLAND FOR DISPOSAL.
MR HEYWOOD FIRST WENT TO THE PIER AT TAI SHEK HAU AND SAW TONS OF HOUSEHOLD REFUSE BEING LOADED ONTO A CONTRACTOR’S BARGE.
HE THEN TOURED A PROPOSED SITE FOR A MODERN CREMATORIUM NEXT TO THE CHEUNG CHAU PUBLIC CEMETERY.
THE CREMATORIUM WILL INCLUDE A COLUMBARIUM ACCOMMODATING 500 TO 1 000 NICHES AND A LANDSCAPED GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE.
LATER, HE WENT TO THE WATERFRONT AREA AND SAW RECLAMATION WORK BEING CARRIED OUT TO PROVIDE LAND FOR A MARKET, AND A COOKED FOOD BAZAAR TO RESITE ELIGIBLE STREET TRADERS.
BEFORE LEAVING CHEUNG CHAU MR HEYWOOD ALSO INSPECTED A NUMBER OF PUBLIC RECREATIONAL FACILITIES UNDER THE MANAGEMENT CF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING THE CHEUNG CHAU SPORTSGROUND AND THE GAZETTED BEACHES ,AT TUNG WAN AND KWUN YUM WAN.
ACCOMPANYING MR HEYWOOD ON TODAY’S TOUR WERE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN TELFORD, THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT, SOUTH REGION, MR LEE SAI-HEI, AND THE DEPUTY URBAN SERVICES OFFICER, ISLANDS, MR MA KWONG-CHOI.
0 --------
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1983
6
REFRESHER COURSES FOR MATHEMATICS TEACHERS * * * *
FOUR COURSES ON THE TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS WILL BE ORGANISED FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S MATHEMATICS TEACHING CENTRE FROM MARCH TO JUNE THIS YEAR.
THESE COURSES, EACH OF WHICH WILL LAST TWO DAYS, ARE AIMED AT INTRODUCING NEW APPROACHES TO MATHEMATICS TEACHING, PARTICULARLY LEARNING THROUGH ACTIVITY AND DISCOVERY.
THE CONTENTS OF THE COURSES, WHICH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE, WILL INCLUDE LECTURES, SESSIONS FOR PRACTICAL WORK AND DISCUSSIONS.
THE COURSES FOR UPPER PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 10 AND 17, AND MAY 12 AND 19 J WHILE THOSE FOR LOWER PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON APRIL 14 AND 21, AND JUNE 2 AND 9 AT THE MATHEMATICS TEACHING CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK
ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
EACH COURSE CAN ONLY ACCOMMODATE 30 TEACHERS AND APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
HEADMASTERS WISHING TO SEND THEIR TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE COURSES SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR NOMINATIONS TO THE MATHEMATICS SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, ROOM 419, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 8.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE COURSES MAY BE MADE WITH THE MATHEMATICS SECTION, TEL. 5-8392488.
------o-------
PRIMARY PUPILS JOIN VEGETABLE GROWING CONTEST * * * *
THE JUDGING OF THIS YEAR’S URBAN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN VEGETABLE GROWING COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AT NOON TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S TEACHING CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
AN HORTICULTURIST FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR C.S. PAO, WILL HEAD A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS AT THE JUDGING.
MORE THAN 80 URBAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAVE TAKEN PART IN THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION. AFTER RECEIVING SEEDS FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT LAST SEPTEMBER, PARTICIPATING STUDENTS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY GROWN TOMATO, BUSH BEAN, CABBAGE AND BROCCOLI IN POTS.
ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE VEGETABLE GROWING COMPETITION WAS ORGANISED TO GIVE STUDENTS A CHANCE TO PRACTISE WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED FROM TEXTBOOKS AND TO AROUSE THEIR AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
AN EXHIBITION OF SELECTED ENTRIES WILL BE HELD AT THE TEACHING CENTRE FROM 2.30 PM TOMORROW TO 5 PM ON FRIDAY, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
- - - - 0 ----
h.......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1903
- 7 -
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OFFICERS COMPLETE HOSPITAL TRAINING * * M
THIRTEEN ASSISTANT OFFICERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE COMPLETED AN IN-SERVICE HOSPITAL TRAINING COURSE AND PASSED THE FIRST AID AND HOME NURSING EXAMINATIONS WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES.
AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS, WOMAN SUPERINTENDENT, MISS BONNIE WONG, DISTRIBUTED THE CERTIFICATES.
THE 10—WEEK CONDENSED COURSE, CONDUCTED BY THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION, INCLUDED EIGHT WEEKS’ THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL TRAINING AS WELL AS TWO WEEKS’ FIELD TRAINING AT THE TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION HOSPITAL.
THE OFFICERS WILL BE POSTED TO WORK IN HOSPITALS AND SICK BAYS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS.
----0------
KWUN TONG DB MEMBERS TO STUDY ENVIRONMENT * * *
MEMBERS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL TOUR THE TING HONG AREA IN NGAU TAU KOK TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO IDENTIFY ENVIRONMENTAL DEFICIENCIES.
THE VISIT WILL ENABLE MEMBERS TO UNDERSTAND THE GENERAL SITUATION BETTER IN THE AREA AND TO RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS.
THEIR MAIN CONCERN WILL BE OVER ILLEGAL HAWKING, CONTROL OF HAWKERS, PARKING FACILITIES, PUBLIC AMENITIES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
A PRE-VISIT BRIEFING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE MUSIC OFFICE ON TING FU STREET.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1983
- 8 -
NEW PLAYGROUND, SITTING-OUT AREA FOR WAN CHAI
li *
A THREE-LEVEL PLAYGROUND AND SITTING-OUT AREA WILL SOON BE BUILT ON A 321-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN SHIP STREET TO SERVE THE RECREATIONAL NEEDS OF RESIDENTS IN WAN CHAI.
THE DESIGN FOR THE PROJECT WAS DICTATED BY THE INCLINE OF THE AREA, A BUILDING DEVELOPMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED TODAY.
FACILITIES TO BE INCLUDED IN THE FIRST LEVEL ARE A STOREROOM, A DUAL-CONTOUR SLIDE, WALL-MOUNTED FITNESS EQUIPMENT AND A CONCRETE CLIMB, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A PUBLIC TOILET, CHESS TABLES, A SADDLE MATE AND SWINGS WILL BE LOCATED ON THE SECOND LEVEL.
THE THIRD LEVEL, WILL BE TURFED AND PLANTED AND WILL BE RESERVED FOR SEATING.
TENDERS ARE NOW BEING CALLED FOR THE PROJECT AND WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MARCH AND BE READY BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
----o------
FOUR HOURS WATER CUT X X #
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN SHUN TIN ESTATE, SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE AND CHOI WAN ESTATE IN EAST KOWLOON WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FOUR HOURS FROM 10 AM TO 2 PM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 3) FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2 198
- 9 -
INTELPOST - THE FASTEST MAIL IN THE '<0>.LD ******
IMAGINE YOU WISH TO SEND A PERSONALISED GREETING CARD TO SOMEONE DEAR WHO IS GETTING MARRIED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THE NEXT DAY. HOW CAN IT BE DELIVERED IN TIME?
THE ANSWER IS +INTELPOST+ - A NEW ELECTRONIC MAIL FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION SERVICE OFFERED BY THE POST OFFICE IN CO-OPERATION WITH CABLE AND WIRELESS (HK) LTD.
+THE OTHER DAY A COUPLE USED THE INTELPOST SERVICE TO SEND A BEAUTIFUL HAND-PREPARED GREETING CARD TO THEIR SON WHO WAS GETTING MARRIED THE FOLLOWING DAY. AND IT REACHED HIM IN TIME,* ACCORDING TO MR P.C. LUK, SENIOR CONTROLLER (MANAGEMENT SERVICES).
THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE ENTERED A NEW PHASE IN POSTAL HISTORY ON DECEMBER 6 LAST YEAR WHEN THE INTELPOST SERVICE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND 60 CENTRES IN BRITAIN WAS LAUNCHED. IT ALSO BECAME THE FIRST POSTAL ADMINISTRATION OUTSIDE OF EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA TO HAVE SUCH A SERVICE.
+INTELPOST PROVIDES HIGH-SPEED FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION OF BUSINESS PAPERS, DOCUMENTS, REPORTS, CHARTS, DIAGRAMS, LETTERS, GREETINGS, AND, IN FACT, ANY PRINTED MATERIAL OR MANUSCRIPT,* MR LUK EXPLAINED.
ON JANUARY 11, THE SERVICE WAS EXTENDED TO FIVE MAJOR CENTRES IN THE UNITED STATES: CHICAGO, HOUSTON, NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO AND WASHINGTON.
MR LUK DISCLOSED THAT PLANS ARE IN HAND FOR SIMILAR SERVICES TO CANADA, SINGAPORE, GERMANY AND OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.
THE RESPONSE TO THE SERVICE HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING AND A VARIETY OF CUSTOMERS RANGING FROM BUSINESS CONCERNS, SOLICITORS FIRMS AND MUSIC COMPANIES TO PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS HAVE SO FAR USED IT.
+THE SERVICE IS ESPECIALLY USEFUL TO STOCKBROKERS, NEWS AGENCIES, BANKERS, PUBLISHERS, PRINTERS, ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS AND SOLICITORS WHO HAVE OVERSEAS CONNECTIONS,* MR LUK SAID.
DOCUMENTS ACCEPTED AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE OR THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE WILL BE TRANSMITTED TO THE OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS WITHIN ONE HOUR.
/KJBJjNG THE
TUESDAY, FEBEUAHY 1, 1963
10 -
DURING THE ACTUAL TRANSMISSION, THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT IS SCANNED BY THE FACSIMILE MACHINE. THE VARIATIONS OF PRINT DENSITY ON THE DOCUMENT CAUSE THE SCANNER TO GENERATE ANALOGOUS ELECTRICAL VIDEO SIGNALS WHICH ARE THEN TRANSMITTED TO THE DISTANT END THROUGH THE INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE NETWORK.
THESE SIGNALS ARE RECEIVED AND USED TO MODULATE THE DENSITY OF PRINT PRODUCED BY A PRINTING DEVICE OF THE RECEIVING FACSIMILE MACHINE. AS A RESULT A FACSIMILE COPY OF THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT IS PRODUCED.
+THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETED IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. THAT’S WHY INTELPOST IS THE FASTEST MAIL SERVICE IN THE WORLD,* MR LUK SAID.
ON ARRIVAL, THE FACSIMILE COPIES WILL EITHER BE DELIVERED BY SPECIAL MESSENGER TO ADDRESSEES WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DELIVERY AREAS OR CAN BE COLLECTED AT THE NEAREST INTELPOST OFFICE OR FORWARDED BY FIRST CLASS MAIL.
AT THE SENDER’S REQUEST, THE ORIGINALS CAN BE EITHER RETURNED TO HIM OR FORWARDED TO THE ADDRESSEE BY FIRST CLASS AIR MAIL AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO THE SENDER.
THE COST OF INTELPOST IS $50 FOR THE FIRST SIDE OF PAPER UP TO A4 SIZE, AND S25 FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT SIDE BEING SENT AT THE SAME TIME TO THE SAME ADDRESSEE. THIS COST IS VERY REASONABLE, COMPARED WITH THAT OF OTHER EXPRESS TRANSMISSION METHODS, ACCORDING TO MR LUK.
HE STRESSED THAT INTELPOST, LIKE OTHER FIRST CLASS MAIL SERVICES OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE, IS SECURE AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE ITEMS IS RESPECTED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING;
PROPOSAL TO CONTROL PAPER GOLD SCHEME ADVERTISING..... 1
OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMS CONSIDERED FOR TUEN MUN 2
PROPOSED NEW PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM SAID +M3RE EQUITABLBf ... 2
NEW ID CARDS WILL BE DOUBLY SECURE ..................... 3
RIGHT OF ABODE DISCUSSED ............................... 4
INSURANCE COMPANIES BILL APPROVED ...................... 4
POLICY ON ELDERLY SOCIAL CENTRES EXPLAINED ............. 6
ASSURANCE GIVEN ON CARE OF CHILDREN BY SOT ............. 7
NO SERIOUS DEFICIENCY FOUND IN DENTAL EQUIPMENT ........ 8
FUNDS FOR PRINCE PHILIP DJNTAL HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT APPROVED 9
CHINESE PATENT MEDICINES TESTED FOR DRUGS ............. 10
CLINICS PROVIDED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ............ 10
ANTI-SMOKING EFFORT STEPPED UP ........................ 11
VIDEO GAMES CENTRE LICENSING BEDIG REVIEWED ........... 12
CONTROL OF VEHICLE SMOKE EMISSION ADEQUATE: SCOTT ..... 13
SAFETY MEASURES ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ................. 13
LAY ASSESSORS SCHEME UNDER STUDY....................... 14
SPACE UNDERNEATH FLYOVERS PUT TO GOOD USE ............. 15
/
/TRIBUTES to .....
TRIBUTES TO BILL DORWARD ..................................... 16
BILLS PASSED................................................. -,6
SUBVENTION i/ILL REACH AGENCIES EARLIER ......................... 17
SURVEY OF RETAIL SALES FOR NOVEMBER, 1962 ....................... 18
LUNAR N2ff YEAR CONCERTS IN MACAU ............................... 21
MING KUM’ROAD TO BE CLOSED....................................... 21
' .• - - r
S'
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983
1
PROPOSAL TO CONTROL PAPER GOLD SCHEME ADVERTISING *****
THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 SEEKS TO APPLY SELECTIVE CONTROLS OVER THE ADVERTISING OF PAPER GOLD TRADING SCHEMES MAINLY AT THE RETAIL LEVEL TO REDUCE THE EXPOSURE OF THE PUBLIC TO UNSOUND SCHEMES, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON P. JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR JACOBS EXPLAINED THAT ^SELECTIVE CONTROLS OVER ADVERTISING* bEANS TWO TH INGSi
FIRST, THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT SEEKING TO REGULATE JEWELLERY BUSINESSES IN THE SENSE OF EXERCISING PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION OVER THEM. THEY AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS MAY CONTINUE OPERATING PAPER GOLD TRADING SCHEMES PROVIDED THAT THEY DO NOT SEEK TO ADVERTISE THEM.
SECOND, ANY BUSINESS WHICH OPERATES A PAPER GOLD TRADING SCHEME AND WISHES TO ADVERTISE IT MUST IN FUTURE OBTAIN THE PRIOR AUTHORISATION OF THE SECURITIES COMMISSION FOR THE ADVERTISING.
♦IN THIS CONNECTION, WE ENVISAGE THAT APPLICATION MADE BY BUSINESSES THAT ARE ALREADY SUBJECT TO PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION — SUCH AS BANKS — AND THOSE WHICH PRACTISE A SUFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE DEGREE OF SELF-REGULATION — SUCH AS MEMBERS OF THE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE — WILL NORMALLY BE APPROVED.
♦BUT APPLICATIONS MADE BY ANY OTHER BUSINESS WILL BE EXAMINED CAREFULLY BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES, WHO WILL HAVE TO SATISFY HIMSELF GENERALLY THAT THE DRAFT ADVERTISEMENT IS NOT AMBIGUOUS OR MISLEADING, THAT THE BUSINESS IS GENUINE, AND THAT THE PROMOTERS INTEND TO IMPLEMENT INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEMS APPROPRIATE TO THE SCHEME IN QUESTION,* MR JACOBS SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL HAD BEEN DRAFTED TO ENABLE THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO SPECIFY ANY INVESTMENT ARRANGEMENTS PROVIDED THEY MEET WITH THE CRITERIA SET FORTH.
♦SO, WHILE IT WAS TRADING IN PAPER GOLD THAT PROMPTED THIS BILL, IT HAS BEEN DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT ITS PROVISIONS COULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER COMMODITIES TRADED UNDER SIMILAR SCHEMES,* HE EXPLAINED.
IN DESIGNING GENERALLY BEST TO TRADING PRACTICES
A MEASURE CONCERNED WITH CONSUMER PROTECTION, IT IS INTERFERE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE WITH NORMAL AND TO AVOID CREATING UNNECESSARY RESTRAINTS ON
TRADE, MR JACOBS STATED.
TRADING IN GOLD FUTURES, WHICH IS CONDUCTED ON THE COMMODITIES EXCHANGE, IS ALREADY SUBJECT TO PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION BY THE COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSION, HE POINTED OUT.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983
- 2 -
OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMS CONSIDERED FOR TUEN MUN ******
TUEN MUN NEW TOWN WAS DEVELOPED TO ACCOMMODATE A LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM AS THE PRINCIPAL INTERNAL MODE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, BUT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE OPERATIONALLY TO USE SOME OTHER FORM CF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, HE SAID, HOWEVER, THAT THE STANDARDS OF SERVICE, AND THE FINANCIAL ASPECTS CF ANY OTHER FORM OF TRANSPORT REQUIRED FURTHER STUDY.
MR SCOTT SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO FIND A MUTUALLY AGREEABLE BASIS ON WHICH TO CONCLUDE THE DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN KOWLOON WHARF AND GODOWN AND GOVERNMENT FOR THE COMPANY TO PROCEED WITH BUILDING THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.
♦SEVERAL GROUPS OF COMPANIES HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE PROJECT, AND CONSIDERATION IS NOW BEING GIVEN AS TO HOW BEST TO PROCEED,♦ HE SAID.
♦ I CANNOT YET SAY PRECISELY GOVERNMENT WILL PROCEED, BUT I SHOULD LIKE TO REASSURE MR CHEONG IN RESPECT OF ONE ASPECT OF THE SPECULATION TO WHICH HE REFERS.
♦ THE 1977 PLANS FOR TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTED A RATE OF POPULATION BUILD-UP WHICH WOULD JUSTIFY THE COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATION OF THE LRT IN 1986/7.
♦POPULATION BUILD-UP OVER SUCH LONG PERIODS OF TIME VERY RARELY FOLLOWS PRECISELY THE FIRST PROJECTS.
♦ AT LEAST TWO OF THE GROUPS TO WHICH I REFERRED EARLIER CONSIDER A CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF 36 MONTHS TO BE FEASIBLE.
♦ WE THEREFORE HAVE ADEQUATE TIME TO CONSIDER HOW BEST NOW TO PROCEED IN RESPECT OF THE LRT,+ MR SCOTT SAID.
-----o------
PROPOSED NEW PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM SAID ♦MORE EQUITABLE* ******
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE PROPER CRITERIA FOR THE PAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAX AND NOT TO °r™'S.TAX’ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL, MOVED BY MR BREMRIDGE THROUGH THE FIRST TWO READINGS AT THE COUNCIL, IS TO REPLACE THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT BA'SED ON VALUATIONS WITH A SYSTEM BASED ON ACTUAL RENTS RECEIVED.
/THE MAIN ......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983
- 3 -
THE MAIN DISADVANTAGE OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM IS THaT IT CaNNOT ' iPOND WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME TO SUDDEN CHANGES IN THE GENERAL LEVEL OF RENTS AS REVALUATION OF RENTS IS A MAJOR COMMITMENT THAT CAN ONLY BE UNDERTAKEN AT INTERVALS OF SEVERAL YEARS, MR BREMRIDGE POINTED OUT.
THE PROPOSED SYSTEM, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS MORE EQUITABLE AND CAN RESPOND MORE SWIFTLY TO THE CHANGING LEVELS OF RENTS ACTUALLY CHARGED, HE SAID.
CLAUSE 6 OF THE BILL PROVIDES THAT, FROM THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT 1983-84 ONWARDS, PROPERTY TAX WILL BE DETERMINED BY REFERENCE TO THE RENT PAYABLE IN THAT YEAR, INCLUDING MANAGEMENT CHARGES.
THE CLAUSE ALSO ALLOWS FOR THE INCLUSION OF LUMP SUMS, SUCH AS LEASE PREMIUMS, BUT ALLEVIATES THE FULL IMPACT OF THE CHARGE IN THE YEAR OF RECEIPT BY SPREADING THE SUM OVER THE PERIOD OF LETTING OR OVER THREE YEARS, WHICHEVER IS THE LESS, MR BREMRIDGE EXPLAINED.
RELIEF IS PROVIDED WHERE RENTS RECEIVABLE ARE IRRECOVERABLE.
THE NEW SYSTEM WILL REQUIRE PROPERTY OWNERS TO SUBMIT ANNUAL RETURNS OF RENTAL INCOME.
AS THESE RETURNS CAN NOT BE SUBMITTED UNTIL SOME TIME AFTER THE END OF THE ASSESSMENT YEAR, CLAUSE 18 OF THE BILL PROVIDES FOR A PROVISIONAL PAYMENT WITHIN THAT YEAR, BASED ON THE INCOME FOR THE PRECEDING YEAR, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0-------
NEW ID CARDS WILL BE DOUBLY SECURE
MX*
TO MAKE THE NEW IDENTITY CARDS DOUBLY SECURE, THEY WILL HAVE A FIXED PERIOD OF VALIDITY, IN CONTRAST TO THE INDEFINITE LIFE OF THE CARDS CURRENTLY IN USE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON D.G. JEAFFRESON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE FIRST COMPLETE ISSUE OF THE NEW CARDS WILL START IN THE COMING SPRING AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY 1987, MR JEAFFRESON SAID, IN MOVING THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 THROUGH A SECOND READING.
THE ISSUE WILL PROGRESS ON A GROUP BY GROUP BASIS, AND MEN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 35 WILL BE THE FIRST TO BE TACKLED, AS MOST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE FOUND IN THIS GROUP, HE SAID.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE BILL IS TO PROVIDE THE STATUTORY FRAMEWORK NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE NEW AND MUCH MORE SECURE IDENTITY CARDS TO BE ISSUED TO REPLACE THOSE ALREADY HELD AND TO INVALIDATE EXISTING TYPES OF CARDS, HE STATED.
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION WILL SET OUT IN DETAIL THE REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED FOR THE REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME AND THE PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY, MR JEAFFRESON SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0-------
/^......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983
4
RIGHT OF ABODE DISCUSSED * * *
A PERSON BORN IN HONG KONG BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1983, WHO ON OR AFTER THAT DATE RENOUNCES HIS BRITISH NATIONALITY DOES NOT LOSE HIS RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG, BUT CONTINUES TO BE A *HONG KONG BELONGER*, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON D.G. JEAFFRESON, SAID TODAY.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHARLES YEUNG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR JEAFFRESON ADDED THAT BRITISH NATIONALITY GENERALLY IN THE HONG KONG CONTEXT MEANS BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENSHIP.
♦THIS CONSEQUENCE OF RENOUNCING NATIONALITY OR CITIZENSHIP CAN BE DISTINGUISHED FROM THE SITUATION BEFORE THIS COUNCIL ENACTED THE IMMIGRATION AMENDMENT (NO. 2) BILL 1982. BEFORE THEN, GENERALLY SPEAKING RENUNCIATION OF NATIONALITY OR CITIZENSHIP ENDED THE RIGHT OF ABODE HERE,* HE SAID.
TO HAVE CREATED THIS NEW RIGHT WAS AN OVERSIGHT, HE SAID.
♦I AM AFRAID THAT WE WERE SIMPLY TOO INTENT ON MAKING SURE THAT THERE WERE NO INADVERTENT LOSSES OF RIGHTS UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION AND CONSEQUENTLY THIS ONE WAS ALLOWED TO SLIP PAST UNNOTICED,* HE EXPLAINED.
MR JEAFFRESON SAID LOSS OF RIGHT
OF ABODE MUST OBVIOUSLY GO
WITH RENUNCIATION OF NATIONALITY OR CITIZENSHIP, AND HE HAD ISSUED DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR A RESOLUTION TO BE MOVED IN THE COUNCIL TO RESTORE THE FORMER LAW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
-----0------
INSURANCE COMPANIES BILL APPROVED KO
THE POWER REQUIRING AN INSURANCE COMPANY TO MAINTAIN ASSETS IN HONG KONG WOULD ONLY BE USED WHEN THE COMPANY SHOWED SIGNS OF FINANCIAL WEAKNESS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON P. JACOBS, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE INSURANCE COMPANIES BILL 1982, MR JACOBS EXPLAINED THAT THIS POWER WOULD BE USED TO ENSURE THAT IN A LIQUIDATION, THERE WOULD AT LEAST BE SOME ASSETS AVAILABLE TO MEET THE INSURER’S LIABILITIES IN HONG KONG.
IN THE EXERCISE OF THIS POWER, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALWAYS INTENDED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE INSURER’S REINSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS, HE SAID. FOR THIS REASON, HE AGREED THAT CLAUSE 29 OF THE BILL SHOULD BE AMENDED TO REQUIRE THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO HAVE REGARD TO SUCH ARRANGEMENTS.
/TO AVOID ......
WEDNESDAY, FEBHUAiiY 2, 1983
- 5 -
TO AVOID ANY EXCESSIVE BURDEN ON INSURANCE COMPANIES, CLAUSE 17 (2) OF THE BILL IS DRAFTED TO CONFER WIDE POWER OF DISCRETION ON THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE MODIFICATIONS TO ACCOUNTING REQUIREMENTS IN THE THIRD SCHEDULE, MR JACOBS SAID.
HE ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH THE DISCRETION IS WIDE, THE PROVISION IS DESIGNED ESSENTIALLY TO CATER FOR INSURERS WHO HAVE PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNTING INFORMATION IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
IT IS UNLIKELY, HE SAID, THAT THE AUTHORITY’S POWER TO GRANT MODIFICATIONS WILL BE OF MUCH VALUE TO AN INSURER WHO CARRIES ON BUSINESS AND REPORTS ONLY IN HONG KONG.
AS THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IS DIVERSE, IT IS DIFFICULT TO COVER IN THE LEGISLATION EVERY TYPE OF INSURANCE COMPANY, MR JACOBS SAID.
TO COVER THIS SITUATION AND TO MAINTAIN FLEXIBILITY, CLAUSE 53 OF THE BILL EMPOWERS THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO GRANT TO AN INSURER OR REINSURER AN EXEMPTION OR MODIFICATION IN RESPECT OF ANY PROVISION IN THE BILL.
CLAUSE 5 OF THE BILL WILL ALSO BE AMENDED TO SPECIFY THAT THE INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN A REGISTER OF AN INSURANCE COMPANY WILL BE ENTIRELY FACTUAL AND WILL NOT BE CONFIDENTIAL IN NATURE, MR JACOBS REPORTED.
IT HAD BEEN ARGUED THAT REINSURERS DESERVE SPECIAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THEIR OPERATIONS.
♦WHILE REINSURERS DO HAVE SOME PROBLEMS DIFFERENT FROM THOSE ENCOUNTERED BY DIRECT INSURERS, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS YET TO BE CONVINCED AS TO THE KIND OF CONCESSIONS, IF ANY, THAT SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM.
♦I WOULD, THEREFORE, PREFER TO REVIEW THIS ISSUE IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE GAINED THROUGH SUPERVISION OF REINSURERS UNDER THE LEGISLATION,* MR JACOBS SAID.
AMENDMENTS TO 16 CLAUSES AND THE SECOND AND THIRD SCHEDULES TO THE BILL WERE MOVED BY NINE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO MADE UP AN AD HOC STUDY GROUP UNDER THE CONVENERSHIP OF MR T.S. LO.
THEY ARE THE HON T.S. LO, THE HON PETER C. WONG, THE HON ALLEN LEE, THE HON ANDREW SO, THE HON WONG PO YAN, THE HON W.C.L. BROWN, THE HON K.C. CHAN, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, AND THE HON MARIA TAM.
THE BILL WAS MOVED THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND ITS THIRD READING.
--------0 ---------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983
6
POLICY ON ELDERLY SOCIAL CENTRES EXPLAINED * * * *
NINE SOCIAL CENTRES AND THREE MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY ARE PLANNED FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR AND ALL HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN UP BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE. MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HARRY FANG, WHO SOUGHT AN EXPLANATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON SUBVENTION FOR SUCH CENTRES.
MR ALLEYNE SAID HE WOULD CONSIDER ANY APPROACH MADE BY AN AGENCY IN FINANCIAL NEED. ONLY TWO APPEALS HAD BEEN RECEIVED THIS YEAR, OUT OF 30 VOLUNTARY AGENCIES RUNNING 70 SOCIAL CENTRES, INCLUDING THOSE ESTABLISHED WITHIN MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES.
+THESE TWO APPEALS HAVE BEEN SATISFACTORILY RESOLVED,+ HE ADDED.
MR ALLEYNE EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE REVISED SUBVENTION SYSTEM, SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES WOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS CATEGORY I OR CATEGORY II.
CATEGORY I SERVICES WOULD BE THOSE FOR WHICH A STANDARD COST COULD BE ESTABLISHED AND WHICH MET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES!
* SERVICES PRESCRIBED BY LAW WHICH CLEARLY CONTRIBUTE TO MEETING A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT;
* SERVICES WHICH ENSURE THAT A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN NEED IS MET; OR
H SERVICES WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO ALLEVIATE GENERALLY RECOGNISED SOCIAL PROBLEMS.
CATEGORY I SERVICES WOULD RECEIVE SUBVENTION AT 100 PER CENT OF THE STANDARD COST ESTABLISHED.
CATEGORY II SERVICES WOULD RECEIVE A SUBVENTION COVERING ONLY PART OF THE STANDARD COST OR, IF STANDARD COSTS COULD NOT BE ESTABLISHED, A LUMP-SUM GRANT.
+THE PROPORTION OF THE STANDARD COST TO BE SUBVENTED, OR THE LUMP-SUM GRANTS WOULD BE DETERMINED ON THE MERITS OF EACH CASE,* MR ALLEYNE SAID.
HE SAID THAT SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, WHICH PROVIDE SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, WHICH PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES SUCH AS HOME HELP, COUNSELLING, LAUNDRY AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, HAD BEEN PLACED IN CATEGORY I I.
/+AS IT
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY i, 1^3
- 7 -
+AS IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO DETERMINE STANDARD ijSTS, It; RIM ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR SUBVENTIONS FOR CATEGORY II ERVICES WHICH WILL RECEIVE A PERCENTAGE OF RECOGNISED EXPENDITURE BASED ON PREVIOUS LEVELS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT, ADJUSTED FOR PRICE INCREASES, BUT DISREGARDING ALL INCOME EXCEPT FEES,* MR ALLEYNE SAID.
FOR SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, THIS HAD BEEN FIXED AT 70 PER CENT, AND FOR MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES IT VARIED BETWEEN TO AND 100 PER CENT DEPENDING ON THE SERVICE, HE SAID.
------0-------
ASSURANCE GIVEN ON CARE OF CHILDREN BY SWD
X * *
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE WOULD ENSURE THAT A CHILD COMMITTED TO HIS CARE IN MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS WAS ADEQUATELY LOOKED AFTER AND PROVIDED FOR ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS. WHERE POSSIBLE, NON-INSTI TUT IONAL FORMS OF CARE, SUCH AS A FOSTER HOME, WOULD BE CONSIDERED, HE ADDED.
HE WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE MATRIMONIAL CAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, WHICH CLARIFIES AND EXTENDS THE POWERS OF THE COURT CONCERNING THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN OF A FAMILY INVOLVED IN MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS.
♦ INA SMALL BUT GROWING NUMBER OF CASES COMING BEFORE THE COURTS,* MR ALLEYNE SAID, +IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT IT IS IMPRACTICABLE OR UNDESIRABLE FOR THE CHILD OF A BROKEN MARRIAGE TO BE ENTRUSTED TO THE CARE OF EITHER PARENT OR TO ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL.*
ONE EXAMPLE WOULD BE WHERE NEITHER PARENT WILL APPLY FOR CUSTODY AND NO OTHER WILLING AND SUITABLE APPLICANT CAN BE FOUND.
TO SAFEGUARD THE WELFARE OF SUCH CHILDREN, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE COURTS BE EMPOWERED IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES TO COMMIT THEM TO THE CARE OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
SIMILAR PROVISIONS EXIST IN THE MATRIMONIAL CAUSES ACT 1973 OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
•♦•EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO MAINTAIN CONTACT BETWEEN THE CHILD AND HIS PARENTS WITH A VIEW TO RETURNING THE CHILD TO THE CARE OF ONE OF THEM AS SOON AS IT IS IN THE CHILD’S BEST INTERESTS TO DO SO,* MR ALLEYNE SAID.
THE BILL IMPOSES A DUTY ON A PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF A CHILD UNDER THE SUPERVISION OR CARE OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO INFORM THE DIRECTOR OF A CHANGE OF ADDRESS; FAILURE TO DO SO WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE WILL BE AN OFFENCE.
THE BILL ALSO MAKES ’lT CLEAR THAT A COURT, IN MAKING AN ORDER FOR CUSTODY, CARE OR SUPERVISION OF A CHILD, MUST HAVE REGARD FIRST AND FOREMOST TO THE WELFARE OF THE CHILD, AND IN DOING SO, MUST CONSIDER THE WISHES OF THE CHILD, IF PRACTICABLE, AND ANY MATERIAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE COURT, INCLUDING ANY REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------o-------
/8......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983
8
NO SERIOUS DEFICIENCY FOUND IN DENTAL EQUIPMENT *****
A TEAM OF GOVERNMENT EXPERTS FORMED TO CARRY OUT AN INVESTIGATION INTO EQUIPMENT AT THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL CONCLUDED WITHIN ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE THAT THERE WAS NO SERIOUS GENERAL DEFICIENCY IN THE EQUIPMENT INSTALLED, AND INDEED THE OVERALL IMPRESSION WAS ONE OF GOOD QUALITY, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON DAVID MCDONALD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON S.L. CHEN, MR MCDONALD SAID THAT THE TEAM WAS FORMED AT THE REQUEST OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE HOSPITAL FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF REPORTS OF MALFUNCTIONING OF SOME ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT AT THE HOSPITAL.
THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE TEAM WERE +TO INVESTIGATE THE ENGINEERING SAFETY ASPECTS OF ALL MEDICAL AND RELATED EQUIPMENT AT THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL TOGETHER WITH ANY FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT IS PATIENT RELATED+.
MR MCDONALD SAID THAT THE TEAM INCLUDED MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERS AND A DENTAL SPECIALIST.
IT STARTED WORK ON DECEMBER 6 LAST YEAR AND SUBMITTED ITS REPORT ON JANUARY 12 THIS YEAR.
♦HOWEVER, IN MATTERS OF DETAIL SOME ELEMENTS WERE FOUND TO BE FAULTY OR UNSATISFACTORY AND THE TEAM HAS RECOMMENDED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REMEDIAL WORKS AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF 1700 000.♦
♦SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE WORKS WILL BE PUT IN HAND AND COMPLETED AS A MATTER OF URGENCY,+ MR MCDONALD SAID.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN CONNECTION WITH EQUIPMENT AT THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL:
1HE HON S.L. CHEN: SIR, I AM ATTRACTED BY THE WORDS +A MATTER OF URGENCY+, WHY IS THIS A MATTER OF URGENCY?
WILL THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS AGREE WITH MY OBSERVATIONS THAT THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF RISK AND DANGER TO THE PUBLIC IF THE DEFECTS ARE NOT CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY?
S FOR L AND W:
SIR, FEW ITEMS AND PARTS OF ITEMS WHICH WERE FELT .TO CARRY HIGHER RISK POTENTIAL WERE DISCONNECTED OR WITHDRAWN FROM SERVICE. OTHER ITEMS WITH UNSATISFACTORY BUT LESS CRITICAL FEATURES ARE STILL IN USE. BUT I FEEL SURE THE HOSPITAL HEADS OF DEPARTMENT WITH THEIR WEALTH OF PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE WILL NOT CONTINUE TO USE THEM IF THEY WERE CONSIDERED TO BE UNSAFE.
/MR S.L. CHENs ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, ',583
M? S.L. CHEN:
S FOR L AND W:
- 9 -
SIR, PRESUMABLY THE EQUIPMENT WAS SUPPLiED BY A REPUTABLE MANUFACTURER AND IS STILL UNDER GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY. THAT BEING THE CASE, IS THE MANUFACTURER UNDER CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION TO RECTIFY ALL THE FAULTS AND DEFECTS?
SIR, THE QUESTION SEEMS TO INFER NON-COMPLIANCE WITH SPECIFICATIONS, BUT AS THE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE INVESTIGATION TEAM COVER ENGINEERING SAFETY AND FUNCTION ASPECTS ONLY, THE PROBE DOES NOT DEAL WITH THE QUESTION OF COMPLIANCE WITH SPECIFICATIONS AND I CAN’T COMMENT ON THIS MATTER.
-----o------
FUNDS FOR PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL * * * *
HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT APPROVED * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO SPEND $700 000 TO RECTIFY FAULTS DISCOVERED IN SOME OF THE DENTAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AT THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL.
EXPENDITURE OF THE MONEY WAS APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION BY A TEAM OF GOVERNMENT EXPERTS INTO SAFETY AND FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF THE EQUIPMENT REQUESTED BY THE HOSPITAL’S BOARD OF GOVERNORS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING ON THE REMEDIAL WORK BECAUSE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS HAD ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HOSPITAL ONLY AFTER IT HAD BEEN COMMISSIONED WITH THE NEW EQUIPMENT ALREADY INSTALLED.
♦WORK WILL BEGIN IMMEDIATELY TO BRING THE EQUIPMENT UP TO FULLY ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS.
♦THE WORK INVOLVES ONLY A FEW OF THE MANY ITEMS OF THE HOSPITAL’S MODERN AND SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT.
♦THE EQUIPMENT WAS SUPPLIED TO THE HOSPITAL AT A COST OF 120 MILLION. THE COST OF REMEDIAL WORK REPRESENTS ABOUT 3.5 PER CENT OF THIS SUM,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----o------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983
10
CHINESE PATENT MEDICINES TESTED FOR DRUGS
UI
FORENSIC PHARMACISTS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN CHECKING CHINESE PATENT MEDICINES FOR THE PRESENCE OF SCHEDULED DRUGS FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE DIRECTOR OF kEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HENRY HU, DR THONG POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, 147 SAMPLES OF CHINESE PATENT MEDICINAL PRODUCTS HAD BEEN TESTED. OF THESE, 12 PRODUCTS WERE FOUND TO CONTAIN SCHEDULED DRUGS IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE.
AS A RESULT OF THESE ACTIONS, FIVE PROSECUTIONS WERE UNDERTAKEN WITH ANOTHER ONE PENDING.
REFERRING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON WONG LAM, DR THONG SAID THE NUMBER OF TERMINATIONS OF PREGNANCIES PERFORMED UNDER THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON ORDINANCE FOR GIRLS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 WAS 35 ANNUALLY BOTH FOR 1980 AND 1982.
-----o-------
CLINICS PROVIDED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES * * * *
MEDICAL CLINICS ARE PROVIDED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AS A STANDARD FEATURE. GENERALLY, PROVISION IS MADE ON THE BASIS OF ONE CLINIC FOR EVERY 7 500 - 10 000 POPULATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER C. WONG, HE SAID THERE ARE AT PRESENT A TOTAL OF 220 MEDICAL CLINICS IN THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, OF WHICH 76 ARE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
♦IT IS EXPECTED THAT OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS SOME 50 ADDITIONAL CLINICS WILL BE PROVIDED, INCLUDING 40 IN THE NEW TOWNS, HE SAID.
MR LIAO EXPLAINED THAT SINCE 1967, DOCTORS HAVE BEEN NOMINATED BY THE ESTATE DOCTORS ASSOCIATION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ASSOCIATION’S BY-LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
♦CONDITIONS OF THE TENANCIES, USUALLY FOR THREE YEARS, ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE FOR SHOPS EXCEPT WITH THE PROVISION THAT THE CLINICS SHOULD BE IN OPERATION FOR AT LEAST SIX HOURS A DAY.
♦A DOCTOR CANNOT HOLD MORE THAN ONE CLINIC IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES PLUS ONE CLINIC IN* THE PRIVATE SECTOR,♦ HE SAID.
-----0------
/11 ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983
ANTI-SMOKING EFFORT STEPPED UP * * * * it
ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO STEP UP THE ANTI-SMOKING EFFORT, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ERIC HO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR HO WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN ON THE PROGRESS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMOKING PROGRAMME SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) ORDINANCE LAST JULY.
ADMINISTRATIVELY, NO-SMOKING AREAS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN HOSPITALS, CLINICS, SCHOOLS AND IN FOOD BUSINESS PREMISES, Ml HO REPORTED.
INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN ISSUED, PROHIBITING SMOKING IN WARDS, TREATMENT ROOMS AND PUBLIC AREAS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, IN ADDITION TO SUCH AREAS AS OPERATING THEATRES WHERE SMOKING HAS LONG BEEN PROHIBITED.
SUBVERTED AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN URGED TO DO THE SAME. ALL GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO BAN SMOKING IN SCHOOL HALLS, CLASSROOMS, PLAYGROUNDS, LIBRARIES AND OTHER PREMISES WHERE STUDENTS ARE PRESENT, MR HO SAID.
ALL LICENSEES OF FOOD BUSINESS HAVE BEEN URGED TO ESTABLISH NO-SMOKING AREAS IN THEIR PREMISES ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS AND TO DISPLAY ’NO-SMOKING’ SIGNS IN FOOD PREPARATION AREAS, SUCH AS KITCHENS, WHERE SMOKING IS ALREADY PROHIBITED BY LAW, MR HO REPORTED.
IN GOVERNMENT PREMISES, SMOKING HAS BEEN BANNED IN ALL LIFTS AND PUBLIC WAITING AREAS AND CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON PREMISES UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL.
ALL PRINTED, TELEVISION, RADIO AND CINEMA ADVERTISEMENTS ON CIGARETTES ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY A HEALTH WARNING AND TAR GROUP RATING, MR HO SAID.
THE NEXT STAGE OF THE ANTI-SMOKING LEGISLATION WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON FEBRUARY 15 WHEN SMOKING WILL BE PROHIBITED IN PUBLIC LIFTS, SINGLE DECKER ROAD PUBLIC TRANSPORT (EXCEPT TAXIS AND HIRED CARS), AND LOWER DECKS OF DOUBLE DECKER BUSES AND TRAMS, HE SAID.
NO-SMOKING AREAS WILL ALSO BE DESIGNATED IN AT LEAST 50 PER CENT OF EACH CLASS OF SEATING ACCOMMODATION IN FERRIES, TRAINS, CINEMAS, CONCERT HALLS AllD THEATRES.
ON THE SAME DAY, MOST OTHER TYPES OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS, BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR, WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO CARRY THE GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING.
THIS STATUTORY REQUIREMENT WILL BE EXTENDED TO CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS BY NEON SIGNS "ROM MAY 15, 1983.
/FROM august .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBHUAliY 2, ?;c3
- 12 -
FROM AUGUST 15, 1933, IT WILL BE MANDATORY FORALl CIGARETTE PACKETS AND RETAIL CONTAINERS ON SALE IN HONG KONG TO CARRY >rtE S, . E WARNING AND THE APPROPRIATE TAR GROUP DESIGNATION.
TO PROMOTE GREATER PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE HEALTH HAZARD OF SMOKI NG, PLANS ARE IN HAND FOR A MAJOR FUEL I CITY CAMPAIGN ON ANTI-SMOKING TO BE LAUNCHED LATER THIS YEAR, MR HO DISCLOSED.
-----o------
VIDEO GAMES CENTRE LICENSING BEING REVIEWED
*****
LICENSING CONDITIONS FOR VIDEO GAMES CENTRES AND THEIR ENFORCEMENT WERE BEING REVIEWED AS A RESULT OF SHORTCOMINGS THAT HAD EMERGED, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON DENIS BRAY, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BRAY SAID THAT ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT MEASURES WERE BEING CONSIDERED IN THE REVIEW, INCLUDING THE CANCELLATION AND SUSPENSION OF LICENSES IN CASES OF PERSISTENT OFFENDERS.
HE REPORTED THAT CERTAIN OPERATORS WERE, FOR INSTANCE, ALLOWING UNDERAGE PEOPLE TO TAKE PART IN THE GAMES AND THAT 699 SUMMONSES HAD BEEN ISSUED BY POLICE DURING THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1982 FOR BREACHES OF LICENSING CONDITIONS.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG.
MR BRAY SAID VIDEO GAMES CENTRES WERE NEW AND WERE FUN, BUT THEY COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS.
+IN DRAWING UP LICENSING CONDITIONS WE AIMED AT KEEPING THE FUN WHILE PREVENTING THE PROBLEMS.
+NOW THAT A GOOD MANY CENTRES HAVE BEEN RUNNING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE WHETHER WE GOT THE BALANCE RIGHT.
♦GENERALLY SPEAKING WE WERE NOT FAR OUT BUT SHORTCOMINGS HAVE EMERGED,* MR BRAY SAID.
FOR THIS REASON, THE GOVERNMENT WAS REVIEWING THE LICENSING CONDITIONS AND ENFORCEMENT.
HE SAID THAT THE VIEWS OF DISTRICT BOARDS WERE BEING SOUGHT ON THESE POINTS.
ALL VIDEO GAMES IN LICENSED CENTRES, MR BRAY SAID, HAD TO BE APPROVED IN ADVANCE BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING.
PROSECUTION WOULD BE EFFECTED IF VIDEO GAMES THAT ARE NOT APPROVED ARE INSTALLED IK THE CENTRES.
ENFORCEMENT IN THIS AREA SEEMED TO EE GENERALLY SATISFACTORY, M? BRAY SAID.
-----0------
/13........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983
13
CONTROL OF VEHICLE SMOKE EMISSION ADEQUATE: SCOTT * * *
GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THAT THE LEVEL OF CONTROL BY THE POLICE OVER THE EMISSION OF EXCESSIVE SMOKE BY VEHICLES WAS ADEQUATE IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR OTHER ENFORCEMENT COMMITMENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALLAN SCOTT, SAID TODAY.
HE WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON ANDREW SO.
MR SCOTT POINTED OUT THAT SINCE 1979, INCREASES IN POLICE MANPOWER AND THE AVAILABILITY OF VEHICLES HAD ENABLED TWO TEAMS, INSTEAD OF ONE, TO BE ASSIGNED TO TESTING EXCESS SMOKE IN VEHICLE EXHAUST FUMES IN EACH OF THE THREE POLICE REGIONS. EIGHT SMOKEMETERS WERE NOW IN USE BY THE POLICE.
HE SAID PROSECUTIONS FOR EMISSION OF EXCESS SMOKE SINCE 1979 WERE AS FOLLOWS:
1979 - 8 661 CASES
1980 - 15 535 CASES
1981 - 13 547 CASES
1982 - 12 351 CASES
EMISSION OF EXCESS SMOKE COULD BE DEALT WITH EITHER BY FIXED $100 PENALTY, OR BY WAY OF SUMMONS.
A SUMMONS CARRIED A MAXIMUM FINE OF $500, ALTHOUGH THE AVERAGE FINE WAS $200, HE SAID.
------o-------
SAFETY MEASURES ON CONSTRUCTION SITES
* * *
SAFETY MEASURES TAKEN OR BEING TAKEN ON GOVERNMENT CONSTRUCTION SITES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ADEQUATE WHILE THOSE APPLYING TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR CANNOT AS YET BE SAID TO BE AS GOOD, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON DAVID MCDONALD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION RAISED BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN.
MR MCDONALD SAID THAT SINCE JUNE LAST YEAR SITE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN STEPPED UP, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF FENCING, GUARDING, LIGHTING AND THE DRAINING OF ALL OPEN-PIT AND TRENCH EXCAVATIONS WHICH WERE LIKELY TO POSE A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC, AND TO CHILDREN IN PARTICULAR.
♦WHERE PRACTICABLE, BARRIERS AND HOARDINGS HAVE BEEN PLACED AROUND SITES OR PARTS OF SITES READILY ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AND WARNING NOTICES ERECTED AT APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS,+ HE SAID.
MOREOVER, A REQUIREMENT FOR THE CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE SITE SAFETY OFFICERS HAD BEEN INCORPORATED IN AN INCREASING NUMBER OF CONTRACTS AND HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN HIGHWAYS MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS FOR WHICH TENDERS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN CALLED, HE ADDED.
/♦in additici;, .........
W3DN3SDA.Y, FEBRUARY 2, 1*83
- 14 -
♦IN ADDITION, SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO SITE SUPERVISORY STAFF REQUIRING THEM TO MAKE INSPECTION AT THE END CF EACH WORKING DAY TO ENSURE THAT OPEN PITS ARE PROPERLY PROTECTED.+
TURNING TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR, MR MCDONALD SAID THAT RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS LAY WITH THE AUTHORISED PERSONS AND CONTRACTORS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAD ALREADY ISSUED A PRACTICE NOTE TO ALL AUTHORISED PERSONS AND REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS EXPLAINING THE PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS REGARDING HOARDINGS ON SITES IN WHICH HE HAD EMPHASISED THAT THE PRIMARY CONSIDERATION MUST BE THE SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE OF THE PUBLIC.
♦LEGISLATION REGARDING THE PROVISION OF SAFETY OFFICERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES HAS ALREADY BEEN DRAFTED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND CONSULTATION ON THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS BEING MADE WITH THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES,♦ MR MCDONALD SAID.
♦HOWEVER, IT MUST BE BORNE IN MIND THAT IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT SAFETY MEASURES WILL BE TOTALLY EFFECTIVE IN ALL CASES.+
------o-------
LAY ASSESSORS SCHEME UNDER STUDY * * *
A DETAILED ASSESSMENT OF THE LAY ASSESSORS SCHEME WAS IN PROGRESS TO FIND OUT WHETHER THE SCHEME WAS ACHIEVING ITS OBJECTS, THE LAW DRAFTSMAN, THE HON G.P. NAZARETH TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, MR NAZARETH SAID THE REVIEW WAS NEARLY COMPLETE AND THE RESULTS SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS SHORTLY.
IT WOULD THEN HAVE TO BE STUDIED AND THE CONCLUSIONS WOULD BE COMMUNICATED TO THE COUNCIL.
MR NAZARETH ALSO SAID THERE WERE 332 PERSONS ON THE PANEL CF ASSESSORS AND SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE SCHEME IN 1979, A TOTAL OF 43 NEW MAGISTRATES HAD SAT WITH THEM.
HE SAID ASSESSORS TO MAGISTRATES ARE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEGISLATION, SELECTED BY THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT FROM A PANEL, APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS.
THEY ARE ATTACHED TO .NEWLY APPOINTED MAGISTRATES FROM ABROAD IN THEIR FIRST FEW MONTHS OF SERVICE IN HONG KONG TO ASSIST IN ASSESSING THE CREDIBILITY OF WITNESSES AND TO PUT FORWARD TO THE MAGISTRATES COMMUNITY VIEWS ABOUT PARTICULAR OFFENCES IN THE CONTEXT OF SENTENCING.
-----0------
/15
WEDNESDAY, F•’ERUARY 2, 1963
- 15 -
SPACE UNDERNEATH FLYOVERS PUT TO GOOD USE * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON DAVID MCDONALD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT GOVERNMENT POLICY GENERALLY ALLOWED FOR SPACE UNDER FLYOVER NOT REQUIRED FOR ROADS OR PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES TO BE PUT TO OTHER USES.
HE WAS REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON SELINA CHOW REGARDING THE USAGE OF SPACE UNDERNEATH FLYOVERS AND WHETHER SPECIFIC USES OF SUCH SPACE WERE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IN THE INITIAL PLANNING STAGE OF FLYOVERS.
MR MCDONALD SAID, +IN SELECTING THE USES TO WHICH SPACE CAN BE PUT, WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE FLYOVERS STRUCTURES WILL NOT BE DAMAGED AND ALSO THAT USERS OF THE SPACE WILL NOT BE EXPOSED TO TRAFFIC OR ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS.+
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SPACE WAS USED MAINLY AS AMENITY AREAS, PLAYGROUNDS, VEHICLE PARKS, BUS TERMINI, PUBLIC TOILETS AND STORAGE.
MR MCDONALD SAID THAT DURING THE INITIAL PLANNING STAGES, THE MAIN CONCERN WAS FOR THE TRAFFIC REQUIREMENTS WHICH THE FLYOVER WAS INTENDED TO MEET.
BUT, HE ADDED, CONSIDERATION WAS ALSO GIVEN TO ITS COMPATAB ILITY WITH SURROUNDING AREAS AND TO THE SCOPE FOR MEETING COMMUNITY REQUIREMENTS IN THE PROCESS OF PLANNING AND DESIGN.
♦IN RECENT TIMES IT HAS BECOME THE PRACTICE TO CONSULT DISTRICT BOARDS ABOUT THE USE OF SPACE UNDER FLYOVERS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS. THIS HAS BEEN IN RESPECT OF SPACE ALREADY EXISTING OR UNDER CONSTRUCT I ON.+
♦HOWEVER, THE PRACTICE IS BEING EXTENDED TO INCLUDE PROJECTS UNDER PLANNING,♦ HE ADDED.
-----o------
/16 .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983'
- 16 -
TRIBUTES TO BILL DORWARD * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, TODAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE OUTGOING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON WILLIAM DORWARD, WHO WILL BE RETIRING FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO TAKE UP HIS NEW POST OF HONG KONG TRADE COMMISSIONER IN THE UNITED STATES.
SIR EDWARD SAID MR DORWARD HAD RENDERED LONG AND VALUABLE SERVICE IN THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY FIELDS SINCE HE JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN 1954 AND HIS EXPERIENCE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE OF GREAT VALUE IN HIS NEW AND IMPORTANT POST.
THE HON R.H. LOBO, SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, SAID MR DORWARD, AS SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AND AS DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS BEFORE THAT, HAD BATTLED UNSPARINGLY FOR MANY YEARS TO PROTECT HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.
MR DORWARD HAD SPENT ALMOST HIS ENTIRE SERVICE IN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AND HAD CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT CF A BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT WHOSE PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE AND INTEGRITY WERE RESPECTED NOT ONLY LOCALLY, BUT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, MR LOBO SAID.
------0 ------
BILLS PASSED * X *
TWO BILLS, THE INSURANCE COMPANIES BILL 1982 AND THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (RECRUITING OF SEAMEN) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WERE PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FOUR OTHER BILLS, THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, THE MATRIMONIAL CAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 AND THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED.
---0------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY <, 1983
- 17 -
SUBVENTION WILL REACH AGENCIES EARLIER * * * *
GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO RUN ADULT EDUCATION COURSES WILL REACH THESE AGENCIES EARLIER THIS YEAR THAN IN THE PAST, SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (ADULT EDUCATION), W S.L. NG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
COMMENTING ON PREVIOUS REMARKS BY CERTAIN VOLUNTARY AGENCIES THAT GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION SOMETIMES REACHED THEM RATHER LATE, LEAVING THEM LITTLE TIME TO PLAN AND ORGANISE ADULT EDUCATION COURSES, MR NG SAID THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE UNDER A tfEW PROCESSING SCHEDULE.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE SCHOLARSHIP AND PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE CARITAS CENTRE FOR FURTHER AND ADULT EDUCATION -CAINE ROAD DAY SCHOOL.
HE SAID AGENCIES WOULD BE INVITED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR SUBVENTION THIS MONTH, WHICH WAS ALREADY THREE MONTHS EARLIER THAN IN THE PAST.
♦NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS OF APPLICATIONS WILL BE MADE KNOWN MUCH EARLIER THAN PREVIOUSLY, POSSIBLY BY JULY 1, SO THAT VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS WILL HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME TO PLAN THEIR COURSES, TO MOUNT PUBLICITY, TO RECRUIT STAFF AND TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT.*
MR NG SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF EFFECTING PAYMENTS TO THE AGENCIES IN TWO INSTALMENTS INSTEAD OF FOUR AS AT PRESENT.
♦FURTHERMORE, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING TO RAISE THE ALLOWANCE FOR THE HIRE OF ACCOMMODATION, AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WILL BE INFORMED OF THE OUTCOME IN DUE COURSE.+
THE SUBVENTION SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED IN 1980 TO ASSIST VOLUNTARY BODIES TO RUN RETRIEVAL ADULT EDUCATION COURSES TO COMPLEMENT AND SUPPLEMENT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PROGRAMME.
ORIGINALLY, THE SUBVENTION ONLY COVERED THE COST OF STAFF AND BASIC EQUIPMENT. BUT AS FROM 1982, IT HAD INCLUDED SALARIES FOR CENTRE ADMINISTRATORS AND OTHER OPERATIONAL COSTS SUCH AS ELECTRICITY, WATER, TELEPHONE CHARGES, HIRE OF ACCOMMODATION AND BASIC OFFICE EQUIPMENT.
THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 28 VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE SUBVENTION SCHEME, PROVIDING 47 COURSES TO ABOUT 9 000 ADULTS.
----0-----
/is .......
o 'tfEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1 >83
- 1o -
SURVEY OF RETAIL SALES FOR NOVEMBER, 1982 * * *
THE VALUE OF RETAIL SALES FOR THE RETAIL TRADE SECTOR IN NOVEMBER 1982 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 14 479 MILLION, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL SURVEY RESULTS.
AT 132, THE OVERALL RETAIL SALES VALUE INDEX FOR NOVEMBER 1982 INCREASED BY ONE POINT OR ONE PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1982 BUT REMAINED UNCHANGED WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1981.
THE OVERALL RETAIL SALES VOLUME INDEX FOR NOVEMBER 1982, AT 105, WAS THE SAME AS THAT FOR OCTOBER 1982 BUT IT WAS EIGHT POINTS OR SEVEN PER CENT LOWER THAN THAT FOR NOVEMBER 1981.
COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1982, RETAIL SALES OF DEPARTMENT STORES INCREASED BY SEVEN PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS AND SIX PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS WHILE THOSE OF CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY THREE PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS RECORDED AN INCREASE OF THREE PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS, BUT REMAINED UNCHANGED IN VOLUME TERMS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, RETAIL SALES OF SUPERMARKETS DECREASED BY SIX PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS AND SEVEN PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS WHILE THOSE OF FUELS REMAINED UNCHANGED IN VALUE TERMS BUT DECLINED BY THREE PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE RETAIL SALES VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES FOR THE OTHER MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND SELECTED TRADES WERE RELATIVELY STABLE.
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1981, DECREASES IN THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES WERE RECORDED FOR NEARLY ALL MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND SELECTED TRADES.
ONLY SUPERMARKETS RECORDED INCREASES IN BOTH THE VALUE AND VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES, BY 22 PER CENT AND 13 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE SHARPEST REDUCTION WAS FOUND IN MOTOR VEHICLES WHERE THE RETAIL SALES DROPPED BY 40 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS AND 49 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE CORRESPONDING DECREASES FOR CONSUMER DURABLES WERE 11 PER CENT AND 14 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS, AND CONSUMER GOODS DECREASED BY SEVEN PER CENT EACH.
TABLES 1 AND 2 (ATTACHED) PRESENT THE REVISED FIGURES FOR OCTOBER AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER 1982 OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES, AND OF RETAIL SALES VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES BY SELECTED TRADES AND MAJOR.TRADE GROUPS.
THE AVERAGE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES IN 1980 ARE TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF THE NOVEMBER RESULTS WITH THOSE OF THE PRECEDING MONTH AND OF THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1981 ARE GIVEN.
ALSO
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE WHOLESALES AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, TEL. NO. 3-7216024.
DIRECTED TO THE OF THE CENSUS
/19......
WEDNESDAY, FEBHJlEl' 2,
19
Tahl* U Value indexes of retail sales for _________Qcteber and Novaaber 1982________
(Monthly average of 1980 « 100)
Item October 1j&_ (Revised figures) November 1982 November 1982 compared with October 1982 November 1982 compared with November 1981
(Provisional figures) Points % Points *
Total retail sales (HKI Billion) 4 449 i 4 <+79 i I
a e tail sales value indexes :
(I) for all retail trades 131 132 ♦ 1 ♦1 same same
(II) by major trade groups
Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco 1J2 150 -2 -2 ♦9 +7
Fuels 159 159 same same *16 ♦11
Clothing, footwear and allied products 150 154 *4 ♦3 +1 ♦1
Consumer goods 135 I 136 ♦ 1 *1 same game
Consumer durables 106 109 ♦3 i I ♦3 -14 -11
(III) by selected trades • I
Motor vehicles 64 64 same same -42 -40
133 - ♦9 ♦7 +2 ♦2
Department stores
Supermarkets 179 168 ! "11 -6 +30 +22
/20 .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983
20
Table 2t Volume indexes of retail sales for October and November 1§82
(Monthly average of 1980*100)
Item October 1982 (Revised figures) November 1982 (Provisional figures) ! ■
November 1982 compared with October 1982 November 1982 compared with November 1981
Points % Points %
Retail sales volume indexes : (I) for all retail 105 105 same same -d -7
trades (H) by major trade groups _ Foodstuffs^ alcoholic drinks 99 98 -1 -1 -2 -2
and tobacco Fuels 119 116 -3 -3 -1 -1
Clothing * footwear and allied 117 117 same same -9 -7
products Consumer goods 112 111 -1 -1 -8 -7
Consumer durables 92 95 ♦3 ♦3 -16 -14
(HI) by selected trades Motor vehicles 47 47 same same -46 -49
Department stores 103 109 >6 ♦6 -5 - *+
Supermarkets 138 , 129 -9 -7 ♦15 ♦15
- - 0 ----------
/21 ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983
- 21 -
LUNAR NEW YEAR CONCERTS IN MACAU * * *
THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (B) AND THE MUSIC OFFICE YOUTH CHOIR WILL PRESENT TWO CONCERTS AT CINETEATRO MACAU AT 3 PM AND 8 PM ON FEBRUARY 16 — THE FOURTH DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, THE AIM OF THE TOUR IS TO PROMOTE ORCHESTRAL AND CHORAL MUSIC AND TO FURTHER CULTURAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND MACAU.
THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MR CLIVE OXLEY, WILL LEAD THE GROUP TO PERFORM AT THESE TWO CONCERTS. ADMISSION WILL BE FREE.
DR DANIEL LAW OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WILL JOIN THE GROUP AS GUEST CONDUCTOR WHILE RAYMOND FU, LEE KIN-CHUN, BETTY LEUNG AND LINDA LI WILL TAKE PART IN THE CHOIR AS SOLOISTS.
THE GROUP WILL FIRST PRESENT A PRE-TOUR CONCERT AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 6) AT 8 PM.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES CF THE MUSIC OFFICE. FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 0-428127.
-----o------
MING KUM ROAD TO BE CLOSED * * * *
MING KUM ROAD IN TUEN MUN 9 PM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 4) TO CF A FOOTBRIDGE.
WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 5 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR THE ERECTION
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PUI TO ROAD, TSUN WEN ROAD AND SHEK PAI TAU ROAD.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO«
MORE STAFF TO DEAL WITH LIKELY LO WU RUSH ..................... 1
ENQUIRY INTO FERRY INCIDENT.................................... 2
RESULTS OF LATEST TAXI TENDERS ................................ 2
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PASSING-OUT PARADE ...................... 3
SHORT-TERM LAND TENANCIES OFFERED ............................. 3
REMINDER ABOUT PROTECTED ANIMALS AND PLANTS ................... 4
SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON FRIDAY ..................... 4
HI-FI CONCERT WITH COMPACT DISC ............................... 5
FLYOVER TO BE CLOSED TO HEAVY VEHICLES ........................ 5
MARINE DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY HOURS ............................... 6
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BROADWOOD ROaD ........................... 6
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1983
1
MORE STAFF TO DEAL WITH LIKELY LO WU RUSH * * * * *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL PLACE ADDITIONAL STAFF AT ITS LO WU COUNTERS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN PASSENGER TRAFFIC.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID 56 MORE STAFF WILL BE POSTED AT ITS 36 COUNTERS AT LO WU.
HE SAID SINCE THE OPENING OF THE TEMPORARY TERMINAL AT LO WU LAST NOVEMBER, THE NUMBER OF IMMIGRATION COUNTERS THERE HAD BEEN INCREASED FROM 19 TO 36 AND THE WORKING HOURS EXTENDED.
DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD, HE SAID, EARLY WORKING HOURS WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED, SOMETIMES STARTING AS EARLY AS 2.40 AM OR 3 AM, TO CLEAR DEPARTING PASSENGERS, AS AGREED WITH THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES AT A MEETING HELD RECENTLY.
THE OPENING HOURS AT LO WU COUNTERS DURING THE COMING LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE OPENING HOURS
5-2-83 6-2-83 0630
7-2-83 0600
8-2-83 0500
9-2-83 0300
10-2-83 11-2-83 12-2-83 13-2-83 □240
14-2-83 15-2-83 0300
16-2-83 0500
17-2-83 0630
18-2-83 19-2-83 20-2-83 □730
21-2-83 □800 (RESUME NORMAL)
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED HOLDERS OF DOCUMENTS OF IDENTITY TO COMPLETE THEIR ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS PRIOR TO IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE TO AVOID UNNECESSARY DELAY.
/H£ ALbO .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1983
2
HE ALSO REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE EXPIRY DATE OF THEIR HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS.
+IF THE RE-ENTRY PERMIT HAS EXPIRED THE HOLDER SHOULD APPROACH THE NEAREST IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICE FOR RENEWAL. THIS WOULD SAVE THE RISK OF BEING NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE AT LO WU,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----o------
ENQUIRY INTO FERRY INCIDENT * * *
» SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) CONFIRMED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR PERCY DAVY, HAS ORDERED A KOCAL MARINE ENQUIRY* TO BE CONDUCTED, UNDER SECTION 58 OF THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL NANCE, INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING THE GROUNDING, OF THE FERRY VESSEL +MAN WAI+ AT KAU Yl CHAU ON FEBRUARY 1.
THE ENQUIRY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN FOUR WEEKS.
------o ------
RESULTS OF LATEST TAXI TENDERS * * * *
RESULTS OF THE LATEST TAXI LICENCE TENDERING EXERCISE WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID.
THIS INCLUDES THE 20 TAXIS ON LANTAU ISLAND WITH 36 TENDERS SEEKING 45 LICENCES. THE HIGHEST BID ACCEPTED WAS $33 333 AND THE LOWEST $21 390, GIVING AN AVERAGE PREMIUM OF $24 944.8.
AS FOR THE 300 URBAN TAXI LICENCES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT 742 TENDERS WERE LODGED FOR 788 LICENCES.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS RANGED FROM A HIGH OF $197 000 TO A LOW OF $180 000.
THIS GAVE AN AVERAGE PREMIUM OF $182 674.65, WHICH
REPRESENTED A DECREASE OF 11.56 PER CENT ON THE PREVIOUS EXERCISE.
A TOTAL OF 150 NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES WERE ALSO PUT UP, AND 503 TENDERS SEEKING 559 LICENCES HAD BEEN RECEIVED.
THE HIGHEST TENDER WAS $88 300 AND THE LOWEST ACCEPTABLE BID WAS $63 599.
THE AVERAGE PREMIUM WAS $68 542.35, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 30.75 PER CENT ON THE PREVIOUS EXERCISE.
DETAILS OF SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS FOR THESE TAXI LICENCES AND THE AMOUNTS OFFERED WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/3......
- - o - -
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1983
3
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PASSING-OUT PARADE
*****
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A PASSING-OUT PARADE OF RECRUIT OFFICERS AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 5).
ON PARADE WILL BE 96 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED SIX MONTHS’ BASIC TRAINING AT THE INSTITUTE.
THE COMMISSIONER (DESIGNATE) FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, MR ROBERT SUN, WILL BE THE INSPECTING OFFICER AND WILL PRESENT SILVER WHISTLES TO THE TWO BEST RECRUITS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT 47 TUNG TAU WAN ROAD, STANLEY, AT 10 AM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 5).
PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI AT 9.15 AM SHARP.
-----o------
SHORT-TERM LAND TENANCIES OFFERED * * *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT FOR SHORTTERM TENANCIES OF THREE PIECES OF CROWN LAND IN KOWLOON AND YUEN LONG.
THE KOWLOON SITE, AT HING WAH STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 8 600 SQUARE METRES. IT IS TO BE USED FOR A FEEPAYING GOODS VEHICLE PARK.
BOTH SITES IN YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL AREA ARE FOR THE REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND PAINTSPRAYING OF VEHICLES. THEY ARE OF ABOUT 644 AND 375 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
THE TENANCIES FOR THE THREE SITES ARE FOR TWO YEARS INITIALLY AND MONTHLY THEREAFTER.
CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS FOR THESE SITES IS 12 NOON ON FEBRUARY 18.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG ; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON WEST), KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, ID TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
DETAILS FOR THE YUEN LONG SITES MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (YUEN LONG) AT YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 19c3
REMINDER ABOUT PROTECTED ANIMALS AND PLANTS XXX
LOCAL RESIDENTS VISITING FOREIGN COUNTRIES DURING THE NEW YEAR PERIOD ARE REMINDED NOT TO BRING BACK SPECIES OF PROTECTED ANIMALS AND PLANTS.
LUNAR
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT ANY PERSON FOUND GUILTY OF IMPORTING OR POSSESSING ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS WITHOUT AUTHORISATION IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5 OOO. THE PENALTY FOR A SUBSEQUENT OFFENCE COULD BE $10 000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT, HE ADDED.
BETWEEN APRIL LAST YEAR AND JANUARY THIS YEAR THE COURTS DEALT WITH 222 CASES UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, AND IMPOSED FINES TOTALLING $95 500. GOODS CONFISCATED TOTALLED $170 000. EIGHTY-TWO OTHER CASES ARE STILL TO BE HEARD.
AMONG THE CONFISCATED GOODS WERE 39 LIVE AND DEAD PANGOLINS, 43 LIVE AND DEAD OWLS, 391 SEA TURTLE EGGS, 22 SEA TURTLE SPECIMENS, 265 PIECES OF CROCODILE SKIN AND THREE KILOGRAMS OF WILD AMERICAN GINSENG.
-------o---------
SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON FRIDAY
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF FORMING A LOCAL DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AT ITS THIRD MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE CONSULTED ON THE ELECTION OF UNOFFICIAL CHAIRMEN TO THE BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY BUILDING AND TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEES.
THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DISCUSS THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT STRATEGY REPORT SINCE THE FIRST HALF WAS DISCUSSED IN THE LAST MEETING.
BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE INFORMED AT THE MEETING OF THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION OF A PIECE OF LAND AT STANLEY IN JUNE THIS YEAR FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES.
- .--0------
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1983
5
HI-FI CONCERT WITH COMPACT DISC *****
THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT WILL PRESENT A HI-FI CONCERT WITH A COMPACT DISC SYSTEM AT ITS YAU MA TEI MUSIC CENTRE AT 8 PM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 5).
MR CHAN HO—CHOI, A WELL-KNOWN LOCAL DJ WILL BE THE PRESENTER.
THE COMPACT DISC OR DIGITAL AUDIO DISC SYSTEM IS A NEWLY-INVENTED TECHNOLOGY OF SOUND AND LIGHT WHICH ENABLES A HIGH-QUALITY OF REPLAYED SOUND. ,,
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE EXCERPTS FROM 'ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA’ BY R. STRAUSS ? THEME SONG FROM ’THE WAY WE WERE’ AND ’CHARIOTS OF FIRE’ 5 ’THE BLUE DANUBE’ BY J. STRAUSS? FIRST MOVEMENT OF THE ’NEW WORLD’ SYMPHONY BY DVORAK ; ’HAPPY NEW YEAR’ SUNG BY ABBA.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE YAU MA TEI MUSIC CENTRE, GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 138 AUSTIN ROAD, SECOND FLOOR, AND MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE, 84 WATERLOO ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, CAMBRIDGE COURT, KOWLOON. FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 3-7149255.
- - c
FLYOVER TO BE CLOSED TO HEAVY VEHICLES * * * *
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ON PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER IN KOWLOON, ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING 2.5 TONS WILL BE BANNED FROM USING THIS OVERHEAD LINK FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 6).
HEAVY VEHICLES TRAVELLING SOUTHBOUND WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE GROUND LEVEL CARRIAGEWAY TO REACH PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE NORTHBOUND SECTION OF THE FLYOVER HAD BEEN PROHIBITED TO SLOW MOVING HEAVY VEHICLES FOR SOME TIME ALREADY AND THE LATEST MOVE TO INCLUDE THE OPPOSITE LANE WAS BECAUSE THE OVERHEAD LINK WAS DESIGNED FOR FAST AND THROUGH TRAFFIC.
- - o -
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1983
6
MARINE DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY HOURS
* * * *
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT ITS OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS (FEBRUARY 12, 13, 14 AND 15) WITH THE EXCEPTION OF:-
* THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL WHICH WILL BE OPEN CONTINUOUSLY .
* THE ENTRY AND CLEARANCE OFFICE WHICH WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM ON FEBRUARY 14 (MONDAY) 5
* THE VICTORIA MARINE OFFICE WHICH WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM ON FEBRUARY 14 FOR ENTRY AND OUTWARD CLEARANCE ONLY. AND
THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS AT WAN CHAI, YAU MA TEI, KWUN TONG, TSUEN WAN, WESTERN DISTRICT AND RAMBLER CHANNEL WHICH WILL BE OPEN UNTIL 8 PM ON FEBRUARY 12 (SATURDAY). THESE AREAS WILL BE RE-OPENED FOR NORMAL OPERATION AT 7 AM ON
7 AM ON
FEBRUARY 15 (TUESDAY).
-------0----------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BROADWOOD ROAD
* * * *
A SECTION OF EROADWOOD ROAD IN HAPPY VALLEY, ABOUT 80 METRES NORTH FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO HOUSE NO. 20, WILL EE CLOSED TO MOTORISTS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 4) FOR ABOUT FIVE MONTHS FOR ROAD WORKS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 198}
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WATER SUPPLY IN NORTHEASTERN NT TO DOUBLE...................... 1
TRADE CURBS COULD BECOME POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY: DORWaRD ........ 2
DB ELECTORS CAN VOTE IN UC ELECTIONS ......................... 5
POPULATION ESTIMATED AT 5 28? 800 ..........................
FOOTBRIDGES PLANNED FOR KING’S ROAD............................ 5
MODERN MARKET FOR TUEN MUN READY SOON ......................... 5
FIRE HAZARD CONVERTED INTO REST GaRDEN ........................ 6
THREE-WEEK-LONG ANTI-DRUG DRIVE NEARS END ..................... 7
KWUN TONG DB MEETING .......................................... 7
FINES FOR FAILING TO GIVE NOTICES INCREASED TO 85 OOO....... 8
TEXTTT.ES NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN SWEDEN AND HONG KONG ADJOURNED 8
NEW TRAFFIC PLAN IN WONG CHUK HANG ............................ 9
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1983
1
WATER SUPPLY IN NORTHEASTERN NT TO DOUBLE ft ft ft ft ft
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL DOUBLE THE WATER TREATMENT CAPACITY IN NORTHEASTERN NEW TERRITORIES BY EARLY 1985 TO MEET INCREASING DEMAND FOR WATER SUPPLY IN THE AREA.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR TOM TOMLINSON, TODAY (FRIDAY) WHEN HE VISITED WATERWORKS CONSTRUCTION SITES IN FANLING AND SHEUNG SHU I.
THE SCHEME WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TREATMENT PLANT AND A PUMPING STATION IN SHEUNG SHUI AND A SERVICE RESERVOIR AT TABLE HILL.
IN ADDITION, A TOTAL OF 20 KILOMETRES OF ASSOCIATED PIPELINES WILL BE LAID IN THE DISTRICT.
MR TOMLINSON SAID THE NEW WORKS WOULD BOOST THE EXISTING DAILY CAPACITY OF 110 000 CUBIC METRES TO 210 000 CUBIC METRES BY 1985.
AMONG THE AREAS WHICH WILL RECEIVE WATER SUPPLY FROM THE NEW TREATMENT WORKS ARE SHEUNG SHUI, FANLING, SHEK WU HUI, KWU TUNG, LOK MA CHAU, LO WU, KWAN TEI, PING CHE AND SHA TAU KOK.
ACCOMPANIED BY MR LEE GUN-CHEUNG, CHIEF ENGINEER (CONSTRUCTION) OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, MR TOMLINSON TOURED FOUR MAIN-LAYING PROJECTS WHICH FORMED PART OF THE SCHEME, AND DISCUSSED THE WORKS WITH ENGINEERS AND TECHNICAL STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT AND CONTRACTORS AT THE SITES.
MR TOMLINSON SAID HE WAS PLEASED WITH THE PROGRESS OF THE US-MILLION MAIN-LAYING CONTRACTS.
WATER SUPPLY TO NORTHEASTERN NEW TERRITORIES IS CURRENTLY PROVIDED FROM THE TAI PO TAU TREATMENT WORKS, THE CAPACITY OF WHICH WAS EXPANDED TO 110 000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AWARDED A 16.4 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW SHEUNG SHUI PUMPING STATION.
ANOTHER CONTRACT WORTH $17.5 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION CF THE NEW SERVICE RESERVOIR AT TABLE HILL WILL BE AWARDED NEXT WEEK.
WORK ON THE PUMPING STATION AND SERVICE RESERVOIR WILL START LATER THIS MONTH AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
MR TOMLINSON SAID TENDERS WOULD BE INVITED SHORTLY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW SHEUNG SHUI TREATMENT WORKS.
0
/2
FRIDAY, FtSRUART 4, lSa3
2
TRADE CURBS COULD BECOME POLITICAL EXPEDIENCYi DORWARD * ft * * ft *
THE LONG HISTORY OF TEXTILE RESTRICTIONS SHOWS THAT GOOD INTENTIONS COULD DETERIORATE WITH THE PASSAGE OF TIME INTO POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR BILL DORWARD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
♦WE MUST RECOGNISE AT THE SAME TIME, HOWEVER, THAT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A CERTAIN COUNTRY IN WESTERN EUROPE WHICH I SHALL NOT NAME — BUT WHOSE BRANDY SALES HAVE RECENTLY DECLINED IN HONG KONG — OUTSIDE THE FIELD OF TEXTILES HONG KONG HAS SO FAR BEEN TREATED REASONABLY FAIRLY,* MR DORWARD SAID, ADDRESSING THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON NORTH.
BUT HE ADDED THAT THE RISK OF A DETERIORATION WAS PROBABLY HIGHER THAN IT HAD BEEN AT ANY TIME IN THE PAST FIFTY YEARS.
ANALYSING THE CAUSES OF PROTECTIONISM, MR DORWARD QUOTED A RECENT REVIEW IN THE ECONOMIST UNDER THE TITLE +IS FREE TRADE DEAD?* WHICH SAIDi ♦PROTECTIONISM DOES NOT HAVE A LIFE OF ITS OWN. IT IS IMPOSED BY GOVERNMENTS, AND CAN BE RESISTED AND REVERSED BY THEM. GOVERNMENTS, IN TURN, DO NOT BECOME PROTECTIONIST OUT CF MALICE OR SOME UNACCOUNTABLE FAILURE TO COMPREHEND THE SIMPLE THEORY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE. THEY RESPOND TO PRESSURE, AND PRESSURE GROUPS HAVE BECOME ONE OF THE INDUSTRIAL WORLD’S GROWTH INDUSTRIES.
♦THEY GROW, WHAT IS MORE, COUNTER-CYCLICALLY. WHEN ECONOMIES STAGNATE AND UNEMPLOYMENT RISES, LOBBYISTS FLOURISH — AND POLITICIANS LISTEN. IF A THOUSAND JOBS ARE THREATENED IN A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT’S MARGINAL CONSTITUENCY IN BRITAIN OR A CONGRESSMAN’S MARGINAL DISTRICT IN THE UNITED STATES, THE PROTECTIONIST DRUM BEATS OUT ITS MESSAGEi STOP IMPORTS FROM JAPAN OR SPAIN OR BRAZIL, THEIR WORKERS CAN’T VOTE IN OUR NEXT ELECTION. POLITICIANS USUALLY TRY TO TRANSLATE THIS KSSAGE INTO WEASEL-WORDED PHRASES, BUT THEIR PURPOSE IS THE SAME AS THE CRUDEST PROTECTION ISM.♦
MR DORWARD SAID A GOVERNMENT FACED WITH PRESSURE TO GO PROTECTIONIST WAS LIKE A DRIVER SUDDENLY HITTING A CORNER. ♦IF HE TAKES HIS FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND PERHAPS TOUCHES THE BRAKE OR CLUTCH, THE CORNER IS LIKELY TO BE A HAIR RAISING, DANGEROUS AND UNCONTROLLED ADVENTURE WHERE NOT ONLY HE BUT ALL OTHER ROAD USERS ARE AT RISK.
♦IF HE KEEPS HIS NERVE, HOWEVER, HE WILL STEER THROUGH THE CORNER ON A TRUE LINE AND COME OUT SAFELY ON THE OTHER SIDE.+ HE SAID.
/THOUGH THE .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1985
3
THOUGH THE ANALOGY MIGHT BE AN OVER-SIMPLIFICATION, COMPARED WITH SOME OF THE STONE-AGE ECONOMICS BEING ADVOCATED BY APPARENTLY RESPONSIBLE POLITICIANS TODAY, IT WAS THE ESSENCE OF WISDOM, M? DORWARD REMARKED.
HE RECALLED THAT THERE WAS A LONG-STANDING DEFENCE AGAINST PROTECTIONIST ABUSES IN THE FORM OF AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT.
♦ I REFER TO THE GATT, THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE, WHICH SAYS THAT TRADE BARRIERS SHOULD BE FAIR, TRANSPARENT AND EQUALLY APPLIED. IT MAKES NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN MAJOR TRADING POWERS AND THEIR SMALLER PARTNERS AND OBLIGES EACH TO TREAT THE OTHER WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION.
♦BUT OF COURSE IT DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK THAT WAY ; AND THERE ARE THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO LEGITIMISE EXCEPTIONS SO THAT SO-CALLED SELECTIVE ACTION CAN BE TAKEN. IN THEORY THIS COULD BE JUSTIFIED. BUT IN PRACTICE IT IS LIKE THAT OLD SAYING THAT THE LAW IN PARIS APPLIES EQUALLY TO THE RICH AND THE POOR. THEY ARE BOTH PROHIBITED FROM SLEEPING UNDER THE BRIDGES.♦
MR DORWARD THEN QUOTED FROM A SPEECH HE HAD MADE TO THE ASSEMBLED TRADE MINISTERS OF THE GATT COUNTRIES LAST NOVEMBER IN GENEVA.
♦IT IS ONLY BY A GENUINE AND MANIFEST DEDICATION ON THE PART OF THE MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS TO RESPECT TO THE FULL THEIR OBLIGATIONS WHEN DEALING WITH WEAKER PARTNERS THAT SUCH IMPROVEMENTS AS MAY IN FACT BE NECESSARY IN THE GATT SYSTEM CAN BE MEANINGFULLY DEVISED.*
-------0----------
DB ELECTORS CAN VOTE IN UC ELECTIONS
XXX
MORE THAN 568 OOO RESIDENTS IN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON WILL BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THEIR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES IN THE MARCH 8 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THE FIGURE INCLUDES ALL THOSE WHO HAD REGISTERED AS VOTERS FOR THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS DURING LAST YEAR’S REGISTRATION EXERCISES.
A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN STRESSED TODAY THAT PEOPLE LIVING IN THE URBAN AREAS WHO HAD ENTERED THEIR NAMES INTO REGISTER OF ELECTORS COULD CAST THEIR VOTES IN BOTH DISTRICT BOARD AND URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THE ORIGINAL ELECTORATE FOR THE COMING URBCO ELECTIONS IS TD8 119. HOWEVER, ONLY ONE NOMINATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED IN EACH CF THE WAN CHAI, WONG TAI SIN SOUTH AND KWUN TONG WEST CONSTITUENCIES AND THE THREE CANDIDATES ARE AUTOMATICALLY DECLARED
ELECTED.
/HSf.'CS,
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1983
HENCE, ALL THE REGISTERED ELECTORS IN THE THREE CONSTITUENCIES, TOTALLING 139 582, WILL NOT HAVE TO VOTE BECAUSE NO ELECTION WILL BE HELD.
ON ELECTION DAY, A TOTAL OF 134 POLLING STATIONS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN THE REMAINING 12 CONSTITUENCIES WILL OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 11 PM FOR ELIGIBLE ELECTORS TO CAST THEIR VOTES.
IN ORDER TO HELP INTRODUCE THE CANDIDATES AND PROMOTE THE ELECTIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID A SERIES OF PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS INCLUDING NEWSPAPER SUPPLEMENTS, SEMINARS, FUN FAIRS, ROAD SIDE BANNERS, POSTERS, TELEVISION AND RADIO PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY CNTA, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
MEANWHILE, THE NAMES AND PARTICULARS OF THE U.C. CANDIDATES WERE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
-------0---------
POPULATION ESTIMATED AT 5 287 8QO
* * *
THE ESTIMATED POPULATION OF HONG KONG AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1982 WAS 5 287 800, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE ESTIMATE REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 80 800 PEOPLE OR 1.6 PER CENT OVER THE END OF 1981 FIGURE.
THE SLIGHTLY LOWER RATE OF INCREASE IN 1982 COMPARED WITH THE 1.7 PER CENT IN 1981 WAS MAINLY DUE TO A REDUCTION IN THE LEVEL OF NET IMMIGRATION.
NET IMMIGRATION, THAT IS THE BALANCE OF TOTAL ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES, WHICH HAD BEEN THE MAJOR FACTOR IN POPULATION GROWTH IN THE YEARS 1978-1980, ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY 19 419 PEOPLE OR 24.0 PER CENT OF TOTAL POPULATION GROWTH.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BIRTHS IN 1982 WAS 86 629. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS WAS 25 281. NATURAL INCREASE, THAT IS THE BALANCE CF BIRTHS AND DEATHS, AMOUNTED TO 61 348 PEOPLc OR 76.0 PER CENT CF POPULATION GROWTH IN 1982, AND THUS HAS BECOME THE DOMINANT FACTOR IN TOTAL POPULATION GROWTH.
------0 ------
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1983
FOOTBRIDGES PLANNED FOR KING’S ROAD * * *
THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PLANS TO CONSTRUCT THREE FOOTBRIDGES ACROSS KING’S ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH PAN HOI STREET, MOUNT PARKER ROAD AND YAU MAN STREET IN QUARRY BAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THE PROPOSED FOOTBRIDGES WILL BE AMONG A SERIES OF FOOTBRIDGES TO BE BUILT IN THE NORTH POINT AND QUARRY BAY AREAS UNDER THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT PRIORITY SCHEME NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN THE AREAS.
HE SAID THE AIM WAS TO PROMOTE TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND ELIMINATE DISRUPTION TO VEHICULAR FLOW CAUSED BY PEDESTRIAN CROSSING MOVEMENTS ON GROUND LEVEL.
THE WORKS WILL ALSO INVOLVE MODIFICATIONS OF PARTS OF THE ALIGNMENTS AND WIDTHS OF PAN HOI STREET, MOUNT PARKER ROAD, YAU MAN STREET AND KING’S ROAD.
NOTICES CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WERE PUBLISHED UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
PLANS SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE! THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (HONG KONG NORTH), MURRAY BUILDING. 3RD FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 884-886 KING’S ROAD, HONG KONG.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSALS MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN 60 DAYS.
- 0 -
MODERN MARKET FOR TUEN MUN READY SOON * * *
A NEW TWO-STOREY MARKET WITH MODERN FACILITIES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE OPENED IN APRIL THIS YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
BY THEN THE TEMPORARY MARKETS, INCLUDING A HAWKER BAZAAR, WILL BE DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN ThE NEW TOWN, HE SAID.
THE J4.25-MILLION YAN 01 MARKET WILL HAVE 28 STALLS FOR SELLING FISH, MEAT, POULTRY AND OTHER FOOD ITEMS, AND 80 MINISTALLS FOR SELLING VEGETABLES, FRUIT AND OTHER DRY GOODS.
/MOST OF
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 198?
6
MOST OF THE STALLS WERE LET OUT TODAY AT A RESTRICTED AUCTION TO HAWKERS CURRENTLY OPERATING AT THE TEMPORARY MARKETS.
BIDDED PRICES RANGE FROM 81 150 TO 81 950 FOR THE STANDARD STALLS AND FROM 8350 TO $440 FOR THE MINI-STALLS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----0------
FIRE HAZARD CONVERTED INTO REST GARDEN ft * * *
A FORMER FIRE-HAZARD AT A TUNG TAU PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE SITE HAS NOW BEEN CONVERTED INTO A PLEASANT REST GARDEN, AS A RESULT OF THE CONCERN AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD.
THE FIRE-HAZARD WAS AN OPEN SPACE NEAR BLOCK 23 ON LOK SIN ROAD, USUALLY OCCUPIED BY LORRIES LOADED WITH GASOLINE AND LP GAS CYLINDERS.
NEARBY RESIDENTS HAD REGARDED THIS AS A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD AND A THREAT TO THEIR LIVES. AND SO THE FIVE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN BLOCK 23 RAISED THE PROBLEM WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE MATTER WAS LATER TAKEN UP BY THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, FOLLOWED BY A DISCUSSION MEETING BETWEEN OFFICIALS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHO FELT THAT THE BEST SOLUTION WAS TO CONVERT THE OPEN SPACE INTO A SITTING-OUT AREA.
THE PROBLEM WAS QUICKLY SOLVED WHEN THE DISTRICT BOARD UNDERTOOK TO MEET THE CONVERSION COST OF $60 000 AS ONE OF ITS ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE CF THE REST GARDEN WHICH IS INSTALLED WITH ARBOURS AND STONE CHESS TABLES AND CHAIRS.
AT A BRIEF CEREMONY TODAY (FRIDAY), THE SITTING-OUT AREA WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY CHIEF HOUSING MANAGER, MR LO CHI-YUEN, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR IAN STRACHAN, AND SEVERAL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
MR LO TOLD THE GATHERING THAT THE PROJECT CLEARLY SHOWED THE CONCERN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FOR THE WELL BEING OF THE ESTATE’S RESIDENTS.
♦THE CONVERSION OF THIS SITE INTO A SITTING-OUT AREA IS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE TO SHOW THAT IN CARRYING OUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS, LOCAL OPINION AND THE SUPPORT OF KAIFONGS IS ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE SCHEME,♦ HE SAID.
------o-------
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1983
7
THREE-WEEK-LONG ANTI-DRUG DRIVE NEARS END * * *
THE THREE-WEEK-LONG KWUN TONG ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN WILL COME TO AN END ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 6) WITH THE FINAL PROGRAMMES TO BE HELD IN THE KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND, TSUI PING ROAD.
A SERIES OF ENTERTAINING BUT EDUCATIONAL DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAMMES HAS BEEN ORGANISED FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE DISTRICT BY THE KWUN TONG ANT I-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS.
MORE THAN 300 PRIMARY STUDENTS WILL TAKE OVER A SECTION OF THE RECREATION GROUND TO DISPLAY THEIR TALENTS AND IMPRESSION OF THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE IN A DRAWING AND PAINTING EVENT.
A BAND PERFORMANCE BY THE CAPE COLLINSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND A TELEMATCH GAME BETWEEN SIX TEAMS OF KWUN TONG RESIDENTS COMPRISING 360 PEOPLE WILL FOLLOW.
THERE WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYS BY JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS, POLICE DOGS AND THE ST. BONAVENTURE COLLEGE BAND.
SINCE JANUARY 15, EXTENSIVE THREE-WEEK DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES WERE HELD IN WHICH THOUSANDS OF KWUN TONG RESIDENTS PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE TOOK PART.
EXHIBITIONS, SEMINARS FOR SCHOOL TEACHERS AND PUPILS, ANTIDRUGS FILM SHOWS, VISITS TO DRUG TREATMENT CENTRES AND VARIOUS HEALTH PROMOTING ACTIVITIES WERE ALSO WELL ATTENDED.
A CEREMONY TO MARK THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD AT 5 PM IN THE KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND, WITH MR DAVID TSUI, DISTRICT OFFICER KWUN TONG; MR C.M. LEUNG, ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS; AND MR EDDIE LAMB, CHAIRMAN OF KWUN TONG ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTFF OFFICIATING.
------0-------
KWUN TONG DB MEETING * * * *
KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL HEAR ABOUT DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE JUNK BAY ROAD PARK AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 7).
THE MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS MEANS TO DEAL WITH SUSPECTED +ONE-GIRL APARTMENT* VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE QUESTION OF PROVIDING PROPER LETTER BOXES IN SQUATTER AREAS AND REPLACING OLD LIFTS AT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN SAU MAU PING WILL BE RAISED BY AN ELECTED DB MEMBER.
------c ------
/8.......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1983
8
FINES FOR FAILING TO GIVE NOTICES INCREASED TO S5 OOO *****
THE EXISTING FINES OF $1 000 AND $2 000 FOR FAILING TO GIVE NOTICES TO THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION FUND BOARD FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING ASSESSMENT OF LEVY HAVE BEEN RAISED TO $5 000.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID THE INCREASED FINE IS PROVIDED FOR BY THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) (ASSESSMENT OF LEVY) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1983, WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 1) - THE SAME DAY WHEN THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1983 WAS BROUGHT INTO FORCE. THE ORDINANCE IMPOSES PENALTIES FOR LATE PAYMENTS OF LEVY OR SURCHARGE TO THE FUND BOARD.
THE INCREASED FINE APPLIES TO FAILURES TO REPORT TO THE FUND BOARD THE COMMENCEMENT AND CESSATION OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS AND QUARRY OPERATIONS, THE RECEIPT OF PAYMENTS BY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS AND THE MONTHLY PRODUCTION VOLUME OF QUARRY PRODUCTS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-----o------
TEXTILES NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN SWEDEN AND HONG KONG ADJOURNED
* * * *
TEXTILES NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SWEDEN WHICH BEGAN ON MONDAY (JANUARY 31) WERE ADJOURNED TODAY (FRIDAY) WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT.
THE CURRENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SWEDEN IS DUE TO EXPIRE ON MARCH 31.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR JUSTIN YUE AND LEADER OF THE HONG KONG TEAM, SAID THAT THE TWO SIDES HAD A FULL AND FRANK EXCHANGE OF VIEWS, BUT THEIR POSITIONS REMAINED SOME DISTANCE APART.
ACCORDING TO MR YUE, THE TWO SIDES HAVE AGREED TENTATIVELY TO RESUME THE NEGOTIATIONS IN EARLY MARCH IN STOCKHOLM.
o -------
/9 -....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1983
9 -
NEW TRAFFIC PLAN IN WONG CHUK HANG * * * *
NEW ARRANGEMENTS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN WONG CHUK HANG WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 7).
HEUNG YIP ROAD AND THE WESTBOUND SECTION OF WONG CHUK HANG ROAD NEAR THEIR JUNCTIONS WITH NAM LONG SHAN ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AS PEAK HOUR URBAN CLEARWAYS.
THIS WILL ALSO APPLY TO NAM LONG SHAN ROAD NEAR WONG CHUK HANG ROAD.
WITHIN THOSE SECTIONS, NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR
VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL
PASSENGERS OR GOODS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM
AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
AT THE SAME
it TUP S4MF TIME ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES TRAVELLING ALONG NAM LONG SHAN ROAD WILL BE BANNED FROM TURNING
YIP ROAD.
RIGHT INTO HEUNG
--------c ---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ROLE OF LB MEMBERS OUTLINED........................... 1
TRAINING CENTRES TO BOOST TECHNICAL MANPOWER............ 2
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PRAISED FOR WORK.................. 3
+MEET-THB-PUBLIC+ SCHEME GAINS SUPPORT ................. 3
ADVANCE PAYMENT FOR SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS.......... 4
NEW YOUTH CENTRE OPENED IN SHAU KEI WAN ................ 4
TINDERS FOR HIRING OF TIPPER LORRIES ................... 5
TENDER AWARDED FOR KOWLOON PARK. SI' ................... 5
CHEUNG CHAU WATER CUT .................................. 6
FIRING PRACTICE ........................................ 7
TWORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN MID-LEVELS...................... 7
NO RIGHT TURN ON SHUN LEE TSUEN ROAD ................... 7
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1983
1
ROLE OF DB MEMBERS OUTLINED * * M *
.^.Di?TR,CT B0ARD MEMBERS ^ST MAINTAIN THE STANCE OF AN DISPASSIONATE INVESTIGATOR* WHEN HANDLING
COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FROM RESIDENTS.
A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, DR HO KAM-FAI, SAID THIS TODAY AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED FOR WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS
SPEAKING ON THE ROLES OF AN UNOFFICIAL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, DR HO SAID THE MEMBER MUST ABSTAIN HIMSELF FROM TAKING SIDE TOO EARLY, AND TRY TO EXAMINE THE MATTER FROM A NEUTRAL POSITION.
UPON RECEIVING A COMPLAINT, THE MEMBER MUST CHECK THE FACTS AND MAKE AN EFFORT TO GET THE VIEWS OF THOSE PEOPLE INVOLVED, AS WELL AS THE OPINIONS OF THOSE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISSUE.
ALTHOUGH DB MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO REFLECT THE CONCERNS AND QUERIES OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE, DR HO URGED THEM TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER OR NOT THEIR REQUESTS OR COMPLAINTS WERE GENUINE AND WITHIN THE BOARD’S TERMS OF REFERENCE BEFORE SUBMITTING THE ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION AT BOARD MEETINGS.
HE ALSO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE FOR DB MEMBERS TO SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT THE REQUESTS OR COMPLAINTS FELL INTO THE JURISDICTION CF THE BODY THEY WERE SERVING, IN OTHER WORDS, DISTRICT-ORIENTED ISSUES.
IN CERTAIN INSTANCES, AFTER HAVING SUBJECTED THE CONTROVERSY TO A RATIONAL SCRUTINY, THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBER MIGHT HAVE TO EXERCISE HIS PERSONAL INFLUENCE TO PURSUADE HIS CONSTITUENCIES TO GIVE UP THEIR ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF A PROPOSAL WHICH WOULD BETTER SERVE THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE IN THE LONG RUN.
♦THIS CALLS FOR GENUINE DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP FROM THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBER,♦ HE SAID.
DR HO IS SENIOR LECTURER AT THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
HE WAS THE GUEST SPEAKER IN THE SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE TO GIVE LOCAL DB MEMBERS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR ROLE, AND GUIDANCE IN DEALING WITH DISTRICT PROBLEMS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ULTIMATE GOAL COMMON TO BOTH UNOFFICIAL AND OFFICIAL DB MEMBERS WAS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE OR WORK IN THE DISTRICT.
♦THE WORK OF THE UNOFFICIALS, ELECTED AS WELL AS APPOINTED, WOULD THEREFORE BE COMPLEMENTARY TO, RATHER THAN IN COMPETITION WITH, THAT OF THE OFFICIALS.
♦THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE RESIDENT'S SOCIAL CONDITIONS AND ASPIRATIONS. THIS INPUT INTO THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL FACILITATE THE GOAL TO BE ACHIEVED EFFICIENTLY.+
/DH HO .......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1983
2 -
ACTIONS.
4.1 IKFWISE HE POINTS OUT WITH EQUAL FACILITY THE Q®jJ££TIONS OF THELPUBLIC fo THE POLICIES PROPOSED BY GOVERNMENT,♦ HE SAID.
AN INTERMEDIARY. THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBER PUTS THE MINDS OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT CLOSER TOGETHER, MAKING Treble FOR THESE TWO PARTIES TO APPRECIATE EACH OTHER’S POINTS OF VIEWS.♦
DR HO ALSO OFFERED ADVICE AND SUGGESTIONS ON THE EFFECTIVE SSSSsSas? .........................................................
FASHION.
------0-------
TRAINING CENTRES TO BOOST TECHNICAL MANPOWER
* X X X
THE MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING INDUSTRY WILL GET A BOOST IN THE SUPPLY OF TRAINED MANPOWER WHEN ITS TWO NEW TRAINING CENTRES ARE ESTABLISHED IN LATE 1984, THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, MR M.C. MORGAN SAID TODAY.
THE INDUSTRY WILL REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF 65 TECHNOLOGISTS, 370 TECHNICIANS AND 2 330 CRAFTSMEN TO FILL THE ANNUAL VACANCIES, HE SAID.
THE TWO CENTRES TOGETHER WILL OFFER FULL-TIME PLACES FOR TRAINING OF ABOUT 125 TECHNOLOGISTS, AS WELL AS 300 PEOPLE IN WELDING AND 500 IN KEY CRAFT TRADES, INCLUDING TOOL AND DIE MAKERS, MACHINISTS AND FITTERS. ’
THE CENTRES RESULT FROM A RECOMMENDATION BY THE FORMER HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN REPLACED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THEY WILL BE LOCATED IN KWAI CHUNG AND KOWLOON BAY.
THE COUNCIL IS NOW LOOKING FOR A MANAGER WITH A PROFESSIONAL OR AN APPROPRIATE TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION RELATED TO THE INDUSTRY, TO COORDINATE THE PLANNING AND SETTING UP OF THE CENTRES.
EXPERIENCE IN TRAINING OR PRODUCTION IS ALSO ESSENTIAL AS THE CENTRE MANAGER HAS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAILY ADMINISTRATION AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CENTRES, HE SAID.
------ o -----
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1983
3
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PRAISED FOR WORK * * *
HONG KONG IS A WORLD LEADER IN THE FIELD OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, THE COMMISSIONER (DESIGNATE) FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, MR ROBERT SUN, SAID TODAY.
ALTHOUGH ONLY A SMALL TERRITORY, IT HAD MANAGED TO ACQUIRE AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION IN VARIOUS FIELDS OF BUSINESS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AS WELL, HE SAID.
HE SAID THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF ITS CAPABLE COMMISSIONER, HAD ACHIEVED A REMARKABLY HIGH DEGREE OF SUCCESS FOR ITS VARIOUS PROGRAMMES.
A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF INMATES DISCHARGED FROM ITS DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT, TRAINING AND PARTICULARLY DETENTION CENTRES DID NOT COMMIT ANY FURTHER OFFENCE, HE SAID.
♦THE SUCCESS RATES SHOW THAT THE HONG KONG RECORD IS BETTER THAN THAT OF ANY COUNTRY IN EUROPE,♦ HE SAID.
MR SUN WAS SPEAKING AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE OF RECRUIT OFFICERS AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY, AT WHICH HE WAS THE INSPECTING OFFICER.
ON PARADE WERE 96 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO HAD COMPLETED THEIR SIX-MONTH BASIC TRAINING.
HE ALSO PRESENTED SILVER WHISTLES TO THE TWO BEST ALL-ROUND RECRUITS, MESSRS HO CHAK-WAI AND TSOI KAI-CHUNG.
-------□ _ _ « -
♦MEET-THE-PUBLIC* SCHEME GAINS SUPPORT M * *
SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD HAS DECIDED TO MAKE ITS +MEET-THE-PUBLIC* SESSIONS A PERMANENT FEATURE AS FROM MONDAY (FEBRUARY 7).
REVIEWING THE SCHEME AT A RECENT BOARD MEETING, MEMBERS AGREED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO CONTINUE THE SESSIONS, WHICH BEGAN LAST SEPTEMBER, ON A LONG-TERM BASIS.
♦RESPONSE TO THE SCHEME HAS BEEN RATHER ENCOURAGING AS MORE THAN 50 CASES WERE HANDLED DURING THE TRIAL PERIOD.+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD SAID.
TWENTY-EIGHT CASES HAD ALREADY BEEN SETTLED, REPRESENTING A SUCCESSFUL RATE OF 56 PER CENT.
OF THESE, NINE CONCERNED LAND MATTERS, SIX WERE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, LAW AND ORDER, HOUSING AND WATER SUPPLY.
/H3 ADDED .......
SATUHDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 198 3
- .4 -
HE ADDED THAT THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED TO ENABLE MEMBERS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF DISTRICT PROBLEMS, SO THAT THEY COULD REFLECT SUCH PROBLEMS TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED, AND TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM.
AS IN THE PAST, MEMBERS WILL TAKE TURNS TO MEET THE PUBLIC AT THE BRANCH OFFICE ON MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG, EVERY MONDAY FROM 7 PM TO 9 PM, EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
PEOPLE WISHING TO MEET BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD FIRST CONTACT THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT AT 3-7557928 FOR APPOINTMENTS.
-------o - - - -
ADVANCE PAYMENT FOR SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS K * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE WITH PAYMENT DATES FALLING ON THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS TO RECEIVE THEIR PAYMENTS EARLIER.
THOSE WHO ARE TO RECEIVE PAYMENT ON FEBRUARY 12, 13, 14 AND 15 CAN CASH THEIR COUPONS ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 7, 8, 9 AND 10 RESPECTIVELY.
STAFF OF SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO INFORM THEIR CLIENTS ABOUT THE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS.
----0----
NEW YOUTH CENTRE OPENED IN SHAU KEI WAN * * M *
___ A NEW CENTRE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WAS OPENED IN SHAU KEI WAN TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN
THE CHINESE YMCA WONG CHUEN KING CENTRE PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN QUARRY BAY AND SHAU KEI WAN DISTRICTS.
THESE INCLUDE GROUP AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, STUDY ROOM SERVICES, AND COMMERCIAL AND COMPUTER COURSES.
----o------
/5
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 19*?3
5
TENDERS FOR HIRING OF Tl'’ER LORRIES ft ft ft ft
THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE HIRING OF TIPPER LORRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE LORRIES WILL BE USED FOR TRANSPORTING STAFF, GOODS, STORES, AND THE COLLECTION, REMOVAL AND TRANSPORTATION OF BULKY DISCARDED ITEMS SUCH AS DERELICT MOTOR VEHICLES AND MACHINERY.
THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WILL BE ABLE TO START BUSINESS ON APRIL 1 FOR A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TENDER FORMS FOR THE CONTRACT ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF AUSTIN CENTRE, 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS MUST BE PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX SITUATED IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE NOON ON FEBRUARY 25.
ENQUIRIES FOR FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE MADE WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SECTION OF THE NTSD ON TELEPHONE 3-679699.
-----o------
TENDER AWARDED FOR KOWLOON PARK SITE ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AWARDED A TENDER FOR A 5 410-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN TSIM SHA TSUI TO THE LUCKY CITY COMPANY LIMITED, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE NEW WORLD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY AND MIRAMAR HOTEL AND INVESTMENT CO. LTD.
THE SITE, CONSISTING OF A PIECE OF LAND 17 METRES WIDE ON NATHAN ROAD, STRETCHES FROM A POINT NEAR THE CORNER OF AUSTIN ROAD TO THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF KOWLOON MOSQUE. IT IS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ONE-STOREY OR TWO-STOREY SHOPS WITH BASEMENTS.
THE COMPANY BID $218 MILLION FOR THE SITE, THE HIGHEST OF THE NINE TENDERS RECEIVED.
COMMENTING ON THE SALE, THE GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT (DISPOSAL), MR DUNCAN SCOTT-WILL, SAID THAT IT WAS MOST ENCOURAGING THAT THE SITE HAD GENERATED CONSIDERABLE INTEREST AMONG DEVELOPERS.
/♦SOME DEVELOPERS .......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1983
6
♦SOME DEVELOPERS WERE OBVIOUSLY INTERESTED IN INVESTING SUBSTANTIAL SUMS OF MONEY IN THIS COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ON THIS POPULAR SHOPPING FRONTAGE,♦ HE SAID.
♦HAVING REGARD TO THE PRESENT MARKET CIRCUMSTANCES, THE PRICE OBTAINED WAS SATISFACTORY AND THE HIGHER BIDS WERE VERY COMPETITIVE.
THE BASIC CONCEPT OF THE DEVELOPMENT IS TO REQUIRE THE DEVELOPER TO CONSTRUCT THE SHOPS TO SPECIFIC LEVELS.
THE ROOF SLABS OF THE SHOPS WILL BE SO CONSTRUCTED AS TO ENABLE THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO SUBSEQUENTLY EXTEND THE ADJACENT AREA OF KOWLOON PARK OVER THE ROOF TOPS AND CARRY OUT LANDSCAPING AND THE PLANTING OF TREES AND SHRUBS. THIS WOULD EFFECTIVELY INCREASE THE USABLE AREA OF THE PARK BY MORE THAN HALF A HECTARE.
UNDER THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPMENT IS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1986 AT A MINIMUM EXPENDITURE OF $53 MILLION.
- - 0 - -
CHEUNG CHAU WATER CUT ft ft ft
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN AREAS IN CHEUNG CHAU WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 8) FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT 24-76 PEAK ROAD, FOOK LEE FARM, SHUN YEE VILLAGE, THE METEOROLOGICAL STATION, CHUEN LEE YUEN AND ALL PREMISES ALONG PEAK ROAD WEST AND MIDDLE HILL ROAD.
- - o - -
/7
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1983
7
FIRING PRACTICE ft ft ft
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE FROM MONDAY (FEBRUARY 7) TO FRIDAY.
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING.
THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE PRACTICE AREi FEBRUARY 7 TO FEBRUARY 10 FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM AND FEBRUARY 11 FROM 8 AM TO 4 PM.
- _ 0 - -
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN MID-LEVELS ft ft ft ft
MAGAZINE GAP ROAD BETWEEN GARDEN ROAD AND BREW IN PATH WILL EE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 12.01 AM AND 6 AM DAILY FROM TUESDAY TO THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 8 TO 10) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FLYOVER.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLE HEADING FOR MAGAZINE GAP ROAD FROM GARDEN ROAD WILL TRAVEL VIA ROBINSON ROAD, OLD PEAK ROAD AND MAY ROAD.
CENTRAL-BOUND VEHICLES ALONG MAGAZINE GAP ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA MAY ROAD, TREGUNTER PATH, OLD PEAK ROAD AND ROBINSON ROAD.
- - 0 - -
NO RIGHT TURN ON SHUN LEE TSUEN ROAD SKI
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW, SOUTHBOUND VEHICLES ALONG SHUN LEE TSUEN ROAD WILL BE BANNED FROM TURNING RIGHT INTO THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO SHUN ON ROAD FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 7).
VEHICLES HEADING FOR SHUN ON AND SHUN TIN ESTATES WILL HAVE TO USE SHUN KING STREET AND LEE ON ROAD INSTEAD.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
1980 GROSS MANUFACTURING OUTPUT TOTALS 8107 890 MILLION .... 1
MEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN SAI KUNG .............................. 5
LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY REMINDER ................................ 6
BOOKKEEPING COURSES FOR SCHOOL CLERKS .......................... 7
SWIMMING POOL 'BUBBLE' OPENS TUESDAY ........................... 7
CUTTING OF TREES AND PLANTS ON CROWN LAND ILLEGAL .............. 8
REALIGNMENT OF ROAD JUNCTION IN TSUEN WAN ...................... 9
MORE METERS FOR MOTORISTS ................................... 10
NEW TRAFFIC PLAN FOR LUNG CHEUNG ROAD ......................... 10
VEHICULAR SUBWAY TO BE CLOSED
10
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1983
1
980 GROSS MANUFACTURING OUTPUT TOTALS $107 890 MILLION * M * * *
SOME $107 890 MILLION WORTH OF GROSS OUTPUT WERE PRODUCED WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN 1980, ACCORDING TO SUMMARY FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OF THE TOTAL, $72 281 MILLION (67%) WERE SPENT ON MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES CONSUMED IN THE PROCESS OF PRODUCTION, WHILE ANOTHER $19 883 MILLION (18%) WERE PAID OUT AS COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES.
THE REMAINDER WAS MADE UP OF MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENSES ($9 148 MILLION OR 9%), AND OPERATING SURPLUS ($6 578 MILLION OR 6%).
THE STATISTICS WERE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR THE REFERENCE YEAR 1980, COVERING ESSENTIALLY THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, BUT INCLUDING ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN MINING AND QUARRYING, AND IN THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
THE 1980 SURVEY WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED TO ASCERTAIN THE STRUCTURAL AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VARIOUS ECONOMIC SECTORS AND TO UPDATE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
THE SALIENT FINDINGS RELATING TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE GIVEN IN THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPHS
A. ANALYSIS BY MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY GROUP
NO. INDUSTRY GROUP MFG. OF EST. COMP. OF EMPLOYEES CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES GROSS OUTPUT NAT. ACCTS. VALUE ADDED
($MN) ($MN) ($MN) ($MN)
FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO 884 557 2 620 4 315 1 275
TEXTILES (INCLU- 4 DING KNITTING) 356 2 808 12 501 17 626 4 052
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT KNITWEAR 8 AND FOOTWEAR 090 5 611 15 933 24 619 7 158
LEATHER, WOOD AND 2 CORK PRODUCTS 898 620 1 677 2 658 775
/Paper products, .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1985
2
PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING 4 062 1 025 2 665 4 655 1 583
CHEMICALS, RUBBER AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS 1 148 384 2 601 3 672 805
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 4 284 1 569 4 407 7 207 2 204
BASIC METALS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT 10 532 4 038 14 460 21 317 5 603
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 1 749 2 521 .13 010 18 168 3 855
OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 2 656 751 2 407 3 653 1 021
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 40 660 19 883 72 281 107 890 28 331
THIS PRESS RELEASE
NOTES I (1)
THE STATISTICS PRESENTED IN ____
COVER ALL MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS THAT WERE IN OPERATION AT THE TIME OF SURVEY ENUMERATION, WHICH WAS GENERALLY SOME MONTHS AFTER THE END OF THE SURVEY REFERENCE YEAR OF 1980. THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS THAT WERE CLOSED PRIOR TO THE ENUMERATION PERIOD ARE NOT INCLUDED HEREIN. NEVERTHELESS, A SEPARATE SET OF STATISTICS INCLUDING THE IMPUTED ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
(2)
FOR THIS TABLE AS WELL AS ALL SUBSEQUENT TABLES, INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES MAY NOT ADD UP EXACTLY TO THE RESPECTIVE TOTALS DUE TO ROUNDING.
IN TERMS OF CONTRIBUTION TO VALUE ADDED, A TOTAL OF $28 331 MILLION WERE GENERATED BY THE ENTIRE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN 1980.
THE MORE IMPORTANT INDUSTRY GROUPS, RANKED ACCORDING TO THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO VALUE ADDED, WERE I WEARING APPAREL ($7 158 MILLION OR 25% OF THE CORRESPONDING TOTAL FOR MANUFACTURING), METAL PRODUCTS, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT ($5 603 MILLION OR 20%), TEXTILES ($4 052 MILLION OR 14%), ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS ($' 855 MILLION OR 14%), AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS ($2 204 MILLION OR %).
/REGARDING THE .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6,
REGARDING THE VALUE ADDED CONTENT IN GROSS OUTPUT FOR THE VARIOUS INDUSTRY GROUPS, THOSE HAVING A HIGHER-THAN-AVERAGE LEVEL RELATIVE TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS A WHOLE WERE i PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING (34%), PLASTIC PRODUCTS (31%). FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO (30%), LEATHER AND WOODEN PRODUCTS (29%), AND WEARING APPAREL (29%). INDUSTRY GROUPS HAVING A HIGHER-THAN-AVERAGE CONTENT CF COMPENSATION TO EMPLOYEES IN VALUE ADDED WERE t LEATHER AND WOODEN PRODUCTS (80%), WEARING APPAREL (78%), PLASTIC PRODUCTS (71%), AND METAL PRODUCTS, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (72%).
B. ANALYSIS BY GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
DISTRICT NO. OF MFG. EST. COMP. OF EMPLOYEES CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES GROSS OUTPUT NAT. ACCTS. VALUE ADDED
($MN) ($MN) ($mn) ($MN)
HONG KONG ISLAND 6 753 3 003 11 002 16 723 4 516
KOWLOON 9 259 3 034 8 723 13 560 3 883
NEW KOWLOON 14 158 8 099 28 746 42 703 11 169
TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, TSING Yl 7 571 4 564 18 624 27 471 6 952
REST OF N.T. 2 921 1 182 5 186 7 433 1 812
ALL DISTRICTS 40 660 19 883 72 281 107 890 28 331
REGARDING THE LOCATIONS OF INDUSTRIES, NEW KOWLOON WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT MANUFACTURING ZONE, FOLLOWED BY THE TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT. THEY TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR $70 174 MILLION WORTH CF GROSS OUTPUT (OR 65% OF THE CORRESPONDING TOTAL OF MANUFACTURING) AND $18 121 MILLION WORTH OF VALUE ADDED (OR 64% OF THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED GENERATED FROM MANUFACTURING).
TYPE OF OWNERSHIP C. ANALYSIS BY TYPE OF OWNERSHIP
NO. OF MFG. EST. COMP. OF EMPLOYEES CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES GROSS OUTPUT NAT. ACCTS. VALUE ADDED
($mn) (SMN) ($MN) (SMN)
LIMITED COMPANY 6 440 13 107 54 666 79 532 19 574
/SOLE
- 4 - SUNDAY, FhJSktLOO 6, 1983
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP 27 141 4 219 10 707 17 534 5 556
PARTNERSHIP 7 078 2 557 6 908 10 825 3 201
TOTAL 40 660 19 883 72 281 107 890 28 331
MOST OF THE MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES WERE CARRIED OUT BY LIMITED COMPANIES. THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO TOTAL GROSS OUTPUT AND VALUE ADDED IN MANUFACTURING WERE *79 532 MILLION OR 74 PER CENT, AND *19 574 MILLION OR 69 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. CONTRIBUTIONS TO TOTAL VALUE ADDED IN MANUFACTURING BY SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP UNDERTAKINGS WERE 20 PER CENT AND 11 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
D. ANALYSIS BY EMPLOYMENT SIZE RANGES
NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED NO. OF MFG. EST. COMP. OF EMPLOYEES CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES GROSS OUTPUT NAT. ACCTS. VALJJE ADDED
($MN) (*MN) (*MN) (*MN)
1-9 25 650 1 888 4 218 7 691 2 764
10 - 19 6 190 1 814 5 199 8 140 2 335
20 - 49 5 063 3 477 10 922 16 350 4 300
50-99 2 138 3 290 11 549 17 041 4 397
100 - 199 989 2 924 11 681 16 752 4 042
200 - 499 466 2 999 14 167 20 025 4 623
500-999 117 1 813 8 786 12 476 2 961
1 000 AND OVER 45 1 676 5 759 9 414 2 909
TOTAL 40 660 19 883 72 281 107 890 28 331
MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING 500 OR MORE PERSONS TOGETHER GENERATED 21 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED IN MANUFACTURING, WHILE MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING FEWER THAN 20 PERSONS PROVIDED 18 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED. MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE SIZE GROUPS OF 20 TO 49 PERSONS, 53 TO 99 PERSONS, 100 TO 199 PERSONS, AND 200 TO 499 PERSONS ACCOUNTED FOP 15 PER CENT, 16 PER CENT, 14 PER CENT AND 16 PER CENT RESPECTIVE!.-' OF THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED.
/SUMMARY .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1985
5
SUMMARY STATISTICS FROM THE i960 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE FORTHCOMING DECEMBER 1982 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS. A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OBTAINED FROM THE 1980 SURVEY WILL BE GIVEN IN ITS SURVEY REPORT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
FURTHER STATISTICAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (AT 3-7213578).
-----0------
NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN SAI KUNG * * *
I^NHUAL SAI KU*6 FESTIVAL TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR ®^GIN ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 16) WITH A FULL-DAY PROGRAMME INCLUDING LION AND UNICORN DANCES, A BEER DRINKING COMPETITION, FILM AND VARIETY SHOWS AND A LUCKY DRAW.
THE OPENING DAY WILL ALSO FEATURE A DRAWING COMPETITION FOR MORE THAN 400 CHILDREN, A POTTERY EXHIBITION AND GAMES STALLS.
COSTING $80 000, THE FESTIVAL IS BEING ORGANISED BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WITH DISTRICT BOARD SPONSORSHIP.
OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDEi
* A SPECTACULAR ROAD RACE FROM NAI CHUNG TO SAI KUNG TOWN, A VARIETY SHOW, A CHILDREN'S DRAWING EXHIBITION, A MINI ATHLETIC MEET FOR CHILDREN, AN OUTING AND A TELE-MATCH ON FEBRUARY 17;
* OPENING OF THE HO CHUNG SPORTSGROUND ON FEBRUARY 18;
* A CONCERT AND A VARIETY SHOW ON FEBRUARY 19; AND
M A CHILDREN DRAWING COMPETITION ON FEBRUARY 26.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHAN SUI-JEUNG, AND LOCAL DIGNITARIES WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL AT MAN Yl PLAYGROUND, SAI KUNG, ON FEBRUARY 16 (WEDNESDAY) AT 12 NOON.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY.
-----0------
/6.......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1983
6
LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY REMINDER * * * *
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD DAYS OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WHICH FALL ON FEBRUARY 13 TO 15 ARE THREE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS APPOINTED UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
AS THE FIRST DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FALLS ON A SUNDAY, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE LUNAR NEW YEAR EVE ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 12) SHOULD BE A STATUTORY HOLIDAY ACCORDING TO THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1982.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS EMPLOYED LOCALLY OR FROM OVERSEAS COUNTRIES, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS, AND ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $7 500 A MONTH, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAYS, HE SAID.
THEY MUST ALSO BE PAID FOR THE DAY-OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING A STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO THE EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS, INCLUDING WAGES AND ALLOWANCES BUT EXCLUDING OVERTIME PAY, ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY. WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE OF THE DAILY EARNINGS DURING A PERIOD OF 28 DAYS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY. PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE ON THE NORMAL PAY DAY.
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY-OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.
IF THE ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY IS TO BE GRANTED BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE EMPLOYER MUST NOTIFY THE EMPLOYEE 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY. IN THE CASE WHERE AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY IS TO BE GIVEN AFTER THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE NOTIFIED OF THE ARRANGEMENT AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE HOLIDAY.
IF BOTH EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE AGREE, ANY DAY WITHIN 30 DAYS OF A STATUTORY HOLIDAY OR ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY MAY BE TAKEN BY THE EMPLOYEE AS A SUBSTITUTED HOLIDAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE i FOR KOWLOON EAST 3-205638 ; KOWLOON WEST 3-201652 » KOWLOON SOUTH 3’319454 ; KWUN TONG 3-898520; TSUEN WAN 0-422096; TAI PO 0-6577111 EXT. 114; TUEN MUN 0-818443; HONG KONG ISLAND WEST) 5-268671 AND HONG KONG ISLAND (EAST) 5-282523.
-------o---------
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1983
BOOKKEEPING COURSES FOR SCHOOL CLERKS * * * * *
CLERKS WORKING IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS NOW HAVE A CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES CONCERNING SCHOOLS.
AS FROM MARCH, THE DEPARTMENT’S ACCOUNTS DIVISION WILL ORGANISE A SERIES OF FOUR-DAY SEMINARS UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR TO HELP SCHOOL CLERKS TO MAINTAIN A SOUND ACCOUNTING SYSTEM BASED ON THE MODEL DEVELOPED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE SEMINARS WILL ALSO IMPROVE THE CLERKS’ GENERAL ACCOUNTING SKILL AND ACQUAINT THEM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CODE OF AID, THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE AND RELEVANT CIRCULARS OF FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
THE CONTENTS OF THE SEMINARS, WHICH WILL BE HELD AT LUI KEE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CENTRE AT 269 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WILL INCLUDE LECTURES, DISCUSSIONS AND EXERCISES.
AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS WHO WISH TO SEND THEIR CLERKS TO THESE SEMINARS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR NOMINATIONS TO THE TREASURY ACCOUNTANT, ACCOUNTS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 4/F, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 23.
OWING TO LIMITED SEATING CAPACITY, EACH SCHOOL SHOULD NOMINATE NOT MORE THAN TWO CLERKS AND APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE SEMINARS MAY BE MADE TO THE ACCOUNTING OFFICER (TRAINING), MR GREG LI, AT 5-8392413.
- - 0 - -
SWIMMING POOL ’BUBBLE’ OPENS TUESDAY X * X X
CONSTRUCTION OF HONG KONG’S FIRST EVER AIR SUPPORT STRUCTURE ERECTED OVER THE MAIN POOL OF THE FANLING SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX HAS BEEN COMPLETED, AND THE FACILITY WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 8) AFTERNOON.
THE STRUCTURE PROVIDES SHELTER FOR WINTER BATHERS AT THE HEATED MAIN POOL OF THE SWIMMING COMPLEX, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE S2.3-MILLION PROJECT WAS BUILT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE NTSD.
/A CI2?H4O?IY
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 196?
8
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 8) AT 11 AM TO MARK THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE STRUCTURE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
JOINTLY OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR BRIAN WILSON, THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, MR MOK WAI-TAK; THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD; THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (NORTH REGION) OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR BOWEN LEUNG AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF NORTH, MR STUART HARBINSON.
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE HONOURABLE CHEUNG YAN-LUNG5 LOCAL LEADER MR LIU YUN-SUM AND THE CHAIRMEN OF FOUR RURAL COMMITTEES IN NORTH DISTRICT, MR LIU CHING-LEUNG, M? LAW CHAK-TONG, MR CHAN YAU-CHOI AND MR YIP SHING.
THE MAIN POOL OF THE COMPLEX WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC FROM 12.30 PM.
FROM WEDNESDAY, THERE WILL BE FOUR SESSIONS DAILY FROM 9 AM TO 11.30 AM, 12.30 PM TO 3 PM, 3.30 PM TO 6 PM AND 7 PM TO 9 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE AIR SUPPORT STRUCTURE AT THE FANLING SWIMMING POOL HELD AT 11 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 8).
OFFICIAL TRANSPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT i
(1) THE OPEN CAR PARK OUTSIDE THE RECEPTION OFFICE OF MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AT 9.30 AM ;
(2) THE WHITEFIELD BARRACK CAR PARK AT AUSTIN ROAD OPPOSITE LONDON THEATRE AT 9.30 AM.
A PRESS TOUR WILL BE CONDUCTED INSIDE THE AIR SUPPORT STRUCTURE RIGHT AFTER THE CEREMONY.
------o-------
CUTTING OF TREES AND PLANTS ON CROWN LAND ILLEGAL * * * *
NINE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED FOR ILLEGALLY CUTTING PLANTS IN COUNTRY PARKS SINCE APRIL, 1982. FINES IMPOSED ON THEM BY THE COURTS TOTALLED S2 225.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY REMINDED THE PUBLIC NOT TO CUT TREES OR ANY PLANTS ON CROWN LAND OR IN ,’HE COUNTRYSIDE, ESPECIALLY FOR DECORATIVE USE DURING THE LUNAR . .W YEAR.
/OFFICES
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6. 1983
9
OFFENCES BROUGHT UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS REGULATION AND THE FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE ORDINANCE ARE PUNISHABLE BY A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2 OOO AND THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT, AND $2 000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT RESPECTIVELY HE ADDED.
PLANTS INVOLVED IN THE CASES PROSECUTED HAVE INCLUDED GARDENIA, GLABROUS GREENBRIER, BAMBOO SHOOTS AND DAISIES.
HOWEVER, FLOWERS FOR DECORATION DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, INCLUDING +TIU CHUNG* HAVE ALSO BEEN CUT IN THE PAST.
THE BE CUT. HE SAID.
SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT NO PLANTS ON ANY CROWN LAND SHOULD THE PUBLIC SHOULD HELP CONSERVE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT,
- - 0 - -
REALIGNMENT OF ROAD JUNCTION IN TSUEN WAN * M * *
THE OUT THE
NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY REALIGNMENT OF THE JUNCTION OF TAI HO ROAD AND YEUNG UK ROAD TSUEN WAN, TO CONSTRUCT A NEW ACCESS TO THE TSUEN WAN TRANSPORi COMPLEX, CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON THE ADJACENT RECLAIMED LAND IN TSUEN WAN BAY.
THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS TAI HO ROAD OPPOSITE SAN TSUEN STREET.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN ---------------------------- 7, 1983.
THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON JANUARY
AN AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND NOTICE OF THE AMENDMENT PUBLISHED
SCHEME HAS SINCE BEEN MADE AND A IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT
THE AMENDED PLAN SHOW I NG THE __
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, StrICUvERnSiENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE I THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 9-1/2 MILESTONE, CASTLE PEAK ROAD< HONG SnGAnJ sSxEgHAI BANK BUILDING 3RD FLOOR ; AND THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR, FOU WAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD,
TSUEN WAN.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN SIXTY DAYS FROM TODAY.
- - 0 - -
/10
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1983
10
MORE METERS FOR MOTORISTS
* # *
A TOTAL OF 290 PARKING METERS WILL BE INSTALLED IN SHAM SHU I PO TO REGULATE THE USE OF ON-STREET PARKING SPACES.
FROM 9 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 8), METERS WILL BE IN OPERATION ALONG FUK WING STREET, FUK WA STREET AND KIU KIANG STREET.
THE METERS ON KWEILIN STREET, APLIU STREET, KI LUNG STREET AND TAI NAN STREET WILL OPERATE FROM 9 AM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 9).
- 0 - -
NEW TRAFFIC PLAN FOR LUNG CHEUNG ROAD * M * *
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 8), WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING RIGHT INTO HAMMER HILL ROAD.
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENT, MOTORISTS HEADING FOR TSZ WAN SHAN WILL HAVE TO TURN LEFT INTO HAMMER HILL ROAD AND PROCEED VIA CHOI HUNG ROAD ROUNDABOUT.
AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE WILL BE VIA LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND THE PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD INTERCHANGE.
_ _ o - -
VEHICULAR SUBWAY TO BE CLOSED M 4- * -
THE WUHU INTERCHANGE VEHICU AR SUBWAY LINKING CHATHAM ROAD WITH GILLIES AVENUE WILL BE CLOStzD TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 8 AND 9) FOR MAINTENANCE WO? S.
TRAFFIC FROM TSIM SHA TSUI AND YAU MA TEI HEADING FOR HUN HOM WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHEONG WAN ROAD, k WAN ROAD, TO RE-JOIN CHEONG WAN ROAD AND GILLIES AVENUE. 9 Dr
AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE WILL BE VIA GASCOIGNE ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, PAK KUNG STREET, SHUN YUNG STREET, FAT KWONG STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
- - o - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 198}
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BAN ON SMOKING BEING EXTENDED ................................ 1
TRAFFIC CHANGES .............................................. 2
HOLIDAY POSTAL HOURS ......................................... 5
HELP SOUGHT IN EASING AIRPORT HOLIDAY RUSH ................... 3
SPORTS FESTIVAL TO FOSTER DISTRICT IDENTITY ................. 4
SCHOOLS URGED TO SUPPORT FIGHT YOUTH CRIME DRIVE ............. 5
HIGHWAYS ENGINEER TO ATTEND BANGKOK MEETING .................. 5
U.K. - FRANCE AIR SERVICES TALKS ............................. 6
WARM NEW YEAR GIFT FOR ELDERLY ............................... 6
KOWLOON CITY AND YAU MA TEI DB'S TO HOLD MEETINGS............. 6
WATER FIGURES
7
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1983
1
BAN ON SMOKING * *
BEING EXTENDED ft
THE GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN TO DISCOURAGE CIGARETTE SMOKING WILL REACH ANOTHER STAGE ON FEBRUARY 15 WHEN THE BAN WILL BE EXTENDED TO MORE PUBLIC AREAS AND THE HEALTH WARNING WILL HAVE TO BE CARRIED IN MOST TYPES OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT FROM THAT DAY, SMOKING WILL BE PROHIBITED IN PUBLIC LIFTS, SINGLE DECKER ROAD PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXCEPT TAXIS AND HIRED CARS, AND THE LOWER DECKS OF DOUBLE DECKER BUSES AND TRAMS.
NO SMOKING AREAS WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE DESIGNATED IN NOT LESS THAN 50 PER CENT OF EACH CLASS OF SEATING ACCOMMODATION IN FERRIES, TRAINS, CINEMAS, CONCERT HALLS AND THEATRES.
♦MANAGEMENTS WHO FAIL TO SET ASIDE SUCH AREAS OR FAIL TO DISPLAY APPROPRIATE *N0 SMOKING* SIGNS MAY BE FINED $5 000. ANY PERSON WHO SMOKES OR CARRIES A LIGHTED CIGARETTE, CIGAR OR PIPE IN A NO SMOKING AREA MAY RECEIVE A $1 000 FINE AND A FURTHER FINE CF $3 000 IF HE FAILS TO PROVIDE CORRECT PERSONAL PARTICULARS TO THE MANAGEMENT ON DEMAND,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THAT SINCE NOVEMBER 15 LAST YEAR, IT HAS BEEN MANDATORY FOR ADVERTISEMENTS IN LOCAL NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PRINTED MATTERS PUBLISHED OR DISTRIBUTED IN HONG KONG TO CARRY THE GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING AND THE TAR GROUP DESIGNATION OF THE CIGARETTES ADVERTISED.
FROM FEBRUARY 15, MOST OTHER TYPES OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS EXCEPT NEON SIGNS, WILL BE REQUIRED TO CARRY THE HEALTH WARNING. ANYONE RESPONSIBLE FOR A CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENT WHICH DOES NOT CARRY THIS WARNING MAY BE FINED $5 000 IN ADDITION TO $500 FOR EACH DAY THE OFFENCE CONTINUES.
THE LANGUAGE, TYPEFACE, SIZE, SHAPE, COLOUR AND LOCATION OF THE HEALTH WARNING IN CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR NO SMOKING SIGNS HAVE BEEN SPELT OUT IN DETAIL IN THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (NOTICES) ORDER 1982 PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON AUGUST 13, 1982.
DETAILS OF THE OTHER STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND COMMENCEMENTS DATES WERE ALSO PUBLISHED ON THE SAME DAY, WHILE THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WAS GAZETTED ON JULY 30, 1982.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT FROM MAY 15 THIS YEAR, THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING TO BE INCLUDED IN CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS WOULD BE EXTENDED TO NEON SIGNS.
FROM AUGUST 15, IT WILL BE MANDATORY FOR ALL CIGARETTE PACKETS AND RETAIL CONTAINERS ON SALE IN HONG KONG TO CARRY THE HEALTH WARNING AN' TAR GROUP RATING. THOSE WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE FINED $5 000.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1983
2
TRAFFIC CHANGES * * * *
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS, SOME OF THEM TEMPORARY, WILL BE INTRODUCED IN VARIOUS PARTS OF KOWLOON AND HONG KONG TOMORROW (FEBRUARY 8).
AT WANG TAU HOM ESTATE, WHERE A NEW EXTENSION OF FU KEUNG STREET BETWEEN FU MEI STREET AND WANG TAU HOM CENTRAL ROAD OPENS TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC, WANG TAU HOM CENTRAL ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND FROM 10 AM.
AT THE SAME TIME, A SECTION OF FU KEUNG STREET BETWEEN WANG TAU HOM CENTRAL ROAD AND WANG TAU HOM SOUTH ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND, WHILE WANG TAU HOM SOUTH ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
IN TSZ WAN SHAN, THE SECTION OF WAN WAH STREET BETWEEN SHEUNG FUNG STREET AND YUK WAH STREET WILL REMAIN CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR WATER MAINS REPAIRS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, WAN WAH STREET BETWEEN SHEUNG FUNG STREET AND WAI WAH STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
BUS ROUTES 3A, 3B, AND 15A FROM TSZ WAN SHAN WILL USE TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD, YUK WAH STREET AND WAN WAH STREET.
WHILE MAXICAB NO. 19 FROM TSZ WAN SHAN WILL USE TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD, PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND HAMMER HILL ROAD, ROUTE 20 FROM TSZ WAN SHAN WILL USE TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD, YUK WAH STREET, WAN WAH STREET AND SHUNG WAH STREET.
THE ROUTES OF THESE BUSES AND MAX I CABS HEADING FOR TSZ WAN SHAN WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
TO AVOID CONGESTION, MOTORISTS HEADING FOR OR DEPARTING FROM TSZ WAN SHAN ARE ADVISED TO USE TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD AND PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL LAST FOR ABOUT A WEEK, WITHIN WHICH THE REPAIRS ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE.
IN MONG KOK, THE SECTION OF FIFE STREET BETWEEN TUNG CHOI STREET AND FA YUEN STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM ID AM FOR THE LAYING OF WATER MAINS.
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT A MONTH, DURING WHICH EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON FIFE STREET HEADING FOR FA YUEN STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TUNG CHOI STREET, ARGYLE STREET, SAI YEE STREET, MONGKOK ROAD AND FA YUEN STREET, WHILE SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON TUNG CHOI STREET HEADING FOR FIFE STREET WILL HAVE TO USE ARGYLE STREET, SAI YEE STREET, MONGKOK ROAD, FA YUEN STREET ANF FIFE STREET.
IN WC'JG CHUK HANG, SHUM WAN PIER DRIVE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BL WEEN 9 AM AND 4 PM FOR ROAD WORKS.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1963
HOLIDAY POSTAL HOURS
* * * *
THERE WILL BE ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON SATURDAY AND MONDAY (FEBRUARY 12 AND 14) DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCED TODAY.
ON MONDAY MORNING (FEBRUARY 14) 35 POST OFFICES WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON. THEY INCLUDE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI IN KOWLOON, AND TSUEN WAN AND TAI PO POST OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALL OTHER POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS FROM FEBRUARY 12 TO 15.
------o--------
HELP SOUGHT IN EASING AIRPORT HOLIDAY RUSH * * * *
PEOPLE LEAVING BY PLANE FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO HELP EASE THE EXPECTED CONGESTION AT THE AIRPORT.
IN SEEKING PUBLIC COOPERATION, AN AIRPORT MANAGEMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT SOME 20 000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO BE LEAVING THE AIRPORT EACH DAY FROM TOMORROW, AND SOME 23 000 ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY. THE BUILD UP OF RETURNING PASSENGERS IS EXPECTED ON THE THIRD AND FOURTH DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, HE ADDED.
HE ADVISED PEOPLE TO TRAVEL TO THE AIRPORT BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT INSTEAD OF BY PRIVATE CARS AND URGED THEM TO TRY TO KEEP THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SEEING THEM OFF TO A MINIMUM.
PEOPLE SHOULD ALSO ARRIVE EARLY FOR CHECK-IN, HE SAID.
A SPECIAL CHECK-IN AREA FOR GUANGZHOU-BOUND PASSENGERS WILL BE SET UP AT THE WESTERN-END OF THE DEPARTURE HALL TO PROCESS THE LARGE NUMBERS OF PASSENGERS EXPECTED.
PEOPLE ARE ASKED TO DISEMBARK FROM VEHICLES AT THE FAR END OF THE DEPARTURE LEVEL ROADWAY NEAREST TO THE SPECIAL CHECK-IN AREA.
♦THIS PROCEDURE WILL HELP REDUCE UNNECESSARY CROSS FLOW OF PEOPLE AND BAGGAGE MOVEMENT IN THE DEPARTURE HALL.+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦THE EFFICIENCY OF AIRPORT OPERATION WILL DEPEND GREATLY ON THE DEGREE OF CO-OPERATION FROM THE PUBLIC,+ HE SAID.
-------c --------
A....
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1983
4
SPORTS FESTIVAL TO FOSTER DISTRICT IDENTITY
* * * *
THE FIRST SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS FESTIVAL, FEATURING MORE THAN 20 INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ATHLETIC EVENTS, WATER SPORTS, BALL GAMES AND COMPETITIONS, TELEMATCHES AND ENTERTAINMENT SHOWS, WILL BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 20 (SUNDAY).
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, MR CHOW KWEN-LIM, CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, SAID THAT THE FESTIVAL IS AIMED AT FOSTERING A DISTRICT IDENTITY AND PROMOTING COMMUNITY BUILDING.
APART FROM THE CONVENTIONAL SPORTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, THERE WILL BE FUNCTIONS SPECIALLY ORGANISED FOR THE ELDERLY AND CHILDREN, INCLUDING A WALK FOR THE ELDERLY, AND FUN SPORTS FOR JUNIORS AND BEGINNERS.
MR CHOW SAID ABOUT $280 000 WOULD BE SPENT ON THE TWO-WEEK FESTIVAL. MORE THAN HALF WOULD BE CONTRIBUTED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD AND THE BALANCE BY THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND PRIVATE DONATIONS.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 9 AM ON FEBRUARY 20 AT THE MONG KOK STADIUM, FOLLOWED BY A FOUR-HOUR PROGRAMME WITH A VARIETY OF RACES AND PERFORMANCES FEATURING A MASS PARADE, A FOLK DANCE DISPLAY, A LONG DISTANCE RUN, A GYMNASTIC PARADE AND A RELAY RACE.
HIGHLIGHTING THE DAY WILL BE A TELEMATCH IN WHICH LOCAL RESIDENTS, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, TVB ARTISTS AND THE SEIKO FOOTBALL TEAM WILL PARTICIPATE.
ADMISSION TO ALL EVENTS IS FREE. DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES AND THE SHAM SHUI PO RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.
CO-ORDINATED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE SPORTS FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, URBAN COUNCIL, RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
------0-------
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1983
5
SCHOOLS URGED TO SUPPORT FIGHT YOUTH CRIME DRIVE
* * * *
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (MONDAY) CALLED ON SCHOOL AUTHORITIES TO CONTINUE THEIR STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE FIGHT YOUTH CRIME CAMPAIGN.
HE SAID ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF JUVENILES PROSECUTED FOR CRIME HAD DROPPED BY 23 PER CENT IN 1982 OVER THE 1981 FIGURES, THERE WERE STILL TOO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED IN SERIOUS CRIMES.
♦THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY ARE CHARGED WITH THE URGENT TASK OF RECTIFYING THIS UNSATISFACTORY SITUATION,+ SAID MR LEUNG, WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON UNRULY AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOLS.
MR LEUNG WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE FIGHT YOUTH CRIME ESSAY COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SECTION AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
THE AIM OF THE COMPETITION IS TO PUT ACROSS THE MESSAGE THAT CRIME DOES NOT PAY AND TO MAKE STUDENTS AWARE OF THE GRAVE CONSEQUENCES OF BECOMING INVOLVED IN CRIME.
MORE THAN 300 SCHOOLS ENTERED THE COMPETITION AND SUBMITTED A TOTAL OF 1 266 ESSAYS.
THE WINNER FOR THE PRIMARY DIVISION WAS WONG TOU OF CHIU SHEUNG SCHOOL, WHILE THE FIRST PRIZES FOR THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR SECONDARY DIVISIONS WENT TO YUEN SIU-MAY OF MING KEI COLLEGE AND WONG SING-KWAN OF ST STEPHEN’S COLLEGE RESPECTIVELY. PRIZES
WERE ALSO PRESENTED TO 36 OTHER STUDENTS.
-----0------
HIGHWAYS ENGINEER TO ATTEND BANGKOK MEETING
*****
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAYS ENGINEER OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MR HAROLD BEATON, LEFT FOR BANGKOK THIS AFTERNOON TO ATTEND AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL MEETING OF HIGHWAYS EXPERTS.
THE WEEK-LONG MEETING, BEGINNING TOMORROW, IS ORGANISED BY THE UNITED NATIONS’ ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC.
THE MEETING WILL DISCUSS PROBLEMS OF ROADS AND ROAD TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION.
IT WILL ALSO COVER, AMONG OTHER MATTERS, POLICY ISSUES SPECIFICAL' Y RELATING TO THE ROLE OF ROADS AND ROAD TRANSPORT IN THE 1980’f IN VIEW OF THE LONG-TERM ENERGY SITUATION, TECHNIQUES FOR SETTING ROAD MAINTENANCE PRIORITIES AND TRAFFIC SAFETY.
------0--------
Z6.......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1983
6
U.K. - FRANCE AIR SERVICES TALKS * * *
MR N. LATHAM, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, LEFT FOR LONDON TODAY TO ATTEND AIR SERVICES TALKS TO BE HELD BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND FRENCH GOVERNMENTS.
THE TWO-DAY MEETING WILL BEGIN ON THURSDAY.
THE PRIMARY AIM OF THE NEGOTIATIONS IS TO REVISE THE AIR SERVICES ARRANGEMENTS TO PROVIDE FOR A ROUTE FOR CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS TO OPERATE A SCHEDULED AIR SERVICE ALONGSIDE AIR FRANCE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND PARIS.
------0-------
WARM NEW YEAR GIFT FOR ELDERLY
* * *
FORTY RESIDENTS AGED OVER 70 AT THE PAK SHA WAN TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR THE ELDERLY IN CHAI WAN TODAY RECEIVED A WARM LUNAR NEW YEAR GIFT FROM THE EASTERN DISTRICT GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION.
BLANKETS SPECIALLY KNITTED BY THE GIRL GUIDES THEMSELVES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO THE GROUP BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, NR H.T. LUI, WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION.
IN ADDITION, ALL THE 136 PEOPLE LIVING AT THE SHELTER — AN INSTITUTION FOR HOMELESS OLD PEOPLE MANAGED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT — WERE GIVEN A COTTON QUILT EACH BY A PRIVATE COMPANY.
ACCOMPANYING MR LUI WAS THE ASSOCIATION’S PRESIDENT ffiS CECILIA MA.
------o-------
KOWLOON CITY AND YAU MA TEI DB’S TO HOLD MEETINGS * * * *
A DETAILED REPORT ON THE PROVISION OF EXISTING AND FUTURE PUBLIC FACILITIES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION AT THURSDAY’S (FEBRUARY 10) DISTRICT BOARD MEETING.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR J.T. THORPE, WILL BRIEF THE BOARD MEMBERS ON THE PROBLEM OF AIRCRAFT NOISE, WHILE THE DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MR G. JACK, WILL REVIEW THE LAW AND ORDER IN THE DISTRICT.
THE MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS AN URBAN COUNCIL PROJECT, A SIX-HECTARE PARK ON CARPENTER ROAD WHICH WILL CONTAIN SEVERAL GAMES PITC .S, A JOGGING TRACK, A LARGE GARDEN AND A CHILDREN PLAYGROUND.
/TEN SEATS .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7,
7
TEN SEATS HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND THE BOARD MEETING ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
PEOPLE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE MEETING SHOULD MAKE ADVANCE BOOKING BY TELEPHONING THE SECRETARY, MR KWAN WAI-HAY, ON 3-7110171 BEFORE WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 9). THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.15 PM ON THURSDAY IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM AT 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
TOMORROW (TUESDAY), THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS FOURTH MEETING WHEN MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE ROLE OF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE’S SUB-COMMITTEE ON MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
THEY WILL ALSO COMMENT ON THE LICENSING CRITERIA AND CONDITIONS FOR AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES, AND THE REPORT BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD ON VICE-ASSOCIATED ESTABLISHMENTS.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WILL INCLUDE THE CLEARANCE OF SOME 60 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES NEAR THE SHEK LUNG STREET FRUIT MARKET, THE REGIONALISATION OF HOSPITAL AND CLINIC SERVICES AND DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES ON TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT MATTERS.
NOTE TO ED I TORSt
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER: (I) THE FOURTH YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 3 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF HOP FAT COMMERCIAL CENTRE AT 490-492 NATHAN ROAD • AND (II) THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.15 PM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 10) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM AT 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
--------0 ---------
WATER FIGURES *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 71.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 410.605 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 249.151 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 43.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 198?
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DECEMBER MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS ............. 1
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF NOVEMBER TRADE................ 7
LYDIA DUNN NAMED NEW TDC CHAIRMAN .......................... 10
LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IDEA STUDIED .................. 10
FESTIVE LIGHTING IN CAUSEWAY BAY ........................... 12
ELECTORS URGED TO VOTE ..................................... 12
FANLING SWIMMING POOL 'BUBBLE1 OPENED FOR USE .............. 13
TEACHER REPRESENTATIVES INVITED FOR TALKS .................. 12*
PLB PROHIBITED ZONE IN WAN CHAI ............................ 1^
PLAN TO IMPROVE CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD TRAFFIC ............... 15
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1983
1
DECEMBER MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS
*****
THERE WAS A LARGE SHIFT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY DEMAND DEPOSITS INTO TIME DEPOSITS DURING DECEMBER LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR THE MONTH PUBLISHED TODAY (TUESDAY).
AS A RESULT, TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY ON THE NARROWEST DEFINITION Ml FELL, DESPITE THE USUAL INCREASE BEFORE THE NEW YEAR IN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR CASH HOLDING BY THE PUBLIC.
THE YEAR-END CREDITING OF INTEREST TO SAVINGS DEPOSITS RESULTED IN A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE WIDER DEFINITION OF THE MONEY SUPPLY M2, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN M3.
AFTER INCREASING IN NOVEMBER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NINE MONTHS, DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED AGAIN IN DECEMBER WHILE THOSE WITH BANKS INCREASED. BOTH TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS AND TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW, WITH THE LATTER GROWING AT A FASTER RATE.
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN DECEMBER. LOANS TO FINANCE HONG KONG’S VISIBLE TRADE IN PARTICULAR RECORDED THE HIGHEST MONTHLY INCREASE SINCE MAY 1981.
TABLE 1 (ATTACHED) SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1982 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS. TABLE 2 (ALSO ATTACHED) SETS OUT SOME FIGURES FROM THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR.
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY
THE HK DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS ROSE IN DECEMBER. HKSM1 ROSE BY 4.1 PER CENT, AFTER FALLING BY 0.1 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. THE INCREASE REFLECTS THE NORMAL SEASONAL PATTERN AT THE TURN OF THE YEAR, WITH NOTES AND COINS IN THE HANDS OF THE PUBLIC INCREASING BY 5.4 PER CENT. AS INTEREST WAS PAID INTO SAVINGS DEPOSITS, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 ALSO ROSE BY 2.6 PER CENT AND 1.8 PERCENT RESPECTIVELY, COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING FALLS BY ONE PER CENT AND 0.5 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO DECEMBER HK$M1 ROSE BY THREE PER CENT, HK$M2 BY 1.3 PER CENT AND HK$M3 BY 0.7 PER CENT. IN THE TWELVE MONTHS TO DECEMBER, THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE 10 PER CcNT, 25 PER CENT AND 2.3 PER CENT.
/TOTAL MONEY .... ..
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 198?
2
TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY
TOTAL Ml FELL FURTHER BY 2.1 PER CENT IN DECEMBER AFTER FALLING BY 1.5 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. TOTAL M2 AND TOTAL M3, HOWEVER, (SEW BY 2.8 PER CENT AND 2.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, IN CONTRAST TO THE CORRESPONDING FALLS OF 0.7 PER CENT AND 0.2 PER CENT. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO DECEMBER, TOTAL Ml FELL BY 2.2 PER CENT WHILE TOTAL M2 AND TOTAL M3 GREW BY SIX PER CENT AND 5.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. IN THE TWELVE MONTHS TO DECEMBER, THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE 9.3 PER CENT, 77.1 PER CENT AND 42.3 PER CENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE ROSE FAIRLY SHARPLY BY FOUR PER CENT IN DECEMBER AFTER FALLING MARGINALLY BY 0.4 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO DECEMBER, THE INCREASE WAS FIVE PER CENT AND IN THE 12 MONTHS TO DECEMBER THE INCREASE WAS 20.4 PER CENT. OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW AT A MODEST RATE OF ONE PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 0.9 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO DECEMBER, THE INCREASE WAS 3.9 PER CENT AND OVER THE TWELVE MONTHS THE INCREASE WAS 30.6 PER CENT.
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ROSE BY 2.6 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE TO THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR ROSE BY 6.4 PER CENT. LOANS TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES ROSE ONLY MARGINALLY, BY 1.7 PER CENT. BORROWING BY INDIVIDUALS TO PURCHASE FLATS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND PRIVATE PARTICIPATION SCHEME ROSE SUBSTANTIALLY BY 10.8 PER CENT WHILE BORROWING TO PURCHASE OTHER RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY ROSE BY 5.7 PER CENT. LOANS TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS (OTHER THAN BANKS AND DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES) AND TO STOCKBROKERS, HOWEVER, DECLINED CONSIDERABLY BY 8.6 PER CENT AND 14.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
THERE WERE INCREASES IN DECEMBER OF $10.7 BILLION TO $565.6 BILLION IN THE SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY LIABILITIES OF THE MONETARY SECTOR AND $8.3 BILLION TO $546.3 BILLION IN SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS. THUS, THE SECTOR AS A WHOLE HAD NET SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY L'ABILITIES OF $19.3 BILLION AT THE END OF DECEMBER, COMPARED ITH $16.9 BILLION AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. WITHIN THE DECEMBER FIGURES, BANKS HAD NET LIABILITIES OF $11.5 BILLION AND DEPOSIT-TaKING COMPANIES HAD NET LIABILITIES OF $7.8 BILLION.
/THE MONETARY .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1985
THE MONETARY SECTOR HAS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT COVER FOR ITS ICT SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY LIABILITIES. STATISTICS COLLECTED FOR PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION PURPOSES BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES SHOW THAT BY THE END OF DECEMBER, THE MONETARY SECTOR HAD $19.5 BILLION NET SPOT FOREIGH CURRENCY LIABILITIES AND $37.6 BILLION NET FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS.
LIQUIDITY RATIOS
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S. 18 OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE) FOR ALL BANKS IN DECEMBER WAS 47.2 PER CENT, SLIGHTLY BELOW THE 47.5 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S. 24A OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE) FOR ALL DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED SLIGHTLY TO 57.3 PER CENT IN DECEMBER FROM 57.7 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY TWO TO 128. THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ALSO INCREASED BY ONE TO 18, WHILE THE NUMBER OF REPORTING REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY THREE TO 341. THERE WERE, IN FACT, 343 REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES OPERATING AT THE END OF DECEMBER, BUT TWO OF THEM, HAVING CEASED TO OPERATE IN EARLY JANUARY 1983, FAILED TO SUBMIT THEIR RETURNS. HOWEVER, THE OVERALL FIGURES HAVE NOT, AS A RESULT, BEEN DISTORTED TO ANY SIGNIFICANT EXTENT.
/4........
_ 4 - TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1983
Table 1 Monetary Statistics - December 1982 HKSmn
Earlier months
change to December 198?)
Mone^ -Supply December 1982 Nov ember 19^2 September 1982 December 19^1
Ml - HKS Foreign Currency Total 2C,1?8 ?5,1O7 (+4.1%) 25,369 (+3.0%) 23,748 (+10.0%)
1.599 3,003 (-53.*<%) 2,772 (-49.5%) 1,446 (-3.3%)
27>5?7 28,110 (-2.1%) 28,141 (-2.2%) 25,199 (+9-3%)
M- - HKS Foreign Currency Total 120,998 117,912 (+2.6%) 119,468 (+1.3%) 96,761 (+25.0%)
83,169 ( + 3.1%) 75,619 ( + 13.'<%) 19,995 (+328.8%)
206,730 201,081 (+2.8%) 195,087 (+6.0%) 116,756 (+77.1%)
M3 - HKS Foreign Currency Total 149,296 10?, <-93 2>1,589 146,709 (+1.8%) 99,697 (+2.6%) 246,406 (+2.1%) 148,331 (+0.7%) 91,004 (+12.4%) 239,335 (+5.1%) 145,933 (+2.3%) 30,885 (+231.2%) 176,818 (+42.3%)
De posits
Demand deposits 17,217 (-6.8%) 17,177 (-6.6%) 15,36? (+4.4%)
Savings deposits 69,990 63,990 (+3.5%) 63,623 (+9.4%) 52,852 (+31.7%)
Time deposits with banks 104 ,626 10. ,6?8 (,1.9%) 99,310 (+5.9%) 36,239 (+188.7%)
Time deposits with dtcs 43,813 44,250 (-0.9%) 43,138 (+1.6%) 59,167 (-26.0%)
All HKS deposits 135,385 133,536 (+1.4%) 134,896 (+0.4%) 134,359 (+0.8%)
98>689 96,490 (+2.3%) 88,352 (+11.7%) 29,265 (+237.2%) 163,624 (+43.1%)
All foreign currency deposits
Total ? A ,0?? 230,026 (+1.8%) 223,248 (+4.8%)
Loans and advances
To finance Hong Kong’s visible trade 26,559 29,3A ( + ^.0%) 25,089 (+5.0%) 21,885 (+20.4%)
2,208 (+3.8%)
To finance merchandising trade nut 2,29? 2,347 (-10.0%) 2,891 (-20.7%)
touching Hong Kong Other loans for use in Hong Kong 187,521 183,394 (+1.c%) 180,318 (+3.9%) 143,409 (+30.6%) 78,635 (+28.4%)
100,991 99,793 (41.2%) 91,360 (+10.5%)
Other loans for use outside Hong Kong
Other loans where the place of use 1<4,r>30 13,927 (+2.9%) 12,069 (+18.7%) 11,404 (+25.7%)
in not known All loans in HKS 182,093 18C,146 (+1.1%) 176,423 (+3.2%) 145,581 (+25.1%) 111,960 (+33.2%)
V«9, 158 146,848 (+1.6%) 135,303 (+10.2%)
All loans in foreign currencies 25?,5i»i (+28.6%)
551,W 326,995 (+1.3%) 311,726 ( + 6.3%)
Total /5
5 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1983 OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG ANALYSED BY INDUSTRY Dec 82
Table 2
Dec 81 Mar 32 As at end of: (Bmn)
Jun 82 Sep 82
1. Manufacturing (a) Textiles (i) cotton 1,300 1,446 1,423 1,476 1,372
(ii) other 1,334 1,475 1,459 1,635 1.635
(iii) sub-total 2,6> 2,921 2,883 3,111 3,007
(b) Footwear and wearing apparel 1,657 1,764 2,004 1,923 2,043
(c) Metal products and engineering 1,551 1,664 1,761 1,575 1,697
(d) Rubber, plastics and chemicals 1,036 1,142 1,134 1,091 1,173
(e) Shipbuilding and repair 1,519 1,761 1,746 1,517 1,618
(f) Electrical and electronic 1,677 2,030 2,061 2,266 2,012
(g) Food 479 464 540 546 670
(h) Beverages and tobacco 268 290 323 353 379
(i) Printing and publishing 568 966 642 743 645
(j) Miscellaneous 2,823 3,308 3,314 3,387 3,691
(k) Total 14,190 15,909 l6,4o8 16,512 16,935
2. Agriculture and fisheries
(a) Fisheries 40 36 63 48 54
(b) Livestock and livestock products 4o 38 30 43 43
(c) Vegetables and horticultures 25 41 28 36 25
(d) Total 105 115 121 126 122
J. Transport and transport equipment 10,510 11,635 12,626 14,192 15,643
Electricity, gas and telephone 1,311 1,521 2,175 2,432 2,502
5- Building and construction 53,742 36,618 43,373 46,576 49,536
6. Wholesale and retail trade 17,781 18,666 18,492 20,006 20,356
/7» Mining and ••••<
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1983
6
as at end of: ($mn)
Dec u1 Mar 32 Jun 82 Sep 82 Dec 82
7. Mining and quarrying 156 246 155 177 246
8. Miscellaneous
(a) Hotels, boarding houses and catering 1,151 1,400 1,665 1,662 1,711
(b) Financial concerns (other than banks and deposit-takinj. companies) 9,045 9,874 11,464 15,298 12,159
(c) Stockbrokers 2,561 2,525 2,456 2,546 2,182
(d) Professional and private individuals
(i) to purchase flats in the Horne Ownership Scheme and Private
Sector Participation Scheme 1,530 1,666 1,956 2,045 2,265
(ii) to purchase other residential property 13,770 14,909 15,450 15,958 16,842
(iii) for credit card advances 150 14*4 227 207 220
(iv) for other business purposes 11,110 11,954 12,452 12,474 15,557
(v) for other private purposes 3,694 10,952 9,468 10,196 10,494
(vi) sub-total 55,284 59,605 59,555 40,859 45,157
(e) All others 17,773 19,054 20,695 21,932 22,772
( f) Total 65,614 72,255 75,791 80,298 81,981
9. Loans and advances for use in Hong Konp 14),4O9 156,967 169,142 180,518 187,521
- 0 - -
/7
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1983
7
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF NOVEMBER TRADE * * * *
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY THREE PER CENT AND THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY TWO PER CENT IN NOVEMBER 1982 AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1981, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF THE DOMESTIC EXPORT UNIT VALUE INDEX TO THE IMPORT UNIT VALUE INDEX) ROSE LESS THAN ONE PER CENT.
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DROPPED BY ONE PER CENT WHEREAS THAT FOR IMPORTS DROPPED BY FOUR PER CENT.
THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY SIX PER CENT, WITH THE VOLUME DOWN BY SIX PER CENT, SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, PRICES WERE UP BY FOUR PER CENT BUT THE VOLUME DECREASED BY THREE PER CENT.
FOR THE TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD TO NOVEMBER 1982 AS COMPARED WITH THE TWELVE MONTHS TO NOVEMBER 1981, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY SEVEN PER CENT, SIX PER CENT AND TEN PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, AND THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS BY EIGHT PER CENT. THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY TWO PER CENT AND THAT OF RE-EXPORTS BY THREE PER CENT, GIVING A TWO PER CENT DECREASE IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS AND A TWO PER CENT DROP IN THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED. CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE ARE DERIVED FROM CHANGES IN TRADE VALUES, AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUPS ARE
AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC SHOWN BELOW i-
PERCENTAGE CHANGES COMPARING NOVEMBER
1982 WITH NOVEMBER 1981
EXPORT VALUE EXPORT UNIT VALUE EXPORT VOLUME
CLOTHING (EXCEPT FUR) - 2 ♦ 7 - 8
TEXTILE FABRICS - 9 ♦ 4 -12
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD ♦24 -10 ♦38
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -27 + 7 -32
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS ♦20 + 4 ♦15
/F90TVEAR .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 19$3
8
FOOTWEAR -33 - 6 -29
METAL MANUFACTURES - 6 ♦ 6 -11
METAL ORES AND SCRAP +55 +12 +39
WATCHES AND CLOCKS +12 -21 ♦43
ALL COMMODITIES + 2 ♦ 3 - 3
, THE DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES OF SOME COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED, FROM FOUR PER CENT FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND TEXTILE FABRICS TO 12 PER CENT FOR METAL ORES AND SCRAP. ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN THE DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR FOOTWEAR (~21i) TEXT,LE YARN AND THREAD AS WELL AS WATCHES AND CLOCKS
DECREASES IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR MOST COMMODITY GROUPS, INCLUDING CLOTHING (EXCEPT FUR) (-8%). METAL MANUFACTURES (-11%), TEXTILE FABRICS (-12%), FOOTWEAR (-29%) AND TEXTILE MADE-UPS (-32%). ON THE OTHER HAND, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+43%), METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+39%) AND FOR TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+38%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN BELOW i-
PERCENTAGE CHANGES COMPARING NOVEMBER 1982 WITH NOVEMBER 1981
IMPORT VALUE IMPORT UNIT VALUE IMPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS + 10 + 5 + 5
CONSUMER GOODS - 1 + 2 - 3
FUELS "* -10 ♦ 5 -14
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES - 6 ♦ 1 - 6
CAPITAL GOODS - 1 + 3 - 4
ALL COMMODITIES - 2 ♦ 2 - 4
THE CHANGES IN PRICES OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY WERE MODERATE, RANGING FROM A ONE PER CENT INCREASE FOR RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES TO A FIVE PER CENT INCREASE FOR FUELS AND FOODSTUFF?
MANT OF THE MAJOR IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED IN VOLUME TERMS, THL MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS, TEA AND COFFEE AND ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SUGAR DROPPED.
/IN THE........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 198)
9
IN THE CONSUMER GOODS CATEGORY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR FOOTWEAR, CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY. THESE INCREASES WERE, HOWEVER, OFFSET BY DECLINES IN THE IMPORT VOLUMES OF PASSENGER MOTOR CARS, TEXTILE MADE-UPS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS
IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY FOURTEEN PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES DECLINED AMONG WHICH WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK, MAN-MADE FIBRES, YARN CF MAN-MADE FIBRES, CHEMICAL ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS AS WELL AS LEATHER AND DRESSED FUR SKINS DROPPED SUBSTANTIALLY. THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW COTTON AS WELL AS CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS ROSE CONSIDERABLY.
MANY OF THE MAJOR IMPORTS CAPITAL GOODS DECLINED IN VOLUME TERMS, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING TEXTILE MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT. SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE, HOWEVER, RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN BELOW«-
PERCENTAGE CHANGES COMPARING NOVEMBER 1982 WITH NOVEMBER 1981
RE-EXPORT VALUE RE-EXPORT UNIT VALUE RE-EXPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS +15 + 3 +12
CONSUMER GOODS INSIGNIFICANT ♦ 8 - 8
FUELS -12 + 4 -15
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES - 9 + 4 -12
CAPITAL GOODS ♦21 ♦ 8 ♦ 12
ALL COMMODITIES INSIGNIFICANT + 6 - 6
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORT VOLUME VARIED, RANGING FROM A 15
PER CENT DECREASE FOR FUELS TO A 12 PER CENT INCREASE FOR FOODSTUFFS
AND CAPITAL GOODS.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE NOVEMBER 1982 ISSUE OF THE +HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS*, AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICAT :NS CENTRE AT HKS2 PER COPY.
o -------
/1O........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1983
10
LYDIA DUNN NAMED NEW TDC CHAIRMAN * * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD APPOINTED THE HONOURABLE LYDIA DUNN, OBE, JP, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1983, IN SUCCESSION TO SIR Y.K. KAN, GBE.
MISS DUNN HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SINCE 1976 AND WAS APPOINTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LAST YEAR. SHE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND SUPPLY, OF THE BOARD OF THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL AND TREASURER OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. SHE IS A MEMBER OF VARIOUS OTHER BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, INCLUDING THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD AND SHE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE LONDON BASED TRADE POLICY RESEARCH CENTRE. SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE TDC’S READY TO WEAR FESTIVAL COMMITTEE-FROM 1966 TO 1979 AND WAS ITS CHAIRMAN IN 1976.
MISS DUNN IS A DIRECTOR OF JOHN SWIRE AND SONS (HK) LIMITED, AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SWIRE PACIFIC LIMITED RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRADING DIVISION AND CHAIRMAN OR DIRECTOR OF SEVERAL OTHER COMPANIES IN THE SWIRE GROUP. SHE IS ALSO A DIRECTOR OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK.
COMMENTING ON MISS DUNN’S APPOINTMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT MISS DUNN’S PUBLIC SERVICE AND BUSINESS CAREER MEAN THAT SHE BRINGS TO THIS NEW APPOINTMENT A WIDE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF HONG KONG, TOGETHER WITH PRACTICAL TRADING EXPERIENCE.
------o-------
LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IDEA STUDIED
X * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS, WITH THE AIM OF ENCOURAGING MORE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN LAND PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT.
THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS, IF SET UP, WILL ALSO AIM AT ENCOURAGING THE AMALGAMATION OF PRIVATE LAND HOLDINGS TO FACILITATE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT SCHEMES.
THE SIX-MONTH STUDY, WHICH WILL BEGIN TOMORROW, WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY COOPERS AND LYBRANDS ASSOCIATES LTD.
AN AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSULTANCY WAS SIGNED THIS AFTERNOON BY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER, MR CHAU CHAM-SON, AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY, MR SANFORD YUNG.
/HR CHAU ........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 198}
11
MR CHAU SAID THAT THE STUDY, RECOMMENDED IN THE 1981 REPORT CF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND SUPPLY, WOULD EXAMINE AND REPORT ON THE LEGAL, FINANCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL IMPLICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS.
IT WILL ALSO LOOK AT HOW THEY WILL RELATE TO EXISTING GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WITH LAND AND BUILDING DEVELOPMENT.
♦ANOTHER AIM OF THE STUDY IS TO DEVELOP A FRAMEWORK INVOLVING GOVERNMENT, DEVELOPERS AND EXISTING PROPERTY OWNERS IN LAND ASSEMBLY, CLEARANCE, SITE FORMATION, FINANCING, DEVELOPMENT, AND THE DISPOSAL AND MANAGEMENT OF COMPLETED PROJECTS,♦ MR CHAU SAID.
♦SPECIAL CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR REHOUSING AND COMPENSATION OF EXISTING RESIDENTS AND THE REPROVISIONING OF ACTIVITIES AFFECTED BY ANY SUCH SCHEMES, AND ALSO TO THE SATISFACTORY PROVISION, MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE CF NON-PROFIT-MAKING ELEMENTS SUCH AS COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACES.♦
THE CONSULTANTS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO EXAMINE THREE SPECIFIC SITUATIONS WHERE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS MIGHT PROVE A FEASIBLE AND SUITABLE MEANS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE GOVERNMENT’S DEVELOPMENT PLANS.
♦THESE ARE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT, THE UPGRADING AND DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS AND URBAN RENEWAL AND THEY WILL ALSO LOOK AT A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OF EACH,+ MR CHAU SAID.
LAND FORMATION, SERVICING, AND NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT ASPECTS, HE ADDED, WOULD BE STUDIED BY USING A DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE IN THE PROPOSED JUNK BAY NEW TOWN AS AN EXAMPLE, WHILE RURAL UPGRADING AND DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS WOULD BE CONSIDERED USING AN AREA WITHIN THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG +CORRIDOR+.
THE POSSIBILITIES OF URBAN RENEWAL THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WILL BE INVESTIGATED IN ONE OF THE OLDER URBAN AREAS YET TO BE CHOSEN.
♦THE EXPERIENCE OF SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN SET UP OVERSEAS AND ITS RELEVANCE TO THE HONG KONG SITUATION WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED,* MR CHAU SAID.
♦WITHIN HONG KONG THE REASONS FOR THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION CF CORPORATE BODIES SUCH AS THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE CORPORATION WILL BE ANALYSED.♦
HE SAID THAT THE CONSULTANTS WOULD ALSO SEEK THE VIEWS OF PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES, BANKS, TRADING FIRMS, CORPORATE PROPERTY OWNERS AS WELL AS FOREIGN INVESTORS.
------0-------
/12.......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1983
12
FESTIVE LIGHTING IN CAUSEWAY BAY *****
+HAPPY NEW YEAR+ GREETINGS -- DECORATED BY 4 OOO LIGHT BULBS — LIT UP THE TOP OF CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY BUILDING THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING, HERALDING THE FESTIVAL ONLY FOUR DAYS AWAY.
THE SEASONAL LIGHTING DECORATION, MADE POSSIBLE WITH A CONTRIBUTION OF $50 000 FROM THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND $5 000 FROM PRIVATE DONATIONS, WILL BE ON NIGHTLY UNTIL FEBRUARY 27.
OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S SWITCH-ON CEREMONY AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY KAI FONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION WERE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR H.T. LUl! ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICERS, MR C.C. WAN AND MR MATTHEW CHEUNG; AND MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL AREA COMMITTEES.
- - 0 - -
ELECTORS URGED TO VOTE * * * *
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION CAN ONLY BE SUCCESSFUL WITH THE FULL PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR H.T. LUI, SAID TODAY.
♦WITH THE DISTRICT BOARDS FULLY IN OPERATION, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL ELIGIBLE REGISTERED ELECTORS VOTE FOR THEIR URBAN COUNCILLORS ON MARCH 8,+ HE ADDED.
MR LUI WAS ADDRESSING 100 PARTICIPANTS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING SCHEME ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, WHICH WILL LAST ONE AND A HALF MONTHS.
♦THE URBAN COUNCIL LOOKS AFTER AMENITY AFFAIRS, CULTURAL FACILITIES, HAWKERS AND MARKETS, ABATTOIRS, CLEANSING SERVICES AND RESTAURANTS — THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES THAT AFFECT THE DAILY LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
♦CO-OPERATING WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE DISTRICT BOARDS CAN MAXIMISE THEIR USEFULNESS TO THE LOCAL PEOPLE.♦
THE TRAINING SCHEME, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, DISTRICT OFFICE, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, AIMS AT TRAINING YOUTHS WHO WILL HELP GOVERNMENT OFFICERS AND PART TIME COMMUNITY ORGANISERS TO PROVIDE SERVICES AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.
IT CONSISTS OF 15 LECTURES COVERING SUCH TOPICS AS DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, EASTERN DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT, LEADERSHIP AND COMMITTEE 4/ORK, PLANNING OF COMMUNITY PROJECTS, INTER-PERSONAL RELATION', i IP, MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL CHANGES.
/Ui ADDITION,
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 198?
13
cmouJ?/DDITI0N’ THERE W,LL BE TWO CAMPING EXPEDITIONS, WITH EMPHASIS ON MAP READING, THE USE OF COMPASS, CAMP CRAFT, FIRST AID, EXPEDITION SKILL, AND EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY IN MOUNTAINEERING.
TrT1.,.If<E.xARTICIPANTS ARE STUDENTS OR WORKING YOUTHS AND AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 25 WITH FORM 4 OR HIGHER ACADEMIC STANDARD.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S BOARD MEMBER, MR CHAN YING-LUN, REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER,
CEREMONY WERE AN UNOFFICIAL DISTRICT CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHEME, AND THE
MR K.C. KWOK.
-------0---------
FANLING SWIMMING POOL +BUBBLE+ OPENED FOR USE * * * * *
THE FIRST LARGE-SCALE AIR SUPPORT STRUCTURE BUILT IN HONG KONG WAS PUT INTO OPERATION TODAY (TUESDAY) OVER THE HEATED MAIN POOL OF THE FANLING SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX.
AS THIS TYPE OF STRUCTURE OFFERS MANY ADVANTAGES, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING USING IT FOR OUTDOOR THEATRES AND OTHER PROJECTS, THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, MR MOK WAI-TAK, SAID AT A KEY HAND-OVER CEREMONY AT THE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX TODAY.
THE STRUCTURE IS EASY TO ERECT, LOW IN CONSTRUCTION COST AND ENERGY SAVING, AS THE SUN CAN SHINE THROUGH ITS TRANSLUCENT FABRIC, NR MOK SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT TWO BLOWER FANS FEED HEATED AIR CONTINUALLY INTO THE FABRIC ENCLOSURE TO KEEP IT INFLATED.
THE STRUCTURE, INCLUDING ERECTION WORK AND SUPPORTING FACILITIES, COST $2.3 MILLION.
AFTER RECEIVING THE KEY FOR THE STRUCTURE, THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD, SAID THAT WITH THE NEW FACILITY, WATER AND AIR TEMPERATURES AT THE SWIMMING POOL WILL BE KEPT BETWEEN 24 TO 26 DEGREES CELSIUS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
+1 AM SURE THAT THERE ARE OTHER POTENTIAL USES IN HONG KONG FOR THIS SORT OF ENCLOSURE, PARTICULARLY IN THE FIELD OF RECREATION, SO WE WILL BE INTERESTED TO SEE HOW THIS NOVEL STRUCTURE STANDS UP TO GENERAL WEAR AND TEAR, UNDER OPERATIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES,* H? HEYWOOD SAID.
JOINED BY THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR BRIAN WILSON, NR HEYWOOD AND MR MOK PERFORMED A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TO DECLARE THE AIR S' PORT STRUCTURE OPEN.
/ALSO TAKING ....
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1985
14
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE FUNCTION WERE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (NORTH REGION), MR BOWEN LEUNG? THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF NORTH, STUART HARB INSON; THE HONOURABLE CHEUNG YAN-LUNG ; A LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADER MR LIU YUN-SUM; AND THE CHAIRMEN OF FOUR RURAL COMMITTEES IN NORTH DISTRICT, MR LIU CHING-LEUNG, MR LAW CHAK-TONG, NR CHAN YAU-CHOI AND MR YIP SHING.
FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), THE SWIMMING COMPLEX WILL BE OPEN FOR FOUR SESSIONS DAILY, FROM 9 AM TO 11.30 AM, 12.30 PM TO 3 PM, 3.30 PM TO 6 PM AND 7 PM TO 9 PM.
0 - -
TEACHER REPRESENTATIVES INVITED FOR TALKS * * *
TEACHER REPRESENTATIVES OF AIDED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE AGAIN BEING INVITED TO ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION WITH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS IN SPECIAL SESSIONS TO BE HELD ON MARCH 29.
SIMILAR SESSIONS HELD PREVIOUSLY ON A DISTRICT BASIS RESULTED IN VALUABLE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TEACHERS AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
THE REPRESENTATIVES FREELY EXPRESSED THE VIEWS OF THEIR COLLEAGUES ON VARIOUS MATTERS AND WERE, IN TURN, GIVEN A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF EDUCATIONAL POLICIES. SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE REPRESENTATIVES WERE LATER PASSED ON TO HEADS OF SCHOOLS AND OTHER PARTIES CONCERNED, HE SAID.
TO PROVIDE WIDER REPRESENTATION FROM AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH MORNING AND AFTERNOON SESSIONS, EACH SESSION WILL BE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO ATTEND THE DISCUSSIONS.
HEADS OF SCHOOLS ARE ASKED TO SUBMIT THE NAMES OF THEIR TEACHER REPRESENTATIVES TO THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (SCHOOLS), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 3/F, CAUSEWAY BAY ON OR BEFORE MARCH 2.
THEY SHOULD ALSO INFORM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF THE TOPICS THE REPRESENTATIVES WISH TO DISCUSS.
— 0 —
PLB PROHIBITED ZONE IN WAN CHAI * * *
FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 10), PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER HARBOUR ROAD IN WAN CHAI, BETWEEN TONNACHY ROAD AND .EM I NG ROAD.
/15
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1983
- 15 -
PLAN TO IMPROVE CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD TRAFFIC ft ft ft ft
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO EASE CONGESTION ALONG CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 10).
A SHORT SECTION OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD SOUTHBOUND AT ITS JUNCTION WITH CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THE MOVE IS TO REDUCE CONFLICTING TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS AT THIS JUNCTION SO AS TO GIVE A BETTER FLOW ON CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WESTBOUND.
FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE, 13 BUS ROUTES ON JOURNEYS TO KWUN TONG ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL HAVE TO BE DIVERTED.
BUS ROUTES 15A, 38, 80, 89 AND 889 WILL USE CHOI HUNG FLYOVER. A NEW BUS STOP WILL BE PROVIDED ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD OPPOSITE KAM HON HOUSE, CHOI HUNG ESTATE.
NOS. 3D, 5B, 6D, 9, 13A AND 111 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHOI HUNG ROAD ROUNDABOUT, CHOI HUNG BUS TERMINUS SLIP ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST. THESE BUSES WILL CALL AT THE NEW STOP OUTSIDE PIK HOI HOUSE, CHOI HUNG ESTATE.
THE BAN ON RIGHT TURNS FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD SOUTHBOUND TO HAMMER HILL ROAD WESTBOUND IS TO BE LIFTED FOR FRANCHISED BUSES. NOS. 11C AND 74A TRAVELLING ALONG LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WILL THEN REACH PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST VIA HAMMER HILL ROAD AND CHOI HUNG BUS TERMINUS SLIP ROAD.
OTHER TRAFFIC ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD SHOULD ALL USE THE CHOI HUNG FLYOVER TO REACH KWUN TONG ROAD, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MOTORISTS HEADING FOR PING SHEK ESTATE ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, CHOI WAN ESTATE ACCESS ROAD, RE-JOIN CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, KWUN TONG ROAD AND PING SHEK ESTATE ACCESS ROAD.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 198}
16
LEGEND
CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME BUS DIVERSION ROUTES
BUS DIVERSION ROUTE
ROAD CLOSURE
NEW BUS STOP
BUS TERMINUS
-------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS OUT .......................... 1
LUNAR NEW YEAR TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CAUSEWAY BAY............. 4
TIPS ON FIRE PREVENTION OVER LUNAR NEW YEAR .................... 8
LEGAL POWER SUPPLY TO LUK HOP VILLAGE .......................... 9
THREE MEN COMMENDED FOR SAVING BOY FROM FIRE................... 10
NT BUILDING FOUND IN DANGEROUS CONDITION ..................... 10
CALL ON GOVERNOR ............................................ 11
+HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY+ FOR TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS ............ 11
NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN TAI PO ............................... 12
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES THANKED FOR GIFT OF COMPUTER............. 12
TINDERS INVITED FOR LAND TENANCIES ............................ 13
CHANGE OF TERMINUS FOR BUS ROUTES ............................. 14
14
HOLIDAY CLOSURE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1983
1
QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS OUT *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY RELEASED THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY CONDUCTED IN JANUARY 1983.
ABOUT 800 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES AND BUSINESSES, FORMING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1982, AND THEIR BUSINESS EXPECTATIONS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY INDICATE THAT IN GENERAL, FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE A DOWNTREND IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1982.
SINCE THE LAST QUARTER OF 1981, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR HAS BEEN ^THER UNFAVOURABLE AND PESSIMISM IN BUSINESS OUTLOOK CONTINUED TO PREVAIL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FIRMS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, WHICH HAD REPORTED A DETERIORATION IN BUSINESS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1982, REPORTED A FURTHER SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1982.
SUCH EXPERIENCE WAS IN LINE WITH THE FIRMS’ EARLIER EXPECTATIONS RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS ROUND OF THE SURVEY.
FIRMS IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR EXPERIENCED SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN BUSINESS DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER, LARGELY DUE TO SEASONAL FACTORS.
AS REGARDS FIRMS IN THE OTHER SERVICES SECTOR, THEY EXPERIENCED VERY LITTLE IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS, CONTRARY TO THEIR EARLIER EXPECTATION FOR A SUBSTANTIAL UPTURN AS INDICATED IN THE PREVIOUS ROUND OF THE SURVEY.
BUSINESS OUTLOOK FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983 REMAINED PESSIMISTIC AMONG FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION AND 'WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTORS. HOWEVER, SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN BUSINESS ARE ANTICIPATED BY FIRMS IN THE OTHER SERVICES SECTOR.
WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, FIRMS IN THE WEARING APPAREL, TEXTILES, PRINTING AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS INDUSTRIES ACHIEVED SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1982 BUT EXPECT A DETERIORATION FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983.
RESPONDENTS IN THE PLASTICS, ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT DOWNTURN IN BUSINESS AND EXPECT THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION TO REMAIN SOMEWHAT UNFAVOURABLE FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983.
/RESPONDING FIRMS .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1983
2
RESPONDING FIRMS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR EXPERIENCED A SUBSTANTIAL DETERIORATION IN BUSINESS DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1982 AND PREDICT THAT THE DOWNTREND WILL QUITE DEFINITELY CONTINUE INTO THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983.
FIRMS IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE REPORTED SOME IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, BUT EXPECT A DECLINE IN BUSINESS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER.
AS FOR RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS, BUSINESS DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER IMPROVED MAINLY DUE TO SEASONAL FACTORS, BUT, A DETERIORATION IN BUSINESS IS EXPECTED BY RESPONDENTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER.
AS REGARDS THE OTHER SERVICES SECTOR, BUSINESS EXPERIENCE OF FIRMS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER IN GENERAL FELL SHORT OF THEIR PREVIOUS EXPECTATION, PARTICULARLY FOR THE ’BANKS’ BUSINESS, WHICH EXPERIENCED A DETERIORATION, CONTRARY TO THEIR PREVIOUS EXPECTATION OF IMPROVEMENTS.
FOR THE TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS, THE IMPROVEMENT TURNED OUT TO BE ONLY MODERATE.
LOOKING INTO THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983, FIRMS IN THIS SECTOR EXPECT A BUSINESS LEVEL SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1982 TO BE MAINTAINED.
INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS ORDERS, UNCERTAINTIES IN EXCHANGE RATES AND PRICE COMPETITION FROM FIRMS IN HONG KONG WERE THE MAJOR PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN GENERAL DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1982 AND THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO PERSIST IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983.
WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS ORDERS WAS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM FOR BOTH THE FOURTH QUARTER AND FIRST QUARTER. THE PROBLEM IS PARTICULARLY SERIOUS IN THE CASE OF THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND PLASTICS INDUSTRIES.
APART FROM INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS THE WEARING APPAREL, TEXTILES, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES ALSO FACE THE PROBLEM OF UNCERTAINTIES IN EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS.
SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR REMAINED A PROBLEM OF THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY IN THE FOURTH QUARTER AND IS EXPECTED TO PREVAIL IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, THE MAJOR PROBLEMS FACED BY FIRMS WERE PRICE COMPETITION FROM LOCAL COMPANIES AND INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS CONTRACTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER AND THEY EXPECT THESE PROBLEMS TO CONTINUE INTO THE FIRST QUARTER. IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE, PARTICIPATING FIRMS CONSIDERED UNCERTAINTIES ARISING FROM EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS, PRICE COMPETITION AND INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS \S THE MAJOR PROBLEMS BOTH FOR THE FOURTH AND THE FIRST QUARTERS.
/AS FOR ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 198?
- 3 -
AS FOR RESTAURANTS, PROBLEMS OF INCREASING PROMINENCE WERE HIGH STAFF TURNOVER, PRICE COMPETITION AND INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS.
RESPONDENTS IN THE HOTELS BUSINESS CONTINUED TO INDICATE PRICE COMPETITION AS THEIR MAJOR PROBLEM FOR BOTH QUARTERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE SURVEY RESULTS, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, WERE BASICALLY INTENDED TO PROVIDE ONE SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF HONG KONG.
PARTICIPATING FIRMS WERE ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER IN THEIR OPINIONS, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND LEVEL OF CAPACITY UTILISATION HAD IMPROVED, REMAINED THE SAME OR DETERIORATED IN THE IMMEDIATE PAST QUARTER, AS COMPARED WITH THE QUARTER BEFORE. FOR THE FORTHCOMING QUARTER, THEY WERE ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER THE SITUATION WOULD IMPROVE, REMAIN THE SAME OR DETERIORATE.
THE BALANCE OF OPINIONS OF RESPONDENTS WAS TABULATED AND ANALYSED.
THE SURVEY REPORT ALSO CONTAINS A SECTION ON BUSINESS PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED AND EXPECTED BY FIRMS IN DIFFERENT ECONOMIC SECTORS AND A BREAKDOWN OF VIEWS OF FIRMS BY SIZE GROUPS.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT FOR A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, THE RESULTS SHOULD BE INTERPRETED WITH CARE AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH PRECISELY THE EXTENT TO WHICH RESPONDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS.
COPIES OF THE REPORT, CONTAINING AN ANALYSIS OF THE SURVEY FINDINGS AND STATISTICAL TABLES, HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO FIRMS TAKING PART IN THE SURVEY AND TO OTHER BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS.
COPIES MAY BE PURCHASED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, AT $3 EACH.
FURTHER DETAILS ON THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE NATIONAL INCOME BRANCH OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. (TEL. NO. 5-423401)
-----o--------
/4......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1983
4
LUNAR NEW YEAR TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CAUSEWAY BAY ******
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN CAUSEWAY BAY ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE AS A LARGE TURN-OUT IS EXPECTED AT THE FLOWER FAIR IN VICTORIA PARK.
AS A NUMBER OF ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN APPEALED TO MOTORISTS TO AVOID THIS AREA, ADDING THAT MOST PUBLIC SERVICES WILL EXTEND THEIR HOURS OF OPERATION AND SPECIAL SERVICES WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED.
THE ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDEi
ROAD CLOSURES
(FROM 6 PM ON FEBRUARY 12 TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY)
* LOCKHART ROAD AND JAFFE ROAD EAST OF THEIR JUNCTIONS WITH PERCIVAL STREET;
* KESWICK STREET (EXCEPT MAX ICAB ROUTE 21) ,
* CANNON STREET;
* PATERSON STREET BETWEEN KINGSTON STREET AND YEE WO STREET-,
* GREAT GEORGE STREET;
* SUGAR STREET;
* KINGSTON STREET BETWEEN GLOUCESTER ROAD AND CLEVELAND STREET;
* GLOUCESTER ROAD BETWEEN CAUSEWAY ROAD AND GLOUCESTER ROAD FLYOVER ;
* CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN COTTON PATH AND LEIGHTON ROAD; AND
* ROXY ROUNDABOUT.
OTHER ROAD CLOSURES
(FROM 8 PM ON FEBRUARY 12 TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY)
* PERCIVAL STREET BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND LOCKHART ROAD;
* TUNG LO WAN ROAD BETWEEN MORETON TERRACE AND TAI HANG ROAD (EXCEPT TRAFFIC HEADING FOR TAI HANG);
/• ELECTRIC ROAD .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 198?
- 5 -
* ELECTRIC ROAD FROM YACHT STREET TO HING FAT STREET AND HING FAT STREET FROM ELECTRIC ROAD TO LAU LI STREET (EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES)?
X CAUSEWAY ROAD WESTBOUND FROM TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD TO MORETON TERRACE AND HING FAT STREET FROM CAUSEWAY ROAD TO ELECTRIC ROAD (EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND MAX ICABS).
THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSESi
* YEE WO STREET EASTBOUND?
X CAUSEWAY ROAD EASTBOUND ?
X PENNINGTON STREET BETWEEN LEIGHTON ROAD AND IRVING STREET;
X JARDINE'S BAZAAR;
X KAI CHIU ROAD BETWEEN YUN PING ROAD AND JARDINE'S BAZAAR; AND
* KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN CAUSEWAY ROAD AND LAU LI STREET.
URBAN CLEARWAYS
FROM 6 PM ON FEBRUARY 12 TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY, CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IMPOSED ONi
X THE WESTBOUND SECTION OF CAUSEWAY ROAD FROM MORETON TERRACE TO LEIGHTON ROAD;
X THE EASTBOUND SECTION OF HENNESSY ROAD FROM PERCIVAL STREET TO GREAT GEORGE STREET; AND
X MORETON TERRACE.
OTHER ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 6 PM ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
TRAFFIC ON HYSAN AVENUE BETWEEN LEIGHTON ROAD AND YUN PING ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND, WHILE THOSE ON KESWICK STREET AND LINK ROAD FROM CAROLINE HILL ROAD TO BROADWOOD ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
AT THE SAME TIME, MOTORISTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO REACH CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL VIA CANAL ROAD WEST.
WESTBOUND VEHICLES ALONG LOCKHART ROAD WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO MARSH ROAD.
HOcVER, VEHICLES (EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES) ALONG TIN LOK LANE Will BE BANNED FROM TURNING RIGHT INTO HENNESSY ROAD EASTBOUKD.
/PUBLIC LIGHT ....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUABY 9, 1985
6
PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES ALONG LEIGHTON ROAD WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING IRVING STREET, WHILE THOSE ALONG PENNINGTON STREET WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO YEE WO STREET EASTBOUND.
VEHICLES ALONG QUEENSWAY AND HENNESSY ROAD HEADING FOR NORTH POINT MAY TRAVEL VIA THE FLYOVERS AT ARSENAL STREET, FLEMING ROAD OR MARSH ROAD, OR THEY MAY USE PERCIVAL STREET, LEIGHTON ROAD AND CANAL ROAD WEST FLYOVER.
THOSE HEADING FOR TAI HANG AREA MAY USE QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND STUBBS ROAD OR TRAVEL VIA PERCIVAL STREET, LEIGHTON ROAD, WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND BLUE POOL ROAD.
VEHICLES ALONG KING’S ROAD HEADING FOR WAN CHAI AREA MAY USE TSI NG FUNG STREET FLYOVER OR TRAVEL VIA TUNG LO WAN ROAD, MORETON TERRACE, CAUSEWAY ROAD AND LEIGHTON ROAD.
SPECIAL BUS SERVICES TO CAUSEWAY BAY WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCEDi
* CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ROUTE IHA (CHOI HUNG - HING FAT STREET) AND 112A (MONG KOK ROAD - HING FAT STREET) FROM 12.30 AM TO 6 AM ON FEBRUARY 13 AT A FARE OF $3 »
* NO. 86 (CHAI WAN (SAN HA STREET) - CAUSEWAY ROAD) FROM 8 PM ON FEBRUARY 12 TO 12.40 AM THE NEXT DAY AT A FARE OF $1.40 ;
M NO. 304 (WAH FU SOUTH - CAUSEWAY ROAD) FROM 12.45 AM TO 5.15 AM ON FEBRUARY 13 AT A FARE OF $2;
* NO. 3O5M (ADMIRALTY MTR STATION - FOOD STREET) FROM 8 PM ON FEBRUARY 12 TO 5.30 AM THE NEXT DAY AT A FARE OF $1.40; AND
M NO. 308 (CHAI WAN (SAN HA STREET) - CAUSEWAY ROAD) FROM 12.10 AM TO 5 AM ON FEBRUARY 13 AT A FARE OF $2.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 190}
CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER
LAU u si
YACH’ SI
KEY:
Enhance and exit to the Park
:$$$ Road closure with effect from 6 00 p m Road closure with effect from 8 00 p m Prohibited zones
Rerouting
General traffic
— Urban Ctearway
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CAUSEWAY BAY LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR 12TH FEBRUARY 1983
ST
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1983
8
TIPS ON FIRE PREVENTION OVER LUNAR NEW YEAR
* * * *
THE PUBLIC WERE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO FIRE RISKS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP SAID, +ALTHOUGH THE HUMIDITY LEVEL THIS WINTER IS HIGHER THAN NORMAL, PEOPLE SHOULD STILL BE ON THEIR GUARD AGAINST FIRE, ESPECIALLY DURING THE FESTIVE PERIOD WHEN HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND COOKING STOVES ARE FREQUENTLY USED.*
♦ELECTRICAL FAULTS AND CARELESS HANDLING OF CIGARETTES, MATCHES AND WORSHIPPING ITEMS CAUSED NEARLY 50 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRE OUTBREAKS IN 1982,♦ HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED RESIDENTS TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING BASIC FIRE PREVENTION RULESi
* MAKE SURE ALL HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES ARE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION.
* AVOID OVERLOADING THE POWER POINTS.
* COOKING FACILITIES IN USE MUST BE ATTENDED TO.
* SWITCH OFF ALL ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES BEFORE LEAVING HOME.
* KEEP MATCHES AND LIGHTERS OUT OF CHILDREN’S REACH.
* BURN JOSS-STICKS, JOSS-CANDLES, AND PAPER MONEY ETC. IN METAL CONTAINERS AND KEEP THEM AWAY FROM ANY INFLAMMABLE MATERIAL.
* PROVIDE VISITORS WITH ENOUGH ASHTRAYS AND BEFORE YOU EMPTY AN ASHTRAY, MAKE SURE THE ASHES AND ALL CIGARETTE BUTTS ARE EXTINGUISHED.
M NEVER STORE MORE THAN ONE CONTAINER OF FUEL AT ONE TIME AND KEEP IT WELL AWAY FROM ANY SOURCE OF HEAT.
* DO NOT FILL A KEROSENE STOVE OR HEATER WHEN IT IS ALIGHT.
* KEEP THE CORRIDORS AND STAIRCASES FREE FROM OBSTRUCTION.
HE ALSO ADVISED COUNTRYSIDE VISITORS AND PICNICKERS TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE.
IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF 1982, 28 PEOPLE WERE FINED A TOTAL OF |10 700 FOR LIGHTING FIRES ILLEGALLY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, HE POINTED OUT.
/♦PICNICKERS ....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 198}
9
♦PICNICKERS SHOULD BRING ALONG PRE-COOKED FOOD WHENEVER POSSIBLE. IF THEY BARBECUE, THEY MUST USE DESIGNATED AREAS AND BEFORE LEAVING, THEY MUST ENSURE ALL FIRES ARE COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED,* HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED THE COUNTRY PARK IS LIABLE IMPRISONMENT. THE PENALTY COUNTRYSIDE IS $2 OOO.
OUT THAT ANYONE WHO CAUSES A FIRE IN TO A FINE OF $5 000 AND ONE YEAR’S FOR CAUSING A FIRE ELSEWHERE IN THE
HE ALSO REMINDED FARMERS WHO BURN OFF AGRICULTURAL WASTE AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR TO AVOID LIGHTING A FIRE NEAR BUILDINGS
OR DURING WINDY WEATHER.
♦THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IS ALWAYS READY TO HELP THOSE WHO NEED ASSISTANCE OR ADV ICE,+ HE SAID.
-----0------
LEGAL POWER SUPPLY TO LUK HOP VILLAGE X X X X X
LEGAL ELECTRICITY SUPPLY WAS CONNECTED TO LUK HOP VILLAGE IN SHA TIN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN ASSISTANT SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG, PRESSED THE BUTTON AT A SWITCH-ON CEREMONY.
WORK ON THE LEGAL CONNECTIONS TO THE VILLAGE, LOCATED AT SHA TIN HEIGHTS AREA OF TAI PO ROAD, BEGAN IN THE MIDDLE OF LAST YEAR AND WAS COMPLETED BY THE END OF DECEMBER.
ACCORDING TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LUK HOP VILLAGE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE, MR KWAN YIU-FAI, ALL THE 26 HOUSEHOLDS COMPRISING ABOUT 200 PEOPLE RELIED ON ILLEGAL TAPPING OF ELECTRICITY BEFORE THE VILLAGE WAS INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF LEGAL SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY TO SQUATTER AREAS IN SHA TIN.
♦NOW, ALL THE ILLEGAL POWER TAPS ARE DISCONNECTED BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND WELL THAT ILLEGAL CONNECTIONS CONSTITUTE A FIRE HAZARD,♦ SAID MR KWAN.
DESCRIBING THE POWER SUPPLY AS THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT OF THE LUK HOP VILLAGE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE, HE ADDED THAT THE MAC AIMED TO CARRY OUT OTHER IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS SUCH AS LIGHTING, FIRE SAFETY MEASURES, AND THE PROVISION OF SEWAGE AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
-------o---------
/10........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1983
10
THREE MEN COMMENDED FOR SAVING BOY FROM FIRE
X 3€ X
THREE RESIDENTS OF A HOUSING ESTATE WERE TODAY PRESENTED WITH THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES’S COMMENDATION FOR THEIR INITIATIVE, COURAGE AND DETERMINATION IN RESCUING A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD BOY FROM A BURNING FLAT IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE TO MR LIU FU-WING, MR LEUNG WAI AND MR LAU KI-TIM, BY THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, KOWLOON FIRE COMMAND, M? M. KINGDOM, AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE YAU TONG FIRE STATION.
THE BOY, LAI CHEUNG-WAH, HAD BEEN ALONE IN THE FLAT AT ROOM 1125, BLOCK 15, LAM TIN ESTATE, 11TH FLOOR, ON DECEMBER 3, 1982, WHEN THE RESCUE WAS CARRIED OUT.
HIS MOTHER HAD GONE OUT AND HE WAS PLAYING WITH MATCHES AND A CANDLE WHEN THE BED CAUGHT FIRE, AND HE FOUND HIMSELF TRAPPED BY A LOCKED GATE. THE THREE RESCUERS, ALL NEIGHBOURS, RESPONDED QUICKLY TO THE BOY’S SHOUTS.
MR LAU PICKED UP AN AXE AND TRIED TO BREAK OPEN THE GATE WHILE MR LEUNG PROVIDED PROTECTION TO THE BOY WITH A PIECE OF WET CLOTH. MEANWHILE MR LIU CALLED THE FIRE SERVICES AND THEN HELPED THE OTHER TWO MEN RESCUE THE BOY BEFORE THE FIRE SERVICES ARRIVED.
-----o------
NT BUILDING FOUND IN DANGEROUS CONDITION *****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DECLARED A SINGLESTOREY PRE-WAR BUILDING AT HANG TAU VILLAGE IN SHEUNG SHU I TO BE IN DANGEROUS CONDITION.
THE BUILDING, LOCATED AT NO. 12, SECTION 1 OF THE VILLAGE, IS MADE OF LOAD-BEARING BRICKS WITH MUD-BLOCK WALLS AND A TILED ROOF SUPPORTED BY CHINA FIRS.
A RECENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT A PORTION OF A WALL AND THE ROOF HAD COLLAPSED, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT SURVEYOR SAID
ALTHOUGH EFFORTS WERE BEING MADE TO REPAIR THE BUILDING, THE WALLS WERE SO WEAK AND FRACTURED AND THE CHINA FIRS SO - BE A FURTHER COLLAPSE, HE EXPLAINED.
DECAYED THAT THERE COULD
FOR THIS REASON, IT WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO CLOSE THE BUILDING, HE ADDED.
NOT 7E OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN KOWLOON DISTR IC COURT AT 9.30 AM ON FEBRUARY 23 WAS POSTED TODAY.
------o-------
/11 .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1983
11
CALL ON GOVERNOR
* * *
THE US SECRETARY OF STATE, MR GEORGE SHULTZ, CALLED ON THE GOVERNOR AT NOON TODAY AND WAS ENTERTAINED AFTERWARDS TO LUNCH.
MR SHULTZ WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS, MR PAUL WOLFOWITZ, THE DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE, MR THOMAS SHOESMITH AND THE US CONSUL-GENERAL IN HONG KONG, MR BURTON LEVIN.
-----0-------
+HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY* FOR TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS it Jf Ji
HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY -- THE TWIN THEMES OF TSUEN WAN’S FIRST DECORATION AND LIGHTING DISPLAY FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR --WERE ILLUMINATED TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) AT A SWITCH-ON CEREMONY PERFORMED BY LADY HADDON-CAVE, WIFE OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY.
LIGHTS ENCIRCLING TWO FIVE-METRE-TALL +GODS OF PROSPERITY*, SOME 1 200 COLOURFUL LIGHT BULBS FORMING A FOUR-METRE-HIGH CHINESE VASE WITH PEACH BLOSSOMS AND 750 MORE LIGHT BULBS IN THE SHAPE OF A PIG WENT AGLOW AT 6 PM AND WILL STAY ON EVERY NIGHT UNTIL FEBRUARY 27.
THE UNVEILING OF THE TWO GODS WAS PERFORMED AT THE PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE OUTSIDE FOU WAH CENTRE, WHILE THE SWITCH-ON CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL ELEVATED WALKWAY.
TSUEN WAN ALSO GREETED THE FESTIVITY WITH AN ARRAY OF RED AND GOLD LANTERNS, BANNERS OF THE SEASON’S GREETINGS AND A PAIR OF CHINESE NORTHERN LIONS ON MAJOR ROADS, WALKWAYS AND ON THE TSING Yl BRIDGE.
THE LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS, COSTING $90 000 AND FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, WILL BE SWITCHED ON BETWEEN 6 PM AND MIDNIGHT EVERY DAY.
SPEAKING AT THE SWITCH-ON CEREMONY, THE ACTING DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, MISS ELAINE CHUNG, SAID THE DECORATIONS NOT ONLY ADDED COLOUR TO THE FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE BUT WERE ALSO A SYMBOL OF
HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY.
+DESPITE THE FLOODS, STRIKES AND FACTORY CLOSURES DURING THE YEAR OF THE DOG, TSUEN WAN HAS GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY BUILDING AND DISTRICT SPIRIT,* SHE SAID.
IN ADDITION, MORE THAN 60 PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING A VARIETY SHOW BY A LOCAL TELEVISION STATION, A LANTERN FESTIVAL, DANCING PARTIES, OUTINGS AND DINNERS FOR THE ELDERLY WOULD BE HELD, TOGETHER /1 TH THE FIFTH TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL OPENED LAST FRIDAY.
FRE TICKETS TO THE VARIETY SHOW, TO BE HELD AT THE KWAI CHUNG SP 'RTSGROUND AT 8 PM ON FEBRUARY 19, MAY BE OBTAINED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS AT THE DISTRICT’S TOWN HALL AND PUBLIC ENQUIRIES COUNTERS FROM FEBRUARY 16.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1983 '
12
NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN TAI PO X X X
A SERIES OF FESTIVE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THESE INCLUDE PARTIES FOR THE AGED, A GRAPHIC EXHIBITION ON ■♦LIVING IN TAI PO+, FUN FAIRS, A CHINESE CONCERT, VARIETY SHOWS, ORIENTEERING, A +DISCO NIGHT+ PARTY, A RADIO PROGRAMME ON TAI PO WORKERS AND INDUSTRY AND A TOWN GALA.
A BOARD SPOKESMAN ESTIMATED THAT $280 000 WOULD BE SPENT ON THE PROGRAMMES BETWEEN FEBRUARY 18 AND 27.
♦ THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL SUBSIDISE ABOUT $165 000 AND THE BALANCE WILL BE MET BY LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS,* HE SAID.
♦SIMILAR EVENTS IN PREVIOUS YEARS HAD PROVED POPULAR AMONG LOCAL PEOPLE, AND SUCCESSFUL IN PROVIDING THEM WITH ENTERTAINMENT DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND AT THE SAME TIME PROMOTING A SENSE OF BELONGING AND SOLIDARITY IN THE DI STR I CT.♦
------o-------
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES THANKED FOR GIFT OF COMPUTER M * *
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT RECENTLY DONATED A MICRO COMPUTER SYSTEM TO THE MARGARET TRENCH MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE IN KWUN TONG AS PART OF ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
THE COST WAS MET FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL AUTUMN FAIR.
AT A CEREMONY HELD IN THE CENTRE TODAY, MR RAYMOND LAI, CHAIRMAN OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES SPORTS ASSOCIATION WHICH ORGANISED THE FAIR, FORMALLY HANDED OVER THE SYSTEM TO THE CENTRE’S MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT, DR HO KAM-CHUEN.
DR HO THANKED THE DEPARTMENT AND SAID THE SYSTEM WOULD ♦PROVIDE BETTER AND QUICKER RETRIEVAL OF PATIENTS’ DATA, AND WOULD BE VERY USEFUL FOR RESEARCH AND LONG TERM PLANNING+.
IT WOULD ALSO HELP IN ACCOUNTING AND INVENTORY CONTROL OF THE CENTRE, HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION, MR RAYMOND LAI PERSONALLY DONATED A BIG AQUARIUM TO THE CENTRE, WHILE THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICERS’ CLUB DONATED OVER 70 LIVE FISHES AS WELL AS A GUARD RAIL IN FRONT OF THE AQUARIUM TO PREVENT IT FROM BEING BUMPED AGAINST BY WHEEL-CHAIRS.
/THE REHABILITATION ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1985
15
THE REHABILITATION CENTRE IS OPERATED UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION. IT IS AN 80-BED IN-PATIENT CENTRE PROVIDING AN INTENSIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME DESIGNED FOR MAINLY AUDLTS.
THE AIM OF THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME IS TO HELP PATIENTS RECOVER THEIR MAXIMUM PHYSICAL POTENTIAL AND RETURN TO A USEFUL LIFE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY IN THE SHORTEST TIME POSSIBLE.
-----0-------
TENDERS INVITED FOR LAND TENANCIES * ft ft *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES OF FOUR PIECES OF CROWN LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TWO OF THE SITES ARE ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND AND THE OTHER TWO IN THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL AREA.
BOTH SITES ON TSI NG Yl ARE FOR THE PARKING OF LICENSED CONTAINER TRACTORS, TRAILERS AND GOODS VEHICLES.
THEY ARE NEAR THE WESTERN END OF TSING Yl BRIDGE AND ARE OF ABOUT 17 000 SQUARE METRES AND 4 675 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
THE TENANCIES FOR BOTH SITES ARE FOR ONE YEAR INITIALLY, RENEWABLE MONTHLY THEREAFTER.
ONE OF THE SITES IN YUEN LONG IS FOR OPEN STORAGE OF EMPTY CONTAINERS EXCLUDING ANY CONTAINER-CARGO CONSOLIDATION OR HANDL ING PROCESS, WHILE THE OTHER SITE IS FOR CONCRETE BATCHING PLANT INCLUDING THE MANUFACTURE OF CONCRETE PRODUCTS AND STORAGE OF AGGREGATE.
BOTH SITES ARE OF ABOUT 2 387 SQUARE METRES AND THE TENANCIES ARE FOR TWO YEARS INITIALLY AND FOR QUARTERLY PERIODS THEREAFTER.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS 12 NOON ON FEBRUARY 25, 1983.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON WEST), KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (TSUEN WAN) FOR THE TSING Yl SITES AND AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (YUEN LONG) FOR THE YUEN LONG SITES.
-------0-------
/14
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1983
14 -
CHANGE OF TERMINUS FOR BUS ROUTES K K
BUS ROUTES NO. 5B, 7A AND 12A WILL TERMINATE AT THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY’S HUNG HOM STATION INSTEAD OF THE HUNG HOM FERRY PIER FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE HUNG HOM RAILWAY BUS TERMINUS HAS BEEN RECONSTRUCTED TO INCLUDE A NEW TAXI STAND WITH 38 SPACES, WHICH WILL BE OPEN FOR USE AT THE SAME TIME.
-----o------
HOLIDAY CLOSURE
* * *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S MEDIA PRODUCTION SERVICES UNIT AT 182 CANTON ROAD WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS BETWEEN FEBRUARY 12 AND 15.
TEACHERS WHO HAVE ANY ENQUIRIES CAN TELEPHONE THE UNIT AT 3-660881 OR THE VISUAL EDUCATION SECTION AT 5-8392359.
0 -------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 198?
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG'S 1982 EXTERNAL TRADE UP FOUR PER CENT............ 1
FIRST STAFF MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE PLANNED .................. 6
GOVERNOR'S NEW YEAR MESSAGE ................................ 7
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO EXTEND SERVICES ON LUNAR NEW YEAR'S EVE 7
HOSPITAL EXTENSION WORK STARTING LATER THIS YEAR............ 10
CONVERSION OF FLAGSTAFF HOUSE .............................. 11
TRAFFIC CHANGES ............................................ 12
VOTE OF THANKS TO FISHERMEN ................................ 12
NEW MACLEHOSE TRAIL LEAFLET ................................ 13
REGISTRY OF THE DISABLED TO BE COMPUTERISED................. 11*
NEW TAXI FARE SCALE IN EFFECT SOON ......................... 1?
MTR CARPARK TO OPEN SOON ................................... 15
TWO MORE FOOTBRIDGES OPENED ................................ 16
•DOUBLE GOOD FORTUNE' FOR SHA TIN ......................... 16
S36-M LAND FORMATION CONTRACT SIGNED ....................... 17
FESTIVE LIGHTING IN TUEN MUN ............................... 17
REFRESHER COURSES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEaCHERS .............. 18
CHAMPION FISHERMEN RECEIVE PRIZES ......................... 19
NEW YEAR CLOSURE OF NT SPORTS FACILITIES ................... 19
PAY ON STATUTORY HOLIDAYS
20
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1983
1
HONG KONG’S 1982 EXTERNAL TRADE UP FOUR PER CENT ft ft ft ft ft ft
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR 1982, VALUED AT $270 277 MILLION, INCREASED BY FOUR PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1981, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY THREE PER CENT TO $83 032 MILLION IMPORTS BY THREE PER CENT TO $142 893 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY SIX PER CENT TO $44 353 MILLION.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER INCREASED BY FOUR PER CENT.
■....CHANGES ,N DOMEST,C EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S TEN MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS WERE AS FOLLOWS I
1982 ($ MN) 1981 ($ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE ($ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
U.S.A. 31 223 29 200 ♦2 023 ♦ 7
U.K. 7 187 7 710 - 523 - 7
F.R. OF GERMANY 7 031 7 048 - 16 INSIGNIFICANT
CHINA 3 806 2 924 ♦ 882 ♦30
JAPAN 3 167 2 940 ♦ 227 ♦ 8
AUSTRALIA 2 832 2 710 ♦ 122 ♦ 4
CANADA 2 637 2 355 ♦ 282 ♦12
SINGAPORE 1 964 1 732 ♦ 233 ♦13
NETHERLANDS 1 692 1 598 + 95 ♦ 6
FRANCE 1 507 1 483 ♦ 24 ♦ 2
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. ROSE BY SEVEN PER CENT.
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY $807 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY $644 MILLION OR SIX PER CENT) AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $562 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT). DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $516 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TEXTILES (BY $152 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT).
/DECREASES IN .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 198j
2
DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WERE R<FERED FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING •TUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $206 MILLION OR 33 PER CENT) AS WELL AS CLOTHING (BY $200 MILLION OR SIX PER CENT).
MOST COMMODITIES EXPORTED TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY DECLINED IN VALUE, INCLUDING TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $103 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT) AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $53 MILLION OR 10 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES INCREASED BY $44 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN THE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA OF TEXTILES (BY $315 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT), AS WELL AC OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $97 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT), AND IM THE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN OF CLOTHING (BY $132 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT).
AN ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN DOMESTIC DIVISIONS ARE PRESENTED BELOW 1
EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY
1982 ($ MN) 1981 ($ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE ($ mn) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 28 824 28 288 ♦ 536 ♦ 2
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS) 15 589 13 235 +2 354 ♦18
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 8 148 8 101 ♦ 47 + 1
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLDTYPE APPL ANCES) 6 055 5 812 ♦ 243 ♦ 4
/TELECOMMUNICATIONS........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1983
5
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 5 672 5 618 *54 ♦ 1
AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT
TEXTILE YARN, 5 052 5 302 - 250 - 5
FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS SUMMARISED AS FOLLOWS I
FROM THE
TEN MAJOR SOURCES ARE
INCREASE/ 1982 1981 DECREASE PERCENTAGE
(I MN) ($ MN) ($ MN) CHANGE
CHINA 32 935 29 510 ♦3 425 ♦12
JAPAN 31 540 32 130 - 590 - 2
U.S.A. 15 459 14 442 ♦1 017 + 7
SINGAPORE 10 207 10 627 - 420 - 4
TA IWAN 10 198 10 762 - 564 - 5
U.K. 6 892 6 283 ♦ 609 ♦10
REPUBLIC OF 4 557 5 495 - 937 -17
KOREA
(SOUTH KOREA)
F.R. OF GERMANY 3 506 3 383 ♦ 123 ♦ 4
SWITZERLAND 2 669 2 848 - 179 - 6
AUSTRALIA 2 266 2 005 ♦ 261 ♦13
LOCAL DEMAND FOR IMPORTED GOODS FROM CHINA REMAINED STRONG.
INCREASES WERE RECORDED MAINLY IN CLOTHING (BY Si 006 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT), IRON AND STEEL (BY $366 MILLION OR 69 PER CENT), KAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS (BY $248 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT) AND FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $203 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT).
/AS FOH .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 198?
4
AS FOR IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, INCREASES WERE NOTED FOR TEXTILE FABRICS (BY $171 MILLION OR FIVE PER CENT), AS WELL AS MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES, SPORTING GOODS AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES) (BY $153 MILLION OR 10 PER CENT). DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $458 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT), ROAD VEHICLES (BY $435 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AMD SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $302 MILLION OR 10 PER CENT) AND TEXTILE YARN (BY $235 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM THE U.S.A. WERE MOSTLY OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $216 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $200 MILLION OR 33 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $166 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT), TEXTILES (BY $88 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT) AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $82 MILLION OR FIVE PER CENT).
INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE OF WATCHES AN? CLOCKS (BY $72 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT) AND IN IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $316 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT). IMPORTS OF TEXTILES FROM TAIWAN DECLINED (BY $715 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT).
THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE MORE IMPORTANT CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY COMMODITY SECTION i
1982 ($ mn) 1981 ($ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE ($ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS, DIAMONDS, IRON AND STEEL, AND PAPER) 39 734 40 149 - 415 - 1
MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 32 029 32 298 - 269 - 1
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES T APPAREL) 24 978 ‘23 179 ♦1 799 + 8
/FOOD AND .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1983
5
FOOD AND LIVE 16 172 13 993 +2 179 +16
ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD
MINERAL FUELS. 11 477 10 966 +512 +5
LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS
CHEMICALS AND 9 486 9 059 ♦ 427 ♦ 5
RELATED PRODUCTS
INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. (BY 1830 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (BY $405 MILLION OR-12 PER CENT), SAUDI ARABIA (BY $358 MILLION OR 62 PER CENT), INDONESIA (BY 1343 MILLION OR EIGHT PER CENT), REPUBLIC OF KOREA (BY 1299 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT), TAIWAN (BY $242 MILLION CR 10 PER CENT), THE PHILIPPINES (BY $191 MILLION OR 15 PER -CENT) AND MACAU (BY $181 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECLINES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.K. (BY $253 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (BY $226 MILLION OR EIGHT PER CENT).
MOST COMMODITIES RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG EXHIBITED STRONG GROWTH, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING CLOTHING (BY $824 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT), MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES AND JEWELLERY) (BY $458 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $350 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT) AND CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $316 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT). DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN THE RE-EXPORTS OF TEXTILES (BY $550 MILLION OR EIGHT PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $426 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT), AND METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $300 MILLION OR 49 PER CENT).
THE DECEMBER 1982 ISSUE OF THE *HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS -SUMMARY* WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$5 PER COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, +HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE*, WITH ADETAILED ANALYSIS OF IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN DECEMBER, WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY MARCH 1983 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$10 PER COPY. ENQUIRIES CONCERNING SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG (TELEPHONE 5-214375).
------0-------
/6......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1983
6
FIRST STAFF MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE PLANNED * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS ORGANISING FOR THE FIRST TIME A STAFF MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE TO FURTHER ITS AIM OF IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 21 AND 22 AT THE SHERATON HOTEL. IT WILL BE CHAIRED BY MR MARTIN ROWLANDS, SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND OPENED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE.
THE DIRECTOR OF THE CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING CENTRE, MR A.R.B. KITCHELL, SAID TODAY THAT THE CONFERENCE WAS ORGANISED IN RESPONSE TO A RECOMMENDATION BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE IN ITS NO. 4 REPORT FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT STAFF RESOURCES.
THE CENTRE HAS BEEN PROVIDING PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT COURSES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS ON A REGULAR BASIS BUT THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THAT MEMBERS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, LOCAL AND OVERSEAS TERTIARY TEACHING INSTITUTIONS AND THE CIVIL SERVICE ARE BROUGHT TOGETHER TO SHARE THEIR WEALTH OF MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE.
♦AT THE END OF THE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE, PARTICIPANTS SHOULD HAVE A CLEARER IDEA OF THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY ON STAFF MANAGEMENT AND THE DIRECTION IT IS TAKING AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE MACHINERY SET UP TO IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY.
♦THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE ACQUIRED SOME OF THE LEADERSHIP SKILLS NEEDED TO GET THE BEST FROM THEIR STAFF AND TO DIAGNOSE THE TYPE OF TRAINING THEIR STAFF NEED,+ MR KITCHELL SAID.
SOME 200 PARTICIPANTS FROM A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE CONFERENCE. THERE WILL BE REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, FROM THE STAFF UNIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS, THE STANDING COMMISSION, THE UNIVERSITIES, THE POLYTECHNIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THE PROGRAMME WILL BE MADE UP MAINLY OF PANEL SESSIONS AND WORKSHOPS, COVERING DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENTi STAFF MANAGEMENT AND DISCIPLINE, STAFF RELATIONS, MANPOWER PLANNING AND STAFF RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, STAFF APPRAISAL SYSTEMS, EFFECTIVE USE OF INFLUENCE, MANAGEMENT OF ORGANISATIONAL CONFLICT, STRESS MANAGEMENT, AND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS AND COUNSELLING SKILLS.
EACH PANEL WILL BE LED BY AN EXPERIENCED GOVERNMENT STAFF MANAGER, A SENIOR MANAGER FROM PRIVATE BUSINESS AND A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE UNIVERSITIES. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT THERE WILL BE A USEFUL CROSS-FERTILISATION OF IDEAS.
THE CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING CENTRE HAS BEEN PROVIDING COURSES ON THE SUBJECTS COVERED IN THE CONFERENCE. THE CONFERENCE WILL HELP THE CENTRE TO EVALUATE THEIR EXISTING COURSES AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS ON THEM IF REQUIRED. THESE COURSES ARE OPEN TO MIDDLE AND SENIOR MANAGERS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
-----o---------
THURSDAY, FEBRUAR* 10, 1983
7
GOVERNOR’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL DELIVER HIS NEW YEAR MESSAGE ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1983. THE MESSAGE WILL BE BROADCAST ONi
TVB JADE AT 7 PM,
TVB PEARL AT 7.30 PM,
ATV ENGLISH AT 7.30 PM AND,
ATV CHINESE AT 8.45 PM.
RTHK RADIO 1, 2, 3 AND 4 WILL BROADCAST THE MESSAGE SIMULTANEOUSLY IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE AT 8.40 PM, FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE BROADCAST ON NEW YEAR’S DAY FIREWORKS DISPLAY.
COMMERCIAL RADIO WILL ALSO BROADCAST THE MESSAGE IN BOTH LANGUAGES, CHINESE AT 7 PM AND ENGLISH AT 7.30 PM.
-----0------
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO EXTEND SERVICES ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE * M M * *
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS. PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES WILL EXTEND THEIR SERVICES ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE (FEBRUARY 12) UNTIL EARLY NEXT MORNING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY
BUS SERVICES
MAJOR BUS SERVICES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR WILL EXTEND THEIR HOURS OF OPERATION. THEY WILL INCLUDEi-
KMB’S NO. 5 (STAR FERRY - CHOI HUNG), NO. 6 (STAR FERRY -LAI CHI KOK) AND NO. 70M (KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION - WO CHE) WHICH WILL OPERATE ALL NIGHT SERVICES.
CMB’S NO. 86 AND 308 (BOTH OPERATING FROM SAN HA STREET IN CHAI WAN TO CAUSEWAY ROAD), NO. 304 (WAH FU (SOUTH) -CAUSEWAY ROAD) AND NO. 3O5M (ADMIRALTY MTR STATION - FOOD STREET) WILL RUN SPECIAL SERVICES TO CAUSEWAY BAY ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE.
CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ROUTES 111A (CHOI HUNG - HING FAT STREET) AND 112A (MONG KOK ROAD - HING FAT STREET) WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM 12.30 AM TO 6 AM ON FEBRUARY 13.
/TRAM SERVICES ...
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1983
8
TRAM SERVICES
THESE WILL BE
FROM
HAPPY VALLEY NORTH POINT WHITTY STREET SHAU KEI WAN WESTERN MARKET SHAU KEI WAN HAPPY VALLEY KENNEDY TOWN CAUSEWAY BAY WESTERN MARKET CAUSEWAY BAY
PEAK TRAM SERVICE
THIS WILL RUN
EXTENDED ON LUNAR NEW
TO
KENNEDY TOWN WHITTY STREET NORTH POINT WESTER* MARKET SHAU KEI WAN HAPPY VALLEY SHAU KEI WAN CAUSEWAY BAY KENNEDY TOWN CAUSEWAY BAY WESTERN MARKET
UNTIL 3 AM.
YEAR'S EVE AS FOLLOWSt
LAST DEPARTURE
12.26 AM
4.59 AM
4.56 AM
1.09 AM
1.11 AM
ALL NIGHT SERVICE
5.24 AM
4.38 AM
4.20 AM
4.38 AM
4.59 AM
MTR
AN ALL NIGHT SERVICE WILL BE MAINTAINED.
FERRY SERVICES
THE STAR FERRY WILL MAINTAIN AN ALL NIGHT SERVICE BETWEEN CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI WHILE THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY’S JORDAN ROAD TO CENTRAL SERVICE WILL LAST UNTIL 2 AM.
/Maxicab services ....
THUBSDhY, FEBRUARY 10, 198?
9
MAXICAB SERVICES
THE LAST DEPARTURES WILL BE AS FOLLOWSi-ROUTE LAST DEPARTURE
HONG KONG
NO. 1 (HMS TAMAR - THE PEAK) 4 AM
NO. 21 (TAI HANG DRIVE - CAUSEWAY BAY) 4 AM
NO. 25 (UPPER BRAEMAR HILL - ADMIRALTY MTR STATION) 6 AM
NO. 28 (BAGUIO VILLAS - YUN PING ROAD) 4 AM
NO. 31 (TIN WAN - JAFFE ROAD) 6 AM
KOWLOON
NO. 1 (TSIM SHA TSUI MTR STATION - TSIM SHA TSUI
EAST) 2.30 AM
NO. 3 (TSIM SHA TSUI (HANKOW ROAD) - TAI TUNG
SUN CHUEN) 2.30 AM
NO. 6 (TSIM SHA TSUI (HANKOW ROAD) - WHAMPOA
ESTATE) 4 AM
NO. 8 (TSIM SHA TSUI (HANKOW ROAD) - HO MAN TIN
ESTATE) 2.30 AM
NEW TERRITORIES
NO. 1 (SAI KUNG - TELFORD GARDENS) 4 AM
NO. 60K (SHA TIN KCR STATION - FO TAN) 3 AM
NO. 61M (KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION - TAI WAI) ALL NIGHT SERVICES
NO. 80 (TSUEN WAN (SHIU WO STREET) - CHUEN LUNG) 2 AM
NO. 81 (TSUEN WAN (SHIU WO STREET) - LO WAI) 1 AM
NO. 82 (TSUEN WAN (SHIU WO STREET) - SHING MUN
RESERVOIR) 1 AM
NO. 83 (TSUEN WAN (CHUEN LUNG STREET) - SHEK YAM TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA) 4.30 AM
/NO. 86 .....
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 198?
- 10
NO. 86 (TSUEN WAN (CHUEN LUNG STREET) - SHEK LEI) 4.30 AM
NO. 87 (TSUEN WAN (CHUNG ON STREET) - KWAI SHING) 2 AM
NO. 87M (TSUEN WAN (CHUNG ON STREET) - KWAI FONG
MTR STATION) 2 AM
NO. 88M (MAYFAIR GARDENS - KWAI FONG MTR STATION) 2 AM
NO. 89, 89M AND 98 (ALL OPERATING BETWEEN HO PUI STREET IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI SHING NORTH) ALL NIGHT SERVICES
NO. 90M (LAI KING HEADLAND - LAI WAN MTR STATION) 1.30 AM
NO. 91 (LAI KING HEADLAND - TSUEN WAN (HAM TIN
STREET) 1.30 AM
NO. 92M (WAH YUEN CHUEN - LAI WAN MTR STATION) 1.30 AM
------0-------
HOSPITAL EXTENSION WORK STARTING LATER THIS YEAR * * * *
WORK WILL BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR ON THE BIGGEST EXTENSION PROJECT EVER UNDERTAKEN BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT -THE QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL EXTENSION.
FUNDS AMOUNTING TO 1600 MILLION HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED FOR THE EXTENSION WHICH WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 675 BEDS TO THE REGIONAL HOSPITAL, BOOSTING THE BEDSPACE CAPACITY TO 1 875 BY 1987.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT ARE TO RELIEVE OVERCROWDING, IMPROVE EXISTING SERVICES, UPGRADE THE TEACHING FACILITIES AND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING SERVICES.
THE FIRST TWO PHASES OF THE PROJECT, WHICH FORM THE MAJOR PART OF THE EXTENSION, INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO MULTI-STOREY BLOCKS.
A THIRD PHASE, TO BE UNDERTAKEN AFTER 1987, AND COSTING $150—MILL ION, INVOLVES IMPROVING ANCILLARY FACILITIES IN THE EXISTING MAIN BLOCK OF THE HOSPITAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID WORK ON THE FIRST PHASE WILL BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN 1985. THE SECOND PHASE WORK WILL THEN BEGIN, AND BE COMPLETED IN 1987.
/♦the third
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1983
11
♦THE THIRD PHASE OF THE PROJECT WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL THE FIRST TWO STAGES ARE COMPLETED,♦ HE ADDED.
HE STRESSED THAT THERE IS NO QUESTION OF ANY DELAY OR CUTBACK OF FUNDS FOR THE THIRD PHASE EXTENSION PROGRAMME AT THIS STAGE.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT WILL BE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 23-STOREY BUILDING WITH EACH LEVEL HAVING A FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 1 200 SQUARE METRES, ON TOP OF A FIVE-LEVEL PODIUM.
THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION CF A TEN-STOREY STRUCTURE WHICH WILL BE BUILT OVER THE EXISTING HOSPITAL CANTEEN WITH EACH LEVEL HAVING A FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 600 SQUARE METRES.
THE TWO NEW BLOCKS WILL PROVIDE A LARGE NUMBER OF MEDICAL WARDS FOR VARIOUS MEDICAL UNITS INCLUDING PAEDIATRICS, HAEMODIALYSIS, ORTHOPAEDICS, BURNS, AND RECONSTRUCTIVE, MAXILLOFACIAL (DENTAL), OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, PROSTHETIC AND ORTHOTIC.
-----0------
CONVERSION OF FLAGSTAFF HOUSE
* * *
THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A *4.5 MILLION CONTRACT TO CHUNG SHING CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. FOR THE CONVERSION CF FLAGSTAFF HOUSE IN THE FORMER VICTORIA BARRACKS INTO A TEAWARE MUSEUM.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY AT THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE BY MR TSENG KOANG-MIN, CHIEF ARCHITECT OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT INVOLVES THE CONVERSION OF THE UPPER FLOOR OF THE BUILDING INTO GALLERIES FOR THE DISPLAY OF ABOUT 500 CERAMIC PIECES.
THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE BUILDING WILL BE TURNED INTO A RECEPTION HALL WITH SALES COUNTERS, A SPECIAL SUBJECT LIBRARY, A LECTURE/ORIENTATION ROOM, EXHIBITION/PREPARATION WORKSHOP AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES.
MEANWHILE, THE SERVICE BLOCK OF FLAGSTAFF HOUSE WILL ALSO BE CONVERTED INTO A MUSEUM STORE, WORKSHOP AND STAFF QUARTERS.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT WILL START TOWARDS THE END OF THIS MONTH AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR.
- - 0 ---------
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1983
12
TRAFFIC CHANGES ft ft ft ft
TWO NEW TRAFFIC CHANGES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN TSUEN WAN AND CAUSEWAY BAY TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW-
FROM 10
ROAD BETWEEN
AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), THE ENTIRE SECTION OF TAI HO ____________CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND SHA TSUI ROAD IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE DESIGNAED AS A 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY.
ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THIS ROAD SECTION.
AT PRESENT, CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ONLY APPLIES TO THE SECTION’S NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY DURING PEAK HOURS.
MEANWHILE, IN CAUSEWAY BAY, THE RIGHT TURN MOVEMENT OF TRAFFIC ON SUGAR STREET INTO GLOUCESTER ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BE PROHIBITED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-------0---------
VOTE OF THANKS TO FISHERMEN
X M k
DESPITE THE MANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN HONG KONG DURING THE PAST DECADE, FISHING REMAINS A VERY IMPORTANT INDUSTRY AS LAST YEAR’S FISH PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 40 000 TONNES COMPARED WITH THAT OF 10 YEARS AGO.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID THIS TODAY AT THE THIRD ANNUAL DINNER OF THE SEVEN FISHERMEN’S CLUBS.
HE NOTED THAT IN THE COURSE OF HONG KONG’S PROGRESS FROM AN ENTREPOT PORT TO AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCE AND TRADING CENTRE, THERE HAD BEEN SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE WORKING CONDITIONS AND LIFE OF THE FISHING COMMUNITY.
♦BUT DESPITE ALL THESE CHANGES, THE INDUSTRY IS STILL VERY IMPORTANTi LAST YEAR 172 000 TONNES OF FISH PRODUCTS VALUED AT Si 500 MILLION WERE LANDED COMPARED WITH 132 000 TONNES 10 YEARS AGO,* HE SAID.
♦IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE FISHERMEN OF HONG KONG DESERVE THE GRATEFUL THANKS OF THE COMMUNITY.♦
TOUCHING ON THE HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENT OF THE CLUBS, Mi AKERS-JONES SAID THE CLUBS DEVOTED CONSIDERABLE TIME AND EFFORT IN ORGANISING SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF COHESION AMONG THE FISHING COMMUNITY.
/+SOME OF........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 198?
13
♦SOME OF THESE ACTIVITIES, NOTABLY THE VARIOUS DRAGON BOAT RACES HAVE ADDED COLOUR NOT ONLY TO YOUR MEMBERS’ LIVES BUT TO THAT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AS WELL.
♦YOUR FISHERMEN’S CLUBS PERFORM A MOST USEFUL BRIDGE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND YOUR BONDS HAVE BEEN FURTHER STRENGTHENED BY THE DECISION OF THE SEVEN CLUBS TO JOIN TOGETHER IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL DINNERS,* HE ADDED.
-------0----------
NEW MACLEHOSE TRAIL LEAFLET
M M M * M
A NEW EDITION OF THE MACLEHOSE TRAIL INFORMATION LEAFLET HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC.
THE LEAFLET IS NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN KOWLOON; THE MARKETING OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF BASKERVILLE HOUSE IN DUDDELL STREET, CENTRAL ; ALL DISTRICT OFFICES? OFFICES OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE; AND MANAGEMENT CENTRES IN THE COUNTRY PARKS ALONG THE TRAIL.
IT IS SPONSORED BY HANG SENG BANK LTD AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE TO MARK THE BANK’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY.
THE LEAFLET IS THE THIRD EDITION SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE FIRST IN 1979 TO COINCIDE WITH THE OPENING OF THE TRAIL WHICH STRETCHES FROM SAI KUNG IN THE EAST TO TUEN MUN IN THE WEST AND IS LOCATED ENTIRELY INSIDE COUNTRY PARKS.
THE LEAFLET HAS AN EYE-CATCHING COVER FEATURING THE NOWFAMILIAR SILHOUETTE OF A HIKER WITH A KNAPSACK ON HIS BACK WHICH HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH THE 100-KI LOMETRE-LONG HIKING TRAIL.
IT GIVES DETAILS ABOUT EACH OF THE 10 SECTIONS COMPLETE WITH THE DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY IN TACKLING THEM.
INFORMATION ON TRANSPORT FACILITIES AND LOCATION OF CAMPSITES ALONG THE TRAIL HAS ALSO BEEN UPDATED.
USEFUL HINTS FOR HIKERS WITH REGARD TO EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING ARE ALSO FOUND IN THE LEAFLET.
------0-------
/14........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1983
14
REGISTRY OF THE DISABLED TO BE COMPUTERISED
*****
INFORMATION ON THE NEEDS OF THE HANDICAPPED WILL BE MORE READILY AVAILABLE IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR WHEN A COMPUTERISED SYSTEM IS INTRODUCED IN THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF THE DISABLED.
THE SYSTEM WILL ENABLE THE REGISTRY TO MAINTAIN AN ACCURATE, UP-TO-DATE MASTER RECORD OF THE DISABLED AND TO PROVIDE STATISTICAL AND ANALYTICAL TABLES FOR RESEARCH AND FOR PLANNING AND MONITORING REHABILITATION SERVICES.
THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF THE DISABLED IS PART OF THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH.
IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN APRIL LAST YEAR TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE ESTIMATED 400 000 DISABLED PERSONS IN HONG KONG, DATA PREVIOUSLY FRAGMENTED AND LACKING IN UNIFORMITY.
THE COMPUTERISATION OF THE RECORDS OF THE REGISTRY WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT COMPUTER COMMITTEE FOLLOWING A FEASIBILITY STUDY BY THE GOVERNMENT DATA PROCESSING AGENCY.
THE REGISTRY KEEPS RECORDS OF THE BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED, THE DEAF AND PARTIALLY HEARING, THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, THE MENTALLY ILL, THE EX-MENTALLY ILL AND THOSE WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES OF VARIOUS KINDS. THE INFORMATION IS OBTAINED FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES PROVIDING REHABILITATION SERVICES.
SO FAR THE REGISTRY HAS OBTAINED INFORMATION ON ABOUT 100 000 DISABLED PERSONS AND COMPILED RELEVANT DATA FOR RECORD PURPOSES ON ABOUT 16 000 OF THEM. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE 100 000 CASES WILL BE COMPLETED BY JULY THIS YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR A MANUALLY OPERATED SYSTEM TO COPE WITH THE NEED TO UPDATE EXISTING RECORDS ON A REGULAR BASIS AND WITH THE NEW CASES THAT WILL BE NOTIFIED TO THE REGISTRY. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THESE NEW CASES WILL NUMBER SOME 150 000 OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. .. .
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COMPUTERISED SYSTEM, THE CENTRAL REGISTRY WILL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TAKING PART IN THIS SCHEMEt
* AN ENQUIRY SERVICE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON A DISABLED PERSON REQUIRED BY A DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY TO FACILITATE THE PROVISION OF SERVICE TO THAT PERSON; AND
* THE REGULAR PRODUCTION OF STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ON THE DISABLED POPULATION TO ASSIST DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO ANALYSE THE VARIOUS CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISABLED POPULATION IN HONG KONG IN ORDER TO PLAN AHEAD FOR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES.
------o-------
/15
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1983
15
NEW TAXI FARE SCALE IN EFFECT SOON » » *
THE NEW FARE SCALE FOR URBAN TAXIS WITH MINOR ADJUSTMENT WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE FROM FEBRUARY 18 (FRIDAY).
THIS FARE STRUCTURE IS TO MAKE IT CHEAPER AND QUICKER FOR TAXI OPERATORS TO RECALIBRATE THEIR METERS, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
HOWEVER, THE 12.5 PER CENT INCREASE APPROVED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
THE FARE WILL STILL BE $4.5 FOR THE FIRST TWO KILOMETRES, BUT 60 CENTS FOR EVERY SUBSEQUENT 266.66 METRES INSTEAD OF 90 CENTS FOR EVERY 400 METRES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE CONVERSION TABLE NOW IN USE WILL BE VALID UNTIL THE RECALIBRATION OF TAXI METERS.
-------o---------
MTR CARPARK TO OPEN SOON MMX
A NEW MULTI-STOREY CARPARK NEXT TO THE KWAI FONG MTR STATION WILL BE OPEN SOME TIME IN APRIL THIS YEAR.
THE KWAI FONG CARPARK, LOCATED IN KWAI Yl ROAD “ILL HAVE SEVEN FLOORS PROVIDING 580 SPACES FOR PRIVATE CARS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE DAILY PARKING CHARGES FOR THE CARPARK WILL BE $2 PER HOUR FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM AND $1 PER HOUR FROM 6 PM TO 8 AM.
MONTHLY PASSES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT $400 EACH.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THESE ARE TEMPORARY CHARGES AS THE CARPARK, TOGETHER WITH ALL OTHER GOVERNMENT MULTI-STOREY PARKING FACILITIES, WILL BE UNDER PRIVATE MANAGEMENT LATER IN
THE YEAR.
WITH THE OPENING OF THE CARPARK AND THE LOW HOURLY IT IS EXPECTED THAT ILLEGAL PARKING IN THE AREA WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED AND THE PARK-AND-RIDE PURPOSE WILL BE SERVED.
IN ADDITION, PLANS ARE IN HAND TO RE-DESIGNATE SOME ON-STREET PRIVATE CAR PARKING SPACES IN THE AREA FOR LORRY PARKING ONCE THE CARPARK IS OPERATIONAL.
ACCESS TO THE CARPARK IS FROM KWAI FOO ROAD AND KWAI FUK ROAD.
-------o ---------
/16........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1983
- 16 -
TWO HORE FOOTBRIDGES OPENED t t M
PEDESTRIANS IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO DODGE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND WAIT FOR THE LIGHTS TO CHANGE FOLLOWING THE OPENING TODAY OF TWO FOOTBRIDGES IN THE BUSY AREA.
THE STRUCTURES, WHICH SPAN SALISBURY ROAD AND MODY ROAD, WERE DECLARED OPEN AT A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY PERFORMED THIS AFTERNOON BY MR CHAN WAI-WANG AND MR CHIU YU-HEI, MEMBERS OF THE YAUMATI DISTRICT BOARD.
THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, MR EDDIE SHORT, SAID THE FOOTBRIDGES, COSTING |21 MILLION, WOULD CATER FOR THE CONSTANT MOVEMENT OF PEDESTRIANS BETWEEN THE NEW PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS AND THE RECENTLY-COMPLETED PROMENADE IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
♦DIRECT ACCESS FROM THE FOOTBRIDGES INTO SHOPPING AND COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES HAS ALSO BEEN PROVIDED BY THE DEVELOPERS,♦ HE SAID.
THE FOOTBRIDGES, WHICH ARE ROOFED THROUGHOUT TO PROVIDE SHADE AND PROTECTION DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, ARE OF A BOLD ARCHITECTURAL FORM AND HAVE EASY RAMPED ACCESS FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED.
-----o------
'DOUBLE GOOD FORTUNE’ FOR SHA TIN
* * * *
AN ELDERLY LADY BORN IN THE YEAR OF THE PIG 96 YEARS AGO SWITCHED ON THE TRADITIONAL LUNAR NEW YEAR LIGHTS IN SHA TIN THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DONALD TSANG, EXPRESSED THE BELIEF THAT THE SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY WOULD BRING +DOUBLE GOOD FORTUNE* TO THE NEW TOWN IN THE COMING YEAR.
♦OUR GIANT CHUBBY PIG DESIGN SIGNIFIES GOOD LUCK WHILE THE NAME OF OUR ELDERLY LADY, LAI SZE, SOUNDS JUST THE SAME AS GOOD
LUCK
YEAR
IN CANTONESE - LYSEE.
♦THE HAPPY COINCIDENCE IS INDEED A GOOD OMEN FOR THE COMING OF THE PIG,+ HE SAID.
THE CHUBBY PIS AND SOME 30 000 COLOURFUL BULBS WILL LIGHT UP THE NEW TOWN EVERY NIGHT UNTIL THE SEVENTH DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR (FEBRUARY 19), CARRYING A MESSAGE OF HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND WELL-BEING.
MEANWHILE, A PHOTO EXHIBITION OF RECENT FESTIVE LIGHTINGS IN SHA TIN IS NOW ON IN THE LOBBY OF THE SHA TIN KCR STATION. ADMISSION IS FREE.
-----0------
/17........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 198}
- 17 -$36-M LAND FORMATION CONTRACT SIGNED * * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TODAY AWARDED A 136-MILLION CONTRACT TO GAMMON (HONG KONG) LTD. FOR THE FORMATION OF ABOUT 4.3 HECTARES OF LAND ON THE NORTH-WESTERN COASTLINE OF PENG CHAU AND ON TAI LEI ISLAND.
THE LAND FORMED WOULD PROVIDE SITES FOR PRIVATE HOUSING, A MARKET COMPLEX, A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AND PUMPING STATION, AN ABATTOIR, AND ALSO FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT WILL BE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BRIDGE LINKING TAI LEI ISLAND WITH PENG CHAU AND A JETTY ON TAI LEI ISLAND.
THE PROJECT FORMS PART OF THE PENG CHAU ISLAND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME UNDERTAKEN BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT BRANCH OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
-----0------
FESTIVE LIGHTING IN TUEN MUN ft ft * ft *
TWO +GODS OF PROSPERITY+ WILL RISE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AND BRING GOOD LUCK AND FORTUNE TO RESIDENTS IN TUEN MUN.
SIGNIFYING HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY, THE GODS, EACH SEVEN-KTRES TALL, WILL BE ERECTED ON A KNOLL OF A PROPOSED TOWN PARK AT THE JUNcflON OF PUI TO ROAD AND TUEN^MUN^HEUNG^SZE WUI ROAD
AS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S LUNAR NEW
THE DECORATIONS INCLUDE SOME 4 000 COLOURFUL LIGHT BULBS ALONG MAJOR ROADS.
THE HEUNG YEE KUK CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT, AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BILLY LAM, WILL JOINTLY SWITCH ON THE FESTIVE LIGHTING AND FLOOD LIGHTS ON THE GODS AT 6.30 PM TOMORROW.
THE SEASONAL LIGHTING DISPLAY COVERS A WIDE AREA -- ALONG TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD FROM MING NGA I STREET TO YAU 01 AND ON TING ESTATES-? AND ON PUI TO ROAD FROM SAN FAT ESTATE TO THE ROUNDABOUT OF TUEN MUN ROAD.
THE SWITCH-ON CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE OPEN SPACE ADJACENT TO HOH FUK TONG PRIMARY SCHOOL AT SAN FAT ESTATE.
THE FESTIVE LIGHTING AND DECORATIONS, COSTING THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD ABOUT $50 000, WILL BE SWITCHED ON NIGHTLY BETWEEN 7 PM AND MIDNIGHT UNTIL FEBRUARY 15, AND THEREAFTER ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS UNTIL MARCH 6.
MEANWHILE, NUMEROUS LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR THE LOCAL PEOPLE, INCLUDING NEW YEAR CARNIVALS, FOLK SONG PARTIES, MODEL-CAR RACtS AND BALLET DANCE PERFORMANCE.
- - 0 - -
/18
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1983
18
REFRESHER COURSES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS * * * *
FOUR RETRAINING COURSES WILL BE CONDUCTED BY GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN THE 1983-84 ACADEMIC YEAR FOR TEACHERS OF GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
HEADS OF THESE SCHOOLS ARE INVITED TO NOMINATE TEACHERS FOR THE COURSES, WHICH WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE AND LAST FOR EIGHT WEEKS EACH.
♦THE AIM OF THESE COURSES IS TO ACQUAINT TEACHERS WITH MODERN TEACHING METHODS AND APPROACHES TO PROMOTE FURTHER UNDERSTANDING IN THE USE OF RESOURCES, AND TO INTRODUCE NEW CONCEPTS OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
♦EMPHASIS WILL BE ON PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF TEACHING, HELPING TEACHERS TO DEVELOP'MODERN METHODS IN PROGRAMMED LEARNING, TEAM TEACHING AND THE ACTIVITY APPROACH,*- HE ADDED.
THE MAJOR PART OF THE PROGRAMME WILL CONSIST OF WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS AND TUTORIALS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISCUSSION OF PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN CLASSROOM SITUATIONS, THE CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN OF TEACHING AIDS, AND VISITS TO VARIOUS TEACHING CENTRES AND SCHOOLS USING THE ACTIVITY APPROACH.
THOSE NOMINATED FOR THE COURSE MUST HAVE AT LEAST FIVE YEARS’ TEACHING EXPERIENCE AFTER INITIAL TRAINING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
REPLACEMENT TEACHERS MAY BE EMPLOYED BY THE SCHOOL TO STAND IN FOR TEACHERS ON RETRAINING COURSES.
PARTICIPATION WILL NOT CONSTITUTE ANY QUALIFICATION BUT CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE ISSUED TO THOSE WHO HAVE FOLLOWED THE COURSE WITH SATISFACTORY ATTENDANCE.
NOMINATIONS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (FURTHER EDUCATION), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 3/F, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG BY MARCH 18.
SCHOOLS WILL BE INFORMED IN MID-APRIL WHETHER THEIR NOMINATIONS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE COURSES MAY BE MADE TO GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON ON 3-885061 EXT. 231 AND THOSE REGARDING REPLACEMENT TEACHERS TO THE DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER CONCERNED.
-------o---------
/19........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1983
19
CHAMPION FISHERMEN RECEIVE PRIZES ft ft ft
FISHERMEN WHO LANDED THE MOST CATCH IN THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION'S WHOLESALE MARKETS LAST YEAR WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES. DR LAWRENCE LEE ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 12) AT A LUNAR NEW YEAR CEREMONY AT THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET ON SHEK PAI WAN ROAD, ABERDEEN.
FIVE OF THE FISHERMEN WILL ALSO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL PRIZES FOR WINNING THE TITLES OF CHAMPION FISHERMEN ON A DISTRICT BASIS.
A FURTHER FIVE FISHERMEN WHO HELPED SAVE LIVES AT SEA WILL RECEIVE AWARDS FROM DR LEE, WHILE 20 STAFF MEMBERS OF THE FISH AND VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATIONS WILL RECEIVE LONG-SERVICE AWARDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ANNUAL PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET AT 102 SHEK PAI WAN ROAD, AT 10.45 AM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 12).
-------o---------
NEW YEAR CLOSURE OF NT SPORTS FACILITIES x x x
A NUMBER OF RECREATION AND SPORTS FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
CLOSED FROM 4 PM ON SATURDAY TO MONDAY (FEBRUARY 14) WILL BEi
ISLANDS DISTRICT! CHEUNG CHAU SPORTSGROUND
KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT: KWAI SHING PUBLIC SQUASH COURTS, OSMAN RAMJU SADICK MEMORIAL GAMES HALL, KWAI CHUNG SPORTSGROU WO Yl HOP ROAD SPORTSGROUND;
NORTH DISTRICT: FANLING NEW TOWN SQUASH COURTS;
SHA TIN DISTRICT: SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SQUASH COURT AND TENNIS COURTS, SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB TEMPORARY SPORTSGROUND, SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD SPORTSGROUND;
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT: YEUNG UK ROAD SPORTSGROUND, SHA TSUI
ROAD TENNIS COURTS; AND
YUEN LONG DISTRICT: SIR DENYS ROBERTS SQUASH COURTS.
THE FANLING PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX WILL BE CLOSED FROM SATURDAY TO TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 15), THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------o-------
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1983
20
PAY OH STATUTORY HOLIDAYS M * M *
EMPLOYERS WERE REMINDED TCD4Y (THURSDAY) TO INCLUDE IN STATUTORY HOLIDAY PAY ALLOWANCES PAYABLE TO THE EMPLOYEE UNDER
THE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT.
THE REMINDER WAS ISSUED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF COMPLAINTS FROM EMPLOYEES WHO WERE PAID ONLY THEIR BASIC WAGES ON STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
HOLIDAY PAY, A SPOKESMAN SAID. SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEAL AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNIJ4GS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS ON THE DAYS WORKED DURING A PERIOD OF 28 DAYS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY, HE ADDED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAY PAY MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS AREi FOR KOWLOON EAST 3-205638; KOWLOON WEST 3-201652 ! KOWLOON SOUTH 3-319*54 5 KWUN TONG 3-8985201 TSUEN WAN 0-4980208; TAI PO 0-6577111 EXT. 114; TUEN MUN 0-818443’ HONG KONG ISLAND (WEST) 5-268671 AND HONG KONG ISLAND (EAST) 5-282523.
-------o
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 198?
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
+HONG KUNG TONIGHT+ ON TV SOON ................................. 1
GREATER CONTROL ON OIL STORAGE INSTALLATIONS ................... 1
NEW ROAD NETWORK TO SERVE KORNHILL ............................. 2
FOOTBRIDGES FOR NORTH POINT AND QUARRY BAY ..................... 3
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHE KUNG FESTIVAL...................... 3
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE .................. 5
FERRY SERVICES CANCELLED FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY ................. 5
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1933
1
♦HONG KONG TONIGHT+ ON TV SOON ft ft ft ft ft
RTHK IS TO LAUNCH HONG KONG’S FIRST NIGHTLY CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMME ON TELEVISION - IN A PEAK-TIME SLOT.
THE PROGRAMME, ♦HONG KONG TONIGHT*, WILL BE TRANSMITTED AT 8.00 PM ON ATV’S CHINESE CHANNEL FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, STARTING ON FEBRUARY 21. EACH EDITION WILL LAST HALF-AN-HOUR.
THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR STUART WILKINSON, SAID HE BELIEVED THAT WHILE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG NATURALLY WANTED TO BE ENTERTAINED BY TELEVISION THEY WERE ALSO KEEN TO LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT EVENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING THEIR DAILY LIVES. HE HOPED THE PROGRAMME WOULD ANSWER THAT NEED.
♦IT IS NOT A NEWS PROGRAMME. WE SHALL NOT BE CHASING FIRE ENGINES. WE AIM TO COVER A NUMBER OF SUBJECTS EACH NIGHT, GIVING BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON AFFAIRS OF THE DAY, PLUS TOPICAL FILMS AND VIDEO REPORTS.
♦WE ARE CONSCIOUS THAT, IN ORDER TO SUCCEED, THE PROGRAMME WILL HAVE TO BE NOT ONLY INFORMATIVE BUT ATTRACTIVE AND ENTERTAINING. IT WILL HAVE TO DESERVE ITS PLACING AT PEAK TIME.+
MR WILKINSON ALSO ANNOUNCED DETAILS OF A NEW CLASSROOM OF THE AIR - A WEEKLY HOUR-LONG PACKAGE WHICH WILL INCLUDE ENGLISH LESSONS FOR CANTONESE SPEAKERS, PLUS SUBJECTS LIKE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, INTERIOR DESIGN, CONSUMER PROTECTION, THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG AND MUSIC APPRECIATION.
THE PACKAGE, CALLED +LOOK AND LEARN+, WILL GO OUT EARLY ON SUNDAY MORNINGS AND HAS BEEN DEVELOPED FOLLOWING A NUMBER OF EXPERIMENTS WHICH SHOWED A CONSIDERABLE APPETITE FOR LEARNING AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMES.
OTHER RTHK TELEVISION PLANS FOR 1983 INCLUDE +VARSITY CHALLENGE*, A SERIES OF DEBATES INVOLVING TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG AND POSSIBLY THROUGHOUT THE REGION, AND DRAMA SERIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AND ABOUT LIFE IN ONE OF THE TERRITORY’S HOSPITALS.
------0-------
GREATER CONTROL ON OIL STORAGE INSTALLATIONS ft ft ft ft
AMENDMENTS TO THE BUILDING (OIL STORAGE INSTALLATIONS) REGULATIONS. WHICH AIM TO IMPOSE GREATER CONTROL ON THE CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF OIL STORAGE INSTALLATIONS, WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
THE UW REGULATIONS WERE MADE FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF THE BUILDING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 19 THIS YEAR.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 198} .
2
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE EXISTING REGULATIONS, MADE IN 1978, DID NOT GIVE SUFFICIENT CONTROL OVER THE MAINTENANCE OF OIL STORAGE TANKS OR THE OPERATION CF OIL STORAGE INSTALLATIONS.
THE NEW REGULATIONS MAKE IT MANDATORY THAT THE OPERATION OF AN INSTALLATION SHOULD BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPROVED OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS AND MAKE NEGLIGENT OPERATION AN OFFENCE.
ONE OF THE AMENDED REGULATIONS EMPOWERS THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE THE OPERATOR TO EMPTY A TANK CONSIDERED TO BE UNFIT FOR STORING OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS.
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS ALSO GIVEN THE POWER TO SEIZE, REMOVE AND DETAIN ANY OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS STORED IN AN UNFIT TANK IF THE OPERATOR FAILS TO EMPTY THE TANK WHEN REQUIRED.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT ADVANCES THE COMMENCEMENT OF PERIODIC INSPECTIONS OF THE EXTERNAL SHELL OF A STORAGE TANK.
THE EXISTING FORMS FOR LICENSING WILL BE SUBSTITUTED BY TWO NEW ONES.
-------0----------
NEW ROAD NETWORK TO SERVE KORNHILL * * * *
PLANS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CONSTRUCT AN EXTENSIVE ROAD NETWORK AT KORNHILL TO SERVE THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELEVATED ROAD TO FORM A LINK TO THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, A FLYOVER RUNNING FROM KING’S ROAD NEAR TAI FUNG AVENUE TO THE SOUTH TO LINK UP WITH THE NEW ROADS IN THE AREA AND THE REALIGNMENT OF A SECTION OF KING’S ROAD.
ALSO INCLUDED WILL BE THE EXTENSION OF GREIG ROAD TO SERVE THE THREE SCHOOLS AND FUTURE HOUSING AT THE WOODSIDE AND OTHER MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXISTING ROADS IN THE AREA.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED PROJECT MAY BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE ; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (HONG KONG NORTH), MURRAY BUILDING. 3RD FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 884-886 KING’S ROAD, GROUND AND 1ST FLOORS, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSALS MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN 63 DAYS.
o - -
/3
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1983
3
FOOTBRIDGES FOR NORTH POINT AND QUARRY BAY
*****
THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PLANS TO CONSTRUCT ANOTHER THREE FOOTBRIDGES IN NORTH POINT AND QUARRY BAY TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE PROPOSED FOOTBRIDGES WOULD SPAN ACROSS JAVA ROAD AT THE JUNCTION OF NORTH POINT AND JAVA ROADS, ACROSS KING’S ROAD AT THE JUNCTION OF JAVA ROAD AND KING’S ROAD AND ACROSS SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AT THE JUNCTION OF SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND TA I KOO SHING ROAD.
HE SAID THE AIM OF BUILDING THE SERIES OF FOOTBRIDGES WAS TO PROMOTE TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND TO ELIMINATE THE DISRUPTION TO VEHICULAR FLOW CAUSED BY PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS ON GROUND LEVEL.
THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OF PARTS OF THE ALIGNMENTS AND WIDTHS OF JAVA ROAD, KING’S ROAD AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD.
NOTICES CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
PLANS SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (HONG KONG NORTH), MURRAY BUILDING, THIRD FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 884-886 KING’S ROAD, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSALS MUST SEND HIS WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN 60 DAYS.
- - 0 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHE KUNG FESTIVAL
*****
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN SHA TIN ON THE THIRD DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR (FEBRUARY 15) WHEN LARGE CROWDS ARE EXPECTED TO VISIT THE CHE KUNG TEMPLE TO PRAY FOR GOOD LUCK AND GOOD FORTUNE.
THESE INCLUDE A ONE-WAY PEDESTRIAN CIRCUIT WHICH ALL WORSHIPPERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO USE, EXTRA STANDS FOR BUSES, SPECIAL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND TAXIS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THE ONE-WAY CIRCUIT WOULD BE WELL-MARKED WITH SIGN POSTS AND POLICE OFFICERS WOULD BE PRESENT TO ASSIST VISITORS.
/THERE WILL
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 198}
THERE WILL BE TWO ENTRY POINTS TO THE CIRCUIT, ONE ON SHING HO ROAD IN TAI WAI WHERE THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS AND TAXI STANDS WILL BE LOCATED, AND THE OTHER ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NEAR THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS DEPOT FOR PEOPLE ARRIVING BY BUSES.
♦ACCESS TO AND FROM THE TEMPLE WILL BE QUICKER AND MORE CONVENIENT BY THE PEDESTRIAN CIRCUIT AS MORE THAN 100 000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED ON THAT DAY,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ALSO APPEALED TO ALL WORSHIPPERS TO CO-OPERATE BY USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND OBSERVING THE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS.
EXTRA SERVICES WILL BE ADDED TO THE FOLLOWING FIVE BUS ROUTES WHICH WILL GO THROUGH THE LION ROCK TUNNELi
ROUTE 70 - JORDAN ROAD TO SHEUNG SHU I,
ROUTE 71 - JORDAN ROAD TO WO CHE ESTATE,
ROUTE 81M - KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION TO SUN TIN WAI ESTATE,
ROUTE 85 - KOWLOON CITY TO TAI WAI, AND
ROUTE 89 - KWUN TONG TO LEK YUEN ESTATE.
MAX I CAB NO. 61M FROM KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION TO TAI WAI VIA THE LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL ALSO HAVE ITS SERVICES STRENGTHENED.
WORSHIPPERS RETURNING TO KOWLOON AFTER VISITING THE TEMPLE SHOULD HEAD FOR THE BUS STOP NEAR THE KMB DEPOT.
THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED THAT PARKING FOR PRIVATE CARS WOULD ONLY BE TOLERATED ALONG SHA TIN TAU ROAD. HOWEVER, HE URGED ALL WORSHIPPERS TO MAKE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHICH SHOULD BE ADEQUATE FOR THE OCCASION.
HE URGED ALL VISITORS TO BE CAREFUL WHEN BURNING JOSS STICKS.
HE ALSO WARNED HAWKERS NOT TO SELL HYDROGEN-FILLED BALLOONS BECAUSE OF THE DANGER OF EXPLOSION.
FOR PEOPLE VISITING OTHER PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ON THAT DAY, THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED THEM TO USE TAI PO ROAD IN ORDER TO AVOID CONGESTION. THE ELECTRIC TRAINS WILL RUN AT 10-MINUTE INTERVALS AS USUAL.
MEANWHILE, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT MAN LAM ROAD IN TAI WAI WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 15 AND 16) BETWEEN 7 AM AND 6 PM DAILY.
/5........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1983
5 ' -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE * * * *
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN CAUSEWAY BAY FROM 6 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO 6 AM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 13) AS A LARGE TURN-OUT WAS EXPECTED AT THE FLOWER FAIR IN VICTORIA PARK.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, VEHICLES ALONG QUEENSWAY AND HENNESSY ROAD HEADING FOR NORTH POINT MAY TRAVEL VIA THE FLYOVERS AT ARSENAL STREET, FLEMING ROAD OR MARSH ROAD, OR THEY MAY USE PERCIVAL STREET, LEIGHTON ROAD AND CANAL ROAD WEST FLYOVER.
THOSE HEADING FOR TAI HANG AREA MAY USE QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND STUBBS ROAD OR TRAVEL VIA PERCIVAL STREET, LEIGHTON ROAD, WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND BLUE POOL ROAD.
VEHICLES ALONG KING’S ROAD HEADING FOR WAN CHAI AREA MAY USE TSI NG FUNG STREET FLYOVER OR TRAVEL VIA TUNG LO WAN ROAD, MORETON TERRACE, CAUSEWAY ROAD AND LEIGHTON ROAD.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES WHEN ATTENDING THE FLOWER FAIR.
HE SAID SPECIAL BUS AND TRAM SERVICES TO CAUSEWAY BAY WOULD BE PROVIDED.
0 - -
FERRY SERVICES CANCELLED FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY * * * * *
FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD AND WAN CHAI WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED ON SUNDAY NIGHT (FEBRUARY 13) FOR THE FIREWORKS D-ISPLAY.
THE SAILINGS AT 9 PM AND 9.20 PM FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS WILL BE CANCELLED ON THAT DAY.
ATTENTION NEWS ED I TORSt
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO ISSUE OF THE DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 12 AND 13).
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER READY MD OF YE21R........................ 1
MUSEUM OF ART PLAYING MULTIPLE ROLES .......................... 2
TINNING THE BATTLE AGAINST COUl^TERFEITING..................... 4
HEALTH EDUCATION LIBRARIES .................................... 5
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER COMPETITION .......................... 6
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1983
1
TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER READY END OF YEAR ******
wORK ON HONG KONG’S LATEST +S+ SHAPED ELEVATED ROAD, THE TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER, IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY AND WILL BE COMPLETED TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE 550-METRE LONG, TWO-WAY FLYOVER, WILL RUN FROM THE LOWER END OF TAI HANG ROAD, THROUGH MORETON TERRACE, ACROSS CAUSEWAY ROAD TO JOIN GLOUCESTER ROAD ON THE WEST SIDE OF VICTORIA PARK.
♦THERE WILL BE CONNECTING RAMPS AT MORETON TERRACE AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI HANG ROAD AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE AND AN OFF-STREET BUS TERMINUS.
THE 35-METRE COVERED FOOTBRIDGE WILL SPAN CAUSEWAY ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH SHELTER STREET WHILE THE NEw BUS TERMINUS WILL BE LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF MORETON TERRACE AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD.
THE ALIGNMENT OF THE ELEVATED ROAD HAS BEEN DESIGNED IN AN +S+ SHAPE, TO MINIMISE THE ENCROACHMENT OF THE FLYOVER INTO THE SOUTHWESTERN CORNER OF VICTORIA PARK, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
INTENSIVE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS SERVED BY TAI HANG ROAD HAS GENERATED A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN TRAFFIC IN THIS PART OF CAUSEWAY BAY, HE SAID.
DURING PEAK HOURS TRAFFIC CONGESTIONS OFTEN OCCUR AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI HANG ROAD AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD WHERE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT, ESPECIALLY OF SCHOOL CHILDREN, IS ALSO HEAVY.
WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE FLYOVER, THE SITUATION WILL IMPROVE AS TRAFFIC COMING DOWN OR GOING UP TAI HANG ROAD CAN AVOID A NUMBER OF ROAD JUNCTIONS AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS IN THE AREA. TRAFFIC IN CAUSEWAY BAY SHOULD ALSO IMPROVE, THE SPOKESMAN oA ID.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1983
- 2 -
MUSEUM OF ART PLAYING MULTIPLE ROLES ******
THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF ART PLAYS AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE PROMOTION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF LOCAL ART.
WITH THE COSMOPOLITAN NATURE OF HONG KONG SOCIETY, LOCAL ARTISTS ARE ABLE TO DEVELOP AN ART FORM UNIQUE IN ITSELF. THEIR WORKS OFTEN REPRESENT A FUSION OF EASTERN AND WESTERN ART, BLENDING STYLES, TECHNIQUES, COLOURS AND GRAPHIC DESIGNS OF DIFFERENT CULTURES.
+IT IS IMPORTANT TO DISCOVER AND ENCOURAGE THESE TALENTS AND PROVIDE A VENUE FOR THEIR WORKS SO THAT THEY CAN BE APPRECIATED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,* MR LAURENCE TAM, THE CURATOR OF THE MUSEUM OF ART, SAID.
TO THIS END, THE MUSEUM HOLDS A BIENNIAL EXHIBITION OF WORKS BY LOCAL ARTISTS. THE EXHIBITION IS DIVIDED INTO SIX CATEGORIES: CHINESE PAINTINGS, WESTERN PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES, PRINTS, CALLIGRAPHY, DRAWINGS AND OTHERS. AN AWARD WINNER IS CHOSEN FROM EACH OF THEM. |
+THE WINNERS ARE THEN GIVEN ABOUT ONE YEAR’S TIME TO CREATE MORE WORKS WHICH WILL BE SHOWN IN AN URBAN COUNCIL FINE ART AWARD WINNERS EXHIBITION SO THAT TALENTS ARE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL,* MR TAM SAID.
THIS HAS PROVED TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE IN THE PROMOTION OF LOCAL ART. IN 1981, OVER 1 230 ENTRIES WERE RECEIVED FOR THE BIENNIAL EXHIBITION AND 141 ITEMS WERE SELECTED FOR DISPLAY. THE NEXT EXHIBITION wILL BE HELD IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF LOCAL ARTISTS, THE MUSEUM ALSO HOLDS PERIODICAL EXHIBITIONS FOR WELL-KNOWN HONG KONG ARTISTS. THESE ARTISTS ARE USUALLY RECOGNISED FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MODERN ART AND PLAY LEADING ROLES IN THE LOCAL ART SCENE.
SOME OF THESE EXHIBITIONS HELD INCLUDED CHAO SHAO-AN’S CHINESE BIRD-AND-FLOWER PAINTINGS, WUCIUS WONG’S PAINTINGS, PRINTS AND DRAWINGS, AND CHEUNG YEE’S SCULPTURES.
AT PRESENT, THE MUSEUM’S COLLECTIONS CONSIST OF MORE THAN 1 083 ITEMS OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART, 949 CHINESE PAINTINGS, 1 516 ITEMS OF CHINESE CERAMICS, ANTIQUITIES AND OTHER CRAFTS, AND 863 HISTORIAL PICTURES OF HONG KONG AND CHINA.
MR TAM SAID THAT THIS YEAR THE MUSEUM wAS ALLOCATED £3.6 MILLION FOR FURTHER EXPANDING ITS COLLECTIONS. + THE FUND WILL BE USED MAINLY FOR ACQUIRING REPRESENTATIVE WORKS OF ART TO FILL GAPS IN THE COLLECTIONS. OTHER THAN WORKS OF ART DIRECTLY RELATED TO HONG KONC , THOSE ORIGINATING FROM CHINA AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA ARE ALSO COLLECTED BECAUSE OF OUR CHINESE HERITAGE AND OUR CLOSE RELATJONSHIP WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES,* HE SAID.
/BSSIDSS MOUNTING........
MONDAY, P^BaUAitY 14, 1^3
3
BESIDES MOUNTING EXHIBITIONS OF ITEMS FROM ITS OWN COLLECTION, THE MUSEUM AIMS AT PROVIDING A BALANCED PROGRAMME TO INTRODUCE TO THE PUBLIC THE BEST WORKS OF ART FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD.
AS AN EXAMPLE, HE CITED THE EXHIBITION OF ANCIENT CHINESE BRONZES NOW BEING HELD TILL APRIL 3 AT THE MUSEUM. IT FEATURES 53 ANCIENT CHINESE BRONZES DATING FROM THE SHANG DYNASTY (16TH TO 11TH CENTURY B.C.) TO THE WARRING STATES PERIOD (5TH TO 3RD CENTURY B.C.). THE EXHIBITS ARE SELECTED FROM THE BRONZE COLLECTION OF THE SHANGHAI MUSEUM.
DISPLAY FROM OTHER COUNTRIES INCLUDE ’PICASSO-INTIME’ HELD RECENTLY. IT CONSISTED OF 86 PAINTINGS, WATERCOLOURS, SCULPTURES AND CERAMICS BY ONE OF THE GREATEST 2OTH CENTURY ARTISTS CHOSEN FROM THE COLLECTION OF HIS DAUGHTER, MAYA RUIZ-PICASSO.
♦ THE MUSEUM ALSO ASSUMES MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES TO PROMOTE ART EDUCATION BEYOND ITS PHYSICAL BOUNDARIES,* MR TAM POINTED OUT.
LECTURES ON ART ARE ORGANISED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WITH FAMOUS LOCAL AND OVERSEAS ARTISTS AS GUEST SPEAKERS AND FREE FILM SHOWS ARE ARRANGED ON A REGULAR BASIS.
LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 278 315 PEOPLE VISITED THE MUSEUM WHICH PRESENTED 14 EXHIBITIONS.
+THE MUSEUM ALSO PUBLISHES BOCKS ON ART, USUALLY COVERING ITS EXHIBITIONS. THESE BOOKS WITH COLOUR ILLUSTRATIONS AND WRITINGS ON SELECTED ART TOPICS HAVE BECOME COLLECTORS’ ITEMS AND SERVE ALSO AS USEFUL REFERENCE MATERIALS IN THE STUDY OF ART,* MR TAM SAID.
+THE MUSEUM HAS BEEN HOLDING THESE YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITIES DESPITE ITS VERY LIMITED SPACE ON THE TOP THREE FLOORS OF THE CITY HALL,* MR TAM COMMENTED.
NEVERTHELESS, THE MUSEUM WILL SOON HAVE A BRANCH AT FLAGSTAFF HOUSE wHEN CONVERSION WORK IS COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR. THIS BRANCH WILL BECOME A TEA WARE MUSEUM DISPLAYING OVER 430 ITEMS OF TEA WARE, DATING FROM THE 7TH TO THE 2OTH CENTURY, DONATED BY MR K.S. LO, A FORMER MEMBER OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.
+THIS IS GOING TO BE A MUSEUM THAT WE SHALL BE PROUD OF BECAUSE IT WAS THE CHINESE wHO FIRST DEVELOPED THE REFINED HABIT OF DRINKING TEA AND HAVE A LONG HISTORY AND HERITAGE IN THIS ASPECT, ALTHOUGH THE JAPANESE ARE WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR TEA CEREMONY TODAY,* MR TAM SAID.
HOWEVER, MR TAM REMARKED THAT THE PRESSURE ON SPACE COULD NOT BE RELIEVED UNTIL THE PROPOSED PERMANENT MUSEUM OF ART IN THE TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURAL CENTRE IS COMPLETED.
THE PERMANENT MUSEUM WILL HAVE A FLOOR ARtA OF 12 000 SQUARE NETRES, ABOUT TEN TIMES BIGGER THAN ITS PRESENT PREMISES.
+ BY THEN, wE SHALL BE ABLE TO DISPLAY OUR ART COLLECTIONS PERMANENTLY FJR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT, INSTEAD OF KEEPING THE MAJOR PART OF THE COLLECTION IN STORAGE AS wE ARE DOING NC«,+ MR TAM ADDED.
------o-------
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1983
4 -
WINNING THE BATTLE AGAINST COUNTERFEITING
* * * *
OFFICERS OF THE TRADE CONTROLS INVESTIGATION BRANCH OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT 571 OPERATIONS LAST YEAR - AN INCREASE OF 34 PER CENT OVER 1981 - RESULTING IN THE SEIZURE OF $16 MILLION WORTH OF COUNTERFEIT MERCHANDISE.
THE GOODS SEIZED UNDER THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE COMPRISED COUNTERFEIT JEANS, FASHION GARMENTS, LEATHERwARE, NECKTIES, SCARVES AND ’T’ SHIRTS VALUED AT $6.6 MILLION; WATCHES BEARING VARIOUS WELL KNOwN BRAND NAMES, VALUED AT $4.2 MILLION; AND CHINESE PATENT MEDICINES AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS VALUED AT OVER SI MILLION. ALSO SEIZED WERE DETERGENTS, HARDWARE, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND FOODSTUFFS WITH A MARKET VALUE OF $4.2 MILLION.
FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS AMOUNTED TO $2.6 MILLION - ALMOST DOUBLE THE TOTAL IMPOSED THE PREVIOUS YEAR. CUSTODIAL SENTENCES INCREASED FROM SIX IN 1981 TO 15 LAST YEAR.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SAID: +THESE FIGURES SHOULD BE VIEWED IN THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG’S 1^82 DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $83 OOO MILLION, INDICATING THAT THE COUNTERFEIT TRADE IS A VERY SMALL PROPORTION OF LEGITIMATE TRADE AS A WHOLE.+
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINED CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND REPRESENTATIVES OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AS WELL AS CONSUMERS, TO CONTAIN THIS ILLICIT AND UNSCRUPULOUS MALPRACTICE.
+ANYBODY WHO HAS SUSPICION THAT GOODS ARE BEING FALSELY LABELLED SHOULD RING THE DEPARTMENT’S HOT LINES, 5-7903267 AND 5-7901074,+ HE ADDED.
0
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1983
5
HEALTH EDUCATION LIBRARIES
******
TWO LIBRARIES STOCKED WITH INFORMATION ON HEALTH TOPICS ARE NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
OPERATED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE LIBRARIES ARE LOCATED AT THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT AT CENTRE POINT BUILDING, 2ND FLOOR, 181-185 GLOUCESTER ROAD, wAN CHAI, HONG KONG, AND AT THE SHA TIN HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, 3RD FLOOR, LEK YUEN HEALTH CENTRE, SHA TIN.
THEY ARE BOTH EQUIPPED WITH A GOOD COLLECTION OF READING MATERIALS ON HEALTH SUBJECTS AND PREVENTION OF DISEASES, AS WELL AS FILMS, SLIDES AND RADIO RECORDINGS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE LIBRARIES WERE ESTABLISHED WITH THE AIM TO DISSEMINATE HEALTH INFORMATION AMONG THE PUBLIC.
+AS OUR MAIN TARGET IS THE YOUNGER SECTOR OF THE POPULATION, SO SPECIAL EFFORTS, SUCH AS THE ORGANISATION OF WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS FOR STUDENTS AND YOUTH GROUPS, ARE MADE TO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT HEALTH,+ HE SAID.
FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO VISIT THE LIBRARIES, VIEWING OF FILMS AND SLIDES WHICH ARE DUBBED IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH CAN BE ARRANGED ON REQUEST.
FACILITY IS ALSO PROVIDED FOR THOSE WHO PREFER TO LISTEN TO HEALTH TALKS RECORDED IN CANTONESE.
THE LIBRARIES ALSO OPERATE A FREE LENDING SERVICE OF ALL THE AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND SCHOOLS.
THOSE WHO WISH TO SEE FILMS AND SLIDES ON HEALTH SUBJECTS OR TO ARRANGE HEALTH EDUCATION SEMINARS FOR YOUTH GROUPS, MAY CALL FOR THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS TO EE MADE BY TELEPHONING 5-720861.
0
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1983
6
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER COMPETITION *****
STUDENTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 22 ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN AN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE COMPETITION WILL BE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS ATTENDING POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES, VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES OR SCHOOLS, AND GOVERNMENT, AIDED AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
IT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO DIVISION ’A’ FOR STUDENTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND DIVISION ’B’ FOR STUDENTS OF POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES AND VOCATIONAL INSTITUTES.
A STUDENT MAY SUBMIT ANY NUMBER OF ENTRIES, WHICH SHOULD BE ON A SHEET OF DRAWING PAPER IN A2 SIZE (420 X 594 MM), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
DESIGNS SHOULD EE SELF-EXPLANATORY AND WORDING KEPT TO A MINIMUM.
THERE WILL BE NO LIMIT TO THE SCOPE AND IMAGINATION OF THE ENTRIES. HOWEVER, THE ORGANISER WOULD LIKc TO HAVE DESIGNS DENOTING EITHER UNSAFE CONDITIONS OR UNSAFE ACTS IN INDUSTRY CR A CONTRAST OF SAFE AND UNSAFE PRACTICE.
THE WINNER OF EACH DIVISION wILL BE AWARDED A $1 500 GIFT COUPON WHILE COUPONS WORTH $300 tACH WILL BE PRESENTED TO 10 OTHER OUTSTANDING ENTRANTS.
ALL PRIZE-WINNERS WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF MERIT.
ENTRIES MUST REACH THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE, LABOUR DEPARTMENT, ROOM 312, THIRD FLOOR, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON BY MARCH 31.
HEADS OF SCHOOLS OR COLLEGES * ILL BE NOTIFIED GF THE COMPETITION RESULTS BY THE ORGANISER.
INFORMATION SHEETS CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE COMPETITION ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE AT 4 DAK FUK ROAD, FIFTH FLOOR, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WIDE RANGE OF NEW BUILDING PROJECTS ............................ 1
MORE METERED WATER SUPPLY DI NT ................................ 2
DISABLED PEOPLE RECEIVDIG UNIQUE VOCATIONAL TRAINING ........... 2
SEMINARS FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH................................ 4
NEW P.O. BOX NUMBER FOR LICENCE APPLICATIONS
5
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1983
WIDE RANGE OF NEW BUILDING PROJECTS
*****
A TOTAL OF 694 NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH 836 IN 1981.
THE DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE YEAR WAS S1O 123 MILLION, AS AGAINST 57 248 MILLION IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED WAS ABOUT 2.236 MILLION SQUARE METRES. IN 1981 IT WAS 2.066 MILLION SQUARE ■METRES.
IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE APPROVED 51 NEW BUILDING PLANS, COMPARED WITH 77 IN THE SAME MONTH IN 1981.
TWENTY-THREE OF THEM WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THREE FOR THOSE IN KOWLOON AND 25 FOR BUILDINGS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY INCLUDED PLANS FOR A SCHOOL EXTENSION IN WONG MA KOK ROAD, A MARKET IN SAI WAN HO, AN INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE AT THE JUNCTION OF SIU YIP STREET AND TAI YIP STREET IN KwUN TONG, AN ELECTRICITY SUBSTATION BETWEEN KWONG FUK ROAD AND PO YICK STREET IN TAI PO AND A TELEPHONE EXCHANGE EXTENSION AT KAM SHEUNG ROAD IN SHEK KONG.
THE USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED LAST DECEMBER TOTALLED 414 132.4 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 292 291.8 SQUARE RETRES OF NON-DOMESTIC AND 121 840.6 SQUARE METRES OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF THESE BUILDINGS WAS SI 683.51 MILLION, COMPARED WITH 31 011.79 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1981.
LAST DECEMBER, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 34 NEW PROJECTS, INCLUDING A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX IN REPULSE BAY, A CHAPEL IN CHING CHEUNG ROAD AND A SCHOOL AT HONG LOK YUEN IN TA I PO.
A TOTAL OF 65 NEWLY COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION DURING THE MONTH, INCLUDING A FIRE AND AMBULANCE STATION AT DISCOVERY BAY ON LANTAU ISLAND AND AN ELECTRICITY SUBSTATION AT HA HANG IN TAI PO.
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO GAVE CONSENT TO THE DEMOLITION OF 39 BUILDINGS.
-----0------
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, . -83
2 -
MORE METERED WATER SUPPLY IN NT * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL SOON IMPLEMENT TwO PROJECTS AIMED AT EXTENDING METERED WATER SUPPLY TO MORE AREAS IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY BY MR LAU JONG-MING, GOVERNMENT WATER ENGINEER (SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION) OF THE DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID THAT VILLAGERS IN YUEN LONG, KAM TIN, PAT HEUNG AND SHEK KONG AREAS WOULD BE PROVIDED WITH INDIVIDUALLY METERED SUPPLY IN STAGES OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
+THE FIRST PROJECT INVOLVES THE LAYING OF ABOUT 17.5 KILOMETRES CF MILD STEEL AND DUCTILE IRON FRESH WATER MAINS RANGING FROM 150 MILLIMETRES TO 600 MILLIMETRES IN DIAMETER IN KAM TIN ROAD, KAM SHEUNG ROAD, LAM KAM ROAD AND FAN KAM ROAD,* HE SAID.
TENDERS WILL SOON BE INVITED FOR THIS PROJECT AND WORK IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE, HE ADDED.
THE SECOND PROJECT WILL INVOLVE THE LAYING OF MORE THAN FIVE KILOMETRES OF FRESH WATER MAINS RANGING FROM 80 MILLIMETRES TO 150 MILLIMETRES IN DIAMETER IN TIN SHUI WAI, MONG TSENG WAI AND NAM SHA PO IN THE NORTHWESTERN PARTS OF YUEN LONG.
+THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL BE PROVIDING FULL METERED SUPPLIES TO VILLAGES WITHIN THE EXISTING AND EXPANDED SUPPLY ZONES AS THE MAIN-LAYING WORK PROGRESSES. THE VILLAGES WILL INCLUDE THOSE CURRENTLY BEING SERVED BY STANDPIPES,* MR LAU SAID.
-----o------
DISABLED PEOPLE RECEIVING UNIQUE VOCATIONAL TRAINING * * * *
VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THE DISABLED IN HONG KONG HAS CHANGED CONSIDERABLY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND EMERGED UNIQUE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
UNLIKE THE REST OF THE REGION WHERE TRAINING IS PROVIDED MAINLY BY SOCIAL WORKERS, IN HONG KONG IT IS CONDUCTED BY TRAINED PERSONNEL FROM COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, WITH SOCIAL WORKERS PLAYING A SUPPORTIVE ROLE.
FOUR YEARS AGO, VOCATIONAL TRAINING HERE WAS, AS IN MOST COUNTRIES, +WELFARE-BIASED+, ACCORDING TO MR GEORGE RIBEIRO, PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT (TEITD).
THE CHANGE CAME ABOUT IN 1979 WHEN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TOOK OVER THE RESPONSIBILITY FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR ALL ASPECTS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR THE DISABLED, IN LINE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN A REHABILITATION WHITE PAPER IN 1977.
/THIS, IN ........
TUESDAY, EEBHUAKY 15, 19c
3
THEN, IN APRIL LAST YEAR, THE TEITD WAS SET UP TO TAKE CHARGE OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING.
♦THIS CENTRALISED ADMINISTRATION OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THE HANDICAPPED ALSO MAKES HONG KONG DISTINCT FROM OTHER COUNTRIES,* MR CHAN WING-TSUNG, ANOTHER INSPECTOR OF THE TEITD, SAID.
MR CHAN EXPLAINED THAT THE +JOB-ORIENTED+ APPROACH COULD MORE REALISTICALLY SERVE THE PURPOSE OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING -- TO EQUIP THE TRAINEES WITH SKILLS TO OFFSET THEIR DISABILITIES SO THAT THEY MAY TAKE UP MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT.
THE TRAINING THUS FOSTERS PRIDE OF CRAFT BY GIVING THE HANDICAPPED PEOPLE A SENSE OF INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-RESPECT.
ALSO, AS PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS AND INSTRUCTORS HAVE CLOSE CONNECTIONS WITH COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THEY ARE BETTER INFORMED ON INDUSTRIAL AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS THAN SOCIAL WORKERS.
THESE CONNECTIONS, MR CHAN ADDED, CAN IN TURN HELP IMPROVE JOB PROSPECTS FOR THE TRAINEES.
BECAUSE OF HONG KONG’S LARGE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON INDUSTRY-RELATED TRAINING THOUGH COMMERCIAL COURSES HAVE ALSO PROVED USEFUL.
A SOPHISTICATED TRAINING CONCEPT, KNOWN AS THE +MODULES OF EMPLOYABLE SKILLS* (MES), WAS DEVELOPED HERE LAST YEAR WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF TWO INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS ON VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION.
UNDER THE MES, HANDICAPPED TRAINEES ARE GUIDED THROUGH SUCCESSIVE TRAINING COURSES, EACH MODIFIED TO SUIT HIS PARTICULAR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, INTELLIGENCE AND PERSONALITY TRAITS.
ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION, HONG KONG IS THE FIRST-EVER TERRITORY TO APPLY THIS MODERN CONCEPT OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THE DISABLED.
THE TEITD RECENTLY STARTED A SPECIALLY-DESIGNED VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT SERVICE FOR ALL HANDICAPPED PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 15.
THE VOCATIONAL STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF INDIVIDUAL DISABLED PERSONS ARE ASSESSED TO PRODUCE ACCURATE PERSPECTIVE FOR THEIR TRAINING AND EMPLOY?4ENT PLACEMENTS.
MR RIBEIRO POINTED OUT THAT SOME COUNTRIES IN THE REGION HAD SHOWN INTEREST IN HONG KONG’S APPROACH.
THE PHILIPPINES LAST YEAR SENT THREE OFFICERS HERE TO SEE, AMONG OTHER ASPECTS OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THE HANDICAPPED, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MES CONCEPT AND THE ASSESSMENT SERVICE. SINGAPORE HAS ALSO REQUESTED INFORMATION.
/AT PRcJSc^T, .........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15,
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE ABOUT 600 HANDICAPPED PERSONS IN HONG KONG RECEIVING VOCATIONAL TRAINING AT SIX TRAINING CENTRES. TWO 0" THE CENTRES ARE RUN BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OTHER FOUR ARE OPERATED BY GOVERNMENT SUBVENTED AGENCIES, MR RIBEIRO SAID.
HE DISCLOSED THAT SITES HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED FOR TWO MORE OCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES FOR THE HANDICAPPED TO BE BUILT IN TUEN MUN AND SHUM WAN IN ABERDEEN. THE CENTRES, EXPECTED TO BE OPENED IN 1985-86, WILL EACH HAVE A CAPACITY OF 300 PLACES AND WILL PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES.
BESIDES THOSE RECEIVING VOCATIONAL TRAINING, MORE THAN 13 000 HANDICAPPED PERSONS ARE ATTENDING NINE YEARS’ GENERAL EDUCATION FREE OF CHARGE, MOST OF THEM IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS OR SPECIAL CLASSES.
AT A HIGHER LEVEL, 39 HANDICAPPED PERSONS ARE CURRENTLY RECEIVING TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THE HANDICAPPED IS ALSO BEING PROVIDED AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR THOSE WHO CAN MEET THE NECESSARY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS.
COURSES AVAILABLE TO THE HANDICAPPED AT VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES INCLUDE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, COMMERCIAL STUDIES AND DESIGN.
COMMERCIAL STUDIES AND DESIGN ARE AMONG THE SUBJECTS WITH THE HANDICAPPED, MR RIBEIRO SAID.
MORE POPULAR
----0------
SEMINARS FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH * * * * *
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE A NUMBER OF SEMINARS ON THE USE OF THE WIRELESS LOOP INDUCTION SYSTEM FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH IN SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS BETWEEN MARCH 25 AND MAY 23.
THE SEMINARS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL BE HELD AT THE KOWLOON OFFICE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE AT MA TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2/F, 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, WHILE THOSE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL BE HELD IN THE KOWLOON OFFICE AND THE HONG KONG OFFICE AT 9A BONHAM ROAD.
THERE WILL BE SHORT TALKS ON THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LISTENING MATERIALS AVAILABLE, DIFFERENT MODES OF UTILISING THE LOOP TO PROMOTE PUPILS’ LISTENING SKILLS, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE EQUIPMENT.
THERE WILL BE PLACES FOR 30 TEACHERS AT EACH SEMINAR FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND 53 PLACES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS. APPLICATIONS WILL BE TREATED ON A FIRST-COMt-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
/H£ADS OF
TU3SDWY, FSSR'JAHY 15, 1?
- 5 -
PEADS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT THE NAMES OF T’-EIR TEACHERS WHO WISH TO ATTEND THE SEMINARS IN ORDER OF PRIORITY TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE ON 0- BEFORE MARCH 10, WHILE PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS SHOULD SEND IN THEIR NOMINATIONS ON OR BEFORE MARCH 14.
MEANWHILE, THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE ALSO INVITES SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS TO NOMINATE THEIR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH TO TTEND A TALK ON ’INDIVIDUALISATION IN TEACHING ENGLISH IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ ON MARCH 12 AT 9A BONHAM ROAD.
THE TALK, TO BE CONDUCTED BY MR RICHARD YOUNG OF THE BRITISH COUNCIL IN HONG KONG, IS THE FIFTH OF SIMILAR TALKS ON THE TEACHING CF ENGLISH AS A SECOND/FOREIGN LANGUAGE.
SCHOOL HEADS WHO WISH TO SEND THEIR TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE TALK SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR NOMINATIONS TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE AT 9A BONHAM ROAD ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1.
NEW P.O. BOX NUMBER FOR LICENCE APPLICATIONS
* * * *
FROM NEXT MONTH, ALL POSTAL APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES ISSUED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO A NEW BOX NUMBER - 69511, KWUN TONG POST OFFICE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE APPLICATIONS COVER RENEWAL OF DRIVING LICENCES AND VEHICLE LICENCES, INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMITS, DUPLICATE REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS AND DUPLICATE VEHICLE LICENCES, AND THE TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP.
APPLICANTS HAVE ONLY TO SEND THE FORMS, PHOTOS AND CHEQUES ALONG WITH OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. THE NEW LICENCES WILL BE DELIVERED TO THEM BY REGISTERED POST A WEEK LATER.
IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS, 3 121 PEOPLE HAD APPLIED FOR LICENCES BY MAIL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
DRIVING TEST APPOINTMENTS SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE HONG KONG LICENSING OFFICE AT MURRAY ROAD, CENTRAL OR ITS KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE AT DUNDAS STREET, MONG KOK, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY CALLING 3-354950.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
REGISTRATION OF CURRENT FINANCE LTD REVOKED.................... 1
APPOINTMENT OF DISTRICT JUDGE................................. 1
RECLAMATION IN MA ON SHAN ................................... 1
NEW YEAR SHOW FOR THE ELDERLY.................................. 2
HONG KONG1 S YOUNG MUSICIANS PERFORM IN MACAU ................. 3
PROFESSIONAL CYCLING FOR ENTHUSIASTS .......................... 3
CRAFTS OF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS PUPILS ON DISPLAY................. 4
WATER STORAGE
4
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1983
1
REGISTRATION OF CURRENT FINANCE LTD REVOKED XXX
THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKI NG COMPANIES, MR COLIN MARTIN, TODAY REVOKED THE REGISTRATION OF CURRENT FINANCE LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY, ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE COMPANY HAS CEASED TO CARRY ON A BUSINESS OF TAKING DEPOSITS.
IN ADDITION, MR MARTIN ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAS LIFTED THE SUSPENSION OF THE REGISTRATION OF FIRST HONG KONG CREDIT LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY. THE COMPANY’S REGISTRATION »AS SUSPENDED ON FEBRUARY 1 BECAUSE IT HAD FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF SPECIFIED LIQUID ASSETS REQUIRED BY LAW DURING DECEMBER 1982. HOwEVER, DURING THE PERIOD OF SUSPENSION, THE COMPANY WAS ABLE TO ADJUST ITS LIQUID POSITION AND IS NOW ABLE TO MEET THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF LIQUIDITY REQUIRED BY LAw.
-----o------
APPOINTMENT OF DISTRICT JUDGE
XXX
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR ERIC LI HUNG-SHING AS DISTRICT JUDGE WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 7.
MR LI WAS BORN IN HONG KONG IN 1939. HE WAS EDUCATED AT NEw RETHOD COLLEGE IN HONG KONG AND AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON. HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR AT LINCOLN’S INN IN I960.
HE SPENT SOME YEARS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE UNTIL HE WAS APPOINTED MAGISTRATE IN HONG KONG IN 1966. HE wAS APPOINTED CROwN COUNSEL IN 1°68 AND PROMOTED TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL IN 1972. IN 1977 HE WAS APPOINTED AS PRESIDING OFFICER, LABOUR TRIBUNAL.
------o-------
RECLAMATION IN MA ON SHAN
XXX
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO USE THE WAN TSAI PENINSULA AT THE NORTHERN TIP OF TOLO CHANNEL AS A BORROW AREA FOR RECLAMATION WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN MA ON SHAN.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE LAND TO BE FORMED IN MA ON SHAN wAS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE GOVERNMENT LAND PRODUCTION PROGRAMME AND FORMED PART OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN STAGE II DEVELOPMENT.
HE SAID, +IT wILL PROVIDE SITES IN THE AREA FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING, TOwN CENTRE, RECREATIONAL AND GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONAL AND COMMUNITY PURPOSES.+
/SOME NINE .......
WEDNESDAY, FSBBUkhY 16, 1583
2
SOME NINE MILLION CUBIC METRES OF FILL MATERIAL wILL BE EXCAVATED FROM THE WAN TSAI PENINSULA OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS.
TO FACILITATE THE PROCESSING AND LOADING OF THE MATERIAL INTO BARGES, ABOUT 0.89 HECTARE RECLAMATION WOULD BE FORMED AT NAM FUNG wAN ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE PENINSULA AND A TEMPORARY JETTY WOULD BE BUILT AT HOI HA WAN ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE PENINSULA, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS OF FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED «AS SET OUT IN A NOTICE IN A RECENT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE NOTICE, IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH, WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
A PLAN SHOWING THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY ALSO BE SEEN AT THE SURVEY DIVISION OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSAL OR ANY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS.
-----o------
NEW YEAR SHOW FOR THE ELDERLY
* * * *
MORE THAN 150 OLD PEOPLE FROM FOUR HOMES FOR THE AGED IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE TREATED TO A HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR ENTERTAINMENT SHOw SPECIALLY ARRANGED FOR THEM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE GATHERING IS ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT LADIES LIAISON GROUP AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD. IT AIMS TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT OF WOMEN IN THE DISTR ICT.
THE SHOW, FEATURING POPULAR TV ARTISTES, WILL CONSIST OF A LION DANCE, GAMES, MAGIC SHOW, CHOIR SINGING, ORIENTAL DANCE AND A LUCKY DRAW.
IT WILL BE HELD AT THE PO LEUNG KUK C.F.A. NO. 1 COLLEGE ON PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD IN TSZ WAN SHAN BETWEEN 1.30 PM AND 4 PM.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1983
3
HONG KONG’S YOUNG MUSICIANS PERFORM IN MACAU * * * *
THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (B) AND Th £ MUSIC OFFICE YOUTH CHOIR TODAY PRESENTED TWO INDOOR CONCERTS IN MACAU.
HEADED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MR CLIVE OXLEY, THE YOUNG MUSICIANS GAVE ONE CONCERT IN THE AFTERNOON AND THE OTHER IN THE EVENING, EACH BEFORE A LARGE AUDIENCE AT THE CINETEATRO MACAU.
THE TOUR, ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, IS AIMED AT PROMOTING ORCHESTRAL AND CHORAL MUSIC AS WELL AS FURTHERING CULTURAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND MACAU.
GUEST CONDUCTOR OF THE CONCERTS WAS DR DANIEL LAW OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WHILE RAYMOND FU, LEE KIN CHUN, BETTY LEUNG AND LINDA LI ALSO TOOK PART IN THE CHOIR AS SOLOLISTS.
-----o------
PROFESSIONAL CYCLING FOR ENTHUSIASTS
* * * *
LOCAL CYCLING ENTHUSIASTS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY A FREE PERFORMANCE AND A CYCLE-BALL DEMONSTRATION MATCH BY A GROUP OF WEST GERMAN PROFESSIONALS IN CENTRAL THIS SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 19) AFTERNOON.
THEY MAY EVEN HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RIDE ON VARIOUS TYPES OF BICYCLES PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG CYCLING ASSOCIATION UNDER SPECIAL SUPERVISION.
THE THREE-HOUR SHOW, TO BE PERFORMED BY THE GERMAN ARTISTIC CYCLING TEAM, WILL BE HELD AT CHATER GARDEN STARTING FROM 1.30 PM.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID: ♦THE TEAM, WHICH CONSISTS OF FOUR MEMBERS, ARE AT PRESENT VISITING HONG KONG AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG CYCLING ASSOCIATION.*
+DURING THEIR STAY HERE, THEY WILL PROVIDE COACHING TO LOCAL CYCLISTS AT THE JUBILEE SPORT CENTRE,* HE ADDED.
THE ARTISTIC PERFORMANCE, WHICH IS AIMED AT PROMOTING THE SPORT, IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND CO-ORGANISED BY iHE DISTRICT’S RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION, RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE, AND THE HONG KONG CYCLING ASSOCIATION.
-----o------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1983
4
CRAFTS OF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS PUPILS ON DISPLAY WWW
ABOUT 2 OOO ITEMS OF CREATIVE WORK BY LOCAL AND OVERSEAS STUDENTS ARE NOW ON DISPLAY AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE AT NORTH POINT.
THESE ITEMS INCLUDE PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS, NEEDLEWORK AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY LOCAL SECONDARY AND PRIMARY STUDENTS.
PAINTINGS BY CHILDREN FROM SOUTH KOREA AND U.S.A. ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE EXHIBITION.
IN ADDITION, VISITORS CAN ALSO SEE THE REPRODUCTION OF 60 PRIZE-WINNING PAINTINGS BY CHILDREN ALL OVER THE WORLD AT A PREVIOUS COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE UNITED NATIONS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD UNTIL FEBRUARY 26 AT THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, 4TH AND 5TH FLOORS, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
-----o------
WATER STORAGE * X *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STOOD AT 71.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 414.711 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 246.095 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 42.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
-----o-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG TO HOST SEMINAR ON MODERN PORT MANAGEMENT............. 1
MONTHLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR DECEMBER 1982 .............................................. 2
MORE PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN PRINTING INDUSTRY ...................... 5
LRS HELPS SETTLE PROBLEMS ...................................... 4
ELECTION DRIVE IN PROGRESS ..................................... 5
STUDY ROOM AND LIBRARY PROPOSED FOR ESTATE...................... 5
DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE IN SHEUNG SHUI .......................... 6
SPECIAL BUS SERVICE FOR CHINESE VISITORS ....................... 6
TAI PO MEAT STALL FOR AUCTION .................................. 7
PARKING METERS IN CHAI WAN ..................................... 7
WATER CUT IN SHEUNG WAN
7
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1983
1
HONG KONG TO HOST SEMINAR ON * * *
MODERN PORT MANAGEMENT *
A MEETING OF CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF REGIONAL PORT AUTHORITIES, FOLLOWED BY A TWO-WEEK SEMINAR ON MODERN PORT MANAGEMENT, WILL TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG STARTING MONDAY (FEBRUARY 21).
ABOUT 25 REPRESENTATIVES FROM EIGHT COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES IN THE REGION ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP) IN COOPERATION WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE MAIN OBJECT OF THE SEMINAR IS TO PROVIDE A FORUM TO DISCUSS SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES RELATING TO PORTS AND PORT MANAGEMENT IN THE ESCAP REGION.
HE SAID PARTICIPANTS WOULD MAINLY CONSIST OF PERSONNEL FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES AND ORGANISATIONS ENGAGED IN EITHER PORT MANAGEMENT OR IN DIRECTING OPERATIONS OF CONTAINER TERMINALS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID HONG KONG HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO HOST THE SEMINAR BECAUSE IT POSSESSES A WEALTH OF MANAGERIAL EXPERTISE IN ADDITION TO A LARGE BODY OF SHIPPING, CARGO HANDLING AND PORT OPERATIONAL EXPERTS.
SIX EXPERTS FROM OVERSEAS WILL GIVE LECTURES AND LEAD DISCUSSIONS. THEY INCLUDE STAFF FROM ESCAP, VARIOUS PORT AUTHORITIES AND FROM MESSRS. GREY MACKENZIE OVERSEAS LTD., LONDON. LOCAL EXPERTS WHO ARE EXPECTED TO DELIVER LECTURES INCLUDE W M.M. PORTER OF MESSRS. SEA-LAND ORIENT LTD., MR CLIVE FLEGG OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS LTD., MISS ELIZABETH 0. SHING OF THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, AND MR BERNARD TANG OF THE HONG KONG MARINE DEPARTMENT.
THE EXPERTS WILL GIVE LECTURES IN THEIR SPECIFIC FIELDS OF INTEREST, IN ADDITION TO ORGANISING SITE VISITS TO VIEW SOME OF THE BUSIEST CONTAINER TERMINALS IN THE WORLD AND WILL BOTH HOST AND PARTICIPATE IN SEMINAR FUNCTIONS. THE SEMINAR IS EXPECTED TO END ON MARCH 2, 1983.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT 10 AM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 21). MR FRANK CHAO, PRESIDENT, WAH KWONG AND CO., LTD., TOGETHER WITH MR DANKO KOLUDROVIC, CHIEF OF SHIPPING, PORTS AND INLAND WATERWAYS DIVISION, UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, WILL OFFICIATE. YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO COVER THE OPENING.
-----0------
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1983
2
MONTHLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR DECEMBER 1982 * * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) RELEASED STATISTICS FROM THE MONTHLY SURVEY FOR DECEMBER 1982. THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES (CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZE IN SEPTEMBER 1979) AS WELL AS THE 43 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICES SECTORS.
AS THE SAMPLE WAS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, THE RESULTS ON MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE MIGHT NOT REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE, BUT SHOULD GIVE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
TAKING ALL THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED AS A WHOLE, EMPLOYMENT DECLINED SLIGHTLY IN DECEMBER 1982 COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH. THE TEXTILES, PLASTIC PRODUCTS, ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES WERE AMONG THOSE WITH DECLINES IN EMPLOYMENT RECORDED OWING TO THE RETRENCHMENT OF WORKERS BY SOME FACTORIES.
PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED IN MOST OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED DUE TO THE AWARD OF YEAR-END BONUSES AND DOUBLE PAY TO EMPLOYEES IN A NUMBER OF FACTORIES SURVEYED, AND SEVERANCE PAY GIVEN TO THE WORKERS LAID OFF BY A FEW OTHERS. HOWEVER, THEY DROPPED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND PLASTICS INDUSTRIES BECAUSE OF LESS OVERTIME WORK CARRIED OUT DURING DECEMBER, AND THE AWARD OF BACKPAY AND SEVERANCE PAY BY A FEW FACTORIES SURVEYED IN THE PRECEDING MONTH.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, EMPLOYMENT DECLINED DUE TO THE RETRENCHMENT OF EMPLOYEES BY SEVERAL COMPANIES SURVEYED. PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED ON ACCOUNT OF THE SEVERANCE PAY GIVEN TO THOSE LAID OFF, AND THE AWARD OF DOUBLE PAY.
IN THE SERVICES SECTOR, PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE BANKS AND HOTELS SURVEYED AS DOUBLE PAY AND YEAR-END BONUSES WERE AWARDED TO EMPLOYEES.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND (IN TERMS OF MONTHS) AS REPORTED BY THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED FOR DECEMBER 1982 INCREASED SLIGHTLY AS COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH.
ORDERS-ON-HAND INCREASED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, WEARING APPAREL AND THE +OTHERS+ CATEGORY OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR. HOWEVER, THEY REMAINED RELATIVELY STABLE IN THE TEXTILES, PLASTICS, AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS WORKED PER WEEK BY OPERATIVES DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY BUT INCREASED IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY AS A FEW FACTORIES SURVEYED REVERTED TO A SIX-DAY WORKING WEEK IN DECEMBER.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT, PER CAPITA EARNINGS AND ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS ARE SHOWN IN THE ACCOMPANYING TABLE.
/THE SURVEY........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1-3
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR DECEMBER 1982 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, AT SI.5 PER COPY ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THt INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (AT 3-7212832).
- - 0 - -
MORE PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN PRINTING INDUSTRY
******
THE GROWTH IN BUSINESS IN THE LOCAL PRINTING INDUSTRY HAS BROUGHT ABOUT AN 18 PER CENT GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF WORKERS EMPLOYED, FROM 18 403 TO 21 677 IN THE TWO YEARS SINCE MARCH 1980.
THIS WAS REVEALED IN THE REPORT OF THE 1982 MANPOWER SURVEY OF THE PRINTING INDUSTRY WHICH HAS JUST BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE PRINTING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE REPORT SAID THAT AS A RESULT OF IMPROVED QUALITY AND COMPETITIVE PRICES OF LOCAL PRINTED PRODUCTS, EXPORTS OF PRINCIPAL PRINTED MATTERS INCLUDING BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, NEWSPAPERS AND JOURNALS ROSE BY 20 PER CENT TO $543 MILLION IN 1981.
THIS WAS BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE INCREASING APPLICATION OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND MODERN MACHINERY.
THE REPORT SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THIS HIGH GROWTH RATE WAS UNLIKELY TO BE SUSTAINED BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC RECESSION, ENQUIRIES BY THE TRAINING BOARD HAD SHOWN THAT PRINTERS WERE CONFIDENT THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE PRESENT LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE UNTIL THE OVERSEAS MARKETS PICK UP AGAIN.
IT SAID THE INDUSTRY WOULD NEED TO CONTINUE ITS TRAINING EFFORTS TO TRAIN WORKERS TO TAKE THE PLACE OF THOSE WHO WOULD BE LEAVING THE INDUSTRY EITHER THROUGH RETIREMENT, MIGRATION OR OTHER REASONS.
THE TRAINING BOARD HAD RECOMMENDED TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT A TRAINING CENTRE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE BASIC TRAINING TO TECHNICIAN, CRAFT AND OPERATIVE TRAINEES.
THE PROPOSAL HAD BEEN ACCEPTED AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WOULD UNDERTAKE TO COORDINATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CENTRE, THE REPORT ADDED.
THE CENTRE, ABOUT 1 600 SQUARE METRES IN AREA, WOULD BE HOUSED IN A TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX LOCATED IN KOWLOON BAY. IT IS EXPECTED TO BE IN OPERATION BY SEPTEMBER 1984 TO PROVIDE 300 TRAINING PLACES EACH YEAR.
DETAILED STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE MANPOWER STRUCTURE OF THE PR 11 ’ING INDUSTRY, THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN EACH PRINCIPAL vOB, A FORECAST OF THE TRAINING NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY ARE ALL CONTAINED IN THE REPORT WHICH IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT °UBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $11 A COPY.
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, l?o3
4
LRS HELPS SETTLE PROBLEMS * * *
A TOTAL OF 19 409 HONG KONG WORKERS LAST YEAR RECEIVED $62 '■'ILL ION FROM THEIR EMPLOYERS AFTER THEIR LABOUR-MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS .ERE SETTLED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE (LRS) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
CF THIS SUM, $29 667 709 OR ABOUT 47.2 PER CENT, WAS SEVERANCE PAYMENTS MADE TO 8 335 EMPLOYEES RENDERED REDUNDANT BY OPERATIONAL OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE REMAINING $33 072 384 WAS PAID AS ARREARS OF WAGES, WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, STATUTORY HOLIDAY PAY, BONUSES AND OTHER PAYMENTS DUE TO 19 409 EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING 8 335 WHO RECEIVED SEVERANCE PAYMENTS.
IN THE SAME YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED, THE LRS HANDLED 174 TRADE DISPUTES, OF WHICH 98, OR MORE THAN 56.3 PER CENT, WERE SETTLED WITH THE HELP OF THE LRS.
THE LRS ALSO PROVIDED CONCILIATION FOR 16 501 CLAIMS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE OR THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT? SETTLED 8 329 OR SOME 50.4 PER CENT OF THEM, AND REFERRED MOST OF THE REMAINDER TO THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL FOR JUDICIAL DECISION.
IT ALSO INVESTIGATED 197 MAJOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT ALLEGED BREACHES OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE SUCH AS FAILURE TO PROVIDE REST DAYS, HOLIDAYS WITH PAY, ANNUAL LEAVE WITH PAY AND IMPROPER DEDUCTIONS OF WORKERS’ WAGES.
DURING 1982, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT, THERE WERE 34 WORK STOPPAGES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, RESULTING IN 17 960 WORKING DAYS LOST. THIS REPRESENTED AN AVERAGE OF 8.41 DAYS LOST PER THOUSAND EMPLOYEES.
♦THE AVERAGE FIGURE IS CONSIDERED LOW BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND IS A POSITIVE INDICATOR OF GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS,-* HE SAID.
IN THE SAME YEAR, THE LRS HANDLED 272 754 ENQUIRIES AND CONSULTATIONS, COMPARED WITH 226 290 CASES IN 1981. MOST OF THESE CONCERNED THE PROVISIONS IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND OTHER MATTERS CONCERNING LABOUR RELATIONS.
♦THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES AND CONSULTATIONS REFLECTS THE GROWING IMPORTANCE NOW ATTACHED TO LABOUR RELATIONS AND EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS BY BOTH EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS,+ HE SAID.
------o-------
/5.......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1963
5
ELECTION DRIVE IN PROGRESS * * * *
A PUBLICITY DRIVE HAS BEEN LAUNCHED TO ENCOURAGE REGISTERED ELECTORS TO VOTE IN THE NEW URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MARCH 8.
THE ELECTIONS ARE BEING HELD ON A CONSTITUENCY BASIS FOR THE FIRST TIME. THERE ARE 15 CONSTITUENCIES EACH OF WHICH WILL RETURN AN ELECTED MEMBER TO SERVE ON THE URBAN COUNCIL.
AS THREE CANDIDATES WERE UNOPPOSED THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN DECLARED ELECTED. THIRTY EIGHT CANDIDATES ARE STANDING FOR ELECTION IN THE OTHER 12 CONSTITUENCIES WHERE 568 537 PEOPLE ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE.
PUBLICITY MESSAGES DIRECTED AT REGISTERED VOTERS ARE BEING BROADCAST ON TELEVISION AND RADIO AND MORE THAN 13 OOO COPIES OF AN ELECTION POSTER ARE BEING DISPLAYED AT GOVERNMENT POSTER SITES, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, DISTRICT OFFICES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND URBAN COUNCIL OFFICES.
STARTING FROM NEXT MONTH, ELECTION ADVERTISEMENT WILL APPEAR IN MAJOR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. IN ADDITION, ONE ENGLISH AND SIX CHINESE LANGUAGE PAPERS HAVE AGREED TO PUBLISH A SPECIAL TWO-PAGE SUPPLEMENT ON THE ELECTIONS.
THE MOBILE STREET THEATRE OPERATED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES WILL BE USED TO CONVEY ELECTION REMINDERS TO URBAN RESIDENTS.
------o-------
STUDY ROOM AND LIBRARY PROPOSED FOR ESTATE
*****
THE PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE A YOUTH STUDY ROOM AND REFERENCE LIBRARY AT NAM SHAN ESTATE WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE THIRD MEETING OF THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT BOARD TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A BRIEFING ON GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON GAMBLING AND THE PRINCIPLES GUIDING THE APPROVAL OF OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRES WILL BE GIVEN BY DR PATRICK HASE, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THE MEETING INCLUDE THE FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN MEI FOO SUN CHUEN AND CENTRAL, AND THE CLOSURE OF A SECTION OF PRATAS STREET FOR INCLUSION IN A RECREATIONAL GROUND PROJECT.
BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS OF THE +MEET-THE-PUBLIC+ SCHEME AND THE GENERAL SITUATION OF THE GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED MEDICAL FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
- - 0 -
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, lr>33
6
DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE IN SHEUNG SHU I * * * *
THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE WILL OPEN ITS FIRST COMMUNITY AFFAIRS Inch office in sheung shui on Monday (February 21).
THE OFFICE, LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF CHOI YUK HOUSE IN CHOI YUEN ESTATE, WILL OPEN FROM 8.45 AM TO 5.15 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS.
LOCAL PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE STATUTORY DECLARATIONS, FILE COMPLAINTS, MAKE GENERAL ENQUIRIES AND OBTAIN GOVERNMENT PAMPHLETS AND FORMS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THE NEW OFFICE WOULD ALSO ENABLE OFFICIALS TO HAVE CLOSER LIAISON WITH LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS AND RESIDENTS.
-----0------
SPECIAL BUS SERVICE FOR CHINESE VISITORS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT JO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED CROWDS RETURNING FROM CHINA, KMB WILL OPERATE A SPECIAL SERVICE TO FERRY PASSENGERS FROM LO WU TO SHEUNG SHUI FOR THREE DAYS FROM TOMORROW TO SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 20).
THE ROUTE, 73R, WILL RUN ONE-WAY FROM LO WU STATION TO SHEUNG SHUI BUS TERMINUS AT A BASIC FREQUENCY OF EVERY FIVE TO TEN MINUTES BETWEEN 8 AM AND 6 PM.
A FLAT FARE OF $1 WILL BE CHARGED.
PASSENGERS IN SHEUNG SHUI MAY THEN CHANGE TO KMB ROUTES NO. 70 TO JORDAN ROAD FERRY: NO. 69K FROM CHOI YUEN ESTATE TO SHA TIN KCR STATION; NO. 73 TO TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE; NO. 76 VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO YUEN LONG? AND NO. 77 VIA KAM TIN TO YUEN LONG.
THE SERVICE MAY CONTINUE TO OPERATE ON MONDAY IF NECESSARY.
- - 0-----------
/7........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1 \ 3
7
TAI PO MEAT STALL FOR AUCTION * * * *
A MEAT STALL AT KUK TENG MARKET IN TAI PO 'WILL BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC AUCTION ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 22).
"HE AUCTION WILL BE HELD^T^TH? TA l' PO URBAN St^VCCES o/fICE^ . THE FIRST FLOtR OF MEI TAK BUILDING, KWONG FUK ROAD AT 10 AM.
THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTAL OF THE STALL IS 5203. SUCCESSFUL BIDDER FOR THE STALL CAN START RIS BUSINESS ON MARCH 1 FOR A CONTRACT PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
POTENTIAL BIDDERS MUST BE OVER 21 YEARS OF AGE AND ARE REQUESTED TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND FIVE PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE AUCTION VENUE.
CTED TO THE HAWKERS AND MARKETS ES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 3-6577111
FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRE SECTION OF THE TAI PO URBAN SERVIC
EXT. 158.
-----o------
PARKING METERS IN CHAI WAN * * * *
A TOTAL OF 13 CHAI WAN TOMORROW
PARKING SPACES.
METERS WILL BE INSTALLED (FEBRUARY 18) TO REGULATE
ALONG SUI MAN ROAD IN THE USE OF ON-STREET
THE METERS WILL BE (FEBRUARY 19).
IN OPERATION FROM 8 AM ON SATURDAY
-------o----------
WATER CUT IN SHEUNG WAN
FRPSH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME AREAS IN SHEUNG WAN WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 21) TO
6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A^LjAKAGE TEST.
E THOSE BOUNDED BY MORRISON STREET \ QUEEN STREET, KO SHING STREET,.^
BUILDINGS TO BE AFFECTED * BONHAM STRAND, QUEEN’S ROAD aES , SUTHERLAND STREET AND CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 198?
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW SCALE OF WATER CHARGES .................................... 1
SIR PHILIP TO OPEN STAFF MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE................. 3
MAJOR MANPOWER SURVEY FOR SERVICE INDUSTRY .................... 3
CLOSER DB AND UC RELATIONSHIP ENVISAGED...................... 4
URBCO CANDIDATES TO MEET VOTERS ............................... 6
DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE GATHERING PACE.............. 7
SUPERVISION NECESSARY ON SCHOOL MINIBUSES ..................... 9
SECTION OF TAI HANG ROAD TO BE WIDENED ........................ 9
URBAN CLEARWAY SCHEME FOR KENNEDY TOWN ....................... 10
STREET ALTERATIONS FOR MTR ISLAND LINE ....................... 11
NEW YEAR PARTIES FOR THE ELDERLY ............................. 12
IMPORT CONTROL EXEMPTIONS .................................... 12
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1983
1
NEW SCALE OF WATER CHARGES ******
A NEW SCALE OF WATER CHARGES WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM APRIL 1 TO HELP OFFSET INCREASING COSTS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, W TOM TOMLINSON, SAID THE EFFECT OF THE NEW CHARGES WOULD BE MINIMAL FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF CONSUMERS AND WOULD NOT SHOW UP IN BILLS UNTIL AUGUST.
MR TOMLINSON SAID SOME 21 PER CENT OF ALL DOMESTIC CONSUMERS WOULD CONTINUE TO PAY NO WATER CHARGES AND ANOTHER 67 PER CENT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY AN EXTRA $1 OR LESS PER WEEK. ONLY ABOUT FOUR PER CENT OF DOMESTIC CONSUMERS WOULD PAY AN EXTRA $2 OR MORE PER WEEK.
IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT THE FREE ALLOWANCE TO DOMESTIC CONSUMERS OF 4 OOO GALLONS PER FOUR-MONTHLY BILLING PERIOD PER FLAT SHOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED. MR TOMLINSON SAID MOST RESIDENTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS FREE ALLOWANCE.
♦WATER CONSTITUTES A VERY SMALL PART OF THE HOUSEHOLD BUDGET AND THE EFFECT OF THE REVISED CHARGES ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX IS EXPECTED TO BE LESS THAN 0.1 PER CENT,+ HE POINTED OUT.
TURNING TO TRADE SUPPLIES, MR TOMLINSON SAID ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF ALL TRADE CONSUMERS WOULD PAY NO MORE THAN $1 PER WEEK EXTRA FOR THE WATER CONSUMED. A SMALL MINORITY, EQUIVALENT TO HALF A PER CENT, OF TRADE CONSUMERS WOULD FACE AN INCREASE OF $100 OR MORE A WEEK.
MR TOMLINSON ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE TEMPORARY CONCESSIONARY RATE FOR TRADE CONSUMERS USING MORE THAN 6 000 UNITS PER FOUR-MONTHLY BILLING PERIOD WOULD BE EXTENDED FOR ONE MORE YEAR FROM APRIL 1.
♦THIS WILL GIVE THESE CONSUMERS FURTHER TIME TO INTRODUCE bEASURES TO ECONOMISE IN THEIR USE OF WATER.*
HE SAID THAT FOR MOST TRADE CONSUMERS, WATER CHARGES REPRESENTED ONLY A SMALL PART OF THEIR TOTAL OPERATING COSTS, SO THE INCREASED CHARGES WOULD NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT.
SALT WATER FLUSHING WILL ALSO REMAIN FREE OF CHARGE. WHILE FRESH WATER USED FOR FLUSHING WILL BE CHARGED AT $4.2 PER UNIT, THE $24 DEDUCTION FROM THE RESULTANT CHARGE WILL BE INCREASED TO $27.6 SO AS TO PROVIDE FREE OF CHARGE THE SAME QUANTITY OF FRESH WATER FOR FLUSHING AS IS CURRENTLY ALLOWED.
/MR TOMLINSON .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1985
2
MR TOMLINSON SAID HIS DEPARTMENT’S TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES, EXCLUDING ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DESALTER OR DESALTING OPERATIONS, HAD INCREASED BY ABOUT 20 PER CENT OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND THE EFFECTS OF SUCH INCREASES IN OPERATING COSTS ON THE LEVEL OF WATER CHARGES WOULD BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW.
FOLLOWING IS A TABLE OF THE NEW SCALE OF CHARGES 1
DOMESTIC CHARGES
UNITS PER 4 MONTH BILLING PERIOD CHARGE PER UNIT
PROPOSED RATE CURRENT 1
s $
0-4 NIL NIL
5-8 4.2 3.6
9-14 7.6 6.6
15 - 20 11.8 10.2
OVER 20 16.6 14.4
TRADE SUPPLIES 7.6 6.6
SHIPPING SUPPLIES
(A) FOR NON-OCEAN-GOING SHIPPING 7.6 6.6
(B) FOR OCEAN-GOING SHIPPING 16.6 14.4
CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES 11.8 10.2
PREPAID SUPPLIES 7.6 6.6
/FLUSHING SUPPLIES .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 198}
FLUSHING SUPPLIES
(A) SALT WATER
(B) FRESH WATER
- LESS A DEDUCTION PER DWELLING FOR EACH 4 MONTH BILLING PERIOD IN RESPECT OF FRESH WATER USED FOR FLUSHING
FREE
4.2
27.6
FREE
3.6
24.0
(THIS DEDUCTION WILL CONTINUE THE
EFFECT OF THE CURRENT
PROVISION OF 1-2/3 UNITS PER MONTH, OR 6-2/3 UNITS PER 4 MONTH PERIOD, FREE OF CHARGE)
-----0-----
SIR PHILIP TO OPEN STAFF MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL OPEN A TWO-DAY CONFERENCE ON STAFF MANAGEMENT AT THE SHERATON HOTEL ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 21).
SOME 200 PARTICIPANTS FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL TAKE PART IN THE CONFERENCE, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE ORGANISED BY THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH. THE CONFERENCE WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MARTIN ROWLANDS.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPEN ING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE SILVER BALLROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF SHERATON HOTEL IN TSIM SHA TSUI AT 9.15 AM. THEY ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE RECEPTION COUNTER ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE MOTEL AT 8.45 AM.
- - 0 - -
MAJOR MANPOWER SURVEY FOR SERVICE INDUSTRY
* * * *
A MAJOR SURVEY OF THE HOTEL, CATERING AND TOURISM INDUSTRIES WILL BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN MARCH 1 AND 19, 1983 TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.
THE SURVEY WILL HELP TO FIND OUT THE MANPOWER CHANGES SINCE THE FIRST SUCH SURVEY TWO YEARS AGO.
/IT WILL
FK1DAI, FEBRUARY IO,
IT WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE HOTEL, CATERING AND TOURISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, ASSISTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MR LARRY TCHOU SAID, +THIS SURVEY IS OF PRIME IMPORTANCE IN FORMULATING MANPOWER TRAINING PLANS.
♦AS A RESULT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE ON THE 1981 SURVEY, A HOTEL INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN 1984, PROVIDING 2 200 TRAINING PLACES EACH YEAR,* MR TCHOU SAID.
A NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS, CHOSEN BY STRATIFIED RANDOM SAMPLING, WILL BE ASKED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AND VACANCIES, TRAINING ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS A FORECAST OF MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.
MR TCHOU APPEALED TO THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO SUPPORT AND COOPERATE IN THE SURVEY. HE STRESSED THAT THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND PUBLISHED IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY LETTERS IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH HAVE BEEN SENT OUT.
OFFICERS OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT EACH OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED AND COLLECT THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES.
------o-------
CLOSER DB AND UC RELATIONSHIP ENVISAGED X M X * * *
THE ALREADY VERY GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED AFTER NEXT MONTH’S URBCO ELECTIONS, THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
IN A DINNER SPEECH TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF KWUN TONG, MR LAM SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE BOTH THE ELECTED AND APPOINTED URBAN COUNCILLORS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SIT ON LOCAL DISTRICT BOARDS.
♦ALSO THE ELECTED URBAN COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL BE DIRECTLY ANSWERABLE TO THE PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT AND THROUGH THEM, THE WISHES AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE THEY REPRESENT CAN BE REFLECTED TO THE URBAN COUNCIL,+ HE SAID.
♦ THUS, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR REGISTERED VOTERS TO SUPPORT THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE BY CASTING THEIR VOTES ON ELECTION DAY — TUESDAY, MARCH 8.
♦ THE SUCCESS OF THE ELECTIONS IS SOMETHING THAT CONCERNS YOU AND ME AND IN FACT EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY.
♦ I APPEAL THEREFORE TO ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS TO PERFORM THEIR CIVIC DUTY BY GOING TO THE POLLING STATIONS TO CAST THEIR VOTES.*
/HR LAM......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 198?
- 5 -
MR LAM TOLD THE ROTARIANS THAT THE COMING URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS WOULD BE HELD IN A NEW AND DIFFERENT STYLE — ON A CONSTITUENCY BASIS — MEANING THAT PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF HONG KONG WOULD ELECT THEIR OWN COUNCILLORS TO PRESENT THEM ON THE URBAN COUNCIL.
THERE WILL BE 15 SEATS, ONE IN EACH OF THE 15 CONSTITUENCIES, THUS INCREASING THE EXISTING NUMBER OF 12 ELECTED URBAN COUNCILLORS BY THREE TO 15.
THE MEMBERS WILL BE ELECTED IN GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES OF BROADLY 250 000 POPULATION EACH.
MR LAM POINTED OUT THAT THE 41 CANDIDATES NOMINATED FOR NEXT MONTH’S ELECTIONS HAD COME FROM A BROAD SPECTRUM OF OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS INCLUDING BUSINESSMEN, TEACHERS, BANK OFFICERS, LAWYERS, ENGINEERS, DESIGNERS, DOCTORS, HEADMASTERS, FACTORY WORKERS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND CLERKS.
TEN OF THESE CANDIDATES ARE SERVING URBAN COUNCILLORS AND 11 ARE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
THE AVERAGE AGE OF THE CANDIDATES IS 44« THE YOUNGEST IS 27 AND THE OLDEST IS 70. NEARLY 40 PER CENT ARE BETWEEN 31 AND 40 YEARS OF AGE.
♦ OF THESE 41 CANDIDATES, THREE HAVE BEEN AUTOMATICALLY ELECTED AS THEY ARE UNCONTESTED IN THEIR CONSTITUENCIES,^ MR LAM SAID.
♦ THIS LEAVES 38 CANDIDATES COMPETING FOR THE 12 SEATS IN THE REMAINING 12 CONSTITUENCIES.
♦ THE MOST HOTLY CONTESTED CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE SHAM SHU I PO WEST WHERE FIVE CANDIDATES ARE COMPETING FOR ONE SEAT. OTHERS INCLUDE NORTH POINT AND KOWLOON CITY WEST, BOTH OF WHICH WILL HAVE FOUR CANDIDATES EACH.
♦AS THERE ARE THREE UNCONTESTED CONSTITUENCIES, ABOUT 140 000 REGISTERED ELECTORS WILL NOT HAVE TO VOTE.
♦THIS LEAVES ROUGHLY 570 000 REGISTERED VOTERS WHO CAN VOTE IN THE 12 CONSTITUENCIES WHERE ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD.
♦THESE FIGURES INCLUDE THOSE WHO HAVE REGISTERED AS ELECTORS IN PAST URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS J AND THOSE WHO REGISTERED IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER LAST YEAR.*
MR LAM WENT ON TO SAY THAT ALL REGISTERED VOTERS WOULD RECEIVE A POLL CARD ABOUT 10 DAYS BEFORE THE POLLING DAY, REMINDING THEM WHEN AND WHERE TO CAST THEIR VOTES.
♦HOWEVER, TO GAIN ADMISSION TO A POLLING STATION, A REGISTERED ELECTOR MUST PRODUCE HIS IDENTITY CARD OR SOME PROOF OF IDENTITY, WHEREAS HIS POLL CARD IS NOT ESSENTIAL FOR HIS ADMISSION, HE SAID.
/♦THERE WILL
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 198?
6
♦THERE WILL BE 134 POLLING STATIONS SET UP THROUGHOUT THE 12 CONSTITUENCIES AND REGISTERED VOTERS CAN GO TO THEIR DESIGNATED STATION TO CAST THEIR VOTES ANY TIME BETWEEN 7 AM AND 11 PM.+
HE CONTINUED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ORGANISED A WIDE RANGE OF PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES TO INTRODUCE CANDIDATES TO THE ELECTORS, INCLUDING A SPECIAL NEWSPAPER SUPPLEMENT, OPPORTUNITIES FOR CANDIDATES TO AIR THEIR PLATFORMS IN FORUMS, +MEET-THE-PRESS* TELEVISION AND RADIO PROGRAMMES.
♦THE MASS MEDIA ARE ALSO HELPING TO INTRODUCE THE CANDIDATES TO THE PUBLIC BY PUBLISHING THEIR PHOTOS AND ELECTION PLATFORMS REGULARLY IN THE DAILY NEWSPAPERS.
♦THE CANDIDATES THEMSELVES ARE ALSO BUSY ORGANISING THEIR OWN CAMPAIGNING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS DISPLAY OF POSTERS, BANNERS OR MAKING HOUSEHOLD VISITS.
♦FINALLY, ABOUT ONE WEEK BEFORE ELECTION DAY, A NEWSPAPER SUPPLEMENT WILL ALSO BE PUBLISHED IN SIX TO SEVEN MAJOR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS WHICH WILL SERVE AS A COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION TO THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND THE CANDIDATES.+
- o
URBCO CANDIDATES TO MEET VOTERS HO*
REGISTERED VOTERS AT SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THEIR CANDIDATES FOR THE MARCH 8 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AT A VARIETY SHOW TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THREE CANDIDATES, MR MAN CHI-KONG, MR BROOK BERNACCHI AND TO BOON-MAN, WILL SPEAK ON THEIR PLATFORMS AT THE TWO-AND-A-HALF HOUR SHOW ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE TO INTRODUCE THEM TO THE VOTERS.
THE SHOW, BEGINNING AT 7.30 PM AT THE MARDEN FOUNDATION CHAI WAN CARITAS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL AT CHAI WAN LAND LOT 77, WILL FEATURE SINGING, DANCING, MAGIC AND ACROBATIC PERFORMANCES.
FOR CANDIDATES OF THE NORTH POINT CONSTITUENCY, THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ARRANGED A SIMILAR SHOW FOR FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25) AT THE DR CHAN SHU KUI’S HALL AT 210 JAVA ROAD, BEGINNING AT 8 PM.
THE FOUR CANDIDATES FOR THIS CONSTITUENCY ARE MR NG TAM-YIU, ER VICTOR SIT FUNG-SHUEN, MR KWAN LIM-HO AND MR SHEK KWEI-CHUN.
MORE THAN 101 500 VOTERS HAVE REGISTERED IN THE SHAU KEI WAN AND NORTH POINT CONSTITUENCIES AND 21 POLLING STATIONS WILL BE SET UP THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT ON ELECTION DAY.
------0-------
/7 .....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1983
7
DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE GATHERING PACE
*****
THE MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE IS STEADILY TAKING SHAPE AMID A BEEHIVE OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES.
WITH DEVELOPMENT GATHERING PACE, THE MAIN FEATURES OF THIS PROJECT WOULD BE COMPLETED BY 1985, MRS PHYLLIS KWAN, THE CHIEF TOWN PLANNER OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, SAID.
BY THEN, THE CENTRE WILL FORM THE HUB OF SHA TIN, CONSISTING OF A CULTURAL COMPLEX, A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, A MAGISTRACY, OFFICE BLOCKS, HOTELS, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND A KCR RAILWAY STATION BUILDING.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN ITSELF STARTED IN THE EARLY 1970’S AND HAS SINCE CHANGED THIS ONCE SEDATE, THINLY POPULATED RURAL AREA OUT OF RECOGNITION.
TODAY, THE NEW TOWN IS HOME TO 200 000 PEOPLE. WITH A STEADY INFLUX OF NEW RESIDENTS, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE POPULATION WILL GROW TO 430 000 BY 1985 AND TO ABOUT 780 000 BY THE END CF THE DECADE.
BUT WITHOUT THE TOWN CENTRE, THE POPULATION AT THE MOMENT IS MADE UP OF DISPERSED COMMUNITIES.
THE CENTRE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN STAGES ON AN 18-HECTARE SITE IN THE HEART OF SHA TIN WILL PROVIDE THE FOCAL POINT LINKING THE POPULATION POCKETS INTO ONE COHESIVE COMMUNITY AND GIVING THE TOWN A NEW DIMENSION OF IDENTITY, MRS KWAN SAID.
♦BECAUSE SHA TIN WAS ORIGINALLY A RURAL AREA WITH LITTLE DEVELOPMENT, WE CAN PLAN MORE EFFICIENTLY AND WITH ATTENTION TO AESTHETICS,* SHE EXPLAINED.
THE DESIGN CONCEPT FOR THE TOWN CENTRE TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE LUSH SHA TIN VALLEY FLANKED BY GENTLE, ROLLING SLOPES ON BOTH SIDES AND THE SCENIC SHING MUN RIVER FLOWING THROUGH IT, SHE SAID.
EVERY BUILDING IN THE CENTRE MUST CONFORM TO THE HEIGHT AND SPACE LIMITS SET DOWN BY THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE. AN EIGHT-HECTARE TOWN PARK WILL STRETCH ALONG THE NORTHERN BANK CF THE SHING MUN RIVER PARALLEL TO THE TOWN CENTRE.
♦THE BASIC CONCEPT IS TO GIVE EVERY BUILDING IN THE TOWN CENTRE AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF THE EXTENSIVELY LANDSCAPED PARK AND THE RIVER,+ MRS KWAN EXPLAINED.
THE BUILDINGS THEMSELVES WILL BE WIDELY SPACED OUT AND, AS AN ADDED AESTHETIC TOUCH, WILL HAVE LANDSCAPED PODIUMS AND ROOFTOP GARDENS, SHE SAID.
/THE 11-STOREY
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 198?
8
THE 11-STOREY KCR BUILDING IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WILL PROVIDE 20 000 SQUARE METRES OF FLOOR SPACE FOR VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. IT WILL BE THE HUB OF A PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK WITH A RAILWAY STATION ON THE GROUND LEVEL AND AN ADJACENT BUS TERMINAL TO SERVE ROUTES BETWEEN SHA TIN AND OTHER AREAS.
THE BUILDING WILL BE LINKED BY A PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE TO A MASSIVE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX WITH A GROUND-LEVEL BUS TERMINAL SERVING INTERNAL CITY ROUTES.
THIS S163-MILLI0N COMPLEX BEING DEVELOPED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL BECOME THE REGIONAL SHOPPING CENTRE FOR THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ON COMPLETION IN 1985, PROVIDING COMMERCIAL FLOOR SPACE OF ABOUT 80 000 SQUARE METRES.
THE COMPLEX WILL HAVE TWO CINEMAS WITH A SEATING CAPACITY OF 800 PEOPLE EACH AND AN AMPHITHEATRE TO HOLD 300 PEOPLE.
WORK HAS ALSO BEGUN ON A $16O-MILLI0N CULTURAL COMPLEX WHICH WILL CONSIST OF A MULTI-PURPOSE TOWN HALL WITH A CAPACITY FOR 1 450 PEOPLE AND A CENTRAL LIBRARY.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE S50-MILLION TOWN PARK WILL START SHORTLY, WITH 1985 AS THE TARGET COMPLETION DATE, MRS KWAN SAID.
IT WILL FEATURE A LARGE ARTIFICIAL HILL AND WATERFALL, GARDENS, PONDS, FOUNTAINS, BOULEVARDS, PAVILIONS, AN AVIARY, CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS, TERRACED CAFES, A PROMENADE AND A CYCLING TRACK, ALL BEING SET AMID TREES, SCRUBS AND FLOWER BEDS.
SITES ARE ALSO RESERVED IN THE TOWN CENTRE FOR THREE OFFICE BLOCKS WHICH WILL PROVIDE 34 000 SQUARE METRES OF FLOOR AREA AND TWO INTERNATIONAL-STANDARD HOTELS.
ALSO WITHIN THE CENTRE, SITES ARE BEING EARMARKED FOR COMMERCIAL-CUM-RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS WHICH WILL HOUSE 25 000 PEOPLE WHEN FULLY DEVELOPED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
♦A UNIQUE FEATURE OF THE TOWN CENTRE IS THAT EVERY BUILDING WILL BE LINKED BY ELEVATED PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS.
♦THE IDEA IS TO SEPARATE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT ON DIFFERENT LEVELS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN ENJOY A LEISURE WALK THROUGHOUT THE TOWN CENTRE AND MAKE FULL USE OF THE PARK,+ ffiS KWAN EXPLAINED.
THERE WILL ALSO BE ADEQUATE PARKING FACILITIES FOR BOTH THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND VISITORS FROM OTHER AREAS.
WHEN THE TOWN CENTRE IS COMPLETED, SHA TIN WILL RANK AMONG THE BEST TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN ASIA, MRS KWAN STATED.
-----o------
/9
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1983
9
SUPERVISION NECESSARY ON SCHOOL MINIBUSES ft ft ft ft
SUPERVISORS OF KINDERGARTENS WHICH PROVIDE SCHOOL MINIBUS SERVICES HAVE BEEN REMINDED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPERVISION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WHILE THEY ARE TRAVELLING.
IN A CIRCULAR ISSUED TO ALL KINDERGARTENS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID PUPILS OUGHT TO BE TAUGHT HOW TO BEHAVE WHEN TRAVELLING ON BOARD SCHOOL MINIBUSES.
HE NOTEDi +THEY MUST REMAIN SEATED ALL THE WAY; THEY MUST NOT TALK TO THE DRIVER OR SHOUT DURING THE JOURNEY; THEY MUST REFRAIN FROM EATING, DRINKING OR PLAYING WHILE THEY ARE TRAVELLING ? AND AT NO TIME SHOULD CHILDREN BE ALLOWED TO PUT THEIR HEADS OR HANDS OUT OF THE WINDOW.*
CHILDREN SHOULD ALSO BE TAUGHT THE PROPER WAY TO BOARD AND ALIGHT FROM A SCHOOL MINIBUS AND THEY MUST ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE HAS COME TO A COMPLETE STAND-STILL BEFORE BOARDING OR ALIGHTING.
ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE FOR AN ADULT OR A TEACHER, OTHER THAN THE DRIVER, WHO KNOWS THE PUPILS WELL, TO ESCORT THE CHILDREN ON THE MINIBUS. THIS ESCORT SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE PUPILS ARE PROPERLY SEATED AND THE DOORS OF THE SCHOOL MINIBUS ARE PROPERLY CLOSED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDEDi +A NAME-LIST OF CHILDREN TRAVELLING ON EACH MINIBUS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THE ESCORT TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE IS MISSING.
♦TO AVOID CONFUSION, PUPILS TRAVELLING IN SEPARATE SCHOOL MINIBUSES SHOULD WEAR LABELS OF DISTINCT IDENTIFICATION.*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID PARENTS OR GUARDIANS SHOULD BE INFORMED OF THE DETAILS OF THE ROUTE, INCLUDING THE PICK-UP POINTS AND TIMES OF ARRIVAL AT THESE POINTS.
CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THE PUPILS ARE COLLECTED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS, HE SAID, ADDING: +IN CASES OF EMERGENCY, THE ESCORT SHOULD HELP THE PUPILS TO KEEP CALM TO AVOID UNNECESSARY PANIC.*
-----0------
SECTION OF TAI HANG ROAD TO BE WIDENED ft ft ft
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PLANS TO WIDEN A SECTION CF TAI HANG ROAD BETWEEN KA NING PATH AND LAI TAK TSUEN ROAD TO A THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY — TWO LANES FOR UPHILL TRAFFIC AND ONE LANE DOWNHILL.
THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF FOOTPATHS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD, THE RENEWAL OF DRAINS AND THE CONSTRUCTION CF RETAINING WALLS ALONG THE NORTHERN SIDE OF THE ROAD.
/A DEPARTMUIT.....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 198?
10
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT INTENSIVE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREAS SERVED BY TAI HANG ROAD HAD GENERATED A HIGH VOLUME OF TRAFFIC ON THIS ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH LAI TAK TSUEN ROAD. THIS HAD RESULTED IN HEAVY CONGESTIONS DURING PEAK HOURS.
♦THE TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER, WHICH WILL PROVIDE DIRECT TWO-WAY TRAFFIC BETWEEN TAI HANG ROAD AND GLOUCESTER ROAD, IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WHEN COMPLETED, WILL ALLEVIATE THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI HANG ROAD AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦THEREFORE, THE WIDENING OF THE SECTION OF TAI HANG ROAD FROM KA NING PATH TO LAI TAK TSUEN ROAD WILL BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE TRAFFIC INDUCED BY THE NEW FLYOVER,* HE ADDED.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE? THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (HONG KONG NORTH), MURRAY BUILDING, THIRD FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD? AND THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SENT HIS WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN 60 DAYS.
-----o-----
URBAN CLEARWAY SCHEME FOR KENNEDY TOWN
* * * *
THE CHAOTIC TRAFFIC CONDITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN KENNEDY TOWN WILL BE GREATLY IMPROVED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE URBAN CLEARWAY SCHEME ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 21).
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN, MR LEE KAI-FAT TODAY DURING THE FINAL STAGE OF A CLEARANCE OPERATION AT THE NEARBY WHOLESALE MARKET.
MR LEE EXPLAINED THAT THE CLEARWAY SCHEME WOULD COVER CERTAIN PARTS OF VICTORIA ROAD, CADOGAN, CATCHICK, BELCHER’S AND SAI SEE STREETS.
♦THE CLEARWAY AREA WILL EXTEND FROM SANDS STREET IN THE EAST TO THE KENNEDY TOWN BUS TERMINAL IN THE WEST,* HE SAID.
THE SCHEME INVOLVES THE ERECTION OF NECESSARY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND TUBULAR RAILINGS, DEMARCATION OF PARKING SPACES IN THE LOADING AND UNLOADING AREAS, RESURFACING OF ROADS, AND THE REMOVAL OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND WHOLESALE TRADING STALLS ON PAVEMENTS .
MR .. £E SAID THE SITUATION IN THIS AREA IN KENNEDY TOWN HAD BEEN A MATTER OF GREAT CONCERN TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
/+AFTER A ....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1983
11
MEETINGS AND SITE AS URBAN CLEARWAYS,*
♦AFTER A SERIES OF INTER-DEPARTMENTAL VISITS, IT WAS AGREED TO EARMARK THE AREA SAID.
HE
♦WHEN THE CLEARWAY SCHEME IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED, WE WILL MONITOR THE SITUATION TO SEE WHAT FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE
MADE.+ MR LEE ADDED.
OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN IMPLEMENTING THE SCHEME ARE» URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, POLICE, H<GHWAYSOFF ICE, MARINE, URBAN SERVICES, FIRE SERVICES, TRANSPORT AND HOUSING.
-------o ---------
STREET ALTERATIONS FOR MTR ISLAND LINE * * * M
A NUMBER OF TEMPORARY STREET ALTERATIONS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN NORTH POINT TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MTR ISLAND
THE EXACT EFFECTIVE DATES FOR THE STREET ALTERATIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER. IN EACH CASE, ALTERNATIVE VEHICULAR ROUTING AND SUITABLE PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED AND TRAFFIC SIGNS ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
A SECTION OF THE CARRIAGEWAY OF MARBLE ROAD STRETCHING FROM THE EASTERN BUILDING LINE OF SHU KUK STREET EASTWARDS FOR 25 METRES WILL BE REDUCED TO A MINIMUM WIDTH OF 3.5 METRES. FOOTPATHS ALONG THE SAME SECTION WILL BE REDUCED TO A MINIMUM WIDTH OF 1.5 METRES.
THE CARRIAGEWAY OF SHU KUK STREET FROM THE JUNCTION WITH KING’S ROAD TO THE JUNCTION WITH THE NORTHERN BUILDING LINE OF MARBLE ROAD WILL ALSO BE REDUCED TO 3.5 METRES IN WIDTH. THE EASTERN FOOTPATH ALONG THE SAME SECTION LEADING FROM MARBLE ROAD TO THE SCAVENGING LANE WILL BE CLOSED.
THE SCAVENGING LANE RUNNING 15 METRES EAST OF THE BUILDING LINE OF SHU KUK STREET WILL BE REDUCED TO 1.5 METRES IN WIDTH.
A NOTICE IN RESPECT OF THE TEMPORARY ALTERATIONS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY). COPIES OF IT, TOGETHER WITH THE STREET ALTERATION PLAN (NO. MT/G/226), MAY BE INSPECTED DURING OFFICE HOURS AT THE ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING; THE DISTRICT OFFICE (EASTERN) AT 884-886 KING’S ROAD; OR THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION IN MURRAY BUILDING, COTTON TREE DRIVE.
CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION IN RESPECT OF THE ALTERATIONS MUST BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT AND MUST REACH HIS OFFICE WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ROAD IS REINSTATED.
------o-------
/12........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1S83
12
NEW YEAR PARTIES FOR THE ELDERLY *****
MORE THAN 700 PEOPLE, ALL AGED OVER 73, WILL BE TREATED TO A NEW YEAR RECEPTION IN TAI PO TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE OLDEST GUEST, 98-YEAR-OLD MADAM LEE PING-KIU, WILL RECEIVE A GOLDEN PLATE.
ALL GUESTS ATTENDING THE PARTY WILL BE GIVEN A +LAI SEE+
PACKET AS A NEW YEAR BLESSING.
THE PARTY IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD AS PART OF NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NICKY LO WILL ATTEND THE PARTY.
ON SUNDAY tFEBRUARY 20) AFTERNOON, 300 ELDERLY PEOPLE AT SHAU KEI WAN WILL ATTEND A LUNAR NEW YEAR VARIETY SHOW ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOUR LOfiAL AREA COMMITTEES AND THE KAIFONG ASSOCIATION.
SIX GUESTS. AGED BETWEEN 88 AND 94 FROM HOLY CROSS PATH VILLAGE, KAU MAN TSUEN AND SAI WAN HO, WILL RECEIVE SPECIAL GIFTS.
THE VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD AT THE SCHOOL HALL OF THE CHINESE WOMEN*? CLUB COLLEGE AT 2B, TAI CHEONG STREET, SHAU KEI WAN, STARTING FROM 2 PM.
NOTE TO ED ITORSa
YOU ARE tNVITED TO COVER (I) THE TAI PO PARTY AT 3 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT SUN PO SHING RESTAURANT ON HEUNG SZE WUI STREET, TAI PO AND (II) THE VARIETY SHOW FOR THE ELDERLY PEOPLE AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 20) AT THE SCHOOL HALL OF THE CHINESE WOMEN’S CLUB COLLEGE AT 2B. TAI CHEONG STREET, SHAU KEI WAN.
------o-------
IMPORT CONTROL EXEMPTIONS * * * *
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, ACETIC ACID AND AUTOMATIC MACHINES WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO IMPORT LICENSING CONTROL BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (GENERAL) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT OF FIRST SCHEDULE) ORDER 1983, PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTt TODAY.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE WILL CONTINUE TO EXERCISE CONTROL TO ENSURE THAT AUTOMATIC WCHINES (OR MACHINES FOR AMUSEMENT, RECREATION OR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES) ARE INSTALLED ONLY IN LICENSED PREMISES AS STIPULATED BY THE M SCELLANEOUS LICENCES ORDINANCE, CAP, 114, LAWS OF HONG
KONG.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 198?
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
INTERESTS OF NT RESIDENTS WELL LOOKED AFTER.................... 1
MORE PROJECTS FOR THE ELDERLY PLANNED IN SHA TIN .............. 2
ROAD ITERATION PROPOSED ....................................... 3
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KENNEDY TOWN ............................... 3
NT STALLS FOR AUCTION ....................................... J
SEMI-FINALS FOR SAFETY AT WORK TV CONTEST ..................... 4
CLEAN UP AT PIK SHA WaN ..................................... 5
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC MEASURES IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND SHAU KEI WAN 5
TUEN MUN SITE FOR SALE ........................................ 6
FERRY PIER TO HAVE COVERED WALKWAY
6
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 19&3
1
INTERESTS OF NT RESIDENTS WELL LOOKED AFTER *****
GREAT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE IN THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES NOT ONLY FOR THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION BUT ALSO FOR NEW NT RESIDENTS, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL HEUNG YEE KUK CHINESE NEW YEAR GATHERING, HE SAID THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH CONSTANT ENDEAVOURS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND WITH THE ADVICE OF BOTH THE KUK AND DISTRICT BOARDS.
♦NEW ROADS ARE BEING COMPLETED, THE KCR HAS BEEN UPGRADED AND ELECTRIFIED, SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS ARE COMING ON STREAM AND IT IS PLEASING TO NOTE PROGRESS IN THE PROVISION OF SWIMMING POOLS, SPORTS GROUNDS AND TOWN HALLS AND PARKS,* HE SAID.
♦THESE ARE THE FACILITIES WHICH HELP TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND CREATE COMMUNITIES. I CAN FORESEE THE DAY NOT FAR OFF WHEN THE NT WILL BE BETTER OFF THAN THE OLDER URBAN AREAS IN TERMS CF COMMUNITY FACILITIES.*
MR MACPHERSON SAID ALTHOUGH THE YEAR OF THE DOG HAD BEEN A DIFFICULT ONE, SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.
♦THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO INVESTING HEAVILY AND VIGOROUSLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
♦THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS TO BE DONE AND MANY ISSUES FOR US TO DISCUSS. THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES GREAT SIGNIFICANCE TO CONSTRUCTIVE ADVICE FROM THE KUK,* HE SAID.
EARLIER, THE KUK CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT, REVIEWED THE KUK’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PAST YEAR AND STRESSED THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY THE KUK IN ASSISTING GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
HE ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN FOR A +BALANCED APPROACH* IN IMPLEMENTING THE LAND AND HOUSING POLICY SO THAT THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS RESIDENTS WOULD NOT BE NEGLECTED.
IN RESPONSE, MR MACPHERSON SAID: +THIS IS INDEED THE LINE THAT YOUR GOVERNMENT IS TAKING AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACT THAT, APART FROM MY JOINT QUARTERLY MEETINGS WITH THE KUK TO DISCUSS MUTUAL PROBLEMS, IWO SPECIAL JOINT WORKING GROUPS HAVE BEEN SET UP IN THE PAST YEAR TO STUDY SPECIFIC ISSUES THAT ARE OF MAJOR CONCERN TO THE INDIGENOUS NT PEOPLE.
♦THE FIRST IS THE SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ON LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS WHICH HAS SATISFACTORILY RESOLVED THE QUESTION OF ALTERNATIVE COMPENSATION FOR LAND RESUMED IN FUTURE FOLLOWING THE ABOLITION OF THE LETTER B SYSTEM.
♦THE SECOND IS THE WORKING PARTY ON SMALL HOUSE POLICY IN WHICH WE HAVE HAD SOME VERY FRUITFUL DISCUSSION ON NEW DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTS FOR SMALL HOUSES AND ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING POLICY.♦
------o--------
/2 .....
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1983
- 2 -
MORE PROJECTS FOR THE ELDERLY PLANNED IN SHA TIN ******
MORE THAN 10 PROJECTS FOR THE ELDERLY ARE PLANNED FOR SHA TIN WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, H? SELWYN ALLEYNE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP’S LO MAN HUEN HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY IN MEI LAM ESTATE, SHA TIN.
MR ALLEYNE SAID THAT THIS NEW HOSTEL WAS REMARKABLE IN THAT THE ACTUAL FITTING OUT WORK WAS CARRIED OUT IN ONLY TWO MONTHS, WHICH MUST CONSTITUTE SOME SORT OF RECORD EVEN BY HONG KONG STANDARDS.
HE THANKED THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WHICH AGREED TO DO THE FITTING OUT WORK ON THE BASIS OF PLANS DRAWN UP BY TUNG WAH’S ARCHITECTS, USING ITS MAINTENANCE CONTRACTOR.
THIS WAS A TRIAL SCHEME, THE DIRECTOR SAID, AND ITS PURPOSE WAS TO TRY AND CUT DOWN THE TIME TAKEN TO FIT OUT WELFARE PREMISES SO AS TO HAVE SERVICES IN OPERATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER TENANTS MOVE INTO THE ESTATE.
IT NORMALLY TAKES ABOUT 18 TO 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE ALL THE NECESSARY PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING FOR LOTTERIES FUND GRANTS, TENDERS FOR FITTING OUT WORKS AND CARRYING OUT THE WORK TO COMPLETION.
THIS HOSTEL WAS DONE IN ONLY NINE MONTHS, MR ALLEYNE NOTED.
♦THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY SOME LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM THIS EXAMPLE AND WE ARE NOW MAKING AN EVALUATION OF THIS TRIAL SCHEME TO COVER SUCH ASPECTS AS STANDARDS FOR THE PHYSICAL LAYOUT, BUILDING SERVICES, FUNDING AND MAINTENANCE,* HE SAID.
+WE WILL THEN TRY AND DRAW UP SOME PROPOSALS FOR NEW PROCEDURES TO SEE IF THEY CAN BE ADOPTED FOR NEW PROJECTS,* HE ADDED.
THE LO MAN HUEN HOSTEL IS THE SECOND INSTITUTION FOR THE ELDERLY RUN BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP IN SHA TIN AND THE FIFTH HOSTEL OPERATED BY THE GROUP.
THE PROJECT WAS MADE POSSIBLE WITH A GRANT FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND AND A SUBSTANTIAL DONATION FROM MR LO KAM-WING AND IT BEARS THE NAME OF HIS LATE GRANDFATHER, MR LO MAN-HUEN.
MR ALLEYNE NOTED THAT TUNG WAH WOULD TAKE UP AN ADDITIONAL HOSTEL IN SUN CHUI ESTATE AND A SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY IN MEI LAM ESTATE PHASE II.
HE THANKED THE GROUP FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION IN UNDERTAKING THESE PROJECTS FOR THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND WISHED THEM EVERY SUCCESS.
------o-------
/3......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1983
- 3 -
ROAD ALTERATION PROPOSED
X X X
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO ALTER PARTS OF HOSPITAL PATH AND TO CLOSE A SMALL SECTION OF IT NEAR SEVERN RO«D ON THE PEAK.
THIS PLAN IS IN CONNECTION * I TH THE PROPOSED PROVISION OF A VEHICULAR ACCESS TO 60-62 PLANTATION ROAD *HICH IS TO EE REDEVELOPED.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED «ORK IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROJECT CAN EE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND r,ESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, ENQUIRY SUE-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMtNT OFFICES, WEST mI NG MAIN ENTRANCE* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG NORTH, MURRAY BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD; AND THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 222-224 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL MUST BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN 60 DAYS.
------0-------
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KENNEDY TOWN X * X * *
THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CADOGAN STREET BETWEEN BELCHER’S STREET AND KENNEDY TOWN NEW PRAYA WILL BE DESIGNATED AS AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 21).
THIS WILL ALSO APPLY TO SAI SEE STREET AND THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CATCHICK STREET BETWEEN CADOGAN STREET AND DAVIS STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAY ON VICTORIA ROAD WILL BE EXTENDED WESTWARDS FOR ABOUT 200 METRES.
VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY WITHIN THE ABOVE-bENTIONED ROAD SECTIONS.
IN CONNECTION WITH THESE ARRANGEMENTS, 26 GOODS VEHICLE PARKING SPACES WILL BE IN OPERATION IN CADOGAN STRtET AT THE SAME TIME.
--------o---------
NT STALLS FOR AUCTION X X X
FOURTEEN STALLS AT SHA TIN MARKET AND TAI WAI TEMPORARY MARKET IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC AUCTION ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 23).
/THE AUCTION .....
bAXU KUA1 , r'UiDKU AKI 1%
THE AUCTION WILL START AT 10 AM AT THE LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL IN LEK YUEN ESTATE, SHA TIN, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
TWO OF THE STALLS ARE AT SHA TIN MARKET : ONE FOR SELLING FISH AND THE OTHER FOR SELLING WET GOODS, hl TH THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTALS OF $5 090 AND 52 300 RESPECTIVELY.
THE OTHER 12 STALLS AT TAI WAI TEMPORARY MARKET ARE FOR SELLING MEAT, WET GOODS, DRY GOODS AND ICE, WITH THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTALS PANGING FROM $1 300 TO $1 500.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST P«Y THE BIDDED RENTAL QUARTERLY AND MAY START BUSINESS ON A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT ON MARCH 1. THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
BIDDERS ARE REQUESTED TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND FIVE °HOTOGRA=HS TO THE AUCTION.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY EE OBTAINED FROM THE HAWKERS AND MARKETS SECTION OF THE SHA TIN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 0-623467.
- - o - -
SEMI-FINALS FOR SAFETY AT WORK TV CONTEST
******
•NINE TEAMS COMPRISING WORKERS FROM THE MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES HAVE ADVANCED -INTO THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE SAFETY AT WORK TV PROGRAMME, THE GRAND PR IZE FOR WHICH IS AN EIGHT-DAY HOLIDAY IN BRITAIN WITH ALL EXPENSES PAID.
THEY HAVE DEFEATED 18 OTHER TEAMS IN THE PRELIMINARIES HELD OVER THE PAST NINE WEEKS.
THE FIRST SEMI-FINAL WILL BE SCREENED OVER TVB-JADE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT 5 PM, WITH THE FINALS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 13.
THE FIVE MEMBERS OF THE WINNING TEAM WILL BE FLOWN TO LONDON ON THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1983.
THP SEMI-FINALISTS ARE f^ROM LA I SUN GARMENT CO LTD, MELITTA ELECTRIC (HK) LTD, SANYO ELECTRIC (HK) LTD, ELECTRONIC DEVICES LTD, HONG KONG TELEPHONE CO LTD, YKK IPPERS CO LTD, NISHINTATSU CONSTRUCTION CO, GAMMON /HK) LTD AND NGO KEE CONSTRUCTION CO LTD.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, RTHK AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND CO-SPONSORED EY SHU I ON CONSTRUCTION CO LTD, THE RTHK-PRODUCED PROGRAMME HAS BEEN EXCLUSIVELY DEVELOPED FOR WORKERS IN THE MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE CF INDUST' I AL SAFETY.
A TOTAL OF 27 TEAMS TOOK PART IN THE PRELIMINARIES AND EACH TEAM CARRIED AWAY VARIOUS PRIZES, INCLUDING VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDERS, HI-FI SETS, A SEWING MACHINE, CAMERAS, RADIO CASSETTES, CHINESE DINNERS, ELECTRONIC TV GAMES AND KRIST WATCHES.
- - 0 - -
5
CLEAN UP AT PIK SHA WAN *****
CLEANSING WORKERS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT ARE BEING DEPLOYED TO CLEAN SEA-BORNE REFUSE WASHED ASHORE AT PIK SHA WAN IN SAI KUNG.
A NUMBER OF INMATES OF PIK UK PRISON ARE ALSO HELPING REGULARLY IN SIMILAR OPERATIONS AT LUNG HA WAN AND LITTLE PALM BEACH ADJACENT TO PIK SHA WAN.
DURING THE LAST TWO WEEKS, SEVEN OPERATIONS WERE MOUNTED AT THESE BEACHES.
AT PIK SHA WAN, MORE THAN 500 BASKETS OF FLOATSAMS AND TWO LORRY LOADS OF WOODEN PLANKS WERE CLEARED AWAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID.
REFUSE DUMPED ANYWHERE INTO THE WATER, PARTICULARLY AT THE INNER PORT SHELTER AREA, WOULD DRIFT AND SUBSEQUENTLY WASHED ASHORE ONTO THESE BEACHES, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
MEANWHILE, HE URGED PEOPLE LIVING ON DOMESTIC BOATS AND JUNKS, AS WELL AS PLEASURE CRAFTS, TO BE MORE CIVIC-MINDED IN DISPOSING OF THEIR REFUSE AND HELP KEEP THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE BEACHES IN THE SAI KUNG AREA.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO REQUESTED TO CALL THE NT HOT LINE 0-445555 OR CONTACT THE SENIOR HEALTH INSPECTOR OF SAI KUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE AT 3-2813460 DURING OFFICE HOURS IN CASE THEY HAVE ANY COMPLAINT AGAINST REFUSE NUISANCE.
------o-------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC MEASURES IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND SHAU KEI WAN ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL INTRODUCE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC hEASURES AT THE VICTORIA PARK ROAD FLYOVER AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 21).
FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY UNTIL 6.30 AM THE NEXT DAY, THE FLYOVER LEADING FROM VICTORIA PARK ROAD EASTBOUND TO GLOUCESTER ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FOR ROAD WORKS.
THE MEASURE WILL BE REPEATED ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 22 AND 23).
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON GLOUCESTER ROAD EASTBOUND OR FROM CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL HEADING FOR CAUSEWAY BAY AREA MAY USE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER.
MEAN.HILE, THE BUS-ONLY LANE ON THE WESTBOUND SECTION OF SHAU KEI WAN ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBERS 416 AND 402 WILL BE OPEN TO ALL VEHICLES FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY IN CONNECTION WITH THE INSTALLATION OF A PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL CROSSING.
THE SUSPENSION WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS.
------o------- /6......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1983
6
TUEN MUN SITE FOR SALE * * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING A LOT IN TUEN MUN FOR SALE BY TENDER.
THE SITE OF ABOUT 2.543 HECTARES SITUATED TO THE EAST OF TAI HING ESTATE IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, IS INTENDED FOR THE PRIVATE-SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES.
THE DEADLINE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 25, 1983.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING. 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON WEST), KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR. KOWLOON? AND DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
------0-------
FERRY PIER TO HAVE COVERED WALKWAY ft K
A COVERED WALKWAY WILL SHORTLY BE BUILT AT CHAI WAN TEMPORARY FEPRY PIER TO PROTECT FERRY COMMUTERS FROM RAIN AND THE SUN.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE 63-METRE-LONG COVERED WALKWAY WILL CONSIST OF PREFABRICATED STEEL BEAMS AND COLUMNS SUPPORTING A METAL DECK ROOF.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START IN APRIL AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.
-------0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REVIEW OF TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM ....................... 1
INTERNATIONAL MODEL CAR RACING AT TUEN MUN ..................... 2
AGENCIES INVITED TO APPLY FOR SUBVENTION ....................... 3
CAD OFFICIAL ATTENDS SINGAPORE aIR TALKS ....................... 3
GAMES HALL FOR KWAI CHUNG ...................................... 4
NORTH DB MEMBERS TO MEET PUBLIC .............................
CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE AT SPORTS FESTIVAL ......................... 5
CAREERS CONVENTIONS FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS ..................... 6
TRAFFIC CHANGES AT BOUNDARY STREET AND SUNG WONG TOI ROAD .. 6
WATER CUT IN NT
7
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1983
1
REVIEW OF TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM ******
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT A THIRD REVIEW OF THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM IS NOW COMMENCING.
♦THE INITIAL WORK WILL BE DONE BY A REVIEW COMMITTEE SET UP SPECIFICALLY FOR THE TASK.
♦CHAIRED BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY BRANCH, IT COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENTS.
+IT WILL REPORT ITS FINDINGS TO THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, WHICH WILL HAVE THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADVISING GOVERNMENT ON WHETHER CHANGES ARE NECESSARY,+ MR MACLEOD SAID.
THE PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW IS TO CONSIDER WHETHER CHANGES ARE NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM CONTINUES TO MEET HONG KONG’S TWIN OBJECTIVES OF DISCHARGING FULLY ITS OBLIGATIONS ARISING FROM BILATERAL AGREEMENTS AND THE NFAs AND FOR THE SYSTEM TO ALLOW FOR OPTIMUM UTILISATION OF RESTRAINT LIMITS AGREED WITH IMPORTING COUNTRIES.
THE REVIEW WOULD ALSO HAVE REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES THAT THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE EFFICIENT AND FAIR? THAT IT SHOULD BE SUFFICIENTLY FLEXIBLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE CHANGING PATTERN OF TRADE; AND THAT ANY MODIFICATIONS MADE SHOULD NOT REDUCE THE OVERALL EFFICIENCY OF THE SYSTEM.
♦THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES TO FORWARD THEIR VIEWS ON THE OPERATION OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM AND SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGES FOR CONSIDERATION.
+THEY HAVE BEEN ASKED TO SEND IN THEIR VIEWS AND COMMENTS TO THE TRADE DEPARTMENT BEFORE MARCH 31,+ MR MACLEOD ADDED.
THE REVIEW IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT THREE TO FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
------o-------
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1983
2
INTERNATIONAL MODEL CAR RACING AT TUEN MUN
*****
MORE THAN 150 RADIO CONTROL MODEL CAR EXPERTS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES WILL JOIN AN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION IN HONG KONG LATER THIS WEEK.
THE INTERNATIONAL RADIO CONTROL MODEL RACING CAR GRAND PRIX, THE FIRST EVER IN HONG KONG, WILL BE HELD AT THE TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 26) AND SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 27).
THE COMPETITION IS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG MODELLERS CLUB AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT. SPONSORS OF THE EVENT ARE THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE.
TAKING PART IN THE GRAND PRIX ARE EXPERTS FROM THE PHILIPPINES, THAILAND, INDONESIA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA, CHINA, TAIWAN, MACAU AND HONG KONG.
THE WINNER FOR THE GRAND PRIX WILL RECEIVE A CASH PRIZE OF US$3 000. THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP WILL BE AWARDED US$2 000 AND US$1 000 RESPECTIVELY.
ADMISSION FOR THE COMPETITION IS FREE AND TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING URBAN SERVICES OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS:
* ISLANDS URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, ROOMS 2101-2103, INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 21ST FLOOR, 141 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL.
* KWAI CHUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, 3RD AND 4TH FLOORS, SHING WAH BUILDING, 31 SHING FONG STREET, KWAI CHUNG.
* NORTH URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, 1ST FLOOR, MEI TAK BUILDING, KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
* SAI KUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, 69 MAN NIN STREET, 1ST AND GROUND FLOORS, SAI KUNG.
* SHA TIN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL, LOWER GROUND FLOOR, LEK YUEN ESTATE, SHA TIN.
* TAI PO URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, 4TH FLOOR, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO.
* TSUEN WAN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, FAR EAST BANK BUILDING, 2ND FLOOR, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
* TUEN MUN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, 'TOP COURT’, GROUND AND 1ST FLOORS, 60-70 TAK CHING COURT, TUEN MUN.
* YUEN LONG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR, MAIN ROAD, YUEN LONG.
/NOTE TO .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 19b?
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PRESS CONFERENCE INTRODUCING THE COMPETITORS OF THE GRAND PRIX WILL BE HELD AT THE TUEN MUN RESTAURANT, 86 HEUNG SZE WU I ROAD, TUEN MUN, ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 24) AT 3 PM.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY DEMONSTRATIONS OF RADIO CONTROL CAR RACING AT THE TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE PRESS CONFERENCE. THOSE WHO WISH TO USE THIS FACILITY ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT MR JOSEPH POON OF THE NTSD ON TELEPHONE 3-675847 BEFORE WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 23).
--------o----------
AGENCIES INVITED TO APPLY FOR SUBVENTION * * * *
NON-PROFIT-MAKING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WISHING TO RUN ADULT EDUCATION COURSES OR ACTIVITIES DURING 1983-84 ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION.
DETAILS OF THE COURSE CATEGORIES ELIGIBLE FOR SUBVENTION ARE LISTED IN AN INFORMATION SHEET ATTACHED TO THE APPLICATION FORMS WHICH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MA TAU KOK ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 4/F, 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE SUBVENTION WILL COVER MAINLY STAFF SALARIES AND COSTS RELATING TO BASIC TEACHING AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT, ACCOMMODATION, TELEPHONE SERVICES, AND WATER AND ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION BY APRIL 30, 1983. ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO MR H.H. WOO AT 3-7133285 OR MRS M.W. CHAU AT 3-7115858.
- 0 -
CAD OFFICIAL ATTENDS SINGAPORE AIR TALKS ******
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR NORMAN LATHAM, LEFT FOR SINGAPORE TODAY (SUNDAY) TO REPRESENT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AT AIR SERVICES TALKS BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT.
THE TALKS, TO LAST FROM MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 21-23) ARE THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF NEGOTIATIONS CONCERNING OUTSTANDING MATTERS RELATING TO AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES.
THE D SCUSSIONS WILL CENTRE ON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AIR SERVICES ARRANGEMENTS GOVERNING REGIONAL ^GHTS OF CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS AND SINGAPORE AIRLINES TOUCHING HONG KONG AND SINGAPORE.
0 -
/4
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1983
- 4 -
GAMES HALL FOR KWAI CHUNG * * * *
A GAMES HALL WILL SHORTLY BE BUILT IN KWAI CHUNG TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS FACILITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE AREA.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE NEW HALL WILL BE BUILT ON A 3 800-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT WO Yl HOP ROAD.
IT WILL HAVE A GAMES HALL MEASURING 36 METRES SQUARE, THREE SQUASH COURTS, TWO GAMES ROOMS, SPECTATOR STANDS, AND CHANGING FACILITIES.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START IN APRIL THIS YEAR AND IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
------o-------
NORTH DB MEMBERS TO MEET PUBLIC
*****
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL START ITS +MEET THE PUBLIC* SESSIONS FROM WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 23) TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DB MEMBERS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS.
TWO UNOFFICIAL DB MEMBERS WILL BE ON DUTY EVERY WEDNESDAY EVENING FROM 7 PM TO 8.30 PM IN THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE FANLING SUB-OFFICE ON JOCKEY CLUB ROAD.
ADVANCE APPOINTMENTS SHOULD BE MADE IN PERSON OR BY TELEPHONING THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT AT 0-920861 IN THE FANLING SUB-OFFICE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SA IDs + IT IS HOPED THAT RESIDENTS OF NORTH DISTRICT, WHICH COVERS FANLING, SHA TAU KOK, TA KWU LING AND SHEUNG SHU I, WILL MAKE USE OF THE SCHEME TO BRING ANY COMPLAINTS, SUGGESTIONS, VIEWS, OR QUESTIONS WHICH AFFECT THEIR WELL-BEING TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
+THE BOARD MEMBERS WILL GIVE ADVICE AND, WHERE NECESSARY, REFER MATTERS TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR ACTION OR CONSIDERATION.
♦THE SCHEME WILL SUPPLEMENT EXISTING CHANNELS WHICH INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS HAVE MADE TO CONTACT RESIDENTS.*
HE ADDED THAT THE SCHEME, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED ON A TRIAL BASIS, WOULD BE EXTENDED IF THE RESPONSE wAS GOOD.
-----0--------
/5 .....
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1983
5
CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE AT SPORTS FESTIVAL *****
THE SHAM SHU I PO SPORTS FESTIVAL OPENED IN A BLAZE OF COLOUR AT THE MONG KOK STADIUM TODAY (SUNDAY).
A CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE PREVAILED AS THE 3 000 PLUS SPECTATORS CHEERED ON THE HUNDREDS OF CONTESTANTS AND PERFORMERS SHOWING OFF THEIR SKILLS IN THE OPENING EVENTS WHICH FEATURED FOLK DANCES, LONG DISTANCE RUNNING AND A RELAY RACE.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY WAS A TELEMATCH BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES AND TELEVISION ARTISTES.
THE FESTIVAL IS A JOINT EFFORT BY THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT BOARD, URBAN COUNCIL, RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, AND OTHER CIVIC BODIES IN THE DISTRICT.
FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A VARIETY OF SPORT AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING A DISCO AND FOLK DANCE EVENING, GYMNASTIC DISPLAYS, CHILDREN SPORTS DAYS, A CROSS COUNTRY RACE, FENCING DEMONSTRATIONS, A SWIMMING GALA, AND VARIOUS OTHER BALL GAMES AND COMPETITIONS.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, OFFICIATED AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FESTIVAL COMMITTEE, MR CHOW KWEN-LIM, AND LOCAL CELEBRITIES.
MR CHOW SAID THE FESTIVAL WAS AIMED AT FOSTERING MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AMONG DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS TO CULTIVATE PUBLIC INTEREST IN SPORTS AND DEVELOP A SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENTITY THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY RESIDENTS.
IN HIS ADDRESS, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE URBAN COUNCIL’S PARTICIPATION IN THE FESTIVAL UNDERLINED ITS AIM TO STRENGTHEN ITS LIAISON AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL AND TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE ITS SERVICES IN ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS.
ENTRY FORMS AND DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMMES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND SUB-OFFICES.
-----0------
/6 .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2D, 1983 .
6
CAREERS CONVENTIONS FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS * * * * *
THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS WILL HOLD A SERIES OF SIX REGIONAL CAREERS CONVENTIONS FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS
LATER THIS MONTH AND IN MARCH.
EACH CONVENTION, LASTING TWO DAYS, WILL COMPRISE A CAREERS DISPLAY STAGED BY STUDENTS OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS, A SERIES OF SELECTED SPECIALIST TALKS AND FILM AND SLIDE SHOWS ON CAREERS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE FIRST CONVENTION WILL BE HELD FOR SCHOOLS IN THE HONG KONG EAST REGION ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 22 AND 23) AT S.K.H. TANG SHIU KIN SECONDARY SCHOOL.
+IT IS HOPED THAT PARTICIPATING STUDENTS WILL FREELY CHOOSE THE TOPIC THAT FITS THEIR INTEREST AND GAIN AN INSIGHT INTO CAREER PROSPECTS AS THEY COLLECT CAREERS INFORMATION FOR THE DISPLAY,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN ORGANISING THE CONVENTIONS, CAREERS TEACHERS WILL ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND INFORMATION AND UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE NEEDS OF THEIR STUDENTS, HE ADDED.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, TRAINING INSTITUTES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL DELIVER TALKS ON VARIOUS TOPICS INCLUDING THE HOTEL BUSINESS, TOURISM, FURTHER STUDIES, BANKING, MASS COMMUNICATIONS, THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING.
DETAILS OF THE OTHER CONVENTIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
TRAFFIC CHANGES AT BOUNDARY STREET AND SUNG WONG TOI ROAD ******
NEW TRAFFIC MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED AT BOUNDARY STREET AND SUNG WONG TOI ROAD ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 22).
FROM 10 AM ON THAT DAY, THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SUNG WONG TOI ROAD BETWEEN KOWLOON CITY ROAD AND MA TAU CHUNG ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AS AN URBAN CLEARWAY.
ALL VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY.
IN KOWLOON TONG, TRAFFIC ON BOUNDARY STREET EASTBOUND WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING LEFT INTO CUMBERLAND ROAD NORTHBOUND FROM 10 AM TO FACILITATE THE LAYING OF GAS MAINS AT THE JUNCTION.
THE BAN WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
MEANWHILE, TRAFFIC ON EASTBOUND BOUNDARY STREET HEADING FOR CUMBERLAND ROAD WILL BE DIRECTED TO USE WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND AND LINCOLN ROAD.
- 0 - -
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
7
WATER CUT IN NT * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES AND VILLAGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 10 PM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 23) FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES AND VILLAGES ALONG:
* TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN SIU TO YUEN AND SHEUNG SHU I CROSS ROAD;
* LAM KAM ROAD BETWEEN WAI TAU TSUEN AND PING LONG ;
* THE SAN TIN SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN SHEUNG SHU I CROSS ROAD AND LOK MA CHAU;
* FAN KAM ROAD BETWEEN SHEUNG SHU I CROSS ROAD AND CHIU KENG TSUEN;
* JOCKEY CLUB ROAD BETWEEN FANLING ROUNDABOUT AND SAN FUNG AVENUE, INCLUDING SHEK WU HUH
* MAN KAM TO ROAD ;
* SHA TAU KOK ROAD BETWEEN FANLING ROUNDABOUT AND SHA TAU KOK MARKET, INCLUDING LUEN WO HUI ; AND
# PING CHE ROAD.
0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 198?
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WORKS AND SERVICES MUST BE KEPT UP: SIR PHILIP ................. 1
BUDGET DAY ON WEDNESDAY ........................................ 2
TRAINING SCHEME FOR ENGINEERING GRADUATES..................... 5
BRIEFINGS FOR DB MEMBERS ...................................
LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME ....................................... 5
200 PARKING METERS FOR KWAI CHUNG .............................. 5
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ................................. 5
WATER CUT IN CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI ......................... 6
WATER FIGURES .................................................. 6
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1983
1
WORKS AND SERVICES MUST BE KEPT UPs SIR PHILIP
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO MAINTAIN MOMENTUM WITH RELATIVELY SCARCE RESOURCES AT ITS DISPOSAL, IN ORDER TO KEEP UP RECURRENT SERVICES AND PUSH FORWARD CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMMES, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A TWO-DAY CONFERENCE ON STAFF MANAGEMENT AT SHERATON HOTEL, SIR PHILIP SAID THIS HAPPENED TO BE AN OPPORTUNE TIME FOR SUCH A CONFERENCE BECAUSE +WE HAVE MOVED BACK INTO A PERIOD WHEN THE FINANCING OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT IS AGAIN PARTLY DEPENDENT ON RECURRENT REVENUE*.
+THIS MEANS THAT WE SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD MANAGERS WHO ARE ONLY PREPARED TO COAST ALONG WITHIN THE SYSTEM. WE NEED MANAGERS WITH INITIATIVE AND IMAGINATION, ABLE TO COPE WITH TODAY’S CONSTRAINTS AND TOMORROW’S CHALLENGES,* HE SAID.
SIR PHILIP SAID THE CONFERENCE WAS OPPORTUNE ALSO +FOR IT AFFORDS US AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE, ON BEHALF OF ALL MEMBERS CF THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE, THAT WE ARE TOGETHER COMMITTED TO THE PURSUIT OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND THE PUBLIC GOOD, AND EVEN MORE SO, IN TEMPORARILY DIFFICULT AND UNCERTAIN TIMES*.
SIR PHILIP SAID THERE WERE NOW 170 003 CIVIL SERVANTS IN
HONG KONG, MAKING UP 6-1/2 PER CENT OF THE WORKFORCE AND 1/30TH OF THE ENTIRE POPULATION.
+THIS MEANS 170 000 INDIVIDUAL MEN AND WOMEN, EACH WITH THEIR -------------------------------------- POSITION TO MAKE A
OWN TALENTS AND SKILLS AND EACH THEREFORE IN A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE PROVISION OF EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SERVICE TO THIS CITY AND THIS
AN EFFICIENT AND
COMMUNITY.*
THE TASK AND OBLIGATION OF THOSE OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR STAFF MANAGEMENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WERE TO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK AND CLIMATE WITHIN WHICH EACH MEMBER CF THE CIVIL SERVICE COULD MAKE HIS OR HER FULL CONTRIBUTION, DEVELOPING AT THE SAME TIME HIS OR HER TALENTS AND SKILLS, SIR PHILIP SAID.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MARTIN ROWLANDS, WHO ALSO SPOKE AT THE OPENING, SAID THE CONFERENCE WOULD HELP REALISE THE GOAL OF BRINGING TOGETHER SENIOR STAFF FROM WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE, FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, FROM ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF CIVIL SERVICE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS SO THAT THEY COULD APPLY THEIR COMBINED EXPERIENCE TO SOME OF THE PROBLEMS OF STAFF MANAGEMENT III A PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANISATION TH=. SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
MR ROWLANDS SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING CENTRE WAS ALREADY PLAYING AN IMPORTANT PART IN ASSISTING MANAGERS IN_GA]NING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING .TA-- MANAGEMENT, AND THE CONFE-EnCE WAS A FURTHER MAJOR ST-P • Twx PROCESS.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 198?
2
♦BUT THE PROCESS MUST NOT STOP WITH THIS CONFERENCE. WE MUST ALL ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND STAFF AND MUST ALL ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROMOTING THE WELLBEING OF STAFF.
+l BELIEVE THIS CONFERENCE WILL HELP US TO TAKE A GIANT STRIDE ALONG THE ROAD TO MORE EFFECTIVE STAFF MANAGEMENT,+ MR ROWLANDS SAID.
IN A LUNCHEON SPEECH TO THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE CONFERENCE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL StRVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, SAID THE CONFERENCE WAS A RESULT OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE COMMISSION’S REPORT NO. 4 WHICH WAS CONCERNED WITH THE CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND ITS PROPOSALS WERE AIMED AT IMPROVING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND STAFF.
THE REPORT RECOMMENDED MORE TRAINING IN PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND THAT PERSONNEL SKILLS SHOULD WEIGH MORE HEAVILY WHEN IT CAME TO SELECTING OFFICERS FOR SENIOR MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS, SIR SZE-YUEN SAID.
SOME 2OO PARTICIPANTS FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR ARE TAKING PART IN THE CONFERENCE, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND ORGANISED BY THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH.
THE PROGRAMME OF THE SEMINAR INCLUDES PANEL SESSIONS AND WORKSHOPS, COVERING DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT: STAFF MANAGEMENT AND DISCIPLINE, STAFF RELATIONS, MANPOWER PLANNING AND STAFF RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, STAFF APPRAISAL SYSTEMS, PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS AND COUNSELLING SKILLS.
-----o------
BUDGET DAY ON WEDNESDAY
X * * *
HONG KONG’S BUDGET FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1983/84 WILL EE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 23).
THE PROCEEDINGS WILL START AT 2.30 PM WHEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE MOVES THE FIRST AND SECOND READINGS OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1983 AND OUTLINES HONG KONG’S ESTIMATED REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1983-84.
THE ESTIMATED HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WILL EE SET OUT IN THE SCHEDULE OF THE BILL TO BE PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE THE SAME AFTERNOON.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WILL BE ADJOURNED UNTIL MARCH 23 AND 24 WHEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE BUDGET PROPOSALS.
/OFFICIAL K3-3F3S........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1983
OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY THEIR UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES ON APRIL 13. IF NECESSARY, THE DEBATE WILL CONTINUE THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING OF THE BILL ON APRIL 27.
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE PROCEEDINGS WILL BE COMPREHENSIVELY COVERED BY THE MASS MEDIA.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S SPEECH ON WEDNESDAY WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE OVER RTHK’S RADIO 1 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 3 (ENGLISH).
RTHK WILL ALSO BROADCAST LIVE THE OTHER BUDGET SITTINGS ON MARCH 23 AND 24, APRIL 13, 14 (IF NECESSARY) AND APRIL 27 ON RADIO 1 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 3 (ENGLISH).
THE BUDGET SITTINGS WILL ALSO BE COVERED, IN NORMAL NEWSCASTS AND BULLETINS OF RTHK, COMMERCIAL RADIO, HK-TVB AND ATV.
- 0 -
NOTE TO ED ITORS1
TRAINING SCHEME FOR ENGINEERING GRADUATES * * * *
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) WILL LAUNCH AN ENGINEERING GRADUATE TRAINING SCHEME THIS SUMMER.
HONG KONG ENGINEERING GRADUATES HAVE BEEN FINDING IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT IN RECENT YEARS TO OBTAIN POST-GRADUATE PRACTICAL TRAINING EITHER LOCALLY OR OVERSEAS. THE SCHEME, TO BE FINANCED WHOLLY BY THE GOVERNMENT, WILL PROVIDE SUPERVISED PRACTICAL TRAINING ESSENTIAL TO ENGINEERS.
DETAILS OF THE SCHEME WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE VTC’S COMMITTEE ON TRAINING OF TECHNOLOGISTS, MR MORSE K.H. TSANG, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25) AT 2.30 PM IN THE GIS THEATRE, 5TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY ON ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES OF THE SCHEME, MR JOHN WEEDON AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (INDUSTRIAL TRAINING) OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT, MR HORACE KNIGHT WILL ALSO BE PRESENT.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONFERENCE.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1983
BRIEFINGS FOR DB MEMBERS * * * *
WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL HEAR A TALK TOMORROW (TUESDAY) ON THE PREVENTION OF DISABILITIES AMONG BABIES AND CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE.
THE TALK WILL BE GIVEN BY AN OFFICIAL OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THE BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE MONITORING OF POWER COMPANIES AND ELECTRICITY CHARGES, AND ON LICENSING GUIDELINES FOR AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES.
MEMBERS’ ADVICE WILL BE SOUGHT ON GOVERNMENT’S LIABILITY TO MEMBERS OF +FIRE WATCH+ TEAMS IN SQUATTER AREAS IN THE EVENT OF DEATH OR INJURY.
ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 23), MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE FANLING/SHEK WU HUI CENTRAL AREAS STUDY AND THE FANLING NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (1982).
THEY WILL ALSO BE TOLD BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ABOUT A NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE ON JOCKEY CLUB ROAD IN FANLING, LICENSING GUIDELINES IN RESPECT OF AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES AND THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER
(I) THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE FUNG MING HALL, SIK SIK YUEN, WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE; AND
(II) THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 23) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING ON TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO. A GOVERNMENT VAN, AM 5797, WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 1.15 PM FOR TAI PO.
-----o------
/5.........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1983
5
LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME * * * *
A SERIES OF FESTIVE ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE NORTH DISTRICT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE OPENING DAY WILL FEATURE A FULL DAY PROGRAMME INCLUDING GAMES STALLS, LION DANCES, TV STARS PERFORMANCES, ACROBATIC AND MAGIC SHOWS AND A LUCKY DRAW.
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD IS CONTRIBUTING MORE THAN TWO THIRDS OF THE TOTAL COST OF ABOUT $120 000.
LASTING UNTIL MARCH 6, OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE A LAUNCH PICNIC, A BASKETBALL MATCH, A CARNIVAL FOR CHILDREN, A FUN FAIR WITH GAMES STALLS, VARIETY SHOWS, A LONG DISTANCE RACE FROM TA KWU LING TO SHEUNG SHU I, AND A LUNAR NEW YEAR FEAST FOR THE AGED IN SHEUNG SHU I. -------------------------------o--------
200 PARKING METERS FOR KWAI CHUNG
XXX
TWO HUNDRED PARKING METERS WILL BE INSTALLED IN KWAI CHUNG OVER A TWO-DAY PERIOD FROM TODAY (MONDAY).
THE NEW METERS WILL BE LOCATED ALONG KWAI WING ROAD, KWAI SAU ROAD, KWAI FAT ROAD, TAI LIN PAI ROAD, KWAI CHEONG ROAD, WAH SING STREET, KUNG YIP STREET, WING YIP STREET, KWAI TING ROAD, KA HING ROAD AND KA TING ROAD.
-----0-------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS
* * * *
A NUMBER OF TEMPORARY TRAFFIC MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED ON 01 KWAN ROAD, DAVIS STREET AND WAH HA STREET ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
FROM 12.30 PM TO 4.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY), TRAFFIC ALONG 01 KWAN ROAD IN WAN CHAI WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE TO MAKE WAY FOR THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB ANNUAL PARADE.
PARKING FACILITIES ON 01 KWAN ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED DURING THE PERIOD.
FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 23) THE SECTION OF DAVIS STREET IN KENNEDY TOWN BETWEEN CATCHICK STREET AND KENNEDY TOWN NEW PRAYA WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS FOR ROAD WORKS.
ON THE SAME DAY IN CHAI WAN, A SMALL SECTION OF WAH HA STREET NEAR ITS WESTERN JUNCTION WITH PRIVATE ACCESS ROAD ’A’ WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM FOR WORK CK A FOOTBRIDGE.
DURING THE CLOSURE, BUSES ON CM3 ROUTE 82 WILL EE DIVERTED VIA WAN TSAI R3AD ON THEIR WESTBOUND JOURNEYS.
------o--------
/6......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1983
6
WATER CUT IN CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI K * K
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CENTRAL DISTRICT AND TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 24) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION IN CENTRAL WILL BE FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY UNTIL 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY AND PREMISES AFFECTED WILL BE THOSE IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY ABERDEEN STREET, CAINE ROAD, LADDER STREET AND HOLLYWOOD ROAD.
THE SUSPENSION IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE FROM 0001 AM TO 6 AM ON THURSDAY.
THIS WILL AFFECT THE PREMISES BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, MODY ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD, HART AVENUE AND CARNARVON ROAD. IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THOSE PREMISES IN CORNWALL AVENUE AND HANOI ROAD.
ON THE SAME DAY SALT WATER SUPPLY TO OTHER PREMISES IN EAST KOWLOON WILL ALSO BE CUT OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM FOR A WATER PUMP REPAIR.
THE PREMISES AFFECTED WILL INCLUDE THOSE IN SAU MAU PING ESTATE, LAM TIN ESTATE, CHOI WAN ESTATE, SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE, SHUN TIN ESTATE AND ALL THOSE ALONG HONG LEE ROAD, HONG NING ROAD AND KUNG LOK ROAD.
WATER FIGURES * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 72.0 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 416.076 MILLION CUBIC NE TRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 244.086 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 42.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HIGHEST RED CROSS SOCIETY AWARD FOR SIR RUN RUN ................ 1
PROPERTY SLACK SAID BEHIND DTC FAILURES ...................... 2
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT STATEGY OUTLINED ............................ 3
COMMISSIONER WARNS ON IMPOSTER ................................. 5
VIEWING GROUPS GIVE PUBLIC OPINION ON TV STANDARDS.............. 5
FOURTH COMMUNITY HALL OPENED IN SHA TIN ........................ 7
YOUTH CLUB EFFORT GROWING FAST.................................. 8
DIRECTOR RETIRING AFTER LONG SERVICE.......................... 8
DISTRICT BOARDS TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS .......................... 10
INDUSTRIALISTS INVITED TO JOIN MISSIONS TO SWEDEN AND GERMANY 11
NEW PLAYGROUND OPENS IN SHA TIN ............................. 11
LOCAL OFFICERS nTTEND ARSON INVESTIGATION COURSE............ 12
TRAINING COURSE FOR BUILDING MANAGliMENT STAFF................. 1}
DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED....................................... 14
VARIETY SHOW TO PROMOTE U.C. ELECTIONS ...................... 14-
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS FOR SALE.................................. 15
THREE MEN COMMENDED FOR CATCHING SNATCHER...................... 16
NEW TRAi'FIC hRRaNGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG AND HK ISLAND........... 16
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1983
1
HIGHEST RED CROSS SOCIETY AWARD FOR SIR RUN RUN * * * *
SIR RUN RUN SHAW’S EXCEPTIONAL SERVICES TO THE RED CROSS SOCIETY OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS PROVIDED +MORE THAN AMPLE QUALIFICATION* FOR THE HIGHEST HONOUR AWARDED HIM BY THE SOCIETY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID THIS EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE OF THE QUEEN’S BADGE OF HONOUR TO SIR RUN RUN, THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THE AWARD MAY ONLY BE CONFERRED WITH THE SPECIFIC CONSENT CF THE QUEEN AS PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY.
+THE NUMBER OF HOLDERS AT ANY ONE TIME IS LIMITED TO 30 AND THEY MUST HAVE MADE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THE BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY,+ THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR RUN RUN IS PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG RED CROSS.
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
♦ IT GIVES ME VERY GREAT PLEASURE TO WELCOME YOU HERE THIS EVENING FOR THE PRESENTATION TO SIR RUN RUN SHAW OF THE QUEEN’S BADGE OF HONOUR. AS MANY OF YOU WILL KNOW, THIS IS THE HIGHEST HONOUR AWARDED BY THE RED CROSS SOCIETY AND MAY ONLY BE CONFERRED WITH THE SPECIFIC CONSENT OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AS PRESIDENT. THE NUMBER OF HOLDERS AT ANY ONE TIME IS LIMITED TO 30 AND THEY MUST HAVE MADE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THE BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY.
♦SIR RUN RUN’S EXCEPTIONAL SERVICES TO THE SOCIETY OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS HAVE PROVIDED A MORE THAN AMPLE QUALIFICATION FOR THIS HIGH AWARD. AS EARLY AS THE 196O’S HE WAS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE BRANCH IN HONG KONG IN THE FIELDS OF BLOOD COLLECTION, SCHOOLS FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND THE COMPLETION OF THE BRANCH HEADQUARTERS AT HARCOURT ROAD. FROM 1967 TO 1972 SIR RUN RUN LED THE BRANCH COMMITTEE, FIRST AS A VICE-CHAIRMAN AND THEN AS ITS CHAIRMAN, IN MANAGING THE AFFAIRS OF THE BRANCH AND IN ESTABLISHMENT OF THE YOUTH DEPARTMENT AND OTHER WELFARE PROGRAMMES.
♦SINCE BECOMING PRESIDENT IN 1974 SIR RUN RUN HAS MAINTAINED HIS KEEN INTEREST IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE SOCIETY AND CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE BRANCH IN SO MANY WAYS. HE HAS BEEN GENEROUS NOT ONLY WITH HIS TIME AND INTEREST BUT WITH POWERFUL FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND, IN PARTICULAR, HIS MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE CENTRE PROJECT.
/♦WE ALL .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 19^3
2
+WE ALL KNOW THAT SIR RUN RUN IS A BUSY MAN AND THAT HE HAS MADE MANY OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WELFARE OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY. SIR RUN RUN EPITOMISES THE TRUTH OF THAT SAYING THAT IF YOU WISH TO GET SOMETHING DONE THEN ASK A BUSY MAN TO DO IT. YET THE SIZE OF HIS CONTRIBUTION IS MATCHED ONLY BY THE DEGREE OF HIS MODESTY.
♦SIR RUN RUN, I AM SURE THAT ALL YOUR FRIENDS HERE THIS EVENING WOULD WISH TO JO IN WI TH ME IN CONGRATULATING YOU WARMLY ON THE AWARD WHICH I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO MAKE TO YOU THIS EVENING. AND IT GIVES ME THE VERY GREATEST PLEASURE BOTH OFFICIALLY AND PERSONALLY TO ASK YOU TO STEP FORWARD AND RECEIVE THE AWARD THE QUEEN’S BADGE OF HONOUR FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE WORK OF THE BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY.+
-----0------
PROPERTY SLACK SAID BEHIND DTC FAILURES * * X *
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS BLYE, TODAY (TUESDAY) ATTRIBUTED THE FAILURE OF A FEW REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TO A SLOWDOWN IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY GENERALLY AND SHARP DOWNWARD ADJUSTMENTS IN PROPERTY AND LAND PRICES IN PARTICULAR.
IN A LUNCHEON SPEECH TO THE HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL ASSOCIATION, MR BLYE SAID THE REQUIREMENT UNDER THE THREE-TIER STRUCTURE FOR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TO RUN DOWN ALL SHORT-TERM DEPOSITS BY JUNE THIS YEAR MIGHT WELL HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THESE PROBLEMS, BUT HE WAS NOT CONVINCED THAT WAS THE CRITICAL FACTOR.
MR BLYE SAID THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECTOR COULD NOT HAVE BEEN FORESEEN IN APRIL 1981 WHEN AMENDMENTS WERE MADE TO THE BANKING AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD THREE RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT CF THE FINANCIAL SECTOR OF THE ECONOMYs TO ATTEMPT TO PROTECT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AGAINST EVENTUALITIES AGAINST WHICH THEY CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, TO ATTEMPT TO ENSURE THAT THE FINANCIAL SECTOR ADEQUATELY SERVICES THE REQUIREMENTS OF A GROWING AND DEVELOPING ECONOMY AND TO ENSURE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT CF HONG KONG AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE IS NOT UNREASONABLY CONSTRAINED.
MR BLYE SAID THERE WERE TWO MAIN REASONS FOR THE THREE-TIER STRUCTURE: TO HELP ENSURE THE MAINTENANCE OF THE INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT AS AN INSTRUMENT OF MONETARY POLICY AND TO PROTECT THE SMALLER DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTIONS FROM +CUT THROAT* COMPETITION.
+IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF TODAY, THE PROBLEMS WHICH SOME DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED MIGHT HAVE BEEN CONSIDERABLY WORSE HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM,* HE SAID.
/THIS WAS ....
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 198}
- 3 -
THIS WAS BECAUSE +SMALL COMPANIES WOULD HAVE FOUND SURVIVAL VERY MUCH MORE DIFFICULT IF THE BANKS HAD ABANDONED THE INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT, OR IF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES HAD BEEN REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THAT AGREEMENT.*
MR BLYE SAID HE WAS SURE THAT WHEN THE ADJUSTMENTS WERE OVER AND THE DUST HAD SETTLED, WE SHOULD END UP WITH A SYSTEM WHICH PROVIDED BOTH BETTER PROTECTION FOR DEPOSITORS AND A SOUNDER GENERAL STRUCTURE.
HE WAS, OF COURSE, VERY MUCH CONCERNED BY RECENT EVENTS AND THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH WAS CONSIDERING HOW AS A RESULT OF RECENT EXPERIENCES, THE PRESENT SYSTEM, STRUCTURAL OR SUPERVISORY, COULD BE IMPROVED, HE SAID.
+WE SHALL BE LOOKING AT THIS QUESTION CAREFULLY AND IF INADEQUACIES ARE IDENTIFIED WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF IMPROVEMENT, THEN, SUBJECT TO THE USUAL CONSULTATIVE PROCESS, CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN.
+BUT IT MUST BE RECOGNISED THAT BUREAUCRATIC INTERFERENCE AND CONTROL BEYOND WHAT IS NECESSARY CAN BE DAMAGING TO THE FINANCIAL SECTOR AND THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE, AND THAT NO MATTER HOW STRINGENT CONTROLS ARE, MALFEASANCE AND POOR MANAGEMENT ON THE PART OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS CAN NEVER TOTALLY BE AVOIDED,* HE SAID.
------0 ------
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY OUTLINED * * * * *
AN OVERALL STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS IN HONG KONG IS BEING PLANNED WITH THE AIM OF PRODUCING +STARS OF THE FUTURE*, THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR WIGGHAM SAID THE STRATEGY INVOLVED THREE APPROACHES: ENCOURAGEMENT OF SPORTS AND RECREATION AT GRASS-ROOTS LEVEL, A SYSTEMATIC TRAINING PROGRAMME AND A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SCHEME.
HE STRESSED THAT STARS COULD NOT BE PRODUCED OVERNIGHT, BUT THAT INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS NEEDED PREPARATION, APPLICATION AND HARD WORK.
MR WIGGHAM WAS SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG.
THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE WITH ITS 19 DISTRICT OFFICES ORGANISES RECREATION ACTIVITIES FOR ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY AND INTRODUCES BEGINNERS CLASSES FOR A VARIETY OF SPORTS.
/♦THIS IS .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 198?
+THIS IS THE SITUATION AT THE GRASS-ROOTS LEVEL, SO TO SPEAK,* HE SAID.
ON THE SECOND PART OF THE STRATEGY, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT - AN ADVISORY BODY CONSISTING OF OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS - RECENTLY ADVISED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETITIVE SPORTS SHOULD NOW BE APPROACHED ON A MORE METHODICAL AND SYSTEMATIC BASIS.
+WHEREAS WE HAD PREVIOUSLY RESERVED OUR LIMITED FUNDS FOR SENDING TEAMS ABROAD, WE NOW FEEL THAT MORE MONEY SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR STRICT DEVELOPMENT, SUCH AS LOCAL AND OVERSEAS TRAINING COURSES, FOR BOTH PLAYERS AND OFFICIALS; ENCOURAGING OUR TEAMS TO PARTICIPATE IN EVENTS WHERE THEY WILL NOT BE IMMEDIATELY OUTCLASSED; AND GENERALLY TO PREPARE THEMSELVES IN A BUSINESSLIKE WAY FOR MAJOR EVENTS,* HE SAID.
♦FOR ITS PART, THE AMATEUR SPORT FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE HAS GIVEN NOTICE TO SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS THAT ONLY THOSE SPORTSMEN WHO ARE UP TO STANDARD IN BOTH FITNESS AND SKILL WILL BE ALLOWED TO REPRESENT HONG KONG.
+THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT HAS BEEN MOVING IN THIS DIRECTION SINCE 1981 BUT WE HAVE NOW TAKEN A MORE DECISIVE STEP IN THAT A SPORTS ASSOCIATION APPLYING FOR FUNDS FOR A TEAM TO REPRESENT HONG KONG WILL HAVE TO SATISFY THE COUNCIL THAT IT HAS BEEN FOLLOWING A TRAINING PROGRAMME LEADING UP TO THE EVENT IN QUESTION,* HE ADDED.
AS PART OF THE SAME APPROACH, MR WIGGHAM SAID, A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF TRAINING WOULD BE UNDERTAKEN SHORTLY.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SCHEME - THE THIRD PART OF THE STRATEGY - IS ALSO ADVISED BY THE COUNCIL.
IT HAS CONCLUDED THAT TALENT MUST BE DISCOVERED AND NURTURED AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY. PROPOSALS IN THE SCHEME CALL FOR YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS TO TAKE PART IN SCHOOL SPORTS AND COMPETITIONS, AND IDENTIFYING AND SELECTING THOSE WITH TALENT FOR FURTHER TRAINING.
TO START THE SCHEME, MORE SCHOOLS SPORTS WILL BE ORGANISED, AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES GIVEN FOR SCHOOL BOYS AND GIRLS TO TAKE PART IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS.
IN THIS MAJOR ENTERPRISE, THE EFFORTS OF THE AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION, THE SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL BE COORDINATED BY A COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL, SO THAT EVERY OPPORTUNITY AND ENCOURAGEMENT CAN BE GIVEN TO OUR YOUNGSTERS TO DEVELOP THEIR TALENT AND SKILL,* MR WIGGHAM SAID.
/5........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22,
5
COMMISSIONER WARNS ON IMPOSTER XXX
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TODAY EXPRESSED CONCERN AT RECENT TELEPHONE CALLS TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND BANKS BY A PERSON WHO CLAIMS TO BE COLIN MARTIN. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THIS PERSON GOES FURTHER AND STATES THAT HE IS THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING. HE ASKS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OPERATIONS OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND BANKS AND SOMETIMES TRIES TO SOLICIT DONATIONS FOR CHARITY.
THE MATTER HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE, WHO ARE INVESTIGATING.
CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND MEMBERS OF THEIR STAFF WHO RECEIVE CALLS OF THIS NATURE, ARE REQUESTED BY THE COMMISSIONER TO REPORT THEM TO HIS SECRETARY, AT 5-242141, WHO WILL PASS ON THE INFORMATION TO THE POLICE.
------o-------
VIEWING GROUPS GIVE PUBLIC OPINION ON TV STANDARDS ******
HOME VIEWING GROUPS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED IN EACH OF THE 18 DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG TO PROVIDE THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY WITH PUBLIC OPINION ON TELEVISION PROGRAMMING AND ADVERTISING.
THIS IS DISCLOSED IN THE NINTH REPORT OF THE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD WHICH WILL BE TABLED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
INITIAL FEEDBACK FROM THE QUESTIONNAIRES AND FROM SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSIONS WITH GROUP MEMBERS SUGGESTS THAT A MAJORITY OF VIEWERS WOULD LIKE HEALTHIER THEMES AND TIGHTER CONTROL OVER VIOLENCE IN PROGRAMME.
THE REPORT SAYS THAT MANY OF THOSE QUESTIONED FELT THAT THE STATIONS SHOULD PLAY A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL BESIDES OFFERING ENTERTAINMENT.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, WHICH COVERS AN 18-MONTH PERIOD, THE STANDARDS OF LOCALLY-PRODUCED TELEVISION PROGRAMMES CONTINUED TO IMPROVE WITH SIX LOCAL PRODUCTIONS WINNING INTERNATIONAL AWARDS.
THE STATIONS ALSO PRODUCED MORE PUBLIC AFFAIRS, EDUCATION AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMES, INCREASED THE NUMBER OF HOURS FOR CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES, AND IMPROVED ON THEIR QUALITY.
ALTHOUGH INDIVIDUAL DAILY DRAMA EPISODES HAVE BEEN WELL CONTROLLED, THE RECURRING QUANTITY OF VIOLENCE WEEK BY WEEK CONTINUED TO BE A SOURCE OF SOME CONCERN FOR THE BOARD, IT POINTS OUT.
/ON THE ........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1983
6
ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE WAS A GREATER VARIETY OF PROGRAMME CHOICE, INCLUDING MORE GAME AND QUIZ SHOWS, LIGHT-HEARTED COMEDIES AND YOUTH DRAMAS.
THE REPORT STATES THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE ENOUGH ADVERTISING REVENUE TO SUPPORT TWO BILINGUAL STATIONS IN HONG KONG DESPITE HESITATION BY SOME ADVERTISERS BECAUSE OF THE 1982 RECESSION.
IT SAYS THAT AN +ACCEPTABLE AND VIABLE PATTERN* OF COMPETITIVE COMMERCIAL TELEVISION WILL BECOME A PERMANENT PART OF HONG KONG.
IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT AT THE END OF LAST DECEMBER, 93 PER CENT CF ALL HOMES IN HONG KONG WITH A POTENTIAL AUDIENCE OF 4 630 000 POSSESSED ONE OR MORE TELEVISION SETS.
THE BOARD FINDS THAT THE OVERALL FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE INDUSTRY IS BETTER NOW THAN WHEN THE PREVIOUS REPORT WAS MADE.
ALTHOUGH ONE OF THE STATIONS CONTINUED TO INCREASE ITS EARNINGS, THE OTHER SUCCEEDED IN REDUCING ITS LOSSES, THE REPORT POINTS OUT.
THE BOARD STILL BELIEVED, HOWEVER, THAT GIVEN THE PRESENT STATE OF THE INDUSTRY, IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE TO CONSIDER THE LICENSING OF ANY MORE TELEVISION STATIONS UNTIL A +MORE BALANCED SITUATION CAN BE SHOWN TO EXIST*.
THE REPORT SAYS THAT BOTH STATIONS IMPROVED ON THEIR INTERNAL MONITORING SYSTEMS AND THAT THE NUMBER OF BREACHES OF PROGRAMME STANDARDS DECLINED.
UNDER THE TELEVISION TRANSMISSION COVERAGE TERMS, THE STATIONS CAN, IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, BE EXEMPTED FROM SERVING SMALL AREAS OF SCATTERED POPULATION.
WITH INCREASING LAND DEVELOPMENT, A NUMBER OF AREAS PREVIOUSLY EXEMPTED ARE BEING CONSIDERED FOR IMPROVED TRANSMISSION FACILITIES, THE REPORT SAYS.
A SECOND SURVEY OF CHINESE VIEWERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS TELEVISION WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY IN EARLY 1982.
GENERALLY THOSE SURVEYED BELIEVED THAT TELEVISION EXERCISED A BENEFICIAL INFLUENCE ON SOCIETY AND HELPED KEEP THE FAMILY TOGETHER.
THIS POSITIVE ATTITUDE, THE REPORT POINTS OUT, WAS MORE PREVALENT THAN IT WAS TWO YEARS AGO, WHEN THE FIRST SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED.
THE SECOND SURVEY SHOWED CLEAR PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR SOME FORM CF CENSORSHIP AND CONTROL OF STANDARDS BY THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY.
SINCE THE PREVIOUS SURVEY, THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY HAS BEEN EXERCISING STRICTER CONTROL OVER SEX, VIOLENCE AND TRIAD LANGUAGE IN TELEVISION PROGRAMMES, RESULTING IN LESS CRITICISMS THAN PREVIOUSLY THAT SUCH CONTROLS WERE TOO LOOSE, THE REPORT SAYS.
/THS MAJORITY .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1985
7
THE MAJORITY OF THOSE SURVEYED ALSO INDICATED THERE SHOULD EE TIGHTER CONTROL OVER ADVERTISEMENTS FOR CIGARETTES, LIQUOR, PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS AND CHINESE MEDICINES BUT, GENERALLY, EXPRESSED SATISFACTION WITH THE OVERALL CONTROL OF TELEVISION ADVERTISING STANDARDS.
THE REPORT CONCLUDES WITH A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE 15-YEAR HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF TELEVISION IN HONG KONG.
-------0 --------
FOURTH COMMUNITY HALL OPENED IN SHA TIN * * *
ANOTHER COMMUNITY HALL WAS OPENED TODAY (TUESDAY) IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN TO SERVE THE 20 000 RESIDENTS IN SUN TIN WAI ESTATE AND TIN SUM VALLEY.
COSTING S1.8-MILL ION, THE SUN TIN WAI COMMUNITY HALL IS THE FOURTH OPERATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN SHA TIN. THE OTHERS ARE AT LEK YUEN, WO CHE AND SHA KOK.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, SAID AT THE OPENING CEREMONY THIS AFTERNOON THAT IT WAS GOVERNMENT POLICY TO HAVE ONE COMMUNITY HALL FOR 20 000 PEOPLE, ONE ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR 50 000 AND ONE COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR 100 000.
+THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF A COMMUNITY HALL IS TO BECOME THE FOCAL POINT FOR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGE GROUPS AND ALL THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO MEET LOCAL NEEDS AS WELL AS TO COMPLEMENT THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN COMMUNITY BUILDING AT THE AREA LEVEL,+ HE SAID.
TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE FUTURE POPULATION OF SHA TIN, THERE WOULD BE AT LEAST ONE MORE COMMUNITY CENTRE, AND ONE ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, IN ADDITION TO FIVE MORE COMMUNITY HALLS BEING PLANNED.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD REMAIN SENSITIVE TO LOCAL NEEDS AND DEMANDS FOR VARIOUS WELFARE PROVISIONS AND WOULD AIM TO KEEP OPEN CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN PLANNING SERVICES.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE NEW HALL, MR WAI HON-LEUNG SAID THAT THE SWD’S POLICY TO SET UP A HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE IN EVERY COMMUNITY HALL WOULD HELP PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
+THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION, WE HOPE TO FOSTER CLOSE NEIGHBOURHOOD RELATIONS AND A STRONG SENSE Cr RESPONSIBILITY SO AS TO MAKE SHA TIN A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN,+ HE SAID.
FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE HALL INCLUDE A MULTI-PURPOSE HALL FOR 350 PEOPLE WITH A STALE - .0 DRESSING ROOMS, A CONFERENCE ROOM FOR 50, AND ROOMS FOR COMVUNITY WORKERS.
-------0 - r - -
/8........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1983
8
YOUTH CLUB EFFORT GROWING FAST HMM
TWELVE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB DISTRICT COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN SET UP SINCE 1979 AND IT IS HOPED THAT THE REMAINING SIX DISTRICTS WILL SET UP SIMILAR COMMITTEES, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, FR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 2ND COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB ANNUAL PARADE AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, MR LEUNG SAID DISTRICT COMMITTEES WERE FORMED *TO PASS ON THE CYC SPIRIT TO ALL SCHOOLS TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO DEVELOP FULL PERSONALITIES, TO CARE FOR OTHERS AND TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.*
THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS SET UP FIVE YEARS AGO AND DEVELOPED WITH AMAZING SPEED, MR LEUNG EXPLAINED.
+WITH THE UNFAILING SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS, THE CYC HAS BEEN ABLE TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES WITH GREAT SUCCESS.
+IT NOW HAS A MEMBERSHIP OF 81 600, WHICH MEANS AN INCREASE OF 18 000 OVER THAT OF LAST YEAR. MEMBER-SCHOOLS HAVE INCREASED TO A TOTAL OF 624, WHICH IS 84 MORE THAN THAT OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
+WHAT IS MORE ENCOURAGING IS THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS MORE AWARE OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB AND HAS GIVEN ITS SUPPORT BY SPONSORING OR ORGANISING VARIOUS ACTIVITIES IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE CYC,+ HE SAID.
APART FROM PRESENTING THE CYC FLAGS TO THE FOUR NEWLY-ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB DISTRICT COMMITTEES, MR LEUNG ALSO PRESENTED LEVEL 3 PURPLE BADGES OF THE CYC MERIT AWARD SCHEME TO 30 MEMBERS FOR THEIR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
- - o -
DIRECTOR RETIRING AFTER LONG SERVICE * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT, MR JOHN DON, IS RETIRING AFTER 28 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
TO MARK THE OCCASION, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, FR DAVID MCDONALD, THIS AFTERNOON PRESENTED MR DON WITH A VIDEO RECORDER AND A CAMERA ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE DEPARTMENT.
MR MCDONALD SAID THAT MR DON ARRIVED IN HONG KONG IN JANUARY 1955 AS AN ENGINEER.
+FOR MORE THAN 18 YEARS MR DON WAS INVOLVED WITH WATERWORKS HERE, BEGINNING ON CONTRACT WITH THE WATERWORKS OFFICE ON THE TAI LAM CHUNG SCHEME,* HE SAID.
/MR DON'S
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1983
9
MR DON’S RESOURCEFULNESS AND VERSATILITY WERE PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE DURING THE WATER EMERGENCIES IN I960 WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE FIRST SCHEME TO RECEIVE WATER FROM CHINA.
IN 1973 HE WAS PLACED IN CHARGE OF THE THEN PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S SIDE OF THE OPERATION TO IMPORT 15 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER DAILY BY TANKERS FROM THE PEARL RIVER, MR MCDONALD SAID.
IN 1967, MR DON WAS PROMOTED TO CHIEF ENGINEER AND IN 1972 TO GOVERNMENT WATER ENGINEER (NEW WORKS).
HE WAS RESPONSIBLE DURING THIS PERIOD FOR TWO OTHER MAJOR WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS, THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME AND THE LOK ON PAI DESALTER, WHICH AT THE TIME WAS THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD.
IN 1973, HE BECAME THE FIRST PROJECT MANAGER FOR SHA TIN WHERE HE PLAYED A LEADING ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENGINEERING INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC FACILITIES AND PRIVATE SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS NECESSARY FOR A SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNITY OF WELL OVER HALF A MILLION PEOPLE, MR MCDONALD SAID.
+IT WAS LARGELY DUE TO HIS ORGANISATIONAL FLAIR AND QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP THAT SPECTACULAR PROGRESS WAS MADE ON THE DEVELOPMENT CF THE TOWN.+
MR DON REMAINED IN HIS SHA TIN POST UNTIL 1978 WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF NEW' TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT.
HE WAS APPOINTED AN OFFICIAL JUSTICE OF THE PEACE IN 1975 AND AN OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE IN 1981.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, A FAREWELL LUNCHEON WAS GIVEN IN HONOUR OF TWO SENIOR STAFF MEMBERS OF THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH WHO ARE LEAVING GOVERNMENT SERVICE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
THEY ARE THE GEOTECHNICAL AND MATERIALS ADVISER, MR STANLEY RODIN, AND THE CHIEF TREASURY ACCOUNTANT, MR STEWART DUNLOP.
MR RODIN, WHO IS LEAVING AT THE END OF HIS CURRENT CONTRACT, HAS BEEN SERVING AS A GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANT TO THE GOVERNMENT SINCE 1977 FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE THE SAME YEAR.
MR DUNLOP, WHO IS RETIRING AFTER 16 YEARS OF SERVICE, FIRST JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS A TREASURY ACCOUNTANT IN APRIL 1966. BEFORE BECOMING A SENIOR TREASURY ACCOUNTANT IN 1972 MR DUNLOP HAD SERVED IN THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT AND THE GENERAL POST OFFICE.
MR DUNLOP WAS PROMOTED TO CHIEF TREASURY ACCOUNTANT IN SEPTEMBER 1975. SINCE THEN HE HAS SERVED IN THE THEN PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND THE LANDS AND WORKS ERANCH.
-------o----------
/1O........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1983
10
DISTRICT BOARDS TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS * * * *
LEASE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST CAR REPAIRING GARAGES IN NON-INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS WITHIN YUEN LONG TOWN WILL BE DISCUSSED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 24) MORNING.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO DISCUSS PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT ROADWORKS AT THE YUEN LONG EASTERN ROUNDABOUT AND ROAD PROJECTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE A REVIEW OF THE +MEET-THE-PUELIC+ SCHEME, REPLACEMENT OF IDENTITY CARDS, TRAINING CF STREAM COURSES IN RURAL AREAS, THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND THE TOWN LAYOUT.
IN THE AFTERNOON, THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS THIRD MEETING WHEN MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SITUATION AT THE TUNG CHOI STREET HAWKER PERMITTED PLACES.
THE MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE PRESENT POSITION AND GOVERNMENT POLICY CONCERNING SUBVENTION TO SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER:
(I) THE SIXTH YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 24) AT 9.30 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE;
(II) THE THIRD MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 3 PM ON THURSDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490-492 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
(A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE, AM 5797, WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 8 AM FOR THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE).
-------o----------
/11 .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1983
11
INDUSTRIALISTS INVITED TO JOIN MISSIONS TO SWEDEN AND GERMANY
******
LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS INTERESTED IN CO-OPERATION WITH COMPANIES IN SWEDEN AND GERMANY ARE INVITED TO JOIN MISSIONS BEING ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
THE MISSION TO SWEDEN IS SCHEDULED FROM MAY 1-7, AND TO GERMANY FROM MAY 8-14. THEY WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS TO MEET AND DISCUSS WITH THEIR POTENTIAL PARTNERS THE POSSIBILITIES FOR MANUFACTURING PROJECTS, INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTING, JOINT-VENTURES OR LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS.
♦THE MISSIONS ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE A USEFUL AND EFFECTIVE f€ANS FOR LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS TO FIND NEW PRODUCTS AND TO DIVERSIFY AND UPGRADE THEIR TECHNOLOGY THROUGH CO-OPERATION WITH OVERSEAS COMPANIES,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT WILL ASSIST THE PARTICIPANTS IN MAKING TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND FIXING APPOINTMENTS WITH THEIR OVERSEAS COUNTERPARTS.
BRIEFINGS WILL BE GIVEN TO EXPLAIN THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT SCENE IN THE COUNTRIES.
PARTICIPATING INDUSTRIALISTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO MEET THEIR OWN EXPENSES.
INTERESTED PARTIES WHO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE MISSION TO SWEDEN CAN TELEPHONE MR JOSEPH YIP ON 3-7222577 OR MR CLEMENT CHAN ON 3-7222239.
DETAILS OF THE MISSION TO GERMANY CAN BE OBTAINED FROM MAJOR C.G. BERNARD ON 3-7222221 OR MR TOMMY LAI ON 3-7222415.
-------0---------
NEW PLAYGROUND OPENS IN SHA TIN * * * *
THE NEWLY COMPLETED $9 MILLION PLAYGROUND AT YUEN WO ROAD IN SHA TIN WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25).
THE PLAYGROUND IS LOCATED ON A 2.41-HECTARE SITE ADJACENT TO SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AND SQUASH COURT.
I?!S!,5?E six TENN,S COURTS, two mini-soccer pitches, and FOUR BASKETBALL COURTS AT THE PLAYGROUND AND THESE CAN BE MADE ~™,4™EZ0R PLAY,NG VOLLEYBALL ALSO. FLOODLIGHTS ARE ALSO PROVIDED AT ALL THESE COURTS AND PITCHES.
0THER FACILITIES AVAILABLE ARE A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND WITH PLAY EQUIPMENT, LANDSCAPED SITTING OUT AREAS WITH A NUMBER OF BEAUTIFUL SHADES AND BENCHES, CHANGING ROOMS WITH HOT AND COLD WATER SHOWERS AND A REFRESHMENT KIOSK.
SPOKESMAN .......
A’BSDAY, FSBRURRT 22, 19LJ
12 -
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NE* TERRITORIES SERVICES SAID AN OFFICIAL OPENING WILL BE HELD FOR THE PLAYGROUND AT 11 AM On FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25).
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (SOUTH REGION) OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR DAVID DOWDING, THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF SHA TIN, MR DONALD TSANG, THE PROJECT MANAGER OF SHA TIN NEW TOwN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR KENNETH KWOK, AND THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF SHA TIN, MR IP SHING-WAI, WILL PERFORM THE RIBBON-CUTTING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR WAI HON-LEUNG, THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR NG CHAN-LAM, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR LAU HON-KIT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL START AT 11 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25). THE PLAYGROUND IS LOCATED ADJACENT TO SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AND SQUASH COURT AT YUEN WO ROAD.
A MINI-BUS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PRESS. IT WILL LEAVE THE WHITEFIELD BARRACKS OPPOSITE THE LONDON THEATRE AT THE JUNCTION OF NATHAN ROAD AND AUSTIN ROAD AT 9.45 AM SHARP. AN INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE NTSD WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.
0
LOCAL OFFICERS ATTEND ARSON INVESTIGATION COURSE * > * *
TWENTY-THREE F'FE AND POLICE OFFICERS ARE ATTENDING A FIRE AND ARSON DETECTION INSTRUCTORS’ COURSE BEING CONDUCTED BY TWO LEADING EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF ARSON INVESTIGATION.
THE EXPERTS, WHO HAVE BEEN INVITED TO HONG KONG BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ARE MR ROBERT CARTER, CHIEF FIRE ARD ARSON INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST, PUBLIC PROTECTION DIVISION, NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION, AND MR JACK SANDERS, FIRE MARSHAL, STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF THE ASSOCIATION.
THE COURSE WHICH WILL LAST EIGHT DAYS WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR ROBERT HOLMES AT THE CIVIL SERVICES TRAINING CENTRE IN CENTRAL TODAY (TUESDAY). IT WILL INCLUDE A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION AS WELL AS PRACTICAL AND FIELD EXERCISES.
THE OFFICERS ATTENDING THE COURSE COM°RISED 23 FRO* THE FIRE SERVICES, TWO FROM THE POLICE AND ONE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OFFICER FROM THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY.
/'■5...........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1983
13
TRAINING COURSE FOR BUILDING MANAGEMENT STAFF
******
PREVENTION Or CRIME AND BRIBERY, AND THE MANAGEMENT OF MULTI-ST.'REY BUILDINGS *>’ILL BE Trie. MAIN THEME OF A TRAINING COURSE SPECIALLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE FOR 103 . EMBERS Or LOCAL MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS LATER THIS WEEK.
THE COURSE IS AIMED AT PROVIDING OFFICE-BEARERS OF THESE CCG4NISAT IONS A CHANCE TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE AND ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED FOR EFFICIENT BUILDING MANAGEMENT, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
+IT IS HOPED THAT THE PARTICIPANTS WILL PASS ON USEFUL I’.'CRMATION AND KNOWLEDGE TO OTriER PEOPLE AFTER ATTENDING THE COURSE,* HE SAID.
FUNDED BY THE KW'UN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, THE COURSE w ILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S CONFERENCE ROOM FROM 8 PM TO 10 PM ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.
TwO F.EP-ESENTATIVES FROM THE LAND OFFICE OF THE REGISTRARGENERAL’S DEPARTMENT AND TnE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION wILL TALK ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 24) TO 50 OFFICIALS FROM OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS.
ON FRIDAY EVENING, 50 MAC MEMBERS WILL EE BRIEFED ON CRIME PREVENTION AND ACCOUNTS AND BOOK-KEEPING BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE POLICE AND DISTRICT OFFICE.
A SIMILAR COURSE WAS ORGANISED LAST YEAR ON SUCH TOPICS AS FIRE PREVENTION, GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ON ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS, LIFT AND "ATER PUMP MAINTENANCE AND THE ORGANISATION OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 325 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND 65 OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS IN KWUN TONG.
THEY PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN REPRESENTING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO DEAL WITH LOCAL PROBLEMS.
--------c
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1983 '
14
DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCES PASSED ON HUI KWOK-HUNG AND TAM KAM-WAH ON JUNE 29, 1981 AND JANUARY 5, 1982 RESPECTIVELY SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON FUNG CHUN-WAI ON DECEMBER 10, 1981 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO 20 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
HUI KWOK-HUNG WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF MA MUK-CHEONG ON AUGUST 10, 1980 AND TAM KAM-WAH WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF CHENG AH-TUNG AND HIS WIFE HUI NGAN-CHUN ON MAY 20, 1981.
FUNG CHUN-WAI WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF NG CHU IN JANUARY 1981.
- 0 -
VARIETY SHOW TO PROMOTE U.C. ELECTIONS * * * *
CANDIDATES REPRESENTING WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT IN NEXT MONTH’S URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL JOIN SOME 2 500 LOCAL RESIDENTS TO SHARE THE FUN IN A COLOURFUL VARIETY SHOW ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 27) — THE DAY OF THE SPRING LANTERN FESTIVAL -- AT THE MORSE PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE.
APART FROM PROVIDING ENTERTAINMENT TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL, THE EVENT ALSO SERVES TO PUBLICISE THE COMING ELECTION ACTIVITIES ARRANGED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE CANDIDATES WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO MEET THEIR VOTERS AND PUT UP CAMPAIGN BANNERS IN THE PARK.
FUNDED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD, THE THREE-HOUR PROGRAMME WILL INCORPORATE A SPRING LANTERN DISPLAY AND AN URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION VARIETY SHOW.
MORE THAN 30 LANTERNS OF VARIOUS DESIGNS, DONATED BY LOCAL MUTUAL AID AND AREA COMMITTEES, WILL BE ON DISPLAY FROM 7.30 PM.
ABOUT 1 000 LANTERNS WILL ALSO BE GIVEN AWAY TO THE PARTICIPANTS AS SOUVENIRS.
/THE VARIETY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1965
- 15 -
THE VARIETY SHOW WILL BEGIN AT 8.15 PM WITH WELL-KNOWN TV ARTISTES AND SCHOOL GROUPS PERFORMING FOLK DANCES, CHINESE MUSIC, DRAMA AND FOLK SONGS.
SPECTATORS WILL BE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN GAMES WHICH WILL OFFER ATTRACTIVE PRIZES.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE VARIETY SHOW ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ALL SUB-OFFICES ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT TO BE HELD AT 7.30 PM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 27) AT THE MORSE PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE.
-------o---------
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS FOR SALE * * * *
THIRTY-FIVE SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS WILL BE AUCTIONED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AT 10 AM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 26) IN THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
THEY ARE:
CY 168 CT 14 CW8381 CY 107 CX2200
CY 348 CW8377 CX 718 9838 CX1683
CY1668 CX1947 AB 838 CY 108 1238
AY2619 AA 98 CX 911 CX 512 CX2826
BL8389 CX9495 CY 298 CX 801 832
CX 611 CW8328 CW 5 HK 49 CX 993
CY 116 CX1668 AF3228 CX 802 CJ 84
PAYMENT MUST BE MADE IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
HE REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE NUMBERS WOULD EE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS, WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL, AS USUAL, GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE AUCTION WILL BE THE 82ND ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973--------------------------------0--------
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1963
16 -
THREE MEN COMMENDED FOR CATCHING SNATCHER * * 4
THREE MEN WHO ASSISTED POLICE IN ARRESTING A SNATCHER LAST YEAR WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) COMMENDED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (WCDFCC) FOR THEIR CIVIC-MINDEDNESS.
THE MEN -- MESSRS LAW KAM-CHOR, LEE MAN-KIT AND LAI SHEK-LUN — RECEIVED THEIR COMMENDATION CERTIFICATES FROM THE WAN CHAI ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FRANCIS HO AND THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR A.J. MULLINS, EEFORE A MEETING OF THE WCDFCC.
MR HO, WHO IS ALSO'THE WCDFCC CHAIRMAN, PRAISED THEM FOR THEIR BRAVERY AND APPEALED TO LOCAL RESIDENTS TO FOLLOW THEIR EXAMPLE.
THE INCIDENT OCCURRED LAST OCTOBER IN CAUSEWAY BAY NEAR THE MITSUKOSHI DEPARTMENT STORE. THE SUSPECT HAD SNATCHED A WOMAN’S NECKLACE, AND WAS CAUGHT AFTER A SHORT CHASE BY THE THREE MEN, WHO TURNED HIM OVER TO THE POLICE.
THE APPREHENDED MAN WAS LATER SENTENCED TO NINE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
-------o ---------
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG AND HK ISLAND * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED A NUMBER CF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO EE IMPLEMENTED AT MARSH ROAD FLYOVER, TAI YIP STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD.
FROM 11.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY, TAI YIP STREET IN KWUN TONG BETWEEN HONG TAK ROAD AND SIU YIP STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR THE CONSTRUCTION CF A FLYOVER.
THE CLOSURE WILL BE REPEATED AT THE SAME TIME ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 24) UNTIL 6 AM ON FRIDAY.
DURING THE CLOSURES, VEHICLES FROM TELFORD GARDEN HEADING FOR KWUN TONG ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SIU YIP STREET, WAI YIP STREET AND LAI YIP STREET, WHILE THOSE FROM TAI YIP STREcT WESTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HONG TAK ROAD AND KWUN TONG ROAD.
FROM THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 24), ONE OF THE TRAFFIC LANES ON
MARSH ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 9 PM AND 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS TO FACILITATE REPAIR WORK. HOWEVER, SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE MAINTAINED ON THE REMAINING LANE.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS HEADING FOR WAN CHAI FERRY PIER MAY USE FLEMING ROAD FLYOVER.
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25), THE TRAFFIC LANE ON THE WESTBOUND TRAM TRACK CF SnAU KEI WAN ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH SUN SING STREET WILL BE RESERVED FOR TRAMS ONLY.
THE EXTENT OF THE RESERVED SECTION WILL BE INDICATED BY CARRIAGEWAY MARKINGS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE.COUNCIL.MEETING:
PS FORECASTS BETTER EXPORT PERFORMANCE AND GDP GROWTH .... 1
CLEAR COMMITMENT TO STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HK, FS SAYS ..................................................... 4
THERE MUST BE GROUND RULES TO ENSURE FAIR MARKET OPERATION 7
1982 WAS YEAR OF ADJUSTMENT .............................. 9
FS PROPOSES BUDGET DAY IN END OF MARCH ................... 10
WE ’WILL CARRY ON CALMLY,' FS SAYS ....................... 12
FS BUDGETS A DEFICIT OF $3.2 BILLION ..................... 13
10.7 PER CENT INCREASE PROPOSED FOR 1983-84 EXPENDITURE .. 15
$3.7 BILLION TO BE SPENT ON PUBLIC HOUSING................ 16
FS BUDGETS $1.7 BILLION FOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH............ -|6
INCREASED EXPENDITURE FOR SECURITY SERVICES .............. 18
81.7 BILLION FOR ROAD DEVELOPMENT ........................ 19
ABOUT $70M INCREASE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURE........ 22
3.34 MILLION PEOPLE EXPECTED TO LIVE IN NSW TOWNS ON FULL
DEVELOPMENT .............................................. 23
PLAN TO COPE WITH FORM THREE LEAVERS ..................... 23
SMALL SURPLUS EXPECTED FOR CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND IN 1983/84 .................................................. 25
$29.3 BILLION ESTIMATED REVENUE FOR 1983-84 .............. 26
/IMMEDIATE TAX ......
IMMEDIATE TAX INCREASES ON LIQUOR, TOBACCO, HYDROCARBON OILS, DRIVING AND VEHICLE LICENCES........................... 28
URBAN AND NT GENERAL RATES TO INCREASE....................... 30
INCREASES IN BETTING DUTY PROPOSED .......................... 31
' HOTEL-ACCOMMODATION AND AIRPORT TAXES T..................... 32
BANK AND BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEES INCREASED ..............r_3A
PROPOSALS ON SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED WOMEN............. 35
TWO TAX CONCESSIONS PROPOSED .............................. 37
SIQJIFICANT GROWTH FOR CD MARKET...........'......... 1...... 37
TELEVISION TALK ON BUDGET ................................... 39
NEW STAR FERRY FARE STRUCTURE................................... 41
CONSULTATIVE PROCESS NEEDS MORE WOMEN........................... 42
GOVERNOR ATTENDS TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL CONCERT ............... 43
TUEN MUN TO HELD SIXTH DB MEETING............................... 44
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 1 -
FS FORECASTS BETTER EXPORT PERFORMANCE AND GDP GROWTH *****
HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS WILL GROW BY FIVE PER CENT THIS YEAR, AGAINST AN ESTIMATED GROWTH RATE OF MINUS THREE PER CENT IN 1982, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, FORECAST IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH TODAY.
BUT MOST OF THE RECOVERY IS LIKELY TO OCCUR IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR, GIVEN THAT RETAINED IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES HAVE NOT YET SHOWN CLEAR SIGNS OF PICKING UP, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CONSERVATIVE OUTLOOK ON EXPORT PERFORMANCE EXPRESSED BY THE CROSS-SECTION OF MANUFACTURERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE SURVEY OF BUSINESS PROSPECTS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, HE POINTED OUT.
RE-EXPORTS ARE FORECAST TO EXPAND BY 12 PER CENT, WHILE THERE WAS NO GROWTH IN 1982, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS WILL BE SEVEN PER CENT, COMPARED WITH MINUS TWO PER CENT IN 1982.
GOING OVER INDIVIDUAL MARKETS, MR BREMRIDGE FORECAST THAT DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 38 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY VALUE IN 1982, WOULD GROW BY FIVE PER CENT, AS AGAINST A ONE PER CENT DECLINE IN 1982.
WHILE THIS GROWTH RATE IS LOW BY HISTORICAL STANDARDS, IT MIGHT WELL BE EXCEEDED IF THE U.S. ECONOMY RECOVERS SOONER THAN ASSUMED, HE ADDED.
PRESENTLY, THE U.S. ECONOMY IS EXPECTED TO RECOVER GRADUALLY IN 1983, WITH MORE RAPID GROWTH IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.
AS THE GNP IN BRITAIN IS EXPECTED TO GROW BY ONE PER CENT IN 1983, AFTER HAVING REMAINED RELATIVELY STAGNANT IN 1982, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THIS MARKET ARE FORECAST TO GROW BY FIVE PER CENT, AFTER DECLINING BY 10 PER CENT IN 1982, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
LAST YEAR, THE UK TOOK UP NINE PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY VALUE.
HE ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT SHOULD THE HONG KONG DOLLAR CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN SUBSTANTIALLY AGAINST THE STERLING THIS YEAR, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE MIGHT NOT BE ACHIEVED.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR EIGHT PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS, WAS EXPECTED TO SWING FROM A FOUR PER CENT DECLINE LAST YEAR TO A FOUR PER CENT GROWTH RATE THIS YEAR.
/MB BREMRIDGE .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983'
- 2
MR BREMRIDGE BASED THIS FORECAST ON A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT EXPECTED FOR THE GERMAN ECONOMY AND A SEVEN PER CENT DEPRECIATION
OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST THE DEUTSCHE MARK IN 1982.
AS FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD, WHICH ABSORBED 45 PER CENT
OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1982, PROSPECTS SHOULD BE
MORE ENCOURAGING, PARTICULARLY FOR COUNTRIES WITHIN THE ASIAN REGION, HE SAID.
HE ESTIMATED THE GROWTH RATE OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR THESE MARKETS COMBINED AT FIVE PER CENT, WHICH IS HIGHER THAN THE PERFORMANCE LAST YEAR.
COMBINING THE FORECASTS FOR INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS OF EXPENDITURE, MR BREMRIDGE ANTICIPATED A FOUR PER CENT GROWTH FOR HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, AN IMPROVEMENT OVER THE ESTIMATED GROWTH RATE OF 2.4 PER CENT FOR LAST YEAR.
WITH THE 1983 GROWTH RATE OF THE POPULATION ESTIMATED AT TWO PER CENT, THE PER CAPITA GDP GROWTH RATE IS FORECAST TO BE SLIGHTLY ABOVE ONE PER CENT IN REAL TERMS, ABOUT THE SAME AS THE ESTIMATED GROWTH RATE IN 1982, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
THOUGH THE FOUR PER CENT GDP GROWTH RATE IS LOW BY HONG KONG’S HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE, IT COMPARES WELL WITH THOSE OF OTHER COUNTRIES, HE POINTED OUT.
+FURTHERMORE, SHOULD THE FORECAST BE BORNE OUT, IT WOULD IMPLY THAT THE HONG KONG ECONOMY HAD SHIFTED BACK TO EXPORT-LED GROWTH,+ HE REMARKED.
ON THIS SHIFT, MR BREMRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT FIRST, THE GROWTH RATE OF TOTAL FINAL DEMAND, EXCLUDING RE-EXPORTS, AT FOUR PER CENT, WOULD BE THE SAME AS THE GDP GROWTH RATE.
THIS MEANS IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THERE WOULD BE ANY SIGNIFICANT IMBALANCE BETWEEN AGGREGATE DEMAND AND SUPPLY, PARTICULARLY AS THERE WERE SIGNS OF SOME SPARE PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY AT THE END OF 1982, HE EXPLAINED.
NO UNDUE PRESSURE SHOULD BE GENERATED ON THE INTERNAL COST/ PRICE STRUCTURE, HE ADDED.
THE GROWTH RATE OF RETAINED IMPORTS, AT FIVE PER CENT, WOULD BE SLIGHTLY FASTER THAN THE GDP GROWTH RATE, REFLECTING THE INCREASED VOLUME OF RETAINED IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES AND OF CAPITAL GOODS ASSOCIATED WITH A RECOVERY, HE SAID.
SECOND, WITH TOTAL FINAL DEMAND, THE GROWTH RATE OF TOTAL EXPORTS AT SEVEN PER CENT AND THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AT FIVE PER CENT WOULD BE HIGHER THAN THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC DEMAND AT FOUR PER CENT.
MOREOVER, UNLIKE THE SITUATION IN 1982, THE GROWTH RATE OF INVESTMENT DEMAND WOULD BE FASTER THAN THAT OF CONSUMER DEMAND.
/third, within ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 3 -
THIRD, WITHIN DOMESTIC DEMAND, THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC SECTOR DEMAND AT NINE PER CENT WOULD BE HIGHER THAN THE GROWTH RATE OF PRIVATE SECTOR DEMAND AT THREE PER CENT.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR WOULD THUS COMMAND AN INCREASED SHARE OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES IN THE ECONOMY, FROM 12.3 PER CENT IN 1982 TO 12.9 PER CENT THIS YEAR, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
FOURTH, AS THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE, INCLUDING THAT OF THE MTR, ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AT 15 PER CENT WOULD BE HIGHER THAN THE GROWTH RATE OF PRIVATE SECTOR EXPENDITURE AT MINUS TWO PER CENT, THE PUBLIC SECTOR’S SHARE OF THE OUTPUT OF THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR WOULD INCREASE FURTHER FROM 49 PER CENT IN 1982 TO 53 PER CENT IN 1983, HE SAID.
FIFTH, THE GROWTH RATE OF PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IN 1983, AT THREE PER CENT, WOULD BE HIGHER THAN THE 1.7 PER CENT RECORDED LAST YEAR.
THIS, MR BREMRIDGE SAID, IS CONSISTENT WITH THE EXPECTED GROWTH RATE OF FOUR PER CENT IN REAL INCOME IN 1983, COMPARED WITH THE GROWTH RATE OF 2.5 PER CENT ESTIMATED FOR 1982.
SIXTH, AS THE GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS OF GOODS AT SEVEN PER CENT WOULD BE IN LINE WITH THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS, THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP WOULD EE MUCH THE SAME AS IN 1982, HE POINTED OUT.
SEVENTH, AS THE LABOUR FORCE IS FORECAST TO GROW BY 2.5 PER CENT IN 1983, A GDP GROWTH RATE OF FOUR PER CENT IMPLIES THAT THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES CREATED TO REDUCE THE RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT SIGNIFICANTLY UNLESS THE GROWTH RATE OF PRODUCTIVITY, DEFINED AS OUTPUT PER WORKER, IS LOW, HE SAID.
FINALLY, MR BREMRIDGE SAID, THERE WOULD BE LOWER RATES OF INCREASE IN PRICES, BOTH IN TERMS OF THE GDP DEFLATOR AND THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES.
-----o------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983 .
4
CLEAR COMMITMENT TO STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HK, FS SAYS
******
HONG KONG HAD A CLEAR COMMITMENT BY THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS, ENDORSED AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, TO THE STABILITY OF THIS TERRITORY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID TODAY.
THIS DID NOT SEEM TO HIM TO BE DEPRESSING, BUT THE UNCERTAINTY AND SPATE OF COMMENTARIES AND RUMOURS EXPERIENCED IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAD, NEVERTHELESS, HAD AN UNSETTLING EFFECT, MR BREMRIDGE SAID, IN PRESENTING HIS BUDGET AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONFIDENCE HAVE SUFFERED, AND THE CONSEQUENCES HAVE BEEN FELT IN ALL SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY,* HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT SOME OF THE +GROUNDSWELL OF ECONOMIC COMPLAINT* DIRECTED AT THE GOVERNMENT WAS FAIR, SOME WAS NOT.
HE SAID THAT THE REAL ESTATE PROBLEMS AND CONNECTED DIFFICULTIES THAT FACED SOME FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, SOME DEVELOPERS AND MANY SPECULATORS, MUST LARGELY BE LEFT TO THEIR OWN TIMELY MANAGEMENT.
+SOME PROFIT FROM RISK TAKING. OTHERS MANIFESTLY NOT,* HE SAID.
+1 WILL NOT CONVENIENTLY FORGET THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS CF GOOD PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT AND ESSENTIAL ROLE THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY IN OUR ECONOMY. BUT MY OVERRIDING CONCERN IS WITH THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG AS A WHOLE.*
MR BREMRIDGE THANKED MANY INSTITUTIONS, HEADED BY THE NOTE-ISSUING BANKS, FOR THEIR RESPONSIBLE APPROACH TO RECENT PROBLEMS.
^07R0M
HE STRESSED THAT WHILE HONG KONG WAS NO LONGER POOR, IT WAS NOT RICH.
*WE GET NO FINANCIAL SUPPORT OR SUBSIDY FROM OUTSIDE. WE CAN ONLY HAVE WHAT WE CAN PAY FOR: THIS APPLIES BOTH TO PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SPENDING,* HE SAID.
T0 INDUSTRY, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT WHILE VARIOUS PARTISAN BODIES SOUGHT INCREASED AID TO INDUSTRY, THEY DID NOT ALSO CALL FOR INCREASED PROFITS TAX.
/+BUT .VHENC3..........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 5 -
+BUT WHENCE IS THE MONEY TO COME?* HE ASKED.
THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID, COULD NOT BE LED INTO TEMPORARY SUPPORT CF INDUSTRIES IN DISTRESS.
+ IF DIRECT GOVERNMENT SUPPORT WERE TO BE GIVEN, IT SHOULD LOGICALLY GO TO BOLSTER THE EFFICIENT SECTORS OF OUR ECONOMY — NOT TO FEATHERBED THOSE IN TROUBLE,* HE SAID.
INSOFAR AS CLAIMS FOR GENERALISED ASSISTANCE TO INDUSTRY WERE CONCERNED, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO RELY MAINLY THOUGH NOT ENTIRELY ON THE DISCIPLINES OF THE MARKET PLACE. BUT HE REITERATED HIS COMMITMENT TO PRONOUNCED AND GROWING GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR THE BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE CHANGING ECONOMY AND HE WOULD REMAIN OPEN TO RESPONSIBLE SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT, HE SAID.
INCREASING, WELL FOUNDED DEMANDS IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE AREAS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE A MAJOR CONCERN FOR THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID.
BUT THE MAINTENANCE AND GROWTH OF SUCH SERVICES WOULD STILL DEPEND ON THE PRIOR CREATION OF WEALTH.
+NOTHING IS LESS CALCULATED TO PROMOTE HONG KONG’S LONG-TERM GROWTH AND STABILITY THAN OVER-SPENDING OR WRONG PRIORITIES OR A MIXTURE OF BOTH AND WHILE WE WILL CONTINUE STEADILY WITH ALREADY AGREED PROGRAMMES WE WILL HAVE TO BE FRUGAL WITH REGARD TO NEW ONES,* HE SAID.
ILLUSTRATING HIS COMMENTS ABOUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING, MR BREMRIDGE REFERRED TO THE CASE FOR A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT.
IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE, IF IT COULD BE AFFORDED, TO
HAVE BY 1990 OR THEREABOUTS, AN ALTERNATIVE AIRPORT CAPABLE OF GROWTH. BUT AT 1982 PRICES THE TOTAL COST POSTULATED BY AN AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK WOULD BE ROUGHLY $37 BILLION, INCLUDING AIRPORT, ROADS AND BRIDGES, LAND RESUMPTION AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEARBY NEW TOWN ON LANTAU.
+CLEARLY WE CANNOT CONTEMPLATE SUCH EXPENDITURE IN ISOLATION UNTIL WE CAN SET OVERALL PRIORITIES FOR THE WHOLE TERRITORY FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS OR SO AGAINST THE MAJOR SUB-REGIONAL STUDIES WHICH ARE NOW REACHING CONCLUSION.
+THIS SHOULD BE POSSIBLE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR. AND WE SHALL THEN CONSIDER NEW PROGRAMMES,* HE SAID.
+BUT EVEN SO, MONETARY AND BUDGETARY FACTORS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE CRUCIAL,* HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT WHILE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CERTAINLY CONTINUE TO INVEST HEAVILY FOR THE FUTURE, IT COULD NOT DO SO FOR ALL CONCEIVABLE PROJECTS AND THE PLANNING HAD TO BE GOT RIGHi.
+IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE TO BELIEVE THAT EXPENDITURE WITHOUT WISDOM PORTRAYS CONFIDENCE. IT DOES NOT. IT SHOWS ONLY FOLLY,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
/PUBLIC EXPENDITURE........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1903
6
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE RUNNING OUT OF CONTROL WAS A GUARANTEED RECIPE FOR INFLATION AND EVENTUAL UNEMPLOYMENT, HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT, IN ANY CASE, THERE WERE REAL ISSUES OF PRIORITY TO BE CONSIDERED.
IF IT WAS FORTHWITH DECIDED TO BUILD THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK -- AND THE NEED FOR AN IMMEDIATE DECISION WAS NOT EVIDENT — IT MIGHT BE NECESSARY FOR BUDGETARY REASONS TO MOVE TOWARDS REDUCING ANNUAL GOVERNMENT CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON OTHER ITEMS BY ABOUT THREE BILLION DOLLARS WITHIN ABOUT THREE YEARS.
GIVING AN EXAMPLE, HE SAID THIS COULD RESULT IN HALVING THE LOW COST HOUSING PROGRAMME.
+WE MUST NOW ASK OURSELVES WHERE THE,PROPER PRIORITIES LIE, AND WHAT ARE THE SENSIBLE ALTERNATIVES,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
REFERRING TO INFRASTRUCTURAL INVESTMENT, MR BREMRIDGE ESTIMATED THAT $5.7 BILLION WOULD BE SPENT FROM CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT ON EDUCATION, INCLUDING $1.3 BILLION ON THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, THE BAPTIST COLLEGE AND THE POLYTECHNIC.
THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, EXCLUDING HOUSING AUTHORITY EXPENDITURE AND LAND ACQUISITION WOULD REQUIRE ABOUT $7.6 BILLION.
♦ ALL THIS EXPENDITURE, THE IMPORTANCE AND RELEVANCE OF WHICH IS OBVIOUS, IS INFRASTRUCTURRAL INVESTMENT. IT IS AN IMMENSE EFFORT,* HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THAT TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SERVICES AS A WHOLE WOULD BE $16.6 BILLION.
+EXPENDITURE OF THIS SIZE ILLUSTRATES MY EARLIER PROMISE OF NO PETTY-MINDED MEANNESS DESPITE BELT-TIGHTENING. I AM NOT INSENSITIVE TO THE GAP THAT EXISTS BETWEEN THE SUCCESSFUL AND THE POOR. MY TASK IS TO NARROW IT BY IMPROVING THE LOT OF THE POOR, NOT BY SQUEEZING THE RICH,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSISTENT AND STEADY POLICIES WOULD CONTINUE, MR BREMRIDGE SAID. THEY WERE AS SOUND IN BAD TIMES AS IN GOOD.
+IN OUR POSITION WE HAVE NO SENSIBLE ALTERNATIVE BUT TO PROMOTE ACTUAL EXPORT NOT THEORETICAL EQUITY SOLVENCY NOT SOFTHEARTEDNESS INCENTIVES NOT IDEOLOGY — WHILE STILL REMAINING COMPASSIONATE AND CARING PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF INDIVIDUAL INADEQUACIES AND SUFFERING.
+THIS IS NO EASY RESPONSIBILITY, AND IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO PRETEND THAT THE GOVERNMENT ALWAYS GETS THE BALANCE OF PRIORITIES RIGHT. I DO NOT. BUT I SHALL CONTINUE TO DO MY BEST,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
--------0----------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1963
THERE MUST BE GROUND RULES TO ENSURE FAIR MARKET OPERATION ******
WHILE HONG KONG’S ECONOMY DEPENDS MAINLY ON MARKET FORCES, IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO SEE THAT THERE EXIST ADEQUATE GROUND RULES TO ENSURE THAT MARKET FORCES OPERATE FAIRLY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR BREMRIDGE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE EXCESSES THAT HAD COME TO LIGHT AS A RESULT OF THE COLLAPSE OF THE PROPERTY MARKET.
THE CONDUCT OF SOME DIRECTORS OR MANAGERS IN CONTROL OF A FEW DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTIONS HAD CLEARLY BEEN OPEN TO SEVERE CRITICISM, AND THIS CRITICISM MUST EXTEND ALSO TO SOME ACTIVITIES IN OTHER AREAS OF THE FINANCIAL MARKETS, HE STATED.
+1 AM THEREFORE ENGAGING IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AMONG OTHERS TO ENSURE THAT LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG IN THEIR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY CONTINUES TO PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATE DEGREE OF PROTECTION FOR DEPOSITORS AND INVESTORS — AND INDEED FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
♦THIS TASK RAISES DIFFICULT AND CONTENTIOUS ISSUES, BECAUSE I DO NOT PROPOSE TO REPLACE FREE MARKET MANAGEMENT WITH THAT OF CIVIL SERVANTS. NOR IS PERFECTION POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.
HE ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT WHERE INADEQUACIES HAD BECOME APPARENT, THERE MUST BE IMPROVEMENT.
♦BUT THIS MUST BE A STEADY PROCESS WITHOUT SUDDEN SHOCKS. WE ALL KNOW ANYWAY THAT FREEDOM CANNOT MEAN LICENCE,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
TURNING TO OTHER MONETARY ISSUES, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT DESPITE HONG KONG’S KNOWN PROBLEMS, ITS POSITION AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE HAD REMAINED STRONG.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY HK$69 BILLION IN 1982, HELPED BY THE INTEREST TAX EXEMPTION INTRODUCED A YEAR AGO ON SUCH DEPOSITS, HE SAID.
WHILE THE RAPID INCREASE IN FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS MIGHT BE DUE TO A PROPORTION OF HONG KONG’S EXPORT EARNINGS BEING RETAINED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS ALSO INCREASED, THOUGH MARGINALLY, HE SAID.
AMONG THE REASONS FOR THIS OUTCOME, HE CITED ANTICIPATION OF FURTHER ADVERSE MOVEMENTS IN THE EXCHANGE RATE AND THE 10 PER CENT INTEREST TAX ON HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS.
/TM v&a,.........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
8
THE FALL IN PROPERTY AND LAND PRICES CREATED PERSISTENT UNEASE IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR, A FEW REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES EXPERIENCED LIQUIDITY PROBLEMS.
THERE HAD BEEN CLAIMS THAT FURTHER ADJUSTMENTS IN 1982 UNDER THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM REQUIRING REGISTERED DTC’S TO RUN DOWN THEIR SHORT-TERM DEPOSITS IN TWO STAGES BY THE END OF JUNE THIS YEAR EXACERBATED THESE PROBLEMS, MR BREMRIDGE NOTED.
BUT HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS FACTOR WAS CRITICAL.
+MOREOVER, I AM SURE THAT WHEN THE ADJUSTMENT IS OVER AND THE DUST IS SETTLED WE SHALL END UP WITH A STRUCTURE WHICH PROVIDES BOTH BETTER PROTECTION FOR DEPOSITORS AND A SOUNDER BANKING SYSTEM, HE SAID.
ON CAPITAL MOVEMENT, MR BREMRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT STATISTICS CF THE GROWTH OF TOTAL DEPOSITS IN ALL CURRENCIES HERE LAST YEAR SUGGESTED THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL INFLOW OF MONEY INTO HONG KONG RATHER THAN AN OUTFLOW.
HE SAID THAT ON THE OTHER HAND, INVESTMENT BY HONG KONG PEOPLE ABROAD HAD CONTINUED, POSSIBLY ON LARGER SCALE THAN BEFORE.
MR BREMRIDGE ADDED THAT OUTFLOW COULD ALSO MEAN A SHIFT OUT CF HONG KONG DOLLARS INTO FOREIGN CURRENCIES, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH CURRENCIES REMAINED IN HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, FOR EVERY SELLER OF HONG KONG DOLLARS THERE MUST BE A BUYER, HE POINTED OUT.
HE EXPLAINED THAT WHEN DEMAND FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCEEDED SUPPLY, THE PRICE OF FOREIGN CURRENCY WOULD INCREASE, WHICH WAS WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN HONG KONG.
♦IN OTHER WORDS, THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE POOL OF HONG KONG DOLLARS, OR THE PURCHASING POWER OF THAT POOL IN TERMS CF GOODS PRICED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES, HAD DECREASED,+ HE SAID.
SUMMING UP, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT GIVEN THE VERY SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES HONG KONG WAS FACING, DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MONETARY SECTOR HAD BEEN ENCOURAGING.
srjgE--«'ssfa^s-' <■
♦THERE WAS A MARKED SLOWING DOWN DURING THE YEAR IN THE GROWTH RATE OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG.
♦INrLUENCED BY THE INFLOW OF FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, TOTAL M3 GREW RAPIDLY BY 42 PER CENT; BUT AS HKSM3 GREW BY ONLY TWO PER CENT, I AM GENERALLY SATISFIED THAT THE MONEY SUHPLY WAS BEHAVING IN A WAY HELPFUL TO THE ECONOMY.+ bfi BREMRIDGE SAID.
-----0------
/9........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
9 -
1982 WAS YEAR OF ADJUSTMENT *****
LAST YEAR WAS A YEAR OF ADJUSTMENT FOR HONG KONG, AND THE ECONOMY RESPONDED IN VARIOUS WAYS TO THE MOST SEVERE WORLD RECESSION IN 50 YEARS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN
JOHN
BREMRIDGE, SAID TODAY.
MOREOVER, HE SAID, DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS IN RECENT YEARS HAD BROUGHT ABOUT FURTHER ADJUSTMENTS.
THESE DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDED THE RAPID EXPANSION OF CREDIT, THE SHARP INCREASES AND SUBSEQUENT EVEN SHARPER FALLS IN PROPERTY PRICES, THE FLUCTUATIONS IN INTEREST AND EXCHANGE RATES AND THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF THE TERTIARY SERVICES SECTORS.
AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF AN UNEXPECTEDLY POOR FOURTH QUARTER, EVEN THE SHARPLY REVISED GDP GROWTH RATE OF FOUR PER CENT FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR WAS NOT ACHIEVED. THE GROWTH WAS, IN FACT, ONLY 2.4 PER CENT.
THIS RESULT ILLUSTRATED THE DEPENDENCE ON EXPORTS AND THE PARLOUS STATE OF OTHER ECONOMIES WHOSE PERFORMANCE WAS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO FORECAST.
MR BREMRIDGE APOLOGISED FOR GIVING EARLIER OVER-OPTIMISTIC FIGURES, BUT SAID THE DIFFICULTIES OF FORETELLING THE ECONOMIC FUTURE HAD NEVER BEEN SO GREAT. DELIBERATE PESSIMISM WAS NOT GENERALLY A HELPFUL ALTERNATIVE COURSE, HE SAID.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECLINED BY THREE PER CENT IN REAL TERMS, AS CONSUMER DEMAND IN THE MAJOR EXPORT MARKETS REMAINED DEPRESSED WITH NO SIGN OF THE LONG AWAITED TURN-AROUND.
BECAUSE OF THE DECLINE IN EXPORT DEMAND, ECONOMIC GROWTH CAME LARGELY FROM DOMESTIC DEMAND, WHOSE GROWTH RATE HAD ALSO BEEN SLOWING DOWN RAPIDLY, HE SAID. PRIVATE CONSUMPTION GREW BY ONLY TWO PER CENT.
OVERALL INVESTMENT SHOWED NO CHANGE IN REAL TERMS, AND THE SIX PER CENT DECLINE IN EXPENDITURE ON PLANT AND MACHINERY WAS LARGELY OFFSET BY A TEN PER CENT INCREASE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION.
PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL WORKS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, AS A RESULT OF THE CONTINUATION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, THE HOUSING PROGRAMME AND THE CONSTRUCTION CF THE ISLAND LINE OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.
ALSO SIGNIFICANT WAS THE CONTINUED DEPRESSION OF THE PROPERTY MARKET, HE SAID.
/the ghowth.......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
10 -
THE GROWTH RATE OF THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT FOUR PER CENT WAS SLIGHTLY FASTER THAN THAT OF IMPORTS, AT THREE PER CENT, THEREBY SLIGHTLY NARROWING THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP. THIS, MR BREMRIDGE SAID, PROBABLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE RELATIVE FIRMNESS OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR, IN TERMS OF THE TRADE WEIGHTED EXCHANGE RATE INDEX, WHICH APPRECIATED BY 4.4 PER CENT.
THE RATE OF INFLATION, IN TERMS OF CONSUMER PRICES, DECLINED FROM 12 PER CENT IN THE FIRST HALF TO NINE PER CENT IN THE SECOND.
THE INCREASE OVER THE WHOLE YEAR WAS 10.6 PER CENT, A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OVER THE 16 PER CENT INCREASE IN 1980 AND 15 PER CENT IN 1981.
AS THE RATE OF INCREASE IN CONSUMER PRICES SLOWED DOWN, REAL WAGES OF MOST EMPLOYEES SHOWED SOME INCREASE, EXCEPT FOR THOSE IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
REFLECTING THE WEAK DOMESTIC EXPORT PERFORMANCE, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECLINED, BUT THIS WAS LARGELY OFFSET BY AN INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE TERTIARY SERVICES SECTORS, RESULTING IN FAIRLY STABLE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT. THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED STEADY AT ABOUT 3.5 PER CENT IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR, AND INCREASED TO FOUR PER CENT IN THE SECOND HALF. UNDEREMPLOYMENT INCREASED TO AROUND 1.7 PER CENT OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
THE GROWTH RATE OF LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY ALSO SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT TWO PER CENT, HE SAID.
+WE MUST NOT BE’UNDULY DISCOURAGED BY ONE YEAR’S DISAPPOINTING PERFORMANCE, A PERFORMANCE STILL BETTER THAN THAT OF MOST LARGER ECONOMIES — FOR EXAMPLE THE USA, UK AND GERMANY,+ MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
------0-------
FS PROPOSES BUDGET DAY IN END OF MARCH * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID HE WILL EE CONSULTING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON HIS PROPOSAL TO DEFER BUDGET DAY TO THE LAST WEDNESDAY IN MARCH IN THE FUTURE.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID BECAUSE BUDGET DAY IS SCHEDULED FOR THE LAST WEDNESDAY IN FEBRUARY, AND BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO MEET THE PRINTER’S DEADLINE IF THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE AND OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE PRINTED IN TIME, IT IS NECESSARY FOR A CUT-OFF DATE TO BE FIXED IN EARLY DECEMBER, AFTER WHICH IT BECOMES INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO MAKE CHANGES.
♦THUS, THE REVISED ESTIMATE IS BASED ON FIGURES OF EXPENDITURE LARGELY DETERMINED AFTER ONLY SEVEN MONTHS’ PERFORMANCE UP TO THE END OF OCTOBER,+ HE SAID.
/+T0 THE........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
11
+T0 THE EXTENT THAT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES OCCUR IN THE SUBSEQUENT MONTHS OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR WHICH WERE NOT FORESEEN, THE REVISED ESTIMATE WILL BE INACCURATE.*
IN ORDER BETTER TO MEET THIS PROBLEM, MR BREMRIDGE PROPOSED TO EXAMINE THE FACTORS INVOLVED IN DEFERRING BUDGET DAY IN FUTURE TO THE LAST WEDNESDAY IN MARCH.
+THIS, COUPLED WITH IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR THE PRINTER, SHOULD ALLOW A LATER CUT-OFF DATE TO BE FIXED, SAY AT THE END OF DECEMBER, AND SO IMPROVE THE ACCURACY OF THE FORWARD PLANNING PROCESS. IN BRIEF A MORE RELIABLE BASE WILL BE AVAILABLE,* HE SAID.
AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE DIFFICULTIES THAT NOW ARISE AS GOVERNMENT BUDGETS GROW WITH THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG, MR BREMRIDGE SAID LAST YEAR THE BUDGET FOR 1982-83 ENVISAGED A SIGNIFICANT SLOWING DOWN IN THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE.
+ON THE BASIS OF THE REVISED ESTIMATE TAKEN IN NOVEMBER 1981 OF CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE FOR 1981-82, THE BUDGET FOR 1982-83 PROVIDED FOR A SLOWING DOWN OF THE GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS TO 10.7 PER CENT EXCLUDING ANY CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT.*
IN THE EVENT, HE SAID, ACTUAL CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE IN 1981-82 HAS PROVED CONSIDERABLY LOWER THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATE THEN USED, LARGELY BECAUSE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SPENT MUCH LESS THAN EXPECTED.
+THE ACTUAL GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE IN 1981-82 WAS THEREFORE LOWER THAN OUR CALCULATIONS WERE BASED ON, AND IN CONSEQUENCE THE 1982-83 BUDGET MADE PROVISION MATHEMATICALLY FOR A HIGHER GROWTH RATE THAN INTENDED, WHICH I NOW EXPECT TO BE ABOUT 17 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS (PAY ADJUSTMENT INCLUDED),* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
+1 FIND THIS OUTCOME QUITE INFURIATING,* HE ADDED.
EARLIER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE SHARED WHAT HE BELIEVED TO BE A CONSENSUS WITH MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THAT IT WAS OF MAXIMUM IMPORTANCE THAT PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE SHOULD BE HELD IN CHECK.
HE SAID THE GROWTH RATE IN RECENT YEARS HAD BEEN HIGHLY ENCOURAGED BY BUOYANT REVENUE, BUT THE SCENE HAD CHANGED.
+1 REPEAT WHAT I SAID LAST YEAR THAT IN GENERAL TERMS WE MUST GET THE GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS IN PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT DOWN TO THE GROWTH RATE IN GDP - AND IN SOME YEARS BELOW, IF BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS INDICATE.*
ON THE BASIS OF THE BUDGET PRESENTED TODAY, MR BREMRIDGE SAID TOTAL PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE IN 1983-84 REPRESENTED A GROWTH RATE OF ABOUT THREE PER CENT IN REAL TERMS, WHICH WAS BELOW THE EXPECTED GROWTH RATE OF THE GDP AT FOUR PER CENT AND WAS A SHARP SLOWING DOWN FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
------0-------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1963 -
- 12
WE WILL CARRY ON CALMLY, FS SAYS * * *
HONG KONG FACED LAST YEAR AND CONTINUES TO FACE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL PROBLEMS MOST OF JtfHICH COULD NOT HAVE BEEN AVOIDED AND SOME POSSIBLY COULD, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID IN SUMMING UP HIS BUDGET SPEECH.
+NEVERTHELESS THE GOVERNMENT WILL CARRY ON CALMLY AND STEADILY WITH ITS LONG-TERM POLICIES. THESE ARE DESIGNED SIMPLY TO IMPROVE THE STANDARDS OF LIFE OF HONG KONG<AND I EMPHASISE THAT STANDARDS DO NOT REFLECT MATERIALISTIC VALUES ONLY,+ HE SAID.
+WHILE DEPENDENT ON THE DISCIPLINES DICTATED BY FREE MARKET FORCES WE WILL REMAIN ALWAYS SYMPATHETIC TO THE REASONABLE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DISADVANTAGED AND THE POOR.+
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT CHANGE THE LAWS OF ECONOMICS, AND IT IS PRUDENT IN HARD TIMES TO TIGHTEN OUR BELTS.
+WE CAN DO SO AND STILL CONTINUE ON OUR COURSE BECAUSE WE HAVE ENSURED THAT A FAIR PART OF THE WINDFALL REVENUES ARISING FROM THE EXTRAORDINARY ESCALATION OF REAL ESTATE PRICES IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS HAS BEEN SAVED UP IN PUBLIC FUNDS.
+THE COMMUNITY THUS HAS IN HAND FISCAL RESERVES WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR PRUDENT USE FOR A TIME TO COVER BUDGET DEFICITS. SUCH USE OF RESERVES MUST BE COUNTER BALANCED BY ADDITIONAL INDIRECT TAXATION DESIGNED TO MINIMISE THE IMPACT ON THE POOR.
+SOON THE ECONOMIES OF OUR TRADING PARTNERS SHOULD IMPROVE. SO THEN WILL THAT OF HONG KONG, AND WE SHALL RETURN TO MORE CONSERVATIVE BUDGETTING.+
NEVERTHELESS MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE DID NOT SEE ANY RENEWED PROSPECT OF HUGE RETURNS FROM LAND SALES, THOUGH LAND PRICES WOULD EVENTUALLY RISE WHEN THE PRESENT SITUATION OF GROSS OVERSUPPLY IN THE PROPERTY MARKET EASED.
+THE SCENARIO HAS IN FACT COMPLETELY CHANGED, AND SO MUST THE BUDGETARY PATTERN. WHETHER THIS CHANGE CAN BE ACCOMMODATED WITHOUT RESORT TO GOVERNMENT BORROWING IS PRESENTLY AN OPEN QUESTION, TO WHICH I MAY BE ABLE TO RESPOND IN MY BUDGET SPEECH NEXT YEAR+, HE ADDED.
-----o------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 13 -
FS BUDGETS A DEFICIT OF $3.2 BILLION
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, PROPOSED TO SPEND $35 437 MILLION IN 1983/84 BUT HE EXPECTED REVENUE INCOME OF $29 294 MILLION.
HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HOWEVER THAT THE PROJECTED DEFICIT BUDGET OF $6 143 MILLION WOULD BE REDUCED TO S3 167 MILLION THROUGH INCREASED TAXATION.
MR BREMRIDGE ALSO SAID HE MAY LATER CONSIDER A MODERATE DEGREE OF GOVERNMENT BORROWING IF DEFICITS OF A SIZE WHICH PRUDENT USE OF THE RESERVES PLUS A FURTHER SLOWDOWN IN EXPENDITURE AND INCREASES IN TAXATION COULD NOT BE REASONABLY ELIMINATED.
+IT MAY BE OPPORTUNE THIS TIME NEXT YEAR TO CONSIDER SUCH AN APPROACH TO PRUDENT BORROWING. I DO NOT CONSIDER THAT IT IS YET NECESSARY, FOR WE CAN AT THIS JUNCTURE BALANCE TWO BAD YEARS WITH THE FRUITS OF THE PAST GOOD YEARS,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS STILL NOT APPRECIATED HOW RECENT HAD BEEN THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT CAPITAL REVENUE REFLECTING LARGELY LAND SALES AT AUCTION OR BY TENDER — CAPITAL REVENUE FROM LAND PREMIA DID NOT EXCEED $2 BILLION UNTIL AS RECENTLY AS 1978-79.
♦THEREAFTER THERE WAS A RAPID INCREASE AS THE GOVERNMENT ENSURED THAT A PROPER SHARE OF THE UNPRECEDENTED ESCALATION IN LAND VALUES WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE PUBLIC PURSE,+ HE SAID.
AS A RESULT OF JUST A FEW UNUSUAL YEARS, WHICH SEEMED UNLIKELY TO BE REPEATED, FISCAL SURPLUSES OR RESERVES ROSE TO $22 BILLION AND FREE RESERVES TO $16 BILLION.
♦ONLY A FOOL WOULD RISK RUNNING THESE DOWN TOO LOW AS A RESULT OF SOFT BUDGETARY POLICIES; BUT CLEARLY BEFORE WE NEED TO CONSIDER OUTSIDE BORROWING, IT IS POSSIBLE AND INDEED SENSIBLE TO MAKE USE OF PART OF OUR WINDFALL SAVINGS FOR TWO YEARS ANYWAY,+ HE SAID.
BUT IN THE SHORT TERM HE INTENDED TO CONFRONT BUDGETARY DEFICITS BY A BALANCED COMBINATION OF USE OF FISCAL RESERVES, INCREASED TAXATION AND MORE TIGHTLY RESTRAINED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE.
+CLEARLY IF THE WORLD ECONOMIC SCENE DOES NOT IMPROVE IN 1983 WE SHALL NEED TO RESTRAIN FURTHER OUR EXPENDITURE IN 1984-85, BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT AT PRESENT IT IS POSSIBLE TO FORETELL WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH ANY ACCURACY,* HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID A POTENTIAL DEFICIT OF $6.2 BILLION WAS CLEARLY INTOLERABLE — IF REPEATED IN ONE SUBSEQUENT YEAR THE FREE FISCAL RESERVES WOULD BE GONE.
/H3 SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1?83
- 14 -
HE SAID THERE MUST BE A DIVISION OF THE DEFICIT BETWEEN INCREASED TAXATION AND USE OF RESERVES AND THAT HE HAS DECIDED THIS YEAR TO TAP BOTH SOURCES APPROXIMATELY EQUALLY.
THE QUESTION, MR BREMRIDGE SAID, ARISES OF HOW THIS ADDITIONAL TAXATION COULD BEST BE RAISED AND, EVEN IF UNPOPULAR IT MUST BE ACCEPTED AS FAIR BY THE REASONABLE MAJORITY WHO CAN SEE THAT THERE ARE NO EASY OPTIONS.
HIS OPINION WAS THAT IT WOULD BE INOPPORTUNE NOW TO INCREASE THE TAX ON THE PROFITABILITY OF BUSINESSES AS EMPLOYMENT AND EXPORTS DEPENDED ON THE MAINTENANCE OF INVESTMENT AND REINVESTMENT.
+1 BELIEVE THAT THIS VIEW IS WIDELY ACCEPTED AND I DO NOT INDEED PROPOSE ANY INCREASE IN PROFITS TAX,+ HE SAID.
AS FOR SALARIES TAX, AN OBVIOUS WAY SUBSTANTIALLY TO INCREASE THE YIELD WOULD BE TO REDUCE THE ALLOWANCE WHICH WOULD ALSO BRING INTO THE SALARIES TAX NET MANY OF THOSE WHO NOW PAID NOTHING.
HE SAID HE WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS OF THE LOWER PAID AND ALSO, HE BELIEVED STRONGLY THE ECONOMIC SUCCESS OF HONG KONG OWED MUCH TO LOW DIRECT TAXATION.
WHILE ALL BENEFITTED FROM LOW TAXATION THE FACT THAT MOST WORKERS COULD POCKET THEIR WAGES PLUS POSSIBLE OVERTIME WITHOUT NEEDING TO PAY ANY DIRECT TAX IS ONE OF HONG KONG’S MOST IMPORTANT SPURS TO PRODUCTIVITY, HE POINTED OUT.
HE ALSO SAIDf.+THERE IS YET ANOTHER FACTOR. THE RATIO BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXATION MOVED FROM 57:43 IN 1977-78 to 64:36 IN 1981-82 AND TO 69:31 IN 1982-83. THE DRIFT INDICATES THAT THE BALANCE BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXATION HAS SHIFTED AGAINST INDIRECT TAXATION.
+THIS ARISES FOR CLEAR REASONS, I.E. HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY OF DIRECT TAXATION PLUS THE LARGE SURPLUSES ACCRUED IN RECENT YEARS, WHICH HAVE MADE RAISING TAXES UNNECESSARILY. IN BRIEF OUR TAX SYSTEM HAS BECOME UNBALANCED, AND THERE IS A CASE ON THESE GROUNDS ALONE FOR INCREASING THE LEVEL OF INDIRECT TAXATION.
+THIS BRINGS WITH IT ONE OTHER ADVANTAGE. I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ATTRACTIONS IN SYSTEMS OF TAXATION BASED ON EXPENDITURE RATHER THAN INCOME, AND IT SEEMS TO ME AS A GENERALISATION THAT THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO SPEND ON SUCH PURSUITS AS DRINKING, SMOKING OR OWNING MOTOR CARS CAN REASONABLY EXPECT TO BE TAXED MORE HIGHLY THAN THOSE WHO DO NOT.
+THESE TAXES CAN BE AVOIDED. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO PAY THEM YOU DO NOT NEED TO. ADMITTEDLY NOT ALL MY PROPOSALS CARRY THIS JUSTIFICATION.+
HE SAID HE HAS 11 PROPOSALS FOR INCREASING REVENUE WHICH HE ESTIMATED WOULD BRING THE NECESSARY S3 BILLION IN 1983-84.
------0 ------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 15 -
IQ.7 PER CENT INCREASE PROPOSED FOR 1983-84 EXPENDITURE
******
TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR 1983-84, TAKING TOGETHER THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT AND THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND, IS ESTIMATED AT 336.8 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 10.7 PER CENT OVER 1982-83.
IN PRESENTING HIS BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID THE PRINTED DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDED FOR TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF 335.5 BILLION-BUT THIS FIGURE INCLUDED A TRANSFER OF 88 BILLION TO THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND, WHEREAS EXPENDITURE FROM THE FUND WAS ESTIMATED AT 89.3 BILLION.
ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE PROVISION SOUGHT CF $23.8 BILLION REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF S3 BILLION, OR 14.5 PER CENT, ON THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1982-83. THE ACCOUNT INCLUDES EXPENDITURE ON:
* PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS AT $8.2 BILLION OR 37 PER CENT OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE OF NEARLY 38 PER CENT OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. THIS PROVISION DOES NOT MAKE ALLOWANCE FOR ANY SALARY ADJUSTMENT. IF REQUIRED THE FUNDS FOR THIS WILL HAVE TO BE FOUND FROM THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS VOTE. THE PROVISION SOUGHT FOR THIS VOTE IS $1.3 BILLION, WHICH IS FOR ALL UNFORESEEN COMMITMENTS NOT PROVIDED FOR IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES;
* PERSONNEL RELATED EXPENSES AT $1.9 BILLION OR 8.6 PER CENT OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE OF 5.8 PER CENT OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. THIS INCREASE IS DUE PRINCIPALLY TO HOME PURCHASE ALLOWANCES PAYABLE TO CIVIL SERVANTS JOINING THE HOME PURCHASE SCHEME.;
* DEPARTMENTAL EXPENSES AND OTHER CHARGES AT 36.7 BILLION OR 30 PER CENT OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, WHICH IS ABOUT THE SAME AS THE AVERAGE PROPORTION OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS; AND
* SUBVENTIONS AT $5.7 BILLION OR 25 PER CENT OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE OF 26 PER CENT OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
PROVISION SOUGHT IS 311.7 BILLION. TRANSFER TO THE CAPITAL WORKS
CAPITAL ACCOUNT, THE
ON
THIS INCLUDES $8 BILLION FOR .........
RESERVE FUND BUT EXCLUDES EXPENDITURE OF $9.3 BILLION WHICH WILL BE A CHARGE ON THE FUND. TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FROM THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT AND THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND TAKEN TOGETHER IS $13 BILLION, WHICH REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF $545 MILLION OR 4.4 PER CENT ON THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1982-83.
THE CAPITAL ACCOUNT ALSO PROVIDES $1.8 BILLION FOR TRANSFER TO THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND FOR ON-LENDING TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND $1.9 BILLION FOR ALL OTHER COMPONENTS, INCLUDING 3200 MILLION FOR ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983.
- 16 -
S3.7 BILLION TO BE SPENT ON PUBLIC HOUSING * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED TO SPEND S3.7 BILLION ON THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION
OF PUBLIC HOUSING, INCLUDING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
MR BREMRIDGE, PRESENTING HIS BUDGET PROPOSALS AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SAID THE MONEY WOULD BE ABOUT THE SAME AS THE REVISED 1982-83 EXPENDITURE ESTIMATE, +TO SOME EXTENT REFLECTING A LOWER TENDER PRICE INDEX.+
HE SAID THE FORECAST OF PRODUCTION FROM 1983-84 TO 1986-87 OF 143 800 FLATS EXCEEDED PRODUCTION IN THE PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS BY 4 314 FLATS.
MR BREMRIDGE ADDED: +THESE PRODUCTION FIGURES DO NOT INCLUDE 2 602 HOUSING SOCIETY FLATS AND 17 826 PRIVTAE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME AND MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING PROGRAMME FLATS EXPECTED TO COME ON-STREAM DURING THE SAME FOUR-YEAR PERIOD, ACHIEVING AN AVERAGE COMPLETION RATE OF 41 000 A YEAR OR 164 288 FLATS IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
HE SAID 30 100 HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS OUT OF A TOTAL OF ABOUT 42 100 FLATS IN THE FIRST FIVE PHASES WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY THE END OF FISCAL 1983 AND THAT WORK WILL BE ON HAND ON THE BALANCE AND ON A FURTHER 16 800 FLATS IN PHASES VI AND VII.
MR BREMRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT THE VALUE OF LAND IS EXCLUDED FROM THE CALCULATION OF THE SELLING PRICE OF FLATS PRODUCED UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEMES AND THE MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING PROGRAMME TO KEEP THEM AFFORDABLE BY THE TARGET GROUPS.
-----o------
FS BUDGETS $1.7 BILLION FOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH * * X
THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDE FOR EXPENDITURE BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN 1983-84 OF $1 771.6 MILLION COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1982-83 OF $1 613 MILLION, FINANCIAL SECRETARY THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE ALSO DISCLOSED THAT EXPENDITURE ON MEDICAL SUBVENTIONS AND CAPITAL WORKS WILL EE $915.2 MILLION AND $357 MILLION RESPECTIVELY AS COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 198d-83 CF $780 MILLION AND $201.5 MILLION.
/JS BHEL3IDG3........
WEDNESDAY, FEBSUaSY 23, 1S3
- 17 -
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AIMS SET OUT IN THE 1974 WHITE PAPER, THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN HONG KONG, IS MONITORED ANNUALLY BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MDAC).
THE PROCESS OF REGIONALISATION HAS BEEN CONTINUED BY THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL STAFF TO STRENGTHEN THE REGIONAL OFFICES FOR HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
+ IN 1983 THE EXISTING NEW TERRITORIES REGION WILL BE SPLIT INTO TWO REGIONS WITH THE EXISTING NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL OFFICE SERVING EAST NEW TERRITORIES AND A NEW REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES,* HE ADDED.
+TO DEVELOP FURTHER THE INTEGRATION OF GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED MEDICAL SERVICES BY ENABLING SUBVENTED HOSPITALS TO ASSUME A GREATER ROLE IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE HOSPITAL CASES, DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES ARE UNDER WAY IN THE CARITAS, POK Cl AND YAN CHAI HOSPITALS AND THE RUTTONJEE SANATORIUM FOR WHICH CAPITAL SUBVENTIONS OF $54 MILLION IN 1983-84 HAVE BEEN PROVIDED.*
THE WHITE PAPER ALSO PROPOSED THAT EACH REGION BE SERVED WITH THE APPROPRIATE GENERAL AND SPECIALIST FACILITIES.
TO THIS END, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF GENERAL AND SPECIALIST HOSPITALS, 16 NEW CLINICS AND POLYCLINICS ARE PRESENTLY INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
HE ALSO SAID THAT WORK ON THE KOWLOON EAST POLYCLINIC, TO KWA WAN CLINIC AND IMPROVEMENTS TO SAI YING PUN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ARE DUE FOR COMPLETION IN 1983-84.
AS FOR THE RATIO OF 5.5 HOSPITAL BEDS PER 1 300 POPULATION TO BE REGARDED AS A DESIRABLE STANDARD FOR LONG TERM PLANNING AS PROPOSED IN THE WHITE PAPER, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THIS FORMULA IS CONSTANTLY BEING REFINED BY THE MDAC IN TERMS OF THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF BEDS REQUIRED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT BY THE END OF 1982-83, THERE WILL BE SOME 22 100 BEDS IN GOVERNMENT, SUBVENTED AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS.
HE SAID, +THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SOME 1 500 ADDITIONAL BEDS WHICH, TOGETHER WITH THE EXISTING SUPPLY, WILL MEET APPROXIMATELY 80 PER CENT OF THE ESTIMATED REQUIREMENT.
+IN ADDITION TO $150 MILLION FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WITH ITS RELATED POLYCLINIC AND STAFF QUARTERS, A FURTHER S40 MILLION WILL BE SPENT IN 1983-84 FOR A NEW HOSPITAL PROJECT IN TUEN MUN.+
AS FOR SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE, TWO SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS ARE CURRENTLY IN OPERATION AT THE MACLEHOSE DENTAL CENTRE AND AT ARGYLE ST-.EET PROVIDING TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN IN PRIMARY ONE TO THREE, AND SIX OTHER CLINICS ARE PLANNED TO EXTEND THE SERVICES PROGRESSIVELY TO COVER ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
--------o----------
/18 .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 16 -
INCREASED EXPENDITURE FOR SECURITY SERVICES * * * *
THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDE FOR TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF $2 752 MILLION FOR LAW AND ORDER, COMPARED WITH A REVISED ESTIMATE OF $2 411 MILLION IN 1982-83, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN EREMRIDGE, SAID IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THIS EXPENDITURE COVERS THE COSTS OF HONG KONG’S POLICE AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, TOGETHER WITH ALLIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES AND THOSE NEEDED FOR THE DETENTION OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
THE LARGEST AREA OF SPENDING IS THE POLICE FORCE — INCLUDING THE AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE — FOR WHICH 82 011 MILLION IS REQUIRED.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID EXPANSION OF THE POLICE FORCE IN 1983-84 WOULD BE LIMITED AND THE NUMBER OF ITS DISCIPLINED PERSONNEL WOULD INCREASE FROM 23 476 AT THE END OF 1982 TO ABOUT 24 420 BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE POLICE WAS AGAIN REQUIRED TO DEPLOY CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES ON LAND AND AT SEA IN THE EFFORT TO PREVENT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND TO CAPTURE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, HE SAID.
THE PHASED PROGRAMME FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE MARINE POLICE FLEET FROM 1980 TO 1990 CONTINUED.
TENDERS FOR 15 ADDITIONAL VESSELS WERE INVITED IN 1982-83 AND TENDERS FOR TWO MORE WOULD BE INVITED IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, 14? BREMRIDGE SAID.
PLANS FOR ENHANCING THE POLICE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WOULD CONTINUE IN 1983-84.
HE REPORTED THAT A TOTAL COMMITMENT OF 814.8 MILLION FOR THE SUPPLY, INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONS OF A CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR POLICING THE MTR ISLAND LINE HAD BEEN APPROVED AND EXPENDITURE WOULD EE SPREAD OVER THREE YEARS STARTING FROM 1983-84.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE ULTRA HIGH FREQUENCY PERSONAL BEAT RADIO SCHEME WOULD PROCEED IN 1983-84 TO COVER THE AIRPORT, SHA TIN AND THEN MUN DIVISIONS, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT MARITIME COMMUNICATIONS PROJECT AND THE UPDATING OF THE MARINE POLICE RADAR WERE PROCEEDING, AND MOST OF THE EXPENDITURE WOULD BE INCURRED IN 1983-84.
IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT $105 MILLION WOULD BE SPENT ON NEW POLICE BUILDINGS IN 1983-84, COMPARED WITH $466 MILLION IN 1982-83, HE REPORTED.
MR BR-MRIDGE SAID IT WAS PLANNED THAT A FURTHER 21 NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE UNITS AND REPORT CENTRES WOULD EE OPENED IN 1983-84 TO ENCOURAGE HORE REPORTING OF CRIME AND BETTER COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE PUBLIC.
/AN BSTIMATSD........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 19 -
AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF $114 MILLION WOULD BE REQUIRED IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON CORRECTIONAL SERVICES BUILDINGS AND INSTALLATIONS, COMPARED WITH $135 MILLION IN 1982-83.
MR BREMRIDGE ESTIMATED THAT $280 MILLION, AS AGAINST $142 MILLION IN 1982-83, WOULD BE SPENT ON THE JUDICIARY’S BUILDINGS AND INSTALLATIONS, NOTABLY THE NEW SUPREME COURT BUILDING AND THE DISTRICT COURT AND MAGISTRACY BUILDING ON THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION.
THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDED FOR TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF $270 MILLION ON IMMIGRATION IN 1983-84, COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF $238 MILLION FOR 1982-83, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A NEW AND MORE SECURE IDENTITY CARD, THE INTRODUCTION OF A MODERN COMPUTER-BASED RECORDS SYSTEM FOR IDENTITY CARDS, AND THE REPLACEMENT OF 4.5 MILLION EXISTING CARDS OVER A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD HAD BEEN COMPLETED, HE SAID.
FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN IMMIGRATION CONTROLS AND FACILITIES FOR TRAVELLERS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA AND MACAU WERE PLANNED FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, MR BREMRIDGE REPORTED.
ARRANGEMENTS WERE ALSO BEING COMPLETED TO DEAL WITH THE ADDITIONAL WORK RESULTING FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981 AND THE CONSEQUENT CHANGES TO HONG KONG IMMIGRATION LAW ON DEFENCE, THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDED FOR TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF $1 557 MILLION IN 1983-84, COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF $1 408 MILLION FOR 1982-83.
MR BREMRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT THE MAIN ITEM ON DEFENCE SPENDING WAS THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT.
UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT PROVIDES NAVAL, ARMY AND AIR FORCE CONTINGENTS UNDER THE UNIFIED COMMAND OF THE HEADQUARTERS BRITISH FORCES TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF HONG KONG’S BORDERS AND TO SUPPORT THE CIVIL POWER IN PRESERVING STABILITY WITHIN HONG KONG.
- - - - 0 ----
$1.7 BILLION FOR ROAD DEVELOPMENT ******
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SPEND $1 761 MILLION ON ROAD DEVELOPMENT FOR FISCAL 1983 COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF $1 756 MILLION IN 1982-83, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TOLD TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, .THE. HON^BREHN ID^ I
PROPOSING THIS SAID THE AIM OF ROAD A HIGHWAY NETWORK THAT WOULD PERMIT MOVEMENT OF TRAFFIC TO AND FROM ANY
THE FREE AND RAPID
PART OF THE
TERRITORY
WITH SAFETY AND ECONOMY.
+T0 THIS END, EIGHT MAIN TRUNK ROUTES HAVE AND A LAR3E NUMBER OF PROJECTS HAVE EITHER BEEN BEING PLANNED TO IMPROVE THESE ROUTES,+ HE SAID.
BEEN IDENTIFIED STARTED OR ARE
/OF THE........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983 '
20 -
OF THE TOTAL PROPOSED SPENDING, HE SAID $918 MILLION WOULD EE ALLOCATED TO ROADWORKS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, $587 MILLION ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND $256 MILLION IN KOWLOON.
THE MAIN ROUTES AND THE PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS TO THEM UNDER PROJECTS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS AREs
ROUTE 1! FROM ABERDEEN THROUGH THE NEW ABERDEEN TUNNEL AND VIA THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, AND THEN TO WO HOP SHEK VIA PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD, THE LION ROCK TUNNEL, ROAD T1 THROUGH SHA TIN AND THE SHA TIN TO NORTH TAI PO COASTAL ROAD.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THIS ROUTE WAS $2 751 MILLION WITH EXPENDITURE UP TO THE END OF FISCAL 1982 ESTIMATED AT $1 311 MILLION.
HE SAID THAT ALLOCATION OF $408 MILLION IN 1983-84 WOULD EE MAINLY FOR THE SHA TIN TO NORTH TAI PO COASTAL TRUNK ROAD, SHA TIN AREA 14 AND TRUNK ROAD T1 AND TRUNK ROAD IMPROVEMENTS FROM LAM KAM ROAD TO WO HOP SHEK.
HE ADDED THAT AN ALLOCATION OF $6 MILLION FOR THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL WAS FOR THE FINISHING STAGES OF THE PROJECT.
ROUTE 2: FROM THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WESTWARDS VIA TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN TO YUEN LONG AND FANLING. THE ROUTE FOLLOWS GASCOIGNE ROAD AND TONG Ml ROAD INITIALLY, AND THEN PROCEEDS ALONG THE COAST THROUGH YAU MA TEI, SHAM SHU I PO AND LAI CHI KOK (THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR) TO JOIN THE TSUEN. WAN BY-PASS. IT THEN CONTINUES VIA THE BY-PASS, TUEN MUN HIGHWAY AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG. ROUTE 2 CONTINUES VIA AU TAU AND MAI PO TO JOIN ROUTE 1 AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE FANLING BY-PASS.
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THIS ROUTE IS $2 902 MILLION WITH EXPENDITURE UP TO MARCH 31 THIS YEAR EXPECTED TO AMOUNT TO $1 145 MILLION, MAINLY ON THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY, THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR, THE TSUEN WAN BY-PASS, AND THE YUEN LONG TO AU TAU DUAL CARRIAGEWAY.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID $362 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED FOR FISCAL 1983, MAINLY FOR FANLING, ENGINEERING WORKS, THE TSUEN WAN BY-PASS, YUEN LONG TO AU TAU DUAL CARRIAGEWAY, THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, AU TAU TO FAN KAM AND THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR.
ROUTE 3: FROM THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL VIA WUHU INTERCHANGE AND CHATHAM ROAD TO THE AIRPORT TUNNEL AND THEN ACROSS KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION TO LEI YUE MUN VIA KWUN TONG ROAD.
THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THIS ROUTE
WAS $575 MILLION BUT EXPENDITURE UP TO THE END OF MARCH 31 THIS YEAR WAS EXPECTED TO BE $499 MILLION, MAINLY FOR THE ALREADY COMPLETED AIRPORT TUNNEL AND ITS APPROACHES.
/HE ADDED .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
21
HE ADDED THAT AN ALLOCATION OF $39 MILLION IN 1983-84 WAS MAINLY FOR THE AIRPORT TUNNEL ROAD AND ITS APPROACHES.
ROUTE 4: FROM LAI CHI KOK VIA CHING CHEUNG AND LUNG CHEUNG ROADS, PAST THE SOUTHERN ENTRANCE TO THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TO JOIN KWUN TONG ROAD AT PING SHEK AND THEN TO JOIN ROUTE 3 AT NGAU TAU KOK.
THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE $247 MILLION (EXPENDITURE UP TO MARCH 31, 1983: $113 MILLION) AND $49 MILLION ALLOCATED FOR THIS FISCAL 1983 WOULD BE MAINLY FOR THE ELEVATED ROAD FROM NGAU TAU KOK ROAD TO KOWLOON BAY.
ROUTE 5: THIS IS A PROPOSED ROUTE FROM SHA TIN TO TSUEN WAN FOR WHICH A FEASIBILITY STUDY HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETED. DETAILED PLANNING IS DUE TO START IN 1983-84 WITH EXPENDITURE DURING THE YEAR OF ABOUT $13 MILLION.
ROUTE 6: FROM THE INTERCHANGE NORTH OF MEI FOO SUN CHUEN VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD THROUGH TSUEN WAN TO JOIN ROUTE 2 AT THE EASTERN END OF TUEN MUN HIGHWAY.
THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF IMPROVEMENTS WAS $234 MILLION (EXPECTED EXPENDITURE UP TO END OF MARCH 1983: $117 MILLION) WITH EXPENDITURE FOR 1983-84 ESTIMATED AT $46 MILLION.
ROUTE 7: FROM ABERDEEN WESTWARDS ON RECLAMATION VIA
KELLETT BAY, TELEGRAPH BAY AND SANDY BAY TO JOIN CONNAUGHT ROAD AT THE WESTERN RECLAMATION, AND THEN VIA CONNAUGHT ROAD, HARCOURT ROAD AND GLOUCESTER ROAD TO VICTORIA PARK.
ROUTE 8: FROM VICTORIA PARK TO CHAI WAN VIA THE HONG
KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR WHICH IS AT PRESENT UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF IMPROVEMENTS IS $1 686 MILLION (ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE UP TO MARCH 31, 1983: $628 MILLION) AND $427 MILLION ALLOCATED FOR 1983-84, MAINLY FOR THE HONG KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID $451 MILLION WOULD ALSO BE NEEDED IN 1983-84 FOR SECONDARY ROUTES, MISCELLANEOUS MINOR ROADWORKS AND ROADS WITHIN NEW TOWNS.
HE ADDED: +THE AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF EXISTING ROADS BY IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW IS ALREADY OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY IN WEST KOwLOON AND IS BEING EXTENDED TO COVER EAST KOWLOON AND THE NORTHERN END OF HONG KONG ISLAND.*
- 0 ----------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983.
22
ABOUT $7OM INCREASE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURE * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO SPEND AN ESTIMATED $1 711.3 MILLION ON SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES IN 1983-84, COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF $1 642.1 MILLION IN 1982-83.
THE ESTIMATE INCLUDES PROVISION OF $403 MILLION FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, COMPARED WITH $309 MILLION IN 1982-83, AND $658.8 MILLION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES ($468 MILLION IN 1982-83), THE LATTER INCLUDING $8.8 MILLION FOR A NON-MEANS-TESTED DEATH GRANT WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED IN 1983-84.
DEATH GRANTS WILL BE PAYABLE TO THE DEPENDENT SURVIVORS OF PERSONS WHO DIE IN EMPLOYMENT IF THE DECEASED ARE NOT COVERED BY THE TERMS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE OR IF THE SURVIVORS ARE NOT IN RECEIPT OF ANY OTHER FORM OF COMPENSATION OR EX-GRATIA ASSISTANCE.
THE ESTIMATE ALSO PROVIDES $352 MILLION FOR RECURRENT SUBVENTIONS OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, COMPARED WITH $312 MILLION IN 1982-83. THE MONEY WILL BE CHANNELLED TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES UNDER THE REVISED SUBVENTION SYSTEM APPROVED IN OCTOBER 1981
ON REHABILITATION SERVICES, A BE PROVIDED THROUGH THE EDUCATION, WELFARE DEPARTMENTS.
TOTAL OF $622.91 MILLION wILL MEDICAL AND HEALTH AND SOCIAL
AMONG THE SERVICES IDENTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENTS ARE :
* PROGRAMME TO PREVENT SERIOUS DISABILITY BY DETECTION OF ABNORMALITIES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD — FUNDS ARE PROVIDED FOR 22 FULL-TIME AND 20 PART-TIME CENTRES FOR SUCH TESTS;
* ADDITIONAL PLACES IN AIDED SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMME TO BUILD NEW SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND TO CONVERT ORDINARY SCHOOL BUILDINGS FOR USE AS SPECIAL SCHOOLSl
* IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY ILL, PROVISION OF MORE HOSPITAL BEDS FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED AND THE SETTING UP OF MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRES SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE IN-PATIENT SERVICES - THE FIRST OF THREE GOVERNMENT MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRES WILL BE LOCATED IN THE PRINCE OF wALES HOSPITAL, AND IN THE SUBVENTED SECTOR, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A $26 MILLION CENTRE AT SANDY BAY BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION;
* PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL PLACES IN DAY CHILD CARE CENTRES FOR MODERATELY DISABLED CHILDREN, ONE ADDITIONAL SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRE FOR 60 DISABLED CHILDREN AND FOUR ADDITIONAL SOCIAL/RECREAT IONAL CENTRES FOR THE DISABLED IN THE SUBVENTED SECTOR 5 AND
* PROVISION OF 120 ADDITIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING PLACE FOR THE DISABLED IN BOTH GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED SECTORS IN 1983-84 TO BRING THE TOTAL TO 630.
------o-------
/23......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
3.34 MILLION PEOPLE EXPECTED TO LIVE IN NEW TOWNS ON FULL DEVELOPMENT ******
THE ESTIMATED POPULATION ON FULL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWNS AND OTHER RURAL TOWNSHIPS IS EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT 3.34 MILLION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AND THE EXPECTED POPULATION AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH IS 1.38 MILLION WHICH MAY GROW TO 1.58 MILLION BY THE END OF MARCH 1984, HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE EXPLAINED THAT THE PRIME PURPOSE OF THE NEW TOWNS AT TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, TAI PO AND FANLING, YUEN LONG AND JUNK BAY +IS TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR THE GROWING AND GENERALLY OVERCROWDED POPULATION OF HONG KONG COMPLETE WITH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ALL THE RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORTING SERVICES.+
HE ADDED THAT INCREASED EMPHASIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE PLACED ON THE PRODUCTION OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS CF THE GROWING POPULATIONS OF THE NEW TOWNS.
MR BREMRIDGE PROPOSED TO SPEND $257.3 MILLION ON SCHOOLS IN THE NEW TOWNS, COMPARED TO $195.5 MILLION IN 1982-83. OTHER ALLOCATION PROPOSALS ARE:
* HOSPITALS AND CLINICS $217.3 MILLION ($157.4 MILLION
IN 1982-83)
* RECREATIONAL FACILITIES $240.3 MILLION ($118.7 MILLION)
* OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS $270.3 MILLION ($165.5 MILLION)
0 - -
PLAN TO COPE WITH FORM THREE LEAVERS *****
THE GOVERNMENT AIMS TO INCREASE DURING THE 1980’S THE NUMBER CF PLACES IN SCHOOLS, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND ADULT EDUCATION CENTRES TO MEET THE FULL DEMAND FROM FORM THREE LEAVERS WHO ARE SUITABLE FOR THE COURSES PROVIDED, IT IS INDICATED IN THE BUDGET FOR 1983-84, PRESENTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
EXPENDITURE TOWARDS THIS AIM IS ENVISAGED TO BE $1 889 MILLION FOR THE 1983-84 YEAR ON SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR OF $1 742 MILLION.
/TH£ TOTAL
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983 '
- 24 -
THE TOTAL ESTIMATE FOR THE EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN 1983-84 IS 35 552.1 MILLION, AGAINST THE 1982-83 REVISED ESTIMATE OF $5 161.5 MILLION.
BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, SUBSIDISED FORM FOUR PLACES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL INCREASE TO 58 050 PLACES COMPARED WITH THE SEPTEMBER 1982 FIGURE OF 56 460.
AT THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, THE NUMBER OF FULL-TIME PLACES OF CRAFT AND DIPLOMA COURSES WILL INCREASE FROM JUST UNDER 3 800 IN OCTOBER 1982 TO 4 700 IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR. AND PLANS ARE FOR PART-TIME DAY COURSES TO INCREASE FROM JUST UNDER 10 600 TO 13 800.
A NUMBER OF MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS IN STANDARDS OF EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE WERE INTRODUCED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR. THESE INCLUDED A SCHEME OF FEE ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY CHILDREN ATTENDING KINDERGARTENS AND CHILD-CARE CENTRES, AND AN INCREASE IN THE TEACHER TO CLASS RATIO NROM 1.1 TO ONE TO 1.2 TO ONE.
PROVISION IS MADE FOR 318 MILLION IN CAPITAL SUBVENTIONS FOR BUILDING AND EQUIPPING NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILDINGS. IN ADDITION, 3120 MILLION WILL BE SPENT UNDER THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 32 PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO ENGAGED IN A MAJOR SECONDARY SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME WHICH WILL PRODUCE 39 NEW SCHOOLS OVER THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR YEARS.
SOME 31 225 MILLION IS PROVIDED FOR EXPENDITURE ON UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC EDUCATION, COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1982-83 OF $1 142 MILLION.
A NEW TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT WAS FORMED ON APRIL 1 LAST YEAR, ADMINISTERING GRANTS TO THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE VTC ADVISES THE GOVERNMENT ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OPERATING TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRES.
/2j........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 25 -
SMALL SURPLUS EXPECTED FOR CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND IN 1983/84 * * *
THE PROVISION OF $8 BILLION SOUGHT FOR TRANSFER TO THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND, TOGETHER WITH AN ESTIMATED SURPLUS OF ABOUT $1.6 BILLION IN THE FUND AT THE END OF 1982-83, ARE SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE OF 39.3 BILLION FROM THE FUND DURING 1983-84 AND TO LEAVE A SMALL SURPLUS AT THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH TODAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE FROM THE FUND IN 1983-84 ON THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME WAS 37.6 BILLION, AN INCREASE CF 8355 MILLION OR FIVE PER CENT OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1982-83.
ON LAND ACQUISITION, THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE IS 31.7 BILLION, THE SAME AS THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1982-83.
HE SAID THE OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT (OR OVERHANG) IN RESPECT OF PROJECTS IN HAND ON APRIL 1, 1982 WAS ABOUT 326 BILLION. THIS WAS INCREASED BY ABOUT 33.3 BILLION AS A RESULT OF THE INJECTION OF NEW PROJECTS DURING 1982-83, BUT REDUCED BY ROUGHLY 38.9 BILLION IN EXPENDITURE.
DURING 1983-84, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID, WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START ON NEW PROJECTS OF A TOTAL VALUE OF ABOUT 34.6 BILLION. THE OVERHANG ON APRIL 1, 1983 WILL BE ABOUT $25 BILLION.
AFTER ALLOWING FOR THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE DURING 1983-84 OF $9.3 BILLION, THE OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT AT APRIL 1, 1984 WILL BE NO LESS THAN $15.7 BILLION, BUT WILL CERTAINLY BE MUCH HIGHER AS FURTHER NEW WORKS ARE APPROVED DURING THE YEAR.
MR BREMRIDGE STRESSED THAT EVERY EFFORT HAD BEEN MADE TO ACCOMMODATE IN THE PROGRAMME OF WORKS FOR 1983-84 ALL LAND PRODUCTION AND TRANSPORT PROJECTS THAT WERE READY TO PROCEED.
+THE PRIORITY GIVEN TO THESE AND TO PUBLIC HOUSING IS REFLECTED IN THE BREAKDOWN OF EXPENDITURE ON CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT,+ HE SAID. +THE ESTIMATED TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON TRANSPORT, ROADS, CIVIL ENGINEERING, AND LAND IS 87 BILLION, WHICH IS ABOUT 16.3 PER CENT OF TOTAL CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE, COMPARED WITH $1.8 BILLION OR 14.7 PER CENT AS RECENTLY AS 1978-79.+
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND SUPPLY CONTINUED TO RECOMMEND TARGETS FOR LAND PRODUCTION AND TO MONITOR THE ADMINISTRATION IN THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THOSE TARGETS.
♦GOVERNMENT GROSS LAND PRODUCTION IN 1983-84 IS ESTIMATED TO BE 669 HECTARES AS COMPARED WITH 676 HECTARES IN 1982-83. OVER THE THREE YEARS OF THE NEW FORECAST PERIOD 1984-85 TO 1986-87 IT IS ESTIMATED TO TOTAL 2 336 HECTARES,* HE SAID.
-----o------
/26........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 26 -
329.3 BILLION ESTIMATED REVENUE FOR 1983-84 * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO COLLECT $29.3 BILLION IN REVENUE IN 1983-84 WITH SMALL INCREASES FROM INDIRECT TAXES, MAINLY FROM THE YIELD FROM GENERAL RATE, DUTIES AND MOTOR VEHICLE TAXES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE REVENUE ESTIMATES COMPRISE $25.7 BILLION IN RECURRENT REVENUE AND $3.6 BILLION IN CAPITAL REVENUE, MR BREMRIDGE SAID IN PRESENTING THE 1983-84 BUDGET.
POINTING OUT THAT THE ESTIMATED RECURRENT REVENUE WAS ONLY $507 MILLION HIGHER THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1982-83, MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE EXPECTED EARNINGS AND PROFITS TAX TO YIELD $12 BILLION — THE SAME AS THE REVISED 1982-83 ESTIMATE.
+AT $5.6 BILLION, INDIRECT TAXES ARE ESTIMATED TO BE $306
MILLION HIGHER THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATES. FOR ALL OTHER RECURRENT REVENUE I AM ANTICIPATING A YIELD OF $8.1 BILLION, OR ONLY $236 MILLION HIGHER THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATES,* HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE EXPECTS REVENUE FROM PROPERTIES AND INVESTMENTS TO BE $437 MILLION LOWER THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATE BECAUSE OF THE DECREASE IN THE GENERAL REVENUE BALANCE, BUT +1 EXPECT ALL OTHER COMPONENTS TO YIELD $673 MILLION MORE THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATE, OF WHICH $304 MILLION WILL COME FROM FEES AND CHARGES.*
ON FEES AND CHARGES FOR THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND IN PARTICULAR THE PUBLIC UTILITY-TYPE UNDERTAKINGS RUNNING ON A QUASI-COMMERCIAL BASIS, HE SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO OBSERVE THE NO-SUBSIDY PRINCIPLE, UNLESS A POSITIVE POLICY DECISION WAS TAKEN TO SUBSIDISE.
+WE HAVE AN ON-GOING EXERCISE TO KEEP FEES AND CHARGES UP TO DATE, WHICH WILL CONTINUE DURING 1983-84. WHERE JUSTIFIED BY RISING COSTS, PROPOSALS FOR INCREASES IN FEES AND CHARGES WILL BE MADE DURING THE YEAR — THE ESTIMATE OF TOTAL RECURRENT REVENUE DOES NOT ANTICIPATE THESE INCREASES,* HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT THE ESTIMATE OF CAPITAL REVENUE AT $3.6 BILLION REFLECTED THE CURRENT DEPRESSED STATE OF THE PROPERTY MARKET.
HE EXPECTED A REVENUE OF $3 BILLION FOR 1983-84 LAND TRANSACTIONS COMPARED WITH THE REVISED 1982-83 ESTIMATE OF $4.6 BILLION AND THE ACTUAL REVENUE OF $9.7 BILLION FOR l°81-82.
+THE YIELD FROM LAND TRANSACTIONS HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE WITH ANY DEGREE OF ACCURACY. IN THE PRESENT STATE OF THE PROPERTY MARKET IT REQUIRES A CRYSTAL BALL,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
/HE ADDED: ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 27 -
HE ADDED: +MY ESTIMATE OF S3 BILLION IS BASED UPON AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PRICES LIKELY TO BE REALISED FROM THE INDIVIDUAL LOTS MAKING UP THE LAND SALES PROGRAMME FOR 1983-84. THIS VIEW IS OF NECESSITY HIGHLY SPECULATIVE, AND I BEAR IN MIND THAT I WAS WRONG LAST YEAR.*
THE 1983-84 LAND SALES PROGRAMME COMPRISES 96.7 HECTARES OF LAND, ON WHICH THE REVENUE FROM PREMIA IS ESTIMATED AT SI.7 BILLION.
MR BREMRIDGE EXPLAINED THAT THE PROGRAMME INCLUDED 14 RELATIVELY LARGE SITES, THE REVENUE FROM WHICH WAS LIKELY TO BE MORE THAN $550 MILLION, PROVIDED THAT THESE SITES WERE SOLD AS SCHEDULED AND THAT THE VIEW TAKEN OF THE PREMIA LIKELY TO BE REALISED TURNED OUT TO BE CORRECT.
+ IN BRIEF THE MARGINS OF ERROR ARE GREAT,* HE POINTED OUT.
BUT HE SAID THE PROGRAMME DID NOT INCLUDE FIVE WELL-KNOWN, LARGE AND VALUABLE SITES WHICH +SOME BELIEVE THAT THE MARKET MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ABSORB THEM AT ACCEPTABLE PRICES IN ONE YEAR.
+IT WILL, HOWEVER, BE A MATTER OF JUDGMENT WHEN EACH MIGHT EEST BE OFFERED FOR SALE, REMEMBERING THAT OUR OVERALL POLICY IS TO SECURE A FAIR MARKET PRICE,* HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE WAS +PERSONALLY ANXIOUS* TO PUT THEM UP FOR AUCTION OR TENDER AS SOON AS SENSIBLE FOR TWO REASONS!
* IT WILL DEMONSTRATE THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE A HIGH LAND PRICE POLICY ALTHOUGH LAND IS REGARDED AS A COMMUNITY BIRTHRIGHT, AND
* THOSE WHO WISH TO BUY LAND NOW SHOULD BE GIVEN EVERY ENCOURAGEMENT.
IT REMAINED IMPORTANT THAT SENSIBLE STARTING PRICES WERE MAINTAINED IN PUBLIC AUCTIONS AND THAT TENDERS AT PRICES SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THE RUN OF THE MARKET SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED, HE SAID.
HE ADDED! +LAND PRICES SEEM NOW TO BE STABILISED AND WILL IMPROVE AS CONFIDENCE RETURNS TO THE MARKET. BUT IT IS A FACT THAT POOR PLANNING BY SPECULATORS HAS LED TO CONSIDERABLE OVERSUPPLY OF ALL TYPES OF PROPERTY.*
MR BREMRIDGE ALSO EXPECTED REVENUE OF $1 BILLION FROM PRIVATE TREATY GRANTS AND $270 MILLION FROM MODIFICATIONS AND RE-GRANTS.
+MUCH DEPENDS, HOWEVER, ON PREMIA ANTICIPATED FROM SITES TO BE GRANTED TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION FOR JOINT DEVELOPMENT,* HE SAID.
-----o------
/28........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
28
IMMEDIATE TAX INCREASES ON LIQUOR, TOBACCO, HYDROCARBON OILS, DRIVING AND VEHICLE LICENCES * * *
FOUR OUT OF 11 PROPOSALS FOR INCREASING REVENUE BY ABOUT S3 BILLION IN 1983-84 CAME INTO EFFECT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) UNDER THE REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS SIGNED IN THE MORNING BY THE GOVERNOR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID.
IMMEDIATE INCREASES CAME INTO EFFECT FOR LIQUOR, TOBACCO, HYDROCARBON OILS, AND DRIVING AND VEHICLE LICENCES.
THE REMAINING SEVEN WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, 1983, OR AS SOON AS THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION HAS BEEN ENACTED, HE EXPLAINED.
ROUGHLY DOUBLING THE DUTY ON LIQUOR, THE RATES WERE LAST REVISED IN 1975.
HE POINTED OUT THAT
+SINCE THEN THE INCIDENCE OF DUTY IN RETAIL PRICES HAS FALLEN TO A POINT WHERE, IN MANY INSTANCES, IT IS HALF WHAT IT WAS AT THE LAST REVISION. I PROPOSE TO RESTORE THE INCIDENCE BY ROUGHLY DOUBLING THE DUTY RATES, EFFECTIVE FROM THIS AFTERNOON,+ HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID IT WAS FOR THE TRADE TO DETERMINE THEIR SELLING PRICES, ASSUMING THAT THE INCREASED DUTIES WERE PASSED ON TO CONSUMERS IN FULL, THE INCREASE IN THE RETAIL PRICE OF A BOTTLE OF BRANDY MAY BE $30, OF WHISKY ABOUT $20, OF TABLE WINE ABOUT $7 AND OF A CAN OF BEER 15 TO 20 CENTS, ALL DEPENDING ON THE BRAND.
THE MAIN DUTY RATES SHOULD BRING IN AN ADDITIONAL $300 MILLION.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE PRESENT BASIS OF LEVYING DUTY ON LIQUOR PER MEASURE wAS OPEN TO CRITICISM EVEN THOUGH SIMPLE TO ENFORCE. THERE SEEMED NO REASON WHY PURCHASERS OF CHEAPER BRANDS IN A CLASS OF DRINKS SHOULD PAY EXACTLY THE SAME DUTY PER BOTTLE AS REQUIRED FOR AN EXPENSIVE BRAND.
HE THEREFORE WOULD CONSIDER SUBMITTING NEW LEGISLATION TO PROPOSE CHANGING THE BASIS OF LEVYING DUTY ON ALCOHOL TO AN AD VALOREM RATHER THAN THE PRESENT UNITARY SYSTEM.
HE ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT IT HAD TO BE UNDERSTOOD THAT AT PRESENT, THIS REPRESENTED NO COMMITMENT -- EXCEPT TO A STUDY.
THE INCIDENCE OF DUTY IN RETAIL PRICES FOR CIGARETTES HAD SIMILARLY DECLINED SINCE THEY WERE LAST REVISED IN 1978, HE SAID. THE PRICE OF CIGARETTES, CIGARS AND TOBACCO IN HONG KONG WAS STILL VERY LOW BY WORLD STANDARDS. HE SAID ADDITIONAL REVENUE HAD TO BE RAISED, AND HE PROPOSED NOT ONLY TO RESTORE THE INCIDENCE BUT TO LOOK FOR EVEN FURTHER REVENUE BY INCREASING THE DUTY RATES ON TOBACCO BY FOUR TIMES.
/IF PASS3D .......
.•aDNSSDAY, yaBRUARY 23, 1983
29
IF PASSED OK TO THE CONSUMER IN FULL, THE INCREASE IN PRICE OF AN AVERAGE PACKET OF 20 CIGARETTES MIGHT BE ABOUT $1.50 FOR HONG KONG MADE BRANDS AND 52 TO $2.50 FOR IMPORTED BRANDS.
ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF ABOUT *900 MILLION SHOULD BE OBTAINED AS A RESULT OF THESE INCREASES, EVEN ALLOWING FOR REDUCED DEMAND WHICH wAS +N0 BAD THING IN ITSELF,* HE SAID.
ON DUTY RATES FOR HYDROCARBON OILS MR BREMRIDGE SAID THEY WERE REVISED ONLY LAST MAY FOR TRANSPORT POLICY REASONS, WHEREAS THE LAST REVISION FOR FISCAL REASONS WAS MADE IN 1976.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SINCE 1976, AND IGNORING THE INCREASES OF LAST MAY, THE INCIDENCE OF THE DUTY IN RETAIL PRICES HAD DECLINED. HE THEREFORE PROPOSED TO RESTORE THE INCIDENCE AND THEN TO ADD BACK THE MAY INCREASES, INCREASING THE DUTY rtATt ■ON MOTOR SPIRIT FROM $1.20 TO 32 A LITRE.
THE DUTY ON DIESEL OIL FOR ROAD VEHICLES wAS NOT ALTERED LAST MAY TO RESTORE THE ORIGINAL INCIDENCE, HE PROPOSED INCREASING THE DUTY RATE FROM 35 CENTS TO 31 A LITRE.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THE INCREASED DUTY RATE WOULD NOT APPLY TO DIESEL OIL USED BY ENFRANCHISED PUBLIC BUSES, TO AVOID IMPOSING AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT USERS WHO TEND TO BE THE LESS WELL OFF. HE EXPLAINED THAT AN ARRANGEMENT WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO REFUND THE INCREASE OF 65 CENTS A LITRE ON DIESEL OIL USED ON ENFRANCHISED PUBLIC BUSES.
THE NET ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELD FROM THE HYDROCARBON OILS WOULD BE ABOUT $530 MILLION.
WITH REGARD TO FEES FOR PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCES, ANNUAL DRIVING LICENCES AND DRIVING TESTS WERE LAST REVISED IN 1973, AND COSTS HAD INCREASED BY AT LEAST THREE TIMES SINCE THEN, M? BREMRIDGE POINTED OUT.
HE THEREFORE PROPOSED INCREASING THE FEES FOR PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCES FROM $133 TO 3303 AND FOR ANNUAL DRIVING LICENCES FROM $50 TO 3150.
FOR A DRIVING TEST HE PROPOSED DOUBLING THE FEE FROM *150 TO 3303, EXPLAINING THAT FAILURES AT THE FIRST ATTEMPT WERE FAIRLY COMMON AND TRIPLING +wOULD FAIRLY BE REGARDED AS EXCESSIVE*.
THESE NEw FEES WOULD YIELD AN ADDITIONAL *90 MILLION.
THE LICENCE FEES FOR Trie ANNUAL REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES WERE TAX-LOADED, AND THE LAST REVISION OF THE TAXLOADING wAS CARRIED OUT IN 1979. BUT LAST MAY THE LICENCE FEES FOR PRIVATE CARS AND MOTOR CYCLES WERE INCREASED FOR TRANSPORT POLICY REASONS.
PRCP0S2D........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 30 -
HE PROPOSED THAT THE 1979 IGNORING THE SELECTIVE LOADING THE TAX VALUE AND THAT THE MAY TO OBTAIN THE NEW FEES.
FEES SHOULD EE ADJUSTED UPWARDS, INTRODUCED LAST MAY, TO RESTORE LOADING SHOULD THEN BE ADDED BACK
MR BREMRIDGE CALCULATED THAT THE 1979 FEES NEEDED TO EE INCREASED BY ABOUT 83 PER CENT, aHICH MEANT, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT THE LICENCE FEE FOR A SMALL CAR OF UP TO 1 500 CC WOULD BE INCREASED FROM SI 633 TO S2 303.
+ NC LOADING *>AS ADDED LAST MAY TO THE FEES FOR GOODS VEHICLES, TAXIS AND PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES. THEIR FEES WILL THUo BE INCREASED BY ROUGHLY 80 PER CENT,+ HE SAID.
THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELD FROM THE INCREASED FEES FOR 1983-84 wAS ESTIMATED AT S220 MILLION.
------o-------
URBAN AND NT GENERAL RATES TO INCREASE ******
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE TODAY PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE GENERAL RATE PERCENTAGE FOR THE URBAN AREAS FROM 3.5 PER CENT TO 5.5 PER CENT, MAKING A TOTAL INCLUDING THE URBAN COUNCIL RATE OF 13.5 PER CENT.
HE ALSO PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE GENERAL RATE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM 11 PER CENT TO 13.5 PER CENT TO BRING IT INTO LINE WITH THE TOTAL FOR THE URBAN AREAS WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1983.
MR BREMRIDGE NOTED THAT THE MAINTENANCE OF A FAIR BASE ON WHICH TO ASSESS RATES HAS LONG PRESENTED DIFFICULT PROBLEMS.
HE SAID THE BASE ITSELF DOES NOT SET THE RETURN, WHICH DEPENDS ON THE RATE OF TAX OR POUNDAGE.
HE STRESSED, +THE GOVERNMENT’S ANNOUNCED INTENTION TO CONDUCT AN EXERCISE TO DETERMINE NEW RATEABLE VALUES FOR 1984-85 IS NOT DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE RETURN FROM RATES, BUT TO ENSURE THAT THE BURDEN OF THE CHARGE IS EQUITABLY SPREAD BETWEEN DIFFERENT CLASSES OF RATEPAYERS.*
THE EXISTING GENERAL RATE PERCENTAGE ARE 3.5 PER CENT IN THE URBAN AREAS AND 11 PER CENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE URBAN COUNCIL RATE IN THE URBAN AREAS IS EIGHT PER CE.'JT.
THE PRESENT RATEABLE VALUES, TO WHICH THESE PERCENTAGES ARE APPLIED TO DETERMINE THE CHARGE TO RATES, WERE ESTABLISHED AS LONG AGO AS 1076 AND ARE NOW HOPELESSLY OUT OF DATE, MR BREMRIDGE REMARKED.
A REVALUATION EXERCISE IS BEING CARRIED OUT AND NEW VALUES WILL APPLY FROM APRIL 1, 1984.
/+’,7Hai THESE.............
'WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 31 -
+WHEN THESE NEW RATEABLE VALUES HAVE BEEN DETERMINED THE POUNDAGE WILL HAVE TO BE ADJUSTED. THE ESTIMATE FOR 1983-84 OF $777 MILLION IS LESS IN MONEY TERMS THAN IT HAS BEEN IN EACH YEAR SINCE 1978-79,+ MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT ACCORDING TO THE NEW RATES, THIS WILL t-EAN A 17.4 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE RATES PAYABLE BY A RATEPAYER. THE INCREASE ON AVERAGE FOR A TYPICAL SMALL TENEMENT WILL BE ABOUT $10 A MONTH AND FOR A LARGE FLAT ABOUT $100 A MONTH.
MR BREMRIDGE APPRECIATED THAT THIS INCREASE WILL AFFECT MANY PEOPLE AT A DIFFICULT TIME. HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES THE INITIAL BURDEN WILL BE BOURNE BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND RATES PAYMENTS ARE DEEMED TO BE PART OF RENT FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
AS FOR CERTAIN AREAS OF THE NEw TERRITORIES WHERE RATING IS BEING PHASED IN OVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD, THE PERCENTAGE FOR 1983-84 WOULD HAVE BEEN NINE PER CENT. HOWEVER, MR BREMRIDGE PROPOSED TO BRING THIS TO 11 PER CENT.
THE ADDITIONAL YIELD FROM THE GENERAL RATE FOR 1983-84 WILL BE ABOUT $300 MILLION, MR BREMRIDGE ESTIMATED.
INCREASES IN BETTING DUTY PROPOSED
* * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, HAS PROPOSED TO RAISE BETTING DUTY FROM APRIL 1 WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO PRODUCE AN ADDITIONAL $220 MILLION IN 1983-84.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT IN THE CURRENT YEAR, HONG KONG’S PUNTERS WERE EXPECTED TO HAZARD ABOUT $13 BILLION ON HORSE RACE BETS AND ON MARK SIX LOTTERIES, YIELDING ABOUT $1.2 BILLION IN BETTING DUTY.
HE SAID THE YIELD FROM THIS SOURCE WAS, IN HIS OPINION, A RELATIVELY SMALL CONTRIBUTION IN THE LIGHT OF PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES.
IN PUTTING FORWARD HIS PROPOSALS TO INCREASE BETTING DUTY, re BREMRIDGE SAID, HE HAD BEEN CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED NOT TO DRIVE PUNTERS INTO THE ARMS OF ILLEGAL BOOKMAKERS AND HIS PROPOSALS WERE CONSEQUENTLY STRUCTURED SO AS TO AVOID THIS POSSIBILITY.
THE PRESENT RATES OF BETTING DUTY ARE 7.5 PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT OF EACH +STANDARD+ BET AND 11 PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT OF EACH SO-CALLED +EXOTIC+ BET MADE ON THE JOCKEY CLUB TOTE. THE BALANCE OF THE TOTE POOL AFTER REDUCTION OF BETTING DUTY IS ALLOCATED AS TO 90 PER CENT TO PUNTERS BY WAY OF PRIZE MONEY AND THE REMAINDER TO THE JOCKEY CLUB AS COMMISSION.
/THE PHOCEEDo .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 32 -
THE PROCEEDS OF MARK SIX LOTTERIES ARE SUB-DIVIDED AS TO 25 PER CENT DUTY, 15 PER CENT TO THE LOTTERIES FUND AND TO THE JOCKEY CLUB, OF WHICH 5.75 PER CENT GOES TO THE FUND, AND THE BALANCE OF 60 PER CENT TO PRIZE WINNERS.
THE NEW RATES OF BETTING DUTY PROPOSED ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* THE DUTY ON STANDARD BETS WILL BE INCREASED FROM
7.5 PER CENT TO 8.5 PER CENT, BUT WITH A CORRESPONDING REDUCTION IN THE LEVEL OF COMMISSION TO THE JOCKEY CLUB -- THAT IS TO SAY NO REDUCTION IN THE SIZE OF THE PRIZE MONEY POOL;
* THE DUTY ON EXOTIC BETS WILL BE INCREASED FROM 11 PER CENT TO 13.5 PER CENT, WITH A REDUCTION OF ONE PER CENT IN THE LEVEL OF COMMISSION TO THE JOCKEY CLUB AND A REDUCTION OF 1.5 PER CENT FROM THE PUNTERS’ SHARE --THIS MEANS, IN EFFECT, THAT THE POOL OF PRIZE MONEY WILL BE DIMINISHED FROM 80.1 PER CENT OF TOTAL BETS PLACED TO 78.6 PER CENT; AND
* THE DUTY ON LOTTERIES WILL BE INCREASED BY TWO PER CENT FROM 25 PER CENT TO 27 PER CENT, WITH A CORRESPONDING REDUCTION OF TWO PER CENT IN THE LEVEL OF THE JOCKEY CLUB AND LOTTERIES FUND SHARE - THE POOL AVAILABLE TO PRIZE WINNERS THUS REMAINS UNCHANGED.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT OF THE ADDITIONAL $220 MILLION PRODUCED, $26 MILLION WILL COME FROM PUNTERS ON EXOTIC BETS, $6.25 MILLION FROM THE REDUCED CONTRIBUTION TO THE LOTTERIES FUND AND THE REMAINDER BY REDUCING THE JOCKEY CLUB’S SHARE.
------o ------
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION AND AIRPORT TAXES * X * *
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX, WHICH YIELDS MOST OF THE ANNUAL SUBVENTION TO THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, WILL BE INCREASED FROM FOUR PER CENT TO FIVE PER CENT ON APRIL 1, 1983, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE SAID THE TAX INCREASE IS ESTIMATED TO YIELD AN ADDITIONAL $15 MILLION IN 1983-84.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE HKTA RECEIVES AN ANNUAL GRANT FROM THE GOVERNMENT CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF THE YIELD FROM THE TAX PLUS AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT MADE UP FROM GENERAL REVENUE EQUIVALENT TO A TAX YIELD OF TWO PER CENT.
HE SAID THE PROPOSED TAX INCREASE WILL REDUCE THE CONTRIBUTION FROM GENERAL REVENUE TO THE EQUIVALENT OF A TAX YIELD OF ONE PER CENT, AND FURTHER ELIMINATE THIS CONTRIBUTION OVER FOUR YEARS BY A ONE-QUARTER PERCENTAGE POINT REDUCTION EACH YEAR.
/FOR 1983-84.........
'.7EDNJSDAY, F23HU..HY 23, 19b 3
- 33 -
FOR 1933-84, HE SAID, THE ASSOCIATION’S SUBVENTION WILL BE EQUIVALENT TO THE TAX AT FIVE AND THREE QUARTERS PER CENT, THE TAX ITSELF PRODUCING FIVE PER CENT AND GENERAL REVENUE CONTRIBUTING THREE-QUARTERS PER CENT.
THE TOTAL SUBVENTION WITH AN INCREASE IN MONEY GUIDELINES HE ADOPTED FOR SA ID.
SHOULD STILL PROVIDE THE ASSOCIATION TERMS IN 1983-84 IN LINE WITH THE PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE, MR BREMRIDGE
MR BREMRIDGE ALSO PROPOSED A SPECIFIC TAX ON DEPARTING PASSENGERS AT THE AIRPORT AT $133 FOR EACH PASSENGER, wITH A CONCESSIONARY RATE FOR CHILDREN. THE EXISTING PASSENGER SERVICE CHARGE AT $20 FOR EACH ADULT PASSENGER wILL BE ABOLISHED.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT NEW LEGISLATION WOULD BE REQUIRED AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE AIRLINES WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE FOR THE COLLECTION OF THE TAX, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO YIELD AN ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF $230 MILLION FOR 1983-84.
- 0 ---------
BANK AND BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEES INCREASED *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE PROPOSED TO INCREASE BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEES, COMPANY REGISTRATION FEES, BANK LICENCES FEES AND BUOY FEES TO YIELD A TOTAL OF $195 MILLION IN REVENUE IN 1983/84.
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE SAID THAT THE PRESENT ANNUAL BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE OF $175 PAYABLE BY PERSONS CARRYING ON BUSINESS AND BY COMPANIES REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WAS FIXED IN APRIL 1979.
♦HAVING REGARD TO THE FACT THAT IT IS A TAX LOADED CHARGE, THERE IS CLEARLY A CASE FOR AN INCREASE SIMPLY TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF INCREASED COSTS,* HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO CARRY ON BUSINESS HERE MAKE LITTLE OR NO OTHER CONTRIBUTION TO THE EXCHEQUER.
HE BELIEVED THAT THERE IS A GOOD CASE FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PRECENTAGE INCREASE IN BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEES. BUT BY ANY STANDARDS THE CHARGE IS MODEST, HE ADDED.
HE PROPOSED TO DOUBLE THE RATE OF THE ANNUAL BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE FROM ITS PRESENT LEVEL OF $175 TO $353 PER ANNUM.
THE INCREASED FEE WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1, 1983 AND IS ESTIMATED TO PRODUCE AN ADDITIONAL $60 MILLION ANNUALLY.
/ia BJGidaiDGs
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1963
- 34 -
MR BREMRIDGE ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE COMPANY REGISTRATION FEE CHARGED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE TO BE DOUBLED FROM THE PRESENT LEVEL OF S33O TO 5600.
THE ADDITIONAL AD VALOREM CHARGE OF $4 FOR EVERY $1 000 OF SHARE CAPITAL WOULD ALSO BE INCREASED, BUT ONLY TO $6.
THE NEW FEES WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) AND SHOULD BRING IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF ABOUT $93 MILLION.
MR EREMRIDGE SAID THE LICENCE FEES FOR BANKS WERE LAST REVISED IN 1975 WHEN THEY WERE GIVEN A ROYALTY LOADING OF FOUR TIMES THE AMOUNT STRICTLY REQUIRED FOR COST RECOVERY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE COST OF SUPERVISION HAS DOUBLED SINCE THEN. HE PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE LICENCE FEES BY 50 PER CENT.
THIS MEANS THE ANNUAL FEE FOR A LICENCE WILL INCREASE FROM $200 030 TO $300 003, AND FOR EACH LOCAL BRANCH FROM 510 000 TO 515 030.
THE NEW BANK LICENCE FEES WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1983, AND THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR 1983-64 IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT 525 MILLION.
MR EREMRIDGE ADDED, +THERE ARE EQUALLY COMPELLING ARGUMENTS FOR REVISING THE FEES FOR DEPOSIT-TAKI NG COMPANIES, BUT FOR OBVIOUS REASONS I DO NOT PROPOSE TO DO SO AT THE PRESENT TIME, INCREASE WILL, HOWEVER, BE NECESSARY SOONER OR LATER.+
AS FOR FEES LEVIED ON SHIPS MOORING AT GOVERNMENT BUOYS, WHICH WERE LAST REVISED IN 197° WHEN THEY WERE SET TO RECOVER COSTS AND PROVIDE TAX REVENUE, THE RATIO OF COST RECOVERY TO TAX LOADING WAS 25 : 75.
TO RESTORE THIS RATIO IN THE LIGHT OF INCREASED COSTS SINCE 1979, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE FEE FOR A CLASS A BUOY FROM $733 TO 31 503 A DAY, AND FOR A CLASS B BUOY FROM $453 TO $1 003 A DAY.
THE NEW FEES WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1983 AND SHOULD BRING IN AN ADDITIONAL 320 MILLION IN 1983-84.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23,
1983
- 35 -
PROPOSALS ON SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED WOMEN
* * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID TODAY THAT HE wOULD BE PROPOSING CERTAIN MEASURES LATER THIS YEAR ON TAXATION WHICH WOULD MEET THE COMPLAINTS THAT THE PRESENT LEGISLATION IS INSULTING TO WOMEN IN THAT IT RENDERS THEM SECOND CLASS CITIZENS.
+THIS NOT SURPRISINGLY CREATES DISCORD. THEY WILL THEREFORE EE ACCORDED THE LEGAL PERSONALITY WHICH THEY SEEK,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID, IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH.
HE SAID AMENDING LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED, WHICH WOULD:
FIRSTLY, REPLACE THOSE PROVISIONS WHICH DEEM THE INCOME OF A WIFE TO BE THAT OF HER HUSBAND FOR THE PURPOSES SALARIES TAX AND PERSONAL ASSESSMENT, WITH NEW PROVISIONS WHICH wILL REQUIRE THE AGGREGATION OF THEIR INCOMES FOP THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING TOTAL LIABILITY TO TAX;
SECONDLY, REMOVE THE PROVISION WHICH DEEMS A WIFE TO BE ONE AND THE SAME PERSON AS HER HUSBAND FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE PROFITS TAX (THIS wILL, IN FACT DO NO MORE THAN REGULARISE DEPARTMENTAL PRACTICE, SINCE PROFITS TAX RETURNS SUBMITTED BY WIVES WHO ARE PROPRIETORS OF BUSINESSES ARE ALREADY ACCEPTED); AND
THIRDLY CONTINUE TO REQUIRE THE HUSBAND TO RENDER RETURNS AND TO BE PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF SALARIES TAX AND PERSONAL TAX, BUT PROVIDES THAT, FOLLOWING AN ELECTION JOINTLY MADE, HUSBAND AND WIFE MAY RENDER JOINT RETURNS, EACH CERTIFYING THE ACCURACY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND THE CLAIMS FOR ALLOWANCES AND EXPENSES AND EACH BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PAYMENT OF HIS OR HER SHARE OF THE TOTAL TAX BILL; EACH SHARE BEING CALCULATED BY REFERENCE TO THEIR RESPECTIVE SHARES OF THE TOTAL INCOME.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE HAD FELT UNABLE TO RECOMMEND ANY FISCAL CHANGES LAST YEAR, BUT UNDERTOOK TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THE MATTER. HE HAD ALSO, SINCE THEN, RECEIVED A NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIONS, SOME OF THEM PERSUASIVE. NONE OF THE VARIOUS MEASURES ADOPTED IN OTHER TAX ADMINISTRATIONS HAD RECEIVED UNIVERSAL APPROVAL, THOUGH THEY ALL HAD THEIR MERITS IN THE CONTEXT OF THEIR OWN PARTICULAR ENVIRONMENT. NONE OF THEM WAS NECESSARILY RIGHT FOR HONG KONG.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE COULD NOT REGARD SEPARATE TAXATION AS SUITABLE FOR THIS COMMUNITY. WHETHER MANDATORY OR BY WAY OF ELECTION, IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE. UPDATED ESTIMATES SUGGEST THAT IN THE YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION THE COST COULD EE AS MUCH AS $285 MILLION IM LOST SALARIES TAX AND PERSONAL TAX AND PERHAPS 3189 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
'iVSDNESDAY, psbruary 23, 1983
36
MR EREMRIDGE SAID THAT ON GROUNDS OF COST ALONE, THEREFORE, SEPARATE TAXATION WAS SIMPLY NOT POSSIBLE. THE BURDEN WOULD HAVE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO OTHERS.
+FURTHERMORE, THOUGH I AM SYMPATHETIC TO THE WOMEN’S CAUSE, Y SYMPATHY MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO OVERSHADOW WIDER CONSIDERATIONS,* HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT THE ADOPTION OF A SYSTEM OF COMPLETELY SEPARATE TAXATION FOR HUSBANDS AND WIVES WOULD REPRESENT A RADICAL DEPARTURE FROM THE TRADITIONAL CONCEPT OF THE FAMILY UNIT AS THE FISCAL UNIT OF CHARGE.
HONG KONG, HESAID, REMAINS ESSENTIALLY A CHINESE COMMUNITY WHERE FILIAL PIETY AND FAMILY UNITY ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF EXISTENCE-.
+ IT WOULD BE UNFORTUNATE INDEED, IF, IN OUR ENDEAVOURS TO REMOVE AN ALLEGED AFFRONT TO ONE ARGUABLY SMALL SECTOR OF OUR SOCIETY, WE SUCCEEDED IN GIVING GREATER OFFENCE TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE,* HE SAID.
NEVERTHELESS, HE SAID, HE FELT FAIR CRITICISMS COULD AND SHOULD BE MET. THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED BY, ON THE ONE HAND, REMOVING THE OFFENSIVE DEEMING PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE, AND ON THE OTHER BY GOING SOME WAY DOWN THE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE OF SEPARATE ELECTED ASSESSMENT.
ACCORDINGLY, HE SAID, HE PROPOSED THAT LATER THIS YEAR AMENDING LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID, HOWEVER, THAT IT WOULD BE APPARENT THAT THE PROPOSALS WOULD NOT GIVE RISE TO ANY TAX SAVINGS IN INDIVIDUAL CASES, AND WOULD THUS HAPPILY INVOLVE NO LOSS TO REVENUE.
+NEVERTHELESS, I BELIEVE THAT THE CHANGES PROPOSED ARE NOT MERELY COSMETIC,* HE SAID.
BECAUSE OF THE TIME IT WOULD NECESSARILY TAKE TO PREPARE THE AMENDING LEGISLATION, AND OTHER WORK INVOLVED, HE PROPOSED THAT THE AMENDING LEGISLATION SHOULD TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1984.
+IF THAT SEEMS SOME WAY OFF TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PRESSING FOR CHANGE, I WOULD ASK THEM TO EXERCISE FURTHER PATIENCE IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE TODAY CONCEDED THE PRINCIPLE. AND I MUST SOUND ONE CAVEAT,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
HE SAID THAT AS HE WAS TOLD THAT AN ELECTION FOR JOINT RETURNS AND SEPARATE PAYMENT MIGHT NOT FIND FAVOUR WITH CHINESE FAMILIES, HE THEREFORE, INTENDED TO OBSERVE THE COURSE OF THE SUBSEQUENT DEBATE, AND WOULD INTRODUCE AMENDING LEGISLATION WITH REGARD TO ELECTION ONLY IF THERE WAS A CLEAR CONSENSUS IN FAVOUR WITH NO MAJOR OBJECTIONS, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
/37 .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
37 -
TWO TAX CONCESSIONS PROPOSED
* * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, PROPOSED TWO TAX CONCESSIONS - ONE ON BUSINESS TAXATION AND THE OTHER ON PERSONAL TAXATION.
THE FIRST CONCESSION MAKES ONCE AND FOR ALL PAYMENTS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PATENT RIGHTS FOR USE IN THE PRODUCTION OF PROFITS CHARGEABLE TO PROFITS TAX DEDUCTIBLE EXPENDITURES.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THIS TREATMENT WAS NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THAT ALREADY ACCORDED TO EXPENDITURE ON SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, WITH WHICH THE ACQUISITION OF PATENTS MIGHT BE SAID TO EE SIMILAR.
HE ADDED THAT A DEDUCTION WOULD THEREFORE EE GRANTED IN THE YEAR IN WHICH THE EXPENDITURE ON ACQUISITION WAS INCURRED. IT WOULD APPLY TO BOTH FINAL PROFITS TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR 1982-83 AND PROVISIONAL PROFITS TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR 1983-84.
THE COST TO THE REVENUE OF THIS PROPOSAL WILL EE ABOUT $8 MILLION IN 1083-84 AND $5 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
THE SECOND CONCESSION IS BY WAY OF INTRODUCING A NEW ADDITIONAL DEPENDENT PARENT ALLOWANCE OF ®2 000 IN RESPECT OF EACH DEPENDENT PARENT ACTUALLY LIVING WITH THE TAXPAYER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THIS WILL RAISE THE DEPENDENT PARENT ALLOWANCE TO $10 000 FOR EACH QUALIFIED DEPENDENT PARENT.
THE NEW ALLOWANCE WILL APPLY TO BOTH FINAL SALARIES TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR 1982-83 AND PROVISIONAL SALARIES TAX FOR 1983-84. THE COST TO THE REVENUE IN 1983-84 WILL BE $16 MILLION AND $9.5 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR AT PRESENT LEVELS OF CHARGEABLE INCOME.
MR BREMRIDGE ESTIMATED THAT SOME 20 000 TAXPAYERS OR ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF THOSE CURRENTLY CLAIMING DEPENDENT PARENT ALLOWANCES WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE NEW ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE.
-----o------
SIGNIFICANT GROWTH FOR CD MARKET
* * *
THERE WILL BE A LIMITED SPECIFICATION OF LOCAL CERTIFICATES CF DEPOSIT AS LIQUID ASSETS, STARTING FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THIS MOVE RECOGNISES THE GROWING MATURITY OF THE CD MARKET WITHOUT THREATENING ANY SIGNIFICANT DIMINUTION IN THE OVERALL QUALITY OF THE LIQUIDITY HELD BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, NR BREMRIDGE SAID IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH.
/+! ET2H2......
WEDNESDAY, FEBHUAHY 23, 1983
- 38 -
+1 INTEND TO SPECIFY AS LIQUID ASSETS NEGOTIABLE CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT ISSUED IN HONG KONG BY LICENSED BANKS AND LICENSED (BUT NOT REGISTERED) DTC’S, DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS OR IN A FOREIGN CURRENCY WHICH IS FREELY CONVERTIBLE INTO HONG KONG DOLLARS, BEING * I TH IN THREE YEARS OF FINAL MATURITY, AND BEING MARKETABLE IN A MANNER SATISFACTORY TO THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
+1 ALSO PROPOSE TO PROVIDE THAT NO INDIVIDUAL BANK OR DTC MAY COUNT SUCH ASSETS WITHIN ITS STATUTORY LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENT TO AN EXTENT GREATER THAN TWO PER CENT OF ITS DEPOSIT LIABILITIES AS DEFINED FOR THE CALCULATION OF THE STATUTORY RATIO,+ MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE PRECISE SPECIFICATION WOULD SHORTLY BE GAZETTED.
THE VALUE OF LOCAL CD’S IN ISSUE HAS BEEN GROWING SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION REPORTED IN 1979, HE POINTED OUT.
THE SECONDARY MARKET HAS ALSO BEEN INCREASINGLY ACTIVE, BUT IT STILL LACKS THE MATURITY OF ITS EQUIVALENT IN MAJOR CD CENTRES, HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES CD’S ARE A USEFUL FORM OF TERM FUNDING FOR THE ISSUERS AND THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS MARKET IS GENERALLY BENEFICIAL TO HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SECTOR.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT THE PARAMOUNT CONSIDERATION WHEN DECIDING WHETHER TO EXTEND THE LIST OF SPECIFIED LIQUID ASSETS MUST BE THE PRUDENTIAL ONE.
+THE EVENTS OF RECENT MONTHS HAVE UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE CF LIQUIDITY WITHIN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR. THEY HAVE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE NEED, IF CREDIBILITY AND CONFIDENCE IN OUR REGULATION OF THIS SECTOR IS TO BE SUSTAINED, TO ENSURE THAT LIQUIDITY STATUS BE CONFERRED ONLY ON ASSETS OF THE HIGHEST LIQUIDITY QUALITY,* MR BREMRIDGE STATED.
IT WAS AFTER HAVING CONSIDERED THE MATTER CAREFULLY THAT HE HAD DECIDED TO MAKE A +VERY LIMITED* SPECIFICATION OF LOCAL CD’S AS LIQUID ASSETS, HE SAID.
+1 ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS DECISION WILL ALLOW NET LIQUIDITY TO BE CREATED WITHIN THE MONETARY SECTOR, WHICH IS NOT POSSIBLE AT PRESENT,* HE SAID.
+BY STATING THAT THE COMMISSIONER HAS TO BE SATISFIED AS TO THE MARKETABILITY OF THE PAPER, I INTEND TO ENSURE TnAT NO CD’s DELIBERATELY ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING STATUTORY LIQUIDITY ARE SUCCESSFUL IN SO DOING,* HE ADDED.
THE COMMISSIONER WILL USUALLY BE SATISFIED IF AN ISSUE HAS, IN THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED MANNER, BEEN MARKETED BY A THIRD PARTY, HE POINTED OUT.
IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, MR BREMRIDGE STATED, THE COMMISSIONER wILL REQUIRE CONVINCING AS TO THE MOTIVE FOR THE ISSUE.
------o-------
/39 .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
39
TELEVISION TALK ON BUDGET * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, SPOKE ON THE 1983/84 BUDGET IN A TELEVISION BROADCAST THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF HIS TALK:
GOOD EVENING
+1 WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE BUDGET FOR 1983-84, WHICH I INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
♦ HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY DEPENDS ON OUR EXPORT TRADE. LAST YEAR WITH THE WORLD IN PROLONGED RECESSION OUR EXPORTS DID NOT DO WELL BECAUSE CONSUMERS IN OUR MAIN MARKETS EITHER COULD NOT AFFORD TO BUY MORE OR WERE RESTRAINED BY PROTECTIONISM. WE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE TERMINAL PHASES OF A PROPERTY BOOM AND BUST, RESULTING LARGELY FROM SHORT-SIGHTED SPECULATION. IN ADDITION WE WERE AFFLICTED BY POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY, WHICH PERMEATED THE FINANCIAL SECTORS.
+THUS OUR ECONOMY FARED LESS WELL THAN PREDICTED AND GDP GREW BY ONLY 2.4 PER CENT, THOUGH THIS IS MORE THAN MOST OTHER PLACES IN THE WORLD. IN PARTICULAR THE RATE OF INFLATION FELL TO 10.6 PER CENT AND WE HAD NO MAJOR UNEMPLOYMENT. I AM, HOWEVER, WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS OF THE UNEMPLOYED AND UNDEREMPLOYED, AND I HOPE THAT A REVIVING ECONOMY WILL IMPROVE THEIR LOT. AT PRESENT I KNOW THEY ARE SUFFERING.
+HAVING EXPERIENCED BUDGETARY SURPLUSES FOR MANY YEARS THERE WAS A LARGE DEFICIT OF S3.8 BILLION IN 1982-83. MY FIRST FORECAST FOR 1983-84, AFTER RESTRICTING THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT SPENDING, WAS AN INTOLERABLE $6.2 BILLION. THE NEW SITUATION RESULTS FROM A SHARP FALL IN THE CAPITAL REVENUE EXPECTED FROM LAND SALES.
+WE HAVE FISCAL RESERVES (OR SAVINGS) OF ABOUT $18 BILLION BECAUSE A FAIR PORTION OF THE ESCALATION IN LAND PRICES OVER RECENT YEARS HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE PUBLIC PURSE TO BE USED IN DIFFICULT TIMES. THOSE TIMES ARE NOW WITH US, AND I BELIEVE IT WILL BE INTELLIGENT TO USE PART OF OUR RESERVES FOR TWO YEARS ANYWAY, MEANING 1982-83 AND 1983-84. TO MEET DEFICITS WE HAVE $11 BILLION ACTUALLY AVAILABLE, AFTER ALLOWING FOR CONTINGENCIES SUCH AS GOVERNMENT GUARANTEES.
+1 THEREFORE INTEND TO MEET THE ESTIMATED DEFICIT OF $6.2 BILLION NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR BY TAKING HALF OUT OF THE RESERVES AND BY COVERING THE OTHER HALF WITH INCREASED TAXATION. THIS SEEMS A SENSIBLE MIDDLE COURSE.
/+IT IS........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 40 -
+IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT AND RE-INVESTMENT IN OUR BUSINESSES. I DO NOT THEREFORE INTEND TO INCREASE PROFITS TAX. I ALSO REGARD LOw PERSONAL TAXATION AS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY AND I AM PARTICULARLY UNWILLING TO ADD TO THE TAX NET THOSE MANY WORKERS IN HONG KONG WHO PAY NO TAX AT PRESENT, UNLESS THERE IS NO ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE. CONSEQUENTLY I DO NOT PROPOSE TO CHANGE SALARIES TAX EITHER.
♦I INTEND TO RAISE THE NECESSARY 33 BILLION LARGELY BY INDIRECT TAXATION, WHICH WILL OFTEN ALLOW A CHOICE BETWEEN SPENDING AND NOT SPENDING. IF THE INCREASED COST FOR EXAMPLE OF SMOKING, DRINKING, OR OWNING A MOTOR CAR SEEMS TOO GREAT, THEN IT NEED NOT BE UNDERTAKEN. NOR CAN BETTING BE REGARDED AS ESSENTIAL EXPENDITURE. IT ALSO SEEMS FAIR THAT THOSE WITH DISPOSABLE INCOME AVAILABLE FOR SUCH PURSUITS SHOULD BE ASKED TO FACE HIGHER TAXATION WHEN THERE IS A CLEAR NEED - AS NOW.
+l THUS HAVE MADE SEVERAL PROPOSALS FOR INCREASED TAXATION WHICH WILL INVOLVE BURDENS TO MANY. THEY MUST, HOWEVER, BE CARRIED IN THE INTERESTS OF EVERYONE IN HONG KONG FOR THERE ARE NO EASY OPTIONS. AND TAXATION HERE WILL REMAIN LOW OVERALL.
+l HAVE ALSO FOUND IT POSSIBLE TO PROPOSE TWO DECREASES AND ONE REFORM. I PROPOSE FIRSTLY TO ALLOW AS A PROFIT TAX DEDUCTION THE COST OF PURCHASE OF PATENTS, WHICH WILL HELP INDUSTRIALISTSAND SECONDLY TO INCREASE THE DEPENDENT PARENT ALLOWANCE BY $2 300 FOR THOSE WHO ACCOMMODATE THEIR PARENTS IN THEIR OWN HOMES. THE REFORM MEASURE COVERS THE MUCH PUBLICISED PROBLEM OF SEPARATE TAXATION FOR WOMEN.
+WITH THESE CHANGES I BELIEVE THAT THE DEFICIT FOR 1983-84 WILL BE A MORE MANAGEABLE $3.2 BILLION. CLEARLY EVEN THIS WILL REQUIRE SOME BELT TIGHTENING, BUT YOUR GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE CALMLY AND STEADILY WITH AGREED PROGRAMMES. TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR I SHALL BE CONSIDERING WITH MY ADVISERS WHETHER WE NEED TO RESORT TO BORROWING. AT PRESENT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS FORTUNATE IN HAVING ALMOST NO DEBT, AND ALL OF US WOULD PREFER THIS SITUATION TO CONTINUE AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
+ 1 NOW TURN TO WHERE OUR ECONOMY SEEMS LIKELY TO GO ll» 1983. WE ARE MUCH DEPENDENT ON THE STATE OF THE U.S. ECONOMY WHOSE EXPECTED UPTURN HAS BEEN LONG DELAYED. IF THE U.S. ECONOMY GROWS BY A CONSERVATIVE 2.5 PER CENT WE CAN EXPECT A REAL GROWTH IN HONG KONG OF FOUR PER CENT. OF COURSE IF THE AMERICAN RECOVERY IS SHARPER, WE SHALL DO BETTER ALSO. I WAS TOO OPTIMISTIC LAST YEAR AND I DO NOT INTEND TO BE SO AGAIN. BUT IF THESE BROAD FIGURES ARE ACHIEVED REAL WAGES SHOULD RISE; THE RATE OF INFLATION FALL TO ABOUT NINE PER CENT; AND JOB OPPOR' JNITIES IMPROVE.+
- 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
41
New STAR PERRY FARE STRUCTURE * * * *
STAR FERRY PASSENGERS TRAVELLING BETWEEN TSIM SHA TSUI AND CENTRAL WILL STILL BE ABLE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN 1ST CLASS AND 2ND CLASS WHEN SOME OF THE COMPANY’S FARES GO UP BY 10 CENTS ON MARCH 1.
A NEW FARE STRUCTURE WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL AFTER SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS EY THE STAR FERRY COMPANY OVER THE PAST YEAR TO RAISE ITS FARES.
SOME CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO A PROPOSAL FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE TWO-TIER FARE STRUCTURE CN THE SERVICE BETWEEN KOWLOON POINT AND EDINBURGH PLACE, BUT THIS WAS NOT ACCEPTED ON THE BASIS OF THE DIFFERENCE IN THE STANDARD OF EACH DECK.
THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS, HOWEVER, THAT THE COMPANY WILL EXPERIENCE A DEFICIT IN 1983 IF FARES ARE NOT INCREASED NOW. THIS IS DUE TO HIGHER OPERATING COSTS AND A REDUCTION IN PATRONAGE, ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE OF THE COMPANY’S MAIN CROSS-HARBOUR SERVICE WHERE PASSENGER LEVELS HAVE BEEN DECLINING SINCE 1980.
EXISTING STAR FERRY FARES HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE JULY 1, 1981.
THE NEW ADULT FARE FOR THE ONE-CLASS HUNG HOM SERVICE AND FOR 1ST CLASS OF THE KOWLOON POINT SERVICE wILL BE 70 CENTS. ADULTS TRAVELLING 2ND CLASS ON THE KOWLOON POINT SERVICE WILL PAY 50 CENTS.
CHILD AND STUDENT FARES FOR EOTH SERVICES wILL NOT EE INCREASED.
CHILD MONTHLY TICKETS WILL BE ABOLISHED BECAUSE OF THE VEY LOW DEMAND FOR THEM. ONLY ABOUT 10 TICKETS ARE SOLD EACH MONTH AND THE COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICE HAS GROWN OUT OF PROPORTION TO THE REVENUE COLLECTED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEw STAR FERRY FARES STILL COMPARED VERY FAVOURABLY WITH ALL OTHER MODES OF CROSS-HARBOUR TRANSPORT.
0
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983
- 42 -
CONSULTATIVE PROCESS NEEDS MORE WOMEN * * * * *
GREATER PARTICIPATION BY WOMEN IN HONG KONG’S CONSULTATIVE PROCESS WAS TODAY URGED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN AND WAN CHAI, MR TONY COOPER.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ZONTA CLUB OF HONG KONG, HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG, LIKE ALL MODERN SOCIETIES, APPRECIATED THAT WOMEN HAD AN IMPORTANT SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ROLE BEYOND THEIR TRADITIONAL FUNCTION IN SOCIETY.
BESIDES SUCH FORUMS AS THE URBAN COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARDS, NR COOPER SAID HIS TWO DISTRICTS HAD A BROAD SPECTRUM OF CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES AND ASSOCIATIONS FOR WOMEN TO FULFILL THIS ROLE, AND THE GOVERNMENT WISHED TO ENCOURAGE THIS.
+THEY PROVIDE WOMEN A WIDE VARIETY OF PLATFORMS ON WHICH TO PURSUE THEIR INTEREST IN SOCIAL AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS, AND THERE ARE CERTAINLY MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION,* HE SAID.
AND THE FORTHCOMING URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MARCH 8 WHICH IS ALSO THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WOULD GIVE LOCAL WOMEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY WERE PLAYING A MORE PROMINENT ROLE IN SOCIETY, HE ADDED.
MR COOPER CONTINUED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TWO DISTRICTS WAS VERY INTERESTING AND VERY DEMANDING.
♦THIS IS WHERE THE URBAN COUNCIL, DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES BECOME IMPORTANT,* HE SAID.
+THEIR VITAL ROLE IS TO HELP GOVERNMENT MONITOR THIS CHANGE, ENSURE THAT RESIDENTS ARE AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON, THAT THEIR PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THESE CHANGES ARE LISTENED TO AND SWIFTLY ACTED ON, AND THAT THE VIEWS OF DISTRICT RESIDENTS ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE OVERALL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT.
+AN ADDITIONAL, AND VERY IMPORTANT OBJECTIVE, IS TO CREATE A SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENTITY. IT SEEMS TO ME ONLY RIGHT THAT WOMEN SHOULD HAVE A SAY IN ALL THIS AND THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES WHERE THESE OBJECTIVES ARE TACKLED ARE, I FEEL, A GOOD FORUM.*
IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN AND WAN CHAI, THERE ARE 13 AREA COMMITTEES, OVER 400 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, A YIN NGA I SOCIETY AND A NUMBER OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, WOMEN COMMITTEES AND ASSOCIATIONS.
/IS C00P2B........
'.VEDNaSDAY, FSBRJaRY 2 3, 1983
- 43 -
MR COOPER SAID HE HAD JUST STARTED A REVIEW OF THIS NETWORK OF CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES.
+T.--C THINGS HAVE ALREADY BECOME CLEAR - THERE IS CONSIDERABLE SCOPE FOR ERINGING THESE COMMITTEES CLOSER TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS? AND THE REPRESENTATION OF WOKEN SHOULD BE INCREASED.*
HE EMPHASISED THAT THERE WAS SCOPE FOR MORE WOMEN TO BE REPRESENTED ON NOT ONLY THOSE COMMITTEES, BUT ALSO OTHER DISTRICT EASED COMMITTEES CONCERNED *ITH SPORTS AND CULTURE SOMETHING WHICH HE *OULD BE ACTIVELY ENCOURAGING.
----0----
GOVERNOR ATTENDS TSUEN w’AN ARTS FESTIVAL CONCERT
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND LADY YOUDE, ATTENDED A CONCERT BY THE SCOTTISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY), AND MET MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES AT A COCKTAIL PARTY DURING INTERMISSION.
IS 0NE 0F 70 EVENTS IN THE MONTH-LONG FIFTH £UEJL*AN ART;> FESTIVAL NOW BEING HELD. IN ADDITION, MORE THAN 2ic£ GR0UPS T00,< PART IN THE FESTIV*L
AMP . rDcL^f?Ar-^Ert60yEfiN0R AND LADY YOUDE DINED WITH THE MEMBERS ANu WERE BRItFeD ON THc DISTRICT’S DEVELOPMENT PLANS.
_ODAE^G RRESENT ’'PRE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW SS I?MSJeNc^^ESS0N' TriE ACTING TSUEN *AN DISTR ICT CHUNG' and the director of cultusal
-----0------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1?83
- 44 -
TUEN MUN TO HOLD SIXTH DB MEETING
*****
A REPORT BY A WORKING GROUP TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN TUEN MUN WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25).
THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 1982 EDITION, PREPARED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, WILL ALSO BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE REPORTS ON THE
PROVISION OF TEMPORARY CAR PARKS IN THE DISTRICT, AND THE DEVELOPMENT CF TWO SITES TOTALLING 23 HECTARES.
IN THE AFTERNOON, AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING 10 SEATS HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR THE PUBLIC.
SEATS WILL BE ALLOCATED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS, AND PEOPLE WISHING TO ATTEND SHOULD TELEPHONE MRS LANA MOK OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AT 5-630181 EXTENSION 30.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE USE OF A SITE AT WHARF ROAD, LICENSING GUIDELINES FOR AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES, +MEET THE PUBLIC* SESSIONS, AND THE FREQUENCY OF DB MEETINGS.
INFORMATION PAPERS ON URBAN COUNCIL FACILITIES AND SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT, THE PROVISION OF STUDY ROOMS, THE PROPOSED EASTERN DISTRICT HOSPITAL AND A REVIEW ON PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS wILL ALSO BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE TWO MEETINGS:
(I) THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 9.30 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25) ON THE 9TH FLOOR OF FOO YICK COMMERCIAL BUILDING,SAN ON CIRCUIT. A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 8.15 AM TAKING PRESS MEMBERS TO AND BACK FROM TUEN MUN; AND
( ID
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25) IN THE SCHOOL HALL OF NORTH POINT wELSEY COLLEGE, 19 FORTRESS HILL ROAD IN NORTH POINT.
0 --------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH DRIVING LICENCES AS IDENTITY DOCUMENTS .. 1
SIR PHILIP VISITS TRADE DEPARTMENT .......................... 2
FS TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE.................................. 2
PRESS CONFERENCE ON EASTERN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN 3
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR JANUARY .......................... 3
HONG KONG-SWEDEN TEXTILES TALKS TO RESUME ................... 5
UNUSUALLY WET JANUARY ....................................... 6
RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL CARS POPULAR IN HONG KONG ............ 8
URBCO CANDIDATES TO MEET VOTERS ............................. 9
YOUTH PROBLEMS TO BE DISCUSSED .............................. 9
YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS ............................... 1°
DB MEMBERS LOOK OVER CLEARED BACKLANES ...................... 11
LASER SHOW TO PROMOTE UC ELECTIONS........................... 12
VOTERS GET SUPPLEMENT ON ELECTIONS .......................... 12
AMS MEMBERS RECEIVE LONG SERVICE MEDALS ..................... 13
KITE-FLYING FUN DaY FOR YOUNG AND OLD ....................... 13
CROWN LAND SOLD ............................................. 14
CROWN LAND TENANCIES OFFERED ................................ 15
ROAD CLOSURE IN CAUSEWAY BAY................................. 15
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1923
1 -
PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH DRIVING LICENCES AS IDENTITY DOCUMENTS *****
A RESOLUTION WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 9 WITH A VIEW TO DELETING DRIVING LICENCES FROM THE LIST OF DOCUMENTS WHICH MAY BE USED AS PROOF OF IDENTITY UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL DECIDED YESTERDAY THAT THE MOVE WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MEASURES TO COMBAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
IT WAS ALSO DECIDED THAT CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO WHETHER THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT FOR MOTORISTS TO CARRY THEIR DRIVING LICENCES WHILE DRIVING SHOULD BE ABOLISHED.
THE RESOLUTION WAS FORESHADOWED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, W DAVID JEAFFRESON, ON JANUARY 5 WHEN HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT AN ESTIMATED 30 300 DUPLICATE DRIVING LICENCES WERE ISSUED IN 1982 TO MOTORISTS WHO HAD LOST THEIR LICENCES.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON THE SAME DAY AS THE NEW LAWS WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUE OF A MORE SECURE IDENTITY CARD, DETAILS OF WHICH WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN RECALLED THAT WHEN THE CARRYING OF PROOF OF IDENTITY BECAME A REQUIREMENT IN OCTOBER 1980, DRIVING LICENCES WERE INCLUDED AS ONE OF THE ACCEPTABLE IDENTITY DOCUMENTS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF LEGAL RESIDENTS.
+THE RISKS INVOLVED IN ALLOWING DRIVING LICENCES AS AN IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT WERE ACCEPTABLE SO LONG AS THE PRESENT TYPE OF IDENTITY CARD, WITH ITS OUTDATED SECURITY FEATURES, WAS BEING ISSUED,* HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID 37 FORGED OR COUNTERFEIT DRIVING LICENCES HAD BEEN DETECTED IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
+HOWEVER, WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE MORE SECURE IDENTITY CARD, FORGERY SYNDICATES COULD WELL BE EXPECTED TO TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO DRIVING LICENCES, THEREBY UNDERMINING THE OBJECT CF THIS IMPORTANT ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION EXERCISE,* HE POINTED OUT.
+THEREFORE, TO CONTINUE TO ALLOW DRIVING LICENCES TO ENJOY THE SAME STATUS AS THE IDENTITY CARD WOULD PROVIDE GREATER SCOPE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO AVOID DETECTION, AS WELL AS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PUBLIC SERVICES, SUCH AS MEDICAL CARE.*
CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO UPGRADING THE SECURITY OF
DRIVING LICENCES TO A LEVEL COMPARABLE WITH THAT OF THE NEW IDENTITY CARD BUT IT WAS FOUND THAT THIS OPTION WOULD BE BOTH TIME-CONSUMING AND EXPENSIVE.
+THE COST INVOLVED WOULD BE DISPROPORTIONATE TO THE LIMITED USE AND NUMBER OF DRIVING LICENCES, WHICH WERE NOT ORIGINALLY DESIGNED FOR GENERAL PURPOSES OF IDENTIFICATION,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1983
- 2 -
SIR PHILIP VISITS TRADE DEPARTMENT ft ft ft
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IN OCEAN CENTRE, KOWLOON.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, SIR PHILIP TOURED THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICES AND MET STAFF WORKING ON TEXTILE LICENSING, CERTIFICATION AND TRADE CONTROLS, AS WELL AS EXTERNAL COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.
SIR PHILIP SHOWED PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE PROGRESS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CURRENT PROJECT TO COMPUTERISE HONG KONG’S TEXTILE EXPORT LICENSING SYSTEMS.
THE PROJECT, WHICH WAS STARTED IN 1977 AND ESTIMATED TO COST $5 MILLION, TAKES THE SHAPE OF A THREE-PHASE PROGRAMME BEGINNING WITH THE USA SYSTEM, WHICH BECAME FULLY COMPUTERISED IN 1980.
COMPUTERISATION OF THE EEC SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY MID-1983, AND THE FINAL PHASE COVERING THE OTHER REGIONS IS SCHEDULED TO BE READY BY 1986.
SIR PHILIP LATER MET ALL THE DIRECTORATE STAFF TO DISCUSS CURRENT TRADE ISSUES AND THE DEPARTMENT’S PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
-----o------
NOTE TO EDITORS*
FS TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ft ft ft ft
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR JOHN BREMRIDGE, WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 4.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE GJS THEATRE, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. ALSO ATTENDING WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY.
TELEVISION CREWS SHOULD ARRIVE EARLY TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
--------0 -
/3 .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1983
NOTE TO EDITORS!
PRESS CONFERENCE ON EASTERN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN
*****
THE CENTRAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT ANT I-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 28) AT 3 PM IN THE GIS THEATRE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF A THREE-WEEK INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN TO BE HELD FROM MARCH 4 TO 28.
MRS ANITA CHAN LA I-LI NG, CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE WILL CHAIR THE CONFERENCE TOGETHER WITH MR KARL STUMPF, CHAIRMAN OF THE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE, ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS. ALSO ATTENDING WILL BE MR C.M. LEUNG, ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS MR LUI HAU-TUEN, DISTRICT OFFICER (EASTERN) MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (EASTERN) AND MR MATTHEW MA, PRESIDENT OF LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONFERENCE.
-----0------
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR JANUARY *****
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR JANUARY 1983 WERE BOTH 135, THE SAME AS IN THE PRECEDING MONTH, ACCORDING TO FIGURES PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1982, BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B) INCREASED BY TEN POINTS OR EIGHT PER CENT. DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDING IN JANUARY 1983, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CP 1(A) ROSE 0.6 PER CENT EACH MONTH AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPl(B), 0.5 PER CENT.
DURING JANUARY, PRIVATE DWELLING RENTALS, ELECTRICITY RATES, TELEPHONE CHARGES AND CHARGES FOR MEALS BOUGHT IN RESTAURANTS INCREASED. ON THE OTHER HAND, PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRESH FRUIT DECLINED.
THE CP I (A) AND CP 1(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, DERIVED FROM THE 1979-80 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY. THE CPI(A) REFERRED TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $1 000 AND $3 499 A MONTH AND THE CP 1(B) TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN S3 500 AND 16 499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME.
/THE INDEXES........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1983
- 4 -
THE INDEXES FOR JANUARY 1983 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/ SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE GIVEN BELOW, TOGETHER WITH THOSE FOR DECEMBER 1982 AND JANUARY 1982.
SECTION (OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980 AVERAGE - 100)
CPI(A) JAN.82 CP 1(B)
JAN.82 DEC.82 JAN.83 DEC.82 JAN.83
FOODSTUFFS 127 138 137 127 139 137
HOUSING 121 131 133 121 130 132
FUEL AND LIGHT 136 140 145 136 140 146
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 123 127 130 122 126 129
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 123 136 135 123 136 136
DURABLE GOODS 108 108 107 109 110 110
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 119 127 128 117 126 127
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES i 137 145 145 134 146 147
SERVICES 131 141 144 131 141 142
ALL ITEMS 125 135 135 125 135 135
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY ONE POINT IN CP I (A) AND BY TWO POINTS IN CPI(B). REDUCTIONS WERE RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES OWING TO INCREASED SUPPLY AND IN THOSE OF FRESH FRUIT AS A RESULT OF LOWER PRICES OF ORANGES. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF SALT-WATER FISH AND THE AVERAGE CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS INCREASED.
THE TWO-POINT INCREASE IN THE INDEX FOR HOUSING IN BOTH CP I(A) AND CP 1(B) WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER RENTS FOR PRIVATE DWELLINGS.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT INCREASED BY FIVE POINTS IN CP I(A) AND BY SIX POINTS IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR ELECTRICITY.
THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) INCREASED BY THREE POINTS IN BOTH CP 1(A) AND CP 1(B), REFLECTING THE FULL IMPACT OF HIGHER PRICES OF CIGARETTES.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR DECREASED BY ONE POINT IN CP 1(A) AS A RESULT OF LOWER PRICES OF OUTERCLOTHING.
/the index........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1983
- 5 -
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN BOTH CP I(A) AND CPI(B) OWING TO HIGHER PRICES OF JEWELLERY, TOILET REQUISITES AND COSMETICS.
HIGHER PRICES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND HIGHER CHARGES FOR CAR INSURANCE CAUSED THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES TO INCREASE BY ONE POINT IN CPI(B).
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY THREE POINTS IN CPI(A) AND BY ONE POINT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR TELEPHONE SERVICES, MEDICAL TREATMENT AND HAIRDRESSING.
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN THE OTHER SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE +CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT+ FOR JANUARY 1983. BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS OF THIS REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT $3 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, PLEASE CONTACT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NO. 3-7216512.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, FIGURES PRESENTED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED.
-----o------
HONG KONG-SWEDEN TEXTILES TALKS TO RESUME
* * * *
NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW HONG KONG-SWEDEN TEXTILES AGREEMENT WILL RESUME ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 2) IN STOCKHOLM.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL AGAIN BE HEADED BY MR JUSTIN YUE, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY. LEADING THE SWEDISH SIDE WILL BE MR CURT WIIK, DIRECTOR, SWEDISH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
THE CURRENT TWO-YEAR AGREEMENT EXPIRES AT THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR. NEGOTIATIONS STARTED IN HONG KONG ON JANUARY 31, BUT THE TWO SIDES DID NOT REACH AGREEMENT DURING THAT ROUND.
--------0 ---------
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1983
- 6 -
UNUSUALLY WET JANUARY * * * *
LAST MONTH’S TOTAL RAINFALL OF 76.3 MM WAS THREE TIMES THE AVERAGE FIGURE AND WAS THE SEVENTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR JANUARY, ACCORDING TO THE MONTH’S WEATHER SUMMARY ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY (THURSDAY).
''THE SUNSHINE DURATION OF 75 HOURS WAS THE FIFTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR JANUARY, MAKING THE MONTH COOLER THAN NORMAL.
THE WEATHER WAS CLOUDY AND MILD ON NEW YEAR’S DAY, AND THE TEMPERATURE OF 21.1 DEGREES CELSIUS RECORDED IN THE AFTERNOON WAS THE HIGHEST DURING THE MONTH.
THE WEATHER BECAME FINE AND COOLER THE FOLLOWING DAY BUT TURNED CLOUDY AS EASTERLY WINDS STRENGTHENED OFFSHORE DURING THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 3.
WINDS BECAME STRONG IN THE HARBOUR ON JANUARY 4 AND MAXIMUM GUSTS OF 43 KNOTS WERE RECORDED AT THE STAR FERRY PIER IN KOWLOON.
FROM JANUARY 4, THE WEATHER WAS GENERALLY RAINY FOR THREE DAYS, EXCEPT FOR SOME SUNNY INTERVALS ON JANUARY 6.
NORTHERLY WINDS AND MORE RAIN FOLLOWED ON JANUARY 7 AS A SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED LATE THAT DAY.
TEMPERATURES FELL CONSIDERABLY ON JANUARY 8 AND THE WEATHER REMAINED COLD AND CLOUDY UNTIL JANUARY 13.
ON JANUARY 14 AND 15 THE WEATHER BECAME FINE AND WARMER BUT CLOUDY CONDITIONS RETURNED ON JANUARY 16, FOLLOWED BY RAIN IN THE MORNING OF JANUARY 17.
MIST OCCURRED EARLY ON JANUARY 18 BUT WAS CLEARED BY A SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON LATER THE SAME DAY.
WINDS TURNED NORTHERLY ON JANUARY 18 AND STRENGTHENED IN THE MORNING OF JANUARY 19. TEMPERATURES DROPPED TO 10 DEGREES CELSIUS AND THERE WAS SOME RAIN.
NORTHERLY WINDS PERSISTED FROM JANUARY 20 TO 24 AND THE WEATHER REMAINED COLD AND DRY, WITH TEMPERATURES DROPPING BELOW 10 DEGREES CELSIUS DURING THE PERIOD.
A 52-YEAR-OLD STREET SLEEPER WAS REPORTED TO HAVE DIED ON JANUARY 20 BECAUSE OF THE COLD WEATHER.
THE MONTH’S LOWEST TEMPERATURE OF 7.1 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED ON JANUARY 22 AND A MINIMUM OF -1 DEGREE CELSIUS WAS RECORDED AT TAI MO SHAN THE SAME MORNING.
THE WEATHER IMPROVED ON JANUARY 23 AND BECAME SUNNY ON JANUARY 24 AND 25.
/a mkiliuk .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1?83
— iiama*
- 7 -
A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 3.9 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED AT SHEUNG SHU I FARM ON JANUARY 26 AND FROST WAS REPORTED AT SAi KUNG AND TAI LUNG FARMS.
THERE WERE SUNNY PERIODS ON JANUARY 27 BUT MOIST EASTERLY WINDS BROUGHT SOME RAIN ON JANUARY 28 AND 29.
COASTAL FOG DEVELOPED ON JANUARY 29 AND SPREAD INTO VICTORIA HARBOUR THE FOLLOWING TWO DAYS. THE VISIBILITY AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WAS REDUCED TO 2OO METRES BETWEEN 1 AND 3 AM ON JANUARY 31.
EASTERLY WINDS STRENGTHENED LATER IN THE MORNING OF JANUARY 31 BUT MISTY CONDITIONS PERSISTED THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND COASTAL FOG APPEARED AGAIN AT NIGHT.
DURING THE MONTH TWO AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG BECAUSE OF FOG.
THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS ISSUED ON JANUARY 1-3, 9-9, 13, 15-16, 19-20, 23-24 AND 26-28 WHILE THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS EFFECTIVE ON JANUARY 3, 21-23 AND 24-26.
A FROST WARNING WAS ISSUED ON JANUARY 22.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWSi
DATE AND TIME OF DATE AND TIME OF WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL HOISTING LOWERING
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON JAN 3 (11.10 PM) JAN 4 (5.40 AM)
” ” JAN 4 (9.45 AM) JAN 4 (7.05 PM)
” ” JAN 19 (9.30 AM) JAN 20 (7.30 AM)
’• ” JAN 31 (10.30 AM) FEB 1 (6.10 AM)
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WEREi
SUNSHINE
RAINFALL
CLOUDINESS
RELATIVE HUMIDITY
KAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE
MEAN TEMPERATURE
75.0 HOURS i 78.5 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
76.3 MM i 49.4 ABOVE NORMAL
79 PER CENT I 20 PER CENT MORE THAN NORMAL
77 PER CENT i 6 PER CENT HIGHER THAN NORMAL
17.1 DEGREES CELSIUS t 1.6 DEGREES CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
15.0 DEGREES CELSIUS i 0.6 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
/1EAN MINIMUM........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 44,
MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE
MEAN DEW POINT
TOTAL EVAPORATION
- 8 -
13.1 DEGREES CELSIUS i 0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
10.8 DEGREES CELSIUS i 1.0 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
77.2 MM i 29.4 MM BELOW NORMAL
A MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 21.1 DEGREES WAS RECORDED ON JANUARY 1 AND A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 7.1 DEGREES WAS RECORDED ON JANUARY 22.
- - 0 ------------
RADIO CONTROLLED' MODEL CARS POPULAR IN HONG KONG * * * *
RADIO CONTROLLED POPULAR IN HONG K6NG, CLUB, MR LAM CHI TAK,
MODEL CAR RACING IS BECOMING MORE AND. MORE SAID THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF HONG KONG MODELLERS TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR LAM WAS SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE TUEN MUN RESTAURANT TODAY TO INTRODUCE THE COMPETITORS OF THE INTERNATIONAL RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL RACING CAR GRAND PRIX.
THE MODEL CAR RACING COMPETITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG MODELLERS CLUB AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD AT THE TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26 AND 27).
MORE THAN 150 MODEL CAR EXPERTS FROM 11 COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE PHILIPPINES, THAILAND, INDONESIA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA, CHINA, TAIWAN, MACAU AND HONG KONG WILL TAKE PART IN THE TWO-DAY EVENT.
THE GRAND PRIX WAS NOT ONLY AIMED AT PROMOTING THE SPORT BUT ALSO AT PROVIDING A CHANCE FOR LOCAL ENTHUSIASTS TO COMPETE WITH AND TO LEARN NEW TECHNIQUES FROM THEIR OVERSEAS COUNTERPARTS, MR LAM ADDED.
♦DESPITE LOCAL PLAYERS HAVING TAKEN PART IN VARIOUS OPEN COMPETITIONS IN MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE AND JAPAN LAST YEAR, THEY STILL HAVE A LOT TO LEARN FROM OVERSEAS EXPERTS,+ HE SAID.
IN ORDER TO AROUSE PARTICIPANTS’ INTEREST IN THE COMPETITION, W LAM DISCLOSED THAT THE WINNER WILL BE AWARDED CASH PRIZE OF US$3 000 WHILE THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP WILL EACH RECEIVE US$2 000 AND US$1 000 RESPECTIVELY.
♦THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHOULD BE PROUD OF THIS COMPETITION AS IT IS PROBABLY THE FIRST CASH PRIZES TO BE AWARDED TO WINNERS IN AN INTERNATIONAL RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL CAR RACING GRAND PRIX.+ HE SAID.
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY WAS THE REGIONAL AMENITIES OFFICER (RECREATION PROMOTION UNIT) OF NORTH REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE NTSD, MRS HANNY YEUNG.
------0 ------
/9 .....
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1983
- 9 -
URBCO CANDIDATES TO MEET VOTERS K X X RESIDENTS IN YAU MA TEI WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THEIR THREE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION CANDIDATES IN A FORUM ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25) EVENING.
THIS 90-MINUTE FORUM WILL ALSO ENABLE THE CANDIDATES ER DENNY HUANG, MR KWOK YUEN-PING AND MR YUEN KAM-MING TO OUTLINE THEIR ELECTION PLATFORMS AND DISCUSS WITH THE VOTERS ON DISTRICT OR TERRITORY-WIDE AFFAIRS.
IT WILL BE HELD IN THE HENRY G. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE AT THE JUNCTION OF PUBLIC SQUARE STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET FROM 8 PM.
TO PROMOTE THE COMING ELECTIONS, THE CANDIDATES WILL ALSO APPEAR IN A TWO-AND-A-HALF-HOUR VARIETY SHOW WHICH WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS AND DANCERS AND BEGIN AT 3 PM ON SUNDAY, MARCH 6 AT THE OPEN SPACE OUTSIDE THE INTER-CONTINENTAL PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
ADMISSION TO BOTH EVENTS IS FREE.
NOTE TO EDITORS i
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE UC ELECTION FORUM TO BE HELD AT 8 PM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 25) IN THE HENRY G. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE AT THE JUNCTION OF PUBLIC SQUARE STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET AND THE VARIETY SHOW AT 3 PM ON MARCH 6.
-----o------
YOUTH PROBLEMS TO BE DISCUSSED KMX
WITH PARENTS AND FAMILIES DISCUSSED AT A SEMINAR FOR
YOUTH PROBLEMS, SUCH AS CONFLICTS AND PREPARATION FOR ADULTHOOD, WILL BE SAI KUNG SECONDARY SCHOOL CHILDREN ON SATURDAY.
SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE URBAN COUNCILLOR MISS MARIA TAM, A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR LAU KA-CHO, AND A CHINESE UNIVERSITY LECTURER, DR YEUNG WAI-CHUN.
IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND AN OPEN FORUM. ABOUT 150 STUDENTS HAVE BEEN INVITED.
THE SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, WILL START AT 8.30 AM AT THE CHENG CHIK CHEE SECONDARY SCHOOL, HIRAM’S HIGHWAY, SAI KUNG.
a Dt-PORT ON THE SEMINAR WILL BE PUBLISHED FOR THE COMMITTEE AND LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS’ REFERENCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID.
/meanwhile, a
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 19b3
- 10 -
MEANWHILE. A SEMINAR ON JUVENILE CRIME FOR 250 JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS WILL BE HELD AT THE FUNG MING HALL, WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 27).
THE DISTRICT’S POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER, MR WONG CHEE-FUNG, MR LUI TA I-LOK OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND TWO OTHER GUEST SPEAKERS WILL TALK ON THE CURRENT SITUATION OF JUVENILE CRIME, ITS EFFECTS ON SOCIETY AND THE ROLE OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN
COUNSELLING YOUNG PEOPLE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR TO BE HELD AT 8.30 AM AT THE CHENG CH IK CHEE SECONDARY SCHOOL, SAI KUNG ON SATURDAY. A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE, AM 5797, WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 7.45 AM FOR SAI KUNG.
-----o------
YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS ******
MORE CONCERTS, OPERAS AND CULTURAL PERFORMANCES ARE BEING PLANNED FOR A WIDER PUBLIC IN THE RURAL PART OF YUEN LONG, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON, SAID TONIGHT (THURSDAY).
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ACTIVELY ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS IN THE PURSUITS OF THE ARTS, AND PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THIS FIELD.
MR MACPHERSON WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE THIRD YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL WHICH FEATURES 17 DAYS OF CONCERTS, CANTONESE OPERAS AND EXHIBITIONS ON CHINESE PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY.
♦APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS IS BOTH EDUCATIONAL AS A PURSUIT IN ITSELF, AND CHARACTER-BUILDING, AS IT HELPS THE INDIVIDUAL TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF RHYTHM, FORM, GRACE, HARMONY AND BALANCE,* HE SAID.
MR MACPHERSON SAID IT WAS NO EASY TASK TO CO-ORDINATE THE PROGRAMME AND THAT THE FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE DESERVED TO BE CONGRATULATED FOR THE IMAGINATION AND VIGOUR WITH WHICH THEY HAD ACHIEVED THE TASK.
/+THEIR SUCCESS •••••••
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1983
11 -
♦THEIR SUCCESS IS WITNESSED BY THE KEEN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY FOR THE EVENT AND THEIR INTEREST IN AND APPRECIATION GF THE ARTS WHICH THE FESTIVAL HELPS TO STIMULATE,* HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT HAD ALWAYS BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IT WAS THE FIRST NT DISTRICT TO RUN BALLET TRAINING COURSES, A CHILDREN’S CHOIR, A CANTONESE OPERA TROUPE AND A CHINESE ORCHESTRA.
THE 34-EVENT PROGRAMME, SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AT $400 000, WILL BE HELD AT THE LUT SAU HALL, YUEN LONG TOWN HALL AND A LOCAL SECONDARY SCHOOL.
ADMISSION TO MOST EVENTS IS FREE.
ALSO PRESENT AT TONIGHT’S CEREMONY WERE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES WILSON, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR MA NING-HEI.
-----o------
DB MEMBERS LOOK
OVER CLEARED BACKLANES * X * *
ABOUT 20 MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TODAY (THURSDAY) TOURED EIGHT BACKLANES IN THE DISTRICT WHERE 72 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES HAD BEEN RECENTLY CLEARED.
THE AREA IS BOUNDED BY PAK TAI STREET ON THE EAST, MA TAU WAI ROAD AND MA TAU CHUNG ROAD ON THE WEST, AND SUNG WONG TOI ROAD ON THE NORTH.
THE CLEARANCES WERE THE FIRST STAGE OF A JOINT DEPARTMENTAL PROGRAMME TO CURB UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN BACKLANES, ILLEGAL PARKING, WORK DEBRIS, PAVEMENT OBSTRUCTION, ILLEGAL HAWKING AND SANITARY NUISANCES.
DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED INCLUDE THE URBAN SERVICES, LANDS, LABOUR AND HOUSING DEPARTMENTS, POLICE AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED $100 000 FOR THIS PROGRAMME UNDER WHICH ALL BACKLANES IN THE DISTRICT HAVE BEEN ZONED INTO 15 PRIORITY AREAS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORK.
0 -
12
LASER SHOW TO PROMOTE DC ELECTIONS * * *
A LASER SHOW TO PUBLICISE THE FORTHCOMING URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL BE STAGED AT SHAM SHUI PO TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING.
FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE DYNAMIC VISUAL EFFECT OF LASER WILL BE USED TO SYNCHRONISE WITH A SLIDE PRESENTATION TO INTRODUCE THE ELECTIONS AND SERVICES AND FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.
APART FROM A THREE-DIMENSIONAL COLOUR PATTERN PROJECTED IN THE SKY, THE LASER DISPLAY WILL ALSO PORTRAY IMAGES AND SLOGANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTIONS.
THE ♦LASER NIGHT+ VARIETY SHOW, SPONSORED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, IS ALSO ONE OF A SERIES OF ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES FOR RESIDENTS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE SHOW, TO BE HELD AT THE PO ON ROAD PLAYGROUND AT 7.45 PM, WILL ALSO FEATURE THREE HOURS OF SINGING PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR ARTISTES, A DRAMA AND A LUCKY DRAW.
ADMISSION IS FREE.
NOTE TO ED ITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE +LASER NIGHT+ VARIETY SHOW TO BE HELD AT 7.45 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT PO ON ROAD PLAYGROUND.
VOTERS GET SUPPLEMENT ON ELECTIONS * * *
MORE THAN 50 000 COPIES OF A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT ABOUT THE FORTHCOMING URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND CANDIDATES IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN CONSTITUENCY WERE SENT TO THE DISTRICT’S VOTERS TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE FOUR-PAGE BILINGUAL SUPPLEMENT CONTAINS PLATFORMS OF THE TWO CANDIDATES, MISS MARIA TAM AND MR WONG CHUN-WAI, A MESSAGE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TONY COOPER, AN EXPLANATORY NTTE ON VOTING PROCEDURES, AND A LOCATION MAP OF THE 16 POLLING STATIONS IN THE CONSTITUENCY.
THE HISTORY OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, ITS RESPONSIBILITIES AND STRUCTURES, FACILITIES AND SERVICES PROVIDED IN THE DISTRICT ARE ALSO MENTIONED.
PRODUCED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE SUPPLEMENT IS ONE OF A SERIES OF PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES LINED UP FOR THE MARCH 8 ELECTIONS.
OTHERS INCLUDE AN OPEN FORUM, A VARIETY SHOW, AND DISTRIBUTION CF RULERS WITH ELECTION SLOGANS TO SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1983
- 13 -
AMS MEMBERS RECEIVE LONG SERVICE MEDALS * * * *
SOME 70 OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE WILL BE AWARDED LONG SERVICE MEDALS DURING ITS 32ND ANNUAL DINNER ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 26).
MANY WILL RECEIVE THE CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDAL IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR 15 YEARS OF EFFICIENT SERVICE AND OTHERS WILL BE AWARDED THE FIRST CLASP FOR OVER 27 YEARS OF SERVICE.
THE COMMISSIONER OF THE SERVICE, DR K.L. THONG, WILL PRESENT THE MEDALS TO THE RECIPIENTS AT THE ANNUAL DINNER WHICH WILL BE ATTENDED BY GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
THE AMS HAS OVER THE PAST YEARS RENDERED USEFUL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY TOWARD AUGMENTING THE HOSPITAL AMBULANCE SERVICE IN TIMES OF CRISIS AND RAINSTORMS. IT ALSO RENDERS SERVICES AT METHADONE TREATMENT CLINICS AND MEDICAL POSTS IN REFUGEE CAMPS.
NOTE TO EDITORS*
THE ANNUAL DINNER WILL BE HELD AT THE MAXIM’S PALACE RESTAURANT, THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY, STARTING FROM 7.30 PM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 26).
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
--------o----------
KITE-FLYING FUN DAY FOR YOUNG AND OLD
* * *
ABOUT 150 KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS WILL BE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO TRY THEIR SKILL IN KITE-FLYING AT THE CHONG HING WATER SPORTS CENTRE IN SAI KUNG ON MARCH 6.
THE EVENT, KNOWN AS THE KOWLOON CITY KITE-FLYING FUN DAY IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND IS SPONSORED BY SAN MIGUEL BREWERY. IT IS OPEN TO ANYONE AGED BETWEEN EIGHT AND 50.
IN ADDITION TO OFFERING BEGINNERS A CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT KITE-FLYING, THERE WILL BE COMPETITIONS ON KITE-MAKING AND KITE-FLYING.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE KITE-MAKING COMPETITION WILL HAVE TO BRING ALONG THEIR HOME-MADE KITES.
/those ’./HO......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 19&3
- 14 -
THOSE WHO COMPETE IN THE KITE-FLYING COMPETITION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES, ONE FOR THOSE AGED 16 OR BELOW AND THE OTHER FOR 17 OR ABOVE. MEDALS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE FIRST THREE WINNERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RSS SAID: *KITE-FLYING USED TO BE POPULAR IN OLD CHINA AND THE MANUFACTURING OF KITES HAS ITS OWN ARTISTIC VALUE.
+IN VIEW OF THE TRADITIONAL VALUES OF THE CHINESE FOLKLORE, WE CONSIDER IT AS WORTH PURSUING.*
THE FEE FOR EACH PARTICIPANT IS *10.
THOSE WISHING TO TAKE PART IN THE EVENT SHOULD CALL AT THE KOWLOON CITY RSS OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF MA TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 3-7128500.
-----0------
CROWN LAND SOLD * * *
FOUR PIECES OF CROWN LAND WERE SOLD AT AN AUCTION HELD BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
TWO OF THE SITES ARE IN STANLEY AND ARE FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES.
THE FIRST SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 135 SQUARE METRES, WAS SOLD TO YU WING CONSTRUCTION AND INVESTMENT CO. FOR $3.7 MILLION, OR *27 407.41 PER SQUARE METRE.
THE SECOND SITE, OF ABOUT 117.2 SQUARE METRES, WAS SOLD TO TALLOWAY INVESTMENT CO. LTD. FOR *2.8 MILLION, OR *23 890.78 PER SQUARE METRE.
THE REMAINING TWO SITES IN YUEN LONG ARE FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
BOTH HAVE AN AREA OF ABOUT 926.4 SQUARE METRES. ONE WAS SOLD TO SYRA LTD. FOR *1.3 MILLION OR *1 403.28 PER SQUARE METRE, WHILE THE OTHER WAS SOLD TO TINQUA LTD. FOR *1.8 MILLION OR *1 943.01 PER SQUARE METRE.
A FLAT AT 13 IVY STREET, 5TH FLOOR, KOWLOON, WHICH WAS ALSO OFFERED AT THE AUCTION WAS WITHDRAWN BECAUSE THERE WAS NO BID.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1983
- 15 -
CROWN LAND TENANCIES OFFERED * * K *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES OF TWO PIECES OF CROWN LAND IN THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL AREA.
BOTH SITES, EACH MEASURING 375 SQUARE METRES, ARE TO BE USED FOR THE REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE (INCLUDING PAINTSPRAYING) OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
THE TENANCIES ARE FOR TWO YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS FOR THE ABOVE SITES IS 12 NOON ON MARCH 11.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, FIFTH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (YUEN LONG), AND DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON WEST), KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1OTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
0 --------
ROAD CLOSURE IN CAUSEWAY BAY * * * *
THE SOUTHBOUND SECTION BETWEEN KINGSTON STREET AND VICTORIA PARK ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 27), TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FLYOVER AT GLOUCESTER ROAD.
TRAFFIC ON KINGSTON STREET BETWEEN CLEVELAND STREET AND GLOUCESTER ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO WAY.
VEHICLES ALONG VICTORIA PARK ROAD FLYOVER HEADING FOR CAUSEWAY ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CLEVELAND STREET AND KINGSTON STREET TO RE-JOIN GLOUCESTER ROAD SOUTHBOUND.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE KO.
UK-HK TIES STRESSED ............................................ 1
$9~MILLI0N PLAYGROUND OPENED IN SHA TIN ........................ 2
COURSE ON CONTEMPORARY METHODS FOR TEACHERS .................... 3
NEW FEES FOR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE ATTENDANCE ..................... 4
NT HAWKER LICENCE AND PITCH FEES INCREASED ..................... 5
TUEN MUN HOVERFERRY FARE UP BY $1 .............................. 7
SPECTAT, STAMPS TO MARK COMMONWEALTH DAY ....................... 8
ROWING COURSES FOR HONG KONG ENTHUSIASTS ....................... 8
NT LITTER LAW STRENGTHENED ..................................... 9
LANTAU TAXIS IN SERVICE SOON .................................. 10
THREE NEW ROADS FOR TUEN MUN .................................. 10
PIER LEASE OFFER TO SHELL COMPANY ............................. 11
UC ELECTION CANDIDATES TO HAVE FUN WITH RESIDENTS.............. 11
COUNTRY PARKS PHOTOS FOR DISPLAY .............................. 12
LANDS AND WORKS TO HOLD SPORTS DAY............................. 12
FIRING PRACTICE WARNING ....................................... 13
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF PEAK TRAM SERVICES .................... 13
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1983
1 -
UK-HK TIES STRESSED ******
BRITAIN IS IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG, AND THE RELATIONSHIP WORKS BOTH WAYS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) WHEN OPENING AN EXTENSIVE VISUAL EXHIBITION ENTITLED ♦BRITAIN TODAY+ AT UNITED CENTRE.
MR BRAY SAID THE TWO PLACES HAD MANY LINKS APART FROM THE OBVIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL TIES.
♦THUS FOR INSTANCE HONG KONG CURRENTLY EXPORTS MORE OF HER MANUFACTURED GOODS TO BRITAIN THAN TO ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD EXCEPT AMER ICA,♦ HE SAID.
♦HONG KONG IS BRITAIN’S BIGGEST MARKET IN ASIA, BIGGER EVEN THAN JAPAN.♦
HE SAID THE EXHIBITION WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG FOR MANY YEARS AND THE PURPOSE WAS TO,SHOW BRITAIN TO HONG KONG.
♦THERE ARE SEVERAL ORGANISATIONS ALREADY WORKING IN HONG KONG TO PROMOTE ASPECTS OF BRITAIN, AMONGST WHICH I PAY TRIBUTE TO THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION, THE BRITISH COUNCIL AND THE BRITISH TOURIST AUTHORITY.
♦HOWEVER, NONE IS REQUIRED TO SHOW BRITAIN IN THE ROUND AS THIS VISUAL COLLECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND POSTERS BY THE BRITISH CENTRAL OFFICE OF INFORMATION DOES.+
MR BRAY ALSO HOPED THAT THE EXHIBITION WOULD REMIND PEOPLE OF THE VERY MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CONTRIBUTION WHICH BRITAIN CONTINUED TO MAKE.
THE EXHIBITION, WHICH IS BEING HELD ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF UNITED CENTRE, QUEENSWAY, FEATURES POSTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND OTHER MATERIAL ON 30 DISPLAY PANELS.
THEMES ILLUSTRATED INCLUDE TRADE, TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, OVERSEAS AID AND SPORT. ALSO FEATURED ARE THE ROYAL FAMILY.
THE EXHIBITION WILL RUN UNTIL MARCH 16. ADMISSION IS FREE AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME.
--------o----------
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 193
2
I9-MILLI0N PLAYGROUND OPENED IN SHA TIN *****
THE NORTHERN BANK OF SHING MUN RIVER IN SHA TIN WILL BE COMPLETELY DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE MULTI-PURPOSE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TOWN.
A $9-MILLION PLAYGROUND WAS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC TODAY (FRIDAY), ADDING TO THE EXISTING PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX AND SQUASH COURTS AT THE RIVER BANK.
THE YUEN WO ROAD PLAYGROUND, BUILT ON 2.41 HECTARES ALONGSIDE THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AND SQUASH COURTS, IS ANOTHER MODERN MULTI-PURPOSE RECREATIONAL FACILITY IN THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING NEW TOWN.
IT HAS SIX TENNIS COURTS, FOUR BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL COURTS AND TWO MINI-SOCCER PITCHES, SHA TIN URBAN SERVICES OFFICER, MR IP SHING-WAI SAID AT A CEREMONY MARKING THE OPENING OF THE FACILITY.
ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE RECREATIONAL COMPLEX IS A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND WITH MODERN PLAY EQUIPMENT OF IMAGINATIVE DESIGN, MR IP SAID.
ALL PLAY EQUIPMENT ARE INSTALLED WITH SAFETY MATTING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHILDREN USING THEM, HE ADDED.
MR IP SAID CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW SHA TIN SPORTSGROUND ADJACENT TO YUEN WO PLAYGROUND IS NOW IN FULL SWING AND WILL PROBABLY BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE SPORTSGROUND WILL HAVE AN EIGHT-LANE, ALL-WEATHER RUNNING TRACK, A STANDARD TURFED SOCCER PITCH AND COVERED STANDS FOR 2 500 PEOPLE.
HE ALSO SAID THAT A LARGE TOWN PARK WAS BEING PLANNED AND WORK WAS EXPECTED TO START VERY SOON.
WITH THESE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, THE NORTHERN BANK OF SHING MUN RIVER WILL BECOME A CENTRAL RECREATION AND SPORTS VENUE IN THE NEW TOWN, HE SAID.
MR IP, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (SOUTH REGION) OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR DAVID DOWDING, LATER PERFORMED A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY.
ALSO TAKING PART AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DONALD TSANG, THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE PROJECT MANAGER, MR KENNETH KWOK, AND SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR WAI HON-LEUNG.
---------o -----------
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1983
- 3 -
COURSE ON CONTEMPORARY METHODS FOR TEACHERS
* * * *
SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS ARE INVITED TO NOMINATE TEACHERS FOR A REFRESHER TRAINING COURSE AT NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN SEPTEMBER.
THE COURSE IS ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 1978 WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION. IT IS TO ACQUAINT SERVING TEACHERS WITH CONTEMPORARY METHODS AND APPROACHES IN TEACHING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, TO PROMOTE THE USE OF RESOURCES, AND TO PROVIDE KNOWLEDGE OF NEW CONCEPTS IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT.
IT WILL BE SUBJECT BASED, AND WILL BE OPERATED ON A DAY-RELEASE BASIS OVER ONE YEAR, WITH INDIVIDUAL TEACHERS ATTENDING 36 FULL-PAY WEEKLY MEETINGS ON A FIXED DAY OF THE WEEK.
THE CURRICULUM WILL COMPRISE A CORE OF STUDY AND AN ELECTIVE COURSE. THE CORE COURSES INCLUDE TOPICS IN EDUCATION, EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, ASSESSMENT/STATIST I CAL METHODS IN EDUCATION, AND MICROCOMPUTERS IN THE CLASSROOM.
THE ELECTIVE SUBJECTS INCLUDE ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, CHINESE AND OTHER SUBJECTS.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE PROJECTS AND ASSIGNMENTS AND TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN SEMINARS AND TUTORIALS.
THERE WILL BE NO WRITTEN TEST OR EXAMINATION, AND A TEACHER WITH A SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE WILL BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE.
HEADS OF SCHOOLS ARE ASKED TO NOMINATE UP TO FIVE NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS OF ANY RANK WHO COMPLETED THEIR INITIAL TRAINING FIVE YEARS AGO AND WHO ARE TEACHING THEIR ELECTIVE SUBJECTS IN FORMS I TO III.
PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO TEACHERS WHO HAVE NOT ATTENDED ANY COURSE SINCE THEIR INITIAL TRAINING IN A COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
A REPLACEMENT TEACHER OF CERTIFICATED MASTER/M(STRESS RANK MAY BE EMPLOYED ON A TEMPORARY MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS BY A GOVERNMENT OR AIDED SCHOOL FOR A YEAR TO REPLACE THE FIVE TEACHERS UNDERGOING TRAINING. THE SERVICE OF THE REPLACEMENT TEACHER WILL COUNT FOR PROMOTION AND INCREMENTAL PURPOSES.
SCHOOL HEADS WHO WISH TO NOMINATE TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE COURSE SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR NOMINATIONS TO THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (FURTHER EDUCATION), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, SECOND FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE MARCH 15.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE COURSE MAY BE MADE TO NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT TEL. 5-871281 AND QUERIES ABOUT REPLACEMENT TEACHERS TO THE DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER CONCERNED.
- 0 -
rRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1983'
- 4 -
NEW FEES FOR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE ATTENDANCE *****
FEES FOR THE ATTENDANCE OF MEMBERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE IN RESPECT OF DUTIABLE COMMODITIES HAVE BEEN AMENDED WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY (FRIDAY) UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1983, PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES REGULATIONS, FEES ARE CHARGED FOR THE ATTENDANCE OF MEMBERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE WHERE THEY ARE REQUIRED BY A PERSON IN POSSESSION OR CONTROL OF GOODS TO WHICH THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE APPLIES. ATTENDANCES INCLUDE, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT AT A BONDED WAREHOUSE OR ANY OTHER PLACE, OR DURING THE REMOVAL OF DUTIABLE COMMODITIES FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE FEE INCREASES SHOULD HAVE VERY LITTLE EFFECT ON THE PRICES OF DUTIABLE COMMODITIES.
♦THE FEES ARE INTENDED TO COVER THE COST OF THE SERVICE PROVIDED. AS A RESULT OF SALARY REVISIONS FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE IN APRIL 1981 AND 1982, IT IS NECESSARY TO INCREASE THE FEES TO REFLECT PRESENT DAY COSTS.
♦THESE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN AUGUST 1981, WITHOUT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE PREVIOUS APRIL’S SALARY ADJUSTMENT. THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE ARISING FROM THE ADJUSTMENT IS ESTIMATED TO BE $1.64 MILLION A YEAR,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE FOLLOWING SHOWS THE REVISED AND OLD FEES IN DOLLARSt
PER HOUR OR
PART OF AN HOUR PER 8-HOUR DAY PER MONTH
REVISED RATE OLD RATE REVISED RATE OLD RATE REVISED RATE OLD RATE
INSPECTOR 90 64 630 448 13 500 9 600
CHIEF CUSTOMS OFFICER 71 57 497 399 10 650 8 550
SENIOR CUSTOMS OFFICER 58 42 406 294 8 700 6 300
CUSTOMS OFFICER 39 29 273 203 5 850 4 350
--------o----------
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1933
- 5 -
NT HAWKER LICENCE AND PITCH FEES INCREASED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED INCREASES FOR HAWKER LICENCE AND PITCH FEES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE.
THE NEW FEES WILL COME INTO FORCE FROM TUESDAY (MARCH 1), SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE REVISED FEES WHICH APPLY TO FIXED PITCH AND ITINERANT HAWKERS, MOBILE VAN OPERATORS, FROZEN CONFECTIONERY TRADERS, TRADESMEN, TEMPORARY LICENCE HOLDERS, OPERATORS OF COOKED FOOD STALLS, REFRESHMENT STALLS AND NEWSPAPER PITCHES ARE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THESE ARE THE FIRST FEE INCREASES FOR NT HAWKERS SINCE 1980. SIMILAR INCREASES WERE ANNOUNCED FOR URBAN HAWKERS IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
COMPARING THE NEW NT FEES WITH THOSE COMING INTO FORCE IN THE URBAN AREAS ON THE SAME DATE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID A COOKED FOOD OPERATOR, FOR EXAMPLE, TRADING IN THE URBAN AREA WOULD BE PAYING $11 040 FOR HIS ANNUAL FEE STARTING FROM MARCH 1, WHILE HIS COUNTERPART IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD ONLY PAY $5 700 FOR THE LICENCE AND PITCH FEES COMBINED.
♦THERE ARE AT PRESENT 7 258 LICENSED HAWKERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO WHOM THESE FEES APPLY. THE NUMBER OF LICENSED NT HAWKERS IS GRADUALLY DROPPING AS THEY ARE BEING MOVED INTO PURPOSE-BUILT MARKETS AND BAZAARS,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE INCREASES ARE NOT LIKELY TO CAUSE HARDSHIP TO THE OPERATORS, NOR SHOULD THEY AFFECT THE COST OF LIVING OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE HAWKERS’ OVERHEADS ARE NEGLIGIBLE, COMPARED WITH THOSE OF SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS WITH WHICH THEY COMPETE FOR BUSINESS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE HAWKER LICENCE AND PITCH FEES WOULD BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY IN THE FUTURE.
/ths following........
Friday, fbbr’jahy 25, 983
- 6 -
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE REVISED AND EXISTING ANNUAL FEES OF VARIOUS NT HAWKER LICENCES AND PITCHESt
REVISED FEES EXISTING FEES
(1) FIXED PITCH HAWKER LICENCE $ 300 8 150
(2) ITINERANT HAWKER LICENCE -
(A) MOBILE VAN $5 700 $2 850 -
(B) FROZEN CONFECTIONERY 3 400 3 200
(C) TRADESMAN 3 400 3 200
(D) OTHER CLASSES 3 150 3 75
(3) TEMPORARY LICENCE 3 50 $ 25
(4) CONSENT FOR DEPUTY ONE HALF OF ONE HALF OF
THE FEE OF THE FEE OF
HIS PRINCIPAL’ S HIS
LICENCE PRINCIPAL’S
LICENCE
(5) DUPLICATE LICENCE OR PITCH CARD 3 50 3 25
(6) COOKED FOOD 35 400 32 700
(7) LIGHT REFRESHMENT 35 400 32 700
(8) NEWSPAPER $ 300 3 150
(9) TRADESMAN 3 300 3 150
(10) BARBER 3 100 3 50
(11) BOOTBLACK 3 100 3 50
(12) WALL STALL -
(A) NOT EXCEEDING 1.1 SQUARE METRES $ 160 3 80
(B) EXCEEDING 1.1 SQUARE METRES $1 580 $ 790
(13) OTHER CLASSES -
(A) NOT EXCEEDING 1.1 SQUARE METRES 3 480 $ 240
(B) EXCEEDING 1.1 SQUARE METRES BUT
NOT EXCEEDING 1.7 SQUARE METRES $ 720 $ 360
(C) EXCEEDING 1.7 SQUARE METRES BUT
NOT EXCEEDING 2.2 SQUARE METRES I 960 $ 480
-----0------
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1983
- 7 -
TUEN MUN HOVERFERRY FARE UP BY $1
X * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED AN APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY TO INCREASE ITS CURRENT $6 FARE ON THE TUEN MUN-CENTRAL HOVERFERRY SERVICE BY $1 WITH EFFECT FROM MARCH 1.
THE INCREASED FARE WILL REDUCE ANNUAL OPERATING LOSSES ON THE ROUTE FROM ABOUT 54 MILLION IN 1982 TO 52.7 MILLION IN 1983. A FARE OF OVER $8 WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR THE ROUTE TO BREAK EVEN ON OPERATIONAL COSTS.
THE COMPANY HAS BEEN CHARGING 56 FOR THE 14.5 NAUTICAL-MILE JOURNEY SINCE THE PREMIUM SERVICE WAS INTRODUCED IN OCTOBER 1981.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMPANY DID NOT INCLUDE THIS ROUTE IN ITS APPLICATION FOR A GENERAL FARE INCREASE IN 1982 ON THE GROUNDS THAT PATRONAGE HAD NOT STABILISED.
HE ADDED THAT A NUMBER OF ECONOMY MEASURES, AMONG WHICH WERE CANCELLATION OF THE SERVICE, REPLACEMENT OF HOVERFERRIES BY CONVENTIONAL VESSELS AND A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF HOVERFERRIES OPERATING ON THE ROUTE, WERE CONSIDERED BEFORE APPROVING THE INCREASE.
CANCELLATION WAS NOT SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED BECAUSE OF THE POPULARITY OF THE SERVICE. REPLACEMENT BY CONVENTIONAL FERRIES WAS TRIED BUT WAS UNPOPULAR BECAUSE OF THE LONGER JOURNEY TIME AND BECAUSE THERE WERE INSUFFICIENT PASSENGERS TO MAKE IT PAY.
OF THE VARIOUS WAYS TO TRAVEL FROM TUEN MUN TO CENTRAL, THE 3O-MINUTE HOVERFERRY TRIP IS THE QUICKEST AND MOST DIRECT. THE AVERAGE JOURNEY TIME, ON OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORT, IGNORING WAITING TIME AND INTERCHANGE TIME, RANGES FROM 55 MINUTES BY RESIDENTIAL COACH SERVICE TO MEI FOO SUN CHUEN THEN BY MTR TO CENTRAL AT A COMBINED FARE OF 56.50, TO 95 MINUTES BY BUS TO LAI CHI KOK AND ANOTHER BUS TO CENTRAL AT A COMBINED FARE OF $4.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE VIEWS OF BOTH TUEN MUN RESIDENTS AND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, WHO DISCUSSED THE MATTER LAST OCTOBER, WERE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN THE APPLICATION WAS CONSIDERED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
THE REASONS FOR THE FARE INCREASE WERE EXPLAINED TO THE DISTRICT BOARD AT ITS MEETING TODAY.
--------0-------
/8 ........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1983
- 8 -
SPECIAL STAMPS TO MARK COMMONWEALTH DAY *****
THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE WILL ISSUE FOUR SPECIAL STAMPS TO COMMEMORATE THIS YEAR’S COMMONWEALTH DAY ON MARCH 14.
THE FOUR STAMPS WILL FEATURE AN AERIAL VIEW OF VICTORIA HARBOUR, A CONTAINER SHIP ENTERING THE HARBOUR, THE HONG KONG FLAG AND HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH DURING HER VISIT HERE IN 1975, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE STAMPS, IN DENOMINATIONS OF 30 CENTS, SI, Si.30 AND $5, WILL BE ON SALE FROM MARCH 14.
THEY WILL BE ON DISPLAY ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE AND IN THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 4.30 PM FROM MARCH 7 TO MARCH 12, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SPECIALLY DESIGNED FIRST-DAY COVERS WILL ALSO BE ON SALE AT 53 CENTS EACH AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM MARCH 1, WHILE ADVANCE ORDERS FOR THE SERVICING OF THE COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON MARCH 9 UP TO 5 PM, HE SAID.
SINCE 1977, THE SECOND MONDAY IN MARCH HAS BEEN DESIGNATED COMMONWEALTH DAY BY AGREEMENT AMONG ALL COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES.
THIS YEAR 56 POSTAL ADMINISTRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH WILL ISSUE COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS TO MARK THE OCCASION.
CONSIDERABLE DEMAND IS EXPECTED FOR THE FIRST-DAY COVERS BECAUSE OF THE ATTRACTIVE ISSUE AND THE LARGE NUMBER OF POSTAL ADMINISTRATIONS ISSUING SPECIAL STAMPS FOR THE OCCASION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
GENERALLY, PHILATELISTS WORLDWIDE WOULD LIKE TO COLLECT A COMPLETE SET OF THE COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS, HE ADDED.
0 --------
ROWING COURSES FOR HONG KONG ENTHUSIASTS
* * * *
ROWING ENTHUSIASTS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN INTERNATIONAL ROWING EVENTS UNDER A TRAINING SCHEME SHORTLY TO BE LAUNCHED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE (RSS) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A SERIES OF ROWING COURSES IS BEING PLANNED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG ROWING ASSOCIATION FOR THE 1983-84 YEAR AND APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING INVITED.
KNOWN AS THE ROWING INTRODUCTORY COURSES, THE TRAINING WILL BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN ROWING CENTRE, NEAR THE SHING MUN RIVER.
/IB JOHNNY.......
FRIDAY, FiBRUAiiY 25, 1983
- 9 -
MR JOHNNY CHAN TUNG-SHING, THE RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER IN CHARGE OF OUTDOOR PURSUITS SAID* +ALL PERSONS AGED 16 OR ABOVE WHO ARE ABLE TO SWIM 50 METRES AND TREAD WATER FOR ONE MINUTE, AND WHO ARE WILLING TO UNDERGO RIGOROUS TRAINING MAY APPLY,
♦BEST PERFORMERS IN THE COURSES WILL BE INVITED BY THE HONG KONG AMATEUR ROWING ASSOCIATION TO TAKE UP FURTHER TRAINING.
♦AND THIS IS THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THEY STAND A LOT OF CHANCE OF REPRESENTING HONG KONG IN INTERNATIONAL EVENTS,♦ HE ADDED.
THERE WILL BE 13 COURSES STARTING FROM MARCH 26 TO FEBRUARY 19 NEXT YEAR.
ALL COURSES WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS BETWEEN 2 PM AND 6 PM. THERE WILL BE FOUR SESSIONS, EACH LASTING FOUR HOURS.
ELEVEN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICES WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE 13 TRAINING COURSES. THE FIRST TWO COURSES IN MARCH AND APRIL WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICE.
THE FIRST COURSE WILL START ON MARCH 26 FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER ON APRIL 9. ENROLMENT FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHA TIN RSS OFFICE.
FOR ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT THE RSS HEAD OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 5-458511.
--------0 ----------
NT LITTER LAW STRENGTHENED * * * *
PRIVATE CAR AND MOTOR CYCLE OWNERS ARE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR LITTER THROWN FROM THEIR VEHICLES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 AND A JAIL SENTENCE OF SIX MONTHS FOR THE OFFENCE.
THESE PENALTIES ARE PROVIDED IN THE PUBLIC CLEANSING AND PREVENTION OF NUISANCE (NEW TERRITORIES)(AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1983 UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE, PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
LAW ENFORCEMENT STAFF NOW HAVE WIDER POWERS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST REGISTERED OWNERS OF PRIVATE CARS AND MOTOR CYCLES FOR LITTERING BY SIMPLY NOTING THE REGISTRATION NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME THE OFFENCE IS COMMITTED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
0---------
/10 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, l$d3
10 -
LANTAU TAXIS IN SERVICE SOON X X X
LANTAU ISLAND WILL BE SERVED BY ITS OWN FLEET OF 20 TAXIS WITHIN TWO WEEKS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT APPOINTMENTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE LANTAU TAXIS HAD BEEN FIXED AT THREE EACH DAY STARTING FROM TODAY UNTIL MARCH 7.
THE LANTAU TAXIS WILL BE LIGHT BLUE IN COLOUR WITH A WHITE TOP.
FARE CHARGES WILL BE THE SAME AS THOSE FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS - $3 FOR THE FIRST TWO KILOMETRES AND 30 CENTS FOR EVERY SUBSEQUENT 0.2 KILOMETRE.
BECAUSE OF THE ROAD CONDITIONS IN PARTS OF LANTAU ISLAND, OPERATION OF LANTAU TAXIS WILL INITIALLY BE CONFINED TO SOUTH LANTAU AND TUNG CHUNG WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING FROM SOUTH LANTAU ROAD TO PO LIN MONASTERY IN NGONG PING.
MEANWHILE, THE SPECIAL LANTAU TAXI WRITTEN TEST FOR LANTAU RESIDENTS HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 28, 1983, AND THE RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED WITHIN A WEEK.
----0-------
THREE NEW ROADS FOR TUEN MUN X X X X
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PLANS TO CONSTRUCT THREE NEW ROADS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO SCHOOLS AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE SCHEME FORMS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, TUEN MUN BUILDING, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN SIXTY DAYS.
- 0 - -
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1983
PIER LEASE OFFER TO SHELL COMPANY * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO OFFER BY PRIVATE TREATY GRANT A 10-YEAR LEASE OF THE NEW KOWLOON PERMANENT PIER NO. 15 IN KWUN TONG TO THE SHELL COMPANY OF HONG KONG LIMITED.
THE GRANT ALSO INCLUDES ABOUT 2 291 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED BETWEEN THE PIER AND THE SEAWALL.
THE COMPANY WILL BE PERMITTED TO USE THE EXISTING PIER STRUCTURE ONLY FOR THE LOADING AND UNLOADING OF GOODS AND MATERIALS CONNECTED WITH THE NORMAL BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
ALL OBJECTIONS SHOULD REACH THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
THE NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE SURVEY DIVISION OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD AND AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, 3RD FLOOR, KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET, KOWLOON.
UC ELECTION CANDIDATES TO HAVE FUN WITH RESIDENTS *****
SEVEN URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION CANDIDATES, FROM THE TWO CONSTITUENCIES IN KOWLOON CITY, WILL SPEND A DAY OF FUN WITH THE RESIDENTS ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 27).
STARTING AT 2.30 PM AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND, ACTIVITIES RANGING FROM AN EXHIBITION AND A FILM SHOW ON THE URBAN COUNCIL TO A +TREASURE HUNT+ GAME TO TEST RESIDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNCIL’S FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE HELD.
♦MEET-THE-PUBLIC+ COUNTERS WILL ALSO BE PUT UP FOR THE CANDIDATES TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE RESIDENTS.
A THREE-HOUR VARIETY SHOW FEATURING LION DANCE, ACROBATIC AND SINGING PERFORMANCES BY A LOCAL ARTIST GROUP WILL START AT 7.30 PM.
ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE EVENT IS A SERIES OF PUBLICITY PROGRAMME HELD IN THE DISTRICT FOR THE MARCH 8 ELECTIONS.
ADMISSION IS FREE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1983
- 12 -
COUNTRY PARKS PHOTOS FOR DISPLAY
* * *
AN EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN AT COUNTRY PARKS WILL BE OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN ON TUESDAY (MARCH 1) AT THE LANDMARK IN CENTRAL.
THE DISPLAY, WHICH IS BEING PRESENTED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY ADMINISTERED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, AND A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER, MR HO KING-TON, WILL LAST UNTIL MARCH 9.
IT WILL BE HELD AT THE FOOTBRIDGE LINKING THE LANDMARK WITH ALEXANDRA HOUSE ON THE WESTERN SIDE.
TWO LOTS OF PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE ON DISPLAY.
ONE LOT WAS SELECTED FROM 5 OOO PHOTOGRAPHS ENTERED IN A SERIES OF COMPETITIONS, CULMINATING IN A FINAL COMPETITION LAST NOVEMBER.
THE OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN BY MR HO. THEY WERE COMMISSIONED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY FOR A SPECIAL 1983 CALENDAR PRESENTED BY THE PUBLISHING FIRM, LONGMANS.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE COUNTRY PARKS PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AT 3.45 PM ON TUESDAY, MARCH 1 AT THE WESTERN FOOTBRIDGE AT THE LANDMARK.
------o--------
LANDS AND WORKS TO HOLD SPORTS DAY
* * *
THE LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS WILL BE HOLDING ITS FIRST-EVER SPORTS DAY AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE IN SHA TIN ON SUNDAY.
ABOUT 800 PARTICIPANTS WILL BE COMPETING IN SOME 40 TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS AND THERE WILL ALSO BE NINE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND FIVE COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS PART IC I PAT I NG IN TWO INVITATION RELAYS.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR DAVID MCDONALD, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 2 PM.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE WINNERS BY MRS MCDONALD AND MISS HONG KONG, ANGLIE LEUNG.
--------o -
/13........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1983
- 13 -
FIRING PRACTICE WARNING * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE FOR SEVEN DAYS NEXT MONTH.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING.
THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE PRACTICE ARE i
DATE
MARCH 10
MARCH 14
MARCH 15
MARCH 16
MARCH 17
MARCH 18
MARCH 29
TIME
8 AM - 4.30 PM
8 AM - 11 PM
8 AM - 5 PM
8 AM - 11 PM
8 AM - 11 PM
8 AM - 4 PM
8 AM - 5 PM
--------o----------
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF PEAK TRAM SERVICES * * * *
PEAK TRAM SERVICES WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 28 TO MARCH 4) FOR MAINTENANCE WORK.
NORMAL SERVICES WILL RESUME FROM 7 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 5).
o
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RECOGNITION FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE BUSINESS COURSE............. 1
SAI KUNG SPORTSGRGUND OPENING NEXT MONTH....................... 1
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE CLEARED TO II® OVE ENVIRONMENT ..... 2
NEW PREMISES FOR TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE .................... 3
KWAI CHUNG MARKET STALLS FOR AUCTION............................ 3
YUEN LONG SITE FOR SALE..................................... 4
BOA GOING ON LEAVE ....................................... 4
SPECIAL CAR IF'ffiERS AUCTIONED ..... ........................ 5
WATER CUT ON HK ISLAND.......................................... 6
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1?83
1
RECOGNITION FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE BUSINESS COURSE * * * *
THE DIPLOMA COURSE IN BUSINESS STUDIES OFFERED BY THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE HAS BEEN GIVEN PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION BY THE HONG KONG CENTRE OF THE INSTITUTE OF BANKERS (IOB) IN LONDON.
STARTING FROM THIS YEAR, GRADUATES OF THIS COURSE WILL BE EXEMPTED FROM THE FIRST PART OF VARIOUS SUBJECTS IN THE EXAMINATIONS ORGANISED BY THE IOB.
THE TWO-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE COVERS SUBJECTS RANGING FROM . ECONOMICS, FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS TO ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING, MARKETING AND BANKING CONCEPTS.
STUDENTS ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY’S DIPLOMA EXAMINATION IN MANAGERIAL PRINCIPLES, AND HAVE OFTEN OBTAINED EXCELLENT RESULTS.
THE COURSE IS EQUIVALENT TO THE ADVANCED LEVEL STANDARD SET BY THE CHAMBER WHICH IS RECOGNISED BY COMMONWEALTH AS WELL AS LOCAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR.
MEANWHILE, HONG KONG’S FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, INCLUDING LEE WAI LEE, WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND AS THEY TAKE OVER MORE DIPLOMA COURSES FROM THE POLYTECHNIC.
ALL COMMERCIAL COURSES ARE EXPECTED TO BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE POLYTECHNIC TO THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES BY THE END OF THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR.
-----o------
SAI KUNG SPORTSGROUND OPENING NEXT MONTH
M *
A NEW SPORTSGROUND IN SAI KUNG IS BEING GIVEN FINISHING TOUCHES AND WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN EARLY MARCH.
THE SAI KUNG TANG SHIU KIN SPORTSGROUND, LOCATED WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE TOWN CENTRE, WILL PROVIDE MODERN SPORTS FACILITIES FOR SOME 30 000 RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TOWN, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE SPORTSGROUND HAS BEEN BUILT ON A 2.4-HECTARE RECLAIMED SITE AT A COST OF S6 MILLION, FINANCED JOINTLY BY SIR SHIU-KIN TANG AND THE GOVERNMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, THE SPORTSGROUND WILL BE MANAGED BY THE NTSD.
/its main .......
SATURDAY, FSBBUABY 26, 1^83
2
ITS MAIN FACILITIES ARE A FULL-SIZE GRASS SOCCER PITCH WITH FLOODLIGHTS AND AN ELECTRONIC TIMER AND SCOREBOARD, A SIX-LANE AOO-METRE ALL-WEATHER RUNNING TRACK, A FULL RANGE OF FACILITIES FOR TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS, AND A BASKETBALL COURT WHICH CAN ALSO BE USED FOR VOLLEYBALL.
OTHER FEATURES INCLUDE A COVERED STAND FOR OVER 1 OOO SPECTATORS, A REFRESHMENT KIOSK, CHANGING ROOMS WITH SHOWERS AND SPECIAL FACILITIES FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED.
-----o------
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE CLEARED TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT * * * * *
SIXTY-FOUR ILLEGAL STRUCTURES OUTSIDE THREE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN YAU MA TEI WILL BE DEMOLISHED IN A JOINT DEPARTMENTAL OPERATION ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 28).
STARTING AT 10 AM, STAFF FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL PULL DOWN THESE STRUCTURES ALONG CANTON ROAD AND SOUTH OF SHEK LUNG STREET FRUIT MARKET WHERE THE THREE SCHOOLS ARE LOCATED.
A YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM NEARBY RESIDENTS AND SCHOOL PRINCIPALS THAT THESE STRUCTURES WERE OBSTRUCTING THE WALKWAY OF THE PUPILS.
♦AS A RESULT, BOTH PUPILS AND THEIR PARENTS ARE FORCED TO WALK ON THE CARRIAGEWAY,+ HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE PAVEMENT WOULD BE RESURFACED AND GUARDRAILS INSTALLED TO PREVENT REOCCUPATION.
-----0------
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1993
3
NEW PREMISES FOR TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE * * * * *
A NEW POST OFFICE LOCATED ON THE GROUND AND FIRST FLOORS OF IERMES HOUSE, 10 MIDDLE ROAD, WILL OPEN AT 8 AM ON MARCH 7 (MONDAY).
THIS OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE PRESENT TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AT PEKING ROAD WHICH WILL CLOSE FOR BUSINESS AT 6 PM ON MARCH 5 (SATURDAY), THE POSTMASTER GENERAL SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
BUT POST OFFICE BOX HOLDERS, WHO HAVE BEEN ADVISED SEPARATELY, CAN CONTINUE TO COLLECT THEIR MAIL FROM THE PEKING ROAD OFFICE UNTIL 8 PM ON MARCH 6 (SUNDAY), HE ADDED.
THE NEW POST OFFICE WILL OPERATE IN LARGER PREMISES WITH IMPROVED COUNTER FACILITIES AND WILL HAVE 9 000 BOXES TO MEET PUBLIC DEMAND, HE SAID.
THE EXISTING BUSINESS HOURS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER (3-664111) WILL BE UNCHANGED.
- - 0 - -
KWAI CHUNG MARKET STALLS FOR AUCTION * * * * X
SEVENTEEN STALLS AT THE WING FONG STREET MARKET IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC AUCTION ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 28).
THE AUCTION WILL START AT 9.30 AM AT THE KWAI FONG COMMUNITY HALL AT LAI FONG STREET IN KWAI CHUNG, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
SIX OF THE STALLS WILL BE FOR SELLING MEAT, TWO FOR SELLING POULTRY, FIVE FOR SELLING DRY GOODS, THREE FOR SELLING WET GOODS AND THE REMAINING ONE FOR SELLING ICE.
THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTAL FOR THE SIX MEAT STALLS IS $3 000 EACH WHILE THAT FOR THE TWO POULTRY STALLS IS $2 600 EACH.
THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTALS FOR THE DRY AND WET GOODS STALLS RANGE FROM $600 TO $650 WHILE THAT FOR THE ICE STALL IS $2 000.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MAY START BUSINESS ON MARCH 1 ON A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT, AND ARE REQUIRED TO PAY THE BIDDED RENTAL QUARTERLY.
POTENTIAL BIDDERS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND FIVE PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE AUCTION.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE HAWKERS AND MARKETS SECTION O'- THE KWAI CHUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 0-253624.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1983
- 4
YUEN LONG SITE FOR SALE
* * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING A SITE AT YUEN LONG NEW TOWN FOR SALE BY TENDER.
THE SITE AT PING WIN STREET COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1 893 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK BUILDING, WHICH MAY COMPRISE ACCOMMODATION FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL, GODOWN AND CAR-PARKING) PURPOSES ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS MARCH 25.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES, AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE FOLLOWING PLACES I
* LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
M DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
-----0------
DCA GOING ON LEAVE * * * *
MR B.D. KEEP, DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, WILL GO ON LEAVE FROM TUESDAY, AND RETURN TOWARDS THE END OF MARCH.
DURING HIS ABSENCE, MR TREVOR THORPE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, WILL ACT AS DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION.
--------- o -------
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1983
5
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS AUCTIONED ******
. tm|rTY—FIVE SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD PY AUCTION THIS MORNING (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF $353 100 WHICH WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
cxu AT REC,TAL haLL OF THE CITY HALL, 8TH FLOOR,
SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER 832 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $66 000.
ANOTHER NUMBER CX 2200 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE CF $55 000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1 000 FOR CY 348, AY 2619 BL 8389, CW 8377, CX 1947, CX 9495, CW 8328, CW 8381, CX 718 AND CX 512.
THE OTHER SPECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS 1 WERE SOLD A' r THE
FOLLOWING PRICES i
$19 000 CY 168 S 5 000 — CY 1668
10 000 AB 838 10 000 CX 911
2 500 CX 611 18 000 — CW 5
2 500 CY 116 5 000 — AF 3228
5 000 CT 14 1 500 — CY 107
28 000 9838 5 500 CY 108
35 000 AA 98 1 800 CX 801
4 000 CY 298 29 000 ■> HK 49
5 000 CX 1668 5 500 CX 802
3 500 CX 1683 16 000 1238
1 600 CX 2826 3 200 — CX 993
5 500 CJ 84
TODAY’S SALE WAS THE 82ND ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973 AND BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $27 059 530.
0
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1963
6
WATER CUT ON HK ISLAND
UMM
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN WAN CHAI AND CHAI WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF TEMPORARILY ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 28) AND WEDNESDAY (MARCH 2) RESPECTIVELY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
IN WAN CHAI, THE SUSPENSION WILL LAST FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY AND WILL AFFECT PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY MARSH ROAD, GLOUCESTER ROAD, CANAL ROAD WEST AND HENNESSY ROAD.
IN CHAI WAN, THE SUSPENSION WILL BE FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY UNTIL 6 AM ON THURSDAY AND WILL AFFECT PREMISES ALONG FUNG YIP STREET, SUN YIP STREET, ON YIP STREET, SUN ON STREET, AND CHAI WAN ROAD BETWEEN WING PING STREET AND SUN YIP STREET.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BIGGEST MODEL CAR GRAND PRIX HELD ............................. 1
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY VISITS CAS ............................. 2
DDCA ATTENDING CHINA TOURISM TALKS ............................ 2
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES TO HOLD OPEN DAYS ........................ 3
LANGUAGE INSTITUTE OTTERS REFRESHER COURSES ................... 4
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR NT SITES ............................. 5
10 MORE TAIWAN CITIES GET SPEEDPOST SERVICE ................... 6
DIAL-AN-ENQUIRY SERVICE ON TRANSPORT .......................... 7
PIER OFFERED FOR LEASE ........................................ 7
FAMILY PLANNING SERVICE OFFERED DURING LUNCH-TIME ...........
TWO MORE DBS TO RUN INTERVIEW SCHEME ........................
NEW TERMINUS FOR MAXICAB ROUTE 10 ...........................
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1S£
BIGGEST MODEL CAR GRAND PRIX HELD ******
THE 1983 INTERNATIONAL RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL RACING CAR GRAND HIX HELD AT TUEN MUN IN THE WEEKEND WAS UNDOUBTEDLY THE BIGGEST SUCH EVENT ORGANISED IN THE WORLD, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (NORTH REGION) OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR BOWEN LEUNG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING TO MORE THAN 150 VISITING AND LOCAL MODEL RACING-CAR ENTHUSIASTS AT. A RECEPTION AT TUEN MUN RESTAURANT'TODAY, MR LEUNG SAID THE^EVENT ATTRACTED 120 COMPETITORS FROM 10 OVERSEAS COUNTRIES, THE BIGGEST NUMBER OF ANY SIMILAR WORLD-WIDE GRAND PRIX.
CASH PRIZES TOTALLING $40 000, WHICH WERE AWARDED WERE ALSO THE BIGGEST, MR LEUNG SAID.
MR LEUNG PRAISED PARTICIPANTS FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE AND SPORTSMANSHIP IN MAKING THE TWO-DAY COMPETITION SUCH A SUCCESS.
AND THE SPECTATORS FROM TUEN MUN AND OTHER PARTS OF HONG KONG ALSO ENJOYED THE EVENT VERY MUCH, MR LEUNG SAID.
THE GRAND PRIX, ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE HONG KONG MODELLERS CLUB AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WAS AIMED AT ENHANCING LOCAL MODEL CAR RACING STANDARDS AND GIVING THE PUBLIC A CHANCE TO ENJOY AN ENTERTAINING AND EXCITING COMPETITION.
PARTICIPANTS CAME FROM THE PHILIPPINES, THAILAND, INDONESIA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA, CHINA, TAIWAN AND MACAU.
MR LEUNG SAID THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS LOOKING INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF EARMARKING SOME LOCATIONS UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR THIS SPORT.
A MINI-SOCCER PITCH NEAR TAI HING ESTATE IN TUEN MUN WOULD BE DESIGNATED AS AN ARENA FOR RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL CAR RACING AT SPECIFIED TIMES IN THE NEAR FUTURE, HE SAID.
+IF THIS PILOT SCHEME PROVES SUCCESSFUL, MORE VENUES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN OTHER DISTRICTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,♦ HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG PAID TRIBUTE TO THE OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE HONG KONG MODELLERS CLUB FOR THEIR GREAT EFFORTS IN HELPING TO MAKE THE EVENT SUCCESSFUL.
♦MY THANKS ALSO GO TO ALL SPONSORS PARTICULARLY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE. WITHOUT THEIR ASSISTANCE AND CONTRIBUTIONS THIS COMPETITION WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE,♦ HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1983
2
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY VISITS CAS * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY. MR DAVID JEAFFRESON, VISITED THE CIVIL AID SERVICES THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING AND SAW ITS MEMBERS TAKE PART IN VARIOUS EXERCISES AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE CAS COMMISSIONER, MR R.H. LOBO, MR JEAFFRESON CALLED ON THE SERVICES’ HEADQUARTERS AND ON ITS KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE WHERE HE INSPECTED THE COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PROTECTION COORDINATORS’ OFFICE AND THE MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT CONTROL CENTRE.
HE THEN PROCEEDED BY HELICOPTER TO CAS YUEN TUN CAMP WHERE HE WATCHED A COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PROTECTION EXERCISE, THE MOBILIZATION CF A MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT, AND CAS TRAINING AND CADET ACTIVITIES.
WHILE AT THE CAMP, MR JEAFFRESON ALSO SERVED AS JUDGE FOR A COOKING COMPETITION AMONG THE CAS WONG TAI SIN TEAMS.
-----o------
DDCA ATTENDING CHINA TOURISM TALKS
* * *
MR TREVOR THORPE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, LEFT FOR PEKING TODAY (SUNDAY) TO ATTEND THE CHINA INTERNATIONAL TOURISM CONFERENCE, 1983 TO BE HELD FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO FRIDAY.
THE CONFERENCE, SPONSORED BY THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM OF CHINA AND THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION FOR CIVIL AVIATION OF CHINA, WILL BE ATTENDED BY TOP EXECUTIVES IN AVIATION AND TOURISM.
THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING IS TO PROVIDE A CHANNEL FOR EXCHANGING EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OF WORLD TOURISM AND TRAVEL AND EXPLORING THE FUTURE OF THESE INDUSTRIES.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1983
- 3 -
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES TO HOLD OPEN DAYS ******
HONG KONG’S FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WILL HOLD A SERIES CF OPEN DAYS, STARTING FROM TUESDAY AND SPREADING OVER TWELVE DAYS, FOR VISITORS TO HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT TECHNICAL EDUCATION. .
PROGRAMMES RANGING FROM FASHION SHOWS, CAREERS TALKS FOR SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS, WORKSHOP DEMONSTRATIONS AND EXHIBITIONS CF STUDENTS WORKS WILL BE ORGANISED.
LEADING OFF ON TUESDAY WILL BE THE KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE. IT WILL BE OPEN BETWEEN 12.30 AND 4.45 PM, AND WILL FEATURE A TALK ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND CAREERS DEVELOPMENT FOR FORM THREE AND FOUR STUDENTS FROM SOME 100 SCHOOLS.
ON FRIDAY, THE HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN SHAM SHU I PO AND MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN WAN CHAI WILL CONCURRENTLY HOLD THEIR OPEN DAYS BETWEEN 1.30 AND 6 PM.
ON SATURDAY LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN KOWLOON TONG WILL BE OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM.
ALL WORKSHOPS, LABORATORIES AND CLASSROOMS WILL BE OPEN TO VISITORS.
VISITORS WILL SEE DRAWINGS AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS BY DESIGN STUDENTS. THEY WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO SEE STUDENTS CONCENTRATING ON OPTICAL DISPENSING OR METROLOGY EXPERIMENTS OR EVEN JEWELLERY DESIGN.
THE FINAL OPEN DAY WILL BE HELD BY KWUN TONG ON SATURDAY WEEK BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 4.30 PM, WHEN STUDENTS OF THE CLOTHING DEPARTMENT WILL STAGE TWO FASHION SHOWS.
THE STUDENTS WILL MODEL A TOTAL OF 100 GARMENTS, INCLUDING CASUAL WEAR, SPORTSWEAR AND EVENING WEAR.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME AND ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES CONCERNED.
-----0------
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1963
- 4 -
LANGUAGE INSTITUTE OFFERS REFRESHER COURSES
*****
PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS ARE INVITED TO NOMINATE LANGUAGE TEACHERS TO ATTEND A NUMBER OF FULL-TIME REFRESHER COURSES ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S NEW INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION EETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1983 AND JUNE 1984.
THERE WILL BE FOUR COURSES — TWO FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AND TWO FOR TEACHERS OF CHINESE. EACH OF THEM WILL LAST 16 WEEKS AND ACCOMMODATE 100 TEACHERS.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THESE COURSES ARE TO ACQUAINT TEACHERS WITH THE MOST RECENT TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION, TO ENABLE THEM TO EXTEND AND UPDATE THEIR APPROACHES TO LANGUAGE TEACHING AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR OWN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY.
NO FEES WILL BE CHARGED, AND CERTIFICATES WILL BE ISSUED TO PARTICIPANTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE A COURSE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO TEACHERS WHO HAVE AT LEAST FIVE YEARS’ POSTQUALIFICATION TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND WHO HAVE NOT ATTENDED A FULL-TIME REFRESHER COURSE DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS.
PREFERENCE WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE SPENT MORE THAN HALF OF THEIR TEACHING TIME IN THE TEACHING OF CHINESE OR ENGLISH DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SCHOOLS MAY NOMINATE PARTICIPANTS FOR BOTH THE CHINESE AND ENGLISH COURSES. HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT NOMINATIONS MUST BE MADE IN PAIRS, THAT IS, A NOMINATION FOR THE FIRST CHINESE COURSE MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A NOMINATION FOR THE OTHER CHINESE COURSE. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO THE ENGLISH COURSES.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE RELEASED FROM NORMAL SCHOOL DUTIES TO ATTEND THE COURSES ON A FULL-TIME BASIS. THE SCHOOLS CONCERNED WILL BE ALLOWED TO EMPLOY A FULL-TIME REPLACEMENT TEACHER FOR THE WHOLE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
THE REPLACEMENT TEACHER WILL BE EMPLOYED AT THE CERTIFICATED MASTER/MI STRESS RANK ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS AND THE SERVICE WILL COUNT FOR PROMOTION AND INCREMENTAL PURPOSES.
SCHOOL HEADS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR NOMINATIONS TO THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION AT PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 21/F, 56 DUNDAS STREET, KOWLOON ON OR BEFORE MARCH 20, 1983.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE COURSES MAY BE MADE AT THE INSTITUTE ON TEL. NO. 3-319552.
-----0------
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1983
- 5 -
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR NT SITES * * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM REGISTERED OWNERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS (LETTERS A AND B) FOR EIGHT SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
FOUR OF THESE SITES ARE IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE LARGEST OF THEM, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 11 710 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES ONLY.
A SECOND SITE IN SHA TIN, MEASURING ABOUT 5 893 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR HOTEL USE.
THE THIRD SITE OF ABOUT 3 834 SQUARE METRES IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE FOURTH LOT, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 6 712 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) USE.
TWO OTHER SITES ARE IN TAI PO NEW TOWN. THEY MEASURE ABOUT 5 985 AND 3 199 SQUARE METRES AND ARE EARMARKED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
ANOTHER SITE, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 8 531 SQUARE METRES, IS IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AND IS TO BE USED FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE REMAINING SITE IS IN YUEN LONG NEW TOWN. MEASURING ABOUT
1 889 SQUARE METRES, IT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL/GODOWN PURPOSES. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MARCH 25.
APPLICATION FORMS, NOTICES, AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE FOLLOWING PLACES i
* LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
-----0------
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1983
6
10 MORE TAIWAN CITIES GET SPEEDPOST SERVICE * * * *
THE SPEEDPOST NETWORK TO TAIWAN, NOW COVERING 25 CITIES, WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 MORE CITIES FROM MARCH 1, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE 35 CITIES, WITH THE 10 ADDITIONAL CITIES MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
TAIPEI K TANTZE
PE ITOU * SHALU
* NEIHU TACHI A
* NANKANG CHANGHWA
MUCHA YUANL1N
KEELUNG CHIAYI
PANCHIAO * TOUNAN
HSINTIEN TOULIU
* SHULIN TAINAN
HSINCHUANG HS INYING
ILAN KAOHSIUNG
HSINCHU KANGSHAN
CHUNGL1 FENGSHAN
* YANGMEI * LINYUAN
TAOYUAN PINGTUNG
MIAOLI * CHAOCHOW
TAICHUNG HUALIEN
FENGYUAN
SPEEDPOST PACKAGES POSTED IN HONG KONG BEFORE 6 PM FOR ADDRESSES IN TAIPEI WILL BE DELIVERED ON THE NEXT WORKING DAY.
ITEMS FOR THE OTHER 34 CITIES WILL BE DELIVERED ON THE SECOND WORKING DAY.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO TAIWAN MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU ON TELEPONE 5-2671222
--------o-----------
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1983
7
DIAL-AN-ENQUIRY SERVICE ON TRANSPORT *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS TO INTRODUCE A NEW 24-HOUR TELEPHONE SERVICE FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRIES ON TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT MATTERS.
THE NUMBER IS 5-8933111.
THE NEW ROUND-THE-CLOCK SERVICE, WHICH BECOMES OPERATIONAL ON TUESDAY (MARCH 1), WILL MAKE ENQUIRIES MUCH MORE CONVENIENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
MATTERS COVERED WILL INCLUDE DEPARTMENTAL PROCEDURES, TRAFFIC REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS, PUBLIC TRANSPORT ROUTES, TIME TABLES AND FARES. SUGGESTIONS ON ANY ASPECT OF THE DEPARTMENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES WILL ALSO BE WELCOME.
MEANWHILE, ENQUIRIES CAN ALSO BE MADE DIRECT TO CMB ON 5-616171, KMB ON 3-7454466 AND HYF ON 5-423081.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT MATTERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE LODGED WITH THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT ON 5-776866.
------0-------
PIER OFFERED FOR LEASE * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO OFFER BY PRIVATE TREATY GRANT A 10-YEAR LEASE OF THE KOWLOON PERMANENT PIER NO. 7 OFF CANTON ROAD TO THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON WHARF AND GODOWN COMPANY, LIMITED.
THE COMPANY WILL BE PERMITTED TO USE THE EXISTING PIER STRUCTURE ONLY FOR THE LOADING AND UNLOADING OF GOODS AND MATERIALS CONNECTED WITH ITS NORMAL BUSINESS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA INVOLVED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD REACH THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
THE NOTICE, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN MAY ALSO BE SEEN AT THE SURVEY DIVISION OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND AT THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE, HOP FAT COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 490-492 NATHAN ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
- 0 - -
/8........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1983
8
FAMILY PLANNING SERVICE OFFERED DURING LUNCH-TIME ******
THREE PART-TIME FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS RUN BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL EXTEND THEIR OPERATING HOURS TO COVER THE LUNCH-TIME PERIOD FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF WORKERS.
LUNCH-TIME SERVICE IS TO BE PROVIDED AT THE CENTRAL CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND LI PO CHUN AND KWUN TONG CLINICS IN KOWLOON FROM TUESDAY (MARCH 1).
LI PO CHUN MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRE IN MONG KOK, WHICH OFFERS FAMILY PLANNING SERVICE EVERY TUESDAY WILL OPERATE FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, WHILE THE KWUN TONG CLINIC WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON MONDAYS, TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS.
THE CENTRAL CLINIC AT KAU YU FONG, WHICH NORMALLY STARTS ITS FAMILY PLANNING ADVISORY SERVICE AT 2 PM ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, WILL NOW START AN HOUR EARLIER, FROM 1 PM TO 5 PM.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE HOURS ARE BEING EXTENDED TO GIVE GREATER CONVENIENCE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO CAN ONLY GO FOR COUNSELLING AND EXAMINATION DURING LUNCH TIME.
OTHER GOVERNMENT FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS WILL ALSO BE EXTENDING OPERATING HOURS, HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, THE GOVERNMENT RUNS 45 FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
ATTENDANCE AT THE CLINICS IS FREE BUT A NOMINAL FEE OF SI IS CHARGED FOR CONTRACEPTIVES AND INCIDENTAL SERVICES.
LAST YEAR OVER 110 000 PEOPLE USED FAMILY PLANNING SERVICE RUN BY THE GOVERNMENT.
MEANWHILE, THE YAU TONG MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRE AT KO CHIU ROAD ESTATE WILL BECOME A FULL-TIME CLINIC WITH EFFECT FROM MARCH, OPERATING 5-1/2 DAYS A WEEK.
-----0------
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1983
TWO MORE DBS TO RUN INTERVIEW SCHEME * * * * *
MEMBERS OF TWO MORE DISTRICT BOARDS - WAN CHAI AND MONG KOK -WILL BEGIN MEETING RESIDENTS FROM THURSDAY (MARCH 3).
EVERY THURSDAY EVENING, MEMBERS FROM THE TWO DISTRICTS WILL TAKE TURNS TO RECEIVE SUGGESTIONS, LISTEN TO COMPLAINTS, AND TAKE FOLLOWUP ACTION WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THEY WILL MEET RESIDENTS AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES BETWEEN 5.30 PM AND 7.30 PM IN WAN CHAI AND BETWEEN 7 PM AND 9 PM IN MONG KOK.
WAN CHAI RESIDENTS SHOULD MAKE APPOINTMENT WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 5-752477 OR CALL IN PERSON AT THE OFFICE’S PUBLIC ENQUIRIES COUNTER AT TUNG WAH MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD.
MONG KOK RESIDENTS MAY CALL 3-800251 OR AT THE OFFICE, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
- - 0 - -
NEW TERMINUS FOR MAX ICAB ROUTE 10 * * * *
HONG KONG ISLAND MAX ICAB NO. 10 WILL HAVE ITS TERMINUS IN CAUSEWAY BAY RELOCATED FROM JAFFE ROAD TO CANNON STREET FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 1).
OTHER PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THIS NEW TERMINUS AND THE SECTION OF LOCKHART ROAD BETWEEN PERCIVAL STREET AND CANNON STREET.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1983
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG TV SERVICES AMONG BEST IN WORLD: BRAY ................. 1
EASTERN DISTRICT TO LAUNCH ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN .............. 2
NEW ROAD TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ............................. 4
HELP FOR BLIND VOTERS ........................................... 5
PROPOSALS FOR ALTERATION OF THE VALUATION LIST .................. 6
EASTERN DB MEMBERS TO MEET RESIDENTS ............................ 6
NOTIFICATION OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS ............................ 7
MONEY FOR RECREATION PROJECTS ................................... 7
SEMINAR FOR HONG KONG INDUSTRIALISTS ............................ 8
SEMINAR FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL ART TEACHERS ......................... 9
MAJOR HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY MANPOY/ER SURVEY IN PROGRESS....... 9
FIRST DAY COVERS ON SALE TOMORROW .............................. 10
FRESH WATER CUT IN TSIM SHA TSUI ............................... 10
WATER STORAGE
10
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1983
- 1
HONG KONG TV SERVICES AMONG BEST IN WORLDi BRAY * * * *
HONG KONG HAS ONE OF THE BEST TELEVISION SERVICES IN THE WORLD -THANKS TO SOME BASIC POLICY DECISIONS BY THE GOVERNMENT BACK IN THE LATE 196O’S, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY, SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
IN A SPEECH TO THE NEW TERRITORIES ROTARY CLUB, MR BRAY SAID THAT AT THE START OF THE TV AGE, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED AGAINST SETTING UP A PUBLIC TELEVISION BROADCASTING COMPANY, MAINLY BECAUSE IT FELT PRIVATE ENTERPRISE WAS BETTER ABLE TO DEVELOP A MEDIUM WHOSE PRIMARY AIM, AFTER ALL, WAS ENTERTAINMENT.
+ IT DECIDED THERE SHOULD BE COMPETITION; AT LEAST TWO SEPARATE STATIONS SHOULD BE LICENSED AT ANY ONE TIME. AND IT DECIDED THAT WHERE GOVERNMENT HAD A MESSAGE TO PUT ACROSS, THEN AIRTIME SHOULD BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE ON THE COMMERCIAL CHANNELS,* MR BRAY SAID.
HE SAID THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY HAD HAD ITS UPS AND DOWNS SINCE THESE DECISIONS WERE MADE, BUT BY AND LARGE HONG KONG HAD ONE OF THE BEST TELEVISION SERVICES IN THE WORLD.
+WE HAVE A CHOICE OF CHANNELS IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, AND ON THE CHINESE CHANNELS MUCH OF THE MATERIAL IS LOCALLY-PRODUCED. HONG KONG IS THE WORLD CENTRE FOR CANTONESE LANGUAGE PROGRAMMES, WHICH ARE IN GREAT DEMAND BY OVERSEAS CHINESE COMMUNITIES ELSEWHERE.
+PRODUCTION STANDARDS ARE VERY HIGH INDEED; THE STATIONS TRAIN UP THEIR OWN ARTISTS AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL, PROVIDING CREATIVE CAREERS FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE.*
MR BRAY SAID THE TELEVISION SECTION OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG ALSO PRODUCED MANY AND VARIOUS PROGRAMMES FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND SURVEYS HAD SHOWN THAT THESE PROGRAMMES WERE HELD IN HIGH REGARD BY THE PUBLIC.
+THE DIET OF PROGRAMMES ON OUR TELEVISION SCREENS IS A GREAT DEAL RICHER FOR THE WORK OF RTHK,+ HE SAID.
MR BRAY ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, MR NIGEL WATT, WHO HAS BEEN IN THE POST FOR THE LAST 16 YEARS AND IS TO RETIRE NEXT WEEK.
+NIGEL HAS STEERED THE DEVELOPMENT OF TELEVISION FROM ITS BEGINNING UNTIL NOW, THROUGH THE ROCKS OF STATUTORY CONTROLS AND THE SHOALS OF PUBLIC OPINION, AND I DO NOT THINK THAT RELATIONS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE INDUSTRY WOULD HAVE REMAINED SO CORDIAL HAD HE NOT BEEN THERE TO ACT AS MIDDLEMAN AND ADVISER,* HE SAID.
-----o------
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1983
2
EASTERN DISTRICT TO LAUNCH ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN ******
A MAJOR PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED IN MARCH IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT TO CARRY THE ANT I-NARCOTICS MESSAGES TO MORE THAN 500 000 PEOPLE LIVING THERE.
THE THREE-WEEK-LONG CAMPAIGN, BEGINNING ON FRIDAY (MARCH 4), IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, CO-ORGANISED BY THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH AND SPONSORED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (MONDAY) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MADAM ANITA CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF THE CAMPAIGN IS TO ALERT LOCAL RESIDENTS TO THE EVILS OF DRUG ADDICTION. IT WILL BE DIRECTED PRIMARILY AT THE 15 TO 24 AGE GROUP.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL ALSO SEEK TO AROUSE A MORE SYMPATHETIC PUBLIC ATTITUDE TOWARDS REHABILITATED DRUG ADDICTS, AND TO MAKE KNOWN THE AVAILABILITY OF TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES FOR THE ADDICTS, SHE ADDED.
THE CENTRAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, COMPRISING EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, ALL AREA COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN IN THE DISTRICT, SCHOOL MASTERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND 17 REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED, WAS SET UP SEVERAL MONTHS AGO TO WORK OUT THIS MAJOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT OPERATION.
IN ADDITION, FIVE WORKING SUB-COMMITTEES WERE SET UP TO PLAN AND CO-ORDINATE THE CAMPAIGN PROGRAMME.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL START WITH A GRAND OPENING CEREMONY ON FRIDAY (MARCH 4) AT 8 PM AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL, TO BE FOLLOWED BY AN EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING VARIETY SHOW +TREASURE THE PRIME YEARS OF YOUR LIFE+.
MR G. BARNES, REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON), CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
THE VARIETY SHOW, WHICH IS PRODUCED BY THE TELEVISION DIVISION CF RTHK, WILL INCLUDE OPERAS AS WELL AS SINGING AND DANCE PERFORMANCES BY WELL-KNOWN ARTISTES AND STUDENTS FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS. THE PROGRAMME WILL BE RECORDED AND TELECAST ON TVB JADE CHANNEL ON SUNDAY (MARCH 6) FROM 8.35 TO 9.35 PM. THE SHOW IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT MORE THAN 2.5 MILLION VIEWERS.
/this wtt.t.
MONDAY, FEBKUAHY 26, 1983
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY TWO OTHER LARGE-SCALE EVENTS:
* AN ANT I-NARCOTICS EXHIBITION WITH AN ICE-SKATING SHOW
-- +THE DANCE OF NEW LIFE+ — IN CITY PLAZA, TAI KOO SHING ON MARCH 13, AND
X A CARNIVAL AT VICTORIA PARK ON MARCH 20, FEATURING VARIOUS SPORTS EVENTS AND TELEMATCH GAMES.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL END WITH A POP CONCERT ON MARCH 28.
OTHER EVENTS WILL BE ORGANISED IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE DISTRICT. THEY WILL INCLUDE TALKS TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT, SEMINARS AND ACTIVITIES IN YOUTH CENTRES, FREE MOVIE SHOWS, AND VISITS TO SHEK KWU CHAU TREATMENT CENTRE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL.
AN ESSAY-WRITING COMPETITION AND A QUIZ CONTEST WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED FOR ALL SECONDARY STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT, TOGETHER WITH A DRAWING COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN.
INTENSIVE BACK-UP PUBLICITY WILL BE STAGED BEFORE AND DURING THE CAMPAIGN THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA AND BY MEANS OF PUBLICITY VAN, POSTERS, BANNERS, STICKERS AND LEAFLETS TO SPREAD THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL COST ABOUT $400 000, WHICH WILL BE COVERED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH.
ALSO SPEAKING AT TODAY’S CONFERENCE WAS MR KARL STUMPF, CHAIRMAN OF THE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE OF ACAN.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD MADE A GREAT DEAL OF PROGRESS IN THE ANT I-NARCOTICS WORK BUT THE SUCCESS IN ONE YEAR COULD BE WIPED OUT BY THE BUMPER HARVEST OF OPIUM CROP IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE IN THE SUBSEQUENT YEAR.
MR STUMPF SAID IT IS NOW UNIVERSALLY RECOGNISED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM OF DRUG ABUSE IS TO ENGAGE IN EXTENSIVE DRUG EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAMMES, DIRECTED TOWARDS THE TOTAL COMMUNITY BUT WITH THE MAIN THRUST TOWARDS YOUNG PEOPLE.
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S CONFERENCE WERE MR C.M. LEUNG, ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS; MR H.T. LUI, DISTRICT OFFICER (EASTERN); W MATTHEW CHEUNG, ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (EASTERN); AND MR PETER MOK, CHAIRMAN, REHABILITATION OF REFORMED DRUG ADDICTS COMMITTEE, LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH.
-----0------
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1983
4
NEW ROAD TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION * * * *
THE SPIRIT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH PROPER CONSULTATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ON LOCAL PROBLEMS. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
+A NEW SLIP ROAD IN SAN PO KONG, OPENED TODAY, IS A TYPICAL EXAMPLE THAT A COMPROMISE BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES IS POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.
THE KING HONG STREET, WHICH CONNECTS KING FUK STREET AND THE UP-RAMP OF THE AIR CARGO TERMINAL FLYOVER, WAS OPENED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS (WORKS), MR NICKY CHAN, THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION ADVISER, DR NIP KAM-FUN, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, DR CONRAD LAM, AT A CEREMONY THIS AFTERNOON.
THE ROAD WAS DESIGNED TO MINIMISE INTERFERENCE TO THE FASTMOVING TRAFFIC ON THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD UNDER THE FLYOVER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
WORK ON THE ROAD WAS COMMENCED LAST APRIL AND COMPLETED EARLY THIS MONTH.
HE SAID SERIOUS TRAFFIC CONGESTION HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED IN THE DISTR ICT FOR YEARS.
IN JULY 1981, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TOOK UP THE ISSUE AND URGED THE GOVERNMENT FOR A SOLUTION.
SEVERAL PROPOSALS WERE PUT FORWARD, ONE OF WHICH WAS TO CONSTRUCT AN EXIT ROAD FROM SZE MEI STREET INTO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, HE SAID.
AN IN-DEPTH STUDY WAS CONDUCTED BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS BUT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TURNED DOWN ON GROUNDS OF SAFETY, SUCH AS VISIBILITY COULD BE OBSTRUCTED BY THE COLUMNS OF THE FLYOVER LEADING TO THE AIRPORT, HE ADDED.
OTHER PROPOSALS WERE RAISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, AND EVENTUALLY IT WAS AGREED TO BUILD A SLIP ROAD TO DIRECT TRAFFIC FROM KING FUK STREET ONTO THE UP-RAMP OF THE FLYOVER, HE SAID.
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR IAN STRACHAN, HIGHWAYS OFFICE OFFICIALS, AND MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND AREA COMMITTEES.
0 --------
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1963
- 5 -
HELP FOR BLIND VOTERS * * X *
A GUIDANCE NOTE IN BRAILLE HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO HELP BLIND ELECTORS VOTE IN THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS WHICH ARE ONLY NINE DAYS AWAY.
COPIES OF THE GUIDANCE NOTE ARE NOW ON DISPLAY AT VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS FOR THE BLIND, PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF ALL URBAN DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S DISTRICT OFFICES.
ON ELECTION DAY — TUESDAY, MARCH 8 — COPIES OF THE NOTE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT POLLING STATIONS WHERE PRESIDING OFFICERS WILL GIVE FURTHER ASSISTANCE TO BLIND VOTERS.
OUTLINING VOTING PROCEDURES FOR THE BLIND, A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT REGISTERED BLIND VOTERS WOULD RECEIVE A POLLING CARD INFORMING THEM OF THE ADDRESS OF THE POLLING STATION AT WHICH THEY COULD VOTE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 11 PM ON MARCH 8.
VOTERS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS.
+AT THE POLLING STATIONS, THEY WILL BE ASSISTED BY ELECTION OFFICIALS WHILE PEOPLE ACCOMPANYING THEM WILL HAVE TO WAIT OUTSIDE,* HE SAID.
+AFTER VERIFICATION OF THEIR IDENTITY, THE BLIND VOTERS WILL BE GIVEN A BALLOT PAPER AND ESCORTED TO A POLLING BOOTH WHERE THE PRESIDING OFFICER WILL MARK THE BALLOT PAPER ON THEIR BEHALF ACCORDING TO THEIR INSTRUCTION, FOLD IT AND PUT IT INTO THE BALLOT BOX, THUS COMPLETING THE VOTING PROCEDURES.
♦THE PRESIDING OFFICER WILL KEEP ALL INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL.*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT VOTERS WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO TALK TO ANYBODY EXCEPT THE PRESIDING OFFICER OR HIS STAFF WHILE INSIDE POLLING STATIONS, AND THAT THEY COULD VOTE FOR ONLY ONE CANDIDATE.
- 0 ---------
/6 .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1983
- 6 -
PROPOSALS FOR ALTERATION OF THE VALUATION LIST * * *
THE .PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT ANY PERSON WHO DISAGREES WITH THE INCLUSION OR OMISSION OF A TENEMENT FROM A VALUATION LIST, OR THE RATEABLE VALUE ASSESSED, MAY DURING MARCH SERVE ON THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE LIST FOR THE YEAR COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1983.
FORMS FOR THIS PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT’S OFFICE AT HENNESSY CENTRE, 500, HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG AND ALSO FROM DISTRICT OFFICES. SUCH PROPOSAL WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM TOMORROW (MARCH 1) UNTIL MARCH 31.
A NOTICE OF THIS IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
COMMENTING ON THIS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE RATEABLE VALUES IN THE LIST HAVE NOT BEEN CHANGED SINCE 1977 EXCEPT DUE TO ALTERATIONS OR ADDITIONS TO THE PROPERTY OR AS A RESULT OF A PREVIOUS PROPOSAL OR APPEAL. HE ADDED THAT PERSONS DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR ASSESSMENTS AND INTENDING TO LODGE A PROPOSAL SHOULD FIRST GET IN TOUCH WITH THE VALUER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AREA IN WHICH THE PREMISES ARE SITUATED, WHEN ASSISTANCE WILL GLADLY BE GIVEN.
HE EMPHASISED THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING THE LODGING OF A PROPOSAL OR AN APPEAL, RATES MUST BE PAID BY THE DUE DATE. IN THE CASE OF RATE DEMANDS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1983, THIS MEANS THAT PAYMENT MUST BE MADE BY THE END OF APRIL.
-----0-----
EASTERN DB MEMBERS TO MEET RESIDENTS
* * * *
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL LAUNCH A MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME NEXT MONTH TO STRENGTHEN THE CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE RESIDENTS AND BOARD MEMBERS.
STARTING FROM MARCH 11, TWO UNOFFICIALS WILL BE ON DUTY AT ONE OF THE FOUR EASTERN DISTRICT’S SUB-OFFICES EVERY FRIDAY FROM 7.30 PM TO 9.30 PM TO MEET LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE OFFICES ARE AT CAUSEWAY BAY, SHAU KEI WAN, CHAI WAN AND NORTH POINT.
RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO SEEK ADVICE ON MATTERS RELATING TO GOVERNMENT SERVICES, EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON DISTRICT PROBLEMS AND GIVE SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT ARE WELCOMED TO MAKE USE OF THE SCHEME.
THEY SHOULD MAKE APPOINTMENT WITH THE OFFICES IN PERSON OR TELEPHONE 5-630181 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
-----o------
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1983
NOTIFICATION OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS * * *
EMPLOYERS WERE REMINDED TODAY (MONDAY) TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW CONCERNING NOTIFICATION OF OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT IF AN EMPLOYEE IS INJURED AT WORK AND GIVEN SICK LEAVE BY A DOCTOR FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS, THE EMPLOYER SHOULD NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF THE ACCIDENT.
THE EMPLOYER SHOULD DO SO WHETHER OR NOT THE ACCIDENT GIVES RISE TO ANY LIABILITY TO PAY COMPENSATION.
ANY EMPLOYER WHO, WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE, FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THIS PROVISION, IS LIABLE ON SUMMARY CONVICTION TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $1 900.
THE SPOKESMAN WAS COMMENTING ON A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY WAS FINED $1 000 FOR FAILING TO INFORM THE DEPARTMENT OF AN OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENT.
IN THE ACCIDENT, A WORKER WAS INJURED IN A FALL AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE ON JULY 16, LAST YEAR.
- - 0 - -
MONEY FOR RECREATION PROJECTS * * * *
MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ARE EXPECTED TO COME ON STREAM THIS YEAR, THROUGH GRANTS FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
SIX ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN GRANTS TOTALLING ABOUT $2 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OR SETTING UP OF FACILITIES FOR YOUTH RECREATION IN VARIOUS PARTS CF HONG KONG.
GRANTS FOR THIS SCHEME STARTED IN 1980 WITH A DONATION CF $1 MILLION, FOLLOWED WITH AN EQUAL AMOUNT IN 1981 AND ANOTHER $1.5 MILLION IN 1982.
RECEIVING THE BIGGEST SLICE OF THE 1982 DONATION IS THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS, WHICH HAS BEEN ALLOCATED $830 000, FOR RECONSTRUCTING A CAMP AT THE STANLEY OUTDOOR ACTIVITY CENTRE.
THE DISTRICT OFFICE (NORTH) RECEIVED OVER $360 000 TO BUILD A RECREATIONAL GROUND AT DILL’S CORNER IN KWU TUNG.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2£, 1 j
- 8 -
A GRANT OF $300 000 WENT TO DISTRICT OFFICE (ISLANDS) FOR THE RENOVATION OF A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND AT TUNG WAN BEACH IN CHEUNG CHAU.
APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS FROM THE CLUB’S ANNUAL DONATION ARE VETTED BY THE CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR YOUTH RECREATION, CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY, COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT.
0 --------
SEMINAR FOR HONG KONG INDUSTRIALISTS
* * * *
HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIALISTS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY NEXT MONTH TO OBTAIN ADVICE AT A SEMINAR ON A VARIETY OF SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE AND IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE AND THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION. IT AIMS TO PROVOKE INVESTORS’ THINKING WHEN MAPPING THEIR INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND TO DRAW THEIR ATTENTION TO HOW THE THREE BODIES COULD ASSIST THEM IN MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF THE 80’S.
IT WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 17 AT THE HOLIDAY INN HOTEL (GOLDEN MILE) STARTING AT 2 PM.
THE SUBJECTS COVERED WILL INCLUDE AN OUTLINE OF PRESENT AND FUTURE TRENDS IN THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, DIVERSIFICATION OF PRODUCTS, INVOLVEMENT IN JOINT VENTURES, QUALIFICATIONS FOR SITES CR PRE-BUILT FACTORIES IN THE TAI PO AND YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, AND HOW TO OBTAIN DETAILS OF NEW TECHNOLOGY.
IT WILL BE CHAIRED BY MR S.K. CHAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HKPC. SPEAKERS WILL BE: DR EDMUND CHAN, PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT, ELECTRONICS SERVICES DIVISION, HKPQxMR DAVID CHEUNG, PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT, INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT; AND MR P.K. WONG, COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, HKIEC.
PERSONS WISHING TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR SHOULD TELEPHONE >7222434.
NOTE TO EDITORS :
THE SEMINAR ON ELECTRONICS WILL BE HELD AT 2 PM ON MARCH 17 AT TOPAZ ROOM, HOLIDAY INN HOTEL (GOLDEN MILE). YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
- - - - 0------------
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1983
- 9 -
SEMINAR FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL ART TEACHERS *****
PRIMARY SCHOOL ART AND CRAFT TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A SEMINAR ON THE TEACHING OF PAINTING ON MARCH 30 AT NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN SASSOON ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE AND WILL FEATURE TALKS ON ART AND CHILDREN’S PAINTING AND EXTENDING TECHNIQUES IN CHILDREN’S PAINTING.
THE SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE A PAINTER, MR WONG CHEUNG; A LECTURER FROM GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, MR CHRISTOPHER FAN AND AN INSPECTOR FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE, W KWOK CHIU-LEUNG.
AS SEATING CAPACITY IS LIMITED, SCHOOL HEADS ARE REQUESTED TO NOMINATE ONLY ONE TEACHER FROM EACH SCHOOL, NOMINATIONS SHOULD REACH THE INSPECTOR (ART), ART SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, 5/F, NORTH POINT ON OR BEFORE MARCH 9.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE SEMINAR SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE INSPECTOR (ART) ON TEL. 5-621006 OR 5-621967.
-----0-----
MAJOR HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY * *
MANPOWER SURVEY IN PROGRESS * * *
THE HOTEL, CATERING AND TOURISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL IS CONDUCTING A SURVEY TO ASCERTAIN THE MANPOWER AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.
QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY NOTES WERE SENT TO SOME 1 190 SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS TWO WEEKS AGO. INTERVIEWERS FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ARE NOW VISITING THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO COLLECT THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES AND, TO HELP IN ANSWERING THEM.
THE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE REQUESTED TO SUPPLY INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF THEIR EMPLOYEES AND VACANCIES, QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED, COURSES MOST IN DEMAND BY EMPLOYEES AND OTHER RELATED MANPOWER AND TRAINING MATTERS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAINING BOARD, MR LARRY TCHOU, STRESSED THAT INFORMATION COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY WOULD BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE SURVEY WILL END ON MARCH 19.
--------o ----------
/1O........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1983
FIRST DAY COVERS ON SALE TOMORROW * * *
SPECIALLY DESIGNED FIRST-DAY COVERS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH DAY STAMP ISSUE WILL BE ON SALE AT 50 CENTS EACH AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
ADVANCE ORDERS FOR SERVICING THE COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM TOMORROW TILL 5 PM ON MARCH 9, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
FOUR SPECIAL STAMPS WILL BE ISSUED ON COMMONWEALTH DAY, MARCH 14, IN DENOMINATIONS OF 30 CENTS, $1, $1.30 AND $5.
FRESH WATER CUT IN TSIM SHA TSUI * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 3) FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.
THE PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, AUSTIN ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD, AUSTIN AVENUE, KIMBERLEY ROAD AND OBSERVATORY ROAD, INCLUDING HILLWOOD ROAD.
- - o - -
WATER STORAGE
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 72.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 421.198 MILLION CUBIC bETRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 241.756 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 41.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 -